#tiger knew his kids were safe

[hellsburners]

best mistake

summary: you're new york's hero: spider-man. your roommate peter is the brains behind it all and the love of your life and he doesn't even know it. pairing: tasm!peter parker x male reader word count: 1.6k warnings: unprotected s3x, blowjobs, casual hooking up. a/n: i'm back? (based on this amazing prompt)

masterlist | more peter parker

Peter hears a loud thud from his window. It was dark outside, the clock on his desk reading past midnight, the city more quiet. 

He peers on the glass, a dark figure resting its head on the pane. He gently lifts the window, your body slumping on his arms, your face bruised and bloody. He carries you to the bed, your suit all tattered and dirtied. Peter runs to the bathroom to get a basin of warm water and a towel. 

He takes his time to wipe the blood from your face, gently wiping it on your soft skin, and brushing your hair away from your face. His eyes wander to your face, a familiar one, a face he’s seen ever since he was a kid, but now much older.

He takes the medical kit under his bed, gently moving you so he can remove your ruined suit. His calloused skater hands brush your chest with the damp cloth, scrubbing away the dried blood crusting your wounds. He applied a salve on some of the cuts to prevent infection, the bigger gashes he stitched. 

The two of you have been doing this for eight years now. You, the web-slinger, protector of the city, while Peter, the brains behind your crusade. He came up with the idea of making the web-shooters, his bio-engineer degree with your experience as a research scientist in aerophysics helped hand-in-hand in keeping the city safe. 

You turned in your sleep, groaning from the pain. “Hey, easy up tiger your wounds are still fresh,” he said, helping you prop yourself up on his bed. 

“How long have I passed out?” you said, noticing your suit was pulled down to your waist. 

“Just a couple of minutes,” he said. “Saw you on the TV.”

“Yeah, that Electro guy short-circuited my web-shooters,” 

“About that, I sketched up a new prototype that could be resistant to his attacks,” he said, gesturing at his messy table with his new creation. “I also made some tweaks on the web fluid, I increased the tensile strength so they can withstand greater velocities.” 

Peter’s eyes glimmered as he talked about the new shooters. Your mouth lifted into a smile as he continued to ramble. “What do you think?” he said, “Did you even listen?”

“Yeah—increased tensile strength blah blah,” you uttered. “How’s the job hunt by the way?”

“Terrible. I did sell some pictures to the bugle,” he said. “Jameson gave me $350.”

“$350? That’s not even enough for groceries and the electricity bill.”

“Well it’s better than nothing,” he said, taking his glasses off. “I saw Gwen earlier.”

Oh. Peter’s high school ex. You diverted your gaze away from his, finding the city lights outside the window was a distraction. You felt your chest tighten, your heartbeat much louder. 

For the fifteen years you’ve known Peter Parker, you’ve also fallen in love with him. The two of you have shared some casual encounters here and there but you knew it was never serious. So the idea of him meeting his greatest love made you uncomfortable. 

Peter noticed the way your attention left his, your eyes hooded as you stared far away. He noticed your hand clutch on the sheets, your jaw clenched. “She got engaged recently,” your muscles relaxing. Oh, you said. “Yeah, to some rich socialite from the Upper East Side.”

“Good for her,” you whispered. 

“Have you thought about something like that?”

“Marrying a rich man?” you chuckled. 

“No, just marrying,” he uttered, the corner of his lips lifting north. His fingers trace your skin, drawing circles. You let him. 

“Not at all. I guess I’m gonna be broke my whole life,” you try to get up, your back betraying you. You stagger for a bit, your hand finding Peter’s shoulder for stabilization. He stands as well, his large hands around your bare waist. 

Your breaths were close—too close. You could feel his heat, his warm musky scent, his brown eyes set on yours. He bends his spine so he can reach your face closer, his pink lips hovering off yours. 

You pull back, clearing your throat in the process. “I’m gonna go get a drink.” 

“Yeah, sure,” he coughs. 

You walk to the kitchen, holding onto your wounded torso. Peter’s eyes dropped to your underwear-clad ass, his cheeks blushed from the shame. Stop ogling your best friend Peter. 

You find the fridge bare of any beverage, you turn your head back to see Peter staring at your ass, his face absent of any expression. 

“Stop staring at my ass!” you shouted, throwing a kitchen cloth at him. “Plus, where’s all the beer.”

“I was not!” he shouted back. “And I think I drank all of it.”

You let out a sigh. You found a can of Coke on the bottom shelf of the fridge. You jumped to sit on the kitchen counter, your legs dangling off the linoleum countertop. The liquid sizzles as you chug it, the brown syrupy consistency dripping from the side of your mouth to your bare chest. 

Fuck it. Peter walks to the kitchen, joining you. “If you want to seduce me you could just say it.”

“Seduce you?” you laughed. “And why would I do that?”

Your legs wrap around his waist. He takes the can from your hand, drinking the rest of it before placing it on the counter. “Because you’re like that, always making sure I can see that ass around,” he whispers to your neck. 

Your head falls back from his kisses, your hands spread behind you for stability. He pulls your underwear off, your erection pointing north. He licks a strip underneath, you shudder from the sudden sensation. 

He wrapped his long fingers around it, stroking it with his saliva, the only thing you could let out was a moan. He lifted you up the counter so your legs were mounted on his shoulders. He takes his digits inside his mouth, lubing it before pressing it into your hole. 

“Fuck,” you moaned. 

“Feel good, huh?” he said. His fingers curl up inside you, teasing your sensitive spot. Your body winces from the sensation, your legs automatically closing on his head. He strokes your erection again, simultaneously stimulating your prostate. The combined sensation made your legs weak, and your arms almost collapsing. “To be honest, you’re the only one I do this to, Spidey.”

“Liar,” you let out a groan. “I know you kicked yourself over and over for not bagging Gwen.”

His grip on your cock tightened, his fingers went deeper. “Aw, are you jealous of her?”

“You lost your virginity to me asshole,” you whimper. “I get to ride that dick, not her.”

“Ride?” he chuckles. He pulls back, his hands wet with spit. “Go at it then. Ride me.”

 The two of you were in his bed now. Peter sitting on the bed as you sucked him off. His hand found your head, running it through your hair. “Fuck baby,” he moans.

Your head bobs on his tip, your tongue licking around his head as you take him in. Your free hand was stroking his length, it was long enough that it was actually difficult to take him all in your throat. 

“Fuck the blowjob, just ride me please,” he whimpers. 

“I was preparing it you dick,” you said. “I can’t fit all that without some lube.”

You straddle his legs, aligning his tip against your hole. Your hands find his broad shoulders for support. The two of you moan from the contact. You hole slowly taking his length in. Peter shuddered from the warmth enveloping his erection. He cursed, he could cum from this alone. 

 You looked beautiful, Peter thought. Your hips moving against his sex, your eyes lidded, and your mouth agape, the sweetest moans leaving your lips. It was a sight he could look at forever. He takes your faces to his lips pressing them together. You let out soft whimpers, Peter blushes from the sounds. 

“It’s too fucking big,” you groan. 

“You can take it, baby, please, do it for me,” Peter moans. 

He was a mess, you thought. All sweaty and red. He didn’t have the enhanced stamina you had. Your hands fall on his toned abdomen, your fingers finding the ridges underneath his shirt. You moved your hips up and down his length, your brows furrowing from the amount of pressure on your behind. 

Peter stroked your erection as you continued riding him. His mouth was agape as your eyes locked on each other. You pulled him to you, your arms around his head as you quickened your pace. Your hips gyrated on his cock with such swiftness Peter’s cock felt like it was being bombarded with so much stimuli he could combust into flames. 

“Shit, I’m close–” 

“Me too, Peter,” you moan. “Cum in me.”

“You sure?” he said. You nod against the whimpers. 

Peter rocks his hips against your ass, gripping onto the mounds of flesh. Your body draws out the pleasure from him as you move your hips. He could let out curses, pleading for release. From the same beat of your movement, the two of you let out your climax, your own release covering his torso as he filled you. 

You lay in bed catching your breath. “This was probably bad for your stitches,” he said, his brown hair drenched. 

“Yeah, I think I tore it again,” you breathed heavily. 

It was probably a mistake. For you to continue this charade with Peter. To exchange bodily pleasure knowing your heart beat only for him, but it was a mistake you were ready to commit over and over again.

interactions are greatly appreciated btw if u liked this fic and want more send me a prompt and i'd gladly make something from it :>

#peter parker smut #peter parker x reader smut #peter parker x male reader smut #the amazing spiderman #tasm!peter parker x reader #tasm!peter parker x male reader #tasm!peter parker x male reader smut

[pray4byron]

Hi Hi Hiii!!

I just came across your blog for the first time and OMG YOUR CONTENT IS SO SILLY I LOVE IT AHENEGSNWVDBEGDEE (the aesthetic is <33)

That 300 thingy was so cute,too bad i missed it 😭😭

Anyways,

May I ask for some platonic! Alastor,Rosie,Zestial,Carmilla,Vox,Adam and Husk (don't be afraid to shorten the list if it's too many 😭 I usually give a lot so you can write those you have more inspiration for) with a child!reader that is stereotypically childish and just very energetic and happy? Like,they love bright colors,plushies,running around,climb on stuff,always are happy but overall is a very nice and polite kid and will behave if kept occupied? Maybe one day the kid isn't all happy like always and the character worried? (Idk you do you,I just want a silly little chaotic kid!reader 😭😭)

I love platonic stuff so yeah :3

Anyways,I hope you can and enjoy writing this!!

I hope you have a really nice day! Don't forget to drink water and have rest!!

Stay proud!

-Nina <3

AWEEE TYSM !! i’m glad you enjoy my content (as well the aesthetic of my blog hehe), dw tho!! i’ll def have more events similar to my 300 celly in the future ~

as of now, i do not write for zestial or carmilla, but other than that i can do the rest ! enjoy !

Adam, Alastor, Husk, and Rosie + Chaotic!Child!Reader

Adam

He literally loves you to pieces bro, it makes him consider kids later on in his afterlife

Wrestling is constant with the the two of you, he’ll let ya beat him up for fun, he’ll swing ya around, anything ya want!!

Although, if you start swearing at a young age, now it’s thinks to him!

If he sees that the chaotic and fun kid he knows just isn’t feeling it today, he’ll plop down next to ya, try to make you laugh or smile, but if he gets no response? Crushed bro.

He’ll just be like “What’s wrong little bro?” with a 🥺 look on his :’)

Alastor

Alastor wasn’t much of a kid person, well.. until he met you.

You were fun to be around - energetic, but also still polite, as well as entertaining

He would have you do some tasks, giving him less work, and it kept you occupied

Although one day, his charming little kiddo wasn’t their normal happy self.

Al would bend to your level, a soft smile on his face, “Young one, you’re never fully dressed without a smile!”

Husk

To be honest, kids weren’t really Husk’s thing, teenagers? Sure. But young children, eh…

Well, until he met you, you were polite, but still had a lot of energy and were fun to be around — but also knew when to shush.

He would especially love it when you would say the most out of pocket shit, and just not know, cause you’re just a kid!

But when he sees his little stinker without their usual smile, he’s concerned.

When you come to the bar with your little soft frown, Husk will lean over the counter to face you, whispering a small ‘Keep pushing tiger, ya got this.’

Rosie

Rosie adores children of all ages, she’s a very motherly person, so it’s safe to say when you first stumbled into her emporium, clueless, she was more than delighted to help you!!

Once she got to know you, she was in awe about how a child could be more perfect, you were so grown yet so innocent, it was cute, really.

So when she sees you stumble back to her parlor, looking like you had just cried, her heart broke for you.

She’ll take your hand, and lead you off to your usual talking spot, giving you a cup a tea, “C’mon now, sweetie, what’s got ya in a funk? What can I do?”

#hazbin hotel #mio’s writing ! ☆ #hazbin hotel x reader #x reader #hazbin hotel x y/n #hazbin hotel x you #x y/n #fanfiction #x you #hazbin adam #adam hazbin hotel #adam x reader #hazbin hotel adam #alastor the radio demon #hazbin alastor #alastor hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor #alastor x reader #husk x reader #hazbin husk #hazbin hotel husker #hazbin hotel husk #husk hazbin hotel #husk #rosie hazbin #hazbin rosie #rosie hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel rosie #rosie x reader #rosie

[akutasoda]

Omg can i request Chuuya, Kunikida and Yosano with a child reader (platonic) who they’re looking after or the child sees them as a parental figure (or sibling figure in Chuuyas case) and when the child gets attacked their ability awakens and protects themselves (like the child didn’t know about it before)

I like to think it’s a shifting ability kinda like atsushi but not a tiger of course and the kid/reader is just freaking out about it after probably has blood on their hands and mouth from shifting and attacking the person or they passed out 😭 and how do you think they would deal with all this?

-🧛

is this my happy ending

synopsis - during an accident, you discover your ability in a brutal way, how does your caretaker help

includes - kunikida, yosano, chuuya (all platonic)

warnings - gn!child reader, angst to comfort, mentions of blood/injury, panic attacks, wc - 728

doppo kunikida ★↷

you had been under kunikida's care for a while now and he never dared let you out of his sight. or atleast not without another (trusted) member of the agency with you. mainly because you liked to be near him. as your parental figure he made you feel safe.

but sometimes that's not entirely possible. for example when you two were were walking back home you had an unexpected encounter with some port mafia subordinates. kunikida had told you to hide while he dealt with them and not to move unless you were in extreme danger.

however one member that was trying to make an escape had stumbled across where you had taken safety. upon seeing you, you started panicking and made a run for it just to end up trapped in a corner.

and in a moment of panic it happened. your ability had triggered itself in a moment of protection. fortunately kunikida had sorted out the rest of mafiosos. but soon all he heard was a scream followed by a child's sob.

immediately assuming it was you he ran to the source of the noise. just to find you sobbing as blood coated your hands and a mangled body laid infront of you. he immediately pulled you into a hug and comforted you in the best way he could.

safe to say he didn't tell anyone about the little incident but saw how you always stayed slightly closer to him at all times. but he did try to help you control your ability so you wouldn't have to go through that again.

akiko yosano ★↷

upon taking care of you yosano had promised to never let you get hurt. you saw her as a parental figure and therefore she took on that responsibility to keep you safe and protected.

that normally meant you accompanied her everywhere and often spent time with her at the agency. often staying with her at her desk of with simwone else if she had to go help people. but that meant that danger was not far.

the port mafia had a tendency to storm the agency in its office. and normally it would be sorted within a few moments but this one seemed like they over prepared as more mafioso were present at this time. so yosano, in ordeer to protect you, sent you to hide until they dealt with them and maybe you could go with her on the apology round.

but unfortunately as you were trying to hide one of the subordinates had round the corner and saw you. and in a moment of panic you had discovered your ability. they of course heard the commotion and yosano immediately ran over to check on you as you started hyperventilating as you saw your bloodstained hands.

safe to say collectively as an agency they agreed that they needed to comfort you and help you control your ability. and many times yosano would help you through anything.

chuuya nakahara ★↷

he knew that taking care of you would pose it's risks, he was a mafia executive. but you viewed him as a older brother and he couldn't just push you away. so he would have to just protect you as much as he could.

but if he has to go away he hands you over to kōyō as he can't risk bringing you with him and he only trusts her to look after you. however when he was heading back from his mission and he got a very panicked call from kōyō.

apparently some other organisation that had been troubling them for some time had stormed the base of the building. he asked if you were okay and kōyō said that she had lost you in the commotion as she tried to get you to safety.

he felt a wave of panic and raced back to immediately search for you. however you weren't fairing to well as you had been caught by some people and in a moment of panic your ability had shown itself. and as you broke out of the trance from your ability, bloody corpse's laid out infront of you and your body wracked with sobs.

chuuya had found you and immediately taken you into his embrace and away from the scene. he spent alot of time afterwarrds with you helping you with your ability and comforting you about your experience.

#x reader #x gender neutral reader #bsd x reader #x child reader #bsd kunikida #bsd yosano #bsd chuuya #kunikida x reader #yosano x reader #chuuya x reader #🧛 anon↩

[benslittlestarkiller]

Simon Riley HeadCanon

Simon care about you deeply. He would do anything for you

He would lay down his life for you, extremely protective

If you go to the store he carries everything (including you) and pushes the cart cuz he's a man who take care of his woman

He has a fat ass

He actually good driver when you in car with him. He cares about your safety

He owns a motorcycle. It's old, vintage but he takes good care of it

He lets you ride but ONLY if you wear helment and sefetey gear

He calls you "babycakes"

If you have to walk somewhere late at night, no you don't

He drive you

His thighs are thick like tree trucks

His cock big as a Stanley cup

When it rains he makes sure to drive you so you safe.

Simon helped you get into his truck. You were only 5 feet tall so small he hand to pick you up practically as you struggled to get in

You could feel his hardened body and manhood pressing into your backside as he helped you up.

You glance at him over shoulder

"Simon Jr is excisted?" you ask with a wink.

Simon grunted like caveman.

His hands gripped your hops. Tightened suddenly. He ground into you like a mortal and pestle.

As if crushing seeds

Tou let out a moon of pleasure at the sentation

This sound only made him more excited

Ghost let out a primal growel from deep inside his chest it rumbled like the wheels of a lifted truck. Or lightening.

Ur hand graibedb the leather seat of truck that you bent over seat

"Simon people will see us," you cried out but couldn't help a moan of ecstasy as his cock glided against your princess parts

You were already dropping wet at the sanitation. So was he.

As he lifted you he also lifted your skirt exposing hour pink princess

Part

To the world

But he steeped closer hiding you away.

You are for his eye only. No other man can even looo at you.

"Ur minE!!!" He say "ain't that roight, babycakes?"

"Yes sir!" You screamed. "I'm yours!!!"

You didn't care if everyone in the neighborhood could hear it.

He pulled your panties aside and then...

He let our a loud growl like that of a wild tiger in the wild woods running after its prey catching its prey in its jaw and biting down I. Ecstacy it was like that

So primal so animalistic was his LOVE for YOu.....

He filled your body, slamming his large and tick and juicy and hot and veins cok into u

Over and over. So fast and rough that he rocked the truck in the street where it was parked along the sidewalk.

You gripped the passenger seat for dear life

Cars drive by

Simon 's trusting is hard and fast you scream with each blow of his man hidden inside hou

He hit spot so deep in you you you felt him up in your throat. You feel so full cuz of it. Reaching 0laces you didn't knew about.

Your muscles begi. To tught as your pleasure build inside your feminine flower beads of wetness droop f

Down your feet onto the car of the truck

You s cream wo lpugly as you come for him

The tightness of yur tight English Channel was too much for he

With a rosr like a bear un the jungle he comes

Think and creamy spurts of his manky essence flows into your cavern which socks it allll up. It flows thru you deep into the trenches of your waiting thirsty womb where it plants itself.

The two of your stay entwined for one heart and then two and then....THREE

5 seconds pass and then he pull put of you. With a gush or his seeds and yours he stuff it back in his pants. Before placing your panties back whete they go. Then he leans over and gives your pussy a kiss above the fabric. "Good girl," he tells her (your pussy)

You smjle at the affectionate gesture it fills you heart wirj deep pulsating juicy love

Simon would be a good dad

He loves kids and can't wait to see you fat with his little ones

Thus is why he always makes sure to fill hu with his thick and virile seed every day and night sometimes multiple times in row.

He have no refraction period

And is always hard

He fixes your skirt and then helps you into the Honda Civic truck

The two of your drive away to Tesco to shop for banana, his cum spilling out of you and staining the seat of the vehicle, but Simon didn't care in fact he l9ved to see it.

The wind

#simon riley x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley imagine #ghost imagine #call of duty #call of duty imagine #samuel roukin #simon riley #simon ghost riley #frodo baggins #cod x reader #cod ghost #call of duty ghosts #call of duty ghost #call of duty simon riley #kylo ren x reader #modern warfare

[vikingstoner69]

Fandom: game of thrones

Pairing: sandor/reader

Summary: you have known sandor for years and have loved him for years now you finally give in.

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

You looked out the window of your chambers and saw the water on fire and your heart dropped. You knew sandor was out there somewhere. 

"It's not a good night to be alone" you jump and spin around seeing sandor in the far corner of the room. He looked shaken but unharmed. 

"Sandor! What are you doing here?" You ask in a rush and he stands up and walks closer to you and looks out the window. 

"I'm getting out of here, I could take you with me" he says looking down at you and you bite your lip. You had feelings for Sandor you always had even before he became the king's guard dog. 

"Yes i'll go with you" you say grabbing things you would need and you both snuck off into the darkness. 

-5weeks later-

You grin and look around at the small room and the large bed as Sandor undoes his armor and you see the gash on his shoulder. 

"Get cleaned up and I'll take care of that so it won't get infected" you say leaving the room and going to the bar while he washed. After some time you go back up to the door and find him shirtless and clean. 

"There is water left," he says, not looking at you. Sandor takes a seat and you grab your bag and set it down next to him and step between his legs.

"I already took my bath while you were drinking, thank you by the way for bringing me with you" you smile looking at his brown eyes as you clean and stitch his wound. Sandors hand rubs lightly on your hip and you look down at his lips.

"I told ya I'd keep ya safe" he grunts and you have the urge to kiss him. you push that thought away and wipe the blood off his shoulder. 

"That you did, I know we used to fight back when we were kids but can you teach me? I don't want to be totally useless" you grin and he grunts looking up at you. 

"Fine we'll find you a blade" he says standing up and putting his shirt on and then his armor back and you watch his every move. 

"Alright well I'm off to bed" you tell him as you crawl in the big bed and close your eyes. 

-Later that night-

"SANDOR!" You scream sitting up straight in bed and coming face to face with sandor. 

"Your fine little tiger, just a bad dream" he says somewhat softly and you look in his brown eyes and you feel the tears run down your face. You bite your lip and hold back a sob and he sighs. Sandor moved you over and you clung to him your nightmare playing over and over again in your head. Sandor laid back on the bed and you curled into him. 

"They killed you" you say softly into the darkness. You feel his fingers lightly stroke your arm. You sniffle and wipe your eyes and cuddle closer to him. 

"It was just a dream, no one has killed me yet" he chuckles in the darkness, the full moon shining in through the window. 

"I don't think you understand sandor! I literally just watched you die! I literally just felt my heart rip open when I realized I couldn't save the man I love!" You snap in a rant not realizing what you said till it was too late the words were out now and there was no going back. 

"You don't love me girl you just think you do" he growls standing up and leaving you alone in the bed that now felt too big.

"Why is that so hard to believe! An don't you dare say anything about how you look?" You yell sitting up on your knees in the bed. Sandor looks back at you and before you blink he is back In front of you. 

"You're playing a dangerous game girl" he growls and you feel your body heat up, your heart sped up. 

"I don't care sandor! I don't care if you have killed and done awful shit! Guess what? So have I! I've loved you since we were teenagers!" You snap, losing your balance on your knees you start to fall forward into his chest but he catches you and you look up at him. Sandor looked tore, getting back your balance you bring yourself closer to him and he sighs. 

"What do you want? Huh? Want me to fuck you is that it? Make you mine? Trust me girl you don't want that" he growls his eyes have darkened and his body is tense and you bite your lip. 

"That's exactly what I want sandor clegane! I want you to fuck me! I want you to make me yours" you tell him honestly you feel his body vibrate as he growls and one hand goes into your hair brining your face closer to his. 

"Best be sure little tiger once I fuck you then your mine" he says gruffly. You bite your lip and try to calm your heart rate. 

"I want this sandor, please" you beg softly, he growls and crashes your mouth to his in a rough hard kiss making you moan. You take the time to run your hands on his chest and up his arms you could feel his body tense under your touch till finally your hands were in his hair. Sandor pulls back long enough to rip your top off exposing bare breasts. 

"I thought about doing this a thousand times" he growls, taking each breast in each hand and then rolling the nipple making you moan and your back to arch. Sometime after you went to sleep he had taken his armor back off leaving him in his shirt and pants. You tugged on his shirt and gave a growl when you couldn't get his shirt off making him chuckle. 

"You're not the only one who has thought of doing things" you smirk when he pulls his hands away from your breasts to take his shirt off and you lick your lips. You push him back a bit and stand up taking off your pants leaving you naked before him. 

"Minx" he growls, reaching out to touch you but you step back. You place a hand on his strong hard chest and you turn him to the bed. Sandor sits down on the bed and you straddle him. His hands go to your ass and hips and you grind down on the bulge and you moan. 

"I have thought about how good fucking you would feel so meny times" you moan before kissing him deeply. Your hands roam his body making him groan. Finally you pull back from the kiss as you undo his pants and you slowly pull his hard cock out. You slide down his hard body to the floor in front of him on your knees and you look up at him before sucking the head of his cock. 

"Seven hells!" He groans, his hand going into your hair and the other holding himself up as you suck him. You moan around his cock and take him as deep as you can, making yourself gag a bit before coming up for air. 

"I want you to cum down my throat" you tell him, sucking the tip and moaning at the taste of him. Your clit throbs so you use your hand and slowly rub your clit and grind down on your hand. Sandor grabs your hair and fucks your throat and mouth. 

"Fuck that mouth of yours, want me to fill it full? You gonna swallow what I give you?" He growls feeling so close to cumming in your hot wet mouth. You moan and suck hard you feel his body tense and then his cum is squirting down your throat. You moan and suck taking everything he had to to give you till he pulls you off your knees and back to straddling him. You show him your tongue and then swallow and then show him again. 

"Fuck me sandor, fuck me hard" you tell him grinding down on his hard cock. Sandor grabs your hip and flips you on your back. Sandor hovers over you and grinds up into you making you cry out. 

"Don't hold back any of those pretty sounds, I wanna hear what I do to you" he growls rubbing your clit making you moan and your hip thrusts up. 

"Don't tease me, fuck please don't tease" you beg at his light touch. Your body felt like it was on fire. You were so hot and wet for him. Sandor slowly pushes his thick finger deep inside you, making you moan.

"So tight an warm" he groans, you cling to his arm as he fucks you with his finger adding another finger making you feel so full. Sandor fucks you on his fingers as he rubs your clit making you moan and cry out as you cum hard on his fingers, his eyes never leaving your face. Slowly pulls his fingers out of you and you watch as he sucks them clean making your cunt clench. 

