#someone please buy him a refrigerator

[sakuraharukaaa]

sakura munching on food ❤️

#wind breaker #sakura haruka #someone please buy him a refrigerator #he really needs one istg

[noellesturniolo]

Nic Sheff x female reader okay so like the reader also has some addictions but not drugs just weed and alcohol and maybe some self-harm too if you do that stuff and they basically try to help each other out but like Nic finds the reader like dead but not dead and yeah angst + fluff

Thank you!!

𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 - 𝐍𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐟

𝐀/𝐧: 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝! 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬!!! 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫! 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰! 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐨....

Living with Nic had been a roller coaster, with constant highs and lowest lows. Highs had been staying clean for days and lows were the days you were caught out in an alley buying from a mysterious man.

It wasn’t anything hard, so not a single thought crossed your mind while buying.

“it’s just weed nothings gonna happen.”

Weed wasn’t even the worst you had done, so you didn’t know why Nic was so adamant about you not buying anymore. Weed only took the painful thoughts away. Nic had pleaded with eyes full of worry for you not to go and buy. Here you were in a dark alley on a rainy night, meeting up with this random plug who offered to give you a good amount for a small price.

“10 bucks?” Confusion washed over your face.

“Yeah I mean, I just need to get rid of it.” he handed the bag to you.

“Alright man, thanks” You handed him the 10 bucks and strutted away feeling on top of the world for the deal you had just scored, you made your way to the car.

You glance at your phone, 2:48 am The phone reads. You glance at the text your mom sent about an hour ago still not knowing how to react.

“Y/n, you can't just keep ignoring us. All I'm saying is that it's bullshit you wasted your life when you could have gone to college like Amelia. Your sister is a perfect role model honey, love you!”

“Fuck Amelia and your petty bullshit momma, always Amelia this and Amelia that.” you talk to yourself leaving your mom on read.

You start your car and begin to head home, wondering what Nic would say if he saw that text, what he would say if he saw the weed you newly bought.

The drive was short, mostly when you're going 90 down a highway. Only takes around 10 minutes, the apartment you fled almost 45 minutes ago was now dimmed and seemed quiet from the window. You head up the stairs, play with your keys, and finally find the right one, playing with the handle you see the apartment is empty once you enter. A note is left on the refrigerator “went to get some food, I'll be back please be safe.”

You hastily open the fridge grab a bottle of tequila, rush to the bathroom, and lock it. Opening the window so the smell of weed would be faint instead of bold enough for Nic to walk in the door and notice. Turning on the water, you plug the drain to have a nice hot bath. You begin to undress and see the recently dried scars on your thighs, too far up for someone to see unless your clothes were off.

“Lucky you,” you said out loud yet again to yourself, it had been awhile since Nic had seen what your naked body had looked like, and you promised him you would stop.

“Yes Nic, I promise, I swear I'll never do it again.” the concern grew in his eyes as he traced his fingers over your cuts.

“Y/n…please. Never again,” he pleaded with you as tears fell down his face afraid he might lose you. That he might fail you.

You snap out of your thoughts and see the bathtub has filled up and you step in letting the hot water and steam consume you. You pop open the bottle of tequila and take a deep inhale of the cart you just bought, switching it out every time until your mind becomes hazy.

Something wasn't right, no you had gotten crossfaded before. Your head didn't feel light, it felt heavy and your movements were slow and you were struggling to move around, you couldn't focus. Had you been laced? What was going on?…. Your eyes began to go blurry and then it was black.

You could hear pounding on the door and the screams and cries of Nic, but you couldn't comprehend a thought, you felt so heavy and couldn't see.

“Y/n please, open this door please fuck. Are you okay?” his cries echoed through your head.

You tried to talk but nothing came out, you didn't move. A slam is heard, over and over again. The lock had come loose and you felt Nic hold your head above the water, now cold. When did that happen?

“Hello this is 911, whats your emergency.”

“Hello my girlfriend, she uh, she's passed out, she's barely breathing I-i uh- I think she overdosed? Send help please.” he breathes out shakily.

That was the last thing you heard before it all went faint and you woke up to the fluorescent lighting and hum. The occasional beep from a monitor.

Fluttering your eyes open, you see a curled-up Nic clasping your hand peacefully asleep and snot dried up around his bare nose. His eyes were red around the skin from wiping the tears away.

“Nic?” his head quickly jolts up and he stands up.

“Oh my god, hi sweetheart.” he grabs your chin gently kissing your lips afraid of hurting you. As if you were glass and he didn't want to break you. “Hold on, j-just hold on.” he presses the call button for the nurse.

“What happened? Nic…nic wh-”

“Baby, you were laced. Fentanyl. You're lucky you are even here, you were lucky to have the type of- no- not lucky at all but you didn't have the type that kills you instantly. but-” he drops his head into his hands pulling away from mine. “We have to talk.” he looks at me with his wide puppy eyes.

“Okay.” I look down at him. “You can't do this, you can't put yourself in danger. You can't lie anymore, you said you would be a better person for me. I said I would be a better person for you and you didn't hold up your end of the deal y/n. DAMIT.” tears threaten to fall from both of your eyes. He grabs your head and looks at you like nobody else exists in the world. His big eyes filled with tears was a sight that was engraved into your brain. “Just please baby. I'm here.” He cries.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry Nic. I just needed some time to wind down and I didn't know. I just didn't.” your voice breaks.

“Please we need to get through this together honey, I love you so much. I saw everything honey, please you need to get better for me. I can't stand for you to hurt yourself like this.”

“I love you, Nic, I promise I will change for you, baby.”

#nic sheff #nic sheff fanfic #nic sheff fluff #beautiful boy #timothee chalamalabingbong #timothee x reader #timothee chamalet #timothée chalamet #timothee chalamet smut #wonka x reader #wonka movie #wonka x reader smut #wonka smut #paul atredies x you #paul atredies smut #paul atredies x reader

[roosterforme]

The Deployment Diaries Part 10 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley's mind takes a deep dive while you feel the pressure of your boyfriend’s return from deployment. 

Warnings: Swearing, angst

Length: 3000 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots! Check my masterlist for the reading order!

Bradley pounded on Phoenix's door, and she answered immediately.  "What?" she asked, clearly startled. She was already dressed for bed, but Bradley needed her.  "You have a Facetime this week, right? Even though we dock on Saturday?" he asked frantically. 

"Yeah. Tomorrow's my dad's birthday," she replied, eyeing him with caution. He knew he must look alarming.  "I need it." "Need what?" "Your Facetime slot. I need to call Y/N." "No! You'll be home on Saturday, and I begged to get it for tomorrow," she replied, trying to close the door on him.  Bradley shoved his foot into the door jamb. "Please, Nat! I'll buy it from you. I need it!" "What the hell, Bradshaw? What's going on?" Now she had the door wide open again.  Bradley unlocked his phone and handed it to her. "Read this email thread from Jake." He watched her eyes move across his phone screen as his heart pounded. She kept her face neutral until she reached the very end, and then she handed the phone back to him with wide eyes.  "Why didn't you say something about this sooner?" Bradley sighed and rubbed his hand over his face "As much as it was bothering me, I felt sure that I was overreacting. That nothing would happen." "Yeah, okay," she replied. "You can have my Facetime slot." ------------------------------------------- You excused yourself to go to your bathroom when Bob got back from walking Tramp. You went into your bedroom, but you could still hear Jake and Bob talking.  "She thinks this is her fault," Jake said softly. "And I'm not sure how much she had to drink." "Someone needs to stay here tonight." Bob's voice was as soft and sweet as ever. "Exactly. But she doesn't want me to call Maria, and Nat's in the middle of the fucking ocean with Rooster, so we're both gonna have to stay. I don't want to get any attitude from Bradshaw when he gets back if one of us stays alone with her." "Yeah, okay," Bob agreed immediately, and you felt so much relief that they were going to stay, you started crying again.  "You can take the extra bedroom. I'll sleep on the couch," Jake said. "Now, I'm starving, and I'm sure she's got a ton of food here." You went into the bathroom with a clean tee shirt and sweatpants just as you heard them starting to rummage around in the refrigerator. When you looked at yourself in the mirror, you were shocked at just how bad you looked. Your hair was a mess, and your cheeks were tear streaked, but your eyes were the worst of all. They were bright red and still filled with tears, and you looked like you were in agony. Because you were.  When you picked Bradley up, you were going to have to tell him what happened, and he was going to be so disappointed in you. You knew would never even humor a conversation about either of you sleeping with anyone else while he was gone. But meanwhile you'd been leading on another man for weeks while he was deployed. You hadn't even known you were doing it at the time, but you must have been, or otherwise you wouldn't be in this mess. And then you thought about Chelsea, and you barely made it to the toilet in time before you threw up more. Josh had kissed your mouth and your neck. He'd pushed his body against yours and ran his fingers along your leg. And you had so badly wanted it to be Bradley touching you. How had you let this happen? You felt disgusting, so you took a hot shower and scrubbed your skin. Once you had managed to get yourself cleaned up a bit, got changed and put your glasses on, you ventured back out into the kitchen where both men were eating leftover lasagna and eyeing you carefully. "You feel better?" Bob asked as he set down his fork and gave you a small hug.  "A little bit," you told him. "Thanks for bringing me home." "No problem," Bob said as he returned to the plate of food. Jake cleared his throat. "We're going to stay the night, but we need to be on base at 9. You want us to wake you up in the morning?" "It doesn't matter," you whispered. "Oh, God. What am I going to do?" you asked them. "He's going to be so mad. I can't believe I let this happen." "Oh, whoa whoa, you didn't do anything wrong tonight, Angel," Jake said as he set his plate in the sink." That asshole tried to take advantage of you. You don't think this is your fault, do you?"  You just nodded pitifully at him. "Yeah," you croaked. "Bradley warned me about spending too much time with him, and you tried to warn me too. And I thought nothing was going to happen. I didn't want anything to happen! I thought I'd made some new friends."  Jake sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I was only trying to let you know that I knew what that guy was thinking, because I am a guy. I wasn't trying to make you feel shitty." "He's never going to forgive me," you whispered. "Just talk to him. He loves you," Bob promised, but you didn't really feel better. You just trudged off to the hallway closet to get a blanket and pillow for Jake to sleep on the couch before you took Tramp to bed with you. You held onto Tramp as he snoozed away, and you could hear Jake snoring from the living room, but you couldn't find it in yourself to sleep much at all. You were going to have to pick Bradley up on Saturday morning and then basically blindside him with this. Your heart was already broken.  When you checked the time and it was 5:54 am, you sent a quick email to Commander Bickel and let him know you wouldn't be in today. Then you asked him if he could meet with you on Thursday or Friday.  You needed to figure out your life, and you needed to be honest with Bradley. You just hoped he still wanted you.  --------------------------------------------- Bradley was a fucking wreck. He had been looking forward to going home for weeks, but now he wasn't sure what to think. He'd been unable to pay attention in his meetings all day, and he couldn't eat anything. Now he was waiting to claim an ipad and hoped you picked up when he called.  "Bradshaw!" He jumped to his feet when his name was called, and he was dialing your number before he sat down. It was Wednesday afternoon for you, and you should have been at work. But when you answered, and Bradley saw that you were still in his tee shirt and laying in bed with Tramp, he was instantly even more worried.  "What's going on there, Baby Girl?" He braced himself for your answer. You looked terrible. You were still beautiful to him, but it looked like you had spent the night crying. Your eyes were red and puffy, and your forehead was creased in worry. And when you tried to answer his question, you started crying again.  "Sweetheart, please don't cry. Just tell me what's going on." "Who emailed you? Jake or Bob?" you managed to ask, and your voice sounded so rough to him. He watched as you reached for your necklace charms and held them in your palm. He might as well own up to knowing something was wrong back home. "Jake. Now can you tell me what happened, Y/N? I'm worried sick here." His heart was pounding in his throat. You sniffed and Tramp started licking the tears from your cheeks as Bradley was helpless to do anything except wait for your answer. "He kissed me." Bradley's body immediately felt like a tightened coil. "Josh? He kissed you?" "Yes," you whispered. Fuck. Bradley had known, somehow, all along, that this guy was into you. And then his mind took a deep dive into a horrible abyss that he never, ever wanted to have to visit again. Bradley managed to choke out his worst fears. "Baby Girl, did you want him to kiss you? Are you interested in him?"  "No!" you wailed, and Tramp started licking your face again. "Of course not!" Bradley watched you cry and gasp for air, and then his mind plummeted further into the abyss. He was going to be sick, but he needed to know. Everything. "Did he touch you? Force himself on you?" The way you closed your eyes and turned your face away from the camera had Bradley panicking beyond belief.  "What did he do? I need you to tell me, Sweetheart. What did he do?" Bradley was suddenly standing and gripping the edge of the table. He tried to take deep breaths, but they were coming out ragged. He was going to kill that motherfucker.  "Bradley. I don't want you to be mad at me," you whispered through your tears. "Baby Girl, if you're telling me you didn't want him to touch you, but he did it anyway, then I'm not going to be mad at you," he ground out. But the barely concealed rage in his voice was surely not helping you as you were now grasping onto Tramp and shaking your head. "Just tell me, my love." You licked your lips and wiped your eyes. "He kissed me. When I was out drinking for Maria's birthday. He kind of pushed me up against the railing outside the Hard Deck." Bradley sat down hard and ran his fingers roughly through his hair, sucking air into his lungs. "He touched you." You nodded and whispered, "Yes. He grabbed my waist, and he... he ran his hands up under my dress. And he kissed me. And I hated it, because it wasn't you!" "Is that everything?" He needed to know. It wouldn't make him want you any less, but he fucking needed to know.  "Yeah. That's it," you whispered, sucking in a deep breath. "I hit him in the balls with my knee right as Jake was coming outside. He must have been keeping an eye on me." Bradley sank back in his chair and rubbed his hands across his face. You had fought back. And Jake had been there too. You were okay. Maybe not at this exact moment, but he knew you would be okay.  "He said I was leading him on," you managed to say through rough sobs. "He told me I was leading him on from the first time I met him. I didn't listen to you, and I didn't listen to Jake." Bradley knew that fucking prick was trying to blame you for what he did to you. He would deal with that when he got home. For now he just felt so much better knowing you didn't want Josh and that he hadn't completely violated you without consent. The other details didn't fucking matter that much to him. He felt some of the rage receding from his body, as he was given his one minute warning.  "We can talk about this more when you pick me up on Saturday morning, okay?" Your eyes went wide. "You still want me to pick you up?" Bradley gave you a strange look. "Of course I still want you to pick me up. I need to go before they cut me off, okay? I'll see you on Saturday morning." ----------------------------------------- When the screen went suddenly blank, all you could think about was the fact that Bradley never told you he loved you.  He knew everything now. Jake had somehow managed to give him a heads up. And now you had to sit here and wait three days to hear his verdict on where you stood with him.  You couldn't remember a time you'd ever felt so miserable.  Your phone alerted you to a new work email, and you opened it up. It was Bickel, letting you know he hoped you felt better by tomorrow and that you could stop by his office anytime. You really appreciated your boss. But now you needed to figure out a way to let him know you couldn't work with Josh anymore.  You moped around the craftsman for the rest of the day on Wednesday, and then you finally started to come to terms with everything. Perhaps you'd been overly talkative and friendly with Josh, but you were generally that way with most people. And you'd never had a guy do anything like that to you before. And your dress last night had been short, but it wasn't anything too skimpy. Where had you gone wrong?  At some point you passed out hard. You managed to sleep until almost ten o'clock on Thursday morning, when Tramp started whimpering for you to let him out. Your head was throbbing, but you did feel better. You ate a piece of dry toast and made coffee and took a minute to reply to texts from Bob, Jake and Maria. They all wanted to make sure you were okay, and none of them seemed to think you were to blame for what had happened. You decided to get a shower and get dressed for work. Maybe you could sneak directly into your office without stopping in the lab. You loved your tiny office with the loud ventilation and crooked window frame. And you needed to get out of this house.  An hour later, you were quietly running down the hallway in your uniform and boots. You unlocked your office door and lunged inside. This already felt better than being at the house. You supposed you would have to find somewhere else to live if Bradley asked you to move out. You tried to take a few deep breaths, but your eyes started stinging every time you thought about it. So you'd call Cam and stay there if you had to, but you wouldn't let yourself think about that too much yet.  After a few hours of doing not much of anything except checking your emails, you decided to start facing the music. You walked upstairs to Bickel's office, and he invited you in. "You're feeling better today?" he asked, as you took a seat across the desk from him. "I am. Thank you, Commander," you replied. He was eyeing you a bit warily. You knew you weren't looking very put together at the moment, something that was never ever the case with you. "Can we talk about the engineers? And the future of the lab?" "Of course," he replied. "Always looking to pick your brain and get your feedback, lieutenant." You took a deep breath. "I think we should keep Sonya. She's the best at fixing broken matrices, and that's really where we have needed the most help. Plus, she's a good fit with everyone else and she has a lovely attitude." You paused, drawing a breath before adding, "But I also need to tell you that I can no longer work with Josh. Effectively immediately. I can take a leave of absence if necessary, but I'm not going back to the lab while he's there." You would stand firm on this.  He examined your face. "Is this why you called out yesterday?" "Yes." There was no point in lying to him about it.  "I am obligated to ask you if something happened that you need to talk about. You don't have to talk about it with me, but you can if you would like to. Or I can arrange a conversation between you and somebody else." You chewed on the inside of your cheek. You didn't want to sabotage your career, even if you weren't solely to blame here. So you simply said, "He makes me uncomfortable." Bickel nodded briefly before saying, "I'll remove him from the lab immediately." "No questions asked?" You were stunned. "Of course not. We've been working together for four years, lieutenant. I trust your judgement. I will also put the paperwork through to keep Sonya on. And Reggie can stay until the end of his work term." "Sounds good," you said, nodding your head in agreement with him.  "Now, is there anything else you want to speak about? With me or anyone else? I guess, I'm specifically asking you to tell me the truth about whether or not any sort of misconduct took place at work." "No, sir. No misconduct has taken place at work." He eyed you closely. "If something happened outside work, we can talk about that too, if you want to. Otherwise you're dismissed." You stood and nodded. "Thank you, sir." Then you crept back down to your office, feeling better than you had in days.  -------------------------------------- You worked quietly and alone the rest of the day Thursday and all day Friday, only exchanging a few texts with Maria. And when you got home from work, it broke your heart to do it, but you packed up your backpack and a small duffle bag with your essentials. You cried as you did it, and you couldn't even look at Tramp, but there was no way you'd be able to do it when Bradley was home. If he didn't want you here after your conversation, at least you'd be able to leave quickly. You could get Cam or Maria to come back for the rest of your things.  Because as upset as you were about what Josh did to you, the thing you simply couldn't get past was breaking Bradley's trust in you. He had said right from the very beginning that he wanted to be with someone who was strong. Someone he could simply miss while he was away. Someone he didn't have to worry about. That didn't sound like you right now at all. 

----------------------------------

Rooster returns from his deployment next chapter. Thanks again to Alex for all of her help with this part! @bradshawsbitch​

Part 11​

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#bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw imagine

[eoieopda]

I don’t really have a specific scenario in mind but can you pretty please write BFTL fluff with TaeTae?

imho taehyung was made for best friends to lovers AUs. or vice versa, maybe? both.

tae is the Best Boi and reader’s mom’s fave; ikea is involved and nobody ends up hating each other as a result??

You’re sprawled out on your living room floor with no less than five billion pieces of a wardrobe strewn about in poorly-organized piles. If someone were to walk in on you now, they might think an airplane crashed into your apartment. It’s all bits of glass, metal, and wood in various shapes and sizes — everywhere.

An absolute, certifiable disaster.

To your surprise, someone does walk into your apartment. You realize immediately that you’d forgotten to lock it after the delivery man wheeled in your plans for the night. Armed with a piece of a metal track, you twist towards the entryway, primed to — do what, exactly? Fashion your intruder into a sliding door?

Taehyung looks as surprised as you do when he sees the way you’re posturing. In unison, like it’s been dutifully rehearsed, you both say, “What the hell are you doing?”

You lower your improvised weapon as your best friend slips out of his shoes. It warms your heart just a little how comfortable Taehyung is in your space.

Immediately, he makes a beeline for your refrigerator to grab a can of pear juice. They’re never in short supply because you buy them every single time you shop for groceries. You can’t stand pears.

“Your mom said you were going to try to build a dresser. I promised her I wouldn’t let you crush yourself in the process,” Taehyung explains with a shrug before taking a long swig. Then, he gestures with the can to the insurmountable pile of pieces in front of you. “That the Hasvik or the Mehamn?”

You blink as you try to process his response, but you can’t because there’s a drop of pear juice on his chin. Focus! “When did you talk to my mom?”

“During our weekly phone call,” Taehyung says it like it’s obvious.

You’re not surprised that they’re close. After all, Taehyung spent more of his childhood in your home than his. And frankly, it was abundantly clear that — between the two of you — he was your mother’s favorite child. Had they really escalated to weekly phone calls, though?

Clearly, your mother was putting more effort into her not-so-secret agenda than you thought.

You’d told her a hundred times over the years that men and women can be just friends. That this was all your relationship with Taehyung had ever been and would always be — platonic. You were his occasional emergency contact, frequent noraebang duet partner, always friend.

Chingudeul, chingudeul, chingudeul.

Your mother always responded the same way: time will prove you wrong. Not for nothing, she also, always reminded you that all her friends have grandchildren.

Her tip may have informed Taehyung of your big, Saturday night plans, but it still doesn’t explain why he’s present now, waltzing from your kitchen into your adjoining living room.

When he sits across from you on the floor, Taehyung sees the way you’re frowning at him. He grabs the instructions you had no intention of ever looking at, humming as he skims through, “What’s with the turtle face?”

You note, for the record, that he has been referring to this particular expression as such for twenty years now. Okay, maybe your nose and eyebrows do scrunch quite a bit when you frown — but in a cute way, right? A distinctly non-reptilian way?

“Tae, you have a date. A first date, if I recall, with Choi Jisoo?”

Taehyung doesn’t even look up from the instruction booklet when he replies, “You can’t build a gigantic dresser on your own.”

Again, he says it like you’re missing something. If the answers to your questions are already spelled out in a flashing neon sign somewhere, they’re not written in any language you can read.

“Maybe I flew a little too close to the sun with that plan,” You concede with a roll of your eyes, “But I could’ve called Aecha — or Hana — or —“

Taehyung still doesn’t look up from the manual, still doesn’t seem to grasp why this matters at all. He just snorts out a laugh and says, “This thing weighs more than the three of you combined. Honestly, we should probably build this in your bedroom, so we don’t have to drag it —”

“You’re supposed to be on a date!” You don’t know why you’re shouting, but you are. Taehyung must be used to your sudden outbursts because he doesn’t flinch. “I didn’t call you for help because you’re supposed to be on a date. Right now. With Jisoo — on a date — at this very moment.”

Taehyung — finally — lifts his eyes from his booklet. His attention shuts you right up and thank god for that. You’ve said date so many times that it no longer sounds like a real word.

Maybe you’re seeing things, but Taehyung almost looks embarrassed. Or shy? Either way, he visibly struggles to put his thoughts in working order. The way you’re staring at him without blinking likely doesn’t help at all.

Your tone softens significantly because you’ve obviously said something wrong. For all you know, Jisoo could’ve stood him up. Or, fuck, maybe she died. If his plans fell through and you’re now rubbing it in his face without realizing it —

“I told her that I appreciated the offer, but didn’t think it was a good idea,” Taehyung admits quietly. There’s a lopsided smile on his face when he notices the very normal and humanlike frown spreading on yours.

Oh?

You shift where you sit and pray that the — stupid, persistently hopeful, and very much not platonic — butterflies in your stomach take the hint. They don’t and you’re dying to know, but you can’t seem to look at him when you ask why.

You keep your eyes locked on the two pieces in your hands. They fit together perfectly without a second thought, clicking right into place like they’re supposed to. Easy.

“Because it wouldn’t go anywhere and I didn’t want to waste her time,” Taehyung sighs. He looks down at his hands, which now fidget with a hex key he’d found amidst the rubble.

You freeze so completely that your pulse may have stopped, too.

“Truth be told, I’m down pretty bad for somebody else.”

This time, you accidentally say it out loud as you glance up at him, “Oh?”

Taehyung chuckles as he twirls the small, silver wrench absently between his thumb and index finger. Your eyes flit from the tool to his face only to find that he’s already looking at you with a sheepish smile.

“Yeah, I dropped everything just so I could help her put an Ikea puzzle together. Whipped, right?”

You try so hard to bite back a grin, but you fail miserably. You blush, too, and it only worsens when he winks. Ugh. Who the fuck gave him the right to be so charming?

An occasional nuisance, you smile coquettishly and throw out the most naïve, breathy tone you can feign, “But Taehyung, how can you help if you haven’t finished reading the instructions?”

Taehyung’s eyes go wide as his jaw drops. He easily matches your fake innocence with a performance of his own: “Punk, you didn’t even start them!”

When he laughs, his whole body vibrates and so do your giddy, vindicated butterflies.

You snag a piece of styrofoam off the floor and flick it at him; it drops unceremoniously, closer to you than to Taehyung. “Lucky for me, you love me anyway,” You tease.

Taehyung finds a larger chunk of styrofoam and sends it flying with far more finesse than you’d demonstrated. It collides with your shoulder and falls limp in the space between your knotted legs.

With a smile as bright as it is boxy, he sighs, “Lucky for me, I love you anyway.”

#jade’s requests #jade’s drabbles #taehyung drabble #kth #bts #bts drabble #bts imagine #bts scenarios #bts v #bts taehyung #bts kim taehyung #kim taehyung #taehyung #taehyung fluff #taehyung x you #taehyung x y/n #taehyung x reader #bts fluff #kim taehyung fluff #kim taehyung x reader #kim taehyung x y/n #kim taehyung x you #kim taehyung drabble #anon #bts army #taehyung imagine #taehyung scenarios #kim taehyung imagine #kim taehyung scenarios #re: the one where taehyung skips a date to build your ikea furniture

[cursedcola]

Synopsis: After attending NRC, our beloved characters suddenly find themselves transported to your world! The thing is, they have no idea where you are and have to make a life for themselves in the meantime. How would they adapt to life on earth? Characters: Everyone. Mix of Sentient AU! and Modern AU! Warnings: None lol. This is for my own enjoyment! Part(s): Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, and Diasmonia You are here!: Scarabia! Disclaimer: I did a bit of research on brazilin culture, geography, etc. for this! I have not been to Brazil, and did my best to read up in order to develop a basic level of understanding for my writing. If anything is wrong or inaccurate, please let me know! I will likely be doing research for the rest of these posts as well.

Nothing could have prepared the students of NRC for what lied beyond the mirror. A world unlike any of them ever known with magic being virtually non-existent ( or so it appears to the general public). With nothing but the clothes on their backs, falsified basic identification, personal items, and the small bits of knowledge gathered from your vessel Yuu; these young adults have one mission-find the player and stay out of prison. It was time to split up, cover as much ground as possible, and make a life in this unknown world.

Let us see how these fresh minds conform to life on earth, yes?

Scarabia Residence: Brazil

Kalim Al-Asim

Location: Brasilia, Brasil.

Kalim is living in the lap of luxury. He owns a four-bedroom condo in the heart of Brazil's capital and it is nothing to turn a blind eye towards. Each room is decorated to the nines with each statement piece picked out by Kalim himself on whim. Some are specially imported (he has a tiny online shopping addiction) and others are items he instantly took to when shopping the street markets.

The place is decorated like an everlasting sunset. Jewel-encrusted tapestries hang from every wall, and the windows are stained-glass which carry a beautiful glow into the open-layout of the condo. It is most definetly a pent-house so the view is spectacular. He has anything one could ever want, from a velvet couch, marble fireplace, all the way to a refrigerator with more functions than you can think of. Not to mention the golden chandelier hanging in the dining area, yeesh

Now one has to wonder, where does Kalim get the money for all of this?

Occupation: Stock Trade and Entrepreneur

Kalim has succeeded in what every freshmen studying buisness has dreamed of at least once. The man has money, and he makes it in his sleep. Literally.

When Kalim arrived on earth he did so with a large sum of money in his bag. Enough to sustain himself and Jamil for three lifetimes. He wanted enough money to travel everywhere, and spoil you rotten. He was going to buy anything you could ever want, and then buy more. All to bring it back home so you will not have any reason to come back. (and if you had family? Friends? He was going to show them that you were in good care, and leave them with enough money that you won't worry about their well-being after leaving. Everything was going to be taken care of.)

