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wileys-russo · 5 months

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elf on a shelf II a.russo & l.williamson x reader

lil christmas fic number two! psa; just because i write this does not mean i ship them irl elf on a shelf II a.russo & l.williamson x reader

"woah! someone's speedy today, what's wrong then? where's the missus's?" katie was quick to snag you as you stormed into the dressing room, throwing your bag down with a scowl.

"if they've half a brain between them as far away from me as they can get!" you warned, shrugging off your friends arm and dropping down by your cubby to change into your boots.

having driven yourself this morning after a particularly nasty row with the blondes who shared your heart you'd stormed out of the house without a single look back, shocked you'd not copped a speeding ticket with how heavy your foot fell on the accelerator, determined to get as far away from the two girls as possible.

"oi! none of that pissy little attitude with me thanks. tell us what happened then." katie warned lightly, sitting down beside you and knocking her knee against yours as you sighed and dragged your hands down your face, starting to recount where it had all started.

if you were to know just how far things were going to go, you'd have never ever even considered getting that stupid little elf.

everything had been laid into motion last week when you'd seen a few tiktoks of adorable elf on the shelf ideas. never having really given them much consideration before you had thought it might be an opportunity for some cute christmas cheer around the house.

not that it needed much more. between you, alessia and leah all three of you had decorated your shared home extensively for the holiday season.

as you had prepared for there was the usual arguments around the tree, the worst of them being who got to choose the theme and who got to place the angel of the north of course, on top.

"what on earth is that babe?" leah had scoffed as you'd dropped it happily on the coffee table with a grin. "oo one of those elf things!" alessia had gasped happily, grabbing your hips and tugging you down onto the sofa with her.

"well its not a fucking reindeer less." leah chuckled earning herself a filthy look from the striker as you kissed her cheek with an amused smile.

"you're supposed to move them around the house and pose them to look like they're doing weird and funny stuff. it's mostly parents who do them for kids but i thought it could be cute for the three of us to take turns." you tossed your phone to leah who scrolled through a few videos with a hum.

"i think it's a great idea baby." alessia agreed, squeezing you tightly in approval. "guess it's not the worst idea you've had." leah shrugged as you kicked her ankle gently.

"sorry, it's a cute idea love. you start tonight, then less, then me." leah smiled apologetically, scooting closer and handing you back your phone, the three of you getting comfortable.

how naive you were not to know just how far things would go.

your first turn started off harmlessly, once your girlfriends had gone up to bed you spread some flour out on the counter, creating a snow angel and leaving the elf spread out in the middle, snapping a picture with a happy grin.

"oh that's so cute baby!" alessia was the first to notice it the next morning, snapping a picture and uploading it to her instagram story with a smile.

it took leah a little longer, never the most observant woman in the mornings but once she'd had a coffee she'd chuckled at the elf, wiping down the flour before the three of you needed to leave for training.

your suspicions should have peaked when you noticed kyra and vic hanging around alessia all day, seemingly always in her ear as she would nod and note something down in her phone with a grin.

her first turn the next night again was harmless, you waking up to find the elf in the fridge sat on top of a carton of eggs with a sharpie in its arms. the eggs with funny faces drawn all over them you let out a laugh which warmed the blonde's heart as she hugged you from behind.

"naughty naughty elf." she'd tutted in your ear, kissing your cheek and reaching past you to grab out a carton of juice. "really?" was leah's response once she'd spotted it, raising an eyebrow at the younger girl who shrugged.

"he must have gotten bored." alessia grinned sipping at her coffee. "yeah babe, maybe he just wanted the eggs to look their very best on their death day!" you added on, chopping up some peppers to make omelettes.

"death day? touch dark there gorgeous." alessia laughed, rinsing her mug in the sink and tapping your bum as she passed you with a wink. "the two of you are something else, why do i put up with it?" leah sighed dramatically, closing the fridge.

"think you mean why do we put up with you!" you teased, her body pressing against yours and nipping at your bottom lip before she placed a tender kiss against them. "hilarious my girl, hilarious."

for leah's turn she was a little more stumped than the two of you had been, having to do some extensive research to try and find some ideas she felt were achievable.

you'd woken up the next morning to find the elf sat on the bathroom counter with a tube of toothpaste in his hands, UTA spelled out in toothpaste on the marble top.

taking a photo and sending it in the teams group chat you rolled your eyes with an amused smile and hopped into the shower, leaving it for one of your girlfriends to clean up considering both of them were refusing to get up.

your next turn meant you'd filled up the kitchen sink with water, dropping in a bunch of goldfish crackers and propping the elf on the tap with a straw to look like he'd gone fishing.

that had gone over well with both your girls and ended up on leahs story, though having to fish out the soggy crackers from the sink had left you gagging and reconsidering the idea all together.

for alessia's she'd poked holes in a piece of toast, sticking the elf's arms and legs through and leaving it sat by the toaster with a little note stating 'it's cold outside...but i am toasty in here ;) '.

you'd found it adorable, leah less so. which had meant you'd spent the entire morning of your day off fussing over the striker who was grumpy with leah for her response, and then in turn you'd spent the afternoon placating a moody leah who'd felt ignored all day.

by dinner time they'd settled down and made up again and the three of you were curled up on the lounge eating pizza, seemingly a normal evening. until leah had to of course open her mouth and set forth the ball rolling which would eventually lead to a series of unfortunate events.

"why don't we make this elf business a bit more interesting?" the eldest between the three of you had challenged with a smug smile. "how so?" alessia raised an eyebrow, your legs draped across her lap as your top half was tucked into leah's side.

"no more posting photos. end of each rotation we show the girls and they choose whose was the best? most successful choices by the end of the month wins." leah challenged with a smirk.

"no! come on it's just supposed to be something cute for the three of us." you'd protested but it was no use. "you're on." alessia agreed with a smirk that matched leah's causing you to exhale deeply.

"why does everything have to be a competition with the two of you?"

things escalated after that to say the least. with you not wanting to compete you'd been cut from the roster all together, leah and alessia now just going night for night, too absorbed in their competitive natures to notice that it had upset you to see it turn into this.

throughout the week though the elf seemed to take on a little more of a personal vendetta against your girlfriends, the pranks going from harmless and cute to targeted.

alessia had started it by wrapping all of leah's trainers in foil and leaving the elf on top of them with a sign that said 'free shoe shining service'.

leah had countered by tying all of alessia's hoodies together tightly and stringing them from upstairs down to the christmas tree, sitting the elf on top with a candy cane as if he was sliding down them.

still alessia had won that round which leah was not impressed with. you on the other hand barely even paid their turns much attention, refusing to give them any sort of praise of acknowledgement beyond a hum or a nod, not that your vote counted for anything anyway.

it was taken up a notch when alessia had frozen leah's house keys in a block of ice overnight, sitting the elf on top with a makeshift scarf wrapped around him and a pair of tweezers in hand like a small ice pick.

that earned her an entire day of stony silence from the defender, meaning you were instead pulled back and forth between them both after your attention since they weren't receiving any from one another.

leah had once again stepped it up, laying out a bunch of alessia's makeup on the counter, smashing up an eyeshadow pallete and highlighter stick, and writing 'elf was here 2023' on the mirror in her favourite shade of lipstick. the elf in question was sprawled out on the counter with an empty bottle of wine and smeared makeup all over his face.

"leah catherine williamson!"

you'd shot up awake hearing alessia yell, rubbing your eyes and reaching around you, frowning when both sides of the bed were cold and empty. "oh what now." you mumbled tiredly at the noise of the bickering carrying from the bathroom.

"leah most of this stuff is fucking expensive you stupid idiot!" alessia seethed, gesturing wildly to the remnants of what was once her makeup on the counter. "babe i'll just buy you more, you're overreacting." leah rolled her eyes dismissively.

"no you've taken it too far! you fucking ignorant selfish moronic-" alessia struggled to think of her next words as you entered the room. "hey, lessi baby breathe." you gripped her bicep with a concerned frown, steam practically pouring out of the blondes ears.

"oh of course you take her side!" leah scoffed with a roll of her eyes as you fixed her with a stern look. "why wouldn't she? you're the one in the wrong!" alessia spat, wrapping you in a bone crushing hug and pulling your shorter body into hers possessively.

"it's a joke less! lighten up and grow a funny bone would you?" leah laughed, only fueling alessia's anger further as you quickly grabbed her face before she could explode, murmuring it wasn't worth it as the striker huffed and let go of you, storming out of the room.

"leah." you started with a disappointed sigh, crossing your arms over your chest and staring her down. "what?" the older girl rolled her eyes sitting on the edge of the bath.

"she's right lee that's too far. none of these have damaged anything." you reminded her. "she froze my keys!" leah whined with a glare. "your house keys babe, we have two extra sets. what would you do if instead of wrapping your trainers in foil she cut them up?" you challenged with a sigh, standing in between her spread legs.

"that's different! trainers are-" "expensive? but can't less just buy you more." "yeah alright you might have a point."

"clean this up and go and say sorry, sincerely. and if she doesn't want to talk to you then give her some space and apologize later." you grabbed the blondes chin, pecking her lips before leaving her behind to clean up her mess.

indeed alessia hadn't wanted to speak with leah but after a few hours of sweet words and grovelling, all seemed to be forgiven.

key emphasis on; seemed to be.

that next morning you'd woken up to yelling again, only this time the roles were reversed.

"alessia mia teresa russo you come here right now!"

"what did you do?" you shot up awake again same as yesterday, thsi time staring down at the smug looking blonde who was laid in bed beside you.

"i didn't do anything, maybe the elf was feeling naughty again." she'd mumbled with a smirk as you pinched the bridge of your nose and inhaled sharply. "alessia. what. did. you. do?" you asked firmly, poking her chest with each word.

but you didn't have a chance to hear her answer as footsteps pounded upstairs and leah flew into the room, not another word said as she grabbed your hands hauling you up and out of bed.

"leah! put me down!" you yelled in shock as suddenly you were flung over her shoulder, watching alessia sit up in bed as you were carried out of the room and downstairs, dumped suddenly on the sofa.

"look what she's done!" leah spat, pointing to a pile of clothing on the coffee table, the elf sat on a tissue box with a pair of scissors. "lee. baby i just woke up, please stop yelling at me." you sighed, closing your eyes and massaging your temples.

"look!" leah huffed, ignoring you completely as she held up shirt after shirt, all with sporadic holes cut throughout them. "oh for fuck sakes. alessia!" you called upstairs, leah continuing on her angry rant without even pausing to take a breath.

"good morning!" the younger blonde smiled happily, slinking downstairs as leah fell silent. "you've ruined half my wardrobe alessia!" she spat, lunging for the blonde as you hastily leapt up and grabbed the back of her hoodie.

"i didn't do anything, the culprits got the scissors right there." alessia shrugged pointing to the elf. "i will stab you with those scissors!" leah spat angrily as you shoved her to sit down in your previous position. "you! kitchen, now." you warned alessia pointing in the other direction as she rolled her eyes but left anyway.

"my love. deep breaths with me please, in for five and out." you started, sitting down on the blondes lap who did as you asked, calming down a little.

"i will take you both shopping this afternoon and less will buy you some new tops, and you'll replace less's makeup." you gave her a firm look as she opened her mouth to protest, eyebrows furrowing together angrily.

"fine. but i'm not sitting in a fucking car with her this morning and i'm not talking to her until she apologizes. just like i had to yesterday!" leah warned as you nodded in understanding, pecking her lips and standing up allowing her to storm off upstairs.

"alessia." you started with a sigh as you appeared in the kitchen, your other girlfriend leaning against the counter looking through her phone. "what?" she mumbled sourly, lips forming a pout.

"don't give me that, you know you went too far." you warned, pulling yourself to sit up on the island. "she started it!" the blonde moved to wiggle inbetween your legs, wrapping her arms around your torso and resting her head on your chest.

"you both started it when you agreed to make what was supposed to be a cute new tradition, into a competition!" you carded a hand through her hair with a deep sigh.

"we're going shopping after training love. you're going to buy leah new shirts and she's going to replace your makeup." you stated, a stern glare silencing the strikers protests as she nodded. both of you winced as suddenly the front door slammed close, leah's car starting in the driveway.

"you can start with an apology though lessi."

things once again seemed to calm after that, both girls ignoring the small elf for a further three days and you breathed a little easier enjoying the extra attention it meant you got from them instead.

but of course one kyra cooney cross had to open her mouth complaining about the lack of elf content with several of the girls backing her up, and you could have wrung their necks then and there, leah and alessia sharing a look across the dressing room which made your stomach lurch.

your warning them against it fell on deaf ears, their anger at one another for the mistakes of the past evaporating as they spent the afternoon teasing one another for who would win, leah having borrowed an elf off beth without your knowledge.

"thats it! i am over this. both of you leave me alone until you go to bed and i can get some peace and quiet!" you snapped as they started to go back and forth over the top of your head, shoving both of them off of you and storming to the spare bedroom.

you busied yourself with your studies for the rest of the evening, having taken a break over the holiday period considering your course was self paced.

but needing something to keep your mind off things you sprawled across the bed reading your text books, ignoring both your girlfriends attempts to coax you back out to spend time with them, the door firmly locked with the key in your pocket.

eventually having to give into how much you missed them, you snapped your books shut and padded to the bedroom. "baby!" alessia perked up at the sight of you, opening her arms expectantly as leah gave you a tired smile.

"you're both so annoying sometimes." you mumbled as you crawled into bed between them, settling into alessia's arms as leahs face tucked into your neck. "we're sorry gorgeous, we love you very very much." alessia whispered, kissing your cheek gently as leahs hand snaked up your top.

your breath hitched feeling her cold fingers trace shapes on your bare chest as alessia caught on, her lips settling on your neck as leah pushed herself up and hovered over you with a wolfish grin, suddenly wide awake.

"how about we make it up to you then baby girl?"

waking up that next morning you smiled seeing finally both of your girlfriends were in bed with you. no yelling, no arguing, no naughty little elf related disasters.

oh how wrong you were.

ignoring their half asleep grumbles for you to stay you wrenched yourself out of leah's tight hold, kissing both of their foreheads and slipping out of bed to make all three of you breakfast before training.

except you didn't make it to the kitchen.

this time it was leah and alessia who woke up to yelling, though this time when it was a cry of pain they both scrambled out of bed, tripping over one another in their haste to get to you.

"baby?" "love?"

you groaned in pain at the bottom of the stairs, leah hastily grabbing the back of alessia's shirt to stop her following in your footsteps.

"leah!" the striker gasped with wide eyes, the stairs covered with mountains of toilet paper supposed to look like snow which is what had caused you to slip down them.

"alessia!" leah echoed in the same tone, eyes falling to the kitchen where a thin layer of flour covered the entire room head to toe. but hearing you groan both of them snapped out of it, carefully making their way down as fast as they could toward you.

"do not touch me!" you warned as they reached you, the scarily calm tone of your voice causing them both to recoil as you gradually got to your feet. "baby we didn't-" alessia's words fell short as you held up a hand.

"not a word, from either of you." you whispered, anger on the brink of boiling point as you turned on your heel, slightly limping as you headed for the kitchen, none the wiser of what was to greet you as all you wanted was an ice pack for where you'd landed right on your ass.

"oh this is going to be ugly." leah mumbled, grabbing alessia's hand as you rounded the corner and your eyes landed on the kitchen.

"my love we-" again their words fell short as you held up a hand, back faced toward them as you leant forward, sagging against the counter as your hands gripped the marble with white knuckles.

a thick uncomfortable silence formed, both alessia and leah sharing a terrified look as you slowly turned, a murderous look in your eyes.

it was safe to say the words that followed were not PG13, both of your lovers remaining deadly silent as you ranted and raged at them, storming upstairs and changing in the blink of an eye, door slamming after you as they both cringed and hurried off to clean up and get themselves ready.

which is what brought you back to present time, sat beside katie as you finished recounting the mornings events to her. "fuck, well that explains it. incoming!" the irishwoman nodded toward the door where your girlfriends had entered.

alessia tried to approach you first as katie mumbled her a good luck and darted away after caitlin, however the piercing glare and stony silence she received were enough to send her right back to leah.

the older blonde was next, taking a much bolder approach as you felt her sit down beside you as you were hunched over tying up your laces. "baby girl." she started sweetly, wincing as your head shot up and your eyes slit into a glare, the name which normally had you swooning having no effect whatsover.

"both of you need to stay away from me. do not talk to me, look at me, breathe near me for the entire day." you warned the defender before stomping out of the change rooms, a few of the other girls gravitating toward her to question what had happened.

true to your wishes both girls steered clear of you, though that didn't stop you feeling their eyes on you throughout the day. they'd hoped to catch you maybe in a better mood once training was done but you'd already left, not bothering to shower but rather leaving as soon as you could, the first one gone for the day.

when they came home it was to no surprise you were once again locked in the spare room, a stony silence meeting them as they knocked gently, leaving you be for a few hours and hoping with time you might come to them.

when that didn't happen, they knocked heads together to come up with an alternative plan.

which is what lead to yet another round of knocks on the door, your head turning to look at it with a roll of your eyes, tucked up and watching a movie quite comfortably. but thats not to say you wouldn't be more comfortable with your blondes either side of you.

"baby. please open the door and let us apologize face to face." alessia begged softly. "please love, we really miss you and we want to make things right." lead added on quietly, a soft thump sounding as her forehead rested against the door.

with a sigh you paused your movie, getting up to unlock the door, not opening it as you settled back into bed and your girlfriends took that as a green light as they pushed it open slowly and stepped inside.

you refused to look either one of them in the eye as they sat on the edge of the bed, giving you a healthy amount of space not wanting to overstep your boundaries. "we are so incredibly sorry gorgeous." alessia started softly. "very very very sorry." leah nodded enthusiastically.

"for?" you questioned, still not meeting their eyes. you didn't miss the way alessia elbowed leah, the girl clearing her throat for a moment.

"for turning something that was supposed to be fun and light hearted into a competition, and getting carried away with that competition and being immature, selfish numpties." leah recounted, the tone in which she used making it clear it had been rehearsed as you tried to keep the smile off your face.

"if you come downstairs with us please babe we have a surprise." alessia asked hopefully. "please." leah added on as you finally met their eyes and nodded, still remaining quiet but standing up to follow them regardless.

"what-" you started as leahs hands came to cover over your eyes and alessia steadied you, grabbing your hands and guiding you downstairs. "just go with it." leah encouraged as you sighed but nodded none the less allowing them to guide you.

"ta-da!" you blinked a few times as your eyes adjusted to the light, but once you did your hand moved to cover your mouth.

before you was a pillow fort they'd both clearly put some time and effort into building, spare duvets and cushions littering the tee-pee like space. one of the elves was sat on top of a pile of pizza boxes and snacks, holding a sign that said he was very sorry for misbehaving.

the other was taped to a spoon which was dunked into a mug of hot chocolate, next to him was a sign that read 'it was all his fault but i took care of him' and an arrow pointing toward him.

"they wanted to say they were sorry as well." alessia grinned, leah taking her chances and wrapping her arms round your waist, her chin settling on your shoulder and body relaxing when you didn't pull away or push her off.

"we are also very sorry baby, very very sorry." leah murmured as alessia hugged you, effectively sandwiching your body between them as you sighed. "you're both forgiven. but those elves are finding new homes and they are not welcome back!" you warned, all three of you pausing before laughter broke out.

"we've got christmas movies, lots of pillows and blankets, snacks, pizza, cuddles, kisses and even got a pint of your favourite ice cream from that little place down the road." leah recounted as alessia took your hand and guided you down into the little fort.

"the peanut butter choc chip one?" you perked up at that as the strikers face paled. "you told me her favorite was the rocky road!" leah groaned glaring at alessia who shrank into herself with a sheepish smile.

"less that's your favourite flavor!" you cracked a grin, smacking her thigh playfully as leah shoved her head to the side. "you still like it though, you always steal mine when we go babe." the striker pouted, pulling your body to sit between her legs as she leaned into leah's side.

"merry almost christmas, my pretty girls." leah smiled lovingly, hand resting on the back of alessia's neck and pulling her into a kiss, leaning down to press her lips against yours next, alessia following suit, pulling away and kissing your nose causing you to scrunch it up adorably.

"i love you both very much, even if you drive me to the brink of insanity sometimes." you craned your head up to look at them, tapping your lips again with a cheeky smile as both of them took turns giving you what you wanted.

it was safe to say after that you were not surprised to see the next day both elves on katie's instagram story, wasting no time texting caitlin a firm warning about their misbehavior.

as well as a strict reminder they were not welcome back into your home, not even for a visit.

#alessia russo x reader #leah williamson x reader #woso x reader #woso blurbs #alessia russo #woso imagine #woso fanfics #woso community #leah williamson #engwnt #woso

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0cta9on · 3 months

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Unlikely Duet - 5

length: +5k words

Genre: Fluff

NewJeans Minji x Male Reader (OC)

【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★

Yuno’s POV

The light patter of the rain was a reminder of how this all started. A chance encounter, a gut feeling, a gesture of kindness, all of these different choices were woven into the fabric of fate and led me here - eating dinner with Minji and her rich (and terrifying) parents. No matter how I twisted it, this is not at all how I thought I would spend my friday.

“The rain is getting bad out there. I’m so glad we caught you before you went out in the rain, we would hate for a friend of Minji’s to get sick,” Minji’s mom remarked, her warm, motherly smile concealing something that set off alarms in my head. I kept my guard up, no matter what.

Minji sat next to me, a worried expression painted on her face. She hasn’t said anything since discovering the blood stain on my sleeve from my altercation with Tyler. I wanted to say something to her, anything, but it was impossible in this tense atmosphere. The guilt of not being able to tell her the truth was eating me up inside.

“Dinner is served. Eat as much as you like, dear,” Ms. Kim says, gesturing to the food she had set on the table. An array of different side dishes I had never seen before surrounded a large roasted fish adorned with sauce and vegetables. My stomach grumbled at the sight. It was more food than I had ever seen in my entire life, and it didn’t help that I was also starving from not eating anything the entire day. Without thinking, I quickly grabbed a little bit of everything and piled it onto my plate. Right as I was about to dig in, I noticed the shocked expressions of Minji’s parents.

“S-sorry… I-I’m hungry,” I stuttered sheepishly, earning a small chuckle from Minji. I felt the heat cover my face as her parents got their food, taking much smaller portions than I had. Right as I pick up the spoon to my lips, Mr. Kim clears his throat.

“So, Yuno,” he begins, focusing his gaze on me. “How long have you been friends with our daughter? Minji never mentioned you before.”

Regretfully, I place down my spoon as I think of an appropriate response. “Uhh, we’ve been friends for…” I turn to look at Minji, hoping to find an answer, but her eyes are glued to her plate as if she’s lost in thought. “Three days. We’ve been friends for three days.”

Mr. Kim’s eyebrow rises slightly in surprise. “Really? And how did you two end up meeting?”

I gulped, my mind going back to the circumstances of our first meeting. Sure, I’ll tell one of my only friend’s parents that I met her in the detention room after beating someone up to the point of hospitalization. They’ll totally love me after that, right? Thankfully, I have an easy out due to Minji’s lie from earlier.

“We got partnered together for science class,” I state, trying my best to sound confident. Mr. Kim narrows his eyes as he studies my expression. I stare back, not wanting to show weakness in front of him.

“What do your parents do for work?” he asks. The questions were starting to feel a bit too personal, but I would rather not risk going against him.

“My dad works the night shift as a security guard,” I responded. Despite seeing him passed out drunk everyday, he somehow managed to maintain his job all these years. Either that or he never bothered to tell me he got fired.

“And your mom?”

“She’s, uhh…” I glance at Minji for a brief moment, hesitating to answer. “She’s dead.” The room falls silent as each member of the Kim family looks back at me with a mix of shock and sympathy on their faces.

“I-I’m sorry to hear that, dear,” Ms. Kim says, her intimidating demeanor replaced with genuine compassion.

I shrug in response. “It’s fine, it was a couple years ago. I’m okay now.” I stare down at my plate, unable to look any of them in the eye. Truthfully, I was never completely okay with my mother’s death, but what was I supposed to do? Cry in front of them?

Mr. Kim opens his mouth to say something, but his wife stops him. “Honey, you should let him eat,” she says in a stern tone. Mr. Kim relented, and a sense of relief washed over me as I was silently grateful for her intervention. Not only was the onslaught of questions exhausting to face, but I was also still hungry. The rest of the dinner was spent in silence, aside from the clinking of silverware against porcelain and the rhythmic downpour outside.

______________________________________________________________

I lean back in my chair, completely stuffed. Every single bite of food had more flavor than I’ve ever had in my entire lifetime. As intimidating as Minji’s parents were, they were also amazing cooks. I peer outside and notice that the rain had stopped. Taking my chance, I stand up and excuse myself from the table.

“Thank you for the meal, but I should really get going now.” Before they had a chance to respond, I swiftly exit the room, grabbing my backpack. Right as I reach the front door, Minji’s voice calls out to me.

“Wait!” she exclaims, trailing after me. “I’ll walk you home.” I give her a confused look as she turns to her parents. “It’ll give us a chance to talk about the project some more. Just like you say, every second counts.”

Mr. Kim contemplates for a moment before nodding. “Alright then. Be careful, and don’t be out too late. Your mother and I want to talk to you once you get back.”

Minji follows me outside and shuts the door behind us, releasing a long sigh as she leans against the wall. “That was soooooooooo stressful. I’m sorry you had to go through all that, Yuno.”

I chuckle lightly, joining her on the wall. “It’s alright. I’ve survived worse.” We stood together in silence for a while, the chilly evening air gracing our faces, infused with the lingering scent of rain. Minji is the first to break the silence as she turns to me, a look of sadness in her eyes.

