#I have already said it to my mom but my mom and I process information in the exact same way

[tj-crochets]

It's only been a few days but the phrase "make a whale shark about my problems"* has stuck in my head in such a way that I am pretty sure it's going to be a long term thing and I am going to forget it's not in common usage? Like, at some point I am going to say to someone in a quilt shop or something "yeah, work was rough last week, but I made a dragon about my problems and now I feel better" (or a werewolf, or a burger turtle, or a goat in a dress) and then abruptly realize it is not, in fact, a phrase people recognize lol *meaning, go calm down and de-stress by making a plushie

[too-much-tma-stuff]

Finally Getting Help (prt 5)

Masterpost

It took a little convincing to get Jazz to come back with them, but she didn’t want to stay with Constantine because he ‘smelled like cigarettes and generational trauma’ and she couldn’t stay alone. So in the end she agreed to come back to Wayne manor with the promise that Tim would help walk her through the process of getting emancipated since he’d already done it before. Dick informed Agent A they’d be having another new person for dinner and asked Jazz if she had any allergies, which was also a no. Apparently the Fentons tended to be a very hearty family. 

They took the jet back, dropping Jazz off at the manor before parking in the batcave and changing into civics as quickly as they could so they could go greet her. Before they could Alfred sent a video on the family group chat. The video started with Danny pacing in the foye, then the door opened and Jazz hesitantly let herself in only to be greeted by a battering ram of Brother hurtling towards her. 

She managed to get her arms up in time to catch Danny with an Oof before they just clung to each other. Awww, why weren’t any of Dick’s siblings like that with him?! Something to bully them about later.

—----

“What happened?” Danny whispered against Jazz’s chest. 

“The Justice League finally stepped up and dealt with it. Locked the portal, took away mom and dad and Vlad, I don’t know what will happen with any of them but it’s not our fault whatever it is. It’s not our responsibility or our problem, I’m going to focus on university and you’re going to focus on keeping yourself and the babies healthy and safe.” She said softly, feeling Danny wince.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the babies, I just didn’t know how too,” Danny said, and Jazz could feel how he tensed, expecting her to be angry with him.

“It’s okay little brother, I understand. That was a lot to process, I’m sure you would have told me soon,” She murmured and he nodded. “Danny, did he… did he rape you?” Jasmine forced herself to ask softly. She didn’t think so, but she just needed to know.

“No, he stole my DNA and tried to clone me. But it didn’t work and Danielle and the other clones were melting. I don’t know how many he tried but I can’t imagine he started in batches of ten. I could only save two, Daniella and one of the boys. It was awful. I don’t know how long they’ll need to stay inside me to fully develop but they can take all the time they need. I can feel them inside me, I can feel their love. I love them too, they’re my babies Jazz, I know I’m young but…”

“You’re going to be a great parent Danny,” Jazz promised softly, giving him a gentle squeeze. “And I’m going to be the best aunt and babysitter you could ask for.”

She didn’t realize he was crying until his laugh came out audibly wet. “I’m sure you will. Thank you Jazz.”

“No problem Danny. What about the Wayne’s, you trust them? You think you’ll be okay here? I’ll going to Gotham U so I’ll be close. I’d like to work at Arkham anyway.”

“Ya, they seem good, I’ll be fine here Jazz. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll always worry about you little brother,” Jazz said softly and Danny laughed again, trying to wipe his face as subtly as he could before he pulled back and finally let go.

Alfred cleared his throat delicately to remind them he was still there, though Jazz was glad he hadn’t interrupted their moment. “Dinner is ready when you are Master Danny, Miss Jazz,” he said with a nod and disappeared back down the hall towards the dining room.

“Well I’m starving, I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast!” Jazz said as she started to steer them both after Alfred.

“I’m pretty much always hungry,” Danny admitted with a chuckle. “The little ones take a lot of energy and I need to replace it somehow I goes,” He said touching his stomach in a way she now realized he’d been doing a lot. How had she missed that?

“Well you eat as much as you need to, and any cravings too. They probably have nutrients you and the baby need. You should see a doctor too. I know you probably went to see Frostbite already but you’re still half human and if they’re cloned from you so are the babies. Ask Bruce about a doctor that you can trust.”

“I will, I promise. You’re right, I really do want the babies to be okay and with what you said about the Justice League doing their job I have a feeling my existence won’t be illegal for much longer.” Walking into the dining room just in time for the family to overhear the last of that conversation. 

“Definitely not,” Bruce said firmly. “I know for a fact Martian Manhunter is absolutely furious hearing they did something like this to another sentient species just because they weren’t human.”

“You know Martian Manhunter!?” Danny said with literal stars in his eyes. 

“Oh here we go,” Jazz said with fond exasperation.

“Yes?” Bruce said, he hadn’t meant it like a question but he was just surprised, and a little worried, there was no way Danny would be prejudiced right?

“Oh my god can I meet him?! He’s been my favourite hero for ever! He’s from SPACE! I love space! I want to know everything he knows about space, and about Mars! I’ve never been to space! Well I’ve flown to the moon a couple of times but I couldn’t go further and be back in time for school.”

He had started floating off the ground as he enthused about space, with fond exasperation Jazz grabbed the back of Danny’s shirt and tugged him back down into a seat at the dining room table. It was like Peter Pan with the joy lifting him up, and his excitement was both adorable and infectious. It was so good to see him happy. 

While he was talking food had been being passed around, and Damian, who was sitting on Danny’s other side from Jazz, had been heaping his plate while the older boy was distracted. It was sweet to see him being… caring to another person, he was even putting some meat on Danny’s plate with an odd stubborn set to his jaw. He almost looked aggressive but that was really just his determined face. Damian had accepted Danny in record time, which was a little surprising but it also made sense, they all knew Damian really loved caring for people, and children, and with Danny carrying babies no doubt Damian was already staking his claim on the role of favoured uncle. 

“I’ll see what I can do,” Bruce promised with a little smile. He was sure J’onn would be happy to meet Danny so it wouldn’t actually be hard. 

“Thank you!” Danny cheered, only Jazz’s grip on his shirt keeping him from leaping back into the air. 

“Eat,” Damian reminded, shoving a fork into Danny’s open hand. “Pennyworth says you were too worried to eat much at lunch and you need the nutrients!”

“Aww thank you ghostling,” Danny cooed, roughling Damian’s hair who scowled and ducked away, but didn’t lash out At All! Huh apparently pregnancy was a shield against Damian’s aggression.

Danny did start to eat though, and to keep him on track the family started talking with each other. It seemed to make him more comfortable, if things were quiet he felt the need to fill the space instead of filling his mouth. It was honestly sort of nice, even Damian shared a bit more than he usually would have about school, and about his art, then started telling Danny in particular about his animals. Danny hadn’t met them yet after all and he needed to know everything! Which ones were friendly, how to appropriately handle any of them, what treats they could have. 

The way Danny lit up and started questioning Damian about his animals was honestly a little startling, but it couldn’t be more clear that he was genuinely enthusiastic and Damian was preening. Rarely did he get such an attentive listening ear when talking about his pets, especially since everyone who had been in the family for a while had heard similar rants so many times they’d started to tune them out. 

It was a testament to Damian’s self control that he insisted Danny finish his dinner before dragging him away from the table to go show him all the various animals he had collected over the years. Danny laughed as Damian tugged on him and waved back at the family, joking about being kidnapped again (which, worrying) but he didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s good to see someone with such a healthy and well supported obsession,” Jazz said with a little smile, watching after her little brother and Damian rush off. “Oh!” She said, snapping her fingers, “I should explain all that for you! If you’re going to take care of Danny you’ll need a crash course in Ghosts and Liminality. I uhh, I have a powerpoint?” She said, looking embarrassed and hopeful as she pulled a USB out of her pocket.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, Miss. I’ll set up the projector in the family room,” Alfred said as he whisked the last of the dishes away. 

“Oh! Thank you Alfred. Can I help at all?” Jasmine asked, already getting up from the table so she could follow.

“Nonsense, you’re a guest and you had a very long day already. I’ll set it up, and then fix a room for you next Master Danny’s for tonight,” Alfred said briskly, shooing her back into the dining room room with the family. 

She looked like she was about to argue but she thought better of it. “Alfred is really the one in charge around here and we all know it,” Dick commented to her with a little smile. “No use arguing with him, and he usually knows best anyway.”

“Well, alright if you say so,” Jazz said with a little smile and tension slowly eased from her shoulders. When was the last time she got to relax? Having to worry about her brother and no one really taking care of the, how long had she been googling “how to stitch up a wound’, ‘how to help a 14 year old with ADHD study’, and various other things to try and care for a boy only two years younger than her. 

“So I know you mentioned to Nightwing that you wanted to go to Gotham U? I don’t know how your grades are,” (a lie, they knew she was a genius and her grades were excellent), “But the Wayne family sponsors many scholarships and if you don’t qualify for any of those we would be happy to just pay for your schooling. What would you like to study?” Bruce asked 

“I want to study psychology!” Jazz said, lighting up instantly. “That’s what I’ve wanted to study since I was seven. I want to be a psychologist, and I’d like to intern at Arkham. I know it’s a dangerous place, but I’m tougher than I look and I have Danny on speed dial so I’ll be fine.”

Well at least she had thought about the danger, and tougher then she looked meant something because she already looked plenty touch. “Well, I know Arkham can always use good doctors,” Bruce chuckled. “Just try not to become the next Harley Quinn,” He said it like a joke but he did mean it, the last thing Gotham needed was another evil genius. 

“Don’t worry, she lacked grounding connections due to her upbringing. I’ll have Danny, and his babies, and I’ll make friends outside of the hospital. As long as nothing happens to Danny I’m sure I’ll be fine, just like as long as nothing happens to me, or the other people he loves, Danny will be fine.”

It sounded like a warning, and it probably was, but they already knew that. Zatana had warned them that Danny could be dangerous. He would need grounding connections, but everyone did, and the Waynes already knew they were going to be family. On their own any of the Bat clan knew they could go off the deep end, a lot of them had even seen the futures with evil versions of themselves but with the other to care for and about, it kept them on the right track… at least mostly.

Next

[drawing-prompt-s]

GoFundMe: Getting the kitten to the vet...

for a rabies shot, FIV testing, and a possible upper respiratory infection!

So someone sent in the last $305 I needed while I was asleep. I'm transferring it to my account now which means I'm a) shutting off the GFM as soon as the transfers process and b) taking in the kitten as soon as the money becomes available to me - so likely by Friday I'll take her in, or Saturday or Monday (they do half days Saturday, and are closed Monday).

GoFundMe Link Paypal Link

Venmo Link Cashapp Link

Multiple payment options available because I am typically asked for alternatives to GFM and PP.

$350 / $350

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

INFORMATION + VIDEO UNDER THE CUT!

From the GoFundMe description:

Hello!

So, unplanned, there is a new kitten in the house as of Feb. 22, 2024. (Not Jolene's, she is fixed). When at my friend's house - where I will be moving in a few months - we found out that a cat that comes to visit often is not only owned, but a mom. However, the neighbor doesn't want the kittens, so he always puts them outside and leaves them there. I could no, in my right mind, leave the kitten outside by a trashcan and under a tire in February of all months, so I brought her home.

So far I have treated her for hookworms, given her the vaccines I can do myself, and looked into getting a spay voucher from one of the local shelters. The kitten is roughly 3 months old.

However, current concerns are that she may have an upper respiratory infection (and there is always the concern that she could be FIV+). She has an inflamed eye with a regular and concerning amount of discharge and has for a few days. I have also caught her sneezing and she has started coughing on more than a few occasions. She also has a few other signs of sickness - anemia, the runs, and some blood spotted in it. If it is a URI, I need to catch it as fast as possible because I also have Jolene, my 3 year old cat. She absolutely also needs FIV testing and a rabies shot because of that, and because where we are moving there are other cats.

Jolene and the kitten have both been getting along well. The kitten loves to follow her around and Jolene acts more like the disgruntled big sister (don't let her fool you, I have caught them playing regularly - she just needs her alone adult time too).

I have already altered a bit of my projected finances and removed money from my savings to care for the kitten and help her. But there is only so far that can go as I also need to be able to afford gas, food, and furniture for the upcoming move (I'm going to start buying things soon so I can put it together and move my stuff prior to the official move date). I was trying to put off a full vet visit until sending the kitten in for a spay, but with her eye and the possibility of infection spreading to other cats, it can no longer wait.

I am shutting off this GFM as soon as I reach the goal. The vet said to budget for a little more than $300, between the base cost of a visit, FIV testing, rabies, and potential treatment for an Upper Respiratory Infection- assuming it's nothing too major. And I added a little more to what I am expecting because GFM does take a fee from donations.

If the kitten does end up being FIV+ we do have rehoming options available or I will find someone better suited to handle an FIV+ cat (either already having one of their own or a home with no pets).

I tried to take a video of the eye, but as you can imagine, a 3 month old kitten isn't the most keen on staying still, haha.

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

Let me add in the breakdown as well, now that I think about it:

Base cost for my vet to see a new cat (even as a pre-established client with other cats treated there): $100

FIV testing: $40

Rabies (and other vaccines I may be missing I was unable to do myself): $35 - $45

And the vet recommended budgeting about $100 for medications depending on what they find (if she still has worms, if she has other parasites due to being outside untreated, if she has a URI like the current concern is): $100

The rest is tax, the % upcharge for using a card, and to negate the fees that GFM with-drawls from each donation.

