#I hope I meet more peope interested in

[dearestones]

Trouble in the Bathroom (Jade Leech and Reader)

Warnings: N/A. 

Anonymous Request: Hi devin, i wish you all my congrats on the 750 :)) i hope the enormity of the number hits you! Like a train! Politely! Because the crafting of your words and character introspection is truly something to love :) a feet kicking, hair tearing, love. Thank you so much for all you write!!! With that, may i please request Jade Leech and "Did you want to be alone?" I was thinking the reader as the one asking the question, but whatever works :)) have a wonderful day <333

.

.

.

It’s not often when you find yourself with a bit of free time all to yourself. On most days, it seemed like you were forever bombarded by tasks that needed completing. Sometimes, it was the Headmage giving jobs tasks because he couldn’t be bothered to fulfill his duties to the school. Other times, it was because your friends needed help and had mastered the art of guilt-tripping you into doing them. You can’t say you were mad that you were made to do these things, but you would be lying if you were all right with lots of people taking advantage of you. 

Had you been stronger, you would have stood up for yourself more, but at the moment, survival was at the very top of your priorities. 

Today, you decided to leave the comfort of Ramshackle and take a walk around Night Raven College. You were well acquainted with most of the campus grounds, but you found that there was always something worth discovering. The last time you had gone on a walk, you found an abandoned classroom with a busted lock that you would often use as a little hideaway whenever you were feeling overwhelmed. On another occasion, you had wandered a fair way into the forested area behind Ramshackle and found that the silence there, while eerie, was peaceful and free from the prying eyes of your fellow students. 

Over time, your wanderings had culminated in a vast network of sanctuaries that you could retire should you become weary of life as the magicless Prefect. 

For now, you wanted to see where your legs would take you. 

After deciding upon a direction and aimlessly walking forward, you found yourself heading towards the main campus building. Perhaps you would find a passageway behind a painting or maybe even a door that could lead you to another world! You could only hope; the last time you checked, the Headmage was up to his ears in reference texts and maps, but you were gradually losing faith in him. As you made your way up the many steps to the school doors, you found that there were a few other students milling about. 

There were no particular dorms that dominated the students available, but you were quick to pick up on the fact that they were part of some club. What was it again? One of those culture clubs with a niche interest in mind? You apologized for interrupting their impromptu meeting before you began wandering the many winding halls within the main campus building. 

As always, your curiosity led to your exploring the different classrooms along the west wing of the castle. Most of the classrooms were left unlocked and if you were to knock and open the door, you were either greeted with empty desks and chairs or you would find yourself ducking out the door with bashful apologies leaving your lips. There were even two classrooms–two!–in which you found yourself interrupting professors in the middle of a private tutoring session or grading a series of papers. Thankfully, the professors were mostly gracious and forgiving, and as a bonus, they were teachers you didn’t normally associate with because they mostly taught third year subjects. 

As you braved the hallways again, taking time to rattle the doorknobs here and there, you caught sight of someone slipping into a nearby men’s bathroom. You happened to catch a glimpse of a broad back and teal hair before the door shut rapidly behind him, the sound of the door slamming reverberating in his wake. 

You blinked, a little stunned. 

There were very few people who fit that profile: tall, broad shouldered, and with a head of teal hair. 

If your instincts were right, then maybe… 

It had to be one of the Leech twins.

One question still remained, though: Which one? 

As you traipsed through the hallway, taking the time to take a quick peek inside, you pondered your situation. Even though you spent a few days on Octavinelle’s wrong side after the release of the exam scores, you were confident that you were… amicable. 

On good terms. 

Sure, there were days when you could see one or both of the twins skulking at the edges of your periphery, but they didn’t bother you and you didn’t try to antagonize them either. In fact, there were times when you had enough money in your pocket that you even went to the Mostro Lounge of your own free will. If they were your servers, they often teased you, but treated you as well as they would with any other guest. 

(Was it because Azul was using them to keep an eye on you? Perhaps, but again, you were still on relatively good terms. As long as you didn’t sign any golden contracts, you would be fine). 

Well, if either Leech twin came out of the bathroom before you could leave this particular floor, you decided you would say hello and see where that would take you. After all, you didn’t have much to do anyway and it was guaranteed that either of the Leeches were keen on making things interesting. 

As you reached the end of the hallway, the final classroom door revealed a student from Pomefiore taking a nap on one of the desks, a pile of textbooks serving as his pillow. 

You stifled a laugh and began to leave the floor altogether when you began to hear a strange sound. At first, you thought you were hearing things, but as the sound became clearer, you began to realize that it was distinctly…Wet. And heavy. Almost as if something was slapping against the floor in a frenzied and confused manner. 

You stopped in your tracks, instincts somewhat honed after several incidences of Overblot. If there was one thing you learned from this school, it was that you couldn’t play the hero. At least, not all the time. If this was a situation where a student was Overblotting or something close to that severity in nature, you needed to get help. You were a Prefect, sure, but that meant nothing. 

You were human and worse, magicless. 

It was that point, when you were only seconds away from bolting and finding the nearest professor for help, that you found yourself stalling in front of the bathroom door. 

This was where the loud, heavy sounds were coming from. 

This was where one of the Leech twins had made his grand entrance only minutes before. 

And this was where you were going to leave and have someone else deal with the problem. 

Yet–

You couldn’t do that. Night Raven College’s culture had taught you many things about self preservation and had hardened your kindness to something resembling steely pragmatism, but you couldn’t leave anyone you knew in trouble. It was in your nature. It was a calling for you: you had to, you needed to help. 

Carefully, just like you did with the classroom doors from moments ago, you knocked on the bathroom door. Almost instantly, the sounds stopped. 

But then another one started. 

It started out as a growl before it was followed by a chittering sound. Chills ran up your spine as you heard something drag across the floor, as if whoever was on the other side was trying to carry something heavy and wet along the tiles. As alien and foreign these sounds were in conjunction with each other, you knew that you couldn’t just leave. You were given a job as Beast Tamer by the Headmage (whatever that was), and that usually meant that you couldn’t leave things like this alone. 

For all you knew, one of the Leeches could be in trouble–a thought that never seemed plausible until now. 

You knocked again.

The growling and chittering grew louder, almost manic.

“Hey, it’s me!” You raised your voice, careful to remain placating and calm. On the other side, you heard the growl abruptly cease, almost as if the one who growled was surprised. That’s good. You can deal with surprise. “Ah, are you hurt? Can I come in?”

A pause where all you heard was the sound of something slapping once more on the floor before someone deeply sighed. 

“I am in no condition to open the door, Prefect.” 

Ah, with the low, professional tone of voice paired with the formality of using your title, you knew it was Jade. Relaxed because you now knew who was on the other side, you pulled out your phone from your pocket, a quick call to Azul already on your mind. 

Still, though, you wanted to make sure. 

“Is it okay if I text Azul? Or maybe Floyd?” At Jade’s confirmation, you punched in a text message to both Azul and Floyd. Hopefully, one of them understood the urgency of this situation. Satisfied that someone outside of yourself knew that Jade was in trouble, you sat with your back against the door, careful not to accidentally open it. “Did you want to be alone? I can leave if you want me to.”

For a moment, you thought that maybe Jade had fallen asleep or was going to ignore you completely, but eventually, you heard that same, horribly wet and heavy sound drag along the floor. And then–

“Do keep quiet when you open the door. We wouldn’t want to disturb the student sleeping in one of the classrooms.”

Brushing aside the fact that Jade knew that you weren’t the only one on this floor besides himself, you stood up from your crouched position and opened the door. Like approaching a wild animal, you inched the door open slowly and as quietly as possible. There was only so much patience Jade had, and right now, in a situation as precarious as this, you didn’t want to chance getting hurt. Floyd may be the twin to revel in his violent tendencies, but something inside of you knew that you didn’t want to cross Jade today of all days. 

As you moved inside the bathroom, the door quickly shutting behind you, you kept your eyes low so as to give Jade a semblance of privacy should he change his mind. The first thing you noticed was that the floor was slick with water and globules of what looked like slime. Or was it mucus? You couldn’t tell because the lights within the bathroom had been turned off, the only source of fluorescence coming from a small window high on the wall. 

Furthermore, as your eyes traced the tiles beneath your feet, you could hear the telltale sound of running water… which was accompanied by the horrifying visual of all of the sinks in the bathroom overflowing with a stream that spilled over the porcelain sinks and onto the floor. 

Instinctively, you ran to the sinks, mindful of the growing puddles under your feet that wet your socks and the hem of your uniform. However, before you could turn off one of the faucets, you felt rather than heard a monstrous mass slither behind you, the same dragging sound in full clarity. 

In a voice that was more growl than intelligible speech, the monstrous mass hissed, “Don’t touch it.”

It was Jade. 

Your hand, which had been confidently pressed onto the faucet’s knob, shook as you practically tore yourself away from it–as if you had accidentally touched a searing hot stove. As you forced your arms to relax at your sides, you raised your head and stared directly into the mirror. 

Behind you, Jade was curled into himself, as if he was trying to make himself appear taller. However, the illusion fell flat because the way he curled in on himself looked uncomfortable bordering on painful. You had seen his true form a few times before, but on those occasions, he was safely in his element: free and sprawling. Here, in the dank confines of a bathroom that could only afford him puddles and a makeshift waterfall, you could see that he was struggling. 

You turned around and took a few steps before bending before him, your lips pursed into a thin line. 

“And here I thought Floyd was the irresponsible one.”

Jade chuckled, or at least, he tried to, but you noticed that the gills on his sides were flaring and heaving with every breath he took. Talking, or actions close to talking must have hurt him! No wonder he was so volatile even when you sent for help!

Before he could say anything or growl again, you took off your uniform blazer and headed towards the sinks. The cloth was easy to soak, but it was not an easy task to wrap your blazer around Jade’s sides. Perhaps it was old instincts rearing in him again–to not trust someone who clearly had the upper hand even if he was an apex predator in his hometown–but you were wary and a little bit insulted that he would think that you would hurt him. 

Scolding him gently, you combatted the hissing and swift snapping of his jaws with a stern look. “Come on, the cloth is soaked and filled with water. It’ll keep the skin around your gills moist.” You watched as he took in your logic before he begrudgingly nodded his head in defeat. 

No words yet, but you assumed that he would be teasing you and your attempts at intimidation later. 

Carefully, you wrapped the blazer around his side after rehydrating it with more water. Once he was moist again, you directed him to slide or flop closer to the sinks so that he could lay under the makeshift waterfalls. It exhausted him to move closer to the sink, the massive bulk of his body hindering his speed and power, but you were available to push or drag him around the tail. 

“Geeze,” you muttered more to yourself than to him. “What’s the point of having the sinks overflow if you won’t stay underneath them?”

“Because,” Jade gasped, his head tilted back so he could allow the water to flow in and around the fins that replaced his ears, “I didn’t want to block the doorway.” His bright golden eye flashed open and pinned you to the floor with his piercing, knowing gaze. “You wanted to stay, correct?”

Before you knew it, you dashed some water from the sink and straight into his face, not at all caring how he spluttered from the sudden barrage. “You didn’t want to be alone,” you taunted. 

His tail whipped behind you, muscles thick and strong, but not once did you feel like you were in danger. 

Jade’s eyes seemed to soften, but you dare not think that you were out of the woods yet. The gold in his eye was all the more deadly in the low lighting of the bathroom. “Violence doesn’t become you, Prefect.”

“Quit with the teasing and I won’t resort to violence.”

He bobbed his head in concession, a low hum emitting from his throat. “Then I suppose I should thank you for your services rendered this afternoon.”

“Oh, hush. You’re in no condition to speak now, even if you have running water. We can talk about payment later.”

Jade’s smile grew cold, but wide nonetheless. “So the Prefect does have fangs after all. May I have a hint as to what you want in return?”

You plopped on the ground, too tired of crouching at his side after your physical exertion and the tension that lined this encounter. Your pants and socks had long since been soaked, but now, underneath the sink’s waterfall, you were waterlogged as if you spent your time in one of the Octavinelle pools. 

“You either wash this uniform or you get me a new one.” One of your fingers darted out as if to poke the blazer that still lay on his gills, but a warning growl made you stop in your tracks. You rolled your eyes, but obeyed the command. “Also, I want a promise that you won’t forget your transformation potion again. I already have had heart attacks with the Overblots. I don’t need you to add to that stress.”

“Two wishes for only one act of kindness?” He whispered the word kindness as if he was uttering something foreign to him. Perhaps it was. “You ask for too much.”

You shrugged before pinning him with a malicious grin. “I learned from the best.”

He chuckled before he finally allowed his head to rest along the tiled floor. Vulnerable now, you could easily step on his windpipe or gouge out his gills if you were quick enough. 

But this act of trust spoke volumes. 

“It’s a deal then, Prefect.”

.

.

.

If you want to donate a Ko-Fi, feel free https://ko-fi.com/devintrinidad.

TWISTED WONDERLAND MASTERLIST

[cobrafantasies]

The UPS Driver

SamBucky / Rated G / Complete

Written for SamBucky Valentine’s Day Bingo 2023 by @sambuckylibrary, prompt: Meet-Cute

This UPS idea has been sitting in my WIPs forever! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Sam's had enough. Three packages stolen in the past two weeks — that's enough. If no one's gonna help him then he's gonna help himself. Thus, how Sam ends up sitting on his porch, on guard, each morning he has a package scheduled to arrive. 

It's been interesting so far. Interacting with the delivery and postal workers. They must not be used to meeting the actual recipients of the mail. Most of them are awkward as hell, timidly greeting Sam or clumsily handing him the package because they don't know what to do with it now that he's sitting here. But every package is now accounted for, so Sam is fine with enduring all the strange interactions he has to.

Sam hears the roar of a truck slow to halt and soon hears footsteps approaching his front steps. He lowers the newspaper he's reading and his eyes fall upon an unexpectedly fit body.

Jesus, that little brown UPS uniform might not be for such beefy thighs and bulging biceps. The man has both. Sam quickly lifts his gaze realizing how inappropriate his ogling must be but he finds the worker staring right back. 

"I can take that here, thank you," Sam prompts and holds out his hand.

The man is still frozen and it takes him a second to blink down and realize he is holding a brown box that he's meant to deliver.

"Oh um right, sorry — hi," the man smiles as he steps forward and hands Sam the package. Now that he's closer Sam can see how truly attractive the man's face is and with bright blue eyes that match the sky. 

"Hi," Sam echoes shyly and takes the box, "Thanks."

The driver stands there suddenly realizing this is all his job entails and briskly takes a step back.

"Well, have a nice day," the man extends with a little wave.

"You too," Sam returns and then shamelessly watches the man walk away. Those small brown shorts aren't hiding that cute ass either.

The next time Sam has a delivery scheduled with UPS, he ain't gonna lie, he's happy to see the same driver again. And the fine-looking man seems happy to see Sam too, he's smiling like a lot. It looks damn good on him too. Although what wouldn't look good on him — he's working that one-tone, paper color uniform for crying out loud. Which speaking of, looks even smaller today. Every corner of each garment is hugging his body tight enough that Sam vaguely wonders if the man swapped it out for a smaller size.

"Hey, Mr. Wilson," Bucky greets him clearly reading the name off the box he's holding.

Sam smiles on instinct. 

"Hey, Mr. UPS Driver," Sam responds.

The man chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh, it's Bucky."

"Bucky — as in your name?" Sam checks.

"Yeah, nickname anyhow," Bucky affirms as he hands the package over to Sam.

"Huh. Well, it's Sam."

"Sam," Bucky repeats like he's testing it on his tongue for the first time, "I'm glad you're still ordering things."

"Online shopping is the way of the world now, ain't it?" Sam jests.

"Sure is," Bucky agrees but his eyes are scanning Sam up and down with a smile that's downright sinful, "Hope you keep buying stuff. Have a good day, Sam."

Bucky waves goodbye as he steps off the porch. 

"Bye," Sam says distantly watching him walk away yet again.

It's not completely Sam's fault that Bucky returns three more times in the following week. Sam really needed... things. He bought a few things for his nephews, his sister, his living room and some other things UPS delivers. Sam can't totally remember what he bought. But the withdrawal from his bank account is worth every penny when Bucky steps back up on his porch with that tight uniform and charming smile. 

“This is probably my favorite house to deliver to," Bucky comments on this day.

“Oh, and why’s that?” Sam asks with a knowing smirk.

“The nice view,” Bucky grins and lets his eyes trail down Sam, “And good company. Not many people hang out on their porch.”

“Yeah well, I’ve been stolen from,” Sam reveals gravely.

Bucky doesn't miss a beat.

“Guess I’m lucky your neighbors are assholes,” he quips.

Sam laughs at that.

"Guess I'm lucky too," Sam agrees.

Sam's not really keeping track of the days. His late morning focus has become waiting for his hot UPS driver to deliver any which thing he buys, and then returns, from the internet. It's going well. They've started chatting a bit more on each visit. Sam's been contemplating how to make a move for a while now but he chickens out by the time Bucky routinely says, "Have a nice day, Sam."