But then he got word of the stock market. If there is one thing Kalim knows it is money and he easily climbed that corporate chain. At first it was for fun, but as time went on he somehow became one of the most respected people in the world. Since he started off with so much, it only grew and he began putting the assets into funding charities, research, and other causes that he believed in. Not only was he respected, but his goodhearted nature earned him many friends. Especially since he has a knack Jamil to tell if someone has good intentions or not.

Kalim took to brazilin culture very quickly. He himself is a very lively and passionate person so it was not difficult to adjust to that type of life. He often goes "under-cover," in horribly obvious disguises when there are festivals or celebrations that he wants to attend.

This sunshine can dance, let me tell ya. He can shake it 'till the crack of dawn and still keep going. Like a kid, he'll stop quickly to shovel some food down his throat (that Jamil packed for him because Kalim is Kalim) and then he'll be right back at it.

Obviously, everyone knows that it's him. A few glasses of wine and he's stripping off his disguise to have more freedom. Honestly? It gives Jamil a headache because someone out there could kidnap him and then Kalim would be screwed. Even in this life Jamil has to act as his babysitter.

Though...is it too optimistic to say that this would never happen? At least in the homely local areas that Kalim frequents? I am dead serious when I say that he'll go to the market and buy out a few stalls of their supplies that day. Or at least half of it. Just so he can contribute to the community's economy. If he doesn't need what he bought (say he purchased a ton of food) then he donates it to the homeless, etc.

He is safer in those areas than his own home and knows it. Which is probably why he's so willing to let loose.

Moving on, Kalim dresses just as extravagantly as he lives. Silk is his best friend, and he loves jewelry. Loves, loves, loves it. If it glitters, it is Kalim's.

He owns a bedazzle gun. Enough said.

He loves the sports on earth as well. Especially (soccer/football). He loves how passionate people can get over their teams, and gets absolutely hyped when throwing a viewing party. He'll invite anyone willing to come watch the game with him (and gets Jamil's seal of approval to be in their home)

The people would expect a man of this caliber to be taken, yet the media can't catch wind of a single partner. Not even a one-night stand. He never has arm-candy when attending events, and every attempt at flirting with him is a surefire failure

Why is this? Because he is looking for someone very special. He says this to the press every. single. time. and they have no choice but to believe him because there is no hidden agenda to be found

All he has is a name, and a description of emotions and memories that are too vague to put to a face. Any normal person would think him delusional-

Except for anyone that catches him off the camera. Those days when he's danced his feet into the ground, drank enough to fog his brain, and is pouring his heart out to whatever band is unfortunate enough to have been playing that night. Eventually Jamil will drag him home, and he'll go to bed crying over the mysterious person no one seems to know

Jamil Viper

Location: Brasilia, Brazil

And they were roommates

Jamil lives in Kalim's extravagant condo. Why would he go waste money renting somewhere else when he has babysitting duty 24/7? If he didn't live with Kalim, then who knows what state the place would be in. Jamil cooks, cleans, and essentially does everything for the house. He's the one stuck answering the buzzer for all of Kalim's late-night spending spree deliveries. Not only that, but he is on bouncer duty and performing background checks on everyone going in and out.

Kalim sweetie please cut this man some slack. He needs a bReAk

In all honesty, he dislikes the way Kalim has decorated the place. It is all very pretty but extremely unnecessary. He does not trust hiring a maid simply from how fragile everything is. Kalim tries often to buy Jamil decorations for his bedroom, and Jamil declines every time.

His bedroom is spacious enough to double as a living area. He also has his own personal washroom. The space is full of cool tones. Black, grey, golden yellow, and touches of burgundy. A complete contrast to the rest of the condo. He has multiple bookshelves aligning the walls, a corner dedicated to exercise equipment, a queen-sized bed with many quilts and decorative pillows, and a loveseat. There is always incense burning in his room and he has a large, "No Kalim Allowed," sign hanging outside of his door

Why? Because Jamil has taken to collecting weapons :)

He has many defense weapons hidden throughout his room. From needles, to daggers, to poisons, etc. His room is the storehouse for all of the condo's defense mechanisms. Jamil has also placed extra security cameras in the public living spaces and outside the door. Just to be safe.

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

Jamil is Kalim's assistant. He handles most of the paperwork, scheduling, etc. when it comes to their little buisness. He has no reason to find work elsewhere, right?

No. Jamil actually runs a traveling food stall. Depending on where the duo is, he'll manage to obtain permission to open up a stall in the local area for the duration of their visit. He'll serve renditions of food from his homeland, as well as spins on the local cuisine. One thing Jamil loves about earth is the new flavors and spices that he gets to work with when cooking!

The stall gives him the opportunity to talk with locals, and keep an eye on Kalim while doing so. How else is he supposed to make sure Kalim makes it home while still staying productive?

He also gets to ask questions. Like a random survey, as people wait for their food to cook he'll make idle chatter about recent gossip. He'll always slip in questions that may lead to your whereabouts, asking if there are any (Y/N)'s in the area etc.

In truth, he hopes one day you'll miraculously turn up. Either recognizing him or being drawn in by the scent of his cooking.

Another thing Jamil loves is the music. If Kalim can shake his fanny, then Jamil can pick up routines as easy as breathing! He likes to get a feel for the culture, and lives a small 'double life' where he gets to have fun.

Man can Samba. His hips do not lie. Shakira, Shakira

Something screams at this man when it comes to fashion. Like Kalim, he likes to go a bit extra. He simply goes in the opposite direction of Kalim and takes to street-fashion. He picks up pieces as he sees them, and files through local businesses like it's no one's buisness.

He is also one of those people who collects sneakers. He has some for fashion, but mainly likes to have many pairs for dancing and travel. He likes to hike, and the hot weather does not bother him one bit.

When traveling, Jamil picks up two mementos from each place he visits. One is for his sister, and the other is for you. This is another reason why Kalim is not allowed in his room. He has them tucked away somewhere safe, but since he constantly lectures his friend on being more frugal it would not be good if he saw the growing stash. It started off with small trinkets here and there, but now the pile is massive.

Jamil is excited to show it to you. He wants to demonstrate just how far his search has taken him, and how much of a pain in the ass it was to find you.

Yet, his chest grows cold every time he tosses a new item in with the collection. It's a reminder of his failure, and how another day has passed without you by his side.

#twst scenarios #twst #twisted wonderland #twst x reader #twst imagines #twst scarabia #kalim al asim #twst kalim x reader #twisted wonderland kalim x reader #twisted wonderland kalim #jamil viper #twst jamil x reader #twisted wonderland jamil x reader #series #fanfiction

[tagsecretsanta]

From @angelofbenignmalevolence

From @angelofbenignmalevolence to @astranite

Could someone please ping @angelofbenignmalevolence as Tumblr is refusing to tag them.

Santa’s Little Bug Out Bag

Fandom: Thunderbirds are Go

Characters: Jeff Tracy, Grandma Tracy, Lucille Tracy, Scott Tracy, Virgil Tracy, John Tracy, Gordon Tracy, Alan Tracy

Rating: General Audiences

Tags: TAG Secret Santa 2023, Christmas, Family Bonding, Traditions, Mentions of Canon Trauma, Mentions of Canon Character Death, Mostly Fluff, A little hurt/comfort thrown in for spice, Be careful letting little ones read this - rated for Santa Spoilers

Summary: The tradition had started, like most odd family traditions, with a throwaway comment one Christmas. Then the tradition grew and evolved as the family continued to get bigger.

Chapter Note: Written as part of the TAG Secret Santa using the prompt "Unconventional Christmas traditions."

-----

The tradition had started, like most odd family traditions, with a throwaway comment one Christmas.

Jeff could not have been older than five. His parents had always done Christmas with flair. As soon as the Christmas season rolled around, Sally pulled out tinsel and garland and nutcrackers and the house became festooned in Christmas finery almost as soon as the turkey from Thanksgiving was in the refrigerator. They had always set out cookies and milk for Santa and Sally had always insisted on putting out a carrot or two for the reindeer. But on this particular Christmas, the winter had been unseasonably warm and the winter sun had been the brightest it had been in a long while.

“Do you think that Santa’s going to get hot in all that fur?” Jeff had asked as Sally held the garland for her husband, who was up on a ladder as he adjusted and fluffed the greenery.

“What?” had been the reply, as the question had seemed so completely out of the ordinary that it had taken Sally a moment to process the question.

“Well, it hasn’t gotten cold enough for it to snow,” Jeff said. He had been painfully aware of that fact, since he had had to attend every day of kindergarten this winter due to lack of snow days and Mrs. Westerson didn’t seem to have an ounce of the Christmas spirit leading up to the end of the year (at least as far as Jeff was concerned). “And if he’s running around in fur and velvet like he does when we see him at the mall…don’t you think he’s gonna be a little hot?” Sally looked up at Grant, who was forcing back a smile as he continued to adjust.

“He’s probably going to be ok,” Sally said. “It gets real cold way up high where he flies with the reindeer, so he’ll probably be alright.”

“But what if he isn’t? What if it’s too hot and he passes out and no one can get their presents?” Jeff asked. To his five-year-old mind, it was a very real possibility. Grant let out a little snort from where he had failed to keep down the laugh. Sally looked up to him with a frown and Grant turned slightly on the ladder, looking down at his son.

“Well, that would be a pickle,” he said. “What do you think we could do to help him out, son?” Jeff had thought about it for a long thirty seconds before he looked up to his father.

“Well, when you are doing stuff out on the farm, you always have a mug of coffee with you when it’s cold. Maybe we can get him a mug like yours and put some ice water in it so it will be cold for him when he comes to our house.” Grant smiled.

“I think that that is an excellent idea,” he said, looking to his wife. Sally rolled her eyes but smiled knowing full well that she would be buying a special Christmas thermos the next time that she was out at the store.

So it came to be that every Christmas, Jeff would check the weather and decide whether Santa needed a hot drink or a cold drink to get him through the Kansas December evenings.

The tradition had gone into hibernation as he grew into adulthood, the old thermos languishing amidst the other Christmas decorations. But soon enough, Jeff had found himself a wife, and within a few years, his wife had also become a mother to his firstborn, Scott. Scott was everything that he could have hoped for in a son, bright and inquisitive, even as a toddler.

As he grew into his childhood, old enough for Christmas to be remembered, Sally had dusted off the old Thermos and had explained to Scott that alongside the milk and cookies, they also had to leave either water or coffee, depending on the temperature. Sally had been overjoyed that she could bring back the old traditions for a new set of children, her grandchildren.

But it was a few Christmases later when Scott had asked if Santa was able to see in the dark when he visited the houses of the other children. And it was why for the next several years, a special flashlight, wrapped in red and white electrical tape to look like a candy cane, was found next to the thermos with coffee for Santa. And the tradition carried on, much to the delight of all the adults. Not just carried on, the tradition was growing.

When Virgil was born, Scott became the best big brother, helping wherever he could with the decorations on the tree and helping his toddling brother to learn how to unwrap the presents under the tree in his early Christmases. During the rest of the year, Virgil could often be found on Jeff’s lap as Jeff watched various shows about nature and natural disasters, and Virgil’s attention had been rapt. He had particularly fallen in love with a show about natural disasters that was hosted by Kip Harris. His young mind had already begun to idolize the man.

So, when the next Christmas had rolled around and the thermos and the flashlight were set out to prepare for Santa’s ride, Virgil asked if Santa liked his fuzzy hat, the one with the fur and the pompom at the end of its point. Jeff and Lucille looked at each other, as if they hadn’t given the matter much thought.

“What would he wear instead?” Lucille had asked, never wanting to shut down the creativity or problem solving of her boys. Virgil hadn’t needed two seconds to think.

“A cowboy hat,” he said. “Like Dad wears on the ranch.”

“You mean like Kip Harris wears,” Scott had muttered, and Virgil had given him a look. Jeff’s grin had been as bright as the Christmas tree.

“I think I have an old hat we could offer him,” Jeff said.

“But how will he know it’s for him? If it doesn’t look Christmassy?” Scott had whined. Lucille had assured him they would put it with the other things for Santa so he would know. But by the time the next year had rolled around, the hat had become bedecked with garland and holly, the lining replaced with candy cane striped fabric. There was no mistaking it that year. This was a hat for Santa and no one else.

The tradition carried on and a third Tracy son was born, John. He was a fussy baby, wanting to be held only by his mother, which made holiday decorating a challenge. Lucille had taken to wrapping John against her so that she had the free use of both hands as they got the Christmas tree set up and the garland hung and the presents wrapped. Baby John had always been entranced by the glittering lights on the tree, and he had gazed at them as if they were stars.

There came a Christmas when John had become interested in how Santa was able to visit everyone so quickly. Jeff patiently explained the mechanics of Santa and how there was a special Christmastime magic that let Santa take care of all the children, making the night as long as it needed to be.

“But does Santa ever get lost?” John asked. Jeff had seemed confused by the question.

“Well, no, John. He guides himself by the stars. He’s done this lots of times already. I think he’s got his route pretty much memorized.”

“But it’s supposed to be cloudy this Christmas Eve. What if he can’t see the stars? Does Santa have a compass?”

That year the coffee and the flashlight had been set out alongside the garland bedecked Christmas hat and a new addition: a compass that had been decorated with little Christmas tree stickers.

By the time that Gordon was born, it seemed like there was a lot of things that they gifted Santa every year to make his job a little easier, and it had been the year that Lucille had added her own gift to the mix. She had bought a canvas bag from the army surplus store and had begun the work of embroidering various Christmas figures on the bag: a gingerbread man here, a Christmas tree there, candy canes along the bottom. By the time Christmas rolled around that year, the bag had become quite festive. Into the bag went the thermos and the flashlight and the compass. The hat was attached to the handle of the bag by a clip. She had told the boys that it was so that Santa could just grab everything all at once and go and the boys had been enchanted by the bag, loving the way that the thread seemed to glitter when caught in the light of the Christmas tree.

As Gordon grew, he had decided that all the gifts that his family left for Santa on Christmas Eve were far too practical. Santa spent so much time making sure that gifts were brought to all the little boys and girls around the world, and all he got in exchange was some milk, some cookies, a little coffee, a flashlight, a hat, and a compass. Gordon wanted to give Santa something properly useful, something that he would be able to play with once he was done with his Christmas eve flight. For this, Gordon had thought long and hard all year, but it was only on a school trip to the aquarium that he had discovered the perfect thing to leave for Santa.

The stuffed ray plush in the gift shop was the perfect size to fit in the bag with all the other things (though Gordon had thought that it shouldn’t matter what size the plush was. Nothing was too good for Santa). The stuffed ray normally would not have caught his eye, except it had been a bright, Christmassy red with a white underbelly. He knew it would match Santa’s suit and he decided that then and there, he was going to make this little manta ray plush Santa’s new best friend. Lucille had tried to convince him a reindeer might be more seasonally appropriate, but Gordon had patiently explained to her that Santa already had nine reindeer friends and that he probably wanted other kinds of friends too. So, into the Christmas eve bag for Santa went the ray plush, which Jeff affectionately referred to as the ‘Santa Ray’ when they prepped the bag each year.

Alan was the last of the children to be born, and Christmas eves as he grew older became a more somber occasion. They had always been joyous, but after Lucille’s death, all the decorations seemed to have lost just a little bit of their luster. The first year they had barely managed to break out the tree, and the assembly of the bag had been a quiet affair, too painful to try to garner the same enthusiasm. But slowly Christmases became big affairs with decorations and parties as the business had taken off.

When it came Alan’s turn to add something to the bag, the little one had thought long and hard about it. He had taken his time and considered everything in the bag already. He wanted to make a smart choice. Everything in the bag was to help Santa not get lost or to keep his flight comfortable, which were all very admirable choices. But when Jeff asked Alan what he wanted to put in the bag, he was a little surprised by the answer.

“I think we should put an emergency beacon in the bag,” he said. Jeff’s brow furrowed.

“I…don’t think Santa will need one,” Jeff had answered carefully.

“But what if there’s a blizzard? Or a tornado? Or a hurricane? Or…” Alan trailed off, as if he didn’t want to ask. Jeff moved to hug Alan close to him.

“Ok, bud. We’ll put one in, just in case,” Jeff said, his voice shaky.

With the addition of the emergency signal beacon, the bug out bag had been completed. Jeff’s entire family had given a part of themselves to making Christmas special for Santa, and in turn had made each Christmas Eve special with the simple magic of pulling together each item and the anticipation of an amazing Christmas morning to follow. The tradition was a way of keeping their mother close, even as Alan grew out of believing in Santa Claus. The bag still came out each Christmas and each person brought out their own gift, putting it in the same bag that Lucille had lovingly embroidered.

At least until Jeff had disappeared.

The first Christmas after Jeff disappeared, the whole house had been somber. Scott, the newly ordained man of the house, had barely found the mental capacity to put up the decorations. When he had found the bag in the box of decorations, he couldn’t bring himself to pull it out. The wound of losing their father was too fresh and the faded embroidery felt like a scar ripped open as it brought back memories of their father.

The bag had been left to languish in the box of decorations for eight years as International Rescue began to take over most aspects of the Tracy family lives. There were Christmases that went uncelebrated for several days when rescues interrupted. But after eight years, the Tracy family had a miracle: Jeff was alive. The journey had been a dangerous one, but there was no greater joy than that of a happy reunion with their father. Though the first few months of his return to earth had been filled with hospital stays and therapy, both physical and psychological, the boys looked forward to the day when their father could return to the island without hospital visits looming.

It was two weeks before Christmas when Jeff was finally cleared by his doctors to come home. Tracy Island had become abustle with activity as everyone put more effort into the Christmas decorations than they had since Jeff’s disappearance, wanting to make this Christmas special for him. There was an abundance of garland, and they had flown in an enormous tree to mark the occasion. It had taken nearly three days to get enough ornaments on the tree to make it perfect. All they awaited was Jeff’s arrival on the night before Christmas Eve.

There were still last-minute preparations that Scott was finishing, wanting everything to be perfect for Jeff to return home to. Virgil brought up the last box of decorations.

“This should be the last of it,” Virgil said. “I think these are the rest of Grandma’s nutcrackers for the shelves.” Scott smiled up at him.

“Thanks Virgil, just set them there,” Scott said as he tied off another bit of garland wrapped around the supports on the stairs. Virgil set the box down next to him.

“Need any help?” Virgil asked. Scott looked up at him from where he was kneeling.

“I don’t know,” Scott answered honestly. “I really just want to make sure that everything is perfect. You know…gotta live up to those Christmases from our childhood, make it extra special for him.” Virgil nodded knowingly.

“Yeah, it’s a big one this year,” Virgil said. “John said he’d be down in the elevator once the medical transport was on approach to the island.” He opened the box to pull out the nutcrackers and began to place them on the shelves as Scott straightened some ribbon on the garland. He hummed ‘Deck the Halls’ as he put the nutcrackers on the shelves, making the office space a bit more festive in the hopes of discouraging Scott from spending too much time there during celebrations.

He reached for the next Nutcracker, but he felt his breath stop for a moment as his hands brushed cloth, a rough canvas cloth. His fingers traced a little more and he found the familiar shapes: a candy cane, a gingerbread man, a Christmas tree. Scott looked up as he heard Virgil stop humming.

“Is everything alright?” Scott asked. Virgil looked at him before looking down at the box. There was the Christmas bug out bag that they had so lovingly crafted together. The embroidery was dulled, frayed in some places, and it showed its age, but it was unmistakable. Virgil picked it up and ran his fingers over the fabric, the items that usually found their way to the interior of the bag beneath it: the old thermos, the flashlight, a hat festooned in garland that had seen better days, a compass with cracked glass from a careless move, the ‘Santa ray’, and an old emergency beacon. Scott looked at the bag and let out a soft ‘oh.’ There were a few moments where neither said anything before Virgil smiled.

“What do you say, Scott?” he asked. “Think it’s time to break this out again? A special bag for a special Christmas.” Scott’s brow furrowed.

“Do you think dad will want to see it?” he asked. Virgil thought for a few moments. It wasn’t as if they had anyone that was still young enough to believe in Santa Claus, but that hadn’t exactly been the point of the bag, had it?

“I think he will,” Virgil said. “It was part of what made Christmas so special before, part of what brought our family together no matter what we had to face. I think it’s time to bring it back out again, if only for the sake of a good laugh.” Scott nodded after a moment.

“If you think it’s a good idea…” he said, picking up the Santa ray. He chuckled. “You know the first question he’s going to ask is going to be ‘why don’t we have any new additions to the bag?’” This earned a chuckle from Virgil.

“Well…romance hasn’t exactly been top of our lists,” he said. “No one has really had the opportunity, since the world seems to be falling apart at every turn.” Scott looked as though he wanted to respond, but John’s hologram appeared at the center table.

“Hey John,” Scott greeted, earning a smile from John.

“I just got an update on Dad’s flight. Estimated arrival at the island in two hours,” John said.

“That’s great news!” Virgil said. John nodded.

“Weather patterns look clear so it should be a smooth and uneventful ride,” he said. “I’m just doing some prep to leave five before I will come down. Making sure that EOS’s servers are set for a few days and that sort of thing.”

“I keep telling him I will alert him if anything is in danger of going catastrophically wrong, but he’s anxious,” EOS said matter-of-factly. John rolled his eyes.

“I just want to make sure that when Dad wants to come visit Five, see all of his Thunderbirds, that she is ready for his arrival,” John said. He looked at the bag in Virgil’s hands. “Is that…”

“It is,” Scott said. “We were debating bringing it out for dad’s first Christmas back. What’s your take on it?” John looked pensive for a moment, resting his chin on his hand before he shrugged.

“I think it’s a good idea. So much has changed, I’m sure it would be welcome to have something familiar,” John said.

“That settles it,” Virgil said. “Though…it would be a treat for dad to have another new part of the tradition to look forward to.” John shook his head.

“Sorry, I don’t have a baby in my back pocket that I can pull out,” John said. “That was supposed to be on the two of you.”

“Statistically speaking—”

“Yes, EOS, thank you,” John said. “Statistically speaking I can reproduce.” Virgil laughed as Scott looked up at John’s hologram.

“Hey EOS…”

“Yes, Scott?”

“If you were to put an object into a bug out bag…”

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #tag team secret santa #thunderbirds fanfiction

[nekoannie-chan]

Soul enemies

Title: “Soul enemies”

Ship: Brock Rumlow X Sinthea Schmidt (Love).

Word count: 564 words.

Rating: Teen.

Square: N3 “Free”.

Summary: Is Brock against his number one enemy.

Warnings/Tags: Pets.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

A/N: This is my entry to @marvelrarepairbingo​  @marvelrarepairs​ MarvelRarePair Bingo Round 2 2023. Annie MRP-066.

You can read it on Wattpad and Ao3 too.

Also, my entry to @multifandom-flash, Annie-4009 & square 3: Free.

You can read it on Wattpad and Ao3 too.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

I don’t give any kind of permission that my fics to be posted on other platforms or languages (I translate myself my work) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other's people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. If you find any of my works on a different platform and are not one of my accounts, please let me know. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish:  Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter. 

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou​  @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad​ @navybrat817​ @angrythingstarlight​ @shield-agent78​ @charmed-asylum @caplanbuckybarnes​  @sapphire-rogers​ @nana1000night​ @talia-rumlow​ @writingshae @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga​ @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare​ @endlesstwanted​  @chemtrails-club​ @whiskeytangofoxtrot555​ @here4thefanfics @theestorm​ @patzammit @kmc1989

Sinthea went out to buy some things when she was on her way back home. She found a small dog trembling and scared. Without hesitation, she took it and decided to take it with her.

When she arrived home, she left the dog in the room she shared with Brock and went to take a shower without imagining the big problem that would begin in the next few minutes and would last several weeks.

As soon as Brock opened his eyes, he looked for Sin with his eyes; however, the first thing he found was the little dog. Brock raised his eyebrows in confusion; he did not remember that they had one.

The dog turned to see him as soon as he noticed the movement. He tried to get closer but stopped when he noticed Brock staring at him.

“Why is there a rat in my room?" Brock mumbled, and that's when the little dog came closer to bite him.

“Leave it alone!" Sin yelled at him, pulling the puppy away from him.

“That rat attacked me," Brock defended himself.

“Sin left the room along with the dog, though Brock could be sure the dog was taunting him.

“He's a rat," Brock muttered, knowing she wouldn't hear him.

As the days went by, the fights between the dog Duke and Brock increased; it seemed that both wanted to have all of Sinthea's attention.

But the fight got bigger the day Brock was going to prepare himself some delicious and juicy steaks. Sin was on a mission.

Brock took out of the refrigerator the steaks he had been marinating for several days, finished seasoning and cooking them, and left them for a moment on the kitchen counter.

When he returned, the only thing he found was a trail that led him directly to the culprit. This fact was the straw that broke the camel's back. The fights started to become more frequent, but Sinthea always came to save Duke.

The next time she went on a mission, something different happened. While Brock was chasing Duke "after he had stolen and destroyed one of his favorite boots" to take his right boot, Duke crashed into a piece of furniture, and Sinthea's favorite vase fell, shattering into pieces.

Hearing the crash, Duke stopped and turned to see the chaos he had caused. Brock was standing there, pale, if Sinthea noticed...

Duke let go of the boot; they both knew they were in trouble. Brock quickly left the house; he had to get another vase any way he could. After scouring about ten stores, he found one exactly like it, so he bought it.

“I'm not doing it for you, rat; I'm doing it for me. I know you'll say I broke it to frame you, when we both know it was an accident, so nothing happened," Brock said when he returned and showed the replacement vase to Duke.

Duke only wagged his tail; a few hours later, he approached Brock and left two cookies nearby. Brock interpreted that gesture as a peace offering and slowly raised his hand and reached out to pet his head.

Sinthea arrived just to see Brock pet him.

“Wow, you're already friends," she commented.

“We understood that we have to live together, so I won't try to kick him out anymore, and Duke will leave my stuff alone," Brock said.

#mrpbingo #marvel rare pair bingo #multifandom flash #round 2 #brock rumlow x sinthea schmidt

[manawari]

Can't stop (loving you)

a fic based on the brainrot I had with @stormdragon23 about Eun-seok and invented a new ship.

"If you tell anyone," his voice lowered into a growl. "I won't hesitate to kill you."

"If you harm me," she grumbled, finding her confidence, and was unfazed by the murderous look from the high-ranked hunter. "You will lose all your friends."

            Eun-seok stepped into the convenience store. He walked past the shelves and entered different aisles until he reached the refrigerators that kept beverages and other cold products behind thick glasses. He opened the right one and scanned each of the canned drinks before he reached out to grab a specific one for himself. Tonight had been quite a ride for him. So, Eun-seok thought he should reward himself by buying his favorite drink.

            He made his way to the cashier and stood behind another customer who was also waiting in line. So far, nobody had recognized him as the famous S-Rank hunter Geun Eun-seok — probably due to the time of the night and there were not a lot of people around, including how tired they must've been.

            Eun-seok felt them deeply.

            Early in the morning, he had to get up and begin his exercise with his knives before hopping to the shower to get ready for his work at the Hunters Guild, the most powerful guild in South Korea. It was composed of all of the country's S-Rank hunters, led by Sung III-hwan as its guild master.

            He would enter gates and battle with monsters, then spar with his guildmates in allotted times, and afterward, Eun-seok would go out in the night to do his other task before going home.

            "Uhm, excuse me?"

            Eun-seok turned over his shoulder and saw a young woman. She was several inches shorter than him with black hair and piercing green eyes that looked like emeralds. "Can I help you, miss?" He asked her.

            "You have a little bit of something on here," she pointed her finger at her jaw.

            At first, Eun-seok blinked. He raised his hand to touch the spot on his jaw with his fingertips and caught a glimpse of dark red. He wiped it on his jeans and used his sleeve to remove the rest of it. "Whoops! Animal blood."

            "Okay. . ." The woman replied.

            Eun-seok glanced at the front and waited for the cashier to finish packing the products into the plastic bag. But then, he felt eyes on his back. By the looks of it, it seemed he was being observed, so he turned behind again to spot the woman staring at him, her green eyes studying him closely.

            "Uh. . . Is there something else you need?" He asked. "It's not good when you

keep staring strangely at someone, you know?"