“I’m sorry about your mom. I had no idea she was…” Her voice trailed off as she avoided saying “the word”.

“It’s okay, Minji. Really.” I give her a reassuring look as we both head start walking towards my house, the gentle moonlight guiding our path.

“She died in a hospital fire three years ago,” I began, my voice carrying the weight of the past. Minji looks up at me, listening intently. “She was a nurse. Very caring and loved helping people. Even as the building was burning all around her, she spent the last moments of her life helping people.” I fall quiet as my gaze falls to the ground in contemplation.

“Yuno…” Minji reaches out and pats my shoulder reassuringly. “I’m so sorry.”

My legs freeze in place as I turn to look at her. The chorus of chirping crickets and the subtle howl of the evening wind created a backdrop as I met Minji's saddened eyes. What was she apologizing for? The fire wasn’t her fault. It was an act of fate, a cruel twist beyond anyone’s control. Some higher power up there decided that my mother’s life would be cut short, whether I liked it or not. There was nothing I could do about it.

“Minji…” I call out her name as I unravel my sleeve, revealing the blood stain. “I got into another fight. Tyler McGraw.” I did my best to keep a straight face, but my heart was thumping with anxiety. “He was beating up a freshm… He was beating up my friend. I couldn’t control myself. I’m sorry.”

Fate has a sick and twisted way of working. It brings people together, and tears people apart. Any single one of us could drop dead without a single warning if it willed it. Our entire lives we spend making decisions that we think will matter in the end, but at the snap of a finger, all those efforts could be in vain. Yet, here I stood, disclosing my vulnerabilities to the person I expected the least. Whether this is a blessing or a curse is yet to be seen, and I’ll be damned if I don’t see this until the end.

Minji’s expression shifted from sadness to disappointment to confusion as her mind processed the information. I could do nothing but stand there, vulnerable and exposed as I awaited her response.

She lets out a heavy sigh. “How is your friend?” she asks, her gaze fixated on the ground. Her disappointed tone felt like a knife stabbing through my heart.

“He’s okay, I think. Your friend with the glasses helped us out.”

“Danielle?” she says, looking up at me with a surprised look before clearing her throat. “Well, that’s good. What about Tyler?”

I scratched my head, averting my gaze as I searched for the right words. “He’s uhhh… He’ll be out for a few days. Maybe a week. Or two,” I admitted sheepishly. Minji pinched the bridge of her nose as I stood there like a child who was caught red handed.

“You were just… protecting your friend. I’m not gonna fault you for that,” she says, pushing past me. I was left in shock at her unexpected understanding. “What are you standing around for? I said I’d walk you home. Come on.”

I pick my jaw up off the ground and catch up to her, leading the way to my house. We spend the rest of the walk in silence, tension hanging in the air. I stole a couple glances at her, but I couldn’t read her expression at all. Is she mad? Disappointed? All of the above? Before I knew it, we were face to face with my front door.

“This is my house,” I say bluntly.

“Okay. Bye,” Minji says with an unusual coldness, turning to leave.

“W-wait,” I stammer, calling out to her.

She turns around, her expression blank and unreadable. “What?”

“Are we… still friends?” I cringed, feeling a pang of embarrassment at the vulnerability of the question. Minji chuckles in response, a genuine smile gracing her face for the first time in a while.

“Yes, we’re still friends, silly.” The tension in the air dissipated and my heart felt as light as a feather as a sigh of relief escapes my lips. “You’re a good person, Yuno. I just wish you would stop getting into trouble.”

“Cool. Um, good night, Minji.” I wave awkwardly at her as she leaves. “U-uh, get home safe!”

Minji giggles, the sweet sound of her voice echoing through the air. “Good night, Yuno!” Her smile imprinted itself into my brain as I watched her silhouette fade into the night.

I’m greeted by the dark and desolate state of my living room as I enter my house, but all of it fades away as an unfamiliar feeling of elation stirs in my chest. I trudged to my bedroom and collapsed onto my bed, the events of the evening taking their toll on me. Meeting Minji’s parents was exhausting, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy that she considered me as a friend. As my eyelids slowly flutter shut, visions of Minji flashed through my head, invading my dreams.

______________________________________________________________

Minji’s POV

As I walk through the door, I see my parents sitting on the couch waiting for me. I gulp as a steady tension fills the air.

“Minji. Have a seat dear, your father and I want to talk to you,” my mom says in a serious tone. A thousand thoughts fill my mind as I wonder what they could possibly want to talk about.

My dad clears his throat, his eyes meeting mine. “This Yuno boy… We don’t want you hanging around him.”

I felt my heart drop in my chest. “W-what? Why?”

“He seems… sweet, but we don’t think he’ll be of any benefit to you in the future,” my mom explains. “Once you two are done with your science project, we want you to cut all contact with him.”

A mix of anger, confusion, and sorrow welled within me. “B-but-”

“No buts, Minji. You should be grateful that we still let you talk to Hanni,” my dad interrupts. “If you want to be successful in life, you must surround yourself with those that are like minded. Frankly, I don’t see that boy amounting to anything.”

I tried to argue, but my voice got caught in my throat. It would have been pointless anyways since they never listened. Without another word, I stormed upstairs to my room.

“Minji!” I ignored my father’s calls as I slammed my bedroom door behind me before collapsing onto my bed. Why were they always like this? Why couldn’t I just be friends with anyone? Tears welled in my eyes as I pulled out my phone, calling Hanni. After just one ring, she picks up.

“Hey girl, looks like you got your phone back, I wonder who gave it to you,” she answered, giggling.

“Hi Hanni…”

“Oh no, what happened?” she asked, her tone shifting as she noticed the sadness in mine.

“I’m just so… frustrated with my parents. It hasn’t even been a full day since they’ve been back, yet I’m already so exhausted.” I snuggled with my bear plush, hoping it would make all my problems go away.

“I’m so sorry, Minj. Do you wanna talk about it?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “Not really. I’d rather forget all about it.”

“Hey, I have an idea! Why don’t we go to the fair tomorrow with the girls? You’ve been stressed enough with all the prom junk, you deserve to have a break.” she suggested.

“Ehhh, I’m not sure, Hanni. I would love to, but I’m not sure if my parents would let me go.”

“Girl, just tell them you’re going to the library with Dani to study. They’ll have to say yes!”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating the pros and cons. On one hand, my parents would absolutely kill me if they found out, but on the other hand, a break does sound nice. For the past couple months, my life has been nothing but school work, studying, student council meetings, and prom preparations. I’ve rarely had any time to just have fun. Steeling my nerves, I made up my mind.

“Okay. Let’s do it then,” I say, my heartbeat quickening with excitement and anxiety.

“WOOOOOO!!!” Hanni cheered through the phone. “We’ll pick you up at three, you better be ready by then.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her elation. “Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Good night, Hanni.”

“Good night, girllllll.”

I hang up the phone, placing it on my night stand before falling onto my pillow with a sigh. Tomorrow would be fun for sure, but what about after that? What if my parents found out that I lied to them and went to the fair? Would I be able to live with the consequences? I shake my head, trying to dispel the worries from my mind. Regardless of what will happen afterwards, I was determined to have fun and mess around for one day.

______________________________________________________________

Yuno’s POV

I jolt awake from an aching pain shooting down my back. My body had gotten so used to sleeping at Minji’s house that I forgot how shitty my own mattress was. Heading downstairs, I’m surprised to see my father not only completely conscious, but he was also cooking breakfast. And it smelled amazing.

“Uh, hey dad,” I grumbled, half-convinced I was in a dream.

He startles, almost as if he was surprised to see me. “Yuno. M-morning,” he stuttered nervously. “U-uh, why don’t you have a seat? I cooked up some breakfast.”

My hunger trumps my confusion as my legs carry me to the table, adorned with a traditional breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. I quickly dug into the feast, almost choking on a piece of bacon in the process.

“Slow down there,” my dad chuckles lightly. “I guess I haven’t been doing a great job of feeding you, huh.” The gloom and regret in his tone were palpable while his eyes were fixated to the floor, avoiding mine.

I pause mid-bite to look up at him. “It’s fine. I managed.”

“It’s not fine.” Anger tinges his voice, directed more at himself than anyone else. “S-sorry, I just… I should’ve been taking care of you. Your mother’s death was hard on both of us, but that’s not an excuse for me to neglect you. I want- No, I need to make things right, Yuno. Will you ever forgive me for being a terrible father?”

A flood of emotions overwhelms me, freezing my body in its wake. After my mom died three years ago, my father turned to alcohol to numb the pain. I never blamed him for it; she was a bright light in both of our lives and her absence left us completely shattered.

I gulped, suppressing the swirl of emotions bubbling within me. “Y-yeah, dad. I forgive you.”

A smile grows on his face - the first time I’ve seen him smile in years. “Thank you, son. I promise I’ll be here for you from now on.” A strange choking feeling constricts my throat as tears begin to well within my eyes. I rise from the table, turning my head away.

“Where are you going?” my dad asks. “You should eat some more if you're hungry.”

“U-uh, I just remembered, I uh have plans with some friends today,” I lied impulsively. I’m not sure why I lied, but all I knew is that I needed to get out of the house.

“Friends? That’s great, Yuno. Go out and have fun, don’t worry about me.” The smile that grew on his face only made me feel worse about lying. I quickly grab a hoodie and $20 from my room, not bothering to change out of my sweatpants. Right before I leave through the front door, I turn to my dad, who’s washing the dishes.

“Bye, dad,” I called out to him, a memory of my five year old self doing the same thing flickering in my mind.

“Bye, Yuno. I’ll see you later,” he waves as I close the front door behind me.

My dad sobering up after all these years is a great thing. I should be happy for him. Yet, I couldn’t knock this strange feeling in the back of my head. I took a deep breath in, hoping the cool morning air would help clear my mind. The sun casts its warmth on my face as I begin walking aimlessly. With no plan in mind, I decided to head to the convenience store.

The familiar jingle of the convenience store door chimes as I step inside, the pungent scent of cooking hotdogs assaulting my senses.

“Good morning, welcome to- Yuno!” Winter greets me with a mop in her hand, her demeanor much more upbeat than what I’m used to seeing from her.

“Oh, hey. Didn’t know you were working today.”

“I’m just filling in for one of my coworkers who’s out sick. Are you looking for anything in particular? We just restocked on the ramen you got last time,” she offered.

I hesitated, contemplating the answer myself. “No thanks. I just needed to get out of the house.”

“Are you alright, Yuno? Did something happen?”

“No? I don’t know, I’m all conf-”

“YUNO!!”

A short figure appears out of nowhere and attempts to tackle me from the side. My instincts kick in, allowing me to dodge the attack and grab the back of the assailant’s collar.

“Who the fuck-” My eyes widen in shock as I see that my attacker is none other than Yujin. A white medical eyepatch covers his black eye, but the rest of the wounds on his face seemed to have healed overnight. “Yujin? What are you doing here?”

“He came to visit me at work,” Winter answers, mopping the floor. “It’s been a bit slow this morning, so he offered to come hang out until my shift ends.”

“Yeah, I even told her all about your epic battle with Tyler!” Yujin says, beaming up at me. I release my grip on the back of his shirt as my cheeks burn slightly from embarrassment.

“It wasn’t epic, it was… Whatever. Where the hell is the ramen?” I groan as I drag my feet towards the ramen aisle.

______________________________________________________________

The three of us sit at a table in front of the store, enjoying the gentle breeze. Warm, spicy ramen broth slides down my throat as I finish the bowl.

“It’s such a nice day outside,” Winter comments. Her eyes are shut with contentment as she leans against the table.

“We should all do something fun since the weather is so nice!” Yujin suggests, his eyes beaming with excitement.

With no actual plans for the day, I had no choice but to agree. “Sure. Why the hell not.”

Winter nodded in agreement. “Where do you guys wanna go?”

My mind went blank. I have no idea what people do for fun, let alone these two. When was the last time I had fun anyways?

Yujin hopped out of his seat, a twinkle of elation in his smile. “We can go to the fair! It’s been forever since I last went. What do you guys think?”

I scratched my head in contemplation. It’s not how I imagined spending my weekend, but my life hasn’t exactly been predictable as of late. The fair did sound… intriguing. “Okay. I’m down.”

“M-me too,” Winter added. “I haven’t been to the fair since I was seven. I wonder if they still sell those chocolate chip cookies I used to love.” As if on cue, her stomach loudly grumbled. I couldn’t help but chuckle as her cheeks grew pink with embarrassment. A group of students walked past us, entering the store.

“I-I should get back to work now. I’ll text you guys when I’m done,” Winter said before disappearing into the store.

“We’ll see you later, Winter!” Yujin called out to her before turning back to me. “Hey Yuno, what’s your number? I’ll make a groupchat with the three of us.”

“Don’t bother. I don’t have a phone,” I said before walking off. Yujin followed closely behind me, bewilderment painted on his face.

“What?! What do you mean you don’t have a phone?! How do you even live?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Never needed one,” I answered simply. It was the truth - up until now I had no one to text or call. Social media seemed like a waste of time and my dad was always too drunk to wonder where I was when I went out.

“That’s crazy. Let’s stop by my house real quick, I can lend you my old phone,” Yujin says.

“You don’t need to do tha-”

“You helped me out twice, alright? This is the only way I can repay you, so just take it.” There was an adamance in his voice that made it difficult for me to refuse.

I relented with a sigh. “Fine. Lead the way.” Yujin grinned at me before pulling me in the opposite direction towards his house. The bright rays of the sun washed over us, filling me with a sense of calm. With how weird the last couple of days have been, it felt nice to be outside.

“By the way, my grandma doesn’t speak much English, but I can translate for you. I don’t bring friends over often, so she’ll probably want to talk your ear off,” Yujin says, chuckling to himself.

“That’s fine. What about your parents? I ask rather bluntly. His expression darkens, sending a pang of guilt into my chest. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s okay, Yuno,” Yujin reassures me. “I lived with my parents back when I was still attending my old school. I wanted to stay with them, but they thought it was best for me to live with my grandma after they found out how bad I was being bullied. They would freak out if they ever found out I was being bullied here too…” His gaze fell to the floor and his shoulders slouched, his usual vibrant energy dissipating in front of my eyes. Feeling guilty, I place a hand on his shoulder supportively.

“Don’t worry about it. No one’s gonna mess with you anymore.” I awkwardly patted Yujin on the back, hoping it would cheer him up even a little bit. Thankfully, it ended up working as his frown was replaced with a small yet hopeful grin.

“Thanks, Yuno. I think my parents would like you.” I kept my mouth shut, grappling with the uncertainty of whether Yujin’s parents would like their son hanging around with someone who kicks the shit out of bullies just because he can. We soon arrived in front of Yujin’s house, which was similar to all the houses in the neighborhood, save for the pair of rocking chairs decorating the front porch.

“Before my grandpa died, my grandma and him would sit in those chairs to watch the sunrise together. That’s kinda cute, don’t you think?” Yujin’s words hung in the air as he unlocked the door. I could only offer a nod as my understanding of romance and the like was nonexistent.

Upon stepping into his home, we were immediately greeted by Yujin’s grandmother, resting in a large reclining chair. The two of them exchange words in a language I can’t recognize, and Yujin says something makes his grandma smile.

“Grandma said that you’re very tall and handsome,” he says, chuckling. A rush of warmth tinges my cheeks, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment.

“O-oh, uh, tell her I said thanks. I guess.” Yujin relays my message, triggering a bout of laughter from his grandma that eventually transforms into a coughing fit.

“Yujin, are you back alre- Oh jeez.” Danielle suddenly rounds the corner, carrying a saucer with a cup of tea balancing on top of it. Her casual attire of a simple yellow t-shirt and jeans was a far cry from the cold aura she normally exuded in her school uniform. She places the cup of tea on the table next to Yujin’s grandma before turning her attention back to me.

“Yuno. Hello,” she greets, glaring at me through her glasses. I nod back, bewildered by her presence in Yujin’s home.

“Danielle and her mom are helping me take care of grandma. They’ve been really helpful ever since yesterday.” A genuine smile illuminated Yujin’s face, inadvertently softening Danielle’s expression. It immediately hardened as her gaze went back to me. “I just stopped by to give Yuno my old phone to borrow since he doesn’t have one of his own. Isn’t that crazy?” he explains to Danielle.

She scrutinized my expression with steely eyes, sending chills down my spine. Minji’s parents may have been scary, but Danielle was a completely different beast. “You’re just giving it to him? He’s not, I don’t know, threatening you to give it to him?” she interrogates. I instinctively rolled my eyes at her words while Yujin simply laughed it off.

“It’s the least I could do to repay him for…” He gestures to his eyepatch, cautiously glancing at his grandma, who drifted off to sleep without anyone of us noticing. Yujin’s phone suddenly buzzes in his pocket, revealing a text from Winter. “We should hurry, Winter’s shift is ending soon. Come on, Yuno!” he says before running up the stairs. I quickly follow behind him, not wanting to be left alone with Danielle.

Yujin’s room is the epitome of a stereotypical geek’s paradise. The walls are lined with a colorful variety of superhero posters, accompanied by some drawings he had done himself. On the far side of the room, a shelf is filled to the brim with action figures, fake weapons, and a single first place trophy for a “Junior Art Competition”. His desk is the complete opposite of Minji’s, half-finished drawings, eraser shavings, and colored pencils scattered along its surface.

“Sorry about the mess, I would’ve cleaned up if I knew you would be coming over,” Yujin says as he rummages through a drawer on his desk, pulling out a phone. “Here. It’s not much, but you’ll be able to call and text people, and you can download some games on there if you want.”

It was smaller and less impressive than most phones I’ve seen people carry, but I couldn’t complain. It was better than anything I’ve had before (which was nothing). “Thanks,” I utter as I take the phone from his hands. “I’ll, uh, keep it safe.”

Yujin chuckles as he leaves his room. As we reach the bottom of the stairs, he suddenly stops. “Oh shoot, I should probably give you the charger too,” he says before darting back to his room. I turn around to wait for him in the living room, only to find Yujin’s grandma beckoning me with a wrinkly hand. As if I was in a trance, I suddenly started inching towards her, like a snake being hypnotized by a flute. She muttered in my ear in perfect english: “Please take care of Yujin.” Her message was plain and simple, yet I was still filled with questions. Before I could ask any, however, she was already fast asleep. I was starting to wonder whether or not I imagined the whole interaction.

“What are you doing?” Danielle asks from across the room. Somehow, I failed to notice her presence this entire time.

“N-nothing, she just… Sorry,” I stutter awkwardly. With impeccable timing, Yujin appears from the stairs with a phone charger in hand, saving me from this awkward situation.

“Here you go, Yuno. We should head out now, Winter oughta be done with her shift by now,’ he says. “Bye, Danielle!”

Danielle waves at Yujin as we leave, shooting one final glare directed at me right as the door closes. I inspected his old phone, turning it around in my hand. Aside from a couple essential apps, it was completely bare bones, and even the lock screen was nothing but a plain blue rectangle.

“I should probably add your number to the group chat now, huh,” Yujin says, pulling out his phone. After a brief moment, I feel the phone vibrate in my hand with an audible buzz. A notification on the phone reads, “You have been added to a group chat!”

“There you go! If you ever need to talk to either of us, just send a message and one of us is bound to answer!” He flashes me a wide toothy grin that I silently snicker at. A vivid memory of my childhood suddenly plays in my mind - a timid only child playing with his imaginary siblings. I never brought it up with my mother when she was alive, but I always wanted a younger sibling to play with and take care of. That want manifested itself into an imaginary younger brother that played with me when no other kid would. Of course I’ve long outgrown that phase by now, but something about Yujin is eerily similar to the imaginary younger brother I had before. Or maybe I’ve finally gone insane.

“So.. the fair. What’s it like?” I ask him.

“What?! You’ve never been to the fair before either?! How on earth are you even alive right now?!” Yujin exclaims, his eyes growing wide with disbelief. “As your friend, it’s my job to ensure that you have a fun day at the fair. Now let’s hurry up, Winter is probably waiting for us.” He grabs my arm and pulls me forward, running to the convenience store. A small grin grows on my face as the wind blows past my ears.

______________________________________________________________

“Are you two ready?” Winter asks us as she steps out of the convenience store. She’s dressed in a flowery sundress with a forest green cardigan layered over the top, a contrast to her plain work uniform.

“Yup, we’re all ready! I got some extra cash for the subway,’ Yujin says.

“Subway?” I ask. My hand shoots into my pocket, fingering the $15 I have left and regretting my decision to buy ramen that morning.

“Don’t worry about the subway, we can just use my metrocard,” Winter says, pulling out a shiny plastic card from her purse. I let out a sigh of relief, although I can’t help but feel bad for not being able to pay for myself.

“Alright, let’s hurry before the lines get too long!” Yujin skips ahead of us with the excitement of a child bringing home a new toy, eliciting a giggle from Winter.

The sun flashes its light into my eyes, casting its warm glow on my skin. A light fluttering fills my heart with each step, and for the first time in years, I felt hopeful for what the day would bring.

#newjeans #kim minji #newjeans minji #kpop fanfic #kpop gg #minji x male oc #newjeans minji x male oc #minji x male reader #newjeans minji x male reader #fluff #minji fluff #newjeans minji fluff

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bunni-v1 · 6 months

Text

Curée

Chapter 1: Monster in the Woods Next Chapter

Tw: Mentions of animal death

Info: Rook x Reader; Vil x Reader(familial); Epel x Reader(platonic)

🍓Ahhhh, it's done! If this is well received, I will continue it. If not, I guess I'll drop it. Oh well, I worked hard on this... so I hope you all enjoy it!

Tags: @kitsun369 @bloomstruck

You hated parties, plain and simple. Socializing with the elites of society was always so drab. Their fake smiles, empty compliments, and hideous attire always made them hard to deal with. The worst part, however, had to be getting ready beforehand. Your handmaids awoke you before the sun was even up, practically drowned you in your bath, and then stuffed you into the tightest corset only to make it worse with the fluffiest dress known to man.

You understood you had to look presentable, but beauty comes at a hefty cost — a cost you hated paying.

If you had a choice, you would be out hunting. Feeling the wind in your hair, smelling the sweet soil of the earth, and hearing the melodic tunes the birds would sing for you. However, you were the princess. You were obligated to be at your own birthday celebration, you supposed.

Besides, since your parents passed, Vil had become rather restrictive in what you can and cannot do. Vil loved you, and only wanted what was best for you. You understood that he was scared that he could lose you, too. Neither of you could ever live without the other. You were his rock, and in turn, he was yours. That's how it always had been. So, for the sake of your brother’s sanity, you gave up adventure for a more “acceptable” lifestyle.

Still, Vil would catch you staring out over the trees in longing, just as you were doing right now, and scold you. ‘You have a duty,’ ‘You cannot risk yourself, we have a kingdom to lead,’ and so on.

How you missed it, though.

A knock sounded at your door, pulling you out of your thoughts. The maids were finished with you for now, who could this be…?

“Who is it,” you called, poising yourself just in case it was your brother.

“It’s Epel, your majesty!”

You relaxed again — well, as much as this corset would allow you to.

“Come in,” you called, adding as he turned to face you, “and none of that Your Majesty nonsense around me, we are friends first Epel.”

“I know,” he laughed, “You can never be too sure when Vil is lurking around.”

“You are right, and the last thing you need is to be in trouble with Vil once again.”

You gestured for him to sit on the window sill next to you, and he smiled. Epel was likely your only true friend in the castle. Plucked off the streets by your brother, thanks to his charming face, and made a lower member of the court. The only member that wouldn’t snitch on you and your misadventures to gain favor with your brother. He was the only reason you were able to have any fun in your boring castle life.

“What brings you by, Vil seemed to have you on a busy schedule until the party, so I’m sure this must be important if it’s worth Vil’s wrath.”

“I have a present for you,” he replied, eyes lighting up in mischief.

“Epel,” you deadpanned “I’ll be opening all my presents tonight in front of the party-goers. You may be my friend but you don’t get special treatment.”

“No, no, no, this is a special secret gift,” he smirked.

“Please tell me you won’t try and court me.”

“Euch, no. Just- Here.”

He pulled an ornate box from behind his back and placed it in your lap, wrapped in a lovely velvety red bow. It was rather large and rectangular, and you weren’t sure how you didn’t notice it when he came in. You raised your eyebrows at him, and he waved his hands to urge you on.

You began to carefully undo the bow on the top, humming as it fell off onto the floor. It seems Epel had taken care when packaging this gift, so you would take care to open it. Lifting the lid, you found a protective felt covering over whatever this was.

“Could you hurry up,” Epel snapped, earning a glare from you.

“I don’t want to damage the packaging! You took such care with it.”

“You’re too sentimental. Let me do it.”

He reached over and, without much fanfare, revealed a bow. A bow made out of the finest wood you’d ever seen, painted white and purple. Hand-carved designs along its limbs, golden details highlighting each intricate swirl in the pattern. It was the most beautiful bow you’d ever seen, the sturdiest as well. You ran your hands along it in awe and delight. Along with it was an equally intricate quiver stocked with arrows of similar design to the bow.

“Epel, this is…”

“I know you’re not allowed to go hunting with me anymore, but… I thought that maybe tonight we could make an exception?”

“Vil would be…”

“What Vil doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right?”

You frowned, looking back to the beautiful bow your friend had made for you. Your brother would be crossed with you if went against his wishes. You looked back to Epel, hope glimmering in those comforting eyes of his. Damn it all.

“Alright, just this once, though. This bow is too pretty to be wasted after all.”