"Fuck me sandor please" you beg. Sandor spreads your legs wider so he could fit and you look up at him your hands running up his arms to his shoulders and down his back, making him growl and thrust frowned hard. His cock going deep inside you making you both moan at the feeling. 

"Fuck your so tight!" He groans feeling how tightly you felt around him, your nails digging into his back and shoulders.  

"You feel so good sandor more please!" You moan thrusting your hips up and his hips snaps into you hard and you cry out as he fucks you hard and deep. 

"You're mine" he growls sucking and biting your neck as he fucks you into the bed. You moan leaning up you kiss him deeply biting his lip and flipping him over so you are on top taking him even deeper than before.

"Oh fuck! You're so deep" you moan your head falling back as you slam down on his cock riding him roughly. Sandors hands touch every inch of you. 

"That it ride my cock" he groans as he watches you. You moan your nails leaving marks on his chest. You felt so close to cumming.  Sandor grunts and you're on your back once again with him taking you deeply. 

"I'm so close" you moan, clinging to him your nails leaving marks down his back making him groan and you tighten around him from the sounds he was making. 

"Come on then" he grunts pounding into you he leans down and kisses you sloply biting your lip. 

"Sandor!" You cry out as you cum hard around him. He grunts and his body tenses and he cums hard. 

"Seven hells" he pants resting his head on yours, you both trying to catch your breaths. Once sandor gets his breath he rolls off you laying on his back and you look over at him. 

"Did you mean it? You pant and he grunts and looks at you. 

"The hell you on about?" He asks, looking at you. You get on your knees so your looking down at him. 

"You said I'm yours, did you mean it?" You ask looking at his brown eyes and he leans up on his elbow and grabs the back of your head and crashes his mouth to yours kissing you deeply making you moan kissing him back just as deeply. 

"Aye your mine" he growls against your lips and you nip his. You push sandor down on his back and you straddle him. His hands going to your waist and ass. 

"An your mine" you grin and he runs his rough hands up your back making you shiver and your hips rock. You knew it would be a very long night. 

#smut #requests are still open btw #reader #please request #reader smut #request #requests #sandor smut #sandor clegane fanfiction #sandor clegane x reader #sandor clegane fanfic #sandor clegane smut #sandor clegane/reader

[makethatelevenrings]

Angel by the Wing - TWENTY TWO

Chapter Warnings: discussion of child abuse and domestic violence, discussion of the possibility of miscarriage, allusions to homophobia

A/N: I’m nearing graduation so I’m in the final rush to get work done so updates will be going sloooooow for a bit. sowwy. love u.

Series Masterlist OR Mobile Masterlist

There is a reason why Jacob “Hangman” Seresin is such a dick.

He was seven years old the first time he saw his mom cover a black eye with concealer and a smile. Ten when he pushed himself in between Jennifer and Daniel Seresin and took a well-aimed smack to the face. Thirteen when Daniel stopped making his wife his main punching bag and started turning on Jake.

He was fifteen when he realized that he wanted to kiss Tony Garcia as much as he wanted to kiss Lisa Kelley. The words of his father haunted him at night. Things like how he didn’t raise no fucking fairy. How Jake was too much of a fucking sissy. How he needed to man up and take each hit like a champ.

Jennifer knew something was different about her son. She saw the way he gazed at the front cover of Tiger Beat magazine no matter who was on it. Daniel would beat her black and blue if he saw her giving his son that “sissy shit” but she would pay in cash and slip it under Jake’s pillow to find when he came home from football and baseball practice.

Jake grew thick skin in that house. He had to in order to survive. He loved his mom dearly and he wanted to keep her and his little sister as safe as they could. He was sixteen when he threw a punch back at Daniel and knocked him out cold. Jake was six feet tall and pure muscle thanks to being a double sport athlete. Daniel was on the fast track to alcohol induced cirrhosis.

He knocked his father out and then told his sister and mother to pack their bags. They would get out that night.

That same rough attitude got him through the last few years of high school. He had to protect his sister at her new school, his mom from the specter of his father, and himself from the world. By the time he entered the Naval Academy, DADT was well in effect. Being bisexual meant he could still flirt with women and kiss a few of his other female classmates, but there was still this gut-punch feeling he had every time he felt a flush rise to his cheeks when he saw some guy throwing a frisbee out on the quad.

And then he graduated and entered flight school and met Bradley Bradshaw and for fucks sake, they shared a bunkroom. What was he supposed to do? Bradley was charming and funny and his patience drove Jake insane. He thought that there were moments Bradley saw past that veneer of arrogance he held in front of him as a shield.

Jake always had to be the best. If he was the best athlete on the field, then his dad would be proud. If he was the smartest kid in class, his mom would be proud. He had to be the best in order to get the attention of Naval football recruiters. Five years of service in return for free tuition, a load off of his mom’s shoulders. He had to be the best to be a fighter pilot, a job that would take him away from his mom and sister, but wouldn’t put him in a submarine with no way to contact him for a year.

Letting people in was a risk, he learned, and one he tried to avoid at all cost. Letting people in gave them a chance to see the ugly, jagged, imperfect parts of him that he was terrified to let people see. So he pushed people away with his cocky attitude and jabbed words.

Bradley Bradshaw didn’t care because Jake wasn’t speaking when they were making out in their empty bunkroom.

But then the Navy split them up to deployments across the world. They attended Top Gun at various times, occasionally seeing the other at a base for a few days before they were sent off again, but Bradley had grown more serious and less impressed with Jake’s attitude. He knew it was inevitable. He pushed people away so he really couldn’t act surprised when they left.

He was stationed at Lemoore with Phoenix and then down to Miramar to help train some new pilots when the news of the special detachment came. By then, he was quickly sinking into the bright smile of the bartender of the Hard Deck.

And here he was sitting on his couch with Bradley Bradshaw’s head resting in his lap. His fingers ran through the brunet’s curls and he scratched his nails over Bradley’s scalp a few times, eliciting a satisfied hum from the man who was drifting between the veil between sleep and awake. How the fuck had he ended up here?

“Hey,” you said as you emerged from the bedroom. You were tucking one of your black Hard Deck t-shirts into a pair of jean shorts when you looked up and saw Bradley half-asleep on Jake’s lap.

“Oh sorry.” You lowered your voice and winced but Bradley waved you off.

“I wasn’t sleepin’,” he grumbled.

“Okay, that’s a bold faced lie but whatever you say, bear.” You came around the side of the couch and leaned down to run your hand over Bradley’s hair before straightening up and laying a kiss on Jake's cheek.

“I have to leave to help get the bar ready before we open. Penny took Amelia out on a boating trip to north Cali so I’m opening and closing tonight. I figured you two will want to get shitfaced tonight so I can drive you home and we’ll go get your cars tomorrow morning. Sounds good?”

The two men sent you a thumbs up and you grinned. “Okay, perfect. Item two on my list…”

Bradley sat up with a groan, his ribs protesting the move, and Jake slid his hand down to support his back until they were both sitting up and staring at you.

“There’s a chance.” You worried at your bottom lip and sighed. “There’s a chance I could miscarry. The risk dramatically drops after eight weeks and is extremely rare after twelve weeks, but there’s always a possibility.”

Your hands dropped to your stomach where that near invisible bump rested. “Would you be alright if we waited before telling people? I already told Penny, but that’s because I was freaking out and needed someone to screw my head on straight.”

“I told Mav too,” Bradley added. “But I’m okay with not telling anyone else until you think it’s good.”

Jake cleared his throat. “I’d like to tell my mom. I was hoping to have her and Liz come down to visit soon, maybe this month. Would that be okay?”

A smile grew on your face and you reached out to cup his face. “Of course. It would be really nice to meet your mom. I’m sure she’s got a bunch of embarrassing baby photos of you.”

He rolled his eyes but settled a kiss against your wrist as your grin brightened. You leaned down to drop a kiss to each man’s head and then hurried over to the front door to put on your shoes and grab your purse.

“Okay, I’ll see you both tonight. Be good while I’m gone. Jake…” Your gaze flickered between the two men. “It’s not my place to tell you what to do, but I think you should tell him about your dad.”

His heart sank into his stomach at the confused glance on Bradley’s face, but he knew she was right. If they wanted this to work, Jake would have to be honest about the fact that he didn’t know how to be a good father thanks to Daniel Seresin being a raging piece of shit.

As soon as the door shut behind you and the sound of your car drove off, Jake leaned back against the couch and sighed. Bradley kept those warm brown eyes fixed firmly on him and then Rooster surprised him by reaching out and carding his fingers through the soft strands at the base of his neck.

Jake let out a shaky breath and began to tell him.

A few hours later, Jake joined the rest of the Daggers at the Hard Deck. He sat across from Bradley, their feet hooked together and their heads occasionally turning in the direction of the bar where you were focused on making drinks. The team were all intent on getting sloppy, piss-faced, “holy shit we lived” drunk tonight. Warmth suffused his veins, both from the bourbon and from the laughter of the team as they all swapped stories from their earlier days in the Navy.

“What’s everyone doing for their leave?” Halo asked once the conversation started to die down.

Varying responses came, mostly people saying they were going home to see family. Others were staying in California, like Phoenix who would be going back to Lemoore with Sofia, and Bob, who had been practically adopted by the two women and would be joining them for the first half of leave before he went to see his family.

“I’m going to be here for a bit,” Bradley answered. “Enjoy the sun. Weather’s nicer here than in Virginia.”

The others were too drunk already to recognize the heavy gaze Bradley laid upon the man seated before him. Jake grinned into his beer just as you appeared at their table with a tray of shots.

“On the house,” you announced as you laid it down in front of the aviators. “You better have a designated driver planned out or I will be sticking your ass into an Uber and praying you get home.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Bob replied meekly. You grinned to show him you weren’t all that serious and nudged your knee against the interlocked ankles under the table.

Jacob “Hangman” Seresin never expected that he would have the chance to feel like this. He was thirty-three when he let two people into his life and found that flying wasn’t the only adrenaline rush.

Tag list: @mizzzpink @xoxabs88xox​ @dreaminglandsworld​ @khaylin27​ @loveforaugust​ @phoenixssugarbaby​ @atarmychick007​ @mak-32​ @itsmytimetoodream​ @krismdavis​ @emma8895eb​ @startrekfangirl​ @hangmandruigandmav​ @lunamoonbby​ @startrekfangirl2233​

#hangman x reader #hangman x reader x rooster #hangster x reader #jake seresin x reader #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x reader x jake seresin #bradley bradshaw imagine #jake seresin imagine #abtw

[f4irycafe]

⤷ summary:" i'm not scared of lions and tigers and bears but i'm scared of loving you" - jazmine sullivan ♡

⤷ characters: eren jaeger

⤷ content warnings: black!coded reader, college au, drug use (marijuana), reader had attachment/trust issues, closed off reader, naked bodies?

⤷ wc: 745

⤷ notes: i kinda hate this but oh well :(

your heart was no longer yours, for it was currently resting in the hands of a tall green-eyed boy who seemed rather fond of it. it was his, has been for a very long time, even if you would have wished not to admit it. everytime you thought of stealing it back for yourself, he would do something so painfully good that you just told yourself, "one more week."

but one week had turned into two, three, then before you knew it two months had passed.

"and then this dicky ass kid in my 3 p.m - you're not even listening are you?" eren asked, looking over at you.

you were. you had just...gotten lost in him for a little bit. you hummed sweetly, continuing to run your nails through his hair. nails that he had recently paid for you to get done. he let his eyes grow droopy, leaning his head against your shoulder.

you raised the joint to your lips, letting it fill your lungs until you blew it out the open window. it was a rainy, lazy day in bed. wake up, light up, fuck, repeat. you couldn't even remember the last time you ate. it was just him, all day. you had stopped bothering to get back into clothes rounds ago, content to feel free and at peace with each other.

"gimmie," eren whispered as he lowered his head to your hands. you pressed the joint to his lips as he took it from you, blowing smoke out the window just as you had.

"you gotta stop doing that." he said after a bit.

"doing what?"

"zoning out on my face when i'm talking to you." you clenched your jaw in an effort not to let it drop to the ground.

"i do not -"

"it's okay. i'd stare at me all day too."

"you're stupid," you said after a few seconds of silence, snatching the joint back into your hands as you pouted.

"for real tho, wassup with that."

"what? i can't stare at you"

"you can, just not in a way you do." this boy was infuriating.

"and how, exactly do i stare to you mr. jaeger."

"you stare at me like you love me." he had taken the blunt back and anxiously hit it, turning his head after he spoke, too much of a coward to see the look on your face.

boys sucked. men sucked. dating sucked. but not eren. eren was sweet, eren asked if he could kiss you, eren bought flowers for your mother, eren pushes you to be better. he does all the right things, and when he doesn't he apologizes in the right way. he fucked you until you saw stars and ascended to higher dimensions, and he held you when you came down from those heavenly highs.

eren loved you.

and you knew that, of course you knew it. which was what made you mad. you kept giving him subtle opportunities to leave, unveiling your personality one wall at a time. and he just kept coming and coming, crashing through them all until he only had one left to conquer. he was like a little puppy, following you around wagging that big fat tail of his. sometimes when he got excited, you swore it wiggled.

and you loved eren. you loved him in a way that scared you because you'd never experienced that kind of love before. it felt like waves crashing all at once in your body, pulling you further down until his soul had you just where it wanted you.

you held his heart just as delicately as he did yours.

you didn't throw around the word casually. when you said it, you said it which each muscle in your body, each cell. and you were scared that if you took that step, said those three words, let it all out, that something bad would happen.

but that wouldn't happen with eren. he was the protector of your heart, and there wasn't much he wouldn't do to keep it safe.

"i do." you said, allowing your battling thought to quiet.

"you do what?" he asked, suddenly closr to you than he had been a second ago.

"i do lo-hmph," you paused, the words literally painful in your mouth. he laughed and pulled away from his face. shit head.

"i do love you, eren." he smiled, connecting your lips briefly, his hand coming up to massage your throat gently.

"i know you do angel," he said. "wanted to hear you say it for me, just once."

elles ramblings: i feel like i didn't match the vibe the way i wanted to. so maybe I'll do a part 2? or just a different version?

#eren cafe <3 #f4irycafeblurbs📇 #eren jeager fluff #eren jeager smut #eren jeager x reader #eren jaeger x reader #eren jaeger fluff #eren jaeger x black reader #eren jeager x black reader #eren x you #eren x reader #eren x oc #eren x black reader #eren fluff #aot x black reader #aot x reader #aot fluff #attack on titan fluff #attack on titan x black reader #attack on titan x reader

[crazydadd0]

No one asked but I want to do it!!!!

Fishman (Arlong, Fisher Tiger) x human s/o.

Fisher Tiger

Poor Fisherman is scared at first and angry with himself for having caught feelings for a human.

I know Tiger at heart hates people. But it's different with you, you look at everyone with love and care. And OMG you touched it with such gentleness

And you always asked how you were supposed to touch him. God you were better than most people I've ever met.

He would take you for an angel, even for God.

That's how you won the heart of this fisherman.

You fell in love with all of it. And he in you, all the love around you gave others diabetes.

As for his behavior towards you. At first, he's a very distant and cold type who hangs around you.

But he doesn't really know how to start a conversation with you, so he's a pillar standing nearby.

As a pirate mate, he has a high reputation, but what he likes most is that you don't pay attention to it.

How did you find out about his affection. So in a simple version, he got drunk like Tiger got drunk and walked into your room. He lay in bed with you and confessed his love. (Okay it was different: that's how it was)

"What are you doing here?"

"Want to sleep with the love of my heart?"

After that, she passed out cuddled up to you.

Then it felt weird waking up next to you, but he didn't want to leave you just yet. You had such a nice and warm body, God didn't want to let you go.

From then on, you were unofficially a couple. (You thought so, but the solar crew already knew, and they had a lot of bets on your relationship. Ehem. There's still the one with Deflowering you. They're wondering when that will be.)

Your relationship doesn't look like a relationship to many new eyes. You just don't show your feelings to the new ones.

But when you're alone, ohhhh~~ Diabetes kills more than once. Your relationship is forbidden but as good as warm cookies.

Tiger will not let you be hurt and unhappy, he will protect you with his body. You do the same for him, but you give him so much love that he turns red like Kid's Hair

Arlong

How such a strong and hateful Shark like him loved a human. Pffff. The weak power of women.

It wasn't a shock to him, it was a shock to you and everyone around you. (Shock to the whole world.)

Maybe it was because you were so feisty and small. (Like a little angry lion.) Maybe it's because you stood up for another fishman. (Of course, I almost killed a man in defense of the honor of the fishermen, and it kindled a new feeling in him. But only for you.)

How could he have developed these feelings? or as he put it extinguish them?

He just kidnapped you and took you on his ship. That's how it started.

The rest went quickly, you followed him like a shadow and did not let him rest. It's his fault you're here with him.

He himself knew he had done wrong the more often you were around him. The more his feelings intensified.

And he was angry about it, ohh. He was pissed off, aggressive at all the little obstacles etc. no one could feel safe. (Except you)

Only you could rebuke him and set him upright. (You became the mum of the crew because of it.)

How did it happen that you are together? Oh boy. It's a difficult story for you.

It all started with a little argument about humans and fishermen. And it went on for a fortnight. A lot of emotions then spanned through his crew and the ship. But in the end Arlong forced by his officers went to apologise to you.

You sat on a stork's nest away from the fishermen, and Arlong himself. Single tears streamed from your eyes. I paid no attention to my surroundings until a pair of strong and slippery arms hugged you from behind.

"Hatchi go away please."

"You have mistaken me darling for someone."

Our fisherman gave you no time for anything else and kissed you. A quick kiss full of love.

The crew was later surprised and pleased that their captain had someone to LOVE. (And he can de-stress on her. He he he. We know what they mean).

The relationship seems rough and one-sided on his part. Our grey-haired and hateful Arlong remains what he was. But he's different for you.

He'll beat someone up and then turn to you with his heart eyes and compliment your beauty that day.

When it comes to bed stuff. You have a demon in bed who is always horny for you. (Dousing yourself with something? Boner. Bending over? Boner. Whatever you're doing? Boner.)

But then he takes care of you like a queen. Only for shadows is he soft and cuddly.

#one piece #one piece fishman #fishman #fisher Tiger #arlong #sun pirates #one piece Arlong #one piece x you #one piece x s/o #one piece x reader #one piece arlong x you #one piece arlong x reader #one piece Fisher Tiger x you #one piece Fisher Tiger x reader #Fisher Tiger

[0kayblue]

Do You Still Love Him?

Do You Still Love Him?

You are retired, you are married, you have a foster child, you have all of this without Leon Kennedy. 

(Part II) (Part III)

Main character relations: reader x oc-ish husband (Bill) (romantic) reader x Leon Kennedy 

Word count: A little over 7k

Angst, angst, and more angst. 

A/N: Hello! If you followed me thinking it was all Stranger Things you are sadly mistaken. I have entered my Resident Evil era and Leon Kennedy has a ridiculously tight choke hold on me. Please bear with me through this trying time.

“No.” The word left your lips quietly as you quickly sat upright. You tried not to panic as you began to regulate your breathing. You looked around the bedroom trying to learn to relish in familiar surroundings. You were sitting in your bed, in your home, you were safe. It was a nightmare, nothing more and nothing less, it wasn’t real.

You began to try to relax as you rested back against the bed frame. You heard a moan and the weight beside you started to shift, knowing you had woken him up again. “Shit, I’m sorry.” 

“No.” He protested as he sat up and snaked his arm around you pulling you to his side. He cupped your cheek with his other hand and made you look at him. Your cheeks stained with semi-dried tears as his heart broke. He kissed both of your cheeks and then placed a stern kiss on your forehead. “Do you want to talk about it this time?” He asked as he rested his head against yours as he tried to comfort you. 

“No.” You mustered out from against his pajama shirt. “I’d rather forget, Bill.” You sniffed, trying not to break in his arms. You’d come to him in time and he knew that, but nightmares back to back weren’t common. His concern was more than valid.

“I know.” He cooed, “You’re okay, it’s okay. I love you. I’m here.” 

“I love you too.” You said taking in his warmth and breathing in his strong scent. It was comforting, he was comforting. The fact that your husband was safe and with you was grounding. “What time is it?” 

Bill squinted as he looked at his watch, “That time.” You sighed, not ready to face today. “I can get-.” 

“(Y/N)!” You heard Sydney yelling for you in her room. “(Y/N)! Wake up, wake up, wake up!” Her voice grew closer as did the sound of little fast footsteps. Your heart felt a little lighter as the excitement in her voice filled the negative dread that strangled you. Before you knew it the bedroom door had flung open and a little dark haired brown eyed girl crawled her way up your bed. 

You pulled yourself up and pried yourself away from Bill’s warm embrace. You opened your arms and Sydney was quick to find her way to your chest. “Well, good morning.” You said trapping her into a big hug, “Someone’s excited about a field trip!” You said in a sing-song voice as you rocked her side to side. 

“Really? A field trip?” Bill teased, pretending he had no recollection of the trip to the zoo that Sydney brought up about every five minutes. 

“Yes! I told you a bunch.”

“Oh, yeah! I remember, you’re going to the mines. About time they put your kids to work.” You chuckled before kissing Sydney on the cheek. 

“No! Bill, the zoo! I’m going to the zoo!” Sydney tried not to pout as she argued with her other foster parent. 

“What could possibly be at the zoo?” Bill scoffed as he scratched his head. 

“Animals. All sorts, too. Tigers! I’ll be able to see a real life tiger. Right, (Y/N)?” 

“Well that depends on if we get up, and moving, and get dressed.” You said letting go of Sydney, “So why don’t you go get changed into the clothes I laid out for you last night and I’ll meet you in your bathroom to brush your teeth. What’d you say?” 

“Okay.” Sydney began to crawl out of the bed excitedly and head towards the door before stopping, “I’m wearing the shirt with the tiger on it, right? That’s the one I picked.”

“Yes, the one with the tiger on it. You better hurry, we don’t want to be late.” 

“Right.” She sent a determined little nod your way before taking off. 

The room returned to silence as you got out of bed and went to pull the curtains open, allowing the natural light to flood the room. It was warm and inviting regardless of whether you mentally shunned it. 

“I’ll drop her off today.” Bill volunteered as he got up, “No protest, it’s on my way and you need to take it easy.” 

“I can handle a couple nightmares. I’ll be alright.” You sighed as you walked into the bathroom. Picking up your toothbrush and turning the handle as water began to come spouting out of the faucet. 

“I know you can, I’d just prefer if you took it easy, rest, start to come to terms with whatever has been haunting you.” Bill married you for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knew your story as you knew his; and he still loved you. You still loved him. Rather it be your childhood or your past with the DSO, he was there. “I’m concerned. This is the fourth time this week and it’s only Wednesday.” He followed you into the bathroom and leaned against the doorway. His arms crossed and brows furrowed, his body language conveying the weight of his words. 

You spit into the sink, wiped your mouth, and then faced him. He was right, the sooner you faced it the sooner you could move on. You were just frustrated because you had made such big steps lately and now it felt like you were walking backwards again. You sighed, “I’ll give Ingrid a call, okay?” 

“Then when I get home we can talk about it.” He raised his brows as his gaze softened. 

“Yeah. We’ll talk about it.” You walked back over to him with a smile and wrapped your arms around his waist. “Please don’t worry too much. I’m okay.” You gently placed a little loving kiss on his arm, “Don’t be so dramatic, Billy.” You practically sung the version of his name, trying to get him to lighten up. 

William, otherwise known as Bill or Billy, was born in California and was raised there. Bill had a hard life and was also taken advantage of by something that no one could’ve controlled, it was a miracle he made it out alive. Eventually he packed up and got the hell out of dodge with no place in particular in mind; he just wanted to get away. He didn’t plan a single detail so crossing your path wasn’t a surprise, but staying on your path was. The life that he currently had wasn’t something he had ever pictured nor was it something he thought he deserved. Nevertheless, he was willing to do anything to keep it. 

He rolled his eyes as he unfolded his arms and wrapped them around you, “Shut up.” He leaned down so his lips could meet yours. You kissed him back as your arms snaked their way up his torso and around his neck while his hands held your hips. As you kissed him back the world around you started to fade ever so slightly, helping you push the nightmare in the back of your head into a room. 

“Yuck!” Sydney said breaking you away from him. 

“Yuck! Yuck?” Bill said in a false sense of disbelief. “I happen to let you know that (Y/N) doesn’t find me ‘yuck’ at all. Right, (Y/N)?” You were silent as you looked from Sydney to Bill, “Right?” 

“Your morning breath is a little yucky.” Bill placed a hand over his heart as if he were wounded, “but only a little bit. I still love you.” Bill sniffed, “You mean it?” 

You kissed his left cheek, “I love you.” You kissed his right cheek, “I love you.” And finally you kissed his lips, “I love you.” 

“Gross.” Sydney made a disgusted face and Bill mocked her. 

“Speaking of, let’s get your teeth brushed. Come on.” You let go of Bill and went to guide Sydney to her bathroom. You flashed Bill a smile as you left, placing a hand on the seven year old’s back. 

Sydney Lomis was put into the foster care system at the age of four. Her parents dealt substances from Maruianja to Crystal and probably beyond to the surrounding communities. Neglecting their only daughter up to their deaths, what all that Sydney had truly been through was unknown for the most part. She went to therapy at least once a week and for the most part her life was truly starting to begin. She’s lived with you and Bill for two years and slowly but surely you were on track to adopt Sydney. 

Walking into the bathroom you gesture for her to get on the stool in front of the sink. You recently had moved her into her own bathroom due to her positive reaction to sleeping in her own room. You grabbed her toothbrush as she turned on the water. 

“I hate this.” She mumbled as you wet the bristles and put the bubblegum flavored toothpaste on the brush.

“I know. I hated brushing my teeth at your age too. Open wide.” You started to brush her teeth and hummed as you did so, moving your body slightly to dance to the song. Trying to make the experience somewhat enjoyable. Sydney joined in shortly, “Alrighty, spit.” You grabbed a towel as she did so and wiped her face after she was done. “You hungry?” You asked her as your hands found your hips. She nodded and you smiled, “Thought so, let’s go make some breakfast.” 

As you both walked out of the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen Sydney started to go on a tangent about all the things she planned to do today and how she was so excited to finally see a real life tiger. Meanwhile you were only half listening to her while you focused on a tag sticking out from her shirt.

