#(missed the last bus and had to called dad to pick me up)

[an-organized-confusion]

Recent adulting adventures had me thinking of Prudence again (one of my own “Sides“.)

And how functionally Prudence is kind of a Virgil/Logan/Janus fusion. And I was thinking it like a Garnet situation (from SU).

When shit gets bad in the mental health department - Prudence probably splits up. When Anxiety-Brain (clearly Virgil-adjacent) needs to be actively talked at by Rational-Brain (mostly Logan-esque, w/ dash of Janus) to temper my expectation/appraisal/response of/to Problem(s).

Usually, when I’m at my best Prudence is in control. :,D

[cherrycherrylady2024]

Christmas with the Grimes'

Christmas with the Grimes'

(Dilf! Rick Grimes x reader) Word count: 1,945

Warnings: 18+, descriptions of dilfs? This one is pretty tame tbh

Chapter 1: Mr. Grimes

Packing your bags for winter break, you thanked your lucky stars you had somewhere to call home for the next month and a half. There was the option of staying in the dorms but you came to terms with the fact that that would simply be too sad. Plus you certainly couldn’t go back to your parent's house, you hadn’t spoken to those two since the day you graduated high school. You were finally well and truly on your own. College was everything you had dreamed it would be. Partially thanks to Judith, your roommate, for dragging you out of the dorm that first week of school. 

You purposely picked the earliest move-in date and had already been living in the dorm for two weeks before Judith even arrived. You tried your best to spruce it up with what little decor you had and sat wringing your hands all day for this girl to appear. With random roommate assignments who knew what you’d be getting? When the door began to open with a click! of the handle, your stomach dropped to your toes, but the second Judith walked in you knew everything would be okay. She immediately ran over to you and almost knocked you over with a bear hug. She was the sunshine that brought you out of your shell, and you two were BFFs since that very day. When she invited you to stay with her family over winter break, it was nearly impossible to say no. 

~~~

“C’mon y/n we’d have so much fun! I can show you around my town, I mean what little there is to see, but still! We can go ice skating, watch movies, have snowball fights with my brother- plus my dad makes some seriously fucking good eggnog.” Judith chatted into your ear as you were finishing up your last essay for finals. You sighed and pushed away from your desk, rubbing your eyes. This paper would be the death of you, especially with Judith's distractions. “That all sounds great, really, but wouldn’t it be an imposition on you guys? I mean Christmas is kinda special and I don’t want to be intruding on your-” Judith cuts you off. “Please intrude! We do the same stuff every year, it gets sooo boring. Anyways, I’ll miss you too much, so I’m not really asking at this point.” Judith plops on her bed and opens her laptop. “This is a kidnapping now?” you ask. Judith types furiously on her computer, “For the greater good. You can’t sit here and mope for the next month and a half, that’s too depressing.” She pauses for a second, staring at her laptop screen. “Is an 8 am train too early?” 

You sigh, and lean back, stretching, mulling it over for a moment.

 “Way, way, too early,” you say.

Judith looks up at you and smiles.

~~~

So here you were, bags packed and ready to go. You two took the bus to the Amtrak station and boarded easy-peasy. “Y’know, I always thought train travel would be like Murder on the Orient Express, but this is like… shanking on the shitty express,” you remarked as you examined the stained seat, shabby carpeting, and… let’s just say, unusual fellow passengers. You quickly corrected yourself, “I mean- not to sound ungrateful or anything.” Judith rolled her eyes in agreement, “Believe me this isn’t my first choice either. It’s only a four-hour drive, if my dad would let me bring my truck up we wouldn’t have to-” she was interrupted by the train starting up. It began to slowly peel away from the station. “Here we go!” you exclaimed, surprising yourself with how oddly excited you felt. Judith yawned, shifting in her seat. “I should’ve gone with the noon train, even 10 am feels like the crack of dawn.”

20 minutes later you were bored as hell and Judith was fast asleep, snoring every once in a while. Your phone had spotty service as it was, but now going through the countryside it was virtually impossible to do anything. You occupied yourself by looking out of the window. When that got boring you too tried to close your eyes, but Judith's snores were becoming increasingly loud. You looked at her and contemplated throwing goldfish into her half-opened mouth, but decided against it. 

Studying her for a little, you concluded that she looked a lot like her dad, from the one time you met him. 

It was the day Judith moved in.

~~~

Judith pulled away from the hug, “Y/n, right? I’m Judith. It’s so nice to meet you! I like your energy already,” she held your hands as she said this. “That's so sweet of you, you too!” you responded. “And this is my– dad come on!” Judith turned to the door, ushering in her father. The man was balancing two large moving boxes, labeled aptly as Judith’s shit, which obscured his face. “Jesus Judith, what’s in here? Boulders?” He shuffled over and plopped down the two boxes on the twin bed across from yours, breathing out in a huff. “Just my rock collection.” Judith teased. Her father wiped his face and turned to you, making a clack sound in his cowboy boots, “Nice to meet ya, m’Rick” he said, extending his hand to you. 

You froze.

Damn. 

He was handsome. 

You didn’t typically use that word to describe guys. They were always “cute” or “hot,” but this wasn’t a guy: this was a man, and he was fucking handsome. His skin was a little bit bronzed from the summer sun, and you immediately found your mind wandering to where those tan lines might end. Rick's hair was dark brown, thick, and pushed back, ending in perfect curls. You were instantly enraptured by his stunningly blue eyes. How do eyes that blue even exist? Rick had a strong and direct gaze, and you got the feeling that from one look, he could know all about you. Was it crazy to say he had a sexy nose too? You had never liked facial hair until this day. This was nothing like the scraggly high school mustaches you were accustomed to. Rick had a short, slightly salt-and-pepper, beard that perfectly accentuated his high cheekbones. His voice was deep and rough, with a sexy southern drawl that you clocked immediately. He wore a plain white t-shirt which, due to the August heat, stuck to him in just the right places. 

Damn. 

The dark blue jeans fit him perfectly, paired with a black belt cluttered by loops and pouches, what for? You weren't sure. The only thing you could identify on the belt was the gun holster, and the revolver snugly clasped in it. 

You took all this in in the few seconds he had turned to you. His hand was still outstretched when you came to.

“Oh- hi Mr. Grimes, I’m y/n.” You shook his hand gently in a daze. His hands were warm, a little rough, and covered yours completely when he brought the other one on top. “Nice to meetcha y/n. And just Rick is fine.”

Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick. Rick.

You nodded your head fervently and withdrew from the handshake. You did your best to act normal but your eyes drifted straight back down his body to the revolver. Judith had already made herself busy unpacking, and didn’t even need to turn around to know what you must be wondering, “Dad I told you to leave your gun in the truck, it freaks people out.” She turned back to the both of you, holding a teddy bear, “Don’t worry y/n he’s not in the mafia or something, that’d be way too cool for him.” Rick shook his head with a smile, his hand on his hip, “How do ya know I’m not?” Judith moved swiftly past him, grabbing something from his belt. “Hey!” Rick laughed. She tossed it to you and upon catching it, you turned it over in your hands. It was a shiny gold sheriff's deputy badge. 

Officer Rick Grimes.

Damn.

You chuckled lightly and handed it back to him, your fingers brushing his, as Judith entered the bathroom with a box labeled shower shit. “Don’t let your mob buddies see that badge,” you teased. Rick smiled (Damn.) and put it back in his belt pocket, “Thanks for the tip.” 

Judith emerged from the bathroom, “Dinner?”

The dinner was unfortunately quick, mostly Judith talked and you listened. Rick chimed in now and again but it was more for you two roommates to get to know each other. You couldn't help but sneak a few glances at Rick throughout the dinner. You watched as his muscles flexed in his forearms, studied when he’d crack a smile, and nearly swooned when he leaned back and swept a hand through his hair, his arm outstretched on the booth behind Judith.

It was like he was magnetic. Every time you looked away you felt a calling for more. You shook the feeling as best you could and focused on Judith. You found out she had a younger brother, Carl, who was a bit of a troublemaker. Through mouthfuls of pasta, Judith put it bluntly that their mom had passed away years ago. "I'm sorry to hear that," you responded. You glanced at Rick for a reaction, finding nothing. You told Judith about your family, sugar-coating some of the details as you swirled your pasta around, not making eye contact. She seemed to catch on fast and didn’t pry. You already liked that about her.

After paying for dinner, and you thanking him profusely, Rick escorted the two of you back to your dorm building. He gave Judith a bear hug goodbye, “I wish I could stay longer sweetheart but I gotta get up early in the mornin’.” He looked over to you and winked “Mafia stuff.” You smiled (oh my god) back as Judith pulled away. “It’s alright, I’ll see ya at parent's weekend pops!” She kissed him quickly on the cheek and headed towards the stairwell to the dorms. Rick chuckled, then shrugged his shoulders and looked to you, “She’s keepin' it all inside.” He said, patting his heart. You laughed, “I’m sure.” Judith yelled to you from the door, “C’mon y/n we gotta lot of catchin’ up to do!” You turned back to Rick, “Thank you so much again for dinner. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Grimes.” He clasped a hand down on your shoulder (fuck). “No problem, you girls be good now, ya hear?” He leaned down closer to you, whispering, “Don’t let her drive you crazy”. You titter nervously, a little overzealous, as he pulls away. Oh my god Oh my god Oh my god.

You could smell his cologne. Or maybe it was just him. A rich, woodsy, musk that you wanted to stuff your face into.

“I heard that Dad!” Rick spun on his heel and began walking away, his hands in his deputy jacket pockets. “Goodnight girls.” You watched him walk away for a moment, then followed after Judith.

~~~

That was nearly 5 months ago, and the last time you’d seen Rick Grimes. You didn’t have a crush per se, I mean, he was a grown man and you were….…well, technically of age, but it would be weird, right? Right??

I mean maybe it's not so bad if- NO. You need to snap out of it. You hadn’t even thought about him (much) the whole semester, but the notion of seeing him again gave you butterflies that you desperately tried to squash. He is your best friend's dad for god's sake. Not that anything would ever happen, but there was no reason to make things weird for yourself in your own mind. He’s Judith's dad, and he just so happens to be good-looking, nothing more nothing less.

Well- really good-looking. And funny too. Very charming. But nonetheless your best friend's dad! 

A dilf and your best friend's dad. 

This was going to be a long winter break.

***

notes: ahhhhhhh! ok so this is my first fic ever and I already have a few more chapters written and planned so lmk what you think! All comments, reposts, etc. are very much appreciated <3 stay tuned for more!

[queen-of-the-avengers]

An Endless Cycle

Pairing: Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2k

Warnings: relationship angst, bucky beating and shooting someone, heartbreak

Summary: Reality comes crashing into you like a freight train and you can't stop it. You're stuck in a cycle that you have no idea how to get out of. You love Bucky, but can you bend your morals to be with him? Is he worth the heartbreak? Are you?

Between Love and Hate Masterlist

Squares Filled: last times/farewells (2023) for @buckybarnesbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Italy had some bumps and bruises but you didn’t let that spoil your good time. Now that you’re back in the States, you’re reminded of your responsibilities like school. Bucky has been more lenient in letting you go to school without Sam or Steve with you since this is your safe space. He doesn’t want to do anything to strip you of this and he’s not going to start now.

“I’ll be back here at three to pick you up.”

“Okay.” You move to get out but Bucky stops you before you can. “What?”

“Get over there.”

Bucky pulls your upper body across the center console and kisses you. Butterflies explode in your stomach at the feel of his lips on yours. This is what you want every day to be like. Just you and Bucky in each other’s arms without the threat of danger to either of you.

“If you keep kissing me, I’m going to be late,” you mutter against his lips.

“Okay. I’m done.”

You pull away but lean in for one more kiss. You get out of the car with a grin before hurrying over to your first class of the day. Your fashion design class is the one you’re looking forward to the most, and Gio smiles when he sees you.

“Hey, you’re back.”

“Yeah. Gio, I am so sorry for bailing on the party. I did want to go.”

“Don’t worry about it. Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah. I went to Italy believe it or not.”

“With Bucky?”

You miss the sour tone in his voice.

“Yes. He can be an ass sometimes. Sorry for how he behaved last time.”

You don’t miss the sour look on Gio’s face.

“My dad knew Bucky.”

“Yeah? Through what?”

“Work.”

You’re not sure why but you don’t like the way he says that word. Work. Bucky kills people for work. That means dangerous people after a dangerous man. Instead of diving deeper into that like you know you should, you turn to the front of the class and pay attention to the professor.

“The partners you had for the last project will be your partners for this project. The first step in designing anything is the artwork of the clothes you want to sell. Both of you will come up with six designs. Make sure to include measurements, fabric style, design style, and who your audience is for the type of clothes. You’ll have the entire lab period to work on your designs. You may begin now.”

Gio is a better artist than you so he works on sketching the designs while you come up with everything else. The dress you two made was kind of your idea so you’ll let him have the say on each of the designs for this project. He doesn’t say much except for the occasional, “What color should this part be?” You’re not going to bother him on a topic you know is probably sensitive, so you don’t stick around at the end of class to talk to him.

You walk to the meeting point where Bucky is supposed to pick you up ten minutes before he says he is going to be here. He’s usually early but maybe there is traffic or he got caught up in something. You take a seat on a bench and open a game on your phone to pass the time. Ten minutes turn into twenty turn into forty and then into an hour. Bucky is never this late, and he didn’t bother to call you. You tried calling him three times but he didn’t answer you.

Looks like you’ll have to walk to the nearest bus station, not that you mind much. It’s weird Bucky didn’t reach out to you. While on your walk, you notice dark clouds rolling in. Can you get to the bus station before it starts to rain? No, but the hope was there. It’s not pouring down like you thought it would but it’s not a light drizzle either. You’re soaked to the bone by the time you reach the town where the bust station is. It’s already there letting passengers on but there is a car you recognize across the street from the station.

Bucky’s sleek black Maserati is parked in front of an older-looking apartment building that has clearly seen better days. You abandon your plan of using the bus and head across the street to his car. Why would he and his men be here? It’s fine if he’s busy and couldn’t pick you up, but to not even call you? That’s when it becomes a problem.

The building doesn’t have a working elevator so you have to climb three stories to get to the top. Most doors that lead into the apartments are locked until you get to the top floor. One of the doors is propped open and sounds of pain are coming from the inside. A man grunts in pain when someone punches him in the face. You can hear the sickening crack of his jaw. Your heart pounds in your chest at what you might see but you know you have to do this.

You peek through the small opening of the door and see a man tied to a chair in the middle of the room. Bucky’s men surround him with guns but they don’t use them. Bucky stands in front of him with his sleeves rolled to his elbows. Bucky pulls his fist back and slams it into the man’s face, causing blood and a tooth to spill from his mouth.

“Spune-mi cine este șeful tău!” Tell me who your fucking boss is! “Unde este lista?” Where is the list?

What list? What is going on? You can’t focus on anything but the way Bucky is being so brutal. You’re brought back to the night you left the first time, and your heart breaks all over again. How can he be so gentle with you but so brutal to everyone else?

“I don’t know,” the man pants. “Please, don’t do this. I have a family.”

Bucky doesn’t hear him. He beats him twice more before taking out a gun and shooting the man in the face. You gasp so loudly that Bucky and his men turn to face you. The look in Bucky’s eyes softens once they see the tears in yours. You can’t keep doing this. You’re stuck in an endless cycle that you can’t seem to escape from.

“Y/N…”

You turn and quickly run back down the stairs. Bucky shouts from above but you’re focused on getting the hell out of here. You’re not a track star or anything but once you start running, you can’t seem to stop. Bucky’s place isn’t far from town since he likes everything to be close to where he lives. You could take the bus but then he might make it home before you do. You could call an Uber but he’d definitely beat you back home. Instead, you run. Your legs feel like they are going to fall off, your lungs burn, and your heart pumps fast but you don’t stop running until you’re back at Bucky’s mansion.

You throw open your bedroom door and stumble inside while panting. You grab a backpack and start throwing shit into it. You should have never gotten caught in the first place. This time, you’ll make sure to disappear for good no matter how much it breaks you to do it. Bucky barges through the front door seconds later and races up the stairs two at a time.

Fuck it. You’ll get all new shit somewhere else. You zip up your backpack and run into the hallway where you run into Bucky’s chest. You shove him away and step around him but he grabs at your elbow to stop you.

“Y/N, wait!”

“I can’t do this anymore,” you cry and yank your elbow away from him. “I can’t be with you knowing you’re out there hurting people like that.”

“This is what I do, Y/N. I am the boss of my mafia. Killing people is how I send a message.”

You flinch not only from his words but his tone. He sighs after realizing the effect his words have on you.

“That man had a family. That man was someone’s father, husband, and son. You just took him from them without blinking.”

“That man had a list of my people his mafia plans to kill one by one. He had intel on everyone on my team. I had to kill him first.”

You sniffle and wipe the tears from your eyes.

“What if it had been you who were tied up? What fi it was your life on the line? What then?”

Bucky walks closer to you with a look made of steel. His voice is cold as ice.

“I am no one’s father, I’m no one’s son, and I’m definitely no one’s husband. You make sure of that,” he glares.

You look up at him as two tears roll down your cheeks.

“And if it had been me who was taken?”

“Don’t.” Bucky immediately cuts you off with such coldness like you’ve never seen before. You scoff and turn to leave but he’s not done with this conversation. “Doll, I am in this life whether you like it or not. I can’t leave it.”

“But I can.” You turn back to him. “I love picking flowers and going to animal shelters just to play with the dogs and cats. If I pass by a baby and a mother in the park, I have to stop just to make the baby laugh. I even stopped traffic once just to help a mother duck and her babies cross the road so they wouldn’t get hit. How do you expect me to react to you brutally killing someone?”

“You were never supposed to see that.”

“Maybe if you answered your damn phone, you might have told me to go straight home! You left me waiting an hour for you at school!”

“I’m sorry,” he sighs.

“Yeah, well, I am, too. I’m going home. My home.”

You turn to leave and see a flash of lightning in the distance followed by thunder. Rain pours down outside, hitting fat drops on the window.

“So, what does this mean for us?”

His words stop you. You can’t look at him or else you’ll break down in tears and never stop crying.

“Are you going to stop hurting people?” He can’t answer because he can’t lie to you. “I have no choice but to leave.”

“Y/N--”

You turn to face Bucky with tears rolling down your face. It kills him to see you in such pain but what can he do? He can’t ever leave this life. He’s in too deep.

“It hurts so much to love you. It hurts knowing you’re doing that when I’m home wishing you were with me instead. It hurts so fucking much, and I can’t do it anymore. I refuse to make myself less than to be by your side.

“Please don’t go.”

Bucky steps closer to you. Lightning strikes again lighting up the dark hallway. You can see pain across Bucky’s face but you need to do this for you.

“Do you love me?”

“You know I do.”

“Would you do anything for me?”

“Yes.”

“Then let me go,” you sob.

“Everything I do is for you!” Bucky yells which makes you flinch but you stand your ground. “Everything I’ve accomplished is for you!”

“Being with you hurts,” you cry. “I can’t give you what you need. You’re not enough anymore. I want more than what you can offer me. I can’t be in love with a murderer.”

Bucky can see how much pain he’s putting you through. How can he claim to love you if he’s hurting you at the same time? Bucky stands up straighter and every bit of emotion is wiped from his face.

“Steve will take you home. I’ll have him bring the rest of your things later.”

With that, he turns and leaves you alone in the dark hallway. You must not be enough for him either because he just walked away like it was the easiest fucking decision ever.

x

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[thehusbandoden]

'Us Time' -Dad!Todoroki Shoto x Mom!Reader

A/n: once again I have no freaking clue what to do for the title. I meant to make y/n and Shoto stressed out and stiuff but it's just fluff :)

A/n 2: this is a bit old but decided to finally post it.

General info:

Genre: fluff/ slice of life // wc: 854

Summary: Shoto is tired of barely having any time with you, so he proposes an idea to get you for himself for an entire week.

"Mama! Mama!"

A voice called, causing you to groan.

"Mama~ it's light outside! Up time!"

Rubbing your eyes, you squint to see your four and a half year old jumping at the side of your bed, h/c locks bouncing up and down.

"C'mhere baby, it's still time to sleep some more." You yawn, reaching your arms out to your youngest.

"No! Sister and brother are up!"

"Oh- are they really?"

"Mhm! Sister says come get you!"

Sighing, you squeeze Shoto's arm that was wrapped around you, trying to let him let go.

"C'mon Sho, the kids need me." You whisper, turning around to play with his mismatched hair.

