#Anxiety Clear Island Waters

[bobendsneyder64]

Yesterday I came back from my first ever holiday on my own. Today I spent the whole day relaxing and only doing laundry as I traveled almost all day yesterday. I had a lovely time, it was great to be able to decide what I wanted to do on my own and then doing it or deciding to do something totally different. I really enjoyed it, it felt really freeing. It also was a bit lonely sometimes, especially when I would be the only one on my own. Like when I ate breakfast at my hotel and was surrounded by couples, friends and family. Or when I went out for lunch or dinner on my own. Also the fact that you can't share it and talk about it with other people. I spammed my family with pictures just to feel like that for a bit. But the positive things did really outshine the negative ones. Who knows, I might do this again and travel farther or longer. But this was a great start!

[starneteyam]

TOUCHY ★

🖇️ char. Neteyam x Omaticayan! fem! reader

🖇️ warn. Spicy, jealousy, fluff

🎥 In which Neteyam is an extremely affectionate boyfriend whose love language is physical intimacy, and when some Metkayinan boys start getting a bit too flirty with you, be gets jealous and sulks

A/N Just a short drabble

Neteyam was your mate, and you were his. Ever since he first hooked his eyes on you a year ago, he had been obsessed with you in every way. The way you looked at him with loving eyes, or the way you never complained whenever he held your hand while you did whatever you needed to do. You understood Neteyam loved being physically intact with you.

When he was sitting next to you, even that wouldn’t be enough. He would lay his head on your shoulder, or hold your hand, or wrap his arm around you. Around his family, he would play with your hair—the tiny unbraided strands of your goddess braids, or he would just hook a finger around yours.

He had separation anxiety, though you would never comment on it. You didn’t mind, one bit. You thought that part of him was adorable, like a little puppy.

Because you were his mate, it was decided that you would move to Awa’atlu with Jake and his family, leaving your family behind. You were heartbroken, having to leave your siblings and parents behind, but you said your goodbyes and left anyways.

When you arrived at the Pandora Reefs, Neteyam never let go of your hand, not once. But this time, it was to reassure you. When Au’nong and Rotxo stepped forward, he pulled you behind him, while they smirked.

At your new home, he huffed in displeasure. “They were looking at you.” He sulked, sitting next to you with his head on your collarbone, your body leaning against the wooden pillar, his pointer finger hooked to your pinkie.

You smiled reassuringly, shaking your head. “And I was looking at you, Neteyam.” You told him softly, playing with the bead on his braid. Your heart was full, your throat tightening at how adorable he was.

Another instance was when you were at the beach with Tuktirey, accompanying her and looking for seashells on the shallow waters. The two of you knelt on the sand, her laughing in joy. “Look, there’s one!” You laughed, pointing at a pink shell when you heard the water behind you splashing as if somebody was walking near you.

You turned around, seeing a stranger your age walking up to you with two of his friends. You furrowed your eyes. “Tuk, come here.” You whispered, ushering her.

She whimpered in fear as you grabbed her arm and pulled her behind you. You then stood up. “What’re you doing?” The boy asked, tilting his head. You gave him a dirty look. “Can I help you?” You asked, ignoring his question. His friend laughed. “We just want to get to know you, chill out.” He shrugged his shoulders, and you tried your hardest not to roll your eyes.

“I like your hair.” The third guy commented, running his fingers through some braids on your hair. “We should hangout sometime, I can show you some islands around here.” The first guy said, smiling. You huffed, frowning.

“Excuse me.” You mumbled, making sure to keep Tuk away from the guys as you walked past them, and away. “O-Okay! See you around!” The guy yelled after, and you shook your head in disbelief and sighed. Pathetic.

Unknown to you, Neteyam had seen it all. He had the urge to go in and just punch those guys square in the jaw, but after fighting the Au’nong and his friends yesterday, he was sure his father would skin him alive if he were to cause more trouble.

So instead, he stayed out of sight, and watched quietly as his nails dug into his palms. He was glad you quickly had left and even barely spoke to them, displaying your clear unliking to them, but still, he couldn’t help but feel jealous.

Later that day, when the sky was dark, you stood in your home, your back turned to the entrance as you were busy taking the leaves off of berries Kiri had picked. You heard Neteyam enter, turning your shoulder and glancing at him. “How was your day, Neteyam?” You asked, not having seen him all day. He stayed silent, which you ignored. If he didn’t want to talk, he didn’t have to talk. You respected that of him, because you had your moments too.

You heard him dropping his things on the floor, then walk up to you. Without saying a word, his hands slid around your waist, pressing himself against your back as he kissed your shoulder. You smiled, leaning your hair into him as you continued to pick at the berries. His butterfly kisses trailed up your shoulder, to your neck, and his kisses became longer. Your breath hitched as he started sucking softly on the skin on your neck, his thumb rubbing your stomach.

“Neteyam.” You whispered, turning your head slightly towards him, but he ignored you again. You were confused on why he was acting this way. His tongue pressed against the bruises on your neck, before he turned you around and kissed your lips. You immediately responded. “Netey- mm- What’s- Mmph!” You tried talking, but he kept cutting you off by kissing you, each kiss more aggressive than the last. “Shh.” He hushed quickly, before kissing you again.

You did as told, letting him pour his feelings out on you. Your fingers brushed his back, tracing his spine upwards, before lightly tugging on his hair. He pushed his lips against yours, trying to get as close as he could to you, his eyebrows furrowed. He felt goosebumps on his skin as your tail brushed up the inside of his leg. After leaving his final kiss on you, he hugged your waist, burying his face into the crook of your neck.

Surprised, you looked at him, before smiling softly and rubbing his back. “What happened, Neteyam?” You asked quietly, closing your eyes as you leaned your head against his. He was silent for a couple heartbeats, but then finally spoke. “I saw those guys trying to hit on you today.” He whispered, and it almost broke your heart—how cute he was. You laughed at his sulking sight, hugging him tighter. “Neteyam, you are too perfect for this world.” You told him, kissing his head.

[tokkishouse]

(Sfw) The first time you call him a term of endearment

Characters: Aether, Ayato, Cyno, Gorou, Heizou, Kaeya

Warnings: Fem. leaning nickname in Ayato's (princess), Cyno is implied to be taller than reader, reader is ticklish in Heizou's, mention of alcohol in Kaeya's

WC: 1.4k words total

Pt. 1, Pt. 3

"Aether honey, fetch me my watering pail!" You call out to him, currently hunched over the seeds you had just planted in the soil. You both were doing some tending to the garden you had just recently started in your teapot, and you had just finished the planting process.

You hear the loud crashing and clunking of metal behind you, and you whip your head around to see Aether standing there, hands at his side and gaze focused on you.

"Are you okay?!" You ask, hurriedly rising to your feet to check on him.

"'Honey'...you called me 'honey,'" he breathes out, watching you. You blink once, twice, and then nod.

"I did, yes," you confirm.

His cheeks turn pink and he looks away, pulling his scarf up a bit in an attempt to hide his face. He clears his throat and bends down to grab the watering pail.

"I-I'll just go ahead and get this filled up with water for you," he mumbles and rushes off before you can say anything.

You and Ayato were walking around Inazuma City, soldiers trailing behind to watch over you two. You wanted to see what the merchants were selling, and perhaps say hi to a few old friends.

A jewel in a nearby stand catches your eye, and you drag Ayato over quickly.

"Darling, look! Wouldn't this ruby be beautiful in a necklace?" You coo, leaning down to get a closer look at it.

He falters a bit before he responds, almost taken by surprise by the pet name. Almost. He recovers quickly and responds with his own term of endearment.

"If it pleases my princess, you can have every jewel the owner is selling."

His voice is smooth and the nickname rolls off his tongue flawlessly, sending goosebumps down your back. You look back, eyes bright with excitement while your face is flushed with embarrassment. He gives you a polite smile, as if unaware of the effect of his words on you, and turns to the merchant to make the purchase.

The moon was high, shining through the night sky and down on Sumeru City. The activity was slowed and most everyone inside their homes, save for a few that clung to the shadows, hopeful to take advantage of unsuspecting passerbys. Word spread quickly that the General Mahamatra had returned home though, and those looking to cause trouble quickly dispersed.

"Y/N, I'm back," Cyno announces as he walks inside your home.

He sets aside his polearm and takes off his headpiece, setting it aside on a nearby table. You walk out of the kitchen, wrapped in a blanket and clutching a hot mug of tea in your hand. You smile and step closer to your partner.

"Welcome back Cyno. I trust you served justice well?" You ask, already knowing the answer.

He nods and leans forward, resting his head on your shoulder. You feel the weight of his work melt off upon touch and almost fall over due to him putting all his weight on you.

"Alright love, let's get you to bed," you gently chide, setting aside your mug.

He hums-- in delight you deduce, based on the high-range sound, but makes no move to pull away.

"That's new. Instead of cuddling a bed bug, it seems you'll cuddle a lovebug?"

You groan loudly and shove him off of you gently.

"Nevermind, sleep on the couch!"

You and Gorou were helping the soldiers on Watatsumi Island move the crates of supplies around. You'd been at it since sunrise and the fatigue was starting to eat at you. You drop a crate on the ground with an unceremonious thud and groan, rubbing your back. Gorou's ears pick this up and he instantly turns to you, also grabbing the attention of his fellow soldiers.

"Y/N? Are you alright?" He asks, eyebrows furrowed in concern.

He was easy to read-- his tail sways back and forth, kicking up the dirt and anxiety was clearly filling his body. Had he pushed you too hard? You weren't a member of the Kokomi's platoons so technically this wasn't your responsibility-- you had just offered. You wave him off, flashing him a tired smile.

" 's nothing baby. I just need to rest. I'll catch up, yeah?" You explain, slowly sitting down next to one of the crates.

Gorou's tail straightens out instantly, and he's frozen in his spot. His ears are erect and his eyes widen as red spreads across his face. The soldiers are quick to pick up on their general's embarrassment and they start teasing him. You watch on in amusement but say nothing, leaving your partner to defend himself.

"Heiiiizooooou," you whine loudly as you lay on the couch.

He said that he wouldn't take too long on analyzing some reports for a case he was working on, promising to give you attention shortly. A promise that was made about 45 minutes ago. He always got sucked into his work and while usually, you were fine with that, you were feeling extra clingy today.

"Yesssss Y/N?" He matches your tone, poking his head out from his office. You huff.

"You promised you wouldn't take long. Surely your case can wait an hour or two!" He tsks at you disappointedly, shaking his head.

"Patience is a virtue, Y/N. You have to learn how to exhibit it! You wouldn't want me to let this criminal escape, would you? Imagine all the harm they could cause to Inazuma, or to you! My sweet darling lover!" Heizou mock faints, pressing a hand on his head for dramatic effect, earning an eye roll from you.

"Are you saying you wouldn't be able to take them? Getting weak are we babe?" You gripe, crossing your arms.

He stops in his place and looks at you properly, green eyes blinking owlishly.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" You ask, bringing a hand up to your cheek. He shakes his head, face cracking into a grin.

"I'm your babe, am I?" He teases, slithering over. "Am I your honey bunny too? Your baby? Your sweet love bug and apple of my eye?" With each sickeningly sweet nickname he lists off, he applies more pressure on your body as he tickles you.

You squeal in surprise, kicking your legs in an attempt to get him away. Laughter fills the room and your pleas for him to stop are ignored in favor of hitting all your ticklish spots. In all the excitement, you fail to notice the shine in Heizou's eyes and the tips of his ears turning red.

You and Kaeya had decided to stop by Angel's Share for a drink and to harass Diluc while he worked. The bartender was as curt as ever to him, not letting the calvary captain's teasings get to him. He was always cordial with you though-- never giving you a hard time. He only ever seemed to express disappointment with you when asking about what you saw in his brother.

"I'm still confused about how he managed to secure you as a partner," Diluc questions, giving Kaeya an unimpressed glance.

Kaeya faux gasps quietly, pressing a hand to his chest.

"Diluc dearest, you wound me. I'll have you know that I am a delight and it was my shining personality that won Y/N," he announces matter-of-factly.

You giggle into your cup as the two of them break into a small argument over Kaeya's character. It was nothing serious-- anyone with eyes could tell neither brother was taking the argument seriously. When their gaze turned to you, you pop an eyebrow up.

"Y/N, do tell Diluc just how lovely I am!" He begs, playing up the theatrics.

You swirl your mug a bit, watching the amber liquid slosh around.

"He's my snowdrop, Diluc. He's quite special to me, and you wouldn't know it but he secretly is a big sweetie and-"

Before you can finish, Kaeya's hand is slapped over your mouth. You and Diluc both look over at the man who is now stumbling over his words, cheeks turning dark. He was not prepared to be gifted a nickname so soon, especially in front of his brother.

"I-I think he gets the idea, Y/N," he coughs into his other hand, slowly letting the one covering your mouth drop.

Diluc flashes him a teasing smile.

"I think I do, snowdrop."

@seirenspinel & @xylerray Per your requests❤️

If you want me to do other characters, you can ask!

Requests are open~!

[hwaslayer]

project: make you love me (jyh) | seventeen.

♣︎ spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: yunho can’t stand how you’re so wrapped up in the notorious campus fuckboy, park seonghwa. he would gladly love you the way you deserve, despite being shy, awkward and the complete opposite of seonghwa. thus, when he finds himself spending more time with you over literature reviews and random study sessions, he decides to take on the challenge to win you over.

—pairing: jeong yunho x f. reader

—genre: (18+ - minors dni) strangers/friends to lovers, college au | fluff, angst, smut

—word count: 3.4k

—chapter content/warnings: cussing/mature language, flashback scene btwn yuyu & oc, anxiety & overthinking, some crying, [very soft and lazy] unprotected makeup sex <33

Yunho sighs as he pours some hot water into his cup, dipping the tea bag into the scorching hot water a few times before letting it settle. He stands near the balcony door of the apartment, blinds raised so he can watch the rain and wind from inside.

"Jeez, it's fucking crazy outside." Yunho turns over his shoulder to Yeosang, who is getting ready to make some ramen. "And it's freezing."

"Yeah, it is. Such a random storm." Yunho sips on his tea.

"Why are you acting like such an old man right now?" Yunho lets out a chuckle at the remark. "Have you talked to Y/N?"

"No, not yet." He sighs, making his way to the kitchen island to talk to Yeosang more closely.

"Why not?"

"I don't know. I was gonna ask her to come over but it's raining like crazy. I'll probably wait till it dies down."

"Your hand doing okay?" Yeosang nods at his hand, making Yunho flash it his way. "Hm. Bruising has gone down. He deserved that shit."

"Tell me about it."

"Well, not to play devil's advocate at the wrong time, but I truly don't think Y/N meant to hurt you."

"I know. I just—" He sighs again and shakes his head. "He pissed me off. I didn't wanna take it out on her. Truthfully, I wasn't really over it until.. probably this morning." Yunho shrugs.

"Yeah, I get that."

"It's not her. It's him. Fucking can't stand him. I hope he gets the picture now because I'm not going anywhere."

"And you shouldn't. He'd be stupid to keep testing you. I'm sure that was more than enough for him to realize."

"Yeah, I don't know. Whatever. Just keep him the fuck away from me." Yunho subtly rolls his eyes. "I miss her, though. I know she wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"She's a good person. It's very clear she feels the same exact way for you as you do for her." Yunho traces the rim of his cup, missing your kisses and your company terribly, even though it's really only been a full day since you two last talked.

"I really love that girl." He lets out a small chuckle. "Like.. really love her."

"Cute." Yeosang smiles as he pours the hot water into his ramen cup. "You finally gonna say it to her once you two talk?"

"Probably, yeah." He looks at Yeosang. "It's crazy to me. I wasn't expecting anything out of this when I started helping her with her lit assignments. Now, I can't even picture my days without her."

"You should text her."

"I will, once the weather calms down a bit."

"What do your plans with her look like after graduation?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I mean, obviously, I'll always be here to support her and I'll try to stay close as much as possible. But, eventually, I do wanna settle in a job and make enough for us to move in together."

"Wow, really?" Yunho nods. "You see your life with her?"

"Does it sound weird to say that?"

"No, not at all."

"I just wanna be able to come home to her and spend time with her." Yunho sips his tea, the sound of the harsh wind and tree branches hitting the window slightly startling the both of them.

"Damn. Yeah, probably good to just wait until the weather settles down." Yeosang flips the lid to his ramen and starts stirring the noodles around. "Wanna hop on a game?"

"Yeah, sure." Yunho chuckles, standing to make his way to his room and play for a bit.

Meanwhile, you've tossed and turned on your bed, unsure of what to do with yourself for the day. Chaery sat at her desk, studying with her headphones on; prepping for a big test coming up in the following week. It was probably the third [or fourth] time you've scrolled through your phone in the past 5 minutes, finding ways to distract yourself even though you were only waiting to see if Yunho would text.

He didn't though.

The last text he sent was his response to you yesterday morning after the whole squabble with Seonghwa, a quick little—

you: goodmorning yunho, have a good day today 💕

yunho: you too, y/n.

The dry, sad response is enough to trigger that awful feeling in your stomach— enough for you to toss your phone and lay on your side, hoping everything could just wash over and pass.

♣︎ FLASHBACK

"Have you seen Yunho today?" You shake your head.

"No. I feel like he's just avoiding me right now." You say with your head hung low.

"Babe, he's not avoiding you. You're his girlfriend."

"Then, why does it feel that way? Usually he'd try to come see me and send me off before class or something. He hasn't even texted me after I said 'good morning' and 'have a good day.'"

"Maybe he really just needs time to get over it, Y/N." Chaery adds as you two continue to walk towards the library. "I mean.. think about it. He stumbled upon you two and suddenly found himself in a fight with your crazy ex-fling. Plus, this was also his way of finding out about the bouquet. It's probably so overwhelming and frustrating, mainly because of Seonghwa. I get him. I wouldn't wanna talk to my girlfriend while I'm still upset because I know I'd probably say things I'd regret."

"Mmyeah.." Is all you say. The moment you take the last few steps up to the library, Yunho is exiting and comes through the door. You stop in your tracks as your eyes land on him, a sad, sympathetic look captured on your face.

