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jayflrt · 10 months

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𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐒 49. #STARBUCKS_FIRST_WIN

IN A MATTER OF HOURS, YOUR COWORKER PIZZA PARTY HAD TURNED INTO A FULL-ON GATHERING.

Not only had Heeseung and his group joined you, but the employees from Peet’s had dropped by, too. Soon, Chan and Renjun’s apartment was packed with everyone sitting in a circle and scarfing down the boxes of pizza. You thought it would just be Chaewon and Aeri coming over, but you knew things were getting serious once Jungkook, who Chaewon told you was notorious for never doing anything that required energy, showed face.

Obviously, no one expected the number of heads to double, so the pizza ran out soon after Heeseung arrived. Sunghoon took the liberty of exercising his Papa John’s employee privilege to pick up more pizza. It was even better than the pizza you all previously bought, and it was plenty for everyone to enjoy.

“Is this, like, a Starbucks-finally-burned-down party?” Wonbin asked before Aeri sharply jabbed him in the side. “Sorry, I meant an oh-no-Starbucks-burned-down party.”

“That wasn’t any better, Wonbin,” Aeri deadpanned.

“We got our customer connection score report today,” Chan answered, finishing chewing the last of his pizza before continuing, “and we got the highest score in the district. We’ve never gotten a score over thirty before, and today our score was in the eighties.”

“Maybe they felt bad for you,” Jungkook suggested.

“Shut up.”

Heeseung turned to you, wide-eyed and breaking into a grin. “You guys got best in the district?”

“Yeah—number one! I was gonna text you about it.” Although you two were sitting next to each other, shoulder-to-shoulder, you still slid your hand into his. “We were almost tied with Starbucks in second place, so your survey really helped us.”

He squeezed your hand. “Totally worth the mermaid cosplay.”

Renjun raised his voice to say, “Riki, you should give us a speech, since you've been losing your mind over our customer connection score.”

Minjeong, who was sitting between Jake and Aeri, let out a snicker. “Yeah, you’re the one who almost failed trigonometry over Starbucks.”

“I didn’t fail, for your information! I got a passing score,” Riki said with a huff.

Sunoo leaned back on his hands. “Yeah, a D.”

“And D’s get degrees, Sunoo,” Riki fired back before standing up. He raised up his glass of water, clearing his throat. “I was but a mere child when I first joined Starbucks. I didn’t know much about the world around me or the tribulations I’d face in my journey to becoming the best Starbucks in this district. However, today, I’ve become a man.”

(Sunghoon rubbed the back of his neck. “This kid makes me feel like I smoked a pack whenever he opens his mouth.”)

Riki continued, “I wanna thank Chan for always looking after me and being, like, my second father, even when I pissed him off every single shift, or when I used his credit card to buy LED lights, or when I made a weed frappuccino past closing hours, or when I forged his signature to get out of class, or—”

“You forged what?” Chan interjected, distraught.

“Anyway, moving on.” Riki waved off the store manager’s concerns and said, “I also wanna thank Jay for always being on my side, even when the odds were against me. And Renjun, I wanna thank you for always giving me credit when it’s due. Sunoo, you’re the best shift lead I could’ve asked for, even though I’d probably throw you under the bus for your job. Minjeong, I think you’re insane, but I appreciate that you strike fear in our hearts when necessary.”

At that, Minjeong gave Riki a high-five, which was a little too forceful and left the kid’s hand stinging.

Riki’s eyes then met yours and he softened his gaze. “Y/N, we all had our doubts about you when you joined, but you’re totally part of the Starbucks family now. I just really wanna thank you especially for letting me cover your shift so that I could get a bonus.”

Your smile dropped. “Man, fuck you.”

“I’m just here for the pizza,” Anton admitted, “but that was sweet… I think.”

Jay seemed to be wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. You were surprised that his eyes actually seemed to be glistening.

"That was a beautiful speech, Riki," he praised the high schooler.

“Thank you, Jay. I’ll miss you guys when I go to Harvard,” Riki finished.

“Your ass is not going to Harvard,” Jake said flatly.

The rest of the night was spent eating, talking, and watching the Harry Potter movies together. While some of the boys went outside for a smoke sesh, you and the girls discussed plans to get an apartment together for the next year. Since you lived alone, you figured it was about time you experienced living with your friends. Chaewon shared a Pinterest board with everyone to start pinning interior decoration inspiration. You and Minjeong were completely useless in that area of expertise, so you offered to help with picking out more practical things, such as kitchen and bathroom essentials.

You already knew that Heeseung was going to continue living with Sunghoon for the next year, but you were content with that. You weren’t sure you were exactly ready to move in with your boyfriend or anything, so you thought it was best that you two lived separately for the next year. The student apartments were close, anyway.

When your boyfriend returned, his eyes slightly glossed over, you tugged on his sleeve to get his attention. He leaned down so that his ears were by your lips.

“Ask them if they wanna watch the Mario movie,” you whispered.

He shot you a wary look, whispering back, “No! They’re gonna make fun of me. You ask them.”

“No, they’re gonna make fun of me, too.”

“Well”—his lips curled up in a smile—“guess we’ll just have to watch it on our own, then.”

After a while, everyone started to disperse, except for Jungkook, who decided to crash on the couch. It was nearly midnight, anyway, and Riki’s mother had called him about twenty times to get home soon. He was strangely at ease while everyone else was anxious for him.

Chaewon and Aeri left first, claiming that they had to go to bed early because they both had 8 a.m. classes. Wonbin and Sunghoon were discussing going to a party that one of their friends was hosting, and Jungwon and Sunoo immediately shot down the idea when they were asked to tag along

Sunghoon held his phone up to show everyone a Snapchat story of a guy in a Barney costume double-fisting two beers. “Bro, Vernon’s at the party.”

“We’re going home,” Jungwon insisted.

“C’mon, it’s just for a few hours. We’ll bring you guys back home safe—or, like, we’ll try to. No guarantees. If your safety's compromised, blame Jake or something.”

“Hell no,” Sunoo deadpanned. “I have a paper to finish.”

“Also,” Jungwon added on, pointing an accusing finger at Sunghoon, “I don’t trust you.”

“The fuck? I’m trustworthy.” He turned to you and asked, “Y/N, you think I’m trustworthy, right?”

“No,” you replied immediately. “In fact, I was gonna tell Jungwon and Sunoo to save themselves.”

“Yeah, I can’t get spiked today, dude,” Jungwon said. “I have a fluids test tomorrow.”

After saying your goodbyes to Sunoo and Jungwon, who took a while to figure out where they parked their car, you turned your attention back to Sunghoon and Wonbin. Beomgyu walked up to your group after being occupied with talking to Jisung and Anton for a while.

“Let’s just go for an hour or something,” Wonbin told Sunghoon. “Are Jake and Beomgyu coming?”

“I’ll join,” Beomgyu said. “I think Jake’s being dragged somewhere by Minjeong, though. Heeseung, are you coming?”

Heeseung started, “No, I—”

“Oh!” Sunghoon bursted out, grabbing his two friends by the shoulders and tugging them away. He turned on his heel quickly, muttering something along the lines of, “Let’s just leave them alone.”

You raised a brow. “What’s his deal?”

You were just able to catch Heeseung’s expression under the dim lamplight, noting how he shied away at your question and averted his gaze. You swore the tips of his ears went scarlet, although you weren’t able to properly discern whether your mind was playing tricks on you or not.

“Uh, he’s probably just zooted,” your boyfriend said offhandedly. He shot you a glance once you two started walking in the direction of his apartment. “Are you cold?” Before you could answer him, though, Heeseung was already taking off his sweater to hand it to you.

You giggled. “Thanks.” After a few moments, you bit your lip and told him, “Hey, so, about the survey, I thought you should know—”

“—that Minjeong sent me the link?” he finished for you, a grin growing on his face. You stared at him, nonplussed. “Don’t worry, I already knew. When I showed Jake the text, he recognized her number immediately. I figured you guys were just being nice.”

“I’m sorry, I—”

“No, no,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “Why’re you apologizing? That was, like, the nicest thing they’ve done for me.” He wrapped an arm around your shoulder. “You really turned my life around there. I would’ve probably just been permanently banned from Starbucks by now if it weren’t for you.”

Your cheeks went hot. It was true that you and Heeseung growing closer definitely changed his relationship with the employees, but you could say the same for him, too. You were admittedly reserved before you met Heeseung, and dating him opened your world up to so many new people. You wouldn’t have had all these new friends if it weren’t for him.

“You’ve done so much for me, too,” you told him. “I’ve never been able to just spontaneously hang out with so many friends before. I never even approached people before, and now I’m gonna room with Minjeong, Chaewon, and Aeri.”

He smiled down at you. “They like you ‘cause you’re fun to be around. Give yourself some more credit.” When you two reached the door of his apartment, Heeseung stopped in his tracks instead of opening the door. You noticed the flush of pink dusting his cheeks when he mumbled, “By the way, I sort of got you a surprise for your Starbucks thing.”

“Really?” You beamed up at him. “Hee, it’s really not that big of a deal for you. You didn’t have to get me something over that.”

“No, it is a big deal,” he insisted. “If it’s something big for you, then it’s big for me, okay? So, close your eyes.”

“Okay.” You placed your hands over your eyes, and your chest felt hot when Heeseung moved his arm to place his hand over your hands from behind, too. Your back was against his chest, and you could almost make out how fast his heart was beating. After you heard the sound of the door being unlocked, Heeseung took small steps forward to get you to walk inside. “Ow. You stepped on my heel.”

“My bad. Step on my feet.”

You did as he said and proceeded to laugh as Heeseung awkwardly walked you further into his apartment after shutting the door behind him. You leaned back against his chest and stumbled a little once he had you step off of his feet.

“Okay, stay right there,” he instructed, “and keep your eyes closed!”

You swayed back and forth as you waited for him to return. He didn’t take very long, but you were brimming with anticipation. You stilled once you realized he was right in front of you again. You were just about to remove your hands when Heeseung stopped you again.

“Don’t!” he warned, and then asked, “Remember when I stole that baby goat for you?”

Your smile was quickly replaced with a disapproving frown. “Lee Heeseung, do not tell me you still have the baby goat.”

“No!” he exclaimed. “I miss him every day, though. But… I remembered you said something about how it would be nice if we raised a pet together one day, and I know we’re not living together yet or anything, but I thought it’d be nice to share… something…” He trailed off, clearly flustered. “Er, so—yeah, you can open your eyes now.”

You removed your hands and a gasp fell from your lips almost immediately.

Nestled in Heeseung’s palms was the cutest baby kitten you had ever seen. You cooed as you reached over to stroke its plush, white fur. The mewl that came from the kitten nearly had you falling to your knees from how adorable it was.

“He’s a Ragdoll,” he told you. “I thought we could parent him together.”

Heeseung let you hold the kitten in your hands, and you held him close to your chest and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

“I could seriously kiss you right now,” you breathed out.

“Don’t kiss me yet.” He grinned. “I have something else for you.”

You could’ve died of happiness on the spot. Your boyfriend really was completely unfair. How could he spoil you this much and expect you not to combust?

Heeseung dug into his pockets for a moment before pulling out a silver key. You were confused as he took the kitten back from you and placed the key in your hands. After you weighed it in your palm and inspected it for a moment, the dots started connecting in your head. You could almost feel the tears threatening to well up in your eyes.

“That’s our spare key to the apartment. It’s all yours,” he said. “I talked to Sunghoon about it, obviously, and he was totally chill with you having a key to our place. You can come by whenever you want, and you don’t need to wait for me to get out of class if you wanna come over and see our cat.”

“Heeseung,” you murmured, “I don’t know what to say.”

He seemed to visibly panic. “It’s totally cool if you don’t want it. I wasn’t sure if I was moving too fast with that or not, uh… Sunghoon and I just keep it under the doormat if we accidentally get locked out, so it’s really not—”

“I love you,” you breathed out.

His eyes grew wide.

He quickly became a stuttering mess, scrambling to fit words together into a sentence, but nothing was coming out coherently. You almost wanted to laugh because his distress was so cute, but you decided to show him how you felt instead.

The words died on his lips as soon as you wrapped your arms around Heeseung’s neck and kissed his disquiet away. And this time, it felt like you were able to pour your entire heart into that one kiss because there was something that stirred deep within your heart as your lips moved against Heeseung’s soft ones.

You never thought one person could move your heart like this, never thought someone could make you feel like you were made of magic, but Heeseung managed to wriggle his way into your heart so effortlessly. One of his hands moved to hold the back of your neck, deepening the kiss slowly—at your own pace.

When you two finally pulled away after what felt like forever, Heeseung didn’t pull away from you. His nose nudged yours, then grazed your cheek, peppering several more chaste kisses to your lips before you were a giggling and blushing mess.

Your boyfriend grinned. “I love you, too, Y/N.”

It was then when your kitten mewled from where it was resting on Heeseung’s free hand, seemingly wanting attention. You stared at it for a moment before realization dawned across your face.

“Yoshi!” you exclaimed. “We should name him Yoshi.”

He gasped. “I wanted to name him something Mario-themed! But I thought Mario or Luigi sounded stupid.” He snorted and held the Ragdoll properly again, using his knuckle to gently stroke his head. “Yoshi sounds perfect.”

You giggled. “Yoshi should watch the Mario movie with us. It’s only tradition.”

“I’ll get the popcorn ready.”

He saluted and handed you the remote so that you could pull up the movie. You took the kitten in your hands and curled up on the couch, placing Yoshi on your lap. When your boyfriend returned, he wrapped an arm around you and started the movie, petting the kitten every now and then.

And after your umpteenth rewatch, you were definitely going to brag about your new kitten to all your friends; you were going to start looking into applying for apartments for you, Minjeong, Chaewon, and Aeri to move into; and, most importantly, you were going to tell Heeseung you loved him over and over again until there were no doubts in his mind about your feelings for him.

It was around three in the morning when Park Sunghoon stumbled to the front door of his apartment. He, Wonbin, and Beomgyu somehow ended up getting crossed to the point of nearly blacking out at the party. Thankfully, though, after sitting on the curb of a sidewalk for thirty minutes and having Beomgyu forcing Gatorade down his throat, Sunghoon seemed to sober up enough to walk back home.

Beomgyu insisted on walking him back after they dropped off Wonbin (who hardly remembered his own name at the moment), but Sunghoon was determined to brave the journey back home.

He patted down his pockets and realized he only had his phone and wallet. No keys. He must’ve left them at home since he was out with Heeseung earlier in the night.

But no worries. Sunghoon and Heeseung always kept a spare key under the doormat in case of emergencies like these. Sure, he and his housemate often got themselves into crazy situations from time to time, but the smartest decision they had ever made was keeping their extra key ready.

However, when Sunghoon flipped the corner of the doormat up, there was nothing there. He paused and lifted up the doormat completely, but absolutely nothing was underneath.

Fuck, he remembered, that motherfucker gave Y/N the stupid spare key.

He honestly couldn’t blame Heeseung because he agreed to letting Y/N have the key, but now he couldn’t get in the house. Couldn’t Heeseung give her the key at a normal hour, like tomorrow afternoon? This situation was fucked.

Sunghoon groaned and dialed Beomgyu’s number. After a few rings, his friend picked up.

He asked, “Weed Guy Beomgyu, can I crash at your place?”

“Use the doormat key,” was his friend’s curt response.

“Heeseung gave it to Y/N.”

A couple seconds of silence rolled by before Beomgyu answered, “Fine. I’ll pick you up in a few.”

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SUMMARY ▸ in which you work at the starbucks where heeseung is a regular at (and considered a public enemy). also he only goes when he’s stoned off his ass.

AUTHOR'S NOTE ▸ thank you for supporting a stoner's guide to starbucks all this time !! :') it has been a JOURNEY and i feel so so bittersweet about it ending but i very much appreciate all the love and support you guys have shown this smau <3 i am also very much content with this ending and i hope you guys enjoy it as well 🥰 the next chapter will be the epilogue and then i'll post some uncuts !! #LIGHTONEUPFORHEESEUNG

#enhypen #enhypen smau #heeseung smau #enhypen fluff #heeseung fluff #enhypen imagines #lee heeseung #enhypen social media au #heeseung x reader #enhypen x reader #enhypen scenarios #heeseung scenarios #enhypen drabbles #heeseung drabbles #enhypen reactions #heeseung reactions

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rainylana · 1 year

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“Yeah.”

Eddie Munson x reader

summary: eddie calls reader a b*tch

warnings: language, angst, tears.

a/n: i know these past fics have been short, i’m sorry, but i’m still trying my hand at getting back into this! they’ll get longer, i promise! feedback is appreciate!! :)

Eddie was not in a good mood. You knew this the moment you saw him through the window of his van when he came to pick you up for school. He ranted all morning about how he needed money for new tires, money he didn’t have. Work was cutting him hours and he couldn’t afford it. He was tired of not having money, tired of not getting what he wanted. He was having a damn bad day.

And of course, you listened graciously, but after four hours of watching him sulk in class and be a dick to his friends, it was starting to take it’s toll. He was pouting and you understood why. He came from a poor family and he wouldn’t let you help out financially in anyway whatsoever, no matter how hard you begged. You didn’t want to seem rude and make his bad day seem unappreciated or invalid, but he was treating his friends, and you, poorly to a degree. Not so much you.

Lunch was almost unbearable. Everyone walked on eggshells. Eddie was one of the most dramatic people on the face of the earth and everyone had to suffer for it. Hours past and he’d taken you home from school. Your plan was to go over to his house for a movie night, hoping that a few hours apart would help him settle down and cool off. It done no good. He was absolutely enraged when you got there. The hood of his van was up, smoke flying overhead and his dark curls pulled up away from his face. You didn’t even really know what was wrong with it. It didn’t make sense when he told you. Cars were his detail.

Dinner was no change. You sat and listened to him complain about how none of the guy’s were apparently taking the new campaign seriously. He had a hole in his last pair of good jeans. You felt guilty being annoyed by this, but he hadn’t once asked you how your day was or even kissed you! You were going to loose your mind. Without thinking, you snapped.

“Oh, my god!” You wailed, throwing your silverware down. “Jesus, christ, Eddie, take a breath!”

His eyes were round and wide. “Pardon me?”

You took a breath yourself, forcing yourself to not snap and say something you’d regret. You placed your elbows on the table and rubbed your face. “Baby, I’m sorry you’re having such a bad day, but holy shit you’ve not stopped talking for one second!” You really did have a pounding headache. “You’ve been talking about money all day! Can’t we just have a change of topic, please.”

He looked taken back. Shocked. “Oh, I see. It’s all gotta be bout you, right? Fucking forgive me for having a bad day!” He threw down his fist, clinking the dinnerware together.

“That’s not what I’m saying, Eddie.” You sighed tiredly. “I’m saying that you’ve not acknowledged me at all today. You’ve not kissed me or asked how my day was. I’m sorry you’re stressed out about money, but you’ve been taking it out one everyone, Eddie. You need to calm down.”

His eyes narrowed into slits. “Calm down? Well, last time I checked you were living in a grand castle on daddy’s money, right? You have no idea the kind of shit Wayne and I have to got through to make ends meet, y/n.” He stood abruptly and yanked open the fridge for a beer.

“Hey,” You raised your voice. “I’m not trying to belittle you, Eddie. All I’m saying is that you don’t need to take your frustration out on everyone, out on me. I’m sorry I snapped at you, okay-”

“You’re unbelievable, you know that?” He took a long swig after he threw the tab in the sink. “You’re my girlfriend! You’re supposed to be supportive and shit. Only thing you’re being is a bitch.” He sneered like a snake, pointing at you like you were his worst enemy.

Your face dropped at the curse, and as stupid as it felt, your heart sank. Eddie had never said anything like that to you before. Your face burned red and the room got eerily quiet. You felt your eyes immediately blur with tears of embarrassment and humiliation. You had tried to help him, offer solutions. You tried to lend a hand, offer him money and look for jobs in the newspaper at lunch. He acknowledged none of this.

You bit your lip to keep from crying, a lump building in your throat that made you feel sick. You had your head turned to the wall so he wouldn’t see you, but you couldn’t keep it in. You let out a quiet sob, tears falling down your face as you looked down. Your face was red hot, and you brought up your hand to your chest. “I’m sorry, Eddie,” You cried. “I’ve been t-trying to help, I-” Your voice broke and you couldn’t speak as tears escaped, your face twisting into tears. You sat there and cried for a few minutes before you felt the seat dip next to you.

“Hey,” His voice cooed softly, turning your shoulder to pull you toward him. You allowed him to, and you looked eyes briefly before climbing into his lap, wrapping your legs around his torso, your feet dangling off the bench. Your arms were tight around his neck, your face buried in his shirt where you sniffled. He smelled of cologne and dirt.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized, voice low and sad. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He rubbed your back up and down, kissing the side of your head when you let out a whimper.

“I’m sorry you had a bad day.” You said tearfully, holding him like a teddy bear. “I wish you didn’t have to worry about money.”

You felt him sigh heavily. “It’s okay. I got the most important thing in the world right here with me.” He pulled you away so he could look up at you. His eyes were brown and full, his lips pulled into a frown at your tear stricken face. He took his thumbs and wiped them. “I’m sorry I called you that. You know I didn’t mean it, right? You know I didn’t.”

You nodded slowly, wiping your nose with your hand. “Yeah.” You creaked.

He tapped your chin. “Yeah.” Then your nose and to wipe away another tear. He leaned up to plant a tiny kiss on your lips, then one on the corner of your mouth. You leaned down to kiss back, deepening it with your tongue and a hand locking in his curls. Your noses pressed together like puzzle pieces. Perfectly fit.

#eddie munson #stranger things #stranger things season four #eddie munson x reader #joseph quinn #eddie munson imagines #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson one shot #eddie munson headcanons #eddie munson blurb

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allbark-no-bite · 1 year

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kiss me and apologize || Carmen Berzatto x reader

summary: from private chef to working in a rundown restaurant in Chicago, your life does a 180 as you try to fit into the world that is the Beef. Richie isn’t helping and Carmen just can’t figure you out

word count: 3.7k

warnings: swearing, mentions of michael’s death/suicide

author’s note: so um i guess i write for the Bear now?? official obsessed with the show and was inspired by all of the great writers that write for Carmy on here :)

"Carmen? The door?"