As she climbed into her seat she continued describing every little detail she knew about tigers. Their life span, on average how many strips they had, the fact that they were good swimmers. You grabbed the scissors, “You’ve got a runaway tag sweetheart, is it bothering you?” 

“No.” Sydney said as she reached for the back of her neck where her shirt rested. 

“Are you sure?” She was lying and you knew it.

“Yes.” You tried to bite back a sigh as you placed the scissors back in the drawer. You walked over to her and tucked the tag back into her shirt. 

“Alright, sweetheart.” You kissed the top of her head, “If it bugs you be sure to let the teacher know, okay?” You started to take her hair out of the braid you put in the night before as you scanned the room for a brush. You had what felt like a million of them hidden throughout the house, you just had to find it. 

“Okay, but tigers can roar so loud that they can be heard from a mile away…” She continued and as you smiled slightly, finding a brush on the breakfast bar. As you ran the brush through her hair you tried to focus on what she was saying and not the randomly highlighted parts of your nightmare. Like the sight of her lifeless, cold, unforgiving body in your arms while you pleaded for them to fix it and take you instead. 

“Is that okay, (Y/N)?” Sydney said pulling you back as you stopped brushing her hair. 

“Mhm?” You moaned. 

“If I name a tiger after you?” Your heart nearly shattered into a million pieces as she said it. 

“Me?” You asked as you turned to look her in the eyes.

“Yeah.” She looked a little embarrassed, but you just wrapped your arms around her. 

“I would be honored if you named a tiger after me.” Sydney didn’t call you mom even though you told her it would be okay. You figured she would come around when she was comfortable and that’s all you wanted, for her to be comfortable. “Toaster strudel for breakfast? Strawberry or blueberry?” You said as you let go of her headed for the fridge. 

“Strawberry.” She said in a defiant tone.

“Good choice.” You smiled as you went to get her breakfast ready. 

“What’d I miss?” Bill said, walking into the kitchen, ready for work. Truth be told he didn’t need a job, neither of you did. You were able to retire more than comfortably at your young age. But, you guess it was best to have busy hands and extra cash. 

“Strawberry toaster strudels for breakfast.” 

“Works for me. I’m going to drop you off at school today, Sid.” He said as he ruffled her just brushed head of hair. “Maybe we’ll take the scenic route, get there late, huh?” 

“He’s kidding.” You said as you carefully pulled the pastries from the toaster oven. 

“Am I?” He said as he stuck his tongue out. 

“You are.” You said setting the plates down and putting icing on Sydney’s while you threw his packet to him. 

They ate while you watched with a slight smile. Feeling warm as you basked in their presence. 

“Alright, Sid. Are you ready?” Bill asked as he got up from the chair. She didn’t even nod, just got up and grabbed her back pack. “Alright then.” He mumbled as you turned to grab her lunch out of the fridge. 

“Make sure she doesn’t forget this and slip her a couple twenties for the gift shop, okay.” You told Bill and handed him the pail. 

“Of course.” He came to meet you on the other side of the breakfast bar. His arms wrapped around your waist as he went to kiss your temple, “Call Ingrid, relax, and I’ll be home before you know it.” You nodded before you pecked a little kiss on his lips. 

“Let’s go.” Sydney’s voice cut its way between the two of you and you chuckled slightly. 

“Jesus, kid, I’m coming. Am I not allowed to kiss my own wife goodbye?” Sydney didn’t listen though as you heard the door open. “She doesn’t care.” 

“Why would she?” You kissed his cheek as you ushered him to go after her. “I’ll be okay.” 

“I know you will.” He let go of you and went after Sydney. “Wait up, kid! What did we tell you about running off without one of us?” He was still worried and he thought about calling out of work for the day, but knew if he did you’d just continue to dance around the subject. 

You let out a deep breath as you headed to the door to lock it and continue with the day. 

For the most part you did relax after cleaning up the kitchen. You took a long bath, did some laundry, and read a couple chapters in some random book you found. But you hadn’t picked up the phone, in fact you tried your best to not even look at it. 

You usually wouldn’t hesitate to call Ingrid. You two worked close together at the DSO and had become the best of friends. Often you would meet up with her once every couple of months, but talked to her on the phone regularly. She kept you up to date on the DSO drama and you told her the petty bickering you got into at the farmers market.

But you knew it was different. You had this gut feeling that when you called she wouldn’t answer and if you were lucky she would call you back in three weeks time. Any later and you knew what that meant. You feared what it meant. So with a deep breath you picked up the phone and called her. The phone rang as you tried to keep yourself from panicking. It’s alright, you had to remind yourself. Nightmares have no precedence in the real world. You just needed to breathe. 

“Hey, (Y/N)! I was just thinking about you.” Her voice seemed cheerful enough, but you knew something was off. Was it a real danger? Probably not, it sounded more like awkward timing. 

“Hunnigan, you got a minute?” You asked before fidgeting with your nails. 

“No, I’ll-.” She hesitated, unsure if the news she was about to share was even worth your time. 

“Hunnigan.” Your tone was firm as that feeling in your gut grew. “What’s going on? Are you ok-?”

“Have you seen Leon?” She just asked you flat out. You blinked in confusion. Leon? Leon Scott Kennedy? The agent that broke your heart? The agent you gave everything up for? 

“No.” Hunnigan knew that and truthfully her relationship with Leon hasn’t been the same since. But her agent was MIA and she was running out of places to look. “He died last night.” You said and then quickly followed up on, “In my nightmare. Haven’t actually seen him since my retirement party almost four years ago.” 

“He’s been MIA for nearly three days. This isn’t like him and I think-.” She stopped, “I don’t know what I think.” 

“I think he’s a damn idiot.”

“So you think he’s okay?” 

��He’s Leon fucking Kennedy, if you haven’t found his body he’s alive. That’s what matters.” Your heart rate grew as every single feeling you had felt today turned into rage. 

“Calm down, it was a real bad night, huh?” 

“You have no idea. We can talk about it later, just forget it for now.” 

“Noted.” She said and as silence filled the void between the two she really started to feel for you. 

“Ingrid, as soon as you find Leon let me know.” 

“Noted. Be careful.” She said before she hung up. You let out a deep sigh as the anxiety took hold of your main focus was protecting the people in this house. You were retired, but that didn’t mean safe. 

If Leon was missing it was bad news no matter how you flipped the coin. Leon’s smart and if he had an inkling that something was rotten there he tried to fix it, if it was too rotten? Leon would simply run and try to beat them at their own game. No corporation is ever truly innocent. If it had nothing to do with the DSO then he was in deep shit and was either running or dead. And Leon Kennedy never just fucking dies. 

You made your way down into the basement and to the gun safe. In all honesty you were not pro-gun, but being an ex agent, you have a couple for your protection. Your husband’s protection, your daughter’s protection. That being said, you didn’t have an arsenal, just a shotgun and a standard pistol. Nothing fancy. 

You grabbed the pistol and headed back up to the living room. You locked the basement door behind you and as you went for the phone to call Bill you noticed the window by the couch opened enough for a body to fit through. You were quick to the window and locked it. You weren’t in the basement long enough for more than one person to get in. You held the gun outwards, ready to shoot.

Carefully you walked forwards, examining as much as the room as quickly as possible. No sign of boot marks imprinted into the carpet or a hint of mud, blood, or the rest on any of the surfaces in your home. Slowly and carefully you pressed onward into the direction you assumed this intruder walked in. Trust your gut, you should’ve trusted your gut. You scold yourself as your palms grew sweaty and your breathing got harder to control. They could be in danger. They could be dead? It was never a nightmare. Your mind started to swim in circles as you started to lose your caution. 

So lost in the downward spiral of depression you didn’t notice a hand quickly and harshly grab the same hand that you held the gun in, causing the gun to go flying out of your hand and down the hall. It brought you back and it brought you back fast as you went to swing your other arm in the direction of what you calculated to be your intruder's face. Quickly though he caught your hand as you saw your intruder's face as you tried to yank your other hand free. 

“Leon?” You nearly shouted at him in utter anger. The confrontation turned as his grip on you tightened. 

He couldn’t help but to smile when he saw you, “You’ve grown soft.” He teased before you yanked your arms out of his grip. 

“What are you doing here? Are you insane?” You on the other hand didn’t meet Leon’s joy. You were furious, “Hunnagain is looking for you! Do you have any idea how worried she is? How worried she made me! Then you show up here, my house! My family’s house! What is wrong with you?”

“Look, I know.” Leon started as he raised his hands. Leon felt incredibly bad and he knew you didn’t want a thing to do with him after what he did. He wanted you happy, you deserved happiness. “I’m-.”

“No! I don’t think you do! You have just put-.”

“I didn’t know where else to go.” He cut you off and you just stared at him blankly. Unsure of what to do or what to say. “I’m sorry. I understand what I’ve done and I understand that nothing will make up for it. Trust me if I could’ve stayed out of your life I would.” You shot an icy stare at him, that came out wrong. He took a deep breath, “(Y/N). Please.”

He begged you. As you closed your eyes and took in a frustrated deep breath. You cursed him before your eyes connected with that ocean that you have always drowned in. 

“Alright, how can I help?” You gave in to him so easily. 

“Just. Let me buy some time.” 

“How long?”

“As long as you’ll let me.” Which meant anywhere from four to twenty-four hours. 

“Swear to me that if this goes south you save Sydney and you never look back.” 

“I swear to you.” Leon said, giving you his word. It was bittersweet seeing you like this, ready to throw it all on the line for your family. To see how far you have come, something he wanted, something he could have had. 

“You better.” You nodded, after everything you still trusted Leon. You always would. “Where are you hurt?” You asked as you went to his side. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, “We both know if you weren’t you would’ve easily had me in any position on the floor if you weren’t hurt.”

His face quickly heated as he slightly leaned against you and chuckled, “You’re still into that?”

 Your eyes widened briefly as your face turned a deep red fast, “You better shut your mouth before I kick you back out on your ass.” You helped him into the kitchen and sat him in a chair and finally examined all of him. 

He was just as handsome as ever even though he was obviously tired. There was a sizable gash near his abdomen that led up towards the back of his ribs. You cursed slightly under your breath as you grabbed a kitchen towel, “Jesus Christ, who did this to you?” Your eyes left the wound and met his. Leon couldn’t help his heart skipping a beat or the way you still looked at him with the utmost love. It didn’t last long though as your eyes left him to focus on his holster. 

“I’m not sure.” He admitted holding his arms up so you could undo it, “Yet. I have an idea.” Giving you something to chew on, but not anywhere near an answer. After setting the holster carefully on the counter you went for the hem of his shirt. Carefully you started pulling the shirt up and off and then disregarding it in the sink. 

“Stay put.” You warned as you went back towards your room to retrieve the first aid kit you had. 

“No problem.” Leon mumbled as he started to relax for the first time in days. He let out a soft grunt as he rolled his head back, shutting his eyes momentarily. Sleep sounded more than fantastic and if allowed himself to be would’ve started drifting off right there, but he knew better. As he opened his eyes he started examining your house. A simple little house that wasn’t too flashy, but with your sense of decor it really shined. It was warm, homey, and inviting. 

Changing directions he focused on the kitchen. A kid's drawing of a tiger held to the refrigerator with three alphabet magnets. A Viva Las Vegas magnet made to look like it was shining held up a picture of a stick figure family with their respective names above each one. The small green one with the Sydney written above it in a matching colored crayon with a backwards ‘S’. Leon knew of Sydney, in fact he knew a awful lot about her. Just because he wasn’t in your life anymore didn’t mean a thing. He put together pieces whenever Ingrid talked about you and he has done his fair share of snooping through the years. 

An actual photograph caught his eye next; a photo of you, Ingrid, and Bill in front of the eiffel tower. You hold the camera unaware of how Bill’s gaze was locked on you in admiration or how you had no idea he was going to ask you to marry him right after the photo. Leon’s jaw tightened as he turned his attention back to the living room. 

“Okay, so by the looks of it the wound doesn’t look deep enough to need any stitches, but infection is an immediate threat.” Your voice breaks the tension that Leon had created for himself. “So, that means with some cream and bandages this should practically be painless.” You got on your knees in front of him putting the first aid kit on the ground. You began treating it carefully, “Although I am no doctor, so please try and protect the area as much as possible.” 

Leon scoffed before looking down at you. Your body is slightly stiff as your movements remain slow and gentle. His gaze softened as he watched you pick up the alcohol and a washcloth. Carefully you held the washcloth under his wound before meeting his gaze, telling him exactly what was next. Leon just nodded and you pushed forward slowly pouring the liquid onto the wound. He snarled lightly and shut his eyes momentarily; alcohol on an open wound, a sting he would never get used too. 

“You’re okay.” You say with a little smile, teasing him slightly. He rolls his eyes and the room falls into silence. 

He wanted to know what you were thinking. He wanted to know what you were feeling. He wanted to know what your next move was. He wanted to know if you felt little sparks run up your spine whenever you just barely touched him. Did your stomach flip when he looked at you? Did you still hate him? 

“So, is it rotten?” You asked not to look at him and continued to take care of him. 

“It is looking that way.” 

You sighed before reaching his gaze, “Right. Do you have a plan?” You begin to bandage him up as he adjusts himself to let you work.

“It’s in the works.” It was rough to admit, but it was better than saying nothing. You tsk as you finish and stand up taking the first aid kit with you. “Right now I just have to lay low until I can meet Chris and get it settled.”

“What about Ingrid?” Worry laced in each word.

“Huningan is fine and will be kept safe.” He assured you. You just nod before fishing his shirt out of the sink and pitching it. 

You head back to your room, “Feel free to move to the couch, I’m going to go get you a shirt before someone gets the wrong idea.” 

He chuckles before standing and pushing in the chair. As he takes a seat on the couch he notices a framed picture of you and Bill at the altar. His arms wrapped around your waist holding you closely to him and your arms wrapped around his neck as you planted a kiss on his cheek. Leon was there that day, you didn’t know it. He snuck his way in and watched the ceremony. Listened to your vows. He even got absolutely hammered at the reception.

You walked back into the room with a clean shirt; along with a pillow and blanket under your arm, “You can stay here for the night. When Bill gets home I’ll whip something up quickly for dinner and we will take Sydney-.” 

“Do you love him?” He cut you off as his eyes locked with yours. The question took you aback. Leon’s gaze became uncomfortable with each passing millisecond. 

“I do.” You answer, “I do very much.” You answer him. Leon’s face fell even more, it was stupid to hope for anything different; but he selfishly did. 

“He doesn’t treat you badly, does he?” He doesn’t, Leon knows. If Leon knew that Bill wasn’t any good he would’ve gotten rid of him long ago. 

“He doesn’t, never has.” You started to get angry with Leon as it came out short, “Here.” You handed him the shirt and went to put the blanket and pillow on the couch. 

“I’m sorry.” He apologized quickly and softly, “I just have to make sure you’re happy.”

“My happiness is none of your concern.” There it was, his damn question was answered. You still hated him. “As I was saying, Bill and I will take Sydney to our cabin. I’ll leave them there and meet you wherever is next.” 

“What? No.” He took a step closer to you, “You are not meeting me anywhere. You’re retired.” His tone was firm, he had already put you in enough danger by just being here. 

“You will not tell me what I will do. You need as many hands as possible.” 

“Not yours.” He stated through gritted teeth, “You have a daughter to protect.”

“And I am protecting her!” You screamed at him. You couldn’t believe the audacity he had to bring up Sydney, “I am getting her out of dodge! I am getting my husband out of here! If the DSO is fucked it’s only a matter of time the world is! I will be damned if my daughter doesn’t get to know a normal world, so I am going to help you fix this and then she is going to live the best damn life I can give her!” 

“You can’t give her that if you’re not here!”

 You scoffed, “You can not yell at me about this!” He had no right to get you tied up in this in the first place. 

“I can and I will! You are staying-!” He was cut off as the front door started to creek open. Leon was quick to grab your once disregarded handgun from the floor where you dropped it. He was quick on his feet as his frame blocked yours from the doorway. “Do. Not. Move.” He instructed you quietly. 

“I just don’t understand why the obvious choice-.” You heard Bill’s voice. 

“Stand down.” You put a hand gently on Leon’s back. “Please. I don’t want her to see this. This is her home.” You pleaded as your other hand met his elbow. Your touch was so warm and you were so close, how could you still handle him like this? He lowered the gun as his gaze met yours. His gaze made your knees weak, after everything you were still such a sucker, “Thank you.” He studied your face, you had aged but still were just as beautiful as the day he first laid his eyes on you. 

“What’s going on?” Bill asked, cutting through what felt like hours of eye contact. His hand covered Sydney’s eyes as you pulled yourself away from Leon’s side and over to your husband and daughter. Leon set the gun down on the coffee table before going to put on the shirt you got him. 

“Relax.” Leon said as he saw you pick up Sydney and lean against Bill, “Nothing is going on.” 

“We gotta move though. A trip to the cabin?” Your eyes met Bill’s telling him the next course of action. “Just a fun little vacation.” You said looking at Sydney, “How’s that sound, hun?” 

“I have school.” Sydney went to defend cautiously, glancing at Leon. He sent her a small smile with a tiny wave. 

“I know, sweetheart. Something has popped up and I have to help that knucklehead over there.” 

“Knucklehead?” Sydney laughed, “He’s a knucklehead?” 

“The biggest.” Leon smiled warmly, “Although I prefer to go by my name. My name’s Leon.” Leon moved over cautiously as he held out his hand to shake hers, “What’s yours?” 

“Sydney.” She said, taking his hand cautiously, “Bill calls me Sid and (Y/N) calls me sweetheart.” 

“Sydney? What a great name, well it’s my pleasure to meet you, Sydney.” He said gently as he shook her hand. 

“Let’s go get you packed real quick? You can tell me all about the zoo as well.” 

“Oh!” Sydney remarked remembering what she wanted to tell you as she let go of Leon’s big hand, “I named a tiger after you, I did!”

“You did? Tell me all about it.” You nodded slightly at Leon as you left for Sydney’s room. Leon watched you walk away and for a minute daydreamed that he was standing in Bill’s place and not his own.  

“She was supposed to call Ingrid.” Bill’s voice cut through it though, “What are you doing here?” 

Leon defended himself, “I had nowhere else to turn. It was a last resort.”

“Right.” Bill scoffed, “Whatever brings you here, I want you out.”

“Why’d she have to call Ingrid for? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine.” Bill said through gritted teeth. 

“You have given me reason to believe otherwise.” Leon started, glaring at Bill, “Look, I’m going to be hitting the road soon anyway. (Y/N)’s plan is to take you and Sydney up to your cabin up north and leave you and Sydney there and meet me-.”

“Not happening.” Bill cut him off returning the daggers that Leon had sent him. 

“She’s not meeting me anywhere and I’m leaving it up to you to make sure she doesn’t. Keep her there, keep her safe. I’ll be there to retrieve you all when this is dead and buried.” Leon said as he went to grab his holster.

“She didn’t just give you the location of the cabin and I’m not either.” Bill furrowed his brows as he crossed his arms. 

Leon couldn’t help but to chuckle, “No need. I’m a DSO agent, if there is something I want to know I will find it.” As he fastened the straps he added, “Same goes for if I want to hide something. I hide it.” 

“How long have you been watching?” Bill knew exactly what Leon was on to and it infuriated him to no end. Bill loved you and knew that he wouldn’t be able to piece himself back together if you left with Leon. Leon was his greatest fear. 

“Long enough.” Since the beginning of the end. Leon watched you break at the altar that he couldn’t walk down. Leon watched you retire from the DSO shortly after. Leon watched you begin a normal life. Leon watched you date crummy person after crummy person until you met Bill. He watched it all. “After this I’ll make sure that adoption paperwork gets pushed through.”

“Okay, I think you’re all set.” You said walking into the kitchen and setting Sydney’s bags on the breakfast bar, Sydney right on your tail. 

“There was a baby tiger too, I named her after me. Even though she had an official name, I didn’t like it.” She rambled as you picked her up and sat her in a chair. 

“Stop for a minute, okay? I need to tell you something very important. Can you listen to me very carefully for a minute?” Sydney nodded and you smiled warmly, “Good.” You pointed to Leon, “See even though you just met Leon, I have known him for a very very long time.”

“How long?” 

“Way before you were even born.”

“Before me?”

 You nodded, “So I can say that I trust Leon very much. So much so that I trust him with you.” You continue to break his heart and break Bill’s along with it. 

“I just met him, though. He’s like a stranger. You said stranger danger.” 

“That is true, but this time is very different.”

“Why?” She questioned and your heart shattered. Peering into her big innocent eyes as you had to figure out how to re-teach every lesson you had taught her. 

“Because something has happened and there is nothing I, or Bill, or Leon could’ve stopped. So right now we have to do our best to trust.” You tried not to cry as you felt so much love for this little girl that it hurt to try and explain how rotten things could get. “So Bill and I are going to take you on a little vacation and we are going to try our best to wait all of it out. But if something happens to me, or Bill, I want you to go to Leon and never look back. He will take care of you.” Your eyes left Sydney’s and found Leon’s, “He swore to me that he would take care of you.” Sydney turned in her chair and looked at Leon, “Right, Leon?” 

“Right.” You sniffed and looked back to Sydney. 

“See?”

“But, why would I have to-?”

“I don’t know. Things just happen sometimes, sweetheart.” Bill’s brows furrowed as he shut his eyes. He didn’t need to hear this. Sydney didn’t need to hear this. So he left the kitchen. Your eyes followed him as you stood and just as you went to call after him Sydney spoke. 

“Mom?” She asked, fear evident in her voice. “Where is dad going?” Your heart broke as you stifled a sob and looked back at her. 

“To pack. We’ve gotta get moving soon, honey.” You managed to get out while biting back a sob. Leon’s blood boiled as he approached you and Sydney. 

“Go get packed, I’ll watch her.” Leon said and you nodded.

“I’ll be back sweetheart. Just sit tight with Leon. Get to know him a little more so you can trust him like I do, okay?” Sydney grabbed the hem of your shirt, “I will be right back, I promise.” You kissed her forehead as she let go of you and you headed for the bedroom after Bill. 

“So tigers, huh?” Leon asked, trying to lighten the mood, “Don’t they have like a million stripes?” 

“They only have a hundred, which is still a big number.” Sydney corrected him as her attention shifted from the empty hallway and to Leon. 

“Really? I’m intrigued, tell me more.” Leon smiled as he leaned against the breakfast bar. 

“What is wrong with you? Running off like that?” You try not to yell as you shut the door behind you.

“Wrong with me? You have got to be joking?” Bill was appalled by the fact that now you wanted to fight with him. 

“Yes, what is wrong with you? You could’ve said something; helped me explain, or at least backed me up, that’s what parenthood is!”

“Explain to a seven year old that her mother is running off with her ex-lover to save the world and probably die in the process! Her second mother with a bullet in between her eyes! Is that what you wanted me to tell her while you told her that you trusted a man who hasn’t been in your life since he left you at the altar! Are you fucking nuts?” Bill boiled over the edge and you just threw your arms in the air and went rummaging through drawers. 

“We are not arguing right now! We most certainly aren’t arguing over this!” You threw various articles of clothing onto the bed in a fit of rage as you continued to bite back tears. 

“Why not? Does the topic of him make you uncomfortable? Make you freeze up? Because it makes me! You left this life behind and he saunters in here and all of sudden this responsibility is thrust upon you- and regardless of everything that you have- you are going to go running to take care of it!”

You slammed the drawer shut and faced Bill, “He had nowhere else to go! I wasn’t going to turn him away!” You finally gave as tears streamed down your face. 

“Wasn’t or couldn’t?” Was all Bill asked as he looked you dead in the eyes. The eyes he peered into this morning with so much love that he was convinced that nothing would ever separate the two of you. With doubt he carefully pressed forward, “Do you still love him?” 

“I love you!” You yelled at him.

“That’s not what I asked and you know it.” You scoffed as you walked past him and into the closet to grab a suitcase.

“Well that’s your answer.” You said cruelly as you made your way back into your room and through the suitcase on the bed. Bill’s heart shattered as he finally let himself begin to cry. Anger coursed through his blood stream as he hit the side of the door before going into the closet and grabbing some clothes off of the hangers. 

After unzipping the suitcase and throwing clothes into it you went and reached under the bed for the small safe you had with all of your medical records, social security cards, fake IDs, and a small handgun. Taking out the gun you put it in the waistband of your pants and put the documents into the suitcase. 

Bill came back into your room and put a collection of yours and his clothes into the suitcase. 

“You’re staying with us in the cabin. We already decided.” Bill got out behind tightly closed lips. 

“No, I have to help him finish-.”

“No, you have to keep your daughter safe. He knows where the cabin is, and said he’d find us when it was all done.”

“I don’t care what he says-.”

“Do you care what I say?” He cut you off and stared you down with a fire of a thousand suns. This rage you haven’t ever seen in Bill and it caused you to freeze. 

“Yes.” You admitted softly as you stepped back from the situation and your hand found his. 

He softened and sniffed, “Then stay. Please. Stay with me.” Tears fell down his face as your other hand cupped his face. 

“Okay. Okay. I’ll stay.” His hand found yours as he gripped it tightly and kissed your palm. 

“Promise?” He asked, he begged. 

“Promise.” You brought your lips to his and kissed him gently. As his arms wrapped around you and deepened the kiss he couldn’t bring himself to call your bluff. He just wanted to savor you against him for as long as he could. You pulled away from him, “We have to go.” 

“I know.” He said and you zipped up the suitcase. You both dried your eyes and you sniffed. He picked up the suitcase and you both left the bedroom and met Sydney and Leon in the kitchen. Sydney was laughing as you gazed over to Leon with a sad little smile. 

“Looks like you’re ready to go.” Leon started, returning your sad smile. 

“Are you ready, Sid?” Bill asked as he took her hand. 

“Yep! I’m ready.” Sydney said, getting down from the chair still holding Bill’s hand. 

“Leon, you take Bill’s car and we will take mine.” You instructed as you grabbed the keys that hung by the door. “Don’t worry, it’s fully covered so when you wreck it don’t feel too bad.” You joked, handing the keys to Leon. 

“Thanks.” He chuckled, “For everything.” You nodded. 

“You’re welcome.” Bill said glaring at Leon while he led Sydney out of the house and to the car. 

You sighed, “You’re welcome.” You both stared at each other in silence. Sharing something that shouldn't be. Regret? Anger? Love? 

“Motherhood looks good on you.” He said, unsure of what to say, just knowing he still wanted to talk to you.