[raineydays411]

My fathers daughter pt 12

It all comes out sometime

"Jay?" You ask.

"Yeah its me. How the fuck did you get access to the coms?" He asks amused at your actions.

"Trust me hacking this isn't any harder than hydra files" You say passively, " Anyways that's not important, I think I can help with this Joker thing."

"Wait? Really?" He ask seriously, "Y/n, listen carefully, I need you to go into Bruce's office and find the big ass clock --"

"Yeah I already found the secret hide out" You say annoyed, "Mommy dearest kicked me out before I could tell her how I could help."

Jason sighed, knowing that his mother probably tried to use her mom voice on you. " Yeah, she told us she didn't want you to be in the whole vigilante think."

The anger that was simmering under your skin came back, but before you let it get the best of you, you continued. Knowing that this information was more important than whatever mommy issues you had.

"Right, well that's not important." You say," Listen to me now."

"I'm listening." Jason grunted, sounding like was punching someone,

"Whatever chemical agent Jackass put in his venom is the exact same stuff that was used to brainwash the Winter Soldier" You say quickly.

"Kid, I wanna believe you but how do you know that? Tim was just able to get a sample and process it."

"Because, I was told that every antidote you use only makes the effects stronger right?"

"Right" He says strained

"In order to make sure that the Winter Soldier stayed the Winter Soldier and not Bucky, Hydra had to make sure his brain produced a certain amount of hormones. And that whatever anybody used, the effects couldn't reverse. Hence chemical X."

"Chemical X?"

"The name is to long for me to attempt to pronounce, anyways, lucky for us, my daddy just so happened to create a serum that undoes Chemical X. And if I check," You pause, taking over the computer downstairs, and checking the sample Tim had sent in, " The component is there."

"Well I'll be damned"

"Exactly. Now, I need you to find a lab or something. This serum was made with the intention of being made on the fly. So everything you need should be there." You say pulling up a map of Gotham general.

"Wait, I need to tell Bruce." Jason said, " Joker said he had the only antidote and he's fighting him right now"

"No thats not possible. The only ones who know about it is my father and I." You said worridly.

Meanwhile while you were upstair lending a helping hand, downstairs Christine and Alfred were panicking because they lost control of Jason's com and the main computer.

'Alfred I can't find him" Christinen cried, " How did he just disappear like that?

"I don't know miss, there's no possible way he could've."

"Wait." Christine says looking up to the screen, " Bruce and Tim are gone"

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

"How did you get con-"

"It's not important" You say cutting Batman off, " Listen to me, Joker doesn't have the cure."

"How do you know that?" The dark knight asks skeptically

"Because, until my dad figured it out, there was no cure." You say impatiently, " This chemical wasn't intended to have a cure."

"But you figured it out?"

"YES" You shout frustrated at the constant repetition, " DO you want the step by step or do you want to save lives?"

"hm" Bruce grunted, " And you know how to make it?"

"I do." You say earnestly

There was a pause, you heard grunting and what sounded like fighting in the background.

On Bruce's side, he managed to get the Joker disarmed and tied up.

He searched him for what he claimed was the vial containing the cure. But upon finding it, the Joker decided to throw his head back connecting with Batman's face. The sudden impact caused him to drop the vial, shattering it on the linoleum floor. The liquid oozing out and burning a hole into the floor.

"Ooops" the Joker cackled, " Aww poor Batsy, I guess I may have told a little white lie"

As Bruce rose from the floor, Robin ran in holding another vial

"Batman, the antidote." He says with a stern look on his face.

The smug smile fell from the Jokers face as he looked at the preteen.

"Thats...that's not possible!" Joker cried out, " There is no cure. There was never a cure."

Batman looked Joker straight in the eye, " No Joker, it looks like you miscalculated."

And with that, a swift punch to the face knocked the Joker out. A breath of relief flowed from the Batfamily. Now they can focus on what really mattered, helping the infected.

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

Back in your room you paced, after explaining how to make the cure, you hadn't hear back from the family. The anxiety you had building up in you made your heart feel as of it was going to explode.

"Y/n" Jasons voice came from your computer, " It worked."

You felt like crying, " Really? Are you for real?'

"No I'm lying and everyone died" Jason said sarcastically, " Yes I'm for real."

"Thank god" You said wetly

"Oh god are you crying?" Jason said uncomfortably

"No." and with that you disconnected, allowing access back to the main computer downstairs. After doing that you sat on your be, taking a couple deep breaths to calm yourself. But the tears kept flowing. You were so worried that you didn't get the information to Bruce on time. You were worried about the people that were exposed for too long. The ones that the antidote may not have worked on.

You may have been able to help a few but how many more could you have saved if you were listened to right away. The anger simmered back in your body.

You hated that Christine treated you as if you were a child. She completely disregarded what you had to say and took a shot at your father. At least he was smart enough to know that you were capable of more than just sitting and twiddle your thumbs.

You had half a mind to go down there and give her a piece of you mind. But before you could, a chime came from your phone

"Hey Starky! guess who's on the neighborhood <3"

Wade?

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

By the time the Batman co. finally made it back to the cave they all were exhausted. Every single one of them wanted to get home and take a shower. Dick and Jason would be staying at the manor simply because they couldn't muster up the energy to make their respective journeys back home. Damian and Cass were knocked out in the back of the batmobile and even Bruce was having a hard time staying awake while driving.

Honestly, ever since his family was created, Bruce/Batman became less about vengeance and more about protecting the city that he and his family live and care about. And maybe, if there was anyway that he can help mend the relationship between your family and his, perhaps you can be a part of his team as well, as sad at it was to say your hacking skills were way above his and Tims.

Lost in thought, Bruce didn't realized that when he pulled in Christine was in borderline hysterics and Alfred looked a little more frazzled than usual.

"Oh! Bruce!", Christine cried throwing herself into the confused bat, " What happened?! Is everyone one okay?"

"Christine, darling what are you-" Bruce was puzzled, Christine always had somewhat of a flair for the dramatics but there should be no reason for her to be this worried, especially because she's able to see everything .

"I thought we lost you! All of you!" Christine cried, eyes welling up with tears," The coms cut our for what felt like hours and then the main computer crashed! Me and Alfred both were barely able to get it rebooted before you got here!"

"Wait, if the main computer crashed then how was Y/n able to talk to us through the coms?" Tim asked tiredly, only jolting awake when Jason harshly elbowed him, signaling him to shut up about your participation.

"What do you mean? Y/n has been in her room this whole time." Christine says with a look of confusion on her face.

The batfamily all looked at each other, silently daring each other to step up and tell the truth, and face the wrath of their mother. Even Bruce didn't want to rat you out, knowing where Christine stood on her thoughts of you being involved.

Now don't get the wrong idea, Christine is by definition an overprotective mother. Theres no doubt about that. But there is a reason as to why she wants you out of the hero life and spot life in general.

Firstly, you are Tony Stark's daughter. There is no getting around that. And being Tony Stark's daughter also means you're Iron Mans daughter. And that is the whole reason you are there in Gotham in the first place. Amidst all the familial drama, everybody seemed to forget that you are still being hunted by an anonymous group. But Christine hasn't. Every night she lies awake worried to death that that was the night they found you. That they would come for you.

Secondly, the villians that her husband and family deal with are...for lack of words psychoic. If they figured out that you, Iron mans daughter, was helping their enemy Batman there would be more people after you. And from what Christine has witnessed these people do, the horrors and atrocities they casually commit. That frightens her even more.

So, with that being said, the look on her families face and the circumstances that had just occurred, it wasn't hard for her to figure out the cause of their technical malfunctions. And what a coincidence that these malfunctions only happened after you were sent to your room.

"Bruce.", Christine said in a clam even tone, " What are you not telling me." She didn't ask she demanded.

"Darling." Bruce said in a pleading tone, " It was a long night for everybody, why don't we just discuss it in the morning"

"Discuss it in the morning?" Christine asked incredulously, " Discuss it in the morning?! Do you know how worried I was? How worried WE were" She gestures to herself and Alfred who looked mildly uncomfortable to be put in the argument, " We thought you were injured or worse DEAD!"

The kids tried to slowly back out, inching towards the elevator that you totally didn't know was there.

"Don't even think about it" Christine said without looking at them, " How dare you all? How dare you? I asked ALL of you for one simple thing. Just one. To keep her OUT of it."

"Christine that's hardly fair-" Bruce started to say before getting cut off.

"No! It is totally fair! There are PEOPLE after her. People who are still out there by the way! Tony and his team haven't been able to find them! They keep slipping away whenever they get close! They are out there, trying to get MY daughter, for god knows what!"

Bruce glances towards the staircase entrance but before he can say anything Christine goes on, " DO you understand how hard it has been to keep anything from this world from her!"

"Ma she grew up in this world, it's not fair to just cut her out" Jason cuts in, " She feels left out because we're all pretending like we aren't who we are and pretending as of we don't have The Tony Starks daughter in our house. She's not a civilian, she's in it."

"She is not just Tonys daughter she's mine too!" Christine shouts before tears start to drop from her eyes, " Shes MINE, she can't be taken from me."

In the batmobile, Cass buries her face into a sleeping Damians chest.

"Mom, do you think any of us would let that happen?" Dick finally speaks up, " I mean, come on have a little faith"

" I just wanted her to stay out of it, to get out for good."

" Darling, that girl was not made to stay out of things, look at whp her parents are," Bruce chuckled, " Besides, she's never going to come around if we don't fully open ourselves up to her as well."

"You have to admit Ma, fighting is the only way any of us bonded" Jason says, " Except me, she likes me."

"I don't know why " Dick says with a frown, still bitter at the fact that you had bonded with Jason before him.

Christine sniffled before saying, " I still need to go talk to her, the way she cut us off was unacceptable."

"But-" Tim finally spoke out but it was too late, Christine was already marching to the elevator, mind made up about scolding you for what she thought was a practical joke.

The rest of the team was left in the Bat cave shaking their heads at their mothers stubbornness.

Bruce's sighed and started to put things away, " There's going to be fight and I don't want to be in the middle of that."

The three awake boys nodded.

" Someone wake up Damian and Cass, they need to go to bed."

Jason and Dick pushed Tim forward, if there was one other thing they didn't want to get in the middle of, was those two and their sleep.

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

Back upstairs you were filled to the brim with anger. You had gone downstairs to greet the returning heroes and rub your success in Christines face, only to overhear what you had already confirmed.

Christine had been purposefully keeping things from you. Not only about Bruce being Batman ( Which you already knew), but about your situation.

See, when you had first moved to Gotham, you knew that there would be almost little to no contact with your family. The few times you were able to talk to someone from back home it wasn't even your parents. Something about phone lines being traceable and unreliable.

The only line of communication was given to you by Natasha before you left, a single flip burner phone that was only to be used for emergencies.

But Christine apparently was getting updates directly from your father. Updates you were sure were meant to be given to you. So not only had she had a hand in the intentional isolation of you from her family, she was trying to isolate you from yours as well.

It made you so angry! You already have sacrificed so much just to be here and you didn't even want to be there in the first place. You ripped open your laptop and went to do a little digging. Upon doing that, you found about a dozen of lengthy emails from your father describing in great lengths about your situation and details about life back home. These emails were obviously meant to be read by you and they all were marked as read and filed away. How they got to the Batcomputer was unknown to you but as you scanned each word tears welled up into your eyes, you father had not forgot about you.

You sat on the bed, taking deep breaths trying to calm down. You managed to restrain yourself and not blow up at that woman in front of her whole family and you really were trying to calm down so you can have a mature conversation about it.

You were trying.

but then, "Y/n Stark how dare you disobey your mother!"

What?

"What?" You say eyes ripping open and anger finally bubbling over

"How dare you! I asked you for one thing! All I wanted was to make sure my family would have been okay!"

"And are they dead?" You ask bluntly, " Is everyone who was infected dead?"

Christine turned red, " That is not the point young lady and I don't appreciate you talking about your family like that."

"They are NOT my family!" You shout, " You are not my family"

'Y/n" Christine start but now you were the one to cut her off

"NO, and since we are on the topic of not appreciating things lets talk about how I don't appreciate how you have been deliberately LYING to me."

"Excuse me?" Christine asks angrily, " I will have you know that I do not have to disclose every single piece of information I have to yo."

" Not even when it's about my own father." You said with an even tone, " Or do you not have to disclose that piece of information to me."

Christine lifts her chine, " Y/n I have no idea what you are talking about?"

"Oh you don't?" You ask," So you and your husband aren't hiding emails from my father to me in that big ass computer?"

Eyes widen, " How do you -"

"How do I know about that?" You mock, " So it's true?"

"Y/n that's not the point" Christine started, " Your practical joke could have seriously put the lives of your siblings in danger."

" My siblings?" You ask, " They are not my siblings! I don't even know those people!"

Christine stays quiet, then shakes her head, " If you would just come out of the room and get to know them other than Jason-"

"Why so they could tell me how great you are?' You say, " So they can tell me memories they have of you being a good mother to them?"

Christine's eyes well up with tears, " Y/n that's not fair"

"Oh that not fair to you, mom?" you shout, " And it was so fair to me when you left me to raise another kid?"