Epel practically jumped with glee at your answer, hopping around like a mad hatter and whooping with delight. His excitement was infectious, and if your corset weren’t so painful to move in, you’d have joined him. Instead, you laughed at his antics and cheered him on from your seat on the window sill.

Another knock at your door caused the commotion to stop suddenly. Epel frantically took the bow and tossed it beneath your bed before peaking his head outside the door.

“Your Majesty… funny seeing you here…” he chuckled nervously, and you knew he would be in some hot water later.

“You are supposed to be with the rest of the court. Instead, I hear you are not only not doing that, but you are harassing the person of the hour with your screaming,” Vil scolded as he pushed his way into the room.

“I was just visiting them. We are friends, after all.”

“Friends or not, Epel, they do not need you bothering them in their private quarters on such an important day.”

“Oh, Vil, please. I invited him here because I was bored on my lonesome,” you sighed, “Epel, you are dismissed. I will deal with Vil.”

Epel scrambled out of the room as if it was on fire — with Vil’s temper, it might as well be. You turned to your brother, annoyance clear on your face, and he matched the look.

“You learned that look from me, you know.” he snarked.

“Well, I wear it better,” you sassed back, earning a smile from your brother.

He moved to your tea table, sitting in his usual seat against the wall and gesturing for you to do the same. You follow suit, sitting in the one with the clearest view of the forest. Without meaning to, you allow your eyes to linger a moment too long, and while Vil does not say anything you know he noticed. He reaches his hands across the table and grabs yours in his own like he always does when he is alone with you.

“You look beautiful, our parents would be so proud.”

“I feel as though this corset wants my insides to be my outsides.”

He laughs, bright and clear like the morning sun — he rarely does anymore, so you savor every moment you can get. His hands squeeze yours tight, and you squeeze back just as tight, suppressing the proud grin you had for making him laugh.

“Today is special,” he spoke softly, running his thumbs over your knuckles.

“It is, I am old enough to be wed — perhaps I could marry Epel, then he will truly be family.”

He grimaced, pulling away from you, “Please don’t suggest such a thing.”

“You know we are the least compatible people on this planet,” you laugh, “besides, he is already family enough.”

He nods, either in agreement or understanding — you cannot make out which it is from his expression. He recomposes himself, schooling his expression into one of practiced poise, and you know your brother will not want to joke around anymore. Sucking it up, you follow his lead and school your expression as well.

“I’m assuming you didn’t come here just to scare off Epel, did you?”

“Astute as ever, darling,” something in his voice sends chills up your spine. Something is wrong, and you don’t know what. “You are… older now. Old enough to marry.”

“I… know that, as I’ve said. That was just in jest, nothing serious.”

He stands, moving to pace around the room as if this was more stressful for him than it was for you. Knowing your brother, it most likely was. Still, you didn’t quite understand what his purpose was.

“My love, perhaps it is time you stop jesting. You are a Princess. You have duties, and… as the queen of this country, I must ensure you fulfill them.”

“Vil-“

“I’m not saying you have to make your decision right now, Sevens knows I don’t want you getting married yet. Still, there are suitors who would like a grab at your hand.”

“Vil, this is-“

“I’ve told a few that they may try your hand, but if they are forceful you will tell me and I will deal with them at once.”

“You… approved these strangers without my permission? Vil! How could you?“

“This is what is best for you, I’m sorry…”

He stops in front of you, bending down to look you in the eyes and gently taking your face into his hands.

“You know I have never once asked something of you that I did not see as necessary,” he said, uncharacteristically desperate, “Please understand, I am doing what is best here.”

Truthfully, you did not understand. You did not understand at all and you were angry. This was the angriest you had ever been with Vil — far more angry than when he banned you from hunting. He had deliberately done this behind your back. He was stripping you of your freedom as a person without your okaying it first.

This was unfair. This was sickening. This was… this was… this was the life you were born into. This was the responsibility you would have to bear at one point or another. So despite the burning rage in the pits of your stomach, you sighed and pressed your brother into a tight hug.

“I understand, Vil. I’m not angry with you,” you lied, voice sweet as honey.

You’ve become quite good at lying.

He pulled away, standing and recomposing himself fully before cusping your face in his hands again. He seemed to be going through a million different emotions at once, but the most obvious seemed to be guilt. He truly did mean only the best for you.

“I must go, I am very busy with planning,” he stated suddenly, turning for the door, “I will see you tonight, the handmaids will be back to tend to your hair soon.”

With a final, graceful wave, he was gone and you were alone. Alone to sit with the thoughts that he had forced into your head. Alone, knowing that the freedom you longed for would forever be out of your grasp.

You looked to the forest for an answer, but it remained silent.

·┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆·

The party was in full swing now. The cacophony of people chattering amongst themselves and the whining sounds of the orchestra’s strings were giving you a headache. Looking at the swirling colors of horrendous dresses and suits – far too ornate and gaudy – only seemed to further the ache in the back of your skull.

You sighed, massaging your temples for the millionth time tonight. This wouldn’t be so bad if you could get up and drink and let loose like your guests, but as the princess, you had to keep appearances. Regardless, this stupid corset and dress hardly allowed any freedom of movement, so dancing wasn’t exactly an option.

Your brother seemed pleased with you, though, with a pleasant smile on his face each time he locked eyes with you from his place in the crowd. He was allowed to mingle, but not you. You were far too important for such a thing.

Sigh. Keeping Vil happy was far more important than pretending to enjoy the company of your party guests, you supposed. Still, you were quite jealous of your brother's freedom to move around and do as he pleased.

You scanned the crowd, taking note of the more important people among the average attendees. Leona Kingscholar was likely the most notable, being the prince of one of the largest kingdoms in all of Twisted Wonderland. While he wasn’t a direct heir to the throne, the power he held as second in line – technically third if their kingdom dared to crown such a young child as king – was substantial. He had quite an air about him. You were intrigued, but he scowled every time he looked your way, so the sentiment was not shared.

Riddle Rosehearts, the son of the neighboring kingdom's governess. You never liked his mother, she was controlling with quite the temper. Riddle only seemed to be the same, with a fiery temper worse than Vil’s own. He was quite a stickler for the rules, making him a perfect candidate to take a spot in his country's cabinet as soon as possible. He was already working as an intern below his mother, so it was only a matter of time before he worked his way to higher power. How terrifying for his people.

Kalim Al-Asim was, perhaps, the only aristocrat you liked at this god-forsaken party, alongside his right-hand Jamil Viper. An heir to an extremely successful oil company, he was the second closest thing to royalty that one man could possibly be. He had a bright smile on his face every moment, and it seemed to catch on with the other party-goers. Every time he looked up to you, he gave you an excited wave that almost made the corset worth wearing.

There were other notable men, such as Azul Ashengrotto who was the head of – what you assumed to be – a very successful business of sorts. You weren’t sure of what it was, but you knew it wasn’t completely legal. Idia Shroud was also among the men in the crowd, though he seemed like he’d rather be dead than be here. You could not blame him. He was a known shut-in, and rather unpleasant to talk to. Still, he had the power to inherit from his family, earning him a spot among the elite.

You could tell detailed accounts of every single person in this ballroom's life, even the more average citizens that were allowed in. That aristocrat recently cheated on his wife, causing her to leave him with half the fortune and their three children. That woman in the glittering green dress was a known harlot, sleeping around with any man or woman she could just for fun. You respected her for her freedom and for scheming her way into the pockets of the ultra-wealthy.

That one handled finances, those two over there were distant cousins of the crown in a neighboring kingdom, and that blonde man… Who was that blonde man? You’d… never seen him before, but he was captivating in a way you’d not expected.

His straight-cut blond hair was hidden beneath a most peculiar hat. He had sharp green eyes that seemed to stare straight into your soul. His dress was far more humble than the other nobles. A simple suit with pretty purple accents to respect the crown.

He locked eyes with you for a moment, smirking to himself as if he had found you amusing. Your heart fluttered in your chest as he winked at you, and then… he disappeared behind a pillar. You searched around for him frantically, but he was gone for good, it seemed.

You frowned, slumping down onto your throne, tossing your head back in defeat. Now that the only interesting person here was gone, you would be stuck in this very uncomfortable seat for at least another three hours with nothing to do. You might as well get comfortable.

Suddenly, however, a voice cleared in front of you, interrupting your wallowing. You raise your head with a scowl, only to jolt up at the scariest sight known to man. Your brother, arms crossed with a stern glare, and next to him two of the most powerful men in all of Twisted Wonderland.

When had they even begun heading up here, while you were lost searching for your mysterious Romeo?

Malleus Draconia, and next to him was his right hand Lilia Vanrouge. Malleus was tall, dark, and horrifying to be in the presence of. One of the most powerful mages in the whole world, and the heir to the strongest kingdom known among your circle of aristocrats. He always looked as stony as the position he held, and being up close was far worse.

Lilia, while far more inviting than his master, was not someone to be taken lightly. He was an impressive magician with skills rivaling most of his peers – he was also the man who taught Malleus everything he knew. Not only this, but he was a renowned general and caused the devastation of thousands of human lives.

Their kingdom had just recently joined the united front that your own was a part of, leaving only the notoriously reclusive Nobel Bell as the last independent kingdom yet to join. Supposedly they were trying to introduce Fae to human society, as they’d been living in fear since the great war ended. This was the first big human celebration Malleus had been to since the agreement went through. Perhaps that was why your brother brought him to meet you personally.

Surely, that was it.

You stood, smiling at the pair with a small curtsey out of respect – your brother nodded his approval.

“Vil, who might these two lovely people be?” you asked, feigning ignorance though you had no reason to. Everyone who was anyone could recognize these two without thought.

“This is Prince Malleus of The Valley of Thorns, and his courtier Lilia Vanrouge,” Vil introduced, seemingly a bit unnerved – quite unlike him.

You introduced yourself in kind, curtseying again to show your respect, less Vill feed you to the dogs tonight. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both, especially since you came so far just to see me on my birthday.”

“A birthday is an important event,” Malleus states matter-of-factly, voice deep and smooth as chocolate.

“I suppose you are correct, Your Highness. Still, it is quite a ways to travel and I am honored that you would make yourself a guest for my birthday party,” you responded, proper and elegant as you had been trained.

“Of course, I would come, you are my future partner, after all,” Malleus states, again, as if it is fact.

This time, however, you break your perfect facade with a furrow of your brow. Your hands place themselves sturdily on your hips and you tilt your head to the side in confusion.

“I’m sorry, I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?”

Before he can speak, Lilia inserts himself, “Nothing is for certain, he is just one of the many lucky men who have been allowed a try at your hand.”

You try and steel yourself, but all you can manage is to straighten your back and scowl at your idiot brother. “I see, well, I’m sorry Prince Draconia, but you’ll have to work harder than that if you want my hand.” You stand from your seat, head as high as you can get it, “I am not a toy to be played with, I am a Princess and I expect to be treated as more than an object for you,” you turn to the crowd, which was gawking at your display already, “or any other man here’s liking!”

“Princess-” Vil tries, but you are already beginning to leave the situation. This party was simply a ruse to sell you off to the highest bidder, and you wanted no part in the auction.

You don’t allow yourself to hear Malleus’ response, and you certainly do not allow Vil to stop you from leaving. Perhaps you were throwing a tantrum, maybe you were being childish, but you felt violated. You wanted to be anywhere but near any of those men at this moment.

No one dared to stop the angry princess from storming out of her own party, not even the guards assigned to keep her there.

·┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆·

The moment you got to your room you ripped the stupid dress off your body. Layer after layer, string after string was hastily removed until you could finally see your arms and legs again. Next would have been your corset, if you could reach the damn knot those stupid handmaids had tied.

You struggled for what felt like an eternity until you could not stand, and fell into a sobbing heap upon your bed, hardly able to breathe through your tears.

“Stupid party, stupid dress, stupid corset,” you cried, “stupid, evil brother.”

A knock sounded at the door, and you curled into yourself as much as you could. You didn’t want to talk to anyone at the moment – let alone your brother. You could hear his scoldings enough in your head already, you didn’t need anymore.

You heard the door creak open, and you covered your ears, waiting for an onslaught of insults and anger. Instead, you were greeted by a gentle hand on your arm. You sniffled, slowly unwinding yourself to look at who it was – surprised to see Epel.

He’d never entered without an invitation before.

“Before ya yell at me, I jus’ figured ya needed a pal,” he said gently, rubbing your shoulder in small soothing motions.

“Wh-what about Vil…?” you manage to mumble out as your tears begin to subside.

“Too busy tryin’ ta keep face, so we can jus’ talk like normal.”

You nod, and Epel helps you to sit up properly, keeping a steady hand on you at all times. This was, perhaps, the most kindness you’d ever felt from a person in your whole life. Your brother was often cold and distant, even when he was reassuring you. Epel was always warm and inviting. You were glad to have him as a friend here.

He eased you to your feet, and from there he helped you out of your corset and into far more breathable clothing – your hunting clothes, from when you were younger. They were a bit too small now, but Epel still complimented your appearance as if you were in that same ballgown.

“Thank you Epel,” you sighed out, “did you…”

“Hear yer whole speech? Yeah, me and the whole party.” He laughed, giving you a comforting pat on the back.

You groaned, burying your head in your hands. Vil would never let you hear the end of it, your life and status was ruined – all because you couldn't control yourself. You were not made to be.

“Hey, hey, don’ cry ya hear,” Epel soothed, “most of the guests found it funny, ‘specially that one Lion guy whose always mean ta ya.”

“Leona found it funny?” you asked from behind your hands.

“He was hootin’ and hollerin’ like it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen!”

You laughed a little, the image of a smiley Leona Kingscholar being enough to cheer you up. You smoothed over your ruined hair, looking into the body-length mirror across the room. You looked like a disaster, with clothes far too small for you and hair still half up and frizzy. You looked like you, and it made you smile.

“Thank you for helping me Epel, you are a good friend,” you said gently, taking his hands into yours.

“Maybe we should ask Vil if ya can marry me, then ya wo’ have’ta deal with all this mess.” He joked with a devious laugh.

You blanched, pulling away as fast as you could. That only served to make him laugh harder, nearly doubling over onto the floor. You couldn’t help but join him after a point, and you could hardly remember what had made you so upset in the first place.

Once the both of you settled, Epel turned to you with a more serious face. You squinted at him, knowing whatever idea he was about to voice would be incredibly idiotic. Still, his stupid plans were always the most fun.

“Yer all dressed up fer it, so why don’ we do a bit of hunting,” he proposed.

You raised your eyebrows, as if to challenge him, though you both know he had already won you over. “What about Vil, he’ll surely be looking for me in a short while.”

“He’s busy tryin’ ta fix the mess ya made – c’mon, you already said ya would.”

You feigned conflict for a moment, closing your eyes and placing a hand on your chin. You could feel Epel’s nervous squirming next to you, and you grinned wide and bright. “How could I possibly say no?”

“I’ll get ma knives,” he said, practically scuttling out the door, “Meet me at the fountain out back, I’ll be real quick!”

·┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆·

You’d never felt this free. Not since before your parents passed, at least. The wind, the dirt, the trees – you missed it all so much. You spun around, laughing as you did so, earning yourself a side eye from Epel.

You didn’t care, though, letting out a big sigh of relief, “How I missed this place!”

You blew kisses to the sky, the trees, the ground, the animals, even to Epel. You didn’t realize how badly you wanted this until you were here.

“Be quiet ‘nd stop movin’ so much, yer gonna scare off all the animals,” Epel scolded.

“Okay, Vil.”

“Hey!”

You laughed, bounding ahead without a care in the world. You hadn’t been to your usual hunting spot in a while, you wondered if it had changed much. If Epel even went to it without you, or if he had his own spot away from it.

Caught up in your high of temporary freedom, you almost missed a blur in the side of your vision. Too large to be any animal from this forest. Your head shot to the side, moving to draw a bow.

“What, what did’ja see,” Epel asked, and you were quick to shush him.

Drawing your bow, you watched the landscape with a careful eye, waiting for any subtle movement. You looked for any sound, any smell that could give away this mystery creature's position. You narrowed your eyes, focusing on where you first saw the figure, and… AHA! You fired your arrow, hitting your target head-on.

Both you and Epel scrambled over to see what you hit. Your heart was racing – what if it wasn’t just an animal, what then? You took a deep breath and pulled back the bushes to reveal… a deer. A buck, to be precise. You sighed.

“Just a deer.”

“All that tension for nothin’, you gotta stop scarin’ me like that.”

“Sorry Epel, I thought it was something else.”

“Whatever, jus’ relax, ‘kay?”

Little did either of you know, there was something – someone lurking in the darkness. Sharp green eyes follow your every movement with the same curiosity you watched them with earlier.

·┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆·

It had been more than a few hours since you arrived at your designated hunting spot – still the same as you remembered it. The two of you had gotten yourself a good hunt; a vast collection of little critters native to these pretty forests. The butcher in town would have an influx of goods soon enough.

Vil was, no doubt, already looking for you. You were sure he was assembling a guard at this very moment to come and find you, but you couldn’t care less. You had earned this little rebellion, no matter what he thought of it. Still, you couldn’t help the little ache in your chest telling you that what you were doing was cruel in an unimaginable way.

You hummed, sitting yourself down on a stump, neatly setting your bow and quiver next to you. Epel joined you with a curious raise of his brow, throwing his equipment off. You leaned onto his shoulder, smiling up at him. He smiled back, resting his head against yours.

He was more like a brother to you than your brother was. You don’t know what you’d do without him.

“Vil’s gonna kill me when we get back,” you sighed, feeling all the energy from before leaving your body.

Reality had to creep back in at some point, you just wished that it wasn’t so damn soon. You could spend a few more weeks out here with Epel. It was so peaceful, so calm, and everything you had missed so desperately since your parents passing.

“He’s gonna kill me more than you, ‘f it makes ya feel better,” Epel joked, trying his best to lift the mood.

You sighed, “What if we didn’t go back, then neither of us would die and we could stay out here forever.”

“Even ‘f we could, yer running out’ve arrows, and it won’ be any fun if you can’t hunt.”

You hopped to your feet, groaning as your feet ached in protest. You hadn’t noticed how tense your body had become from all your activity tonight. That's what you get for not being allowed to do any physical labor. You stretched your arms high above your head, twisting this way and that to ease the pain when you saw something.

This time it was much bigger than the buck before. You tensed, turning to Epel, who had also noticed – if the look on his face was any indicator. Carefully, he crept toward his discarded equipment, to not catch the giant things' attention. He handed you your bow and quiver, though you were quickly running out of arrows to defend yourself with.

A rustle sounded in front of the clearing, and the smell of this thing hit you all at once. The air in your little self-made clearing had become thick and heavy with ink. The kind you had back in your study, but the smell was suffocating. You placed part of your cape over your mouth to filter it a bit, but the smell persisted as strong as ever.

“What do you think it is,” you whisper to Epel, who seems to be doing just as bad as you are.

“Not sure, but I ain’t smelled somethin’ like this in my whole life.”

You nodded. You had no idea what this thing was – too big to be any animal you know. Most certainly not a human, so no worries about Vil’s guards. The size wasn’t what scared you, but the smell. An unknown animal that smelled like ink… unheard of.

The closer the thing came, the worse the smell got and the louder its movements became until you were sure it was right outside the clearing. You and Epel could try to run, but you had no idea how fast or smart this thing was – running could be a worse choice than staying and fighting it.

You looked to Epel, and he narrowed his eyebrows as if to ask if you were with him or not. With a deep breath, you drew an arrow out of the quiver, set it, and aimed right at where the large shadow loomed. You exhaled as you let the bow fly through the air, successfully hitting your target.

It let out the most horrific, gurgling scream you had ever heard in your life – confirming that it was not an animal, but something far worse. It emerged from its hiding place.

This thing was nearly three men taller than you and covered in this thick, black, dripping ink. Worse yet, it had no face, just a glass jar oozing more ink out of it. You felt your heart skip a beat, but you couldn’t panic – not now that you had its attention.

Drawing another bow, you shouted at Epel, “Run back to the castle and find someone to help.”

“I am not leavin’ you here!”

“And I’m not accepting that answer. I’m more skilled than you in combat, and you’re faster on your feet than I am. You can get there faster than I ever could, and you could save me if you’re fast enough.” You said as you began to make distance with the monster. It was slow enough that you could move, but not so much that you could take your eyes off it.

“What– I can’t–”

“Epel, as your Princess I am ordering you to do this. Please.”

He didn’t respond for a long moment, and you were afraid he would disobey you. He muttered something angrily, and without another word, carefully crept away into the woods. The creature turned to where his footsteps fell, beginning to slump toward him – surprisingly fast for its size. You drew another arrow, shooting it on its right side, and watching as the arrow slowly sunk into its inky surface.

It turned in your direction, gurgling as it charged forward blindly. You scrambled back, almost losing your balance more than a few times – you were too rusty to be in such a risky position. You charged deeper into the forest as fast as you could, peeking over your shoulder to ensure it was far enough away from you at all times.

You didn’t have time to find high ground, so you settled on hopping from bush to bush and tree to tree. You hit it multiple times successfully, but it only served to make it even more angry with you. Its ink was impervious to human weapons.

Settling behind a tree, you reached up into your quiver to grab another arrow. Shit. Only two arrows left, not that they would’ve done you much good, but they were your last line of defense. You realize, now that you can’t turn back, that you should’ve gone with Epel.

Shaking your head, you knew you couldn’t give up just yet. You couldn’t die here, for your brother's sake. You took a deep breath, placing a hand over your racing heart. Calm, you thought, calm like a princess, think like a princess.

Okay. This thing didn’t seem to be able to see you, but it could hear – or maybe it was vibrations, but it seemingly could find you based solely on that. Hitting it’s body didn’t work, but you hadn’t thought to try for the “head” yet. If you could shatter the glass, maybe that could stop it.

The glass jar was small and hard to make out beneath the ink and the dark of night, but you could estimate where to hit based on what you saw earlier. With only two arrows left, you had to be smart and swift, lest this thing make you its next meal – if it ate, that is.

You swallowed, plucking your second to last arrow from the quiver and drawing it in your bow. Peaking around the tree, you lined up the shot just right, then sent the arrow hurling across the forest. It hit with a satisfying ‘crack’, and you’d hit your target dead on.

For extra measure, you took your last bow and drew it, aiming toward the beast and shooting the glass head once more. Another ‘crack’ and a few ‘thumps’ as thick pieces of its head fell to the ground. It remained unmoving in front of you, and you watched it with careful anticipation.

When it did not move again, you sighed, sinking to the floor in relief, holding your head in your hands. You had done it, you had killed the beast. You would live to see your brother, and you could not wait for his rage at your disobedience. You would take his anger over this any day.

Just then, however, you felt something in front of you. Your head shot up, and you would’ve screamed at the sight if it weren’t for the hand over your mouth.

In front of you was crouched the young man from the party, green eyes shining mischievously in front of you. He was still in his party attire, with the same goofy feathered hat as before. You narrowed your eyes at him, and he smiled leaning forward to whisper in your ear.

“Hush, Ma Belle,” he whispered, and you felt as though you might melt, “it can hear us if we’re too loud.”

You nodded, and he carefully pulled his hand away from your mouth. He, too, had a bow on his back – though his seemed to have a more magical tendency to it. You were not allowed to be around magic, thanks to the dangers it possessed, but you could recognize it easily since your father was once a talented magician and showed you all sorts of magical things.

This strange man noticed your eyes and gave you a wink. He stood to his feet, gesturing for you to stay where you were, and waltzed out in the open to the creature. You peeked out from your spot, watching with bated breath.

The creature was twitching, its inky mass bubbling in a disgusting display. You had done quite a bit of damage to it, but not enough to kill it. The man, seemingly unphased by this sight, drew his arrow – infused with a glowing red magic – and shot it. The second it hit the monster, the ink began to boil and slowly slough off until there was nothing left but broken glass.

The man approached it, picking up a piece of glass and putting it in an inner jacket pocket. He turned to look at you, gesturing you forward with a come hither motion. Stunned, and unable to fully comprehend what had just happened, you stumbled forward as he wanted. You stopped awkwardly at his side, losing all sense of refinement and grace from before.

The man stood, fully addressing you now.

“You are a talented huntsman,” he said, voice silky smooth making you melt from the inside.

“Ah- uhm, ahem, thank you,” you paused, then quickly added, “You- you are as well, sir.”

He grinned, seemingly happy that you noticed, “Do you know what that creature you just fought was?”

“Uhm… I think I’ve heard of it in fairy tales, but those are just…”

“Scary stories to keep cute little things like yourself safe?”

You frowned, “I am not little, you were at my party earlier, were you not? You should be speaking to me with respect.”

“My apologies Your Majesty,” he bowed deeply, “you are cute though.”

You huffed, feeling your face warm at the compliment. The audacity of this strange man to speak to you like this. You… quite liked it.

“Just tell me what that thing was, and I won’t have you charged with harassment,” you threatened emptily.

He hummed, “If you must know, that was a phantom – the remnants of a magician who died from blot.”

You gasped. Blot was only in the fairy tales your mother would tell you… but so was that monster. Seeming to understand your confusion, the man pats you on the head.

“A sheltered princess is not expected to know so much about the world around them, do not worry Ma Belle,” he eased.

You had a million questions. Why was that thing in your forest? How could something like this possibly happen? Was Vil aware of these things? Why did he not tell you about them? Was this why you weren’t allowed in the forest? Most importantly, who was this mysterious savior of yours?

Before you could ask anything, however, the sounds of shouting came from somewhere further out. The man seemed to consider it, smiling a knowing smile, and then turned to you again. He took your hand, placing a kiss on its top.