“I think so too.” Guilt shooting up your spine as soon as you recognized it that you wished that you would have grown into it with him. “Leon,-.” You started and then stopped. “Please be careful. I don’t want to live my life knowing that you aren’t out there.”

Leon took in a sad breath, before plastering on a smile, “I’ll notify you as soon as this is done.” You returned his smile and headed towards the door and to the car. Your family was waiting on you and time was starting to tick. 

As Leon heard the car start and back out of the driveway he waited until he could no longer hear the subtle rumbling of the engine to confess, “I still love you.” 

#leon kennedy x y/n #leon kennedy x reader #resident evil #resident evil fanfiction #leon kennedy #angst #on top of angst #hayley writes a bit #ingrid hunnigan #romance #writing romance #fun writes #writing #seriously #it is late #i have been writing this for days #nit 100% on it but it is whhat is #you get what yiu get #trigger warning cursing #talks of deathh #talks if see dead loved ones #motherhood #nightmares #mentions of gun violence #deals with death #didn't proof read too wel #anyways goodnight

[ingek73]

Experience: a whale saved me from a shark attack

He swam underneath me and lifted me out of the water on his flipper

Nan Hauser Fri 29 Sep 2023 11.00 CEST

When I was a kid in Pennsylvania, my family rehabilitated wild animals. I grew up with raccoons and a fox running around the house. We would go travelling to Bermuda and I would watch the whales off the shore. I fell in love with them and wanted to know more about what they got up to underwater. Now I’ve been studying whales for more than 30 years and am the president of the Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation, mostly based in the Cook Islands and Bermuda.

In 2017, I was on a boat around Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, working on a film about whale conservation. The crew wanted to get more footage of me in the water with the humpback whales – I often slip in quietly to record their behaviour for research. Seeing a couple of humpbacks in the distance, I slid off the boat wearing a snorkel mask and a GoPro, and swam towards them.

As I was approaching, one of the male humpbacks came right up to me, nuzzling me with his head and pushing me through the water. It caught me off-guard – in 33 years of doing this work, this had never happened. I put my arm out and tried to push myself away while he attempted to tuck me under his pectoral fin.

My scientist brain was in overdrive as I tried to work out what he was doing. I felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with fear and apprehension. Then the whale swam underneath me and lifted me out of the water on his flipper. I signalled to the boat, then – swoosh – I was pushed back under.

As animals pick up on fear, I tried to keep calm, never taking my eyes off him. Whales are so big that if you’re not paying attention, you could be fatally injured. A tail slap and you’re dead; a whack with any part of their body can rupture your organs; and a nudge in the wrong place could crush you.

After seven and a half minutes of being pushed around by the humpback, I saw what I thought was a second, smaller whale. But then I noticed the tail – whales move theirs up and down, and this one was moving side to side.

I realised with horror that it belonged to a huge, 18ft tiger shark.

Tiger sharks are known to attack people, sometimes fatally. The shark had arched its body, with its pectoral fins pointed downward, which meant that it was in attack mode. I yelled out to the boat but, before I knew it, the whale had positioned me on the front of his head and was gracefully racing through the water. It was terrifying and yet peaceful. Within 10 minutes, he had safely returned me to the boat and out of the shark’s way.

My emotions were high by the time I took off my mask. I felt love, concern and care from the whale. I told him that I loved him and thanked him as he swam off. I gasped in relief and then proceeded to sob, overcome. I felt more motivated than ever to protect these beings. There are many documented encounters of humpback whales displaying behaviour we would consider altruistic and I believe this was another example – I think the whale had seen the shark and was trying to push me away from it.

The video of what happened was shared on social media and since then I have received thousands of emails from awestruck people. Though it was incredible, my encounter was extremely dangerous. I don’t encourage people to get into the water with whales – too often, it’s done to satisfy the human ego and get a selfie. With advances in technology, I now rely more on cameras set up on the side of my boat to study their behaviour, to avoid interfering.

Just over a year later, I was on a boat around the Rarotongan reef when I heard of a whale sighting in the harbour. I headed there and saw the whale who had protected me – I recognised him from the notches in his tail and the scar on his head.

It was the third time in 20 years that I had witnessed a whale return to the Cook Islands. I slid overboard and swam towards him; he approached and looked me in the eye. I rubbed his face and he extended his pectoral fin. I began to cry. I swam back to the boat and he stayed around for about 20 minutes after I got back on it. It was a lovely reunion.

 As told to Elizabeth McCafferty

Ok this made me cry....

#animals #whale #whales #nature #shark attack #the guardian #wildlife #nan hauser #whale conservation

[writemekpop]

Rendezvous | Jung Jaehyun

Summary: You and Jaehyun go on a sexy weekend getaway in Milan. Sparks fly...

Genre: Established relationship AU, New parents AU, domestic bliss, suggestive

Word Count: 0.7k

A/N: We’re taking a quick break from the 5K series to post this because who can resist a gorgeous Jaehyun?

“We’re so naughty… abandoning our kids for a weekend in Milan!”  

Jaehyun’s fingers played with yours on the table, but his glittering gaze never left your eyes. 

“Am I a bad mother for saying I don’t really miss them?”

Jaehyun laughed, deep dimples appearing on his smooth cheeks. “Am I a bad father for saying… me neither?” 

Jaehyun’s hair was ruffled by the summer breeze, and his cheeks were stained red thanks to all the wine. He looked the happiest you’d seen him in a while.

“Italy looks good on you, papi.”

Jaehyun raised your hand to his lips, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. “Talk to me like that and it’s straight back to the hotel - screw sightseeing.” 

Your heart started to race. “I… want you. I can’t wait a minute longer.” 

Jaehyun flung his napkin across the table. “What do you say we make a run for it?” 

“Without paying? Jae, what has gotten into you?”  

Jaehyun grinned, already sweeping his jacket under one arm. “Must be something in the water. Come on, gorgeous, let’s go.” 

Then, Jaehyun was pulling you out of your seat and practically lifting you to the door. Before you knew it, you were running hand in hand down a cobblestone street. 

When you finally made it back to your hotel, you were both panting. 

You clutched your chest. “God, that was more physical activity than I’ve done in months.”

“Are you up for some more physical activity… in the bedroom?” He waggled his eyebrows. 

“Subtle!” You were laughing, but you knew there was no way you could resist your husband. Especially not with his body all tanned and glistening with sweat.   

You barely got the hotel room door closed before you were all over each other. 

Jaehyun’s hands roamed over your body as he kissed you, tugging at the straps of your summer dress. His scent - red wine and hazelnut - was driving you crazy. 

You trailed your hands down Jaehyun’s chiselled chest and pushed hard, sending him tumbling onto the mattress. 

“Easy tiger!” 

Jaehyun’s fringe was a mess, and he looked up at you with pleasantly surprised, gleaming eyes. You could tell the tall, strong man wasn’t too used to being thrown around. 

You growled playfully. “You love it.” 

Jaehyun grinned – but his gaze was different now, darker. He knew you meant business.  “That I do.” 

Winking, you straddled his waist and brought your lips to his. 

—

Afterwards, you and Jaehyun were sprawled out on the bed. You were both completely naked. 

You were lying with your head on Jaehyun’s chest, listening to the calming rhythm of his heart. That steady heartbeat seemed like the universe’s way of saying everything was alright. Reminding you that you were safe and loved. 

Jaehyun stroked your back absent-mindedly, his eyes half shut. 

“We really needed this trip. Don’t get me wrong. I’m cool with your brother staying with us, but I miss having my wife all to myself.” 

You nodded.

“I’m so glad he’s finally got a job and moving out.”

At that, you sat up, and turned to face Jaehyun. “About that…” You bit your lip.

“What is it?” Jaehyun said. He tucked a curl of hair behind your ear, and pushed the rest your hair that was covering your chest over your shoulders.

“So… he may have gotten fired from his new job…”

But Jaehyun wasn’t listening. He was too busy staring at your newly exposed chest. 

“And he’s going to keep on living with us… for at least the next few months.” You winced. 

“Few months!” Jaehyun yelped. That got his attention. 

You wrapped your arms around Jaehyun and kissed his neck. “Sorry.” Kiss. “Sorry.” Kiss. “Sorry.”

Jaehyun hummed appreciatively. “Keep doing that and I might not mind so much…”

You smirked, straddling his waist once again. “Baby, why did you think I waited until now to tell you?”

—

MAIN MASTERLIST

Let us know what you thought in the comments or on anon! 💋

#jaehyun #jung jaehyun #nct 127 #nct smut #nct imagines #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun smut #yoonoh #jung yoonoh #yoonoh smut #yoonoh fluff #nct 127 drabbles #nct reactions #nct scenarios #nct suggestive #nct soft hours #nct hard hours #jeong jaehyun #nct 127 scenarios #nct 127 smut

[txtmetonight]

Heeseung: The Mongolian Invasions of Korea (1258-1269)

call summary˚ · • . ° . Living in the city of Jinju for your entire life, you’ve spent your youthful days thriving joyfully with your one and only childhood best friend; Lee Heeseung. And as much as you would hate to admit it, not only would you call Heeseung your friend, but also the first and only boy who has stolen your heart. But what was stopping you from confessing? Maybe it was the risk of losing him by your side forever? You weren’t really sure yourself. So as you tackle your own challenges of love, the world around you continues on peacefully. Yet an impending force of terror awaits your lovely city and the citizens in it, one that will sweep you off of your feet…literally.

trope ༊*·˚ Childhood Friends to Lovers

warnings ˚ · • . ° . Death, Mentions of Prostitution, Mentions of Cheating, Bullying (?), Blood, Inaccurate Historical References(?), Crude, Language Horrible Grammar, Bad plot, Repetitive Scenes, Cliche

themes ༊*·˚  Angst, Fluff, Crack (?)

ft.· • . ° . Kim-Minjeong, Felix, Hyunjin

call duration ༊*·˚  20.9k

taglist.· • . ° . @elfis-world//@luvistqrzzz//@kflixnet

a/n ༊*·˚  yayayaya the first part of the series is finally done. now only six more to go. extremely sorry for the grammar and the lack of fluidity with the plot. i honestly like the the middle more than the beginning and end but whatever i give up. please comment guys :(

official masterlist

0. Thief in disguise–

You wouldn’t say that you were the best example of a good person. 

Maybe the word ‘thief’ would be a better illustration. You’ve labeled yourself that from the day you and Lee Heeseung stole those sweet Asian Peaches from his uncle's farm, letting the sticky juice run down your arms.

The same title followed when you and the same boy ‘borrowed’ a purple ribbon for your hair because yours was ruined due to a couple of miserable girls. And let’s not forget the time that you stole a toy with Lee Heeseung just cause the little kids you guys took care of desperately wanted it.  

Along with that, it’s safe to say you are unfortunately a hopeless, painful, and failing romantic that has no chance in love because simply–you suck. Asian Pears are now your absolute favorite fruit in the entire world.

The same ribbon now laid in a small ornament box and was only worn on special occasions, where the lanterns cast their bright light on the purple accessory, catching Lee Heeseung’s attention, eyes not wavering once when he asks you about it.  

And that toy you’ve gifted to the little kids always caught your interest once you’ve scanned their shared room, and gosh it brought a huge bursting smile onto your face.  

But you knew that Lee Heeseung was the bigger and greedier criminal. He was the great witty thief, Hong Kil-dong, and you were the tiger, when he took all the persimmon from your garden using his own bait that he unknowingly possessed.  

The same Lee Heeseung that stole your heart after he carried you home after a brutal attack from an illness, walking in the rain with you on his back, carrying you frantically to the nearest doctor.  

Heeseung is a stupid, idiotic thief–but you love him for it, in all the hardest ways possible. 

I. Deceiving tongues are let loose–

“Your friend–er Heeseung is really handsome, no?” the girl across from you blatantly spits, taking you by surprise at the sudden question. You stop to analyze her query, halting the needle in your fingers from cutting through the silken cloth that weaved like a river on your palms.

“I’m not really sure, I don’t really see him like that so I can’t say anything about it.” Lies spill out of your loose tongue and you must make sure that she doesn’t suspect the blanketed fabrication behind your words and fortunately, she doesn’t because she just opts to sigh, placing her head in her hand.  

“You’re so lucky to have him as your best friend, you can set me up with him if you don’t want him” She sighs, staring right back into your eyes, dark brown eyes swirling with curiosity. Her main intentions unveiled themselves in the blink of an eye in the form of a softened demand; in terms of that, she thought he needed a female partner and that she was the perfect match for him. You curl a smile, finishing the last stitch of your work before putting it aside for the others to take.  

“Of course. I’ll tell him all about you.”  

She scoots a little closer, fierce eyes lighting up with excitement as she takes in your words. “All about the good things?” You imitate her movement, taking her hands into yours, gingerly laughing at her while shaking your head. “All about the good things...plus it shouldn’t be so hard when you only have virtuous morals to spare.” 

-- 

“Gosh that Kim-Minjeong is such a bitch!” Heeseung jumps at your hostile demeanor, almost choking on the bungeoppang he got for you and for himself after he picked you up from your work. “Huh?” He wipes his mouth from the red bean paste that got slathered on it, intently watching you go through different emotions before settling on one; annoyance and pettiness. “What did she do?” Taking a quick glance at him, you shoot your head right back forward, nibbling on the outer crust of the snack, thinking quickly.  

“She almost destroyed my work today by almost spilling something on it!” That was a partial lie, but what he doesn’t know shouldn’t hurt him. “But I thought that drinks weren’t allowed inside?” Sending him a tight smile, you wonder how he remembered that rule when you couldn’t. “She’s such a big rule breaker, it’s crazy.” you scoff, rolling your eyes to see his reaction, though severely disappointed when he just nods. “That’s cool?” You feel your eye twitch, this was definitely not going in the way that you wanted it to, so you decide to play it cool, placing one last blow in your claims against Minjeong.  

“She also plays with boys like it’s nothing. She’s like that puppeteer from that little box show we watched last week, controlling all these boys with her fake imaginary strings!” Acting out the same motions that a puppeteer would use, you bounce your fingers through the air, smiling softly when Heeseung bursts into a round of laughter.  

“Now why would you care...ah! Is one of the boys she played with, someone you liked or like?” He wiggles his eyebrows in amusement but you just grimace at his words, shaking your head fast to deny his claims. “No, I’m just saying it because...she said that she liked you, so I was just telling you all of this because I wanted you to stay safe, that’s all,” you say with a great air of pride, trying to mask your insecurities.  

But what you were saying above was true! She did play around a lot, hooking up with boys secretly, leading on some confidential flings to only drop them the second they seemed boring to her. “Aww, I didn’t know you ca–ouch why would you do that!” Taking a punch to his gut, he rubs it in agony, moaning and groaning from how much it hurts, but you knew he was just being dramatic, so there was no need to worry.  

You choose not to answer him, so a comfortable silence falls back into the atmosphere. Both of you were guys finishing up the fish-shaped snack in your hands, while you tried to fight back a heavy blush, face trying not to twitch from its unfazed state. Though unfortunately, your feelings couldn’t stray farther from the outside. Your hands were brushing up next to each other, close enough that interlocking both of your pinkies would’ve been seen as less contact.  

“(Y/n)!”  

Furrowing your eyebrows, you notice two tiny kids waving and jumping, looking like tiny jumping ants while they scream your and Heeseung's names over and over like a mantra, attracting unwanted attention. “We really need to tell them to stop doing that, oh my god this is so embarrassing” he tries to cover his face with his hands, looking at you through the little gap from the side.

“No one cares, it’s not like you have a reputation to hold anyways” you mock, avoiding his lanky hands that tumble across your way before starting to take long strides so you could shut the kids up faster, who was currently being held back by their tired mother. “Ah! Mrs. Kim, I can take over now, sorry for the long wait” 

“No, No it’s fine, I know you’re coming straight back from work...thank you again for taking care of these tiny devils, I know that they could be a handful.” The little kids seem to accept their mother's cruel way of name-calling as one quietly grumbles and the other races into your arms, begging to be picked up.

“I’ll be back by dawn, just drop them home once you guys decide to come back home!” Nodding at her words and saying goodbye, you succumb to Yeong-Soo's wishes of being carried, holding him on your hip while he plays with Heeseung from your shoulder, softly smiling at the giggles the boy was able to get out of the kid.  

“(Y/n)?” A timid voice calls out and you’re almost confused at the tone of the voice, the young girl was almost as cheerful as the bright sun. “Soo-Yeong what’s wrong?” You share a look at Heeseung who silently agrees to take the babbling boy from your arms so you can crouch down.

“Are you and Seungie dating” she sniffles, using her arms to appear a bit standoffish to your surprised demeanor, taking it the wrong way right when your face morphs into shock. “So, you are!” and with that she bursts into a million tears, diamonds trailing down her flushed chubby cheeks while her brother quietly watches his sister break down.  

Feeling a little flustered at her declaration you couldn’t help but wonder if the strangers in your life– the salesman, or the too-old-to-be gossiping adults thought the same about you two, and as much as you wanted to dwell on the topic, you had a snotty child in your arms. “We’re not dating, you think I would date a disgusting boy like him, I would rather die than try? I have better people in mind, OK?”  

Gosh you were just on a lying spree today, weren’t you? 

“You do?” Heeseung says mouth pushed into a frown from your accusation. “But didn–stop hitting me! Your punches hurt!” His outburst manages to get a positive reaction from Soo-Yeong, finally letting up her cries. “Okay I believe you...but don’t ask why I care!” Taken aback, you cough awkwardly, dusting off the dust from your hanbok. “Uh o–ok?” 

-- 

Heeseung couldn’t believe his eyes.  

He rubbed it once, then twice, then thrice before he stopped because his eyes were starting to see colors. Maybe it was because it was starting to become dark, and he was a little dazed from the very hot day today? Wrong. The (L/n) (Y/n) was actually talking to Lee Felix without a single insult or a sarcastic remark. Surprising? Yes indeed. Was Heeseung wary of his intentions? Another nod would be correct. 

 Their rivalry was truly funny sometimes. Like the time when she stole some of his fruit that he worked hard to handpick from his family garden or when he used to “accidentally” smother charcoal from the sketching class taught by the artisan down the lane that they both shared.  

“Wait is she not dating you because she’s dating him?!”  

Heeseung winces at the smaller girl’s unabashed question only to furrow his eyebrows more and groan in exasperation when her younger brother asks her what she means. “Yah! Soo-Yeong where are you hearing stuff like this from!? Is it from your friend? Don’t tell what it means to your brother, it’s very bad–and why do you keep talking about it?” His voice rolls deep into the younger girl’s mind, mouth shaped as a perfect ‘O’, before it drops down into a steeled sharp-ended line, her honeyed eyes converting into steel blades.  

“Never mind, I’m going to marry (Y/n), not you...she’s right she deserves better and so do I” 

Dropping her jaw-dropping sentence she scurries away towards your laughing figure, which deeply–I mean deeply hurts him like it sends a cracked scar across his soul. He’s not sure if the gash was bleeding because one of the only important girls in his life (the others his mom, you, his aunt, and maybe the sweet old grandma that sells bags of rice down the street) ran away or it was because Felix had his palm on your shoulder, which obviously attracted attention from some a group of nosy aunties. 

He wasn’t one to care about the nasty rumors that swept along with the bristling wind, but he didn’t want to have any bad ones to stir about you, after your faux history, so he sent the younger brother off to pester you back into his presence–which surprisingly works well! You’re leaving Lee with a small bye so you can trot back to the better Lee. 

“What was that about?” Heeseung throws out, letting you catch up to him, his fingers playing with the bright blue cotton cloth from his clothes, awaiting your answer while you capture the fingers of the kids. “What do you mean?” He bites his cheek from your obliviousness, yet he finds it quite amusing. “Lee Felix, really? Is that the person you have in mind?” His voice is laced with mockery and jabs towards you, and you scoff, walking a little faster.  

“What are you jealous–”  

“Seung’s jealous?!” The girl screeches, and you guess she learned how to interrupt people from the disgusted boy next to you. “What does jealousy mean?” Yeong-Soo curiously asks, and as cute as it was Heeseung has the mentality to shut it down with a clever response that left the two siblings satisfied. “And to answer your question, no I wasn’t jealous. Just surprised–very surprised, you know with the fact that you’ve rambled about stabbing him in the gut before.” You roll his eyes at his decency to whisper at the last part, you’d rather not have the nosy girl spread your business around, a blabbermouth she truly was 

“We were just talking about how his mother needed help to make kimchi, and he came to ask for some needed backup, that’s all” You pat his shoulder to brush off the feeling of being gutted, a sly fib once more that you certainly didn’t like, pretending to dust off dirt from him as he gives you an interesting look only giving it up when your abruptly stop in front of a house.

Telling Heeseung little white lies never felt that good, especially if it was about your personal feelings. “Aww man, I don’t wanna go!” Soo-Yeong and Yeong-Soo whine into your side and you're familiar with this routine knowing exactly what to do to calm down the hysterics.  

“Guys, Guys don’t you miss your mom. She’s been working hard all day! Let’s go and say hello shall we.” You don’t let your sentence remain as a question, as you drag them along gently, your hand clasped around Soo-Yeong's wrist while her brother grasped her and Heeseung's fingers, swinging the arms back and forth.  

Times like this were your favorite. Just days where you were able to bask in the comfort of the two little children you cared for and with your hidden love, the sun setting behind you painting the sky with blue and pink hues, pretty as the lilac flowers that grew bright green grass, housing small animals who slumber in peace.  

The day had gone fast, and the night was arising for its bed, ready to peer at the darkness it cast, with the hint of bright light from the gleeful moon, smiling mischievously at the young duo with their hands interlocked with human embodiment of sweet honey. 

“Gosh, thank you once again for dropping them home” The elder cries in joy at her children, thanking you and Heeseung, your hands tucked along your sides as you bow down in respect, the boy following your heed. You take the chance to capture a small peek at his slightly tanned face, a small smile on his face that sent butterflies into a frenzy in your gut, forcing you to snap your head away in a bashful tongue bite.

“Oh, I’ve made some Gwa and a bowlful of honeyed nuts, upon your mother’s request... please tell her not to pay me in any kind of way, the last one was way too much.” The kind request makes you sigh, knowing that one way or another, your mother was going to force some type of payment into the hands of Mrs. Kim. “Okay” you nod, slowly jumping on the heels of your feet when she excuses herself to get the food.  

“So... what were you and Felix actually talking about?” He raises his question as a whistle, staring down at you, tilting his head when he catches your nervous glances towards the opened door, flickering like lanterns that hold a fiery glow. “I already told you...what else would we talk about?” You sneer, slightly faltering when his hand places itself on your shoulder, tensing the muscles around it. “It’s alright you can tell me, I’m your best friend!” His words sting but you brush it off with a snort, jerking his hand off you. “Me and Feli–”  

“Here I put it in this basket–oh was I interrupting something?” The mother ends her sentence abruptly, eyeing you two with peculiar looks, and from what she saw, one looking a little annoyed and the other frozen with a sly smile. Someone awkwardly coughs and you’re let out from the bubble of irritation you were encased in, jolting forward.

“Nope, you weren’t interrupting anything!” You take the basket from her hands, adjusting your fingers so they sit properly against the bamboo, all while you and Heeseung parrot your goodbyes; both to the mother and two kids who came back for a round two of butterfly kisses.  

The door finally closes once you disappear from the pathway to the house, and everything falls once more into a silent hush...for a while. 

“Here let me take the basket from your hands, your hands are probably so sore, no?” Heeseung chirps, already clawing at the handle of the woven bamboo, and as much as you refuse or fight off his hands, his nails manage to slip through underneath your (sweaty) palm and pull it out. “What’s the catch?” He shrugs, looking forward so you won’t see his smirk slip. “Not much, just was really wondering if you would finish your sentence from earlier”  

“What sentence?” He clicks his tongue from your fake ignorance, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. The crickets seem to agree with his oozing curiosity because they start to pitch harmoniously, having him hum along. “You know...when you were talking about what you and Felix were talking about, from earlier?” You chuckle in confusion.

He never severely acted like this with anyone and never egged you on about telling him about the conversation either. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. You must be imagining stuff” Coming closer he wraps his arm around your neck, pushing you closer to his side, while he attacks your cheek, twisting it in the grasp of his nails.  

“Shut up, tell me now or I’ll tell your mom that you’ve been eating the snacks she always makes for her shop!” You gasp, “You wouldn’t dare! I’ll beat your ass if you do.” Heeseung snorts at your unrealistic claim, now targeting your hair that was starting to become ruffled and unruly, strands coming out from their braid that you styled this morning with such careful intent, so you could outshine Kim Minjeong and her stupid soft curls.  “Oh, you can’t even touch the top of my head. What are you going to do? Bite my ankles, always knew you were some kind of weirdo!”   

“Sh–shut up, let go of m–shit–let go of me you brat!” He shakes his head wildly, huffing and puffing with great struggle to keep you contained. “Nope, not until you tell me!” You’re lucky, fortunate even for the lack of stray kids and adults who wandered around like lost ghouls, cause you’re sure that if they were a witness to your not-so-feminine behavior, you would’ve had a slipper or a broomstick thrown at your head by your dignified mother already.  

“Let me go, and then I’ll tell you!” You whine, twisting around like a serpent, practically biting him on the arm when you have the slightest chance to, resulting in a very loud yelp from him yet no release on your limbs. “I won’t leave you until you tell me the whole thing!”

Getting irritated, you start to fight harder but still fumble out your words in an angry mess, not even letting a stutter stop you in your tracks about what you were about to confess, giving in to his irritating wishes. “Fine! You know what you want to know what we were talking about!? We were talking about me liking someone named H–woah!” 

You weren’t one to be clumsy, but in your fit of rumbling and rage, you didn’t notice the huge rock in your way, and from the way you had your sandals sliding against the path, your legs stumbled–hard. Arms flailing forward, you brace for the impact of the dust and sand digging into your thighs having you scrape something on the top layer of your skin... but it never came.  

First, you feel the tingle of fingertips digging into your waist, then the tender arms pulling you up from your very uncomfortable tile, slightly arching away from the fuzzy touch. Then you hear the sweet and quiet murmurs, so you peek, one eye-opening before the other. Heeseung has always been easy on the eyes, exaggerating the ‘very’ part of the bold statement.