You are so, so beautiful. Yunho feels like you'll be the death of him one day.

He almost makes it visibly known how much you've caught him off guard. He swallows the lump in his throat and walks over— one hand in his pant pocket, the other hanging onto the backpack strap.

"Hey." Is all he says before giving you a one-armed [tight] hug.

"Hey babe." 

"Yuyu, my favorite person in the entire planet!" Chaery gives him a playful little punch on the arm, making him chuckle. "Y/N, I'll wait for you inside, okay?" She gives you a reassuring smile before leaving you and Yunho.

"Off to class?" You stupidly ask already knowing his schedule, but he nods anyway.

"Yeah. Did you sleep okay?" He brushes the hair away from your face.

"I don't know."

"Yeah, same." He sighs.

"Should we talk then?"

"Not now." He doesn't mean to sound mean or dismissive, but he truly doesn't think he has it in him to talk properly about this yet. "Just not ready to yet. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I understand." You feel the tears well up in your eyes, causing you to shift your attention elsewhere to prevent them from falling.

"Hey." Yunho pulls you in for a hug. "We'll talk about it soon. Promise." He kisses the top of your head before letting you go. "Have a good rest of your day, okay?"

"You too." You give him a small, tight-lipped smile before watching him walk past you to his next class— your heart dropping, cracks slowly breaking at the surface.

You missed him, and you were only hoping it'd get better from here. You were ready to move past this.

All of this.

♣︎ END

Your bottom lip trembles as you stand and throw on Yunho's hoodie, slipping the hood over your head before wiping away at the residual tears streaming down your cheeks. You understood Yunho needed time, but you couldn't wait another day of not talking to him.

Not hugging him.

Cuddling him.

Kissing him.

You missed Yunho, and you were afraid he was realizing he didn't feel the same— that maybe, this was the way it would all slowly fizzle out. That maybe, this didn't turn out to be what he expected or wanted. Every minute you continued to overthink made you more and more anxious. You couldn't sit this one out anymore. Not any longer. 

"Babe, where are you going?" You pop into the room after a quick bathroom break, fixing your pajamas onto the edge of your bed while Chaery continues to sit at her desk. "It's literally storming outside."

"I need to talk to Yunho." She looks at you worriedly, turning her chair towards you completely. 

"Love. I know. I know you wanna talk to him, but don't you think you should wait until the storm passes?"

"It's just across the lot."

"Still. It's kinda crazy out there."

"Chaery, I need to talk to him. I can't let another day pass. I won't." You murmur as you grab a pair of sneakers. "I'll be back, okay?" She sighs.

"Just be careful, please. I really don't want you to get sick or anything."

"I know. I'll be careful." You give her a tiny smile before heading towards the door.

"Um, please tell me you aren't actually going out there right now?" Seungmin asks with a brow cocked up as he stands in the kitchen. You slip into your shoes and slightly tilt your head, meeting his gaze.

"I really need to talk to Yunho."

"Do you want me to walk you over there? It's super windy and raining like crazy."

"It's okay."

"Sure? Take an umbrella."

"I'll run over."

"Please don't get sick. I seriously can walk you over just to be your umbrella dude."

"I promise I'll be okay, Seungmo. Thank you. I'll be fast as lightning speed." 

"Alright. Be safe. I hope it goes well. I'm sure he misses you, too." You give him a small smile before heading out. As soon as you head out of the front door, the gusty wind hits you, along with the rain slapping you along the side of your face. You pull Yunho's hood a little more over your head, clinching it at the neck to keep it tight. No matter what you do, or how fast you run to his building, you're still being rained on like crazy.

Yunho's hoodie and your sweats are soaked, and you hate the feeling of damp clothes against your skin. But, you needed to do this.

You needed to see him.

You shakily bring your phone up to your ear after dialing his number, sweater paws wiping away at your nose and cheeks. 

"Y/N?"

"Yunho."

"You okay?"

"I'm outside your door."

"You're what? Why did you come here when it's storming like shit outside?" You can hear him shuffling towards the door, hands quick to unlock it. He sees you and his heart instantly shatters into pieces. You're in his hoodie, wet from the rain; random strands of hair sticking to your face. Your grey sweats have traces of the rain scattered on all sides, and god, Yunho wants to embrace you and hold you so badly. "Y/N." He says, almost disappointingly as he grabs at your hand to bring you inside. "Why would you do that?"

"I had to see you and talk to you." You look at him, bottom lip trembling again as you hold back your tears. He clicks his teeth before leading you into the room. He quickly grabs a change of clothes for you before handing it over and nodding towards the bathroom.

"You should get comfy first." You silently nod, taking the clothes in your hands before waddling to the bathroom. You strip out of his clothes and hop into the shower for a quick wash-up, his freshly laundered clothes feeling good against your skin afterwards.

When you get into Yunho's room, he's slouched on his computer chair while pressing away on the controller resting against his lap. He turns towards you when he hears you drop the clothes into his hamper, pausing his current game and setting the controller aside.

"Hope you don't mind me throwing those into your hamper."

"Course not." He sits on the edge on his bed, watching as you sit next to him. "What's going on?"

"Yunho, I'm really sorry. I know you needed time and everything, but I couldn't stand us not talking to each other and being awkward after everything. It's my fault. I should've just told you about them in the first place, I don't know why I hesitated." You're crying now, and Yunho melts. He knows you're sincerely sorry, and he knows you would never intentionally hurt him. Truly, he meant to take this time just to let his anger for Seonghwa pass. He didn't wanna let that bleed onto you, nor did you deserve that, so he wanted to make sure he was completely over it before anything. He was gonna text you today and ask you to come over, but he waited because of the rain. He should've known you wouldn't have cared, though. "It was so, so stupid. But, I didn't mean any of it. I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry, I—" You continue to go on through your crying, but Yunho gently shushes you and pulls you onto his lap.

"Hey, come here. Don't cry. It's okay."

"No, it's not." You pout.

"Baby." He gives off a tiny chuckle before wiping your tears and kissing your forehead. "I know you're sorry, okay? I really just needed the time to make sure I was over it. I didn't want to accidentally take out my anger on you or do anything stupid when you don't deserve it. That's all. I was gonna ask you to come by today, but it started raining." He lets out a breath. "Should've known you wouldn't have cared though, hm?" You shake your head. "No more crying."

"I just want us to be okay. I didn't mean to hurt you, Yuyu."

"I know you didn't. We're okay. I'm not upset with you."

"Are you sure?" He pauses just as he looks at you, thumb coming to caress the surface of your cheek before coming down to your bottom lip. 

"Well, why don't you just be mine, hm? Just like I am for you. How does that sound?"

"Wouldn't want it any other way." Yunho chuckles and kisses you on the tip of your nose. You instantly wrap your arms around his neck and hug him tightly while still on his lap, taking in all of him while he gently rubs at your back. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Your hands are resting at the nape of his neck, fingers gently threading through the ends of his hair. Yunho's hands are slowly rubbing at your sides, the warmth of his hands transferring onto the surface of your bare skin.

"Can I see your hand?" He chuckles a bit and raises his hand in front of you, knuckles still slightly reddish-purple in hue from the punch.

"It's fine." You give him a look before planting soft kisses at his knuckles, turning his palm upward to place some kisses there. 

"Yunho?"

"Mhm?"

"I love you." His eyes widen a bit as his mind registers what you just said. His lips turn upward into a smile, planting a chaste kiss to yours before responding with a—

"I love you too, baby." He kisses you again, smiling against your lips. "Can you promise me one other thing?"

"Hm?"

"Please don't trek over here when it's raining like this outside. I don't want you to get sick."

"It's just across the lot."

"Promise me." He furrows his brows ever so slightly to get his point across.

"Fine." You pout.

"Say it."

"I promise." You say in a somewhat whiny tone, making Yunho let out a small laugh. 

"You're such a brat."

"Mm, but you just said you love this brat."

"Yeah." He bites onto his bottom lip. "I do. I really do." You giggle, kissing him once more. Though Yunho has always been affectionate and vocal about his feelings for you, his next action is unexpected and catches you a bit off guard. He simply rests his head against your chest and holds you tightly, breathing regularly as his fingers gently rub circles on your sides. He doesn't say anything, causing you to look down at him and wonder if he's truly okay.

"What's wrong?" You ask while wrapping your arms around him, fingers massaging at his scalp.

"I just want you to be honest with me. I don't want you to feel scared about coming to me about these things because I'm with you, not against you." He responds softly, cheek still pressed against your chest. "That goes to say that I would never do anything to jeopardize this. I don't wanna lose you." He looks up at you with those puppy dog eyes and you can't help but release a shaky sigh. Your lips fold into a small frown as you cup his cheek, shaking your head at the statement.

"You could never do anything to jeopardize this, Yunho. I'm not going anywhere. This was my fault, and I'm sorry for not coming to you sooner about this. I promise I'll be better. I know you're here for me, and I know you would never do anything to hurt me either."

"Can you tell me? Honestly. Do you miss anything about Seonghwa?"

"No, I could never. It was so stupid and I didn't mean to mislead or confuse you. I could never go back to that. I don't want to. All I want is you."

"Okay." Is all he responds with. "I feel the same way. You mean a lot to me, Y/N. I mean that more than anything."

"I know, Yunho. I feel the same way." He gives you a tiny, toothless smile before releasing his arms from around you.

"Wanna lay down and take a nap with me?"

"That sounds really nice right now." You smile as you hop off his lap and settle into the sheets. Yunho shuts off his computer, the only sounds echoing in the room is the strong wind hitting the window, rain splattering against the glass. He slips under the covers, pulling you close to him to keep you warm. His fingers start threading through your hair as you quietly look up at him; no words being exchanged in this very moment.

"Sleepy?" Yunho breaks the silence with a soft question.

"No. I just like it when you play with my hair." You shut your eyes in satisfaction.

"Of course." Yunho kisses your forehead before moving down to the tip of your nose.

Lips.

Chin.

"I thought you wanted to nap?" You subtly bite onto your bottom lip when Yunho leaves sweet kisses on the edge of your jaw and neck.

"I do." He says in between kisses, tongue soothing the surface of your neck after little nibbles.

"This doesn't look like a nap to me."

"No, but we'll definitely take one after." He smirks against your skin, hands roaming up your shirt. He squeezes your side before his hand moves up to your breast— playing with your nipple before giving your boob a good grope.

"Yunho." You whine, hands tugging at the ends of his hair. Sooner or later, you find yourself straddling Yunho— lazily working your hips while he lays back and watches you. Everything about this moment is slow, sweet, sensual; every kiss, every move, filled with love and affection. He bites onto his bottom lip as his hands rest on your hip, fingers slightly digging into the surface as he helps guide you. You've still got his shirt on, and he's still got his, too— sweats pulled down enough to ride him. It's so lazy, but so intimate, especially with the storm in the background.

It feels perfect and enough.

You let out soft moans and whimpers, Yunho whispering sweet praises about how good you feel and how perfect you are. He never fails to remind you how beautiful you are and how much you mean to him, even in the most compromising positions. But his words drip with gold, low groans and hisses dipped in honey.

Everything about Yunho is so, so sweet.

"Fuck." You whimper, brows pulled together as your mouth is slacked open— orgasm quick to build, close to toppling over on the edge.

"That's it, baby." Yunho replies as he tries his hardest to hold on. "Wanna cum for me?" You nod, pace increasing just enough to make you come undone in the next few rolls of the hips. You let out a few curses in between moans, while Yunho continues to pound upward into you to find his own release. 

"That was definitely not a nap, Yunho." You continue to sit on top of him to regulate your breathing and come back down from your high.

"Ah, no. But, that nap does sound nice now, doesn't it?" You giggle when he taps your hips, the both of you letting out small whines when you finally pull your bodies apart from each other. He grabs some wipes and helps you clean up before following suit on himself, slipping back into the covers for said nap.

"Yunho."

"That's me." He says, eyes already shut as he holds you close.

"I love you. And I'm sorry. I wanna keep doing better for you."

"I love you, too. Don't be sorry. We're learning together, princess." He lets out a breath before kissing you on the forehead. "Come on, let's take a nap. It's not like we can go anywhere anyways." You chuckle against his chest, feeling happy and content that all is well; that you're finally in his Yunho's arms again.

♣︎ taglist: @s-nsanshine @soupbinlily @tyongff-ff @jiminiscricket @g1g1l @staytinyinmybpack @woomyteez @gfksz @bitchwhytho @savluvsmingi @thisisntmyrightera @hyukssunflower @miriamxsworld @tmtxtf @kuromibabe04 @lmnhead @carrietwrites @tournesol155 @persphonesorchid @txt-yaomi @mxnsxngie @h-nji @mundayoonimnida @jalapeno-princess @nakiiko @asjkdk @kunikku @idkwgoh @kyeos4ng @agust-d2 @araknoid @bintificreads @primoppang @betray-the-light @aurorasjoongie @wineyoungie @yunhotteokkk @yungigiggles @jaerisdiction @ignoretheskies @luminouskalopsia @naeviscall @vixensss @choisansplushie @arya9111 @my-lightspirit @dazednconfusion @astro-doll-the-star @faesmingi @idfkeddieishot @startinystay @emily505 @mgdixon @mcsalterego @cheynalexilaiho @svintsandghosts @mismatchfluffysocks @meeitany

[sturniolos-blog]

In trouble again? - Sturniolo little sister oneshot

warnings - swearing, fluff, arguing

—————————

Quick backstory behind this oneshot:

When Y/n was 14, her 19 year old older triplet brothers moved to LA. Upsetting her for a while, hard not seeing them around the house.

But after a lot of convincing, when Y/n turned 15, Marylou and Jimmy agreed to let her move in with them.

Obviously, nick, chris, and matt were okay with it.

You may wonder how a girl fit in with three boys, well it was easy for her.

Nick was the one she’d go too for boys, about her period (since he bought her pads and what she needed when she was on it), she'd go to Nick about a breakup, literally about anything that Matt and Chris would freak out about if she told them.

Then Chris was the one she’d go to if she needed too laugh, needed a hug, (chris gives really good ones), He always found a way too make her laugh, even when she was crying. Although when y/n was crying chris usually got emotional with her, so they cried and laughed together.

Now Matt, matt was the one she’d go too for a lot of things. Anxiety was a big one, she had a lot, so she usually asked for tips and stuff. Y/n also gets frustrated, annoyed, anything negative really easily, (like matt) so she usually went to Matt to calm down and take a breath. Y/n also usually slept with Matt, much like chris she hated sleeping alone, so she usually slept with, matt, but occasionally with math and chris because chris was usually found in matt’s bed.

Y/n also gets in trouble at school a lot! (Bad y/n)

—————————

2:03pm

I walked inside my house with yet another write up i got this week, it's only thursday and this is my third write up this week, (new record by the way) this time was for yelling at my math teacher how she didn't know how to teach. She seriously doesn't because if she did would not have a D- in her class right now.

"Is anyone home?" I yelled out, kicking my shoes off and throwing my bag down.

I see Nick walk downstairs, "Hey y/n!" He says cheerfully, "Matt and Chris went to return the jeans you didn't like and Chris wanted to go to get a new sweatshirt or something." Nick smiled before his eyes trail down to my hand. He let's out a sigh, "Y/n...Please tell me.." He trails off, his voice filled with disapointment.

I look down at the paper too, "Umm.." I clear my throat, "Sorry I thought they would've called or at least texted you guys already. My bad. Now can you please sign it before Matt gets home?" I pleaded, handing the paper to Nick for him to sign. Matt was the worst one for when i got in trouble, he changes a lot. He's like all sweet and then his face gets red with anger. It's scary.

Nick took the paper and grabbed a pen from the kitchen table, "I'll sign it, but they took Matt's number down. So there is no doubt he got that call or text." Nick says, signing the paper with his signature like it said too do. I let out a groan as nicks eyes glanced over the quick explanation of what happened.

"You went off on your math teacher?" Nick scoffed.

"I already told Ms.Reel I don't play! She kept testing me, literally and figuratively. She tried givin' me a pop quiz like I was 'bouta do all that. Yeah no thanks." I defended. Grabbing a water from the fridge and sitting down at the island.

"What exactly did you say, n/n?" Nick asked, giving me the now signed paper.

"All i said was, 'I'm not doing this.' and when she asked why I said 'because why would i take a pop quiz from a teacher that teaches like she graduated at the university of nowhere.' and when she told me to go to the office i said, 'gladly, i'd rather have 6 months of detention then ever come back too this bootlegged not teachin us nothin' classroom. And then i got kicked out." I explained.

Matt signed the one i got on monday for going off on a girl for making fun of my friend. He told me it was okay and that i was sticking up for somebody i cared about.

The one i got on tuesday was for walking out of the classroom when my science teacher didn’t let me go to the bathroom but let a boy out when he asked. Chris signed that one for me, Matt found out about it, i didn’t know they had his number, he was upset but he said as long as i didn’t get another one it’s fine.

So after this one i am definitely getting yelled at by Matt.

The front door opens and i hear muttering, sounding like bickering.

“Wait, i left my jacket in the car, can you go get it?” I hear Chris ask Matt.

I then hear Matt mutter something along the lines of, “You fucking idiot” before walking away.

Chris then speed walks into the kitchen, “Y/n, you seriously messed up. Matt was already in a bad mood since he woke up, and then at the mall workers were giving him shit for trying to return your jeans without the tags on them, and then he got a call about how you got in trouble. So you’re actually fucked.”

My eyes widened, “Um- yeah i’m just gonna go up-” I start to walk away but bump into Matt.

“Just the person i was looking for!” Matt says. sarcastically, his arms crossing as he stands in front of me.

“Go sit, now.” He demands. I rub my forehead and nod, sitting at the kitchen table.

Matt sits down next to me and grabs the write up slip, “Nick signed it already? That’s great.” Matt continues with the sarcasm.

“Don’t bring me into this!” Nick puts his hands up in defense as him and Chris are watching us.

Matt then gives nick and chris a look that makes them both go to their rooms.

Great.

