#I really think the next game will be in sync with our time

[thingsmysplattershotjrtoldme]

Splat 4 Past Inspired Ideas

• Hub area could be Calamari County or perhaps a repurposed Octarian Dome taken to the surface. Could lead to a bit of world building ethier way

• More traditional Japanese inspired gear, like yukatas and kimonos, or more in general folk garb from around the world. Conversely, more traditional Octarian garb could be available as gear, again, more world building for Octarians especially

• New weapons inspired by historical weapons, maybe a full-on mobile ink cannon or maybe something calvary inspired. Maybe riding onto stage on customizeable sea horses?

• Lore based story mode. Perhaps someone stole the ancient OctoWeapons and it's our job to return them to the domes and take down whoever is stealing them (It is NOT Octavio or someone similar, it's probably Lil' Judd trying to find more ways to wipe out the Salmonids or take out OG Judd)

• Potential friendly Salmonids if the hub is a repurposed dome. Much harder Salmon Run because of Grand Run

Just because Team Past won doesn't mean we're going back in time! I honestly think they'll go for a more traditional aesthetic with a punk twist as always!

Also, possible Present and Future DLCs!

[thenyoumightaswellwrestleangels]

You are not poison here (and you never really were)

let me wrap my teeth around the world - series masterlist here

pairing: poly marauders x reader (gender neutral)

length: 1.6k

genre: fluff, comfort for the hurt

warnings: slytherin reader, quidditch player reader, bestie peter is back, good feels all around

a/n: the promised happy ending of Is there hope in us, still? (is there something worth believing in?)

You're already in the Great Hall when they come down for breakfast, Peter chatting animatedly with them while Sirius sulks behind, his hands shoved in his pockets. James and Remus don't have to think about slowing their pace to match his - it's second nature, at this point, to be so in sync.

James stutters to a stop in the entryway though, Peter slamming into him and making some quip about James needing to turn his break lights on if he's going to keep doing that. James isn't really listening to him, though, his eyes trained on where you're sitting at the Slytherin table, shoving Evan Rosier lovingly while he laughs.

"Oh," Peter says when he follows James's gaze. "That's nice, isn't it?" Remus smiles and bumps his shoulder against Pete's. Even Sirius looks towards you, leaning slightly as if he's being pulled in your direction. James puts his hand on Sirius's shoulder gently, slowly, walking with him to the Gryffindor table.

"Maybe they'll come and join us, yea?" He says gently, but he recognizes the long-suffering look in Sirius's eyes. You're getting better. You're getting better but it's not with them. It's not with him. Maybe the only thing you needed was to be somewhere he's not.

Sirius, thankfully, doesn't get much further than that, his spiralling making his legs heavy as he sits down with the others, Peter on his left while James and Remus sit across from them. Peter slides a plate towards him and Sirius wishes desperately that he was a better person.

You're standing up from your table as they sit down, though, clapping Evan on the back as you leave. Sirius finds himself holding his breath as you slide into the seat next to him, ruffling Peter's hair on your way past and letting a small smile grace your lips as he grumbles and smoothes through the mussed strands with his fingers. Sirius thinks maybe if he doesn't move, maybe if he doesn't breathe, you won't notice him - won't notice the damage he does to himself and others, the poison that leaches from him and spills out.

But you just smile at him, a tentative, unpracticed sort of thing, and he exhales deeply and lets his shoulders drop while you turn to greet the others as well. Your leg brushes Sirius's under the table and someone cracks a joke he half hears and he thinks maybe there's something other than venom running through his veins - maybe there has to be for him to have something as good as this.

"Rosie thinks he and I should get some extra practice in before the first game of the season - you know, just to make sure we beat Gryffindor again." Your voice doesn't have quite it's usual haughty, teasing lilt, but getting closer, and James lets out an unflattering sound of betrayal at your words.

"Again?" He says indignantly. "We've beat you lot our fair share of times, alright? And besides, you two cheat." He says it loudly enough that your fellow beater can hear from the Slytherin table, Evan turning to glare at James while you huff out an almost laugh. The sound is enough to make them all soften, Remus smiling at you gently as Sirius stares. Maybe, he thinks, there is hope in me after all.

The steps are slow, after that, but they are steps nonetheless. Another small smile, another quiet laugh - another bit of weight lifted off James's lungs, another whisper of insecurity silenced in Remus's mind. The two of them are lounging in the common room, Remus trying desperately to finish his essay while James talks about god knows what, when you and Sirius come in. He's got a scowl on his face, stomping across the floor as you clamber in after him, talking desperately. 

"You are so wrong about this, Sirius," you say breathlessly, willing yourself to keep up with his long strides as he marches up the stairs to his dorm. "This is a bad idea - You know it is. No, don't look at me like that, just listen -"

The sound trails off as you disappear up the winding staircase and James, now silent, looks at Remus with a pout. Remus just smiles quietly in response - they both know what this is about. 

Sirius comes back downstairs with his arms full of records, thumping the stack down on one of the common room tables and sorting through them. You stand opposite him, arms crossed and nose turned up.

"This party is going to suck because you have horrible taste in music -" Sirius makes a wounded sport of noise at your accusation and places a hand over his heart.

"Horrible taste? That's not what you said when we were in Moony's bed the other -"

"Alright!" You announce. Remus has looked up at the two of you with mild amusement and James doesn't even attempt to hide his laugh. "Not always. But this time, you do - this time, it's music for the first Gryffindor party of the new school year. Is this what you want everyone to remember from it?" You pick up a record, making a bemused face that they all know is just for show. "Your weird music?"

"Snakes don't get opinions on Gryffindor parties, doll," he says as he snatches it back from you. "And just because you insist on playing the Bee Gees at every Slytherin party doesn't mean we have to follow suit."

"Do not say anything about the Bee Gees. I swear to god, I'll…" You watch him sort another record into the yes pile and your mouth drops open. "Anyway, we're together. Your reputation is my reputation. James faceplanted off his broom last week and people have been doubting my quidditch skills ever since."

"Not to mention doubting our taste in partners after seeing it," Remus adds. You smile triumphantly as James slides off the couch and onto the floor dramatically, burying his face into a pillow. Your joy is interrupted, however, by Sirius apparently being finished with his sorting, hauling the no pile into his arms and moving to bring them back upstairs. You make an indignant, panicked noise as you snatch a record off the table and chase after, him, stepping over James so that you can clamber over the back of the couch.

"No, I'm serious -"

"No, I am." Sirius doesn't break stride as he begins up the staircase again.

"I'm just saying - Waterloo? Really? Because Angel Eyes is such a good song and it's obviously better and - what? Don't look at me like that. I mean, if you're going to play ABBA, you might as well play a good one and -" Your voice trails off up the stairs again while James peaks out from under his pillow.

"Come back up here, love." Remus pats the space next to him on the couch, his eyes still focused on his essay. James spends a great deal of time grumbling and whining about the humiliation of it all, insisting that his fall in that quidditch game wasn't even that bad. By the time he's climbing into his lap, disrupting Remus from his studying as he plants himself firmly in the boy's field of vision, you and Sirius are coming back downstairs.

You sit on the other end of the couch, your pout prominent as Sirius dips down to press a kiss to your cheek, one hand raking through his now disheveled hair.

"You forgot to fix your tie after," James says cheerily, his face smushed against Remus's neck.

"You're one to talk," you grumble, reaching up to fix your tie, nonetheless. You don't get very far, though, as Sirius plants himself next to you, rearranging you so that your legs are thrown over his lap before he bats your hands away. 

"We're all finished with classes for the day, lovely, you might as well take it off," he says as he loosens your tie until the knot comes undone, throwing it over one of his shoulders, instead. His one tie is nowhere to be found, the collar of his shirt hanging comfortably with the first two buttons popped open.

"Careful, Sirius." You poke at his cheek and he snaps his teeth at your finger playfully. "Someone might think you're in the wrong house if you go around with those colours on display. They might get the wrong idea about you."

"Well," he sighs, throwing his arm across the back of the couch so that he can smooth a hand over Remus's hair before settling his fingers at the base of his neck. "Your reputation is my reputation, pretty thing. It's probably a little too late to worry about people thinking the wrong things."

He grins as he says it, a pretty sort of look flashing across his face that has you leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheek before you let your forehead rest against his shoulder. He smooths the hand that isn't preoccupied with Remus's hair down your back and James reaches forward to trace idle shapes over Sirius's thigh.

There's a silence that overtakes you all then, a comfort that blankets you as you quiet down. Remus, his hand rubbing up and down James's back as he leans his head into Sirius's touch - his hands helping, his soul healing. James, pressed as much as he can against the people he loves - the desperation to make it all right quelled by the love that sits so prominently in his chest.

And then there's Sirius, safe and whole and pressing a kiss to your forehead while you relax against him. There's a peace that overtakes the two of you, something kind and gentle that feels a lot like hope. A stability feels a lot like love.

[tammyjackson50-blog]

Unspoken Attraction\\ S.M

Summary: When your dance partner gets sick right before the biggest competition of the year, you're stuck in a nightmare. Your teacher’s solution? Pair you with the one person you can’t stand. Now you’re forced to rehearse every day with the guy you’ve spent years avoiding. The worst part? He's actually good, and he enjoys it.

~~

The dance studio buzzed with excitement as the upcoming competition was getting close. It was a 2000's hip-hop couple dance, and everyone was eager to prove themselves. Y/n stood with her friends when her phone rang. Looking at the screen, she saw it was her dance partner, Jake.

"Hey, Jake! What's up, my guy?" she answered, "Y/n, just don't kill me, okay? I... I can't do it," Jake's voice was strained, tinged with guilt. "I've tested positive for COVID. I'm really sick and there's no way I'll be ready by next week." Y/n's heart sank "What? Where the hell did you get covid from?? No, Jake, this can't be happening omg, the competition is next week. We were so ready." "I know, I'm so sorry. You need to find someone else, Y/n. There's no other way."

" I hope that you'll get better, except me coming for you in your dreams." He laughs. " I'm glad to know that I have such a good friend like you." She ended the call, her mind racing "Guys, Jake's out. He somehow got COVID in 2024 and can't compete," she said, feeling stressed.

Nearby, Sam Monroe leaned against the wall, surrounded by his group. His eyes was on Y/n, he heard the conversation. They had always been rivals, their competitiveness simmering with unspoken attraction. He walked passed her, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Trouble in paradise, Y/n?" Sam's tone was teasing, but his eyes held a glint of something more. Y/n glared at him, not in the mood for his games "Oh ,not now, Sam." Their dance teacher, Mr. Bradley overheard the exchange and stepped in. "Sam, you know our policy. We help each other out. Y/n needs a partner, and you're one of our best." Sam crossed his arms, feigning indifference. "I don't do couple dances, Mr. Bradley. You know that. I prefer solo or group routines."

Mr. Bradley sighed, clearly frustrated. "Sam, you have the skills, and you know it. Y/n needs you. Step up." Sam looked at Y/n, who was biting her lip in worry. He could sense her desperation and the weight of the competition pressing down on her.

"Fine," he said rolling his eyes. "But only because I don't want our studio to look bad." Y/n looked up, surprised "Wait, really? You're going to partner with me?" Sam shrugged "Looks like it. Don't think this changes anything between us, I'm still going to outdance you." Her competitive spirit flared "Ha, We'll see about that, Monroe." He looked at you with no expression "we'll do it when we'll be alone" and turned around, leaving you annoyed yet somehow relaxed, knowing that you are not out of the competition.

Later that day, as the sun has set, the studio had emptied out, leaving just Y/n and Sam. Neither of them wanted to stay, but they know that they had to practice together. The silence was very awkward

Sam sighed, breaking the quiet "I can't believe that I need to do that... and with you." Y/n shot him a look, "Yeah, well, I didn't ask for this either, Monroe, but thanks, I guess."

They stood in the middle of the dance floor, the studio dimly lit around them. It was their first time being alone together like this...

"Okay, um, this is our song," Y/n said, her voice a bit softer. She walked over to the sound system and pressed play. The beat of a 2000s hip-hop track filled the room. Sam listened, his face unreadable "Classic choice. Guess you have some taste after all."

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Don't get too cocky. We still have to sync up, and that means actually working together." He smirked. “I hope you can catch up with the dance,” Y/n said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Sam rolled his eyes, a smirk on his lips. “Just show me the moves, Y/n, I’ll manage.” Y/n sighed, stepping into the center of the studio. “Alright, let’s start with the basics. This is the routine Jake and I came up with.”

She began to demonstrate the steps, her movements fluid and precise. Sam watched intently, surprisingly focused. He mimicked her moves, catching on quickly. “Not bad, Monroe,” she admitted reluctantly. “But you’re still not hitting the beats right. Watch my feet.” Sam’s eyes followed her every move, his gaze intense. “Got it.” As they continued, Y/n couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he picked up the dance. It irritated her that he was good at everything, even when he pretended not to care. He was Sam Monroe, after all, always cocky and insufferable.

Then came the part of the routine that made Y/n a bit uncomfy. It was a move that required them to get close. “Okay, this next part is... a bit different,” she said, “We have to be really in sync, just... follow my lead.”

She stepped closer to him, feeling his warmth. Their bodies moved together, the music guiding them. As their hips swayed and their chests brushed against each other, the air between them grew thick with unspoken tension. It was hard to focus on the steps when her heart was racing. Sam’s hands gripped her waist, pulling her slightly closer. His breath was hot against her ear. “Like this?” Y/n swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. “Y-Yeah, just like that.”

The moment felt electric, a dance of challenge and desire. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, it was as if the rivalry had melted away, leaving only the raw attraction between them. Just then, the moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. her friend, Clara, poked her head in. “Hey, I forgot my water bottle.” Y/n stepped back quickly, her face flushed. “It’s over there on the bench.”

Clara grabbed her bottle, glancing curiously between them. “Thanks.. See you tomorrow.”

As the door closed behind her, Y/n and Sam stood there, the tension still lingering but now mixed with a hint of awkwardness. “We should call it a night,” Y/n said, avoiding his gaze. “We’ve covered enough for today.” Sam nodded, “Sure, same time tomorrow?” “Yeah,” she replied, already heading for the door. “Same time.”

As you hurried towards the bus station, your mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. "What the fuck was that?" You muttered under your breath, replaying the intense practice session with Sam over and over in your head. Why did Mr. Bradley have to pair us up? I could have found another partner......... I think.

Lost in thoughts, you didn't notice the car pulling up beside you until the window rolled down, revealing Sam's smirking face. "Need a ride?" he asked casually, as if the charged atmosphere from earlier hadn't existed at all. "No thanks, Sam," you replied firmly,as you walked towards the bus station He drove slowly beside you, "Are you sure? I can take you home," he offered. I couldn't help but laugh, though there was a hint of disbelief in it. "I'm good, Sam," I said, shaking my head slightly. He matched my laughter with a smirk, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he drove away, leaving me with a mix of relief and a bit of confusion.

---- Later that night, as I lay in bed, I remembered that I had promised to show Sam a video of one of my recent practices with Jake. I found the video on my phone and sent it to him, along with a quick message.

-"Forgot to show you this earlier, this is what the dance is supposed to look like"

I was already ready to turn off my phone and go to sleep, but to my surprise, Sam replied almost immediately.

-"Watching it now. Let's see if you and Jake are really that good"

A moment later, another message popped up.

-"Okay, not bad. You two look pretty comfortable together"

um

-"Thanks, I guess? you know, Jake and I have been dancing for a long time now"

-"That part where you guys get really close... looks a bit too comfortable if you ask me"

-"'It's called chemistry, Monroe. Something you might want to work on"

-"Oh, I have chemistry, Y/n. Just not with everyone."

