#“i would have gotten it faster if you hadn't been preventing me by trying to take it!”

[theactualsunshinechild]

Seeing this post always immediately reminds me of a fun story from early on in my relationship that my partner and I affectionately refer to as

The Can Opener Incident

This was back in my college days. That semester I was living in a dorm that was more like a collection of small apartments on the very fringes of campus territory. My partner had come over to spend the night at my dormroom, and we were going about making some pasta in the little kitchenette. The pasta was already fully cooked and strained when we suddenly encountered a problem:

The canned pasta sauce I had bought was not a pop top, and rummaging around the kitchen for a can opener revealed that I had neglected to bring one.

Not one to settle for miserable, dry pasta on a cozy home date, I ran over to the dorm room next door and asked to borrow a can opener. They're a little startled to find someone knocking on their door at 9 PM, but they let me borrow it with no resistance. Upon bringing it back is when the problems truly began.

You see, all of my life I had used a can opener which you latched to the side of the can and twisted the knob to make the sharp ring cut into the top of the can vertically, parallel to the side of the can. This one looked similar, all the right parts were in the right places, so I gave it a shot... but nothing happened. My partner comes up and tells me I'm using it wrong, and I think to myself "oh, okay, so maybe he's used this kind of can opener before, I'll let him at it," and I hand it off to him.

The can opener my partner has used his whole life is the kind that you latch on to the TOP of the can, so instead of holding the handle at the side, you're holding it horizontally over the top of the can. I didn't know that kind of can opener even existed, so when he tried using this one his way, I looked at him like he was insane. This look quickly intensified as this method also didn't work. Things rapidly went downhill from there. He defensively explained the way his can opener at home worked, and I started pointing to the structure of the can opener and arguing why this one wouldn't work that way. We're a little frustrated, but it's nothing some pasta can't fix, so I propose I simply go over next door to the people who I borrowed the can opener from and ask them how to use it.

As I reached over to take it from him, he held it out of my reach.

"No! I'll figure it out myself!" He announced.

"What? Why? It's easier to just ask the owner," I argue, jumping around trying to get at the items.

"Because I can figure it out!"

Okay. Fine. I guess he wants to solve this like some kind of puzzle for enrichment. I give up and I wait. The fiddling begins. I'm standing there watching him try increasingly improbable methods of getting that thing to work over and over. The pasta is getting cold. He's testing methods that have already proven not to work, trying new methods that physically couldn't work, then trying the ones that have already failed us all over again. My stomach growls.

"We should really just ask," I grumble, hungry and frustrated.

"No, I've got this."

He does not fucking got this. I want my goddamn food and I do not have time for this puzzle solving.

"Give it here."

"No."

"I'm just gonna take it to the owners and ask them to show us how to use it, you can come with."

"No! I want to figure out out myself!!"

"And I want my food god fucking damn it!!"

This went on for a bit. The pasta was drying to the side of the pot and getting crusty. At some point during this yelling match I got so pissed off that I stormed out of my own apartment into the cold with no coat on.

'I need to make him see reason!' I thought to myself, making my way through the snow. One building over was where two of his friends were rooming together. I knock on their door, boiling with rage. It is 10 PM.

"Hey, can you come over? [Partner] is being completely unreasonable and obstinate over figuring out how a can opener we borrowed works and won't let me take it to the owner to ask. Please help me convince him to hand it over, I'm literally too short to wrestle it from him."

"Alright, let me grab my coat."

We head back over to my place to find my partner Still Messing Around with that godforsaken can opener.

"Let me see that for a second," says his friend, taking his coat off. I experienced a moment of relief, thinking to myself, 'Finally!' as my partner pouted for a second, but relinquished the can opener.

This peaceful glorious relief fizzled out into horror as his friend began to try to open the can the same way I had.

"That's weird. It really looks like it should work this way..." he mutters.

"Try it from the top, that's how my parents' works," my partner suggests.

"No no, that won't work, just give me a second to figure it out."

Oh my fucking god.

I stared blankly, watching them study the can opener and turn the can this way and that, both completely absorbed in finding the solution to this hour long problem. I was going to lose my fucking mind. Perhaps in that moment I really did. Shellshocked, I stood, wondering how it had come to this. I just wanted some fucking pasta and a relaxed night in, and instead I've gotten these goddamn STEM majors milling around in my kitchen at 10:25 PM arguing over how to use a can opener that isn't even mine. So I went and did what, in retrospect, I should have done ages ago: I went next door for help.

I can't imagine what my neighbor must have thought of me, showing up over an hour after borrowing their can opener, looking as if something inside of me had died, and, with a hint of desperation in my eyes, begging them tearfully to come next door and show us all how to use their can opener. Over an hour after borrowing it.

Well, whatever they thought of it all, they did oblige my pleas. Their arrival thankfully broke up the debate, and as all three of us watched intently as hawks over their shoulder, they cracked open that can of pasta for us.

Using it the exact same way I had tried at the start of it all.

It was just dull.

"I don't need a shopping list; with effort, I will remember that I need this item"

Okay but will you be able to remember that you already bought it? Because apparently I can't.

[cherrycola27]

Red, White, and Rooster

Series Warnings: Language, alcohol consumption. Frenemies to lovers, relationship of convenience. Political situations. Allegations of affairs, military and political inaccuracies. Eventual smut. 18+ Minors DNI. Banner Credit: @thedroneranger

Series Masterlist Previous Part Next Part

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Chapter 4: A Wedding of Presidential Proportions

You couldn't sleep when you got back to the White House. You were pacing the floor of your room, trying to fabricate a believable love story for you and Bradley.

You would say that you'd gotten close during his campaign, and he proposed the night he was elected. That would explain why he risked his life for you after the last debate and why you held the Bible and danced with him at the inauguration. That would be believable.

You also had to think of a wedding date. It would need to be soon. Now that the people knew, they would push for a wedding. You settled on October. That would give you two months to figure this out.

You'd have to tell your parents tomorrow because you knew they would have questions, but you couldn't tell them the truth.

You were furiously trying to write notes down when you realized you should probably check on Bradley. It was almost two in the morning. You hoped he was still awake.

You grabbed your robe and note cards before sneaking down the hallway. You knocked once on his door before it flew open.

"You can't sleep either?" He asked you. "No. But I've been productive. You say as you enter his room.

You spend the next twenty minutes going over the tale you have spun for the two of you. He sits silently and nods along as you pace back and forth across the carpet of his bedroom.

"So, does it sound believable?" You ask him once you finish. "It does. You've really put a lot of thought into this." He agrees with you.

"Now, for a wedding date, I was thinking October because by the time the story gets out, we will have been 'planning' one for a few months." You tell him.

"Do we really have to get married? I mean, William and Kate dated for ten years before tying the knot." Bradley points out. "Yes, but their engagement was about a year. Trust me, I've thought about dragging it out, but with the digital age we live in, it gives people too long of a chance to find out we are lying." You explain to him.

"Okay, so after we get married, how long until we can get divorced?" He asks you. You stop in your tracks. You hadn't even thought about that.

"Well—" you begin, "If we get divorced in less than two or so years, people are going to be extremely upset. It will look bad on you, and the tabloids will start fabricating stories of infidelity between us, and it would tank your chances at reelection and my chances of ever working again." You continue.

"But, if we get divorced after two years, that would be peak reelection campaign time, and again, people would be angry that their favorite first couple is breaking up and it would give your opponents fuel for a smeer campaign and probably tank your ratings and cause a scandal." You tell him. Then it hits you like a ton of bricks.

"Oh my god." You breathe out. "What?" Bradley asks you as he sits up from his chair.

"The only way to prevent this whole thing from killing both of our careers is to stay together and get divorced after you get reelected or lose the 2028 election. It would be at least four years of marriage. Four years of a lie." You state.

You can feel the heat rising in your chest as the anxiety sets it. You being to pace faster around his room. Your eyes are wide with a far off look in them.

"Oh my god, we can't do this. We can't commit to this for FOUR YEARS Bradley. What was I thinking when I said that? I'll tell you what—I wasn't thinking. I didn't want the media to brand me as someone who slept her way to the top, but now I've sentenced both of us to a life of scrutiny in the public eye!" You shout at him.

"We can't do this. I was wrong about everything I said. I didn't have a plan, I wasn't thinking I just did, and now I've screwed everything up." Your voice starts to tremble. Your chest tightens, making it harder for you to breathe. You can feel the tears welling up in your eyes.

Bradley can see the cracks in your armor starting to break. The facade that you wear so well is slipping. His heart breaks when he sees the first tears slip down your cheeks. He's never seen you cry before. Come to think of it, he's never seen you as anything other than put together. He's shocked to see you like this. Emotional, vulnerable, raw.

"Where's my phone? I have to call Jaycee. I have to have her publish a story saying that I was lying and that we aren't a couple." You choke out. Your hands are trembling as you try to unlock your phone, but it's no use. The device falls from your fingers and crashes to the carpet.

That's all that it takes for you to fall to your knees and sob. Rooster immediately jumps from his seat and pulls you close to him. You're babbling about how you're sorry to him and about how you can save his career by tanking your own.

It's killing him inside to see you like this. To know that he's the reason you're having a panic attack at three in the morning. He doesn't know how to respond. Normally, you're the one picking up the pieces for him. So he does the only thing his can think to do. He sinks down on the floor next to you and pulls you close to him. He tucks you under his chin and rubs your back to soothe you.

"Y/N. Y/N—please, take a breath. Look at me." Bradley tells you softly. He takes your chin and gently directs it to meet his eyes.

"Let's take a couple of deep breaths together. Come on, breathe with me. Breathe in—and breathe out." He directs you. He repeats this several more times until your breathing is back under control, and you aren't crying anymore.

"Okay, let's talk through this slowly. We have two options. We can get married, spend the four years together, and then get a quick and amicable divorce after the election. If we do that, we both have a good chance of being able to continue our political careers, right?" He looks to you for your approval. You nod your head.

"Or, you commit political suicide by saying what? You made up the whole thing because you didn't want the media slandering you?" He asks. "It seems like they would slander you even more if you said we lied." He tells you.

"I can tell them that I can onto you, I was harassing you. Trying to blackmail you or something. If I did that, it would save your image. I could never work in politics again, though. I'd have to leave D.C." You stutter out, the anxiety still not fully gone from your body.

The thought of you leaving made Bradley sick to his stomach. He couldn't let you give up your dream for him.

"No." He says. "I won't let you do that. I can't let you do that. I wouldn't be in this position of power if it wasn't for you. I can't do this without you. I need you." He tells you earnestly.

"We are already friends. We can do this. We'd only have to pretend for the cameras and in the public eye. Behind closed doors, it doesn't matter. We can fake it til we make it." He laughs.

"You sure?" You ask him. "Positive." He confirms. You nod your head and smile at him. He helps you up. You take a deep breath and feel some relief.

You pause for a beat, and Bradley can see the exact moment you put your mask back on. Gone is the vulnerability you'd just shared with him, and back was the bravado he'd seen you wear so well.

"You know you'll have to make sure any hookup you bring here signs and NDA, right?" You ask him.

"Come again?" He blurts out with a look of confusion. The sudden change in your demeanor has his head spinning.

"Look, Bradley, even if we have to be married for a bit, I don't expect you to be celibate the entire time. You won't be the first president to have a mistress, but you'll be the first with permission. You snicker at the last part.

"I mean I'll do the same." You reassure him.

Bradley is too stunned to speak. The idea of either of you having a lover made his heart ache. He couldn't stomach the thought of another man touching you or getting to see the side of you that you kept closed off from him.

"Yeah, I understand." He hesitated. The silence around the two of you was uncomfortable.

"Right. So, I'm going to call a jeweler in the morning so we can pick out a ring and make sure you memorize these cards." You tell him as you hand him some flash cards, breaking the tension.

"I have the ring covered." Bradley tells you. "What?" You ask him. Unsure if you heard him correctly. "I have the ring covered. I'll memorize the cards. For now, we both need to get some sleep." He rubs your arms in a reassuring way.

"Okay. You're right. Goodnight, Bradley." You tell him as you leave his room. "Goodnight, Mrs. Bradshaw" He calls down the hallway after you. You roll your eyes and try to ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

The next day around lunch, Jake storms into your room. "Wise-woman! Girl, what the fuck?!" He asks you.

"Jake, I don't have time for this. I was in a life or death situation. It was either fake engagement or political ruin. I did what I had to do." You explain to him. "I know, I know. Rooster already gave me the same speech. So you're really going to do this interview. Get married and all that jazz?" Jake asks as he comes to sit with you.

He flops down on the couch in your sitting room while absent-mindedly tossing a baseball in the air.

"Yeah, it's not ideal, but it keeps all of us employed. Well, let me rephrase that. It keeps you and Bradley employed. Meanwhile, I get to be paraded around as a piece of arm candy, and the only thing people are going to care about is what time wearing." You sigh.

"You know there are way worse things than being the First Lady of the United States. You think that no one is going to care about what you have to say, but Bradley will. He values your opinion more than any of his advisors. And you could have a serious social impact. Doesn't every First Lady have a platform that she focuses on during her time? Think of the change you could make. The good you could do in the world." Jake tells you. You hadn't really thought about it that way.

"Plus, do you know how many women in America would gladly take your place? I do, because I've seen the tweets and the tiktoks. Marrying Bradley isn't the prison sentence you're making it out to be." Jake finishes his pep talk to you before silently tossing his ball some more.

You sit there, taking in his words and processing them.

Neither of you is sure what to say until Jake speaks again. "So, on another note, your friend at the Post who's interviewing you—is she single by chance?" Jake asks you.

You laugh at his comment. Of course, he would ask you about Jaycee when you're having a crisis moment.

"Jake! You're such an asshole!" You laugh as you throw a pillow from the couch at him.

"Knock knock." Bradley comes in. "And that's my cue to go." Jake says as he gets up to leave.

Bradley comes and sits down next to you. He puts a small box on the table in front of you. "Go on. Open it." He tells you.

You open it, and your breath catches in your throat. Inside is the most beautiful ring you've ever seen. It's an oval cut diamond, easily five karats or better. It's flanked by two pear cut amethysts and set on a silver band.

"Bradley how—" you ask him. "Called in a favor." He tells you. You stare at it a moment before he takes it out of the box and slips it on your hand. "Size eight. Just like you said." He smiles at you. "Oval because of the Oval Office, right?" You joke with him. "Exactly." He breathes out.

"So, are you ready for this interview?" You ask him. "If I'm being honest, no. But I know that just like everything else, we can get through it together." Bradley kisses your cheek and pats your leg before getting up to leave. The skin where his lips touched buzzes with a familiar feeling that you're desperately trying to push back down.

Thanks to your careful planning, you made it through the interview with Jaycee. By the time you and Bradley arrived back to the White House, you were trending on social media, and #Wiseshaw was going viral. You had succeeded in pacifying the nation for a while.

Now, the real challenge began: planning a wedding.

..................

"Does it really matter so much about the flowers!" You groaned into the sofa cushion. The wedding was a week away, and instead, if sitting in on interviews for who was going to take over your position once you became the First Lady, you were with Jake and Jaycee picking out center pieces.

You had hated all of the aspects of planning the wedding. You hated them because over the past two months, you'd found yourself unable to deny the fact that you had feelings for Bradley. He truly was the man of your dreams, but the only reason you were able to have him was because of a lie.

Magazines, news outlets, and social media called you the perfect political power couple. The people ate up the engagement shoot you'd released, and the buzz of your upcoming nuptials was all anyone could talk about. People were rabid wondering what your dress was going to look like, who would be on the guest list, and most importantly, people wondered how long it would be until the two of you had children.

Of course, there was speculation that you were already pregnant due to how fast you were getting married from the time you announced your engagement. If only the people knew that your husband would never touch you like that.

You were broken from your thoughts by Jake.

"Yes, it really does matter, Wise- woman. You and the president are getting married. This is the closest thing America is ever going to get to a royal wedding." You looked at Jaycee and rolled your eyes because you knew Jake was right. This would be the first time a president had gotten married in office in over a hundred years. In the minds of many, this was a royal wedding. The two of you were the American Will and Kate.

"Jakey is just trying to be helpful as the best man and all." Jaycee tells you as she gets up to wrap her arms around him.

"If you two could keep it in your pants while I'm here, I would appreciate it." You tell them. You shuttered at the memory of finding out they were seeing each other. You had gone to Jake's office to ask him to sign off on some things, and instead, you found him and Jaycee, using his desk for purposes that it was not intended for.

"Oh c'mon, don't be such a grumpy gills. You'll be getting your taste of a man in power soon enough." Jaycee laughs.

"No, I will not. This marriage is a business arrangement. I'm not going to sleep with Bradley. I'm not even going to move out of my room." You tell them. You get up to leave as Jake and Jaycee shoot each other a knowing look.

.......................

Saturday comes quicker than you expected. All morning, people are fussing over you and helping you get ready. Jaycee is doing her best to keep you calm. You aren't nervous because you are getting married. You're nervous because your life is about to change.

You wonder if Bradley has the same knots in his stomach or if he is calm and collected.

The funny thing is, as he's getting ready, Bradley wonders the same thing about you.

He's paced around his room about five hundred times since he woke up this morning. You had no clue that Jake and Bradley's godfather Maverick had been trying to keep him calm.

He knows it's just about time, and his hands shake as he tries to tie his bow tie. You always make it look so easy. He growls in frustration before Maverick takes over. "The last time I saw a Bradshaw, this nervous was when Goose was getting ready to marry your mom. He was awful with ties, too." Maverick smiles at him, trying ease the tension. "They'd be so proud of you, kid." Maverick smiles as he smooths out Bradley's collar.

Soon, the wedding coordinator is coming to get them. It was time.

The wedding is to be held in the Rose Garden with a reception to follow in the banquet room of the White House. Everything is perfect. The chairs, the flowers, the table settings, the center pieces, the decor. All of it is fit for a wedding of presidential proportions. You'd spent two months going over seating charts, menu options, and cake flavors. Every time you asked Bradley what he wanted, he always responded with, "Whatever you want dear." You roll your eyes at the memory. Of course, he would be better in a fake relationship than any of your previous real ones.

As you put the finishing touches on your makeup, the thought of running crosses your mind.

You don't have time to ponder it though. It's almost show time. Your mother and Jaycee help you into your dress. It's a soft taffeta ball gown with ruching on the bodice. Its sleeves are slightly off the shoulder, and it has a jeweled belt at the waist. You could describe your dress best as "a modern take on Jackie Kennedy." Your mother helped you secure your cathedral length veil in your hair. She brushed a few stray hairs from your face before making sure your oval pendant was centered on your neck. Jaycee handed you your bouquet of lavender roses before grabbing the train of your dress and veil to help you out of your room.

Your father smiled when he saw you. Both of your parents were so proud of you. Their daughter was about to be the First Lady.

You took a deep breath as you walked out of french doors to the top of the staircase.

Your heart felt like it was about to beat out of your chest as your feet carried you down the steps. It felt like you were in autopilot.

The violin quartet began to play "august" as Maverick walked down the aisle, holding framed photos of his parents before sitting them in two reserved seats. Jake followed him with your mother before coming back. Several of his former Navy friends escorted your bridesmaids down the aisle. Then, Jaycee and Jake made their way down the aisle. As the song looped, you could help think about the irony of it all. The man that you were about to marry would never be yours, not really.

Soon, it was your turn. You smiled as you heard the first bars of "Wildest Dreams" start to play. If it was one thing Bradley knew about you, it was how much you loved Taylor Swift. It only seemed fitting that he would pick two of her songs for your wedding.

Damn him and his ability to give you butterflies. It wasn't fair.

Everything moved in slow motion. The walk down the stair case and down the aisle felt like the longest ten minutes of your life. You did your best to look the part of the perfect blushing bride, but it was so hard.

Looking out at the perfectly place chairs with their perfectly draped cloth covers and perfectly tied lavender bows made you feel sick.

The sight of the wooden pergola draped in in greens and tulle made your knees weak. The meticulous rolled out white cloth that was covered in dainty lavender flower petals for the aisle had the bile in your stomach rising to your throat.

Everything was so perfect. Or at least it would have been if this was real. Your father could feel you tense up as you reached the bottom of the stair case and turned to stand at the end of the aisle. He patted your hand to comfort you. Everyone rose up from their seats, and for the first time, you allowed yourself to look up and look at Bradley. He was standing at the top of the aisle beaming at you. Suddenly, all of the anxiety you were feeling melted away. A genuine smile crossed your face as you began to almost float towards him.

You watched him brush a few stray tears from his eyes.

Your eyes stayed trained on Bradley the whole time. If you didn't know any better, you'd think he was actually in love with you.

"You look beautiful." He whispered to you as you joined him at the altar. "Your tie's crooked." You whisper back. "Sorry, I didn't have help." He chuckled before the officiant asked everyone to be seated.

The ceremony goes by in a flash. You and Bradley exchanged vows and rings. And soon you heard the officiant say, "Mr. President, you may kiss your bride."

