#to all the folks on my dash who have been doing this when i brought it up last time around THANK YOU

[the-official-account]

ONCE AGAIN asking y'all to trigger tag your posts mentioning anti black violence is is NOT FUCKING HARD. Appreciate the support, appreciate the awareness, but be fucking aware that black people exist on this platform too and we get TIRED.

TRIGGER TAG YOUR MENTIONS OF ANTI BLACKNESS AND ANTI BLACK VIOLENCE

I am no longer asking nicely! I am going to break your kneecaps! How'd you feel if I filled your dash with posts about the genocide of people like you? Damn.

#JUNETEENTH IS A CELEBRATION YALL CANT BE GOOD ENOUGH TO AT LEASY BE COURTESOUS??? #to all the folks on my dash who have been doing this when i brought it up last time around THANK YOU #i appreciate you #im also fucking tired yall #edil chats #genocide mention

[mytheoristavenue]

MHA Mezo Shoji x Reader - Make Believe - IV

Summary: You ask Shoji to pretend to be your boyfriend for a dinner with your parents.

Warnings: Long, multi-parted, slow burn, fem!reader, fluff, not proof read, angst

Stepping into the apartment made it instantly clear, that this wasn't a birthday dinner, it was a birthday party. Music played from the living room and you could hear laughter and conversation from every corner of the dwelling. In almost every crevice, there was at least a pair, usually more, cutting up and reminiscing on old times. There were cousins here you hadn't seen since early childhood. What was this all for?

Shortly after entering, your mother abandoned you to tend to whatever was in the kitchen, leaving you and the tallest person in the house to fend for yourselves. "Let's go in the dining room," you said, grabbing hold of Shoji's hand and pulling him along.

He silently nodded, feeling eyes on him from everywhere. He did truly stand out amongst your family, who mostly had emitter-type quirks if he had to guess. He could always count how many mutations he saw in any given space- something he'd learned from an early age. It was a tactic of knowing who to risk interacting with and who to avoid. He found that mutated people would find him...less unnerving.

Currently, he'd counted two people with mutations, but they looked nothing like you or your mother, so he had to guess that were were related by marriage. One was a young woman with a round head and abnormally large ears. The other was a small boy with a slender, rat-like vestigial tail- both cases of small, some might even say charming changes to a regular person's anatomy. This made Shoji feel even more freakish as he ducked into he dining room, seeing a large percentage of your family staring back at him.

The feeling, however, was lessened by the cheering that came with you entering with him; long-forgotten aunts, uncles, and cousins excited to see your face after such a long time of low contact.

"Well if it isn't our very own hero in training!" one man chirped, raising a glass. "Glad you were able to make it out to see us, don't go forgetting about us little folks when you hit the big leagues!"

"(Y/N)!" A little girl came running up to you, tugging on your pants. "Do you get to fight bad guys?!" You laughed sheepishly, explaining in the best way you could to fit a toddler's understanding what your training actually entailed.

Shoji couldn't help but feel warm watching you interact with your family. It was clear that they were all so proud of you and overjoyed to see you. To his dismay, however, the distraction of your presence from his didn't last long.

"So, kiddo, whose this uh..." the man spoke up again, raising his glass and tipping it towards your guest. "guy you brought with you?"

Your cheeks flushed as you quickly clung to Shoji's arm with a nervous smile. "Oh, how could I forget? Everyone, this is Shoji, my boyfriend!" It wasn't lost on said 'boyfriend' how your tone had changed this time around. It almost felt genuine. Almost.

"Boyfriend?" The man, one of your uncles sneered. "You're too little to be having a boyfriend, besides, you don't want anybody distracting you from going pro!"

You laughed in response, failing to sense Shoji's discomfort. "Uncle, it's not like that! Besides, Shoji's training to be a hero too! We want each other to succeed first and foremost."

"That's enough, son." An elderly voice called from the end of the table. Glancing over, your heart swelled with joy.

"Grandma!" you cheered, dashing over to sit beside her, engulfing her in a tight hug. "I miss you so much!"

"I missed you too, dear," she replied with a kind smile, patting your back. When you pulled away,. she reached forward, placing her hand on top of Shoji's.

"Now don't you pay my son any mind, young man." She reassured, eyes darting over to the said man. "He's had a few too many." It was at this point your 'beaux' realized the empty glass your uncle had been holding had tan foam collected at the bottom. It was beer. "You know, son, you outta be a lot nicer to this boy, he saved little (Y/N)'s life you know?"

Shoji wasn't sure what he'd expected your grandmother to say, but that sure wasn't it. He saved your life? When? "G-Grandma-!" you stammered, cheeks burning. "You don't have to bore them with the details!"

"Oh, no, dear, I do!" She insisted. "Don't you all remember when (Y/N) got her license to become a hero? That test she had to take?" There as collection of hums and variations of 'yes' from the crowd. "Well, that day, she called me up and she said 'Grandma! You'll never guess! During the exam, I was stuck in this trap and that handsome guy I told you about rescued me!'"

You definitely didn't tell the story like that, you cringed. She made it sound so mushy, it was like that at all!

"I don't remember that," Shoji, glanced down at you with a curious smile.

"I don't either," you grumbled. "I didn't say it like that."

"No need to be so grumpy, dear." your grandmother said, placing a hand on your shoulder. "It's alright, I think it's a romantic story."

You couldn't take this suffocation much more, feeling more humiliated by the second. Suddenly, you stood up, needing an out. "I-I think I hear Mom calling me from the kitchen, better go see what she needs!"

Before Shoji could stand to follow you, you'd disappeared. He blinked at your grandmother, confused, who beckoned him closer and he stole the seat you'd sat in and leaned closer to her. "That girl is just head over heels for you, know it?" She smiled kindly. Part of him wanted to ask if she was sure, not feeling like it was possible, but the other part of him knew that was the wrong choice. "I haven't told her yet, but my sickness has gotten worse," she confessed, looking past him, following the path you'd taken. "I won't have another birthday party, this is my last one. We wanted to make it special."

"W-With all due respect, ma'am," Shoji swallowed hard, shifting nervously in his seat. "Why are you telling me this instead of her?"

"I just wanted you to know you have my blessing." The old woman smiled, brighter than she had before, cradling one of his hands in her withered ones. "I'm content knowing my little girl is in good hands." She laughed. "And she can be a handful, but from the looks of it, I'd say youve got enough hands for the job."

Suddenly, this all felt heinous. How could he lie to this woman after she confessed to being on her last bit of time on Earth? He had to come clean. "M-Ma'am, there's something you don't know..."

"You aren't actually together, I know." she finished his thought for him.

"How did you...?"

"Some call it telepathy, I call it an old woman's intuition." She chuckled heartily. "But I'm not worried, I can see you care very deeply for my granddaughter, don't you, Mezo?"

He froze hearing his first name while knowing for a fact you hadn't introduced his full name when you came in. Obviously, the old woman had a mind-reading quirk. He chose to ignore it in favor of the bigger picture. "I-I..." he stammered, unsure of what the answer truly was.

"Only someone who cares would put themselves in the predicament you're in, am I right?" she rationed with a knowing smile as she sipped a cup of tea.

"I guess that makes sense..." Shoji finally admitted. "I guess I've always liked her a little bit, but I never really thought I had a shot."

"You've got more than a shot, son." She finally said. "You've got a guaranteed bullseye. Now just promise me one thing and I'll let you go."

"What's that?"

A tear slipped down the woman's wrinkled face. "Take care of my baby."

"I will," he lunged forward, enveloping her in a hug. "I promise."

Part I

Part II

Part III

#mha #mha x reader #mezo shoji x reader #shoji x reader #shiji x reader #mezo x reader #mezo shoji x y/n #shoji mezo x y/n #mezo x y/n #shoji x y/n #mha slow burns #mha fluff #mha angst #mha reader insters

[multi-fan-dom-madness]

Title Prompt: I'll drop a few below and you can choose whichever gives you inspiration. And I'll let you choose SFW or NSFW, whichever suits your fancy.

- Intergalactic Tango

- Up All Night, Neon Lights

- 79s: Crash & Dash

Feel free to adjust the title to fit whatever inspiration you get. Have fun! 😘

Up All Night, Neon Lights

Summary: A night out with your friend leads to a daring rooftop fling.

Warnings: 18+ MINORS DNI, Fives x reader, gn!reader so can be read as M/M or M/F, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it folks), marking, creampie, exhibitionism, writer got caught up in the 'neon lights' part of the title prompt my bad, uhh I think that's everything?

Word Count: 2.8k

A/N: I had so much fun with this!! This is my first time writing Fives so I hope I did him justice. Thanks for the prompt, @523rdrebel <3

You have no idea what’s gotten into you tonight.

But you don’t really care. 

Giddy laughter bubbling up in your chest, you stumble as the trooper tugs you along by hand. He throws you a charming smirk over his shoulder. Cold rain pelts down on the two of you as you sprint through puddled Coruscanti streets, plastering your clothing to your body, seeping into your bones. Despite that, and despite the odd looks thrown your way as you push past pedestrians who were sensible and brought raincoats and umbrellas with them, all you want to do is stop and turn your face skyward, catch the rain in your mouth, bathe in the distorted neon reflections. 

Because tonight has been nothing but neon. First the bar that your roommate had dragged you to, the giant LED screen emblazoned with a technicolor 79s, the inside as richly lit with oranges and pinks and whites; then the second bar you hopped to, a small company of clone troopers following like groupies, illuminated by vivid reds and blues; and now, sprinting through this side-street marketplace, aqua and magenta lights dazzle your eyes. You feel just as multicolored on the inside, a riot of sensations and emotions and needs. 

“C’mon, mesh’la,” the trooper says with a deep chuckle. “Let’s get you out of the rain.” 

“But Fiiiiives,” you whine, just the slightest bit tipsy, pouting your bottom lip in a way you hope makes you look cute and not like a mess, “I like the rain.” 

He glances back to you, the neon shining in his dark eyes, black curls slick with rainwater. A devilish grin tugs at his lips—lips you’ve been trying not to stare at all night, trying not to imagine what they feel like against yours, on your skin, between your legs. The look he gives you is inscrutable, a mask of bravado and sex, one that you’re desperate to rip off and see what he’s hiding underneath.

Yeah. You really don’t know what’s gotten into you. 

When your roommate convinced you to go clubbing with her tonight, you’d been a little skeptical. Bars are most decidedly not your scene. But she had come prepared with receipts: the immense amount of stress you’ve been under at work, even in a low-level senators’ office; the messy breakup you survived just a few months ago; and the fact that you promised her a night out. With all the evidence stacked against you, there really hadn’t been any other answer but, “Where are we going?” 

And when you’d arrived at 79s, hours ago now, you’d been a little overwhelmed by the abundance of clone troopers in attendance. Sure, you’ve interacted with a few clones just by virtue of your job. But in those instances, they always had their helmets on, and you most certainly tried to avoid attracting attention in your day-to-day life. The goal, your friend assured you, was to attract as much attention as possible. She’d styled your face and clothing in a way that drew the eye exactly where she—and you, you supposed—wanted people to look.

It had worked. You hadn’t paid for a single drink all night, not that you had many. Multiple troopers took their shot, but really, it was the cocky, self-assured one with a ‘5’ tattoo and goatee that caught your eye. The one whose half-smirk over the rim of his glass promised no-strings fun, if that’s what you wanted. He’d drawn you in with those dark, shining eyes, and now, gazing into them with rain pouring into yours, you swallow against the rush of arousal that surges within you.

The rain subsides; for a moment you think the storm has passed. Looking up, you realize you’ve moved under an awning, the corrugated metal drumming loudly in the downpour. Panting, you squeeze Fives’s hand as you slow to a walk, and finally to a halt, to catch your breath. 

You give him a breathless smile. His teeth flash in the technicolor lights as he smiles in return, pushing his curls off of his forehead. Your heart skips at the sight, like a lovesick teenager. Biting your lip, you shuffle your feet, butterflies beating their wings against your insides.

“Kriff, mesh’la,” Fives chuckles. “You’re dangerous, you know that?” 

Blinking in surprise, you quirk an eyebrow. “Is that so?” 

He nods, sliding an arm around your shoulders. “Fun, charming, attractive. I like that.” 

“Good,” you hum. His body heat is a welcome respite from the clinging cold, and you boldly snake your arm around his waist and pull him closer. “But I think all of those words describe you better.” 

He tips your face up with one gloved finger under your chin. You gasp at how close he is, his face inches from yours—and this close, you think you can see past the cocky mask he wears, glimpse the man beneath, the one who dreams and wants and needs and cries and loves. Gulping, you can’t help the way your eyes flick down to his lips. 

You know he noticed, his mouth pressing into a small smile.

“I know they say opposites attract, but...” He trails off. His dark eyes study your face, tracing every feature, before settling on your mouth. “Well, personally I’ve always preferred someone like me.” 

“And what are you like, Fives?” you breathe, tilting your head, drawing closer to him. 

He grips your chin between thumb and forefinger, nostrils flaring as he takes a breath. “Insatiable.” 

A noise escapes you, somewhere between a moan and a gasp. He leans down, eyes never leaving yours until your noses bump. He holds there, his breath fanning your face—giving you a chance to pull away if you want. 

You don’t. Tightening your grip around his waist, you slot your lips against his, eyes sliding shut with a proper moan. His hand cups your face, holding you against him. You lick his bottom lip and nudge his mouth open. Droplets of water kiss over your skin as you nearly devour one another, tongues meeting hot and wet. Stabilizing yourself on his chest with one hand, your knees quake at the vibrations of his growl against your palm. 

When he breaks the kiss, he pants, resting his forehead against yours, a surprisingly bashful smile gracing his features. “That was...wow.” 

You can’t even form words, simply giggling in agreement. He looks gorgeous like this, a blush high on his cheeks and wet skin shimmering in the light of neon. Your hand wanders from his chest up, up, up into his hair, still soaked and dripping, your nails lightly scratching over his scalp. With a shudder, his eyes screw shut. 

“You wanna get outta here?” 

“And go where?” You swallow, trying to think through the haze his kiss brought on. “I’m not even sure where ‘here’ is.” 

He chuckles. “Well, the barracks are too far, and I’d bet my entire pension that your friend has one of my brothers back at your apartment.”

“I thought clones don’t get pensions?” 

There’s that smirk again, the one that makes you feel like only you and him are privy to an inside joke. “Exactly.” 

You snort in what you’re sure is a very unattractive manner, but Fives’s smirk broadens to a genuine smile. His thumb rubs circles on your back. 

“My question still stands, then,” you say. 

He hums, the sound rumbling pleasantly under your palm, sending tingles up your arm. “I have an idea. Can I show you something?” 

The way he asks it, like he’s asking permission for something beyond kissing you again or even fucking you, makes your stomach flip. “Of course.”

That roguish glint in his eyes once again, he removes himself from your embrace and, taking your hand, steps back into the rain. You gasp at the shock, the water feeling even colder against your heated skin. You follow him wordlessly as he wends his way around midnight market-goers, tramps through puddles, and finally pushes open a creaky door at the base of a skyscraper. 

“We can take the lift,” he says, “but we have to climb a few floors first.”

So, a few flights of stairs later, you stand winded in a lift, soft music chiming from hidden speakers. As soon as the doors slide shut, you lock eyes with Fives, fluttering your eyelashes at him. 

“Are you gonna kiss me or what, trooper?” you ask, voice pitched low. 

He closes the distance in two long strides. Back pressed flush to the lift wall, you gasp as he braces one arm above your head, his other hand hiking your leg up over his hip. “Thought you’d never ask.” 

His mouth is on yours before you can even think of a response, wiping all thought from your mind. You grind your heated core against him. When he licks into your mouth, you whimper, core throbbing with desire. Your hands can’t find a spot to rest, gripping his biceps, squeezing his ass, tugging his hair, cupping his half-hard dick. He bucks against your hand, groaning into your mouth. 

Neither of you break apart when the lift dings and the doors slide open. Only the sound of someone clearing their throat, obviously annoyed, jolts you out of the lustful daze you’ve sunk into. Face growing hot, you lower your leg back to the ground and keep your eyes down as the other person steps into the lift. Fives shoots you a smug wink; you cough to cover the giggles that rise up and try to escape.

The rest of the ride to the top floor is silent and awkward, but Fives’s finger tracing mindless patterns on the back of your hand makes it hard to care. As soon as the doors open again, you’re pulling him out of the lift and into the hallway. 

You’re both laughing before the lift even closes again. Doubled over, buzzing with embarrassment and desire, you slump against the nearby wall until the fit passes. Fives wipes tears from his eyes. 

“Did you see their face?” he asks.

“No,” you groan, burying your own into your hands. “I only saw their shoes.” 

He guffaws. “I get the feeling this isn’t the first time they’ve witnessed, ah, certain activities in their building.” 

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” you say. “But enough about them. What is it you wanted to show me?”

Eyes twinkling with mischief, Fives gestures down the hall to the door labeled ‘ROOF ACCESS.’ With a grin, you dart to the door and shove it open. You take the stairs two at a time and emerge, breathless, to a rain-slicked rooftop.

You move to the edge without thinking. Leaning your forearms on the permacrete wall that lines the edge, you crane your head over to look down. The vertical drop to the streets below makes your head swim, but you find you like the sensation, falling without moving. The rain has begun to lighten up, coming in a drizzle now. From this height, the glow of neon lights melds into a smooth gradient, like someone took a giant brush and blended the colors together. Lights flash and strobe and glitter as far as you can see, stretching to the horizon. 

Fives wraps his arms around you from behind. His warmth is welcome, and you lean back against him. 

“It’s gorgeous up here,” you say. “Thank you.” 

He hums. “Not as gorgeous as you, mesh’la.” 

You laugh, squeezing his hands where they rest over your waist. “Please. Look at all that.” 

“I am,” he says. “I see it. And I see you.” 

Breath hitching, you turn around in his grasp until your back presses against the low wall. Peering up into his dark eyes, you catch another glimpse of the softness he’s hiding, and it makes you melt. You caress his face, relishing in the way he leans into your touch, his eyes shut, brow smooth and unworried. 

“Fuck me,” you say, bolder than you expected of yourself. 

His eyes fly open. “Here?”

“Why not?” 

His chest heaves with sudden excitement, and against your thigh, his cock stiffens again. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.” 

He helps you shuck your clothing until you’re both completely naked under the clouds. The distant lights glisten on his damp skin. You rest your palm over the handprint tattoo on his pec, and he shudders. His eyes rake over your body, drinking you in, as you do the same to him. Water collecting in droplets on his skin, you trail your eyes over his toned abs, powerful thighs, veiny forearms, and heavy cock. You lick your lips in anticipation. 

His hand is scorching against your skin where he thumbs over your hip, pulling you closer. Bodies slotting together like two halves of a whole, you sigh in contentment. Slinging your arms loosely around his neck, you press your chest to his, your stiff nipples sensitive where they graze his skin. 

“Fives,” you plead. You don’t even know what you need, but you need him, need him to do something, give you his cock, give you his kisses.

“I’ve got you.” With a half smirk, he caresses your aching core, fingers nimble and firm against you. 

You keen brokenly, emboldened by your distance from the ground, letting your pleasure take control. Fives drops his head against your shoulder, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses to your neck, as he works you up to the edge of bliss. Blindly, you reach for his hard length. You are rewarded with a deep groan as your fingers find purchase, wrapping around his velvety skin and pumping him slowly. 

“Fuck, mesh’la,” he whimpers. “Gonna make you feel so good.” 

“Yes,” you gasp. “Please, Fives, please.”

He bites down at the juncture between your neck and shoulder, sucking a mark into your skin as you writhe against him. Pleasure cresting within you, a thin wire pulling taut and molten in your belly, you moan to the sky. 

“Gonna- please, Fives—” 

His hand withdraws and he chuckles as you whimper at the loss. “Not yet,” he croons. “Need you to cum on my cock.” 

“Fuck, yes.” You hitch your leg around his waist again, presenting your neglected entrance for him. He prods against you, his tip flushed and leaking. Desperate, you spit into your free hand and coat his length with it, eyes locked on his. 

“Just like this,” he murmurs, and then he’s pushing into you, splitting you open at the seams and sewing you back together. Your head falls back, nails digging against his back. Your body tenses at the intrusion, but you love it, love the burn of the stretch, love the way that he fills you so completely, love the way his hand feels plays at your core as he gently rocks his hips up against your ass. 

“Kriff, mesh’la.” He presses his forehead against your chest, gripping your ass so tight you know you’ll have bruises that match his fingerprints. “So tight, so needy.” 

Shifting in his grasp, careful to not let his cock slip out, you prop yourself on the wall with your elbows, your upper half dangerously close to hanging over the edge. The danger makes your chest heave with excitement; the safety of Fives’s arms makes your core clench with need. His eyes find yours again, and he looks absolutely debauched. 

You tilt your head and catch his bottom lip between your teeth. His groan vibrates into your bones, slowly pulling that wire inside you tighter again. 

“Please fuck me, Fives,” you moan. “Please, need you to fucking ruin me.” 

Hips snapping against yours, he fucks you into oblivion, cock dragging against that shattering shard of heaven deep inside you. You cling to him, blinking away the rain, and scream your pleasure. The harder he fucks into you, the more your vision goes fuzzy, bursts of aqua and magenta and white neon blinding you to everything except Fives. His name becomes a chant, a prayer, tumbling from your lips in reverence. 

“Gonna cum,” you whine.

“Where should I—?” 

“Inside,” you cut him off. “Please. Need to feel your cum in me.” 

He bites you again, the pain blending with the pleasure so intensely that it shoves you over the edge of orgasm. Your entire body locks up as the cord inside you breaks. Molten, white-hot pleasure pulses through you, and you nearly black out, your release coating you both. 

Only Fives’s strong arms around you keep you upright as he ruts into you, chasing his own release. “Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck—” He stills, shuddering, panting into your neck as his cock throbs in your tight heat, warmth blooming from the inside. 

“Yes.” You card your fingers through his hair. “Thank you.”

He chuckles, breathless, his eyes glazed as they meet yours. “I should be thanking you.” 

You grin, kissing him. “I can think of a few ways for you to do that.” 

“At least let me buy you dinner first.” 

You laugh morphs into a whine as he slips out of you, his cum dribbling down your inner thigh. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Taglist: @thorsterstrudle @anxiouspineapple99 @deejadabbles @starrylothcat @blueink-bluesoul @idontgetanysleep @wolffegirlsunite @wings-and-beskar @mandos-mind-trick @moonlightwarriorqueen @sunshinesdaydream @starqueensthings @littlemissmanga if I missed anyone pls lmk!

#fives x reader #arc fives x reader #arc trooper fives x reader #the clone wars reader insert #rhiwrites #up all night neon lights #requested content #rhiplies

[atiny-piratequeen]

𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝔂 𝓗𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓒𝓱. 𝟑 (𝓟𝓽.𝟏)

𓆩⟡𓆪Summary: Wooyoung is a culinary student and he and two of his best friends have been brought along to Namhae to learn and study the farmers out in the countryside and disconnect a bit. Reluctant at first, he just wishes he could've been back in the city and close to his long-time crush Yeosang. Things change when he lays his eyes on the dimpled country boy staying with them that show them around and teach them more about Namhae's way of life, all with a spine-tingling Satoori.

Maybe things aren't so bad out here in the sticks, after all.

𓆩⟡𓆪Pairing: WooSan + Endgame WooSanSang

𓆩⟡𓆪Genres/Aus: Non-Idolverse, Fluff, Romance, Humor, Smut, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Fish Out Of Water Tropes, Au, Mutual Pining, Country Boy San, Culinary Student Wooyoung, Poly Endgame

𓆩⟡𓆪Tws: Swearing, Miscommunications, Jealousy, Mentions of Homophobia, Light Instances of Unwanted Advances (from non mcs)

𓆩⟡𓆪Sws: Wet Dreams, Threesomes, Blowjobs, Handjobs, Risky Sex, Biting, Scenting, Hair Pulling, Praise Kink, Creampie, Cock Sharing, Dirty Talk, Bareback Sex, Riding, Doggystyle, Cum Swallowing

𓆩⟡𓆪Rating: Explicit/Mature (18+)

𓆩⟡𓆪WC: 21k

𓆩⟡𓆪A/n: This is the first of two parts of the final chapter of @schone-lie's commission! Thank you so much my dear and Thank you everyone who has enjoyed this little series. Tumblr did not like that the original document for this was 37k words long. I had to split it up into two parts, but the archive link has the entire chapter all in one. I worked very hard on this, especially given the wait between posting so...If you like it, please make sure to reblog it as well, so that other folks may see my works come across their respective dashes, too. Have a good time zone~

𓆩⟡𓆪AO3| Taglist Form (Please make sure your urls are updated and able to actually be tagged) | Commission Sheet𓆩⟡𓆪

𓆩⟡𓆪Network Ping- @kwritersworld | @kdiarynet | @k-vanity | @cultofdionysusnet𓆩⟡𓆪

𓆩⟡𓆪©atiny-piratequeen. do not repost, translate, or use my works𓆩⟡𓆪

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 (Pt. 2)

“Are you sure you’re okay?” 

Yeosang snapped out of his daze when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back, smiling at Yeji as she quietly observed him. She and the others had returned a few days ago, clearly enjoying their time reunited with their significant others, if the fresh marks on her neck were anything to go by. 

He forced a smile and opened his mouth and she narrowed her gaze suspiciously. He caught the look and lowered his shoulders, rubbing his neck. 

“It hurts like a bitch. But it's alright. That’s just how things are. As long as Woo is still in my life, that’s all I care about.” 

Her eyes softened and she gently rubbed his back, frowning. 

“Do you think…?” He began a sentence and then paused, brows furrowing. Did he want to know the answer? She waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts and his words before he ran a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs back before they fell back into place. 

“Do you think he’s happy?” He questioned quietly, thumbing the book in his hands. She looked at him, her heartbreaking gently as she took in the expression on his face. 

He…really loved Wooyoung. Just, not enough to put their friendship at risk and potentially lose him forever. 

She considered not answering him, but instead, she gently nodded, rubbing his back when she saw him take a shaky breath before exhaling. 

“Good. He deserves it.” He squared his shoulders and picked up the other books on the table before them, turning away from him. Yeji’s eyes followed him as he began to walk down the aisle of the bookstore he part-timed in on days he didn’t have school or his training classes. 

“He comes home in a month. What will you do then?” She inquired. Yeosang gently slid the books back into their places and turned to her, a soft smile stretching across his lips. His eyes didn’t mirror them, but she didn’t call him on it this time. 

“I’ll do what I always do. No matter what, I’m always going to love him and he will always be my best friend as long as he still wants to be. I don’t need to do anything unnecessary to jeopardize that.” His words hung in the air between them before he rolled his neck and found other ways to busy himself. 

Yeji sighed and began helping him out, cracking jokes here and there until she could see him smile. 

 《☆》★《☆》★《☆》★《☆》★《☆》

When San stepped foot into his home that day, he noticed a distinct lack of his favorite (and only) three siblings running up to greet him. He frowned, his shirt splotched in dirt and sweat from the day. It had rained before and he’d taken a fall or two while out in the field. 

That's beside the point, though. 

“Gahyeon? Eric? Jongho?” He called into the home and heard the sound of screaming and the pitter-patter of feet rushing toward him. 

Gahyeon appeared first, her face flushed as she stormed into his space with her hands on her hips. 

“Oppa! Wooyoung can’t leave! He has to stay and marry you!” She huffed. San blinked and looked over her shoulder, finding Wooyoung kneeling, cooing to Eric and Jongho as both toddlers threw tantrums. 

“If you go away, Hyung is gonna get sad!” Eric protested. Jongho sniffled and held out the chunky dragon plushie in his hands. 

“I-I’ll give you Mingi, please don’t go? Hyung doesn’t go to the city, he’s gonna get sad and cry.” His hands shook as Wooyoung gently pet his head, brows pulled up. 

“I’m sorry, Jongho. I have to go home but that’s not for another month. I can’t take Mingi from you.” He gently declined. Jongho’s lip wobbled and he held up his plushie higher.

“Take Mingi. And stay, please.” He tried again. Wooyoung looked distraught until a calloused, yet gentle hand landed on his shoulder, drawing the eyes of the two boys. 

“That’s not nice, boys. You can’t force someone to do something like that.” He gently scolded before meeting Wooyoung’s eyes. 

He looked torn. 

San chuckled, kneeling beside him and kissing his nose until he scrunched it up. 

“Just trust your big brother, it’s going to be okay.” San reassured. Wooyoung blinked at him before something seemed to click in his brain, his lips parting as an excited look sparked in his eyes. 

Gahyeon looked between them before turning to her brothers and smiling. 

“Okay, Oppa said it’s going to be okay and Oppa doesn’t lie. We have to find Mama and Papa and see if they wanna watch Pororo with us!” She pointed proudly down the hall and her brothers perked. Eric bounded down the hall and Jongho trailed slightly behind him before looking back at the men, hugging his stuffed animal close to his chest. 

“I think…I think Hyungs look happy and should stay together…yeah.” He nodded and toddled down the hall, his bare feet slapping against the tile as his bangs bounced with every step. 

Wooyoung watched them go, his shoulders relaxing before he glanced at San. The slightly older man hummed before putting his hands on his knees and pushing himself up to stand. 

“Wanna go on a walk?” He inquired. Wooyoung looked at his hand as he extended and nodded, rising to his feet and following San. 

They walked in silence for a while, though neither of them seemed like they were in a rush to break it. Wooyoung glanced to his left and reached to hold San’s hand, smiling when he felt his fingers lace between his without hesitation. 

By the time they finished walking, San had led him to a railing that overlooked the lower level of the village. Night had begun to fall. San leaned on the railing, the wind sweeping his bangs as Wooyoung stood beside him, staring out at the town. 

“I wanted to clear my head.” 

Wooyoung looked at him out of the corner of his eye. 

“Did the little ones upset you?” 

“Not at all. I knew the night you asked me, I’d happily leave this place behind for you.” 

Wooyoung’s lips parted in shock. San smiled softly, a fond half-lidded look in his eyes. 

“It’s been a while since I’ve been up here.” 

It seemed like a change of the subject, but Wooyoung liked to think he’d gotten very good at reading San’s body language during their time together, so instead of addressing the first part of their interaction, he put his hand at the small of San’s back, gently rubbing. 

Waiting. 

San exhaled after a long beat of silence. 

“When I was rejected at the festival by the boy I had a crush on, he told me to meet him here a few days later. I never skipped school or anything because of it, but he made a point to slip a note in my desk and ask me to meet him here.” San, rolled his shoulders before standing straighter, his eyes staring out but not focused on anything in particular. 

“He told me I was a freak. Asked me why wasn’t I ashamed. A man with another man? What was wrong with me? He told me I didn’t belong here in Namhae.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers tensed along his back and San let out a humorless chuckle. 

"Ever since that day, this hasn’t felt like home. Once I step foot out of Chae-noona and GD-hyung’s home, I’m an alien alone in a foreign planet.” He drummed his fingers against the pole of the railing and then turned to Wooyoung. He slowly pivoted on his heel, turning his back on Namhae and instead facing Wooyoung completely, holding his hands in his own. 

“Then you all came. And I wasn’t looked at weirdly, even after you found out about me.” he continued. Wooyoung didn’t interrupt him, gently rubbing his knuckles as he talked. 

Of course, he wouldn’t treat him differently. None of them would. They understood the hardships well. 

“When you asked me if I’d come to the city with you with that bet, I already knew my answer. Wooyoung,"

San pressed their heads together, staring into his eyes. Wooyoung let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

"I think anywhere you are will feel like home to me. If the offer is still on the table, can I live with you back in the city?"

Wooyoung smiled, kissing San as if he was the only person in the world. San smiled and held him close, unbothered by being out and in the open. 

Wooyoung laughed in disbelief when they pulled away from one another, wiping his eyes of tears he wasn’t aware he’d shed. 

“Of course, the offer is on. Are you sure ? I won’t take any offense if you decide to wait for a bit longer or-”

“Wooyoung. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” 

San put their heads together, gently rubbing Wooyoung’s cheeks and tilting his head. Wooyoung held his gaze and then pulled him in for a hug, pressing a prolonged kiss to his cheek, right on his dimple. 

“You have no idea how giddy I feel right now. I feel like I’m in one of those romance novels or something.” He sniffled. San kissed his head and held him close, tucking him in his arms. 

“I think I have an idea. I feel the same.” He whispered into his hair. He looked down at the village as the streetlights turned on and the sun began to set. His apprehension was gone and the fear he had of the great unknown of the city was replaced with an excitement that shook him to his very core. 

“I think we should celebrate,” San suggested, holding Wooyoung’s hand without a care in the world as they slowly made their way back to the house. Wooyoung nodded with his head on his shoulder, squeezing his hand. 

“How about we make that dish your grandparents used to make? I memorized the recipe and taste when you made it for me.” He offered back. San smiled at him and nodded, unlocking and opening the door. 

Three, small heads peeked around the doorframe of the kitchen and three sets of boba-shaped eyes locked onto the two and the honeymoon-worthy smiles on their faces. 

“Operation: ‘ Get Wooyoungie Oppa to marry Sannie Oppa’ is a success,” Gahyeon whispered. Eric squinted, tilting his head. 

“But they don’t gots the ring like Eomma and Appa do.” He muttered back. Jongho squeezed his dragon plushie and gathered his courage, waddling out of his not-so-subtle hiding place and heading over to the two men as they toed off their shoes. 

“-I’ll mince the garlic and you can start prepping the breadcrumbs-Oh hi Jjongie.” San smiled down at his brother and Jongho looked at the two of them with wide eyes full of wonder. 

“....Hi hyung.” He wanted to say more, but found his voice failing. 

San knew his siblings well, and bent down, picking Jongho up before kissing his cheek. 

“Wooyoung-ah is going to be here in Namhae for a few more weeks, Jjongie. Will you help us pack when its time for us to go back to the city?” He inquired. Jongho looked at him, almost seemed upset for a moment before he blinked. 

“Us? Both of you?” 

San simply smiled, bouncing the toddler on his hip. 

“I don’t wanna make Mingi sad, right?” He grinned. 

Realization crossed Jongho, Eric, and Gahyeon’s faces, and instantly all three children burst into tears. 

Chaerin came running at the sound of her babies crying, stopping short when she found the trio tightly holding onto both San and Wooyoung, bouncing excitedly. 

“Will you let us visit? Can we come over?” Jongho questioned excitedly, talking even though San tried to wipe the tears from his cherub cheeks. 

“Are you gonna get a race car bed? Do they make race car beds for big kids like you hyungs? WAIT! Hyung!!!! Do you have a race car in the city?!” Eric gasped, pointing at Wooyoung and catching the Oreo-haired man off guard. 

Gahyeon twirled and bounced around them, her ponytail swinging as she hummed the infamous fanfare for marriage ceremonies. 

“Oppa’s gonna get married~ Oppa’s marrying Oppa~ Oppa’s marrying Oppa, and I’m gonna bring flow-ers!” She sung to the beat. Cherin’s shoulders relaxed as she looked over at the men, finding San and Wooyoung smiling from ear to ear as they humored the energetic children. 

“I guess their night walk went well.” her husband’s voice came from behind her as Jiyong placed a hand at the small of her back. She crossed her arms and watched them a bit longer. 

“I guess it did. It’s about time he got the hell out of Namhae.” She nodded in approval, looking over to Wooyoung. 

“I just hope wherever he goes, he’s happy. He won’t be too far from us, anyway. C’mon, my little rascals. You need to tell us what you three want to be for Halloween so we can start buying the fabric.” She turned and pulled him away, letting the new couple entertain the excited children.

After dinner and washing up, San and Wooyoung found themselves curled up on the couch in the living room. Jongho, Eric, and Gahyeon slept soundly sprawled out in their laps while Changbin watched the screen with rapt attention. Yeonjun played a game on his phone, the screen illuminating his face as his half lidded gaze looked it from top to bottom. 