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

In the hallway Dick and Jason are paused half way up the staircase.

Dicks heart falls into his stomach at your comment, knowing that that kid you were talking about was him.

Jason on the other hand had a grim look on his face. He knew that this conversation needed to happen in order for anything to move on.He knew the years of resentment you were holding on to. It wasn't fair to you that everyone in this house had this subconscious expectation that you should just put those years behind you.

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

"That is not what happened" Christine says wetly, " It was just hard, Y/n you don't understand."

"Hard?!" You shout angerliy, " It was hard? Hard for you to visit your daughter once every three fucking months? Was it hard for you to lead my dad on then crush his heart every time you left?"

"NO Y/N thats not true" Christine shouted but before she could continue you went on

"No???" you mocked, " Then what was it mom?"

" Everytime I went to see you, you had grown." Christine sniffs, " You had grown and had new adventures and stories and milestones that i was not a part of. I-"

"OH bullshit!" You shout

"Y/n." Christine says sadly

"NO, no you don't get to play that card! You left by choice!" You cry, " You left me by choice, you hid me away by choice! You chose this life for us."

" I loved you so much. I LOVE you so much Y/n!"

"You have a funny way of showing it." You say dryly, " You have this perfect life here. Perfect husband, a shit load of kids who adore you. I adored you. Why wasn't I enough?"

Christine's heartbroke and she couldn't answer you because truthfully, she didn't have an answer.

"And the one parent I was enough for I had to leave. I had to leave him and my mother behind for my other one who didn't want me. And I'm stuck in a house full of these kids who adore you and didn't know that I adored you well before them. And yet even though I'm here I'm alone. And that still isn't enough for you."

Christine wanted to say you weren't alone. You weren't because you have her. She's here for you, but that wasn't true. She hadn't been there. She wasn't there even when she was.

"You had to make me think my father forgot about me the way you did for what? So I can like you again? So I could forget all the times you promised you were going to come see me and you didn't? Why?"

"I..I just wanted to keep you safe.." Christine spouted pathetically.

"Safe?" You said, herding her towards your door, " No, everything you've done is because you want to look better. You're selfish. That's what you've always been"

And with that you slam the door in her face, startling the boys on the stairs and Christine as she didn't even realize that she was in the hallway.

Staring at your door she wept. For once, truly feeling the regret that she said she had been feeling. She did truly love you, she had not lied about that. To hear you finally say how you weren't enough for her broke her heart.

"Ma..are you okay?" Jason softly asked as Dick went to knock at your door, a bit angry at the way you spoke to his mother,

"Leave her be." A soft voice demanded from the hallway, " Dick, leave her be. Your mother was not the only one hurt in that conversation."

Bruce walked to Christine, and gently lead her to their room.

Upon the commotion outside, no one heard you open your window and slip out.

"It's about time, I almost died waiting for you."

"You can't die, that's your whole thing." You reply, wiping tears from your face.

"You're crying." Wade says in an unnaturally serious voice, " Do I have to kill your hot mom?"

You cringe, " No, just get me out of here."

"I could do that, actually I have a surprise for you~" He sings as he leads you to his taxi...

You heard what sounds like banging coming from the trunk and you're slightly scared to open it.

"Wade.."

"Oh don't be a pussy" He says opening the trunk.

Popping out with a gasp is

"Peter?" You say with a sigh, eyes welling up with tears again. You truly have missed your friends.

"That was not cool Wade!" He shouts, not grasping where he was, " The trunk smelled like nachos and vomit! I couldn't nngh-"

He grunts as you throw yourself into his arms, " Y/n.."

His arms wrap around you tightly, " Y/n what are you.. Where am I?"

"Gotham, now get me the hell out of here."

And with that, you're loaded into the car, taking the backseat with Peter and Wade in the front with an Indian man.

"Y/n this is Dopiender"

"Hello ms. Stark, I promise I will defend you with my life."

"Oh...well, thank you."

"This was surprisingly easy." Wade said as they pulled out of the long driveway, " Bruce Wayne should update his security."

What they didn't know, was that a pair of bright green eyes watched your reunion through the security camera in the Batcave. Squinting as they saw the tears flow freely through your face and noting the license plate and the men you were with.

[portagas-chan]

Yours Forever and Ever : Part 3

Yandere Katakuri x Isekai Reader

Warning: A forceful and delusional Katakuri. Part 4: https://www.tumblr.com/portagas-chan/750789412935385088/yours-forever-and-ever-part-4?source=share

[Y/n] anxiously paced around the room. Sanji came in earlier through the balcony to inform her of their alliance with Bege and their plan to assassinate Big Mom.

She didn't have time. The wedding is in a couple hours. It's getting closer and Katakuri still hasn't come back. She didn't know what to do. The whole thing was stressing her out.

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal Katakuri. Her eyes widened when she saw Katakuri and immediately rushed to his side.

"Katakuri!"

Katakuri handed her a long black sleeveless dress that have a slit on the right. He pulled his scarf down and smiled at her, "It's for the wedding. I picked it out for you. Do you like it?"

[Y/n] was very perplexed. Why was Katakuri acting like nothing happened? Something was wrong. He was acting weird from the very start.

"I do but aren't you mad at me?"

Katakuri seemed to be caught off guard by the question but maintained his composure, "Oh, are you talking about that? Don't worry about it. I forgive you."

Forgive? That easily? She still hasn't answer his question yet.

"But you gave me two choices and I still haven't choose it yet."

Katakuri chuckled, "What two choices? You're going to stay with me. I understand you were probably stressed out earlier so you said things you didn't mean."

What? Did he just decide her life decisions himself? She already made a decision to stay with Luffy and the others. She had come this far with them and traveled the seas with them for a long time. She was going to tell him about it when he came in but Katakuri never gave her the chance to speak.

"I never said-"

Katakuri cut her off, "You should get ready for the wedding. I want to see you in that dress." Katakuri pushed her into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

After a while, the door opened to reveal [Y/n] wearing the long dress he gave her, the slit on the dress exposing her right thigh.

Katakuri blushed, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," [Y/n] smiled before she pulled herself together. She got distracted. Katakuri sat on the edge of his bed before patting the seat next to him. [Y/n] sat beside him and waited for him to say something.

Katakuri pulled out a small box from his pocket.

"What's that?" [Y/n] asked curiously. Katakuri smiled and opened the box.

"Our engagement ring."

[Y/n] stared at him blankly. Then she tilted her head to the side before blinking in confusion trying to process what he said.

"Our engagement ring?" She muttered.

"Yes," Katakuri nodded, the innocent smile still on his face.

Her eyes widened and she looked at the ring before looking back at him, "PAUSE! Did you just say OUR engagement ring?"

"Yes."

"Our as in me and you?"

"Yes."

"As in Charlotte Katakuri and [Y/n]?"

"Yes."

[Y/n] looked away from him and bit her lip as her tears flowed dramatically. 'Things just keep on getting worse every passing second.'

She wiped her tears and faced Katakuri, "Since when?"

"Since now. I was surprised when Mama accepted it. She said it will be held after Pudding's wedding," Katakuri answered.

[Y/n] sighed, "Katakuri, you can't be doing things your way. That's not how it works. When did I ever-"

"Look, its pretty, right?" Katakuri took her hand in his and put the ring on her finger.

Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance, 'He's not listening to me at all. No. It's more like he refuses to listen to me. It's useless talking to him. I should just run away without saying a word to him. That's the only best option I have right now.'

Katakuri put on his scarf and stood up, "Well, I have to stand guard at the entrance so I have to go now. I will see you at the wedding." And he left.

[Y/n] fell onto the bed followed by a loud groan. "Oh my god."

That was when she heard Nami's voice. She thought she was hearing things but Nami kept calling her name. She quickly sat up and saw Nami looking at her through the mirror.

She felt happy to see her friends again. With the help of Brulee, she entered through the mirror.

"Nami! You guys!" She hugged Nami to which she returned.

"[Y/n]! Have you heard about the plan?" Nami said and she nodded her head.

"Sanji came earlier to tell me about it."

"That's good."

[Y/n] frowned and stopped hugging her, "But there's another problem."

"What is it?" Nami tilted her head in confusion.

[Y/n] gloomily showed Nami her hand with a ring on her finger.

"You're getting married?!" They all shouted.

"To whom?" Brulee demanded.

[Y/n] rolled her eyes, "Who else? Your brother, of course."

"But I have so many brothers," Brulee said.

"Mochi," was all [Y/n] has to say for them to figure out.

"KATAKURI?!"

"KATAKURI ONI-CHAN?!"

"Why would Katakuri oni-chan get married to someone like you?" Brulee sneered.

"I don't know maybe because he fell in love with me!" [Y/n] said which made her gasp. "It's not like I wanted this either. He's a nice person and all but how could I marry and say that I love them to someone I just met? He wasn't listening to me at all."

Nami put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, [Y/n]. We're not leaving Big Mom's territory without you and Sanji-kun."

"That's right, [Y/n]. We are going to Wano together with you and Sanji," Chopper smiled.

"We will take down Kaido together," Brook said and Jimbei nodded his head with a smile.

"Thank you. I'm so glad I have you guys here with me," She smiled at them.

"Oh right, Brulee." Brulee flinched when she heard her name. "Can you find me a mirror that gets me to the wedding?"

"At the entrance or inside?"

"The entrance, Katakuri is still there. If I go inside alone, I would probably get lost," [Y/n] said.

It didn't take long for Brulee to find a mirror that led to the entrance of where the wedding would take place.

"I'm going now," She smiled at them to which they returned. "Stay safe."

[Y/n] left the mirror and saw Katakuri with his triplets. It seems like they've already gotten rid of the invaders. Katakuri didn't notice her arrival as he stared straight ahead flickering his jelly bean.

"Katakuri!" [Y/n] shouted and Katakuri perked up as he recognized who it was by the voice.

He jumped down and walked towards [Y/n]. Oven and Daifuku stared at him in envy.

"Katakuri is lucky to be engaged to a pretty girl like her," Daifuku said.

"Right? But they match as a couple," Oven said.

"I thought you were already inside," Katakuri said. "I was waiting for you because I didn't want to go inside alone," [Y/n] replied.

Katakuri smiled behind his scarf and held her hand. "Let's go."

The wedding ceremony has commenced.

[morganski-19]

Chills Right to the Marrow Part 26

ao3 link| part 1 . . . part 23, part 24, part 25

Wayne walks into the hospital, the information that he’s been given still running a marathon he can’t finish. Too caught up stumbling in all the unbelievable hurdles. Struggling to keep his footing on ground he thought was solid. But it’s cracking underneath his feet.

All these kids, all this time, went through that. Something that the authorities should have dealt with, but left up to children and regular civilians. Causing people to die and get hurt. Be left with trauma the regular public will never understand, and might not even believe.

Wayne doesn’t even know if he believes it. Even though he knows it’s true. It’s just his brain trying to find the fault in the truth to market it as a lie. So he can be mad a something a little more real. More feasible.

“Hey, Wayne,” Dustin calls out to him, causing him to stop in his tracks. “Did Steve talk to you, he said he needed to. I don’t know what about though.”

“Nothing you don’t already know,” he says simply. Each work breaking a small line in his heart.

Dustin rolls his eyes. “So you won’t tell me either, great.”

“Woah, I was tellin’ you the truth. No need to give me that tone.” Wayne might be slightly out of practice, but that parent voice came back real fast.

“Sorry,” Dustin mutters under his breath, crossing his arms. “I’m just sick of people hiding things from me. I’m not a kid anymore.”

But he is.

“But you are.”

He groans. “Sure fine, I’m still technically a kid. But I’m older now, I understand things more. That has to count for something.”

“Sure it does. Doesn’t mean you’re going to part of every conversation though. There are some things that you don’t need to be a part of. Things you don’t need to worry about.”

“People always say that, but I don’t believe them. First they say it’s nothing to worry about, and they they’re almost dying. I’m tired of that.”

And there lies the real reason for this frustration. The need to be involved so he knows exactly what the problem is. So he can try to get ahead of it. Stop it before it becomes catastrophic.

This kid has already had some much of his life change before his eyes. Without question, straying from the established plan. There’s no planning for life, but especially not the way Dustin’s had to live it. The way any of these kids had to live it. Or the adults.

Wayne sees the pain that imbedded itself into all of their beings. The way their eyes dart around, trying to see the unseen. And their bodies to predict the unpredictable. Pulled taught with string, ready for the next fight. For the next big thing.

If he could give anything to help them get one moment’s peace, he would give it. No one deserves to live like this.

“Look,” Wayne places a hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “I don’t have all the answers for you, and I’m not sure what specifically you’re talking about. But I do know that these people care about you, and know that you care about them. There are always going to be things left unsaid, and things kept from you. And you’re not going to get anything if you come from a place of anger instead of compassion. Explain why you want to know, then maybe they’ll tell you.”

Dustin nods, taking a moment to think. Wayne watches as he processes where to go next. Sees the fragility that lies beneath his frustration.

“Do you think they would really tell me?” he finally asks, so unsure of it all.

“They might. And if they don’t, they might give you a better answer than telling you it’s none of your business. That means they listened to you.”

It’s what everyone wants at the end of the day. To be heard.