-"Maybe you should try being less cocky and more focused then."

-"Maybe I just need the right partner" ouch "Too bad you and Jake were so cozy. Wonder if you'll miss him during that part".

I rolled my eyes, feeling the irritation bubbling up again.

-"We’re just dancing, Sam. Not everything has to be a big deal"

-"Sure, sure. Just seemed like you were enjoying it a bit too much. Can you handle the same with me?"

His comment made my heart skip a beat, and I quickly typed back.

-"I can handle anything, Monroe,just try to keep up."

-"Challenge accepted, Goodnight, Y/n"

-"Goodnight, Sam."

You were really annoyed by him. As if dealing with Sam Monroe in person wasn't enough, now he was getting under your skin through text messages too. You couldn't deny there was something about his cocky attitude that got to you, but you refused to let it show. With a sigh, you turned off your phone and tried to focus on getting some sleep.

-----

The next day, you arrived at the studio and sat down with your friends, glancing around the room. Sam was nowhere to be seen.

"Is he serious?" you muttered under your breath, pulling out your phone. You quickly typed a message to him.

-"Where are you? We're supposed to be practicing."

You tapped your foot impatiently, waiting for a response. A few minutes later, your phone buzzed.

-"Relax, I'm on my way. Traffic."

You rolled your eyes, not buying his excuse.

-"Traffic, huh? Sure you're not just trying to avoid practice?"

~"Why would I do that? I enjoy our little sessions."

-"Well, hurry up. We don’t have all day."

~"Don't worry, I won't leave you hanging."

You put your phone away, still irritated but trying to focus on the routine. Your friends were doing their thing, but your mind was elsewhere, finally, the studio door opened, and Sam walked in, looking as relaxed as ever.

"Morning," he greeted casually, his eyes meeting yours with a familiar glint of mischief. "You're late," you shot back, crossing your arms. "Traffic, remember?" he said with a smirk. "Let's get to work."

It going to be another interesting day.

You played the music and started practicing, diving straight into the routine. The energy of the hip-hop beat drove your movements, pushing you both to sync up despite the tension. You approached the part of the dance you hadn’t practiced yesterday a challenging sequence that required trust and coordination.

“Alright, this is the part where I run and jump into your arms,” you said, already anticipating Sam’s cocky response. “Then I slide under you, between your legs, and get up smoothly. After that, you need to hold my leg around your thigh.”

Sam raised an eyebrow, his signature smirk appearing. “Sounds easy enough. Ready when you are.”

You rolled your eyes, taking a deep breath. “I know it's very tempting for you not to catch me when I jump, but please, for the sake of the dance, just do it right.”

He chuckled. “I got you, Y/n. Don’t worry.”

The music built up, and you took off, running towards him. With a leap, you trusted Sam to catch you, and to your surprise, he did. You slid under him, moving smoothly between his legs, and then rose gracefully, positioning your leg for him to hold. His hands found their place around your thigh, holding you firmly. The last moment of the dance, your bodies locked in a pose that was both intense and intimate. You could feel his breath, steady and controlled, as he held you in place.

“Not bad, Monroe,” you said, slightly breathless. “Thanks,” he replied, his voice low “You’re not too shabby yourself.” You both stayed in that position for a beat longer than necessary, the music fading out. The air between you was charged, the dance pushing you closer both physically and emotionally.

Finally, you stepped back.

“Let’s run it again,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady. “Okay” Sam replied, his smirk back in place. “Just don’t expect me to always be this nice.” "That's the last thing I expected from you, Monroe" I quipped, feeling a mix of surprise and amusement as we ran through the jump sequence again. This time, when I tried to move away at the end of the routine, Sam didn't release my leg,his grip was firm, teasingly defiant. As his smirk widened, clearly enjoying the moment, I decided to play along. In response to his playful teasing and to assert a bit of control, I lightly tapped his stomach with my knee. It was enough to catch him off guard, making him release his hold with a surprised laugh.

"Touché," Sam chuckled, rubbing his stomach lightly where I had nudged him. "Didn't know you had it in you." I shrugged nonchalantly, masking the flicker of satisfaction at having caught him off balance. "You should know better than annoy me, Monroe."

He grinned, the tension between us easing into a more playful banter. "Noted. But admit it, Y/n, you enjoyed that."

I rolled my eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a direct answer. "Let's just focus on getting this routine right, okay?"

Sam nodded, the competitive glint returning to his eyes. "Deal. But just so you know, I'm not going easy on you." "Good," I replied, a challenge in my tone.

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

--

A few hours later, you and Sam were both exhausted and drenched in sweat. Your shirt clung to your body, and though you didn't notice, Sam's gaze lingered a bit longer, an unfamiliar feeling stirring within him.

"Officer, can I go home already? I'm sick," Sam joked, his voice dripping with mock desperation. You laughed, rolling your eyes. "Just one more time, Monroe. We need to nail this."

He groaned playfully, but there was a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Alright, one more time. But after this, I'm taking a break."

You both took your positions, the music starting up again. Despite the fatigue, you moved through the routine with a renewed sense of purpose. When you reached the jump, Sam caught you effortlessly, and you slid under him smoothly.

As you rose and positioned your leg for him to hold, there was a brief moment where your eyes met. The intensity in his gaze caught you off guard, but you quickly refocused on the dance. His grip on your thigh was firm yet gentle, and you could feel the heat radiating between you two.

When the music faded out, you both stood there, catching your breath. "See? That wasn't so bad," you said, trying to keep your tone light. Sam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, you did alright." You rolled your eyes, but couldn't suppress a grin. "Get some rest, Monroe. We'll pick this up tomorrow."

"Sure thing, Y/n," he replied, his eyes lingering on you for a moment longer before he turned to grab his stuff.

-Yo yo, I think that I stared writing this 3 months ago, what do you think?

[jamminlocks]

Just a Wink - pt 2 {Suna x Reader}

Tags: Flirting, flirting strangers, Fluff, Humor, Semi-Canon Compliant, not beta read, still not beta read, reader is a volleyball player, word count: 4322 Summary: You meet the middle blocker from Inarizaki again in the next national tournament and you still have the mischievous streak to have fun. A/N: the tags here and comments from ao3 were motivating and i still had some ideas in mind so i made another part. may add or change some stuff here are there [ao3] 1 ⪻ ꒰ 2 ꒱⪼ 3

•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°

Your team lost in the finals to Sakura Chuo High. It was a good game, though. The first set was a win for your team. But the next two were won by Sakura Chuo. The last being 23-25. The feeling of defeat comes slowly. You're more relieved that it's over, glad to wipe away the sweat all over your face and to stay dry at the present moment, finally getting the chance to breathe and let your heart beat steady. Competitive as you are, you don’t feel crushed per se. Sad, sure, but not as devastated as some of your teammates seem to be. If anything, what’s has you misty eyed is their sobbing rather than the actual loss. Feeling the pain of all the training, the practices, to only lead you all not crossing the final step to reach the peak. That's what happened last time. Everyone worked so hard to get here. Still you didn’t make it to the top. But that's how it is. Sometimes, you’ve got the ball rolling and it stops at the last moment. 

There’s still pride left in them, you think, that they understand second place is still really good. Some of your teammates will come to that conclusion later. Others, not really. They have their reasons and they're right to believe otherwise. To you, the team has proven that you’ve all come this far. Every other school will see you all as strong opponents for the next nationals. As for you personally, You could say getting up here is a huge confidence boost as a player and you want to play up to here again.

After the game, as you all wipe away the sweat and rehydrate, your captain and half of the team approach you while you drink from your bottle.

“Sorry we made you look bad in such a big game,” your captain starts, saying it with at most exaggerated seriousness that purposely borders on being funny. Paying no mind until one of your middle blockers said, “We promised to do our best after all."

You are confused, raising a brow. Then, they give a half bow to you and apologize in unison, confusing you even more. They were so in sync that it was suspicious, but a soft part of your heart gets the best of you. “Huh? What's this all about?” you exhaustedly cried out to them, worried you scared them at some point into playing better. You are in no position to suddenly have them be like this to you.  

“We said we’d do our best so you can score a date with that one guy from Hyogo,” the team’s second libero states in fake disappointment and the others nod. In an instant, It all clicks.

This is so stupid. “Damn you guys.” You are so done with them. Still you can’t help but laugh out loud. You’re well aware that this is a joke, but the idea that they thought winning nationals will get you a date with an attractive stranger tickles your mind in a way you didn’t think it would and it has you howling in laughter, not caring of passersby or the other team notices. It fills you with pride that, despite the loss, they found humor in it all. Your team laughs along with you and you all banter while readying to leave.

The middle blocker from Hyogo in question, Suna-san, didn't quite leave your mind. After that little chat with him, you did not expect to see him again anytime soon. Most teams don't stay to watch the following days live after they're out of the nationals brackets. Though Inarizaki stayed for another day after they lost, you already assumed they’d be gone the day of the finals. 

There was a part of you that would like to believe they did stay to watch. You already met Suna-san by chance once. Why not a second time? Or even just see other Inarizaki players walking around like before. But it seems they didn’t. You didn’t feel that strange chill when Suna-san had his eyes on you, not before, during or after the match.

However, you’re kind of glad it's likely that he didn’t watch at all. He wished you luck yet you lost. Now that is embarrassing, even when you were playing really well in the match. Therefore, you can move along in peace.

As you walk alongside your teammates, carrying their own respective gym bags, you like to think that the luck Suna-san wished for you will show up at a different time.

•~•~•~•~•~•

Spring came, all of you bid farewell to your seniors and you became a third year yourself. Without your input or by default, the team pretty much chose you as their vice-captain, which is actually much better than being the captain, in your humble opinion. The first years are a handful. They do have a great deal of potential, just guiding in the right direction, and maybe a gentle knuckle to their heads sometimes but they’re mostly fine. 

Oddly for you, some teammates like to gossip in good fun and the little story of you chatting it up with a middle blocker from a powerhouse team gets to the first year players. From what you’ve heard and what the first years were willing to say that they heard, it's not far from what happened. Nonetheless you know that your freshmen, teammates’ active imaginations might have imagined it differently.  Now, they think you're the senior who has the hidden ability to charm attractive boys when in reality it was just a sudden burst of confidence and living in the moment.

Regarding that one guy in question, Suna-san was rarely in your mind unless it was about nationals or the  boys’ side of the nationals. Though the memory of the chat you had with him has been slightly tainted by the fact that more people know about it now and you have to always point out that you really weren’t trying to get it with him– you don’t even know where that assumption came from– whenever the story gets retold, you can still look back at it and feel pleased with yourself that you did not fumble. This is even more so because you winked at him, twice. The first time is the most fun to recall. You don’t know if you could do that again if you end up seeing him in nationals, if you even get there.

And then, the first half of your third year was to your favor. The team does great enough to win your prefecture's Interhigh Preliminaries, setting you to what could probably be the last nationals you'll attend in your school sports career. Perhaps that luck was paying off and you hope it will last you until the end. 

The trip to Tokyo was much like last years, yet the new batch of freshmen brought a new kind of excitement when you got there. Much like the last inter-high tournament, your team waits by the stairs outside of the tokyo gymnasium, under sunnier weather, not to join in the clustered crowd inside. Keeping the team in a good mindset was a job you had with the captain and manager. That's what you were mostly doing. Still, the waiting has you bored and you distract yourself by looking on to the crowd of other players. The teams are a little more lively than they were back in January, it might be because of the brighter, warmer weather. New uniforms also wait alongside your team, new or returning teams from years ago. Plenty of old uniforms from last nationals make their return. They all come with matching banners of their school’s name. You find yourself looking for a particular shade of maroon banners and sports jacket, yet they weren’t there

The tournament brackets are inside the gymnasium, but you have the gut feeling that Inarizaki will be here too. You could do that right now, ask a teammate what team is here for Hyogo. After all, you could also be wrong. However, some of your more teasing members are quick to jump to the conclusion that you're hoping it’s Inarizaki because of, well, a certain someone, rather than assuming you're asking out of genuine curiosity. They’d be right too but you're not really in the mood to feed into their teasing. It's also on the bottom of your list of priorities. So, you spend the rest of the wait checking on your team’s well being while scanning the crowds of colorful volleyball jerseys every now and then to distract yourself.

The thought fades once your team enters the gymnasium and you, along with the rest of the teams present, prepare for the opening ceremony. It was only when you check out the tournament brackets after the ceremony do you see that Inarizaki is present. It’s impressive but no surprise to you or anyone. From what you've gathered, they won't be up to play until much later, same as your team. 

Teams that aren't the first four matches in the main arena of the tournament spend their time being an audience of those matches or wandering around the stadium until it is their turn. That's what your team has been up to. Everyone is in high energy and high spirits, so most of your teammates are walking around either watching the games or checking out the stalls for souvenirs. Some opted out to just sit and preserve their energy for the match, leaving them as the guard of everyone else's bags.

You are one of those that decided to walk around. The excitement was getting to you a bit and you practically could not sit still. Your manager suggests you come along with her, figuring mayhaps getting on your feet will shake it out. She was just going to the vending machines and didn't want to go alone. You join her after snagging money from a pocket of your bag, thinking you could use a box of milk, actually. If they have milk, that is. 

As you walk together, other bright uniforms pass you. You briefly watch the match from each court as you move. The squeaks of rubber shoes on concrete, shuffling feet, the impact of volleyballs on hands and arms, players shouting, audience cheering and playing their teams' cheer music, it all mixes and blends into the festive and energetic atmosphere nationals is known for. You finally reach the hall leading to the exit of the ground floor. It is where some of the vending machines are lined up. From what you can remember, most of them are on the other side, near the entrance.

“Shit”, your manager hisses as she hastily pads her pockets. Concerned but already understanding where this is going, you ask anyway. “What’s wrong?” 

“I forgot my wallet.” As you thought. She then hands you her clipboard, and jogs off to the direction where you both came from. “I’ll be right back,” She called out, leaving you standing alone. You sigh, defeated yet humored. She bought her clipboard with her but not the money to buy anything. 

After watching her disappear from the corner, you scan the options presented to you by the vending machine in front of you. Juices, soft drinks, canned coffees– maybe you’ll get one later– water, no milk. You walk to the next one and it's the same. The one after that is not even drinks. It's cup noodles and is also tempting. You keep walking and hear footsteps of other people but you pay no mind as you read. Probably other players anyway. It was on the third to the last one, a white vending machine like the beverage it is encasing. The milk is packed in small cartons that you find adorable since you were a child. There's the milk you usually drink and other varieties. It had you thinking

Should you buy the usual or be a bit adventurous and get the flavor you haven’t tried before? The pros of the latter is you enjoying milk and having another kind of milk to like. The cons being you might get an upset stomach right before a game or during the game for suddenly trying something new. However, you may regret it if you don’t give it a try.  

Before you make up your mind, you sense it again, the feeling of being watched. Turning to the corner where you last saw your manager, she is still nowhere to be seen. Has she found her wallet and is on her way or still shuffling her bag? You huff impatiently, looking back at the milk cartons behind the vending machine’s glass. Maybe you should just buy your usual plain milk.

After making up your mind, you take the money out of your pocket, slipping the clipboard under your arm. Then, you feel it again, someone's eyes on you. This time, It's different. It’s specific, familiar. It’s the same to the one back in January, that chill. Your awareness heightens. Looking back again, there are other people walking. You half-hope that you would see him. Not because you want to, wanting to be right that it is the same chill as back then. But after scanning the passersby, specifically any person in a volleyball uniform, there wasn’t a single black jersey. It’s somehow disappointing.