You lean forward to press a polite kiss to Bradley's lips, but in an unexpected turn of events, he sweeps you into his arms and dips you before kissing you. Everyone erupts in applause. The officiant speaks once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, for the first time, President and Mrs. Bradley Bradshaw!"

Bradley grabs your hand as Jaycee hands you your bouquet before you walk back down the aisle under a sea of flower petals.

During the entire reception, Bradley doesn't leave your side as the two of you mingle. You have your first dance as husband and wife to a slowed down version of "I've Had The Time of My Laugh. You grin at his nod to the first time you danced with him. After you finish, its time to cut the cake. You enjoyed smashing some of it in his face more than you should have. Your smile never leaves your face. You can't believe how easy it is to pretend to be in love with him.

But that's all it is, pretend. You've signed yourself up to continue this charade with him for the next four years.

After the reception, you change into a white lace tea length dress. You and Bradley board Air Force one. You have three days for a private honeymoon. Bradley releases his duties to Jake for the time being before you leave.

Soon, you're touching down somewhere tropical.

You're exhausted by the time you make it there.

The two of you get settled into your bungalow. All you want to do is change and get some sleep.

"Can you unzip me? I want to take a shower. There's two bathrooms here if you want to shower too." You inform Bradley. He's happy to help. He unzips your dress. He sees the white lace of the bra and panties you are wearing.

"Thanks." You tell him before trapsing off to a shower.

Bradley groans and adjusts himself before heading off to the other bathroom. God, his right hand is going to be tired after this trip.

After an hour in the bathroom, you finally come out. You find Bradley sitting in a chair watching TV.

"You aren't in bed yet?" You question him.

"I wasn't sure which side you slept on, and I didn't want to assume." He says as he gets up and gestures to the huge bed in the middle of the room.

"Oh, it doesn't matter. I'm not sleeping in here." You laugh. He looks at you confused before you go to the other side of the room and on unlatch a door he hadn't noticed before.

"Did you really think I wouldn't plan a head to make sure we had two rooms?" You ask him.

"I—I shouldn't have doubted your abilities." He tells you, with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"It's fine. Look, we've had a long day. We'll talk more in the morning." You smile and kiss his cheek before walking into your room. "Goodnight, Mr. President." You call to him.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Bradshaw." He calls back.

He hears the sound of the lock on the door clicking. He sighs before dropping back into the armchair. He runs his fingers through his hair before taking a look at the silver band that now adorns his finger. He twists it a few times and sighs.

How was he going to get through the next four years of this?

Little did he know that just on the other side of the door, you were dying inside too.

A special shoutout to @thedroneranger for beta reading this chapter and listening to my rambles!

Taglist: @daggerspare-standingby @shanimallina87 @teacupsandtopgun @hecate-steps-on-me @roosterscock @roosterbruiser @roosterforme @seresinsbabe @startrekfangirl2233 @soulmates8 @xoxabs88xox @avengersfan25 @blackwidownat2814 @loveforaugust @mak-32 @cottagecori @amysteryspot @heyimmadisonn @princess76179 @bradshawseresinbabe @sunlightmurdock @lt-bradshaw @cassiemitchell @die-cunt @mj-l4 @shipinabluebottle @malindacath @violyn20 @imawkwardlysoc @books-for-summer @blackroseboulevard @recordblues @desert-fern @luckyladycreator2 @katieshook02 @samhapner6 @sebsxphia @roosters-girl @diorrfairy @je-suis-prest-rachel @chicomonks @mizzzpink @a-linabean @amklibrary @gretagerwigsmuse @jstarr86 @actuallyazriel @krismdavis

[girls-alias]

Worry - Dean Winchester

Title: Worry - Dean Winchester

Words: 848

Relations: Dean Winchester X Platonic Reader, Sam Winchester X Platonic Reader.

TW: Violent, Wounds.

Prompt:

Trying to make Dean smile after a bad hunt.

Dean had driven recklessly to get back to the motel once we were ready to go. It was a nest of vampires and I had gotten bitten, nothing major but it hurt like a bitch. If I didn't know any better I would have thought that Dean figured I was dying. Dean took a couple of blows once I was bitten, taking a beating during the fight to keep the rest of the vampires away from me. 

Sam was giving me some stitches so it would hopefully heal faster and I wasn't in too much pain, nothing I hadn't felt before. Dean was watching me intensely with a drink in hand. Sam pulled one of my stitches a little tight making me wince but I still noticed Dean's knuckles go white for a second as he gripped the bottle a little tighter. 

"I'm fine you know," I commented but Dean scoffed. 

"You said that the last time you were injured," He replied in a tone I didn't recognise. It seemed like a mix of angry and upset. 

"I was fine then too," I shrugged but he sighed. I was shot a while back and losing a lot of blood. I stayed strong for Dean but I really thought I had come to an end. Dean hated my scars. Blamed himself for every single one of them, even the ones I had before we met. He'd always say that he could have prevented them but in all honesty, I probably gained more scars with him than before we met. Dean seemed especially protective of me, he seemed to look at me the same way he looked at Sam. We were all best friends and that's why I would take a bullet for them any day. I had so many scars being with them because we were always on a case, no time to rest or go sightseeing. I used to hunt for the sake of helping people but now I hunt to protect my little family. It's broken and bruised but there isn't a single thing I wouldn't do for them. 

"We said our goodbyes just in case," He added before taking a drink. 

"We only said goodbye because I thought you were going to faint at the sight of the blood," I joked not making him laugh. Sam chuckled, however. 

"This is serious," He replied sternly but I still smiled. 

"It's a bite, not a heart attack. No blood got on it and no blood is coming from it any more," I joked but once again he didn't laugh. Sam finished up the stitches and handed me a drink to pour over it to clean it but I took a sip before doing so. I made sure to look Dean in the eyes and not show any pain. I think the only reason I'm alive is that I'm so stubborn. Dean lifted an eyebrow at me as if he was slightly surprised. I don't see why. I am great at hiding pain, learnt to get on with it the longer I was in the hunting game. There was a time I was being tortured for information and he pissed me off so I stopped screaming, he got really mad and almost killed me but I was stubborn enough to hide it. 

"How do we know vampire blood didn't get into it?" He asked seriously as he stood up to get some more alcohol. I scoffed. 

"Because the only reason I want to bite you is that you're incredibly handsome," I replied sarcastically. He sighed as he rolled his eyes. "Look, I'm fine, you haven't even asked how I'm feeling you're just assuming I'm going to die," I commented but he turned around with a stern face. 

"You could have been killed," He spoke seriously so I knew I had to bring the conversation down a notch. 

"There are plenty of times I could have been killed and we all know I'm too stubborn to die," I commented and he chuckled slightly making me smile. "Remember that time I jumped in front of Sam to take a bullet for him but I slipped and all that happened was I hit my head on the concrete and Sam still got shot," I anecdote making us all laugh. It was a hilarious day. Dean was worried out of his mind but Sam and I were delirious from the pain and laughing our asses' off. 

Dean sighed with a smile. "Can you just start being more careful?" He asked so I pretended to think about it. 

"I can't, you and Sam are the strong ones, I'm no one if I'm not stubborn and clumsy." I shrugged making him laugh. He approached and hugged me with a sigh. 

"You're going to give me a heart attack," He commented as he pulled away and made his way to his seat. I chuckled slightly. 

"At least we know you have a heart," I joked before skipping across the room in case he tried to attack me, they just both laughed. 

I love this deranged family.

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[nethhiri]

Marooned: Chapter 40

Kid x FemReader x Killer

Warnings: violence, gore, body horror

Reckless and Feckless

You were ready to find that little bilge rat who interrupted you and beat him so hard his grandkids would feel it. However, the moment you stepped on deck, there was a strange atmosphere and everyone was looking in the same direction. You picked out the orange puff of hair in the crowd and headed for Quincy. 

"Hey. What's going on?"

"We're in trouble." 

You strained your neck to peer around her, but couldn't see. Over the murmuring of hushed voices in the crowd, you heard your name being called. The crowd parted to let you through. Is someone hurt? All four officers were standing together in intense conversation at the helm. You approached them and saw that they were looking at the map you had annotated. Your brows furrowed. You hadn't seen them look this serious before. Kid beckoned you forward. He pointed at the map.

"We're approaching this area, where there should be a patrol, and it could be two ships again." Kid pointed behind their ship. "There are two ships tailing us." 

"So we're being caged in."

He nodded. 

"We can't take all of them at once." Killer stated. "We have to stagger them."

"What's the plan?" You asked.

Kid didn't answer. "Have ya been in this situation before?"

You nodded slowly, understanding where this was going. "But my ship was faster than Victoria." 

Kid made a noise of frustration. "I'll be damned before we run away," Kid said through gritted teeth.

"I know you didn't just imply what I think you implied." You glared at him. Kid and yourself had similar beliefs when it came to being a captain. You never turned away from a fight if you could help it. 

Kid scoffed. "Ya took on four at once?" 

"You think I can take 4 cocks but not 4 ships? What kind of amateur do you take me for? It's the same principle. Stagger them, as Killer said."

Heat was pinching the bridge of his nose, trying not to laugh. It wasn't the time. 

"Two on one and then another two on one is still a lot," Wire said, unbothered by your crude remark.

"It won't be two on one. It will be one on one. But it's all about timing." You looked at the map. The ship would be entering an area of fog. Perfect. "How fast is top sailing speed?" 

"In strong wind, 10 knots," Wire said.

"Listen to me." Your tone was much more serious than it had been. "If you want to do this, you have to trust me. Otherwise we're gonna get torn the fuck up." You looked at Kid. "Your choice, Captain." There wasn't a combative tone to your voice. If he wanted to do differently, this was his ship. If they were asking you, it was probably because they had discussed other plans already and gotten nowhere. 

"Go ahead, Rotten." 

You explained how you had faced this in the past and won. You had only done it once, and it was pretty rough, but they didn't need to know that. With Kid's and your devil fruit, it would make a world of difference. Killer and Wire pressed you for more details. They were the ones who usually came up with strategies. But they were satisfied enough with your answers that they agreed to your plan with minimal tweaks. The plan was to hit the first ship as hard as possible and a fast as possible so they had no time to react. If you could cripple that ship from the get go, you only had to deal with the remaining ship before the ones trailing you got there. And to give you the best chance, you were at full sail. The more distance you put between the ship and the ones behind, the more time you would have to handle the others. And if you had enough time, you could set up for an ambush. 

When the ship was in range, Kid could sense where the enemy was by the metal on board their ships. Every cannon was moved to one side and fired on Kid's signal. He also took the liberty of dropping the second ship's anchors to prevent them from pulling alongside them while they were still handling the first ship. The discord amongst them was evident. They weren't expecting to be the ones surprised. The tailing ships must not have updated them about the Victoria's increase in speed. The cannons heavily wounded the first ship, and Kid finished it off by himself with a few well-aimed hits to its bow. The ship was close enough to its partner that most of the men crossed over to that ship. The amount of crew didn't matter, but one ship was certainly better than two, especially if two more were swiftly approaching. 

The Victoria Punk circled around to the other ship, where its crew was hurriedly preparing to fight. You and Mini were posted on deck, Mini in her armor. It wasn't lost on you that there were some alterations made to it that you hadn't made. Kid thought he was so slick with these things. Once you found that a broken hinge on a cabinet had been repaired even though you hadn't told anyone it was broken. Once you had found all the medical instruments had been sharpened and/or polished. He never mentioned anything, but you knew it was him.

If it had not been for the impending excitement of using your devil fruit, you would have been almost bored. Anyone who approached you was promptly shot in the forehead. Some times you would let Mini handle one and she would gore them, shaking her head back and forth vigorously until they slipped off onto the ground. All the while, you kept your ears alert and watched the scuffle vigilantly in order to tend to the wounded. Looking around, you could see why you were bored. Killer was fairly close to you and was taking out people left and right. You preferred being on the upper deck to have a bird's eye view, but Killer was stealing your joy. 

Emma was near Pomp and they seemed to be doing fine. Reck and Bubblegum had it handled. Dive was biting someone's neck; she's fine. Mosh, Hip, and House, who you didn't know very well, were getting shoved into the center of the deck, pushed until their backs were touching and surrounded on all sides. They could use your help. You directed Mini to where you wanted to go, hopping on her back as she jumped the railing. Her belly was armored so neither of you worried about projectiles or blades from below. It helped that no one expects a boar to fall out of the sky. 

You vaulted from Mini's back towards the fray while she hung back for a moment to finish stomping on the pirates she'd used as a landing pad. You were conserving your devil fruit power until you needed to use it. If anything went wrong, they would need it. Anyone in your way was gutted by your blade or shot point blank, or both. When you got to the center of the deck, you found your cremates in a worse situation. They weren't even attacking. All they could do was defend, the way they were surrounded. You threw yourself into the mix, using your blade so your bullets didn't pass through and hit your comrades. Mini was at your back, keeping anyone else who wanted in at bay. You yanked one of them back by the hair and put your blade through his neck. That got the attention of his pals and drew them away from Mosh, Hip, and House. Not all of them broke away, but enough that the other three could get back on the offensive. 

You flicked the blood off your knife in the direction of the three pirates that decided to turn on you, splattering their faces with their friend. You really wished you had a second blade at time like this. The first man came at you with his sword held too high. Before he could bring it down, you closed the distance and thrust your gunblade upward under his chin, pulling the trigger. As long as you aimed this way, you couldn't accidentally hit anyone. A fine rain of red and gray bits fell to the deck. You looked at the other two, who turned to run. 

"Mini!" You shouted for her. The boar turned and saw what you wanted. You chased them down with her. The boar jerked her head in a way to knock them over with her tusks. You jumped on one's back while she held the other down. "Too cowardly to finish a fight you started?" You knelt on his back and pulled his head up with his hair, slitting his throat with your blade. You saw a shadow as someone approached while you were still on one knee. You somersaulted through his legs and popped back to your feet on the other side, one of your favorite moves. Whipping around before he had a chance to do anything, you shot him and he dropped. Mini had squished the other man beyond recognition. 

You stayed where you were and continued to fight in the middle of the deck, where the enemy was the thickest. No one had called for your help so far. You ran into Quincy who was fighting nearby. "Doing ok?" You asked her between parries. 

"Fine. Can you look at my back?" 

You called Mini to cover you while you examined her. Quincy never stopped fighting, which made it difficult to visualize, but you could see a red stripe seeping into her clothes. It wasn't bad, you still scolded her though. "Next time, call me sooner." You put your hand over it for a few seconds and upon removal, the skin was healed. Quincy had this area down, so you and Mini darted off in a different direction. 

They must have had two or three times as many people as you did. It seemed like they kept coming. Curiously, you noticed the stream of opponents slow to a trickle. Your eyes caught sight of Heat nearby. Stop taking my kills. You moved again and the same thing happened with Killer. Still, you moved again. It was pissing you off. You let it slide after that, as you began to hear cries for help. You went to each one, healing mostly light wounds. It seemed the throngs of enemy pirates were subsiding. You could hear screams from the enemy ship, where Kid and Wire had gone off to early on. Your last job was Reck, who got hit pretty good again. 

"Reck, what the fuck?" You repaired the gash in his thigh, dangerously close to the main artery. "Do I need to babysit you?" 

He looked a bit ashamed. "No, Doc. I'm sorry." 

You finished up, "Get your ass back in there. Start throwing bodies overboard so we don't trip over them. We're not done yet." 

Heat set fire to their ship and the men left over were being finished off by Kid, who seemed to be having fun. You clapped to get their attention, "Hey, quit fucking around! We have to use this time to get in position." They seemed to have forgotten the situation. 

"Chill out, Rotten. That was a piece of cake!" Kid used his metal hand to crush another guy. "We've got this."

"That was one ship, Kid! Now we have to face two more, after already fighting two entire crews." Your temper was quickly rising, along with your stress level. He had been warned. 

"What do we need to do?" Wire had walked over to you. 

"We need to get away from this wreck and set up to am..." Your voice faded off as you caught sight of a canon blast through the fog. "Oh fuck. KID!" You pointed in the direction of the ship. The urgency in your voice got his attention in time for him to stop the cannonball. You saw similar flashes on the other side. Fuck they had gotten the jump on you, which is what you were afraid of. First, you didn't get fucked and now your plan was getting fucked instead. Can't have anything nice. 

"Not good." Wire said.

You pressed your fist into your forehead, trying to come up with plan B. There was no chance of outrunning them, even if they wanted to at this point. If they could destroy one ship quickly, they would have a better chance at getting out of this. Stuck between both of their ships like a sitting duck was certain death. The only thing you could think of was this thing you tried once. And it worked. But it was a smaller scale. You shrugged out of your jacket and pushed it to Wire. "A few things. One, don't let anything happen to my jacket. Two, when I give you the signal, get this ship the fuck out of here. Three, do not fire any cannons at that ship." You pointed at the ship closest to you.

Wire would normally be resistant to anyone but Kid or Killer telling him what to do, but given the circumstances and the commanding tone in your voice, he didn't fight it. "Kid isn't going to be happy." Wire knew how mad Kid was the last time you did something stupid. And he knew how to read between the lines. He knew you wanted him to move the ship whether you were on it or not. 

"Would he be happier at the bottom of the ocean?" You challenged. "I'll make it back. And I know you won't complain if I somehow don't." 

Wire didn't say anything to stop you. It wasn't true, what you said. He cared about what happened to you because Kid cared. It had taken him a while to come around. What you were doing now proved to him that you were loyal. This put your personal mission behind Kid's. He thought it was the latent captain in you that felt responsible for everyone on the ship and that was admirable. 

You went to the dinghy that was tethered to the ship. The plan was to sneak aboard their ship, rig it to explode, and send it directly into the wreck of the ship that Heat set on fire. If you were lucky, the remaining ship would also be crippled in the blast. If you were unlucky, the Victoria would be caught too. But there was no other way that you could make it out from two ships flanking and relentlessly firing cannons from both sides. You swung one foot over the edge of the ship into the dinghy. Briefly pausing to look at the water below. What if you fell in? Who would know? As you steeled yourself to commit, you were suddenly yanked backwards, hitting the deck hard. The wind was knocked out of you and you coughed, trying to suck air back into your lungs. 

"And what the FUCK do ya think yer doing? Have ya not learned?" Kid grabbed you and brought you to your feet so you were toe to toe with him. "Stop going off on yer own! That's an order!"

Your eyes flicked to Wire behind him, not meeting your eyes, possibly even appearing guilty. "Have you not learned? I'm saving your ass for a second time because none of you can fucking LISTEN!" There was a pleading desperation to your voice. You grabbed his wrist, prying his hand off you and throwing it back at him. "I have to go off on my own! The only person I can count on is myself!"

Those words wounded him, and it was purely his fault that they did so. He wanted you to count on him. You couldn't do that if he went back on his word. It wasn't hostility reflected in your face, it was worry. Kid thought you were willfully trying to piss him off when Wire came to warn him of what you were about to do. He was instantly regretful. It was clear to him you were doing it out of concern for his crew. This was not the time for words, not that he would ever give you a direct apology. "Fine! I'm listening now." He folded his arms. "Go on then. What's yer plan?"

The ship rocked with hits from cannonballs as you rushed to explain. Kid voiced his agreement with your plan. It was a good plan. Better now that he was in it. "Come on, Kid. I've already been held back too long." You started to get back in the dinghy when you were grabbed again.

"We ain't takin no fucking dinghy." Kid picked you up and jumped from the banister, a violet orb surrounding the both of you as he magnetized himself to something aboard the other ship. He was shocked you didn't say something wise to him and noticed your white knuckle grip on his shirt. Maybe he should have warned you since you had never seen him do that before. "Do yer thing. I'm taking out their cannons." Kid set you on the deck, eyes lingering on you for an extra few seconds. 

You nodded and got to work. A yellow circle appeared below you and you disappeared below deck. You managed to land silently and waited for the commotion Kid caused to draw the attention of anyone who was down here. They cleared out fairly quickly and you went from barrel to barrel, crate to crate, turning all of the contents into gunpowder, unless it was filled with alcohol, then you left it. The sound of someone behind you made you pivot to face them. Your face drained of blood. They were holding a gun. 

"These barrels are full of gunpowder. Do you know what will happen if you fire that down here?"

"I don't give a fuck. My brothers were on those ships you sunk. I'll blow myself up if it means I get revenge." He pointed the gun at one of the barrels.

You threw yourself in front of him, grabbing the gun and blocking its path with your own body. With your other hand, you were pushing him back against the wall, using your power to fuse him with the ship itself. He dropped the gun and twitched as his brain misfired. Half his head was gone within the wall. There was a sharp pain in your side. What hadn't misfired, was his gun. Luckily, your organs prevented them from making the barrels explode prematurely. You took a deep breath and healed yourself around the bullets. You couldn't take them out without help, but you wouldn't bleed out. Without missing a beat, you went through the entire storage area, turning the ship into one huge bomb. 

When it was done, you ran up the stairs to the main deck, sealing off the deck below so that nobody could accidentally set it off while you were still on board. You ran towards the helm, cutting down anyone who got in your way. You could hear Kid behind you somewhere laughing. Using your whole strength, you turned the helm as far as it would go, directing the ship to take a sharp turn, heading straight for the flaming mass floating in the water. You jumped at the sound of a clang close to the back of your head. You turned cautiously, catching a glimpse of purple crackling energy covering a sword floating behind you, blocking the path of another sword. 

