#'never open food or drink in a lab' into me in highschool

[ante--meridiem]

"How am I dangerous" well you did leave sandwiches out in the open in your lab last ep. Do you want contaminated food? Because that's how you get contaminated food.

[space-helen]

Back To Vegas - Chapter 3

Words: 2285

Pairing: Nick Stokes x reader

A/N: Again, I’m sorry this took so long to come out! This one also fleshes the case further 

CH1     CH2     CH3     CH4     CH5    CH6   CH7   CH8

______________________

The ride with Grissom was smooth and a lot quieter than the one with Catherine. It took him a while to even say anything to you. “So, Y/n. What made you want to be a CSI then?”

“I love to help others and like to find out why and what the truth is even if it’s a truth that people don’t like. Also it’s a career where you learn something new every day, be it about the world or about people.”

He nodded “I like that. Learning is important. Why’d you come to Vegas?”

“I was with Nick when you called. Selfishly I came because he was coming but also the change of scenery is welcome and change of people. I’ve not known you all long but you all seem really really nice and I’m grateful for that. Some of the people on my shift back in San Diego were not the most pleasant.”

“That’s no way to be.”

You agreed with the man. “So you and Sara?”

There was a pause and it made you re-think what you’d asked. “You don’t have to answer that of course. I know Nick has told me little bits but I don’t want to intrude. I understand if it’s too soon we barely know each other yet.” you rushed out

“No. No, it's fine.” you could hear a slight smile in his voice. “I have to admit I’ve warmed up to you quickly which is unusual but I’d trust Nick with my life and I know he trusts me with his. I trust his judgment and as soon as I saw you two together I knew you were meant to be. Sara and I are married, Nick has probably told you about the whole affair over the years. I love her and always have.” He shrugged.

“Yeah Nick told me about some stuff. He also told me about how you saved his life. Thank you.”

He nodded and you could see the memories rushing through his head by the way his expression changed slightly. “It wasn’t a pleasant time for anyone but I’m glad we got him out of there. Anyway, Sara and I came back not long before everyone else and I’m glad we did. I'd be devastated to see the lab deteriorate anymore than it has. We all dedicated so much time to it so it’s the least we could do.” he paused and you could see him contemplating whether to say what he wanted next.

“I know we’ve not long met but I know that face means you’re not sure whether to say something. C’mon out with it I don’t mind.” you re-assured the man.

“Once we knew you and Nick were coming Greg filled us in on the two of you a little bit.”

You smiled “I’d never met Greg in person until I came to Vegas but I knew Nick and him kept in contact and talked a lot. Still best friends.”

“Yeah. Well he told us about the case that Nick and you were on and I just wanted to say thank you for looking out for him.”

“I did what anyone would do.”

“No. You did more than that.” he left a small silence. It wasn’t awkward or unpleasant. “Did Nick tell you about when Sara was taken and how they all found out about my feelings for her?”

You shook your head and he continued “When I realised why she’d been taken we were all looking at a miniature scene that had been created that included her. I didn’t think before speaking and told the room that they took Sara because she was the only person I ever loved.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Never,” he admitted. “How’d you feel about Catherine?” you could see a smile tugging at his lips.

“She’s really nice and very interesting-”

“She warmed up to you quickly as well. Take that as the highest compliment.”

The rest of the journey was filled with conversation about the lab, old working stories and dynamics.

Upon parking the vehicle you and Grissom both jumped out, a smile on both of your faces as you moved to the trunk to grab your kits and evidence. It didn’t take long for Catherine to join you and for all three of you to walk inside.

“I’ll review the tape.” Catherine offered. “I’ll log all of her belongings?” you suggested.

“Sounds good I’ll review the pictures of the scene.”

You nodded and the three of you quickly split up to get to work.

You carefully took pictures of the victims handbag before opening it, snapping a photo and emptying the contents. You analysed all of the belongings and took photos as you went. Her bag included a couple of photo booth strips of her and some friends, her purse still filled with cash and cards, a water bottle and some other smaller bits like mints.

You swabbed and printed the bag and contents. Meticulously ensuring you pulled everything useful. Packing the items up carefully you were placing them into a cardboard evidence box when a voice form the doorway caught your attention. “They’re ready for us with the body.” It was Catherine.

“You want me to come as well?”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s your first body in Vegas after all.” 

You smiled “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

The journey was quick and you were soon standing over the body with Grissom and Catherine next to you. The coroner, David, was completing some paperwork before he move over to join the three of you. 

“Although the vic has a visible head wound that is almost definitely not the cause of death. Upon first look she seemed healthy but she died of a heart attack.” “Blood to tox?” Catherine questioned

“Of course.” the man replied. “There is no sign of a struggle on the body either.”

“So would you say natural causes or?” you asked

“It’s peculiar, there’s nothing in her record that would suggest she’d be at risk of a heart attack.”

The four of you continued to discuss the body. The door opening made you all freeze and turn, Nick, Greg and Sara were all admitting themselves to the room. 

“Sorry, we’ll wait outside.” Greg spoke

“No need.” Grissom replied “We’re just about done here.”

The two teams passed each other. Grissom smiled as he passed Sara and Nick gently caught your finger tips with his as you passed each other. 

Grissom and you wore your smiles down the corridor “Guys c’mon that’s school kid behaviour.” Catherine joked.

“Says you.” Grissom nudged her in the side playfully and the three of you laughed.

After some time you were soon called into tox, you greeted the dark haired man sat at his desk.

“It’s great to meet and work with you Y/N.” he quickly turned his attention to the results “The blood didn’t come back entirely clean. There was a mixture of some different substances which include elevated potassium levels.”

“Potassium?” the three of you questioned. 

“Yeah. Enough to overdose.”

“That explains the heart attack” Grissom announced 

“How does that even happen?” Catherine enquired

“A general buildup of it over time? Maybe she was taking supplements and eating a lot of potassium-rich foods. It’s hard but not impossible, we had someone else a couple of weeks ago with the same thing.”

“Looks like we have some digging to do.” you added.

“We certainly do.” Catherine’s voice came. “I’ll chase up the warrant for her place.”

The three of you split ways and you trailed down the corridor to grab a drink from the break room, Grissom had told you to do so while he went to chase Greg for the other Potassium overdose case.

You rounded the corner into the room and bumped into a form, you instantly apologised and felt hands gently grasp your upper arms to make sure you didn’t fall.

“It’s alright.” the voice laughed and you recognised it straight away.

“Fancy seeing you here.” you joked.

“How’re things?” he questioned letting go of you and watching you enter the room to make yourself a drink. He eventually stepped back inside and sat down.

“They’re good. Strange case to kick off with. Looked like just a heart attack in a young woman but was actually a potassium overdose which caused it.”

“Really? Our vic had a lot of head trauma from a fall and some bruises which look like they were from drug use. Signs of a struggle, so a pretty normal case?”

“Normal huh.”

“In comparison yeah.”

You laughed and took a sip of your drink. “I’m just waiting for Catherine to get a warrant for the place. I doubt she’ll get it before the end of our shift though..”

“Greg said warrants have been slower.”

“Let me know if you’re working overtime?”

“Can do.” with that he left you in peace to enjoy your short break.

Your quick break went by in a blink of an eye. You soon found yourself back with Grissom.

“What’ve you got?” you questioned walking towards the table in the centre of the room.

“Vic was a twenty six year old female. Recently employed at a local highschool to teach Chemistry.”

“Heart attack from potassium overdose?”

“Yep. Found in her car at the wheel on the side of the road. She’d been driving home from work. She was about two minutes away from making it home.”

“Just ruled out as natural I suppose?”

“Greg said they investigated her place and she was on some sort of new diet found online and it so happened to have high levels of potassium in all of the foods and recipes. Supplements were also found in her desk drawer at work.”

You nodded “At the time I can see how that would be mistaken for an unfortunate incident but now… it most definitely is not. Two cases within the past month?”

“Looks like we have our work cut out for us.” The man pushed the file over to you while he began to rummage through the evidence box.

The two of you worked the hours away comfortably before Catherine appeared.

“The warrant will be ready for the beginning of our next shift. I tried all I could.” she shrugged defeatedly stepping further into the room. “If you guys are in a good place I’d suggest calling it a day and coming back tomorrow.”

You looked up at the clock and realised you’d worked longer than you were scheduled, it wasn’t uncommon but you felt bad going home now. “Are you sure I don’t mind staying longer. I’ll just need to tell Nick-”

“No it’s alright. I think we could all use the time. This one looks like it could get hectic.” Grissom admitted as he started to pack everything away.

The three of you packed everything away as you caught Catherine up on everything you’d found before walking to the locker room together. 

Nick was sitting on the bench and instantly turned to the door as he heard your voice, a big smile on his face. 

“Nick. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know.”

“It’s alright, I walked past and saw you working so I thought I’d wait a little.”

“Thank you.” you grabbed your things from your locker as the room bustled with conversation. 

“I’d love to stay and chat but I’m hungry.” Catherine admitted “Frank’s?”

“Did someone say Frank’s?” Greg interrupted as he poked his head around the door frame.

“Yeah. You down?” Catherine asked the man.

“I sure am. Nick? Y/N? Griss?”

“I’ll see if Sara wants to join.” 

Nick looked at you “I think we should head home. Sam is probably wondering where we are.”

You nodded “Yeah. Some other time though?”

“You’re welcome any time.”

Nick and you said your goodbyes to the group and made your way out to your car. Slipping into the passenger’s seat you allowed the man to drive. “First day ok?”

“More than ok.”

“I’m glad.” he smiled.

The ride went by quickly and the two of you were soon moving through the front door. Sam jumping up on you brought a huge smile to your face “Hi, did you miss us?” you pet the dog and he jumped down, walking to his bowl and sitting in front of it. You followed the dog and gave him some food.

“Food then bed or just bed?” Nick asked.

“Snack then bed? I’m super tired but could use something to tie me over.”

“Sounds good to me.” The man quickly prepared some sliced fruit for the two of you and you smiled. Back in San Diego it was a ritual you’d kept since you went to visit him in the hospital.

The two of you took the fruit through to the bedroom and helped yourselves as you got ready for bed. Sam joining you once he was done with his own food. Nick stopped to give Sam some attention while you crawled into the bed. 

The man moved the fruit plate onto the dresser after taking the last couple of pieces. Crawling into bed he opened his arms and you gratefully sunk into them with your head on his chest as he rubbed circles into your back.

“They love you already, I can tell.” the man reassured.

“I know. I was nervous but they’re really lovely, welcoming people.”

“Different from before right?”

You laughed “Yeah. I loved them but God, they could be assholes.”

He agreed and kissed you on the top of the head “I love you.”

“I love you too.” you got comfy and felt your eyes get heavy “Night night.” you mumbled.

“Night.” he whispered as he pulled you closer to him.

Next Chapter

Tag List: (open)

CSI:

Nick Stokes: @wanniiieeee  @pumpkinfriend

[syinisuga]

Begin Again [MinYoongi]

Pairing : Yoongi x Reader

Word count : 5.2K

Genre : Fluff and Angst

Description : Friends to lovers, Long Distance relationship, Lovers to (?)

Summary : when you thought the friendship you once had with him died away after one silly mistake, and you thought you would never have again what you lost;

But it blossoms back unexpectedly stronger and is slowly growing to be something more beautiful than you ever had

"I've been spending the last eight months thinking all love ever does is break and burn, and end;

But on a Wednesday in a cafe i watched it Begin Again"

--------------------✨📖✨---------------------

It was the start of a new year and you weren't particularly happy about being moved up a few classes into an entirely new class with relatively new students you haven't personally met yet. You were still grateful for your good results in the past year to have you land in such a good class. In all honesty though, you did miss your friends from your old class, all of them being scattered in the back classes however changed your mind about being thankful that you're at least in a better one. The first few days of getting used to the classes went by rather slowly as you were listening to the introductions of the other students and teachers half mindedly, till around your 4th day into the classes that is.

You were randomly seated in the Chemistry lab by the teacher as she familiarised herself with the rest of the class. Not paying much attention you were spacing out, resting your chin on your palm, tapping away at your cheek.

" Um, hey there"

The voice from the stool next to you spoke. You turned your head to the direction of the voice, being met with warm brown eyes looking right at you. He had soft black hair, eyes slightly puffy as if he hadn't slept well the night before, lips curled up in a slight smile as he looked at you.

"Oh, hello"

you answered, trying not to sound overly shocked at the first human interaction you've had in this new class.

"I'm yoongi, what's your name?"

"I'm y/n, nice to meet you Yoongi"

"So what are your interests? What do you like to do y/n? Any hobbies?"

It definitely took you by surprise when this boy you've never really met before was suddenly making an interest to get to know you more. Something about him felt raw and not shy but in a good way.

"Well i really love listening to music and i do indulge in art as well. Spend most of my time listening to songs while drawing. Draw the mood of the song you know?"

"Damn, haha you sound kinda like me. Not tryna be cheesy or anything but i love listening to music too, I'm shit at drawing tho, i can barely draw a stickman"

Both of you exchanged a little chuckle at his open confession about himself. And even though it had only been a few minutes of words between the two of you, you felt at that moment that he wasn't like the other boys who popped up to talk to you first. This one genuinely seemed interested in you just to make a new friend.