Today is different. From the moment Sam sees Bucky walking up to the house, he's not just carrying a brown box in his hands. He's also holding a bouquet of flowers and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Sam belatedly registers that today is Valentine's Day... not that he had any plans tonight anyhow.

Bucky steps up to Sam and holds the array of items out for him.

"What's this?" Sam asks.

"It looks like flowers and a box of chocolates," Bucky answers like a wise ass.

"Yeah, no shit," Sam smirks, "But I don't know who would've sent me them."

Bucky only shrugs and pushes the flowers toward him when Sam notices there's a card. He takes the bouquet and opens the note. As he reads it, his face softens.

The note reads: Dinner tonight? I'll deliver ;)

Sam slowly looks up at the blushing delivery driver.

"You asking me out, Buck?" 

"Nah," Bucky shakes his head, playing coy, "Asking you to be my valentine."

"In that case," Sam laughs to himself, "The answer's hell yes."

[manicsweetheart707]

I totally get your issue with no friends at uni - I don’t have any either and I live on-campus. How do you cope? I’m having a super hard time. Tbh I don’t even have many online friends either.

Being in this situation is rather difficult, specially if you have any level of anxiety, your self sabotage will destroy you and make you feel like hell, but there's a lot more to it, you're totes not alone with that feeling, I wanna share with you first what my situation is like and then how I'm dealing with it, sorry if it's a little too rambly or if my english is too broken haha

♡⇣

𝐼𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒, it has been a really difficult situation for me so I must imagine the pain you feel, specially since I'm on the verge of graduating (like literally I have like only three classes more to meet my graduating requirements) so I feel like I wasted my time during university

I've always been a rather lonely girl, it's always been hell trying to make friends; I reminisce a lot about how when I was in high school my family kept saying to me that it was gonna be easier to meet people and have friends since we'll have similar interests, but it was not the case due to the fact of two main reasons:

there was a pandemic, and I had a hard time approaching people via meet for some reason I find it more difficult to talk if it's through a mic?

I live in a rather small city, so there's not that many universities that offer my career and have like a more artistic focus I would say, so people will most likely want to join my university since it has great labs and equipment as well as a good study plan

It was rather surprising to find out that most of my classmates graduated from the same high school and were already friends, so their high school cliques remain pretty much the same; it made me feel extremely out of place and it felt really difficult to try and approach people

On pandemic I got in touch with a friend from like primary school and she introduced me to amazing people truly, I ended up dating one of them

The thing is, when restrictions started to lift up and I had to go to uni I was too scared to approach my classmates and try and develop a friendship that I would end up just running away to meet with my school friend at her uni, or with my boyfriend to chill at his place since it was close to my university, all of that was a temporary fix, still my social group was extremely small and only consisted of my friend, partner and a couple of online friends; I still felt left out being the girl no one would pick for work projects, but I had people to hang out outside of uni and it helped me greatly to cope with that inadequacy feeling I had while being at uni

Last year my friend got mad at me and stop talking to me and blocked me alltogether, and a short time after my partner cheated and broke up with me, I was at an all time low, and it became really hard to cope now not only with this feeling of being an outcast but the terrible terrible feeling of not being good enough of having ended my relationship, I felt extremely fucking lonely I still feel extremely fucking lonely, I still have two friends, but they live in a completely different city and even tho their support is great not having a shoulder to cry on hurts like hell, but I can't expect to find a shoulder to cry on, it's a process to get to be close with someone, let alone build a strong friendship

✧.* There's a couple of things I'm learning so I can deal with it my way, I really hope these could help you as well *.✧

Try not to pressure yourself into having friends; being lonely sucks, but being tortured by your own thoughts sucks even more, don't conform to being lonely, do your own effort to find your place among people but don't let anxiety win over you, building meaningful relationships takes time, it'll not be the end of the world if you don't have any friends right now so don't try to push it, take things easy, if you put your effort into it things will come your way

People actually don't hate you; I know, crazy right? sometimes we need to hear that and remind ourselves of that usually people don't have strong opinions about us unless they get to actually meet us; don't be afraid to reach out, most people will be cordial and cordiality is the beggining for any type of connection

Not every relationship is the same; to be different, to understand things differently from one another is part of the human experience, every person approaches relationships differently, some people might take longer to open up than others, but doesn't mean they don't have an interest in being your friend or something

Always be open for conversation; I personally think that every interaction is important, even if it's as trivial as someone asking you for a pen, try your best to be welcoming, be enthusiastic but not desperate, ask them questions but don't force them

Enjoy being in the place that you are; u said that you live on campus, I can imagine the feeling of inadequacy I was talking before must be stronger in your situation, but it doesn't have to be, you don't have to be with someone else to feel like a place is fun, you can have fun by yourself, take pleasure on walking around, on watching the cars pass by, listening to the birds, maybe go check out that classroom you never been in, sit in that bench you've never sat down before, empty your mind

Do things you enjoy, there are a lot of things you can do by yourself, and it really helps to manage your stress levels, it's not a good thing to let all the problems in your life fluctuate between the pressure you might feel from class and the pressure you put yourself through, go to the movies by yourself (I find that to be really cathartic), go to a café and try a sweet treat or something new

And at the end of the day fuck everybody; you're at uni to fucking study and fucking learn new things and fucking get your title mkay? this isn't a congeniality contest, don't let your grades be affected by other people, focus on delivering your assignments, if you find yourself in a group project don't let the others step on you just because y'all aren't close friends, don't be rude but stand your ground

I really hope this helps you in any way, it is truly a difficult situation to be at, and if you feel having an online friend may help you I'm here for you :)

xoxo. Mani

[multistoty]

Liked for a star wars starter

Why was this sith warrior so interested in a woman who looked like a senator from a by gone era? She hadn’t seen anyone since she woke up in her coffin smacking at the glass until Sabe had noticed. It had to be some sort of trick of Palpatines or something Anakin had attempted in order to keep her safe. She had had twins. those memories were back as well as the choking that felt almost present every time she slept. Were Obi-wan had taken them was beyond her just like his life. The empire had murdered most that she loved and forced Obi-wan to kill his former padawan. She had seen the counter in Ben’s face of who she knew quite well. And as a poltician, she had drawn conclusions to the memory of Luke and Leia who had been left as orphans in the deaths of both of their parents and whose cries were all of them she had ever known that the particular palor of his face and more said that the hero without fear never left Mustafar.

Revenge was never a good thing. But for the first time in her life through diaster, a certain ammount of rage lurked in the shadows of her light. One of the men on tatooine had just put a vibro blade up to her kneck when he was yanked roughly back and the black monster much taller than her had appeared. His height was similar to her husband’s though much more intimidating. Was this a droid or one of the people she had loved forcedto fall? Ahsoka had left the order too. that always haunted a girl who had thought of her like a child.

If this sith knew her identity instead of the girl who had freed herself from Jabba and attempted to do such things for others. Sabe could make her a sleeper agent for the rebellion, but Padme wouldn’t go out quietly. She had been tricked on the sand planet. Now, the remainder of the slave chip scar only spurred her into further action. She had been living on an old moisture farm bought with the credits Sabe could muster and run by her fellow newly freed peope. How crazy her life had become a sort of reverse of the man who her heart belonged.The connection with the empire was here though few bothered with the planets on the outer rim. It was part of why hiding here had worked so well. Padme kept her blaster in her hand, finger never leaving the trigger. She studied the man in front of her, if he could even be considered a man but then again she didn’t have a clue what he was under that suit and hoped she never would have to. Her eyes moved back up to where she assumed his eyes were behind the helmet,

“ I’ve heard about you Lord Vader. I am very… interested to say the least to meet you but please. I am just simply a woman in this small town trying to go about her day. May I be excused. “

@forcechoosen​

[someonetookmyawesomename]

It must be painful to sail a dead ship 🥀

Tell me something about it, since I haven’t the slightest who they are? 😅💐

(Warning, this is gonna be long as heck because I'm sad my ship is dead, so I'm sorry in advance if I talk too much)

YES SAILING A DEAD SHIP IS PAINFUL (My chosen ship is Liir/Trism from the wicked books)

Here's just a summary of things that you can expect to experience:

you have nobody to talk about it with (yes, even on tumblr. So far, I've only met 3 people who are interested, and they're all pretty busy, so I'm alone on this 99% of the time

There is very little art (I've seen less than 20 works most of which were commissioned by @lillifaba so I have her to thank for what little I can find)

Even posts such as headcanons and rants are nonexsitent

Next to zero fanfiction (there is less than 30 works on AO3 that have my favored characters tagged. They don't even appear as minor characters in most works about wicked)

Most of the fanfiction that do feature them usually only use them as minor characters

As for those that use them as major characters, most are abandoned and are about a decade old if not older

Unless you have the skills to make your own content, you're stuck licking crumbs off the floor

Now that that's out of the way, here's some basic information about Liir and Trism:

They're both characters from the wicked book series which provides a fairly adult backstory to the wicked witch of the west from The Wizard of Oz

Neither of them appear in the wicked musical, because their story happens after the events of the musical

They're part of the next generation of characters from the books

Liir is the son of Elphaba (the lead heroine in the musical AKA wicked witch of the west) with her definitely murdered (in the books) lover Fiyero

Unlike his mom, Liir does not have any sort of happy memories from his childhood

Elphaba gave birth to him while in a coma, so she refuses to acknowledge him as her son

he was heavily bullied throughout his childhood for his weight (he was on the chubby side as a child) and was almost drowned by his bully

Unlike his extremely motivated and go-getter mother, his terrible upbringing made him more weary and passive

He achieves greater things compared to his mother, but only because he was forced to do so, not because he wanted to

He kind of just stumbles through life, winging it as he goes

Despite that, he is extremely mentally strong and is able to withstand torture and threats to his family

Liir has a wife named Candle

She kind of accidentally forces him into a relationship with her because she r*pE$ him and gets pregnant while he's in a coma in an attempt to warm his body to keep him from dying (I know, shit got messy real fast)

Trism is a soldier Liir meets when he enlists in the army (Liir enlists after Elphaba is killed because he was a literal teenager at the time with nowhere to go)

Trism is described as being VERY hottt (Kinda reminds me of America/Alfred from Hetalia when it comes to looks, blonde, handsome, and VERY muscular) which appeals to my gay senses

He and Liir initially don't get along that well, but in true enemies to lovers fashion, they get together later on

Trism becomes a dragon trainer working for the current ruler of Oz

Unfortunately, the ruler is corrupt and uses the dragons to oppress the masses, murdering countless innocents

Trism grows tired of working to oppress the people and Liir convinces him to kill the dragons

They become fugitives and in the process become lovers and start fricking (yes I enjoyed this part and I'm not ashamed)

Trism delivers my favorite line from the books "Are you slow, or are you just falling in love with me?" I love me a cheeky man

This all happens while Candle is pregnant

In order to reunite with candle and keep her safe, Liir sends Trism to pick her up (He literally sends his lover to pick up his wife my goodness)

She refuses to come with Trism

Trism leaves alone and gets captured and tortured by the government for killing the dragons and to get info out of him

Liir reunites with Candle, but she refuses to tell him what she did when Trism came to pick her up

Trism and Liir don't meet for many years (I think like a decade or 2)

When they do meet again, they're on opposite sides of a war

Trism is training dragons again, but this time he plans on participating in a revolution that destroys the emerald city, Oz's capital in an attempt to depose its corrupt ruler

Liir on the other hand wants to avoid the attack because it would kill many innocent lives

I'm not explaining it very well, but both of their choices are honestly quite valid

Liir gets kidnapped and tortured in order to force him to work for Trism's side

Liir still refuses to work with Trism

They both acknowledge that after many years of separation they still love each other

But don't get back together because they're on opposite ends of a war

It turns out Trism never needed Liir's help because he manages to help conquer the emerald city just from his experience with dragon taming alone

The political issues get resolved after the war but Liir and Trism never get back together

To add insult to injury, Liir and Candle have a major fight that ends in divorce

By the end of the books, Liir is left all alone waiting for either Trism, Candle, or both to return to him

It's left open-ended whether either of the two decide to come back for Liir

Why I ship Liir and Trism:

There's this comfort and openness in their relationship that isn't there with Liir and His wife

Liir and his wife were simply forced into a relationship because of a sudden pregnancy that honestly did not make sense to me how it happened

Liir and Candle are also just terrible for each other

Their relationship becomes icy and toxic near the end of the books

Trism is highly protective and supportive of Liir, loving him even after he gest captured and tortured

Throughout the story, Trism is often mistaken as Liir's husband because of how close they are

Liir and Trism both worked for the military and share plenty of experiences together

I imagine that after the events of the books, Liir and Trism reunite and they apologize for causing each other so much pain as well as help each other get through the traumas they experienced

LIIR AND TRISM HAVE SO MUCH ANGST, HURT/COMFORT, AND ENEMIES TO LOVERS POTENTIAL

It's a shame people don't really know about them

Here's some extra things I just wanted to express:

I'm so invested in their relationship that I can't even read fanfiction about other ships right now because I keep fixating on them

I'm lowkey salty that most people in the wicked fandom only seem to care about Elphaba, Fiyero, and Glinda (I'm NOT an anti, this is just me being an envious, bitter, unreasonable bitch who can't accept that my ship is dead. I understand why people like Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero, I'm just jealous that these characters seem to be the only ones getting attention, but it's understandable because they're the main characters in the musical)

I'm hoping that one day, Liir and Trism follow the steps of Achilles and Patroclus and go viral so I can finally get some friends who also ship Liir/Trism

I think the wicked movie will be shit, but if there is the chance that it might convince people to read the books and maybe increase the number of Liir/Trism supporters, then I'm willing to support it

I'm incredibly starved for Liir/Trism content and will jump at any opportunity to talk about them

So yeah, thank you for coming to my TED-Talk. I'm sorry I ran my mouth so much! I just got excited that somebody asked me about Liir and Trism

[compassionatereminders]

Vent - I'm really selective about who I hang out with, because it's really hard for me to enjoy another person's company. Usually we have to share similar interests, but even then I can still be disinterested due to their personality. I like hearing about people's day on the internet, but irl when im talking to peope I don't feel engaged with a person if we don't share interests. I've gotten pretty isolated because of this, and though I do have some friends, I'd like to make some more.

I've tried online apps, and going to events, and I talk to people but I end up feeling really bored/drained/disinterested. I don't maintain friendships I make there cuz I don't feel a connection. I've heard other people with adhd talk about feeling bored of people, which I can relate to, but the sense of isolation and waiting is frustrating. I wish I could connect in the way I see other people do, it feels like I'm doing something wrong.

Struggling to connect can be very frustrating and painful, and I don't mean to invalidate your struggle at all. What you're feeling right now is valid. But I still hope that you'll soon meet people who you actually want to befriend. For some people that's harder than it is for others, but I'm sure that there ARE people out there you can connect with. And that at some point, you'll run into one of them.

[heavenseed76]

Contentment

Rating:G

Fandom: The Walking Dead

Summary: Daryl saves Paul from certain death and some truths are revealed

Warnings: Mentions of blood, death, canon-typical violence

When mothers lift cars off their children it is not because their love or fear make them super strong. It is because adrenaline will make a person immune to the sensation of pain. Their muscles and tendons are often irreparably damaged. Human beings will tear themselves apart for the people they love. Daryl Dixon was no different.

He couldn’t recall how he was able to get to Michonne’s horse, nor how he hauled the limp form of his friend onto the horse with him. He was vaguely aware that he could hear Dog whimpering somewhere behind him, punctuating the sound of another horse beside him. In his arms, Paul Rovia, wrapped in a saddle blanket, armor long forgotten, slumped forward. Every few minutes Daryl could feel the man tense beneath his arm, locked as if it was welded across Paul’s chest. The man in his arms was in pain, barely breathing, but thankfully alive. Daryl couldn’t think beyond getting Paul back to Hilltop, to Enid, to safety.

Riding in the fog made a trip that would have taken eons stretch even further. There was no sense of distance, nothing to mark the passing of the miles. The trip, longer still holding his friend’s life in his hands, seemed like a dream: the ubiquitous nightmare where you try to reach someone at the end of a long path and the faster you run, the further away they become. With each gallop, Daryl could feel Paul’s life spilling out onto his chest, his arms, soaking the blanket he was wrapped in. He could feel the labored breath, deep pulls of air that went nowhere. At first Paul held on to Daryl’s arm as they rode, though they eventually fell away, too weak to hold on.

Through the fog, Daryl heard Aaron yelling for the sentries to open the gate at Hilltop before Daryl even saw the walls. Aaron kicked his horse into a sprint and easily passed Daryl’s horse. Seeing the end in sight, Daryl pressed his own heels into the flanks of the beast on which he rode and urged the animal to go faster. He followed Aaron straight to the medical trailer, where Enid and Alden were already helping him off his horse.

“No!” Aaron kept the wiggly bundle in his arms from slipping and motioned to Enid and Alden to help Daryl. “Get Jesus!” Without waiting for them to acknowledge him, Aaron rushed into the medical trailer.