Sifting through the money in your hand, there's plenty of 10 yen coins, some 50 yen too. What you need is 100 yen. As you count, someone walks up and stands at a distance from you. 

Unsure if they were waiting for their turn to buy, you took a quick glance, noticing maroon cloth. From the corner of your eye, there you see him, Suna-san of Inarizaki's Volleyball team standing in front of the vending machines, staring at the rows of featured bottles, right beside you. His phone with a bright screen on one hand. The other is in the pocket of his jacket.

Your gut is telling you to say 'hi', like he’s already your friend. Winking at and talking to someone once from a few months ago does not count as friendship. Still pretending to be preoccupied, you observe him. It seems, like you, Suna-san came without a beverage in mind, scanning the selection of drinks behind each glass. He makes careful strides forward while his attention is on the side, not in a hurry. You played with the coins between your fingers. Should you talk to him? Shifting your stance to the other foot. The distance between you gets closer and he stops just far enough for him to notice. You're already here, might as well have your fun again. 

“Hey,” you greet, a little playful at the tail end.

From his focus on the vending machine, his head pirks up, turning to you. Those feline-like eyes are on you again, less unintentionally threatening this time. Just like before, they gape open in mild surprise then they droop back. He smirks at you.

"Hey," Suna-san echoes with the same voice as he did back then–  low, cool, lazy, like having recently woken up. He doesn't appear to have changed much from the last time you saw him. Still having the same haircut. You wager he grew a cm or soThere is a glint in his gaze you can't quite put your finger on. “You made it.”

You softly laugh at his comment. Was he expecting to see you at Nationals? "Yeah. I'm surprised too.”

"Your team did win second place in the last tournament," Suna-san points out. Hearing it from him sounds like a bigger deal. Well, he didn't have to tell you that, tooting your horn for you. He follows up with, "congrats, by the way."

Although smiling in thanks, you try not getting it too big. You said, "don't say that yet, that was the last time. We haven't played our first match today." Your attention is split between the vending machine and talking to him. There is a pause as you do.

“How was it,” he asked. A vague question. It pulls you out from choosing a drink. 

Turning to him, you say, “you mean the finals?” It's still clear to you the feelings during the match, the rush, the exhaustion, the thrill. “Even though we lost, it was great. Manage to score a lot too,” recalling scoring a spike in one particularly long rally. The frustration in the Sakura Chau player's faces still brings you satisfaction. “I wanna get up there again. And, well, actually win.”

He nods. Likely understanding your sentiment. Inarizaki did get to the finals last year. However, losing Itachiyama. He would definitely know what you mean. Suna-san pointing with his phone has you looking down on your torso, "you're the vice-captain now, huh?” it made sense that he is referring to your jersey number.

You shrug one shoulder nonchalantly, though there is still pride in your voice, "yup." 

He slides his phone into one of the jacket’s pockets. "How's that going for you?"

"Better than I thought. I’m not the one holding the sign, standing front all the time, nor the one doing all the talking for the team when the sports media has questions,” you said with a grin. A grin of someone who has tactically dodged a bullet. “Most of the time, all I do is keep the team in good shape and rally them up when they’re too energetic."

Suna-san’s head tilted up slightly. “You’re not overshadowed by your first years, are you?”, a subtle challenge. Not out of doubt, more like tempting a cat with a stick out of curiosity. You take it, though, just to play along. 

“HAH! No.” you assert. “They work hard and play well, but I won’t let myself fall behind, even if the team’s winning a game.” A humble brag, really, one that you're willing to make. To your surprise, the expression of his eyes changes to something you can only assume being pleased at your answer. “And you, Suna-san?” Throwing the question to him, crossing your arms, expecting to be impressed. “I heard that the twins are quite a menace in court.” 

Suna-san lets out a light, humored scoff, glancing to the side. “Compared to our old captain and vice-captain, they are. But, they’re-” he trails off a little, thinking of what word to use for them. “…manageable.” You nearly burst out a laugh.

It's time for you to lightly challenge him. “That's not stopping you from playing well, does it”

Only Suna-san’s gaze of his sharp eyes returns to you. His irises are in shades of murky yellow complemented by the light of the vending machine. They stay on you as his stance shifts- straight posture yet laid back- in brief seconds of finger twitching anticipation. 

 “No”, he said, calm and cool, a simple answer delivered in unwavering, unobvious confidence. There’s nothing for you to deny and you don't try. Impressive, very impressive.

It's cut short when you realize Suna-san hasn’t been choosing anything from the vending machines. Were you making him wait? You sway a hand to the display. "Do you wanna buy something? I'll get it for you if you want."

“You first,” he insisted. Both of you choose in silence for your beverage. Returning back to your self debate, the usual or something new? Scheming uppermost row, a carton of chocolate milk you always wanted to try but always put off. Given the situation, you are feeling adventurous today.

After selecting the chocolate milk, the payment was inserted and the machine began processing it. “Chocolate, huh?” Suna-san said, somewhat impling if it's a favorite of yours. 

“Never got to try it. I heard it's good, though.”

Taking the cold carton out of the opening, you ask the other player, “So, which is it?” Wanting to follow through your offer to do it for him. A finger hovers over the buttons in preparation.

“Same as yours, actually” A stretched out arm hands you his money. You find it nice you're both drinking the same thing.

As you punch in his request, Another person approaches behind Suna-san, also a member of Inarizaki’s team. Speaking of one of the devils, a Miya, wearing number 2 as well. You were about to tell Suna-san of him. But the moment he sees you, the guy quickly makes a 180 degree turn– somehow not squeaking his shoes– and rushes back where he came from. Whether you scared him off or he had to go back for his own reasons is beyond you. You leave it be. If had something to say to his teammate, he wouldn’t have left. You insert the coins for the machine to process.

Mere second after Miya left, your manager came running from the other side. “SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! IT GOT LOST IN MY BAG!” She stops beside you, huffing and a sweaty forehead. Seeing the middle blocker, then at you, She smiles wide.

“Oh!” she said, the suggestive tune goes unhidden. It takes one particular look from you to convey that your warning her to not start anything. “This is Suna-san. He’s a player for Inarizaki. Suna-san, she’s one of our managers,” you said.

She greets him well and he politely responds, beginning with small talk. You don’t participate, letting them be and listening in. Suna-san makes your manager look lively in comparison to him. He is very nice to her and you can't really blame him. The manager has that effect on everyone. 

You don’t let yourself gleefully observe the interaction for too long, nearly forgetting his drink. No one noticed it has dropped, so you took it out of the machine. The pen attached to the clipboard you’ve been holding fell and you picked that up too. Holding the pen, an idea pops up. You wipe the moisture of the box with the hem of your jersey and write something on an area of the box where the letters can fit in.

After you are done, you pat your manager’s shoulder. “Hey, buy something already,” gladly reminded her of why she had to run back for money. She does, moving to the different vending machine, leaving you and Suna to talk again. You handed him the chocolate milk carton. He hasn’t noticed yet.

“When’s your match?” you questioned. 

“Don’t know. Haven’t asked our captain yet.” there’s a spark of interest in his eyes. “Are you gonna watch us?”

“I’d like to, honestly. I didn’t get to see much last year.” your manager is still choosing, but you know you're running out of time. So, you’ll slip in one more, little, not-so-consequential challenge to him.

As you take the provided straw and carefully tear off its plastic, you ask, “Do you think you’ll win today's game?”

Suna-san sees it too, that you're playing with fire with light touches. 

He indulges you, “Yeah. We will.” a hand slips to his pocket phone to take it out.

“You?” the same question from earlier, mixed with a serious note by an accompanied raise brow.

“I’d like to think we will, just like last tournament,” you said while you inserted the straw. “Plus, I believe I still have the luck you wished for me last time, but… “stopping to take a sip of the milk. It's sweet and creamy, the chocolate comes a little late.

You return your attention  to Suna. his eyes' impression changed in a blink to something so close to…enticing. Chillingly so, It's almost flustering. However, you’re not backing down in whatever this is happening between the two of you. 

Cocking your head to the side, you coyly say “you’ll still wish me luck, won’t you?” 

A short, quiet and breathy laugh escapes his lips. There’s a new warmth in his eyes too.

“Good luck.” such few words, given in cool, yet sincere confidence. The luck he wishes you may as well be tangible.

Just when you were about to speak, your manager held you by your elbow. Her other hand was holding her bottled drink. “C’mon let's head back.”

You turn to her, not without you grinning back at him, “See you again, Suna-san.” Taking the tip of the straw between your teeth. 

You bid him your farewell with a drown out gaze long enough to feel captivating. Then, you give him a gentle wink before you head off. 

After your manager waves him a goodbye, you and her walk off as you take sips again. No words were exchanged until turning to the corner, where boys were out of sight.

“At it again, are we? Don’t you think it’s a bit too early for you to be flirting with boys?

You don’t really like how she puts it. To you, a little bit of teasing back there doesn’t count as full blown flirting.

“It’s nothing like that.”

“Hehe, once the other’s hears about this–”

“Haha, Don’t” you cut her off with a threatening smile. She cheekily smiles back and rolls her eyes. Not pushing it. Likely understanding that you’ve grown tired of the boy charmer jokes about you.

Navigating through the busy halls of the gymnasium, you drink. It tastes a lot better now, more of the chocolate flavor dancing around. You wonder if you overdid it by the end, that you may have had too much fun. Such a shame you did not see his full reaction. The most you got was seeing Suna-san’s expression slightly falter with a smirk from your periphery. You suppose that will be enough proof you got to him somehow.

With each passing sip, the chocolate milk becomes sweeter from your own satisfaction.

•~•~•~•~•~•

As Suna inserts the straw that comes with the box, he sees something written with pen’s ink

‘Good luck in your matches,’ signed with the kanji of your name.

He lets out a gratified sigh to himself. Your wink is still replaying in his mind.

“Damn it.”

•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°~•~°

A/N: jokes on me, guess i can post another fic before the year ends lol I sorta feel bad that their interaction took 2k words to happen lucky for everyone, there is a next chapter! i can hardly wait to finish writing it hahaha happy holidays everyone!!

[simp999]

A New Home Ch. 37

Various! Splatoon Manga x Skilled! Isekai'd! Reader

Wc: 1.2k

Back to the start! Previous Next

"If you are, then tell us what part, hm? Name us two idols that are known from there." He didn't let you answer.

You stood frozen. What was up with this all of a sudden?

He tugged at your arm harshly.

"Answer me!"

"It's-it's not what it seems-"

"Then what is it?! How do you know us so well? Are you a stalker? Are you an otherworldly being? I've seen you lip-syncing some things some of us have said. You couldn't possibly know us that well."

Rider refused to let go of your arm as you attempted to wriggle out of his grasp, terrified. What were they going to do to you? Where was your team?

"I'm-" You took a breath in. In a fit of panic for your safety, you breathed out: "You're right, I'm- I'm from another world."

They held their weapons up, they were afraid of you. But more than you were of them, you weren't too sure at the moment.

"SPIT IT OUT!"

You began to tear up.

Mask is the only slightly understanding one. "Weeeapons down, iiidiotss. They're unarmed. Chill a biiiit. Why does this change anything anywaaay? You all respected theeem without issuesss before Rider brought anything uuuup."

You shook in fear as tears fell freely. You never expected this from your idols. From characters you grew to love so much, even more after meeting them.

Rider let go of you.

"...How do you know us?"

You took a breath in and rubbed your arm where he had held it previously.

"You're from a manga in my world."

"We're... characters?"

You nodded your head, beginning to regret everything.

"You're very real to me, though! And many other fans. I...care a lot about you guys. That's, ah, how I know you so well."

From behind you, you heard the clatter of a weapon against the ground. You quickly spun around, taking on a slight offensive stance- almost a protective one in front of the S4 without so much as a second thought. You froze when you recognized your family.

Now from behind you, Aloha spoke:

"... you made us like you on purpose."

You do a double-take between your family and Aloha. You really didn't want to involve them, but you were panicked and not thinking straight.

"No- I,, actually did my best to avoid you guys as much as possible when I first got here, not wanting to mess with the story."

"What changed?" Army spoke.

"I grew comfortable. I felt safe around you guys...until now."

Army's shoulders slumped a bit at the statement, while Skull's frown faltered. Rider's eyes grew wide, and Aloha's jaw hung open a bit. That broke their hearts. Your family? - No. Your... team, stood frozen.

Leo's voice cracked as he spoke:

"You.. were just using us? Because you wanted to be some main character?"

"NO! .. no, I'm. Cod, no. Absolutely not. You're my family- and you.. mmm,, there's a lot to discuss right now, huh.. well, to put it simply- I never knew you guys existed before our first meeting. I promise you."

"But you just said-"

"You- Tasha, Milo, and Leo- weren't a part of the original story. I have no idea where you came from, in all honesty."

"Is that why you were so nervous about certain battles?"

"...Yes. Goggles was supposed to be in our place, winning against Emperor."

Leo chuckles.

"Hah, sounds like him."

He smiles.

Rider speaks up:

"So you cheated in all your battles?"

"I'm.. not sure what you consider cheating. Here, I should probably explain everything, huh..."

You explain how none of your battles were 'canon'. Obviously, since you and your... team, aren't a part of the original story. You explained everything as best as you could, hands still shaking. You attempted to soothe yourself by toying with the hem of your top.

"..then your skill, where did it come from? Everyone knows that you came outta nowhere."

"That's... something I don't quite understand either. Back in my world there were a few video games that gave me my quick reaction time- but being so good with my main gear specifically? No idea how it worked out that way. Maybe from analyzing your guys' play styles? Just like we did together," You gestured towards your team.

... It would be too much to explain that they were from a game, too. This was the best you could do.

It didn't quite add up, but Rider let it slide once he caught the way your hands were shaking.

"Soooo, what you're saaayiiing is that you've been... isekai'd?"

You chuckle lightheartedly at the idea. You nod, you suppose so.

Everyone has questions on their mind, but nobody dares speak up.

Will your family ditch you now? Does anyone still not believe you? The silence was deadly.

"No matter where you came from, your skill is still impressive." Skull was the first to speak up. As surprised as you should be, he was the first you'd assume would be so nonchalant, with that air-headedness of his.

You sighed out. That was two of them that seemed to at least partially be on your side.

Rider stood silent, while the others began calmly asking you questions.

"We're...characters?"

You freeze in place, attempting to script what you'll say next. Rider looked defeated.

"This world is very real. To you, and everyone else here. Including me. My world-back home almost feels... fake, for me to think about it. Like it no longer exists."

That seemed to relax him a little.

"Don't'chya miss your family?"

"I'm with my favorite characters ever, Leo. You think I miss my family? I mean yeah but..." You gesture towards the S4.

"Oh.. yeah, I guess, huh? Man, meeting them for the first time must've been totally wack compared to how it was for us meeting them. Like...woah. That'd be like meeting Squidsune Miku or some idol like that."

You giggle at the comparison, and nod. Something like that.

"What was the most difficult thing to adapt to?"

Army with the technological questions, of course.

"No taking notes, 'kay? But...cod the texture of the tentacles sure are weird. And why are they so sensitive! Hair shouldn't be like that!"

You do your best to keep everything you say calculated and lighthearted, noticing how they're still not completely certain on you.

Aloha finally speaks up.

"I...think I need to think this over."

His tone was one you never thought you'd hear from the eccentric squid. Thanks to it, the S4 members thought over the reality of the situation. Army's brows furrowed, Rider's shoulders slumped, Skull glanced away when you looked at him, and Mask looked between each of his teammates with an indistinguishable expression. It's almost as if they all realized how completely insane you sound. Since when are they this trustworthy? They're the S4. Nothing should get past them. They then backed away from you, one at a time, leaving you with your team.

