#I fully don’t think a chair could kill Caesar. he’d get back up like the terminator

[dainty-fingertips]

a forever thing. ||kars x fem! reader

wrote this one a few weeks ago bc a friend said i should write something with kars,, ended up being too long and i don’t think she ever finished reading it;; also, spoilers for if you haven’t finished battle tendency !!

word count: 2233

summary: training alongside caesar and joseph, you end up being kidnapped by the remaining two pillar men after the death of esidisi. a closet bookworm, you end up spending most of your time cooped up in the library of the rundown hotel, though most of your time is spent thinking of the leader himself. after kars drops some undeniable hints, you decide to test the waters.

trigger warnings: none :)

||

          Being taken for a sort of ransom by aztec gods wasn’t exactly on the agenda today. 

          After Joseph had killed Esidisi, the remaining two were -- as expected -- on edge. Wamuu, the youngest, and Kars, the eldest. You could grasp a fleeting understanding on why they chose you specifically, but nothing enough to make complete sense in your brain. It could have been Caesar, it could have been Lisa Lisa, but no. As of now, they were treating you quite well, actually. You figured Wamuu was the only reason you weren’t bound by rope and eating out of a dog bowl right now. Instead, you were perched upon a plush reading chair in a rundown library, clad in a comfortable robe (thanks to Wamuu, you weren’t stuck in your sweaty outfit from before). You had planned on touring to Switzerland one day after the war, but being trapped inside a rundown hotel with no real access to vitamin D was really taxing your health (mentally and physically) and never intended to be something you spent your time doing while here.

          In your rough-skinned hands, you held a worn copy of In Search of Lost Time. Your reading comprehension had improved over the past few weeks, at least. A rough knock on the door pulled you from your thoughts. “I’m here.” You said calmly, hoping it was the younger Pillar Man. Of course your desires were not met. Kars stepped into the library, his headscarf absorbing some of the light from the candle lit on the table next to you. He eyed you in what appeared to be mild distaste. “Why are you awake?” You looked up from the book with an odd expression. “What do you mean?” You asked him. The god huffed softly, motioning to the boards on the windows. “The sun has gone down. Are you not tired?” You pulled your gaze over to the covered windows. “...Oh.”

          You had failed to notice the absence of flittering rays much earlier. “Wait, what time is it?” You mumbled to yourself. You looked at the grandfather clock on the wall to your right and your expression dropped. “It’s 1 am.” he mumbled, crossing his arms. You pursed your lips and quietly closed the book. You uncrossed your legs and set it back on the shelf. Kars watched you slowly make your way back and forth. “What about you?” You asked, wrapping your fingers around the candle tray. He stared at you. Were you asking why he was up? “What do you mean?” He asked with a sigh. “You’re still up, but you aren’t tired.” You stated while approaching him. He didn’t move. “I’ve told you this. Neither me nor Wamuu need sleep, human. Es-” He stopped himself mid sentence and his cold expression seemed to falter for only a moment. You had learned, in your three weeks here, that the pillar men deemed it inappropriate to show emotion to anyone other than family members or mates. 

          Kars had never slipped up around you before. 

          The gears in your brain began turning. Kars wouldn’t show something like that to Wammu even, at least that’s what you’d been told. Why, even if for a split second, would he let you see that? Did he see you as someone close? The mere idea was laughable. Kars’ cold exterior soon returned, though. Simply brushing aside the sight, you continued to listen to him. “Esidisi didn’t need sleep, either.” He continued, his voice almost strained. Was Kars trying to hide his pain? You looked at him with soft eyes. Kars seemed to get minorly flustered and removed his gaze from you.

          You sighed gently and gazed cautiously into his blooming red eyes, the simple sight of them making your stomach twirl a bit. He made you feel floaty when he looked at you. Your cheeks flushed and you looked away. You saw in your hazy peripheral that he had furrowed an eyebrow. “What?” He asked hesitantly, looking back at you. “Hm?” You couldn’t look back at him. “I was just wondering about something, that’s all.” You begged that the bluff worked on him, but you knew that Kars was smart. He didn’t respond for a few seconds, his eyes flickering across your face and body, looking for a hint of something in your body language. 

          He sighed and motioned for you to follow him. You stood there and glanced at him curiously, his back turned and footsteps echoing. He turned his head to look at you. “I’m taking you to your chambers. Come.” He said with a bored expression. “O-Oh, right.” You whispered. You jogged up to him, but slowed your pace once you were next to him. “What was it?” He asked. You furrowed your eyebrows and looked at him without moving your head. “What?” He sighed through his nose. “You said you were wondering about something.” Your mouth opened to the shape of an O. “Right. I was just curious, uh, Kars. Do you think you could sleep if you tried?” You queered hesitantly, avoiding your original thought of Kars’ sadness. You looked back ahead of you. Kars gazed to his right, thinking. “An odd question, human. Why do you ask?” You shrugged slightly. “I dunno. Curiosity, I guess.” Kars aired out a small ‘hm.’ and inhaled sharply.

          “Curiosity is a dangerous fault in humans. No matter how long I sleep, that will forever remain a constant.” You cocked your head to the side a bit, working up the courage to turn to him as you both walked. “What do you mean?” He looked down at you, a strand of his hair tufting out slightly. “It’s what got that damned Joestar wrapped into this mess. If not for him, we wouldn’t need to deal with this. Our mission would be far less… complicated.” You nodded your head. “And that’s been a forever-thing?” He squinted his eyes. “A what?” 

          “Well, that’s what my dad used to call it.” You said with a gentle chuckle. “Y’know, a forever-thing. Something that’s been around for forever. Literally and figuratively.” 

          “A forever-thing?” He pressed.

          “Mhm.”

          “Humans and their idiotic names for simple terms.” he spat.

          “Oh really?”

           He scoffed. “Yes.”

          “Then what would you call it?” You joked, putting a playfully heavy emphasis on your words. Kars groaned, but deep inside his old bones, he felt something. He could admire beauty when he saw it, especially for a human, but this was getting out of hand. You were completely oblivious to the fact that Kars had taken an especial liking to you, which he was grateful for. His cold demeanor felt almost immoral around you. You were similar to that Joestar boy, but you were somehow more tangible. He could… stand you, sure, but he didn’t know why. He had been surrounded by nothing but cold glares and serious attitudes his whole life, and he magnified it in the way he lived. It’s what earned him the highest rank in what now remained of the tribes, being merely him and Wamuu. 

          Though, having you around was a strangely acceptable change of tone. He began finding himself seeking out your attention, like 10 minutes ago. You weren’t in your bed, so he came looking for you where you normally sat; the library. You were propped in that chair, now claimed as yours, with your knees to your chest and a book in your hands. You seemed almost magnetizing, you seemed almost… well, he wasn’t sure. He’d never felt this way. Why did you grab his attention? You held him in your fingers like putty, rubbing him in all the right ways. Maybe, because of you, his opinion on the human species wouldn’t be so dire. Maybe, in your toothy grins, your glittering eyes, and your gentle hands,  you would change his mind. 

          Only then, did he realize you had taken his hand in yours.