Whining at the thought of letting you go, Shoto hugged you tightly before slipping his arms down to his side.

"Aki, why don't you go snuggle dada while I go get your siblings ready?" You ask, kissing Shoto's forehead before sliding out of bed, picking Aki up.

Giggling, Aki gave you a kiss on the cheek before hurrying to crawl next to her dad, making him smile warmly.

"I love you both!" You call, already heading towards your twins' rooms.

"Yuki, honey? Are you up?"

Sofltly knocking on the door, you open it to see her room empty.

Assuming that both of them were awake, you wandered to the living room, where they were fighting.

"No! We can not wake up mom! She stayed up late last night!" Daiki whisper-shouted, grey eyes glaring at his twin sister, Yuki.

"But I'm hungry, and we have school today! She can nap when we go to school!" Yuki bit back, face as neutral as her dad's despite her harsh words.

"N-"

"Shhh it's okay, Daiki." You comfort, wrapping your eldest in a hug, petting his head to help soothe him. "You're sweet, but Yuki's right. I need to be awake to take care of you two."

"Bu-"

"No buts! I love taking care of you. If you didn't wake me up I'd be sad that you had to do it all on your own."

"Yuki, thank you for having Aki wake me up."

Yuki simply shrugged, back to her I-don't-care demeanor inherited from her dad. Just like Shoto, you knew that she did care, but she just hid the majority of her emotions. Luckily you had enough experience with Shoto that you knew how and when she needed you, and you were always ready to support her.

"Okay, who's ready for breakfast?" You smile, causing Daiki to smile back at you and Yuki's e/c eyes to shine a bit brighter.

~

"Love, do you know where my boots are?" Shoto called, causing you to roll your eyes fondly.

"Yeah, they're in our closet! If they're not there check in Aki's!"

"Thanks babe." Shoto smiled, walking over to you to press a kiss to your temple, hand resting on your hip.

"Mhm" you purr, leaning into your husband's touch.

"What do you think about a vacation?" Shoto mused, leaning down to pull on his hero boots.

"That won't really work with the twins schedule for anther few months-"

"I meant for the two of us."

Your breath caught in your throat as Shoto wrapped you in an embrace from behind, pressing a few kisses against your shoulder blades and neck.

"What abou-"

"Fuyumi or mom can take care of the kids. We haven't had us time in months, I miss you."

"I- I don't know Shoto.. that seems like a lot to ask. Plus what about work?"

"Those are just minor details, Love. Do you want to take a week off with me or not?"

"Of course I do but-"

"Then it's settled, I'll get everything prepared for let's say- next month?"

"Okay but-"

"Love, don't worry about it, and just let me handle it." Shoto purred, spinning you around to face him as he kissed your lips sweetly.

"Okay." You sigh, smiling into the kiss.

"I can't wait to have some us time." Shoto sighed, leaning his forehead on yours. "You've been so busy being an awesome mom and I've been working."

"Mhm, it'll be nice." You sigh, wrapping your arms around Shoto's waist.

"Speaking of-"

"Can you flirt elsewhere? We kinda wanna eat without your lovey dovey stuff going on." Daiki grumbled, hugging Aki close to him to shield her eyes.

"We're just hugging." Shoto chuckles, moving towards his kids with a fondness only you and your little family got to see.

"But-"

"Daiki, you mama needed a hug from her husband. Are you really going to be upset about that?"

Daiki immediately shook his head no, guilt clawing at him for interrupting your comfort.

"I'm sorry mama! Here, my hugs are better than dad's anyways!" Daiki apologized, sticking his tongue out at Shoto before wrapping you in a hug.

"Me too! I wanna hug!" Aki exclaimed, jumping onto Shoto's leg.

Lifting Aki up into his arms, Shoto guided Yuki towards you before enveloping the four of you in a hug, causing you to giggle.

After a minute or so Yuki squirmed away, closely followed by Daiki.

"Mom, you burnt the eggs." Yuki sighed.