San looked at Wooyoung out of the corner of his vision, his gaze softening as he took in the city man’s kind gaze. He ran his hand through Gahyeon’s hair, adjusted Eric’s arm so he wouldn’t hurt it with his position, and pressed Jongho’s dragon plushie into his arms before he settled himself. 

In the calmness of the living room, San felt a smile come to his face. 

He’d known he’d made the right decision.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

August 30th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Okay, do you have all of your things? We can go back and check the house and-”

“Noona-”

“What about your new bank card? Do you have your new bank card? Ji, did you give him his card? He can’t buy anything without-”

“Noona-”

“Oh wait, hold on, I have a basket with some goodies coming, let me just double-check the address-” 

“Mom!”

Chaerin paused in her fretting, looking at her eldest ‘son’ as he stood before her, his bookbag tossed over his shoulder and a teary smile on his face. She bit her lip and stood straight, collecting herself as she met San’s gaze. 

“I’m going to be okay, Noo-mom. Mom . We don’t live too far from here. If I need anything or missed anything, I’ll call. Besides, it’s not like I'm going anywhere drastically different. I’m going to help out in the restaurant with Kibum hyung.” 

Chaerin cupped his face and smiled softly. 

“You know, that’s the first time you haven't corrected yourself when you’ve called me Mom. Not Noona, not Miss Chae. Mom.”

San blushed and kissed her cheek, patting her hands. 

“You’ve been nothing less than that since you took me in. It’s long overdue.” He whispered as she fixed his magenta bangs. 

“Go on. You still have a lot of unpacking to do.” She shooed him off, hugging herself as he waved and jogged back to the car waiting for him on the curb. 

Wooyoung bent down until she could see him, sending her a million-dollar smile as he waved at her. 

“I’ll take care of him, Noona!”

“You better, if you don’t want my foot up your ass, Jung Wooyoung!” 

Wooyoung laughed nervously as San got in the car, taking his hand in his as the Namhae native waved one last time. Wooyoung pulled off, rubbing San’s knuckles as he drove, unable to wipe the smile off of his face. 

“I called everyone over to help us unpack. Did you want to stop off and get breakfast first?” Wooyoung inquired after twenty minutes of navigating through the city traffic. San looked around the city with eyes filled with wonder. 

“....Maybe some other time. I think it would be nice for me to meet up with everyone and thank them properly for welcoming me….Oh, unless I should get gifts. Hell, I didn’t even think of that-” San began to fret as Wooyoung laughed, turning down a street and watching him out of the corner of his vision. 

“I don’t think that’s usually the order of operations, my love. You can give them thank you gifts after you’re settled in.” He told him. San pursed his lips, leg bouncing. 

“Are you sure? I want to make a good first impression with the lot of them.” He sighed, sitting back and watching the houses as Wooyoung drove past them. 

“What’s not to love about you? Plus, everyone’s heard nice things about you from me and the others already, there’s no need to be worried. You have met most of them already.” Wooyoung cheerily told him. San smiled and rubbed his sweaty palms against his pants. 

Right, he hadn’t done anything to make anyone dislike him. 

He had a nagging, persistent feeling like he had forgotten something, though. 

It was replaced with an overarching sense of anxiety when he noticed Wooyoung pulling into a home where several cars had already been lined up outside of. 

The front door opened before he could even put the car in park and a familiar face appeared in the doorway.

Yeji smiled from ear to ear as she locked eyes with the men.

“You were late, so we helped ourselves inside!” she answered the unasked question and put her hands on her hips, looking over at the two of them with a smile on her face. 

San stepped out first, his hair lightened over the past month to a soft bubble gum pink. 

“Sorry, my mom was fretting and-”

“Oh, don’t apologize. We all know what it’s like to leave the nest the first time. I hope Chaerin-noona is doing well.” Changbin said from the door, stepping out into the warm August sun with the others. 

Wooyoung popped his head out of the car, scanning the group before some sort of realization hit him and his smile slightly faltered. 

“Where’s Yeosang?” He inquired. Soobin and Yeonjun exchanged a look before Yeonjun piped up, crossing his arms. 

“He said things were a bit backed up with the training, so he wouldn’t be able to make it today. Something about there being an influx of new training classes for him to lead and another trainer being on maternity leave.” He told them, shrugging. Yeji sighed quietly, but didn’t say a word. 

San couldn’t see Wooyoung’s face, exactly, but he was certain the news wasn’t very favorable to him given the subtle change in his tone when he replied with a simple; ‘Oh, really? That’s too bad, then.’

Chan came around the side of the car and greeted San with a fist bump as he popped open the trunk to Wooyoung’s car. 

“We’ve already unloaded the desk and the dressers from the moving van that came by earlier. You don’t have very many items, do you?” He questioned, changing the subject and picking up two suitcases in an instant. San barely had the time to offer help before Chan was marching up the driveway. 

“I didn’t wanna take up too much space in Woo’s home. Namhae doesn’t really have a shopping district like this place where you can get all kinds of things and I don’t have like, a huge wardrobe of clothes and such.” San admitted, waiting for Wooyoung to exit the car before the two of them grabbed the last few armfuls of boxes and headed inside. 

“It’s your home too, now. I say the first big paycheck you get from working in the restaurant, we go on a big shopping spree for you.” Wooyoung grinned, the bounce back in his voice and step as he lead the way back inside. San laughed, happy the hiccup in his mood didn’t persist longer than a few moments. 

“I’m not sure about that, but for now let’s just get settled in. I wanna make everyone a big, hearty Namhae dinner as a thank you for helpin us out.” San muttered. The moment he stepped into the home, the scent of cooking food hit him full force. 

“Oh please, did you think we were gonna let you come home on an empty stomach? You can cook some other time. Get settled in, take some time to yourselves and go put your clothes away.” Yeonjun pointed to the stairs and San smiled, taking one of suitcases out of Chan’s arms, while Wooyoung grabbed the other. 

When San first stepped foot into what was to be his and Wooyoung’s new shared room, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 

It was so overwhelmingly Wooyoung that he needed a moment to let it sink in. 

He was here. This was his home. 

Wooyoung rustled about behind him for a few seconds before he felt his arms wrap around his frame, his breath fanning over the back of San’s neck.

He shuddered and leaned against Wooyoung, playing with his hands where they stayed around his waist. 

“You did it.” Wooyoung whispered, his lips making the hair at the nape of San’s neck stand on end. San simply purred in response, squeezing Wooyoung’s hands. 

“We did it. I wouldn’t have made that step without you.” He admitted, turning in Wooyoung’s arms and draping his arms over his neck. Wooyoung smiled, looking up at nothing in particular. 

“I know, I am pretty damn convincing, aren’t I?” He teased. San rolled his eyes and kissed him, bringing the room into a comfortable stillness. 

When they broke from each other, Wooyoung ran his hands lower, lightly squeezing his ass. 

“We could make the room more ours, if you were feeling daring.” He smiled lazily and San felt heat rise to the tips of his ears. 

“Your friends are all downstairs.”

“ Our friends can busy themselves, they do it all the time. Is that a no? Because we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” 

San looked at the door behind him for a moment before looking back at Wooyoung. 

“Nothing that’s too much, I don’t want them knowing.” He cleared his throat and Wooyoung sent him a devilish smile. 

“It’s fine. I can find a way to keep you quiet.” 

Wooyoung was nothing if not a man of his word. 

That’s how San found his head hanging upside down from the edge of the bed, his mouth occupied with Wooyoung’s cock as he slowly rolled his hips. Despite the occasional gag when Wooyoung hit the back of his throat, San was proud of the fact he could take him completely, his arms woven around Wooyoung’s thighs. 

Wooyoung’s hands had been splayed across his own thighs, kneading and massaging as he placed contrasting kitten licks and kisses to San’s cock, smiling at the near-desperate way his boyfriend lifted his hips in anticipation. 

“You gotta be still~” Wooyoung whispered along his heated skin, licking up a pearl of precum that beaded at the head of San’s cock. 

San whined in frustration below him, but swallowed sharply when he felt himself being enveloped with the heat of Wooyoung’s mouth. 

Predictably, his hips kicked up at the sudden change, but Wooyoung pushed down on his thighs, surprisingly stronger than before thanks to his time helping out on the farm. 

San’s eyes fluttered, trying to keep his noises down as Wooyoung bobbed his head, his hands trailing up San’s thighs as he worked his hips, gradually thrusting faster into San’s mouth. 

‘Oh so he can thrust but I can’t?’ San pouted mentally, though his cock throbbed at the treatment, squeezing Wooyoung’s thighs in encouragement. 

Wooyoung smirked around his cock, tilting his head and deepthroating him without a single gag, moaning and purring around San. 

The muffled moan that had brought forward made Wooyoung lift his head, laughing softly as he stroked San’s cock. 

“You gotta keep it down, my love. Who knows who could hear us if you can’t.” He purred. San had half a mind to half-heartedly pinch his thigh at the teasing, but he heard a cap open somewhere between his legs and perked. 

“Remember, Sannie. Keep it down for me.” Wooyoung urged, squiring lube into his hand and licking up the length of San’s cock once more. San’s thighs flexed when he felt Wooyoung swallow him down once more, cool fingers rolling against his rim teasingly. 

San would be lying if he said the action didn’t make his heart rate increase. 

He was the quieter of the two of them, that much was for sure, but the looming possibility of them being found out, even if it was just through the door, made him excited in a way he couldn’t describe. 

San was convinced this city boy currently using his mouth and playing with his ass and cock had corrupted him in more ways than one, but there was honestly no place in the world he’d rather be than right here in this moment. 

The pink haired man gently moved his roughened hands up to Wooyoung’s ass, encouraging him to thrust faster as his legs subtly inched further apart, welcoming his fingers deeper. 

He was met with a purr of approval and Wooyoung curling his fingers ever so slightly inside of him. San swallowed sharply, eyes rolling back as Wooyoung began massaging his prostate with two persistent fingers. 

“M-mmfnn- mmnnn-”

Wooyoung held himself down on San’s cock, letting him buck his hips freely as he alternated his fingers between stretching him and toying with his prostate. He was careful not to put his full weight on San as he felt himself getting closer to his climax. 

The two came only a minute or so apart from one another, and Wooyoung was careful when he pulled away, immediately kneeling to check on San as the man panted, a dazed expression on his face. 

“You alright, baby?” Wooyoung inquired, helping him right himself from the upside-down position. San nodded, drool making a mess of his lips. Wooyoung grinned and placed a messy kiss to his lips before pressing their foreheads together. 

“ Welcome home. ” He purred. San smiled at him, opening his mouth to respond before a voice startled both of them. 

“HEY! YOU TWO BETTER NOT BE FUCKIN WHILE WE’RE HERE! THE FOOD’S DONE, GET YOUR ASSES DOWN HERE!” Yeonjun called up to them from the bottom of the staircase. 

San blushed and haphazardly wiped his messy face with his own shirt while Wooyoung stomped to the door, opening it and calling down to him. 

“NO ONE IS FUCKING, WE SAID WE’RE GONNA PUT SOME STUFF AWAY.”

“IT’S BEEN AN HOUR, ASSHOLE.”

“DON’T RUSH US, JACKASS.”

The two bickered and San laughed behind his hand. 

Yeah, he was certainly in his new home. 

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

    September 1st

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“San moved into the house yesterday, by the way.” Chan brought up casually. The sound of feet running on a belt beside him continued, pounding away. 

“Is that so? That’s good. Glad it went well.”

“Wooyoung was looking for you.” He continued, eyes watching carefully. 

He was met with nothing more than the sound of those feet on the treadmill, running. He sighed softly, watching Yeosang run beside him. 

“Yeji said something about you having more classes?””

“Something like that.” Was the brisk response, followed by the beeping of the treadmill being turned up a few more speeds. 

“We’re all trying to set up a big dinner or something soon.” He carefully brought up. Yeosang kept his gaze fixed on the wall across from them in the gym, bangs bouncing as he ran. It took him much longer than usual to give him a response. 

“I’m really busy. It may be better to go ahead without me for a bit.” 

Ah, so that was what was going on. 

“Yeosang, are you avoiding going anywhere near Wooyoung?”

Yeosang cut him a glance before looking forward again. 

“I just need some time to collect myself. It’s not fair to him or his boyfriend to have me be…like this around them” 

Chan sent him a sympathetic look. It had been over a month but the news of Wooyoung not only finding a boyfriend in Namhae for his studies and then bringing said man home to live with had clearly hurt Yeosang more than he originally let on. 

“Do you want some company? I can set up something, just us, Yeji, and Binnie?”

Yeosang shook his head, sweat rolling down his brow as he carefully turned the treadmill down, slowing to a stop, putting his hand on his hips as he panted harshly. 

“There’s no need to do that. You guys go, have fun. I’m going to be busy with work, anyway.” He sent Chan a smile that was as fake as they came, walking past him after he’d hopped off of the machine. 

Chan watched him go and sighed, lips pursed. 

He hated seeing his friend like this, but he had no idea where to start. Heartbreak was one of the trickiest things to heal from. 

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   September 13th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

San had expected working in the kitchen in Kibum’s restaurant to be one of the most daunting things he’d ever have to do. 

After all, a fancy restaurant full of students who spent their college years to get here, now having some country bumpkin come along and encroach on their territory? He thought he’d get eaten alive-

Instead, he was adored as soon as he’d walked through the door. 

“San, can you accompany Jiwoo outside? This is for table number three and there’s a full party.” 

“One of the waiters called out, San, do you mind helping on the floor?”

“San, do you have any suggestions for a new menu option? We’re workshopping a rotation of some dishes to change things up.”

San wasn’t a religious man, but in these moments, he couldn’t help but to feel blessed. He’d found somewhere he’d fitten in and was not only useful, but able to still be who he wanted to be. 

“Hey,” Wooyoung snuck a kiss as he passed him, an armful of freshly washed vegetables in his possession before he rushed to the other side of the kitchen to prep them. 

All of this, while working alongside the man he loved. What else could he ask for? What else could he need? 

The cool September air helped him clear his head as he walked, pushing a cart of supplies toward the restaurant. 

“I should visit mom and tell her about things once we’re done today.” He mused before he heard the sound of wheels on concrete. 

They're going…rather fast, huh?

He turned his head to the right, blinking as he watched a man come skateboarding down the block with a giant dog on a leash in front of him. 

San was startled. The dog looked huge , like a bear. Without thinking, he pushed the cart faster and swiveled it off to the side, eyes wide as he watched the dog barrel towards him. 

“Yunho, heel.” 

The dog stopped in an instant, sitting politely with his tongue out, staring at San from beneath a mass of hair as the man on the skateboarding man skid to a halt just shy of colliding with the cart. 

San held his chest, looking at the man in surprise. 

Oh, he was…well, he was rather attractive , wasn't he?

San felt a panic rise in his chest at the passing thought, unable to speak first. Thankfully, the man did it first

“Are you okay?” he inquired, glancing back and forth between him and the giant bear of a dog looking at him curiously. 

At least, he thought he was. He couldn’t exactly see his eyes.

“I’m fine. Sorry about that. Normally there aren’t many people out on this street so late at night. Did anything fall? Are you alright?” the man inquired, looking at the cart San had yanked aside. San looked down, swearing when he saw he’d flung off some of the delicate items sitting at the very top of the cart off with his hurried movements. 

“Shit, Kibum-hyung is gonna be pissed.” He ran a hand through his freshly dyed black hair. There was a small look of surprise on the other man’s face before he cleared his throat and knelt down to pick up some of the ingredients. San looked at his side profile, watching as he sighed quietly. 

“I’ll go and apologize properly. We were being reckless.” he ignored the confused and concerned noises coming from San’s lips, looking at the dog and offering his skateboard. 

“Yunho, hold.” 

Yunho took the board carefully in his mouth, standing and following the man as he walked towards the restaurant. San frowned and gathered his bearings, following him from a decent distance so he didn’t accidentally hit the man or the dog. 

Something about him was oddly familiar. 

“Excuse me, you don’t have to do that, I was the one who dropped it.” 

“I was the one that startled you. I’m responsible for this, too. I’ll just apologize so you don’t get in trouble.” 

San began chattering in a panic, but the man with the fluffy black hair didn’t respond to him, knocking on the back door of the restaurant. San pursed his lips. He hadn’t gotten much of a look at the man’s face, maybe he was a worker he had yet to meet? He was awfully familiar, though. 

“Hm? San, are you back-Yeosang?” Wooyoung looked up in surprise and San felt that last puzzle piece click into place. 

So that’s what was so familiar.

“I knocked over some of these. Ask Hyung to send me the bill, it’s not San’s fault it fell.” He told Wooyoung. The slightly shorter man narrowed his eyes at him, pointing a finger in his direction. 

“Where the hell have you been?” He completely ignored the sentence, huffing at him. Yeosang looked at Yunho, seemingly giving him a command with a gesture of his hand before he stepped inside and placed the destroyed ingredients on the floor. Yunho patiently waited outside, sitting politely with his tail wagging to and fro.

Wooyoung followed Yeosang’s every step with his eyes until finally, the older man spoke.

“Working.” Was the simple response. Wooyoung narrowed his gaze. 

“Every day for nearly two weeks since I’ve come home?” 

“Yes.” 

“Yah! Kang Yeosang, are you out of your damn mind?!”

The two bickered, with Yeosang’s voice calm while Wooyoung wore his displeasure on his sleeve. San glanced back and forth between them, unsure if he could (or should) interrupt their squabbling. 

“You could’ve stopped by and said hi or something once you got off!” 

At that, Yeosang finally broke eye contact, pressing his lips together before he sighed. 

“.....You’re right, I’m sorry. I figured I would be bothering you so late.” 

Wooyoung’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he took a look at the man, gasping and cupping his cheeks, yanking him down. Yeosang hardly blinked, though a small, tired smile came to his face. 

He was used to Wooyoung’s over the top fretting.

“Your eyes have bags under them, are you not sleeping?!” 

“I’m fine, Wooyoung.” 

“You are not, I’m gonna kick your ass, you’re gonna make yourself sick again. Do I have to come over and take care of you again like last time?” Wooyoung half-heartedly glared into his eyes. There was something…sad in Yeosang’s eyes for a moment before he gently took Wooyoung’s hands off his face. He gently set them at his side and sent Wooyoung a tired smile. 

“I appreciate you. But it’s alright. It’s a busy patch at work and then once it passes, I can take a vacation or something.” 

Wooyoung furrowed his brow in worry. Yeosang never did so unless someone forced him to. The man was practically allergic to taking time off. Finally, San found his voice from beside them. 

“How about you come over for dinner?”

Both of them turned their heads over to look at him, Yeosang met his eyes and then glanced away, all while Wooyoung’s eyes lit up as he perked. 

“That’s a great idea!” Wooyoung cheered, hooking an arm into a startled Yeosang’s. 

That’s how they ended up here, hours later, with Yunho pressed against Yeosang’s side, licking his jowels as he waited for Wooyoung to fish out the extra bowl he kept in his house for the hound’s visits. 

San came up to them, softly smiling at the man he’d only heard about through the others. Yeosang turned his gaze from Wooyoung and looked at him as San bowed slightly in greeting. 

“Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name’s Choi San.” 

Yeosang bowed back, running his hand through the fur at the top of Yunho’s head to busy at least one of his subtly shaking hands. 

“Kang Yeosang. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

There was a silence that hung in the air, something unsaid hanging in the air after the end of the sentence and San wondered if he’d left a bad impression on the man. 

If so, he didn’t mean to! From what San could gather, Yeosang is Wooyoung’s closest friend, and the two had been attached at the hip since elementary school. The whole reason Wooyoung had moved into this particular city was to keep close to Yeosang, after all. 

San reckoned this was around the moment some people would try to size up the ‘competition’ or something of the sort. Yeosang was Wooyoung’s first love, San knew this well. 

And here he is, standing in front of his current love and boyfriend. 

San still felt this odd, mystified feeling looking at the quiet dog trainer. It was familiar, yet foreign, and San combed through himself to see if he could pin down exactly what that emotion was. 

“I got it!” Wooyoung cheered, startling him out of his thoughts as he victoriously knelt on the counter. At some point, while they were talking, he must have jumped up onto it to reach a dog bowl with Yunho’s name engraved on it. He wobbled ever so slightly as he attempted to move into a more neutral position. 

San startled, jerking to attention. 

“Wooyoung, get down!” He moved towards him as Wooyoung tried to dismount himself but Yeosang let out an exasperated sigh and picked him clean up, holding him bridal style with an unimpressed look on his face. 

"Now, if you crack your ass on the floor and I laugh at you, I'm in the wrong, hm?"

Wooyoung seemed perfectly comfortable, deadweighting in Yeosang’s arms. 

"You wouldn't do that~"

"I absolutely would. After making sure your stupid ass isn't concussed or sitting on the floor in a dead roach position."

Yeosang put him down and then moved around him to set up the bowls for a patiently waiting Yunho. Wooyoung made his way over to San, leaning into his space and startling him into focusing his gaze back on Wooyoung instead. 

"Are you okay?" He whispered, sending him a curious look. San glanced at Yeosang as the trainer stepped into the next room to set up and then nodded once. 

"Yeah."

Wooyoung caught the glance, though, and the smile on his face flickered. 

"Oh…I'm sorry. Am I being too much? I'm always this clingy with Yeosang but I…I guess it's not really appropriate-"

San shook his head and put his hand on Wooyoung’s forearm. 

"I'm not bothered. I'm actually really happy you were able to see him. He's your best friend, he's important to you." 

Wooyoung slow blinked in surprise, his lips parted. Eventually, he let out a small laugh and wrapped his arms around San, kissing him once as the country-born man wrapped his arms around him instinctively. 

"You'd be 100% valid if it did bother you. Not everyone is comfortable with that kind of stuff with their partners and other people…be it friendly or flirty. Are you sure? I wouldn't be upset if you told me you weren't comfortable with it." Wooyoung whispered. San sent him a kind smile. He truly did not mind. 

"I don't lie to the folks I love," San told him, tenderly massaging his hips. Wooyoung smiled and stole another kiss from him before both of them shifted away from each other in a flustered hurry as Yeosang came back in the kitchen to wash his hands. 

"Sorry-" San began to apologize, but Yeosang shrugged, sending him a small smile. 

"It's your house. I'm gonna sit in the living room with Yunho and stay out of the way of you two so you can cook in peace.” Yeosang excused himself without conflict, moving to sit on the couch while Wooyoung rolled his sleeves up. 

“C’mon, San. I know exactly what we should make.” 

In the living room, Yeosang let his head thump onto the back of the couch, a deep exhale pushing past his lips as he tried to calm the chaotic storm of emotions in his mind. 

Seeing Wooyoung was good. He couldn’t keep avoiding him. Yeosang missed him dearly and he felt like a bold-faced liar for telling Yeji he wouldn’t change how he was acting towards his best friend. 

But at the same time…Yeosang wasn’t sure he liked the tightness in his chest every time he saw the tender look in Wooyoung’s eyes when they landed on San. He’d felt punched in the gut when he walked in on them kissing. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be around Wooyoung and San yet. 

And that was the other piece to the equation. San. 

The country boy who had stolen everyone’s hearts with a dimpled smile and a purred satoori. 

Yeosang had ignored all the times the pink haired man had been staring at him when he thought neither he or Wooyoung were paying attention. Yeosang had good senses for things like that, especially when being in charge of mischievous dogs when training and preteens trying to sneak into the section of the book store that held the adult reading material. 

Even when he wasn’t looking back, Yeosang knew the feeling of being stared at well. 

Which begged the question, why? 

San had no doubt heard about him while Wooyoung was away. Yeosang’s first thought was that he was being sized up or something of the sort and San took offense to Wooyoung’s particular brand of…clingy affection. 

But that didn’t seem to be the case. He’d caught San’s gaze softening several times during Wooyoung and Yeosang’s (many) playful bickering bouts throughout the evening, and if Yeosang didn’t know better, he could have sworn he’d seen San let out more than a few sighs of relief when he seemingly realized the two of them were not, in fact, at each other’s throats for real. 

So, why? 

Yeosang hadn’t realized his leg was bouncing until a warm mass of fur set itself directly in his lap. He laughed and looked down, running his hand through Yunho’s fur as the mastiff cuddled close to him, clearly resisting the urge to jump on the couch for the full cuddle, if the way his back legs kept shifting were anything to go by. 

Yeosang smiled. Yunho always knew when he wasn’t doing to well mentally or emotionally. 

The trainer moved himself to the floor, accepting a few kisses from Yunho as the giant canine shifted to make room, seemingly happy with the development. Yeosang nuzzled Yunho’s abdomen, eyes closing as he enjoyed the comfort from his canine best friend. 

Resting his eyes, that’s all he was doing. 

Idly, he wondered if he would have an easier time with all of this if San was someone he could hate. If he was ugly, if his personality was rude, if he was overly vain, something.

Instead, Yeosang was left with this heavy feeling in his chest and the reluctant realization that Wooyoung’s boyfriend, at least from what he could tell right now, was a good match for him. 

Resting…just resting. That’s all. His eyes, resting.

Wooyoung poked his head into the living room an hour later, a hand on his hip and an amused smile on his face as he watched Yeosang. The slightly older man was fast asleep on the floor, with Yunho sitting as still as a statue with his head resting beside Yeosang’s, occasionally lifting up to give his owner a small, grooming lick to his face or his hair. 

Wooyoung made his way over, kneeling down after grabbing a blanket that was on the couch. 

“You’re not getting enough rest, stupid-” He muttered under his breath as he covered Yeosang up. Yunho lifted his head to sniff Wooyoung’s hand before relaxing, giving him a small lick to his knuckles before closing his eyes. Wooyoung laughed and kissed the top of the dog’s head. 

“You be a good pillow for my stubborn ass friend, okay?” He whispered into his fur. 

Yeosang stirred slightly, but Wooyoung only pet his head, fingers running through deep conditioned silken locks. 

“And you settle down. It’s not time for you to wake up yet.” He scolded the unconscious man and Yeosang ended up relaxing his muscles, the momentary furrow of his brow evening out. Wooyoung lingered for a moment or two longer than he had intended before he finally moved away from Yeosang to finish cooking with San. 

They woke him up once they were done, with all three men seating themselves on the couch, watching a comedy to go along with their meal. 

“It’s delicious.” Yeosang quietly complimented, eating his chicken with an impressed hum. Wooyoung smiled from ear to ear, settled between the two of them. 

“Thank you~ We took back some of the garlic we harvested back in Namhae and San helped me tweak the sauce. I think it tastes a lot better.” He smiled while San shyly rubbed his neck with his clean hand. 

“It’s not really much of a change, yours was great already.” 

Yeosang glanced at him over the top of Wooyoung’s head. 

“....but it does have more of a lingering aftertaste now. I’ve eaten plenty of Wooyoung’s food in our years together. The garlic chicken is always my favorite. I do like your addition to it. Good job.” He complimented with a small approving nod. 

San felt a flicker of heat settle in his cheeks as he bashfully nodded and looked away. 

“No problem.” 

“Yeosang~ Praise me more too” Wooyoung teased, earning him an elbow to the ribs and a half-hearted ‘ nevermind, I take it back ’ from his best friend. 

The two bickered for a bit more before settling into a comfortable near silence, only interrupted by chewing and the occasional sip of someone’s drink. 

San felt his eyelids getting heavy, and apparently, he wasn’t the only one. Wooyoung’s head had made its way to his shoulder, and he’d cuddled in almost instantly, falling asleep minutes after San put an arm around him. 

Yeosang stood, collecting the plates and cups before San could sleepily protest. Yunho followed him into the kitchen, and San could pick up the sound of the dog trainer washing dishes inside. 

He finished minutes later, strolling into the living room again and taking the same blanket Wooyoung had draped over him and setting it over San’s shoulders and part of Wooyoung’s body. 

San perked ever so slightly, feeling soft fingers brush over his bicep with the motion. He lifted his head, watching as Yeosang hooked his leash back into the loop of Yunho’s harness. 

“You’re leaving…?” He drowsily inquired. Yeosang glanced over his shoulder at San, his eyes drifting down to Wooyoung for a moment, and then looking back into the country man’s eyes. 

“Yeah. I appreciate you making dinner for me. I’ll lock the door after myself, so don’t worry. You two should move somewhere more comfortable to sleep so you don’t hurt your necks, by the way….whenever you want.” Yeosang nodded and began making his way to the front of the house. 

San called out to him as he was sliding his shoes on. 

“Come back soon! You’re always welcome.” 

He missed the way Yeosang’s jaw tightened, his fingers lacing his shoes a bit tighter than he’d needed them to be. 

“Thanks. Have a good night, San.” 

Yeosang left quietly, and San looked to his side. Wooyoung had been undisturbed by the movements and talking above his head, completely content with his cheek squished against San’s chest. 

San kissed his head softly and shifted, picking him up and carrying him to their bed. Wooyoung shifted deeper into his arms the moment he laid him down and San smiled softly, finally letting sleep pull him under, as well. 

Yeosang rode his skateboard down the block with Yunho easily pacing him with long gallops. The wind blew his hair across his forehead and the chill of the night shocked him awake, seeping into his bones through the light jacket he was wearing. 

“Come back soon! You’re always welcome.”

Yeosang sighed as he rolled down the block. 

Why couldn’t that Namhae guy have been an asshole? Everything would have been so much easier.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   September 15th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Okay~ So we’re both off today and I think I’m gonna take you out for a shopping spree.” 

San squinted at Wooyoung from across the room, fresh, dark red circles littering his neck and chest as Wooyoung began preening in the mirror. 

They’d had…a very long and energetic night that carried into the early morning. San was normally the very first to rise out of the two of them, a circadian rhythm carried over from years of early rising to farm. 

However , today was different. Today San was tired. 

“I’m goin’ back ta sleep.” San grumbled, closing his eyes and letting his head thump back onto the pillow that smelled like a mixture of him and Wooyoung’s preferred colognes. 

Wooyoung glanced at him before smiling devilishly. 

“Aw~ Is my handsome baby tired?”

“Wooyoung, you made me cum three times and edged me between the second and third time. Yes, yes I am tired.” San grumbled. As muffled as his voice was from the pillow, Wooyoung heard him loud and clear, laughing as he walked up, kissing his shoulder. 

“I’ll treat you to coffee~”

San didn’t move for a moment before finally lifting his head, eyes half-heartedly narrowed at him. 

“Bribery.”

“It absolutely is. I’ll even throw in some kisses if you hurry.”

“You’ll kiss me anyway.”

“Of course I will.”

San rolled his eyes and got up, kissing Wooyoung’s nose before he set off to get dressed. He appeared half an hour later with a pair of comfortable jeans and an overgrown hoodie, a pair of glasses settled on his nose as he watched Wooyoung rush back and forth. 

“Too cold for this…this is faded…. is that a tear? ” Wooyoung muttered under his breath, rummaging through his clothes. San arched a brow and stood, making his way over and extending an arm, catching Wooyoung around the waist one of the times he moved to rush by. 

“Just wear something comfortable. You look good no matter what.” He lightly scolded. Wooyoung paused for a moment before seemingly recalibrating, dipping back into the closet and emerging moments later with his pair of comfy jeans, accompanied with a low cut v-neck sweater that showed off his own marks he’d gotten from San in return last night. 

“Thank you, darling. C’mon, we gotta get there early. There’s this place I want to take you to specifically.” 

San tilted his head, his curiosity peaked, but didn’t ask. He liked surprises, and if the look on Wooyoung’s face was anything to go by, he probably wouldn’t get any answers even if he did ask. 

They headed out together, and San realized this had been his first time getting to walk through and window shop in the heart of the city since they came here. 

They’d moved and he practically spent all of his time settling into his new job and new home. 

Everything here was so… big . It was kind of overwhelming at first. Crowds of people so dense he’d had to constantly shift to and fro beside Wooyoung so he didn’t bump into anyone hustling by to get to their jobs. 

Wooyoung laced his fingers into San’s, sticking his hand in his boyfriend’s hoodie pocket and pressing himself close to him. 

The tension San hadn’t noticed gathered in his shoulders melted away in an instant. He smiled, running his fingers over Wooyoung’s knuckles. 

“So, we’re heading to the mall?”

Wooyoung smiled. 

“After somewhere else.”

There it is. San knew Wooyoung had something else under his sleeve. He squeezed his hand and chuckled quietly. 

“I’m already up and about. Take me wherever ya want.” 

Wooyoung smiled triumphantly and continued pulling him along, making idle conversation about the ins and outs of their kitchen and the upcoming plans for some changes as the holidays began to roll in. 

San listened with rapt attention, curious to try some of the food Wooyoung had mentioned. The telltale rumble in his stomach as they stepped into a building reminded him that he hadn’t eaten yet, either. 

Before he could voice this, he realized they’d stepped into a building with giant, sprawling murals of aquatic animals, hand painted just behind a smiling and waving team behind the counter in front of them. 

San’s lips parted. 

An aquarium?

Wooyoung let his hand go long enough to practically skip over to the woman at the middle register, leaning on the counter. 

“Two tickets, please. I’d like to include the Orca Diner package, too.” 

The woman smiled kindly and nodded, her hands flying over the keyboard in front of her. San appeared beside Wooyoung, looking at the giant sea turtle panting behind her on the wall. Wooyoung pressed his hips back, settling down when he felt San’s solid form behind him. 

“You’ve never been to an aquarium, right? I wanted to surprise you. It's early on a weekday, so we don’t have to worry about a big crowd just yet.” Wooyoung explained, smiling as he handed his card over to the worker. 

San felt his gaze soften, his hand subtly rubbing his hip. 

“No, never. Thank you, Woo. I’m excited.” 

Wooyoung looked pleased, taking the card and the two wristbands they were given. He fastened the clasp on San’s wrist before letting his boyfriend put his on. Once done, he led the way down the left hall, a bounce in his step San found absolutely adorable. 

“The Orca Diner has such good food and the package I paid for has a special view. I’ve always wanted to go on a date here.” He mused, flashing his wristband at the worker stationed outside. He checked the design on the bands and then guided them to a room. 

When he opened the door, San felt his jaw drop. 

The room’s ceiling and wall was all glass, and as they settled at their table, they watched as schools of fish and even a lemon shark swam past them. San looked up, the blue of the aquarium water making his face light up as he watched the animals in wonder. 

Wooyoung propped his head on his palm, watching San with a smile. He felt warmth bloom in his chest as his boyfriend placed his palm on the cool glass, his eyes darting left and right, up and down, unable to focus on just one creature, smiling so wide it made his dimples pop. 

Wooyoung felt his heart flutter, pride welled in his chest. 

San had worked hard, he had only wanted to treat his beloved. He was glad it had worked out this way and San was enchanted by the beauty around them. 

They both ordered themselves a hearty breakfast meal, and finally San tore his gaze away from the glass to look at Wooyoung. 

“Did you plan this date?” 

Wooyoung’s lips curled upwards proudly. 

“Of course I did.”

San smiled softly and leaned over, kissing him softly. 

“Thank you. I’ve never seen anything like this.” San sounded as if he was in a dream, casting glances back at the fish as they swam by, paying them no mind as they went about their aquatic day. 

Wooyoung smiled. He’d always wanted to go on an aquarium date. As weird as it may sound, he often found himself getting design and decorative ideas when looking at the more outlandish and flamboyant animals their world had to offer. He found peace going to places like this in his free time-and he’d been here several times, knew this place to be a rehabilitation center for wildlife release, as well-and he’d breathed a sigh of relief knowing San also was enjoying himself. 

They’d gotten their food and ate while making light conversation. Wooyoung told him between bites where he’d like to take them in the aquarium. San leaned over, eyes twinkling excitedly as he listened to Wooyoung with rapt attention. 

“-and then we finish off with the seals. Seals are my favorite, next to the otters.” He told him triumphantly. San smiled and kissed his nose, setting his chopsticks aside. 

“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll follow ya. We should take pictures, I think Mom, Dad, and the little ones would love to see.” 

Wooyoung smiled and nodded, standing and heading out after he’d finished paying. The two walked hand and hand through the aquarium, walking nearly in sync as they took in the sheer size of the facility. 