          He quickly pulled it away. “Don’t touch me.” He spat, eyeing you. You chuckled and shrugged. “Sorry, force of habit. Whenever my dad was deep in thought, I’d grab his hand to pull him back to Earth.” Kars scoffed, rubbing his hand as though trying to get the feeling of your rough hands off of him. They were hard and calloused from training, he presumed, though it added to his simple adoration. He had never met a woman like this. His eyes lingered back to your hands for a moment before looking back ahead. “Well, I’m not your father.” You simply smiled ahead and didn’t respond.

          Kars let his hands fall to his sides and the two of you make it up the set of stairs to your room. The door sat closed, and you looked at Kars. “Would you mind, Kars, if I told you something?” You questioned casually, entering your room and looking at him from the inside. He nodded once and silently asked you to continue. Your face grew warm and you looked to the side, unable to look at him for a moment. “You…” You began, unsure how to tell him. He raised an eyebrow. “I what?” He said. You knew he was an impatient man when it came to things like this; you had heard it from Wamuu whenever he’d bring you food. “Spit it out.” You sighed and looked at him, your gaze wavering and nervous. “You aren’t half bad, Kars.” You said with an awkward tone of voice. You knew you were treading on thin ice, but you didn’t know when you’d actually be able to tell him alone.

          Kars’ stance was unmoved. The meaning behind your words didn’t fully strike him until after the two of you silently stared at each other for 20 seconds. His face, twisted in mild confusion, soon loosened up. Realization clubbed him like a wooden baseball bat behind his knees. His maroon eyes darted across your face and his lips parted slightly. “What -- What are you saying?” He said quietly. He was sure his brain was playing tricks, but your face, it seemed so fearfully genuine. Sweat accumulated on the back of his neck in his headscarf. Kars was a god; the most powerful pillar man. He was above this. Why did… Why did it feel wrong to act that way around you? Why did he feel almost guilty when he acted superior?

          You stood motionless. “I mean, y’know. I enjoy… your… your company.” You stumbled over her words. Were you being intimate with him? He’d never seen this side of you. You noticed Kars slipping up on his own standards again, as well. His surprised emotions were clear as day, etched cleanly into his chiseled features. His fangs poked out onto his lower lip, a simple protrusion which you had wished you didn't find cute. You genuinely thought that Kars was attractive.

          Then again, who wouldn’t? He stood tall, around 6’8”. He towered over most all he came in contact with, but that was simply second nature to you now. You were used to craning your neck to get a better look at those blood-red eyes that almost seemed to despise you. A dark loft of his hair would make its cameo every now and again. He’d always get flustered whenever you’d mention it, telling you that he didn’t need the approval of a human. He’d then, a minute or so later, slyly tuck it back in. It’s not that he didn’t know, of course; it’s just that he only cared enough about it if you took the time to tell him.

          Wamuu had noticed his growing infatuation with you and the thought brought him a smile. After sitting down with Kars and listening to him do nothing but wax poetic about you earlier tonight, he told him to go find you. Maybe take a walk with you, if he felt like it. Kars kindly took up the offer; it seemed you had humbled him in that department, too. Normally he wouldn’t bother taking anyone’s advice, but here he was. Pulling him from the crevasse of his rushing brain was your hand, humbly wrapping your fingers around his.

          Kars stared at his hands, fingers being separated by your own, in blatant shock. “You aren’t as bad as I thought you’d be.” You whispered, barely audible to him. He locked eyes with you and without thinking, going against everything he’d ever stood for in the past, he curled his fingers around yours as well. You smiled softly and looked down, avoiding his gaze. Kars’ lips pulled back together, his lips twitching, desperately wanting to smile. “I suppose.” He said hesitantly. “Why are you being nice to me?” He soon asked, turning his gaze back to your face.

          He pulled his hand away, taking a step back. “I…” You murmured, retracting your hand as well. He looked between his fingers as though he’d touched gold, small glittering remnants still freckled along his palm. “I don’t know.” you finished with a heavy sigh. He closed his hand into a fist and looked at you with nervous confidence. “Well, if there’s nothing more, then I will take my leave.” He said quickly, nearly stuttering his words. He turned on his heel and began going the way he came. You gazed at his back as he swiftly left the hallway and sighed in disbelief. You had just grabbed his hand.

          Kars, it seemed, had fallen in love with the enemy.

          The enemy, it seemed, had felt exactly the same.

[maerrybom]

Prompt: Your OC walks in on their crush having a nightmare.

aAAA THIS PROMPT !! I’m bursting with so much inspiration right now and jsdhasjkhdjds !!! I wrote this in a whim and tried my best;; I hope this was enjoyable to read + some character spoilers ! I tried to make this sweet and heart-warming, but I ended up making this angsty :(((

found in masterlist

Maye’s Route:

Takamagahara bar was finally quiet for once and I preferred it this way. It’s been a while since it’s closed down for the night and time has stilled down, yet I’m still wide awake. I left my room in search for a glass of milk by the bar in hopes that it’ll calm my nerves and soothe the tiny headache I’m having again. It’s been getting harder to sleep nowadays. Sigh. As I made my way past the couches, I heard someone breathing heavily and seeming to be groaning in pain.

“...Ugh.”

Instantly, I quietly crept my way towards the sound alarmingly and wondered if someone had managed to break in. As I got closer, I peaked over from behind the couch and to my surprise it was only Johann—Johann? What on earth...?

Johann was asleep but he was sweating profusely and was gasping for air every now and then. This is bad; sleeping on the couch won’t be good for his back and he looks uncomfortable. I watched his distressed features closely and silently made my way in front. Judging from his body language and his expression, he’s having a nightmare and I frowned in response. Should I wake him up? Or should I keep him company until he calms down?

‘I can even hear his heart pound loudly...’ I thought.

Before I knew it, my gloved hand was unconsciously reaching out towards his face and I somehow couldn’t pull away. I don’t understand why I’m doing this, but I don’t like seeing him in pain.

“Shavee...”

My hand paused and felt my eyes widen in surprise at the mention of her name. I’ve heard about Shavee from Luminous and everything that happened between them, especially with Johann. I also remember how Luminous told me that I share a lot of qualities with her in terms of intelligence and talent. But, I wasn’t sure how I felt knowing that. Did people think I was like Shavee too? Did Johann think the same way?

Johann was a bit of an air-head at times, but he was also known to be a ‘killboy’ due to his wild, stubborn & reckless nature. He was responsible for me and because of that, he set up a training programme for me to follow everyday and tutored me whenever I had an exam. Johann was impossible at times, but I never complained even when I felt like my brain was about to explode or my arms were about to fall off. And yet, he personally brings me medicine when I’m ill and prepares a glass of warm milk when I’m upset. 

And then I remembered what Principal Anjou told me about how my S-talent was too unstable. If anything went wrong, I could go berserk and Johann would have to kill me. Is that why he’s being nice to me?

‘Don’t be foolish, Maye. You’re overthinking again.’

Shaking my thoughts away, I pulled my hand back to my side and immediately left Johann momentarily to grab a blanket from my room. Once I returned, he was still in the same state when I left him, so I carefully laid the blanket on him and did my best to not wake him up. Afterwards, I saw his shaking form calm down and the crease by his brows disappear. He finally looked in peace and was sound asleep. 