They stood stuck in place too. You really did sound insane, didn't you? Were you trying to gaslight them? What if they are just characters, then what? Do their lives even matter?

Why didn't you tell your fam-team, anything? Have you been cheating this whole time?

"I think we need some time alone, too." Milo barely appeared apologetic.

You messed up, haven't you?

Looks like you were back to sleeping on that damned bench.

.

.

.

Next Part

May. 23, 24

[lilacella]

So, Sirius didn't like being touched. And James liked touching. A recipe for desaster, one would think, but with James everything was different. When James had hugged him in the bathroom in first year, it hadn't felt overwhelming, restricting or otherwise unpleasant. It had felt safe. When James grabbed his arm to excitedly pull him towards the Quidditch field on game days it felt nice. When James casually wrapped an arm around him when they sat together, Sirius melted into his touch, reveling in the warmth of James' body. So maybe he liked being touched, but only by James.

Reindeer Games

Previous Next

Chapter 2/5: Third Year

"Can you two tone it down a little, please? I'm really tired," Remus mumbled in his pillow. It was already past midnight but Sirius and James weren't ready for sleep yet. There was so much to do, so much to plan!

They had just gotten the map to finally work! Well, at least it was moving now. The accuracy of the marker positions still had room for improvement - people seemed to be walking straight through the walls, sometimes at unreasonable speeds - but overall it was syncing with the castle. It had taken them two years and many late night trips into the forbidden section to do this and they were very proud of themselves. Of course Remus and Peter had helped, but the intricate magic at the core of the map had been their work.

"Oh come on Remus..." James complained.

"Sorry but I really need to rest. Can't you just continue this tomorrow?"

That wasn't an option at all. So instead Sirius decided to pull James from the floor over to his bed:

"Just come over, James. We can close the curtains and use a muffling spell."

There they were laying now, on their stomachs, shoulder on shoulder peering onto the map. Sirius chewed absentmindedly on his lip.

"We should protect it somehow. What if someone catches us with it and takes it? We'd loose all our work!"

James nodded in agreement.

"We need a password. Like the Portals to the houses. It should stay obscured until you say it."

"Hmmm...what should we take though? It would be an issue if we forgot it."

"It should have a meaning for us." James leaned a little against Sirius, eliciting the familiar tingle on his skin that he always felt when they were touching. It was nice being so close to James.

James squinted his eyes.

"Maybe an oath? Like...I solemnly swear that I..."

"Am up to no good," completed Sirius with a giggle that James joined immediately.

"Yes, that's perfect, let's go with that. If the others have a better idea we can always change it. Let me do it."

James pulled the map towards himself and started casting charms onto the thick paper. Sirius put his head onto his crossed arms and watched him. He liked watching James practice magic. He was good at it. Something about the way he uttered the words and how his face looked when he concentrated made Sirius feel warm and fuzzy. James really was his best friend.

They spend some more time tinkering with the map but, as time passed, both of them became more quiet. Sirius was awfully tired. But he didn't want James to go yet, didn't want to give up the casual intimacy of sharing a bed, a space where it was just the two of them.

Both of them had now fully laid down, sharing Sirius' pillow and duvet. It was starting to get a little chilly with the December air permeating the walls of the castle. They weren't really talking anymore, just looking at each other, every once in a while one of them would crack a stupid joke, making the other break out into a sleepy giggle.

"I'm so tired," James mumbled. "But I don't want to leave. It's so comfortable."

Sirius smiled into the pillow.

"I mean, if you want, you can just stay here."

"You sure?" James asked, eyes already closed. Sirius reached out to remove his glasses.

"Sure. Bed's big enough for both of us 'innit?"

James made an affirmative noise and soon his breathing evened out and he was fast asleep.

Sirius wanted to do nothing more than join him in his peaceful slumber, but he couldn't. It wasn't because he wasn't comfortable. He really was. James was warm and he smelled good and Sirius didn't mind that they were touching a little. It was rather that his heart just wouldn't calm down. Maybe he had gotten too excited about the map? Or maybe he was freaked out by the dark. That happened sometimes, although he didn't really feel scared right now. Still, he shuffled a little closer to James, just in case it helped. It didn't really. But being close to James was nice. It was really nice. Sirius caught himself wishing that James would always sleep next to him.

And, from now on, James did. Not every night, but often enough, the two of them fell asleep sharing one of their four-posters. It was just more convenient like that, they told the others: They could stay up and talk as long as they wanted, without getting on Remus nerves and it was more comfortable than their usual corner on the dorm room floor. Wrapped up in the same duvet, and sometimes in each others arms - in a small bed you had to somehow organize yourselves - talking and snickering until they both drifted off to sleep. Sirius secretely loved it when James threw an arm around him in his sleep or moved his head onto his chest. He liked touching him. And there was nothing wrong with that. They were just good friends sharing a bed.

In general, Sirius wasn't much of a fan of other people touching him. He despised people that tapped his back with their finger to gain his attention. He didn't like it, when someone randomly put their hand on his shoulder while they talked. He didn't appreciate people hugging him when he was upset - it only made things worse.

Touch had always been something he viewed as a massive breach of boundaries. At home, there was none of it. Sirius couldn't remember that his parents had ever hugged him. He wasn't even sure if they had carried him as a baby since he remembered that his younger brother Regulus had always been either pushed around in his cradle or carried by their houself Kreacher. When his parents touched him, it was about control. His father would put a hand on his shoulder to steer him into the direction he wanted him to go. His mother would grab his arm to keep him into place, grab his chin to force him to look at her.

So, Sirius didn't like being touched. And James liked touching. A recipe for desaster, one would think, but with James everything was different. When James had hugged him in the bathroom in first year, it hadn't felt overwhelming, restricting or otherwise unpleasant. It had felt safe. When James grabbed his arm to excitedly pull him towards the Quidditch field on game days it felt nice. When James casually wrapped an arm around him when they sat together, Sirius melted into his touch, reveling in the warmth of James' body. So maybe he liked being touched, but only by James.

And with their new co-sleeping habit further normalizing their physical closeness, James reached out for Sirius more and more.

"There aren't any more seats," James says as he squeezes with Sirius onto a single armchair in the common room ending up almost sitting on his lap.

"I just need something to figet with," James explains to Remus, who watches questioningly how James is playing with Sirius hand while they are talking, absentmindedly brushing his fingers over his or pushing his hand up Sirius' sleeves, touching his arm.

"I'm just tired," Sirius says as he drops his head onto James shoulder when they sit together in the library.

"All the girls do this too," James says, when some of his Quidditch teammates give him weird looks for holding Sirius' hand on the way to class.

"It's cold!" Sirius says when James and him snuggle up together under a blanket, while they plot the next prank with the other two.

"Do you think this is weird," James asked as they both lounged on Sirius bed again. James head was resting on Sirius chest, looking up to him, Sirius was drawing circles on James arm with his finger.

"Why? Do you think it is?" Sirius tried to hide the uncertainty in his voice.

"No. I think...I think were just friends. And there is nothing wrong with friends...well we're just hanging out aren't we?"

Sirius nodded.

"Yeah. Why would there be something wrong with that?"

James smiled and sighed comfortably. Then he reached out for Sirius hand and intertwined their fingers. Sirius wondered whether James could hear his heartbeat speed up. But if he did, he didn't say anything.

When summer rolled around, Sirius had gotten so used to constantly touching James that the thought of spending two whole months without him seemed much more daunting than it usually had been anyways. On the last night before the ride home they were laying in James four-poster, tightly snuggled up against each other. James had tucked Sirius in his arms and was playing with his fingers.

"I will miss you," Sirius said quietly, feeling awfully heavy. James squeezed his hand.

"I will miss you too. It really sucks that your parents won't let us meet."

Sirius sighed and pressed his cheek against James' shoulder. He could feel tears burn in his eyes. He really didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay here with James. He also didn't want to cry, but with James it was so easy.

James immediately picked up on his sadness and hugged him tighter.

"It's okay. We'll just talk through the mirrors!"

Sirius sniffled and nodded. The mirrors. At least they would be able to see each other this time.

"I just hope my parents won't catch me with it. They'll definitely take it away."

"But couldn't you just make a new one? You made these yourself, didn't you?"

"Yes but I'm not sure how long it would take. It's a pretty finicky spell. And I would have to make a new pair. So I wouldn't be able to call you until I'd given you the other..." His voice trailed off at the thought. A tear trickled down his cheek. He needed James.

**

"We have to talk quietly," Sirius whispered into the mirror. "Otherwise Regulus might hear and then he certainly will tell mother."

"Okay," James responded with a hushed voice. Sirius smiled. These little talks with James every night, hidden underneath the covers in case someone came in, the only light coming from his wand, were the only thing that kept him afloat during the long days at Grimmauld Place 13. He hated this house. It was dark and narrow and always felt cold despite the many fireplaces. From everywhere the portraits were watching you. Sirius had long stopped feeling at home here. Sometimes he just wanted to run away.

"What did you do today," he asked James. James detailed reports about his fun summer activities always cheered him up. The more James talked, the more it felt like he had been with him. When James had finished he leaned his head onto his hands.

"And you? What did you do today?"

Sirius sighed heavily.

"Not much. Hid in the library most of the day. Regulus had his awful friends over."

"Crouch and Rosier? Can't you just hex them?"

Sirius shook his head.

"I mean...I could, but this is isn't Hogwarts. There is only one person who could have done it in this house and...I just want to get through this bloody summer." Sirius dropped his head onto his arms. He missed James painfully.

"Right. Get it. But it's just five more weeks," James tried to cheer him up unsuccessfully.

"That's so long! I wish I could just drink a potion and sleep through it."

"I don't think that would be healthy."

Sirius shrugged. He didn't care about that.

"I just wish you were here. Or I was with you."

"Yeah that would be nice. I miss...I miss you. Maybe we should have exchanged sweaters or something, so we'd have something of each other."

Sirius heart skipped a beat at James' words.

"We could do that next summer." He paused and rubbed his eyes. "Merlin, I'm so tired."

"Do you want to stop talking?"

Sirius hesitated for a moment.

"Can you...Can you maybe just stay a little. Until I have fallen asleep? Just tell me something. About Quidditch or whatever you want..."

"Yes. Sure I can do that. Sooo...brooms! Did you know they are making a new Cloudsweeper? It's supposed to be twice as fast as the Dragoncatcher 79 Pro..."

Sirius leaned the mirror against a book, still under the blanket and got cozy. He closed his eyes and let himself drift off, the comforting sound of James voice lulling him to sleep. He couldn't wait for September.

[strawheart-pirate]

Discount

Blackleg Sanji x gn!Reader

December 15th 2023 Words: 1177 CW: SFW / Modern AU / no/pre relationship / mentions of alcohol, but no drinking / flirting / very suggestive talk / a kiss / Sanji may be a bit ooc, but he’s precious

You met up with Sanji to go Christmas shopping and got more than you bargained for.

You waited outside the mall to meet Sanji. The traffic was much lighter than you expected, so you arrived a little early. Sanji was on time and complained that you hadn't told him. He felt bad that you had to wait. You shrugged it off and assured him that it wasn't a big deal before you both entered the mall.

"Are you ready for our big Christmas gift hunt? What do you have on your list?" Sanji asked with a determined smile.

"I have to get something for my father. He discovered his love for whisky this year. So, I thought maybe you could recommend something?" I asked Sanji. "What do you need?"

"I want to buy a new suit for myself and something for my sister, but I don't know exactly what. Could you help me with that?"

"Of course, Sanji. Let's go!"

It took you three stops to find the perfect gift for Reiju: a white headset with cat ears, neon lights and pink details. You'd been to Sanji's house many times, and you'd seen her in online games often enough. You were sure she would like it. Sanji was pleased that you were so attentive, and the two of you made your way to the next shop.

"So, what kind of whisky has your father tried so far?" asked Sanji as he slowly walked down the aisle, looking at the variety of fine whiskies.

"He had one of those classic bourbons and one with a strong, smoky aroma. The ones where you open the bottle and the whole room smells like you're sitting in the smoke of a bonfire." You wrinkled your nose.

"I see. And which did he like better?" asked Sanji, scratching his short goatee thoughtlessly.

"I think it was the smoky one." You looked at the bottles. Some were fancy, others simple.

"Then maybe we should go for something in between. Smooth, but with a nice smoky flavor. Let's see... Ah, this would be good." He took the bottle from the shelf and handed it to you. "It's not too expensive either. What do you think of it?"

"Looks good," you said, looking at the bottle and reading the text on it. It sounded very appropriate for your father and you smelled it. The smell of smoke made you wrinkle your nose, but it was a much more pleasant smell than the last one your father had.

"Yes, I like this one. We'll take it with us. Thanks, Sanji." You gave him a grateful smile.

"The pleasure was all mine." He said gently as you paid and you both left with another gift inside the bag.

Jolly Christmas music played as you entered the next shop. It was a suit shop and Sanji was a regular customer here. He knew exactly where to look. But before he decided if he wanted to try on an item, he showed it to you to get your approval. Soon he had three different suits in his arms and you walked over to the dressing rooms. Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" was playing as you sat on one of the chairs and waited for Sanij to change and show you the first suit. You bobbed your head to the music.

The song was coming to an end when the curtain was pulled aside with a flourish and Sanji appeared. His lips moved in sync with the music and he pointed his finger at you as he sang "All I want for christmas iiiiiis - youuuuuu", moving his hips to the rhythm. You giggled and so did he, this little playful banter really lightened the mood. When you regained your composure, you gave him your honest opinion about the suit and the other two he tried on. He then chose the first one, which had been both your and his favorite from the start.

Sanji put on his own clothes again. He put away the things he didn't want to take with him and the two of them went to the cashier with the suit he wanted to buy. The cashier looked like a bodybuilder and went to work. When he told Sanji the price, his jaw dropped. He had completely forgotten to look at the price... He regained his composure and looked at the man angrily. He had been shopping with Nami often enough to know all her tricks, so he tried his best.

"There's no way that suit is worth that much money. Look at the quality. Did you see the stitching on the seams? I want at least 70% off!" said Sanji loudly and overdramatically.

The cashier looked unimpressed. "You don't have to buy it, sir."

Sanji's expression changed from anger to surprise and he had to think of another way to get a discount quickly. He swallowed. There was one last thing he could try... .... He swallowed his pride and decided to try one last time because he really wanted this suit and most of all he wanted to impress you.

"You know, I want it. It just fits this masterpiece of a body perfectly. You'd be impressed." He said in a deep, flirtatious voice, his eyes half-lidded with a fiery gaze.

You coughed to keep from choking on his performance. You could tell how uncomfortable he was by the way he pressed his foot to the ground. The muscles in his thigh were tense and showing through his pants. But you had to admit, he was pretty damn tempting right now, so you distracted yourself with the socks and belts that were on a rack near the cash register.

"Oh, do you think your special someone over there would be okay with that? Because I'd like to see your body underneath me, blondie." The cashier purred and leaned over the counter to get closer to Sanji.

"Oh, don't worry about them, they are not what I want. But you, my dear, are an amuse-gueule I’d like to taste." Sanji leaned over and whispered the last words into the cashier's ear.

You had to avert your eyes because the way the two men looked at each other was steaming hot and had you blushing. You let out a sigh of relief when you saw that Sanji had paid and gotten a big discount as well as the receipt with the cashier's number on it. You were about to go over to him and leave the store when the cashier pulled him back by his tie and gave him a passionate kiss across the counter. Sanji didn't even have time to react as he let go of him and blew him another kiss as we hurried out of the store.