“That is my sign to take my leave,” he stated simply, “do watch your back, princess. There are those in this world who wish you harm, and we could not have a pretty thing like you getting hurt, hmm?”

You swallowed thickly, feeling your face heating up at his words and a million more questions filled your head. You gaped at him, unsure of how to respond to what he said, completely captivated by his words.

He chuckled, eyes squinting in a beautiful way as he did so. He seemed to ponder something for a moment, despite his supposed need to leave. He placed a hand on the brim of his hat, smoothing it over, and his face lit up with delight. Seems he had found the answer, taking his hat off and placing it firmly on your head.

“An excuse to see you once more, Ma Belle,” and with a flourish of his hand, he was off into the darkness.

As the voices came closer and closer, you could not peel your eyes off of where he came from. Who was that mysterious stranger, and why did he make your heart pound so hard?

204 notes · View notes

zialltops · 4 months

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honeysuckle’s & huckleberry’s

After four years away at collage, you’re finally home with the tools and knowledge to save your family ranch. That is, if their ranch hand would stay out of your way.

Or: Ranch hand Joel doesn’t know how to handle the return of his bosses prodigy daughter, her snarky little attitude, or her sinfully tight jeans.

a/n: this chapter gets me right in the feels every time. I love watching the way Joels character changes and his train of thought shifts. I hope you guys like this chapter because it was so fun for me to write 🥹❄️

Masterlink

Chapter 3: Blue

As it turns out, extreme levels of dopamine in his brain after a bone chilling orgasm is exactly what Joel needs to level himself out while you’re sitting beside him in the passenger seat. It doesn’t make him stop thinking about it, but it does keep the tiny little gremlin in his head that tells him to pop a stiffy at bay. The only thing he has to worry about is his eyes, keeping them off of you and on the icy driveway as he pulls away from the house. The snow has started to melt, leaving behind a sloppy mud that makes the truck slip and slide. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to get your car out, even if I can I don’t think you’ll be able to drive it in this.”

You make an exaggerated groan and he doesn’t even need to look to know you’re rolling your eyes at him from your spot beside him on the bench seat. “You just love deciding what I can and can’t do, don’t you? You know I lived here my whole life right?” He dares a glance over and you’re staring at him with your eyebrows knitted together and your arms crossed. His eyes tick down and he wants to kick himself in the head for even looking because your shirt is leaving nothing to his imagination and little to wonder about how good they would look bare with his dick between—jesus christ, Joel, get yourself together Man. “I wasn’t doubting your ability, I’m suggesting that it would be dangerous for you to even try.”

The truck hits the pavement and most of the snow has melted, but the freezing temperatures leave a icy film across the top. He had to go easy on the breaks and hope to god the truck makes it up the inclines he has to take to get to your car. The last thing he needs is to be stuck out here in the cold with just your bodies to keep each other warm. He absolutely one hundred and ten percent wont survive that, not without absolutely humiliating himself. God, he fucking hates how much you affect him against his will.

“Since when do you care about what’s too dangerous for me, huh?” Why in the hell is he arguing with you like you’ve been married for twenty years? “You left me in the snow to freeze to death in my car four days ago, why am I going to listen to you about whats too dangerous for me?” You have a point, but so does he so he just shuts his fucking mouth and keeps on driving.

It takes twice as much time to get down the pass than it usually does, but the lower Joel gets, the more the ice melts into cold water and mud. By the time he gets to your car, the road is clear but the car is still sunk down to the rims in the embankment. Theres a uneasy sort of silence in the truck, something lingering around the cab of the old blue pickup that feels like shame and embarrassment.

“Texting, huh?” He breaks the silence with a crude joke that earns him a deep glare. “Fuck you, asshole. You know, I really don’t know what it is that my parents see in you. My mom always said how polite you were but I don’t believe that for a second after knowing you for a few days.” You prop open the door and climb out into the snow with your car keys in one hand and the other holding your unzipped jacket closed. Your stupid fucking shoes and that tight ass—fuck.

How is he supposed to be okay with the way you make his body react when you literally curse the ground he walks on, thinking he’s the worst thing that ever happened to this damn town? He gets out after you and slips on his gloves to keep the cold off his hands. The winter always leaves him cracked and brittle from cold work, sometimes his knuckles bleed and his bones ache for gentle hands instead of hard callouses and a cowboys scars. “You don’t know anything about me.” He reaches into the back for a chain while you open the door to your car. “I know enough. I know you’re bullheaded and selfish. I know you’re rude and you don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

Fucking bitch, like he’s not allowed to have some self preservation after the life he’s lived, always cleaning up Tommy's mess and abandoning his own life in the process. “Don’t act like you’re any better.” You lean out of your car and make a face at him while he hooks the chain to the front of the truck. “Me? You don’t know a damn thing about me.” Like you didn’t just spout off about all the things you think is wrong with him—he can do that too. He has a fucking list of reasons you piss him off. “I know that you’re entitled and expect people to be at your beck and call. I know you’re privileged with no regard for anyone around you.”

He follows the chain to your car and hooks it to the chassis underneath. “Well were just a match made in fucking heaven then, aren’t we?” Its dripping with distain and bitterness, so Joel ignores the comment no matter how much his brain runs and runs about all the way he could be made for you, the way’s he’d fuck that attitude right out of you until you’re quiet. But he can’t and he won’t, he’ll probably spend the rest of his life wondering what you’d feel like, the way you’d shake and scream and beg for more—but wondering is far as that fantasy will ever go.

Because at the end of the day, you’re still Hank's daughter and you’re still half his age and—you hate his guts, which is definitely a deal breaker when it comes to getting someone in your bed. So he keeps his mouth shut and heads back to his truck to tug your car out. “When you’re out, hit your brakes so you don't slam into me.” You sink down into your seat and glare at him. “I’m not stupid!” He never said you were, but he doesn’t expect you to know everything, so he does his best to be the helpful asshole he usually is.

He pulls the little car out, manages to keep the chain tight until it's back on the road and the brake lights come on in front of him. He puts the truck in park and hops out to unhook the chain, but you don’t open the door. When the car is unhooked, you’re already pulling away without a word of thanks. Joel knows he’s well past earning the way you treat him, but that doesn’t make him stop wishing he could just get you out of his head already, wish he could hate you with that same mind altering disgust that you have for him, maybe watching you drive away would be easier.

Two months pass much like the first week. Joel keeps to himself, you frown at him and avoid him where you can. When you do see one another, Joel feels like you’re always at each other's throats. Everyone in the house has started to notice the distaste in your strained relationship, if Joel is willing to let himself call it that. It’s more like a forced acquaintance. Either way, your parents even see the way the two of you bicker and fight, but rarely does anyone but Tommy make comments about it. Tommy likes to bring it up any chance he gets, usually when Joel is alone just to rile him up further. He says stupid shit, like “I bet the sex you guys would have would be crazy good” when it’s just him and his brother at the dinner table and it makes Joel stiffen and run off to the cabin without his plate or a goodbye.

He sneaks in later for his plate and catches you in the kitchen with red eyes and tear stained cheeks, but you cross your arms over your chest and try not to meet his eyes. You’re dressed in just a big tee shirt and he can see from your bare feet to the tops of your thighs. He’s the luckiest son of s bitch in the world that he just worked himself over twice because he would be tenting his sweatpants right there in the kitchen.

That was three days ago and he still can’t get the sight of tears in your eyes out of his mind. He wonders if he did that, if he’d said something that struck a nerve and there you sat at the kitchen table after everyone was tucked in bed, crying your pretty eyes out. He feels like the worst fucking person in the world because of it, so he stays away even more, makes himself sad little ramen noodle dinners in his sad little hunting cabin he shares with his brother and he stares at his ceiling wishing it was you he was looking up at—smiling instead of frowning for once—all he wants is to see you smile. Really smile, for him, at him. He wonders what your eyes look up when they light up, wonders what your skin feels like when its not shaking in rage.

But between all the avoiding and hiding, Joel didn’t even realize how quickly Christmas had snuck up on him. He checks his phone sometime after lunch, his day spent getting the herd ready for another brutal snow storm. He’d been to town that morning for hot feed to keep them warm and any supplies they might run out of while snowed in, while deep, dark clouds hung in the distance. He was leaving the feed store when the clerk waved at him with a polite “Merry Christmas!” When he made it into the truck, he pulled out his phone and realized the date, December 24th. It was Christmas eve and it was an absolute miracle that stores were open right now. It was only eleven thirty and the sign posted on the door says it closes at two.

He starts to put the truck in reverse, turning around to look behind him while he pulls out. When he does, something inside of him doesn’t let his foot off the brakes. He thinks about you—in Christmas pajamas on the floor opening dumb little gifts from your parents because it's the first Christmas they’ve had with you for years. He imagines what they’d get you, probably things a grown adult needs—products, socks, underwear, (don’t even go there Joel) and he thinks about how disheartening that must be to a woman like you, used to proper city living now, expensive gifts and pretty things. You deserve pretty things, Joel wants to give them to you.

He turns around, throws the truck in park and jumps out, heading back into the feed store. He makes a bee-line for the glass jewelry case sitting in the corner, partially scavenged through since it is the day before christmas and all—he should have thought about this weeks ago. He scans through everything, shiny horse shoe earrings, matching pendants, jeweled cowgirl boots on a chain and turquoise ring sets. None of them look good enough, none of them scream you, sweet you—fuck, he’s seen it, when you’re so damn sweet, when you think no one is looking—Joel is, always looking.

He kneels down, scanning the bottom shelf of the case when he spots a simple golden chain and a bumble bee dangling delicately from its tiny hoops. It doesn’t have any stones on it and Joel thinks he likes that more, that it’s simple and graceful, not too flashy or obviously shoutings “look at what you do to me, look at how much I wish I could have you.”

In the end, he has just enough bills in his wallet for the necklace, tells the clerk he doesn’t need a bag as he stuffs the box in his pocket and heads back to the truck.

He has a busy day when he gets back to ranch, Tommy is checking on the pregnant heifers while Joel fill’s multiple feeders with hot grains that will keep them warm through the impending storm. He has just enough time before it starts to snow to get the horse fed and the equipment properly covered in tarps. This storm is set to drop more snow than they have seen all winter and Joel doesn’t look forward to the animosity that comes with never being able to get out of each other's hair. “How’s the heifers?” He asks Tommy when he brushes grain off his hands. “They all seem pretty far out besides one, she was really soft, sort of worried me.” Heifers get soft around the tail when they are close to caving, but Joel doesn’t think she’ll be willing to have her calf in this storm, so he lets it go. Instead, he takes a spot beside Tommy at the stable door.

“Snow’s comin’ down thick now,” Tommy says from the protective covering of the stable, staring out across the yard at the powder covered ground. Snow blows through the big sliding door, filling the building with cold gusts. “We should get inside before it gets worse.”

Joel wants to—when he looks off at the two story house, the christmas tree shining through the window, he spots you on the other side of it, fixing and ornament hanging from the nettles. The stable is a stone's throw from the house, Joel can see every feature, the color of your eyes, your sweet, sweet smile—because he’s nowhere to be seen.

He’s so busy staring, he doesn’t catch it in time when your eyes meet his across the yard. That sweet smile falls, those soft eyes harden and he feels his gut lurch. “You go ahead, Tommy. Think I’m going to hit the hay.” Tommy knows this bit just about as well as Joel does, knows he’s been avoiding the house, your parents, you because nine times out of ten, it’s just Tommy at dinner these days. Joel spends his night with microwaved meals and old episodes of The Rifleman to keep him busy until he finally gives in and slips his hands in his pants.

Tommy doesn’t put up a fuss, instead, he claps Joel on the shoulder and gives him this sad sort of smile before heading off towards the house. Joel turns in the other direction, follows the fence line for a half mile until he reaches the cabin. His feet are cold, his lips feel cracked after a long day outside in the harsh weather. He microwaves a sad little dinner, pretends the mac and cheese on the side is half as good as warm food at the table when the people he looks at like family. He’s simply not welcome there anymore.

He gets through two episodes before he promptly passes out, his pants left intact tonight because it’s not his dick leading the way tonight, its that look in your eyes when you saw him across the driveway. The pang he felt in his chest when you frowned and turned away like it hurt you to look at him.

He sleeps through the night, propped up like that on the couch and when he wakes on Christmas morning, his neck has a crick in it and his back is killing him. He barely drags himself off the couch and into the shower before his day has to start. The hot water eases out some of his muscles, but it still hurts like a bitch to stand up straight or turn his head.

But the cattle aren’t going to let him take a day off, the horses won't care for themselves, so he gets to it only a few minutes late. When he heads out the door, the ground is covered in two feet of pure white snow and dark clouds still hang overhead.

His Christmas is spent in the field’s and the stables and the box in his pocket burns a hole through his thigh the entire morning, until he’s shoveling off the driveway and the front door comes open. Louise makes her way onto the porch with a plate in her hands, shuffling down the slippery steps when she gets Joel’s attention. He tosses down the shovel and hurries over when she starts to wobble on the second step and nearly slips. He catches her arm and helps her steady before letting out a cold gust of air that fogs through the chill around him. “Miss Lou, what are you doin’ out here? It’s freezing.” She has a light coat on and her cheeks are red from the cold.

“You’re the one out here in the cold, Joel. It’s Christmas and you’re the only one working. Have you had a decent meal this week? I haven’t seen you at dinner in…well, I don’t know how long.” She’s the one reason Joel feels guilty for avoiding the house, in the years he’s lived here, she's always enjoyed cooking for them, she’d always tell him he couldn’t keep her dream alive if he was malnourished. He feels like that now, running on half the calories a man his size should be taking in and his mind is in a constant state of despair these days.

“Just needed some space is all, Ma’am, nothin’ you did.” He assures her, taking the plate carefully and helping her back up the steps. “I know it's not just that. My daughter can be really difficult sometimes…I know you two bicker. It’s a shame, really—I thought the two of you would hit it off.” That's the whole problem and what a shame it is that Joel can’t look at this woman’s daughter without thinking about all the ways he could have her, make her his. “Would you come inside? Hank and I got you something, he thought you would be in this morning but you never came. I'm sorry if your food is cold.”

He didn’t care if it was cold, his stomach hurt because he was so hungry, he'd eat it if it was frozen. He doesn’t have the heart to tell her no, so he heads inside the house with snow covered boots and a nervousness he hasn’t felt here since the first day he stood in this living room. For so long it's felt like his home too—but now he can't help but feel like an intruder.

When he closes the door behind him, Hank and Tommy are watching the game, but you’re nowhere in sight. He tries to shake off his nerves, moves to the couch beside Tommy and sits down. At his brother's feet is a brand new pair of deer skin gloves, Tommy’s favorite—but hard to come by. He knows they weren’t cheap and his heart aches a little, knowing they’d worked hard to pull together the money.

“Glad to see you can pull yourself away for a few minutes. You know it ain’t goin’ anywhere, stay for a little while.” He knows that—the storm will be with them for four days and he knows there will be more snow to shovel tomorrow, but he can’t stay for long, not when your prying eyes finally detect him in your safe haven. “I’ll stay for a little while, still a lot to do out there.” He knows Hank is too old for that kind of work, Tommy’s too lazy and Joel wants nothing more than to escape. “Got you somethin’, been saving up for it for a while now.” He leans down towards the tree and picks up a rather large box—it’s not gloves thats for damn sure. “Sir, I…I didn’t get you nothin’.” He didn’t have the money, he spent every dollar he had to his name on a stupid necklace for his daughter that would rather see him outside in the freezing weather shoveling snow than on her couch in front of the fireplace.

Hank throws a hand, playing off Joel's concern with an amused huff. “You do so much for us around here without asking for anything in return. You had one when you got here but i know it got tore up taking the cattle to pasture.”

Joel rips the wrapping paper, revealing a simple white box with the word Stetson on the top. Joel doesn’t even want to open the damn thing, he knows what's inside and how much it cost, an arm and a leg, probably a month's saving in the off season. “Hank…”

The olde man shakes his head firmly. “You deserve to have the sun off your neck, son. Just say thank you, make sure it fits.”

He pulls open the box and inside lays a black felt hat with a matching band, beautiful leather work that loops into an ornate metal buckle to hold it in place. He pulls the cowboy hat from its box, puts it on his head and—it’s a perfect fit.

It's been a long time since he had a hat, a lot longer since he had a nice one and a lifetime ago since he had the money for a new one, especially one this nice. “I don’t know what to say—thank you, Hank…this really…means more than you know.” More than he knows how to convey with words. It’s been a long time since Joel had a hat that fit, one that wasn’t second hand or made for someone else’s head. But this—this was made for his head, the measurement must be damn near perfect. “How’d you know my size?” He wobbles his head around and the hat doesn’t budge, hangs on snuggly. He’ll even be able to ride with this on. “I measured your head while you were sleepin’.” Tommy tells him with a smug grin. “That's weird, Tommy. I would have kept that to myself.”

It draws a laugh out of Hank who has abandoned the game in favor of watching Joel's excitement. “Well, what are you waiting for—go check yourself out in the mirror, make sure you like it,” he stands and walks over to the mirror hanging on the wall above a decorative entryway shelf. When he spots himself in the reflection, he realizes just how long it’s been since he’s seen the man looking back at him. He’s graying in his beard a little, the age lines on his face have gotten deeper and more pronounced, but the black hat on his head makes that same man grin from ear to ear.

The stairs creek behind him and he turns half of his body to look up them. Stopped halfway down the stairs, you’re staring at him with a slightly slacked jaw. Joel knew it, Christmas jammies that leave your legs exposed to his greedy eyes. This time, he tries to keep them to himself. “Oh, uh…” he swallows down the lump in his throat and his pocket burns all over again. Should he give it to you now? Will everyone question him if he does? If he waits to get you alone, does that suggest that the necklace means everything he wants it to? A peace offering, an ice breaker, a “I’m sorry about the way I’ve treated you, but I want to try again.”

Instead, he leaves it in his pocket and tries to tamper down the way his cheeks heat. “Merry Christmas, Honey.” He tilts his hat up a tad so he can look up at you, but your slightly dumbfounded look morphs into irritation and discontent.

“What are you doing here?” You cross your arms and Joel’s good mood disappears. “Your mom asked me to come in and eat. Your dad wanted to give me this.” He points to the hat and your eyes roll as you make the descent down the rest of the stairs. “So if you’re in here, who’s taking care of the ranch?”

It isn’t often that someone sticks up for one of them in an argument, they tend to not get between the two of you, but to Joel’s surprise, Hank interrupts his daughter. “He’s allowed to come in the house, Honey—he works hard around here, he’s not a yard dog.” But that doesn’t stop you from sneering at him when you pass him on your way to the kitchen where your mother is. “Sure looks like one to me.” It’s under your breath so Hank doesn’t hear, but Joel does.

And he feels like a fool. A fool for spending the last of his money on this stupid fucking necklace, like a fool for being so plagued by thoughts of you in a different world, one where you don’t innately hate him, one where he doesn’t fuck up every chance he has to change the narrative.

“I should get back to it, I’ll see you guys…later.” He starts to head for the door when Louise pokes her head around the corner. “Please come in for Dinner!” Joel tells her that he will, he hates lying to miss Lou, but he does it because it’s Christmas and the last thing he wants to do is worry her today.

He wastes the day shoveling off the driveway, tries his best to rub out the crick in his neck and finally calls it a day when the sun is nearly set and the animals are bunkered down for the night. It’s started to snow again, so Joel makes his way back to the cabin with tired limbs and a new dusting of snow hanging onto the brim of his hat.

Dinner is just as lonely as the night before but this time he doesn’t pretend it's Lou’s cooking, he lets it be exactly what it is—a tasteless mush and his misery to sip on.

The Rifleman is just as predictable as it was the night before, as is Joel—who falls asleep before he has the heart to get his hands on his dick. But unlike last night, he doesn’t make it long propped up on the couch before a knock startles him awake. He drags himself to the door with sleep in his eyes and a chill in his bones. When he pulls it open, his pocket ignites again. On the other side of the door, you’re standing in front of him with a plate in your hands and a vicious storm letting down behind you. Did you walk here in that? “My mom said I chased you off, that’s why you didn’t come to dinner.” Well, you aren’t wrong. If you were still away at college, Joel would have no problem spending Christmas with Hank and Louise and Tommy who is apparently too good to walk you down here.

“You didn’t have to bring me anything.” He says. He glances to the side where his hat hangs on the rack. “Actually, my mom made me so no, I didn’t have a choice.” Ahh, of course—of course you wouldn’t do something that nice for him. “Well, thank her for me, then…” he reaches out for the plate and his fingers brush yours—bolts of electricity shooting up his arm and igniting his starved skin. It’s been so damn long since someone has touched him with kind hands and all he wants is yours—your soft, gentle hands he’s seen folding laundry and soothing horses. You don’t release the plate, but your eyes track up to his, meeting them across the threshold.

He could hold that gaze for the rest of his life if you’d let him—he’s always wanted a chance to get lost in your eyes and he’s getting it right now, his home pouring with cold in exchange for the heat in your cheeks and the sparkle in your irises. “Joel—“

There's a loud sound somewhere over the fence beside the cabin. It draws both of your attention to the blinding darkness. Joel knows that sound, a distressed heifer, probably the one who was too damn close to calving in a storm like this. There’s no way Joel can save that calf if it doesn’t make it and even if he wanted to, the snow is too thick to help.

“What is that?” You ask, finally dropping your hand away from his when you glance back up at him. “Heifer, think she’s calving—Tommy said she was really soft and her milk came in. Afraid that calf might not make it tonight.”

There's a look of disbelief in your eyes, shooting from Joel to the fence line and back. “You can’t help her?” Joel shakes his head and listens to the cow cry out again. “Nothin’ I can do for her. They aren’t supposed to be calving yet, we still have a few more weeks and it’s too cold out there. We might lose the heifer too.”

Joel observes the way sadness takes over your face, then determination. “I’m going out there to help her.” You tell him, already heading off the porch before Joel can even interject. “Don’t you hear me? She’s not going to make it, honey, just let it go.” But you don’t, you start to jog towards the fence line, so Joel huffs in annoyance and slips into his boots and jacket, finally pulling his hat on on his way out the door. He grabs a spotlight off the shelf by the door and follows your tracks through the snow to the fence line. It doesn’t take him long until he finds you, knelt behind a laboring cow, who’s already pushing in the freezing cold. “I can’t get this calf to safety and this storm is getting worse—it’s not safe to be out here.”

There's blood marring the white snow and your delicate hands. “I’m not letting her die in the snow on christmas because we made her have a baby, Joel—she didn’t ask for this.” Joel sets the light in the snow beside him and rolls his sleeves up, kneeling down beside you in the soaked snow. “She’s not going to make it.”

You make a face at him, one Joel is more than accustomed to. “I’m not letting her die alone, then.” And Joel isn’t going to leave you alone in the snow for a second time, so he stays there beside you, helping deliver the little black calf, who shivers wetly in the cold. It’s a little boy, floppy ears and a wobble to him when he tries to hold his head up. Joel can't help but smile, because this is always beautiful, even if he can't save this little calf. He looks up and you’re grinning right back at him, your cheeks bitten red by the cold and your hands shaking, but you look so fucking proud right now. Joel is too, after watching you pull that calf out of his momma like you were made for that.

“What if we get them inside, would they make it then?” Joel doesn’t see how, the snow is too thick and someone would have to carry him. “They wont fit in my cabin and the stable is a half a mile away. We’d have to drag momma through this snow.” He has a lead in the cabin, he could get her out of this snow, he thinks. Would she even want to go, after having a calf in the ridged cold. “We should try—we should at least try.”

Joel leans back and brushes the blood off on his pants. “Yeah—fine, we can try. Stay right here, keep rubbing him to keep him warm.” He stands and jogs back to the cabin, racing inside for the lead that he runs back to you with. You have the calf laid out along your legs while you rub his wet skin. “He’s slowing down. I can feel his heart slowing down.” He’s getting too cold out here—if Joel doesn’t act now, he won't make it, so he wraps the halter around the heifers head and hands you the lead. “Think you can pull her? She’s going to put up a fight.” You take the lead from him and nod, grabbing the light out of the snow while he picks the calf up under his belly. He makes a little sound at Joel while he starts to make his way through the deep snow.

It’s a long walk back to the stables, but you tug on that heifer and Joel carries the calf the entire way there, until he reaches the gate and manages to push it open just enough to get them through. He makes it to the stable doors in just enough time, throws it open and helps you inside. It’s not much warmer in here, but theres no snow and theres straw in the empty stable towards the back, so Joel makes his way over and lays the little calf down in the bedding. You’re right behind him with the heifer who takes straight to her baby once she has him in her sight again.

Joel plops down in the straw in the corner of the room once they are both situated, trying to catch his breath and warm himself up at the same time. He’s covered in blood, so are you, but you saved both of their lives and Joel has more respect for that than he knows what to do with. You risked your life out there for a baby cow and his momma.

“You did a good thing, out there. I’m sorry I didn’t want to listen to you.” You find a spot beside him in the hay and sink down, leaned against the wood wall with your shoulder pressed against his with how closely you sit. “You have every right to question me…you’re right, you know…I have no clue what I’m doing around here. Four years of school and the only thing I know how to do around here is the books, which is easy because were so broke.” Joel's heart aches for you, the sadness in your tone and the defeated look in your eyes. “I almost got us killed out there.”

Joel shakes his head and leans himself back against the wall too. “But you didn’t. You saved us a lot of money and saved his little life. I’d say that's a win.” He knows it doesn’t feel like one when everything else is coming down on your shoulders, but he can pretend it is for your sake. “Thanks, Joel.” You lean a little more, bumping his shoulder with a quiet yawn.

