#By the miraculous sun turned glad and warm

[oflights]

To One Coming North

At first you'll joy to see the playful snow, Like white moths trembling on the tropic air, Or waters of the hills that softly flow Gracefully falling down a shining stair.

And when the fields and streets are covered white And the wind-worried void is chilly, raw, Or underneath a spell of heat and light The cheerless frozen spots begin to thaw,

Like me you'll long for home, where birds' glad song Means flowering lanes and leas and spaces dry, And tender thoughts and feelings fine and strong, Beneath a vivid silver-flecked blue sky.

But oh! more than the changeless southern isles, When Spring has shed upon the earth her charm, You'll love the Northland wreathed in golden smiles By the miraculous sun turned glad and warm.

Claude McKay

[beatinginavoid]

You guys wanted fics so... here you go! This was actually a gift for someone, but I'll share it here now.

-------

The scenery was beautiful in a faintly nostalgic way. Rugged rocks and patches of bare mountainside presented themselves in shades of grey, brown, and rusty red. Dirt and grass switched interchangeably in swathes and patches, various species of flowers reached proudly into the air and swayed gently each time a breeze blew softly by.

Soft, wispy white clouds drifted lazily in their high up ocean of light blue. The sun was a little too warm to be strictly comfortable, but the intermittent breeze afforded some amount of respite from the heat. Some, but not enough for one of the two people currently traversing the mountain.

Tifa frowned, huffed, and stared at the spiky tufts of blond hair on the back of Cloud’s head as she walked behind him. Did he not feel the heat? Was it a SOLDIER thing? She would be jealous of his abilities if she didn’t know the toll that acquiring them had left on her childhood friend.

She wasn’t even sure why they were making their way up the mountain in the first place. Something about an herb or a flower? Some kind of plant at least. One that only grew inconveniently at the summit of a couple of the nearby mountains.

“Are we high enough yet?” she asked.

Cloud raised an eyebrow, unseen by Tifa, at the possible context of her words. He chose to ignore it and take the words at face value, gazing upward and trying to gauge distances.

“No.”

A blunt and to the point answer, just like this version of Cloud that she had stumbled across, miraculously back from the dead. Red eyes narrowed at his back for a moment before she closed her eyes and sighed. Her friend was physically here, but sometimes she wondered if her friend was truly alive in that body.

“What are we looking for again?” she asked casually, hoping for more conversation.

“An herb.”

She waited. And waited. No more words were forthcoming.

“And this herb looks like…?” she prompted.

Cloud absently kicked away a loose rock. “Shiny leaves, waxy feeling, with a stem covered in stinging hairs.”

Tifa pulled a face at that, momentarily glad that Cloud couldn’t see her face. “Sounds lovely,” she said, tone sarcastic.

The gradient of their chosen path steepened until they were climbing more than walking. Tifa watched him carefully, putting her hands and feet in the same places he did, secure in the knowledge that they were tested and safe. As a native of Nibelheim, and especially considering her past, she knew intimately just how treacherous mountain terrain could be.

The last thing either of them needed was an accident to occur.

Things were quiet aside from the scraping of boots on rock. Not even the chirping of birds was audible up here and it was disquieting. She was a little tired, her breathing a bit heavier. From what she could see of Cloud, he looked like he was unaffected and could keep going for hours.

The SOLDIER had planned to go on this mission by himself, but Tifa didn’t like the idea of any of them going off alone, so she immediately volunteered to go with him. He was perfectly capable on his own, though something in her heart quivered and refused to settle until she was by his side. She knew the likelihood of him vanishing for another several years was low, but still…

She had no plans to lose him now that she had him back.

Some areas were steep enough to turn their progress into an almost sheer vertical climb. Tifa admired his athletic form before grumbling under her breath and reaching for the nearest handhold. She was almost to the top when her boot slipped. She gasped, red eyes blowing wide as her hands and fingers suddenly took on the task of supporting her entire body weight. Her boots scrabbled against the sheer rock, desperately searching for a foothold.

“Tifa!”

A hand wearing a glove wrapped around her right wrist. His grip was firm, and a little on the tight side, and he grunted softly as he heaved, lifting her up carefully. She tried to help as best she could, hauling herself up and over the edge the moment she could. Once every part of her body was no longer dangling in danger, she took a moment to catch her breath and looked at Cloud.

His eyes were locked on her, his usually impassive face held a small, worried frown. The Mako glow of his eyes was faint in the daylight, but his gaze was intense enough without it. She saw him looking at her up and down in assessment. Tifa knew Cloud was not checking her out, he was searching for injuries. 

She wasn’t sure if she should feel any disappointment about that.

It certainly didn’t help that Cloud was as dense as a box of rocks about girls and romance. Tifa and Aerith, and even Yuffie, had discussed it more than once. It had been the reason for many girlish giggles between them.

“I’m okay,” she assured him. Tifa let herself close her eyes as she laid there, processing what just happened.

A breath hitched. It wasn’t hers.

Her eyes flew open and she looked over to see Cloud holding his head in pain. Oh no, not again. Her poor friend had these weird episodes that left him tired, drained, and off-kilter. He always went to lay down when they ended, needing to sleep them off. For one to hit now was the worst possible timing.

Tifa scrambled over to him and covered his hands with her own. “Cloud? Cloud, can you hear me?”

His teeth were clenched and his breathing was a bit haggard, a frown etched on his face. He shook his head, sending blond locks swinging, and grunted in pain, giving no indication that he could hear her.

“It’s me, Cloud, it’s Tifa. I’m here, I’m with you, I’ve got you. Let me know if you can hear me, Cloud, come on!”

“No, Tifa!” he said breathlessly.

He slumped forward and the martial artist braced against the weight.

“No, no, no…” he muttered. “Not again. Not again!”

Tifa had no idea what he was talking about but she knew whatever he was experiencing wasn’t good. She did her best to wrap the fingers of her left hand around his, while her right hand sifted down through his hair to cup his cheek. Her thumb gently rubbed over the apple of his cheek and he froze.

“No!” he cried out. Cloud got up and lunged, right arm outstretched, and dove over the edge, sweeping his childhood friend along with him.

She gasped and instinctively clung to him, hoping the landing didn’t hurt too much. Cloud’s arms wrapped around her and he twisted in the air, putting himself beneath her to absorb the damage.

“I won’t let you fall alone again,” he whispered just above her head.

There was a loud THUD and Tifa slammed into Cloud, bouncing back up as far as his grasp would allow, then falling back onto him. His breath was knocked out of his lungs by her weight and he arched his back up slightly as she bounced. They both settled and all that could be heard was shaky breathing from her and shallow breathing from him.

Tifa was curled into his chest, unwilling or unable to move. She could feel his ribs rise and fall and there was a drumming beneath her right ear.

Bathumpbathumpbathumpbathumpbathumpbathumpbathumpbathump-

Cloud’s heart was racing, probably fueled by fear and adrenaline, much like her own. She focused on the sound, strong and steady despite the pace. It was undeniable proof that he was alive and still with her.

“Cloud?” she asked softly. Her red eyes opened and she tilted her head up to look at his face.

He moaned and turned his head fractionally, eyelids fluttering for a moment but staying shut. It took a lot to knock down a SOLDIER, enhanced as they were. She was sure the episode he had just suffered was the main reason he was unconscious. She carefully moved off of him, mindful of injuries, and quickly checked him over.

There was a small bleeding wound on the back of his head, and some inconsequential cuts and scrapes on his arms. His back was going to be a mass of nasty bruises, but nothing seemed broken at least. She turned him on his side and wrangled the massive sword off his back, setting it aside and letting him lay flat again.

She was anxious and fidgety, bitterly wishing she had a potion or Cure materia. It only took seconds before Tifa rested her head on his chest again, on his left pectoral. She couldn’t shake this niggling feeling that he would somehow disappear on her again. His heart had slowed, unlike hers, and she listened to it attentively – the only thing completely reassuring her that he was still with her.

Ba-thump…ba-thump…ba-thump…ba-thumpathump……ba-thump…ba-thump…

What was that? Did she need to be concerned? Had her weight on him when they landed done damage she couldn’t see? She bit her lip and brought her left hand up to her face, placing her palm flat on his sternum with splayed fingers.

Tifa could feel the faint impacts of his heart against his ribs and sternum in time with the thumping in her ear. The rhythm was mostly steady with the occasional hiccup. His face didn’t register any pain and his breathing was unaffected, so she eventually decided it was harmless. It might even be normal for him, she simply didn’t know.

Time passed and Tifa found herself lulled into a near doze by the heart thumping steadily, for the most part, in Cloud’s chest. Despite any irregularities, the strength behind each beat was undeniable. No matter what the blond had gone through he had lived through it, life pumping in his body with a fierce strength she couldn’t help but admire.

Ba-thump…ba-thumpathump……ba-thump…ba-thump…ba-thump…ba-thump…ba-thump..ba-thump..ba-thumpathump...ba-thump..ba-thump..ba-thump…

The rate increased slightly and her eyes opened immediately, finding his face. He was frowning and his blue eyes cracked open. Tifa sucked in a breath and gently patted his sternum. She couldn’t quite bring herself to move away from that oh so reassuring sound just yet.

Cloud groaned, the sound low as it vibrated through his chest. “T’fa?” he mumbled.

“I’m here, Cloud,” she said clearly. The patting turned into rubbing as she tried to give him some warmth and a sensation he could ground himself with.

He tightened his grip on her absently. “You fell,” he stated.

Something clicked in Tifa’s mind. “No, no, no, that was years ago, remember? We were just kids.”

He shook his head. “N-no. Not then. You fell,” he insisted.

Tifa really didn’t want to tell him the truth – that he had jumped and taken her with him. She sincerely doubted that he would take it well. “I’m fine,” she said gently but firmly. “I’m right here, with you, safe and sound. You can see, hear, and feel me, can’t you?”

The blond made a non-committal noise. His grip tightened fractionally and he took a slow, deep breath, blue locked onto red.

The thumping beneath her hand and head slowed slightly as he took in her words and her presence. The rhythm was steady, no more odd skips or stumbles, as he calmed. The tension bled out of her as he relaxed. His impromptu hug became more protective than restraining and the pair didn’t move or speak.

He looked up at the sky and she took the opportunity to scrutinise him. The faintest tinge of pink dusted his cheeks and she smiled, feeling accomplished for no particular reason she could discern.

“Do you have a potion?” Tifa suddenly asked.

Cloud blinked and looked down again. “What? You said you were fine,” he said, his voice holding a tiny sting of betrayal.

She rolled her eyes. “I am fine. The back of your head is bleeding.”

One of his arms moved from around her and his hand ran through his hair. His gloved fingers snagged and he tugged them loose with a tiny wince, bringing them around to take a look. His lips turned down at the ends at the smears and flakes of red on his gloves.

“Oh.”

They went back to laying there in silence, though Cloud’s arm didn’t wrap around her again. It was a bit disappointing, but Tifa was inordinately pleased that he was allowing her to remain on his chest.

The pair returned much later, herbs in hand.

[tiramisuucakeee]

1. SAVED BY A SPIDER

( sunflower, yang jungwon )

warnings: bad ppl wanting bad stuff ig, fight scene.

“you got detention? again? we were supposed to go dress shopping for the dance,” giselle whined, while you shot her an apologetic look. it was the end of the school day, and you both were supposed to go out with the rest of the friend group to shop, but a small problem came up regarding your attendance.

“i wish i was joking, my lunch tray accidentally fell over mr. park, he got all mad, and here we are,” you shrugged, checking the time, and stepped back. “i swear i’ll make it up to you all.”

“y/n…” she warned, wanting you to miss detention, but you kept stepping back, as you were going to be late.

“i’m sorry gigi, i gotta go!” you started trotting away from her, waving.

making it to the classroom just in time for detention to start, you observed there was only a few students sitting down, boredly staring at the wall or their hands.

“almost late miss. l/n,” mr. park called you from the front of the room, just to your luck, he was the teacher that took care of watching over the detention students. “take a seat and no funny business,” he instructed.

you made your way towards a lonely desk, sitting quickly, as you watched the teacher turn on a tv, and slide a dvd in a slot.

“the principal told me to put on this video for you guys, so i hope you all watch it carefully, and think about your actions,” he pointed the controller towards the tv, pressing the ‘play’ button.

on the small screen, a fake school hallway background came on, followed by the famous hero - captain america - walking onto the frame, and sitting on a red foldable chair.

“this can’t be real,” you muttered, under your breath, and pulled your hair up, laying on top of your backpack.

the school, along with many others, were sent psa videos by captain america. you didn’t know how many of them existed, but your teachers had already played various of them.

“so, you got detention” captain america started, crossing his buff arms. “you screwed up. you know what you did was wrong. the question is, how are you going to make things right? maybe you were trying to be cool, but take it from a guy who was frozen for 65 years, the only way to really be cool, is to follow the rules. we all know what’s right, we all know what’s wrong…-”

and, lights out. your eyes closed shut, and your head fell ontop of your backpack.

detention went by pretty quickly, mr. park getting angry at a couple of students who went on their phones or stood up without permission, just like always.

when the sun started to set, he strolled over to your desk, rolling his eyes at your sleeping figure. he slammed a book on the table, waking you up instantly, your vision spinning fast.

“detention is over miss. l/n,” he said, and went to his desk, as the rest of the students also packed up to leave.

“right,” you said, and stood up, bidding everyone goodbye, before heading out, not wanting to be out in the streets late.

stepping out of the school premises, your zipped up your jacket, as the chilly air hit your skin. walking towards a liquor shop that was always open, you took out your wallet. nobody knew this but the owner of the shop always sold cookies. his daughter was a girl scout and they had a hard time selling them, so he opted to help.

“well hello y/n,” the old man greeted you, glad to see the only teenage girl that came to his shop not to buy alcoholic drinks. “i saved you a box, they are miraculously sold out for today,” he grinned from behind the counter.

you shot him a warm smile, happy for him and his family “that’s good, and thanks for saving some for me, i was in detention and i’m starving,” you laughed, handing him a bill. he waved you off after giving you your change, not wanting you to stay inside the shop for long, as the sky was already darkening and a teenage girl being out alone was no good.

you were already relatively close to your house when the air got colder, a small chill running up your arm, while you took another chocolate chip cookie from the cute box and turned left to a street.

that was when you spotted a group of men chatting near a car, all looking very suspicious, but nonetheless, that group’s presence wasn’t unusual at all.

it all started with a whistle. you walked quickly past them, and heard a faint disgusting cat call. choosing to ignore it, your pace sped up. “hey! i’m talking to you!” one of them spoke louder, a small crash of glass following his words, various footsteps coming dangerously closer to you.

not daring to look back, you turned sharply at the first opening you saw, your breath hitching in your throat as you realized you had stumbled into a dead end. the dark brick walls loomed high in front of you, and your heart raced , pounding in your ears as you realized the situation you were in.

you spun back, being met with five figures which seemed to grow taller the closer they got. you didn’t want to accept what was about to happen, but their taunting explicit words had you with no other option.

“please, i don’t care what you do, at least just let me go back home to my family after,” you teared up, grabbing your backpack strap tighter and backed away, hoping that they would at least feel sorry for you.

“nah, i don’t think we’d be done with a pretty girl like you in some just some minutes, i need more time than that? what do you say lady?” one of them smirked, as they all stood a single meter away from you. the guy that spoke grabbed your arm and pulled you closer to him, while you shut your eyes, praying for an escape.

you struggled against his strong grip, making you feel completely powerless. “leave me alone!” his four companions laughed at your actions, mocking your desperate words.

another one ripped your back pack off, and threw it near some trash cans, that rattled with the impact, along with the cookie box. they all continued to say all kinds of filthy things, making you lose all kinda of hopes you had in people.

then suddenly, someone took your hand, and pulled you away from the group, and behind them. you were met with a red-suited back. the person that had just saved you turned halfway to you, and you recognized them as the friendly neighborhood spider-man everyone spoke about recently.

“i’ll take care of them, don’t worry,” he said, with a voice that you didn’t recognize in that moment.

he stepped forward to fight them, and spun around, shooting out a web that snagged one of the attackers by the ankle. the guy yelped, crashing to the ground with a thud.

"what the- ?" another shouted, anger flaring as he lunged at spider-man, fists swinging. but with a swift motion, spider-man ducked and countered, delivering a quick jab to the guy's midsection. he doubled over, gasping.

the remaining three exchanged glances, uncertainty creeping in as they saw their friends crumple. spider-man moved like a blur, swinging effortlessly from wall to wall, using his agility to evade their punches. one of them lunged at you, but before you could react, spider-man was there, landing a solid kick that sent him sprawling backward.