            "Oh, sorry!" She cleared her throat. "You look rather familiar. Are you Hunter Eun-seok?"

            He chuckled. "Keep it down, will you? I know I'm quite well-known, but I don't wish to be recognized by somebody else here."

            "I just remembered that Yoon-ho had a friend in his guild and said he was in the class of Assassin."

            "Yea- how did you know Yoon-ho?"

            "I'm also friends with him. Along with Min Byung-gyu." She said and extended her hand out. "I'm Park Hee-jin."

            The edges of Eun-seok's lips curled into a smile as he shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Park."

            When their hands parted, Eun-seok looked ahead and noticed that the customer in front of him had already stepped forward to the counter, leaving an available space between them, so he moved forward as well and waited once more.

            “Do you live just around this block?”

            He turned over his shoulder again and shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I live quite far from here, but since I got thirsty from finishing a task, I decided to stop by.”

            “What kind of task is it?” Hee-jin asked.

            The edge of his mouth tugged into a smirk. “Just hunter things.”

            “I see.” Hee-jin nodded. Then, her eyes widened as though she had forgotten something. “Oh! I forgot the pineapple juice!”

            “Do you want me to save your spot?”

            She shook her head. “Nope!”

            Eun-seok was about to raise his hand when the noirette had already left the line. He sighed and playfully rolled his eyes.

            As she walked into the aisles, Park Hee-jin looked around to make sure she was far enough and glanced at her hand, the one which the S-Rank hunter had touched, and the more she stared at it, the stranger the feeling in her chest was.

            She was known as the hunter with immense survival instincts. It came in handy outside the gates too, knowing the dangers of the world were different from the dangers within the dungeons. Park Hee-jin could only wonder how she felt that way around someone whom she had just met.

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            A few days later, their paths crossed once again.

            Same place. Same time.

            However, Eun-seok was looking across the shelves, in search of a specific snack, when he felt a familiar presence nearby. He diverted his attention to the right side and found none other than Park Hee-jin, who was holding a box of tea and reading its label.

            "Ms. Park," he said. "It's great to see you again."

            Hee-jin looked up and met his eyes. "Hunter Geun. It is a pleasant surprise."

            "Are you—" he stopped, noticing where her eyes were at. It was the same look she had given him on the first moment they met. He tilted his head a little in question. "Is there something on my face?"

            "Hm? Ah! Not exactly." Hee-jin reverted back to the box in her hand. She grabbed another tea box as if to compare the two.

            That must be about the blood. Eun-seok speculated. The edge of his lips suddenly twitched up, having an idea to make use of the situation.

            "Could it be that you find me, an S-Rank hunter, attractive up close?" He said.

            As expected, Hee-jin flinched. She looked at him in bewilderment. "A— attractive?! Please," she huffed, "do not flatter yourself."

            "Then why else do you have your eyes on me?" Eun-seok pressed on. "It's not like I have anything on me, except for a clean face."

            Hee-jin chuckled and cocked her head, arching an eyebrow as if she found his words entertainment. "Well, what if I do find you attractive? What will you do? Take me out on a date?"

            "Ms. Park, I am not like that," Eun-seok huffed. "It will be bold of me to take someone out for a date with such a useless reason. Or perhaps, you are interested in me?"

            She was interested. She was interested in knowing more of that blood smear he had so recklessly forgotten. Instead of making her figure it out on her own, Eun-seok would have to twist the situation to his direction.

            Mischief glistened in Hee-jin's green eyes. She tilted her head back to its original angle. "Is this your first time trying to charm a woman? Because I don't think so. S-Ranks are practically celebrities. You are probably approached a lot when you are by yourself."

            "I don't think S-Ranks and celebrities are the same. Unless you are referring to celebrities who have awakened. But no, and you got another thing wrong." Eun-seok said. "It is my first time doing this. However, I like to think that I did a great job at it."

            Hee-jin rolled her eyes and set the two boxes back to the shelf. Both of her hands grasped on the strap of her bag and gradually walked toward him, a subtle grin playing on her lips. "You are really good at thinking of yourself highly, huh? I am not surprised." She raised her head as she got closer, only reaching by his shoulder. Eun-seok's eyes widened at the proximity. "I like that you are quick to catch on to things, but don't take pride in it too much. I'm sharper than you think."

            His mind went blank. A short laugh was heard and Hee-jin began to distance herself, walking away without glancing for the last time. Only one thought lingered in his mind: what the heck?

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            The assassin lunged at the wall and jumped off to spin his body in the air as he took out his small knives, throwing them at his opponent's direction. Jin-woo quickly blocked them with his daggers and swerved aside when Eun-seok lunged at him with his long sword. The hunters were in the gymnasium, training and sparring, while Jong-in and Byung-gyu were the only ones who had not participated. Being a mage with fire powers and a mere healer, they joined a conversation with the chairman, Go Gun-hee, and Woo Jin-chul of the surveillance team.

            Eun-seok thrusted his weapon forward, but Jin-woo blocked it between his two daggers. The assassin pushed further, his mouth twitching at the sight of his opponent's gritted teeth, and Jin-woo managed to twist his daggers to not only free the sword, but to catch an opening. Eun-seok quickly dashed to a different angle to proceed his attacks.

            Jin-woo said that he once fought an assassin. Eun-seok wanted to test if fighting him, an S-Rank assassin, would bring any difference.

            He took out his other sword and was about to attack again when the alarms in the gymnasium blared. The hunters instantly halted their sessions to turn to the second floor. Jin-chul had his phone to his ear and nodded before he whispered something to the chairman's ear.

            "Hunter Geun!" Go Gun-hee called. "A hunting party wishes for your aid at their subjugation."

            "Alright!" Eun-seok nodded and inserted his swords into their sheaths that were attached to his back by a harness. Usually, it was him who got called to join a separate raid with a group of hunters whose ranks only reached A-Rank — it was because of the fact that Eun-seok wouldn't hesitate to help someone when needed.

            Surprisingly, Jong-in volunteered as well. Eun-seok was going to question him when he had already left the gym. He sighed and went to the comfort room first to change into his hunting gear. When someone reached out for an S-Rank hunter's help, the price must be a fortune. The skills were no joke and it would be shameful if S-Ranks were paid in a moderate amount.

            Eun-seok, on the other hand, didn't ask for a large payment. He was fine with receiving an equal amount as the rest. But now that he was with Jong-in, he couldn't imagine how the situation would turn out.

            Choi Jong-in was one of the few people whom he did not expect to be closer with. Of all hunters in the guild, he was the only one whose aura would demean someone. While Eun-seok tended not to judge people, Jong-in would judge people to his delight. It was a friendship blossoming out of the blue, but the true tale was only two of them who knew.

            The car pulled over a vacant space once they arrived at the location. Eun-seok got out of the passenger's seat, clad in his dark assassin clothing which consisted of a coat over his chest armor and a pair of black pants, and a silver belt was secured in his waistline. He attached his sheathed swords to his back as he made his way to the group of hunters near the gate. Jong-in walked alongside him, only wearing his red cloak over his fancy suit.

            Then, his eyes caught someone within the small crowd.

            "Park Hee-jin?" The name slipped smoothly from his mouth. Indeed, it was the pretty and sharp woman who had been showing signs of being suspicious of him. She was clad in a white shirt with long puffy sleeves and a pair of dark leggings under a white and green skirt; she had a golden pauldron on her left shoulder and a gold feather-like ornament attached to the right side of her hair. When his eyes landed upon the staff in her hand, he knew she was a mage.

            Hold on— realization lit up in his mind. She's a hunter?!

            "You know someone?" Jong-in asked him.

            "Yeah. She's friends with Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu too."

            "Ohhh, nice! A mutual friend."

            Eun-seok rolled his eyes and looked ahead and saw a hunter approaching them. "Hunter Song Chi-yul!"

            "Hunter Eun—" the middle-aged man paused. "H— Hunter Choi?!"

            "Good day!" Jong-in let out a bright smile. "Oh, you don't have to worry about paying me. You can split Eun-seok's remuneration and I will be fine with it."

            It made Eun-seok's eyes stretch wide. "You piece of—"

            "Shall we start the raid?" Jong-in cut in. "We have no time to waste."

            Chi-yul blinked, seeing the assassin glare darkly at the mage. "O— okay."

            When they joined the group, gasps filled the air. Particularly because of Jong-in's presence. Nonetheless, they began to walk toward the gate, with the two S-Ranks in front of the hunters while Chi-yul was behind them.

            Eyes were still on him. Eun-seok probably knew whom they belonged to, but he chose to evade it and focus on the subjugation.

            "I think I see something!" A hunter exclaimed. "It's— it's—"

            A monster came out of the darkness and rushed toward them. It was huge, bulky, and had a heavy weapon. While some began to whimper in fear, Eun-seok reached up to grab the hilt of his sword and about to unsheathe it until a large cloud of flames sprinted across the air, succumbing the monster whole. The whole cave was instantly lit up. Jong-in watched with a smirk as he burned the monster through his extended hand.

            "First problem is solved!" The hunter boasted.

            "Wow! Hunter Choi is so good!"

            "He's the kind of hunter I aspire to be!"

            Eun-seok scoffed at his friend and walked around the fire. He had no time for hearing praises when the task was not done yet. "Move along! We still have a boss monster to kill."

            The rest of the monsters came and the hunting party quickly defended themselves. Eun-seok killed several of them and went for the bigger ones, using various techniques with his blades. He managed to decapitate several of them in a single dash of speed.

            Though, it was not all monsters in his path. He left some for the rest of the hunters to kill. The boss monster was his main priority — his favorite target.

            Large footsteps soon echoed, rumbling through the ground. It formed a grin on his face.

            Eun-seok stopped on his tracks and waited for the monster to come out by itself. It must've sensed a strong presence near the lair. Then, distant footsteps had also shuffled from behind.

            “Ah, hyung! Just in ti—” he paused. Instead of Jong-in, he saw the B-Rank mage. “Hunter Park?” How did you manage to get here?

            Hee-jin held a stern expression. “What? Can't a B-Rank face a boss monster?”

            “Hunter Choi?”

            “Assisting the Tanks.”

            Eun-seok sighed. “Try not to get too close. I won't be able to protect you at all times.”

            He heard her scoff, so he rolled his eyes and turned his direction to the largest monster in the dungeon. It was an orc, larger than Ma Dong-wook’s gigantified form, and wielded a heavy axe. Two tusks were poked out on the corners of its mouth, its bright yellow eyes fell on the two hunters and let out a roar.

            Eun-seok caught the axe moving toward them. He ducked and threw a quick look over his shoulder, seeing how Hee-jin had gotten to safety as well. The orc swung its weapon again and the S-Rank hunter immediately swerved from it. He gritted his teeth, seeing how he must get rid of the weapon first, or at least loosen the monster’s grip on it.

            The orc lifted the heavy axe this time and was ready to attack the hunter again until a flash of light blasted at its shoulder. It stole its attention and Eun-seok took this chance to sprint to its leg, causing the monster to twitch as well, though he anticipated it and quickly pierced his sword into the flesh and used it to push his feet up, reaching at an upper spot. His hand flew on one of the spikes on its shoulder pads and launched his weight on the back of the orc’s neck.

            Unfortunately, he still wasn't able to kill it due to its movements. Eun-seok stabbed his sword in the flesh again and held onto it tightly. Now, if he could bring out his gun and—

            *screech*

            Not only did he hear a screech, but also the reverberating thud of the weapon itself. Eun-seok's eyes lit up and plucked his sword out of the flesh and raced forward. He pierced one of its eyes as he used his feet to flip his body in the air, bringing out his gun as well and pulled the trigger at the other eye.

            He landed on his feet first before the orc toppled over the ground. Eun-seok found the discarded axe, knowing it had been done by Hee-jin to speed up the process of defeat. Henceforth, not making the task harder for him.

            “Thank me later,” the mage simply said and walked away. Probably tell the others that the monster had been defeated.

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            "You met Park Hee-jin?!"

            "What did she say? It better not be something weird."

            "She's cool, right?"

            "I mentioned you to her once. It's amazing how she still remembers it."

            "I was thinking that you two should meet since she's shrewd and kind like you, but it seems like fate beat me to it."

            Eun-seok rolled his eyes as he peeled off his coat to set it on the couch. "Yeah, I did meet her, but it's not a big deal anyway."

            "Well, what do you think about her?" Yoon-ho asked.

            "Hm, do you want the truth or lie?"

            "Bruh."

            "Decent. I think she's decent."

Eun-seok replied. His best friends looked at him oddly. "What? You asked for my opinion!"

            "Wow! I guess I've expected too much." Byung-gyu rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe you hadn't talked to her that long?"

            Eun-seok huffed. If they had known that wasn't the first time he met the mage and the words they had exchanged, it would've made sense, but he elected to hide it since he knew what Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu would react.

            "How about we should have lunch tomorrow? Just the four of us." Yoon-ho suggested.

            "Good idea, hyung!" Byung-gyu agreed.

            It's not! Eun-seok internally protested.

            He didn't think he wanted to see her again. Her and those calculating green eyes. . . He hated them. If her astuteness could lead to his secrets being revealed, Eun-seok's whole life would be torn down. He must not bring himself to trust her.

            His foot tapped the ground. Eun-seok sat on his chair with crossed arms outside of the restaurant. Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu were in a conversation as they waited for their mage friend to arrive. But since he was getting bored, Eun-seok brought out his phone and started playing a mobile game, fiercely pressing the icons to unleash his attack on his enemies.

"Yoon-ho!"

            There was a new voice. But Eun-seok was so engrossed in his game that he didn't bother to turn up his head until someone tapped him on the shoulder. It made the S-Rank to tear his attention away from the screen to look at Byung-gyu in question.

            "Hee-jin! You've met Eun-seok, right?" Yoon-ho gestured to his direction.

            When Eun-seok changed his gaze, emerald eyes were already staring at him across the table. Hee-jin wore a simple light blue blouse and a pair of high-waisted jeans; the strap of her bag sat on her shoulder. She still had a sharp gaze on him.

            Sighing, Eun-seok set his phone down and put on his kind smile. "Hello, Hunter Park."

            "Good to see you, I guess?" Hee-jin replied bluntly.

            Byung-gyu widened his eyes at her. "How rude!"

            "Maybe it's the time of the month for her. . . "

            "Hey!" Hee-jin shot a glare at Yoon-ho. "You owe me lunch, Baek!"

            "I was just joking!" Yoon-ho protested.

            Hee-jin rolled her eyes and took a seat down beside the S-Rank hunter. Right across Eun-seok. Then, Byung-gyu called for the waiter and began to give his order, followed by Yoon-ho, Hee-jin, and Eun-seok, who came last since he had to check the menu again.

            When the food came, Eun-seok indulged in his meal silently. It was clear that Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu were trying to keep the atmosphere light, followed by Hee-jin, who shared several details in her life after not seeing her two friends for the past few months. Eun-seok just listened intently and would only speak when his name was called.

            He was not always silent. He could be talkative around people he was most comfortable with. But not this time- it was as if he was seeing Hee-jin as his enemy. Shouldn't that be the right word, though? She had the potential to be a threat to him.

            He must be careful around her now.

            "Earth to Eun-seok?"

            Eun-seok snapped out of his daze.

            "Yes?"

            "You've been spacing out a lot ever since we came here," Byung-gyu stated. He turned to Hee-jin. "He's not usually like this. But all it takes for him is to be comfortable and that's when he'll talk a lot."

            "Oh? I see," Hee-jin nodded. "Well, I understand that Eun-seok is not used to my presence yet. It's not like I'm going to put him in danger or anything."

            Eun-seok almost coughed against the chopsticks in his mouth. A silent laugh reached the entrance of his ears, causing him to throw a look at Hee-jin.

            Yoon-ho scoffed. "Please! Eun-seok is capable of anything. Throw him in a gate by himself and he'd still survive."

            "Gee. . . Thanks, hyung." Eun-seok grumbled.

            "It was a compliment, idiot."

            Hee-jin laughed. "Well, he sure is capable of taking down a large monster on his own. It's no wonder Mr. Song is prepared to pay him immensely and will quickly call him for help with C-Rank dungeons."

            Her words sounded skeptical. Eun-seok could not sense even the slightest sincerity in them. Regardless of her kind complexion, he could see right through her mask. Once she found a hole or an opportunity, Hee-jin wouldn't hesitate to make her move.

            "Oh! Excuse me, I'll have to go to the restroom," Hee-jin set her utensils on her plate and got up. Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu nodded while she pushed through the door within the restaurant.

            While she was out, Eun-seok continued to eat. He could hear her moving silently through the place. Part of him felt a tad of relief, knowing she hadn't uttered anything under her breath.

            "So what do you think about her now?"

            "Who?"

            "The waitress," Yoon-ho scoffed, then he shook his head. "No, Hee-jin! Obviously!"

            "Eh. Still the same." Eun-seok shrugged.

            "Come on! I thought you'd warm up to someone once you know how nice they are? Hee-jin hasn't done anything that left you with a bad impression."

            "My mind still hasn't changed, hyung."

            Yoon-ho groaned.

            After a moment, Eun-seok excused himself and went inside of the restaurant to the comfort room. He turned to a small hallway and came across the green-eyed noirette. They both paused in front of each other. A few seconds passed and that was when Hee-jin began to walk past him, but Eun-seok caught her wrist.

            "I know what your intentions are, Hee-jin," he said darkly.

            She faced him with a grimace. "How long do you know?"

            "Since the first moment. I had an inkling that you were dubious when I told you about the animal blood."

            "Well, was it? Really?"

            Eun-seok snickered as he let go. "If I told you the truth, would you scream? Or will you stay silent like a frightened person?"

            "What—" Hee-jin widened her eyes.

            "You. . . "

            He grasped her hand again and stepped forward. Satisfaction surged in his stomach as he heard her breath quiver. Hee-jin stood frozen like a deer in headlights, though her hands balled into fists. Eun-seok craned his neck to lean on her ear.

            "If you tell anyone," his voice lowered into a growl. "I won't hesitate to kill you."

            "If you harm me," she grumbled, finding her confidence, and was unfazed by the murderous look from the high-ranked hunter. "You will lose all your friends."

            Eun-seok pulled away and met her glare. His grip loosened and Hee-jin broke her hand free, taking a step from him. Part of him knew he was not going to kill her out of cold-blood, but now that she had become a threat to him, he would be left with no choice.

            Hee-jin was clever, calculating, and no doubt— stubborn.

            No, he never wanted to lose his friends. They were the only people he had. When he was in the guild for the first time, Eun-seok found it hard to trust others after what happened to him, but when Min Byung-gyu began to approach him and dealt with his responses, Eun-seok found himself opening up to the healer. Yoon-ho also became someone close to him shortly after.

            The guild became his family.

            He liked what he was doing. As dangerous as it was, Eun-seok preferred to keep it under the radar. It was also to protect himself since he feared what everyone would see once they discovered the truth.

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            The man whimpered one last time after the sword was retracted from his chest. He gasped and coughed until the very last second of his life ascended from his body, leaving nothing but a corpse under a pool of blood. Eun-seok wiped both sides of his sword on the back of his gloved hand and pushed it back to its sheath, he went up to the window and left the room, which was now reeking of death.

            He got down from the house in agile, soundless movements. His feet landed in a soft thud and smelled a smoke of a cigarette. Eun-seok's gaze flickered up and saw Choi Jong-in leaning against the wall with his cigar between his lips.

            "You're done with your list?"

            Jong-in removed his cigarette with his two fingers and blew a small cloud of light grey smoke through his mouth. "About ten minutes ago. You seemed to enjoy being back there, so I didn't go ahead to check on you."

            "I had a few things in my mind to get out of." said Eun-seok.

            Intrigue glimmered in his eyes under the dim light of the lamppost. "Pray tell?"

            "It's—" Eun-seok looked around his surroundings. He realized they might need to be in a suitable place if he were to share personal details to his friend. "How about we go somewhere else?"

            Yes, Yoon-ho and Byung-gyu were his best friends. They were the ones who broke his shell. But Eun-seok was an assassin. Not only could he use his skills on monsters, but also on people too. Names he wished to cross out of his list as he tore their souls out of their bodies.

            Jong-in was the only one whom he could reach out to. Like him, Jong-in also killed people at nighttime. He would torture his victims first by burning their skins after covering their mouths. Jong-in was the one who provided lists of people to kill and which people they could transfer their sins to. Eun-seok found himself trusting the hunter in a different way; it made him wonder how come he hadn't gotten close with Jong-in sooner.

            The beer was bitter and mixed with lemon in his tongue. The moon watched them from afar as they sat next to each other on the hood of Jong-in's car. Eun-seok poured himself another drink and began to speak his mind out. His friend intently listened and didn't utter a word throughout the whole story.

            However, Jong-in's expression changed when Eun-seok got to the part where he was certain that Hee-jin was suspicious of him and would tell anyone once she got enough proof. Eun-seok concluded his story and drank his whole glass, waiting for a response. He could tell that Jong-in was aggravated by now.

             "First of all, if you hadn't left a single trace of blood, you wouldn't be in this mess." Jong-in scoffed. "Second— why can't she just leave you alone? That huntress doesn't know what she is getting into."

             "Exactly," Eun-seok concurred.

             "So what will you do? It's not like you are going to allow her that way."

             "I was thinking that I should take her life."

             Jong-in eyed him in bewilderment.

             "Just kidding!"

             He groaned. "You don't have to go that route, you idiot. Think of something else!”

             "Hmm," Eun-seok hummed, biting his cheek. "I was thinking if I should. . . Show her?"

             "What?"

             "Reveal myself. Bring an end to her suspicions and show who I really am." Eun-seok said.

             Jong-in stared at him in question. "You know, I don't know whether you are being serious or not."

             "I am."

             He sighed and grabbed the bottle between them to fill his glass. Jong-in raised it in front of his lips before he said. "That is a bad idea, Eun-seok. You've been hiding this thing from everyone else for a long time and you are going to simply give your identity away for a woman who is doubtful of you? What will you do to keep her silent, then?"

             "I'll figure something out." Eun-seok shrugged and placed his glass down and shoved his hands into his pockets.

            "You better!" Jong-in glowered at him. "If things go south, I am not saving your ass. And I still think that's a bad idea."

            "I got this, hyung," the assassin said. "I won't mess this up."

            He swore it.

            If Eun-seok swore to himself, he was confident that nothing would get out of his grasp. He had everything under control and that included the manipulation of the end result. It happened before, so he was certain that it could happen again.

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            He came across her again at the convenience store. But this time, she was with two young women, one of which he recognized as Jung Ye-rim, a healer in the Knights Guild. Eun-seok was not sure about the other one as she looked completely unfamiliar to him.

            So, he decided to wait for his chance to speak with Hee-jin in private.

            Eun-seok began picking up random products, pretending to inspect them while listening closely to the girls. He doubted that Hee-jin would notice his presence when she was too engrossed in her conversation with her friends.

            “Which flavor do you want, Hee-jin?” Ye-rim asked. “Grapes or oranges?”

            “Grapes! But you can pick both if you are up for oranges.” Hee-jin said.

            “Are you sure that we are going to watch ‘The Mimic’?”

            “Why? Are you scared, Ju-hee?”

            “Absolutely not! I heard that it's a story based on true events. . . ”

            “So? Can you handle it?”

            “I think so?”

            “Just think that the movie isn't real, Ju-hee. Ye-rim here will probably make fun of it.”

            The A-Rank healer scoffed. “You’re making it seem like it's a bad thing—”

            “I do not!”

            Eun-seok chuckled. Seeing the way they bonded with one another somehow reminded him of how he was to Byung-gyu and Yoon-ho — perhaps Jong-in as well.

            Then, once he took a subtle glance, Ye-rim and the other girl — Ju-hee — had walked away, leaving Hee-jin alone in the aisle. Eun-seok took this chance and moved to the other side, not making it obvious that he had come for her there; he grabbed a cup of noodles from the shelf next to her.

            “Amazing how often we stumble upon each other in convenience stores, huh?”

            He huffed and cast a gaze at her from the corner of his eye. “What should I call it? A fate? Destiny?”

            “A curse.”

            “Rude,” Eun-seok grimaced. “But true.”

            Hee-jin sighed. “Why are you even here? More or less, talking to me? If my friends see you here—”

            “I won't stay long enough to ruin your night.” Eun-seok returned the cup noodles to the shelf. He faced her fully with a stern expression. “I will cut to the chase here. You are suspicious of me, correct? You have a gut-feeling that I am more than the hunter I am.”

            Hee-jin crossed her arms, as though waiting for him to continue. Eun-seok sighed.

            “Meet me in the same block and at the second lamppost near this place.” he said to her. “9:00 PM to be precise.”

            With that, he walked away, hearing no response from her.

            Later that night, Eun-seok stood under the streetlight, leaning his back against the post. His hood was pulled back, allowing the whispering winds to twirl around his locks as his chin sat above the mask around his neck. It had been six minutes past the desired time. He didn't think that Hee-jin would be the kind of person who would turn her back on something that would finally conclude her intuitions.

            He had a feeling that this night would go exactly the way he intended.

            *pitter patter, pitter patter*

            And there she was.

            Hee-jin headed toward him, clad in a navy blue hoodie and a pair of black jeans. Her hood shrouded half of her forehead and her hands were buried inside of her pockets. The mage eyed him wearily, and if his aural perception could reach within a human body, her heart would be heard pounding against her chest.

            "Are you ready, Ms. Park?" He asked her.

            Hee-jin could only nod.

            Eun-seok pushed himself away from the post and hauled his mask to his face, the fabric clung to the bridge of his nose, then he brought his hood to his head. She wordlessly followed him into the alleyway, allowing the shadows to swallow her. Her footsteps scraped against the ground. Hee-jin carefully looked around even though she was seeing nothing but darkness, not even Eun-seok's footsteps were heard.

            She tried not to worry.

            No, wait— why should she not worry? Eun-seok, whom she had been suspecting for the past few days, had invited her to meet up with him in the middle of the night. Hee-jin couldn't even read his actions and body movements properly. Of all hunters, she viewed him as the most enigmatic one. He was quiet and his eyes could stare deeply into one's soul.

            Hee-jin just wished there would be an end to her whirling thoughts. How long do I have to endure?

            For a moment, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. Although it was too late, she hoped her instincts wouldn't put her into peril. Perhaps she had gone too far. . .

            "We're here."

            Hee-jin flinched and looked around. She could barely distinguish a figure. "Eun-seok?"

            "I'm right here."

            "Where? I don't- eek!" She yelped.

Eun-seok had his hand on her wrist. His touch was gentle. Hee-jin found her adrenaline decreasing when she realized it was him and saw his eyes, glowing in red.

            "Relax. It's just me." He said.

            "Where are we?" Hee-jin asked.

            "This is where you'll have the answers to your questions," Eun-seok let go of her wrist and made his way to the wall. He sprung up to the roof where he landed soundlessly as if his feet were guided by the thin air. He looked down at her and asked. "Can you climb?"

            Hee-jin glanced around and saw a pipe pressed at the corner. She chose to climb it and held on to the thick pipe to haul herself up to the roof, but was also careful not to steal attention from the windows nearby. As she slowly got to the top, a gloved hand reached down to her, so Hee-jin accepted it and let Eun-seok guide her to his spot.

            But that didn't stop there. Hee-jin had to follow Eun-seok across the rooftops whilst she maintained being careful with her steps. Eun-seok was going faster than her, but she was glad he managed to pull himself back instead of leaving her to completely fail to follow him.

            Eventually, Eun-seok brought her to a certain house. He commanded her to not follow him inside and stay on the edge of the roof. Hee-jin obliged and held tightly on the frame of the window, watching as the association stepped inside of the bedroom; her breath silently hitched when Eun-seok unsheathed one of his swords.

            He stood in waiting until the door opened, causing the air to change in an instant. There was a man who got shocked at the intruder in his room.

            "Who the hell are you?! Why are you—"

            The next thing that happened left Hee-jin in shambles.

            Eun-seok dashed up and swung his sword at the man, a strong whiplash drew a long cut across his chest. The S-Rank hunter yanked a fistful of his hair to throw him across the room. Before the man could scream, Eun-seok pressed his hand against his mouth; the man beneath him fought and squirmed. Hee-jin clutched on the frame tighter, her heart racing throughout the whole scene.

            But what came next was something she was not prepared for.

            Eun-seok raised his sword and pierced it into the man's heart. The B-Rank hunter couldn't tell whether the sound was her gasp or the sword that sunk through the man's vital organ.

