#Finally get to practice mah driving skills

[blu-ish]

GUESS WHO PASSED THE PERMIT TEST WOOOOOOOO >:D

[exosmelody-blog]

Who is The Monster? Chp I Part 2

Chapter I: Diamond

Part 2

“Wow, well fuck it. Scissors paper stone? Losers have to race!” Baekhyun proposed immediately. Kyungsoo and Jongin unfortunately had no room to argue since this was the customary way to decide things within EXO… Reluctantly, they both held their fist out and started to play. Minseok closed the hood of his blue Subaru as Jongin and D.O came out as the losers. I could've called that… Baek was not happy about this but only patted their necks supportive like. “Good luck Jongin! D.O is a very good driver!” The obnoxious idol smirked.

           Both boys picked a vehicle. Smiling deviously, D.O picked the Subaru leaving Kai with the Toyota. I leaned back against Sehun as his arms rested around my hips, his chin still on my head. Luhan took this opportunity to explain the way street racing worked. Just one lap around the loop. When he was done he took a seat back on the hood of his car.

          “Who do you think will win?” I held Sehun's arms around my hips, watching the two drive to the start line.

         “I am betting on D.O.” Channie nodded sadly. “Kai is not aggressive enough..” The tall rapper took a seat on my F-type beside Sehun and I.

        “Well then I'm betting on Kai! D.O… can't win everything!” Baekhyun huffed, settling on Luhans Maserati, doing a cute side hug with the Chinese idol. Minseok sat with Suho on his charcoal Vanquish across Luhan.

          The crowd was excited for this race. They always were curious about new racers. The vehicles were familiar, especially the Subaru, but they were pretty even in mods and specs… D.O was a little nervous as a girl in a very short pair of shorts and a tube top stood before them, as custom, she threw her panties up into the air. Kyungsoo felt himself turn red at the sight, once they hit the ground, Kai floored the gas and was in the lead from the start. Kyungsoo was only a second behind but that made all the difference. They both took the turn very smoothly, almost drifting. However to everyone's surprise, Jongin was victorious. They didn't bother to stop at the finish line, instead they drove straight back to us. We all were left in shock.

        “Kyungsoo! What happened?!!!?” Chanyeol asked once both vehicles were parked and they stepped out.

       “I...I don't know….” Minseok, shook his head at Jongin and Chanyeol he wasn't buying it, he had an idea of what happened.

        “It was the panties wasn't it?” Jongin asked with a huge gorgeous smile. He gave Kyungsoo a tight hug, laughing all the while. D.O only stayed quiet, his cheeks a little red. How cute…

        Kai was congratulated around the circle for his first win, while Kyungsoo was reassured about next time… I drowned out their voices as I watched the crowd, my eyes wandering back to EXO whenever they laughed or smiled.        

       Eventually Sehun was bored of the conversation between his friends. Giving my head a kiss, and my hips a tight squeeze, he released me and disappeared into the crowd without a word. This was not unusual, he was probably going to say his hellos to anyone he knew in the crowd. Sehun although quiet was very popular among…. Everyone. Every party we went to, every event…he made friends like nothing. He had a lot of connections, the only way to keep those alive was to go talk to them. The rest of the boys were too busy laughing and talking to notice. Sehun was slick like that.

         “Baekhyun, are you gonna race Jongin or D.O?” Chanyeol asked, now sliding over and pulling me onto his leg, like a lazy half snuggle into his lap. I did not protest of course and clutched onto his arm that draped over my shoulder.

        “Hmmm….D.O. If I beat him then maybe I'll race Kai.” He said thoughtfully…

        “You won't win this so easily…. I am prepared this time…” Kyungsoo blinked up at Baek as they headed for the sports vehicles. Baekhyun had always wanted to race in his besties Rocket Bunny so he was very excited. He bounced into it and Chan gave him a supportive smile. Minseok and Suho exchanged uncertain glances while Luhans instructed Baek about the track like he had for D.O and Kai last race.

        When they finally pulled up to the start line, Chan was watching like a hawk… This race was much closer, Baekhyun had no fear and was relentless behind the wheel. I was very surprised to see that from a first timer… the crowd was too. “Ahh~....Woah!~” they went in unison. Baekhyun was equally relentless as he was reckless. At the turn, they both tried to drift… but neither was too successful this time. Both vehicles seemed to shudder and swerve as they rounded the turn. Suddenly Chanyeol's grip on me was tight in anticipation and fear. The sudden lack of control off put D.O. But Baekhyun loved it… This uncertainty in Kyungsoo was the only reason Baekhyun won this race.

When they pulled up to the finish line, the crowd was cheering. Baekhyun jumped out of the car and threw his arms up for the crowd. This felt just like a concert. Both ridols hearts pumping with adrenaline and huge smiles on their faces. Baekhyun pulled D.O into a tight hug. Because they were unfamiliar to the crowd and they had stopped at the finish line, they were suddenly surrounded by females, congratulating Baekhyun or comforting D.O. I could feel Chanyeol smile from behind me and I could see it in Suho, Minseok and Luhan.

“Typical Baek, he loves the crowd. Well maybe he will make some friends with that win….” Chan nodded and pulled me closer.

“I didn't get rushed by the crowd!” Kai protested. Chan and I laughed.

“That's because you didn't pull up to the finish line. If you had you definitely would've been surrronndddeeeddd with girls...” Minseok smirked, knowing full well what Kai wanted. Kai just laughed his cute laugh, which was so much cuter in person than on camera, and looked away.

Baekhyun indulged in the crowd for as long as he could before they were waved away for the next racers. I could've sworn they were going to bring at least one or two girls back but to my surprise they did not….

“Well done Baek!” Kai was the first to say something when they stepped out. “Your driving looked like a madman from here! Not sure I want to race you...” Jongin laughed.

