#this is another one that was quite obvious to su and i

[blackhholes]

Teen Wolf as Arthurian Characters

Stiles Stilinski as Sir Gawain

#teen wolf #twedit #teen wolf edit #twgifs #stiles stilinski #gawain #arthurian legend #arthuriana #my gifs #mine #twarthur #this is another one that was quite obvious to su and i #also fun to note that gawain was in early stories called the boy with no name #kinda like how we don't learn stiles' real name until season 6 #also obviously gawain's relationship to arthur but that's obvious

[snakeautistic]

I love finding characters I can relate (/project onto) within media. There’s something so comforting about seeing yourself on screen. I end up headcanoning most of them to be in-line with my identities (lesbian, wasian, autistic) because they are literally me in my head!!

Anyway here’s a long ass list of my favorite characters and why I head canon them as autistic for fun!! If you have any others you’d like to add I’d love to hear them. (And please note this is just my interpretation, and highly based on my experience with autism. I’m not saying they’re definitely autistic or that all the traits I listed are the dsm-5 criteria or something.)

Princess Bubblgeum from adventure time:

This girl is peak evil scientist autistic. Her intense need for control, the way she carefully observes the citizens she created, an outsider to them, not quite like them… god it’s so perfect. I read her as being somewhat low empathy as well, it’s hard for her to change her perspective to that of others. Plus the fact her brother neddy is a pretty obvious metaphor for higher supports needs autism. I think they of represent how autism runs in the family and appears in all sorts of different ways in different people. They’re sort of two different representations of the spectrum.

Marcy wu from amphibia

I mean this one is just obvious. The biggest nerd of all time. So obsessed with her RPG special interest that she literally sucks her and her friends into a fantasy world. She’s clumsy (just like me fr), very smart but super socially awkward, a little oblivious and naive. She’s terrified of change, especially if it means abandoning the few social bonds she’s been able to make. I honestly find it hard to believe this wasn’t intentional.

Entrapta from she-ra

Another pretty overt example. I do have some issues with how she was portrayed in the show- (keeping her on a leash was weird.) but overall I really love her. She understands her tech, not people, and it can cause her to come into conflict with other characters. Their treatment of her makes me sad at times, but it’s realistic. I also love some of her other quirks, her love of tiny food, her exitable demeanor, ect.

Pearl from Steven Universe

Peridot is the more obvious example of an autistic character in SU, and while I agree she’s coded that way, I personally resonate more with Pearl. She is not very socially aware, and bothered by disruptions to her routine/ broader life changes. She doesn’t like to break rules (despite being a literal rebel lol.) I find it interesting how she seems to have the poorest understanding of life on earth out of the gems, despite having lived here for thousands of years. She is graceful, but has an almost sort of awkward gangly-ness to her that I relate to. Her neuroticism is also very similar to how my anxiety disorder presents.

Pearl has a tendency to infodump, without realizing those around her are uninterested. Even her relationship with Rose struck a chord with me. The hopeless devotion to her, the way she followed along at her side. It’s how many of my friendships have been. Obvious it’s not exactly the same considering Pearl having originally been her servant, but while not being an explicitly autistic trait, that sort of clingy, starstruck relationship is something autistic people are prone to developing. She does little hand stims at times too that I love to see.

Poison Ivy (specifically the version in the Harley Quinn animated show)

I’m surprised I haven’t seen more people mention poison Ivy. Fiercely intelligent and deeply introverted, she isolates herself from all people, and only connects with and understands her plants. (Which her deep affinity for can definitely be read as a special interest.) She very overtly has trouble forming relationships with others.

She’s blunt, socially awkward and a loner, has something of a flat effect and a monotone voice. Those around her initially read her as cold and impersonable.Her struggle with social anxiety as well as intense fear of failure/ low self esteem is also very relatable to me. She also often struggles to express/understand her feelings and emotions. Her radical political ideas and the fact that she’s literally an ecoterrorist paints her as having a very strong sense of justice and a somewhat black and white worldview. (Me)

Finally, her relationship with Harley just SCREAMS neurodivergent solidarity. Harley Quinn is (I think canonically) adhd, and they’re both outsiders in the world that found each other and just… get each other. She’s Ivy’s closest and only friend and amazing girlfriend and god it’s all so perfect.

They remind me a lot of the relationship I have with my best friend with adhd except theirs is gayer.

#autistic headcanon #autism headcanon #headcanon #headcanons #actuallyautistic #actually autistic #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodivergent headcanon #adventure time #princess bubblegum #amphibia #marcy wu #she ra #entrapta #steven universe #pearl su #poison ivy #harley quinn animated series

[nightgoodomens]

Can you elaborate your opinion on the coincidence of that BI with DT being in CA, Michael's PR explanation and miserable pics? The fact that Enty picked this very specific Disney story out of all the sus recent accidents sounds like a choice. Or jumping on MS's answer in less than 24h. AFAIK, Enty also gets info from reliable sources, could someone in CA participate in an "act of self-sabotage" to catalyze things? It sounds unlikely cause on the other hand it wouldn't be a good look to coincide coming out with breack ups and I think they know that. It's obvious whatever unhappiness there is between 2 couples( which is being put out, deliberately by themselves) has nothing to do with DT/MS, being poly and happy is a common thing. However, there seem to be separate conflicts between couples which we're not pervy to their nature but they're out there. (G admitted in a written press that she found an identity via social media and now she complains... says something.) As for media picking things up, I'm not sure what it'll take. If it was a hetero situation with 1/10 of the material we have from those two, surely it was the #1 hot gossip everywhere, years ago. I just hope whatever solution they come up with, doesn't smear a beautiful love with unrelated breakups.

Okay so what exactly is going on nobody can say apart from them but let’s just look at the timeline

(This is loooooong)

Since the beginning of GO there has been clear hints that something happened between Michael and David. Then it was made clear that they have gotten much closer during Staged. And then we saw them going a little insane over each other after lockdown all thorough GO2 promo including Michael not stopping on Twitter.

Then GT posts about the child being a drunk accident and MS goes a little nuts on Twitter telling people he sets David on fire fairly regularly, tells one of the major accounts to ask David face to face which part of him is 2% WELSH, and likes half naked GO fanart.

Then he goes dead quiet which was sudden and clearly related.

Then comes back only the moment David is on stage in New York. Quite obviously.

Goes quiet again, we start getting a lot less Good Omens and David content until the unfortunate moment where trolls made him basically quit Twitter for a while.

The answer to his 2% was that David is still thinking about it and he will let him know…

Then this timeline begins:

The infamous Macbeth look of love between the two of them in a room full of people

David arranging Lapland and takes a couple picture with Michael

David arranging BAFTAs to be about him and Michael, making a point of wearing a kilt that’s the main point of focus during the sketch and uses Gaiman’s infamous “wait and see”, from Good Omens, that brought him and Michael together.

Michael making this face after BAFTAs and later stating during his interview “He did good, the boy did good! And he looks good in a kilt doesn’t he?!”

Happy sincere smiles from both.

David promotes Michael’s NYE twice. Shows he’s been there on the opening night - during the day before the show - as he takes a selfie in front of the theatre.

Can you see how much “content” started coming from David for Michael? Now think back to the way Michael snapped at the end of the year and asked him how much of him is his… oh wait sorry what part of him is 2% Welsh. Maybe he wanted more than 2%… maybe the snap was that he didn’t want to be so hidden anymore hence his outburst of basically telling people they’re together. Whatever it was - funny how suddenly David started controlling the narrative.

Anyway

Another selfie on the press night, this time with the “real” Michael. Over the years is a nice hint. Also it starts to become clear that these two do not have an unhappy selfie together, yet Michael makes a point to look miserable with just AL, and David is not only looking more and more miserable with GT, but GT begins post breakup songs. She’s also known for humiliating David to the point of her own kids calling her a creep on video, and we hear him saying “this will never stop” as she videos him without his knowledge again. Or later “Oh god” “no they don’t need to see that”. What a happy chap.

The kilt keeps on getting mentioned by David, after Michael made a point of stating what he thinks about it.

Michael and David keep on bringing up each other in their interviews or media asks them about each other. They’re indeed seem the happiest when it’s about the other one.

GT and AL called them husbands and boyfriends.

Meanwhile:

Now the elephant in the room - the wives.

The wives began the second AL posted her modelling pics which she automatically assured everyone of not being paid for. Darling when you scream before anyone even had a chance to say anything… but this is something about AL - she is so insecure she keeps on snapping at fans and acting defensive regarding herself and her relationship. Which makes no sense considering she’s apparently in a happy happy happy arrangement.

GT was clearly asked to do the PR for her. So what did they do? After years of showing that they’re not even close friends, they called each other wives to mirror the husbands. It was so blatant it made me cringe how quickly their fans jumped on the bullshit that even GT laughed in their faces when she sarcastically replied to the fan “sooo linked.” Fair play, GT, I’d roll my eyes too seeing people eating it up so easily.

Just them on its own wasn’t enough so obviously they based their promotion on their men. Mirroring was awkward because the reason their men are popular is because their chemistry is real which AL/GT obviously don’t have. They knew they won’t stand on their own, hence the “family” (sooo close that David nearly fell off the bench to not touch AL accidentally) and they can be called husbands and boyfriends if they can be called wives, and they can have pics together… but mostly group shops so the women get promoted with them.

Hey, if you ignored them, at least we had lovely MS/DT moments who became a little more public.

It was clear the arrangement was only until BAFTAs - because this was the end.

David did three interesting things that day.

He did massive PR for GT - both magazines and red carpet and a kiss on front of the camera, which I said then will result in a job for her - soon after she announced a new agent - his agent - ding dong.

Then the rest was all Michael and him. Go figure.

And he completely excluded AL.

Next day we learned that Michael excluded AL from The Way. A show that included GT watching an intimate scene between two men who were neighbours. Which Michael and David are confirmed to be.

AL had a bit of a mental breakdown looking for validation on Twitter and Instagram. Obsessively reposting BAFTAs, whining about The Way.

Another blow came when GT cut her out. AL tried to keep the charade going but GT was done.

When GT announced her agent, AL ignored it.

There’s no more “family” things either.

My take is that AL perhaps was meant to have something sorted out for her by BAFTAs, unfortunately her totally not paid for photoshoot that she was totally picked up for… didn’t do the trick. GT got an agent out of David’s PR though.

AL’s heart grows fonder as she realises shit is going down and she starts hardcore convincing everyone that her and MS are happy because no modelling career is happening.

Meanwhile MS stays every night with fans or at the bar to not go home as he contradicts her.

GT meanwhile gets colder regarding David, showing she basically doesn’t give a shit about his accomplishments or tries to put her attention on herself instead. It’s a cold and harsh difference compared to what he did for her at BAFTAs.

Break up songs continue.

Both GT and AL go very quiet on social media. AL posts depressing things, GT is just being an ass about DT.

Both go to separate Disneylands.

Then a few things happen at once:

Neil posts that Michael and David are still very much in love.

David looks depressed as GT posts that picture with “Breakdown” in the background, song about a break up.

Michael struggles through a question about AL - talks about them not looking for it, but -the kids- so it was worth it - refuses to say he loves AL, refuses to say anything about her personally - it’s spoken like a rehearsed statement about an arrangement that at least they both have something out of.

Michael automatically switches to David unprompted - he turns into a sunshine, goes personal about him calling him lovely and very nice, and this is when asked about the rudest actor so also an awkward Q - which he made the most affectionate thing in the world.

Michael also keeps on bringing David up. Constantly.

David still in California.

Enty releases a blind about two men who went to Disneyland separately and one wife and one girlfriend are pushing a narrative of happy families while the men only look happy with each other or while talking about each other.

AL milks Assembly to her advantage for a whole day desperately while Michael stops performing because he’s too sick.

Neil reblogs all the moments Michael spoke about David.

Michael suddenly interacts with fans avoiding thousands of tweets of people totally seeing the love between him and AL (he didn’t use that word).

So what I think… - I don’t think the family unit was ever true. That was just PR to get the women out there. Because when they didn’t need it, it abruptly stopped. Perhaps men thought if these two get work, things will get easier. Unfortunately they’re not most employable.

The problem is that it looks like Michael and David are not happy with their women anymore and it’s bad enough that they’re showing it. The women know - perhaps AL is aware things are ending hence milking it until it gets public that they’re over. GT is hinting hardcore that things are falling apart - but are they going to sort it out or not? What stage these two couples are actually at - I don’t know.

Is David so unhappy he’d tip off Enty? I wouldn’t be shocked. Especially since his and Michael’s best friend told everyone David and Michael are in love right before the assembly. Which makes me wonder whether Enty and Neil dropping a 💣 was very much planned by Michael and David. Did they lose GT/AL support and looked for it in Neil, did the women only were happy to “help” when they were getting something out of it, or is this actually following a plan since the very beginning - Hard to tell. I’m not 100% sure because with GT promoting her and him being unhappy, maybe she is on it in some way. But… it is hard to tell at this stage. Maybe DT got her his agent so the agent would make sure GT doesn’t post shit about him when/if things are over. Maybe the agent is controlling the narrative now and helping to make the breakup least damaging for both.

We will see. This can still go so many different ways… the only stable thing is Michael and David and their love for each other.

#NightGoodOmens talks PR #NightGoodOmens talks Michael and David

[kitthepurplepotato]

Chapter 2 - We should do this more often.

Part 2 of the Agency Tour!

Summary: Izuku shows Y/N the CCTV room. And his office… well, mostly his sofa, because it’s really hard to see when Izuku is crushing you into the pillows.

That sounds so much more suggestive than it is, sorry for the clickbait.

Warnings: Swear words, suggestive (!), Kirishima makes a sex joke. 16 +? Maybe?

First Chapter Master List

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

“Are you ready for the CCTV room?” Izuku squeezes your hand in front of a massive door. “It’s also connected to the commander room which is the busiest room in the whole building and the people working in this area are a little bit quirky. Kacchan thinks they are all weirdos, but they are really nice if you give them a chance.” He smiles at you, but you can’t miss the worry in his beautiful eyes.

“I’ll be fine. Let’s go!” You nudge the man and he opens the door…

“Oi, why is that guy standing there?!” A guy with black hair and dog ears peeking up in excitement points at one of the CCTV screens angrily. “He’s sus!”

“Bro, he has a date.” A red haired, nerd-looking guy looks up from his cup noodles, still slurping. Someone tells him off for talking with food in his mouth but he ignores it.

“How do you know that?” The black haired guy mutters, still angry. His ears flap down from the lack of excitement, clearly uninterested. He reminds you of Katsuki.

“He’s been doing that a lot lately, same woman, same meeting point.” The red haired guy answers with food in his mouth. You can barely conceal the smile; they have no idea the boss is in the room, they are so involved in their gossip.

“I hope he doesn’t cheat on this one, the lady looks cute.” A quirky looking girl adds with a sigh.

“He cheated?!” The guy’s ears point towards the ceiling again with a little wiggle. The cute ear-thing he’s doing absolutely clashes with his grumpy behavior but somehow, it’s also kinda adorable.

Izuku cleans his throat loudly to get some attention; the nerd guy almost drops his cup noodles, the black haired guy can’t help himself and laughs at him, clearly enjoying the drama.

“Can you fire these two? I honestly can’t do my job with them in the building.” And older, grumpy looking woman looks up from her laptop. She’s wearing a massive headset, but apparently, it’s not enough to suppress their daily bickering.

“I’m quite sure you were supposed to retire 10 years ago.” The quirky girl retorts and makes the angry guy laugh.

“Yo, who’s that.” The angry guy’s eyes lock with the screen again, judging a random bystander standing by the station entrance. He clicks on the screen a few times, checks the details; Mahito Shiro, 23, student, quirk: shrinking, birth date 2000.06.14 No police data available Threat-level: none “Nevermind, just another rando. Dammit. FUCK’S SAKE I’M BORED!”

“Oh my god, Toshi, shut the fuck up!” Someone yells from another room.

“Uhm, can I show my… Y/N around?” Izuku mutters; the whole room gawks at you with questioning eyes, analyzing you like you are one of the randos on the TV screen. Their gaze locks on your entwined fingers; fuck, you forgot to let go!; and there’s an absolute silence in the room until the black haired guy speaks up.

“So, who’s that?!”

“Oh my god, Toshi.” The quirky girl laughs again; apparently the sole existence of this angry man is enough for her to have a good day. Damn, you can relate. “That’s his roommate.”

“Is he cheating on his Sweet Pea?! I can’t believe the fucker. I thought he’s head over heels for that chick.” The Hitoshi guy gives the boss a disappointed glare.

“Can you not talk about my obvious pining right in front of the girl I am pining for?” Deku yells, extremely embarrassed; his cheeks are tinted pink and he’s squinting his eyes shut, hoping to be swallowed by a ground.

You don’t really know what to think right now; were you the only person in the whole wide world who didn’t know about Deku’s feelings?! Really?!

“That’s Sweet Pea, Tosh.” The quirky girl translates and the grumpy guy perks up, ears up and wiggling excitedly as he takes in the view in front of him.

“Exciting.” There is a weird noise coming from the back of the man; you try to look behind him and it doesn’t take you long to notice the massive, fluffy, black tail wiggling back and forth. So that’s why his chair clashes with the rest of the furniture; it was especially made for him to have space for his tail. That’s sweet.

“So this is the CCTV room.” Izuku yelps, his voice and octave higher than usual. “We have thirty screens in this room plus every person has their own set with ten screens that they keep an eye on. We have access to all the cctv footages in Japan that are not owned by a person, so cameras set up by the government, shops, banks, venues and the list goes on.” He continues to mutter. “Our security system has a built in information center thanks to our perpetual work with the police; if you click on a person, his face runs through the police information system and we can get their basic info without the need to get a clearance.” Deku puts his hands on your back and pushes you forward to take a better look; he clicks at a random person on the street and zooms in; the camera is crystal clear even after the zoom and the system starts to analyze the footage right away; the person’s name, age, quirk, area of residence comes up in the far corner of the footage; it also states that the person isn’t dangerous or under any suspicion at this moment.

“That’s really cool!” Your eyes shine with pure wonder as you look at the details.

“Well, it’s cool but it has its flaws.” Toshi speaks up from behind you. “Some stupid countries didn’t give us clearance to use their data so with a lot of foreigners, we actually need to go through the clearance process and it’s only granted if we have a strong reason to suspect the individual.” He grumbles under his nose, personally offended by this shenanigan.

“He’s just grumpy because he found his doppelgänger once and his info-request denied.” The older lady adds, smiling cheekily.

“The audacity of ‘em! He might be my secret twin brother!” Toshi retorts angrily. Izuku smiles under his nose.

“The right side of the office is in charge for the CCTV footage, the left side is charge for listening to the police radio in case there is an incident where we might be needed. The door on the left side is where the emergency call team is, but I won’t show you that room as it’s literally just people taking phone calls every five seconds and distributing the task to a hero with the most suitable quirk. They also have their own computer system that knows the current heroes on the call, their quirks and strengths.”

“Fucking hell, you guys are high-tech.” You mumble, bamboozled. Your mind is fried thanks to all the information you tried to take in; you would kill for a cup of water and some sugar right now; skipping breakfast was a terrible idea. You stroke your forehead, trying your best to soothe your aching head and Izuku pales right away.

“Oh my god, you haven’t had breakfast, I’m so sorry, Sweet Pea! Let’s go to my office, I have some food in there.” Izuku ushers you out of the room, not even letting you say a proper goodbye.

Running after Deku is a fucking challenge; his long, muscly legs gives him a super speed even without the use of his quirk so needless to say, you definitely look like an absolute idiot as you stumble all over behind him, out of breath already. Thankfully, his office isn’t too far away from the communication room; you are seated on a sofa now with a fancy cup noodle in your hands. You can’t help but smile when you see Deku’s pretty face looking back at you from the cup.

You always make sure not to buy this specific cup noodle; you literally can’t put Deku’s handsome face into the trash when you finish the meal. No fucking way.

“Can I keep the packaging?” You ask with a happy voice after you finished; the noodles warmed your soul and heart and you can feel your brain coming back to life now that you filled your stomach with the tasty junk food.

“Hey, isn’t the real thing good enough for you?” Izuku asks, offended. You absolutely love when Izuku gets jealous. It’s the prettiest sight in the whole world.

“Why would I choose if I can have both?” You stroke Deku’s face on the packaging just to irk the hero even more; Izuku’s eyes darken at the sight, possessiveness overtaking him for a second; he takes a deep breath and plops down next to you with the biggest puppy eyes ever. Let’s be honest, puppy eyes and Deku are basically the same thing anyway so he doesn’t need to try too hard for your heart to melt completely from the beauty of it.

“I kinda want to keep you for myself.” His fingers travel up your arms, leaving goosebumps all over your skin in their trail. “I know, I’m selfish, but it’s your fault for telling me to put myself first. Take responsibility.” Izuku giggles, then gets all emotional in a matter of seconds. “Y/N, I’m so happy you’re here I could cry.” Izuku’s eyes are full of unshed tears, but they also shine with happiness; it’s such an Izuku thing, crying over the silliest things, like being too happy, being too content or seeing a puppy on the street; he might be big and bulky now but when he’s happy he’s still that lanky nerd from middle school. He might be able to crush a person’s skull with a snap of his fingers, but deep inside he’s just a soft, dreamy guy begging for a motherly hug. Izuku is precious, so fucking precious it actually hurts your soul. “Going home always felt like a dream, but every time I left my the house it felt like it was just that… a beautiful dream I woke up from, a vision I created to soothe my lonely soul. But seeing you here, in my second home… it all comes together now, Sweet Pea.” Deku smiles, tears trailing down his face. “You are real. You are not just my imagination. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize that. I’m so happy right now.” Deku giggles but he chokes on his tears; his head hides in the crook of your neck and here he is, little nerdy Izuku crying into your neck, where he feels safe and content; that spot is his happy place, his saving grace after a long, dangerous day.

“Izu-Izu….” You mutter, your voice almost silent. “How did I deserve you? I’ll never understand.”

“I’ll make you understand then.” Izuku looks deep into your eyes. The butterflies in your belly don’t feel like butterflies anymore, but more like flesh-eating piranhas. That’s probably the least romantic comparison in the whole world but it’s the truth. “And if it doesn’t work I’ll kiss you until you forget about your silly insecurities. I’ll kiss them all away.” Izuku leaves tiny kisses all over your neck and collarbone; wherever he sees skin he kisses the area, lips moving slowly as though he’s trying to remember every single bump and crevice.

“Sounds good to me.” You cup his face with your right hand, pulling him up to you, slowly leaning closer to the man’s shiny lips. Izuku looks down, wanting and hungry; he wavers for a moment, probably calculating the chances of being interrupted, but it doesn’t take him long to find his way to you. The kiss is slow and languid, his mouth careful and attentive; it’s not what you expected after the all the tension brewing between you two but you can’t really complain; then black whip shoots out of Izuku’s right hand, right towards the office door, and the lock clicks.

Izuku looks at you like he’s waiting for an answer; to what, you have no idea but apparently your passionate gaze was enough of an answer on it’s own; Izuku rushes back to your lips, the kiss wet and heavy now. A tiny yelp leaves your mouth as your back collides with the sofa; Izuku is right on top, body flush against yours but still careful to not put too much weight on you. Your hands find their way into Izuku’s untamable curls, nails scratching his scalp as Izuku’s tongue licks into your mouth; you can’t help but whimper when Izuku starts to move his tongue, slow but passionate, the motion full of restraint.

“How do you even make these noises.” Izuku’s voice is octave higher than usual, clearly struggling to hold himself back. “Please, tell me to stop. End my suffering.” He says between kisses, his body getting heavier and heavier on top of you; you can feel every single one of his muscles and some other things as well; the thought of Izuku wanting you so much makes you whimper again, pulling the greenette even closer until your mouths clash again, the action hot and heavy. “I want to drink your voice, Sweet Pea.”

For some reason that sentence went straight down to your… well… you know where.

“Izu.” You sigh, two seconds away from combusting.

You are in Izuku’s office, goddamit, what the heck are you two doing?!

“I love you.” Izuku says while his hand finds its way under your shirt. You can’t help but whimper again, your body pushing up into his hand for more. Izuku looks five seconds from losing his mind. “Okay, let’s calm down.” Izuku takes a deep breath, his hand clasping your side to ground himself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to attack you like this.” Izuku is completely out of breath, lips red and slick from all the kissing. Jesus, he looks absolutely stunning. “I don’t want to rush this. I’m so…”

“Say sorry again and I swear to god I’ll do something really stupid, Izu.” You pant into his neck; his smell is so intoxicating in your current state you can barely hold yourself back from biting into the skin to taste it.

“Roger that.” Izuku’s forehead connects with yours, his breath fanning your face. Needless to say that also doesn’t help your current situation at all. He stays in this position for at least a minute, taking deep breaths and letting them out, slowly moving his arms behind your back to pull you close. He goes back to his favorite place, leaving tiny kisses in the crook of your neck, finally calming down. “We should do this more often.”

You can’t help but laugh at that.

“Wow, so smooth, Izuku.”

“Shut up!” He whines, face pink from embarrassment.

“I love you too, by the way.” You sigh, hugging the hero back. He’s a little bit heavy, but you have no heart to tell him he’s crushing you right now; the feeling is weirdly pleasant.

Izuku only murmurs, clearly content to stay in this position and enjoy the solitude for a bit; several minutes pass in peaceful silence before someone bangs on the wall, the sound coming from the other side. Both of you jump up from the sudden noise, still half asleep in each other’s arms.

“Oi, nerd! You there?” Katsuki’s voice fills the office, but Katsuki is nowhere to be seen.

“Yeah, we were about to come over!” Deku yells back with a blushed face. He stands up and gives you a hand, pulling you towards one of the bookshelves in his office; you moan about not being able to look around but Izuku is on a mission; he moves some of the books on his shelf, ruining the order completely then turns his Bakugou figurine around which stands next to a Deku one to face the other way. Something clicks and the shelf opens to another room; Katsuki sits at a massive black desk, sorting out paperwork, his glasses hanging low on his nose. You don’t really have the time or mental energy to actually understand what the fuck just happened, because Katsuki looks up, then gawks at the two of you, his glasses falling off his nose and landing on his desk with a loud thump.

“Have you even looked in a fucking mirror before barging in here, you two idiots?” Katsuki yells, his face red as a tomato. “The fuck were you doing in your office, huh?!” Katsuki retorts angrily. “This is a workplace, Goddammit!”

Kirishima appears at the sound of Katsuki’s yelling and freezes as the door; he looks at you two with an amused gaze then starts laughing like a maniac.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe Zuku was the first one to have a heated make out session in this building! You dawg, good for you, man!” He giggles as he makes his way towards Katsuki to put his hand on his shoulders in an attempt to soothe the angry blonde. “Don’t worry, Tsuki, you can still be the first one to have sex in the office. It’s an easy fix, I’m just saying.” Kirishima winks and Bakugou finally reaches his limit, hands sparking from the anger or the embarrassment, you are not really sure.

“I fucking hate all of you.” Katsuki’s head drops on the desk with a loud, painful bang. You swear there is steam coming out of his red ears.

Well, you guess you don’t need to tell these two the good news, then.

… Next Chapter!

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Potato ramble:

- I know, I has been another 9000 years but I’m glad I didn’t rush this because this is my new fav chapter; I mean, the gag? The feels? That Toshi guy?

- I hope you enjoyed the sofa part! I think I don’t need to tell you how hard it was for Deku to stop there. Fun fact; that part wasn’t planned at all, it was all Izuku’s doing. This chapter was supposed be about the CCTV room and reader looking around Izuku’s office, but I guess she’ll have to come back to take a proper look, oh well.

- There will be more details about the secret entrance in the next chapter, so if you have questions, you can ask but it might get answered in the next one. (But I’m still more than happy to answer them now!)

- I hope you guys are having a great day! There is a massive storm coming towards my city and I live next to the sea so let’s all pray I’m not gonna get blown away with my 45 kilos like the last time. If you think that shit only happens in the movies, that’s false. I will never forget how I ended up clutching a random ass pole at 7AM for 10 minutes because my stupid ass didn’t know you can’t walk on the seaside during a wind storm. It’s delightful to be a foreigner sometimes.