"Oh shoot-"

~~~~~

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[wowsosad]

Sam calling Dean dad/daddy? Take that wherever and however you want 🖤

Hi nonnie :)

CW/TW: Weecest (Sam is 14, Dean is 18), avid references to this post, Daddy!Dean, Sam acts younger than he is (psychological regression who? Freud would have a field day), quite soft and fluffy, really no nsfw here

.

They’re in an apartment this time, and it’s rented every two weeks instead of every month. They’re close to St. Louis, but not within the city by any means. John’s been running around in the surrounding counties, going after a variety of salt and burns while Sam attends the nearby high school, and Dean made money bussing tables and serving at a bar (no time for high school, these days. Too many monsters and too little money). Today is a day like any other.

Sam’s leg bounced where he sat in his seventh-period class. He liked American history well enough, but the curriculum for freshman at his last school, Columbus High School in Nebraska, did ancient world history for freshmen. He liked that far more than WW2, which he’s learned about 16 separate times already.

Sam’s friend—“friend” being a tentative term—Derek was leaning against his hand, eyelids drooping. The teacher had finished for the day, and was giving them time to work on their homework assignments. Sam had been done with them for days, and was eagerly looking at the clock, anxious for school to be over. Derek’s eyes traveled up and down Sam’s body, blasé enough that it didn’t feel weird.

“What’re you so excited about?” Derek mumbled, and Sam’s attention snapped away from the clock on the wall. 2:50, ten minutes ‘til class was up.

Sam’s leg continued bouncing, “My dad’s picking me up.” A grin threatened to split across his cheeks, and Derek rolled his eyes.

“Your dad always picks you up. There’s nothing exciting about that,” Derek scuffed his shoe against the floor. Sam frowned.

“You’re just jealous ‘cause you’re a bus rider,” Sam switched which leg he was bouncing, and Derek hummed in acknowledgement. As they were talking, the rest of the class began abandoning their work in favor of socialization.

“I’m not jealous. My dad’s a total goober. If he picked me up I’d be embarrassed. Your dad, though,” Derek mimed steering a car, “He’s got that cool Impala. It’s hard to be lame in one of those.”

Sam grinned, finally letting his glee show on his face, “Yeah, my dad is pretty cool. So is his car.”

The second the bell rang, Sam bolted out of the classroom. He barely stopped by his locker to drop off the books he didn’t need for homework, then he was out of the building like a flash. Dean’s car was smack-dab-center in the car-rider line, and Sam hurried to it, satchel smacking against his thigh as he slowed his pace. “Four Sticks” by Led Zeppelin was audible from the stereo, and Sam stuck his head in the open window. He met Dean’s eye with a wide smile. It was Wednesday, which meant Dean wasn’t working.

Dean’s shift at the bar always started at 4:00 and ended at midnight. The only days he didn’t work were Wednesday and Sunday, which meant Sam loved Wednesday and Sunday.

“Dad!”

Dean’s smile split across his face, “Sammy! Come on, get in.”

Sam hurried into the car, tossing his bag to the ground between his legs, and leaning forward to meet Dean in the middle. Dean wrapped an arm around Sam, cradling his neck, and pressed a firm kiss to his forehead. When released, Sam flopped against the seat with a smile.

“I missed you, daddy,” Sam blinked, and Dean grinned before ruffling his hair.

“I missed you too, kiddo. I got my paycheck, you wanna go get some ice cream?”

Sam’s smile grew even wider, “Milkshakes?”

“Whatever you want,” Dean affirmed, and pulled out of the car-rider line.

Once home, his stomach full of a burger, fries, and milkshake, Sam slumped on the living room couch with a deflated, content sigh. He was flopped up against the armrest, lithe body lain across the couch cushions, and Dean smiled at him softly. The older boy followed Sam onto the couch, crowding over him. Sam’s breath hitched, his jaw ticking up as Dean’s face hovered over his.

“Daddy,” Sam cooed, eyelashes fluttering, “You’re not working tonight.” He was giddy. It was already past 4:00, and usually, Dean would’ve been long-gone by now. Most days, Sam prided himself in his maturity. He was a pretty grown-up kid, knew how to hunt monsters and how to kill them, was mostly fluent in Latin, had fired a gun more times than the average 14-year-old boy. But he felt small with Dean, like falling back into a littler version of himself. Dean never made fun of him for it.

Dean bent down onto his elbows, one hand coming up to cradle Sam’s jaw.

“You’re right, I’m not workin’. I’m all yours this evening. Whaddaya wanna do?” Dean’s fingers, calloused and warm, gently scratched up and down Sam’s soft jaw. He hadn’t yet grown facial hair yet, unlike Dean, who had scruff he maintained. It made him look older, and more handsome.

“We could watch a movie,” Sam bit his bottom lip, worrying at the inflamed, reddened skin there. Dean’s thumb moved to remove Sam’s lip from his mouth with a tut.

“You should stop bitin’ there, Sammy. You’re hurtin’ yourself,” Dean’s gaze was pensive, unconcerned. He’d been repeating that for years. If Sam wasn’t biting his lip, it was the inside of his cheek, or his nails. “A movie sounds good, though. I got Ferris Bueller’s Day Off from the Blockbuster downtown,” Dean tapped Sam’s chin, “Does that sound good, kiddo?”

Sam nodded, and smiled, “Yeah, daddy, that sounds good.”

[rinhaler]

I Pick a Tail Number and We Could Be Tourists

CHAPTER SUMMARY: you're stranded out of town and it's all Megumi's fault. Time to find a hotel to crash in!

boyfriend!yuuji itadori x f!reader x bully!megumi fushiguro

WARNINGS : 18+, alcohol consumption, arguing, name calling, strong language lmao, PG chapter tbh!

WORDS : 9.2k

notes : dangerously close to running out of old chapters to edit and repost LOL

       LAST CHAPTER ┊ MASTERLIST ┊ NEXT CHAPTER

—

Megumi didn’t wait for you as he re-entered the aquarium and you had to work double time to keep up with his brisk strides.

He said that you should go inside together so you could figure out this mess you found yourselves in; and yet it sure feels like he’s trying to leave you behind.

He only slows down when he starts to text, which of course, piques your interest. It’s probably his dad or his sister, letting them know what happened and asking for a ride. He comes to a complete stop as you arrive at the café. Megumi pulls out a chair, he intended it to be for himself, but when he looks up and notices your worried gaze, he gestures it to you and takes another seat.

You must look terrified if even Megumi is showing you that much kindness.

“Are you texting Toji?” you ask him, and he scoffs immediately.

“No? Why would I?”

“Because we are fucking stranded and you said we were going to plan what we are going to do!” you whisper-shout at him, doing all you can to remain level-headed and keep your fury to a minimum. You’re so overwhelmed and angry you know the smallest push will have you freefalling into tears.

“I’m gonna call that asshole teacher of ours and see if they can turn around.” Megumi tells you, scrolling through his phone until he lands on your lecturer’s phone number. You hear a faint ringing through the speaker again and again. A vision of rage flares across Megumi’s features as the ringing goes to voicemail.

“Call Toji!” you demand. It prompts Megumi to kiss his teeth and roll his eyes to look at you, he studies your body language and expression, and he has to hold back a smile when he sees how serious you are. “Or I will.” the threat causes Megumi’s vague amusement to fade into annoyance as he adjusts his seating position to sit up straight.

“Go on then.” he challenges, moodily. He rests his ankle over his knee and slouches more in his seat, avoiding eye contact with you as he proceeds to play on his phone and ignore the gravity of the situation you’ve found yourself in. You tut, quickly finding Toji’s name in your contacts and dialling.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

“What did he do?” he huffs, answering the phone sounding a little out of breath.

“N-Nothing, Toji. Well he, I guess he—“

“What? What’s going on, princess?”

Megumi’s eyes are burning into yours as he warns you to choose your next words carefully. Part of you wants to protect him; you aren’t sure if it’s out of guilt for your tattling earlier this morning or if it’s out of fear for what he’ll do to you. Your mouth hangs open as you consider, and then turns to a smile that you’ll hope Toji will hear through the phone.

“He’s been fine. But, uh, we missed the bus home.”

“Was it his fault?”

“W-Well, umm…”

“Just tell me sweetheart. Was it his fault you missed the bus?” he questions, a stern, authoritative tone in his speech. You do all you can to remain composed and not expose yourself to Megumi. A small little gulp travels down your throat as you find the confidence to croak out a singular word.

“Technically…”

“Put him on.”

“But—”

“Put him on the phone right now.”

He’s never spoken to you like that before. It was a condensed version of how you hear him address Megumi. You quickly hand the phone to his son and hear a quiet ‘for fuck sake’ under his breath as he presses your phone to his ear.

He looks cute, you think, with a pink love heart phone case on the side of his head. With this and the colouring book, you’re starting to think he’s not all bad.

Maybe he even has a softer side.

He at least has a sort of nice side if today is anything to go by.

You’re brought out of your soft ideation as you see a vein bulge against Megumi’s temple and his teeth grit whilst his father screams bloody murder at him down the phone. Even without speaker phone turned on, you can still hear him.

“Enough!” Megumi bites back, finally, and Toji actually pipes down once he hears his son snap. “Can you come get us or not?” he hisses through his teeth. His eyes bulge open as he hears a response he hadn’t expected. “What do you mean no? Where the fuck are you right now? It’s loud.”

“I mean no, shithead. I’ll talk to you about it later, I can’t get you though. I’m sorry, kid. Tsumiki is at work too so she can’t.” Toji tells him. Megumi sighs and shakes his head in your direction. It’s odd, considering Toji said he’d drop anything and everything to rescue you if needed be. But you suppose things happen, life gets in the way, it can’t be helped. You know he would if he could. “Give her the phone back.”

He does, holding it out for you to take. He gets up, trudging towards the barista to avoid listening to whatever his father is going to say to you.

“I’m so so sorry I can’t come get you, baby. You’re a credit card kid though, right? I’ll be able to wire you the money tomorrow if you wanna get a cab back. It’s only fair I fucking pay since it’s my dumb kid's fault.”

“Three hours in a cab? I can’t, I’m not really talking to my parents right now and I’d feel obliged to if I spent that much money on their card.” you tell him. He nods, despite you being unable to see it. He understands. “Megumi’s gonna try and ring our teacher again, maybe they’ll come back for us.”

“Yeah, maybe.” he responds, “I know it isn’t ideal but… if there’s no one else, maybe you could book a hotel room for the night or something?”

“Oh! Absolutely not!” you reply. The chipper tone in your voice with such a funny answer makes him snicker down the phone. “I’ve just remembered Gojo exists, I’ll call him!” you beam, impressed with yourself as the idea strikes you.

“N-No, princess, wait—!”

“Bye Toji!” you hang up, albeit a little guiltily. But you waste no time searching your contacts for Gojo.

You jump a little when you hear the sound of glass thump against the table you’re sitting at. He got you and himself milkshakes. Banana for you and strawberry for him. There’s something quite endearing about Megumi and the colour pink.

“Thanks. Did you know banana is my favourite or was it a guess?”

“I’m gonna try that fucking idiot teacher again.” Megumi speaks, totally ignoring your question. There’s no way he could have known it was your favourite, you’ve never told him and you doubt Yuuji had. He gets up and walks away from the table as he listens to the mind-numbing ring of his phone attempting to connect him.

Your call to Gojo is useless. His smarmy voice immediately grates on you as he asks how you got yourself in such a predicament. It only edges his theory more that you have a thing for Megumi now that you’re stuck with him. And you are stuck, since he’s also unable to help.

“Didn’t think you’d need me today so I’m out of town. How about your favourite Papaguro?” he taunts.

“He can’t. I don’t know what he’s doing but he said he can’t.” you tell him, coldly, hoping your tone of voice will quell his curiosity and put an end to his teasing.

“Oh really? How interesting. Let me talk to Megumi—”

“Goodbye, Gojo.” you cut him off before he can continue anymore. Your blood is boiling, but you manage to relax as you see a stream of texts from Toji begging you not to call Gojo.

Oops.

Megumi returns, tossing his phone onto the table. You think if he fell into his seat any harder he might have put a hole through the floor. He looks furious. A face like thunder and his arms folded across his chest. His foot begins tapping against the floor speedily, almost like a tick of some sort and soon it travels up his leg so that he’s bouncing it. You don’t stare, but you look over to him wondering when he’ll be ready to talk. He looks at you when you lean forward to sip the straw of your milkshake.

“I thought it was weird that they left without us,” he starts, copying your actions and slurping the pink liquid he purchased through his straw. “Whenever I’ve been on trips in the past. They say a certain time to be back, but they never actually leave until everyone is accounted for on the bus.”

“Right? But this isn’t like school, we’re adults. It’s university. So they don’t fuck around when it comes to this stuff, I guess.” you respond. He shakes his head though, disregarding your statement.

“I went on a trip with my old university and they waited for a bunch of mature students who were late back to the bus. Like, thirty minutes late. They don’t leave students behind on trips, ever. Unless…”

“Unless?”

“Guess what that useless excuse for an educator just told me.” Megumi smirks. You shake your head, giving up on his little game before you even begin. You see his eyes roll over white before he leans in closer to you across the table, his chest almost spilling his milkshake over. “Apparently I sent a text to those stupid ugly girls telling them that we caught a ride home from Toji. And that idiot believed them.”

“Did you?”

“What?”

“Did you text them, Megumi? Because this seems like something you’d definitely do to try and fuck with me.”

“Don’t be dense. I’m not fucking with you anymore, am I? If I was fucking with you I would have left you here alone.” he assures you. You nod, finding his explanation believable enough to dispel any doubt. You’re at least glad he isn’t angry with you for doubting him; he’s given you more than enough reasons to, after all. “How was your call with Gojo?”

“It’s a no-go,” you smile. You even manage to coax a little smirk out of Megumi as well. “He’s out of town, busy. And I assume a charming boy such as yourself doesn’t have any friends who could get us.”

“I assume the girl who pissed herself at Independent doesn’t have any friends either.” he bites back. He scrunches his eyes as soon as the words leave his mouth. Regret, you deduce. You look away from him to stop yourself from crying, and you know he won’t apologise to you for saying it.

Keep it together. Don’t let him see you cry.

“Call your parents.” Megumi demands.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I said no. I’m not fucking talking to them and you’re not going to bully me into doing it. Especially after what you just said. I cannot believe I thought—”

“Don’t fucking start. Sorry, alright? Just slipped out.” he mumbles, and you huff out a sigh. It’s a huge deal, honestly. You didn’t think he was capable of apologising. Hell, you didn’t even know he knew the word sorry. You shake your head, dismissing him and his bullshit as you try and come to terms with your situation. “No Toji or Gojo or bus coming back. No cab. No friends. What’s left, O’Keeffe?”

“I- Toji suggested something but I said no to that, too.” you hesitate to tell him. He looks at you, curiously, waiting for you to elaborate. A scoff escapes you as you recall the idea and debate on telling him or not. It can’t hurt to mention it, you suppose. “A hotel.”

“He’s smart sometimes, I’ll give him that. Why did you say no?”

“I don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary with you, let alone share a room.” you tell him bluntly, and he laughs at your brazenness. He catches himself, though, his face returning to the stoic expression it’s used to. He can’t let you think he finds you funny.

“Why would we share? The rooms will be dirt cheap. It might not be what you want to hear, but, we’re stuck here for tonight at least.” he tells you. And unfortunately, you’re starting to think he’s right. You’re shit out of luck. There’s no escape from him and you are stranded in town until someone can come and get you both. Of course, the reasonable thing to do would be to call your parents and just get over your petty grudge and talk to them. But it wasn’t a viable option.

You can’t.

You just can’t.

You pull your laptop out of your bag and connect with the hotspot on your phone. Megumi is squinting incredulously. As if you’re the type to come up with evil plots and schemes.

“I’m looking up hotels in town, apparently there’s only three. Do you want to call?” you wonder. He grabs your laptop and turns it to face him, dialling the number for the first hotel. You start calling the second and it rings for an awfully long time.

“This one’s fully booked, give me the last one.” he demands, you turn your screen for him to see and he attempts the next number.

“Oh hello, I was wondering if you had any rooms available for—”

You’re cut off by the most unwelcome answer you could have possibly imagined. The look on Megumi’s face is telling you that he doesn’t have a much better answer for you either. His teeth are grinding and his face is almost completely red. Instead of one bulging forehead vein you think you can see three of them.

“No rooms.”

Fuck.

“I— We’ll take it. Is it okay if we pay on site? I’m not sure how many days… Yeah, sure. That’s fine, uh, Fushiguro for the booking, I guess. Thanks so much.” you sigh, hanging up the phone.

“Nice one, O’Keeffe. And you’re putting it in my name so Toji has to pay, real smart. At least we’ll have our rooms for the night and we can get some—”

“Our room.” you correct him.

“What?”

“They only had one fucking room available for us.”

“No.”

“It’s two double beds so it’s not like we’re sharing. Listen, I’m not thrilled about it either, Megumi.” you snipe at him, unwilling to tolerate his attitude when you’re already in a foul mood.

“If you weren’t being such a petty, stuck up, bitch, your parents could have—”

“You can eat shit along with my parents. Fuck this,” you moan, standing to your feet and heading for the exit. You’re quickly stabbing the letters of the address into Google Maps so you can walk your way to your hotel.

Megumi knows he’s going to have to catch up with you at some point, but he’s stubborn, unable to admit defeat or appear weak.

But he is at fault for everything. He is the one that got you both into this mess and he is the one that keeps pushing your fucking buttons.

He does get up, though. It takes him a while to see you when he gets outside into the pouring rain. But when he does, it doesn’t take long to reach you. And almost as if to protect his fragile masculinity, he deems it necessary to overtake you like he’s leading the way. Guiding you to safety.

He doesn’t even know where he’s going, looking over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure he’s going the right way. He stops at an intersection looking completely out of his depth. You don’t help him, if he’s so insistent on leading the way then he can take it from here.

You don’t mind catching hypothermia in pursuit of proving a petty point.

His eyes wander around. And suddenly they settle. He knows he’s lost and clueless about what he’s doing. But ever the bullshitter, he comes up with a valid excuse for a pause in the journey.

“Should we get some clothes?” he asks. You scrunch your face up, not understanding why such a random question left his lips. He points in the direction of a department store, hoping to clarify his reasoning. “We only have what we came in and we’re drenched. I hope you aren’t planning on sleeping naked since we’re sharing a room.”

You suppose he has a point.

“Fine. Let’s go, I’m not buying your shit, though.”

“Bank of Toji, O’Keeffe. A pair of piece of shit credit card kids stranded in the middle of nowhere. Classic.”

“I’m not a piece of shit credit card kid, Megumi.” you inform him.

“Oh yeah? Who’s paying for that cosy little love den again. You and Yuuji must be working so hard to pay the bills.”

That shuts you up fairly quickly. Maybe he’s right. Are you really nothing but a trust fund baby? A useless girl who can’t get by without help from her parents. You never thought about it before, but it seems that way the more you think about it.

They’re the only reason you’re able to spend as much as you want at the drop of a hat.

They’re the only reason you have a nice house to live in instead of a gross little shoebox dorm room while you’re studying.

Megumi is a lot of things. A lot of awful things you couldn’t even begin to list. But it’s not often that he lies. And it’s even rarer that he’s wrong.

The store is nothing special. It’s nice and cheap which makes you feel real good inside. You may be spending your parents’ money, but at least it isn’t anything for them to call you up about.

You pick out a few outfits and some pyjamas to wear in the hotel room. You look over one of the clothes rails and see Megumi flirting with one of the shop assistants.

You feel hot all of a sudden. Angry. Why is he fucking flirting with her? Is now really the time to be doing this? He’s acting like everything is fine. Normal. Like you aren’t stuck here for however long.

You aren’t sure why, but something snaps in you. Before you can even ask yourself if it’s a good idea you’re marching up towards the girl and Megumi, rudely intercepting their conversation.

“I’m done buying stuff. Have you got everything?” you ask him.

“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t— Is this your girlfriend?” she asks. You scoff quickly and Megumi laughs at her assumption.

“Long story. Here, babe,” he smirks as he holds her hand and pulls a biro out of his back pocket. He scribbles his phone number on the top of her hand and winks at her. “Might be in town for a few days, call me up if you wanna have some fun.”

“Ugh.” you mutter, earning an elbow in the ribs from him.

“O-Okay, Megumi. I’ll call you. And nice to meet you, uh—”

“Bye.” you speak, assuming she was about to ask your name. You had no intention of giving it to her and watching them drool over each other for a second longer. “Not very professional of you, is it? Flirting with customers?” you tell her as you walk towards the checkout counter. She scoffs lightly, looking at Megumi for reassurance.

He does nothing but laugh, shrugging his shoulders as he walks after you. He’s silent for a while as he watches the woman at the counter ring up your purchases. You’ve got a face like thunder and he can’t even begin to describe how amused he feels. He waits for you to pick up your shopping bags before putting his own clothes down and waiting for the same service.

“What’s wrong with your face?” he asks you.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re pissed. Clearly. But I’ve never seen you look like that before. Is it…”

“Don’t you dare.”

“Jealousy?”

“You’re a fucking idiot. I’m not jealous. I don’t want you bringing girls back to our hotel room and listening to you cum in thirty seconds and think you’re impressive.”

“Right.”

He picks up his bags and heads for the exit. You know he’s winding you up on purpose when he winks at the girl again. It’s like he’s pouring salt and vinegar into a wound just to see how long it will take you to scream. You’re already fragile. Vulnerable. Lonely. He’s treating you as if you’re some social experiment to see how much he can get away with. He knows it’s a lot. He’s put you through a lot already.

What else is left?

—

You finally make it to the hotel.

Megumi had given in and decided to let you show him the way while he attempted to get through to his dad again. It took a few calls until he answered. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary either, both of them yelling and getting angry at each other until they finally got down to what they needed to talk about.

Paying the front desk.

He hands the phone to the man checking you in while he takes down his card details.

“Could you speak up, sir? It’s a little loud.” he requests.

“I said that earlier. Where the fuck is he?” Megumi wonders, facing you. You shrug your shoulders, assuming he didn’t actually expect you to answer.

How are you meant to know? It’s not like you're in cahoots with Toji just because he has an attentive interest in you and your wellbeing.

Megumi might annoy the life out of you and make your life hell at any opportunity, but you’re not the type of girl to keep information from him just to get the upper hand.

“All sorted. We’ve got his details, enjoy your stay.”

“Can I ask why it’s so busy? I noticed a lot of uh… interesting clothes at the store. And this was the only hotel with a room, is there a reason?” you ask him.

“It’s our big town festival this weekend. The anniversary of its founding. We get dressed up in gaudy clothes. Hold a parade. A beach party. Don’t be fooled by the weather, it’ll be scorching for the parade.”

“We need the key to the room.” Megumi states, bluntly. Clearly not giving two shits about the upcoming festival. The man nods and holds the key out to him.

“There’s a shop around the corner that sell condoms and lube.” he tells you both.

“He’s NOT my fucking boyfriend!” you yell, storming towards the stairs with your bags. Megumi laughs, again, saying goodbye to the receptionist as he follows after you. “The fuck do I look like? As if I’d date someone like him.” you mumble to yourself.

“You’re gonna hurt my feelings.” Megumi teases.

You ignore him, picking up the pace and running up the stairs so you can escape him. You know you need him to unlock the door to the room, but you need at least a few seconds of peace from him.

You can’t stand it.

You can’t stand him.

He doesn’t chase you. He doesn’t pester you anymore. You rest your back against the wall beside the door to your room as you wait for him. You’re almost at your breaking point. You can feel it brewing. Your chest is aching and your mouth is filling with water. You can even feel your jaw begin to ache.

What could you have done to deserve this?

Megumi arrives and doesn’t say a word. You’re thankful. You aren’t sure if he’s doing it for his benefit or yours. Does he know if he prods at your sensitive skin any more you’ll crumble to dust?

The room is quaint. You take the bed closest to the bathroom; leaving the one nearest to the window to him. Both of you drop your bags on each of your beds. He’s pacing around a little while you sit on the mattress.

Looking around is getting to you.

This is real.

You’re really stuck in a fucking hotel room with Megumi Fushiguro. What would Yuuji think if he could see you now? What were you fucking thinking by giving him the benefit of the doubt? Maybe you’d have been better off if you let those girls bully you on the coach and harass you in the art gallery.

At least you’d be on your way home.

At least you wouldn’t be stuck with him.

The spiralling thoughts in your mind are the final straw. You burst into tears and you couldn’t be anymore humiliated if you tried. Megumi looks over his shoulder to see you sobbing.

He feels awkward.

He’s not used to seeing anyone get emotional, let alone you. He’s only seen you like this because of him. And he can’t deny that this is his fault as well.

So, why can’t he find it in him to feel bad?

He goes in the bathroom and picks up some toilet roll for you. He doesn’t hand it to you, though. He just throws it at you. It makes you laugh a little. It’s just so him. You have to admit despite his obscure approach, he’s really been trying with you since the coach trip. You get yourself a handful of toilet roll and start dabbing it at your cheeks.

“Why did you do this to me, Megumi?” you ask so quietly it’s barely audible. “You keep fucking with me. And… this was without trying. Or was it planned?”

“Shut up. What good is this doing, huh? We’re in this, now, there isn’t shit we can do about it so suck it up.”

“You walked out of the aquarium and fucked everything up. You said you were going to piss but you were outside on the phone! Who was it? Tell me!”

“I won’t tell you again, princess. No business of yours so shut your fucking mouth.”

“It is my business when you get me into a situation like this because of it. You made this happen. And now you’re planning fucking dates and doing all that you can to make this experience even more miserable than it already is!” you yell, eyes and nose running quicker than you can keep up with. You must look a total mess and it’s making you even more embarrassed. It’s just more ammunition to fuel him with, more he can hold over your head and make you feel shit for.

“Who I’m on the phone with is my business. Who I go on dates with is my fucking business. Stop being a bitch. Are you on your fucking period? You’re so quick to shut down any chance of you being my girlfriend but you’re acting like you are since you’re being a nagging cunt.”

“Megumi—”

“Shut up.”

“Please… Please, don’t bring her back here.” you beg quietly. It makes him huff in annoyance as he turns away from you. You see him shaking as he grabs hold of the wooden dressing table as he tries to stabilise himself. “You at least owe me that, Megumi. You’ve done so many fucked up things. Unforgivable things, but here we are. I’m… I’m sobbing in a hotel room that I’m sharing with you. I’ve never asked you for anything other than to stop bullying me. But please, please don’t bring her here.”

You see his eyes screw shut in the mirror. He’s biting his lower lip as he thinks everything through.

You’re right.

He knows you’re right.

There’s an awful lot that he’s done to you and you’ve forgiven him without him even saying sorry. It shows how big of a person you are. How kind and sweet and genuine you are.

But he doesn’t care.

He just doesn’t fucking care.

Why does he get such a kick out of making you suffer? There’s something so enthralling and hypnotic about you that he can’t get over. You’re always in his fucking head and even seeing you bawl your eyes out he can’t find it in him to feel bad.

“FUCK!” he shouts, angrily trudging over to his bed to pick up one of the bags.

It’s the bag he held up earlier outside of the aquarium when you finally found each other. You never got a chance to ask what was in it. It had the logo for the aquarium on it, but you were too distraught and angry to question what he had purchased.

“Here.” he speaks, hurtling the bag towards you. You duck out of the way before it can hit you.

“Megumi!” you yell back, wiping your tears with your hands as your eyes widen in anger at him. He’s not paying attention though. Searching through his pockets for a cigarette and heading towards the exit.