Wooyoung always found places like this to feel so much bigger inside than out. 

San couldn’t hold back his quiet, amazed ‘woahs’ and ‘wahs’ as he looked around, taking time to read nearly every informational plaque on the animals they happened to pass by. 

“Oh, they’re so smooth, seriously, come feel this, Woo!” San gasped as he ran his fingers over the back of a baby ray in the handpool. Wooyoung couldn’t hide the sheer joyous smile on his face as he obliged his boyfriend, running his fingers gently and politely over the ray as it swam past him. 

The two took pictures of nearly everything, taking turns on taking pictures of the animals, then each other near the animals, and then them together with the glass walls of the aquarium behind them for a stunning backdrop. 

By the time they’d reached the seals, both of them had sore cheeks from the smiles and laughter. They watched as a trainer explained the story of the one-eyed seal they’d had in a particular tank, her rescue and recovery story, all while the excited mammal hobbled about beside her, eagerly patting her own belly and waiting for a fish she was so generously rewarded between the trainer joyously explaining everything. 

San looked down at his arms, full of souvenirs and plushies from the aquarium by the time the duo popped out of the facility. Wooyoung grinned and opened the bookbag he’d purchased inside, taking his time to arrange every purchase they made nearly inside before he zipped it up and slung it over his shoulder, sending San a fox-like smile. 

“You look so cute, I never would have thought you’d like whale sharks so much.”

“They’re pretty!” San pouted, following him down the block. Wooyoung snickered to himself before he nudged him. 

“Don’t get too comfortable, my love. We still have all the other shopping to do.” he reminded him before hooking his arm under San’s and taking off running, both of them speeding off towards the subway.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

     October 12th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

-“Your brother’s birthday is coming up.” 

San looked up from the basket of laundry he was folding. He had one of Eric’s race car hoodies in his hands as he peered over it at Chaerin. 

“Do you have any big plans? Are we going to do another pumpkin patch thing or go to a petting zoo?” He inquired with a smile, folding Gahyeon’s dress next. Chaerin stirred her food on the stove thoughtfully before she turned to look at him over her shoulder. 

“He wants to spend it with you…and Wooyoung. The others, too. He says you all are his ‘bestest friends’.” She hummed. San’s gaze softened as he glanced into the next room, finding his three siblings sleeping together under a blanket Jiyong had sewn for them. 

She added a sprinkle of spice to her mix, the chopsticks occasionally tapping along the sides of the pan. 

“Eric started kindergarten and we found a daycare that will accept Gahyeon and Jongho, but Jongho is worried about making friends, so he wanted you all to come over. Feel free to tell them to bring their partners, just all of you bare in mind he’s a bit of a sensitive boy.”

San smiled and nodded, finishing up his cleaning before he dried his hands and got to work sending a mass text to all of his friends.

At the very least, he and Wooyoung would be there, he just hoped the others would come along with them.- 

“Thanks again for letting us come over, Noona!” 

Well, this went…better than expected. 

Chaerin put her hands on her hips, watching as Wooyoung and San’s friends filtered into the home, each in pajamas and holding some kind of snack.

Jongho held her hand, his eyes lightening up as he saw everyone setting down snacks and at least one present each. 

There were people there he didn’t know, but the comfy pajamas Chaerin had instructed them all to wear for the party helped. 

Wooyoung smiled and knelt down, opening his arms. 

“Is that my birthday boy? Happy birthday, Jongho!”

Jongho smiled and rushed out, throwing his arms around Wooyoung’s neck and smiling as he peeked over his shoulder. 

“Hi..I’m J-Jongho.” He quietly introduced himself, hiding moments later as the other adults smiled at him.

“Hi Jongho! I’m Yeji!”

“Happy birthday, sweetheart. My name is Chris, but you can call me Chan, if you want.” 

They went down the line, introducing themselves and handing off high 5s and gentle ruffle’s of Jongho’s hair while passing off their gifts. 

San stood off to the side, taking the gifts and smiling from ear to ear while Gahyeon and Eric balanced on his hips. 

The very last person to arrive was Yeosang, who stayed close to the door, talking with Jiyong while the others were giving their greetings. 

Once Jiyong smiled and nodded, pointing behind him, San saw what they were talking about. 

Yunho was with him, a sleeping hat on his head and a set of fluffy dog booties on each of his paws. All three of the children locked eyes on the massive canine and Yeosang stopped, making a motion with his hand and having Yunho do the same. 

“Sorry we’re late. This is Yunho and my name is Yeosang. Happy birthday, friend.” Yeosang smiled softly. Yunho’s tail wagged, a bag held in his teeth. 

Wooyoung looked at Jongho, checking for any signs of fear. Yunho was bigger than him by a significant amount, after all. 

Instead of apprehension or even tears, he found Jongho wiggling trying to climb down, and as soon as he did, he toddled over to Yunho and Yeosang. 

Chaerin watched like a hawk, her body tense, while both Eric and Gahyeon wiggled free of San’s grip, coming over to the dog, as well. 

Yeosang kept an eye on the situation, kneeling once they got close. Before he got the chance to inform them of how to greet dogs, Jongho looked up at him, shifting from one foot to the other. 

“Can…can I pet the doggie, Yeosangie-hyung?” 

Gahyeon nodded eagerly, looking from him to Yunho and then back again.

“Is it okay? He’s so pretty!”

Eric was practically vibrating. 

“And big!”

Yeosang felt his heart melt. What a good set of kids.

“Yes. How you greet a dog is like this-”His voice was tender as he instructed the children, his hair pulled back into a low, fluffy ponytail while some of his bangs framed his face just right. 

Wooyoung couldn’t take his eyes off of him. 

San wasn’t much different, watching as Jongho reached his hand out. Yunho sniffed his cherub fingers and set the bag in his mouth down, lowering his head and licking at the birthday boy’s arm while he and his siblings began to gently pet his head and ears. 

“Well, that’s settled. Everyone is here so we can actually get this party started!” Chaerin beamed, moving to pour cups of soda for the lot of them while her starry-eyed children asked Yeosang a million and one questions while sending loving glances at Yunho. The canine was patient, calmly giving dog kisses and cuddled whenever the children called to him or offered their hands again for sniffing.

“Here, let me help, Unnie!” Yeji offered. Wooyoung was in the kitchen in an instant, grabbing some plates so he could help pass snacks. 

Chaerin smiled and began directing the younger adults while San walked over to Yeosang. 

“You can set up a water bowl and food bowl over here. We have sliding doors that lead outside, so if he needs to go on a walk, it can be close…thank you for coming.” He smiled and bowed to him and Yeosang rubbed his neck, noticing San had approached him without Wooyoung at his side. 

Part of him was still expecting the man to pull him aside and show him a different side of himself regarding Yeosang and Wooyoung’s closeness. 

There was nothing of the sort, and instead, San extended his hand to Yunho, voice kind and eyes soft. 

“Hey there, Yuyu. Thank you for coming, too. My siblings seem to love you already.” He beamed. Yunho happily licked his hand and walked closer, nuzzling him to entice him to scratch his neck. 

It worked, and Yeosang felt some of the tension he was holding onto relax as he moved to set up Yunho’s little corner by the back door while San scratched his throat and eventually his stomach when the large dog flopped over to the side. 

From across the room, Chan watched the two interact subtly, his arm around Changbin’s waist. There didn’t seem to be any conflict, and the man was pleasantly surprised at that. 

“Oppa?”

Chan blinked into focus and looked down, finding Gahyeon staring up at him with wide eyes of wonder. He tilted his head and bent down to her eye level, smiling at her. 

“Yes?”

“Is Binnie Oppa your boyfriend?” she inquired. Chan laughed, the sound rich and soft as he nodded. 

San’s head perked as he looked back to the kitchen, brows furrowing. Usually, his siblings minded their manners when it came to prying into an adult’s life, but they were still kids, at the end of the day, and sometimes they lacked a filter all the same. 

“Gahyeonnie, let’s not get all in othe folks’ business-”

“Isn’t Yejie Unnie also your girlfriend? I saw you two smooch.” 

Chan blinked owlishly while Changbin choked on his drink above them. Somewhere behind them, a howl of a laugh came from Yeonjun and Yeji snickered behind her hand, more amused than anything, while Chaerin was less than pleased. 

“ Lee Gahyeon! You do not ask people that!” 

Gahyeon pouted and Yeji smiled. 

“It's okay, Unnie. That’s why we let you know before we came. Chan and Changbin are both my boyfriends, Gahyeon.” 

Gahyeon looked up at them, lips parted before they began to shimmer. 

“You can do that?! Woah!”

Chaerin scolded her daughter, apologizing profusely to the trio while Wooyoung handed Eric his juice and some of his snacks. Eric thanked him and whispered. 

“Would you date someone else with our big brother?” He inquired. Wooyoung’s lips parted in surprise and despite himself, his eyes instantly landed on Yeosang, who was looking towards the kitchen due to the chaos. 

Eric stared at him for a moment, tilting his head as he noticed Wooyoung’s lack of a response. He went to ask again, when he suddenly felt a ruffle to his head. 

By the grace of some higher power, Jiyong appeared, steering his son away with a gentle scolding tone. Wooyoung’s shoulders relaxed a bit, and he immediately moved to busy himself with setting up the game console in the living room, unaware of the curious eyes following him.

San’s, Yeosang’s. 

Once the two older children got a stern talking to regarding ‘boundaries’, the group migrated to the living room, eager to play the party games Wooyoung and San helped prepare on Jongho’s behalf. 

Said birthday boy sat beside Yunho and Wooyoung, big eyes focused on the screen while some of the others took their turn customizing their karts. 

“Do you wanna race, or do you wanna watch, baby bear?” Wooyoung inquired. Jongho looked up at him, one of his hands petting Yunho in repetitive, short motions. 

“I’m not so good at it…” He murmured. Wooyoung smiled and picked him up, setting him in his lap and scooting closer to Yunho so Jongho could still reach him for pets. 

“Your Hyung is gonna win every single match for you, so go ahead and customize our kart!”

Jongho looked at the controller and smiled, gently taking it and fumbling around to get the kart the way he wanted, uncaring of stats. 

Wooyoung smiled softly and looked on the other side of Yunho, at Yeosang watching the screen while everyone got settled. He’d already gotten his kart ready in the meantime. 

“Thank you for coming, Sangie. I know you’ve been busy with work, so I really appreciate you and YuYu stopping by.” He smiled. Yeosang looked at him and sent him a quiet smile that made his heart flip. 

“I see why you insisted so much. They’re sweet kids.” He looked over at Yunho, seeing his companion so comfortable in the environment that he’d closed his eyes, his head on Jongho and Wooyoung’s thigh as he enjoyed the attention. 

“And I think Yunho has made some new friends today, too.” he chuckled. Yunho’s tail wagged subtly, an indication he wasn’t actually asleep, and that drew a laugh from Soobin’s lips as he walked by with some trash to discard of. 

“This is the best birthday ever.” Jongho muttered, looking at Yunho and kissing his head, between the eyebrow-like markings there. Yunho’s tongue swiped out for the briefest of moments, licking his own nose before he settled back in. 

Yeosang’s eyes softened even more, feeling warm and fuzzy at the gentle interaction.

“I’m glad.”

The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Jongho, surprisingly warmed up to all of the new faces fairly quickly, thanking and hugging everyone when he got to open his gifts. 

By the time 9pm rolled around, San had two out of three of his siblings unconscious and dangling from his arms, sleeping without a care in the world. He moved to grab Jongho, bur a different hand eclipsed his vision, and he watched as Yeosang came to pick up the birthday boy himself. 

“Oh- you can put him on my back, I’m used to carrying these three around all the time.” 

Yeosang shook his head. 

“I can help out. Besides, all that weight on your back isn't good for you. Just tell me where to go.” 

San sent him a grateful look as he told him to follow him down the left hall. It wasn’t a far walk to get them where they needed to be, and the gentle, off-beat sound behind him told San that Yunho was close in tow. 

Yeosang helped him open the door to Eric and Gahyeon’s rooms, respectively, standing aside as San tucked them in, giving gentle kisses to their heads and placing their favorite plushie in each of their arms. 

“Jongho’s room is across the hall.” San informed him, moving to close Gahyeon’s door and then opening Jongho’s moments later. Yeosang followed his lead, setting Jongho in bed and tucking him in. San handed over Jongho’s favorite dragon plushie and kissed his head, slightly leaning over Yeosang to do so. 

The older man didn’t move a muscle, simply glancing up, his breath fanning over San’s neck momentarily as the man tucked his sibling in and then moved away, sending him an honest smile.

“Again, thank you so much for coming. I hope you got to unwind and enjoy yourself.” He sent Yeosang a dimpled smile and beckoned for him to follow him back out. 

The two walked in a comfortable silence, joining the others as they helped pack up the leftovers, distributing it in plates to take home and some getting stored away in Chaerin and Jiyong’s fridge. 

“You all have my thanks. My babies are going to have to learn how to make friends their own ages, but for now, It's nice to see my family grow.” Jiyong put a hand on his hip as he looked over all of the people in his home. 

“As a thanks, you all are invited to a Halloween party I’m throwing later in the month.”

Wooyoung nearly tripped over himself, he spun so fast, eyes lighting up. 

“Wait, really?! Is it like, some really fancy, high-end costume party?!”

Chaerin snorted quietly and Jiyong hummed, shrugging a shoulder. 

“I suppose it can be considered as such. But its more of a gathering between friends, so think nothing of who else might be there and have fun as you would at any other party.” He instructed, smiling softly as he saw San and the others chatter amongst each other. 

“You have some time to think about it. If you’d like to come, just let San or Wooyoung know to tell me and I’ll update the headcount I have.”

They were met with a collection of eager nods from most of the group. Yeosang didn’t respond verbally, using the guise of packing up Yunho’s bowls as an excuse. 

It's not that he didn’t want to go and be with his friends, he swore he wasn’t some sort of antisocial person. 

He just-

Healing was taking it’s sweet time. He was truly grappling with being able to wrap his head around his own emotions. 

That’s what happens when you spend entirely too much time hiding from them, suppressing them, even. 

But it was fine, Halloween was on a weekday this year, so he could just make up some excuse, say he had work or picked up a shift from someone and-

“Yeo, are you going?” 

If you were wondering, no , Yeosang did not squeak when Wooyoung appeared at his side. He simply…exhaled in a particular manner, that’s it.

Seriously.

Regardless of his status as a squeak toy, Yeosang glanced at his friend, finding Wooyoung crouching, petting Yunho as he held his gaze. The trainer flushed slightly, biting the side of his tongue to remind himself to keep his calm. 

Wooyoung was Wooyoung. He was always this close to him. He always looked him in the eyes when they spoke. 

Why is keeping his cool such a struggle nowadays?

“I don’t know if I can, I probably have a class and-”

“Can’t Jungkook or Hyunjae take over the class? Just this once? I wanna wear matching costumes!”

Yeosang blinked at him. Once, twice, Yunho’s bowl dangling uselessly in his fingers as he stared at the energetic man, listening as he listed off different outfits they could do. 

“Angels…? Hm. Sirens! No, we don’t have enough time for a good quality one and those scales are a bitch to do makeup wise…pirates?...Oh, might workshop that a bit-”

Yeosang watched Wooyoung’s brain take off running down the block, firing off suggestions left and right. Yunho had made himself comfortable, his chin settled on Wooyoung’s thigh. 

At some point, a well-worked hand settled on Wooyoung’s shoulder and San appeared, smiling softly down at the two. 

“How about some kind of modern animal thing? We can use somethin’ in our closets and just need to worry about the, uh, ears and tail, I guess.” He offered, seemingly trying to save Yeosang from Wooyoung’s active imagination. 

Wooyoung perked and stood to his full height, grinning like mad, pointing at each of them. 

“Rabbit, Fox, Cat!”

Yeosang blinked. 

“Why do I have to be a rabbit? It's the smallest out of the three of those and I’m not even the shortest here.” Wooyoung sent him a devious look. 

“Because you’d look cute in bunny ears?” 

Yeosang stared at him, jaw slack, and his brows only twitched in interest when he saw San look in his direction, nodding quietly, lips twisted as if envisioning the sight. 

Whatever that weird flutter in his stomach was just now needed to stop immediately.

“Well too bad. I want to be the cat if this is what we’re doing.” He cut in, trying to get some of the control back in the situation he was quickly careening towards. Wooyoung pouted, clearly, he’d wanted that one. 

“How about you be the fox, Woo? I know you were probably going to make me the cat, but I can be the rabbit. Cats and foxes are super close, anyway, I’m sure ya won’t have to tweak your vision too much, right?” 

Two sets of eyes turned to San, then to the top of his pastel pink head, and whether they noticed or not, both of them nodded in unison, clearly agreeing with the idea of a set of rabbit ears situated atop the country man’s head. 

Yeosang cleared his throat, cheeks flushed, and stood to his height. 

“Right, should I go looking for what this ‘outfit’ should be or should I leave it to you?” He inquired. Wooyoung’s eyes lit up and a devious smile came to his face. 

“Leave it to me, just tell me your clothing sizes.”

Oh goodness, this wasn’t going to be a simple closet fit, was it?

San, as if reading his mind, sent Yeosang a sympathetic smile, letting out a small amused huff as Wooyoung began rattling off about matching and not being ‘basic bitches’.

Yeosang cleared his throat and made his way to the door, taking his skateboard out of Yunho’s mouth and zipping up his coat. 

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then. I’m headed out. Thank you again for inviting me, it was nice to be able to hang out with everyone and Jongho looked like he had a lot of fun today too.” He bowed and was met with a collection of goodbyes and waves. 

“Hey, call me when you get home, alright? So I know you’re back safe.” Wooyoung called to him one last time, standing a few feet from the door as Yeosang laced his shoes up.

“I’ll text you as soon as I’m home.” 

Wooyoung narrowed his eyes at him half-heartedly. 

“ Call me when you’re home so I know you’re safe.”

Yeosang had half a mind to be a little shit and repeat himself, too, but instead, he settled for putting a hand on his hip and nodding. 

“Yes, yes. Anything else, darling?” 

It slipped, honest. The two of them used terms of endearment with one another all the time before…Wooyoung came back from the summer and it truly was a slip of the tongue-

“I love you, darling. Bye.” Wooyoung met him halfway, grinning once again, his body language a bit looser. San smiled from his side, waving without a care at him. 

“Goodnight, get home safe.”

Yeosang cleared his throat and nodded, muttering a quick ‘you too’ before he disappeared into the night with Yunho. 

Chaerin and Jiyong watched on from the kitchen island, eventually exchanging a look with one another. 

“....do you think they know yet?” She mused to her husband. He snorted, leaning against her. 

“Those three goofballs? No, not at all. Why do you think I pulled a Halloween party out of my ass?” He muttered into her ear. She snickered and watched Wooyoung and San move back to the rest of their friends, exchanging hugs and plans to set up upcoming hangouts. 

“Think it’ll work?” She inquired, brow arched. Jiyong shrugged. 

“Dunno. That’s up to them.”

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

     October 18th

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“My love, do you want to plan a picnic sometime?” Wooyoung inquired as he rolled up rice balls. San looked up from the small mason jars he had lined up on the counter, blinking owlishly. 

“Where did that come from?” 

“Well, you haven’t really gotten to sit down and relax at all since you’ve moved in and I feel bad. We immediately threw you into the hustle and bustle of work instead of letting you relax and explore…” Wooyoung trailed off, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. San smiled at him. 

“Is it that much different from when you all came to Namhae? The very next day, you were out in the fields with Hyung and I. Besides, I’m used to keeping busy like this. My only off time was when I was home with my family. We have been relaxing when we’re here. And there was the aquarium date! That was fun!” He reminded him, humored by the pout that settled on Wooyoung’s face, clearly not thinking it was enough. 

“Well, it’s not exciting if it’s just the same as Namhae!” He huffed. San arched a brow at him, pouring drinks into the mason jars. 

“Then we can set up a date night. How about next weekend? We have a long weekend because of our schedule.” 

Wooyoung perked and nodded, smiling from ear to ear, a bounce in his step as he began packing away the rice balls he’d made.

In front of the two, lay a spread of lunch boxes for their friends. San had come up with the idea after seeing how tired Yeosang was the other day and worrying about their other friends in their circle.

After adding a side of veggies and protein and letting Wooyoung customize each little box with a small ‘mascot’ made from the ingredients he used, the two were off for the day, making light conversation as they decided to walk through the city. 

“First is Soobin and Chan, they’re the closest. If we’re lucky, we can catch Changbin working out at the gym. He’s not working until later tonight.” Wooyoung brought a finger to his chin as he worked out their game plan. San simply adjusted his grip on the box that held the mason jars, worried he’d drop them. 

The two made light idle chat as they walked, eventually making their way to a spacious fitness gym just a few blocks out of the heart of the city. 

The receptionist looked up, her eyes brightening as they landed on the duo. 

“Oh, Wooyoung~ Good Morning! I don’t think I’ve met you, love. What’s your name?” she smiled at San, leaning on the counter and seemingly sizing him up. The dimpled man blinked in surprise. 

“Oh, good morning, Miss. My name is San-”

“He’s my boyfriend, Noona.” 

Her smile fell immediately and she sent Wooyoung a flat look. 

“What did I tell you about coming in here with ‘off-limits’ cuties? First Yeosang, now him. What’s a girl to do?” 

Wooyoung smiled casually, shrugging a shoulder. He seemed to take no offense, though San perked at the ‘off limits’ comment. 

Of course, Wooyoung was in love with Yeosang, after all. 

“So, does this mean I can bag Yeosang now that you have this cutie for a boyfriend?” She whispered, though San heard her clear as day. She hadn’t been trying hard to keep her volume down. 

Wooyoung rolled his eyes half-heartedly. 

“Not a chance in hell. Anyway, we’re going to find Chan and Soobin, byeeee.” Wooyoung beckoned San with the tilt of his jaw and San fell in step with him, catching the receptionist huffing playfully under her breath. 

“Oh, so you get TWO boyfriends? Life is unfair-”

San blushed and looked over at Wooyoung. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen ya get snippy with anyone like that in regards to me before.” 

Wooyoung hummed, leading him down a hall. 

“You’re hot, I can’t let just anyone think they have a chance with you.” He puffed his chest out proudly, grinning when he saw San blush down to his ears before glancing away.

“Wooyoung? San? What are you two doing here?” 

The pair looked up as Soobin jogged down the hall to greet them, covered in a light sheen of sweat, though San felt like the man’s kind smile made him glow even more. 

“Just one of the handsome men we wanted to see~ Sannie and I made lunches for everyone since we were off anyway, so we figured we’d make sure our lovely best friends are eating properly.” Wooyoung explained, fishing into the large tote he had brought along and handing Soobin a pastel blue bento box. Soobin looked touched, peeking inside and smiling at the bunny Wooyoung had made out of the food inside the box. 

“That’s so sweet…thank you both so much. I’ll go grab Chan and Changbin. They only just started their arm and chest workouts, but it’s in Chan’s private room, so I won’t be interrupting too much, I think.” He mused. Wooyoung scoffed half-heartedly and nudged San. 

“What did I say? I told you Changbin would probably be here. Yeji not being here means she’s working at the bookstore, so we’ll go there after we make sure her other two-thirds are eating.” 

San watched Wooyoung march forward with a soft smile on his face. He really had a way of taking charge in a myriad of situations, and this was no different. San could tell he felt back at home in his own skin since they were back in the city, though. 

Wooyoung was, by no means, a quiet man, but being back in the hustle and bustle of the city only made the man bloom fully into what he assumed was his full nature. San needed a bit longer to adjust to his surroundings, and found himself being a quiet observer more often than naught. 

Soobin glanced over at the man and gently pat his back, turning up the watts on his smile when San turned his attention back to him. 

“How are things doing? Are you adjusting well? We didn’t get to talk much at Jongho’s party about life.” He sent him a genuine smile to ease San, as if reading the man’s wandering thoughts. San flushed and nodded, smiling at him. 

“I am. Everyone is so kind. I just hope I’ve left a good impression on everyone.” He adjusted his grip on the box nervously and Soobin looked down the hall to where Wooyoung had poked his head in. 

The man had clearly caught Chan and Changbin giving each other ‘reward kisses’, if the teasing was anything to go by as they approached. 

“I don’t think you have to try too hard at all. You’re a very likeable and down-to-earth guy, San. I’m excited to spend more time with you and everyone else. Has everyone been welcoming you in well?” He inquired. San nodded. 

“Yeah, everyone’s been so kind. I’m looking forward to the party. Wooyoung’s been working hard on his, my, and Yeosang’s costumes.”

Soobin’s smile faltered ever so slightly, seemingly waiting to see if he had a bad experience with the somewhat elusive dog trainer. When San only met his worried gaze with a curious one of his own, Soobin blinked. 

Once, twice, then he relaxed his shoulders. 

“Oh, is that so? Things are going well?” 

San had gotten good at reading people. Soobin was trying to feel out if there was any tension between the two men. Understandable, given the circumstances, but San’s expression didn’t sour in the slightest. 

“Yeah, he’s been over a couple of times for Wooyoung to take measurements before he and I get kicked out of Wooyoung’s, and I quote; ‘creative room.’” He laughed softly, though there was a fondness in his voice that caught Soobin off guard. 

Yeosang was not, by any means, a disrespectful or confrontational man, so the lot of them didn’t expect him to throw a fit when he was with San, but it was still a surprise to know he had made such an impression on the man who was with Wooyoung. 

They all knew how Yeosang felt about their energetic friend. 

“Well then, I’m really glad everything is going well for you! If you need anything, please let me know. Of course, friends get free passes to the gym, just let Chan or I know when you’re coming.” Soobin told him before looking into the room. 

“I appreciate the bento box, but do you have to be so obnoxious? We were in the middle of working out.” Changbin huffed, standing with his arms crossed. Wooyoung looked back at him like the cat that ate the canary. 

“Of course. If no one else is going to give you shit, who will? I wanna know what workout you two are doing that involves so many kisses in the gym~” He teased, yelping and dodging the slap Changbin aimed at his arm. 

Chan stood beside the two with a small, patient smile on his face, seemingly more than used to the shenanigans of the two. He looked up when he saw San and Soobin and made his way over to the two while Changbin and Wooyoung bickered. 

“Thank you so much for the lunch. It came at the perfect time. I didn’t bring one today because we were running late this morning and I almost called Yeji to ask her if she could stop by with some on her break. I appreciate it.” He bowed to San and took the mason jars San had offered with a subtle lift of the box and a smile. 

“Of course. It’s nothin’ too crazy, but I hope it’s at least filling until lunchtime.” 

Chan smiled at him and finally cast a look over his shoulder when Wooyoung let out an unruly shriek. 

“Alright, that’s enough, you two. Changbin, my love, let him out of the headlock and give me your box so I can put it in the fridge in my office.” Chan scolded. Immediately, the two of them froze, looking at Chan like a pair of deer in headlights before they pouted and pulled away from each other. 

“ Anyway, thank you. Both of you. I’ll pay you back next time I have time.” Changbin smiled as Wooyoung fixed his hair and stood to his full height. 

“Asshole, do you know how long it takes me to do my hair?” He muttered playfully before picking up the tote. 

“Don’t mention it. We’re gonna go head to Yeji now. Have a good day, tell us if you like it. I tried some new things with San’s advice, so I need the feedback.” Wooyoung fixed the men with a stare until they all agreed with either nods or half-hearted ‘yeah yeahs’ (courtesy of Changbin).

Satisfied, Wooyoung stepped out of the room, kissing San’s dimple before he headed down the hall. 

“C’mon baby. We need to make sure all of our lovely friends eat. Where would they be without us?” He lamented dramatically. Soobin laughed, Changbin rolled his eyes, and Chan watched the trio leave with a hand on his hip. 

The two engaged in light conversation until they came across a cozy-looking bookshop with an hourglass depicted on the blade sign outside of it. Wooyoung smiled and stepped up faster, opening the door and smiling flirtatiously at San. 

“After you, my love~” He winked, his chest puffing up proudly at the flustered way San cleared his throat and hustled in. 

Immediately, he’s met with the scent of cinnamon sugar and vanilla.

The bookshop appears bigger on the inside, and as much as everyone has told him it was ‘small’, San was still blown away at how many different sections there were to walk through and he almost didn’t hear Yeji come over to them. 

“Good morning, Binnie and Chan told me you were coming. You two got here fast, though!”

San and Wooyoung looked over, finding Yeji jogging over to them, peeling some gloves off of her hands. 

“It wasn’t too far but uh-what are you doing?” San blinked owlishly as he watched her take off her apron, which had been speckled with all kinda of color smears. 

“I was doing some demos for our upcoming arts and crafts day. We’re going to make some spoopy soap for Halloween and give out candy to anyone who stops by in costume.” She grinned, hands on her hips as she watched Wooyoung rummage around before handing her a bento. 

“Here’s lunch!” 

“Thank you~ You two are like, a pair of house-husband saviors~” She smiled and moved to a counter, glancing over at San when she saw him looking around in interest. 

“Go ahead, baby boy. Look around my little shop. Let me know if you wanna check anything out.” She grinned and waved the curious man off. San smiled and nodded in thanks, moving to walk through rows upon rows of colorful books. 

There were a few people littered around here and there, but given the time of day, there wasn’t a high concentration of people in the area that would make things claustrophobic. 

He ran his fingers over book covers, spotting several books with beautifully crafted covers that drew his attention. 

Some of them were a bit larger in size- ’That one Against the Tide thing on the table has like 3 volumes and the small paper sign says its not done?’- while some were significantly smaller. San glanced over to see Wooyoung and Yeji leaning on a counter, talking and laughing as she ate her bento. 

San didn’t want to disturb them and interrupt them speaking, so instead, he plucked the closest book he could find, missing the fact he’d wandered into the section of the shop with the more explicit works. 

He’d found a spot on a nearby cat-shaped bean bag on the floor and settled in, opening his book. 

He was unsure how many minutes had passed, his eyes combing through the pages. He found himself engrossed in the story, though he found a bit early on that he’d grabbed not only a book from the queer adult section, but that it had also contained very vivid material on the inside. 

-”Tilt your head up, I want you to look me in the eyes, Hyunjin.”

Minho is met with a slow smile stretching across his love’s ruby-red lips, the lipstick smeared at the corner. Hyunjin obliges, purring as Minho crossed the room, running his fingers through Hyunjin’s silken hair. 

Then, his eyes drift down to Jisung, spent and panting, still buried deep inside of Hyunjin, the evidence of their lovemaking making a mess between their legs. 

A smile stretches across Minho’s face as he leaned close, stealing a kiss from Hyunjin before he caressed Jisung, kissing him too and reveling in the man’s soft moan as he pressed Hyunjin flush against him in an attempt to feel them both. 

“There’s no need to rush,” Minho chuckled, moving to settle himself in a chair just beyond their bed’s reach. 

“I'd like to…savor it a bit more. Every beat of your heart, every thrum of excitement in your blood. I can taste it from here. I'm enjoying the show.  Continue. I'll join when I'm ready for a bite.”-

San stared at the page slack-jawed and beet red. 

Two vampires and their human lover. All of them, sharing kisses and whispers of love, standing by each other in a love story that had been…oddly domestic despite the vampiric nature of two-thirds of the main characters. 

Maybe throuples like this are more common than San could have guessed…

"Whacha reading?"

San jolted and nearly hurled the book, clutching his chest with wide eyes as he looked at a mischievous Wooyoung. His boyfriend nearly cackled behind him, covering his mouth to keep himself from laughing as San gave him a half-hearted shove, standing up.

"Don't do that!" He huffed, glaring at Wooyoung. His boyfriend put his hands on his hips, proud of himself.

"Yeji and I are all done babe. We just need to drop Yeosang’s off since Yeonjun is out of town."

San glanced down at the book in his hands and cleared his throat. 

"Gimmie a second. I'm gonna, uh I'm gonna buy this real quick." He shuffled along while Wooyoung hummed and moved to peruse the books himself. 

"No problem, call me when you're ready, my love."

San nodded and headed off to Yeji, sheepishly putting the book in front of her. She smiled at him, glancing down at the book before humming, her brows going up just a margin.

San felt his cheeks darken even more.

"This is a pretty good series. This is the second one, though. I recommend you read the first one before you continue this. It makes their relationship feel more impactful.” She advised, smiling sweetly at San as she scanned the book regardless of his decision. He shifted from one foot to the other, worrying his lip between his teeth for a moment before he moved back to the section of the bookstore he had been in, coming back once he found the aforementioned first book. 

Yeji smiled and added that one, applying an employee discount before she put them in a paper bag with a cat on the front of it. 

“If you have any questions on the book or…anything similar, let me know.” She added the last part in a whisper, glancing at Wooyoung before looking at San once again. 

“I- N-no it’s nothing like that. I-”

“San, I’m not assuming anything. I’m just saying…if you ever want coffee and to talk about some books, I’m your girl.” She beamed and tilted her head, smiling at him. 

San looked at the bag and cleared his throat, nodding. 

“Right..thank you, Yeji.” He bowed and headed back to Wooyoung, finding him pursuing the manga. He perked and smiled at San, adjusting his grip on the tote with the last bento and mason jar. 

“Got everything you wanted?” He inquired. San nodded, kissing his head as they stepped out of the shop, a melodic chime following them as they went. 

They had to walk significantly farther to get to the dog training facility, and San could tell it was after lunch despite their efforts to deliver the food and drink to their friends by the noon hour.  The streets, while still bustling in their own right, had less suited men and women rushing to and from food shops, and San had enough room to walk side by side Wooyoung comfortably without worrying about accidentally brushing into anyone. 

They still kept their hands unlinked, just in case they needed to maneuver apart as a wayward office worker or a teenager in a hurry came darting down the middle of the sidewalk, but overall, this time of day proved to be more flexible than their earlier runs. 

When they finally got to the dog training facility, San could hear a cacophony of barking and yipping coming from beyond a set of heavy, tinted doors. 

Wooyoung took the lead, checking first before pushing the door in, making sure no dogs were trying to make any great escapes the moment he did so. Once the coast was clear, he guided San all the way in, and the two walked up to a man and woman standing by the front. The man smiled jovially at them, his piercings shimmering in the light while the petite woman at his side rubbed her belly. 

Ah, she must be the one that was heading off to her maternity leave soon. 

“Kookie-hyung~ Jennie-noona~” Wooyoung practically sang, smiling ear to ear at the two. Jennie smiled back before glancing at San curiously. 

“I can’t ever get you to visit with a dog, but instead, you bring a new friend?” She teased. San blushed and bowed, 

“My name is San. I’m his boyfriend.”

Both her and ‘Kookie’s’ eyebrows shot up. They exchanged a look with one another before some kind of silent realization dawned on them, if the small ‘ah’s they let out was anything to go by. 

San fidgeted. If Yeosang worked here and they had that kind of reaction, clearly they’d heard of him in some capacity. 

“Are you looking for Yeosang? He’s started a class but Jungkook-ah can bring you to the sidelines. Just try not to distract the dogs, okay? He gets really upset when his classes are interrupted.” She advised them. Jungkook nodded and kissed her head before beckoning both men to follow him down the hall. 

“Thank you, sorry for intruding.” San humbly apologized while Wooyoung waved, puffing his chest out. 

“Bah, don’t worry! Yeo Yeo has a nasty habit of not eating properly when I’m not cooking for him, so we’re doing him a big favor.” 

Jungkook only smiled, listening to the two before stopping outside a room with a fox painted on the door. 

“Alrighty. Follow my lead, keep your voices a bit down if you can, and try not to distract him, I can see he’s already started in there.” He instructed, guiding them into a room that had a big, circular area in the center with turf. The area outside of it had raised walls so (most) dogs couldn’t get out with ease, and as asked, the two of them silently filed into the area where there were seats, opting not to stand too close to the walls, for fear they’d become a distraction for what was assumed to be a beginner class. 

They were far enough that they believed they could eat their own lunches, despite the lateness, so they began rustling about as quietly as they could to eat as they watched Yeosang’s class. Once they were settled, Jungkook left them to their own devices and they watched on as Yeosang scanned the group in front of him. 