I take a breath in before starting to talk as Matt reads the write up slip, “So on a scale of 1-10 how mad-”

“Don’t even finish that sentence, y/n.” He grits out.

I nod and bite my lip, i’m really fucking scared.

“You can’t- why would you- who even- where- what- the fuck!?” Matt stutters.

“I don’t even know what to say, y/n! This is the third one this week! It’s thursday! There are only five days in a school week! It shouldn’t be this hard to stay out of trouble!” Matt yells.

“I’m sorry i just-” I get cut off.

“No! You don’t just do anything, you can’t just do something like this and keep getting away with it. You don’t need to be acting like this.” Matt says, putting his head in his hands.

“I also don’t need your opinion, i mean why are you even getting so mad? Nick and Chris don’t care this much.” I say, nice going y/n.

Matt scoffs. “Go to your room.”

“But-”

“Now!” He yells.

“Whatever!” I scoff and get up, literally stomping to my room.

—————————

10:16pm

It’s been 8 whole hours since i last talked to Matt.

Which was crazy, Nick and Chris came in to ask me how i was doing but i just shrugged, i got to keep my phone so i was doing alright.

I get another knock on my door, expecting it to be Matt, i quickly say, “Come in!” But it’s Chris. I love him but i lay back down, scrolling on my phone.

He walks up and sits on my bed, rubbing my shoulder.

“I think you should talk to Matt.” Chris says, his voice soft and welcoming.

“He doesn’t wanna talk to me. He’s made it clear, we haven’t talked since the argument.” I sniffle, i was so upset.

“He does wanna talk to you, but he’s stubborn also, so he is not gonna be the first one to say something. If you go and apologize, and really mean it, like not just go in there because i told you too, then he will appreciate it and say sorry too. I promise.” Chris says as i sit up.

I put my pinky out, “Pinky promise?” I whisper.

He interlocks our pinkies, “Pinky promise.” He confirms.

I nod as he leaves my room, about 5 minutes pass and i decide to get up too.

I knock on Matt’s door, I hear some shuffling before the door starts to open, “Nick how many times-” Matt starts but stops when he sees me.

“N/n.” He says, his voice was much softer.

“Matt- i’m so sorry for getting in trouble and i’m sorry for saying that you get too and and it’s just schools been really hard and i hate it and everyone’s annoying and i don’t know what to do and i-” I sob but get cut off when Matt pulls me in for a tight hug.

“Okay, calm down baby.” He whispers, his fingers going through my hair.

I sob into his chest, that’s all it was. Stress and being overwhelmed.

“Shh..” Matt hushed, bringing me into his room with his arms still wrapped around me, kicking the door shut with his foot and bringing me to sit down on his bed.

“Y/n, listen.” He pulls away from the hug.

“You’re right, i have been harsher than normal, but that’s only because i want you to succeed, you’re in highschool! You are growing up so fast and i want the best for you. And i’m sorry that i’m not the fun one all the time. I’ll try, but if i try you have to promise that you will too, and if you’re ever feeling upset or down that you’ll talk to me.” Matt comforts.

I nod and wipe my nose with my sleeve.

“Can i sleep in here tonight?” I ask.

Matt laughs, “Of course you can.”

—————————

why is this literally the most basic thing i’ve ever written oh lord goodbye idk what happened with me today but im just gonna start dad matt tmr and it will either be done tmr or thursday (i pinky promise) hope yall enjoy this one!

[rustedhearts]

“steeeeve!”

the panic-laced sound of his name makes steve drop the spoon in his hand in an instant. he’s sprinting toward the laundry room around the corner before he knows it, his own roaring and alarmed ‘what is it?’ following.

what he finds is white foam spilling from the washing machine and a pool of wetness around your bare feet.

“oh, shit,” he sighs.

you stare at him with wide, round eyes and an open mouth. a load of sopping wet clothes await in the open machine lid.

“wh-what do i do? steve, what do i do?” you bounce on your feet and steve watches water splash against the rug that’s now soaking it up.

“uh…hang on, baby, lemme just—“

“no, don’t leave me!” you whine, watching helplessly as your husband leaves the room in the hurried fashion he came in.

you hear the click of the stove turn off in the kitchen. “i’m comin’ right back, baby, hang on!”

steve is true to his word and reappears in the laundry room, rolling his sleeves to his elbows. he leans down and begins doing the same to his pants until they’re bunched at the knees.

“uh…okay, angel, step aside.”

you eye him incredulously. “steve, shouldn’t we call…someone? a plumber or…whoever fixes washing machines—“

“no, ‘m gonna fix it,” he insists.

you take a slow, wide step aside and steve replaces you before the washing machine. yet still, hesitance brews clear in your forehead.

“baby, i’m not sure—“

“i’m gonna fix it,” he repeats, reaching into the machine. you listen to it slosh and feel the anxiety wind tighter in your stomach.

“jane needs her volleyball uniform for tomorrow morning, steve! m-my new sweater is in there, it’s gonna get ruined—“

“hey, hey, whoa. calm down, baby, it’s okay. can you get my toolbox in the coat closet?”

“steve—“

“come on, just…let me at least try,” he sighs, hand cocked on his hip.

you drop your shoulders with a sigh of your own. the gold wedding band on his ring glints in the afternoon light peeking through the window.

steve’s tried to be a handyman many times in the past few years. since the retirement, he’s done his best to find new ways to be useful. when he’s not at the gym maintaining muscle or training new prodigies, or driving jane to volleyball practice and pretending to understand what you’re doing in your home office—he’s tinkering around the house.

taking wrenches and hammers to parts of the house that probably don’t need it, finding home projects that nobody really asked for.

but they make him feel useful. like super dad, or something better. he wanted to be that for jane, he wanted to be that for you. the hero of the family, the best man in your lives.

so, you got the toolbox from the coat closet and handed it to steve. the red steel toolbox decorated and gifted from jane two christmases ago when steve took it upon himself to deck out the basement by himself. she covered it in glittery stickers and spelled out his name in scrabble-letter magnets.

you decide leaving the room is the best course of action while steve clinks and clunks, cursing and grumbling when nothing seems to work. you busy yourself with the abandoned macaroni and cheese on the stove for lunch and serve it in mismatched bowls at the kitchen island.

jane wanders in and cranes to peer into the laundry room as she sits.

"what's dad doing?"

you take your place across from her and, although you know you'll be calling a repairman in the next thirty minutes, smile at your daughter and pick up your spoon.

"fixing stuff."

[silhouetteonpaper]

Stoic Pt. 2

Part 1

Summary: When an organization threatens to destroy your families empire, your father immediately jumps into action by hiring security protection. Unaware of what that would entail, you’re unpleasantly surprised by the woman whose sole purpose to follow you around. Yelena Belova x Reader WC: 2,365 Warnings: Intruders, nightmares, annoying men

STOIC PART 2

A sudden thud causes you to abruptly wake from what was once a deep sleep. Your quickened heart rate forces you to sit up, your eyes scanning the dark room for any sign of an intruder. There’s no one else here, just the low sounds of the city outside your window.

You decide there’s no use trying to get back to sleep, your anxiety now heightened. Pulling back your large duvet, you opt to grab some nice hot tea from the kitchen. Ever since the attack at the grocery store, everyone has been on edge. You find yourself waking to nightmares or noises in the dead of night quite often now.

Luckily, Yelena has always been close by. She was there to assist when a few threatening emails appeared in your inbox—and even more importantly she’s been by your side to help fight your worsening fears about any more deathly encounters.

Walking out of your bedroom and towards the white marbled kitchen, you notice the lights are already turned on. Did someone break in? You think, pressing yourself to the wall in hopes the intruder doesn’t see you. The sound of the sink running makes your heart skip a beat, there really is someone in your apartment.

Processing how to combat this situation, a voice makes you freeze in place. “What’re you doing?” It’s Yelena, simply awake in the kitchen just as you are. You release the breath you were holding, uncovering your hiding spot and joining the blonde around the island counter.

“You scared me! I thought someone broke in,” you express, lightly punching her in the arm out of frustration. You swore that just a moment ago, you’d meet your end. Yelena smirks, shaking her head as she nestles a glass in her hand.

“Don’t worry, they won't stand a chance as long as I’m here,” she reassures you, taking a sip of her drink. You assume it’s water, but quickly notice the clear liquid is something else entirely when you see the bottle of vodka sitting on the counter behind her.

“Seriously? Vodka, at one in the morning?” You question while moving to put the bottle away. She shrugs, finishing off her current glass with one big swig.

“What are you doing awake?” Yelena changes the subject. You take a deep breath after closing the cabinet, leaning back over the counter opposite of the blonde.

“Just uh… not really tired,” you partially lie. Withholding the truth isn’t really lying, especially when you aren’t sure if ‘I’m terrified someone’s out to kill me’ is something you save for therapy. But it seems Yelena can see through you, not that it’s difficult these days.

“The dark circles under your eyes say differently.” She states bluntly. Your jaw drops, knowing she’s likely right about your appearance but you refuse to admit it. Instead, you just laugh it off, aware Yelena’s humor is her way of being supportive.

“Touché,” you let her have it, knowing there’s no use arguing, “you’re getting better at this whole ‘supportive friend’ thing.” She raises her eyebrows.

“Friend, huh? I’m pretty sure I’m more of a paid assailant, but I’ll take what I can get.” Yelena smiles. You shake your head with a smirk, eventually yawning and contemplating heading back to bed. But the looming fear of something terrible happening prevents you from moving. “C’mon, try to get some sleep. You have a big day at work tomorrow.”

She’s getting good at this. And she’s right, you’re hosting a big event at work tomorrow for all of the companies sponsors and customers. But even so, you know you won’t be fully rested with all these fears swirling in your mind.

“You’re safe here,” Yelena senses your hesitancy, “I’ll be right out here if you need anything.” Her warm words convince you, sighing as you say goodnight and head back to your room. You were finally able to get some shut-eye after repeating Yelena’s words over and over. You’re safe here, Yelena is right outside standing guard.

The next day, you find yourself setting up for the event with your second cup of coffee in hand. You take one final sip, finishing off the hot drink. “Here,” Yelena hands you another paper cup full of fresh caffeine. You give her a relieved smile, gladly accepting the coffee while throwing away your old one.

“Thank you, Yelena. You do know you’re not my personal assistant though, right?” You voice. She shrugs in return, quickly returning to her tasks of helping set up. No one asked her to help, but somehow she found herself assisting with lifting boxes and setting up tables. You certainly weren’t complaining, it gave you more time to focus on other details.

“Can we put the sponsorship sign-up booth over on this end of the room? I don’t want a group to form around it and block the stage,” you begin to direct the team of employees.

One of them looks at you quizzically, “I’ve done events like this numerous times, this is the best spot for it,” he states. You look back and forth between the stage and the booth table, gaging a sense of perspective on what the man is saying. You don’t see his vision, so you simply tell him to move it once more.

“I’m glad to have someone so experienced here, but I still would like you to move it please.” You repeat. He exhales with a laugh, clasping his hands together. You can already sense he’s not going to drop something as small as where a table should go.

“Look, honey, I know you’re still getting used to your position up with the elites, but trust me when I say daddy’s money can’t buy knowledge. Let me handle this,” he coaxes, leaving you slightly appalled at his fervent words.

But you don’t have a chance to get another word in, as a certain blonde is right back by your side. “Is there a problem over here?” She asks more specifically to the testy employee. He takes one look at Yelena, then shakes his head and begins to move the table.

You chuckle, turning to Yelena without even having to say thanks; she’s already smirking. Luckily, the rest of the set-up goes well without any further issues, and soon the guests start to flow in.

Shaking hands with what feels like over a hundred people, you notice the lack of a certain presence behind you. Yelena opted to station herself by the side of the room, knowing how you feel about having a ‘babysitter’. Although you usually don’t like it when trying to appear powerful, for some reason it feels weird without her there. But there’s no time to tell her to join you as you step onto the stage for opening remarks.

“Hello everyone,” you speak into the microphone, “welcome to this year's Supporter’s Gala!” a caucus of cheers ring around the room, and you can’t help but meet Yelena’s eyes during the pause in your speech. She’s leaning against the wall, applauding along with everyone else.

“I want to thank each and every one of you, as this company would not be where it is without all of your support. This year, it’s my honor to introduce the CEO of the company, so without further ado, here is the lead of all the great work we’ve accomplished!” You watch as your father steps onto the stage, passing him the microphone before exiting off the steps.

You walk over to Yelena as he starts to speak, leaning against the wall with her. “Quite the impressive event you’ve set up,” she speaks quietly, tilting her head towards you.

Chuckling softly, you nod. “Wouldn’t have been possible without you.” You voice, the two of you turning your attention to your father. His passionate speech is going great, until it isn’t. The overhead lights shut off, the only light now the soft glow emitting from various candles on tables.

“Shit,” you whisper, “I’m going to go check the breaker in the service room, I’ll be right back.” But before you can even take three steps, Yelena grabs your arm.

“No, wait,” she pauses, holding your arm as she watches a confused crowd. You look at her puzzled, trying to see what she’s looking for. Soon, you see exactly what has her attention. At least three guys dressed in all black are weaving through the crowd. “We’ve got to go, now.”

Yelena nearly makes you stumble as she pulls you out of the room, your gaze fixed on where the figures are headed. “What about my dad!” You exclaim, stealing glances backwards as the two of you are now running towards the stairwell.

“Don’t worry about him, my job is to protect you,” she breathes through her quickened pace, opening the metal door. You take one final worried look back before following her into the stairwell, the adrenaline now pumping through you. You try to focus on getting to safety, but it’s hard not to be terrified about what will happen to your father. He has his own security, but still seemed to be in the worst place at the wrong time.

As you descend the last few staircases, Yelena’s already on her earpiece talking to someone. “They’ve got us surrounded, they’re waiting for us on the ground floor.” She relays to you. Out of breath and even more terrified, you can’t manage to form any words. Yelena takes your wide eyes as a sign you heard her, and softly guides you out the second floor door.

“If we play our cards right, we might make it out alive. I need you to do exactly as I say, okay?” She instructs, getting a nod in return from you. “Alright, follow me.” The two of you briskly walk across the long hallway, Yelena constantly scanning for any signs of intruders. She leads you into an office, one of the few with a smaller window that opens.

“We’re going to have to jump out, and slide down that awning” she tells you while forcing the window open. You freeze, seeing how far down the ground is. It’s safe… probably, but that doesn’t mean it’s scary. The awning is halfway down and at a slant, going another few feet down before a smaller drop. Are you up for this? No. Do you have a choice? No.

“Can you go first?” You ask Yelena, wanting to see how it’s done before attempting to fall to your death. She laughs through her own concern, nodding as she hops onto the sill.

“Alright, jump as soon as I hit the ground, okay?” She waits for you to nod before sending herself flying, perfectly landing on the awning and sliding down its side before landing with two feet on the sidewalk. Damn, she’s good at this.

You put your hands on the sill, trying to build the courage to hop up just like Yelena did. Heart racing, stomach churning, you can’t bring yourself to do it. “C’mon, you got this!” She shouts from down below. You nod, trying to hype yourself up. You got this, you can do this! Just jump, it’s not that hard.

Stepping up onto the sill, you duck out the window and don’t look back. The air hits your skin as you let yourself fall for what feels like forever before hitting the awning with a thud. Cautiously, you slide over to the edge, watching a smiling Yelena beneath you as you jump onto the sidewalk.

Before you have the chance to fall, she grabs onto your waist, holding you steady as you reorient yourself. “Are you alright?” She asks, brushing you off. Are you okay? You’re not really sure, but you’re alive and that’s all that matters. But that’s when you realize your father could still be inside the building, his life in the hands of the assailants.

“My dad, we have to go back and get him!” You exclaim, starting to look for any kind of entrance. But that’s when Yelena grabs your arm, ceasing any movement.

“He’s safe, I promise. The only thing we can do now is make sure you’re safe,” She reassures, leaving you to reluctantly comply. Besides, if you even tried back into that building, Yelena would drag you out before you had the chance. “Let’s get you back home.” 

You only nod, giving the tall building one last glance as Yelena escorts you up the sidewalk to your apartment building. There’s a feeling of guilt inside you, the worry about anything bad happening to your father making you regret turning away. But a part of you trusts Yelena to keep everyone safe, not just you. What she said had to be true, that your father is okay.

As you enter your apartment, Yelena bolts the doors with haste, the two of you spend some time in silence as you collapse onto the couch. She’s not following suit though, seeming to grab something from down the hall.

You look up to spot her with the first aid kit, soon hovering over you with raised eyebrows. Scooting over, you let her sit next to you as she opens the kit and searches for what she needs. “Can I take care of yours too?” Yelena asks, referring to the small cuts you earned from sliding down the awning.

Once again, you nod, extending your calf to let her clean it up. The feeling of the alcohol wipe makes you wince, Yelena’s firm grip keeping you from pulling back. “Are you hungry?” She asks, distracting you from the pain. You think for a moment, adrenaline still slowly subsiding as you realize you’ve worked up an appetite.

“Uh, yeah. I guess so.” you respond with a shrug. She grins, keeping her eyes on the wound.

“After I put a bandaid on this, how about some mac and cheese?” She offers. You match her grin, your worries suddenly on hold as you somehow feel better just from the mention of her favorite meal. Even with your life at risk, she somehow makes the best of the situation. Maybe, as long as she’s here, everything will be okay.

“That sounds perfect.”

[five-bi-five-mind]

Maybe This Time (Pt. 4)

Fandom: Wonder Woman/DCEU

Pairings: Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) x fem!Reader 

Genre: Angst, Smut, Hurt & Comfort

Words: 5.2k+

Summary: After getting you back, Diana decided to do the only thing she could think of to keep you safe: Take you somewhere they could never find you. Everything feels safer now that you’re away with her, but still you can’t really shake the feeling that things won’t be that simple. Can you just ignore your fears and enjoy your time with Diana or will something else start to get in the way?

Warnings: Mentions of burns, trauma, a little bit of representation of PTSD, smut so clit play (r receiving), fingering (r receiving), nipple play (r receiving). 

A/N: I know I know, this was a long wait. But I hope you all enjoy! There’s still more to come with this series so keep an eye out for updates. 