"Damn, Rottie. Yer observation haki does suck." 

When the ship was headed in a straight line, you froze the wheel so it would continue in that direction. "Why would I need that when you're on my heels like such a devoted guard dog?" You stepped past him as he cut down the man who attacked you. "I wonder who's better, you or Mini?"

"ME!" Kid was offended first, then realized what you said. "I'm not yer dog!"

"Quit barking. Let's get out of here." You stood there, waiting for Kid to use his devil fruit. You looked at him, questioningly. You were absolutely not about to leap into his arms or offer up yourself to be held. He was going to have to do it. 

Kid scowled at you. "No. Show me how ya think ya were gonna get off this ship by yerself, since ya can't count on anyone." 

You glanced at the fire as the ship was rapidly approaching. "Are you fucking for real?" You never broke your gaze from his as you lifted your gun to shoot through the body of someone who rushed at you. You saw the twitch of his lips into a shit-eating grin. He wanted to prove a point. "Fine. I don't like being picked up anyway." You could prove a point, too.

Kid gave the signal to Wire.

You had to predict where the Victoria would be when it sailed so that you could plan this correctly. You looked up at the crow's nest, which was separate from the main sail. It seemed like the right height. You fought off some of the crew as they rushed you, careful not to let any bullets be aimed downward. Then, you put both hands on the spire of wood, making it splinter just as your own mast had when it fell. This was more controlled, breaking in such a way that it was still attached and so that in fell precisely in a particular direction. While it fell, you defended your position until it was at an angle where you wouldn't fall off if you ran up it. Climbing onto the wood, you had to start moving on your hands and knees across the length, then as it leveled out you got to your feet and sprinted down it. Kid was floating in his stupid fucking hamster ball, just watching, surely waiting for you to fall so he could save you and prove that you couldn't do it by yourself.

You felt the wood vibrate under your feet and heard a splash or two as pirates came to chase you, some falling into the drink. The Victoria, had started to move and was soon to be directly in front of your bridge, while this ship had about a minute until it was blown to smithereens. The wood was slippery and the width began to narrow. The crow's nest landed wrong, so you would have to climb over it instead of crawling through the hole in the bottom. You jumped and clung to the bottom, wedging your boots between slats to push yourself up. You felt a hand around your ankle, pulling you down. One of the pirates had caught up. You tried kicking to shake his grip, but he wouldn't let go. There was a yellow flash before you felt your leg be released. He didn't need control of his hands where he was going. 

You scrambled the rest of the way over the crow's nest and continued running; you were nearly there. The mistake was looking down. The spire was so narrow and slippery and the ocean was so cold and black. You lost your footing, slipping with either leg on both sides. You let out a pained grunt as you landed pussy first. Not exactly the wood you wanted to be on. You picked yourself up. This ship was about to make contact with the flames and your ship was about to be too far to jump to. The spire was still slightly at an upward angle, making it more difficult as you got closer to the end.

The deck was too far and you weren't going to ask Kid for help like last time. Everyone was still fighting so there was no one to make a rough cushion for your fall. But the sail, the sail was about the same level as you were. You sprinted as fast as you could manage without slipping and aimed for the sail, praying you didn't go through it. You expected to sort of bounce out of it once you hit the canvas, instead you sort of rolled all the way down to the beam where it was attached, hit that, and then bounced onto the deck.

Rolling on to your hands and knees, you winced. There might be bruised ribs. An arm was extended and you grabbed it. It was Kid pulling you up on your feet. You smirked at him through the discomfort.

"Ya got balls. I'll give ya that."

"Not anymore. You see me crush my fucking cunt? My balls are surely flattened now." You were laughing but it fucking hurt. 

Kid shook his head. "Why ya gotta be so stubborn?" 

You rolled your eyes. At least you were self-aware when it came to your stubbornness. "I wasn't worried. My big red guard dog was right there if I fell." You smirked, patting a hand on his chest. 

Abruptly, there was the sound of an enormous explosion, followed by a brisk shockwave and the rolling heat radiating from the flames. Instinctually, you shrunk closer to Kid, not because you were scared, but because a meat shield would catch any shrapnel. Also instinctually, Kid protectively pulled you into him with his metal arm. You couldn't see the explosion due to Kid's stature, but you could see the way orange illuminated his hair like his hair was fire itself, the way his amber eyes scanned his crew to make sure no one was hurt, and the way they flicked back to your face, that was already looking up at him. His heartbeat under your hand quickened and you both jerked away from each other.

You avoided looking at the other's face. You coughed out a, "Thanks, Kid," before scampering off to find Mini.

Kid felt disappointment at first. He really wanted to prove that he would have your back. But you hadn't needed him at all. He should have expected as much. He was aware of some of your past exploits. He thought back to your words and realized that you had acknowledged him, twice even, though the first time you hadn't fully meant it. His chest swelled a bit. He was a good guard dog, wasn't he? He wasn't fond of being called a dog, though, no matter how cute it was coming from your mouth. Your mouth. He swallowed at the thought of kissing you when he saw that you looking up at him. There was something about that look, it was soft and so warm and he wanted to dive in. 

Your heart was beating out of your chest. Not from jumping off a ship destined to explode. Not from almost falling into the water. Not even from the explosion itself. No, it was threatening to escape your ribcage because of Kid's expression. Every other time he wanted to kiss you, he had a look of hunger or lust. This time it was... adoration? You couldn't place it and you didn't like it. It made you sweat. 

The ship was unscathed in the explosion, and the last remaining enemy ship took some damage, but not enough to cripple it. You were nearly finished. Mini protected you while you healed those that were injured while you were busy. The worst of it was out of the way. You could relax a little, relatively speaking. In your anxiety, you forgot temporarily about your anger. You were muttering to yourself about these stupid fucking ships and how you were thisclose to losing your Killer virginity. You didn't realize you were doing it out loud until Reck, your patient, again, tried unsuccessfully to console you, saying that you were super hot and he was sure Killer was totally into you. You blinked at him, only slightly embarrassed about grumbling out loud, and gave him a firm bap on the forehead, telling him to worry about his own problems. 

Still, you hadn't really been able to take your frustration out on anyone, so you were a touch happy that the last ship wasn't badly damaged. Eagerly, you boarded the other ship to begin your therapy session. You were re-energized, grabbing men by their faces and melting their heads together. You were popping off limbs and reattaching them elsewhere. Soon, they started backing away from you, preferring to run directly into Killer's punishers or Heat's fire. Damn them, why can't they go somewhere else! It was like they were following you. You narrowed your eyes. Were they? You moved to a different section, below deck. This time, instead of fusing, you got a little more creative. You grabbed someone by the throat. They began to glow a soft yellow before getting slightly smaller, then smaller, then even more small. A wicked grin split your face in two as you shrunk him to the size of an ant and squished him between your thumb and index finger. 

You looked for another victim, glancing to see Wire hunched under the ceiling. You frowned. "Wire, go back up there. It's too small down here for you." What was with all of them?

He had a pained expression. Reluctantly, he disappeared, adjusting his hood as he did so, the top had brushed up against the ceiling and become skewed.

You continued your rampage until no one was left underneath the ship, returning to the deck to find that the only thing remaining were the dead bodies left behind. Where was the crew?

Killer had gotten a deep cut on his back, but couldn't find you anywhere. He even poked his head inside the infirmary. He scanned the deck and didn't catch sight of you, but he did see Kid, and headed over to him. Curiously, Minerva was pacing up and down the railing. Did she go overboard? That thought chilled him. No, Mini would have jumped in if that was the case. 

"Kid, have you seen Y/N?" 

He huffed. "No. Ya were all supposed to be keeping an eye on her." Kid looked over to see Heat prepping to set the enemy ship aflame. "Heat! Wait!" The captain looked for the tallest person on the ship. "Wire get yer ass here." 

Wire and Heat joined them. "What's wrong, Cap?"

"Have either of you seen Y/N?" Killer asked.

They looked at each other. "I thought you had her." They spoke simultaneously. 

"Well, she was below deck and I was hunched over so she told me to leave."

"And ya listened?!"

"My hood was getting fucked up." Wire crossed his arms defensively. "And I told you when she was about to do something stupid, so I did my job."

The ship wasn't all too far from the one they had just left, but they had pulled the gangplank up. It was still close enough that the wind carried the sound of your voice, yelling at the top of your lungs. No wonder Mini was pacing at the railing. She could hear and smell you. 

"Fucking hell, yer all worthless." Kid realized he was going to have to get you. 

"Hey, Captain." Wire said. "I saw her shrink a guy and squish him so....be nice and apologize to her." 

You could see those morons moving around on the deck. You were yelling as loud as you could to get their attention. They fucking forgot you! They almost left you behind! You were going to have to figure out a way to use your powers to travel. You couldn't keep getting stuck like this. If you weren't exhausted, this would probably piss you off. But you were having so much fun you didn't even realize you were getting left behind in the first place, and if you were honest, it was a little bit funny. 

It was especially funny how much they all tiptoed around you afterwards. They all thought you were going to go ballistic on them for leaving you behind accidentally. Actually, you were more upset at them for following you around. You didn't know if they all did it unintentionally or if they were told to. It made you mad either way. You could handle yourself perfectly well. Yes, maybe you were complaining about only being able to count on yourself, but this was not what you meant by it. You didn't need someone on standby to come rushing to your aid, you just needed support when it mattered.

By the time everything was over, it was late afternoon. You joined the women in the showers. You had essentially been herded there by the girls, who found it wildly entertaining that you had been forgotten about and were very excited to know how you were going to hold it over the captain's head. While you were in there, you healed a few scratches that you happened to see on the bare skin of your cremates. You decided you were done in there when Dive started a soap bubble fight. Everyone was in good spirits after overcoming a very daunting battle. 

All you wanted to do was take a nap. On your way to the women's quarters, you ran into Killer, who never got his wound healed. He expected you to come find him after getting changed, but you pushed him toward his cabin. Why bother going all the way there just to come back, and for what? Clothes? You were too tired to care. Killer had cleaned off, too, so the wound was nicely free of any dirt or debris. He stood awkwardly in the middle of his room, stripping himself of his shirt and turning his back to you. It was a good size, stretching from shoulder to hip. The flesh knitted back together as you healed it.

"There. All done." 

Killer turned around to face you. "Thanks." He cleared his throat, becoming acutely aware you were solely in a towel that barely covered the tops of your thighs. Tentatively, he reached his hand out for the bit that was tucked in, tugging it free. It felt like his hand moved of its own accord.

You let your towel drop to a puddle around your feet, a bit surprised that he made a move without you having to initiate anything. 

Killer unclasped his mask. He wanted you to see how his eyes wandered over your body, appreciating every dip of your contours and every perfect imperfection that adorned your skin. He didn't think his rough fingertips even deserved to touch something so soft. "Sorry. I just... wanted to see." 

"Why don't you indulge your other four senses while you're at it?" You nudged at his hand with your fingertips. 

Killer sat down on the edge of his bed, so he wouldn't have to bend over to kiss you. He pulled you between his knees, softly coaxing your chin closer to his own with his hand on your cheek. Your lips met lightly several times over. This gentleness was new to you. You didn't mind the change of pace from your usual hard and fast preferences. You brought a knee up to rest over his, pushing against him slightly until his back met the comforter. He let you deepen the kiss, slip your tongue into his mouth, still slow and sensual. 

Killer pushed himself further up on the bed, never letting your lips come apart from his own. You fell to his side, legs tangling with his. Your hand was wrapped in his hair, as his was in yours. It was strange, the way you were content to stay like this. Of course, you wanted to fuck him, but this was something you hadn't really experienced, this slow, burning passion at your core. 

When you finally pulled away to breathe, you noticed that he was just as tired as you were. Neither of you wanted to move. So you stayed as you were, tangled up together with your foreheads touching, exchanging the same air back and forth. He kissed you a few more times and you kissed him a few more times, and neither of you were sure when, but you both fell asleep, fingers entwined, soft smiles on your faces.

Next Chapter

[nerdthatsiriuslylovesteaxx]

Time for Helpless part 11 peeps

"You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." Nico responded more trying to convince himself over Will, he just hoped that Will would leave quickly. He managed to eat half a sandwich but he knew that it would only be minutes before he couldn't control it anymore and would throw up.

"Shit sorry Nico, Kayla wanted to talk to me, I'll be back after lunch. Something about scheduling I don't even know at this point."

"Okay." Will walked out of the infirmary and Nico silently thanked the Gods before running into the bathroom and throwing up, he washed the bitter taste out of his mouth before quickly cleaning up, it would be fine, Solace didn't need to know. Nico wandered around the room spotting a stack of blank paper, he took a sheet and started to draw with a ballpoint pen. He drew Will, with his so bright it's almost glowing hair, deep eyes that glittered with a kind of brightness only possible for a child of Apollo. The smile he always had, even when the world seemed to be at it's worst, the freckles that covered his face after spending so much time in the sun. Nico knew there was a very high chance Will would walk in soon and see the drawing, he folded it up and placed it in his pocket only a minute before Will walked back in.

***

"Hey Neeks."

"Do you not have anyone else to annoy?"

"No actually, Kayla and Austin are taking everyone else."

"Great."

"You're stuck with me, probably forever since we have a new system now. Unless it's an emergency everyone takes the same cabins, you can't escape me di Angelo."

"Please kill me now."

"My job is to prevent that."

"Dio mi salvi."

"I do actually need to check some things, can you take off your shirt?"

"No, why!?" Nico blushed,

"I need to check on the stitches."

"Oh, right. Fine." The Apollo boy traced along the cuts with his fingers, checking it hadn't gotten infected and none of the stitches had come out.

"Nico, are you okay? You're ice cold."

"Huh, what? Yeah I'm always cold, not everyone's a heater Sunshine."

"No, like you're colder than normal. You've never been this cold, are you sure you feel fine?"

"Yeah I'm fi-" Nico passes out, Will tries to sing the hymn but it wouldn't work. Of all times for it to not work this might be one of the most inconvenient. He checks the small boys heart rate, it was faster than normal. After about thirty seconds, Nico woke up.

"Don't try to get up quickly; Gods Nico you scared me." Will grabbed a glass of water and a square of ambrosia, handing them both to Nico, except they went right through his right hand. Will was shocked but he tried to keep calm, "Open your mouth." Nico obliged and Will placed the square of ambrosia on his tongue, as he chewed his hand began to turn solid. "Has this ever happened before? Being cold then passing out?" Nico shook his head,

"I didn't feel cold, I just felt normal then yeah."

"How do you feel now?"

"Fine, I just have a headache."

"Drink the water, it'll help." Will sat down next to him, placing a hand over his. "Okay, you're warmer now. Just tell me if you feel sick in any way, alright?" Nico nodded in response,"By the way, we have Jason and Reyna down as your legal guardians, were-"

"Wait what? How and why would Grace and Reyna be my legal guardians exactly?"

"Well we don't count godly parents since they're always hard to contact and they may or may not have threatened me into putting them down as yours."

"And you agreed because?"

"Jason threatened to electrocute me then get Percy to drown me, that didn't sound like much fun. I was going to ask were you aware of that but from that response I'm guessing no?"

"No shit, so what you have to tell them when shit happens to me?"

"Well I need to tell at least one of them and they need to approve on certain things." Nico scowled,

"It's not like they're actually my legal guardians Solace."

"Neeks at this point they are, Jason is probably planning to legally adopt you on his eighteenth birthday."

"Please kill me."

"No can do Death boy."

"What is with you and your obsession with nicknames?"

"You know you love the nicknames, Neeks."

"Perché questo." Nico muttered, Will glanced at the clipboard he was holding.

"Okay so there's so things I need to fill in, I probably should have done that earlier. Anything you've been diagnosed with that I'm not aware of?"

"Don't think so, dyslexia, ADHD, depression, anxiety and PTSD."

"Who do you want as your emergency contacts? Jason and Reyna are already on there."

"Hazel I guess."

"Okay great Hazel and Percy."

"What?"

"Take a guess."

"Oh my Gods they either think I'm their child or hate me, can someone please be fucking normal?" Will smiled and and patted Nico on the head receiving dagger eyes,

"Nope di Angelo. Okay height and weight, take off your shoes." Will was nervous for the results, looking at Nico now he could see all of his rib. "Neeks you're tiny; stand up straight. 5'6" Will patted him on the head.

"Oh shut up Solace, you're a giraffe."

"No, you're just really short."

"Oh fuck you." Nico said stepping on the scale, it read 84 pounds.

"Nico, that's dangerously underweight. Three full meals a day, no exceptions."

"Solace I'm fine, I've survived four and a half years barely eating, I don't need to start now."

"Nico di Angelo, it's an actual miracle you've survived this long. You need to eat, you're alive but just barely. Please...don't die on me, I just want you to be healthy." Will pulled him into a hug, but Nico pushed him away.

"Leave me alone, I've been just fine living like this. If I die so what? No one would care anyways."

"I would care, Reyna would care, Jas-"

"No he wouldn't, I heard him talking about me with Leo and Piper on the Argo II. He voted to leave me to die in that jar. As for you, you barely know me. You'll care for a day and then forget I existed, just leave me alone."

"Nico..." Will went to place his hand on his shoulder but he grabbed it and pushed it away.

"Leave. Me. Alone." Nico with tears in his eyes, "I don't care about any protocol either leave or let me leave."

"Okay Nico." Will said before walking out of the infirmary. Nico fell on the bed, slipped on his T-shirt and cried into his pillow. He wanted to cut, or drink, or smoke but he knew he couldn't do anything stuck in the infirmary. He wanted to shadow travel out but it was the middle of the day, someone would see him. He didn't want to be in the infirmary any longer than he had to, he wanted to get as far away as he could from Will Solace. Him and his blonde hair and blue eyes, that bright smile. Well, I'm doing a good job on pushing him away. Nico thought to himself, the sound of his crying being muffled by the pillow.

***

[modgirlyreposts-revamped]

Ok, anyways now that I've ragged on you for that, time for more sonic headcanons :] specifically about one character you might not know

My sister is the reason I headcanon this one, but if you're familiar with Silver from Sonic 2006, Silver is basically one of the last remaining survivors from an apocalyptic future who's sent back to the past by like 200 years to try to prevent the apocalypse with the help of Sonic and co. Canonically, Silver is male, but I headcanon her as a trans girl. I have a Gacha Nox design for her as well, for my trans headcanon specifically, if you want to see

I also think that Silver probably wears as much as she can at all times. That ranges from torn shirts and stretched-thin jackets and tattered scarves in her apocalyptic future to fluffy sweaters and leggings and skirts and tights once things have been set right or when she's back in the past.

There are four main things that Silver wouldn't realize about herself until she was in a better and healthier place. Number one is that she's not actually a boy, where she hadn't really gotten the chance to think about herself before. Number two is that she doesn't know how much she can really look like a girl, because most female hedgehogs don't have thick chest/neck fur. This one only lasts until she realizes no one questions Sonic not having that thicker fur and being a guy, but she still asks Amy to help her trim it.

Number three is that she has asthma. Years upon years of breathing in smoke and toxic air have fucked up her lungs bad. She doesn't think much of it, but she always has to use her telekinesis to get around faster, because running practically suffocates her. It eventually strikes her as odd that everyone else can breathe while doing things like that, and she realizes she's among the minority of people who can't. Get this poor guy an inhaler :(

Number four is that it is NOT normal to sustain yourself on a diet of rocks and raw meat. She is utterly fascinated by the idea of real food. She probably gains weight once she's actually in a healthy environment with good food and good god is that good for her. Fits into her clothes better too.

Silver canonically loves plants and when she's in Sonic's time she actually gardens because things can't really grow in the time she comes from and everything is so alive in this time.

I need you to envision with me this face experiencing the euphoria of fresh sweet and just a little bit mushy strawberries for the first time

Are we on the same page

Silver and Blaze (also introduced in 06 I think, a cross-dimensional parallel to Sonic, the empress of the Sol Empire and Silver's best friend) give me very, like, trans lesbian solidarity vibes. I don't ship them, I think they're just, trans lesbian and trans lesbian besties.

I also ship Blaze with Amy bc. Look at them???

I actually don't have any Silver ships though. I think she's best with just some good friends. She's more interested in platonic than romantic relationships in my mind, bc she just likes having people to work with, to share her goals with, and to look forward to things with.

I would like to see this design-

and that GIF of Amy and Blaze is adorable, I’m not even in the fandom but I ship them-

[jtrokujo]

𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

paring: Semi Eita x fem!Reader

word count: 1.9k

warnings: none

gerne: fluff, romance

summary: In the happy relationship, which did not have a good start, the couple gets ready for a date, but how it ends was different than expected.

—

In the back row I saw my friend's playmates, because today the Shiratorizawa were playing against the Karasuno.

I have to admit that even though I know the people on the Karasuno team, I still have no impression of the players.