“That’s at least something, isn’t it?” Wayne finishes, looking Dustin in the eyes. Showing him that he listened. That Dustin was heard.

Dustin nods. Still not looking completely satisfied, but better. “I guess so.”

Wayne gives Dustin’s shoulder a clap before letting go. “You off to see Eddie?”

“No,” he shakes his head. “I just came from there, my mom wants me home for dinner.”

“You have a ride?”

Dustin nods his head.

“Alright. Tell your mom thanks for me, for the dinner. It was very nice of her.”

“I won’t tell her that bit. Unless you want an entire casserole on your doorstep tomorrow.”

Wayne chuckles on his way to Eddie’s room. A real laugh. It’s starting to feel less foreign now.

Eddie’s playing with a stress ball when Wayne enters. Or less so playing and more like squeezing. Mumbling something under his breath before letting go.

“Hey Wayne,” he says. Concentration still on the ball.

“What do you got there?”

Eddie groans, head dramatically hitting the pillow. “Some stupid exercise the new nurse gave me to do. Something about starting to get back ‘motor functions.’ I’m supposed to count how long I can squeeze it.”

“What’s your record?”

“Ten seconds. Trying to get it to fifteen.”

He squeezes the stress ball again, fine for the first few seconds, but starting to shake around the halfway mark. Fingers twitching as they start to release the grip. Eddie’s face scrunching, trying to get them to stay just a bit longer.

“Ha, eleven.” He releases his fist, the momentum of the ball causing it to roll out of his hand. “Take that.”

The ball rolls off the bed toward Wayne’s direction. He picks it up, taking a second to give it back to Eddie. Wondering if it’s right to bring up that he knows.

“You just missed the guys, by the way,” Eddie starts before Wayne gets the chance to. “Finally got off their asses to come see me.”

“They came by a few times while you were in the coma.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, like that doesn’t matter. But really Wayne knows he’s just annoyed. These kids were his friends before spring break. He thought they were going to be after too.

“Yeah, but not while I was awake. It’s one thing to come and see me when I’m asleep, it’s a different thing to come and see me when I’m awake.”

“That’s true. Did you ask them why it took them so long? Maybe they had a good reason”

Eddie groans. “You can’t go a few weeks without trying to give me a life lesson, can you.”

Wayne laughs again. Sits with how the air sits in his lungs so light. Makes his whole body so much lighter.

He doesn’t need to talk about what happened with Eddie right now. Not yet. Not when Eddie’s trying to figure out how to live again. Not while he’s still trying to get them a place to call home.

Everything will come out when it’s time. He knows that. Right now, they can forget for a while and just be.

next part

tag list (capping at 100, only 5 spots left): @the-they-who-nerded, @insteviewetrust, @croatoan-like-its-hot, @jettestar,

@tinyplanet95, @steddie-as-they-go, @slv-333, @littlecelestialmoth, @thatonebadideapanda,

@fandomsanddeath, @marismorar, @wonderland-girl143-blog, @glass-bottle03, @gutterflower77,

@here4thetrama, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @jaytriesstuff, @cryptid-system, @manda-panda-monium,

@resident-gay-bitch, @anaibis, @xxsutherlandxx, @forevermineliv, @mugloversonly,

@gregre369, @n0-1-important, @different-tale-student, @spectrum-spectre, @tartarusknight,

@devondespresso, @swimmingbirdrunningrock, @cheertain, @anti-ozzie, @autumncrocusandladybug,

@greeniebean911, @cr0w-culture, @stillfullofshit, @connected-dots, @daisynotquake,

@morgannotlefay, @a-little-unsteddie, @dolphincliffs, @maskofmirrors, @me-and-my-sloth,

@papergrenade, @waelkyring, @sweetheartprincess28, @katouasobj, @astercomoasflores

[ddejavvu]

(How's this?)

"Sit," Hotch demanded, surprising you with how different he sounded.

"Sit," Hotch demanded, surprising you with how different he sounded. You're used to hearing him talk as Agent Hotchner, not Aaron. You feel his hand on your shoulder and it guides you into the chair in front of his desk. You sink into its plush cushions with a weary sigh, head still spinning.

"Are you alright?" He sits behind his desk, hands folded over the wood. You nod without looking at him, eyes droopy.

"That was quite a fall." He continues, as if you've somehow forgotten your near-faint. You were just lucky Aaron had the reflexes to sling an arm around your stomach and yank you backwards into his chest, or you'd have hit the ground.

All you can do is nod, and you hear him sigh almost inaudibly.

"Are you sick? Low iron? Bad lunch? I need to know what we're working with here."

"Low iron." You confirm, "It just happens sometimes when I stand up.

Your eyes are so heavy that they feel itchy, and you rub at them with an angry fist. The pressure against your eyes hurts, but it's better than the itch.

You feel a warm, soft hand on yours, gently pulling your hand away from your eyes. When you peek them open, your vision is sticky and hazy, but you see Aaron's kind smile from over the desk.

"Do you take supplements?"

"I forgot mine this morning," You mumble, but he doesn't take his hand away from your wrist, so you don't pull it back. He lowers his hand to the desk, and it holds your wrist in a soft, reassuring grip.

"You don't live far, do you? How about you drive back and grab them? We're not busy today, you can leave the office."

"I can't drive," You shake your head, still groggy, "I take the subway. It'll take too long, and I might pass out on the train."

"I'll drive you."

He only breaks away from your skin-to-skin contact to dig through his pockets for his keys, rising from his seat. You blink bewilderedly up at him, mouth falling open slightly, "What?"

"We can stop by your apartment and you can take your pills," He explains, as if you wanted clarification on the process and not his logic, "I finished a report just an hour or two ago, my desk is clear."

"It's okay," You protest weakly, feeling an ache in your chest that bottoms out into your stomach, "You said it yourself, it's not busy today, so I can just wait. I'll take it easy at my desk and hopefully I'll be subway-ready afterwards."

"Y/N," Aaron stops by the door of his office, hand already twisting the knob, "You need your medicine. Let's go."

You feel strange as you scramble to obey his authoritative tone, and when you rise to your feet you grip the back of the chair for balance. In seconds his hand is off of the door and under your arm, lifting it so that you stay upright.

"I'm parked in the garage," He informs you, "Too long of a walk for you. Sit with Prentiss, she's closest, and I'll pull the car around, 'come get you."

"Hotch, really, it's alright, I can walk. You're offering me a free ride," You try ignoring the pounding in your head, "The least I can do is make it to the car."

"Sit with Prentiss." He blinks unamused at you, "That's an order."

The aforementioned agent welcomes you to her desk with a sympathetic smile, her hand replacing Hotch's under your arm. She slips it down to your side as you lower yourself into her chair, and you bid Hotch a goodbye that he doesn't see as his back is turned.

"Feeling better, honey?"

"I will once I get my meds." You assure her, "Thanks, Emily."

"Anytime." She rubs a soft hand over your back, "Hotch is driving you?"

"I told him he didn't have to."

She lets out a snort, but you don't see the accompanying smirk from where you're holding your head in your hands.

"I bet he threw a fit."

"Hm?"

"When you told him not to take you home. Hey, Morgan!" She snaps once to get the man's attention, who looks up from his desk with a raised eyebrow.

"Do you think he's gonna stand in front of her and watch her take the pills?"

"Like I do with my mom," Reid snickers, pink lips twisted into a barely-withheld grin.

"Well she can't take 'em on an empty stomach, maybe he'll buy her dinner and chew her food for her."

There's a round of 'ohhh's, and 'eeewww's from your fellow profilers but you're having trouble keeping up with the conversation. Their voices mellow out into a dull whine in your head, the last word you hear something about kissing. You're too spacey to evaluate it in context.

The next thing you know, there's a hand around your jaw.

"Hey," a voice speaks, low and soothing, "Y/N?"

Your eyes blink open, weary, "Yeah?"

"Time to go," It's Aaron, and the rare smile on his face gives you enough peace of mind to follow him. You don't remember where he's taking you, or where you are now, but you know it's safe, and you let him tug you up out of the chair.

Your head falls against his shoulder and he lets it rest there, keys in his hand as he keeps an arm around your back. He leads you out of the office, but you don't react when your team members bid you goodbye, too groggy to register them.

What you do register is the soft hum of Aaron's voice, moreso when it's in your face than above your head. He helps you into his car and leans in to buckle your seatbelt, leaving his hand on your thigh, close to your knee, as he catches your attention.

"You can have the rest of the day off, alright? You're almost home, you can get in bed and rest for the day."

"I can work," You drawl, voice not all there, "I'll be better later."

"It's okay," He assures you, squeezing your leg, "Just sleep, okay?"

You don't mean to take his order so literally. But he doesn't wake you up, and when your eyes do flutter open you find yourself in your bed, blankets tucked carefully around you.

You spot the pills on your side table as soon as you turn, bright orange and chalky. They sit beside a full glass of water, and a note.

I picked up a bottle of your supplements to keep in the bureau's kitchen, it reads, Sleep well, Y/N.

[watchingblsnowandforever]

Hello!!!

Welcome back! =D

Part 2

Warning: long, long post (also a part 2 but I think y'all are used to it by now-) 😊😅

MattMick!! Also, Beer looking between them like that and Q and Toey peeking from behind cracked me up hehe

Also, does that mean Beer is single? Wait, maybe he's aroace. That'd be really cool.

I did see some hints of a throuple of him and MattMick, but I'm happy with either option.

SO CUTE 🥺🫶🏼

Poor QToey 😭

Their romantic moment got rained on so hard-

Exhibit: Here you can see three males from the species Homo sexuals. Two of them are already mated, and the third is in the courting process. We think the other male is interested too.

Oh- But I thought- oh, this makes sense actually. So the others know. I mean not really surprising when you think about it, to be honest.

With his unprecedented levels of obliviousness? Yeah, no, I get where you're coming from, Chain.

That's your biggest concern about getting a penguin?? 😭😭

Why does Peem look like the exasperated mom friend of the group 😭

After all the tiny crumbs of the past *checks notes* 8262 eps, this is a lot of progress.

HANDS. (I will never stop screaming about hands.)

Cuteee

Peem, babe, he hardly ever goes to class anyways. He's too busy following you around like a puppy.

Me, who holds handholding above everything else (yes, even sex): *DEEP BREATHS THROUGH THE NOSE* I'm fine. *SMOKE COMING OUT OF EARS* Totally fine.

Nothing to say, just a really good shot. (Also, Phuwin's exasperated smile seemed too real and then I learned Pond improvised that scene and yeah, that explains it)

ChainPun: only two people with matching pillow cases

QToey: missing (me?) [Sorry I couldn't resist 😭]

TanFang: peacefully asleep

PhumPeem: chronic insomnia, aggravated by Tan's snores

Matt: cuddling Mick

Beer: dreaming of him and his friends and their boyfriends all graduating with good grades

ChainPun. <33

Let me wrap this moment in my memory forever. (I tried to adjust the lighting a bit but it didn't really work out 😭)

AJSSHUJKJ!!!!! THEY GIVE ME TWO MAKE OUT SESSIONS WITHIN THE SPAN OF LIKE 4 MINUTES AND EXPECT ME TO BE SANE ABOUT IT???

No.

Look, we all expected this. I even said on record I wouldn't survive. And all that mental Muay Thai still didn't prepare me for this.

Till now, I have watched 60 BLs, give or take, so I've seen a lot of NC scenes. Compared to some of them, this is very PG-13, but this one really got me, like very few sex scenes have managed to. The intimacy, the palpable love, want. It all came together so beautifully in this scene.

Them saying 'I love you' during sex is canon! Yay! I knew it in my guts (wrote a fic about it) but feels so good to be right in canon hehe.

"I love you too, now kiss me again."

HANDS!!!! (It's canon now, they hold hands during sex, and so I can freely write a fic about it. Not that something not being canon ever stopped me but yeah.)

Fang: my brother is in safe hands. 😌

Also, love how Peem didn't hesitate to at the chance to kick both brothers and make it a streak 😭👍🏼

Honestly though, this scene shows that Peem is going to go to very long lengths to make sure Phum is okay, even kicking his own brother (which assures me that Peem maybe wouldn't hesitate that much to sucker punch their dad either, which is important information to have for possible future fics.)

How can one man be so goddamn cute??

The whimpering puppy noises- 😭

Cakes are so hard to bake, for real. This one is so cute though 😭😭🫶🏼

Puppy Phum- honestly is anyone surprised? No? Thought so.

This smile-

It holds so much happiness and the brunt of so many years of trauma. It's so beautiful. I'm probably gonna rewatch the heck out of this scene.

I end Part 1 here, Part 2 will be out (hopefully) soon!

If you got this far, thank you so much for reading! 😊 (All mistakes are mine, but in my defense, I literally fell asleep while writing this.)