TL:

@yao-ai @porusuniverse @stickygumchewer @sixxze @mily-moo @aei-sedai-moiraine @aymasakusa @kastuari @kenzie-deadly @shiviwrites07 @lukerycyja-reblogs @cloroxisadelectabletreat @coffeent @kisskissshutmydoor @bobcar1 @yazminetrahan @cringefan @ronimacaroni77 @thekookiecorner @dangerousluv1 @emperatris-rinaka @shotos-angelic-whore @angelsdemonsmonsters @norvacaine @rei165 @unofficialmuilover

#bnha x reader #mha x reader #Deku x reader #pro hero Deku x reader #izuku x reader #midoriya x y/n #midoriya x you #midoriya x reader #midoriya izuku x reader #midoriya izuku x you #fluff

[sciatu]

DOLCI VARI E PIGNOLATA MESSINESE

Non è l’ eccesso d’amore che porta Romeo a uccidersi sul corpo della dormiente Giulietta ? Non è l’eccesso d’amore che spinge il Moro di Venezia a uccidere Desdemona rea di aver tradito il suo stesso amore. Gli eccessi non sono mai visti  come situazioni o eventi positivi. Essere golosi è un male perché l’eccesso di cibo o  dolci porta a disfunzioni nel nostro organismo. Lo stesso  vale anche per il sesso perchè l’eccesso di sesso può porta a decadimento fisico o morale esponendoci ai rischi di malattie innominabili . Non a caso, l’eccesso è visto come il sintomo evidente di un malessere interno, che non si riesce a comunicare e che per questo ci fa scivolare nella solitudine. L’eccesso quindi è sempre riprovevole anche se, a ben notare, la golosità o il sesso, o l’amore danno piaceri equivalenti in quanto portano tutti e tre al piacere fisico, prima ancora che emotivo o esistenziale. Pensavo questo quando mia moglie si è mangiata tutto il vassoio di Pignolata Messinese appena comprata perché, come dicevo, la golosità è un eccesso molto simile al sesso e se ci si butta su uno dei due eccessi, è perché forse manca l’altro o non è abbastanza soddisfacente. Che mia moglie volesse dirmi qualcosa? Non lo so. Nel dubbio ho comprato un altro chilo di pignolata e l’ho messa sul mio comodino del letto, se la vorrà dovrà passare sul mio corpo e allora vedremo se vorrà soddisfare l’eccesso carnale lasciando la pignolata al suo posto o viceversa. Non si sa mai di quale eccesso siamo spinti a saziare, ma l’importante è essere pronti a soddisfarlo perché senza quell’eccesso d’amore che Romeo e Giulietta hanno mortalmente soddisfatto, sarebbero solo una delle solite coppiette di illusi e banali adolescenti.

Isn't it the excess of love that leads Romeo to kill himself on the body of the sleeping Juliet? It is not the excess of love that pushes the Moor of Venice to kill Desdemona, guilty of having betrayed his own love for her. Excesses are never seen as positive situations or events. Being greedy is bad because excess food or sweets leads to dysfunctions in our body. The same also applies to sex because excess sex can lead to physical or moral decay, exposing us to the risks of unmentionable diseases. It is no coincidence that excess is seen as the obvious symptom of an internal malaise, which cannot be communicated and which therefore makes us slip into loneliness. Excess is therefore always reprehensible even if, if you carefully note, gluttony or sex or love give equivalent pleasures as all three lead to physical pleasure, even before emotional or existential pleasure. I was thinking this when my wife ate the entire tray of Pignolata Messinese she had just bought because, as I was saying, gluttony is an excess very similar to sex and if you indulge in one of the two excesses, it is because perhaps the other is missing or not It's quite satisfying. Did my wife want to tell me something? I do not know. When in doubt, I bought another kilo of pignolata and put it on my bedside table. If she wants it, she will have to pass it over my body and then we'll see if she wants to satisfy her carnal excess by leaving the pignolata in her place or vice versa. We never know what excess we are driven to satiate, but the important thing is to be ready to satisfy it because without that excess of love that Romeo and Juliet mortally satisfied, they would be just one of the usual couples of deluded and banal teenagers

#Sciatu #Dolci #Sweets #Sicilian Sweets #food

[markrosewater]

Artifact Creature vs. Construct Redux

The comments in my previous ask about the relevance of "Construct" tell me I could have been more clear. Cards on the table, obvious as they are, I believe the creature type was a mistake. I'm well aware that I'm in the minority, and that even if it were possible to reverse course my opinion wouldn't hold any weight.

"Beast" is often mentioned as a 'catchall' type similar to Construct. However it isn't just a catchall -- it adds its own flavor. When I say it refers to a subset of "wild animal" that isn't a negative -- that tells the player something.

Now, what does "Construct" tell us? It would tell us that the creature was artificial -- except we already know that due to the Artifact type. This makes "Construct" redundant unless it servers another purpose. To paraphrase a favorite saying of yours, anything not serving the set should be cut.

The heavy overlap between Artifact Creature and Construct results in a not-quite-parasitic environment where caring about Constructs means you inherently want to care about Artifacts; and caring about Artifact Creatures is going to push you into trying to make Construct work. This limits players' creative agency.

So does it serve the set? The other explanation I see given is that it serves as a catchall because every creature needs a creature type. The implication being that there's no possible way Design could create the same number of Artifact Creatures without having that stopgap... I call bull; even if the bar wasn't as low as Akroan Horse being a Horse, I have more faith in Magic Design than that. More Artifact Creatures that are Soldiers, Fish, or any other type wouldn't hurt their presentation as Artifacts -- but it would allow them to see play in non-Construct focused decks. And if it does provide a relevant Design challenge? Well, to quote a designer a greatly respect:

Restrictions breed creativity.

Let me explain the creation of the Construct creature type. When Magic first came out, artifact creatures didn’t have creature types. I felt that was wrong, so I campaigned to get them added. I was successful and we added the “every creature needs to have at least one creature type” rule to artifact creatures.

Some artifact creatures had simple solutions. They could have clear artifact unique creature types. Golems could be Golems and Gnomes could be Gnomes. Other creatures felt close enough to existing creature types that we could use those. Yotian Soldier could be a Soldier and Clockwork Avian could be a Bird.

There was a group of artifact creatures that didn’t have a clear creature type. For example, what exactly is a Su-Chi? We chose to pick a general creature type as a catch-all. It had to be pretty vague though because it has to work for any artifact creature that we couldn’t otherwise identify.

What you see as a bug is actually a feature of Construct. It needs to be vague, so that it can be flexible. If an artifact creature can have a better option, it won’t be a Construct.

[sorryimananti-romantic]

Horizon (Chapter 3)

series masterlist

faerieprince!san x oc

royal/fantasy au, soulmate au

chapter wc: ~22k

chapter warnings: fluff, angst, tragedy, violence warnings, mention of death/su!cide, past traumas, atz interactions, suggestive

chapter synopsis: gaeul goes to her hometown ascella with the 8 princes and yena. san and gaeul reveal their feelings to each other amidst the confusion of their connection. when gaeul visits her uncle to get answers and learns the nature of her bond with san, she mourns what could have been a normal life with san and her cold fire element becomes dominant. As they all try to make sense of the events that led to gaeul's present, they come up with a plan to make things right- which would involve san and gaeul being dimensions apart.

manager-nim: @eightmakesonebraincell (roasts the f outta me but also makes sure i am doing a good job <3)

“I can’t believe we decided to bring them all,” Hongjoong muttered, drawing his dark cloak further down his forehead and Gaeul, who was walking beside him, snickered. “So much for staying anonymous.”

“It was your idea,” Gaeul pointed out, making Hongjoong scowl further. “Besides… the group of you really don’t look like a normal group, I’m sorry.”

Hongjoong paused with Gaeul, turning around to look at the rest of them who were… well, anything but normal. Each one was dressed differently for starters and it didn’t look like they were travelling together or even to one place. Mingi looked like he had gotten out of bed, Seonghwa looked like he was going to a party, Yena and Yeosang stood out too much as they walked together- it would be obvious they were twins and twins among the fae were a rarity in the first place. Wooyoung and Jongho looked like they were trying to hide from the public, making it painfully obvious, and San and Yunho were dressed casually enough to pass as normal people. Hongjoong sighed and Gaeul raised a brow.

“I mean… you also look like you’re trying too hard. Don’t you guys travel in public?”

“I think it’s the first time after Yena’s marriage we’re all travelling publicly like this,” Hongjoong resumed walking. “We won’t be able to travel undetected, and we can’t portal because we don’t know how portalling would react with your magic. I just wish we could leave some of them home-”

“You should have stayed home!” Wooyoung, who had somehow made it to the front from the very back, said. “You attract the most attention.”

“Says the loudest one,” Hongjoong muttered. “Let’s just try to stay quiet until we reach the damned river.”

Gaeul and Wooyoung snickered at that- it was Wooyoung’s very own idea to walk to the river since it was near and they would have to ditch their rides anyway. It was barely forty minutes of walking through the town but already quite a few people had recognised the royals, and Gaeul had a feeling that even though they were masking their magic, they just had a certain aura to them that caught people’s eyes. It made her feel out of place.

Gaeul decided to make small talk with Hongjoong in an attempt to wipe the frown off his face since Wooyoung somehow kept finding ways to annoy him, to everyone’s amusement. Gaeul sent a glare in Wooyoung’s direction before matching Hongjoong’s pace and asking, “I’ve always wondered how light magic is different from the other elements, because we haven’t really heard of instances where a person with nature magic could control light- or dark, for that matter. What makes it unique?”

A ghost of a smile crept up Hongjoong’s face as he thought. “Light magic might possibly be more diverse than nature magic. Nature magic is unique because every ‘natural’ element can be controlled by nature users to some extent. Light magic… it’s ambiguous. Like nature users can feel if something is wrong with nature itself, I can feel it too- as long as light in one form or another touches it.”

“So you could feel my magic because of that?” Gaeul asked and Hongjoong nodded. “But how does light magic come in handy in battle?”

“Well, apart from the obvious which is blinding everyone, and I mean literally,” Hongjoong smirked and Gaeul ooh-ed at that. “Light magic is the most dangerous because it can… heal.”

“What?” Gaeul frowned. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Imagine eating more medicine than prescribed,” Hongjoong said, “Everything in excess is a poison. Light magic- mine, specifically, can enter anyone’s mind even without direct contact and heal- or ‘un-heal’, as I call it.”

“Basically he can just drive anyone mad with a little bit of his magic,” Yeosang commented. “Hongjoong is the last person you want in front of you in a fight.”

“It’s also why your magic resisted so much,” Hongjoong explained. “My magic could heal whatever’s wrong if your magic would simply let me- if there is a possibility in the first place. Your magic didn’t even let me try.”

“Which makes me want to applaud your new magic,” Yeosang was grinning. “It’s quite something, if I have to say.”

Gaeul made a face. “I just can’t get used to it. I feel sick.”

“You’ll get better with time,” Hongjoong assured. “You used to be skin and bones, no? Look at you now. You’re as normal as us.”

“Again,” Gaeul laughed. “You’re anything but normal.”

“What is normal?” Hongjoong raised a brow. “There’s no definition of normal in this world, Gaeul. As long as you believe that, you’ll never feel out of place.”

Gaeul made an impressed face, meeting eyes with Yeosang who was mirroring her expressions. “Wow. I should write this down. Hongjoong rarely says something so wise-”

“Hey!” Hongjoong yelled and the two burst out laughing. Wooyoung told them to shut up if they didn’t want to attract more attention than they already were, also pointing out how they could see the river now. Gaeul sighed when she spotted it- the last time she had been near the river, she wanted to die.

Somehow… this time, she wanted to live. Simply live. The empty pit in her heart told her it might not be possible, but the company she had for weeks now… it was the most heartwarming. Even though they could end her in a heartbeat, they were also the ones urging her to live and not give up. Gaeul’s heart warmed- she couldn’t be so pessimistic when she had all of them around.

As they neared the river, they could spot the yacht prepared for their three day (barely two if Yunho would help) journey following the river to reach the outskirts of Gaeul’s hometown. Yunho thanked Wooyoung for arranging a transport that could speedily take them along the river without him having to expend most of his magic. Hongjoong took the lead as they settled in the yacht, arranging their bags inside, Mingi immediately taking out his sleeping bag because apparently he hadn’t been able to get proper sleep since he arrived here. Yeosang and Hongjoong followed Mingi’s lead, the rest laughing and calling them old but everyone knew they were just tired from travelling the most.

“I feel sorry for Yunho,” Hongjoong said as the guards took leave, Yunho operating the yacht from the bow alone. “He’s probably as sleepy as us but he’ll never leave guard if we’re all in his territory.”

“Territory?” Gaeul asked.

“As long as there’s even a tub of water,” Jongho laughed, “It’s Yunho’s ‘territory’. Don’t even try arguing with him unless you want to be drenched.”

“Wake me up when we reach,” Yeosang muttered, shutting the sleeping bag and earning a kick from Mingi. 

Gaeul watched the rest- San was pouring some drinks, meeting eyes with Gaeul and offering her one. Wooyoung was handing out the glasses to everyone who was awake, taking what looked like a huge glass of coffee to Yunho who was already yawning. Jongho looked like he was deep in his thoughts as he stared at the land they left behind. 

San handed Gaeul her drink. “How are you feeling?”

“Better than ever,” Gaeul smiled and San nodded, looking like he was about to say something but then Seonghwa called and he left with a nod. Gaeul stood awkwardly at first, wondering if she should just sleep as well but then decided to give Yunho some company since he was alone and sleepy.

“Can I…?” Gaeul stood near him and he smiled warmly, patting the space next to him and Gaeul carefully sat, letting her legs dangle, grinning when she felt water droplets splash her bare legs. She stared at the endless river for a few moments, wondering what kind of a person Yunho was- she really hadn’t interacted much with him so far.

“I hope you’re not seasick,” Yunho asked cautiously.

“Oh, not at all,” Gaeul assured. “For some reason, I feel more relaxed.”

Yunho raised a brow at that. “That’s something I haven’t heard in a while.”

“Really?” Gaeul smiled. “Don’t people feel relaxed when they’re travelling in the sea?”

“The endless water terrifies most,” Yunho chuckled. “But… perhaps because you’ve lived next to the sea all your life. Even your anti-magic can’t deny that.”

“True,” Gaeul grinned. “Actually, I always wished I had some affinity for water magic- the beach was a chaotic place to live in. Sometimes I wished I could make the waves softer. Sometimes I wished the opposite.”

“That’s understandable,” Yunho nodded. “Didn’t you say the ying-yang bloodline possessed at least two affinities for other elements?”

“One other apart from their nature magic,” Gaeul corrected. “Usually two, Rarely three.”

“And you only had an affinity for earth magic?” Yunho asked.

“At least that’s what I’ve been told,” Gaeul said and Yunho frowned in confusion. “For some reason, my mother never let me test more elements, saying I was too young. People usually only focus on mastering one element and earth is the safest for us to practise in public without revealing that we’re from the yin-yang bloodline.”

“Interesting,” Yunho scoffed. “I can’t believe I- that we didn’t know about the yin-yang bloodline. I really thought I knew everything about this world until I met you.”

“Oops,” Gaeul grinned guiltily. “Must be a shocker.”

Yunho laughed. “Do you think you have- or had another affinity? It might not be too late to know.”

“Well, it might sound weird because I think I’m just obsessed with water bodies in general,” Gaeul dangled her legs nervously. “But sometimes I did feel like I might have a teeny tiny affinity for water. I always felt a deep connection with water- and sometimes, if I tried hard enough… I could make water droplets rise in the air.”

“That’s… definitely a water affinity, Gaeul,” Yunho shook his head as he laughed. “Did you think you were crazy and were only imagining it?”

“Well,” Gaeul pouted. “I thought it could be air too. Can’t Wooyoung make water rise in the air?”

“Plausible,” Yunho nodded. “You need to master it to use that part of your magic, right?”

“Yep,” Gaeul sighed. “With earth magic… it’s the easiest for us. People who had air or water affinities had to struggle a lot to actually be able to use it, unless they’re under distress-”

Gaeul’s mind went down memory lane- the day she had tried drowning herself… had her magic simply resisted her death or was it her water affinity that saved her?

“What are you thinking?”

“The day I tried to… drown myself,” Gaeul looked at Yunho. “I… I think it might have been the water affinity in me that tried to keep me alive too.”

“That’s a theory that I really don’t want to test again,” Yunho grimaced. “If you did possess water magic before everything happened, shouldn’t it have turned into something opposite now? Like with your nature and earth magic?”

“What’s the opposite of water?” Gaeul asked and Yunho almost passed out from confusion, turning around and spotting Jongho nearby.

“Hey Jongho! What’s the opposite of water?” 

Jongho looked at the two as if they were crazy but the way they looked so eager for an answer, he sighed. "I don't know. Land?"

The two turned to look at each other. "Land means… earth. And your earth magic already changed. So where did the water go?"

Gaeul almost cried. "I'm learning about my possible water affinity after I died and came back to life. Great."

Yunho laughed, patting her once. "That's okay. Once we figure out how to deal with your dominant magic, who knows? Maybe you'll have a different kind of water magic than anyone else."

"I can't imagine…" Gaeul muttered. "But tell me… does possessing water magic make you feel safe in the sea too?"

"The sea, it feels like home to me," Yunho smiled. "Whenever I use my magic near a water body, it both tires me and gives me strength."

Gaeul nodded, asking about what else he could do with his magic and while the two talked, Wooyoung caught San stealing glances at Gaeul. Wooyoung sighed, kicking his elbow lightly to grab his attention. “Are we gonna talk about how you keep staring at Gaeul?”

“I don’t keep staring at Gaeul-”

“Bullshit,” Wooyoung muttered. “What are you not telling me, San?”

San looked at Wooyoung, biting the inside of his cheeks as he thought about it. “I don’t want to say it out loud. Don’t make me talk about it, Wooyoung.”

“I do have a hunch,” Wooyoung began. “I just don’t see how it’s… possible.”

“Exactly,” San sighed. “It can’t be possible, right? It’s just a big old coincidence, right? Because if Kieran killed my- If she’s going through all this because of me-”

Wooyoung watched San’s voice almost crack and he turned around, staring off into the distance, trying to control his breathing. Wooyoung looked at Gaeul- she looked so innocent. She had no idea about how twisted everything was if their theory was true. Wooyoung let San have a moment before he patted his back.

“You know we’re here for you.”

“I know,” San nodded, his eyes glazed as he looked at Wooyoung. “And I’m… scared. If she can’t control her magic, what are we going to do, Wooyoung? What am I going to do?”

—-----------------

“And… it’s another win!” Yunho high-fived Jongho and Gaeul while the rest of the yacht burst into groans and protests.

“Who paired Yunho with them!” Wooyoung was the first to speak out, his scars from the previous time Gaeul and Jongho had been on a winning streak against him still fresh. “Who let Yunho play!”

Mingi put a hand over Wooyoung’s mouth and the three laughed as they watched. Seonghwa only slapped the two on their heads as a punishment for losing again. “I should have paired up with Hongjoong.”

“That’s what you get for betraying me!” Hongjoong stuck out his tongue at Seonghwa. “At least we came second.”

“That’s what you get for betraying your wife too,” Yena was clearly enjoying the chaos. “We could have kicked Hongjoong out of this team for you.”

“Hey!” Hongjoong threw a card at Yena which she sent through a portal to hit Hongjoong square in the face, making everyone holler and Gaeul gaped at that- she hadn’t seen this sort of magic in her whole life. Yena noticed that, smiling. “Portal magic comes in handy during such gatherings.”

“I bet it does,” Gaeul laughed, glancing behind Yena at San who was sitting at the edge, unfazed by the noise. 

If Gaeul was honest with herself, she was avoiding San a little. It wasn’t anything he had done- it was just her own guilt eating her up because after everything San had done for her… she had almost killed him. But to her surprise, the more she avoided him, the more restless she became. 

If she was completely honest with herself, she was sure she needed San to send her magic through her. Something about his magic, his touch alone without the magic was simply healing. And perhaps… she was addicted. After all, she hadn’t been sick ever since he arrived. But it hurt him, and she couldn’t have that.

Whatever their connection was, she needed to find a way to break it to keep him safe. She didn’t want him to hurt when she did. She wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. And San had been so awfully kind that it caused her heart to ache at the thought of putting him in danger again.

But she also needed him, she knew that deep down, for as long as she was trying to figure out whatever was wrong with her magic. She felt it was horribly selfish of her to cling to San- or perhaps, she was clinging to life itself.

That empty pit in her heart reminded her time and time again that she shouldn’t hope for something so foolish, threatening to swallow her whole if she so much as dared hope for more. But…

As if he had felt it, San turned around and met Gaeul’s eyes and she immediately whipped her neck away but it was too late. When she looked back, San looked mildly amused. Gaeul raised her brow but San turned back to staring at the sky.

Was this an invitation to join him or was it an indication that she should leave him alone? Perhaps he hated her. Perhaps he wished she’d left him alone too-

San turned around again, this time his brows furrowed in worry. Gaeul’s heart sank- had he somehow felt the deep regret and guilt threatening to swallow her? San nudged his neck and Gaeul made her way up- he sure had chosen a nice spot. Gaeul stood awkwardly but San patted the space next to him.

For about half an hour, none of them said a word, just sat in a silence that was awkward at first but then turned comfortable as each of them tried to figure out what to reveal and what to hide. When the rest had dispersed and mostly disappeared, San looked at Gaeul. “What’s eating you up alive?”

Gaeul turned and halted, realising how close they were. Cautiously and smoothly she slid away so she could meet eyes with him without feeling like she’d turn into a puddle by his gaze alone. “You know what it is, don’t you?”

San raised his left hand, a half smile on his face as he showed her it was just fine. Gaeul shook her head. “You hate me, don’t you? Just admit that you do.”

“And why would I have a reason to hate you?”

Gaeul looked away, biting her lips as she tried to stop herself from just bursting out and telling him that it had only been two days but she missed him, she missed him so very much, him with his smiles and warm eyes and constant touches-

“I hurt you- not just that day. I hurt you everyday.”

“Gaeul-”

“No, let me speak,” Gaeul raised a hand, locking eyes with him. “I’ve been hurting you before I knew who you were. And I’ve been using you just because you calm me down. Because of you… I’m hoping to live again when I get a reminder everyday about how I’m not supposed to be even breathing in the first place.”

“Didn’t I warn you not to say stuff like this?” San sighed, drawing his hand up to her hair as if to tuck it behind but then hesitating, searching her eyes instead. “If I tell you that it doesn’t bother me, this pain? That feeling whatever you are feeling doesn’t bother me?”

“Then you’re either lying or you are strong enough to dismiss it as nothing.”

“But I’m not strong enough to dismiss it as nothing, no one is,” San let his hands trail like a whisper along her hair before sighing and dropping it. “And I’m not lying. Whatever’s happening is not your fault in any way, Gaeul. I know you can’t help but feel that way, but you are the victim here. I feel like it’s my fault- that it’s our fault that you’re going through this. I- we should be the ones apologising to you.”

Gaeul passed a sad smile, “You’re all helping me. That’s more than enough.”

“Then there’s nothing to be worried about, eh?” San smiled, about to get up when Gaeul grabbed his sleeve, surprising him.

“Why do I feel like you’re avoiding me then?”

There it was- the deep sigh he let out that sent a shiver down Gaeul’s spine, the furrowing of his brows and clenching of his jaw as if he was trying to stop himself from saying something that he shouldn’t. San sat back down, facing her now.

“Because I needed to clear my head.”

“Why do you need to clear your head?” Gaeul tilted her head as she asked. 

“You confuse me, Gaeul.” San’s lips curved into a smile and Gaeul felt as if she could finally breathe because she missed this. “This… bond that we have, it confuses me so much. I needed to think.”

“And… did this ‘thinking’ enlighten you?” 

“It may have,” his deep voice made her raise a brow. “And it has only confused me further.”

“Well, that means you don’t need to avoid me to ‘think’ anymore. You don’t need to get more confused than you already are,” Gaeul laughed and he shook his head in amusement. “And… I-I miss you, San. Please don’t think too much from now on, will you?”

San threw his head back as he laughed deeply and Gaeul was tempted to slap him anywhere at this point. San shook his head again as he looked at her. “You missed me? I’ve been right here-”

“Yet you’ve been so far,” Gaeul pouted and San shut up at that. “You haven’t talked to me in two days. You haven’t… sent your magic through me and it’s rattling me- could I have become addicted to your magic?”

“Gaeul-”

“You haven’t touched me ever since I hurt you, and it’s killing me,” Gaeul admitted in a voice so quiet San was afraid he had imagined it. “I don’t know why. Maybe I’ve become addicted to it. I shouldn’t have, right? I mean, we have to part ways one day or another, I’m asking too much-”

The cautious brushing of San’s fingers against hers sent that familiar comforting jolt through their bodies, more intense than ever and Gaeul relished it- she couldn’t believe it. It was like a drug, this need to touch him and feel this burning sensation course through her body that told her she was more alive than she could ever be in that moment. San must have felt it too because he was biting his lip so hard he was about to draw blood. San moved his hand to hold hers and let that jolt course through them a second time, not realising that they were one in that moment.

Gaeul opened her eyes and let out a breath she didn’t realise she had been holding. San was hesitant but sent his magic through her and she readily accepted- almost embraced it. He wasn’t in danger anymore. It was a relief.

“I’m sorry if I sound too… demanding,” Gaeul’s head was down in embarrassment. “But… if you could feel half of what I feel when your magic meets mine-”

“I feel all of it,” San’s voice was hoarse and Gaeul looked at him. “I feel it in every pore of my body too. And I…” He drew closer, holding her other hand in his as if to prove it that he felt the same. “I think I might be addicted too.” 

Gaeul wondered why it had to be him. It felt so right and so wrong for him to hold her hands in his and brush his fingers again and again to feel alive. It felt so right when he drew even closer and left both her hands, only to tuck her hair behind- he had been itching to do that ever since she came near him- it felt so right when he cupped her face and looked at her as if she could both heal and destroy him beyond repair. There was relief on his face but worry in his eyes.

“Let me show you something.”

San joined his forehead with Gaeul and she shut her eyes, for a moment inside San’s mind and seeing the world through his eyes- brighter, better. Then San touched her hand and made her feel what he felt-

Gaeul never thought the sensation he felt when they touched was this intense- it was different for him. It was so intense for him- Gaeul’s was muted in comparison and it baffled her because even what little she felt compared to him made her feel like she was in the clouds. San felt it so wonderfully- with every vein in his system, a tickling feeling that was so irresistible- it truly was addicting. If San felt this every time he touched her…

Gaeul gasped as she drew back. “I… I had no idea we were feeling it differently.”

“I realised when I first saw your memories,” San admitted. “I think if you were… normal- without this anti-magic and coming-back-to-life thing, you would have felt it like I do too. But your body reacts differently now. Your anti-magic tries to deny it but your body… it can’t. It means… this bond isn’t new.”

Gaeul felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped on her. “What do you mean it’s not new? It existed before I died? What bond could make it through death and try to surface and fight the anti-magic if you’re right?”

San smiled knowingly, his finger trailing down her temple and stopping at her jaw near her chin. “It’s a theory. I’m not sure yet. You don’t need to worry about it- I’m doing enough of that. Just focus on training your magic and getting healthy, okay?”

“But-”

“Promise me,” he cupped her face and Gaeul sighed internally as he met eyes with her. “Promise me you’ll stop worrying so much. That you’ll stop thinking you don’t deserve to live. Promise me that you’ll try your absolute best and not give up.”

Gaeul didn’t answer at first, lost in his deep brown eyes. “You’re asking too much of me.”

“I’m doing all the worrying for you, Gaeul. I’ll find the answers. I’ll protect myself. Don’t worry about hurting me or protecting me. Promise me.”

Those two words reverberated in her entire body, making her wonder if he entered inside her head to say it, to scream it at her. She felt compelled to nod, and she did, which was when San drew closer, hesitantly, his eyes fluttering before he tilted his head and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Gaeul had forgotten to breathe.

“I’m just… sorry,” San kissed her again, this time so near her lips Gaeul almost groaned. She resisted the urge to grab his collar right where she could see his throat bob and- “I’ll be the one protecting you. So you don’t need to worry about anything. Everyone’s here for you- I’m here for you. If I ever hear you talk about your life like that again-”

San paused and Gaeul scoffed. “Didn’t you say something like this on the mountain too? ‘If you ever say something like that again’ and-”

San grinned devilishly as he leaned forward to whisper in her ear, his lips and breath caressing her, “If you ever say something like that again… I’ll make you forget how to breathe.”

If San had been someone else, it would have definitely sounded like a threat, but his sultry tone and the underlying meaning didn’t make it less of a threat- in fact, it made Gaeul’s body burn. She noticed him smirking and she scoffed in disbelief, pushing him away. “Shut up!”

San watched her flush a million shades of pink before she ran away, leaving him smiling more widely than ever as he watched the river glow a beautiful purple.

—----------------

What sort of bond could survive death?

The question was like a plague in Gaeul’s head, replaying over and over as soon as she was left alone with her thoughts. She tried to shake it off- San had asked her not to worry about it. He had promised to find the answers, so she should let him be. 