So, when his Bambi's eyes blink at you closely, you fall in love once more with him, one hand slithering up to catch the sleeves of the baby blue jeogori he was wearing, and the other automatically placing itself on his hip.  

“You like H–?” He whispers, mouth so so pouty that you want to kiss it, and you’re not even listening to his question. “H–huh?” His lips seem to move a little closer, up to your ear, or maybe you’re just moving upwards but whatever it is, it’s tickling in a nice way. You could feel the usually dormant butterflies flap around in your esophagus, wings brushing around the lining.

“Go on, continue what you were saying before...you like H–who? Heeseung repeats, and you finally realize what he means but you're too lost in his eyes to even come up to even comprehend what you’re saying until it’s too late.  

“I like H–He–Hyunjin” you choke out. 

Maybe you should’ve tightened your muscles because before you know it, you’re on the ground with all the dirty insects. 

II. Stalked, Picnic, Drowned–

You’re awoken to the glaring lights of the sun, its orange-dew glares bleeding through the doors the house held through the timber hallways. Dreary eyes seek to close back again, feeling like there are five oxen on each lid, dragging it down, down, down. Grasping your blanket, you have the right mind to cover yourself with it once again, but you're stopped in your tracks, by a familiar voice. 

 “Those goddamn attacks are coming back again, and they seem worse. Those Mongolians have been invading more brutally this time and we’re in danger, we should–no we need to move.” The voice creates an urgent atmosphere that slowly drains you out of your sleepiness as you gather your night gown properly so you can drag yourself towards the wooden wall, next to the pale, sliding doors.  

It’s silent for a second before two figures walk by your door, and stand there, looming shadows cast on the screen of the door. You have a second to scurry back to your mat and tuck yourself back in with closed eyes and artificial heavy breathing. The room opens, unleashing a glare of two pairs of eyes, creeping at your “sleeping” figure. “Oh, good she’s sleeping. That little shit tends to stick her nose in other’s business.”

Your mother cackles quietly, but it’s succumbed to a mellowed tone before the door slides shut and you can start loosening up your body again, eyes squinting to make sure she was gone. Feeling your body go slack against the sheets, you notice that your mother the unknown person still hung outside the door. “Shut it, we’re not moving anywhere. We can’t go outside the city just like that! What are the others going to think?”  

“But–” “Shush you don’t interrupt your older sister like that! Your wife must be acting up lately for you to be acting like this, huh?” Your mother scoffs, having you grimace but also realize that the mysterious stranger is no other than your poor uncle. “Always knew she was a rotten one... anyways you know Kwak Jeon? Her son works in the military, and he was telling me that they fortified the place extremely well.

We’re going to be fine.” You’ve heard about these so attacks that happened a bit before you were born, and from what you’ve learned, it was horrible, but knowing the woman who raised you, she was thriving to only save and preserve her dignity. The siblings walk away from your room, leaving you to contemplate silently on your bedding, unable to slumber peacefully once more.  

-- 

There were numerous stalls lined up, attracting a flock of consumers who took in a partake of picking up items and putting them down immediately, disappointed with either the price or quality or even both. Gosh, you were bored out of your mind, chewing on your nails as you skimmed the crowd for any type of entertainment that could keep your droopy eyes open, from the lack of proper sleep for the past week, groaning once you realized that you’d wandered back to the same topic that you promised yourself today morning (after an awful dream) not to dwell on about.

“Fuck–Hyunjin really!?” You quietly berate yourself, tapping your foot against the planks under your feet, threading your nails through your hair. You’ve known Hyunjin due to him being Felix’s best friend, surprisingly for their opposite personalities. One was idiotic and loud while the other was quiet and meek as a mouse, scared of girls and menacing adults. 

“Is Heeseung here?”   

A sweet voice snaps you out of your erratic panic, biting your tongue once you realize that all in its glory, Kim Minjeong stood in front of your mother’s stall that you were currently taking care off, draped in snow white cloth that accented her features. Looking beyond her, you caught a few village boys ogling at her beauty and you let out a scoff, pulling your eyes right back to Minjeong who raises an eyebrow for an answer.

“No, he isn’t” You drawl, tracing something on the wooden counter, running your fingers against the smooth ridges as you watch her face contort into disappointment before it’s overtaken by the charming smile she usually carried. “You sure?” Looking around to mock her question, you nod. “Really sure” She sighs lightly only for her frown to be morphed into something more sinister, teeth grazing her pink lips as she leans in, capturing your curiosity. “Hyunjin your next target?” Eyebrows raised in shock, you flit your tongue around your mouth, knowing that you're about to cross into some dangerous territory.  

“What are you talking about?” You hiss, looking around to make sure that no one was around, quietly wondering about how she knew, did you accidentally let it slip out of your mumbles and she heard? Seeming to read your mind, she answers, “I have my ways...though you’re just like your mother, are you?

The apple doesn’t fall from the tree, does it?” She whispers, laughing at your bulged expression, fist clenching in anger. “A–asshole!” You breathe out, unable to even move as she turns to walk away, but instead bumps into Heeseung’s chest, flushing under his gaze once she realizes.

“Hi Heeseung!” Minjeong’s voice chirps, eliciting a small smile from Heeseung, greeting her back only for his attention to be sprung right back to you, making the corners of her mouth drop a little, while yours raise ever so slightly. She strides away a little before turning back to face you, eyes mean while she exemplifies a crude hand gesture, finishing it off with a slit to her neck.

“What was that about?” Heeseung obliviously asks, entering the crowded small and you’ve almost forgotten about the previous events from his causality right after he was ignoring you for the past few days.  

“Hey, stop, avoiding me!” he cries, pouting at your inability to hold a gaze with him, opting to interact with the other customers. “Oh, shut it, you were doing the same thing too” Eyes widening at how unhappy your tone came out, he decides to rub your back regretfully, apologizing. “I’m sorry, but I was doing something that could help your love life, I promise!”

Snatching your hand, he places it above his heart, intertwining your fingers with his, not noticing the red blush on your cheeks. “G–god okay!” You shriek, dropping your hand once he lets go, missing the warmth that encases your skin. The silence follows for a second before you decide to break it, pondering when you started to get so hyper-focused about the close proximity between you two.  

“So, what was more important than spending time with me and how does it improve my said love life?” He doesn’t respond at first, reaching into a bag that he brought to pull out a pair of Asian pears that he most likely stole, handing one to you, murmuring “I got your favorite” with a foolish grin. “I was–and be ready for this. But I was doing my interrogation, and I was able to come up with a fool-proof plan of getting you and Pinecone together.” Blinking slowly, you try to understand his words, “Pinecone?”  

“Yeah, you know!” He leans in a bit closer, “Hyunjin!” You almost have the urge to let out a wail, tell him about how he was purely mistaken, and give him a little slap on his lips, but you couldn’t even open your mouth, simply nodding along to tell him to continue about his genius plan.

“But to make sure even more, we’re both going to follow him” Snorting, you welcome potential consumers, waving hello and goodbyes to familiar faces, trying to avoid Heeseung’s scowl with your arm. “I am not stalking anyone, nevertheless Hyunjin!”  

Eyes widening, he shoves his finger up to your mouth, shushing you. “Shh! There are still people around!” You scoff at his behavior, getting slightly irritated and Heeseung seems to sense your foul mood because he cowers away at your flaring nostrils, unable to hold a stern stare down with you.

“How is me following him around like a creep, going to help me anyway...it’s not like I like him either” You whisper at the last part, looking down as you shuffle a rock between your feet. “Cause then we’ll know what he likes, what his daily routines are–maybe you could bump into him, and it looks like a coincidence. Also, you still owe me for not telling your best friend that you like someone, I’m still severely hurt!” Giving him a sly grin, you pat his arm before looking him straight in the eye.  

“Yeah, we’re definitely not going to follow him around.”  

-- 

You’re not really sure how you were able to stumble into this predicament or how Heeseung was able to convince you. But you were currently drenched in dewy sweat as you pant next to your best friend while he himself seemed unfazed, tugging you along with him in a cheery smile, one hand holding your fingers and the other clutching a brown basket that he swore held professional stalking equipment. “Can we go back home please, your mom’s making kimchi fried rice and I want some!”

Heeseung swats your whines away, not faltering while you two tread through the green woods, that extended just a little far from where your hometown resided, in the hopes that you–no him would find Hyunjin and his extremely long hair. “Why would Hy–pinecone even be here?” You glower when he beams at your use of the codename he assigned. “Do you know the waterfalls from up north, where we’re headed?”

You nod slowly, trying to understand where he is going and you’re almost positive that there’s was a logical reasoning behind his thinking, cause of course it couldn’t get worse. “There’s this legend that, the Cheonsa waterfall, had magical properties. Some say that it cured any sickness and others said that drinking it gave you immense luck, but the best property it withheld, one that saved many young and old men, is that it...cured baldness and strengthened hair, growing it long and luscious.”  

Taking a second to stare at him, you immediately turn away to trek back to your starting point, but you’re stopped in your tracks by a frantic Heeseung who with great muscles, pulls you against your will. “There’s no way that Hyunjin’s that stupid. Who the hell would believe that, only morons like you...” You trail off at the sight of the magnificent waterfall, eyes eating up the whole sight in front of you, taken back in awe, unaware of Heeseung’s soft smile, gaze unable to tear away from you.

Scanning the beauty, you watch as the water ripples against the glass lake, the steam coming off from the warm water–it’s a hot spring!  “Is that Hyunjin?” Heeseung quietly gasps, bending down to take a closer look, before wrenching you down, only to slap his hand over your eyes. “He’s not naked is he!? Oh my god, we should go!”  

“No, he’s not, he’s still wearing his clothes, oh! Is that Felix with him?” Peeking through his gaped fingers, you confirm his question, following it off with another explanation; in hopes of proving your claim. “I still don’t think Hyunjin came here to grow his hair, maybe he just has a great family history, I don’t know?” Heeseung looks back at you to watch you get up from your uncomfortable position, eyes crinkling at his ridiculous accusations.

"You sure?"

Snapping your head back to the two boys, you stare in disbelief and slight disgust as Hyunjin (just as Heeseung specified) drowned all of his black hair into the water, splashing it back so he could rub and soak it into his roots, while Felix just lazily lays down on a nearby rock.  

“I thought he...you know what it's none of our business, let’s get going!” Instead of going back to the trail, Heeseung calmly grasps your wrists and tugs you downhill, closer to where the two other boys are grazing.

“Hey stop that! I don’t want to go closer, haven’t we seen enough already!” Your shrill voice stops abruptly, when Heeseung pins you to the trunk of a tree so suddenly, lips covered by his large palm while he looks straight at you with fierce eyes. Whimpering at his swift brashness, you slink against the tree, fingers digging into the truck as he places his hand right next to your head, leaning closer.

“You really need to learn when to shut up sometimes” He murmurs with a smirk, nose ghosting over your sensitive neck. You nod meekly, your hands finding purchase on his waist when you weren’t able to hold yourself together from the tree bark. The silence ensues for a second, tension thick as you swallow deeply, lips shaking from how jittery you feel.  

“Your plan really sucks,” You say when he finally lets go of the position, hiding the deep breaths that you were keeping contained. Sending you a lazy glare, he peers over a thick bush, sucking his teeth in when he notices that both Felix and Hyunjin left, which you cheer for–following his footsteps when you see the hot springs empty.

“Oh well, that can’t be helped. Let’s have a picnic instead!” Choking at his one-eighty-degree change of mood, you ogle as he pulls the brown basket he was carrying before (now left near the tree, looking sad) so he could pull out the contents inside, each platter raising your eyebrow a little higher. “Thought you said that was your stash of stalking equipment?” You sit down next to him, wondering how he was able to fit a whole blanket in there while you help him take out the remaining containers.

“Are you complaining?” You shake your head quickly, snatching the wooden chopsticks from his hand, your stomach growling in command of your hungriness. He opens the first box, letting the smell of a spicy aroma mix in with the earthy air. “Pickled radish? I made it myself!” You’ve already taken the first bite, but you were too slow to savor the spicy pickle, spitting it right out when his words leave his mouth in a delighted excitement. “Am I going to die!?”

Slapping your arm, he grumbles when you start prodding inside the container, a teasing glint in your eyes. “You can starve.” Frowning, you take the container out of his hands to start eating, humming then and there while Heeseung grins for a moment before getting his own food out to eat. The sounds of cutlery and the waterfall bring you a sense of peace, something you weren’t able to find in a while from juggling Minjeong, Heeseung, your mother, and those baby devils.  

“Why–no what do you find in Hyunjin that you like so much?” You take a long look at the boy in front of you, eyes flickering at the way his hair tousled messily against the wind and how his big eyes got curious for your answer. “I don’t know why. I... I think that I don’t like him that much, he’s just very kind.”

You politely say, after thinking hard about your response unaware of the way that Heeseung lets out a small breath, nodding simply. “Do you like anyone?” It was your turn to ask a thrilling question, furrowing your eyebrows when Heeseung froze up for a second. “No not really” You could tell that he was lying from the way that he covered his mouth, timidly looking down, but you didn’t pester him about it, taking his answer the way, he presented it.  

-- 

You were going to kill Heeseung.  

Clothes drenched in warm water, face flush from the heat, you make it your mission to drag your friend with you. “Come back here you fucking coward!” He was too late to escape your monstrous clutch because you soon were able to grasp his foot and drag him back into the water, just as he did to you.

“Hey, hey, stop, you’re drowning me!” He cries but you can’t find it in yourself to stop, pushing his head underwater while he fights for his life. “This is what you get asshole!” Unfortunately, you weren’t very strong against him, so he quickly overpowers you, causing you both to exert great amounts of energy as you wrestle each other.  

“Oh god, I–I’m so tired” He wheezes, chuckling lowly at how you were just floating along in the water, eyes closed while you enjoy the bright sunshine, thinking about how good Heeseung looked with his hair wet, dark strands strewn just above his eyes. You wish that you and he could stay like this forever, unknown to the fact that he was thinking the same.  

III. Wed or Feel Half Dead

“(Y/n) are you sick again?!”  

Tucking your head under the sheets again, you silently wait with bated breath for your mom’s heavy footsteps, which come in a fraction of a second and soon enough her looming shadow is cast over your trembling figure. It’s been a month since the first time you’ve taken a dip in that hot spring/waterfall, yet it wasn’t your last. Sneaking out with Heeseung was all that you’ve been doing. Meeting up at a spot at peculiar times and going for a small swim or a peaceful trek in the woods or even having small picnics from stolen food.

Unfortunately, the last trip (which was last night, right as the curfew was placed and people from neighboring cities were getting wary) made you sick and yucky. “You–the groom was supposed to be coming in today, and now you’re getting sick! Do you know how long we spend on those goddamn decorations and god! you were supposed by awake earlier, and you’re still in bed, you brat!” You sigh quietly under the covers, unable to even move an inch as your mom breathes heavily from rage. “Hi Mrs. (L/n), is (Y/n) here?”  

Your mom’s expression changes in a fraction of a second, letting a small smile grace her lips, shielding the horrible sight from his eyes. “Yes, but she’s a little sick, so she can’t come outside today...” Heeseung furrows his eyebrows, nodding hesitantly when he sees you peek through your blanket, nevertheless accepting your mother’s statement and walking away. At least you think.  

Because the moment your mom clicks her tongue in annoyance and shuts the door right behind her, Heeseung sneaks through the unlocked window of your room, holding a finger up to his lips to shush your panicked gasp. “What–?” Kneeling next to you he places his palm on your forehead, brushing the hair out of your face, smiling at you chasing for his warmth when he takes his hand off.

“Did you get sick, from last night?” You blush under his gaze, nodding slightly. “You did it on purpose didn’t you?” Shrugging your shoulders, you nervously take fast glances towards the door, wary of your mom popping in. “I knew it, especially when you refused to dry your hair!”  

With a slight rush of adrenaline due to his loud exclaim, you found yourself on top of him, after flipping him over, two fingers over his mouth to shush him. “(Y/n) …" Gulping at the way he let his eyes slide down your figure, you weakly push yourself off him, training your pupils on him carefully, breathing heavily when his fingers ghost over your arm, the breath of his fingertips, mesmerizing and addicting.  

“Yah (Y/n) just cause you’re sick, doesn’t mean you’re being let off the hook! Wake up and get ready! You’re lucky that all the preparations were done beforehand to meet the boy's parents, knowing that you would pull some stupid stunt like this!” Letting out a choked gasp, your palms slip from surprise, head bouncing on his chest, right on top of his beating heart while his fingers grasp your clothes, in his attempt to stop you from slipping.

“(Y/n)?” Looking up at Heeseung with alarm, he shakes his head urging you to answer before you guys get caught, mirroring your expression. “Alright, I’ll be up!” The door starts to slide open a little, and in a hurry, Heeseung throws the overturned blanket over you two as you start praying to heaven under your breath, which slowly dies out when with every centimeter the wood creaks against the floor.  

Only for it to shut close, when your mother’s name was called by the neighbors, next door.  

“Oh my god, you freaking loser! You could’ve got us caught.” You murmur-yell, hitting his chest in anger and fear at the thought of your mom finding you in bed with your best friend. “You didn’t tell me you were getting married?” He quietly mumbles, his hand over your back, fiddling with his fingers while hurt flashes over his features, throwing water to the non-existent flame in your heart.

“I’m not, it’s just some meet-up with the parents. Why do you think, I tried to get sick on purpose?” You grab his cheeks gently, tenderly rubbing them to get rid of his creasing frown. “Right...” He laughs, reaching for your own cheeks, pulling them enough to sting the muscle. “I should probably go, right? You know so you could get ready, for this very lucky man that’s going to marry you.” Grinning softly, you lean a little closer, hands by his head. “You think so?” 

“I mean being right by you for these past years–I truly think so” 

-- 

Being forced into a dress was never the most fun thing in the world, but sometimes it felt nice to be dolled up. Especially by the women (and girls) you love. “Oh dear, you look gorgeous” Mrs. Kim hisses, eyebrows folded in awe of her work, her daughter open-mouthed at the numerous amounts of jewelry adorning your body, head from toe. “She looks like a princess...” Soo-Yeong cries, and her mom nods her head fast agreeing with her.

Feeling a little bashful under the very flattering comments, you catch your mother’s judgmental eye, and for the first time in a while, she seems content. “Ah, let me apply more of that red lipstick, but you look stunning...the dress is okay though right?” Nodding slightly, the brocade silk rubs against your skin, making it a little itchy as you struggle to move from the heaviness of jewels on your body but other than that you felt perfectly fine on the outside.

Rather inside, a tsunami was brewing in your gut, ready to let lose its angry waves and have you lurch any moment. Taking deep breaths barely even helping, your eyes kept darting from the sheer amount of nervousness. And god, let’s not get started with how sniffly and light-headed you were starting to get.

Holding your head straight as possible, sucking your nose, and keeping your hands away from your face, was tiringly important. And your hands itched by your sides, to have a go at rubbing your cartilage to get rid of the upcoming tickling in that area. “Will I never see you again?”

Looking down, you spot the tiny girl latching onto your dress while her mom makes sure the ruffles don’t get wrinkled. “What do you mean?” You ask, bending down onto your knees, ignoring your mother’s scolding wheezes. “You’re getting married!”

Playfully shaking your head with the girl, you look around before pushing yourself closer to her ear, first telling her that she must promise to keep a secret, which she agrees to in a millisecond. “I’m not going to get married yet, I’ll get married to my lover when you turn...ten!” Pulling back in shock she leaves her tiny hand over her lips, silently mouthing “Your lover?”  

Opening your mouth to respond, your mom interrupts the air, beckoning you to stand up and suddenly all the oxygen in the room has disappeared. “I–I have to go, I’ll tell you later, ok baby?” She giggles at the nickname before leaving a small kiss on your powdered cheek, the color transferring to her lips. Stretching your limbs, you shyly follow your mother, her fingers wiping away anything out of place.

“I still don’t understand how you went through all that matchmaking, without me knowing,” You say, staring down at her, where she doesn’t even flinch, eyes looking forward. “Don’t embarrass me” She breathes, sharp eyes, unable to soften at your pitiful expression, instead finding a way to mask it. “Remember to smile, you look extremely unpleasant.”

Nose twitching in annoyance, you’re not even sure why you let your heart rise in hopes of getting the life chance of basking in your mom’s comfort when she obviously lacked empathy for you. “Of course, why would I?” Patting your back, she pushes the decorating, draped curtains aside and into the brightly ornamented room. Cushions sat on the floor, and four of the six were occupied by the fated family members and the host. 

One of the members being Hyunjin. 

Eyes widening, you take a small step back, unnoticeable to everyone else but your mom, who just tightly grasps your arm, nails digging in so you can balance yourself. Right as eye contact is made, the other family immediately stands up and bows down, mimicking you and your mother while your body shakes from fear.

Mrs. Hwang decides to start exchanging pleasantries first, as you and Hyunjin wait slightly behind the adults, eyesdowncastt towards the tiled floor. “Oh (Y/n) dear, you look so beautiful ...there’s no need for introductions, right?” Shaking a polite no, you follow your mother’s footsteps towards the floored tables, properly seating yourself on the plush cushions, right in front of the boy you were actingtooo like towards Heeseung.

The atmosphere was horribly awkward while the host prepared the rich tea, making convo with the parents from another room. “You’re Felix’s frenemy?” Taking your eyes from the wooden grooves, you look at Hyunjin in confusion, tilting your head. “Frenemy? What does that mean?” Coughing, he averts his face to the side from embarrassment, lips bitten down in a jittery scramble as he explains it to you. “Like a friend, and an enemy mixed together...you know because I see you guys fight all the time–not that’s a bad thing b–but...”

He slowly trails off, cowering from your small chuckles. “Yeah, you could say that...you made the word up?” You chuckle, smiling when he sheepishly shrugs his shoulders, eyes flicking back and forth around your face, making you albeit flustered. You couldn’t lie–he was quite dazzling. “Aha!” Eyes torn away from him; the host carefully strides in with gliding steps, hands clothing a baby blue and gold tray and the teacups that sat on top of it.

The cups were made from the finest glass you could find and were accented with a dark blue pattern and a white background that beautifully tied the scheme together. “Here you go Ms. (L/n)!” The eccentric man, hands you the warm cup and you receive it gently (within the best of your abilities) with both of your hands, the warmth sending goosebumps up your skin, as you face forward once more, met with Hyunjin mirroring your actions.

Your mother hides her crawling pat on your back, reminding you to smile politely. “Please let the groom Hwang Hyunjin, take a sip” He follows immediately, placing his lips on the cool surface to conflict his tongue with the warm green tea, breaking eye contact when he does so. He places the cup down to mid-level while signaling you to proceed, which you do. Taking a small lick of the drink, you murmur in delight, lifting your lips back to their faux emotion after you are done.

Throughout your whole life, you’ve been dictated on how these marriages go, and you follow through quite respectfully by the rules and Hyunjin seems the same as you two follow each other's movements, one after the other when sipping. “So, what do you like to do?” Catching Hyunjin’s attention, he stops his cup in the middle of his transition, eyebrows shooting up in surprise at your contact. “Well–I like to paint a lot” Nodding slowly, you decide to push on further. “What do you usually paint?” He coughs, “A lot of faces and abstract paintings usually”

Lips jutting out in interest, you have the urge to tease him, but it leaves your mind, when your vision starts to swim for a second, having you clutch the glass so you don’t involuntary drop it “How about you, what do you like to do?” Furrowing your eyebrows, you realize you didn’t really have anything interesting to say, like Hyunjin. “Er not much, I like to sew a lot.” He blinks in understanding only for the prickling air to float back, suffocating your lungs as you look at a random toy in the corner of the house. 

“Oh!  Chuseok is coming up, no?” Mrs. Hwang brings up, addressing the both of you as you guys' politely nod, making her grin open a bit wider. “Well...if it isn’t too much of a problem, you two should go together, of course taken it upon if Mrs. (L/n) doesn’t have a problem about it.” Your mom doesn’t take a second to respond, enthusiastically rambling about how amazing the idea was, turned blind eye to you and Hyunjin’s paleness and horror.  

You exchange eyes with the boy, lips coming to a soft gasp once you both realize that adults aren’t going to take a chance and ask for opinions, rather brushing your and Hyunjin’s confused eyes off. The tea is quickly finished by the two of you, considering it wasn’t hard when chattering mouths did nothing but sip the golden liquid. “I’m so sorry” Hyunjin mouths finally, placing the teacup back on the saucer, hands folded on his lap.

Drawing in a deep breath, you have the sweet autumn air swirling past your ear, whispering at you to excuse yourself from the hidden messy ordeal, perhaps save Hyunjin while you were at it, but before your tongue could flit out the first words, Hyunjin’s father does it first, sheepishly at that.  

“I suppose you wouldn’t be against a tradition in our family, that involves our two kids.” Your mother pats at her lips gently, confused at the long glances the married couple were taking at each other and darting the look to their son, who locks eyes with the small vase in front of him. “Of course, but what would it be?” This time in turn, Hyunjin’s mom answers and you quickly notice that she had a quite big of a blabber mouth, and Hyunjin took more of his dad’s side, quiet and meek, sheepish and small-looking.  

“We have the kids have their own private time to talk, outside of the room and out of the house, where they can have the pleasure to know each other better, without the interference of us.” Mrs. (L/n) looked taken a back for a second, and you could tell that she was in a conflicting predicament having a clue at how you could slither the boy and his family in front of you away, and she certainly couldn’t have that!

Right when they were one of the few families to accept this proposal with great happiness knowing the family history that lurked across the dark parts of the village, the ones that you and your mother have ignored relentlessly. But then again, it would be extremely rude to not accept. Glaring at you, she molds a strained smile on her face, accepting the proposition. “That would be wonderful, why would I ever say no?” The couple in front release their breath, laughing along with your mom. 

 “Go ahead, son!” His father roars, obviously relieved and comfortable at the acceptance of this odd tradition and you watch helplessly as he reluctantly stands at his feet, reaching across the table to help you up. Not letting go of your hand, he walks over to your side, waiting for you to lead him out, which you do–with slow padding steps as dread fills your heart. “Go up the family tree” Your mom utters, sending a sweet smile towards a neutral Hyunjin and then a glare right at you before snapping her neck back at the two people in front of her.  