His pocket begins to burn again, but this time, it isn’t followed by the shame he’s felt all day. “I uhm…I hope it’s not weird, but I got you something…” he reaches into his pocket and starts to fish it out. “You didn’t have to do that,” you interject but he shakes his head. “I just saw it while I was at the feed store, thought of you.” He pulls out the blue box and holds it out to you. He tries not to read too much into the look on your face when you open the box, but he has to know. It looks like confusion, then shock and finally, sadness. “I was really rude to you this mornin’…and you had this in your pocket to give it to me?” You look over at him with big eyes, full of something Joel has never seen in them. “It’s alright—I deserved that.”

You shake your head and start to pull the necklace out of the box. “I called you a dog, Joel—you didn’t deserve that.”

He shrugs his shoulders, trying to rid both of you of the shame of that conversation. You hold the necklace up and admire it for a while, the little gold bee that’s going to lay against your chest, against your heart. You hold it out to him with a little quick of your lips. “Would you?” He takes it from you and you turn your back to him, using one hand to hold up your hair while he undoes the clasp and brings his hands around your neck, laying it around your delicate throat. It feels so intimate, sitting here in the hay beside a newborn baby calf in the middle of a snowstorm on christmas.

His knuckles brush against your neck gently when he does the clasp together, letting is hang from your neck, feels like a fucking brand on his skin. You turn back around, meet his eyes and smile carefully. There's a comfortable silence filling up the space between you, so Joel leans back against the wood and sighs to himself. “Let me walk you back to the house…it’s getting late.” His words are low and slow.

You nod at him and he stands, holding out a hand to pull you to your feet. He walks you out of the stables, through the blizzard and up to the porch of the big white house. “Where are you going?” You ask him when you get to the door. “Don’t know if I can make it back to the cabin in this. Might sleep out in the stable so I can keep an eye on the little guy.”

You don’t say anything, just stare at him for a long moment, then glance behind you at the warm house. “Come inside…Tommy took the guest bedroom but you can have the couch. It’s better than being out here in the cold.”

He wants to decline, but when will he get this opportunity again? To mend what's been broken between you? “Yeah—sure, that sounds better than straw poking me in the ass all night long.”

It makes you giggle and that makes Joel's stomach churn, his cheeks heat and his hands flex as he follows you inside. You get him a blanket, help him get situated in the low glow of the christmas tree in the corner.

When he kicks his boots off and settles down on the couch, you start to head for the stairs. He thinks you’re going to head up, but you pause at the bottom of the stairs before turning to look at him. “Thank you for helping me today.”

He hums, smiles and shakes his head. “It was my pleasure.”

There's another long silence, then you take the first step up the stairs. “Goodnight, Joel…Merry Christmas.”

He smiles back at you with tired eyes.

“Merry Christmas, Honey.”

#joel miller #joel miller fanfiction #pedro pascal #joel miller x reader #the last of us #joel the last of us #cowboy joel #pedro pascal fanfic

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cvrnelians · 11 months

Text

unfollowed - chapter two

Kendall has been building up the courage to talk to you for a while now. When he finds your Twitter account, he sees this as the perfect opportunity to get to know you anonymously, without any preconceived notions.

He didn’t mean for it to go this far. He’s planning on telling you the truth eventually, he really is! One day. When it’s the right time.

Ideally, before you figure out he’s not Greg.

chapter one

chapter two

He was going to give it back.

Honest.

He was just…taking his time.

Isn’t that what everyone in rehab kept telling him to do—slow down, regroup, take his time? Or was it to take time for himself? Maybe both? He wasn’t sure, he hadn’t been paying too much attention. He was too depressed to meaningfully engage in the 30-day inpatient program he most recently checked himself into.

It was more of a spa, really. So although his lack of engagement in the program didn’t go unnoticed, it didn’t exactly make waves, either. Facilities such as this—those that catered towards the upper echelon of society—could be as lenient as they were luxurious. Nobody got on his case for his meager recovery efforts, which was unheard of in past facilities he’d been to. Again, this place was really more of a spa. The bar was set low for those that paid big. He didn’t learn a whole lot, he didn’t make any real connections, he didn’t acquire any useful coping skills, all of which he had ample opportunity to do. During that month, he basically just went on the elliptical and swam a lot. But he got through it. And most importantly, he got sober.

He was fully intending to stay that way.

He had been sitting underneath a tree at the park, coffee in hand. He reluctantly chose to take the week off of work, having just gotten out of treatment. He was trying to do what he had been told to do: slow down, relax, do some "self-care." He wasn’t exactly sure what “self-care” was supposed to entail. The concept seemed kind of nebulous. If engaging in self-care practices involved the things he enjoyed, Kendall’s main joys in life were really pretty simple:

Personal achievement, and being able to share it with someone.

Limited edition sneakers.

Earning his father’s approval, even in just the form of a nod or the occasional pat on the back (...which was probably a little sad, now that he thought about it).

Music.

Hanging out with Stewy, but only sometimes.

Turtlenecks.

These days, though, he didn’t get much joy out of anything, so the idea of self-care seemed even more perplexing. Kendall had been doing…not so amazing for quite some time now.

Clinically depressed was probably a better way to put it.

Yeah.

He had arrived at a confusing place as far as grieving the loss of his relationship was concerned. At least he wasn’t completely miserable anymore. He accepted the situation to a certain extent, but that didn’t mean he was happy about it. He fully understood that being with Rava and their children as a family unit was no longer an option. And because he understood it, he respected her decision. He could concede that he hadn’t been a very reliable husband or father, which was actually kind of an understatement.

But selfishly, he missed them. A lot. He missed having his family there when he got home.

Rava loved him once, but now she didn’t. He couldn’t help but wonder who the hell was going to now. Certainly not his siblings, or his parents, or—considering how downright inconsistent he could be—his own children.

Most certainly not himself.

He was going to at least try and rebuild, though. He figured he would go out, get some breakfast, and run a few errands (with a body guard not far behind), things he rarely did for himself. Maybe it would feel good to be more independent.

His black sweatsuit, baseball cap and face mask had proven surprisingly effective in disguising him from the general public, to the point where he was able to take a stroll through the park without being recognized for the most part. Only a small handful of people stopped and squinted at him. This, he liked. Unfortunately, his amateur disguise (what he referred to as his “rehab uniform,” complete with Gucci slides and a depression beard, so far removed from what he typically wore) had also proven effective in making him feel more self-conscious.

This, he did not like.

But he liked you.

He liked you as much as he could like someone he’d never actually spoken to before.

In spite of having observed you for a solid five minutes now, as far as Kendall could tell, you hadn’t noticed him at all. He felt like a bit of a creep, but he was grateful you didn’t notice him. For one thing, he looked like shit. Even if he never talked to you, he wasn’t too keen on the idea of someone he found attractive seeing him like this. Not to mention, you were on the phone, and he didn’t want you to think he was eavesdropping on your conversation.

He totally was, though.

He heard you before he saw you. You had come and sat down beneath another tree a few feet in front of him. You were clearly exasperated. Someone had chiseled your patience down to nothing. This was made evident by your tone. Not exactly pleased.

“I give up.”

Those were the first words he heard come out of your mouth. You actually kind of startled him. Here comes this interesting looking person, saying the exact words he was thinking just as you walked by. He couldn’t help but wonder if he imagined it. He was curious. Who are you and why do you want to give up? And what do you want to give up, exactly?

You were quiet as you laid out the plethora of things you were carrying along the grass: a towel, a bag, a small book. The person you were on the phone with must’ve been speaking. He couldn’t hear them, but based on your response, he was almost 100% certain they were attempting to reassure you.

You spoke again.

“I gave up a while ago. I had to. It wasn't worth it. He may love you, and believe me, I’m glad you have that relationship with him. I really am.”

There was another pause.

It was a nice statement you made there, but Kendall wasn’t buying it one bit. He heard himself say those exact words to Roman and Shiv several times over, and um…

Well.

They were bullshit. He was bullshitting. He was bold-faced lying to them. He didn’t have to know you—or even who or what you were talking about—to know that you were bullshitting, too. For a split second, he wondered if you were a figment of his imagination; a dream, some form of wish fulfillment or something. He had only heard a few short snippets of your conversation, and already it felt like he was listening to himself talk.

“Ari, I’m never gonna earn his approval.”

Another pause.

“Dad hates me.”

Another pause, this time much longer than the other ones. Kendall sat there listening, willing you to say something. Go on… he wanted to say. He almost wanted to tell the person on the other end of the line to shut up. Go on…

The next sound he heard startled the both of you.

The opening notes of Sabotage by the Beastie Boys.

“Oh my god,” you lamented. You let out a loud "UGHHHHHHH." It took effort for him not to laugh.

“Oh, no. It's fine. I'm just gonna be late for that...thing. Really late. I accidentally set my alarm at the time I’m supposed to be there. I can't believe I did that. I feel bad, I don't want to waste any more of his time."

It was your alarm on your phone. You had set your alarm on your phone to fucking Sabotage by the Beastie Boys.

Was it possible to develop a crush on someone in under five minutes?

“Aria, I’m really sorry. I gotta go. I'll talk to you soon. Love you.”

You scrambled to pick up your belongings and sprinted away, accidentally dropping something behind you as you ran. You didn’t look back once in your haste to get wherever it was you needed to be so urgently.

“HEY!” Kendall yelled. He set his coffee down and ran after you, picking up what you left behind. You were running so fast you didn’t even hear him yelling, and he lost sight of you just as quickly as you took off. He ran for a good thirty seconds trying to find you, but you had disappeared into a crowd. Kendall sighed as he came to a stop. His bodyguard wasn't exactly happy with him. You left him standing in the middle of the park winded and embarrassed, clutching onto a book.

And here he thought all that time on the rehab elliptical would make him a better runner.

Hopefully you would realize you were missing something and turn around at some point. As he sat back down, he noticed that his coffee had fallen over and spilled onto the grass. Of course. He rolled his eyes and leaned back against the tree trunk. He would wait for you to come back, at least for a little while. And in the interim, why not do a little reading?

📚☕️

It was a book, but it wasn’t a book book.

He was amused to discover just how messy, almost comically chaotic the planner was. You had written and scribbled on any and every open space available to you in different colored pens. It was like an assault to his eyes. And yet, he could still make out every plan, event, or important date you had marked down. Organized chaos.

He could relate.

Kendall hadn’t owned a planner in years, not since he hired Jess. And even then, naturally she kept track of everything electronically. But there was something about holding a hard copy planner that felt satisfying to him. He noticed that you often checked off and crossed out your past writings. He wondered what it would feel like to look back on a list of all the things he had accomplished in a week. Maybe he would feel a little bit better about himself if he started physically checking off things on whatever his to do list was for that day. He would have something concrete to look back on and be proud of. Maybe you were onto something, archaic as it was.

He was perusing his way through the planner for while, even though he knew he shouldn’t. It was for a noble purpose, he justified to himself. He was trying to find your name and phone number so he could return it to you.

Not that your name and phone number were both on the first page or anything. Not that he had already found them when he first opened the book or anything. Of course not.

He looked for today’s date. There it was: Coffee date, 11am. At first he was a little disappointed, but he couldn't help but laugh. First off, you were in fact very late. Second, you had drawn a sad face next to it. “Why go on a date if you don’t even wanna go?” he mumbled to himself.

Seems like something I would do.

🌳🙃

“Dude, you already found her instagram. Just reverse image search if you’re that curious to find more,” Stewy said over a mouthful of pizza, grabbing Kendall’s phone out of his hands. “Do you seriously not know how to do that?”

Kendall grabbed his phone defensively. “Obviously I do. God."

He did not.

“Her instagram is like, ninety percent photos of her cat, anyway. What am I gonna find if I reverse image search that?”

“You never know,” Stewy shrugged. “Kinda not cool of you to look through this stranger’s planner, though. Those things are like lowkey diaries to some people. Sometimes even more personal. And then to just not even try and return it, and to look her up on social media...”

Kendall sighed. “I told you. I’m gonna give it back.”

“I mean, I guess I would be curious, too.”

“You would.”

“I mean, I guess as long as you give the book back, it's fine?”

“I will. And it is.”

“But, and I'm just playing devil's advocate here, Ken; you know I love you. You shouldn’t have looked through it to begin with.”

“Stewy, you know you would’ve done the same thing. You know you would’ve. I’m telling you this is nothing malicious or weird. I’m just curious is all.”

“Curious. And desperate. And bored.”

Kendall got up to grab his coat. He liked hanging out with Stewy, he really did.

But only sometimes.

“Alright. I’m going home.”

“Love you, too, Kenny!” Stewy yelled over his shoulder.

He smiled to himself. “Ah. A lovely cheese pizza. Just for me.”

🍕

lol well now we know how ken found her secret twitter. thank you so much for reading/liking/replying/reblogging the first chapter. hope you enjoy ♥️

#kendall roy x reader #kendall roy #succession #i lowkey have the funniest playlist for this story lol

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murmeloni · 1 year

Text

What if the private school Damian goes to has some kind of life experience programme where you have to work somewhere for a while and earn a living to see how it feels (a school in my hometown has something like that) and he gets sent to live and work on the Kent's farm in Smallville.

Clark, being the nice guy that he is, offers to pick Damian and Bruce up and accompany them so they won't have to fly alone and can get a sense for what to expect before Damian is left completely alone in a different state (never mind that that's probably just a Tuesday for him; Clark doesn't know). Bruce accepts, but the night before Clark is supposed pick them up a breakout happens at Arkham and Bruce is up all night capturing and wrangling the escaped inmates back into their cells.

Which means he totally forgets about Clark and he's exhausted™ when Clark gets there. He wanders down into the kitchen an hour late only to find this big, muscly bear of a man with the kindest eyes sitting at the counter, listening attentively to Damian's rant about farm animals and why the cow is obviously superior to other species.

Clark, hearing the footsteps, looks up and finds himself face to face with Bruce. Who is only dressed in very tight boxer briefs and his flimsy pink robe. His hair is sticking up every which way and there are still pillow creases on his face. He's gorgeous.

Obviously, they fall instantly in love and Bruce visits the Kent farm so often that the principal of the school calls him and tells him that the purpose of this programme is to let the kids work and thrive without their parents' influence and how he can't just fly to Kansas anymore.

#bruce wayne #clark kent #superbat #headcanon #damian wayne #kent farm

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nana-mania · 11 months

Text

“CAN'T LET GO” he refused to be separated from you...

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ oneshot

࿐*ೃ feat : ryusei shidou

࿐*ೃ fandom : blue lock

࿐*ೃ extra : gn! reader, yandere!shidou, slight nsfw, reader asks for breakup

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ RYUSEI was cuddling you happily, his arm securely wrapped around your waist before he pulled you closer to him until there was no gap left between you and him. He began planting tempting kisses on your neck, smirking in delight when he earned a soft moan from you.

You weren't feeling it today. In fact, your mind was in mess. You were scared to tell Ryusei but you knew you couldn't keep this to yourself much longer. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen. The burden in your chest was too heavy for you to carry on your own.

Whatever the outcome, you were ready to face it. It might hurt you, it might break you to pieces. But how long were you supposed to keep this thought to yourself? How much longer were you willing to put up with Ryusei?

"Ryu, please." Your voice sounded too meek, full of concern. "Not now... I'm not in the mood." You admitted, gently pushing him away. Ryusei immediately apologized and hugged you lovingly instead. "Oh, love. I'm so sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable?"

Your heart was tearing to pieces as you heard the obvious worries in his voice. God, you were in dilemma. Ryusei was perfect, a perfect partner for you. Loving, caring, considerate, kind, sweet.

He might be sexually active and addicted to touching you intimately but not even once he forced you into intercourse with him. He always started it slow first, seeing your reaction to determine whether you wanted it or not or asked for your consent first.

But one thing about him that you couldn't handle anymore; his violence toward people around.

Ryusei was way too possessive and obsessive. He didn't hesitate to raise his fist against others who glanced at you, whether it was a woman or man. He treated everyone with equal treatment. Even if they were clearly weaker than him and in disadvantage at fight, he would beat them to death.

His jealousy issue was superincumbent. People around were terrified to approach you because of his violent behavior. He was a danger to everyone else...except you.

There was one time a friend of yours was beaten up to pulp. Ryusei saw them talking to you and smiling at you. Before you knew it, you were sitting on the floor as you stared at Ryusei in horror. His tanned face stained with your friend's blood, his bloody fist mercilessly punched their face until their face was completely swollen to the point they were unrecognizable.

This led to a fallout between Ryusei and your parents. You thought he wouldn't do anything to them but alas, even your parents weren't an exception. Ryusei threatened them to not get in the way of his relationship with you or he would take you far away from the until they couldn't see you again.

To avoid more bloodshed, you agreed to Ryusei to live with him. You didn't want to lose your parents after losing all your friends. You loved Ryusei so much. He was the only partner who had treated you well, compared to your previous partner. His only flaw was his jealousy issue and his violent side that became danger to others.

Your parents had advised you many times to leave Ryusei. But your heart still belonged to him hence you were reluctant to do so. Yet, as time passed, you realized it was wiser to end the relationship before everything goes out of control.

And today might change your life forever after this. Whether for the better or for the worse, you wouldn't know unless you take a leap of faith.

"It's alright... I'm okay. It's just-"

"What's it, (Y/n)? Something on your mind?"

"Y-yes... actually I..."

"Hey, hey. Take a deep breath. Calm down and slowly tell me what's worrying you.."

Your heart was aching. Ryusei was very worried of you without knowing your true plan. Were you cruel for trying to do this to him? Was this the right move?

"Ryusei, I..."

It was time. You had to brace yourself for the outcome.

"I want to break up."

It took Ryusei a moment for him fathom your words. He stared at you in disbelief. "What?" his voice was cracking a little. Ryusei shot a look of exasperation as his gaze met with yours. However, you avoided eye contact with him, hanging your head low.

"No, no. This can't be happening. (Y/n), why? What did I do? Did I hurt you? Did I unintentionally force you before? I'm sorry if that happened! I was unaware-"

"No, you never hurt me. But you keep hurting everyone around us."

Your voice was shaking as you finally told Ryusei the reasons behind your attempt to break up. He fell into silence, his face that was clouded with anxiousness suddenly went expressionless. He raised an eyebrow, confused by your words.

"What about them? I purely intend to protect our relationship from third party. We can't let anyone ruin us... There is nothing wrong with that-"

"THERE IS! How could you not realize it?! Ryusei, you- you don't know your limits! You rough up people around so severely as if you purposefully intend to end their life—"

"Yeah, I do. That's what they got for seducing you!"

"They WEREN'T! How could you accuse them of such horrid indictment?! They were innocent! They didn't do anything to endanger our relationship!"

You got up from the couch, rubbing your face in devastation. Tears rolled down your face. You felt disappointed with his lack of empathy toward others. Ryusei stood up as well and grasped your shoulder gently. He couldn't bear seeing tears staining your face.

"Oh, love... I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you like this."

"Stop it. You keep apologizing but you always repeat the same mistake no matter how many times I told you."

"Hey, hey. I promise from the bottom of my heart this time. I won't...get violent with people around again, okay? So please, don't leave me. Let's stay together...forever."

"No...no..."

"Hey, hey, sweetheart. Look at me."

You didnt do as he said but Ryusei pinched your chin, turning your head to face him. He was smiling warmly at you. After all the harsh words you spat at him, he still wore the same warm smile you adored so much.

Ryusei cupped your cheeks, brushing off the tears. He planted a kiss on your forehead. "I swear...I swear I won't repeat that mistake in the future." He promised before pulling you into an embrace. He rubbed small circles on your back.

Ryusei acknowledged his limit to this promise. He realized it was impossible to contain himself from lashing out but if this was the only way to convince you to stay, he was willing to make more empty promises. Although he knew he would be labelled as liar again. He didn't care. His only concern was you; he wanted you and you alone.

You couldn't do this anymore. Your heart clenched in sadness. In the end, you didn't have enough strength to leave him. You didn't want to lose all this. His warm embrace, his bright presence, his gentle touch. You wanted to stay with him.

You were aware it was impossible to leave Ryusei. Because you would always find yourself going back to him regardless what happen. You broke down in the embrace, returning the hug at last. Ryusei smirked, knowing he had won your trust back effortlessly, again.

"...you promise?"

"I promise, (Y/n). I promise... I love you so I will keep my promise to the best of my ability. For you."

"You promise to not get violent, for me?"

"Yes, my love... I promise."

His soothing voice sounded too convincing for you to depict it as mere bluff. You nodded, believing in his words and even having stronger faith in him.

"I'm really sorry for bursting out like that, Ryu..."

"Don't be. You were stressed out because people kept pressuring you. I will make sure they won't bother us again."

Ryusei wasn't offended in the slightest bit. He looked into your eyes, his bright pink gaze flickering from your eyes to your lips.

"You know...I love you so much. I love you more than anyone else. You are my first and last love." Ryusei's arms wrapped around your waist, his hand dangerously moved down to your rear.

"I want to show you how much I adore you...again and again..."

You let out a soft whimper as Ryusei once again pressed tender kisses on your neck. You didn't push him away this time. Your finger entangled in his lock, string of moans escaping your mouth as he spoiled your neck with kisses.

"I love you too, Ryu...so much. So please...never stop loving me."

Ryusei smirked in your neck when he heard the familiar submissiveness in your voice. He knew he would never lose you. He had his own ways to make you stay through the most subtle way possible. He would do anything, anything to stay with you forever.

Because he couldn't let go of you. Never.

࿐*ೃ thanks for reading this short scenario! likes, interaction and reblogs are deeply appreciated ♡

#blue lock fandom #blue lock #blue lock x reader #blue lock x you #blue lock x y/n #oneshot #ryusei shidou #fanfic #x reader #bllk shidou #gender neutral reader #shidou ryusei #shidou x reader #shidou x yn #shidou oneshot #yandere #yandere shidou #blue lock oneshot #break up

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bonefall · 10 months

Note

What is Lion/Jay/Holly's relationship with Bramble like pre-reveal (it wont let me put a question mark pretend theres one here) I can't imagine them having a good relationship even before he stops being their father.

Similar to canon, BB!Brambleclaw wasn't a great father. I like him a lot as a character, his ego fascinates me.

Jayfeather

Of all his siblings, I think Jay was the 'wisest' in regards to Bramble. He kinda saw his reaction coming, or, was the least surprised by it. Probably because Bramble was never as prideful about him as he was about his two young prodigies.

All Jay's life, people are coming up with their ideas of him and refusing to let him change their minds. Brambleclaw was no different. Jaykit becomes Jaypaw, training under grunckle Longtail to become Jayfang, and then eventually earning an Honor Title as Jayfeather. At no point in this process did Brambleclaw stick up for him, in fact, Longtail filled that role more than Bramble did.

Longtail was the one who fought for him, challenged him when he was repeating the Clan's tune, taught him that his limits are drawn by HIS body, not where everyone else says they are. Brambleclaw...

He wasn't distant but he wasn't present in that process, either. He rarely talks about Jay as an individual-- he's spoken about in terms of the other two 'looking out' for him. He let him wander in the safe beech patch just above the camp with Poppykit when he was old enough, but Squilf was equally involved in that decision.

Forgotten middle child energy. Brambleclaw could be approached but rarely went out of his way for Jay. He could be a source of comfort but they weren't close. It didn't make the public disowning hurt any less, though.

Lionblaze

He was so proud to be Brambleclaw's son. Lionblaze adored both of his parents, all he ever wanted to do was to make them happy. There was a time where he felt like the strength in his claws was because of his blood in his veins.

Then he was given to Ashfur as an apprentice.

He was BRUTAL. Lionpaw knew he had a lot of potential to live up to, but he didn't know that training would be this hard and painful. He didn't know that what was happening to him wasn't normal... and Brambleclaw was the only one who had been told about it.

He did nothing. Ashfur had "explained everything" to him, buttered him up about how Strong his son was, how Proud he should be, how much like him Lionpaw was turning out. When he heard the same story again from the perspective of Lionpaw and Hollypaw, he ended up shrugging it off.

Lionpaw walked away thinking that you're supposed to suffer for strength. Not even that he "deserved" to suffer; no, he thinks that you don't have gain without pain. This is an expected part of life, and one day, he will be the very strongest in ThunderClan.

Going to the Tribe later taught him something else; that the point of strength is using it to protect others. So if you must suffer to be strong, and being strong means giving that to other people... what's left for you?

When Brambleclaw disowned them, Lionblaze IMMEDIATELY realized that this is why Squirrelflight lied. To protect him. he's obsessed with this, protecting his Clan. His love and respect for Brambleclaw soured with pain. If he has any left for Brambleclaw, it's hidden deep down.

He HAS no father. He has a mother. He looks Brambleclaw in the eyes and spits, "That's all I've ever had."

Hollyleaf

She was always the most promising of the Three. Apprentice of the deputy Brackenfur, Firestar's honored grandchild, daughter of two members of the Sundrown Patrol. Holly was forging alliances in other Clans as soon as she'd changed her career path.

She was very close to Brambleclaw. He spoke very highly of Holly and Lion, always seemed to 'have their backs,' at least in Holly's eyes. He used to tell her that she had to be an example for her brothers, and help him keep them in line.

And that extended to Lionpaw's Abuse. She learned it is necessary to hurt the ones you love to protect them in the future. She was taught that she is the most mature of her siblings and is therefore responsible for them.

He turned on her just like he turned on her brothers, but she was quick to accept this, turning her hatred on Leafpool and Squirrelflight. No more lies, no more Codebreakers.

After her 100-year-long timeout, she was shocked to come back to Bramblestar being the only one being petty. At first she was even a bit relieved, believing that at LEAST he was still holding her accountable for her horrible deeds in Cruel Season. That would have been cathartic-- it's nothing compared to what she did to the Kinships of the Lake, but it's some consequences from a living cat. Any consequences.