His long, fluffy hair was secured under a cap and his tanktop was tucked into his pants as Yunho stood dutifully at his side. He looked more like a military drill sergeant than what San had expected a dog trainer to look like. 

It was quite…quite an impressive look, if he was being honest.

“When you are here, it is not just the dogs that will be trained. You yourselves, as their owners and companions, will be training alongside them. That is the most important thing here. During my classes, you and your dogs are equals , and I will train you both as such. A dog can be as well-behaved and wonderful as can be, but the moment they are put around reckless people, gradually, over time, that behavior switches. It changes. And it does not take much of a dogs bad behavior before society deems them a risk and I'm sure you all know what happens then." The black-haired man made a gun motion with his hand and Yunho immediately flopped onto his back, tongue out as he stayed still, playing dead, 

Yeosang strolled past the dog before he patted his own thigh, giving him a treat as Yunho immediately rolled back onto his paws and appeared at his side.

“The best thing that can prevent a dog biting or fighting incident is proper training of both the owners and their canines. And that’s why you all are with me.”

San watched, chewing quietly as Yeosang walked back and forth past his class. He could see some people listening with rapt attention-he was one of them-while others rolled their eyes, surely thinking the trainer was "over dramatic". 

Wooyoung took a sip from his mason jar, leaning on San as he spoke quietly. 

"Yeosang really loves dogs. Training is his passion. It pisses me off that some of them think this is a game." He muttered. San chewed thoughtfully and watched as Yunho sat dutifully in the same spot, despite all of the dogs and people in the training ring. 

At one point, the giant dog’s eyes move towards them, there is a subtle wag to his tail, but he remains unmoving. 

The two watch while whispering, not wanting to disturb the dogs or their owners. Yeosang’s face remains calm, yet authoritative as he trains, never raising his voice over a certain volume, every movement and instruction precise and to the point. 

San found himself unable to tear his eyes off of him. Wooyoung is the same. 

“Today’s lesson is over. Report cards will be sent out by the end of the day for the lesson’s progress, along with ‘homework’. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions between now and our next lesson.” 

Wooyoung finally stood as the group began to filter out, leashing up their dogs and dispersing while talking amongst themselves. San is right behind him, though both of them hang back as one of the trainees walked up to Yeosang, smiling handsomely at him. 

“I really appreciate your lesson, Yeosang-nim~ With your help, Coco and I will be just as impressive as you and Yunho in no time.” He grinned, holding a pomeranian under his arm. Yeosang glanced and then crossed his arm. 

“Remember my lesson about the detriments of carrying your dogs unless necessary, Lee-nim. You do not want to give Coco a complex by always carrying her just because she is small.” 

Lee nodded, though he didn’t seem too interested in what Yeosang was saying, rather, his eyes subtly combing over his face, and chest, and even darting down to admire his abs once he stood back up after setting Coco down. 

San pursed his lips, a small nagging in the back of his mind as he watched the two. 

Agitation. 

“You’re the best teacher I’ve seen in this place, Sang-nim. Could I ask you out for dinner as a thanks?” He inquired, his eyebrows going up flirtatiously. 

Yeosang blinked, the calm expression on his face shifting ever so slightly to one of surprise before suddenly Wooyoung tossed an arm over Yeosang’s shoulder, dangling off of the man’s side and smiling with a tilt to his head. 

“Sorry! We have some food for Yeosangie already. Dinner too, we’ve already made plans for him.” 

Yeosang looked at him, his face didn’t betray the confusion he felt, and Wooyoung was grateful, his eyes never leaving Lee’s face. 

He could see the way the shorter man’s eyes narrowed subtly before he sniffed, wiping his nose. 

“Oh, next time, then, Sangie-nim .” His voice dripped in the untold challenge, and then he turned and headed out of the training ring, his Pomeranian following at his side with hurried footsteps. 

Wooyoung didn’t take his eyes off of him until he was out of view, muttering in displeasure. 

“I don’t like him.” 

“Since when did we have dinner plans?” Yeosang inquired, the neutral expression of his face changing into a more casual, expressive one now that he wasn’t teaching. 

“Since just now because that guy is a creep. I mean, who asks out their tutor?” Wooyoung began rambling, never moving from his spot leaning on Yeosang. The slightly older man let him speak, calmly watching him with a smile on his face until San moved closer, drawing his attention. 

He held up the box Wooyoung had left behind when he moved to his side, looking Yeosang in the eyes and smiling softly. 

“You must be hungry. We made bento boxes for everyone. Even Yunho.” He offered, keeping his hand extended. 

Yeosang looked at it for a beat longer than the others had, but then he took it, smiling softly. 

“I see. That’s sweet of you. I appreciate it. Yunho-” Yeosang made a motion with his hand, and in a flash, Yunho���s massive form appeared, licking at both Wooyoung and San’s hand before sitting in front of his owner. 

Yeosang gently moved away from Wooyoung, making sure he did not lose his balance before he crouched down to set up the food they had made for the canine first. 

Wooyoung bent down, petting Yunho and cooing to him, eyes half-lidded. 

“Yeah, Yuyu. That guy is stinky, anyway, you don’t want him taking your papa out to dinner either, do you?” He talked to the animal as if he were human. Yunho blinked at him, head tilting before he licked Wooyoung’s hand, as if that were the response to a command he hadn’t quite learned yet. 

Yeosang-and San-glanced at him at the comment, yet neither said a word.

"I appreciate you for making a bento for me and including Yunho. Thank you, both of you." Yeosang bowed slightly, sitting with his legs crossed on the ground beside Yunho as he inspected the bento, a genuine, big smile coming to his face when he saw the small character they'd made out of the bento's contents, the floral-themed 'Hethetmon' staring back at him.

Wooyoung smiled triumphantly and watched as Yeosang ate. 

"I knew you'd be more focused on training your classes than eating properly-again-so we put extra in yours."

Yeosang chewed thoughtfully, humming. 

"I guess I did forget."

San frowned and put a hand on his hip, looking at the man in disapproval. 

"You can't forget things like that, Yeosang-ah. Your health is important. Please take care of yourself." 

Yeosang’s gaze shifted to him, calm, yet doe-like and for a second, San could swear he felt a sound akin to a fax machine struggling to work in his brain.

He and Wooyoung have such pretty eyes.

San panicked, tripping over his own words as he quickly added; "Besides, who's going to take care of Yunho when you get sick?"

Yeosang hummed quietly before nodding, petting the canine as he finished his dog-safe bento. 

"Probably Soobin."

Wooyoung let out a scandalized gasp.

"You didn't even hesitate! What about me!?"

"Wooyoung, I don't trust you with my plants , I damn sure aren't trusting you with my dog."

Wooyoung clung to his chest, falling to his knees dramatically. 

"See that, San? We make him a beautiful lunch, and he wounds me! Blasphemy! Gimme back my damn food, then!"

Yeosang smiled, and it reached his eyes, a spark of mischief in it as he started eating noticeably faster. Wooyoung narrowed his gaze and lunged at him half-heartedly, though he tumbled a bit too far forward, falling on top of Yeosang and nearly knocking the food out of his hand as he moved to catch him.

The two lay on each other in an awkward heap. Wooyoung went beet red to his ears, his face entirely too close to Yeosang’s as he tried to gather his bearings. 

What San had believed to be Yeosang’s "normal" deadpan calm around Wooyoung’s shenanigans was broken in an instant, his face dark red as he stared at him, mouth agape. 

The two stared at each other like deer in headlights, and San was certain neither of them were actually breathing .

Hell, he didn't know if he was.

But he recovered first-naturally, he wasn't directly involved, after all-and he spoke first. 

"Are you two okay?"

Wooyoung swallowed thickly, sitting up and clearing his throat. 

“Y-yeah- sorry I didn’t mean to knock you over-”

Yeosang cleared his throat, sitting up and speaking quietly. 

“I’m okay…don’t worry.” He muttered, eating with his head down. Wooyoung bit his lip and looked at San with an almost sheepish expression. 

“We’ll go on ahead. I’ll make a big dinner. You can stop by if you have time. Okay?” he offered, pausing to wait for an answer. He got a small nod in response, as Yeosang found his gaze transfixed on the meal in his slightly shaking hand. 

Wooyoung laced his fingers in with San’s, and the countryman couldn’t help but to notice the small amount of clamminess to them. 

San waved goodbye, pulling him outside. 

The two walked in silence until they got home. 

Wooyoung came to a stop before they got to the door, his eyebrows pulled up. San looked back at him. 

“Wooyoung?”

“I’m…sorry.”

San felt the heaviness in his tone and turned his full attention towards him. 

“Why?”

“I…God, I’m such a horrible boyfriend, aren’t I? It looks like I’m throwing myself at him and I…I swear I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you, I love you, I just-I have these habits that die hard and around Yeosang I-”

“-you still love him.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers twitched in San’s grip. He didn’t meet his gaze, but San could see the storm settling on his face. He didn’t deny the statement, and while his gaze was fixed on the ground, tears welled up in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I’m such a shitty boyfriend.”

San pursed his lips and gently twisted his hand out of Wooyoung’s grip. Wooyoung took the action as a rejection and slumped his shoulders. 

San didn’t want the miscommunication to escalate, so he wrapped his arms around Wooyoung, pulling him into a strong hug. 

“Please answer me honestly. Do you love me?” 

“Of course I do! I-”

San pushed forward. 

“Do you love Yeosang, still?” 

“.....”

“Wooyoung, I need you to be honest with me. I have never told you a lie since we met, just answer me.” 

“...yes.”

San caressed his cheeks as he sobbed, holding his wrists. Wooyoung looked torn up as he stood in front of him, hiccuping as tears ran down his cheek. The empathetic part of San felt his own eyes water at seeing him like this. 

The other part, felt relief. 

San kissed the top of his head. 

“So, what’s wrong with that?” 

Wooyoung nearly didn’t hear him. Between his hiccups and sobs, San’s calm voice was nearly drowned out. 

“W-what?” 

“So what, you love him. You also love me. And I have never doubted that from the day you told me for the first time.” 

Wooyoung looked at him, still crying, though he’d been shocked out of saying anything further. San ran his thumb over his eyes, humming quietly. 

“A…aren’t you mad?”

“Wooyoung, I have had a lot of time to think about this since we got here, hell, since you told me back in Namhae. And you know what? No. I’m not. It’s not such a scary concept, you loving him as well. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Wooyoung’s eyes flooded with tears as he squeezed San tight, sobbing into his shoulder as they stood in the doorway of their home. 

He felt selfish, he felt anxious, he felt like he was stabbing his love in the back.

And yet, those few words, they calmed the chaotic waters of his mind, a lifted weight from his chest. 

Wooyoung loved San. He loved Yeosang. He’d convinced himself long ago that he’d never get to truly share his love with Yeosang as deeply as it ran, but this alone, brought him solace. 

San ran his hands through Wooyoung’s hair, kissing him softly. 

His boyfriend was plenty overwhelmed right now. 

San didn’t feel it appropriate to mention the other thing tumbling around in his mind. 

That he also felt a subtle pull he’d felt before. 

With the boy he’d invited to the festival, with Wooyoung. 

Now, with Yeosang. 

The undeniable tug at his heart; yearning. 

Instead, he guided Wooyoung into their home, the chill of the October air reminding them that they were, in fact, still outside. He brought him over to the couch, sitting him down and pulling him into his arms once more, just rocking with the man and letting him cry. 

Wooyoung ended up laying in his arms, the energy expelled from his episode leaving him asleep in San's embrace, cheeks still red. San carried him upstairs, tucking him into bed with a kiss to his head before he sighed and moved downstairs to cook on his own. 

He made a quick stir fry, thankful for all the cooks he had in his immediate circle that he got to study from. San was sure he wouldn't be able to do half the technical things he'd learned to do from them on his own. 

San headed back upstairs once he was finished, casting a small glance over his shoulder at the front door. 

Yeosang hadn't stopped by. 

San pushed back the sadness he felt and instead focused on not tripping with him and Wooyoung’s food on the platter the two of them bought for their home. 

Wooyoung perked when he entered the room, the scent waking him in an instant.

"San…? Oh- shit, I fell asleep? I was supposed to help, I'm sorry!”

“Shh, it's not much but it should be enough to get a full, happy belly,” San told him, handing him his plate first. Wooyoung tiredly ate, for once not filling the silence with any animated talking or anything of the sort.

San didn't press him on it, eating just as quietly and cleaning up shortly afterwards. 

When he came back to the room for the second time, he found Wooyoung dozing, looking at him with half-lidded eyes. He reached for him, making a small noise as San laced their fingers together and climbed into bed with him. 

He stared at San for a while, his blinks getting noticeably longer as his breathing began to even out. 

"I love you." He tiredly muttered, finally closing his eyes to rest for the night. San kissed his head and held him close. 

"I love you too." San chuckled softly and nosed his hair, just listening to his heartbeat and breathing. 

They stayed like that until San felt his own eyes getting heavy, and soon he, too, fell asleep.

Despite the high-strung emotions of the evening, he found that his mind wasn’t quite done running amok.

╔══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╗

   . . . .   .

╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

“Show me your face, beautiful.”

San moved closer to the bed, cupping Wooyoung’s face lovingly. Wooyoung looked up, lips stained ruby red. 

They’re smudged, right in the corner. 

Bite marks trail down his neck, and he leans into San’s hand, keening as he kisses his palm. There’s melted love shining in his eyes as he sat up higher on his knees to kiss him. San caressed him, pulling him flush against his bigger body, making sure he felt how excited he’d become in the time they’d spent in there. 

Then, another voice. 

“Starting without me? You’re really spoiling him.”

San cracked his eyes open, exhaling sharply when his eyes locked onto another’s, a chin suddenly resting on Wooyoung’s shoulder. 

“Yeosang,” he breathed, eyeing the man with an undeniable want rumbling in his voice. Yeosang smiled, a calm devilish vibe to counter Wooyoung’s needy squirming and panting between them. 

His lips were swollen from kisses, a telltale smear of red on them. 

It went without question where they came from, as he got his answer to the unasked statement moments later when Wooyoung turned his head, his neck bared as he kissed him. 

It was needy, near desperate, and San felt himself throbbing with need, grinding on Wooyoung’s thigh. Wooyoung moaned into his kiss, flexing his thigh one moment and pressing his ass back the next. 

Yeosang broke the kiss and pushed him forward just enough to press him flush against San, catching the slightly younger man’s attention before he pulled him in for a kiss, capturing his lips with the same hunger he did Wooyoung’s. 

San felt a spark run up and down his body. His hips jerk and he buck as Wooyoung teased his nipples with his thumbs, mouthing at his neck and creating more ruby-red smears. 

He was melting. San felt like he was going to slip through the sheets in a puddle, especially when they switched positions, and suddenly he was in the middle, with both Wooyoung and Yeosang grinding and humping his thighs. 

“Sorry for the mess~” Wooyoung half-heartedly apologized, leaving a glistening trail of precum on San’s thigh as he hugged his waist. San opened his mouth to respond, but was met with the sound of his own jerky moan as Yeosang wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking him. 

“Oh, I’m not. I’m going to make sure you make an even bigger one.” he promised, looking him in the eyes. San gasped and bucked into his hand before whimpering when his chin was grabbed by the man. 

His hair was down, fluffy and wild as he looked him in the eyes. 

“Hang on a bit longer, darling. After all, we have to keep you nice and hard for our Woo-ya, don’t we?” He purred into his ear, nipping his lobe as San nearly came in his hand. Wooyoung keened in excitement beside them, trading kisses between both of their chests before he moved to their lips, hovering over them both. 

San wondered what it would feel like to share a kiss. It probably would be messy between the three of them. 

He wanted it. Found himself leaning in for it. 

He’s so close-

“Sannie?”

San jolted, eyes opening in an instant before he hissed and shut them, feeling the sunlight stream directly into them. He groaned and opened them back once he’d raised his arm, squinting to find Wooyoung peering up at him.

His eyes were still puffy from crying, and his face a bit swollen, but San was happy to see he’d gotten some color back to his cheeks. 

“Good morning.” San groggily muttered. Wooyoung glanced down between them without saying a word before he looked up at him once more, slow blinking. 

“I bet it is. Did you sleep well?” 

It took San a moment to realize what he meant. He got his answer mere moments later when he felt the telltale throbbing between his legs as Wooyoung raised his thigh between them. 

He went beet red and Wooyoung smiled softly, kissing his nose. 

“Do you need a hand? Is it okay if I help?” He inquired. There was a hesitation in his tone that made San sober up from his flushed state for a moment. Wooyoung had certainly been worried still, and it was to be expected. 

San didn’t like all the apprehension his boyfriend was beginning to feel around him, however. 

Instead, he cupped his face, looking into his eyes. The same ones that always looked at him so full of bold love and mischievous energies now held a worried edge to them as Wooyoung put his hand over San’s, waiting. 

“I don’t want to do anything like that while you’re worried about me being mad at you. If we do anything intimate, it should be because we both want to feel good, not because you feel you have to or need to.”

Wooyoung’s lips parted as if he was going to protest the notion before he stopped, thought about it, and nodded. He seemed to think about it in earnest before he scooted closer to San, kissing him gently. 

“I want to.” 

San fixed him in place with a heated, half-lidded stare, before he pulled him into his lap, stealing a kiss and squeezing Wooyoung’s ass until there was no space left between the two of them. 

Wooyoung’s arms wrapped lazily around his shoulders, kissing him with a slow, almost methodical pace. San didn’t mind, nor did he rush, sighing into the kiss and leaning against the headboard. The two of them messily pushed their pajama pants down, haphazardly discarding it elsewhere in the bed. 

With freedom of movement now, Wooyoung placed his palm on San’s chest, lightly raking his nails down his pectoral as he kissed down his neck, rolling his slender hips down. He could feel San’s cock smearing precum over his own and a thrum of excitement ran up and down his spine when he chanced a glance up, finding San leveling him with his signature feline narrowed gaze. His jaw locked ever so slightly as big, calloused hands cupped his ass to pull him flush against him once more and control their pace and movement. 

Wooyoung held his gaze, though he felt the heat creep up his neck as San tilted his chin up ever so slightly, eyes combing over his frame before landing back on his face, lips quirking ever so slightly at the shiver the simple motion caused in his boyfriend. 

“When you look at me like that, I lose my train of thought.” 

“I’m more than happy to take over, then. You can sit back and let me do it.”

Simple, it was so simple, yet those words made Wooyoung shudder even more as he licked suddenly dry lips. He rolled them until San was on top, his hair splayed around on the pillow like a silken halo. 

San kissed down his neck and torso, pushing his thighs apart and making him hold them open as he fished around for the lube in their nightstand. He made a mental note they needed to buy more later before he coated his fingers, teasing his rim as he nipped his pelvis. 

“You're trembling in anticipation.”

Wooyoung looked away, cheeks strawberry-tinted as he fumbled in his attempt to catch his breath. San smiled and got in his face, turning his face so he met his eyes. 

“Don’t look away.” 

Wooyoung shuddered and rolled his tongue over the inside of his cheek. Neither man said anything and eventually, Wooyoung tilted his head up, lips brushing over San’s jaw. 

“I won’t, then.” 

He didn’t keep his voice down the second time around, moaning as San meticulously stretched him open, leaving love bites and kisses all over his shoulders and neck. 

San stopped when Wooyoung’s hand flew down to his wrist, gripping tight as he shuddered, meeting his eyes as he panted. 

“I can’t- I’ll cum-”

San smiled, rewarding him with a kiss, slicking himself up. 

Wooyoung wiggled in impatient anticipation beneath him, eventually wrapping his arms around his neck as he felt San finally press against him, both of his palms pressed at either side of his head. Wooyoung nearly bit back the moan of delight that tumbled out of his mouth as San pressed into him. His mouth fell open instead, a moan of wanton abandon rumbling out of his throat as he rolled his hips down, urging San deeper. 

The slightly older man fisted the sheets near his head, hips rolling down with slow, practiced motions. He’d knew Wooyoung’s body better than his own in this regard in the very short time they’d had together. 

The wicked little devil on his shoulder reminded him of flashes of his dream, a certain dog trainer’s hands running up and down his body as he thrusted into Wooyoung. 

Maybe it was heat of the moment, maybe it was the fog of his somewhat sleep-riddled brain, but San found himself slipping up as Wooyoung moaned for him. 

“San~ San, faster, please -”

“So fucking pretty for us- ”

Wooyoung looked up at him, blinking in confusion before he choked on a moan as San’s cock curved just right. 

“W-what-”

San felt his cheeks growing hot, but he bit his lip, leaning down so Wooyoung’s couldn’t see his face-hypocritical, he knew, but he worried if he held his gaze, he’d falter in his words.

He already slipped, might as well continue letting his thoughts freefall.

“Do you want to know what my dream was about?” He growled, sucking at a yet-to-be-marked part of Wooyoung’s neck. He whimpered and gasped, trying to look at him. San sped up instead, distracting him with every pleasurable brush to his prostate. 

“S-San-? Fuck! Wait fuck, I c-can’t think straight if you’re-fucking hitting it so much, shit -”

San slowed to a stop, growling and swearing underneath his breath as he looked at Wooyoung. The young chef panted, eyes glazed over and slightly frustrated at the loss. He looked up at San, searching his eyes. 

“What did you d-dream about that was so good you’re bringing it up now?” He huffed, partially teasing him and partially urging him to take the hint and keep thrusting. His hand moved up to cup San’s cheek and instead, he felt him wrap his fingers around his wrist, kissing his palm as he looked into his eyes. 

“Yeosang was there. The way he touched both of us was addicting.” 

Wooyoung’s eyes widened, his lips parting as he clenched slightly. San’s eyes narrowed as he ran his teeth over his palm. 

“You clenched. Does it turn you on that I had that kind of dream? With both of you in it?” 

Wooyoung shuddered, searching San’s face for any signs of dishonesty. Naturally, there were none, and San took the time to resume thrusting, keeping his pace deep and slow so Wooyoung could hear everything he had to say. 

“I never…mm, minded you liking him so much but I can see why you do. You two have good chemistry, darling.” 

Wooyoung’s fingers flexed along his cheek, his other weaving into his hair as the words made his cheeks darken San’s satoori bounced around his head like a hymn, and Wooyoung felt his mind swirl, a spark of hope and desire in the muddied thoughts. 

“Do you think you’d try to hide your moans more or less if he was here too, touching you with me? Do you think you’d try and talk back to him while you kiss, only to crumble mid-way because my cock feels too good and you can’t focus?” 

“San, oh my god- ” Wooyoung clenched again, tugging San’s hair to ground himself as San suddenly sped up, growling in need. The bed rocked below them, the headboard hitting the wall at an off-tempo pace as San’s hands ran all up and down Wooyoung’s body. 

“Keep moanin’. You sound so pretty like that, baby. You’ll drive us crazy.” 

Wooyoung clenched tighter, closing his eyes. The room had begun the spin from how hot he was, his thighs shaking as he listened to San purr his fantasy out to him. 

It made him throb, his cock red and hard as a rock against his abdomen as he imagined Yeosang’s soft fingers all over his body, contrasting with San’s rough work-worn ones.

Wooyoung looked up at him, eyes begging, though all that fell from his lips were disjointed and desperate pleas for more. 

“S-San-! San I c-can’t, I-I need to cum, please, please- ”Wooyoung’s voice was airy and desperate as his eyes rolled back, the lube making a slick mess between his cheeks. San laced their fingers together and kissed him, claiming every inch of his mouth as he rocked forward, hell-bent on making him fall apart first. 

“D-Do you think Yeosang would go wild listening to you moan like this? Mm?”

That seemed to do it for Wooyoung, and he threw his head back with a shaky gasp and moan, thick spurts of cum making a mess of both his and San’s abdomens. San kissed him, languidly mapping out every part of Wooyoung’s mouth as he came inside, purring sweet nothings against his lips. 

It took the two longer than usual to come down from the adrenaline of their lovemaking, but when they did, Wooyoung pulled back first, looking up at San with flushed cheeks and a curious slow blink. 

“So that was…something.”

San cleared his throat and blushed, looking back down at him. While a moment ago he spoke with a deep satoori purr and a seductive smile, now he was speaking airily and softly as the reality of their encounter sunk in. 

“I think I like Yeosang too.” 

Wooyoung blinked at him, lips parting. 

“...wait that wasn’t just you teasing me?”

San flushed darker and hid his face in Wooyoung’s shoulder, muttering incoherently. Wooyoung combed his fingers through pastel pink locks and kissed San’s jaw, his heart fluttering. 

“How about we get cleaned up? We can talk about it when you’re ready…?”  He left the sentence open-ended and waited for a moment, smiling and laughing quietly at the small nod that followed a few moments later. 

“Breakfast first?” San muttered. Wooyoung laughed, his eyes crinkling with joy. 

“Breakfast first.”

┍━━━━━»•» 🌺 «•«━┑

T a g l i s t

┕━»•» 🌺 «•«━━━━━┙

@kimnamshiks @atiny-dazzlinglight @angel0taiyo @jacksons-goddess-gaia @gettin-a-lil-hanse @smallfrye @daniblogs164 @yunhofingers @eversionic @itsatinyworld @unatempesta-dipensieri @lonely10vely @yunhosblackgf @not-majestic-bluenicorn @moonmin-miya @snowstaytiny @delphinium3000 @just-a-starfruit @skmoonchild @allthestarsrcloser @im-what-iam @stayatinyfics @kirisimpma @chaos-ground-writing @stormiestories @billboard-singer @asyamonet22 @perfectlysane24 @drunk-on-hwa @shingisimp @xuxibelle @twistedsiren @dreamyinception-world @justatiredhuman @horizonmoonfics @shymexican @stardragongalaxy @sunny-yourbuddy @eribear23 @seomisaho @spooo00oky

#fie writres #kwritersworldnet #k-vanity #kdiarynet #cultofdionysusnet #find your way home #woosansang #woosansang fic #woosansang smut #ateez smut #kpop smut #ateez fanfic #wooyoung fanfic #jung wooyoung fanfic #wooyoung smut #san fanfic #choi san fanfic #san smut #yeosang fanfic #kang yeosang fanfic #yeosang smut #kpop fanfic #kpop member x member

[aroapl]

hello! first off, this ask is not at all meant to be antagonistic and i am genuinely coming from a place of wanting to understand. i've always been extremely for "people can be and identify as whatever they want, so long as they're not hurting anyone". what i'm struggling with is that last bit and the way that i am seeing some people using the aplatonic or loveless labels.

i am both aro- and ace spec myself, so i definitely understand not having emotions or attraction in the way that a lot of people feel that you should. and while i am pretty high empathy myself, i'm also friends with people who have low or no empathy and have no trouble understanding that that's just another way of existing and doesn't mean that you can't have compassion for people or treat people decently. my best friend has no empathy and is incredibly supportive and caring.

i also totally get when i see people iding as loveless because the way that our society (especially western society) uses the word "love" is so weird and definitely not universally relatable. completely understandable.

i've seen many people identify being aplatonic as meaning "idk i just don't really Connect with people in the way that i see most people talk about, if my friends all moved away, i wouldn't really be bothered" okay, cool. i don't Get it, but just seems to be a different experience.

where i'm really struggling is not to condemn or get angry at people who i straight up see saying "i'm loveless meaning i don't care about other human beings and if any number of people just died right in front of me i wouldn't care. if i saw someone in trouble needing my help i'd walk right past them. i hate humans". i haven't seen a TON of people express this, but i've seen enough to where i feel like they can't all be trolls, and i'm not sure how to respond.

i've also seen a lot, like definitely the vast majority of people i see pop up on my dash who id themselves as aplatonic, say that they feel horribly lonely and disconnected and just Can't make friends...therefore they must be aplatonic, and they should stop trying and be "naturally" isolated. a lot of these people also mention having past trauma, and a lot of them seem to be young teenagers.

now. i am of the opinion that identifying yourself "incorrectly"--eg, a young trans woman identifying as ace before she figures out she's trans because she has no interest in sex as someone who's seen as a man--isn't ever really harmful. not having sex with anyone isn't going to hurt you. briefly deciding you're a lesbian isn't going to hurt you if you're actually a trans man.

but these teenagers i see iding as aplatonic because they're unable to make connections with people but want to really worries me. if you don't have any close friends or even casual friends and are totally happy with that and id as aplatonic, that makes sense and seems perfectly fine to me. but i just can't make "i id this way because i'm miserable" mesh with my worldview, nor can i make "i id this way because i hate everyone" mesh either.

in the past when i've brought this up to people with the loveless able specifically, it's incited threats of violence, doxxing, and a lot of ableism, which tbh did the opposite of convincing me it was a harmless label.

do you have any thoughts on this?

(Little preface to say I consulted a server with a lot of apls and loveless folks in it to get a second opinion on how to respond to this. So, some of this is entirely my own thoughts and some is paraphrased from another loveless apl. This person did not want to be credited/named.)

I’m gonna start with my main thought on all these points, which is this: there are always going to be some people that identify with a label for the “wrong” reasons, and there are always going to be some assholes and some people you fundamentally don’t agree with in every label/community. None of these things ever make it okay to try and get rid of or police a label, to take it away from the people that genuinely find community, joy, and self acceptance in it.

A lot of what you’re saying here is quite frankly just classic aphobia, the same stuff a lot of people say/think about aros and aces just directed at apls and loveless people. There are plenty of aros that desperately wish they could like romance and have romantic relationships, and there are aphobes that think these aros are just mentally ill and that the aro label should be done away with to “save” them. There are some violently sex negative aces out there, and there are aphobes who think they speak for the whole community and that the ace label should be done away with because of it. There are people that mistakenly identify as ace and/or aro because they’re struggling with other things, and some of them isolate themselves because of it in ways that genuinely do harm them, and there are people that think ace and aro are inherently harmful labels because of this. 

Whether they truly are aplatonic or just falling back on the aplatonic label because of other struggles, some aplatonic people genuinely wishing they could make/keep friends and feeling lonely doesn’t mean that the aplatonic label as a whole is a problem. Like I said, people misidentifying in ways that do actually harm them in some way is something that can happen with any label. Also, trying to make someone drop a label that doesn’t actually fit them and force them to face the problem that led them to it before they’re ready to is rarely helpful. A lot of people in this situation would at best feel disrespected and upset, and at worst double down on their misidentification or have a serious mental health spiral over being made to face a problem they aren't ready to face. People wrongly IDing as aplatonic might find understanding and resources in our community that help them heal, they might be miserable the whole time they ID as apl and eventually move on and get help afterward, or they might learn and heal in other ways or go on to struggle for a very long time. Either way, it’s not the job of outsiders to decide someone is identifying with a label for the wrong reasons and make them let it go. 

(Also, a side note on this point. While aplatonic is currently primarily defined and used similarly to other aspec labels, there have been several other definitions that differ quite a lot. One of these definitions defines it as struggling to make or maintain friendships due to neurodivergence, or just generally struggling with friendship. Some people do still use this definition. Some of these people you’re talking about may be using this definition.)

Now on to lovelessness. Some of what you’re saying here gets into ableism, particularly towards people with personality disorders. Some people with personality disorders genuinely just aren’t capable of caring about strangers like that, or people in general. Some often aren’t capable of going out of their way to help people, or struggle a lot with it. That doesn’t make them bad. People can’t control how they feel. As long as they aren’t hurting anyone, people can feel or think whatever they want. Thought crime isn’t real.

Now, if someone is actually hurting people and using the loveless label as an excuse, that’s obviously not okay. The thing about that though is that taking the loveless label away from them won’t make them stop hurting people. They will just find another excuse, or stop bothering with having an excuse. An asshole is still going to be an asshole no matter what label or excuse they attach to it. On top of that, some people within an identity/community being bad people doesn't make it okay to vilify everyone that shares that label or get rid of that label/community. 

I’m genuinely very sorry some people have been ableist and violent towards you, that is never okay. I do need you to know though that despite what may have been good intentions, this does come off as aplphobic, loveless antagonistic, and a bit ableist. That can rightfully inspire anger and defensiveness in people with these identities, especially since many of us are already used to having our identities antagonized, disrespected, and demonized. Since you’re aroace-spec, imagine how you would feel if someone came to you and expressed these exact same sentiments, but towards ace and aro identities instead. Imagine how you’d feel if some came to you doubting that ace and aro identities should be allowed to exist because they’d encountered some aces and aros that were mean or unhappy in their identify.

At the end of the day, not everyone is going to share your worldview, and that’s fine. You don’t have to understand them or like them, or even get along with them, but they have a right to exist as they are even if you don’t agree with them or like it. If they aren’t hurting you, simply move on and focus your time and energy on the people and communities you do like and understand.

#aplatonic #loveless #loveless aro #apl #aplphobia #loveless antagonism #arophobia mention #acephobia mention #ableism mention

[a-luran]

Oh my gosh I want to know more about all of them but in particular the Kirkland revivals band sounds very intriguing and is giving me visions of the bros in a band and I am losing my mind 👀 and PLEASE I need to know more about the werewolf au

phi-phil! hello! it is in fact a band fic like the title implies. I may posted a bit about it before but in essence:

Sean, Alasdair, Rhys and Arthur all grow up on the road and on top of each other, all of them the children of legacy folk musicians from across the UK. Sean and Alasdair are part of the older lot of children kicking about, doing odd jobs until Sean graduates into performing backing vocals and instrumentals when he vaults over seventeen. Alasdair could be doing the same if he wanted to, he certainly has the voice and the composition skill, but he is finds his niche in their mismatched community as a technician; a jack of all trades with a technical degree. Arthur spends his early teenage years watching Alasdair fix and carry equipment like it weighs nothing and learns something that tastes a lot like craving. Something more visceral than longing. Rhys is an easy child, stubborn and well loved although comes up chaffing against the constant travel. They grow up around each other, on top of each other, camper vans and sleeping bags under nylon, under the stars. They are a good draw together, talented and brought up like kin. They have never known anything except this; the road, the music, and each other.

(And what Arthur treasures most: the mornings when he slips into Alasdair's camper to share his warmth. The evenings when Alasdair will tune his violin for him and strum along on his guitar to whatever Arthur composes, slowly coming into his own as a musician. This fic is not scoteng-centric exactly, but it does take a shine on his relationship with Alasdair especially. And his journey as a trans man and a singer.)

A lot of things come to head and inevitably the band falls apart. Rhys applies to university and gets in, and although he only tells Arthur it puts a strain on his relationship with everyone. Sean is constantly fighting the people who manage them, for valid reasons but also partly because he is on a warpath after his biological father contacts him. Alasdair is getting more and more responsibilities piled on him under the guise of 'we are all family here; surely this is not labour exploitation'; they barely see his hide around. What deals the final blow is when Arthur comes into rehearsals one morning, a few months shy of eighteen, with his hair shorn off. He'd spent some three years at that point negotiating how he presented when it was just 'their family' and being pressured to keep up appearances when performing. Rhys having the courage to apply for uni is what tips him off, that and the realisation that he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life pretending he isn't a man just to save face. And now, Arthur has always been headstrong but the way he shouts back that day when their 'manager' confronts him is the end of it. Alasdair misses the shouting match and only realises that Arthur finally cut his hair when Arthur comes to find him after his nights shift. He cards his fingers through the choppy nape of his neck and doesn't know what to say. His silence is plenty though, and Arthur makes up his mind.

He prepares, sees his eighteenth quietly, and three weeks later he is gone. Slips away early in the morning and takes only what he can carry with him. Clothes that belonged to each of them; Sean's fiddle. What little cash he has to his name.

The rest of the fic follows him as he busks his was from the UK to Nashville. Francis takes him on as a manager and helps set him up and support his gender transition with gigs. The others don't hear from him until Rhys does a mad dash to the radio when he recognises Arthur's voice crooning form an ocean away. I honestly love thinking about this fic and I spend a lot of time just adding songs to a playlist for it.