But… it was more curiosity than anything else that made her wonder if such bonds did exist in the first place. Perhaps it was something similar to a magical bond- something like the yin-yang magic in her blood, that could still be a part of someone’s existence even in death.

And perhaps… perhaps San was wrong. Maybe this bond did not exist before- she would have known if it did, right? 

Gaeul shook her head, throwing another pebble in the river- the pebbles courtesy of Jongho who had noticed her fidgeting and scratching at her hands and had handed her a bag of pebbles to throw at the river if she got frustrated. 

It was almost evening- they were one day away from their destination. The rest of them spent their time either sleeping or chatting, and Gaeul was mostly giving them space, making up excuses not to intrude- after all, they shared a history together. She had nothing on them. She mostly observed what sort of a relationship they shared and it was all so… natural. They just fit beautifully with each other. It reminded her of her parents- how naturally they interacted. 

What also intrigued her was Princess Yena, whom none of them knew (except for Seonghwa and Hongjoong but in the form of vague childhood memories) until about three years ago. It looked like they had known her forever. She had heard them talk about how their magic was ‘linked’- they could feel each other across lands, across oceans. Perhaps that was why Yena fit in so well and Gaeul could never. Perhaps… the bond Gaeul shared with San was something like that. 

But Gaeul was an ordinary faerie- as ordinary you could be while coming from a powerful magical bloodline- her parents, her uncles, her grandparents that possessed the same magic were also ordinary people. They lived ordinary lives, as far as she knew. What changed with her?

Gaeul tossed another pebble, sighing. Another thing that plagued her was this whole timeline mess that was beyond her- or anyone’s understanding for that matter. How was her death any different from Seonghwa’s? Why did he continue to simply live while she apparently stayed dead but then came back all… broken and dark-

“If you stare at the river any harder, you’ll split it into half.”

Gaeul turned to look at Yena who looked amused and she smiled- Princess Yena was incredibly pretty and… had an ethereal air to her, like Yeosang. Perhaps because of their magic- Princess of Space and Princess of Spirit. They did look otherworldly. 

“I’m just… confused, is all,” Gaeul sighed. “As I’m sure everyone else is too.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Yena huffed, staring at the river like Gaeul. “I was as confused as you once, if not more. I know it’s the most frustrated I’ve ever felt in my life.”

“How did you… deal with everything? I’m sure it took you a long time to find answers.”

“It took me a lot of time to find all the answers I was searching for- and some questions I didn’t even realise existed,” Yena said. “But… thanks to everyone’s help, I was able to get through it. And I think that’s why nobody leaves you alone, Gaeul. We’ve all been here once in our lives.”

Gaeul nodded- she was sure the Princes had problems too-

“Though, I must say, I don’t think anyone’s had it as bad as me,” Yena chuckled. “Ignorance really is bliss.”

“How did you find out you were the Princess?” Gaeul cautiously asked and Yena smiled to let her know it was okay to ask.

“I was just another girl, in Fomalhaut, of all the places,” Yena said and Gaeul raised her brows in surprise. “I think there was a reason why I was in Fomalhaut- the island with no ruler- no Prince. If I had been in one of the continents, they would have found me sooner.

“I was ordinary- portal magic is unique but in Fomalhaut, there are many people with unique magic abilities. I knew a shapeshifter and someone who could twist dreams. Unheard of, right?”

“Shapeshifters are very rare,” Gaeul agreed, “but dream-benders? I’ve never heard of that.”

“I think it’s kept a secret for obvious reasons,” Yena nodded. “Anyways… I was in a similar situation as you. I knew nothing about who I was before the age of 6. The block in my memories made my magic act funny- portal business is dangerous as it is. So I went to San’s kingdom in search of a healer, where I encountered San on the road, out of all the people in the world.”

“That’s… a huge coincidence… isn’t it?” Gaeul asked. 

“I still don’t know,” Yena sighed. “I’d like to think it was. San knew I was different from the moment he saw me, which was why he so readily suggested to help me. So began my journey of countless healing sessions, San challenging my magic and me- but thanks to him, I got most of my memories back and learned how to control my magic better. We went to Jongho’s kingdom, Wooyoung arrived there only to tell me I smell like Yeosang- I think that’s how they realised it might be true.”

“You smell like… Yeosang? That’s a very Wooyoung thing to say,” Gaeul laughed, shaking her head.

“It is,” Yena scoffed. “I didn’t want to accept it at first- I had found out I had been kidnapped when I was 2, and the person who kidnapped me wanted me to learn time travelling for his selfish reasons. He wiped my memory clean and dumped me in Fomalhaut. I was not ready to accept that I was Kang Yena of Space- just like you… are not ready to accept that your magic has become something else entirely.”

Gaeul nodded- Yena was definitely the most relatable person here, she realised. She told her and Yena admitted that she had never related more to someone before Gaeul as well. 

“I’m telling you my story so you can learn from it,” Yena said. “Patience… not impulsivity will bring you to your conclusion, though we might slip one day. I still wonder if my decision was more impulsive when I decided to bring Seonghwa back.”

“How did that work out? I still don’t understand that part- and I think nobody here does,” Gaeul admitted.

“All I understand is that you must have been killed right when the time travelling happened- and Kieran figured it out quick enough,” Yena looked grim. “To understand this… I think I should tell you about how I was destined to time travel in the first place- and for that, Seonghwa was destined to die. When I had no idea what was going to happen and hadn’t even met Seonghwa yet, the future Yena had already travelled back in time- it’s a loop, isn’t it?”

“Ah,” Gaeul finally understood but then frowned. “But… how do you prevent a time travel loop in the first place?”

“For that, you have to be aware of all the timelines. I wasn’t aware- it was only when I travelled back did I realise that everything was supposed to happen in the first place. To understand this… there was the present Yena who travelled with Jongho, San and Wooyoung to Hongjoong’s kingdom. There, she met Seonghwa and Yunho. But Seonghwa and Yunho had already met the future Yena and they had to pretend they didn’t know the present Yena in order to avoid creating a mess.”

Gaeul clapped. “I finally understand… or at least I think I do.”

Yena smiled as she nodded. “So when the present Yena went back in time… she became the future Yena. She miscalculated and dropped herself in the middle of the ocean. Yunho saved her, they went to Seonghwa’s kingdom, and together they went to Hongjoong’s kingdom where she hid from everyone else until it was time to change everything- to merge with the other Yena so that there would only be one version of me, one timeline- where Seonghwa isn’t killed by Kieran and gets to live.”

“I think you should explain this to the others too, because they were very clueless after hearing this from Hongjoong,” Gaeul laughed. “He couldn’t explain very well.”

“Pretty sure he’s still a little confused,” Yena winked. “Actually, time travelling was a secret kept for generations. Only the closest friends of mine know- and you. How you got involved in all this mess… is it safe to say you were destined to? Are we now a part of something big that we don’t know yet?”

“Uh, I hope not?” Gaeul grimaced- she did not want to get into more trouble than she already was.

“It could be something good too, but I have this sinking feeling in my heart, if I have to be honest,” Yena admitted. “Because Kieran planned this, it means the game has been going on since two years ago. What I thought I finished… it’s still not over.”

“Where’s this Kieran guy now?” 

“His home,” Yena sighed. “The planet of darklings- if he’s still alive.”

“So darklings did move from Earth like we did?” Gaeul asked.

“Apparently,” Yena nodded. “I have a darkling… friend. Maybe I should ask him.”

“And how would you do that?” Gaeul frowned. “Don’t tell me you can portal there too-”

“I don’t even want to try that,” Yena put a hand on her heart as if the thought of it scared her more than she would admit. “But… I do have control over dimensions. The other darkling- he has a similar magic as mine. We are able to meet in another dimension, but I really don’t know how to contact him. Oh, and I think we could train you in that dimension too.”

“Is it necessary to train me?” Gaeul pursed her lips.

“Chances are you have to live with this magic for the rest of your life. Every magic is poison if not utilised well, just like yours. So you need to master this… anti-magic. And we need to figure out what to call it because anti-magic is a stupid, stupid name-”

“It makes sense!” Jongho, having just come out from the cabin, overheard. “I named it.”

“Of course you did,” Yena pinched the bridge of her nose. “Hongjoong said there are no records of such magic, right?”

“But nature magic- or at least, I can do something similar- but to a very small extent,” Jongho said. “Watch.”

He plucked a flower out of thin air, making both Gaeul and Yena wow. After showing them the flower, with his other hand he concentrated his magic into his fingertips, making the flower wilt and eventually die. “Not exactly the same, but similar. I un-heal it.”

“I think we should just see what she can do with her magic before we think of a name for it, because if she has to live with this… we better have a good name for it. And a cool name, okay? Not anti-magic or anti-nature.”

Jongho glared at Yena but nodded, sighing. “Let’s hope she gets used to it.”

Gaeul nodded, turning to watch the river flow calmly, Yunho finally catching up on his sleep so he could drive the yacht at full speed tomorrow. 

One day. One day until she would know just what went wrong with her.

Yena patted her back as if she could hear her, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

—---------------

“I think we should have left Gaeul home…” Mingi looped his arm with Hongjoong’s as he grimaced. “I can literally feel her burning from within.”

“I’m thinking we should have too,” Hongjoong almost hugged Mingi back as the two walked away in fear.

“It’s not that bad… is it?” Wooyoung frowned, scratching the back of his neck as he watched Gaeul hurl in the basket again, throwing up but she had already emptied everything. She only choked on her own breath now. “Nevermind. It is.”

As soon as the yacht had entered Ascella, Gaeul had started feeling sick all of a sudden. She had already thrown up thrice and looked and felt horrible. San’s magic couldn’t do much, and it had all of them wondering if it was the black hole being so near that made her sick, and if the distance had made it better for her.

After Gaeul was done, she went to wash her face and rinse her mouth, gulping water down hungrily. She felt parched- and cold. In the peak summer, she was feeling cold for some reason. San and Yena watched her wrap her shawl around herself, almost shivering. 

“Does she have a fever?” Yena asked. “Should I check? I think I can’t feel her magic.”

San nodded- he couldn’t feel her as well- not as strongly as he did before. Yena went ahead and put her hand on Gaeul’s forehead- she was literally cold. Yena bit her lips, looking around and grabbing the first scarf she saw, wrapping it around her neck. Gaeul muttered thanks, looking helplessly at the two. 

“Get Mingi,” Yena ordered and San hurried outside. He almost had to drag Mingi inside but as soon as he saw Gaeul, he exhaled- she looked like death.

“She’s feeling cold,” Yena looked at Mingi. “Can you do something about it?”

“I don’t think I should,” Mingi sighed. “I can feel her magic burning. What if I agitate it?”

“Can you try and see if it works?” Yena asked and Mingi nodded, cautiously walking to Gaeul and touching her forehead, examining what exactly was going on-

Her body felt cold but her magic felt hot. He could make her feel warmer physically but he could do nothing about her magic. Mingi looked at San. “Is your magic not working right now?”

“Not as it should,” San was biting his nails nervously. “What’s wrong? Can you feel it?”

“I can only make her physically warm,” Mingi sent an ember of warmth inside Gaeul, watching her immediately relax as the shivering stopped- but she still looked a footstep away from death. “Her magic is not reacting well to whatever’s… waiting.”

“Well… it’s unavoidable anyway,” Gaeul finally said, clearing her throat. “I feel better now. Thanks, Mingi. I’ll manage, just… be careful. All of you.”

Yena nodded- Gaeul definitely had her wits about her and she was not giving in. This was good. “It’s going to be okay soon. San… keep doing your thing, please. We’ll look for a ride before we call you, so stay inside.”

San nodded and Mingi and Yena left, leaving him with Gaeul. Gaeul smiled weakly at him and he shook his head. “I wish I knew what was wrong so I could do something about it.”

“It’s okay, just… come here,” Gaeul patted the space next to her and San sat down beside her, holding her hand. Gaeul couldn’t say she felt better but it definitely made her feel safe. She put her head on his shoulder, surprising him. He didn’t say anything, just kept caressing her hand for a few minutes until he thought she was asleep, but then she spoke.

“I’m so tired, San. I want this to be over soon.”

San wasn’t sure if he could feel her heart breaking or if it was his own breaking at how little her voice sounded. He sighed deeply, removing his hand from her loose grip and before she could protest, he had his arm around her, caressing her head and his other hand holding hers, bringing her close. Gaeul’s head rested on San’s chest and she could hear his heartbeat-

He was definitely feeling nervous.

“Everything is going to be okay soon,” he wasn’t sure if he was saying it for her or for himself. “You stay strong, okay? We’re with you, all of us.”

Gaeul nodded, cuddling into him. She sure as hell was privileged to be with San right now, she thought. San kept caressing her head and it made her more relaxed than ever. She even felt better now- and she wondered if it was crazy that a little skinship with the Prince of Earth made her feel better. 

She couldn’t cling to him forever- she had to find answers. She had to get her magic under control.

Gaeul was about to draw apart but it was as if San had read her thoughts- he held her tighter. “You’re not going anywhere until I let you. And no- you’re not a burden. Don’t ever think that.”

“How did you know I was thinking that?” Gaeul made the mistake of looking up, finding his face so incredibly close that she could see the shades of brown in his eyes, see the freckles on his neck and his face-

“I know exactly how you think- even when I’m not holding you,” San smirked and Gaeul pursed her lips, admitting guilt. “In fact… I rather like it when I hold you, I’m finding.”

“Now is not the time to flirt, Prince San of Earth-”

“Don’t pull rank on me,” San’s body shook with laughter, making her smile and hide her face as best as she could. “I’m only San when I’m with you.”

“Are you this casual with everyone you meet?” Gaeul dared to ask. “I’ve heard how the Prince of Earth is a casual flirt-”

“I’ve never been this casual with someone, mind you,” San’s voice was low and it made Gaeul’s stomach flutter with butterflies. “I’m experiencing a lot of firsts with you, Gaeul. As dangerous as it is.”

Gaeul’s defence mechanism kicked in- as soon as someone flirts or makes her overwhelmed, she resorts to sarcasm. “Ah. So you are flirting with me. Don’t tell me you like me, Prince San.”

San tugged her hand, making her look up and a shiver ran down her spine as she saw his eyes glaze with- 

“Am I supposed to deny that I find you attractive?”

Longing. That’s what San felt.

“Even when I look like death?” Gaeul challenged. She had made the mistake of glancing at her reflection when she came inside after hurling her guts out thrice, and she looked absolutely horrible. 

“Especially when you look like death,” San teased and Gaeul smacked his chest, making them both laugh. 

“I can never tell when you’re joking and when you’re not. You make me so confused!” Gaeul sighed, breaking apart and resorting to holding hands. She could not go back to cuddling him- she was on fire, and it was not because of her magic burning or Mingi’s magic warming her.

San pulled her hand, making her look at him until he was mere inches away from her face. “I don’t joke about this stuff, Gaeul. I find you very attractive. And I might even like you. I’m still figuring out that part.”

“Well, keep your thoughts to yourself while you figure it out,” Gaeul blushed furiously and a devilish grin creeped onto San’s face.

“Do you find me attractive too?”

Gaeul did. Oh hell, she did. But she would never admit it. As San continued to grin at her and her face continued to grow pink, Gaeul rolled her eyes. “Yes. I do. All of you are damn attractive, you’re not the only one. I think it’s your magic that makes you all look so damn-”

“We’re talking about me right now, Gaeul,” San teased.

“Oh, get over yourself,” Gaeul rolled her eyes again but she couldn’t hide the twitch of her lips. San grinned in satisfaction, not noticing Wooyoung enter, but Gaeul did and she decided to get revenge. “Wooyoung’s more attractive.”

Wooyoung halted, looking from San to Gaeul. He looked back at San. “You heard that? I’m more attractive. Get over yourself, San.”

God bless Wooyoung’s ability to read the situation, Gaeul thought, and Wooyoung threw a wink in her direction, making her laugh in acknowledgement while San sulked. “You’re lying.”

“If you want me to go into the details,” Gaeul turned. “Wooyoung is definitely more charming-”

“Go on,” Wooyoung sat in front of them, face in his hands, smiling widely. “I’m also prettier, right?”

Gaeul grimaced- not because he wasn’t pretty, Wooyoung definitely was. But the puppy eyes he was making right now- “...Right.”

“She hesitated!”

“You hesitated!” Wooyoung looked betrayed but Gaeul laughed, shaking her head. 

“I’m only teasing. I was just telling San how all of you are really attractive- I mean, there is a certain air about all of you. All of you have your own charms. I, personally, am smitten by how ethereal Yena and Yeosang look.”

“Ah, no one can deny that,” Wooyoung nodded furiously. “They look different especially when they’re together, don’t they?”

“Right,” Gaeul nodded. “And Seonghwa! He-”

“Don’t even start,” Wooyoung interrupted. “I hear enough about Seonghwa from my Right Hand- you don’t need to.”

“We were talking about me!” San pouted, folding his arms and kicking Wooyoung’s leg, asking him to get out. 

“What do you want me to say?” Gaeul batted her eyelashes innocently. San shook his head in defeat.

Yena entered, asking them all to come out and grab their bags- the ride had been arranged. Wooyoung took off, and San offered to hold Gaeul’s bag. She let him, tugging at him before he went outside and grabbing his attention.

“I… was drawn to you the moment I saw you- and it was before my magic got drawn to you,” Gaeul admitted in a quiet voice and San almost dropped their bags. “Just so you know.”

“Well,” San licked his lips, wondering how to respond. He looked away- it was his turn to blush. “Good to hear.”

Gaeul smiled, slapping his arm before dragging him out. “You better shut up for the rest of the ride.”

“Oh, now I will,” San nodded and Gaeul realised she had left him speechless- and it made her heart flutter wildly.

—------------------

The two carriages they had arranged led them to one of Wooyoung’s guest houses- his parents used it often whenever they travelled to the sea to get a breather while they were alive. It was also the same house Wooyoung and San had stayed in when they were 10. 

Gaeul didn’t feel any better, but she wasn’t shivering and wasn’t throwing up anymore- she had nothing to throw up anyway- and with San’s constant touch and everyone around her, she was distracted enough to stick her head out of the window and watch what had been her hometown pass by as a blur. The others inside her carriage let her have her moment- they only watched her expressions change from longing to confusion to regret and other emotions- to sum it up… she was nostalgic, and they weren’t sure that it was the good kind of nostalgia.

After all… this was the place where everything began- twice. 

When they reached the house, Gaeul was surprised to find that it was just a normal house, big enough for a few families to stay but nothing unusual- people in Ascella usually had family houses like these, such as the one Gaeul used to live in when her parents were alive. Gaeul told Wooyoung she thought the house would be more grand.

“Well… glad to know it looks casual because we don’t want to attract attention,” Wooyoung smiled in satisfaction.

“But do you think the faeries will be able to feel all of you present here- or me?” Gaeul paled at the thought of the people who once knew her look at her with horror or worse, disgust. “I don’t think I want to attract attention as well…”

“We’re masking our powers, so we’ll pass as normal faeries. We’re also masking your power, you’re welcome,” Wooyoung saluted and laughed when Gaeul visibly relaxed. He hopped out of the carriage first, offering Gaeul his hand which she took to jump down on wobbly legs, holding her shawl tighter as the strong wind- the characteristic of Ascella- blew her hair.

“Home,” Gaeul whispered. “Smells like home.”

“Who, me?” Wooyoung teased and Gaeul rolled her eyes so hard she felt a sudden throb in her head. Wooyoung laughed, telling her he was joking and Gaeul said she was sure he was. 

“Though, technically, if my territory smells like ‘home’,” Wooyoung said as they walked, the rest falling behind, “I must also smell like home-”

“You smell like bad jokes and arrogance,” Gaeul muttered and Wooyoung laughed harder.

“You know what? I like you. You’ll get along with Mingi and Yeosang well- they share just your type of humour. All sarcasm and stabs.”

“Really?” Gaeul was suddenly interested- she hadn’t really interacted with those two much. “Mingi looks like he’s scared of me though.”

“He’s not scared of you, per se,” Wooyoung corrected, shouting a thank you at Jongho who was making the grass and plants come back to life after years of being untended. “Just like San can feel you, he can feel your magic as if it’s an entity.”

“Wow,” Gaeul turned to look at the tall male who looked so carefree in that moment. “Has he always…? Isn’t that hard?”

“He couldn’t always,” Wooyoung sighed. “But anyways, fear not. He can incinerate you in a millisecond anyway, so he’s got nothing to be scared of. You can approach him and talk to him if you want- he’s not the one to make the first move, by the way.”

Gaeul, however, almost fell when she heard that. Millisecond? Gaeul gulped. “Thanks, Wooyoung. I feel so much better now that I know he can end my existence with a mere thought.”

“I can too, just so you know,” he was smirking and Gaeul paled further, smacking him on his arm when he laughed. “I’m not going to- unless… it calls for it, but we’re friends, right?”

“Where’s San again?” Gaeul looked back, leaving Wooyoung howling like a hyena. She spotted San, a good few steps behind them. “San! Wooyoung’s scaring me!”

San saluted as he jogged to them and Wooyoung put an arm around Gaeul’s shoulder, whispering something in her ear that made her stop in her steps. San frowned, smacking Wooyoung’s head. “What bullshit are you feeding her?”

“Nothing,” Wooyoung shrugged, the smirk still plastered on his face. “Just make sure she’s not feeling sick after knowing she only needs to call you if she wants to die the scariest death-”

“Why would you say that!” San yelled, laughing in disbelief and holding Gaeul’s hand to make sure she was okay. “I don’t practise that method, it’s just a theory-”

“That has been proven to be right,” Wooyoung pointed out. “Come on. It’s cool, isn’t it?”

“That he can bury me alive?” Gaeul sighed, squeezing San’s hand. “Very cool.”

“Just so you know, Wooyoung,” San poked his arm, “Gaeul can make you die the most painful death. So think about this little death ranking again and revise your list- it looks like it needs some changes.”

“Oh, I totally forgot,” Gaeul stood straighter. “Maybe I should start practising torturing methods soon-”

“Hey!” Wooyoung yelled. “I was joking, okay! No need to go all anti-magic on me!” 

San and Gaeul laughed as they finally came to the porch after walking the long path from the gate through the garden. Wooyoung took out a key from his pocket after a minute of fumbling nervously, sighing in relief that he hadn’t misplaced it. Unlocking the door, he asked them to pause before he went inside first, cleaning the air and checking for threats in seconds- it truly impressed Gaeul, the power and control all the Princes had. 

“Come in,” He bowed, and everyone entered, Hongjoong scolding Wooyoung to stop being so dramatic. 

“Welcome to the Jung Residence,” Wooyoung led them to the living room while everyone looked around- it was cosy, to put it simply. The earth tones of the interior made everyone feel warm instantly. Mingi patted Gaeul’s shoulder and pointed at the fireplace, lighting up a fire that was warm enough for Gaeul but cool enough for the others present. Gaeul smiled widely, thanking him and Mingi shook it off as nothing.

“Should I get us some food?” Yena asked and the rest paused in confusion. “I might have asked my chefs to prepare some because I knew none of you blockheads would have remembered.”

Everyone clapped both sarcastically and out of pure gratitude at her thoughtfulness, and Yena gave them all a glare, opening a portal to what Gaeul presumed could only be her kitchen, gasping and watching with a wide mouth as Yena stood in the middle of the two rooms, taking food from the staff and passing it to Seonghwa who set it all on the table. Gaeul looked at the rest- they seemed pretty used to it now. 

“How can one person just be standing… in two different places at the same time?” Gaeul asked no one in particular and Yeosang, who was nearby, chuckled. 

“Only Yena, it seems.”

“Do you guys often do this? Does Yena visit like this?”

“Pretty convenient, isn’t it?” Yeosang asked and she nodded. “Still, the little brat doesn’t visit as often as she could.”

“I run two castles, in case you forgot,” Yena shut the portal.

“Technically, you run none of them-”

Yena gasped while the room boomed with laughter. “The audacity!”

“I mean,” Yeosang laughed, “Seonghwa runs his kingdom fine without your help, and your kingdom… Taeyong has been complaining-”

“I’ll see to it that he never opens his mouth again,” Yena smiled sweetly, a fire behind her eyes and Yeosang shook his hands furiously, doubling up with laughter. 

“I’m only joking- don’t give the poor soul more trouble to deal with than he already has-”

“Yeosang, you little-” Yena ran for Yeosang and the two ended up running around the house, Yena making Yeosang trip and Yeosang making Yena bump into things she couldn’t see. Gaeul, thoroughly amused, looked at Seonghwa. He seemed unfazed by all of this. He caught Gaeul looking. 

“Oh, don’t mind the two. The personal attacks and the careless fighting will never end- not even when they’re old and wrinkly.”

“Good to hear,” Gaeul shared a grin. 

“Stop it, you two!” Seonghwa clapped. “Get to the table, right now, or else I’ll make sure you two have a good night’s sleep-”

“Okay, okay!” The two said simultaneously, immediately sobering up and sitting side by side by the table, elbowing each other. Everyone gathered around while Jongho passed bowls of rice. Thus began a dinner of various dishes, as rich in taste as the food Gaeul had so far at Wooyoung’s palace. 

After small talk while they focused on eating, Yunho asked Gaeul if there was anyone in Ascella she would like to meet.

“I’m not so sure anyone would be pleased to see me- especially in my current condition,” Gaeul pursed her lips. “I would like to avoid them altogether, but they’re also the people who can help us know more about my bloodline… if they cooperate.”

“Oh, they will,” Hongjoong was sure and Gaeul had no doubt they would- they couldn’t deny anyone in this room other than her. “Are there other people from the yin-yang bloodline residing in Ascella?”

“Only my family here, there are more in the Kingdom of Cancer and Libra for obvious reasons,” Gaeul looked at San and Jongho. “We didn’t move because we got too attached to the beach.”

“Rightly so,” Wooyoung nodded. “It’s beautiful there.”

“It really is,” Gaeul’s smile was sad.

“Do you miss living there?” Mingi asked.

“It’s the only thing I miss about my life- other than my magic,” Gaeul admitted. “I’ve lived by the sea my entire life, watched it glitter a beautiful green and then mix with the purple glow of the night. It’s… a part of me. And I like the sea anyway, so…” Gaeul looked at Yunho.

“She might have a little affinity for water, by the way,” Yunho commented, “Or at least, had. I don’t know what’s become of it now.”

Hongjoong almost dropped his bowl of ice cream. “What do you mean she had water affinity? Why am I hearing about this now?”

“Uh, it’s only a theory- no way to confirm it now,” Yunho raised his hand in surrender. “Don’t even ask me- I’ve been too out of it ever since we started travelling.”

Hongjoong looked at Gaeul for an explanation. “I might have had. I could raise a few drops of water in the air if I tried hard enough- it could be air magic too, couldn’t it?”

“It could,” Wooyoung nodded. “But… chances are it was water. You don’t look like an air kind of person.”

Gaeul made a face before she returned to Hongjoong. “I never got to discover it, much less master it. It’s gone, right?”

“Let’s see,” Hongjoong placed his bowl on the table, folding his arms as he thought. “Your nature magic turned opposite, as did your earth magic, which are kind of similar so it’s basically one at this point. Now what could become of water if it turned like your magic did?”

“See? I gave up after that,” Yunho laughed helplessly. “What’s the opposite of water?”

“Ice?” Seonghwa suggested. “Though it’s not exactly the opposite if we talk about magic…”

“Land? But then it’s earth and she already had earth magic,” Jongho shrugged.

“Uh…” Wooyoung had paled- it was a first for Gaeul. “Don’t you guys remember seeing snow among the ashes when Gaeul’s magic exploded? San? Jongho?”

The two frowned, looking at each other. “I thought it was… cold ash.”

Yeosang snorted at San who slapped his thigh but Jongho nodded. “I didn’t think it was ice. It didn’t exactly feel like ice.”

“See?” San pointed at Jongho. “You’re dumb, Wooyoung.”

“Wait-” Mingi caught their attention. “Ice and ashes together? In one place? Ashes as in… like the one after something burns, right?”

Everyone shut up after that and Gaeul squirmed as they all stole glances. “Opposite of water… fire, perhaps?”

“Have any of you heard about cold fire?” Mingi asked and Hongjoong looked ready to cry. “I wish I’m wrong about this because cold fire is a magic that exists in theory among fire users- kept from ice users as well, since they like to create mischief anyway. My father was working on that theory before he passed away- he wanted to see if cold fire could really exist.”

“But… we only have a few ashes and snow to support this theory, so let’s not get our panties in a twist, right?” Yena looked at everyone. “No point worrying about something that couldn’t be. Not saying it isn’t plausible, but let’s just focus on what we came here for- we’ll have plenty of time after to worry about snow and ashes later, okay?”

Everyone nodded, though silent as they processed what it could mean. Yeosang, who was sitting beside Gaeul, leaned in a little as he said, “You could be an ice princess. I’ve always wanted to be one.”