"What—? Oh yeah, yeah. Sorry."

He turns towards the door, fumbling for the key with numb fingers, his face burning hot.

He wasn't used to anyone else besides himself showing up to the restaurant so early in the morning, and he definitely wasn't used to you and your pink cheeks and and warm smile greeting him at the door. You were a new hire to the Beef, a godforsaken miracle dressed in oversized overalls who had shown up two weeks ago and been hired by Sydney on the spot.

She had been smitten with you from the start, dead set on hiring you without so much as a second interview.

"—studied in Copenhagen, worked at multiple Michelins in New York. I mean look at this, Carmen. She's a private chef in the Hamptons. We would be stupid not to hired her."

And you were great. You are great. Except for the fact that you're really fucking distracting.

"You sure you got it, chef?"

Carmen can't even blame the heat rising from his cheeks from the cold at this point because his hands are sweating as he jiggles the door knob that somehow always seems to get jammed at the worst possible moments. This is one of those moments.

Finally, he hefts his weight against the door while twisting the knob and it busts open. A muffled snort escapes you from behind him. Carmen steps inside, holding the door open for you with a small wave of his hand. "Sorry. I'm sure this crap isn't what you were expecting when you applied here—"

He's rambling, stomach twisting in knots. His nerves always screw up his stomach—maybe he'll pop a few Tums before—

"It's fine, Camren," you assure him, stepping in from the cold, body pressing against his in the small entry way. "I like it here."

I like you.

"Yo, am I interrupting something, cousin? You and the princess wanna take that shit somewhere else?" Richie's shout can be heard from all the way across the parking lot, and it makes Carmen visibly cringe.

"Fuck off, cousin," Carmen mutters, reluctantly breaking away from you.

Still standing in the doorway, you huff, whatever moment you and Carmen had shared broken by Richie's arrival. The taller man stomps up the front steps, shaking snow from his boots.

So far, he had been the only staff member you found unbearable. Even Tina had warmed to you after a few weeks and now took great pleasure in listening to your elaborate stories as a private chef. Richie, on the other hand, hated your guts.

"You just gonna stand there and let all the fuckin' cold air in? I'll let Sugar know to take the heating outta your paycheck."

"Fuck off, Richie."

The morning is only the beginning of his wrath.

——

"Richie, you fucking imbecile—"

"Every single time you open your mouth, all I hear is this fuckin' bullshit. Jesus, you're so fuckin' high and mighty with your fancy ass college degree," he sneers, looming over you. If he stepped any closer you would have lacked the self control not to hit him. "You wanna come in here, act like you know everything because daddy sent you to school—"

"You don't have to fucking like me, Richie, but what you're not going to do is push me around and be an egotistical misogynist just because you have a set of balls. So give me my fucking knife."

Richie's hand is in the air beside your head, waving about in wild gesticulation that he does not have your knife, or any fucking knife for that matter. "I don't have your shit!"

With your jaw clenched together, you breathe in deeply through your nose and take in the taller man through narrowed, disbelieving eyes. "Fine." You turn on your heals and storm off. "CARMEN."

Richie throws his hands up and scoffs at your retreating back, yelling after you. "Ohh go ahead, fuckin' call mommy. Like I'm scared of him," he snorts.

"CARMEN!" Your fury only fueled by Richie's taunts, your stride quickens as you shove your way through the chaos of the kitchen, dodging both Sydney and Marcus.

"Woah, chef. What's the matter?" Sydney asks as you whip past her, her hands busy with mashing potatoes, but you don't stop to answer, instead rounding the corner like a woman on a mission.

"CARMEN—"

"—What?!" At the third sound of his name, Carmen finally jerks his head up from his prep station, only to be met with you head on. "What's going on, chef?" he repeats, looking back down to his station after taking in your vexed disposition and gathering that no one's dying. He puts on these sort of metaphorical blinders once he's in the kitchen and nothing, not even you, is going to distract him from what he does best. He becomes an entirely different animal in the kitchen.

"That fucking dickwad has my knife and he won't give it back. How am I supposed to—"

Still urgently chopping carrots, Carmen cuts you off. "Chef, just get another knife," he instructs, stepping around you to dump a pile of sliced carrots into the bin.

His dismissal throws you for a loop and leaves you open mouthed, protest caught in your throat. Just this morning he had been stuttering nervously, cheeks flushed as you stood waiting for him to unlock the staff door. Now he's biting and abrasive, domineering in the way he takes control of the kitchen. You know he's just doing his job, doing whatever it takes to keep his head above the water—keep everyone's head above the water, but right now you want to scream at him. "Just tell him to—"

"Yes, Chef," he provides, indicating that he's done refereeing yours and Richie's squabble. He moves across the station so that you have to step sideways to avoid being in his way.

"But I—"

"Yes, Chef?" Carmen effectively cuts you off with a hard stare, momentarily stopping his urgent chopping. His blue eyes are fixating despite their look of wild urgency.

When it becomes obvious that arguing your point further is going to get you nowhere, you nod, growling a reluctant, 'Yes, Chef.'

If Carmen notices your attitude, he either pointedly ignores it or is too busy shouting at Tina about onions to care. You grab a knife laid out at one of the empty stations, purposefully shoving Richie as you round the corner.

"What's the matter, sweetheart? Mommy didn't take your side?" he calls from the expo station "Didn't fuckin' see that coming."

You ignore him, deciding that he's not worth anymore of your energy for the time being. There's an entire rack of ribs that needs to be sliced and it's going to take you twice as long with this poor excuse of a knife.

"Chef, how are those ribs coming?" Sydney calls amidst the kitchen chaos. "Doors open in fifteen minutes."

Glancing at the digital kitchen clock, panic sets into you as you realize just how much time you've lost. "Fuck," you mutter, more to yourself than anyone. "Ahh—I'm going to need at least twenty," you shout back.

"What? What's taking so long?" Sydney asks. You can hear her moving behind you, finishing up with her own prep.

"Yeah, what's takin' so fuckin' long?" Richie chimes in.

Your grip on the knife's handle tightens, but you don't give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his words. "I'm working on it, Syd," you promise her, praying you can somehow speak that confidence into existence.

Richie is still running his mouth behind you. "Y'know, maybe you just aren't cut out for this. It's not too late to go back to makin' your fancy little hors d'oeuvres up in New York."

"Screw you, Richie," you mutter, your brow furrowed as you concentrate on cutting through the ribs. The knife is hardly cutting and it's taking everything in you not to just start hacking away and be done with it.

"This ain't a cocktail party. This is a real fuckin' business, and we don't need you over here messin' us up and screwin' around—"

"Screw. You. Richie."

"What was that? Can't hear you, princess," he taunts.

Just as you turn to open your mouth, ready to snap at him, the knife hits a dull spot and slips against your grip, catching your fingers along the way. Immediately you jerk your hand back, biting back a cry. The knife clatters to the ground at your feet.

"Fucking dammit!" you exclaim, clutching your bleeding fingers with your other hand.

"Oh now you've really fuckin' done it," Richie laughs, shaking his head.

You only glare at him before muttering, "Move," as you shove past him. To his credit, he doesn't say anymore as you shoulder him out of the way.

By the time you get to the back sink, there's blood seeping from between your gloved fingers and onto the floor. You have to fight back a whimper as you peal away the latex from your skin.

"Woah, woah— what the hell??"

Hands appear beside you, grabbing your own bloody hand and wrapping it tightly in a clean kitchen rag. You close your eyes, willing yourself not to faint. The pressure stings but serves to staunch the blood flow and relieve some of your dizziness.

When you open your eyes, Carmen's blue ones are staring at you worriedly. "You good, chef?"

You close your eyes again, this time not because you're dizzy, but rather to avoid the intensity of his stare. "Yeah," you manage hoarsely, finding your voice. "Yeah. Just bandage me up okay? I've still got prep to do."

Even with your eyes closed you can still feel his eyes on you. He's so close that you can feel the brush of his body against yours.

"Yeah, okay," he finally says, but you can hear the hesitation in his voice. Immediate loss fills your body as he pulls away, but then he's pressed up against you again, holding your fingers steady as he wraps them up.

It hurts and you want so badly to just let go of the cry of pain and frustration that you're holding back. But instead you bite the inside of your cheek and watch Carmen bandage your fingers like he's done it a hundred times before. When he's done, he draws your hand up to his mouth and tears the tape with his teeth. You force back a swallow when his lips brush your skin.

"This okay, Chef?" he asks, looking up at you with those ridiculously anxious blue eyes—anxious like he's always got somewhere to be, something to do, something on his mind. Now they're focused entirely on you.

Somehow you find your voice. "Y-yeah—yeah, thank you." You pause, still staring at him, not moving. "I, um—I should go finish prep..."

"Okay," he answers softly.

"Okay."

"—Hey." Before you turn to slip out of his office, Carmen calls after you. He raises a fist to his chest, tracing it clockwise over his heart.

I'm sorry.

Your brows furrow at his apology. "Carmen, it wasn't your—"

"Yes. It was," he clarifies, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back against the desk. "I blew you off earlier and you got hurt because of it... So I'm sorry."

From the doorframe, you offer him a half smile.

"Apology accepted, Chef." And then you leave him before he can say anymore, slipping back out into the chaos of rush hour.

——

You do end up finishing you prep before opening. Your fingers hurt like a bitch, and you may need to visit a 24 hour clinic on your way home for a few stitches, but you make it though. Rush hour was hell, your head hurts from both screaming and being screamed at, but now the Beef is closed, the kitchen is quiet, and you can just breathe.

Slowly but surely, everyone files out of the kitchen once they finish their end of the day tasks, bidding you goodbyes and see you tomorrows as they leave—except for Richie, who you flip off once his back is turned.

The bell above the front door chimes, announcing Tina's departure, and then it's just you left tending to your station. Sydney had offered to take care of it for you, seeing as you were down a hand, but cleaning your space at the end of the day gives you peace of mind and time to cool down after all the chaos.

At some point, the lights in the back office click off and heavy foot steps make their way towards the kitchen. Carmen appears beside you, arms crossed as he watches you clean. He's quiet, observing the way you scrub the already pristine table top over and over and over. You don't learn that kind of precision from working in a place like this.

You're an anomaly to him and he doesn't know what to do with you

You certainly don't fit in here with your perfectly refined private school vocabulary and your Michelin star palette and your fucking expensive gold chain necklace that's probably worth more than the rent for his apartment.

"What're you doing here?" he finally asks.

"Wiping my station?" Your voice is leaning on the defensive side and he figures that probably has to do with Richie.

"Exactly," he concedes. "So what are you doing here? Because six months ago you were making fuckin' soufflés in the Hamptons."

This time you actually kind of laugh because that statement is not too far off from the truth. "I don't know, Carmen. I was bored?"

"You don't give up the Hamptons because you're bored."

You look up at him for the first time since he's walked up. There's no bristling anger in your eyes like there was earlier when Richie took your knife—he did and you both know it. You just look at him, really look at him, and then you set down the rag and you nod. "Just like you don't give up Noma?"

Carmen holds your heavy gaze for a while. It's as if some sort of unspoken understanding passes between the two of you and eventually he sighs, nodding. "Right."

You look around at the restaurant surrounding you, the stained floors, the rundown kitchen appliances, the framed 'let it rip' note. "Natalie, uh she told me about him—Micheal... I'm really sorry. He seemed like a good guy."

His eyes follow yours to the note, and he doesn't say anything for a minute, which isn't unusual, Carmen has always been decently shy since you met him, but it makes you wonder if it was a mistake bringing it up.

Strangely enough, this is the first time that someone's brought up Michael and he hasn't wanted to slam a door in their face. Normally, he would just nod and say something like, 'yeah, he was a good guy' and that would be his way of wiggling out of another unwelcome conversation, but he doesn't. Instead, he stares at the note and wonders for the first time since Micheal died if he should have gone to the funeral.

It made him feel like a fucking asshole for not going, but he couldn't listen to all those people saying how good it was to have him back—how happy Micheal would have been to have him back—because if Micheal hadn't gone and killed himself, he wouldn't be here anyhow. He'd still be in New York. He'd still be angry at Micheal like he is now.

Carmen sighs. "I—I wish that I had talked to him more instead of just fucking off to New York. Because after that I just hated coming back too all of this... y'know? And then it was like even when I was here, he kinda just knew that I didn't want to be here, and so we spent that time just fuckin'... at each other's throats.." He trails off, sniffing to clear the choked up feeling from his throat. "Just—who the fuck does that?"

He's asking you. Who shoots themself and doesn't even leave a note? Who shoots themself and leaves their little brother to pick up the remains of their shithole restaurant?

"Well," you begin, laughing a little at the absurdity of it all. "You're talking to a girl who decided to quit her job after three years as a private chef and is now slicing spare ribs in Chicago for just over minimum wage."

The unseriousness of the confession makes him crack a smile and now he's fighting a grin off of his face. "Yeah, that was uh..." He's still chuckling, shaking his head. "That was really stupid of you. Why would you do that?"

You're fighting a smile too now, heart pumping in your chest because he's really fucking pretty when he laughs. His cheeks are flushed and his curly hair is a disheveled mess and you just want to reach over and smooth a hand through it.

Your tongue wets your bottom lip and his blue eyes don't miss the nervous habit. "Well, there's this guy..."

"Yeah?" Carmen's smiling, the tired expression on his face softened by the twinkle in his eyes.

"Yeah, there's this guy. And I've looked up to him my entire life. He's brilliant—like really fucking brilliant. And I promised myself that if I ever got the opportunity to work for him, I would do it."

Carmen snorts softly, glancing down at the white tile floor a bit bashfully before looking back to you again. "And now you know what a freaking psycho I am, huh?"

You can see it, him retreating back into the mellow, unsure person he becomes when he's not manning an overflowing expo station, a broken freezer, and an entire staff of chefs. It's endearing how timid he is, like he almost doesn't really know himself or how he fits in anywhere outside the kitchen. "I don't think you're a psycho, Carm. I mean, I would be a little crazy too if I had what you have on my plate."

He just nods, still a little sheepish at your praise. Just like this morning, when you had caught him at the back door before opening, he doesn't know what to do with himself when you're around.

You break the silence by turning back towards your station. "I'm going to finish up here. I don't mind locking up if you don't want to stay."

Carmen watches as you lean forward onto the toes of your beat up sneakers to grab the paper towels off the overhead shelf and the hem of your hand cropped t-shirt rides up. His first instinct is to look away because the exposed flesh of your rib cage feels like something he shouldn't be seeing, much less staring at, but it's like he freezes out of panic and now he's looking at the tattoo just under your breast.

He stands there, mouth partially open to reply back to you, but it's like his tongue is numb in his mouth and he doesn't even remember what he was going to say anymore. And then it's gone, concealed again by the hem of your white t-shirt.

When you walked into the Beef two weeks ago, your tattoos had been strangely surprising to him at first. He hadn't pictured you like that in his mind—bronzed skin and tatted forearms and cherry glossed lips—just grunge enough to make anyone who passes you look twice. Now you're all he thinks about.

"Carmy. Carmy?"

You're staring at him, head cocked to the side, brows furrowed in confusion and—God, he wants to kiss you.

"Are you oka—"

"Can I kiss you?" He blurts out the question as if he won't be able to finish it if he doesn't get it all out in one breath. Like he knows that if he doesn't ask now he's never going to have the courage to do it again, and he'll be stuck shoving down these feelings for you for the rest of his life.

When you stare at him, eyes wide, like a deer in the headlights, he knows he screwed up. His stomach drops and—fuck, he really needs a Tums right now. He looks away, hand reaching to his hair, eyes darting to the ceiling because he can't take the embarrassment of looking at you.

"I—fuck, I'm sorry. That was totally—um. I shouldn't have—"

"Shut up, Carmen."

"No, that was stupid of me. I—"

"Shut up so I can kiss you, you moron."

Stepping forward, your hand curls around the back of his neck, drawing him down to close the gap between the two of you. Even then you have to stand on your toes to reach him. Although the tense, anticipatory stiffness of his body against yours is screaming wait, you press your lips to his before he has the chance to back down.

It's everything that a first kiss should be—hot and sweet and a bit awkwardly reserved. You can tell he’s nervous. Nevertheless, you can't help the hum that escapes you at the feeling of his plush bottom lip pressed between your own. If given the choice, you’d never pull away from the warm taste of his mouth.

Carmen's breathing heavy, heart pounding in his chest, hand pressing into your back, pulling you closer as he kisses you impossibly harder. He's never kissed a girl before and he decides then and there that he never wants to kiss any girl that's not you.

It’s not clear which of you pulls away first—coming up for air more than anything—but it leaves you both nose to nose, mouths still inches from each other, still sharing the same air that you would had your mouths been connected.

“Carmen?” you ask softly, nose brushing his as you speak. You can feel his heart beating against his chest.

“Yeah?” he replies in same breathy tone.

“Did I mention I really like it here?”

#carmy the bear #carmy berzatto #carmy x you #carmy x reader #carmy berzatto x reader #carmen berzatto #carmen berzatto fic #carmen berzatto fluff #the bear #carmy berzatto imagines

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mustainegf · 3 months

Text

→ Masterpost

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓

It was around 5 in the morning, and I was a complete wreck. I had spent the previous few hours shivering and sleepless, images of James speeding through my head. I saw every single time I tried to close my eyes, him lying all alone and in so much pain on that hospital bed. On top of this, this baby seemed to do everything in its power to force me to stay awake. I fought an urge to vomit, a wave of nausea hit me that wouldn't quit.

I had barely gotten into bed for what I was betting would be a minute or two of rest when the phone rang. My heart jumped up out of my throat, and, like a sprung coiled, I burst out of bed and race-walked into the kitchen to answer it. Let it be good news, please let it be good news, I thought.

"Hello?" I answered, voice trembling.

"Hey…" It was a hoarse and groggy voice, but unmistakably James. My James.

"James!" I cried out, relief spilling over me. "Oh my God, are you okay? How are you?"

He spoke soothingly, even though I knew he had to be in so much pain, "Calm down. I'll be all right. I got caught under a huge flame onstage. I have second and third degree burns on my arms, hand, and back I think..."

My eyes welled with tears, and my heart ached for him. "James, that's awful…."

"I know," he pouted in his voice. "But they're discharging me today. I guess that's a good sign then."

"Discharging you?" I repeated, voice laced with incredulity. "James, you need to come here. Stay with me so I can take care of you. You can't just go back on tour, I won’t let you."

"Look-" he began but I cut him off.

"No, James. You have to listen to me. You've been overworking yourself, and you need your rest. And I want you away from that world. At least for a little bit. Besides, we have a lot to deal with anyway. If you want to be a father, you’re gonna do it sober."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. I could hear him breathing, almost feel his internal struggle.

“I have to get back out on tour," he finally said, his voice tight. "The band, the fans-."

I gripped the phone tighter, my determination hardening inside of me. "James Hetfield, you listen to me, you are coming here.” I insist. “And don't you argue with me. This isn't about you, not even about the band. It's about our baby. You need to be here."

Another silence, then a heavy sigh. "Alright," he said, sounding resigned. "I'll book the next flight back. But I'm doing this for you and the baby. The guys won't be happy."

"I don't care about the band right now," I said, my voice gentle now. "I care about you. The rest, we’ll sort it out."

"Yeah…" he said, and I could almost hear the apprehension in his voice. "I’ll see you soon."

"Thank you, James," I said, my heart full of love. "I'll be waiting for you."

Afterwe hung up the phone, I stood there for a second before turning my phone off, still in my hand. The tiredness was still there.

I spent the rest of the early hours preparing for his arrival. I wanted everything to be perfect so he would have everything he needed to recover. I had the couch all nicely prepared with a fresh blanket, extra pillow, and every other type of supply that I could imagine he could use: bandages, painkillers.

Though I was so incredibly tired, I bustled from one thing to the next. This was my contribution, my way of showing him he wasn't alone. My exhaustion that had been present all night began morphing into this deep, tired comfort.

Making my way across into the bedroom, every step a little lighter, I lay down. The mattress was soft, and the sheets were cool. I turned onto my back and laid one hand over my belly. I did this a lot now, it made me feel less alone.

"We're going to be okay," I whispered back to myself, closing my eyes. "Daddy's coming home. He's going to be all right."

I smiled, a few tears sliding out of the corners of my eyes, not of sadness, but of a strange and bittersweet joy. I ran my hand slowly across my tummy in reassuring circles.

"You're so loved, little one," I murmured. "I can't wait to meet you. I’m gonna take care of you, protect you, and give you everything in the world."

As I kept on whispering to my baby, the exhaustion finally crashed down on me. Heavy eyelids began to draw themselves down, and my eyes fluttered over. "You're my little miracle," I whispered, barely above a whisper. “Hopefully you’ll be James’ as well…”

The last thing that registered was a gentle kick from the baby, reminding me that there was life growing inside of me. My lips held a smile as I went to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Images filled my dreams of our family whole and happy, an image I knew deep down, would not come to fruition. No matter how hard I wished or dreamed, I wasn’t quite sure if I could pull James out of whatever he was in. I didn’t know how to bring back my Jamie.

When I woke up, I felt a feeling of calm I hadn't felt in a long time. I slowly opened my eyes, the remainder of sleep still clutched to me. As my vision cleared, I was met with a sight that made my heart jump a beat. Crouched at my bedside, gazing at me lovingly with a gentle smile, was James.

"James?" I asked softly, still half in a dream. I wearily pushed myself up, wanting to hug him, to reassure myself that he was really there.

"Be gentle," he said, wincing slightly as he moved to accommodate my hug. The bandages on his arm and the stiffness in his movements breaking my heart a little.

I slipped my arms cautiously around him; his body was warm, his breathing calm and regular. "You really came," I whispered, my voice full of emotion.