Sighing quietly, I then made my way towards the other couch and laid on my back, staring at the ceiling with mixed emotions. I guess I’ll just have to keep him company for the night and make sure he doesn’t fall off the couch if it happens.

‘This is the best thing I can do for him—but is it good enough?’

Unfortunately, my thoughts are still racing against each other and felt my headache worsen, and yet seeing him in peace strangely puts me at ease. Turning my head towards Johann, I watched and observed his sleeping face for a moment as a small, sad smile made its way on my features. I probably always looked so pitiful in his eyes.

At least one of us is getting sleep tonight.  

Sol’s Route:

“Caesar—Oh...?”

Stopping dead in my tracks, I instinctively raised a hand over my mouth the moment I saw Caesar leaning back against the chair, arms crossed and fast asleep. It’s a busy night in Takamagahara and I’ve been running back & forth serving drinks for the customers. Johann asked me to find Caesar in the back room since some of the women have been asking where he is. So, here we are.

I quietly closed the door behind me and carefully made my way towards his sleeping form, pausing every now and then as to not disturb him. Caesar had been entertaining the customers and working endlessly ever since we arrived here. My eyes wandered over his face as a worried smile crept onto my face. I don’t think he’s properly recovered ever since Miss Makoto died and burdened him even more when I got shot with a bullet.

‘I know Johann is asking for him, but he’s so tired.’ I thought, biting my lip. ‘Should I just go back and say that Caesar is asleep?’

And with that judgement, I turned around to exit the back room to report back to Johann but flinched in surprise when I heard noises coming from Caesar. Stupid! I should’ve been more careful! Looking over my shoulder, I gazed back at him to see his handsome features scrunched up in pain. As I observed him, I can sense his distress and how his heart aches in agony. He’s having a nightmare? I knew it—he never fully recovered. 

Once again, I found myself creeping towards him in concern with my arms outstretched. I should’ve just woken him up, but I knew he’d be so bothered about what he dreamt and force himself to get out there and work. I don’t want that. So, I lightly cupped his face and whispered incoherent words under my breath as my hands glowed in the process. This action caused Caesar to sigh in relief and visibly relaxed, nuzzling his cheek against my hand in comfort.

My eyebrows furrowed in stress and almost pulled away because of that, but I needed to focus and kept my palms onto his face. The more I look at how serene his expression was, the more I felt uneasy and apprehensive. I’m probably only feeling this way because I’m transferring his pain onto mine and his feelings are so heavy that it makes me want to cry.

But at the same time, I just want to enjoy being able to be close to him like this. Even in his dreams, I only want him to be happy. These selfish feelings of mine are dangerous and will benefit no one. This isn’t right after all. 

And with that, my hands stopped glowing and my arms dropped to my sides, feeling the exhaustion weighing me down. However, Caesar started to wake up and I immediately stepped away from him without trying to be suspicious of what I’ve just done. His sleepy blue eyes connected with my own, looking at me with confusion.

“...Sol? What are you doing here?” He muttered.

“Um... Johann is looking for you and told me you were here.” I replied nervously, “I was just about to wake you up.”

“Ah, I see.” The blonde chuckled, scratching the back of his neck before standing up. “Thank you, Sol.”

Smiling in response, I stepped aside for him to pass through first and kept my mouth shut. But instead, Caesar stood in front of me and I looked up at him questioningly. He then reached his hand out and patted me on the head, smiling brightly down at my flustered face. It felt like I was being blinded by a thousand suns, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Why am I like this?

“To be honest Sol,” He began, “I’ve been exhausted lately, but seeing your face really does freshen me up and wash all my worries away. Please continue being yourself, alright?”

“...Of course.”

“Well, I’ll be off then.” Caesar walked past me to exit the room, “take care of yourself, Sol.”

And with that, I was alone with my own thoughts and clenched my fists out of frustration. My beating heart betrayed me once again.

I shouldn’t let this continue. I can’t risk it.

Thalia’s Route:

“Grrgh... Don’t—!”

Gritting my teeth in anger, I shot up from the futon and faced Luminous with a glare. It’s the middle of the night; the thunderstorm outside in Tokyo city was already making me feel restless and couldn’t sleep ever since it started raining. Why is he being so loud and annoying even in his sleep? He should’ve just slept on the other side of the room where Erii is sleeping and not right next to me. At least Erii is sleeping peacefully. Lucky girl.

As I continued to glare at his face, I felt my anger decrease and began to frown. Luminous was panting and his forehead glistened with sweat under the city lights of Tokyo. He looked like he just ran a marathon and was in so much pain, mumbling things under his breath. A nightmare?

“Nono... Don’t leave...” Luminous muttered.

My frown deepened and felt annoyance replace my anger. At this point I didn’t care how much noise I’ll make since Erii has the ability to sleep through anything even if there’s a war outside, so I aggressively threw my blanket off of me and crawled to his side, reaching my hand towards his face to smack him awake. However, my hand shook in place and couldn’t find the will to do so as I glared at his face that was stricken with torment. 

‘What’s wrong with me?’

Biting my lip in frustration, I then held onto his shoulder and carefully shook him awake.

“...Luminous. Luminous!” I whisper-yelled, “Wake up or else...!”

“Ah—!” Before he could scream and wake everyone up in this hotel, I closed his mouth shut with my hand and ‘shushed’ him with an index finger against my lips.

Luminous quickly sat up at the same time when thunder struck the sky, breathing quickly while looking at my irritated expression with pure shock. His wide eyes stared at me for a while as I slowly removed my hand from his mouth and unconsciously wiped my hand against my nightgown, feeling uncomfortable at his staring. He was still scared out of his wits, in distress and was looking around the room before laying his eyes on me again.

“...Thalia? You woke me up?”

“Who else did then?” I scoffed, looking away from his dumb face. “You...were having a nightmare and can’t even be quiet about it. I had to wake you up because you were disturbing my beauty sleep.”

All of a sudden, Luminous reached out to me and pulled me towards him, finding myself being placed on his lap. What? What the hell is he doing? I should’ve smacked him when I had the chance! I wanted to scream at his face and struggled against his grip, but he wrapped his arms tighter around me.

“Please...” I heard him whisper in my ear, “just let me do this once.”

My face was already buried on his chest and I definitely knew my cheeks was as red as my hair right now. I didn’t know which heartbeat I was listening to as both of ours were equally as loud, blocking the thunder away from my ears. I felt embarrassed, but I didn’t have the strength to fight my way out of his grip. Once Luminous noticed how I stopped struggling, he buried his face onto my shoulder and his hold around me tightened me once more, desperately clinging onto me like a child. 

I wasn’t sure what to do and sat still, keeping my arms close to me out of awkwardness. I’m not even sure how long we stayed in this position, but before I realised, I found myself laying in his futon with me in his arms. Luminous laid his chin against my head, so I couldn’t see his expression anymore and he didn’t show any signs of letting go. Out of all the people in this world, I would have never chosen to be held like this by him. And yet, I’m...not complaining about it.

When was the last time I was this close with someone? Was I even held like this before? Even my mother had never held me this tight in their arms—I didn’t think I’d feel this safe & protected. The faint scent of Luminous’ cologne, his strange warmth and steady heartbeat was starting to lull me to sleep. This is...very strange. 