            Hee-jin covered her mouth with her hand and sat down on the edge, raising her knees to her chest. Terror filled her eyes. Yes, she knew Eun-seok was an assassin. . . But she never thought he'd be an assassin outside the gates. Killing people. In cold blood and not uttering a single word.

            "Hee-jin?"

            She turned up and saw the assassin himself. Seeing his red eyes felt as if she was witnessing the death of the man a while ago. "Eun-seok. . . What was that?"

            "The answer to your questions," said Eun-seok. "So, are you satisfied now?"

            Hee-jin gritted her teeth. "Satisfied? You just killed someone- a human!" She stood up, wishing she could hit him if she was able to balance herself. "Are you a murderer of some sort?!"

            "What did you even expect from me?" Eun-seok simply asked.

            "I. . . I don't know! Maybe— maybe I was hoping that I was wrong about you." Hee-jin admitted. "Why, Eun-seok? How long have you been doing this? What is your reason to take people's lives and not just monsters?"

            Eun-seok just stared at her. But after a few passing seconds, he turned away and Hee-jin had no choice but to follow him once again.

            They returned to the same place before they journeyed across the rooftops. Eun-seok continued walking rather than speaking just like what Hee-jin expected. When they left the dark alleyway, Hee-jin spotted him standing in the entrance. She deeply hoped he wouldn't leave her without saying anything.

            "I kill people for a reason, Hee-jin. People who do wrong things and have no intentions to change themselves. That man you saw, for instance, has been having an affair with different women while manipulating his wife." Eun-seok explained. "Sometimes, there are things you can't rely on the police. I learned that when I got my awakening."

            "But do you ever feel remorse for the lives you claim?" Hee-jin asked.

            He shook his head. "No. Not even the time I killed the intruders in my old home for trying to rob me." Hee-jin opened her mouth, but Eun-seok proceeded. "It's a long story that I'd rather forget, Ms. Park. Are you satisfied with what you know now? Will you keep your mouth shut from now on?"

            Hee-jin was silent for a moment until she let out a sigh and glanced down. "I won't tell anyone."

            Eun-seok nodded and waited as she began to walk away. She didn't turn her head back. Hee-jin simply blended into the crowd until not a single trace of her was still seen. His chest clenched a little, though Eun-seok reminded himself that he must not feel bad when it was his intention to bring her in such a situation that would leave her speechless.

            And she was.

            The fear was so palpable she looked like she had a nightmare.

            Eun-seok couldn't blame her. Nobody else would handle his tasks the same way he did. Hee-jin most likely lived a simpler life than him, who already got blood in his hands long before he conquered monsters.

            Their lives were different.

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            Hee-jin hadn't dared to come near him again.

            If they came across each other, whether in the convenience store or somewhere in the streets, Hee-jin would look away and walk past him without a word. She didn't dare to inspect him. Eun-seok was relieved with the change and continued his day.

            Later that night, he told Jong-in that his plan worked. Jong-in was skeptical at first until he decided to believe him. The proof was also shown when Hee-jin didn't leave her distance when the two hunters were called again to aid the hunting party.

            "Hee-jin said she's not coming with us for lunch," Yoon-ho declared after he shoved his phone into his pocket while he walked out of the guild building.

            Byung-gyu frowned. "Well, that's too bad."

            "She's probably busy, hyungs. Let's go even if it's just the three of us." Eun-seok shrugged.

            He didn't care.

            With the conflict gone, Eun-seok felt he could breathe freely without having to worry about his true identity being leaked out.

            But little did he know. . . There would be side-effects.

            Several days later, with Hee-jin still avoiding him each time they found themselves in the same place, something began to bug him. As usual, he didn't pay attention to it until it happened again when Eun-seok picked up her wallet and Hee-jin immediately took it and left.

            It wasn't that she expressed no gratitude. Her distance and silence aggravated him to some extent. Eun-seok didn't know why he was feeling that way. Could it because the situation was beginning to bother him? He doubted it. He had already expected it to happen between them anyway.

            But why?

            Why did he feel affected?

            "Everyone! Be prepared to go in!" Yoon-ho exclaimed to the hunters.

            Eun-seok wrapped a black strip around his hand, tugging it tightly before continuing between his index finger and thumb, and secured it at the bottom. He pulled his sleeve across his arm and was about to join the group when he caught something from the corner of his eye. A certain mage was found dozing on a bench, unaware of the hunt that was about to begin.

            So, Eun-seok made his way toward her and stared at her. He reached out to shake her shoulder a little. Hee-jin continued to be asleep.

            "Hee-jin? Wake up." Her eyes finally snapped open. He let out a sigh. "Good, now let's—" Hee-jin brushed past him, catching him off-guard. "Hey!"

            She stopped.

            "You look like you've seen a ghost," Eun-seok remarked.

            "You weren't even bothered when I began avoiding you."

            "Yeah, but you look like you're afraid of me."

            "Just get to the hunt, Hunter Geun."

            Eun-seok paused, as though he was processing those last words from her to his statement. Her tone was blunt and dry that it got him perplexed. He shook his head, realizing that he was not supposed to care when—

            "Eun-seok!"

            "Y-yes, hyung! I'm coming!" Eun-seok took off running to the group of hunters, joining Yoon-ho in the entrance.

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            The night kept him awake.

            He shifted, and shifted, around his bed. But he only ended up staring at the ceiling, allowing his thoughts to run ceaselessly in his mind. Eun-seok groaned and grabbed a pillow to press it against his face.

            There was only one word to explain his crisis.

            Hee-jin.

            It was her all over again.

            A strange feeling succumbed to his chest. It was almost as though it was the same feeling whenever he thought about his friends' reactions to him being a killer. Could it be that she was afraid of him? Eun-seok used to be annoyed by her keen observation skills, but now, he was annoyed by how she treated him like a ghost.

            He dragged his pillow to his chest and released a loud sigh. Reaching out to his nightstand, Eun-seok grabbed his phone and went to the nearest contact that he knew would help him with his dilemma.

            [Eun-seok, 10:02 PM: are you still awake, hyung?]

            [Byung-gyu, 10:05 PM: yeah. What is it?]

            He pursed his lips.

            [Eun-seok, 10:07: I need a favor.]

            Amidst the broad daylight shrouding over the city, Eun-seok sat under the shady umbrella in front of a restaurant, waiting for Hee-jin to show up. He already told his boss that he would be late due to some important matters. His fingers were tapping the table while he had his head beneath his hood, as if protecting himself from the unwanted attention since he was the only S-Rank hunter in public.

            Finally, he saw her.

            Eun-seok straightened his posture and gazed at her intently. Hee-jin's eyes met his briefly before confusion grew in her features, yet continued to make her way toward his table, stopping in front of him.

            "Eun-seok. I didn't think I'd see you here instead of Byung-gyu." Hee-jin said.

            "Byung-gyu wasn't supposed to show up. I told him to tell you to meet up since you won't probably come if you know it's me." Eun-seok confessed.

            Hee-jin sighed and took a seat across him. "So what is it?"

            "Hee-jin, I—" Eun-seok's nails scratched the surface of the table and his head twitched, but he maintained his gaze straight. "I want to say sorry. For showing you what I do every night and scaring you."

            "Now I see why you don't want me to tell anyone and also threatened me in the process—"

            "Sorry."

            Hee-jin frowned. "I wasn't going to tell anyone if you don't want me to. Whatever you do is none of my business anyway."

            "So. . . Y— you're not afraid of me?" Eun-seok's voice quivered as if he was a dog with its ears pulled back.

            "No, I guess? That is if I have to get used to being around you." Hee-jin said. "You hate me, remember?"

            "That's because I thought you were a threat."

            " . . . That's it?"

            "What else?"

            Suddenly, Hee-jin's mouth twitched and let out a snort. Eun-seok blinked in surprise. It wasn't long until she began to laugh. After a moment, Hee-jin wiped the corner of her eye with her finger and breathed out, leaving a grin on her lips. "You have a weird way of dealing with your fears, Hunter Eun-seok. Are you afraid of people becoming afraid of you?"

            Eun-seok's eyes flickered down, mumbling. "Yes."

            "I see," Hee-jin nodded. She let out a genuine smile. "How about we make a truce?"

            "What truce?"

            "I won't tell anyone about your 'little business', you stop seeing me as some enemy who must disappear," said the mage.

            Eun-seok hummed. "Alright."

            Her hand stretched out for him. The S-Rank hunter stared at it for a second, letting a smile grow lightly on his lips, and touched Hee-jin's hand with his own.

            So she wasn't entirely afraid of him. . . 

            It made him glad.

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            *pant, pant, pant*

            Eun-seok pushed himself against the wall, pressing his feet harder on the ground to steady himself. He had his hand on his upper arm as well, blocking the blood from oozing further after his target had managed to throw a kitchen knife at him. He shoved his free hand into his pocket to pull out his phone and dragged his thumb across his contacts.

            Jong-in had already left, so there was no way Eun-seok would summon him back.

            11:10 PM.

            He wondered who could be the person he'd call. Although, a name had already popped up in his head, but he wasn't certain if—

            An excruciating pain caused him to wince. Eun-seok gritted his teeth and was left with no choice but to click on the call button.

            He pressed his phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick it up. When he heard her voice, Eun-seok quickly spoke. "Hee-jin?"

            "Eun-seok? What is it?"

            "Can I come over? Please, it's— gah!"

            "Eun-seok?!"

            Eun-seok sighed. "Just tell me where you live. I— you're the only one I can reach out to."

            Hee-jin reluctantly agreed and gave him her address. Eun-seok hung up without allowing her to finish her sentence. He leaned away from the wall and took off running to the distance, his hand still clutching on his bleeding arm, though he persisted anyway. He managed to leap onto the rooftops and continued his journey there and pushed more mana into his speed, enough not to be seen by the security cameras and people.

            He arrived in a quiet vicinity of an apartment. Eun-seok glanced up to the ascending floors in the building; Hee-jin told him that she lived on the sixth floor. His stomach clenched at the thought of how he would make his way up with only one available hand. The assassin looked at his arm and removed his right palm from it and saw the amount of blood coated in his hand.

            So, he removed the thick strip from his left hand to place it around his wound, knowing it'd stop the bleeding. Eun-seok also wiped his bloodied hand on his clothing and undid the wrap he had on his other hand to cover it instead of leaving marks on areas of the apartment that he would touch.

            The assassin began his journey up on the building. He jumped on the fire escapes and moved within the shadows. As quiet as a ghost. Unfortunately, that didn't stop his arm from reminding him of the fresh and untreated wound he earned for not predicting his target's next move. Eun-seok kept going, reaching the fourth floor, and then fifth—

            He was finally on the sixth floor.

            Eun-seok remained hidden in the darkness and pulled his phone out. The screen lit brightly across his face as he typed out his message. Shortly after he sent the text, he waited until the window next to him was pushed open. Hee-jin leaned out of the window and found him.

            "Hey!" She whispered and ushered him inside with her hand.

            He obliged and walked to the edge where he lifted his leg to prop his foot on the railing while he used his left hand to reach forward and grasp on the frame. His teeth gritted at the agonizing sting. Eun-seok pushed more stamina until he threw himself inside of the apartment, crashing onto the ground — which brought more pain, but he still restrained his voice from hollering.

            "Are you okay?" The softness of Hee-jin's voice clouded his ears. "Can you walk? This isn't the perfect place to check your wounds. Someone else might see you."

            Eun-seok grunted and forced himself to rise with his arms. Hee-jin supported him to get on his feet and quickly, yet carefully, brought him to her room. There was a lampshade on the desk to partially shine the place. Hee-jin helped him get settled on the floor on the edge of her bed where he leaned his back against it, panting in exhaustion.

            "Is this where your wound is?" Hee-jin glanced at his arm that had a wrap.

            Eun-seok swallowed and nodded. "Yes."

            "You're quite careless for an S-Rank assassin, y’know? Stay here and don't move." Hee-jin got up and swiftly grabbed the medical kit on her desk. She knelt on his side and gently tugged the strip where it fell off in a single pull. Her breath drew back. "What happened here?"

            "My target struck a kitchen knife at me while I was blocking the things he was throwing at me. I managed to get here despite the pain and blood." Eun-seok explained. "I couldn't call Byung-gyu because, you know—"

             "I get it," Hee-jin sighed. She opened the box and grabbed the right supplies when her hands paused. "Can you, uh, take off your clothes? Just the upper ones, I mean! It'll be less difficult to clean the wound."

            Eun-seok nodded without a word and leaned away from the bed, grunting as he peeled off his coat. Hee-jin reached out to carefully retract it from his body faster. Next, it was his shirt. Her cheeks flushed at the passing thought of having to see his bare torso for the sake of tending his wound.

            Why do you have to get yourself hurt? She thought miserably.

            She wasn't supposed to be doing this. More or less, she wasn't supposed to let a damn assassin into her home. She had acted on an impulse after hearing the agony in his voice.

            "A little help?" Eun-seok spoke out. His back was turned to her with his black shirt halfway up.

            Hee-jin sighed and hauled the fabric up once it reached the back of his neck, allowing him to remove it completely. Eun-seok loudly breathed out and slumped back to her bed. A harness was found discarded on his lap that contained some small sharp weapons.

            Hee-jin immediately got into work and applied a cleansing liquid around his wound. The blood had somehow stopped oozing due to the strip he had attached on it. She used roughly four cotton balls before she applied another ointment for the center of the wound. Hee-jin anticipated him to wince, but Eun-seok remained neutral, so she continued until she was done. She took out a bandage to wrap it firmly around his arm.

            Silence hadn't quivered between them.

            But it only did when Eun-seok uttered under his breath. "You did quite well despite not being a healer, Ms. Park."

            Hee-jin glared. "If it weren't for me, you should've been bleeding on your own."

            "Touché," Eun-seok chuckled. "So. . . You live with your parents?"

            "Mom and my two grandparents. My dad passed two years ago." Hee-jin answered.

            "Sorry about that. . . "

            She shook her head. "No, it's fine. And I'm guessing you live alone?"

            "Yeah," Eun-seok nodded. "I have been living alone for a long time. I find it lucky that I awakened, otherwise I'd still be stuck in that sketchy apartment where people will frequently storm into my home."

            "Seemed like you had a rough start, Eun-seok," remarked Hee-jin.

            "Well, I once worked in a grocery store that had a minimum salary, so—" he let out an airy laugh. "Nonetheless, I found a good place now."

            Hee-jin hummed. She secured the wrap and cut it with a pair of shears."All done."

            "Thank you," Eun-seok smiled and was about to get up when Hee-jin grabbed his shoulder. "What?"

            "You can't leave yet! At least recover your strength. I can imagine how tough it must've been for you to get here." She told him.

            The S-Rank assassin blinked. "Okay. . . "

            "Take a rest for a bit and I'll get you something to drink. How does a glass of milk work for you?"

            "Uh. . . Fine by me!"

            Hee-jin nodded and got up to exit her room. The door was shut in a click, Eun-seok found himself pondering the situation he had gotten himself into. It was not the first time he got hurt during an assassination, it was either Jong-in helping him or he'd bring himself back to his condominium and deal with his wounds alone, but thinking about it now, Eun-seok was quite shocked by his decision to call Hee-jin earlier.

            There was no doubt that he thought she was going to drive him away. Showing up at her home, wounded and fresh from taking someone's life, yet she accepted him and offered help.

            Perhaps she wasn't truly turning him in if she found out who he was.

            Or did he overthink too much?

            Eun-seok glanced at his arm, admiring the handiwork. Then, the door opened and quick footsteps shuffled across the floor, he turned up and spotted a glass of milk being offered to him.

            He took it without a second thought. "Thanks."

            Hee-jin made her way over and sat down in front of him, crossing her legs that made her oversized shirt cover her shorts thoroughly. She placed her arms on each side of her lap and watched him for a moment. Eun-seok, however, was too occupied in drinking the milk to make a remark about it.

            "How long have you been killing people?" Hee-jin asked him.

            "Hmm. . . A year?" Eun-seok shrugged and placed his glass down. "It began when I saved this kid from his abusive father. I ended up taking his life as revenge for the hell he put his child in after I brought the kid to the child protection department."

            "Do you regret it?"

            "No. Why would I regret doing something for the best?"

            Hee-jin sighed. "I think I don't want to know what kind of morals you go by."

            "Haha! Everyone has different morals anyway, especially when you're a hunter." Eun-seok chuckled. "So, what are you up to when you're not hunting?'

            "I take a rest and that's it. Hang out with friends too if they are up to meet." Hee-jin replied.

            "Ah, Ye-rim and that other girl, right?"

            "She's Lee Ju-hee, but yeah.”

            Eun-seok nodded. He shifted his position to pull his phone out of his pocket to check the time. 11:57 PM. Only three minutes left before midnight. Knowing he must go back because of his work, Eun-seok pushed himself up to his feet and began to gather his discarded shirt, putting it on, then attached his harness back.

            "You're leaving? Already?"

            "I can't stay here for too long. Guild master might look for me if I'm late and worse, your family might see an intruder." Eun-seok explained.

            "But— what about your wound?" Hee-jin frowned.

            His lips twitched upwards. "I'll be fine. Thanks to you, I will recover soon enough."

            She sighed. "Okay. . . But be careful out there."

            Eun-seok smiled.

            Hee-jin accompanied him to the window and looked around to see if nobody hadn't seen them yet. Eun-seok grasped on the railing of the fire escape and glanced at Hee-jin for the last time, looking at her warmly before he started getting down. Though, he didn't miss the worried gaze she had on him.

            Hee-jin used to be cautious of him, but now, she was tender around him.

            It felt sort of unusual to witness that side of her. Nevertheless, Eun-seok failed to notice his smile whenever he thought about it. The way she was careful around him in a way she feared to see him in pain. . . It felt new.

            Little did he know, that was only the beginning.

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            He was in the middle of a fight when his phone received her message.

            Eun-seok dodged the incoming punch and pulled the trigger at his target's neck, causing blood to sputter out. The body collapsed lifelessly on the ground with a heavy thud. The assassin took his phone from his pocket and saw Hee-jin's texts in his notification bar.

            [ Are you still assassinating people? ] 

            [ Please tell me you are not injured. . . ]

            It made him chuckle.

            There was a seven minute difference between the two messages, so it meant he had been too occupied with his task that he didn't feel the notice vibrating on his phone. Should I pay her a visit? He thought.

            "Are you done here already?" Jong-in entered the room.

            "Yeah! But do you mind cleaning this place up for me?"

            "Pardon?"

            Eun-seok grinned at him. "I had something urgent to do."

            "And this 'something urgent' is. . . ?" Jong-in raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

            "It's a secret." Eun-seok stashed his silent gun into the compartment on his boot.

            "What are you? Five?"

            "Don't worry! I'll send you the list of people you can frame on!" Eun-seok went to the window and disappeared, not daring to hear the last words of his friend, who was likely astounded on his spot.

            It took a few moments for Jong-in to recover. His face formed into a glare when he received a message from his phone. The S-Rank mage took a glimpse of it and saw the list of names he could choose from. He sighed and muttered 'bastard' under his breath.

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            Eun-seok arrived on the sixth floor of the apartment, sitting on the railing next to the window where he had entered before. He sent the 'I'm here' message and was about to wait until he saw the window open. His eyes lit up when Hee-jin met his gaze.

            Hee-jin sighed and went inside again, allowing him to get inside. This time, he entered her apartment silently and not a single hindrance in his body, unlike the first time he brought himself there. Eun-seok brushed his hands against his pants and pulled his hood back as he turned to Hee-jin.

            "Looking for me?" He grinned.

            Hee-jin's calculating green eyes lingered on him for a while before she raised her finger, opening her mouth to say. "You got something on your face."

            "Oh!" Realization kicked in. "Right, my bad. I'll just—"

            "Nevermind that. I will just clean that myself." Hee-jin grabbed his wrist and led him to her room. "Are you always this forgetful about the traces of someone's blood on your skin?"

            "Well, I never went to someone's home after my task back then, so I paid zero attention until I found it while showering." Eun-seok explained. Then, he saw her reach out for the medical kit. "You don't have to grab those. I'm completely unscathed."

            "What?" She flashed him a sharp look.

            He sighed and stretched his arms on his sides. "See? Not a stab wound or anything."

            Hee-jin glared at him. "Then why did you still come here? You could've told me that you weren't harmed."

            "You seemed worried in your messages, so I thought it'd be better to see you in person instead," said Eun-seok.

            "I guess you're right," Hee-jin sighed.

            Eun-seok sat down on the floor beside the bed. Hee-jin walked toward him with a clean cloth and a bottle of disinfectant; the mattress dipped from her weight as she settled next to him, Eun-seok felt her hand under his jaw to pull the direction of his head to her fixed gaze. Hee-jin started rubbing the cloth, soaked in antiseptic liquid, across his cheek to remove the blood. It was cold on his skin. Not knowing what else to do, Eun-seok just kept an intent stare at her, tracing every inch of her angelic face with his eyes.

            Hee-jin had always been pretty — if not, beautiful — to him since he first met her in that convenience store. It just so happened that he harbored ill-feelings toward her and had gotten in the way. But now that things were quite okay between them, Eun-seok felt his past sentiments never existed.

            It had been such a long time since someone had cared for him this way. Not in a way like Byung-gyu, who healed everyone's wounds in battle. Not in a way like Ill-hwan or Dong-wook, who looked after the hunters equally.

            It was in a way that it was only him.

            "Hee-jin?" His voice broke the unwavering silence.

            "Hm?"

            Eun-seok swallowed lightly. "Are you, uh, used to it now? Me, being an assassin who also kills people."

            "Hmm. . . " He waited in anticipation at Hee-jin's hum. "Yeah, I think I am. Even though I don't approve of you killing people, I won't force you to stop it since you have your reasons."

            Her words brought warmth to his heart. Eun-seok thought she was going to scold him, but as it turned out, Hee-jin had no intentions of making him abandon his nightly assassinations. Still, he kept a straight face throughout the whole process. Once he was cleaned, Hee-jin got up and turned over her shoulder.

            "Do you want something to drink?" She offered.

            Eun-seok nodded.

            The next time he went to see her in the middle of the night, he brought a box of mini donuts with him that he had stashed into his bag before he began his assassinations. Eun-seok then left the cleaning operation to Jong-in and disappeared before he could even protest. As usual, the assassin waited in the fire escape until Hee-jin let him in through the window.

            The two quietly went inside of the room, and she went to get the medical kit, Eun-seok put his backpack on the floor and took out the box of mini donuts. He sat down next to his bag and placed the box on his lap. Hee-jin returned and knelt with the medkit between her hands. Eun-seok's mouth twitched and handed her the box.

            "Eh?" Her green eyes flickered at it in question. "What's this?"

            "Open it."

            Hee-jin accepted it and lifted the lid to take a peek at its contents. Her mouth parted in surprise. "Are these—?"

            "I thought I'd give something to you after all the help you've been giving me lately," Eun-seok said. His statement made her raise an eyebrow, so he added. "It might not be a big deal to you, but it is to me."

            "Oh, I see. . . " A faint smile grew on her lips. "We can share it while watching a movie or something. That is, after I tend your wounds—"

            "I'm unscathed. As you can see, I might've been more careful with my targets and less reckless as I can."

            "Now that's good to hear!" She chuckled. She sounded like music. Eun-seok wondered if there was anything else he could do to hear it again. "Hopefully, you'll keep it up."

            He snickered. "No guarantee, Ms. Park."

            Hee-jin rolled her eyes.

            A few moments later, a laptop sat across them, a movie playing on the screen as the box of donuts being the only thing that kept a small space between them. Eun-seok barely touched the donuts since he practically got them only for Hee-jin, though he did get one after she persuaded him to. His attention lingered on the flashing screen.

            Wait, that person shouldn't be knocked out easily. A thought came to him when he witnessed a character falling unconscious after being punched in the jawline.

            Eun-seok began to think this wasn't a good movie.

            There is no way you are able to dodge a bullet like that!

            Why are you still standing and not in pain when you have a cut on your nose?

            Aim for the artery!

            That is not the right way to thrust one's knife!

            How did you even—

            Eun-seok felt his heart skip a beat.

            Hee-jin had her head on his shoulder. His hand suddenly twitched on his lap, as if having an urge to hold her close. His heartbeat also increased behind his ribcage, an echoing sensation that he could hear deep in his ears; his focus gradually ebbed away from the screen as he glanced at Hee-jin.

            Despite his views on the movie, Hee-jin seemed to enjoy it. She was laid-back and serene. Eun-seok fiddled on his fingers as a coping mechanism to his growing urge to pull the green-eyed beauty closer and gently brush the hair on her forehead.

            There was that strange feeling again.

            Eun-seok wondered if it was normal. He had seen it before in shows, two people cuddling together and sharing intimate gestures, yet he never imagined himself doing it. . . Until now.

            Hee-jin was comfortable with him rather than wary. He wished to keep it that way. No matter how much he had been covered by blood or had taken lives, Eun-seok wanted her to be at ease with him no matter what.

            His mouth gently curved into a smile, letting his guard down thoroughly, and didn't move an inch. If peace could be achieved in showing up in her place every midnight, he'd be happy to do it again.

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            "Byung-gyu?" Eun-seok entered the kitchen area of the office, finding his friend taking out a tupperware from the fridge.

            The healer looked at him and waved. "Hey!"

            "Can I ask you something?"

            "Go ahead."

            At first, Eun-seok swallowed. "Er— what do you do when your heart races for someone?"

            " . . . " Byung-gyu blinked. But when he realized what the words meant, his eyes grew big. "You—"

            "Shush!" Eun-seok cut him off. "I'm just curious!"

            "Eun-seok, your heart does not beat for someone out of curiosity," his friend deadpanned.

            Eun-seok groaned. "I know! But it's just that I want to check on something. Just to be sure." He looked at him in implore. "Please don't tell anyone. . . "

            Byung-gyu sighed. "Alright. I'm guessing you don't want me to ask either, correct?"

            Eun-seok nodded.

            "Fine," Byung-gyu leaned against the counter. "Well, as far as I know, having your heart beat for someone means only one thing— you like that person. Simple as that!"

            "Uh. . . I don't think so." Eun-seok was uncertain. "What if this feeling is from an experience I've never felt? Isn't that because I'm lacking from it?"

            His friend scoffed. "That's the whole point! You fall in love with someone because they complete a part of you. They make you feel whole."

            They make you feel whole.

            Eun-seok found himself pondering.

            "Well, if you're still not sure, then try doing something different. If your heart still beats, then you're in love." Byung-gyu shrugged and started walking past the assassin. "I don't know who stole that heart of yours, even though I want to know, but that person must be lucky.”

            I hope so. Eun-seok's chest clenched.

            Try something different?

            As far as he knew, all he did was show up on Hee-jin's apartment window almost every midnight. He even brought her donuts. And during those moments, his heart was filled with warmth, seeping through his veins up to his brain where it clouded his thoughts. Small moments that he was certain he'd carry forever.

            With a faint smile on his lips, Eun-seok took out his phone and started typing a message.

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            Eun-seok stood among the people walking past him near the entrance of the mall. He had his hands shoved in his pockets as he waited. When his guild master agreed that he should take the entire day off, Eun-seok quickly headed home and changed into different clothes that would fit well in the society. A grey polyester sweatshirt and a pair of ripped jeans. Though, part of him was uncertain if it was enough.

            It was not always that he got to go out and do mundane activities.

            Eun-seok lifted his phone to check his reflection, he reached his hand up to flick his hair slightly that was parted in the middle, making sure he looked presentable. He disliked how the more he waited, the more he was beginning to feel uneasy toward himself.

            Before another fleeting thought came in, his eyes finally caught her within the crowd. Eun-seok's gaze twitched up and glued to the moving figure. She appeared when the person in front of her moved to a different direction, clad in a mint green dress that hung above her knees, swaying gracefully, as she also wore a white long-sleeved blouse underneath. Her hair was made into a loose braid with little streaks dangling to her collar. A brown bag sat on her shoulder that matched her sandals.

            His heart skipped a beat.

            Hee-jin finally reached him and a tender smile curled up on her lips, tainted in soft pink. “There was a long line on the bus. Sorry!”

            “You don't need to apologize,” Eun-seok shook his head. Then, he remembered the first thing he planned to do. “You look pretty.” He said to her.

            Amusement glimmered in Hee-jin's eyes. “Why, thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.”