But they seem to be nice people and the orange haired one doesn't seem to be a problem for almost any volleyball player until they meet him.

The team has an advantage for being able to jump pretty fast and high, but my gut feeling still tells me that the Shiratorizawa will win tonight.

When Semi scored a point, the students in our school stood tall and cheered loudly.

Just like her I cheered loudly and clapped for the team, to be honest I had to laugh a bit like lost Semi looked up just to see me, the reason I'm sitting in the back is very simple: I forgot.

I had an appointment with a friend, but when she reminded me we left quickly.

I can be a great friend sometimes.

However, I have to remember how much I hated Semi, no, seriously, the way he was.

He gave me the cold shoulder, treated me like dirt and when we were supposed to do partner work together, I wanted to jump out of the window.

Marked me as a bitch and didn't even do half of our delivered work on the grounds: "If you can talk so much, you can certainly do so much work too."

But it was only through this group work that we got close.

You could tell that no matter how callous he seemed towards you, he really cares about his friends and comrades.

My feelings towards him only came after our group work was finished, but shortly before that he seemed different to me too, almost nice.

He kept me and my friends company, which was a bit strange, but you get used to it quickly.

After that time we went to school together, I accompanied him to the sports hall and sometimes even was there because we often had an appointment after his training.

I always didn't care how I looked before, because he seems to accept me as a person as I am, it's nice to know that there is still someone in this world who is interested in you as a person.

I still remember our first date when we had a little bike ride through the city, the bruises and the sore muscles hurt, but everything has its price.

And besides, I wasn't the only one who fell off my bike about 5 times.

Back in the present, I saw that the last sentence was almost over, whoever got the last point won.

Restricting my fingers and looking at the players on the field, I saw that the number 3 still managed to prevent the ball from landing on the field.

That was close, but the ball was so high that Hinata herself didn't know where it would land.

It is not slow, but it is not fast enough to be able to endure it either. It landed on their field, causing all of my classmates to jump and scream.

I got up and cheered my friend's team.

The gray / white-haired man looked helplessly through the crowd just to be able to see his girlfriend, but he didn't know that she was making her way to the entrance so that they could leave the sports hall together.

Several minutes have passed and (Y / N) 's cell phone rang, immediately she saw his name on it and accepted it "Where are you?" she heard his voice right away, she replied that she was in front of the entrance and asked him where he was.

The friend in turn said that he would be there in a few minutes.

Said and done in less than 3 minutes, she saw her boyfriend, Semi.

Slowly she walks up to him and hugged him and said to his ear "Congratulations on your victory."

He looked at her lovingly and hugged her again, this time a little tighter.

In the middle of nowhere, someone kept us and our embrace company.

Semi and I quickly broke out of our embrace and saw his red-haired friend, Tendo.

"Come on, all things are 3." he sighed in disappointment, which made him lightly hit his red head by Semi.

Painfully he rubbed himself on the injured area and greeted me "Hey (Y / N) ... your neck has gotten longer."

Faster than lightning, Semi hit him a little harder.

Tendo held his head protectively and kept repeating "It's okay, I'll stop!"

After the two volleyball players had calmed down, Tendo asked us if we wanted to do something together, I nodded and answered his question.

At the same time, Semi stares at his cell phone and said that we have to go, we quickly said goodbye to Tendo and made our way to where we want to spend our date.

There was silence between us on the way, but that's nothing to complain about, no, on the contrary.

Apart from the different dates, we often spend a quiet togetherness.

I know where this silence came from, or how this silence became part of our relationship, but I know one thing, no matter where I may be, as long as Semi is by my side, there is nothing Semi nor I can complain about.

But as much as I want to have a conversation with him, I have to think about the fact where we want to spend our date.

It was Semi's suggestion and I agreed without hesitation.

Of course, I don't mind if Semi decides where we want to spend our date, but I also care where we spend it.

Ice scating.

That I don't like it comes out of the question, but I have to admit that I've never done it, we recently went to a water park even though Semi wasn't a big fan of it, but he said "As long as you're by my side , everything is perfect. ", so it would be a little shit of me to say that I don't want it.

I know he would have offered me to stay the night or something else, but he said he had a surprise for me.

"(Y / N), is something wrong?"

My friend looked at me in amazement and squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"No, it's okay. I was just thinking." I tried to calm him down.

Still, Semi was a bit persistent and asked again what was going on.

"It's just, I've never skated before, so I'm afraid that I might get injured or even hurt."

Out of nowhere my friend giggled, causing me to stare in amazement. "Since when have you been so soft?" his arm was on my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. "What does that mean?" I asked him in amazement.

"Do you remember our first meeting, that's all I want to say." answer Semi and took my hand.

TIME SKIP

"Well finally." I sigh, relieved, but the fact where we are leaves me with a strange tingling sensation in my stomach.

But as long as I have Semi by my side, I shouldn't be worried.

"Let's go?" Semi asked me, I answered bluntly with a nod and hold his hand a little tighter than before.

When I finished tying the laces together I wondered why I was so scared.

"(Y / N), do we want?" asked Semi and looked me in the eye, his eyes shone something, what exactly I didn't know.

"Yes." I answered and tried to get up "Shall I not help you?" he asked immediately.

"No, no, it's okay, come on."

We saw a lot of people, some of them were parents with their children, some teenagers and some couples in love.

Caution, Semi and I kept them company. "Are you sure not to help them?" "I'm not a toddler, semi and besides, maybe there is some talent in me." I said confidently and immediately took his hand.

Hand in hand we made several rounds together, but I would have fallen down several times if he hadn't had such a reflex.

I admired a couple who fascinated me, it looked like they would have been able to do it several years ago, but he doesn't know the saying "Practice makes perfect".

The boyfriend noticed that his girlfriend was paying him no attention when he was talking to her.

He looked in the direction and saw a couple, but since he didn't want to come across diagonally, he gently pulled his friend's hand and continued what they stopped before.

Less than a minute later, his girlfriend said with enthusiasm, "Shall we try it together ?!"

He looked at his girlfriend diagonally and answered her question with "I don't want to end up in the hospital."

She hit him lightly on his stomach and this time said a bit irritably "Don't think so badly. I can certainly do it and now we're going to show the others what the volleyball player from Shiratorizawa and his girlfriend can do."

As much as the volleyball player would like to deny it, he has to admit that he is afraid.

But not only for himself, but also for his girlfriend.

Sighing, he gave up and asked his girlfriend what she would like to try with him.

"I run, so to speak, towards you and then you catch me and turn me up in the air."

"(Y / N) what that 'Dirty Dancing'? Semi asked a little disgusted and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, if you put it that way ... yes of course. You only live once and no contradiction!"

In the positions (Y / N) started to 'run' towards her boyfriend, Semi was able to catch her in time, but unfortunately he lost his balance too quickly, which is why he and his girlfriend landed rudely on the ground.

The small crowd immediately helped the couple, but (Y / N) quickly lost consciousness.

TIME SKIP

In the white room the friend emptied his water-filled glass while the cold raindrops hit the large pane.

When he was about to try to get up, his left slightly broken foot stopped him and sat down again in vain.

Lost in thought, he was staring at us nothing.

"Semi?" his girlfriend asked tiredly.

"(Y / N)!" relieved that his girlfriend is awake again, he hugged her the next second.

She asks immediately where she is, Semi answered all the questions one by one and said that they can go back home after a little examination.

After the little examination, the couple was allowed to go back home, the parents and their girlfriends are standing in front of the hospital with their respective cars and immediately rushed up to the couple and hugged them.

When he arrived at his girlfriend's home, they lay down on the bed and fell asleep in just a few minutes.

The next day the sun shone out of the window, which woke the couple, Semi moans annoyed and covered his face with the blanket of his girlfriend.

However, she quickly landed on the ground.

Slowly he opened his eyes and saw his girlfriend "Get up it's 11 o'clock."

Together in the kitchen he sees the finished breakfast on the table. "You ... you did that?"

Annoyed, she looked at him and muttered "Yes, I did that and now eat."

"Yes ok thanks."

As they finished the meal (Y / N) started talking out of nowhere.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" he said, looking down at his girlfriend.

"You know about your ankle.

Now you won't be able to play volleyball for a while. "

Semi took his girlfriend's hand on his and said, "As long as you're okay, I don't care about anything in the world. Please know that, (Y / N)."

[gyucore]

run to the shadows

pairing: soobin x reader

genre: angst (?), supernatural au

word count: 5.1k

warnings: swearing, blood and wounds, character death

synopsis: the city is on a lockdown. people with uncontrollable elemental powers are springing up left and right. the government is trying to capture every single elemental in the guise of protecting the citizens. much to your dismay, your fiancé, soobin, just had to be one of them.

The rays of the sunset left a warm sensation on your skin. The gentle breeze passing by gives you a moment of coolness that vanished as fast as it came. Children's laughter could be heard close by, their parents watching over them from afar. Sometimes, someone would pass by and greet you with a smile before continuing their way beside the calm waters of the lake. You look on to the horizon and gaze upon the direction where the sun had set, holding on to this scenic view one last time.

The blanket of the night sky soon came, a reminder that you had to quickly return home. You leave the lakeside with a heavy feeling on your chest— one that you can't seem to shake off. But there were more important matters to be dealt with.

"Hurry inside, sweetie, before the raiders come." You hear a mother say, ushering her child inside their car, her tone laced with worry as she made sure the doors were closed shut. "We don't want to be around when they capture the bad people."

Capturing bad people, huh. Even hearing the phrase was distasteful. One wouldn't expect for a government that's supposed to protect its citizens to go around doing something as inhumane as capturing someone and imprisoning them despite having done nothing wrong, and branding these victims as bad people just because they were forced into their situation.

Your thoughts fill with worry and the heavy feeling in your chest worsens. You're not sure whether this was the usual looming threat of having your life endangered, or the effect of having left your fiance's side after a huge argument. Part of you knows it's the latter.

"Soobin.." You sigh, your chest not feeling any lighter as you did. Scenes from earlier replay in your mind and you silently wish things had gone differently.

The walk home was quiet. Not a lot of people were wandering around at night anymore, even the questionable individuals that once littered the darker streets and alleys. Whether this was a good thing or not was up to how much the whole situation affected an individual.

In the more populated neighborhoods, the lights would be dimmed, the curtains drawn, the gates closed, and the windows locked shut. The clean asphalt beneath your feet soon met with bits and pieces of rubbish as you reach the farthest back of the neighborhood. The place was dark with most of the streetlight broken. You'd think that after a year, at least most of them would've been fixed but the government had a more important investment to focus on than providing their citizens the bare minimum security they at least deserve.

A creaking sound from the dark alerts your senses. Your hands come up in front as balled fists as you take a defensive stance, reminding yourself that if ever worse comes to worst, you had a dagger hidden in your pocket.

You make a quick scan of your surroundings, taking notice of every minute movement and sound your senses could pick up. No one. You'd like to think you were just being paranoid but you never know what might happen. Your heart beats faster in your chest as you go through ever possible scenario that might happen to you, or worse— to Soobin.

"Come out and face me!" You scream. Even if no one was there, no other person was living in this neighborhood that would bother to report a screaming maniac marching around their streets.

A few minutes pass and after checking each and every nearby nook and cranny, you slowly let your guard down. Perhaps you truly were just being paranoid. But who could blame you? The past few months hadn't exactly been the best. You've been in a lot of awful situations from having to hide for a week inside an abandoned theme park cave to nearly beating someone to death over food rations if Soobin hadn't stopped you.

It all started when one day, a phenomenon struck the city. Hundreds of people were turning up, reporting that they've been experiencing strange things with their body and surroundings. Eventually, it was discovered that they had somehow acquired the ability to manipulate the elements. The whole situation looked like it came straight out of a fantasy novel. But this wasn't your average story where the gifted ones get to go on crazy adventures to fulfill or prevent some messed up destiny. Quite the opposite actually.

The citizens with newfound abilities were tracked down to the ends of the city and captured. The government released a statement on how these citizens are no longer human. They were branded as monsters with uncontrollable powers that were planted in the city to harm the citizens, and eventually, the world.

They proposed a solution to lockdown the city in order to prevent the escape of these monstrous individuals and that they'd clear the streets at night from any and every individual who is suspected of possessing such abilities. Soon after, people were disappearing left and right. No one had been spared. They'd captured adults, teenagers, the elderly, and even children as young as a year old, and brought them into the holding facilities. Reports state that they were simply being held captive to enforce the necessary safety measures, but you knew all too well that they didn't stop there.

Experiments. They'd never admit to it but those that were heavily affected by these regulations knew that behind closed doors were vicious experiments being held in order to find a way to utilize these abilities for the government's advantage. One way to avoid this fate was to keep out of the prying eyes of the raiders, the ones in charge of finding and capturing the ability users.

"Y/N?"

Your eyes widen and you snap back to your senses, whirling around to see a familiar pair of eyes staring back at you.

"Y/N.." In an instant, you were engulfed in a tight hug. You feel his warmth slowly being passed down to you and for a brief moment, you allow yourself to melt in his arms. "You're safe.. I was so worried.."

You look up at none other than your fiancé, Soobin. Now that he was closer, you could see the tears threatening to fall from his eyes. It was clear that he'd been worried sick, and you were the same. A feeling of regret washes over you for ever leaving his side and causing him this much worry.

"Soobin, I—" You pause, forcing yourself out of his arms to look at the surroundings. "Let's talk inside. It's not safe out here."

Soobin nods, adjusting his hoodie as the two of you walk back inside your temporary base. The two of you had escaped into the lesser populated areas of the city to avoid public eye. You couldn't risk being seen by anyone at this state. Despite the government's unprecedented tactics, you hated to admit that they were right about one thing— most of the ability users couldn't control their powers, and unfortunately, Soobin was one of them.

Soobin paces back and forth in the living room, his mind racing with thoughts of worry. What if you had gotten mixed up into something dangerous while you were out? What if they had falsely accused you as an ability user? He wanted to scream the frustration out of his system, but he knew it wouldn't do him any good.

He regretted it. He regretted ever arguing with you in the first place. It wasn't even worth the risk of endangering both of you.

Soobin hated his newfound powers, hated how he had to hide in the slums of the city to stay alive, hated how he could never go out to see the world without putting his life at risk, and hated how you could only do so much to console him. How would you, an ordinary person, be able to relate to his worries? Eventually, he grew envious of how you could leave the house even if it was only to purchase groceries at a nearby store, and how you could bask in the warmth of the sun without having to worry about your abilities going berserk. All that pent-up emotion ended up with a huge fight. And eventually, you stormed out of the house.

Soobin had only come to terms with himself after watching you yell out in frustration before slamming the door behind and leaving.

It was you who had been by his side throughout everything. You didn't have a reason to hide, but you moved into the back of the city with him and catered to his every need. You held his hand at night when he feared he might go crazy in his sleep, and had been patient and understanding with him whenever his powers went haywire. You had protected him even when he insisted on being able to protect himself, and went to vast lengths to help him make it through until the end. Not once did you waver in front of him, and he felt so ashamed. How could he have let all those negative thoughts cloud his judgement?

Even now that he had risked his life and went outside to find you, he felt the regret deep inside his chest. Even now that he held you safely in his arms in the middle of the street, he couldn't let it go.

"Let's talk inside. It's not safe here."

Inside. It was for the best. "Okay."

It felt safer inside the house. The dim light coming from the living room lamp, thick walls, and drawn curtains brought on a familiar sense of comfort. Soobin had taken off his hoodie and tossed it aside, leaving him in his favorite loose white shirt. One thing you've come to notice even before your engagement was that he wore that specific shirt whenever he wanted some room to breathe. You hoped that he's had a good amount of that when you'd left him alone earlier.

Soobin makes himself comfortable on the couch next to the window, patting the spot next to him. You refrain from taking his offer. "Soobin, about earlier.."

“I'm sorry.” / “I'm sorry.”

Soobin looks up at you, blinking, and the two of you burst into laughter. After a while, he clears his throat and speaks up. You lean against the counter to hear him out. "You know, it's funny. Earlier I had this whole apology planned out in my head explaining everything— why I said all that stuff, and how I regret every single word. I wanted you to maybe understand where I'm coming from and how sorry I am but.." His eyes once again meet yours and as if a silent message had been conveyed, Soobin smiles. "Somehow, I feel like you already know."

You smile back, finally taking up his offer and plopping down right next to him on the couch. You rest your head on Soobin's shoulder, and he does the same. The warmth of his hand spreads throughout yours as he interlocks your fingers, bringing them close to your faces. The edge of your engagement rings glisten against the dim light, a promise of eternity with each other that would soon be sealed. An eternity in each other's embrace.

Before all of this had started, you had spent countless nights like this with Soobin, balled up together on the sofa or bed, and enjoying the warmth in each other's arms. Now, you'd barely spent the nights together. Rules had been established to keep you two safe from the prying eyes of the government, and naturally, there were also rules you'd agreed on to keep each other safe. One of those rules was that you couldn't sleep on the same bed. Soobin had no control of his powers and feared that he might hurt you in his sleep. You had tried it out once during the first week, ignoring the possibility. It didn't end well.

A knock on the front door breaks the silence in the room.

Soobin pulls you closer in his arms, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. A frown creeps up his lips as he leaned in closer to your face. “I know what you're thinking but please listen to me—”

“Soobin..” You look him in the eyes, holding his hand tighter. “I heard a noise on the way back. I think I might have been followed.”

Another knock sounds from the door, sounding more impatient than before

“In that case, I want you to stay behind.” Soobin says, letting go of your hand as he gets up from the couch.

“What? Why?” You follow right after, blocking Soobin's path to the door.

“You said you were being followed. If it's a raider then it couldn't have followed you to get to me when I haven't been outside in a long time.” Soobin sighs, walking around you. It wasn't news that raiders would falsely accuse random citizens as ability users for some short-term glory of having allegedly protected the city from these monsters. “I have a bad feeling about this, Y/N. I don't want you getting hurt.”

“And I don't want them to capture you.”

“They won't.”

“Soobin, please listen to me. You can't control your abilities yet. What if—” You were about to run after him when you notice you couldn't move. You look down and see that your feet had been bound to the ground by chains of ice. Since when had Soobin gained this much control over his powers? was the first thought that came to mind. He'd been training for a while but the results have been rather unhelpful. But not this time.

Soobin wasn't sure when he'd started feeling confident about his abilities, but he's sure of one thing. He'd use his abilities to protect what matters to him the most: you.

“Is someone there?” He asks before opening the door, heart thumping in his chest as he waited for an answer.

“Raid officer. I'm here to have a word, if I may.”

“In the middle of the night?”

“Justice sleeps for no one, sir.”

Justice. Soobin holds his breath as he opens the door, preparing himself for the worst. He comes face to face with a young man around his age— blond hair, clean and kempt raider uniform— he didn't look like the type to be fooled easily.

“What brings you here this late at night, officer?”

The officer smiles, straightening himself up. “Sorry for the disturbance. I'm Officer Kang Taehyun, and that's my partner, Choi Yeonjun.” He points at a pink haired officer with unkempt uniform, leaning against their motorbikes. “We'd like to ask you a few questions.”

Soobin agrees to their request, fully stepping out of the house.

“Full name?”

"That's.." Soobin hesitates, pondering whether he should tell him his real name or not. He notices the folder Taehyun was holding, and figured that the Officer might have already known his identity. He was testing him. “Choi Soobin.”

“A pleasure meeting you, Mr. Choi Soobin. You live alone?”

“Yes.”

The officer raises a brow. “I see. Any visitors over? A relative, or perhaps a lover?”

Soobin's heart races. He could spot the officer's partner at the back, preparing hid gear. He didn't like where this was going. “No.”

"Is that so?" The officer, Taehyun, breaks into a smile— cold, unsettling. He wonders if this smile was the last others have seen before getting sent straight to the facilities.

"This side of the neighborhood is pretty quiet, don't you think? No one else is living here except you."

"This place certainly has its charms." Soobin shrugs, trying his best to drive away suspicion. "I don't mind living alone and the groceries aren't that far from here anyway."

Officer Yeonjun steps in, gear in place and face unreadable. He nudges Taehyun to the side and takes over the conversation. "Listen, we'll make this quick for you. My partner and I spotted a suspicious woman walking around this area. No one else is living here except you. Do you know anything about her?"

There it was. Soobin supposes he couldn't have avoided the question any longer. "No, I don't. I haven't seen anyone nearby either. I was here at home the entire night, making dinner."

"I see." Yeonjun nods, his hand slowly reaching for something in his pocket. "You seem like a pretty agreeable guy. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if we checked inside to see if you're telling the truth."

"Not at all." Soobin grins, opening the door wider. It's not like he could refuse them in the first place. Raiders had been given the authority to search any premises without a warrant. He just hopes you had half a mind to hide yourself by now.

And you did. Both of you had prepared the house for circumstances like this. There was a trap door in the living room where you could hide in the case of an emergency. Soobin had melted the ice once Officer Yeonjun stepped in, and that was enough of a signal for you to hide. You couldn't afford to put Soobin in any more risk than he was already in.

