The Varied Path (Akatsuki no...

By NotchesAndBullets

214K 10.3K 5.5K

Shin-ah x OC "I told you once, a long time ago, that you would have to choose which lives to save." Steel eye... More

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Cell
Chapter 2: Moonlit Excursions
Chapter 3: Reunion
Chapter 4: Secrets, Steel and Suspicion
Chapter 5: Confrontation
Chapter 6: Betrayal and a Half
Chapter 7: Hairpin
Chapter 8: Fuuga
Chapter 9: Repairing Old Wounds
Chapter 10: Intentions Revealed
Chapter 11: Out of the Dark
Chapter 12: A Fighter Called Notch
Chapter 13: Family Heals
Chapter 14: Departure from the Wind Tribe
Chapter 15: Encountering the Fire Tribe
Chapter 16: Yoon and Ik-soo
Chapter 17: The Prophecy
Chapter 18: Intent to Kill
Chapter 19: Hakuryuu
Chapter 20: The Gang's Antics
Chapter 21: Catacombs
Chapter 22: Seiryuu
Chapter 23: Second Impressions
Chapter 24: Complications
Chapter 25: A Token of Gratitude
Chapter 26: Passing It On
Chapter 27: Shin-ah
Chapter 28: Recuperation
Chapter 29: Friendship
Chapter 30: Looking for Ryokuryuu
Chapter 31: Awa
Chapter 32: A Hint of Green
Chapter 33: Former Pawn
Chapter 34: The Chase
Chapter 35: Internal and External Wounds
Chapter 36: Shin-ah, Calista and Hani
Chapter 37: The Warning
Chapter 38: Captain Gi-gan
Chapter 39: Senjusou
1K Special: Calista's Knives [Oneshot]
Chapter 40: Preparations
Chapter 41: Ambush
Chapter 42: Game Changer
Chapter 43: Setting It Up
Chapter 44: Insight
Chapter 45: Enemy's Den
Chapter 46: Courage
Chapter 47: Freeing Awa
Chapter 48: All Too Innocent
Chapter 49: Party
Chapter 50: Poison
Chapter 51: Farewell to Friends
Chapter 52: Ouryuu
Extra: Bathhouse [Oneshot]
Extra: Training [Oneshot]
Chapter 53: Blood Claims
Chapter 54: The Next Step
Chapter 55: Forgiveness
Chapter 56: Comfort and Dreams
Chapter 57: Hak and Yona
Chapter 58: Katan Village
5K Special: House Hunting [Oneshot] Modern AU
Chapter 59: The Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch
Chapter 60: Strategies
Chapter 61: Too Late
Chapter 62: Seiryuu's Power
Chapter 63: Aftermath
Chapter 64: Returned Feelings
Chapter 65: Hindsight
Chapter 66: A New Idea
Chapter 67: Underground Initiation
Chapter 68: Underground Initiation [Continued]
Chapter 69: The Triplets
Chapter 70: Unwelcome Newcomers
Chapter 71: Tae-jun's Poor Disguise
Chapter 72: Rich Boy's Back
Chapter 73: Arguable
Chapter 74: Chief Se-dol and Grandmother Mi-rae
Chapter 75: Eyes Opened
Chapter 76: Nightmares
Chapter 77: Changing Colors
Extra: The Girls Are Freezing [Oneshot]
Chapter 78: Following Up
Chapter 79: Patience
Chapter 80: Stranger Danger
Chapter 81: Battle Scars
Chapter 82: Ik-soo's Wisdom
Chapter 83: Parting Words
Chapter 84: It's Not Easy
10K Special: Beach Day [Part 1/7]
10K Special: Coconuts [Part 2/7]
10K Special: Snorkeling and Swimming Lessons [Part 3/7]
10K Special: Veiled Cove [Part 4/7]
10K Special: Campfire Talks [Part 5/7]
10K Special: Campfire Talks Continued [Part 6/7]
10K Special: Moonlight Dance by the Ocean [Part 7/7]
Chapter 85: Two Way Mirror
Chapter 86: New Destination
Chapter 87: Cramped in the Tent
Chapter 88: Senri Village of the Kai Empire
Chapter 89: Iza Seeds
Chapter 90: Breaking Down Walls
Chapter 91: Yona's Dance
Chapter 92: Jealousy
Chapter 93: A Mistake
Chapter 94: Overprotective Brothers
Chapter 95: Settling the Score
Chapter 96: The Request
Chapter 97: Light Humor
Chapter 98: Unexpected Guests
Chapter 99: Leaving Sen Province
Chapter 100: Mission
25k Special: Shin-ah and Calista's First Date [Oneshot] Modern AU