“Goin’ for a smoke. Sick of the sight of your miserable fuckin’ face.” he tells you, slamming the door behind him. You throw yourself backwards so that your head is in the pillows. You’ve never felt so alone as you practically wail into the desolate hotel room.

What you’d give to have Toji pick you up right now and take you home.

To tell Megumi off for being so cruel to you again. Or even just to have Yuuji hold you in his arms. You’d kill to hear his voice. Hell. You’d even settle for a text at this point.

Why is he avoiding you?

You manage to calm yourself down the longer Megumi is gone from the room.

Deep breaths. One. Two. Three. Four.

You get up and look at yourself in the mirror. You’re thankful you packed some of your makeup into your tote bag for emergencies. Your face is a mess, you look like you’ve just been dumped on your wedding day.

You decide to go to the bathroom to rinse it off completely. The cold water splashing on your face almost stops your heart. But once your face is clear, you dab the water dripping down with a towel.

As you steady your breathing, you run your fingers through your hair once you leave the bathroom. The bag that Megumi tossed at you catches your eye. He threw it like it was yours. But you didn’t get anything from the aquarium. You’re approaching it like it’s a fucking bomb. He’s probably put insects in it to bite you or filled it with something else equally disgusting.

But you can’t help having a curious nature.

The bag is light when you pick it up. A single tear rolls down your face when you look inside.

“Oh, Megumi…” you sigh.

It’s the shark. The shark plushie from the aquarium you thought was so adorable. It doesn’t excuse everything he’s done. Anything he’s done, actually.

It certainly isn’t worth being late for the bus.

It isn’t worth you being stuck in this hotel room. It didn’t excuse everything he’d done and how he treated you in the past. But you can’t help but wonder how different things could be if he had shown this side of him from the start.

You get cosy in bed and cuddle your shark. You decide to name him Gerald. He’s softer than you remember him being in the gift shop, and that is by no means a complaint. It’s such a nice feeling to have something so adorable and soft to hold.

There is a split second you think your heart might have actually stopped when you hear Megumi open the door. You jump out of your skin but remain comfortable lying under the covers of your bed. He walks in, chuckling, when he sees you. He shakes his hand through his hair, messy water droplets falling from the ends.

“Thank you for Gerald, I love him.”

“S’not a gift, you owe me for him,” he tells you. At that, you sit up. Wide eyed and humiliated that you actually thought he’d do something so nice for you. You set down Gerald and open up the quilt to go and get your purse. “It was a joke. Gerald, huh?”

“Yeah, I don’t know. People names on animals is funny, I guess.” you answer. He nods lazily, like he isn’t fully committing to agreeing with your opinion. He throws his jacket to the ground and sits on top of his own bed. “Why did you do this for me?”

“I saw you left him when I went back to find you.” he speaks, “I- you seemed like you really wanted it so I just got it for you. That’s it. You’re welcome.” he finishes, leaning backwards on his elbows as he stares you down. It’s incredible how uneasy you can feel in such an instant whenever those intimidating green eyes study you.

It’s like you forget how to breathe.

How to be.

How should you act when you’re worrying whether or not every action you take may be used against you?

“I’d… look, I have a lot of thoughts and I just can’t say them without feeling stupid.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid, Megumi. You’re just a dick.” you laugh, and he laughs back. You aren’t wrong. “I’m scared of you, I don’t think I’ll ever get over that feeling with you. You’re compelling. Forceful. Dominant. It scares me, but getting me a plushie… standing up for me with those girls… colouring a fucking kids book in with me. They’re such kind, human things I didn’t expect you to be capable of.”

“Human? Do you think I’m a monster?”

“Sometimes. Most of the time, Megumi. You became a monster under my bed that kept me up at night.” you tell him. He shakes his head at that. You can’t decipher whether it’s self-reflection or disregard of your statement. Maybe he thinks you’re just being dramatic. “I don’t know what we are right now but I’d never think you’re stupid. So, if there’s anything you want to talk to me about or tell me I won’t… I won’t judge you for it. But if you want to keep it to yourself that’s fine too. Thanks for giving me a gift.”

“The girl from the store sent me a text. She asked if I want to go on a date tonight.” he admits. The admission takes you aback slightly, not expecting that to be the thought he was wanting to speak of.

“O-Oh.”

“I’m not bringing her back here. You’re right, I owe you that much. And I… I told her I can’t go on a date, ever.”

“Why?”

“’Cause it’s my fault we’re stuck here so I shouldn’t leave you alone, right? You’re fucking me up, O’Keeffe. Got me growin’ a fucking conscience suddenly.” he complains, but it makes you smile.

“I can look after myself, you know. Don’t let me stand in the way of you getting a nut.” you smile. He shakes his head putting another cigarette between his lips. He only left the room to smoke because he wanted space and to give you the same, not because it’s a rule of the hotel. There’s even an ashtray on his bedside table for him.

“Don’t care if you can or not. I don’t want to see her, anyway. I wanna go out with you.” he tells you.

“I’m sorry?”

“Get ready. The receptionist told me there’s a bowling alley nearby, ‘m not sulking in this shit hole room all night so get dressed.”

—

He’s a little jealous that he didn’t think of your genius idea of buying a raincoat. He did buy an umbrella, though, not that it did much to protect his new clothes or his hair. The bowling alley is a fifteen-minute walk away from the hotel. You’re glad you had opted to wear your favourite trainers instead of a pair of heels for your trip. Walking around today had been a breeze. And you were both hoping this would be the type of bowling alley that allows you to wear your own shoes.

You’ve always enjoyed places like this. Arcades that are dark with neon lighting. You look over to the lanes while Megumi pays for both of you and see an assortment of neon-coloured pins.

“Could we have a lane with pink pins, please?” you ask, sweetly. Megumi looks up from the card machine to grimace at you. But the man nods kindly, agreeing to your request.

You’re guided to the furthest lane away, right next to the wall. The desire to take a few pictures is too strong to ignore. Megumi scoffs but doesn’t comment. You get a few snaps of him while he’s entering your names into the system. It shocks you that he’s letting you go first. There might be a gentlemanly side to him, after all.

“Do you need the sides up?” he asks, patronisingly.

“Don’t be a dick about it. Yes, please.” you respond. He rolls his eyes but does as you ask. The sides come up for you to take your turn, and they’ll retreat for his. “Ah this is so cool! I didn’t know lanes could do this now.”

“Hurry up and take your turn. Does princess need a pink ball to match her pink pins?” he questions. Whenever you bowl, you always choose the lightest weight. Either a six or an eight. There’s only an eight here and it’s a hideous lime green colour. But it’s fine. You watch the ball zig zag off the sides before knocking down seven pins. “Not bad.” he hums. You saunter back to the bowling balls and pick up another. You only manage to hit one pin, but it’s one more than you had expected.

“You’re up, Fushiguro. See if you can beat that.” you tease, sticking your tongue out.

He swaggers over to the machine with as much confidence as an A-lister. He picks up the heaviest, pink, ball with ease. He raises his eyebrows twice in quick succession, like he’s gloating he got to use a pink ball and you didn’t. He poses triumphantly before he’s even rolled the ball. Like he’s some sort of fucking pro.

The ball flies from his hand and skids down the lane quicker than you can blink. It doesn’t roll until it connects with the centre pin. One of his legs is dramatically behind the other, a position he chooses to hold until he sees each and every pin knock down.

Megumi turns around and grins at you, smirking with pride and the state of shock your face is currently displaying. You point to the lane and then back to him as your words get jumbled in your mouth. He lazily points back at you, a fake look of contemplation overcoming him.

“So, out of curiosity, do you think I beat that?” he teases. He takes a seat and waits for you to take your next turn, casually looking through the drinks menu that had been left for you both to peruse.

“Are you some sort of bowling prodigy?”

“Nah.”

That’s it. That’s all he’s giving you as he orders himself a beer on the screen menu. He orders a drink for you, too, though he doesn’t tell you that. You take your turn again and manage to somehow get a spare.

By the time your drinks come he’s taking his next turn. You’re surprised that he ordered you a strawberry and lime cider, but it isn’t unwelcome. Maybe he’s trying to get you drunk so he wins even easier than he already is. He comes back, swigging his beer and silently gloating about his second strike of the evening.

“Thanks for the drink.” you smile. He nods and he drinks, his Adam’s apple bobbing dramatically with each glug of his beer. “Are those strikes just luck, then?”

“Does it matter?”

“A little, I guess. Did you just bring me here so you could feel superior?”

“Take your fuckin’ turn. You need to get it into that thick head of yours that not everything I do is about you.” he speaks sternly. It feels like you’re five years old being scolded by your parents. You tuck your hair behind your ears and get up to bowl again. You’re elated when your ball zig zags perfectly enough to earn a strike. It fills you with false confidence, a belief that you might actually be able to keep up with Megumi.

You sit and sip your drink as you watch him take another turn. He lets his head loll backwards as he exhales in annoyance.

“Unlucky.” you mock, as he cranes his head to face you. A split. He manages to get two out of the three pins left standing. You wonder for a second if he might have done it on purpose to placate you, and then you remember who you’re dealing with.

As tense as the atmosphere seems to be between the two of you, you’re managing to make fun for yourself. The music is loud, something you’d hear in a nightclub. You can’t help but shake your hips whenever you get up to roll. You drink your cider a little quicker than intended and you start ordering more. They go down smoother than water and your turns become messier. It’s going to be an easy win for Megumi, but it doesn’t stop either of you trying.

“Let’s go again!” you yell before gasping when you realise what song is playing. Love Myself, by Hailee Steinfeld. “I LOVE ME! GONNA LOVE MY—”

“That’s enough,” Megumi interrupts as he yanks you away from the lane. He’s holding your hand impossibly tight, guiding you in the direction of the exit. You can tell he’s embarrassed but your tipsy mind decides it’s a good idea to keep pushing his buttons anyway.

“Aw, Megs, don’tcha wanna teach me how to bowl? Since you’re such an expert?”

“I- I don’t want to do that. Shut up, we’re going home.”

“I wish we were going home. You fucking idiot. Letting us get stranded here because you had such an important fucking phone call that’s such a big God damn secret.”

“Oh for crying out fucking loud.” he says, stopping in the middle of an alleyway he decided to take to save time. “You’re so lucky you’re you right now, you have no fucking idea.”

“W-What does that mean?”

“I hate you. I hate you nagging and bitching in my ear constantly. But most of all I hate how pathetically weak you are. I could leave you here, you know. In the middle of this shady alley to let whatever piece of shit do whatever the hell he wants with you. And I’d sleep just fine. Do you understand? I despise you.”

“But you’ve been so—”

“So nice? The only reason I’m not gonna do that is because you’re you. Let me say it simply enough for your stupid little mind to understand. I don’t wanna deal with your family, my family, Gojo, and fucking Yuuji jumping down my neck because I left a spoilt bitch to rot in the middle of nowhere.”

“You’ll never change, will you? Why do you keep doing this to me?”

“Enough.” he hisses, clenching your wrist and pulling you out of the dingy alleyway and back onto the main roads. The streetlights glittering as rain lashes down across the yellow bulbs. You’re crying, again. You probably would have been able to hold it together if you were in your own sober mind.

How could you be so stupid? After what he did to you last time there was alcohol involved, you’re such an idiot for letting your guard down for a second around him. Granted, he didn’t do anything particularly evil to you. But he definitely has a way with words that make you feel like you’re a speck of dust in the grand scheme of the universe.

You’re nothing.

—

He shoves you into the hotel room ahead of him and slams the door behind himself. The hideous flickering fluorescent lights are making you feel sick. You’re wobbling on your feet without Megumi guiding and supporting you. You begin to lean, to slope. Your feet are staggering until finally you collapse onto the ground.

“You are a fucking embarrassment. Get up. You need to sleep this off.” he demands. You get onto your hands and knees and start crawling towards your shopping bags searching for your pyjamas. He watches as you feebly rifle through them before he gets sick and helps you. He pulls out the purple fluffy vest and shorts you purchased and throws them in your face. “I didn’t have you down as being such a lightweight. It’s hard to watch, should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Didn’t use—”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t used to be, Megumi… I haven’t touched a drop since you…”

You begin to sob as you think about what a fool you’re making of yourself in front of your bully. It humbles him, though, hearing the reason you couldn’t hold your alcohol is another thing that’s down to him. He almost feels sorry for you. It’s enough for him to help you to your feet and lead you into the bathroom to get dressed in private.

“Fuck!” you yell, knocking over a multitude of complimentary bathroom products as you stumble to the ground yet again. Megumi rushes in to see you on the floor, still fully dressed and struggling to get your clothes off. You���re sobbing, now, face shining with sticky tears and regrets. “Megumi, I can’t—”

“Alright.” he picks up your pyjamas and sits on the ground with you, pulling you between his legs. Your shirt is lifted over your head for you before he replaces it with your new soft vest. “Bra on or off?” he questions.

“O-Off, please.” you answer. His hands slip under your vest as he unhooks it. He pulls down the straps and reaches around your front and under your clothes again. It’s awkward. Intimate. But he doesn’t cop a feel. He’s being a genuine help to you. Yanking away your black bra and tossing it aside. “Thank y-you.”

He stands up and helps you to your feet as well. You’re forcibly turned to face him as he undoes the button on your jeans and pulls down the zipper. He turns you again to pull them down to your ankles.

“Do you sleep with your panties on or off?”

“Um, I—”

“I won’t look, just want you to get ready for bed.”

“Off…” you sigh, nervously. You look over your shoulder and see him nod. He keeps his gazed fixed on the bathroom tiles as he hooks his fingers into your simple black thong. They’re pulled down so you can step out of them and into the purple shorts. You wiggle your hips so he can put them onto you comfortably. You’ve still got socks on. You’d managed to force your trainers off when you fell over next to your bed, but who knows if you were able to keep them together.

Megumi stands up and throws you over his shoulder, carrying you to your bed and throwing you onto the mattress. He takes your socks off for you and tucks them into your trainers, leaving the beside the door to the hotel for you to find tomorrow.

“Under the covers.” he instructs, and you obey.

“Why are you so… it’s like you’re two different people.”

He ignores you, tucking you in until you look comfy enough. You’re cuddling Gerald and he hates the way his heart flutters when he sees how sweet you look with the gift that he got you. What the hell was he thinking? He goes to the bathroom and comes back with a glass of water, setting it on your side table in case you need it during the night.

“Megs, I’ve got some aspirin in my tote. Would you mind?”

He gets it for you and throws it your way. It hits off the glass, spilling a little water but nothing too damaging. Megumi starts to undress, uncaring of your presence. He bought himself a pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt to sleep in. He walks around, turning out all of the lights before he gets into his own bed.

“’m not tired.” you tell him.

“You will be. Lie there and be quiet ‘til you fall asleep.” he tells you, not that he thought you’d listen to a word he had to say.

“Can we talk until we sleep?”

“No.”

“I wanna know why you’re so nice to me one minute and awful to me the next. Please, tell me why?” you request. He just grunts, though, not liking the thought of having to listen to you drone on until you pass out.

“You annoy me.” he says simply. It’s clear it isn’t a good enough answer when he’s rewarded with silence. But it’s the truth. You do annoy him. Like nobody else ever has before. “You piss me off and you make me feel angry. But you’re nice so it fucks me up, alright? I don’t know how to act around you because you make me feel too many things.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Drop it.”

You wrack your brains for something else to talk to him about. You’re sure talking about yourself isn’t a good idea, and talking about him might be even worse. Anything to do with Toji has the potential for an all-out war in the hotel room. You think asking about his history with Yuuji might be a sore subject, too.

“How come you’re so good at bowling?” it’s perfect. It’s about him but it’s not a heavy subject that can trigger him into another fit of abuse and rage. And it’s a valid question, too, considering he just schooled you at the bowling alley. He rolls onto his side to face you, and you do the same. He can see Gerald peeking out of the duvet and grins.

“Practice. Used to skip school a lot and play at the arcade.”

“Ever the bad boy, ‘Gumi.”

“Cut that shit out right now. I hate that nickname.” he demands. It makes you laugh knowing four letters has such a heated reaction from him. “Wasn’t doing it to be bad, just didn’t like school. Or people.”

“Were you… bullied? Or something?”

“No. Just didn’t care about shit. Toji was in and out and I was just angry about it. And I lost my mother and didn’t really have anyone to— Why am I telling you this? Stop asking me dumb shit.”

It’s the first time you’ve heard Megumi even come close to opening up about his mother. When you hear the vulnerability in his truth, you can almost forgive him for taking his anger with the world out on you. Toji is incredible to you, but the same can’t be said for his son. To abandon him right after he lost his mother is unforgivable. Of course he’s fucked up like this. He had nothing and no one. Not a shoulder to cry on or a word to say. Why would he care about his education or school when nothing in the world gave any care for him?

“Tsumiki isn’t your real sister, is she? So how did she—”

“Her mother and my father had a thing after mine died. So she’s not technically any relation of mine but we were all a family, only for a little bit. But after our parents ran off, that’s when Gojo took us in.”

“Wait, what? Gojo, as in—”

“Yeah, Satoru Gojo. That’s why I was surprised he was giving you a ride home that day after class. He’s like my weird other dad. That’s why him and Toji hate each other. Toji’s possessive and I’m his. But Gojo is the one who actually raised me most of my life.”

“Fuck. That’s so… fucked. Seriously heavy drama. Plus, I can’t imagine Gojo as a father. He’s annoying as hell and so immature.”

“He is. But he was good to us.”

You roll away and face the wall, happy with your answers and the conversation you’ve had. Your eyes are feeling heavier, watering with desperation to sleep. Yawns evade your lips and it makes Megumi chuckle. When your mouth is closed your teeth begin to chatter. Maybe shorts and vest wasn’t the best idea for sleepwear given the current weather conditions.

Despite all your best efforts to conceal the volume of your teeth, Megumi hears them. He doesn’t react, though. Not straight away at least. He isn’t sure if he wants to get involved. The worry of saying something pointless swirls through his head. What could he say, anyway? It’s not like he could do anything to make it better.

“You’re cold.” he says, plainly. He curses himself immediately. Why did he state it as a fact as if you aren’t already fully fucking aware of what temperature your body is at? You’re covered head to toe in goosebumps and worried you might actually freeze into a statue.

“Uhm, I… a little.” you confess, weakly. He clears his throat. His mouth is moving faster than his brain can tell him to shut up. It’s a mistake. A colossal mistake he needs to stop himself from making. But he can’t. The words are already pouring out. What the fuck is wrong with him?

“We, uh, do you want to get in? With me. Share body heat until you warm up.”

It shocks you, significantly so. He’s offering to spoon with you. What would Yuuji think? What would anyone think, actually? What do you think?

You think it’s absolutely ridiculous.

You’re constantly at each other’s throats and now he’s offering you comfort and warmth in such an intimate way. Yuuji wouldn’t be happy. Would any man be happy about their girlfriend getting into bed with someone else? No matter how innocent it is. You know he wouldn’t like it.

But you know it’s innocent. You don’t want anything from Megumi. Just…

“Okay.” you whisper. His eyes bulge, he hadn’t been expecting you to agree to it. He opens his duvet up for you. You pick up Gerald and rush into bed with him. Your body moulds against his and you immediately feel better. He’s so warm. You’re cuddling Gerald and his arms are wrapped around your waist as he holds you close, attempting to transfer as much as his body heat as he can onto you.

“Feel better?” he mutters after around ten minutes. You nod, and he holds you even tighter.

“I feel your… your dick is hard, Megumi.” you groan back, he snickers, uncaring.

“I know. Sorry, your ass keeps grinding against it. Just ignore it ‘n go to sleep, princess.” he commands. You giggle back at him. It isn’t his fault. If anything it’s yours. You should have said no to getting into his bed. You shouldn’t be letting him hold you like this. How a lover should.

How Yuuji does.

It’s so wrong and inappropriate. But you’re so toasty and warm, you really don’t care.

“Sweet dreams, Megumi.”

“Night, O’Keeffe.”

—

© 2022 fuwushiguro | © 2024 rinhaler

[givethemsmut]

Dom Mysterio x Reader

Chapter Fifteen | Where It All Started…

Dominik’s suspension had flown by. We spent half of it avoiding each other and the other half in bed. Somehow we resolved everything without resolving anything and I could be okay with that. We both made mistakes. If we could just stop sabotaging things we would be fine.

WWE didn’t stop calling or texting Dom. I wanted to be with him so badly I didn’t care what that looked like, if it meant I was involved or used as a pawn.

“Can we talk about it?” Dom was picking up shoes and doing some mini interview downtown that I tagged along to.

“There’s nothing to talk about. We aren’t using our personal lives as viewer bait.” He scuffed while snatching another pair of Nikes.

“But you can pretend to be other people’s boyfriends as viewer bait?” I retorted with my voice a little too loud when I realized people glanced over at me. Trailing behind him closely I whispered, “I want an excuse to go with you.”

“So I don’t fuck up again?” Twisting into me he purposely got so close it hurt just to breeze by me.

Still following his lead, “No, because I’m tired of being apart. I’m tired of hurting each other in general. I’m not going for a story line - you know I have zero interest in that shit. I did the living alone in our new house, missing you and masterbating to death thing. It’s old.”

Crowding me at the mere crude words, Dominik stepped into me until my back was against a poorly placed mirror. “Shhh. No one needs to know that. You can come but if I know my bosses they’re gonna hound us until we say yes. They want this storyline and you being on the road with me is a tease. They’ll never let it go.”

“Why are you so against it? What do they want from us?” I asked him, unsure of why he was so angry over nothing.

Looking down at me, I could feel his tense body against mine. I wasn’t showing yet but all of me felt more filled out. His fist pressed against the mirror as he leaned further in. “You would be with Randy. By his side. The whole point is to break Rhea and I up.”

“Can’t hide behind her forever, right?” I said it and regretted it. They were close beyond work partners, they were best friends and nothing would change that. Not my jealous or snarky attitude.

I had triggered him entirely when his mouth tightened and his eyes rested down into slants. “I’m not hiding. I’m protecting you. I’m not watching the replay of his hands on you.”

His words felt like gasoline to the fire my body felt. My entire body ached for him. “We can make the rules. It doesn’t have to be how they want. I just want to be there when you come to bed.”

“Don’t you remember how much you hated it last time?” He scolded, leaving me there to sulk while he cashed out.

Gaining composure I followed him, “We were kids. I didn’t hate it…”

Dom’s mouth was wide and his eyes matched. All of him trying not to laugh as he chewed his gum. “All day training, endless meetings, shows at night, and exhausted afterwards. When I got back to the bus every night I could tell how much you hated it.”

“It was like being at your parents but worse. We shared a bed, Dom, but we weren’t having sex. There was zero privacy with your dad there and because I was with you two I had all eyes on me. I was afraid to even be myself.” Taking the bags we left the store behind and headed for his car.

Opening the door for me I slipped inside when he leaned down, his face mere inches from mine, “Selective memory, huh? That tiny ass shower, walking in on each other. We had some privacy.”

“It’s not just that, Dom. I was a ghost and no one expected any different. I was invisible all day until you dragged yourself to bed where we’d fool around but nothing else because your dad was on the same bus. I didn’t want to be reduced to some shitty orgasms, I wanted to be someone you shared your world with.”

The car ride back home was silent and I forced myself to look out the windows. I spent three weeks on the road with Dom and his dad before Dom was even signed with WWE. He was still training but they used him for storylines and Dom got to keep his dad company.

It was torture. I spent my days bored, my nights unbearable without touching Dom, and everything in-between had his dad close by. Enough to behave.

I didn’t want to repeat that, I just wanted to be close by Dom while I was pregnant.

“That’s bullshit. I was busy but you weren’t reduced to a fucking orgasm. We had plenty of firsts on the bus. Plenty… When you came on the road that was the first time we got drunk and fucked..” Behind the wheel, his hand found my inner thigh and gave it a squeeze.

“That was not the first time we got drunk…” my knees fell in his direction and I felt him hand only slid further up my thigh.

His cheeky smile couldn’t have had a better effect when he flashed his pearly whites at me. “No, but it was first time we fucked drunk, babe.”

[ flashback ]

Everyday felt like groundhogs day. Only I became more invisible as time went on. 

From the moment we woke up Dom would train, rehearse, do media, have meetings, and do a show. I would be left to my own devices, making friends with the crew or exploring outside the venue until I got restless. 

Every night Dom would crawl into the bed we shared, expecting me to want him when nothing had changed. I was still sabotaging every reason or feeling pointing to him. I still kept telling him we couldn’t and he would get frustrated enough to hate me each night I said no.

It wasn’t until I was venturing the venue I realized my backstage pass eliminated anyone asking me for ID when I added an alcoholic beverage to my order of fries. Dom and I were twenty, close of enough and had gotten drunk plenty of times while his parents were gone. Something felt especially dangerous about being invisible and drunk.

Not realizing how quickly I was slurping these drinks down I headed back to the dressing rooms, trying to find Dom before I missed bus call. Pushing the door open I saw a few wrestlers spread out and Dom getting undressed himself. “How did it go?” I said while sitting down on the bench behind him.

Looking around he almost panicked, “You can’t be in here. What are you doing?”

Granted it was the guys locker room but we were all adults. They all knew I was here for Dom. Standing up I felt my legs doing what they were suppose to but the floor kept moving, like an earthquake. “Okay, I’ll just go to the bus.”

His hand wrapped around my arm and pulled me back to his locked. Crowding me, almost hiding me, his low voice whispered, “Are you drunk?”

Laughing I responded, “Not yet.”

His hand smoothed down my back, stabilizing me, and cupping my ass like he knew I couldn’t stop. “Let’s get drunk and fuck… I have nothing tomorrow. No work. I miss you. I crawl into bed and miss you when you’re right here. I need you.”

His face was so close to mine I could feel his hot breath tickle my lips. Everything around us seemed to disappear and I didn’t care who was around to witness our tug of war of a relationship. 

“We share a bus with your dad…” I whispered so lightly it felt like a mistake as the words came out.

Dom’s lips brushed mine, pinning against his locker, and his hands trialing up my body. His hands stopped once he got to my breasts, hesitant, suddenly unfamiliar. We had been living in Miami on our own but we had given up teasing each other the way we did in high school. 

“I don’t care who sees or hears. I fucking need you. Every night for the past month I’ve been begging you to let me touch you… every night you say no. Sharing a bed with you in torture. I can feel you against me every night in barely fucking anything.” His voice shook, his hands shook, and his eyes begged me to understand. Dom was hurting for it and I was reason.

“It’s that bad?” I asked knowing the answer. My nipples responded the exact way he wanted when his hand squeezed my tits. 

“It’s you or someone else, mi amore.” He said sternly, clearly tired of our games.

My hands against his chest, I pushed him away, “Or someone else? Are you serious?”

“I’m not jacking off again. I fucking can’t. I need pussy. There’s a local bar, we’re all going to blow off steam and almost everyone is off tomorrow. I’ll meet you at the bus in half hour. I gotta shower.”

I could feel the buzz wearing off when I left the locker room only to bump into Randy. “Shit. You scared me.”

Smiling down at me from his staggering height and insane muscles he stopped, looking over his shoulder. “You going to the bar?”

“If Dom does.” 

“That’s your problem, you do everything for Dom. Is he doing enough for you?” Randy only paused for a second before heading into the locker room, not waiting for a response.