It was cool and breezy outside, with fall settling in, covering the past summer behind. Hyunjin’s hand leaves yours the moment that the unsettling room moved out of sight, walking right next to you awkwardly. The mood was tense and tight, almost as if you let out too much of a loud breath, you would be attacked. The stroll wasn’t too far, and soon enough your hands touched the bumpy bark of the tree, leaves providing a shadow, while a bright yellow and mellow orange creep on it. “I’m so sorry about my mom...and my dad!”  

He takes you by surprise when he bows down fully, sincerely giving you his full apologies. You rush to bring him back up, spluttering at him. “No no it’s not your fault at all, my mom organized this whole thing by herself! Please don’t feel sorry!” He chuckles at your franticness, leaning against the tree with his side when he’s sure that you’ve calmed down. “So, what do we do now?” You think deeply about his question, sneezing then and there as your eyes water, your body temperature rising a bit more than normal. “I’m not sure...I mean we must go to the festival, but after that, we could say a word to our parents?” He nods slowly, processing the information. 

“My mom’s a bit hardheaded...do you have someone that you like?” Eyebrows jumping, you stare with mirth as he struggles to explain himself. “What I meant is that we could use that as an excuse but now thinking about it, it sounds a bit dumb” Beaming ear to ear, you decide to use this chance away from your mom to make fun of him.  

“I mean do you?” Ears turning red, he shakes his head, black hair tied sticking out. Blinking back a pooling ocean in your eyes, vision spinning in circles, you hold the twigs to stabilize yourself from falling, feet sliding in the grass. “You never answered my question.” He jeers, coming a little closer, seeming more pleasant with you than before. You ponder if you should tell him or lie...but it shouldn’t hurt to tell the truth. Especially from the number of false statements you’ve been spewing out of your mouth. “I do in fact”  

“Is it Heeseung?” 

 You choke on air, looking around quick as a habit, giving yourself whiplash as he giggles at your evident reaction. “Oh my god, was it that obvious?!” He brought his fingers to a little pinch, but he was obviously lying, especially someone like Hyunjin–a person you’ve known as a neighborhood boy, and nothing else was able to spot the pure heart eyes you were practically throwing at Heeseung.  

Or maybe he was just extremely observant.  

“He must be blind to not realize yet” Hyunjin comments, playing with a piece of broken-off wood, twirling it between his fingers. “I guess so” You whisper, voice croaking out while you try to seem perfectly fine, but your skin felt hot and humid, and your nose was sniffly, and your head pounded with each small intake of breath you took. You must have not hidden it well, because the boy in front of you furrows his eyebrows in concern and says, “Are you alright? you look a bit paler than usual”  

“I–I’m so sorry. I’m a bit sick and it might be getting to me” The tight dress that wound around your waist did nothing to help as you wince in quiet despair, quite literally panting. “Oh, maybe you should sit down–oh gosh!”

Stumbling a little at how the leaves started to magically move around and how the grass changed its size, you fall right into Hyunjin's arms, with him finding your balance against the trunk of the tree, while you grasp his shoulders to regain your sense of direction. “Should I call your mother?”

He worriedly mutters, afraid that too loud of a voice would make you feel worse than you are now. “N–no I’m fine. Let’s just go back inside, they’re probably waiting for us.” Though he looked like he was having second thoughts he didn’t say anything. Instead, he does what you said and takes the route back to the house, only this time, his hands held your shoulders against his arms, making sure that you didn’t tumble down to your feet. 

IV. Bloody Nose

You felt like hurling.  

After that hopelessly distressful arranged marriage proposal with your fake lover, you would’ve expected Heeseung’s arrival right on your doorstep the moment the other family took a few steps away. But he never did. Nor did he for the next day, or right after day, or for that whole week.

You were sick and filled with a disgusting illness that left you bedridden for those following days, so you thought that your mom had sent him away in fear that he would have whatever you had too. But that was unusual and normally that never stood in the way of Lee Heeseung who was notorious by friends and families for taking big risks that could land him straight into trouble. 

So why was Lee Heeseung knocked off the face of the earth–or rather in your eyes, ignoring you? 

You take the chance to knock once more on his residence, just as you did yesterday. And you wait with a meek smile and a basket of Heeseung’s favorite food that you made with the utmost care last night, to apologize for whatever you did. Hearing nearing footsteps, you straighten your back, and your heart stutters in excitement, but it quickly tips over when you’re met face-to-face with Heeseung’s father.

He stays silent for a second, searching your face for something, sorrow painting his wrinkles when he catches your eyes. “If you're looking for Heeseung...he’s not here again and I’m not sure where he even is again.”  

Your fingers curl around the basket in disappointment but you don’t show it, nodding to show approval. “Well, can you give this to Heeseung then? I made his favorite food last night.” Heeseung’s father takes the bamboo woven basket from your hands, and he opens his mouth to say something but taking a double glance at you, the words appear to dissipate on his tongue, and he quickly replaces them with new more hurtful ones before he shuts the door in your face.

You feel hurt as though a piece of your heart was breaking. Seeing Heeseung every day was your daily joy, with his golden smile and his saccharine voice, and having an inkling that he was avoiding your mere presence felt so horrible.  

You take slow strides back to your place, so you can pick up the two kids hat you’ve missed dearly and perhaps you think that they could be the warmth to meld that hold in your heart–even if it was a little bit.   

-- 

“(Y/n)!”  

“Yeong-Soo!” You cry animatedly, bending down to hug the cheerful up from the ground, hugging him close to you. “I–it’s b–been so long since we’ve seen you!” He sobs, pearly tears cascading down his plump cheeks, pressing fluttering kisses on your jaw. “Hey, that’s not fair! H–how come he gets to hold you but I–I can’t?!” A loud demanding voice forces you to look down in delight, as Soo-Yeong's face comes into view, her own eyes red with a waterfall pouring out it.

“I’m so sorry guys, I've missed you guys so so so much!” You also decide to take her into your arms, and you start to notice that the siblings are starting to get bigger, but that never means that you wouldn’t ever hold them in your arms again; no matter how big or small they were.

Watching them grow like little seedlings was the pure glee in your life; holding the two the moment they were born, watching their first steps with Heeseung, and feeding them food, you feel the bliss of nostalgia with them in your care once more. “You better not leave us ever again!” They whine, fury of limbs weakly attacking you while you lower them onto the ground, making them sit on your lap.  

“I promise I won’t again, oh I missed you guys so much!” Unable to hold back, you squish them right back on you, making them laugh at your squeamish hands that tickle their sides. Soo-Yeong leans back, and you realize that her bangs are a bit too long again and you take note to take her out to get her hair cut right after this. “Wait where’s Heeseung?” Her brother stops his attempts at cuddling your arm as he too brings his body back, asking the same question his sister did just seconds ago.  

“He’s a bit busy right now” You slip out a potential white lie and you watch their faces contort with mixed reactions finally settling with a nod. “I hope he comes back soon...” Yeong-Soo pouts, blowing his own hair out of his eyes and you wonder if you have enough money to cover their need for haircuts. You agree with him, pulling his chubby cheeks to make funny faces. Yet with a huge smile on your face, your brain wasn’t present in the situation, and you started to find yourself zoning out at times.  

“Oh, the festival is today! Are you going (Y/n), I’m going!” Soo-Yeong asks, jumping in excitement on your lap, big eyes waiting for you to answer. “Of course, I am! I would never miss out on a chance to see you two dress up, especially since it’s Yeong-Soo's first time, right?” The little boy wags with thrill, and you wish to see a smile like this on their faces forever, left in a joyful eternally. “Yeah, it is! I’m not sick this year!”  

Coincidentally, the boy on your lap had gotten ill at the same time Chuseok came around and has never been able to set foot outside of his house during his rest, until this year, when you even made their outfits, custom-made because of this joyous event which the siblings can participate together.  

“I hope Heeseung comes and sees me, I think he will be so proud of me!” Soo-Yeong remarks, jumping around in your lap with fervorous happiness. “I hope so too and... I'm so excited for you guys! But...I have one promise I need you guys to make for me, alright?” The two kids in front of you, smile mischievously already planning devious ways to break whatever promise you had in mind, but you brush it off, holding a pinky out to the both of them.  

“Promise me that you two will always stay together, even through times when things get hard.” Clearly not expecting a serious claim, compared to your more comical ones, they share a look with each other before sticking out their pinkies in return. They interlock their fingers with yours, and press their minuscule thumbs with you, completing a pledge, and reciting the words that you’ve spoken moments ago with the same tone.  

“Alright let’s go get you two haircuts.”   

The two kids jump to their feet immediately and drag you up with their strength, running around your feet, filled with laughter and exhilaration for the upcoming day, and honestly, their contagious sparks got to you too, and soon forgot about the whole ordeal about Heeseung.

Passing by the different stalls, you and the kids judge the decorations set up on them and vote which one had the best creative festivities; which quickly broke out into a brawl between the siblings who wanted each other on the same page. They ask for your opinion, but you swiftly distract them by finding a vendor that sells small sweets for cheap, not wanting them to burst into tears when the disagreement gets too out of hand and they each carry the candy in their stubby hands all the way to a family friend who chopped hair for free.   

“Haircuts for these two again?!” Mr. Kang squeaks, staring down Yeong-Soo and his overgrown shaggy hair and Soo-Yeong's excessive bangs that reach right above her eyes. You nod nervously, pushing them two forward, leaving them at the mercy of the exhausted old man who does nothing but sigh miserable, talking with his breath and leaving you on your own, outside of the household.  

You wait for a second, watching the two kids disappear into another room before letting yourself slump down. With your hands tucked behind your back, you make a note to the dear wife that you were just going to stroll around for a bit and to give you a yell when the two kids are done, which she tenderly agrees to, even pointing out the limits that her voice could reach out to, sharing a hearty laugh with you.  

You peacefully watch the stray dogs outside scram around for food, taking whatever, they could find from off the ground and nearby trashcans, but a sense of pity didn’t ounce from the situation. Instead, you peer with interest at the small fight that two brown dogs were having between a piece of raw meat that looked a little too old for digestion. Hands rubbing your eyes tiredly, you ponder upon today evening’s miraculous adventures with Hyunjin that you were forced to go with by your mother.  

She was intent on you going, and not a forever number of excuses would stop you; she even bought you a new dress made from pure silk for god sake! Feeling the fabric run down the pads of your fingers made you feel sick and nauseous, a reminder that you were shackled to your mother’s doings whether you liked it or not.  

“Oh my god, stop put me down love, I promise my leg doesn’t hurt that much!”

A smile appears on your face, and you wonder who it is? Who is in that much love? Head lifting, you scan the area around you for the voice, and you have an inner realization that you may not be better than those aunties who had a knack for devouring gossip, but you quickly shove that image off with a chuckle, lips twisting into a pout when you couldn’t spot whoever the couple could be. It shouldn’t hurt to take a closer look, would it? Maybe when Heeseung came around again, it would be a good tale to spin with slices of tender Asian peaches.   

“Oh, Seungie you’re so strong!”  

It takes you a second, even a moment, to process the nickname that was whined out but you that’s not even what made you stop in the middle of your tracks with downcast eyebrows. Kim-Minjeong and her stupid self were on the back of Heeseung, soft curls falling on his face when she muttered something in his ears, making him rumble with laughter.

Her slender fingers fall upon his deep collarbone, and she tuckers her legs against his waist. And what’s even worse is that Heeseung let her do all of this with a huge grin on his face, with no hints of hesitance or embarrassment. You weren’t even sad; you were just horribly and tremendously furious and quite heartbroken, but it felt more like the former.  

Burning flames in your stomach, your lips tremble angrily and your chin follows soon after, hoping that somehow you were caught in the eyes of Heeseung and his forte to find you in a crowd of millions. Yet his gaze doesn’t even waver a little and you find yourself pathetically watching the two act like they were in love, because the two were just pretending, right? There was no way that Heeseung was in love with her, especially with her past attempts at harassing you. There was just no fucking way.  

“Yah! Lee Heeseung, your father wants your ass back home right now.”  

Paying no mind to Minjeong’s nasty smirk, you focus on the shocked boy and the way he resembled an aghast deer caught in the middle of a hunter’s trap. “(Y/n)! W–what are you doing here?” He gulps, dropping the girl on his back having no care if she was alright with it or not.

“Just looking for you on your father’s orders.” His gaze hardens and he scoffs, taking you aback with his newly found way of attitude. Usually found in sticky situations by you, he would sheepishly drag himself out of it, diverting your attention from the whole situation until he noticed that you weren’t exasperated with him anymore.  

“Only because of my father?” He fires, walking a little closer to you, fingers clenched in a fist by his side, adding sticks and logs to the flame burning in your gut. You decide not to answer his question, looking past his shoulder, unable to hold any eye contact with him though his piercing eyes shoot sharp knives towards you. “Yeong-Soo wants to see you tonight. It’s his first ever Chuseok.”  

Mouth widening a little, he nods slowly, suddenly breaking out into tiny chuckles into his palm while you stare with indifference, hurtling glares at Minjeong. “Sure.” And with that, he waves his hands in saying bye to the other girl who doesn’t even get up from the soft grass, knees tucked in when she responds back to him with a dazzling smile. He brushes past you, knocking into your shoulder, and only then, when he’s away far enough, you charge up to Minjeong who yawns into the palm of her hand with disinterest.  

“What the fuck did you say to him?!”  

Leaning down you slap her on the cheek, shocking her as a red handprint marks itself on her pale cheek, tears welling up in her eyes from the sudden pain. “You bastard, how would you know if I told anything to him?”

Grasping the collar of her jeonbok, you watch in disgust as her ugly smirk still finds a way to slither onto her mouth. “Because I told him whatever you said to me; all those fucking years of pure hell dealing with you and your angel act and only when I thought you were getting better. There’s no way he just...just went to you like that!?”  

Gripping your shoulder painfully, she takes a long look into your eyes, searching for her desire and when she finds it, she leans a little closer. “You’re a smart girl, aren’t you? If only he was like that...ho hum. Anyways you’re right! I may or may not have slipped that your mistress of a mother slept with his father; just like how she did with my father, making my mother die in a horrific drowning “accident”.

Pitiful, isn’t it?” Staring back at her in horror, the history of your mom unravels in a quick slip of her tongue, the same history that you knew was never true. “That’s no–not true. He wouldn’t believe that!”  

She nods considerably, placing a delicate finger on her chin. “You’re right. He didn’t believe that. But he sure did believe that you were just using him, sending him all sorts of mixed symbols; just to get closer with his friends. Just as you were doing with Felix...we all know you made out with Changbin near the shed near the school.”

Shaking your head prompts her to continue mocking you. “Sleeping around just like your prostitute mother, but good thing that the stranger that she fucked to have you; a fucking surprise, had brains because your mother surely didn’t.” She chuckles, taking your dazed expression to get her revenge from earlier, landing a hard punch to your nose.  

You don’t bother to fight back and instead, your reflexes cover your nose, catching the heavy blood streaming down. Head woozy from the impact of information rather than the actual physical collision, you stare at her and calmly get up, rubbing her still-red cheek. “I could tell everyone that you slapped me, but don’t want to give you any grey hairs early on. Happy holidays...” She remarks, throwing you a dirtied handkerchief, walking away, and each step she takes, each crunch of the leaves feeling like she was trampling you instead.  

Pulling your hands away from your nose, you ogle at the red blood coating your hands, a reminder of a horrible person. Looking towards the thrown tissue, you depressingly wipe the goopy against it, covering all the other dirt stains, then reluctantly bringing it to the bump above your lips, smearing it away, in preparation of meeting the kids so you didn’t scare them away; all while you felt as though someone was carving at all the inner bodily muscles slowly, chipping away in the ever-growing ocean.  

-- 

“The silk does your figure much good, such a shame that your nose is a bit swollen. Allergies I suppose?” Hyunjin’s mother shrugs, pinching your cheeks with her wrinkled fingers. You guiltfully feel bad for her and her unsuspecting husband, and even Hyunjin who was just weaved into a mess of rumors. There were two outcomes to this turmoil; either Minjeong was going to spread faux facts around with her nasty tongue and your whole family was going to be put to shame yet again or simply nothing would happen.  

“Oh, Hyunjin is extremely luc–” The elder starts off, stepping back to admire the look on your face but is interrupted by the knocking on the wooden door to the dressing room. “That must be my son...you’re all done anyways, go on ahead!” She claps her hands enthusiastically, tugging the sleeves properly once and twice before pushing you towards the door, where she opens it herself.

Peering at him behind the aunty right in front of you, you send a small weak smile towards the young boy dressed in pure white, able to pop out his pale face and his dark hair that was tied up into a bun, with a few strands let out framing his cheekbones. “Thank you again, Mrs. Hwang” You bow as you catch a look from a startled Hyunjin, him surprisingly following suit, making you giggle at his flushed cheeks that made him look like a ripe tomato.  

The woman waves you off, clicking her tongue in amusement. Without even letting a word out she shoos you two away, brewing an unpleasant atmosphere that has you staring at the sandals on your feet. “Er, you look nice” You start off, slicing off the edge of the awkwardness, hands tucked behind your back while you guys make your way through the grass, sweat already glistening on your skin.

“Thank you? You are too.” He coughs out, looking down at the greenery right below his sandals, unable to face you. “Your nose wasn’t a bruise, was it?” Looking at him with a smile, you wonder how fast talk has spread and you nod slowly, lashes fluttering close when he his fingers around your hand in your search for comfort. “Does everyone know?”

You ask, lacing your fingers with his as you find the courage to pick your eyes up and look him in the eye; yet finding Heeseung staring back at you with big doe eyes that reflected concern. “Not many...I think” Hyunjin honestly answers, blowing off the facade of Heeseung into smoke right in front of your eyes, making you turn back forward again, this time avoiding the stares of the surrounding people, afraid of their burning gazes of curiosity.

“Don’t even think about it, if anyone says a thing, I’ll tell them that you were with me the whole day!” Hyunjin whispers, sending polite yet tight-lipped smiles to anyone in view before looking down at you in unease, hunting for your expression in your slumped face.  

“I–thank you” You breathe out, the wind finally picking up and pushing back those strand hairs from your face, the breeze dancing around with the fallen leaves with that the sun falls into slumber and the nightly glow settles in with the blinding lanterns with the streets becoming alive as ever.  

V. Delusions Were Simply the Trick of the Eyes

Heeseung was a simple boy.  

He liked his parents; more so his mother over his father. He liked playing games whenever he had time. He hated studying though and was grateful when he stopped to help his parents out. He also hated Asian peaches. But he loves it with you; and always will. The way that the sweet juice drips down your arm and your attempt not to let it stray any further than your elbow, panicking as he laughs at your despair. Or the small, flustered gratitude you squeak out whenever he brings a basket of them, wanting to fill your stomachs and maybe even your hearts full.  

He loved you, and he truly still does. 

Yet right now it was Kim Minjeong comforting his weeping tears with her pale and soft hands, placing a not-so-subtle kiss on his cheeks, finding himself enjoying it when he thought that it was you doing that instead. Gosh, he must be going crazy because he swears, he just saw you flicker in place of Minjeong; replacing that venom smile with your candy one, teeth nearly grazing your lips as you lean in closer, this time planting a fluttering kiss near his frowning lips, quivering a smile for a fraction of a second.  

“We should probably go now, Seungie” Minjeong suggests. hovering over his shoulders in an attempt to raise his mood, which obviously doesn’t work. “Sure...and please don’t call me Seungie, it’s annoying” He grumbles, not sparing a look towards her irked expression. “But (Y/n) used to call you that all the time, why can't I?” Your name in her dirty mouth, makes him see red, harshly turning around to call her out.  

“Ok and? That’s none of your fucking business!”  

VI. Chuseok

Your night wasn’t going that bad. No one except for a few immature teens has said a word about you, and each and every time they did, Hyunjin shooed them off with the agreed story you two made up beforehand. His hands stayed alongside yours the whole time, not letting go unless you two were eating something underneath the stars, sharing amusing stories before the silence took over.

However what you found a bit odd was the ratio of soldiers and citizens walking around. Numerous ranks of the military stood everywhere with their arms tucking a weapon underneath their armpit.  You nod to a few of them while you stroll around, confused at the grim smiles that they shoot back.  

“So many of them, no?” Hyunjin worriedly asks, looking at you for your response to which you nod back, unable to take your eyes off the peculiar uniforms that held nothing festive to them; your stomach dropping for no explainable reason. “Oh, there’s (Y/n)!” A small distant voice yells, forcing you to quickly put on a smile as you turn around to face Soo-Yeong and her brother who seemed to be in complete distress, mucus slipping out his nose while big fat tears leave streaks down his fluffy cheeks.

“Oh n,o what happened?” You panic, bending down onto your knees, having no mind of the dirt of that may stick to the fabric. Soo-Yeong must’ve taken a good liking to Hyunjin because she practically throws herself into his arms, circling her hands over his shoulders while he bends down to her height. “Yeong-Soo why are you crying?  

Did anyone say anything to you again? Me and Hyunjin can beat them up!” He slowly shakes his head, burying his head into the crook of your neck, his pout deepening against your skin. “Then what happened?” You gently pry, rubbing soothing strokes against his back, while he sobs even more.

“I saw H–Heeseung just b–before. And he j–just walked past me. He did–didn’t even say anything about me today!” He wails and you suddenly hear his sister start sniffling too, her hands coming up to wipe at her eyes, Hyunjin comforting her in his arms.  

The familiar flame from earlier burns the inside of your stomach as you specifically remember telling Heeseung about the special boy in your arms. God! And the number of times you’ve sat with him and the two kids, imagining this fated day for the young boy with rounds of laughter...did that not mean anything to him?!

Chuseok was known to be famous in your city, one of the best celebrations to come and go, which meant the whole world to Yeong-Soo, and meant even more if his special ones were right there with him to witness it. “Would you like me to find Heeseung then?” You calmly ask, exchanging solemn looks with Hyunjin, extremely grateful for the lack of refusal or even hesitance at your question towards the young boy.  

He takes a moment to decide, his small fingers curling around a strand of your hair, pacing it through his fingers. “Yes please” He finally whispers, letting you pick him up while Hyunjin lets the little girl hold his hand, dragging her along with him, right behind your footsteps. You don’t have a complete idea of where Heeseung could be lurking with his foul mood and possibly Minjeong, but having Heeseung in your heart gave you the advantage of knowing his favorite and hated places in mind like the map was drawn on the back of your hand.  

-- 

“Where could he be?” Soo-Yeong pants, droplets of sweat dripping down her temple as she leans against Hyunjin’s tall structure. “Maybe he went home” Hyunjin murmurs, obviously feeling tired and irritated at the long search for the boy making you feel bad for him, you really didn’t mean to drag him out like this. “I don’t think he’s–oh shit is that him?”

You suddenly gasped, Hyunjin’s hand slapping over your mouth from the crude language that was used in front of the kids, but it didn’t matter as the two kids paid no mind; one looking horribly mad and the other tearing up into a pure mess filled with tears. “I say that we should jump on him and stab him!” Soo-Yeong declares, fists up to enforce stabbing motions, terrifying Hyunjin a little.

“I wish” You spit angrily when you see that Kim-Minjeong is also there, holding two cups that were filled to the brim, sure not to spill them. Surprisingly the two kids don’t make a move, instead watching the two with narrow eyes and with a fierce displeased frown. You sense a reenactment from this morning, and you almost feel sick from the way that your stomach is churning in fury.  

Hyunjin was smart. Incredibly smart. Or maybe he wasn’t as spurred on as you were at this moment because he knew that something so astoundingly bad and horrible was going to take place. So, he has the conscience to do something clever, because he leans down and mutters something ever-so-softly in the kid’s ears. And with his voice sweet as honey, he manages to lure them away from you and the almost intimate scene in front of you, sending you one last troubled look before strolling away from sight.  

You watch with wide eyes, as Heeseung pushes Minjeong against a tree; the very tree that you sat with Heeseung, sharing the darkest and deepest stories of each other. The same one that you felt yourself fall in love with Heeseung, while your back sat against the wood, a high fever burning your skin to the touch, ogling in awe at his frightened calls.

Staring at them, you ponder if you should leave them alone in their own privacy because you can’t help but feel like a dirty thief. But it was too late to even turn back, because you make eye contact with a stern Heeseung, lashes fluttering when he holds it a bit longer with you, eyes trailing down your figure before turning back to Kim Minjeong and leaning down to place a deepening kiss on her lips, which she reciprocates in seconds.  

You felt disgusted at the sight, thumping heart in your throat, when you turned away in disbelief, teeth biting down harshly at the skin of your lips. You're about to run away from cowardice but a voice stops you in your tracks, one that makes you let out a small sob, palm immediately covering your mouth to jail the noises that follow out of your mouth. “(Y/n).”  

“What the hell do you want!?” You scream, refusing to turn around, vocal cords feeling as though they were about to snap, rendering you speechless. “Just look at me god Damit!” Heeseung whimpers, catching you off guard, at his strained voice. You spin around as you look down at the ground and when you expect two pairs of feet you only find one, making you look up to only Heeseung and no one else.  

Sad clouds fill the sky, and piercing droplets stream down from heaven, plastering all over your hair and clothes, yet you barely even notice. Not when Heeseung’s stare is sharper and colder than any of the tears that drop. “What the hell do you want?” You rasp once more, teeth clenching (either in anger or from the cold) when he doesn’t respond, rather taking a long look at you. “You’re wearing the ribbon in your hair” He finally says, taking a step closer to you, but then stopping when you back away, a flash of hurt scarring his face for a second.

“I’m going to go if that’s all you have to say” Eyes quickly flicker up to meet your watery ones, before croaking out a small “no” and that was all that it took for you to root your feet back into the ground again. “Why are you with Minjeong?” You ask, quivering hands clutching the sleeves of your clothes.  

“I like her” Nodding along you feel yourself get angrier at his words, face flushing against the cold. “That doesn’t mean that you could fucking avoid me forever!” You raise your voice, and this time the tears spill over your lashes, creating a waterfall down your cheeks. “I wasn’t avoiding you,” He says quietly, and you knew that he was lying straight through his teeth.

“Ok, h–how long have you liked her for?” Heeseung sways for a bit, thinking about his answer longer than supposed to. “For years” You scoff at his response and this time you take a few steps forward in annoyance, tongue flitting over your teeth as you try not to bite it in fury. “For years?! If you’ve liked her for years, then why were you with me? For all I know, we–you don’t do stuff like that with your b–best friend when you like someone!”  