Daryl brought his horse up short next to Aarons, and then there were too many hands, too many faces below him, pushing and pulling at Paul. At Enid’s insistence, her eyes full of dread and sympathy, Daryl broke the iron grip he had around Paul and let him slip gently into the waiting arms of Alden and Siddiq, who wasted no time making room for Henry and Kal to help carry his pale body into the trailer. He dismounted Michonne’s horse, letting someone with gentle hands take the reigns from him. He stood staring at the door, behind which two of the people he cared for most in the world could be dying, or worse, turning… Along with his beloved Dog.

He felt familiar hands on his arms, attempting to turn him aware from the trailer, and distantly heard soft words filter through the fog filling his mind, urging him to come away. Hot, angry tears spilled over and silently marked his blood-stained face and suddenly he was unable to catch his breath. He wanted to rush in and pull Paul back into his arms and never let go. If he died… If Paul turned… he needed to be there for that. But Aaron was in there, and he wanted to keep his friend from suffering that end alone.

“Daryl, come get cleaned up.” Carol’s voice was a solid mass he could anchor himself to, as his grief threatened to let him float away like ashes. He started to let her lead him into Barrington House, when Aaron came through the trailer door.

Eyes red, brows pulled in to etch lines of worry into his forehead, Aaron quickly made his way to Daryl.

“Dog’s gonna be OK. Paul…” Aaron’s voice wavered, but he swallowed and carried on. “Paul’s fighting. His lung collapsed and he lost a lot of blood.” Without warning Daryl pulled his friend into his arms, and with a sob he had been holding in the entire journey, Aaron hugged him back, fingers fisting in the worn leather of his vest. Watching them, the lump in Carol’s throat grew, and she had to cover her mouth with both hands to keep her cry from tearing a hole in the comforting bubble the men had made.

***

The sun burned away the fog that had settled over Hilltop, and the morning promised a beautiful day ahead. At a picnic table near the medical trailer, Aaron and Daryl sat vigil, their backs against the edge of the table top. Aaron absently cleaned his prosthetic arm with a rusty can of WD40 and a ragged bandana he kept for the express purpose. Like the Tin Man. Daryl thought. They were both clean, in clothes that didn’t smell like gore. Carol had not been able to coax either man into eating or trying to sleep.

“We’ve wasted so much time.” Aaron sighed and set the rag he’d been using aside. “This is a big damned wake-up call.” He was used to companionable silence with Daryl, used to holding up both ends of a conversation, so when Daryl didn’t respond, he just kept talking. “We’ve been lucky. To make it this long. But this world is still just as dangerous as it ever was. I feel so stupid…”

Daryl chewed his bottom lip, listening. He had been there when Aaron dove head first into being a father to Gracie, burying Eric’s death deep beneath the needs of a tiny, new being. It occupied his mind, it gave him an outlet for his affection and focused his energy. It did not, however, fill the gaping love-shaped void left when Eric’s corpse walked off into the woods. It was one of the many ways Daryl felt he had failed everyone in his life; it was one of the many reasons he walked off into the woods That Day, and didn’t look back. The seams holding his family together tore open That Day, and try as he might, he alone didn’t have the strength to stitch it back together. Neither did anyone else, apparently.

“I did it for you, you know.” Daryl said, his voice gravel in his throat.

Aaron turned his expressive blue eyes to Daryl’s, not having expected a two-way conversation. “Did what?”

Daryl looked away, unsure of himself. “Saved him. I know you two… I know he means a lot to you. I saw Dog attack that walker, and heard you yell, and I just, I don’t know man, I just couldn’t let him die…” Meeting Aaron’s eyes he said, “I didn’t want you to hurt no more.”

Something sparked in Aaron’s chest. Affection, love, gratitude… he didn’t know what or how many of those things he was feeling. He stared at Daryl for a long moment. There was only one thing he could think to say. “Thank you.” Aaron pressed infinitesimally closer into Daryl’s warm shoulder with his own.

Daryl nodded, glad he could make his friend smile, even if things didn’t turn out as well as they hoped. It had been hours, and except for Alden leaving to give Enid and Siddiq room to work, and getting Alex to come in to better assist, there had been little news of Paul’s welfare.

“I know you’ve been coming here to see him.” Daryl shifted nervously. “He make you happy?”

A man of few words, Daryl could say so much with so little effort. It took Aaron a moment to understand what Daryl was asking, and when the implication of the question hit him, he felt like he had been slapped. He scooted away from Daryl on the bench of the picnic table, so he could fully turn to face Daryl.

“You do know we’re just friends, right?” Aaron’s frown returned, and Daryl didn’t know how to respond. “We’re not… we’ve never… Jesus and I are good friends, that’s all.” Aaron watched confusion slide over the hunter’s face. If Paul weren’t dying behind the door of the medical trailer, Aaron may have laughed. “You know Jesus is… he’s in love with you!”

“No.” Daryl sat up taller, and Aaron could nearly see the walls being built around the other man.

“Yeah. He’s been in love with you since he brought you home from the Sanctuary! Daryl, how could you not know?”

The hunter stood, defiantly staring his friend down. “He don’t.” He tried to turn away, but Aaron was right there.

“He does. That’s what I meant! We all have to stop wasting time we might not have, Daryl!” Aaron grabbed Daryl’s bicep and swung around to face the stoic man. “I know you. I know you both. And if there’s anything I’m sure of, its that you two belong together. Even if I was interested, that man’s heart belongs to you!”

It was if the last brick fit into place in the fortress of Daryl’s heart. The realization that not only did Aaron see how he felt for Paul, but that Paul felt the same for him, and had made it a known fact. Overwhelmed with the severity of this revelation, Daryl’s dread swelled, and he felt as though all the oxygen had been sucked out of the world. The truth Aaron spoke filled his eyes with hot tears, of shame and joy and sickening worry. Seeing all this take shape in his friend, Aaron pulled him in for an awkward hug.

The harsh slap of the trailer door snapping closed brought the men up for air. Standing on the steps to the trailer was an exhausted Enid, covered in blood. Neither could move, holding their breath.

A smile bloomed on the woman’s face as she said simply, “He’ll be OK.”

***

In his own bed inside Barrington House, Paul Rovia looked smaller than Tara had ever seen him. The trip up the stairs and into the bed had worn him out, and he fell asleep almost immediately. He didn’t even flinch as she started a new IV in his hand. She watched him, his breath shallow and lips twisted in a pained expression. He was pale, his eyes sunken. Laying in his bed with only a bandage across his chest, his strong body laid bare and vulnerable, Tara took stock of all the things they would have lost if the man in front of her hadn’t made it home. Despite his reluctance, Paul was a good leader, and she tried every day to convince him of it. People loved and respected him because he was willing to go outside the walls and risk it all to strengthen them.

“How is he?” Daryl’s low rasp shook Tara from her reverie.

“Exhausted. He’s got some pain killers, so he’s comfortable enough to sleep.” Tara covered Paul in a thin blanket. “Come in. Sit. I’ll be back in a bit to check on him.” Sheepishly, Daryl entered the room, letting Tara give his arm and affectionate squeeze as she went past.

It had been several days since the cemetery, and Daryl had barely slept. Seeing Paul gravely injured had shifted something inside him, something Aaron had nudged to hang just the right way.

“Gonna keep watch on me?” Paul’s voice was just a whisper on his lips. He turned his palm up on the bed, an invitation.

Daryl sat on the edge of the bed, slipping his big hand into Paul’s smaller one. “Feelin OK?” He let his thumb caress the top of Paul’s hand.

Paul nodded, then winced, which Daryl caught even though he tried to hide it. “As long as I don’t move. Or breathe.” He gave a Daryl a thin smile. “You’re too far away.”

Daryl slipped off his boots and lay down beside Paul, mindful of the bandage across his chest. “This OK?”

Paul hummed affirmatively. His limbs were heavy, though he positioned himself close enough to lay he head on Daryl’s shoulder. He laced his fingers together with Daryl’s between their bodies. He could feel the other man relax against him, and if he hadn’t been so exhausted, Paul may have quipped at Daryl to make him blush.

“I’m sorry.” Daryl placed a firm, confident kiss on Paul’s forehead. “Wasted too many years. We have a chance now and I ain’t gonna fuck it up.” He reached over and felt the smooth skin of Paul’s temple with the back of his hand, reveling in the new-found ability to show his affection.

Paul took his hand, kissing the palm and then holding it to his chest, just above his bandage. “You better not. I love you, Daryl Dixon, but you know I will kick your ass.” Paul’s lips quirked up on one side and he peered at Daryl through heavy eyelids.

Daryl huffed a laugh and kissed Paul’s head again, snuggling into the warmth of the other man’s presence. They fell asleep, Paul holding Daryl’s hand to himself, so the hunter could feel every beat of his heart. That is where Dog found them, limping on a bandaged leg, letting Aaron help him into the bed to curl up at their feet, content.

[handlewithkara]

Let’s play the Supergirl episode title game. Overall the titles this season have been extremely literal. ie Lost Souls dealing with literal lost souls, phantom menaces dealing with well, phantoms who menace people, Prom featuring a prom, Fear Knot being an episode where people face their fears, Dream Weaver having a Nia dream plot. 

Still I Rise: Could be about Kelly rising to become guardian, could be about Nia’s mother getting risen from the grave, could be about Nyxly freeing herself. 

Myxy In The Middle: Another literal title, Myxy is back, the middle part likely being between Kara and Nyxly

Blind Spots: This likely refers to a concept you often find in debates about race, will likey be about how people and problems get overlooked if they affect people of color, people overlooking their own racism (imo I would not be surprised if even Kara does some soul searching there must like in season 5′s Nia episode where William was the one to inform her on things about the trans community she was not aware of)

The Gauntlet: It’s going to be interesting whether gauntlet is refers to the piece of hand armor or “running a gauntlet”. WIth the way the season is going I lean more towards it being a magical gadget, even though I think the other meaning would be more interesting. 

Magical Thinking: speculation that this might be about Lena’s powers. 

Hope For Tomorrow: Some people hoping that this might have some news on the Legion, but I could picture it being more something more mundane. Something happening that gives Kara hope that things are changing and will get better. I kind of got a weird “children are the future” vibe, but that is just random. But I could picture it being about the adoption or about new heroes cropping up or the peope of national city doing something really positive.I still hope that they do at least one episode this season where Brainy gets news from the Legion and how he and Nia react to it. 

Nightmare In National City: Most likely would seem another episode about phantoms getting loose. Maybe Nyxly unleashing another batch? I would not surprised if there is an intentional contrast between Hope For Tomorrow and this one. Like in Hope things are looking up like they have defeated Nyxly and then in Nightmares Nyxly unleashes a nightmare. 

Truth and Consequences (if that is a real title): For some reason I get William vibes from this since he is one of the few people who doesn’t know about Kara and he is also a prime candidate for somebody who could suffer actual consequences. 

Believe In A Thing Called Love: I would like that to be the title for the Dansen wedding, but if that takes place later, it might just be the engagement. 

Some big things that still have to happen, but we have no idea when are: 

- Lex and Nyxly have to meet and decide to team up - Adoption goes through (I just assume that that will be a thing)  - Acrata decides to fight for the good guys (okay, admittedly if she wants to bring down Lex she probably doesn’t need a ton of motivation, but I would still prefer it if there was at least an episode dedicated to her deciding to pitch in and them deciding why they are letting her) 

[jusky]

What is this tumblr place even like now? Remember when we were all young and hot and funny and interesting? I met so many of you back in the day. “You”? Is that right?? Are you guys still here? Or are you newer? Have you deleted your accounts and made new ones? Is sst still a thing? gpoy? Truthful Tuesday? What about people asking each other questions? Tumblr is like my high school if I were to go visit it now. See that room? I took Chemistry in there. Her? I had the biggest crush on her ever but she hasn’t posted a thing since 2015. Hmmm. I met him in 2012. We used to tell so many jokes over there. So much flirting back then!! This guy, yeah he actually died a few years ago. So did he. And so did she. Yep her too. And her. God. I’ll never get over that shit. Things happen. Too much now to even express. We are not as young and hot and funny and interesting now. Well maybe we’re more interesting? Or would be if we had the energy or time or the right audience—by which I just mean a community like we used to have on this thing. Maybe it still exists but with new peope? Or the same people but I’m just deeply out of even the loops outside of the loop I’m looking for? I remember so many of the souls I found here. Amazing folks. Remember them? Had brunch with them. A lot of them actually. I was always grateful to those of you I got to meet, Give or take a few folks? 2 bad apples maybe. More good apples than I can count or even fully remember with any specificity now. I don’t know where they even are now! Maybe some are still here? More aren’t here anymore but must be somewhere. Older. Wiser or not. Happier or not. Doing just fine, maybe, probably, hopefully. Tired-er for sure. Still complicated and still funny. Less into sharing their complications and jokes with a ragtag band of internet pals I imagine. Or—god forbid—now into sharing such things on facebook like some normie shitty ass middle aged aunt or something. Sigh. Years have passed. Wherever that community is now, however scattered we are, I still think about all of us and what we had and how it felt, about those vibrant messy tumblr days when we were all so intertwined. Intertwined by our own freely made choice, not by any necessity of geography or career or social convenience. Intertwined only by our choice to be. A bunch of deeply profane but surprisingly kind misfits on a never cool social media platform which is today a ghost (and ghosttown?) of itself that died by some kind of corporate madness and slow senseless suicide. I really liked that community we had. I have not forgotten it. It truly mattered to me and it is not at all gone from whatever prayers get prayed these days in the tiny little church of my intensely goofy heart. Not at all. So that’s I guess what I wanted to say. Maybe I should (ah, same as ever) walk away from this post now and hit the publish button on it before I’m tempted to get literary and overly nostalgic and quotation-happy? Nah. Too soon to hit that button. Better for me to stay on brand as the kids used to say here—and say with a level of irony (or not) I can’t quite recall now with any confidence. I’ll offer you a passage from a fancy book, a passage that I hope evokes in you some of the feelings about the old days that I still feel tonight. And if it evokes nothing, maybe I’m being ironical and silly. That’s also on brand for me. My brand was large and contained multiple attitudes. Anyway, i miss those days. And I’ll wrap this up now with something a tough guy writer type (who like tumblr also died by suicide) once said about someplace where he had lived and loved for a time. And what he wrote was: “There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other. We always returned to it no matter who we were or how it was changed or with what difficulties, or ease, it could be reached. Paris was always worth it and you received return for whatever you brought to it. But this is how Paris was in the early days when we were very poor and very happy.”

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Wed[nesday] 8 May 1833

5 3/4

12 1/4

Vc

F[ahrenheit] 67° at 5 3/4 and ver[y] fine morn[in]g - ver[y] hot - at my desk at 7 - wr[ote] and finish[e]d

Let[ter] to M- [Mariana] - ver[y] near[l]y 3 p[ages]  somehow did not write readily - kind let[ter] of condol[en]ce

writ[in]g on the melanch[ol]y subj[ec]t ‘I can scarce[l]y wr[ite] of an[y]th[in]g else - b[u]t you will be gl[a]d to

‘hear, I like the looks of Thom[a]s, and hope and th[in]k he is ver[y] like[l]y to be the sort of serv[an]t I want

‘one for wh[o]m I shall forev[e]r rem[em]b[e]r my obligat[io]n to you - I shall be anx[iou]s for you to

‘see Eugénie - She nev[e]r wore a cap in her life - I f[ou]nd it will n[o]t do to ta[ke] h[e]r to Langt[o]n

‘w[i]thout one - I am cert[ainl]y n[o]t disap[pointe]d in her so far - are n[o]t men eas[ie]r to manage th[a]n wom[e]n?