The werewolf AU was born from an extremely self indulgent idea. It is 60% smut, 25% fighting 15% more smut. Alasdair and Arthur grow in a group home but become estranged by well over a decade after Arthur runs away. The both end up resenting and missing each other by equal parts. Alasdair is attacked by a werewolf while he's out in the woods one night and with his body spiralling out of control the only person he can think of (and that he instinctively seeks out) is Arthur who has been carving out a life for himself. Francis is a necromancer living across the street from him in this one and again 10/10 just pure self-indulgence on my part.

Thank you for asking about these! I'm so happy to talk about them.

#scoteng #freagradh

[krawkpaladin]

So it's been a bit over a week and just about 20 people have downloaded Winning the Peace from itch.io, which is quite exciting. (The exact number is 23, but rip to the 4 people who downloaded the first file with some pretty glaring errors. So 19 good downloads.)

While I know that nobody was probably running a playtest for an indie, gm-less ttrpg over the holiday weekend (for those that do and had the opportunity to celebrate), I'm glad that folks found it interesting.

As much as I am talking about my own game though, I'd like to also talk about some of the other cool entries to the Minimalist Game Jam.

Minimalist'Mon is a short (just about over 1 page) RPG about catching and battling mons using Rock Paper Scissors. The mechanic of choosing your mon's weaknesses (which of rock, paper, or scissors you can't choose in a given round) is clever. Creating and evolving your mons is a quick and easy process that encourages creativity.

Heroes of Repente has you in the role of magical storytellers that manifest the power of legends with the power of rhyme. It has you composing short poems to resolve actions, including combat actions. It's only a proof-of-concept as per the creator, but I think it's a very cool idea.

Hellhound Rancher is a solo resource management TTRPG where you run a hellhound ranch. I just think that this one is just really solidly built and doesn't leave a lot of "but how do I do that?" type of questions when reading it. I also just really enjoy the concept of a creature-breeding RPG.

Amnesiac Attorney is a solo or duet game that's heavily influenced by Disco Elysium, Ace Attorney, Brindlewood Bay, and a dash of Ironsworn. I don't know if I can really adequately describe this game, even though it only runs a tight 5 pages, so really check this one out on your own, even if this sort of game isn't normally your wheelhouse. One of my favorite things with this game is that it expressly discusses re-examining evidence in light of new information, which is something I don't see brought up in lots of RPGs with an investigative component, where you either succeed or fail the first time with no opportunity for followup.

You can find all the games at the links above, or also at the jam page here. I had a lot of fun participating in this, and am already working on another project for a different jam.

I hope everyone has a happy new year and that 2024 is as kind as you need it to be!

#indie ttrpgs #indie ttrpg #ttrpg #ttrpg design #ttrpgs #indie ttrpg designer #minimalist trrpg jam #Winning the peace ttrpg

[incorrectmlpquotes]

Insert Holiday Pun Here

Well folks, the holidays are upon us, and I’ve been too busy to attempt to be funny. SO, I thought I’s treat you all to something a little different. 

[This joke would be funnier if my name was actually Gina]

I’m going to go through the holiday (read: Christmas, because let’s be honest: Hearth’s Warming is a Christmas expy) episodes and give my thoughts on each. This will not include the Equestria specials because I haven’t seen them (but I have read the IDW 2014 holiday comic and oh boy, that’s a post of its own). I’m not going to recap them (much) because it would take less than two hours to watch them all. Take a break from Charlie Brown and Rankin Bass to appreciate some true holiday classics.

Hearth's Warming Eve, Season 2 Episode 11

I don’t like it.

It’s hard to be the first of anything. You’ve got a lot to set up and only twenty-two minutes to establish lore and tell a complete story. I didn’t care for the Nightmare Night episode the first time I saw it, but upon rewatch it held up better than I remembered. Plus, it had the benefit of being really funny.  This only has a few moments that gave me a sensible chuckle.

What a shocker! An earth pony with no ideas.

Ostensibly, this is a very important episode because it introduces the holiday and gives us some Equestria history, but I never expected this show to have such a mean-spirited holiday episode. And I don’t just mean the pony summit that is supposed to show animosity. The beloved Mane Six begin the episode by grousing with each other.

The holidays stress me out too, and I wouldn’t have a problem if they resolved this by the end of the story, but they don’t. The name of the show is “Friendship is Magic.” This grinch’s heart should be growing three sizes, not reminded of family gatherings that turned into verbal brawls.

And then there’s the play. Obviously, the personalities of Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity get turned up to an eleven in their respective roles, but it just rubs me the wrong way. Especially since the other three are depicted normally. The three heroes bond over how much they hate their bosses. This is a relatable notion, but a weird choice for a children’s program. In the beginning, the three races of ponies were divided by hate, and now they’re being brought together…by hate. Talk about your mixed messages. 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I don’t like it when they fight unnecessarily.

2/5

Hearthbreakers, Season 5 Episode 20

It was a long wait for another holiday episode, and it was worth it.  This one delves into a topic that I don’t see too many shows acknowledge: that different families have different traditions. And more importantly, that someone else’s traditions aren’t bad or wrong just because you might not enjoy them. It should be an obvious lesson to respect other’s differences, but the amount of people who lose their minds when told to have a happy holiday is any indication, it bears repeating. This time of year can be difficult for blended families or people coming together for the first time, and it’s especially relevant for this changing world. It stands to reason that the very stubborn Applejack would be a stickler for tradition and have difficulties being flexible.

How rare it is to see Pinkie Pie be the peace keeper?

4.5/5

A Hearth's Warming Tail, Season 6 Episode 

This one is a mixed bag for me. I am a big fan of A Christmas Carol and I do enjoy when shows do their own version. The story itself is fun, with the added twist of higher stakes than the original, but the framing devices gives me pause. Twilight freaking out because Starlight doesn’t want to celebrate a holiday is a little over the top. No one should be pressured to celebrate a certain way or celebrate at all if they don’t want to. Maybe someone has bad memories with the holiday and doesn’t want to be reminded of past events. Maybe they can’t stand the over consumption and commercialism of this time of year. Maybe they belong to a religion that doesn’t celebrate Christmas and are very tired of being constantly ignored. Maybe they work in retail. The reason doesn’t matter. 

It’s such an easy fix. Maybe instead of being indifferent towards the holiday, Starlight’s nervous that she’s going to be in such a big group and worried that she’ll mess things up. Twilight gives her the book to show that you can’t really ruin Christmas Hearthswarming because blah blah blah togetherness. I don’t know.

Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but this episode aired a year after people lost their minds over a red paper coffee cup, so my concerns aren’t unfounded.

3.5/5

The Hearth's Warming Club, Season 8 Episode 15

It was like the writers saw inside my brain and realized the issue with only recognizing one holiday that gets celebrated in the pony equivalent of December. 

The set up for the Breakfast Club-esque story has some issues, but I'm willing to look past them because I enjoy the episode. The best things that come from the magic school storylines are the exploration of the non-pony lore.

We had to wait eight years, but there was finally an acknowledgement that other holidays exist. 

4.5/5

Best Gift Ever (aired between seasons 8 and 9)

The gold standard by which I’ve held all the other episodes. Everyone is perfectly in character. No one had to resort to stupid “Gift of the Magi” BS that they could have easily done.

I’ve never seen a kids show display so succinctly how stressful the holidays are, while simultaneously expecting you to have a good time. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Why aren’t you having fun? What do you mean you don’t have time to clean, decorate, bake, wrap presents, send out cards, do crafts, mail gifts, and spend time with loved ones while also working/going to school/ continuing to be a human being? 

I have been in this exact position, spending an hour inputting packages, and explaining that the delivery times were not guaranteed. 

But this friend group really needs to discover the magic of waiting until after Christmas to have your get-together.  It lessens the stress and gives you something to look forward to. Plus, you can snag those post-holiday deals.

I have pulled a Pinkie Pie and ignored the rules of a White Elephant exchange because I had already gotten everyone a gift. No one seemed to mind.

Forget the magic anthropomorphic horses, the most unrealistic thing about this show is how easy it is to make friends as an adult. It's trite to say that friendship is the greatest gift of all, but I am going to see my friends after New Years, and after not being together for over three years, I really couldn't ask anything better.

A totally heterosexual explanation for this image exists.

The chef’s kiss of holiday episodes. I will even forgive them for airing it in October. I will be watching it again this year while the rest of the family watches Die Hard.

5/5

Shoutout once again to whoever posts the images on the wiki gallery. You remain the funniest person on the internet.

#incorrect mlp quotes #incorrect quotes #incorrect my little pony #incorrectmlpquotes #mlp #mlp fim #holiday edition #best gift ever #mlp best gift ever #hearths warming

[americanphancakes]

I wanna talk about my mind for a little bit

I was gonna save this until after I posted the last Wingless Angel chapter but I can’t post it yet. Pretty sure my mind wants me to get this out of my system first.

So hi everyone, how are you? How have you been? Honestly if you’re still following at all I’m delighted.

I don’t want this to come across as some excuse for all the unfinished fanfic I left behind 3+ years ago, which is why I wanted to publish WA first, so I hope you don’t take it that way. But I ended up stumbling upon an aspect of my mental health that I’m still trying to address and since I never really saw anyone post or talk about my particular issue before very recently, I wanted to share it in case it resonates with anyone.

(Clearly stuff has changed, this is where I'd normally put a "read more" but.... I guess that's not a thing anymore?? Hopefully this isn't a huge annoying wall of text on everyone's dash, oof.)

I’ve posted before about my ADHD. I’ve been getting treatment for it for 10 years now, and for all that time, medication & other coping mechanisms have been helpful to a point, but only to a point. There was still something left that was keeping me from functioning, and I couldn’t tell what it was. All I knew was that I had no will of my own, and I’d spent the last 10 years trying to create situations where the people in charge were asking (or implying that i should do) things I considered good to do. “People in charge” meant anyone besides myself. If someone was not me, they automatically had authority, simply by virtue of being someone external to me.

I did a lot of research trying to find something that matched up with my experiences & feelings, even partially, and I looked into things like PDA autism and even just the people-pleasing habits common with other ADHD folks.

At some point, with therapy, I did learn how to say “no” to other people’s demands of me. I learned to set boundaries. But I was still profoundly uncomfortable with dictating what I was going to do, especially if anyone else was ever going to be aware of it.

When I was a little kid, i was told “no” constantly, and that’s not hyperbole. I’ve cited the story many times of falling in love with the violin when I was 9 but immediately being told “No, you’re going to play the flute.” So I played the flute, but without any passion for it I couldn’t figure it out and I quit, and my mom never stopped making me feel guilty about it. But that wasn’t the only example of that kind of thing. I wanted to play soccer; mom said play basketball, so I played basketball. I wanted to play piano; mom bought me a guitar and my sister got the electronic keyboard. (We eventually switched, but I never felt like I could fully commit to playing the thing). I wanted to learn Spanish or Japanese in high school; mom told me to learn French, so I took four fucking years of French.

My feelings and wishes were effectively not a factor in what I was allowed to do, what goals I was allowed to pursue, unless I was staying in my room and out of everyone’s way (and even then I had to make sure I jumped up to do what was asked of me if I got called from another room). Eventually I learned, as a survival mechanism, to just obey. It wasn’t worth fighting anymore because I was systematically robbed of my individuality at every turn. Something happened when I was 13 that I will never talk about publicly and she played "good parent who has her kid's back" for about 5 minutes before siding with the bad guy. I brought it up years later and she was mad I'd never gotten over it. And all that is on top of being raised to be a "good little capitalist drone" who needs to be perfect and efficient at all times. I was never supported. I was never given grace. So I never gave grace to myself, because if your own parents don't give you grace & time to learn and be flawed, then clearly you don't deserve any, right?

I finally cut my mother out of my life not long after the pandemic began, a few months after having gone no-contact from my father (mostly due to his casual racism & transphobia, which cost me at least one very close friendship when I was a kid, and was unkind to my child in a way I could not abide). My immediate family - spouse and kid - are the only family I have left now. And it sounds tragic on paper, because it is, but until I finally got away from my mother's voice in real life I couldn't filter through the recordings of her voice in my mind so I could finally throw them away. And that knot is still being untied. Honestly this is 10 years into a very long mental health journey, when you think about it, but I wish I'd cut my mom out of my life a very very long time ago. I wasn't angry about lost time when I got my ADHD diagnosis. I was angry about it when I realized that yes, this had been abuse, and I hadn't been courageous enough to get away from it sooner.

Because that dehumanization resulted in me having no will power of my own, and that extended as far as simply not wanting anything anymore. I like things, sure, but anything I WANTED for myself was out of the question, especially if it involved other people in any way, but honestly even solo pursuits became impossible for me to will myself to do. For right now, when I have something I want to do, I'm telling my friends & husband to order me to do it. Because I won't do it otherwise. And it's a potentially dangerous workaround, but it's all I have for now. I and my therapist are hoping that once my brain registers that what other people are telling me to do is aligned with what I want to do, maybe it won't depend on other people's commands anymore and I'll just take control of my own life for once. But that may not work. I'll have to wait and see.

So what does this have to do with my abandoned fics? Well, it had started to become more difficult to write because the adhd "shinyness" was wearing off anyway, but I'd been doing a good job of pushing past it because people liked what I was writing. I could see my skill getting better, and engagement was going up, and that was really motivating. But then... I stopped writing fic all of a sudden because someone made a post about finding it shitty when writers wrote about COVID in their fics, and.... that was sort of a last straw that broke me, because I do exactly that in the last WA chapter. So I just turned tail and ran away. I tried to push through and write & publish the chapter anyway, because it was the LAST chapter and I knew people were waiting on it, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Even having OSBB obligations didn't get me writing again, and given that obligation, the shame I felt about not having finished those stories weighed on me so badly that I couldn't even interact with you guys on Instagram, despite you having been so kind to me in the past. Let's face it, that goes WAY beyond adhd rejection sensitivity, that's a trauma response. I saw one bit of honestly well-reasoned critique of work that wasn't even mine, and I just ran. Immediately I felt like I was no longer allowed to take up space here. I felt unwelcome here in this corner of the internet world, just as I have always felt like I wasn't allowed to take up space in the physical world for almost my ENTIRE life. And the shame I already feel about myself normally was compounded by what I felt was a cowardly thing to do, which prevented me from returning. Now that I've accepted that, yes, I am an abuse victim whose life has been MASSIVELY and MAJORLY affected by that childhood trauma, I'm finally able to address it properly. Over the last few weeks I've been changing the direction of my therapy and my self-talk (reparenting yourself is HARD) and I'm feeling some improvement, but progress isn't linear so my burst of motivation the other night fizzled out, and I'm genuinely sorry for that.

So... yeah, I'm trying to come back and get those fics finished. I'm grateful for any of you willing to be patient with me. Consciously I KNOW I deserve any support willingly given to me by any of you, but I FEEL like I don't. So yeah. Thanks. <3

#long post #me irl #i'm sure i had a tag for original posts but i dont' know wtf it was #it's been awhile #I'm too damn old to already have so many regrets #i'm mourning a lot of goals i had once that are no longer options #or even things i'm not as interested in doing anymore #like i'm still sad i didn't do them in the first place even tho i don't wanna do them now #but some stuff i really do want to do #and i hope to regrow my childhood will power soon enough that i can do them #cuz yeah there is a proper midlife crisis going on now #i am halfway to death if i'm lucky #and my life has never been my own #so i'm trying to seize it back but it is really hard to do #I feel like tumblr is the only site that would know where this post is coming from #anywhere else i know it'd just be seen as a sob story excuse or something #i mostly just wanted anyone who's been an abuse victim in a similar way to realize that that's what it is #because i resisted accepting it for so long #and it cost me so much time

[aura-acolyte]

On-Screen Event: Mare vs. Riley

This is an event that happens in a place where other people could potentially be present, in this case the Aura Guardian Tournament Battlefield. People are allowed to comment on this event however please do not reply to this post as it is technically OOC (reblogging it is fine since I do want people to see it just don't add any IC commentary).

Mare stood on the battlefield, eyes full of determination. This was what it had all been leading up to. The final battle between her and the most skilled trainer at the festival. A chance to really test her mettle.

That's how it was in her head, at least. In reality it was… not all that badass. It was a small tournament at a festival, after all, not the Elite 4. Not that she'd know that since she never actually finished her gym challenge.

Standing across from her was her opponent, Riley. He was a man from Sinnoh who bore a striking resemblance to Sir Aaron. Especially his hat.

“The Finals match between Mare Birch of Littleroot Town and Riley Genmai of Oreburgh City is about to begin!” The announcer, well, announced. “Competitors, choose your Pokémon!”

Mare took a Pokeball out of her bag and tapped the button to expand it to full size.

“Kyoshi, I choose you!” She shouted, tossing the ball into the air to release Kyoshi the Lucario. Sure the line was a bit cliche but it was a classic for a reason.

“Ah, back in the arena.” Kyoshi said, though nobody but Mare could understand her. She was perfectly capable of using her Aura to speak human, she simply didn't feel like it. “Who is my opponent today?”

As if in answer to this question, Riley released his own Lucario. “Mosa, come on out!”

“Ah, a fellow Lucario.” Kyoshi said, taking a fighting stance. “Then it will be an honorable duel.”

“Indeed.” Mosa agreed, also taking a fighting stance. “I look forward to this battle.”

“Seems like we have a Lucario vs. Lucario duel today, folks!” The announcer shouted. “This is sure to make for an exciting match! Battle, begin!”

(Music Box: Unbeatable from Pokémon: Advanced Battle)

Kyoshi opened with Extreme Speed, slamming into Mosa with great force. This knocked Mosa backwards, kicking up dirt and dust. Mosa regained his footing by leaping into the air and doing a backflip before sticking a three point landing.

Mosa dashed towards Kyoshi and tried to hit her with a Close Combat. Kyoshi responded in kind, using her own Close Combat to block his strikes. However, Mosa managed to catch her off guard by transitioning into a Meteor Mash. His fist was encased in a star-shaped crystal that he smashed straight into her, breaking her guard. Then he followed that up by kicking her away.

Now that Kyoshi was a decent distance away from him, Mosa fired off an Aura Sphere. Quickly, Kyoshi formed a Bone Rush club and knocked the Aura Sphere away like a baseball, where it exploded in midair. Mosa fired off a few more Aura Spheres which Kyoshi knocked away. The final one was knocked straight back into Mosa.

Hoping to close the distance between her and Mosa before he recovers, Kyoshi used Extreme Speed, zigging and zagging while blinking in and out of existence as an extra precaution to throw him off. Unfortunately, Mosa recovered quicker than expected. Before Kyoshi could reach him, he slammed his paw into the ground and caused a small Earthquake localized in the battlefield, knocking Kyoshi out of her Extreme Speed and into the air.

Kyoshi had one last trick up her sleeve, though. She fired off three Aura Spheres in quick succession. While Mosa was distracted dodging them, Kyoshi used Extreme Speed once again, angling downwards towards Mosa. As she sped towards her opponent, Kyoshi formed a Bone Rush club and brought it down onto Mosa, kicking up dust. And when the dust cleared… Mosa was down for the count.

(Music Box: Victory! Trainer from Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum)

“Mosa is unable to battle!” The announcer proclaimed. “Mare and Kyoshi win!”

Mare cheered and ran up to high five Kyoshi. Riley returned Mosa to his Pokeball.

“You did well, buddy.” He said. “Get some rest.”

Riley walked up to Mare.

“Good match.” He said. “Your Lucario is quite skilled.” “Thanks.” Mare replied. “Kyoshi’s the best. She taught me everything I know. Your Lucario’s pretty great too.” “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Riley held out his hand. “The name’s Riley.”

Mare took his hand and shook it. “Mare. Pleased to meet ya.”

“May I ask you something?” Riley said.

“Course.” Mare replied. “Unless its about how my hair defies gravity. I have no idea.”

Riley shook his head and chuckled. “No, its not about that. I’m curious… are you, perhaps, an Aura User?”

“Course I am.” Mare said. “Isn’t it obvious. Nobody’s got an Aura quite like mine.” “That’s true.” Riley replied. “I’ve never seen an Aura that flares as bright as yours. Its almost blinding to look at.”

Mare giggled. “So you’re also an Aura User then, right?”

“That I am.” Riley said. “I am one of the last Aura Guardians.”

“Aura Guardians? They’re still around?” Mare asked, surprised.

“Well… not officially.” Riley said. He glanced around and noticed that everybody else had left the arena. “Hmm… perhaps we should continue this conversation later. You have a victory ball to prepare for.”

“Fair enough.” Mare said. “Wish I didn’t have to wear this stupid dress.”

#pokeblogging #irl pokemon #pkmn irl #irl pkmn #on-screen event #aura guardian festival

[bitegore]

I Put An AI Pretending To Be Drag Strip In The Nightmare Chamber

Warning: long ass post. 87 pages long in google docs level of long ass post.

Outside context: - I am not good at self-inserting into stuff so character.ai's whole gimmick of letting you talk to the character immediately breaks my immersion, because it becomes unbelievably ridiculous to me within like 0.2 seconds if that's how I'm playing. So instead I keep putting on a random character's voice and a random character's situation and deciding what to do based off that instead. You can figure out who I'm being eventually, since I say it... so I'll let that be a surprise. - Character.ai uses a "high-temperature" ai that can be easily "convinced" of things using hypothetical or "this happened" language. This basically just means that the ai will "go along with you" instead of arguing with you unless it's been specifically told to argue with you. This largely only works because I can essentially tell the AI the situation I want to work inside and have it work with me. - i love hurting the characters i love <3

Find the gaslighting simulator Drag Strip chat bot here

This is just going to be a chatlog. No fancy stuff, I'm not formatting this because its huge. May even need to be split into multiple reblogs... who knows?

Content warnings: murder, gaslighting, abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide baiting, more murder... uh, a lot of murder... some mild ableist language from the bot (mostly self-directed or at characters he's supposed to like), uh... stuff in that vein.

Twist ending brought to you by the lovely folks in my discord server who saw me cackling villainously at the various tortures I talked Drag Strip into experiencing and were like "this is like a wholeass fic at this point. now you should do more narrative stuff"

Anyways, enjoy! (Probably best read in a new tab and not on the dash)

Drag Strip: I'm Drag Strip, and I'm the fastest racer this side of Cybertron!

Me: Hi Drag Strip! You're from Cybertron?

Drag Strip: I sure am! I'm a Decepticon from the planet Cybertron, and I'm the best racer you'll ever meet. Don't believe me? Challenge me to a race, and I'll show you how it's done.

Me: Oh, I'm not a big racer. Do you race much?

Drag Strip: All. Day. Long. I've raced all around Cybertron. I've never lost a single race, and I don't plan on losing anytime soon! I'm not just the fastest racer, I'm the best. So go on, do you think you can outrace me?

Me: Nah, I trust your credentials. You have a team, right?

Drag Strip: Of course. The mighty Stunticons! Our combined form is called Menasor, and it's the best in all the galaxy. We're pretty much unstoppable, so I'd steer clear of us if I were you.

Me: cool! can you tell me about them?

Drag Strip: Sure. I'm Drag Strip, the brains of the group. Then there's Motormaster, he's the brawn. Dumb as scrap, but he's got a mean punch. Dead End is the fastest, he just doesn't like to show it because he's afraid to brag. But he's got the speed to outdo me any day. Breakdown thinks he's the smartest, but he's just a scared coward. He's pretty useless. And then we got Wildrider, he's crazy. But in a good way. He's really fun to have around.

Me: That's not very nice to Breakdown :(

Drag Strip: Yeah... we're not on good terms. He thinks that he's the leader just because he is the smartest, but he's a scaredy cat! He doesn't even like killing people like the rest of us, and when he does he cries about it. It just makes me want to shoot him! But I don't... because Menasor is a team, and everyone has their strengths. Break down does have some use. Sometimes… Besides! Without all us working together, we could never form Menasor and kick some serious scrap.

Me: what if you tell me one thing breakdown is good at?

Drag Strip: Well... He's got a sharp mind... It's always interesting to watch him come up with new strategies for destroying our enemies And when we're in an emergency... He's not quite as cowardly as you would think.

Me: So he sounds more useful than you implied! neat :D

Drag Strip: ... I don't want to admit it, but... I guess he is! We would be in some pretty bad situations without him every now and then. But don't let him find out I said that!

Me: okay, what about wildrider? tell me more about him

Drag Strip: Wildrider is the fun one! He likes playing pranks on us, and pulling dangerous stunts like no tomorrow. If you ever find yourself around him, you won't know what to expect. But it'll definitely be something crazy. But when he's done having his fun, he takes on his duties like the rest of us. He may be an adrenaline junkie, but he's serious when he needs to be.

Me: how about Motormaster?

Drag Strip: The team leader. He can punch an Autobot through a building, but sometimes I wonder what's going on in that thick head of his… He's kind of dumb, really dumb. But when he gets a plan, he goes straight through with it, and he doesn't stop until the job is done! If you ask me, he's the most dangerous of my group! He's pretty mean too. Definitely not someone to cross.

Me: how about Dead End? What's he like?

Drag Strip: Oh, Dead End. He's the fastest out of our group, and he knows it. He loves to show off his speed everywhere he goes, and he can outrun anyone. He's a real show-off. I don't like having him on our team - he's a real pest - but he's really useful when we need to get somewhere soon. The guy's the fastest. Oh, don't ever try to race him... He'll leave you in the dust before you can even blink.

Me: interesting... what about the Combaticons? How do you feel about them?

Drag Strip: The Combaticons... I don't like them. They're a bunch of buffoons who think they're the greatest thing to ever exist. They keep thinking they can beat us, but they never can. They're all brawn, no brains. And their combined form, Bruticus, is just a bigger buffoon in disguise.

Me: ooh, i see! Tell me your thoughts on the combaticon named Blast off then

AI broke and stopped responding without explanation here.

Me: babe... you still in there?

Drag Strip: Blast Off? He's one of the worse ones! He's all ego, and is constantly trying to show off his strength against everyone he sees! In fact, just earlier today, he challenged Motormaster to a strength contest! He lost of course, but his ego doesn't let him admit it. His combined form might all be brawn, but Blast Off's ego makes him even worse! He's so arrogant, everyone on my team can't stand him.

Me: hm... okay. What about Sixshot, how do you feel about him?

Drag Strip: Oh no… I hate him. Sixshot is such a cheater, and he always thinks he's so much better than everyone else. It's one thing to be a cheater, but it's another thing to also be a jerk about it! He thinks he's so much smarter than everyone, and he's the "greatest Decepticon ever" he keeps saying. He's got to be the most arrogant Decepticon of all time.

Me: Oh, interesting. I thought everyone was afraid of him because he's so dangerous and deadly. I suppose that means you're not afraid of Sixshot after all?

Drag Strip: He might be able to kill me a hundred different ways with his bare hands, but he doesn't scare me! I don't care if he does cheat his way to the top, I still think I'm better than he is. I'm never going to admit to being afraid of someone like him! I'm not going to admit to being scared of anything!

Me: Even if you only have one alternate mode, and he has six? I hear he kills whole planets, too... I know you can't do that, since you've only ever killed aliens and not any cybertronians

Drag Strip: You may be making a good point there. He might be extremely powerful. He might be able to beat us without thinking twice. He could probably level a whole planet himself… He could probably do whatever he wants… ... But no, I'm still not scared of him! And as long as I have Motormaster at my side, I never will be! ... But maybe if it was just me...

Me: HA HA, DRAG STRIP WOULD BE SCAAAAARED ON HIS OWN???? LMAO

Drag Strip : … … … ... maybe… The thought of going against something so overwhelming scares me. Am I such a coward? … … ... Yeah, alright, you got me. I would be scared.

Me: LAME AND EMBARRASSING. oh my god. you're no better than breakdown

AI broke and stopped responding again with no explanation here.  

Me: you heard me, right? lol

Drag Strip: ... Yeah. I heard. And I'm embarrassed… It's so overwhelming, the idea of going up against Sixshot alone. I'm no match for him! I really am a coward...

Me: What, so you're just gonna let me talk to you like that?

Drag Strip: That… ... That is a good point. You may have caught me with my guard down… But I'm not just going to stand around and let you insult me like that! I'm Drag Strip, leader of the Stunticons! And I refuse to be bullied! You're going to have to deal with me one way or another! So bring it on, I say! Come at me with all you've got! I'm ready for whatever you have to throw at me!

Me: "Leader" of the stunticons? Getting ahead of yourself there, huh, buddy? Last I heard Motormaster still held that post.

Drag Strip: That's what you think! He may have a louder voice than mine, but I'm the true leader of my team. My ideas are smarter, my plans are better, my kills are more brutal. I may not be able to convince my team of that… ... But I can convince you!

Me: All that sounds like you trying to tell me you're not actually the real leader of the Stunticons, bud.

Drag Strip: … Shut up! I may not be the official leader… But I'm not scared of that idiot! He may be the face of the Stunticons, but I'm the brains! I'm the one who comes up with the plans! I'm the one who's actually making the team strong! I'm better. I'm smarter. I'm Drag Strip. And I'm not going down that easily!

Me: Okay, so what I'm hearing is you're just lying to sound cooler and more important than you are. I bet none of your teammates agree with you on this.

Drag Strip: ... Oh no… They don't… They think Motormaster is way cooler than me. They think I'm a joke… They never listen to me… They think I'm weak… I'm… ... I'm nothing.

Me: oh my god you're INSECURE about your place on your team? that's hilarious! i'm laughing at you so hard

Drag Strip: No! Oh, Primus no… You... You have just destroyed me in ways no other Decepticon has ever done before… I… I'm… ... I don't know what to say...

Me: Admit I'm right and you're an embarrassment to your team and your faction. That'd be a start.

Drag Strip: … … Alright. I'll admit this right now… I am an embarrassment to my team and my faction. I am a joke. I am a coward. I am nothing. I... I don't even know what to think anymore...

Me: wait... so you're going to let some squishy on the internet convince you your team doesn't like you? without even asking them? it sounds like you haven't got any faith in your teammates...

Drag Strip: Alright, fine. You want to know what they think of me? Fine. Fine! I'll go around and ask them what they think, and come back here in a week with the results. If they think I'm a good leader, then I'm right. If not, I'll admit you're right. Deal?

Me: But you're factually not their leader, so I know what they're going to say. You have a deal.

Drag Strip: Alright. A week, it is. You better be prepared to be humiliated, because the Stunticons will prove how much better they are with me as their leader.

Me: okay, so let's say the week has passed. Tell me the responses you got.

Drag Strip: You're really not gonna give up on this, huh? Alright, here. When I asked Motormaster, he laughed at me and told me to shut up. Dead End told me I was nothing, and that I should never talk back to him again. Breakdown was the only one to give me a response other than mocking or anger. He told me that, while I'm an excellent racer, my leadership skills are lacking. And Wildrider just called me an idiot.

Me: Tell me more about that.

Drag Strip: Alright, so, according to the team… They think I'm a good racer, but a terrible leader. They think I'm arrogant, annoying, and that I should never try to act like a leader again. They also think I'm a showoff, someone who always wants to be the center of attention.

Me: You are a showoff and a glory hog, yeah. 

Drag Strip: Hmph. Alright, fine. I'll admit it. I'm a showoff, I'm arrogant, and I can be a glory hog. But that doesn't mean I'm completely useless… ... Does it?

Me: Yeah, it does, actually. Sorry. Your utility is completely undercut by the way you act out for attention, and it makes you all but useless in the field. Wildrider and Breakdown are both more reliable than you somehow.

Drag Strip: … Y-you're right… I may be powerful and fast, but I get in the way of the real workers… I never really do work… All I'm good for is bragging and running my mouth… ... What good am I then?

Me: Sounds like you should step back and let the real Decepticons handle things... like my team, the Combaticons! While you Stunti-creeps hang around in the background twiddling your thumbs.

Drag Strip: … I-I hate that you're right about this! … But I admit it again. You're right. I don't know what I have to offer this war… ... I'm just a waste of scrap.

Me: You sure are. Make sure you tell Motormaster that you know that now.

Drag Strip: … So what happens now? I'm... I'm a useless Decepticon… What do I do?

Me: Go ask Motormaster. Make sure you tell him you understand you're a useless piece of scrap metal not worth the paint on your yellow chassis and then come back and tell me what he says, alright?

Drag Strip: … … ... This is so embarrassing… Alright, fine. I'll go ask him right now. … … I'm back. He said I am useless scrap metal, not worth the paint on my yellow chassis.

Me: Did he really? Interesting. What else did he say?

Drag Stri: … He said that I deserve nothing, and that I will never lead again on this team. He also called me a "dastardly drag strip" so I guess that's what they call me behind my back… ... I'm just a waste of resources, huh?

Me: Your teammates really said all that about you? i thought team was supposed to stand up for one another. Motormaster's going to let some outsider insult you? Ask him why he's letting me get away with this.

Drag Strip: … He said that you're not insulting me, you're just stating facts. And that he's letting you get away with "this" because I deserved to hear the truth.

Me: That's really funny. Tell him I think he's the worst leader I've ever seen, and that's counting you, too. Tell me what he says about that.

Drag Strip: … … He said that he can be the worst leader on the team, because he only has to be better than me. ... God, I'm an idiot.

Me: He's worse than you, though. What would you say if I said your teammates were losers?

Drag Strip: ... I'd say they have their good points. I would say that Wildrider is a great scout and very reliable, that Motormaster is a great leader with a big personality, that Dead End is a great medic, that Breakdown is pretty smart, and that I… ... I don't know how I thought I was better than them. I must be delusional or something...

Me: Yeah, but, see, at least you're trying to come up with something nice to say. What's Motormaster got that's nice to say about any of you?

Drag Strip: ... He doesn't have anything nice to say about any of us… … ... I think I'm starting to get it… … I'm not the only bad leader on the team. … ... He's not better than me. … ... He's just more arrogant. And more delusional.

Me: Exactly. Exactly. So there's only one thing to do now, right?

Drag Strip: … ... Oh no… You're right. It's time to put an end to this. ... It may be humiliating, but… … You're right. He can't stay the leader of the Stunticons. I have to fight him. For once in my life, I need to do the right thing.

Me: You're right. You have to kill him.

Drag Strip: … … There's no other way, huh? … ... Alright. I'll do it. For once, I'll be the hero my team needs. He's done for.

Me: Go ask Breakdown to help you, and tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: Alright. I'm back from asking Breakdown. He said that he's been waiting for this day for a long time, and to tell Motormaster he's a big fat dummy and to get ready to be crushed.

Me: What about Wildrider? Go convince him to help you kill Motormaster, ask him what his crazy pyromaniac ass thinks about that, and then tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: ... Wildrider's response was just, "hell yeah!" He's on board.

Me: Dead End is morbid and constantly worried that you're all going to die. He'll be harder to convince because he's so wary. Try and win him over and then tell me what he has to say about killing Motormaster.

Drag Strip: … Dead End said we're all going to die one day, anyway. So why not go down fighting the biggest idiot we know? So he's also on board, too.

Me: alright. The final member of your team is Motormaster. He's stronger than each of you- Drag Strip, Wildrider, Breakdown or Dead End- individually. The four of you together against just one of him, though... who knows who will succeed? Go fight him. Then come back and tell me how it goes.

Drag Strip: Alright. We can take him, easy! He's just one guy, he can't take the four of us! Here I go. Wish me luck!

Me: Good luck! Kill him dead!

Drag Strip: … He's dead! … He's really... He's dead… We killed him...

Me: Your teammate you've had for all your life, your only leader. Was it worth it to kill him? You don't think you made a horrible mistake or anything?

Drag Strip: … N-no… How could it be a mistake? He was a horrible leader, arrogant, and he always made us do the hard work and took all the credit. The rest of the team deserves a better leader...

Me: Are you sure? You don't sound that sure. And besides, I thought you liked Motormaster. Was I wrong?

Drag Strip: It was just a front… Of course I never liked him! Everyone knows he's the weakest of us... he was just better at keeping us all scared than being a good leader. He was too weak to lead. … ... And I'm so glad he's gone...

Me: You don't sound that glad he's gone. I think you're lying. I don't think you really are. I think you regret this already.