-----------------------🤝------------------------

"Yo y/n you wanna ditch PE and hang out in the library? The new Resident Evil movie came out we can watch"

"You know what, yeah let's yeet"

You don't know how it went from spending lunch times together, to skipping the most boring subjects to hang out and hide. It'd been a few months since you started your new friendship with Yoongi, and by now you were known as the inseparable duo, funny enough both of you became the class representatives. Somehow you two got closer and closer each day, the more you talked the more you felt like you've known each other for years, yet some part of you knew that there was more to Yoongi than he was showing to you.

On a particularly slow day at your classes, you and Yoongi had pre planned to sneak out to hang out at your usual spot in the library. Sitting at the back of the library the both of you laughed at a joke Yoongi made about how almost the whole school shipped the both of you.

"You know y/n, I envy you"

"Oh well, I know I'm fabulous" you playfully said as you flipped your hair back, earning a little grunt and a harmless eye roll from Yoongi.

"It's not that you loonatic, i envy you...cause you have such a nice relationship with your family"

His sudden statement caught you slightly off guard but you gave him a look, clearly eager to know the reason behind his words. Flashing half a smile towards you he starts his story.

"Growing up for me was, well, it was an experience. I grew up under the care of foster parents who constantly reminded me that my parents gave me away cause i was a burden, all my life that's what i was told. Never had a father figure or mother figure to help shape my emotions? Guess that's why I don't show it if I'm sad or depressed, which is actually most of the time"

he looks down at his hands and chuckles softly.

"But you know something y/n? Being with you makes me feel like I could be myself, like I don't have to be afraid of being judged. And that's why I wanted you to know the truth but i understand if you don't wanna get involved or-"

You cut him off by placing your hand on his, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Yoongi, i want you to know that I'll always be here for you and you can talk to me about this anytime okay? You're my best friend now! And I'm hoping I'm yours too?" You ask in a more playful tone making yoongi giggle.

"Of course you are"

"Good! Cause i come in a package deal of crackhead and supportive as well as a no return contract"

"Sounds perfect to me bestie"

-----------------------😚------------------------

Over 2 years had passed and the whole highschool down to the teachers were sure the two of you were in a relationship, as everyone saw the two of you being practically stuck together almost all the time. Yoongi and your friendship became stronger than ever since that day he decided to open up to you. It became a regular thing where you'd confide in each other for emotional comfort as well as motivation and support. Not missing the fact that your level of crackhead together had become an all time high.

Your finals and exams blasted through and you had spent all your study weeks with Yoongi in the library. As sketchy as it was you and your best friend actually did sincere studying. And as it would, your hard work together paid off earning the both of you high marks in your finals. The two of you didn't miss to make a trademark crackhead scene at the receiving of the scroll ceremony when you accidentally tripped on your shoelace and Yoongi cracked up laughing and clapping before helping you up. The two of you celebrate with drinks and a lot of food that night and Yoongi paid for everything to make it up to you for laughing when you fell.

You looked at yourself one last time in the mirror before heading out to your highschool's hall. It was your graduation party but more importantly to you it was Yoongi's birthday. Coincidentally the two events had fallen on the same day, and what better opportunity than to get dressed up to party at your graduation ceremony together. It had been a heck of a ride these last two years, and you were going to make sure this last school event would be memorable.

Upon arriving you scan around the hall of students in search of the familiar face.

"Looking for me?"

He makes his presence behind you known by clearing his throat. You turn around to give your usual playful comment back but the words were caught in your throat as your gaze landed on your best friend. He was dressed smart, in a suit that looked like it was custom made to fit him, his hair in a side part and bangs neatly framing his face. You were so used to seeing him in his casual hoodies and ripped jeans that seeing him in formal wear made you choke on your words.

Too focused on getting your senses back in check, you don't notice how Yoongi's train of thought was stopped dead in its tracks as he watched you turn around to face him. He never pictured his crackhead of a best friend in something other than t-shirts and track pants. Seeing you in a dress that hugged your figure in all the right places and taking in the sight of you, with your makeup and hair all done to suit the dress you were wearing nearly made him pass out from how he was holding his breath to admire you.

Clearing the silence between the two of you, Yoongi speaks up first.

"Well well, you don't completely look like the satanic spawn of hot cheetos and depression today. You actually look pretty good"

Smirking a little smile you bite back at his comment.

"Well same to you too Mr. I'm a millennial emo teen. You actually look, presentable today"

The two of you exchanged a playful giggle and assumed your seats at your class tables as the ceremony went on.

You don't see the small glances Yoongi takes in your direction, the thoughts gushing through his mind about how you looked at the moment and cursing himself for not realising your features sooner. He admired the way you had chosen to dress up today, seeing the way you had styled your hair so your curls would frame your face, the way you had done your makeup in a more natural looking way that he thought suited you perfectly. Yoongi didn't remember when the unlabeled feelings for you came but the longer he looked at you the more he was starting to put a name to the feelings he had. So much so that he had completely spaced out in his thoughts of you like that he didn't realise you were speaking to him.

" -don't you think so Yoongi?"

"I'm sorry what did you say? The umm, the music is so loud"

"I saaaaiiddd it's beginning to get a little dull at this graduation ceremony, we need a little surprise, don't you think?"

"Surprise?? What kind of surprise?"

Flashing a smile his way you get up and walk towards the front of the hall where the ceremony host was finishing up their ending speech. Whispering into the host's ear, he gives you the microphone and you confidently stride to the front. But you accidentally go too close to the speaker and it lets out an unpleasant squee, making you move back and away a little. You look up and around finding your best friend's eyes looking back at you giggling at the scene that just occured.

"Well that's one way to get everyone's attention" you chuckle earning muffled chuckles and words from the hall.

"So firstly congrats to everyone on graduating y'all did it. But that's not why I'm up here right now. Today is a special day for someone, and since it's the last day we'll all be gathering I wanted to make this memorable for him. So everyone I would like to wish out here, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIN YOONGI"

you started to sing happy birthday and the rest of the hall joined in singing with you.

In all this happening, Yoongi could only focus on you, the way you just boldly got up to sing out loud and wish him Happy Birthday in the most "you" way possible. So he didn't know if it was the moment or if it was his unlabeled feelings overflowing for you, that he got up and walked towards you as the song was ending. He couldn't tell what came over him at that moment but he knew for sure he wasn't going to stop what he was about to do next. Cupping your cheeks in his palms, he leaned in, pressing his soft lips to yours. Kissing you with deep feelings overtaking his mind. The moment his lips touched yours he knew what those unlabeled feelings were, it was Love.

You couldn't process fast enough that your best friend was striding towards you with a goal, a desire. And you surely didn't expect for him to suddenly kiss you. Registering the feeling of his lips on yours, your eyes closed on their own as if on automatic response. You sank into the feeling of his lips, and it was then you felt the spark that ignited your own unlabeled feelings for Yoongi. You had definitely asked yourself countless times before if what you were feeling for Yoongi was more than just friendship. On the countless nights he had cried on your shoulder or when you cried on his, on the many occasions where you were both always partners in crime, you would always glance at Yoongi and wonder what more could there be to the feelings between you.

As the both of you slowly pulled away from each other a roaring sound of cheers erupted as it seemed to be that the two of you were the last ones to know you two were actually in love with each other. Taking your hand in his, Yoongi and you ran out of the hall that night knowing well where the two of you stood from that moment on.

-----------------------❤️------------------------

"No babe I think you should definitely take the opportunity to study there, I know it's far but it'll be really good for you, plus it's something you really like! It'll take some time for you to get used to the new place but i know you'll fit right in. In fact i know your wack ass would stand out"

You giggled at his comment but you wholeheartedly took his motivation and advice. But the question and thoughts still lingered in your mind as you heard Yoongi chuckle on the other end of the phone.

"But Yoongi, this means we'd be in a long distance relationship, with you going off to study in the opposite direction and all. Even our breaks don't match Yoongi.. what'll we do" the worrying tone in your voice didn't go unnoticed by Yoongi as he answered you in a calm reassuring tone.

"It'll take some work, but i know we can get through this okay? We'll make it, we can make it. I love you" you smiled at Yoongi's voice uttering the sweet words of love as you felt yourself calm your thoughts.

"I love you too Yoongi. Well then, keep me company while i pack?"

"You bet"

It had been a few months since you started dating, and honestly it didn't feel any different from when the two of you were in your phase of friendship, everything was going relatively smooth apart from the little fights and misunderstandings you had now that you were a couple. Sometimes you sit to think to yourself if moving into a relationship with Yoongi was the best choice, it would feel as though sometimes he would act differently and not like he always would but you just shake of the thoughts. You just figured with all these future college studies and intakes coming about that he was just as stressed as you were. You assured yourself that the two of you would be alright and that you'll always have each other.

A few more months pass and the two of you have already started your college lives. Yoongi being in a campus almost 8 hours away from you with minimal transport for him to even go home let alone plan to meet you. It was going smoothly, settling into orientation and getting to know the layouts of the campus well, meeting new friends and truly taking in your next step in education. You and Yoongi would exchange day to day text messages about how orientation and the first days of classes went.

All well and good till Yoongi's texts became slower and less frequent, he would always say that he's busy with his friends there, or straight up not giving a response at all. You became more and more fearful at how this long distance thing was going to work out for the two of you.

28th Tuesday

[12:27am] hey Yoongi! I hope you had a great day, I miss you and hope you sleep well, love you!

[08:40am] Hey Babe, good morning! I'm in class now, wishing we could skip like old times haha, hope you have a great day! Text me soon

[6:48pm] Hey i just got back to my dorm after classes, it was super fun! How was your day??

[8:11pm] Yoongi?? Are you okay? Are you busy babe?

[8:24pm] I miss youuuuuuuu :(

[10:16pm] Yoongi :(

You tossed your phone to the side of your bed as you felt your tears well up, why was he suddenly avoiding you? Is he okay?? Did he get hurt? Your thoughts were spiraling, getting messier till you heard the familiar ping from your phone. You scurried to your phone to see Yoongi's name pop up on the screen. Your smile quickly faded, replaced by disappointment at his reply.

[10:43pm] Hey, was busy with friends today, going to bed now ttyl <3

You frowned and wouldn't let him go this time. The days of short texts to unreplied texts and this is how he replies now? In a fit of fury you call him.

"Hello?-"

"Yoongi what's wrong? You haven't been replying to my texts as usual are you okay??"

"Mmh I'm fine, just busy with classes and my new friends y/n"

"Well I can't accept that answer Yoongi, I'm busy with classes and friend's here too but I take the time so why can't you?"

"Hey it's not that big of a deal y/n, we're in new environments now and it'll take me some time to settle in"

"Yoongi surely you have at least 5 minutes a day to text me??"

"Yeah of course I do, I just texted you didn't i?"

"That short ass reply was what you call a text Yoongi? It really sounds like you're avoiding me"

"You know what y/n I don't have time for this right now I'm tired"

"No Yoongi, I haven't talked to you properly in days come on don't you miss me Yoongi?"

"To be honest I've been enjoying the new company here that's I haven't missed you much"

"What do you mean Yoongi? You don't think of me?"

"Not all the time no, i have other things to think about here y/n i have new responsibilities here I can't be thinking about you all the damn time, just be happy I texted you back"

"Are you threatening to not text me anymore Yoongi? Is that what you're saying? You don't wanna talk to me anymore?"

"Oh god for fucks sake y/n stop being so clingy alright? Just grow up a little!"

The sound of his voice in heightened frustration made you choke on your words, you silenced yourself as his words rang loud in your head.

"You know what y/n I don't think this will work out, I'm going to get even busier and this will just be in the way of it all"

"Yoongi…"

"I'm sorry y/n but clearly this distance is proving that we won't work out"

"Are you... breaking up with me Yoongi?.."

The pain in your voice and the soft shaky exhale doesn't go unnoticed by Yoongi. Yoongi takes a deep breath, realising he spoke too fast in frustration. As much as he did feel for you this distance was tearing you apart and Yoongi didn't want to believe it but it was the truth. He spoke softer this time giving his side of his explanation.

"Y/n, you've been nothing but amazing to me, but I realize that we were more compatible as friends, I mean think about it, we've had so many petty fights that we never had before we dated. Our growing college life will further hinder our relationship. I don't want to hurt you like this by not giving you the love and attention you deserve. I'll always love you y/n, just not as more than friends I suppose"

You couldn't believe what was happening right now, your world felt like it was crashing down on you hard and fast, you could feel the sharp stinging in your chest from how your heart was breaking the more reality hit you. Yoongi's words had reason to them, but you were still in a state of confusion. Why could you make time for Yoongi but he couldn't for you? Maybe it's because the two of you are pursuing different fields of studies? Maybe he really had better things to do? Yoongi didn't want to hurt your feelings by making you feel abandoned so he was in fact abandoning you? No? But he said he'll still love you?? Your head was spinning a bunch of thoughts ran through your head.

"Okay Yoongi...if that's what would be the best for us..then okay"

"Don't worry okay? We'll still text as usual, talk when we can okay? I won't let you go, you're still my best friend y/n"

You didn't know if his words would be comforting enough, but at that moment you took what you had and calmed your thoughts for now.

"Okay Yoongi.."

"Good, I have an early schedule tomorrow. I'll talk to you later okay? I'm going to bed now. Goodnight y/n"

"Good night Yoongi"

-----------------------💔------------------------

As it will, Yoongi and you slowly drifted apart. You would often see his social media updates about how he was actively participating in clubs, and how he had taken up new responsibilities, going to camps and hosting events at his institute and he definitely seemed to be doing well. You on the other hand fell more and more at war with your emotions, it didn't hinder your studies. Thankfully you could keep those two apart. But whenever it got a little too quiet you'd think of him, the days in highschool when you were inseparable. You missed his laugh, his endearing way of calling you the most heinous nicknames. You definitely missed his comforting arms, his words of encouragement when you were down, you wished nothing more that in this moment you were crying to him instead of because of him.