Series Masterlist || Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 ||

Part 4: In These Arms of Mine

You woke up to the softest sheets and the most beautiful view out your window. In the distance you could hear the rhythmic lap of the water as waves washed over the beach. Never had you awoken to such serene sights and sounds. Yet, you still felt anxiety rise in your chest as you stared at all of the unfamiliarity around you. 

Your breathing quickened and your heart rate sped up. The early morning stupor of having a full night’s sleep not yet leaving your mind. Your confusion was quickly turning to panic, but then you felt her. 

She shifted next to you and for the first time since waking you realized you weren’t alone in the bed. You turned slowly and cautiously to look at her and she looked back at you with a sleepy smile. “You’re safe, little dove,” her voice was raspy as she spoke but immediately she knew what your reaction was. You nodded hesitantly, having heated her voice helped ground you. It’s been a few days since you came here and still you weren’t used to this new place, but soon, you kept promising her. Soon, you’d stop waking up like this. After all, you felt guilty each time you woke her up.

Of course, each time you promised her that soon you wouldn’t wake up the same way, she would say something caring and considerate. “It takes time to heal,” she’d reassure. “You don’t have to hide your fears from me.” She’d sometimes say. Any time you showed your fears, your vulnerability, you were met with the utmost care and concern from Diana. She always knew just what to say to ease all your insecurities.

It’s been a few months now. After you had healed from the kidnapping, you two had spent some time discussing next moves. You insisted that no matter where you went, they’d find you. It always happened like that. Diana came up with a whole new idea. How could they find you in a place where very few people knew existed? So that’s how you found yourself here. In the most breathtaking place you’ve ever been. Themyscira was like nothing you could even imagine in your wildest dreams. The air was fresher, the water more clear. It was untouched by the world you once knew.

At first, you felt incredibly guilty to pull Diana away from her life that she had established, but she reassured you it was getting close to time for her to move on. She didn’t grow old and she was pushing it with the age she did give to the people around her. She too was trying to hide after all, but not for the same reasons. So when she came up with this idea she tried to make it seem like it was no big deal, but still you wondered if it made her sad. You knew from the time you spent working with her, that she loved what she did. But then you saw her arrive on the island and that guilt started to wash away. The way she smiled and how her eyes twinkled as she took in her home made her look even more beautiful to you. You watched in awe as she shrugged off the persona she made as Diana Prince and became Diana, daughter of Hippolyta. She was more free here and it showed. 

You were still nervous here, however. It wasn’t as bad, surely they can’t find you here. At least that’s what you told yourself. Diana and you had both decided to hide out here for a while. You knew she still loved the outside world, despite how comfortable she was in Themyscira. Plus, you both knew the world outside of this island still needed their hero. So, you compromised. Both of you decided to lay low here, but only temporarily. Both of you needed to regroup and recuperate, not just physically but emotionally too. What shook both of you, even if Diana wouldn’t admit it herself, was that these people who were after you were strong. Maybe not quite physically strong as either of you, but they had strength in number and you had a gut feeling there was a great number of them. 

When you got to Themyscira, to your surprise, you were welcomed onto the island with open arms. You were treated as if you were one of them without question. Something that Diana didn’t honestly even see coming. She had warned you that outsiders weren’t exactly a common thing in the island, not necessarily greeted with the most warmth, but she had also reassured you that with her advocacy, they’d come around. She didn’t even need to do that. They immediately embraced you as one of them. It hadn’t been very long and you were hesitant to admit this, but it was all giving you a welcomed familiar feeling. One of family, something you haven’t felt in so long. Warmth would spread in your chest with every time one of the locals would greet you. The people who surrounded Diana and her mother quickly took you under their wing. If Diana was busy with what you called “Princess Duties” then, one of Hippolyta’s righthand women would be with you, teaching you history, customs, you name it about the island. You knew you could fall in love with a person, as you were head over heels in love with Diana, but never did you know you could fall in love with a place. But Themyscira was quickly becoming a rare thing that you cherished. Of all the openness and positivity of those around you, there was only one person you didn’t know how to interact with. Hippolyta herself was kind, but intimating. You chalked it up to how powerful she was in her position and tried not to dwell on it.

One thing you didn’t quite love about this experience, though, was the “training” Diana put you through. It was to master the powers you found yourself with. If you were being honest, this was a long time coming and maybe you should’ve explored them a little more over the years. But there were two problems with that: The first was that if anyone caught sight your cover would be blown and you’d be in danger. The second was that you hated your abilities with every fiber of your being. All you saw in them was destruction and pain. When your fingers blazed with flames and you felt the familiar burn across your palms all you were reminded of was your trauma. Bitterness bubbled deep within you whenever you saw what you, yourself could do. 

At least that hatred was admittedly getting a little better. Diana would sometimes be the one to work with you, but mainly it would be one of the other warriors on the island. If she was watching and you chanced a look at her, she would be looking back at you with pride and admiration. It helped you accept what you’ve become a little more. And it wasn’t just the way you felt about yourself and your powers that changed with training and with being surrounded by the positivity and beauty that was Themyscira. It was your powers themselves that seemed to change. 

If you focused hard enough, the flame would move, the burn would be a dull heat. The control you had on the spread of your ability grew until it felt less like you were being consumed by what you had become and more like it was just an extension of yourself. You felt a pride rising in yourself as you noticed that your body had to heal less and less. You felt a power building in you with each time you trained. Not only that, but you learned (albeit slowly) how to fight with and without your powers. Granted, you were nowhere near as skilled and powerful as Diana and the other women around you, but you were still progressing and could maybe hold your own a little better in a fight now. This power was new, it was exhilarating even, but deep down, if you were being honest, it was terrifying. There was still that gut feeling that something bad could happen at any minute. It was like a new fear unlocked in you, but you couldn’t quite name the fear yet. Were you afraid that the organization would find you? Yes, but it was more dull now. So what was it? You tried not to dwell.

—————————————————————-

Training was harder this time, but you performed superbly. There was a new trick you were working on. Letting the flames lick up your arm without actually harming you. It was a struggle. It took a lot of focus, but you finally nailed it. For a moment, you forgot you had goals to improve and learn to protect yourself and just let yourself dance with the beauty of the flame spinning around you. Your eyes were glued to the way it illuminated the space around you. Your trainer watched, allowing you this moment. Everyone on the island knew of your struggle in some way or another, so it was moments like these that they all wanted you to have. When you stepped foot on that island, with each moment you felt less like a monster and more like yourself, whatever that may mean to you now. Still, the feeling of self loathing and dread was never zero, but it was better. 

So when training was over, you wanted to rush to find Diana and share this moment with her. Some of the women around Hippolyta’s temple told you where you might find her, so you hurried to the meeting hall to see if perhaps she was out of whatever princessly duty she had today. You walked swiftly through the pristine halls of the Hippolyta’s immaculate palace. When you reached the towering doors of the hall you were pleased to see people filing out of the room. It must mean the meeting is over. Good, you were in a rare playful mood to whisk Diana off to the beach and show her your progress. Except, as you scanned the hall, you had yet to see Diana walk out those doors. After a minute, it seemed like the steady flow of Themyscira’s officials had finally stopped, yet Diana hadn’t been spotted. So, you decided to peak in. If the meeting was over, what would it hurt?

You walked up slowly to the double doors that were still slightly cracked. Your hand reached out to start to pull them open more, but faltered when you heard two voices come from the other side.

“What is she to you, Diana?” Hippolyta’s voice came from within the room. 

“We’ve been over this already, mother.” You heard Diana’s voice reply. 

“Yes, but with the statement you just made, child,” Hippolyta’s voice was commanding, yet still gentle, “I’d like to hear it again.”

“It’s hard to explain what she is, what she means. I thought it’s what I felt with him, but it’s so much more. She’s…”Diana paused for a moment and you couldn’t help but lean into the door to hear better. “Everything.” Diana finally said. “She is everything to me.” 

“I know she is,” Hippolyta’s tone almost sounded apologetic. At that moment, you started to realize that maybe you shouldn’t be listening. But it was blatantly obvious that this conversation was about you and you didn’t want to tear away. “But I have my concerns.” 

“Can you not just trust that I can make sound decisions for myself and my own feelings?” Diana was stern, but her voice held the same calm, commanding tone as her mothers. 

“I do trust you, Diana, but this decision could affect the entirety of the island. We have you back finally, you can take your place as Princess of Themyscira again.” 

“We came here for a reason, mother.” Diana’s voice suddenly sounded tired. Something told you this conversation had been had more than once. “I needed to keep her safe.” 

“But what about keeping the island safe?” Hippolyta’s words hit you like a ton of bricks. Did she think you’d bring danger to her people too? That those men could find her? Surely not. So then, did she think you yourself was the source of danger? Your stomach dropped. Your power was growing, but you were learning to understand it more. Surely, she would know you’d never purposely harm a living soul on the island. But then again, purpose was the key word here. Deep down you knew. All it would take is one moment… a brief loss of control of what you could do and then something catastrophic could happen. No, you didn’t want to think about that. 

“I’m done discussing this.” You heard Diana’s foot steps come closer to the door and you began to back away. As you got some didtance you heard her voice echo “it’s going to happen, mother.” And you wondered what “it” was, but didn’t dwell. Right now you really didn’t want them to know you were eavesdropping. Guilt washed over you at your own actions, but at least you now knew where you stood with Diana’s mother and it wasn’t good. 

Your feet took you to your shared room with Diana. All thoughts of proudly showing her what you could do had left your mind. When Diana returned to you she noticed immediately that you seemed off. The smile you greeted her with seemed forced, pained. She was concerned, but when she asked, you shrugged it off. You were withdrawn for the rest of the evening. 

————————————————————

The smell of smoke hit your senses first. You knew if you opened your eyes you’d see a sight that you really didn’t want to see. You could hear the crackle of trees as they broke down, you could hear the roar of fire coming from all sides, and worse, you could hear the cries of agony echo in the distance. Smoke filled your lungs and you sputtered a cough. 

Finally, you willed yourself to open your eyes and what you saw confirmed your fears. There was no other color in the world around you but the vibrant red as flames consumed everything in sight. Your chest heaved, not from the lack of oxygen but from the gut wrenching sorrow that filled you. This was you. You did this. 

Your eyes fell to your hands and you were startled. Instead of flesh you saw what looked like molten lava and searing hot stone in the shape of your arms. Heat radiated from your palms and you fell to your knees in shock. The grass ignited under your hands and quickly you pushed yourself up. The flames still spread though. 

You scrambled, it wasn’t just where your hands were that caught fire around you. Where your knees hit the ground, there too sprang flames. As you stood you looked further down, only to realize your whole body matched your hands. 

Fire licked at your heels and yet it didn’t hurt you. But it hurt them. Yours eyes turned to the hills, where in the distance you could see more and more homes get swallowed by flames. People fled, but you watched as some burned. Their screams echoed louder, louder, louder…

They drowned out the roar of the fire now. You put your hands to your ears but it didn’t muffle their cries even a little bit. Finally, you screamed too, overwhelmed by everything around you. Yet, it still didn’t rival that of the people. 

And then, under the anguished howling around you, you heard a small groan of pain. Your eyes turned fast to where the sound came from. Off to the side of the burning field you found yourself in came the source of the noise. Your heart dropped when you realized what you were looking at.

There she was, Diana. Your love, your protector, your everything. She was on the ground, crumpled. Burning. 

You ran to her, dropping to your knees without a second thought. Your hands flew to her arm to try to turn her towards you, but the minute you did you saw her skin sear and you pulled away.

“No,” you cried. “No, no…”

“No!” 

“Shhh, it’s okay.” A voice cooed. Suddenly the smell of smoke was gone, the heat surrounding you dissipated. The world was silent. “You’re okay.”

Strong arms wrapped themselves around you and your eyes finally cracked open to see that you were back in the safety of your shared room. Diana pulled you to her chest, a hand running through your hair to calm you.

You turned into her. Your hands clutched at her shirt and you buried your face into the crook of her neck. You took a deep breath, inhaling her familiar scent, taking in everything about her. She was safe, it was just a dream. 

But it felt so real. 

“Was it about that man again?” Diana spoke softly into the otherwise silent room.

“Not this time.” Your voice was hoarse, you tried to clear it, but you were still too shaken from the dream.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked. You just shook your head, still keeping your face pressed into her. Your fists clenched tighter onto her shirt and you were sure, if the room wasn’t so dark, you’d see that they had gone white from how tight you held on.

“Whatever it was about,” Diana murmured, her lips still pressed lightly to the top of your head, “it was nothing but a dream. You’re safe here, my love.” Her hand moved from your hair to cup your cheek and bring your face out from where you were trying to hide. Her lips pressed gently to yours for a brief moment before she pulled back again. “I promise, you’re safe.”

That wasn’t the problem, but you didn’t want to tell her that now. Your head was suddenly filled with a new fear, a fear that the people here and even her weren’t safe from you. The words of Hippolyta replayed in the back of your mind, but you tried to shove them back down. You didn’t want to think about it. Instead, you leaned back in, capturing her lips in a kiss far different from the one she just gave. 

Diana hesitated for a moment, trying to steady you with a firm hold on your shoulder. She pulled back slightly, only so she could meet your eyes. Both of you knew where this was heading and she just wanted to make sure you were sure this was something you wanted tonight. You met her eyes with a look that said it all. You needed to feel her tonight, to be in her arms in a type of intimate way that as of recently was only a privilege for her to have. She just nodded, her hand reaching up from your shoulder to press gently to your cheek. Your hand covered hers and you turned your head to place a kiss on her palm. She really was your safe space, your hero, your all. It was only in her arms that you felt all your fears finally melt away and it was in her arms that you needed to be engulfed in tonight to take away all your painful worrying. 

After a few seconds of comfortably staying like that, Diana dropped her arms. With both strength and tenderness, she wrapped them around your waist and pulled you into a sitting position on her lap as she too sat up. Your hands immediately encircled her neck and you pulled her back in to meet her lips. The kiss was deep, breathtaking even, but still slow and full of utter admiration. The way her arms tightened slightly as your tongue peaked out to trace her lips, the way her chest rose and fell a little faster as you pressed your body fully into her, it was all intoxicating. 

Honestly, just this, the way she was kissing you as if she was trying to pour every ounce of her heart into it, was enough to make you feel better. But still, you wanted to feel more of her and if she were being honest, she did too. Diana’s hands moved from where they had pressed to the small of your back, dipping down under your sleep shirt so she could feel your bare skin against the palms of her hands. Her hands moved up your back slowly, dragging your shirt up with them. You let go of your hold on her so that she could easily take your shirt all the way off. She dropped it haphazardly on the ground and leaned back.

There you were, bare from the waist up before her. Her eyes were dark, pupils blown as she leaned back a tiny bit so she could take you in. You looked so beautiful to her. Every time she saw you like this she swore she’d never felt happier than when she had these moments with you. Her eyes dragged up and down your naked torso and you still weren’t over how shy she could make you. Your arms flew to your chest, crossing over it in an attempt to cover yourself. 

Diana gave you a small smile before resting one of her hands on your arm, gently pressing down so that you’d stop covering yourself. “You look beautiful, (Y/N).” Her voice was filled with gentle reassurance and patience. “Please, let me see you?” You paused for a moment, nodding hesitantly before letting her pull your arms all the way down. Diana gave you a soft smile before leaning down. A small gasp left your lips when she leaned down far enough to brush her lips against one of your bare nipples. She placed a soft kiss to the tip of it before, without warning, taking it into her mouth. Your hands flew to tangle into her hair and your teeth sunk down into your bottom lip to stop yourself from letting out what would’ve surely been an embarrassing whine. 

Her tongue swirled around the peak and your hold on her hair tightened. Diana didn’t mind though, if anything it just spurred on her actions more. She switched to your other nipple, paying just as much attention to it and you began to squirm on top of her. With her strong hands, Diana moved them back down to your hips and started guiding you slowly to grind against her. However, you both quickly decided there was still too much clothes in between you two. With a pop, Diana let go of your nipple and you moved your hands to tug at her shirt, pulling it off her and throwing it behind her. With her hold on you, effortlessly, she lifted you just enough so you could shimmy yourself out of the underwear you were sleeping in. Diana did the same with her sleep bottoms, lifting herself and you with her as she kicked them off. 

When you both were finally without clothes, Diana paused again. Her hand returning to your cheek before slowly dragging it down your neck, then your chest, and then slowly down your stomach. Her eyes followed her hand as she ran it down your body, but yours stayed glued on her face. The way she looked at you made you shiver, and you knew your heart was pounding with anticipation as her hand went lower and lower. 

Finally, her hand made it between your legs. She continued to watch the movements of her fingers and she used two to slowly slide down your folds, gathering the wetness that she had already caused. You were embarrassed to admit how much you already wanted her. But that was how it was with her. When she kissed you, you never wanted it to end, when she held and touched you, you never wanted to leave her arms. You wondered if this profound need to just be near her would ever end, but deep down you knew it never would. 

Diana’s fingers moved back up your folds and then further and you watched in shy awe as she placed the tips of her fingers to her lips and took them slowly into her mouth. Your face flushed at her reaction. Her eyes closed and she let out a low moan as she tasted you. When her fingers left her mouth and her eyes reopened there was a new fire in them. She looked at you with pure hunger and you shivered at the intensity of her gaze. 

Her hand shot back down between your legs and she immediately started circling your clit. Her eyes turned to your face, watching as your expression turned into that of pleasure. Her fingers moved faster for a moment and she was pleased to see that your hips started to move with her. 

Your hands held tight to her, pulling her to press against your chest as she kept going. She, in turn, buried her head in your neck and began placing open mouth kisses against your skin. 

You couldn’t help the way your hips sped up, wanting more from her as she continued to play with your body. Finally, Diana’s fingers paused. She pulled back from your neck and you looked at her with what you were sure was an utterly pitiful pleading face. Your hips kept moving, trying to chase the feeling she was building in you, but a strong hand grabbed your hip and effectively stilled you. 