Halloween Special: Caramel Apples and Tricksters [Oneshot] Modern AU (Part 1/2)
Halloween Special: Caramel Apples and Tricksters [Oneshot] Modern AU (Part 2/2)
Extra: Among Us [Oneshot] Modern AU
Chapter 101: Li Hazara
Chapter 102: Tension
Chapter 103: Nightwatch
Chapter 104: Daybreak
Thanksgiving Special: It Doesn't Have To Be Perfect [Oneshot] Modern AU
Chapter 105: A Princess' Decree
Chapter 106: Scattering the Troops
Chapter 107: Revelation
Chapter 108: Caring
Chapter 109: The Coming Storm
Chapter 110: Everything's Interconnected
Chapter 111: Measures of Safety
Chapter 112: Kan Soo-jin vs The Imperial Army
Chapter 113: Return of the Happy Hungry Bunch
Chapter 114: End of the Fire Tribe's Rebellion
Chapter 115: Patching Up
Christmas Special: Personal Heater [Oneshot] Modern AU (Part 1/3)
Christmas Special: Personal Heater [Oneshot] Modern AU (Part 2/3)
Christmas Special: Personal Heater [Oneshot] Modern AU (Part 3/3)
Chapter 116: Dreams From a Long Time Ago
Chapter 117: Learning Reliance
Chapter 118: The Wanderers' Market
Chapter 119: Attracting Customers
Chapter 120: Yona's Feelings
Chapter 121: Hak and Yona's Unofficial Date
Chapter 122: A Hint of Trouble
Chapter 123: The Enforcers
Chapter 124: Planning in Advance
Chapter 125: Friends Forever
Chapter 126: The Annual Cull
Chapter 127: Day Two
Chapter 128: Until the End
Chapter 129: Rescue Operation
Chapter 130: By His Side Once More
Chapter 131: Detachment
Chapter 132: Warm Safety
50k Special: Quarantine [Oneshot] Modern AU
Chapter 133: Regarding Tae-yeon
Chapter 134: Healing Slowly
Extra: Heated [Oneshot]
Chapter 135: Sword Practice
Chapter 136: Their Pasts
Chapter 137: The Shisen Port of the Water Tribe
Chapter 138: Jae-ha's Chains
Chapter 139: Withdrawal
Chapter 140: Forced Normalcy
Chapter 141: Secrets in the Night
Chapter 142: Waking Up
Chapter 143: Nadai Infestation
Chapter 144: Three Clues
Chapter 145: His Breaking Point
Chapter 146: Don't Let the Darkness Hide
Chapter 147: To Take Action Means Putting the Rest Aside
Chapter 148: Silk Dresses
Chapter 149: Bodyguards and Boyfriends
Chapter 150: Performance of Light in Death Town
Chapter 151: Assault from the Addicted
Chapter 152: The Fight Rages On
Chapter 153: Conflicted
Chapter 154: Past Regrets
Chapter 155: Fighting for Each Other
Chapter 157: Lady Lili
Chapter 158: Returning Back to Everyday Habits
Chapter 159: Heart and Soul
Chapter 160: Infiltrating the Red-Light District
Chapter 161: Girls' Talk of Love
Chapter 162: Love's Stakes and Consequences
Chapter 163: The One Who Knows
Chapter 164: Resurfacing Insecurities
Chapter 165: Tentative Waters
Chapter 166: An Unfortunate Encounter
Chapter 167: Sharp Silver
Chapter 168: Flames of Resilience
Chapter 169: Unbridled Bravery
Chapter 170: Clinging to the Hope that Everything'll Be Alright
Chapter 171: The Impact of a Memory
Chapter 172: Lapses in Judgment
Chapter 173: Guarding the Moment
Chapter 174: No Such Thing as Tact
Chapter 175: Unashamed Gratefulness
Chapter 176: Pact
Chapter 177: The Son Siblings' Vow

Chapter 156: Never Give Up

602 25 93
By NotchesAndBullets

*Yeets a warning sign* A LOT OF SUGGESTIVE CONTENT, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED🔥

Under the glow of the soft moonlight shining through the window pane, their bodies entwined together. The wooden wall scratched against his back as the blue dragon shifted, tugging her impossibly closer. Now that everything had settled, he couldn't keep his hands off of her.