Here, have a pie (of your favourite flavour) 🥧

[sexyfoxlady]

Missing You📱

Father-Figure!Satoru Gojo x Mother-Figure!Reader

Summary: young!Megumi/Tsumiki wants to talk to father-figure!Satoru Gojo on the phone who is away on a mission

⚠️WARNINGS⚠️ one curse word 'shit' butt other than that nothing 🤷‍♀️ (imk in comments)

"haha...no Toru everything is fine here,you just make sure you get home all in one piece"

Tsumiki perks up after hearing you use Satoru's nickname 'Toru' she didn't know who you were talking to before that because you walked out of your room on the call but now Tsumiki knows it's her father on the other side of the phone she zoomed off her spot from the couch placing the book she was reading on the spot she was sitting, running over to you to speak to Satoru

"Excuse me Mama but I want to say hi to Papa" Tsumiki asked politely and sweetly just like the angel child she is

"Aw of course baby...Toru,Tsumiki wants to say hi...ok here you go" handing the phone to Tsumiki with a gentle head pat to her head before walking into the kitchen to make a light snack for the kiddos

"Hi Papa!"

"Heyo my little monkey how are you, you being helpful for mama, how was school, learn anything new today, miss you guys so much"

Tsumiki giggles at Satoru overload of questions before answering him

"I'm doing good and Mama doesn't let me help as much as I want, keeps saying I do a lot already but I like helping Mama...and school was okay I guess. We are reading a new book though, it's really good so far I can't wait to talk about it in class."

It takes a moment for Satoru to process all the information given to him from his daughter

"Mmmm you know your mom is right you do a lot already and your so cute monkey liking helping your mama out and why was your day just "okay I guess" that's not what I want to hear from my monkey why was it just okay? Do you want to tell your old man about it?"

"It's silly" Tsumiki responds meekly

"It's not silly if it means you can't have a good day because of it, come on tell papa what's wrong"

Tsumiki gives a small sigh before admitting why her day was 'okay I guess'

"It's just I forgot you were away on a mission and when we got our new book for class I wanted to read with you"

"Awww Tsumiki I'm sorry I'm not there I promise as soon as Im home we'll read alllll the books you want, how does that sound?"

"Thanks papa, I'm going to give mama the phone back now, love you, be safe"

"Love you too and I'll be home soon promise"

Satoru feels his heart is about to burst from how much love is waiting for him at home

"Hey Toru you still there?" (Y/N) asked with the phone in one hand while handing sliced apples and bananas to Tsumiki reminding her to share with her brother

"Yeah I'm here gorgeous, monkey was just trying to give me a heart attack with all her love, man she's such a great kid she probably gets it from me"

"HA doubtful very doubtful, what did she say anyways"

"Just that she misses me and how she wishes she was reading with me and how she loves me sooooo much more than you and Gumi"

Rolling your eyes at the obvious lie at the end

"Yeah I'm soooo sure she said all that especially the end part"

"Aw don't get jealous now you know you'll always be my first love" you can basically see Toru sly smile on his stupid gorgeous face

"Well you'll always be my second love" bitting back a laugh from Satoru to hear his freak out to being second especially second in your heart~

"WHAT WHO'S YOUR FIRST LOVE!?" Absolutely appalled that he second to anyone

"My Gumi of course,his is my precious baby boy" when you inform your boyfriend that Megmi is your first love you can hear Satoru's world come crashing down around him

"Why would you say that, just say you don't want me home it would be easier for my HEART" there goes your drama queen boyfriend doing what he does best being dramatic. Hearing your laugh through the phone did not help Satoru in being any less dramatic

"YOUR SO MEANNNN TO ME" basically crying through the phone. You're so engrossed into the conversation with your boyfriend you don't notice right away the tiny hand pulling on your pant leg to get your attention, putting a hand over the speaker to look down at your son to see what the matter is

"Everything okay Gumi did you get some slice apple and bananas from your sister" nodding yes before communicating what he needed your attention for

"Is that Gojo-sensei" looking at the phone in your hand

"Yeah it's Toru you want to say hi?" You asked your normally quiet son but when you did he got embarrassed looking anywhere but the phone and started messing with the end of his children's cartoon graphic t-shirt. Kneeling down before Megumi with your hand still on the speaker of the phone where your boyfriend is still most likely freaking out

"Hey it's ok if you miss Turo you can say hi if you want" Megumi's eyes widen as if you accuse him of something heinous he whipped his head around so fast to correct you

"I don't miss that idiot!" With his arms crossed and a foot stomp its hard to take his dislike for your boyfriend seriously, putting a hand gently on top of Megumi's head letting him know it's ok if he doesn't want to say hi but in his need to show how strong he is on his own, he forgot the purpose he asked you in the first place because he DOES want to say hi but not wanting to embarrass himself even more he almost decided to forget about it but you know your precious boy better then the back of your hand plus you saw how his eyes sadden when you said he didn't have to say hi so you did what a mother does best reverse psychology(🥸)

"Well I know you don't want to say hi to Toru but I know he wants to say hi to you, can he say hi?" Gumi not realizing he's nod to your question was a very excited nod not backing up his last statement in not wanting to talk to his sensei -dad, putting the phone back up to your ear to let him know another one of his children want to talk to him well "not" talk to him

"Hey handsome I have Gumi here like you wanted, to say hi" Satoru not needing any more information than that because this is not the first time Megmi "didn't" want to say hi,before handing the phone to Megmi you tell Satoru 'love you'

"Hey hey Gumi what's up" Satoru cheerfully came through from the other side of the line but nothing came after his greeting but silence

"Megumi? You okay bud?" The concern in his voice showing just a little bit

"Yes...um I" Megumi obviously not feeling quite yet comfortable with whatever he wants to say

"Hey it's okay monkey take your time you can talk to me about anything alright" hoping that Satoru using his nickname that he uses for his sister and himself will give Gumi the boost he needs to say whatever he needs. It takes him about 30 seconds to respond to Toru

"Miss you and be safe" if Satoru wasn't paying attention he would have missed what Gumi had said but he is always vigilant when it comes to his children but Satoru didn't have time to say 'miss you' back before the phone is handed back to you is a hurry

"Toru?" Came your sweet angelic voice not expecting for the call to still be going

"MY HEART!" He practically blows your earphones out with his love

"SHIT Toru my ears" you should have known better than to put the phone up to your ear after he's done talking to his children

"MY BABIES MY BABIES MONKEYS ARE SO CUTE" rolling your eyes playfully because not only are Megumi and Tsumiki too old to hold on him like monkeys anymore but this was not the first and it won't be the last time this call happens it happens every time Satoru has a long mission or sometimes even the short missions

"I promise I'll be home soon I love you. Don't miss me too much like the kids" chuckling a soft 'i love you too' at the end of the call.

.......……….……………...........……………

THATS IT!!!🫰😜

ART/GIFS AREN'T MINE 🩷

Hope you enjoy cool if not don't care or read more if there is more 🙃

[keenzinemugstudent]

Trafalgar Law x Black reader. Let me mend your broken heart. (WARNING THIS IS LONG 😭 I'M SORRY)

You had feelings for your best friend Ace but he gets together with your stepsister Vivi Main while her ex-boyfriend Law sees this as a win-win situation. ⚠️ warning Angst, rejecte⚠️

Everyone is in University

You were in your room lying on your bed staring up at the ceiling, you feel your phone vibrate but you don't bother to pick it up, you already knew who it was, you just didn't want to answer, you just wanted to be left alone why didn't anyone understand that?

you look at the stuffed teddy bear that you got from Ace and throw it across the room near the trashcan hiding your face in your pillow.

"Y/n come on you're going to be late for work!"

Speak of the devil herself. You get out of bed opening the door, There stood your stepsister Vivi looking at you with a frown on her face.

"Vivi I took the day off why are you knocking on my door?"

"Oh well I wanted to see if you were feeling okay."

"I'm fine."

"You sure? Because Nami said you haven't been answering your phone and everyone was kind of worried?" You let out a tired groan.

"My phone was off didn't want to be bothered today." You say hoping she'd leave you alone but she just stood there still staring at you with a frown.

"You know if something is bothering you-"

"Like I said before I'm fine Vivi! So just leave me alone already damn it!"

She flinched at the tone in your voice, before she could say anything you closed the door in her face leaning on the door and letting out a loud sigh.

" Great now you've done it she's probably already texting Mom and telling her that I yelled at her for no reason."

You glance at your mirror and there is a picture of you and Ace at the fair making you feel sad all over again, there is a reason why you didn't want to answer any of your phone calls from your friends or from Ace

Flashback

"Huh?"

You stare at Ace who has a big grin on his face with a blush.

"I asked out Vivi isn't that great?"

When...when did you even-?

"After I got off work I asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend and she said yes I was surprised that she'd even consider a guy like me!

You just stare at him like not know how to process this information the feel your whole world go crashing down

"Y/n? Hey, you okay?"

"Uh yeah, I'm sorry but when did you even start liking Vivi?"

"I've kind of always liked her when she first moved into your place but I was too scared to really say anything."

Okay, that just made you feel even worse he's liked her since we were kids? When you first met Vivi and her dad, she was 14, you were 12 and Ace was 13 during those whole years growing up Ace never showed any interest in liking her at all at least that's what I thought.

"Does anyone else know?"

"Huh? Oh well, I guess everyone knows I told Marco, Sabo, and Luffy who then probably told his friends."

"And when was this? "

He looked at you with a nervous look on his face.

"Monday."

Monday?! So last week?!

I got up from the table Ace looked at you concerned.

"Y/n?"

"I'm sorry Ace I just remembered something really important came up I got to go oh uh but congrats on your new relationship!"

You give a thumbs up with a forced smile and speed walking out of the cafe he calls out to you but you are already out the door when you are out of sight of the cafe you hide in an ally way holding your chest and trying to breathe that's when the tears started to fall down your face the worse part it started to rain.

End Flashback

Maybe if you would have told him your feelings sooner but then again this was you vs Vivi we were talking about here. She was beautiful while you were just plain and boring, Nami said you were pretty too even the guys would say you were cute and any guy would like to have you as their girlfriend, pretty sure they just said all that to make you feel better. Even your own mom would boast about how great, smart, and beautiful Vivi was it would always hurt your feelings a bit because she made it clear she would wish Vivi was her real daughter instead of you she never said it but she sure as hell didn't try to hide.

"Hey! Y/n!"

You turn to see Nami running towards you with a really pissed-off look on her face if you got a closer look you could steam coming out of her ears.

"You idiot why the hell didn't you answer your phone?!

"Sorry, my phone wasn't working."

"For five days?! Bullshit!" She says stumping her foot on the ground you frown as people pass by seeing the two of us yelling some even whispered making you embarrassed.

"Okay, okay I'm sorry Nami look I didn't get any sleep last night and I'm here now so please let's just forget about it."

she didn't like that reply and grabbed your shoulders shaking you back and forth and making you dizzy.

"Forget? Are you kidding?! You hade us all worried and don't get me started on Ace-!"

"Nami-Swannnnnnn!!!!

"Not now Sanji I need to hey where'd she go?!" She stared at the spot you were standing in and noticed that you were gone.

"Y/N!!!!!!" People backed away from fear as the ginger was surrounded by fire she was pissed

((Now back to you))

You ran into a classroom hiding from the raging ginger-haired woman who definitely would kill you if she found you. As much as you loved Nami she was scary as hell when angered!

"I should have stayed my ass at home." You say not noticing the other person in the room until they spoke.

"Me and you both..."

you turn your head and see a man wearing a fur hat and a uniform sitting at the front desk holding a medical book your eyes widen when you realize who it is.

"L-law??"

Yep that right people the one and only Trafalgar Law another University student who you've seen around campus a couple of times but you also knew him as Vivi's ex-boyfriend.

"Hi." You gave an awkward wave still sitting on the floor.

"Let me guess hiding from your friends?

"Yeah, I kind of pissed one of them off sorry for interrupting."

"I haven't seen you on campus or at the music store, everything good?"

"Oh uh yeah just need to take a break from everything ya know? Wait how did you know I worked at the music store?" You didn't even think he would even notice you not show up to class let alone at your job. Hell, how did he know where you work?! He just gives you a shrug getting up from his sit walking towards you.

"I've passed by there a couple of times on my way home from the hospital."

"Oh, that makes sense!" You stood up dusting yourself off trying to look halfway decent.

I'd forgotten he worked at the hospital which is a couple of blocks away from your job Law had a name for himself at the hospital and on-campus people called him the surgeon of death which was pretty cool you didn't understand why Vivi broke up with him he was smart, cool and pretty hot if I do say so for myself. I mean the dude was tall had tattoos on his chest and arms pierced ears and a tan he also had bags under his eyes probably from lack of sleep but he was cute.

"Ah, so my reputation has reached that far huh?"

"Oh yeah! Luffy wouldn't stop talking about how awesome you were helping his grandpa at the hospital pretty impressive."

"Thanks even though you're not the first person to say that it's nice to hear it from you Y/n ya."

You feel your cheeks get warm at his comment which causes him to smirk at your flustered expression.

"W-well it's just I always thought you were pretty cool!"

"Oh really? Was that before or after I was dating your stepsister?" He asks leaning on the wall next to you you look at him surprised a bit that he didn't refer to Vivi as your sister like everyone else does even Ace does it he tries to get you to warm up to the idea of Vivi being your sister but you just really all up to it you respected her sure but you didn't see her as a sister.

"Before. Honestly, I was surprised that she broke up with you I mean you're a doctor for God's sake, and...." You glance up at him his grey eyes already looking at you.

"You're...kind of attractive."

You shyly look at the ground trying not to let him see how flustered you were he just gave a chuckle.

"Well thanks and don't worry you're not the first to say that, my friends also said the same thing but I didn't really care that much to be honest."