Heavy footsteps liter the living room. Two, no, three pairs? That meant the two officers had gone inside with Soobin.

"Mr. Choi, would you mind showing my partner upstairs?"

"Of course."

You feel your pulse start to race. Soobin being alone with a raider was putting them in a stickier situation. If he loses control at any moment, this could mean the end of their lives. You couldn't help but peek through the hole on the floorboard. Only the pink haired officer was left behind to search the living room. You try to breathe quieter, hoping he wouldn't notice your presence.

The officer brings his hand to his ear, head shifting around as if making sure there weren't any witnesses.

"What is he doing?" You think to yourself, bracing for the worst.

"Taehyun's got him cornered upstairs. The girl isn't here. We'll proceed as planned."

You hold back a gasp and stumble back. A loud thump sounds upstairs followed by a glass shattering. Soobin!

The officer hears the noise and sighs, smashing his communicator onto the ground. He crouches down onto the floorboard and knocks twice. "Hey, I know you're there. Listen to me."

You don't respond, shock and fear stopping you from even breathing.

"This may be too much to ask, but please trust me. I'm part of the anti-faction unit that's here to support the ability users. My partner will capture your boyfriend and bring him to the facilities and I don't have a choice but to help him. I'll report you as a missing case so run away after my partner and I leave. There's no saving your boyfriend now so you could at least save yourself."

"Why are you doing this? Why can't you just save him?" You choke on your words, anger slowly rising. If he was here as an undercover agent then he could've at least saved Soobin.

"It's loo late. The facility's had an eye on him for months. If I do anything now, my cover would be blown. I can't have that." The officer frowns. You could see his fallen expression through the hole but that wasn't enough to calm you down.

"And I can't have Soobin getting killed." You snarl, hands balling into fists.

"He won't." The officer says before standing up. "They'll be down soon. Just do as I say and save yourself."

You feel your blood boiling. They knew Soobin was an ability user from the start and had used you as an excuse to lure him in a tight spot. Abandon Soobin? Not a chance. You didn't abandon him back then and you were sure as hell you wouldn't be abandoning him now when he needed you most.

"Move."

"Hm?"

The trap door had enough space to hide in, but that also meant you had enough space to make a running start. "I said move." You ram against the floorboard, knocking Yeonjun off and bursting the door open.

You were free.

"Soobin! Get out of there!" You scream the moment you got out, running as fast as your legs could carry you towards the stairs.

"Are you crazy?!" Yeonjun runs after you, breath hitching as he manages to grab your leg. "You could get killed!"

You kick Yeonjun's hand, causing him to stumble behind. "Soobin!" You scream, dashing upstairs. You make a sharp turn towards his bedroom and find him down on the floor, blood dripping from his hands.

Soobin looks at you, tears threatening to prick his eyes. "Y/N, get away from here!"

"Soobin.." Your gaze shifts from his worried eyes to Officer Taehyun's cold ones, looking at you like you were as significant as a tiny insect. It was only then that you realized what a mess the place was. The book case had been knocked over, sending the books scattering around the room. A huge spear of ice had bursted from the ground and crashed onto the glass window, coming in between Soobin and the officer.

"So, you were here all along?" Officer Taehyun scoffs, his tone as cold as his expression.

"Y/N, stand back. I'll handle this." Soobin tells you, wincing as he holds a hand towards the officer.

"You can't do anything to me." Taehyun smirks, crossing his arms. "You used up all your energy making this freak ice appear and for what? To buy time? You're the type who loses energy while using your abilities, so why not stop now?" You see him glance your way before snickering. "Is it the girl? Do monsters even have time for love?"

"Might want to check in the mirror." You slowly inch towards Soobin's side. "Who's the monster here? A guy who's just trying to live his life quietly, or the one who's had innocent blood spilled in his hands for countless nights?"

Taehyun's amused expression falls. "Last time I checked, none of them were innocent. And I'm not the one who conjured ice from the ground to harm an officer. Normal humans don't do that shit. Monsters do. Isn't that right, Yeonjun?"

Before you knew it, you were pinned to the ground. Yeonjun had crept up on you from behind while you were distracted.

"Y/N!" Soobin rushes after you but stops as Yeonjun takes out a knife and puts it to your neck.

"Move and I'll cut her." Yeonjun spits out his empty threats. You knew he wouldn't harm you. He just wanted to get out of this mess as fast as possible.

Soobin clicks his tongue, lowering his hands in defeat. Taehyun finds himself smiling at the entire situation. "There you go. And just when I thought you'd lost your common sense."

He walks over to Soobin, carefully maneuvering through the ice and shards of glass. "Come with us quietly, and we'll set her free. No scratches, no anything. Do we have a deal?" He takes out specialized handcuffs used to detain ability users and twirls it around his fingers.

"Don't! Soobin, please! There must be another way!" You scream, trying to break free from Yeonjun's hold but that only made him pin you down harder.

Soobin looks back at you and then at Taehyun, shedding a tear as he holds his hands out in front. "Keep your end of the deal. I surrender."

"No!"

"Quiet." Yeonjun puts the blade back into his pockets and puts his hand over your mouth. "Mmf!"

You felt powerless as you watch Soobin get handcuffed, his eyes never leaving yours— taking in your face one last time. "I'm sorry." He whispers.

"Oh, and for safety measure." Taehyun hums as he takes out a tranquilizer needle, stabbing Soobin on the neck. Soobin's falls on the ground, unconscious. "You can't be too careful with these monsters." Taehyun chuckles, bending down and hoisting Soobin up in his shoulders. He walks over to you and Yeonjun, leaving behind a few instructions for his partner. "Release her when I give the signal."

"My communicator's broken."

Taehyun raises a brow.

"It fell and got stepped on when this chick came out of nowhere and ambushed me."

Taehyun sighs. "I suppose we don't have a choice. Use my communicator." He uses his free hand to hand Yeonjun his communicator.

Yeonjun holds it in his hand and nods. You try to look over the door towards Soobin, but they were long gone. Yeonjun notices this and bends down, whispering.

"Listen. The plans have changed." He holds out Taehyun's communicator in front of you and smashes it to the ground. "Taehyun has no means of contacting the others for backup, and they can't hear us from where they're parked. We might be able to save Soobin." He loosens his grip and lets you go.

"What made you change your mind?"

Yeonjun sighs, helping you up. "We actually have a fighting chance now if we work together."

"What do you mean?"

"It's gonna take Taehyun a while to sort through the mess blocking the door."

"Mess? What mess?" And then it hit you. "You missed it up on purpose." That's why it took him so long to catch up.

Yeonjun takes out a gun from his holster and cocks it. "Listen carefully. We don't have a lot of time. Taehyun's has his guard down right now. I'm gonna sneak up to him and shoot hid arm that's holding Soobin. As soon as he drops him, I want you to grab Soobin and take him to the back. I'll meet you there."

You didn't exactly trust the guy but you weren't in a situation to be picky. "Fine."

"On my signal." Yeonjun whispers, taking a step forward from your hiding spot.

The plan sets in motion. The two of you sneak downstairs, peeking at Taehyun who's trying to sift through the broken furniture with one hand.

"Wow, looks like the girl got away. My bad."

"What are you—"

Yeonjun pulls the trigger before Taehyun could turn around, hitting the heel on his right leg.

"Shit!" Taehyun winces in pain. He reaches for his gun but Yeonjun was faster, shooting two other bullets through his other leg and his shoulder that's holding Soobin. He drops Soobin to the ground with a thud.

Yeonjun turns to you. "Now!"

You sprint towards Soobin's body, adrenaline coursing through your veins.

"Hold it right there." Taehyun pulls out a knife and holds it towards Soobin's throat. "One step closer and I'll kill him. Even if that traitor shoots me, I'll just use the last of my energy to slash his throat. You don't want that now, do you?" The look in Taehyun's eyes infuriated you. He looked so confident that you wouldn't dare take another step further, none of you would. And he was right.

Your eyes fall upon Soobin, your heart squeezing in your chest at the thought of losing him. All you could hope for was a miracle. To hell, it didn't even need to be a miracle. It could be a tragedy, a curse, whatever. Just let Soobin return safely in your arms.

You feel your hands heating up despite the cool air rushing inside from the open windows. A warm sensation fills your chest and you gasp for air. Taehyun and Yeonjun observe as you grip your stomach. You feel like throwing up. It felt like you've lost all control in your body. You were sweating from the heat, and the world looked like it was spinning out of control. Your vision clouds until a bright light flashes, stunning you for a brief moment.

"What's wrong with you?"

Your attention shifts towards Taehyun who'd spoken and all you could see was red. "Let him go."

Taehyun tightens his grip on the handle. "I didn't know this monster's life meant so little to you."

"Sorry to break it to you, but his worth is immeasurable in my eyes. I'd do anything for him." You narrow your eyes at his face. "Even if it meant I'd have to spill blood in my hands."

"Y/N, what are you doing?" Yeonjun asks, his tone laced with worry.

"Committing a murder." You answer, not bothering to look at him. "But not a crime."

In a split-second, the door behind Taehyun explodes, the flaming debris piercing Taehyun straight in the chest, miraculously missing Soobin. Taehyun's lifeless body falls onto the ground and Yeonjun takes cover from the explosion. You stay plotted at the same spot, scratches littering your sides as you nearly miss the flying debris. The fire slowly spreads throughout the living room and your legs give in as you drop to the floor.

You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, your arms instinctively reaching towards Soobin. Drained seemed like an understatement. You could barely move. It was as if all the energy you had earlier had been sucked out of your body.

"Y/N, get a hold of yourself!" Yeonjun rushes towards your side as soon as the coast was clear. "We have to get out of here!"

The world around you darkens and your mind turns blank. You couldn't even think at this point. Soobin was right in front of you yet nothing of what has happened has processed in your head. In the end, all you could do was stare at his face as hot tears spilled from your eyes.

"Snap out of it!"

You feel a stinging sensation coming from your cheek and you look up at Yeonjun. The air rushes back up your lungs and you gasp.

"Listen to me. We need to get out of here right now. If the fire spreads throughout the house, we're done for. We either die in flames or be killed once the backup finds us. Can you walk?"

"Yeah.. I think I can." You try your best to answer. He helps you on your feet before rushing towards Soobin.

Yeonjun stumbles as he hoists Soobin onto his back. He looks at you, eyes determined. "We managed to escape now, but who knows what'll happen next. What do we do now?"

In the end, it all came down to this. Wherever you went, it was all the same. You and Soobin have suffered too much, and it was time to put an end to it. Strangely enough, the flames that had swallowed your living room didn't make you afraid. It made you feel powerful— powerful enough to make a change.

"I don't want to cower in fear anymore." You lock eyes with Yeonjun who earnestly gangs on to your every word. "We've hidden ourselves in the darkness in fear of being captured but I think it's time we use the what we're familiar with to fight them off— use the darkness to turn against our oppressors."

"So what do you suggest we do?" Yeonjun settles right next to you.

You face your resolve, reaching your hand to caress Soobin's sleeping face. "For now.."

"We run to the shadows."

[criminalminds4days]

Family Matters |  Chapter 4: Saying Sorry is a Virtue

Hello my beautiful souls!!

I hope this of you who celebrate Christmas had and amazing time, and those if you who don't had a great Friday!

I had a really chill holiday, and although I was supposed to be home and that didn't happen, I'm still glad I had a good time. I got a watch for Christmas and I'm obsessed!!

Anyway, I also wanted to let you guys know I'll be posting the story on Wattpad, and thanks to @meowiemari I also have a cover. I have attached it below! My wattpad user is @criminalminds4days so feel free to follow and read along!

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. It's one of my favorites. 💙💙

Warnings: Swearing, sexual references, violence and murder references, public embarrassment, and very bad jokes!

Word Count: 3.6k

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Tag list: @mcntsee @lets-be-gay-for-the-angel @evelyncade @haylaansmi @paulaern @myfandomlife-blog

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(This gif is not mine)

Chapter 4: Saying Sorry is a Virtue

It had been a little over three months since her absolute wrecking of the family retreat. She had managed to get her mom to get past it, and though she had promised to apologize to the rest of her aunts and uncles, she had not gotten around (well, more like she didn't think it was necessary, they probably had already forgotten, and she did actually mean every word she said).

Her team and she had evaded more danger than possible in the last couple of weeks, and she had a feeling today she would not be returning to her bed to sleep. She also had to figure out what she wanted to get Spencer for his birthday. She was so excited to celebrate with him that she wanted to spill her idea of a surprise birthday party to him, but she needed to remain strong. She just hoped he would like it, and that she could find something to give him. She knew him so much better now and had so many things that he would like, but she wanted this gift to be unique, something that reminded him of her. Not that she wanted him thinking about her all the time because that would be weird, but maybe once in a while?

A knock on her door made her get out of her head. She walked to see Tyler Hemingway standing on the other side.

"Can I come in?"

"Why?"

"I just-" He looked at the floor, nervous. "I was just hoping we could talk."

"We can talk right here, what do you want?"

"I just wanted to say I am sorry, for what happened."

"What exactly? That you humiliated me in front of my family, or that your wife called me and my boyfriend liars."

"All of it, I should have known better."

"Yes, you should have." She debated whether to say something else but decided against it. "I honestly don't understand where this is coming from, it was two years ago."

"I know, and I am also sorry it has taken me so long to say anything. I just didn't know how to approach the situation, and what we had was so special, I wish I hadn't ruined it."

She had waited to hear those words for so long that how wrong what she did, didn't occur to her until the damage had been done. Even if her feelings for the man in front of her were not the same as they were two years ago, those words were enough to make her become less hostile towards him. She let Tyler in, forgetting Spencer was waiting for her to pick him up in about twenty minutes.

"Spencer? Why are you late?"

"Because she didn't pick me up like she was supposed to. I assumed she may be running a little late, so I waited and then I called her, but it went straight to voicemail." He responded to Emily.

"That is so not like her, should we be worried?"

"I don't know, but I already am, maybe we should go see if she's home or something."

The elevator doors opened once again as Spencer and Emily were preparing themselves to raid her house in order to find her. She stepped out, a look of immense guilt present as her eyes landed on the brunette. He did not seem upset, more like relieved she was there. Emily dropped her jacket and embraced her, a huge weight lifting off her shoulders after seeing her. When she was released from the woman's hug, she directed her eyes back to him.

"I am so sorry; I was on my way-" before she could explain Aaron Hotchner told them to join the rest of the team at the round table to discuss the next case.

"This one is a bad one," JJ said as she read through the file. "These people are killing families. Not even the children are spared."

"Yeah, and it's only getting worse." Said Penelope as she shared the pictures of the crime scenes. She wished she could concentrate but Spencer kept glancing at her with worry. He knew something wasn't right, but she didn't know how to explain it without sounding like she was digging herself in a bigger hole.

She avoided him on the jet, as she pretended to be asleep and then engaged in a very interesting conversation with JJ about diapers and toddlers. As much as she loved the blonde, she sometimes didn't appreciate learning all these baby facts, it took the wishes to have children away faster than anything else.

She was now in a black SUV, with Spencer in the back seat and Emily driving. She sat in the front seat as they drove towards the hospital. One of the girls had been spared and they were hoping to talk to her about the unsubs.

"So, why were you late this morning?" Emily questioned, "You left Cinderella over there without his carriage."

"Yeah, I know. I am so sorry Spencer."

"It's okay, I just got worried."

"I know, and I am so sorry." She took a deep breath, preparing to explain to them why she had been delayed. "I just got some unexpected company this morning."

"Was it Anna?"

"No, she has been radio silent for these past couple of months, I'm assuming she is building a bulletproof alibi for when she decides to murder me."

"Is there something I should know about?" Emily asked as she stole glances at her.

"Spencer and I went to my family retreat a couple of months ago and when we were there I may or may not have basically told my aunts and uncles to go fuck themselves."

"You explicitly told them to do so." Spencer clarified.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because they all sucked. Emily if you would have been there, you would have done the same." Spencer responded. "But going back to the main topic, who came to your apartment today? Was it your mom?"

"We need to have a conversation about this whole family retreat thing!" The woman behind the steering wheel complained.

"I will tell you all about it tonight." She assured her. "And no, Spence, it wasn't my mom, it was someone a little closer to Anna."

"Her mom?"

"No, Tyler."

There was no response to that, Spencer looked like he didn't know exactly what he was feeling, while Emily seemed like she had returned to watch her favorite show only to find out she missed a whole season, and she had no idea what happened to the storyline she was following.

"Who's Tyler?"

"Anna's husband." She clarified, "he came to apologize for everything, and to say that he didn't think what Anna did was okay."

Reid scoffed, "and you believe him?"

"He seemed very genuine about it."

"Unbelievable."

"I am so lost right now."

"Spencer, are you upset about this?"

"Me? Why should I? It's not like I pretended to be your boyfriend to prevent him from making you feel any worse than he had already, and you ended up right back at where you started."

"Are you implying I slept with him?"

"I never said that."

"Well then what are you saying? Because need I remind you, he is a married man. I would never do something like that." She crossed her arms, becoming defensive of the situation. "He simply wanted to talk, so I listened. It was a conversation, and it's just going to be a dinner. Nothing more."

"Oh, so you're going on a date with him too?"

"It's not a date! Did I not mention he was married?! To another woman!"

"Being with someone else has never stopped him before."

"What is happening right now?" Emily asked, to no one in particular.

"Seriously Spencer?"

"Did I lie?"

"Why are you so worked up about this? It doesn't even concern you."

"I am upset, because even after he told you in front of all your family that he was in love with your cousin and married her, breaking your heart, he says, 'I'm sorry' and suddenly he's back on the top of your priority list." He spits out, his emotions running high.

"This man did what now?" Both looked at Prentiss as if remembering she was there all along.

"I can't believe you just said that! I confided in you."

"And I trusted you."

"It was one day! I forgot to pick you up one day and suddenly I am the worst person on this planet, really?"

"Are you seriously so oblivious to think this is about some stupid ride?"

"Guys,"

"No? Then what is this about? Is this about me making you look bad or something?"

"No, it's about the fact that after all we've been through and the fact that I have done all I can to help you and be there for you I am still less important than Tyler fucking Hemingway."

"Guys,"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Guys,"

"It doesn't even matter anymore, enjoy your dinner." He undid his seat belt. "Why didn't you tell me we were here Emily?"

"I have been trying."

"Let's go then." He said as he exited the SUV marching up to the hospital entrance.

"What is his problem?" She asked Emily, still heated by the discussion.

"Well,-"

Before Prentiss could respond she was cut off. "I mean, yes, this guy broke my heart but that doesn't mean I have to hold a grudge forever, right? I might as well move past it, don't you think?"

"If you ask me-"

"And it was one conversation, and we're going out to dinner to finish it, there is nothing wrong with that. I don't know why he got so worked up about it, do you?"

"Yeah-"

"You know what, screw Spencer, if he wants to be a jerk for no fucking reason, let him do it. I am not going to lose sleep over it, nor am I gonna give him explanations. Who the hell does he think he is?"

"I think-"

"Yeah, you're right Emily, when Reid decides to get his shit together he can talk to me, in the meantime, we need to find out who these unsubs are before they hurt anyone else." She undid her seatbelt and opened the door, Emily still sitting there, trying to figure out what the heck had just happened. "Aren't you coming?"

"Yeah, sure." She followed suit and they both entered the hospital. Spencer was speaking to the girl's nurse as they approached, he didn't make any comments, but he also didn't acknowledge her, nor invite her into the conversation as he did to Emily. He was acting professional and doing his job, but his stance and emotions were very clear by the lack of interactions between them unless it was absolutely necessary.

As soon as Emily entered the room to interview the victim, the silence that engulfed them made her heart tighten. Spencer and she had gone past this already, they were friends, there was never a silent moment between them, and now all of that seemed to vanish in the air, all because of her decision to let Tyler Hemingway apologize.

She chose to ignore the situation until further notice. Emily was right, Spencer was being a dramatic prick and she was just gonna give him the time to realize that he was wrong. So when she got to bed, grateful for a bit of peace knowing one of the killers had been identified and was going to be caught soon, the last thing she wanted to do was have a conversation with Emily about the topic this same one had told her to not think about.

"I didn't say to just ignore it. As a matter of fact, I didn't get one sentence out during the whole drive to the hospital."

"That can't be true."

"Oh, but it was. Now I know how Reid felt when Gideon left." She fixed her shirt and continued, "well, regardless, what happened between you and Tyler, and what exactly does Dr. Genius know?"

"Spence knows pretty much everything, it kind of came with the territory." She recounted the story and this time she didn't leave any detail out, well, almost didn't leave any detail out.

Emily learned about Anna and their rivalry, Tyler and him choosing her cousin over her, the only thing she never even brought up was her dad. Only Spencer knew about it and she wanted to keep it that way. She finally landed on the weekend in question and the words she had shared with her cousin. Though that wasn't exactly what Prentiss found worrisome.

"You and Reid kissed?! Like on the lips?!" She screamed.

"Yeah, it was just so they would stop bugging us. It's not even the first time we kissed, so why is it a big deal?"

"Wait, you've kissed him before that day?"

"Yeah, at my cousin's wedding."