You couldn't believe that you were sitting here, broken and feeling alone by the guy that made his way into your life, and had now made his way out in the most painful way possible. You were left there clueless and confused. Did he do it for you? Was it the right thing? Did he really think of you? Why was this happening? What would have happened if you didn't date? Would things be different? Would your best friend have stayed? All these questions playing through your mind, countless nights you spent crying yourself to sleep. Thinking of how you felt almost betrayed, you cursed at yourself for sending texts to him that were only left on read or replied with a simple "I'm busy, text you later".

Slowly days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as you hadn't spoken much to Yoongi. You became stone hearted from all that had happened and slowly you got back into yourself. You were more and more active in your college life and you were growing to be better at controlling your emotions. Sure some little things remind you of him now and then, but it was much easier by now to brush his thoughts off. As sadly as your situation was you learned to move with it and not let it consume you. Every now and then you'd see Yoongi piston updates on his progressively active life and you'd feel happy for him, you wondered if he ever felt the same for you when he saw your updates on how well you were doing.

----------------------🍃-------------------------

It had been a total of 4 years since everything happened, you were on a roll and you had graduated college. You had a few job applications pending and you were more stable with your life by now. All the questions you once had were stored in a box collection dust in the far corner of your mind.

It was a relaxing Saturday evening, you were in your apartment lounging on your bed. As you were chatting away with your friends a familiar ping aroused from your phone. The name that popped up on the screen made your heart heavy and you breathing shallow, a true ghost from your past…

"Yoongi 🥀"

Your screen read. Taking a deep breath you opened the chat.

[9:57pm] Hey y/n it's been a long time… are you free tonight? Can I call you?

You didn't know what exactly to think right now. Every cell in your brain telling you not to. That you shouldn't give into him again, and that you should just talk to him over text no matter what it was. But your heart was screaming for him, the familiar feeling of longing for him returning in a massive tsunami, washing over your thoughts. You took a deep breath to centre your thoughts and decided you'd listen to him and talk to him again.

[9:59pm] Hey Yoongi, yeah I'm free to talk.

As soon as the message was read by him, your phone rang. You took one more deep breath and answered the call.

"Hello y/n, how are you?"

You cursed in your head at how much you missed his voice, the way he spoke to you at this moment had a hint of the same longing you had for him.

"Hey..Yoongi, I'm good. How are you?"

"I've been good too.. congratulations on graduating"

"Thanks Yoongi, congratulations on graduating too.."

"Thanks…"

The silence that fell had you both reflecting on everything that happened and how fast it all went by. The box of questions in your mind burst out once again whereas Yoongi on the other hand was feeling guilt and hate towards himself for everything that he put you through. Little did you know that these last few months Yoongi was hit with the hard realisation that he had lost not only his best friend but the person he cared about the most. His family certainly did not improve and the one person who was there for him when he needed it, he had left broken hearted and abruptly once he found a new escape. Yoongi was slowly flooded with memories of you as he neared his own college graduation. He remembered your highschool graduation and how he felt for you there in that moment of time. He spent a few nights crying at the realisation that he had thought of what's best for you but didn't think of how you felt and how he had left things between the two of you.

"Why Yoongi…."

Was all you managed to say out loud before your emotions caved in. Understanding what you were asking he answered.

"I was so caught up in the new environment of growing up and moving on that I did what I thought was the best to not hurt you...but I didn't think far enough that doing so will indeed hurt you.. and I wasn't there for you like i was supposed to. It took a hard hit to my head to realise that I was wrong y/n… you were always there for me and stupidly I made this mistake… I thought i was thinking of the best for both of us, when in fact i was thinking of myself.. I was selfish and I realised that…so many things reminded me of you y/n, the clouds, the sun, the sight of roses, the smell of hot cheetos.."

You giggled a little at his last comment earning a little muffled one from Yoongi.

"I understand if you hate me for what I did to you y/n… and I don't know if it'll ever be the same between us again.. but I'm willing to try to bring back what we had... if you're willing to give me a chance…"

You exhaled softly before letting out everything that you've been feeling.

"I don't hate you Yoongi, I never could and I never will. You're everything to me Yoongi and I was just really hurt by what you did and how you ended things. So many thoughts went through my head and I won't even talk about how much you made me cry….you dipshit" the playful cursing nickname made Yoongi chuckle a little, slowly making him feel reassured at the directions of the conversation.

"I'm willing to give us a chance Yoongi..and you're right, I don't expect it to be the same as what we had, I just hate that I lost my best friend.."

"I know..i understand that..and I'm sorry..for everything"

"It's okay Yoongi, I'm sorry too… maybe I should've been more understanding…"

"Hey… do you.. wanna hang out Tomorrow night?"

"You wanna hang out?"

"Yeah, i wanna see you and catch up with you"

"Sure Yoongi that'd be nice"

"Great!! I'll meet you at the café by our old highschool?"

"Sure Yoongi, sounds great"

"Right then, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow Yoongi"

You could hear the smiles in each other's voices as you both bid goodnight and hung up the phone. You didn't know what it was exactly but you knew just from that phone call that everything was going to be alright. You felt like you breathed much easier now, your mind much lighter. Yoongi felt the same, he was smiling more now filled with the excitement of meeting you again tomorrow after years.

-----------------------✨------------------------

You made sure to check yourself out in the mirror a few more times before heading towards the café. You had chosen to wear a simple yet stylish outfit, your hair tied back in a low loose ponytail, your short hairs framing your face. You were nervous yet excited to be reunited with your best friend again. And as you approach the café, there he was. Standing outside the door of the café waiting for you. The now slightly more mature looking, dark fluffy haired man, wearing a long black coat was looking just as nervous and excited as he was looking down at his feet.

"I didn't know you needed glasses to see now"

your voice made him turn his head fast in your direction. The moment his gaze landed on you, it felt like highschool all over again. The way you looked standing there, just centimetres away from him. He took in your slightly matured face yet he told himself that you hadn't changed one bit.

"It's official, you're old Yoongi"

He chuckled and playfully scoffed at your comment.

"Well at least i don't dress like the satanic spawn of depression and hot cheetos"

"Sure thing Mr. I'm still a millennial emo teen"

The two of you laughed, and the world seemed to slow down. The feeling that nothing ever really changed between the two of you was knowing, however this time something felt entirely different. Both of you could feel it for sure. It was the feeling of a bond stronger than both friendship and love. You didn't know what the feeling was exactly, all that you knew was that you're never losing each other again. All this while you've been sitting there watching the feelings you had burn and crash in the worst way possible, but today right here at this café, right in front of your eyes you watched everything Begin Again.

[nasfunkysunglassesinactive]

Loving is Easy

Pom groaned as he sat up, reaching for his alarm, blaring at him rudely from the side table.

Shutting it off, he rolled over and glanced out into the kitchen, where the light was already on and faint clanks and humming could be heard.

He found himself smiling, despite it being 6am and still dark outside, even though he hadn’t got to bed until 2am. He couldn’t help it, it was so nice to wake up and know there was someone there for him, on his good days and his bad ones, always believing in him, never giving up on him.

Pom managed to drag himself up, still blinking blearily as he sighed and slung his feet to the ground, reluctantly leaving the warmth of the blankets to pad towards the doorway between the bedroom and the living area of their apartment.

He smiled as Chanon turned to him when he entered the kitchen. Pom stretched down to rest his head in his arms on the counter, eying Chanon fondly as the kettle clicked and he turned towards it, reaching to pour the boiling contents into the mugs set out next to the sink.

Chanon stirred the coffee now steaming from the mugs, the gentle tinkling of the teaspoon the only sound that could be heard aside from the tune he was quietly humming.

He smiled as he tapped the spoon on the edge of a mug and silently handed one of them to Pom, wrapping his hands around the other and gently lifting it to blow across the liquid to cool it down slightly.

Pom huffed under his breath in amusement.

Chanon had burned himself from drinking boiling hot chocolate once in highschool, causing him to jump and spill the rest all over his shirt (and Pom’s). Ever since then, he had harboured a deep mistrust of hot liquids.

 “Thank you.” Pom whispered, glancing up at Chanon as they both took a sip of the coffee.

Apparently adequately satisfied with the temperature of his drink, Chanon smiled back at him.

 “Well you need to go prepare for class in a bit and you only got 4 hours sleep after the Gifted exam last night.”

Pom groaned again at the reminder and flopped his head back on the counter, closing his eyes as his hair fell to cover them.

 “I love being a teacher, I’ll never regret that decision and those kids are like my own at this point. Still sometimes I question why my job takes up so much of my life.”

Chanon smiled down at him fondly.

 “Just like you said, those kids are like your own and you love being able to help them grow up and find themselves. You teach to see them become the people they were born to be and you love it because they mean so much to you. That’s why you put so much time and effort into it.”

Pom laughed at the speech and sat up to stretch his arms out.

 “You’re right as always. I’m just exhausted I guess.”

Chanon put the coffee mug down and stood up.

 “Of course you are, it’s not easy being the cool teacher!”

Pom raised his eyebrows questioningly at the statement.

Chanon smirked and wandered off to the stove, where he flicked the switch of the gas on underneath a frying pan before setting off towards the fridge.

 “I saw a meme. Like, how the cool teacher puts in like this much effort-” he stretched his arms out wide in front of him- “ and end up getting this much recognition from other teachers.” he finished holding his fingers an inch apart.

Pom couldn’t help but smile at the compliment, even if it had stemmed from a meme (that Chanon had likely seen whilst he was meant to be working.)

Chanon came back over to the pan with 2 eggs, cracking one into it before leaning over to stick 2 slices of bread in the toaster.

 “You go get changed, I’ll sort breakfast for us.”

Pom nodded and slunk off to the bedroom to get clothes and take a shower.

He’d always showered in the morning. It always helped him wake up and collect his thoughts for the day, running through the never ending to-do lists as the cool water hit his shoulders helped him organise his day.

Chanon on the other hand, always showered at night. He couldn’t sleep unless he’d washed the day away. Pom quite liked it though. It meant he always crawled into bed smelling faintly of rosewood, the familiar scent of which always managed to calm Pom’s racing mind as they drifted off to sleep.

As he turned off the water and reached for a towel, he paused. From the kitchen came the faint, melodic sound of singing again.

Pom instantly recognised the song and smiled to himself. Chanon always sung when he was in the kitchen.

Once his clothes were on, the dress shirt tucked neatly into his trousers, a tie in his hand, he returned to the kitchen with a towel still around his neck, rubbing the ends of his hair absentmindedly.

He returned to his spot where a plate of scrambled eggs and toast had been placed.

Chanon stood up and silently reached for the towel around Pom’s neck. He took it in his hand and began to massage Pom’s scalp, gently, carefully drying the damp strands.

 “It’s usually you nagging me about things like this,” Chanon murmured, “You’ll catch a cold if you’re wet and shivering.”

Pom sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes and leaned into Chanon’s touch, enjoying being the one taken care of for once- something his job didn’t often allow.

 “I know. But it’s nice having you do this, maybe I’ll leave my hair wet more often.” Pom mused.

Chanon gently knocked Pom’s head and threw the towel over the back of an empty chair before ruffling his hair fondly, causing Pom to duck away and turn to pout up at Chanon, who just laughed and gestured to the plates in front of them.

Pom wrinkled his nose at him before whispering a thank you and turning towards the food.

Chanon had always been an amazing cook. Back in highschool, whenever Pom had been too tired to eat and content to just collapse onto his bunk after a long day and fall unconscious on an empty stomach, Chanon could tell. He would always duck into the kitchen area on evenings when the late classes had begun to take their toll and even though he was exhausted too, he always managed to whip up something so delicious that Pom could never refuse.

Just where he’d picked up this knack for culinary preparation Pom didn’t quite know. Chanon had always seemed busy, either at their desk or the chalkboard or the computer lab. He was always lost in calculations or maps or star charts or some such that Pom could barely keep up in trying to understand, yet he still always managed to find the time to make sure Pom wasn’t burned out or skipping meals again.

In the years that had passed since then, through their ups and downs, the fundamental basis of their relationship had remained unchanged. They both looked out for each other no matter what and loved each other easily, without the explicit need to voice it out loud.

Being together, no matter where they were, was comfortable. It was easy. And it felt right. It had always felt right to be by the other’s side.

They both finished breakfast at the same time and Pom reached over for Chanon’s plate and stacked it on top of his own before carrying them over to the empty dishwasher and slotting them both in side by side before turning to the clock.

 “It’s 7 o’clock.” He murmured.

Chanon nodded before reaching for the tie that lay on the counter and walking over to Pom.

 “Which means you need to get going soon-” he stretched his arms around Pom’s neck to tuck the tie under his collar- “to resume your role as best teacher in history.”

Pom grinned as Chanon continued to fiddle with the tie, looping one end over the other before undoing it and starting again, his tongue poking out in concentration as he bent down to get closer to the complicated knot he was managing to tie around Pom’s neck.

 “Let me.”

Pom gently slapped Chanon’s hands and took over tying the tie. At over 30 years old Chanon still hadn’t got a grasp on the skill.