"What do you mean?"

"We only went out for 3 weeks it was fun but we weren't that serious."

"Huh but weren't you the one who asked her out?" He gave you a confused look crossing his arms.

"No, she actually asked me out."

He let out a scoff getting closer to the point where you could feel the warmth coming off him.

"I want to ask you something."

"Well I'll be stuck here for a while so ask away!"

"Is the reason why you just disappeared off the face of the earth because of fire fist right?" You flinch at the question and glare at him.

"No and last I check my relationship with Ace is none of your business."

he held up his hands in defense backward a bit.

"What do you know about me and Ace anyway?"

"I know you've had feelings for him for a while and now his dating Vivi."

Your face went from anger to embarrassment looking away from him he then gave a sigh.

"I don't blame you though when I found out I was kind of annoyed." You looked back at him confused.

"Why would you be annoyed? I thought you said it wasn't that serious so why do you care about who she dates?"

"You're right if it was anyone else I wouldn't have a problem with it but because she's with Fire fist knowing your feelings for him puts me in a bad mood."

He stepped closer now into your personal space, what he did next made you freeze. He moved his hand up and touched your cheek moving a braid from your face to see your eyes which were still puffy from crying all week.

"You shouldn't be crying over that idiot."

You didn't say anything but look at him feeling your heart beating fast he was making you feel nervous and his hand touching you didn't make it any better.

"Instead of wasting your time on him, you should find someone more suitable."

"Oh and who do you suggest Mr surgeon of Death?" You ask him in a mocking tone to cover up uneasiness. He looks into your eyes his thumb rubs your cheek leaning down a bit to the point both your noses touch my eyes widen thinking he is going to kiss me but he just backs away from you walking back to his desk to pick up his bag and books.

"After classes are over me meet me at th front gate yeah?"

all you could do was nod your head face still on face, he give a smirk walking passed you. Leaving you standing there like a statue.

What the hell was that?!?!

The whole day you couldn't get what happened out of your head. Why did he do that? Why did he touch my cheek? Was...was he flirting with me? No way!

"Y/n? Hey, pea for brains answer me!"

"Is she dead?"

"What? No, she's probably just exhausted!"

"Maybe she needs meat?"

"Luffy not everyone is a greedy glutton like you!!"

you felt someone flick your forehead making you snap out of your thoughts you looked up to see Luffy and Zorro standing in front of you.

"Finally the princess awakes from her slumber."

"Yeah, you were really out of it Y/n!"

Luffy wrapped his arms around you in a hug you just pat his head. You always thought of Luffy as a little brother and always used to babysit him when Ace and Sabo couldn't he even called you big sis once in a while. So he was probably bored that you weren't around to play with him or give him food.

"Sorry just haven't been getting any sleep."

Zoro gave you a frown arms crossed.

"That's why you didn't show up for the last couple of days?"

You nod

"Or answer any of our calls?"

Again you give a nod not looking him in the eye, he gives an annoyed sigh making you look at him he holds his head in his hand.

"Hey Luffy? Sanji said he had food waiting for you."

With that Luffy ran out of the room leaving you and the green-haired man alone he sat down next to you.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of Luffy but is this because of the whole Ace and Vivi thing?"

You hesitated but gave a nod no point in lying to Zoro of all people he could read you like a book.

"Geez Y/n I knew you were upset but-"

"I'm fine really it's just I'm still not sure how I didn't see it. "

"And you're upset we didn't tell you?"

"Maybe a little? I mean I know it's partially my fault too for not confessing my feelings sooner but it just had to be Vivi of all people like seriously?!"

"Yeah I was a little surprised too "

"So we good?" He looks back at you bumping against your shoulder you give a grin.

"Yeah just need a bit of space for a bit." He give a nod understanding he let out a yawn getting up from his seat.

"Okay, fair enough but fair warning Nami is still very pissed."

That made me shiver in fear of the image of Nami rage coming your way.

By the end of the day you turned and felt your heart drop to your stomach there at the gate stood Ace who was laughing and grinning at Vivi who stood there blushing with a smile on her face holding his arm tightly. You debating on walking towards them or trying to walk past them but then Ace would probably try to bomb you with multiple questions on why you didn't answer any of his texts or calls or why it didn't show up on campus you honestly did not want to deal with any of that today before you can turn around and head back the other way you heard someone called me for you.

"Oi! Y/n ya!"

You turn to see Law standing there waving his hand at you, you glance and see your friends (the straw hat crew Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Nami, and Luffy) looking at you as well as the happy new couple. You nervously speed walk over to Law holding your books in your chest.

"Ready to go?"

"Uh, where are we going exactly?"

"You'll find out when we get there.

"Wow, what a subtle answer."

He noticed your hesitation it looked back behind you raising an eyebrow.

"Or would you rather be here and get a ride from the lovely couple?"

"Bike ride on the death trap it is then!"

You took the helmet out of his hand put it on then got on wrapping your arms around his waist. You stared back and you saw Vivi's confused and red face possibly from anger, your friends were also shocked but Ace's face looked lost and his mouth was open. That was the last thing you saw before Law sped off in an unknown direction far away from campus, away from your friends. The whole time he was going fast making you hold onto him tighter he glanced over at you.

"Alright then just try to hang on tight okay?"

You give a nod holding him tightly with eyes closed, you could have sworn you heard him give a small laugh over the wind. An hour went by before you knew it you were at the beach.

"You brought me to the beach?"

"Seemed like a great idea at the time." He helps you off the bike holding your hand you can't help but notice how warm his hand is or how much bigger they are compared to your own.

"Want some ice cream?"

"I didn't bring any money with me."

"I'm paying don't worry."

We got some ice cream and talked for a bit it was nice to clear your mind of everything and the ice cream was so good it was sweet of him to take you here but couldn't help but wonder why? I mean this is Law we are talking about here he's not nice for no reason right?

"How you feeling?"

"I'm okay, thank you for bringing me here, it was really sweet of you Law." You smile at him he gives a hmm looking to the side so you won't see him blush.

"I'm glad I could help but there's actually a reason why I wanted to bring you here."

We stopped by the shore you could hear the waves and feel the wind on your cheek it was nice.

"I have something to confess." You turn to look at him and he looks a bit nervous?

"Is everything okay Law?"

"Yeah just I know this is gonna sound a little bit weird but..." He rubs the back of his neck not looking at you he was silent for a couple of minutes before clearing his throat.

"Y/n I like you, will you go out with me?" You stood there silently blinking up at him.

"Huh? Huh?!?!

"I'm guessing you weren't expecting that?"

"Of course I wasn't expecting that!" You stared up at him face flustered from his bold confession, like come on what kind of guy asks out his ex-girlfriend's step-sister? It's like I'm in a TV drama or something!

"Yeah, sorry guess that was stupid."

"Oh no no of course It's not stupid! It's just a bit of a surprise!" You rub your arm looking down at the ground face getting even more warm than before this was a lot to handle.

"We don't have to go out right this moment but I want to get to know more about you, if that's okay with you?" He took off his hat so you could get a better look at his face he had a soft expression and a look of determination, your heart was beating fast from this like super fast, were you having a heart attack? No of course not! But you didn't know what to say to him and besides it would be so awkward.

"You don't have to say yes...But I want you to know one thing." He took a step closer to you gently grasping your hand into his own.

"I'm not doing this because of Vivi. What I said before was true I don't care about her or who she dates."

"But...why? Why me of all people?"

"Because I like you Y/n, I know it's not much but please just give me a chance."

"I just don't know, don't get me wrong I'm flattered that you decided to confess your feelings but aren't you worried about what everyone else will say?" He let out a small laugh.

"I could give a damn about what they say but let me guess you're worried about what Vivi will say? Or is it because of Ace?" You frown at the mention of Ace.

"Ace is someone I care about and I know I may sound pathetic when I say this but I can't help but still like him."

"It's not pathetic. You have a right to feel that way, no one has the right to tell you otherwise." You couldn't help but give a tiny smile at his words.

"Though I'm still a bit upset about him and Vivi I have to accept the fact that he will never see me in that way."

"So I'm willing to accept your offer." You stared at him with a shy smile. He raised an eyebrow staring down at you with a smirk on his face.

"Oh really?"

You give a nod still holding his hand but this time having a tighter hold.

"Mmh I want to get to know more about you too Law, so please let's get to know each other okay?" He lifts up your hand to his lips and gives your knuckles a gentle kiss causing you to blush.

"Sounds good to me Y/n."

"Woah there boy you keep this up and I might pass out!"

"Don't worry sweetheart I'll take care of you I wouldn't be a good boyfriend or doctor if I let you pass out."

"B-Boyfriend?! Hey now I thought we were supposed to be taking things slow!"

"We are and I'll start by mending your broken heart."

Wow I guess I am now in a relationship with Trafalgar Law, oh boy something tells me this year is going to be crazy I just wonder how everyone's gonna react to this

(with the crew)

"Hey Nami?"

"What's up Usopp?"

"I bet you 50 bucks Law took Y/n on a date."

"Eh? Nah make it 200!"

"I don't have that much! I'm broke!"

To be continued maybe? I honestly have a lot of fun writing this I kept having a lot of writer's block cuz of Life kicking me in the ass so I'm happy I was able to finish this it took me a couple of months but it's done I hope everyone who reaches liked it so far sorry if there's a couple of grammar and spelling mistakes

[peachhcs]

Ohh what was will’s reaction to samy coming to the party??

“oh will, come back for a second,” will’s mom stopped the boy in his tracks before he completely left the kitchen. he shuffled backwards, eyes on his mom.

“i figured i should tell you this before the party, but samy and her mom are coming,” mrs. smith said, carefully watching her son’s reaction.

the blonde stared at his mom for a second, processing what was said. grace, who stood a few feet away, kept a careful eye on her brother as well as the two awaited his reaction.

"you invited them?" will raised his eyebrow, his tone laced with bitterness.

"i didn't invite them personally, ryan did, but i was probably going to anyway," colleen said and the two watched will's expression harden.

"god, i knew he'd invite her. fucking idiot," the blonde mumbled which instantly had colleen and grace defending his friend.

"hey! i don't appreciate that language. look, i get you and samy had a hard breakup, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve an invite. she's been by your side for..how many years?" mrs. smith quickly snapped back because she'd always defend that girl with her life no matter what happened.

"all the guys are trying to do is to get me to realize i shouldn't have broken up with her, but i've told them and you guys that it was for the best. we can't be in a relationship where we only see each other for..two months. that's not a relationship. she doesn't deserve that. i don't. you don't get it," will rambled on his grievances again.

"wait, wait. that's why you broke up with her? because of the distance?" grace cut in, eyes wide.

"yes?"

"jesus christ, will," the older girl immediately shook her head.

"alright, alright. she's coming either way. ryan and the guys are just trying to be good friends to you. you don't even have to talk with her if you don't want, but i just figured i would tell you before," mrs. smith stepped in again before her kids started fighting.

"well, thanks for telling me two hours before the party started," will stormed off.

a large sigh escaped mrs. smith's lips while grace stood there dumbfounded. she had no idea the reason will broke up with samy was because of the distance and thinking they couldn't manage that after doing it for a whole year.

"is he serious?" the girl looked at her mom.

"i guess. i haven't heard much from him about it. all my information has come from ellen with what samy's told her," colleen shrugged a bit.

"why does he think it won't work? they did it for a whole year already?" grace exclaimed, but colleen just shook her head.

"i don't know what's up with him. i don't really like this new him, whatever it is," the two didn't have any other explanation.

[beyondthisdarkhouse]

My mom comes over a couple of times a week to help me keep the apartment tidy and to body-double so I can focus on work.

"Mind if I open this?" she asked me this morning, holding up an envelope I'd tossed onto a pile of clutter the week before. I hadn't opened it because I already knew what it was—the decision of my appeal against being judged "medically ineligible" for permanent disability benefits, which are almost double what I get now and would cover rent and food. Absolutely everyone, from disabled advocacy groups to the legal aid lawyer who helped prep me for the hearing, told me that there was basically no chance I'd get deemed eligible on the first appeal. Normally it takes 2 or 3 application-appeal cycles (9-10 months each) for people to get into the program.

"Go ahead," I told her, and then turned back to other work. I've got a lot to do given how well my Kickstarter is doing, whether it's setting up the behemoth new printer I got off Kijiji for 10% of its original value, to scheduling work meetings with my newly-hired personal assistant. I've always got so much on my plate, and the number of hours in the day I can focus on it is countable on my hand that's missing fingers. And I'd love to get a sewing pattern out for my "just the sleeves, please" costume idea out in enough time for people to use it for Halloween, but I still need to make mock-ups and hire someone who's used to producing digital sewing patterns.

"I think," Mom said quietly, leafing through the letter, "that you won."

The letter ends like this:

Conclusion: The Panel finds that the Appellant meets the definition of "severe handicap" as is set out in the Regulation and therefore reverses the Director's decision.

Yeah. It means I won.

The benefits program will require another eight weeks to double-check my financial eligibility using information they already have, and to process my new program status to reflect an increased benefit rate and a different health insurance program.

Right now I'm really feeling this line from Komarr, by Lois McMaster Bujold: "But do you know--well, of course you could, but… the business with [throwing yourself at] the brick wall. Failure, failure was grown familiar to me. Comfortable, almost, when I stopped struggling against it. I did not know achievement was so devastating."