But... it's not about anything she did wrong. She stepped out of the tunnels to living, weeping family who missed her as much as she missed them. Their actions are based on love and yearning. Bramble's are just based on being fucking mad at his ex-wife.

Everyone thought she was dead and he can't take a break from giving Squirrelflight the Cold Shoulder long enough to welcome his daughter back like a father would. His greeting is the same as any other leader welcoming a warrior back after they've been gone for a while.

But, hey, if she's disappointed at him it's a nice break from being disappointed at herself. It's nice to care about these sorts of things again, and besides, she has crunchy leaves to step on with her CORPOREAL BODY. It's so nice to have MASS again

#Better bones au #BB!Po3 #BB!oots #Fallenleaf #BB!Lionblaze #BB!Jayfeather

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linawritestwst · 2 years

Note

hello, can I request a female reader who comes from a wealthy family and is very spoiled, but isn't a brat because they know money has to be earned with the dorm leaders pls. if not all is good

dorm leaders x s/o who comes from a wealthy family headcanons (fem!reader)

FINALLY AN ACTUAL WRITING POST JDKDKLSDLS. okay, okay, i'm trying to get back into writing, i really am ;w; i'm probably a bit rusty, i haven't wrote twst x reader content for a long time, but i hope you like these headcanons anyway, anon! i hope they're not too similar to the disney princess ones i wrote in the past, haha.

riddle rosehearts.

♡ he's gonna be honest, he didn't trust you at first. he did assume that you're gonna be a more arrogant and selfish person, considering how spoiled you are, but when he found out just how sweet you really are.. yes, that was a pleasant surprise. and when he sees you trying to do something without anyone's help, he really does admire you. but hey, you can ask him for help, if you need it, he's not gonna think you're too lazy or anything like that.

♡ riddle also was surprised when you thought the queen's rules were interesting and asked him to tell you more about them. like, he thought you'd be the last person to try and follow them. and then you said that you want to respect riddle's wish for everyone to follow the rules and you also just want to learn more about him. and what's the better way than asking him to help you memorize the rules?.. you were right, riddle did have a lot of fun, but then he started to slowly get distracted because of how cute your reactions were. you just kept going "oh, i see!~" and "how interesting, i'll make sure to remember that!", like, stop making him fall in love with you, y/n!

♡ when you start getting some VERY expensive gifts for him, he's torn between "y/n, i'm truly grateful, but you really didn't have to buy this for me" and ".. this is actually very beautiful". riddle really can't thank you enough for your gifts and his face gets red everytime he sees them, but he's not sure if he deserves all this stuff. when you assure him it's nothing and you just wanted to make him happy, he doesn't even know how to react. his heart just keeps beating faster when you are around and he doesn't know why.

♡ as riddle keeps learning more about you, he becomes ashamed of his first impressions of you. just how could he think you're rude and selfish just because of your family? you're such a kind and gentle person, you're like.. you're like a princess to him, haha. he doesn't know what to do with his feelings though, he wasn't sure if it's okay for him to accept your gifts, how is he supposed to know if it's okay to date you?? but um.. maybe his feelings are actually mutual.

leona kingscholar.

♡ .. he's literally a prince, so yeah, he's not that impressed. but yes, he's also a member of the "so your family likes to spoil you? oh, you're definitely not a good person" gang. and he's a bit jealous of how supportive your parents are, like sure, they get you a lot of gifts, but they also listen to you and they genuinely love you a lot. it must be nice to be a rich girl who's not only spoiled, but also loved and cared for.

♡ at first he tried to avoid you and said that he's not interested in talking to you, but when you kept on trying to know him better, he gave up. he just got tired and thought that if he tells you everything you want to know, you'll finally leave him alone. but he doesn't feel good about it, it's like.. of course, you'd expect him to eventually give up, you're used to getting everything you want. it's like he lost to you in a way.

♡ he's surprised that you're actually.. a very active and determined person for someone who's so spoiled and wealthy?? like sure, he already knew about kalim, but you had a completely different energy compared to him, so leona didn't expect you to be so curious about everything and wanting to become close with everyone. but he's not gonna lie, it's pretty fun to talk to you sometimes. though you are the one who usually does all the talking and this guy is just chilling, but he doesn't mind.

♡ leona can't understand what it is about you that makes him want to spend more and more time with you. he wasn't supposed to get attached to someone like you, but.. oh well, it's too late, he's totally in love with you. and people are not surprised at all, some of them even lowkey shipped you and leona, i mean, the prince and the girl who comes from an extremely rich family?? yeah, it was like shipping celebrities to them.

azul ashengrotto.

♡ IF LEONA WASN'T IMPRESSED AT ALL, THIS MAN TOTALLY IS. like hi?? hello there?? do you wanna chat?? wanna discuss some stuff with him?? this guy is treating you like jamil now, he keeps trying to talk to you, he is very nice to you and he tries to impress you all the time. floyd finds it annoying and says things like "man, azul has a huge crush on this girl, doesn't he", even though he knows it's probably not a crush. NOT YET.

♡ but then, it happens. azul finds out that you're not only extremely rich, but you're also a very nice person who genuinely wants to be friends with him. oh no, now he feels a bit.. wrong. like why are you so kind to him?? he knows you don't need anything from him, so why would you even be interested in him?? and you also said that you like his personality and you think he's pretty.. why are you doing this to him. stop there, cute rich girl, STOP RUINING HIS PLANS.

♡ and now, the tables have turned. now you are the one who follows him around and goes "azul! azul! come on, let's chat~", azul has no idea what to do, HE EVEN TRIES HIDING FROM YOU WHEN HE HEARS YOUR VOICE. meanwhile the leech twins like to see him suffer, so they always tell you where you can find him. and when azul asks "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT", they go "azul, we're just trying to fix your love life".

♡ azul even starts feeling guilty for trying to fool you in the past, it doesn't help that you said you like his personality, but that was just him trying to make you trust him. and he refuses to admit that he's in love with you, even though HE KNOWS THAT HE IS. he still tries to avoid you and push you away, because he feels like it would still be him lying to you if you two end up dating. so, if you don't want to lose him, you gotta tell him that you love him for who he is, no matter what!

kalim al-asim.

♡ YEAH YOU TWO WOULD IMMEDIATELY BECOME BEST FRIENDS. when people saw just how good you two get along, everyone went "they are definitely gonna become a couple, aren't they". jamil is SO TIRED of you two. you and kalim always know what to talk about, you have similar interests and sometimes you have moments that make you two go "haha, that was cute, but we're still just friends! :).. we're just friends. totally."

♡ you two would try to impress each other with cool gifts all the time. you'd be like "hey, kalim, look what i got you" and he'd be like "thank you so much, but look what I GOT YOU" and the cycle would never end. you just can't help it, you appreciate each other so much, you just really want to show how important this relationship is to you! but you two would never mention that all these gifts end up making you fall in love with each other even more.

♡ you would most likely have to be the one to confess your feelings to kalim, because even though he's not a shy type at all, he is pretty oblivious and he would think that you just see him as a friend. and even if you do see him as a friend, he doesn't mind at all! he just really likes to hang out with you and this relationship is precious to him, it doesn't matter if it's platonic or romantic. so, if you actually want more, you have to take that chance and tell him the truth!

♡ when you two become a couple, EVERYONE JUST KNOWS THAT YOU AND KALIM ARE GOING TO HAVE THE COOLEST DATES EVER. you and kalim never settle for something simple, if you are going on a date, YOU ARE GOING TO REMEMBER THIS DATE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. your dates are always fun, exciting and you two still end up giving each other way too many gifts. please go easy on him, y/n, jamil is the one who will have to figure out where he should put all of these. the urge to just throw them all out is strong though

vil schoenheit.

♡ vil also didn't trust you that much at first, though he had to admit that you have a really good taste in fashion. also your skincare/makeup products recommendations were very useful, at first vil was surprised that you know so much about it, but then he remembered that you can easily afford the best stuff. and as vil grew to understand you better, his conversations with you eventually started becoming much longer.

♡ when vil found out just how mature you really are, he started respecting you even more. it was a nice surprise for him when he heard you say that you don't want people to think of you as someone lazy and selfish, because even though your parents like to spoil you a lot, you know that money has to be earned and you're grateful for everything that you have. now vil realized that you're actually a very hardworking and responsible person and he enjoyed talking to you even more.

♡ it takes a while for vil to realize that what he feels isn't just admiration and respect and that he actually has a crush on you. and when he does realize it, he is a bit confused, this feeling is new to him, after all. however, he still makes sure you see him as someone more confident and now, when he knows that he's in love with you, he really does want you to see only the best side of him. little does he know that you already love vil for who he is and you'd still love him no matter what flaws he has..

idia shroud.

♡ yeah, he's also one of those people who judged you when they first met you EVEN THOUGH HE LITERALLY ALSO COMES FROM A NOBLE FAMILY. idia thought that you're either gonna be kalim number two or you're actually much more rude and you're never gonna stop bullying him.. and it turned out to be the first one. oh well, now he has a different reason to avoid you, you're not only extremely rich and spoiled, you also want to talk to him more and you run to idia everytime you see him.

♡ when idia keeps refusing to talk to you and runs away from you, you just start finding out more and more info about him and you start getting as much anime/game merch for him as you can. you know his favorite series, his fandoms, his main interests, you've also asked ortho (who's just a sweet innocent boy who wants you and idia to become closer) about what kind of merch he wanted to get, idia absolutely has to pay attention to you now, right? good job, y/n, this guy is NOT leaving his room but it's because he can't stop looking at all the things you got for him.

♡ okay. um. maybe you're actually not so bad. maybe he actually wants to know a bit more about you. but idia is still too shy and he's not sure how to start a conversation with you, so you'll have to be the one to make the first move.. though you probably knew that already. and you're alright with being the one who's more talkative! you're even okay with simply sitting next to idia in total silence, you just enjoy his company that much.. and you just have a huge crush on him.

malleus draconia.

♡ .. like leona, he's also probably not that impressed. however, if leona is much more suspicious of you, malleus doesn't think you're a bad person at all, in fact, he actually can relate to your problems a lot. when you say that people tend to be scared of you, find you annoying or simply think you're a bad person, wow, malleus gets it. hey, maybe you two can bond over your loneliness? malleus sure could use some company.

♡ you and malleus understand each other very well and you two become friends very quickly. he likes to hear you talk about your family, your interests and your life, and even though he can easily get anything he wants, he still appreciates all your gifts and he likes looking at them everytime he feels a bit.. sad. malleus gets attached to you very quickly and he makes sure no one says anything bad about you because of your status and family.

♡ you and malleus have a very strong relationship and you always know what to say when one of you is feeling down. malleus wishes people wouldn't judge you the minute they find out about your family, but you tell him you're used to it and you don't pay that much attention to it anymore. you have malleus now, right? and because of that, you don't have to feel so lonely anymore. and of course, this goes for malleus as well, he's very lucky to have someone as kind and understanding as you by his side.

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oh-saints · 1 year

Text

fight

rúben dias x you

part of the dad!rúben collection

word count: 1.6k

tw: endometriosis, health issues while pregnant, intrusive paparazis, implied violence

note: hello i'm back from the dead bcs i've absolutely GONE FERAL AT THE THOUGHT OF THIS ashsjklkkjkl but as usual, i happen to write things at dawn so this is certainly not proof-read yet.

similar to any other parents, the moment you and rúben found out you're pregnant sent you both to the moon. for you, it was definitely topping your list of "best moment of my life" by far. and for rúben, it was up there somewhere with the feeling of winning the premier league and the feeling when you walked down the aisle, looking regal in white only for him.

but probably more meaningful for you and rúben because in all honesty, you've been trying to have a baby for almost 2 years now.

your earlier issue with endometriosis didn't allow you to naturally conceive as easy as other wives and girlfriends of rúben's teammates, or as any other healthy women in general. you were actually at the brink of giving up and were actively discussing adoption with your husband, who is nothing more than supportive at the decision, bless him.

rúben being himself, though, had a way of predicting the future. that's your simplified explanation but in professional jargons, one of the reason pep bought him from benefica; his ability to read the game.

your husband suggested for another honeymoon, during the time he was injured, before he'd get swamped with matches again and you'd be busy with the whole adoption procedure. it was a weekend gateway to st barths, a place you both have never been, but the beauty took your breath away. but even more for rúben because goddamn, that man could speak words without actually using words. he's more expressive when his body takes control of the whole speaking thing, and you've never felt so loved and grateful to have found the meaning of love in rúben dias.

and to be loved by him, surely didn't lie. the 2 lines of the test kit stared back at you like they were meant to be taken seriously, like it was supposed to tell you to get a grip of your life instead of gaping so wide at it your mouth could've sucked it in. rúben had to knock on the door to make sure you were alright and didn't slip on anything because you tend to be clumsy—he’d made a habit to check up on you whenever you’re in a bathroom for more than 15 minutes because of your reckless nature.

after endless failed test, you truthfully didn’t know what to do. this kind of result never came to you. so you just opened the door, in hope he’d know what to do—he always does, usually. only to be met by your husband’s concerned face because you didn’t slip on anything but went back outside with an aghast face.

“what’s wrong, coração?”

you handed him the test kit wordlessly, with shaky hands at it.

rúben looked down to see what it was because he’d never actually seen the test kit. you’d always hide in a bathroom and come out shaking your head, and you never let him buy them on his own. why would you—

“what—”

rúben looked up to you and you were already brimming in tears, a silent confirmation he needed. “we’re going to the doctor. now.”

at first, he did it because he wanted to confirm it himself, that the test kit wasn’t lying. but on the second thought, should you be truly pregnant, the purpose of the trip to the hospital was to make sure your pregnancy needs are met and you’ll have a safe and sound journey until you bring the product of rúben’s love for you to the world.

but of course, life being life didn’t give you everything smoothly as expected.

if you want it, earn it kind of life had been rúben’s way of life so when the doctor told you both that you’ll face some dangers throughout the 9-month journey, rúben gained another purpose in life outside football. to flash a fuck you to world, for they can’t let you and rúben have a peaceful moment in life.

rúben made sure to get home early so he’d cook you dinner during your bedrest period on the first trimester, shocking everyone in the etihad perimeter because he always is the first one to come and the last one to leave. he arranges catering for your lunch on top of it all so you don’t have to cook when he’s not home. he flies your mum and his to be there with you on the days he has a match to go to. he keeps a book to track all your craving and blood pressure, as well as a sketchbook for the baby journey “so we can take a look at it again when they’re grown up.”

you and rúben agreed not to let anyone know beside your immediate family the moment you stepped out of the fragile period, as a precaution, having the taste of public eyes first hand. the moment you announce it to the world, your safe space would and should be compromised.

thus, your baggy apparels whenever you come to rúben’s home matches. it wasn’t often, only once a month or only when the big matches are around the corner. the fanbases and fan accounts still talk about your fashion, with coats and cute jackets and everything, and thankfully none of them has noticed your changing preference from high-waist jeans and wool skirts.

but rúben scores a fantastic header and you see no reason not to jump from your seat. you know he’s been working so hard on set pieces and his headers, only now does it pay off. ivan has to remind you to sit down and not overdo yourself because “rúben will kill me if anything happens to you.”

however, the camera catches your celebration and in less than 5 minutes, your phone rings like the world’s ending. well in a way, it is.

everyone called netizens immediately shoots out their fire, on the speculation you might be pregnant. some congratulate you already, some believe your pregnancy is the reason rúben’s scoring and his gigantic performances as of late, some criticizes you, some questions your decision to come to the match like you’re not carrying rúben’s world. your head aches not long after scrolling down the internet that ivan had to submit rúben upstairs to your box instead of you coming down to the tunnel like usual.

your husband crouches in front of you as soon as he sees your deflated figure, eyes closed in resignation. that’s when he knows the intensity level has reached emergency status because he knows you well and he knows you’re strong enough for both of you to make it through a catastrophe—it’s the reason he’s adamant to marry you anyway—so the word fucking hell escaped his mouth before he even realised it himself.

they didn’t say anything as he shared you his tightest hug, the kind you love the most after a tiring day at work. had she said one word about killing those people behind the screen, he would’ve done so in a heartbeat. only when you pull away, indicating you’re now good to go home, does rúben let go of you and the issue at hand.

he tells you to head to the car first because he needs to pick up his bag from the locker room. but that decision would hunt him down for life, as he watched you being swarmed and surrounded by reporters on the parking lot, camera shoved up on your face and flashes and clicks blinded your vision that you steps on your own feet and fall down.

the idiots don’t stop harassing her, though.

rúben’s feet had never run faster than that moment. pep might be calling him a deceit for never being able to break sprint records. and thank god he was a footballer, a centre back at that, so pushing and shoving people out of his way is within his job description.

rúben lifts his wife from the ground, and the shattering sound of his heart don’t escape him as he notices you’re in the position to protect their child even when you’re in danger herself from the ambush. he brings this to you, he brings this to you and his child, and rage takes over at the thought they both shouldn’t have suffered this side of rúben’s professional life.

if these brainless fuckers are suing him for collateral damages on the cameras he throw to the asphalt, rúben’s so ready to hire a hitman on each and every head count.

rúben doesn’t see anything else than red and only when he’s done strapping the seatbelt on you, you bring him back to life like natasha romanov brings back hulk to serenity. you hold him by his face, staring him down like he’s not capable of bloodbath until his breaths return to normalcy.

“enough, my love.”

and all the sudden, there was the calm, collected rúben you married 3 years ago. the one who loves you when you brush the strands escaping his perfectly styled hair after the match, so you do it and he rests his head on your palm when you’re done tucking the strands back in and hands now tracing his unshaved stubbles.

even when you’d just been tackled down, you’re the one who saves him. he’s not wrong at all about you being the stronger one for the 3 of you, strong enough for the family you both are building. and with the thought you have to still play death with god later during labour, he can’t help but fall in love with you all over again.

“te amo, meu amor,” he brings his head closer to yours to feel his world on his hands. “always and forever.”

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simp4manyppl · 9 months

Text

𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅- 𝑴𝑩𝑱 💞

1 A.M.

Y/n:

I hear the front door open and a sigh followed along with it, I'm sat on the couch of living room in our luxurious home, in my white lingerie and my rose silk robe, my hair in a messy bun, Wine in hand and an angry scowl on my face. The living room light catches his attention before he heads upstairs, he makes his way to the living room.

"Baby?" He calls to me, entering the living room, he lets out a sigh of relief with a smile.

"Hey baby" He beamed walking up to me, I finish my wine and stand up, Michael's smile widens thinking I'm going to show him affection until I walk past him and place my glass on the counter pour myself another glass. He walks up to me placing his arms around my waist.

"What's wrong baby?" He asks me, like hell, what's wrong is that we were supposed to be hosting a damn dinner with YOUR damn parents, I needed one thing from the store, you offered to go get for me. "Five minutes baby. Five minutes" Five minutes turn into an hour and your parents are here and I have nothing to serve them except some dry ass pasta and wine. and did I mention the fact that my mother-in-law despises me now more than ever? That's what's wrong. But am I gonna say that?

No.

Not yet at least.

"Michael... What time is it?" I attested, he lets out another sigh and slowly rubs my waist.

"I'm sorry baby, I know, it's late" He apologizes.

"Late...? Michael, it's 2 am, we were was supposed to have dinner with your parents 6 hours ago, 6 HOURS!" I fumed, I set down the wine and the glass and he lets me go, I turn around and face him, his face completely relaxed as if he's ready for what's about to come to him but before that happens I give him a chance to explain.

"So? where were you? with another woman, you're little play thang?" I accused him.

"By the time I got out of the shop, I had gotten a text from Bryson saying it was an emergency, and I headed there to go help him out" He explains, I scoff

"And maybe just maybe you couldn't call me and tell me that? Instead you had me waiting for hours with your parents who travelled to come see you and you weren't even here! I had to serve them some dry ass, plain ass food to my in-laws and now my mother in-law despises me more than ever all because my husband couldn't call me or text me to tell me that he's gonna be late and he we would be home around 2 A.m.!" I yelled at him, he stands there accepting the scolding which pisses me off even more.

"God! Say something!" I scream, I'm pissed, my fists clenched, and my face is on a whole different level. He wraps his arms around my waist and before I object he kisses me. slowly massaging my waist, I'm still pissed but before I can say anything he picks me up and takes me to our shared bedroom.

He sits on the bed with my legs straddling him, I pull away, he slowly pushes the sleeve robe to the side playing with my bra strap.

"Michael you can't just-" I exclaim before he cuts me off.

"You know I love you right?" He asks, I nod, His lips land on my neck and I feel his hot breath against my lips.

"So, what made you assume I was cheating on you?" He asks kissing my neck, I'm left speechless as I feel his bugle harden under me.

"Hm? I'm asking you a question honey" He spoke, I don't know what came over me, but I gave in, Michael pulls away from me and I begin to slowly ride him through his sweats earning a moan from him.

He stills my hips and I whine looking at him. I strip of my robe, he's taking of all of his clothes leaving him completely naked, I undress and slowly climb on top of him, I tease him with my already wet folds, and let out a soft moan. I look at him in the eyes challenging him to do something.

"I hate it when you tease me baby" He groans.

"Well you should've thought about that before you came home at 2" I remind him. He lets out a sigh

"I guess I'll have to do this myself"

He flips us over with him on top of me, his snobby smirk makes me flustered as I look away and without warning he's already in me. I arch my back in pain ad it slowly fades into pleasure.

"Michael!" I cry out as he continues to thrust in out of me. My around his back, my nails digging into his back, his fast and hard thrust's cause an early orgasam. before I can speak he lifts one of my legs adding to the pleasure, his thumb slowly rubs my clit all while he was inside me.

I'm a moaning mess my words are just moans, my body is in a sense of euphoria as he continues to thrusts becoming sloppy telling me he was close. Whitin seconds he came inside me along with my orgasam. he pulls out, his heaving breaths I'm still in a euphoric mode trying to recover, just as I am is hands cup my boobs as he slowly rubbing them I let out little moans, I watch him go down on me as he licks my clit.

"fuck, baby!" I whine, my eyes roll to the back of my head as he begins to eat me out. I buck my hip as another orgasam slips up. He pulls away, now his two middle fingers are in me and he's fingering me fast, curling his fingers on certain occasions, Before I can speak my orgasam reaches it's all time high and I release my orgasam without warning, I squirt all over his arm, he pulls out his fingers and licks the juices.

~An hour later~

We both lay back on the bed with exhaust and relief. My body is numb and I know I won't be getting anywhere today... I slowly turn to Michael as he cuddles me and we drift off to sleep.

(Hey! If you enjoyed this small peek of my mbj story you should go check out the rest of the story on my Wattpad @simp4manyppl on wattpad! Send a 🤎 so ik your from tumblr

)

#michael b jordan #smut #blackgirlmagic #blackdrama #black woman appreciation #black girls in luxury #classy black women #ebony #rich black girls #wattpad #Michael b jordan smut

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jakeysbuttsheeks · 4 months

Text

Godfather 1v

Warnings: profanity, age gap , mature themes, mentions of : overdose , drug use , substance use , death of parent , orphaning , other weird shit

Pairings: Jake X fem reader

Masterlist

You woke up in your bed , assuming Jake had carried you to bed last night after you fell asleep on his lap .

You were glad Jake and you had gone back to how it was when you were younger. You remembered particularly when Jake and your dad were barely adults and how much fun you used to have with them. It's a shame it had to end . But hopefully you and Jake could continue to keep it living through.

You took your time getting up , it was Sunday . But the thought of having to go work and your boss giving you a mouthful made you dread ever wanting to wake up tomorrow.

You grab your phone to see if your boss had replied to the text you sent him yesterday saying you couldn't make it to work .

Well fuck.

You slogged down stairs after you read the text your boss sent you , on your way to find Jake .

"what's wrong?" Jake asked as soon as you came down , he was sitting on the loveseat, watching some random show to down his coffee.

"I guess we both had to bear the consequences of having fun yesterday" you as you throw yourself on the couch .

"what do you mean?" Jake sets his coffee down on the short coffee table in front of him .

"I got fired" you sigh .

"the bastard! You're literally a kid! Does he really expect you to slog for him every single !?" Jake immediately got defensive.

"I guess so" you sigh again .

"I'm going to go find another job" you stand off the couch and decide not to waste another day.

"wait-" Jake stopped .

"I remember our manager saying we needed a- what's it called?- social media person- s social media strategist" Jake snapped his fingers when he got the name.

"jake-" you sigh " the whole point of having a job is so that I can pay you back for taking care of me and earn enough to get out of your hair without your help." You say .

"I'm only telling you there's a job for you. I'm not going to be paying you, my manager will do that" he says , searching his pockets for something.

"wait let me just call her" he says as he quickly pulls his phone out of his pocket.

"Jake you don't have to-" you shake your head .

"it's my job to take care of you and make sure you're ready to settle down on your own. Let me do what I'm supposed to" Jake says as he puts his phone to his ear .

You knew you already got the job before the phone call even ended . Ofcourse, Jake had to get his way.

"now you don't need to worry. You can just come to work with me" Jake smiles proudly as he ends the call with his manager. You didn't find it amusing. You didn't enjoy receiving things from people without feeling guilty about it.

"you really shouldn't have" you say , trying to prevent the corners of your mouth from drooping uncontrollably.

"why? It's about time you got into the music industry with your talents" Jake says , knowing this was going to be the start of something bigger . All the guitar lessons Jake had given you was finally going to pay off one day .

You would have more exposure to Jake and his band and understand how the music industry worked .