"stay close to me," he softly instructed, his spider-like masked eyes locking onto yours for a brief moment, a flicker of reassurance cutting through your fear.

“okay, i trust you.” you nodded, heart racing, as you pressed yourself against the wall, as to not get in his way.

spider-man faced the last two, a playful grin breaking through the tension. "is this really how you want to spend your night? because i've got better plans," he shrugged. “you know, some of us have science projects to finish.”

they hesitated, and in that moment, he lunged again, catching one with a spinning kick that sent him reeling into his companion. they stumbled, and as they scrambled to recover, spider-man shot a web, binding them together like a human fly trap.

with the last of the attackers bound tightly in a web, and knocked unconscious, he turned back to you, his expression instantly softening. he took a moment to catch his breath, but his spider eyes were locked onto yours, searching for any sign of distress. “are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and soothing, filled with genuine concern. yes he was spider-man, but he was also scared shitless that something had happened to you, out of all people.

“yeah i- think i will be okay..” you nodded, but the tremor in your hands gave away the fear still clinging to you. tears threatened to spill as the adrenaline faded, leaving you feeling vulnerable.

“hey,” spider-man said gently, stepping closer, his presence warm and reassuring. “it’s okay to be shaken up. you just went through something really intense.” he reached out, placing a hand on your shoulder, his touch sending a spark of comfort through you. “let’s take a deep breath together, alright?”

you inhaled shakily, and he mirrored you. “you’re safe now,” he continued, his voice softening further, as if he was sharing a secret. “that’s what matters to me.”

the night around you felt lighter somehow. the city sounds resumed, but they felt distant. you took a deep breath, feeling gratitude for the masked individual. “thank you, really. i don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown up.”

“i’m just glad i got here in time,” he replied. “you didn’t deserve any of that.” he stepped a little closer, the air between you electric, as he helped you put on your backpack again. “but honestly, you handled yourself pretty well, if only we didn’t have these damn dead ends in the city.”

a small smile tugged at your lips. “yeah it was pretty scary.”

“that’s totally understandable,” he said. there was a moment of silence, and you could feel the tension shift.

“let’s get you out of here,” he finally said, breaking the spell, a hint of excitement lighting up his eyes as he looked at you. he crouched slightly, readying himself. “trust me?” he offered you his arm, and as you took it.

“okay, just don’t let me fall, i live in the penthouse at the hybe building,” you told him, and he nodded, remembering the place.

without another word, he shot a web into the night sky, the silken strand glistening in the city lights. he wrapped an arm around your waist securely, pulling you close. “hold on tight,” he instructed, and as you clutched his shoulder, he launched himself upward.

the world below you blurred into a cascade of lights and sounds as you soared through the air. the wind whipped past, cool against your skin, but you felt an exhilarating feeling from being so close to him, the man who had just saved your life. his grip was secure, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of freedom as the city stretched out beneath you.

“this is so cool!” you shouted over the rush of the wind.

he swung from building to building, the city skyline unfolding like a living map. the streets were alive with people, but from this height, everything felt distant and surreal. he pointed out the building. “that’s our stop!”

you could feel his heartbeat through your touch, matching your own racing pulse. and suddenly, spider-man wasn’t some pretentious genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist wannabe, in a awfully designed halloween costume who only looked out for himself, he did care about people, because he was just like you.

he even had an unfinished science project.

finally, he reached the balcony of your home, landing gracefully after flying past the other floors. he gently set you down, still holding your hand as you caught your breath. “see? not so scary, right?” he said, and you could sense a teasing smile on his lips.

the balcony was open, and had a few sun chairs next to the pool, the outdoor lights illuminating the place, but you knew your parents were not home yet, since the indoor lights were off.

you laughed, still buzzing from the trip and then paused. “thank you for everything, mr. spider-man. really. i owe you my life and much more.”

“anytime,” he replied softly, his touch lingering on your hand for a moment before he pulled back. “i’d do it again in a heartbeat. and you better expect to see me again to check up on you, okay?” he asked, for the first time in forever, promising someone that he would do that.

as he prepared to swing away, you noticed how he hesitated, glancing back at you. you gave him a nod, and he reciprocated, leaving you there.

standing alone on the balcony, you knew this was just the start of something. no one gets saved by a superhero like that and walks away without a word. the connection between you felt real, and you could tell he felt it too. you swore you’ve been around this person, he felt way too familiar for him not to be, it was almost as if he knew you and what to say.

and yang jungwon felt exactly the same thing, he felt more courage than ever to speak with you now that spider-man did. if him in a silly suit and a mask could, why would he not be able to in school? of course, you were just the girl he had been in love with since he saw you the first day of freshman year in maths class, way before he was someone different.

he just hoped you would appreciate him as much as him, than you did spider-man.

EXTRA:

masterlist.

next chapter.

all chapters.

[aetherdoesthings]

more nico robin x gn! reader please 🙏 🙏 🙏 loved the last one 🙌

hello anon! thank you so much for the compliment!! i'm glad you enjoyed it! i hope you (and everyone else) enjoy this one.

forethoughts: idk this turned out to be four pages long. 1am writing sessions hits different ig.

characters included: luffy, zoro, nami, usopp, sanji, chopper, robin, franky (no brook or jinbei bc i'm still on eneis lobby and don't really have a good sense of their character yet)

notes: pet name 'sweetheart', no Y/Ns, gn!reader, happy new year guys.

The day before January first was always fun on the Sunny;  you’ve grown to love the parties and festivities the Straw Hats would hold on each seasonal event ever since you joined. Sanji always made the best Christmas breakfast, lunch and (most importantly) dinner. Zoro somehow found a large barrel of ale and miraculously brought it back onto the ship. Franky and Nami would decorate the Sunny, Franky hanging up most of the stockings and Nami commandeering him so the ship would look ‘aesthetically pleasing’. Usopp (with Chopper’s help) would make firecrackers to light up when night falls and the clock hits 12:00am. And the captain himself would be either locked up for trying to steal food from the kitchen or messing up Nami’s decorations. But what were you and Robin doing? Shopping, of course. Docking at the nearest island, Nami had tasked the two of you to go shopping to buy more decorations and ‘cute looking things’. You gladly took up the offer to go out shopping, even though you deemed it boring. After all, Nami was giving you a wad of money to spend (without reimbursing you or Robin), and you got to spend time with your girlfriend. 

“Alright, we’ll pick all of these up before the sun sets.” Robin reassured the navigator, taking the list Nami had made as the two of you made your way into town. All the while, you held onto her hand, forcing you to walk the same pace as Robin did and not speedrun through the whole list. You loved spending time with Robin; you were probably the clingliest person in the entire world. But the idea of going out to buy decorations didn’t stimulate your brain in a way you wanted to be stimulated.

“Don’t rush, sweetheart.” Robin squeezed your hand gently, her head turning towards you. You shrunk in your stature at her gentle words. Robin was very much taller than you, and she loved to tease you about it.

“I’m not rushing.” You answer coyly, meeting her gaze with a playful look.

Robin smiled at your response, fully knowing you were most definitely trying to rush this, just so you could go back to the Sunny to cuddle in bed with her. Your heart melted at her smile, as you immediately slowed down, tilting your head to hide the blush that was slowly spreading on your face.

“I know you find shopping boring, but remember why we’re doing this. Would you like our dear navigator to give you a pounding when she finds out we brought back nothing?” Robin chided softly.

“That’s not going to happen. You’re with me. You’re going to let the list done!” 

“And how would you contribute?”

“Moral and emotional support!” You say adamantly.

Robin raised an eyebrow, chuckling at your response. “My, I was not aware a task like this required moral and emotional support.”

“What if I help carry the bags?”

A warm, gentle finger cupped your chin, as it forced your head to face Robin without using much strength. The finger made your way to your nose, tapping on it as Robin smiled at you. “I would love that, sweetheart.”

You smiled widely like a dumb idiot, intertwining your fingers with Robin as the two of you made your way deeper into the market. As Robin led your body towards whatever stall that had what you were looking for, your mind began to wander. Ever since you and Robin made it official, every Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas was always a surprise to you. When you first met the Straw Hat’s archaeologist, you didn’t expect her to be much of a romantic person, and you were fine with that when you got into a relationship with her. She had her own way of showing love, and everytime you saw a glimpse of it, it made you heart melt and feel like you were the luckiest person in the world. This Christmas, she had hung mistletoes on every inch of the ceiling of your shared room and made you reach euphoria that night. Robin was always the best gift giver. It always made you feel bad whenever you gave your gift to her, but her words and hands always made you feel a bit better. But this time, this New Year’s party, you were going to change it. Definitely.

With that challenge in your head, you were stimulated and started to observe shop after shop, hunting for the best gift you knew Robin would like.

But of course, the ever observant Robin caught onto your immediate interest in the stalls on your left and right.

“Is there something you’re looking for, sweetheart?” Robin asked, tilting her head.

You spun your head towards her, trying to put on the most innocent smile you could muster, thinking of the best lie that wouldn’t raise too much red flags. “Maybe.”

Robin looked at you in the eyes, that same poker smile on her face you never could really tell. “Alright, then.” 

She reached into her pocket, pulling out her wallet as she gave you a wad of beli. 

“I’ll meet you back at the Sunny, okay? I have enough hands to help me carry the stuff Nami wants.” She pressed her lips against your forehead, running the backside of her fingers down your cheek.

Your heart warmed, your mind set on the challenge you had set for yourself. You felt bad that you had to abandon Robin, but your mind reminded you what this was all for. You pecked a kiss on her cheek, smiling brightly. “Thanks, Robin!” 

Before you heard her response, you dashed off into the market, hunting for ‘the perfect gift’.

-

Your heart was beating and out of sync of your breathing, as your forehead glimmered with beads of sweat. You were certain you made it before Robin, your efforts further strengthening your thought. You boarded the Sunny, hiding your wrapped gift behind your back as you snuck into your shared room. If Nami caught you on board, she would’ve hounded you for the bags upon bags of stuff she had sent you and Robin out, and if she found out you did not have what she wanted, you were certain you were going to get a pounding. 

As you crept towards your room, your mind was racing with all the possible faces Robin would make when you gave her your gift. Shock? Happiness? That one face that made your heart melt and legs wobbly? 

You placed your hand on the doorknob, entering your room…

…only to be met with a sight that made your heart drop and shoulders slump.

Your bed was covered in flowers--the specific type you loved. Petals outlined the bed, bouquets of boquets of flowers placed in the center that formed a heart shape. Jaw agape, eyes wide, you stared at the image in front of you, immediately feeling bad about the gift you held in your numb hand.

No, this had to be a joke. No way Robin, who had to deal with Nami’s monster list, and had to carry everything, made it back to the Sunny before you. Someone on board was playing a joke on you. Then again, no one was allowed into your room except for Chopper and Nami. 

Well, Robin does have her devil fruit. You thought. As if right on cue, the door to your room closed, your body nowhere near the door. You turned your hand around, just watching a pink flower petal drift away before turning your head back to the bed.

“Shit!” You yelped, jumping back as your heart skipped a beat. Robin was there standing in front of you, appearing out of nowhere. You exhaled loudly, recovering from the jumpscare your girlfriend gave you before facing her.

“How did you get here before me?” You questioned.

“There was no list.” Robin smiled at you, taking interest in what you were holding.

“What do you mean, there was no list?” You paused, looking at the wooden floorboard. 

“Nami faked that list.” You stated after a while of thinking.

“She did.” Robin answered.

“So she could help set all of this up?”

“Most of it.”

“So we went out basically for nothing?”

“Not nothing, sweetheart.” Robin advanced towards you, placing a finger on the wrapped box in your hand. “I wouldn’t count this as nothing.”

“Oh! Um, uh, you don’t need to-” You quickly pulled away, hiding the gift behind your back.

“Sweetheart, please. I would like to see what you found in the market.” Robin smiled warmly at you.

Letting out a sigh, you surrendered to her request, putting the gift in front of her. “I-I went around the shops finding everything you like and placed it all in one box for you. It’s just a gift I wanted to give you for New Year’s, since you always give me such good gifts every year and I’m not that good of a gift giver, so-”

“Nonsense, sweetheart. May I open it?” Robin took the gift, admiring the wrapping paper around the box.

“Sure…” You mumbled, watching Robin’s hands rip the wrapping paper off, opening the cardboard box. 

“Sweetheart… this is beautiful.” You looked up from the floor to gaze at Robin’s face. Yep. There was that smile that made your cheeks flush, legs wobbly, and heart skipping. She took each little item from the box, putting it in the air to admire it before moving on to the next. You watched her admire a necklace, a ring, a book she had been wanting to read for a while, and a fountain pen, her smile getting wider and wider with each item.

“Really?” 

“Yes! Oh, I love it so much!” Robin smiled, setting the box on the nearby desk that was covered in books and scrolls. She bent down, hugging you tightly as she kissed you deeply, pulling away to cup your cheeks.

“Sweetheart, your gifts aren’t terrible. Your gifts are always so thoughtful and I’ll always treasure it and hold it to my heart. I love your gifts, I love that you took the time to get the gifts and choose which one you’d think I’d like best. I love you for taking the time to carefully select each item in that box. I love you and I love all your gifts.” Robin pressed her forehead against yours, wrapping her arms around your neck.

You stared into her eyes, your jaw glued to the floor as you stared at her like an idiot. The closeness the two of you were didn’t make the situation any better.

“I love you too, and I love all the gifts you give me every time.” You finally uttered out.

Robin smiled, leaning in to press her lips against yours, as she brought your body closer to the bed, gently pushing you into the bouquets of flowers. She crawled on top of you, those sweet lips hovering above your face.

“Happy New Year, sweetheart.” Robin whispered.

[iamthejags]

Second chapter of my Miraculous fanfic, "Miraculous Yin Yang".

Chapter 2: Incomplete

“Ok, carrots for Kaalki and macaroons for Tikki,” Marinette said to herself, psyching herself up. Although the idea was simple in theory, there were a lot of unknowns and although she didn’t want to admit it, she was kind of terrified.

It had been over a year since the temple was restored upon the defeat of Feast. But she had never visited. In retrospect, she really should have. She was the Guardian and probably had an obligation to report in or something. Better late than never.

“You can do this, Marinette,” Tikki reassured her. “I am certain the Temple Guardian and the rest of the monks will be ecstatic to see you.”

“Thanks, Tikki,” Marinette said. She looked at the clock. 3:12 am. She had woken up only 12 minutes ago to a combination of her alarm and Tikki patting her on the cheek. As soon as she remembered her mission, adrenaline had flooded through her and she had quickly dressed and prepared for the voyage. She had a small bag with food for the kwamis that she would put on after her transformation.

Marinette looked to Kaalki. “Are you ready?” she asked.

“I am ready, Guardian,” Kaalki replied.

“Tikki, spots on! Tikki, Kaalki, unify!”

Pegabug picked up the bag of kwami food. She took a deep breath.

“Voyage!” she cried, drawing a portal. She took one last glance at her room and stepped through the portal.

***********

The morning sun was warm on Pegabug’s face as she stepped into the courtyard of the temple. She looked around and saw a large group of monks standing around where her portal had been. It looked like she had interrupted something.

“Hello,” she said tentatively, looking around at all of them. “I’m here to see the Temple Guardian. Do you know where he is?”

“Ladybug!” a voice called from the steps leading into the temple.

Pegabug turned and saw an older monk hurrying down the steps toward her.

“Tikki, Kaalki, divide!” she said. Kaalki reappeared and floated next to Ladybug. Ladybug dug a carrot out of her bag and gave it to Kaalki while she waited for the monk to reach her.

“Ladybug,” he said again as he drew closer. “It is an honor to meet you. I am Master Wu. I am the Temple Guardian. Please, come with me.”

“Thank you, Master Wu,” Ladybug replied. She followed as he led her through the temple to a small room. Master Wu closed the door behind them and gestured to a chair.

“Please, sit,” he said.

Ladybug sat down and Master Wu sat opposite her.

“We are so pleased that you finally came to us,” he said. “We have been waiting anxiously for you ever since the temple was restored.”

“I am sorry it took me so long,” Ladybug said. “The situation is complex in Paris and I never really knew what to expect if I did visit.”

“Well, we are very glad you made the decision to come here,” he said. “As the Guardian of the Mother Box, you are extremely important.”

“How does that work, exactly?” Ladybug asked. “You are obviously much older than I am and have been a Guardian for much longer. Especially since you were Guardian when the temple disappeared.”