"Holy shit! I was not expecting that. My OTP is getting all these moments that will eventually lead to the ship sailing and I didn't even know about them!"

"Have you started talking another language by accident or something? I don't understand anything of what you just said."

"Don't worry about it. On a scale of one to ten, how good of a kisser is he?"

"Eleven." She responded immediately, "but that has nothing to do with this whole situation."

"It definitely does! Now it makes sense, Reid thinks you still have feelings for your ex, and he's jealous. He probably doesn't even know it, and he's probably trying to understand why he is so upset with you. Oh my god, he's jealous!"

"Emily, he's not jealous. Spence and I are not dating, we pretended to be a couple." She explained, thinking the woman hadn't understood her.

"Yeah, I know that, but I also know that any fake dating movie or book has always reached a point where the two main characters become unconsciously aware of their feelings. This is it! THIS IS IT!" She shook her and laughed, then suddenly came to a stop. "Oh my god, I am the best friend. I am definitely the friend that gives some wise advice that makes it click in your brain, let me think," she looked around the room as if inspiration would pop out of the bed. "I got it: get your shit together and marry Spencer." She stood and walked out the door, before fully closing it she spoke again, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk some sense into our little genius. Love you, hope I am invited to the wedding!"

Though after the break in the case they had found themselves relieved and on their way back, the nagging feeling she called Emily Prentiss kept insisting that both doctors were actually in love and that all they needed to do was kiss and become a couple. It was so constant that even when she wasn't around she could hear her echo. Like right then when she was trying to brush her hair and mentally prepare herself for whatever this dinner with Tyler was going to bring. Though she and Spencer had not yelled or continued to argue, there was nothing else left of their friendship, at least that's what it seemed like. It was as if the past months were a dream and they were just back to being coworkers, and that feeling was burning her up inside. She did not realize how important he had become in her life until he wasn't a part of it anymore.

"You look great," Tyler said as she entered the restaurant.

"Thanks, Spence helped me pick out this shirt when we went to the mall a couple of weeks ago. He said blue always looked good on me."

"That's great." The man responded, clearly uncomfortable. "So, I know you had to leave for work the other day, but I was hoping now we could talk more about what happened between us."

"Yes, of course."

She didn't really understand how she had gotten to the point of having an actual conversation with the man sitting across from her, because she had been angry at him for so long, that it never occurred to her as a possibility. He had once again apologized and given her a tale of how he had let his emotions guide him without realizing he could hurt others, and while that didn't excuse his actions, she still accepted his apology, choosing instead to move on from their current limbo. They had quickly changed the conversation, like if two old friends had reconnected after so long. Tyler was a great friend when he wanted to be, he was pleasant company, to say the least.

"And the other day, Spence was trying to learn to play the piano, and I told him there was no way he could learn in a week. So what did he do? He-"

"Stop, just stop!" He interrupted her, and she furrowed her eyebrows confused. "I have been sitting here for an hour listening to you talk about your stupid boyfriend and his IQ of 187." He rubbed his hands through his face and tried to calm down. "Was this the plan all along? You heard me tell you that I wished I hadn't ruined our relationship and decided playing with me was perfect revenge? Accepting dinner only to humiliate me by ignoring me and choosing to talk about that Spencer guy? Is he in on it or something?"

Oh. My. God.

Reid was right, this man was not looking to mend old friendships or start a new chapter, he was looking for a mistress. 

"You, are the worst type of jerk I have ever met. I actually believed you wanted to be friends, to turn the page but all you wanted was to get in my pants." She stood, grabbing her drink and spilling it over him. "I hope I never see you again. Go fuck yourself Tyler." She walked, but before she exited the restaurant she returned and gave him a fake smile, "and also, Thank you for humiliating me in front of my family, you showed me how little you were and that I could do so much better. Say, an FBI agent with an IQ of 187." Once again she turned and this time she didn't even bother looking back.

The drive to her apartment was long, mostly because she didn't drive there, but to Spencer Reid's home. She felt her palms sweat, she hated admitting she was wrong, but she hated not having Spencer around much more than a bruised ego. She knocked on the door and Spencer opened, he looked confused, but as soon as he registered her in he simply raised an eyebrow and changed his confused demeanor to a completely neutral.

"I came to tell you that you were right. He just wanted to get in pants." There was no response, and she fiddled with her hands. "I actually thought he wanted to apologize, and I think part of me just wanted to believe that for the first time I was not being used, that people actually cared about what I felt."

"There are people that care about you, they are just not the wants you wanted to."

"No, they are! I thought I needed the people who wronged me to fix it, to show me that I was worth the trouble when in reality all I needed was for me to understand that I was. And I just needed a reminder that the people that care about me are the ones that should matter the most." A trace of a smile formed on his lips. "I am so sorry about how I acted, and I am sorry I left you here waiting for me. Spencer Reid, you are my best friend and you come before any other jerk out there. I need you to know that this time in which I didn't have you with me was miserable. I missed you so much I spent the whole dinner with Tyler talking about you."

"You did?" He seemed genuinely surprised.

"Yeah, I did. I missed you, and I hope we never fight again, I don't know what I would do without your friendship."

"I missed you too." She bit her lip, and he smiled. "Wanna come in and watch TV?"

"I would love that."

"That's good to hear, I am trying to get Spence here to watch Dance Moms with me but he refuses, maybe if there is two of us, he'll change his mind." A voice inside his apartment spoke. He opened the door to reveal Emily Prentiss wearing Pjs with The Hunger Games symbols on them. "May I say, you look hot. Blue suits you."

"So I've been told."

"Are you sure you can handle being in that close all night though? Maybe Spencer can lend you one of his shirts." She said, winking at them.

"Has she been drinking?"

"It's her third bottle of wine."

"We need to cut her off."

"Yeah, we do." He smiled at her, "She's right though, if you want to borrow something more comfortable let me know."

"Careful Spencer Reid, I might take you up on that."

"Awwww, YOU TWO ARE ADORABLE!" The woman screamed. "Just get married already!"

The pair laughed and made their way to the sofa, she closed the door behind her and sat down, feeling whole for the first time this week. Emily and Spencer were the best friends a girl could ask for, and she couldn't think of a better way to spend the rest of her night than watching trash TV with the two of them as they laughed and joked.

It was home. 

[targaryenimagines]

Living Darkness

Daenerys Targaryen x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2,117

Summary:

Warnings: Angst

A/N: I hope this is what you wanted.

"Khaleesi."

A soft voice whispers but she doesn't bother to turn around. She only squeezes her eyes shut at the intruding noise. Trying to block out everything that was around her.

Trying to block out the memories.

Every time she opens her eyes she was met with a constant replay of events that she could never change. Taunting her for her failures.

Every time she hears whispered words as she passes she hears the sound of Viserion's cry. The sound of your scream when he wouldn't pull up. The sound of her own when she saw what was happening.

Every time she blinks she sees your broken body falling from the sky. A crimson trail following in your path. She could see Viserion diving towards you. His cream colored scales stained red.

Every time she closes her eyes to sleep she's met with broken ice. Ice that quickly turned from blue to red.

"Daenerys."

Her mind keeps replaying everything over and over again. Telling her what she already knew. What she's known since you disappeared underneath the ice.

She had failed.

She had failed you.

She had failed Viserion.

She had failed everyone.

"Dany."

Everything she has worked for meant nothing now that you were gone. You were her light, shining brilliantly like a flame. Your constant warmth and love exuding from you igniting her with a passion of a thousands suns. One of the reasons Viserion had chosen you as his rider. Your shared gentleness a clear indicator in the potential bond.

Despair starts to fill her heart at a rapid pace. Paralysing her within it's dark embrace. Trapping her in a constant repeat of events that she would do anything to change.

Causing her to remember everything with perfect detail.

All the events that transpired before. Everything that could have been changed to stop her light from being taken.

-----

The plan was set, everything was going into motion. With each step she was closer and closer to claiming her birthright. Nothing was going to stop her now. The sound of soft laughter interrupts her thoughts but it brings a warm feeling to her heart.

Daenerys turns her violet gaze towards yours. Your beautiful eyes sparkling underneath the sun. Your hair getting tousled by the wind. She couldn't help the smile that spreads across her lips at the sight of you. Watching as you play with Viserion, whose eyes were sparkling with delight. Both of your movements in sync with one another. A true testament to how close you two have gotten over time. A sight that brings the same warm feeling back to her heart.

Her earlier thoughts returning to her but with a new addition. That when she took back the throne she would finally make you her wife. She would finally show the world that you were hers and she was yours.

With the plan underway she was that much closer to her goal.

For a better life not only for the people of Westeros, but the both of you.

Her forever with you coming closer and closer as each moment passed.

A thought that brings a lightness to her heart and soul, and a smile to her face.

-----

If only I had stopped it. I should have listened to her when she was trying to talk me out of it. I should have known that she was right, Daenerys thinks, her mind crying out everything that she should have done. I should have protected her and Viserion. If only I'd known.

Tears were escaping her eyes at a faster rate. Her sorrow consuming her and darkening her world. It was her fault her love and son were gone. If she had been faster, if she had been paying more attention to her surroundings she could have prevented it. If she would have been better than you would still be with her. Bringing joy and laughter wherever you went.

Instead her world was nothing but despair and agony. Her body trapped in self-inflicted numbness to everything but her pain.

Her pain was the only thing that kept her close to you.

Her pain was the only thing that kept you alive.

Her pain was what she deserved for failing you.

She should have listened to you, the pain was only her punishment for not doing so.

-----

"Dany, please, we both know that this plan is suicidal, at best. We shouldn't be wasting our time in trying to impress Cersei Lannister. Every moment we waste gives her more and more time to grow her defenses. We shouldn't be wasting our time heading beyond the Wall when our most immediate threat is here," you plead, your eyes staring at her with urgency. Your words ringing loudly across the silence of the room.

"The plan has already been set into motion. It was decided that this course of action would be for the best," Daenerys responds, her words calm and precise. Trying to show you the necessity of this course of action.

However, you simply shake your head. Disapproval shining within your eyes, and laced in your voice. "This is not the best course of action. We both know that Dany and even if it is the best course of action it, certainly, isn't so for us. You're not only risking one of your most trusted advisors but the possibility of the North blaming you for their king's death if this were to go wrong," you stress, you hands starting to fidget by your side. A nervous tick that you have always had, she thinks fondly. "It would be much safer and more efficient if we take King's Landing now and issue a royal decree to help the North. Why should you get Cersei's approval when you can do what she can when you're queen?"

Daenerys closes her eyes at your words. Knowing that you were right but everything has already been decided. There was nothing more that she could do. This was the course that was set and agreed upon. There was no changing it now.

"My love, I know you disapprove of this decision but please believe in it. Believe in me, everything is going to be fine and Cersei Lannister will learn the truth. A truth that all of Westeros needs to know. I promise you nothing will happen," Daenerys says, bringing her hands to clasp yours. Her hope for you to understand growing with each moment as you look at her.

"You have done amazing things, Dany. Things I could never in a million years do but, not even you, could predict the future and I don't want to see that future when you're proven wrong with this. Only death awaits when you head beyond the Wall. I just hope you don't come to regret your decision."

With those parting words you slip out of her hold and into the hall. Your words ringing loudly in the silence of the air even as you presence was long gone. Echoing like a phantom within her ears.

I just hope you don't come to regret your decision.

-----

She does.

With each ragged intake of breath that takes more and more energy to accomplish.

God she does, with every moment that you're not by her side. It was like the world around her was swallowing her whole. Consuming her in darkness and despair. Her mind and heart at a constant war with each other. Her entire being screaming out in agony for not having you there.

She couldn't breathe knowing that you were no longer doing the same. Like the air was toxic and was clogging up her lungs. Only causing her sobs to become more and more erratic with each breath she takes. Her body folding in on itself because she couldn't find the strength to keep standing. To appear strong and collected when her whole being was shattered beyond repair.

Her mind was only a vessel for her pain.

Her body was a prisoner to her despair.

Her heart was a hollow shell of what it used to be.

Everything was different without you by her side. Without Viserion's playful cries in the morning towards Drogon and Rhaegal. Now there were only sounds of mourning. Their cries raising towards the heaven and echoing across the land.

They too understood what was lost because they weren't good enough.

They too remember when everything fell apart.

-----

The snarls of the dead fill the air. Drowning out the whistling of the wind.

Daenerys lifts her gaze towards the sky and watches Viserion and Rhaegal. She could tell that they were starting to get tired. Something that sends a bolt of terror through her chest. They needed to get out as soon as they could. Drogon rumbles underneath her, clearly, agreeing with the sentiment.

Daenerys brings her gaze towards the mass of Wights. Their eyes sending a shiver down her spine. She had never seen such soulless eyes before. Not a hint of emotion within their depths. She knows that they have to get out of here soon. Their time here was out and they're running on borrowed time.

Bringing her gaze towards Jon's she sees the desperation within his gaze. Clearly he hadn't expected this sudden attack. None of them had expect you. Daenerys feels her heart skip a beat at the thought of you. Fighting with their children while she was stationary on the ground. A fact that she was not happy with but there was nothing she could do.

Daenerys reaches out her hand towards Jon when she sees he's coming close. The sooner he was on Drogon the sooner they could leave. The sooner they could leave the less likely any casualties will happen. As Jon grows nearer she could feel a lightness starting to take over her body. Her heart slowing down from its erratic beat.

Only to completely stop when Viserion's cry echos through the air. Filling her with a complete sense of dread as she turns to him. Her eyes only widening at what she sees.

You.

Falling towards the ground in a deadly arc. The crimson of your blood staining the air around you.

Daenerys didn't even realize that she had let out a scream of her own. The sound sounding like she was having her heart ripped from her body. It was a sound that all that were present would remember. It was the sound of complete and total agony.

Agony that was encompassing her as each second passed. Her only reprieve being when Viserion dove after you. Hoping beyond anything that he would be able to catch you. He was always the fastest of the three, and he would be able to catch you.

He had to.

Her hope starts to dwindle, however, when you grow closer and closer to the ground. With Viserion showing no signs of pulling up.

Your scream was a testament to what was happening. "Bē, Visērion, jikagon bē."

You knew what was going to happen. What Daenerys was willing not to. You knew and so did Viserion.

He wasn't fast enough.

He wouldn't be able to catch you.

You would hit the ground and there was nothing anyone could do.

A thought that brings another, sharper, cry from her lips. Despair filling her being within its embrace.

Her pain only grows that much more when Viserion tucks his wings tighter into his body. Knowing that she wasn't only going to lose you today she was going to lose both. She was going to lose the love of her life and her son.

She could see Rhaegal diving towards them but Daenerys knew he was too far away. Causing tears to start to slip from her eyes. Her pain growing more and more as you grow closer and closer to the ground.

She watches as you grab Viserion's neck and hold on. Clinging to him for the last time and Daenerys feels her heart break even more.

More so than the ice when you finally hit it.

The explosion of water shatters the silence of the landscape. The howls of the dead and the wind comes back, but Daenerys can't bring herself to move.

Her body and mind completely numb to everything. She was stuck staring at the hole you had dissapeared into.

Even as Drogon took off into the air she couldn't bring herself to look away.

Knowing that her light had been taken away.

Plunging her world into darkness.

The North may be facing their Long Night when the Night King comes.

Hers had already come, she would live in darkness until she saw you again.

Until she would be able to see her sun again.

[just-whatever-ig]

I remember that a few weeks ago I wrote something about this that's totally destroying angsty.... Soooooo.... finally, here y'all go: warnings: canonical character death, Season 6 spoilers (Fugitive Arc) and ANGST!!

PROCEED WITH CAUTION PLEASE!

AU: Force sensitive Fox had vision dreams about killing Fives for all his life. To prevent it his friends search for said clone and when Rex introduces them and they become close friends they all think that things might be alright... oh how wrong they were....

Mentioned OC(s): Lullaby (Corrie who was close to Cody and Fives, but he is not of great importance for this fic.)

Do It For Both Of Us

"I'm sorry", Cody whispered, pulling Fox closer into his arms, "I know that doesn't make anything better, but...." He felt the thick lump in his own throat and did his best not to sniff away the water in his eyes, him crying over a person he hadn't know that much anyway would definitely not help Fox in any way.

"Months.... I thought...", Fox whispered weakly, "I thought we prevented this, I thought.... and now... he's... I.... I did this, Cody", his voice shivered, "It was me who killed him. After... after everything... he... I'm..."

"I know", Cody replied, slowly carding his fingers through Fox's greying hair, "You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to." That was the only thing Cody could get out before scrunching up his face against the tears. This was not a choice he was giving Fox. This was a plead to not please, do not talk about this, because I'm too weak to give you the comfort you need.

"I thought.... and now...", Fox breathed heavily, "I'm not even.... I'm just trying to wake up..."

Cody drew him closer, burying his face in Fox's neck trying to block out the constant stream of half finished sentences. He was not strong enough to carry Fox's burden, he barely got on with his own, how was he supposed to deal with another assload of problems and the death of a loved one on top of that.

He tried not to think about Lullaby at the moment and the way his eyes had went empty on Cody's lap, or the way his tight grip around Cody's hand had loosened. Tried not to remember him and how well he and Fives had gotten by. He tried not to imagine how crushed he would be about the news. Tried not to remember the tears in Fives' eyes when he learned about Lullaby's fate in this force forsaken war.

He tried to no avail.

"I'm so sorry", he choked out - to whom? he didn't know, whether it was an apology to Lullaby for not being faster or to Fives for nobody believed him or to Fox for not being able to help his pain--- really, it could have been all of it together, but that didn't matter when a sob forced itself through his throat. An ugly, wet sound followed by a few tears falling right into Fox's neck.

Cody immediately reached up to wipe his face and sniffed quietly, "Sorry, force, I'm so pathetic", he bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut to calm himself down.

"It's okay", Fox replied shakenly, "You can cry. But if you do", Fox lifted his head, his eyes weren't even moist, his gaze was just empty and without any emotion or life in them, "Do it for both of us."

08.04.2021 02:43 PM

[nerdthatsiriuslylovesteaxx]

Helpless part 11-20, I don't care, go on and tear me apart

"You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." Nico responded more trying to convince himself over Will, he just hoped that Will would leave quickly. He managed to eat half a sandwich but he knew that it would only be minutes before he couldn't control it anymore and would throw up.

"Shit sorry Nico, Kayla wanted to talk to me, I'll be back after lunch. Something about scheduling I don't even know at this point."

"Okay." Will walked out of the infirmary and Nico silently thanked the Gods before running into the bathroom and throwing up, he washed the bitter taste out of his mouth before quickly cleaning up, it would be fine, Solace didn't need to know. Nico wandered around the room spotting a stack of blank paper, he took a sheet and started to draw with a ballpoint pen. He drew Will, with his so bright it's almost glowing hair, deep eyes that glittered with a kind of brightness only possible for a child of Apollo. The smile he always had, even when the world seemed to be at it's worst, the freckles that covered his face after spending so much time in the sun. Nico knew there was a very high chance Will would walk in soon and see the drawing, he folded it up and placed it in his pocket only a minute before Will walked back in.

***

"Hey Neeks."

"Do you not have anyone else to annoy?"

"No actually, Kayla and Austin are taking everyone else."

"Great."

"You're stuck with me, probably forever since we have a new system now. Unless it's an emergency everyone takes the same cabins, you can't escape me di Angelo."

"Please kill me now."

"My job is to prevent that."

"Dio mi salvi."

"I do actually need to check some things, can you take off your shirt?"

"No, why!?" Nico blushed,

"I need to check on the stitches."

"Oh, right. Fine." The Apollo boy traced along the cuts with his fingers, checking it hadn't gotten infected and none of the stitches had come out.

"Nico, are you okay? You're ice cold."

"Huh, what? Yeah I'm always cold, not everyone's a heater Sunshine."

"No, like you're colder than normal. You've never been this cold, are you sure you feel fine?"

"Yeah I'm fi-" Nico passes out, Will tries to sing the hymn but it wouldn't work. Of all times for it to not work this might be one of the most inconvenient. He checks the small boys heart rate, it was faster than normal. After about thirty seconds, Nico woke up.

"Don't try to get up quickly; Gods Nico you scared me." Will grabbed a glass of water and a square of ambrosia, handing them both to Nico, except they went right through his right hand. Will was shocked but he tried to keep calm, "Open your mouth." Nico obliged and Will placed the square of ambrosia on his tongue, as he chewed his hand began to turn solid. "Has this ever happened before? Being cold then passing out?" Nico shook his head,

"I didn't feel cold, I just felt normal then yeah."

"How do you feel now?"

"Fine, I just have a headache."

"Drink the water, it'll help." Will sat down next to him, placing a hand over his. "Okay, you're warmer now. Just tell me if you feel sick in any way, alright?" Nico nodded in response,"By the way, we have Jason and Reyna down as your legal guardians, were-"

"Wait what? How and why would Grace and Reyna be my legal guardians exactly?"

"Well we don't count godly parents since they're always hard to contact and they may or may not have threatened me into putting them down as yours."

"And you agreed because?"