It felt like my whole life ended in a flaming wreck when I had to give up counselling. I lost part of who I was when I did that, and spent years telling myself I'd pull up my socks at any minute and go right back to it. But the truth is, I am not capable of doing that job as well as it needs to be done, and it's one of those jobs where you half-ass things at the peril of the vulnerable people who trust you.

And what if... the worst had happened, and I lost it all, and then in clawing my way out of the pit, trying to get purchase on absolutely any kind of survival I could, I found my way to something new and solid and real. What if it was okay after all?

I'm still having trouble believing it, but the letter keeps saying what it said.

I'm gonna go sew things, and see if it feels any more real in the morning.

[musewrangler]

IT’S A CHEESEBURGER THING

For @fandomjumper247 who is craving fics while AO3 is off to war.

It's not very long, my dear, but I also love IronDad and SpiderSon so---

Set shortly after Endgame where Tony does NOT die. Obviously.

******

"Park your spandex wearing butt right there or so help me, Parker----!"

"Spandex butt," Morgan giggled, and Tony whirled on the five year old.

"Nope, hey. We don't repeat what Dad says when he's upset. You know the rules."

"He's upset all the time," Peter muttered and then quailed under the fierce glare from those brown eyes.

"Morgan!" Tony barked. "Get popsicles!"

"How many?" she asked, tilting her head in an exact imitation of her father. She knew how to negotiate, Peter thought.

"However many you want, Doodlebug. Go."

She trotted out happily as Tony advanced like a predator toward his prey and Peter sank reluctantly onto the sofa.

"What did I say? Hm? What did I say about pursuing this?"

The white scars on the right side of his face were like a lightning spread though the ear had been expertly repaired by the best plastic surgeon in the world. It frankly served to make him look cooler but Peter wasn't telling him that.

"Mr. Stark----" he began.

"Oh HELL no, you did not just 'Mr. Stark' me right now!" Tony snarled at him, poking a finger into his chest. Because he'd designed the suit, he knew exactly where to poke and it immediately retracted, leaving Peter wincing. Tony took this in and drew in a long inhale, like a growing tsunami.

"Friday! How many broken ribs?"

"Invasion of privacy," Peter tried and Tony raised both eyebrows in what Peter privately thought of as his 'Cap' look. It was the one he always gave Steve Rogers when he thought Cap was also pushing too hard.

"No privacy here. My house, my rules. Friday?"

"Seven, Boss."

"SEVEN," Tony repeated, but Peter was feeling it now and the adrenaline of his fight was wearing off. "I swear I am going to let Murdock hear about this," his mentor growled, as Dum-E rolled over with the medkit.

But he was gentle as he pushed Peter back against the cushions and got to work on the abrasions. Peter's spider enhanced healing would serve him well, but it still took time. Tony made him take super strong acetaminophen he'd worked on with Dr. Banner for super hero strength.

"Not much to do about the ribs," he said with real regret. "Which means you have to stay down, kid. Friday, let his Aunt May know, yeah?"

"On it, Boss."

Morgan returned with a very orange mouth and a blue popsicle in process.

"How many---?" Tony began and stopped. "Never mind. What I don't know I can't tell Mom."

"Seven," Morgan informed him helpfully, slurping on the blue one. "You can have some, Pete."

She came to lean over the back of the sofa and pat at his hair gently, already knowing that when he was here like this she had to touch carefully.

"That's okay, Morgs," he said, wincing a little as Tony swiped at the bruises on his face with an antibacterial wipe.

"Sorry," he said, but didn't sound it. It was the thing with Tony though, Peter thought drowsily as Ironman went hunting for the soft blanket, he was all bite even as he did everything possible to make sure the other person was safe and cared for.

Why they loved him after all. Peter and Pepper and Morgan. All of the Avengers.

Tony returned with the velvety soft grey blanket from Peter's room and tucked it around him. It was so warm and delicious.

"Mm, like a happy burrito," Peter slurred sleepily.

He could almost feel Tony's eyeroll.

"Cheeseburger," Morgan corrected. "They're better."

"And that's why your my favorite," Tony said immediately, removing the popsicle stick from her mouth. "All done. Crap, you're going to have such a sugar high."

He lifted his daughter into his arms and seated himself on the fat ottoman beside Peter's head.

"Can we get cheeseburgers?" Morgan asked.

Peter smiled at her.

"It's TWELVE---Nope. ONE FIFTEEN AM," Tony said with force. "And---" he paused.

"I could really put down some cheeseburgers, Mr. Stark," Peter said, the thought of them now making his stomach hurt even more.

There was a long silence.

"Cheeseburgers," Morgan whispered, touching her father's face gently.

Tony closed his eyes briefly and then ducked his head in defeat.

"Yeah okay, you two are awful. Friday, get us some cheeseburgers. Whatever's close and open." He glanced at Peter and pursed his lips in calculation. "Probably twenty."

Peter's mouth curled a little as Friday made the order. If Pepper had been here, no doubt he would be in the Stark's special medical wing of the penthouse they occupied when in the city. And well meaning as she was, Peter preferred Tony's way---the sofa, the blanket and the engineer's hand stroking Peter's curls as they waited for cheeseburgers and Morgan leaned on her father's shoulder, soothing herself by running her finger along one of the scars on his neck from the glove.

"Thanks, Mr. Stark," Peter murmured.

"Yeah, kid," Tony answered. "Still gonna pound Murdock for letting you get involved."

"I woulda anyway," Peter told him. "What we do."

Tony's hand stopped for a moment but then started to run through Peter's hair again.

"Yeah," he agreed quietly as Dum-E trundled in with a large Burger King bag, "it is."

[30somethingautisticteacher]

Take Good Care of My Baby

Day 3 of Bucktommy Positivity Week ❤️

@bucktommypositivityweek

****

When it came to Tommy's family, he was a bit of a closed book. Buck knew very little beyond a few passing comments. He was aware that Tommy's dad was reminiscent of Captain Gerrard and that Tommy had a younger brother still living in Oregon. That's why Buck was completely thrown off guard when, three months into their relationship, Tommy casually mentioned, "My mom wants to meet you."

Buck started coughing, nearly choking on his beer. "Your mom?" he sputtered, eyes wide with surprise. "Wow, you've never mentioned her. I honestly thought she had passed away."

Tommy shook his head, a mix of guilt and sadness crossing his features. "No, she's alive. I guess I don't talk about her much. It's a way to protect her, I suppose?"

He took a deep breath before continuing, "People in our hometown were really cruel about her situation. My dad was horribly abusive, and she stayed for a long time. They called her weak and a bad mom for not leaving with us kids."

Tommy's voice grew quieter, tinged with old pain. "When my brother was born - I was seven at the time - they couldn't believe she would have another baby with him. And when she finally left, after he broke her jaw, they had the audacity to call her a monster for 'abandoning' her kids."

Buck reached out, placing a comforting hand on Tommy's arm. "That's awful, Tommy. I'm so sorry your family went through that."

Tommy nodded, leaning into Buck's touch. "It was rough. That's why I don't talk about it much. But my mom... she's incredibly strong. She's rebuilt her life, and now she wants to meet the man who's making me happy."

As Tommy shared his family's painful history, Buck felt a deep, visceral reaction. His mind immediately went to Maddie and the horrors she had endured with Doug. While the situations weren't identical, the core of abuse and the struggle to leave were painfully familiar.

Buck squeezed Tommy's hand, his voice thick with emotion. "Tommy, I... God, it's so similar to what Maddie went through. How could anyone call someone experiencing that kind of trauma weak?"

Tommy nodded, his eyes reflecting shared understanding. "I know. When you told me about Maddie, I couldn't help but think of my mom. The strength it takes to survive that, to eventually leave... it's incredible. And for my mom, having to consider us kids in her decisions, it must have been even more complicated."

"Your mom isn't weak," Buck affirmed, his eyes filled with compassion. "She's a survivor, just like Maddie. And those people in your hometown? They have no idea what it's like to live through something like that, let alone with children involved."

Tommy's grip on Buck's hand tightened, gratitude evident in his expression. "It means a lot to hear you say that, Evan. I think that's why my mom wants to meet you. She knows about Maddie, and I think she feels like you might understand her in a way that not many others can."

Buck nodded, a mix of emotions playing across his face. "I'd be honored to meet her, Tommy. She sounds like an amazing woman." He paused, then asked gently, "How old were you when she left?"

Tommy's eyes clouded with old memories. "I was 16," he said, his voice steady but tinged with pain. "And way bigger than Dad already. He never laid a finger on me or Brad, although the homophobic slurs flew freely."

Buck squeezed Tommy's hand, silently encouraging him to continue.

"I left at 17 to join the army," Tommy went on. "Brad went to live with my Aunt and cousins."

Buck took a moment to process this information. "That must have been so hard, Tommy. Being old enough to understand what was happening, but still so young."

Tommy nodded. "It was tough. I felt guilty leaving Brad, even though I knew he was safer with our Aunt. And Mom... I worried about her constantly."

"But you all survived," Buck said softly. "You, your mom, Brad. You all found your way out."

"We did," Tommy agreed, a small, sad smile on his face. "It wasn't easy, and it took time, but we did."

Buck leaned in, resting his forehead against Tommy's. "Thank you for sharing this with me. I know it can't be easy to talk about."

Tommy's hand came up to cup Buck's cheek. "With you, Evan, it feels okay. You understand in a way not many people do."

Buck smiled, leaning into Tommy's touch. His eyes, full of warmth and support, met Tommy's. "So where is she living now? When can we meet up?"

Tommy's expression shifted, a mix of nervousness and excitement crossing his features. "Well, she just moved to San Diego," he said, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. "So I was thinking I could fly us out there on our next days off that sync up. I think that's a week from tomorrow." He paused, searching Buck's face. "Is that OK?"

Buck's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Can't wait," he said without hesitation.

The tension in Tommy's shoulders visibly eased at Buck's response. He pulled Buck closer, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Thank you, Evan. This means a lot to me."

Buck wrapped his arms around Tommy, holding him tight.

****

The Uber pulled up in front of a small, unassuming tan house. As Buck and Tommy stepped out of the car, the front door flew open, and a woman ran outside. She was tiny, barely 5 feet tall, with salt and pepper hair and kind eyes that crinkled as she smiled. The contrast between her petite frame and Tommy's towering height was almost comical as she went in for a hug.

"Tommy, my sweet boy. I'm so happy to see you," she said, her voice warm with affection. Then, turning to Buck with a mischievous grin, she continued, "And you must be 'my boyfriend Evan, but only I can call him Evan, so you call him Buck.'" Tommy groaned, a blush creeping up his neck. "Mama!" he protested, but there was no real annoyance in his voice, just fond embarrassment.

Buck couldn't help but chuckle, instantly charmed by Tommy's mother's warmth and humor. He extended his hand, but she bypassed it entirely, pulling him into a hug as well. "It's wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Kinard," Buck said, his voice slightly muffled against her shoulder.

She pulled back, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I haven't been a Kinard in over 20 years, sweetheart. You can call me Rachel," she said warmly.

"Rachel it is," Buck replied with a smile, feeling immediately at ease.

"I'm so happy you boys are here," Rachel said as they walked into the house. Her eyes twinkled as she turned to Buck. "You must be pretty special, Buck. You're the first boyfriend Tommy's ever introduced me to."

Buck's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh... Wow... that's... really?" he stammered, looking at Tommy for confirmation.

Tommy nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Buck felt a warmth spread through his chest as he replied, "Well, I don't know if I'm special, but I can say that Tommy makes me happier than I've ever been."

"Wonderful!" Rachel exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Are you boys hungry?"

"That depends, Mama," Tommy said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Did you cook? Because if so, we politely decline."

Rachel smacked him playfully on the shoulder. "My son, the comedian," she said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "I'll have you know that I ordered in brunch from a little deli. Hope you like bagels, Buck."

The easy banter between Tommy and his mother, and the way they both effortlessly included Buck in their interactions, made him feel instantly at home. As they made their way to the dining area, Buck couldn't help but smile. This visit was already exceeding his expectations, filled with warmth, humor, and a sense of family that he was grateful to be a part of.

As they dug into the spread of bagels and various toppings, Rachel turned her attention to Buck, her eyes bright with curiosity. "So, darlin', tell me about yourself," she said warmly. "Tommy can't stop talking about you, but I want to hear straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak."

Buck glanced at Tommy, a mix of surprise and pleasure at hearing he was a frequent topic of conversation. He cleared his throat before responding, "Oh well, uh, I grew up in Pennsylvania but moved away when I was 19, and then moved to LA when I was 25."

Rachel leaned in, genuinely interested. "Where were you between Pennsylvania and Los Angeles?" she asked.

Buck chuckled, a hint of his adventurous past shining through his eyes. "Everywhere," he said with a grin. "Georgia, Virginia, Montana, Arizona, Peru. I just sort of floated on the wind."

Tommy watched the interaction with a soft smile, clearly pleased to see Buck opening up to his mother.

Rachel's eyebrows shot up in admiration. "My, my, quite the adventurer! Peru, you say? That must have been exciting."