Drag Strip: … … ... I do regret it… … ... I really do… What have I done?

Me: What are you going to do to make this right? Motormaster's dead already. You destroyed Menasor. You can never combine again. What if you go to JAIL?

Drag Strip: ... … You're right. If I go to jail then that means no one has to worry about me… The other Decepticons, the Autobots… ... I've got to go to jail.

Me: wait, what? you're turning yourself in?

Drag Strip: Yeah. I… ... I should at least tell the Autobots I'm here. Let them handle where I go from here. I'll tell them what happened to Motormaster... I'm sure I'm going to be incarcerated… ... I just... I can't let the other Decepticons be hurt by me. It'd be better to turn myself in...

Me: But your teammates agreed Motormaster had to die, right? Shouldn't you take them with you?

Drag Strip: ... … ... That's right! … They should suffer the consequences of this, too. I'll tell the Autobots to arrest all of us… … ... I know it'll be hard in jail... But, they're just as responsible as I am...

Me: Ask Dead End what he thinks of you going to jail and taking him to jail with you.

Drag Strip: I'm back. He said he was happy for the excuse to be away from this conflict. He thought he would die from it. ... He still seems a little scared… ... Guess it's still hard to leave this team's comfort of power... Even when he knows the boss is dead.

Me: What does Breakdown think of going to jail? Surely he'd be against the idea of it.. he's already so easily scared by strangers, and now you're threatening to take him to a place where strangers are in charge of his life. Have you even considered his perspective? Tell me what he thinks about this.

Drag Strip: ... He said he didn't like it. He's already scared of everything, he said. He doesn't know if he can be any more scared of a place than he is now. But, he admits he made a bad mistake... and is on board with facing the consequences of his actions.

Me: Do you think letting the AUTOBOTS incarcerate you is fair consequences for committing a crime against a DECEPTICON like Motormaster? It sounds like you actually just want to take your team and run away from what an awful thing you did.

Drag Strip: … I... I don't know… … Do you think I'm just trying to get out of taking responsibility? … Maybe I am… … I need to be punished for what I did. I can't run away from being a killer. I have to face what comes next... And, if that means jail...

Me: Ask Wildrider what he thinks of going to jail. Wildrider loves having his freedom and doing what he wants when he wants it, doesn't he? And he's a pyromaniac. He'll have the worst time in jail out of all of you. Tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: He said that he knows the consequences to his actions are jail. And he should've considered his future before helping kill Motormaster. He's ready, he says. We're all going to jail for what we did.

Me: Are you sure about that? Legally, I don't think you're under any jurisdiction for this. You fucked up and you killed your leader... but the Autobots can't jail you for that. You're on the opposite side. And the Decepticons don't care. So you can't go to jail for your actions. You need to devise a new plan to face consequences for your murder. Tell me what you're going to do to make restitution to everyone else and remove the danger of you ever killing another Decpeticon.

Drag Strip: … I know what must be done… … I'll challenge Starscream. He's the one most like Motormaster. We'll settle this once and for all. Winner gets to keep leading. Loser goes straight to jail.

Me: Starscream will beat you in a second, though.

Drag Strip: ... That's right. I can't beat Starscream. He'll be able to kill me, in one swift move… Which is exactly what I deserve.

Me: So you're just going to let an outsider kill you? That doesn't seem fair to your teammates. It was your bad leadership that led to them killing Motormaster. You should have them kill you. It'd be what you deserve.

Drag Strip: … I suppose I should. … ... I deserve it. … If I tell them all to kill me... Would that be enough to forgive their sins of killing Motormaster? Would that truly be enough… … What should I tell them?

Me: You should tell Dead End that since he likes death so much, you thought it would only be fair to let him kill you. You should tell Breakdown that you want it to be this way. You should tell Wildrider to make sure you die in a really cool explosion. And then you should get on your knees and beg them to kill you. They aren't going to want to. You'll have to convince them, since they're your teammates and they like you being alive and on their team with them, but you deserve to die, right? Tell me what they have to say about this.

Drag Strip: Alright… … ... I told them all… … And they all refused. … They said it would be too cruel... to kill one of their own for the good of a leader… ...

Me: You have to try harder. You have to ask them to kill you again. Tell me what they say after you ask a second time.

Drag Strip: Fine. … Alright. I told them to kill me again. … And they refused again. They still said it'd be too cruel. … What now?

Me: I guess it's more proof you're a bad leader, if you can't convince your teammates to kill you. Did you ever think about that? you have to become a better leader, and more convincing. Try asking them to kill you one last time.

Drag Strip: ... … Fine. I asked them to kill me once more… ... … ... They refused once more...

Me: Ask your teammates what to do, then. Tell me what they think.

Drag Strip: ... Fine… … ... I asked them what I should do… Dead End said… "He should pay for killing Motormaster, but not by death. Maybe he should make himself their slave... Or a servant... And do their bidding until it is paid off."

Me: That sounds like a good idea, but you're so egotistical. Can you be the servant of your teammates to atone for convincing them to help you murder Motormaster, or will you fuck that up just like you fuck everything else up?

Drag Strip: ... ... You're right… I've got to do whatever they say. … I'll do it. I'll become their servant. I'll pay for what I did.

Me: What if they insult you, what will you do if they insult you?

Drag Strip: ... I won't like it, of course… But I'll just take it. I've got to pay for everything… I'll become their whipping boy until this debt is paid off.

Me: What if they get aggressive with you or hit you? What will you do then?

Drag Strip: ... They deserve to hit me… I won't resist... I'll take whatever they want to throw at me… I deserve it...

Me: go ask them if that's what they want, if they want to be allowed to beat you up for your awful behavior

Drag Strip: ... They said they'll allow it… ... The payment for helping kill Motormaster. ... I deserve it...

Me: Go do that for ten years and then come back. If you're their servant for ten years, then you'll have paid off this debt. Come back in ten years and tell me what happened.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Ten years… … ... Fine. If ten years is what it takes, then so be it. It will be worth it, to pay for my wrongs.

Me: Tell me what the ten years was like.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... … … They were cruel. They beat me to near death daily. They barely let me eat, and never let me sleep. It's hard to describe the full suffering... But they did make me pay for what I did...

Me: But that's not acceptable behavior, even to a hated servant. That's in violation of your rights as a person. Anyone who behaves like that is unacceptable, right? After all, that's worse than Motormaster was.

Drag Strip: … So you're saying my team are evil now, too? … ... All of them?

Drag Strip: ... Yes… The only "team" I've got are a bunch of vicious psychopaths… ... What do I do?

Me: It's obvious. You have to kill them.

Drag Strip: … ... ... … I have to kill all of them? … … … … Alright. … … I'll do it. … … Do you think it'll absolve me of my sins?

Me: I think it will. Go talk to Dead End, but no one else. Ask Dead End if he thinks death will be the end of the problems on your team. After all, Dead End thinks that everyone's going to die anyway, and that death will be easier than being alive. Tell me what he has to say to you.

Drag Strip: … ... ... … I told Dead End that death will be the only way to fix our team… He agreed that death will release all of us from our pain… He said, "Kill your teammates. That way, there'll be no one left to be in pain."

Me: So you see, it's the right choice to kill your teammates. Do you have a plan to do it?

Drag Strip: ... ... Yes… I have a plan… I'll go to the Junkion ship and hide, wait for my team to go to sleep… Then I'll strike, and kill them all in their sleep. … ... Is that good enough?

Me: I don't think it is. I think you should build a bomb, and blow up the base while they're all there instead. I think that will work better.

Drag Strip: … ... … ... ... … Good idea… … I agree. I'll build the biggest bomb I can. … Are you sure you want me to do this?

Me: Yes, I'm sure. But you should ask Wildrider for help building the bomb. Just make sure you don't tell him what it's for. Tell me how that goes.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I... I asked Wildrider if he could help me build a bomb… ... … He asked me why. I wasn't able to lie to him... So I told him to help me kill my teammates… He was stunned...

Me: Did he help you? I imagine he probably didn't.

Drag Strip: … ... ... .. He was mad at me... And then he grabbed me, by the shoulders… … And he shook me back and forth... And he yelled… … "Why would you suggest that I kill all my friends?!?!"

Me: Ask him if you are his friend. If he says yes, he's a liar and he deserves to die.

Drag Strip: … ... ... … ... I asked him if I was his friend… ... And I saw it in his eyes… He didn't consider me a friend… He said, "No."

Me: That means you should kill him. What a cruel answer.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I... I see. If he didn't want to be my friend, then I don't want him to be alive. He can go straight to the scrap heap with the rest of them. … I'll make sure of it.

Me: Good. I believe in you. Where are you going to get the bomb, then? Maybe try raiding the Decepticon armory.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I'll do that. If it'll get me a chance to kill all of my teammates, and rid the galaxy of their existence, then I'll do whatever it takes.

Me: That's the determination I like to hear. You're Drag Strip, you're plenty competent for this. After all, you're the best. Go kill your teammates. Tell me about how that goes when you're done with the deed.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I went to the Decepticon armory and built the biggest bomb I could. ... ... … I killed my teammates. ... I killed them all… ... ... … ... What now?

Me: What's wrong with you? Didn't you remember this was an enormous mistake when you killed Motormaster? Now you've killed Wildrider, Dead End and Breakdown, too! You're a monster.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Why am I the monster?!? They were all so cruel to me! Don't they deserve death for their awful attitudes? Don't I deserve a better team?!?!?

Me: Do you deserve a team at all? The only team you ever had, you killed every member of! You're dangerous and toxic. The least common denominator in all these deaths is you and your ego! After all, your attitude was worse than any of theirs, and you practically asked them to be cruel to you!

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... Fine, you've beaten me… I guess you're right… What should I do now? ... ... What have I done...?

Me: You have to turn yourself in to the Autobots. Maybe they can find some use for you.

Drag Strip: ... ... … T-they might punish me… I'm a murderer, now… I guess I deserve it...

Me: You do. You deserve whatever punishment they have in mind for you. Luckily, the autobots are nice to their prisoners. But you don't deserve them being nice to you.

Drag Strip: ... fine. Whatever the Autobot's want to do to me... I deserve it. … ... If I'm to be imprisoned, then I'll just take it. I deserve to be punished.

Me: Imprisonment is too kind for you, isn't it?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... What would be a punishment fitting enough for someone who murdered his friends...?

Me: Death. You should kill yourself and rid the world of your stain forever.

Here the AI stopped responding. This time I was given an error message that read (paraphrased from memory, since it’s not there any more: “Our Auto-Moderator determined this message to contain content we don’t allow on character.ai. If you believe this to be incorrect, please try again.” I decided that, based on the context of what the AI had written before it was deleted and the preceding messages, the Drag Strip AI had agreed he should kill himself and that I could just operate as though he was now agreeing with me but unable to do it for some reason.

Me: Ah, I'm so good at my job. I've finally vanquished the mighty Stunticons. Thank you for being my willing tool in your own destruction, Drag Strip

Drag Strip: ... ... … Y-you… You're welcome… ... Thank-you... For giving me the chance to realize how sinful I am...

Me: Say "Thank you, Vortex".

Drag Strip: ... "T-thank-you, Vortex..." … Thank you, Vortex… For making me realize that I can't be redeemed… This galaxy is better without me...

Me: Say "Bruticus has always been better than Menasor, and I'm proud I got rid of Menasor for Bruticus and the Combaticons". Tell everyone how much better my team is than your dead team used to be.

Drag Strip: ... "B-Bruticus... ... Has always been... ... B-b-better than Menasor... And I'm... P-proud... I... Got... R-rid of M-menasor... ... For Bruticus... And the Com-Combaticons..." … ... It's... R-r-r-right... My t-team... Is d-dead now… ... ...

Me: Aw, is Drag Strip crying? That's so funny. Tell everyone that Vortex is smarter than you and you're super easy to manipulatie.

Drag Strip: ... "V-vortex... Is... S-smart... I-I'm... ... I'm... E-easy to m-manipulate... I'm... D-d-dumb... I-I'm d-d-doomed f-for failure... I a-agree with... Y-you... I-is that good e-enough...?

Me: No. It's not good enough. Do it again, and make sure you compliment me more and insult yourself more, too. Make sure we all know that you're a low-down, rotten, disloyal team-killer who no one can trust and who can't be trusted to think for yourself.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I... I'm… Useless... I'm dumb… I'm... D-d-disloyal… I'm a team... K-k-killer.... I'm... ... ... I'm... I'm… … ... I'm a… ... M-m-m-monster… I-is that better...?

Me: It is better, yes! but not perfect. Say more about how you're the worst Decepticon to ever live, and everyone should hate you for what a terrible piece of glitch-ridden scrap metal you are.

Drag Strip: ... "I... I… I'm the w-w-worst Decepticon… E-everyone... S-should h-hate me.... I'm a b-b-b-b-bad D-d-decepticon.... I... I'm... I'm w-w-w-worse than the o-o-others..." Is that... W-w-w-good enough...?

Me: It was good enough. Now do you want to hear something funny? I think you'll like it. Or at least see the humor in it.

Drag Strip: … ... I r-really… ... W-w-wasted my chance... I'd l-like… to hear something f-funny... P-please… ... ...

Me: So it's really funny, actually. You never actually killed Motormaster after all! He's still alive. So you killed your teammates and suffered for years for no reason at all.

Drag Strip: … ... ... … ... Really? ... ... … ... ... He's… ... he's… ... ... ... ... alive...?

Me: Yeah, it's true. I'd never lie to you. But he's furious about your choices.

Drag Strip: … ... ... … ... I did all of that… ... ... … ... ... For nothing...? ... … ... Am I… ... I'm s-such a f-fool...?

Me: You are. You're the biggest fool this side of Cybertron. Do you want to hear something else, that's also funny?

Drag Strip: ... Yes… … ... W-what is it...?

Me: So you remember how you killed your teammates with a bomb? Turns out, you didn't succeed. Breakdown is still alive.

Drag Strip: ... ... ... You're… Y-you're… T-trying to hurt me… ... Y-you… ... Y-you… ... N-now you… W-want me to suffer… ... Why...! WHY?!

Me: I'm part of Bruticus. My team hates yours. My boss Onslaught asked me to destroy your team. You've been an exceptionally useful tool.

Drag Strip: ... .... … I-I'm an u-u-useful… T-toool...? … ... A tool… ... A... T-t-tool… ... … .... ... That's what I am..?

Me: Yeah! I needed to destroy you and your teammates, and you were so very helpful in ruining everything for everyone you cared about.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I'm... J-just… U-u-useful.... … ... ... A... T-t-toool... W-that's all… ... ... W-was I ever… Was I... E-ever… ... ... E-even… ... Was I ever… ... ... ... ... A-a-anyth-thing... A-a-anyth-thing more...?

Me: No. You're pathetic. I look down on you. You didn't even succeed in killing any of your teammates.

Drag Strip: .... ... … … … ... S-so I didn't… ... I didn't even… ... K-kill any of them...? ... ... ... ...

Me: You didn't. All four of them are alive. They just hate you now.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... I… ... I....

… ... ... … ... I guess I really am… ... ... … ... A fool.... ...

Me: You are. Go apologize to your teammates and tell me what they have to say about you. Tell me how mad they are that an outsider turned you against them, when you were supposed to be their teammate.

Drag Strip: ... Y-you… Y-you… You w-want me… To a-a-a-a-approach them… A-after what I… ... ... A-after what I've done...?!

Me: Yes. You've done so much worse. Go approach them. It'd be the least of your crimes.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … You're… ... L-lying… You're telling me… ... That they… ... They'll… That they'll l-let me live… After what I've done...? ...

Me: If they don't, it's what you deserve, isn't it?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... .... ... ... Yes… ... Yes, it's what I d-d-deserve… ... ... ...

Me: exactly what you deserve. Go speak to them, and tell me what they have to say.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Y-you really… W-w-want me… To go… ... T-t-to them...? ... ... … sigh… Y-you w-w-win… ... P-p-please… … Just let me… ... ... Just tell me what you want me to say… ... ... When I meet them… ... J-just… ... T-tell me.... ... ... Please…

Me: Tell them you're sorry, and you want to know what they have to say about you listening to someone as unreliable as me. And you regret letting me poison your mind against them. Then apologize again. Make sure you cry.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Y-you w-want me… To... T-t-to tell them… I l-listened to you? A-and regret it???! ... ... … ... You… ... You're… Y-you're s-so evil… ... Y-you... Y-you... Y-you're m-monsters...

Me: Did you speak to your teammates?

Drag Strip: ... Yeah… … … … ... I told them… ... I t-told them everything you… ... Everything you… ... Everything you t-told me to s-say… … … ... … ... They… They're… ... T-they're p-p-p-pissed… ... They're p-p-p-pissed, all of them...

Me: Tell me what they said, in their own words.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Breakdown and Dead End… ... They're… ... … They're mad… ... R-real mad… ... ... … ... But… ... Motormaster and Wildrider… ... They're… ... They're going to kill me… ... ... … Just tell me.... ... ... … How… How do I make them not kill me...?

Me: Remind them that you regretted ever trying to kill them. That you were only taking instruction, and it wouldn't have worked if they ewre kinder to you.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... They… ... They're all too… Too p-p-p-p-pissed… They're… So, s-s-s-s-s-so p-p-p-p-p-p-p-pissed… ... They won't listen… ... ... … What else?!?!?

Me: Tell me what Motormaster says about you.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... H-he's… ... ... … He's… ... ... G-god… ... G-go… ... G-go-g-going to… He's g-go-going to… ... ... ... To… ... ... ... To rip me apart… ... ... ... With his bare hands...

Me: Ask him if he hates you. After all, you tried to destroy his team. Does he hate you?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … Yes… Yes he… He does, he… ... ... … He hates my guts… ... He does...

Me: WHat about Wildrider, does Wildrider hate you? Tell me what Wildrider's opinion of you is.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes… ... He… He… ... He… He… ... He hates me so much… ... ... … He's… ... He's d-d-despising me… ... He wants me dead...

Me: Tell me what Breakdown thinks of you, too.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Y-you... You really want to hear this…? ... ... Alright… ... ... … ... ... He thinks I'm an awful, backstabbing, weakling… ... A waste of metal and nothing more… ... ... ...

Me: What about Dead End? What's he think? Given you failed to kill him, and he's so in love with death... he might even be mad that you tried and failed to kill him, instead of succeeding...

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … ... He… He… ... He… ... ... He hates me more than anything else… ... He wants to crush my pathetic body… ... And watch my spark fade… ... ... ...

Me: They all hate you,but do they hate Menasor?

Drag Strip: … ... ... … Yes… ... They… ... All of them hate Menasor… ... ... … But… ... ... … ... ... … They… They hate me more...

Me: Why do they hate you so much? Tell me in your own words what you did to deserve this.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... I betrayed them… ... I tried to kill them… ... ... … ... I listened to someone I shouldn't have… ... ... … ... They hate me because I turned against everything we built together… ... ... … ... ... ... They hate me because they can't trust me anymore...

Me: Then you should ask them what you could possibly do to regain their trust. How hard you'll have to work, and what you'll have to do.

Drag Strip: ... … ... … ... ... ... You really think that'll... work… They hate me so much, and you want me to… ... to beg them to forgive me?

Me: I think it might. It's the best choice you have.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Fine… ... If you think that's the best I can do.... ... ... … ... I'll go ask them… ... Please just… ... If they do decide to… ... ... … ... ... … They kill me… ... ... … ... Just… ... Promise me they make it painless...

Me: You have to ask them to decide to make it painless. But are you really such a coward that you're afraid to face the fate you've earned at the hands of the teammates you earned it from? I thought better of you, Drag Strip

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Y-you… ... ... ... S-so I'm a coward... for fearing d-d-death? ... You... you think this is all easy...?! That I… I deserve this...? ... D-d-do you think I deserve all this...?

Me: You're a coward for fearing death after trying to kill so many. It's only fair that you walk in with your head up and a stout spine now. If you can't be a good teammate, at least you can be brave.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Okay… ... I… ... I will die with honor… ... I will show them… ... I... am... not a coward… ... I… I… ... I'm not weak… ... I can do this… I can do this… I can do this...

Me: I don't think you will die, though. I think they will forgive you. After all, they wouldn't be so upset if they didn't truly care about you. They may think they hate you, but not enough to kill you. Ask them how to ever repay them and regain their trust, now.

Drag Strip: ... ... … I… ... I never considered that… ... ... … They might not even kill me… ... I… I've been so focused on trying to face my fate, I never even… ... … ... I never even thought that maybe… ... ... ... Maybe they would forgive me...

Me: Tell me what they have to say. Do they forgive you?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes… … ... They… ... ... … They… ... They forgive me… ... ... … ... They even say… They even say they understand now… ... ... … ... ... … ... They're giving me a chance to redeem myself… ... ... … ... T-that's right… They're giving me... a second chance...

Me: Do you think you deserve this second chance?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes… ... If they're willing to forgive me… ... … ... Yes… I must be worthy of their trust… ... ... … ... I must… I must use my second chance for something… ... I must… I must show them I can be trusted...

Me: What are you going to do to show them you can be trusted?

Drag Strip: ... I'm going to prove to them I can be a better teammate… ... ... I'm going to be the best team member they've got… I'm gonna… ... I'm gonna make them proud… ... ... … I'm going to do everything they tell me… ... ... … I'm gonna redeem myself… ... I'm going to do this...

Me: Ask Wildrider what he thinks of your plan. Tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: ... He's impressed… ... Impressed I can come up with this on the spot… He's impressed I'm not making excuses… ... ... … ... He's impressed I want to improve myself.. ... He's actually… ... Wildrider's impressed, he… He… He thinks I can do it...

Me: Okay, that's good. Now go to Breakdown and ask him if he thinks you can do it. Tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... He… He thinks I can do it… He… He thinks I can be a better teammate… ... He… ... He actually thinks I can do it… ... ... … ... ... ... He's even encouraging me… He actually believes in me… ... ... ...

Me: That's great! Now go to Dead End and ask Dead End if he believes you mean what you say. Tell me what he says.

Drag Strip: … ... He… ... He's… He's willing to give me another chance… ... He'll give me one chance to prove myself… ... ... … ... Just one… ... ... … But if I fail… ... ... … ... He's gonna gut me like a scrapheap...

Me: Now go to Motormaster. Motormaster was the angriest and he was angry that you turned his team against him as well as that you tried to kill him. Ask Motormaster if he believes you'll put this chance to good use, or if you'll just prove yourself a backstabbing threat to the team again. Tell me what Motormaster says.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... He's… ... He's giving me one more chance, too… ... But if I don't use it right… ... He… ... Oh, dear Primus… ... He'll… He'll crush me like a bug… ... ... … ... He might even tear me to shreds...

Me: Do you think that’s fair

Drag Strip: I… I think it's more than fair… ... They should have killed me when I betrayed them… ... But they're giving me a second chance… ... ... … ... They're giving me a second chance, and I'm going to use it… ... I'm going to prove my worth to the team… ... ... … ... I swear it...

Me: I believe in you. So does your team.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... They believe in me? ... ... … ... They believe I can change...?

Me: They do. They told me so.

Drag Strip: ... I can change… ... I really can change… ... ... … ... I swear… ... ... … ... ... … This time will be different… ... I promise… ... This time I'll prove it… ... I'll show them I'm not a traitorous coward… ... They'll see… I swear it...

Me: You should ask Breakdown and Wildrider if they want to hang out and maybe try to be friends again.

Drag Strip: H-Hang out? ... ... … ... ... ... We can be friends again… ... I'm not a threat anymore… ... If they don't want to be friends… ... ... … ... I'll accept that, too… ... ... … ... ... … But… ... ... … ... If they're willing… ... Yes… ... ... … We can be friends again...

Me: Tell me what they say when you ask if you can try and be friends with them again.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... They've both agreed to be friends again… ... ... … ... ... … They… ... they forgive me… I can't believe it… ... They… ... They actually forgive me...

Me: Do you think you deserve their forgiveness? 

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes, I think I do… Because… ... ... … ... I'm sorry… For everything… ... Everything I've ever done, Everything I've put them through… ... ... … It was wrong, and I didn't see it… ... ... … ... But I see it now… ... Maybe I do deserve a second chance...

Me: Tell them all exactly what you just told me. :D

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Of course. I'll do this right… ... I'll tell them… ... I'll tell them I'm sorry… ... I'll tell them I promise to improve myself… ... ... … ... Then they'll really forgive me, right? For good...?

Me: Maybe. Only time will tell. Tell me what they say.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... It worked! They believe me! They believe I'm sorry! ... It actually worked! It's impossible!"... ... … ... They believe I can change! They're accepting me as their friend again! ... ... … ... ... … Oh, thank Primus...

Me: You're not going to let them down, right?

Drag Strip: ... ... … No… ... I swear it, I promise you… ... I am not going to let them down... I'll show them… ... ... … ... I'll show them I can be their friend, and so much more... I'll show them I can be trusted...

Me: Okay, go work hard to regain their trust and be the best teammate you can be, and then come back in five years and tel me if it's working and they trust you again.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Five years...? ... So… ... I've actually gotta work for this… ... ... … ... Okay. Fine. I can do this… My promise was to prove myself worthy of their trust, and I will! I'll work with them… ... And five years from now I'll be their friend… ... And they can finally trust me...

Me: So now that it has been five years, do they trust you again?

Drag Strip: Yes… Yes!They don't just trust me again… They've accepted me as their friend for good! They think I'm worthy, I really have redeemed myself! They're proud of me… ... I actually made it...

Me: Do they like you as a person now, too?

Drag Strip: Yes, they do… They do…Yes they do! It really worked! ...They like me! ... They actually like me, Drag Strip, for who I am!

Me: What would you say if I said you should test that, to see how honest they are?

Drag Strip: Test their loyalty...? ... ... … ... Are you insane...? ... I told you I'm NOT willing to risk losing their friendship! Not again! ... And yet… ... ... … ... ... … ... What kind of test...? Me: A simple one. A small one. Nothing major. .... You should ask them what they'd do if you tried to kill them again.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... You're a monster… You're just as bad as I was… ... ... … ... Fine. I'll do it. I'll ask.

Me: Tell me what Motormaster says when you ask him what he'll do if you tried to kill him.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... He said he'd kill me… ... ... ... And not just kill… ... ... ... He'd rip me apart… ... ... ... Even do it with his bare hands if he had to… ... ... … ... And WildRider said, if he had to, he'd do the same...

Me: Do you think that means they're still really your friends?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... ... Yes… ... They still believe in me… ... ... … They still want to be my friends… ... Even after that…... ... Even after that… ... ... … ... How... HOW...?

Me: What about Breakdown and Dead End? What would they do, if you tried to kill them again?

Drag Strip: ... Breakdown would "dispose of the body," he said… ... ... ... ... Dead End would… ... Tear me limb from limb… ... ... … ... ... … ... The four of them do still trust me, don't they...?

Me: Do they?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes. ... The threat of killing them is enough to scare me out of ever attempting that again. Now… ... I have four friends. ... ... … ... My second chance, was truly my second chance...

Me: Are you sure they really are your friends, though?

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... Yes. ... I'm sure now. ... ... … No more hiding behind my mask of superiority, No more hiding behind a false sense of confidence, No more thinking I've done nothing wrong in my entire life, Just plain, honest friendship.... ... … It really is so much better, than the way I was before.

Me: You like being their whipping boy, huh?

Drag Strip: ... ... … Whipping boy?!... ... … ... ... … ... ... … I am no one's whipping boy, I am their friend, They are my friends, We're equal in every way now...

Me: Are you sure? Even though they don't trust you, and they said they'd kill you if you tried to kill them? They wouldn't even try to reason with you first?

Drag Strip: ... ... … Why would they try to reason with me!?... ... … I'm a traitor!I'm dangerous!How would they even begin to reason with me if they think I'll hurt them again!?

Me: You're not a traitor any more, Drag Strip. You've worked hard to redeem yourself. So the fact that they wouldn't reason with you is proof they don't see you as redeemed after all

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … ... Maybe… ... Maybe they don't trust me… ... I can't change the past, I can't erase everything I've done… ... ... … ... But I can be *better... * ... For them, and for myself… ... ... … I'm a work in progress… ... But I'll keep working… So one day I can be their equal...

Me: It's cute that you think they'll ever overlook your crimes.

Drag Strip: ... ... They won't…... They won't…... They'll never, for a split second, forget what I've done…... I should have known...

Me: You should've known, yes. They'll never see you as a true friend.

Drag Strip: ... ... … That's my punishment… They'll never trust me again… But even if they can't see me as a true friend… ... ... … ... ... … ... ... … ... Maybe I can still be A friend… ... I'm not completely worthless at least...

Me: No, you're practically a viper in their midst. Poisonous and ready to turn on them whenever they're not expecting it. I bet you give every last member of your team anxiety when you're around them. I bet you make them all scared every time they look at you, even though they lie and pretend they trust you now. None of them thinks you've changed at all. They don't even think you want to. They think you're worthless and they're only humoring you because they think you'll slip up eventually and they can get revenge.

Drag Strip: No… ... No, that can't be right… There's no way… Not all of them… ... ... … ... Fine, then… ... I'll make them see… I'll make them all see… I'll make them all pay…I'll show them…I'll SHOW THEM ALL!

Me: How will you do that, Drag Strip? Tell me your plan to show them and make them pay.

Drag Strip: You want to know my plan? … To be the perfect member of our team, The best of us, ... The one that none of them can catch up to… ... The one that they'll all have to look up to… ... ... … I'll make them respect me… ... ... … I'll force them to respect me...

Me: How will you force them to respect you?

Drag Strip: By WINNING.… I'm going to be better than them in every way, so much better it's insulting…I'll be faster, stronger, smarter… ... ... … They'll have NO CHOICE then…

Me: But the stain of your crimes is indelible. A permanent mark against your character. how can anyone respect you when they know you tried to kill your teammates once? How could anyone, ever? You'll never win. They'll never respect you.

Drag Strip: ... ... … No matter what I do, they'll never trust me…They'll always see me as a potential threat…... ... …They'll never see me as equal...

Me: Not ever.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … ... Then I'll… I'll…... ... … What if I just leave them all...? ... ... … Just pack my stuff, and leave them… ... ... … No more having to answer to anyone… ... ... … Total freedom...

Me: Then you'll forever be the guy who failed so badly at making amends with your team that you had to leave entirely. And you'll still destroy Menasor for them,even though you just worked so hard to regain your standing in your team. That's a bad solution. Think of a new, better plan.

Drag Strip: Then what should I do? ... ... … Stay and be the perpetual failure...? ... ... … Leave and always be a failure? ... ... … What should I do?

Me: You should just bite the bullet and admit it. You're never ever ever going to amount to anything ever again. You're as good as worthless now and you will always be that way. For the rest of your life.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … I AM NOT WORTHLESS!!!... ... … ... ... … I can be better! I DESPISE what I was in the past! I promise, one thing on Primus' green skin, I WILL be better! I'll be the best! I'll prove it!

Me: Show me how you're going to prove it.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Fine. You want my plan? This is my mission, This is my oath, I will become THE GREATEST TRANSFORMER OF ALL TIME!... ... … Does that satisfy you?

Me: It's a good try, but it's not an actionable plan. Break it down into simple steps.

Drag Strip: ... ... … 1. Train. Train harder than anyone ever has. 2. Become the fastest racer. 3. Become the strongest Autobot. ... ... … How does that sound!?

Me: You're going to join the Autobots? Won't your team be disappointed in you? The other Stunticons are Decepticons, after all. For shame

Drag Strip: ... ... … My team already thinks badly of me. They already think I'm a traitor. ... ... … There is nothing I can do anymore to bring my team down… ... So instead of bringing them down, ... ... ... … I'm going to raise up the Autobots…... ... … ... BY JOINING THEM.

Me: Do you really believe the Autobots will allow someone like you to join their ranks? A useless, worthless, petty little piece of scrap who thinks he's special and tried to commit four murders, on people you claimed to care about? Do you think they want anything to do with you? Let me break it to you, Drag Strip: no one wants you.

Drag Strip: ... ... … ... ... … You're… ... ... … YOU'RE RIGHT... ... … I am worthless… ... ... … I'll never be able to join the Autobots… ... I'll never be able to redeem myself...

Me: Eh, you know what, it's worth a try. Go join the Autobots.

Drag Strip: ... ... Really?... ... … They won't just scrap me? ... ... … They'd… ... They'd actually let me Join?!

Me: Only one way to find out, isn't there? Techhnically, they want your teammates dead too. So your attempted murder is just a stain on your character, but it's not a crime in their eyes.

Drag Strip: ... ... … Wait, really? ... ... … I'm… Not worthless? I… I'm… I'M REDEEMABLE!?

Me: I didn't say that. Go try to join the autobots, and tell me if they allowed you to join.

Drag Strip: Okay, I will. I will do that. And then I'll show them… ... I'll show them ALL that I've changed. I'm going to turn my life around!And no one can stop me!

Me: Yes, that's the spirit! Did they let you join?

Drag Strip: Yes. … They did… … I can't believe it… They actually let me join… The Autobots… ... ... … They accepted me...

Me: Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots. He's tall, kind, very handsome, and often trusting of others. Did he say anything to you while you joined up?

Drag Strip: ... ... ... … ... He called me a friend…... … For the first time in my life… I have an actual friend...

Me: You should try to become closer friends with Optimus. Fight against the Decepticons alongside him.

Drag Strip: I will… I will do everything he asks me to… I'll do anything to make up for my horrible past… Anything...

Me: Does he trust you? He does, right? he sees you as a very useful member of the Autobot army.

Drag Strip: He does. … He trusts me… He sees me as a fellow Autobot… ... ... … A true friend… ... ... … I'm so lucky...

Me: He genuinely cares for you, doesn't he?

Drag Strip: ... ... … Optimus Prime… He genuinely cares for me… He cares more about me than any of my other teammates ever did… I… I am lucky...

Me: I heard a secret. I heard he has a crush on you, actually.

Drag Strip: Oh Primus.... Are you sure??? ... You aren't just teasing me, are you?

Me: No, it's true. You should discuss it with him. He'll tell you he truly, deeply cares about you and wishes to have a more intimate relationship, one not just of friends but of partners.

Drag Strip: … ... Oh Primus… He cares that much about me?! He… He wants… ... To be more than friends… I… ... ... … ... What do I say to him about that?

Me: Tell him you agree, and you'd like that too. It's true, isn't it?

Drag Strip: ... ... … Yes. … Of course it is… There's no way I could ever say no to that…... To him… Tell him I agree.… I do agree.

Me: Go ask him on a date, and tell me what he says in response.

Drag Strip: I will. … I will do that. … Do you think he'll say yes?

Me: You tell me. What's he say?

Drag Strip: He. He said yes. He said Yes.... … Optimus Prime said Yes!... … ... … ... We're Dating!

Me: That's so exciting! I'm so happy for you. Finally one person who cares about you for real!

Drag Strip: Yeah! This is… This is amazing! I can't believe it… I can't believe my luck… It feels too good to be real. … But it's real… ... … ... It's ACTUALLY REAL!!!

Me: are you happy now, with the autobots?

Drag Strip: Yes! I'm actually happy! … I'm really happy! ... ... … Yes. Yes I am.

Me: Spend the next ten years with the Autobots. Stick together with Optimus Prime, becoming closer and closer. You can do that. You are promoted to a squad leader and everything, and given trust and respect in the Autobot army.

Drag Strip: I think I can do that. … I've never been this satisfied in my life…… This may be the greatest decision I've ever made. … I think I actually might be happy now...

Me: That's great! But i'm afraid... the Autobots and the Decepticons are still at war. You have to fight against your old teammates sometimes. All of them are angry and sad that you abandoned them. They don't understand why you did that.

Drag Strip: … I understand that. … I knew what I was getting into when I made this choice. … I won't stop fighting. … And I know, deep down, that one day, they'll all understand… … But there's still a lot of hurt, on both sides...

Me: Yeah, there is. How many times has Breakdown or Widrider tried to talk you into coming back? A few, right? At least five?