Chanon looked at his feet sheepishly before glancing back up at Pom through his fringe. God he looked cute doing that.

 “I’ll see you later, then.”

Pom said, slipping shoes onto his feet and reaching for the keys hanging on the hook next to the front door.

Chanon nodded, leaning against the doorframe and handing Pom’s phone to him (he’d walked out the door without it too many times to count in the past.)

 “Make sure you get to work on time. Text me at lunch, if I’m free we can eat together.”

 “Will do.”

Chanon yawned, still smiling fondly at Pom as he fumbled to get his phone in his pocket.

Finally organised, Pom grabbed his bag and turned the key in the lock, opening the door up to the apartment hallway.

Their place wasn’t too big and it wasn’t showy or posh, but it was theirs and it was filled with little bits of each of them, from the decorations to the clutter to the smells, and that made it perfect to them.

 “Wait a sec.”

Chanon called out as Pom stepped over the threshold.

Pom turned to him as Chanon stepped forward and swooped in to quickly kiss his cheek.

 “There we go. Have a great day at work!” Chanon grinned cheekily.

Pom rolled his eyes fondly and nodded.

 “You too. I love you.”

 “Love you more.”

 “Impossible.”

He smiled as he made his way down the hallway, with the warm sunlight beginning to filter through the window in front of him and Chanon’s words still ringing in his ears, he felt he could face anything the day threw at him.

[goodwriterwithbadhabits]

Dark of the Night

So I thought this was kinda short but its actually 4 pages of writing, so I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Murder, blood, cops, and mentions of WW2, drinking and sex

Master List

~~

“Come on out, let me see you.” The deep voice echoed through the trees behind you. You didn’t dare stop moving, despite the branches catching on your clothes and the skin exposed by your Halloween costume. Never in a million years did you actually expect this kind of thing to happen. The night had started off smoothly, a simple highschool Halloween party, the right mix of sexy and drunk that was supposed to end with everyone either getting laid or passing out. 

Somehow none of you were so lucky. 

When the first scream happened, it had brought everyone into the kitchen to find a giant of a man tearing apart the party's host. Her blood was staining the white tiles and within seconds of seeing this, even the bravest of football players had bolted from the scene. At first you had tried hiding in the basement, but that had resulted in someone’s corpse being dropped next to you, splattering you in blood. He had seen you, despite trying to keep quiet, and had tried to swing at you, but thanks to the small hallway you were in, he had only managed to cut your arm. You barely managed to escape the house, your shoes long abandoned, and no thoughts on your mind but to save yourself. 

Now here you were, running through the woods, barefoot and bleeding, hoping you would make it to town before he caught up with you. You swung yourself around a large tree, trying to catch your breath, but still remain quiet. 

“Hey! Over here!” Someone yelled quietly, “Hey!” You finally caught sight of the person trying to get your attention. It was one of the seniors who had been at the party, waving to you from a small hatch in the ground. “Get over here, quickly.” He motioned you over again, glancing towards the sound of the attacker approaching. You didn’t need to be told twice. You flew across the 15 feet to him in mere seconds, pulling the hatch closed as you climbed down the ladder. 

Inside was pitch black, and for a few seconds you were sure you were alone until you saw the light of his phone screen as he turned on his flashlight. “Are you-”

“Where are you?!” The attacker's voice comes from right above you and before you can react, his hand is clapped over your mouth, his body pressing yours against the damp wall behind you as he kept you both quiet. Your arms stings where his other hand is holding your wound, which makes your eyes water. His phone is on the floor now, the screen barely visible in the darkness. Far above you someone screams, and you hear the attacker running towards them, his heavy footfalls slowly retreating into silence. Your savior doesn’t move for several moments, waiting until he’s sure no one is there before letting you go and grabbing his phone. 

“Sorry, I didn’t want him to hear us.” He explains, shining his flashlight towards his own hand. You can’t see his face but he must have realized the blood on his palm was yours, because the next thing you know his light is pointed at you. “Oh shit, you’re bleeding.” You glance down at the gash on your arm, finally able to see the blood that's coating the length of your forearm. 

“Oh, he must have got me more than I thought.” 

“Come here, there's another room this way.” He holds out a hand for you to take, and you do, happily. In the other room is an old bed, a broken mirror, an old desk, and what looks like a dresser, though its beyond repair. He sits you on the bed, which shockingly holds your weight, and sits next to your injured arm. His phone is angled so the flashlight reflects off the mirror, casting light across the room. 

“What is this place?” You ask as he rips the sleeve of his tshirt off. 

“I think it might have been a world war 2 bunker. People built them all over the place. The other room has shelves and old canned food.” He explains, tying the scrap of his shirt over your cut. “You know you’re lucky you got away.” 

“Yeah,” You sigh, “I just hope some of the others did too.” 

“Me too. I’m Jaebeom by the way, but everyone calls me JB.” You chuckle at his cute smile, which looks so out of place with his black tshirt and eyebrow piercing. 

“I thought it was you.” You nod, “You’re part of-”

“If you say Jackson’s squad, I’m going back up top.” He groans, which makes you laugh again. 

“No, I was going to say Mark’s friend group.” You defend. “I’m Y/n, I’m Mark’s lab partner in Chem.” 

“Okay, I remember him talking about you.” He nods, “Good to know you’re real.” 

“And the only reason he’s passing Chem.” Above you another scream echoes, closer than last time. “Are you sure we’re safe down here?” 

“I don’t know, to be honest. If he knows where this place is, we’re sitting ducks.” He confesses. Absently, you reach for his hand, needing some kind of anchor. 

“Do you think someone was able to phone the police?” You look over at him again, but he’s focused on your entwined hands. “Can you?” He shakes his head sadly, looking back up at you. 

“I have no service down here. What about you?”

“I kinda threw my phone at the guys head. Hopefully its still at Nicole’s.” Your heart sinks when you remember what had happened to your friend. “Oh god, Nicole.” Your voice breaks, tears stinging your eyes. You didn’t want to cry in front of him, but the reality of what was happening was finally hitting you. 

“Hey, don’t cry.” JB’s voice is soft as he pulls you closer, letting you hide your face in his neck. “I’m scared too, but we’re alive. Isn’t that something to be happy about?” 

“Our friends are dead.” You remind him. 

“But we aren’t.” He reiterates. “Right now, we just need to focus on staying alive.” He pulls you away from him, looking you in the eyes. “We’ll stay down here for a while, then we’ll run back towards the house, okay?” You nod along. 

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” Silence falls over the bunker as you both strain to hear the world around you, you’re still lying on his shoulder, savoring his warm arm around you. “You know there’s a rumor going around about you?” 

“Is there?” 

“Yeah, people say you’re dating some model from China.” JB laughs at the statement, which has you laughing as well. 

“Okay one, she’s Korean and two, she’s my cousin.” 

“Oh fuck!” You laugh, pulling him away as you crack up. He laughs with you, and the weight of reality begins to lessen. As you finally manage to get control of yourself, you can’t stop looking at him. Until now you had only ever been passing ships, hell you hadn’t even known he was at a party with only twenty-some guests. In the halls at school he never caught your eyes, but here you were, hiding in some dark ass bunker from a killer psychopath together, and despite everything that was happening one thought kept creeping back into your mind:

Damn he’s hot.

“So tell me-” He cuts himself off, smile dropping as he presses a single finger to his lips. Carefully he reaches over, grabbing both his phone and your hand in order to shut the light off. 

“Are you in there?” The voice doesn’t sound like the attacker but still has you clutching JB’s hand for dear life. He squeezes back, pulling you up and carefully making his way over to the corner by the door. JB pushes you against the wall, his body flush against yours as you try to make yourselves as small as possible. 

“We’ll be okay.” He breathes, lips just touching the shell of your ear. “I won’t let him hurt you.” You can hear the dull clanking of someone’s shoes coming down the ladder and have to press your face into JB’s neck to keep yourself quiet. “Down here!” Another voice calls, “I saw her go in.” You might have recognized the voice if you could hear it over your pounding heart. JB turns, keeping you behind him as he peers into the darkness. You can only grip the back of his shirt, praying that your deaths come quickly. Your arm throbs as the sound of someone’s shoes get closer, the beam of their flashlight swinging back and forth as they search for you. Peeking over his shoulder you watch the beam of light get closer and closer to the room until its shining directly in your face. 

“Jaebeom?” 

“Dad?” 

~~

A week passes almost silently. JB’s father, the sheriff, had driven you both to the hospital, and hours later, you were safe in your own bed. Only a few days later was the funeral. Seven of the 29 kids invited had been killed, 10 injured and 2 missing, but they had shown up at the police station just hours after their names had been announced, having been making out in their car on the mountainside. The killer, a hermit from a nearby town, had been killed when he tried crossing the highway after one of his potential victims. 

None of this really meant anything to you. What mattered was that you were alive, your best friend Jeongyeon was alive, and your friend Nicole was not. 

You had only seen JB once since that night, at the funeral. He hadn’t said anything to you, just stood beside you as you listened to the preacher send your friends off to heaven, and held your hand tightly. Finally after over a week, school was back in session, so here you were, trying to ignore the whispered rumors as you pulled your chemistry book from your locker.

“You know, that bunker’s still unlocked if you want to join me in there again.” His voice makes a smile erupt on your lips. 

“Only if you promise there won't be any more psychos trying to kill us.” You turn to find him opening the locker neck to you. “Have you been there all year?”

“All four, actually. I usually just kept everything in my backpack.” He explains, setting his lunch bag on the empty shelf.

“Then why-”

“Mark told me where your locker was.” He pulls one of his books from his bag, setting it in his locker. “And I meant what I said about the bunker.”

“How about somewhere above ground?” You offer, “Like the pizza place by the library?” His smile grows into a grin. 

“It’s a date?” He extends his hand for you to take. You nod, closing your locker and entwining your fingers together. 

“A date.”

[yyxgin]

babe i have plenty of stories!! this is my fourth year as a waitress. this is my third waitressing gig.

the drink runner boy hasn’t needed to learn how to take food orders bc he’s on bar! a lot of the girls there now are going to uni in october and tbh three out of the six hired new starters are going to uni in october too. so basically the staff is gonna drop down sooner or later (some of them were actually leaving this week and last but the manager keeps putting them on thé rota? i think she’s pushing her luck tbh) so i guess he has a reason to learn so he’s ready when the staff drops down. ALSO. one of the ladies asked me where i was from and after i told her she goes ‘oh i thought i recognised you!’ and she told me the road she lived on and i told her i went to the highschool at the bottom of it and... god. she told me the drinks runner lives on the same road and i’m trying to figure out if i recognise him or not. bc i felt like i did right at the beginning and she set me off after telling me that but... man, idk.

my dog’s name is summer, she’s a labrador x springer spaniel. her mum was a fox lab (colour) so her springer spaniel freckles are this lovely goldeny brown colour. i say she’s ginger and my dad tells me off and pets her 😭 i took her off her lead today for the first time and she ate sumn 🤢 it’s too vulgar to tell you honestly.

i had a two hour break at work on monday so i went to the shops and bc where i work is kind of posh i felt like i had to buy something (also there’s two of the posh-er superstores so take that with a pinch of salt) so i bought a plant 🪴 lmao self control is out the window tbh.

and today i bought the dessert thingies the food runner lady let me try! they didn’t do a ‘selection’ multipack only multipacks of just one flavour (does that make sense?) so i got a pack of lychee, a pack of mango and a pack of strawberry (all the flavours they had) and am praying im on a lunch shift next week so i can give it to her when it’s not busy. or at least open them when it’s not busy and share (which is what i wanted to do today but i was planning to kill two birds with one stone and offer the drinks runner one too 😎 big brain. and the kitchen staff if they want some. i believe they’re thai dessert treats and it took me forever to find them (i ended up going to a warehouse for asian foods) but i’m happy i did).

we making moves out here! i’ve been added to the girls’ groupchat for work and i’m happy to be in 🥺 i feel like it would be weird to add all their snap’s straight away so i’m just kind of lingering... man i’m so nervous all the time 😭😭😭😭

anyway!! ask and you shall receive, my love. i’ll tell you any old story, there’s plenty stored away in my head.

im sure your boss is just waiting until you’re due in. in the nicest way possible, there’s not really a need to message you until your first day, i’d say. be sure to ask loads of questions when you’re there!! especially about your paycheck, how you receive it, how often you get paid, any detail you want to know, you must ask before it’s too late. i trust you do that anyway but still!! sorry if im droning, i just worry about people a lot.

it’s also midnight again, i’ve definitely forgotten some things to say but i shall sleep and get my beauty rest for tomorrow’s shift ❤️ ily2 bb

ooh i hope that boy learns how to do it quickly so he can stand in and do the things he has to :// also woRLD IS A SMALL PLACE OMG its so weird how close-by you all are😩 is your town small perhaps ??

omg summer is a legend😔✊ i was at the vet w my grandmas dog today and he was so scared i felt so bad for him🥺he almost jumped down from the table thank god my aunt was holding him. he is a village dog so everything abt the city scared him and getting him there by car was a very difficult journey sksksk

I SUPPORT YOUR NEWEST PLANT ADDITION❤ selfcare. my cactus bloomed flowers for the first time today and i got so excited omg

aah you sound so precious,,sharing food is the best way to get close to someone imo. also i appreciate the effort you put in to get those and i really want to try it now😭 AND DONT BE NERVOUS IM SURE THEY ALL LOVE U !!

i mean im sure she is just busy and will probably call me soon but,,i have never been relaxed in my life ever so i am just really anxious and nervous abt everything and its so new to me soo yeah💔 thanks for the advice !!! i know all abt the paychecks and stuff bc we talked abt it already in the job interview and i'll make sure to ask a lot of questions !! dont worry djsj everyone babies me bc i am pretty much a baby so i dont mind the advice and u looking after me lol <3

sleep well !! i hope u have an amazing day tomorrow 🤩🤍 ily

[marvelousworldgeek-blog]

Texting Strangers

Author: Kennedy

Characters: Fem!Reader and…?