‘at all rates, I am forev[e]r oblig[e]d to you for all the troub[le] you ha[ve] tak[e]n for me - adieu -

‘God bless you, my d[eare]st Mary! Ev[e]r ver[y] espec[iall]y and ent[irel]y y[ou]rs AL- [Anne Lister]’ h[a]d Eugénie at 9 -

and young Parsons to cut and dress my h[ai]r - d[o]wnst[ai]rs at 11 - Mrs. Ch[arle]s Robins[o]n and lit[tle] Hugh h[a]d just call[e]d

for 10 min[ute]s - br[eak]f[a]st - wr[ote] 2 p[ages] and end to my a[un]t and th[e]n Steph. D[octo]r B- [Belcombe] call[e]d for

1/2 h[ou]r - th[in]ks he c[oul]d manage ab[ou]t Miss W- [Walker] - could have her at Thorparch very comforta

bly fortnight and then see how she was   told him all about the business between π- [Mariana] and me

very good friends   but our ever living together at an end  explained   feared there

might be some pique in her feeling at my three several and serious times preventing her

leaving δ- [Charles Lawton] and some fancies about my better circumstances and society?  he seemed sur

prised and sorry but behaved remarkably well   told him it was all her own doing and how much

I had g[r]ived over it but Charlotte Norcliffe had done me much good she and my aunt the only peop

le besides himself who knew of it  said I should not have thought of this experiment

with Miss W- [Walker] had π- [Mariana] and I been as formerly but no pique certainly on my part but I was dull without

having some interest if Miss W- [Walker] married I would take care she did it nicely and her children

would interest  mentioned π-‘s [Mariana] having asked me to live at Speake  he asked if I

might not sell Shibden if factories increased   No said I not for millions I have

much family pride and sense of duty to my uncle said I should [have] provided more than amply for

π- [Mariana] yes left her a life estate in all I had had she been settled with me but two days  but now as I

could not name her in my will as I should have done formerly I should probably not do it at

all I said she had been more worldly than I ever was in my life and less constant too said I would

rather have Miss W- [Walker]  than someone of higher rank and more worldly if I did not take her might

do worse   he laughed and said you are an odd person too and took his leave th[e]n finish[e]d

the 3[r]d p[age] and wr[ote] one long and finish[e]d my let[ter] to my a[un]t - told h[e]r so th[a]t she, b[u]t nobod[y]else

w[oul]d und[er]st[a]nd, wh[a]t I h[a]d communicat[e]d to D[octo]r B- [Belcombe] on the subj[ec]t of M- [Mariana] b[u]t n[o]t a word of wh[a]t

pass[e]d ab[ou]t Miss W- [Walker]   announc[e]d my agreeab[le] journ[e]y und[e]r 6 h[ou]rs - and ask[e]d for Simmens[o]ns

and col[ou]r of draw[in]g r[oo]m curt[ai]ns to s[e]nd to Kendell for the chiffonier - then wrote to Miss W- [Walker] copied

yesterday from my notebook and wr[ote] so far of today - ‘York. Wed[nesday] 8 May 1833. Th[an]k you ver[y]

‘m[u]ch for y[ou]r let[ter] w[hi]ch I can on[l]y regret w[a]s n[o]t writt[en] in bet[ter] sp[iri]ts - I ha[ve] th[ou]ght oft[e]n, and m[u]ch

‘and anx[iousl]y ab[ou]t you - you told me my last let[ter] w[a]s like a sunbeam - may th[i]s let[ter] be like

‘anoth[e]r sunbeam, and a bright[e]r!  I determ[ine]d n[o]t to wr[ite] till I w[a]s off fr[om] Shibd[e]n, and am now writ[in]g

‘in the ver[y] r[oo]m where you and I were so comf[ortabl]y togeth[e]r in Oct[obe]r - If you c[oul]d recall th[a]t ti[me], w[oul]d you?

 swore Doctor B- [Belcombe] to secrecy both about Miss W- [Walker] and π- [Mariana]

102

1833

May

LL

L

Vc

Vc

‘Consid[e]r four-and-twenty h[ou]rs - judge for yours[self], if you can; if n[o]t, ask y[ou]r sist[e]rs’ adv[i]ce,

‘and ta[ke] it - I still th[in]k th[a]t health and happ[ine]ss are w[i]thin y[ou]r reach, and, as I trust, by mo[re] ways

‘th[a]n one - I ha[ve] seen m[u]ch of y[ou]r a[un]t; and we are s[u]ch good fr[ie]nds, I do n[o]t fancy h[e]r opin[ion]s w[oul]d oppose

‘my own - I go to Langt[o]n tomor[row] (direct to me at Mrs. Norcliffes’, Langton hall, n[ea]r Malt[o]n,

‘Yorksh[i]re) and intend stay[in]g a fortnight; aft[e]r th[a]t, I m[u]st ret[ur]n to Shibd[e]n for 2 or 3 days, and shall

‘th[e]n ma[ke] the best of my way to the cont[inen]t - b[u]t, in the meanti[me], you may accomod[ate] y[ou]r plans to

‘mine, or mine to yours, if you please - I told you at part[in]g, th[a]t I w[oul]d meet you

‘on y[ou]r ret[ur]n, if you wish[e]d it - If you ha[ve] energy en[ou]gh to determ[ine], I will ta[ke] you up

‘at y[ou]r sist[e]rs’ own door at Udale ; and, as, dur[in]g the pres[en]t build[in]g operat[io]ns, it is

‘imposs[ible] to accom[oda]te extra peop[le], I c[oul]d, or, rath[er] I mean we c[oul]d, sleep at Inverness - I

‘th[in]k you w[oul]d like Eugénie, and f[ou]nd my man-serv[an]t all we want[e]d - If you dare gi[ve] a

‘fair trail, I am sanguine as ev[e]r ab[ou]t y[ou]r entire recov[er]y - wr[ite] in ans[we]r wh[a]tev[e]r

‘you th[in]k best; b[u]t wr[ite] it soon - Rouse yours[elf] whi[le] there is yet ti[me] - rememb[e]r th[a]t the

‘sun is ris[in]g so[me]whi[le] bef[ore] we see h[i]m, and th[a]t when hum[a]n ills seem w[i]thout remedy,

‘it is n[o]t bec[ause] th[a]t remedy really fails to exist, b[u]t simp[l]y bec[ause] we kno[w] n[o]t how to f[i]nd it -

‘my k[i]nd reg[ar]ds to y[ou]r sist[e]r, and Capt[ai]n Suth[erlan]d; and, be y[ou]r ans[we]r to my let[ter] wh[a]t it may. bel[ieve]

‘me ev[e]r sincere[l]y interest[e]d in y[ou]r welfare, and ev[e]r faith[full]y and affect[ionatel]y y[ou]rs AL- [Anne Lister]

‘am I n[o]t to ha[ve] the kneecaps?’ at 3 55/.. s[e]nt off my let[ter]s to my a[un]t Shibd[e]n, and to M- [Mariana] Lawt[o]n

hall, Lawt[o]n, Cheshire’ and to ‘Miss Walker, at Capt[ai]n Sutherlands’ of Udale Fortrose Ross-shire’

out at 4 5/.. - took Eugénie and b[ou]ght slippers, and silk for dress at Hudsons’, etc and th[e]n took h[e]r to Mrs. Belcombe’s

for Mrs. Milne and Charlotte to see - 1/2 h[ou]r in the minst[e]r court - th[e]n across the wat[e]r to the Duffins’ - 3/4 h[ou]r

and d[i]d n[o]t vent[u]re to go and see her - call[e]d on Mrs. Anne and Miss Gage - at din[ner] so ca[me] away - din[ner] at the hot[e]l

at 6 1/4 in 1/2 h[ou]r - at the Belcombe’s at 7 20/.. to go w[i]th Mrs. Milne to the amateur concert - tremend[ousl]y hot -

Miss Belco[mbe] and Miss Greenup and Miss Bagshaw and Hamlyn and Ch[arle]s Milne of the p[ar]ty - Mrs. Milne and I left th[e]m and walk[e]d

1/2 h[ou]r tow[ar]ds Monk bar - tea and sp[en]t the ev[enin]g at Mrs. Belco[mbe]s’ and ho[me] at 11 10/.. -wr[ote] the last 9 lines  ver[y] fine

day - ver[y] m[u]ch cool[e]r th[i]s ev[enin]g F[ahrenheit] 66 1/2° at 11 1/4 p.m.

[deanwanddamons]

The Best Weekend Of Your Life - Chapter 4

Summary: You are obsessed with Supernatural and go to a convention with your best friend. You are 100% a Dean girl while your friend is a Sam girl. Both Jensen and Jared are single in this. You both catch the guys attention and things go from there. At the end of Chapter 3, Y/N has had sex with Jensen, and F/N has gone off with Jared to his hotel room

Pairing: Jensen x reader, Jared x readers best friend

Word Count: 2317

Warning: Romance, fluff, smut, oral, sexual language, unsafe sex, sex from behind, slight anal, and lots more smut!  Song for chapter: https://youtu.be/JkK8g6FMEXE  Aerosmith - Don’t wanna miss a thing

Read Chapter Three here!!

You slowly climb off Jensen’s lap, still catching your breath after that earth shattering orgasm and lay down on the bed, facing him. He moves a piece of damp hair from your forehead and brings his fingers down to lightly trace up and down your arm as he smiles at you, your hand resting on his hip.

‘You know, I almost didn’t ask for your number. I was afraid you would say no,’ he told you quietly, his voice close to a whisper. It took a moment for you to register what he’d said.

‘You’re kidding me!’ you say with a laugh. ‘How could anyone refuse?’

Shrugging his shoulders he looks at you with a quizzical look on his face. ‘It’s not something I tend to do. In my line of work, you do find women who are uumm ‘interested’ in you, but you are the first person who has really caught my eye. When I realised that if I didn’t act on it I would possibly never see you again, I had to say something. You're a special person Y/N. The moment I saw you it was like my heart finally started beating. I don’t want this to be a one night thing.’

His admission shocks you. Your stomach starts to flutter, the butterflies you felt earlier reappearing, performing a crazy dance routine. No one has ever called you special before and for Jensen Ackles to be the first person to tell you this is beyond description. You honestly thought that when he got you into bed and had his way with you, he would just go back to his normal life, but here he was, still in bed with you telling you that your special. He is looking at you with such an expression of sincerity, you feel like your heart is going to burst.

‘I - I’m sorry’ he stutters ‘too soon?’ He dips his head, a brief look of rejection on his beautiful face.

‘No! Not all!’ you exclaim, lifting his chin and kissing him. You take his face in your hands and lift his head so you are looking directly into those wonderful eyes. ‘You are so much more than I even imagined. I know it sounds crazy as we only meet tonight, but I believe in destiny, and I was destined to be here today and you were destined to ask for my number’

‘Jared and I have to be on stage again tomorrow. You’ll be there won’t you?’ he asks

‘Yes of course I will,’ you whisper, looking into his eyes as your fingers trace patterns on his broad chest.

With a shy smile, his green eyes close and his breathing changes slightly. You realise he is falling asleep. Softly running your fingers through his hair you pull him into you, and he stirs. He turns onto his back and wraps his arms around you so your head is resting on his chest, leg draped over his. You close your eyes and feeling safer than you ever felt possible, fall into a wonderful, peaceful sleep.

The start of ‘Back in Black’ wakes you from a dreamless slumber. Grabbing your phone off the bed side table so it doesn’t wake Jensen, who’s snuggled up behind you, you see it’s a text from F/N. You notice its 3.39am.

‘OMG Y/N. I have just had the most incredible night!’

‘Everything ok, baby?’ you hear Jensen mumble in your ear, stirring from his sleep.

‘I’m sorry, it was a text from F/N,’ you apologise. ‘Her and Jared seem to have had a similar night to us.’

‘Well, if it was anything like ours, then it was incredible,’ he whispers, lightly kissing the side of your neck, feeling his hardness against your back. ‘Seems like someone else is awake too,’ you chuckle

A wave of pleasure flows through your stomach as you feel his hands run down your body. You push your ass against him, as his lips travel over your shoulder,his hand running up your thigh and gently easing your legs apart. His fingers find your wetness. ‘Want more baby?’ he growled, his fingers teasing you as he waited for your answer..

‘Yes please,’ you purr. You gasp as he delves through your folds, sliding two fingers inside you. He lightly starts to nip at your shoulder as you move against his hand, his thumb circling your clit.

‘I love how wet you are for me,’ he groaned causing you to push back harder, feeling his rock hard cock start to throb. Removing his fingers, he slides it along your slit, finding your opening. He enters you, a pleasurable sigh coming from his lips as he grazes his one hand against your side, his hand coming to a stop on the curve of your hip.. He fills you up perfectly and the knot in your stomach gets tighter with each powerful thrust. He pulls out of your pussy and swiftly flips you over onto your knees, so your ass is in the air and leans back to take an appreciative look at his view.

‘Fuck, that’s beautiful,’ he husked.. Parting your cheeks, the tip of a finger touches your pink, puckered hole. You tense. ‘Is that ok baby?’ Jensen whispered, asking for your permission.

This is something you have never experienced before. Truth be told, you feel a little nervous, but you wanted it. ‘

“Yes,’ you croak, your voice coming out broken You turn your head and see him moisten his finger in his mouth. You can’t help but watch and feel your clit start to ache as it is so seductive. Slowly he starts to caress your hole and gently pushes the tip in. The feeling is incredible.

‘Fuck,’ you groan, pushing back harder. ‘Jesus, that’s amazing.’

‘Like me finger fucking your ass, baby?’ he asks, his voice husky as he slips in a second finger. He starts to scissor them, pushing them in deeper and deeper. Spreading your cheeks wider, he takes his fingers out and dives in, tongue lapping at your hole. The feeling in your core is like nothing else you have known and you feel your knees weakening.

‘Christ Jensen, please don’t stop,’ you whimper as the wetness from your pussy starts to drip down your inner thigh. Wave upon wave of complete pleasure wash over you, as the tip of his tongue probes your tight hole.

Sitting up, he grabs your hips and pulls you towards him. His cock finds your soaked hole and roughly, he thrusts into you. Matching his movements you push up onto your elbows, hair hanging down over your face, and find his rhythm. Animal instinct takes over you, and with all inhibitions completely lost, allow him to fuck you rough and hard.

‘Hmm baby. You like me filling you up completely?’ he groans, his finger slipping into your ass.

‘God Jensen, yes, yes, finger fuck my ass,’ you hear yourself cry, not knowing where it was coming from but not being able to stop yourself from saying it.

His hand tightens painfully on your hip and you know it’s going to leave a bruise but you don’t care. His thrusts get faster, and harder. Fingers pump in and out of your ass as you scream his name, your juices starting to flow over his cock. You arch backwards towards him so his chest is against your back, as he pulls his fingers out of your ass, reaching around to find your clit, furiously circling it as your orgasm reaches its peak, wave upon wave of pure ecstasy washes over you as he wraps your hair around his other hand, pulling your head back so it is resting on his shoulder. His lips find your neck and he bites down, moans of pleasure pouring out of him as he cums inside you.

‘Jesus Y/N,’ he pants.‘You’re something else,’ he chuckles lowly as he pulls out of you and rolls onto his back, hands clasped behind his head on the pillow.

‘I’m going to be sore tomorrow,’ you giggle, settling down into the bed, pulling the covers over you, ‘or should I say today,’ you add checking the time on your phone and seeing its 4.10am. You suddenly remember you haven’t answered F/N’s text so type a quick reply.

‘Same here. Tell me all about it when I see you. Come back here at 8am to get some breakfast?’

You get a response back.

‘Yep, see you then!’

‘F/N is coming back here at 8am to get some breakfast. You fancy joining us?’ you ask Jensen, turning your head to face him.

‘Of course. I’m not wasting any of the time I have left to spend with you,’ he spoke softly, looking at you with adoration in his eyes.

‘Speaking of which,’ you spoke quietly, the next question weighing heavy on your mind, ‘what happens when you go back home?’ You tried to judge the look on his face, the silence that fell between you becoming too much to bare. ‘Can we stay in touch?’ you asked him, hopeful.

‘I was hoping you would say that, as I would really like to.’ He smiles, taking your hand in his. ‘Now I’ve found you, I don’t want to lose you. In the very, very, brief time we have known each other you have made a huge impression on me.’ He winked causing your cheeks to flush. Your heart swells in your chest. You can’t quite believe what you’re hearing. You’ve made an impression on him. You try to put into words how you are feeling but you couldn’t seem to find the right words so, you decide to be honest.

‘You said this is not something you normally do. Was that true, or did you just say that to get me into bed?’ You swallowed hard, nervous to hear his answer..

Jensen looks taken aback. ‘Y/N, I swear have never done this before. Ask Jared!’ The open and completely honest look on his face tells you he is not lying. He kisses you so gently, hands still on your face and you feel a swell of emotion in your chest.

‘I don’t want this night to end,’ you whisper through the kiss, a tear falling down your cheek.

‘Hey, why are you crying? he asks you softly, wiping away your tears with his thumb before he pulls you into a tight embrace. You silently let the tears flow as he soothes you, fingers lightly brushing through your hair.

‘You know people say ‘Don’t meet your heroes as you may be disappointed?” you tell him, ‘Well, I met mine today and I can tell you now, that is so not true. Sounds ridiculous, but I have imagined this very scenario hundreds of times and I never thought it would be as perfect as this. I’m sad as I can’t imagine ever feeling the way I do right now with anyone else. You could say you have ruined it for every other guy I’ll meet. You must think me a right douche,’ you chuckle trying to lighten the mood.

‘Yeah’ he chuckles but I’d like you to be my douche.’ This makes you smile.

‘Would you?’ you ask, astonished at what he had said to you.

‘Do you want to be?’ he answers, all the while his fingers softly drift up and down your side ‘Long distance will be tricky but what’s the harm in trying? There are so many ways to stay in touch these days. Text, FaceTime, Skype. And of course you can always visit. Want to give it a shot?’

Your brain is struggling to take it all in. Stomach churning, you lean back and look directly at him, staring into his eyes.. You can tell that he is physically holding his breath waiting for your answer. He looks so vulnerable that it makes you want to cry again. You trust him implicitly at this moment and know in your heart that he trusts in you too.

‘I’m game if you are.’ You smile widely, unable to contain your happiness any longer.

‘Game on,’ he smirks and presses his lips against yours for a swift kiss. ‘I’m due to fly home on Monday after the last night of the convention and then we have a few days off before filming starts again. I can stay an extra day or two if you’re not busy? I would love to get to know you better.’

You didn’t have to check your schedule to know you weren’t busy over the next few days. You booked the time off specifically to go to the convention and then have a few days rest. The bar you work in hadn’t got you in for a shift either into the following week.