Master Wu laughed. “Yes, I am much older than you,” he said, and suddenly Ladybug blushed realizing what she had said. She hadn’t meant to be so blunt.

The Temple Guardian continued. “I was the Temple Guardian for over 200 years before the disaster. My job is similar to yours, in some respects. While your job is to protect and distribute the Miraculous in your Miracle Box, mine is to protect and distribute all Miracle Boxes.”

“There are more Miracle Boxes?” Ladybug asked.

“Of course,” Master Wu said. “Many. But yours is the Mother Box. It houses the oldest and most powerful magical jewels. Yours, and the Black Cat’s being foremost among them. Speaking of which, where is your partner?”

“I…didn’t bring him,” Ladybug hesitantly said.

“Why not?” Master Wu asked.

“I guess I didn’t think it would be that important for him to be here,” she said softly.

Master Wu raised his eyebrows. “Every Ladybug has a Black Cat,” Master Wu said. “And every Black Cat has a Ladybug. The universe must remain in balance. The Ladybug and the Black Cat are the original Yin and Yang, Creation and Destruction. These are the oldest and most powerful forces in the universe. To have one active without the other is inviting disaster. Even though you are the Guardian, you are not whole without your Black Cat.”

“It feels like there is more to this than it would seem on the surface,” Ladybug said.

“You are very perceptive, Ladybug,” Master Wu said. “There is far more to this than you probably realize. To put it very simply, you and your Black Cat are, in essence, soulmates.”

“Soulmates?” Ladybug said skeptically. “I never gave much credence to anything like that. Is it a real thing?”

“It most certainly is,” Master Wu said, “especially for you and your partner. The bonds between a properly chosen Ladybug and a properly chosen Black Cat are very nearly primordial. To be completely honest, we aren’t completely sure exactly how powerful the bonds are. It’s one of the things that has never been fully explored yet. We do know that they are always yin and yang. And we do know that they need to explore their own internal yin and yang, and their yin and yang as a pair. But this has never been done all the way to completion. At least, we don’t think so.”

“So, nobody has ever discovered the full power of the partnership of Ladybug and the Black Cat?” Ladybug asked.

“We do not think so,” Master Wu said. “But again, we do not know for sure.”

“What do we need to do?” Ladybug asked.

“You need to know yourselves and each other completely,” Master Wu said. “You need to understand the full truth about yourselves. Not the comfortable lies that you tell yourself. The full, painful, beautiful, unvarnished truth. I suggest you start by meditating and talking with your kwamis. Also, talk with each other. You need to know each other completely.”

“Completely?” Ladybug asked. “Does that also mean…that we need to know who each other is?”

“Of course,” Master Wu said. “That’s usually how it works. Think about it. How are you supposed to know each other completely if you don’t even know who is behind the mask? Nothing can be hidden.”

“That…I mean…Um…that’s a good point,” Ladybug said. “But Master Fu strictly forbade us from knowing each other’s secret identities.”

Master Wu leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “Master Fu did a lot of damage,” he said softly. “More than just destroying the temple. He was never fully trained, so he was never able to fully train you or even simply guide you as Ladybug. I cannot express to you how sorry I am about that. It was our mistakes that led to our downfall and everything that came after. Since we have been back, we have been reevaluating our training methods, but that does not help you in the meantime.”

“It’s okay, Master Wu,” Ladybug said. “We’ve managed so far. But that’s part of the reason I came to the temple today. Tikki told me that there is a ritual that can prevent people from revealing the identities of themselves and other Miraculous holders.”

Master Wu nodded. “That is true,” he said. “Every single person you meet in this temple has been through that ritual. You could detransform right now and not one of us would be able to say who you are to another person. The only person who can perform the ritual is the Guardian of the Miracle Box to which each specific Miraculous belongs, and the Temple Guardian. Likewise, only the Guardian can grant permission to reveal an identity.”

“Whoa,” Ladybug gasped. “That’s incredible. It really is like the magical restrictions on the kwamis.”

“Basically,” Master Wu smiled. “And since you are the Guardian, you can learn the ritual and perform it for each Miraculous holder.”

“How involved is the ritual?” Ladybug asked. “Does it take very long?”

“Not at all,” Master Wu said. “It only takes a few seconds. I get the sense that this is a topic of some urgency for you. Am I correct?”

“Yes, Master,” Ladybug said. “Since I became Guardian a year ago, I’ve felt like the partnership between myself and Chat Noir has degraded. We don’t work as seamlessly as we used to. I’ve considered for some time now if revealing our identities would help, since we would know each other better. But Master Fu was so strict about not doing that, that I couldn’t bring myself to cross that barrier. But the other night I was talking to Tikki and she told me about this ritual. If I can save the partnership between myself and Chat Noir, I am determined to do so.”

Master Wu smiled. “You really are a Ladybug,” he said. “Such determination. Such spirit. And you are right. You must know your Black Cat, and he must know you, or your partnership is destined to break down. Please, wait here. I will go and find the book with the ritual. I will also send for some refreshment for you and your kwamis.”

Master Wu rose and left the room. Ladybug stood, too excited and nervous to remain sitting. She couldn’t believe it. Soon, she would be able to close the distance between herself and Chat Noir. She didn’t know how she knew it, but now was the time. It was time to reveal themselves and time to start truly fulfilling their purpose.

A knock interrupted Ladybug’s pacing. “Come in,” she called.

A young monk opened the door bearing a tray. “Food and drink for Master Ladybug and her kwamis,” he said, placing the tray on a small table and bowing deeply.

“Thank you,” Ladybug said, a little taken aback at being called Master.

The young monk bowed and exited, closing the door behind him. Ladybug thought for a moment, then called, “Tikki, spots off.”

Tikki popped out of her earrings and flew quickly to the tray to join Kaalki who had already descended on the food. The two kwamis happily gorged themselves while Marinette paced anxiously.

A few minutes later, a knock came on the door. “Tikki, spots on!” Marinette cried.

Once her transformation was complete, Ladybug called, “Come in!” Master Wu opened the door and entered with an old tome.

Master Wu said, “I know that you are accustomed to hiding your identity. That is why I knocked prior to entering. However, I do want you to know that you are safe here either as Ladybug or as your civilian identity. None of us are capable of revealing who you are since you are the Guardian of the Miracle Box in which your own Miraculous resides. Not even I, as the Temple Guardian, could reveal who you are. That is the power of the ritual that you are about to learn. You are more than welcome to remain always as Ladybug, but I simply want you to know that you can safely detransform if ever you decide to.”

“Thank you,” Ladybug said. “I understand what you are saying, but old habits die hard. I will probably remain as Ladybug for a while in the temple.”

“Completely understandable,” Master Wu said. “Now, the ritual. This ritual is extremely old. So old that we do not even understand the language in which it is performed. You place either hand upon the top of the head of the one that you are binding. You repeat this phrase that I will teach you. The person you are binding will simply say, “Yes” in whatever language is familiar to them. While you are performing the ritual, you need to focus on your intent to bind them. Did you get all of that?”

“I think so,” Ladybug said. “I place my hand on their head. I focus on the intent of the ritual. I say the phrase. They respond with a yes. Then it’s done. How will I know it worked?”

“You will know,” Master Wu said simply. “Now, let me teach you the phrase…”

[wordsofrowan]

From Ashes to Embers

Chapter 17 - I Know Your Heart and You Know Mine

I found myself hanging out more and more with Alix. I was grateful for her I truly was. Our friendship was pretty much the total opposite of the near-persistent nature of Alya. I didn’t feel as stressed or as pressured around Alix as I had Alya. But I guess that could also be due to the history Alix and I had. Alix had always been a good friend to me, and I was glad to know that she always would be as well. 

I also found myself spending more time with Bunnyx. She had said with the new developments in the timeline I would need some extra ‘pushes’ here and there. I was happy with it though and I felt better than I had in a long while. Maybe it was because Bunnyx knew my hero identity and my civilian identity or maybe it was just the reassurance that I actually had someone on my side, someone truly on my side that was giving me a sense of peace. 

Bunnyx had started giving me homework so to speak, giving me certain pages of the Grimoire to study and memorize. Mostly Bunnyx has been making me learn the history of the Miraculous and how it came to be. 

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow across my cozy bedroom. I sat on the floor taking notes on certain aspects I found interesting or noteworthy. The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. But my peaceful reading session was abruptly interrupted by the incessant vibration of my phone.

Startled, I looked up, my eyes meeting Bunnyx who was perched on my desk, observing me with her bright, mischievous eyes. With a quick glance, I sought her permission, silently asking if I could take the call that had so rudely interrupted my reading. Bunnyx nodded, giving me her blessing.

I picked up my phone, anticipation building as I saw the caller ID. It was Kagami. Curiosity piqued, I answered, my voice filled with intrigue.

"Greetings, Marinette," Kagami's voice flowed through the phone, her tone both elegant and enigmatic. My mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. Why would Kagami be reaching out to me? What could she possibly want?

I took a deep breath, my curiosity overpowering any hesitations I might have had. "Kagami," I replied, my voice laced with a hint of intrigue, "to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"If you're available, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about a recent development," Kagami explained, her tone laced with a sense of urgency. Her words hung in the air, leaving me with a flurry of questions and a growing curiosity about what this "recent development" could possibly be.

My mind buzzed with a whirlwind of questions, each one adding fuel to my already intense curiosity. Why was Kagami reaching out to me? What could this development possibly entail? I turned my gaze towards Bunnyx, silently seeking her approval to venture out and meet Kagami. To my surprise, she responded with a nod and mouthed the words, "Go live your life, Marinette."

With Bunnyx's encouragement, I felt a surge of determination. Without hesitation, I agreed to meet Kagami, my eagerness to unearth the truth propelling me forward.

We settled on a quaint café, a hidden gem nestled within the heart of Paris. As I navigated through the bustling streets, the anticipation tightened its grip on my chest. What awaited me at this charming café? What secrets would Kagami reveal?

The café came into view, its warm lights beckoning me inside. I pushed open the door, greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of conversation. The cozy ambiance wrapped around me, heightening my senses and fueling my excitement.

I spotted Kagami sitting at a corner table, her eyes fixed on something beyond the windowpane, she had one coffee nestled in her hands and one sitting on the table which I assumed must be for me. As I approached, a mixture of curiosity and nervous energy coursed through my veins. What could have prompted Kagami, usually so composed, to initiate this meeting?

"Marinette, thank you for coming," Kagami greeted, her voice tinged with a blend of gratitude and what I could only understand as hurt, “I figured you would be the only person who could understand what I am going through currently.” 

The words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laced with a complex mix of emotions. Kagami's voice trembled, revealing traces of gratitude intertwined with the unmistakable ache of heartbreak. Her vulnerability struck a chord deep within me, igniting a surge of compassion and understanding.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice soft and gentle, my concern for Kagami now overpowering any lingering doubts or uncertainties.

Kagami's eyes met mine, her gaze filled with a raw vulnerability that tore at my heart. "I broke up with Adrien," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "And seeing as I know you had feelings for him, I thought you might be the only one who truly understands what I'm going through."

A wave of empathy washed over me, mingling with the remnants of my own past infatuation. Memories of unrequited love and shattered expectations resurfaced, reminding me of the pain and confusion that had once consumed me. I reached out and placed a comforting hand on Kagami's trembling one.

"I'm so sorry, Kagami," I murmured, my voice filled with genuine sympathy. "I understand the heartache and the heaviness that comes with a breakup. But I have to be honest with you. My feelings for Adrien have long since faded, and I recently had to end my relationship with Luka."

Kagami's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise mingling with the sadness etched upon her face. She withdrew her hand, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup, a small sigh escaping her lips. "I had no idea," she admitted, her voice a delicate mix of regret and acceptance.

“It’s not your fault, Kagami," I whispered, my voice filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "I kinda hid it from everyone too, you know? And let's not forget the massive fight I had with Alya and the rest of the girls, resulting in me cutting them all out of my life except for Alix. So, I guess you can say I'm not really coping well either..." I trailed off, shaking my head to push away the weight of my own struggles. "But never mind that. What happened between you and Adrien? Why did you break up?"

A heavy sigh escaped Kagami's lips, her eyes welling up with tears as she began to share the painful truth. "I found out he was lying to me," she confessed, her voice quivering with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "Every time we were on a date, he would disappear without explanation, leaving me feeling abandoned and confused. It reached a point where I couldn't ignore it anymore, and the resentment started to eat away at me. So, I confronted him about it, hoping that maybe there was an explanation. But instead of coming clean, he dared to lie to my face, playing with my emotions. It was only after pushing him further that he finally admitted he wasn't actually in love with me."

"Oh, Kagami," I whispered, my voice heavy with compassion. "I'm so sorry. I know how much you liked Adrien, and it's absolutely devastating to discover that someone you cared for was not being honest with you. You deserve so much better than that."

Kagami's breath hitched as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I knew him, Marinette. I truly believed that we had something special. But the lies...they shattered that illusion. It's hard to comprehend how someone can claim to care for you and yet deceive you so effortlessly."

The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, I couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty knowing that that had been the same exact reason Luka and I had to break up. I squeezed Kagami's hand, offering a small gesture of support. "You're right, Kagami. It's difficult to fathom how someone can play with our emotions like that. But remember, it's a reflection of their shortcomings, not your worth."

Kagami's eyes searched mine, a mixture of gratitude and determination shining through her tears. "You're right, Marinette. I won't let this define me. I will rise above it and find the strength to move forward."

Kagami smiled warmly, her gratitude shining through her watery eyes. "Thank you for being my friend, Marinette. I don't know what I would do without you."

Touched by her words, I reached across the table, squeezing Kagami's hand gently. "No, Kagami, thank you. I needed this too. Sometimes, in the midst of our own struggles, we forget the power of connection and the healing it can bring."

We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of our shared experiences forging a bond that felt unbreakable. The café buzzed with the sounds of conversation and clinking cups, but within our little bubble, it was as if time had stood still.

As I sipped my coffee, the bitter warmth soothing my soul, I couldn't help but reflect on the serendipity of this encounter. What had initially seemed like an unexpected twist of fate had turned into a profound lesson in empathy and resilience.

"I'm glad we found each other, Kagami," I said softly, my voice tinged with sincerity. "Through our pain, we've discovered the strength to support one another. Together, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead."

Kagami nodded, a glimmer of determination in her eyes. "I may have lost love, but I've gained a true friend in you, Marinette. And that means more to me than anything."

The café's atmosphere seemed to shift, imbued with an undercurrent of hope and resilience. The world outside may have been chaotic and unpredictable, but within the confines of our friendship, we had created a sanctuary of support and understanding.

As we finished our coffees, a sense of calm settled over us. The weight of our troubles hadn't disappeared entirely, but now, we carried it together. We had become each other's pillars of strength, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee still lingered in the air as Kagami and I finished our cups. With a bittersweet smile, we exchanged one final hug, our arms wrapped tightly around each other as if trying to hold onto the moment forever.

As we released each other, a sense of longing filled the space between us. We stood there for a moment, silently taking in the weight of our parting. The café, once a sanctuary of connection, now felt empty without Kagami's presence.

With a deep breath, Kagami turned to leave, her steps carrying her toward her own journey of healing and growth. I watched her retreating figure, feeling a mixture of sadness and hope. Our paths may have diverged for now, but I knew that our bond would remain unbreakable.

As I stepped out of the café, the world seemed to have transformed. The nightlife of Paris stretched before me, bustling with life and endless possibilities. While I may have felt a tinge of loneliness without Kagami by my side, I also felt a newfound sense of strength.

I leisurely strolled my way back home, the weight of recent events pressing upon me. Countless questions swirled in my mind, each one vying for attention. Should I transfer schools? The idea of starting fresh, away from the painful memories, held a certain allure. Perhaps I could convince Alix to join me, ensuring that I would still have a trusted friend by my side. And then there was Kagami... If I could only find out which school she attended, maybe I could have both of my closest friends within reach.

A pang of apprehension shot through me as I realized that Luka and Kagami attended the same school. The thought of seeing Luka again, with his gentle eyes and soothing voice, was both comforting and unsettling. It was too soon, too raw. I didn't feel ready to face him, not when my heart still ached from the remnants of our past love.

As I absentmindedly walked along the Seine, the sound of delicate guitar strings being strummed caught my attention. I turned my head to the left and saw Luka, his fingers dancing effortlessly across the frets, accompanied by Jagged Stone himself. The music filled the air, creating a melodic backdrop to my swirling emotions.