Story: Y/N, who’s going through a rough patch, texts a random number in search of a friend.

Rated PG-13 for language, mention of drinking

Warnings: Reader is going through a rough patch, but I tried to keep it on the lighter side. Also, use of language.  

“Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight? Are you sorry we drifted apart?”

The lilting voice of The King floated in through the open window as Y/N sat at her desk, staring at the blank screen in front of her. There was plenty of work to be done, sure. But what was the point now. She hated her job, her coworkers, the tiny cubicles, the sound the water cooler made every time an air bubble floated up. And here she was on a Saturday working from home to try and finish whatever dry, boring project her boss had saddled her with, knowing that Y/N was the only person who would actually get it done. Nevermind that Marc had ten years of experience on her two, or that it was actually Kayla’s department that was in charge of this particular project. Or the fact that Y/N was still technically an intern.

“Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare? Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?”

And to throw a cherry on top of this hate-my-life sundae, today marked the official six month anniversary of Jeremy moving out. Break ups were always tough, of course. But things could have certainly been easier if he hadn’t literally picked up and left in the middle of the night. It seemed as though the past year had been one big non-stop “fuck you”. Work? Terrible. Relationship? Long-dead. Family? Radio silence. Friends? Moved away. Apartment? Actually starting to feel like a cave.

Y/N glanced around the room at the stack of empty takeout boxes, the pile of paperwork, the week-old laundry. Motivating oneself to clean up seemed an immense task when the overwhelming feeling in life was ‘why bother?’

“Tell me dear, are you lonesome tonight?”

The sad song was just too ironic to handle at that moment. Her neighbor across the courtyard was a huge Elvis fan, and listened to old records nearly every night. For the most part it was nice to have the soft music as a background when she was home, but tonight it was a glib reminder of how lonely she actually was.

“This is bullshit,” Y/N muttered to herself and closed the laptop.

It was saturday night and she wasn’t about to stay at home and mope her way through another weekend. No sir. And so with all the energy and false confidence she could muster, Y/N grabbed an outfit out of the closet, threw on some makeup, and headed out on the town.

…

Okay, so maybe the nightclub scene wasn’t what she was after. Thirty minutes to get in, twenty waiting for a drink, then a whole lot of sitting around on garrish plush furniture waiting for someone to walk over and strike up a conversation. The closest she came was two drunk girls telling her they liked her shoes before stumbling off into the sweaty fray. And now this overpriced, watered-down drink was going straight to her bladder.

Y/N set the now empty cup on a table and headed off for the line to the bathrooms. Surprisingly, she only had to wait for two people before she got in and locked herself into a stall. The walls were as high as the ceiling and provided a satisfying amount of privacy. Behind the safety of four walls, Y/N finally had a chance to breathe. And once again the stress of the past months settled in, despite the cheap liquor pumping through her bloodstream. She leaned her head against the wall next to her and sighed, tracing the faded graffiti.

“Satisfaction guaranteed. Call now!” and a number scrawled below, along with a doodle of a stick figure with a ‘censored’ bar over its lower half. Giggling to herself, Y/N snapped a picture and tucked her phone back into her purse. With a defeated groan she clicked back out to the sinks.

“Oh my GOD, couch girl!”

The shrill voice cut through the bathroom, and Y/N (along with everyone else) turned to glance at its owner.

“Come here, come here,” the blonde girl from earlier gripped Y/N’s hand and dragged her out into the club again, “Come dance!”

And then the evening descended into a blur.

…

Y/N woke to the bright morning sun pouring through the window of her own bedroom. Her head was pounding, her feet ached, and her stomach felt sour. Last night had turned into a long, drawn out drunken dance fest with her two new friends (whose names and numbers she had never managed to get), and in the cold light of day Y/N vowed to never try and drink her woes away again.

After much groaning, she managed to shuffle to the kitchen and set the hot water on, all the while cursing her past self. Reaching into her pocket, she grabbed her phone and checked the screen. One unread text.

“Dammit,” she groaned.

Work never stops. Reluctantly, she opened the message.

“If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to drop me a line again.”

An unknown number, great. Y/N scrolled back up through the rest of the conversation. And was surprised to find several hours worth of back-and-forth with the mystery person. Somehow, in her intoxicated state, she had poured out her heart to a complete stranger, telling them all about the stress and sadness and heartache over her life. In turn, they had offered support and humor, and if she hadn’t known better she would have assumed this was a conversation between close friends.

“What the-”

Y/N recalled the number from the wall of the club bathroom. In a panic, she checked the photos on her phone. But the number didn’t match the one she had texted. At least not exactly. Somewhere during her night out she had attempted to text this mystery man but instead had hit up some poor clueless stranger and had a long drawn-out conversation over the course of the evening.

With an exasperated sigh, Y/N tossed her phone on the counter and retired to the couch in defeat.

…

“You look really tired,” Kayla’s brunette locks appeared above the edge of Y/N’s cubicle.

Y/N nodded; “It was a long weekend.”

“Did you finish the projection project?”

“I put it on his desk this morning.”

“Ah man,” Kayla sighed. “I was hoping I could hand it in to him. I have some, um, stuff I had to go over.”

“Like taking all the credit?” Y/N thought to herself.

“Oh well, I’ll get the next one. Thanks!”

Then she bounced away, heels clicking loudly against the floor.

Y/N leaned her forehead against the desk and groaned.

“Fuuuck…”

Her phone buzzed and Y/N sat up, rubbing her temple, and pressed the notification.

“Hope they aren’t giving you too much crap today.”

Y/N frowned; it was the stranger from the night before.

“I’m sorry, who is this?”

It was only a moment before they replied; “You mentioned you might say that!”

“Ha ha sounds about right. But that doesn’t answer my question.”

“A friend.”

“Okay,” Y/N whispered to herself, frowning. “Is this being cute? Or shady…”

“A friend with a name?”

“I thought you said we weren’t doing names?”

“Of course drunk me would say that,” Y/N thought.

“Okay friend. Tell me a little about yourself.”

“I’m a member of a secret organization who kept me in a lab for the first part of my life in order to mold me into a super weapon. Now I spend my free time saving the world.”

“You’re funny.”

“You don’t believe me?”

Y/N smiled to herself; “Okay ‘friend’ I’ll leave it be for now. You’re a superhero.”

“Really just a run-of-the-mill hero.”

“Mm-hm, I’ll take your word for it.”

“If you didn’t have to do your job, what would you want to be?”

The question caught Y/N off guard; she hadn’t thought about it in so long. She had been fully focused on getting through school, then getting a job that could get her out of her parents  house and on her own. She hadn’t thought about what she actually wanted to be.

“Um, idk”

“That’s not good.”

“I have a job. That’s what really matters,” she paused, then added, “Do you like your job?”

“I love it.”

“You’re lucky.”

“What do you like to do?”

Y/N sat for a few minutes and considered this.

Another text came through: “???”

Finally she typed, “I love to cook. I actually took a bunch of cooking and culinary arts classes in school. But I would hate being a chef. The hours are outrageous and it gets stuffy in the kitchen.”

“What about a food truck? You could make your own hours, drive to different places every day, you could even travel.”

Y/N actually laughed aloud to herself. She had never considered cooking for a living. She had worked as a waitress when she was in highschool and the kitchen staff were always miserable and overworked. Not to mention kind of mean. She had written off cooking for a living right then and there.

“I’d never thought of that.”

“What is your favorite thing to cook?”

“Breakfast food and baked goods, mostly.”

“That is perfect food truck food!”

“I suppose it is…”

“You should check this out,” they replied, then sent a link to an article titled ‘Considering Opening a Food Truck? Read these fifteen true stories from other chefs who did the exact same thing!’

“I’ll check it out, thanks!” Y/N name typed back, still smiling to herself.

“Hey friend, can I text you tomorrow? I have to go save some kids from a bus on fire.”

“Of course. Be safe, Superman!”

“Hm, nah. Call me ‘Batman’.”

“Okay, be safe Batman.”

“Read that article; I’ll ask you about it tomorrow!”

Y/N chuckled as she pressed save contact and typed ‘Batman’ into the name.

To be continued... 

[infinitesolarflare]

10-1-0: An Incarnate’s Tale

Oh, forgive me, I see there is some information you'd need for this, well my name is Sullivan Koji. I am the one who has taken over the quest of saving our lives, in our world man has been turning a blind eye for too long. There are few selected humans to be one of the "World Walkers". Being a World Walker means you have achieved the highest level of concentration, determination, and compassion.

I guess you should understand, the common conception of time, and the universe as we know it are wrong. Long ago mages, like us humans were created, there purpose was to save the earth from certain destruction. They lived long lives, and as the mages grew old, they became corrupt. This is when man truly entered the dark ages. As the mages battled one another they discovered that after killing a mage he would burn a bright red, then dissolve. The particles of what once made up the mages were thrown farther than any human could ever imagine. These particles are what humans know as stars. Gazing at stars is a human activity with a far greater importance than they know. The mages attempt to communicate with the World Walkers through this, to find if there are any left.

Now, this is where things fall into place. There were 10 mages each holding a section of the Portal. The Portal is the one thing given to the mages so they can infinitely travel in all directions. My mission, embody the mages, become the one and only Mage left. I have been chosen because what the common man takes as a dream, or nightmare is actually a tool. A tool so useful it takes years before one can even view another world.

The one goal for man is to reach the year, ZERO. Once there man can live at peace, without war, death, poverty, hunger, and hatreds. The ones who the mages see fit to achieve peace are reincarnated every 400 years or so, these souls have purpose, they are meant to reach ZERO. Common people are pawns in the world games of chess. Those souls are reincarnated almost every second of every day. Useless people, unworthy of the true paradise, some call it heaven, others don't believe in it. I have not been there, but I've seen it. My goal for now is to build the portal, show humans what life is supposed to be....

This is almost the end of our lesson together, I Sullivan Koji, have been reincarnated only 3 times so far. This is my story, these are my trials, my tests, and my tears. To reach ZERO I must concentrate once within each universe of the infinite universes. The Old Mages War took place on an open plain, which was the only universe at one time. When the High Mage Geishino was murdered his energy, not only burned a hole into time itself but also exploded into all directions, which we know as The Big Bang. Now there were 7 mages after the High Mage. They traveled throughout all universes, battling one another, the 10 portal pieces are somewhere within them, I WILL find them....

The radio in Sullivan's room is playing Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin. He has been awake for 3 days, his eyes are bloodshot, his eyes water as he sits up. "where do I go today?" his thoughts seem as though they were talking to him aloud. Sullivan has only a few friends who understand his destiny. His life long friends, and blood brothers, James Blackard and Micheal Himaru. Sullivan, from an early age displayed signs of being the World Walker this universe needed. His friends thought he was short a few screws. As we entered highschool, I stared to understand what I was...who I was. I confided in them all that I discovered and they wanted to join me in my quest. Before they could do this I needed to explore how to travel through universes.

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Friday, 06:17

"Its already time to start, ugh this will be a long day." I focused harder and with more energy than the day before, I attempted to complete my first Walk. I sat in complete silence, in a dark room. Which was located in the basement of my parents house, I was only 17 still. As my breathing slowed, and my pulse crawled to almost a complete stop, the very first visible portal appeared in front of me. And just as quickly as it came, it was gone...vanished into the abyss. "All that fucking work, just to have it amount to nothing" I was beyond frustrated at my poor performance at keeping my cool.

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

09:14

I walked out of the basement room, my eyes squinted almost completely shut from the glow of the sun. It was an abnormally warm and sunny day, usually the frozen tundra of which was once new England was gloomy, and around 10* at all times and just a terrible place to be. This is where I called home, this depressing wasteland of no bodies. Today the sun was in full force and it was a scorching 47*. It reminded me of when I was younger, in 2013 there were swimming pools, beach days, and ice cream trucks. That all became history in 2016, the poles reversed their magnetic fields and plunged the northern hemisphere into an ice age, at the same time causing uncontrollable droughts in the southern hemisphere. With scientific advances skyrocketing in the previous years, we genetically enhanced the human races' ability to adapt to changing environments. 22% of Earths population took to the adaptations well, the other 78% died. They all just died, deteriorating to unknown people of what seemed like a time long ago. These are the most important people to my research, proving most humans are just pawns in a war they could never comprehend.

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

11:43

"uh, I am stuffed" there was no response from my abandoned kitchen. Everyone I know, everyone I loved, gone, they never made it through the treatments. There was no known location of James or Michael, or even if they were alive... I thought of them everyday, they were my drive, the reason I kept myself from killing myself. "Today is the day I find my location for my new home, a research lab, something I can control completely. Underground, deep, safe from the environment, somewhere I can keep myself and others I find alive. I gather my gear, put on my jacket, and leave.