"I'm here," he said softly back, holding me.

As much as I desired to kiss him, to tell him to come back to me fully, I knew I couldn't. The past pain still lingered, and I had to remind myself of the reasons we parted ways. But his being here and seeing him safe was enough for now.

He drew back a little and gazed downwards in wonder. He watched as he gently swept the thin blanket aside. "Look at you." he awed.

Down I looked too and placed my hand on my belly, feeling the life inside me. "Our baby," I said softly.

James gazed nervously at my baby bump before I finally nodded and let him place his hand just under my belly. His gentle grasp was splayed against my stomach, feeling our baby for the first time. "Holy shit…" he whispered again, his voice full of emotion.

We just sat a little, the room filling with loving but awkward silence. The last time we had seen each other, it was the day he left. So much had happened in between. It was large, this gulf between us.

"How're you?" he asked me, peering into my eyes for any hint of distress.

"Tired," I admitted. "But seeing you helps."

He smiled then, "I'm sorry. For everything."

I shook my head, placing a hand on his cheek, feeling the hair on his face itch my hand just slightly. "We'll figure it out, James."

He nodded then, his hand still resting on my belly. "I want to be here for this kid."

"And we want you here," I whispered.

"I know," he said, his voice steady. "I'm ready to try."

James looked at me through my face with such tender concern. "You need to get some sleep," he pleaded quietly, "both you and the baby. I'll be fine."

I was dead tired, the exertion and strain of everything over the last couple of days had finally taken its evil toll. Yet, the very idea of shutting my eyes, of letting go even for the slightest of moments, was hard as well.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyelids already growing heavier.

He nodded, reassurance filling his eyes. "I promise, I'm sure. Just sleep. I'll be right out there."

With a tired sigh, I fell back into the mattress, the soft bedding holding me. James leaned in, his hand gently stroking my belly, and pressed a tender kiss to my stomach. "Take care of Mommy," he murmured.

With my eyes closed, I was cognizant of his hand protectively over our baby and his warmth beside me.

"I've got you both."

Right there and then, I let myself let go.

For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, I was able to sleep soundly.

#mustainegf #reqs open #fanfic #request #fanfiction #metallica #metallica fanfiction #metallica x reader #metallica fluff #metallica imagines #james hetfield x you #james hetfield x oc #james hetfield fluff #james hetfield x reader #james hetfield imagines #james hetfield fic #james hetfield fanfiction #james hetfield #miles away james hetfield

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totothewolff · 10 months

Text

Season of Love (4/?)

+18 | Toto x reader fem!teamprincipal, romance, comedy, and some good drama.

Summary: One night on a pier in Monaco, while admiring the sea under the night skies, you tell Toto: "I came to the conclusion that love is simply not meant for me." That's the answer to a question you have been asking yourself for the longest time. But what if he proved you wrong? Author's note: This is a multichapter Toto Wolff x team principal reader fic set along a season of F1. It's a very immersive story full of drivers, team dynamics, races, mystery, and smut. You just bought the Williams team, but nobody really knows who you truly are.

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Dances with Wolff Arc Chapter 4: No brakes, just love!

Austria

When you arrive at the pitlane in Spielberg, you notice a couple of heads turning towards you on your way to the W garage after your long absence.

Toto's eyes look intensely at you as you cross past the Mercedes' garage. Yes, he looks mad. Oh boy, that's one conversation you want to avoid having so bad.

—Did all go well? —Michael asks you as he greets you with a hug once you get in there; he is standing next to Millie's car, and his wording takes you slightly by surprise; you look at him, somewhat alarmed, as a different idea crosses your mind. —Your business trips, I mean —he clarifies as he notices your confused face.

—Oh, that, yes, the business trips, yeah, all good. Thank you! —you change topics as fast as possible, not wishing to lie to Michael. —Have I missed much?

—Well, it got interesting to say so.

—What?

He turns you around and nods towards a hurt-looking Charles Leclerc supervising his Ferrari car, crunched and pointing something while talking to a mechanic.

Charles has his hands covered in bandages, and his face is all bruised. What on earth! You lock eyes with him, and he looks surprised to see you there, then frowns at you slightly. You point your index finger to the left, and he gets your "See you in that narrow corridor where no one will see us."

—WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU!? —You rush to take a good look at him when he catches your step, honestly concerned.

—That's what I asked myself! By "See you soon," you meant in four weeks! Good thing you didn't say, "See you in a while"!

—I'm sorry.

—Yeah, you better be! I texted you god knows how many times!

—I know, I'm sorry.

—Yeah, I'm really pissed at you, Y/N!

You look down at the floor, fucking sad. Charles notices it.

—But I'm even more glad and grateful to have you back —Charles pulls you into a tight hug, avoiding pressuring his bandaged hands against your body. —You had me worried.

You take a good peek at those.

—Second-degree burns on each. Something wrong went with my car; they are still investigating it. I lost brakes and control of her; thank god there wasn't a concrete wall or metal barrier and fence nearby, just rows of bumpers and forest beyond; a part at the front of the car caught fire due to the extreme friction, and that burned me.

You look at him, very pale, with your eyes widened.

—I know, I get what could have happened, but it didn't —Charles looks away with watery eyes. —So, let's move on. I'm not stopping racing.

You wipe a tear coming down your face.

—Oh no, no, I'm fine. It will take a minute, but I will be ready for the Dutch GP.

—Like a turkey put in an oven.

—I'll be fully cooked by then!

You both laugh; you missed your silly times with Charles so much. You picture him in a puffy turkey costume, struggling to get inside his car, not fitting.

—I'm glad you are alright; well, you know what I mean. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you needed it.

—It's okay, you are now.

Hi, honey! Yeah, no... Hi! Toto!? No! Once more... Hello Tots! Better! Remember that time when we fucked the shit out of each other, and then I disappeared for weeks? I'm back now! How is it going, my love? Yeah, like any of that is going to work.

You wait for the rest of the Mercedes team to leave their garage to slowly approach him, taking your time with each step, fighting your urge to run away.

—A text would have been nice —He tells you as soon as he feels you near, his eyes reading a graph slide on his iPad. Okay, that's a really icy tone.

—I'm sorry. I...

—Uhmju. So... —he closes the tablet's case, gets on his feet, fully upright, his height towering over you, and leans against the control center table, looking straight at you. —Business trips, huh? —he crosses his muscular arms. —Where have you really been? —Even if you are that nervous, you can't avoid peeking at his attractive flexed biceps.

—In Belgium. I had a personal emergency.

—What happened? —he swifts his tone to slightly concerned.

—I can't tell you.

He frowned at your answer, which was not good enough for him.—I see. It's not like it matters that you vanished for a month without a trace or warning and that didn't answer any of my worried calls or my sleepless late-night texts —Toto says.

—Toto, I-

—It's not like you have to explain a thing to me. It's not like I worried anyway —Toto interrupts you with a lot of sarcasm, moving to place his things inside his briefcase. —Well, I do really have a business trip to go. Excuse me —he passes you by, inches away, dodging your body.

He leaves you standing there, alone in the now empty Mercedes' garage. —I'm happy to see you —you say softly to yourself as you watch him walk further away in the distance, feeling you are about to cry.

How can his voice go from soft and sweet to sexy and guttural to authoritarian and commanding to this condescending and cold one? It needs to be studied.

The following day, Toto is nowhere to be seen. Sam notices you glancing around the paddock, looking for him near the Merc area. You don't feel like losing him, and you are there to try again to offer him an apology.

—He is in Germany. He will be here later —she tells you as she reaches you after exiting the Mercedes hospitality. —Hi! We didn't have a chance to talk yesterday; it's been crazy days for this team! How did it go?

—He is so mad at me anyways —you let out very sad. Sam can't avoid feeling sorry for you, which you notice and hate.

—He has been under much pressure lately; we are still in P3 at Constructors and Drivers, and we got disqualified in Canada to add more to his stress.

—What?!

—Tecnicallities and human errors, which had him fuming. Plus, all the drama in his personal life with you missing.

—And the Sussie drama, too, probably.

—Sussie's drama?! —she looks at you perplexed, like a second head had grown from your neck.

—I had dinner at Lewis before Matthew's call. He mentioned at the table that she was staying with him at his place in Monaco; he made it sound like they were still in a relationship but on rocky times.

—Toto is not that type —Sam reassures a slightly insecure-looking you. —I would ask him about it, but he no longer confides in me. By the way, now Toto knows when I lie —that's why Samanta hates letting his walls down; it makes her more vulnerable to others. —You don't know how many times he asked me things; I denied knowing what was going on with you or where you were every time, but not once he believed me. It got worse when he noticed a nervous Niki looking straight at me whenever he came to inquire. So it will be best if you let me out of the loop, but only a bit, eh?

You look stunned at her; wow, Toto did really know Sam; reading her was so difficult. Then you move to answer her previous question, informing her: —The plan is still on track, with no significant alterations. We ran a couple of scenarios with the tactics department, and it all went well; even Pascal joined us to give his input. It felt weird to be back at the manor, like somehow I didn't belong there anymore; I missed my new life and you guys so fucking much!

—Pascal went to the manor?! —Sam's eyebrows go up in the air, stunned.

—No, no, he joined us in a secure call line. You know Matt doesn't allow him there; plus, he is still under house arrest in Hungary.

—Oh yeah, I forgot about that; it's been a while —Sam scratches her head. —Are you nervous?

—Yes.

—I will be there by your side —she squeezes your hand.

—Oh no, I don't want you even near all that.

—And everyone missed you too! The group was worried!

It hits you differently now, by how things turned out.

But you can't avoid thinking that you are in Toto's homeland, which makes your mind wander to the dangerous thoughts you have been avoiding all day.

All those what-ifs?

What if you hadn't left?

What if Toto wasn't mad at you?

What if he had taken you to a romantic dinner in Vienna?

What if he had shown you his favorite places from growing up?

You also can't escape the thought of Toto's family.

What if they showed up?

What if you had met them?

What if you got introduced to them?

Of course, none of this will happen because you two aren't a thing yet. You killed your chances, and now you two are just friends who slept with each other and desire one another, but just that.

Oh god, you pray you two aren't really just that.

You screwed things with Toto so fast, don't you? It happened sooner than you expected to.

It's late. Toto arrives at his remote office straight from the jet in the late afternoon and stays working till dark. He has several papers to read and sign and essential things to approve; he needs quietness and no one bothering or interrupting, which is impossible during work hours. He sees you walk past behind the tinted windows of his headquarters. It is unusual for you to be around at these hours.

The lane is empty, and your heels sound louder than they should. All building facades remain lit, and only a couple of rooms inside them have the lights on for those late stayers, making the paddock feel less lonely than it should as you rush to your car on your way out. It was a tough day and an awful one.

Toto grabs his things and tries to reach you; he is angry and stressed, but it is not all your fault. He closes the door loudly, on purpose. You turn around at the sound, jumping a bit. He is about to crack a joke to ease things and come closer waving a peace flag but notices your red eyes from crying. His expression changes to one of honest concern.

—Shit —you let out softly, under your breath. He is the last person you want to meet in this state.

He comes close and stares at you for a good second. You don't say a word, and he tightly wraps you in his arms. He is warm and smells so good. You bury your head in his chest and meld in his embrace. He rests his chin on the top of your head; the height difference makes it comfortable for him.

—Feel like talking about it? —Toto says sweetly.

—No.

—Okay, it's all good. You don't have to. Can I hold you till you feel better?

—Yes, please —you softly sob; you feel like a little girl in his arms. He makes you feel like that all the time. You are only a couple of years younger than him. But he is such a grown-up in your eyes. And you are a fragile, weak thing on the constant verge of breakdown.

You cry in his arms, and he wipes and kisses your tears away. You melt inside. This man is too much.

He carries you in his arms inside the modern Mercedes building to the unlit, empty lobby; you two cuddle on the floor, Toto's back against the hallway wall, on top of the silver arrows logo carpet, and you lay on his chest, your legs crossing his.

Toto apologizes: —I shouldn't have said those things like that, but I was sore.

—I understand where it comes from. It's okay, I get it. I missed you so much —you let Toto know; he leans his forehead on yours, noses touching too.

And you kiss. You feel Toto's warm and soothing lips on yours, and you two start to tenderly and sweetly make out; it's warm, wet, and intimate, and when you are to caress his neck with your hand, almost out of breath but not able to stop, he suddenly breaks it off, taking you by surprise.

—We should leave; we don't want fines on our way for overstaying. Stay with me tonight.

You nod, agreeing.

It's an exquisite bathroom the one in his hotel suite, with white walls decorated with the French boiserie technique and polished marble white floors with ornamental gold flowers hand-painted on the large tiles. Tall windows let the light enter behind the light curtains. A large frame mirror with gold edges sits against the wall and over the floor.

You two share the white bathtub, a 19th-century piece with gold leaf borders; you are happily placed on top of him inside it in the warm water, rubbing the expensive bamboo mesh loofah on his naked chest while he lets you know every detail about his trip to Germany and the crazy weeks he had while placing small kisses on your shoulders, neck, and mouth every once in a while.

After that relaxing and repairing scented bath, you make it to the bed, and since all your things are in your hotel room, you steal one of his t-shirts as pajamas, both knowing quite well it's too tempting that you sleep butt naked on top his mattress, you both have to wake up early the following morning, and it's been a hectic day. Still, you decide not to wear underwear beneath it.

You make yourself comfortable on his bare firm chest, tracing small circles with your fingers on his pecks; Toto is only wearing tight navy blue and light fabric boxers, which make his bulge look so fine down there; you feel him pat your ass skin softly; and placing his large hand there before falling asleep.

If none of you were this tired and this emotionally drained right now, you would be about to reach an orgasm at this point.

You wake up early and share the room-service breakfast you ordered; you give Toto some of your fruit to his mouth, and he shares with you his salmon bagel; emotions always open the appetite before leaving the room with enough time to arrive at the circuit, you need to make a stop at your hotel before heading to the track.

When the SUV arrives at the drop-off entrance in front of the hotel's baroque facade, Toto pulls you into a kiss in the backseat, leaving you gasping for more before you exit the car.

—We still have free time, so —you whisper against his lips.

He smiles at you. Toto drags you to the elevators faster than an F1 car.

You both enter your hotel suite and go straight to the bed, clothes getting out in the way on your path.

He spreads you on your knees, on all fours, on top of the mattress, at the border of the bed, while he fucks you doggy style while on his feet. You bounce against his hard cock, skin slapping, moans coming out from both sides when the tip of his dick hits the spot inside you. Every time, more desperate strokes. He slaps you on the ass. His open palm hits your right ass cheek, leaving a mark.

Then he grabs you firmly by the hips, adding pressure, and starts to give it to you harder and faster. You can't stop moaning from the pleasure. You are being so loud, but you don't care; you feel done holding back or hiding any emotions that man makes you feel.

What Toto does to you next is unholy. He runs his hands along your arms till he reaches your palms, then wraps them around his own neck to make you support yourself, provoking you to arch your back. His free left hand caresses your chin and neck, then softly chokes you, making you turn your face to look straight at him.

Holding you in that position, he starts playing with his tongue inside your mouth. He licks your lips and bites them while adding pressure against your hips and buries his right fingernails in your right soft tigh. He is as inside you as he can. He is aching for you more every second.

He starts rocking himself against you, hitting your pussy and ass faster this time around. He has you moaning incoherently. The rhythm is so good; he fucks you in that position for a while till you start to feel so warm inside with each penetration; he is hard as fuck. And you feel you can't keep it together any longer. The pleasure is unbelievable. And you want to release. You start begging him to stop, well knowing you mean don't you dare! —Baby, I can't! Baby! I can't take it anymore! —You feel a hot sensation running down your legs. —Toto! —you moan as you start squirting all over your thighs and his.

—Fuck! —he growls, almost bestially, against your ear, getting drunk on your sents and fluids.

He shifts his whole body weight against yours, slowly pushing and pinning you down, your tummy against the mattress. Toto extends your arms and intertwines your hands and fingers with his in a sort of arrow position, completely topping you, rocking his hips in circles against your ass; you feel buried under his weight till Toto moans intense cumming noises to your ear, those noises drive you mad. He sounds so hot when he finishes.

—Stay in —you beg him. Oh, how he looks at you, what his eyes express makes your heart melt. You want him to be obsessed with you, to breathe you. It's borderline toxic, but that's how infatuated you are with him. You two remain in that position while kissing the life out of each other. You can feel him swing his hips every once in a while till his erection fades away.

Toto is the first one to step out of the shower; you enjoy the view of him butt naked, his wet hair dripping, the drops traveling through his bare chest down his abs and lower body while he strokes his length and legs with the towel, getting dry.

Once you are dry, too, and wrapped in a bathrobe, you start picking your clothes from the entryway floor; you two barely made it to the bed, unable to contain yourselves a second more, before going to the dressing room to select your outfit for today.

Toto is again putting on his Mercedes uniform, now in a bit of a rush.

You are looking for your thong everywhere on the carpet, not knowing where it flew; you want to avoid the maid the awkward moment; it's the only piece of clothing missing.

—I'm happy to have you back —he says with his whole heart, looking at you while finishing buttoning up his shirt.

—I counted the days to be back with you —you say, emotional. Toto comes close, kisses the palm of your hand, and licks your index finger.

—I hope you don't need to leave again soon, but if you do, these stay with me —he is holding your panties hostage in his black jeans left pocket.

None of you feel like saying goodbye and keep finding excuses in the form of kisses and petting to postpone it. Still, you must be discreet and professional and somehow manage to be together amidst everything in your life. It is a high-risk and conflict-of-interest kind of relationship on all fronts, but it feels worth it to you that you are ready to risk it all for him.

Sam, Charles, and you are hanging out in a famous high-end bakery in Vienna. The place is very bright, with high ceilings, white walls with mint accents of color, greenery, and modern gold lamps give the place its character; a massive large white wood display counter bar is full of rows of delicious pieces of bread and desserts, the clear wooden floors, light wood furniture, and small tables make it feel cozy. The place smells so good and feels warm.

Your mood is entirely different now. Sam stares at you while slurping dramatically and loudly the remains of her chocolate frappe through the straw.

—What? —you say while chewing your sacher würfel when you notice her eyes on you.

—They fucked —Charles adds before Sam can open her mouth. You two turn his way. He moves his hand in a kind of I recognize that smile on her while holding his vanilla kipferl.

—Yes —You admit, all blush. —But we discussed things too! —you rush to add.

—You told him where you went and what happened? —Charles asks you.

—You asked him about the Sussie thing? —Sam asks you.

Both at the same time.

—Well, no...

They roll their eyes at you.

Then Sam looks at you like you are crazy. —Then what did you two discuss? WAIT! Did you tell Charles?

—Of course, she told me! We are roomies AND besties!

Then Sam acts all jealous. —Hey! Get your own best friend!

—Charles intercepted me on my way out of the apartment; he only knew I would be out of town for a while —you clarify to Sam quickly before she slips out something important. —By the way, how is "abs" doing? —then you address Charles.

Samanta looked confused; she had never heard that name before. —Who is "abs"?

—Our womanizer neighbor in Monaco.

Still blank.

—The blond dude with long hair in a man-bun that's all ripped and has insane abs? —Charles gives her input.

Sam shakes her head.

—The one who is always shirtless and looks like Thor? He lives in the apartment right across our hallway and door —You add.

—No idea —she says, feeling left out.

—He is nice. Well... Yeah, it is hard to define. Sometimes, he hides from his conquests at our place after having fun, waiting for them to go. But he is hilarious and brings beers on cheat day Thursday —Charles explains.

—You going to love him, trust me, he is a sweet and trustworthy brute —you tell Sam.

A Twitter notification sounds on Millie's phone.

"Oh, miss Normani, it's great to have you back! Ferrari's red is a color that suits your skin so well; God bless the QUEEN!🐝🇬🇧" a video is attached along with the Sky Sports tweet. A stunning, athletic young girl walks down the paddock lane wearing impeccable street-style clothing, looking so chic, cameras flashing photos at her; Lewis's clothing game is getting challenged.

—Trouble is on our way —Millie hands her phone to Michael.

—Oh, yeah, I heard the rumor at the start of the season that she would be taking the reserve driver seat for them, but that it went cold —Michael adds.

—Your sources are shit then —Millie jokes. He softly pushes her out of his way, joking.

—Well, let's give her a fight! —He motivates Millie.

—Certainly, I didn't see this one coming our way —Christian lets out after getting the news.

—Sorry, but who is she? —Helmut asks him.

—She's just the biggest name in girls' racing ever, no big deal —he jokes sarcastically.

—The one that disappeared at the top of her game? I followed the scandal back in the day —Checo admits.

—Well, she is no longer on hiatus, it seems. Good thing is only for a few races! —Christian says while following her with his gaze as she enters the Ferrari headquarters.

—Mattia almost shit his pants when she finally answered him back. You are going to adore her. Normani is THE thing! —Charles gossips with Sam and you in the armchairs in the lobby of the Williams headquarters. —She lives in London and knows excellent places to hang out next week. I invited her to join us.

—I love the idea; this group always has room for another girl.

Once you are back at the circuit after lunch, you catch Toto sitting alone at a large picnic table under the shadow of a tree in an area further away from the hospitality and garages, working with his phone in hand. That man is all work, when will he relax? You go on your way there to annoy him so much.

—There is an entire long empty bench, and you sit right next —He tells you, in a deep voice but joking, arching his eyebrow, sensing your body against his.

You smile and giggle, getting even closer to him, almost blending with his side.

—God —he lets out exasperated but crosses an arm behind you and places his hand on top of yours, caressing it.

Then you move to get your things out of your large Bottega Venetta tote bag to work by his side; you have emails to answer.

You two get in the zone and focus on your tasks till you notice Toto moving his head to nose in your business.

—What's that mail for? Who are you sending it to? Why are you sending it? Hey, don't look at me like that. You are the one who chose to sit right next. I ask questions all the time; that's my job.

—Okay, but the annoyance part is my job in our relationship —you dare to shoot your shot, to see how he reacts, what he says.