“What, a princess?” Gaeul teased and he snorted. “What’s stopping you now?”

“Yena took all the limelight before I could manifest it into existence,” Yeosang pouted.

“You really want to be a princess so bad?” Yena scoffed. “Go ahead. Maybe I should send you to one of the parallel universes where you’re a Princess and I’m… a Prince.”

The rest laughed at that. “Princess Yeosang of Spirit,” Wooyoung clapped. “I like the sound of it.”

“Alright, that’s enough now,” Hongjoong gathered everyone’s attention, smiling at their jokes to Gaeul’s relief- she really did not like a serious Hongjoong. “Let’s go to sleep. We will get up early tomorrow.”

“There are 5 rooms, so I guess we’re pairing up for rooms-” Wooyoung announced and was immediately interrupted by Yunho and Mingi calling dibs on being roommates, followed by Wooyoung himself going for Yeosang who pretended to run away but then gave in. Seonghwa and Yena- no one bothered to separate the couple, but Yena looked at Gaeul- they were the only women in the crowd of men and she wasn’t sure if Gaeul wanted to tag with her. 

Gaeul looked back at Yena, more nervous than ever, but Hongjoong muttered something to San at which he nodded, looking at Gaeul and her stomach swooped dangerously.

“I guess we’re roommates- you’re still sick and I need to make sure you’ll be okay while you sleep,” San said and Gaeul pursed her lips, nodding. “But if you’re not comfortable, we can do something about it-”

“It’s- it’s okay,” Gaeul realised she had interrupted a bit too soon but thankfully, only Wooyoung and San seemed to realise- or if the others did, they weren’t smirking shamelessly like the little brat. “I don’t think I’ll get any sleep anyway.”

Wooyoung put a hand on his mouth and finally earned a hard slap on his head from Yeosang. “Get your head out of the gutter.”

Gaeul couldn’t help it as she giggled, making everyone laugh as well- it looked like everyone had some sort of clue about how San and Gaeul had something different going on. Hongjoong cleared his throat. “Well then. If we’re done fooling around, let’s try to get some rest. This house is magically warded, right? We don’t need to worry about the night watch. Tomorrow is going to be a… busy and difficult day.”

—----------------

“I’ll… sleep on the couch?” 

There it was. Gaeul had said the most cheesy, most overused line ever. At times, she wished she had read less romance books because it was obvious she got some of her cheesiness from there. 

“Gaeul,” San rolled his eyes though his grin got wider. “Let’s not be weird about this. You know I need to hold you to keep you and everyone safe- your magic has been restless ever since we arrived in Ascella.”

Gaeul bit her lips- the two of them had gone to their room at the end of the hallway about half an hour ago and changed into pyjamas- San’s plain black ones and Gaeul’s plain emerald. Gaeul only fidgeted while San washed up, looking around the room which only had necessary furniture,including a queen sized bed along with a few tables and a couch. 

And now that Gaeul was back after washing up, a towel on her head as water slowly dripped, she bit her lips as she stared at the bed as if she could burn it, and then at San who was clearly enjoying this. He chuckled helplessly, getting up. 

“When you’re nervous like this,” he paused in front of her, picking the towel and throwing it on the couch, drying her hair and her wet shirt with a swipe of his hand. “It’s cute.”

“Shut up,” Gaeul scoffed, trying to hide her smile but failing as she pushed him, going to her side of the bed. San drew the curtains, leaving them a fraction apart for the faint light to fill the room. Gaeul could feel him as he made his way onto his side of the bed, drawing the covers over the both of them. 

“Can I ask you one thing?”

Gaeul looked at San- they could see each other in the faint light well. She nodded and San continued. “Would you have been this nervous if it was someone else tonight?”

San didn’t miss how Gaeul smiled at that. “You seemed pretty concerned about what I feel about others and you.”

“I am,” San rested his face on his hand, propping himself up on his elbow as he turned to face her. “I like to know what you think of me.”

“Well, Prince San of Earth,” Gaeul started and San chuckled deeply at how she always mocked him (jokingly, of course) with his title as she mirrored his position. “I think you care too much for me to pass it off as normal. I also think you’re flirting. Sometimes I think you enjoy confusing me, but sometimes…”

“Sometimes?” San wasn’t sure he was breathing anymore.

“Sometimes I think I’m delusional,” Gaeul simply said, turning and facing the wall instead of him- such dangerous lines they were treading on. She wasn’t sure it was right.

“Why would you think that?” San started to play with her, occasionally sending that mini-shock whenever he touched her head- Gaeul was pretty sure he did it more on purpose.

“What am I supposed to think when you do and say stuff like this?” Gaeul almost whispered. She wished she had a power like Yena so she could disappear- or maybe she should just cleave open the earth-

“Easy, easy,” San drew closer, holding her hand and sending his magic- he could feel how nervous she was. He grew worried- perhaps he had been pushing her too much- but when he tugged at her and watched her smiling at him… 

She liked it. And it drove him crazy.

“If you don’t like anything I do, you know you can tell me, right?” San was concerned. “I want you to tell me if I’m being too much-”

“No, no, you’re not,” Gaeul turned to face him now, her heart breaking a little at how worried he looked. “You’re… perfect, San. So perfect that sometimes, it annoys me, if I have to be honest.”

San laughed at that, more in relief. “That’s good to hear.”

“You can… keep doing whatever you think you’re doing,” Gaeul glanced at him. “I’m… okay with it. And don’t worry about it- I’ll let you know if you start to really annoy me.”

The two of them were grinning like kids as San absently caressed her hand. Gaeul was the first to give in, smacking his chest lightly. “Just stop looking at me like that, will you?”

“Does it make you nervous?” San laughed.

“Yes, it does!” Gaeul almost shouted, turning away in frustration. 

“Well, if you want me to do whatever I deem fit,” San said and Gaeul gasped when she felt his arms snake around her waist and pull her to him- her back now connected with his chest. He took that chance to snuggle his nose between her neck and shoulder, his nose and breath trickling her. “I think we should both be comfortable when we sleep.”

Gaeul sighed internally- wasn’t this dangerous for her magic? Why was her magic sleeping now? She shook her head at the thought, too aware of how relaxed, safe and… good she felt in his arms. He was practically hugging her. For a few moments, the two of them were quiet, just relishing how they could feel each other’s frantic heartbeats, how their bodies coursed with the tingling sensation. 

“Thought for a thought?” Gaeul asked.

San shifted a little, spooning her. “You first. No lies- I can smell them on you anyway.”

Who allowed him to say things like that-

“Well,” Gaeul exhaled. “I’m thinking I like whatever we have right now. I’m not sure I’d like to break this bond- whatever it is. I like what it does to me. I like you. But at the same time… I want to break this bond if only for the sake of clarity, because San… you confuse me even without the bond acting up. I want to break it because I don’t wish you to be associated with someone like me. I don’t want to hurt you, and I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m in a dilemma and I don’t know what to do.”

San’s grip around her waist tightening was the only indication that he was still awake. Gaeul caressed his hands, trailing her fingers with little breaks in between, feeling alive in that moment. San finally moved a little. 

“Look at me when I tell you my thoughts.”

Gaeul gulped, shifting in his arms. San made her use his arm as a pillow, his hand caressing her head while his other hand rested on her waist. His gaze could have melted her like wax and Gaeul was glad it was dark. 

“I’m thinking… that I’m falling, bond or no bond. I’m thinking that I’m the burden here. I’m thinking…” his hand trailed up her arm. “I’m thinking that I was destined to meet you because I’m not sure I could feel what I feel with you with anyone else. I’m thinking…” his fingers traced Gaeul’s cheekbones, resting there. “That no matter what happens tomorrow and in the future, I want to stick with you, through thick and thin. And I’m thinking…” San wiped the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. “I’m thinking that you deserve an ordinary life and that I will hold you back from it. That I’m somehow involved in whatever happened with you, and you’re going to hate me when you find out. I don’t want you to run away from me or hate me, Gaeul.”

“I could never hate you,” Gaeul cautiously, hesitantly brought her hand to his face, running her fingers through his soft hair before tracing his cheekbone and then daring to run her thumb over his plump lower lip, earning a sharp intake of breath. “Why do we feel like this? Isn’t… liking each other supposed to be simple? What’s really holding us back?”

“Guilt,” San admitted, relishing the feel of her hand resting on his face, absently caressing his hair. “Regret. Fear.”

Gaeul understood- there was no guarantee what tomorrow held for them. She was a walking time bomb. As much as San wished things were simpler… he feared something irreversible would happen. “Well… after we find answers… will you still be there for me?”

“I will be right there, but I’m not sure you’ll like me very much after you find the answers.”

“You know something, don’t you?” Gaeul asked and San didn’t respond. “You must have a good enough reason that you’re staying quiet about it.”

“I’m not sure, which is why I’m quiet,” San looked like he was in pain. “But… I don’t know, Gaeul. I want it to be true as much as I want it to be false.”

“That makes… no sense,” Gaeul chuckled and San joined, sighing. 

“Let’s not talk anymore tonight,” San caressed her cheeks. “Let’s just… forget who we are. We’re only San and Gaeul tonight.”

“I was only Gaeul anyway, it’s you who has this big scary title with your name-”

“Hey,” San smiled, scanning her face as his gaze changed- Gaeul could practically feel it in the air as he gazed at her. “I’d kiss you right now if you let me.” 

San could feel her magic roil within her as he said that and he chuckled deeply, shaking his head. “I guess you want to kiss me too.”

“Wait till you do and find out you died,” Gaeul hid her face in San’s chest. “Not a good time, San. I don’t want to hurt you accidentally.”

“You won’t hurt me,” San tilted her chin up. “Not now, you won’t. And if you hate me after tomorrow… I want to kiss you once before that happens.”

“I told you, I could never hate you-” Gaeul paused as she realised he wasn’t even hearing her anymore, his gaze fixated on her lips. “San.”

To say that she was on fire was an understatement- this must be the cold fire Mingi was talking about- San’s touch both cooled her and set her ablaze. He drew close, planting a lingering kiss on her forehead, sighing heavily and Gaeul wondered just what he hid from her. Then he was kissing her eyelid and Gaeul practically groaned, fisting his shirt in her hands. 

“Tell me to stop and I will,” San trailed his lips down her face and Gaeul squirmed- she didn’t want him to stop. Never. At least not for the entirety of the night. 

“Tell me to stop,” San whispered again as he kissed her cheek, and Gaeul wasn’t sure he meant it like earlier- he wanted her to tell him to stop. 

“Don’t stop,” Gaeul managed to whisper. San opened his eyes, searching hers for a few moments, making sure she was okay before he leaned in and kissed her where they wanted it the most.

The touch of his lips on hers made them both sigh and it had them going on for more, San’s hand snaking behind her neck and Gaeul bringing him closer and on top of her so they could kiss better, ditching the simple pecks and going for open mouthed kisses because this feeling- this sensation-

They could never get enough of each other, they both realised with dread. But they kept going, San swallowing Gaeul’s moans as he kissed her again and again, never breaking apart, his hands squeezing where they held her at the neck and the waist- it wasn’t enough. He needed to hold her closer, needed to feel her body on his-

Gaeul felt the same- she was sure whatever they felt wasn’t normal and was heightened due to whatever reason she didn’t care for in the moment- she couldn’t hold him close enough. She cupped his face, running a hand through his hair and arching into the kiss when he made it deeper-

“San,” she moaned into the kiss, breaking apart for a moment to catch her breath but it hitched again when he started pecking her cheeks while she caught her breath. She brought him in for another kiss this time, their tongues colliding and exploring each other’s mouth, their hands a frantic mess as they trailed everywhere and anywhere, and San shifted on top of her, his leg going in the middle of her parted legs unconsciously-

He hadn’t even touched her. Only a brush of his knee on her inner thigh made her whimper into the kiss and San broke apart in confusion-

Only to see a flushed Gaeul, out of breath and so beautiful with her lips parted for him. His chest heaved with deep breaths, taking a moment to just look at her and tuck her hair back.

“Is it normal to- to feel everything so intensely?” Gaeul managed to ask, “Do you have any idea of what I’m feeling right now?”

San joined their foreheads, making her feel what he could feel as he pecked her lips- Gaeul was surprised once again by how San felt it perhaps twice more intensely than Gaeul. 

“Is this normal?”

“I’m not sure,” San whispered, “And right now… I couldn’t care less.”

Gaeul’s heart swooped dangerously. “So much for getting some sleep, huh?”

San chuckled, lying down and bringing her close, kissing her slowly this time, as if he really was going to spend all night doing that. And perhaps he would- but after a good few minutes of lazily kissing each other, San broke apart. “Shall we sleep now?”

Gaeul grinned sleepily, pecking his lips one last time. “Now we can.”

San hugged her and Gaeul settled into it, deciding she liked this position with their tangled limbs. The caressing of her head finally put her to a peaceful slumber, and for once, and perhaps what could be the last, San put aside his worries and welcomed sleep.

—-------------------

San couldn’t really sleep all night- not with the way Gaeul had her face hidden in his chest, holding on to his shirt- he loved it. He absolutely loved it but there was a feeling of dread within him, and it prevented him from falling into a deep sleep. And perhaps, because Gaeul was so tired, she slept better. 

An hour after dawn, San gave up trying to sleep. He carefully untangled himself from her, his heart breaking a little at how small, how fragile she looked right now. How defenceless. He covered her with a blanket and went to wash his face with cold water before going out and finding the roof, lying on the bench there and watching the cloudy sky.

He wondered if it was true- his theory about Gaeul. A bond that could survive death. A bond that might have brought her back from death, and something that didn’t change even after her magic and her whole life did.

The bond that soulmates shared. 

Soulmates, in the world of faeries, wasn’t like the concept humans had, though much of the misconception among the faeries currently was due to the similarity of the concepts and the literature. He remembered how his parents had told him that there are certain souls that are bound to be together- perhaps, in some place that all souls came from and go to after death, these souls are able to recognise each other.

San had once chatted with Seonghwa and found out that the eldest Prince did indeed know more about this concept. He believed that some souls are bound to like each other like some are bound to dislike- just like an instant ‘connection’ or spark people feel when they click with someone immediately, or the feeling of disdain they get when they don’t get along with a person no matter how much they try. Seonghwa also believed that soulmates came in various forms- friends, family, or romantic interests. In Seonghwa’s case, he believed Yena was his soulmate because even after Kieran had wiped Yena’s memories of Seonghwa, he couldn’t erase the love she had for him. And before that- Seonghwa falling in love with Yena was inevitable- he fell in love with her over and over again, even with the change in timelines. 

So in San’s case… he hadn’t really felt Gaeul before she died, and he wondered if Kieran had masked Gaeul’s magic when he killed her so San couldn’t feel her die if she really was his mate, but after she came back to life… he had been able to feel her- not her magic, but her. Her state of mind and heart. He had felt sick when she had been sick. And as soon as he saw her… he just knew something about her was different. The bond had physically tugged at his heart and he instantly knew this was the person he had been waiting for all his life. This was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. 

But her anti-magic thing… it was trying to break the bond- he could feel that too, and perhaps Gaeul could feel it too. It was trying to erase any trace of Gaeul’s past. Perhaps because of her bloodline, she had been lucky and her bond was more powerful- after all, the yin-yang inheritors used their mates to fully master their powers. If San was her mate…

San sighed deeply, running his hands through his hair. He shouldn’t have kissed her and made her confused- he had been so, so incredibly selfish. They were going to find the truth soon, and if Gaeul and San really were soulmates, she would find herself in a bad place- she clearly disliked her magic right now. If she were to embrace her anti-magic, would it, perhaps, break the soulmate bond?

That’s the one thing that made San restless. She couldn’t live without embracing her magic. And if she did, there was a good chance their bond would break, since her magic was trying so hard to erase it anyway. He did not want the bond to break, but he thought that even if it did… he might love her anyway. He was already falling- bond or no bond.

He couldn’t say the same for Gaeul. And he wished he hadn’t confused her. He didn’t want her to give up trying to control the magic for this bond- or maybe… she didn’t care. Maybe she would choose living instead of dying painfully. Maybe San was thinking too highly of himself-

“You’re going to shake the whole damn planet if you glare at the sky any harder than this.”

San scoffed, getting up and patting the space next to him for Yunho to sit. “For someone who had been complaining so much about not getting enough rest, you’re up early.”

“For someone who can’t stay away from Gaeul, you’re up and alone early too,” Yunho commented, earning a smack on his arm. “Slept well?”

San rolled his eyes but Yunho caught his ears turning red. “Or maybe you didn’t get enough sleep-”

“Shut up,” San laughed, shaking his head. “Nothing happened. I just couldn’t sleep.”

“Nothing?” Yunho leaned in and wiggled his brows and San gave in, pushing his face away. 

“Okay, maybe a little something happened. Happy?”

“Then why are you sulking? I thought you liked her?”

“I do,” San admitted, “It’s just so complicated, Yunho. I don’t even know where to begin.”

“I guess we’ll know soon,” Yunho said and San looked at him.

“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you? Smartass.”

“I might have,” Yunho nodded, patting his back. “It must be hard for you, this whole… predicament. Does she know?”

“I don’t think she does,” San sighed. “It’s just… a theory, right? I know I overthink everything and might have made up fake scenarios to deal with every situation that might arise today, but… what are the chances that it’s not true?”

“If it’s not true, you have nothing to worry about,” Yunho thought about it and San realised he was right. “But if it’s true… isn’t there a chance that the bond might break since her magic is reversing?”

“That’s what I’m worried about,” San nodded, not surprised that Yunho had pieced it all together. 

“I’ll tell you something interesting,” Yunho shifted, facing San. “We were trying to examine all the black hole occurrences- it had left a trail. Do you know where it strayed from the pattern? Around your kingdom. The black hole- it must have circled the entire continent because of you- or at least something to do with your magic, we thought. There were more occurrences around your kingdom than the rest combined. It made me wonder…”

“If it was some bond that made it happen?” San finished and Yunho nodded.

“There definitely is something, seeing as you are immune to her magic and all,” Yunho concluded. “And it might be good. It might be bad. It might be what made Gaeul come back to life. When we find the answers… let’s not lose our calm, okay? We have to make sure Gaeul doesn’t take it badly because it wouldn’t end well for anyone.”

San nodded slowly and Yunho patted his shoulder. “There might be a way to make things right. Don’t overthink, and don’t give up either, okay? We’re with you.”

“She’s still so ready to give up living,” San bit his lips and Yunho understood this was what he was most worried about. “I fear it will become worse.”

“Would you want to live if you lost the one thing that kept you alive all these years? Your magic?”

San felt cold all over- Yunho was absolutely right. The relationship between a faerie and its magic went deeper than anything- it was a part of the soul. Losing one’s magic was unimaginable, and having your magic change into something that you hated? San could finally understand why Gaeul wasn’t so keen about living anymore. Why she was physically sick- perhaps even the thought of living with this magic made her sick. 

“Am I not allowed to help someone I care for?” San asked quietly. “Am I not allowed to help her find a reason to live?”

Yunho didn’t reply- he didn’t need to. San scoffed, looking up at the sky.

“I can’t force her to make the decision to live, can I? Bond or no bond.”

“I’m sorry, San,” Yunho sounded sad. “It’s her decision. We’ll try everything, but… in the end, it’s her decision.”

San wondered why it wasn’t raining- he wanted the skies to cry with him.

—-----------------

Gaeul woke up to an empty and cold bed- she wasn’t sure how much she had slept but she wasn’t tired- she felt fresh for once. She looked around, and the events of last night came crawling back in her mind-

“Tell me to stop and I will.”

“Tell me to stop.”

“Don’t stop.”

Gaeul covered her face with the blankets, letting herself feel giddy for a good few moments, kicking her legs as she laughed to herself. She couldn’t believe it- perhaps it had been a dream. 

But it wasn’t. She… San had kissed her. He said he was attracted to her. Her. 

Gaeul decided to freshen up, washing up a bit and looking at her face when she was done- she looked better than she ever had since she came back to life. Her cheeks were flushed with colour and she wasn’t pale anymore. Her eyes were twinkling. Gaeul smiled as she combed her hair- she couldn’t believe it. The Prince of Earth was attracted to her.

And it had something to do with this bond they shared, the pit in her heart tugged at her. Gaeul sighed- this wasn’t the time to be all giddy. She was going to learn the answers to why she was in this state. Everything was supposedly going to change and…

San thought she might hate him. Why would he think that? What did any of whatever she was going through have to do with San? She really couldn’t make the connection- and she wanted to ask someone- not San, he would never tell her unless he was sure.

Or maybe she should just be patient and wait. 

A knock sounded on the door and Gaeul watched San cautiously open the door and peek inside before relaxing and coming in, halting when he saw Gaeul on the dressing table, all ready and… 

So pretty his heart hurt. 

“You’re… awake.”

Gaeul gave him a tight-lipped smile, looking around nervously before going back to combing her hair, wondering what she should say. She turned and looked at him, “I-”

“Did you-”

The two of them paused, chuckling and Gaeul urged him to go first. San nodded, “Did you sleep well?”

“I did,” Gaeul smiled. “I was wondering if you did too.” She noticed San poke his tongue on the inside of his cheek. “For someone who was all about getting a good night’s sleep, you don’t look like you did.”

San raised a brow, pleased to see Gaeul was teasing him- it meant she was in a good mood. “I didn’t sleep well for some reason. I gave up trying at dawn.”

“Was it something I did-”

“Oh no, no, you were perfect-” San paused, scoffing when he saw her smirk. “Ah, it might have been all the snoring you did-”

“I do not snore!” Gaeul gasped and San laughed. 

“I just… I guess because it’s a new place, and I’m nervous and worried,” San rambled on, slumping down on the couch. “Stress kept me awake, you could say.”

Gaeul nodded slowly, scanning him. “Are we… going to talk about last night or pretend it didn’t happen?”

“What happened last night?” San tilted his head in confusion, earning a flying comb in his direction and Gaeul huffed as he laughed, starting to go out of the room when San grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her and she nearly slammed in his chest, looking at him with eyes wide in surprise. 

“As much as I’d like to remind you again, maybe with a reenactment,” San licked his lips as his gaze fell on hers, “I think it’d be better if we put it aside until all our confusions are cleared.”

Gaeul rolled her eyes but nodded, and San’s gaze softened as he said, “I’m sorry about last night- I might have been too pushy-”

“Not at all,” Gaeul interrupted, bringing her hand to caress his cheek before she rose to her tiptoes and pecked his cheek. “We’re still the same, okay? San and Gaeul- or rather, San with his scary title and ordinary Gaeul-”

San laughed, shaking his head at her when she grinned. He spread his arms and Gaeul readily hugged him, wrapping her arms around his torso and he held her head to him as he swayed. “Thank you for understanding. Really, thank you.”

“It’s okay, San,” Gaeul said, not breaking the hug. “I know you’re confused. I am too. But whatever happened, we’re still the same, okay? I’m still going to tease you to death and I’d like it if you still shamelessly flirted and teased me like you used to- I don’t want you to suddenly draw away, because I know you’re the type of person who will. Just be… the same for me, will you?”

San nodded in the hug, letting go and patting her head. “You look really good, by the way. Alive, even.”

“See? That wasn’t so hard,” Gaeul laughed. “Just say it. Say that I look less like a zombie.”

“I’d say that, but you’d smack me- ow!” San rubbed his arm where Gaeul had practically punched him. “I can never understand how a tiny thing like you still has so much force in her.”

Gaeul ignored him, grinning as she motioned that she was going out. In the kitchen, she found Wooyoung, of all people, leading the others to cook their breakfast. Gaeul sat on a stool, resting her face on her hands, elbows propped on the table as she watched him expertly slice, cut and throw vegetables in what looked like a stew. Wooyoung noticed her, winking at her and purposely showing off as he put in the spices-

“You’re turning me off now,” Gaeul sighed when he sprinkled the salt in a rather weird way and Wooyoung laughed his famous hyena laugh.

“I’m still doing good, right? I look good in the kitchen, don’t I?”

Gaeul pretended to throw up but nodded- she had to acknowledge it. “I wonder why you like cooking- I didn’t picture you as someone who could actually even hold a knife.”

“Obviously, to woo,” Jongho sighed and Gaeul snorted. “But he’s the best cook out of us all.”

“I wonder who’s the worst,” Gaeul said but when everyone looked at her, she gasped. “Hongjoong?”

“Who else could it be?” Seonghwa laughed. “You’re quick, Gaeul.”

“Pretty obvious when you all looked at me like that,” Gaeul laughed. “Good to know Hongjoong’s not good at everything.”

“I am.” Wooyoung put the dish in the middle of the table, clapping loudly twice. “Everyone? Breakfast!”

Gaeul ate silently while the rest of them chattered away, more amused to see everyone interact. She was positive she wouldn’t find anything more amusing than the 9 of them bickering like kids and not letting anyone complete one single sentence-

“Pass me the-”

“Hey, you remember when we went to Mingi’s place-”

“Don’t push me!”

“I wanna go to the beach to swim…”

“Ugh, I’m so tired, shut up-”

Gaeul tuned them out, stifling her smile as she finished eating. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was the last normal moment she was going to have with everyone. She watched all of them eat and make small talk, imprinting it in her memory in case she’d never have a memory like this again. 

However, she didn’t remain in a good mood for long. As soon as they reached the beach and she spotted the familiar faces of her neighbours and family, she immediately cowered back, bumping into Yena and practically hiding behind her.

“What’s wrong? You know these people?”

“I know everyone who lives on the outskirts of the beach- we were a small community. And… everyone knew me too. They’re going to be… concerned.”

“Concerned? The bad kind?”

“The bad kind,” you confirmed. “Maybe all of us shouldn’t go…”

“You’re right,” Yena nodded, turning to the rest of them who were busy admiring the clear sky and sea. Yena clapped to get their attention, and she scanned each of them before pointing at-

“Hongjoong, San and Wooyoung- and Jongho. You’re coming with us. The rest of you better lay low while we’re gone- we don’t want the whole town to know all of us are here.”

“Thank you,” Hongjoong groaned in relief, scowling at the rest for good measure. “I better not hear town gossip when I come out.”

“You’re taking Hongjoong when he looks like this?” Jongho scoffed.

“Hey! What do you mean by that!”

“You just stand out too much,” he dismissed him and Gaeul grinned- Hongjoong really did- and it was not his appearance to blame, he just had a certain… aura to him. A certain sass that only he possessed. Gaeul had no other way to explain it.

“Lead the way,” Hongjoong urged her and Gaeul gulped before doing exactly that, Yena by her side. 

“Let me know if you feel… jumpy or anything,” San said.

Gaeul led the five along the beach, some of the people spotting her but not really recognising her- or anyone else. Their powers were well masked so Gaeul was sure they couldn’t really feel anything from the six of them, which, in her opinion, was more suspicious if someone realised they really were feeling no inkling of any magic from them. She finally spotted the familiar face of her uncle outside the house she had lived in all her life and she paused- he looked and felt the same and yet… she felt a bit scared.

Her uncle paused fixing the window when he noticed them staring at him. He turned and scanned each of them, almost not recognising Gaeul but then he frowned.

“Gaeul?” 

His voice was still the same, with a stern tone to it. Gaeul felt her heart sink- she nodded and he stepped forward but then paused, taking in her companions again. “Where have you been? We thought something happened to you- you never returned.”

“I just…” Gaeul started but then paused- what should she tell him?

“Your niece was in an accident, which caused some memory problems- she couldn’t recall her name for the longest time either,” Yena began and Gaeul relaxed- thank goodness. “We’re her… friends. Maybe we should take this inside- we need to talk about a few things.”

“Alright,” he nodded, a bit shaken because he really hadn’t expected Gaeul to pop back up out of nowhere. He led them inside and Gaeul inhaled the familiar scent of coconut that was the staple of this house. Once they were settled in the living room, the man stood awkwardly, scanning them again. He looked at Gaeul, “Do you want me to call your aunt? She’s in the backyard.”

“Uh, maybe after we talk?” Gaeul said hesitantly and he sat. 

“I’m sorry, I just-” he rubbed his face. “I thought you ran away- you never seemed very happy here, especially after my brother passed away,” he was referring to her father. Gaeul nodded in understanding and he continued. “I believed something must have happened to you- you weren’t the type to just disappear, and you still had work here- you never left your business unfinished.”

“Did you look for me?” Gaeul asked hesitantly.

“We did- my son and I,” he nodded. “We took the path you took but lost your trace altogether in the middle of Nunki. I thought it was very strange and after a while, I just gave up, wondering how I would face my brother.”

“I’m sorry,” Gaeul bit the inside of her cheek- she knew her uncle cared- not much, but in his way, he did. “I lost my memory, just started regaining it recently and decided to come back. And… I have a problem with my magic too.”