Baekhyun’s eyes were bright and lit up with excitement. “Don’t be scared, Jongin! I was having a fucking blast! That was way more fun than sitting in the passenger's seat! Man...I have been missing out…! No wonder Minseok races so much, that was a fucking rush! Come on, Kai. Lets go!” Immediately Baekhyun was ready to go, but a line was forming and they would have to wait.

“I am a little concerned… Baek you drive sooooo recklessly. You should really be careful…” I smiled weakly, I only didn’t want him to get hurt. He turned to me and raised a brow…

“How can you be careful if you are racing?? It's dangerous in the first place!” He laughed. Kai nodded slowly, halfway convinced. But this was clearly alarming for everyone else. Junmyeon looked like he was about to freak out.

“Baekhyun! You need to make smart decisions on the race track. Don’t do something reckless and stupid, it could cost you a life! This is why we never brought you… are you sure you can handle this?” Suho was chewing him out now and I felt bad. So I had to fix it.

“Well I mean, he can definitely handle himself behind the wheel! He could’ve spun out of control during that turn.. Someone who wasn’t skilled or prepared or smart, would probably have fucked that up.. I was just saying he should avoid developing bad habits and if he wants to race seriously, he will have to practice that drift…” I chuckled in attempt to stop any further ass chewing. Suho parted his lips to say something but mah boi Chanyeol started first.

“Baekhyunnnie, he has got this. He really enjoyed himself and he takes fun very seriously, don’t worry about his driving skills..” Chan smiled.

“You should worry about his safety, Kyungsoo looks like he is about to smack a bitch..” Luhan laughed as he watched D.O rest against Suhos Vanquish once more.

“I’ll win next time…” was all the vocalist said, eyeing Baekhyun closely. Chanyeol just laughed, I could feel his body tensing beneath and behind me with each laugh. He was so extra, I expected him to start clapping but thankfully it wasn’t one of his dramatic laughs.

“I’ll be fine, thank you for the concern..but I think..” Baekhyun started as he got back in the Rocket Bunny, “Its our turn, Kai ya~” He smiled cutely and started the engine once again.

This race was very close! Unfortunately for Kai, Baekhyun was too excited and willing to be reckless. Jongin lost only by half a second, making them almost neck to neck. Losing only by a hair… They both pulled up to the crowd and stepped out their vehicles laughing. I am not going to lie, it was the cutest thing id ever seen. The dancer and vocalist threw their arms around one and other with amazing smiles and crazy laughter. Even all the way where we were, I could feel their happiness and excitement…. No wonder they were so famous.. Chanyeol chuckled behind me and shook his head.

“He complained about not getting rushed by the crowd and when they do, he only focuses on Baekhyun…hehe..” Chan clicked his tongue. Almost as though Jongin heard him, his attention shifted to the now large crowd of females asking them questions and commenting on the race. Baekhyun and Jongin’s smiles only shifted to smirks as they indulged some of the females.

“I'm glad they're having fun…” Junmyeon nodded with a soft smile. Minseok and Luhan nodded in agreement.

“Who won?” Sehun came back with his hands in his pockets. His eyes now fixed on the crowd.

“Baekhyun…. Both times..” Kyungsoo ran a hand through his dark hair… His own eyes watching Kai rather closely. Chanyeol gently passed me over to Sehun once more...like I was a pillow or something. I glared at Chan as I cuddled back into Sehun, who was seemingly grateful to have me back for snuggles.

It was a matter of minutes before Baek and Kai we're back among us. Smiles still dancing on their lips.

“Baekhyunnie, I'm proud of you! I can't believe you won both times… I'm watching you..” Chanyeol glared playfully at his best friend. He could already see the developing mischief in Baekhyun's eyes. Sehun chuckled against me.

“Good job, Baekhyun..” Sehun nodded, standing up and dragging me with him to give Baekhyun a hug. Once again I was caught in a small group hug. Sehun behind me, his long arms wrapped around myself and Baekhyun. Baek was caught off guard for a moment before he returned the embrace with a perfect smile. I met Baekhyuns jawline, making this hug a tad awkward once he looked down to acknowledge me. “You did really well… you're learning fast… maybe I can make money off of you and your wins…” Sehun said very casually and refusing to release me or Baek. Baekhyun looked back up from me immediately to glare and laugh in response.

“The fuck?? You better give me a cut of those wins! That's my hard work!!” He laughed and I could feel all his muscles against me as he laughed. I swear I could feel his abs contract… my cheeks began to burn red, which was unusual for me.. I was used to guys whom were gorgeous or in good shape. These boys should be no different…. Right? I took a deep breath.

“Congratulations, Baekhyun. It's not everyday a new racer wins two races in a row… I wonder how you would fare against Minseok or Chan…” I sneered looking up at the excited idol. He looked back down at me and froze upon realizing how close we were. That moment of surprise did not last. He smirked in return.

“Aren't you the best racer on the track? I wonder how I would do against you…” His breath rolled off my lips, his words very teasing. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“I'm not the best but don't get on your high horse just yet. Beat Minseok and then we can talk… Sehunnnnie?” I turned back just enough to look back at the one responsible for the cage Baekhyun and I were stuck in.

“Mm?” He didn't seem to be paying attention to us, only enjoying our warmth… typical Sehun.

“Are we just pillows for you?” I asked holding back giggles. He nonchalantly nodded before his grip tightened on the both of us. Baekhyun smiled and cuddled in closer, now leaning on Chanyeol's Toyota for support.

“Well….I don't share pillows so…” I gently pushed on Baekhyuns arms in attempt to kick him from the hug…. Playfully of course.