You must’ve struck a nerve because his nose flares and his ears get a bit red. “Same thing applies to Hyunjin doesn’t it? Sneaking down to those fucking waterfalls, or even into your room...I shouldn’t have done all those, should I? Especially with someone like you!” Your mouth falls open at his words, knowing exactly what he was trying to mean, and it seems though that those words must’ve slipped out unnecessarily because he was quickly stammering out apologies, but you brush past them, with hurt.

“I never liked Hyunjin!” He freezes before his eyebrows furrow, lips agape at your sudden confession. “I was lying to you the whole time! I never ever liked Hyunjin. And I don’t know what you believe, but I never kissed Changbin or Yeonjun in my life!”  

“So, you were just playing with me this whole time?!” Heeseung angrily scorns, hands wringing in the air madly as your eyes widen in shock, wet hair sticking to his face. “What no!” You deny, exasperated, that this conversation was leading to the depths of doom, sniffling meekly.

“So, what was that kiss you guys shared?!” He cries, tears welling in his eyes, and you start feeling the crushing feeling of guilt and confusion crush your lungs as you struggle to breathe. “W–we never kissed what do you mean?” He chuckles into the palm of his hand, furiously wiping away any pearly tears that descend. “I fucking saw it and so did Minjeong! I–I–She was there too!” He blubbers, gasping softly.

“So, you believe Minjeong over me? I promise I didn’t kiss Hyunjin, I promise I don’t like him. I promise!” You cry, your knees shaking underneath you as you try your hardest not to buckle under the pressure. “I don’t think I can really trust you after you’ve been lying to me...I–I think? Just stop talking to me please” Heeseung hiccups, finally pushing past you for the second time. “Wait Heeseung, stop it you fucking idiot! If was lying about liking him, why would I kiss Hyunjin?! Heeseung!”

You try to chase after him, but you stop once you lose sight of him, so you head back to where the moonlight shone brightly. “That idiot–urgh!” You kick a tree in anger before collapsing right back onto the cold and wet floor. Hot tears spurt down your face, as somewhere far away you hear the faint calling of your name and the warmth of tender hands cradling your arms.

VII. The End of a Wall, and the End of Our Time

The wall surrounding the all-mighty Jinju, was at the end of its time as soldiers racked up their weapons and wept goodbyes to their mothers. The sounds were almost deafening, as the bastards knocked up the defense, screaming bloody insults that kept the streets deserted and the once lively city dead. For months on end it felt as though the civilians were being dragged through the depths of hell, as they tried to claw their way to freedom. The young grew a year older, with summer bringing weather that was made to be enjoyed. And amidst of it all, two hearts slowly ached for one another but were hopelessly shackled to their pettiness. Where love ran most, painful memories followed like poison contaminating a pure river. 

If only.  

VII. You were doomed to the end; by Lee Heeseung’s side

There weren’t many but a few outside, and most of them were out for the same reason as you. Hands tucking the small bag, you cower yourself underneath the shadows of the tall trees, hands interlocking the two children who pulled a fit to come with you. Every so often, you throw tired glances toward the walls that fortify the village, and you wonder how long the village is going to stand up against the brutal attacks of the Mongolians. “(Y/n) we need to buy tomatoes” Yoo-Seong comments, her tiny fingers calculating what else that was needed to buy. “Sure,” You say sadly, and the two kids feel pity for you.

You’ve been mushy like that ever since that night, too sluggish to even think about anything but Heeseung. It’s been plaguing your mind like a horrible disease. The sunset was coming in view and in an hour or so, the extended curfew was going to befall the night, so you were going to have to hurry up. Yeong-Soo skips along, humming a song while his sister sings along to whatever is going on in her mind. And you take this moment to enjoy the peace before the racket beyond the wall starts up again.  

The buzzing of the insects reminds you of the many evenings strolls you took with Heeseung, many which ended with you on the ground, unable to choke back the laughter.  

“Soldiers stay strong!” A loud voice booms in the distance and you sigh, tugging the two siblings closer to you. Crude language floats in the air, accented with different dialects, you were barely even able to comprehend. Some nights it was calm as a lake and others, destruction poured in at all sides, loud enough to burst ear drums. Shaking your head, you decide to cut this outing short for the safety of the tiny kids in your arms.

Men in various ranks yet with the same mission rush past you hurriedly, and as they run past your figures, not even sparing a glance, you realize that something is terrifyingly wrong. Eyes widening, adrenaline rushes through your veins, when you finally tune in to your surroundings. Loud booms that create shockwaves, rumble under your feet, nearly tossing you over. “(Y/n)’s what’s happening?”

Yeong-Soo whines, gripping onto you for dear life, obviously terrified while he tremendously shakes. You automatically think of the worst, and your hands find purchase on the cheeks of the siblings, crouching down to your feet to calm them down. “I don’t know, but let’s hurry back home, shall we?” Pushing the hair out of their faces, you press lingering kisses on their foreheads before getting up and dragging them along. Fortunately living in the area for your whole life meant that hidden alleyways always opened your eyes to the moment you needed them.

Loud thunder echoes around, quivering at the core of the earth while the sound of messy bullets creates an unpleasant environment. You hear the screams of the pitiful, the ones you had the misery of being right out in the death zone, fighting for the lives of the many innocent lives that reside in the city this very night. Pushing past the dingy trash and the random people who were curious enough to set foot outside their homes, your blood goes cold when the sounds suddenly stop.  

Tranquility.  

Yet the silence resounds louder; more ear-splitting than the roaring before. You stand with the kids in complete stillness, the only sound being the quiet, repressed gasps of panting and small ruffling of tiny rodents scurrying around. “I’m scared” Yeong-Soo whines, before being slapped over the mouth by his older sister, shushing him completely. “We’ll be ok, alright? Just–” The earth beneath you trembles once more and this time, the force is enough to knock you off your feet. Low chanting in the distance, gets louder and louder in a different language, and something huge; as the humongous titans your mother scared you with as a child, shadows the village.

Far off, a burning fire blazes brightly, contrasting the darkening night. Looking down at the small kids, you immediately take the smaller one in your arms, and crouch down to the elder one, taking her cheeks into your fingers. “Soo-Yeong, I need you to run when I tell you to and take your brother with you okay?” Glancing around, she silently nods and reaches to clasp your hand with yours.

“What about ma?” Yeong-Soo cries, wet tears already streaming down his face. “She’ll be alright, don’t worry...but do you guys remember what that officer said to us the other night if this ever happened?” A few days ago, very worried personnel had the honor of arriving at everyone’s homes and informing them of this very scenario and where to go. With very strict and detailed instructions, he repeated the words three times before going to another house to do the same.

He explained that the walls were extremely weak and had little fighting will against the numerous assaults it received, ending it with the end of Jinju and the era of the great ruling of Goryeo was coming to an end. You receive hums of approval from the kids, one of them asking if you were going to the said place, which was far away from the few entrances that the fortresses possessed.

“Yeah, let’s try to, fighting!” You smile, before it’s quickly wiped away from your face. Screams echo, closer than you could process as you hear the loud whipping cracks of maniacal laughter. Something snaps in the distance, or more like crumbles as more people rush out of the comfort of their mattresses, in distress and confusion, exchanging looks with each other that portray pure panic.

“Shit, Fucking assholes came in! They breached the city, get out! Get ou–” The same man you recognized as the milkman that delivered bottles every morning before the constant aims of invasion, before when at least one man from each family provided themselves to the fight, was screeching to the others.  

Only to find himself dead right outside the alleyway you were trapped in, with an arrow stuck behind his head, blood pooling out the wound.  

Gasping, you shield the horrific sight from the siblings, pulling them to cower behind a couple of wooden barrels. The children scream into your shoulder, trying to hush themselves while your hands cover their eyes, tucking them into a hug. Looking up at the night sky, you notice the harsh smoke that hides the stars and the pearly moon, and it stings heavily into your eyes as you tug away to peer out.

Men dressed differently, laced heavily with armor stroll walk past, not even sparing glimpses to look around, too endorsed in their glee. One of them was holding a woman in her nightgown by her long hair, dragging her against the gravel while she pleads and begs to let her go–to let her live. Bouncing her wide eyes for help, you look away in shame when she makes eye contact with you, the image of her thrashing around burnt in your mind.

The sounds of sobbing don’t leave when the men pass by with the poor lady, yet it resound louder and louder in your ears, opting to cover the ears of the two kids in front of yours. You blink back tears when you hear Yeong-Soo mumble out small prayers, repeating the same phrase repeatedly until it tattooed itself to his tongue. It makes you think about your mother and what she was possibly doing, and even more about Heeseung.  

And you ask to keep them safe, to no one in particular.  

-- 

Being stuck in this unfavorable position felt horrible, and you knew that it was time to move and get to someplace safer. You’re not too sure how long you were shrinking away, almost rotting in fear in this dingy alley, and as much as it was hidden away from the public, it wasn’t going to be soon enough when this whole place burned to the ground. “Hey guys, w–we need to get out...okay?” The two widen their eyes, mouths gaping when they realize that you are completely serious. “But why?” Yeong-Soo trembles, mouth quivering.

“Because” You take both their hands, warming them against your neck, delivering a flurry of kisses on their faces. “It’s not going to be safe here anymore. Someone’s going to find us soon–another bad guy is going to walk down and this time he’s going to see us.” The small boy cries into your arms, sniffling about how scared he is. His older sister was the opposite, and she seemed emotionless as she reached over to her brother, her cold hands tucked over his ear.

“We need to follow her orders if we want to see mama again and Heeseung” She whispers, looking up at you for your reaction, wiping away his tears that never stopped but at the end he agrees. “Remember what I told you Soo-Yeong. When I tell you to run, take your brother with you, and don’t wait for me” Her gaze softens, and she almost defies your words, but it gets stuck in her throat.  

Receiving no more refusal from the kids, you carefully raise to your feet, sharp eyes taking note of the surrounding environment. You scoop up the younger boy into your arms, and clutch Soo-Yeong's hand tightly. Nearly forgetting about the dead body, strewn flat against the ground, you tell them to close their eyes shut, which they obey without a word, and you walk them over the body, grimacing at the horrific sight. You were quite unnerved at the lack of people in the area yet extremely grateful. Every guttural scream you hear makes you think of Heeseung dying so brutally. So viciously. And you plead mentally that he doesn’t.

Cheeks flush at the thought of him meeting death so so soon, hating your guts until his very last breath, without even hearing about how much in love you are with him. How much he tormented your mind, every day and night. And how you were extremely sorry for the past months, and that you should’ve apologized earlier, and how much you were a fucking coward. You regret the last time you saw him, and there isn’t a day that goes by, where you don’t think about what you should’ve done differently. 

-- 

Heeseung was determined.  

So fucking determined to find you, and maybe even confess his undying love to you. He was such an idiot and right when he walked out on you that night, he immediately grieved upon it. He knew that he shouldn’t have believed Minjeong’s words, and deep in his heart he was aware that you would never do what she claimed you to be. A fucking prostitute. A rat. An asshole.

Yet he was so stupid and dumb, and he was so hurt at what he saw that very day when Hyunjin kissed you against that tree when you two were taking a stroll outside; and what broke his heart, even more, was that was not too long after he snuck into your room, craving your hugs and awkward giggles. But the next thing he knew, he was buried in the arms of Kim Minjeong, easily swayed by her faux comfort and the sweet nothings that she whispered to him.  

He makes sure to blend into the crowd, head tucked into his neck as he runs to your house, his own mother and father barely even noticing that he had left them on their way to the safe place, the opposite way that everyone else was going, but with a meek figure and mass terror surrounding him, he managed to slip by without any question.

He knew that a day like this would happen soon enough, but it came too quickly for him to wrap his head around–honestly, he was not even sure after months of preparation he was even ready. Coming to the steps before your door, he doesn’t even take a second to catch his breath, instead banging on the door with his fist, making sure that the whole door shook from force.

“Shit” He cries, knocking once more, even more harshly than before as sweat pours down the side of his face. “Hey, look around idiots, I heard someone of there!” Panic arising in his veins, he looks around, and quickly uses the big trees out front as coverage, hand suffocating his mouth to not let even a single peep slip. Onto his knees, he hears the many footsteps around him while he moves around to get away without making any noise, the soft grass absorbing much of the sound.  

His hands trace the grooves on the tree when the ground around him shakes just as before and he hears the horrible blood-curdling screams near him. The soldiers emerge from the dark again, passing right by Heeseung as he tries to merge in with the brown tree. A huge waft of blood makes him choke on his spit, and when he sees a figure fighting with all their might against the cruel soldiers; he almost envisions you and his heart stops.

Yet it couldn’t be you, because whoever it was too big, and he sighs from relief, before sinking into the pooling of guilt. He felt dreadful that he was happy that whoever that person wasn’t you. Taking advantage of the way that the guards were laser-focused on tormenting the poor soul, he painfully slithers out unnoticed, crawling on his hands and knees, mingling in with the dark.  

Stumbling on a few broken twigs, he clenches his teeth in frustration, mind producing so many heart-wrenching surroundings you...and the kids. Oh my god, how could he ever forget the small siblings? After avoiding you, it came naturally that he avoided them too– always refusing their lonely calls to play hide and seek, too remorseful to even think about anything else but you. Fires were burnt everywhere, and the terror didn’t stop, but that did nothing to stop him in his tracks to now change his route to a familiar house; where hopefully you and the two kids were safe and sound. 

And if you guys weren’t there; then you guys surely had to be at the said safe haven, because he’s not sure what he would do with himself if he ever caught you three lying dead.  

Bumping into people’s shoulders, he trips over his feet, and before he can catch himself, he tumbles down onto the ground hard, face contacting the warm gravel that sticks to his sweaty face, definitely leaving life-long scars on his face. The hot blood pours thickly into his mouth and he struggles to spit it out, using his elbows to heave himself up. Yet he finds himself not able to push his upper body up anymore, rather he clings to the ground.  

“Hey look what I found here! Looks like I got a piece of shit stuck to my foot huh?” Now he feels it, the harsh digging of a heel stabbing into his back, as grimy fingers tangle themselves in his locks, giving a not-so-gentle tug. Heeseung groans in pain, eyes fighting to stay open as ache shoots itself through his body. “Then why don’t you get your fucking foot off me asshole if you didn’t want to shit stuck to your shoes, any dumb person would know that!”  

He knew that he shouldn’t have said that, and he practically wrote his death wish but it slipped out his tongue that was now pressed flat against his teeth. “What?” The man above him growls, leaning closer to claw at his scalp, enjoying the way that Heeseung cries. “You wanna die, I’ll give it to you!” His neck stretched upwards and strained; he felt the cool metal press against his skin, right near his Addams apple where he refused to even breathe, mouth puckered in attempts to suffocate himself.  

A thin cut lands itself on his skin and he feels the blood trickle down his neck, stinging pain followed right after it’s exposed to the cool breeze. Mouth agape, he fights against the man’s grip, nails now trying to claw his hands, while the other laughs at his weak efforts. A calloused hand wraps its fingers around his cheeks, prodding throbbingly into his teeth and his jawbone. This time the blade cuts a bit deeper, teasing him with death just dangling right above him.  

Eyes blinking with tears, he finds a rock just out of reach, right where his fingernails grazed the edges. Trying to worm towards it undetected, he sobs as sudden pain jolts down his leg, where he can feel the penetration of a knife, slicing through his calf, yet barely even penetrating. “You snake” The man spits, kicking out Heeseung’s only weapon out of the way, chuckling loudly to himself. “F–fuck” Heeseung wails, flinching against the ground.  

A sharp dagger penetrates his skin through his back, letting him soak up the immense pain that follows...before it stops, the handle falls against the blood-soaked cloth upon his sweaty skin. “Urgh, you bitch!” Craning his head backward, he gasps for air at the sight of you, holding a long glass shard against the abdomen of his attacker, blood dripping from both ends of the made weapon, with the blade cutting your palms.

Looking a bit further, he watches Yoo-Seong cover her brother’s eyes and ears, hugging him tightly against her, her own face buried into his hair. Thinking quickly, he twists around to grab the handle of the knife, stabbing it swiftly behind his kneecap, rotating it further.  

Screaming in pain, the man falls over, clutching his knee up to his chest, eyes shut closed.  

“Heeeseung can you get up!” Dazed at the voice, his vision comes in and out of focus as you take his face into your hands, your warm smearing on his cheeks, and he softly chuckles at the way that your voice quivers, and the small droplets that drip down. “Yeah, I can” he grunts, wrapping his lanky arms around your shoulders for assistance, pulling himself up with your weight.

“Seungie!” A whiny voice cries, suddenly knocking into his stomach for a hug, another small one stalking right after. “Let’s go” You sob, heavy tears streaming down your face, looking away for anyone to see. He opens his mouth to talk, but in the corner of his eyes, he sees the deranged man roll to get up to his feet, so instead he picks up Soo-Yeong to his waist, dragging you and Yeong-Soo with him.  

“Where are we going?” You choke, wiping away your mouth, hands interlocking tightly with Heeseung’s, unable to tear your eyes off him. “I–I’m not sure, let’s...let’s just find a shop to hide in for now” Scanning the area, you both notice the incoming screams that echo and the menacing laughter that resound right after it. “Shit” Heeseung abruptly stops, jerking his head back to look at yours, both paling at each other before he makes the smart decision to take another route; where luckily led you all to an open shop to hide in.

Slamming the door shut, he takes time to shut the shutters that reveal the inside, and you make sure to lock all entryways, while the kids sit on a stool, dried up tears staining their cheeks. “Oh god” You sigh, taking a seat next to the kids as your vision blacks out for a second, pain striking sharply against your palm; stomach aching at the sight of blood.

“That looks horrible” Heeseung whispers, taking your hands into his while maintaining firm eye contact with you as he reaches over to produce a rag. Your throat goes dry at the sight, and you start tearing up again, though you’re not sure if it’s from the pain of Heeseung painfully tightening the cloth against your wounds or from the relief of seeing him once more.  

“I’m sorry”  

“I’m sorry” 

Looking up at each other in surprise, you both awkwardly chuckle, making you cast a look toward the two kids who’ve already fallen asleep, both laying on one another with their hands smothering each other. “I never believed Minjeong” Heeseung murmurs, carefully placing his fingers against yours, placing them on his heart, letting a smile slip when you don’t pull away, instead scooting a little closer. And when you don’t say anything, he continues,

“I’m so fucking sorry. I don’t know why I ever did that? Why did I ever choose her over you? I–I was just so mad when you kissed Hyunjin, and of course that’s not your fault, because I can’t choose whoever you like or date. And I’m just so selfish and you never deserved that. I just love you so much, I ju–” 

Words hiccuping in his throat, he freezes at your lips capturing his, rough hands reaching up and placing themselves in his tussled hair. Pulling back centimeters away, he craves the soft kiss once more, but he let's say whatever you wanted to with his twinkling eyes that were unable to move past your lips. “You know Heeseung, I never kissed Hyunjin...ever” You chuckle, happily watching his face contort into confusion. It’s almost like the world bled outside the two of your perceptions because the only thing in your mind was Heeseung, and Heeseung only.  

“What do you mean, I saw him kiss you against that tree” Furrowing your eyebrows a memory that embarrassingly took place, suddenly appears in your mind and you laugh at the misunderstanding, confusing Heeseung even more. “You know how I was sick that day? I just felt a little light-headed and he used to tree to stabilize me. Nothing more I promise” You grin, amusedly watching his face grow red from shame, eyes now avoiding yours. “I’m sorry...I–I, you want to know something funny?” He gulps hands twiddling your cold fingers, taking the initiative to place them against his warm cheeks.

Tilting your head at him, you urge him to continue. “Those days when I ignored you, it was because I was trying to figure something out for your love for Hyunjin. And those days were actually spent trying to make up a plan where you thought that he was stupid and dumb...” Eyebrows furrowing in realization, you're barely even able to form any words at his accusation.

“So, telling me that when you told me that Hyunjin thought that he grew out his hair from that special fountain...was fake?” He grows smaller under your words, practically curling himself to hide from your stares. “Maybe.” He choked, laughing at your face which expressed the shock that you were feeling.  

The mood goes quiet again but is broken by Heeseung.

“B–but when you said that you were lying about Hyunjin this hold time, what did you even mean by that?” He asks, tugging you closer by the waist, and this time you’re able to see the crystal tears form in his eyes that were threatening to cascade down. Feeling a metallic taste in your mouth, you swallow heavily, ready to explain what you wanted to do for the past few months.

“When you caught me that day, I was going to say your name” You look down at his lips before hugging him closer, ignoring the stabbing pain that fills that twists your gut. “But I thought that was going to ruin our friendship, so I said Hyunjin’s instead” You sigh, placing your head against his beating heart, allowing the tears to spill over.  

“That wouldn’t have ruined anything” 

“I know I’m sorry, I should’ve never lied to you” He rumbles with laughter, placing a firm kiss on your forehead that sears into your skin, stroking your hair comfortingly. “Promise me you won’t ever again?” He raises his pinky and thumb towards you, which you take, wrapping your own pinky with his and pressing your thumbs together tightly.

Your other hand hangs over his shoulder as he brings you up to his lips again, and this time he returns the kiss, smiling into it. “I love you...so much” You breathe to him, mouth leaving fluttering kisses against his jawline, taking a moment to look at kids, enveloped in the land of sleep before returning right back to him. He adjusts himself, so he’s now leaning against the wall, letting you lay against him. “I love you too”

He wraps his hands against your figure, brushing the hair out of your face, wanting to see a beauty such as this forever. Your heart skips a beat at his words, the three words you’ve been wanting to hear since forever now presented in front of you like a silver dish. “Promise me you’ll live by my side forever...if you’d like to?” You snicker at his loser tendencies, because who was he kidding, of course you’d want to be by his side until your very last breath; even eternity if given.

Benefiting him one more promise, you touch your forehead against his before leaning down onto his chest, eyes fluttering to stay open. “I promise you Lee Heeseung” You slur, repeating the first two words again. “Go to sleep,” He says, making note of the way that you struggle to keep awake, trying not to submit yourself to exhaustion. “But what if–”  

“Don’t worry I’ll protect you, and the kids” Heeseung exhales, head leaning back to glance at the blinds that emit the burning light from outside. “Okay” You don’t put that much of a fight, and instead lean against him for comfort, burying your face into his neck. Fingers reaching into the pouch that you were carrying, you pull out a thin cloth, and place it into the hands of Heeseung unknowingly, who barely even flinches, eyes closed and already heaving deeply. Finally closing your eyes, you take a deep breath, and let a few tears escape, wrenchingly tearing your insides up when you unwrap your crossed fingers, leaving his embrace. 

“Lee Heeseung I love you...and I’m sorry.” 

IX. His Pretty Girl

“Check the doors!” 

Jolting awake, Heeseung opens his eyes, and he’s almost disoriented for a second before the events start to unravel right in front of him. It takes him a moment to get used to the darkness as he feels the comforting warmth on his body, making him grin softly. Lifting his head up a little, he’s startled to find you not there, resting peacefully draped over him.

Was he dreaming it? Fully sitting up, he jumps at the sound of banging nearby and yelling of men. Hearing a rustle in the dark, he watches the two kids twist in their sleep, obviously uncomfortable at the position that they were placed in as one of them opens their eyes for a second to meet his eyes before they fly close again.  

If you weren’t with the siblings; then where were you? 

“(Y/n)” Heeseung calls out, hopefully expecting your sweet voice to answer him back, but he’s met with nothing of that sort. “(Y/n) Where are you?” Raising to his feet, he feels something flutter to the ground right by his feet, brushing his skin softly. And before he knows it, he feels the oh so gut-twisting feeling of tears gushing over his cheeks for no reason, his heart breaking into two painfully, making him tumble onto the ground. “W–why am I crying?” He gasps to himself, coughing a little as he grasps the familiar material in his hands, fingers shaking when he brings it up towards his face, letting the shimmer of moonlight help him.  

“What the–” He sobs, voice cracking while he nurses the ribbon up to his neck, eyes closed while he rocks himself back and forth. He knew he looked pathetic, but he couldn’t even bring himself to care, not when you weren’t by his side...like you promised. Facing a glass window, the glimmer of light serves as a mirror, providing him the disheveled look that he served, and he quickly notices the bright blood that stains his abdomen, right where you laid your stomach against, the same place you allowed Heeseung your first kiss, pronouncing your love for him, leading him to claim himself as the happiest man in this world.

“What even happened?” He rasps to himself, teeth biting into his lip, enough to let it bleed into his mouth. Eyes dancing closed, he replays the events beforehand once more, stopping it at a certain scene, when you stabs that man, ultimately saving Heeseung’s life.  But that’s not the only thing that happened, was it? 

“If I ever die, then I don’t want you guys to see it.” Hands stroking hair, you hold a sleeping Soo-Yeong in your hands, while you talk with Heeseung about whatever came to mind. “And why is that?” Heeseung asks, confused at where you pulled your words from. “Because I wouldn’t want you guys to see me dead; I just feel like that would hurt...a lot”

Staring into his eyes, you let a smile take over your place before looking ahead once more, watching the sun slowly descend. Heeseung hums at your words, “Then me too!” Looking right back at him, you snicker at his unusual amusement. “Sure...how about this; let’s make sure not to ever die in front of each other in the future” You chuckle, taking his hand along with yours and he nods at your words, internally promising each other of your weird fate.  

Shit.  

“H–heeseung?” A small voice softly says, ripping him away from the replaying segment, and his pitiful state is joined with a pair of eyes that peer down at his tear-stricken face curiously. “Are you alright?” His mouth opening agape like a strangling fish he doesn’t even know what to say. Everything was going so so fast, and his head was starting to spin. You promised him.

So, where the fuck were you now? “Soo-Yeong” Heeseung mutters, knees pulled to his chest, tightly clutching the sacred ribbon in his fingers. He vividly remembers why he gave it to you. You were so stunning that night, so beautiful that he felt weak in the knees, portraying an angel descending on earth the first time you made eye contact with him.

Hair flowing freely in the quiet wind, you eyed a bright purple ribbon after your first one was ruined by Kim Minjeong and her annoying friends; and though Heeseung was eight at the time and didn’t have any money to buy you it, he resorted to another route. His small hands swiftly tugged it out of its placeholder, and he came straight back to you (not before threatening the girls and making them cry relentlessly), tying it into your hair while you both giggled, gentle smiles complimenting you two that night, something he found that you looked the best in.  