My heart ached as I watched Luka, his face serene and at peace. It was clear that music was his solace, a way for him to express himself when words failed. At that moment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, a yearning to be close to him once again.

As the final notes faded away, applause erupted from a small crowd that had gathered. I glanced over and saw Noemi, their eyes shining with admiration, as they ran up to Luka and enveloped him in a tight hug. My heart shattered into a million pieces, a single tear escaping my eye as I realized that Luka had found comfort in someone else's arms.

Overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, I turned on my heels and ran back to my house, seeking solace in the familiarity of my own space. The tears flowed freely as I allowed myself to grieve the loss of what once was.

Heart pounding in my chest, I rushed back to my house, desperate to escape the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume me. As I entered my room, I was greeted by an eerie silence, the weight of the day's events still heavy upon me.

But as I took a moment to catch my breath, I felt a strange shift in the air. A sense of unease washed over me, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. Instinctively, my gaze darted around the room, searching for any signs of the source of this unsettling presence.

And that's when I saw him.

Standing in the corner of my room was a man, tall and bald, dressed in a striking red and brown guardian monk suit. His eyes held a wisdom and intensity that seemed beyond his years, and he clutched a staff tightly in his hand. 

Fear mingled with curiosity as I cautiously approached the mysterious figure. His presence exuded an aura of ancient knowledge and power, leaving me both fascinated and apprehensive. I couldn't help but wonder what had brought him to my room, what message or purpose he carried within him.

“Who are you!” I yelled as I grabbed the bo staff tucked away in my room, “And what do you want?!” 

His presence exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and power, his calmness contrasting with the intensity that radiated from him. His voice, deep and resonant, filled the room as he introduced himself, "I am Grand Master Su-Han, the celestial guardian of the Miracle Box."

My heart skipped a beat, and confusion washed over me. "But I am the Guardian of the Chinese Zodiac Box," I said, my voice almost weak with disbelief. The realization that I may not be the true guardian after all struck me with a sense of betrayal.

Tikki chimed in with her gentle voice, "The celestial guardian was in charge of it before the incident caused by Master Fu."

My mind raced, trying to process the information. So many questions flooded my thoughts. How had I been chosen as the guardian if I wasn't the rightful one? And how had Grand Master Su-Han managed to track me down?

Seeking answers, I mustered the courage to ask, "And how did you come to find me?"

Grand Master Su-Han's piercing gaze met mine, and he explained, "A guardian's staff holds a compass that allows the boxes to be tracked at all times. It led me to you, Marinette."

A pang of jealousy and frustration surged through me at the mention of the guardian's staff. "Hey, that's not fair! How come I didn't get one then?"

The grand master's expression softened, and he replied, "You did not receive one, little girl, because you are not a true guardian. This is all a misunderstanding, and the incorrect shape of the box proves it."

The words hit me like a blow, shattering the trust I had placed in Master Fu and the sense of purpose that had guided me thus far. Hurt and betrayal welled up inside me, threatening to consume me. "But I don't understand," I said, my voice choked with emotion, "I thought Master Fu trusted me..."

"Fu?! As in Wang Fu? Also known as Whiny Chicken Legs Fu?" Su-han's voice rang out, almost screeching as he did so. "That incompetent disciple unable to spend one entire day without eating, or doing a thousand finger push-ups?! Fu should never have been a guardian. That low-life never lived up to the hopes that were placed in him."

Defending Master Fu's honor, I mustered the courage to speak up, my voice tinged with frustration. "Master Fu may have made mistakes, but he dedicated his life to protecting the box and the Miraculous. He sacrificed everything to keep us safe, including his own memories."

Su-Han's eyes narrowed, his disbelief evident as he turned to face me. "You speak as if he's some noble hero. But where is the evidence of his greatness? Look around you! The Miraculous are missing from the box. He's lost a Miraculous too?! He's even more incompetent than I thought."

Curiosity piqued, Su-Han approached the Miracle Box, a sacred artifact that held the key to the world's protection. His gaze scanned the empty slots, his fingers tracing the vacant spaces that once held the Miraculous. But his attention was drawn to one specific absence.

"Plagg? Little girl, where is Plagg?" Su-Han demanded, his voice laced with urgency and concern.

"Now that I do know," I said, my voice tinged with apprehension, "Plagg is with his holder, Chat Noir."

Su-Han's eyes narrowed as he further pressed the issue, his curiosity getting the better of him. "And just who is this Chat Noir?" he demanded, his tone laced with skepticism.

I shifted uneasily, feeling the weight of Master Fu's teachings and the importance of secrecy pressing down on me. "Well, you see about that..." I stammered nervously, "Master Fu said we must always keep our identities a secret. Even from each other."

A look of disbelief washed over Su-Han's face, his expression a mix of frustration and disdain. "So this is the Modern World? Protected by a group of naive children? Pathetic," he scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. "A Guardian is never supposed to wear a Miraculous. Along with the fact that there are missing Miraculous and Plagg, of all Kwamis, is out roaming free! I guess the end of dinosaurs and dragons isn't enough of a warning."

His words struck a nerve within me, stirring a mix of defiance and doubt. Su-Han's presence was a reminder of the weight of responsibility that rested upon my shoulders. The legacy of the Miraculous and the protection of the world were not tasks to be taken lightly.

In a fit of frustration, Su-Han slammed his staff into the ground, the force reverberating through the air. "Enough of this!" he bellowed, his voice commanding attention. "Kwamis, return to your yin-yang positions within the box!"

“What do you think you're doing!” I yell out as all the kwami, minus Tikki, return to the box and He puts the box into his bag. 

Su-Han's eyes gleamed with a mix of authority and disdain as he pulled out a weathered book, its pages filled with ancient wisdom. It bore a striking resemblance to the Guardian Grimoire that Master Fu had entrusted to me.

"Let me remind you about some of the Perfect Precepts that you have broken," Su-Han declared, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of tradition. He flipped through the pages with reverence until he found the section he sought. "Precept 14: Kwamis must not live outside the box," he recited, his voice firm and unwavering. He continued flipping through the book, each turn revealing another transgression. "Precept 52: Guardians must never lose a Miraculous," he stated, his tone growing more accusatory with each word. "Precept 133: A guardian cannot, under any circumstances, wear a Miraculous."

The weight of Su-Han's words settled upon me, a heavy realization of the ancient rules I had unknowingly transgressed.”But Master Fu wore a miraculous.” I said meekly

"Precisely!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with triumph. "That just proves what I've been saying all along! Neither you nor Fu were up to the role of Guardian because neither of you has respect for the ancient absolute rules of our order!" His words echoed through the temple, the weight of centuries of tradition resonating in each syllable. "Not to mention the fact that no child should be a keeper of Kwamis! They are ultra-powerful cosmic entities! One must manage them with authority, which you are obviously incapable of doing."

"I would say I was doing a pretty good job of being a Guardian to the Kwamis!" I retorted, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt. The tears threatened to spill over, but I held them back, determined not to show weakness in front of Su-Han.

He scoffed dismissively, his towering presence casting a shadow over me. "Enough of this! Take me to Chat Noir, little girl!" he demanded, his voice dripping with impatience.

Caught between Su-Han's demand and my own instincts, I turned to Tikki, her wise eyes met mine, flickering with uncertainty.

"Do you think this is a good idea, Tikki?" I asked, my voice filled with doubt. I desperately needed her guidance in this moment of crisis.

Tikki shook her small head, her red pigtails swaying with the motion. "I don't know, Marinette," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of apprehension. "It might be best to do as he says. After all, he is the Celestial Guardian."

Taking a deep breath, I made a decision. "I guess you're right, Tikki," I conceded, my voice laced with determination. "But I won't let Su-Han dictate our every move. I'll find a way to protect Chat Noir while still fulfilling his demand."

With those words, I called upon the power of the Miraculous. "Tikki, spots on!" I exclaimed, my voice ringing out with unwavering resolve. In an instant, my transformation began, and I emerged as Ladybug.

Su-Han's eyes widened in shock and disapproval as he watched my transformation. "What are you doing with your weapon?" he bellowed, his voice filled with outrage.

I held up my yo-yo, a determined glint in my eyes. "Well, this is my bug-phone," I explained, my voice steady despite the rising tension. "It's how Chat Noir and I communicate, allowing us to coordinate our efforts and protect Paris."

Su-Han's anger seemed to simmer down, replaced by a grudging acceptance. "So, you do not have to send doves to communicate?" he asked, his voice softened slightly by curiosity.

I nodded, taking a moment to compose myself before leaving a message for Chat Noir. I swiftly dialed his number on my yo-yo, relaying the details of Su-Han's arrival and instructing him on where we should meet.

XoXo Rowan

[pinnpointing]

To One Coming North

BY CLAUDE MCKAY

At first you'll joy to see the playful snow,

Like white moths trembling on the tropic air,

Or waters of the hills that softly flow

Gracefully falling down a shining stair.

And when the fields and streets are covered white

And the wind-worried void is chilly, raw,

Or underneath a spell of heat and light

The cheerless frozen spots begin to thaw,

Like me you'll long for home, where birds' glad song

Means flowering lanes and leas and spaces dry,

And tender thoughts and feelings fine and strong,

Beneath a vivid silver-flecked blue sky.

But oh! more than the changeless southern isles,

When Spring has shed upon the earth her charm,

You'll love the Northland wreathed in golden smiles

By the miraculous sun turned glad and warm.

[ice-cream-writes-stuff]

IMAGINE..

《Catlad/Stray x Reader! HEADCANONS》

[ Mini Au at the end/separate: where Reader is Robin, while Tim Drake is Catlad! Miraculous Ladybug sorta vibe. [Vigilante Name]

-

Civilian Tim is a rich boy with neglectful parents, who often stalks Batman. But is found out by Catwoman. So, she strikes up a deal with Tim, where he becomes her little helper and he gets to meet Batman. He readily expects, becoming Catlad.

His parents don't die, but are aren't really present in his life. So Selina becomes his parental figure, she even shows off little pictures of them together when she teams up with Harley and Ivy on occasion.

Catlad Tim is cunning and witty. Often making snide remarks and cat-puns when he's confident.

Civilian Tim is shy, but popular, due to his status and smarts.

-

You smile stupidly as you gaze up at the clouds, lucky enough to make it on the roof of the apartment complex without getting caught. The warmth of the sunset tingling on your skin with the sky being painted in a cotton candy color.

"Well if it isn't Puur-incess! What's got you crawling out from your tower." A cheeky voice calls out, laughing at his own joke.

You roll your eyes, turning your attention to the thief.

"Thinking of my prince charming.." You reply, shoving him playfully.

"Oh..~" He wiggled his arms and made puckered lips. "How can I forgot, you talk about him almost all the time.." Catlad dramatically huffed.

You shrug, "I can't help it. I really like him, he's so-" Before you could rant, the cat themed thief interrupted you.

" "So sweet and nice, he's so handsome and cool! I could gush for hours!" " He mocked, trying to mimic your voice and expressions when you talked about your crush.

"Cut it out!" You yell, managing to put him in a headlock. Messing up his black strands of hair. Your face warm and hot like the sun. Smiling like a idiot.

"I GIVE! I GIVE!" He cried, pushing at your embrace.

You let go as the two of you laugh like lunatics together.

The both of you winding down as you sit together on the stony surface of the apartment building roof.

The sky losing it's pink, becoming a somber lilac..

"He'll be lucky.." Catlad utters out. "To be with someone like you. I m-mean." The sidekick said. Tracing the floor with his claw like gloves, watching you turn to face him. Full of hope, eyes brimming with love.

"You think?" You ask excitedly. Smiling like a fool in love.

"Yeah, your prince charming is probably dreaming to be with someone like you.. I would." He states absent-mindedly.

"Awww, Cat's!" You gush, quickly wrapping your arms around him in a hug. He stiffend at your touch, not used to such positive affection. But he slowly melts in your arms. (He was glad that Catwoman or any other villian wouldn't see him in such a relaxed state.)

"Maybe I should just steal you away.. But then you wouldn't get your happily ever after."

You heard him say, which in turn. Ignore, having gotten used to his flirty remarks. But wince when you felt a sharp pressures on your body.

"Cat's.. Your nails..! There digging into my skin!"

You call to the thief as his claws go deeper into your clothing fabric. He snaps out of it, retracting his claws, but not wanting to fully leave you.

"Sorry! I didn't hurt you, r-right?"

"No! Your good, just, ease up on the grip. Okay?"

"Yeah, yeah.."

The two of you soon depart, watching him jump away from roof to roof.

-

[If (Y/N) was Robin Mini Au Headcanon]

You would be some kid that Dick and Jason knew. Before Red Hood and beginning Nightwing era.

Bruce wants to adopt you, but you still have a family. So Robin for you, becomes sorta like a part/full time job.

You aren't as smart as Tim, but make up for it with positive traits that has the whole Batfam love you like a little sibling.

Instead of becoming Red Robin, I would see the reader be called [Vigilante Name]/Luckybird. For the saying, 《The Lucky Bird Catches The Worm!》

Tim crushes on your Alter Ego more than the real you. He doesn't know what's your actual identity even though he knows Batmans.

Tim has considered becoming a vigilante for you.

Has often tried to gain your affections while as Catlad in front of Batman.

-

"Heya Birdy~" Catlad calls out to you, waving the rare artifact him and Catwoman had just stolen.

Batman grunts at the teen, trying to protectively shield you with his large frame. Glaring menacingly at the sidekick from underneath his cowl.

Catwoman smirks at Batman, teasingly talking with her partner in crime. "C'mon kitten, why don't we give the Bats and your Bird a little chase?" She winked at the crime fighting duo.

"On it!" Passing a fake to Selina, the two of the cat themed vilians run off into the night.

-

[Comments and asks appreciated! Thanks for reading! Maybe I'll do another vigilante villian swap again!]

[edendaphne]

“Discordant Sonata” Chapter 18

>>Click here to read on Ao3<<

>>Click here to read on Wattpad<<

——-

CHAPTER 18: AFFETUOSO

 Music glossary:

 Affetuoso: to perform with passion and emotion

**Chapter illustration by @corgi-likes-chat​ **

----

(Mood Music: “Christofori’s Dream” - David Lanz)

Adrien’s eyelids fluttered open, a sleepy smile still present on his face. He breathed out a long, contented sigh, stretching his limbs out wide enough that they poked out of the bedcovers. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so well.

Last night, after Marinette awoke him from his most harrowing night terror to date, he’d fallen back asleep and something remarkable happened: for the second time in years, he’d actually had a pleasant dream. The only other time he hadn’t suffered from his usual nightmares ever since becoming Chat Noir was on the first night that he’d arrived at the Dupain-Cheng residence.

He tried to think back, wondering what might have caused this, not just last night, but back on that first day Marinette had brought him home. What did these two occurrences have in common?

His mouth quirked to the side and his brow furrowed, deep in thought, trying to remember. He wasn’t exactly in the best frame of mind when he’d arrived a couple of months back, given all that had happened when he ran away from his father; so it was no surprise that his memory of that night was hazy at best. Nevertheless, he hoped to find a correlation; if there was one, maybe he could figure out how to repeat it.

His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle hand sliding across his midsection. Disturbed by his movements, a smaller body rolled toward him, settling comfortably on his chest and breathing out a drowsy sigh.

He looked down and there she was: sweet, lovely Marinette; one of the dearest and most important people in his life. The raven-haired girl stirred, letting out a small whine; Adrien stilled, subconsciously holding his breath, not wanting to wake her and accidentally reveal his identity.

This became much harder when she reached around him, her fingers lightly skimming across his rib cage. His muscles tensed and he bit back a laugh; why did he have to be so darn ticklish?!

He readjusted himself, trying to shuffle out from underneath her; but she clinged to him like an overgrown barnacle, even in her unconscious state. I guess she’s a cuddler, he thought, and he couldn’t help but smile about how well that suited her.

It was still pretty dark in the room, as the sun hadn’t risen yet. He glanced over at the wall clock; he still had about an hour and a half before he had to report to work at the bakery, so he didn’t have to rush to get ready. Relieved, he sagged back down onto his pillow. He could relax for a little longer, he supposed.

Deciding to check his notifications while Marinette slept, he gingerly reached towards his nightstand to grab his phone, careful not to disturb her. He’d deactivated all his social media accounts since running away from home, so there weren’t very many notifications; there was a school-related email and a couple of late night funny memes from Nino.

Adrien checked the Ladyblog next. No news about any akumas this morning, thankfully. However, there were a few blurry snapshots of the previous night’s attack. He scrolled down for a bit, then stopped, his eyes popping open as he focused his attention on a particular photo.