You obtain no comment; he simply replies: —You have a fake job, remember?

Then, you slowly and overdramatically close your small and slim laptop with a single finger.

Toto looks at you with his eyes half closed and chin up.

—My secrets aren't for free, my love —you joke. You regret that wording later.

—Okay —He pays you with a couple of quick kisses; you are in a not very transit area and have enough privacy to do so. —What were you doing in Belgium?

—I meant the Williams-related ones; those are the ones for sale!

—Oh! Those I don't care about; we are about to bite you guys in the ass, anyways! —he says, overconfident, teasing you.

—Toto, dreaming is for free, don't you know?!

Toto was right; Lewis and George make a one-two. Normani gets on the podium, too, leaving Millie out. Well, that was quite the introduction for her.

Very late at night, you hear knocks on your suite door; you leave your warm and cozy bed to attend it. It's Toto.

As soon as you open the door, you feel a pair of lips on yours.

—I thought I would be sleeping all alone and sad after today's race on this chilly night —you pout, stopping kissing a second.

—Sorry, I went out to celebrate with the boys —Toto is a bit tipsy; he is wearing casual clothing now; layering looks so good on him! He is wearing a black turtle neck long-sleeve shirt under a very expensive cashmere grey, plain, modern blazer paired with black pants, loafer shoes, and an obsidian and silver bracelet; his hair is messy.

Toto gets sillier and more relaxed when in that state, a thing you love, and also he gets hornier, too, to your pleasure.

The rustic fireplace is on, keeping the spacious room warm. You witness Toto rearrange the area; Toto pushes the coffee table out of the way in the sitting area right in front of the fire and brings pillows from the bed to let them fall on top of the puffy brown rug in there.

Then he comes for you and takes you there by the hand. You two lay there wrapped in each other arms, making out. Toto's hands are on your ass and hips.

—Cozy and warm enough, baby girl? —he asks against your lips.

—Eh... —you shrug, joking. He smiles at you, then combs your hair tenderly with his fingers.

—Is there a chance you have a condom? We used the one in my wallet in the morning.

You shake your head; oh, bummer!

—Is it okay if I finish outside?

You feel your body shiver at his words.

—Yes. It's okay.

Clothes start to go out of the way; he gets you naked in no time; you are only wearing a black one-piece, sexy satin lace nightdress. He moves to help you get him undressed. His eyes go all over your body. —I keep fantasizing about what I'm going to do to you.

He takes you by surprise. Your cheeks turn red.

When you are both naked, he pushes you closer by the ass, making you spread your legs to give him room to get in the middle; you are sitting in a lotus position, your legs flexed over his, your thighs touching his thighs, he runs his hand all over your leg down to your ankle, you wrap your hands around his neck while you kiss.

Then, he slowly starts to lay you low on your back, making you lay on the pillows; he helps you make yourself comfortable on them and starts playing with your nipples, licking them with the tip of his tongue and biting them softly while locking eyes with you. He cups your tit and sucks it into his mouth; after a bit, he moves his way down. He starts eating your pussy like he is starving; you feel his wet tongue deep in you. He loves giving small kisses to your clit, provoking you to moan a lot. —I love running my tongue over every inch of you —he lets you know.

—Do you feel like to 69? —you ask him in the middle of a moan.

—Please —his voice is rough.

You sit on top of him, and you feel him burying his face in you, hand squeezing your ass while continuing to taste your pussy; amidst your loud moans, you start stroking his length and go down on his cock; you love his dick inside your mouth. You are giving him head so good that he stops for a minute to breathe heavily and moan.

—Fuck! I want to make it inside you; if you keep going, I'm going to burst inside your mouth.

—I wouldn't mind, but I love having you inside me, too.

You are more than wet and him more than hard when he slowly enters you. You both savor the movement. Then he flexes your left leg up and supports your calf on his shoulder. He starts to thrust you in that position while grabbing your right tit tightly. You feel his dick sliding inside every time faster. You are both panting and gasping.

He then switches positions, taking control this time; he gets your knees together and makes you get your legs up; he holds you in place with a firm grip from his hand on your hamstring muscles in a "hero" sex position, and Toto rocks his hips back and forward with deep strokes, you feel and see how his dick is curving up.

You start to scratch his thigh with your fingernails and slap his ass as the pleasure gets too good. —You fuck me so good, baby —you moan, reaching an orgasm in that position.

After giving yourself time to catch your breath for a second, you see how Toto lays down back against the rug; you immediately move to ride him. You feel him throbbing in pleasure inside and underneath you as you bounce hard up and down his dick; with your tits bouncing, he extends his arms to reach them and pinch your nipples, adding pressure with his fingers; then he starts wincing and biting his own lips; after a while, he rushes to place one of his large hands in your tummy, and you pull his cock out of you to start jerking it. Lots of guttural sounds come out of his mouth till he starts dripping. You feel his warm semen on your hand and abs, and you caress his chest with your free one and bend to kiss him hungrily.

Then he captures that hand and starts licking your index and middle fingers, sucking them inside his mouth and getting them wet enough with his saliva to then start leading your hand down on you, making you finger yourself, his hand on top of yours controlling and directing the movements. It gets to a point when you are so inside yourself and extremely wet that you are mess-moaning his name. Soft "Totos" is all he hears.

—Cum baby, cum for me —you feel your body trembling with his touch and yours. And you release, leaking on the rug beneath you.

Your bodies are so heated and sweaty near the fireplace; he drops on his back after being angled fingering you, with his cock bent to the left. You place yourself next to him, hands running on his shoulders and toned arms. You kiss in that position for a while before heading towards the bathroom.

Before falling asleep, your chauffeur knocks on the door to deliver you a drugstore bag. As you finish drinking your tall glass of water after taking the Plan B pill and place it on the nightstand, Toto tells you he is going to spend time with his family so that he won't be sharing the flight to the UK with you. He will arrive two days later, just in time for the race.

He doesn't invite you to join him.

You are all forced to rush to Silverstone from Austria for the anniversary race of the F1, which will take place before the usual activities of the Hungary GP start, leaving no room to rest for anyone.

It's going to be such a unique and fabulous event, and indeed, the FIA outdid themselves. Still, it's insane for the drivers and teams to rush from one country to another and move all the equipment and people with zero time margin. No one is in their best senses when arriving at the circuit, and everyone looks like it.

Due to the logistics of the massive event, the meeting before free practice is to start at 6.00 a.m. Lando hits his head against the clear glass panel doors, trying to enter the meeting room, half asleep, holding a Red Bull in his shaky hand.

He goes straight to you. You are already sitting in the chair with your name tag. At this point, no one cares about them or respects them. It is more like a classroom now; the group always sits together at the back of the room.

Lando mumbles something that you and Millie believe means good morning, and then he takes a couple of the empty chairs next to you to lay on top of, placing his head on your thighs and using them as a pillow.

Making you laugh. —Okay, yes, go ahead —you joke. Then Lando really falls asleep. —Lando out! —you inform the group.

Lewis is in the same row as you, but at the very end, legs on top of the empty chairs beside him, with his back leaned against a sound asleep Vettel, buried beneath a massive puffer Mercedes' jacket, tilted against the wall in a sitting position.

The room is almost empty except for you five.

—Angela almost tore down my bedroom door; she knocked so hard to wake me up. I nearly didn't make it, guys; I don't know how I got here —Lewis chats with you with a sleepy voice and swollen eyes.

Christian enters the room. —Is tits freezing today —he greets you. With a couple of "ah" sounds, he drops himself on the chairs in the front row. —I'm so old for this! —you all laugh. —You two look so well put together —He addresses Lewis and you, looking as stylish as ever. —I envy you.

Millie showed up in a set of Kuromi's pajamas, cocooned under Mick's Williams team winter jacket, that looked huge on her.

—Thanks, man —Lewis says.

Charles enters, greeting you with a peace sign gesture, followed by Carlos piggybacking a sleeping Daniel. —I would give you a hand, but... —Charles jokes, showing his bandages.

Normani enters, stealing the entire room's attention, wearing a white Dior long fleece blazer on top of a form-fitted pearl wool dress and a matching long scarf paired with high-knee suede boots in the same color. It's a monochromatic, stunning look with a combination of textures; her long hair is in a sleek ponytail, allowing it to show the beautiful minimal white gold earrings she is wearing, completing the look.

Millie waves her hand at Normani, and she looks happy to see her in there. After greeting the room, she reaches to sit by her side and catch up. You all look at her in awe. She is so beautiful, like a doll.

—Is that Geroge? —Niki asks, on attendance this time, since Toto is not around yet.

—It's Sebastian —everyone answers in unison. He and Lewis are the first two to arrive, so no one witnessed how Vettel fell asleep mid-conversation in his chair like a grandpa and how Lewis got him warm and covered under his Mercedes puffer, yet no one has a doubt it is him who is hiding underneath there; this surprises Lewis.

—I'm shooting the poor fucker responsible for waking me up this early —Niki shouts, provoking smiles.

At his back, Masi enters the meeting room, looking very worried.

London is one of Sam's favorite cities; it has everything she likes. Plus, it's full of very cool girls who make her nervous and all blushy, so she loves to run errands for Niki when in town; she always ends up meeting someone and asking for a date. The best sex she has ever had in her life has been there; her greatest loves have been "chapstick" lesbians from East London.

Sam has spent her entire day on the streets being driven around, completing all the tasks on Niki's long list of things he asked her to do. It's getting dark, and the last item for today is to drop some jewelry at Cartier to get it clean. So the chauffeur takes her to the one in Old Bond Street. Her favorite, Sam, loves it even more when it's Christmas and the stunning decor is on the facade.

The store's doorman rushes to open her car door as the SUV pulls in front of the jewelry main entry. She gracefully gets down and greets him.

—Good evening, mam —he replies, welcoming her inside. Sam had been feeling happy the entire day, but it went away as soon as she entered. In the contiguous stanza, in the highly expensive-looking sitting area, Toto and Sussie are looking together at some exclusive pieces a sales lady is showing them; Sam glimpses the sparkles projected out of those under the lights from far away.

Toto is not supposed to be here, nor are they supposed to be together, she thinks, but disregards the thought; probably he just got free sooner, and they are just hanging out since Sussie lives here most of the time.

Then she goes ahead with her errand; as Sam delivers the pieces to the man behind the counter, she sees Toto getting handed back his credit card; after a bit, a man gives a box to Sussie's hands; they get up at the same and start exiting the room together; holding hands.

Fuck! They are about to see her; there is no way she can duck down and hide behind clear crystal panels.

—Sam! —Sussie greets her, noticing her and happy to see her.

Fuuuuuuck.

Toto turned his head, perplexed; he was checking out the male bracelets on the display wall on their way to the exit. He lets Sussie's hand go, and she comes close to hug Sam.

—Hi! How are you? Good to see you!

—Likewise!

—Shopping spree?

—Oh, no, I'm just running an errand for Niki —she waves her hand, dismissing it. —All ready? —Sam addresses the jewelry cleaner guy.

—In a minute —he offers her a smile.

—Hey, why don't you join us for dinner?! —Sussie offers her.

—I would love to! But I have another task yet; I don't wish to get Niki all grumpy; you know how he is when he gets in a bad mood —Lies. Sussie laughs and nods, agreeing; Toto remains quiet and further away.

—Well, next time, then! When you are in Monaco too, come to our place, yes?

—Yes!

Okay, this is a shitty position to be for Sam; if she doesn't tell you, she is a terrible friend to you. But if she tells you, she is a lousy friend to Toto. LORD HAVE MERCY! She needs to give it a thought before opening her mouth!

When Toto decides to show up at the paddock, he goes to look for you. He looks tired and falls asleep next to you on a bench. You cover his face with your Balenciaga bomber jacket, giving him more privacy. You rest your left hand on top of his chest.

Samanta then arrives.

—Oh, he is here, good.

—Shss, he just fell asleep!

—This reminds me of how babies are so cute when sleeping but a terror when up.

—He is always baby —you say with a silly voice, caressing his chest.

Toto tries to listen to the conversation beneath your jacket with his eyes closed; he is about to fall asleep when he hears Samanta's voice. He needs to talk to her and explain things, but he is so comfortable in your embrace, so that can wait.

—Haven't you seen his photo from when he was a kid? They asked us for the digital version to print and place on the commemorative mural the FIA is making for the anniversary pit walk.

—No, I haven't! Is it better than baby Bottas?

—Oh, you are going to die! I have the original one in my purse here —Sam hands you a glossy, old-looking picture, a bit yellowy.

—Aawwww, he is so cute! —You observe in detail the photo of little Toto, a bit tall for his age, with skinny legs and dark, wild hair up and to the sides, leaned against his go-kart, helmet in hand; his little sister makes a small appearance in the back, picking a pebble or something from the floor wearing a floral pattern jumper. Toto is wearing an electric blue seventies driver's suit. —Hair hasn't changed a bit; that pose is everything! —you instantly get heart eyes. —His nose is so tiny, and he looks adorable. So cute! —you say with a silly voice and stare at the picture more.

—Now give it back! —Sam demands you; she yanks the photo of your grip, struggling until you let it go, then Sam archives it quickly in her purse.

—Now, shush! I'm reading essential documents —you tell her.

—Like your job was for real!

—Excuse you with that again! —Sam smiles at you and quickly disappears, noticing you are about to throw your tumbler at her.

Half an hour later, you feel Toto move on the bench, turning and almost falling to the side. He tries to incorporate and bumps his forehead with the table.

—Ouchie, love! —you let out and start to rub his temple tenderly.

—Ow! That hurt! —Toto lets you pamper him. Then stays stomach on the bench, making tired noises.

—I don't love my job very much right now —He says, and after a couple of minutes, he starts incorporating, no longer being able to avoid it, dragging along your bomber jacket, stuck and caught on behind his neck, with his hair all wild, and an "I just wake up" face.

—I just saw a photo of kid you with that same hairstyle!

He looks at you with one wonky eye, slowly processing the information.

All you can do is smile at him and softly laugh at the sight; you are so in love with him.

—Gotta get going! —he tells you, gets on his feet, places your jacket at your side, and bends his tall, fit body to kiss you on the cheek, rubbing your shoulders with his hands simultaneously before walking away.

I will not be able to resist greet and saying goodbye to him just with kisses on the cheek any longer.

To be continued... < Previous chapter | Masterlist | Next chapter >

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ldhluvr · 5 months

Text

☆ celestial — steve harrington x reader

info : bff2l!steve harrington x reader !!! steve is such a cutie poopie head !!!! i tried making this like Good or wtv but lowkey it just comes off as really cringy but just know that i put my whole heart and ass into this instead of sleeping before a flight that i have in like 5 hours 💖💖 also the pacing is ass but they're just reallyyyy into each other TRUST 🤞

You tap your thighs to the beat of the song Steve has put on in the car. It’s a familiar tune, but you don’t quite remember its name. Steve hums along softly, nodding his head to the song, and you steal a glance at him without turning your head. The harsh light of the nearby street lamp, its glow softened by the misty night, glides over his face, casting a warm, golden hue. It’s as if he’s a rogue star pulled down to Earth from the night sky, his features illuminated with a soft, ethereal light.

You lower your gaze, your hands resting on your thighs, and sigh. You hear shuffling on Steve’s side of the car, and the song pauses. You look back up at him, and he seems almost concerned.

“Everything okay?” His hand reaches up to rest on your shoulder.

Your chest tightens, and your heart rate picks up at the contact. You take a deep breath and attempt to compose yourself before responding. “Yeah, all good. ‘M just thinking.”

He shifts in his seat to face you properly. You can tell his position is uncomfortable, but unintentionally smile at how caring he is. He retracts his hand, and the car suddenly feels ten degrees colder. “What’s up?”

You force out a laugh. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

He cocks his head to the side slightly, and his hand moves to rest on your thigh. Your breath gets caught in your throat for a second at the unexpected contact. “Come on, [Y/N]. You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know,” you mutter, staring at his hand on your leg. “It’s just that… sometimes… this is all a little much for me.” Your voice is soft, almost a whisper.

Your admission stuns Steve into silence for a couple of seconds.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, like… this whole ‘taking me on late-night drives’ thing. And taking me out to dinner as ‘friends.’ And buying me books. It’s too much,” you confess.

You finally look back up at Steve, and he looks sadder than you’ve ever seen him. The light that once shone on him dims and almost shines blue. He bites his lower lip, seemingly contemplating something. His eyes aren’t on you anymore, and he retracts his hand again.

“Oh,” he says softly. “I thought… y’know what? Nevermind. Do you want me to drop you home?”

Your eyes widen. He’s completely misunderstood what you said.

You place your hand up as if to stop him from doing anything. ��No, Steve, I want to stay. What I meant is, it’s too much knowing that we’re,” you pause, trying to muster up as much courage as you can, “just friends.”

Before you can stop yourself, you glance at Steve, who now has a practically earsplitting grin. His hands reach up to cup your cheeks, and he lightly tugs your face closer to his.

“Oh, sweetheart, if you wanted to be more than friends, you just had to say so,” he murmurs. Your stomach practically flips at his words and tone, and he pulls you an inch closer to him. Your noses are almost touching, and you watch his gaze flicker down to your lips.

“Are you going to kiss me, Steve?” Your voice comes out breathy and unstable, and Steve takes your words as a sign of confirmation.

He leans in, sealing his lips with yours. He kisses you passionately with the amount of patience of a man starved. His lips are hot on yours—practically burning—and you feel like the luckiest person alive to be experiencing Steve Harrington in all his glory.

One of his hands remains on your cheek while the other slides down to the back of your neck for more leverage. Your hands raise to his hair, and you card your fingers through it. He deepens the kiss, leaning slightly forward into you, and you feel like he’s almost stealing your breath. The car seems to disappear, as does the rest of the town. The two of you are in your own galaxy, lost in the moment.

Needing oxygen, you break apart, both of you practically gasping for air. As you calm down, you both lean in once more, this time letting your forehead rest against his. “That was…” you whisper, unable to complete your sentence. All coherent thoughts have since escaped you.

“You are the best thing to ever happen to me,” Steve whispers back. His breath is warm against your face and contrasts the cool night air that still seeps in from the outside world.

You redden and duck your head down so he can’t see your face. His fingers touch the bottom of your chin, and you lift your head so you’re level with him again. “Be my girlfriend?” His voice is small, unlike the usually confident Steve Harrington you know.

Your lips curve into a small smile, and you lean in for another kiss, much more gentle and soft than the first. It only lasts a few seconds, but when you pull back, you whisper, “Yes,” and that’s all the two of you need for the rest of the night.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #stranger things #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington fic recs #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington blurb #best friend!steve harrington #mutual pining #also i do NAWT know how to write kiss scenes do not hold that against me PLEASE

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carionto · 11 months

Text

Geronimo!

Space suits have come a long way - near 1 to 1 articulation and haptic feedback, intuitive zero-g booster based movement, nano-clamps for spiderman-like grip in low/no gravity, and of course dozens of micro layers of protection against all know space radiation and other hazards. Plus a centimeter thick composite armor against sentient threats, with a "cocoon" mode to fully cover all joints and other normally more exposed parts, that renders the Human inside near impervious to most small arms, and even some heavier impacts.

To fully test the limits of protection you don't actually need to have a person inside, just plenty of sensors and a good understanding Human physiology and anatomy. The military, of course, does things a bit differently, as their suits are even tougher. They do have this half-half mode where you are mostly armor, but can still move, but more like the Terminator. Given it also boasts a powered exoskeleton between the armor and hazardous protection layers, soldiers can wield weapons other militaries typically mount on vehicles, so the metaphor is almost just a straight factual comparison.

Some, however, are still not satisfied, and are always seeking to extend the durability of their suits to beyond the extremes.

____________________________

Hilda Lavre was standing on the edge of the ship in low orbit. One hand gripping an outer handle while engaged in final diagnostics.

"Alright, Hilda, everything looks green on our end, how 'bout you?"

"Same green green. I'm good."

"Whenever you're ready then. There's some clouds in the way of the predicted path, might slow you down a bit. Wanna wait?"

"Nah, nah. I'll wing it."

After a seconds pause, Hilda let go of the handle and gently kicked off the side of the ship. She was now on a direct collision course with the Atlantic Ocean.

(Thermals should start going up soon. I'm gonna turn on the external mic just a tad. There's just something about how the heat sounds scraping against the metal.

Oh, there it goes. Yellow, slowly getting to orange. Good.

Yea, that's a nice screech - burn that paint!

Halfway to red, altitude check. Already this close? Guess it'll be just shy of 80% tolerance.

Hehehehe, that means we can go for a bit faster next time. Cool.

Eh... wind without the heat just doesn't sound right, I'll turn it down to just barely audible. Something to keep me company.

Aaaand three.

Two.

One.)

SPLASH

(It's dark. But I guess it was dark before...

before what though?

Well, that's okay.

This feels like a new kind of dark though.

There's the dark when you're alone in your room at night, all the lights are out.

Another kind is when you decide to get inside your brothers closet to scare him when he comes back from the kitchen. That's a fun kind of dark. (it's getting cold)

There's also the dark of being in an underground bunker during a storm. Then the power gets cut and all the exits are sealed. That's a... lonely kind of dark.

One time I was wandering the woods, and before I knew it, it was the middle of a moonless night, overcast too. Hiding out in an abandoned shed, without even the wind or animal sounds to let you know anything is out there. I didn't like that kind of dark at all. (It's really cold)

This dark though... I dunno. It's like I'm hiding out in my own closet. My shoulder is up against my winter jacket, feet are grazing those old sandals I swore to throw out two summers ago. But also, it's not my room. Or even my house. Why am I in my closet? How did it get here? Where even is here?

I feel sleepy.

"Hey, hey! Hilda! Wake up!"

*grunting* "Ugh... shut, shut up Barry..."

"Gods, don't freak us out like that. You okay?"

"Depends. How high did it go go?"

*laughter* "Okay, [She's fine everyone] yeah, you're fine. 87 meters, new record."

"Hmm, I was aiming to to break 90."