I went back to the bus, riffling through my suitcase to find a little black mini dress and some cute heels to wear. I could see Dom heading towards me in his off white shirt, black joggers and Vans looking sexier than I was prepared for. 

“Mi amore. You ain’t gonna take it easy on me at all.” Opening the bus door he pushed his back inside and put his arm around my shoulders before guiding us to some rental car. Slipping inside the back, someone else was driving, someone I didn’t know. 

The bar was busy, almost crowded, and the music was the perfect mix of 2000s and 90s. Waiting for our drinks next to the bar, Dom pressed himself against me, his hand on my waistline. Whispering into the shelf of my ear, “Are you going to let me fuck you or am I looking for someone else?”

It was crude, stern and I could feel his muscles etch into stone while he asked. He was hurting and now of that changed that I didn’t want to date. I couldn’t have us fail and lose him so it was easier to reject him.

“Dom…” 

“So you got all sexy for someone else? Cool. Don’t be mad later. Text me when you leave.” Grabbing his beer from behind me I wanted to explain but he didn’t give me the chance. 

I don’t know when Randy walked in or how long he was standing behind me when I twisted around hoping it was Dom again. “You know-” I cut myself off realizing it wasn’t him at all. “Sorry, thought you were Dom.”

“For you? I could be.” His crotch brushed my ass making me stand up straighter. “Is that all it takes to get you into bed? You’re too beautiful for such low standards.”

“Real smooth. Sorry if I don’t faint or spread my legs. I’ve been dealing with guys like you since fourth grade when my boobs came in.” I shoot back down the rest of my mixed drink.

Even more pressed against my back, his head dropped, speaking into my neck after pushing my hair away. “I’m not Dom, babe. I’m not begging. If I want something I take it. Look around, sweetheart, he’s moved on and you’re the one sulking at the bar alone.”

Twisting around to face him I glanced around the bar to see Dom flirting with some blonde. She was laughing and touching his arms. “It’s complicated.”

“You want him but keep rejecting him. He wants you and keeps begging. Sounds pretty simple. Do you want my help or not?”

I shook my head up and down ignoring the wedding band on his finger. 

“Order another drink. Relax. I’m gonna stand next to you like this and I’m gonna touch you, let me. He’s gonna notice and get jealous.” Randy’s hand smoothed down my ass, cupping and grabbing.

“Childs play. We tortured each other in high school with other people.” I sipped on my drink trying to imagine it was Dom instead. 

“Are you wearing panties?” He asked and I looked at him wildly like whatever he was about to say crossed some invisible line. “Sit down. Let me take them off, I’m gonna put them in my pocket.”

I down my drink and the shots Randy order, facing Dom flirting with some random girl I didn’t know. She straddled his lap and Dom let her. He wasn’t even looking in my direction. 

Pushing Randy aside I strutted over to him pissed off and drunk. “What are you doing. We sleep in the same bed every night and now you’re letting some slut violate your lap?”

Licking his lips he whispered to the petite blonde before saying loud enough to hear. “Let me handle this.” Following Dom to a quieter part of the bar he pinned me against the wall, his fists balled up and boxing me in.

“I told you. I need pussy. Don’t act like Randy wasn’t just touching your ass, Mami. Don’t act innocent.”

Pushing my hands against his chest, he didn’t move, smirking at me. “Fuck you.”

“Happily babe. I’d fuck that tight little pussy anytime,” his husky voice hit me harder than any amount of liquor. 

“You know we can’t.” I begged, exhausted and drunk all over again. “You think it’s not hard for me? The texts, the photos, watching you wrestle every night? It’s torture but I can’t ruin our friendship.”

“Years of avoiding us. Years of telling me we can’t even when we fucking do. What’s the point? Liv wants me. I don’t have to beg.” Lingering before walking away I felt every part of me hate him. Dom was cruel without having to be cruel and tonight was different. He meant it.

I watched Dom get drunk and handsy with Liv until it was unbearable. I knew I had to play the same game.

I stood between Randy’s legs letting his hands defile me in way I only wanted Dom to. Kissing my neck I giggled at how much it tickled while I watched Liv slowly convince him to go home with her.

This time felt different. We weren’t hurting each other but actually being selfish. Dom had needs and he wasn’t going to argue with me about it.

Forced to watch from afar I decided maybe this was the time to actually move on, stop playing games, stop waiting for me to stop being scared.

Feeling tipsy board-line drunk I couldn’t drink another sip of liquor when I watched Liv’s hand trail down his abs.

I mumbled to myself before letting Randy’s hand smooth up my thigh until it felt wrong. Nothing about Randy felt right.

“Just ignore them. Let’s get out of here…” My eyes kept glancing at Dominik and Liv pawing at each other like they were in heat when I couldn’t find Dom without putting my head on a swivel.

Appearing like I had summoned him with his arms crossed and a devilish scold. “Can I speak to you in private?”

Pushing Randy’s hands off of me I stood up and followed Dom, excusing myself quietly. Dom’s eyes bore into me until I felt like whatever disappointed speech he was about to give wasn’t even necessary anymore. By the bathrooms, the only quiet and private spot I waited for his cruelty.

“Are you fucking serious? Randy? Maybe you two belong together after all, you run to him every time.” Dom’s voice was ice cold when it skated down my spine.

I was too shocked to say anything. I couldn’t argue, if it wasn’t Dom somehow Randy was there to pick up the broken pieces. It wasn’t on purpose, not by me at least. “Why did you stomp over here, Dom? You don’t have to beg her, remember?”

His body was so close to mine I felt my chest labor every new breath. His eyes looked me over and hie tongue swiped along his bottom lip. “I know what you’re trying to do. You never had a hard time making me jealous. He’s not me, mi amore, he’s not gonna let wait for you to finally give it up.”

“Maybe I won’t make him,” I retorted.

I watched Dom’s hands ball up into fists and his mouth got tight. “You’re a fucking bitch. We’ve had sex, sweetheart, I know every fucking turn on because I gave them to you. I know when you’re about to come you close your eyes and bite your lip because we had to be quiet in my parent’s house. I know you like it from the back most because that’s how you fucked that toy when you wouldn’t fuck me. I know every scar you forgot how you got. I know every freckle. I know you’re ticklish on the inside of your right thigh, that you liked your nipples pinched not sucked, and you prefer my cock without a condom because it feels better. I fucking know you. We’ve had sex enough to know what we like. Why do you make this difficult?”

“Because I’ll hurt you eventually and I’ll lose you. I can’t lose you.” I pushed my hands against his chest, ready to run away again.

“Don’t make me do something I regret. Don’t make me fuck her because you won’t. I’m hurting, baby. I can’t sleep next you and not touch you anymore.” Dom voice shook and his eyes fell to the floor. Dom was really ever even hurt but the way his hands were shaking felt too real.

“I can feel your heart racing,” my palm laid even flatter. “Let’s go sit down, come with me.” I felt bad already but Dom was hurting in a way that was my fault without me realizing it. I should have found a new bed to sleep in, I should have had boundaries, anything to stop torturing him.

A dark corner of booths were vacant when I pushed Dom subtly to sit down. Climbing onto his lap I straddled him. “No one will see.”

His head rolled back and his knuckles swiped his nose. “Fuck. No, baby, I don’t want some quick fuck like you’re some rat. I wanna fucking touch you. I wanna see what’s under this dress. Fuck, I wanna taste you. You aren’t some cheap fuck.”

“Please, Dominik. You’re hurting, I’m gonna help.” Rolling my hips so lightly I tried to keep my breathing steady.

His eyes went wide and I watched him shift under me, creating space. “Wow. A pity fuck. I’m not drunk enough for that.” He exhaled a long drawn out breath before pushing me down beside him.

I felt defeated, stuck, trying to not ruin our friendship had became my sole focus and right now I hated it. I abandoned Randy, paid the bar tab and took an Uber back to the bus. Dom’s parents were big wine drinkers and his dad was fast asleep when I snagged the rest of his open bottle. Getting comfortable in our giant bed at the back of the bus I rewatched a show I had seen too many times to count.

Each glass of wine only made me more paranoid. I was checking socials, jumping at every sound, and praying he didn’t fuck her the way I knew he needed. The unmistakable sound of the bus door opened and closing forced me still, as still as I could be drunker than I was at the bar. Wine hit me more than any mixed drink did.

I didn’t bother to look sober when Dominik came through the bedroom door. Walking to his side I didn’t dare look but I could hear him getting undressed. I wanted to look so badly, it felt like it had been days since I’d seen Dom shirtless.

Laughing and struggling with his pants I realized he was as drunk as I was but yet I kept my eyes forward.

“How about that pity fuck now, baby?” In just a shirt and pair of boxer briefs he forced me to look at him.

“Dom… I was just trying to protect myself. It wasn’t a pity fuck, how is riding you in public pity?” The wine hit me even hard with every word as I shifted to sit up higher, closer to him standing at the edge.

“It was cheap, you didn’t want me to see you or touch you. Fuck, you didn’t even want it. I can’t fuck you like that, you aren’t some rat.” Taking off his shirt I took in every tattoo, every muscle, every way he was perfect.

“We're both drunk and your dad is sleeping in a bunk. I can get a hotel if the bed is a problem. I don’t want to torture you.” On my knees in the middle of the bed in his shirt and a thong I almost whimpered at the logic. I wanted to be reckless. I wanted to fuck Dom until I couldn’t anymore. I just couldn’t break his heart in the process.

“You’re sitting here in my shirt and a fucking thong, putting my feelings first when we both know you’re just as turned on as I am. You’re fucking made for me. I need you to take off those panties, mi amore.” Kneeling on the bed his mouth found mine and I couldn’t help kiss back. Dom’s warm tongue rolled against mine and I whimpered.

His fingers laced with the thin band of my thong, dragging it down my legs and tossing them to the side before stumbling back down to me. “Shhh, your dad.”

Dragging me down to the edge he stepped off enough to push his designer box briefs off. “I don’t care who hears as long as it’s my name you’re saying. Everyone knows we’re in love, you just refuse to admit it.”

My shirt lifted up while Dom’s hands cupped my tits. He said what I refused to, all in one sentence, not three words. “Dom,” I whimpered when he looked down between my legs.

“I know, it’s just a pity fuck so I don’t have to fuck my hand.”

On my knees I dragged him down as he sloppily fell on the bed. Straddling him again I looked down at him, still wearing his cross, looking up at me like I already broke his heart.

Sitting up I waited for him to guide himself inside me when I whispered, “Promise this doesn’t change anything?”

I sat down slowly, every inch stretching me out and sobering me. I moaned out the second our bodies were flush and every inch was buried inside me. 

“Why would it?” The disdain on his face was hard to ignore. None of this was going to be a good memory. “Nothing ever changes between us.”

Rolling my hips softly I felt his hands travel up the front of my shirt, squeezing gently. 

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I ruined it with feelings.” I stilled over him, not moving an inch when he fell back down to the bed, exhaling in this annoyed way.

Under me I watched him grow more and more unforgiving. “I left the bar alone. I pushed Liv away. I came home to you like I always do.” Pushing me off his lap he b-lined it to my cup of wine before continuing. “Like a good little boy. I’m always thinking of us when you don’t even want to be an us.”

“We are an us - just a different kind of us. Every time we fuck you pressure me into feeling guilty about not wanting to add feelings into the equation.” I was pleading with Dom to keep it simple: just sex. 

Sitting on my side of the bed he poured me a glass and drank straight from the bottle. “Because it’s never gonna be just fucking for me. I’ve had girlfriends and I’ve had sex, none of them are what happens between us.”

Taking another sip I wrapped my arms around him from behind, my body pressed against his back. “That’s why I avoid it, I keep saying no. Torture is easier.”

With my chin on his shoulder I looked down at his body and wished I was someone else. Someone who wasn’t broken the way I was. Taking my wine I pulled away from him, laying down and ignoring the still playing television on the wall. Instead I scrolled through socials. 

Without even trying I had drank my entire oversized glass of wine and scrolled to a video of Dom and Liv making out in a dark bar. I watched it more than a dozen times before Dom got my attention. “I’m gonna get some air. I’ll be back in an hour.”

Sitting up, more drunk, I asked him. “Are you going to fuck Liv?” The video was still looping on my screen in my hand. 

He stopped getting dressed and turned around to face me. “Do you want me to lie or tell the truth?”

“Lie,” my lip shook and I got up on my knees like his answer had power over me. 

“I’m getting some air. I’ll be back, you don’t have to wait up.” Dom looked me in the eye and I felt my heart panic. 

Taking off the only item of clothing, his shirt, off I sat back down on my heels. “Tell me the truth, Dom.”

Pulling down his shirt he stood there in front of the bed in the small room taking up the end of the bus. “Liv texted me. I’m gonna go over to her hotel room.”

“And fuck her because I ruined it.” 

Closing his eyes just a little long then needed as he paused. “You don’t get it, I’ve never needed pussy the way I do right now. I don’t know if it’s being pushed up against you at night, finding your fucking toy, I don’t know. All I know is I’m losing it. I can’t think straight. I can’t fucking rehearse or train. I can’t fucking sleep next you. I need pussy.”

“Don’t go. Don’t fuck her.” I pleaded with my hands clutching onto his shirt and pulling him closer.

Our mouths collided and our tongues immediately found heaven inside each other’s mouths. “Take these off. Take it all off.”

Dom pulled his shirt off effortlessly before pushing me back on the bed. Our mouths found each other again while my legs wrapped around him.

My hands pulled on the waistband of his joggers forcing him to push them down between our bodies. I forgot we weren’t alone when I moaned at loud at his knuckles brushing my clit while he lined himself up.

Dom was so hard it felt all too much when he pushed inside me. Every husky breath fell on my chest cause my back to arch for him. I always wanted Dom but this time felt rushed, no long let desire but a need. 

Dom’s thrusts were punishing, hard and pausing at the end just long enough to torture me back. “Jesus. Fucking. How can you feel this good.”

His phone on the nightstand buzzed and buzzed until he rolled his eyes and reached for his phone. Switching positions I sat on his lap while he laid against the pillows. Riding him, I rolled my hips and arched my back forcing my tits in his face when he answered. 

His finger over his mouth he silently told me to not moan even though his voice sounded labored at hello. 

I couldn’t hear it until he put it on speaker and dropped in on the pillow next to him. Relaxing more, he laid back, his hands working my tits. 

“Are you still coming? I’m wearing something you’ll love taking off of me..” the girly voice was easy to name. Liv.

Grabbing my hips, Dom forced me to pick up the pace when he hurried his face in my neck. We were both breathing heavily and the moans we were hiding wasn’t working. 

“I’m a little busy right now… Fuck… just like that baby.” Placing my hand over his mouth I muffled his moans. 

“You’re fucking that bitch? Are you serious?”

She started talking but Dom ended the call before I could register any real thoughts. All I could focus on was Dom jerking inside me and my legs shaking. 

Whispering against my lips, “Let me come inside you.”

I let him, just like I did before. There was something about the way he held onto me when he groaned his way to his orgasm that I couldn’t say no to. His arms around my waist he held me still, groaning into my chest, before he came inside me. 

He knew I loved him; he just didn’t know why I couldn’t.

“First time I realized we would always have separate lives to some degree.” I choked out knowing it was true. I would always be a guest when it came to his work and he would feel like a guest in our lives at home. There was no winning. No amount of me being by his side was going to change that fact.

“What does that mean?” I could feel his wrinkled brows glance at me with his hand strangled the steering wheel of his BMW.

I fixed my eyes out the window, “I’ll never be apart of that part of your life. Work takes up more of your life than anything else and I’m forced to piece it together Monday nights. I didn’t even know you were going to carry on some fake relationship with Rhea. I’m stuck at home watching.”

Starring at me instead of the road he snickered, “And I don’t feel the same about you being home? Getting to live the life I want to be living with you? You went on the road and hated it. Now they want you to partner with Randy and suddenly you want to travel with me?”

“Fuck you. This has nothing to do with him.” I argued. I couldn’t say I need to be there so you don’t cheat. That was only part of the reason, really.

The rest of the drive was quiet, so silent it almost felt heavy and when he pulled into the driveway I barely waited for him to turn the car off before I headed inside.

Last time I was on the road was torture and I was willing to give it another shot for our relationship. We weren’t kids, we couldn’t get drunk and fuck our problems away.

[igot-sarang-ggg]

Jolyne's Teacher pt.3 (Teacher reader x Jotaro)

Chapter 3- Coffee

Chapter 2- Panic |Masterlist| Chapter 4- Monday

Small Summary: It's a new school year, you're a third grade teacher at an elementary school in Florida with Jolyne Cujoh being in your class.

It was now Friday, "Alright class see you all on Tuesday. You'll have a sub in on Monday since I have an appointment I can't miss." I really wish I didn't have that appointment, "So, please behave while I'm gone."

"Yes Ms. L/N!" They all shouted, "All right, the bell is about to ring. Grab your things. Those taking the bus can leave once the bell rings." I grabbed my things and waited until the final bell. "Ms. L/n my dad wants to thank you for your help on open house." Jolyne spoke, "You're welcome just be careful and don't do that again, okay." She nodded and smiled, finally, the bell rang. "Have a great weekend guys see you all on Tuesday!"

Exiting the room with the rest of the students I locked the door and headed out with them. As I walked behind them someone tapped my shoulder, "Y/n, you have any plans for the weekend." Ms. Jones asked, "If you don't then we could go out and have a girl's night out. What do you say?" I smiled awkwardly at her, I've never really liked her and neither have the other teachers. "I already have plans for the weekend, sorry."

"With who? Last I checked, you were divorced and weren't seeing anyone." This bitch. "It doesn't concern you who I go out with. Plus, I have an appointment I need to prepare for... So, Enjoy your weekend alone." I gave her a fake smile and continued walking to the car pick-up area and into my car.

Once I got in my car, that's when the tears finally rolled out and I began to cry. Damn it, why would she... There was a knock on the window I quickly wiped away my tears and rolled them down. "Oh, Mr. Cujoh, what a surprise." I tried my best to smile at him but couldn't, "Sorry, didn't know that you were... I just wanted to say hi and I'll call you later today, okay." I simply nodded and we said goodbyes. Closing the window I took a deep breath, tried clearing my head, and headed home. Once I got home I took a shower and started grading some exams from today's test.

Today was a calm day, other than crying in front of Mr. Cujoh I'd say today was a success! It was now 11 pm getting close to midnight, I guess he might have forgotten to call me. I lay in bed getting ready to sleep when my phone rang, "Hello, Y/n speaking."

"Hey, it's Mr. Cujoh," He finally called, "Sorry for calling so late I was finishing up something for work and lost track of time. Is now a good time to talk or do you wanna talk in the morning?... You sound tired... Were you about to sleep?"

I cleared My throat, "No... Well yes, but we can still talk."

"Okay, I won't take up much of your time. We didn't discuss the location we'll be meeting tomorrow morning." I got out of bed, "Give me a moment. I don't know the address by memory." I looked through some draws and found the address to the bakery cafe. "Okay, so the address is..."

"Thank you... Would you like me to pick you up or will we meet there?" I would like for him to take me but I think it's best if we go separate. "We can meet up. Around Ten or eleven. Is that okay?" I put the paper away and sat on my bed. "Around Ten would be fine. I'll get going then, get some rest. See you tomorrow." His voice sounded soft but deep a the same time. "You too, Mr. Cujoh have a great night." I hung up the phone placed it down on my nightstand and stared at it for a moment. Now that I think about it, this would be the first time a parent has offered to take me for coffee to pay for what trouble their kid had caused. Mr. Cujoh seems like a great guy for taking the time to apologize to me this way.

The next morning came I was laying in bed thinking about Monday. I looked at the clock on the wall  I had an hour to get dress to meet with Mr. Cujoh, I got out of bed and headed to the shower. Starting the water I got in the bath and soon felt like someone was watching me. "Y/n, my sweet Y/n." I could feel his arms  wrapped around me and could hear his voice close to my ear, "Why have you forgotten about me? I gave you everything didn't I."

"Leave me alone you're not real. You're dead." 

"That's no way to talk to your first love that way." His hands traveled to my neck. "There was no love between us. Just fear." The voice stopped but I could still feel his presence and his arms wrapped around me. I turned off the water and stepped out the shower and presence was now gone. I sighed wrapping myself in a towel and exiting the bathroom. He still haunts me even after death. I continued getting ready for today

I arrived at the Cafe, went inside and looked around for Mr. Cujoh... To be honest I don't remember much of his facial features due to being in a state of panic because Jolyne was alone at school, so his face is kind of a blur to me. "Excuse, Ms. L/n." Someone tapped my shoulder causing me to jump slightly. I turned around to see Mr. Cujoh... well more like his chest, "Hi Mr. Cujoh. Thanks again for inviting me for coffee." I smiled at him, "Your welcome, its the least I could do."

"Hi, how can I help you?" The cashier called us over. "Yes, I'll have the Cheese cream Pastelitos." I looked at Mr. Cujoh he seemed uncertain about what to order. "If you don't like Coffee they also have soft drinks, tea, and some baked goods too."

"I'll have the same thing as her and add three muffins." The cashier placed our orders and then we waited for them to be done. After it was done we sat down at one of the tables in the back. I took a sip from my drink not knowing what to say to him or how to break this thick ice in the air. "How long have to been teaching?" His question caught me off guard for a moment. "Since I was twenty years old. I taught in Japan for awhile and then moved to Florida." He raised an eyebrow, "You taught in Japan?" I nodded, "Yes for about two years before moving."

"I'm from Japan... born and raised there actually." I smiled slightly, "Same here, but I was only there until the age of thirteen and soon moved to Italy with my... family. My Japanese is a bit rusty." I chuckled, Mr. Cujoh tipped down his hat slightly. "So, tell me. Are you a marine vet or..."

"I'm a marine biologist. I guess you saw the pictures around the house." Before becoming a teacher I wanted to be a Vet and work with animals, "Yeah, I saw a lot of dolphin picture. I'm guessing you like dolphins huh?" I took a sip of my drink. "I do, they're one of my favorite marine animals."

We spent the rest of the morning talking about his work and research his been working on and about Jolynes grades in class. "It was nice getting to know you Mr. Cujoh." I started getting out of my seat when suddenly I felt as if someone was pulling me back, I lost my balance. Mr. Cujoh noticed and tried reaching his hand out to grab me. I closed my eyes waiting for the impact of the cold ground but it never came. Instead I felt something soft, warm, and a bit firm hit my body. "You okay?" I opened my eyes and was met face to face with Mr. Cujoh, "Y-yeah thank you," I took a step back trying not to panic at the sudden closed distance between us. "I must of lost my balance when I stood up, sorry." Looking at him he seemed to be lost in thought, he looked at me and smiled slightly. "No problem, just be careful next time."

 I nodded, "I have to get going I told Annie's parents I would pick up Jolyne at around twelve." I looked at my watch seeing it was now 11:53 pm. "Oh my, you should get going. Thank for the coffee Mr. Cujoh." 

 "Your welcome..." He walked me to my car, "My name's Jotaro by the way."  He took out his hand, "Y/n." I placed my hand on top of his; he firmly grasped my hand and shook it. "I have to get going. It was nice meeting with you y/n." He gently let go of my hand, "You too Jotaro." And with that he entered his car and drove off.

Series Masterlist

[tetsukuroos]

k.t | Take A Chance

Part 4. Nekoma Camping Trip!

The bus screeched as it came to a stop, rattling beside me as I looked down at the clipboard in my hands. They were supposed to be leaving in thirty minutes and the team hadn’t yet shown up. I gripped the clipboard harder, knuckles turning white and hands beginning to shake as I read off the unchecked names again and again. “I wake up an hour early and no one even shows up on time,” I whispered to myself, turning to eye the bus driver who had begun slouching in his seat. He turned to me, eyebrows raised, probably wondering why a young girl had replaced the old man in the red tracksuit.

“Izumi–” “Where is everyone?” I huffed annoyingly, turning at the sound of my name. My body tensed up almost painfully when Kenma stood there, shrugging nonchalantly. “Sorry Kenma…” I muttered, dropping the clipboard to the floor and massaging the joints in my fingers. A dull ache washed over my body, starting from my hands and working its way up to my head. It only took seconds for it to turn into a soft pounding sensation at the back of my head. “I’m just stressing out.” “I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” He shrugged again, eyes glued to his phone.

I looked down at my own phone where several missed messages from Tooru had popped up in the last five minutes. I could feel an itch on the corner of my mouth where my frown was twitching into a smile, snickering as he complained about misplacing his phone charger. The quiet laughter had quickly turned into silence as I read the last few messages, a splurge of i miss you’s and class isn't the same without my best friend. The pounding only got harder and louder from there, creeping its way to my temples. I closed my eyes, afraid that they would bulge from my head, and sighed.

Being here was hard. Feeling alone was harder. Hating everything about it made it the worst.

“You okay?” Kenma asked awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as he moved his phone away from his face. “Yeah.” I gave him a flash of a smile and turned back to the bus driver. “I’m sorry for taking so long, they’ll be here soon.” I hope.

The driver only nodded with a grunt and laid his head down on the wheel.

“They’re here now,” Kenma pointed in the distance to the crowd of boys rushing towards them, some laughing together as Yamamoto pushed past them, racing towards the bus.

I stepped to the side, afraid he would barrel into me and picked up the clipboard that I abandoned only moments ago.

“What took you guys so long?” I said, grinding my teeth, too tired to hide the annoyed bite in my tone. “Sorry Nekomata-san!” Lev said, straightening his posture. “We saw this nice restaurant on the way here and Inuoka and I got hungry.” “Sorry! The food looked so good,” Inuoka said, rubbing his stomach in satisfaction.

I looked at Kenma who shrugged once more, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his pants.

“It's.. okay, I just want to take the roll call and get everyone on the bus please. My dad helped me make a seating chart so that everyone could get some rest on the bus,” I cleared my throat. “Lev and Yaku–” “What?” Lev exclaimed, looking down at Yaku who only smiled smugly up at him. “Yamamoto and Kai,” I continued. “Fukunaga and Inuoka, Shibayama and Teshiro, and Kuroo and Kenma.”

One by one, they marched onto the bus, the driver readying himself and the buttons on the control. I was the last to step on, making sure I had my bag with me before finding my seat at the front of the bus, right behind the bus driver.

“Cheer up, we’re going camping,” Kuroo said from behind me, laughing to himself. “Stop,” Kenma muttered, pulling his friend back.

I didn’t say anything, numbed by the pain crushing my skull and the ache in my shoulders. Instead, I closed my eyes, leaned back into my seat, and tried my best to fall asleep and forget I was even here.

Masterlist | Next

ˋ°•*⁀➷ Take A Chance Synopsis

After a year in hiding, Izumi Nekomata is tasked with coaching the Nekoma High men's volleyball team after her father falls ill. Izumi reluctantly agrees despite her past with the sport and swallows her pride to fulfill her father's wishes.

Meeting the rowdy team and their charismatic captain, she is taught to love what she once lost and let go of what had been holding her back.

ˋ°•*⁀➷ Pairing

Kuroo Tetsurou x F! Reader

A/N: I just wanted to clarify that Oikawa is best friends with both Iwaizumi and Izumi. He balances both those friendships well while trying to be sensitive about it. This is made clear later on when Iwaizumi eventually makes an appearance.

[lunarmoonheart]

hfff day one: make it sapphic

summary: basically a rewrite of the first bit of npmd. lautski with lauren!peter aka piper.

(ive never posted a fic before so if anything is weird thats why)

title: take a chance on me ship: lautski prompt: make it sapphic

Stephanie lauter did not like highschool in fact some days she felt like it was killing her. So when she walked into her first class and found out they had a pop quiz she was pissed. She didn't study of course because why the hell would she. Besides she was very invested in a twitter argument about that dog from the kennel that bit her dad. She was of course on the dog's side. Whatever she has to start this goddamn test.