This is the first time I’ve been so calm in a thunderstorm and felt my worries, irritation & fears wash away. My eyes were beginning to fail me and felt the unconsciousness block my vision, trapping me into their sweet embrace.

And with that, we slept through the stormy night under the comfort of each other’s arms.

Elena’s Route:

“Chisei Gen! Chisei Gen!”

After feverishly running around Hydra Palace looking for a target to mess with, I finally found Chisei sitting underneath one of the Cherry Blossom trees. I can’t see his face since he seemed to be looking off in the distance, but as I ran towards him I immediately stopped my tracks. This caused my Mecha, Chip, to bump against my back and I swiftly turned to face my friend apologetically.

“Ah, sorry! Are you okay buddy?”

Chip spun in circles and ‘chirped’ happily, telling me that he was just surprised at my sudden stop. Sighing in relief, I then stopped in front of Chisei to block his view and surprisingly ended up seeing him hunched over, fast asleep. I pouted and huffed in annoyance, kneeling to his height as I crossed my arms around my knees.

“Out of all the places to rest, someone of your status chooses to sleep here.” I muttered before looking at Chip. “What should we do now? Do you think I should draw on his face to teach him a lesson?”

Chip seemed to refuse that idea as he circled around my head in panic, knowing that I’ll do it anyways no matter what his response is. Then, I smiled mischievously at Chisei’s face and thought of what I wanted to write & draw. Johann & Caesar might scold me after finding out I had the audacity to draw on the High Patriarch, but it’s worth it! Even Luminous would be on my side!

But before I managed to whip a marker out of my kimono sleeve, I ended up just observing his face and how it changed into an unpleasant expression. At first, I thought Chisei sensed my mischief in his sleep and is disappointed in me but the way he was panting for air and the sweat on his skin made me think otherwise. Chip hid behind my back out of fear because he didn’t understand what was going on, but I knew this feeling all too well. He was having a nightmare.

“Chip, can you watch out for us? Do you think you can manage to set up an invisibility barrier for a bit?” I asked my friend to which he nodded enthusiastically.

And so, I carefully sat next to Chisei’s hunched figure before laying my hand against his head to push it down towards my lap. It feels weird to do this, but I remembered how my father used to do this for me whenever I felt scared after waking up from a nightmare. He would tell me that everything was alright while brushing my blonde locks with his fingers as I tried to sleep again on his lap.

My fingers lightly brushed Chisei’s hair away from his face, wiping some of his sweat in the process. It seemed to be working because he was finally starting to visibly relax and sleep soundly. As I stared at his features, I got a closer look on his handsome face.

‘I thought he was cute at first, but he really is handsome...’ I thought, feeling my cheeks warm in response.

I think I liked this version of Chisei better than the one who’s awake and serious all the time. But it makes me wonder why he’s out here instead of resting in his quarters. He must be really exhausted then.

Before we arrived Japan, we were warned not to trust the people here too much and I’m sure these people thought the same way. We all had the same goal, but our beliefs were too different. But... I wish everything was like this: being united together in harmony. It’s only wishful thinking, but I know we can turn the impossible to something possible. 

“Heh...” I’m stupid for thinking so, but at least I’m still cute.

Chisei remained in peace on my lap, snoring lightly as I continued to caress his hair gently. I thought I would dislike pushovers like him, but I also want to prove him wrong and cling onto him until he gets sick of me that he has to agree with everything I say. Yet, I know it won’t work because he has a reputation and a duty to protect. He shouldn’t be wasting his time dealing with someone who has a mindless crush on him.

‘Hmph...! Chisei should at least be honored that I dare look at him!’ I thought pridefully.

But at least, let me enjoy this moment with Chisei this once. Just before everything falls apart.

[queenmuzz]

Deep Blue Sea: Chapter III

First Taste

Full Version can be found on Ao3 as well

You awoke more refreshed than you thought you would, considering the previous day's events. You'd fallen into slumber much more quickly than expected, especially since you had been stared at the entire time.

Speaking of which, as you rubbed your eyes and yawned as you stood in front of the glass, he had moved. No longer was he glaring while hiding behind the furthest rock, he was now... glaring while hiding behind one of the closer ones. Ah well, progress was progress...

“Good Morning” you greeted him, “I'll get you something to eat in a few minutes...” He didn't bother responding, although that was not unexpected at all. You had hoped that he would have at least slept... wait, did merfolk even sleep in the conventional sense? Or did they just shut off parts of their brain, like some fish did? You'd have to check Dr. Griffon's notes.

You headed to the fridge to get out a bucket that looked remarkably like a commercial sized ice cream tub. But when you pulled off the lid, instead of the delicious scent of chocolate mint, it was a different, yet totally familiar. You'd smelled it since you first set sale on your father's yacht as a child.

Kelp.

You quickly glanced at the page of the notes, written in a crisp, clinical penmanship, was the Doctor's notes on the basic care. A half to three quarters of a kilogram a day of Macrocystis pyrifera

per day, as fresh as possible, spaced out over the course of the day.

Surely that wasn't it? You flipped the pages rapidly, attempting to find something... anything. But aside from that one simple instruction.... nothing.

The man had been subsisting on the same food day in and day out for God knows how long? Like some sort of animal at the zoo...no, an zoo animal would get more than one type of food... he was being fed like a lab rat. You gripped the kitchen counter so tightly, you thought you had left indentations of your fingernails on the marble surface.  You were going to have a talk with the Doctor. Someday. Eventually.

You carefully weighed up a portion of the Giant Kelp, into a bowl...before pausing... Did merfolk even have flatware? Or did they eat straight from the kelp, like picking grapes? Or was it used in conjunction with other foods, like a salad? While it wasn't your area of expertise, you knew that Giant Kelp were quite healthy for humans to eat, full of nutrients... but still, you couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't enough for the man...

Either way, the bowl would have to do for the moment.

Climbing the stairs leading to a platform that was a few inches above the water's edge, you placed the bowl down, within reach, if he swam up.

“I got you some food...I don't know if this the way you eat it, or if you eat with other things...” you said hesitatingly, attempting to find him, although the surface refraction made seeing where he was impossible. No response yet again.

Your pocket buzzed, and you quickly got off the platform to answer the phone. Force of habit, you'd seen far too many of your fellow students suffer the catastrophe dropping their cell phones into the briny depths...

The number was unfamiliar, but you took a deep breath and accepted the call.

“Good morning dear” the oily voice on the other end was unmistakable. Out of the corner of your eye, you sensed movement. The merman had jerked, as if shocked by an electrical probe. Could he hear the voice? How acute was his hearing? So many unanswered questions.

“Good morning Doctor” you answered politely.

“I was just calling to make sure you and it were settling in fine.”

“Yes, yes... everything's going well, but I do have a question. I was looking at the the notes you left me, and other than kelp, there's no other options on what he needs to eat.”

“Kelp is all it needs” the term 'it' was starting to really grate on your nerves. “It's been fed a steady diet of kelp for the past three months, and it has been sufficient for its needs”

“But that can't be healthy...he needs a variety. If I ate nothing but chicken caesar salads for the rest of my life, I might get the nutrients I need, but I would driven crazy by it”

The doctor's voice, even with the phone's distortion, noticeably darkened “I must remind you, my dear, that you are thinking of it as a person...not as what it really is, an animal, a mere beast. Just throw the kelp in, and it will feed.”