FEBRUARY 13

13:17

I walk through the wasteland and look at the building that were once stores, shops, restaurants, and malls. " I wonder which of these will be my lab? These all were places I used to go as a kid, I even worked at a few of them. I can't believe this was all destroyed in just 3 years.. I miss my old life." I came upon the WalMart near what used to be Springfield Massachusetts. I searched for an entrance, everything was locked, boarded up, and chained together. I wander around, coming across the outdoor section of the garden center. I look through the prison like gate, which once housed flowers, lawn mowers, and all the things you could ever need for gardening. "this is how I'm gonna do it!" I pry the gate open at one of the sliding sections of gate. I squeeze through and the gate, clashes against itself as I stand up. I walk to the door and discover a door, no chains, no boards...no locks. I back up about 30 yards, sprint full force into the door. It crashes open, when I readjust to the new surrounding, I am overcome with joy, hope, and a feeling of accomplishment. The abandoned WalMart was lit up, it had power! "Finally, I have found a suitable place to get started on my lab!" The shelves were still stocked with tools, electronics, food (which was mostly useless at this point), and clothing! I wander the empty store, looking for tools to aid my needs. I go to gardening and grab a pickaxe, shovel, and a wheel barrel. I go to the shoes section of the store, rip the shelves down and throw the shoes aside. After I clear myself a space of about 30ft by 30ft I begin my tunneling.

FEBRUARY 13

15:25

"Wow, this is harder than I expected" I had only accomplished a depth of about one foot on the square area. I knew I needed help...but from who? No one was around, I hadn't talked to a human in 743 days. "Fuck this, it'll never work, its not worth it!" I through down my shovel, stormed out of WalMart and hiked home.

I was tired from my failed excavation, I felt disappointed, like I had just failed my drivers test. "SULLIVAN!?" said a familiar sounding voice as I walked down my dirt road. I snapped around with intent to shoot whoever it was, as I drew my gun I smiled, shed a tear, and dropped it. "Michael? I have been searching for you since the day the world froze over...is it really you?" "yes sully, its me. I left my home in Florida to come see if you lived through this nightmare." "wow, I can't believe it, your actually here, you came back..." "well believe it, I'm here and I know James is around still, he told me he was going to his vacation house for a few years, I knew we would all meet up one day." well we need to find him! I hope he's alive.." as we entered my house, Micheal stopped at the front door, and he removed his shoes, just as my mother always wanted. "so where are your parents?" Michael said with a caring tone. "dead. They died once the ice appeared." Michael's face dropped to one of guilt, "I'm sorry Sull..." "Don't, its fine." I just

finished making tea, I went to the cabinet and grabbed the sugar. "still drink yours with 3 sugars mike?" "I see you haven't forgotten a damn thing sully, sharp as always."

CHAPTER 2

A SUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOR

As the sun rose from what seemed to be an unending night, Mike and I unbolted the lock's from our shelter, which had finally been w q the week before, the WalMart was now the number one safezone for surviving. Or so I thought, as we entered the isles of rundown old equipment, the smell of stale food and the sound of mice filled the store. Everything that was once civilization has been turned to rubble, the common man no longer has beliefs, morals, or

[imfucking-magical]

Only a recruit pt 2

A/n Hello my peoples my lovelies! Thanks for the awesome feedback on part 1. I have been having more interaction with you guys and I honestly love it. Like hit me up about your day if you want =) 

Warnings: Mentions of injury and cursing

Permanent tag list: @softbbyboye @kisshuggay, @gothamsblackqueen@frostbitten-desires, @frostbyte-horan, @allison0609

Temporary tag list: @konomoma, @peter-pan-hoe, @parkermanparkercan @mae-shower

Originally Mr.Stark wanted to fly you out to the tower since you only had a single bag of clothes, but when he saw you shaking he decided to call a car. He walked you down and out of the building and into a flashy car. The suit came off of him and went neatly into a carry on.

“That was cool” You told him pointing to the bag. He didn’t say anything and sat the whole trip silent.

“Soooo... where are we?”

“We are at the Avengers tower.” He said getting out of the car and I followed him.

“Why?”

“Because I’m recruiting you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re smart beyond your years and we could use someone like you.”

“How did you...”

“Look kid I’m Tony Stark. I can find anything out about anyone or I have people that can. You’re just a high school student, it wasn’t that hard to see your character. Now if you’re done asking questions. You’re room is around the corner and here is a card so you can get whatever you need for your own lab or if you want new clothes or something.” Mr.Stark handed me a credit card.

“Is there something you want me specifically to work on or do I have free reign?” You asked holding the card and trying not to show how excited you are. You could hardly believe it was real.

“Just don’t blow up the building. Try to make useful stuff. Help whenever its needed. Other then that free reign. No illegal stuff tho. You’re still what 14?”

“16.”

“Anyways. Yea and also watch out for the rest of the Avengers. They don’t know about you yet.” Mr.Stark said walking away to another part of the tower. You walked into your room and dropped your stuff down.

The room was huge. “Hello Miss Y/l/n.My name is F.R.I.D.A.Y. Would you like a tour of the tower?”

“Sure, but first is there a lab already here or is there a room where I can set up and order stuff?” You asked taking out your notebook of inventions you have yet to try.

“Of course Miss Y/l/n. There is a room connected to this one that can be set up as a lab or you can work with Mr.Stark and Mr. Banner in the big lab.”

“I’ll set my lab up in the other room. I don’t wanna bother them. Can I have that tour now F.R.I.D.A.Y? You also don’t have to call me ‘Miss Y/l/n. Y/n is okay.”

“Ok Y/n if you follow the arrows to outside the room you will find the kitchen.” Blue arrows lit up on the ground and you followed them to the kitchen. You saw a red and blue suit with curly brown hair in the kitchen. The first Avenger you were going to meet was going to be Spiderman. No one except the Avengers knew who he was.

“Hi.” He jumped and turned around revealing a familar face. “PETER???!!!” 

“What are you doing here?” He asked you.

“Me? I’m offended you didn’t tell me! Come on you know me better than anyone. I would not have blown this kind of secret like Ned would.”

“Um....Ned already knows...” You slapped his arm.

“I’m even more offended now.” You joked with him. 

“Oww I’m sorry. Now what are you doing here?” He asked. 

“I got recruited. Well.... Iron-man destroyed a wall at my old apartment after Jake had shoved me into my experiments and spilled acid onto my arm.”

“WHAT?? Are you ok? Do we need to get you to the medical bay? WHere are you hurt???” He asked looking frantically for any injury.

“Peter.. Peter Im fine I took one of my tablets. My stuff is in my new room. I still can’t believe I’m here. Like this is the Avenger tower. This is where I’m suppose to live now. I don’t think I have to pay rent. Its amazing.” You’re face hurt from how big you were smiling. You no longer had to worry about Jake.

“You’re still gonna go to highschool right?”

“Duh. I have to keep an extra eye out for you now. Can’t let any bad guy hurt my Peter” You said ruffling his hair.

“Staaawwwpp I’m sweaty.” 

“Like I care?” 

“PETER GET BACK HERE WE STILL HAVE TRAINING!” Captain America yelled walking into the room

“Hey I gotta go, but I’ll catch up with you later yea?” 

“Who is that?” He asked.

“Hey I’m Y/n Tony recruited me for science stuff.” 

“Is he having you train in fighting too?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t really say much.”

“Might as well join us because you’re probably going to have to learn to fight if you’re part of the team now. You can just watch for right now. I’m Steve by the way.” You followed them into a training room and sat on the floor leaning against the wall.

“You ready for this kid? I’m not gonna go easy on you this time.” Steve said putting his helmet on.

“Bring it.”

Sad to say Peter started to get his ass handed to him, but as you watched you realized that Steve never protected his legs. Well he never protected them because Peter never went for them. 

“I thought you said bring it kid?” Steve said laughing.

“Ha ha..” Peter said sarcastically.

“Wait time out Steve.” You told him before Peter got his ass handed to him.

“There are no time outs in a fight.” Steve said and you walked over to Peter who was now standing confused.

“Go for his legs.” You whispered to Peter.

“What?”

“Just do it. Fake him out then take him out with his legs.” Steve looked at you suspiciously as you whispered to Peter. Peter nodded and you went back to your spot on the floor.

The fight continued and Peter did as you said knocking Steve on his ass.

“You want me to ease up a bit Cap?” Peter asked laughing.

“I don’t know what she told you, but I know she helped somehow.”

“I’m an innocent bystander I don’t know what you mean.” You told him smiling.

“What did you tell him?”

“I just told him the one spot you never seemed to guard. If its any consolation Peter never guards his face so you could probably get a few head shots in.” 

“Y/N!”

“WhAT? You need to learn your weaknesses.” You told him.

“Don’t you have some sciencey shit to do?” He asked you

“What you don’t want me around anymore?” you fake pouted.

“You still haven’t even met the rest of the team. I also don’t need you to see my ass get kicked anymore by Steve.” Peter told you.

“Steve don’t hurt him too bad. We still have school tomorrow.” 

You wandered around the rest of the house and ran into someone. “Oh my gosh I’m so sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.” You bent down and started to pick up the books and papers that you had knocked out of their hands.

“You must be y/n. Tony said I might run into you. I’m Bruce otherwise known as the Hulk.”

“Yea he kinda just took me in a few hours ago. Quantum physics?” The book you held in your hand was very colorful and heavy.

“We’re working on new weapons for everyone. Tony also told me about your wonder tablet. How exactly does it work?”

You followed Bruce to his lab he shared with Tony and explained how your tablet worked. In short terms it sped up the metabolism to heal wounds. Bruce leaned against one of the work tables and took a sip from his mug.

“I don’t know where Tony is at. We were suppose to finish the project today.” 

“Well what does he normally do?”

“He is normally in here or going out to eat.... what time is it? Yea he hasn’t eaten in awhile he probably went somewhere for food.”

“Soo do you know if there is food in the house or do we have to go to a fast food place?”

“We usually have fast food delivered. Now that you mention it I don’t know if we actually have food in the house other than eggs.” Bruce told you.

“Wellllll I want mac and cheese for dinner soooo Imma go to the store. You should come with so we can get actual food in the house instead of take out.”

After about a week you had met everyone on the team and bonded with everyone well. You were also trained for months and worked with Bruce in the lab, but Tony kept his distance. You had gotten used to it thinking he didn’t want to have to deal with another kid since he already had Peter. You didn’t expect much from him, but he still took you in and for that you cared about what he thought. Tonight wasn’t suppose to be any different then every other day, but you decided you would make one last attempt to make nice with him and since everyone else was out doing stuff you were able to go and talk with him. His door was open when you walked around to go find him.

“Tony?” You asked him and he just let out a strangled noise and falling to the ground and crawled away from you. His harsh breathing rang though your ears. He was having a panic attack. Cautiously you walked towards him then sat on the ground in front of him. 

“You’re safe you know. What ever you just saw or heard, its not what you thought it was or its not happening now if it was a memory.” You told him, but he didn’t look me in the face. 

You took out your phone and put it on your breathing app then handed it to him, he surprisingly took it. His breathing slowed down into an even pace. You left to grab some tea and came back with two mugs.

“Here drink. It’ll calm your nerves.”

“Thank you.” He said taking it with a shaky hand.

“Do you wanna watch a movie or cartoons or go to bed?” You asked and he looked at you skeptically.

“Why are you here? Why aren’t you in bed? Why?” He asked snapping at you.

“Why not?” I asked him.

“No seriously kid why are you here? Why aren’t you with Pepper or something?”

“Can’t you just accept my kindness? You gave me a home.”

“Is that why you’re doing this?”

“No. I know how much a panic attack sucks and how after every one I wished I had someone there to make me not feel so alone.” 

“I didn’t have a panic attack.”

“Tony you are shaking for fucks sake. Just stop. Everyone else around here including you acts like your ok. You’re a human being you’re allowed to feel scared, get mad and cry. You had a panic attack. Now do you wanna watch a movie or something or sleep it off?” Tony stared at you dumbfounded.

“....It was Peter...” he said softly.

“What about Peter?” your voice softened.

“He had died before I got to him. I couldn’t go fast enough I couldn’t get to him quick enough...”

“Why don’t you call him?”

“And tell him I had a dream about him dying?”

“No just talk to him. Just so you know he’s ok.”

“If I call him then he’ll know something is wrong.” You rolled your eyes and called Peter on your phone.

“Y/n? What are you doing up so early? Is something wrong?” Peter asked as you put him on speaker. Tony watched the phone as you held it in front of you

“No nothing is wrong I’m sorry for waking you I just wanted to talk to you and see how your day went today since I didn’t go to school today.” 

“Nothing much. Flash was asking around for you though. Honestly Y/n you should stop trying to pick a fight with him. He might deck you one of these days.” Peter said.

“Peter no one else is standing up to him.I’m not scared of his fake ass tough guy show.”

Tony looked like he wanted to say something, but closed his mouth. Peter sighed. “Other than that all you missed was Ned laughing to hard he had milk come out his nose because of a joke I told him.”

“What did you say?”

“He had guacamole from cooking class and I told him that his one guacamole was equal to 6.022x10^23 guacas.” Peter gave out a small laugh and you tried to not smile, but couldn’t help it because he was so bad it was good. Tony was smiling too

“Geez Parker is that the best you could do?” You asked

“ Whatever hater I know your smiling on the other side of the phone.” Peter said.

“Ok well I’ll let you get some sleep and I’ll see you at school tomorrow ok?”

“Yea. You should probably get some sleep too.”

“What are you talking about I can totally sleep in class.”