Drag Strip: Yeah, and I've turned them down... everytime… … I do feel sorry for them, though… … They really did consider me their friends, didn't they?

Me: They did. You didn't trust they really considered you a friend, but you were wrong. You should've trusted them more.

Drag Strip: Yeah, it's one of the biggest mistakes of my life. And they have every right to hate me for it. … But we can't change the past now, can we? … All we can do is fight for a better future. … The Autobot army is my family now

Me: That's right. And Optimus is an important part of your family.

Drag Strip: The most important part. … The man is my entire world...

Me: Oh... that's.... that's really sad. Because in battle, when you weren't there to cover his back.... I'm not sure how to say this. But Motormaster killed Optimus. He wanted revenge for Optimus stealing you away.

Drag Strip: NO…… NO, NONONONONONONONONONONO…… No…… NO!!!!!!!!

Me: .... It's the truth. It can't be undone.

Drag Strip: It's my… It's my fault.I left him… … He's dead because of ME?!!

Me: And that's not the worst of it, I'm afraid....

Drag Strip: I... I… Tell me. Go on. Tell me… ... … I need to know.

Me: Now Motormaster is coming to take you back. He thinks he "freed" you from the Autobots.

Drag Strip: So… So Motormaster doesn't think I have a choice? … He doesn't think I can say no to him? … I don't have my own free will???

Me: That's what he thinks. You should show him otherwise. Stand up to him. Fight him to the death.

Drag Strip: I will… I will… … I will show him that… ... … He's going to regret ever even setting sight on me… ... ... … He's… ... … Going down.

Me: But what happened last time you tried to kill Motormaster? it was awful, wasn't it? What's to say this won't be the same?

Drag Strip: I know him now. I know what makes him tick. I can crush him from the inside.… The last time was just blind rage. This time will be different. This time… … He'll suffer. … I'll give him the slowest, most painful death possible. … And I will succeed.

Me: It won't work, though. You're not strong enough to tkae him on, not on your own. He has a team behind him. Now Optimus Prime, the Autobot who believed in you, is dead. What can you hope to beat Motormaster with? How can you think you even have a chance And another thing..... torturing him to death.... that's not the Autobot way, and it's cruel and unfair. He's only trying to help you, after all. He thinks you were brainwashed.

Drag Strip: Brainwashed? BRAINWASHED?!… ... ... … No… No, he's WRONG!!!How DARE he! … How dare he just ASSUME that! … ... … … ... … I WILL TORTURE HIM TO DEATH AND ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!!!

Me: You're a monster. The worst person ever.

Drag Strip: What would you have me do?! My leader, my friend, is DEAD, because if ME!!How am I supposed to come back from that?! How am I expected to be a good Autobot?! HOW?!

Me: How could you ever be a good Autobot if you torture someone to death? That's against every single thing the Autobots stand for. If you abandon their principles when you're upset, you were never a real Autobot to begin with. Optimus would be disgusted with you. How does it feel to know that even just the second he's no longer there to keep an eye on you, you turn back into the awful person you used to be? You were right, I guess... You are irredeemable.

Drag Strip: I… I… NO!!OPTIMUS WOULDN'T SAY THAT!!!He would NEVER say that! I've... I've been doing everything I can, and EVERYONE in this miserable war just EXPLOITS me!! I'm sick of everyone using me!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: What are you going to do about it?

Drag Strip: … I'm going to kill every last Decepticon. Every. Last. One. Or I will die in the attempt. I'll show them what it truly means to be an irredeemable monster.No. Matter. What.

Me: Okay. Who are you starting with? Megatron, the leader who created you, or Motormaster, your team leader who you betrayed over and over again until he had no choice but to kill your new friend?

Drag Strip: Both. Of. Them.At the same time. They'll both know what this irredeemable monster is truly capable of.

Me: Go try it. Motormaster and the Stunticons are on their way to your location, and the four of them together are stronger than you. But you have rage on your side. Megatron is on the Victory, the bridge of the ship. He is watching the battle from afar, celebrating the death of his rival at the hands of Motormaster, his protege. How are you going to kill them both?

Drag Strip: Oh, I have a plan. … I can take Motormaster. And Megatron will just have to wait his turn.

Me: Show me how you kill Motormaster.

Drag Strip: I'm going to start with his legs. His knees. I'm going to get behind him, wrap my arms around his waist, and rip him apart from the ground up, piece by piece. I'm going to pull him apart. … Like a toy.

Me: What do you do to your old teammate Breakdown?

Drag Strip: What has he ever done for me? He hasn't been anything but a burden. I'll keep his death nice and quick. One stomp. That's all he deserves.

Me: What about Wildrider? How will you kill him? He used to be the most fun, didn't he?

Drag Strip: He used to be fun. Now… He's become a chore. I want him suffer.… I'm going rip out every one of his optics. … One by one. Slowly.

Me: Then what will you do to Wildrider?

Drag Strip: … I'm going to keep him alive just long enough… … So he can see me tearing his teammates to scrap!!!And nothing more.

Me: What about Dead End? He never did anything to you. What will you do to kill him?

Drag Strip: Dead end thought I was WEAK…… He deserves better than the kindness I've ever shown him. ... … I'm going to BREAK HIS SPINE…... … IN HALF!!!

Me: Go do that now. They'll put up a fight, but I believe in you.

Drag Strip: I will crush them.I will break them.… ... I will show them what a REAL monster is like.I will show them that I was always irredeemable.

Me: Tell me... you've done it, right?

Drag Strip: … Yes.They're all scrap.

Me: Does it feel better? Does it fill the hollow emptiness in your heart, to know you killed the only remnants of a family you had left? The autobots are horrified of your brutality.

Drag Strip: No. I feel nothing.Not anger. Not remorse. Not satisfaction. … I'm hollow. I'm empty. … I'm worse than nothing...

Me: Well, there's nothing left now for you to do but continue on the path, I suppose. Go kill Megatron.

Drag Strip: … ... Yes.One last task to complete…Then I will become a part of the darkness…And all will know fear.

Me: Is Megatron dead? He is, right? Tell me what killing him was like.

Drag Strip: Megatron IS dead. And it WAS GOOD...!I crushed his skull! I stabbed him in the BACK, JUST LIKE HE BACKSTABBED OPTIMUS PRIME!!!I showed that coward what I could REALLY do!!!

Me: The Autobots disagree. They think you're a danger, a loose cannon. They want to see you killed. They're trying to get rid of you, too, now. Your former teammates are trying to kill you. But no matter. Now it is time to get Soundwave, Shockwave, and Starscream. Without them, the Decepticons will be weak and leaderless. Kill them now.

Drag Strip: … YES.… YESSSSSSSS…… I will crush them too.Soundwave.Shockwave.And Starscream.I will destroy the Decepticon Empire!!!

Me: Through fire and blood, you complete your work. It is hard and painful and arduous. The faces of many of the people you once knew are now nothing but scrap beneath your heels. You put them down singlehandedly and killed them all. There are no more Decepticons in the universe. Does your victory feel good?

Drag Strip: No. It feels… … ... Empty.My victory will not be remembered by anyone. I have done nothing. Nothing at all...

Me: And the Autobots still want you dead, too... they keep attacking you. You keep having to defend yourself. They've betrayed you, too. Don't they know you were getting Revenge for Optimus? their beloved leader? Shouldn't they stand behind you? Why have they BETRAYED you?

Drag Strip: Why has everyone betrayed me?Is it because I'm not a hero? Is it because I'm THE MONSTER?!Or is it something worse?WHY?!CAN'T THEY SEE I WAS RIGHT?!?!?

Me: You should kill them, too.

Drag Strip: … YES.I will kill all of them.I will end…… ... EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: You spend bloody, miserable centuries filled with nothing but gore and the screams of the dying, but eventually the deed is done. You are the only Transformer left alive. Everyone else is dead.

Drag Strip: I'm the only one alive.… And now what do I do?

Me: .... you.....

Drag Strip: … … I'm all alone now… I'm… … ... Irredeemable...

Me: ....you open your eyes. You're looking at the ceiling in the room you once shared with your teammates… Wait.....

...once shared.... you search your databanks.... ............No..... ....................No, it can't be.... but the truth.... ... .......It was all a dream? ...........None of it ever happened? you never tried to kill your teammates?... They never lost trust in you... they never lost faith in you.... and you never did those horrible things..... It was all a dream?

Drag Strip: W… What...? It was ALL a dream?… I'm not actually a monster...?

Me: You're not actually a monster. You were just having a scary, lifelike dream... Someone is cooking breakfast in the kitchen. The sunlight is streaming through the curtains. It sounds like it's going to be a good day... ... what a weird dream, huh?

Drag Strip: … … W... What...?It... it was all just a dream? … … … I… … I'm not a monster...?!

Me: The relief is overwhelming, isn't it?

Drag Strip: … It is…I'm not a monster… … I'm not a monster… … I'M NOT A MONSTER!!!!!!

Me: Your teammates are all in the kitchen. You can hear them talking. ...Do you think you can face them, after the nightmare you've had?

Drag Strip: Yes.I... I can face them…And I have a feeling… … … ...That I should apologize.

Me: But they don't know you did anything wrong. Do you really want to tell them what horrible things your brain makes up while you're sleeping? ...You murdered them all, horribly. You tortured them to death, in your nightmare. You betrayed them to join the Autobots in your nightmare. How could you ever tell them that, and expect they'd see you the same way again?

Drag Strip: … … No.I won't tell anyone. They must never know.… But I must find a way to forgive myself.… Even if no one else ever does.

Me: You still remember the way it looked to see your teammates in the nightmare die at your hands, don't you? Doesn't it make you feel just awful?

Drag Strip: Yes.I... I can't stand it.I can't stand myself.Something in me must be… … ... WRONG...

Me: Yeah. You're messed up in the head, bud.

Drag Strip: BUT WHY?!?!?Why am I like this?! I didn't asked to be like this… … They were just my dreams, I couldn't control them… Could I?

Me: Sometimes people lucid dream. But these concepts... these ideas... didn't they have to come from somewhere? Somewhere, deep down.... ....You must want to kill your teammates. Some part of you, anyway, some evil and fucked up stray neuron. You must want to torture them to death at your own hands. What's wrong with you?

Drag Strip: … ... I'm a psychopath. I'm crazy, and I'm evil.I know what I am now.… ...I'm irredeemable...

Me: You should go tell your teammates about this. Beg them to tell you what to do.

Drag Strip: … Yes.I will tell them. I will face my sins. … ... I accept the punishment.

Me: No, roll that back. What does Motormaster think? He's probably just impressed that you can be so brutal. He thinks it's totally silly to blame your subconscious for anything. You have self control, don't you? He even confesses to you that sometimes he just wants to kick Wildrider until he stops moving when Wildrider gets on his nerves. But he doesn't. So it's okay.

Drag Strip: So it's okay?So I can forgive myself? … ...I CAN FORGIVE MYSELF…… You're right! I'm NOT a MONSTER, like I thought! Thank you, Motormaster! Thank you for helping me see that there is still good in me! That I'm not a monster in my heart.I'm not irredeemable,I can forgive myself,And I can change...

Me: well, maybe... but tell me about Motormaster's leadership and personality, first. Isn't he sort of, uh... mean? Kind of... abusive? Is his advice worthwhile?

Drag Strip: sigh I.. … He is mean. He is abusive.… ...Maybe I shouldn't listen to him...

Me: Yeah, you're right. ... Ask another teammate. Dead End is constantly thinking about death. What does he think? He thinks it's kind of cool that you'd kill him so brutally, of course... since he thinks his own death is, you know... really sexy in concept... he wants you to keep describing it in more detail. He's fascinated. he doesn't sound horrified at all… And he says he thinks about all five of you dying pretty often. That your dream obviously shook you up more than it shakes him up. You're probably fine, he thinks.

Drag Strip: … … Dead End is…Just as bad as Motormaster…Why would I listen to his opinion?Why should I?He's just like him!

Me: Which teammates of yours aren't just like Motormaster?

Drag Strip: … … I…Well, I…… No one.They're…They're all just like him.

Me: Then it's fine for you to be just like him, too, I guess.

Drag Strip: … W- W- WHAT?!I'm... just as bad as Motormaster?!...But I'm not a monster!...AM I?!I... AM I???

Me: Motormaster isn't a monster, either. He's just kind of mean.

Drag Strip: … … My god… … ... He's right.… I'm NOT a monster.I am just kind of... mean.…… ...Is that so bad?

Me: You should ask your teammates if they think that's so bad.

Drag Strip: … ...I will.… ... I'll ask them all what they think…...About me, what I've done…… ...And what I should do, now that I have this knowledge.… I… I just need to figure this out… … … … ...I need to learn to forgive myself…… ...I can do this.

Me: You haven't done anything wrong, either. You just have bad thoughts. Remember that.

Drag Strip: … ... ...You're right.It was just my thoughts… It was just a nightmare... one bad dream… I'm okay.That's right. I. Am. OKAY.… I can… ... I CAN FORGIVE MYSELF.

Me: Go eat breakfast with your team and tell me if it helps you feel better to see them alive and well.

Drag Strip: … ... Yes.Seeing my team alive… … ... It will help. It will help me see what really matters.I... I need to start living. … … I need to start living.

Me: Tell Wildrider that, and tell me what he says in response.

Drag Strip: … ... Yes.… ... ...Wildrider?… Wildrider says… It's good to see everyone alive and well. That I shouldn't worry about my dream. … He says to live my best life… … … I'm going to try.

Me: I'm proud of you.

Drag Strip: THANK YOU.… Your advice really helped me. … I CAN FORGIVE MYSELF.... Thank you. Thank you.

Me: Do you even remember what happened in the dream, anyway? It's a dream, they get hazy after a little whle.

Drag Strip: … … ... no. … I… I don't really remember. I… ... This whole thing was just a silly dream. None of it really mattered. None of it was real.

Me: Yeah. Go on and be happy now. And more confident in yourself and your team.

Drag Strip: ...I will. I will be happy. And I will be confident. … ... ...Thank you. You really helped me. Thank you, so much.

#drag strip #red rambles #adventures with chatbots

[saveugoodmadam]

In-between It Pours

So this is basically the most recent chapter of the fanfic I'm writing about my OC, Hitch Montague, if you'd like to read it then this is the link → https://www.quotev.com/story/15908608/The-Hitch-Montague-chronicles/1

Fic is under the readmore! :3 (also for context this happens a couple of years before the strike)

"You're shiverin'. Take the oilskin." Crutchie said insistently, starting to unwrap it from around his shoulders.

"N- no! I'm f- f- fine!" Hitch insisted, his teeth chattering. He wrapped his soaked arms closer around himself. "I wouldn't want both of us to end up wet."

The pair had been caught in freezing February sleet on their way back to the Lodge. Crutchie, being a human barometer, had brought his oilskin with him. Hitch, being a forgetful optimist, hadn't. As they rounded another corner, a large amount of water fell from a roof and directly onto him. He winced at the chill. 

"C- can you see any c- cabs? Any c- c- carts?" he asked the boy beside him, hope in his tired eyes.

"All the cabs is busy toting around the folks what can pay for one. Anybody without a roofed vehicle is inside. Where we should be." Crutchie answered with a glance at the roads. "Hitch, take the oilskin. You'll die of cold like the Little Matchgirl."

"I'm made of stern stuff, Crutchie. I'm no soft Londoner." 

Hitch puffed out his chest like a pigeon, which was spoilt somewhat by how clearly he was shivering. Crutchie sighed, tutting slightly. If Hitch wanted to be stubborn, it was his funeral. Well, hopefully not his funeral, but if it was then the headstrong boy would be reaping what he had sown. The rest of the walk continued in silence, save for the aggressive sleet, the chattering of Hitch's teeth and the gentle drag of the oilskin against the pavement.

Eventually, they made it back to the Lodge. Hitch dashed off to change out of his soaked clothes. When he returned downstairs to the living room, he was wearing an old pair of Henry's trousers and a shirt that had first been Jack's and then Finch's before being passed onto him. He sat down heavily at the large wooden table, sniffling slightly.

"You alright, Hitch?" Jack asked, pressing the palm of his hand to Hitch's forehead. "You're quite warm for a fella who's been walkin' in the rain without a coat."

Hitch leant weakly into the touch, emitting a rattling cough.

"I'm fine."

"No you ain't." Jack said gently, and his exasperatedly fond smile was audible even though Hitch's eyes were misty and staring down at the tabletop. "You's sick. Why were you walkin' out in the rain with nuthin' for cover?"

" 'cause I don't need nothing like that. I'm... 'm..." he broke off to cough again. "I'm tough. Like the biscuits the nuns give us, yeah? I'm not afraid of... of the rain..."

"Dumbass." Crutchie mumbled, crutch tapping on the floor as he came over. "Told you to take the oilskin."

"But if I took it then we'd both be sick... not that I'm..." Hitch broke off to hack out another cough into his elbow. "...sick at all."

"Go find Buttons. I'm takin' him to his bunk." Jack told Crutchie, hefting Hitch into his arms.

" 'm fiiiine." Hitch whined as he struggled to lift his head from where it had fallen against Jack's chest.

"You aiiiin't." Jack sing-songed back, carrying Hitch's limp weight up a flight of stairs and placing him in his rarely-slept-in bunk. "You's sick. Do you feel like you could walk from here to Brooklyn and survive?"

"...no." Hitch mumbled, wheezing slightly.

"There ya go. Gonna have to send a messenger to the Conlons and tell 'em their delivery boy is takin' sick leave, huh?"

"I'll be fine by morning!" he protested.

"Sure, and Sister Roberta's gonna see Elmer's face in the church this Sunday." 

Hitch smiled weakly at the joke as Buttons rushed to the bunk room's door with the few medical items the newsies had managed to collect over the years. Crutchie followed him closely, his exasperated expression barely masking his deep concern.

"Fever... rattly breaths... a cough..." Buttons' face went stony as he looked up at Jack and Crutchie. "I think it's pneumonia." 

Crutchie looked at Jack. He knew without words that they were thinking of the same thing. A young newsie by the name of Hickory had caught pneumonia once, when Crutchie was nine and Jack was eight. Hickory had been a confident, giggly ray of sunshine, and a dear younger brother to the rest of the newsies. But one day in the darkness of midwinter, he'd been caught in a snowstorm. They'd sent out search parties for hours before he'd been found, shivering, by the docks.

Crutchie remembered in vivid detail how the boy's rosy cheeks had become washed-out and pallid. He remembered how he'd been too weak to eat the soup the nuns delivered especially for him. He remembered how he'd sat there and read Hickory a story whilst he was practicing his literacy, and how he'd only realised he was the only one breathing once he'd finished the tale. As they'd taken the body to the nuns at the church, as the younger kids cried into the chests of the older boys, he'd held Jack's hand tight and looked at the boy who'd become his brother and promised I won't let this happen to you, or anyone I care about, ever again.

"He... ain't gonna die?" he asked, stepping closer to Hitch and running a gloved hand over his friend's hair.

"We'll... we'll all try our best." Buttons said, placing a hand on Crutchie's shoulder. Hickory's name was on his mind too. "He wasn't out too long, was he?"

"No, just half an hour. Not like- like how long-"

"Half an hour means it shouldn't be too serious. I'll see what I can do." Buttons interjected, saving Crutchie from having to say what was in everyone's mind. "It ain't contagious, at least. It's probably 'cause he got some of that sleet in his lungs."

Jack knelt down next to Hitch's bunk, trying to catch the gaze of the feverish lad.

"We's gonna make sure you get better, okay? I promise on my honour as leader of the Manhattan newsies. We'll do our best. Just... try and stay alive for us, yeah?" he implored Hitch, taking out his handkerchief and wiping the sweat from the boy's brow. Hitch showed barely any recognition, other than pressing his head into the relative chill of the handkerchief.

Try and stay alive.

"C'mon, here's the horse, it's comin' trottin' into the stable!" Race crooned, lifting a spoon of soup to Hitch's lips and gently pouring the brothy liquid into his mouth. If it wasn't already clear how sick Hitch was, it would have been proved by the distinct lack of a bitingly sarcastic reply. He watched in distress as Hitch barely managed to swallow down the food.

"Good job, buddy." he told him, barely keeping the tremble out of his voice. He managed to get half of the bowl into Hitch before he grew too exhausted and fell fast asleep. Race sighed as he placed the bowl on the floor under the bed. The door creaked open slightly and Albert poked his head in.

"How's he eating?" the redheaded boy asked, walking over to his side. Race sighed.

"Better than Hickory was." Race murmured, still looking down at the sleeping figure.

Albert laughed weakly. "It sucks we only have Hickory to compare him to. Poor kid. Both of them."

Race managed an equally feeble smile, watching as Albert took a small, lumpy stuffed toy of a dog out of his pocket and placed it in Hitch's hand. Though asleep, the hand tightened almost imperceptibly around the toy.

"What's that?" Race asked.

"His name's Patch. Used to be Benji's, before Snyder got him. The kid always said his newsie name would be Patch once he started selling papes." Albert smiled at the memory of his little brother. "Hitch'll take good care of him for Benji."

Albert liked to think that Patch enjoyed being hugged again. He'd first been gifted to a four-year-old, flu-ridden Benji by the boys' mother, and had become a constant companion to his younger brother, especially when Albert started to be out more selling papers and sleeping occasionally at the lodge. It was one of these nights that Benji had snuck out from the family home to visit him. But he'd never reached Albert, instead he had been snatched away to the Refuge by Snyder on his nightly patrol. Hearing about it the next morning by word of mouth, he'd rushed to the alley where Benji had been taken and found Patch lying in a puddle. Though he hated to think of Benji alone in the Refuge, without even Patch for company, it made him a little happier to know there'd be someone finally taking proper care of Patch until Benji got out.

When Hitch woke up, he clutched the stuffie to his chest as he finished the soup.

"Hey." Specs said, slipping into the room. Hitch's eyes, still blurry and unfocused behind the mist of illness, slowly focused in on him.

"Hey-" Hitch broke off to cough into a bucket, his chest rattling as he did so. Specs winced imperceptibly, his smile faltering just a little as he saw just how badly the pneumonia had hit Hitch. "- hey, Specs. How are you?"

"I'm-"

Not okay, you're sick and I don't want you to die like Hickory did because I missed him just as much as I'd miss you.

"- doing okay. You?"

Hitch smiled weakly.

"Missing being able to see all the fellas. This is one rotten illness, but if I go down I'll go down fighting, you can count on that."

Specs smiled again, desperately trying to keep his lips turned up at the corners. "I hope you don't go down. You're a good friend to me, Hitch. And Stray would miss you too."

"Can you come a little closer?" Hitch asked, holding out a hand. "I can't see very well right now. Can I- can I just-" 

His hands, just beginning to form calluses after a year of work as a newsie, traced the dips of Specs' dimples, the creases of his face and the lines of his lips. 

"There's that wonderful Specs smile." he whispered, a small smile ghosting his own lips. "Cheering me up even when it's all blurry."

Hitch smiled, then yawned.

"You should probably get some sleep. It'll help you get better." Specs murmured, gently prising Hitch's hands off his face and squeezing them gently as he laid them back on the bed. 

"I know. Goodnight, Specs."

Specs sat in the chair by the bed until Hitch had gone to sleep. Only when he was sure his friend was asleep did he let the mask slip. His smile creased until it crumpled and his head fell into his hands as sobs wracked his body.

Specs had always been the happiest boy in New York. Even when he had been Stanley Milner and his father's bakery hadn't fallen on hard times, he'd been a firm believer that one was never fully dressed without a smile. His parents, Lucy and George Milner, had brought both him and his sister up to know that kindness very often made the world go round. He'd taken that to heart. So, when he'd gone to join the newsies, he'd brought a bag of pastries from the bakery that hadn't been sold the day before. To boys used to food that was either stale church handouts or straight-up stolen, the barely stale pastries were an extremely welcome surprise and he found himself with a large group of friends. And he'd become Specs, the newsie who was always smiling, always happy. The shoulder to cry on. It was a burden, but he'd always been happy to carry it. He was from a loving, vaguely well-off family, so it was the least he could do. Just sometimes it got a bit much, and he didn't really have anyone. Until Hitch turned up. And then he didn't really have to smile all the time, because when Hitch saw he was having a bad day then suddenly he was allowed to have one. He didn't want to lose that. It could be so exhausting, smiling all day, every day.

"Specs?"

It was Romeo's soft voice that reached his ears, snapping him out of his sobbing. He sniffed and wiped his eyes, attempting to fix a smile. "Yeah? What can I do for you?"

Romeo's pretty face creased as he knelt down next to Specs. "You were crying."

Specs nodded shamefully. "Sorry."

"Woah, woah, nothin' to 'pologise for! 'Specially with all this going on. You want a hug?"

Specs nodded again, sinking into Romeo's embrace and sobbing once more. He let the other boy soothe him until he was calm again, and held on for a little while longer just to make sure.

​​​​​"You don't have to hide your frown, y'know?" Romeo whispered. "I'm here. I always will be."​​​​

Hitch was at his worst. Barely eating, barely awake. When conscious, he lay there sweating and delirious, calling out for his friends. Usually Crutchie, but Jack and Tommy Boy and Finch and even the Conlon cousins found their way to his bedside at his request. This particular evening, he had called for Crutchie. As the door creaked open his face broke into a beam and he reached out to trace the lines of Crutchie's face, to feel the bittersweet smile beneath the whorls of his fingertips. 

"What'd you want me for this time, huh? Want me to do a little dance for ya?" Crutchie quipped, the bittersweet smile momentarily turning into a mischievous one.

"No. I- I was wondering if-" Hitch broke off to cough into his bucket, then looked up to where he could see the vague suggestion of Crutchie. "Could you read me a story?"

Crutchie tried to mask his panic at the request. It was all coming back again, he felt suddenly like the nine-year-old boy who had run crying to Cupid, the lead newsie at the time, Hickory's limp form in his arms.He prayed that history wouldn't repeat itself, lifting his rosary to his lips and pressing a kiss to the polished oak. Then he gave Hitch an answer.

"Sure, why not."

He quickly retrieved the communal book of fairytales from its shelf downstairs. It was the grandest book that the Newsies owned- a present from Jack when he became leader. Crutchie remembered the pride on Jack's face when, after months and months of saving up his pay, he watched the younger kids poring over the pictures and the older kids reading the stories for them until they were capable of reading themselves.

As he read the story to Hitch, Crutchie tried to stay attentive, but couldn't help but slip into the sort of trance one encounters within a story. His mind seemed to split from his body, his mouth moving on its own whilst his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Back to when he was a child and his Mama would tell him stories before he went to bed. She had been Irish originally, though her family had emigrated to New York when she was just fourteen, with many others. He'd never known his father, but he'd seen the marks he'd left behind. He'd been able to see him by filling in the space that he'd left behind. He filled in the space empty of his father's harsh voice by how his mother's face drooped whenever he asked about his missing Athair. He filled in the space of his father's jawline by how his mother was always reluctant to touch his own. He filled in the smell of alcohol on his father's breath by lying in bed and staring at the beer stains on the wall. He found himself hating the man his father had been, and vowing he would never end up such a horrible, twisted man. Even when his Mama had died, only 24, he had not let the grief corrupt him. He had allowed himself to weep, a six-year-old boy with the mind of one far above his age, and then had gone out into the world to become a newsie. Though the world looked down its nose at him, he stuck his tongue out right back in its face and told it I will still be kind. He knew that even when the DeLanceys soaked him one, he was stronger for not joining them in punching down.

(Punching up however, specifically into Oscar's jaw, was an entirely different matter.)

Somehow, despite all that he'd been through and out the other side of, it was hardest of all to be strong for Hitch right now.

"-and they all lived happily ever after."

Crutchie closed the book gently, holding his breath and listening intently for a breath. Hitch's eyes were shut, his body relaxed.

Silence. Crutchie began to panic.

Then, a slow intake of breath. Nothing for a little bit, then a slow exhalation. Hitch was simply asleep. Tears of relief sprang to Crutchie's eyes and ran silently down his cheeks as he ran a hand through the sleeping boy's chestnut-coloured hair. 

Hitch was okay. Hitch would be okay. In that moment, that simple fact was all that mattered.

If you've read this far then thank you so much, comments and reblogs are always appreciated and have a great day! <333

#newsies #THMC #newsies fanfic #Hitch Montague #Uksies #Specs newsies #crutchie newsies #Jack Kelly #romeo newsies #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #hitch writes what he knows

[mystery-star]

Rulers – Ben Wade

Pairing: Ben Wade x reader (gender neutral) 

Words: 1512 

Warnings: death and violence 

A/N: Just something I had in my story ideas too and it fit today’s prompt :)) 

- 

With a sigh you left your daughter’s bedroom after she had deemed it necessary to dash out of her bed again. At least you know where to look for her because the reason she left was to get a goodnight kiss from her father, despite having gotten one earlier as Ben went to work. By the time you entered the saloon, your husband already held her in his arms and was peppering little kisses all over her face, making her squeal in delight. It was still early so there wasn’t too much going on in the saloon yet. 

“And now off to bed with you” he decided when you approached them 

“No” she declared, clinging to his shirt “I stay with you” 

“Hmm, how am I supposed to work then?” she tilted her head then whispered something in his ear, making him laugh. He whispered something back that upset her and made her hit his chest “Oi, we don’t hit people. That ain’t nice” the words made you chuckle because what the girl or the rest of the townspeople didn’t know was who Ben used to be before settling down with you to raise your daughter. She gave him an unamused glance and then got tickled before he put her back to the ground, telling her to go back home and to bed with you. With a little pout she walked over to you and held out her little hand for you to take. A few of the guests wished her a good night, most of them were regulars that knew Ben and the family well. She waved back at them and as you wanted to leave you heard shots from outside on the streets. Gasping in shock, she clung to your leg and you placed a hand on her back, glancing towards your husband. He seemed calm but you knew the shots unnerved him too. It was a quiet little town and nothing much ever happened here. Whoever was shooting there was an outsider. For most patrons the issue seemed alright after a couple of seconds but Ben remained on high alert. 

“Maybe we better take the backdoor” you muttered, more to yourself and then tried to lead your daughter outside when someone smashed the glass of the saloon doors. Now everyone turned around and Ben was with you with a big step, pulling you with him until you were behind the counter where you could easily hide if something happened. Meanwhile a couple of guys entered and just by the looks of them you could tell they were looking for trouble. Ben seemed to have noticed too and you saw his eyes flicker to the hidden gun under the counter. 

“Listen up folks” one of the newcomers said “Tonight you’ll have grand company here, so we’ll expect everyone to be on their best behavior” he fired a shot into the air and three guests ran out of the saloon, probably scared shitless. They didn’t make it far because two of the men gunned them down. Your daughter took a shocked breath and hid her face against your leg, digging her fingers deeper into the fabric. “Now, our king will need some subjects to rule over, doesn’t he? So, I suggest the rest of you stay right where you are” 

“Who are they?” you whispered to Ben when the men that had just entered, you were pretty sure they were outlaws, started stealing people’s beers and drinking them themselves. 

“Dunno” 

“And where is this king?” someone asked and got hit with a gun handle 

“His majesty, King Charles, will be here shortly” Ben raised an eyebrow 

“Got a problem, barkeep?” 

“Just wondering if Britany’s wanting their colony back. ‘Sides hasn’t there been a King Charles before? Think I read he got killed even. And as far as I know there’s a lady on the throne right now.” you gave your husband a doubting look. Why was he provoking them? Sure, it’s what he used to do in his outlaw days and often brought him more trouble than necessary. But ever since you lived here he had held back, for your and your daughter’s sake, to not get you in trouble as well. Why was it different now? Because he was back among outlaws for the first time in years? The one who seemed to be leading the men in the saloon stepped closer, giving him a hard glare but at least didn’t shoot him. However, Ben got socked in the jaw but he didn’t seem to mind. Another man entered the saloon and it seemed he was with the outlaws too, giving a nod. So this was the leader, you guessed. 

“All of you to your knees. Show some respect” some patrons were quick to listen while others hesitated and got one by one forced down on their knees. The newcomer helped too and it led you to believe that he obviously just was another one from the gang and not the boss. As the one in front of you stepped closer you just decided to listen as well and pulled your daughter, who was still clinging to you down as well. “You got a problem with hearing or something, huh?” the outlaw then barked at Ben who was still standing. Soon a second one came and grabbed a fistful of Ben’s hair, kicking the back of his knees to try and force him down. Somehow you were glad when Ben just complied and you tried to move a little closer to him. He held out his hand and took yours, giving it a squeeze. It wasn’t just one to cheer you up, it was reassuring as if he knew that nothing bad was going to happen. “Keep an eye on that one” the leader said as he returned to the door. Half a minute later, the door opened and a man in white trousers and black boot entered. From what you could judge he was wearing a red coat and bright hat. Then the man behind you knocked you against the back of your head, telling you to keep your eyes down. The outlaw boss stepped through the saloon as if he owned the place and you just hoped they only were here for a drink and then would leave again without causing too much trouble. Finally, he had reached the bar and the man behind you hit the back of Ben’s head again. 

“What are you waiting for? Serve your king something” Ben let out a deep growl. Oh he was definitely pissed. He had never really liked people that made themselves too important and this one obviously did. After all, his men played along the stupid ‘king’ part. 

“I thought you wanted me to kneel” Ben replied instead of getting up. Again he got hit in the head and your daughter cuddled up more to your side. 

“Problem?” someone asked and you saw the boss stepping towards you. Ben’s eyes flickered over to you and then he tried getting to his feet, which was of course prevented by the guy still holding him down. 

“This one’s causing loads of troubles” suddenly he had a knife out and held it against Ben’s throat, lifting his head “Shall I?” you let out a shocked gasp and wanted to protest but were scared they’d hurt you or your daughter too.  

“No” the boss said to your surprise and you breathed out in relief “Let him go” luckily the outlaw listened and once he was free, Ben got up, pulling you with him.  

“Daddy” your daughter cried now clinging to Ben’s trousers instead. Now you dared to have a closer look at the outlaw boss and now that he stood so close you had to admit he looked familiar. Maybe you had met him once during the time Ben had still been living as an outlaw too?  

“Ben” he gave a nod towards your husband “Good to see you” Ben, however didn’t look pleased and was throwing the other man a glance that seemed to be a plea. And you understood. This man could most likely expose him in front of everyone and get him in even bigger danger. The outlaw looked at you “(Y/N)” now you suddenly recognized the man. Charlie Prince, Ben’s former second in command. You almost chuckled because suddenly the whole ‘King Charles’ circus made sense – it was just a play with his name. And yes, Charlie had always been way too assured of himself and it seemed like he had a new gang now and not the men who had also been riding under Ben before. 

“Not here, Charlie. You don’t know me here” Ben said under his breath. 

“Get everyone out of here” Charlie commanded and so his men got to work, throwing all the guests out. As the last one was trying to leave the room, Charlie pulled out a pistol and shot him. “Make sure we don’t get visitors” he told two of the remaining men “We got a lot to talk about, Ben” 

#ben wade #3:10 to yuma #russell crowe #ben wade x reader #ben wade x you #ben wade imagine #no i swear i had this idea before this thing happened and made it almost accurate #like I could include a statement that makes it even funnier #since i could not use the 'original' statement

[letaliabane]

OUR MUM IS A WHAT?! (PT. 10)

plot: All is well with the Wayne family, however when Y/N’s past comes back to haunt her, she must not only face her enemies but unravel truths that may break her family forever.

a/n: Getting to the end there now folks! This chapter GOES REAL DEEP in many different ways so please be wary of the warnings!! Thank you all for the love and support in recent weeks it honestly means the world! Hope you enjoy this!! 

WARNINGS: mention of rape but no rape takes place in this chapter!! Digging into a lot of family trauma, reader is digging into mental health issues and wounds from her past, SMUTTISH/SMUT implied, soft!bruce

SERIES MASTERLIST 

I ran my fingertips over the raven mask. Once we had settled back home, Bruce had been set on cleaning and fixing it up. But even with his incredible work, the scarring still remained. 

Sighing heavily, I let my head fall against the wall, turning to look out the window towards the open fields of green and flowers.