You started to argue...before thinking better of it. If the Doctor felt that you weren't capable to see the merman as he did, there was a good chance he could convince your father it was too much for you to handle, and and take him back. And while this aquarium wasn't even close to being the real thing, you were certain it was a hell a lot better than what he had been in, prior. You couldn't risk him going back, so you bit your lip.

“I..I understand, Doctor. I just want to make sure he is...” you struggled to think of something that would convince him you thought the same way, (but you refused to refer to him as an 'it') “kept in the best condition.”

It seemed to work, for Griffon's voice lightened up “Of course you do...I would be happy to come over and show you anything you need to know, answer any further questions..”

“I'll be fine Doctor, I'll be able to figure this out...”

“Are you sure? I can alwa-”

“Oh look,” you said quickly, “My wedding planner is calling right now, I have to go. Goodbye!” You hit the end call button, before throwing the phone across the room in anger, where it bounced off an arm chair and onto the floor. If the screen cracked, you didn't really care at the moment.

“Pompous.... ignorant... DOUCHEBAG!” you yelled out, before bobbing in your head in mockery “He's not a person, he's an animal....” you imitated his annoying voice. “You got your head so stuck in your 'precious' research, it's stuck in your ass hole, Doctor....”

You were about to rant some more, maybe pick up a pillow to throw...when you finally remembered you weren't alone. He watched you, from the same position, but his glare had been replaced by...surprise?

You flushed, embarrassed by being caught in such an emotional state. It wasn't proper, that a woman of your stature should be having what was, admittedly, a temper tantrum.

“I'm, sorry... I shouldn't have acted out,” you balled your fists, “but... man, he really gets on my nerves...I'm not sure how anyone could tolerate him for any length of time. And you had to put up with his dehumanizing ass for months! Can't say I blame you for hating us all...” You distracted yourself from the urge to find something else to punch, by walking over and retrieving your (thankfully intact) phone.

“Look, I'll try to convince my father to let you go... to free you or something. It might take time, my father's stubborn like that, but if I can just get him to se-”

“You mock me”

You started, looking around to find the source of the voice. It was weird, like you heard it, but not with your ears... it had a slight echo, but not from the room, more like it was bouncing around in your skull. It's quality sounded so familiar...like being underwater..

“Wait...that was you?”

“I was under the impression you knew I spoke, human.”

You had been looking so forward to him actually speaking, that you hadn't really processed what he had said.

“I wasn't mocking you, I'm-”

“Your 'father'” the word was wrapped up with extra contempt “would never consent to it, as he said before, I've caused far too much damage to his precious possessions to allow to swim free. He'd rather have me killed. And yet.....you continue to remind me of my captivity....”

“But he lets you stay here with me, his only child.” you countered, “if you're sooo dangerous, you could have grabbed my arm a few minutes ago, and just dragged me in and held me down until I drowned,”

The man hesitated, and then slowly came out from his hiding place, fully revealing his full form to you. Pale, nearly white flesh melded seamlessly at his hips with nearly translucent scales with just enough iridescence to remind you of mother-of-pearl. His colour reminded you of the albino creatures on the sea floor. Perhaps he was from that area. But, his eyes.....his eyes were far too 'human'? If he lived in the depths, you'd expect bigger proportioned eyes, or none at all.. Oh God, you were analyzing him as if he was some sort new fish...

His 'voice' helped knock you out of your clinical observations... “There are some things worse than death...or even imprisonment” He left whatever he meant unspoken.

“You haven't spoken to anyone while in captivity so far, so why speak to me?”

He seemed a bit taken aback by the question. His eyes, so intently focused on you, darted away for a moment. “They were not worth my time talking to”

“You're dodging the question...why me?”

Another awkward pause. “It seemed to be the only way to silence you, otherwise you would chatter until the oceans dried up”

You chuckled at the turn of phrase as you scratched the back of your neck. “I guess I wanted you feel at home here... to feel at ease.”

"One could hardly feel at ease in this pale mockery of my 'home'. Although..” he paused, surveying the rocks and flowing “it is a vast improvement over my previous residence”

“Just a guess, but I'm going to assume a tub of water would be better than what you've been dealing with”

“Indeed”

An awkward silence passed as he fiddled with a coral necklace, around his neck, a brilliant scarlet shell worn as an amulet. You were determined not to let this conversation be the last. “So, my name is-”

“I already know your name, human”

“Well, I don't know how it is for you, but it's common courtesy for names to be exchanged” you ignored the term he used. He could have used worse terms. He bit his lips, clearly hesitant “Look, I won't tell anyone. Hell, not like anyone would believe me...” You placed your hand, fingers splayed out, against the aquarium glass.

It seemed an eternity, but, eventually, cautiously, like he thought you could harm him through the glass, he placed his hand on the opposite side of the glass, on top of yours. His palms were bigger than yours, but not much more. Long, elegant fingers stretched out much farther than yours, with slight webbing between them, almost to the first knuckle. A lot less webbing than you thought, considering that he would be a swimmer. Perhaps he used his lower body to propel more- Wait, you're thinking like a scientist again, stop that.

“Vergil”

You felt giddy. The scientist portion of your brain was ecstatic that you had done the equivalent of First Contact. But more importantly, as a human, you'd somehow garnered the trust of a extremely guarded (and rightfully so) person. You weren't going to waste this chance.

“It's nice to make your acquaintance, Vergil.” you smiled. He did not reciprocate, but it didn't bother you at all. You'd made some progress, and that was good enough. “So, now that we have introductions out of the way, I'd like to ask some basic questions, if you don't mind”

“Within reason, I still do not trust you, human” Annnnd the moment was over.

“Well, I was going to ask what you eat. Kelp might be great and all that, but there's gotta be some variety in your diet. I can probably get it for you, as long as it's not something from the deep ocean, or something”

He drew back for a moment, and you thought he was going back to hide behind one of the rocks. But then you heard his distinctive voice reverberate in your head.

“There is.... a particular fish I am fond of”\

A special thank you to @drpepper280 for coming up with a better term than Mer!Vergil:  Mergil, or Vergill..... I’m not sure which one I love more.

[friendlyfrat-boy]

The Straw-Hat Among Us Ch.7

Pink: Doflamingo Donquixote

Someone scuttled into the tunnel. Someone wearing a lightly-coloured suit. Might have been yellow, might have been white, might have been orange, Doflamingo simply didn’t catch it.

But he did catch someone in the act. Goddamn everything.

Doflamingo threw himself towards the security room, if it was Kizaru he must have left the other imposter in there, and if it wasn’t Kizaru-,

His body laid slumped over his chair, arms flailed out at the side, singular drops of blood running down his arms like snakes, dripping onto the floor where a puddle had already formed. His head, neck severed almost completely by a clean slide, was arched so far back that had his throat not been gouged open, it would have had to have been broken. Empty eyes stared back at Doflamingo who stood transfixed and silent at the sight.

What blood didn’t pool at the floor had splattered all across the monitor, painting the world in red.