“Sure. Good night Y/n.” You heard him yawn.

“G’night sleepy head.” You told him and hung up.

Tony had finished the rest of his tea. 

“Maybe you should get some sleep kid.” Tony said.

“Nah. I’m going to the main room to watch cartoons.” You told him and walked out. 

A few minutes later he came and sat in the opposite recliner.

“Tom and Jerry?”

“It was the first cartoon I could find that was on and wasn’t trash.”

“Alright.”

It was about half an hour before we talked again.

“Do you have panic attacks often?” He asked you catching you off guard.

“Sometimes yea. Just depends on the day I’ve had. I don’t know what Peter’s told you, but from what he knows my parents are dead....”

“But they’re aren’t” He said and you nodded. He had looked them up.

“They might as well be. ‘We’ll be back in a few days.’ A postcard shows up about a week later they moved to a different country. I sold most of the stuff they left behind for rent money. I filed for emancipation and the government gave me some money for help and helped me get a job.” You told him watching the tv. He didn’t say anything else and about an hour later you fell asleep.

After that encounter Tony wasn’t as distant as he used to be and actually talked with you and you guys joked around while messing with the stuff in the lab. One night while you guys were working on improving your tablet Steve came barging in.

“There is a situation a few miles from here. Person has been noted as armed and dangerous.”

“Are you up for a mission kid?” Tony asked you

“HELL YEA!” 

“Tony she’s just a kid.” Steve said butting in

“Steve have you seen her? We need her out in the field. Even with her age.” Nat told him walking in behind him.

“I got a suit for you kid.” 

“You’ve already put thought into her going on a mission with us?” Steve asked.

“She is part of the team Steve. Check it out kid.” A futuristic suit appeared in purple and black. It wasn’t metal like his, but like Spiderman’s suit which was a spandex like material.

“Awesome.”

“Go try it on.” 

You came back with the suit on and it felt awesome.

“Lookin good Y/n” Nat said 

“It has all of the weapons you created in it plus other things that we will review in the jet.” We started walking to the top of the tower and met up with everyone else.

“Y/n?” Peter asked looking at the suit.

“In the flesh.” 

“Wow ummm are you going on the mission with us?”

“Yep lets go!” You said excitedly getting on the jet.

“I still don’t think she’s ready.” Steve mumbled.

“Steve come on she’s pretty kick ass” Peter said making you blush and Tony started to go over what was in your suit.

“Ok everyone ready to drop?” Steve asked.

“What?” You asked and soon everyone was jumping out of the jet. A pair of arms wrapped around you and felt the ground disappear from under you. Peter had grabbed you and he swung from building to building until you guys were finally on the ground.

“Thanks for that.” You told him

“No problem.”

“The news said there was an explosion in this building over here.” Steve said pointing to the worn down and closed building that was falling apart.

“Split up and stay on the radios.”

We split up and you headed to the basement of the building. The thermal vision in the mask showed that there was someone in the room. Slowly you walked up and they turned around.

“Who are you?”

“The name is Jenny.” She said turning around.

“Not much of a super villain name.”

“Because I’m not a super villain. I’m just smart I use to be a scientist at Stark’s company. I was hoping the Avengers would show up. I wanted to tell you guys that I see what’s wrong with the world.”

“Poverty, racism, and the government?” 

“The male species.”

“I don’t think you can blame a whole gender for the issues of the world.” You said leaning against the wall.

“You’re female are you not a feminist? How do you not see that the oppressors are the male species?”

“First of all yes I am a feminist and your definition of feminist is actually  misandry.” You told her.

“Doesn’t matter its most of them anyway. This serum is going to have them destroy each other. My first test subjects are your friends. All of your other male friends have tripped the wires and been shot. He’s the only one who I haven’t hit yet.” She aimed her gun behind me,I turned seeing Peter was behind me, and fired hitting him right in the shoulder.

“WHAT THE FUCCK LADY???” You shouted at her and went over to see if Peter was ok.

“Peter?” You bent over him only to be socked in the stomach. “Ahhh the hell? Its me???” You held your stomach. He flipped back onto his feet and started swinging.

“Uh oh.” 

“You screwed up big time Jenny!” I yelled as I started to dodge Peter by running through the building.

“Peter come on dude its me.” You yelled as you avoided getting webbed going into a bigger room where you saw the Hulk and Steve fighting Wanda and Natasha. Steve saw you and threw his shield at you just missing by a few inches.

Peter had the Hulk throw him and ended up slamming into you and knocking you over. He ended up on top and you kept your arms up to protect your face. When he wouldn’t let up on the punches you socked him in the mouth and got up.

“Peter.... please.” You said backing up. Natasha and Wanda were in your peripheral view fighting off Steve and Bruce. Who knew where the rest of the team was.

“Instant kill mode Karen.” The suits eye’s glowed red. Well shit. You ducked behind a pillar of the run down building. 

“Peter this isn’t you. You can snap out of it anytime now.” Slowly you started crawling over the rubble going deeper into the building.

“You can’t hide Y/n.”

“Guys have you had any luck trying to get them back to normal?” you whispered over the radio. 

“No not yet. Bruce is putting up a good fight though.” Nat said.

It got eerily quiet. You looked around and there was no sign of him. All of a sudden you were lifted out of the rubble by your neck and thrown. Your body slammed into the wall and was held there by webs as Peter walked over to you.

“ You wouldn’t kill me Peter. I have a hard time believing you would kill one of your best friends who you have Star Wars marathons with, brings you cookies when you have a bad day at school, and who you take frequent naps with?” 

“Shut up.”

“ Alright fine. Do it Peter. Come on kill me. Since you have no issue with killing someone who loves you come on and kill me.” You told him and he swung his fist and it impacted next to your head sending your heart pounding.

“Oh my God.”

“I swear to fuck Peter don’t scare me like that.” He chuckled and undid the webs around you. “When did you...”

“Like midway through that punch. I could’ve killed you.”

“Thank God you didn’t.” You told him with your heart still racing and you wrapped your arms around him.

“Y-you love m-me?” He stuttered out and it sent a smile to your face.

“You didn’t know?” 

“Guys this isn’t the time to proclaim your love for one another. We have bigger issues on our hands.” Nat said as we heard a thump on one of the other walls.

“Talk about it later?” 

“Y-yea.” You knew Peter was blushing hella hard under his mask, but so were you.

You found Tony on the roof with Jenny fighting.

“Looks like your plan backfired on you.” You told her as he dragged her across the roof, but he stopped when he heard your voice.

“You.” He dropped her and started advancing towards you.

“Tony...” You warned him.

“You took Peter away from me.” He swung at you.

“Peter is downstairs fine.” You moved out of the way.

“You had to come and ruin our lives” There was a blast that missed.

“Your parents deserted you because you were unlovable. You weren’t good enough.” He landed a punch into your side.

“We didn’t even want you.” His foot landed in my ribs as you tried to get up.

“ I should’ve left you where I found you.” He hit you again and sunk deeper into the roof. Everything hurt. He started to walk away.

Tears streamed down your cheeks as you held your side in pain. Words came out of your mouth that you never expected to say.

“Dad please stop.”

“I’m not your dad. You were only a new recruit kid. You weren’t that important.” Tony said coming back to stand over you.

“Stupid me then I guess.” 

Lol the joke that Peter made came from someone on Tumblr and I love it so much!!! Also I’m sorry this came out later than intended you guys. I promise to be more ontop of it. I didn’t edit this either so lol ik its not that my best. Also let me know if you want to be on the tag list or if you have an imagine/oneshot you guys want me to do. Have a good rest of your day lovelies <3

[theclaravoyant]

I saw that you were taking fitzskimmons prompts on ao3, and my prompt was an AU fitzskimmons where they meet in highschool or at the academy of something... or an AU where Fitz and Simmons meet vigilante Daisy

AN ~ Hi! sorry for taking so (sooooo) long to respond to this, I was already in the process of writing a College AU and an Academy AU so I wanted to make sure I got to the part of your request that hadn’t been requested before. I hope you enjoyed the others if you’ve had a chance to read them, but either way, here is yours! It’s a bit of a slowburn, but not too much, and if you/anyone is interested in a second part let me know bc I’m loving this verse... anyway, I’ll let it speak for itself, without further ado

Poly FitzSkimmons. Rated T for some political themes & light sexual references.Read on AO3 (~3700wd)

Evolution

Doctors Leopold Fitz and Jemma Simmons were, famously, amongst the brightest minds of their age. Young, attractive, ambitious and intelligent beyond belief, they had the world at their feet. As is the case with many bright, passionate young people however, these two had good and gentle hearts and were content to live pleasantly, but modestly. They worked hard and loved each other, and over the years they built a home together, in a classic brownstone near where they’d met, near where they’d worked together; a warm and steady place to come back to as their projects and everything else struggled to pull them apart.

Then, one night, they had a visitor.

The pair were mulling over a new research proposal, in front of the fireplace and over glasses of red wine - the picture of warmth and quiet decadence – when all of a sudden a woman who was a hurricane burst into their living room. She was moving quickly and it was hard to tell anything except that she was short, with short hair, a blur of black and white desperate to make sure that she had not been followed. Then she turned to the Doctors, eyes wide and desperate, and demanded breathlessly –

“Are you with Shield?”

It was not long after they assured her that they were, that their intruder pulled a face of extraordinary agony and staggered toward their sofa, slowly collapsing.

“Water,” she begged, and Fitz hurried to comply while Jemma looked over the state of their new arrival, who was finally still as she lay out on the sofa, breathing shakily. The need for an explanation faded to a prickling curiosity as they all concerned themselves with the stranger’s survival. She’d taken a bullet to the gut, and there was blood and pain to patch up and a good amount of brandy to drink – split between the stranger and Fitz, who had never had the stomach for medical operations, ad-hoc or otherwise.

“Honestly, Fitz!” Jemma rolled her eyes and snatched the bottle away. “Get the poor girl a change of clothes. Everything’s covered in blood here.”

The stranger tracked him to the doorway with her eyes, smiling, and Fitz felt strangely comforted by her friendliness and optimism in such dire circumstances. He paused for a moment, to smile back.

“The poor girl’s name is Daisy,” the stranger murmured.

“Sorry. Daisy. Of course,” Jemma corrected herself. “I didn’t think you were listening.”

“It’s better than feeling,” Daisy said, as if that was an explanation.

Fitz disappeared upstairs, and returned with clothes and bedding. Jemma finished cleaning and dressing Daisy’s wound, and insisted upon feeding her.

“Oh, no, it’s okay,” Daisy insisted, waving it off. “I’ve already bled all over your place. I’m starting to regret this. I think I’d better go.”

“Nonsense!” Jemma declared. “I’ll just heat up a plate of leftovers, it’s no trouble. And if you’re with Shield, you can stay however long you want, especially since you can barely sit.”

Daisy broke off eye contact, and Jemma frowned. For a moment, her heart accelerated and the floor seemed to shift beneath her. Had they invited an enemy into their home?

“Actually,” Daisy confessed, “I’m not with Shield. I used to be, but I… left. For personal reasons. A friend of mine told me you two were good people to go to if I needed help and, well – “

She gestured to her prone body. Jemma smiled softly, reassured a little.

“Are you with anyone else?” she wondered.

“No. Just me.”

“How did the injury happen then, if you don’t mind?”

Daisy pressed her lips together. “Uh, I’m not sure if I should –“

“You did bleed all over my living room,” Jemma pointed out, more sternly. “I think I have the right to know why.”

Daisy sighed.

“Have you heard of the Watchdogs?”

The flinty spark of fury that crossed behind Jemma’s eyes was reflected in Daisy’s own, and a trust formed between them at the thought.

“Of course,” Jemma said, nonetheless. “Human supremicists. I’ve heard their next big plan is to get hold of the Sokovia Accords registry and do who-knows-what to the Gifted people on it.”

Daisy frowned.

“From my research, they’ve already got the records. Some of them, anyhow. People are feeding them information from the inside. Shield wanted to be part of it. Not the corruption thing, obviously, but the Accords, so I couldn’t stay.”

Jemma pieced it all together slowly in her mind.

“You’re Inhuman,” she breathed.

“Are you scared?” Daisy returned.

Objectively, it was hard to be scared of a fairly drunk, fairly immobile young woman who’d stumbled quite literally into you while bleeding, even if the blood was from a rather serious bullet wound she seemed to have successfully ignored for some time. On top of that, Daisy seemed friendly and kind and open, and did not invite nor threaten violence, Inhuman or no. Jemma shook her head.

“You’ve given me no reason to be afraid.”

At the simply stated reassurance, Daisy felt herself settle a little. She took a few deep breaths in silence; letting it sink in; letting herself be reassured of her safety and of the legitimacy of Coulson’s recommendations.

“You should tell Fitz when he comes down, though,” Jemma prompted. “He won’t be bothered at all, unless you try to keep something from him.”

“Fair enough,” Daisy agreed. “Now about these clothes – sorry, but I may need your help.”

-

One night of emergency accommodation turned into a few days, and then weeks. At first, Daisy only stayed at Jemma’s insistence as a medical professional, and then, like when Jemma left for a conference in Kyoto, out of simple ease and preference. She was welcome here, and Fitz was a kind and safe, if slightly obscure, person to be around. As Daisy recovered, she began to pick up household chores to repay her hosts, and one night, she even cooked for herself and Fitz while he was out.