He couldn’t suppress the lovestruck sigh that escaped his lips when he stared at a picture of Ladybug. His Lady was breathtaking, her eyes so ethereal, her smile utterly resplendent. She was indescribably beautiful, both inside and out and there was absolutely nothing he would change about her. He was hopelessly smitten, no doubt about it.

A few months ago, he would have berated himself for feeling this way about his mortal enemy. But his entire life had been turned upside down since then, and he wholeheartedly embraced this unexpected development.

The next photo was taken after the akuma was purified and the Miraculous Cure had set everything back to where it should be. Ladybug had seen that Alya was about to snap a photo, so she grabbed Chat and turned him around to face the camera, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. She grinned widely, and did a peace sign with her free hand. So cute.

He glanced over to his own face and instinctively grimaced. He was winking at the camera with a goofy, cheerful salute, not bothering to channel the suave, sophisticated mannerisms of a proper model that he’d incurred over the years. God, I’m so cringy, he thought.

Nevertheless, he saved the picture onto his phone. It was the first photo of them together like this, as opposed to impersonal ones taken by the media from afar, or during press releases and interviews.

It had only been posted a few hours ago, but already it had thousands of likes and comments. He didn’t dare look through those, however. Not since he first discovered the kinds of things people wrote about Chat Noir, both before and after his change in alliances. It was better to avoid those, lest he ruin his day reading about how much some people still hated him.

But he remembered Marinette’s words from the night before. She was right; he had to have hope, and believe that things would slowly get better. Attitude was everything.

Speaking of Marinette…

He looked down at his roommate once again. By this point, she’d slinked and climbed almost entirely on top of him, utilizing him like a mattress. His eyebrows scrunched together, and he wondered how in the world he’d be able to slip out of bed undetected.

All the stealth-based videogames I’ve ever played have prepared me for this moment. I got this!! he thought, hyping himself up.

Taking a deep breath in, he rolled over to his side, managing to slide Marinette’s ragdoll-like form back onto the mattress. She made a small noise and he froze, electricity crawling up the back of his neck. A few tense moments passed, and her stirring subsided, her breathing becoming slow and even once again. He exhaled, just now realizing he’d been holding his breath.

Freedom!! Adrien celebrated as he stood, stretching his arms high over his head, taking care not to hit the ceiling lights. His skin felt grimy with dried sweat from the night before; a shower was exactly what he needed right now. He tiptoed over to get a change of clothes from the dresser, giving the occasional glance towards the bed to make sure Marinette was still asleep.

As he made his way to the bathroom, he stopped by her side, a warm smile spreading across his face. He bent over and gave the top of her head a small kiss. Where would he be without her and her family? She and Sabine especially went out of their way to help him feel at home, to make him feel like he belonged, instead of treating him like a nuisance, or like some freeloader just taking up space. He loved them all so much; he vowed to himself to make it up to them someday.

He pulled the bedcovers up to Marinette’s shoulders so she wouldn’t miss the extra warmth too much, then made his way to the bathroom to start the day.

--

Marinette stirred, enveloped in softness and a familiar scent of spice and fresh rain. Eyes still closed, she extended her arm, reaching for the oversized cat pillow on her bed that she always liked to cuddle.

Her searching hand found something soft. Aha! She brought it closer, snuggling it tight, then began to get comfortable again. But then, her pillow started poking her cheek, over and over and over. The pillow’s poking only intensified when she tried squeezing it even harder. How rude!

Wait... what?

A single eyelid groggily slid open, meeting a small pair of eyes of a distinctive shade of green. A rather frazzled-looking Plagg stared back, his expression unamused from being squished between her and the pillow she was hugging.

“Sorry, Plagg,” she slurred sleepily as she pulled away to give him some space. “What are you doing here?”

He crossed his little arms, raising a brow. “I live here, remember?”

“But why are you in my room–– oh, wait…” she stopped, the memory of last night starting to rush back to her. This wasn’t her room; it was Chat’s. She’d slept in his room last night. And the bed she was lying in was his bed. These were his blankets and pillows, and they carried his scent. Heat rose to her face and a multitude of imaginary butterflies swarmed in her stomach as she realized that she’d actually spent the night with him, albeit under less than ideal circumstances.

And then a second realization dawned on her: Chat Noir was gone.

She sat up with a start, her head whipping back and forth to search for him. As she was about to panic, she heard the shower running in the en suite bathroom, punctuated by some cheerful humming. With a heavy, relieved sigh, she laid back down, careful not to squish the tiny cat god next to her.

“By the way, Little Bug,” Plagg murmured, meekly rubbing the back of his head. “Thanks for helping my kid last night.”

“Oh, of course, Plagg!” she replied. “I’m always happy to help however I can.”

He gave her a melancholy smile. “I just wish there was more I could’ve done. I tried waking him up myself, but he couldn’t hear me at all, no matter how hard I tried.” He sighed, twisting his mouth into a pained frown. “He doesn’t deserve this. He's already gone through so much.”

“Plagg, no, it’s okay! You did your best, and I’m sure Chat knows that too. I’m just glad I was able to get through to him. It was lucky that I happened to be downstairs at that time. Chat couldn’t ask for a better friend than you.”

Plagg grinned widely at her. “I always knew I liked you,” he remarked, scooting closer and nuzzling into her.

Marinette smiled back, returning the hug and kissing the top of his head, followed by providing him with some gentle scratches behind the ears. He let out a small, contented purr as he leaned into her hand.

After a few moments of hesitation, Plagg spoke again, “Little Bug, there’s... something else you need to know.”

They pulled apart, and Marinette eyed him with trepidation. “What is it?”

“It was too dark, so you didn’t see it, but–” he said with a grim tone in his voice, “–I need to let you know what really happened last night.”

“Huh?” Marinette’s eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. “What do you mean? I know he said his night terrors aren’t usually this bad, but was there something else?”

A dark look flickered on Plagg’s face. “Hawkmoth tried to akumatize him last night.”

Marinette felt like she’d been dropped into a vat of ice water. “W- WHAT?!” she sputtered. “B-but how is that possible?! Akumatized?? He was asleep! Hawkmoth can’t akumatize people who are unconscious!!” She paused, pondering the possibility. “Right…?”

“It’s tricky, but not impossible,” Plagg replied. “Hawkmoth knows about Chat Noir’s nightmares, so he must’ve sensed his opportunity and finally taken it last night.”

Marinette brought a hand to her temple in disbelief.

Plagg continued, “I don’t know why he decided to try it now, instead of when he first ran away. And what if–” he gulped, and his voice quavered slightly as he continued, unable to conceal his fear, “What if he tries it again? What if he tries it every night?”

“No… he wouldn’t… he can’t!!” Marinette cried, staring at the bathroom door, her mind racing a million miles a minute. She clenched her fists as she tried not to give into the feelings of dismay and anxiety that were clawing away at her. “Plagg… What do we do?! Hawkmoth’s patterns seem to be getting more erratic and desperate recently. Is he under some kind of deadline? Why is he doing this??”

“I can think of a couple of reasons,” Tikki answered from across the room.

Marinette practically leaped off the bed in surprise due to Tikki’s abrupt entrance. “Tikki!” she exclaimed.

The brightly colored kwami hovered towards them and elaborated, “Firstly, as Chat grows older, his powers will continue to get stronger, as will yours, so you’ll be more difficult for Hawkmoth to defeat as time goes on. Secondly, I think the effects of misusing the butterfly miraculous must be catching up to him as well. His desperation suggests that maybe he thinks he’s running out of time.”

“Out of time? What do you mean?” Marinette asked, confused.

Plagg sighed. “It’s his health,” he answered. "He wasn’t doing very well even before we left. Slowly but steadily, it’s been getting worse for a while.” He turned to face Tikki. “You think Hawkmoth believes that he’s gonna… you know... soon?”

Tikki shrugged in response, her expression blank.

“Oh… I see,” Marinette said, her voice almost a whisper.

Her mind raced, a torrent of emotions crashing into her simultaneously, like a rowboat in a tempest, slamming into a cliffside without respite.

She wasn’t sure how to feel about this new information. Her chest felt tight, like it did when she wanted to cry. Should she feel happy or sad that her mortal enemy was getting sicker and sicker, to the point where his life was potentially in danger? Was it okay to feel–dare she say it– relieved?

What was she supposed to think? As a hero, was it more important to be merciful, or was it more important to be just? Her heart felt like it was being pulled in two completely opposite directions. Despite hating the man with every fiber of her being, part of her thought that maybe dying was too extreme a punishment. And yet, at the same time, the hurt, embittered part of herself thought that maybe dying would be too easy, like he was getting let off the hook instead of being forced to acknowledge his wrongs and feel remorse for the horrible things he’d done.

For years, she’d dreamed about the day when Hawkmoth would be defeated and his miraculous confiscated. It was supposed to be a happy time, full of rejoicing and excitement. But she’d never considered the possibility that Hawkmoth would be defeated by an entirely different force, one that she had no say in how or when it happened. It didn’t feel fair. She hated feeling this powerless.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a brief tug at her sleeve. She looked down at Tikki, who motioned towards the bathroom with a small nod. It was then that she noticed the noise–or rather– the absence of it, which could only mean one thing: Chat Noir had finished his shower, and he’d be coming out of the bathroom any minute now.

“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Tikki whispered.

Marinette nodded. She turned to Plagg and whispered, “We’ll talk more later. I’ll call Master Fu later today and see if he has any advice.”

“M’kay. See ya,” he replied with a small wave. “Bye, Sugarcube.”

Tikki looked back and gave him a reassuring smile, then followed Marinette out the door.

Plagg hovered towards the windowsill while he waited for his charge, plopping down with a heavy sigh. He leaned against the window, taking in the many colors of the dawn sky, which looked almost too bright and vibrant for his liking. How dare the heavens look so beautiful while he felt so miserable inside? The day hadn’t even really started, and yet the only thing he wanted to do was to just crawl back into bed. He dearly hoped that the heavy, uneasy feeling in his gut would go away soon.

(A short while later)

Work at the bakery had been lively and hectic today; so much so that Chat Noir had to be reminded when his shift was over and that he needed to head to school. He gave Sabine a parting hug, the latter thanking him for his hard work and giving him some encouraging words as she helped dust the flour off his suit and hair.

Chat retrieved his cloak from a coat hanger by the door and stepped into the stairwell that led to the living quarters, so that he could retrieve his school supplies and exit through Marinette’s balcony trap door as he normally did. That was definitely one of the plus sides of working in the kitchen while transformed; he could wear his school outfit underneath and not require a change of clothes or a shower when he was through. He could merely detransform and be good as new.

As he ascended up the stairs, he heard a familiar deep voice call out to him from below. Chat froze, then turned around, trying to keep his nerves under control.

“Could I speak with you for a minute?” Tom asked.

Uh-oh.

“O-of course, Mr. Dupain,” Chat replied, trying to keep his voice even despite his nerves.

Tom’s face was mostly neutral, but his body was rigid and there was a hint of gloom in his eyes. Chat did his best not to cringe as he stood in front of the much taller man who, despite not being a superhero, looked like he could toss him clear to the Eiffel Tower if he felt like it. To prevent himself from fidgeting, Chat finally opted to stick his hands inside his pockets.

“What is it, sir? D-did I do something wrong?” he asked. “I was running a bit late, so I apologize if I didn’t put something back in the right spot. O-or did I mess up an order?? I’m sorry, I can go back and fix… whatever it is!”

“No, everything’s fine; it’s something else,” he answered, and Chat felt the stiffness in his shoulders ease a tiny bit.

However, it came back full force when Tom didn’t say anything else. Chat’s heartbeat sped up as they stood face to face in silence, unsure of the route this conversation was about to take.

What else could he be in trouble for? Did he find out Marinette had fallen asleep in his bedroom yesterday? Oh no… Did Tom think he and Marinette had… done something unseemly together last night?! Was he getting kicked out of the house?? His mind raced and his chest thumped, and he prepared himself to beg on his knees for forgiveness if need be.

A few agonizingly long and awkward seconds later, Tom spoke again, “Chat Noir… I wanted to apologize to you.”

“Oh, I see. Wait… WHAT?!?” Chat felt like someone had yanked the carpet out from underneath him. “Apologize?? What for?”

Tom lifted his arm to rub the back of his head, his entire posture taut as a bowstring. “We didn’t really get off on the right foot, you and I. You’ve been nothing but cordial and polite, and all I’ve done since you arrived is give you the cold shoulder, and for that I’m truly sorry. I wanted to clear the air and start over, if that’s okay with you.”

“Mr. Dupain! N-no, please, it’s okay!” Chat sputtered, his hands waving frantically. “I totally understand why you would have reservations about me living here, o-or even interacting with you guys at all! They’re totally justified concerns! I mean, up until a few months ago, I was still working with Hawkmoth; so the fact that you even allowed me into your home at all is incredibly kind of you! I’ve never felt any ill will towards you, I swear! You were just doing what any good father would––” he trailed off, trying to keep the melancholy out of his voice, “–would do.”

Tom winced and sighed heavily, crossing his arms. “That’s exactly my point, though. It may have been justified at first, but that was back then . I tolerated you for the sake of my wife and daughter, but I was always suspicious. I should’ve given you a chance instead of just judging you for no reason, especially after all this time. So I wanted to try to make it up to you.”

It was then that Tom brought something shiny out of his shirt pocket. It was an adorable little keychain shaped like a croissant. But wait… no, it wasn’t just a keychain, Chat realized. There was a key dangling on the end. A house key. Tom handed it over, doing his best to try to conceal a timid smile.

Chat gaped at him, reeling from what was happening. “I… I don’t know what to say. That is so generous of you! Thank you, Mr. Dupain,” he replied meekly, staring into his hands at the key. HIS key.

He felt the man’s large hand pat him on the shoulder and Chat looked up, meeting his soft, forest green eyes. “Please, call me Tom.”

Chat had to consciously fight the urge to let his jaw drop. If he wasn’t dreaming last night with Ladybug’s revelation, he was surely dreaming now. “Y-yes, sir! Uhh, Mr. Tom, sir. Uhh, I mean…” he stammered, still not recovered from having been gobsmacked out of nowhere.

The older man gave out a hearty laugh. “Just Tom. And please, if there’s anything you need, just say the word. Even if it’s just someone to lend an ear. You’ve got a good heart despite the bad hand that’s been dealt to you, and you have so much potential. We’re happy to have you in our family, even if you’re only here temporarily. Just know you’ll always have a home here with us.”

Chat’s heart swelled with affection, so full that it felt like it might burst, and his eyesight became blurry with unshed tears. He threw his arms around the giant man in front of him, someone who he never thought would fully accept him, squeezing hard.

“Thank you, Tom! Thank you so much, I’m just–” he let out a shuddering sigh then continued, voice cracking, “–thank you.”

Tom squeezed back firmly, giving him an affectionate pat. Failing to hide a sniffle, he then added, “I should let you get going, I don’t wanna make you late for school.” The pair pulled apart, and Tom ruffled Chat’s hair. “Be safe out there, kiddo.”

After saying their goodbyes, Chat bounded up the stairs, practically floating with glee. He’d missed this feeling; the feeling of being part of a family. As he emerged onto the rooftop balcony, he took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air, his heart full of excitement and hope.

He arrived at the school in high spirits and a huge grin on his face. He detransformed in a discreet location and practically skipped to the school’s entrance; then he entered the campus, carefree, joyful, and blissfully unaware of the dark eyes that followed him inside.

[thedeathdeelers]

soft early mornings

he doesn’t remember falling asleep, but when he opens his eyes he’s greeted by the sun’s rays filtering through the mass of curls tickling his cheek and blurring his vision.

it takes him a moment to reorient himself, to realise he had fallen asleep in julie molina’s bed, and another moment to feel his heart rate pick up. so many questions and impossible thoughts pop into his head, but the second he breathes in, a familiar scent fills his lungs, grounding him almost immediately.

it snuffs out any panic he started to feel from the revelation, and helps him refocus his thoughts on the girl in his arms.

he exhales slowly, watching as his breath ruffles the curls that cross its path, leaving behind a small trail of goosebumps on the back of her neck.

he feels her shiver against him at the disturbance, the curls previously tickling his cheek shifting and moving away as she turns around in her sleep to face him. he barely has time to readjust his cramping arm before she’s facing him, burrowing her face in his neck while her fingers come up near his heart to bunch up the fabric of his t-shirt in their grasp.

he tries not to move, tries to control his breathing, but at the feel of her breath on his skin, he can’t but help the shiver that makes its way down his spine. all he wants to do in this moment is savour in the warm weight snuggling up to him and enjoy the private bubble he finds himself in - one where real life and unrequited love and possible heart ache don’t exist.

one where it’s just him and julie under the warm glow of the rising sun. one where he has the courage to tell her the truth, and have her miraculously love him back just as much as he does her.

maybe one day, but for now he’ll let himself melt into her sleeping embrace, taking in every single detail on her carefree sleeping face for as long as he can.

he’s only shaken out of his thoughts when two deep brown eyes turned golden in the sunlight flutter open, long eyelashes brushing against soft cheeks.

he holds his breath, expecting her to pull away, to break the bubble he woke up in. he gets ready to school his features, to hide any pain he might feel but instead he’s — he’s in shock.

her eyes are trained on his, a small smile curling her lips.