"I want to see you." Shin-ah whispered, tangling his fingers in her hair to bring the strands away from her face, his face brightening when the bells still attached to her hair jingled.

His gaze found hers and asked an implicit question as he toyed with the tie of his outer robe. Her cheeks colored but she nodded to show that she was okay with it. There wasn't anyone she trusted more.

"Shin-ah, w-wait a second." Calista protested meekly as he tucked his face under her chin, angling it just right so that he could plant soft kisses in an uneven path down her neck as he slipped his coat off of her shoulders.

Left only the scarlet top and short skirt from before that left hardly anything to the imagination, Calista blushed, covering her chest and curled in on herself, unconsciously squishing her knees against his hips.

"Don't stare at me like that..." She mumbled self-consciously, aware of how his gaze swept over her figure and drinking in every detail. But unlike the disgust she felt when those men were restraining her, she welcomed his attention, however flushed and embarrassed she was.

Shin-ah's golden eyes narrowed slightly and a hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Can't help it..." He mumbled under his breath as he traced a finger up and down her spine, evoking a shiver from her. "You're beautiful."

Pupils dilated, his golden gaze darkened until it was almost black due to the rage he felt in his chest. He practically hissed, his jaw ticking as he spotted the discoloration on her wrists now visible due to the moonlight.

"They hurt you." Shin-ah seethed through gritted teeth, his eyes finding its way back to the bruises on her neck.

Calista's jaw went slack as he picked her hand up with the utmost care, pressing a kiss so gentle to the inside of it that she couldn't process the sheer tenderness of it despite his frustrated words.

She swallowed as he gave the other the same treatment, her arms trembling as a chill ran down her spine. And this time, it wasn't because she was cold.

In an instant, she was being engulfed in his embrace, his build much broader than hers and she was just reminded how much their size difference was when she was void of all her usual layers.

The low rumble of his chest was accompanied by a tinge of possessiveness. "You're mine."

"Shin-ah, w-wait—" She cut off with a mewl as he suckled on her pulse point, gripping his shoulders but it was unclear whether it was to push him off or pull him closer. "W-What about you?"

That got him to freeze.

Calista tried to climb off of him, afraid she had made him uncomfortable and had gone too far, but his grip on the curve of her hips tightened, stopping her in an instant.

"Don't leave." He breathed quietly, with a touch of fear, and she nodded reassuringly before sinking back down into his lap.

"I'm not going anywhere." She murmured, tilting her head down to rest her forehead against his in the usual gesture that never failed to set his worries at ease.

His arms tensed around her waist as she softly kissed his cheek and his heartbeat picked up when she gazed at him with loving, silver eyes. She had come so close to losing all of this, giving up on him.

She was glad she didn't and was thankful that neither did he.

Shin-ah's eyes flitted about her face, unable to suppress his curiosity. "What did you mean?"

Pausing, a flush creeped up Calista's neck as she stuttered out a response. "W-Well... it's j-just that..."

She took a deep breath, exhaling sharply and she pouted. "It's not fair if you get to see me like this but I don't get to see you!! It's embarrassing, okay?!"

Shin-ah blinked owlishly but that cleared up his confusion. Working his lips slowly over the same part of her neck that he had lavished over earlier, he pulled a high-pitched whine from her as she wiggled on his lap.

"... You want to see me?" He drew out, his golden eyes twinkling with mirth as he lightly pinched her side.

It was not fair for him to make that sound so innocent.

Calista threw her head back with a groan of frustration but it quickly morphed into a moan as he gently kissed over the bruises left behind by the addicts, replacing what caused her pain with love instead.