As Buck launched into a story about his time in South America, the atmosphere in the room grew even warmer. Rachel listened attentively, asking questions and laughing at Buck's animated descriptions. Tommy, for his part, seemed content to watch the two most important people in his life bonding over brunch.

The conversation flowed easily, and Buck found himself relaxing more and more. He'd been nervous about this meeting, but Rachel's genuine interest and warmth made him feel accepted and valued. As he shared stories from his past, he realized he was also sharing parts of himself that he rarely talked about, and it felt good to be so open.

As Buck finished recounting a particularly amusing anecdote from his time in Peru, Rachel shook her head in amazement. "Your parents must have been so nervous having you flit all over like that," she said, her voice tinged with maternal concern. "I know when Tommy was in the Army and when Bradley taught in India, I was so worried all the time."

Buck tensed slightly, his previously relaxed demeanor shifting. He glanced down at his plate, his voice quieter as he responded, "Uh, not so much. I've always been something of an inconvenience to them."

The warmth in the room seemed to cool for a moment as Rachel processed Buck's words. Her eyes, so like her son's, grew sad. "Oh honey," she said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Buck's arm.

Tommy, sensing Buck's discomfort, moved closer to him. He put his arm around Buck's shoulders, pulling him close. With tender care, Tommy gently pressed his lips to Buck's birthmark, a gesture that spoke volumes of his affection and support.

Buck leaned into Tommy's embrace, drawing strength from his partner's presence. The simple act of care seemed to ground him, reminding him that he wasn't alone in this moment of vulnerability.

Rachel's gaze flicked between Buck and Tommy, understanding dawning in her eyes. This wasn't just a casual revelation; it was a glimpse into a pain that Buck carried with him. But it was also a testament to the deep connection between her son and Buck.

"Well," Rachel said after a moment, her voice warm and firm, "their loss is our gain. I, for one, am thrilled to have you here, Buck. And I can see how happy you make my Tommy."

Buck looked up, surprise and gratitude evident in his expression. He hadn't meant to bring down the mood, but Rachel's immediate acceptance and support, coupled with Tommy's unwavering presence, touched him deeply.

As the conversation gently shifted to lighter topics, Buck felt a wave of belonging wash over him. He might not have had the most supportive family growing up, but here, in this small tan house in San Diego, with Tommy's arm around him and Rachel's kind eyes on him, he felt truly welcomed and valued.

As the day drew to a close and they prepared to leave, Rachel pulled Buck aside, her eyes serious and full of emotion.

"Sweetheart," she began, her voice soft but intense, "my Tommy, he's been through so much in this life. He has been beat down over and over again, and he has gotten up stronger each time." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I don't know if he told you about his father, but he's an awful human. I can't believe such good boys, my babies, came from such vermin."

Buck listened intently, his heart aching for the pain in Rachel's voice and for what Tommy had endured.

"Tommy protected me as much as he could from the time he was a tiny little boy," Rachel continued, her voice wavering slightly. "And Stuart, he did everything in his power to break Tommy down. He somehow knew Tommy was gay even before Tommy did and would call him terrible names."

She reached out, grasping Buck's hand in both of hers. "Tommy is selfless, and he deserves the world. So I'm asking you, Buck, will you give it to him, please? Will you love my baby like he deserves?"

Buck felt a lump form in his throat, overwhelmed by the trust and hope Rachel was placing in him. He squeezed her hands gently, his voice thick with emotion as he replied, "Rachel, I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make Tommy happy. He deserves the world, and I'll spend every day trying to give it to him."

Buck paused for a moment, realizing the weight of what he was about to say. Although he hadn't yet said these words to Tommy himself, he felt a surprising comfort in confiding them to Rachel. "I love him," Buck said softly, the words feeling right as they left his lips. "I love him more than I ever thought possible."

Rachel's eyes welled with tears as she pulled Buck into a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for loving my boy."

As they embraced, Buck felt a mix of emotions wash over him. There was the weight of Rachel's words and the responsibility they carried, but also a sense of liberation in finally voicing his feelings for Tommy, even if it was to his mother first. It wasn't a burden - it was a privilege. He silently renewed his commitment to Tommy, vowing to be the partner that this amazing man deserved, and promised himself that he would find the right moment to share these words with Tommy soon.

[morganaspendragonss]

two fates in one instant (9/?)

lol, look who's back to fic writing there are some updates regarding this story and my life in the notes on ao3, i suggest reading at least the ones about the future of the fic so that everything makes sense going forward. lots of love 💚 1.4k | ao3

“As we feared, TK developed a severe brain haemorrhage as a result of his injuries,” Doctor Nesset explained. “We got him into surgery to treat it, but not before his condition worsened further. I’m sorry to say, he suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke.”

Carlos blinked, trembling legs barely keeping him upright. “I’m sorry, did you say stroke? But he’s –” young, he bit back, and the doctor smiled sympathetically at him as if he could read Carlos’s mind.

“There is a perception that strokes only happen to older people,” he acknowledged. “However, one in four actually happen to people below the age of sixty-five, and a history of traumatic brain injuries seriously increases the chances. Given TK’s current and past injuries, the risk was always there. We had hoped the medication he’s on would help to prevent it but we can never be sure, especially when it comes to the brain.”

At his side, Owen sank down into a seat, hands coming up to cover his face. It was all Carlos could do not to join him in despair, all he could do to keep standing like TK needed him to. His mother gripped his arm tightly and Carlos allowed himself to slightly lean into her touch.

“So, what now?”

“We’ve changed his medications to help prevent further strokes and we’re monitoring him closely for any developments,” Doctor Nesset explained. “Initial scans of his brain indicate that there has been some tissue damage, so I advise you to expect issues with movement, speech and memory going forward. Unfortunately we won’t know the true extent of these issues until TK wakes up.”

Carlos opened his mouth to respond, but the doctor ploughed on, as if they hadn’t had enough bad news already.

“I must warn you, however, that the type of stroke TK suffered has a much higher mortality rate than others. He received treatment very quickly, so we remain optimistic, but it would be remiss of me not to alert you to every possibility.” He paused, then smiled regretfully at them, an expression that looked more like a grimace. “I’m sorry to give you so much information at once. I’ll give you some time now to process, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me or any of the other nurses on TK’s team.”

Carlos nodded absently, his surroundings blurring around him as the doctor walked away. He hadn’t thought he could feel worse than he did when his mom first told him that TK had deteriorated, but now… It was the blizzard all over again, except this time Carlos knew there was only one person to blame.

“It’s my fault,” he said quietly to himself. Then again, louder. “It’s my fault.”

“Mijo…”

“Carlos…”

But Carlos shook off the hands reaching out to comfort him, shoved past them and brought his hands up to tear at his hair.

“It’s my fault,” he repeated, whirling around to face his mother and Owen. “I’m the reason TK is in the hospital in the first place, and I couldn’t even be here for him. My husband was – He was dying, and I still put the stupid investigation over him. He needed me, and I failed.”

His mother reached out again, but Carlos knew her touches and her words would be gentle in a way he didn’t deserve, so he turned away. He couldn’t take any more kindness, and much less sympathy.

Still, he could feel her gathering her breath to speak, so he braced, shoulders hunching to protect him from the barrage.

“Carlos Tomás Reyes,” his mother said, her voice so hard it almost shocked him into turning back around. “Escúchame bien. TK is still alive. He is still back there, fighting, and I will not stand here and listen to you talk like he is dead already.”

Carlos finally faced her, but the anger in her eyes had him lowering his in newfound shame. “Mamá, I–”

“No,” she said, silencing him. Her tone softened slightly as she continued, “You have not failed TK, mijo, and you are not to blame. You have been doing your best to find the people who did this to him, and we both know that TK would understand. You did not fail him, ¿me entiendes?”

He nodded silently, and she smiled briefly, her hands coming up to rest on his upper arms.

“But,” she continued, “if you stand here for one moment longer, if you say another word blaming yourself and giving up on the man who loves you, then you will fail him.” She paused, then pulled him down into a hug, her next words whispered directly into his ear.

“Te necesita, mijo. Ve con él.”

Carlos held on a moment longer, needing his mother’s embrace more than he had since he was small. When he finally pulled back, she smiled and patted his arm, then let go, nudging him firmly in the direction of TK’s room.

“Gracias, mamá.”

She nodded, just like she had on the day of the wedding, her voice steady despite the tears glittering in her eyes. “Always.”

*

“My mom sends her love. She was here when it happened; you really scared her, you know that, right? But don’t worry, you’re the favourite so she’ll forgive you.” Carlos chuckled and refocused his gaze on TK’s face, which, of course, hadn’t moved. He sighed and carded his fingers through TK’s hair, beyond greasy from the days without washing. It must itch like hell.

“You’re going to have to wake up though,” he said. “I don’t think she’ll be happy if you break my heart again. TK, I…”

He swallowed and shook his head, looking up to the ceiling. The lump in his throat was choking him, trapping every word he wanted, needed, to say behind it. He couldn’t–

He couldn’t, he couldn’t, he couldn’t.

An anguished cry tore its way out of Carlos and he collapsed forward onto the bed, head in TK’s lap and hands pulling desperately at the thin sheets.

“I’m so sorry,” he sobbed. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry. TK, TK please. Please. You have to wake up. Please, please, please.”

He didn’t know how long he lay like that, babbling and pleading and soaking the cotton with his spit and tears and snot. The wet patch felt gross against his face but he wasn’t sure if he could stand to sit up, knowing what he would see. Besides, if he just lay here a few seconds long then maybe, maybe TK would wake up. Maybe, if he just waited, he would be rewarded with the feeling of TK’s hands running through his hair, soothing and gentle. Maybe…

Carlos sniffed and forced himself upright. There was no use entertaining the impossible; even if TK did wake up this second, there would be no consolation waiting for Carlos, not that he deserved it. Not after everything he’d done.

He felt sick all of a sudden and so he looked away from TK and wiped his face, trying to get himself back under control before anyone walked in on him. His gaze landed on the side table and the little collection of flowers and cards that had built up since he had been admitted. Several of them, Carlos didn’t recognise – another reminder of how long he wasted away from here, but he pushed that thought down and walked over to grab them.

They were mostly from the 126, and there were a couple in there from Carlos’s sisters and their families. Carlos smiled as he went through them, then frowned as he got to the bottom of the pile. One card remained in his hand, but he couldn’t figure out who might have sent it; everyone they knew was already mostly accounted for.

An uneasy feeling he couldn’t place the origin of bubbled up inside him as he looked at it. The card itself was innocuous, featuring a cartoon of someone in a hospital bed with a bandage wrapped around their head. Perhaps a bit on the nose for TK’s condition, but Carlos could forgive them that. Above the figure were the words ‘Get Well Soon’ in rainbow lettering – it was, in all respects, totally normal.

Taking a deep breath, Carlos opened the card.

[theamityelf]

how do you think komaru would react to kamakura makoto? "...Makoto?" "...I don't recall allowing her to use my first name, is that a thing I did?" *Izuru shakes his head no. Byakuya walks away, not wanting to deal with this.* Oh the angst potential with Makoto sitting there like "...Ok. I think I know this person?"

"Makoto?"

He processes a lot from that one word. Very familiar use of his name. Very tentative tone, suggesting she can already tell something is wrong. No surprise, which suggests both that she came here to see him, rather than running into him by happenstance, and that she came with the expectation that something would be wrong. Did someone call her about him? Why would someone do that?

He understands. This person is important to him. Or was important to Him.

He could do an approximation of how a normal person would act, seeing someone they care about, but pretending will make it worse for her if he gets caught not knowing who she is later in the conversation.

"Hi," he says. "It's good to see you again. Sorry, but I'm kind of...blanking on a few things."

The careful disposition turns to one of disbelief. He's done something wrong. "That's all you have to say? You're not surprised to see me here?"

Okay. More information there. He should make this better.

"He doesn't remember you," Izuru says bluntly. "Just tell him who you are so he can react appropriately."

Pretty big setback there. She looks very upset. "Makoto?! What does he mean?"

He acquires a soothing tone. "It's true that I've lost a lot of memories, but don't worry; I'm doing everything I can to regain them." Give me more information, so I can pretend for you.

"But you forgot me?"

"He forgot everything, without exceptions," Izuru says. He's actually being generous, in his own eyes, because the truth isn't that Makoto Naegi forgot everything; Makoto Naegi was removed from that body and replaced with a new iteration of the Kamukura Project. (At least as far as he's concerned.)

"They told me you were different. They even said that I shouldn't look for you until after they talked to you."

You should have listened. This would be a lot less painful for you. "Can you tell me your name, please?" Makoto asks.

Her eyes are gleaming with tears. "I'm Komaru. I'm your little sister. We grew up together. We spent every day together, until you came to this place."

Komaru. Sister. Oh dear. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to forget. I'll do everything I can to remember." And he hugs her. She flings her arms around him in turn.

"I can't believe it...Mom and Dad are going to be..."

"Please don't tell them," he says. "I don't want to cause any more suffering. By the time I see them next, I'll be better. It would help if you could tell me things I'm supposed to remember."

With a sniffle, Komaru weakly says, "Like in that manga...about the girl with amnesia."

"Yeah, just like that."

She musters a smile. "I'll do my best. But, shouldn't you see a doctor about what happened to make you forget?"

"I've seen a few doctors. I'm okay."