“hi.”

luke blinks at her a few times, his brain struggling to catch up.

“uh- uh hi. hey,” he tries to quietly clear his throat, struggling to calm his racing heartbeat.

“i’m glad you stayed. you’re definitely more comfortable than my pillow.”

and he can hear it in her voice that she’s still not fully awake, sees her eyelids start to flutter shut once more, but he can’t help the hope rising in his chest.

is this- does she want this?

“of- of course jules. i- ya.”

“mm, very articulate, boy band.”

he can feel her drifting off again, her face snuggling into his chest, her fingers holding onto him to keep him close.

“love you,” she mumbles, right before he feels her press a whisper of a kiss right over his heart.

his heart drums against his ribcage at the contact, at the words, singing to julie and only julie just like it always does.

“love you too, julie.”

he presses his face against her mass of hair, kissing the top of her head.

maybe it’s not as hopeless as he thinks it is.

maybe he’ll tell her soon.

[kimistorm]

Dancing in the rain [Bang Chan]

Fandom: Stray Kids

Pairing: [Chan x GN! Reader]

Warnings: mentions of thunder, but it's depicted in a more serene view and not scary

Word count: 1.5 k

Requested by: SKZ8BLACKPINK4 on Quotev

Prompts: “Thanks, it's the insomnia."

Chan blinked awake when he heard the soft closing of the door to your shared room. He tiredly reached a hand towards your side of the bed and came up empty, but still slightly warm. It was one of those miraculous nights where the two of you were able to fall asleep at the same time, but it seemed like you had other plans.

He let out a yawn before sitting up in bed and looking around through nearly-closed eyes as he tried to figure out what was happening. It was still dark, and turning on his phone (through even more squinted eyes) told him it was a little after 4 am. He let out a groan from the fatigue still weighing down on his bones before falling face-first into his pillows. He was sure you’d come back, you were probably just getting water.

His eyes closed fully and he readjusted himself to get more comfortable, but it was no good. His mind was already awake. Felix said he was going to swing by later to drop off some cookies. And he needed to pester Changbin about sending him a sample of the rap he was putting together. What were you doing? He couldn’t hear the sounds of anything awake in the rest of your shared apartment. A cool beat started playing in his head and he tried to commit it to memory to transpose once he woke up. Maybe it was a beat that Han could use, he could imagine Han doing some lyrical rapping to it. Were you okay? It’s been a while. Oh, and is that thunder outside?

A groan of defeat emitted from his throat as he sat up fully and pulled himself out of bed. If he was awake, may as well try and do something productive. The carpeted floor was soft against his feet as he pulled open the door to the bedroom and headed out into the living area. He was going to head into the kitchen to grab a drink, but he noticed the door to the patio open, and that stopped him in his tracks.

He nearly let out a shriek when he saw someone on the balcony, but his brain caught up at the last second and realized it was just you. There was a warm smile on his face as he crossed the living room to see you on the balcony. Aided by the fact you left the door open, he silently slipped his arms around you and rested his chin on your shoulder in a back hug. “Sorry,” you rubbed at his arms that were around your waist, “did I wake you up?”

“It’s okay,” he murmured back in his warm, low voice. “What are you doing out here? It’s like 4 am.”

“As if you can argue against that,” you teased with a smile, “Mr. disastrous sleep schedule.”

He rolled his eyes at your jab, “thanks, it’s the insomnia. But,” he pressed a quick kiss to your cheek, “I’m still asking.” There was a flash of light followed by a rolling rumble that made him realize that yes. It was thunder storming outside.

“It’s raining.” He hummed in agreeance and nuzzled his face into your neck, “it’s wonderful.” You took in a deep breath and smiled as you inhaled the wet earth smell. The gentle pittering of the rain interrupted by thunder was all you could hear as down below, there was hardly a car on the street. There was another flash of lightning and you gasped as you saw it fork through the sky before there was a crack of thunder. “I kind of want to dance in it.”

That got Chan to open his eyes fully as he looked at you with concern and shock barely illuminated on his face. “You want to dance in it?” he repeated, not sure that he heard it in his still-waking-up state.

You stuck a hand beyond the balcony to let raindrops cover it and you were pleased to find it cool, but not hard. “It’s not bad. And tomorrow’s Saturday anyway.” Chan himself wasn’t super keen on getting wet in his clothes, especially because it was cold and he was definitely not going to wear swim trunks out there. “Do you want to dance with me?” But he was totally whipped for you. “It’ll be less than five minutes...probably.” He couldn't say no.

“Right now?” he couldn’t help but ask as he glanced down at his outfit to confirm that he was shirtless and in a pair of sweatpants.

You glanced at him with a bit of a spark in your eye as you nudged him, “after you put on a shirt.” You turned back to the rain wistfully, “it might pass soon.”

He gently tugged you back inside and you looked at him in confusion, “grab your keys.” You grinned at his small confirmation as you hurried to put on one of the light jackets you had left on the couch and your keys from the little box at the door. Chan emerged from your room with a light jacket covering his bare chest and the two of you slipped out of your apartment.

When you got outside, you let out a giggle of delight as you spun around under the downpour. It may have gotten harder, but you didn’t mind. Your sandal-clad feet stepped in several puddles and your joyful shouts seemed out of place in the otherwise silence of the night. You noticed Chan still standing apprehensively under the overhang in front of your apartment complex, “may I have this dance?” you asked as you extended a hand out to him.

His face melted into a smile as he looked at you nearly perfectly illuminated under one of the streetlights. “Can’t leave you hanging, can I?” he asked as he confidently stepped out to take your hand, “that wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me.”

You smiled as the two of you did a janky version of the waltz under the falling rain. Your feet were soaked as you breezed through puddles and the sky continued to be punctuated with bursts of lightning and thunder. “Thanks Chan.” You murmured as you leaned into his chest, the two of you swaying in place.

“Anything for you babe.”

It was a gust of wind that caused you to sneeze that finally pulled the two of you back into the safety of the building. Your fingers were cold and clumsy as you shoved the key into the lock to gain access to your apartment and you couldn’t help but burst into laughter once the door shut.

“What?” Chan asked gently as he pulled you into another wet hug.

“Nothing.” You smiled, “just happy.”

Chan felt a smile grow on his face as well, your joy was just infectious like that. “I’m glad you’re happy.” He started pulling the two of you to the bathroom, “but let’s get dried off.”

It wasn’t long until the two of you were in dry, warm clothes and back in bed. You cooed as you ran your hand through his hair, as it got curly from the rain and the somewhat aggressive towel dry. “Felix is coming by later today.” Chan reported as the two of you cuddled and began to drift into sleep.

“K.���

Luckily for Chan, he was able to fall asleep. Though it felt like only minutes as he was woken up by rapid knocking and his phone vibrating wildly.

“Is that Felix?” you squinted as you stared at his phone. Your room was a lot brighter now that the sun had risen.

“Probably.” Chan groaned as he pulled himself out of bed. “You can go back to bed,” he protested when he noticed you were also crawling out.

“I’ll make breakfast.” You smiled as the two of you emerged from your room to answer the door.

“Took you long enough,” Changbin couldn’t help but bite in annoyance when Chan finally opened the door.

"You're not Felix."

Changbin scoffed, "feeling the welcome."

“Sorry,” Chan replied as he rubbed his face. "I thought Felix was coming over today."

“He is," Changbin agreed, "he was baking enough cookies to feed an army earlier today. Hey (y/n)!” your guest waved his hand as he noticed you in the kitchen making coffee.

“Hey Changbin, how’ve you been?”

“Did the two of you just wake up?” he asked as he looked between the two of you with slight eye bags and general ‘I just woke up’ vibes.

“Yeah.” Chan replied as he searched through the apartment for his laptop.

“Rough night?” Changbin asked with a smirk.

“Seo Changbin!” you shouted and threw a pot holder at him who easily ducked and ran away laughing.

Masterlist

AN: Oops, I did not mean to disappear for over a month. I'm sorry!! Haha but inspiration struck (as usual) in the middle of the night, so apologies if this is a little messy as it's completely unedited (I didn't want to leave you guys hanging ^^;). On another note more related to skz, NOEASY! So excited!! I'm loving Felix's big hat and Chan's been getting way too comfortable with crop tops. Are you sure you're foive sir?? xD

[babbushka]

Hey, lovely 💕

Loving the Zodiac Prompt Game idea SO MUCH! My top 4 are: Capricorn Sun, Pisces Moon, Aquarius Venus, and Scorpio Rising.

As for a character, I'm thinking Clyde.

Thanks for being awesome!

A/N: Thank you so much for sending this in my friend! I hope that you enjoy this vignette, it was a tricky one for sure!

It wasn’t often that you and Clyde went away on a vacation of sorts, him runnin’ the tavern and all. With the turn in the weather towards the chilly, folks more than ever wanted a stoppin’ place to fill themselves with warm food and drink. Clyde was gettin’ older though, and you could tell the cold was doin’ a number on him, especially on his arm. After losin’ his hand in the war, somethin’ about the aches and pains magnified in Clyde’s joints, and you worried for him.

So, in an effort to get him someplace where the weather doesn’t do him harm, you’ve surprised Clyde with a trip to the Caribbean. Jimmy and Mel both agreed to look over the tavern while you and your husband were away, which was the only reason Clyde agreed to go, and you can tell that he’s glad he did.

On the island of Vieques, you and Clyde find yourselves strolling along the warm watered shore. Palm trees line the view, a much different background than the one you call home in West Virginia. Puerto Rico was beautiful year round, but something about the tropics in winter appealed to your senses even more. It was difficult to travel to, but the trip had been worth it -- especially now, at dusk.

“Watch the waters,” You tell Clyde, who has been nearly silent the entire trip, simply soaking it all in. “Watch the shore.”

With a slight frown of curiosity, Clyde fixes his gaze to the line where the water meets the sand, as the sun begins to fully set, and the moon casts its silvery glow against the world. It is not just the moon, however, and you can see the reflection of the water in Clyde’s wide eyes as a bioluminescent display erupts in the ocean beyond.

Millions and millions of pinpricks of blue light illuminate the water with each lapping of the waves, and Clyde at once rushes forward to touch the water, to hold it in his hand. You happily run with him down to the water, not caring one bit if your clothing gets wet. Clyde scoops up a handful of the sea and pulls it up to his face, inspecting it. It is magnificent, watching your husband see this for the first time.

In fact, it is like magic in its own right, the way the waves shine. Clyde picks something else up, just then you notice. Something silver and glinting in the sea. He holds it up in the moonlight and you both know it to be a cross, held on a clasp on a long black cord. Clyde throws it back, letting it return to the ocean, knowing whoever threw it there in the first place had done so for a reason.

You sit down on the shore, not too far from the water’s edge, and Clyde joins you. He won’t say so, but he is grateful for this quiet experience, this escape from the mundane, from the cold. And more than that, he is grateful for you, for the way you hold his hand and rub his arm, leaning your head on his shoulder and watching the miraculously blue display all evening long.

Tagging some friends! If you'd like to be tagged in future works, please fill out THIS form!

@sunflowersinthesnow @iamburdened @Painttheskylineforme @safarigirlsp @mrs-gucci @darkhairedmenrule @einmal-im-traum @justlenastuff @Simpin-mama @angel-bxby3 @lovelovingbouquetwonderland @depressedkyloren

Credit for the images from this twitter thread!

[ashbrea381writings]

Fractals and Feathers:Pt1

For as long as Damian could remember, his grandfather had grumbled about his wings. The outer color was fitting for the League, a deep pine green with brown eye-markings near the base. The underside, however… Were a soft, baby pink that faded into a grey-white. His soulmate was obviously some civilian girl who had no problems in her life. “It is unbecoming. If you were to ever meet this person, you must end them on sight, salvage some form of dignity.” Ra’s lectured, sneering down at Damian. “If you fail to do this, you will lose the right to have wings at all.” With that threat, Ra’s swept out of the training room, leaving Damian to consider what he must do.

The next five years were spent with Damian training hard, the threat of having his wings removed hanging over his head. He kept an eye out for his soulmate anytime he was out on a mission either with his mother or when he was alone. He was determined to not get his wings ripped from him, no matter what fate wanted for him. This went on until the fateful day his mother took him away from all he knew, and left him with his father. His father’s wings were jet black with small points of pure white like stars on the underside and slate grey with blue and purple markings on the outside. Damian didn’t care about the colors of the other boys’ wings, and ignored the color of his own, choosing to keep them tucked close enough that only the grey edges of the bottoms showed at all. This is why it took him 2 weeks to notice the first cracks.

****

Marinette had always found the dichotomy of her wings interesting. The light, pale pink fading to grey on the back, and the dark pine green on the underside. She thought it was pretty, and just a bit mysterious. Somehow, on hot days the inside of her wings would be just a bit cooler than the rest of her, soothing the heat just enough to be comfortable. On cold days, they gave off the heat of the summer sun, warming her through the cold nights in her attic bedroom. When Marinette got her miraculous, she worried about her wings giving her away, but instead of her pink/grey and green wings, she found that the pink was replaced by bright red with black dots, and the green was changed to black with red dots. Meeting up with Chat, she found him with startling acid-green and black patterned wings. “I guess they want to protect our identities.” He joked, laughing and admiring the pattern. “Let’s not focus on that, Kitty.” She sighed and turned to face Stoneheart. “This is scary enough as is without thinking about if they didn’t hide our wing colors.” “True… Let’s go.” His face turned suddenly serious. “Do you have a plan?” Stoneheart took time to defeat, and Ladybug forgot the Akuma, so they had to clean it up later, but… They were pretty happy with the partners they were starting to become. They started to get to know each other, not revealing identities, but learning everything else about each other. Until one day, Chat brought up something interesting. “Hey, what happens to your wings if something happens to your soulmate?” “Why do you ask, Kitty?” Ladybug paused as she was unpacking the dinner she’d brought with the two of them. “Someone I know, they commented about the color of a person’s wings when we were out together. They said something about how that person had lost their soulmate. Nobody ever said anything to me about the colors changing if we lose them.” He stared at his gloved palms, seeming to not see anything at all. “Why? Did yours change color recently?” Ladybug asked, alarmed. “No! No, they’re the same as always, but… My… My mother disappeared a while ago, and I want to know what to look for and how to know what happened to her if I see my father’s wings change.” He sighed deeply, dropping his head into his hands. “I know I can’t say more because we can’t know who each other are, but I just… I’m so terrified to see them changed one day.” Ladybug wrapped an arm and wing around Chat, pulling him to lean on her shoulder. “Oh Cat. I can tell you, but try to stay positive, okay?” At his nod, she continued. “Your color on the underside of your wings will change if your soulmate dies. If they die of old age, they turn pure white, if they were sick, pure black, if they had an accident, they become silver, if they died a hero or sacrificed themselves for someone, they turn gold, and… If they were killed, they turn blood red.” Ladybug sighed at the end and hugged Chat tighter. “Does your father have any of those colors without any other color or pattern? It’s only plain colors with no other pattern for if the person has died.” Chat took a deep breath, shaking his head, “No, they still look like Mom’s wings as of last I saw them. We… Don’t talk much.” He hugged Ladybug tightly, wrapping his wings around under the one she had put over his shoulders. “Thanks, Bug, I’m glad I know now… At least I know she’s still alive out there. Somewhere.” They finished their dinner, flying a circuit around Paris to make sure all is well before they called it a night. The next few weeks passed, and they kept up with the Akuma Victims, making sure to check in on the victims after each fight. The people of Paris started noticing something odd as this continued though. The Akuma fights, even though all damage was reversed after each one, were affecting their wings and those of their soulmates.