“You do look different,” he scanned her- she still had the same dark hair like his, but her eyes- they were never so light. “What’s wrong?”

“We can’t exactly tell you what is wrong with her magic,” Wooyoung began and her uncle looked suspiciously at him. “We just need to ask a few questions about the magic that your bloodline possesses. The yin-yang magic, and how it interferes with the natural flow of magic.”

“And who might you be?” He narrowed his eyes. “Are you from the yin-yang bloodline? Or did Gaeul tell all these secrets to you?”

Gaeul sighed internally- he was still the same, alright. Wooyoung smirked almost dangerously, unmasking his magic for just a second but it made her uncle gasp despite his usual stiff demeanour. “I think you recognise me, sir.”

The old man looked from Wooyoung to Gaeul and back. Then he looked at Gaeul. “Don’t tell me this is who I think he is.”

“He is,” Gaeul nodded and he paled. “The Prince has helped me a lot- because my magic hasn’t been very stable.”

“I apologise… Your Highness,” Gaeul watched her uncle get up and deeply bow. “I’m sorry for the trouble my niece must have caused for you to come here yourself-”

“Your niece isn’t responsible for that,” Wooyoung urged him to sit and Gaeul stifled a smile- she was amused with the way Wooyoung was clearly going to use his authority to get the answers. “Beside me is the Prince of Nature himself- I think he’ll do a better job at asking the questions of this magical bloodline you possess. I’d appreciate it if you answer truthfully and don’t leave anything out.”

Her uncle bowed to Jongho who had raised his hand to let him know he was the one. He rose up. “Should I get you all something? You must have travelled a long way.”

Wooyoung and Jongho looked at each other. Jongho nodded, “It’s going to take some time, so tea would be nice.”

He rushed to the backyard, probably to let his wife know just who was here. Gaeul pursed her lips as she looked at the rest of them and San, who was sitting beside her, scoffed. “You look like you’re enjoying this.”

“I just- I can imagine what must be going on in the backyard,” she smiled- they must be panicking right now. “Can the rest of you pretend that you’re normal? I don’t think he’ll take it well.”

“Of course, unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Hongjoong nodded. “I prefer to lay low anyway.”

“We look pretty normal, San and I,” Yena laughed. “Hongjoong though… I’m pretty sure the man’s suspicious of you, not us.”

“None of you look normal,” she told them and before they could protest, her uncle was back and took his seat. He looked at Jongho and asked him what he would like to know.

“Do you know how many generations the bloodline has been running in your family?”

“We’re… the original bloodline- if you can call it that,” he said and Gaeul raised a brow- she didn’t know this. “We’re descendants of the first Prince of Nature himself- that’s why we call ourselves the original bloodline- there are others, of course, but our generation had it different.”

“That’s…” Jongho looked at Gaeul. “We’re descendants of the same person then, aren’t we? But hasn’t every descendant of the first Prince been a royal?”

Gaeul looked in disbelief at Hongjoong, equally in disbelief, if not more. Her uncle cleared his throat. “Not everyone liked being royal, it seems. The first Prince had the yin-yang element- he was born with it. In that sense, it was a part of his magic. He had two sons, but only one of them inherited the element- his son did not like what his family wanted to do with this magic and how they wanted to wield it as a weapon- you know how the situation on planet earth with humans and darklings wasn’t ideal back then. He gave up his royal title and disappeared.”

“Why do I not know of the history? Has it been kept hidden from the royals on purpose?”

“At first, probably,” Gaeul’s uncle nodded, “but now we just keep it a secret from the whole world, and I’m sure most of the royals now do not know about this magic.”

Jongho nodded- it made sense. He had only heard his parents talk about this once, and that was it. Even Hongjoong couldn’t find any records- a secret kept well-hidden. Dangerous. “You called yourself the original bloodline- but isn’t anyone possessing the yin-yang element an original?”

“We are pure, is what’s the better term, though we don’t use it,” he shifted in his seat. “Our bloodline has never had a human touch- we kept it strictly within faeries. The other bloodlines have all mingled with humans, and some with darklings. A faerie’s soulmate can only be a faerie, but not everyone finds their soulmate- it’s considered a myth now. Our bloodline… it has gone to great lengths to preserve the powers- going as far as to travelling the whole planet for their soulmate to keep it ‘pure’.”

“Wow, that’s…” Yena looked at Hongjoong. “You’ve taken great measures. Do you possess this element too?” He nodded and Yena continued, “Did you meet your soulmate?”

“I was lucky to find her so near me,” he admitted, and on cue, Gaeul’s aunt came, her blonde hair longer than she had ever seen on her. She set a tray of juices and tea on the table, bowing to all of them- then she rose up and beckoned her niece forward. Gaeul smiled before she went and hugged her. She had never known she was her uncle’s soulmate.

“It’s really good to see you alive and well,” she squeezed her shoulders and Gaeul nodded.

“I hope you have been well, aunt,” she meant it. She nodded and glanced at her guests once before urging Gaeul to sit and left. Gaeul took the glass of mint juice- it was always one of her favourite things her aunt made, and she was good in the kitchen. When she settled down, it was San who spoke.

“Did your bloodline focus on soulmates for the sole purpose of extending their powers?”

“Soulmates, in general, are a blessing,” he said and everyone nodded. “Though today, they are considered to be myths. Some people meet each other without knowing they are mates, simply believing that they just get along really well and… vibe with each other, as you youngsters call it now,” he said and everyone chuckled at that. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic partner, they say, but with us… in our history, it’s always been that. That’s what makes us different- we literally find our other half, and our magic doesn’t feel complete without meeting them. For the rest of you, a soulmate can be a sibling, a friend, but for the yin-yang bloodline specifically, it’s this.”

Everyone sipped on their drinks as they let the information sink in. Gaeul wished she had known these things earlier- clearly even Jongho or Hongjoong didn’t know these details. Wooyoung leaned forward, glancing at San once before asking, “How do you know someone is your soulmate, in your case?”

Gaeul’s uncle glanced at her, wondering if she had perhaps found the one. None of them missed the look- not even Gaeul herself. He looked back at Wooyoung. “Soulmates… you feel them before you even look at them. Everything is heightened with them- their touch, even a brush of their fingers make you shiver. Their voice is so compelling you feel as if it’s reverberating in your skull. And when you finally let your magic connect with theirs, you find a certain… sense of peace, if that makes sense-”

Wooyoung felt it then- Gaeul’s magic. She had paled visibly after hearing him and not even the Prince’s magic masking her magic was enough now. He watched Gaeul look helplessly around, wondering if anyone else had made the connection as well, but everyone was looking at her in… understanding. It looked like she was the last to know. 

How could she have not made the connection? She looked at San who sat emotionless beside her, probably stifling them to not let her uncle make the connection. He tried holding her hand- tell her it was okay, but she flinched away and hurt flashed in his eyes. Gaeul looked at her uncle, her eyes steel. “How powerful is this bond? Please be honest with me- just what is the extent of this bond?”

Her uncle looked at Jongho- there was obviously something he was hesitant to share. Jongho looked at San and Gaeul, “I think you should take her outside for now. Gaeul… I don’t think you should be here right now.”

He was talking about her magic getting out of control and Gaeul almost rushed outside. Yena tried to follow but Hongjoong stopped her- now was not the time. San stood but paused, looking at Jongho. “I think I should hear what he has to say.”

“I’ll let you know, I promise,” Jongho nodded, looking queasy. “Just go after her before something happens.”

San nodded and did exactly that, leaving the four of them inside. Jongho said, “You can tell us. That’s the Prince of Light and Princess of Space with us- your secrets are safe. We only need to understand because we suspect someone might have known your secrets and exploited Gaeul’s magic.”

The man paled- he really hadn’t expected half the royals in his room. San- that had to be Prince San of Earth as well. He almost got up again but Hongjoong urged him to keep sitting, and he settled with a nod of his head to the two. “I’m sorry but… that’s impossible. Even my wife doesn’t know the extent of this power, and she’s my soulmate. We keep this secret to ourselves, only telling those who inherit it at the right time. No one could have known- everyone with this magic has always understood the gravity of it.”

“We understand, but there’s always someone with loose lips,” Hongjoong sighed. “And… I bet you’re not immune to the magic of illusion or the magic that wrings the truth out of you,” he said and the old man sighed. It seemed Hongjoong was right. “Let us know everything.”

—-----------------

Gaeul couldn’t hear the waves of the sea crashing at the sand.

She couldn’t even feel her feet get wet as she walked along the shore.

Soulmate. That’s what San was. Her soulmate, and she didn’t know. Or she did, but wasn’t aware.

She had felt San before she had seen him, that night he had arrived in Rukbat. She had immediately been drawn to him. His touch… the way it messed with her new magic, the way it was a drug that was both keeping her alive and killing her-

Why had the darkling killed her? Had he known too? How? Why was she the only person who did not know? 

San thought she would hate him after knowing the truth- he knew. She hated the fact that he knew and didn’t tell her- but then… would it have made a difference? 

Gaeul found herself going to the caves where she hid whenever she felt overwhelmed. She marched towards the cave, climbing the rocks and scratching her hands in the process but not caring. She went inside one and made way to the little corner that she used to cry in as a kid and felt just like one as she brought her knees to her chest and buried her face in between.

She really would have liked to meet San under normal circumstances- her, with her nature magic, with her innocence. As a faerie- she wasn’t sure she was even that anymore.

She didn’t notice her breath quickening but soon she was sobbing as various thoughts attacked her- why did she come back to life? Why was the soulmate connection still alive? Had it perhaps brought her back? Was it the only thing keeping her alive then? Her magic was killing her- that was a fact, but something was also keeping her alive and if it was this bond… this was all so messed up.

“Gaeul.”

For a second she thought she had heard this voice in her head- she had, but San was here. And when she raised her head-

She almost screamed in surprise- the cave was covered in white… snow. Or ashes. 

Cold fire.

Gaeul put her head back, slumping against the wall as she put a hand over her mouth and started crying again, this time because she was so, so done. One surprise after another. She couldn’t meet eyes with San who was standing cautiously near her.

“I’m sorry, Gaeul,” he sank down beside her, mirroring her position. “I’m so, so sorry.”

Gaeul wanted to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but she couldn’t control her sobs at that moment. The ash started floating in the air, making San feel like he was inside a snow globe. It was both dangerous but beautiful- that’s what Gaeul was. San didn’t look at her as he said, “I wasn’t expecting it to be true, if you can believe me. I just thought it was unbelievable, and if it really was true, the thought that Kieran killed my soulmate… you have no idea how angry that makes me.”

Gaeul’s stomach swooped despite herself- she hadn’t expected this side of San, but she supposed he, too, had a right to be angry. 

“The fact that I didn’t feel you before, that makes sense, but I know I would have felt my soulmate… die. There’s no way I wouldn’t have- and I think that’s what’s so twisted about all that happened,” he let out a short laugh. “That Kieran must have somehow known and masked it with his magic. Truly the Prince of Illusions, that bastard was. I don’t know if he understood that you would come back, but if he didn’t… both of these thoughts make me want to go find him and bury him alive.”

“It’s… it’s not your fault,” Gaeul managed to say but his head was down as he shook it in denial. 

“That’s even sadder. That none of this is my fault, and none of this is your fault either,” San finally turned to her. “We just got involved in this mess. Gaeul… don’t let Kieran win with this.”

“I’m just so tired, San,” Gaeul wiped her face, extending her hand and watching what had to be ash fall on her hand- but cold like snow. “This mess of a reality that I have to live with… I don’t want to.”

“Not even when you have me?” San asked, his voice trembling. Gaeul finally glanced at him- if she put herself in his shoes, she could tell why he was so vulnerable right now. 

“You don’t deserve to live with this either,” Gaeul smiled sadly. “I died. I shouldn’t have come back- and if I had known you before I died, I would have wanted you to move on and live a happy life.”

“That’s kind of funny,” San scoffed and Gaeul raised a brow- San was getting angry now. “Do you think you could have moved on and lived happily if I died?”

Could she have, if her soulmate died? Of course not. And that fact made tears roll down her face again. She looked away, biting her nails nervously as she tried to sort it out and control the raging explosion of magic that was making way up her throat.

“Look at me, Gaeul,” San must have felt it too because he took her hands and made her face him. “You can ignore this bond. You have every right to do so. Just don’t give up on your life- that’s the least you can do for me, understand?” He wasn’t asking at this point, he was ordering. “You have died once- you don’t need to kill yourself because of that worthless piece of trash. You have to live on. You will learn about your magic, you will master it, and you will live, Gaeul. You will be strong, and you will win, you hear me?”

“How can I ignore this bond when it’s you?” Gaeul almost whispered and his heart sank. “You’re my soulmate- I think deep down, I knew. How can I live if not with you by my side? How can I simply ignore you when you’re keeping me alive and also giving me a reason to live?”

San didn’t hold back the tears that slid down his face, he simply looked down at their interlocked hands. Gaeul sniffed. “You- I know it’s the bond that brought me back to life. There’s no other explanation, is there?” San nodded and she continued. “You gave me a new life then. I can’t simply waste it. My magic is trying to kill me and this bond, you are the only thing keeping me alive. The two… they are clashing within me. Kill the bond and I might be able to live with my magic. Make my magic stronger… and it might kill the bond. That’s what it’s going to come down to, isn’t it?”

“I’m sure there’s a way,” San sniffed and looked up- he was determined. “We just need to find the balance in all of this.”

“The balance in the chaos- is there ever such a thing?” Gaeul smiled sadly. “Do you love me, San?”

San hadn’t expected her to ask this but he nodded. “I do. Before I knew about the bond, I did.”

“And that’s why I don’t want you to go through this again,” she caressed his hands. “Because I love you. Because you shouldn’t have to go through the pain that’s going to come with being with me. Because if I can’t take this and I die again, this time for good… I don’t want you to be sad. I wish I could make you forget about me.”

“Don’t even think about it,” San squeezed her hands. “I’m supposed to lessen your pain. I’m supposed to share your burden. I wish you could let me do that, at least. I know it’s all too much for you, but at least let me be there for you.”

Gaeul crawled into his arms and let him hold her as they both cried for what could have been a possible, normal future for the two, now stolen and filled with pain and misery. They cried for the other because none of them deserved this. They cried in fear of what the future held for them. San kissed her head repeatedly, hugging her so tightly as if he could make the pain go away, but he couldn’t take all of her pain. The ash circled and settled around the two- she was calm now. She had her arms wrapped around his waist, tears staining his shirt. She wished she could die right now, but she felt so alive when she was with him, like this. 

What a mess these two were.

—-------------------

Jongho, Wooyoung, Hongjoong and Yena stood at the shore, letting the waves crash at their feet as they processed just what they had talked about with Gaeul’s uncle, and how confusing all of it was.

“They are… soulmates,” Wooyoung was the first to break the silence, glancing at the rest who looked equally in disbelief even if they already had an inkling before. “San’s soulmate died and then came back. I’m so wrong for saying this, but I’m glad she’s alive- I don’t know how San would have lived with himself if he learned that his soulmate just… died.”

“I’m the last person who would say this, but I’m glad too- even if it is so dangerous,” Hongjoong nodded. “I can’t imagine the pain they must be feeling right now.”

The sea crashing harshly at their feet seemed to be the answer. They really couldn’t fathom it- but Yena looked like she was in pain- after all, her soulmate had died too before she got him back. She pursed her lips. “What should we do?”

“I don’t know,” Hongjoong sighed. “Keep her alive? Train her magic so she’s not a danger to the people around her?”

“I wish I could go back in time and make it alright for San,” Yena wiped her eyes and Jongho patted her back. “But… I don’t want to relive anything from those few months again.”

“Of course you don’t,” Wooyoung brought her in a side hug. “Nobody will ask that of you- not even San. We just need to… find a better way. Not everything can be solved by going back in time, and I’ll suggest we never do that again- look at the aftermath of it.”

“I feel like it’s my fault- I brought Seonghwa back, only for Gaeul to die-”

“No, it’s not that,” Hongjoong’s tone was final- he wasn’t going to have Yena doubting herself now. “The only thing that would make sense is that Kieran found out that Gaeul was San’s soulmate- he may have accidentally encountered her, or he could have sensed her. With you… we couldn’t sense the soulmate bond because your magic is stronger and masked it well, but Gaeul was just another faerie, and to have such a powerful soulmate- maybe it’s because she descended from the Prince of Nature himself that she could take it. Anyways, Kieran must have masked her powers when he killed her so San couldn’t feel it. That is the only possible explanation- there’s no way he knew she’d come back to life.”

“He’s right,” Jongho nodded. “Even we didn’t know that- and I don’t think a soulmate comes back to life just like that- that would make them infinitely immortal. I think it was the timing of it all and the yin-yang element that brought her back- she was very lucky- or unlucky. That’s it.”

“It’s all so messed up,” Wooyoung groaned. “Gaeul’s still standing at death’s door- I bet it’s the bond that’s keeping her alive in the first place. How do we get her to master all of that? How can we even help her when she has magic that has never been seen before?”

The sound of the seagulls and the waves grew louder as silence overtook before they heard the familiar steps of the rest of them. Yeosang was the first to ask how it went, but they all looked so grim that they decided to let them be for a moment. Yena went to Seonghwa, hugging him and crying because even though it wasn’t her fault that San and Gaeul were in this mess, she felt responsible.

“She’s not feeling very good right now,” Mingi shivered even though it wasn’t cold. “I think Gaeul’s cold fire magic has become dominant.”

Hongjoong sighed, asking them to wait for Gaeul and San before they could plan this further. After about an hour, they came back, hand in hand though the both of them looked very tired- cheeks hollowed and circles beneath their eyes. They really needed a break- but now was not the time. They decided to go back to the house and everyone sat in the living room, silent and either thinking or waiting to hear all of it while Hongjoong worked with Jongho to sketch out a plan. Wooyoung and Yena were in the kitchen, making tea and arranging some snacks to eat. Mingi and Yunho were discussing just which domain cold fire belonged to- ice, or fire. Seonghwa and Yeosang were cautiously glancing at San and Gaeul who sat side by side, each staring into the distance- they had never seen San sit so still for such a long time.

When Wooyoung and Yena finally settled and Hongjoong and Jongho finished, Hongjoong urged them to fill their stomachs before they lost their appetites.

“I might throw up anyway,” Gaeul shrugged and Hongjoong was pleased to see she was teasing- that was a good sign.

“I’d rather take that risk than remain with a grumbling stomach, so eat,” he ordered and Gaeul made a face before she drank a sip and took a cookie.

“Hongjoong,” Yunho smirked. “Cold fire- doesn’t it belong to the domain of ice? It literally looks like snow.”

“But that’s when it’s in the form of ashes, and ashes come from fire- besides, cold fire can also take the form of a normal fire instead of snowflake-like ashes,” Mingi challenged.

“Can cold fire burn?” Hongjoong asked and Mingi nodded. “Can it freeze you?”

“I think it can- we haven’t tested that out yet,” Mingi answered. Hongjoong sighed.

“Sorry to rain on your parade,” Hongjoong scoffed at the two, “but I think we might have a new element.”

Yunho gasped, slapping Mingi’s arm in disbelief. “We have something like Earth and Nature’s link then, don’t we? It could be the bridge to ice and fire.”

“That’s a very far-fetched idea,” Seonghwa commented. “We all have healing abilities, right? Does that make it a bridge to all of our magic?”

“That sounds stupid, Seonghwa,” Yeosang scoffed. “Even if you don’t have any elemental magic, you still have a little affinity for healing.”

“Shut up, all of you,” Hongjoong had finished his tea and started arranging his rough plan. “Here’s what we learned today.”

Hongjoong began with explaining the properties of the yin-yang element, all the things San and Gaeul had heard- he explained how it connected with their soulmate bond and how it might have brought her back but with consequences. 

“Fate works in twisted ways, but in the end, it always makes sense,” Hongjoong looked at San. “I think no one is to blame anyone for that- only Kieran, because he had this idea at the worst timing. Still, no point crying over spilt milk- we have to look forward to the future now, and how we’ll deal with this.

“We need to make Gaeul independent, first and foremost,” Hongjoong continued and Gaeul frowned in confusion. “Gaeul, you depend too much on San- it’s not normal. No pair of soulmates should have to depend on each other’s magic to live, do you understand what I’m saying?”

Gaeul nodded- she knew this was wrong. “It’s like a drug- I can’t help it. It’s both killing me and keeping me alive.”

“Exactly,” Hongjoong nodded. “You need to spend time away from San, in which you’ll have to master your magic- let yourself have control over it, not the other way around. To be away from San… you’ll have to train in another dimension- that way, your magic would not be able to sense him and act up. That would also be safer for all of us while you train with your magic.”

“It’s unavoidable,” San nodded in agreement, even though the thought of staying apart from Gaeul for a good amount of time made him shiver. “Which dimension exactly?”

“The one where time goes faster than here,” Yena smiled knowingly at San- she knew what he felt. “Only Gaeul would be experiencing the amount of time passed. For you… it shouldn’t be that long.”

“That’s sad,” Gaeul laughed as she looked at San and everyone joined, loosening up a bit. “Can’t we make it the other way around? I’d like for him to suffer with me.”

“You don’t want to come back to a wrinkly cranky old San, trust me on that one,” Yena laughed. 

“Alright, next…” Hongjoong changed the page. “Here’s what we know of Gaeul’s powers so far. Unhealing- nothing like natural death. That’s what became of her nature element, so anti-nature is about right. As far as her earth affinity is concerned… I’m still confused about that one, if I’m honest. How would earth magic reverse itself?”

“I think it was there in the first place because of San- isn’t that a plausible theory?” Yeosang mused and everyone nodded- it was. “Her soulmate bond is still in place- maybe her entire earth affinity ended up making sure the soulmate bond remains intact. Or maybe we’ll get a little surprise one day- though if I get one more, I’m positive I’ll pass away.”

“That does make sense,” Wooyoung slapped Yeosang’s head at the last unnecessary remark. “What else do we have?”

“Cold fire,” Gaeul looked at Yunho and Mingi. “Though so far, it’s only been in the form of snowy ashes. It could manifest in cool flame later on as well- probably a result of my water affinity, right?”

“Yes,” Hongjoong nodded, “Still something we’re not sure of, but there’s something else.” 

Everyone caught Hongjoong glancing at Jongho, Wooyoung and Yena- the ones who had heard it all. San tensed and Gaeul braced herself for what was about to come. San met eyes with Hongjoong and urged him to speak up.

“Uh, your uncle said that a lot of people have been going missing in Ascella too. There seems to be no specific victim pool yet- just faeries of any age or possessing a variety of powers. They’ve also mentioned an eerie feeling that something that’s not supposed to be here is now prowling this land. That means our theory might unfortunately be correct. There is a gateway, and there might be creatures. Gaeul might be connected to it, and if she is… she could be the means to either end this or worsen it.”

“That’s why I said I shouldn’t eat,” Gaeul rubbed a hand on her throat. “I could throw up right now.”

San put an arm around her. “Try to keep it in. We’re still not sure, right?”

“That’s right,” Hongjoong sighed. “We’ll look into it more tomorrow. Her magic is very dark in nature, I must say. Shall we call you… the Princess of the Underworld?”

Yeosang was the first one to clap while the others gaped at Hongjoong. “I say that sounds fitting. She practically came back to life- I bet with a little training she can even control the creatures if they exist. She might possibly even be the gateway to another dimension, though…'' The room fell silent and everyone paled, and even Yeosang shook his head furiously. “Let’s pretend I never said that. We have enough to worry about right now.”

“Let’s pretend it doesn’t exist, shall we? Let’s never test that theory,” Gaeul hid her face behind her knees. “Underworld, I understand, but Princess? That sounds too…”

“The first faeries that were born, each with an elemental magic, there were 9 of them,” Hongjoong smiled as he recalled the history. “They were called Princes and Princesses of their element for the sole reason that they were the first. After a few generations and mixed blood, we got a larger variety, but we,” Hongjoong motioned around the room, “continue to remain Prince and Princesses because we are direct descendants and hold the major elemental power. There has been no faerie with your magic, so I think a princess of your element sounds fitting- besides, you are a royal anyway.”

“She is?” Seonghwa gaped at them.

“I think I forgot to mention earlier,” Hongjoong laughed and Jongho nodded- they had forgotten. “But she’s the direct descendant of the first Prince of Nature, and their bloodline is purer- in the sense that they only mated with their soulmates- faeries. Purer than even Jongho’s.”

The four who hadn’t known of this burst in a chorus of disbelief and wonder. Gaeul hid behind San, overwhelmed by their outburst and the rest laughed. Jongho looked proud though. “She’s basically a very, very, distant relative of mine. She’s family.”

“But Jongho,” Yeosang looked confused. “You and San are distant cousins too. Does that make her San’s relative as well?”

Everyone burst into a fit of groans after that and Jongho, after he stopped laughing, said, “I think Gaeul and our families are separated by a whole lot of generations. In that sense, all of us are family- after all, there were only 9 of us in the beginning.”

“Let’s not make this more confusing than it has to be,” Hongjoong swatted the air. “Jongho and Gaeul are just more closely related than the rest of us- maybe even more than Jongho and San. Anyways, Princess of Underworld sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

“Sounds scary,” Mingi grinned. “Welcome to the royal gang, Gaeul.”

“This is so embarrassing,” Gaeul muttered and San chuckled, patting her arm as she hid behind him.

“Now… we only have to train her. I think Yunho and Mingi need to be there- cold fire is dangerous. Yena will be there to make sure the dimension stays intact and to take care of everything. As for the anti-nature…”

“I have no idea how to deal with it,” Jongho raised his hands in surrender. “I think someone with that magic specifically might be able to teach her better- and it is essential because she cannot go around with that magic out of control- it’s not only going to hurt others, it’ll hurt her too.”

“What do you suggest?” Seonghwa asked. “Is there a faerie here on this planet who might possibly possess something similar?”

“I’ve checked the archives, and there is none- the closest we have is what Jongho can do, and even that is different,” Hongjoong sighed and looked at Yena. “I think… we might need help from a darkling.”

There was a moment of silence before everyone burst into an argument about how unsafe it was, how Neve- the darkling Prince of Space and Spirit that had helped Yena- wasn’t that trustworthy and could manipulate them and take Gaeul or worse, use her. Yena had to shut them all up when she threw a pillow at Wooyoung, who was the loudest.

“Neve can be trusted- I can assure you of that,” Yena scowled at everyone who had a problem with that- including San. “It’s going to take some time and Yeosang’s help to contact him, but I’ll ask him if he thinks there is someone who can help. If there isn’t… we’ll have to make do with what we have. It is a matter of Gaeul’s life, and as someone who is partially responsible for the mess she is in, even though all of you refuse to admit that… I think I shall do this. For San- for someone who found me and the reason I am here with all of you.”

Seonghwa squeezed Yena’s hand, nodding at the rest. He also felt responsible- it was his death Yena tried to prevent for which she had to time travel, and which led to Kieran finding Gaeul. San looked like he could cry but he was shaking his head furiously. “I would never ask that of you, Yena. You don’t owe me anything.”

“I know you would never ask that of me, which is why I took the matter into my own hands,” Yena smiled pointedly at him. “It’s okay. Neve can be trusted- Mingi can attest to it. We’ll be fine- we could even get some answers from Kieran if we’re lucky.”

“Alright, that’s for later,” Hongjoong nodded and Yena sat down. “Now… I suggest we all take a day or two to breathe before we execute this plan. Seonghwa will take care of Yunho’s kingdom while he’s gone, I will take care of Yeosang’s, Yena’s and Mingi’s kingdom, and Wooyoung and Jongho… please look after San and make sure he doesn’t try anything stupid.”

“We got this,” Wooyoung smirked as he clapped Jongho, making Gaeul giggle. She was leaving San in good hands- he wouldn’t even get the time to think about her if he was with Wooyoung and Jongho.

“Are you sure you can take care of the entire continent?” Yena asked. 

“My palace can run itself,” Hongjoong assured Yena and she relaxed, knowing she wouldn’t have to worry about a thing, but-

“You know your court runs your kingdom anyway since you’re always dozing off- maybe you should think before boasting-”

The flying cookie aimed for Yeosang’s head shut him up and made everyone laugh. Gaeul looked around, her eyes glazed. “Thank you for doing all of this for me. I don’t know how I’ll ever pay you back.”