The monitors. Doflamingo’s mind and raced at the thought. That man-, whoever it had been, had used the tunnels to escape. He had to be somewhere. He had to be on the cameras. The only one out and running right now should-, no, had to be the killer.

Camera one, nothing. Camera two, nothing. Camera three-,

Someone popped out of the vent. And, finally, Doflamingo got a clear view of the colour of his suit.

After all this damn time.

Orange.

Doflamingo cursed bitterly. Kizaru’s body steadily grew cold. Doflamingo hated to ignore it, but he had to. The man in orange, Usopp, ran inside the Office, and-,

Don’t tell me-,

A red light started flashing in the corner of Doflamingo’s helmet. The killer had called for a damn emergency meeting, most likely to accuse him of the murder. Damn it. Damn it all! He should have reported it the moment he saw it, but… At least, now he knew who did it. Usopp. The name felt off on his tongue. That wimpy little kid… Doflamingo should have recognized the signs of the liar the second he laid eyes on him.

He was a proficient liar himself, after all. But Usopp was more than proficient. He was… inhumanly proficient.

All he could do now was enter the Office and try to get Buggy and Smoker on his side. He had to. Otherwise, they were as good as dead.

Tonight, he picked up a body for the second time in his life, but before he fully exited, he noticed something. A little notebook, opened on a half-blank page, notes about this or that scribbled in a scratchy chicken-scrawl. Evidence. Doflamingo swiped it without a thought, placing it in his pocket.

When he came into the office, Kizaru’s lukewarm body cradled in his arms, he was last to arrive. Buggy, Usopp and Smoker were all there, staring at the corpse he held with a wide range of emotion.

Usopp pretended to almost pass out, Smoker’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, and Buggy gulped, eyes flicking between Doflamingo and the body without pause.

Somehow, Doflamingo really felt like walking into the Meeting-room and dumping the body onto the table to show his irritation, but Kizaru didn’t deserve that. Instead, he trailed through the hallway, still warm blood dripping from Kizaru’s body onto the floor, leaving a little trail. Doflamingo stared out over that red bubbling pool, haunted by the spirits of too many. He let Kizaru fall, and that was that.

He returned inside, and prepared himself for what was about to come.

For a moment, he simply surveyed the Meeting room, taking in how absurdly simple it was. An old-school projector, an equally outdated water dispenser, stale coffee and wood-like doughnuts that nobody had even attempted to eat (god only knew when Marco had the time to make them, but by the looks of it all, Shanks probably helped him. They seemed to have gotten along), and a little tree in the corner. Doflamingo could only assume Usopp had planted it before he was made a victim.

Doflamingo turned around and glared at the one man he knew for a fact did it. He let his eyes, his animosity, the honesty of his soul pour into him. “You,” he growled, leaning in further towards him. Usopp recoiled the closer Doflamingo got, eventually finding himself entirely leaned back in his chair, yet still having Doflamingo’s dark, scowling face mere inches from him. “You did it.”

Usopp’s eyes widened considerably, fear and incomprehension filling them with all the emotions of a fawn. Such a good actor. Such a fantastically good actor. “Wh-, wha-,”

Doflamingo bared his teeth, preparing to jab a finger into Usopp’s chest when suddenly Buggy stood between them. Every single facet of his face and body radiated hostility, a bear protecting their cub. Doflamingo had never seen anything fiercer than those eyes, and the air grew hot with the tension around them. “Don’t you fucking dare accuse him. Don’t you dare tell me he did anything.”

“Did anything?” Doflamingo leaned back out, face contorting into a grimace of disbelief and amusement. “He didn’t just do something, he killed someone!”

“I-, um, what-,,” Usopp stammered, apparently trying to collect his thoughts. Doflamingo wouldn’t let him.

“Oh, yes. Surprised, are you? I’m surprised inhuman beasts such as yourself hold that emotional capacity.” Doflamingo, the only man standing at the moment, took this time to stroll around the table, bloodied boots hitting the tacky, carpeted floor until he stood right behind Usopp. He placed both hands on his shoulders, keeping him sitting. “I did more than see you, too.” He grinned, assuredness and confidence radiating from his form. “I saw you jump into a tunnel. You must have thought I came to Kizaru’s shabby office for no reason. Not so.” He chuckled. “Although thinking you could evade me was a clever decision…” he grinned, “thinking you could evade the cameras was anything but.”

Colour drained from Usopp’s face. “H-, hey! I didn’t do anything like that! What are you-,”

“Usopp, don’t say anything,” Buggy said. “He’s throwing out baseless accusations since he knows he can’t win us over some other way.”

Hah! The gullible bastard! Doflamingo almost wanted to laugh at him for being so stupidly foolish. Sadly, laughing at the person he’s trying to convince certainly won’t do. “I’ll take it from the beginning then. Perhaps that will jog your memory, killer?” Seeing Usopp frown like that set Doflamingo’s heart alight. What startling malice. “I left the Laboratory, and sought out Kizaru. When I got there, he was very much alive and kicking, calling me… not-so fanciful names, but still-,”

“Why did you leave the Laboratory?” Smoker asked. He’d been quiet until now, perhaps trusting in Doflamingo’s assessment, but now…

Doflamingo froze. He couldn’t tell them why he left. He couldn’t tell them that he felt haunted, that the silence, previously so warmly filled by Caesar’s incessant chattering, was suffocating. A deep dark abyss in which he choked and drowned, cold silent water freezing his lungs. “I… had my reasons. It is entirely beside the point.”

Buggy glared at him. “And what exactly is the point, then? To accuse Usopp of a crime he couldn’t have done?” he spat out.

Usopp himself didn’t say anything. He seemed almost too silent, too comfortable in saying nothing. His teeth were gritted, eyes dark. It was enough for Doflamingo to know he was on the right track, no matter what Buggy and Smoker thought.

“I left him for a moment. When I returned, mere moments later, I saw someone in a light suit hop into the tunnel behind the security room, escaping before I could even find the body.” For some reason, at this moment, Usopp turned and stared at Smoker, wide-eyed and disbelieving. “It wasn’t him,” Doflamingo growled. “I looked at the cameras, that’s why I didn’t report the body immediately. On the cameras, I saw someone run out of a tunnel.” He let his sharp eyes fall down on Usopp, who cowered and squirmed. “And that someone was you.”

Buggy jumped to his feet, pointed his index at the taller man, practically frothing at the mouth. “Listen here, you flashy fool, that isn’t possible for two very damn good reasons! If he was an imposter, which he sure as shit isn’t, how the hell did he do all those other murders?? He was with me this entire time!”

Before Doflamingo could answer, Smoker did it for him. “If we assume Zoro was the killer, or even better, Teach, we can assume that there’s a difference here. Clearly, the one who killed Caesar wasn’t the same as the one who did in Shanks and the Chief. It would explain this sudden sloppiness.”

“But now how he was able to kill with me in the same damn room!?”

“Unless,” Smoker said, a sharp edge giving his words a certain accusatory tone. “You are an imposter, too.”

Buggy bristled. “Oh, really now? Really?? And all this without Kizaru so much as noticing one of us leave?!”

“The tunnels,” Doflamingo added. “There’s a tunnel in O2. Wouldn’t have to be a genius to figure that one out.”