"Sanji, oh my..."

"Don't. I'm not going to talk about it. I have to rinse my mouth out with mouthwash or even sanitizer first..." said Sanji. His face was full of disgust, but the blush on it was sweet. You giggled and took him to the nearest drugstore. At least he got a 40% discount on the suit.

All content unless otherwise stated belongs to: ©Strawheart-pirate. Please do not copy / modify / translate / repost my writing, banners or art on other platforms. Comments, reblogs or likes are highly appreciated! Snowflake banner by ©firefly-graphics

[cosmerelists]

Cosmere Characters in a Three-Legged Race

A three-legged race is when two people stand shoulder to shoulder and then tie the center two legs together--so one person's right leg tied to their partner's left leg, for example. Then they try to move fast as possible to win a race against other "three-legged" duos.

Cosmere characters have paired up for just such a race. How will that go?

1. Kaladin & Shallan

Shallan: Now remember--I can't keep up with your RIDICULOUSLY long Alethi legs! Shallan: You have to moderate your stride so that we can move in concert! Shallan: Otherwise you'll probably end up just dragging me along on the ground behind you and we don't want that! Kaladin: ... Shallan: ... Shallan: I said we don't want that. Kaladin: All I'm hearing is "I don't want to win." Shallan: I'D LIKE A NEW PARTNER PLEASE

2. Wax & Steris

Steris: Are you sure we should be competing in this race? Steris: Even with the aid of my metronome to facilitate our rhythm, we are not exactly the fastest Wax: I don't have a problem with that. Wax: I just want to run this race with you and have a good time. Steris: You're not...embarrassed that I have a metronome? Wax: Are you kidding? I think the other racers are going to be jealous.

3. Eshonai & Venli

Venli: We're taller than the humans and we can attune our rhythms to be perfectly in sync. Truly, they have no hope of victory. Eshonai: Yes! It's fascinating that humans have created a game that they are so ill suited for. Venli: Okay, but just tell me you're not SO fascinated by the humans that you're gonna get distracted and make us lose, okay? Venli: I DON'T want a repeat of last year's "Ring Toss" incident! Eshonai: Oooh, look at how mismatched those two are! I wonder why-- Venli: FOCUS ESHONAI

4. Kaladin & Lopen

Kaladin: Hey Lopen, I need a new partner for the race and I was wondering if-- Kaladin: ... Kaladin: Why are you standing in a box labeled "SHAME BOX"? Lopen: You tell me, gon! Lopen: I just said I wanted to sign up for the three-legged race! Lopen: And they were all, "Where's your partner?" and I was all, "I don't need a partner 'cause I got the third leg right HERE in my pa-" Kaladin: I'll keep looking.

5. Lift & Szeth

Lift: All right, listen up. When that whistle goes, I'm gonna slick the ground and you and I are gonna slide right to victory. Szeth: Plan understood. Szeth: But I am still unclear about why you chose me as your partner. We are wildly different heights. Lift: Eh, steal a rock together, be bonded forever. Lift: Also you seem like a guy who'll just sorta take instruction without asking questions. Szeth: Accurate. Lift: Yeah, we SO got this in the bag.

6. Lopen & Wayne

Lopen: Third leg in pants joke? Wayne: Third leg in pants joke. Lopen: Funniest guys here, banished to the Shame Box. Wayne: And they can't let us pair up, 'cause it wouldn't be fair to have one pair with SIX legs. --best friends high five!--

7. Yumi & Painter

Yumi: Stop yawning, Nikaro! We need to focus! Painter: I'm trying! It's just, we've been practicing three-legged race strategies all night! Yumi: Child's play! It's not like we were balancing books on our heads the whole time the way I suggested. Painter: Okay, but next year we're doing MY training regimen, okay? Yumi: 'Just wing it and hope for the best'? Painter: [thumbs up]

8. Kaladin & Moash

Kaladin: Thanks, Moash. I really needed a partner! Moash: I got you. But--before we begin, we must agree that our goal...is ultimate victory. Kaladin: Yes, of course. Moash: We will be in sync, we will push ourselves to our limit, and we WILL win. Kaladin: Yeah!! Moash: And if we must run over small children to achieve our victory, that IS an acceptable price. Kaladin: Wait, what. Moash: toolateyoualreadyagreedlet'sgoooooo Kaladin: CHILDREN LOOK OUT

[hauntedwitch04]

Suop of memories

Sirius Black x reader

Words: about 1.0k words

Warnings: none, just some sad-happy memories of Siri

Author’s note: Hi everybody! Finally I managed to write something after the crazy week I had, hope you enjoy! With love your witch Becky.

Requests are open I Ask

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🎃Halloween party 🎃

DAY 4: “Eat some more soup, it will make you feel better. This is my James mother’s recipe.”

I sneeze for the umpteenth time in the space of five minutes, as I settle of among the flood of blankets and pillows arranged on my and my husband's bed. Below I hear him humming the latest Queen song, and I can't help but look out the windows smiling.

Ordinarily he and I would have spent this rainy October day playing some silly board game or watching some movie, but unfortunately the flu I caught a few days ago won't even allow me to think, so the only thing left for me to do is to remain like a motionless vegetable on the bed, comfortable among all those soft, warm things, watching life outside the window.

Actually looking out the window is one of my favorite pastimes, since it gives me a lot of ideas about what to write about. I love observing people and their behavior, especially in situations like rain. I think the best way to get to know human beings, in fact, is to put on a good song in the background and watch them live, see their souls moving in sync, communicating and talking to each other as they dance through the raindrops.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Sirius enter the rooms with a tray in his hand. I look at him confused, not understanding where the steaming bowl that is resting on top comes from.

He does not answer the question written in my eyes and continues to do what he was doing.

He lays the tray on the bed before also sitting down and taking the bowl in his hand, along with a spoon.

"Did Lily come by?" I finally say, bracing myself, my voice hoarse from coughing.

"Love we already said you must not talk, or your throat will hurt more and more." My husband comments, as he picks up some soup on the spoon. "And anyway, I made this soup, you ungrateful little thing. Now open your mouth, you have to eat something to get your strength back."

I look at him more and more skeptically, but finally accept his offer, actually being very hungry, and open my mouth. As soon as I taste that deliciousness I feel my taste buds jump for joy, not believing themselves to the goodness of that meal. My eyes go wide, and I see him do that usual smirk of his, which so many times I wanted to slap away during my school years, but which I now find myself loving more and more each time.

"Eat some more soup, it will make you feel better. This is my James mother's recipe." He says taking another ladle, but I am now too shocked by the news that he can cook.

"Fuck, love this is delicious, it's amazing that you cooked it." I say as I feel the warm liquid run down my throat, and already I feel better.

"Thank you very much love, I love you too anyway." He replies sarcastically, but continuing to feed me.

"No Siri, it really is the best soup I've ever tasted, the only thing is that I didn't know you knew how to cook something without charring it." I continue, looking him in the eyes accusingly.

"It happened only once." He tries to defend himself, but is unable to hold back a smile.

"Three. The firemen threatened us that next time they will let the house burn down." I say laughing, but is immediately stopped by a few coughs.

We spend a few moments in silence while he feeds me with soup. Once he finishes he gets up to take the bowl back to the kitchen, but once he gets out of bed I freeze him, asking him a question.

"Siri, when did you learn how to make this soup?" I ask curiously, and I see him smile as his eyes focus on a past memory that is now, like an old film, playing out before his eyes again.

"Reg and I had recently run away from our home and had been at the Potters' for a few days. Reggy had gotten quite a cold from all the rain we had caught running away, and so Effie decided one night to make him this soup to make him feel better. I still couldn't sleep because of the fear that at any moment our parents would knock on the door, so I asked if I could help her. She said yes, and so she began to explain everything to me. Thus was born the tradition that every so often, when I couldn't sleep, she and I would go to the kitchen and she would teach me some of her recipes. I sometimes miss those nights spent with her cooking." He finishes his story in a whisper, as I see a few tears have formed in his eyes, but he is too proud to give it away. I smile, while deep in my heart I feel a deep sadness make its way inside me, wanting to help the man I love feel better, but immediately the answer arises before my eyes.

"Well when I'm better you could teach me how to make this soup, at least I'll know how to cure you next time you're sick." I try to say, hinting a smile. He immediately looks up and I see in his bright eyes a childlike happiness. He smiles at me showing all his white teeth.

"Sure, I can't wait to show you all the recipes I know." He tells me as he approaches the door, but still looking me in the eye.

"Me too." I reply, smiling, as I hear him coming down the stairs humming Queen's "Crazy little thing called love", thanking Merlin for have sent to me this perfect man that I call husband.

[captainsophiestark]

One Normal Night

Grant Ward x Reader

Masterlist - Taglist!

Fandom: Marvel

Requested: Yes, by anon

Prompts: "If we get caught I'm gonna blame it all on you" and "You lost at Mario Kart, so really this is your own fault"

Summary: Y/N and Grant are in their first year at SHIELD's Operations Academy, and they've already become the agency's power couple. They have a long road ahead of them, both in their careers and their relationship, but they're not about to let anything stand in their way.

Word Count: 2,181

Category: Fluff

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"This is a terrible idea," hissed my boyfriend, Grant Ward, from behind me. We were currently crouched behind the Ops Academy's medical building, only a short sprint from the massive fence designed to keep threats out and agents in training in.

"It is not," I hissed back, barely taking half a second to look over my shoulder at him. The lights sweeping the surveillance perimeter would be past our hiding spot any second, and we'd need to move fast if we didn't want to get caught. "Besides, you lost at Mario Kart, so really this is your own fault."

Grant groaned, and I couldn't help a maniacal grin spreading across my face, although Grant didn't see it. Before he could argue with me any further, the light swept over us and onto the rest of the campus, and I took off running.

I didn't need to look over my shoulder to know that Grant was right behind me. Despite his reluctance at following my plan, we made a fantastic team. We moved like we'd been working together for decades, in perfect sync, and we'd barely even known each other a year.

We'd met thanks to being in the same class at SHIELD's Ops Academy. A class of one hundred new recruits, and our teachers made sure to tell us at least half would wash out. I made it my mission to make friends with as many of my peers as possible despite their warnings, and when assigned seating stuck me next to Grant in a class, I couldn't help pushing at the barriers of the only person who seemed dead-set against being my friend.

In any other situation, I think he would've succeeded at it. But despite the fact that Ops agents usually worked alone, our academy training threw us together in countless trust exercises and missions where we had to rely completely on each other. Grant and I got paired together a few times, and worked so well as a team that we kept getting paired together after that. Slowly, we'd built a friendship, and not long after it turned into a romantic relationship. We'd been inseparable ever since, with the rest of our class equally happy for us and annoyed by our antics.

Last night, Grant and I had a relaxed date night in my dorm, cooking together, drinking wine, and playing Mario Kart. We'd gotten a little competitive and turned the game into a competition where the winner would decide the activity for our bigger date night, happening tonight. I'd won after knocking him off the edge of Rainbow Road, and I'd chosen a night on the beach, outside of the academy, looking at the stars and listening to the waves like normal college students for once in our life.

Unfortunately, the first part of making that happen included sneaking off the Academy's campus, which would require a lot of work and skills that were definitely not part of being normal college students.

"Okay, let's do this," I said, pausing as I got to the fence. Grant made a stirrup with his hands, boosting me part of the way up, and when I got to the top I used my jacket to cover over the barbed wire before holding out a hand for Grant. Together, we made it to the top of the fence in seconds, and then I jumped down to the other side. Grant pulled up my jacket and moved to follow me, but instead of landing gracefully like we'd planned, he came part of the way down and then stopped abruptly.

We stared at each other for a second, equally confused looks on our faces, and then at the same time we realized what happened.

"I'm stuck," growled Grant like he was mad at the fence. He turned around to look at where his belt had gotten hooked on part of the fence after he'd picked up my jacket.

"Shit," I breathed. "Can you take off the belt?"

"I don't think so," he muttered, dropping my jacket and trying all the same. "There's not enough slack."

"Cut it, then."

"I was about to," he grumbled, shooting me a look as he pulled a knife out of his pocket. I just grinned back at him.

"You know, if it wouldn't actually damage our relationship a little, I'd take a picture of you right now and make it my lock screen. You look ridiculous."

Grant huffed, not even bothering to look up at me as he worked. "If we get caught I'm gonna blame it all on you."

"Again, you lost at Mario Kart, so really this whole situation is on you."

Grant just scoffed, but I caught a small smile on his face despite him trying to hide it from me. Butterflies still floated in my stomach every time I made him laugh or smile, even grudgingly, but these quickly died out as the beam of light patrolling the perimeter slowly swept back towards us.

"Okay, we need to hurry," I said, stepping forward a few paces. I picked up my jacket, then looked up at Grant. "Anything I can do to help?"

"No. Just give me... one... second."

With that, Grant finally managed to cut through the belt. He came tumbling down from the fence, and I reached out to keep him from landing hard on the ground. I stumbled a step as his weight hit me, but then he caught his balance and we shifted together to stay upright. Grant whipped around and snatched the remains of his belt off the fence, and then the two of us took off into the night, leaving the beam to sweep over an empty perimeter behind us.

Once we got out of earshot, I couldn't hold back a gleeful laugh as we ran side by side, the air somehow feeling fresher and cooler with each step we put between us and the Academy. I loved SHIELD, I loved what I was doing, but sometimes I just needed a break. And after a year without being allowed off campus, except for a few short and very specific field training sessions, I'd reached my wits end.

"Somebody seems happy," teased Grant, a smile on his face nonetheless as he moved to walk beside me. I beamed back at him, leaning into him before taking his arm.

"I am happy," I replied. "You know I love what we normally do and who we normally are, but I just needed one night, you know?"

Grant just hummed and tugged me a little closer.

Thankfully, the walk to the beach wasn't too far from our campus. You could see it from the window of one of our lectures, and Grant had endured a lot of complaining from me about how cruel it was to have the beach in sight but just out of reach.

Well, out of reach until recently, that is.

As soon as we reached the edge of the sand, I stopped to take my shoes off. Grant raised his eyebrows, and I raised mine right back.

"You're gonna fill your shoes with sand walking?" I demanded.

"You really think you're not going to get sand in your shoes anyway if you carry them?"

I shrugged. "Less, probably. And at least this way I can enjoy putting my feet in the sand before I have to deal with it in my laundry for weeks."

Grant laughed and shook his head, then held out his hand for me. I took it and he pulled me onto the beach after him. We walked along under the stars, skirting the edge of the water, completely alone to take in the gentle sounds of the waves washing up on the beach. Eventually, we moved up the beach just a bit and plopped down on the top of a sand dune, looking out at the water before us.

"Not a bad view, huh?" I sighed, shifting so I could lean back against Grant. He shifted too, to make it easier for me, then wrapped an arm around my waist as he pulled me to him.

"It's a fantastic view," he said, his voice just loud enough for me to hear. I beamed, even though he couldn't see it. It was rare to get Grant Ward to admit he was enjoying himself, and it always warmed my heart when I could do it.

We stayed like that for a long time, sitting together in comfortable silence, taking in the beauty and peace of the sight before us. Peaceful moments were especially rare as SHIELD agents in training, and I knew they'd become even more rare once we actually got to the field. I wanted to enjoy every second of it I could get, especially with Grant.

Eventually, I leaned back further and further, putting more and more of my weight on Grant, until he got the hint and laid down. I curled up against his chest as the two of us stared up at the stars together.

"I don't want this night to end," I finally said, my voice a little hoarse from not talking.