“Just try to come back alive and intact with a good control over your magic,” the eldest Prince smiled warmly. “That would be enough for all of us.”

taglist: @yunnierights @monstaxdirtywonk @moni-cah @uyumilk @atxxzist @hazysan @bewitchedinyourhunger @kk-fleury @sincostansan @onedumbho3 @wooya1224 @icouldntcareless22 @jjaelly @huachengsbestie01 @ztjileen @charreddonuts @mdibby @gugggu6gvai

#ateez x reader #ateez imagines #ateez scenarios #ateez fluff #ateez angst #ateez au #choi san fluff #choi san scenarios #choi san x reader #choi san angst #choi san smut #ateez smut #choi san imagines #ateez headcanons #ateez x oc

[amywritesthings]

SILVER UNDERGROUND / deleted scene 02.

the first face i saw. :: an alternate version, aka the first draft, of that forest moment in chapter nine.

welcome to my segment of deleted scenes, levi's pov, and alternative 'almosts' that didn't quite make the published cut. this scene was the very first thing i wrote for this story! this is the earliest know blurb of SU. originally it was quite abrupt, and i much prefer the buildup that ended up happening in the story. may this be a lesson to writers: write the dang thing, don't agonize about a perfect scene, because when you go back to edit the epiphany of how you really want the scene to go will just come naturally! this is unedited. 1.2K words / explicit language, fighting. :: please remember: this is additional deleted content, not tied to the current canon of the story.

“I’m not going back.”

Levi is expressionless, but there is a hint of anger in his clipped question. “So you’re disobeying direct orders?”

“You didn’t order me, sir,” you reply. “You only suggested I go back. There’s a distinct difference.”

“Don’t be a smartass.”

Except the murmur is a thinly-veiled threat and nothing more. Somehow you’re confident enough about it that you take a few steps forward into the wide gap between you.

“You need the numbers,” you urge.

“No, shithead, what I need is for you to leave.”

“Why?”

“Disobeying orders and questioning your superior. Are you trying to rack up all possible offenses in one night?”

“I am trying to understand why you’re so adamant about giving the squad one less body in the lineup when we’ve already lost so many people—”

“Enough.”

“—and back-up would be at least a day away on horseback, which means we’re sitting ducks until we work together to get out of the forest with as many people alive as we—”

“I said enough, cadet,” Levi barks, and something ignites in you.

Something toxic that leads you to take another step forward, teeth bared.

“I’m not a fucking cadet, Levi, so stop pretending I don’t know what I’m talking about.”

The swear is not as surprising as hearing his first name on your tongue. If you didn’t know any better, then you would swear Levi is just as surprised. A tick of his brow is the giveaway: both move from their typical neutral position, and suddenly the air feels thick around you.

“Do you?” he challenges, low and dangerous as he mirrors your step forward. “Because last I checked, you were just some dumbass with a fucked up memory.”

The insult stings its intended target. You wince, but hold your ground.

“I was once on this squad, sir.”

“That doesn’t mean shit in the present.”

“It does to me,” you confess. Your voice raises to shout. “It matters that I fought! It matters that I’m here. I don’t know why you hate me so much—”

“I thought it would be obvious by now,” Levi flatly interrupts.

You trudge closer towards your captain, but he minds the gap for you: one step of his boot and he’s eye-to-eye with you, here, in the middle of this clearing.

The green flecks in the gray of his eyes bring some sickening softness to your belly, quelling a fraction of the fire within. It reminds you of summertime and darkness. A dichotomy of things you once loved — and things that once scared you.

Levi stares head on, seemingly disinterested in your shouting.

Yet when your eyes drop to his arm, you see the most obvious tell of all: his fist is pale, fingers gripped in a white-knuckle ball of restraint.

So you ask the first question that comes to mind:

“Then why do you want me to live so badly?”

By the sound of his breath hitching in his throat, it’s safe to assume your question has caught Humanity’s Strongest off guard. Painfully earnest, the words are woven in a confusion threatening to choke the life out of you. And Levi — Levi is four shades of enraged, glaring straight through you.

“I don’t give a shit if you live,” Levi corrects with a snarl.

“You don’t?”

“No.”

“Then allow me to stay.”

“No.”

Your chin tilts. “Then why—”

“Why do you want to die so fucking bad?” he snaps, his spit hitting your cheek. “Why bother waking up in that fucking rubble if all you wanted to do was throw away your second chance?”

His anger almost leaves you speechless.

Almost.

Except this feeling, this mindless fight, is the most familiar with the world as you’ve felt since waking up in that hospital. As if you like shouting, ready to throw fists.

As if you enjoy Levi yelling at you.

“Yours was the first face I saw when I woke up, sir,” you bite in response, forcing his jaw to clench. “I didn’t receive the recommendation for reinstatement out of thin fucking air. I went through modified training. I watched you visit the camps between missions. You didn’t have to check up on me, but you did.”

Levi’s mouth twitches.

“For someone who claims they don’t give a shit if I live you sure have a mighty big hand in the pot to ensure my safety, so what the fuck is the real reason behind ordering that I go back to the Walls?”

You manage to relay your monologue of grievances uninterrupted. Something dark brews behind Levi’s stormy eyes, stuck on your wide-eyed gaze.

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” he asks, low and steady, but there’s a glimmer of something else in his voice.

If it was anyone else, then it might have been something close to fondness, but it can’t be.

“Yeah?" you challenge. "Well, trying to keep up with your snarky ass, I couldn’t—”

You're pushed back by the sheer force of his lips.

His...

Your eyes open, then widen, at the sight of Levi Ackerman pressing a kiss to your mouth. Your body responds before you even understand why -- you drag him closer, hands buried in his hair, and respond in kind.

Everything feels too hot and too cold. Everything feels... good. You kiss back with such intensity that you feel his teeth.

Your world goes blank.

.

.

.

.

“What was that all about?” Petra’s voice comes out monotone, awaking you for a moment of dissociation.

Truthfully? You wish you had an answer.

You barely remember Levi telling you to go back to camp to rest.

You can't think of anything else except that:

The tingle of his lips pushed against yours lingers long after he’s departed.

There is a haze in your brain that takes over the fog of your amnesia, settling on a feeling beyond all else: warmth.

Even if you nearly went fist to fist with the Captain — a stupid, costly mistake — everything in your body is warm in the cool midnight air.

Maybe it was a mistake.

No, it was a mistake.

(One that the squad cannot know about, for both of your sakes.)

“We fought,” you provide just as flat.

“I know,” she says. “I heard. You used to do that a lot.”

You turn to study the glow of green on her back from her cloak.

“Argue to the brink of a fight,” she clarifies. “With Levi.”

When you say nothing, she cranes her chin over her shoulder. Although she doesn’t smile, her tone is melodic. Cheery, like there’s something funny between the lines.

“Before, you didn’t mind getting in his face if you two disagreed. I’ve never seen Levi get so angry. It’s a wonder he never punished you.”

So this was a common occurrence.

Did he always end it with a kiss?

Your warmth begins to fade as Petra’s words catch up to you, and you squeeze the fist at your side. “How much did you hear?”

“Don’t worry,” she assures, poking the dying embers with a stick. “I didn’t eavesdrop.”

#fic: silver underground #amys deleted scenes. #aot fanfiction #snk fanfiction

[anonnie-in-wonderland]

Call Me Crazy...

Rating: T

 Word Count:11.8k 

 Warning(s): anxiety/anxious thoughts, near panic attacks, injury, but also beware the fluff for it is potent

 Summary: When Y/N gets her hands on the newest Samsung phone, she thinks at most she’ll get a little clout with her friends and fewer dropped calls. A direct portal to BTS? Not so much.

 Genre(s): Strangers to Friends to Lovers| Crack Treated Seriously| Fluff| Comedy| Romance| Magical Realism

 Tags: bts x reader | ot7 x reader | poly| FM!POC!reader

 Ch.3:  Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Break

A/N: Hiiii, sorry I’ve been away for so long. 🥺 Life has been pretty stressful. But, I’m back now, new chapter, whoo! I have had this on my mind for a while now, and finally got the chance to incorporate it into this chapter~ I really do hope you enjoy the arrival of the next BTS member to show up, whose dynamics with Y/N are already among my favorites. Also, always feel free to chat with me about this fic if you’d like, I don’t bite and thrive on the engagement! 🤗 I wanna know if anyone wants to guess what is going on or has figured it out yet. This chapter is especially dedicated to the blog who had a super easy tutorial on how to keep your formatting from google docs to tumblr!! Saved me a lot of time. Hehe *PLEASE do not ask about the taglist in this story’s comments*

In the days that followed, Y/N completely fell down a rabbit hole. It felt prudent to look more into BTS, or more specifically, Park Jimin. From a strictly legal perspective and nothing more.

 After all, she was sure his attorneys would be sending a court summons any day now just as soon as they managed to find out her identity and track her down. It was something she lived in fear of.

 Binna was none-the-wiser that the reason she suddenly seemed so attentive about the band’s recent lives was because she wanted to know if they’d mentioned anything. Any clues that would tell Y/N when her days as a free person were coming to an end. 

Honestly, she hadn’t found much. Nothing that would be helpful in allowing her to participate in her own legal defense. Speaking of that, could she even afford an attorney that would be able to stand up against Park Jimin’s? She was sure a global superstar would have the best in the country.

Y/N listlessly scrolled through yet more photos of Jimin—looking for hidden meanings in the recent videos the group had posted was starting to make her feel like she was overreacting at best and paranoid at worst. 

There were pictures of him with a variety of hair colors and outfits, taken over time, and he was flawless in all of them. Even ones she came across where he wasn’t glammed out in full makeup made it obvious he was just one of the lucky ones, naturally born attractive. 

“How many wardrobe malfunctions can one person have throughout their career?” Y/N found herself muttering, spying yet another photo where Jimin’s fancy jacket was sliding down his arm. “Is he allergic to keeping his shirt on his shoulders?”

Though, given how many fan compilations existed that compiled every single moment where Jimin’s shirt or jacket hadn’t quite managed to stay all the way on, it didn’t seem like there were many complaints. Army was swooning and swooning hard if anything. 

But really, being sued within an inch of her life wasn’t even the worst part about it all. If someone saw the “notes” section of her phone, they’d have her committed first, and ask questions later. She’d have her committed, under normal circumstances.

 Because what she had experienced not once, but twice? It went against everything she stood for. Logical, grounded, a firm believer in science and fact. Facts didn’t support phenomena like getting sucked through a mirror and ending up in an idol’s dance studio. 

Facts didn’t support seeing the face of another idol—because she now knew the reason the man in the mirror looked vaguely familiar was because he was another BTS member, Seokjin—instead of her own reflection when she went to brush her teeth. It just…didn’t make sense. 

Science couldn’t support it. It was nuts. Yet it happened to her. And that was the only reason she believed it. Too bad no one else would. Or worse, if and when Jimin announced he’d be pressing charges for assault, and she had confessed beforehand to someone…it would probably be taken as evidence the attack was premeditated.

 Sure, they’d have to prove how she got in. But…but still! She couldn’t risk it. Wouldn’t. Which meant her phone was her only safe secret-keeper. They were co-conspirators in it all. 

Speaking of the damned cursed thing… trying to outright return it hadn’t worked, even though she had the receipt and everything! She still remembered the bizarre events that day.

Y/N was almost out of breath by the time she entered the phone store, embarrassingly worked up in front of the few strangers milling around inside. She got a few curious, side-long glances, and then they went back to perusing the inventory.

“Welcome!” Called an employee already speaking to other customers. “Someone will assist you shortly.”

Y/N gave a short, affirmative nod, trying not to come off anxious as she glanced around. Everything looked…the same as the night she had bought the phone. Shiny new models on display, the monitor above their heads playing a loop of advertisements for different Samsung products, and everything neatly put away and organized. Absently, she began to think over the store’s layout, and the fact that it could have a strong subconscious effect on the consumer. Organization of inventory could actually play a role in whether or not someone wanted to buy something.

But, putting that aside, the store didn’t look like the kind of place that would sell someone a phone that would ruin their life. Looks could be deceiving, though. Who knew what was actually afoot?

“Oh, can I help you, miss?” A middle-aged woman wearing the store’s polo top came over with a tag that said her name was Hayoung asked in an attentive tone.

Y/N was quick to nod. “I’m here to make a return, actually. I bought a phone from your store not long ago.”

“Was the item not to your liking?” Hayoung asked, guiding her over to an available station.

The university student glanced down at the phone in question, which she’d placed back in the original purchase box. “You could…say that.” She mumbled. “I’ve thought about it, and I really don’t need anything even half this fancy.” Telling the woman she thought the phone might have it in for her was out of the question. “So I’d like to exchange it for something simpler.”

Hayoung dutifully accepted the box, scanning the barcode and then lifting up the lid. Y/N had anticipated a smooth return in which she’d flash her receipt, maybe some ID, and have the exchange completed in no time. But when Hayoung’s brow furrowed, she knew she wouldn’t like whatever the saleswoman was going to say.

“Is…is something wrong?”

“Well,” she paused, “Are you sure you purchased your phone here? From this store? I know we’ve had models similar to this in stock before, but this one’s just not ringing up.”

“Really?” Y/N shook her head, rummaging around in her purse. “I don’t see how that could be. I have the receipt if that helps…” 

She then proceeded to go through her small purse, searching the exact spot she knew she had folded and placed the receipt. “Um, hold on a minute please,” Hayoung waited expectantly as Y/N kept looking, growing increasingly more frustrated as she turned the contents of her purse inside out hunting for the receipt. 

No, no way was she ever that careless. She had made sure she put it into her purse before leaving the apartment, and she didn’t exactly care that much in it to begin with! It was all zipped up tight, so how could it have fallen out?!

It took several more long, awkward moments of searching futilely in vein for her to realize it was true. The receipt was no where to be found. Trying to fight down the flush of defeat crossing her cheeks, Y/N cleared her throat, speaking diplomatically, “I’m sorry, I don’t seem to have my receipt on hand after all. I guess I’ll just…try to search it out and return when I do.”

“Oh, there’s no need. Our system can search for and find the purchase if you happen to have the card on hand.”

Y/N wanted to slump over in defeat, “Actually my friend bought it…”

“Oh,” Hayoung tilted her head, “Do you happen to know the account number used?”

Y/N mentally wondered if Binna was free. She shouldn’t be in class right now, right? So it would be okay to quickly give her a call and get this sorted out. She had to leave the store without this phone. That was a must!

 “H-Hold on please!” It was a little embarrassing, snatching the phone she had been trying to return from its box and powering it on. In anticipation of making the return, Y/N had thought to wipe it and remove the SIM card chip, but then recalled hearing it was best to do that at the store when the transaction was complete, in case there was something forgotten on the phone that still needed to be retrieved.

Hastily scrolling down the admittedly short contacts’ list, Y/N located Binna’s number and pressed the button to dial. The phone rang three times, and she anxiously tapped her foot as she waited to see if her friend would pick up. ‘Please, Bin. Come on. Please.’

Of course, as it always was when she needed something to work out, it didn’t quite go smoothly. Binna hadn’t picked up, and she had ended up ending the call right before it switched to voice mail. Typing out a text message asking for the information she needed, Y/N had glared spitefully down at the phone.

“Do you recall the name of the clerk who sold you the phone?” Hayoung asked gently. 

Y/N thought it over, the sales associate’s face floating to mind. “Yes, his name was Suk-kyu.”

“Hmm, that name doesn’t sound familiar.” Hayoung shook her head. “I’ve been employed here three years and never heard anyone go by that name,”

It was unlike her, but Y/N felt she was entitled to a bit of out of character behavior when her jaw actually dropped. “You’re kidding…”

But, Hayoung assured her, she was not. She didn’t think they had ever carried the exclusive Army Edition of the phone. She didn’t know who Suk-kyu was, and Y/N couldn’t find her receipt, the only bit of evidence that might have been able to successfully lift the burden of the phone from her person. She had left the store, apologizing for wasting the patient woman’s time, and feeling like she was at least partially going crazy. 

Needless to say, Y/N had been…anxious about the phone since then. A bit scared, even. A fear she had no choice but to shoulder in silence for the time being. There wasn’t much she could do but continue searching high and low for the receipt and hope it turned up soon.

 In the meantime, she didn’t let on that anything was wrong, using the phone like before, though limiting that to when it was really necessary. No more playing around with it or downloading apps. Nope, she didn’t want to risk getting too attached to the thing. 

The only thing she did besides make calls was research. Things she never would have thought about looking up before. Like, unexplained phenomena with electronics, most of which led to completely wild conspiracy theories or dead ends.

Y/N had been so engrossed in breaking her brain over what to do, she jumped when the apartment door swung open, turning around on the coach to see Binna march in, a few grocery bags in her hands. Keys in her mouth, she gently kicked the door closed, humming to herself until she happened to look up and spot Y/N.

“Oh!” Binna hustled into the small kitchen to set her bags down, then her keys. “Y/N, didn’t expect to see you here right now. You’ve got class today, right?”

“It was canceled…” she sighed, sliding down the couch cushions and placing her phone on the coffee table. “The professor’s out sick with the flu.”

Binna winced in sympathy. “Yikes, poor guy…”

“Yeah,” Y/N took great care not to get sick, so she hadn’t so much as had a cold in years, but she still remembered times when she was a child in bed with chills, body aches and a fever. Once she had even had pneumonia, her mother forced to call out from work and nurse her back to health. “He just wanted us to go over the assignment we’ve been working on since the start of the semester. You know, take this as independent study time basically. But…”

“Buuut, knowing you,” Binna smiled, “You’ve already taken the initiative and gotten a head start a long time ago, so you’re ahead of everyone else.”

“Done, actually,” Y/N confirmed, not afraid to admit to her efficiency. 

Her roommate made a noise of encouragement as she began to put the groceries away. It didn’t look like much. A loaf of bread, some bottles of sauce they’d been running low on, some eggs and a carton of milk.

 “That’s great, since it actually kind of works out. Chin-Mae and Min Su invited me to check out this new steak house that just opened up. I heard reservations are booked out for weeks already, but thanks to Min Su’s connections, we can go this evening. What do you say?” Binna wiggled her eyebrows, trying to entice Y/N. 

“Alright, I’m in,” she agreed.

“Because I’m sure they won’t mind adding just one more to our party, especially if that person is you…” Binna continued to ramble.

“Bin, did you hear me?” Y/N clucked, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I said I’m in.”

Eyes round as the eggs she had put away, Binna blinked, nodded, and finally broke out into an ear to ear grin. “Oh, wow, that’s new. I m-mean not that it isn’t great you wanna join us, but…”

“What?” Y/N felt a little defensiveness creeping up on her, and she probably didn’t do the best job completely hiding it from her tone. “You made the invite, and you said Min Su and Chin-Mae would be fine with it. Did you not…really want me to come along?”

They thought she would kill the mood, the nasty little whisper entered her head unbidden. They thought she was so stuffy and boring.

“What, Y/N, no!” Binna immediately denied, “I’m really glad you can make it,” she shot over to the couch, wrapping her arms around her friend’s neck from behind as she bent over for the hug. “It’s true you normally put up a little more resistance when we ask you to come somewhere. You stay so busy, so I was a little surprised is all. But I’m glad you’re agreeing.”

Y/N’s tense shoulders relaxed, and she mentally sighed to herself, feeling silly. Of course, of course her friends wanted her there. And this was Binna, who struggled to have a bad thought about anybody. Secretly resentful definitely wasn’t her style. 

But with the stress she had been under, and the dread she’d done her best not to give into, Y/N could admit her nerves had been on edge. “Yeah, sorry about that…” she laughed weakly, reaching up and patting one of the arms looped around her neck. “I don’t know where that came from, but I’m happy to eat a little steak if Min Su’s recommending it.” The man had the best luck finding good places to eat, or stores that sold exactly what you were looking for but probably overlooked. 

“Good girl,” Binna uncoiled her arms and leaned back against the couch itself. “That’s the spirit. And hey, I heard from some of the girls in the campus’ BTS fan club that one of the guys on campus might be related to one of the waiters who might have catered the food on the set of a music video for Taehyung!”

She said it in a breathy squeal, and Y/N couldn’t help but smile indulgently. She was almost sure she knew which one Taehyung was, but she still wouldn’t put money on it. It might just as soon be someone else. Maybe Namjoon? 

She’d gotten more familiar with their names but as most of her time perusing videos and photos had been spent investigating Jimin, she wasn’t entirely sure on the others’ faces. Well, besides Jin and J-Hope. 

“Nice,” she said, letting Binna get all her gushing out as she texted Chin-Mae just to make sure it really was okay if she tagged along. Stupid to be anxious about feeling unsure if everyone really wanted her to come, but better to be safe than sorry.

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

She was impressed the minute they walked through the door. Min Su stopped trying to sneak an arm around Chin-Mae’s waist and immediately went over to talk to the maître d. The two men spoke cordially, the head waiter confirmed their reservation, and then they were led to their table with a flourish. 

Binna was practically bouncing on her heels, squealing under her breath. “Can you believe this place?” she whispered excitedly, “I feel like a movie star, coming here.”

The restaurant was definitely lavish, so she understood where her friend was coming from. The tables were polished stained oak, and lit by a candle to provide ambiance, and the floors were a gorgeous brown tile that Y/N suspected to be marble. 

The restaurant was done in a mixture of black, gold with high beam wood ceilings and low atmospheric lighting. They walked past a bar, long and oval, with shimmering glasses the team of bartender would pull down as they did impressive tricks to wow the gathered guests. 

“It’s one of the hottest spots in Gangnam right now,” Chin-Mae commented as they sat down. The table comfortably fit the four of them, and everyone got settled as a young woman hurried over, handing them menus and introducing herself. 

“This is so cool,” Binna exclaimed, still wiggling in place. She shook Y/N’s arm. She was all done up with some icy blue eye shadow that matched her aqua dress, and a more subtle plum shade of lipstick. 

Her hair was secured in a complicated twist by a pin she recognized from the last time they had gone shopping together. Y/N adjusted the shawl draped over her shoulders, pulling down her own strapless dress. Binna had helped her pick accessories, which were mostly shades of amber or gold, and apply some light makeup. 

Y/N chuckled, nodding as she scanned the menu, trying her best to ignore the listed prices. She had come fully prepared to pay her own way, but Min Su insisted the meal was going to be on him. It must have been nice.

 The perks of being from an affluent family, she supposed. The guy was already well on his way to being a successful lawyer, following the family tradition. He had moved all the way from his hometown in China to come and work on his master’s degree at one of the top universities in Korea, just for a change of pace. “Thanks again for letting us crash your date night, guys.” Binna beamed.

“Please,” Chin-Mae scoffed lightly, not looking up from his menu. “What was I supposed to do all evening? Talk to him?”

Min Su pouted, but it didn’t diminish the fond glow in his eyes as he leaned over his boyfriend’s shoulder and whispered something in his ear that gave Chin-Mae pause.

 Their friend cut a sharp look at his partner, smacking his thigh and then proceeding to ignore the man who was happily leaning into him and commenting on the menu. Yeah, nothing new there. Min Su was totally gone on Chin-Mae, as always.

 There was nothing about Chin-Mae’s bluntness or dismissive attitude in public that ever put him off. If anything, the mean behavior only served to make Min Su try harder. Though, she and Binna both knew Chin-Mae wouldn’t be with someone this long if he wasn’t just as serious about them.

 He was just a straight shooter, raised in a family that wasn’t completely accepting of who he was, and unfortunately awkward and out of his depth about how to handle someone as affectionate and doting as the man he happened to fall in love with.

 They were well suited in that regard. Min Su was patient and persistent enough to shower Chin-Mae in all the attention he needed to overcome the lingering doubts about being worthy of such deep love and devotion. 

Y/N was perfectly fine, pursuing the path she was. Career goals first, everything else second. But sometimes, watching them, a little envy did ignite.

 It must have been nice to find something like that, and she was truly happy for them. It didn’t seem likely she’d have time in the near future to go out and chase it for herself, of course. And she wasn’t really worried about it. 

“So, what’ll it be for you guys?” Y/N cleared her throat, interrupting the warm and cozy silence they’d all been existing in.

“Ohh, I think I’m gonna have the smoked chicken and spinach salad, and a side of the fried mushrooms,” Binna announced, tongue poking out in concentration as her finger followed where the items she wanted were on the menu.

“You’re going so easy on him.” Chin-Mae remarked. “I’m getting the iron skillet trout,” he squinted, leaning further into the menu. Min Su only smiled, plucking the reading glasses from Chin Mae’s breast pocket that he had forgotten to put on and placing them on his face for him.

 The absent-minded pat he got on the hand for it made the law student’s whole face light up. “And the chicken fried steak. That okay, babe?” He might not have looked it, exactly, but Chin-Mae had a healthy appetite. And if they were coming to such an exclusive restaurant for the first time, it wasn’t surprising he wouldn’t be keen to hold back.

Min Su was nodding encouragingly before Chin-Mae had even fully gotten the question out of his mouth. “And what about you, Y/N?”

She clammed up slightly, having been looking at the menu, mentally ruling out what seemed too expensive, or wasn’t quite her taste. “Uh, the pot roast sounds like a filling entree.”

“And?” Chin-Mae prodded, interlocking his hands together and leaning on them.

“And nothing,” Y/N shook her head. “It comes with two sides, that’s more than enough.”

“Boo,” Her friend hissed dramatically. “Fine. If neither one of you is going to take advantage of this, then I guess it’s up to me.”

Their waitress returned with a tray of drinks at precisely that moment, and as she set them down in front of the correct person, everyone began telling her their orders, which she jotted down without missing a beat.

 Only Min Su had actually ordered any steak, but, given the price of a 24 oz there was just no way she felt comfortable doing that to the poor guy, even if he was a good sport about it and more than capable of handling a large bill. 

As they sat, sipping their champagne and waiting on the food, something Y/N had been putting off thinking about started floating through her mind. Ever since the whole Jimin fiasco, despite her deep diving and frantic searching, nothing had turned up that indicated anyone was coming after her. 

But she just wasn’t willing to believe she’d gotten away that easily. She almost killed a celebrity. And, due to that, she’d really wanted to seek legal advice from Min Su, under the guise of some far-fetched hypothetical, of course. Her friends weren’t onto her, and she couldn’t give them a reason to be. 

She just had to find a way to casually broach the topic…

“Oh,” Binna gasped from her side, drawing the whole table’s attention to herself. She was carefully scrolling her phone with a freshly manicured nail, scowling slightly. It was so rare that Binna displayed any actual disdain, it had Y/N a bit curious. 

“What’s wrong, Bin?”

“It’s nothing,” she replied immediately, then paused. “Well it’s not nothing but, it’s just…I really wished we lived in a world that respected idols as people, you know? Some people call themselves fans and act like famous people aren’t allowed to have any boundaries.” She then went on to describe how there’d been another sasaeng incident reported on a news site she followed to keep up with celebrity gossip. 

Apparently, it was a pretty serious one, and crazed ‘fans’ had attacked an actress a well-known idol was reported to be dating. Her bodyguard had fended them off, but the actress still went to the hospital with some injuries. 

Y/N perked up slightly, but Min Su and Chin-Mae were thankfully too engrossed in listening to Binna rant to notice. It would be much easier to bring up her question using the information Binna had just provided them as a pretext.

 It was about time she had a stroke of good luck. Stopping to think it over, Y/N cringed. Not that she wasn’t sympathetic to the poor woman who had been harmed because of someone’s delusions. But it just…presented an opportunity she had to take, and….

‘Oh, why am I trying to rationalize it to myself?! I should just ask the question before the subject changes.’

 That decided, she opened her mouth and spoke, doing her best to make it seem as casual as possible. “So Min Su, you’re practically a lawyer. What kind of charges could that person face? Attacking a celebrity and inflicting bodily harm isn’t the same as harassing them for a photo.”

 Y/N silently patted herself on the back, sitting from her glass with an expression carefully schooled to look only mildly interested. Inside was another matter. She was rocking back in forth, heart hammering and eyes wide, waiting for an answer with baited breath.

“Hmm, well, I’ve mostly studied corporate law.” He admitted, playing with a ring on his index finger, “But I do know that given the severity, it’s likely both the actress and the company she’s represented under will press charges. Things are also moving faster these days, prosecuting people who do things like that.” 

Y/N swallowed, eyes fixated on Min Su’s thoughtful expression. “There were also witnesses, so it’s very likely to result in a conviction.” Yes, there had been a witness in her case too. Well, J-Hope had only seen her fleetingly. Maybe. Hopefully not. But if she was on any camera then…it was most definitely over for her.

 “The court could go light on them if it was a first offense…they might be sentenced to a large fine and community service…” Okay, Y/N thought. It would probably drain her savings, but it was still possible to bounce back and have a future, right? She could still put it in the past and become a CEO one day, right?! “Then again, it was a premeditated attack. Jail time is also a strong possibility.”

Her heart sank back down to her feet. Jail. What successful CEO in Korea had been to jail before graduating, and for assaulting an idol no less. 

‘I. Am. Done.’

“What’s the matter, Y/N?” Binna giggled, “You look like you smelled a rotten egg. But I guess hearing about how far some crazy people will go is pretty disgusting, isn’t it? I don’t think I’ll have much sympathy for them, whatever happens.”