“Look at me,” she commanded, her voice raspy with need. You did as you were told, only to see her gaze burn into you with its intensity. “You are so breathtaking,” she says and with that you suddenly feel her fingers go lower until two slowly enter you. 

Your whole body shudders at the feeling and you can’t stop the loud gasp that leaves your lips. It echoes through the room as her fingers start moving up into you. Your head falls forward, your forehead pressing to her shoulder. The grip you had on her releases, only for a moment, to drop to her back. You press her closer as she starts a steady rhythm. When the hand that was on your hip started to guide you again to move with her fingers, your nails started to dig into her skin. If it was anyone else, you knew it would’ve hurt. But all you felt from Diana was the tense of her muscles as she gradually picked up the pace. 

At this point, you were letting her take full control. Your mouth hung open as your face remained buried in her shoulder. She was practically lifting you and moving you back down onto her fingers as she pumped them inside you. Moans were being muffled by her bare skin and you could hear sounds of Diana too as she touched you. Her breathing was ragged as she kept going, occasionally she would let out a moan of her own as your hips pressed against hers. 

Your legs began to shake the closer you got to the edge and your thighs tightened around her as you struggled to stay upright on her lap. Diana took notice of this, the hand guiding you, suddenly moving to encircle your waist. Her hips began to buck hard into you, putting more power into the movement of her fingers. It took a few more seconds of this before you felt yourself falling apart on top of her. 

Your body slumped forward after a minute of you coming down from the orgasm she drew out of you. Her fingers slowed to a stop before delicately sliding out of you. She held you in her arms as you caught your breath. 

Both of you stayed like that for a few moments. She placed kisses to the top of your head and you returned them with innocent ones pressed against your shoulder. Her fingers started to run through your hair and suddenly your body felt heavy. Sleepiness hit you once again and Diana could tell. 

She repositioned you so that when she leaned back, you went with her, your body comfortably resting upon hers. Her arms moved to trace along your bare back. Your hands started to move lower, realizing you had maybe been a little selfish in getting all the attention and not reciprocating, but Diana stopped you by gently wrapping her hand around your wrist. “Not tonight, my love.” 

You looked back up to meet her eyes and she looked back at you with a gentle smile. “But you didn’t…”

“Maybe tomorrow you can make it up to me.” Her fingers went to brush a strand of hair from your face. “Just let me hold you for the rest of the night.” 

You nodded, a little relieved because of how tired you suddenly found yourself. You leaned up and briefly kissed her lips. She returned it happily before you laid back down with your ear pressed to her chest. As you listened to the gentle thrum of her heartbeat she took your hand from where it rested on her waist and brought it to her lips to kiss each finger tip. The softness of it all made you smile against her chest.

“You know…” Diana mused as she played with the tips of your fingers. “My people used to believe that a long time ago when the cosmos was created, living things would be made up of two parts. Two heads, two sets of arms, two sets of everything.”

“Sounds kind of scary,” You mumbled into her chest. 

“Yes,” Diana chuckled softly. “I suppose it does. But eventually living beings changed, we separated and became two halves. Now, some still believe that their other half is out there. That we each make up two parts to one whole and that other part is…” Diana paused for a moment trying to find the right words. “I guess you’d call it a soulmate.”

You looked up a Diana for a moment, your arms still resting around her waist. She looked down at you with a gentle sincerity shining in her eyes. “Do you believe in it?” You asked. 

“I didn’t used to,” She whispered. “But my perspective is changing.” Her hands moved to run slowly through your hair again and you laid your head back down. Never in the long years you’ve survived had you felt more safe, more whole, than in this moment. Diana began to hum gently, a melody you weren’t familiar with but soothing all the same. After a short while you fell back into a deep sleep and Diana continued to hold you in her arms until the sun came up. 

Little did you know that Diana didn’t fall back asleep with you that night. Her mind was elsewhere as you slumbered in her arms. Her eyes kept moving to her wardrobe, where buried deep was a certain item that could change everything. Her mother might have her doubts, but she knew, undoubtedly, that it would be for the better. All she needed was the right moment. 

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[zwhoreo]

getting high with luffy?

ok so i have never been intoxicated or done any substances in my life so this may be extremely inaccurate, but idc it turned out cute

intoxication - luffy x gn!reader

fluff

summary: while exploring an island, you and luffy accidentally eat a fruit that gives you a mild high

contains: as the name suggests, intoxication (no actual drugs), reader gets some anxiety symptoms at the end

words: 1.3k

________________________

A warm breeze flutters your hair as you follow Luffy through the jungle brush, palm fronds waving above you as you begin your exploration. You have to tell Luffy to slow down, a few times actually, he’s so excited about this lush world you have yet to discover that he’s running and tripping over his feet and you don’t want to lose him.

But he keeps looking over his shoulder in an are you seeing this? and a c’mon, we don’t have all day! sort of smile because he really wants to share this with you.

It’s over waterfalls you go, wading through streams, birds crying overhead. You’re really in such a beautiful place, set loose in the jungle to play as the crew stays back on the beach. The sun is warm and white against your skin and everything feels peaceful but alive.

Luffy has taken to grabbing your hand and dragging you behind him because you’re going too slow. He swings between cliffs from tree limbs with you wrapped in his arms, he’s been loud and you don’t think he’s even blinked in a while because he’s just so excited to look at all the new things around him.

But eventually he starts to whine into your neck that he’s getting hungry. You’re far away from the ship and Luffy seems like he needs to eat something right then or he’ll be uncomfortable, and although you’re usually good at remembering snacks you just didn’t have time to pack them today.

Luffy seems eager to catch one of the wild pigs you’ve seen running through the underbrush but you tell him you’d be better off finding some fruit to eat, there’s a grove next to the waterfall you just crossed.

The wild fruit is the size of the palm of your hand and electric pale blue like a sky through clear water. Luffy climbs the tree immediately and begins to pick them, sitting on a branch precariously, eating messily, but he drops a couple down to you as you stand below.

“These’re real good, [name!]” he chirps, looking at you happily.

“C’mon! Come down and sit by me!” You open your arms for a hug, and Luffy falls from the tree right on top of you, shoving you down into the soft grass.

He sits there on you, still eating his fruit, every so often sticking it down in your face so you can get a bite.

And you’re both happy and content for a few minutes, basking in the sun and the mist of the waterfall and each other’s warmth and closeness.

He begins to feel heavier on you after a few minutes, or maybe, as you soon suspect, it’s just that you’re becoming more aware of your own senses, because everything is brighter and louder and more there. But yet the sky seems to swim so calmly above you, you’re entranced. You feel Luffy’s fingers lazily running up and down your cheek. His face is close to yours now, breath heavy, you’re relaxed and joyful and Luffy’s eyes seem to sparkle even more right now, dark and deep but shining like sunlight piercing an ocean trench. You get lost in him, mouth open and unable to speak. Those eyes get more hooded the longer you stare, glazing over, pupils taking over the iris completely.

He begins to giggle in short, breathy gasps and falls right onto your shoulder, rolling off of you. The pain of the impact itself is strangely dull although the warmth ricochets throughout you. He drones a soft “c’meree…” as drools seeps from the corner of his mouth and he reaches out for you.

Suddenly feeling so clingy you follow his arms immediately, not caring about the dirt on your clothes. His laughter is warm on your face. He gets close enough to nip your cheek which seems to electrify your every limb from the ground up. A dreamlike filter falls on the world around you, Luffy swims in mosaics of the clouds behind him.

Inhibition leaves you and you feel one with Luffy all of a sudden, laughter and joy matching one another, squirming on the ground into each other’s arms, his salty, musky scent becomes so raw and wonderful against your nose all of a sudden. You both want to just fly away.

You can’t really tell what he’s saying but he sounds like the only person in the world. And the birds sound like dinosaurs and the waterfall sounds like a thunderstorm and Luffy’s arms lift you a million light years above the earth, he holds you as he wavers in place, still seeming fascinated by your eyes and your lips like he’s never seen them before, a finger tracing every outline of your face.

“Hehe… pretty…” he slurs, headbutting your neck in slow affection. You grab onto his hair and give his ear a gentle little bite.

So for what seems like a thousand years but also just half an instant you lay there in peace, true relaxation wrapping you in a blanket of muted euphoria. But threads of unease begin to spear at your mind. You don’t really know where you are anymore, all of a sudden. Luffy’s arms feel farther and farther away.

You start to crave the stable reality that’s slipping away.

“Hey… Luffy… I wanna get down…” You begin to wriggle feebly in his embrace and Luffy complains with a sound of drawn out frustration because he really doesn’t want to let go of you.

It’s only when your distress clearly shows in your face that Luffy’s daze is broken. He sets you down and becomes alarmed as he feels your heart pounding beneath his hands. He isn’t able to find any words, though. His mind feels so blank.

You’re getting anxious and your mind, unlike Luffy’s, is so full with every thought you could imagine. You find everything you can to be paranoid about, all at once.

“Luffy? Do you think we’re lost? Do you think the others are looking for us?” You murmur, feeling like your whole world is glass about to shatter.

“Nah, we’re fine, [name!] C’monnn… don’t worry…” Luffy tilts his head and stumbles a bit, trying to take you into his arms again.

You stand very still and close your eyes. The world sings around you but you stay still and breathe very, very slowly. You ground yourself in only the dirt that supports your feet, in the warm breeze that raises hairs on your skin. And Luffy knows that this is important right now, although he doesn’t know exactly why, so he sits down and plucks at the grass nervously and watches you in a wordless silence.

You’re ready and you reach for his hand.

The high is still there, a pleasant hum through your veins and a cloudy mist covering the world, you’re still very aware, but you’re feeling better. You’re more here again. Luffy’s hand is firm and warm in your grasp, he rubs his thumb over your palm. He’s still giving you small kisses every few minutes, unable to hold himself back right now. You link your arm in his at some point as you walk to the ship, needing security, needing something so you won’t float away again, and Luffy holds you eagerly like an anchor in the sea of your dream-filled mind.

And you wonder if maybe you’ll tell Sanji about the fruit, just for future reference.

[cultofdixon]

It Takes a Village

Daryl Dixon [HINTS] / Rick Grimes [PLATONIC] • She/Her Pronouns • Everyone upon meeting you has seen you as “the little sister” even if you’re only blood related to the Rick Grimes. No one hates you, you do your part and even go beyond. So when this new change in your life started to grow…everyone was going to pitch in • ANGST/SFW/NSFW • TW: Pregnancy & Birth / One-Night Stand / Anxiety Attacks / Illness / PTSD / Canon Violence Mentioned • Re-Writing Canon [literally ignoring 90% of the Savior arc deaths]

Requested by: Anon

NEXT

The walk of shame feels even worse during the apocalypse Y/N thought as she tried to be quiet when walking through the courtyard of the Kingdom.

“Maybe yea shouldn’t have drank so much tonight”

The familiar voice caused Y/N to freeze in her tracks before turning toward the sound finding Carol in her new spot at the kingdom, holding herself a glass of whiskey that Abraham gifted her as she was comfortable in her spot.

“I barely drank tonight…I’m just. Leaving the scene before the guy gets the wrong idea…”

“Not a long term gal? Isn’t your brother thinking of marrying Michonne?”

“Oh god. Rick…Don’t bring this up to Rick” Y/N begged Carol as she approaches the woman who scooted to the side on her bench. Letting the younger Grimes sibling sit beside her.

“I won’t. But if this guy does try anythin’ yea don’t like…you let me know.”

“It was just a one-time thing. I think he got that idea loud and clear” Y/N leans back into the bench looking up at the starry night. “But I will…I’ll let you know”

“You go back tomorrow?” Carol asks watching Y/N nod. She was only visiting the Kingdom to deliver some seeds for them to rebuild their gardens and to bring medicine back to Alexandria. “You know I could use company here”

“What do you mean? Your boyfriend is company”

“Yeah yeah. But I’m taking someone I could go hunting with. Or sneak off with just for a breather.” Carol sighs. “I’m not a relationship person either, but I’m bending”

“Ezekiel is a lucky guy, and everyone knows he’ll treat you right” Y/N shot her a smile while tightening the laces on her boots. “Part of me wants that one day…but I don’t know if I even want that”

“That’s normal, hun” Carol pats her thigh when she leaned back in a reassuring way. “Wanna stay with us tonight or stick in the theater like you usually do?”

“Can I stay with you?”

“Can I stay with you—-Bitch, I wouldn’t have asked” Carol laughs rising to her feet and holding her hand out for Y/N who instantly took it, letting her lead the way.

A few weeks went by and Y/N suddenly stopped going on runs, visiting her family scattered in other communities, and the worse of all…being too tired to spend time with her niece and nephew…

“Yea think it’s what Glenn had back at the prison?” Daryl frowns watching Rick shrug for the most part. “We have the medicine now unlike when we were stuck in the prison”

“But she ain’t coughing, or coughing up anything really. She’s throwing up and is extremely tired, that’s about it” Michonne chimes in helping Judith down after she finished her breakfast at the kitchen island. “If Siddiq was back home then he could check—-“

“Which I brought back the second Carl radio’d Hilltop” Glenn interrupts the group by entering the Grimes’ residence with the Alexandria doc that Carl saved during the “down period” of the Savior War.

Both Rick and Michonne have Carl a confused look as he came downstairs after giving Y/N another glass of water. He noticed Siddiq’s return and knew that’s what they were staring at him about.

“I lost my mom, I’m not about to lose my aunt too” And that triggered all kinds of thoughts to everyone in the room.

“Lead the way, Carl” Siddiq states in an instant not waiting another moment as the Grimes kid lead the way to where Y/N was staying in their home. They live in one of the town houses on the other side of Alexandria, but the second she got sick, Rick didn’t want her too far from him.

“Could be worse than the prison”

“Or a savior poisoned her”

“I knew we shouldn’t have trusted those fucks. Just cuz they killed one of their own that night, doesn’t make it alright to just jail the son of a bitch and let fear course through everybody”

“We get your stance on that. But let’s not to side tracked.” Glenn interrupts once again. “I know we moved a lot of the equipment from the Sanctuary into each of the communities because of what they have taken. But with that knowledge we could look more into it. We don’t have to work blindly”

“I agree with Glenn. Ain’t taking any chances” Rick states only for Carl to sprint down the steps and out the house, on a mission for Siddiq. But the action caused the archer to chase after the damn kid.

Sometimes the Grimes can be dramatic

As Carl rummages through the infirmary with the mental list fresh in his mind, Daryl storms in and grabbed his shoulder so that he could look at him.

“What did Siddiq find?”

“She’s dehydrated? That’s about it” even if he is almost 18, he will never learn how to lie. Especially to Daryl.

“I’ll yell at yea if you don’t tell—-“

“Daryl what even is your relationship with my aunt?!” He snaps back. “Whatever. Siddiq thinks she’s pregnant and since I told yea that. You gotta tell me—-“

“I ain’t sleeping with your aunt” Daryl snaps back and at least the two had their possible answer. But the pressing question in both of their minds…who the fuck is the mystery father if she is? “What does Siddiq need”

“I can’t find the makeshift IV bag. I’ve got a few tests but they all read different things…” Carl shows the boxes to Daryl as he took two away from him tossing them back since they weren’t pregnancy tests but the rest were. Then he reached into the cabinet to get the IV line and the bag along with it.

The two came back and when Carl headed back upstairs, Daryl grabbed his crossbow and headed back out with an even more confused Rick following behind.

“What are yea doing?”

“Going to Carol”

“You can’t—-“

“I ain’t sayin’ shit to her. I gotta ask her something” Daryl didn’t wait for him to say anything more as he went to get on his bike and head out right away.

The second he reached the Kingdom he went looking for Carol to ask about the party they held a few weeks ago. It was one of those parties that Deanna used to hold for new people since the Kingdom took in new folk from the Sanctuary that wanted to get away from that place. He knew Y/N was at it but couldn’t be there himself because he was asked to watch the Sanctuary, which felt more like a punishment.

“Daryl! What are you doing here?!” Ezekiel cheers in his usual excitement but given the archer’s serious expression that he always bears, he knew to tone it down instantly. “You looking for someone?”

“Carol have yea—-“

“She’s in the gardens. Or at least that’s the last I saw her. She could also be with Henry who started teaching some of the younger kids how to fight in what he calls “Morgan’s way” it’s really sweet—-“

“Thanks”

Ezekiel watched him leave and was left even more confused on why he was there. At least Daryl didn’t have to go searching for their kid and found Carol in the first place he told him.

“This is a surprise. How are you pookie?”

“Did yea see who Y/N went to the party with a few weeks back?”

“Where the fuck is this coming from?” Carol set the sharpening block beside her along with her knife to give her best friend her whole attention. “I didn’t even go to the party”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like those kind of things. You know this”

“You were supposed to watch her. We agreed—-“

“Daryl. Everyone agreed on that. For everyone. Not just Y/N. What’s gotten into you?” Carol frowns gesturing for Daryl to sit but instead he started pacing to try and calm himself down.

“I need to know who she left the goddamn party with. Who took her away—“

“No one took her. She wanted it just as much as the guy did. I don’t know who the guy is but she did tell me about the much needed stress relief”

“Yeah well that son of a fucking bitch didn’t wear protection and I need to bash his goddamn teeth in”

The words sunk in almost immediately as Carol rises from where she sat and quickly took Daryl’s arm heading back toward his bike.

“You’re taking me to her, now”

What Daryl didn’t know was the conversation between her and Y/N. And how much more personal it got to be

________

“You look like there’s more on your mind” Carol frowns for a moment as the two were walking to her place in the Kingdom.

“What if the unthinkable happens?”

“I’m sorry?”

Y/N didn’t know how to put the words together as she stops walking only for Carol to grab her shoulders.

“What did he do?”

“He didn’t do anything. But what if it happens? I don’t fucking know the guy, and honestly it was just stress relief. I could do perfectly fine without him in my life but the fuck am I supposed to do…if I’m pregnant…”

“Y/N. Didn’t he wear protection?”

“He swore he did! But when does anybody believe a man when they say that?”