"Jason threatened to electrocute me then get Percy to drown me, that didn't sound like much fun. I was going to ask were you aware of that but from that response I'm guessing no?"

"No shit, so what you have to tell them when shit happens to me?"

"Well I need to tell at least one of them and they need to approve on certain things." Nico scowled,

"It's not like they're actually my legal guardians Solace."

"Neeks at this point they are, Jason is probably planning to legally adopt you on his eighteenth birthday."

"Please kill me."

"No can do Death boy."

"What is with you and your obsession with nicknames?"

"You know you love the nicknames, Neeks."

"Perché questo." Nico muttered, Will glanced at the clipboard he was holding.

"Okay so there's so things I need to fill in, I probably should have done that earlier. Anything you've been diagnosed with that I'm not aware of?"

"Don't think so, dyslexia, ADHD, depression, anxiety and PTSD."

"Who do you want as your emergency contacts? Jason and Reyna are already on there."

"Hazel I guess."

"Okay great Hazel and Percy."

"What?"

"Take a guess."

"Oh my Gods they either think I'm their child or hate me, can someone please be fucking normal?" Will smiled and and patted Nico on the head receiving dagger eyes,

"Nope di Angelo. Okay height and weight, take off your shoes." Will was nervous for the results, looking at Nico now he could see all of his rib. "Neeks you're tiny; stand up straight. 5'6" Will patted him on the head.

"Oh shut up Solace, you're a giraffe."

"No, you're just really short."

"Oh fuck you." Nico said stepping on the scale, it read 84 pounds.

"Nico, that's dangerously underweight. Three full meals a day, no exceptions."

"Solace I'm fine, I've survived four and a half years barely eating, I don't need to start now."

"Nico di Angelo, it's an actual miracle you've survived this long. You need to eat, you're alive but just barely. Please...don't die on me, I just want you to be healthy." Will pulled him into a hug, but Nico pushed him away.

"Leave me alone, I've been just fine living like this. If I die so what? No one would care anyways."

"I would care, Reyna would care, Jas-"

"No he wouldn't, I heard him talking about me with Leo and Piper on the Argo II. He voted to leave me to die in that jar. As for you, you barely know me. You'll care for a day and then forget I existed, just leave me alone."

"Nico..." Will went to place his hand on his shoulder but he grabbed it and pushed it away.

"Leave. Me. Alone." Nico with tears in his eyes, "I don't care about any protocol either leave or let me leave."

"Okay Nico." Will said before walking out of the infirmary. Nico fell on the bed, slipped on his T-shirt and cried into his pillow. He wanted to cut, or drink, or smoke but he knew he couldn't do anything stuck in the infirmary. He wanted to shadow travel out but it was the middle of the day, someone would see him. He didn't want to be in the infirmary any longer than he had to, he wanted to get as far away as he could from Will Solace. Him and his blonde hair and blue eyes, that bright smile. Well, I'm doing a good job on pushing him away. Nico thought to himself, the sound of his crying being muffled by the pillow.

***

"Nico, I got you some food." Will said softly, opening the door. He had fallen asleep and Will decided to not wake him, it was probably better that he got some rest. He put the plate of food on the table and started to clean up. It was the only actual separate room in the infirmity, the other rooms were split with curtains so he thought Nico would prefer this. He wanted to talk to him, tell him that he wasn't alone, that everything would be okay. At the same time Nico didn't seem to keen on the idea, he wanted to help him but he knew he couldn't if Nico wouldn't accept help. He glanced at the raven haired boy, even in his sleep he wasn't relaxed. He screamed, nightmares. He shook the boy,

"Don't...hurt...her"

"Nico wake up, you’re having a nightmare"

"Kill me."

"Neeks!" Nico shot up, crying. "You're okay, it was a nightmare." Will sat down on the bed, "Can I touch you?" he nodded, Will pulled the Ghost King towards himself and stroked his hair.

"Bea...Haze..the.."

"Shh, you're okay, it's not real." Nico sobbed into his shirt, "Do you want to talk about it?" Nico shook his head, Will started to sing softly. "A broken heart is all that's left, I'm still fixing all the cracks. Lost a couple of pieces when, I carried it carried it carried it home. I'm afraid of all I am, my mind feels like a foreign land. Silence ringing inside my head, please carry me, carry me, carry me home. I've spent all of the love I saved, we were always a losing game. Small town boy in a big arcade I got addicted to a losing game. Neeks are you alright?

"Better, thank you for singing."

"Here to help, how often do you get them?"

"Every night I'm not passed out and sometimes even then, just, this one was worse."

"Do you want to talk now, or do you not want to tell me?" he shook his head,

"What time is it?"

"Eight thirty at night, you fell asleep around two or three I'm pretty sure."

"W-Will, can I tell you something?"

"Anything at all Neeks."

"Bianca... I talked to her one last time on my fourteenth birthday, let just say it didn't go well." Tears fell down Nico's face,"She was getting re-born that day so I wanted to talk to her one last time, and I told her that I'm...yeah." He was crying but continued, "She said that I'm a disgrace, told me she wishes me death and that I would suffer in the fields of punishment. I thought she cared but my own sister, the one who had been with me my whole life, the person I looked up to for so many years called me a fag. I could see the disgust in her eyes, she would have killed me right then but she was a ghost. I had been planning to tell her for years, but we only talked two or three times a year. I knew there was a chance she would react like that but...I guess I just... thought... she... cared." He fully broke down, leaning into the blonde boy. Holding onto him as though someone was physically pulling him away, Will hugged him tightly.

"I know you've gone through a lot, but I care. If you ever need help or want to talk or anything I'll be here."

"Thank you." Nico responded still shaking,

"If you want I can give you something for a dreamless sleep?"

"You can do that?!"

"I can but doing it too oftens dangerous."

"Please just do it."

"'Kay, hang on a sec Neeks." Will went to grab a needle out of a drawer, once Nico spotted it he took a deep breath and muttered something in Italian too quiet for Will to hear. "Just a warning it's going to knock you out pretty quickly."

"Alright." Will took his arm, wiping it with disinfectant and pushing the needle in. By the time Will had put the few things away, Nico was already ninety percent asleep. Will picked him him up and layed him on the bed, he was snoring softly when Will walked out of the infirmary.

---

"Morning Death boy."

"What time is it?"

"Eight o'clock I the morning."

"Goodnight Giraffe."

"Get up, we're getting breakfast."

"Let me sleep."

"Nope." Nico was refusing to get up so Will decided to do the only logical thing and pick him up.

"Put me down Solace."

"Don't think I will Death breath."

"That's a new one."

"Thought of it on the spot."

"Good for you Sunshine, now put me down."

"Not a fan of that idea." Will ran, carrying a very pissed Nico. "Hey Percy."

"Hi Will, should I ask why you're carrying Nico and also how you haven't gotten murdered yet?"

"Well he wouldn't get up so it was to only logical solution."

"Fuck you." Nico muttered,

"I wish you luck on not getting murdered."

"You know I could just shadow travel away?"

"No you quite literally can not, it would kill you."

"Great."

"Neeks."

"Do you have a death wish Will?"

"He's harmless."

"I have killed people William."

"I can confirm this, I was nearly a victim."

"Let's not forget you also tired to kill me."

"Why are you two trying to kill each other?"

"We don't talk about that."

"He's annoying as fuck." Percy and Nico said at the same time, locking eyes with each other, leading to a mildly concerned Will.

"Okay.... I'm going to pretend this never happen." Will placed Nico on the floor.

"Finally."

"Di Angelo, me and Jason-"

"-Jason and I."

"Not you to, same thing. We have decided to kidnap you, you're finally joining us on the big three table."

"Why exactly?"

"You'll get lonely."

"I'm perfectly fine being alone."

"Too bad, sucks for you."

"Stronzo." Nico muttered under his breath before waking off to join Jason, Percy went to follow him but Will pulled him back.

"Make sure he eats three full meals a day, shove it down his throat if you have to. I'm not joking, if he's refusing to eat or drink hold him down and make sure he eats for the next few months. I don't know how he's still alive at this point."

"I'll make sure he eats; mate you alright? Your eyes are bloodshot, when's the last time you slept?"

"A few days ago, I'm fine."

"A few days?! Mate, you need to sleep."

"I'll survive, pure chaos in the infirmary. Oh, don't tell Nico this but, you know how Aphrodite kids can speak French because it's the language of love? I can speak Itallian because it's the language of music, so if you were wondering, when he walked off he called you an asshole."

"Eh, not surprising. I'll catch you around Will."

"Yeah see you round." Willl walked off to join his siblings at the Apollo table.

***

"Don't think we didn't hear that, you're taking today off and no night watch until Tuesday." Kayla said pulling Will down and shoving a piece of toast in his hand, "And you're eating breakfast today, you've skipped it for a week."

"I've been busy."

"Would you like me to show you a list of every single person you've told to stop skipping meals? Let me start the list, Nico, Selina, Leo, Beckendorf, Annabeth, Michael-"

"Okay, okay you win. But I can't take the day off-"

"Not optional, go pine over Nico for the day or something. Maybe even, you know, sleep? Can't remember the last time you did that, more than a week."

"Oh shut up."

"Actually, I have a great idea." Austin interrupted, "Go talk to Cecil and Lou Ellen, they tired to kidnap you many, many times."

"Shit, yeah I should probably go talk to them." Will tried to get up but was held down by his younger siblings,

"Not so fast, you're still eating breakfast." After being force fed three full plates and swearing on the river of Styx that he would get eight hours of sleep that night he was finally allowed to leave.

***

"Finally, we missed you. We've been waiting for you to get off work for the past week." Lou Ellen said punching him in the arm.

"I should probably tell my siblings the kidnapping's off..."

"The what?!"

"Well me and Cecil tried, but Kayla found out we were coming and stopped us."

"So then I thought if I got the rest of the Hermes kids in on it they couldn't stop all of us."

"Of course you did."

"Well you're always in the infirmary."

"I've been busy for a few days, that's all."

"Well I know you haven't slept properly for the last eight days, and that you always insist on taking night watch."

"And anything difficult, and Nico."

"So? I'm fine, just busy."

"You're overworking."

"No I'm not."

"Will when was the last time you took a break?"

"Last year, Michael and Lee's funeral, I took half a day off."

"You can't do that to yourself."

"I can't let Kayla and Austin burn themselves out."

"Gods, I can't do this right now. I'm going to trust your siblings to talk some sense into you; want to go steal something?"

"I'm down, we just need to be back by three. In time for the thing." Lou Ellen smirked,

"Ohh rightttt."

"What did you do?!"

"You'll find out Sun boy."

"I'm scared."

"You should be."

***

"I'm guessing you two failed at kidnapping Nico?"

"No actually, he just left."

"Any idea where he is? I have something I think he'll like."

"Oooh what?"

"None of your business Sparky."

"Come on Piper just tell us."

"Nope."

"Please."

"Don't think I will Ariel."

"Ariel?"

"You're the little mermaid, don't even try to deny it. By the way, meet Annabeth and I at cabin ten tonight. I'm going to find Nico, bye." Piper said walking off to cabin thirteen.

"Help bro, what do I do?"

"No clue bro, good luck."

"I'll need it bro."

"You aren't getting out of it bro, might as well own it."

"I guess bro, what do you think Piper needed Nico for?"

"Solangelo updates?"

"Hope so, they're my otp."

"Oh my gods same they're so cute."

"I know right." So then two of the most powerful demigods of all time, children of the big three, fangirling.

***

"Nico are you okay?" Piper asked walking into the Hades cabin, the door was open and she could hear coughing. She walked into the bathroom and saw him curled on the floor. "Are you alright, what happened?"

"Mmmhm," Piper sat down next to him and helped him get up. "Thanks." Nico mumbled, she took out his hair that had been messily tied back and brushed it out with her fingers.

"Is this what happened last time?"

"Swear on the river of Styx you won't tell a soul."

"I swear on the river of Styx I won't tell anyone about your eating disorder." Nico winced at the word, a tear fell down his face.

"It's happened every time after the jar, no one knows."

"If no one knows how are you getting help?"

"It'll go away on its own eventually."

"Nico it isn’t easy with help, I don’t know how you’ll last alone.”

“I’ve been fine for now, I’ll survive.”

“Surviving and living are different things.”

“McLean I’m fine, just leave. Why did you come here in the first place?” Nico said holding back any other tears.

“I’ve been meaning to give you this for a few days but I couldn’t find you.” She said handing him a small black box, it had silver detailing around the edges and on the lid. Nico flicked the latch open, a light blush covered his face when he saw what was inside.

“Thank you so much Piper.” Nico said pulling her into an awkward hug,

“It’s just some eyeliner, eyeshadow, nail polish and stuff I thought you would like it.”

“How much was it? I’ll pay you back.”

“It’s fine; just remember our last conversation isn't over. Please Nico at least consider getting help, you don't have to struggle."

"I'm used to struggling, it's easier than getting help."

"It's hard to ask but it'll be so much easier for you in the long run."

"What long run? It's just deadly quest after deadly quest, half of us will be dead before twenty."

"Take a deep breath." Piper said spinning some charmspeak into her voice, Nico obliged. She placed a hand on his shoulder, "I'm not going to force you into doing anything, but please tell someone. Someone who can help you properly, my suggestion is one of the Apollo kids but just find someone who can help."

"No, people worry to much. I'm fine, I've survived this long I can survive longer."

"Nic-"

"-thank you for the make up Piper, but please leave me alone."

"Just consider it." Piper said while getting up,

"Fine." After she had left the room, Nico broke down. He couldn't have anyone know how weak he really was, he just hoped it would go away on it's own soon. Piper words rang in his ears but one person knowing is already too many, he didn't know what to do anymore. The ghost king walked out of the bathroom and opened the locked box that was hidden under the floorboard and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, another thing on the list people didn't know about. He lit one and breathed the smoke in and out until it burnt out, he felt so useless. Nico reached into the box and grabbed a bottle of vodka he'd been saving, it was almost full. He took a sip, just enough to feel it burn down his throat. He needed to get himself together but it was so much easier vto lose himself, he heard a knock and froze. "Coming." He said throwing everything in the box and shoving it under the floorboard and unlocking the door.

***

Annaneth was standing behind the door, "Oh, hey. What are you doing here?"

"I was bored and also Kayla's looking for you."

"Why?"

"She forced Will to take the day off but he said you still have half a day in the infirmary so she's plotting to kidnap you."

"Course she is, um...Annabeth."

"Yeah?"

"Do you...know how to do eyeliner?" Nico asked fiddling with his fingers.

"Yup."

"Can you teach me?"

"Sure, let me guess Piper gave it to you?"

"How did you...?"

"I have my ways." Annabeth grinned before walking inside, "Why does it smell like smoke in here?" Nico ignored the question and handed her the eyeliner, "The first one easy enough, just getting the second one to match is annoying."

"Alright." Nico half whispered before being half pushed on the bed. Annabeth knelt down in front of him and started drawing a line.

"Nico stop moving so much, I'm on the verge of messing up."

"Shit sorry."

"I mean you'll be the victim."

"I guess so." The son of Hades laughed,

"I'll show you how to do it yourself in the mirror, anything else you want me to show you?"

"Honestly half the things in the box I have no clue how to use."

"Lucky for you I have nothing to do today."

"Thanks Annabeth." The two got up, walking towards the mirror but Annabeth tripped over something. "Are you alright?!" he asked kneeling down beside her,

"Yeah I'm fine, just what's this?" She asked not waiting for a response before lifting up the floorboard, the box had been left open and unlocked. "Nico what's this about?" The daughter of Athena sifted though the box seeing everything Nico had desperately tried to hide, oh shit, he thought to himself. "Nico why do you have alcohol and cigarettes hidden under your floorboards?" Tears fell from his eyes, his breathing was short.

"Please don't tell anyone." He curled up. Annabeth grabbed his shaking hand,

"I won't." She pulled him forward into a hug, stroking his hair.

"It... helps- me cope." Annabeth tightened the hug letting the small boy cry into her shoulder.

"It's not healthy but I won't judge, it's better than what I did. But how much?"

"Not that often, I'm... better than I was a couple years ago."

"When did this...?"

"I was maybe twelve, it was the only thing that made me feel okay. Then... something happened and... well I-I wasn't so keen on not being drunk or high while I was alone." She ran her fingers through his hair.

"Do you want to tell me or not?"

"What did you do to cope?" Nico asked desperately trying to change the topic, she rolled up her sleeve.

"After Percy went missing and when we all thought he died, I... almost jumped once."

"Do you want to tell me?"

"He'd been missing for so long, practically no hope in finding him. I was depressed and half dead, thought I would finish it off."

"What made you stop?"

"Someone else was there, for the same reason I was. We talked each other out of it, I'm so happy we could save each other."

"Who?"

"I'll let them tell you that story if they want to."

"It was around a year ago, after the battle of Manhattan. Got drunk and high, I was walking around trying to not feel anything. I could barely walk, got stabbed with a needle, woke up an hour later. Well I think you can put two and two together. Anyways can you please teach me to do makeup now? It scares me."

"Ghost king scared of doing makeup, sure let's go. But I'll be making sure you're okay and not getting addicted."

***

"You two scare me."

"Good, we plan to do that every day."

"Oh no.....it's three, WHAT DID YOU TWO DO?!"

"William Andrew Solace be prepared, you are about to get a boyfriend or get murdered." Lou said patting him on the back.

"WHAT?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

"Well he might get murdered a bit later."

"THE FUCK DID YOU DO?!"

"Sweet, innocent-"

"-That's a lie."

"True, annoying, stubborn Will. We have convinced Piper McLean, head of cabin 10 to give you romantic advice."

"You need it desperately."

"Fuck you."

"No thanks, save that for Nico." The Apollo boy went bright red,

"Oh shut the actual fuck up Cecil."

"No thanks I'll pass."

"Don't lie William you know you want to."

"Why am I friends with you two?"

"You'll be thanking us when instead of pining over Nico you're fucking him."

"How the fuck do you know I like Nico?"

"You're obvious as fuck Will, you call him Death boy for Zeus's sake."

"I hate you so much."

"You love us, honestly."

"I really don't."

"Yeah that's right he loves di Angelo."

"Gods save me."

"No one can save you now Solace, who's got you head over heels." Piper said walking up behind them and hitting him on the shoulder.

"Hey Pipes, please work your magic. He's hopeless."

"Don't worry Elle, who's the victim?"

"It's-" Lou Ellen covered his mouth,

"He needs to say it himself for it to work."

"For what to work exactly?"

"Nothing; go on tell her."

"What did you do?!"

"Shhhh, hurry up and tell her who you're hopelessly simping over."

"Gods save me."

"Tell me who you like." Piper charmspoke,

"Nico di Angelo."

"And the spell is done, thanks for the help Pipes."

"No problem, neither of them can lie right?"

"What the fuck did you do?!"

"Nothing William, I'll let you and Piper talk." Cecil said dragging Lou Ellen off with him.

***

“So, di Angelo."

"I'm hopeless aren't I?"

"I mean there's still hope, you just need to not mess up.”

“I’m not good at that.”

“Luckily for you there’s motivation.”

“What?”

“You can’t lie until you and Nico kiss."

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!"

"Calm down, what are you hiding anyways Solace."

"When I heal people I feel all their pain, I almost killed myself, I'm useless, I'm hopelessly in love with someone who is halfway to death, I glow in the dark, I'm only alive on necter and ambrosia, I would kill every single Demeter kid right now if I could, I pass out really often but I can feel it before hand so I hide in my office when it's about to happen so no one knows. Fuck. Shit." Will ran towards the forest with tears in his eyes but Piper ran after him,

"Wait." Piper charmspoke when they were in the middle of the forest, it was dangerous but neither of them cared in that moment.

"Oh fuck you, leave me alone."

"Will-"

"If you tell anybody a word of what I said I swear to Apollo I will rip you apart limb for limb McLean." Piper shivered, Will couldn't lie...

"Breathe. In and out, I'm going to unpack a bit of what you said alright? If it's too much tell and I'll stop." Will just nodded barely breathing as Piper sat down beside him, "You feel everyone's pain when you heal them?"

"It's a trade off, if people knew they wouldn't let me heal everyone."

"Doesn't that mean you're almost constantly in pain?"

"It's worth it."

"What do you feel right now?"

"Broken rib, last time I healed Nico. I mean I feel other things from a week ago but they all would have healed a bit by now so it's not as bad. I've been on painkillers anyways, practically high on them at this point."

"That's-"

"-not heathly, I'm fully aware but I don't give two fucks."

"Alright, you tried to kill yourself? Why? Are you alright?"

"After the Manhattan battle, Michael and Lee... I was on the bridge but I met someone there. We convinced each other to not jump, I realised I couldn't leave Kay and Austin alone. They lost two older brothers in the war, they wouldn't be losing a third. I still sometimes wish I'd done it, but they can't be alone."

"Will, show me your wrists."

"No, fuck off."

"Will-"

"Don't act like you fucking care, leave me alone."

"Will, I care. I just want to make sure you're okay, don't make me charmspeak you."