Usopp made a few odd, choppy movements. “Well, um, okay, so it could be one of us, but… How do we know it isn’t, like, Smoker? Or-, or you! We can’t know what Kizaru saw before he-, before someone took him, r-, right?” A clever question for a murderer. Oh, well, he had been meaning to present it sometime.

He placed the little notebook on the table. It was worn and yellow in colour, decorated with happy monkeys eating all sorts of fruits. For some reason, it really fitted Kizaru. “-This notebook should tell us a thing or two.” He didn’t even wait for anyone to ask anything before he flipped it open to the latest scribbled note.

The first thing he noticed was a note that said: “Pinky left WW upper door”. For some reason, beside the “Pinky”, there was a scribbled-out word that seemed to say… Birdy.

Doflamingo flipped back a few pages, and sure as shit, every single place where he did something, it said “Pinky” instead of his actual name, usually right next to a scribbled-out “Birdy”. That is… Unimportant! Let’s not think about it. Doflamingo went back to the latest few dates, starting out at the “Zoro was voted off :c” part. The first part that it documented was where everyone was; “Pinky” in the Laboratory, Buggy and Usopp in O2, Smoker in Office.

There was a little question-mark next to Usopp’s name. Something Doflamingo simply couldn’t miss. Looking at the rest of this, Kizaru’s suspicions toward Usopp was a recurring theme. If Usopp happened to learn of this…

He sent the killer a dark glance. Usopp looked away.

After the first few notes, it recorded the time that Doflamingo left the Laboratory, but it never did record when he entered the West Wing. A quick look at what came between these two events ensured why this was. “Buggy and Usopp in Boiler Room, keeping eye out.” Apparently, at some point, the two had entered the Boiler Room, and since Kizaru was already suspicious of Usopp…

The next entry read that Doflamingo left the West Wing, and the very last entry, was “Usopp suspicious in-”, cut off by a splotch of still-wet blood.

This… told him very little. But it told him enough.

“-It was Usopp. It had to have been.”

“Why?” Smoker asked, obviously not above suspecting anyone but himself.

Doflamingo rightfully scoffed. “If we’ll do that little thing that you did the first time around, let’s assume Usopp did it, for the sake of it all. Knowing Kizaru suspected him, he killed him, but when attempting to use the tunnel to escape, I noticed him. He escaped through one of the other tunnels, and ran to the Office, all while I saw him. Then, he called for an emergency meeting, and here we all are. It’s an open-shut case!”

“W-, wait, hold on, I didn’t-, I didn’t call for an emergency meeting?”

Doflamingo’s jaw snapped shut. “-Don’t even try lying about it. I know you-,”

“When we arrived at the Office,” Buggy interrupted, “the meeting had already been called for. Both I and Usopp arrived after it had already been called for. Call me an imposter if you so want, but I was with Usopp the entire time since we voted off Zoro!”

Smoker raised his hand. “Doflamingo, this has gone on for too long.” Doflamingo, already at a loss for words, now froze in place. “I called for the emergency meeting.”

“Y-, you did?...” Doflamingo asked, his voice a trembling, uncertain vibrato.

“Yes. Because while I was keeping an eye on where everyone was, you left the Laboratory. And then, you appeared in the Security Office. I didn’t find it odd. Not until Kizaru disappeared.” Doflamingo gulped. Something here was wrong. Something here was very, very wrong. “I checked vitals, and found him dead. So I called for a meeting.” His eyes were cold. “Because now we knew who the killer was.”

“You…” Doflamingo snarled. “How the hell didn’t you see him in Admin? How didn’t you see how Usopp-,”

“Because he didn’t leave O2, damn it!” Buggy exclaimed. “He was with me!”

Smoker chuckled. “Never thought you’d be bold enough to try something like this, though.”

He wasn’t bold. He wasn’t being bold to tell the truth! He wasn’t bold to dispose of Kizaru’s body in the proper way, to point his finger at the man he knew did it! Smoker must have seen it. He must have seen Usopp leave O2 to kill Kizaru! Or Buggy. Buggy must know as well. Why won’t they stand on his side? Why do they defend that fucking killer? Why-,

“I’ve heard enough,” Buggy said. “Let’s vote.”

Smoker nodded. The voting mechanism popped up, and in that moment, Doflamingo suddenly knew exactly how Zoro and Teach felt. That single moment of calm, frozen panic, body like dark, burning ice. Enveloped in thoughts and feelings he couldn’t possibly show on his face. Teach and Zoro had both had that expression on their faces. A deer in the headlights. Drowning panic. Burning panic.

Frozen panic.

He knew he did it. He just knew it.

He pressed the button to vote for Usopp.

Buggy and Smoker were quick to vote, but Usopp’s hand stalled. “I-, I can’t do it,” he said, eyes on the cusp of overflowing. “Was it you, Doflamingo? Did you kill them?”

“No,” Doflamingo said softly.

A hand was placed on Usopp’s shoulder. “Usopp, we have to end it. We’ve gotta do it.”

Usopp swallowed his tears, shaking his head robotically, thoughtlessly. “I-, I don’t-,”

“Usopp.” Buggy grabbed the sides of Usopp’s face, turning it to look into his eyes. Eye-to-eye. “We don’t have a choice.” He glanced away. “Just-, just trust me, okay? Just this once.”

Usopp stopped in his tracks. Smiled a soft, trembling smile. And nodded.

The votes were counted.

Three against Doflamingo, one against Usopp.

...Shit.

They led him outside. Soon, he stood there, above that vast pool of hot death staring at the three people left. Usopp, Buggy, and Smoker.

Who’d think that not reporting the body at once would be the death of him? He just had to check those cameras. Know who did it. He just had to check those blood-soaked cameras, view the world through a bloody lens, the snow all red and fleshy…

...Hm?

No, wait. It was wrong. It was all wrong.

If the blood had truly stained that monitor, if it had truly been Usopp…

Wouldn’t the blood have coloured his suit red?

Then-, then why had it been orange? Why had the blood not changed the colour? Why-,

Oh.

Doflamingo turned to Smoker.

Oh. So that was how it was.

He’d been stupid. A flashy fool, as Buggy so eloquently put it. Oh well. Now, it was time to join the one person he’d trusted on this whole damn mission. “Guess this is it. You were intelligent, perhaps a little bit more than me. I’ll see you on the other side, Usopp.”

And with that, he fell willingly. The seventh victim.

“Is-, is that it?...” Usopp asked timidly, a desperate, hopeful smile on his face. “Did we win?”

Smoker didn’t meet his gaze. “S-, Smoker?... What’s wrong, why won’t you-,”

Buggy glanced away. Teeth gritted, arms crossed.

“B-, Buggy?...”

And in that moment, Usopp realized that he was alone.

Well and truly alone.

[joyful-soul-collector]

Amazing, actually

Chapter 6: Scene 2 (Click here for Chapter 6: Scene 1)

TW: Bullying

It was a few more minutes before the bus came in view of their high school. Jace got off the bus with Kita, and they set off to the cafeteria to get breakfast and meet up with other friends. Jace ate slower this time, fearing his other friends might become worried, as Kita did.