‘Yes I’m free for the next few days. I would love it if you stayed! Would it be easy for you to sort?’

‘Simple. Just ask my PA to change my flight and sort a hotel for me. I can be like a proper tourist and you can show me the sites’ he laughs, resting his forehead against yours, his eyes staring down at your lips.

“Sounds like a plan.” 

CHAPTER FIVE 

Tags - @sherlock44

[silke-doomflare]

Meet the character: Silke

BASICS

► Name ➔  “Silke Doomflare. And yes, it’s got something to do with my profession!”

► Are you single ➔ Silke’s eyes suddenly get a bit wider. She blinks, and then purses her lips, becoming oddly interested in the nearby wall. “It’s complicated.”

► Are you happy ➔  “Mm, yeah, I guess I could say so”, she states after thinking for a moment. “I’m studying things I love, my family is safe and alive, I have a handful of people I could consider my friends.. Can’t really complain, although a little bit more gil wouldn’t hurt...”

► Are you angry? ➔  “Well, usually not. Though, at the moment I’m a bit pissed off at a certain colleague of mine who loudly and unnecessarily harshly judged my thesis of pyromancy in front of our professor and classmates. Like, hellooo? You can give critique and still be polite about it, geez…”

► Are your parents still married ➔  “They are”, Silke nods proudly. "I’ve seen so many broken families lately. I feel very privileged… and lucky.”

EIGHT FACTS

► Birth Place ➔ “I’ve heard it was the place named Skatay Range. But I can’t remember a thing from it. I was so young when I was taken by slavers. So I like to think Kugane as my real birth place, since I grew up there.“

► Hair Color ➔ “Black I guess? At least it was the last time I checked! In bright light it looks like dark grey, though.”

► Eye Color ➔ Silke leans closer, so that the deep turquoise can hardly be missed. "You have troubles with your eyes or what? I happen to partly know a shady medic from a certain dark alley nearby. Want to know the address?”

► Birthday ➔ “Ninth sun of the first astral moon, I’ve heard.”

► Mood ➔ “Right now? I guess I’m feeling somewhat eager. There’s this new portal we’re going to test out tomorrow, and I was permitted to take part in it. Can you believe that? Usually they’re just like ‘no, Silke, don’t touch it, don’t touch anything’, but this time I’m allowed in. They must’ve finally noticed the genius I am.“

► Gender ➔ “God!” Silke yells and gets on her feet, pointing towards the roof. A long silence follows. “Seriously! Have you ever seen me on a battlefield? Have you seen the havoc I’ve --- no? Oh...”

► Summer or winter ➔ “Agh, such a difficult question. I like both. I like to swim and lay on a soft grass under a tree. But then again I also like to drink hot cocoa when it’s cold, wrap myself up into a blanket and watch the flames of our fireplace or snow falling outside.“

► Morning or afternoon ➔ “Afternoon of course? I’m not even awake before noon… no, wait. I like sleeping as well. Both?”

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

► Are you in love ➔ “Of course I am. If we don’t count the feeling of aether flowing through me while I cast spells and blow things to smithereens, I love most the smell of old tomes, parchment, ink and all sorts of sweets, especially ice-cream. I also love chocobos. If it wasn’t possible to be a mage I’d definitely become a chocobo breeder. Perhaps I’ll become one when my career is over and spells no longer stay in my head. I’ll retire and start breeding chocobos. Yes, a perfect plan!“

► Do you believe in love at first sight ➔ “I definitely do! I fell in love with my dog the moment I saw him. Have you ever visited Kugane? Well anyway, they have these small, orange, pointy eared and curly tailed dogs there in almost every house. It’s like their national dog or something, they’re so popular.”

► Who ended your last relationship ➔ “I hate to admit this, but it was him… I thought we were doing fine, but one day he started to complain I didn’t give him enough attention, and that I was studying too much. I mean… how can one even study too much? I don’t get it.“

► Have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔  “I guess I have. Not on purpose, though! Honestly, some people are so sensitive it’s harder not to break their hearts, geez… What an annoying subject to talk about, anyway.” Silke ruffles her head uneasily.

► Are you afraid of commitments ➔ “Of course not. I wouldn’t be able to ever become an archmage if I wasn’t dedicated to my studies.“

► Have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ Silke’s usually cheerful expression grows darker suddenly. "My sister. We don’t see very often, but when we do, I try to show my care as much as I can. She’s hanging out with shady folk sometimes, and I can’t help but worry at times will she come home or not.”

► Have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ “I surely hope not! Would be creepy to have someone admiring you from afar, without letting you know. Isn’t that like stalking? It’s only good manners to make yourself known so we can find out do we get along or not.“

► Have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ “No, I don’t think so. Or perhaps I once almost did… there was this huge tome - as big as those holy scriptures they have in the cathedral - in a certain old bookstore. The merchant was old as sky and I was afraid they’d close the place soon. And the tome was expensive. I was a lot younger back then and didn’t have much money, and my sister was like ‘no Silke, you totally won’t buy a book written in some dead language no one can read to take more room in your previously cramped room and collect dust.’ At first I was about to leave it at that, but I ended up snitching money from her cache.” Silke grins impishly. “No regrets!”

SIX CHOICES

► Love or lust ➔ “I have to choose again? You’re, like, asking me do I like to enjoy nice things existing or actually take them to be mine.”

► Lemonade or iced tea ➔ “What if I started to ask you annoying questions like strawberries or chocolate? Can’t choose, huh? Huh?”

► Cats or Dogs ➔ Silke falls silent for a moment. “…just when I was yapping at you for silly questions. Dogs all the way! I like cats too, and maybe I would be more of a cat person if my first pet had been a cat. But it was a dog, and there’s no going back!“

► A few best friends or many regular friends ➔ “A few best friends, absolutely. I have both, but I’ve noticed I enjoy the company of my closest friends a lot more. You can do all sorts of crazy stuff with them you can’t with anyone else.”

► Wild night out or romantic night in ➔ “Definitely a wild night out! I have romantic nights by myself all the time with wine and chocolate and our fireplace, and I rarely get to go out.“

► Day or night ➔ “I like both, actually. At days I’m studying, and at nights I’m doing my homework.” Silke shrugs and grins.

FOUR HAVE YOU EVERS

► Been caught sneaking out ➔ Silke becomes more serious once more. “Like I told you, I was taken from my original home by slavers. Life wasn’t very nice back then. I tried to run, many times. But I was very small and weak, and they were big, strong and fast.”

► Fallen down/up the stairs ➔ “This actually happened during one of my escape attempts. I was lucky I didn’t die. I still have a scar left.“ Silke lifts her bangs and shows a scar near her temple.

► Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ “Freedom. Yes… I think losing our loved ones is the first thing we usually think of when someone asks for the thing we fear the most. But I think losing your freedom would be even worse. If you’re free, you can always start anew, but if you’re being held captive, you can’t do anything. Nothing at all.”

► Wanted to disappear ➔ Silke gives a long look at you and raises an eyebrow again. “Considering the things I just told you, there just may have been such situations...”

FOUR PREFERENCES

► Smile or eyes ➔ “Mmh, both are important, but I think I like eyes more. I’m not a spiritual person, but I still think you can kind of see their soul there. Their essence. If they’re good or evil. The creepiest thing I’ve seen is probably living people with empty eyes, especially those without any kindness in them…”

► Shorter or Taller ➔ “Shorter, definitely. I’m quite short myself despite my heels and I don’t like it when someone looks down on me. Well, most of people  kind of have to, they can’t help it, but you know?“

► Intelligence or Attraction ➔  “Pff, do you even need to ask? Intelligence, of course. There are very few things that… truly infuriate me… But the one thing I absolutely can’t stand in others is chosen stupidity. Yes, chosen! Can you believe, that there truly exists people who don’t want to learn new things, be it about themselves or other people or the world that surrounds them?” Silke starts to imitate an elderly person, talking in a low, hoarse tone: “Silly girl. If we would discover new things or try them out, we would be in a situation we’ve never been in before.” She bursts into a mocking laughter. “Yes, someone really said that to me…”

► Hook-up or Relationship ➔ “Relationship, hands down. I’ve had my share of hook-ups.” Silke apparently can’t stop her eyes rolling towards the roof as a protest.

FAMILY

► Do you and your family get along ➔ “Yeah, we get along very well. I have some arguments every now and then with my two siblings, but nothing too serious.”

► Would you say you have a “messed up life” ➔ “Not anymore. It used to be such a mess, though.” Silke lets out an uneasy laugh. “After me and Asagi were adopted, we got our life eventually back together. Despite a few ups and downs it’s been quite stable after that. A place to belong to and meaningful chores do wonders.”

► Have you ever ran away from home ➔ “No, definitely not. My parents have always been reasonable. Even during our wildest teenage years I can’t remember there would’ve been anything too major…“

► Have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ Silke has some difficulties holding back a sudden laughter. "I got kicked out of class, yeah! Though I still think it was unfair towards me. It wasn’t my fault. It was an alchemy class and I guess I had made some miscalculation with my mixture… I tried to tell my professor I’m not quite sure about it, but he just had to go and push his big head too close to the cauldron.”

FRIENDS

► Do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ “No, I don’t hate my friends. If I did, I wouldn’t be friends with them, would I? Some of them have some annoying traits, but... hate? Nah.“

► Do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ "Sadly no… I’ve had some… disappointments. You know, there’s quite a lot of people who seem like they’re good friends, but once you have a bad day, or few bad days, they suddenly disappear and want to hear nothing about it. So weird. I certainly wouldn’t abandon my friends like that.”

► Who is your best friend ➔ “Absolutely Iris. She’s a bit odd sometimes, in a good way though, and her vocabulary is quite vulgar and it upsets some people, but I think it’s hilarious. I’ve never met anyone so quick-witted before. There’s not a single boring moment while she’s around. Oh, and nowadays there’s also this certain miqo’te called Shaura. We haven’t known each other for very long, but just like with Iris, we just clicked right away.“

► Who knows everything about you ➔ “I think my sister might… I’ve tried to keep some secrets from her, like me loaning her gil without asking sometimes, but I think she knows. I have no idea how the heck! I mean, I’m smart, but she’s even smarter… If it was possible, I would like to change brains with her for a day or two. I want to know how she does it.”

[carewyncromwell]

Hey, guys! So I don’t really have enough material in this most recent side quest to work with to create full roleplaying posts for it (largely because the writing for this quest was stilted as all get out and there really weren’t very high stakes)...so instead, I’ll be doing something a little different, and simply writing out my personal rewrite of the quest’s storyline, as performed by my MC, Carewyn. Most of the overall framework of what happened in the quest will still be there, but I will try to flesh out or rewrite some things to hopefully better develop the ideas and help them more smoothly fit into canon. Hope you enjoy!

When Lucius Malfoy first arrived at Hogwarts, Carewyn was immediately suspicious of him. She wasn’t familiar with the man, but she thought that his timing of coming to Hogwarts for an inspection only after the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher went on the run from the law reeked of the school governors and/or Ministry of Magic wanting to put forward a good show of looking after the students for the press, so that they couldn’t be condemned for their inaction.*

* = (Yes, I know this quest is supposed to be aimed at year 2, but...well...I honestly can’t justify why year 2 would be when an inspection would happen. I suppose the Ice Curse was still in effect, but it’s not like the Ministry or the school governors took any action in response to the danger of the Vaults, even though it seems like the perfect ammunition for Lucius to use against Dumbledore. He was able to coax all of the school governors to sack Dumbledore in the name of saving students during the Chamber of Secrets arc later on, so it feels like this could’ve been done here too, if the Ice Vault was still raging. Dumbledore would also have little reason to think we’re “good at solving mysteries” if this takes place in year 2, since we at that point haven’t even successfully dealt with one Cursed Vault yet. So in this version of events, Lucius has only just become a school governor in anticipation of his son, Draco, attending school in the next few years. And because the Statue Vault and Rakepick are currently being tackled by the Ministry already, Lucius doesn’t really have any more action he can take. It also makes very little sense for a five-year-old Draco to be brought along to Hogwarts. His mother Narcissa is a stay-at-home mother, and even in the films, it’s pretty clear she -- and Lucius, at least in the books -- wouldn’t want her precious bb boy being taken care of by a pair of strangers with no experience in child-rearing. And I don’t think either movie! or book!Lucius would want any “bad influences” like protagonist MC around his son at that age, either -- at least by age nine, Draco would be pretty locked into the pureblood beliefs he’s been raised with, and since he’d be attending school in two years, it would give Draco a good preview of what his school life will be like ahead of time.)

Carewyn’s suspicions only heightened when Flitwick summoned her and Ben to the Charms classroom and Lucius Malfoy was there talking to Professor Flitwick. She had been very flattered by Flitwick’s praise of her Charm work...but the way Lucius looked at her when he turned to her...

Even though yes, Carewyn didn’t like the mention of Jacob, there was something else she could sense in Lucius’s eyes -- something intrigued. Although he smiled very pleasantly, there was a definite marked interest in his voice, not unlike how Professor Tofty greeted her upon first meeting. Lucius had definitely heard a lot more than just about Jacob -- but despite this, Carewyn merely gave Lucius a very cool smile in return.

Lucius’s condescension toward Ben for his blood status only made Carewyn dislike Lucius all the more. When he’d left the room, Carewyn agreed with Ben’s distaste for the school governor immediately.

“Professor Flitwick,” she said slowly, “are the Malfoys an old Wizarding family?” Carewyn had heard plenty of stories about her mother’s family and their particular dislike of Muggles, so it seemed logical to think the Malfoys were like them.

Flitwick had confirmed that yes, they were, adding that Lucius could be difficult sometimes. “But he is one of the school governors,” he’d said. “So we simply must cooperate.“

After Potions class, Merula and Carewyn were both forwarded to Dumbledore’s office by their Head of House, Severus Snape. While waiting for Lucius Malfoy to arrive, Merula explained a bit more about Lucius Malfoy’s history with Voldemort, which thoroughly justified Carewyn’s distrust of the man. When Dumbledore and Lucius arrived, however, Carewyn and Merula soon found themselves roped into looking after Lucius’s son, the bratty nine-year-old Draco Malfoy.

Okay -- I know a lot of people liked how Draco was portrayed in the game and enjoyed how he (if you picked to protect his secret) expressed genuine admiration for MC, but...yeah, in this version of events, he’s not nearly so cute. (I mean, come on, in the books, Harry compared Draco to Dudley on first meeting -- this kid has some serious issues with empathy and a real selfish streak. He might be a lot more clever than Dudley, but in my mind, he should be pretty fun to hate at this stage, rather than cute.)

For one, because he’s older, Draco’s in less need of babysitting and more in need of guidance. Lucius thought it only fitting that two such promising students show Draco the best Hogwarts has to offer -- and Draco, being older and therefore even more entitled, arrogant, and condescending than he’s portrayed in the game, was sizing up his competition just as much as he was tailing after them. His father Lucius had told him all about Merula’s parents and about Carewyn’s reputation as a Cursebreaker, so he knew that both girls were incredibly powerful and thus were both people Draco should have in his circle, whether as allies or as pawns. While Lucius was at school, he became very talented at making connections, which has served him well in the present by giving him the power to either sway or pressure people into doing things his way -- and Draco not only is expected to do the same, but the young Malfoy heir is eager to follow in his father’s footsteps and already be the “big man on campus” when he starts at Hogwarts. Even if both Carewyn and Merula will be graduated by the time he starts school, those ties could still be very beneficial down the road.

That being said, Draco and Merula did still instantly end up at each other’s throats. Even if Draco was supposed to “get Carewyn and Merula in his circle,” thanks to his spoiled upbringing by his parents, Draco has no social skills whatsoever, and so has little idea of how to charm people without putting down others in the process. Even though (or perhaps because) Merula was a bully herself most of her school career, she reacted very harshly to Draco’s nasty attitude, and soon the two were verbally smacking each other around with barbed, personal insults.

Despite her growing dislike for both Lucius and his son, Carewyn did everything she could to be the mediating force between them and even successfully distracted Draco by asking about his interests and taking him to the Quidditch pitch. Not long after they arrived, Draco succeeded in snatching a spare broom and started flying around the pitch.

Merula sincerely hoped that he’d fall and break his neck, but Carewyn -- even if she didn’t particularly like Draco -- knew it’d be terrible if he did hurt himself. So she boarded her own Cleansweep (which she’d kept locked in the Slytherin Quidditch tent, in case one of Orion’s players needed a spare broom) and took off after Draco.

Once in the air, Carewyn kept her wand close in case something went wrong. Fortunately she needn’t have feared -- within a minute, she could see that Draco was a very talented flier. In an attempt to distract him away from fighting with Merula, Carewyn suggested that she could teach Draco some flying tricks. Draco was scornful at first, until Carewyn weaved through the stands and threaded the needle through all three goal posts before sweeping into an extreme dive and pulling up mere feet from the ground. She smirked up at Draco, folding her legs over her broom so she could lean back effortlessly with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Ready for a lesson now, Mr. Malfoy?” she called up to him coolly.