"Well, those clouds nudged you a little off, you hit it at a 83 degree angle. Still, those other readings are nice. I'm pretty sure we can do a boosted fall next time."

"Yeah, I I think so too. I feel a little little cold, did something break on hit hit?"

"Not break, but the impact did jolt the subsystems a bit. Activated one of the sedative shots. I manually made your suit give you a wake up shot right as I noticed. You should be feeling the effects right about now."

"Mmhhmmm, oh yea. I'm feeling the kick kick now. We need to improve the kinetic tic dampeners. No good if if it puts you to sleep upon any hard enough nough impact."

"Yup. We're suspending any other jumps for the week until we get that fixed and implement some minor tweaks based on your jump once we analyze the telemetry further.

Okay, everyone! Good job today! Let's meet up next weekend and test these bad boys out. Let's aim for a 100 meter splash by the end of the year!"

*cheers and yeahs as Barry opens a mini fridge and everyone cracks open a cold one*

#humans are space orcs #humans are space australians #humans are space oddities #humans are deathworlders #humanity fuck yeah #carionto #sky diving #more like space diving #but whatever #also #don't know how I feel about giving her that... stutter?#I just randomly felt like trying out a speech impediment #hope I don't offend anyone with the way I presented it #I don't think I've seen how a stuttering character talks in text format #well #trying out new things

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thatsthewrongwallcraig · 3 months

Text

Mechanical Love

Summary: They're getting down with the android now!

Pairing: Elijah Kamski x afab!Reader x Chloe

Word Count: ~1k. (It's a little firecracker tho, I promise!)

Content Warnings: Robot Porn 18+!, Oral (F Receiving), Unprotected P In V, Finger Sucking, Cum Eating

A/N: Happy Pride or whatever they have going on! 🏳️‍🌈 Beware, this has the character of an absolute crack fic because I had the thought and got so horny I passed out. Enjoy!

No pressure tag: @ohlookapan @queer-crusader @blueberrypancakesworld @somethingblu3 @gothushi

That thought had certainly escalated into a situation you'd never thought yourself to ever be in; in no universe and no timeliness whatsoever. Honestly? It left you somewhat baffled how a cheeky little “Would you like to fuck an Android?” had turned into this.

“You're comfortable?” Elijah pulled you flush to his chest, reassuring you that this was something he wanted to do with and for you.

“Uh-Huh.” You squirmed softly sitting in his lap, effectively making him move inside you and causing your soaked cunt to clench down around him.

“Good. Now you just need to tell her what to do for you, yeah?” His words pushed heat into your face, feeling a pang of embarrassment that wiggled itself past the heavy layers of arousal which held you in a tight choke hold.

“Eli…” You muttered under your breath as he egged you on with a slow thrust of his hips against your behind.

“C'mon, babe, I know you can do it.” One of his hands wandered along your ribcage up to your jawline, fingers guiding you to look at the android in front of you.

Like nothing being anywhere outside the ordinary, Chloe smiled at you, head slightly tilted to the side.

“Chloe?”, Your words came labored and slow, “Could..could you do something for me?”

“Of course.”, Her calm, velvety voice fed into the insanity of this situation like a gallon of gasoline to an already raging wildfire, “How can I help?”

Actually asking for this had your throat going dry but your pussy throb in unbridled excitement whilst Elijah very clearly enjoyed himself a whole lot, chin resting atop your shoulder you could feel his grin against your cheekbone.

“I, -uh, oh god, can you- I'd like you to go down on me?” You stumbled over your words painfully embarrassed.

“Of course!”, The blonde android nodded before taking a few stops toward the edge of the bed and kneeling down between your legs without any hesitation, “If that will make you feel better.”

And that it did. You'd been expecting to enjoy this but nothing could've prepared you for the way your body flinched in an avalanche of exploding lust the very second Chloe put her factory fabricated lips to your swollen clit. The robot mouthed at you so gently that you couldn't help but allow your head to loll back against Elijah’s throat, his fingers that had rested at your jaw creeping further and slipping past your quivering lips.

“You're doing so good, babe, issok. Just let go and enjoy it.” His words hardly reached your consciousness because every sense of critical thinking seemed to ooze out of your weeping cunt.

For heavenly moments, there was nothing else but sensation; getting filled by your lover and simultaneously stimulated by his creation until your entire body buzzed and twitched.

“There, there.”, Elijah cooed, voice gradually turning more breathy with each little jump from you wiggling in his lap, “Fucking hell, you're so wet. Should've done that way sooner.”

He was right, the way it got you hooked on the feeling of being thoroughly pleased and satisfied in fashions you'd been simply too shy to ask about made you mad at yourself for being such a chicken shit about it. You could've had this so much sooner.

However, you couldn’t stay mad for long with every trace of the feeling being washed away by burning bliss that spasmd through your body. There was barely any way to properly differentiate if you were constantly cumming your brains out or just tethering on the edge to a degree another stroke of Chloe's tongue would send you flying.

“Eli-” Your strained yelp got muffled by his fingers in your mouth pressing down along your tongue.

“I know, babe, I know, issok.”, He groaned against your cheek in a coarse tone, “Just a little more, yeah?”

Elijah’s thrusts against your ass came increasingly harder, timed with your little jolts in his lap, the friction on the inside shutting of the sad few rests of your brain entirely. Dancing somewhere between shaking overstimulation and heaven, your body thrashed, nerve endings contracting entirely outside of your control and you loved it; the blissful nothingness of simply being a piece of flesh for a little.

A low grunt slithered past Eli's lips as he spilled himself inside you, buried there as deep as he could without hurting you as ropes of white flooded you from the inside out. You could feel it squelching out with your own release, effectively smearing down on Chloe's lips in an amalgamation of creamy white and slick.

Stopping in her tender ministrations, the android straightened up, the back of her elegant hand finding her mouth to wipe away the wetness.

“Thank you, Chloe. Please clean yourself up and start with the dinner, would you?” Elijah smiled down at his creation, admiring the beautiful mess of machine and man alike.

“Of course, Elijah, I am always eager to help.”

#detroit: become human #dbh #elijah kamski #dbh elijah kamski #elijah kamski x reader #detroit become human #detroit become human fanfic

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the-fiction-witch · 4 months

Text

Little Inferno

Media - The Maze Runner Series Character - Newt Couple - Newt X Reader Reader - Y/n Rating - Adorable = Dark/ Scary Word Count - 2886

I sat under a tree in the glade on my little leather mat having tucked my knees into my chest to keep my feet on the mat to not singe the grass. I moved my hands as I saw a small puff of smoke coming from my leather trousers so I moved my hands and quickly blew out the small cinders that had formed in the groves where I keep my hands most days. I sighed I was so hot in my clothes but I knew I had little choice. It was my 'Thing' Creative I know but I didn't pick it. Everyone in the glade had one, Mine happened to be that I was hot, very hot, every part of me burnt with a heat of over two hundred degrees just from me merely existing, so I had to live my life in leather clothes sitting on specific mats and chairs to make sure I didn't start any fires by accident. It wasn't fun but it's life I guess.

I smiled a little as I saw Newt heading over he came and sat on my mat with a happy smile but kept his distance so our elbows didn't touch.

"Hi, Y/n,"

"Hi Newt," I smiled,

"How's my little inferno girl?" he cooed playing with my Y/H/C hair, running it between his fingers, Newt loved to play with my hair I think mostly because it's the only safe part of me he could touch without burning himself,

I chuckled, "Fine, how are you?"

"Alright," he shrugged, "You on break?"

"Yeah, try doesn't need anything cooking for a while. You?"

"Yeah just got finished with the weeding,"

"Oh? That safe?"

"Yeah I'm doing empty beds it's fine," he shrugged, "After break time I'll be off to help the boys with the trees,"

"I'm sure I'll see you later then for the bonfire,"

"Of course you will, we shall combine our efforts my little inferno," he chuckled, "You okay?"

"Yeah just... feeling a little glum is all,"

"I know, hey come on cheer up how about after the bonfire you and I will sit by the fire okay? Have little short cuddles?" He encouraged putting his hand on my arm be did his best to hold my arm but even with my leather jacket he had to remove his hand after a minute or so,

"Okay," I nodded,

"Good," He nodded, "After all how am I meant to stay away from you when you're so hot,"

"Really?" I rolled my eyes at his joke,

"I can't help it you're so firey and spicy," he chuckled,

"Ohh newt your killing me,"

"Ha ha very funny," He chuckled, "I know it sucks but we'll figure it out," He explained,

"I hope so,"

"It's not exactly fun for me either, I know I don't have it as bad as you but I'd like to eat a strawberry, or climb a tree, or ... pick you a nice bundle of cute little flowers," He cooed,

And I did break a smile a little

"We'll figure stuff out either learn to live or, find a cure. Either way, I still love my little Inferno," He cooed,

"And I still love my little plant killer," I chuckled, "But I do like your little dead flower bundles, they are cute,"

"You do?"

"Of course I do,"

"And I like your little hot kisses," He smiled, "Speaking off? Can I?"

"Are you sure?" I began, "You know I don't want to hurt you newt and what if I-"

"I'm sure your kisses are worth the risk," He smiled,

"Okay," I smiled back, "Only if you're sure,"

He came closer and quickly pressed his lips to my own, he felt so cold but I loved it so much the soft feeling of his kiss but it was so quick barely a second before he half to pull away and begin licking his lips like crazy from the heat. "Ooohh spicy kisses," he joked,

"I didn-"

"It's fine, you didn't hurt me. I'll see you later okay Y/n?"

"Okay Newt," I nodded,

"See you soon," He cooed, kissing my hair before he got up and headed towards the deadheads to help the boys with the tree making a little trail grass into straw as he went.

I nervously finished my work lighting the bonfire for the boys and I took my seat on the dusty stone, not long after Newt came over with a wide smile,

"Hi, Y/n,"

"Hi Newt," I looked up at him,

"For you, my little inferno," he smiled revealing a small bundle of flowers dead of course given he had touched them but still I smiled at his thoughtfulness.

"Thank you Newt," I smiled but I couldn't take them,

"Come on, there for you," he smiled sitting down with me and trying to get me to take them,"

"You know what will happen..."

"I know, I like watching you do it," He chuckled,

I nodded and took the dead flowers and of course the second they were in my hands the dead flowers burnt up in a puff of smoke, and they were gone, my hands empty. I felt so sad, even if they were dead I still wanted to hold the flowers Newt had taken the time to pick for me, but nothing but ash, I whined a little and dusted off my hands.

"I know it makes you sad, but I think it's cute our little flowers. Poof. All gone and now it's just our little memory together,"

"I guess so. I just... I'm sorry newt."

"It's okay, I wouldn't pick you flowers if I didn't know you were going to burn them, I am sorry they didn't have more life,"

"It's okay, I wouldn't want living flowers I know then you hadn't touched them."

"You're so sweet," he cooed, "Do you think... I could get a little cuddle?"

"I don't know newt..."

"Just a small one? tiny? seconds? just a teeny tiny cuddle with my beloved girlfriend? Please my little inferno?" he begs, opening his arms and pouting,

"I'm sorry newt, I just don't want to hurt you,"

"You won't hurt me, you're wearing all your leather clothes it's okay, even for a moment please Y/n."

"A cuddle... would be nice,"

"See you know you want to," He cooed, "Come on my little inferno,"

I was nervous but I knew we hadn't had a real hug or cuddle in a month now so I happily wrapped my sleeves over my hands and wrapped my arms around his chest, he hugged me back wrapping his arms as close to me as he could before actually touching me,

"Ummmm I missed you so much,"

"I missed you too," I cooed, "You sure it's not too hot!?"

"Just a little longer," He cooed,

"what if I-" I began

"shh shh shh," He said, "just let me hold you just a little longer," He begged,

"Newt we can't!" I began to panic knowing I was starting to singe his clothes, "Newt!" I yelled pushing him away but I put my bare hands on his chest I hadn't noticed his hoodie had fallen slightly off his shoulder meaning my hands met his open skin,

"AAaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" He screamed out,

"NEWT!" I screamed moving my hand away,

He was red in the face, gasping for breath, clutching his burnt skin, tears in his eyes from the pain, his whole shoulder and peck were red, burnt and already clearly painful just from my touch, "Y/n..."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry." I began to cry,

"No, no it's okay, it's okay" He tried to reassure reaching his hand out even though his pain,

"Don't touch me!" I screamed, my hands trembling tears streaming down my face, "I'm so sorry newt..."

"It's okay, it's okay Y/n I know you didn't mean to... it's okay just calm down my little inferno." He tried to soothe me,

"I shouldn't be here... it's not safe for you... for anyone..." I gasped, "I'm so sorry," I turned and began to run towards the doors set to close in a few moments,

"No! Y/n! Y/n come back!" He begged, "Gally! Alby somebody!" He called out to them to get them to stop me given he was in too much pain to chase after me, Both boys tried to come closer but I held my hands out to them forcing them to stay away as I backed myself into the maze just as the doors began to close, "No! No please, Y/n!" Newt screamed out for me but I let the doors snap shut.

I found myself in a corner surrounded by the maze walls I pulled my legs to my chest and cried my eyes out, I had hurt Newt so much, that he could even die from such burns... I am a horrible person. A horrible girlfriend, he deserves so much better than me. I'm dangerous to everyone in the glade, especially Newt. I kept muttering apologises to him hoping somehow that would make up for what I did. The darkness only grew and my tears only continued until I heard the sound, I was so used to it but hearing it behind stone walls was different, now I knew... I was with them.

And it took merely a few hours before I saw one a griever. I screamed and ran as fast as I could hiding at any chance I got but still it stalked me. I knew I couldn't outrun it all night... but I stopped for a second to catch my breath beside some ivy and the meer touch out my ankle set the ivy alight, and it was then I had an idea. I lit up all the ivy I could find forcing the griever into a specific area right by the doors. It snarled and screeched at me but I was read, I tossed my jacket by the doors and rolled up my sleeves and jeans before I stared it down.

"Come on... come here... let's light this shit up you little fucker." I glared before I ran at it and grabbed its sticky flesh as soon as I did it screamed and writhed to get away from me but I made sure it couldn't watching its flesh burn and boil from my meer touch until the whole thing caught fire and dropped dead into a mess of burned flesh by the doors.

I waited by the doors till morning and as soon as they opened I saw his face, Newt. He had been sitting by the doors all night, crying, his wounds bandaged but clearly still causing him pain. I teared up as I saw him to think he sat and waited for me all night even after what I did to him.

"Ohh Y/n," He cooed falling into my arms and hugging me tight,

"Ohh Newt" I cooed, "I'm so sorry-"

"You have nothing to be sorry for I was dumb, I love you so much," he said pulling back before something bad happened again, he gave me a million tiny short kisses over anywhere he could,

"Newt, it's okay. I'm so sorry I shouldn't have run off, and I shouldn't have hurt you."

"It's okay... I- I thought I'd lost you forever," he choked, "I'm so happy you okay,"

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, I don't really care about me right now," he cooed,

"She- Holy shuck!" Minho gasped,

As the boys all came to see what I did last night and Newt looked too,

"Oh my- you killed a griever! How!" He asked,

"They don't like fire. I learned," I nodded,

"You clever little thing, my sweet little inferno," he cooed giving me another quick kiss.

"Newt you're going to hurt yourself,"

"I don't care. I'll be hurt," he said,

"Y/n." Alby glared,

"Ohh noo." I gulped,

He silently ordered us to follow so Newt and I did heading into the woods till we reached the runner's hut where Minho was waiting,

"Alby I know I shouldn't have-" I began,

"The harm to Newt was an accident, I know that Y/n. Yes, you are in big trouble for running and spending a night in the maze... however... given your skills with the griever... I'll let it slide,"

"Then what?" Newt asked,

"... When George and I first came up supplies were different, they've changed a lot in our time here, those first few months we got some of these... in our foolishness, we wasted most of them." He said

Minho put a small vile on the table of a blue liquid, Newt took it and wiped the dust away,

"WCKD... thats on all our supplies," Newt said, "Giver... what's giver mean?"

"It means... it gives you someone elses... 'thing'" Minho said,

"What!" I gasped, "Why did you never-"

"Cause we wasted them!" Alby snapped, "And that was dumb. We wasted most of them in the early days, trying to fix things. We only have one left. We made the decision no one was to have it. If everyone can't then no one should" he explained, "If administered, it gives you the thing of whomever gives it to you."

"So if I was to give it to Newt." I asked,

"He'd get your heat." Minho nodded,

"Issue is... it doesn't remove that you already have, just spreads it. if you gave it to newt you would still be heated and newt would still kill any plant he touches. It's why we wasted them... trying to find ways to get them to work, some things are stronger than others." Alby explained,

"But?" I asked,

"But... this is different, Y/n... your thing makes your life so much harder than everyone else, for god sake you can't even touch anyone and thats no life for you," He said,

"So what then? we just give her this and hope it works?" Newt asked,

"We have figured out our best bet." Minho said, "Luke has agreed to give it to Y/n,"

"Luke? But he's like the opposite of me, cold all the time, freezes everything he touche-"

"Yeah. We can hope it'll balance you out and make things livable to have both," Alby said,

"And if it doesn't what if I'm worse... cold one side, hot the other what if it doesn't react well or my heat just melts the cold or something else!"

"I don't know," Alby sighed,

"...What about me?" Newt asked,

"What?" I asked,

"Luke can give me his cold, it wouldn't be much but... it wouldn't affect my own thing. And then... I'd be cold, you'd be hot we'd balance each other, we could touch, kiss maybe, we could help each other you heat stuff for me I cool it for you." Newt explained,

"Would that work?" I asked,

"No idea... it is... possible," Minho nodded,

"Newt you-"

"I want to. I want to do this. for us. So I can hold you. I can kiss you. make your life bearable even if it makes my own worse... I don't care. I want to do this. for you my little inferno,"

"Oh Newt," I cooed almost crying,

"Are you sure? cause there is no going back." Alby asked,

"I've never been more sure of anything," Newt nodded,

I sat in the medjacks with my leather mat on the chair watching Newt as he rested, the burn on his shoulder still gives me chills. He had been given the vile from Luke and ever since in the brief moment I touched him, he felt even colder than I had ever known. He was resting it off now I can't imagine this was easy for him, but slowly his eyes fluttered open,

"Hi Y/n," he cooed playing with my hair,

"Hi Newt," I smiled, "How do you feel?"

"Cold... very cold but I guess that's good," he nodded, "Please... can we see if it worked," He offered his hand,

I was nervous but I nodded and pulled back my sleeve slowly slipping my hand against his own, his hand was cold so much so I could feel him cooling me, but he didn't pull back he just smiled,

"We do counteract each other."

"We do, hot and cold," I giggled,

"Hot and cold," He chuckled, "Come here," he cooed pulling me to kiss him, I happily did resting my hand against his face, and he rested his own against my neck brushing away my hair as we shared kiss after kiss, my heat no worry to him, his cold no worry to me. A perfect balance between us. Until we pulled away at last both of us crying tears of joy, "Ohh I got you something," I smiled grabbing the leather sheets from the side,

"What?" he asked, sitting up more,

I handed them over and he folded them back to reveal the small flower,

"How did you?"

"Folded it in the leather, so I didn't really touch it,"

"You are so sweet," he smiled, "But.. I'll still kill it won't I?" He said sadly,

"You might, but... maybe you might freeze it first," I suggested, "Try,"

He nodded and he picked up the flower of course in his hand it began to die but before the flower could wilt it froze up, half dried, half dead, frozen in time. "I- I can hold a flower," He smiled, "A real flower." He cooed tearing up, but he took my hand and we held the flower together the cold caused my heat not to affect the poor little flower and for just a few moments before my heat burnt it up we both held a flower. Together. and as soon as it was gone We both simply fell into each other's arms,

"I love you so much my little inferno,"

"I love you too my little ice box plantkiller," I chuckled,

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scarletsaphire · 11 months

Note

OH OH GRAY GHOST AND 26??

The chilly late autumn air bit through Valerie's coat, the wind whipping around her hat's tassels. It was about as late into apple picking season as they could physically go. Neither her or Danny were interested in being crowded around by other people on the same apple picking tour.

Their plan had worked. The only other soul possibly on the entire orchard were the farmers who ran that place, who were tucked into the barn converted to a bakery and shop front. If anyone was out here in the 35 degree weather (25 with wind chill), wandering around the orchard with nothing but their coat and a basket to store the handful of apples still left on the trees, Valerie would call them crazy. Unfortunately for Valerie, she was the only one here, which made her the crazy one.

Danny was fine, of course. His coat was thin, much more of a jacket than a coat, more suited to warm spring days and early fall, not a few weeks out from winter. Even that jacket was more for show than anything; he'd told her as much when he'd thrown it into the back seat of their car.

"I think I see one up there," Danny said, knocking Valerie out of her though and forcing her to emerge from her hunched up warmth saving position. "Near the top. Do you see it?"

Valerie lifted one arm to shield her eyes from the sun and nodded. "Yea, I think I do. It looks like a good one."

Danny grinned at her. "Help me get it?"

"And how, exactly, do you want me to do that?" Valerie asked. She'd normally put her hands on her hips and cock her brow at him, but that would require her to lose even more warmth, and that wasn't happening.

"Let me climb on your shoulders."

Valerie took a deep breath, the cold air burning her nose. "How would that help?"

"Well, I'm certainly not tall enough to reach it, and I don't think you'd be able to either," Danny said. "But with our powers combined..."

Valerie sighed and smiled, but crouched to the ground. "All aboard."

Danny fist pumped the air before hurrying over to Valerie and sitting on her shoulders, her head between his legs. She grabbed his ankles to provide a bit more stability, and straightened to her full height. It was no problem; she was strong, and Danny was very light.

"Onward trusty steed!" Danny said.

"I can and will drop you," Valerie said.

"Onward, my darling girlfriend who I love so very much?" Danny amended.

"That's better."

Valerie walked forwards towards the tree, her eyes turned to the sky. She wanted to avoid hitting Danny with any branches that might hurt too much, and needed to line him up with the apple so he could grab it. It was pretty high in the tree. Just a couple more feet and...