“What the hell is this shit?” Stephanie mutters under her breath. She does not remember learning this. Though she does skip this class a lot so she probably missed it. While frantically trying to come up with some way to pass she remembers that weird nerd sits behind her.

“Hey nerd listen up.” she mutters as she turns to the nerd. God what was her name piper or something?

“Me?”

“Yes you. Piper right?”

“Uh yeah wh-”

“Hi Piper, we've been in class together for a little while now, right?”

“Since first grade.” oh fuck how the hell do i not remember this really cute nerd?

“Well I'm just realizing I haven't introduced myself. Im stephanie.”

“Lauter, the mayor's daughter, I know.” god why did everyone know her as the mayor's daughter couldn't she just be steph.

“Well my friends call me steph. We’re friends aren't we piper?” please for the love of god say yes you fucking nerd.

“I don't know, are we?”

“Well uh i wouldn't advertise it to the whole school or anything but uh there's an unspoken bond between us. We are nighthawks aren't we? And nighthawks don't leave anyone behind.”

“I got left behind this morning. The bus driver is a fucking asshole.” How is this nerd so funny but also such a geek?

“Well we succeed together and fail together. So to be honest I'm gonna fail this test piper… unless you help me cheat.”

“Cheat?!”

“Yeah just finish your exam pass it to me then i'll put my name on it. Then you can take the test again. Isn't that fun?”

“Well yeah. But won't we get in trouble?”

“Please piper. Help a girl out won't you?” ok she looks convinced. Wait shit is that grace chastity shit shit not her damn it shes gonna ruin this.

“Cheaters!” god fuckin dammit.

“Butt out chastity!”

“Grace, just be cool” Piper stuttered out. Why the hell is that cute?

“Never” god this girl is a bitch.

“Miss Mulberry, they're cheating!” im so fuckin dead.

Well great here I am waiting outside the principal's office with this damn nerd. God my dads gonna kill me or worse take my phone. 

“Look-”

“Oh god im so dead im so fucking dead.”

“Girl chill it's fine. This your first detention or something?”

“No, I'm worried about him. If he sees me talking to STEPHANIE LAUTER I'm dead.”

“Relax nerd, we'll be fine.”

“NO you'll be fine cause your stephanie lauter i won't be fine because im piper spankoffski.”

Spankoffski that's a weird last name. Wait oh my god.

“Are you the kid that got lured into the gym last year and-”

“Yeah that's me can we just not talk about that.” 

“But you're a literal legend!”

“Please stop, I hate talking about it.”

“Ok ok fine.”

Well detention sucked. And my dad stole my goddamn phone so now I have to actually study so I can get it back. What the hell am i supposed to do though study with stacy and brenda. No, they are almost doing as bad as me. Kyle and Jason are a definite no. Oh god I gotta call that nerd don't i.

“Come on nerd pick up” stephanie whispers outside pasqualli’s in the small phone booth. Why this thing is still around she has no idea but she's glad at this moment. As the phone keeps ringing steph thinks back to her conversation with piper. If one could call it that. But besides that she seemed nice and she's actually pretty cute. For a nerd cute for a nerd.

“Hello?” Steph perks up when she hears the confused hello of Piper spankoffski.

“Hey piper?”

“Yeah who is this?”

“Its steph from school.”

“Oh steph uh hi whats up?”

“I need your help. My dad stole my phone and I need to get my grades up to get it back so could you help me out?”

“I don't know i mean-” steph hears some weird noises through then a voice speaks up

“She's on her way!”

“Uh who the hell is this?”

“Ruth and Richie pipers only friends. she's on her way.”

“Ok uh tell her to be at pasqualli’s. Thats where im at.” steph hears some more weird noises and a muffled “pasqualli’s! Piper that's-” before the person presumably Ruth is cut off by piper.

“Sorry about them. I'll be there in 10.” Steph just smiles before hanging up and going inside. As promised ten minutes later piper spankoffski walks inside looking flushed and frustrated until she sees steph. She walks over and sit across from steph setting a heavy looking backpack next to her.

“So what did you want to go over? I brought some of my books because I wasn't sure what you wanted to do." That's actually pretty sweet of her.

“I need help with my math. I am failing that class. I mean my other grades aren't great but I'm really failing math.”

“Ok cool, we're in the same class so I should be able to help. I brought some flashcards you could take home with you if you don't want to that's fine, I know they dont work for everyone.” 

They work for about an hour before steph sighs tiredly causing piper to look up from the paper. They look at each other for a moment before piper looks back at the paper. Ok steph can work with this. Steph put her hand on Piper's arm.

“So Piper, I think I'm done studying for tonight. Wanna get out of here?”

“Where would we go? It's getting kinda late. I'm not sure anything is still open.”

“We could go to my place. My dads at some dumb charity ball all night so we could do whatever." Piper blushes at this and again for some reason Steph thinks it's cute.

“Uh ok sure.” perfect.

“Alright let's go nerd.” Steph grabs Piper's hand and drags her out of pasquallis. She already paid for their drinks so she drags Piper out to her car and drives to her house. When they arrive she leads Piper to the living room and turns on some random trashy Christmas movie. They sit in silence before Piper speaks up.

“Why'd you invite me to your house steph?”

“What do you mean why?”

“I mean i'm a nerd and your the stephanie lauter. The most popular girl in hatchetfield high. You're not supposed to want to hang out with people like me.”

“Eh, I can hang out with whoever I want. I dont give a shit what anyone may say about me hanging out with you. You're smart, funny, nice, and you're kinda cute” they both stay silent not sure what to say next. Piper yawns and accidentally leans her head on stephs shoulder. Steph blushes and turns to look at piper.

“You tired pie?” Steph isn't exactly sure where that nickname came from but she doesn't really care. Piper blushes and looks up at steph.

“A little. Do you mind if i?”

“Not at all. Hey, I kinda enjoyed tonight. I know we were studying but your good company. So I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go out again? I was thinking maybe dinner at Miss retros or something.”

“Do you mean like a date?”

“I guess so yeah. So what do you say?”

“Sounds nice.”

@femslashfortnight

[idontplaytrack]

Hii can I request some angsty Amber Appleton with a fluff or smut ending???

What the hell

Amber Appleton x fem! reader

Warnings: angst, some smut, coarse language, fluff, mentions of Amber’s parents’ death

Amber was an optimist. But one afternoon, everything she’s tried so hard to forget comes rushing back to her, causing her to crumble. But hey, Amber was Amber. She always picks herself up.

“Amber?” You called out once you got home, shutting the door and kicking off your shoes, “Honey, I’m home.”

Silence. Very odd. Very worrisome.

Amber was usually curled up on the couch with a book this time of day or sitting at the island with a mug of tea in hand. Instead, you came home to what seemed to be an empty apartment this evening. You looked in the two rooms and she wasn’t there. Your last location was the ensuite bathroom in the bedroom you shared— you thought she’d be in there taking a shower, but also, no.

She didn’t leave you a sticky note, she didn’t text you, she didn’t leave you a voicemail— you didn’t even have one single missed call from her. Hurriedly, you reached into your jean pocket to grab your phone again so you could call her. Amber doesn’t pick up, so you resort to checking her location in this app you had her on. “Where the hell is my wife?” You muttered to yourself while refreshing the app.

Cemetery. She was at a cemetery.

It wasn’t like her to just go anywhere without telling you, and today wasn’t a significant date — you knew when her parents passed on and it wasn’t on today’s date. Now you were contemplating whether to go down there or just wait at home, extremely worried that she has not come online once. ‘What if she needed a ride home?’ You thought to yourself, ‘She must be upset. Otherwise she would’ve responded.’

You went ahead to take a quick shower to freshen up after spending all day at work and outside, turning up the notification volume on your phone just in case she called or texted back. After your shower, you went back to the kitchen and opened the fridge to get a drink. There were a couple Tupperwares inside, filled with food. And, sticky notes on them. You took them out to read them. ‘Just in case I make it home later than you do today. Your favourite.’

‘Dessert’s in this one. Don’t worry about me, just needed some time with my Mom and Dad. Will be home ASAP.’

You put the Tupperware containing dessert back into the fridge and set the one with dinner down on the countertop. Relief washed over you upon reading that, at least now you knew Amber didn’t just up and leave the house. You poured the food into a pan and heated it up before eating. Your mind wanders in the meantime, thinking about the moment Amber told you about her parents and how she used to live with her Mom. On a bus. You didn’t grow up very well-off but was fortunate enough to have a roof over your head where you didn’t have to worry about hiding from others. Despite everything, Amber was a more optimistic and cheerful person than you were. You liked your life now, but it was clear the Amber really, really loved it. You loved her so much and thinks that she deserves the world— and she feels that way about you, doing every little thing you like to make you happy and bring a smile to your face.

You both acknowledged what’s happened but it wasn’t something either of you would bring up in conversations casually for obvious reasons. Your parents were both still around but your relationship with them was extremely complicated and toxic so you haven’t seen them in at least three years. The eventual passing of your parents, you haven’t given it much thought. You were the safest and happiest you’ve been in years living alone with Amber and you wouldn’t change that for the world.

Right before you dug into some dessert, Amber sends you a voice memo.

‘I just left the cemetery. I’m making my way home now. Have you had dinner yet? I’ll see you soon, okay, darling?’

‘Finished my dinner, babe. About to have some dessert now. Can’t wait to cuddle with you.’

‘Me too, my love. Can’t wait to squeeze you.’

You were glad she sent you voice memos, because you could tell almost instantly how she was feeling and she seemed okay. Well, sounded okay.

While you were washing up the dishes, Amber returned home and immediately engulfed you in a hug. “Hi, baby.” You hugged her back tightly, rubbing her back and inhaling the smell of her shampoo.

“How’s your day been?”

“So glad to be home. And that it’s Friday.” You let go of the hug. She smiles, “I’m gonna go take a shower, okay? You wanna join me?”

You already showered, but you weren’t gonna say no to that— that’s for sure.

————

“You’re sure?” You asked, leaning closer to her, your mouth right by her ear.

You feel her nodding her head, humming in agreement. With that, you pressed a trail of kisses across her shoulder, going back up to behind her ear to reach a particular sensitive spot. Amber exhales harshly, her arms around you tightening. The lower your kisses went, the bigger the gap between you and her. She wasn’t happy about it.

Chuckling against her skin, she squirms, whimpering softly. You reached over to turn the water off, repositioning yourself so that you were standing behind her, you reached forward and started to circle her clit with your fingertips.

“What the hell—”

You squeezed her ass next, resuming your gesture to build up her arousal. With her breathing heavy and her barely able to stay standing, you knew she was reaching her breaking point soon enough. It’s been a few weeks since the last time, and she definitely wasn’t subtle about her feelings.

Amber was pretty worked up already, and it definitely wasn’t long before you felt and heard the familiar sounds and sensations from her right before she unravels. But you pulled your fingers out and carried her onto the countertop instead, not wanting either of you to fall. She holds herself up with her palms, head thrown back, mouth hanging open while she obediently kept her legs open for you. While you, you diligently curled your fingers upwards each time you entered her to stroke her g-spot. It was making her go crazy for you— noises falling from her mouth in a never ending stream, the giggling, the heavy breathing, how she was twitching beneath and clenching around you. And fuck, how she was basically riding your hand as you worked her over.

Reconnecting your lips with hers was pretty much what did it for her. The closeness. She finally unravels, coating your fingers and hand with her juices. You slow down and pulled them out after a few moments. “Was that good?” You grinned.

“Good? You’ve got to be kidding me, honey. You’re amazing.” Amber scoffs, “Ugh, I love you so much.”

You chuckled lowly, “Oh, yeah? Show me.”

“If you want that, that’s what I’m gonna give you.” She mirrors your grin, pressing another kiss to your lips. “Do you?”

“Just fuck me already.”

“Oh, that’s so hot.” She purrs into your ears, “Very eager, hm?”

🏷️ Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @reneeswif3 @ludoesartnstuffs @pda128

💭A/N: This one was very short, I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to end it🥲

[finn-m-corvex]

Whumptober Day 18: Hunting

Day 18! And using a substitue prompt just because I thought that it would be easier at first and then it most definitely was not easier. This one is kinda wonky, but I didn't really know how to fix it so, meh. Here it is! Also movie-verse because yes even though there's a lot less of it in this batch than there was in the last one.

Taglist: @splinnters @abigailxoxo @tornoleander @mondothebombo @ghostwalloper @toastingpencils37 @lightning-chicken

Words: 2.4k

He didn’t know why he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, but he could already tell that it was going to be a bad day.

Jay didn’t realize how much he had been running his hands through his hair until he started to get dressed for school, and he flinched from the whiplash of feeling the softness of his hair to the grossest sweater known to mankind. Suppressing the inner urge to gag, Jay ran his hand along everything hanging in his closet, finally finding a shirt that didn’t make him want to jump into the ocean. Putting it on made him cringe, and he whipped around when he felt eyes staring at him from the open closet door.

But there was nothing there.

It was going to be one of those days.

Anxiety was something that he somehow coped with every day and yet could never quite overcome. He was tense as he ate his breakfast, waiting for his pa to whack him with his newspaper or his mom to take away his cereal or someone else to come breaking through the window or for Garmadon to attack—

“Kiddo?” Pa said, putting down his paper. Jay flinched when a hand landed on his back, and Pa pulled his hand away. “Is something wrong?”

“Bad day,” Jay said softly, shoving his cereal away and laying his head on his crossed arms. Guilt flooded his stomach and made him feel sick, and he wanted his pa’s hand back.

Ma looked up from where she was washing the dishes, a worried frown on her face. “Are you sure that you should go to school today, honey?”

Even if his anxiety made him feel like he was being hunted for sport, the thought of staying home and being alone made him feel even worse. “I’m sure. I’ll be okay, Ma.”

“Is touch okay?” Pa asked, and Jay picked his head up.

“Yeah, Pa. Can I have a hug, please?”

“Of course, kiddo,” and Jay finally relaxed when he felt his father’s strong arms surround him, warm and solid and smelling of the motor oil that never failed to make him feel safe. Pa squeezed, and Jay got out of his chair to give his dad a proper hug. He was almost as tall as Pa, the perfect height to rest his head on his dad’s shoulder, feeling the soft flannel under his cheek. “Is that better?”

“Better,” Jay confirmed, wishing that he could just stay like this for the rest of the day, but his dad did still have to go to work. “I think I missed the bus, though.”

“That’s alright,” Ma reassured, her voice washing over him like honey, “I’ll take you today, since Ed’s gotta get to work early. Are you all ready to go?”

Jay picked up his backpack after breaking off the hug, turning around to face his mom. “I’m ready!”

The drive to school put him more at ease, even though nobody texted him back when he dropped a message in the groupchat saying that he would be late. Normally Zane would be the first one to text back, scarily fast for someone who insisted that everyone put their phones away during class, but even he was silent. Jay chewed on his lip for a while, trying to let his mom’s reassurances help him feel better. Maybe they just got their phones taken away, or they were doing something super important in class. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Gently taking his hands from where they had been worrying at the hem of his shirt, Ma kissed his forehead. “Have a good day at school, dear. Remember to call me or your dad if you need to get picked up early.”

“I will, Ma,” he promised, even though he had no intention of burdening his parents like that. And just like that, watching their car pull away from the school and back down the road, all of the pent-up feelings inside of him burst like a balloon.

There was nothing to protect him out here, and he clutched his orange scarf as he walked down the hall to the secretary’s office. Normally the object would’ve brought him some sense of comfort, but now it only made him more nervous, feeling like someone was going to pop out and take it from him. He didn’t have his friends there to protect him; if he was jumped, then he was fucked.

Shadows seemed to stretch from the floor to the ceiling despite the morning sun, and he flinched every time he heard the squeak of a locker or footsteps in another hall. He kept his head down, feeling the tingle indicating that people were staring as he walked past. Focusing on the floor tiles didn’t help the impending nausea, and Jay focused on the rhythm of his footsteps to keep from vomiting all over the hallway. First period was just letting out, the cacophony of voices and shoes squeaking grating on his ears, and Jay hurried to make it to the office as fast as he could.

“I’m here,” he said as he entered the room, and the secretary looked at him with such a scathing look that Jay flinched back. “I-I know I’m late—”

“Mr. Walker,” she said harshly, and Jay felt the pit in his stomach grow even wider, “what is your excuse this time?”

“I missed the bus—”

She waved him off and handed him the late note, which he quickly took before scurrying away. Some of the other kids were snickering in his direction and he flushed, making a beeline for his locker down the next hall.

To his relief, everyone else was already standing there, chatting away like they didn’t even notice he was gone. Jay’s heart sank and he visibly wilted as he approached, not noticing the footsteps following along behind him change as a person hid in the other hallway: out of sight, out of mind.

Cole greeted him as he walked up, turning away from Kai and pulling his headphones down. The gesture made Jay feel a little better, and he thanked Cole quietly as the older boy went ahead and opened Jay’s locker for him. He leaned into Cole’s side as he rearranged his books, taking the stuff out of his bag and putting it in its proper place. It was calming, and his hands rejoiced at finally having something to do other than picking at the loose threads in his sleeves.

His lack of talking didn’t go unnoticed for very long. “Are you alright?” Cole asked, raising an eyebrow at Jay’s shrug. Jay didn’t really feel like talking, but he didn’t want to leave Cole waiting for an answer either.

“Did you see my text?” he asked, and Cole fished out his phone to check. So he hadn’t. Jay didn’t know how to feel about that. Part of him had been hoping that Cole had read the text, had been mulling Jay’s absence over in the back of his mind and feeling sad that he wasn’t there.

Was Jay a terrible person for thinking that? Probably.

“Jay!” Nya exclaimed, rushing over to wrap him in a big hug. “We missed you! What happened?”

“H-Hey Nya,” he stammered, blushing as he returned her hug. “I just woke up late and missed the bus, that’s all.”

He must’ve not been doing a good job at hiding his anxiety, because Nya pulled back and looked him up and down. “Are you sure you’re okay? I saw your text, and it’s not like you to be late.”

“I’m sure,” he lied, swallowing thickly and pushing his anxiety down as far as he could. She couldn’t know how antsy he was feeling, how deep the pit in his stomach was when he thought about how his absence hadn’t affected them in the slightest. “How was first period?”

And that was that. She walked with him to biology, bidding the others a quick goodbye that Jay quickly replicated before catching up to her. For someone who was a good five inches smaller than him, Nya had a very wide stride. He listened as she talked about her math class, describing the inverse functions and graphing equations they had to learn about, her tone as excited as it could get when it was describing her least favorite subject.

“I think I’m going to struggle with this unit,” she sighed, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Jay wanted to do it for her. “Which, you know, I know I struggle with all of them, but I think this one is going to give me a run for my money.”

“Do you want me to help?” Jay asked; he was already in an accelerated math class, so he was pretty sure he could handle whatever she threw at him.

Neither of them turned around to see the figures trailing behind them in the shadows, too caught up in paying attention to each other.

Until Jay felt the eyes on the back of his head again.

Hairs rose along the back of his neck as he whipped around, staring down the hall and taking in every available detail. It felt like someone had electrified his senses, and his eyes zeroed in on a leg disappearing around the corner. Someone was there, following them. And it wasn’t one of the guys.

Now that he was paying attention, this hallway was oddly desered for nine in the morning. Where was everybody?

“...and I’m sure that you would be a great tutor,” Nya was saying, stopping when she noticed that he had stopped walking. Turning to look at him, she raised an eyebrow at the way his face tightened with worry, pivoting on his heel and walking down the hall. 

“Keep walking,” he hissed, and she did so, even though Jay always made sure to keep his footsteps a beat behind hers.

Concentrating, Jay ignored the way she shot worried looks back at him, only focused on noticing anything behind them. Just as he thought, there were footsteps, multiple sets of them and hard and heavy against the tile. He should’ve noticed them before. Someone was hunting them.

Eyes widening, Nya finally saw the people behind them, while Jay doggedly kept his eyes looking straight ahead as he pulled out his phone. Quickly dialling Cole’s number, his anxiety started spiking, oscillating back and forth like an out-of-control metronome. The mental school map floated around in his head, and Jay traced around the routes until he found one that should lead them back closer to the crowds. Biology could wait until he was sure that Nya was safe.

Honestly, Nya was not the one that needed protecting here, but that was beside the point.

“Left,” he whispered, already making the turn and slowing so Nya could catch up. They both sped up, Nya having long given up on trying to ask him any questions, and Jay’s heart stopped beating when they walked straight into a dead end.

Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit—

“What do we have here?” said a voice behind them, and both of them whirled around to see Chen the Cheerleader standing in all of his pompish glory. Two lackeys flanked him on either side, devilish grins on thier faces as they snarled; they were wolves hungry for their next meal.

Jay instinctively threw his hand out in front of Nya, even though the limb was trembling. “What do you want, Chen?”

Said boy snorted. “Wouldn’t you like to know, junkyard boy?”

“You better scram before I rearrange your face, Chen,” Nya growled, pushing against Jay’s arm to try and get past him. Jay locked his arm, determined to keep her back, but unfortunately that just left him wide open to an attack from the front.

A baseball bat collided straight with his head, making his vision go dark as he collapsed onto the ground. Nya tried to catch him before he hit the ground, but his sleeve slipped through her grasp and his head was crashing into the tile. Disoriented, he laid there on the ground and tried to get his bearings, but that was hard with a blossoming pain on the side of his head and the trickle of warm blood making its way down his temple.

The bullies were gone; they must’ve gotten spooked after seeing him go down like a sack of bricks. Nya was tilting his head up, and the anxiety that he had been bottling finally spilled over the edge as his eyes failed to focus on her face. Her touch was gentle as she helped him to sit up, looking over him and trying to find the spot where the bat had gotten him.

“I lied,” he gasped, clutching at her arm, “I lied, I’m not okay, I’m not okay and I’m sad and I can’t breathe and you guys didn’t miss me and I want to go home—”

“Jay,” she said quietly, closing his mouth with a soft click with a finger under his chin. Tears started to go down his cheeks as his chest constricted with emotion, and he hated the way his lip started wobbling, “you’re okay. It’s okay. I’m gonna call your parents to come and get you, but until they get here we’re just gonna stay right here on the floor.”

“B-But what about your class?”

“You’re more important than class,” she said, “besides, you already know that I would take hanging out with you over going to biology any day.”

“I’m sorry for lying,” and Jay was surprised to see Nya smiling at him, because normally she didn’t tolerate liars under any circumstances. Maybe he was a special one.

“Honey, I could already tell,” Nya said, and Jay felt his heart sink, “I just didn’t say anything because I figured if you wanted me to know, you would’ve told me. I know enough about you to tell when you’re upset.”

“So you’re not upset?”

Nya sighed, and Jay missed the warmth of her hand when she pulled it away. “I’m not upset. I wish you would’ve told me, but I’m not upset. Now, did you say you would be willing to tutor me in math, or do I need to ask Zane?”

He chuckled. “I can do that, I think, as long as you don’t mind stopping for milkshakes afterwards.”

It didn’t even occur to him until much later that he had just asked her on something similar to a date.

[hymemena]

Sadderday Lyric Sentence Starters Part One

Feel free to change pronouns as necessary, and remember to specify muse for multimuse blogs.

CW: General angst, self-deprecation, abandonment, abandonment issues, mental health, anxiety, smoking, drinking, blasphemy, death, cheating, lying, depression

—

Mike Krol - Fifteen Minutes

"What if I told you that the world was gonna end and you had 15 minutes to spend with me or your friends?"

"Would you take the first bus over to my house? Or would you take the last plane over the west coast?"

"It was over and done before we had a start."

"It goes on in my head."

"What if all the stars came crashing through the ground?"

"Would you believe me?"

"Would you believe me and come home and sit back?"

"I can't do this by myself."

"I guess we don't even need to use the phone."

"I don't need your answer, I'll be spending it alone."

Candi Carpenter - Nervous System

"I lie to my doctor about how much I drink and smoke."

"They ask about my income and level of education."

"In the Middle Ages, they used to do this thing called trepanation, a procedure where the surgeon drills a hole into your skull to let the evil spirits out and take the pressure off. The precursor to lobotomy before neurobiology."

"I have a nervous system. I'm nervous all the time."

"I'm just a cannibal eating myself alive."

"They say that life's a party, but I've always hated parties."

"I imagine a car wreck every time I touch my car keys."

"I don't want to go anywhere."

"When I check the captcha box that says I'm not a robot, I'm lying to myself and I'm lying to my laptop."

"I wonder if Sigmund Freud turned into his dad, too?"

AJJ - Rejoice

"God's ears are stitches!"

"Rejoice despite the fact this world will hurt you."

"This world will kill you."

"This world will tear you to shreds."

"Rejoice because you're trying your best."

"The bed you sleep in is burning."

"The sky's fucking falling!"

"Your father's been calling."

"You will not survive."

"You'll never make it out alive."

The Orion Experience Feat. ORION & Linda XO - The Queen Of White Lies

"I like the way you make me feel like I could be the number one game in town."

"All those pretty words you say to me, they pick me up whenever I'm feeling down."

"I know you're just a white witch putting that spell on me."

"You know I love the punishment, so keep telling me that you love me."

"Look deep into my eyes, say there's no one else above me."

"I'm the King/Queen of Fools 'cause Baby, you're the Queen/King of White Lies."

"You're like the Cheshire Cat."

"There's a devil that resides behind your smile."

"You've got them diamond eyes, they hypnotize your unsuspecting victims with style."

"I know I'm not the one and only game you're playing."

Citizen Soldier - I Hate Myself

"I wish that I had somebody to call when I am not okay."

"I wish that I had anyone who cared when I am in that place."

"I wish I could have a mental breakdown without turning my life into a ghost town."

"More than anything, I wish somebody loved me as much as I hate myself."

"I wish somebody listened as much as I go through Hell."

"I wish there was a person that would miss me when I can't leave bed."

"I wish I wasn't stuck sharing my secrets with these made-up friends."

"I wish I could be honest."

"These days, it's hard to have faith."

"The more I speak, the more I see just how alone I really am."

[jayde-skye86]

On My Way To You

1 Finding New Friends

Please let me know if you like this. I had help with the prompt. I hope you like it. Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Thank you.

For the sake of this story, the ages for everyone in the story are listed below.

Marinette: 21 Damian:21 Chloe:21 Tim: 24 Jason: 26 Dick:31

Please also know that there is some swearing. Because, why the hell not.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damian was ready to kill his brothers, Why the hell did they think that it was a great idea to take a road trip to Smallville to visit the Kent's for the 4th of July week. Currently, Grayson, Todd, Drake, and Damian were driving from Gotham to Smallville at Grayson’s insistence that they have some family bonding time. Currently, Todd and Grayson were arguing about who would drive the last part of the trip once they stop at the next gas station.

Finally, Damian had enough and lashed out. “Enough of your pointless argument! I will drive. Just to shut you two imbeciles up!”

“I have no problem finishing up the drive, it’s only another 4 hours from here.” replied Dick.

“I have no qualms stabbing you today, Grayson.” threatened Damian. “I will drive the last leg of the trip. That is final.”

Dick sighed while pouting just a little, “Okay, fine. We should come across a gas station with in the next 5 miles. We can switch drivers then.”