From the kitchen, Daisy heard him – them? - stumble through the door in a bundle of bags and suitcases. She stuck her head into the hall and saw Jemma in loose tracksuit pants and a cardigan, held and guided by Fitz, who was still suited-up and well-groomed but for the slight wear of a day in the office (and at least one very enthusiastic kiss, Daisy added, observing his hair).

“Daisy!” Jemma cheered, though her exhaustion was obvious from frazzled hair and bags under her eyes. “Good to see you!”

“You too!” Daisy greeted, her genuine joy mixing with the sinking feeling of being unwelcome as she realised what she might be interrupting. “Uh – I didn’t know you’d be back so soon, Jemma, but if you guys want a night off from babysitting the Inhuman, I’ll make myself scarce. I made vindaloo, it’s on the stove.”

“Nonsense!” Jemma waved her off, at the same time Fitz perked up.

“You cooked?”

Daisy’s smile returned, hearing their enthusiasm.

“Well, if you’re sure,” she said, “I’ll put some rice on and dish up. We’ll spread it between three, easy.”

They reconvened in the lounge room, since none of them were feeling particularly formal, and Daisy passed around the plates. Over dinner, they got to talking about what Jemma had been up to, a few recent stories from the lab at Fitz’s work, and a brief, if incomplete update on Daisy’s goings-on.

“Mm-“ Jemma leapt to interrupt over a mouthful of sweet potato. Hurrying to swallow it down, she continued: “I was talking to my colleagues the other day, and it got me thinking – what do you think about an Inhuman cure?”

Daisy stiffened. “Cure?”

“It doesn’t exist yet,” Jemma clarified, “but apparently there’s a group in Toronto working on it. I know medicalisation of things has caused a lot of trouble in the past, but Inhumanity’s quite new, and – in the academic field, anyway – there’s a lot of debate about what it – well, what it is.”

Daisy clenched a hand around her fork.

“I don’t really know what it is,” she confessed, a little stiffly. “But I really don’t think a cure is a good idea. My powers are a part of me. I couldn’t decide not to be Inhuman any more than I could decide not to be half Chinese. Other people deciding that for me? No thank you.”

“But if it could be assured to be voluntary,” Jemma clarified. “Hypothetically.”

Daisy pushed a piece of chicken around with her fork.

“Don’t you think each Inhuman should have that choice?” Jemma pressed.

Daisy took a deep breath. She could feel Jemma’s eyes burning into her, where she was intently avoiding their gaze. She was just trying to be kind, trying to be interested, it wasn’t her fault she was tweaking nerves. Not any more than it was Daisy’s fault that the windows and the ornaments on the bookshelves around them started shaking.

“Jemma,” Fitz warned quietly, looking around. “I don’t think she wants to talk about that anymore.”

Jemma looked around too, then, and noticed. She stood up, turning on the spot to observe the quake.

“Oh, my…”

“Excuse me.”

Daisy leapt out of her seat and bolted up the stairs, and slammed the door behind her. A few seconds later, the shaking ceased, and Fitz and Jemma were left to finish their meal in silence.

When they were done, and Daisy still had not come down, Jemma heated her plate and took it up instead. She knocked on the door, and waited for Daisy to call her before she pushed in a little way. Daisy perked up at the sight of her food, and of Jemma’s apologetic face.

“I’m sorry,” Jemma said. “I’m a scientist, I’m used to having more… willing subjects. I shouldn’t have pushed. I didn’t mean to make you feel abnormal or unwelcome. You’re safe here, and loved. I promise. I just get really interrogative sometimes.”

“I get it,” Daisy promised, to Jemma’s relief. “And to be honest, it’s nice that you care about my opinions. I’m sick of everyone else having discussions about ‘the Inhuman problem’. Like hello. I’m a person.”

She rolled her eyes, and Jemma nodded in agreement and sympathy. Then Daisy sighed.

“Thanks for coming to see me. And bringing me dinner. I didn’t want to run out back there, I just didn’t want to…quake up your lounge room.”

“That was you?” Jemma checked, the sparkle of fascination lighting up her face again. “How does it work? – I mean, maybe we can talk about it another day?”“Sure thing.” Daisy smiled. She was too tired to deal with an intense conversation now, but Jemma’s interest – and the way her face lit up when she was interested – were too inviting to pass up.

“Okay. Great! Well, I’m going to head to bed, then,” Jemma said. “Fitz has got a monkey documentary on downstairs, orangutans I think, if you want to join him, or steal the telly after.”

Daisy shrugged again, but smiled a little this time.

“I could go for some monkeys.”

Jemma smiled back.

“Good,” she said. “Goodnight then. And thanks for dinner.”

“You’re welcome.”

Extracting herself from Daisy’s side, Jemma made her way toward the door, but stopped when she was called back for one last offering.

“Something to put to your colleagues,” Daisy suggested. “If it really is choice you’re worried about. Can an Inhuman really make a free choice, on whether or not to take the cure, if the other choice means being outcast, outlawed and killed? That’s coercion, isn’t it?”

Jemma milled it over.

“Excellent suggestion,” she said. “I’ll put it to them.”

-

The brief tension that night was quickly forgotten, and in fact, after that, their coexistence of convenience became, increasingly, a mobilised partnership. Daisy helped Fitz and Jemma learn about Inhumans, and they helped her get information and learn who to avoid and who to talk to. Fitz and Jemma set her up with technology for the field, and at home, a proper bed in the room that used to be study, and their study spread throughout their house as a result, but they made it work. Daisy participated in their research, not always related to Inhumans – sometimes about counting birds, or testing virtual reality. More than that, she baked with Jemma, and played intense and vibrant video games with Fitz. She became a staple of the household, and of the relationship, before any of them had even noticed.

The first time they noticed, was on the way to one of Jemma’s conferences, this one in Moscow. Most of the journey to the aiport had been spent with Fitz driving, and Daisy helping Jemma practice Russian phrases in the back seat, but once they had farewelled Jemma and returned to the car, was when it happened.

“Don’t you get a little, I don’t know, jealous?” Daisy wondered. “Stuck at home while Jemma’s galavanting all around the place?”

Fitz shrugged.

“I get my fair share too,” he explained. “In fact, I’ve recently been invited to Sumatra myself, for a few months starting in June. They’re exploring technological adaptation to climate change and they wanted my help. It’s an honour, really. I was going to bring it up at dinner, because I’ve been asked to bring a research associate, and I was thinking - why don’t you come?”

Daisy blinked.

“Shouldn’t you take someone who is like…you know, actually studying?”

“Yes,” Fitz acknowledged, “but I was thinking, as more of a disguise. Indonesia’s not so far from a lot of places, there could be a lot of Inhumans that need your help. Plus, a different policy context and some contacts in the Pacific region couldn’t hurt, right?”

“I just don’t know how many Inhumans I’m going to meet in Sumatra,” Daisy objected. Fitz snorted.

“There are 50 million people there, Daisy, I’m sure one of them will find meeting you to be useful.”

“Oi.” She shoved him playfully, and laughed for a bit, but afterward, shrugged him off nonetheless. “Nah. I shouldn’t.”

“Why not? If you have people here who rely on you, we’d be happy to set something up –“

“No,” Daisy interrupted. “Although, a bit of that. But no. I was thinking more about how it would look – respected scientist leaves his wife at home, travels for several months to balmy tropical island with a mysterious stranger, they swear nothing will happen but it does and then they have to decide whether to lie about it or tell the explosive truth…”

“You make it sound like a bad movie!” Fitz objected. “Nothing would happen.”“Mm-hmm. That’s what they all say.” Daisy nodded to herself, but then asked, more seriously: “Is it really that hard to imagine?”

And it wasn’t. And so the rest of the car trip passed in silence as the two of them tried not to reflect too much on how, or how much, they’d thought about each other. When they got home, they went their separate ways, and waited for a very different kind of tension to die out. Eventually, it did – or that’s what they told themselves, but that didn’t stop Jemma coming home in the middle of the night a week later to find the two of them tangled up in bed together. Sleeping. Just sleeping. Only ever sleeping. But no longer without that question over them.

“Jemma –“ Fitz checked, the next morning, following her around the kitchen while she busied herself making omelets. “I just want to make sure you know. Nothing happened. Our bed’s just better, and we were just watching TV. I swear.”

Jemma laughed.

“It’s okay, Fitz,” she insisted. “I believe you. And I know you’d never do anything untoward without asking me first.”

Fitz frowned, caught off-guard by her choice of words.“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on. Daisy is undeniably attractive, highly intelligent, and bright in a lot of other ways too. She’s confident, strong, a total bad-ass. A rebel with a heart of gold. It’s only reasonable to expect that your eyes might wander on occasion. I know mine have.”

“What?”

“I’m just saying: you don’t have to act like the thought of being interested in Daisy is repulsive. I understand it. I accept it! I also understand that you understand that this is, at present, a monogamous relationship and that you would never cheat on me or hurt me in any way. So I’m neither angry nor bothered. Please stop stressing about it, and start cutting tomatoes.”

Jemma pushed the chopping board, the tomatoes, and a knife toward him, and Fitz began to dice them, running mostly on muscle memory as in his head, he contemplated what she had said.

Without asking me first.

Was that all it would take? Could it be that he could, in fact, explore his relationship with Daisy without it turning into a sordid melodrama? He found the thought of it surprisingly enticing; emboldening, even. Could it be that all he had to do was ask?

Before he lost his nerve, Fitz called Daisy down for breakfast and spun the plates across the table with gusto. Daisy stepped off the stairwell with alarm in her eyes, but when she looked to Jemma for explanation, found only a slight, stifled, somewhat knowing smile. Fitz had his hands on his hips, as if prepared to speak, but it seemed the longer he stared at her the less he could think to say. She sat down without a word, trying not to laugh at the silence, crackling with mystery, that engulfed them all.

“Alright,” Fitz finally announced. “Okay. Here goes.”

He swung into his seat splaying his hands on the table as if to help him conceptualise something. Daisy and Jemma watched intently, one unknowing, and one with a good guess as to what he was about to propose, and not quite sure if she believed he would actually do it.

“So,” he began again. “As you both know, I’ve been invited to Sumatra in June. The placement is three months. Daisy knows I’ve been contemplating asking her along.”

Jemma looked to her, and Daisy nodded.

“Her main objection, as I saw it, was that it would be inappropriate for me to go away with her for so long, when we’re so close, and when I’m with you, Jemma. Now, I – I may be making a few leaps in assumptions here, but it seemed to me that, maybe, perhaps, if Jemma wasn’t… an obstacle, you – Daisy – would be inclined to take me up on that.”

“…Sure,” Daisy agreed. “I mean the rest of the stuff you said was good but – what’s going on here? Are you breaking up with Jemma? Are we having the Divorce Talk right now?”

“No,” Jemma answered for him, struggling and failing to stop herself smiling. Her heart ached for Fitz and his clearly wracked nerves, but he was doing a good job so far in putting forward his own case, so she gestured for him to continue.

“Jemma and I have been talking,” he said, “and she –um – opened up the possibility of…oh, jeez. Please don’t take this the wrong way, Daisy, but of an…open relationship. Of sorts.”

“What I said was,” Jemma clarified, “that as long as I was aware of the possibility of it, I wouldn’t mind at all if you two wanted to get together. On whatever terms the two of you are happy with, and of course, only if you’re interested. But if something happens between the two of you in Sumatra, say, I wouldn’t be bothered by it, that’s all. I love and trust the both of you and as long as you’re happy and I’m happy, there’s no reason for me to kick up a fuss.”

“And –“ Fitz jumped in. “And please don’t think this reflects negatively on our friendship at all. I don’t mean anything weird by it and I don’t just want to get in your pants, I really, really do love you as a friend too, I just – I think –“

Daisy nodded thoughtfully, seeing where he was going.

“It might not be so hard to imagine?” she posed, finishing his thought for him.

The two of them gazed between each other for a moment, thinking of all that had sat between them on the car ride home from the airport that day. Daisy checked over Jemma’s posture again, and rather than hesitation or jealousy, it seemed she was rather excited about the new development her relationships seemed to be taking. With her loyalty to Jemma no longer in question, Daisy thought maybe she could more freely consider the possibility of falling in love with sweet, awkward, heroic Fitz. (And he wasn’t half bad to look at, either.) It really wasn’t so hard to imagine it.

“Okay,” she decided. “I’m in. But, ah, one question - are we sure Jemma doesn’t want in on this? Is it just Fitz and me, or should it be all three of us? I mean, I’m down if you are.”

“It does seem natural, doesn’t it?” Jemma mused. “But are you and Fitz actually in a relationship as of this moment, or are you just testing the waters? It seems like asking for disaster if you two don’t work out, to put this much pressure on it. Maybe we shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves.”

“That’s true,” Daisy agreed, “and this is all pretty new to all of us. I vote we see how it goes.”

“Alright.”

“Excellent!”

Fitz, blushing, slumped in his seat with relief and satisfaction. He smiled down at his breakfast, and then remembered –

“Speaking of eggs, eat up, I’ve got to go.”

Leaping out of his seat, he took his plate and shook the omelet into a carry-container to eat later. He rushed for his satchel and keys and Jemma and Daisy, bemused, followed him to the door. He pecked Jemma on the lips quickly, wishing her goodbye, and then turned to Daisy. They tried left, and right, and ducked out on each other until they were both grinning and laughing.

“Okay, nope, go to work. Definitely go to work,” Daisy insisted, waving him off, and then shouting down the driveway after him – “And for the love of God find a real research assistant!”