“I mean. Ezekiel is—-“

“The most perfect man. But this isn’t about him! You and I both saw what happened when a baby came into this world…I lost my sister in law who was my best friend before my family grew in the new world. But I’m de-railing…what if—-“

“No” Carol shushed her immediately. “If shit happens and you do end up pregnant, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. And you don’t need a partner to raise a baby. You have a family. A village or whatever the cheesy saying is. But it’s true. You have a village and you’ll never be alone. And I know for sure that everyone who loves you, would reassure you every day if they have to”

________

Well. It was positive and Daryl wasn’t the only one angry at the guy about it.

“You motherfucker—-“

“Daryl. Stop it” Y/N shoves the archer back as the man cowered a bit behind her. “This isn’t going to erase what happened”

“Yeah man. Besides it was just uh. A one time deal. She’s the one keeping the damn thing” He shrugs.

“Oh so yea blaming her?” Daryl snaps almost pushing Y/N over as she stumbles which made him quick to change his attention. He caught her and before anymore could be exchanged between those two, Rick cut in shoving Daryl away along with Y/N.

“Listen. She doesn’t need yea. Won’t ever need yea” Rick directs the guy away from his family. “But if I ever hear rumors…that are offensive toward my sister?” He suddenly grabs the man’s collar forcing him to look directly in his eyes. “There’s plenty of us that’ll put yea six feet under”

As Rick stepped away and Daryl gave one last glare before following his brother, Y/N gave the man a what the fuck just happened sort of look before quickly following the two out of the kingdom.

The pregnancy was smooth. Felt like it went by so fast because Y/N was taken care of. Granted there were moments where she snapped at her brother for getting too close after returning from a run involving taking out a few walkers. Same went for Daryl but his was more, he had to shower the second he came back to Alexandria after doing who knows what. Carol visited her every other week and that time gave her some space to come to the decision of marrying Ezekiel which she knew would make Y/N cry the second she told her. The start and finish of the bridge happened around her second trimester and during that time it gave her the excuse to step out of Alexandria to spend time with an overly excited Maggie who would stay with her the entire time they were at the makeshift camp for the communities. Giving her some tips about newborns given she wakes up the most compared to Glenn when it comes to Hershel Jr. Which unintentionally brought the anxiety back of being a single mother and the fear of doing this all alone.

But she was never alone. After getting everything settled in the Sanctuary and Carol taking over for sometime, Daryl moved into the basement living of her place. Carl also found himself spending the night at his aunts during the nights he’d find Y/N taking midnight walks. At least when he’s at Alexandria and not visiting Enid in Hilltop. Other times Rosita and Sasha would spend time with Y/N gossiping about Rosita’s relationship with Siddiq and how Abraham keeps testing Sasha’s patience with their watchtower shifts.

When the date got closer that was when everyone in Alexandria hovered whenever they saw her. Especially the rest of the Grimes family. The only hero was Michonne. She would shoo Rick out whenever his questions toward how Y/N’s feeling got a bit too extreme. He was just worried given what happened to Lori and what else could happen without the help of a fully stocked hospital.

All was fine, when Shepherd Grimes came into this crazy world perfectly fine.

Causing his own kind of chaos.

As the little light comes through to the basement apartment, Daryl didn’t wake to it at first given it was his day off. But Dog wasn’t the one either…the soft tug on his blanket alerted him and the sniffing of his Mal came after. He sat up in his bed seeing the two year old boy smiling up at him.

“Shep. It’s early”

“I’m thirsty Uncle Daryl…” Shepherd rubs his eyes as Dog investigated his action by sniffing, making the little one tiredly giggle.

Daryl sighs tossing the blanket off of him before moving to the edge of the bed to get up. Next picking up Shepherd like it was nothing and making his way to his small kitchen.

“Mama sleepin’?”

“Yeah”

“Why didn’t yea get yer mom?”

“She sleepin’ and Jude says you don’t sleep” The stupid goofy smile the kid had when saying that, Daryl couldn’t get mad at that assumption as he had a few sippy cups down in his kitchen since this isn’t the first time Shepherd came down there. He went on a run with Glenn and Rick to get a lot of baby/kid items from abandoned neighborhoods and stores for not only Shepherd, Hershel, Judith, and Gracie but also the newest addition RJ. Rick Jr. Grimes, son of Rick and Michonne.

“Mama is scary when yea wake her too early anyway” Daryl finishes getting the cap on and handing the cup filled with water to the little one in his arm. “But she’ll scream like a banshee if yea ain’t upstairs”

“What’s a…ba…ban…bunsha”

“Close enough, just a screamin’ creature” Daryl made his way upstairs with the mini Y/N Grimes as he gripped onto his sweater to keep him steady enough to take a sip from his cup. “Yea tired?” He asks the child watching him shake his head which lead to him being set down on the couch in the main house before sitting beside him. “I’ll stick with yea until Y/N wakes up”

Daryl couldn’t help the warm feeling in his chest when the small child scooted over to sit beside him and lay against him while drinking his water.

When it got about an hour or two later making it still an early morning but enough for Y/N to wake. She came down from her bedroom still in her pajamas finding both Daryl and Shepherd asleep on the couch. Y/N quietly went to grab her Polaroid camera from her pack and took a quick picture of the two. The flash woke Daryl slightly but he didn’t fully stir until Y/N carefully picked up the sleeping child.

“Go back to sleep” Y/N mouths to the archer before smiling and carrying Shepherd upstairs.

As the day continued on, Rick found himself with his baby strapped to his chest and carrying Shepherd by the back of his overalls. Like luggage if you will. He agreed to watch his nephew while Y/N went to visit Maggie for Hershel hand-me-downs and to go hunting with Carol.

“Uncle Rick?”

“Yeah?”

“Will mama be home before bedtime?”

“Yeah, she reassured me that she would” Rick smiles to the child setting him down on the steps of his place only to be greeted by Michonne.

“Hey buddy” Michonne smiles kneeling down to Shepherd’s level seeing that smile of Y/N reflect in her son’s. “Carl is about to leave to take Enid on a trip and made sandwiches. And I know he made an extra one just for you” she smiles poking his stomach to get a giggle out of him. “How about you go see him?”

The small child ran inside leaving the adults for a moment as Rick couldn’t help but watch his nephew and think about his sister.

“She was just as energetic. Hopefully he doesn’t get her attitude but, he’s perfect”

“She made a perfect child just like we did” Michonne smiles rubbing the small back of the baby that Rick held bounded to him.

•

“How’s Shepherd? I can’t wait to see him when Ezekiel, Henry, and I come over next week” Carol smiles walking beside her best friend.

“I think he prefers waking Daryl up over me. Found them on the couch again” Y/N knelt at their spot watching a rabbit approach one of the snares, making their conversation turn down its volume. “If he had nightmares he’d come to me…but he gets Daryl every other time”

“Your son knows you’re scary to wake up already” Carol couldn’t help the laugh but thankfully the trap caught its catch. “But that boy loves his uncles. Uncle Daryl especially.”

“Very true” Y/N says softly as she got up heading toward the trap to take out the rabbit only to turn around to a mischievous look on Carol’s face. “What?”

“I know he’s 2 and can’t remember where he put his shoes but has he ever asked about his biological father? Big words to him but you get my point”

“No, one of his books has a set of parents in it and he believes he was created with magic inside of me. I’ll take that over a one night stand any day” Y/N uses her foot to open the trap again and quickly retracted to avoid triggering it. “But I can see where this is going…He knows Rick and I are siblings…but uh”

Carol stepped closing with a go on look on her face watching Y/N’s complexion get redder. “Yeah?”

“He probably sees Daryl as a father figure…just doesn’t call him dad. And we…yeah. We. No…”

“Y/N. I know the first few months of having a baby there were emotions flying. But he’s two now and those hormone influenced feelings have simmered a little…but…”

“I don’t want to ruin what’s perfect” Y/N instantly knew what to say and Carol has always been right about Y/N’s feelings toward Daryl, that it makes it complicated in her mind not to tell Daryl given she knows how he feels.

But for the sake of the child, Carol wasn’t going to make things complicated and let Y/N do things her way.

Even if every fiber of her wanted to say something to Daryl about how she felt. But sitting on the picnic bench in the secluded corner of Alexandria watching Daryl play with her son and niece as careful as he could be. Those moments were enough.

[obxone]

Pogue Like Me (Part Six)

Edited-ish. ~2.2k words.

**So I'm not 100% sure about this part. I may change it later, but for now here it is! This was one of my favorite minis to write.**

Tag list: @gillybear17 @i-love-rafe @sublimepenguinpeach-blog @nomorespahgetti @lmg-stilinski24 @f4ll-for-you @user3737338292 @iheqrtaustin @jayblackpanther @calmoistorm @paintygirl @honeynicoole @iheqrtaustin @existential-echo

Master Page

The house is quiet as you slip out of Rafe's bed. His touch falls away, and you turn back to see him still asleep, undisturbed by your slipping away. He looks peaceful, at ease, and a smile tugs at your lips for him. You lean down, lips pressing to his cheek and then brushing his lips before you collect his pullover from the chair and slip out of the room to go downstairs. The kitchen is empty, but you spot Sarah through one of the glass doors while you are pulling the sweatshirt on over your pajamas. She is trekking toward the dock with a paper bag and cup holder in hand.

Hurrying after her, you glance back to see if John B is there, but he is not. He is likely still asleep or already back at the Chateau.

"Morning," you yawn, pulling the sleeves of Rafe's pullover down over your hands. Sarah smiles up at you from her task of spreading the blanket out.

"Good morning."

Once she has the blanket spread out at the end of the dock, she pats the empty spot beside her. "Have a seat."

You do, crisscrossing your legs. The peace you feel over the crisp summer morning has your anxiety tapering off. The slight breeze blowing off the water is cool enough that you are glad you grabbed the pullover but not cold enough to make you uncomfortable. The warm glow of the sun helps ease some of the chill.

Sarah opens the paper bag after passing over your standard order of iced coffee from the local coffee shop in town. You take a generous sip and hum in delight. The perfect mix of syrup, sweet cream, and coffee. She smiles, passing you the wrapped chocolate croissant, and you beam.

"Thanks, Sarah."

"Of course!" She pulls her own out, and you both quietly eat them and admire the peaceful morning.

This is your favorite part of the day when you are awake in time to see it. It is before everyone starts coming outside and going to the beach or out on the water to enjoy another summer day. The island awakens slowly, stretching from her slumber while all the kooks, pogues, and tourists alike are still asleep, enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or prepping for their day.

"What did you want to talk about?" You ask, halfway through the croissant. You do not look at her and instead focus on the seagulls swooping in for their morning catch.

"Umm…" She chews her bite before clearing her throat. "I feel terrible about what happened. I hate that we aren't friends right now. All of us do."

You frown, looking down at your lap. "Not all of you."

She frowns. "JJ too."

"JJ and I are not anywhere near ever being friends again, Sarah." You turn your face to look at her. "He said some really shitty things. And for him to be the one that I was closest to out of everyone. It's unacceptable."

She nods. "I get it."

"Do you?" You question your disappointment in them getting the best of you. They all seemed to ignore JJ's behavior and verbal attack on you and Rafe. "Because it hasn't felt like that."

She looks away, and you notice the shine in her eyes. "Rafe…"

"Nope." You immediately cut her off. "This isn't about your brother. If this is just another bash Rafe session, I'm leaving."

"Please don't." She grasps your wrist, squeezing it in desperation. "We don't have to talk about him."

"We aren't going to."

She nods before letting you go and huffing. "So it's serious?"

"Yes!"

"Okay." Her lips press together in a firm line. She does not like it, but it is not for her like. It is your life, your decision.

You look back out at the water and sigh. "I love Rafe."

A smile tugs at her lips before she sighs. The silence stretches for a few moments while she turns over what to say in her head. Her chin lifts, and she looks out at the water. "As your friend, I can say that if you are happy, then I think it is great." You pause mid-bite to stare at her. She laughs, shaking her head. "I can be happy for my best friend even if she's dating my brother."

You laugh softly before taking a bite and humming in appreciation at the taste of flaky pastry and chocolate again.

"But as his sister, I'm worried."

You look away from her because you do understand it. She grew up with your boyfriend, and she knows much more about him than you do. "Sarah-"

"No," she interrupts you. "That is all I have to say, and I believe you. I can tell you love Rafe."

You smile then, sipping your coffee. "Probably too much."

She shrugs, laughing. "So? He needs someone to love him."

You smile brighter, blushing a little. The atmosphere shifts as Sarah adjusts her position to face you more.

"Will you talk to JJ?"

"No."

She frowns, and you shake your head at her.

"No, Sarah, not right now. I'm really happy where I am right now with Rafe. I will not ruin my happiness because of JJ's selfishness."

She exhales, tossing her empty wrapper into the bag and stretching out. Her toes dip into the water.

"So, do we have to be friends with my brother now?"

You laugh, tossing your wrapper in the bag too. "No, but the fighting needs to stop. On both ends."

She agrees, and you know it as she shifts to look back at the house.

"He's different with you."

"I know."

She smiles as she watches you before she shakes her head. "I think he loves you too."

You smile, looking back at the house too. Butterflies flutter in your stomach at the thought of those three words coming from him. You are not sure what you will do if he turns out to be using you to get what he wants.

"God, I hope so."

You laugh, shoving Kelce's shoulder as he teases you about your close-call tumble this morning when the tiled floor in one of the breakfast rooms was still wet. Your cheeks heat at the reminder and a flashback of how you managed to save yourself by using an older gentleman as a shield replays in your head.

"I could've been seriously injured," you complain, and he shakes his head, still laughing over your misfortune. "Mr. Corrine could have been too!"

Kelce braces his hand against his stomach as he laughs louder. He is likely picturing the same image as you. He braces his other hand on the bar to steady himself.

"You are ridiculous!" You smack him with your ticket holder. "Why are we friends again?"

"Because you love me."

"Right," you retort, smacking him again for good measure.

His laughter fades when he glances over your shoulder. You follow his line of sight to see JJ lingering by the end of the bar. Ocean eyes flickering to you and away. He is waiting for you. You huff, tightening your hand on the serving tray you have tucked against your side.

"I should go."

"Text me or Rafe, okay?" Kelce attempts to soothe you, his voice quiet before he winks at you and strides back into the sunshine to find your boyfriend for their round of drinks post-golf game.

Your shift ends in thirty minutes, and Rafe would take you home so you could get cleaned up and ready for date night together. A promise of an evening alone together after spending copious amounts with Kelce and his new girlfriend has caused you to smile all day. You are ready to have one on one time and kiss him silly after his subtle teasing when he first arrived.

You collect the closed ticket from their drinks and start to the kitchen. You needed to do some culinary prep and help clean the bar up before you could leave. JJ steps into your path before you can pass him. You frown at him, not surprised or pleased with his choice to corner you.

"It's been over a month, y/n."

"I'm aware."

He frowns back at you. "Please."

You stare at him, debating whether to finally cave into his request or not. "Why?"

"I miss you."

You roll your eyes. Sarcasm drips from your words because you know what he has been up to in your absence. "I'm sure."

He reaches out. His fingertips touch the lone braided rope bracelet you wear now. It is the one you and Sarah share. Your other wrist is decorated with a gold charm bracelet. A cursive R, a cresting wave, and a heart all in gold dangle from the bracelet—Rafe's one-month gift for you.

"I still have ours."

You hum, moving your arm away from him. "JJ, I have to get back to work."

"Come by the Chateau tonight?"

You shake your head, stepping away. "No."

"Why not?"

"And be insulted over and over again?"

He groans, looking away, and his jaw clenches. "So, you can forgive Sarah, John B, and Pope, but not me or Kie?"

"Yes."

He shakes his head. "Real mature."

You glare at him, your anger rising. "First off, they didn't call me a slut or an easy lay." His eyes widen at you referencing his hurtful words again, but you continue. "You called me a kook's slut, a liar, a kook princess, and you said some awful things about Rafe, like accusing him of wanting cocaine more than me." You breathe through your nose to calm yourself as best you can. "You never even apologized. So, no, I can't forgive you. And second, Kiara is too far shoved up your ass now to even reach out to me. Has she told you that?" You look at him, waiting for an answer, but he stays silent. "Thought so. It's a two-way street. I'm tired of always being there for you guys, and the one fucking time I needed you, you failed me. You hurt me and do not even have the decency to man up and apologize." You take a step back, shaking your head. "And I won't even get into the birthday party fiasco. So no, JJ, I won't just forgive you."

You leave him standing there and push your way through the kitchen doors. Cass's perfectly red-manicured hand touches your face, and you exhale the breath you have been holding.

"You okay?"

"I'm so tired of this."

"I know," she murmurs before hugging you.

You hug her back, glancing as Ralph rounds the shelves to hug you both. You laugh, and he presses a quick kiss to your temple before pulling Cass into his chest. They had finally agreed to date, and both seemed so happy that it made you smile. After a few moments of admiring the positive changes this summer, you return to work and try to stay away from JJ as best you can.

The last half hour passes in a blur, and you feel two strong arms loop around your waist as you clock out.

"Ready to get out of here?" He asks, nuzzling his face into your neck. You hum, patting his hands as they press against your stomach. "Maybe some alone time."

You laugh, spinning in his arms to drape your arms over his shoulders. "What is with you and this skirt, huh?"

"You've got very sexy legs."

You laugh before pecking his lips. "Yeah. Alone time sounds good."

He frowns, reading you like the back of his hand. His hands rub up and down your back. "JJ?"

You nod, closing your eyes and dropping your face into his chest. He sighs, glancing around for the blond pogue. "What happened?"

"He still has not apologized and is angry that I've forgiven everyone but him and Kie."

He nods, licking his bottom lip before shrugging. "Fuck him."

You shake your head with a tired smile. "I'm so furious at him for making me feel this way. He is being incredibly selfish even now."

"He is."

You grasp his hand and begin to tug him away and out to the parking lot. The farther you got away from the Island Club, the better you would feel.

"Yours or mine?" You ask, swinging your hands between you.

"Mine."

You smile, looking at him as you near his bike. "Then can we take a long hot bubble bath? My calves are killing me."

He grins, his thumb brushing across your bottom lip. "Anything you want."

"You're spoiling me, Cameron."

"You are worth it."