“I think we are the ones sharing you right now….” Byun smirked. Nope. I wasn't about to give that any thought. With that said, I ducked under Sehuns arms and squirmed out of their grip. Baekhyun laughed out loud, but Sehun pouted, settling for just Baekhyun and pulling him closer. The shorter responded with a tighter hug.

“I think we are the ones sharing you right now….” Byun smirked. Nope. I wasn't about to give that any thought. With that said, I ducked under Sehuns arms and squirmed out of their grip. Baekhyun laughed out loud, but Sehun pouted, settling for just Baekhyun and pulling him closer. The shorter responded with a tighter hug.

The rest of the night was surprisingly chill. I still had a lot of fun with Chanyeol..He told me a little bit more about the boys and how he figured he would bring them to the more ‘excitable’ fun they have. Especially D.O and Baekhyun.

“They literally spend their free time watching movies or playing video games… It's time they explored a bit..” Chanyeol nodded in thought, agreeing with himself silently. I nodded as well, but in understanding rather than agreement.

“Well Baek did very well… maybe he can win himself a car one of these days.. Is Junmyeon okay?” I finally asked. Suho had pretty much checked out of our conversations and had his eyes locked on the crowd the last couple of hours..

“Probably looking for people in the crowd…” The Songwriter paused and rolled his eyes… “by people I mean Kris..”

“Ah, I know Kris avoids him… Kris is a coward a lot of the time… he doesn't like confrontation… ironic for someone in the mafia…” I rolled my eyes. Chanyeol shrugged rather disinterested.

“I don't really know why he chases after Kris still but whatever…” but Chanyeol knew damn well why..

“Whatever indeed.. I know you are busy with the comeback but we should hang out again…. Your my best friend… at least invite me to practice or something!” I huffed. Now that I had met all the members, no excuse for lack of hanging out…

“You know that's actually a good idea.... I'll invite you to practice sometime! We could use a chill girl around…” His eyes glanced around at his members.

“Good, I'm gonna head off though.. I miss you! Text me, Yoda!”  I teased and pulled him into a hug, to which he held me tight and pinched my side.

“I will! Later Ay-ya!…” That was a nickname I hadn't heard in awhile, but it only made me smile after I returned the pinch  I left him wincing and rubbing his side while laughing softly. I was left with some minor disappointment… I wanted to race Chan, but that would have to be another day. It was getting late…

I went around the circle, hugging Minseok and Luhan very tightly, giving them both a knowing look now that they were talking. Xiumin only smirked said he would race me next time. Luhan disregarded my look but hugged me back and said he would definitely see me again before he went back to China.

“Junmyeon…? I'm leaving… I'll see you later…” I called to him, finally pulling him from his thoughts.

“Oh Ayumi! Of course, I will see you Friday probably..” he smiled and gave me a warm hug. He was a weenie, but a weenie who gave great hugs.

Sehun was still cuddling Baekhyun after all this time, but they had settled on top of Minseok's blue Subaru. Kyungsoo and Kai were also lingering around the cuddling couple.

“Bye Sehun! Bye guys! It was nice to meet you all… you better come back!” I bowed before smirking at my pun. Kyungsoo chuckled and bowed back but the rest were unamused. Sehun sighed with mild embarrassment.

“It was nice to meet you, Ayumi-ssi...be safe!” Jongin nodded and to that I started my way back to my F-type. Stealing a final glance back at Baekhyun. Big mistake. We locked eyes for a second before I turned back to my car. He was so….uhhfjjf! Keeping my composure, I started the Jaguar and gave a final wave before driving home… hopefully the rest did too. This was around the time cops came by….

//Hope you enjoyed! Chpt 2 on its way!!

[greathammerhead]

Chapter 4

summary: She ended every letter with a heart; she was still debating if distance really made the heart grow fonder. pairings: Harry Hook x Evie, Ben x Mal; slight Carlos x Jane, Carlos x Jay, Carlos x Chad style: Multi-chapter — somewhat sequel to this; canon divergence notes: I just can’t win guys haha. While I finally have Wifi, my laptop decided to die and I absolutely hate the new laptop I bought, so I ordered a better one which won’t arrive until late November. So please bear with me! Hopefully this fluffy chapter makes up for the wait! rated: T; will feature strong language, minor violence, and sexual themes other locations: ao3 | ffnet

Harry swore, eyes narrowed in frustration. 

“This is impossible.”

He shifted his position, lifting his hands closer to the dim light to try and get a better view. He continued to squint, and it took only a few minutes for him to get fully frustrated and throw the item in his hands to the floor.

“Ugh, Harry !” A voice from around the corner groaned.

Harry just huffed, crossing his arms over his chest and pointedly looking away from the mess he’d made.

The second occupant of the room stomped over to him, but really, the small girl barely made any noise and she was far from intimidating anyway.

“I went away for, like, five minutes. Try again!”

“Ye don’t tell me what tah do, Dizzy.”

Dizzy took a deep, calming breath. There weren’t many times she actually wanted to inflict harm upon anyone, but it usually came out with either her family or Harry.

“ This ,” She bent down to pick up the delicate pieces he’d thrown on the floor — seashells, pretty-colored rocks, beads — and cradled them in her hands as if she held a newborn, “is for the most wonderful, beautiful girl in the world, Harry. You need to treat this like you care.”

Harry glared. If it was anyone but Dizzy, he wouldn’t hesitate to hook them. But she was right.

“Ah do care! It’s just not in mah skill set.”

Dizzy tsked, bringing the pieces back over to him. “Anyone can make a bracelet. Here.” She picked up another piece of string, dipping the frayed ends in questionable-looking water before pinching it. “Try this piece.” 

Carefully, Harry began the task again. He began with a few beads — which was the easy part — before moving on to the more brittle pieces that required more patience. This time, however, Dizzy was at his side, helping to steady one of his hands and knowing when to re-dip the thread to make it easier for him.