***

Damian squinted at the small spider-webbing of cracks that glowed gold on the underside of his wings. It reminded him of kintsugi in appearance, subtle cracks that showed gold between the usual colors. “Father, what does this mean? I thought your wings only changed color if your soulmate died?” He finally asked after the number of cracks increased to stretch in geometric patterns across the pink and grey feathers. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen this before.” Bruce frowned, looking closely and waving Tim over to him. “Will you try to find anything you can about this phenomena?” Uncharacteristically serious, Tim nodded and went to work right away, his red and black wings draped over his chair comfortably. Damian turned away before he noticed the colors inside his wings, not wanting to know. A sharp beep alerted him to his phone, and he raised an eyebrow at the photo. “It would seem Kent is having a similar problem.” He showed Tim the photo Jon had sent of his own wings, the blonde and emerald green feathers also showing cracks, in a similar geometric pattern, but in a mix of gold and blood red. “I shall inform him that we are already looking into it.” “Yes, let Jon know that we’re working on it. If his case increases at any point, or anyone else around him experiences it, have him notify us.” Tim called over his shoulder as he continued to work on the program he was making to search with.

***

How long does it take for your wings to change color when your soulmate dies?

Marinette chewed her fingernail as she scrolled through the results, reading a few different reports comparing the reported time of death and when the soulmates’ wings changed color, mostly reported by hospitals in the case of illness or death. “Within two or three minutes. That explains a lot, actually. But then why are they not completely changed, just showing cracks?” “You have dealt with some pretty destructive Akuma recently.” Tikki recalled from her place on her Chosen’s shoulder. “Maybe those only kinda count because they would have been permanent if you hadn’t done the Cure?” “I suppose. Syren was pretty intense, and so many of the people who have the markings were probably people whose loved ones and even they themselves drowned.” Marinette sighed. “I wonder what Mamman and Papa think about all this?” “You could probably ask them… It isn’t so strange to wonder since you can see the cracks in their wings, and in other people’s at school.” Tikki suggested. “Good idea, what would I do without you?” Marinette giggled, patting Tikki’s head and opening the edge of her blazer so Tikki could listen in from there. The bakery was quiet at the moment, so Marinette had little trouble catching a few minutes of her parents’ time. “What do you think about them? I saw Alya and Nino with the markings at school and I’m not sure what they mean.” “Well, I’ve seen them before, but not this much on one person.” Her Papa said carefully, “Your Grandpa Roland had a heart attack not long before your Maman and I got together. Did you notice the black edging to some of Grandma Gina’s feathers?” “I thought she just had black markings.” Marinette answered softly. “On the back of her wings, yes, but his wings are just grey and white with the black tips.” Tom sighed, rubbing his face. “This many cracks��� and the mix of colors. It’s very unusual. I can only assume it’s because of the akuma attacks. Which means that either your soulmate is very lucky, or they aren’t in Paris.”

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette Dupain-Cheng’s Spite Playlist: Remix CH13

When Alya is so close, but so far. Will she sus out Lila this time around? Stay tuned ;)

Previous     First      Next    AO3

-------------------------

Chapter 13: Sorry Not Sorry

“Ladybug and Chat Noir defeated another supervillain with the help of their new sidekick Malin.”

Alya hugged her knees to her chest, the news footage broadcasting on TV. Ladybug had given out the fox Miraculous again, only this time, she didn't pick her.

“Al? You okay?”

Alya blinked, turning to Nino who sat beside her wearing a worried crease on his brow. She swallowed the lump in her throat and shrugged.

“I…” She shifted back to the TV. “I don’t know.”

“You’re upset.”

It was a statement, not a question. Alya bit her lip as tears welled in her eyes before burying her face in his shirt with a nod.

“She picked someone else!” she wailed. “Why didn’t she come to me?”

Nino wrapped his arms around her, leaning his head against hers. “Maybe she didn’t have time,” he reasoned. “The akuma was on the other side of town, so maybe she needed someone close.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right…” She sniffled. “Maybe I’m overreacting.”

“Ladybug and Lila are bffs, so why don’t you ask Lila to talk to her for you?” Nino suggested.

Or so she said.

Alya pursed her lips. She didn’t know what to believe anymore when it came to Lila. Adrien hated lying, and so did Marinette. But everything just seemed too convenient. There was no doubt in her mind that Marinette thought she was telling the truth, but how much were her feelings for Adrien clouding her judgment? And if Adrien was getting his stories from Marinette…

There was only one way to find out if Lila was telling the truth once and for all—the one person who Alya trusted to tell the truth above all else.

“I’ll ask Lila if she can set up an interview for me,” she said. “Then I can ask Ladybug myself.”

“Good. That’s my girl.” Nino brushed a tear from her cheek. “You know I’m always here for you.”

“I know.” Alya stretched up to touch her lips to his.

“I love you no matter what, Al.”

“Yeah. I love you too.”

♪♫♪ peace ♪♫♪

“Wait, so what happened?” Adrien asked.

The warm spring sun cast glistening rays across the Seine while Adrien reclined on a bench, chatting over ice cream with Marinette. It was the first time he’d seen her since visiting Macy’s house, and he’d missed a lot in a few short days. Lightning round catch-up sessions seemed to be the new norm for them. Between Marinette changing schools and Adrien’s packed schedule, finding time to see each other was almost impossible.

“I don’t know really,” Marinette said. “I was walking home from Martin’s house, and Gabrielle latched onto me. She was being followed by some creepy guys.”

“Did you report it?”

“Well, no…” Marinette admitted, taking a sheepish lick of her ice cream. “We got away, and nothing else happened.”

“You should have gone with Eliott and Macy. What if something had happened to you?” Adrien scolded. The thought made his blood boil.

“I know, but if I hadn’t been there, something could have happened to Gabrielle. I know she’s mean, but I don’t want her getting hurt.” She lowered her gaze.

Adrien breathed a small sigh, then smiled. “Well, I’m glad you’re alright. I’d hate for you to get hurt too,” he said. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately.”

Her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink. “R-Really?”

“Lila’s still parading around like she owns the place, and whenever I walk around the school now, I think about how you used to sit in the courtyard with Alya or hang out in the art room with Alix and Nathaniel…” His voice trailed off. “I know why you left, and I’m glad you did if it makes you happier, but I won’t lie and say I don’t miss you.”

“I miss too! I mean, you. You too. I miss you too,” Marinette stammered.

“Maybe I should transfer to your new school. Then I’d be away from Lila, and we won’t have to have these quick catch-up sessions,” Adrien said. “What do you think? Would I look good in all gray?”

“You look good in everything,” she said, then quickly added, “I-I mean, your dad is a famous fashion designer, so of course you always look fine. Not fine like, hey, you fine, but just fine, ya know?” She shoved a big spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

“Thanks.” He chuckled.

Something about the rosiness in her cheeks made him giddy. After the past few weeks, he wanted to make her smile too. Too often now, the sparkle in her eyes was a dull reflection of what it once was. She may put on a happy face, but Adrien had hid enough sorrow in his life to know when someone was still hurting. Feeling bold, he reached out to brush the corner of her mouth with his cone, smearing orange ice cream across her upper lip.

“Hey!” She flinched away with a giggle.

Marinette even attempted to return the favor with her own ice cream, but Adrien blocked her playful attempts easily, grasping her hand in his own to keep it away from his face. Their giggles stopped short when their struggling brought them face-to-face, lips inches apart.

Something in her eyes resonated with him, a glowing sense of longing and wonder that made his heart race. Marinette was precious to him. She always had been ever since they met. He never noticed before, but something always brought him back to her—an invisible string tying them together. Being next to her felt right. Safe. Warm. She was a cozy cottage offering him refuge from the cold with her glowing fires, but he didn’t want to be the only one soaking in the warmth. He wanted to be her refuge too.

He wasn’t sure what came over him, and he’d spend the next several hours attempting to decipher his next actions. His gaze flicked down to the ice cream melting against her lips, and he leaned in, breath hitching as their noses brushed. She closed her eyes, tilting her head ever-so-slightly, but they flew open again as he trailed his thumb across her lip.

She faltered as he pulled away, face falling into one hand. Ragged breaths heaved her chest, and she clutched her shirt tightly. Had he gone too far?

“Sorry, that was dumb,” he said with a wince. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“No, no!” she insisted, waving her arms. “Just I thought that…”

“Thought what?”

“I thought that…you were going to kiss me,” she said.

Now his cheeks were the ones burning. “Oh.”

“It’s fine. It just took me by surprise. That’s all.” She averted her gaze, shoulders slumping as she shoved a tiny spoonful into her mouth.

It wasn’t an absurd assumption to make now that he thought about it. He really was bad at this sort of thing, but now that she mentioned it…

“Do you want to?” he asked.

She blinked, turning back to him. “Do I want to what?”

“Kiss me.”

Her eyes widened, and she stared at him, speechless. What was he thinking? Of course she didn’t want to kiss him! Besides, he was in love with Ladybug. At least, he had been… No! He was in love with Ladybug. There was no denying it, but after spending so much time with Marinette…

He wasn’t sure who leaned in first. Maybe him. Marinette’s magnetism always drew him in whether he was aware of it or not. Was she drawn to him in the same way too? The way her fluttery lashes hooded over her eyes when their noses touched made him think so.

Should he stop? Did he want to stop? He didn’t know. Everything was jumbled, but her breath was warm on his lips, tasting of blackberries and vanilla. Perhaps they could build one cabin together and share the warmth of their flames. Maybe then they’d both be safe.

A city groundskeeper cranked on a leaf blower just before their lips touched. They jolted apart, Marinette physically shifting several centimeters away from him, clutching her chest. Silence stretched between them, deafened by the roar of the leaf blower. Hearts hammering, lips tingling, neither one was able to look at the other.

Adrien’s mind whirled. He’d almost kissed Marinette. And he was okay with it. In fact, he was disappointed that they hadn’t kissed. Did he dare try again? What did this mean for his feelings for Ladybug? Was he in love with Marinette?

The questions racing through his mind screeched to a halt, singling in on that one thought. In love with Marinette. No. She was just…

A friend? He was starting to have his doubts. Was there anyone else that he would go to bat for like Marinette? Adrien had fallen further than he ever thought capable in the past few weeks, done things he wasn’t proud of, but would do over again in a heartbeat if it brought her some relief. He wasn’t an expert, but those things didn’t seem platonic to him anymore. So the question remained.

“Marinette, I-” The buzz of her phone cut him off, and she fumbled to retrieve it from her purse with a shaking hand.

“Oh.” She stood up. “I have to go. Martin and I have a group project to work on this afternoon.”

His heart sank. “No worries. It was nice to catch up with you for a while.”

“Yeah, it was. It was nice…” She pursed her lips.

“Can I see you again soon?”

Her eyes found his, timid and uncertain, and a smile curled on her lips. She leaned down to kiss his cheek, eyes sparkling the way he remembered. “I’ll see you soon.”

Adrien watched her go, the electricity of her kiss stinging his cheek. Who was Marinette to him? He wasn’t sure anymore, but the pounding of his heart was evidence enough that things were changing.

♪♫♪ All the Boys ♪♫♪

“Tilt your head to the left more.”

The park across from Marinette’s house buzzed with children, and Marinette’s cheeks burned as Martin’s camera clicked with each photo. When Mme. Pierre paired them for an art project, she hadn’t anticipated being a model, but with her design skills and Martin’s love of photography, a photoshoot just made sense. Martin was gentle with his commands, and having seen his work before, there was no doubt they’d turn out amazing. Still, Marinette vastly preferred staying on the designing end of fashion.

With one last click, Martin paused to review his camera roll. “That’s good for now. You can take a break.”

“Great.” Marinette breathed a sigh of relief, happy to have the camera out of her face. “I don’t know how Adrien does it. Modeling is so awkward.”

“Don’t say that. You’ve done a really good job,” Martin assured her.

“Can I take a look?” She nodded at the camera in his hands.

“Sure. I’m gonna grab a different lens for our next take.” He retreated to his bag while Marinette sifted through the photos.

Even though she felt stiff and unnatural while posing, Martin managed to capture her from all the right angles. She almost didn’t recognize herself in some of them. Was this how Adrien felt all the time? Was the dreamy-eyed boy on posters around town a stranger to him as well? She already felt self-conscious after only a few photos. How Adrien kept his confidence with his face plastered all over Paris was beyond her.

“Oh!” She reached the end of their photos, but the next image brought a smile to her lips.

Martin had taken some photos to test his new camera when they’d visited him last. Most of them were silly, but Martin had captured a particularly candid photo of Macy. Light from the window illuminated her hair, casting shadows across her cheeks from her long lashes. It was beautiful, and Marinette could see why Martin took it.

“What do you think so far? I was thinking for our next set we could try to get Notre Dame in the background, and- What?” Martin paused to quirk a brow at Marinette’s smirk.

“I was just scrolling, and I came across this picture of Macy from last week. It’s a really good photo, you should show her-”

Martin’s cheeks flushed, and he snatched the camera from her grasp. Seeming to realize the forcefulness of his actions, he flashed her an apologetic wince.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to peek,” she said.

“No, no, it’s fine. I…actually can I tell you something?” he asked.

Marinette took a seat on a nearby bench and patted the space beside her with an encouraging nod, and Martin sank next to her stiffly.

“You probably don’t care, but I want to ask for your opinion…” He curled his shoulders.

“Why wouldn’t I care?” Marinette asked, then with a smile added, “What’s on your mind?”

“Well…I kind of like Macy as more than a friend.” He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks as rosy as Ladybug’s super suit. “Is that weird?”

“Aww, Martin,” Marinette cooed. “Of course it’s not weird. Why would it be?”

“I dunno. Just…she didn’t know I took that picture of her, but I just couldn’t help it,” he said.

“Well, I’m not exactly sure I’m one to judge. I used to have a ton of pictures of Adrien all over my walls,” Marinette admitted. “So I think one picture is fine.”

Martin shifted his gaze to his lap, tapping his fingers on the camera. “I transferred here last year, and the first time I heard Macy sing I thought she was really beautiful,” Martin said. “I never thought she’d notice me until you came along.”

“That’s so sweet, Martin!” Marinette said. “I’m sure she’ll notice you if you put yourself out there.”

“I dunno…” he said. “She likes really handsome, popular guys like Adrien. I don’t think she’d ever look at me that way.”

Marinette bit her tongue, thinking back to what Eliott told her after his rehearsal a few days before. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a really sweet guy, Martin, and I’m sure you’ll turn her head one of these days. Try talking to her more, and let her get to know the real you.”

“Thanks, Marinette. I’m still getting used to all of this. I’ve never had friends like this before, and I’m really glad I met you,” Martin said with a smile.

This time it was her turn to blush. “I hope everything works out between you and Macy.”

“I hope the same for you and Adrien.”

Now there was a thought to get her heart racing. What was that earlier? Was Adrien really going to kiss her? Did this mean he loved her too? Did she dare even dream? She wasn’t sure anymore. Just like Martin, all she could do was hope her feelings would be reciprocated someday.

♪♫♪ Falling Down ♪♫♪

Alya’s shoulders were stiff as she entered the school on Monday. Her peers chatted about the new hero, Rena Rouge’s legacy long forgotten. She kept her head low as she headed to the locker rooms.

“Hey, best friend,” Lila greeted with a smile.

“Hey, can I talk to you in private for a minute?” Alya asked.

Lila sobered. “Of course,” she said with an unmistakable hint of caution. She followed Alya to a secluded corner of the courtyard. “What’s up?”

“You’re friends with Ladybug, right?” Alya asked.

“Yeah, we’re like this.” Lila crossed her fingers. “Why?”

“Well, with the new superhero… I just wanted to get some inside deets for my blog. What’s the story? What happened to Rena Rouge? That sort of thing,” Alya said carefully.

“Oh, is that all?” Lila relaxed. “Well, she usually consults me before she picks a new hero because she values my input. I don’t know all of the details on Malin, but I can totally ask for you.”

“Actually, could you set up an interview for me? My viewers are dying to know the scoop.” Alya pressed her palms together.

“Totally. I’ll let her know you want to interview her after the next akuma. I’m sure she won’t mind,” Lila said.

“Thanks, girl. You’re the best.”

Lila smiled and hugged her tightly. “Don’t you forget it.”

[hawksugarbaby]

Tokoyami x reader- Big city, small pond

Fluff + Nature took back the earth AU combined with fantasy AU

You didn't take a breath before sinking back down from the side of the moss overrun pavement into the flooded road, deepened after many years of abrasion and sinkholes popping open intermittently. Deep enough for anything to swim in at least, though clementine traffic cone's still floated and drain covers for manholes had rusted and chipped away at the side. Litter still filled the bottom of the sinkhole but had all seemed to collect in the deep abysses. Metal benches were still bolted to the floor but had new river weeds and algae wrapped around each section of the skeleton but it was a wonderful place for anything to sit.