Growing up with a musically enriched community of people that got together and played tunes every weekend for your whole life did play a huge part in your secret desire to become a rockstar like Jake . But the idea seemed so impossible. You hated being on stage , and hated hearing yourself sing .

Jake had always been your idol and you secretly always wanted to be like him or- be with him? You didn't know . But you loved everything he did and you wished you could do it all with him .

When the band started exploding and Jake started touring, you'd watch behind the screen while you had to take care of your wasting away father .

But this was a chance . An opportunity to capture your dream . You wanted to earn it and not be handed it though. Jake knew that .

That's why he offered for you to start off as staff , to learn the music industry and perhaps beat it in hopes to share your own music with the world .

You remembered when the times you spent with Jake when he thought you guitar. He cheered you on when you got each thing right . He said you were gifted but you always believed it was all behind the teacher rather than the student.

☆⋆⋅─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────⋆⋅☆

You sat in your room and picked up your guitar that Jake had gifted you . it was lying in it's case in the corner of your room for a while. You plugged it in and smiled, reminiscing all the times you had with the guitar back when you were younger and didn't have to worry about adult things like money.

The first song to decided to play was a song that reminded you of Jake alot , baby I love your way by Peter Frampton. You adjusted the volume and gain so you wouldn't disturb Jake .

You started playing, descending into your own world, imaging you were on stage with the crown yelping for joy when they heard you play , adding on little riffs and licks . You wished you could be like Jake . Such a boon , here to heal all the world with his music.

Jake's ears perked the minute he heard the sound of a guitar that wasn't coming from him . He listened silently but you played so quietly, he could faintly hear your voice along with the guitar.

He couldn't help but creep his way upstairs, hoping to catch more of you playing and singing by yourself .

Your door was not closed fully , exposing a little crack , just enough to give him a good sight of you on your bed with your guitar on your lap .

His jaw dropped as he watched you , mesmerised , watching the way you so blissfully streamed into the song , strumming away while singing your heart out , little did he know , it was him you were thinking of while singing.

He couldn't help the hearts that swelled in his eyes as he watched you . Like he just knew you were meant for him .

He loved how you sounded and how you played guitar , like it was the only sound that could save him .

He loved how your eyes were closed tight , lost in your own word . And how you eyebrows were pinched together and tilted up , letting your emotions take over . He loved everything about watching you play and he wished he could watch you this way forever .

You abruptly stopped and practically jumped out of your skin when you heard a soft thump, you opened your eyes to see Jake by the door , with glassy eyes , his mouth dropped open .

"shit Jake you scared me!" You close your eyes tight for a second to calm yourself.

"that was fucking beautiful y|n-" he spoke like he was at loss for words as he opened the door wider to let himself in .

"you've gotten so good! You deserve to be on a fucking stage!" Jake yelled , walking into your room .

"shut up" you mutter , blushing hard.

"I'm not kidding! Jesus- you sounded so amazing" Jake says and you couldn't help but want to stuff your face in a pillow and scream .

"thank means so much coming from a rockstar" you smile , reminding yourself of who he was.

"don't kid yourself you're right there" Jake says as made himself comfortable on your bed in front of you .

"remember when you struggled to play F because it was a Barre chord and I made you keep trying so you threw a tantrum and said you hated me and said you'll never be like me?" Jake asked and you're eyes widened when you were reminded of something you'd completely forgotten.

"oh my god" you laugh , covering your face in embarrassment to think about how you screamed at him that time. You were in your raging teens.

"look at you now, Bloody spitting image of me" Jake teased and you shake your head.

"I'll still never be like you" you laugh lightly as you put your guitar down .

"you'll be better" Jake says placing his hand in your knee as you move to sit closer to him .

"no one's better than you" you mumble.

"everyone's better than me!" Jake scoffed with a laugh of disbelief.

"not to me they're not" you second.

"aw" Jake teased at your confession with a smug but also shy smile .

"okay you're not THAT great" you lie in embarrassment , rolling your eyes to seem like you're annoyed with him .

"sure. Liar!" he charges at you , tickling your sides because he knew that was where you were most ticklish.

You scream and fell back into your pillows , trying to get rid of him but all you could do was historically laugh in agony and wriggle under his touch .

Another thing you'd forgotten about was how Jake would tickle you everytime you lied as a kid . You dreaded his tickle attacks because he would never stop till you admit you were lying. And given he was much stronger than you , you couldn't fight him .

"Jake stop!" You scream through laughs , almost breaking into tears with the way your stomach contracted with hearty laughter .

"admit it" he teases as he fights your limbs to tickle you nonstop . At this point he was hovered on top of you , his hair falling down and curtaining around his face as he laughed at you menacingly.

"fine! FINE!" You cry out , barely able to breathe with the way you were laughing. He finally ceased and you whined in relief as your laughter died out, your cheeks aching.

Jake was still giggling, looking down at you with his arms propping his upper body over yours.

There was a silent exchange of intense eye contact before he lifted off you , clearing his throat as he sat back down by the foot of your bed . You sat up with his motion , still tired from laughing.

"are you coming with me to work or what?" Jake asks as he stand off your bed .

"now? Today?" You ask .

"yes today. Get your lazy ass up let's go . I'm leaving in 10" Jake says as he heads to your door . He knew fully well you weren't lazy and that you were actually very hardworking but he liked to tease.

He was excited to bring you to work with him for some reason. Excited that you'd be working with him and spending more time with him now . He was excited to have your skill . He was excited to have your company. He was was excited to have you.

Tags :

@mackalah @mindastreamofcolours @jjwasneverhere @themoreyou-love @gvf23 @sarah-gvf01 @thetroublegetssoloud71 @violetstarcatcher @brookekiszkaa @gvfmarge @mulberrimouse

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gothgril69 · 10 months

Text

Levi Ackerman/Fem!Reader Royalty!AU

Summary: You dream of another life, a simpler one under the rays of the warm sun, where you find love and your brothers live happily.

But you're destined to serve, to be the black sheep of the family and married off to whoever your father pleases because your parents can't seem to harbor any love for you. Your brothers will serve in the war, side by side with their Chevaliers, and you'll be left to pick up the pieces or die trying.

And the one you thought always hated you, will be right by your side to catch you when you fall.

Overall Warnings: themes of sexism, minor character death, angst, depression, minor character death, smut (please check ao3 for all tags)

Chapter warnings: graphic violence

Chapter Length: 10.6k

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ao3 link

Auguste lifts you up from the ground, arms wrapped around your torso as he hugs you. It’s not until he sets you down that Theo joins in, creating a group hug just like when the three of you were younger.

Todays the day. The day they all set off to the frontlines.

You’re only slightly less worried than you initially were. Your brothers (Levi and Furlan too) have assured you that it should be a short trip due to your engagement with Zeke, allowing both of the armies to fall back and finally come home. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, your brothers and father would be going to personally tell the Mirlenas army on the Northern coast that their time serving would be put on pause for now; the war against Kaslogon would be over.

But you still had tears streaming down your face, sobs shaking your body even as Auguste and Theo attempted to make you laugh – and they did, it just wasn’t without tears. Furlan had even given you a giant hug, along with Isabel who was crying right next to you. Levi only ruffled her hair affectionately, earning a goofy grin from her that made you smile.

“The voyage is a month long,” Auguste addressed you. “So give us at least three to see you again.” You nodded with a sniffle.

“I’ll play that song for you when I get back, Aeron,” Theo beamed at you. You let out a small, but genuine, laugh and gave him his own hug. You were going to miss your brothers dearly.

You step back to finally let them get into the carriage, watching as the group climbs into one of the two carriages that awaited them in front of the castle grounds that would take them to a rendezvous point. Levi was the last to go in, pausing for a moment. He turns around and meets your gaze, giving you a small nod – a promise, to do everything he could to get your brothers home safely. You nod back at him in thanks.

Your mother had already gone inside the moment she said goodbye, not waiting to see the carriages off. Honestly, you were grateful that she wasn’t still there because when they were finally out of sight, you fully broke down. Your sobs shook your whole body and if it wasn’t for Isabel next to you to hold onto, you would’ve surely fell to the ground. She cried with you as you embraced each other.

War was always a frightening thing, even if it was ending. There was no way of knowing that the group you just sent off would make it back to you and you’re not quite sure what you would do if they didn’t. You would just have to trust them, just like Auguste and Levi told you.

—

Time seems to move differently when you get lost in your own thoughts. Sometimes it moves slow to savor the torturous hours it provides you. Sometimes it moves too fast and one day you’re waking up wondering where all of it went.

You were experiencing both – in a limbo of sorts.

Time seems to move fast when you have Isabel’s company, often talking about your novels or enjoying the quiet air on morning walks. She usually brings you tea, sitting at your balcony table while the two of you share a pot before going on your walk. You’ve switched the time, now preferring the cool morning air opposed to the sunsets at dusk to avoid the summer heat. You no longer felt warm inside – not that you ever really did – now that you were typically alone. It didn’t feel right to have the sun warm your skin. The cold air would do just fine.

Time seems to move slow when you’re alone, sitting on your bed and simply staring out your balcony doors and curtainless windows. The castle is quiet without your brothers and half of the guards gone and you’re not sure what to do with the missing sensation of noise throughout the halls. Your mother does not come out of her room, choosing to have her mealtimes in her bedroom – not that you mind. You could no longer hear Theo and Furlan in the distance as he brushed up on his battle skills, Theo’s voice echoing through the castle gardens. You could no longer walk the halls and hear Auguste and your father in his study, discussing anything Auguste could possibly need to know about being a king. You no longer had Levi’s company throughout your days, even if it was just filled with bickering most of the time. It seemed as though even the birds had left, quietude filling their space.

Though you weren’t quite calm either. It felt odd – lonely. At first you thought it was nice to have the time to yourself, even if you missed your brothers dearly, but you soon found out it wasn’t quite living up to your expectations. You found yourself sitting up late at night most of the time, sitting, staring, at nothing. Your inspiration to paint had left you – although it wasn’t due to lack of ideas. You had the creativity in your mind, but it was being held captive by a force unknown to you.

You would look at your canvases across your bedroom, wanting to create the picture in your head and make it tangible; real. It just never seemed worth it to pull yourself up, to cross that invisible barrier your mind had laid out and just pick up the paint brush. You would let the ideas fester in your mind until temporarily forgotten when you picked up a book instead. It was easier to just lie there and read the words on the pages than create something from your own mind.

And then soon it would be evening, Isabel would bring you dinner, and you’d stay up late into the hours of the night until you woke up the next morning and did it all over again.

Perhaps it was because no one was really in the castle that your mind had turned against you in this way, but you had always made an effort to keep yourself busy before. Even when your brothers were busy with their own chores or duties, or your parents were too occupied by anything else to give you an ounce of attention, you still kept yourself busy. It feels as though you’ve never had as much time as you do now, just sitting and waiting. You suppose that’s really what you’re doing, waiting, and you’re getting quite impatient.

It’s been four months – Auguste said three. But you’ll trust them, because that’s what they told you to do.

—

Levi has never felt as uncertain as he does now. Erwin reassures him that there’s a plan – he always has a plan – but he cannot help but feel lost. He wishes they never left the Southern coast of Mirlenas, where the lavender grows in fields and the ocean is a stone skip away, the mountains bordering the town and protecting the mainland from their enemies. Levi has never been a man with a lot of comforts in his life, but anything has to be better than the bloody fields he’s walked across.

He has seen his fair share of bloodshed, rotten men behaving like animals, his own mother being abused by the men that frequented the brothel he was born in, but nothing could have prepared him for this. The Kaslogon soldiers were brutal, practically committing war crimes as they slaughtered the Mirlenas army. Bullet holes would be in the center of men’s foreheads, even if they were about to bleed out from wounds puncturing their abdomens or legs. Levi knows the Kaslogon soldiers had made their rounds, finding anyone still alive and killing them off rather than tending to their wounds.

Your brother had cried the first time he saw them, excusing himself back to the camp they had set up with the rest of the men accompanying them. Levi had watched as Erwin brought a comforting hand to his shoulder, guiding him into the tent and never leaving until the next morning. If your father noticed he did not say anything and Levi would not dare to point out the glaringly obvious affection the two share for each other.

He would remain strong for your brothers, two men that have never seen this side of a war. It was good that they were getting experience, but Levi knew if his own hardened façade cracked then your brothers would have no one to look to – they would feel like no one could protect them. Theo seemed worse off than Auguste, often stealing Furlan’s time just to talk about anything but their surroundings and leaving Levi alone.

He was used to it, sitting alone during the night and having his insomnia get in the way of finding a restful night sleep. It would be impossible even if he tried, the images of what he’s seen on their journey so far haunting him already. The aftermath of battle was not a scene he was fond of.

It had been four months – a month longer than what they had told you. Levi hopes you still trust them to make it back to you, but the longer he travels the more he feels as though they shouldn’t have given you anything to hold onto. They should have told you to expect the worst and if everything turned out to be okay then you would feel relieved.

Levi looks up at the stars, trying to find the one his mother always told him would guide him – the Northern Star. He thought it was silly to look for such a thing when he was just a small boy, laughing at his mother for her foolishness, but now it’s the first thing he looks for after the sun is gone over the horizon. He wishes he could go back and tell her that she was right, that it did always seem to guide him, but he likes to think that she already knows. That she’s simply the Northern Star’s neighbor, looking down on him.

She did everything she could to give him a good life, selling her body to put food in his belly even if Madame Elise, who ran the brothel, would have never let him go hungry. He would pickpocket in exchange for the wellbeing of his mother and his own, giving her his earnings when he was done for the night. He would give anything now just to hear his mother’s voice, the one that spoke to him so softly at bedtime before she fell ill and passed.

He startles when he hears the sound of a branch snapping behind him, alerting him to someone’s presence in the surrounding forest they had chosen to settle in for the night. He doesn’t make any sudden movements, eyes and ears alert for any motion around him until he hears a footstep right behind him.

He swivels on his seat – a small stump – and swings at the man behind him, knocking him out cold. He’s wearing simple clothing, but Levi sees the glint of the man’s broche under the starlight – the Kaslogon emblem, a golden crown, staring back at him. His eyes go wide in recognition, immediately scrambling to run back to camp that resides only twenty-five meters away.

He’s met with chaos upon his return, tents being ransacked and men fighting each other with knives or just their fists with only the soft glow of the torches aiding their sight.

Levi doesn’t spare a moment, jumping into action to save Theo from an oncoming knife as Furlan protects one of his other comrades. He swings at a man in front of him, buying enough time to pull a dagger from his belt and slicing the Kaslogon soldier across the neck, causing blood to splatter. He quickly takes in his surroundings, spotting Auguste being protected by and fighting alongside Erwin – he’ll be okay. Levi doesn’t have time to look for the king further when he’s unable to find him at first glance, focusing his energy on protecting your brothers and Furlan.

He sees Furlan kill a man in front of him, not realizing the threat coming from behind as Levi struggles to fight off the three men in front of him by himself. He has no choice but to watch as Furlan is shot in the back of the head from a man that had pulled out a musket as Levi knocks out one more man. It feels as though time slows in that moment, his best friend’s body collapsing to the ground with empty eyes and limp limbs. It takes all of Levi’s strength to keep fighting, to protect himself instead of running to Furlan’s body.

He doesn’t cry – he can’t. The grief hasn’t caught up with him enough to allow for it, the adrenaline pumping through his veins at too rapid a pace. His mind is telling him that safety comes first, that somehow Furlan might be okay when he walks over to him after he’s done, but Levi knows better. He’s seen men die before and he can only take comfort in the fact that his dearest friend died instantly and most likely without recognition of what was going on.

Theo’s scream rips him from the sight as he tries to locate your brother from the sound of his voice, only to see him staring down at his hand that clutches his abdomen before he pulls it away and reveals the crimson that seems to continuously gush out of him. The wound is brutal, too deep to stop any blood from coming out as Theo presses his hands to it. There’s nothing Levi can do, still immobile from the men that attack him now and he has no choice but to let Theo die in front of his eyes. He told himself he would give his all to protect your brothers, and he has. There was simply no way for him to break free from his struggle now, the sight of Furlan dying right before him breaking him enough to the point where it feels like he’s losing his strength even though he wants to help Theo so desperately.

Levi watches as Theo falls to his knees, before falling to the side in pain. Their eyes meet for the very last time as the light leaves his viridian eyes, a look of fear being the last thing he sees in them.

Levi’s heart feels like it stops.

And then it soon feels as though it might beat out of his chest, breaking free of the confines of his ribcage to allow him to fully feel the fury flowing through him without any inhibitions. He stabs the third man in the heart, walking away before he’s even fallen to the ground, and coming up behind the man that had pulled out the musket. Levi stabs the man in the neck, watching as blood spurts from his carotid artery and grabbing the musket from his hand as he falls to the ground.

Levi reloads it in record time, spending a precious ten seconds rather than the standard thirty, and fires it into the head of a man that was about to ambush Auguste. He looks at Erwin, simply nodding and ignoring the blood that drips off of his clothes as the two of them make a silent agreement to give their all to protect Auguste.

They quickly fire rounds off and kill anyone that comes close to them, protecting Auguste with their own lives. Levi is numb to the dull ache in his heart as he fights the rest of the Kaslogon soldiers off, focusing on killing the men as quickly as possible so they can be safe again – so your brother can be safe again.

When the last man is killed he finally takes a breath, his heart rate beginning to slow to a normal speed. He doesn’t notice the tears that have started to fall down his face despite the lack of emotion on his features, and he doesn’t notice the conscious Kaslogon soldier on the ground a few meters away from Erwin and Auguste. The man that he had rendered unconscious earlier as Furlan was shot was now reaching for the musket that laid next to him.

Levi only notices when it’s too late, turning around and throwing his dagger into the man’s skull just to watch Auguste get shot in the back and the musket ball travel through him, out the front of his chest at the same time. Auguste lurches forwards, falling straight towards the ground if it weren’t for Erwin’s arms wrapping around the man’s torso and supporting all of his bodyweight.

“Auguste, amour,” Erwin chokes out. Levi remains still, eyes wide in shock as he watches his Commander tear up at the sight of his lover dying in his arms. He can feel the clench of his heart, the loss of his best friends finally coming to the surface as Auguste fights for a breath.

“It’s,” Auguste offers a lazy smile, “okay, Erwin.”

“You stubborn man,” Erwin scolds through his tears with a humorless chuckle.

Auguste frowns and glances at Levi. “Protect A-Aeron.” Auguste’s eyebrows furrow as he grimaces in pain. “Front pocket,” he coughs, blood coming out onto Erwin’s chest. “For her.” Auguste looks back at Erwin, adoration and fear in his eyes. Levi can’t look at the brown eyes that had comforted you many times before, the ones that made you laugh for the first time in front of him.

He looks away, giving the two men their moment of privacy and allowing Auguste the comfort of seeing Erwin before he passes on. He can’t bear the sight of it, choosing to distract his mind by scanning the camp, ensuring the last of the Kaslogon soldiers are dead or gone. He checks inside each tent, coming to a stop when he sees the king’s body lying outside of the furthest tent, bloodied and broken next to two guards that shared the same fate.

A note is left on his torso, partly covered in blood, and sealed with gold wax that’s been stamped with the emblem of Kaslogon. Levi picks it up in his own sullied hands, opting to open it when he and Erwin have a moment.

He stands still, staring down at the body of the king. He doesn’t think you’ll be overly sorrowful over the loss of your father, but he hopes your mother does not retaliate or take it out on you. He tries not to think about all of the responsibilities you are going to have now that your brothers no longer walk the earth, the ones you never wanted in the first place. His mind briefly wonders what will happen with Zeke and how he cannot fathom letting the man take you.

“He’s gone,” Erwin’s voice sounds from behind him. Levi turns to face him, watching as one of his closest friends lets his tears drip down onto the cold earth below them.

He’s never seen the man shed a tear before and he’s surely never been one to have a way with words. “I’m sorry,” Levi frowns. “I should have seen the man on the ground before it was too late.”

Erwin gives Levi a sad smile. “No. You acted as swift as you could. I am sorry I failed at protecting them, but we both shall live without regrets of tonight, knowing we did everything we could.”

Levi doesn’t argue with him – he doesn’t bother explaining how he could have done more, how if he had just killed the man instead of knocking him unconscious then at least one brother would be coming home to you and Erwin would not be a shell of himself in front of him.

Erwin looks past Levi at the king that lies on the ground before his eyes find Levi’s again. They’re hardened, the tears no longer spilling over and instead the blue has turned as cold as ice. Levi simply lifts the letter in his hand to give to Erwin, allowing the man to take it from his hand with ease and letting his arm fall to his side. He feels drained, weak and frail, but he needs to collect the bodies of his friends – of your brothers.

He tries not to focus on the ache in his heart that now feels like it’s going to burn him alive, and he tries not to think of how he’s going to tell you that your brothers are dead, or how he’s going to tell Isabel that Furlan is gone.

Erwin’s arm stops him before he can walk to Furlan’s body. “I think you should be the one to give this to her,” Erwin tells Levi softly, holding out the letter from Auguste’s breast pocket in front of him. He looks up at him, wondering why the hell this man would make him go through something so torturous. He doesn’t wish to see the face you’re going to make when Levi finds the strength to hand you a letter written by your dead brother.

He doesn’t want to go home anymore. He doesn’t want to see the woman that reminds him of the very same lavender fields he trekked through to get here. He knows you’ll never forgive him for losing the only two people who ever truly understood you.

All Levi does is nod, accepting the letter anyway and promising Auguste and Theo’s souls that still roam the earth that he’ll do everything in his power to protect you.

—

Six months.

Six months have passed when Mrs. Kirstein rapidly knocks on your bedroom door, shouting about how a carriage has pulled up in front of the castle grounds.

You run as fast as you can out of your bedroom, pushing open the front doors and hurtling down the front steps of the castle so fast you almost fall down at least sixty of them with Jean and Marco yelling behind you to be careful. Your brothers were finally home, Furlan was finally home, Levi was finally home. You would no longer fill your days with nothing. Isabel would have Furlan’s company again and you could finally find your peace in Auguste’s kind words. Theo would finally play you that song. You don’t think you’ve ever been more excited for Levi’s attitude and bickering than you are now.

You skip the bottom step, jumping onto the gravel pathway that leads out to the dirt road in front of the gates that are already open. You’re grateful you had worn trousers today, usually foregoing them as of late in favor of a light dress and robe that was more comfortable, but Isabel had suggested going foraging in the nearby woods that bordered the castle. Your boots had already been tightly laced in anticipation of your day out.

You run as fast as you can, hoping that Auguste will be waiting for you with open arms and lift you into the sky just like he did before he left. Six months has been too long; the summer months had gone by in the blink of an eye and you assumed it would have made their travel easier – you didn’t think about the logistics as to why they would be months late now. The autumn air makes you feel more alive, ready to train your combat skills with Auguste and Theo, or take evening walks again with Levi and force him to accompany you while you read.

But when you reach the gates of the castle grounds you still only see one carriage when there should be two, and you only see Levi stepping out onto the dirt road. His eyes meet yours, but he looks different; he looks empty. You slowly walk up to him, the small smile not faltering still.

“Is the other carriage almost here as well? I expected all of you to arrive at once, but I suppose Auguste could have needed to stop in town before his arrival,” you ask, peering down the dirt road to see if you can spot the second carriage coming around the corner.

Levi doesn’t say anything, still staring at you when you look back at him. Your eyebrows furrow in confusion.

“What?” You tilt your head at him, that same stupid, oblivious, smile still on your face.

“Aeron…” His voice trails off, eyes looking at you with misery practically pooling out of their grey.

“Levi…” Your smile falls, realization rearing it’s head.

“Aeron, they’re gone,” he states plainly, as if it’s the easiest thing he could have said to you.

Your heart palpitates, all of your senses becoming numb for a moment. They’re gone. Your brothers that you sent off to end a war, were now gone and would never return to you. It was supposed to be an easy mission, a simple voyage to tell the frontlines that the war was over. They would rejoice and praise their king and return home shortly after, giving Auguste the experience he needed as king and Theo the experience he needed as the Prince of Mirlenas.

Auguste was supposed to lift you into his arms and set you back down so Theo could wrap his arms around the two of you and crush your ribs with a teasing smile. Theo was supposed to come back and play his song for you, the one he had written just for you. He had finally told you he loved you, something he was never good at doing when the two of you were growing up as brother and sister even though you knew he did.

But now, all you can do is stare at Levi, eyes and soul empty as you feel yourself collapse to the ground. Your knees dig into the dirt and you watch as water droplets fall to the soil as your tears overflow. You feel as though you’ve been ripped apart at the seams, only Auguste and Theo being the ones able to pull you back together and stitch your heart with such precision that it heals with minimal scarring. There was no mending you now – you were destined to be broken forever.

It’s when you stare down at the ground that your breathing becomes heavier, sadness immediately overcome by rage inside you.

You look up, a scowl on your features and absolute resentment in your eyes. “You promised,” you spit out at Levi, venom dripping from your words. You stand up just so you can stomp your way in front of him. “You promised!” you yell into his face. Your voice cracks with anguish, but you don’t even notice. “You told me you would protect them, but you let them die!” Your tears haven’t stopped, your voice continuing to falter as you yell at him. Your emotions feel like they’re boiling over, ripping your heart in two as it explodes against your ribcage. “I hate you, Levi. I hate you for letting the only two people that cared about me die!”

Levi is looking at you, a blank expression on his face as he takes you in and it only makes you more angry. You look into his eyes, seeing the same lifeless features mixed with an overwhelming amount of sorrow in the depths of the grey that stare back at you. Your heavy breaths and tears are the only sounds around you.