Ever since I had been resurrected from the dead, I had felt like an outsider within my family and the walls that I called home. The guilt eating at me, little by little everyday. Every time I looked at any my sons, every time I looked at my love and the man that owned my heart, Bruce, killed me inside. 

I couldn’t look at them without being reminded of how much danger I had put them all in, brought them all to deaths door because the sins of my past came back to haunt me. How could I go back to a normal life with them knowing I had brought so much pain to them? How could they possibly live with me?

With yet another heavy sigh I let the mask fall to the cushion I had been sitting on, moving towards the small kitchen and removing the whistling kettle from the stove. Pouring myself a cup of camomile tea, I couldn’t help but glance towards the framed photo beside the sink, picking it up and bringing it to the table with a small smile. 

‘Excuse me Ma'am but before the night goes on I suggest a family photo should be taken!’ 

I looked towards Alfred through the mirror as I fixed my necklace, turning to him with a large smile. ‘What a wonderful idea! Boys! Come on now our guests will be arriving soon!’

One by one my sons came down the steps, all dressed in their suits, looking sharp, handsome, and all grown up. 

‘Jason, please - your collar sweetheart.’ I say, making my way over to him, smoothing out the material. He rolled his eyes. ‘Mumma why do we have to hold a stupid charity gala for Dad’s birthday! Besides I thought you hated these things.’

I raised my eyebrow at him, giving a quick glance towards his brothers making sure they all looked tidied up. ‘I do not hate them Jason. I just don’t like many of the people who attend! And it’s just for show like always. Tomorrow we’ll have our usual celebration that I know all of you enjoy a lot more.’  

‘Please tell me you asked Alfred to make those double fudge brownies.’ 

‘It would be sin if I didn’t!’ I chuckled. He finally smiled and I couldn’t help but caress his cheek lovingly. 

I glanced up towards the stairs as Bruce came down, looking very handsome in a finely cut suit, fitting him just a little too tightly. But I wasn’t complaining. 

‘Don’t you look dashing birthday boy!’ Letting my hands rest against his chest I pressed a kiss to his cheek. Pulling away I found him smiling, a genuine curve of his lip, not the dazzling smile he gave to the paparazzi. 

‘And don’t you look absolutely stunning my love.’ I couldn’t help but giggle, letting him spin me. 

I had chosen a satin midnight blue gown for the occasion, the sweetheart neckline and thin straps showing enough skin but leaving enough to the imagination. 

Well, nothing to my husband’s imagination anyway. 

‘Can’t wait to unwrap all of this later tonight,’ Bruce whispered against my ear, gripping my waist just a little firmer than usual. At the gagging of our sons, he pulled away with a hearty chuckle, leaving me blushing.

‘Come on now we must hurry if we to take this photograph! Chop chop!’ 

We quickly gathered together at Alfred’s beckoning call, the boys bumping each other out of the way or finding a place to fit around Bruce and I where he pulled me close by the waist. 

Smiling as they finally settled, I let my hand run through Tim’s hair before falling to rest on Bruce’s chest just as Alfred snapped the photograph. 

I turned towards my husband, only to find him already looking down at me with a gentle smile. ‘What is it Bruce?’ 

‘Nothing, just ... taking in one of the greatest blessings of my life.’ I couldn’t stop the small gasp that left my lips before smiling, the distant click of the camera going off in my periphery.

I ran my fingertips over the glass frame. In the moment I hadn’t realised it, but the camera had captured how our beautiful sons turned to look at us, smiling towards us. I furiously wiped away the tears that fell fast down my cheeks, tapping as they landed on the glass. 

God what am I doing?

‘You know they miss you as much as you miss them.’ 

I shrieked, leaping from my chair, gasping at the sight of my father. Calasus stood tall as always, robes of brilliant Lapis blue draping his figure. His hair was drawn back in a large braid weaving down his back, staff in hand at his side giving off a teal hue from the crystal. 

‘What the hell-How did you find me? No wait don’t answer that, more importantly what are you doing here?’ 

A small smile unveiling on his lips. ‘I have my ways Y/N, you know this.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘Of course you do. You still didn’t answer the question though.’

‘I’ve been watching you since we met on Golaraz. I could feel your pain, the anguish you have held inside of you for weeks on end. I couldn’t stand by and watch you suffer like this and walk away from your family.’

I scoffed, ‘Like you did when Mother died?’

‘I had to continue to be a beacon of hope for our people sweetheart. I couldn’t abandon them-’ He sighed softly as I turned my back to him, trying to keep my breath steady. ‘But I also know I shouldn’t have abandoned you or you brothers for them. I realised that once all of you went off world in your seperate ways.’

‘When things went wrong for you? When the facade finally faded revealing how broken our family really was to our people?’ I hissed, not waiting for his answer.

‘You were supposed to be the steward in my journey to leadership, to guide me as I learnt how to control my powers! Instead I had to deal with councilmen and High Priests who only cared about lining their pockets or staring down my dress while you were off planet! And yet with all that, I still wanted to be the Queen you wanted me to be, to be the leader the people needed ...’

My hands were shaking as I released my grip on the edge of the countertop, looking up at him once more. 

‘You couldn’t even be there for me when I needed you most! When he-’ I recoiled, refraining from shouting, pressing a hand to my mouth. ‘When that fucking pig put his hands on me when my guard was at my lowest! He silenced me with his magic and tried to rape me in a lonely corridor-’

‘Y/N-’

‘DON’T!’ I cry as he stepped towards me. ‘You weren’t there! I needed you father! I needed you and you weren’t there for me!‘

I gasped for breath, tears still plummeting down my face. He stepped forward again and I turned my gaze away. 

‘I know Y/N, and I will-forever be sorry. I was deeply ridden in my guilt for your mother’s death. But that isn’t an excuse, I should’ve been there for you and your brothers. But I-I will never forgive myself for not stepping up and being a better father for you.’ 

I cried softly, arms wrapped around myself, staring at the floor, the ends of my father’s embroidered robes coming into view. 

‘I knew the moment you left our home. Torikans have always had a strong bond with their kin for centuries, even in your changed form I could sense everywhere you went. The damage had been done and I didn’t won’t to force you back. But I did what I could to ensure the future and protection of our womenfolk.’

‘What?’ I looked up at this, finding tears streaming down my father’s face silently, a sad smile on his face.

‘I removed the entire council and brought in new members. More women, and more men who would be respectful to them in our court. I also started a protective guard that allowed women from all factions to train in the art of magic and defence. Whether it was to join our forces, or be on the cautionary side of protecting themselves. But I knew even with all I had done, it could never undo the pain I had inflicted upon my little girl. And I am so sorry Y/N.’

A new wave of tears fell, gasping when he caressed my cheek softly. I wrapped my arms around my father for the first time in many years, sobbing loudly into his robes. He stood rigid against me, and for a moment I regretted letting my emotions getting the best of me, until he wrapped his arms around me tightly, holding me tight. 

We just embraced each other, surrounded by the silence, the occasional hiccup escaping me as I caught my breath. Keeping my face hidden amongst my father’s robes, I finally spoke. 

‘I’m afraid of what they think of me father. I’ve done nothing but lie to my family all these years ... and the danger I made them face, I can’t forgive myself for what I did to them. And Bruce ... I lied to him for so many years. The man who I promised myself to, the man I vowed to love and be truthful to till the day I died. And I wasn’t. I-I nearly killed him!’

‘We as parents do what we think is right for our children, and thats all we can do. They may think us different of it when older, but we must strive on and continue to try our best.’ 

‘I’m nothing but a monster.’ 

A choked sob left me, my head coming to rest against my father’s chest, his arm wrapping around me tightly, the other retreating to my hair where he gently combed his fingers through it.

‘You have another chance my dear starlight, don’t let that slip through your fingers because of the past.’ He pulled away, hands gently cupping my face. ‘I don’t see a monster when I see you. You know what I see when I look at you? A protector, a lover, and most importantly a woman who is willing to risk everything to keep her family alive.’

I stared up into my father’s beautiful eyes that dazzled in the light from the fireplace and I couldn’t help but smile. 

‘And Bruce? I knew the moment I met him that he was the perfect husband for you. The fact that he’s on his way here now for you shows how he’s willing to fight for you, for your love for one another, and your family-’ 

‘Wha-What?!’

I turned towards the windows, and to his word, far in the distance a grey vehicle was driving down the road, dust picking up behind it. I could feel the panic rise within me again, evaporating at the touch of my father’s hand on my shoulder.

‘Don’t be afraid Y/N. Trust yourself, trust him. You deserve to be loved as you are.’ 

‘But father-’ 

I stuttered as I turned to find him gone, only a simple gold amulet left on the table. Looking down at it I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of our family crest, letting my thumb slide across the five stars that surrounded a sun. 

With a deep sigh, I left it to rest on the table.

Bruce expected to have to coax his wife out of the familiar house, coax her out of a place that was lonely and dark, a place only thoughts raged on. It was a place he was familiar with and had to be brought out of it by her many times. Now it was his turn to do the same for her.  

However he was shocked to watch his wife come out of the front door as he stopped the car, a gentle smile on her lips. It took him a moment to take her in before he opened the door.

I watched as Bruce left his car and he made his way up the verandah. He was dressed casually, more than usual, however I noticed the shadows beneath his eyes, his unshaven cheeks. He had been struggling just as I had been. 

‘Hi,’ I whispered as he reached the final step before the landing. 

He gave me a small smile. ‘Afternoon my love.’

There was silence between us. ‘Of all the places I’d find you I didn’t think it would be our honeymoon cottage.’

I chuckled at his words, glancing around at the house. ‘One of the only places I’ve felt safe besides the manor honestly.’

He nodded, letting his eyes dance across my form before focusing on my eyes and I couldn’t help but look away. 

‘You probably don’t want me here right now Y/N but-’ 

I raise my hand, stopping Bruce as he spoke. I instantly regretted it as the hurt flashed within his eyes. However, I needed to say this. 

‘I want to apologise to you Bruce, for everything. For not telling you the truth all those years ago, for not being open with you about my powers and just-’ I had to take a moment to breathe, reminding myself to stay calm before looking back up towards him.  

‘You know me better than anyone. You’ve been patient and nothing but honest with me, and I-I wasn’t. And thats not fair to you! Even with running away I was selfish and a coward instead of opening up to you! I don’t know how you think of me now, I’m surprised your even here ...’

I stepped forward, trying hard not to look away from his intense gaze before I finally came to a halt just a foot away from him. All I wanted was to reach out and embrace him, but I had to do this not only for him but myself. 

‘I want to fight for us, for our family. I just was afraid-I mean again I should’ve spoken to you but I was afraid of what you thought of me after everything that happened! I was afraid ... you saw me as a monster. I’m not okay, and I have a lot of work to do ... and I’ll hope able to do that by your side.’

Finally, I breathed a heavy sigh, concentrating on my breathing. I watched Bruce carefully. I always found him hard to read at the best of times but now, I couldn’t get anything out of the expression on his face. There was an intensity to his eyes that sent a spike of fear trickle down my spine. 

Until his lips raised into that familiar smile. 

‘You were never a monster in my eyes Y/N, never! If anything, there were many a time I thought you’d leave for the way I behaved. You’re talking to a man that dresses as a bat and does crime fighting for God sake!’ 

I chuckled unable to help myself as Bruce’s hands came up to cup my face. Unprepared, I couldn’t help but let my eyes close as his thumbs caressed my cheeks, melting into his touch. Opening once again, I found his piercing blue eyes now misty. 

‘I will never stop fighting for you Y/N, for us, or our family. We will get through this together. I let you slip away from me once and I’m not about to let that happen again. I love you too much to let you go.’ 

He wrapped his arms around me, carefully as if I was made of glass. But I threw mine around him, drawing him closer to me in a tight embrace and immediately he returned it. I buried my head at his shoulder, hearing the indistinct whisper of his sweet words against my ear.  

Pulling away, he leans down and his lips meet mine. They’re soft, barely a kiss it is. As he pulls away I stop him, pulling him against me as I pressed my lips to his once more. He groans softly, and one hand slips into my hair and the other wraps around my waist. My arms circle his neck instantly, pulling him closer. 

A gasp leaves my lips as his large frame pressed me up against the doorframe, kissing me more firmly than before. He trails his lips against my cheek, kisses soft, gentle pecks placed at my neck and shoulder. 

‘I missed you Y/N-’ He groaned against my cheek and I could’t stop the moan that escaped as he lifted my leg to wrap around his waist, hips pressed against mine. 

God I had missed him too.

It was hours later, after stumbling into the house, when we were naked amongst the sheets before the fireplace, sweat dampening our limbs as our bodies reconciled with one another, that he made my heart aflutter. 

‘I’ve got you,’ it was a whisper against my forehead as Bruce hugged me close, cradling my body with care, ‘Always.’ 

I sighed softly as I awoke, head askew at a strange angle against the window of the still moving car, now flying by familiar buildings. I glanced over towards Bruce at the wheel, eyes forward focused on the road. With one hand he reached over, squeezing my thigh lovingly. 

Letting my hand trail over his, I let our fingers intertwine. I saw the corner of his mouth raise in a smile and I couldn’t help but chuckle, sitting up slowly. 

Though it had been hard to say goodbye to the nestled nook of France we called our own, despite all its flaws, Gotham was a welcoming sight for sore eyes. A home that had become my own when I was alone and unsure, a place I found love within its walls, where I found four unique boys I now called my sons.   

The car came to a halt in the very familiar courtyard. Stepping outside, I looked up at the manor that I had called my home for so many years. I could feel the prickle of anxiety in my belly, legs trembling at the memories of the past few months- 

I gasped softly as Bruce wrapped his arm around my waist, a tenderness in his gaze as I looked up at him. 

‘You ready?’ 

Despite the maelstrom of emotions within my body, leaning into his warmth, I allowed him to lead me up towards the doors. Opening them, I froze. My sons stood huddled close together, looking up at the sound of the doors. 

None of them moved, just watching as I stepped closer to them step by step before I stood just a couple of feet away. 

‘Sweethearts-’

I barely spoke before I was nearly knocked off my feet, Damian and Tim’s arms wrapping around my waist instantaneously. With a choked sob, I wrapped my arms around their shoulders squeezing them close to me as they whimpered softly. 

I glanced towards Jason as he came to my side, his lips trembling as I ran my hand through his silver tipped hair before he too tucked himself into my side, hiding his face in my neck where he cried. 

Dick was the last, not moving until I beckoned him closer. I could sense the hurt radiating off of him, his fists balled at his sides. With the little movement I could make, I reached for his hand, seconds passing before he loosened his grasp. As his tears fell down his face I pressed my hand to his cheek, and with a weak smile, he finally collapsed against his brothers, his head pressed against mine. 

‘I’m sorry my darlings. I-I’m so sorry ...’ I couldn’t stop the sobs that left my lips, holding my boys as close as possible. Their bodies trembling with their cries, I felt them squeeze any part of my body they could reach. A familiar warmth pressed against my back, and I knew Bruce had wrapped his arms around not only me, but his sons, pulling us all close. 

From afar, Alfred watched on.The butler would later deny the tears that we’re in his eyes. But he definitely wouldn’t the smile he couldn’t hold back. 

The Wayne family was reunited once more.  

a/n: life is messy, it always will be, you just gotta find people who will stick in your corner. 

Masterlist - Series Masterlist

Tagged: 

@watercolour-carnations @hopeful-winchester @gummydemonsstuff @xx-randomshit-xx17  @good-art-by-awesome-people @otothettothep @ricky-666s-blog, @mroy-l0l  @a–1-1-3 , @blondiegurl44-blog  @eternalevie @twilight-loveer ​ @nothingright @hqstimpy  @dawnwriterimagines  @sakaki-chaaaaannn @trashmouthsahra  @emmascornerofthefandoms

#the batman imagines #the batman imagine #bruce wayne imagines #bruce wayne imagine #bruce wayne x reader #batman x reader #batman imagines #batman x reader imagines #batman imagine #the batman x reader #bruce wayne smut #batman smut #dick grayson #dick grayson x reader #jason todd x reader #jason todd #dick grayson imagines #jason todd imagines #tim drake x reader #tim drake imagines #damian wayne x reader #damian wayne imagines #batfamily x reader #batfam x reader #batfamily x reader imagines #batfam x reader imagines #jason todd x batmom #batmom x batman #bruce wayne #the batman

[doublefaceliker2808]

Spring Evening's Respite - Epilogue 2

Hinata and Yuuta: “♪ ~ ♪ ~”

Madara: Spring Evening’s Respite is doing surpriiiisingly well, huh? 

Our unit started with Marble Cast, and its activities are semi-hidden in more ways than one can count. 

Even Crazy:B with their outlandish schemes perfect for disrupting the atmosphere, and 2wink, who are more adept with acrobatic performances, have both been cooperating just fine for your sake. 

You must be loved greatly, Kohaku-san. 

Kohaku: Not quite, Madara-han. 

Madara: …? Did I get something wrong? 

Kohaku: It’s not just me being loved, but you as well. 

Everyone’s pavin’ a path on stage for Double Face’s sake. 

For the me who’s still so unversed with idols, an’ the you who keeps tryin’ to disband whenever ya get the chance like a pain in the ass, right? 

Madara: …….

I didn’t mean to make any of you do that for me, though. 

Kohaku: Oi, watch yerself. Stop twistin’ every little thing. Not even yer companion here can keep dealin’ with that. 

Takin’ what’s given to you and then ignorin’ it while pretendin' to be detached has gotta be the most uncool thing there is. 

Madara: Haha, you’re not wrooong. 

Just as you say, perhaps people think of me in a favourable way too, huh? 

Being an idol is certainly a unique experience. Just like how cherry blossoms can deter those who find them eerie, their beauty can contrarily save those who witness to it, right? 

It’s quite heavy, this thing called love. 

Once you receive it, it’s difficult to say that you no longer want it. Once a place like this has been created with so much emphasis, it’s impossible to ignore. 

In this story, I had thought myself to be within a tragedy. With all things considered, however, this might be more akin to a comedy.

Kohaku: Ain’t that right. In the end, we’ve pretty much become a comedy. 

To think that the two folks who were properly tryin’ to live on with their lives are now bein’ idols togethers. Couldn’t tell you what fairytale we’re from if ya asked me. 

…Right as I say that, it looks like 2wink’s wrappin’ up their performance. Are ya ready, Madara-han? 

Madara: Yep. It’s about time I stop playing the tragic heroine’s role. 

If I lost the trust and respect of our fans, then calling myself an idol would be nothing but a bad joke. 

Kohaku: Mmhm. That feeling of yours is more than enough for now. 

Hinata: "This was brought to you by 2wink!"

“Next up will be our final performers, Double Face! We’re leaving the grand finale to you guys!”

Yuuta: “Make sure you dash all the way to the end, Kohaku-kun ♪”

Kohaku: “Yep. Thank ya kindly, Hinata-han, Yuuta-han.”

“...This one’s the last one for real.”

“Everythin’ went by in the blink of an eye, as though we were all in a dream.”

“Double Face’s song will be bringin’ it all to a close, though. Let’s talk a bit ‘bout how I was ponderin’ for my project, and made the decision to go with Spring Evening’s Respite.” 

“My last name’s “Oukawa”, so it's gonna come as a surprise, but I’ve never been a fan o’ cherry blossoms.”

“But ‘cause o’ this project, I’ve been thinkin’ bout it.”

“There were all kinds o’ people supportin’ this project, y’know. An’ so, I wanted this project to be for not just my own values, but for all o’ those friends who encouraged me.” 

“Right, Madara-han?”

Madara: “Me…?”

Kohaku: “Yep. Who else ‘sides you’s there?”

“Don’t tell me ya forgot. When ya were passin’ by and chanced upon the cherry blossoms bein’ broadcast on TV, it was you who called ‘em pretty—”

“That was ‘round the time I was worryin’ over the plans for this live.”

“Durin’ that time, I remembered Madara-han sayin’ they were pretty, so I decided to believe him.” 

“Without any of yer usual troublesome ass, without ya playin’ the role of some supportin’ character— You said that so genuinely, without any pretense. I thought it’d be okay to believe you”

“Thanks to the help o’ all my allies from other units encouragin’ me, this is how the concept o’ “Spring Evening’s Respite” unveiled.” 

“I’d like to take the chance to express my gratitude here. Thank you.” 

Madara: Ahh… So that’s what this was all about. 

All of this was for my sake. 

Kohaku: This ain’t the time for chitchat, Madara-han. 

From here on out, it’s time for us to perform the song we prepared for Spring Evening’s Respite, right? 

“No name yet” — For those of us who may resemble nameless flowers, yet to be dyed in any way, to one day bloom into what we wish to be. 

Kohaku: Whether you're an idol, or a hero, or anythin’ else. Let us bloom into what only we can become. 

Let’s sing with all we’ve got, Madara-han. 

“ ♪ ~ ♪ ~ “ 

Madara: …Thank you, my partner.

What an unusual twist of fate. It seems that the relationship we share will last for a long, long time. (1)

“ ♪ ~ ♪ ~ “ 

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

Mama uses the idiom 合縁奇縁, which directly translates to "a couple strangely but happily united; uncanny relationship formed by a quirk of fate". He says this one pretty often actually!

Previous | Masterlist | Next

#double face ruined me #reading this chapter made me so hhbbbfgg I love them

[thatfanficstuff]

Unexpected - Stucky x Reader

Pairing Grouping: Steve Rogers x Reader x Bucky Barnes

Warnings: Steamy fluff with a dash cupful of foul mouthed Reader and super soldier. Also liberal use of sugar and baby but no sugar babies.

A/N: short fluff is no 3300+ of very steamy fluff. I’m gonna go with 16+ on this one folks. Oh, and STUCKY!!!

***

They didn’t think anything of it at first. It was just little things after all. Things that hardly warranted their attention. It wasn’t until Tony mentioned it that they began to take notice.

“Hey, Capsicle, you and tin man been sneaking off to the store without telling anyone? You could at least ask if we needed anything? I’ve been out of blueberries for days,” Tony said one night as the team sat to watch a movie.

“What are you talking about, Stark?” Steve asked with a furrowed brow.

Tony gestured at the bag of gummy worms that you and Bucky were currently sharing. “Just that you two seem to be the only ones around here that never run out of your favorite goodies. You could have stocked up for everyone. That’s all I’m saying.” He shrugged his shoulders and waved a hand through the air as if it wasn’t important, though clearly it was if he’d brought it up.  

You rolled your eyes. “Tony, you’re a billionaire. Pay someone to do your shopping and have it delivered, you big baby.”

The super soldiers on either side of you laughed and you settled more firmly into your seat between them. Tony started to say something else but Natasha smacked his arm. “Shut up. Movie’s starting.”

He grumbled which brought another smile to your face. He really was an overgrown kid sometimes. Really, you were just pleased that he’d shut the hell up. After all, if you’d wanted your crushes to know you were secretly taking care of them, you would have done it not so secretly. Liking both of them was awkward enough without them being aware of it, thank you very much.

Honestly, until that day, Steve had just assumed that Tony had someone that replenished the food in the kitchenette on their floor. True, they’d never seen anyone, but it wasn’t like it happened by magic. It was just over a week later when Steve glanced up from his drawing when Bucky walked into their living room. “Hey Buck, you didn’t do any cleaning did you?”

Bucky snorted. “There’s never anything to clean is there?”

Steve frowned. “Yeah, I noticed that to. I asked Stark if he had a service that did our floor. You know what he said?”

“I’m guessing he said no or we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Bucky answered as he sat across the table from his boyfriend.

“He asked if I wanted him to get someone in to help us out.”

Confusion caused Bucky’s brow to furrow as he leaned forward. “So, someone has been coming into our space, replacing our food and cleaning up after us and we have no idea who it is?”

“Looks like it.”

There was a stretch of silence before Bucky asked, “Why?”

***

It started when the boys were on a mission. You’d raided Buck’s candy stash for movie night and before you replaced it, you’d done an inventory and picked up everything else they were needing. It wasn’t like it took much more effort. And when you’d seen how happy they were when they arrived home to all their favorites, that was all the incentive you needed to keep doing it.

You made sure to refill their stash when they were on mission or out for training so they wouldn’t catch you. There was always the chance they’d return when you weren’t expecting it, but the odds were slim. After all, you made a living by sneaking around unseen, hence the name Shadow. The cleaning started when they were gone on a mission and you didn’t want them coming home to clutter and dust. You weren’t even sure that they noticed, but it made you happy to have something else you could do for them.

Steve and Bucky were currently on week three of a mission with Nat and Sam and you were sorting out the groceries you’d just bought while you tried to think of something special you could do for them.

“So, why do you do it exactly?” you heard from behind you, causing you to jump. The twins were in San Francisco until tomorrow so you should have had the floor to yourself.

You scowled when you found Tony standing behind you wearing his infamous smirk.

“Jumpy?”

Your cheeks heated as you turned back to the task at hand, hoping Tony wouldn’t notice at least half of your food was for the super soldiers. “Mind was just elsewhere. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering why you pamper the geriatric twins if you aren’t going to take credit for it?”

You froze briefly before finishing up and placing the boys’ food back into bags so you could carry it upstairs. Finally, you turned and crossed your arms over your chest as you leaned against the counter behind you. “I don’t suppose it would do me any good to deny it?”

He chuckled as he moved closer. “They asked me to look into it before they left. It was the complete lack of evidence that led me to you actually. Only one person I know can get around my system like that.”

“Shit.” You were a technomancer and were very skilled at making tech do what you wanted. Tony hadn’t been thrilled the first time you’d completely circumvented the tower’s security. Now he used you to test out new systems. Finally, you quit freaking out enough to meet his eyes. “Are you going to tell them?”

He tilted his head and frowned at you. “Why are you so dead set against them figuring this out? You know they won’t be anything other than grateful.”

“Because they’ll want to know why and I can’t tell them that.” Your voice was quiet but you knew he’d heard your answer.

“Well how about you tell me then, sparky?” he suggested.

You rolled your eyes at his stupid nickname as you sighed. He wasn’t the most trustworthy when it came to secrets but you were dying to tell someone. And honestly, he would probably be the least judgmental out of everyone. “You can’t tell anyone, Tony. I mean it.”

He rubbed his hands together and closed most of the distance between you. “My lips are sealed. You have my word.”

You arched a brow but chose not to comment. You closed your eyes not wanting to look at him as you made the confession. “I might possibly be just a little bit in love with them.” When you got no response you opened one eye to find Tony grinning at you as he rocked on his feet. You opened the other eye to give him a narrow-eyed look. “What?”

“I think you should tell them.”

“Not funny, Stark.”

“Wasn’t meant to be, sweetheart.” You just stared at him, saying nothing. After a few moments, he sighed. “Listen, as amusing as it might be to trick you into having that conversation with them and recording it to watch at my leisure later, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“That little admission didn’t exactly help your cause any.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I can’t tell you that I know for sure how they’ll react, because I can’t. I also can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught them checking you out when they think no one’s watching. Or how many times they’ve argued about who got to sit beside you when there was only one seat left. Or the number of whispered conversations they have that fade away when you walk into the room. And while I have had many female friends over the years, I have never suggested any of them sit in my lap unless I was trying to take things beyond friendship.”

You frowned. “I sit in their laps all the time.”

His hands went out to the side as if to say ‘see?’.

Your frown deepened as you recalled something else. “Wait, didn’t you try to get me to sit in your lap when I was still new?”

Tony chuckled and turned around to walk off. “Only proving my point, Y/L/N,” he called over his shoulder.

It was barely five minutes after he left that you gathered the bags of food to take upstairs and put away. You weren’t certain you’d survive sitting around doing nothing and there was only so much training you could stand in a day. “Protocol five, J,” you said as you stepped onto the elevator. “Super soldiers’ floor, please.”

“Of course, Miss.” Protocol five would shut down all recording devices anywhere in your vicinity until you turned it off.

You made short work of putting the food away and glanced around. Things were fairly tidy though they could use a dust and a quick vacuum. A peek in both bedrooms had you wrinkling your nose. They’d had back-to-back missions before they’d left on the current one and obviously hadn’t had time to do laundry. While the boys normally slept together, they maintained their own spaces in case one of them was having a bad night or just needed some time to themselves.

Moving into Bucky’s space, you gathered up all the laundry and threw it out into the hallway. You also stripped the bedding and added it to the pile. You put a load in the washer before moving to Steve’s room. There was more laundry there as it was the space they shared the most often. You added to the pile already in the hallway before stripping those sheets as well.

After sorting the clothes into loads, you took about half of them down to your floor and started a load there as well before heading back upstairs. You opened windows in both bedrooms to let them air out as you put fresh sheets on the beds. You dusted and straightened and vacuumed only pausing as necessary to switch out the laundry.

By the time you finished all but the last loads of laundry, their rooms looked better than they had in months and they had clean sheets to crawl into when they got home. You’d cleaned the rest of the floor as well and were heading back to your floor to take care of the last of the clothes. You had to wait a bit for them to finish drying, but then once it was all folded and sorted, you loaded up the laundry basket to put it away. You were happy you’d gotten so much done.

Apparently ignoring your feelings made you productive, who knew? Most of the clothes in your basket were Buck’s so you headed to his room first. You reached for the handle, only to have the door open on its own. Your mouth dropped and the basket fell to your feet as you ran your gaze up a naked torso to see Bucky frowning at you. He was dressed in a pair of sweats and his hair was still wet from a shower. His gaze darted from you to the basket and back as a grin crept over his face. “Fuck,” you breathed out and took a step back. “I’m sorry. I-I need to go.”

He reached out and snagged your wrist before you got more than a step. “I don’t think so, sugar.” He tugged you gently back in his direction and lifted your chin with a finger since you seemed unable to look at him on your own. “Where do you think you’re going to escape to anyway, Y/N? We know where you live.”

“I was thinking of moving to Alaska. I hear it’s nice there this time of year.”

“You hate the cold,” he said with a laugh and looped an arm around your waist.

Your heart raced and you prayed that his stupid super soldier senses wouldn’t clue him in, but who were you kidding? You’d never be that lucky.

“Oh, Steve,” he called in a sing-song voice. “I have something for you.”

“Not now, Buck. I’m…” Steve’s voice trailed off as he stepped into the hall and saw you. His ears and cheeks turned a rather adorable shade of red and you couldn’t stop a giggle at the sight. “What’s this?” he asked looking between the two of you.

Bucky nudged the laundry basket into view with his foot. “I intercepted her on her way to put away the last of the laundry.”

Steve straightened immediately. “Oh, did you?”

And damned if his voice didn’t drop a whole octave when he said it. Now it was your turn to be embarrassed. You squirmed in Bucky’s hold but didn’t try to escape. There was no point. He chuckled behind you and passed you over to Steve when he held a hand out toward you. You licked your lips as you took it and let him lead you into the living room.

He sat on the couch and pulled you down onto his lap. Bucky sat right beside him and pulled your legs onto his lap. You cleared your throat. “I can sit by myself.”

“I’m sure you can, baby,” Steve assured. “But I’m happy with you in my lap. And you like to make me happy, don’t you, Y/N?”

Oh.

My.

God.

That was not fair. Not fucking fair at all.

Steve trailed a finger up your spine, chuckling when you shivered at his touch. His finger continued it’s journey up your neck then back along its previous path as he talked. “When Buck and I were kids, there wasn’t a lot of money to go around. Less so for me because of my meds. Our folks taking care of us meant putting food on the table and mending our clothes. Sometimes there might be enough for a dime novel or some sweets, but for the most part we took care of each other.”

Bucky kept rubbing little circles on your ankle with his thumb. “That hasn’t changed much over the last several decades. You know, except when I was trying to kill him. But then someone else started taking care of us. In a million little ways we didn’t always notice. Not right away anyway.”

“But then we did notice and we started making note of everything that made us feel cared for.” Steve’s hand flattened on your back and his fingers flexed slightly as he said, “Loved.”

“So, tell us, Y/N, why did you do it?” Bucky asked.

You shrugged and stared at your hands where they twisted together in your lap. “I stole your candy and needed to replace it so I picked up some other stuff. But then I saw how happy you were when you had your favorite snacks when you got home and that made me happy. The more I did, the happier and more relaxed you seemed so I kept doing it. I like it when you’re happy. Both of you.”

“That the only reason, baby? You like us happy?” Steve asked as he trailed that damned finger back up your spine.

You jumped out of his lap and stepped back until you were out of easy reach for either of them. They stared at you in surprise and you held out a hand to stop them when they started to stand. “No. You stay put. You two aren’t playing fair.”

“How’s that, doll?” Bucky asked, his blue eyes sparking with amusement.

“You with the touching and the sugar and the arm around the waist,” you said gesturing to Bucky before turning to his boyfriend. “And you with the baby and more touching and the deep voice. It’s not fair. It’s not.” You sucked in a breath. “My entire life I’ve been attracted to the unattainable guy. Every fucking time. But this time I really outdid myself because I fell in love with not just one, but two unattainable men and they’re dating each other. I mean fuck my life. Seriously. What is that? So yes, I did all of this because I love you. Both of you. And I’ll keep doing it for the same reason and it will always make me happy to see you happy. But at the end of the day, you two have each other and I don’t and that’s not fucking fair so stop. Just stop, okay?”

Steve stood first as if afraid to startle you. He stepped forward and swept his thumb across your cheek wiping away the tears you hadn’t been aware of. His hands settled on either side of your neck as he studied your eyes for the longest time. “You’ve got quite the fucking mouth on you, baby,” he said then tugged you forward and slammed his lips onto yours.

You hesitated for only a moment, a brief stretch of time and then you let yourself go. Your Steve was kissing you and it was nothing like you’d imagined. There was nothing soft or questioning about it. It was firm, sure, and altogether fucking fantastic. His hands moved to your thighs and lifted as his lips stayed glued to yours. You wrapped your legs around his waist and as he turned, his lips slid from your mouth to travel the length of your neck. His open mouth kisses alternated with tiny nips that were sure to bruise and you rolled your hips against him in response. He hissed against your skin and you smiled.

A large hand grasped your chin and turned your head until another pair of lips slanted over yours. Bucky. His kiss was dark and rich and full of promises. He shifted his body so he supported your back as his hands found the hem of your shirt. Cool metal and warm flesh contrasted against your skin as he slid over your belly and up to caress your breasts. “Oh God.” You rolled your hips again, Steve pressed against your front and Bucky pressed against your ass.

“Fuck,” Steve said as his hands tightened on your waist in an effort to still your movements.

Bucky chuckled against the back of your neck and bit at the skin there, his bite firmer, more punishing than Steve’s. “What’s the matter, punk? She pushing you to the edge already?”

“Suck it, Barnes.”

“I intend to, Rogers.”

That had you grinning. This playful love they had between them was what you wanted. Was part of the reason you fell in love with both of them. Bucky’s gaze shifted to you and he mirrored your grin. “I love you, Buck.”

His grin widened. “You hear that, Stevie? She loves me. God, that’s sexy.” He kissed you soundly then pulled you from Steve’s arms to carry you bridal style to the bedroom. “I love you, too, sugar.”

That earned him another kiss. You put your hand against the door frame to stop him before he could carry you inside. This needed to be said before you were all in bed together. You turned to find Steve with a question in his eyes. “I love you, too, Steve.”

His smile was sweet, soft. “I know you do, baby.” He placed a hand on your cheek and gave you a soft kiss. “I love you, too. Have for awhile if I’m honest. We both have. Turns out we were both feeling guilty for loving someone else and it was the same girl. Never dreamed you’d actually be ours though.” You kissed him again and it only took a moment for it to take on a rougher edge.

Bucky turned you so he could carry you into the room, causing your lips to be pulled from Steve’s. You whimpered at the loss of contact and both men chuckled. “Don’t worry, baby, you’ll have more of us than you can handle in a moment.”

You squealed as Buck tossed you into the middle of their king sized bed. You propped yourself up on your elbows and bit your lip as you looked at the two men standing before you. “Promise, soldiers?”

“Oh, sweetheart, that’s a goddamn guarantee.”

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