He was in disbelief when, nearly an hour later, he had a decent-looking bracelet in his hands.

Dizzy patted him on the shoulder, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. “Phew!” She readjusted her glasses, smiling at their creation. “She’s gonna love it.”

One of his thumbs ran across the surface of a shell. Their worlds colliding — fashion and the sea, and it looked so good.

“Yeah,” He whispered, “ah hope so.”

Evie placed her backpack on a picnic table for the second time that week with a sigh. While it had been entirely refreshing to have more people in their room, Jane and Lonnie were becoming regulars, and it had been too hard to concentrate with them.

If she had been doing homework it would’ve been fine. Homework didn’t require as much soul as this damn letter, which was taking a lot more time than she’d initially thought.

She was nearing the end, she just didn’t know how best to end it. She needed to have it be perfect , and she couldn’t imagine sending it while it was anything less.

She stopped herself before she began chewing on her pen cap in frustration.

“Evie!” She rolled her eyes at the intrusion, but pursed her lips when she saw who it was. 

“Ben,” She greeted, “what a surprise.”

He stood beside the table, hands clasped together with the brightest of smiles on his face.

“I, ah, I haven’t seen any of you guys today, and didn’t know if you needed help with anything,” he motioned to her paper, “or any schoolwork.”

It almost hurt to see how genuine he was. Evie had seen far more fake smiles than genuine ones, and she’d always been a quick study in telling them apart. Ben was a rare breed, even in Auradon, and Evie didn’t feel so bad when she returned the smile.

Ben seemed to be the only one who truly wanted them in the first place, anyway.

She gestured for him to sit and he did so eagerly, his smile never wavering.

“I do have an...odd question for you, Ben.”

His expression remained; he only nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“How did you get Carlos to like a dog?”

It took him a second, but Ben laughed. “I just showed him how loving they can be. That once you get to know them, or even just spending a few minutes with one, they’re not as bad as he thought. And that there was never a reason to be scared in the first place.”

Evie tapped her nails on the table, suddenly feeling very small. She was a quick study in many things. “Well, it’s easy to do that when you’ve already had practice introducing people to the things they’re afraid of.”

Ben placed a hand on her shoulder in a gentle but firm grip. “They’ll all see what I see in you guys.”

“What do you see, exactly?”

Ben smiled. “People. Good people who come from bad situations, and new voices to listen to.”

Evie bit down on the inside of her cheek, feeling tears begin to bud in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn’t form the words that could express how she felt. 

There were very few people who saw her as more than her mother’s daughter, and for those few she was incredibly grateful. She never imagined Ben to make the list.

“Is there anything else I can do?” His voice was soft, comforting. 

In that moment, she didn’t care if she was too trusting. Chad knew, Doug knew, Jane and Lonnie knew, and she’d be surprised if it wasn’t already circling around campus.

Ben truly seemed to want to help. He was taking a chance on them, giving them a part of himself, and letting him in didn’t seem so scary anymore.

“There is.” She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, directing her attention back to her letter. “I have a boyfriend back on the Isle. Captain Hook’s son, Harry. I...Is there any way I can send letters to him? There’s no other way to talk, and I-” 

Ben squeezed her shoulder again. “Of course you can. I will see to it myself.”

Evie couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her face. “Thank you, Ben.” 

He gave her his own smile before standing up. “Just let me know when you’d like to send it.” He went to turn but stopped himself. However, when he turned back to Evie, he didn’t seem as sure of himself as when he first approached her. His hands were clasped together again, but his fingers tapped against the other palm.

“Should I ask the others if there’s letters they’d like to send as well?” 

Evie’s brows shot up. Suddenly some of Mal’s mannerisms were making much more sense.

“No. Everyone they care for is already here.”

Ben’s nerves faded into concern, brows furrowing at her comment. Evie realized her mistake and, not wanting to comment on it further, hoped to redirect him. “They should all be back in my room by now, so you could stop by and see if there’s anything that they need.”

Ben nodded, unable to stop the smile on his face. “Thank you, Evie.”

“Harry!”

Harry groaned, rolling over so his back was to the door, hoping whoever was knocking would take it as a sign to go away.

Another thump. “Harry!”

He stuck his arm out of the cocoon of blankets he’d made for himself, hoping to have something, anything within his grasp. Eventually, he felt his fingers brush a bit of leather, and he flung his boot in the general direction of the door.

It didn’t hit, but still made a satisfying sound that he hoped would drive the idiot away.

No such luck. Only this time, the knocks were much louder, and a very different voice called for him.

“Harry! Get out here!”

He turned over, narrowing his eyes at the door. He ripped the sheets off and stomped, as slowly as he could, to the door.

“What, Captain?” As soon as he’d opened the door, Uma and Gil pushed him back inside.

“Oh don’t be such an ass. It’s something you’ll like.” Uma rolled her eyes at his grumpiness, far too used to it by now. She turned to Gil, whose attention was captured by a mysterious stain he noticed on the ceiling. “Gil?”

“Oh, right!” Gil dug in one of his pockets, then in another before he found what he was looking for. It was slightly crumpled, but it was a light blue envelope, closed by the royal seal.

“What’s that?” Harry squinted, mind still fuzzy from being rudely awoken.

“I assume it’s from your princess.” Uma couldn’t help but laugh at how Harry physically reacted. He suddenly straightened up, eyes wide as he snatched the envelope from Gil’s hands. “You’re welcome , Hook.”

But truly, she didn’t mind how he was suddenly too focused on the envelope he now held, completely forgetting about she and Gil.

While she liked the tough and crazy side of her first mate, he was also her best friend, and it always made her happy to see him happy.

And if, somehow, that prissy blue princess made him happy, who was she to complain? 