Sparing her from any more shame, he drew back long enough to pull his turtleneck up over his head and tossed it to the growing pile of clothes in the corner, his characteristic shyness nowhere to be found as his pale skin was unveiled to her.

She didn't even get a chance to appreciate it because he surged forward, stealing her breath away once again. No longer putting up a fight, nor having the willpower to pull away from him again, she hooked her arms around his neck as she properly straddled him.

The heady groan that she swallowed from him stirred up her heart and she quietly whimpered as his passionate kisses became more and more invigorated.

Shin-ah couldn't take it any longer. His arm braced around her lower back securely, he grabbed something with the other hand and laid her down, nestling his body hesitantly in between her thighs.

"Is this... okay?" Shin-ah asked breathlessly as he hovered above her and scanned her face for any signs that she wanted to stop.

He had laid her down on the floor but thought ahead of time to cushion her back with his coat so that the flooring wouldn't dig into her back uncomfortably.

The heated makeout session left her in too much of a daze to respond properly with words. Instead, Calista shifted closer to him, hooking her arms around his neck and whined.

"Shin-ah..." She whimpered, unable to think of anything else to say. Her thoughts were only filled with him.

Shin-ah visibly tensed. His name sounded so good when it fell from her lips. He softly moaned into her mouth as he captured her lips once more, his hot hands roaming the expanse of her soft skin as more of that enticing costume slipped off.

The curvatures of her breasts and hips was a sight to be seen and his eyes roamed over her, committing the sight of her sprawled out and panting beneath him to memory.

"Beautiful..." He breathed in unbridled awe.

Calista whimpered, turning into putty at his touch. "Sh... Shin-ah—"

Back arching involuntarily, she bit down on her lip to stifle a moan as he swiped his tongue over her collarbone before getting dangerously close to her chest, trailing open-mouthed kisses all the way down her navel until he hovered in between her legs.

"Don't hold back your voice." He begged, pinning her wrists gently by her sides so that she could break out of it if she wanted to. "Let me hear you."

Calista keened as he peppered hot kisses on her inner thigh, her legs squeezing close when he suddenly bit down on the soft flesh, jaw dropping open and she cried out as the sharp sting of pain lulled into a pleasant numbness. His hands instantly shot to her thighs and kept them firmly open while he worked over her sensitive spot.

Shin-ah's smile was almost knowing as his darkened eyes flickered up to watch her writhe in place, brushing his thumbs desperately close to where she was feeling the most hot as he watched her reactions to his touch. 

"You're so soft here..."

Swatting at him halfheartedly, Calista's eyes screwed shut as he sucked on the fresh hickey he had just planted on her thigh. "Ngh~ T-That's not fair!!"

His pink tongue swiped over his bottom lip as he admired his handiwork and she shuddered at how provocative it looked coming from him. Something like that shouldn't be so erotic coming from someone who was so kind and gentle but it was.

Now that he wasn't taking away her air supply in the best possible way with his kisses that never let her intake any oxygen, she was given the opportunity to really see him.

And man, was he a beautiful sight.

His torso rippled with toned muscles as he continued to mark everywhere he could reach, being careful to only kiss the parts where she had sustained injuries or bruises.

Shin-ah's eyes went wide when she hooked a leg under his, flipping them over in one motion and scrambled on top of him.

Black hair tousled and eyes blown wide from his ministrations, she nearly fell as her legs trembled, giving away just how affected she was.

"Calista..." Shin-ah whispered.

A grin that could only be described as deceptively charming spread from ear to ear. Leaning down, Calista kissed the underside of his jaw lightly, relishing in the shiver that shot down his spine in his anticipation for more.

Her body positioned so that she was braced above him, denying the contact he craved, she giggled mischievously.

Nipping at that spot under his ear, she smirked at the strangled moan that emitted from his lungs and pushed down on him firmly when he tried to get up and take over.

She tutted lightly, her silver eyes sparkling as she hovered an inch away from his face and grinned. "My turn."

Shin-ah couldn't do anything but throw his hands over his face to hide how red he was as she ran her hands lightly over his defined pecs, shivering when she grazed against a spot that was particularly sensitive. But he couldn't hold back a whimper as she paid special attention to his clavicle.