What she thought was the ground rolled out from under her feet. If she'd just been standing, she would've been able to catch her balance, but with the extra weight of Danny on her shoulders, they both went careening backwards.

Just before they were about to hit the ground, Danny caught them, keeping Valerie's head and his own body hovering barely an inch off of the ground. He lowered them both that last inch.

Valerie let out the breath she ended up holding, and turned herself around to look at Danny. "That could've been really bad," Valerie said.

"Yea," Danny said, sounding equally breathless. "It's a good thing I can fly."

"Yea," Valerie said. Then she paused. "Danny."

"Hm?" he said.

"You can fly. We can both fly," she said, letting her hoverboard materialize for just a second to prove her point.

"Yeah, I've figured that out by now," Danny said. "What's your point?"

"Why didn't we just fly to get the apple?"

Danny inhaled sharply, looking up at the apple and then back down at Valerie, who was basically laying in his lap. He started laughing, and Valerie followed suit, both of them devolving into giggling messes. "We are so dumb."

"It's ok, I still love you," Valerie said, moving up and pulling Danny into a kiss. It was awkward, with them still laughing, and quick, but she wanted to kiss him, and that's what mattered.

"I love you too," he said.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get off the ground. It's fucking freezing." Valerie stood up, and Danny laughed harder.

#danny phantom #danny phantom fanfiction #danny fenton #ask game #valerie gray #gray ghost

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wenclairfamily · 4 months

Text

Wednesday/Enid Fanfiction Story - "Chapter Zero"

Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair. They were a duo that shouldn't have worked... but they did... and somehow their relationship resulted in marriage. Now, Wednesday and Enid work at their old school: Nevermore Academy as teachers, raising up an entire new generation; including their own twin seventeen year old daughters: Harmony and Ana. Harmony, despite not behaving like a typical woman of the Addams name: carries both of her mother's special abilities, while Ana has always been a very different story.

However today, about a week before all of our teenage characters turn eighteen (and exactly two weeks before Harmony and Megan's planned wedding date), we explore what happens when Harmony and Megan spend a day apart from one another... as Megan decides to spend a day with her soon to be sister in law: Ana; as she learns more about the history of the family she will soon be marrying into...

"Chapter Zero"

Written by "DrDroom2006", With: "Fun But Shy Girl"

Ana Addams swung a katana sword as she yelled, "AND TAKE THAT! Try to eat us now, you freaky thing..." Ana's cat growled angry as his master used her sword to cut the last vines of a large mutant Venus flytrap that she and her sister's fiance: Megan encountered in an abandoned cave not too far from Nevermore Academy. Once the battle was over, Ana and Megan took a break in the forest and began to eat some sandwiches together. As Ana fed part of her sandwich to her cat (who was sitting on her shoulder), she saw that Megan was still trembling. A curious Ana then asked, "What is it?" As Megan was shaking a bit she said, "It's nothing, but... how can you be so calm and cool right now? Look at me... LOOK AT US! We barely made it out of that cave!" Then Ana casually remarked, "Well... yeah our clothes got a little ragged..." Megan took a deep breath, and then said, "I should have accepted Harmony's invitation to go wedding dress shopping with her. But no! I wanted to spend some one on one time with my soon to be sister in law, and see if all these crazy things you claim happen on all your crazy adventures actually do happen! Ugggh." Ana laughed, and then said, "It wasn't that bad. Right Stormageddon the Conqueror?" Ana's cat meowed in agreement.

Megan then glared at Ana as she said, "Oh, no? See this hole in the back of my shorts? I was nearly trapped by a spider or whatever that thing was on the wall." Ana took another bite of her sandwich, as she said, "Come on. You're talking like that mission was actually scary. That was nothing compared to the spooky cavern me and Gerard explored while treasure hunting last Sunday." A confused looking Megan then asked, "Who's Gerard?" Ana's face turned red, and suddenly Ana panicked as she yelled, "I don't have a boyfriend!" Megan now looked more confused as she said, "I didn't say you did." Ana quickly composed herself, cleared her throat, and then said, "Um... the point is... that spider you encountered was a sand spider... and... it was your fault it attacked you." A frustrated Megan quickly said, "EXCUSE ME?"

Ana casually continued to eat her lunch as she said, "Megan, I told you to keep away from the walls. They feel when you're against the sides of the room, pull you in, sting you with their venom, and then they eat you later." Megan groaned, and then said, "FANTASTIC! And what about that darn plant that got me? Look at the burns on my arms and legs! THAT THING ATE ME!" Ana held out her hands as she said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. First of all, I told you to wait for me; and second of all: those are barely first degree burns; and third of all, for a Venus flytrap to digest you - it would take about eighteen hours... or maybe less is she's hungry; and fourth of all, you should know better than to wear some wannabe Lara Croft costume instead of real explorer clothes while going on adventures like this."

Megan groaned once more as she said, "Uggh! I could have been getting dressed and undressed with my girlfriend in a sexy dressing room scenario all day! Or at the very least, I could have helped Harmony finally pick out our wedding song today instead of being here." An excited Ana then said, "I'm telling you, doing a Lady Gaga song for your wedding would be perfect. You and Harmony could even sing to it. Bad Romance would be a perfect wedding song for you two!" Megan glared at Ana as she said, "I am not having the first thing played after I marry your sister be a song that literally says: caught in a bad romance. Uggh. Can you at least explain to me why we came to this horrible place today?" Ana then held out a plastic bag holding a small mutant Venus flytrap as she said, "For this! It's the offspring of that giant mutant plant we just fought." Megan's eyes widened with anger as she said, "Are you crazy!?" Ana then protested, "Hey. I wanted my own mutant Venus fly trap." Then a frustrated Megan asked, "Why would you want a freak monster like that?"

Ana's eyes opened wide as she said, "Didn't Harmony tell you?" Now it was Megan who opened her eyes wide while she said, "Tell me what?" As Ana's cat began to sit comfortably on Ana's arm, a smiling Ana said, "My family has an affinity for having a giant pet Venus flytrap. My grandma had one, as did my mother when she was a student at Nevermore. Although she eventually had to take her plant off school grounds, as her little pet mutant Venus Fly Trap had an affinity for trying to eat many innocent students... except that one girl that totally deserved to be completely eaten, but sadly wasn't." Megan sat back on the grass looking intently at Ana while saying, "Hold on. Your mother having some mutant plant... that was never covered in the Netflix show based on her life." Ana smirked as she said, "It happened very shortly before she and my mom hooked up. In fact... you know what... sit back Megan, and let me tell you a not so well known little story about Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair that happened long ago..."

***

Nineteen Years Ago:

Wednesday was on her side of her dorm room at Nevermore Academy, her mind absorbed in another of the mysterious books available in the secret library. She turned around when her roommate Enid entered the room.

-Howdy roomy-goomy! Have you heard!?

-I heard you since you were in the hall two floors below. You're everything but subtle when you walk.

The blonde girl sat on her bed and smiled.

-Well I have something I wanted to share with you.

-I dislike candy and no, the fact that there's fried chicken for dinner tonight will not encourage me to go down to eat in a social setting. Anything else?

-Not that, gloomy-roomy.

Without raising her head from the book she replied.

-Then what is it?

-There's a new girl at school. She's in my biology class and...

-Is she going to be dissected?

-Ye... NO! WENS!

- *sigh* Enid, new students come to Nevermore on a regular basis. Considering I avoid conversing with most individuals at this institution simple means to me that there is yet one more face to avoid eye contact with.

-But her name is Dana and she's so cute, and she even gave me a cupcake.

Wednesday sighed again and decided to not continue with the conversation.

***

Meanwhile in the garden, a brown haired girl named Dana was looking around.

-I need to move carefully... the werewolf I'm looking for is here... and I need its blood...

A few minutes later, as she was walking to a table to eat lunch, Enid saw Dana sitting alone at one of the farthest tables.

-Hey! Why are you so alone? - Enid asked

Dana girl glared at Enid... but then quickly put on a smile.

-Oh it's you. I... just prefer it back here.

Enid placed her tray on the table and proceeded to sit down as she began to realize that Dana had nothing to eat in front of her, and was only drinking from a weird flask she was carrying.

-Uh... aren't you going to eat?

-Huh? No, I'm fine, thank you. - she replied.

Enid was about to speak when a boy passing by hit her with his tray.

-WOULD YOU BE CAREFUL!?

Dana opened her eyes wide as she saw claws momentarily coming out of Enid's fingers.

-You gotta be kidding me...

-Huh?

-Nothing, nothing...

After that, they talked about their respective classes until Enid got up.

-I'm going to class. Look for me if you need anything.

As she turned, a smile appeared on Dana's face..

-Oh I do need something from you...

From that moment on Dana began to follow Enid, trying to find a moment where she would be alone. Yet, said moment had not come. Meanwhile Enid shared with Wednesday what she had seen of her newfound friend.

-It's weird you know. I never see her eat... just that weird flask of hers and that's that... - she said from her bed.

-Never?

-No, no matter what they cook in the cafeteria, she never eats a crumb. I even tried to share my chocolate pudding with her, but nope; she didn't want a bit...

-Enid, I advise you to stay away from her.

Enid's eyes opened wide.

-WHAT?

-There's something odd about her.

Enid got up and walked over to Wednesday wrapping her arms around her neck.

-Someone is jealous...

Upset, Wednesday got up from her chair and released herself from the blonde girl (while attempting to avoid having Enid realize she was blushing).

-I... I have to go retrieve a book in the underground library. Have you fed Ptolemy II? She needs to eat two times a week and you insisted on taking care of her.

Enid gasped.

-I'm so so sorry! I'll go right now...

***

Dana was walking in the hallways, still upset for not getting a chance to get Enid all alone... that is until she saw her walk inside the school's plant nursery.

-Well... well... what are you going in there for at this hour...

Making sure Enid didn't notice, Dana walked in after her; yet Enid wasn't going to the area she knew of, but a room far in the back.

-Huh... this is interesting...

Dana kept following Enid and entered the door. To her surprise, Enid wasn't there. Al she could see was what seemed to be a tree or a large plant of sorts. Hearing a sound, she touched the plant's stem. She looked up when she felt the plant shiver and move.

-W... wha... no no no no... you have to be kidding me... LET... ME... GOOO!

Moments later, Enid came back from another room carrying a bag with bones and pieces of meat.

-OK Ptolemy, here's... Wait. Why is this shoe here?

Her eyes opened wide as she looked up.

-No no no no no no no no! This is bad bad bad... WEDNESDAAAAY!

Enid ran as fast as she could until she reached her dorm room, and to her dismay: Wednesday was not there. Desperate she ran down only to crash against her roommate who was making her back from the secret library.

-Oww...

Wednesday got up and glared at her with her typical deadpan expression.

-Enid, do you have an explanation for this painful disruption?

Suddenly Enid realized why she was in such a hurry.

-COME WITH ME!

-ENID! - Wednesday yelled as she felt herself pulled away by her roommate.

Moments later, Wednesday glared at the scene in the back room of the nursery garden as a huge Venus flytrap stood... with a leg dangling out from it.

-Enid, you actually fed a student to Ptolemy II? Hmm... well, if it was Gregory from biology class; I can understand your desire to remove him, as his constant desire to interrupt classes with references to Games of Thrones was becoming extremely annoying.

-Yea... NO! That's Dana! I found her like this! Tell your plant to give her back!

Wednesday reluctantly sighed and then stepped towards her plant.

-Give her back Ptolemy II! You know the taste of felons on the run tastes much more sweeter than students.

The plant scoffed, unwilling to give back the meal it captured.

-NOW Ptolemy II! Or I will take away all beef from your daily meals!

Slowly the Venus flytrap moved it's form around, and soon Dana fell to the floor with a thud. The teenager gasped and began to take deep breathes until she could talk again.

-WHY IN THE BLUE HELL DO YOU HAVE A THING LIKE THIS HERE!?

Wednesday glared at Dana and began to speak to her (while Enid cleaned the digestive fluids off her face with a towel).

-Why were you here? Only Enid and I are allowed in this part of the nursery garden.

-I got lost... and this THING saw fit to have me for lunch...

-Well... the best lessons are learned when one comes close to death. But now you should know to never come back here again.

Upset, Dana got up and threw the towel back at Enid.

-I don't plan to. Ugh... I need a freaking shower... and my shoe thank you very much.

Dana quickly left the room, while Wednesday glared at Enid.

-Feed her correctly. I have pressing matters to tend to.

-Okay Wednesday. Thank you though for saving Dana. I know I can always count on you.

Enid then leaned in briefly hugging Wednesday. Wednesday looked uncomfortable as she tried to slowly speak to Enid.

-Enid...

-Don't deny you like this Wednesday. I know you secretly do it for one minute every night you think I'm sound asleep.

Wednesday's face began to brush bright red as she stepped away from Enid... and then walked away looking humiliated.

***

Later that evening, Wednesday glared at Enid who was sleeping on her bed. As Enid slept very soundly in the bed, she began to mutter in sleep.

-Mmm. Never stop hugging me roomy.

-Wednesday sighed, and then made her way to the balcony while wearing a black coat. There, she glared at the stars. Then she turned her heard as she saw the living hand: Thing jumping beside her. The hand tapped on the wooden surface of the balcony.

-Yes, I'm worried.

The hand tapped again.

-No, not about that. It wouldn't be the first time Nevermore loses a student in such a gruesome manner.

Once more the living hand tapped.

-Yes, about her. Something is odd. She was following Enid for some reason and...

-WENS! PLEASE DON'T STOP HUGGING ME!

Wednesday turned her head and saw back in the bedroom: Enid (while still sleeping) was reaching out her arms and talking in her sleep.

Thing then made a lot of quick tapping sounds with his fingers. Wednesday then made an angry glare at Thing as she spoke.

-Let anyone else in existence know that Enid and I have an... arrangement with how we sleep, and you'll loose a full finger. Understood?"

The living hand paused for a moment... and then tapped in agreement. Wednesday looked slightly relieved, but continued to glare at Thing as she spoke.

-Now then... starting tomorrow I want you to keep an eye on Enid. Don't leave her side... especially when her new friend is around.

Thing then made a few slow and sly taps. Wednesday then made a much more angry glare.

-No, I am not jealous!

-WENS! - Enid called out in her sleep once more.

Wednesday closed her eyes and began to make her way back into the room unbuttoning her coat as she spoke to herself.

-Contain yourself Enid... I'm here.

***

The following morning Enid was finishing getting ready to start her day. Enid then turned her head and made a happy smile as she saw Wednesday was laying completely peaceful in bed. Thing then entered the room from an outside window as Enid glanced at the living hand.

-Thing, will you wake her up in half an hour? Wednesday usually never sleeps in, and I want her to enjoy herself... and I know she always feels more comfortable waking up alone, because if she wakes up seeing me next to her, then she has to acknowledge what we do in bed every night now.

The hand tapped in agreement. Enid smiled.

-Thanks Thing. You're the best.

A smiling Enid then happily skipped out of the room

Exactly half an hour later, Thing crawled onto the bed and tapped on Wednesday's back. Wednesday looked confused as she slowly woke up.

-W... what?

Wednesday sat up as she realized she was alone in the room and glared at Thing severely.

-I ordered you to keep an eye on Enid; so why are you here?

The hand tapped on the night table.

-Get to Enid at once Thing. I need to change and get to class.

***

Meanwhile Enid walked to class with Dana beside her.

-So... I hear the forest is a very cool place - Dana casually said.

-Huh? Yeah, why?

-Well... could you to show it to me?

-Uh, sure... after...

-NOW! - Dana said pulling her arm

Enid was having a lot of trouble keeping up with Dana as she pulled her inside the forest.

-Stop a little Dana!

-But I love this! Here we're safe, it's intimate... and no one can see us...

It was not until Enid tripped and hurt her knee that Dana finally stopped.

-Owww...

Dana was quick to kneel and check the injury. Passing her finger over Enid's cut, Dana took a couple of drops of blood that she quickly put in her tongue.

-Oh wow... warm... velvety... incredible...

Enid's eyes opened wide. Now it all made sense, the flask, her not eating...

-You... you're a vampire... but how... the daylight... you're not wearing sunglasses or...

Dana smiled.

-Oh I'm a vampire, yes... but not your usual kind. I'm a day-walker... stronger, faster... and about to become even more powerful...

-Wait... you want...

-I want... you... to look me in the eyes...

-Why would I...

-Shhh...

Dana said placing her finger on Enid's lips... then she pushed her down on the grass and kissed her passionately before speaking again.

-So beautiful and innocent... perhaps... I can have a good time before lunch...

Dana unbuttoned Enid's blouse and passed her tongue on her neck. Afterwards she went back to her knee where she licked the last drop of blood from her injury; while at the same time passing her hands on her leg, and then returned to Enid's lips.

-Don't worry Enid... I will always remember this good time... but now... I need your blood...

Two fangs appeared on the sides of Dana's mouth as she prepared to bite the blonde girl on the neck. Enid whimpered as she felt the fangs penetrating her neck, while at the same time Dana caressed her leg pulling up her skirt more and more while she did. To a casual observer it would be two girls loving each other, but in reality, something more sinister was happening.

***

At the same time a desperate Wednesday ran out of Nevermore Academy as she was told by at least two other students that they saw Enid being taken to the forest by Dana. As she ran, Wednesday whispered to herself...

-I told you to keep away from her... why don't you ever listen to me...

But as she arrived to the farthest part of the forest: her horror knew no limits, and her blood began to boil as she saw Enid laying there. Her eyes almost closed, her skirt still pulled up, and her blouse wide open. But what scared Wednesday the most were the two small holes in Enid's neck and the blood stain on her blouse. Wednesday suddenly looked incredibly scared as she ran towards Enid.

-ENID! Please don't be dead... please don't be dead..

As she got to her, Wednesday noticed that Enid was barely breathing and her pulse was literally non-existent. However Enid was able to open her eyes and look at Wednesday.

-W.. We... ns...

-Shh... don't talk.

-I... I'm... s... so... sorry...

-I said don't talk. Do as I tell you for once.

***

Later that afternoon Eugene went to check on his apiary and his surprise knew no limits when he found Wednesday tending to Enid inside the shack.

-WHAT HAPPENED?

Wednesday turned around and with a deadpan expression spoke.

-Don't ask stupid questions and go to my room, find a black suitcase under my bed and bring it here. DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE.

Scared, the boy ran out of the shack while Wednesday continued to feed Enid with a mix of honey and some herbs. Five minutes later Eugene returned with the suitcase. Wednesday was fast to open it and began setting up what seemed to be chemistry equipment.

-Fetch me a glass of honey from the hive where the most ancient queen bee is. NOW!

Eugene nodded and ran out while Wednesday began to mix herbs and liquids of different colors.

-I know who you are... but now I need to save Enid... then... I'll have my vengeance...

-Here. - Eugene said handing her a glass.

-Good. Now leave us alone.

Wednesday applied a mixture she had previously prepared to the honey and it turned into some sort of tea that she quickly made Enid drink. Soon, Enid spoke.

-W... what...

-Just drink it, and stop talking.

Enid fell into a deep sleep moments after and Wednesday sat on a nearby chair, deep in her thoughts. Without realizing it she fell asleep as well. She eventually awakened with Enid's face just a couple of millimeters form her own.

-Wakie roomy-gloomy!

Wednesday's eyes immediately widened... but she remained perfectly still as she spoke to Enid.

-You shouldn't be up. You still have a lot of recovery left.

-I do feel tired, but I feel better now...

-You need rest. What I gave you accelerated the process for you to regenerate the blood you lost.

-Shouldn't we go back to the school? - Enid asked

-Not until you're completely recovered. There's another glass of tea on the table. You'll do well to drink it all NOW. - Wednesday commanded.

And it was then when Enid tried to take another step that she felt lightheaded and Wednesday had to catch her before she hit the floor.

-Go back and rest, come on.

Moments later Enid was sound asleep again, Wednesday started to wonder why Eugene had not come back with more honey as she needed to make more of her beverage for Enid. Yet as she walked out she felt something heavy impact her head and darkness engulfed her.

***

Wednesday didn't know how much time has passed. As she woke up, she was now laying where Enid previously was. She felt something warm on her forehead. Wednesday also saw Eugene laying on the floor, as he too was starting to get up.

-EUGENE! WHERE IS ENID!?

-I... I don't know... I was on my way back and then... I was here and you were on the ground with blood on your head...

A bit dizzy, Wednesday walked towards him.

-DID YOU HIT ME?

-I... I... don't know... you were on the ground... I had a piece of wood in my hand... I...

-I have to go get Enid... I'll deal with you later.

Meanwhile, Dana was in a cave. Enid laid on a makeshift stone table, her blouse once again wide open.

-I'll have to thank your little girlfriend for keeping you alive. I will not only get some more of your sweet little blood but also what I really need... your heart.

Enid tried to move but her arms and legs were tied to rocks that were nearby, and her mouth was gagged with a piece of her blouse. Dana then walked towards Enid with a big smile as she spoke.

-You see little Enid... after our... time together... I discovered that it was not only your blood what I needed... but also your heart. I was afraid you would be dead before I could get back. Fortunately for me: your stupid girlfriend kept you warm and alive for me...

Enid opened her eyes wide as she saw the knife Dana had in her hand and shivered as she felt the blade passing on her chest until it went under her bra cleanly, cutting in the middle. Dana passed her hand on Enid's chest, pushing the right side of her bra away.

-Mmm. Sexy, huh? But I'm afraid... there's no time for that now. I need to be quick before...

-BEFORE WHAT... CLAUDIA!?

Dana's eyes opened wide as she saw Wednesday standing at the cave opening.

-You... how could you...

Wednesday walked towards Dana with confidence and anger as she spoke.

-I had the feeling you were not what you seemed to be... you're the daughter of Louis de Pointe du Lac... are you not?

Growling, Dana glared at her.

-You know not what you're talking about you little...