Jace felt much better after breakfast, energy returning to him in a rush. He sat up a little straighter and began to engage in the conversation, feeling less tired now than before. Kita seemed to notice this because she became more relaxed too, rather than the stressed look she had on the bus. 

It was weird for Jace, knowing someone would be worried if he wasn’t taken care of. Jace had never realized that he had this kind of pull over her emotions, over anyone’s emotions really. He never fully realized that there were people who found him significant, that there were people who weren’t indifferent to his existence. Jace often assumed that outside of interactions he had with Kita and his other friends, they just… forgot about him. That when he went home they didn’t think about him at all, because why would they? He’s just... existing. He does nothing to benefit nor hurt them, he’s just there. What did he ever do to make anyone actually care about him?

The notion hung out in the back of his mind throughout the whole day, popping up to the surface at random times and making him twiddle his pencil between his fingers nervously. Part of him hoped Kita would forget about it all, and would stop worrying about him. Then again, he thought, she’s probably always worried a little bit. I mean, I worry about her sometimes, because we’re friends, and that’s what friends do sometimes, right? But nonetheless, he hoped it never came up again.

Jace went to his History class, then to English where he met up with his friend Axis. Axis was tall, muscular boy, with hair the color of light sand. He was one of the better players on the basketball team, and the best dancer on the dance team. When he wasn't dancing or playing basketball, he was reading some sci-fi or fantasy book, which of course he’d rave about to Jace upon finishing. Today he was holding a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with a bookmark at the very last page.

“Hey Ax! You finished it?” Jace said, and the two high fived.

“Yep!” Axis said. “Just last night.”

“Finally. Took you months! Do you know how many times I saved you from spoilers?” Jace said as the two sat down at their regular desk in the back. The room was a large, cube shaped space with a bookshelf running all the way down the back wall. The walls were covered in posters of writing advice and messages telling you to read more. Students trickled in, some talking with friends, others looking at the books or otherwise occupying themselves.

“Many times, and again, you are the best, and I owe you a thousand favors,” Axis said, as he put his backpack down by his chair.

“You remember that one time in gym when that kid found out you were reading it and then immediately tried to spoil something?”

“Yes, but he never got to because you threw a basketball at his face.”

“That there was my proudest moment in life.” Jace put a hand over his heart, and looked towards the ceiling, pretending to reminisce. 

“Big damn hero, Jay,” Axis said. 

“Ain’t I just,” Jace replied.

“Hello class!” a voice rang out from the front of the room. The boys snapped to attention. It was Ms. Hanson, a short, kind faced woman who wore a dark green cardigan and white jeans. 

The rest of the class was spent talking about Julius Caesar, writing about Julius Caesar, and reading Julius Caesar.

“Jay, can you tell me again why we’re learning about a guy who somehow couldn’t figure out that all his friends were out to kill him? I’m very confused on how the hell he didn’t see this coming,” Axis said. He’d been working on a worksheet with Jace, or was supposed to be at least. Jace had been staring at the same page for five minutes, still fidgeting dazedly with his pencil. When he didn’t answer, Axis tapped him on the shoulder, jolting him back to reality.

“What?” Jace said, blinking out of his trance. 

“You alright Jay? You look tired,” Axis said, gazing at him with a critical eye. Jace knew he was looking at the dark circles under his eyes, so he waved a hand, dismissing Axis’s concern.

“I’m fine. Amazing, actually. I just couldn’t sleep last night. Kept waking up randomly. What was it you were asking me?” 

Axis repeated his question.

 “Oh, don’t ask me,” replied Jace, “I haven’t done any of the reading homework. I just have Kita give me a summary of the chapter we read before class.”

“You know, it’s a lot easier to just read it.”

“If it was easier, I would be doing it. But alas, it is not.” Jace put the book on his face for a moment, his eyelashes brushing the pages and causing Axis to laugh.

“Who says ‘alas’ anymore?”

“Me,” said Jace, his face still inside the book.

“You sound like Shakespeare. Maybe you should dress up as Caesar for Halloween.”

“If I ever do that,” Jace said, as he dropped the book down again, and looked at Axis seriously, “promise me you’ll stab me in the back, because that’d be a fantastically tragic joke, and is definitely how I’d like to die.”

“Haha, promise. But speaking of Halloween, did you ever decide what you’re going to be? And are you trick or treating with Kita and I again?”

“Yes, and yes. I’m being either a burglar or a ghost again. Depends on if I can find a pillowcase that my mom will let me put the money sign on. What about you?”

“Harry Potter.”

“Awesome!”

“Yeah, should be pretty awesome. Kita told me she’s being She-Ra. I guess she’s been working on that costume for weeks. She’s picking you up, right? And then we’ll meet at my house, just like last year?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Sweetness.”

“I do hope you’re talking about Julius Caesar, boys,” Ms. Hanson said, making them both jump. The two nodded, and began working on the assignment again, until the bell rang with a resounding BRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNG! For Jace it was lunchtime, but he always walked Axis to his next class. They continued their conversation about Halloween plans as they rounded the corner.

“Do you have the glasses Ax?” Jace asked. “No one will know who you are if you don’t have--Ouch!”

Someone had run into his shoulder, knocking him off-balance. It was Clay Morris, someone who’d been particularly unpleasant to Jace ever since he had gotten to high school. Jace didn’t actually know anything about Clay, only that he didn’t like Jace at all, and that he seemed to want to make it as difficult as possible for Jace to go about life peacefully. 

“Trailer trash,” he spat into Jace’s ear. 

Jace said nothing. He’d already tried everything he knew to get Clay to stop, and neither teachers nor alternate routes to classes could get him to back off. Eventually Jace stopped trying and just let Clay do whatever he wanted; it just seemed easier that way.

Although, Axis didn’t think the same. He started towards Clay’s retreating back, no doubt getting ready to throw a either punch or a desk at him, but Jace reached up and grabbed a lock of his hair.

“Ow! Ow ow ow! Jay, let go! ” Axis cried, as he was drug backwards. Jace released him as they rounded the corner. “Why’d ya do that?!” Axis said, rounding on him.

“Because I knew I couldn’t hold back your arm, Mr. Award Winning Dancer,” Jace replied.

“No, I mean why didn’t you let me get him?!” Axis’s hands were shaking with anger, and Jace was again reminded of the odd feeling he felt on the bus, when Kita had told him he was her best friend. Heat began to creep up his neck as he answered.

“If by ‘get’ you mean punch his teeth in, then I didn’t let you because you would’ve gotten in trouble, and I don’t want you getting detention on Halloween. And he didn’t even get it right, I don’t live in a trailer. I’ll let you knock him out if he ever calls me ‘motel trash’ or some shit.”

Axis looked like he was going to argue for a second, but instead his shoulders and fists relaxed, and he said, “…Okay that’s fair, but you can’t just let him walk all over you Jay.” Jace rolled his eyes, and they started walking again.

“Yeah, yeah, you tell me that every time. But it doesn’t bother me too much, as long as he doesn’t start actually hitting me, I’m fine. Amazing, actually.” They arrived at Axis’s classroom a moment later.

“You know that if he ever starts hitting you I’m gonna break all his fingers right?”

“Yeah yeah, just make it look like an accident.”

Axis snorted with laughter. “Alright, I’ll see you around Jay.”

End Scene

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