She threaded her arm through Gil’s, dragging the still-distracted pirate from Harry’s room, closing his door behind them.

Harry stumbled back to his hammock, completely engrossed in tearing the envelope open. Other than the seal, there was nothing indicating it was even to him, or even from Evie. 

But as soon as he unfolded the letter, letting a second, smaller letter fall in his lap, all doubt melted away. He immediately recognized her handwriting.

‘Harry,

I don’t know when this will get to you and I don’t know how, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t.

It really is another world over here. Who knew food could be so tasty? And they’ve never even heard of smog!

We’re not close to the ocean, but I’m hoping to find some sort of pond or lake that can do. After all, I need to leave something with a hook symbol, don’t I? Something to be found years from now and terrify them.

We’re surrounded by trees and gardens, which are truly breathtaking. It’s weird not seeing anything dead around here.

They make us do actual school work here. It’s not just showing up and trying not to kill each other. Some of it is actually interesting, but for the most part we’re all kind of behind. Oh — what’s really interesting are the people here.

Aurora’s daughter, Audrey, is the definition of a stuck-up princess. Of course she’s dating Ben, and won’t let anyone forget about it. It’s kind of sad, really. If I ever give you ridiculous nicknames, like “Harry-boo” or “Harry-kins”, please hook me on the spot.

Chad Charming is, by far, the dumbest person I’ve ever met. I think he tried hitting on me to get me to do his homework? He was all, ‘Is everyone on the Isle as pretty as you?’. Pshh. If he was going to compliment me , he could’ve at least made it a fact that I’m the prettiest on the Isle — take notes, Hook. Well, not that you need them. You’ve probably already said that to me, but I was probably distracted by your ridiculously gorgeous eyes. (Seriously. I’m trying to find something with that color but it’s impossible and it’s all your fault .)

Doug, the son of one of the dwarves, was also utterly charmed by me, but he’s harmless and is interested in stories about the isle, especially the pirates. You’ve already got yourself a fan over here.  

Ben is not what I was expecting from the Prince of Auradon. He’s actually kind . Like, the real kind, not the “Isle kind” where you expect things in return, or need to have an alliance with someone so they don’t set your house on fire. He’s the reason I’m able to send this to you.

All that aside...I miss you. Terribly. I won’t lie, Auradon is starting to grow on me, but I’d leave in a heartbeat if it meant seeing you again. I...I don’t know what vacations and visitations will be allowed, but whatever chance I get, I will see you.  

I love you, Harry Hook.  

Sending you all my love,

Evie  

P.S.: There’s a smaller letter in here for Dizzy. Please give it to her next time you see her.’

He couldn’t tell how long he’d been staring at that piece of paper, and he didn’t really care.

Seeing her words meant more than he would ever say aloud — to anyone but her.

He tried not to think about how she didn’t mention when she would return, or how. He didn’t know what the VKs planned to accomplish in Auradon, and quite frankly, he didn’t care as long as Evie returned.

In Isle standards, they’d been together a long time, and going from seeing her nearly every day to long-distance was something he wasn’t prepared for. But with these letters, this tangible piece of her, he could stand it a bit longer.

He took a look at the bracelet that sat on the side table, carefully dangling off his hook so he wouldn’t lose it.

Soon, he would go find his friends and figure out how the letter was delivered to see if he could send something back. Soon, but not now.

He would re-read that letter until he could picture Auradon, picture the trees she talked about that he only truly saw in paintings, picture a boy named Chad and his irritation and how ironic it was that he wasn’t so charming, picture Evie sitting by a lake, thinking of him while he thought of her.

He would re-read that letter until the next one arrived.

[operation-firecobraclaw]

Steadfast and True

Hi, mah dudes!  Another Sheith prompt finished.  This one is for @lunarymagic who asked for a piece to be written based off of these lyrics:  "I'll be your savior, steadfast and true. I'll come to your emotional rescue."  My co-blogger had also done an art piece for this prompt here.  I hope you enjoy it! :)

You can also read it here on AO3.

~operation-firecobraclaw

“Start training level 5.”

Shiro widened his stance, bending his legs to create a solid balance in his frame.  As he watched the Gladiator drop from the ceiling hatch, he raised his arms in defense, his right hand glowing a searing purple as hot energy coursed through it.

The Gladiator rushed him as soon as its feet touched the floor.

From the gallery above, Keith watched him closely, studying his form and the way he practically danced with the android.  His evasions were fluid, as calculated as his counter blows, and when he did take a hit, he recovered with a swift grace.  Keith still struggled with the level 4 training simulation, and Shiro seemed completely even with it at level 5.

While he couldn’t help but admire his skill, the revelry was always accompanied by an undeniable sense of melancholy.  Shiro had always been proficient in combat, but the prowess he displayed now was something that had been honed out of survival from his time in the Galra fighting pits.  He was fierce and unrelenting - anything less would have got him killed.  Keith shoved the thought away, just as it was about ready to grip at his insides.

Down below, Shiro could feel his heart racing as the Gladiator’s blade swung down against his right arm, the clash of metals ringing in his ears.

He gritted his teeth, a drop of sweat trailing down the side of his face.  Shit, that was close.  

Shiro shoved away the android’s blade and finally found his opening, driving his right hand straight through its chest and out its back.  The metal crunched easily under the force of the blow, and the simulator dispersed in a flash of blue light, the electrical signatures trailing in its wake before it disappeared.  Shiro took a moment to catch his breath, wiping away the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

He couldn’t help but feel irritated with himself; the Gladiator almost had him.  Shiro’s eyes fell briefly to his glowing hand, and he scowled.  If only he had more reach.  If only he… had his bayard.  

Shiro rolled his shoulders, craning his neck to one side, then the other.  “Restart training sequence.”