            Eun-seok chuckled, not knowing how to take the compliment. He began leading her to the mall, keeping his hands tucked in his pockets, while Hee-jin walked close to him. Their arms brushed against each other when they had to move aside for the others to pass. Hee-jin's hands were clutching on her bag’s strap across her chest, Eun-seok noticed this and ignored the image of him reaching his hand out for her to take, reminding himself that they were not like those couples he had seen around.

            They first entered a store that sold various plushies, ranging from different animals to objects that were added with expressions. Eun-seok knew people liked anything that was adorable. Inevitably, Hee-jin was one of those people — she was in awe of every stuffed animal she saw and reached out to touch them, feeling the softness in her hands. Eun-seok found her amusing, yet cute nonetheless.

            As he followed her around the store, his gaze landed on something in the shelves. Eun-seok paused on his tracks and looked up where he saw a bunch of cat stuffed toys. He extended his hand out to grab a medium-sized tortoiseshell cat, holding it with both hands, he squeezed it and realized how soft it was.

            He understood why Hee-jin became lively around such things. So, Eun-seok turned around and brought it to the counter with him.

            Hee-jin snapped a photo of a small elephant plushie and sent it to Jung Ye-rim, a friend of hers from the Knights Guild, then typed out a message for her. She giggled at the healer’s response and when she was about to stash it into her bag, she paused midway when her gaze caught the sight of a stuffed cat, held by none other than Eun-seok.

            “This is for you,” he said.

            “Eh?” Hee-jin's eyes widened in confusion. “F— for me?”

            Eun-seok simply nodded.

            She took the plushie and held it to her chest. Her expression morphed in awe. Hee-jin tucked it tighter and embraced it, allowing a smile on her face at the softness of the stuffed animal; it was quite big and fit her arms completely.

            It was the right decision to request not to include a bag. Eun-seok felt a tinge of pride in his chest. “So I take it that you like it?”

            Hee-jin looked up and nodded with her chin pressed on the cat’s head. “Thank you! I meant it, even though you didn't have to get me anything.”

            “Hm? But you like these things.” Eun-seok said. “It's obvious that you should get one, hence why we are here and not look around like we're in some museum.”

            “Well, you are right,” Hee-jin chuckled.

            They exited the store and resumed their stroll in the mall. Hee-jin held her new plushie in her arms, Eun-seok observed her quietly, wearing a smile on his face, while she steered her head to check out the stores across the place. The mall had always been a populous place, people came to purchase and eat in various restaurants, then they'd leave in satisfaction.

            “Hey! Look over there!” Hee-jin tugged his sleeve.

            There was a small stall selling cotton candies. Eun-seok simply followed Hee-jin toward it and the closer they were, the stronger the scent of flavors in their noses.

            “Ah, miss! What can I do for you?” A middle-aged woman asked her newest customer.

            “I’d like this one, please.” Hee-jin pointed at the strawberry flavor. “Oh! And the mango too!”

            “Will that be in one stick or two sticks?”

            Hee-jin looked up to her companion. “Do you want the mango one?”

            “I don't have a big sweet tooth, so. . . ” Eun-seok shrugged.

            Hee-jin pouted. “Fine. I'll just eat it on my own.”

            Then, Eun-seok caught her hand reaching over to her bag, so he stopped her and took out his wallet instead. He spoke just as Hee-jin was about to protest. “I'll let you pay next time.”

            He wanted to try how it felt like to pay for someone.

            Around his friends, Eun-seok always preferred to use his money for himself rather than someone else. But now that he was with Hee-jin, he didn't have to think twice.

            The stall owner handed Hee-jin a cotton candy in a stick. Two flavors were swirled into one. Eun-seok offered to hold it since she was already carrying a stuffed animal in her arms, Hee-jin took small portions of the cotton candy and munched it inside of her mouth, then she encouraged him to eat some — though it took a couple of exchanges until Eun-seok grabbed a portion of the candy.

            It instantly melted in his tongue, leaving its sugary sweetness and a mixture of strawberry and mango wafting to the ceiling of his mouth. Eun-seok was not a big fan of sweets at all, but he wouldn't mind giving it a chance once in a while, especially when his companion had a bigger sweet tooth than him.

            They found themselves at the movie theater next. Hee-jin was the one who bought the tickets, though it did not bother Eun-seok, rather he smiled at the way her eyes lit up when she was given the chance to spend her money for the both of them. But of course, he was the one who bought popcorn for the both of them.

            Hee-jin tucked her stuffed animal to her chest. Eun-seok wanted to tease her that she really adored his gift that much, yet elected not to utter a word when the movie was already starting. She'd flinch at certain parts and her hand would reach over the popcorn where Eun-seok was gathering too, only to leading their fingers getting in contact; he flinched slightly when he felt her fingertips brushing against his own, though she was too focused on the screen to notice.

            His eyes barely left her since then.

            “That was great!” Hee-jin began as they walked out of the theater. “It had been quite a while since I've watched in the cinema. What about you?”

            “I can't remember. I usually watch movies in my house.” Eun-seok replied.

            She let out a frown. “Is it because of your ‘job’ and that's why you don't get to go out as much?”

            “Maybe. But being in public and surrounded by crowds aren't my thing, and besides—” his eyes briefly flickered at the passerbys, “it feels quite strange. To move around in places like this just to feel what it's like to be normal.”

            “I’m curious, why did you invite me out here in the first place?” Hee-jin asked.

            Eun-seok paused. In truth, he only wanted to confirm something. And without letting her wait longer, he responded. “I just noticed that I kept showing up on your apartment in the middle of the night.”

            “And?” She raised an eyebrow.

            “And. . . I don't know. It's not like I have nothing else better to do.” Then, Eun-seok's lips twitched up. “You're the only friend I have outside of the guild anyway.”

            It took a few moments for Hee-jin to return the smile. “Well, being with you has been wonderful.”

            “You’re talking like this is over,” Eun-seok huffed.

            “Is it?”

            He lightly grabbed her wrist. “There's still so much for us to see!”

            Hee-jin's breath hitched when he began to drag her across the place. The main purpose of their outing had ebbed off Eun-seok’s mind, allowing himself to let loose without thinking of his uncertain feelings for the B-Rank mage — no, scratch that. Today, he was not an S-Rank hunter, nor was she a B-Rank hunter; they were just people making the most out of their time together.

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            “Unnie! That stuffed animal you sent me is so adorable!” Jung Ye-rim gushed. “Why didn't you buy it for me? I could've paid you back.”

            Hee-jin rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, uh, I forgot because I was with someone.”

            “You are?”

            “With who?” Ju-hee piped up.

            “Uhm. . . A friend! Yes, a new friend whom I met not so long ago.” Her friends’ eyes glimmered with intrigue. Hee-jin sighed and scratched the underside of her jaw, knowing that if she told them that she was with an S-Rank hunter of all people, Ye-rim and Ju-hee would freak out. “He’s a hunter who specializes in blades.”

            “Ohhh!!!” The two healers were in awe.

            “Does that mean he took you on a date? Oh! Do I know him? What rank is he? Is he cute? Is he your type? What—”

            Ju-hee covered Ye-rim's mouth with her hand and flashed Hee-jin a broad smile. “Glad to hear that, unnie! I presume he bought something for you?”

            “Yes!” Hee-jin chuckled. “It was very sweet of him.”

            Indeed, it was very sweet of him. To invite her to the mall with him, purchase a cat plushie that she never expected him to, and spend the rest of the day with her instead of talking about the gates.

            The stuffed animal was in her bed, and every time she glanced at it, she saw the face of the assassin who had purchased it without her knowledge. Hee-jin smiled at it each time. Sure, he was a two-faced person who was kind-hearted to others, but cold and ruthless to some. . . She couldn't bring herself to push him away.

            But she didn't think she had a reason to.

            He was kind to her. He made her smile. She was at ease around him even though he got her worried beforehand. He made butterflies fly in her stomach—

            Hee-jin snapped. She turned over her stuffed animal, grabbing it to bring it on her lap. Its arms were splayed over her hands as it stared up motionlessly with its adorable smiling face. She pressed her thumbs on the soft cheeks, imagining what could it be if it were Eun-seok's cheeks.

            Oh crap. . . Hee-jin slumped down on the mattress, her long locks sprawling across the bedsheet. She raised the plushie above her face at arm’s length.

            Am I really in love with an assassin?

            She shook her head. No, Eun-seok was more than an assassin. He always had his reasons for his actions that were beyond an average human’s morals. But at the end of the day. . . He was still that kind soul.

            Part of her wondered if her feelings for him were true. She imagined herself being with him in various moments in her life, not just seeing him only at midnight where she had to check his body for wounds. Hee-jin wanted to do more like how they did at the mall.

            She sighed and pulled the stuffed cat to her chest, clutching it tightly. She wondered if Eun-seok felt the same way — or if his sentiments toward her were that of a friend.

            The moment she received his message later that night, Hee-jin practically rushed out of her bed and gently opened her door to make her way to the living room where his entrance was located. She unclasped the lock and pushed the window aside, immediately glancing at him as he patiently sat on the railing of the fire escape. A smile curved across her lips and she stepped aside, paving him a way to enter the apartment.

            Eun-seok's feet lightly descended on the floor. Hee-jin could barely make out his features, but she felt his soft gaze above her.

            “It took you quite earlier than usual,” she said.

            He chuckled. “I got the job done quicker.”

            “Well, that's good to know. Are you hurt somewhere?”

            “Not a single scratch,” then he paused. “I think?”

            Hee-jin sighed and let him follow her to her bedroom. The door was clicked shut behind her whilst she went up to grab the medical kit, which had become a permanent member in her possessions as she could never be careful when her visitor was around, so Hee-jin turned around and saw him sitting on his usual spot in her room and had her cat plushie on his lap as if to study it.

            She sat down in front of him and crossed her legs. Hee-jin extended her hand to him. Eun-seok stared at it for a moment and let out a sigh, he removed his black glove to present his bare palm that had fresh cuts.

            “Glass shards. Apparently, my glove wasn't that strong enough to resist.” He explained briefly.

            Hee-jin sighed. “Well, at least that wasn't severe.”

            “Wow. No scolding? No ‘Eun-seok, you're such an idiot?”

            “Since when I said that?” She flashed him a slight glare.

            “Your eyes seem to say so.”

            Hee-jin rolled her eyes. “Well, we can't prevent accidents no matter what, but all I want is for you to be—”

            “Careful. Yes, I get it.” Eun-seok nodded. He grinned. “I'm an S-Rank hunter, Hee-jin. It takes more than mere powerless humans to defeat me.”

            “Just because you're an S-Rank doesn't mean you are immortal, Eun-seok,” Hee-jin grumbled. She grabbed a roll of bandage to wrap it around the now cleaned wound on his palm.

            Then, his finger touched the underneath of her chin to lift her gaze a little to meet his gaze amidst the soft light from her lamp. “Are you worried that you might not be able to see me again one day?” Eun-seok said to her.

            Hee-jin suddenly flushed at his gesture and immediately pulled her chin away. “Don't say things like that. You're only making it a bit worse.”

            “Sorry,” Eun-seok mumbled. He bit his cheek and glanced at the cat stuffy on his lap, changing the subject. “Why do I get the feeling that you keep this cat close whenever you sleep?”

            “I do.” Hee-jin nodded. She took it and pulled it to her chest, wrapping her arms around it tightly.

            He let out a smile. “I’m glad to hear that. I've heard that girls are easily fond of stuffed animals.”

            “And you got that right,” chuckled Hee-jin. “But most of all— it kind of brings me comfort, knowing that you'll show up by midnight.”

            As much as she felt quite mortified by her words, Eun-seok's gaze turned warmer, almost palpable enough to feel it through her veins. Hee-jin thought she'd say what needed to be said.

            “I will always show up. If you'd like, we can go hang out somewhere else other than here.” Eun-seok suggested.

            “But you're busy with raids?”

            He frowned. “Right. . . “

            “Hmm. . . I'm good with us just being here.” Hee-jin said. “I understand that you have other things to put first.”

            Eun-seok nodded. “Thank you for always being understanding, Hee-jin.”

            “And maybe you get to put yourself first this time.”

            “Hm?”

            “I noticed that you barely paid attention to your happiness. For instance, the mall looked rather foreign to you since you didn't get to go there as much.” She explained. “You always focus on what you need to do, not what you want.”

            Eun-seok never missed his duties. Whether it was raiding gates or assassinating, he always put them first above anything else. Hee-jin wondered if he was doing it out of obligation or that was how his life revolved around ever since being a hunter changed his life.

            He didn't stay that long, unfortunately, but Hee-jin walked him to the window like how she usually did. Well, except for that one time where she had fallen asleep in the middle of watching a movie with him. Eun-seok headed to the window and gently opened it, allowing the subtle wind to flush into the quiet and dark place; Hee-jin wrapped her arms around herself when the cold touched her bare skin.

            “You know. . . I realized something.” Eun-seok began.

            Hee-jin blinked at him and waited for a continuation.

            “Yeah, I do not get to put myself first. I always do what I think is needed, not pausing for a moment and decide if that's what I want. The line had blurred between those two words a long time ago that I forgot the difference.” He said. “But at this point, I think. . . I think I should try doing what I want.”

            “Oh, that's a great thing to hear,” Hee-jin replied. “Ever thought about the first thing already?”

            Slowly, he turned around. His features were indistinguishable because of the darkness. Not even the distant lights from the city were enough for her to trace a single detail. She caught him stepping forward, her breath letting out a tiny gasp when his cold hand went to her jaw, and his shadow loomed over her more. His eyes became more visible, carrying an emotion she was unable to recognize.

            She found herself under a spell.

            Unable to move. Unable to breathe evenly.

            His voice was like a mere echo when he spoke. “Feel free to push me away if you're not comfortable.”

            Hee-jin was lost for words and failed to process what he meant. Her bottom lip unknowingly quivered when his warm breath fanned over her lips. She had an inkling where she'd find herself into. . . But the wires in her mind joined into tangles, disrupting and eating every what was left in her senses—

            Mmph! Her mouth let out a muffled sound in surprise.

            Lips. Eun-seok's lips were on her own. His hand on her jaw was steady, yet gentle. He must've felt her relax and deepened the kiss. Her brain had gone haywire. Were her lips moving too? Was she kissing back? She could never tell.

            Unlike his breath, his lips were cold against her own, like a desperate man longing for a life source. 

            He pulled away while it felt like an eon for her. Hee-jin realized she had her eyes open the entire time, only then to part her mouth after the unreciprocated kiss. Eun-seok moved to her ear this time, whispering;

            “That's what I want,” words flew into her ear like a prayer. “But, I want you to think about it carefully. I will be waiting until then.”

            He went away in a breeze.

            Only that remained was the strong memory. The sensation of his kiss was neither a beseech nor a wish for permission. It was more like a question to her. Hee-jin shook her head, her fingers rose to graze over her lips, wondering how it felt to be kissed by an S-Rank.

            Want?

            How long had he been wanting that? To kiss her?

            How long must he have been wanting her?

            Hee-jin didn't think she would get a good night's sleep after that.

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            “Mwehehe~ hihi!”

            “Dude, you sound like a goblin.”

            “I. . . Want more shots!”

            “Tae-gyu! Stop moving around!”

            “Ehh??” A drunk Tae-gyu looked over Byung-gyu, who was holding the rest of his weight and struggling at the same time. “Why is there a twink here?”

            “Shut it, you fool! You shouldn't have been in this state if you hadn't drunk sixteen glasses!” Byung-gyu hissed. He adjusted his grip around the archer and groaned when Tae-gyu pressed more weight on his frame. “Jin-woo!”

            “Calm down. You have a motorcycle, right? Just take Tae-gyu to his house and leave him at his doorstep.” Jin-woo huffed, turning to Yoon-ho, who was now passed out on the table. “I'll just have to teleport this guy to his bedroom and leave him there.”

            Byung-gyu gritted his teeth. “Why can't you teleport Tae-gyu too? If I take him on my motorcycle, he'll fall in the middle of the road!”

            “You're a healer, so just heal him if anything happens.”

            Byung-gyu glared daggers at the youngest S-Rank hunter.

            Eun-seok watched the chaos across them. Everyone may know what would happen if S-Ranks like them walked into a bar for a boys’ night out, but that didn't stop them from doing it anyway. Yoon-ho and Tae-gyu were the easiest ones who got drunk while Byung-gyu remained light-headed since he had a vehicle to drive and Jin-woo was unable to be inebriated due to his powers.

            On the other hand, Jong-in and Eun-seok didn't drink too much since they had some ‘business’ left to do. The rest were occupied enough not to notice it. Byung-gyu and Jin-woo started arguing whether or not either of them would take Tae-gyu home.

            “Let's leave these idiots alone,” Jong-in whispered. “I heard that there is a loan shark that has been targeting students.”

            Eun-seok nodded. The two made their way to the exit when Eun-seok felt his phone vibrated against his pocket.

            [ Are you on your job already? Take care! Try not to get hurt too much. ]

            Hee-jin. . . He stared at the message longingly.

            She always sent him messages, but not just when she knew he was about to assassinate people, Hee-jin also sent him messages when he was at work. Such simple gestures never failed to flutter his heart. Then, Eun-seok remembered what he did the other night—

            He kissed her.

            He didn't regret it either. Eun-seok did what his heart told him to, what he deeply wanted, and expected nothing in return, but a chance for her to think about it. Be with him or stay as a friend. She only had two options to choose from, though he'd accept it either way.

            Hee-jin had enamored his heart deeply, plaguing his mind in a way he couldn't get enough of her.

            “Are you coming, Eun-seok?”

            He looked up and saw Jong-in, waiting for him next to his car. Eun-seok shook his head. “You'll go ahead. I have somewhere to go.”

            “Is this about a person?” Jong-in raised an eyebrow. “You can't easily hide it, Eun-seok. You've started to get your tasks done quicker than you used to.” Then, the corner of his lips twitched into a grin. “But I can't blame you, so do what you want. It's a miracle how she accepted what kind of person you are.”

            Eun-seok let out a chuckle. “It’s a surprise for me too. Will you be okay on your own, hyung?”

            “No need to worry about me,” Jong-in huffed, opening the door to the driver's seat. He sat inside and pulled it shut. “I shall be expecting good results, Eun-seok.” He smirked.

            Eun-seok playfully rolled his eyes.

            He expected nothing.

            If Hee-jin asked, he'd tell her that he was not in the mood to kill people and that he chose to spend time with her instead. Though, Eun-seok wanted to see her reaction when he showed up to her apartment in casual clothes instead of a uniform that reeked of death.

            He showed up in front of her door several moments later. He was able to distinguish which door she lived in even though he only entered the apartment from the outside and used his skills. Eun-seok knocked on the door and waited.

            When there was no response, he held up his closed hand again and was about to knock when the door was pulled open. His lips parted slightly as a new sight unraveled in front of him. Hee-jin met his gaze with widened eyes; she surprisingly looked different this time — her coal black hair was pulled into a messy bun with several strands hanging loosely to her collarbone. She wore a plain white shirt and a pair of shorts.

            “Y— you're here?” She said. “But. . . But I thought—?”

            Eun-seok blinked at first and cleared his throat. “Uh. . . I didn't feel like doing my task tonight, so I came to you instead.”

            “Oh. . . I see.” Hee-jin's cheeks flushed and clutched on the hem of her shirt. “Come inside then.”

            Eun-seok obliged and took off his shoes once he was inside, sliding his feet on the slippers Hee-jin had offered to him. Unlike him, she walked barefoot across the wooden floor and headed to the couch where a television was shining across the room. It was the only source of light in the place besides the lampshade on the nightstand.

            Hee-jin settled on the cushions while Eun-seok looked around in reluctance. It felt quite unusual of him to enter her home in a normal way instead of sneaking through the window.

            “So. . . Your family?” He asked her.

            “Out. They were meeting up with some friends.” Hee-jin said, putting a pillow on her lap. “It's okay, Eun-seok. You don't have to be nervous or anything.” She shrugged.

            Eun-seok nodded and joined her on the couch. There was a small distance between them. He wanted to be closer, but he was not sure why he felt weird about the idea. The television wasn't much of a distraction either, his ears being not able to accept its sounds when his senses were utterly fixated on the beauty beside him.

            Hee-jin fiddled on the pillow with her nails, her lips were firmly pressed shut, almost as if biting her bottom lip with her teeth. Eun-seok stared at her in question. If she was mumbling to herself right now, he would've been able to hear what was in her mind, but she was completely silent — it made him wish he should've gained a mind-reading ability instead.

            “Come closer.”

            “Pardon?” Eun-seok asked.

            Hee-jin pursed her lips. “Come closer, Eun-seok.”

            And he did. Eun-seok scooted to her direction, yet still maintained some space between them.

            “Closer.”

            The hunter gulped. Even if there were several inches left between them, he still did, causing his hip to bump against hers.

            He cleared his throat. “Is this enou—”

            Suddenly, Hee-jin grabbed his shoulder and threw her leg across his lap, straddling him. Eun-seok was too caught off-guard to catch everything except that Hee-jin's face was looming over him and her knees were pressed on the cushions.

            “H— Hee-jin?!” Eun-seok was too aghast to speak another word.

            “You remember what you did last night, right?” Hee-jin had both of her hands on his shoulders. She briefly bit her bottom lip again and continued. “Well. . . I thought about it. Carefully.”

            Eun-seok blinked. “A— and?”

            “This is my answer.” Hee-jin swooped down and sealed his mouth with hers.

            Unlike what he did, Hee-jin was forceful on her kiss. Eun-seok had kissed her featherlight, but Hee-jin was kissing him as if she was desperate, sending a rushing river of feelings through his veins that Eun-seok was unable to comprehend. It was only when Hee-jin deepened the kiss he closed his eyes and reciprocated, parting his mouth a little to kiss her properly; an indistinct sound was released from her.

            Satisfaction rumbled in his stomach, Eun-seok reached his hand up to her hair, gently curling his fingers around her bun, and his other hand went over her hip. He surged forward, causing Hee-jin to gasp against his mouth as she fell on his lap instead of standing on her knees.

            He found it addicting. Intoxicating. The only thing that pulled him back that night was how he didn't want to make Hee-jin uncomfortable, especially when he was not sure if she felt the same, but now that he knew the answer. . . Eun-seok suddenly had the urge to make her feel loved in a way he never had.

            “Ah.” Hee-jin grabbed his hair to pull him off her. Eun-seok realized she was panting and leaned away, not as exhausted as she was.

            “Hee-jin?” He whispered. “You okay?”

            “Yeah. . . ” Hee-jin breathed out. “Where was I?”

            Eun-seok let out an airy chuckle. He removed his hand from her bun, yet brought along more strands of hair to fall. “Hmm. . . What's your answer again?”

            His hand squeezed her waist, Hee-jin tightened her grip on his shoulders. Eun-seok's gaze fell on her lips, swollen and glistening, once more, but the only thing that was holding back was her hand on the back of his head.

            “Haven't I given it already?” She said, finally coming to her senses.

            “You did?” Eun-seok smirked. “I can't seem to remember it.”

            Hee-jin glared. “Don’t be an idiot, Eun-seok. I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't feel the same way!”

            “I'd like to hear it in your own words, Ms. Park.”

            Hee-jin rolled her eyes. “You didn't say yours either.”

            “If that's the case—” Eun-seok pulled her close to him until her chest collided with his. He officially removed the hair tie from her bun to let her soft locks fall gracefully. His arms went around her waist, engulfing her in a loving embrace before leaning up to press a deep kiss on her cheek, and another on the pulse point of her neck. “I love you.”

            He felt her shudder.

            In truth, Eun-seok believed it was not necessary to say those three words. Not that he hadn't spoken it for a long time, he thought it was better if he expressed it through his actions. “I love you” was just the tip of an iceberg for him. But since Hee-jin wanted to hear it, he'd happily comply.

            “I. . . ” Hee-jin swallowed. “I love—”

            His lips went to her jaw, gently nipping it, but not enough to leave a mark. However, it did pull a mewl from her. It astounded Hee-jin by how he knew such gestures. She may not be fond of drinking alcohol, but his charms alone had left her intoxicated.

            She sighed and melted in his arms. Eun-seok stopped his ministrations, smiling as the mage placed her head on the junction between his shoulder and neck, her rapid heartbeat was felt against his chest.

            “You don't have to say it back,” he told her. “I already know anyway.”

            “So you just wanted to kiss me more as an excuse?”

            Eun-seok chuckled. He held the back of her head to press a kiss on the crown of it. “Yes.”

            “Who knew a cold assassin like you is actually affectionate?” Hee-jin jested.

            “Only for you, Ms. Park.”

            She blushed. Then she buried her face on the crook of his neck. “You better.”

            Eun-seok nuzzled her forehead.

            Needless to say, the entire night was spent with affection. Hee-jin was the first, and hopefully only, person who broke his exteriors. Whether it was the mask of a hunter or a cold-blooded assassin, Hee-jin saw through him and cherished the whole person he was.

#au where all korean s-ranks are in one guild #now that this fic is posted expect some brainrots abt this ship in the future #eun-seok's appearance isn't specified much here so it's up to you (however i am waiting for storm's take on it) #also there isn't an official surname for him so i took the one i gave for him in my grim reaper fic “geun” #solo leveling #sl fics by rei #park hee jin #heeseok #also credits to whoever made the art as a little reference to eunseok! #sl eunseok

[clarepreed]

Lifeguard Not On Duty

Story Content and Summary - 4,544 words. Larissa and Mitchell pull a drowning neighbor from the ocean. On-site resuscitation.

The previous installment of the Larissa & Mitchell series: Interlude

--

“If you sell the company to Mark, we could buy property here, right?” Larissa asked.

Mitchell looked over at her, surprised. She was leaning back in an Adirondack chair, her hands folded over her stomach. Her eyes were on the ocean.

“I didn’t think you wanted to sell,” he said, stretching his hand out toward her. She took it, their hands dangling clasped between the chairs.

“I didn’t want you to make a decision when you were still scared, honey.” She squeezed his hand. “You love that company.”

“I love you more, Larissa.”

“I know.” She looked over at him and smiled. “I have never doubted it.”

“You want to buy property here?” He wove his fingers between hers. “There are houses in this neighborhood for sale. And we can afford it even if I don’t sell the company.”

Larissa sighed. “I should know that. I’ve seen our financials. I just didn’t remember…”

Her eyes were on the ocean again, but she was frowning now. Mitchell gently shook her hand. The ring he’d bought her glimmered in the sun.

“It’s okay, baby. You remember most things,” Mitchell said, his worried gaze on her profile. “It’s more normal to assume we have to sell a company to buy a place in Hawaii than it is to assume we can have both if we want.”

“I’m just frustrated. Sometimes I feel completely like myself. Then something will happen and I feel like I have pieces missing. I had physical therapy, speech therapy… there’s nothing for this.” 

“Time. Just time. Which we will have even more of if we sell.”

“Time, and our very own Hawaiian beachfront home.” Then she cackled, and Mitchell couldn’t help but grin. “Oh, look! There’s a neighbor. Out there in the water.”

Mitchell looked out over the water. Sure enough, he could just make out someone’s head and shoulders as they swam parallel to the shore. “So it is. Do you want to go out later?”

“It’s supposed to be overcast around eleven. That might be the best time.” Larissa leaned back into her chair, making a visible effort to release her distress from moments before.

“I’m going to run inside for coffee,” Mitchell said, squeezing her hand and releasing it. “Do you want anything?”

“Water, please.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you, honey.” 

Mitchell climbed out of his chair and then leaned over Larissa, giving her a kiss when she turned her face up to his. 

A few minutes later, he had coffee brewing and a glass filled with ice. He was filling the glass with water from the filtered refrigerator tap when he heard Larissa scream his name.

“MITCHELL!” The shout was raw, and followed by a series of thuds.

Mitchell flinched, and the glass slipped from his hand. It smashed on the floor, spraying his leg with cold water and shards of glass. He took off, slipping a little in the puddle but staying on his feet as he rushed out onto the deck. He expected her to be sprawled on the decking, but the deck was empty, Larissa nowhere to be seen.

He hesitated, calling out to her: “Larissa! Larissa?”

When he spotted her, the sight was so out of context that he initially stopped and stared. Larissa was running from their condo’s boardwalk toward the ocean, bare feet kicking up sand and her hair streaming behind her. Mitchell had never actually seen her run; her health had prohibited her from running most of the time they’d been together. He had a few seconds to appreciate her beauty before his mind caught up and he remembered something was wrong.