You laugh, taking the helmet that he brings for you every time he picks you up. "Is this because of my skirt?"

He laughs before leaning in to peck your lips. You slide the helmet on to hide the blush blooming across your face. His eyes crinkle in the corners from how much he is smiling.

"Maybe."

"I knew it!"

He pulls his helmet on after buckling yours. "You trust me, right?"

"You ask me this every time I get on your bike."

"Because it's your life in my hands."

"Of course I trust you." You reach for him and wrap your arms around his waist as you press yourself against him. "More than anything."

He straddles his bike, and you climb on behind him, sliding into position with ease and familiarity as he turns the bike on. His large hand is warm on your bare thigh when he touches you to be sure you are ready before he drives out of the Island Club parking lot. You glance over your shoulder to see JJ watching from his bike. The bike you used to catch rides on before everything happened.

A sharp burst of pain strikes through your heart as the realization that you will never have what you had before ever again. P4L is not really P4L anymore. Too many rules broken, and hurtful words exchanged between the lot of you.

The End.

[canarydarity]

Tango hadn’t quite yet wrapped his mind around the fact that he was here. Having done it now three times before didn’t make starting over any easier, didn’t make the game any less terrifying. He tried not to let his eyes stray to the timer perpetually counting down in the corner of his vision, but it didn’t matter—each beat of his heart was a second, and his pulse was keeping time even if he was trying not to. 

Tango thrust the shovel back into the ground, the dirt on their island moist and clumpy instead of crumbling and dry, and resolutely ignored the reminder that this game—like all the others—would likely end with him fertilizing this very ground. He wasn’t really expecting to win. Tango had no idea why it was that he was here. 

“Oh, it’s Joel!” Etho called from the other end of their small patch of land, and the call sounded like a warning. At first, Tango was thinking about how you almost wouldn’t believe the two had been soulmates last time, but as he thought about it, he changed his mind; what is a soulmate but he who knows and understands you best of all? If Etho’s call was a warning, it was because he knew Joel demanded one. 

He hadn’t looked up, but the waves made by Etho’s boat washed further up the shore toward the ground Tango was terraforming, and he shuffled a step or two to the side in distaste. He hated the water; it always made him feel…extinguished. 

“I can’t believe you’ve replaced me with a cow, Etho!” 

Tango snorted. No offense to Joel, but he could. It was probably more telling of Etho though than his spurned ex-soulmate. 

Tango pulled his shovel out of the ground, tossing its contents off to the side. He primed to dig into the ground again.

“Hey guys, are you setting up here, by the way?”

He stopped. Tango knew that voice—he spent weeks obtaining fluency in its passive anxiety, in the undertones of worry about doing something wrong. 

He had no trouble finding Jimmy; Tango simply looked up and he was there, one hand in his pocket, the other scratching the back of his neck like he did when he was feeling unsure. His face was scrunched in a kind of wince and his eyes shifty, but this too was not unusual for him. The familiarity hit Tango like a truck—no, that wasn’t enough. What hit harder than a truck?

He hadn’t seen Jimmy since…

Since when? Since they’d watched Scar get eaten by zombies? Since they got separated in the commotion of having succeeded in leveling the playing field of green names and changing targets? Since whatever last brush of shoulders or arms or hands occurred before he fell to his knees, alone, on the doorstep of the boat Joel and Etho argued over now only a few feet away?

“Cause…we’re the bad boys and we were gonna set up here.” Jimmy finished awkwardly, trying to sound firm and falling flat; the phrase came off like it was said by a kid who was threatening you with a toy sword but acting like he could use it to deal you some good damage. 

Tango raised an eyebrow; it took him only a second later to realize that he was smiling (he wondered when that had started). Bad boys, huh? One guess as to where that name came from—but Tango couldn’t let his gaze stray from Jimmy to lay eyes on Joel; he heard him and Etho bickering in the background, but it breached not a thought in Tango’s mind. 

He wanted to laugh, or—no, he wanted to play scared; he wanted to double over and fake being in pain like anyone should do when pretend stabbed by a kid playing with things he couldn’t understand. 

But Joel was still yelling and Etho was still taunting, and the division between this little island and the hill across the water was clear. Tango dropped his shovel and wiped his hands off on his pants so he didn’t do anything stupider.

Skizz and Impulse giggled and laughed about Jimmy’s claims, but Jimmy seemed none the wiser; stopping to place a furnace and quickly cook some steak; glancing over his shoulder, glancing at those on the island, glancing at Joel. These games always made him jumpy, Tango knew that. 

Tango hadn’t looked away, which was how he knew Jimmy’s gaze didn’t land on him once. 

It was Etho that caught his attention at last. “No! Don’t you dare…”

Tango scrambled up the slant he was working on to see Etho on the other side rowing away, cow in tow, and Joel smirking on the edge of the sand, arrow notched. There was not a second more of observation before he let it fly and it made its mark. 

Tango whined at the loss; of course, Joel had no way of knowing just how hard a time they’d been having with their bovine friends, but even if he had, he’d likely just have laughed. 

“YES!” he heard Joel scream, jumping around in the sand; a sore-winner he definitely was. 

Tango was already skidding down the side of their island and into the water when Joel shouted again, “Jimmy, run!”

He heard his soulmates cry of “wait wait wait!” but wasted no glance backward as he climbed up onto the mainland, shaking water out of his hair as he did; steam evaporated off of him as droplets flew. 

“Hey!” Tango shouted after Joel, though he clearly only had eyes for antagonizing Etho. “that took us 30 minutes to find!” 

Tango was knocked over from behind before he got the chance to see if he’d managed to get through to Joel at all (this was probably for the best, as he definitely hadn’t). He felt the fine gravel of the sand dig into his palms where he caught himself, but he barely registered the tick of damage from the shove and subsequent collapse; not like he felt it from the realization of who it had come from.  

Eyes wide and blinking like he couldn’t believe what it was he’d done either, there was Jimmy, only a few feet away. His chest heaved from the running, but he was otherwise still, half turned towards where Tango kneeled on the ground, half turned towards where Joel was running off into the woods. 

Neither of them looked away. Tango felt his health regenerate, but he didn’t think he believed it. Sure, he was at full hearts, but then why did he feel like the sand beneath him was shifting and making space for his burial; had Grian coded in some sort of quicksand?

Tango used their hesitation to process the fact that this hit hadn’t harmed them both; he knew logically that it shouldn’t have, but the experience was something else entirely; the feeling somewhat akin to grief.

“C'mon, Jimmy,” fell out of the trees to which Jimmy’s back was turned, and Tango watched him tense as the sound reached them both. Also behind him and to their right was Etho climbing out of his boat, feet touching down on the shore, path ahead pre-determined. 

Jimmy broke their eye contact only to close his eyes, and when he opened them again he swallowed and said “sorry, rancher,” feet beginning to backpedal. It was quiet enough that Tango could believe it just for him, and that implication of not wanting anyone else to hear shoveled the last of the dirt on Tango’s corpse, surely, it had to. Jimmy didn’t turn away—not until he stumbled and absolutely had to, not being able to risk the danger of walking backwards anymore. 

Tango rubbed his hands on his pants, feeling the sand and stray pebbles peel themselves from the indents they’d created in his palms upon impact, scrambling to his feet to follow. He bent only to scoop up a rock on his way. 

Even just inside the first row of trees, the forest was a different place entirely. The beach fell away, but the scene change didn’t do anything to turn the tide of their circumstances. Tango stopped just behind Etho, caught up just in time to hear:

“Everything precious you have in this series, Joel, it’ll be taken from you, you understand?”

Joel didn’t look concerned. He was still smirking, still playing up the part of the bitter ex (and seemingly getting too much enjoyment out of it, for Tango's liking). It was just like Joel to enjoy the breakup more than the relationship. 

Jimmy was further away, half behind Joel and resolutely avoiding looking in Tango’s direction; he was always hiding behind things he was taller than. Tango remembered when Jimmy’s go-to source of cover used to be him. 

Joel just rolled his eyes, a scoff his only response. He placed both hands on Jimmy and pushed, jumpstarting him into moving. Tango somehow managed to resist the urge to narrow his eyes further. He dropped the rock he was holding—he felt stupid for grabbing it now; it wasn’t like he was going to throw it; it wasn’t like he was capable. 

Bad boys they’d said; the Jimmy that Tango remembered had been kind. Maybe he had to rework his definition of a soulmate; he didn’t think he wanted to. 

Etho turned too, having done what he’d intended. Tango felt more so than saw Etho pat him on the shoulder as he passed. He didn’t need to look at his timer to know that not even 3 minutes had passed. 

“Yeah, I’m with you, Etho,” he said—but he was still staring off into the trees. He watched until Joel and Jimmy had woven too far into them to be visible anymore, but Jimmy didn’t turn back once.

[maccreadysbaby]

Project: Killcode

batfamily + oc insert

tw: none

wanna read more? here’s the table of contents!

want to read the first fic in the hundred days series so you understand what’s going on here? here it is!

yall once this kid hits high school his innocence is gonna be GONE 😭

part four

❝ DREAM SCHOOL ❞

SUNDAY — JULY 15 — 4:28PM

“IS REDWOOD ACADEMY YOUR DREAM SCHOOL?”

Bentley, Bruce, Dick, Jason, and Asten were huddled around the kitchen island not two hours after the school was mentioned, Bentley’s laptop sitting open on the countertop to the Redwood Academy website. They’d been tearing apart the webpage for at least an hour now, picking out every detail they could find, and had just stumbled upon an so called introductory video that Dick insisted they play.

Sunny drone shots of the (very nice) campus came and went from the screen for a few moments, with soft but happy music playing over top, and faded to a red-haired lady in a black pencil dress walking down the campus sidewalks. She had a nearly infectious smile on her face, and all the colors around her, like the sky and the grass, were bright and happy. “I’m headmistress Donna McCall, and I’m thrilled you’ve stopped by our website!” She chided.

“Oh, yeah. Thrilled,” Jason muttered. (He’d been skeptical and quiet the whole time Bentley had been telling them about the school. Most people would think he was concerned, but Bentley thought that, maybe, just maybe, Jason didn’t want them to leave.)

(He had been at the Manor a lot more than he used to. Like, literally almost every day. For a while.)

The video cut back to aerial videos of the campus. Redwood Academy was massive, comprised of what looked like over a dozen buildings that were built with an almost castle-like architecture. Bentley had seen places like Wayne Manor and Drake Manor and Whittaker Estate, but not even those places compared to the school. “Welcome to Redwood Academy; A year-round boarding school that offers a high-end education to metahumans all the way from grades pre-k-through-twelfth — without the stress, anxiety, or bullying that comes along with being a metahuman in other schooling institutions.”

The video cut to a shot of several perfectly manicured soccer fields, with what looked like tennis fields in the background. (Or maybe not tennis. Bentley didn’t know much about sports.) “The Redwood Academy Campus covers over one thousand acres of Manhattan, New York City, with a view of the water and a clear sightline to the coasts of New Jersey.”

Bentley blinked as it cut to another very bright video of the redhead woman, who was now walking in front of one of the big castle-like buildings with her blinding smile and excited as ever persona. (Didn’t Vera say she was friends with this woman’s niece or something?) “Redwood Academy offers over two-hundred-fifty interactive, unique, in-classroom courses that can be chosen to fit your child’s interests, including over thirty unique fine arts classes. With well over two hundred teachers and professors working here at Redwood, over two-thirds of them have a PhD in their field and are solely dedicated to watching and helping your children excel.”

“That’s a lot of teachers. This place seems huge,” Dick commented, leaning closer to the computer.

Bentley nodded in response. “It looks huge.”

“Here at Redwood, we want your children to have the fullest school experience they can have, without the negativity that comes with being different,” The video switched to the smiling woman walking on a perfectly pampered football field. “That’s why we offer twenty different team sports, from the commonly-known-and-loved football, to more personable sports like competitive gymnastics and dancing. Each sport offered here at Redwood has its own fully trained coach that will journey through the training seasons with your students and help them to build a family within their teams. Whether they’ve been playing their whole lives or are just starting out, our lovely sports staff are wholly committed to nurturing your child’s mental growth and physical development, while still maintaining the challenging and rewarding nature of sports.”

The scene changed to her in a massive library. The walls and shelves were all a deep wood, with thousands of multicolored books lined on the shelves. There were also massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. “Are sports not your child’s favorite? That’s alright! We offer other extracurriculars and clubs as well, ranging from book clubs, mathletes, and scholastic decathlon, to theatre and music clubs, ran by the students and staff alike.”

Bentley scrunched his face up. What the heck was a mathlete?

The shot changed to the woman walking through beautifully wainscotted hallways. “Here at Redwood, your child’s well-being is our first priority. That’s why we have twenty-four hour campus security all seven days of the week, and a fully stocked medical staff prepared to treat everything from a common cold to broken bones. Three square meals a day are served here in our high-end cafeteria, and if your child has allergies or needs special food accommodations, our cooks here will happily supply them with various delicious and nutritious options. There are twelve on-campus counselors who can help to guide your child through life, emotions, and relationships as a metahuman, and we perform routine intruder, fire, and severe weather drills twice a year every year to prepare your child to keep calm and stay safe in emergency situations.”  

Asten breathed in and out. “She is way too happy about school. Like, why is she smiling like that?”

“Undoubtedly, one of the toughest parts of school for your youngsters is making friends and finding their built-in-family. That’s why our campus offers apartment-style dormitories that house eight students each,” The video cut to a pan of what looked like a living room, with two doors on the left and two doors on the right. “If your student is eleven or older, they will share a bedroom with one roommate, which you can choose when you register! Don’t know anybody here? Fill out a survey at registration and we’ll choose a roommate for them based on age and personality. And as always, to prevent stress, roommates can always be changed once the school year starts. if your child needs specific sleeping accommodations, whether that be due to medical conditions, their metahuman powers, or something else, we will happily accommodate them no matter the circumstance.”

Bentley hummed. He guessed he pretty much had a built in roommate with Asten.

“Each bedroom has its own, full en-suite bathroom to prevent sickness or undue illness from spreading,” The camera showed a bedroom with a set of bunk-beds, two wardrobes, and two desks. “Your student will share a small living and commons area with three other pairs of roommates, who will also be paired with your child based on age range and personality.  If your child is ten or younger, they will stay in a separate building with qualified caretakers, individual bedrooms, and a large community bathroom.”

The scene cut to the redhead woman sitting at a massive wooden desk. “Our mission here at Redwood Academy is to equip metahuman children and young adults to usher in the future they wish to achieve, and provide them the education and support they need that may not be provided by typical school systems. Many staff members, including myself, are here year-round for students who may not want or can’t afford to return home for times like holidays or summer break.”

She woman leaned forward slightly, propping an elbow on the desk with a smile and sparkle of her green eyes. “We never want to deny a child an opportunity at a great school and life experience. That’s why, if you can’t afford tuition, Redwood Academy has over four dozen local and international sponsors that would be more than happy to sponsor your child year by year, for as long as you need. Make sure to fill out the corresponding tuition form at registration and we’ll get applications out for your child as soon as possible. All registration forms for this school year must be submitted, either online or in person, before July twentieth to enroll your student this year. You can find registration forms at the bottom of our website.”

She smiled brightly, contagiously.

“If you have any further questions, you can email or call us at the email and number listed on the website. If you wish to request a campus tour, meet a few teachers, or speak to graduates, please visit the explore our campuslink at the bottom of our website. I’m headmistress Donna McCall, Thank you so much for choosing Redwood.”

And the video faded to black.

“Well, I’m sold. NYC here I come,” Asten stated, shoving his hands in his hoodie pockets. “When do we leave?”

Jason scoffed, glancing over at him. “Really? Just like that?”

Asten stared, deadpanned. “You’re asking me if I’d rather be in Gotham or Manhattan.”

Bruce’s hand found Bentley’s back and rubbed it a little. “What’re you thinking, chum?”

Bentley shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, it sounds pretty cool. And it would be nice to go somewhere else for a while.”

“I think that would be great for you two! Meet new people, try new things. It’s perfect for your first year of high school,” Dick explained, reaching over in both directions and ruffling both Bentley and Asten’s hair. Bentley chuckled, but Asten scoffed and tried to push him off.

“I’m sixteen and a freshman. Isn’t that kind of embarrassing?” Asten questioned.

“Not unless you make it embarrassing,” Jason replied. “If you don’t make a big deal of it, no one will care.”

“And you’ll get to know other kids with superpowers! I think it sounds great,” Dick said with a smile, his arm finding its way around Bentley’s shoulders.

“I think you’re more excited than they are,” Jason shot back, smirking at him.

Bruce hummed, and everyone turned to look at him. He was still looking at the computer with a bunch of tabs pulled up.

“All of the resources and links point to it being an actual institution. There have been a bunch of graduates over the past few years. But here’s the important question,”

Both Asten and Bentley peered over at him.

“If this is the route we’re going, are you actually prepared to be in Manhattan alone? That’s over a two and a half hour drive from Gotham,”

“Yes,” Was Asten’s immediate answer.

Bentley glanced down at his socked feet. He hadn’t really been alone alone since, well, his father, he guessed. But that still hadn’t been alone. He supposed he was alone when he was missing, too, but he had a sneaking suspicion that didn’t count.

He really hadn’t been without an adult before. Or at least a family member.

Was he ready to do that for a whole school year?

Bentley glanced up, and cleared his throat when he realized all eyes were on him. 

“I mean…” He started, blinking at the computer screen that had statistics about the school on it. “I’m almost fourteen. With Asten there I should be fine.”

Bruce nodded. “But is it something you want to do? Because we can get you into a school closer, if public is what you want.”

Bentley didn’t speak for a moment. 

“Why don’t we do this,” Bruce suggested, closing the tabs on the laptop. “I’ll run some threat tests on the school and its staff on the Batcomputer. If it comes back green, and you decide it’s really something worth looking into, then we can talk about maybe going down for a campus tour.”

“Registration has to be done within the next five days,” Asten pointed out.

Bruce shrugged. “I guess we better hurry, then. I’ll be in the cave.”