He wasn’t ready for level 6 yet, not if he’d let himself get that close to defeat.  Again, Shiro engaged the Gladiator in combat, trying to find a good balance between caution and not being inside of his own head too much.  His muscles felt strained as he continued to strike again and again at the android, careful not to leave it an opening.  Sweat threatened to trickle into his eyes, and his throat was dry and aching from thirst.  He needed to hydrate soon.

Keith folded his arms across his chest as he continued to watch the training session, wondering why Shiro was pushing himself so hard.  He’d been at it for hours.  Even from up here, he could see the fire of indignation in his eyes.  Shiro was angry, and Keith didn’t know why.

Moments later, Shiro dispatched the Gladiator with a swift beheading.  Keith turned to leave the gallery, wanting to head down to congratulate him on a successful training session, but he halted when he heard Shiro speak up again.

“Start training level 6.”

“What are you doing, Shiro?” Keith muttered, his brows knitting together as he turned back.  Allura warned them against fighting the Gladiator at any level higher than 5.  “It’s ruthless,” she’d told them, “specially programmed for the Altean elite.”

The two combatants clashed hard, and it didn’t take long for the Red Paladin to notice Shiro beginning to falter.  He planted his hands on the command console in front of him, leaning forward to keep a careful eye on his friend.  Shiro looked tired, like he wasn’t going to last much longer.  What was he thinking?

Shiro wasn’t thinking. He was consumed by his frustrations at the trouble he was having with this Gladiator - among other things.  He swung out his right arm with a irate growl, barely nicking his opponent across the chest.  How much easier it would be if he’d just had his bayard?  If his connection to his lion was stronger?  How much more useful would he be - against the Galra, to his team - if he didn’t have to rely on this fucking arm!

He misstepped, and it cost him.  The Gladiator rounded a heavy kick against his side - in the area where Haggar had almost mortally wounded him.  Shiro cried out as he flew several feet to the side, landing roughly on his shoulder.  Had the impact been any harder, it would have dislocated it.

“Shiro!” Keith called out to him.  He immediately went to work on the command console, attempting to shut off the simulation.  It persisted.  “End training sequence!” he tried verbally but that too ended in failure.  He wasn’t even able to send out an alert to the others.  “Fuck, not again!”  

Unbeknownst to the two of them, Coran was working on maintenance on another end of the Castle and he may have… accidentally corrupted the systems linking to the training simulator when Lance and Hunk barged in on him, startling the engineer.  “Oh, quiznack,” Coran cursed.  

Keith bolted out of the gallery, heading down to the training deck.  

Shiro, in the meantime, rolled over against the floor, barely avoiding the Gladiator’s blade as it hailed down on him.  His heart was pounding in his ears, and he could barely concentrate on the situation in front of him.  He wasn’t in the Castle anymore; he was in the pit, against another alien opponent looking to rip his life away for the sake of entertaining the Galra.  The bloodthirst in its eyes sent a jolt of terror to his core.  Shiro’s chest burned with each inhalation, and he could feel the panic settling in.  This was impossible.  He couldn’t be here again; please, God, he couldn’t be here again.  

“You could have been our greatest weapon.”

No… Not her.  Shiro’s side burned, like his wound never truly healed.

“I make you strong, and this is how you repay me?!”

Her voice grated against each corner of his mind, and he could almost feel her wicked magic once again invading his body, corrupting each cell and burning through his veins like venom.  Another voice joined hers, his laugh echoing against the walls of the training deck, and together they twisted around each other and snaked viciously through his psyche.

“Too bad you didn’t get the latest model.”

Shiro could hardly move; he couldn’t breathe.  He’d pushed himself too hard, and now he was paying for it.  He managed to roll into a shaky crouch, but his opponent was quick to dismantle his recovery.  The Gladiator’s foot booted flat against his chest, eliciting a breathless “oof” from the Black Paladin as the air fled from his lungs.  He was sent flying with the force, sliding several feet back across the floor after a rocky landing.

Their cruel laughter continued to seep into his mind and cloud his every thought, blinding him with fear, paralyzing him on the outside and evoking hysteria on the inside.  Stop… Stop!  Leave me alone!  He was… was he hyperventilating?  He could smell the dirt and blood beneath him on the floor of the arena, the lingering stench of death filling his nostrils and settling on his tongue.  The singing of blades rang in the air as they collided again and again, mercilessly.  

Someone else was fighting.  Who was…?  A sword clattered loudly to the ground.

“Shiro?!  Shiro!!  Please, Shiro, come back to me.  We have to get out of - gah!”

The Gladiator’s fist caught Keith right in the jaw, and the taste of iron spilled across his tongue.  He didn’t even have time to spit the blood out before it sunk another punch into his solar plexus, leaving him feeling completely hollowed out.  Keith almost regretted disarming the damned thing.  Without warning, it gripped him by the neck and lifted him off of his feet before tossing him aside - a minor inconvenience.

Keith used the momentum to roll onto his feet, barely keeping his balance as pain still wracked his stomach.  “Bastard,” he spat, wiping away the blood from his lips with the back of his hand.

The Gladiator’s single eye flashed menacingly as it honed once again onto Shiro, its original target, bending down mid-walk to pick up its sword.  Shiro was down - what was it doing?!  The Altean elite apparently didn’t mess around.  Keith, who thankfully was able to keep hold of his bayard, pushed off of the ground and charged the Gladiator.   That thing was going to kill Shiro if it wasn’t stopped, and the Red Paladin wouldn’t be able to defeat it by conventional means.  

He had a plan.  It was shoddy at best, fucking batshit crazy at worst, but it was all that he had.  And it was going to hurt - a lot.  Keith chanced a glance at Shiro, who was laid out on his back, drenched in sweat and shaking.  He was still conscious, muttering to himself, gripping at his Galra arm, but he couldn’t seem to move.