“Larissa!” he shouted, taking off after her down the boardwalk. He hadn’t gone running in a long while himself; between taking care of Larissa, visiting her in the hospital, working, and trying not to die, he was out of the habit. 

Ahead of him, she ran into the surf, water splashing up to her knees. He saw her stumble, but she didn’t fall. She was wading into the ocean as fast as she could in her street clothes, seemingly on a mission.

“Larissa!” he shouted, running off the boardwalk and into the sand. Larissa brought her arms up above her head and then dove. He was trying to run through the sand and keep an eye on her, flabbergasted and afraid. His fear burst out of him in a shout: “What the fuck are you doing?!”

Larissa swam perpendicular to the beach. Mitchell made it across the sand and into the surf before he realized what she was about. The water foamed around his legs, cool against his stinging skin. He could see Larissa wrestling with a limp body, trying to pull the motionless swimmer back toward the shore. He thrashed toward her, meeting them halfway. Larissa was towing a petite woman in a swim cap, goggles, and a black one piece. The woman appeared to have drowned, her body completely limp.

Larissa struggled, trying to keep both her head and the unconscious woman’s head above water. “Take…” She was only able to speak one word, shoving the woman’s body in Mitchell’s direction.

He accepted the limp burden automatically and immediately headed back to shore, though he kept looking back to see if Larissa was behind him. She was, and by the time he could put his feet down and scooped the unconscious woman up in his arms, Larissa was staggering toward the beach beside him.

Mitchell thrashed through the surf, wincing when Larissa fell face first into the water. Larissa struggled back to her feet, coughing and sputtering as he laid the unconscious stranger out in the sand. The smaller woman’s arms flopped out to either side, her skin an ashen color.

Mitchell pulled the woman’s goggles off, discomfited to see that her eyes were open, staring up and through him. He leaned over her, his hand on her chest and his ear close to her mouth. He could still hear Larissa coughing, and then he felt her hands at his hips, patting his pockets.

“Your phone?” Larissa asked, sounding breathless.

The woman, he realized, was not breathing.

“Shit! My phone is on the deck!” Mitchell tipped the woman’s head back, her head wobbling loosely on her neck. “She’s not breathing!”

“I’ll get… it,” Larissa wheezed. Mitchell heard her wheezing and felt torn as he pinched the stranger’s nose and rushed to seal his mouth over hers. Larissa continued, staggering to her feet. “I’ll call for… help, and get my… inhaler.”

Mitchell broke the seal, his eyes shifting from the stranger to his wife, who was hurrying back to the house, listing as she moved. Then he gave the woman another breath. Both breaths were difficult to force into the woman, and she made a gurgling sound when the air escaped. 

He shifted in the sand, trying to move into a better position and feeling the time ticking away from her. He ran his hands down her sides, searching for her bottom ribs and following them to her sternum. Or attempting to. Her bathing suit compressed her chest, forcing her breasts together. He started chest compressions anyway, trying to force his weight past them.

“One, two, three, four… Dammit!” Frustrated, seeing he wasn’t reaching the proper depth, he reached for the straps of her suit, jerking them one at a time off of her narrow shoulders and down her arms. He yanked at the neckline, the wet fabric clinging to her skin. Finally, he got the suit pulled down to her navel, the straps pinning her arms to her side and leaving her breasts exposed. He found his mark again.

“Five, six, seven, eight, nine…” The woman’s small frame bent beneath his hands, gurgling and sucking sounds emitting from her slack mouth each time he compressed her chest. Mitchell looked up toward the house, staring until he spotted Larissa there. It was far enough away that he couldn’t see what she was doing, but he could look at least tell that she was still on her feet.

“…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two…” Satisfied, Mitchell looked down at the stranger. A wash of white foam erupted from her nose and mouth, running over her face and pooling in her eye sockets before it ran down her cheek and temple. Mitchell pinched her nose again, grasping her chin with his other hand and forcing her mouth open. Her jaw felt tight. He hesitated a fraction of a second before he tipped her head to the side, water trickling out of her mouth and carrying with it a wave of foam.

Thumbing the foamy liquid from her mouth, he turned her face back to the sky and gave her another breath. He could hear fluid gurgling in her mouth and throat as he blew once, twice. Mitchell tipped her head to the side again and resumed chest compressions. 

The woman’s distended stomach swelled further each time he thrust his hands into her sternum. He heard water sloshing in her belly, an accompaniment to the gagging noises she made. Her shoulders shrugged in time with his thrusts. Foam dripped continuously onto the sand.

“…ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…” Mitchell felt uneasy every time he looked at her face and saw her staring eyes. He looked further down her body, where her breasts jiggled as he pumped the woman’s otherwise petite chest. He looked back up at the house and saw Larissa was still on the deck.

The woman sounded like she was choking, but when he looked back at her face, she still stared into nothing. Mitchell counted to thirty chest compressions and then changed tactics, swinging a leg over her prone body. He clasped his hands together and pressed them just above her navel. He gave her five deep abdominal thrusts, which made her chest bow and a wet belching sound erupt from her mouth. More foam and water gushed from her mouth and nose. After the fifth thrust, Mitchell stretched himself out over her body and tipped her head toward the sky. Pinching her nose and pressing his mouth to hers, he gave her a deep breath. He felt her chest rise, heard her gurgling exhalation. He gave her another breath.

Mitchell didn’t bother switching back to her side. He clasped his hands together and found his reddened mark. As he began pumping her chest, the woman’s eyes stared up at him. Another round of foam oozed out of her airway, running down her chin and pooling in the notch between her clavicles. Mitchell squeezed his eyes shut, trying to concentrate on counting and pressing his hands down to the correct depth. “…nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

He wrenched his eyes open and looked back up toward the house. He didn’t immediately see Larissa, and it was hard to scan the property with his head bobbing up and down. 

Before he could become even more concerned, she appeared, walking quickly down the boardwalk with a phone pressed to her ear. He could tell from the way she carried herself that she wanted to move faster but couldn’t; one arm tight down her side, her stride reduced to a third of its length.

Mitchell shook his head, torn between his ingrained desire to look after his wife and the immediate need to pay attention to the woman dying underneath his hands. He looked away from Larissa and bent over the stranger, trying to blow past the foam, past her cold lips. He tasted the salt of the ocean and felt the grit of the sand on her face. Sweat ran down his temples, dripping onto her damp skin.

He’d climbed back off the woman and made it through another cycle before Larissa reached him. She dropped to her knees by the woman’s head and laid the phone on the sand, calling out: “I’m with the victim and my husband. He is still performing CPR. I’m going to help him.”

“Don’t,” he warned, leaning over to give the woman a breath. He panted a little between breaths, then resumed chest compressions. Larissa reached out and turned the woman’s head to the side, letting the foam and water trickle out. 

“I used my inhaler,” she murmured. “I’ll be okay.”

“One, two, three, four, five…” His arms burned. He knew he needed help, and he could tell Larissa was feeling better than she had when she’d dragged herself out of the water. Still, he was afraid he would end up with two victims, and he knew that his attention would go to his wife over the stranger stretched out beneath him.

“An ambulance is on the way. Continue CPR and let me know if there is any change,” the 9-1-1 operator’s disembodied voice said.

“…twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Mitchell halted compressions and Larissa waved him off, quickly turning the woman’s face toward the sky and pinching off her nose. Mitchell leaned back on his heels, breathing hard as Larissa sealed her mouth over the other woman’s, both of their cheeks rounding out as she exhaled. As she gave the stranger a second breath, Mitchell buried his hands between her breasts.

“One, two, three…” 

Chest compressions still produced a prodigious amount of foam. Larissa kept the woman’s face upright, holding her airway open with one hand and trying to clear her nose and mouth with the other. Abruptly, the woman made a loud gurgling sound and a large amount of water surged up into her mouth.

It was enough that Mitchell stopped pumping her chest, exclaiming: “We have to roll her!”

They rolled the woman onto her side. Her lips were still a harsh shade of purple. Mitchell slid his hand over from the woman’s hip, pressing it flat against her abdomen. He pushed in and up against her stomach, trying to force more of the water out of her. The woman’s body convulsed, and another surge of water spilled out onto the sand. 

Larissa wiped her hand down the woman’s face and swept two of her fingers between her teeth. “If she threw up, she didn’t have anything solid!”

They quickly placed the woman on her back, and Larissa gave the woman two full breaths, her breasts rising and falling. Mitchell found his mark again and started pumping her chest, trying to judge if he was compressing her sternum deep enough. 

The force felt like enough; her ribcage groaned, and he felt something pop under his hands. Each compression made the small woman’s shoulders shrug and her legs rock, feet swaying side to side. Her belly looked less distended, and it rippled each time he shoved his hands down. She was emitting a quiet sound with each compression, a rhythmic “hunh, hunh, hunh,” that became less wet sounding as time passed.

“…eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one…”

“How long until the ambulance gets here?” Larissa asked. She looked at Mitchell, meeting his gaze. Her face looked pale and grim.

“…twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

As Larissa bent to give the woman another breath, the operator piped up: “ETA to your address is five minutes.”

“And it will take them another couple to get out here,” Mitchell groaned, breathing hard. “Fuck!”

As he bent over the woman, Larissa said: “Let me take over for a while.”

“One, two, three, four… Is that a good idea? Nine, ten, eleven…”

Larissa braced the woman’s head again, but her eyes were on him. “You need a break, Mitchell. If I can’t do it properly, you can take back over.”

“Rescuers should swap out every two minutes if you can do so safely,” he heard the operator say.

“Alright. I’ll breathe this time and then you’ll start. Thirty!” Mitchell leaned straight over the woman, his hands replacing Larissa’s and his mouth sealing over the slack, cool lips. As he completed the second breath, Larissa got into position, her knees wide for balance and her hands stacked on top of the bruise forming over the woman’s sternum.

“One, two, three…” Larissa didn’t have his strength, not after everything she’d been through, but he was relieved to see that she was compressing the woman’s chest to the correct depth and at the proper speed. Her hair, wet from jumping into the ocean, was drying, the long strands blowing in the breeze. “…twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight…”

Mitchell pressed his mouth over the stranger’s. Breathing for her seemed easier now; he could only hope he’d helped her. He was afraid for her, given that she hadn’t responded so far. Mitchell leaned back on his heels, still holding the woman’s airway open and avoiding her stare by watching Larissa’s hands on her chest. 

His wife’s hands looked graceful, her long fingers interlocked together as she rolled her weight into the woman’s sternum. Mitchell’s body ached with worry and exhaustion, but he couldn’t help but admire her. Their rigorous sex life aside, he rarely got to see her looking physically strong. In his mind, she was mentally strong, but physically fragile. 

He bent to give the stranger another pair of breaths, spitting to the side when his mouth came away coated with salt and sand. Then his attention returned to Larissa.

Her cheeks were pink with exertion, hair tangled in salty clumps around her face. She wore a determined expression, small wrinkles furrowing the skin between her brows. Mitchell listened intently to her breath, rushing in and out of her as she counted. She looked like she was trying to use her body weight instead of her strength.

Smart, baby. 

“…fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen…” Larissa counted quietly, shoulders rocking. Beneath her hands, the woman’s sternum dipped and her stomach popped. Mitchell could hear air coming out of her in short, watery puffs.

Mitchell tipped the woman’s head to the side to let some of the fluid and foam drain before it was time to breathe for her. As Larissa reached thirty compressions, Mitchell turned her face back to the sky and pressed his lips over the woman’s cool, gritty skin and exhaled.

“That went…” Larissa trailed off, sounding uncertain.

“What?” Mitchell asked, before drawing another deep breath.

“Her stomach rose,” Larissa said, her light eyes meeting his. “When you gave her a breath. Not her chest.”

Mitchell leaned down and gave the woman another breath, this time more slowly as his eyes cut to the side. He heard a voice from the phone but didn’t catch what the operator said. The woman’s chest rose, and Larissa exclaimed: “That did it!”

Then she was back on compression, her voice a little louder and quavering with excitement. “One, two, three, four, five, six…”

Mitchell tipped the woman’s head to the side again, his eyes on the woman’s chest. Larissa held strong, her compressions forcing the woman’s sternum down by what appeared to be two inches. The motion made the woman’s breasts quiver, and Mitchell jerked his eyes over to her stomach, feeling a little guilty for noticing. He could still hear gurgling and sloshing sounds from the woman, along with the skin-on-skin sound from Larissa’s hands on the woman’s chest. 

Larissa’s voice quieted a bit, and he could hear her breathing hard, though he didn’t think he heard her wheezing. 

“Do you need me to take over?” he asked.

“…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! I can go one more round,” she gasped, breathing hard as he blew two measured breaths into the woman’s lungs.

“Where are we on that ambulance?” he asked, as Larissa resumed chest compressions.

“One, two, three, four, five…”

“ETA is two minutes.”

“…nine, ten, eleven…” Sweat trickled down Larissa’s face, ran from her neck between her breasts and soaked into her shirt. “…twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…”

“Huh, huh, huh… hurgh!” Every time the woman made a noise, Mitchell’s heart rate increased, but then he’d look at her face and her features were still closed off and slack, and her skin still looked gray.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Larissa leaned back with a gasp, and Mitchell bent over to give the woman rescue breaths. He opened her airway carefully and tried not to inflate her stomach again, or gag when water and saliva foamed up into his mouth.

Then he shifted over the woman, placing his hands back on her chest. Across from him, Larissa was sitting on her knees, hands splayed on her thighs and her eyes closed while she breathed.

“One, two, three, four, five…” The woman’s ribcage shifted beneath his hands, bowing under pressure and then springing back up when he released it. He tried to keep his focus, counting out loud and keeping the proper depth at the forefront of his mind. “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen—”

The woman gagged, and Mitchell’s eyes darted to her face, his hands continuing to pump her chest. Larissa reached over and turned the woman’s head to the side, her thumb pulling the woman’s jaw down and open.

Another gag, and then he saw her eyes shift and close.

“Ma’am?!” Larissa called out, her voice hoarse.

Mitchell paused the chest compressions, his hands still in position. “Is she—”

The woman coughed, and he felt her chest heave beneath his hands.

“On her side!” Mitchell lifted his hands and reached for the woman’s shoulder and hip. He rolled the woman onto her side, Larissa attending to her head and keeping her airway open. The woman shuddered on the sand, her shoulders hunching and a wave of snot, water, and foam gushing from her nose and mouth. Mitchell was relieved when she drew a breath, even if she immediately coughed it back out.

“How is the patient?” asked the operator.

“She’s breathing!” Mitchell almost shouted, nearly laughing with relief.

“Hey, can you hear me?” Larissa asked, her eyes intent on the woman’s face. “You’re okay! You had an accident in the water, but an ambulance is coming!”

The woman didn’t open her eyes, but she continued to retch and take in short gasps of air. Mitchell tugged on the front of her bathing suit, trying to pull it up enough to cover her heaving breasts.

“Here,” Larissa said. “You don’t have to… I have a tank under this…”

Her shirt was damp with sweat and seawater, as well as covered in sand, but she peeled it off and then shook it out. She draped it over the woman, murmuring something calming under her breath and patting the woman’s arm. The top she had on under her shirt was low cut and translucent where it was still wet, showing the lace of her bra through the material. Mitchell mentally shook himself when he found his eyes tracing the constellation of freckles that ran from her collarbones to the tops of her breasts.

Not the time, you old horn dog.

Larissa’s graceful fingers were pulling at the edge of the woman’s swim cap, trying to pull it off her head. She peeled it back carefully, then dropped it on the sand before smoothing the woman’s damp hair. 

“You’re okay,” she said. “Open your eyes for us, okay?”

Mitchell’s ears picked up sirens in the distance and rapidly growing closer. “I hear the ambulance. They’ll be here any minute with oxygen and you’ll feel a lot better.”

The woman groaned then, though she still didn’t open her eyes. 

Larissa looked up at Mitchell. She looked exhausted, dirty, and a little sunburned. Her hair was desperately in need of a wash and detangle.

Mitchell thought she looked beautiful. He felt a tightness in his chest; not from anxiety or heart trouble, but from love and pride and relief.

“She’s going to be okay,” he said.

“She is.” Larissa beamed at him, then leaned across to give him a quick kiss.

The next several minutes flew by. He saw a couple of medics wheeling a gurney down the boardwalk, followed closely by a cop. Larissa waved both of her arms at them.

Soon, they had left the gurney behind and hurried across the sand carrying bags and what looked like a backboard, the cop assisting.

“Help is here,” Larissa said to the woman, whose eyelids were fluttering. “You’re going to be just fine.”

Mitchell scooted to the side as one medic crouched in the sand. “My wife spotted her in the ocean. We pulled her out and performed CPR until she started breathing again. She hasn’t been very responsive, and we don’t know her name.”

“Thank you, sir,” the second medic said. “We will take it from here.”

“Ma’am?” the first medic called out, squeezing the woman’s shoulder.

Larissa picked up her phone and put it to her ear. “They’re here. Yes. Thank you. Goodbye.” 

Mitchell climbed to his feet, still breathing hard, intending to go around and offer his hand to Larissa. The cop stopped him.

“I need to ask you a few questions,” the officer said. “I have to make a report.”

Mitchell brushed his sandy hands off on his equally sandy shorts. “I was… Sure. Sure, what do you need to know?”

  He couldn’t help but be distracted; the medics were attempting to rouse the woman while taking her vitals and giving her oxygen. He was also aware of Larissa climbing to her feet, staggering in the loose sand as she backed away from the scene. 

“Sir?” the cop asked.

Mitchell looked back over at him. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“Do you know what happened?”

“Actually, my wife…” Mitchell trailed off. Larissa was standing several feet away. She appeared to be looking down at the woman, but her eyes were unfocused. “Larissa?”

The cop turned to look as Mitchell pushed past him.

“Hey.” Mitchell slid his arm around her back, gripping her tight enough to keep her upright if she fell. “Baby, do you need to sit back down?”

“I just feel really tired.” She squeezed her eyes shut, swaying in his arms. “I’m sorry. I stood up too fast.”

Mitchell helped her sit, easing her back down to the sand. “Nothing to apologize for. We just got a lot of exercise.”

“Yeah.” Larissa chuckled and leaned against him. “I’m not exactly in fighting shape.”

 Mitchell wasn’t sure how long it took to wrap things up with the cop and for the medics to get the woman to the gurney and then up to the ambulance. He just knew that his arms were shaking as he helped Larissa up off the sand, and that their slow pace back to the house was almost as much for his benefit as it was for hers.

“We need a shower,” Larissa muttered. “I have sand everywhere. I don’t even know what to do about my hair.”

“Maybe a bath, so we can sit.”

“We might have to cut off my hair.”

Mitchell paused on the boardwalk and eyed her tangled hair. “You are beautiful. You will always be beautiful. And it’s your hair.”

“But?” she asked, giving him a sly, if tired, smile.

“I really like your hair.”

“Enough to help me detangle it?”

“You don’t even have to ask.” Mitchell leaned close and pressed a kiss to her gritty temple. “God, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She turned, her arms sliding around him. “We did good.”

“We did.” Mitchell kissed the top of her head. “I’m proud of us.”

--

The story continues in: Protect

#resus writing #cpr resus #medical drama #female resus

[kazuki86]

I have nothing if I don't have you

(Chapter 2)

Kriiiiing!

Kakashi hated that sound. The sound of the alarm clock beside his bed. It's not the alarm's fault. The alarm had carried out its task according to its orders, waking Kakashi at 6 o'clock.

But Kakashi was still reluctant to wake up. He still felt tired and sleepy, because just like the previous days, he had difficulty sleeping at night. This has happened every night, since 2 years ago, since Rin suddenly left his side, left their family, left their home.... by only leaving a message on a piece of paper that she had decided to pursue her dream long ago, to become a famous actress. Rin couldn't be contacted either. Her cellphone number is not active. The emails that Kakashi sent were never answered. Her social media is also not up to date. Even when Kakashi contacted Rin's mother, she answered that she didn't know where Rin was.

Kakashi got up and reluctantly walked to the bathroom. However, he still had to get ready for work.

After showering and getting dressed, Kakashi went down to the kitchen, heated water to make coffee and baked a slice of bread, not 4 as usual, because today there would be someone else preparing breakfast for his three children. Well... at least starts from today, his daily duties will be lighter.

The water kettle makes a sound indicating that the water inside has boiled. Kakashi turned off the stove and left the kettle for 10 minutes so that the coffee wouldn't be too hot. While waiting 10 minutes, as usual he fiddled with his smartphone, skimmed the news and checked his email.

When he was about to pour hot water into a cup containing instant coffee, his doorbell rang. Kakashi looked at the wall clock in the kitchen. 7 o'clock. It must be Tenzo. On time like yesterday. He put the kettle down and walked to open the door.

"Good morning, Sir!" Tenzo greeted excitedly when Kakashi opened the door.

Kakashi was a bit surprised by Tenzo's enthusiasm. It felt like he still couldn't believe that the person standing in front of him was a man. His long brunet hair was still flowing like yesterday and he was still wearing a t-shirt with a cat on it, jeans and a sling bag. His wide eyes narrowed with a smile.

"Umm...Is something wrong, sir?" Tenzo asked

"Oh...no...nothing... Good morning, tenzo. Please come in."

"Thank you, sir." Tenzo bowed and went into the house.

"The children will wake up in a moment. Please prepare breakfast and lunch, then take them to school. All the food ingredients are in the refrigerator. If you need to buy groceries, please use the money in the drawer."

"Roger that, sir!"

"Do you know where their school is?"

"I know, sir!"

"Good. The car key is in the glove compartment. And they have to be at school before 8."

"Don't worry, sir! You can count on me." Tenzo said while clenching his right hand.

"Okay then, I'll go now."

Kakashi sipped his coffee, took his toast with his right hand, took his briefcase and car key with his left hand, then went to the office.

After Kakashi left, Tenzo walked towards the kitchen, looked at what food or drinks were available, both in the cupboard and in the refrigerator, then thought about what breakfast and lunch he could make with the existing food ingredients. It didn't take long for Tenzo to get an idea of ​​what to make.

Kriiiiiiiing....there was an alarm sound from upstairs.

"It must be Sakura, Sai, and Naruto's alarm. OK, I'll start cooking..." Tenzo said to himself while clenching his fists.

A few moments later, sakura and sai came down. As usual, Sakura went down the stairs lazily, yawning, stretching her body, and rubbing her eyes. Meanwhile Sai came down with a pale, expressionless face.

"Good morning!" Tenzo said cheerfully.

Sakura and Sai were surprised, partly because they weren't used to seeing Tenzo in the kitchen that morning, and partly because at the dining table there were 3 plates of sandwiches and 3 glasses of orange juice. Usually they only see toast and milk.

"Enjoy your breakfast." Tenzo said smiling. "In a moment, I'll finish making your lunch and then I'll take you to school.

Sakura and Sai looked at each other. Then they sat down and took sandwiches on their plates.

Sakura looked at the sandwich in her hand, took a bite, then chewed slowly. She then felt something on her tongue. "That's really great..." she said...in her heart...she didn't want his praise to be heard by Tenzo who was busy preparing lunch.

Meanwhile Sai was holding a sandwich while watching Sakura next to him. Sai became curious. He then started eating his sandwich. He stopped for a moment after taking the first bite, because he also felt that the sandwich was very delicious. But sai is not as expressive as sakura even though it is only in the heart. The fact that he continues to eat his sandwich until it's finished is a sign that he likes it.

Tenzo finished preparing his lunch, then looked at Sakura and Sai. They were both finishing their orange juice. Then Tenzo realized, Naruto hadn't come down yet.

"Umm...where is Naruto?" Tenzo asked.

"That lazy boy must be still in his bed..." Sakura answered nonchalantly.

Tenzo went up and headed for the only room whose door was still closed. That must be Naruto's room, thought Tenzo. He knocked on the door. When there was no answer, he opened it slowly. Naruto's room was a mess. Toys and clothes were scattered here and there. Naruto himself was still asleep under his blanket. Tenzo approached and sat next to Naruto.

"Naruto...come on, get up. It's time for you to get ready for school..." said Tenzo.

No answer.

Tenzo sat next to Naruto and touched him gently. "Naruto...come on, wake up..."

"Uuuh...I don't want to wake up..."

"But you have to go to school..."

"I don't want to go to school..." Naruto answered while still closing his eyes.

"Why you do not want?"

"Anyway, I don't want to." he answered while covering his face with the blanket.

"If you don't go to school, you won't be able to meet your teacher, you won't be able to play with your friends..."

"I don't like school. I don't want to meet teachers. I don't want to play with friends." Naruto answered from under the blanket.

Tenzo thought. He had to find a way to get Naruto to wake up and go to school.

"Naruto...do you like ice cream?"

Naruto was silent for a moment, then answered "Like..."

"How about I buy you ice cream. There's a new ice cream shop near the school. If you want, you can choose the flavor of ice cream you want, you can choose the toppings you like, and you can eat as much as you want." Tenzo said

"Really????" Naruto opened the blanket.

Tenzo nodded with a smile.

"Yeeeaaaahhh.....I want ice cream!"

"But there is one condition..."

"Oh nooo! What's that????"

"You have to go to school."

Naruto's enthusiasm immediately died out.

"How about that" Tenzo asked

"Umm... okay... but... can you accompany me while at school? I don't want to be left behind..." said Naruto.

Tenzo smiled and nodded.

"Now go downstairs for breakfast and get ready to go. OK?"

Soon everything was ready on the terrace. When Tenzo was locking the door, Naruto said...

"Sakura...lace my shoes..."

"Do it yourself, lazy!" Sakura answered.

"Sai..." said naruto

"Don't want to." Sai answered flatly.

"Naruto, why don't you tie your own shoes?" Tenzo asked.

"Because he's a spoiled and lazy child. It's his father who always strings him along..." said Sakura. Naruto whined while stomping his feet.

Tenzo knelt in front of Naruto, leveled his eyes with Naruto's, then held his shoulders. "Listen Naruto. I will teach you how to tie shoes. Pay attention, because starting tomorrow you have to tie your own shoes..."

"Don't want to!"

"If you don't want to, then you go to school without shoes, and maybe everyone at school will look at you strange and even laugh at you..." said Tenzo firmly.

"Uughhh.....alright...." said Naruto reluctantly.

Tenzo sighed then smiled. "You're a great kid, Naruto. I'm sure you can tie your own shoes. Now pay attention..." Tenzo started tying Naruto's shoes slowly.

"Well, it's easy, right? You can do it. Alright, let's go. Don't be late for school." And finally, the four of them went to school.

Konoha Corp is one of the large contracting companies in the city. The office building is magnificent and very artistic. After driving for half an hour, Kakashi's car finally arrived at the basement parking level. After parking his car, Kakashi walked towards the elevator. Usually he has to run because he is late after taking his children to school. But today he could walk casually to the elevator.

Kakashi entered the elevator together with 3 female employees. The three of them immediately became embarrassed, gave each other codes, and straightened their makeup. It was clear that they were happy to be in the same elevator as Kakashi, and it was no longer a secret that many female employees were attracted to Kakashi. Kakashi himself never cared about it because he wasn't interested at all.

Since Rin left 2 years ago, Kakashi decided to focus all his thoughts, feelings and energy only on his three children and his work. He didn't want to think about falling in love or anything like that at all.

Finally the elevator arrived at the 10th floor. The marketing floor. Kakashi walked towards his room. As a marketing manager, of course he has his own room. He put his bag away and turned on the computer.

"Wow...wow...what a surprise! Who's here so early?" Who's Genma?

"Aren't you always late, Kakashi?" Gai said.

"Morning Genma...morning Gai..." Kakashi greeted his two subordinates. Even though they were subordinates, they were kakashi's close friends.

"You didn't take your children to school? It's not Sunday, right?" Genma said as he sat at Kakashi's table.

"Someone has already taken them..." answered Kakashi while looking at his computer screen.

"Oh...who?" Gai asked as he sat down and crossed his legs on the chair across from Kakashi's desk.

"New nanny." Kakashi answered without looking away from the computer screen.

"Oooh... you finally got a new nanny..." said Gai.

"She must be a middle-aged woman, with a firm face, gentle eyes that can suddenly turn scary sharp, white hair pulled back into a bun, and a long-sleeved shirt and long skirt, right?" Genma guessed while crossing his arms over his chest.