"I... don't want it to, either." I turned to smile up at Grant, and he sat up enough to give me a light kiss. His expression sobered when he pulled away. "It has to, though. If we don't get back in the next hour or so, they're gonna notice we left."

"I know," I sighed. Neither of us spoke for a minute, then I voiced a question that had been bouncing around in my head for a few weeks now. "Promise me... we'll still make time for stuff like this after we graduate? I know it's still a long ways away, so it doesn't really make sense to plan for, but-"

"I promise, Y/L/N. I promise."

"Good. The world better watch out for us once we get our badges. We're gonna take it by storm."

I could feel Grant trying to stifle a snort, so I grinned up at him and his face broke into a smile. He rolled his eyes, but the defeated smile stayed in place.

"Alright, let's get moving. You've crossed into the romcom level of cheesy, and we really are running out of time to get back without getting caught."

"I can't believe you can recognize romcom cheesy," I teased as I stood, then turned back to help Grant to his feet. He rolled his eyes and threw an arm over my shoulders as we started walking together. "Imagine if the other agents knew the gruff, terrifying Grant Ward was more invested than me when we watched Pride and Prejudice."

"It's not my fault my mentor put that book on my list of one hundred books to read."

"It's a great book and a great movie, I'm not giving you shit. I'm just saying I like it when the image of the scary SHIELD agent takes a backseat and you enjoy stuff like that with me."

Grant huffed, staring straight ahead while we walked and not responding. Then, under his breath, so quiet I wasn't actually sure I'd heard right:

"Joe Wright had a vision. Only an idiot wouldn't admit it."

I fought the smile worming its way across my face and had to stare at the sand we were walking through to keep Grant from catching it. I knew if I acknowledged it, he'd never watch another romcom with me again. But it still made me happy to know he let down the tough guy barrier at least sometimes, with some stuff I cared about.

We made it back to the academy and back over the fencing without incident, thankfully. He walked me back to my bunk and gave me a goodnight kiss before we parted ways, hopefully to get at least a semi-decent night's sleep before classes tomorrow. As I laid in bed falling asleep, visions of the stars in my eyes and the sound of the ocean echoing in my ears, I couldn't help smiling at the thought of Grant.

We had years left at the Academy before we got to go out in the world, and that was assuming neither of us washed out. I knew it was ridiculous to think that far into the future, especially in terms of me and Grant together. But still, I couldn't help myself. We just seemed to work together, and no matter how much the voice in my head told me I was being ridiculous, I couldn't talk myself out of the conviction that we were meant to graduate and go out experiencing the world, together.

Grant and I were soulmates, of our own making if not of fate's.  I hadn't let a thousand teachers telling us the likelihood of failure discourage me from knowing I would be an Ops agent, and I wasn't about to let anything shake my faith in my relationship with Grant, either.

We were going to be the greatest team SHIELD's ever seen.

****************

Marvel Taglist: @valkyriepirate​

[mydarllinglover]

SafeHouse || Thirteen

Previous

"Of course Potter is a champion" Draco spat from his bed.

It was after the choosing of the champions and as per usual the four of us were in the guys dorm, I was lying at the end of Theo's bed and we were trying to make sense of what had happened.

"I wonder how he did it" Blaise thought

"With his stupid bloody Potter Privilege, thats how" Draco said

"Yes, but how would he have actually been able to put his name in the Goblet, with the age circle, you saw what happened to my brothers" I said

"Probably got someone else to do it, you know how everyone worships him, I bet Dumbledore did it" Theo said

"Think logical, please, he can't do that, He's headmaster and would probably get into lots of trouble with the Ministry, I'm pretty sure he would not risk it just for Harry, put your jealousy aside for just a moment maybe?

"Jealousy?!" All three of them said in Sync shooting up to stare at me

"What?"

"I am anything but Jealous or Potter" Draco said

"Yep, sure seems like it" I muttered.

"Take that back!" Theo demanded

"No." I crossed my arms

"Yes, Now Weasley, take it back right now!" Draco said

"Prove me wrong and I might"

Next thing I knew, Theo had jumped on me, knocking the air out

"Take it back!" He told me

"Your jealous of Harry" I said in a sing song tone

"No, I'm not" He said

"Yes you are" I laughed "You wanna be the Hogwarts Champion, but he is"

"There's so many reasons why I am not jealous of Potter"

"Oh really? like what"

"Well for starters, I'm the one on top of the Keira Weasley, He's not, I'm rich, I'm Handsome, me as well as all my friends are pure bloods, even you are, I have at least one parent thats alive"

"What?" I shoved him so I could sit up

"What" He repeated

"What do you mean at least one?" I asked

"Thats kind of personal, dont you think" Draco said

"Shit, Theo, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ask, I'm so sor-"

"It's fine, K, I don't need your sympathy, now take back your statement" He huffed

"Fine! I guess you're not jealous of Harry Potter, But I can't say the same for Draco"

"I am not!"

"Are too"

"Get out my-

"Our"

"Dorm, Weasley, right now!"

"With pleasure, I'll let you think of all the ways to best Harry this time, Toodles!" I waved before walking out and going to bed.

•

"Ron, you're being ridiculous, you don't actually think he did it to spite you, do you?" It was Breakfast the next day, I decided to sit with my brother who was clearly in a bad mood, and surprisingly not sat with Harry, who were practically attached at the hip, they were more linked then him and I, and we shared a womb for nine months.

"It's kind of typical, don't you think? Harry always find's some way to include himself"

"I think your being a little dramat-"

"Do you know what its like to have to compete with everyone, I have so many brothers that have all their things and I'm... just...just Ron, nothing special, and then my best friends bloody famous who saved the whole Wizarding world and now is competing in the Triwizard Tournament underage!" he huffed

"Okay, well first of all, We have the same brothers, we are in fact twins, just in case you forgot, and I'm also up against you, who is in fact best friends with the boy who lived, who risked his life in first year, and got an honery mention from Dumbledore for playing the best game of wizards chess. then did it again in second year and even went in the Chamber of Secrets and helped Harry. I've also got Ginny who in her first year had the worst, and she's the youngest child, and girl, so evidently Mum and Dad would be more interested in her. What did I do? become the first Weasley sorted into Slytherin and become friends with A Malfoy, a Nott and a Zabini. You're not just Ron you know and Mum and Dad are so proud of you, you realise that, right?"

"I still don't like them" He said

"Okay, I don't expect you to, I barely like them half the time, but they're also my friends, not yours."

"Please don't let them change you"

"They can't possibly do that if I barely even know who I am myself, and I've been friends with them for a year now, so get over it already. Now c'mon it's Sunday, stop mopping around and lets go do something, just me and you alright" I told him, standing up from the bench.

"Fine" He rolled his eyes "Let me just grab th-" He picked up a napkin and started cramming food in it

"Ronald, come on!"

"I am!"

It was a good day, refreshing, It's been a while since Ron and I had hung out, just the two of us and catching up on forgotten memories, I missed him, Sometimes I envied how close Fred and George were, I wished that we were like that, but we were both completely different with our own lives and friends.

•

"Why must you be so childish" I hissed at Draco whilst we waited outside for double potions.

"What, if you can wear a stupid spew badge, We can wear these" Draco said, nodding at his "POTTER STINKS" badge

"I'ts S.P.E.W and its a good cause, you're just being cruel" I crossed my arms "And the fact you two are on it as well, I expected better" I shook my head at Theo and Blaise.

"Hey! Don't bring us into it, Draco made us wear them"

"I did no such thing, Nott!" Draco glared at Theo.

"Are you saying you both can not stand up to a mean bully, who was once a ferret?"

"Weasley! I told you to never mention that" His eyes were wide as he narrowed his eyebrows

"You think I'll listen just becau-"

"Shut up! Potters coming" He cut me off, clamping his hand on my mouth

Harry and Hermione passed the corner, Harry looked at the Badges the other Slytherins were wearing, I saw the look in his eyes as soon as he saw the message

"support CEDRIC DIGGORY - the REAL Hogwarts Champion"

"Like them, Potter?" Draco asked him as they came closer

"Hey, Harry, Hermione" I greeted them

Before they had a chance to reply, Draco had already stepped in front of me

"This isn't all they do!- look!" He pressed the badge so the message turned. Grinning widely at Harry as he read the message.

"Stop being such a tosspot, Draco!" I told him as I hit his badge, turning it back into the Cedric one.

Harry was bright red as all the other Slytherins were howling with laughter, their own badges changing.

I hate this house.

I looked over to Ron, who was leaning on the wall with Dean and Seamus, third wheel.

He didn't do anything, he wasn't laughing, but he wasn't helping, like he normally would, how much longer is he going to stay mad at him.

"Oh, very funny" Hermione said sarcastically "Really witty"

"Malfoy, tell them to stop, its not funny" I hissed at him, so only he could hear

"Want one, Granger?" Draco ignored me, offering a badge out to her "I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it, you see, don't want a Mudblood sliming it up."

"Malfoy! Stop it!" I demanded.

Harry had yanked out his wand, students fled the corridor

"Harry!" Hermione said warningly.

"Go on, then, Potter" Draco said in a low tone, pulling out his own wand.

"No!" I grabbed his wrist "Please" But he just shrugged me off.

"Moody's not here to look after you now - do it, if you've got the guts -"

"Both of you, just put your wands away, Harry just ignore them" I said

"Harry, Stop!" Hermione said.

"Furnunculus!" Harry yelled.

"Densaugeo!" Draco screamed

The spells bounced, I ducked quickly to miss it as it hit Goyle in the Face, Hermione wasn't so lucky and got hit with Draco's.

Goyle had started growing great ugly boils. Hermione was clutching her mouth and whimpering with panic

"Hermione!" Ron rushed to her, I crossed the imaginary line of Harry and Draco's feud to reach her, Ron and I shared a nervous glance before looking back at Hermione, Ron pulled her hand away and we watched in horror as Her already long teeth were growing to her chin.

"Oh, Hermione, I'm so sorry" I Didn't know what to do

She let out another cry

"And what is all this about?" Snape had, finally, arrived.

The other Slytherins were shouting over each other to give their explanations, But Snape cut them off by pointing a finger at Harry and Draco "Explain."

"Potter attacked me, sir-"

"We attacked each other at the same time!" Harry shouted over Draco.

"-and  he hit Goyle - look -"

"Hospital wing, Goyle" Snape said

"Malfoy got Hermione!" Ron said still holding her wrists"Look!" Ron forced Hermione to show Snape, her teeth were already at her collar.

Pansy and the other Slytherin girls, that I refused to associate myself with (even though we share a dorm) were giggling away.

"Parkinson, shut your pugface up" I barked at her

"I see no difference" Snape said, giving her a cold look

Hermione cried more, I pulled her towards me so she was crying on my shoulder, which hurt because her teeth were stabbing into me but that doesn't matter.

Ron and Harry were hurling insults at Snape, luckily because of the echo, you couldn't quite make out what they were saying but I guess he caught on.

"Lets see" Snape drawled out "Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Mr Weasley. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions."

"But Sir! Ron didn't-"

"Keira, leave it, take Hermione to the Hospital wing, yeah?" Ron told me.

I huffed before gently pushing Hermiones face out of my shoulder and held her hand before leading her off to Madam Pomfrey, Shoving Draco with my shoulder and shaking my head at the other two that just watched.

"It'll be okay, 'Mione, Pomfrey can fix it" I tried to reassure her.

"Miss Weasley" Snape called me, stopping us in our tracks "If you decide to leave my class without permission from me or another Professor, I will be forced to give you a detention, to make up for your absence"

"Sir!" I started but Hermione stopped me

"Just go, I'll be fine" She fought to say, through her teeth. I squeezed her hand one more time before reluctantly walking towards the potions door.

All three of the guys looked at me hopefully as I crossed their table but I took my seat with Harry, who was sat alone as Ron decided to sit with Dean and Seamus, God that boy holds grudges.

"Hi, Harry, I'm so sorry about all that, I swear I had nothing to do with it" I told him

"It's fine, Keira, don't worry about it" He said, giving me a smile but I could easily tell it was fake.

I took his hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze "I bet you'll do amazing, Harry, and prove everyone wrong"

"Your boyfriends don't look too pleased" He told me, I turned to see all three of them staring at our hands in hate and Disgust

"Well good thing, that none of them are my boyfriends then, they're a bunch of pricks" That grabbed their attention like they were all in sync, all their eyes shot up to meet mine, Blaise turned around like nothing happened, Theo blushed before quickly turning away, But Draco's eyes lingered for a moment longer before turning.

I still hadn't let go of Harry's hand when Colin Creevey ran in, Ginny had told me all about the annoying curly blond boy that took pictures of everything he laid eyes on.

Turns out His brother was the one that fell in the lake.

"Yes?" Snape asked as the boy continued to stand there.

"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs."

Colin's smile dropped instantly as Snape stared at him.

"Potter has another hour of Potions to complete, He will come upstairs when this class is finished."

"Sir- sir, Mr Bagman wants him" He stuttered "all the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs..." Colin then looked over to us, still holding hands, as soon as I saw part of his smile return I snatched my hand out of Harry's

"Very, very well" Snape snapped at the younger boy "Potter, leave your things here, I want you back down here later to test your antidote."

"Please, sir - he's got to take his things with him." Colin squeaked "All the champions -"

"Very well! Potter - take your bag and get out of my sight"

Harry grabbed his bag, throwing it over his shoulder "See you, Keira" He muttered before walking down to the door

"Good luck, Harry" I called after him. Great Now I was alone.

•

I very much regretted sitting with Harry that day after the poisonous Rita Skeeter had published her article on Harry in the Daily Prophet.

Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, say's that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl, but our sources have told us that he has also been seen cosying up with, Best friend, Ronald Weasley's Twin Sister, Keira Weasley, who transferred here, last year and was the first in her family to be sorted into Slytherin. Am I sensing a high school love triangle?

It's been out for nearly two weeks and the guys still won't drop it after I decided to talk to them again which was dinner the same day, and that was also another of my regrets.

But It was Fred and George who lapped it up the most, as if it was the funniest thing they had ever seen.

"Our Baby sister, dating the Harry Potter"

"Our little sister in the paper"

"First Pucey now Harry, talk about downgrades" They teased, which hadn't helped because turns out The bitch Skeeter was eavesdropping, Which I had no idea how because I hadn't seen her anywhere.

Potter's girl! The boy or the Fame?! The heading read, mentioning how quickly I had moved on from relationships and delving into my Family's fortunes as if I were with Harry for his riches. Which I was not! Because I don't even like him.

•

The day of the first task had finally approached.

I was stood in the stands with Draco, Theo and Blaise, shivering.

All three of them were very excited about the Dragons, I had to admit, I was impressed and nervous, that they might break loose and attack us all.

I was more worried about Harry's. God, Please don't let him die in front of everyone, I might go after from second hand embarrassment.

He was last. Krum had just finished by retrieving his egg by besting the Chinese Fireball.

Harry had walked out from the tents. He would have to face a Hungarian Horntail. Of bloody course he would get that one

"My brother, Charlie told me about Hungarian Horntail's once" I said out loud "They're really vicious, and possessive of their eggs. Look at the spikes on its tail" I pointed

"I have got to admit, If Potter can pull this off, thats impressive" Blaise nodded

"And what happens if he doesn't?" Draco asked

"Then I guess I won't be the only one seeing Thestrals" Theo shrugged

"Theo- Thats really sad, but also don't say things like that! I'm sure he wont die, My brothers probably here keeping watch just in case. And also sorry about that" I gave a sympathetic look to Theo.

"Accio Firebolt" Harry had shouted from the enclosure.