Don’t worry, Shiro.  I’ll be right there.

Keith’s charge didn’t escape the Gladiator’s notice, and it turned on him to resume their lethal duel.  The Red Paladin was barely able to parry its strikes, and he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to keep it up for long.  Each collision of its blade against his sent a harrowing shock into his arm; it was a struggle to keep a grip on the hilt.  Just when he he thought his plan was about to crumble around him, he found his opening.

Well.  The Gladiator’s opening.

Keith abandoned his guard on his left shoulder, and the Gladiator pierced through it, nearly the entire length of its blade protruding out of his back.  He cried out, a long desperate shriek.  Even with the adrenaline that pumped through his veins, he was unprepared for how blinding the pain would be. Fuck, he was going to pass out.  No, damn you, STAY AWAKE.  Keith drew back his trembling right fist, weakly throwing it at his opponent’s face.  The android caught his punch easily in its free hand.

“You stupid fucking robot,” Keith grunted out a hoarse chuckle, unable to help the smirk that crept onto his lips.

Keith screamed through the anguish, the searing pain in his shoulder intensifying, as he reached behind him with his left hand and yanked his knife from its sheath.  With one last fierce cry, he drove his small blade into the side of the Gladiator’s head.  A second of stillness passed before the android twitched and dispersed in its electric blue light, the sword disappearing with it and leaving the wound open in Keith’s shoulder.  His dagger rattled as it hit the floor.

Keith’s scream had broken through the smokescreen of Shiro’s mind, banishing the other voices into oblivion.  What was… happening?  Keith...?  Keith!

The Red Paladin didn’t make it two steps before he dropped to his knees.  Despite the waves of agony that ripped through him, he began to crawl his way over to his friend.  “Sh-shiro…” he rasped, the sharp torment in his shoulder threatening render him unconscious.  Blood leaked out of his wound, darkening his already black shirt at his chest and back.

Shiro’s eyes snapped open and he inhaled a sharp gasp, like he’d been so close drowning but broke through the water’s surface just in time.  His chest and throat were still burning, and his heart rate hadn’t much improved either, but the strange, terrifying paralysis was beginning to ebb.  Just as he was about to sit up, an acute pain in his side yanked him back down to the floor.  He hissed, realizing that two of his ribs were broken.

“Sh-shiro…”

Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw when he turned his head to meet the voice.  Shiro’s blood turned ice cold, coursing raw through his veins and into his heart.  Keith, only a few feet from him, was bleeding profusely from his shoulder, the thick red liquid creating streaks of scarlet down his left arm.  The Red Paladin had his hand pressed against the wound in attempt to slow the discharge, but the blood persisted, leaking between his fingers and dripping down his knuckles.  

“You’re okay..” Keith’s voice shuddered, a shaking but relieved smile tugging at the corner of his lips.  He was so pale...

Before Shiro could even say his name, the door to the training deck slid open, and several sets of footsteps could be heard racing across the room.

“Shiro!”

“Keith!”

Shiro was grounded, but he reached out to Keith, stretching his arm out as far as the metal would allow him.  He could feel hot tears gathering at the corner of his eyes.  What have I done?

Keith’s vision was fading to black, a heavy heat smothering him and drawing sweat from his every pore, yet his entire body felt cold.  A trail of blood smeared across the floor in his wake as he continued to painstakingly drag himself over to Shiro.  This wound… it was nothing… nothing.  Shiro was safe.  He was safe…

With the last of his strength, he reached out with his bloody hand, clasping it around Shiro’s before collapsing onto the floor, his consciousness finally abandoning him.

Shiro gripped Keith’s hand, refusing to let it fall.

The Black Paladin sat on the edge of his bed, leaning forward with elbows on his knees as he stared down absently at his prosthetic limb.  He hadn’t slept since he and Keith emerged from their healing pods, which was more than twenty four hours ago.  He was dead tired but didn’t dare go to sleep, unsure if he’d survive the nightmares this time.

Whenever Shiro closed his eyes, he saw Keith.  Bleeding out.  Dying.  Because he let his anger get the best of him.  Disgust writhed inside of his chest, and he couldn’t be sure if he had ever hated himself more than he did now.  Keith almost died because Shiro was being reckless.  His best friend, his anchor, the only one person he had ever… loved.  

Shiro shook with humorless laughter.  He hung his head, pressing a hand against his eyes as the tears gathered.  The irony was killing him.  Why now, in the midst of feeling all of this hate, could he finally admit to himself that he loved Keith?  

He was a wreck.

A soft knock sounded on the other side of his bedroom door, where Keith stood.  The Red Paladin wasn’t sure how long he had been idling there, his fist awkwardly raised while he decided whether or not to knock.  He needed to know if Shiro was okay.  What happened to him on the training deck…  that wasn’t something to just sweep under the rug.  The Black Paladin’s broken ribs may have healed to perfection, but after what Keith witnessed, he suspected that the torment ran much deeper than that.  God knew Shiro was in there right now, blaming himself for the whole thing.

They hadn’t really spoken since their recovery beyond a cursory “I’m glad you’re alright,” and Keith wasn’t going to get a wink of sleep until they actually talked.  

He decided to knock.  When the seconds stretched on without an answer, he tried again, “Shiro? You awake?”  Nothing.  Keith closed his eyes, inhaling a slow breath in preparation.  “I’m... I’m coming in, okay?”

Keith hadn’t known that Shiro was using that time to pull himself together after so nearly falling apart.  The Black Paladin set his jaw, wiping away the tears with the back of his arm before they had the chance to fall.  As he clenched his fists to stop the trembling, he breathed in slowly through his nose, completely filling his lungs until it hurt, before steadily exhaling.  “Yeah, come on in, Keith.”