"Umm... not really. The new nany is 3 years younger than me, with a couple wide and soft eyes, long brunet hair, not in a ponytail or bun, and so far always wears a t-shirt with a cat picture on it and jeans..."

"Really??? That means she must be so beautiful, right?" Gai asked excitedly while leaning towards Kakashi.

Kakashi thought. Tenzo may looks pretty, but he's a male....

"Who's so beautiful?" A voice from the doorway startled kakashi, genma and gai. That's Anko, the main manager of the architectural section at Konoha Corp and the only daughter of the director.

"Genma met a middle-aged woman, with a firm face, gentle eyes that could suddenly turn scary sharp, white hair pulled back into a bun, and wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a long skirt. And Gai thinks that the woman was so beautiful... "Kakashi replied casually.

Anko wore a clueless expression. How could a woman like that be so beautiful? "Genma and Gai are weird..." thought Anko.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Anko?" Kakashi asked.

"Here are some documents. Dad wants you to study them." Anko said as she walked to Kakashi's table.

"Oh... thank you. Sorry for bothering you. Why didn't the director just call me to his room..." said Kakashi

"Because I my self offered to take it here..." answered Anko while placing the document right in front of Kakashi and blinking one eye. "Okay. See you soon, Ka-ka-shi..." Anko turned and walked out of Kakashi's room.

"She didn't even care we were both in this room too..." Gai said with teary eyes.

"Well...it can't be helped. It's clear she likes Kakashi..." said Genma.

"You're really lucky, Kakashi. All the female employees, even the director's daughter, like you. You just have to choose which one you like to go on a date with..." said Gai.

"I'm not interested..." Kakashi answered while opening the document from the director.

"None of them caught your attention?????" Genma asked.

"Nope..." Kakashi answered briefly.

"Why??? Aren't they all beautiful and smart... and there are also some who are very rich, like Anko..." asked Gai.

"I'm not interested in them at all. I'm more interested in the assignment I gave you two last week. Hand me the report now..." said Kakashi, who was greeted with unenthusiastic complaints from Genma and Gai.

Meanwhile...

Tenzo, Sakura, Sai, and Naruto arrive at school. Sakura and Sai walked towards their school building. Meanwhile Tenzo took Naruto to the building next to him. Tenzo kept his promise to Naruto, after taking Naruto to class, he sat on a park bench in the school yard, waiting for Naruto.

Two hours later several parents came to pick up their children at kindergarten. The school bell rang. Kindergarten children walk out of their classrooms. Some left the classroom by running excitedly to their parents who had come to pick them up, while others left the classroom casually while chatting.

Tenzo got up from his seat, waiting for Naruto to appear. Not long after, Naruto was seen. A happy expression appeared on his face to see Tenzo kept his promise to wait for him at school. He immediately ran towards Tenzo and immediately hide behind him. Tenzo was confused as to why Naruto was hiding behind him and holding his shirt tightly.

"Orphan...orphan..." shouted a boy, followed by the laughter of two other children next to him. They mocked Naruto as they walked away.

Naruto tightened his grip on Tenzo's shirt. After the children had left, he released his grip. Tenzo turned around, then knelt in front of Naruto.

"Naruto..." said Tenzo while touching his cheek gently.

"Why... why did mom leave..." Naruto struggled to hold back tears. Tenzo hugged Naruto, he himself didn't know who and where Naruto's mother was and didn't know what to say.

After a while, tenzo said "How about I keep my promise? Treat you ice cream?" Naruto nodded in his arms. Tenzo got up, carrying Naruto, then walked to a new ice cream shop not far from there.

As soon as he entered and saw the various colors and flavors of ice cream, various toppings, and various colorful balloons that could be taken for free, Naruto immediately forgot his sadness.

"Well, you can choose the flavors and toppings you like..." said Tenzo as he put Naruto down.

Not long after, Tenzo and Naruto were sitting on the bench in the school yard. Naruto enjoyed 3 flavors of ice cream with chocochip and sprinkles toppings in his right hand, while his left hand held a red balloon. Tenzo sat next to him enjoying vanilla ice cream with walnut topping.

"Is it delicious?" Tenzo asked. Naruto nodded as he continued to lick his ice cream.

"You like it?" Tenzo asked again. Naruto nodded again while licking his ice cream enthusiastically.

"Thank goodness...." Tenzo said.

When the ice cream was finished, Naruto raised both of his hands while exclaiming "It's really goooood!"

Tenzo smiled, then asked Naruto. "Umm...naruto, can I ask you something?"

Naruto nodded his head happily.

"Those kids...are they your friends?"

The happy expression on Naruto's face immediately disappeared. He lowered his hands, lowered his head, fell silent, then nodded slowly...

"Do they always do that to you?"

Naruto nodded.

"Is that what makes you not want to go to school?"

Naruto nodded again.

"How did you feel when they did like that?"

"I....I....I don't like....I don't like them calling me that. But...I also don't like that mom is gone...why is she gone...why?" Tears started to roll down Naruto's cheeks. "All the children are always dropped off and picked up by their mothers. When there are events at school, their mothers always come, but my mother doesn't..."

They were both silent for a moment. The wind blows softly...

"You know Naruto...I myself have never met my mother..." said Tenzo while looking forward.

Naruto raised his face, looking at Tenzo.

"My mother died shortly after giving birth to me. So I never saw her face directly, I never heard her voice, and she also never took me to school or came to my school when there were parent events."

"Then who takes you to school or comes to school when there are parent events?"

"My sister" answered Tenzo while smiling at Naruto. "I used to feel jealous when I saw other children being dropped off or picked up by their mothers. Some of the children also made fun of me. So I often cried and was angry about why my mother had to leave me so quickly. Then one day my sister said, instead of spending time and energy on crying and angry, wouldn't it be better if I focused on doing everything with the best I could do, so that I could make my mother or the people around me proud of me and happy. Since then I decided not to cry and get angry anymore. I decided to always do everything with the best effort that I can do and enjoy it. So my heart feels spacious and light. Then I can be the champion in class and I always get the best score in every subject. That made me don't have time to pay attention to the ridicule of my friends, so in the end they themselves stop mock me." Tenzo's gaze was still directed far ahead. Meanwhile Naruto was still looking at Tenzo next to him, with a look of surprise and admiration.

"So...how about you focus on doing the best you can in everything you should do, Naruto? And enjoy it? Since the first time I saw you, I knew and I was sure that you were a tough, strong and great child... Tenzo said while wiping the tears from Naruto's cheeks.

Naruto nodded and smiled at tenzo. Tenzo raised his right hand for a high five, and Naruto patted it firmly.

"All right. We still have an hour until Sakura and Sai finish school. How about we go shopping at the market?"

"Okay. I want to buy a lot of chocolate and candy!!!"

"No..."

"What?? Why???"

"You've eaten too many sweets today..."

"But I want chocolate and candy..."

"No."

"I want..."

"No."

The two of them continued to argue while walking casually to the nearest market.

That evening, after dinner, Sakura, Sai, and Naruto went to their rooms. At 7 o'clock Kakashi arrived home. When he opened the door, Tenzo was standing near the sofa.

"Welcome home, sir." Tenzo said with a warm smile. Kakashi was a bit surprised, because it was unusual for someone to greet him like that when he came home from work.

"Can I go home now, sir?

"Yes, of course. You can go home, Tenzo."

"Umm... I prepared dinner for you, sir. Just in case if you haven't had dinner yet..."

"Oh...thank you very much..."

"You're welcome sir." Tenzo said as he bowed, then took his bag and went out.

After closing the door, Kakashi went upstairs. When he entered Naruto's room, Kakashi was surprised because Naruto's room was very neat, not as messy as usual.

"Wow... I'm surprised your room is so neat. Was there just a storm that put everything back in its place?" Kakashi asked while sitting on the bed holding Naruto in his arms.

"I was competing to tidy up my room with Tenzo. Tenzo divided my room into two parts, I tidied up here and he tidied up over there. The loser has to treat the winner ice cream tomorrow."

"Oh... I see... Then, who's the lucky one who will get an ice cream treat tomorrow?"

"Of course I am!" Naruto answered happily. Kakashi laughed while rubbing Naruto's head.

"Tenzo also brought me lunch, bear-shaped rice balls, cute and tasted very good too..."

"Really? That's good."

"Umm....Dad...."

"Hmm?"

"Will Tenzo come here again tomorrow?"

"Of course. Tomorrow he will still work here. At least for the next 3 months. Why?"

"I want Tenzo here..."

"Are you sure? Usually you didn't like previous nannies?"

"But I like Tenzo. I want Tenzo here, dad...forever..."

"Ummmm....Well... let's see then..." answered Kakashi while hugging and kissing Naruto's head.

After saying good night to Naruto, Sai, and Sakura, Kakashi went down to the kitchen. Not like usual either, this time the kitchen was clean and tidy. On the table there is a square bowl. When Kakashi opened the lid, what was inside was beef lasagna. Kakashi sat down, took a fork, scooped up beef lasagna and put it in his mouth. Kakashi chewed it slowly. Delicious...so delicious, he thought.

Coincidentally, he himself hadn't had dinner either. Usually he orders fast food. Apparently Tenzo is good at cooking and tidying the house. Kakashi also didn't expect Tenzo to get close to Naruto so quickly.

Even though it was only Tenzo's first day working here, for some reason Kakashi felt that his house felt more.....hommey.

Then kakashi thought about Naruto's words earlier, "I want Tenzo here dad...forever...."

"For...ever?" Kakashi muttered.

To be continued.... :)

@swinginmakerbonkplaid

@loadbearinonion

@keepyourpantsongohan

@kakayamalover

@rainbowfey

@kaka-yama

@waterlilyblue64

#kakashi x tenzo #kakashi x yamato #kakayama #naruto #kakashi #kakashi yamato #hatake kakashi #hatake kakashi/yamato tenzo(u) #tenzashi #yamato tenzo

[mamibaddie]

When The Heart Beats || Vampire!Eddie Munson x Reader

Chapter 4: Take Me to Church

Authors Note: Surprise! I decided to upload the next chapter early just cause. This is my first time writing smut so please be gentle! (No pun intended.) please let me know what you think. ☺️❤️✨ I don’t consent to my work being stolen, published else where, or translated. Minors DNI.

Here’s a link to chapter 3

Warnings: blood, language, smut!!!, blood kink, slight knife kink (if you squint), cunnilingus, spit kink, vampire activities. 18+ only!!!

You wrung out a raw piece of steak for the fourth time today. Ever since you found out what Eddie truly is, you’ve been helping him feed. You thought it’d be easy, buying raw meat from the grocery store and keeping stacks of it in your refrigerator and freezer but it’s grown to be too much. It’s been a week since he came back. He’s been hiding in your attic ever since. The townspeople believe him to be a murderer and the crew believe he’s dead, it was…somewhat easier this way. But you could tell Eddie was getting antsy. He’d always want to go with you to the grocery store or drop you off at work, you were confused at first. Vampires couldn’t go out in the daylight but he said,

“I can go out, just for a limited time.”

Which made somewhat sense, maybe not everything is exactly as they say it is in folklore. He wanted to go outside… and he wanted to feed more and more.

You were worried about him getting caught. Until one evening you seen him out by the grocery store. You walked over to him in a fast pace, trying not to draw too much attention to yourself. You grabbed him by the arm.

“What are you doing?! Are you insane?! Someone could see you!”

He shrugged,

“doesn’t seem like it.”

He motioned around you both. You looked and people were actually minding their business. As if Eddie’s face hadn’t been plastered all over the news and town. He began to talk while you kept looking around in amazement, “That’s one of my other powers that I have.”

You turned and looked at him.

“Not only can I look into peoples heads, I can make them…think differently…I can make them do things.”

You looked at him in amazement and shock. You didn’t know what to say or think because now, it seemed as though what happened with Eddie, never happened in the first place.

You thought back to the night he came back. After his shower, you notice how there’s nothing there. No bite marks from the bats. His neck is clear, the marks from strangulation were nonexistent. You knew he was a vampire, but you didn’t know the extent of his abilities. It both astounded and terrified you at the same time. While his abilities continued to grow, so didn’t his hunger. There was only so much meat in Hawkins that you can acquire without looking suspicious. You even resorted to driving a little out of Hawkins to get more meat. It never seemed like it was enough. Eddie began to complain.

“I just don’t understand why I can’t feed?!” He growled. It was late at night when you both were having this conversation.

“You know why, it’s not…morally correct… it’s safer for you to do it this way.”

“Safer for who? Y/N… there are people out there who…aren’t good people.”

You looked him in shock. You understood what he was insinuating and it wasn’t like it was untrue. But that doesn’t make it right. Your silence must’ve been enough for him because he sighed and said,

“The blood from the meat doesn’t… satisfy me…the way human blood does.”

You looked at each other for a while, then you blinked and turned to look out the window. It didn’t feel right to keep him cooped up in this house, but what could you do?

It wasn’t until that night when you both lie down to sleep. Well, mostly you because Eddie doesn’t sleep and when he does, it’s typically in the day time. He looked at you with those big, beautiful doe eyes of his. The ones you absolutely adore. He only wore his boxers to bed with you. His entire body now a few shades paler than before. You remembered after his shower, you noticed how there’s nothing there. No bite marks from the bats. His neck was clear, the marks from strangulation were nonexistent. Everything was absolutely gone, as if it never happened at all.

If it weren’t for the bloodthirsty appetite he now has, you would’ve convinced yourself that it was all a dream. As you were drawing little circles into Eddie’s arms. He decided to break the silence.

“I don’t know how much more animal blood I can take.”

You stopped and looked up at him. “Why? What’s wrong with it?” You asked quietly.

“It’s….too stale and bland… it’s not enough anymore.”

You sat up in bed and looked away, twisting your head to where your neck was on full display for Eddie. He sorta heard you, but your voice was becoming more and more distant. All he could focus on was that one vein that was prominent in your neck.

He tried to hold hisself off. Your natural scent was just so alluring, so inviting. He had caught himself numerous times inhaling your scent while you were asleep. He couldn’t help it, even when he was a human, he had woken up before in the middle of the night and would admire you while you slept. He didn’t think it was weird, he’d never do anything to you that wasn’t consensual. He just found you to be entirely ethereal. The more he focused on that vein, the more he became aware of everything.

He can hear your heart beat faster, he can even see the blood coursing through your veins. It looked like a dark red iridescent color, bumping through you. By this time you just roll your eyes and lay back in bed. Everything you said went in one ear and out the other. He blinks fast and tries to shake it off. Before he gave into his desires, he turns away fast and bites his own wrist in an attempt to fight off his insatiable hunger. You jump up and lean over to him.

“Eddie stop!”

He continues on and it scares you.

“Eddie stop it! Please!”

You rip his wrist from himself. The wound already began to slowly heal as if nothing ever happened. “I’m just so hungry…” he says with a shaky voice.

“What did you do before this? Before you visited me?”

He just looks at you, as if he was peering into your soul.

“Eddie…?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you…” he said.

“You came back from the dead… we’re way beyond belief.”

He explained what he had to do. How he put people in trances and sucked their blood… but only enough to satisfy him. He never turned or killed anyone. You had assumed it was animal meat. The same blood you’ve been feeding him. It all made sense after hearing what people at your work was saying. How people would lose track of time and wake up in strange places disoriented.

“What else can I do?” He said. You thought for a second, you’d do anything for Eddie. So, what you were about to say isn’t that far fetched, at least, not to you.

“You can feed from me.”

He looked up with glassy, wide eyes.

“No…no… I can’t do that.” He said, shaking his head

“Why not?”

“Because…. Because what if I lose control?”

“You won’t. I trust you.”

You said. He stayed quiet. You got up and walked over to your dresser. You dig in a drawer and pulled out the knife he got you for your birthday one year, “to protect yourself when I’m not around” he once said. You walked over to the bed and took your shorts off. His eyes began to get wide. You turned your leg open and sliced a small cut it in. The blood slowly began to trickle out of the cut. You looked at Eddie and seen his eyes begin to dilate.

“Drink from me.”

He began to slowly crawl over to you on the bed, keeping eye contact with the blood that was trickling down your thigh.

“Are you sure?” He Whispered. “I’m positive.” You reply.

He slowly got off the bed and got on his knees in front of you. He slowly started to lick up your leg, starting from the side of your knee cap to where the cut was formed. All while keeping eye contact. Your breath started to falter. You should feel sick to your stomach but all you could feel was a warmth pull in your lower region. He started to suck at the cut. He took one of his nails that grew at an alarming rate and was about to add a puncture right by the cut when he looked at you, silently asking you for your permission. You nodded and he dug his nail into your thigh. You silently yelped. You didn’t know if Eddie noticed or not, so enchanted by the blood flow and how good you tasted. He let out small moans while drinking from you.

“You’re so sweet baby, fuck, I could drink from you forever.”

He drank from you a little more before he looked back up at you. “You’re turned on, aren’t you?” You felt a warmth settle across your face.

“How’d you-“

“I can smell you. Your pretty pussy is crying for me. Don’t worry, my fair maiden. I’ll take care of you.”

Before you knew it, he grabbed both sides of your hips, picked you up, and moved you to the bed. He pulled your panties to the side and slowly licked a stripe up your pussy to your clit. His eyes rolled back.

“So sweet” he murmured before he dove into your heat.

He ate you out with the reverence of a man at the altar. Moaning and groaning against you. The slurps and growls coming from him were almost obscene but you were no better. The bump of his nose against your clit felt so good. You began to buck against him slightly.

“I thought about this ever since I’ve been back…”

He said, more to himself than to you.

“I thought about making you come undone with a flick of my tongue. Making you squirm underneath me, feeling your tight cunt squeeze me.”

You let out a moan and threw your head back. Your back started to arch and you were whimpering. Eddie was always good at cunnilingus. He always knew the right spots to drive you crazy. But this was so much more than that. By now, your thighs had several trickles of blood coming down them and to the side. All connecting to Eddie’s mouth. He followed one stream with his tongue. The sight alone was so erotic, it brought you over the edge. Eddie took noticed and moved to your pussy, drinking up everything you had to offer.

“Didn’t take you for the type to have a blood kink. My pretty, innocent woman. All for me.”

He said, keeping his eyes on you.

“Think you can give me another?”

You nodded your head. “Please E-Eddie. Please make me cum again.”

He crawled up your body. He nuzzled his nose against yours. Both of your eyes closed.

“Let me hear you say it baby.”

He pulled away and looked into your eyes. You were confused at first, but the longer you looked into his, you began to understand what he was asking for.

“Say you’re mine.”

“I’m yours Eddie,” you said with no hesitation. “I’m all yours and yours only.”

“That’s my pretty girl.”

He pulled you in for a kiss. It was deep and passionate but then slowly became needy and desperate. You both were moaning into each other’s mouth. He nipped your bottom lip with his fang. It hurt at first but slowly started to feel amazing the more Eddie kissed you. He was so desperate for your sweet taste. He look you bottom lip into his mouth and sucked on it. He let it go with a pop. He slowly kissed down your body, careful to not get too close to your neck. He moved from your shoulders, to your chest, and stomach. It was as if he was worshipping your body.

“A week being away from you has felt like an eternity, my love. But I’m here to make up for it.”

He slowly trailed his hand up your body, brushing against your clit before making his way back down, squeezing at your right tit. He focus on your nipple, gently twisting it between his fingers until it pebbled. He had left behind streaks of a mixture of your blood, essence, and his spit on your upper body. It awakened something primal in him.

“But that’s just one of the many fantasies I’ve had since.”

He removed himself from you which surprised you. He caressed your face with his cold hand.

”Open up for me baby.”

And you did. You didn’t know what for but you were too drunk from the feeling of his tongue to care. He slide his thumb in your mouth. It was mixed with your essence and blood.

“Get it nice and wet for me baby”. You closed your eyes and moaned. “Shit, you’re so fucking hot.”

His voice was now gravely, coated with lust. He pulled his thumb out with a loud pop! He placed it on your clit and your nerves went wild. He hummed.

“Doesn’t feel wet enough.” He slightly leaned over you and dropped his spit onto your clit, slowly dripping down to your soaked entrance. You felt your orgasm coming closer.

“I-I’m gonna cum Eddie… I- shit!” Instead of going faster, he went slower. Savoring every moment of your whimpers and desperation. He kept in time with his own hips. Humping the bed at the same pace he was eating you out at.“Fuck- you’re such a good girl. That’s it, cum for me baby. I want to feel you come undone around my tongue.”

He started to flick his tongue in and out of you. You started to buck your hips into his face, in a rhythmic time against him. It was enough to send you over the edge. It felt like you were on the verge of having an outer body experience. Your orgasm came over you in a crashing wave. You threw your arm over your face. You moaned, “Oh God….”

He pulled away from you. You looked up at him through the slits of your eyes, the moonlight hitting him just right enough to see the slightly possessive look in his eyes. His mouth covered with a mixture of your blood and essence with a small trail running down his neck. In this position, with the moonlight reflecting off his eyes, you were able to see the way his eyes turned. They were black with a red trim around it. His fangs on full display.

“Not God…” he said in a deep voice that felt as smooth as silk, “just me.”

Taglist: @capmedusa @lunar-flwr @celestixldarling @nxrdamp @da-disappointment @ratherdieasthedevil @saltysoftgrungeofscience @awesomesauce-abbie @sl-tfor-joseph-quinn @bb-eilish

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie the freak munson #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson smut #vampire!eddie munson x reader #vampire!eddie x reader #eddie munson x black!reader #eddie munson x female reader

[zoeykallus]

Could you do a male reader with the batch. or the batch trying to figure out what to buy for their boyfriend? This is if you want to. Please don’t feel pressured to do so!

I never feel pressured to do anything! Okay that's a lie, I always feel pressured- BUT, that's no one's fault but mine :)) This idea sounds pretty sweet, let me look into it :))

The Bad Batch x Male!Reader - The Gift Dilemma

Mostly Fluffy/ Slightly Suggestive

______

Soon your birthday is coming and of course your batcher wants to give you something special to show you that you mean a lot to him. But that is not at all easy.

______

Hunter

It took him a long time to find the right thing. Somehow it's harder to give a gift to a man, at least Hunter thinks so. Especially to someone, you want to show your commitment and affection with this gift.

But finally he has decided. Your eyes are blindfolded, and you are traveling in a shuttle, a rented one, not the Marauders.

"Hunter what the hell are you going to do to me," you ask laughing, "You know I like these blindfold games, but usually we do it in my bedroom or yours."

Hunter chuckles, "Had a clown for breakfast, huh? You know very well that I have a surprise for your birthday".

As you are about to answer, you can feel the shuttle landing.

"But it's not until tomorrow"

Hunter assures you, "I know, honey, I didn't forget."

Hunter puts an arm around your waist and holds your hand as he leads you out of the shuttle. You immediately smell that you are no longer in the city. Fresh forest air hits your nose.

As he lets go of you, you try to blindly reach for him a little nervously, but he calmly says, "Relax, I'm still around, just a moment."

He always knows when your heart is racing, sometimes it's a curse, and sometimes it's a blessing.

"Hunter?"

"Still here," he chuckles softly, "You can take the blindfold off."

You do as you're told.

With a "TADA!", Hunter, who is standing a few feet away from you, spreads his arms.

Behind him is a pretty, little hut, with a porch. All around is wonderful nature and nearby, a river.

"I don't quite understand," you say with a cautious smile.

Hunter grins at you, "You complained that I didn't have enough time for you, so I got us this cabin for a long weekend. There's an open fireplace, a grill, and all sorts of snacks and drinks are already refrigerated in the house. It's all clean, there's electricity and running water, and we can do whatever we want. We can snuggle in front of the fireplace, cook together, fish at the river, watch holomovies or even spend a whole day in bed."

You stare at him in disbelief. The idea is incredibly sweet.

"A whole weekend?" you ask as if you're not sure if you might be dreaming.

"A long weekend, my love, four days".

You fall around his neck and press yourself against him.

"That's a wonderful gift, Hunter."

He smiles contentedly, "Don't worry, we'll catch up with my brothers for a little celebration when we get back"

Hunter leans towards your ear and puts his arm around you. Close to your ear, he says suggestively, "Come with me, I'll show you the bedroom first."

Echo

Did you know that Echo is a damn good cook? He will prepare for you your favorite meal plus dessert, all homemade, of course. Echo likes to give personal things, which are sometimes services and special favors. But of course that's not all, you are the man in his life, of course he came up with more.

A day at the wellness center, just the two of you. Massages, saunas, scented baths, aroma therapies, everything that relaxes mind and body. Echo is incredibly happy to see you relaxed and in a good mood.

"This is a wonderful gift, all this, the wonderful food, the wellness day," you say enthusiastically as you leave the center and Echo gently grabs your hand.

"That's not quite all"

Surprised, you look at him.

"It's not? Echo, you're not supposed to overdo it, I told you" you laugh and kiss his blushing cheek.

"It's not an exaggeration, a special person, celebrates his special day today. Nothing is exaggerated," he insists with a gentle smile.

"All right," you say amused, "Fill me in. What else is coming?"

Echo's cheeks have taken on a slightly rosy tone as he says, "I've rented us a hotel room for the night. For we have so little time to ourselves, and I thought…. well, some time just for us would be the perfect ending to this day."

You chuckle, "Oh, Echo, are you planning to seduce me?"

With a smirk he says, "Of course, were you expecting anything else?"

His arm wraps around your middle, and he pulls you close, leaning his forehead against yours.

Somewhat breathlessly, you say, "I can't wait to get there."

Wrecker

Our lively, fun guy has planned a day at the amusement park with you. Ferris wheel, cotton candy and love tunnel. He is so carefree and loving. He twirls you around, beams at you, you are his whole world and not just today. It is never boring with Wrecker, and he is always full of affection for you.

Maybe it took some getting used to at first that he is so open and affectionate with you, ignoring all the looks around him and devoting himself entirely to you, but you very quickly take a liking to it. He adores you and that is always clearly noticeable.

At the shooting range, he shoots you the biggest teddy bear, ridiculously large and strikingly colorful. And somehow it is one of the best gifts you ever received, because it is given to you with true affection.

When you come back everything is ready for a barbecue, Wrecker has involved the boys in the planning, and you all sit together in the evening, eat well and copiously, especially Wrecker, and have a lot of fun together.

Finally, Wrecker clinks his fork against his glass, stands up and says, "I want to make a toast."

The round becomes silent and looks at him. His loving gaze moves to you.

"To the man by my side I never want to miss, a reliable friend, an amusing companion and loving partner. Today is your day, we celebrate another year with a man we all cherish and I, for one, love. Happy Birthday, Cyare"

You could melt under his gentle gaze as he looks at you like you are the center of his universe.

"Thanks, Wrecker, that was incredibly sweet," you say dreamily as he sits back down with you.

He puts a strong arm around your shoulders and says, "I hope I get to celebrate many more birthdays with you, my love."

Tech

He started working on your gift almost a full year before your birthday, every spare minute sneaking away. In this project, started out of love, is a lot of work, credits and above all, affection. What he has undertaken is quite elaborate and time-consuming, which is why he has been working on it for so long.

In fact, he will finish with the finishing touches on the eve of your birthday just in time. Coming up with a gift is actually not a problem, in fact Tech has 101 ideas every few minutes, settling on one is much more of a challenge.

The next day, when he brings you to his little workshop he's rented in Cid's building, you're shocked at first, though, when he unveils your gift. You find yourself face to face with a droid, one that is eerily familiar to you.

It's an assassin droid from the IG series.

"Tech!" you exclaim, startled, "It's an assassin droid."

Tech smiles unperturbed and says, "Don't worry, I worked on him and reprogrammed him. Especially for you. He will be your bodyguard, protocol droid, and a housekeeper when needed."

You allow yourself to take a breath and carefully circle the droid.

With a small laugh, you say, "Tech, you really are amazing."

"I know," he says with a smirk, "That way I know you're protected when I'm not around and you have a helping hand when you need it, anytime"

"A well thought out gift"

"Do you like it?"

Smiling you put your arms around him and give him a gentle kiss.

"I'll take that as a yes" Tech says with a grin.

Crosshair

He is eerily quiet today, has been all day. Since he congratulated you in the morning, he has hardly said a word. Crosshair doesn't talk much in general, but today he talks even less than usual. You don't know that he's worried about having the right gift for you. The thought drives him crazy.

Crosshair watches you unwrap the other gifts and sits next to you, all tense. When you finally start to open his gift, he looks at your hands. He doesn't say a word, doesn't move. But you know him, you can tell he's nervous.