The crowd continued to make noise but I drowned it out focusing on Harry and praying that he would be able to do this.

His broom came speeding towards him from the tree's.

Bagman was yelling from excitement whilst commentating.

Harry hopped on his broom and rose in the air quickly, my heart raced as he dove towards the Dragon, I thought it was going to jump out of my chest.

The Horntail then let out a stream of fire, harry dodging just in time.

"Great Scott, he can fly!" Bagman yelled "Are you watching this, Mr Krum?"

I gasped, slapping a hand to my mouth as Harry got hit in the shoulder by its tail.

"I can't watch this!" I squeaked before turning around so I was facing the opposite way, which was the front of Draco as he was stood behind me.

"So you're just going to stand like that the whole time?" Blaise asked

"Until its over, Yes"

"Stop being dramatic" Draco said

"I'm not, I just don't want to watch"

"Really? Because he's got the egg" Theo said

"Wait- really?!" I spun around, Harry had in fact managed to snatch the golden egg and was now lying up and around the stands. I instantly joined the crowd in screaming and applauding him, the guys...not so much.

"Look at that!" Bagman yelled "Will you look at that! Our youngest Champion is quickest to get his egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Potter!"

"C'mon, I wanna go find Charlie!" I grinned up at them before running out the stands.

"Keira!" Charlie called when he caught sight of me running towards him

"Charlie!" I squealed "Why didn't you tell me anything about this, you knew!" I glared at him after letting go of the hug

"I couldn't, it would ruin the surpri- who's your friends?" He asked, Pointing at the three boys, furrowing his eyebrows

"Oh, right yeah, well Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott, Meet my brother Charlie" I introduced them

"Wait, you mean Malfoy and Nott, as in Malfoy and Notts boys?" He looked back at me, completely ignoring them "You know about their dads right, How they were close with-" He whispered to me

"Charlie, shut up! Leave it alone, yeah?" I hissed at him

"Where's your boyfriend then?" He looked around

"Guess you missed it, he broke up with me in October" I shrugged

"No, I meant Harry, I saw the paper" he wiggled his eyebrows at me

"He's not my boyfriend, That was just Bloody Rita Skeeter!" I said "Oh, there's Harry, Congrats, you were amazing!" I told him as the three of them walked up. I froze for the tiniest second remembering Draco, Blaise and Theo were still stood there, forgetting about them whilst talking to Charlie.

"Oh, thanks Keira!" He grinned

"Come on, let's go" I turned to say to the guys who looked more than happy to leave.

•

"This is Bloody ridiculous!" I cried at breakfast

"is she still complaining about the ball?" Draco huffed

"yep!" Theo said, running his hands through his hair

"I'd say we are on Seven since finding out" Blaise said

"I haven't got a dress, I don't have a date! I don't even know how to dance!" I whined

"Hey, Keira! I was wondering if you wanted to go to the ball with me?" A Ravenclaw boy in my year asked

"No! piss off will you, go bother someone else!" I barked at them

"Thats the third guy you've turned down just this morning" Theo said

"I thought girls were supposed to be into all this stuff" Blaise said to the other two.

"I dont know, she isn't much of a girl, is she" Draco replied

"Excuse me!?" I gasped harshly at him "Maybe it's because im panicking and worried, not because "im not much of a girl" you absolute arse!" I glared at him.

As soon as I had finished my sentence owls swarmed into the hall carrying parcels and letters, what surprised me was when a beautiful brown feathered barn owl dropped a brown paper parcel in front of me.

"whats that?" Theo asked

"I have no idea" I looked at it in confusion, before tearing the paper "Merlin!" I inhaled sharply

"I guess thats one of your problems sorted" Blaise shrugged.

"what is it?" Theo asked, leaning on the table to see better

"its a dress, but from who?" Draco asked staring at it in confusion, the same as the rest of us

"I have no idea" I said, covering the dress back up and slipping my bag on to go back to my dorm

"wait where are you going?" Blaise asked

"to go try it on" I said without looking up from the parcel and continuing out of the hall.

"But we have classes!" Theo called after me.

•

"Miss Weasley, how nice of you to finally join us" Snape sneered when I  walked into the hall, Apparently it was mandatory to have dance and prep lessons for the ball.

"Thought I would make an appearance." I shrugged, before walking over to the guys that were in the corner, looking bored and annoyed.

"Not so fast, Weasley" Snape stopped.

I froze but not turning around just yet.

"You can help demonstrate how to dance" He said

"What?"  I turned to face him "Sir, that won't be necessary, surely there is just a spell or something"

"Believe me, if this wasn't mandatory I wouldn't be here, over here, now, unless you want a detention"

I took in a deep breathe as I walked to the centre of the hall, I could already Hear Pansy and the other girls laughing and talking rubbish.

Dancing with Snape had to be the worst thing that I have ever had to go through in my entire life, It was embarrassing, humiliating, cringing, every time He spun us and described the move or whatever The guys would laugh and mock it, I hate them.

When he finally thought I had gone through enough he let me go to the guys, I ran Into Blaise's arms and whining into his shoulder about how horrendous it was as they tried to stifle their laughter.

"Pair up and practise with your partner" Snape ordered, Draco Blaise and Theo all looked at me as if I was supposed to pick one of them.

"Parkinson and Malfoy, Greengrass and Nott,  Weasley and Bletchley, Goyle and Bullstrode, Davis and Zabini" Snape directed partners

"Sir, what about me?" Crabbe asked, it was weird hearing his voice.

"Sit this one out Mr Crabbe" He dismissed.

"Hi" I greeted Miles when we met, he placed his hand on my waist and I holding his hand and shoulder

"Hey, Keira, I was wondering, do you have a date to the ball?" He asked me

"Um, No I don't" I said honestly.

"Oh, I would've thought that one of your guys would take you"

"Wh- No! they're not my guys"I said, trying to laugh it off

"Hm, sorry for assuming, its just you're always with them so some people just assumed that you were with one of them" He shrugged.

"No, we are all just friends, if you could even say that". I said "what about you?"

"Oh, I'm going with Tracey, She's my girlfriend" he grinned. and glancing over to where Blaise and Tracey Davis were dancing.

Next

[msanimedolphin]

~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Thirty-Two ~

-Masterlist-

What happens when a girl who loves volleyball joins a boys' volleyball club? Does she find love? Will she relive her past or move forward? Join (L/N) (Y/N) on a journey with fun twists and turns.

I don't own Haikyuu or any of the characters.

-Last Time-

“You sure do have a big appetite today, Suga.” Ashai points out.

“Oh? I’ve got work to do, so I need to be sure I eat enough.” Suga replies, which earns knowing looks from Asahi and Daichi.

-Karasuno General Sports Park, Dormitory-

“So! In two days, we’re supposed to have a showdown with the legendary Karasuno High School, right? Now, the big question I have about our (supposedly) fated rivals is… do they or don’t they have a hot chick for a manager?! I bet one Haagen-Dazs that they don’t have one!!” A boy with a blonde mohawk says.

“Aww! I think it would be cool if they had one, so I’ll bet one Haagen-Dazs that they do!” A boy with brown hair that is spiked upwards replies.

“I’ll bet one too!” A boy with jet-black hair adds.

“Whaaa?! Don’t you two have any brains?! We don’t have a hot chick manager, so they shouldn’t either! The only way I’ll forgive them if they do is if she’s as hairy and ugly as a gorilla! But on the teen-tiny off chance that they have a super-hot, gorgeous supermodel of a manager, I won’t forgive them for the rest of my life!!”

‘He’s crying…’ The other two boys think.

“You’d better be ready, Karasuno!! I’ll make you pay!!” The boy yells out the window.

“Shut up, Yamamoto!!” Kuroo scolds the boy with the blonde mohawk.

“Hey, Kenma! What do you think?” Yamamoto asks.

“Meh? Don't really care either way.”

“Eeh! I figured you’d say that.”

“Still…I’m kinda looking forward to it. Our game with Karasuno.”

“?!” Everyone looks at Kenma surprised except Kuroo.

“What?! Mr. No-Enthusiasm-For-Anything himself is looking forward to a game?!” Yamamoto asks.

“Yamamoto, if you have this much energy left, do you want me to give you extra laps?” Kuroo asks.

“Urk! My bad…”

-The Next Day, With Karasuno-

“Okay!” Ukai begins. “This will be our starting lineup for the game against Nekoma.” He says referring to the boys on the court.

-Daichi(Wing Spiker) Hinata(Middle Blocker) Tanaka(Wing Spiker),

Asahi(Wing Spiker) Tsukishima(Middle Blocker) Nishinoya(Libero)

You look at the boys on the sideline. Yamaguchi looks sad, Suga is trying to look unbothered but you can see through it, and the remaining three second years don’t look surprised. You want to encourage the five of them but Ukai continues speaking.

“I know most of you have only just met, so I’m not expecting you to be in sync right off the bat. I hear there was even some kind of trouble between you guys before I got here.” He glances at Asahi and Noya. “Anyway! Just because we have a talented libero now…and our Ace is back…doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and start winning everything. The team that wins…is the one that stays connected the longest. How well you guys pull that off…will determined in the Crows vs. Cats game.”

“Yes, Coach!” Everyone calls out.

“Just getting the chance to practice a real game was no easy feat.” Ukai begins and points to Takeda. “Be sure to thank your advisor for all his hard work.”

“?! W-Wha?! N-No, I haven’t…” Takeda stutters.

“Thank you very much!!” Everyone says before they start cleaning.

Asahi is standing and watching Tanaka and Ennoshita talk as they sweep. Noya is behind him.

“Asahi-san!” Noya says, causing the Ace to jump.

“Yeah…?” Asahi responds hesitantly as he looks behind him at Noya.

“...” Noya looks at him. “Never mind Suga… you’d better not be feeling sorry for Ennoshita too.”

“ULG!”

“Wha?!” Ennoshita responds having heard Noya.

“This isn’t a game of nicey-nice, y’know!” Noya starts. “The best player gets to be out on the court! Period! That’s the way it goes!”

“Noya…Let’s just drop it…” You say, trying to avoid another big fight.

“Um…” Asahi looks at Ennoshita.

“W-Well…” Ennoshita begins. “To be honest…It isn’t as if I’ve been giving my all to the club this entire time either.”

“Huh?” You say quietly.

“I did run away that one time. So um…”

“??” You, Hinata, and Kageyama look at Ennoshita in confusion.

“When you get stronger and better than Asahi-san, then you’ll get to steal that starting spot from him fair and square!” Noya declares. “Right, Chikara?”

“Huh?!” Ennoshita stiffens. “W-Wait, I didn’t say that—”

“Oh yeah. That’s right. If anybody’s gonna lose their spot to you, it’s gonna be Ryuu.”

“?! W-What?! Y-You’re on, punk!” Tanaka yells. “B-Bring it on, bruh!! I can take you!”

“Nishinoya, please stop that…” Ennoshita says, shoving his hand in Noya’s face.

-After Dinner-

Hinata and Kageyama enter the room.

“Aah, that was good. I’m stuffed–GAH!!” Hinata says before seeing what’s going on in the room. “The second years are setting everything up!”

“We’ll do that for you.” Kageyama says as he and Hinata rush over to the second years. Hinata grabs the blankets and pillows from Ennoshita.

“Huh? No, that’s okay!”

“Is everything okay in here?” You ask as you stand in the doorway.

“(Y/N)?” Ennoshita looks at you. “Yeah. Everything is fine.”

“Okay. I just wanted to make sure.” You say. You notice that they are setting up the futons. “Here, let me help you guys.”

“Oh! I-It’s okay, (Y/N). We got it.” Ennoshita says.

“It wasn’t a question.” You smirk. You’re straightening out the futon when Hinata speaks.

“Um, Ennoshita-san…?” The second year looks at him. “I kinda overheard you talking to Asahi-san and Noya-san earlier…”

“You did? So you heard the part about how we ran away, huh.” Ennoshita says embarrassed. “Last year…You heard that Coach Ukai came back for a short while, right?” He asks. “The older one. Not the Coach we have now.” He clarifies.

“Yeah.” You, Hinata, and Kageyama say.

“Well…And this is going to sound really pathetic, but…there were a handful of us who just couldn’t handle practices anymore.” You, Hinata, and Kageyama sit down with you in the middle. “Our captain was an easygoing guy, and we all took advantage of that. But when Coach Ukai arrived, what used to be a just-for-fun club suddenly turned into a serious, in-it-to-win-it team.”

“For those of us who’d gotten comfortable with the old way, it was a shock, to say the least. So…we ran away.” Narita added.

“Soon we all started to miss the game, and we came back. But by that point, Coach Ukai had left again.” Ennoshita explained. You remember Keishin telling you about his gramps collapsing and ending up in the hospital.

“The team has never been all that big. So when we came back, Sugawara-san turned a blind eye to what we did and let us rejoin.” Narita says.

“We’re all pretty pathetic for second years…” Ennoshita says. “But since we’re here, we’re going to work hard and do our best not to let you rookies get ahead of us. So, um…we’re going to try and give you a run for those starting spots fair and square. Okay?”

“Yessir!” Hinata and Kageyama say.

Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita get their bath stuff and start heading toward the bath. You stop them out in the hall.

“Wait up!” You shout at them. They stop and turn to look at you.

“What’s up, (Y/N)?” Ennoshtia asks.

“I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m really happy you guys came back to the team.” They look at you shocked. “I know how hard of a decision it is to come back. I won’t go into details but I left volleyball for a bit and getting up the nerve to come back was tough. But I’m glad I did.” You finish with a smile. The boys are shocked and are unable to find the words to say. The four of you stand there not saying anything until it becomes awkward. “Well…” You begin, breaking the awkward silence. “...I’m going to go say bye to Hinata and Kageyama. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” You say as you turn and head back to the room where the two first years are.

“(Y/N)!” Ennoshita exclaims.

“?” You look back at the boys.

“Thank you!” All three say as they bow.

“!!” You’re shocked until a smile spreads across your face. “I meant what I said.” You say before continuing to your destination. You’re about to go into the room when you hear Kageyama ask Hinata a question.

“What’re you staring off into nothing for?”

“...It’s kinda obvious…that not everybody on the team will get to play in a game. But…everybody’s working really hard in hopes of getting called on to start.”

“...”

“The only reason that I get to play is cuz you’re setting. I hate to say it, but there’s no way I would’ve gotten this spot on my own.”

“...”

Hinata quickly stands up, startling Kageayma. Hinata starts screaming and running.

“?! Where are you going?!” Kageyama yells.

“To take a bath! And then I’m gonna go to sleep! And get up even earlier tomorrow morning!!”

“!!” Kageyama starts running after him.

“...” You stand in the doorway as they run past you, not even noticing you.

“Hey!! Dang it, no fair!! You got a head start!!” Kageyama yells as he runs past Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

“I can understand early practice…but why race to the baths? That’s stupid.” Tsukishima questions with a look of disgust as he watches the two of them race.

“Ugh. Just watching them makes me tired.” Yamaguchi says before yawning.

“Hey guys!” You say getting Tsukishima and Yamaguchi’s attention.

“Oh! Hey (Y/N)!” Yamaguchi replies as Tsukishima just looks at you. “What’re you still doing here?”

“I was finishing a few chores and then listened to a story about the second years. I talked to them and then went to say goodbye to Hinata and Kageyama but they raced off to the baths.” You explain. “So, what are you guys up to?”

“Getting ready to bead to the baths, obviously.” Tsukishima remarks. You roll your eyes at him.

“Are you guys excited to go up against Nekoma?” You ask.

“It’s just a practice game.” Tsukishima replies.