And that was the first night that he knew that he was in love with you. And maybe he should’ve made it more obvious, maybe you guys would’ve been married by now, but he was terrified that you deserved better, so much better than him. But what was he thinking, when he knew that no one could ever treat him better than him. You were his pretty girl. 

“Heeseung where’s (Y/n)?” The little girl quivers, eyes darting around the place, obviously looking for your presence, body shaking in fear. “Heeseung?” She cries, waking up her brother in the process. “I’m not sure sweetheart, she–” Gulping down loud sobs, he quickly faces away from the two smaller kids, hands wiping away the tears that he left streaks down his cheeks.

He knew that you weren’t anywhere nearby, left for the sake of him and the two kids because they possibly see you dead right in front of them. Jamming his fingers into the chair, he relishes in the newfound pain, before the loud thuds on the door distract him for a second. Yeong-Soo and Soo-Yeong, now wide awake, run into his outstretched arms that wrap around them.  

Eyes moving down to the purple ribbon in his arms, a memory of his girl, the only woman he’s ever loved in his life, he wraps it around his left ring finger, before the door bursts open, revealing a set of soldiers.  

Quick History:

Mongolian Invasions of Korea: The Mongolian Invasions of Korea were a series of attacks against the Korean Goryeo Dynasty throughout 1231-1270 with a collection of 9 invasions. Though many cities at that time did not match up with present-day cities in Korea, Jinju was known to have a large and strong fortress though been claimed that it had fallen under the rule of the Mongolians such as other nameless cities and villages. Since these invasions are not commonly talked about due to the lack of sources; there could be historically fictitious/exaggerated claims about the Mongolians which is still debatable up to this day.  

#enhypen x reader #enhypen #k-labels #Heeseung x reader #Heeseung #Lee Heeseung #enhypen fluff #enhypen crack #enhypen angst #major character death #Blood #kpop ff #kpop x reader #kpop #kpop fanfic #enhypen x you #tw cursing #20.9k words whattt #please like and reblog #long reads #Through the Decades of 7

[super-unpredictable98]

Leaving Marks | The Umbrella Academy AU

Pairing: Klaus x Vicky (OC - The Eighth Child’ Verse)

Word Count: 2,2 k

Warning: Strong language, angst, pregnancy talk

a/n: So after I saw the translation for Klaus' temple tattoo I knew I had to write this. I hope you all feel as much as I felt when I was writing it

(Masterlist)

Life was weird, it was hard to adjust after everything that happened. After a lifetime of thinking they knew who they were, all the former Umbrella kids were tossed into the world without an identity, without powers.

After a quick checkup with the doctor, it was confirmed that Victoria and Klaus were expecting a baby (who they believed was a girl based on their father's extraterrestrial prediction).

The pregnancy was going well and they didn't seem to have much to worry about except, of course, a quick trip to the courthouse to make their wedding official and start planning their honeymoon to Rio de Janeiro as soon as they had the money.

"Shit! I'm all bruised again..." Vicky groaned, sitting on the couch and taking a look at her legs. "Not being indestructible sucks! Do people always get hurt this much?"

"Not really, you just never had to worry about it before so you walk around bumping into everything," Klaus laughed, taking her leg to kiss the bruises.

"Everything fucking hurts, how are people just living their lives? Literally everything I do hurts!" She huffed. "I take something out of the oven, I fall, I scratch myself somewhere, I hold a paper the wrong way, I'm not careful enough shaving... your bodies are so fragile! I hate it!"

"Well, most people deal with this since they were born, we don't really think about it."

Klaus was amused by her frustration, only because it was adorable to watch her figure out what was safe and what wasn't with her new vulnerable flesh. For once he was useful, he could help her avoid injuries or make her feel better when she got hurt.

"Speaking of hurt, did you... did you wanna get your tattoos back?" Victoria asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Oh, I haven't really thought about it," Klaus teased. "I might just want to keep my body clean."

"Nooooo I miss them..." she whined. "It's only five of them!"

"Six actually, I had the umbrella on my wrist, the tiger, the skull, the palm tattoos, and Dave's temple."

Victoria sat up with the most confused look on her face. What did he just say?

"Did I hear it right? Dave's temple? What do you mean?"

"It's Thai I think, I got it done when I was with him."

"And what does it say?" She asked, suddenly very queasy.

"Um... it says Klaus loves Dave," he admitted, thinking it would be better she heard from him than googling it later and finding out he lied.

Victoria stared at him agape, seething with anger that raised up her chest. Her husband immediately noticed and winced, scared of her reaction.

"What the FUCK DID YOU DO?" Her voice was raised along the sentence until she was screaming. "KLAUS, HOW COULD YOU? AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?"

"To be very honest, I don't even remember getting this tattoo at all, I don't remember if I asked for the writing or if Dave did... I was so drunk," Klaus chuckled, not really understanding the severity of the can or worms he just opened. He thought laughing it off would make it better, as it usually does.

Victoria felt as if her heart was ripped out of her chest. She was there too, she was in Vietnam for 10 months stripping to have a roof over her head and he didn't seem to miss her enough to want anything to remember her by.

It felt like a betrayal not only because he had an ex's name on his body, but also because this ex had treated Klaus like shit the last time they met and that was something she could never forgive.

"And in all this time you couldn't have made a tattoo for me? Guess you don't love me that much after all," she murmured.

"We're married, we have a baby on the way! I've been pining after you since we were little kids. How can I not love you?" Klaus clutched his chest, feeling quite hurt by her doubt, but knowing her pregnancy hormones certainly played a big role in how this discussion was progressing.

"Right? I thought you did too, crazy how wrong we can be sometimes..."

"I never got a tattoo of your name because you always told me you thought it was lame! I wanted to when we moved out, remember?"

It was true, he asked her what she'd think of him tattooing her name on his forearm along with his in a heart like a carving on a tree two lovers would do as children.

She refused and said that was incredibly tacky, he disagreed, but never brought it up again.

"That doesn't mean you can just go and get someone else's name!" She screamed, leaving him behind while caressing her stomach.

"Liebchen, falls ich wissen sollte was Liebe bedeutet, liegt es an dir*," Klaus followed as he whispered in her ear. "Ich will für immer bei dir sein**."

"Stop it!" Vicky whined. "I don't wanna be charmed right now!"

"Do you want me to get a tattoo for you?" He finally asked, maybe she would finally agree to the carved heart idea.

"No! Nothing you can get will ever top this massive temple on your stomach! It's huge and you've done it first. I can't believe I had sex with you looking at that!"

"I will close my back with your face if that makes you happy, I'll get your name in bold letters on my forehead, I'll get a 'property of Victoria Maria Hargreeves' on my ass! Just please tell me how to make you happy? I wanna fix this."

"Well too bad, you can't make me happy, Klaus!"

That was a first, not once had Vicky been so unforgiving. He was somewhat used to getting away with everything when it came to her, she would make excuses even for his stupidest behaviors.

It was a punch in the gut to hear that, especially being so full of trauma as he was. She had left him once back when they were younger, what would stop her from taking a job in another country and taking their child away? Maybe she was done with him and he would once again lose someone he loved more than himself.

That idea brought tears to his eyes and an almost unbearable pain to his chest. He wanted to drink, he wanted to smoke, he wanted to get his hands on any sort of drug he could find and get high enough to forget everything, but he couldn't. He was a father now.

"I did love Dave, but you know there wasn't a single moment I didn't think of you back then," Klaus dropped to his knees in front of her. "Yeah, he made me see I could be brave and strong. You were always brave for me and much stronger, you were my shield and he showed me I could stand on my own and maybe even protect you someday."

"That man punched you in the face, he came by just to tell you off! How can you see someone like that as anything more than a bigot?" Victoria cried, turning away, not wanting to face him.

"Not everyone has the privilege of knowing who they are and being able to express it like me," he shrugged. "I'm not angry at him as much as I'm angry at the world that made him feel like that's how he should treat me."

"I'm mad at him, it was his fist on your face, not anyone else's."

Klaus nodded, she had all the right to feel this way. He understood and wanted to say that, but he was terrified of saying the wrong thing and prompting her to leave again. He couldn't stand losing her a fifth time.

"Victoria, I'm sorry," he took her hand and kissed it repeatedly. "I know I hurt your feelings and I don't deserve it. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, you're probably the reason why I'm even alive. I'd never be able to take all the abuse without you there. I'm s-sorry," he sobbed.

Vicky couldn't help how misty-eyed she got as well, the first memory she had of him came into her mind.

They were probably around three or four, they were playing with paper dolls they drew themselves while Grace watched from her charging station.

"I wanna marry a big strong man and have two babies, a boy and a girl," she said.

"I'll be a big strong man!" Klaus pouted, his lip quivering with jealousy at the idea she might be imagining someone else.

"What? Who do you wanna marry?" She asked.

Klaus took their dolls and made them kiss, imitating the noise with his mouth. "I wanna marry a Vicky!"

Pulled back to the present, Victoria looked down at the pitiful look on her husband's face and pulled him into her arms.

He sighed, crying even harder and placing his hand on her stomach. "Do you forgive me?" He asked.

"When have I ever been able to stay angry at you? It hurts so bad that you didn't do anything for me, but-"

"If I knew for a second that's what you wanted, I would have! I swear!"

She looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "If you wanna get the temple again with the rest of your tattoos, that's okay."

"No, I won't do that," Klaus shook his head, the idea of hurting her again was too painful. "The past is in the past. I'm forever grateful for him and what he did for me, but you and Fortune are my future."

That night Klaus went out to get dinner, hoping some junk food would cheer Vicky up. On the way, he stopped by a beautiful garden in the park and sat down.

He carefully took off Dave's dog tags and held them close to his heart once more. He then dug a hole among the flowers with his fingers and placed the necklace there, covering it as best as he could.

"I think this is a nice spot for you to rest," Klaus smiled to himself. "Thank you, Dave, for everything. I'm sorry I couldn't save you, but you saved me."

——————————————————

That week Klaus tried to be extra loving, he did everything to show Vicky she meant the world to him and he loved her with all his heart and soul. He cooked (badly, but still), cleaned, took every chance to compliment her, kiss her, cuddle her...

When his tattoo appointment finally came, he had already decided he wanted to make a nice surprise for his wife. Or two.

So on the first day, he got the tiger on his back, the Sky Soldiers skull on his arm, the hello and goodbye on his palms, and even the umbrella on his wrist (something he really wanted, as to never forget where he came from and the pain he endured).

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and Vicky thought that was it. Only a couple of weeks after, Klaus went back for his second appointment while his wife worked on her new business. She had been very busy with everything regarding the bakery she was planning to open, something she wanted since she was 12.

"Hey, Liebling! How are we doing today?" He came back a few hours later with the biggest smile on his face.

"Great, can you try this?" She offered him a cinnamon roll from the tray she had just pulled out of the oven.

"It'll be my pleasure," Klaus took a large bite and moaned, rolling his eyes. "Oh, my God! This is so good, you haven't lost your touch."

"Thank you, but you're not just saying that? It needs to be good enough to sell," Victoria asked hesitantly.

"I promise you, it's perfect. I'd buy a dozen right now," he insisted, taking another bite. "It's really buttery, the perfect amount of cinnamon, so soft.."

"Aww I'm glad! You can eat as many as you want, just save some space for dinner," she winked at him as she washed her hands. " What would you like, by the way?"

"Oh well, anything that isn't too greasy, also no pork for me," Klaus smirked. "Not until I heal."

"Heal? What did you do?" She asked.

He simply unbuttoned his flowy blouse and exposed his back where he had now a tarot card.

"The Wheel of Fortune," Vicky murmured with a soft chuckle. "That is so sweet! I bet she'll love it and I do too."

"Oh but that's not all," he pulled the sleeve to expose his forearm.

Klaus had a pretty big tattoo of a rectangular window, the window from their first flat which went from floor to ceiling. He also had the skyline that was visible from their living room and in front of it, his silhouette dancing with Victoria's just like they used to do when they were kids.

"Klausie! This is... this is so beautiful," Vicky choked on her words, overwhelmed with emotion. "I can't believe you did that!"

"Why not? I love you," he giggled. "See? They are dancing together forever, they'll never ever be apart, just like I wish we never had."

Without another word, she jumped into his arms capturing his lips passionately. That was so much better than anything she could've come up with, it was the most romantic thing he had ever done. Declaring his love and saying so much without even needing words.

"So I take it you liked it?" Klaus grinned, wrapping his arms around her.

"I love it... You're a big strong man, Klausie. You're my dream come true."

Tag List: @elliethesuperfruitlover @seanfalco @salvador-daley @firstpersonnarrator

*I only know what love is because of you

** I want to be with you forever

#umbrella academy fanfic #umbrella academy imagine #umbrella academy klaus #the umbrella academy #fanfic #klaus hargreeves x oc #klaus hargreeves #tua fanfic #tua imagine #tua klaus #tua #the eighth child #drabble

[camilletea]

Atsushi Time Travel

Ever since I watched Dazai's backstory with Oda years ago, an AU of the children being alive keeps on repeating in my head on loop whenever I think of Oda.

Like; I imagine Dazai telling Oda's story to Atsushi (or he might not) in the years they've been comrades, then Atsushi just ended up one day in the past, in the body of a 10-year-old, and it was Oda who found him.

Now, he doesn't know this guy- but his presence was familiar and safe, and Atsushi doesn't know exactly how he ended up here.

When he spent time with the kids and got to know Oda, it dawned on Atsushi on what timeline he's in; the days where Dazai-san was still in the Port Mafia.

But that wasn't the problem- it was Oda's death that led to Dazai quitting the Mafia, but now that Atsushi truly got to know Oda (not just from stories) and the innocent kids that mever got to grow up, Atsushi resolved himself to save them.

Because in Dazai's eyes, it was Oda who showed a light in the world. And Atsushi knows it will still be Oda who can get Dazai out of the Mafia.

So, Atsushi basically thwarted the plans of the guy who wanted to double suicide with Oda (forgot his name and his group cuz it's been years since I watched it) by literally transforming into his weretiger form and protected the kids until Oda and Dazai arrived.

Not without sustaining injuries though. Like, bullet and stab wounds - maybe burns even.

Okay, so Oda is fearing for the children's safety, and it worsens when they found the caretaker (the man that looked after the kids when Oda was away) carrying tons - and I mean, tons - of first aid kit.

When they got upstairs, some of the kids swarmes Oda, crying about helping Atsushi.

"He's still bleeding."

"He protected us from the bad guys."

To Oda's eyes, Atsushi's still a kid, ok? So he panicked when he didn't see him, but the kids led him to a were tiger twice the size of the kids (who were tending to the injuries the best they could).

Dazai attempted to touch Atsushi to revert him back to human form, and the next thing he knew is that he was tackled by the two older kids.

"Don't touch!"

Of course, Dazai assured them that he's not gonna hurt the weretiger, just to bring him back to human form - it had the reverse effect.

"No!"

"He won't heal fast like that!"

The caretaker explained to Oda and Dazai what he could as a witness to the... somewhat massacre; how as a weretiger, the wounds would heal at a faster rate than a human's - even regenerating a severed limb.

And the rest is history because that's where the scenario my brain came up with ended.

#bsd #bungo stray dogs #nakajima atsushi #dazai osamu #bsd odasaku #odasaku sakunosuke #time travel #au #time travel au #i just want the children to live and grow up

[weirdandnerdyinlasvegas]

Dream House

Summary: Sometimes it is the smallest thing that matters.

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Reader

Word Count: 700 (keepin' it short and sweet)

No physical description of reader. Reader is a teacher. Classroom chaos mentioned in passing. Lots of fluff. This is my second attempt at any sort of fic. I'm just proud I finished something. Go me!

The sky had held the promise of snow most of the day. The clouds were gray and thick, covering the entire sky. A wet, cold chill swirled around your legs, and you rushed to the truck to go home. Frankie had insisted that you take his truck to work that morning, worried that snow might start before you were home. Pulling carefully out of the parking lot at work, you head towards the home you and Frankie shared.

Just before you had been married, Frankie rushed into the too-small kitchen of your too-small apartment out of breath with excitement.

“It’s for sale,” he panted out.

Your eyes widened with disbelief. “Don’t tease, Francisco. It’s been a day. Tanner kept eating the playdough. Madison poured the glue all over the floor, then had a meltdown because there wasn’t any glue to put the snowflakes on her picture. And zero kids were listening during the morning meeting."

“Baby,” he gently cradles your face with both of his hands. “Baby, look at me. I drove past there on the way home from work, and there’s a sign. Out front. For sale. Look, I took a picture.” Frankie fumbled with his phone to show you the picture he had taken of the house. The house. THE house. A Victorian house on a quiet street that you had both fallen in love with on a walk through the neighborhood with Flynn, your Australian Shepherd. It was in need of a renovator's hand and a good landscaper, but the house still had an indescribable charm. It was on that walk that night, standing in front of this house, that you and Frankie started to dream about the future.

“It’s for sale." With shaking hands, you looked at the picture on Frankie’s phone. “I don’t know, Sweets. It's a bit more house than we need right now, and the renovations alone will be crazy." But you took one look at Frankie and knew that none of it mattered. It was your house, your home.

After you had closed on your dream house, it seemed like something new needed to be fixed or replaced every few weeks. That’s why, when you walked into the house to find Frankie leaning over the sink and his tool box on the counter, you assumed something else was going to need to be repaired. “Oh no, love. What broke now? Please tell me it wasn’t the faucet! I swear I installed it just like it showed on YouTube. I read the directions a million times."

Frankie chuckled. “No, no. This time, nothing broke. But I did install this.” He pointed to a thin brass hook sticking out from the wall just to the left of the window sill. Too low to hang a plant from and awkwardly placed on the stove for cooking utensils, you look at him confused.

“Remember when you were making cinnamon rolls and Nacho jumped up on the counter to sun himself in the window and almost knocked your wedding ring into the sink? And you almost had a heart attack?"

You nod your head slowly, remembering the lurching feeling in your stomach when your giant orange tiger cat hopped up onto the counter and then to the sill. Your ring fell into the sink and slowly circled the drain.

“I didn’t almost have a heart attack."

“Well, I almost did when you screamed like that. So I installed this little hook for you to hang your ring so Nacho doesn’t knock it down again. And I won’t have years taken off my life rushing down the not exactly safe stairs trying to make sure you weren’t being murdered in our kitchen."

You look at your husband with absolute adoration in your eyes. “Frankie,” you whispered as you threw your arms around his neck, peppering his face with kisses. “Thank you, baby. This is so thoughtful."

“Anything for you, my love. Oh, and before I forget, the other faucet you installed in the powder room? Leaked and flooded the whole bathroom. We're going to have to replace it... again."

There were a million other renovation projects to be done in the house, but the simple brass hook gleaming in the warm light of the kitchen was by far your favorite addition.

#frankie morales/reader #frankie catfish morales #fic #i finish a thing #frankie morales x reader #writing #this was inspired by a post I saw on Facebook #i'm actually proud of myself

[emeraldties]

Are you Happy? Cour 2 Review:

This is fine. We're fine.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TIGER AND BUNNY COUR 2 BEWARE.

I'm a changed man after all this I'll tell you that. This is gonna be kinda long so... read at your own peril lol

Chronologically, this is a mess but whatever. I need to get this out there before I explode and accidentally spoil this for my friend.

We're starting off positive because we're making a sandwich right now and I really did enjoy this season. It definitely took a turn that I did NOT expect in a million years.

Fire Emblem. I loved their characterization in the Rising and this season in particular. That scene where they are talking to Keith about their suits was *chef's kiss*. How, despite amassing a successful company, when they became a hero they worried about what it took to be a hero. To have people look to you for protection, to feel safe in your company. It lends credence to the eventual conclusion Kotetsu comes to at the end of the season about what being a hero is. I loved every conversation between FireSky.

I want to know the source of Barnaby's new disability. I just wanna know. Phantom pain? Hundred power putting stain on a weakened knee. I MUST KNOW.

Oh, how the tables have turned. It's Kotetsu's turn to bridal carry Bunny.

Mattia... really had me going there was a second. Jesus Christ. I was sweating. Not again. Not again, please.

Blue Rose. I also really enjoyed her characterization this season especially. We meet her in season one as a hot-headed kid who just wanted to be a pop star, and now, we get to see her become an amazing hero. My little girl has grown up brooooo I'm so proud.

She's become so mature and her outlook on life has broadened in a lot of ways, specifically regarding her crush on Kotetsu (which I think we all, as kids, have had crushes on adults. It's up to those adults to not take advantage of those feelings if they do notice... which Kotetsu doesn't, not that he would ever do anything if he did). She let her feelings wash over her, and made healthy friendships with the other heroes to the point where her feelings for Kotetsu became something in the background. She didn't stop liking Kotetsu, she just accepted that it wouldn't happen. And I don't think season 1 Karina would have accepted that conclusion... you know with the whole "how to bag single dads" thing lol.

Golden Ryan? I'll kiss your boots any day

Kid. I love her. She's my child. It's whatever. Adoption papers signed. Shion hairclip is given. Been my kid for 7 years.

Origami and Bison's relationship is just so funny to me. I don't know why. It just is. They're stupid. They're too smart for their own good. They're buddy heroes.

Me and the homies know the real villains of this season were the Mayor and the police. Ouroboros just played their cards right.

Fuck you Mayor whatever and your approval ratings. Your son's a NEXT but I bet he didn't get shoved into a dingy little camp now did he? Segregation? I can't believe I'm saying this, but if Maverick were here this would have never happened. He had that man's balls in a chokehold. Sorry. Rant over.

I love you Doc Saito and your crowded little coffin of a lab.

Bunny, Tiger, and Lunatic teaming up? When I tell you I screamed. I fucking SCREAMED.

Okay. Now for the... NEGATIVES. Sorry. BIG SPOILER MASSIVE SPOILER TIME.

Yuri Petrov deserved better. I don't know what else to say. But also I knew that his arc would either end in death or reformation. I just wish it was the latter. I probably have more to say, but I haven't fully articulated it yet. But I'm sad.

The Nemochild's (I forgot her name) motive was a bit... lackluster. Hotness can't make up for everything I suppose.

I wish we had more work put into her in Cour 1, like Mugan and Fugan and Brahe, then maybe I wouldn't have felt nothing when she died.

Now, this is the Taibani nitpicker within me, so it's not a genuine criticism, more of a wish than anything else. I wish Kotetsu had gotten his hands on Mattia's drug in the middle of the fight and injected himself with it to save Barnaby. I think that would have been more dramatic and it would have made more sense why he lost his powers in the end. Because the drug would have unforeseen consequences, instead of the All Might "I used up all my reserves of power" moment.

Also, I'm gonna need some answers on this segregation thing. Conclusion? Please?

No drinks? No dinner? I've been robbed. And so has Kotetsu.

Not enough Ben. That's the real fatal flaw of this season. 0/10.

I said this was a sandwich so back to the POSITIVES:

I'm really interested in the way Tiger and Bunny depict abusive parents.

I think we see that with Yuri, Barnaby, and Cat. There is a bittersweetness. A soft underbelly to these incredibly strong characters. Despite all that their respective parents have put them through, there is still the ghost of fondness there. A refusal to treat their parents with the same flippancy toward their feelings their parents had all their lives.

Barnaby still keeps a picture of Maverick on his table, he got what he wanted. His parents' killer is dead. But that doesn't change the fact that Maverick had been his only pillar of support for so many years. Even if it was all fake. It's a trophy of a pyrrhic victory that he can't bear to give up or look at.

I was struck by how gently Yuri treated his mother. In season one, there is love there, but also betrayal in both parts. She blames her son for protecting her, and he blames her for not protecting him or herself. He regards her with coldness and resentment.

In this season, he seemed to have lost his fight. He brushes her hair, he doesn't argue, he agrees with whatever she says, he's attentive. In a lot of ways, he's forgiven her in a way she will never forgive him. But he hasn't forgotten. But he's gentle.

His relationship with his father is different. It's tainted. There's guilt. Grief. Sadness. Relief. Resentment. Love. It's a lot. I'm sure my heartbroken Yuri stans can articulate this better than I can.

Cat, she's the only one with an abusive parent who is alive, but she has shown tremendous strength. For the most part, she talks to a brick wall. Her mom doesn't take no for an answer. She pushed her daughter into a job that is made for adults but continuously treats her like an infant. She is a weird amalgamation of a helicopter parent and a negligent one... she's a beauty pageant mom. except with more guns and life-threatening situations.

Cat exerts her autonomy, she branches away from her mother and rebels against the very ideals that she had tried to instill in her. at the end of the day, your child is not a mini you, don't treat them like they are. And Cat's arc wasn't about admitting her mom was wrong for treating her that way, it was about telling her, putting her foot down, and standing up for herself. No take-backs, no backpedaling. Which is sometimes the hardest thing you can do, especially as a kid.

(still, her mom had every right to insist that she come along with her child to a CAMP filled with random people. She's still 13.)

Tiger found out about Mr. Legend. TIGER FOUND OUT ABOUT MR. LEGEND. And got a bit pissy about the fact that Yuri insinuated that he was anything like his father, and honestly, I think that was a really in-character response from both of them. Kotetsu wasn't tactful, and Yuri was accusatory. I really liked that conversation because it wasn't perfect, in a lot of ways they didn't say the "right" thing. And that made it all the more well-written.

THEY WENT ROGUE. BROOOOOOOOOO. AGHHHHH. TOGETHERRRRR. I'm not crying.

Barnaby is. That goes in positives. I just wish they animated Barnaby's tears because we've established that Kotetsu can really discern Barnaby's emotions with his eyes. It isn't a season end without a few blubbery tears and a bridal carry.

WHEW. I'm done. Holy shit. I feel like I haven't scratched the surface of what I think but I guess that's what ao3 is for.

There are a lot of loose ends, and I don't know if they will be tied. Crossing my fingers for a season 3 or a movie because I think they really have introduced a lot of cool concepts that I would like to see explored.

At the end of the day, I've just got a genuine love for all these characters, and I've loved this show since I was 13. Now I'm older, and a little nostalgia addled. And maybe that makes me see things through some rose-tinted cat frame glasses. But I gotta ask you guys;

Are you happy?

#Yuri enjoyers: fuck no #tiger and bunny #barnaby brooks jr #t&b #kotetsu t. kaburagi #tiger and bunny 2 #Tiger and bunny 2 spoilers #t&b2 #lunatic #yuri petrov #nathan seymour #wild tiger #keith goodman #taibani #meta is just another word for daddy issues