He jerked when she bit down, breath coming out in short pants as she soothed the fresh mark.

Stammering out her name, his hands landed in her hair and on her lower back, urging her for more even though it felt like he could combust at any second with how much she was stimulating his senses. All he could feel and see was her. And he loved it.

Calista hummed, licking her lips as she gazed proudly at the purple splotches now adorning his neck.

"I figured it wasn't quite fair that people just know that I'm yours, you know?" She asked cheekily, winking. "Now, we're even."

Sliding over him with precision she usually reserved for missions, she took her bottom lip in between her teeth, glancing pointedly at how flushed his face was.

"Awww, you're so cute, Shin-ah." She cooed, tracing his jaw and he whined, pawing at her sides desperately.

Calista playfully rolled her eyes but caved in and indulged him in a kiss. Once he had had his fill, or at least enough to satiate him for now, she ghosted her lips over the marks she had left behind.

"You okay?" She checked in somewhat worriedly since he hadn't stopped shaking beneath her.

His face was bright red, putting Kija's face of embarrassment to shame and he wouldn't look at her straight.

"Hey, hey," Calista whispered, gently urging him to face her. "What's wrong? Did I go too far? Are you hurt?"

All her worries were diminished in an instant when he rapidly shook his head, refuting her concerns but refused to say anything further. So when he mumbled something under his breath, it wasn't exactly shocking that she couldn't hear him.

"What?" She asked, leaning closer, accidentally pushing her barely clothed chest into his and causing his breath to hitch.

"Can..." Shin-ah swallowed, his pupils blown wide. "Can you do it again?"

The concern melted away and her smile turned wicked. "Oh?"

Growing shy, he tried to hide but in a second, his wrists were pinned above his head. Like he had done with her, she was careful not to use excessive force. Judging by the expression on his face, he was rather enjoying this.

Calista tilted her head to the side as he squirmed, pretending to think. "Now, I believe you told me not to hide earlier, so you better not either."

Her soft lips ghosted over his ear and a thrill shot through her as he shuddered. "Let me hear you, Shin-ah."

It wasn't as though he had the iron will to deny her. She was too talented as she continued to coax more and more of those sounds out of him as she scattered deep, purple hickeys all over his neck and chest.

He was breathless and on cloud nine when she finished, finally satisfied with her work. When he had recovered, he sat up and pulled her to his chest, dipping his head down once more.

She might've been done but he wasn't.

Once he was equally as content with the painting of his canvas as she was with hers, he locked lips with her again, gliding his tongue over hers when she granted him entrance. While mind-blowing, this one retained an element of sweetness to it, resonating the love he held for her but lacked the ability to put into words.

But she felt it. She knew.

Shin-ah's eyes fluttered closed and his forehead touched hers, their breath mingling together with the close proximity leaving no room for any misunderstandings or errors.

Calista was frazzled, more worked up than she had ever been before in her life. Her hands fell in his hair as he buried his face into her chest now splotched with the prettiest dark blues and light purples. Somehow, this felt like the most intimate she's ever allowed herself to be with him.

"You know this means that I'm still going to be doing all I can for her." She whispered as she threaded her fingers through his hair, giving him one last chance to change his mind, one last chance to tell her that this wouldn't work so that she didn't get her hopes up.

He didn't give her a chance to doubt for a moment longer.

"You'll be as careful as you can?" He asked quietly, his thumbs caressing the faded scars on her back before smoothing over her stomach.

Calista nodded twice and a soft exhale left him.

"Then it's okay." Shin-ah murmured in confirmation, more to assure her rather than him.

He looked at her properly, lifting a hand to her face and cradled her jaw. Nudging his nose against hers, he smiled softly when she giggled.

As they sat there, their bodies tangled together on the floor of the dressing room where the owner had no idea what was going on, they stayed there; basking in each other's presence and endless love.

"That night..."

His eyebrows scrunched together and he huffed as she teasingly poked his cheek but that didn't deter him from asking her what had been on his mind ever since he caught wind of it.

"You and Hak... were talking about something?"

Oh boy.

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