"Fine." Will muttered in tears, rolling up the sleeves of his hoodie. His arms were covered in shallow, red, cuts, Piper counted 14 on one arm and 17 on the other. She pulled the crying boy into a hug,

"I'm here for you."

"I feel so useless, I've never been on a quest, I can barely fight, I'm not half as good of a healer as Micheal was. Everyone would be better off without me, the Demeter kids agree."

"Never say that again okay? Almost all of camp would be dead without you."

"I couldn't save them, it's my fault."

"You still saved all those people; you didn't kill anyone Will."

"I didn't help them either, it's my fault they died."

"No it's not, you tried to save them."

"But I didn't."

"You can't save everyone, some people are too close to dying."

"I should have saved them."

"It's impossible to save everyone, some people are too close to death."

"Micheal could have done it."

"People die Will, death is a part of existence. You can't delay every death, it's not your fault."

"It's the only good thing about me, healing people. If I can't do that well enough what's the point of me living?"

"William Andrew Solace listen to me, you can't save everyone. Even then you're worth more than your power, clearly considering I've had twelve people come to me asking how to make you like them. You're cool, funny, loyal, ridiculously smart as in smarter than half the Athena cabin, and you actually genuinely care about everyone."

"It's just, when they die on my watch. I feel like I killed them." A few second's of silence passed,

"When was the last time you cut?" Piper asked with caution not trying to upset Will any more then he already was.

"Two days ago, when I thought Nico might not make it. The thought of him dying, fuck." A tear rolled down his face and he pulled away from the daughter of Aphrodite.

"I'm going to find you a therapist okay? Do you think that'll help?"

"Yes, but I'm too scared to open up to people. Fucking curse, I really want to punch Lou Ellen right now."

"I'll find someone that can help."

"Thank you."

"Do you want to talk more or is it too much?"

"Too much."

"Alright, just one thing."

"Yeah?"

"Nico's halfway to death?"

"Yes, I want to lock him in the infirmary because I don't know how much longer he'll last with the amount he's eating and drinking."

"Shit."

"Weren't you meant to be giving me advice on how I can get him to like me?" Trying to change the topic, he wasn't exactly meant to be telling people this stuff.

"Oh rightttt that's what I was meant to be doing."

"I'm slightly more hopeful then I was a week ago, at least now I know he's gay."

"Who told you?" Piper asked reaching for her dagger,

"Nico...? We were playing twenty questions and I asked him if he was straight."

"Ohhh okay, so I don't need to kill anyone."

"I don't think so...?"

"Great, so Nico di Angelo, son of Hades. I think... show him you care but don't worry about him too much, honestly just be normal with him, he doesn't get that from most people. The most important thing, give him space but don't let him push you away, he does that a lot."

"Thanks McLean."

"It's my job." Piper said, messing up his hair.

"You said twelve people came to you trying to date me, who exactly were they?"

"Well it's meant to be confidential, but one of them was Leo when he first met you. Don't tell him told you, he will kill me."

"Leo Valdez? That's unexpected."

"The more you know Solace, the more you know. Anyways I should probably go, me and Annabeth are dying Percy's hair red."

"What?!"

"He's the little mermaid so naturally we're kidnapping him and dying his hair red."

"Well I wish you luck and I can't wait to see red-head Percy."

***

"Am I going to regret this?"

"Definitely Seaweed brain." Annabeth dragged a blindfolded Percy towards cabin 10, "Pipes, you ready?"

"Yup, this is going to be amazing."

"Shit."

"Fear us."

"I do."

"Good." Annabeth said pushing him into a chair and pulling off his blindfold, Percy was greeted with Piper smiling like a maniac and shaking a bottle of bleach.

"Oh no..."

"It was Annabeth's idea." Piper put up her hands in surrender,

"I might as well go with it." Percy sighed in defeat, the two girls smirked. Piper started putting the bleach on Percy's hair,

“Okay so this is just a test strand, I need to see how much it will ruin your hair.”

"Annie the only reason I haven't killed you yet is because I love you.”

“I know Seaweed brain, love you to.”

"Guess I'm the little mermaid now."

"You were always the little mermaid, Jackson."

“I would try to deny it but I really can’t.”

“Exactly; okay your hair seems fine. Be prepared to become a redhead.”

“He’s ready, wait before you do that can you fix his hair a bit?"

"Yeah sure, I love how he has no say in this by the way.”

“Eh, even if I did I would probably agree with her.”

“It’s a good system.”

“Whatever works for you two I guess…?” Piper laughed,

“Percy’s indecisive as fuck.” Annabeth added before pressing a kiss to his lips. Piper started working,

“Is this meant to burn?”

“It’s bleach what the fuck did you expect?”

“I haven’t had many experiences with bleach Pipes.”

“But like….it’s bleach….” After a while Piper started to wash out the bleach, leaving a blonde-ish haired Percy.

“Does this mean I’m finally Nico’s type?”

“Don’t think so seaweed brain.”

“Annie, go outside. I want Percy’s hair reveal to be a surprise, get the others.”

“Do you have the rest of the stuff?” Piper pointed to a paper bag in the corner of the room,

“Course I do, now leave.”

“Yeah, yeah I’m leaving. Can’t wait to see your hair Seaweed brain.” Walking out the room.

“What exactly are the other things exactly.”

“Wait and see Percy, wait and see.”

“Fuck.” Piper smirked as she put the dye on his hair, it was bright but still a few shades darker than the actual little mermaid so it would look decent.

“It looks ridiculous doesn’t it?”

“You’ll have to wait Ariel.”

“Yup, looks like shit.” Piper hummed as she dried Percy's red hair, ignoring everything he said.

"You're going to love the next bit." Piper grinned,

"Honestly I don't think you can make this worse."

"Think again Jackson." Piper said tossing him a blue shirt with the little mermaid on it, in block capital letters it was written: '100% MERMAID AT HEART' Percy groaned, "That's just the start, it gets better."

"Fuck."

"Remember this was Annabeth's idea, don't kill me."

"I mean you went along with it-" Piper grabbed a pair of scissors and put them to his neck.

"You sure you want to be saying that?" Piper laughed,

"Okay, I won't murder you."

"I like that plan, anyways here's the rest of the stuff." She handed him a plastic tiara and a shell necklace. "Go on, put it on."

"Poseidon save me."

"No one's coming to save you Percy."

"Fuck." Percy muttered as he put on the plastic tiara, Piper opened the door finding the rest of the seven standing behind it.

“Guys, are you ready for this? Presenting the Little Mermaid, aka. Percy Jackson.” Percy walked out of the room with more confidence you could have imagined for someone wearing a “100% MERMAID AT HEART” T-shirt.

“Well Seaweed brain, you look less ridiculous than I imagined.”

“Thanks I guess….?” Annabeth messed up his hair, pressing a kiss to his lips.

“Bro, it looks shit doesn’t it?”

“Bro no, you look hot.”

“No one’s as hot as you bro.”

“Aww thanks bro.”

“I love how we’ve just come to terms with this and it is now seen as normal, if I wasn’t your girlfriend I would think you two are dating.”

“I’d never leave you Beauty queen, but you have to admit Percy looks good.”

“I mean I don’t want to throw up…?”

“I’ll take it.”

“He’s hot.”

“Are you sure you’re dating him and not me Jay?”

“Di Angelo, thoughts?”

“He looks sexy, why the fuck did I say that? I was trying to say he looks ridiculous.”

“Shit…. Yeah so someone went to Lou Ellen with love problems so she cursed them and whoever they like to not be able to lie until they either kiss or one of them says they hate the other and mean it.”

“WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! WHO!?”

“No clue, it’s confidential shit.”

“Fuck.”

“Good luck Nico.”

“How the fuck do I find the bitch that went to Lou Ellen?”

“You’ll have to figure that out yourself.”

“Nico does this mean I’m your type?” Nico punched the son of Poseidon in the shoulder before walking off.

“Percy I dont know how to tell you this but you look like Knuckles from Sonic.”

“I really don’t know what to say to that Valdez.”

—-

Nico woke up crying in a cold sweat, nightmares like every other night. The same nightmares that had cycled for the past weeks, Bianca dying, another prophecy, Hazel hurt, the two seventeen years old guys that got publicly hung for being gay, Will hating him, his last talk with Bianca, everyone he loves leaving him, the jar and Persephone. When was his life going to stop being such a disaster? A few tears ran down his face and he pulled his pocket knife and dragged it across his arms. Once, it barely bleeds. Again, deeper. Again, until his arms were red. The scarlet blood dripped on the floor, he felt numb. He took out a pack of cigarettes and walked outside lighting one. He stood behind cabin thirteen, breathing the smoke in and out, snubbing them out on the back of his hand. He didn't know how long he was out there for, when he walked back inside the Hades cabin the sky was a light blue-ish grey.

***

The son of Hades was sitting on his cabin floor looking at his old Mythomagic cards,

"Nico!" He flinched before looking up and seeing Frank Zhang, son of Mars through an Iris message.

"Um...hi? What's going on?"

"Hey... When can you come to Camp Jupiter?"

"What happened?!"

"Hazel-"

"-WHO DO I NEED TO KILL!?"

"I don't know what happened, she's been crying and won't come out of the cohort 5 cabin."

"Has anyone talked to her?"

"She won't talk to anyone."

"I'll be there as soon as I can, get her some lavender tea and dark chocolate. It's her favorite, it might help her calm down. Bye." Nico thought for a few seconds, driving is 44 hours, plane is a lot less but Zeus wasn't exactly the biggest fan of him. He could shadow travel but he would probably pass out the second he got there, pegasus. It wasn't the preferable option but it was probably the quickest; the Ghost King slipped on his Aviators jacket and ran towards Cabin 3.

"Jackson, I need your help." Percy opened the door, he was wearing a hoodie and shorts and looked like he just woke up.

"Hey Nico, what's up?"

"Pegasus are fast right? Like very fast?"

"Yeah...?"

"We're going to Camp Jupiter in five minutes."

"What?"

"Is there a faster way?"

"I don't think so...? Unless you want to go through the Labyrinth, times different there."

“How long will it take?”

“A few hours I think? Are you going to explain what’s going on?”

“Hazel; hurry up, we need to go.”

“Alright, I’ll go tell Blackjack.”

“Who?”

“My pegasus, I mean technically he’s not mine but yeah.”

“Okay.” Nico said before running towards the stables.

***

[someseriousthot]

"I'm telling you I'm not making this up!" you shout, exasperated. "I swear someone’s been following me!"

Your coworker gives an aggravated sigh, putting something back onto the shelf. "As you've said, and I've told you to go to the police about it. That's what they're for, they're supposed to take cases like this!"

"I've tried," you say, exasperated, "it didn't help. They said they're too busy with the riots to help."

And it hadn't been a lie, the last couple weeks had been absolutely insane with protests and walks involving some new legislation about monsters and marriage rights. Protesters against it had gotten increasingly more violent, with the last march ending abruptly with a bombing. No one had been killed, luckily, but the ones caught in the blast had been in critical care, especially the humans that had tried to shield the monsters in the crowd. As a result, a curfew had been enacted all over town - no one on the streets past a certain hour, all businesses would close at a certain time, and any "suspicious persons" would be detained. All to reduce the risk of more sudden bouts of violence and potential casualties. You had a feeling they'd keep this going until after a decision was made, to help prevent (or at least control) the amount of rioting after.

Not that you had been able to keep up. You had your own problems to worry about. Lucky for you nobody at work would shut up about it.

Just talking about this made your skin break out in goosebumps, though.

"What have you done so far, precaution-wise?" they ask, turning to you. "House alarm? Big dog? Security cameras?"

You grimace, rubbing your forehead to try to alleviate the oncoming headache. "The alarm is bugged and goes off completely at random. I swear someone messed with it, I need to get it replaced. As far as a pet, I really don't want to bring an animal into this in case my fucking stalker tries to hurt it or something," you hiss. "And every store I've gone to don't have security cameras in stock, apparently the whole freaking town decided they needed all of them. Some of my mail's gone missing and I really don't trust ordering them online in case that gets stolen too."

Your coworker at least has the good grace to look chastened. "Okay, sorry, I didn't know about the mail-stealing." Now that they can finally get a good look at you they can see the dark bags under your eyes, having only grown darker these past few weeks. At some point you had tried hiding them with makeup so people would stop asking you the same question over and over, but makeup couldn't hide how you'd flinch at a sudden noise, or the way you'd jump if someone suddenly came up behind you. It couldn't hide the slight tremor in your hands when you worked, or the way you'd occasionally bump into things, or how you'd randomly start shivering even though the place was heated to 72.

You were exhausted, and this was very seriously affecting you. No way you could fake half these symptoms.

They frown, putting a hand on their hip as they look you up and down, and let out a soft sigh through their nose that doesn't carry nearly as much of the annoyance from earlier. "Are you going to be okay to work today?"

You stare for a moment before your gaze falls back to the floor. "I'll be fine," you say, your voice soft. "...I really don't want to have to go home."

And your coworker, bless them, doesn't try to push. They don't try to recommend you stay at a friend's place, or go to a hotel, or use up some of that PTO time you've saved up so much these past couple months with how many shifts you had been putting in to take a vacation.

It doesn't help. Nothing helps. So you just try to keep yourself as busy as you can during the day, so when you get home you're too exhausted to do anything else but crash.

The day goes by faster than you would have liked, and when you get home you turn on every light in the house. Chase out the shadows that impregnate the house, make it so only the smallest ones remained, far too small for a certain something to hide in. You've done this for over a month now, and while it's been hell on your electricity bill, and you have no way to guarantee that it's really even doing anything, it makes you feel a little better. It's not like you can do much else.

You kick off your shoes and slump on the couch, rubbing your eyes and heaving a heavy sigh. The shivers are back, your feet are killing you, and the headache from earlier has been kicking your ass all day. But you can't sleep. Not yet. Not until you absolutely have to.

You stare at the ceiling.

The house creaks ever so slightly as it settles.

In the distance you can hear the wail of a police siren.

You feel yourself sinking deeper into the couch, taut muscles relaxing as the aching in your feet doesn't abate.

The headlights of a passing car flash through your living room curtains for a moment before disappearing again.

You're so, so tired.

then sleep.

You bolt up from the couch, twisting around and nearly sending yourself sprawling as you try to see where the voice had come from. "Goddammit," you growl to yourself, feeling your eyes beginning to sting.

One night. All you want is one night to have some goddamn peace and quiet, and he can't even give you that. Your eyes dart around the room, trying to catch a glimpse of him. Dripping ichor, a tentacle, something, anything to prove to yourself you weren't going crazy.

"I know you're here!" you shout into the empty house. "Quit fucking hiding and show yourself!"

You felt a puff of air hit the shell of your ear. You whirled around, swinging a punch but hit nothing but empty air. He was playing with you again. You tried to ignore how the thought alone made your throat close up, trying to focus on the rage it sparked instead. You couldn't hear anything but you could feel his amusement at your reaction.

long day?

“Shut up.”

aww, that's not very nice.

"Shut. Up." You couldn't help the way your voice cracked at the end.

He went quiet after that, but you didn't dare entertain the thought he had left. You kept turning in place, paranoid at the thought of leaving your back to him wherever he was.

you don't look so good.

You hugged yourself, gritting your teeth.

you really should lay down.

The pounding in your head worsened. Your fingers tightened around your arms, nails digging into your skin.

i'm sure you're exhausted.

You squeezed your eyes shut, letting your tears finally fall as you clamped your hands over your ears. Don't listen to him. Don't listen to him. Just shut up. Shut up. Shut up-

some sleep would be good for you.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" you sob, your voice strained and wavering as you force the words out.

You felt the air change around you. Everything started to feel colder. Heavier. An oppressive weight settling around your shoulders that made you want to sink to the floor.

For a brief moment you consider it - just fall to the floor and pass out until morning. It didn't matter if you slept on the bed, or the couch, or the pills you took to help you sleep. The nightmares that followed persisted every time. What would make this any different?

That weight on your shoulders grew heavier, and you began to feel it in your head and chest as well. Even the headache began to recede, though you started to feel incredibly light-headed instead. Your breathing began to feel uneven, ragged.

you should lie down.

You should lie down...

You were so tired...

A chill creeps along your skin, the heaviness you felt following it down your arms and legs. You felt your knees almost buckle from the weight. You reach out and grab the arm of your couch to support yourself. Standing was getting more difficult.

lie down.

You shake your head, trying to clear your thoughts. "I won't..." you mumble.

lie down.

This is what he wants! your mind screamed softly.

"I won't!" you shout weakly, a small burst of energy born from desperation helping you shake the feeling away for a moment. You stagger upright, using the couch to help you as you try to look around the room again. He had to be here, for him to be messing with you like this, but where?

it's useless to fight it. Bastard's voice almost sounded like a purr. You held onto that anger desperately, fighting your exhaustion to stay alert.

"Go to hell," you mean to growl, but it comes out as a grumble. As you move away from the couch you stumble a little, sending you gently careening into the wall. Your shoulder collides with it and you linger there, trying to lock your knees as you hang your head, breaths coming slow and deep as you try not to fall forward.

You're so out of it you don't notice the ripples in your own shadow, stretched out behind you, and how it's far blacker than it should be. Or the tentacle that had gently wrapped around your ankle to trip you.

Turned away like you are, you don't see him when he slowly rises out of it, the tentacle starting to climb your leg.

You barely stir when he plants his hands on the wall on either side of you, boxing you in. He looms over you, tall enough to hide you in his own shadow as you slump against the wall.

"you should sleep," he says softly, his teeth next to your ear. If you really focused you could almost pretend he sounded concerned. Your hands weakly tighten into fists as you try to shove him away. Your arm gently bumps against his chest. You can feel the cold, black ichor against your skin, and the hard bones underneath his clothes. Your mind stirs ever so slightly at the memory of feeling them before, under your curled fist, later under grasping fingertips.

"Shut up," you sigh, sounding oddly subdued.

He only smiles, his eyesocket lidding slightly. You can see the blue glow of his eyelight out of the corner of your eye, almost hypnotizing with its gentle pulse. "this is a fight you're not going to win," he whispers, his voice low.

The shadow he casts grows darker, starting to inch outwards. You feel the wall starting to melt away beside you, causing you to dip into it slightly. The arm you pressed against his chest is getting cold, but you can't pull it away.

"Leave me alone," you whimper, you beg, wishing you could spit the words in his face but it feels like your anger sputtered out partway through. The weight on your mind and chest and body is dizzying by this point.

You feel his head bump against yours, his body moving closer to press against your side. A tentacle slides around your waist to secure you against him, another crawling up your back to curl around your shoulder and neck. He presses more firmly against you, and you sink further into the wall, into his shadow.

"i'll go easy on you tonight," he says, his voice as gentle as his persistent hold on you.

You don't fight him when he pushes just a little more, and you feel yourself slipping into that darkness. You're not sure when your eyes closed, or if they even had. The last thing you felt was his grip on you - steady, firm, unyielding...almost possessive.

It was with that thought you bolted awake, gasping for air as you sat up from the couch with a pounding in your chest. It took a moment for your eyes to adjust and even longer for your brain to catch up and realize where you were.

You were on your couch in your living room. Where you had sat down after you had gotten home from work.

That...none of that had happened.

You let out a breath you hadn't been aware you were holding, hugging yourself as you started to shake.

A dream.

The whole thing had just been a dream.

Somehow that didn't make you feel any better. Especially when you remembered the last thing he said.

A shiver ran through you unrelated to how tired you felt, your breath hitching in your throat.

You...

You were going to call in tomorrow.

(hope you don’t mind I hijacked this post to write a drabble ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ)

*COUGH* okay, but in reference to your earlier post about being struck with inspiration, what if reader was being plagued by someone like nightmare, who kept trying to invade their thoughts? and they were doing their best to keep their mind off him to keep him away but certain words kept dragging them back to him as he was chasing them down in bother their mind and the real world?? (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

guehuheuhuheuhe thank you yes i love Nightmare very much so i’m happy you asked for a Nightmare thingy uwu

and now,,, i feel very self indulgent andimagineitshimthatsmakingmethinkallthesestuff-

*cOUGHS*

Ok so... Nightmare would become obsessed with you, whether he knows it or not. It’s like a slow burn... at first you’re just another human he passes, another he uses to feed... but then, he finds himself coming back again and again. There’s just something so fun with tormenting you over and over. In this story however, you’d find out what he is, somehow, but you know no one would believe you when you say that a dark entity just keeps following you and invades your thoughts... like some sort of demon.

He’d make it obvious that he’s following you around throughout your day, but no one else would see him, like a ghost. Like you said, you keep him at bay by ignoring him, not let him bother you, and sometimes it seems like you’ve bored him, and it looks like he leaves to feed on someone else. But then you talk, and it’s something associated with him (maybe things he said, or just dark things in general.. or both) and because of the nature of the human mind, you think of him. It’s like a beacon to him. Already he’s there, your mind more vulnerable to him, and he’d be able to affect you more... he just wants to reach into your mind and corrupt it with thoughts of him, so in a way, you won’t be able to escape him.

Maybe once he’s realized his complete infatuation with you, he might actually make it more literal....