“…Yeah…” Y/N said once her words came unstuck. That was another thing. Her sweet friend was going to think she was a criminal. She had known Binna since high school, having shared a homeroom class with her. They were vague acquaintances then, friendly enough to speak from time to time but by no means close enough to hang out between classes or after school. 

In fact, admittedly, Y/N used to wonder if Binna’s perky personality was just an act. It had to be, in her cynical rationalizing, because who was really that upbeat, in high school? 

Later on, she would realize she was just projecting, and once she stopped doing that was when she truly came to appreciate Binna for all that she was, steadfast and supportive. Although they didn’t become close, didn’t become friends, until meeting at orientation when arriving at Korea University. 

“They knew the consequences before they did it.” Chin-Mae joined in, swishing the last of his champagne around before drinking it down. “It’s stupid to think your life won’t be impacted when you run wild like that.”

Except, Y/N wanted to wail. She hadn’t known. She wasn’t a sasaeng, and she knew she had assaulted someone but at the same time she hadn’t really done anything wrong. Except maybe buy a cursed magical phone, that somehow was behind all this.

…Yeah, she’d just keep that thought to herself. 

“Well,” Y/N smiled, “Thanks for giving your input.” She told Min Su, who nodded, humming with a cheerful ‘no problem’.

A cartoony chime went off, and Binna groaned as she stared down at her phone, “Nooo,” she sighed, sounding truly remorseful. “Right now?”

“What’s happening?” Chin-Mae raised a brow.

“Jimin is going live!” She whined, “And normally I’d watch but I’m having such a great time with all of you, and I don’t want to be rude…”

“It’s fine, go ahead.” Y/N said, forcing a smile. “We know how addicted to that stuff you are.” Really, she wanted the floor to swallow her into the abyss. She knew the minute she heard that sound what was going on. If her phone had been turned on, they would have heard the same noise coming from her purse too.

She had made an account on several apps BTS often broadcasted their lives to, and set an alert for just that occasion. There were a couple of false alarms she hadn’t tuned into once she saw they weren’t from the person she was basically stalking at this point. But this was it. The big moment. 

He hadn’t done a solo live since the accident…but Binna said his members had mentioned that he had a small accident while practicing and was recovering well. 

All of Army was behind him, sending him tons of well wishes from all over the world. It was sweet, but she wondered how fast they would turn if they knew she was behind their beloved idol’s injuries. 

“Yeah, what Y/N said,” Chin-Mae rolled his eyes. “Check on your man,” he joked.

Binna giggled, flashing them a cute heart. “He’s not my man,” she replied playfully, “I’d have to get in line for that. Plus, I’m really more of an OT7, you know? It’s really hard to stick with one bias.”

 Nonetheless, when she began to watch, since Y/N couldn’t exactly whip out her phone and do the same without raising suspicion, she subtly leaned closer to at least listen.

Of course, Binna was always more astute than she let on. “Oh, did you wanna see too?” She angled the screen so they could both see before Y/N even had the chance to protest. 

And the live was just starting, the exact same idol she had seen what felt like a lifetime ago was sitting in a room by himself. It looked like he was on a couch, legs crossed, looking small in his soft oversized sweater and giving the camera a cute wave. “Hi, everyone,” his sweet voice said. “Thank you for waiting on me!”

Gushing comments poured in, cheering him and welcoming him back, asking him what he’d been up to, and telling him he looked good. Jimin tilted his head, a coy, secretive smile appearing on his shiny lips. Y/N couldn’t tell if he was wearing gloss or if they always looked like that.

 She had been a bit too preoccupied the one and only time she had the opportunity to see them in person. He had dyed his hair a different color, though. It was now a shade of strawberry blonde that complimented his angelic features well.

 “Well, I haven’t been up to much. Just resting, really.” he explained. “Even on days when I felt better and tried to join practices, the members just shooed me away.” He laughed. “Oh, but look at this!” He reached down, his head dipping out of screen for a minute, popping up seconds later holding a little pot. “Taehyung got me this ‘get well’ plant!” He showed them a cute little sapling.

Binna cooed, Y/N glancing at her then refocusing on his words. Who knew when a hidden meaning would pop up.

“I don’t know how well I’ll be able to take care of it; I’m not sure if I have a green thumb. But I’ll try my best!”

Comments came pouring in again, people saying he was going to enter his plant dad era, because collecting succulents could be addicting.

 Other people gushed at the sweetness of the VMin friendship, whatever that was, and yet more people reminded Jimin that he looked really good. Yet one comment in particular seemed to catch his eye, and he squinted, seemingly intrigued. 

“Hmm? You wish you were a plant so I could take care of you?” He repeated. “You don’t have to be a plant for me to want to take care of you.” The statement was very matter-of-fact, “You’re Army. I’ll always watch over Army.”

Binna sounded like she released a tiny sniffle. “Is he not just the sweetest?” She asked, nudging Y/N a bit. “Since you’re new to BTS, have you chosen a bias yet?”

Y/N wished she could tell her the real reason behind her sudden interest, but that was kind of out of the question. “No, not yet…”

“Y/N’s a BTS fan now?” Chin-Mae asked, “Since when?”

“Pretty recent.” Binna replied.

Y/N was only half listening to her friends, mostly focusing on Jimin’s chatter. Someone was still insisting they wanted to be his plant, and he looked nothing short of amused. 

“Okay, if you insist. Should I start a garden then?” He asked his fans. Y/N watched, stunned, as his bright eyes narrowed into a practiced and very effective smolder. She had seen it in pictures before, but in real time it was really something else, “It’ll be full of so many pretty flowers, and you’ll all bloom just for me, right?” The heady purr of his words sent a shocked shiver right down her spine. 

Binna swooned, while Y/N felt her breath hitch. ‘What… the…hell…was that?!’ A flirty throwaway line like that had never had that effect on her before.

 But then, thinking back, he had flirted with her in the dance studio too. She’d just been too worried to pay attention. Clearly, the man was an old hand at the art of duality, going from wholesome to heathen in five seconds flat. That was…dangerous. 

Binna seemed to already know how she felt, leaning into her with a sigh. “That, Y/N, is what happens when Jimin turns from angel to demon.” Her friend explained. “I’d say you’ll get used to it, but odds are you probably won’t.”

Jimin then went back to amicably speaking to everyone, as if he hadn’t just teased fans within an inch of their lives. The conversation moved on, and he was speaking about upcoming projects he was excited about or a funny habit that he had noticed in his band member. All normal, non-threatening stuff. Y/N was almost thinking she could relax. Almost. 

“What? You want to tell me a secret?” Jimin was reading another comment. “Okay, I’m listening…”

Y/N quirked a brow at the comment. “Sometimes I dream about you.” it read.

The idol grinned, replying casually. “Sometimes I miss Army so much I end up thinking about all of you in the middle of the day.” Y/N’s blood ran cold as he looked intensely at the screen. “It’s almost like you’re there…”

That was it. The sign she was waiting for! He was talking to her. 

“I…” Y/N stumbled to her feet, startling Binna. “Need the bathroom, I’ll be back.”

“Oh, okay.” Her friend said slowly, setting down her phone. “Is anything wrong? You don’t…look so good suddenly.”

‘You wouldn’t either in my shoes,’ she thought miserably. ‘Park Jimin is going to sue me within an inch of my life.’

“It’s alright,” she held a hand to her stomach, selling the illusion of sudden nausea. “Just…lady problems.” She said lamely.

Poor Binna didn’t even question it; she nodded, eyes full of sympathy. “Well text if you need anything.” She squeezed Y/N’s hand. “I’ve got a few extra tampons in my purse.” she whispered discreetly. Really, Binna was too good of a friend for her. 

Y/N rounded the corner in a hurry, blindly guessing where the bathrooms might be located. She passed their waitress, rolling out a cart that she was pretty sure contained their meals. Everything looked delicious, and of course she couldn’t even enjoy the great evening Min Su had generously provided. All because she was screwed. 

She hustled into a bathroom as fancy as the rest of the steak house, and so spacious there would probably be an echo. She hustled over to the sink, activating the handless system by shoving her trembling fingers under it. As she splashed her face with warm water, the dread twisting up her stomach gave way to deja vu. 

‘This is just like…the event at the internship.’ The wild day that would be the beginning of the end of her life. Removing her hands from the water, she gently pressed the pad of her thumb up to her eye, tapping it a few times.

 Her makeup was well done, but it still felt like she could see bags. ‘At least it can’t get worse.’ She assumed. After all, what was worse than this? The dumb phone was put away in her clutch, turned off, and back at the table.

 The very least she could do was fake a smile so she didn’t ruin everyone’s meal, and enjoy what might be her last chance to experience this. They probably didn’t serve many steakhouse dinners where she was going. 

That thought firmly in mind, Y/N squared her shoulders and prepared to march back out, tightly gripping her clutch at her side. Wait, her clutch?!

Binna must have handed it over to her, assuming she might need it. She had said to text if she needed anything, and Y/N couldn’t exactly do that without a phone. Well, at least it was off. Y/N wasn’t totally sure what kind of phenomenon had disrupted her life, but it all started with that phone. 

No sooner had she backed away from the mirror than a wave of dizziness overtook her, sending her keeling forward. Instinctively, she clutched the sink to maintain her balance, almost screaming out when she looked up as the dizzy feeling passed. 

The mirror in front of her was the same as always, a reflection of her wide, mortified eyes. But the long glossy mirror that made up the entire wall of the bathroom at the entrance of the restroom? 

A reflection of another room, just like before. “No…” she whispered, not ready to admit that it was happening again. What was worse? All of it being real, or her losing her mind? “Not again…!”

She clenched her eyes shut, then attempted to get her feet moving. She would keep her head down and hurry right on past, to the exit. That was the plan at least. And she was making good progress to move without falling over in her modest heels, but the minute she actually got closer to the mirrors, a strange feeling overwhelmed her. 

Almost like a compulsion to stop. Y/N felt like she was watching a scene in a movie, watching a victim wander down the hall of a haunted house, towards the homicidal attacker lying in wait.

 Her feet were making her move on her own! Her fingertips reached out, and yet she had no control. She had to touch the mirror, see if that room on the other side was real. But deep down, she knew the answer before her fingers made contact.

It was a strange emotion somewhere between surprise resignation when she wobbled onto a floor that was not marble and found her eyes darting around a room that was not the steak house. 

Pressing against the mirror desperately, she confirmed what a large part of her had assumed. There was no give to the mirror, apparently no way back from the time being. Was she even still in Gangnam?

Her senses were feeding her all kinds of information, and frankly, it was starting to overwhelm her. The raw scents of sweat, male musk, and ammonia could only mean one thing, and it was further proven when she peered around the blind corner of a painted brick wall, only to see two people exercising. 

Well, one was doing stretches, and with the way he hopped up, he had just finished. An older man in a tank top and sweats had pads strapped to his hands, and Y/N watched closely, not even daring to breathe, as the younger man sat down and laced boxing gloves onto his taped hands. 

He stood up, and who she assumed was his trainer got into a defensive stance while the younger man hopped around nimbly. Y/N watched, wide-eyed as they began to train, the guy in the black hoodie practicing blocking, jabbing and dodging.

 It was clear he had put a lot of dedication into this. Y/N was never much of a sports person, but she knew the result of hard-work when she saw it. His moves were fluid, and instead of slowing down, they got quicker the more he went at it. 

Somehow, it never felt like a good time to draw their attention to herself, go wobbling over in her dinner attire, and ask for directions back to the High Tower SteakHouse. She had a few other options, of course, like calling Binna. Or maybe Chin-Mae…but how did she explain it? 

She had gone to the restroom for a few minutes and wound up in a completely different location without leaving the restaurant?! Then again, it meant they would really have no choice but to believe her. 

It was impossible for her to have gone anywhere far when they all saw her leave for the bathroom. Maybe she could sneak out while they were distracted and then call when she was outside the gym, not standing around all conspicuous.

Y/N was weighing the merits of her plan when she heard an excited yell, whipping her head around and watching the trainer give his client a few congratulatory pats on the back, apparently satisfied with the work he’d put in for the day. 

They began speaking lowly to themselves, and Y/N paled when she noticed the only door out of the room she could spot was behind them…. The corner she was standing behind seemed to be where the water fountains and locker rooms were located. 

Hiding out in there was another option, but it didn’t exactly appeal when she would have to keep checking to see when the gym was empty. Right now it was just the two of them, but what if more people came in? 

They’d have questions about someone being dressed like she was, right? Then again she could also be found out just staying put where she was. Ugh…it was beyond frustrating. 

Her luck was completely shot, huh?

A little hope returned when the trainer waved at the young man and then began heading for the exit. She assumed they were done for the day, and the second guy would be done soon too. But not so, because then she’d actually be lucky. 

As soon as his trainer had cleared the room, he gave a loud sigh, beginning to shimmy out of his hoodie. Y/N didn’t think she was close enough to make the door in the small moment he had his vision obstructed, but she was close enough to get an eyeful.

 If his training earlier hadn’t tipped her off that he was dedicated, his physique would have. He was all hard lines, though the minuscule glimpse of a thin waist when his shirt rode up with his hoodie was impressive too.

 She could see a full sleeve of tattoos decorating one arm, and coupled with his longish two-toned hair, a deep brown that gave way to a raging red, he was kind of…hard to look at. Distracting in a way she didn’t anticipate. She didn’t get distracted, not usually.  

He, on the other hand, got straight to business. Oblivious of her presence, he walked right over to the large, hanging punching bag and began to hit it. But he wasn’t just hitting it. Again, Y/N was no boxing aficionado, but she knew he knew what he was doing. 

His strikes were always controlled, his breathing never ragged the way she could guess hers would be. He pivoted on his back foot, and she knew that the small movement put more power into his strikes.

 He was hitting the bag like it owed him money, grunting occasionally, the muscles in his arms and shoulders flexing in his t-shirt. At some point, Y/N figured he would stop. He would either head out the door, or into the locker room, and that was when she would flee. 

Hopefully, wherever the cruel cosmic entity that thought her life was a joke had dumped her, it wasn’t very far from the restaurant. Then again, shouldn’t she have gotten a worried text by now? 

She’d been gone for a while. Or, maybe Binna had actually come to check on her and seen that she had disappeared entirely. Y/N could imagine the freak out as Binna flailed her way back to the table and informed Min Su and Chin-Mae that somehow, someway, she’d been kidnapped. 

What was her life lately, she thought miserably. With nothing to really do but scroll her phone or continue to watch the mystery man go at it, she turned to checking what news was trending for the day. Normally, she at least kept up with news involving the business world, if nothing else.

 The celebrity gossip blogs she left to Binna, BTS investment notwithstanding. Stocks were up at several companies she had an interest in working at after graduation—assuming she made it with her life in chaos lately—so that was good.

 A CEO had resigned from his post at a company she had almost interned at but decided not to at the last minute off a strange feeling. Some scandal involving embezzlement. So she dodged a bullet there.

 And, lastly, BTS’ Jungkook had endorsed some new sports brand, and now merchandise was selling out faster than it could be restocked. The article included a picture of Jungkook, posing in shorts and a t-shirt next to a mountain of different athletic gear for various sports. 

Wait. Y/N could have swallowed her tongue. Wait. That man, the man in the picture and the one boxing…were the same person?!

Feeling like she may just be sick, Y/N did a quick check, and really took in the boxer. That was undoubtedly the idol pictured in the article. 

Not only was she going to jail for assaulting one BTS member (albeit on accident) a fact that she had managed to forget up until that moment, she got pulled back into the same thing that got her in trouble before, and ended up crossing paths with another one?! 

Once it came out what happened between her and Park Jimin, there was no possible way people would believe she wasn’t a sasaeng. The circumstantial evidence just kept getting more and more damning. 

Jungkook. Jungkook. What did she know about Jungkook? Admittedly not much, considering all her focus had really been on Jimin for obvious reasons. She knew…that Binna said he was the youngest in the boy group. He was multitalented, and here her friend swore she wasn’t exaggerating or anything.

 According to her, he was like some kind of Barbie of idols, he could do it all. Those weren’t her exact words, but it was the gist. Jungkook also had a habit of being a little shy around members of the opposite sex, or so it was claimed. 

Y/N personally had always thought all idols had to be manufacturing some parts of their personalities for public consumption. Who knew which parts? None of the scraps of information she had been fed told her anything about whether he was liable to press charges for stalking him or not.

Then again, he was an idol, and knowing that, Y/N had to assume he had gone out of his way to book private gym time, hence why the spacious work out room was empty save for him. Which meant him catching her was going to lead to a world of trouble. 

How good were her odds if she just booked it for the exit the minute he went back to the locker room? Or if he left, she’d wait a little bit to be sure he had cleared the building, then she’d leave too. Waiting…yep…that’s all she could do. If she wasn’t in a dress, and didn’t find the idea so dirty, she would slump over on the floor.

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

Jungkook caught the punching bag as it swung back from his last strike, finally feeling satisfied with his boxing for the time being. His limbs had that good burn that he liked, and his heart rate was up, despite his controlled breathing. But he wasn’t ready to leave just yet, so he decided to switch from boxing to something new. After a break.

Unlacing his boxing gloves, he found his gym bag and rummaged inside for his water bottle. Sitting down on a mat, he took a few sips, trying not to gulp it down too fast. His bottle was empty in no time, despite his attempts at moderation, and refilling before he resumed working out didn’t seem like a bad idea. 

His footsteps echoing in the big empty gym was probably his imagination, but the weird sight when he rounded the corner? That he was pretty sure was real. Leaning against the wall, a woman…no, a girl, dressed up like she had somewhere important to be was nodding off. He froze, staring, all kinds of thoughts flying through his head. 

Who was she? How’d she get in? When did she get in? Was she dangerous? Did he need to call for back up? Jungkook had purposely began training at this gym because it was exclusive. As his fame had grown, unfortunately he had to stop using more easy to find public gyms.

 The one at HYBE was an option, but sometimes he wanted something…quieter. Trainees who came in meant well, and they tried to be respectful besides giving him friendly greetings, but they couldn’t help but gawk, and that made it awkward when he was trying to get in the zone. Here, he had thought, was perfect.

But maybe he was rushing to conclusions. He didn’t know anything about the situation besides a girl in a nice dress was falling asleep by the water fountains while standing up. Her head slumped forward, then snapped up quickly as she jolted awake, eyes wide and alert. 

That was when they locked gazes, and his loose, sore muscles tensed right up. She, on the other hand, curled away like she was facing a thug in an alley. It was bemusing; yeah he’d bulked up a lot in the last several years after he got serious about training. Jungkook never considered himself all that intimidating, though. 

“Are you… staff?” he asked, since it didn’t seem like she was going to speak up first. Not with the way she kept looking like the guillotine was coming down on her head any moment. 

It took a reasonably long time for her to compose herself and answer, which was another pretty big tip off that something was not right. He was ready to whip out his phone and call security. Or at least he would be, if he hadn’t put it on do not disturb and left it in his bag. 

“This is all a misunderstanding, really,” she warbled, her hands slapped the wall behind her like she was trying to steady herself. “I didn’t…I didn’t mean to be here.”

“What?” Jungkook was definitely growing suspicious. No one who wasn’t up to something just answered like that.

“I was just going to wait until you left and I guess I started to nod off…” she ran a shaky hand through her hair, disturbing it a little. “But really, please, if you’ll pretend you never saw me, I promise, I’ll be on my way.”

He backed away quickly as she lurched forward, but before he could tell her not to do anything funny, she bowed very formally, and the idol watched, perplexed. When he didn’t respond in any way, she resumed her upright position, then tried to brush by him with her head down. 

Though, when he noticed the phone clenched tight in her fist, he acted without thinking. Something his hyungs had told him to be careful of doing in the past. At least they weren’t around to scold him.

“Hey,” he seized her wrist, and she stopped in her tracks, though he wasn’t expecting her reaction at all. Her eyes took in the hand on her like she could just flay it off with the intensity of her stare alone, and then she met his eyes head-on, hers surprisingly stony. “Your phone…”

“What about it?” she tried tugging her hand away, but he wasn’t ready to let go just yet. Not until he got some answers. He liked this gym. He wanted to keep using this gym, and at the thought that his privacy was being invaded yet again, and he would have to find somewhere else, yet again, he was getting a little worked up. 

“That’s an Army phone, a Galaxy Z Flip 4: Army Edition.”

Her eyes widened, and then she scoffed, shaking her head. “Yeah, I guess you would know. But to tell you the truth, though I can admire your band’s marketability, this phone itself has been nothing but problems. This is just the latest one. Now, please, let go.” There was some bite in her tone now, her voice surprisingly stern. 

When she tugged again, he acquiesced, something she probably didn’t expect, since she stumbled before catching herself. And when she felt her cellphone tugged right out of her hand? She rounded on him, scowling. “That belongs to me.” She held her hand out, clearly expecting it back.

“Why are you here? This is a private gym, and you don’t sound like you’re staff.”

She snatched for the phone, but he held it away, using his speed to his advantage. “Are you Army?”

“What? No,” she sounded offended by the notion, which in turn offended him. Then again, a true Army wouldn’t do this to him. Wouldn’t invade his space. “And what does that matter?”

“You’re not Army but you’ve got a phone that’s a rare exclusive. Only Army would want to own something like this. And if you’d go this far, you might be a sasaeng.” 

Here, she did pause in trying to retrieve her phone, a bit red in the face under her makeup. “Please, between my class schedule and internship, who would even have the time? The people who think stalking and harassing idols is worth jeopardizing their future for really need…” Surprisingly, the girl tried to jump for the phone like she wasn’t in heels, but he held it above his head, which meant it was way above hers, “…a hobby!”

“So I won’t find pictures you secretly took on this?” Jungkook squinted, not convinced. 

“No!” She hissed, jumping again, “Now who’s invading whose privacy, you…you muscle-headed, bunny-eyed brute!” 

He was so taken aback, he faltered, and with one last pounce, the mystery girl had snatched the phone, though not without a cost.

 Before she could even yell out in triumph, her heel wobbled and her foot rolled. Jungkook watched in slow motion, wincing in automatic sympathy as she went down. 

Time sped up as she cried out, on the ground and clutching her ankle in a dress too nice to be touching the bare gym floor. He stood over her, carefully watching her face at first. He could tell she was in pain, but attempting not to show the extent.

 Something about that alone…took him back to his early days. A wave of nostalgia he didn’t want to feel washed over him. He would hide his exhaustion, sometimes even hide injuries sustained while on stage until the end of a performance, until he couldn’t hide it anymore, just to avoid worrying his hyungs.

 And when they caught him, like they inevitably always did, he’d cry, apologize, worry they would resent him. It didn’t make sense to everyone, probably only to those who had experience firsthand with the feeling. Not wanting to let others down, wanting to live up to everyone’s expectations, struggling with the fact that they were still human.

The girl gingerly tried to shift her injured ankle, and that alone seemed to send a fresh wave of pain throbbing through it. With the way she bit her lip and clenched her eyes to stifle the cry he could just tell. 

And even though Jungkook had been concerned about a million things regarding her appearance, including that she might be another delusional ‘fan’, no one could fake pain that expertly. Plus, she’d have to be some actress to make her ankle swell on command.

 It was probably stupid of him to drop his guard, even for a second, but he found himself dropping to his knees, almost reaching out, and then hesitating. She stared up at him through her lashes, her own eyes as guarded as his had been, but wavering as she focused on ignoring her obvious injury. “I need…I need to call my friend.”

Making up his mind, Jungkook loosely grasped her foot by the heel, ignoring her half-hearted attempts to swat his hand away. He extended her leg, careful not to hurt her as he manipulated her foot to get a better idea of how bad it was. “You rolled it pretty hard.” He finally concluded.

“Yeah, no kidding.” Jungkook briefly met eyes with her again, but she stubbornly looked away. “I wonder how that happened.”

Guilt hit him pretty fast. Yeah. Even if he thought she was an intruder, he should have just called security and let them handle it. They were never far, and there was no way she could have stopped him. Not by physically overpowering at least. 

“Hang on,” he told her, setting her foot down and getting back on his feet. “I can help.”

“That’s a nice gesture,” she ground out, failing to hide a wince, “But really, I have my phone, so I can just call my fri—” she grabbed it and opened it, only for her face to fall. “Really? Now?” He heard her grumble irritably.

Noticing his quizzical face, turned a blank screen to him. “It’s dead.” She deadpanned. 

“Okay, then let me help.”

Jungkook didn’t know this stranger by any stretch of the imagination, but he had anticipated what her response would be. It probably sounded something like “no”, since she seemed disinclined to take his help.

 Was she always like this, so stubborn? Was it some kind of pride thing? He had been there, too; his hyungs really had their hands full with him over the years, didn’t they? 

Retrieving the first aid kit Jimin had gifted him some time back, he made a brisk return to find the girl in much the same position he had left her, staring sulkily at her injured ankle. She looked up when he approached, but didn’t say a word. 

“You might have to take off your shoe.” he informed her.

He waited to get a response, the big plastic kit held by his side. Jungkook wondered if she just planned to ignore him, and if he should take her silence as consent and proceed, but that didn’t feel right. Finally, she mumbled, “…This is really happening…isn’t it?”

Nodding slowly, he popped the kit open and examined its contents, locating the roll of compression wrap. While he did that, he noticed her leaning forward, trying to unstrap her heel without moving in a way that would hurt her foot even more. 

Jungkook had never worn heels, but he always thought anyone who did without falling over must have some hidden talent. Hers weren’t as tall as some, but she was still plucking at the strap with building frustration. 

Guessing she wanted it over and done with just as bad as he did, the idol seized the heel of her foot again, bringing her leg out and reaching for the buckle himself.

If he expected a beaming smile and a grateful attitude, he’d be sorely mistaken. She gave him the stink eye. “I can do at least this much.”

“Maybe, but I can do it faster.” He shrugged, already loosening the heel and sliding it off while holding her foot steady. From so close, and without the shoe in the way, he could really see just how fast the ankle had discolored and swollen. Again, he wrestled with the guilt, absently reaching for the wrap. “So,” he began by holding her ankle at a ninety-degree angle, “Who are you? Because this doesn’t mean I forgot…”

“Believe me, I’m someone who doesn’t want to be here anymore than you want me to be here. I didn’t have a choice, not that you’d ever believe me…” she huffed. “But, because legal repercussions are probably unavoidable, I’ll start by being cooperative. Maybe when they review all this, that’ll work in my favor.” It sounded like she was talking to herself, not him, but then she cleared her throat and extended her hand. “My name is L/N Y/N.”

Jungkook didn’t expect such a strange introduction, and the attempt at a handshake reminded him of Namjoon-hyung. He grasped her palm very briefly, barely holding on to it long enough for their hands to go up and down, but she didn’t seem inclined to want to hold onto him either.

“Y/N…” he repeated. 

“As for what I’m doing here…well, again, it’s not something any sane person would believe.” She switched her focus to watching him meticulously wrap her ankle. It was pretty careful care for someone that could have been stalking him, but he had already started, and if he was going to do it, his sense of perfectionism said he had to do it right. 

“Are you…insane?”

“Excuse me?” She didn’t look very amused, but he guessed it wasn’t exactly a polite question.

“You said a sane person wouldn’t believe you…” he explained. 

“I am not insane,” Y/N rubbed a hand to her forehead. “I just feel like I am lately,” she whispered. “I was dining out with some friends, in the restaurant bathroom and then…”

Jungkook waited while he secured the wrap with some bandage clips and closed his first aid kit. “And then?”

“It’s going to sound insane,” she finished matter-of-factly, “You’re going to call me a liar and accuse me of stalking you, then we’ll be right back where we started.”

Jungkook was torn between still wanting to contact security, but also experiencing some curiosity he couldn’t quite tamp down. “Do you have proof?” It didn’t sound like she did. 

“Proof?” Y/N repeated, arching a brow as if he had just said something strange.

“You’re not even going to try to make me believe you?” he goaded. 

“Sure, help me up and I’ll hobble right over to the mirror. You’ll see exactly how I got here and this whole think’ll be cleared up just like that.” Her tone was so sugary the sarcasm was evident. 

Jungkook figured he had indulged this for this long…why not go all the way. Offering her a hand, he warned her to brace herself, and then pulled her up with ease. “Okay.”

“Okay?” She said warily, trying not to show him how much she was utilizing the wall for support. 

“Okay,” Jungkook nodded, “Show me.”

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

Idols were weird. Y/N wasn’t sure if it was just the fact that they lived in a completely ‘different world’ from normal people or what, but she hadn’t expected her first extended run-in with some world-famous celebrity to go like this. 

Park Jimin was one thing; he’d been concussed, so that was enough to make him loopy. She hadn’t expected anything out of his mouth to make sense. But this guy, Jean Jungkook? 