-I know the legends quite well. The daughter of Louis de Pointe du Lac was girl named Claudia, who was turned into a vampire when she was eleven... hundreds of years ago. You were supposed to have died when the high council of vampires found you guilty of treason and sentenced you to be burned by the sun...

-Errr. I knew more than they thought back then! They thought it so simple to throw me there to die... yet I escaped. I knew the secret to relocate, and used it in the last minute to get away and go into hiding.

-You obviously have lived quite the long life now, with multiple identities. Still... why Enid?

-Because it's the only way to end my hunger and be eternal. The mix of the blood of a werewolf and a vampire does not only give me strength but also kills my hunger for blood. But there's a caveat... I do not only need the blood. I also need her heart... the heart of a very specific werewolf... a teenage werewolf...

Wednesday was about to reply when she realized the fatal mistake she had made. She looked at Dana right in the eyes and as she talked... which allowed Dana to use her power to paralyze her.

-Guess... I'll have a little... d' œuvre with you... now lay still...

Wednesday's eyes opened wide as she felt her body obey the words of the vampire. She closed her eyes as she felt her open her blouse.

-I wonder... will you give me a good time like your friend?

Dana was about to pull Wednesday's skirt up when she heard a growling behind her. Then she turned and saw Enid on the stone slab, slowly wolfing out.

-GET... YOURRR... HANDRRRSS... OFFRRR... HEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Dana did not have time to react as Enid, now in her werewolf form, freed herself and tackled Dana off Wednesday. Both women tumbled out of the cave. Wednesday felt her body respond to her again and quickly got up. Outside, Wednesday found herself witnessing a battle between Enid and Dana; the latter having a huge slash on her face that showed a charred portion of skin under what seemed to be normal skin.

-She's not completely healed then...

Without another thought, Wednesday ran back inside the cave and retrieved the knife. Then she ran back where the fight was taking place. Enid was growling while Dana stood a couple of meters from her, her clothes torn and parts of her arms and face showing scarred tissue where Enid had torn her flesh off with her claws.

-You're going to pay for this Sinclair! I will kill you, eat your heart, and then go find your family and kill them until the very last Sinclair is gone from this forsaken world...

Suddenly Dana felt a knife go into her back. Dana then slowly turned around, and she found herself within inches of Wednesday's face; all the while feeling the metallic blade sliding into her chest.

-Dana, Claudia, or whatever you wish to be called... it's over. You can go to hell now.

Both Enid and Wednesday stood still as they watched their attacker lose her balance... and then fall off the edge of the nearby cliff... and disappear from their sight. However after a moment of silence... Wednesday looked over the edge of the cliff confusingly. A concerned Enid then spoke.

-What's wrong Wednesday?

-Nothing... it's just... I didn't hear her body hit the ground. Now, I... Errgh.

Wednesday began to wince in pain. Enid suddenly noticed Wednesday's wrist was bleeding. Enid rushed over to Wednesday with a concerned look on her face while speaking.

-Wednesday! Are you okay!?

-I am fine. I needed to coat my knife in my blood. It was the only way I could stop that monster.

-Why? Does you family's blood have mystical properties that can ward off vampires?

-What? No. I simply got an anti-vampire vaccine as a child, which was made from a rare plant in my mother's garden.

-Oh! - said Enid with surprise.

-Regardless, your new friend is either dead or very much weakened now. Any vampire that could actually survive getting a dose of my mother's anti-vampire vaccine would still find themselves needing decades to rebuild their strength. Now come Enid. Let us leave.

Wednesday and Enid then slowly walked back to Nevermore Academy, thankful the nightmare was over... but didn't notice a shadowy figure at the bottom of the cliff crawling away.

***

The next day, Wednesday was sitting in her room while working on her type writer when Enid suddenly stepped out of her closet wearing just a towel around her body. As Wednesday glanced at Enid, she looked annoyed.

-ENID. What I have told you about being nearly nude in the bedroom!?

-Oh, like you wouldn't enjoy seeing what's under the towel. - Enid jokingly said with laugh.

-Highly unlikely. I doubt your anatomy differs that much from mine.

The blonde girl walked over, and put her put her arms around her friend.

-Wanna make sure? I'm about to take a shower. You're free to share a stall with me.

Wednesday blushed as Enid made her offer. Wednesday paused for a long moment... and then answered.

-I... would prefer the solitude.

-Well... whatever you want roomie. Also... thanks again... for saving me yesterday. I'm glad neither of us got hurt. I... I don't know how I could handle life without you around Wednesday.

Wednesday began to look a bit nervous as she spoke.

-Well, I... I... would preferred not to have been forced into a situation where I would've had pack up all your belongings in the event of your death. All your brightly colored stuffed animals still cause my skin to feel quite irritated and break out into mild hives.

Enid giggled, and then responded.

-I really like you too Wens. So... you sure you still don't wanna come take a shower with me?

Wednesday paused for a long moment... and then gave her response.

-Perhaps... another time...

***

Present Day:

"AAANNDD that's what happened." - Ana said while getting a box of cupcakes out of her backpack. Megan was frozen in place for a moment as Ana began to eat a cupcake... but after several moments, Megan finally said, "Hold on. I still can't get past the part where your mom and your mother had a gigantic Venus flytrap in the school." Ana looked at Megan with a confused face as she said, "Wait. The part where some crazy vampire that may or may not still be alive almost killed my moms... that's not what you want to talk about. It's the part of the story that involves the mutant plant you want to talk about?" Megan rolled her eyes and said, "Ana, I'm a student at Nevermore Academy; and I've grown up in the town of Jericho most of my life. I've been nearly killed by zombies, sirens, lizard creatures, demons, psychopaths, and a dark alternate universe version of your mother. Some random vampire lady that may or may not still be alive doesn't really faze me anymore. But you gotta tell me... what happened to your mom and mothers' plant? It's not... hiding around the school or their house is it?"

Ana smirked for a moment, and then said, "In the end, they had to take the plant to some jungle in the amazon... mostly because federal authorities demanded the creature be deported. Apparently the creature tried to eat a couple more students, so my moms were told their plant couldn't remain on the school grounds anymore... or the country. If you ask me, it was not Ptolemy II's fault. I mean that plant didn't ask several students to turn the plant nursery into some secret love shack. The smell of sweating skin from horny teenagers makes mutant plants very hungry. They all had it coming when they got devoured." Megan suddenly looked very worried as she said, "Your new plant you just got... you're not keeping it in the house when me and your sister get... intimate, are you?" Ana giggled as she said, "Well... you two have been getting a little too loud lately, so I had to come up with some way to influence you both to be a little more quiet." Ana began laughing as a frustrated Megan said, "Come on Ana! Getting almost eaten by one of those things is horrible!" Ana continued to laugh, while her cat began to chase after a squirrel on a nearby tree.

As Ana began to pack up, she said, "We better head back home now. Mother doesn't like it when I spend too much time near these caves without her." Ana suddenly heard Wednesday's voice say, "No, I don't." Ana and Megan both turned their heads, and saw walking towards them were Wednesday, Enid, and Harmony. Megan looked much more happy now as she said, "Hey Harmony!" Megan ran over to Harmony and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. A curious Megan then asked, "What are you all doing here?" Harmony then simply said, "Well, you both had been gone for awhile, and mother was getting worried. So we all decided to do a little jog here in our new running shoes I got while shopping today." A super excited Enid then said, "And the best part of all is... I got your mother to finally wear something pink." Everyone then noticed Wednesday's running shoes were black and pink. Wednesday rolled her eyes as she said, "Your mom was very... persuasive." Enid made a big grin as she said, "If you only knew how easy it was to convince her when I started getting extra frisky as I wolfed out in bed with her." Harmony and Ana both began to look disgusted, as Harmony yelled, "Too much information moms! We've talked about this!"

An excited Enid giggled, and then said, "Anyway, how about we run back home together and eat something? I can prepare some cake and..." Suddenly everything was disrupted when Ana's cat jumped on Ana's shoulder and made a loud meowing noise. A wide eyed and intrigued Ana then said, "Hold on! Stormageddon the Conqueror, are you saying the Society of Secret Squirrels just told you that the Racoon Mafia is supplying dangerous weapons to the Kangaroo Cartel's hidden hideout?" Ana's cat simply nodded his head and said, "Rowr." Ana then suddenly took out a sword as she excitedly said, "Gerard said he was gonna go investigate the same thing the other day. Ooo. Maybe I'll run into him there." A curious looking Harmony then asked, "Who's Gerard?" Ana instantly blushed bright red as she yelled, "He's not my boyfriend!" Everyone looked at Ana with a confused face, as a nervous Ana said, "I mean... uh... Lets go everyone and stop some evil raccoons!"

Ana then ran through the forest with her sword out, while her cat quickly ran behind her on the ground. Harmony then glanced at Megan as she said, "Wanna go help her out?" Megan groaned for a moment as she said, "Ugggh. I almost died going on one mission with your sister today. But... I suppose... I should get used to helping Ana out... since she's soon gonna be family to me." Harmony and Megan then ran off as they started to follow Ana. Meanwhile Enid looked at Wednesday as she said, "Look at them Wednesday. Off having crazy adventures fighting all kinds of crazy creatures like we did at their age. Hmmm... wanna give our kids some back up?" Wednesday looked into Enid's eyes as she reluctantly said, "Apparently... I have no choice." Enid grinned as both she and Wednesday ran after their kids. Then all five women (and their cat) excitedly ran off to their next adventure together.

THE END

...

...or maybe not...

EPILOGUE:

In a dark place: Wednesday and a dark figure in a dark cloak were in the midst of a sword fight, as several swings and clashes were made. However at one point, the two found their strength evenly matched as they pushed their swords up against one another. Then the dark figure moved one of their feet and kicked Wednesday to the ground. As Wednesday looked up at the dark figure, a voice from the figure under the cloak said, "How does it feel Wednesday Addams... to finally be completely defeated by the last person you ever expected to overpower you!?" Wednesday then glared at the figure as she said, "Who are you?" Then just as the figure began to take off the hood of their cloak... Harmony sat up in bed looking scared. Harmony looked around the room realizing she had just awakened from her sleep. Megan, who had been laying beside Harmony in bed, woke up too as she said, "Harmony, was it?" As Harmony gasped for air she said, "I... I had that dream again where my mother was in big trouble. She was fighting someone in a cloak, and just as the person took off the cloak, I... I think I saw for a split second who they were, but... it... it can't be who I saw. It can't!" A curious Megan then asked, "Who did you see?" Harmony sighed, and then said, "What I saw... could only be a dream... because it made no sense. I... I'm sorry Megan. Lets go back to sleep." Then as Megan quickly went back to sleep, Harmony laid her head on her pillow... while looking incredibly worried.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Next Week: A Family Weekend

In Two Weeks: WEDNESDAY VERSUS HELL... PART 1

*Final Picture by: @emeriart

*"Live Action" Pictures Created with AI

...

BONUS FEATURE - When I was trying to create the AI image of the five women and cat running, I first used AI to make six images of each character separate. Then I combined them together. However, below I am providing you a look at what each character originally looked like when I used AI to make them separately (along with alternate images the AI program gave me that I didn't use).

#wednesday #wednesday addams #wenclair #wednesday fanfiction #enid sinclair #addams family #wenclair fanfiction #wednesday x enid #enid x wednesday #wenclair fanart

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msanimedolphin · 1 year

Text

~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Five~

-Series Masterlist-

What happens when a girl who loves volleyball joins a boys' volleyball club? Does she find love? Will she relive her past or move forward? Join (L/N) (Y/N) on a journey with fun twists and turns.

I don't own Haikyuu or any of the characters.

-Last Time-

After it’s cleaned up you feel a tap on your shoulder. Slowly opening your eyes and moving your hands away from your ears, you look at the person.

“Suga?”

“Are you okay?” He asks worriedly

“Y-Yea, I just don’t do well with vomit.” You explain while sheepishly rubbing the back of your neck and chuckling. ‘So cute’ Suga thinks while blushing.

“HOW DARE YOU MAKE OUR ANGEL UNCOMFORTABLE!!” Tanaka scolds.

“Hinata you moron!” Kageyama yells.

“I’m so sorry (Y/N)!!” Hinata yells while bowing at a 90-degree angle. “I didn’t mean to!”

“It’s okay Hinata, you didn't know. I’m more worried about you.” You say while walking up to him. “Are you feeling okay?” You put your hand on his forehead. At this action, Hinata bursts into a blush that could rival a tomato. “You’re burning up!” You scream. “Oh boy, we need to get you some medicine! I think I have some in my bag!” As you begin frantically looking in your bag you don’t realize that you're being stared at. The cause of those stares is the three boys who aren't being fussed over. They all have a similar thought, ‘Hinata you lucky bastard’

-Friday After School-

“Move your feet more, not just your hands!” Kageyama scolds Hinata as you watch the two work on the shorter ones receiving skills. ‘This isn’t going to end well.’ you think as you see Hinata begin to daydream. Kageyama seems to notice this as well but before you can say anything the ball hits Hinata straight in the face.

“Quit daydreaming and concentrate!” Kageyama yells as you sigh and walk up to them. “Tomorrow is the 3-on-3!”

“I know that! Tomorrow we will win and be let back into the gym!” Hinata replies.

“Then you guys can finally practice with your team!” You add cheerfully. Your statement causes both to stop and look at you weirdly. “What?”

“What do you mean ‘our’ team?” Hinata asks. “They’re your team too.”

You freeze. ‘My team too…’ you think while looking down. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve been able to say something like that.’ A few seconds later you lift your head to look at the two in front of you. “Yeah, you’re right!” You say with a huge smile and tears in your eyes. Seeing the tears causes them to freak out. Hinata keeps apologizing while Kageyama yells at him, occasionally yelling ‘Boke Hinata Boke!’ You smile at them fondly. ‘My team…’

-Meanwhile in Gymnasium 2-

*Yawn*

“You two seem sleepy.” Daichi says, suddenly appearing behind them. Tensing, both Suga and Tanaka realize they’ve been caught. Quickly turning around they begin to defend themselves.

“I guess I’ve just been studying too much.” Suga explains while rubbing his neck.

“Y-Yeah me too!” Tanaka blurts out. Daichi doesn’t look the least bit convinced.

“It doesn’t sound as good coming from you!” Suga whispers to the second year beside him.

“Wha-!”

“Anyway… now that you’re here I’d like to introduce the other first years that are joining the club.”

“Nice to meet you!” Two voices call out, one being a bit more enthusiastic than the other.

-Back to You-

“Now look at what you’ve done!” Kageyama scolds.

“ME?! I told you to go easy since we’re outside!” Hinata defends.

“Hinata does have a point.” You speak up.

“Well maybe if you could receive it properly this wouldn't be a problem!” Kageyama retorts toward Hinata.

“And… I’m ignored…” You say rolling your eyes and going to get the volleyball out of the tree. Tuning out the argument you’re about to pick up a stick to hit the ball with but Kageyama beats you to it. Sighing, you follow the boys back to your places to continue the practice. Just before you are about to begin something… or someone stops you.

~To Be Continued~

#daichi x reader #sugawara x reader #haikyuu imagines #tanaka x reader #tsukishima x reader #hq x reader #haikyu x reader #kenma x reader #haikyuu!!#akaashi x reader #haikyuu x y/n #hinata x reader #tsukishima x y/n #yamaguchi x y/n #~back in the game~

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saiilorstars · 5 months

Text

ch.16: To Stand Back Up

Steve Rogers x OFC fic • squeeze your eyes for a Bucky Barnes x (2nd) OFC

taglist: @ocappreciationtag @arrthurpendragon @anotherunreadblog @maaaaarveeeeel @stareyedplanet @gloryekaterina @averyhotchner @foxesandmagic @lenonizi @kmc1989

Story Masterlist • Seren’s Masterlist• Chloe’s Masterlist

Also available on Fanfic ○ Ao3 ○ Wattpad

If you’d like to be a part of this OC’s work/edits, let me know!

The one thing that solidified Seren's trust in Tony was that he had managed to wake Chloe up in a less frantic state than the hospital had in the past. This was three days after he'd managed to take her to the Tower. Out of prudence, and a lot of guilt, Seren was not there when Chloe woke up for the first time. Neither was Steve.

Naturally, Chloe woke up very dazed and confused. And tired. My God she was so exhausted. After a few minutes of blinking, she understood that wherever she was wasn't the hospital. For one, she wasn't surrounded by a fleet of nurses anymore.

"Welcome to the land of the living, Megamind." Tony's voice made Chloe shut her eyes. She knew exactly where she was now. "You have truly earned that nickname, you know." Tony came into Chloe's peripheral view seconds later. "After the scans I've run on you, I can certify there is no one else on this damn planet with your brain."

Chloe let out a groan, though it was unclear if it was from exhaustion or annoyance. It could easily be from both. "Stark, what are you doing...?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna go Frankenstein on you..." Tony's lips were stretched into a wide smirk when Chloe finally looked his way. "You do know that was the name of the monster, right? In this case, you are—"

"Be quiet," she turned her head away from him. "This is the Tower."

"Are you asking or is that a fact?"

"Did the Hive Mind tell you that? Are they speaking to you right now?" Tony went around the bed until he was once again in Chloe's view.

"Leave me alone, Stark—"

"Tell me," Tony ordered her. "I need to know if they're speaking to you right now."

"No!"

"'No' they're not speaking to you or 'no' you don't want to tell me?"

"No, they're not speaking to me!"

"Excellent," Tony went back to smiling like nothing. "That means it's worked."

"What worked?" Chloe shot him a suspicious look.

"I've been tinkering with some things, you know me," shrugged Tony, "And now that I know the full extent of your powers, I've managed to perfect the inhibitor we've been working on."

"You...you did?" Chloe tried pushing herself into a better sitting position.

"You tell me, do you hear anything?"

"N-no, I don't..." Chloe rubbed the side of her head, wincing every now and then. "But shit still hurts."

"Yeah, those would be your injuries you sustained courtesy of your time with HYDRA and your battle with Twinkle Star."

At the mention of Seren, Chloe stopped altogether. Her memories were a bit foggy but she did remember that she'd been ordered to take on Stardust as a distraction for the Winter Soldier's benefit.

She gulped. Her eyes fell down to her hand currently wrapped up in gauze.

Seren's eyes flashed colorfully. "I love you, Chloe, but I know a lot more than you. And if I have to burn that tech out of your hand, I will."

Chloe felt the sizzle of her skin and started screaming.

"Oh my God..." She swallowed again. Her fingers stuck out from the gauze and she could flex them as she pleased but she still felt the echoes of pain on her palm.

"Third degree burn," Tony told her. Chloe's wide eyes fixated on him. "Seren's got volatile powers — you're lucky she didn't burn a hole right through your hand. The burn is deep but, with a few restoration surgeries from Dr. Cho, you should be fine. Just can't promise you won't have a few scars, though."

Chloe's shaky breath spoke volumes of the horror she felt. "I can't believe..."

"You should know that Seren feels just awful about it," Tony said, sounding tired like he'd heard that over and over. "I think she did you a favor."

"Tony, please...shut up," Chloe practically begged him.

"What, you're mad at her?"

"No!" Chloe brought a hand up to her forehead. "I deserve way worse than this! I-I should be in fucking prison or something!"

"I assume your memories are coming back now..." Tony watched Chloe lose the color in her face, the horror just biggening in her eyes.

"I should be in prison..."

"For what? For being brainwashed?"

Chloe looked up at him, brow furrowed angrily. "I nearly killed my best friend!"

"Looking back at feedback cameras, I think she had more of you than you of her."

"Tony!"

"Oh, what do you want me to say!?" Tony exclaimed. "Yes, the whole thing sucked! It was horrible but guess what? You didn't do it, Megamind. You wouldn't dream of doing things like those. HYDRA had that second piece implanted in your head and it messed with you big time. I'm trying to undo it and seeing you so guilty makes me think we're on the right path. So now we can pick up where we left off on those studies of yours. Are you going to help or not?"

Chloe let her head drop on her pillow. She began to kind of miss the fleet of nurses. At least they put her to sleep...

~ 0 ~

Seren should've known better than to expect a quiet welcome at home. Her parents were still livid about S.H.I.E.L.D. and the thought of finally having their daughter home, safe and sound, was the best news they could get. Seren had been in many tight spaces, truly tight, but never had she felt the lack of oxygen when her parents squished her in a hug.

"Let me take your suitcases up to your room," her father was quick to offer and grabbed the handle of her largest suitcase behind her.

"Dad, I can do things on my own," Seren reminded, though she had to laugh when Brooks froze for a second. "I'm not trying to be rude, I just...I'm used to doing my things on my own."

"Something you need to get out of the habit of doing," Liana pinched Seren's cheek.

"Ow," she shooed her mother's hand away from her. "Mom!" Brooks took advantage of the distraction to haul Seren's things towards the staircase. "Dad!" Seren groaned. "I've only been here for 5 minutes and you guys are already going overboard. We agreed this wasn't going to happen."

Liana dramatically sighed. "I'm just so happy that you're home! I was so happy when you called to let us know you were coming."

"Yeah, well, it came to my attention that maybe I needed a break from the city and potential missions and...Chloe…" Seren drew in a breath, the mere reminder of everything left pending in the city was enough to pull her mood down to ground.

Liana wasn't having it. "Well, we're not going to think about any of that stuff! You're finally home!" She dragged Seren to the living room, plopping down on the couch together, never letting go of Seren's hands. She was simply too eager that in the end, Seren had to laugh. She'd never seen her mother so excited about something, much less having to do with her. She'd have to thank Steve when he came by later on.

"How's it been for you guys?" Seren asked her mother after a moment. Liana smiled a certain way that told Seren there were some things to discuss but things that Liana wasn't so eager to. Seren sighed. "Mom, I'm a big girl. I can take it."

"You can take anything," Liana agreed, "Sometimes it scares me how much you can take."

"Mom...S.H.I.E.L.D.'s databases were dumped on the internet. Every secret is out, my secret is out. That means our entire family is going to know what I am...what you are…"

Liana's jaw tightened as she watched her daughter's eyes lower with shame and guilt that should not be there. "Don't say it like that, honey. It's not your fault. It is literally not your fault. It's my fault, it's your father's, your grandmother's, for letting you get caught up in that world."