Your gills split open on your neck and you walked the depths of the "river" the reflection of miraculously working street signs for takeaways that greedy humans reopened over and over no matter how many times mother nature reclaimed the earth. Your finger's brushed the scales of an orange carp darting past you and you kicked your leg's out, turning them to an iridescent (f/c) fishtail, ending and transforming to human at the hips, your skirt clung to the tail under the water and your flowy t-shirt billowed out when you moved sharply, turning a corner or halting quickly to watch something.

Your tail kicked up rocks and dust which swirled in the water and settled at the bottom again as sediment. You scoffed at a human dropping a paper wrapper into the water that turned too much and landed on the floor, a few balls of red and white paper landing on your arm then tumbling off.

You popped your head up feeling a lily pad drooping down over your hair and covering your right eye. "Hey!" you shouted but the human was on his knees looking into the water in annoyance "Excuse me! I don't appreciate your wrapper dissolving in my river!" you shouted and he lifted his head, ruby eyes fluttered to you pulling the lily pad off your head, flopping it back onto the water where it drifted further away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to drop it, I was trying to find it now" he sighed in annoyance at the knowledge it was gone. He sat cross legged at the side and tilted his head looking at you. "Mermaid?" it was definitely supposed to be a question but it sounded more like a surprise than curiosity. You rolled your eyes and repeated his word in a mocking tone "oh mermaid? No. I'm not a mermaid, I'm a nymph obviously. How would you like it if i just assumed you were a crow!" you crossed your arms, your tail fins swishing back and forth impatiently. "I suppose I'd be most irritated" he scratched the back of his neck and hung his head.

You sighed swimming closer to the edge and rested your forearms on the kerb next to him. "It's whatever. Not like you city folk would know a difference anyway. Mother nature did all she could to reclaim the earth as hers and you still poison us with your plastic and oil and deforestation" you listed the minimum amount of things humans had done yet it was still enough for him to feel a guilty punch to the gut. "I'm sorry for what my species did to the earth" he spoke on behalf of a race that didn't care. The human race. But it was nice to hear an apology for once instead of someone claiming it wasn't their fault.

"My name is tokoyami fumikage" he held out his hand and you took it, the web's between your fingers stretching out slightly and you analyse him curiously "(y/n) macdonald." he nodded and smiled at you politely "You have a very nice tail" he said unsure how to continue your conversation, it wasn't like he could just ask you to get up and join him for a dinner and get to know you, though honestly he wasn't sure how nymphs worked, for all he know maybe you could? "Thank you. It's my favourite colour!" you grinned swishing it behind you and hopping on the edge on the path with all your strength.

You kicked your tail out and they transformed into legs dipping into the water and creating ripples around your calves and he stared amazed at your split appendages, skirt still hugging your thighs nicely and your t-shirt stuck to you like a puppy with abandonment issues.

"The difference by the way. This is the difference between mermaids and nymphs. Mermaids are usually really rude too" you explained, picking a string of riverweed from your leg and flinging it into the water to drift along the shore or sink to the bottom. He hummed in response since he couldn't agree or disagree, for now he would stay a neutral party unwilling to get on your bad side again. "I see. How did you end up here anyway aren't nymphs supposed to be out in like... rivers and lakes?" he queried and you sighed looking at the murky water sadly, missing the feel of your own river. "Uh, when mother nature decided to shift stuff around and the big tsunami flood thingy came it flooded my river and we all ended up somewhere different. Maybe it was on purpose but I ended up here" you swung your legs in the water tapping the stone ground with your fingers.

You missed the smell of earth surrounding your crystalline lake running off into smaller streams and your favourite river for finding pebbles in. you missed the fluffy flax seed that stuck to you when you were drying off in the long grass by the bank and that floated on top of the water for fish to pop up and suction down into their stomach. You missed your friends mostly, almost sisterly bonds between all of you now severed and spread across all of japan.

"I miss home really. For all I know my friends could be home waiting for me" you exhaled deeply and tokoyami sadly glanced at you wondering how far your legs could take you. "What if I helped you get home?" he asked and you jumped excitedly. "You would really help me! Don't you have school or friends or anything? Are you sure you can help?!" you blabbered for a minute or so about how inconvenient it would be and how you didn't know how far you would have to go until he stopped you. "My school is on break right now so I have about 2 months off before I need to go back. Most of my friends are going to look for a cause of the reclamation too since half our school is unusable since it started so I have no qualms helping you"

You jumped up and down giddy and dove back in the water splashing him with water that rolled off his feathers, soaking the choker on his neck and you apologised. "I'm just so excited to go home! Thank you so much!"

And so began your long journey to your home. You passed hundreds of abandoned buildings crumbling to nothing with vines twisted up the sides and supersized branches through the shattered windows, ivy had crawled up the walls of every structure you passed and you talked aimlessly along the way. "So mother nature is-" "a goddess inside the earth" tokoyami nodded at your explanation and looked around in understanding. One of her creations had destroyed the other, the necessary one, and she was proving that humans were expendable. "I'd be pissed too if my home was being filled with gross plastic." you giggled and smiled thankful that someone finally took you as sane, you were tired of truth seekers who didn't like the truth they gave them. They had too much blame on them so they went to find something else.

A month flew by quickly, you spent as much time swimming along streams that you could but of course not every path was filled with water, so it was a long journey for someone who wasn't used to walking barefoot on the actual ground for huge periods of time.

"What are your friends like?" Tokoyami asked, pushing a bish out the way for you to crouch through and you hummed, "caring. They care about a lot of things like climate change, obviously, but also silly stuff like um the best wood to carve you and your significant other's name in, or which leaves are the shiniest at golden hour. We have to make up fun little games or we'd just get bored" you smiled and he chuckled. They sounded similar to you, pointing out tiny details on your quest like spiderwebs covered in dew hidden in the grass, or perfectly round stone's that were shiny in the sun, it made sense you wanted to get back to them so badly.

The trees opened up to an empty circle of grass and a circle not much smaller of water, flowing over the sides of the bowl into the grass and streams wound along into their own segments of the forest. "Home... i'm home! I'm home i'm home i'm home!" you cried jumping up and down and sprinting into the gorgeous blue water and immediately your legs changed to your (f/c) tail, glowing in the sun as you floated on your back and soaked up the water. "Come in come in!!" you shouted while waving at tokoyami.

You had taken rest stops at old hotels and decrepit houses to check for water and of course food and sleep but there was enough civilization along the way to keep you going. But tokoyami hadn't had a bath, a real bath, one he didn't have to fill with a showerhead, in a month and god he wanted to relax desperately.

He peeled off his sticky t-shirt and hung it over a tree branch dipping into the water and relaxing immediately. "This is surprisingly warm" he muttered watching you splash around joyfully and sunk under the water. It was so clean he could keep his eyes open and watch you dip in and out of the water bouncing like a dolphin.

You swam over to him and he sat back up shaking the water out of his feathers and you smiled hugging him tightly "thank you for taking me here. I wish I could help you get back home but I don't think i'd make it back here myself. You sighed and he shook his head. "It's okay, I have other ways of getting home. I don't have to leave right now. I'll stay for another fortnight but then I probably have to go" he looked at his phone glad he had data and could contact hawks at the click of a button.

In 14 days that went by like rapids over rocks tokoyami had to say goodbye and hawks picked him up from your spot on the way back from a mission. 2 of your friends had also found their way home so you weren't lonely and tokoyami had promised to visit. "Okay and be safe home okay! I hope I see you soon!" you shouted as hawks lifted him into the air and he nodded in a silent agreement and waved.

"See you soon (y/n)!" he shouted back and you jumped in a wave as they disappeared into the bright blue sky reflected in your lake.

"Sooo..." one of your sisters sidled up next to you and you blushed "don't even! I know what you're going to say" you shoved her away and she laughed at you teasintly.

"Soo..." hawks started and tokoyami rolled his eye's "no hawks"

[ghost-thot69]

(I wrote this while very tired so it won’t be the best but the fanfic fingers don’t stop for anyone so I wrote some very cute rz Michael Myers and baby june fanfic after reading some fluffy fanfics of him)

Sunny Days (rz Michael Myers and June Marie Heisenberg-Myers)

TW: none. Nothing but sheer adorableness, proceed with caution ⚠️

The sun beamed down on Michael’s face. His long, unkempt, blond hair shining in the bright light as he waited outside of Westfield Elementary school. He stood as stiff as a board, except for his left foot, which he kept tapping repeatedly as he waited for June to come out of school.

He looked up at the giant clock on the outside of the school building, impatiently counting down the minutes, hell even the seconds till all the children came flooding out. A couple of parents would stare at him in intimidation. They, despite not knowing that he was a local mass murderer, we’re still very much afraid of him. I mean who wouldn’t be when a 6 foot 7 tall man who barely spoke a word to you or anybody else aside from his daughter, who had hair covering a majority of his chiseled face and had piercing blue eyes, was standing right next to you.

Michael wasn’t quite fond of having his face being shown either. He much preferred to have it hidden behind either one of his masks, however he can’t risk that chance of being caught. God knows what Dr Loomis and the cops would do to his kid if they arrested and/or killed him. And there was another reason why he kept his mask off in public. He loved seeing the cute little smile on June’s face when she saw him smile at her.

Michael’s mind began to wander on what he and June would do after school together. Would they go out for ice cream? Maybe play at the park? Whatever he had settled on, it was interrupted by the loud ringing of the school bell telling the kids it was time to go home.

Due to his height, he could easily see the kids coming out and was able to pick out June from the rest of them. However he wasn’t able to see her this time, it was hard to miss her with her long and wavy brown locks that came down to her ankles. Michael squinted his eyes to see if she was somewhere in the back amongst the crowd of little children running to their parents or the school bus, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Michael’s blood began to rush, worried that something might have happened to her that the school didn’t tell him about. He began to press forward towards the building before his ears picked up the little pitter-patter of tiny shoes on the ground.

“Papa!” A soft voice called out to him.

Michael looked up at the stairs, and rushing out the large doors came June, a piece of paper in her tiny hand. When she saw him, her face beamed happily, her taking a giant leap off the stairs and into the air.

Michael snapped out of his worried daze and held his arms out to catch her, the tiny girl landing in his large, muscular arms. June happily threw her arms around him in a hug, and nuzzled her face into his. “Papa! Papa!!” She cheered, covering his face in kisses.

Michael breathed out a sigh of relief before smiling at her, pushing the hair out her face. “Hello pumpkin.” He said softly. “How was school?”

June wiggled out of his arms and landed on the ground, jumping up and down happily. “It was good! Oh here here here!” She said, her handing him the paper she had in her hands.

Michael tried to grab it but she was so hyper that it shook before he really could get a hold of it. He chuckled before managing to grab it from her and looked at it. “What is it sweetheart?” He asked, tilting it to get a better look.

What was on the now slightly crumpled piece of paper was a drawing of what looked like him, Jason, herself and a very…very crudely drawn Freddy with the words “stinky pepperoni man” scribbled on it. Right next to them was their home and a couple of flowers, some grass, and the sun. In the corner was some sort of mysterious red stain.

“I drew this today! It's me, you and bubba Jason! Oh and Freddy’s there too I guess.” She murmured, her messing with her feet. “I’m mad at Stu, he got ketchup on it during lunch…”

Michael smiled. The drawing melted his heart, he looked on the back and saw that she had written “my family” on it. It made him happy that, even though she was adopted, and she knew that she was, that she sees them all as her family. He folded up the paper and put it in the pack pocket of his coveralls. He kneeled down to be at her height before taking her in a big hug, almost lifting her off the ground. “I love it,pumpkin. Thank you.”

June gasped out happily, throwing her arms around his neck to hug him back. Michael let her go and stood up, and grabbed her hand. They began to walk back to their home.

“So what are we going to do today papa?”

Michael hummed, looking up at the sky and then down at her. “Well I was thinking we can take the car and drive to the ice cream place?”

Ice cream? June love, love, LOVES ice cream. She frantically shook her head yes, clapping her hands in agreement. “Yes! Yes we gotta go!”

Michael laughed, swinging her arm as they walked. “Alright, let’s go eat then, you can get all the toppings you want.” He instantly regretted saying that. June is a hyper child and knowing her, she’d pile her ice cream in rainbow and chocolate sprinkles, gummy bears and whatever sweet treats that really shouldn’t be used as ice cream toppings, her little heart desires, but he couldn’t resist her. When she was left at his doorsteps as a baby, she changed his life for the better. He didn’t mind spoiling her, but not too much.

Hours later, Michael was laying down on the old, rundown, paisley yellow couch with June asleep on his chest, her snoring softly. The tv was on, playing whatever show she liked. He really couldn’t understand the concept of this young singer who hides her identity by just putting on a blonde wig and her and her friends' shenanigans and why this appealed to June, but it made her happy and that’s all that mattered to him.

Jason was off to the side, drinking a cup of hot chocolate through his mask, looking at the both of them all cheerfully, his energy radiating off the living room walls that, if you turned off the lights, Jason would be beaming head to toe like a lantern.

Freddy walked in, him groaning and rubbing his eye, him poking Jason in the shoulder. “Jason, stop it.” He grumbled, him walking to the couch that Michael and June were on and reached for the remote.

Michael slapped his hand away and shot a deathly glare up at him. “June’s show is on. Don’t you dare change that channel.”

Freddy hissed, shaking his hand which was now more red than it normally was. “What’s the big fuckin deal? She’s asleep and it’s just stupid ass Hannah Montana!”

Michael’s glare grew more intense, him slowly sitting up while holding a sleeping June closer to his chest so she wouldn’t fall. “I said, don’t. Touch. The God damn. Remote.” He hissed, violence backing up his words.

Freddy held his hands up in defense and scoffed, backing up. “Alright fine geez, I’ll watch tv in the kitchen then, good fuckin’ greif.” He muttered, making his way to the kitchen.

Michael rolled his eyes in annoyance and laid back down slowly so as to not wake up June. Lo and behold, she was miraculously still asleep, rubbing her eyes as she slept.

Michael flashed a warm smile down at her before leaning over and planting a kiss on the top of her head.

Jason looked back over to the two before getting up and reaching into a small closet, digging through it before pulling out a small blue blanket. He waddled over as quietly as possible and laid the blanket over June and gave her a pat on her head, his hand ten times the size of her head.

Michael smiled and then turned his attention back to the tv. Before he had realized it the sun was down, and the Disney channel was playing whatever original movie that was causing a whole scene in her school. Teenagers, BLEGH! Dancing and singing about basketball, romance and whatever, He wasn’t paying attention. To be honest, he’d rather be watching the little mermaid, but the songs were catchy.

Michael let out a loud, very audible yawn before covering his mouth instantly and looked down at June, who again, was somehow still asleep through all the loud noise that went on. Jason was asleep on the couch behind him and using Freddy as some sort of teddy bear. Freddy was probably drunk off his ass to really care, but he was definitely going to feel his bones being crushed in the morning.

Michael huffed out and smiled at them all. He didn’t want to admit it to Freddy or Jason, but he was very glad that he had those two around him. The more he thought about the drawing June made for him of them as a family, the more he admitted that they were indeed a family. Originally, they were just there for hiding, though Freddy could go in and out of the dream realm as much as he pleases, he didn’t really need to hide, but I guess he stayed for whatever reason. Still, he needs to pay his rent. When June arrived, however, they did see themselves slowly becoming closer. They really were becoming a family.

June yawned, rolling over some, which snapped Michael out of his thoughts. He looked down at her and smiled, rubbing her cheek with his finger and moving her hair out of her face. He began to hum as he got up slowly from the couch and snuck past the other two and made his way up the stairs to June’s room. He began to navigate the room in the dark, making his way through stuffed toys and paper and crayons laid across the floor. He managed to find her bed, him pulling back the blanket and placing her in the sheets, laying her head on a pillow. He tucked her in blankets and laid under her arm a purple plush bunny.

June gently stirred about before a smile crept on her face in sleep.

Michael had leaned over and gave her a kiss on her head one last time before backing up and switching on a mushroom shaped night light that illuminated the room in a soft blue glow. “Goodnight Pumpkin. I love you.” He whispered, slowly closing the door behind him.

June rubbed her eyes, curling up in a ball under the blanket and held her bunny closer to her.

“I wuv..you too papa.”