Bruce moved from behind the kitchen island, and Bentley breathed in and out, looking at the posh dark green and gold decorated website.

Was leaving for Manhattan really what he wanted to do?

—

SUNDAY — JULY 15 — 8:13PM

“Manhattan? Seriously? That’s so cool,” Nico exclaimed from the other end of Bentley’s phone. “I’d love to go to Manhattan.”

Bentley and Asten were both against the headboard of Asten’s bed, playing some hardcore survival Minecraft on his PlayStation. (Aka the only game ever that Bentley was actually sort of okay at.) All of the lights were cut off besides the strip of LEDs that were glowing blue where the ceiling met the walls. 

Bentley’s phone was propped up near their feet by a pillow, and Nico’s face was on it. He was on his bed, too, and judging by the reflection in his eyes and funny faces he kept making, he seemed to be watching tv. 

He was fourteen, and if he were in Gotham, would probably be taller than Bentley and maybe even Damian by now. He’d gotten a haircut to make his hair go upwards instead of downwards, and was going into his freshman year of homeschooling. He also had something no one else had.

A girlfriend.

Which Bentley and Asten didn’t know much about, if they were honest. All Bentley knew was that her name was Delainey. That was literally it. He hadn’t even seen pictures of her.

“Yeah. We aren’t sure if we’re going yet or not,” Bentley replied, placing a few blocks on the game. (Asten was so much faster than him.)

“He means he isn’t sure if he’s going. I’m getting myself out of Gotham,” Asten butted in. Nico snickered at him.

“Yeah. Honestly, Gothams kind of sad,”

Bentley snickered, and Asten nodded. “You’re not wrong.”

“Oh, guess what? Barry taught me how to phase through stuff the other day. Then he got all jealous because it took him way longer than me to get the hang of it,” Nico explained proudly, smiling down at the camera momentarily. “And I- oh, Lainey’s calling me. Gotta go. Talk to you later!”

Before Asten or Bentley could respond, Nico hung up.

Asten shook his head. “He’s obsessed with her.”

“He is,” Bentley agreed. He would by lying if he said he didn’t find it strange that Nico already had a girlfriend. He was only one year older than Bentley, after all. But then again, Bentley was pretty new to all this normal life stuff anyways. Do all boys his age have girlfriends?

Clearly Asten didn’t, and Damian didn’t. Not even Duke or Tim or Jason or Dick did. (Okay, well, maybe Dick did. It wasn’t exactly official and all that, Bentley didn’t think, but the way he and Babs looked at each other was a little telling.) 

He decided to ignore it. If he was supposed to, someone would tell him. Right? Yeah. Surely they would.

Not five minutes later, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Asten called.

The door swung open, and the hallway light was blindingly bright in the dark room. The silhouette standing in the doorway was none other than Bruce, but Bentley hadn’t really expected anyone different — most of the Wayne’s didn’t knock.

“Hey,” He started, stepping inside, glancing at the screen on his entry. “I finished the scans on the Batcomputer.”

Both Asten and Bentley broke their gazes away from the game to look at him, instead. (He was still wearing the pajama pants, which Bentley thought was funny.)

“And?” Asten inquired.

Bruce took a few steps and sat down on the end of the bed. “And everything came back green. It has a very low threat level, almost nonexistent.”

Bentley sat up a little straighter, laying his controller to the side. That meant the school was safe?

“Let’s talk about if you actually want to go or not,” Bruce said, and Asten laid his controller down, too. “You’ll be in Manhattan for almost ten months, without any of us.”

“B, I’ve been in since we started talking about this,” Asten said with a soft smirk. 

Bruce’s icy irises flicked to Bentley. “What about you?”

Bentley blinked.

Okay, so, yeah. Moving to New York City for an entire school year was a big decision for a kid who was pretty sure he had developed some kind of attachment issues to at least two thirds of the Wayne’s. And it was even bigger for a kid who’d never been out of Drew or Gotham, and still had panic attacks when a glass broke, and still didn’t know the fundamentals of life, like when he was supposed to have a girlfriend, but…

He kinda really wanted to.

Don’t get him wrong — he loved the Manor and his family, and leaving that for so long would probably be a little hard. But, the chance to have another attempt at making friends, being able to get out of the Manor, and Gotham all together, was pretty enticing. Plus it just sounded… Y’know. Fun, going off somewhere for high school with a bunch of other kids.

Bentley breathed in and out, and both Bruce and Asten were staring at him, awaiting his answer.

“It’ll be different, but… yeah. I think I want to go,”

Bruce smiled lightly, then nodded, pulling himself off the bed and moving for the door. “Alright. If that’s your answer, I’ll call the headmistress and get a tour set up, then.”

Bentley and Asten smiled, one a bit more sheepish than the other.

“Love you,” Bruce called behind him as he left.

“Love you,” They replied in unison.

The door closed, and the room was dark again, with LED lights and Minecraft on full display.

Bentley was basically moving to Manhattan. (What?)

—

dedicated to @sassenashsworld ❤️

—

tag list! (If you want me to remove or add you, ask in comments!)

@fleur-alise @sarcopterygiian @flyrobinflyy @skylathescholar @gayboss-too-close-to-the-sun @xiaonothere @beatyoutothatusernameloser

[tired-old-men]

Your jobs seem stressful, what do you guys do to de-stress?

Thunderhawk 

Our jobs can be really stressful especially since we are constantly on duty to keep Angel Island safe, however we do get some free time to rest and unwind. Everyone needs to rest and refresh to be on their A game including us Guardians. 

For me, I destress by spending quality time with the family when I can. As expected of people that constantly work and live together we tend to spend most of our free time independently, which is all fine and good.. but we are a family after all, and getting to share some genuine time together, watch a movie, maybe play a board game or two, sharing a big meal, just gives me a nice warm feeling and reminds us of the simple moments in life together. Slowing down and enjoying the little things. 

Sometimes when work gets really overwhelming I stop for a moment, I focus on my breath and pay subtle attention at whats around me, how things look, sound, feel, maybe taste, I notice my feelings in the moment and remind myself of those little happy moments in life. It’s helped me destress over the years and has even come in handy when my anxiety would try to get the best of me. -smiles- 

Sojourner

What do I do to de-stress? Besides beautiful women -smirks then clears throat-, I enjoy the occasional cigar as opposed to my usual cigarettes, I don’t drink too often but I’ll even enjoy a glass of whiskey on the rocks with my smoke. Just find a good spot to sit outside and enjoy the view and maybe some tunes, although the sounds of the Island’s wilderness is the perfect music to my ears. 

At times the best way for me to de-stress is to go out hiking and especially camping. Sometimes I’ll take my son or another one of the boys along for the trip but other times I’ll go by myself, just exploring and experiencing Angel Island’s raw beauty brings me a lot of peace and provides the space for personal reflection too. Can’t beat a walk in nature I’ll tell you that!

Sabre

To say that this job is stressful would be an understatement in my opinion… I’ve tried a few things to destress but I really enjoy some quiet time along with a nice cup of tea, perhaps even a book or a good album to listen too. I’ve also found working on my garden to be quite therapeutic for me in a way. Gives me something to focus on besides work, and as much as it reminds me to take care of my plants it reminds me to take care of myself too. Originally my wife started this garden so I’d say it also holds some fond memories to reminisce about.

Locke

De-stress? Hmm.. I’d probably say meditation is my biggest guide when I feel burdened. I’ve read some of my ancestors would meditate so much they would even reach new levels of consciousness and even find greater insight into their chaos abilities. For me it keeps me focused on the present and helps organize my thoughts. I um- sometimes go out maybe into Echidnaopolis or another town on Island, just socialize a bit… Although my favorite places I go to are some of the old ruins or caves found around the Island, lots of history to uncover, it fills me with such an exciting energy I tend to forget about whatever might have been stressing me at the moment. -smiles sheepishly- 

Spectre

Hm…I meditate. I read. I tend to write about my thoughts, feelings, and observations as it helps gather all my introspections and provide greater insight into them… … I’ll also swim or dive from time to time…water is rather soothing…

[khaire-traveler]

🗡️ Subtle Talos Worship 🪨

Collect rocks/crystals you like

Bask in the sunlight (Cretan)

Take a walk/hike on a sunny day (Cretan)

Light a bonfire; sit in front of it; focus on the warmth and life it provides

Collect bronze colored items; wear bronze colored jewelry

Assert your personal boundaries; make it clear when someone has done something that made you uncomfortable

Get a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Keep a picture of him in your wallet

Wear jewelry that reminds you of him

Make something with your hands; work hard on a project or item you're creating (Cretan)

Stand up for yourself and others; stand up for those you love

Assert your boundaries; make others aware when they upset you or make you uncomfy

Set boundaries for yourself; I'll only give this much support to that person, I won't stay on my phone for hours before bed, I won't engage with this media that always upsets me, etc.

Have a stuffed animal of a creature that you associate with protection, defense, strength, or the sun (sun = Cretan)

Have imagery of bronze robots/automatons, swords, shields, large rocks/boulders, the island of Krete (Crete), the sun (Cretan), Volcanoes (Cretan), or light (Cretan) around

Learn self-defense; carry weapons on you (pepper spray, pocket knife, etc.)

Learn how to properly use a weapon of your choice; sword, bow and arrow, short sword, spear, pocket knife, etc.

Listen to yourself, especially regarding situations/people that your gut tells you are unsafe; your GUT, not your ANXIETY

Get to know yourself better; know that you know yourself better than others

Disregard unconstructive criticism; work on not taking hate personally (easier said than done, I know)

Fall asleep/meditate to the sound of island ocean waves

Try to eat healthy; fruits, veggies, protein, etc.; take care of your physical body

Grow your own produce or herbs (Cretan)

Support local farms; buy their produce (Cretan)

Support farming/food (Cretan) or humanitarian organizations; support homeless shelters

Volunteer at a food bank, soup kitchen, or farm (Cretan)

Take regular breaks from screens; make sure to go outside for some fresh air (Cretan)

Make sure to wear sunscreen on sunny day (Cretan)

Go cloud-watching (Cretan)

Exercise; get movement throughout your day, even just stretching

Visit the beach or nearby body of water; stick your feet into the shallows; try to ground yourself there

Ground yourself regularly; check in with yourself and your body frequently

Own a sword - it'd be so cool if you did

Play a fighting-based video game; choose a supportive/defensive character

On a tough day, be gentle with yourself; eat/drink something comforting, take a shower, get cozy under a blanket, watch a comfort movie, etc.

Stick affirmational/encouraging notes in places you'll see them throughout the day

Make a list of your personal strengths and weaknesses; try to healthily reflect on ways you can better yourself

Drink fruit or vegetable juices (Cretan)

Paint or draw an island; purchase art of an island from an artist

Support local businesses

Get involved with local communities; support groups, gamer groups, neighborhoods, etc.

Leave good tips for those working in the service industry; delivery drivers, waiters, hospitality workers, etc.

Treat service workers with compassion and empathy; they've got it rough

Build a sand castle; give it some cool defenses

Support the less fortunate in your community

Volunteer at a homeless shelter; volunteer within your community

Donate supplies to homeless shelters; hygiene kits are always needed

-

This is my list of discreet ways to worship Talos. There are two versions of him most commonly worshipped - that of mainland Greece and that of the island of Krete itself. Both vary vastly; Krete saw him as a bronze automaton Sun god that fathered Hephaestus, while mainland Greece saw him as a giant bronze automaton assigned to protect Krete by Zeus. I gave suggestions for both versions. I hope y'all find this helpful, and take care! 💚

Link to Subtle Worship Master list

[tinywitchgoblin]

Being Brave

TBB!Echo x plus size!reader (gn) (platonic)

Warnings: reader & Echo have body insecurities, a bit of swearing, a teensy bit of angst but mostly fluff, smoking weed

Word count: 1.4k

a/n: I’ve been wanting to write about Echo for a hot minute, so here it is!

a/n 2: why is writing dialogue so difficult??? or is it just me?

It was a particularly beautiful day on Pabu, so the batch decided to go swimming. You had met Omega at the market one day, who’d invited you to eat a meal with her and her brothers that evening. From then on, when you weren’t doing your job as one of the teachers for Pabu’s small school, you could reliably be found with the batch. It took a little bit for them to warm up to you, especially Crosshair, but even he came around eventually. However, someone who’d always enjoyed having you around was Echo. 

He was always warm and friendly to you, asking you about your day and how work was going. He was one of the kindest people you’d ever met, and you loved being around him. Even if it was just the two of you cleaning the house, the work always seemed easier and the time went faster when you were there. 

Echo had stopped by your house earlier this morning, waking you up with a small knock on the door, asking if you wanted to join them for a day out. You didn’t have to work that day, so you agreed and told him you’d meet up with them later. However, as you stood in front of your dresser, you found yourself stuck. It just hit you that he said they were going swimming. As in, wearing swim-appropriate attire, sticking your body in the water, and swimming. Now, you knew how to swim; virtually everyone on the island knew. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was what to wear. You knew you were heavier than most people. It usually didn’t present itself as too much of an issue; you would just hide behind large, baggy clothing. However, that wasn’t really possible when going in the water would make your clothing stick to you like a second skin. 

Frozen with anxiety and insecurity, your mind raced. What should I wear? Should I put on clothing overtop of my swim stuff and take it off, or just wrap a towel around me? No, I need more coverage. Plus, I don’t want anyone making fun of me. Getting overwhelmed, you considered calling Echo and letting him know something had come up last minute, or that you weren’t feeling well. But before you could flesh the idea out well enough, your comm trilled. 

“Hey, is everything okay?” you heard Echo ask. Lifting the comm to your mouth, you quickly responded, “Yeah, umm… Yeah, I’ll be right out! Just… give me a minute.”

“Are you okay? You don’t sound well,” he questioned. “You know, as much as we’d love to spend time with you, please don’t feel like you’re being forced to go. If you’re not up to it, that’s completely fine.”

You thought for a moment, almost hearing disappointment in his voice, and came up with a solution. “I’ll be down in a few, okay? I just need to grab some food. 

“Already got some. I made sure to pack the good stuff, too,” he assured. Damn, he was good. “See you soon.”

-----

As you worked your way down to the beach, you saw Omega and Wrecker splashing around in the water, with Hunter, Tech, and Crosshair swimming and chatting peacefully a short distance away. Echo, however, was busy unpacking the food. He turned his head and saw you, beckoning you over. You sat down next to him, eyeing up what he’d packed. 

“Hey, you made it! I was starting to worry about you,” he joked. 

“Yeah, I made it,” you said, a bit preoccupied. 

“Well, you gonna head in? It feels especially nice today,” he said, gesturing towards the crystal clear water in front of you. 

“Actually, I’m not really feeling up to swimming today,” you admitted. 

“Why not? If you don’t mind my asking, that is,” Echo added. You sat there for a moment, pulling your shirt away from your body before dropping your hand to play with the blanket underneath you. Sensing your hesitation, he placed his hand on top of yours, seeming to understand your reservations. 

“I get it. Let’s just say… there’s a reason I’m not in there with everyone else, and it’s not just because the salt in the water sometimes interferes with my prosthetics,” he said quietly. If anyone would understand being insecure with their own body, it made sense to you that Echo would be on that list. Feeling embarrassed and slightly guilty, you apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories. I’ll be fine, trust me.”

“No, don’t do that. Not with me,” Echo asserted, squeezing your hand lightly. “You don’t have to push everything down and pretend like you’re feeling great just because you don’t want to be a burden to someone else. You’re not a burden, your feelings matter, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, especially when it comes to your body.” He paused for a bit before continuing, “and if anyone gives you a hard time, let me know. Let’s just say I throw a hell of a left hook, if you know what I mean,” he winked. 

You took a deep breath before squeezing his hand back. “Thanks Echo, I really needed to hear that.” It didn’t make your insecurities go away completely, and he knew that as much as you did. “I want to love myself, but it’s really difficult. It just seems like such a big thing to do, especially when it’s something I’ve struggled with for so long.”

“Well, yeah, it’s difficult. But most things in life worth doing are difficult. Sometimes all it takes is one moment of being brave. Doing something that may seem small and insignificant, but if it’s something that helps you love yourself, then it’s worth doing,” he offered. You chewed on that for a moment before he called everyone else over to eat. 

Once everyone was done eating and ready to go back into the water, Wrecker grabbed a boulder and placed it in a shallow part of the water so you and Echo could sit on it and be able to hang out with everyone else. The rest of the day went smoothly, and you had lots of fun, but you couldn’t get what Echo said out of your head. Sometimes all it takes is one moment of being brave… if it’s something that helps you love yourself, then it’s worth doing. You wondered what that one moment would look like for you. 

-----

Later that night, after you’d gone back home and eaten dinner, you sat there, once again stewing on Echo’s advice. Then it hit you: maybe you weren’t ready to go swimming with other people, but what’s to stop you from going swimming on your own? It wasn’t much, but it would be a step in the right direction. 

You went over to your dresser once again, but this time, you were confident. More at peace. You grabbed your swim stuff, put it on, then threw on some clothing over it so that you wouldn’t stick out- not that there were too many people out and about this late, but still. You grabbed a towel as well, and a small snack and a water bottle, threw it into a bag, and set off. 

As you were headed down to the small beach you’d been to earlier, you passed by the batch’s house where Echo and Hunter were sharing a joint. “What’re you up to so late?” Echo asked. 

“Isn’t it past your bedtime?” you joked, knowing that Echo typically got up in the morning (and went to bed at night) pretty early. Hunter laughed, and Echo chuckled a bit, too, before repeating his question. 

You stood there for a moment before responding, “I’m being brave.”

He gave you a knowing smile, before you headed off towards your destination. Once you got to the water, you set your stuff on the beach, shucking off your clothing and wading into the shallows. Once you got a bit deeper, you dunked your head under the water, bringing it up and wiping the water out of your eyes. You laughed, feeling proud of yourself. It hadn’t been easy, getting to this point, but with Echo’s support, you did it. Speaking of Echo, as you looked back towards the island, you could see him watching you from the cliff above the beach. You waved, and he waved back before setting off and giving you some privacy. You were beyond grateful for his support, and vowed to support him when he needed it as well.