~~~~~~

Upon reaching the gas station, they got some snacks and drinks as well as filling their gas tank for the last time before reaching the Kent farm. 

Dick couldn’t help but overhear two young women around Damian’s age talking together, “This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, Marinette. Now, how are we going to reach your uncle’s house? I thought luck was always on your side.” a blonde said while rolling her eyes.

“Chloe, we will be fine. Really, luck is with me. I just never said if the luck was always good. Besides, we now have this beautiful girl with us. I would call that a good thing. What should I call her?” replies a slightly shorter bluenette, sounding exasperated at best. Trying to use her new dog as a subject change, knowing that it likely would not stop Chloe from continuing on her tirade.

Chloe let out a small laugh, “I don’t care what you name the dog, so long as it’s not a foolish name. But really, we need to figure out how we can contact someone to see if they can come and pick us up.”

Dick decided to approach them to see if he could be of some assistance. He would just deal with any backlash from his brothers later if there was any. “Excuse me ladies, I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation, but is there anyway that I could be any help to you?”

Both young women turned to look at him. Two sets of sky blue eyes sized him up for a moment before the dark haired woman smiled before answering him. “Hello, We are trying to get to my uncle’s house, but the bus we were on broke down a mile and a half away from here. I tried to get a hold of my aunt and uncle at their house, but I couldn’t reach them. I would call my older cousin, but my phone is now dead.” 

“Where exactly are you headed? Maybe I can convince my brother to at the very least get you closer to your destination, if that is what you would like.” Dick offered. Not liking the idea of leaving these two women alone without at least offering to help them.

Chloe scoffed, “How do we know that you won’t kill us and throw our bodies in a ditch?”

Dick chuckled, glad to know that they at least had some sense of self-preservation. “Miss, if you would like, I can give you my phone and the number of my local police chief. My name is Richard Grayson, but you can call me Dick.” He offered them his hand.

The bluenette gave him a smile that seemed to light up the sky. “Hello Richard. My name is Marinette, and this is my best friend, Chloe. We were on our way to Smallville to visit my dad’s adoptive aunt and uncle for the holiday. Like I said, I would call my cousin Clark, but currently I can’t until I am able to charge my phone at the very least.”

Dick paused for a minute after hearing this new information, “Clark Kent?”

Marinette looked surprised. “Yes, do you know him personally?” starting to get a little more suspicious.

“Actually, I know him pretty well. Clark and my father figure are pretty good friends. If you would like to call him, I will let you use my phone to let him know where you are.” Dick smiles with understanding. “At the very least, let him know where you are so that Ma Kent won’t worry as much.”

Chloe and Marinette look at each other as if they are having a silent conversation, after a moment they turn their gazes back towards Dick. “I would love to call my cousin if I can, please.” Marinette replied, sounding relieved.