The young Malfoy heir couldn’t hide the greedy look in his eye at the thought of learning those cool tricks, nor could he hide how thrilled he was learning how to do an extreme dive.

Once the two had finally come back down to the ground, Draco asked Carewyn if she was on the Slytherin Quidditch team. When she said no, explaining that she just didn’t have the time to devote to Quidditch, Draco reacted with scorn.

“Because of those Vaults, I guess?” he presumed.

He said that his father had told him all about Carewyn’s Cursebreaking, and her family too -- that her brother was a delinquent and her mother had run away from home to marry a Muggle. Merula was actually a bit startled by this, not having heard that particular fact about Carewyn’s mother, but Carewyn herself kept her temper, even as her tone grew cooler and dryer than ever.

“My family may not be perfect, but I’m proud of it, all the same,” she said softly.

What she didn’t add out loud was, “I certainly wouldn’t be proud of my family if I were in your shoes.”

A bit miffed he hadn’t been able to get a rise out of Carewyn, Draco soon enough turned his attentions back to Merula. He ranted about how his father had said Hogwarts was going to the dogs and about how they had so many Mudbloods amongst their ranks. Carewyn stiffened very sharply at the use of the word.

“That is not a word to be used in civilized conversation,” she told him very severely.

“My father says it all the time,” Draco argued.

“Really?” said Carewyn, her lips turning up in a cool smile. “Don’t reckon that’s something you should admit too readily, given your own family’s history -- I wager a fair number of people at this school would hex you to belch slugs for using a word like that.”

Merula's face broke out into a smug smirk. “Don’t give me any ideas, Cromwell.”

This change in topic, however, led to Draco wanting a proper dueling lesson from Merula and Carewyn. Naturally, because Draco didn’t have a wand of his own and they certainly weren’t going to lend him theirs, the two girls refused -- and soon enough, they got word that Lucius was finished with his inspection and would be leaving the school soon.

Of course, that didn’t happen, because sure enough, Lucius’s wand went missing. The prime suspect? The Malfoy family house elf, Dobby.

Carewyn had little experience with house-elves prior to Dobby (only having met Pitts the previous year), so the poor elf’s maltreatment at the Malfoys’ hands greatly upset her. Determined to prove his innocence, she asked Dobby to tell her whatever he could say without hurting himself and -- upon Dobby trying to smack his own head against the ground -- she actually bent down and grabbed hold of him in both hands to try to wrestle him into not hurting himself.

“It’s okay, Dobby,” she kept telling him. “I’ll make sure you don’t get blamed.”

It didn’t take long at all for Carewyn to get to the bottom of who had taken the wand. If Dobby felt he couldn’t tell her who the thief was because he couldn’t speak ill of the Malfoy family, then there was only one possible suspect. Catching up with Merula and Draco, she confronted the Malfoy heir about having taken his father’s wand. Draco denied it at first, but pretty quickly came clean.

“I’m not too young to learn how to duel!” he said. “I wouldn’t have borrowed Father’s wand if you’d just lent me yours!”

After some prodding, Draco admitted where he’d hidden his father’s wand. It didn’t take long for Merula to find it.

Despite the younger boy’s bravado, though, Carewyn could still tell that Draco hadn’t meant for this whole thing to go so far. He wasn’t really sorry about the thought that Dobby could be blamed for something he did -- but he’d enjoyed what he’d learned so far and wanted to stay at Hogwarts a little longer so he could learn some spells.

Feeling some compassion despite herself, Carewyn sat down on the edge of the fountain next to Draco.

“If you give me your solemn word only to use this in a formal duel,” she said very seriously, “I will teach you one spell. Do we have a deal?”

His eyes once again greedy for knowledge, Draco nodded and eagerly agreed. Holding out her wand in front of her, Carewyn told Draco to put his hand on top of hers. Then she walked him step-by-step through the wand movements for the spell “Everte Sactum,” the Stumbling Hex.

“When you cast this correctly, it will hurl your opponent off their feet,” she explained. “That can then give you the time you need to get away, if you’re in trouble.”

Her eyes then narrowed sharply upon Draco’s face. “Remember your word, though -- you will only use this in a duel, not for fun. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Draco said breezily, but he was grinning from ear to ear all the same.

The group met back up with Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore in the Headmaster’s Office. When Lucius asked Carewyn who had stolen the wand, she answered simply,

“No one, as far as I can tell. Merula found it on the floor near the Entrance Hall -- no thief to be seen.”

After all, Draco had only admitted to “borrowing” his father’s wand -- not stealing it.

”There’s no evidence that Dobby couldn’t have still taken it,” said Lucius.

Dobby shook his head frantically, wringing his hands desperately as he insisted he didn’t take the wand and never would. Carewyn very gently cut off Dobby’s denials by pointing out that house elves can’t lie to or speak ill of their masters without hurting themselves. The fact that Dobby was not hurting himself while claiming he didn’t take the wand was proof in itself that he didn’t commit the crime. And everyone must be considered innocent until proven guilty...right?

Lucius considered Carewyn carefully, his gray eyes oddly critical and shrewd upon her face -- then he inclined his head in an abridged nod.

“...Wisely said, Miss Cromwell. You could be an excellent lawyer, with sentiments such as those.”

His gray eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly as his lips curled up in a cool smile.

“I daresay that would please your grandfather quite a bit.”

Carewyn’s blood ran cold. Lucius Malfoy was in touch with her grandfather, Charles Cromwell? She’d never met her mother’s father before -- but given that Lucius Malfoy spoke highly of him, she wondered more than ever if she was incredibly fortunate in that...

For his part, Lucius seemed satisfied by how taken aback Carewyn was and, with a flourish of his cloak, swept toward the office door.

“Come, Draco,” he called over his shoulder.

Before Draco left, he paused, turning back to look at Carewyn.

“I won’t forget that,” he said. “What you did.”

He didn’t need to articulate what he meant.

“And I swear -- when we’re both done at Hogwarts, we’ll meet again, Cromwell. And when we do, I’ll be the greatest wizard ever -- greater than you could ever be.”

Despite the arrogance in his expression, Draco was still grinning from ear to ear in a kind of vicious determination.

Carewyn’s blue eyes grew a little smaller as she smirked in return.

“Good ambition. Just keep in mind -- there are many ways to be ‘great.’“

With an offhand scoff, Draco turned on his heel and followed his father, not fully able to bite back the smile still clinging to his lips.

When Dumbledore, Carewyn, and Merula were out of earshot, Lucius spoke to Draco at last.

“She knew you took my wand, didn’t she?” he asked.

Draco, although startled, reluctantly nodded.

“And yet she dared lie to my face,” said Lucius in dark amusement. “Rather effectively, too. Tell me -- what did you think of her, Draco?”

Draco shrugged offhandedly. “All right, I guess. She’s a decent flier -- and her spellwork’s okay.”

“Coming from you, that’s high praise,” said Lucius dryly. His lips curled up in a wry smile. “Seems I was right to think I should keep an eye on her advancement...”

Dobby was so grateful to Carewyn that he said that if she ever needed him, she only had to ask. Carewyn was very happy for that -- she had a feeling that she could use at least one friend in the Malfoy household, if Lucius really had such close ties to her mother’s family.

[multistoty]

Why was this sith warrior so interested in a woman who looked like a senator from a by gone era? She hadn’t seen anyone since she woke up in her coffin smacking at the glass until Sabe had noticed. It had to be some sort of trick of Palpatines or something Anakin had attempted in order to keep her safe. She had had twins. those memories were back as well as the choking that felt almost present every time she slept. Were Obi-wan had taken them was beyond her just like his life. The empire had murdered most that she loved and forced Obi-wan to kill his former padawan. She had seen the counter in Ben’s face of who she knew quite well. And as a poltician, she had drawn conclusions to the memory of Luke and Leia who had been left as orphans in the deaths of both of their parents and whose cries were all of them she had ever known that the particular palor of his face and more said that the hero without fear never left Mustafar. 

Revenge was never a good thing. But for the first time in her life through diaster, a certain ammount of rage lurked in the shadows of her light. One of the men on tatooine had just put a vibro blade up to her kneck when he was yanked roughly back and the black monster much taller than her had appeared. His height was similar to her husband’s though much more intimidating. Was this a droid or one of the people she had loved forcedto fall? Ahsoka had left the order too. that always haunted a girl who had thought of her like a child. 

If this sith knew her identity instead of the girl who had freed herself from Jabba and attempted to do such things for others. Sabe could make her a sleeper agent for the rebellion, but Padme wouldn’t go out quietly. She had been tricked on the sand planet. Now, the remainder of the slave chip scar only spurred her into further action. She had been living on an old moisture farm bought with the credits Sabe could muster and run by her fellow newly freed peope. How crazy her life had become a sort of reverse of the man who her heart belonged.The connection with the empire was here though few bothered with the planets on the outer rim. It was part of why hiding here had worked so well. Padme kept her blaster in her hand, finger never leaving the trigger. She studied the man in front of her, if he could even be considered a man but then again she didn’t have a clue what he was under that suit and hoped she never would have to. Her eyes moved back up to where she assumed his eyes were behind the helmet,

“ I’ve heard about you Lord Vader. I am very… interested to say the least to meet you but please. I am just simply a woman in this small town trying to go about her day. May I be excused. “

@collectionofvoices​

[alright--okay]

you ever been to a basement show? pt. 3

tsukishima kei x reader

summary: Tsukishima sees you everywhere, and for a big school thats weird. And it’s not like he’s gonna do anything, that’d be even weirder, but one day in your shared lecture he sees you wearing a shirt with some small band’s name. A band he know. And well, now he has to know who you are.

word count: ~2.8 k

a/n: the first five chapters are already on ao3 so imma post them here real quick, hope anyone reading enjoys!

read on ao3!

pt. 3 Girl Scout Cookies - Mom Jeans.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Tsukishima said as you walked into the lecture hall, gesturing to your outfit.

“I don’t understand the question.” You calmly replied taking a seat beside him, only to awkwardly bring your legs up to the chair in front of you. The attempt to look laid back and “chill” clearly not working.

Tsukishima widened his eyes and pointedly shifted his gaze to your plaid pants.

“They’re my fun pants!”

“Is fun the word we’re gonna use?”

“Yes. We are. Because these,” you gestured to the patterned pants, “are a statement piece and fashionable. I look trendy and professional.”

“You look like you got lost on your way to an underground cafe that serves farm-fresh honey.”

“That sounds delightful, not gonna lie.” You turned away from Tsukishima to start unpacking your materials for the class. “Oh, and before I forget, I figured you’d like to know that Yachi was very happy to see you again.”

Tsukishima let a small smile slip onto his face at that, “I’m sure, Yachi was close with a lot of us on the volleyball team; when we got to college it just got harder to coordinate, even if we were at the same school.” He turned to look at the pen he had been playing with in his hand, “It was nice to see her too.”

“Aw, Tsukishima, you do have a heart!” You laughed. Even though you had known Tsukishima for a short period of time, it was easy to get comfortable around him. You actually kinda enjoyed his snarky attitude and it was fun to tease him. Not to mention Yachi trusted the dude so you knew he had to be a good person (even if it was deep down).

Tsukishima attempted to ignore you the rest of the class for that comment but decided to bother you by pushing your elbow off your shared armrest every chance he got.

After the third time your pen ran down the page in an abrupt straight line, you stoned your face and silently looked forward, ignoring the chuckles Tsukishima was hiding behind his hand. You slide the small lecture desk back in its place and calmly made your way to one seat over. Once settled again you turned to Tsukishima who was already looking at you with bright eyes and a poorly repressed smile.

“I’m not having it.”

~~~

From Tsukishima archeology:

hey i don’t know if you’d be interested but me yamaguchi and our other roommates were gonna have a game night situation tonight

i think yamaguchi told yachi about it but i wanted to let you know that youre welcome

to come that is

if you want to

You smiled at the texts. Yachi had informed you of the “game night situation” happening on Friday last night, but it had seemed wrong to impose. These were friends Yachi hadn’t seen in how long? And you were just supposed to crash their full reunion? But Yachi had taken the time to assure you that yes, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima were friends from high school, but their other roommates were really just “friends-of-friends”.

She had convinced you to come with her to be another familiar face, but having Tsukishima explicitly invite you made you feel better about the situation as a whole.

To Tsukishima archeology:

yeah yachi told me !! ill see you there :)

You slipped your phone back into your pocket and continued your walk away from campus to your apartment with Yachi. It was still the early afternoon and you were (thankfully) done with classes for the week, giving you plenty of time to mentally prepare for a night of socialization with a group of people you largely didn’t know.

What the fuck did you agree to?

~~~~~~

“So she is confirmed coming?” Yamaguchi asked from the kitchen, peering around the corner to see Tsukishima, hunched over his phone starring at the screen.

“Yeah, she’s coming with Yachi.”

“I still can’t believe she knows Yachi,” Yamaguchi said, shaking his head slightly as he sat beside Tsukishima on the couch. “Well, at least it gave us a reason to reach out, right? I’ve missed my favorite blonde.”

Tsukishima beside him sat up, looking at his friend, “Oh so I’m number two?”

“Sorry, but you’re number three,” Yamaguchi said with false sincerity, “Akiteru beat you out when he brought those pork buns last month.”

Tsukishima gave his friend a blank stare before falling back into the couch with a “shuddup Yamaguchi” mumbled under his breath, Yamaguchi only offering a snicker in response.

“Come on, get up. We have to prepare this place for tonight.” Yamaguchi stood, holding out a hand to help Tsukishima up.

“Prepare? It’s not like we’re throwing a party or something.”

“No, but we have a fairly tiny apartment and with eight peop-”

“Wait, eight? I thought there would only be six…” Tsukishima trailed off as he came to realize who the other two were.

Yamaguchi gave a nod, moving to fix the couches in the small space, “Yep. Bokuto was sad he couldn’t come last weekend so they’re taking the train in. They should be here in like an hour. Hope your new friend likes being interrogated.”

At this Tsukishima groaned. “I might have finally found a normal friend and those two are gonna ruin it.”

“Oh come on, Tsukki. Yeah, they’re loud and crash and have way too much energy BUT you love them.”

“I love Kenma and Akaashi, that’s the only way I deal with those buffoons.” Tsukishima paused before going to help Yamaguchi position the couch, “But for real … do you think they’ll scare y/n?“

“Tsukki, that girl can deal with you. I’m sure she’ll be fine with Kuroo and Bokuto. Plus Yachi is gonna be here, Kenma and Akaashi will keep them in line for her, and by proxy, y/n.”

Tsukishima knew this was true at least. Back in their first year of university, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and Yachi hung out a lot more and even back then Kuroo and Bokuto would come to visit their respective boyfriends. In the few times all of them would hang out together, Kenma and Akaashi made sure the two were respectful of Yachi, knowing how anxious she could get.

So as long as Kuroo and Bokuto didn’t get you alone, all should be fine.

~~~~~~

“Oho, ho, ho,” a man with black and white spiked hair approached you with wide eyes, getting borderline too close to your face before you even fully walked through the door, “who are you?”

“I’m y/n, it’s uh, nice to meet you.” you tried to give a casual smile as the man continued to make direct eye contact with you, “I like your hair.”

His face lit up with a blinding smile, “Thank you! Your hair is also very nice, very pretty, suits your face shape.” A genuine smile slipped on your face at the compliment, “I’m Bokuto Koutarou, I don’t live here.” His smile still in place, despite your now confused expression, “And Yachi! I haven’t seen you in forever!” Bokuto turned to your roommate who had been standing beside you, leaning down to give her a seemingly very tight hug.

“Hello, Bokuto-san!” This was not one of the people Yachi had told you about. She had mentioned Tsukishima and Yamaguchi’s other two roommates, but nothing about a random boisterous man.

“Bokuto, please put her down.” A very pretty man came from around the corner, laying a hand on Bokuto’s shoulder. Bokuto did such and turned to throw an arm around the man’s shoulders. “It’s nice to see you again, Yachi.” He now faced you with a small smile just barely curving his lips, “And you must be y/n? Tsukishima said he invited another friend.”

“Yes, that would be me. Can I assume you live here?”

“You can. I’m Akaashi Keiji and you’ve met my boyfriend I see.” Boyfriend got it. “Everyone else is in the kitchen getting snacks but feel free to get comfortable.” He gave you two another smile before going back down the hallway he came, Bokuto trailing behind him.

You and Yachi walked over to the small living room area in front of you, “Sorry I didn’t warn you about Bokuto, I didn’t realize he was coming.”

“It’s all good,” you said with a chuckle, “He seems nice.”

“He is! It probably means that Kuroo is here too, but don’t worry! He’s nice too! They can just get kind of … loud.” The two of you were interrupted by a freckled man (who you recognized as Yamaguchi from pictures Yachi had shown you) that walked into a room.

“Yachi! What’s up?” His smile was warm as the two met in a hug, “And y/n! It’s nice to officially meet you.”

“Same. I’m happy to expand my social circle,” you said, returning his smile with a chuckle.

“So as for games-”

“Y/N!” You startled at your name being yelled by an unfamiliar man (possibly, Kuroo? He was already loud) power walking from the hallway. Tsukishima was quickly trailing behind him, trying to act calm but obviously failing. “Were you the vixen that swept our dear Tsukki away last Saturday night?”

Your wide-eyed gaze met Tsukishima’s (who looked physically in pain), “Perhaps.” Tsukishima closed his eyes, seeming to anticipate the following smirk that grows on the man’s face at your answer. “But in my defense, Yachi was there too.”

“Yes, but Tsukki didn’t know that, did he.” Eyes turn to Tsukishima, who was now sitting at the end of the couch, a hand rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses.

“Can we move on?”

“No! We cannot, but first,” Kuroo looks to Bokuto, both straightening their backs as they say simultaneously, “shots?”

Oh, this was going to be a fun night.