Levi watches you in front of him, feeling every word you spat at him pierce his heart. He wants to tell you how sorry he is, how much he truly tried to protect your brothers and Furlan, but he knows you wouldn’t hear any of it. He wants to tell you how he was the one to watch helplessly as Furlan was shot in the back of the head, or that he was the one that saw the utter fear in your brother’s eyes as he lied on the ground, helplessly bleeding from his abdomen so quickly that he was gone in mere seconds. He wants to scream for his friends, for their meaningless deaths that could have been avoided. He wants to be there for Erwin, to comfort the man who’s guided him through so much of his life on his path to becoming a Chevalier where he met Furlan in the first place. He wants to tell you about how there was so much love in Auguste’s eyes when he passed, some of his last words regarding your protection – he’s not even sure Auguste knew that Theo died.

But he would never reveal any of this to you – to protect you just like your brother told him to do.

He can see the fury in your eyes, your pupils blown out with rage as you look at him so scrutinizingly. He doesn’t even flinch when you pound your fist into his chest, sobs wracking your whole body as you now cry into his chest. You’re punching him, taking your anger and sadness out on him and he stands there, allowing you to do as you please if it will make you feel better at all. He wants to wrap his arms around your frame to hold you steady, to tell you it’ll be okay, but he can’t bring himself to touch you in such a fragile state. He’s afraid you would just push him off even if an embrace is what you need.

Whether you get too tired to continue assaulting his chest, or you know that it won’t do you any good, you stop and look at him. He stares back with furrowed brows and sad eyes, apologies and meaningful words on the tip of his tongue that he just can’t seem to speak aloud to you.

He stands still and watches as Mrs. Kirstein arrives with Isabel behind you. She grabs your shoulders and spins your fragile body away from him, guiding you past Isabel and into the castle walls – you don’t even look up at her as you pass. Once you’ve gotten at least twenty meters away his eyes focus back on Isabel who’s looking up at him with big doe eyes that are brimmed with tears. He has to fight back his own at the sight.

“Is,” Levi mutters, not knowing how to approach her. “I’m so sorry.” He knows she knows what he’s talking about, the obviously empty carriage behind him that carried no one but him home, leaving Erwin in town to drink away his sorrows for now.

Tears stream down Isabel’s face as she walks towards him. “I’m glad you’re okay, Levi.” Her voice is small and she gives him a sad smile before her arms are wrapped around him, pulling him into a much needed embrace. He wishes he could have provided this for you, but even now as Isabel pulls him close he can’t help but be especially aware of the foreign contact with someone else.

Levi and Isabel walk back to the castle grounds together, arms wrapped around each other’s shoulders in support as her silent tears continue to stream down her face. He’s never been more grateful that neither of you were allowed to go on that mission with them. He doesn’t think he would have made it with no one left.

—

You realize now that you never truly knew what loneliness felt like.

You’ve locked yourself in your room for a month now, never unlocking the door even when there was a knock that announced your meal times. You didn’t leave your bed – not until your kidney started to pierce your side with pain from not relieving your bladder. It was just so much easier to cover yourself with your blankets and stare at the patterns in the walls, the intricate detailings on the borders allowing you to focus on just the white wood. You wouldn’t even realize the day had passed until the sun was setting, or when the moon had shown it’s face and the sun was kissing it goodbye with it’s rising. You wouldn’t even know what day it was had you left your curtains hanging – you almost wish you had just left them alone when you were seventeen so you could be absorbed in the darkness now.

But all the while you simply chose to ignore your surroundings enough to disassociate, you were made painfully aware of the presence outside your door when you would hear the familiar footsteps, the sound being recognizable to you even after he was gone for those six long months. Levi has been standing outside your door since he arrived, never leaving except for what you would assume is sleeping or eating – although the man hardly does either it seems. You’re not sure why he has decided to stay near and you don’t bother telling him to go away. It’s too much effort.

You haven’t seen Isabel since that day, only Mrs. Kirstein has been delivering you food and tea regardless of how little you’re able to choke down. You feel guilty for not being there for the young girl, knowing shes suffering from grief about Furlan just the same as you are for your brothers. You’re only grateful for Levi in those moments when you think too hard about how you’re not the one there for her, but he is. At least she has someone to comfort her.

Your dreams and nightmares are the worst they’ve ever been in your life. Happy memories of Auguste cleaning the dirt off your cheeks after Theo pushed you into the ground, or repeats of Theo telling you he loves you and that he always has, he was just never good with words in that way. You wake up, ready to face the world and a smile gracing your lips for once until you remember that it’s not a reality – your brothers are dead.

Other nights are worse as you cry yourself to sleep just when you thought you didn’t have the tears to spare anymore. Visuals of what you imagine their deaths to be like and how gruesome they probably were float through your mind; images of Theo looking so helplessly into your eyes and Auguste’s own flickering with fear you’ve never seen before in him. You always wake up in a cold sweat, the coming winter air chilling you down to your bones, but somehow your skin is so sticky and uncomfortable you have to throw the blankets off your body in the middle of your panic.

You always try to calm yourself down, eyes wide with fear and breathing so labored you’re moments away from hyperventilating. Your cheeks are always stained with tears and they’ve fallen onto the nightgown you wear to bed that’s now sticking to every curve of your body in the worst way possible.

It feels like you’re drowning, lungs burning as you take deep inhales to make sure you don’t pass out again – the last thing you need is to succumb to any kind of slumber for fear that you’ll just wake up in a panic again. The only reason you let yourself fall asleep is because of the hope you’ll have a happy memory instead of the grueling nightmares, that maybe your mind can have a moment of reprieve from the harsh reality.

—

Levi always hears your struggles every night. If you’re not whimpering in your sleep, crying for Theo and Auguste to just be okay or that you’ll be there to save them, then he hears the unusual quietness of the night followed by soft cries and whimpers as you wake up from an undoubtedly happy memory since you’re not screaming. He wants to break down the door and run to your side, hold you until you feel normal because he knows you just feel alone – he’s familiar with the feeling. He doesn’t want anyone else to feel the pain of loss, to feel what it’s like to lose your sun that brightens your day for the moon cannot shine without it, and he can feel your light dimming everyday.

You would hate him more if he burst into your room uninvited, you would punch your fists into his chest as he tried to hold you, but at least he could be there for you. Levi misses your brothers dearly and doesn’t have to imagine what it feels like to feel such loss after watching Furlan die right in front of him – his own brother. Instead he stands guard by your door every day and night, only taking breaks to give him the nourishment his body requires and to check up on Isabel and make sure that Mrs. Kirstein and Mrs. Springer are looking after her with the utmost care.

It’s now, as he stands in the candle-lit hallways of the castle outside your door, that Erwin makes his way down the parquet flooring. Your distant soft whimpers of pain are coming through the door and Levi has to pull his mind away just to focus on Erwin’s presence in front of him.

“I’ve read the letter,” he states, leaning against the wall next to Levi. His voice is hardly above a whisper as he steals a glance at your door – he can hear you too. “She has a duty to fulfill.”

“Her brothers just died,” Levi scoffs, trying to be mindful of his volume.

“It’s been a month,” Erwin states plainly. “I’d like to have a meeting with her and I’m afraid you’re the only one that can ensure her attendance.” He pauses, glancing over at Levi before his gaze finds the flickering sconce on the opposite wall. “Have you given her–”

“No.”

“Levi. Auguste wanted her to read it.”

“It would break her even more,” Levi sighs and looks over at Erwin’s profile. His eyes are sharp, seemingly focused on the flame across from them, but Levi knows better. He can see the flickers of pain in the sea of blue, drops of anguish falling into their ocean, as the two broach the topic of your brothers’ deaths.

“She’s already broken, Levi.” His voice comes out harsh, probably harsher than he meant to, but Levi feels it all the same. “It would be something for her to hold onto. I think it could provide some closure.”

He pushes himself off the wall and a hand lands on Levi’s shoulder, causing his gaze to look up at the strong blond man in front of him. Levi can’t help but notice he looks anything but.

“Be there for her.” Erwin gives him a small smile, one that doesn’t even come close to reaching his eyes. “She’s angry, and grieving, but she’s strong. Give her something to fight for and she’ll succeed.” Levi can only nod, his voice is lost as Erwin removes his hand from his shoulder and takes a step back. “I need her presence in the meeting hall tomorrow at noon. Read this.”

He grabs Levi’s paralyzed wrist and flips his palm upwards before placing an envelope in his hand; the same one he saw on your father’s chest, but now with the Kaslogon emblem wax seal broken.

He doesn’t want to read it. He wants to throw it in a fire and watch the edges of the paper turn black and fall into ash as the wax melts down, sizzling as it lands on the burning embers below. Levi doesn’t realize Erwin has walked away already as he silently sits in his anger; he can practically feel the heat radiating from him. He unfolds the paper, uncaring whether or not the paper gets torn while his eyebrows furrow in simultaneous frustration and concentration. He watches the black ink reveal itself to him, blurry words exposing to Levi that he has tears in his eyes that he didn’t realize were about to fall.

He roughly swipes at his face with one hand and sniffles, clearing his face of any emotion before fully unfolding the paper and reading the messy scrawl in front of him. It’s addressed to you, and his heart palpitates.

Levi is seething with anger by the time he finishes reading the letter. If he didn’t want to murder the man before, he does now, and he can see images behind his eyes of the man perishing by his own hand. The hand that does not hold the letter is clenched into a fist by his side, the other one almost doing the same and wrinkling the paper in front of him. He has to take deep breaths just to stop himself from punching the wall next to your bedroom door – he can’t wake you and you would be furious with him for damaging the carvings you admire so much. He can’t let you read this, but knowing Erwin it’s inevitable with your presence being requested tomorrow.

You’ve gone quiet now, the stark silence almost startling Levi now that his breathing has slowed and he is no longer seeing red. Good. That means you’re either sleeping with no nightmares or you’re awake and no longer suffering from your dreams. He takes this moment of your peace to walk away from your door to find Mrs. Kirstein so she is prepared to take care of you tomorrow morning and ensure your presence at the meeting. He’ll have to knock on your door to inform you before she arrives so you are not mentally unprepared for what Mrs. Kirstein has in store for you.

—

You watched your brothers be buried two weeks ago, a large ceremony to honor them and commend them for their bravery. You attended only so you could say goodbye to them and caress both Auguste’s and Theo’s features one last time, but they were so cold; their skin like ice. Auguste’s curly brown locks had turned dull and Theo no longer held his boyish charm that you loved so much. You had asked to see their wounds and Levi had stepped in to refuse, putting a hand in front of the priest that offered to assist in pulling back the lower half of the casket and the soft fabric that covered the rest of their bodies. Although you had given him a glare, you knew he was right – why would you want to see how much pain your brothers suffered through? You had watched as they lowered the caskets into the ground and left as soon as the first shovel of dirt was thrown on top of the three people you had ever cared about. You had demanded for Furlan to be buried next to them because he had no living relatives – his mother had already died from sickness before he became a Chevalier.

You didn’t want to linger and receive the small words of pity people would throw towards you in hopes of making the pain lessen in your heart. Walking away was the easiest thing you could do at the time instead of listening to empty promises of a better future and apologies that never meant anything as soon as they left the person’s mouth. All you had ensured beforehand was that Erwin Smith knew his presence was welcome and encouraged so he could mourn your brother properly – you don’t want to think about what it would be like to lose your soulmate.

Levi had followed you wordlessly inside, remaining a decent distance behind in what you would assume was fear of being lashed out on again, but that was far too much effort for you. The one thing that you could be grateful for was that he remained silent as the two of you walked and he was never one for empty words. He meant everything he said despite his broken promise of protecting your brothers. You were internally working on forgiving the man for something he could not control, but it was easier to find someone else to blame for your loss. Mrs. Kirstein has been trying to convince you otherwise, to let God into your soul and find it in your heart to forgive, but you were never really a friend of His.

You now sit in your bed, staring at the blank canvases that litter your room, but not truly as your mind stays focused on recalling the events of the funeral and images of your brothers flash through your mind. Even then, your mind seems to be barely focused on that as you simply lose yourself in just existing, sitting here with no real motivation to move or take care of yourself. You feel like a hollow shell of yourself. You briefly wonder if Levi feels the same way, if he grieves the same way you do or if he is able to push through it. He hasn’t left your door since the day he came back and you can’t help but wonder why the man would do such a thing when he’s likely heart broken of the loss of Furlan and your brothers.

“Aeron,” His voice sounds from the other side of your door, pulling your gaze towards it as you blink away your dissociative state of mind. “Erwin requests your presence in the meeting hall.”

“Go away,” you yell back at him so he can hear through the door. You know your voice sounds empty, no malice lacing your tone, just exhaustion.

You hear him sigh through the door. “It’s urgent and your mother refuses to see him.”

“I don’t want to either.” You stare blankly at the carvings in the molding that surrounds your ceiling.

“Great,” he scoffs, “I’m sending Mrs. Kirstein in, she’ll help you get ready.”

You don’t get a chance to refuse before you hear the sound of his footsteps receding. You sit up in your bed, the thin nightgown covering your body practically falling off your shoulders and the loose tie in front threatening to come undone. Your hair is a disaster, having not been washed in at least three days – you’re not really sure – and you know the inevitable dark circles under your eyes will give away the amount of sleep you’ve been getting. You can’t bring yourself to care, simply sitting here as if you were dead already with a lifeless stare directed towards your bedroom door. You know you won’t have to get up to unlock it – Mrs. Kirstein has access to the master key of the castle. You are at least grateful that you’ve had your privacy thus far, knowing at any moment she could have come marching into your bedroom.

You hear the sound of a key being inserted into your doorknob before the door is slowly opened, only Mrs. Kirstein peeking her head through before she walks in fully. You look down, not wanting to meet her gaze just like every other morning, but today it’s worse – you finally have to leave the safety of your bedroom.

“Oh dear,” you hear her sigh. “Come here, sweet.” You feel the bed shift under her weight, her legs coming into view as she sits next to you on the mattress.

When you look up at her the tears have already started streaming down your cheeks – you thought you were done crying. She pulls you into her embrace, arms wrapped around you in the most comforting way possible, like a true mother’s hug. You briefly wonder if this is what your own mother’s arms would feel like and it only makes you cry harder when you remember what it felt like to be embraced by Auguste and Theo. You’re staining the fabric on her shoulder, but she doesn’t seem to mind as she squeezes you tighter, trying to calm down your fragile frame as your sobs shake your body.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, hm?” she mutters softly to you, arms still protectively embracing your body.

You simply nod, the tears still flowing but without any violent sobs that shake your body. She gently guides you off of the bed and holds your fragile frame so your knees don’t give out on you, straightening your nightgown so it stays on your shoulders enough to make it to the bathroom. You let her undress you, too weak to care about her seeing your body – you know you need the help. Her gentle hands untie your nightgown to let it fall off your body, her eyes meeting yours in a silent question of your consent. You simply nod, allowing her to hold your hand and guide you into the tub that she seemed to have already prepped before sitting down on the edge of your bed. Your concept of time and awareness of your surroundings are severely lacking.

You sniffle as you settle into the water, the subtle smell of lavender floating towards your face as you try to inhale. You spot the sachet of oats and lavender she had placed in the water to nourish your skin. You look up at her to find her already looking at your eyes, wrinkled eyes practically begging for you to let her help you and eyebrows furrowed with sympathy. You would hate that look being directed towards you if it wasn’t Mrs. Kirstein or Mrs. Springer. You nod again, wordlessly giving her your permission for help to bathe you because you’re so exhausted, limbs weak despite lying in your bed for what feels like eternity.

She takes the softest washing cloth you own and gently swipes it across your skin after lathering it with your lavender scented soap, the suds feeling heavenly against your once sweaty skin. Your nightmares haven’t gotten any better with last night plaguing your mind of dark and gruesome images of your brothers dying right before you. You’re suddenly very grateful for Levi’s interference at the funeral as you stare down into the water at your toes that scrunch against the cast iron edge of your clawfoot tub.

Mrs. Kirstein helps you out of the tub with a towel ready to wrap around your body after she finishes washing you – you barely felt her touch. You’re quietly dressed in simple attire to meet with the Commander with a loose dress and a hardly tightened corset around your waist. She leaves your hair down, allowing it’s natural texture to flow with minimal product to tame any wild strands and leaves your face bare. You stare at yourself in the mirror, imagining Auguste walking through your door and meeting your gaze in the mirror like so many nights ago. He would ask for your wrists and gently drop lavender oil so you could spread the scent onto your skin and he would tell you how beautiful you look before you had to leave your room.

You sigh, blinking to prevent any tears from forming, and turn to Mrs. Kirstein. “Thank you.” Your voice is soft, slightly hoarse from not being used and the constant choking you force upon yourself to prevent yourself from crying.

“I’ll send Levi in, madame.”

You don’t bother telling her no, knowing Levi will refuse regardless and appear whether you want him to or not. You nod instead, taking a seat on the bench at the foot of your bed to wait for him after hearing the door close.

There’s a short knock, followed by the creak of your door hinges and the sound of it opening and closing. You don’t need to look up to know it’s him.

“Are you ready?” his voice cuts through the silent air, unusually tense.

You look up, finding that steel grey gaze that seems to follow you everywhere now. “Do I have a choice?”

He clears his throat. “I’m afraid not.” He pauses, watching you as you sit on your bench and look at him. “I have a letter for you, from Auguste.”

Your breath hitches, your eyes burning from tears already forming. You refuse to cry – you won’t shed another tear. You look down at your lap to steel yourself in front of Levi and wait as your heart rate slows down to the point where you feel like you can breathe again. You don’t question why he waited so long to give you the letter or why Levi is even the one that has it in the first place. Perhaps it’s good that you didn’t have it right away. Despite feeling so heart breakingly empty everyday, you know that if you received the letter any earlier you wouldn’t have been able to handle it. You can barely handle the concept of reading Auguste’s perfectly written calligraphy on the stationary he kept neatly on his desk, a pristine capital A that would inevitably be written at the bottom of the page to begin his signature.

You swipe a hand over your face and stand up to place yourself in front of him. He reaches into the breast pocket of his tailcoat and holds out the folded piece of paper with your kingdom's emblem on the wax seal. It’s unbroken, and you ignore the small spot of blood next to the deep blue wax that seems to contrast so harshly. You take a deep breath, calming yourself down in order not to beat your fists into Levi’s chest from how much anger you feel towards the world that brews inside of you. He cannot be blamed for everything, and you try to will yourself to believe he has your best intentions in mind with delaying the delivery of the letter.

You take the folded paper from his hand. “I’m working on it,” you state, looking down at your fingers as you fidget with the edges of the letter, being careful not to ruin the paper. “Mrs. Kirstein believes I should forgive you, so – I’m working on it.”

You look up at Levi to see him blink at you, facial features giving nothing away, but you can tell he’s thinking about your words. After a moment, he nods and you take that as your sign to move on – that the two of you have come to some kind of understanding, but he knows your feelings are conflicted and full of anger still. You place the letter down on the edge of your bed and walk past him to exit your bedroom.

“Do you know what this is about?” you ask as he walks through your doorframe and you stand in the hallway to wait for him. He takes your conversational tone as an invitation to walk beside you instead of behind you. You don’t mind, you’ve always hated that feeling of him lingering behind you.

“Of course,” he states, eyes trained forward.

“No clues for me again?” you inquire, eyes focused on the stretch of hallway before you.

He seems to think about it for a moment, briefly glancing over at you before he speaks. “Erwin is better with words than I could ever be.”

You scoff. “Hm. That seemed to have worked out well last time.”

He says nothing, continuing his rigid stroll to the meeting hall by your side. You leave it at that, wanting to get the meeting ahead of you over with so you can return to your bedroom and wear your thin nightgown instead of the dress that feels like a bear has sat on your chest from the weight. Politics were never your area of expertise, always something that was left up to Auguste while you remained the artist of the family, the black sheep that didn’t have those kinds of responsibilities.

You turn the corner of the hall and Levi opens the second door to your left, gesturing with a hand for you to enter first. You’re met with Erwin and Hange’s presence upon entering, Erwin’s form slightly bent over the dark stained cypress table as he studies multiple sheets of paper. You spot gold wax on one of them, the broken Kaslogon emblem staring back at you, and you freeze in your steps. Levi bumps into you from closely following you, his hands ghosting the sides of your waist to stabilize you so you don’t fall forward. His presence is gone in an instant and your eyes are too focused on the contents of the table to even spare him a glance.

Erwin looks up at your paralyzed form. “Ah, your grace,” he greets with a slight bow. You grimace. “Thank you for coming. There are a few things I believe you should be aware of.”

You blink, continuing forward a few steps to stand by the rectangular table directly across from him. “If I’m doing this, do not bother with formalities,” you state bluntly. You hardly wanted your title of princess as it is.

“Right,” he softly smiles at you. “I’m not sure if Levi has briefed you at all–”

You humorlessly laugh. “No, why would he do such a thing.”

“Of course,” Erwin clears his throat as Levi makes his way to his side, in between him and Hange. “We’ve received a letter from Kaslogon, as I’m sure you’ve seen. Your mother refuses to be involved in foreign affairs and I have, unfortunately, been left to consult you instead. I think it’s quite imperative for you to read the letter and I can elaborate on a plan of action once we are all on the same page.”

“Who is this letter addressed to?” you ask, reaching forward to grasp the paper in your hand.

Erwin doesn’t miss a beat. “You, Aeron.” You look up at him instead of studying the broken golden wax seal, lips parted in surprise. “I suggest you sit down before you begin.”

You give him a curt nod and sit in the chair in front of you, still on the opposite side of the table, and flip the paper so the messy scrawl of ink is visible to you.

My Darling Aeron,

Your heart feels like it’s in your throat. You don’t have to check the signature at the bottom of the page to know the owner of the sloppy ink words in front of you. You look up at Levi, his eyes already staring at you with something you’ve never seen before; sympathy, pity even. You look back down to avoid it.

I hope this letter finds you well. Hopefully, everything has succeeded and you are reading this while your beloved brothers rot in the ground. It would simply be the cherry on top if that guard dog of yours joined them.

You can’t do this. Tears are pricking at your eyes, a lump already forming in your throat as you try to push yourself forward to read the paper. It was his doing. Zeke. He’s the one that caused your brothers’ deaths, Furlan’s death, your father’s death, and almost Levi’s death. You feel a tear escape your eye and you quickly wipe it away, knowing three pairs of eyes are staring at you now, and look up at Levi. You never wanted him to die, you’re not sure if you truly hate the man either.

He’s the only one you have left.

Zeke is to blame.

You swallow and look back down to keep reading.

Do not fret, darling, for I have a plan that will ensure you will be by my side for as long as we live regardless of your family’s death. Soon, my own shall follow and you and I will rule our kingdoms together in a peaceful harmony without anyone else in the way. I will always be there for you and I want you to know that I never wanted your brothers to perish, it was simply a necessary action to ensure your safety in my arms.

“A plan?” you choke out, looking up at Erwin with a bewildered expression. What could this man possibly have in store for the future of both your kingdoms? You want to laugh at his false claims of sympathy for your brothers deaths – they meant nothing to him. Erwin simply gestures for you to continue.

I’m sure this letter has the possibility of falling into the wrong hands before reaching you, but I assure whoever is reading this that my plan is unflawed. I will have your hand in marriage and there is no possible way for my own family to know of my planned actions before it is too late.

I look forward to seeing you again, my darling, and properly seeing your supple figure underneath my own without your guard dog to stand in the way of you returning to my chambers.

I love you with my whole heart,

Zeke Jaeger

You throw the letter onto the table and stand up from your chair, pushing it back as you begin to pace the room. You now understand why Levi hasn’t left your bedroom door – he’s protecting you. You’re the only thing he has left to protect. You can’t marry this cruel man and it makes you ill just thinking about the possessive way he writes about you, his promise of claiming you making you nauseous.

Levi has stepped away from Erwin and Hange, hesitantly reaching for you, but not being close enough to even come close to coming in contact with you. “Aeron,” he hesitantly mutters, unsure of how to approach you.

“He–” you choke on your words, “he’s going to- to–”

“He won’t,” Levi interrupts you, a scowl on his face as you whip your head towards him.

The tears in your eyes have inevitably fallen down your cheeks – fuck, you’re so tired of crying. “Levi,” you choke out, uncaring of how desperate you sound. “You can’t– can’t let him take me.” You’re pleading, begging, to be saved. There has to be a way out of this, a way to save yourself and the two kingdoms without sacrificing your own sanity and safety; your body.

Levi walks up to you and for the first time you welcome his presence, crave it even – something familiar to comfort you. Once he’s within arms reach you all but collapse into his arms as he wraps them around you, supporting you as sobs wrack your body. “He won’t,” he repeats, gently muttering into your hair as you let your tears soak the fabric covering his torso. You’re so tired. So tired of fighting that you’ve completely let yourself go and find comfort in the same man’s arms you claimed to hate your whole life.

“We’ve come up with a plan,” Erwin intervenes from behind and you lift your head to look at his blurry figure by the table. “I need you to be ready for it.”

You reluctantly let go of Levi, keeping your gaze fixed on the papers littering the table out of embarrassment of meeting his eyes. His arms fall to his sides as you make your way to stand next to Hange, a new sense of vengeance overtaking your surge of emotions – you’ll kill Zeke if you have to.

“Your mother will simply receive a letter to inform her of your involvement,” Hange joins the conversation, “We’ve been told by Mrs. Springer that she’s rather compliant and uncaring as to what the kingdom’s future holds. As far as she’s concerned the people are now under military rule.” They pause, seemingly gauging your reaction. “As far as the people are concerned…

You are their new Queen.”

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