As much as he tried to control the waver in his voice, it still broke over his name.

The doors slid open and Keith stepped inside, already feeling an uncomfortable weight on his shoulders at the sight of Shiro’s still figure.  As composed as his friend tried to appear, there was a suffering in his eyes that he couldn’t possibly hide.   Then again, Shiro always seemed to have that same look about him to some degree or another.  He concealed it well enough from the others - but never from Keith.  And now, without a doubt in his mind, Shiro was taking the fault for the insane stunt that the Red Paladin pulled with the Gladiator.

“I just… I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Keith started, stepping further into the room.

The concern he heard in Keith’s voice was almost enough to shatter his composure.  It was far more than he deserved.  Shiro straightened up as he remained sitting on his bed, turning his head to look at Keith but still unable to meet his eyes.  “I’m fine,” he lied, the words sounding more hoarse than he intended.  Damn it… Damn it, damn it.  “You?”

“Good.  I feel… I feel fine,” he stammered, cursing himself as soon as he finished speaking.  Neither of them were fine, and both of them knew it.  Why was this so hard?  Just… be honest.  This is Shiro.  Keith braced himself and said decisively, “No, I... guess I'm not fine.”

Shiro flinched, casting his gaze down to the floor, his shoulders sinking.  He couldn’t remember ever feeling so brittle, and the one person who could effortlessly break him was standing not five feet from him.  Under all of that worry, Keith had to be angry, right?  After what Shiro did, how could he not be?  And he deserved every bit of the Red Paladin’s ire, didn’t he?

Before he realized it, Keith knelt down in front of him and slipped his fingers just beneath his chin, slightly lifting Shiro’s face so he could meet his gaze.  Shiro’s guard began to slip as he stared down at his friend with wide eyes, the skin beneath his fingertips rippling with warmth.  There was no anger in Keith’s face; only a tender look of concern that made his chest and throat feel tight.

Keith was crossing a line, and there was no going back.  He needed Shiro to know how much he meant to him, that he could trust Keith with anything.  He needed him to know that he didn’t have to suffer alone.  

“Shiro,” he uttered, feeling a trickle of relief when the older man didn’t pull away from his touch.  “What happened wasn’t your fault, okay?  I don’t want you blaming yourself.  I did what I did because you were in trouble, and I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you.”

Shiro squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to hold onto any semblance of control.  When he spoke, his voice came out strained and thick, “But if I hadn’t… been reckless.  If I hadn’t pushed myself…”

Keith traced the tips of his fingers up Shiro’s jawline, cradling his hand against the side of his face and lightly touching his thumb to his bottom lip - a gentle indicator to stop talking.  “There’s no way you could have known that the Gladiator would malfunction,” he went on.  It was difficult to hide the tremor in his voice; seeing Shiro like this shook him to his core.  “Shiro, there was no way you could have stopped yourself from having that panic attack.”

Just like that, he shattered.  There was nothing else he could hide from Keith; the younger man saw right through him, reading between the lines of fractured glass.  He saw his weakness, his shame.  Everything.

And he still accepted him.

Shiro fell from the edge of his bed, dropping to his knees into the arms of his best friend, his forehead pressed into his shoulder.

Keith caught him readily, holding him tight as he felt the Black Paladin’s entire frame trembling hard against him.  “It’s okay,” he whispered through a shaky breath.  A sudden onset of tears streaked hot down his face, but he spoke as steadily as he could,  “It’s okay.  I’m right here, Shiro.  I will always be right here.”

He felt Shiro’s hands slide up his back before gripping at his shirt, a sob rippling through his broad frame.  His voice was muffled, but it wasn’t difficult for Keith to make out the apologies that he repeated over and over again.

“I’m sorry.. I’m so sorry..”

“It’s alright,” Keith whispered, resting a hand against the back of Shiro’s head.  “You’re the strongest person I know.  But let me be strong for you sometimes, okay?  You don’t have to be alone.  Ever.”  The words just kept pouring out, but they needed to be said, and Keith wasn’t afraid to say them anymore.  “You’ve been through so much, and I know you’re hurting.  And you what?  That’s okay.  You don’t have to feel ashamed, and you don’t have to hide it.  Not from me.  Shiro, I…”

No...  Now is so not the right time.  He couldn’t believe how close he was to slipping.  Maybe it was having Shiro so close to him - holding and comforting him, and more importantly, he let Keith do those things.

Shiro felt like he could breathe again as Keith’s words slowly sank in.  The pain was still fresh, gnawing at his insides, but he closed his eyes and tried instead to focus on how Keith’s arms felt around him, how his breath caressed his neck.  He could hear the raw honesty in his voice, like Keith truly believed what he was saying - so much that Shiro could start to believe it, too.  He was able to steadily regain some control over his breathing, and the tremors that rattled him began to subside.

“I was so afraid that I was going to lose you,” he whispered, finally finding his voice.  “I can’t… lose you, Keith.”  

“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised, resting his chin on Shiro’s shoulder.  “I’m sorry I scared you.”

They held each other for a long time, and neither wanted to be the first to let go.  When Shiro asked Keith to stay the night, he didn’t protest.  He wasn’t so sure he wanted to be alone either.

Keith slept in Shiro’s bed, only a few inches of space between them.  Asleep and unaware of his movements, Keith rolled over and draped an arm over Shiro’s stomach, his breaths long and deep with slumber.  The Black Paladin couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips.  After how much of a mess he was that night, it was hard to believe how relaxed he felt.  He didn’t try to fool himself; it was only because Keith was there.

“Keith.”  The whisper was barely audible, and he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to wake him or not.  As Shiro closed his eyes, ready for sleep to take him, he finally let go of the last piece of himself that he’d been hiding.  “I love you.”

Whether or not Keith heard him, he would find out in the morning.