~~~

“Tsukishima. Tsukishima … Tsuki … shima”

“Can I help you?”

“Please let me try on your glasses.” Okay so maybe the sixth shot was a bad idea. “Please, I just want to see how blind you are.”

You were usually okay when it came to drinking, never getting too wild or out of control, but the vibe of the night mixed with Tsukishima still being annoyingly sober after three drinks made you more … talkative.

“I’m not blind.” Tsukishima relented, slipping his glasses from his face and into your waiting hand, and subsequently onto your face.

“Damn, you really aren’t, this is a pussy prescription.” Your eyes were slightly glazed as they looked around the living room, not being able to focus on the shapes of the room.

Kuroo broke into a cackle from his position on the floor playing a card game with Bokuto, Akaashi, and Yachi, “Fucking burn Tsukki.”

“Kuroo.” Kenma called, curled around a pillow on the couch, phone clutched in hand.

“Sorry, sorry. Quiet voice, shhhh.” Kenma gave a nod and returned to his huddled position.

You focused back on Tsukishima, giving him his glasses, “I used to wear glasses, you know. My prescription was really bad. I’ve been wearing contacts recently though, hence the,” you gestured to your face, lacking frames.

“So that’s how you know I have a ‘pussy prescription’?”

“Heh wait, ‘pussy prescription,’ I just realized.” You giggled at him, “Like the opposite of a dick appointment.”

“Alright, that’s enough of that conversation. Want some water?”

“Yes, but also!” You faced the other members of the group in their various positions around the small room, “can we order food?”

“Now that’s what I like to hear!” Bokuto sprang up, already going around the room to take orders before calling in an order to a local restaurant, known to be specifically used by drunk college students at two a.m.

While Bokuto and Kuroo left to pick up the order, you quietly sat back down next to Tsukishima.

“I know this is very out of the blue and maybe it’s cause I’m a lil drunk-”

“A little?”

“Shaddup, I’m not that bad,” you gently slapped his chest at the comment (and wow that’s a thought for later), “just … thank you for inviting me.”

“Well, you know, we were inviting Yachi, just seemed like we were obligated to and all that.” Tsukishima wasn’t looking at you but you could see a light blush staining the tops of his cheeks.

“Oh, I’m sure you were very obligated to do so. But come on bro, I’m trying to have a tender moment.”

“… you’re welcome.” You stared at him intensely, he sighed before relenting, “Okay, I get it. I’m glad you came. Seriously.”

You smiled up at him, “Do you guys do this type of thing often? You guys are all really nice and I think Yachi is happy to have you guys back in her life. I think the both of us would really enjoy doing this again.”

Tsukishima gave a small smile back, “I think the both of you are welcome anytime.”

“Glad to hear it.”

The two of you sat in your own bubble for a bit before the smack of the door against the wall alerted you to the food arriving.

The night ended soon after that, everyone sitting on various pieces of furniture in the cramped space, slowly sobering up and getting sleepier at the same time while eating your respective orders (and if you stole some of Tsukishima’s french fries, no one had to know).

Akaashi had already dragged a clingy, half-awake Bokuto to their bedroom, and Kenma had been curled half on Kuroo’s lap for the last half hour. Yamaguchi, while still participating in conversation, was letting out large yawns in the middle of sentences and Yachi wasn’t much better.

“Alright, I think we should head home,” you said, turning to Yachi who slowly nodded in agreement. The two of you rose, slipping your shoes and coats on near the door, “it’s been real, goodnight everyone, I hope to see you soon.” Yachi also giving a quiet goodbye to the room.

“I’ll walk you guys home, it’s late and Tokyo can get scary at night,” Tsukishima said, walking over to his own set of shoes and coat.

“Thank you, Tsukki,” Yachi replied, continuing to settle into her coat. You didn’t voice your own thanks, but you smiled at Tsukishima.

“What a gentleman, Tsukki. It was a pleasure to see you ladies,” Kuroo said, voice much quieter than it was previously in the night.