“Well, I’m excited!” Yamaguchi says happily. You smile at him. 

“I know you guys will do great. I believe in you guys.” You smile. Yamaguchi blushes and Tsukishima’s ears turn the slightest bit pinker. “Well, I better let you guys get on your way. Don’t want the other two to use all the hot water.” You say as you begin to walk away. “See ya guys tomorrow!” You wave.

~To Be Continued~

[verycharismaticdragon]

On Air Island - chapter 2 - part 5

[prev] - [story so far] - [next]

[character guide]

(the transcript is available below the poll, under keep reading)

Note 1, regarding translation of Mr.Fact's line & observer's comment:

Those duckacoon or whatever and it's quack is annoyed me every time… ==> That damn cluck, cluck… Every time I hear it, it makes me lose my temper. It’s DUCKACOON not DUCACOON ==> It’s quack not cluck

So in original Korean, DUCKACOON is called "Ogoli", and they always finish their sentences with a word ending in "o" sound + add "goli", together making their name "ogoli". However, Mr.Fact complains that their "yogoli, yogoli" annoys him - misspelling their speaking quirk and therefore their name - which the Observer corrects, saying "it's ogoli, not yogoli".

In the original translation, as you can see, these lines don't really sync, which I wanted to correct. The "ogoli" speaking quirk is translated into English as adding "quack" at the end of the sentence; so, I picked something that sounded kinda similar to it to replace Mr.Fact's misspelling (misunderstanding?) of "yogoli". Thus, "cluck". Based on the translation of the chat message, I guess the original translator wanted to go with Mr.Fact misspelling DUCKACOON's name instead, but since that didn't happen 🤷‍♂️

Note 2, regarding this comment in the chat:

Their contract renewal period is almost over

Now, I'm not a k-pop fan so this won't be in-depth, but basically: idols sign a contract with their label for a set number of years, after which their contract is up for renewal. This is a stressful period for both fans and idols themselves, because depending on contract negotiations, the group might be disbanded or lose members. The company may choose not to offer new contract to members they find unsatisfactory, or offer unfavorable terms to a group that's not very popular...

So what the Observer here is saying is that Hanse's group has to renew their contract soon, and it seems that Hanse's reason for participating in the show is to gain recognition so that their renewal goes well.

...oof, lots of text today. Anyway, another timed choice awaits!

Transcript legend:

In-game text

Character speaking: dialogue line

regular chat message Donation: donation message

available donation messages

{ Alternative translation }

|| 🏅 award (achievement) collected ||

———— ———— ————

Mr.Fact: What does Hanse think about this?

[player] donated 50 Small Heart: How do you feel now Hanse?

Hanse: Oh, well... I'm so hungry... ...?

Tomato: ? Meu1: lol hottest: LMAO 97amy: Your true feelings came out hahaha HeCanNot: Suddenly the situation changed ggung: Just hungry, right *sobs in tears*

Naoto: ... … … … …

DUCKACOON: I'm sure there are some cooking ingredients over there, so you can convince the staff to use them quack.

yummy99: Sweet of you to let us know in the middle of this captain: Sweet DUCKACOON 9contest: Sweet DUCKACOON nazang12: Sweety DUCKACOON

Hanse: Oh, thank you......!

hansevly: Let’s go eat ABChanse: GO! Igiveu: Let’s go!

Naoto: … … … … …?

The PD's Voice: After you finished eating, let's go back to base camp!

DUCKACOON: Ah......! I have to cleanup something, so I'll go first quack.

DUCKACOON: Take it easy quack.

ASHA: See~ Uaenaa: You did well DUCKACOON Army: Bye DUCKACOON hanseria: Good bye DUCKACOON

Mr.Fact: Those duckacoon or whatever and it's quack is annoyed me every time… { That damn cluck, cluck... Every time I hear it, it makes me lose my temper. }

Mr.Fact: I'm off too!

UglyFace: Bye Mr.Fact FactBro: Let’s go to Mr.Fact’s channel; now dauni: It’s DUCKACOON not DUCACOON { It’s quack not cluck } outnow: Don’t come

Naoto: Hmm...

Naoto: I don't know how you got on this program… { I don’t know how someone like you ended up participating in a program like this… }

213_love: That’s right  Believe: Why is he doing this? WooWa: Their contract renewal period is almost over HateHim: It’s obvious that he is trying to escape the flop image Expose: not an image it’s a fact  Crack: Honestly, I’ve seen the faces of the other members of A NINE at least once but never this one

Naoto: I wish you all the best.

NoHanse: #HANSE #LEAVE GetLost: <This chat has been deleted by Cleanbot> Imsolo: Everyone don’t give them attention, just ignore! BabyKing: <This chat has been deleted by Cleanbot>

⏰ Hanse: Wow...... I think something has happened.

ottse: Now what to do? Flos: Hanse said he’s hungry, but…

How about negotiating with the production team?

Let's follow Mr. Fact!

Let's step on Naoto's back! { Let's follow Naoto for a bit lol }

[hoperenae]

Turning Heads (a Haikyuu fanfic by hoperenae)

PREVIOUS — SERIES MASTERLIST — NEXT

PART 21- Tokyo Training

Summer had finally arrived, and we were headed back to Tokyo for the summer training camp. Unlike a couple of weeks ago, we were at Shinzen this time, but all the same schools would be there. All of my teammates had been working on new moves since our last camp, and while I had been helping them, I hadn’t really come up with anything new for myself. This camp felt like the perfect opportunity to figure out what I could do that no one else could, what made me special.

“What’re you hoping to learn from the training camp, Arya-san?” Yacchi asked as the bus rolled on past cultivated fields. She was the new assistant manager for the team and a first-year like me. We had a couple of classes together, so when I heard she was considering joining the team, I encouraged her to give it a shot. And I was glad she did.

“I don’t really know,” I confessed. I guess I’m mostly just hoping I don’t get left behind while everyone else moves forward.” I smiled nervously.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” Yacchi said. “You’re super talented, so I’m sure you’ll come up with something awesome.” She grinned and I returned it.

Finally, we arrived at Shinzen High. We were the last team to arrive. As we entered the gymnasium, I couldn’t help but be in awe at the amount of talent in one room. This was going to be fun. Or so I thought…

Day one was rough, to put it mildly. Everyone felt really out of sync. It was like we were each a different part of a machine, but none of the parts were put in correctly, so the machine was malfunctioning. We had to do so many hill sprint penalties, I thought my lungs were going to burst. Once all the teams got over the fact that I was the only girl, they didn’t hold back against us. They had a little more trouble with my left-handedness, but after a few matches, I no longer felt like I had an edge. To top it all off, Hinata and Kageyama still weren’t on speaking terms from their big fight, so things were a bit tense. By the end of the first day, I was nearly ready to throw in the towel and call it a week.

Everyone stayed up late practicing their new moves. I helped Nishinoya by hitting some of his tosses, and I attempted to receive Asahi’s new jump serves. It felt like everyone was moving forward except me, and I was beginning to feel anxious and frustrated. I needed to grow, fast.

Day two was more of the same. More losses, more penalties, more frustration. The only saving grace was that, halfway through the day, the Fukurodani managers brought watermelon for everyone. I sat down on the hill next to Kenma from Nekoma who was fiddling with a handheld video game.

“What’s that you’re playing?” I asked Kenma through a mouthful of watermelon.

“Huh?” Kenma muttered, startled to find that I was indeed talking to him. “Oh, uh, it’s this new RPG called Castlemaster.”

“No way!” I exclaimed. “I’ve been wanting to buy that, but I don’t have any money, and my mom made me choose between that or new volleyball shoes.” I frowned and glanced down at my new shoes.

“Oh, yeah. It’s pretty fun.” Kenma said with a shrug. I scooted closer to him to watch over his shoulder, and his eyes grew wide at my sudden proximity.

“Ah, if it isn’t Karasuno’s girl,” a deep voice said. I glanced up to find Nekoma’s captain smiling at us with his hands on his hips.

“I prefer ‘Karasuno’s wing spiker,’ thanks,” I retorted with a sly grin.

He put his hands up in defense. “My apologies, I meant no offense.” He plopped down next to me and held out his hand. “I’m Kuroo.”

“Arya,” I said as I shook his hand. It was calloused and warm, and he had a firm handshake.

“You’ve got a pretty mean spike for a first-year,” Kuroo remarked. His legs were out long in front of him and crossed at the ankles, and his hands were behind him to prop himself up. He had an ease about him that made me feel comfortable.

“Thanks,” I grinned. “Seems like you had a little trouble adjusting to my lefty spikes.” I smirked and met his eyes. They were deep brown with flecks of gold. Kenma snickered beside me.

Kuroo leaned forward to glare at Kenma as a blush crept onto his cheeks. “I wasn’t having trouble. I was just preoccupied with making sure my teammates were ok. That’s the job of a captain, after all.”

“Mhmm ok, whatever you say.” I shrugged. Kenma snorted again.

“Kenma!” Kuroo scolded. I laughed and playfully punched Kuroo’s arm which made him smile coyly.

“Arya!” Daichi called from the entrance to the gymnasium. “We’re meeting real quick before the next matches start.”

“Yes, captain!” I called back with a salute. Kuroo released a big bellied laugh. “See you guys in there!” Kenma nodded without looking up from his game, and Kuroo gave me a smile and a wave. Even though they were technically my rivals, after the tough time I’d been having lately, I was happy to have made two new friends.

TAGLIST: @lemurzsquad @bokuroibi

[queenlua]

tagged by @vintar for “ten songs you’re vibing to right now”!

ok, i gotta tell you just how EXCITED i was when i got tagged in this, because

i saw it earlier this week, just as me and a friend were talking about our misspent youths, which for both of us involved an awful lot of “stockpiling dope midi file versions of various anime theme songs,” right

and i was like “bro i still have my WHOLE COLLECTION,” and we spent a VERY pleasant evening nostalgia’ing over the tracks i found, and now here i am, days later, sharing ten of my dopest midi files with you as well (& all my fine fine followers ofc)

here’s the dropbox link!  a guide:

abyss.mid: god wasn’t this song so sick when it was in dance dance revolution

galaxia.mid: i have NO IDEA what song is from.  hmu if you recognize it?  lil’ kid me was impressed with its majestic scope, its sick reverb, its really fun ancient-temple-y orchestration, and, ok yeah adult me agrees this one rules

giveareason.mid: i have never watched slayers in my life but i have listened to the midi of its theme song approximately one billion times

lastempl.mid: i think this is the last temple theme of one of the earlier zelda games?  i like how AGGRESSIVE it is, just, RIGHT out of the gate it’s loud and in your face

nightwait.mid: *old man voice* back in my day we didn’t have enough space to download em pee threes.  we had to collect midi files of cool pop songs.  such as jennifer lopez’s classic “waiting for tonight”

SD3_-_Innocent_Sea.mid: it’s a tune from Seiken Densetsu 3, a game soundtrack i find overall tragically underrated.  (the whole series, really; Secret of Mana has some absolute bangers too!)  anyway “Innocent Sea” and its companion “Innocent Water” have fucked me up for years; ask me to play the latter on the piano at a nerd convention sometime

sealcrazy.mid: there was this one wildlife artist who sold his art on his lovingly handcrafted website and he had a different midi file for each page.  like each piece of art for sale had its own page.  anyway this was my introduction to Seal, though i didn't realize it until i heard it on the radio when i was 25 and was like HOLY SHIT IT'S THE LIVE VERSION OF THAT MIDI FILE

song1.mid: i think this one might be from Ultima?  like the original Ultima online?  but i’m really not sure; i found it on a Geocities website for this horse roleplaying game called Black & Blue where this song played in the background during its cool Javascript intro page, where they told the story of The Falling-Out Between The Two Brothers That Has Now Cleaved Our Realm Into Two, and like, text would fade in & out in sync with the music?  such a sick effect.  loved it

song2.mid: this played once you entered the main part of the site.  might be another Ultima song.  who fuckin knows

SongoftheWolf.mid: some of you didn’t listen to an absolutely disgusting number of world music albums + Enya during your formative years and it shows

anyway, i will spin the wheel since i’m honestly looking for some new music (i have to drive a bunch during the next month, UGH): @radicarian @ourlightsinvain @jaggedwolf @soanvalcke @departo @nightpool @cyansighs @tototavros  @cyanoscarlet & anyone else who wants to join!  (did i mention. i have to drive a lot. please share some music with me. save me from listening to Bad Religion’s The Gray Grace so many times it causes an integer overflow in the fabric of the universe and sends us all straight to hell)

[breakerwhiskey]

085 - EIGHTY-FIVE

Please visit breakerwhiskey.com for more information or to send a message to Whiskey's radio. Breaker Whiskey is an Atypical Artists production created by Lauren Shippen. If you'd like to support the show, please visit patreon.com/breakerwhiskey.

Transcript under the cut. For more episodes, click here.

[click, static]

Harry was right. Santa Fe is gorgeous.

You know, being here, thinking about it being Harry’s favorite, thinking about the fact that she could be here, right now, with me, and she’s not…

(sighs) It wasn’t…it wasn’t all bad. That’s what I’ve been thinking about. Since I arrived, since going to the art museum, it’s like I see her around every corner, and I imagine what she’d look like going through the galleries, or pointing out the unique architecture, or insisting we find ingredients to make one of her favorite Santa Fe meals, whatever that might be.

It’s—it’s made me—I’ve been remembering the good times, I guess is how you’d put it. There was this one time, before everything happened actually, before that last job, way before—

Richie had this unbelievably shitty loft in Alphabet City. Barely any heat, exposed wires, groaning pipes, warped glass in the old windows, just the whole thing. He was the only one of us who lived on the East side—even me of the unpermanent address tended to stick West—but he was also the only one who owned his place. Well, and Pete. We were all pretty sure that Pete owned a whole fucking brownstone in Brooklyn, but we were never able to confirm it. He was pretty secretive about his personal life.

But, anyway, Richie would sometimes let me crash at his loft and he had us all over with some degree of regularity—the place was huge, so great for big parties. The crew wasn’t big of course, but he’d invite all his weird beatnik friends and Harry would bring her art friends and Don would bring the guys he grew up with who’d always have some kind of Italian fruitcake with them and Pete and I would stand in the corner friendless and drinking heavily.

And one night, we’d all been there for hours and the crowd had dwindled and it was really just us and Don was doing his truly awful Perry Como impression and Harry and I were on the couch just…in stitches. And I think both of us were pretty sauced by that point, because once Don took mercy on all of us and stopped, someone had the brilliant idea of doing a game of charades. Harry and I were on the same team and we just…I don’t know, it was fun. It was really fun. We kicked everyone’s asses, it was…we were so in sync, it was strange. But Harry didn’t make fun of me for my pedestrian choices of what to act out and she didn’t pick anything that she knew I wouldn’t get and it was like…

“Oh. This is what it could be like if we were nice to each other. I didn’t expect it to feel this wonderful”

Anyway, then we sobered up and everyone went home and I passed out on Richie’s couch and then I didn’t see Harry again until our next job nearly two months later. And it was like that night had never happened. She was just as cold and condescending as ever. And I was just as snide as I always was.

But for that one night…I don’t know, it felt good. It felt like how things were supposed to be.

With your mysterious job and all, I wonder if you had any friends in it. If you ever goofed around with them. Or if it was all serious, all the time.

It must have been, right? If it went as badly as you say, hurt people, it must have been serious right?

I mean, I dn't know why I’m even asking, I—

[click, static]

I still don’t trust you, but not talking to you is worse.

[click, static]

[beeps]

.. - / ... - .. .-.. .-.. / -- .- - - . .-. ...

It still matters