"Do you want us to open the gift when we're both alone?" you ask him, wanting to take away some of his nervousness.

He shrugs, "Doesn't matter, have it your way".

You put the gift aside with a soft sigh and kiss his cheek. He barely responds, but he rarely does anyway when you''re not alone. Crosshair has a problem showing affection, especially in front of others. Of course you know that, and you don't blame him.

Later that night, you finally sit in your bedroom and he presses the gift back into your hand.

"Open it."

You rip open the paper to reveal bedsheets.

"You remembered my favorite color" you say smiling "Feels fantastic. Is that Nabooian silk?"

Crosshair nods, "It is. But that's not all. Unfold it"

You hold your breath for a moment as you discover his name and yours in the finest hand embroidery, stitched on the sheet.

"This is wonderful! Thank you Crosshair"

He shrugs and says, "I wanted to give you something that you could use, that looks nice and at the same time shows that I take this relationship between us seriously, that I'm ready for real commitment."

Your heart beats incredibly fast, what he just said is the best gift he could have ever given you.

Crosshair grabs your chin and says, "Happy Birthday" before kissing you deeply.

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@puppetswithteeth

@palliateclaws

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@starwarsnerd111

#headcanon #asks #requests #tbb headcanons #star wars headcanons #clone headcanons #star wars #bad batch #tbb #hunter #echo #wrecker #tech #crosshair #x reader #x male reader #tbb hunter #tbb echo #tbb wrecker #tbb tech #tbb crosshair #bad batch hunter #bad batch echo #bad batch wrecker #bad batch tech #bad batch crosshair #the bad batch #sw tbb #clone force 99 #clonelove

[magician-kitty]

Beach Episode

It was a hot day today at Megapolis, and when I mean hot. I mean very, very hot. Like it's so hot that you could probably cook some eggs on the sidewalk.

"Sizzle, Sizzle, Megapolis City. It's hot out there! But don't fret it or sweat it. To beat the heat, you just gotta hydrate and refrigerate. Get yourself a nice frosty ice cream cone. Stay out of the Sun, or you'll end up well-done. Find some shade, or better yet, go on and get wet, wet, wet! Talking about a fishing hole or a swimming pool, fool! Stroll down to your friendly neighborhood river, lake, or stream, and leave the cool tubes to me."

"Ugh it's so hot..." MK groaned as she was fanning herself, sweating a lot.

"You said it, MK. Today is very hot." Mei replied as she was sweating too, her jacket wrapped around her waist and slouching over her chair.

"Hey, why not go to the Weather Station?" Mei suggested, MK shook her head. "Can't, it's still being repaired after Red Son took over it."

MK groaned in frustration, the one day she couldn't be more mad at the fire demon.

"Pigsy, Tang? You guys, okay??" MK asked, she glanced down and sees them sprawled down on the floor. "Stupid hot weather." Pigsy groaned, wiping sweat from his face.

"I think...this is the end for me." Tang groaned as well, his glasses halfway off his face. "I always knew we'd go out together, my sweet."

"Aw that's swell Tang."

Mei was about complain until she came up with the perfect solution. "Ooh, I know! We should all go to the beach!!" Mei said as MK, Pigsy, Tang liked the idea.

It's been such a long time since they all went to the beach--probably because everyone just goes to the Weather Station instead.

"Ooh! That's sounds like a great idea, I can buy me that swimsuit I saw the other day!" She grinned excitedly, scrolling through her phone for swimsuits.

"It better not be inappropriate, young lady!"

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

"Yeah, I think I could get used to this," Tang sighed in relief at the cool shade that was the umbrella he laid under, swirling an icy drink in his hand, he glanced over to the grumbling pig at his side. "C'mon, cheer up hon, Enjoy yourself."

"How can I, I told the kid not to pick that damn swimsuit." Pigsy murmured irritatedly, eyes darting around the crowded coast. A hand grasped his, comforting thumbs that traced over his knuckles.

"As much as you don't like it she Is growing up, and you're going to have to accept that."

The chef demon just grumbled, "Hey c'mon, take a break and relax. Please, My big strong noodle maker?~" Tang cooed, scratching Pigsy under his chin, making him squeal in delight.

A soft smile growing on his face, before turning to the sea with uncertainty. "Okay, Okay, hon. Whatever you--Aaugh!!" His face was caked with sand as a volleyball hits him in the face.

"My bad, Pigsy!" Mei called out.

"Me as well!" Sandy called out.

Pigsy growled and was about to yell at the river demon and dragon girl, until they all heard screaming, they looked to see everyone running away. "What the heck is going on?" He questioned.

"Oh no..." Tang sighed, having a clue to what's happening.

"Peasants!!" A familiar voice shouted, The group sighed in irritation.

The bull prince, Red Son stands before the group with millions of his Bull Clones behind him. He wears a white visor, a pair of sunglasses with an indigo rim, a black tank top, a pair of indigo swim trunks with a white stripe running down each side, and brown flip flops.

"What do you want, Red Boy?" Mei demanded, tapping her foot on the sand. "We don't really feel like fighting you today."

He scoffed, taking off his shades. "Please, As if I wish to fight you peasants today, I'm here to enjoy myself, As like the rest of you."

"That's reassuring." The pig demon grumbled, sitting back into the shade. Red Son looked around, as if someone was missing. "What? Noodle girl isn't here to save you all today?" He cackled.

"For your information MK's here, she's on the other side of the beach enjoying herself." The dragon girl pointed to the other side of the beach, towards the water.

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

"Whoo!"

She let out a loud cheer as she jumped into the water, riding the waves wearing a black two-piece swimsuit with flower prints.

The brunette screams as she looses her footing off the board and into the ocean. MK's head shot up from the water as she laughed, feeling her body relaxed from the intense heat. "Whoo! Now this is more like it." She then started swimming as she got out and dryed herself with a towel.

She lie down on her beach towel and starts reading a Monkey King comic book. She started reading but five minutes later, she was just starting to doze off when two shadows appearing over her startled her awake.

"Huh? What the?" She murmured, sitting up to stretch, She looked up and saw two demons that were gawking and grinning at her.

"Oh no, not this..."

"Excuse me pretty lady, but me and my friend couldn't help but admire you from afar~" one of them said seductively, waggling his eyebrows.

He had dark green eyes, a pig-like nose, buck-tooth grin, and short, messy red hair.

"Yeah, smokin' hot in that bikini!" The other agreed. He had slicked back black hair, black and white horns, lavender skin and a little stubble on his pointy jaw. His brown eyes glinted with mischief.

MK rolled her eyes at their crude remarks. "Wow, that's very sweet of you to say," she said sarcastically before going back to her comic book. "But please go away, Thank you."

"Aw, no need to be so cold darlin' I'm Stone, this is my friend, Wayne." He introduced himself and his friend.

"Say, wait a minute," Wayne suddenly said, eyes widening in recognition. "You're that Monkie Kid chick!"

"Really?" Stone leaned in towards MK, getting far too close in personal to her face, peering at her with narrowed eyes. "Hey! You're right, She is!"

"Yeah, what of it?" She crossed her arms, clearly not in the mood to be bothered by these guys.

"Aw, no need to be so cold darlin' We're really huge fans of yours you know." Wayne nudged his friend in the arm, grinning.

"Hmph! Yeah, I'm sure you are."

"Oh, no, it's true, we are! Ain't that right, Stone?" He nodded quickly.

"Definitely! So whatcha doin' here all by yourself?" Stone asked.

"That's None of your business, jerk." MK replied hotly. "Look, leave me alone, okay?" MK shoved past them, heading back towards the water where she hoped she could cool down, not only from the heat of the sun, but from having to put up with these perverts.

"Aw Cmon darlin' don't leave," Stone growled as he and Wayne chased her down and gripped her both arms tightly. "Not without an autograph at least~" He cooed, wiggling his eyebrows.

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

"No fair, you cheated!"

"I did no such thing. I won your little game fair and square!"

"You didn't have to hit the volleyball that hard, you little punk!" Pigsy scowled the fire demon while tending to his unconscious husband, who has a shiner on his head.

As they continued bickering, a loud, panicked scream pierced through the white sandy beaches, Sandy's ears perked, his large amber eyes went out towards the area, scanning it. He gasped. "Oh no, no look!" He points to a spot further out into the deeper section of the water.

Red Son followed his gaze, squinting to find what the gentle giant was referring too. Once he saw it, his eyes widened then narrowed in anger.

He growled.

"Hey, what are you?"

Before Mei could question him, Red Son was shoving past the group, zooming towards the water, shoving past anyone in his path.

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

"Alright, I'm warning you pricks to buzz off, Or else I'll show you what happens to those who mess with The Monkie Kid!" MK hissed, towering over the boys hoping they'd buy her bluff and leave her alone.

Unfortunately, these two were smarter than she anticipated. "Oooh, sounds like fun! Can wanna see~!"

MK shrieked as she suddenly felt her bikini top loosen, the strings falling across her shoulders. "GET OFF ME!" MK screamed, She cried out when she found herself tackled from behind.

Oh, that's it she swore she would handle this and not pull out her staff but that's it!!

Unfortunately, someone has already beaten her to the punch, literally. An incoming fist landed on Stone's face, sending the jerk flying inches away from MK.

Both MK and Wayne froze when they heard the deep growling and the smell of smoke. MK glanced over Wayne's shoulder and saw the familiar red headed demon, His normal green eyes were glowing with a red burning rage, his hair blazing fire, smoke snorting from his nose and his mouth was drawn back in a menacing snarl, revealing his very sharp and deadly-looking teeth.

"I believe she told you both to 'Go away'," Red Son rumbled. "Or are the both of you hard of hearing."

"Woah, c-calm down pal. W-we were just playing around with her! Just having a little fun is all!" Wayne insisted, but immediately fell silent with the icy stare that was sent his way.

Red Son quickly glanced over to MK, who had her back turned to them, attempting to retie her top--surely to have come undone by those guys, The mere sight of her trembling state made his heart ache inside.

And he did like it. One. Bit!!

Red Son grabbed the two creeps by the back of their necks, holding him up in the air. The two yelped and struggled, but the fire user's grip was too strong.

"You hideous second rate demons have the audacity to harass an innocent young woman just because she said no!? It's filthy peasants like you who make it hard for women today to enjoy the beach comfortably."

"Wow, who knew Red Son was such a feminist."

"You can't help but try to get your grubby little hands on them and then assault them when they don't want to have anything to do with you. Well, let me just warn you..." He shoved them to the hot sand, hovering over them, a wicked grin plastered on his face.

"If I ever catch you fuckers pestering her or anywhere near her again, I will personally show you what happens to those messes with me, Understand"

Y-y-yes s-s-s-sir!" The demons stammered, giving him a shaky salute. "W-w-we promise! J-j-just spare us!"

Red's mouth turned up into an impish smirk. "Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of touching the likes of you, however..." he let his sentence hang there.

Wayne and Stone nervously turned around and his Bull Clones surrounded them, General Ironclad pounding on his robotic fists.

Extremely satisfied, The Bull prince left them to the beatdown they were receiving. He goes over to MK's side, who had finished fixing herself up. "Honestly, Noodle Girl, surely you could have put up a better fight than--" He was cut off when MK launched herself towards him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, making him freeze up.

"Thank you..." She whimpered, burying her face into his chest.

"I-I-I..." Red Son stood there flustered, his entire face pink, his heart pounding, he could swear he saw little hearts floating over him. "Y-You're...Your Welcome?" He finally managed to say.

"MK, are you alright?" Mei asked frantically as the prince wrapped his towel around her shaking frame, eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm okay," MK fixed her best friend with a tired smile. "Just a little worn out is all."

"Thanks for helping me, Red," the Monkie kid eventually spoke, smiling. The fire demon looked away uncomfortably, still trying to keep his composure. "I mean, I-I, Uhh..." He stammered, trying not to blush.

"Wow, never took you for the gentlemen type, Red Boi.." Mei said, crossing her arms.

"It's Red Son! And How dare you," Red Son screeched, looking rather offended. "I may be a villain but I was taught to respect a woman!"

MK gaped in awe as she could feel her heart race, 'A woman? Wow that doesn't sound half bad' Her face as red as a tomato at him referring to her as a woman rather than girl.

MK took a glance at the viewers watching, or reading.

"I think he's starting to grow on us, don't you think?"

"Uh, MK who are you talking to?" Sandy asked her.

"Uhh..."

#lego monkie kid #tales of the monkey princess #monkie kid mk #lmk red son #lmk spicynoodles

[twofrontteethstillcrooked]

"The candles are made locally, though, which I suppose is nice for customers."

Dean, still holding the log cabin one, gave Cas a thoughtful look. "You buying this one?"

Cas blinked. "No."

"Hmm," Dean said again.

"What?" Cas cocked his head.

deancas ust, snippetfic fluff for the last day of winter 

Please see also: this wonderful comic @clenster made ❤️

Cas never ceased to be amazed by how many stores sold candles. While Dean and Sam spoke to the rattled florist, Cas investigated the large window at the front of the store. The pane had cracked in the exact shape of a man, presumably the missing employee, and the sill was lined with candles in heavy glass containers, none of which – suspiciously? – had been damaged. 

One of the candles featured a label depicting a small, quaint looking log cabin in a snowy forest. It was the sort of scene Cas admittedly was drawn to. Something about a cabin in the woods appealed to him; he could imagine himself there with happiness, sitting in a comfortable swing on a porch and watching deer be nosy at the treeline. If he imagined someone else sitting on the swing beside him, maybe even with his hand in Cas's, he and Cas wrapped up together in a thick old quilt, well, that harmed no-one.

"'Haunted Cabin'?" Dean, having snuck up alongside Cas, picked up the candle in question. "That doesn't give you any clue about the scent." He took off the metal lid and sniffed dramatically. "Hmm."

"The artificial pinene and limonene molecules are reasonably reminiscent of evergreen trees," Cas said. He could smell the candle from several inches away.

"When did candles start having themes?" Dean muttered, putting the lid back on.

"Apparently these candles have stories," Cas informed him, having already read about the Black Death and Cursed Looking-Glass varieties at the other end of the windowsill; they smelled like fake blackberries and melted plastic, respectively.

"That got anything to do with this?" Dean pointed at the damaged window and then threw a thumb over his shoulder. By a refrigerator full of loud daisies, the florist was dabbing her nose with a tissue. A few feet away Sam was checking his phone and somehow still exuding puppy-dog sympathy in her direction.

"I don't think so," Cas said. "The candles are made locally, though, which I suppose is nice for customers." 

Dean, still holding the log cabin one, gave Cas a thoughtful look. "You buying this one?"

Cas blinked. "No."

"Hmm," Dean said again. 

"What?" Cas cocked his head.

"It's just, you like cabins." Dean acted this like it was a well known, much discussed fact, and just because it was true didn't make the statement less disconcerting to Cas. When Cas declined to respond, Dean said, "You've checked out at least three different books on the topic from the public library back home, buddy."

"They were…" Cas felt, if not judged, then caught out, and hoped it didn't show on his face. "The books were interesting. Relaxing to thumb through." He wanted to leave it at that.

"Hey, a little cabin by a lake in the snow?" Dean shrugged good naturedly. "Nice crackling fire going in the hearth. Maybe you'd take a short hike and then have a good drink afterwards to warm up? Maybe." He put the candle back on the sill. "Maybe there'd be someone there to warm up with, you know?" He wasn't quite looking at Cas, but he wasn't quite looking away either. "Sounds pretty damn perfect to me." 

His eyes landed on Cas's more fully, something vulnerable in his gaze that pressed an ache into Cas's throat.

After a long moment, Cas decided it was safe to say, "Yes. I think so too." The quiet stretched between them, comfortably.

"I might have a lead," Sam said, having appeared like an apparition. 

Cas was probably imagining the disappointment that flitted across Dean's expression. "The florist was helpful?" he asked Sam.

"Ah, yeah," Dean said, sounding slightly sheepish. To Sam he asked, "You already found her ex-husband's address?"

"In a manner of speaking: according to the online obituary, he's buried in a cemetery over in Caneyville," Sam said in a lowered voice. He tipped his head toward the front of the store. "Pretty sure she doesn't know he died last year."

"Oof." Dean glanced at Cas and at Sam and back to Cas. "We can go check out the graveyard while Sam hits up the coroner's office."

"Lucky me," Sam said, rolling his eyes before he headed to the door.

Dean and Cas followed, falling into a matched stride. Dean's arm brushed against Cas's at least once more than was strictly coincidental. By the time they were out on the sidewalk, Dean had shivered a couple of times and moved even closer, like allowing any space between himself and Cas was risking a wind tunnel on such a cold late winter day. They didn't talk in the car. Dean's hand found its way into Cas's anyway.

#snippetfic #deancas #destiel #spn #fic

[memestockpile]

the birdcage  from the 1996 film. feel free to change as needed. 

give them a free round of coffee.

she’ll be down in five.

look at that crowd. 

i don’t know what happened this time. 

i’ll be right behind you.

oh, merde!

don’t be stern. 

just put these on, please. 

have you eaten? you look haggard. 

no. i don’t want him to see me. i’m hideous. 

i hate my life!

that’s all i am to you, isn’t it? a meal ticket!

never mind about my feelings. never mind about your suffering. 

don’t use that tone to me. 

oh! you bastard!

take it easy.

i was adorable once. young and full of hope. now i’m this short, fat, insecure, middle-aged thing.

thank you. thank you, my darling. 

i didn’t have time to wax.

indifference is the most awful thing in the world. 

you don’t love me anymore. 

there’s a man in your life, isn’t there? i sense it. 

i saw a bottle of white wine chilling in the refrigerator. i only drink red. and so do you.

i hurt my thumb.

forgive me, my little teddy bear. 

of course i love you. 

oh, look at those teeth. you must be a kennedy. 

why do you treat me like a servant?

it was pretty dumb of them to move to new jersey. 

i didn’t want to tell you over the phone. 

first of all, you’re only [age]. 

if you do this, you’re on your own.

you little fool. as if i would let you go.

put down your jacket and let’s drink a toast.

it’s alright. it’s alright, son.

we’ve been sleeping together for a year.

i don’t want to talk about this now. 

how dare you listen in on my conversation!

i want to get back before he wakes up.

what is this? sludge?

will you put some clothes on!

he must be exhausted, poor baby. 

i’m so ashamed of the way i acted last night. 

don’t be silly.

i got a pork roast for dinner. i wanted to get filet mignons, but they’re too expensive. 

shhh. take it easy. just breathe, breathe...

it’s the most intelligent show on television. 

i wonder if he’s old money.

i don’t believe this! i don’t fucking believe this!

i could really use a piece of candy. 

you’re driving me crazy.

my baby. 

he’ll probably eat half the cake before he looks at it.

he’s just like you. 

handsome boy. 

somebody’s feeling better. 

go get ready. go on. 

but it’s so dangerous! you could have fallen. 

chewing gum helps me think. 

alright, let’s take it from the top. 

just because you’re [age] and hung doesn’t mean you qualify. 

what? lied about who i am? never. 

this is unbearable. 

i’m gonna make you like beer some day. 

because he’s young and ruthless and you’re weak and guilty and he knows all the buttons to press. 

i could just kill him. 

everybody’s a coward when it comes to their kids. 

my sweet boy. 

do me a favor: don’t talk to me for awhile. 

tired means “old”. “you look tired” means you look old. “you look rested” means you’ve had collagen. 

c’mon, i’ll buy you anything you want. 

i want to go home. 

i...i’ve hurt my...my ankle. 

do you want to wait here and i’ll bring some ice down? 

it’s from the antique shop across the street.

too butch?

it’s painful, but it’s not important. 

go away! i hate you! i never want to see you again!

let’s get you out of the sun. 

i could play it straight. 

you’ve never been to a museum and you eat like a pig. 

hold the knife boldly. with strength. 

oh, god! i’ve pierced the toast!

there’s no need to get hysterical. 

this guy is a fucking maniac. 

swing that by me again, compadre. 

well, tough gazongas. 

why are you being such a prick? 

i’m so proud of you. 

are we crucifying someone tonight? 

i’m quite aware of how ridiculous i am. 

alright, i’ll bite. 

what a pain in the ass you are. 

there’s one place in the world i call home, and that’s because you’re there. 

i look like my grandfather in this suit. 

don’t be so damned negative!

you better put your shoes on. it’s getting late. 

i never wear shoes. they make me fall. 

i’ve never had so much go so wrong so quickly. this is like a curse. 

you shouldn’t be talking about things you know nothing about. 

i’ve never felt such tension. it’s like riding a psychotic horse toward a burning stable. 

fuck it. it’s one night. i can live through it. 

i’m here, son. 

this is what i’ve always dreamed of: a loving family gathered around the table. 

oh, my god! this is a nightmare. 

just in time for dessert. 

i’ve traveled all over the world, but deep down, i’m still that same little girl from [hometown]. 

it may not be a chateau in france, but it’s a damned good place to call home. 

i’m sorry. i’m sorry. i ruined everything. 

you’re a very sweet girl, did you know that?

i would have really liked to have you as my family. 

the people of this country aren’t interested in details. 

the first time is always a big shock. 

lady, not for a million dollars. 

#sentence starter meme #rp sentence meme #roleplay sentence meme #sentence starters #sentence meme #askbox rp #askbox meme #ask meme #askbox #ask #tumblr rp #rp meme #rp #rp inbox meme #inbox rp meme #inbox meme #tumblr roleplay #roleplay meme #roleplay

[absolutely-olivegarden]

GHGRGHGRHRGHGRHGRHRGHRGHRGRGRHRGRHGHRGRRHRHRGRHRGRHRGHR

Hi my name is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way and I have long ebony black hair (that's how I got my name) with purple streaks and red tips that reaches my mid-back and icy blue eyes like limpid tears and a lot of people tell me I look like Amy Lee (AN: if u don't know who she is get da hell out of here!). I'm not related to Gerard Way but I wish I was because he's a major fucking hottie. I'm a vampire but my teeth are straight and white. I have pale white skin. I'm also a witch, and I go to a magic school called Hogwarts in England where I'm in the seventh year (I'm seventeen). I'm a goth (in case you couldn't tell) and I wear mostly black. I love Hot Topic and I buy all my clothes from there. For example today I was wearing a black corset with matching lace around it and a black leather miniskirt, pink fishnets and black combat boots. I was wearing black lipstick, white foundation, black eyeliner and red eye shadow. I was walking outside Hogwarts. It was snowing and raining so there was no sun, which I was very happy about. A lot of preps stared at me. I put up my middle finger at them.

"Hey Ebony!" shouted a voice. I looked up. It was... Draco Malfoy!

"What's up Draco?" I asked.

"Nothing." he said shyly.

But then, I heard my friends call me and I had to go away.

My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down. It was seventy-five degrees in Phoenix, the sky a perfect, cloudless blue. I was wearing my favorite shirt — sleeveless, white eyelet lace; I was wearing it as a farewell gesture. My carry-on item was a parka.

In the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington State, a small town named Forks exists under a near-constant cover of clouds. It rains on this inconsequential town more than any other place in the United States of America. It was from this town and its gloomy, omnipresent shade that my mother escaped with me when I was only a few months old. It was in this town that I'd been compelled to spend a month every summer until I was fourteen. That was the year I finally put my foot down; these past three summers, my dad, Charlie, vacationed with me in California for two weeks instead.

It was to Forks that I now exiled myself— an action that I took with great horror. I detested Forks.

I loved Phoenix. I loved the sun and the blistering heat. I loved the vigorous, sprawling city.

"Bella," my mom said to me — the last of a thousand times — before I got on the plane. "You don't have to do this."

My mom looks like me, except with short hair and laugh lines. I felt a spasm of panic as I stared at her wide, childlike eyes. How could I leave my loving, erratic, harebrained mother to fend for herself? Of course she had Phil now, so the bills would probably get paid, there would be food in the refrigerator, gas in her car, and someone to call when she got lost, but still…

"I want to go," I lied. I'd always been a bad liar, but I'd been saying this lie so frequently lately that it sounded almost convincing now.

"Tell Charlie I said hi."

"I will."

"I'll see you soon," she insisted. "You can come home whenever you want — I'll come right back as soon as you need me."

But I could see the sacrifice in her eyes behind the promise.

"Don't worry about me," I urged. "It'll be great. I love you, Mom."

She hugged me tightly for a minute, and then I got on the plane, and she was gone. It's a four-hour flight from Phoenix to Seattle, another hour in a small plane up to Port Angeles, and then an hour drive back down to Forks. Flying doesn't bother me; the hour in the car with Charlie, though, I was a little worried about.

Charlie had really been fairly nice about the whole thing. He seemed genuinely pleased that I was coming to live with him for the first time with any degree of permanence. He'd already gotten me registered for high school and was going to help me get a car.

But it was sure to be awkward with Charlie. Neither of us was what anyone would call verbose, and I didn't know what there was to say regardless. I knew he was more than a little confused by my decision — like my mother before me, I hadn't made a secret of my distaste for Forks.

When I landed in Port Angeles, it was raining. I didn't see it as an omen — just unavoidable. I'd already said my goodbyes to the sun.

Charlie was waiting for me with the cruiser. This I was expecting, too. Charlie is Police Chief Swan to the good people of Forks. My primary motivation behind buying a car, despite the scarcity of my funds, was that I refused to be driven around town in a car with red and blue lights on top. Nothing slows down traffic like a cop.

Charlie gave me an awkward, one-armed hug when I stumbled my way off the plane.

"It's good to see you, Bells," he said, smiling as he automatically caught and steadied me. "You haven't changed much. How's Renée?"

"Mom's fine. It's good to see you, too, Dad." I wasn't allowed to call him Charlie to his face. I had only a few bags. Most of my Arizona clothes were too permeable for Washington. My mom and I had pooled our resources to supplement my winter wardrobe, but it was still scanty. It all fit easily into the trunk of the cruiser.

"I found a good car for you, really cheap," he announced when we were strapped in.

"What kind of car?" I was suspicious of the way he said "good car for you" as opposed to just "good car."

"Well, it's a truck actually, a Chevy."

"Where did you find it?"

"Do you remember Billy Black down at La Push?" La Push is the tiny Indian reservation on the coast.

"No."

"He used to go fishing with us during the summer," Charlie prompted.

That would explain why I didn't remember him. I do a good job of blocking painful, unnecessary things from my memory.

"He's in a wheelchair now," Charlie continued when I didn't respond, "so he can't drive anymore, and he offered to sell me his truck cheap."

"What year is it?" I could see from his change of expression that this was the question he was hoping I wouldn't ask.

"Well, Billy's done a lot of work on the engine — it's only a few years old, really."

I hoped he didn't think so little of me as to believe I would give up that easily. "When did he buy it?"

"He bought it in 1984, I think."

"Did he buy it new?"

"Well, no. I think it was new in the early sixties — or late fifties at the earliest," he admitted sheepishly.

"Ch — Dad, I don't really know anything about cars. I wouldn't be able to fix it if anything went wrong, and I couldn't afford a mechanic…"

"Really, Bella, the thing runs great. They don't build them like that anymore."

The thing, I thought to myself… it had possibilities — as a nickname, at the very least.

"How cheap is cheap?" After all, that was the part I couldn't compromise on.

"Well, honey, I kind of already bought it for you. As a homecoming gift." Charlie peeked sideways at me with a hopeful expression.

Wow. Free.

"You didn't need to do that, Dad. I was going to buy myself a car."

"I don't mind. I want you to be happy here." He was looking ahead at the road when he said this. Charlie wasn't comfortable with expressing his emotions out loud. I inherited that from him. So I was looking straight ahead as I responded.

"That's really nice, Dad. Thanks. I really appreciate it." No need to add that my being happy in Forks is an impossibility. He didn't need to suffer along with me. And I never looked a free truck in the mouth —or engine.

"Well, now, you're welcome," he mumbled, embarrassed by my thanks.

We exchanged a few more comments on the weather, which was wet, and that was pretty much it for Conversation. We stared out the windows in silence.

It was beautiful, of course; I couldn't deny that. Everything was green: the trees, their trunks covered with moss, their branches hanging with a canopy of it, the ground covered with ferns. Even the air filtered down greenly through the leaves. It was too green — an alien planet.

Eventually we made it to Charlie's. He still lived in the small, two-bedroom house that he'd bought withGHZGGRRGHRHGRHRGRHGGRRHRGHRGRGHGRGHRGRH

I don’t even know how to respond

#Olivegarden #Asks