You and Yachi waved as a final goodbye for the night before the three of you made the short walk to your apartment.

~~~~~~

It didn’t take long for Tsukki to see you and Yachi off. Just as he had done last Saturday, he walked you two to the door where you all said your goodbyes.

“Hey text me when you get home, I heard these streets can get scary.” You told Tsukishima as you entered your building.

“Yeah, I will,” You smiled at him then turned back to walk with Yachi further into the building.

Tsukishima took his time going back to the apartment, reflecting on tonight’s events. You got along with his friends. That was good. That was a normal thing to want from a new friend. Just a friend. Yeah, he could go with that.

He tried to be quiet entering the apartment, but it was no use, Kuroo and Yamaguchi were still sitting in the living room and immediately turned to him.

“So … ” Yamaguchi began.

“You and y/n seem to be getting close,” Kuroo winked and tried to raise his eyebrows at Tsukishima but the movement ending up looking twitchy and not at all smooth.

Tsukishima tried to look aloof as he answered their waiting stares, “She doesn’t like me like that.”

“Wait, so does that mean you like her like that?” Yamaguchi smiled, seeing the slight tensing of his friend’s shoulders.

“Oh, that is definitely what it means, Yama.”

“No, no it does not,” Tsukishima tried to stop the two before they had the idea hard set in their minds, “y/n is just a friend. We like the same music, we share a singular class, and yeah okay she’s kinda cute-”

“Oho, ho, ho, did you hear that Yamaguchi?” Fuck. Kuroo’s smirk was wide at this point, “So this is happening then?”

“Nothing is happening.” Tsukishima quickly finished ripping off his shoe and walked to his room to pass out for the night, he could still hear Yamaguchi’s reply to Kuroo though as he shut the door.

“It’s happening.”

Tsukishima sighed, sprawling across his bed. Before he forgot, he pulled up his phone.

To y/n:

streets weren’t too bad

i got mugged but the scar is gonna be pretty cool

From y/n:

does it at least go through your eyebrow?

To y/n:

just a little bit :/

From y/n:

i dunno man

is it really worth it at that point

To y/n:

…

goodnight y/n

From y/n:

goodnight tsukishima

[komahinasecretexchange]

Title: London

Author: @entraptantrum

For: @emptyfishtanks

Rating/Warnings: For general audiences, mild violence/nondescript stabbing.

Prompt: Komahina travelling to cool places!

Author’s notes: I really hope that you enjoyed this fanfiction! I hope you’re having a lovely holiday. This was very fun to write! Thank you for the cool prompt!

The airport was almost overwhelmingly busy. There were so many people, all with different appearances and personalities, which made themselves apparent in their manner of presentation. Some walked funny, some sang songs to themselves, but it was immediately clear just by looking at them that they all had somewhere to be.

The announcer was speaking over the intercom, making bold, loud speech rumble throughout the building, as if the word of God himself was thundering through. It obviously wasn’t, but the idea was at least somewhat interesting to imagine.

Aeroplanes took off outside the window, their brilliant white wings carving into the clouds as they ascended through them like enormous metal angels.

Despite all of this, all that Hinata could focus on was the fact that Komaeda was standing painfully close to him. Their shoulders were brushing against each other in quite a subtle way- nearly enough to not even be noticeable. But Hinata noticed. He was almost always dreadfully aware of the distance between them. Like his mind would stop running if he wasn’t monitoring Komaeda at all times.

“Hm?” he jumped slightly as Komaeda tugged at his sleeve.

“Hinata-Kun, were you even listening?” he asked, voice free of the accusatory tone that would ring in the voice of literally anyone else. Komaeda then laughed, amused by the utterly bewildered expression displayed across Hinata’s features.

The latter flushed, feeling the heat of sheepish embarrassment against the back of his neck. “I- oh- I guess not. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you for not listening. Trash like me…probably isn’t deserving of having his voice heard. I was just asking if we should get back to the rest of the class.”

“Why? Don’t we still have time?”

Komaeda fished his cellphone out of his pocket and brought it up to show Hinata, the blaring screen lighting up like the morning sky when he pressed a button. The phone buzzed, joining the series of ‘New Message!’ alerts that had already been hanging around the screen, making it 10. All from Souda.

“WHERE THE FUCK ARE YA? Off snogging?”

Hinata cringed slightly, noting the way that Komaeda’s pale cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink as he read the message. “At least he’s being on topic. ‘Snogging’. We are in London, after all.”

“Heh, yeah. That’s our Souda, always appropriate for the situation,” Komaeda chirped, voice empty of any malice or sarcasm that could be expected from such a comment.

Hinata glanced at his face, taking a moment to appreciate how…brightly he always seemed to smile, before narrowing his eyes into a sharp glare. No way was he thinking…that about Komaeda. No way.

“Is something wrong, Hinata-Kun? You’re looking at me funny…”

“Gah,” Hinata shook his head, feeling unusually hot. “It’s…nothing.”

“If it’s important to you, it’s hardly nothing, but if you want me to drop the subject, I will,” Komaeda said with a curt nod, appearing oddly dutiful.

Hinata gave him an odd glance before the white-haired boy shook his head and grabbed his sleeve, beginning to tug him in the direction from which they had come. Amongst the crowds, Hinata spotted a head of vivid pink hair and exhaled in anticipation of what was surely going to be a harsh greeting.

“Hinata! There you fuckin’ are!” Souda exclaimed, immediately reaching out to hook a forceful arm around Hinata’s unsuspecting neck. Giving a slight ‘oof’ of surprise, Hinata shot Komaeda a pitiful look as he was yanked into a one-armed hug by the overzealous-as-always Souda Kazuichi. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“What, why?” Hinata asked, wincing slightly as Souda refused to let go of him. “Did something happen? I thought we had plenty of time left before we had to go to the hotel.”

“We do! But…I have a CRISIS!” he yelped, pointing an accusatory finger to his right, tears prickling in the corners of his wide eyes. Hinata let out an exasperated breath, wondering why on earth he was even friends with Souda, then followed his finger to see Sonia and Tanaka talking.

“Oh…no?” Hinata said doubtfully, unsure of what exactly he was looking at.

“It’s terrible, isn’t it!

“I don’t get it,” Komaeda said, tilting his head to the side.

“What is there not to get?! That devilish serpent has wormed his way into my precious Miss Sonia’s heart!”

“‘Devilish serpent’?” Hinata shook his head. “Now you sound like-”

“Don’t say it,” Souda hissed, a warning fire burning in his eyes as he aimed a sharp expression of distaste at his soul friend.

“H-hey, take it easy, Souda,” Hajime said, lifting his hands before himself as if in defence. He’d never really admit it, but up close (especially when he was trying to be threatening) Kazuichi’s teeth really did look awfully creepy…

All at once, the fire in his eyes blinked out and a blinding grin graced Souda’s features once more. “As if I’d hurt my soul friend!” he chuckled, once again heaving an arm over Hinata’s shoulders, other hand flying up to ruffle his hair.

“Hey!” Hinata scowled, face turning red from the humiliation. A few people at the airport turned to look at the two foreigners shrieking in Japanese, curiosity creeping into their expressions before they shrugged it off and returned to their activities. Humans had remarkably short and unforgiving attention spans, didn’t they?

“So what if Sonia-San is talking to Tanaka-San?” Komaeda asked, eyes not moving away from the chattering pair. “It just means that they’re friends and friendships strengthen to overcome any despair. I think that’s rather hopeful, don’t you, Souda-San?”

“I told you, just ‘Souda’ is fine,” Kazuichi grumbled, stepping away from Hinata. “And you can stop blabbering on about hope already!” he shrieked. Komaeda’s smile was unwavering, however, and he simply shook his head with closed lips. “She’s probably forgotten all about me, talking to him,” he groaned, slapping his palms to his face in defeat.

“Dude, don’t be so glum,” Hinata began, sympathetically rolling his eyes. He placed a hand on Souda’s shoulder. “Even if she doesn’t like you, there’s plenty of girls out there.”

“But none of them are Miss Sonia,” Souda mumbled

Hinata’s pursed his lips into a thin line, feeling that his friend was acting rather immature. “Have you even tried talking to her yet? You know, asking her to hang out or something?”

“…No?”

“Then why are you complaining? She hasn’t even rejected you properly yet,” Hinata said. Though, judging by the way Sonia frequently avoided Souda, she didn’t have to. “Go and talk to her. Try to just be nice. Be her friend first.”

Souda puffed out his chest, nodding eagerly. “Yes! You’re right! See, this is why you’re my Super High School Level Best Bud!” he laughed, once again reaching over and ruffling Hinata’s hair, ignoring his indignant yelps, and bounding off to the vending machine.

Hajime sighed, watching as he shoved in a bunch of coins and collected up the British sweets that dropped down into the bottom. He ran up to Sonia, who turned towards him with a slightly pained smile.

“Since when are you so knowledgeable in romantic endeavours, Hinata-Kun? Are you particularly experienced?” Komaeda asked. Hinata didn’t miss the slightly sly tone that snuck into his tone, disguised under his usual bright smile.

Immediately flustered, Hinata floundered to cover his tracks. He crossed his arms, feeling his face redden. “Ah! No, no, it’s not like that!” he rambled sheepishly. “I just- you know- it’s just, like- ah-”

Komaeda let out a merciless laugh, his whole face lighting up as he watched Hinata struggle. “Calm down. I’m only joking.”

Hinata grumbled to himself, before turning back to watch Souda present Sonia with the sweets. To his great surprise, her face lit up and she sang her praises to Souda, who was turning a delightful shade of pink to matched his hair.

Heartbeat still refusing to return to normal, Hinata let out a slight gasp when Komaeda nudged his side. “Your advice seems to be working,” he said in an uncharacteristically low voice. Hinata felt his breath against his ear, shivering slightly before Sensei’s voice rang out and shattered the peculiar atmosphere.

“Class 77-B! Please gather! We’re taking a register before piling into the taxis and going over to the hotel! We’re then taking a short break, then heading off to sightsee! Isn’t that exciting?” Yukizome-Sensei announced, loud enough for any students in the vicinity to overhear.

“Well, we should probably go meet up with everyone else, now,” Komaeda said, voice back to normal. Hinata’s state wasn’t, though, so he could only nod, before following Nagito to the front of the airport.

Everyone else soon followed, brilliant grins upon their faces as they chattered about the prospect of enjoying the city. It was quite exciting! None of them had really ever journeyed that much, except Sonia, of course, so it was quite lucky that the school had offered an end-of-year trip to the entire year group. To London of all places, too! Sonia wouldn’t shut up about how they would all love it so much.

The royal family was supposedly delightful.

A hoard of bodyguards followed after the students, one to a prearranged minivan taxi. There wasn’t much room in the cars, so Hinata was left shoved into his seat, body uncomfortably close to Komaeda. Needless to say, his face would not be cooling down anytime soon.

What was it about his weirdo friend that sent him into a fever every time he was remotely close to him?

Tsumiki, Souda and Kuzuryu entered the minivan too, sitting in the seats before Komaeda, Hinata and the bodyguard. It was strange that they had to be watched when out on something simple like a school trip, but of course, they were all quite important people. Especially the princess amongst them.

“Oh, d-dear!” Tsumiki immediately squeaked, pressing her hand to Hinata’s forehead. “Hinata-Kun! You’re burning up! A-are you sick? I’m so sorry! P-please don’t be angry at me! I knew I should have paid better a-attention to you! You’re not used to the s-sudden London cold, are you? Ah! I’m s-so s-sorry, so sorry-”

“Tsumiki-Chan, it’s really okay,” Hinata said nervously, gently prying her hand away from his forehead. “It’s not a fever, it’s just-” his gaze nervously flicked towards Komaeda, who was thankfully too busy staring out of the window to notice. “I’m just a bit embarrassed with the bodyguard here, is all.”

“Are you sure? I’m s-still going to get a good look at you when we g-go to the hotel. I’m so sorry!” she bowed her head, hands clasped in her lap.

“Oi! Tsumiki, Hinata’s fine, he probably just got a good look at some cute lady! Am I right?” Souda grinned, showing Hinata a thumbs up. “Atta lad!”

Kuzuryu elbowed Souda in the ribs forcefully. “Stop being such an idiot, Souda.”

“What!? What did I do now?”

“If you really can’t tell, that’s really on you,” he said, before crossing his arms and shooting Hinata and Komaeda a meaningful look that Hinata really didn’t like the implications of. He shook his head, staring out of the window like Komaeda as his friends bickered in the cab.

“Oh! You’ll never guess what happened!” Souda finally shrieked, grabbing the attention of everyone present. “Miss Sonia- agreed to a date!”

“What, really?” Komaeda asked, eyes widened. His face broke out into a wide smile. “Good on you, Souda-Kun!”

“No way she agreed to go on a date with a bozo like you,” Kuzuryu scoffed, while Mikan trembled in the corner.

“N-no offence, but-”

“Oi! You’re gonna say something mean, huh? You too, Tsumiki!? Whenever someone starts with, ‘no offence,’ you know it’s gonna be rude,” Souda frowned, crossing his arms with a pout. “And…well, it wasn’t exactly a date. She said she’d agree to hang out with me…but Tanaka’s coming too. Still! I’m sure she’ll ditch him once she’s charmed by me and my looks and humour!” he cheered, wiggling his eyebrows in a very un-charming manner.

Everyone groaned.

-

It wasn’t too long after that before the class arrived at the hotel, clambering over each other to push themselves out of cabs, yelping at they got accidentally slapped in the face by each other’s flailing limbs. Souda was the first out of the car after kneeing Kuzuryu in the stomach and pushing past him.

“You’re gonna pay for that, Souda!” the yakuza shouted after him as Souda sprinted into the hotel, barely managing in time to hide behind Yukizome as Kuzuryu drew closer.

Hinata rolled his eyes, opting to exit out of the other set of car doors instead. He held them open for a shaking Tsumiki, who would not stop spluttering gratitude despite the insignificant nature of the action, and Komaeda, who graciously thanked him and waited for them to enter the hotel together.

The other half of the class, consisting of Naegi, Togami, Kirigiri and that lot, arrived shortly after Hinata’s class did. Makoto was at the front of the class, chattering eagerly with his friends, while Kirigiri and Togami listened intently with similar levels of affection. It was strange how two people as cold as them could break down their masks in front of someone like Naegi.

Taking a glance at Komaeda, Hinata sighed and wished that someone would think the same of him.

It wasn’t that there was anything particularly wrong with their relationship. On the contrary, Hinata considered Komaeda to be his best friend, despite all of his…quirks. He was a strange individual with terrible social skills. He could never tell if what he was saying was meant to be an insult or a compliment and sometimes, Hinata wondered if Komaeda even knew the difference between the two. He had a dark sense of humour and made jokes at the most inappropriate times- Hinata was sure he’d try to crack one at a funeral one day.

He was insanely intelligent though. And so quick-witted. Even without his luck, Hajime was certain that he’d achieve so much in life, just riding by on his enormous brain.

Most of their classmates considered him crazy. Hinata thought about this as their sensei signed them all in at the reception.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t see why they thought this of him- he certainly acted insane at times. What with his delirious speeches on hope and despair and the delicate balance between the two, how any act in the name of hope could be justified, even murder.

Hajime wished he could break past this mask that he had put up and get to know the real Komaeda. Get to know his emotions past the usual blank smile.

He glanced at his friend, who looked back with an eager grin. There it was again. Hinata flashed him a half-hearted one of his own, then turned back to stare at the floor, wistfully carrying himself off to fantasies where Komaeda was easy to understand.

Once Yukizome signed them all in, the class flooded into their rooms, each of which contained four queen-sized beds and a bathroom. It was a luxury hotel, afterall. Hinata, Komaeda, Souda and Kuzuryu all shared a room, as before the trip had even taken place, the teachers gave the kids a chance to room together with their friends. Those who didn’t sign up to pick were just placed in random with their classmates.

Souda hopped onto his bed and straightaway began jumping up and down on it, bouncing like a rambunctious mouse.

“Get down from there before you break it, dumbass,” Kuzuryu shouted at Souda, shaking his fist at him like a deranged old man. “I certainly won’t take the blame when Yukizome-Sensei comes asking.”

Souda grimaced, then dropped into a cross-legged seated position on the bed. He blew a raspberry in Kuzuryu’s direction. “You’re completely no fun! It’s like everything I do- there you are ruining my joy.”

Komaeda flopped down onto Hinata’s bed, resting his head in his hands. “We have free reign over London now, Hinata-Kun. Would you mind if I tagged along with wherever you’re going?”

Hinata eagerly nodded, sitting down opposite his best friend. “Of course! You know I lov- like spending time with you,” he said, somewhat sheepishly towards the end.

Komaeda beamed; a beautiful smile that sent shivers through Hinata’s heart- for some odd reason. Hinata shook his head, then smiled to himself absentmindedly.

“Is…there something on my face?” Komaeda frowned, a puzzled look creeping over his features.

Eyes widening as he realised he’d been staring again, Hinata choked. “Ah- uh- no- there was just- you know- It’s nothing.”

Komaeda tilted his head to the side, curls swaying in time with the motion, before closing his eyes and nodding with acceptance. “If you say so. I trust you, Hinata-Kun.”

Such a remark didn’t have to send electric sparks through Hinata’s brain, and yet it did. It did so immensely.

“Right,” he said, in a somewhat restrained manner. Now was not the time to be behaving like a complete and utter weirdo.

-

Later, the two left the hotel room, pockets weighed down with the allowance of British pounds that the school gave them for their trip, varying levels of excitement discernable in their expressions. Hinata’s disposition was edged with anxiety, the awkward kind that always seemed visible with him, while Komaeda’s face was decorated with an exuberant grin that on him, was quite unsettling. Or so many said.

They decided to visit bustling market first, as per Komaeda’s suggestion. It would be easy to get lost, Hinata thought with distaste, not quite liking the idea of wandering around an overcrowded market without his friend there with him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side,” Komaeda assured him with a small laugh, which he tried to stifle by covering his mouth with his hand. Cute.

“What if you get lost?” Hinata asked accusingly, dismissing the previous embarrassing thought. Komaeda was not cute. Well, under certain lights Hinata supposed he looked decent and he could understand why some girls might be into him but it was not like Hinata was interested-

“Why don’t I hold onto your sleeve then? So neither of us wanders off,” Komaeda suggested as they reached the entrance to the market.

Hinata shrugged, but held out his arm for Komaeda to loosely tug at anyway. He tried not to think about how they were almost holding hands.

They ventured into the market, which was packed with people- the air thick with the stench of bustling humanity. People that reeked of smoke, perfume or food all milled around the two boys, who stuck close together out of necessity- you know, to not get lost.

The entire place was so colourful it almost made Hinata’s eyes hurt. There were oceans of jewel-tone fruits positioned like soldiers on the front lines in baskets by fruit stalls- pink, tender pig’s flesh hanging on glinting silver hooks from the tops of the tents- gleaming minerals stacked together by a witch’s shop along with swaying pendulums and pentacles that looked an awful lot like eyes.

Komaeda and Hinata approached the witch’s stall by Komaeda’s request. The lady sitting by the table had a beautiful silk red scarf draped over her head, the ends decked out with silver tassles. Her eyes were twinkly and green, while her hair remained a vibrant pink with only a few grey streaks. She strangely reminded Hinata of a wiser, kinder-looking Souda.

“Look, Hinata-Kun! Aren’t they so pretty?” Komaeda asked, pointing at the rows of gemstone necklaces and bracelets.

The lady chuckled, before picking out two pale pink bracelets. “Ah, I’m assuming rose quartz for the pair of you?”

Hinata’s eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise. “You speak Japanese?” He glanced at Komaeda to see his reaction, surprised to see his face turning bright, beetroot red. He had let go of Hinata’s sleeve, keeping his hands to himself, close to his chest.

“Ah, no, actually,” he spluttered.

Hinata raised an eyebrow. “What? Are you okay?” he asked with concern, placing a hand gently against his forehead. Uncharacteristically, Komaeda batted his hands away.

“I’m fine,” he assured Hinata, though he still sounded flustered. The lady sighed, then nodded with understanding.

“I see. My mistake.”

“But…I would like that peridot necklace,” Komaeda hummed thoughtfully. The woman eyed Hinata over the brim of her glasses, then nodded decidedly, packaging up the necklace while Komaeda payed. He thanked the lady then gingerly tugged at Hinata’s sleeve once again.

“Why’d you choose that one?” Hinata asked, honestly to make smalltalk.

Komaeda stared at him long and hard, before shaking his head with a slight laugh. “I just…it reminds me of something pretty.”

Slightly puzzled by this response, Hinata tilted his head to the side slightly, but said nothing more. They visited several more stalls, before finally deciding to head out of the market.

They were just about to exit, when Hinata spotted a group of children barrelling towards him and Komaeda. Letting out a quick gasp, he grabbed Komaeda’s hand and pulled him to the side to avoid being knocked over. Komaeda sucked in a surprised breath, before stepping closer to Hinata instinctively.

They were a few inches apart now, hands tightly clasped together between them.

Hinata’s heart sped up as he realised how truly close he was to his best friend. He could feel Komaeda’s soft breathing against his lips and the way that he lightly squeezed Hinata’s hand, as if afraid he’d run away. As if Hinata would ever.

He knew he should step away, but no force on Earth could have compelled him to move in that moment, when the busy market fizzled away like bubbles in a bath.

“Sorry- I- uh- was just trying to get away before the kids- they were running. And stuff,” Hinata frantically explained. It was a difficult thing to do, as he was completely mesmerised by Komaeda’s eyes. They were- for lack of a better word- absolutely beautiful. Swirling, glittering grey, like a storm with lightning crackling behind the storms. Or a witch’s dark cauldron where something nefarious was brewing. It was absolutely enchanting.

Komaeda reached up a hand, as if to gently touch Hinata’s cheek, before a hesitant expression took its place in his face and he let his hand drop. “Right. Well- we should probably leave before we get knocked over by someone else.”

Hinata nodded, feeling his heart still thudding away in his chest. He lead Komaeda out of the market, before they stood together and tried to decide what to do next. Hinata was well aware of the fact that they were still holding hands.

-

They went to grab something to eat, then journeyed back towards the hotel when it was getting dark. The streetlamps were luridly shining, nearly blinding with their buttery yellow light. Komaeda walked closer to the inside of the street, as with his luck- a car would come speeding through and knock right into him. Of course, with the other side of the coin, he’d meet a producer at the hospital who’d want to publish a musical about his life, which would make him famous and rich.

Walking on the inside of the road wouldn’t really stop a speeding car, but at the very least, it made Komaeda feel safer, which was a good enough justification for Hinata.

A man turned the corner and began nearing the boys. His face was majorly obscured by his hat and scarf, though his hooked nose protruded out like a bird’s beak, visible despite the coverings. His hands were in his pockets, which were sewn onto a large trench coat that covered his entire frame, making his figure impossible to discern.

Komaeda and Hinata chatted about one thing or the other, though Hinata wasn’t really listening. He was too focused on the proximity between the two and the way that his fingers seemed to brush Komaeda’s at each footstep. Would it be appropriate to take his hand again? Probably not, Hinata thought resentfully. It would be strange to just grab his hand out of nowhere, especially when he had no excuse to do so.

When the man passed them, it took Hinata a moment to realise that Komaeda was lagging behind. He turned around, then felt his blood run cold.

The man had his arm wrapped around Komaeda’s body, a gleaming knife pressed to his throat. Hinata’s stomach turned in upon itself, writhing in the adrenaline that coursed its way through his body. He bit his tongue, swallowing hard as he raised his hands and took a step back.

His English was limited, but he could understand perfectly when the man said, “Give me your phone, your money and anything else, or I kill him.”

Hinata’s hands scrambled for his pockets, ready to give anything the man wanted in return for Komaeda. Random madmen on the street were not to be bargained with, he decided in that moment. Not when someone like Nagito was in danger.

“Don’t bother, Hinata-Kun,” Komaeda’s voice rang out. “I’m not worth it. Even if he kills me…I’m willing to just be a stepping stone so that you can get away. Maybe…maybe my death will even inspire hope back amongst our classmates. Bring them together. I’m not worth your belongings, Hinata-Kun.”

“Stop whispering in whatever the fuck language that is,” the man gruffly ordered, his brusque, acerbic disposition making itself very apparent. “Just hand over the belongings.”

“Let me me a stepping stone…” Komaeda muttered, before yelping slightly as the blade dug deeper into the pale skin over his neck.

Hinata was horrified at Komaeda’s words. How could he say stuff like that? Hinata was perhaps realising why his classmates called Komaeda insane. His heart pounding in his ears, hands shaking, he took his phone out of his pocket and reached over to hand it to the man.

As he reached to grab the phone, Hinata got a good look at his face. His eyes were sunken in and his skin was droopy and wrinkled. There was not a single trace of merry youth in his eyes, which were dull and grey like the concrete below their feet. He looked old, perhaps a druggie, too.

Either way, Hinata made a split second decision. He dropped his phone onto the ground. The man looked temporarily stunned, eyes following the phone to the floor, giving Hinata a precious moment to enact his impulsive plan.

He grabbed the arm holding the knife, then twisted it from around Komaeda and against his back, causing the man to let out a shriek of agony. Hinata pried the knife from his disgusting grip, then, trembling slightly, stepped back, pointing it at the man as if it were a gun.

When the man recovered and went to round on the boys, Hinata closed his eyes and rammed the knife forward, propelling it into the stranger’s hand. He let out a screech.

“Come on!” Hinata yelled, grabbing Komaeda’s arm and yanking him forward, running with him down the street until they were far away enough that the man wouldn’t catch them.

They both slowed, able to see the hotel in the distance. Breathing heavily, Komaeda turned towards Hinata, brows furrowed.

“Hinata-Kun, you shouldn’t have done that. What if there were cameras? You’ll get into trouble.”

Breath heaving at a similar pace, Hinata stood up straight, glaring at Komaeda. “So what? He was trying to hurt you.”

Komaeda shook his head, as if in disappointment. “Hinata-Kun…I’m not worth it. I’m just meant to be a stepping stone to the true, pure, beautiful hope inside each of you. I’m not…I’m not special in that way.”

“What the hell are you on about?” Hinata asked, frustration mounting. “Of course you’re special. Of course you matter. You life is just as precious as mine. It doesn’t matter if I get in trouble, because I was defending you. I’m glad to get into trouble if it was for a noble cause.”

“You…it doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have done that. You should have let him kill me. He was crazy enough to do it. Imagine the hope that it would inspire-”

“Don’t you see?” Hinata stepped forward, arms shaking at his sides, both from anger and residual fear. “The hope wouldn’t mean anything if you weren’t here.”

“Why do you care so much about a nobody like me, Hinata-Kun? Why do you bother to hang out with me when…when nobody else would. Why do you stick around as if I matter? Are you foolish, or are you perhaps brave? Are you wiser than even I gave you credit for? Why do you do these things. I just can’t figure you out.” Tears were streaming down his face at this point, irregular, shiny lines down his face that glistened in the lamp light. “I don’t matter. I don’t matter at all. It doesn’t matter whether I live or die. All that matters is that everyone else is okay. I never mattered.

You shouldn’t care about me, Hinata-Kun. You should care about somebody who’s worth it. Somebody who isn’t a garbage human worthy of being naught but a stepping stone. I-”

Komaeda suddenly stopped, silenced by Hinata’s mouth against his. It was a gentle kiss- their lips barely touching, brushing against each other like blossoms in the wind. It sent electricity down Hinata’s spine and he shivered, reaching up a hand to cup Komaeda’s cheek.

He pulled away, face flushed. “You matter to me, Komaeda. I care about you. You mean so much to me, more than you realise. You’re…I could spend hours talking about how much you mean to me. How much you make me care about you.”

Komaeda’s eyes were wide and he blinked back the falling tears to no avail. He lifted his hand and placed it on Hinata’s, lacing their fingers together and pulling his hand down towards his chest. Hinata could feel Komaeda’s heartbeat, rhythmic and fast. Like an excited dance by a group of overzealous performers.

“Hinata-Kun…I don’t know what to say…”

“Then don’t say anything. Just stop talking bad about yourself. You- you deserve to live. Had…had I lost you back there…I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. You matter, Komaeda.”

Komaeda blushed, looking away from Hinata with red dusting his cheeks, a colour that stood out beautifully against his pale complexion. “Hinata…you’re…you’re too good for me.”

“We’re good enough for each other, I think,” Hinata said with a soft smile. Komaeda looked momentarily stunned, before letting out a small laugh, matching Hinata’s smile.

-

Later that night, after the excitement of the day, Hinata and Komaeda lay in their hotel room, unable to fall asleep. Kuzuryu and Souda were both snoring loudly in their beds like trumpets.

Komaeda lazily turned in his bed, facing Hinata. He smiled at him, before shyly looking away, probably remembering the moments outside of the hotel earlier. Hinata thought he looked cute when slightly shy. Suddenly feeling bold, bolder than usual, Hinata pulled his covers off himself and walked over to Komaeda’s bedside.

“Budge over,” he instructed in a whisper.

Komaeda obliged, though he looked a bit confused. Hinata climbed into his bed, wrapping his arms around Komaeda’s waist.

“Hinata, what if Souda and Kuzuryu wake up?”

“They got in at 3am today, they’re not waking up for a while,” Hinata said dismissively, an odd sort of smile playing at his lips. Komaeda grinned, stupidly happy for his friend’s insistence. He reached up a hand and brushed his thumb against Hinata’s jaw, before leaning forward and pressing his lips to his.

The End.