Totally different. He wasn’t suffering a head injury, for one. And he had seemed angry at first, but still handled her appearance in much the same way a mean boy on the playground would in elementary school. Playing keep away with her phone, really?

He’d even treated her with decency when she tripped and sprained her ankle. God, that was yet another thing she was going to have to deal with. Sprained her ankle! Sprained! How was she supposed to get around campus quickly? It was huge. Though she supposed that wasn’t a concern at present. 

The idol’s strange demand was at the forefront of her mind, seeing as he was right behind her while she hobbled slowly to the mirror, her heel in one hand and her phone in the other. 

She must have looked like a suffering pigeon, doing a funny little hop. But she refused to let him touch her after she got her bearings. It was humiliating enough to have someone see her make a fool of herself and get injured to boot, idol or no idol. Well actually, his status made it even worse. 

And he was watching her oh so closely as she made it to the mirror, taking a deep breath and turned around to look at him with some difficulty. “Here it is.” She said flatly. “How I got in, and how I probably would be able to get out, if life felt like cutting me a break.”

He stepped around her, staring at her incredulously like she knew he would. She would look at herself that way in his position. Jungkook pressed against the mirror with the flat of his hand, one good time, as if to confirm it was solid. “You used the mirror? What, like magic? Like a drama?”

“You’re the one who said you wanted proof; I never said it would satisfy you.” she retorted. “I barely understand it myself, but what I’m saying is the only truth I have to cling to.” Her chin dipped, “No matter how implausible it is…” 

She knew she would get the same result he had when she pushed on the mirror, but as if to confirm her fate was truly sealed, Y/N tried anyway. When her hand went right through, the cool glass giving way to cool nothingness, she yelled, pitching forward.

Jungkook made a noise, something startled, and she glanced at him to confirm he was seeing what was happening. His bulging eyes made it evident that he was. Yes! Y/N jerked her arm away too fast, and in doing so almost fell back on her ass, if not for the lightning reflexes of the idol who moved to extend an arm around her waist.

 Y/N got her bearings, smoothed a hand over her shirt and her racing heart, and tried to hold back her tears. He could see. He could really see. The weeks of going crazy in silence, holding it all in, and someone else…could see.

“Your arm went through the glass,” he breathed.

“More than my arm’s gone through.” Y/N spoke with more confidence, now that there was no way he could deny it. “That’s…how I got here.”

The idol once again moved forward, pressing both hands against the mirror. Nothing. “How?” He wondered.

“I don’t know.” Y/N replied, “It’s been happening since…since I got this phone. So that’s my only theory, that the events are connected.” She held up the dead device and wiggled it around. “Not that that’s a story anyone would believe if I got caught breaking and entering.” 

The idol appeared to be thinking, worrying his lip piercing with his tongue, “Unless they saw it.”

Y/N squared her shoulders, eyeing him up and down. He fidgeted, looking small somehow, despite being fairly tall with a healthy amount of muscle. From close up it was even easier to see than watching him from behind the wall. 

“It might come as a surprise for you to know, not everyone would be as cavalier as you about all this. In fact, I’d go as far as saying your reaction was a bit…strange. Has anyone told you that you’re odd?”

  ‘Nice going, Y/N.’ She thought bitterly, ‘That was over the top blunt. You’re not trying to make an enemy out of the very first person to be witnessing the crazy with you.’

Luckily, the idol didn’t look overly offended. Jungkook pursed his lips, big eyes sheepish as he rubbed his head. “Uh-huh, my hyung.” he said thoughtfully.

“Well…” Y/N gestured vaguely. “Now that you’ve seen what I’ve seen, you know about as much as I do. Would it be too much trouble to ask if I could…go?” Pointing a thumb toward the mirror like she was about to miss her cab would seem dumb if he didn’t know. 

“Oh, right,” Jungkook’s tapped the mirror again. “You’re going back to where you came from.”

“Ideally,” Y/N frowned, “I’ve been gone a long time. There’s no way my friends aren’t concerned about that. And when they can’t find me who knows what they’ll think.”

Somewhat afraid the give they had both witnessed was a one-off, Y/N pressed her hand to the mirror once again, happy when it rippled and went right through. It might have been too late to salvage the evening with her friends, but at least she could salvage her reputation.

#call me crazy #ot7xreader #btsxreader #jungkook x reader #jiminxreader #taehyungxreader #yoongixreader #jin x reader #hoseok x reader #namjoon x reader

[lxclerc]

plagiarism...again

hi, everyone, coming on here to talk to you guys about plagiarism...again. it's been brought to my attention that my fics have been plagiarized and translated to spanish and reposted to another site without my permission. this person is under the username _casiopeaaa on wattpad.

i was first informed that this person stole my work called ten seconds, when i pointed out the clear plagiarism, this person deleted the comments and blocked me but they deleted the stolen fanfic. the next day, i received another message telling me that this same person stole another fanfic of mine called fiery when i used another account to call them out, this person insists she didn't steal anything and i'm just spreading hate and negativity.

but let's review it, shall we?

their fic: "Era Obvio por como miraba fijamente el brazo de su cita rodeoándola, el hundimiento en mi estómago y la ira que crecía en mi pecho, esteba muriébdome" translation: It was obvious by the way he stared at her date's arm around her, the sinking in my stomach and the anger growing in my chest, I was dying of jealousy. my fic: "Charles is jealous. He isn’t too proud to admit it but if the sinking in his stomach and the anger rising in his chest isn’t jealousy from the sight of your date’s arm around you and the bright smile painting your face then he doesn’t know what it is.”

their fic: "Una brillante sonrisa iluminaba su rostro. No tengo derecho a estar celoso. Mila y yo solo somos amigos, cómo se lo hemos repetido a cualquiera que nos lo haya preguntado. Amigos. Amigos que se suelen besarse. Amigos que comparten la misma cama algunas noches. Amigos que parece que no pueden quedarse quietos sin que partes de su cuerpo se toquen. Pero definitivamente solo amigos." translation: A bright smile lit up his face. I have no right to be jealous. Mila and I are just friends, as we have repeated to anyone who has asked us. Friends. Friends who often kiss each other. Friends who share the same bed some nights. Friends who can't seem to sit still without parts of their bodies touching. But definitely just friends. my fic: "Not that he has any right to be jealous. You and Charles are only friends as you’ve repeatedly told yourselves and anyone who asked. Friends who share the same bed nearly every night and can’t seem to keep still without parts of your skin touching but definitely just friends. It doesn’t matter if he spends every hour of every day wanting to kiss you silly till your lips are swollen or if he wants to rip this man’s arm off its socket for touching you because friends are what you’ve always been and perhaps it’s all you’ll ever be.”

those are just the first two paragraphs but as you've probably guessed, the entire thing was copied.

first thing's first, i'd suggest checking out their works because their "drive to survive" one shot compilation is full of stolen work so maybe see if your work is one of those.

honestly, i don't even know what to say. i'm genuinely considering quitting tumblr all together. this is my FOURTH time having my work stolen and i am tired y'all. the last time this happened, it completely drained me from any inspiration to write anything. and now i don't even see the point of writing and publishing it on here anymore knowing i'll probably have to keep dealing with this shit.

i've tried to be nice, i've tried to be forgiving. i'm just really really tired of this shit that i don't even know what else to say. if you can, please report that user on wattpad.

also thank you to @itsgxsly for informing of this. i really really appreciate it.

#formula 1 #formula 1 fanfic #charles leclerc #f1 #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 one shot #charles leclerc x reader #tags purely so it reaches the right people

[ask-whitepearl-and-steven]

Do you have another account on tumblr or is just this one? Also are you in any other fandom besides SU?

I have several accounts! My main is @thechekhov . If you take a peek at it I think it'll be quite obvious what fandoms I'm in. :)

Right now it's primarily Critical Role, but I'm also a big fan of the Magnus Archives, I'm currently slowly reading Dungeon Meshi and I am, as always, a little obsessed with Pokemon.

#chekhov answers

[rickgrimeswifey]

Hi! I love your work, if your free can you possibly do a Daryl x reader fic of Y/N announcing her pregnancy to him?

—————————————————————————————

A/n: Merry Christmas everyone! I was in the mood for drama today, you can tell by the way this turned out... anyways I hope you enjoy!

Category: Tiny bit of angst, definitely emotional though

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

Season: Early season 6

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of sex, verbal argument

Word count: 1.4k

—————————————————————————————

Y/n's hand shook as she waited for the result to show itself on the stick in her hand. Her and Daryl had talked about maybe having a family in the future, but she didn't know if he wanted one this soon. They'd been together for two years, they'd met at the prison where they fell in love. When it fell they escaped separate ways and didn't see each other again until after terminus.

As soon as they saw each other they held each other close for hours, not wanting to risk getting away from each other again. Daryl couldn't stop holding onto her for a second, she was everything to him. After Beth passed he became more distant, he was grieving and blaming himself thinking that all of it was his fault. When Y/n tried to tell him otherwise he'd just get upset with her and walk away.

The group were on the road a long time, during the time they were on the road Daryl began coming back to his old self. Except that he was frustrated all the time because there was barely any food to be found. Then Aaron welcomed them into Alexandria. At first they thought it was a trick but soon realized that the people here couldn't do any harm.

Once Daryl had been given his job here and settled in, he had a chance to relax and breathe for a moment. That's when he began to come back physically to Y/n. Once he saw her all dressed up for Deanna's welcome party, he couldn't help but to not have his hands all over her. Telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. Ever since that day he had not been able to keep his hands off her. Y/n didn't mind though, she was happy to have Daryl back the way he used to be before Beth passed.

Y/n and Daryl repeatedly having sex everyday led to her becoming pregnant. The timing couldn’t be more perfect in Y/n’s mind since they had established that Alexandria is really a safe zone. Here they will be able to raise a child safely. But then again Daryl might not be as thrilled about these news.

She was currently sitting in the bathroom staring at the pregnancy test in her hands. Just like Lori she had sent Glenn to get it for her. When she looked back at it after a minute the little screen had changed to two lines. She was pregnant.  Daryl wasn’t home yet and wouldn’t be for another couple of hours. Therefore Y/n had time to think and eventually overthink the way to approach this subject with Daryl.

The hours she waited for him to come home went by fast. Y/n was incredibly nervous, these hours had made her think more and more negatively for each passing minute. What if Daryl didn’t want to have a child and breaks up with her? What if he gets mad? What if he gets distant again? All of these thoughts were soon about to be answered as Y/n slowly walked down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. She approached Daryl from behind while he was sitting in the kitchen on a stool with his back facing her. Once she was close enough to him she put her hands on his shoulder then rubbed her hands down his back, massaging him. She knew he was tired, it was quite obvious by the way he hunched over the kitchen island. An approving grunt escaped Daryl while Y/n rubbed his back. He loved that she always knew exactly what he needed after a long day of work.

When she removed her hands from him he turned around and looked at her. Scanning over her features before standing up and bringing her into a hug.

“Ya okay?” he drawled before pecking her on the neck with his lips.

“Mhm…” Y/n hummed leaning into his chest, hugging him extra tight.

“Ya sure? Ya don’t seem so good.” Daryl questioned, pulling back to look at her.

She frowned looking off to the side avoiding eye contact with her boyfriend.

“Hey… tell me what ‘s goin’ on?” He softened his voice as he pulled her face to look at him.

Y/n stared into his eyes, he was worried about her. He always was, that was one thing no one missed about Daryl, he was very caring and overprotective of the people he loved.

“Let’s sit down Daryl…” she sighed, pulling him into the living room.

She sat down onto the couch and placed her hands nervously onto her thighs. Her breathing heaving as she thought about what to say. Daryl noticed her nervousness and couldn’t help but to assume the worst. He didn’t sit down but just stared at her. He’d been through betrayal and women cheating on him before. All of those conversations always began exactly like this.

“Please sit. It’s important.” Y/n tried to get him to sit down, him standing and staring at her didn’t ease her nerves.

If anything it just made her far more nervous. She knew Daryl was thinking about something by the way his expression had changed into something else. He seemed anxious and angry. That was his way of showing that he was nervous by getting upset and quite irritated.

“I don’t know how to say this… but-” she began but was cut off by a furious Daryl.

“What are ya ganna tell me? Huh!? That ya have been goin’ around spreadin’ yer legs for someone else?” He pointed his finger at her, spitting as he began shouting.

Y/n sat there flabbergasted. Was that what he really thought of her? She knew Daryl had it rough and that he had trust issues but not like this. She felt bad knowing he’d been cheated on before although that didn’t stop her from growing angry at him for assuming something like that. All this stress didn’t help her react and tell him that he was wrong, instead it probably only made him think she was cheating on him even more as she said;

“Daryl please listen-”

“Nah! So it‘s true!?” He paced around in front of her fuming with anger. “Yer fuckin’ someone else?”

All Y/n could do was panic, this panic making the words get stuck in her throat. She couldn’t do or say anything while Daryl just stared at her, burning daggers through her skull.

“Fuck!” He yelled and threw the nearest object he found across the room. “Was it Spencer? I’ll kill that little fuckin’ brat!”

He began to walk out of there when he realized she wasn’t answering, heading towards the door. That’s when Y/n’s body finally let her react, she couldn’t let him walk away thinking she’d cheated.

“Daryl stop!” she pleaded and began to cry while grabbing onto his arm.

He shoved her off, making her stumble backwards until her back hit the wall. She didn’t know what she was so afraid of in telling him the truth. A simple conversation led to this huge fight all because of that she couldn’t deny his suspicions from the lump in her throat. But something clicked inside of her when she saw him reach for the door handle on the front door. It was really now or never. She knew she’d never have a chance to talk to him ever again if she let him leave.

“I’m pregnant!” she yelled out, causing Daryl to stop his actions immediately.

He spun around in a second and stared at her once again.

“What did ya say?” he drawled in a low tone.

“I’m pregnant, I haven’t cheated on you. I never would, Daryl please…” she began to plead again.

“Yer pregnant?” he asked, not believing what he was hearing.

“Yes… I was just so nervous of what you would think- I mean I was thinking maybe you would leave me I don’t know… I just-” Y/n began explaining with her voice shaking, she was cut off by Daryl sprinting up to her and pulling her into a warm hug.

“I would never leave ya. Even if ya would have cheated on me, I probably wouldn’t have been able to stay away from yuh.” Daryl reassured her while rubbing his hand up and down her lower back. “I didn’t hurt ya when I pushed ya off me, did I?” he asked, pulling his head back to look at her in worry.

“No, you didn’t…” she sighed, breathing in his scent through her nose. “So what do you want to name the baby?” she smiled up at him.

Daryl chuckled before shaking his head at her. “We have a lot more to figure out before we get to that.”

—————————————————————————————

Tag list: (click here to be apart of it!)

// @slut4glenn // @nobody_somebody_me //

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#The Walking Dead #the walking dead daryl #twd #twd daryl #daryl dixon twd #daryl dixon #daryl dixon x you #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon smut #daryl dixion imagine #daryl dixion x reader #daryl #daryl fanfiction #daryl Dixon angst #daryl dixon x female reader #daryl dixon x fem!reader

[finelinevogue]

Will we get yn for game show too?

This

ok yes maybe like the dares they did in episode 4….

Gwen and Aria’s POV:

“This is going to cause drama.” Aria said, whilst sitting back down after another ad-break.

“Feel like Ekin-Su is going to try and stir shit up.” Gwen replied.

“If anyone does anything to hurt Y/N I will… I will…”

“You’ll do something bad?” Gwen suggested.

“You bet.”

The screen panned to all of the islanders standing around in a semi-circle. They were all dressed perfectly again this evening. Y/N’s outfit [inspo] was a popular favourite for the night, wearing a gorgeous pink crotchet set with embroidered flowers on it. They were wearing pink heels [inspo] with it too.

Her outfit had definitely caught Harry’s attention too.

HARRY INTERVIEW

“Oh my God. Did you see Y/Ns outfit tonight? I mean… I am so lucky, fuck me.”

“He’s literally in love with them.” Aria laughed, Gwen nodding in agreement.

“This season is actually so dead, but Y/N and Harry bring the good.” Gwen thought out loud and Aria had to agree.

Amber was the first one to pull out a dare from the box. All eyes on her.

“Kiss the islander you find most attractive.”

A chorus of ‘ooohs’ came from the islanders, but it was pretty obvious who she was going to go for. She walked right up to Dami and kissed him on his lips, for perhaps a few seconds too long.

“They’re cute together, to be honest.” Aria said.

“Yeah, but not as cute as Y/N and Harry.” Gwen made sure they were on the same page.

“Oh, obviously.”

Next it was Ekin-Su’s turn.

“Name your top three islanders.”

“That’s not too bad a date really. At least there’s no physical contact. Gwen said.

“She probably wanted to snog Harry, but no.” Aria said.

“Um, Harry. Davide and Andrew.” Ekin-Su replied.

DAVIDE INTERVIEW

“Yeah, when Ekin-Su said my name I was quite happy. She is a lovely girl and I am obviously very interested in getting to know.”

Y/N INTERVIEW

“I knew that Ekin-Su likes Harry, so her answer came as no surprise to me and honestly didn’t bother me at all. We’re all here to find love right? And who wouldn’t love Harry?!“

“Oh I love her. Y/N needs to be wrapped up in bubble wrap and protected at all costs.” Gwen said as if it would be her last dying wish.

“No seriously. Like don’t even joke about that, because I will.”

Next up was Luca and he laughed when he pulled out the dare, making everyone around him still with anticipation.

“Kiss the two islanders you would have a threesome with.”

Gwen and Aria both laughed, thinking it was still a pretty chill dare.

First Luca walked up to Paige, because he was trying to make himself look like a gentleman, really he wasn’t, and gave her a good kiss.

Next he walked over to Gemma and it looked like he was going to kiss her, but at the last minute he turned and planted his lips on Y/Ns instead. You could tell that Y/N didn’t want to be kissed by him because as soon as Luca tried to make it into something more than an innocent kiss, Y/N pushed him away.

Aria and Gwen turned to look at each other with a dropped jaw.

“No fucking way.” Aria said and had to laugh a little at how plot-twist worthy that was.

“Oh my god no! Look at Harry.” Gwen pouted when Harry’s face panned onto the screen, him looking down at the floor and his nose twitching.

“My babies.” Aria pretended to cry.

LUCA INTERVIEW

“Obviously I had to kiss Paige, didn’t I? But Y/N? Well she’s just fit, innit.”

“Ew men.” Gwen gagged.

HARRY INTERVIEW

“Well, yeah, um” Harry cleared his throat, “Didn’t see that coming. The thing is though, I don’t think Y/N did either. And I mean, Luca watch out man ‘cause I ain’t giving up my girl without a fight.”

“SCREAMING!” Aria slumped back on the couch, melting over Harry’s words.

#harry styles #harry styles x reader #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles x y/n #harry styles fanfic #ask finelinevogue #finelinevogue #harry blurb #harry styles concept #harry oneshot #loveisland!harry #love island harry styles blurbs #finelinevogueloveisland #harry styles blurbs #li universe finelinevogue

[sometimesthatsbetter]

Recommendation: Yona of the dawn

I've decided on a new tradition, the first story i read this year will be given a review and ooh boy did Yona of the dawn gave me something to write about.

The a story premise is quite simple at a glance. Yona was a sheltered and spoiled young princess who's ignorant towards the world outside the palace. She grew up adored by her father, the king and being protected by her bodyguard Hak, she spends most of her time fawning over her cousin and childhood friend Su-won. Yet on the eve of her 16th birthday her small world was crushed in pieces by a coup d'etat, driving her into hiding.

So let's talk about our main character, Yona. She started out as a ditzy, beautiful young princess who's main concern is clothing and taming her curly red hair. Yona's not exactly a bad character per say, but she just had a very narrow world view, oh and she has a crush on her cousin Su-won... Yeah, i mean it's a historical setting what did you expect. Her, Hak and Su-won were childhood friends, they did everything together, ate together, slept together, fought together which makes it devastating for Yona and Hak when they realized that Su-won betrayed them.

One of the aspects that i really enjoyed was the realistic depiction of grief that Yona went through, like my girl was in a catatonic state when they first went on the run. Like girl was going through the five stages of grief for the first three volumes. And then came the hard truth that her dad was just, not a good ruler, he was a spineless coward who couldn't protect their nation. So on top of now having a bounty on her head, her father being dead she now has to grapple with the legacy her father left behind. And from those hard truths we see Yona growing up.

As she continues her journey of growth she encounters the four 'dragon warriors' from the prophecy, which will be where the reverse harem tag comes in. Oh don't get me wrong i truly adore the cast from the bottom of my heart but I didn't enjoy the romance part very much. It's painstakingly obvious who the male lead is so having all these guys pining away at a hopeless cause makes me feel really bad for em. But besides that they are great characters, i especially like the yellow dragons backstory.

Okay now let's talk about another character that totally captured my attention, Su-won. Su-won is like a guy you could out from game of thrones, like my guy is definitely a 'the outcome justifies the cost' kind of person you know what i'm saying? He knew that if Yona were to take throne as queen she would be an even worse ruler than her father, at least the version of her at the beginning of the story. Everything he did was in the name of the greater good, having no foreign allies he had to choice but to the choose the asassinantion route to the throne. Like yah he could've married Yona but that plan kinds went out the door when she saw him kill her dad. But like, he cares about Yona deeply, maybe not in the way that she would like but he does. But he will always put his country first. That's why he's such a striking character for me, he stands out from a sea of mediocre villains who's backstories are basically 'my family abused me and i'm obsessed with the heroine' that i see in alot otome isekais. Everyone are just pawns on a chessboard to him, even his loved ones and he's willing to sacrifice them all to gaurente the safety and stabilty of the kingdom.

So yeah, go read Yona of the dawn.

Signing off

Josephine

#akatsuki no yona #yona of the dawn #yona #recommendation #manga recommendation #review #otome isekai #rofan #death is the only ending for a villainess #the apothecary diaries #shoujo #shoujo manga

[emmellas]

a ramble on the bella baxterification of emma stone (or in other words, how emma & her career trajectory, with one stigma-challenging, bold, and progressive project after another- including 'poor things' !!- embodies the same values and spirit of her beloved cinematic heroine)

emma using her well-earned acclaim, status, and star-power to make her foray from more mainstream projects that are "safe" and "comforting" to what's shaping up to be a formidable assemblage of more delightfully transgressive (which unfortunately does include TRULY progressive pieces that depict society honestly rather than romanticizing things to pander to audiences, which is sure to bring discomfort and even anger in those who do not want to see extant, unjust power dynamics and systems challenged) pieces that not only attest to her ever-growing prowess as an actress and producer but to boldly progressive views she's willing to (and has) risk her public image and good graces in the industry to stand tend toes behind sure has been beautiful to watch.

she's talked about how inspiring it is to have played a character who stood for justice no matter what society did and has expressed that she wants to live like bella and i just wonder if she realizes that this is exactly what she's doing right now.

i say this following rumblings about 'kinds of kindness' being another "divisive" piece sure to "piss people off." as i said, real progressivism is always guaranteed to piss people off and i LOVE to see it.

i've stated it in another post but people often confuse her lack of verbal statements on social issues as her being apolitical but she actually has severe GAD and talked about speaking on said subjects and mistakes she's made in the past related to them being a deeply engrained trigger that developed out of a fear of making further mistakes but it's obvious that her making such provocative (/POS !!) pieces like the curse that truly educate on and condemn myriad systems of oppression, even going so far as to insist her character, whitney, be characterized in the evil way we know her to be in spite of ramifications to her public image she was made aware of at the time, show her willingness to make sacrifices to her career in the name of doing what is right.

christopher nolan, in a panel he moderated about the curse, asked regarding emma's involvement in the polarizing and unprecedented show, "how on god's earth did you convince her to do that?" "that," of course, referring to her pander-free, harsh, and damning portrayal of whitney and all that she represents (performative white liberalism aka PWL), whom he described as "monstrous," knowing how such a character could be projected onto her as it and how such an unapologetic critique of performative white liberalism wouldn't bode well in an industry and society quite full of them. by the way, she firmly called the phenomenon of PWL a "modern affliction" during a panel she herself attended. anyway, nathan and benny replied that it was in fact her who "insisted" whitney be portrayed this way even after they'd offered/suggested she tone things down in the interest of her public image.

here's the link to the panel i refer to:

https://x.com/nafss_1998/status/1750957230399365225?s=46

in any case, i cannot wait for KOK and for everything else to come from the acting and producing phenom that is emma stone. she'll have her third oscar before she's 40 and if the academy can manage to look past the anthology format, what seems to be controversial subject matter, and whatever other factors that should have nothing to do with one's performance (again, emma's choices are showing she's not doing things for awards and popularity but because she has a passion for them), it just might happen next year as she also seems to follow a "let's outdo every prior performance" kind of trajectory with her work meaning bella baxter, inimitable and magnificent of a performance as it was that was more-than-deserving of the oscar, is sure to be outdone. in fact, i'd argue her turn as whitney siegel in the curse has already done so and i hope to see that recognized accordingly with her first emmy this year.

in conclusion, LET'S GO EMMA !!

#emma stone #film #tv #oscar #oscars #emma stone edit #kinds of kindness #performative activism #liberalism #yorgos lanthimos #christopher nolan #emmys #emmys 2024 #oscars 2024 #bella baxter #poor things #the curse #whitney siegel

[quitealotofsodapop]

Me encanta el hecho que SWK sea Trans o genfluid (Y posible canon en JTTW aparente) No es de extrañar que se haya sentido ofendido cuando le dieron el trabajo en los establos (En la antigua china se ponían monas que al menstruar bendecían los caballos) y como nuestro monito favorito con los años tubo que tomar un rol ''masculino'' todo el tiempo cuando se convirtió en una leyenda, esos 500 años de aislamiento posiblemente fueron un respiro. me imagino en el fic aun vuelva hacer esa mala practica mientras como Sr. Wu se tome un respiro (Aunque he leído que los macacos es difícil saber su dimorfismo sexual, a menos que sean madres, me imagino que SWK no necesito ninguna cirugía de pecho, por ser Extra o por que es ''plana como tabla'' Copa A)

Translated via google:

"I love the fact that SWK is Trans or genfluid (And possible canon in JTTW apparent) No wonder he was offended when they gave him the job in the stables (In ancient China they used to say that they blessed the horses when they menstruated) and since our favorite little monkey over the years had to take on a ''male'' role all the time when he became a legend, those 500 years of isolation were possibly a respite. I imagine in the fic I'll still do that bad practice while Mr. Wu takes a break (Although I've read that macaques it's difficult to know their sexual dimorphism, unless they are mothers, I imagine that SWK doesn't need any breast surgery , because it is Extra or because it is ''flat as a board'' Cup A)"

I actually didn't know about the menstration = blessing horses lore! That makes a lot of sense why Wukong would get mad at Heaven for giving him such a role. I can imagine him learning of this superstition from another stablehand, and just quiting on the spot. Especially when he learns that "female" roles and jobs aren't valued as much as "male" roles in the Jade Court (based on imperial china).

Then after letting him back in; they gave him the same job as a"Peach Maiden" - just with the title scratched out like he wouldn't have noticed. -_-

Primates like monkeys go through menstration like humans; meaning that Wukong likely has a great deal of knowledge of how to treat the symptoms just by growing up around so many adoptive mothers and sisters. I feel in his time at the palace, he made many female friends just by being attentive to them when they were due.

And since many wild monkey species (especially macaques like Wukong is supposed to be) are matriarchal; it confuses Wukong even more that women in the Celestial Realm aren't given the same level of respect as men. He probably has insulted the Emperor by asking to speak with the Queen Mother before him; "Let me speak with your Woman King. What do you mean "women don't rule"? She's clearly the one in charge. What sort of troop is this?"

So when the pilgrims openly accept Wukong as male, he's so happy he could explode. It also gives him more confidence to explore how he expresses his gender indentity through transformation.

While macaques dont have as obvious dimorphic traits as humans, I feel like Wukong's chest is more obvious than Macaque's is. He's not ashamed of his chest at all, even if it has grown along with his "dad bod" + pregnancy. Monkey Yao simply do not have the same hang-ups about breasts or menstration than most humans/celestials. Macaque is more shy about his chest cus he raised closer to humans and celestials norms also it's for Wukong's eyes only.

An interesting piece of lore! One of The Monkey King's permanent injuries was a stab in his breastbone/collarbone during his capture by Erlang Shen:

From this lore, I hc that Wukong is actually missing a breast, or one has been heavily scarred over. I feel like he jokes that Erlang "owes him a new boob" in good humor. Or jokes that he "bets his last titty" on something.

#trans sun wukong #genderfluid sun wukong #menstration tw #pregnancy tw #journey to the west #trans hcs #lego monkie kid #lmk gender hcs #dad bod sun wukong