"No, Mom, because one way or another I would've ended up working for S.H.I.E.L.D. I have no doubt about that. But now this is how things are and now everybody knows." Seren paused for a moment when her father's steps started getting closer. "We've all been compromised. I can take care of myself but I know how things are around here. The family...once they find out…"

"They better watch their mouths if they're going to talk about my girls," Brooks said as he joined them. "Because if I hear even one bad whisper from any of them, I'll punch them." Both Seren and Liana snorted. Brooks gasped with offence. "You don't believe me?"

"No offence Dad but you're not exactly the punchy type…"

"I'm whatever I have to be for you two," he came over and pressed a kiss to the top of Seren's head and then Liana's. "But they love you, they'll naturally have questions but I can't imagine anybody hating either of you."

"I'm just sorry that we had to bring you down too," Seren sighed, her shoulders shrugging awkwardly. These past few days she'd been doing a lot of apologizing without giving any solutions.

"Seren, have you given any thought about what I said the last time we saw each other?" Liana asked. Brooks came to sit beside her, his hand resting on her arm, an act to warn her to be cautious. Liana treaded lightly with her daughter. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is gone. You don't have to...you don't have to do any of that stuff anymore. I don't want to do this all over again. I don't want to constantly fear for your safety, for your life. No mother should have to do that."

Seren met her parents worried gazes. "What can I do? Stop what I like? What I'm good at?"

"Good at?" Liana repeated incredulously. She felt Brooks' grip around her arm tighten. "Seren, you do realize that every time you're out being 'good at something' is another moment where you're endangering your life. Why can't you…?"

"Be normal?" Seren finished for her with a bitter smile. "I think we are way past that, don't you think?"

"That's not what your mother meant," Brooks cut in, Liana agreeing with a nod, "This is the first time in your life where you've had complete liberty to do what you want. We're just asking you to please consider other alternatives before you jump right back into the old thing. Not everything has to be a fight."

"And what would you want me to do, huh Dad? Want me to settle down in Hudson, work as a realtor like you?" Seren asked with a hint of reproach in her tone. "Because as confused as I am, I know for sure that career is not for me. It's for you, it's for Mom, but not for me. And I really wish you would finally get that." She rose from the couch, a small smile marking her face. "I don't want to fight about that anymore. I just want to...breathe."

Liana quickly got up and reached for Seren's hand. "I'm sorry. The last thing I want is to drive you away again. I just worry...as tiring as it is to hear it, I have to say that it's something you'll understand when you have your own child."

"Especially if they're as stubborn as you are," Brooks pointed, making both women laugh.

"That's very far away so…" Seren said, leaving it very clear, "How about some dinner? I'm really hungry…"

"Yeah! Of course!" Liana exclaimed. "We can make your favorites!"

"Now that sounds good," Seren rubbed her stomach and followed her mother for the kitchen. They were always good at cooking together, more so if they managed to keep Brooks' fingers out of the pots.

~ 0 ~

Within a few hours, Chloe felt the effects of the inhibitor wearing off. She felt like her senses had been heightened and not in the cool Vampire Diaries way like she watched on t.v. but the kind that left her with very little desire to do anything. Everything around her had some kind of information that the Hive Mind delivered to her without her asking. The lab was a huge trigger for the Hive Mind as every single tool in there and every scan running had some information they had to tell her about. No longer did they wait for her to ask them; it was on automatic now. By night, she could no longer be in the lab. She felt her head would explode.

Tony had a room for her in the Tower but to his annoyance, Chloe felt like being in the Tower was too much for her right now. At her request, or rather plea, she got Tony to rent her a measly little apartment just two blocks from the Tower. He did it only because she wouldn't stop crying. Whatever was going on, her emotions were definitely on the heightened side of things.

So there he stood in the middle of the not-so-grand apartment while Chloe looked around. "No more tears?" he called to her.

She shook her head. "Sorry about that." She was actually embarrassed by the fact it happened. "But I do think this is for the best right now."

"Really?" Tony crossed his arms. "Or is it because you don't want to run the risk of bumping into Seren at the Tower? I told you she went to Hudson for a few days and Rogers is out starting his manhunt for Barnes. Nothing to worry about."

Chloe said nothing about the two in question. She couldn't. She had no face to talk about either of them, much less to be in the same room as them. She felt like she'd failed them both. "Thank you for doing this..."

"Don't mention it, kid. I just want you to comply with our agreement about this."

"I will," she nodded. "I'll be back at the tower tomorrow morning."

"Good," Tony said, handing her the keys to the apartment. "And the inhibitor—"

Chloe raised a hand to stop him. "It's not your fault it didn't work longer. Like you said, there's no one else like me on this planet. We'll have to figure it out piece by piece."

"Well, I'm gonna go through HYDRA's files that are now public on the internet," Tony said, "Maybe amongst their experiments there might be one close to you. I doubt they stopped at you."

"Oh, thanks," Chloe mumbled. She thanked him yet again and saw him out the door. She really just needed to be alone for a while. The Hivemind was still active, perhaps trying to figure out their newest addition. She didn't fault them.

For the past 4 years they spent their time ignoring her or being blissfully unaware of her interaction with them, but now she was there and they had to adjust to having a human amongst them who could now fully understand them. She was privy now to all their secrets, as were they to hers. There needed to be some balance between both sides, a type of compromise where they weren't so loud in her head and she didn't accidentally understand something she shouldn't be aware of.

But how? How could she even begin to dissect the now fully active, fully inclusive, Hivemind?

Chloe moved into the kitchen. It was rather small with only space for one circular table for two people. The cabinets, she discovered, were yet to be stocked. Tony had already given her — slammed — the credit card in her hand with absolutely no way of rejecting it. She grabbed one of the glasses she found and turned on the filtered water.

The Hivemind whispered to her about the water, the quality of the water.

"Why the fuck—?" she sighed and switched the water off, letting the glass come down with a thud on the counter. She clutched the side of her head, eyes squeezing shut, willing herself to last through the loud moment of information. She didn't understand why, oh why, would she need to know what the quality of the water was?

"Useless shit," she muttered once she finally felt the pounding in her head fade. She turned around and leaned against the counter, slowing her breathing until she could say, with confidence, that she was normalizing again. How many times would she have to go through this? The indefinite answer scared her.

~0~

Seren stood out on the porch of her house with her phone glued to her phone. After the message that Steve sent her, she had to talk to him. "What do you mean Tony just let her go!?" She was flabbergasted with Tony's moves with Chloe. "I let him take her so he could help her and he just let her go!?"

"I understand your concern, Seren, but it was Chloe who asked for it," Steve explained. "And according to Tony, she sobbed for it too. Being in the lab was too much for her. She needed quiet."

"I shouldn't have left her..."

Steve had known those words would inevitably leave Seren's lips. He'd been so supportive of her going back to Hudson so that would get to breathe after everything that happened, especially with Chloe. As much as he wanted her not to feel so guilty, he just didn't know how to do it. He himself struggled with the same battle when it concerned Bucky. Maybe that's what he couldn't figure out a proper way to help her. He'd be too much of a hypocrite. But he knew why he would keep trying. It was simple, and hypocritical. He loved her. He loved her and he wanted her to be happy all the time, even if it meant giving her words of comfort that, if said to him, wouldn't work quite work. He'd do anything, say anything, to lift her spirits.

"Seren, you deserve to take a break," he started. "You did what you had to do and Chloe will understand. At the end of the day, Chloe is gonna make her own decisions and you know what? Maybe it's for the best. Maybe she also needs to breathe and take a break."

"But she's...she's hurt, Steve," Seren said, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes.

"So are you. You deserve to heal too."

Seren wiped a loose tear from the corner of her eye. "What if she...what if she doesn't come back?"

"Seren, don't worry. Tony rented the first closest apartment to the Tower and trust me, it's close. It's 2 blocks down. I really think it's just something Chloe needs right now. Time to process and think on your own. Sound familiar?"

Seren managed a little smile. "I think..."

"So please don't worry, alright? You can always call Tony if you want to know anything. He told me that he's working on an inhibitor for Chloe to help quiet the Hive Mind. Apparently, it's been a lot more active lately."

"Yeah, it's the second tech piece. They've been fully installed now and I bet it's driving Chloe mad. I hope Tony can come up with a good solution for it."

"Oh, if there's something Tony loves it's answering one-of-a-kind medical mysteries."

~0~

Chloe decided she needed to go out for groceries and, really, for everything else she needed. That turned out to be a lot. She could've asked Tony to help out but she really wanted to be alone. She already felt bad enough using his money to buy things. She put on a pair of earphones and listened to the gentlest of instrumentals in hopes of easing the whispers of the Hivemind while she was outside.

She stopped by a small time Radio Shack because, unfortunately, she couldn't feel completely safe without a burner phone. She never knew when she would have to make a run for it again. Maybe it was just the leftover paranoia from years of habit. Everything she owned now was Tony's—he was kind enough to leave her old number for now—and it was embarrassing enough to owe him that much.

As she waited for the phone at the counter, her eyes landed on the television hanging above. Her blood went cold when she saw the images of the Helicarrier battle aftermath. Chunks of the Helicarriers had landed on property where people lived, killing those who were unfortunately on the premises at the time. Scenes switched to Natasha's meeting with the government and the headlines were as controversial as they could be. Should the Avengers involved be arrested?

Arrested.

Chloe took in a breath. She had done far more damage than she ever thought she would. She'd helped Hydra take over the Helicarriers, enabled them to gain a new weapon.

What about the Black Widow's red past?

Suddenly the music in her earphones wasn't loud enough.

Stardust's origin may subject her to investigation.

Chloe couldn't see herself getting her phone faster now.

Should Captain America step down?

"Here you go ma'am," the employee pulled Chloe out of her trance.

She sucked in a deep breath, eyes trained on the man who was holding out her phone. "Thanks!" She quickly handed him the money and took her phone. She stuffed it into her back pocket, shifted her bars around her wrists, and rushed out.

Her next stop was the grocery store. She focused on the music and her breathing all whilst she grabbed the things off the shelves. Pasta packs, sauce, soup cans, sandwich ingredients, milk, fruit…

Her mind only focused on food and music and nothing else.

She made it out relatively fine, though she had to take a few breaths in and out before she continued on the street. There were certain people that even earphones couldn't cancel out. Her burned hand was still out of commission so she walked even slower with all her bags.

Her bags were heavy so the way home had be quick. She just stopped by a small time Radio Shack because, unfortunately, she couldn't feel completely safe without a burner phone. She never knew when she would have to make a run for it again. Maybe it was just the leftover paranoia from years of habit. Everything she owned now was Tony's—he was kind enough to leave her old number for now—and it was embarrassing enough to owe him that much.

Just as she entered the building, she heard the phone Tony gave her ringing. With some effort, she managed to grab the phone and answered it. She stuck the phone between her ear and shoulder to now wrestle for her door key. "Hello?"

'Winters?' She recognized the female voice. 'Finally you pick up!'

Chloe managed to unlock the door without dropping any of her bags. "Sorry, I was a bit busy being in a half coma and all…"

The woman on the other end snorted. 'I saw the news. We had a whole meeting about it too. Is S.H.I.E.L.D. really gone?'

Chloe stepped into the dark apartment, foot kicking the door shut behind her. "Yes. It was never standing to begin with."

'Where are you right now?'

"Healing. I'll have to—" Chloe was cut off when she felt the distinct feel of an arm over her left shoulder and the tip of a blade in front of her neck.

"End the call," she heard a gruff male voice order.

'Chloe?' The woman asking. 'You still there? I feel like we need to talk.'

"50% chance of danger!" The Hivemind was raging. '50% chance of danger!"

Chloe swallowed. "I'll have to call you back, Citlalli." She ended the call then promptly let everything fall to the ground. "Who are you?" She called to the stranger in the dark.

Without answering, the man shoved her forwards. Chloe ended a good distance away and the first thing she did was find the light switch. As soon as they were on, she came face to face with a man she didn't think she would see in a very long time.

The Winter Soldier held a knife at her. "I need to talk to you."

~0~

Seren couldn't help the hum that slipped her mouth each time she grabbed another forkful of dinner. Her parents would chuckle each time.

"It's nice having you around, honey," Brooks said, "You're like the light of the house. The light of our family."

Seren flushed. Her mind immediately thought of Steve when he called her that. "That's...that's actually what Steve says too."

She might be missing him. The whole afternoon she focused on spending time with her parents, making a nice homemade meal, but every once in a while her mind would go back to Steve. He was supposed to be working with Sam these days going over what S.H.I.E.L.D. had on the internet.

"He's a smart man then," Brooks remarked. "He recognizes what he has."

"He's, uh, planning on stopping by for a couple days…" Seren measured her parents reactions.

"He's more than welcomed to," Liana said, reaching for Seren's hand. "We can set up the guest room and everything."

"Thanks Mom," Seren said, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. "I told him I could, um, show him around Hudson. At least for a bit."

"He'll definitely be welcomed by your father," Liana made a nod towards Brooks who was already grinning. "You can expect a lot of chit-chat from him."

Seren dreaded it for a moment. "Please don't. Steve's always a bit shy when people say they're like his fans. Plus, Dad, it's embarrassing."

"Well, you never did bring a boy home," Liana reminded her. "I mean a few of them were brave enough to come on their own but you always turned them away."

"I think we all know why," Seren said with a pointed look at her mother. "At least with Steve everything's on the table now. He knows what I am, what I can do, and he's not afraid."

"Nobody could be afraid of you with that face," Brooks gestured.

Seren shook her head at both of them. As much as they annoyed her sometimes, she was glad that she was home for that night.

~0~

"You?" Chloe was quick to brandish her fists, now glowing blue with energy, at Bucky. "Stupid to ask how you got in but I will ask why? Do you think you'll take me back to Hydra? I'd rather kill myself on the spot before I let myself…"

"Turn into me?" Bucky cleverly finished with. He was going for the stun attempt and judging by her wide-eyed response, he was on the right track. He pulled his knife down, tucking it on his side.

Chloe then took note of his casual clothes—the cap—he wore. Why would the Winter Soldier want to fit in? Better question, why would he put away his weapon?

"I need to talk to you."

She blinked. "Wait a second, you said 'talk'. The Winter Soldier doesn't talk to people, much less me."

Bucky turned his head to the side, clearly averting everything when he heard that name. "I need information," he said shortly.

"And you thought threatening me with a knife was the way to go?"

"You were on a call. I couldn't risk being exposed."

"Why should I believe you? In fact, why shouldn't I start fighting you?"

"It's not a fight you can win," he said automatically. Chloe could've been shades of offended but instead, she laughed. Bucky looked at her curiously. That wasn't a response he was used to. "I'm not...I'm not with Hydra anymore. They're not done but I am. I just need information."

"I'll bite," Chloe lowered her hands to her sides, "What could you possibly get from me?"

"You're the Hivemind," he said flatly, "You have everything."

"And nothing at the same time." She tapped the side of her head. "Your boys messed with my head even more than I already was." She then showed him her hand that was still healing from her burn. "My friend didn't know how else to get the chip out so she decided to burn my hand. I'm living on my own because the world's too fucking loud right now. There's too many people talking inside my head so I really doubt I'll be able to help you!"

Bucky listened silently. She had troubles of her own, much like he did but obviously less. She didn't say it out loud but he could see it in her narrowed eyes. She didn't entirely trust him.

That was more than fair.

He didn't trust himself at the moment. His head was quiet but he wasn't sure for how long. He had cut ties with Hydra, taking out the tracker embedded inside him. He was a free man yet not free at the same time. He was bound by the invisible chains of control that Hydra had him under for 70 years.

Why should this woman trust him when he couldn't even afford himself the same gesture?

He reached for something inside his pocket, making Chloe stiffen and ready herself for a battle. He had obvious advantages but she would be damned if she went down without a fight. He pulled something out, not a knife.

It could be a pulsor.

The Hivemind started whispering, overlapping with what sounded like dozens of voices. Chloe brought a hand up to her head. She didn't want to close her eyes for fear of missing whatever Bucky could throw at her.

He held his closed fist to her, turning it over and opening his hand up. Chloe saw something shiny sitting on his palm.

It's complete! The completion of our network! Chloe drew in a shaky breath. It was the second tech piece that Hydra had implanted on her hand. She held her injured hand close to her chest, suddenly feeling the terrible stabs of the needles and the burn. "You took it..."

"I didn't mean to." Bucky couldn't reason why he did what he did. He lowered the tech piece on the floor and backed away until his back was against the door. "It's yours."

Chloe naturally didn't move from her spot. "Why?" Her voice was thick with emotion. "You just...you just took it. Now you want to give it back? What do you want?"

"Information," he shrugged.

"But what else?" Chloe demanded, unable to believe that information was all he could want. "You are giving me the opportunity to go back to some normality so what is the price? What does the Winter Soldier want from me?"

"I don't want to be that person anymore," he said warningly, eyes narrowing just as much as hers were against him. "They say...that museum in D.C….they say that my name was Bucky. I'm not him either but it's a hell of a lot better than what Hydra named me. I don't want anything from you besides information. The tech...it's yours."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

Chloe couldn't help the scoff. "Seriously?"

"Yes."

Chloe stared at him for a full two minutes, expecting him to move or something along the lines. He, however, stayed completely still. It had to be his training. She decided to take one step forward, immediately checking him for any small movement.

He was still.

One more step. He stayed still.

Two more steps. She paused at a sudden noise. He hadn't moved, it was just one of her oranges rolling from her bag. She drew in a breath and took the last three big steps for the tech. She bent down to pick it up.

He stayed right where he was.

Chloe studied the piece on her palm. It was virtually intact. A few seconds more and the piece started glowing blue. Blue streaks ran from underneath, spreading across her hand. The whispers of the Hivemind were multiplying and while they were significantly quieter than without the piece, it was still a bother that she had to let it go. It dropped back to the ground.

"Does it do that to you?" she asked Bucky who'd watched her silently the whole time.

"No," Bucky answered on the spot.

Chloe sighed, raising her head to meet him. "Alright, I'll bite—again—what do you want?"

"Stories," Bucky finally said, "As many as you have."

~ 0 ~

It was early in the morning and Seren found herself wide awake. She was in her old room but instead of being in her bed, she was standing in front of her old desk. Her pinboard was just as she left it the day she moved out.

Pictures of her young self were sprawled all over the three piece set mixed with outstanding headlines of the time period's news. There were clippings of her high school's best headlines as well, those Seren was a part of and those she wished she could've been a part of. It was her life put together in a three-set pin board. She felt like there needed to be a new addition to the board, but there was no more space. She'd have to think of something.

She heard her phone vibrate on her night stand. She went to pick it up and smiled when she saw the caller ID of the text. She decided to surprise him and called him. "Well hello there," she said as soon as the line was picked up. "Didn't we agree that you were going to sleep in?"

"I could say the same thing about you," retorted Steve. "It's pretty early. Kind of sad, you know. I assumed your phone was on silent so I texted you."

"And I'm ever-so-happy that you're figuring out the art of text messaging!"

"Seren."

Seren let out a giggle.

"Well, you're in a better mood today. How are you doing? Are you and your parents…?"

"It's okay," Seren nodded, "I mean...they still want me to stay in Hudson. I've made it clear that I'm definitely not doing that but then the point still stands: what am I going to do next?"

"Relax, Seren, you're there to think, remember? You've only been there for one day."

Seren sighed heavily. "Then why does it feel like it's been 10 days?"

"Because, and I say this with all my fondest feelings, you're a bit dramatic."

"What!?"

Steve chuckled. "It's endearing when you make the pouting face. Are you doing it right now?"

Seren glanced at the mirror on the other side and quickly stopped pouting. "No!" She ended up smiling the more she listened to Steve laugh on the end. He had no idea how much he made her miss him. Spending two years apart had to have done something to her because now she resented every day they weren't together.

"How are things with you and Sam?" she asked a moment later.

"We're combing through the internet for anything S.H.I.E.L.D. related at this point. You wouldn't believe how many off-the-record bases we're discovering. They're supposed to be old warehouses but…"

"We know better than to believe that," Seren finished for him.

"Yeah. They're all over the world too. There's so many that I don't even know where to begin."

"How about the ones you and Bucky ran into in the past? The ones from the war? If those are still standing and Bucky's just a little bit nostalgic...you might get lucky."

"Yeah, I was thinking about that. I just need more time to organize things."

"I'll help where I can," Seren promised.

"Thanks sweetheart. But don't worry, I'm setting things up with Sam so that I can be in Hudson soon."

"You better," she playfully warned, "My parents are already setting up the guest room for you."

"Right, can't go making bad impressions…" Although, Steve already felt the heavy nerves layering on his shoulders.

"Little do they know that I want to be sneaky and pull you into my room." Seren waited for his response that she was sure had to be comical to see in person.

"I beg you not to say any of that stuff when I get there," he pleaded and Seren nearly burst into laughter. The only thing stopping her was the fact her parents were already asleep. "I mean it, Seren Soul. Don't get funny with me."

"Yes, Captain," she said with a giggle to follow.

"Seren, c'mon, I need to make a good impression and my track record hasn't been the best!"

Seren drifted towards her window once she was more or less sober. She pulled the curtain to the side and saw the dawn ahead of her. "Oh calm down you drama queen. You already have my Dad in your pocket. I'm actually scared of what they'll do to embarrass me. But you know what? I'll take it all if it gets you here quicker."

"...I miss you too," Steve said softly. "I'll be there soon, I promise."

"Good," Seren let the curtain fall back in place, "Because as hard as it was growing up in Hudson, I actually want to show you around. Isn't that stupid?"

"I think it's nice," Steve said, "And I can't wait to see it, and you. Get some rest, though, you'll need your energy for later."

"Ooh, what are you planning on doing to me?" She giggled when he stammered with his words.

"That is exactly what you will not say around your parents—to anybody actually!"

"Sure, just get over here soon!"

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