Dick smiled at them, "Please follow me." Dick takes them to the SUV, where his brothers were waiting for him.

~~~~~~

Jason was the first to notice him, “There you are, Dickhead. We need to get going if we want to get to the farm in time for supper.” 

Dick grunted in acknowledgement as he reaches in to his bag in front of his seat for his phone. “Give me a minute, I need to make a phone call for these two ladies” he replies pointing to Chloe and Marinette who were hanging back, still a little unsure if they can trust these men.

Dick made the call to Clark and then handed the phone to Marinette. “Here, let him know where you are.”

Jason and the others looked at Dick, ‘What was happening here?’

Marinette put the phone on speaker,” Hello Dick, is everything alright? You haven’t had any problem with the drive, have you?”

“Clark, this is Marinette. We had a bit of an issue with our bus, and we ran into Richard and his brothers. Dick offered us a ride to get to the farm, but I would like to know if you trust them first before we make the decision to let them drive us to Smallville with them.”

“Each one of these men are very reliable. You may be in for an interesting trip, they can get a bit rowdy. Can you hand the phone over to Dick, I need to talk to him.”

Marinette giggled, walking closer to Dick and his brothers,“ It’s been on speakerphone, Clark. Here they are.”

“I would really appreciate it if you could bring Marinette and her friend with you. From what her parents have told me, she needs this vacation more than you do. I don’t know what is going on there, but I want to see my little Mari happy and relaxed once again.”

Not leaving any room for argument, Dick made the decision for the rest of his brothers, “We have enough room for them and their dog. We will see you all around 5. Has B Arrived yet?”

“Bruce and the rest of your family just arrived. I will let him know what you are doing for me, and we will see you all around 5. Thank you all for doing this, boys.”

After hanging up the phone, Dick started introductions, “Marinette and Chloe, let me introduce you to my three brothers, Jason Todd, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne.” Wanting to see how they would react to their last names. Jason waved with a hint of a smile. Tim as usual looked like he was ready to fall asleep standing up, all the same he gave them a huge smile and waved. Damian not at all happy with the situation at all crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. Just his luck, he would have to drive two gold diggers for the next 4 hours and listen to their dumb question. Grayson is going to pay for this.

Chloe barked out a full-fledged laugh. “Utterly ridiculous, Marinette. How do you always end up as a magnet for the rich and famous. It’s like your catnip!”

Marinette started blushing, “Excuse me, but I don’t fully recognize any of those names. Should I know who they are?”

Chloe scoffed, “Of course you should know who they are. These are the sons of Bruce Wayne, one of the CEO’s of Wayne Industries. Tim over there is the second CEO.”

Marinette stared blankly for a moment, then smiled, “Oh! The company that is trying to make that bulletproof fabric, I would love to see how it is made, not to mention I would love to see if I could make it into a wearable suit. It’s very nice to meet you all. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng and this is my best friend, Chloe Bourgeois.”

“Well, we should get back on the road,” Dick replied, while he took both suitcases from Marinette and Chloe, so he could place them with the rest of their luggage. As he reached for Marinette’s backpack, she shook her head.

“No, thank you, I will keep this with me. There is room for the dog, right?” Pointing to a young black lab no older than a year old.

“We have plenty of room for all three of you. What is the dog’s name?”

“I just got her a few houses down, her owners were selling her. I haven’t found a name for her yet. They gave me her stuff and some food.” replied Marinette.

Damian finally approached the girls and bent down to pet the dog. “Hi girl, would you like to go for a ride with us?” The dog wagged her tail and licked his hand, getting ready to jump into the back seat of the large SUV.

“Well let’s get in, would one of you like to get into the passenger seat? Damian, do you still want to drive?” Asked Tim, ready to get back on the road.

Chloe sat in the front seat next to Damian. Marinette sat right behind Damian with Jason and her dog. Which left Dick and Tim in the third row, as expected Tim looked like he was about to fall asleep.

Everyone was unsure about how this trip would go, but one thing was certain. This trip just got a little more interesting.

Marinette smiled as she looked directly at Chloe. “Looks like luck is still on my side, Chlo.” Chloe started laughing once again. Leave it to Marinette to focus on the bright side of life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Hello everyone! I have not written a story since I graduated from high school. So let’s just say close to 20 years. I want to get back into it. Please excuse any errors in my writing. I do not have a beta reader.

Also, I would like to thank Izanae for the writing prompt. If you haven’t read any of her stories, you really should. They are very good. No lying to yourself please Izzy. They truly are.

Fun fact, I had every intention to make this a one shot. I don't think that is the case anymore. I hope to have another chapter out next week.

Until next time, everyone!

[shangrila11]

Homesick // Ironhide (Transformers Bay movies) & reader

"... Love you, mum. Tell dad that I love him too. Bye," you bade your mother farewell before hanging up. Your smile immediately dropped and you sighed, feeling a pang in your heart. It felt like ages since you last visited your family. Even though you got to call them often, it was not the same as seeing them face-to-face. Moreover, being a soldier, the next day could very well be your last. Your eyes stung with tears but you quickly blinked them away and shook your head in an effort to stop your thoughts from spiralling any further. You headed out of your bunk, hoping that some fresh air would do you some good.

When you reached the main building, you bumped into Ironhide who was checking his weapons. You greeted the weapon specialist with a smile, even though the smile didn't reach your eyes.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Ironhide greeted you back. He frowned, noticing your forced smile. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh, it's... nothing," you tried to reassure him but you avoiding eye contact with him was a dead giveaway that you weren't being truthful.

"Come on now. Spill it. Keeping your emotions bottled up won't do you any good," Ironhide's frowned deepened as he crossed his arms. But he seemed to realise that his tone wasn't the most apt for he quickly added, "Only if you want to, of course." Despite yourself, you found yourself smiling a little (and genuinely this time). Despite being a grump, Ironhide could be rather sweet at times.

"Yeah, you're right," you agreed. You told him about your homesickness and fear of never seeing your family and friends again, with Ironhide listening attentively all the way. He understood, even empathised, what you were feeling. He never told anyone this (not that he wanted to) but he did miss Cybertron a little. He had nothing against Earth, of course. It had its... charm and a few of the people here grew on him, including you, Lennox and Sam. However, nothing beat home.

"... I know that I should be used to this by now but I never do," you sighed. The Autobot went silent for a moment before transforming. The driver-side door swung open.

"Get in."

And so you did. With a rev of his engine, Ironhide drove off.

"Here. You get to pick the station."

"Thanks," you smiled. You turned the knob of the radio until it changed to your favourite station. Upbeat music played from the radio and you found yourself cheering up, even humming along to some of the songs. Ironhide silently listened, secretly glad that you were feeling better.

"Oh," you gasped when a familiar song played. "Mum and dad love this song. They will sing it during karaoke and I will sometimes sing along too. Dad will usually fail to hit the high notes, making mum and I laugh." A fond smile touched the corners of your lips as you reminisced.

"Your parents seem like decent people," Ironhide remarked before quietly grumbling, "Unlike Sam's parents. They were very irritating."

"Yeah, mum and dad are wonderful people," you chuckled. You looked out of the window, watching the scenery pass by. "That's why I became a soldier -- to ensure that my family are safe and that other people have homes to go back to." You let out a sheepish laugh.

"Sorry. That was corny, wasn't it?"

"Maybe... but you may have a point there," Ironhide answered. You beamed at the dashboard affectionately and gave it a gentle pat. The rest of the ride went by peacefully as the two of you basked in the ambience and each other's company.

When you and Ironhide were back at the base, you got out of the GMC Topkick and lightly tap his hood as a way of saying thanks. With a shift of mechanisms, Ironhide assumed robot mode before kneeling down.

"If you ever feel homesick or need help with anything, you know where to find me."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks, 'Hide," you grinned.

"Yeah, yeah. Now head back and recharge. I ain’t going to be held responsible for you being lethargic tomorrow," Ironhide stood up to his full height and waved a servo dismissively. But you didn't fail to notice a hint of a smile on his faceplate.

(Picture does not belong to me. Credit goes to zgul-osr113 on devianart)

[stesierra]

Maybe you'd like to see the first chapter of a different fantasy book? A YA one? This MC is also depressed. Sorry, that's life.

School of Souls

Chapter One

Friday, September 15th, 2023

#

After the funeral, after we had all wept and railed and gushed about how wonderful Dad was, Mom drove me home by herself. Grandma and Grandpa had offered to take me if Mom needed to stop by the office. She’d missed enough work as is, staying home with me while I sobbed and snotted all over her. But she didn’t go in, although the other bigshot lawyers were probably wondering what the problem was. They certainly hadn’t shown up to lay Dad to rest. None of them would stay home with their thirteen-year-old just because somebody died.

I should be grateful Mom put me first. But I wasn’t. I said, as we got off the I-10 ramp, headed home, “If you’d tried harder, Dad wouldn’t have died.”

She slammed on the brakes, and it was a good thing we weren’t on the I-10 anymore, because we’d probably both have died. “Excuse me?”

I rubbed the back of my hand across my nose. “I said, it’s your fault Dad died.”

“Juniper,” she said, enunciating my name like it was a secret code she had to say perfectly to get through to me. “There’s nothing I could do about your dad’s heart. I helped him get on the transplant list. I stayed with him after the surgery. I picked up his immunosuppressants and antibiotics and made sure he took them. But his body rejected the heart, honey. It was nobody’s fault, not even the doctor’s.”

I said, my tone far below freezing, the way Phoenix, Arizona never was, “If you’d just tried, you could have found a sorcerer to heal Dad. And then he wouldn’t have died.”

:readmore:

We were sitting at a light, with people honking behind us, but Mom didn’t drive on home. “Juniper, that’s ridiculous. You’ve been spending too much time on social media.”

I glared at her through eyes that still stung from all the crying I’d done. “Sorcerers are in the news. Sorcerers are on TV. Half the students at my middle school want to be one when they grow up. Don’t tell me you didn’t even think of it. Don’t lie to me!”

“Magic isn’t reliable. And sorcerers aren’t as common as the magazines would have you believe. It really wasn’t that simple, sweetie.”

“Tell me you tried,” I said through gritted teeth. “Tell me you wrote to the Circle and begged for Dad’s life.”

Mom didn’t say anything. She just pushed down the gas pedal and eased us back onto the road. Her silence stretched between us as we rolled past palm trees and the beggars who stood on the street corners with their cardboard signs. Usually I insisted on giving them money. But today I was too knotted up inside myself to think of charity.

Mom didn’t say a thing, and neither did I until we pulled in our driveway, where Dad’s peace roses waited for him to deadhead them. He never would. The roses would shrivel up in the heat and fall off to rot. Nobody would water them, either, and that was a death sentence in the desert. They’d die. Just like Dad.

I said, when Mom turned off the engine, “I’m never going to forgive you. Willow.” And I got out of the car and fled before she could say a single word.

#

Sunday, August 11th, 2024

#

The last time I spoke to my mom, I was on the bus to the Seramia Boarding School, bumping up a dirt road outside of the foothills. Her face contorted in a guilty smile on my phone screen, and her voice came out as a tinny little squeak. “You’ll enjoy the chance to get out in nature, Juniper. Really you will.”

I put my deadest expression on and just stared at the phone.

She forged on, her tone forced brightness. “There’ll be lots of opportunities to hike in between classes. They say the Bighorn Mountains are stunning. You packed your binoculars, didn’t you?”

“I’m sure they are, Willow,” I said bitterly. That’s Mom’s name. When I was born, she kept the tree theme going.

“Call me Mom,” she pleaded. “The way you used to.”

The way I had before Dad died. I lied, “You’re breaking up. I can barely see you. Oh no—”

And I jammed the “End call” button and shoved my phone into the patched backpack that sat at my feet.

I wasn’t the only kid on the bus who was using the last opportunity to talk to family. The school had no cell phone signal, not up in the mountains. It said so clearly in the brightly colored brochure my mom had shoved under my nose. No internet, either. The only way to stay in touch was by magic. And I wasn’t a sorcerer. Nobody I knew was.

A boy near me tangled twiggy fingers in his long ginger hair and said, “Dad, you can’t be serious about sending me away for four years. You just can’t. A boarding school? What is this, the eighteen hundreds? Is there going to be a schoolmaster who beats us with a ruler, too? How about nuns? Are there nuns here?”

I slouched lower in my seat, trying to keep to myself. It wasn’t a religious school we were going to. Mom had reassured me about that, with the most earnest expression on her face. She wouldn’t send me off to some Christian camp that would drum traditional female roles into me, not when Mom was a proud atheist and feminist. The Seramia Boarding School made good kids out of bad ones, but not through religion. So they claimed.

I yanked the crumpled brochure out of my backpack. The front showed smiling teenagers, about my age, with perfectly brushed hair and smart blue uniforms and genuine joy in their eyes. Behind them, pine trees obscured most of the horizon, except where the naked peak of a mountain jutted up above the green.

The brochure said, “Guaranteed results! We take troubled teens and turn out model citizens! Does your son or daughter steal, lie, do drugs or bully others? At the Seramia Boarding School, they’ll find a new way of life. By their eighteenth birthday, they’ll be glad they came! And you’ll be glad you sent them.”

I wadded it back up until I couldn’t see those smiles any longer. Mom was already glad. She was tired of my defiance, tired of trying to deal with my problems, and she’d taken the easy way out. Some feminist she made.

Another girl slid onto my bench, adjusting the dozens of plastic bracelets that hung from her chunky arms. “Got a smoke?” she asked me, peering out from beneath long blonde bangs. “You look like a smoker.”

I shrugged bony shoulders. “Do I smell like one? Bug off.”

She nodded approvingly and pulled out a blunt from her little sequined purse. “Astrid,” she said. “You?” She lit the blunt with a neon-pink lighter and stuffed the edge into her mouth.

“Juniper,” I said, opening my window for fresh air. “What are your parents banishing you for?”

Astrid smiled mockingly. “Arson. You?”

“Pill-popping. What did you burn down?”

“My grandma’s barn. What do you pop?”

“None of your business. Go sit by yourself and inhale smoke until you die.”

She sprang up and blew in my face. “Suit yourself. No one’s going to want to be friends with you, you know. Dumb bitch. And there’s no pills in the mountains.” She flounced back to her seat, leaving me to stare out at the foothills as we bumped up Red Grade Road.

No pills in the mountains. I felt for the hard little pill bottle at the bottom of my bag. The precious contents wouldn’t last me very long. Not with how often I took them. And there were no pills in the mountains. Mom was counting on that, and I hated her for it.

#

The bus jounced and rattled up miles of dirt road, alternatively hemmed in by crowded lodge-pole pine trees and edged by open meadows. Then we trundled across an even bigger meadow and into a clearing in among the trees. A wooden sign declared, “Welcome to Seramia Boarding School! Your life changes today.” A beaming face smiled out at us, and I hated it immediately. But we didn’t stay to look at it. We rumbled on into the midst of what looked like a village from a hundred years ago. I didn’t see a single car or even a golf cart. Five big buildings circled a central lawn that was more weeds than grass. Smaller cabins trailed off into the woods, interspersed with more pine trees. The central buildings were too big to be called cabins—maybe lodge would be a better word—but everywhere I looked they were built out of smooth logs, stained reddish brown. The pointed roofs, made of tin, were colored the same red. A hand painted sign on the left building said Freshman. The other buildings were labeled Sophomore, Junior, Senior and Dining.

A boy with dreadlocks the same color as his dark skin leaned against the window and said, “They won’t let us mingle? This place is going to suck.”

The bus ground to a halt, and the doors opened with a screech. I rose from my seat and grabbed my backpack. “You thought a place that only lets you bring one bag—and won’t let you leave—would be great? You’re not an A student, are you?”

He glowered at me and tossed a dreadlock over his shoulder. “They don’t send A students to shitholes like this.”

That wasn’t entirely true. I’d been an A student once. Before my dad died and I started sleeping through class. Before the pills. But I didn’t say that. I tromped down the stairs and off the bus before any of the others could beat me to it.

Cool air struck me immediately; this place was twenty degrees colder than the prairie that surrounded the mountains. My shorts and t-shirt wouldn’t keep me warm once the sun went down. I hadn’t even packed winter clothes. They’d be provided, Mom had told me. I rubbed my arms as the other teens disembarked and managed to squish a mosquito. It left a smear of blood on my palm. Wonderful. And Mom thought I would enjoy nature.

From the bus window, the place had looked abandoned. But the door to the senior building swung open, and ten teenagers marched out in perfect single file. They lined up in front of us. Despite their rainbow of skin colors and different heights and noses, they looked identical: athletic, in matching blue uniform pants and shirts and with welcoming smiles on their faces.

I took a glance at the other new arrivals. There were ten of us, half male, half female, all a mixture of different races, and we didn’t look anything alike. Half the girls wore tight leggings or jeans, and the rest wore short skirts. I was the only one in shorts, and they were khaki boy’s shorts that came down to my knees. Not fashionable at all, but what my mom liked to buy for me.

The boys wore a mix of khakis and jeans, both long and short, and half of them didn’t fit right. Half the boys had longer hair than I did. I looked back at the seniors. The boys all had buzz cuts, like soldiers, and the girls had their hair neatly trimmed at the shoulders.

A senior stepped forward. The bridge of her hawklike nose tilted sideways from an old break, and a tattoo of leopard spots marked the line of her throat. If she’d worn leather, I’d have called her a bruiser, maybe a biker chick. But her voice matched her uniform and smile perfectly. “Welcome to Seramia Boarding School! I’m Ember Saint James, the senior valedictorian. We’re so happy to have you here. I hope your journey wasn’t too long.”

All us new arrivals stared at her. Astrid said, “Are you kidding? You bused us into the middle of frigging nowhere. I came all the way from Oregon.”

I nodded. They had bused me in a thousand miles from Phoenix, Arizona, where it’d been 105 F. This mountain was frigid in comparison.

Ember’s smile didn’t fade. “Then I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing your new cabins and getting a nap. You’ll pick your classes tomorrow, so for today you can just get settled in.”

“We get to pick?” the boy with long ginger hair said, screwing up eyebrows that looked like caterpillars. He paced a few steps. “I thought my dad decided all that. You know, before he shipped me here.”

The senior cocked her head. “Do you think you’ll be more motivated to become a model student if you’re given a choice?”

The boy grimaced. “I guess. I don’t really plan on becoming a model for anyone.” He fidgeted with the straps of his backpack. Since I first saw him, he hadn’t held still.

“What’s your name?” Ember asked.

Astrid said sourly, “Aren’t we all on a list somewhere?”

“You are, but it’s polite to ask.”

The ginger boy rocked back on his heels and said, “I’m Kye Wells. What’s your accommodation policy here?”

“Accommodations? What do you need accommodation for?” Astrid asked, grinning at him. “Are you an idiot? Is that why your parents didn’t want you around anymore?”

Kye’s freckled face turned tomato red. “Nothing! Just—Never mind. Forget it.”

Ember’s smile turned sympathetic. “The teachers work with each student as needed. I promise, whatever problem your parents felt they couldn’t solve, it’ll disappear by junior year.” She looked around at the rest of us. “And that goes for all of you. The founder of this place promises it. To you, and to your parents.”

The brochure in my backpack said Beatrix Seramia had founded the Seramia Boarding School thirty years ago, to help troubled youth. “What did you do wrong to get sent here?” I asked Ember, folding my arms across my Gila monster t-shirt. “What was your problem?”

“I was a graffiti artist hooked on crack,” she said, still smiling that perfect smile. “But my parents knew this place could help me. Just like it’ll help you.”

“Bullshit,” one of the new boys said. He towered above the rest of us, and his nose could’ve sliced bread. “You can’t just fix people like that. There’s no way you’ll get rid of my problems without me becoming a totally new person.”

Ember’s smile broadened. “Then maybe you’ll become a new person. But don’t worry. It won’t hurt much.”

But it sounded like a lie.

#

The seniors split us freshmen up and directed us to the smaller cabins. I was in the obnoxiously named Jackalope Cabin, on the far left of the campus, near the trees. As I trudged towards my new home, a whisper of sound intruded in my gloom. It grew louder and louder until I realized a noisy stream rushed by right behind my cabin. The sound of it would lull me to sleep at night. But I refused to be pleased or grateful. Mom had banished me to this place to get rid of me, and one nice feature didn’t make up for it.

The stairs that led to the porch creaked as I tromped up them. Four rustic rocking chairs sat at the corners of the porch. I guessed I was going to share the place with three people. I kicked a chair. We were teenagers, modern teenagers, and our parents thought we’d be willing to live without internet or phone service or television? They thought we’d be fixed if we just sat in old-timey chairs and rocked, like stereotypical grannies? They were nuts. The whole lot of them. Mom especially.

A wooden jackalope leered at me from between the two doors. Its antlers were twice the length of its long ears. I grabbed the handle of the rightmost door and yanked it open.

The hinges squealed as I yanked open the door. A monster lay in the middle of the floor, bat-like wings spread.

I screamed and stumbled back. But the monster didn’t leap up to pursue me. Its long tongue stuck out between its fangs, motionless.

“Hey, it’s dead,” a deep voice said. “I killed it.”

I looked up and came face to face with a boy two years older than me. He was trim and athletic, with the muscle of a runner. He crossed long arms and smirked at me. His hair was a buzz cut, just like the seniors, and he wore the same blue uniform. Were we all going to dress like that?

I took another look at the monster, and the shape of its head and four legs registered. “Is that a cow?” It was definitely dead, now that I looked closer. Its brown eyes stood open, dulled and unfocused, and blood stained its muzzle and dripped onto the wooden floor.

“It was,” the boy said. “Before the heal-transformers got to it.”

I staggered into the room and plopped down on one of the small beds that framed the freakish winged cow. My legs wouldn’t hold me up anymore. “What’s a heal-transformer, and why would anyone do that to a cow?” Its fangs better fit a sabertooth tiger, and its wings belonged on a dragon.

He shrugged and took a seat on the other bed. A door led to the other half of the cabin, but it was closed. “The students who pick healing and transformation as their focus. They’ll transform anything. How else are they going to practice?”

“Their focus?” I said, my voice too shrill. “You’re talking about magic? Are you telling me this is a magic school?”

He gave a lopsided smile. “Didn’t it say that in the brochure?”

I jabbed a shaking finger towards him. “No! The brochure went on about how this place was going to fix us all. It said nothing about making us real sorcerers!” Mom would never let me study to become a sorceress.

“Surprise,” he said.

I took a deep breath, trying to shove down excitement. “You mean tomorrow, when I pick my classes, I’m going to choose classes on magic?” This sounded too good to be true. It probably was.

He laughed at me. “Nope. They’ll mostly be ordinary high school classes. Math, history, etcetera.”

I grabbed that mostly with both hands. “But some of them will be magic?”

“Some of them will prepare you for magic,” he corrected. “You won’t learn to use actual spells until you’re a junior, like me.”

I glared at him, feeling the thrill I’d felt at the idea of becoming a sorceress—which was admittedly partly to spite my mother—drain out of me. “That’s stupid. I want to start now.”

He shook his head and grabbed the flying cow by one wing. “You’re, what, fourteen? You don’t know enough. If you want to break the laws of physics, you have to know what they are. If you want to heal, you need to know anatomy and cells and DNA. Not that I know much about that. I’m not a heal-transformer.” He tried to drag the cow towards the door, but the wing stretched out and the cow didn’t budge. “Help me with this, will you?”

I stared at him. I hadn’t seen a whole dead cow in my life. I didn’t even eat hamburger because the thought of eating something with soulful brown eyes made me sick to my stomach. “Where are you taking it?”

He grinned at me. “The kitchen. Don’t you want steak?”

I lifted my chin. “I’m a vegetarian. I don’t believe in killing animals to eat them.”

The boy tilted his head. “What about killing them to save your life?”

“You mean if I was starving? Maybe if I had to.” People justified all sorts of things when they were starving. Even cannibalism.

His lopsided smile reappeared. “I guess that’s one way to look at it. But help me move the cow, even if you won’t eat it.”

Gingerly, I rose from the bed and grabbed the cow’s other wing. It felt nothing like leather; it was soft and furry and still warm. When I hauled on it with all my strength, it stretched out, revealing a membrane so thin I could see the floor through it. “If you’re not a heal-transformer, what are you?”

He hauled on his wing and I hauled on mine, and slowly we dragged the cow towards the door. He said, “I’m an entroper. Violating the laws of physics is my specialty.”

“And your name?”

We got the cow out onto the porch and began bumping it down the stairs. “Declan Finch,” he said. “You’re my new freshman roommate. I assume you have a name, but no one told me what it was.”

“Juniper Fellows,” I said. “Are you my only roommate?”

“There’s a sophomore and a senior in the other room, but you’ll be bunking with me. I hope you’re not shy.” The words could’ve come out lecherous, but instead, they just sounded like a friendly joke.

I glared at him anyway as we dragged the cow towards the dining hall. “The school expects me to share a room with a boy? How do I know you’re not a sex offender? Maybe that’s why you got banished here.”

Declan’s regal face grew serious. “Every freshman gets placed with a junior or senior roommate, and I’m afraid there’s no extra girl to put you with. And don’t worry. Even if I had been a sex offender, which I wasn’t, I’m a junior. Whatever problems I had as a frosh are long gone.”

I bit out, “You’re claiming you’re perfect? That you’re totally fixed? A brand new person, like that brochure promised? Fat chance. You’re probably a pervert who’s gotten better at faking it.”

I won a grin from him. “I am a brand new person. You’re right. Soon you’ll be a brand new person, too. Are you excited?”

I dropped the wing of the cow and said coldly, “Take your kill the rest of the way on your own. And leave me the hell alone. I’m going to sleep.”

His elegant brow furrowed. “It’s three in the afternoon.”

“I don’t care.” I turned on my heel and marched back to Jackalope Cabin. Once I reached it, I threw my bag down on the bed that wasn’t covered with a boy’s pajamas and fumbled in the bottom for my pill bottle.

I shook four zolpidem into my hand—four times the prescribed dose, but one pill didn’t put me to sleep anymore—and dry swallowed them. They tasted bitter going down.

“I hate you, Mom,” I said to nobody as I counted how many pills I had left. Enough for a month, maybe. When Mom wasn’t looking, I’d gotten multiple prescriptions filled at different pharmacies.

I tucked the bottle away, careful with its precious contents, and threw myself down on the bed before the zolpidem could make the world dizzy and unreal. I don’t remember falling asleep. With a high enough dose, I never remember anything.

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