#I really wish that as I got older I got more well / stronger mentally.

[iliothermia]

I'm really struggling with communication right now, so I'm gonna be a bit distant for a bit. I really appreciate the patience n kindness 💗

[ladyravenjadethe2nd]

Spoilers for Part 3 of If Wishes were Kisses

I think I'm gonna call this one Isekai Making just to stick to the naming theme.

Next character is.....Milluki. Illumi will be 7 when Milluki is born.

Yep we are getting all the Zoldycks from Momo and Shouto although Shouto only carries the one.

The exact genre is Satire and I will explain that more in a minute. Frist lets breck down the build up to Milluki's birth.

Momo and Shouto finally get together. They have been in love, but not saying it for awhile, but a near death experience causes them to fall into bed together.

They are super happy about it, but Illumi who knows when Milluki should be born has been replacing Momo's birth control pills with fakes.

Now Momo's body is weird. She can pull a cannon out of her stomach and barley look like she's lost weight. Certainly her boob size never goes down so I head cannon that fats works weirdly on her. I don't think she would show much.

So she doesn't notice right away, but she does do the responsible thing and take a test after missing a few periods even though she thinks it's stress.

Her and Shouto are hesitantly happy about it. Work is calmer. Illumi is calmer and oddly thrilled about having a sibling so it should be fine right?

They got married before they even got together for paperwork reasons so instead of having a real wedding once they get together they plan a big baby shower.

The drama has waned and the family is calm. Illumi is in his good boy persona and only gets caught half the time when he does weird shit like try to sleep in a hole or drink bleach.

Both grandfathers has chosen to chill out on Illumi's future career until he is close to highs school age.

Maybe someone else in the Todoroki clan has even gone to therapy. I'm betting on Fuyumi.

So looking at Milluki now he is an interesting character. I consider him the most 'normal' Zoldyck that has the most 'normal' sibling relationship with Killua and the reason for that is his 'normal' hobby.

The guy is a weeb. He has been watching and daydreaming about normal families and close friendships since he was kid. He has Yu Yu-Hakusho, Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon stuff in his room.

Milluki knows the power of friendship. He understands good and evil. Has seen what people with good morals are like. He is well aware that his family would be the villains of the story if he lived in an anime.

Milluki doesn't try to make Killua come back because he understands that if you have a wanting friendship mentally your going to be a bad villain no matter how skilled you are.

Milluki does think his family is better then all the other villains though because they are a family. His media constantly shows how powerful bonds are and I think that's why he is so loyal to his family.

He's relationship with Killua is pretty decent compared to Killua's with the others.

1) The torture scene is very tame for Zoldycks. You think Milluki doesn't know enough about Killua's training to know the only thing he really considers painful is electrocution? He's supposedly really good at torture, but just uses a whip.

2) Killua says he isn't sorry, but he also says that he does feel bad for stabbing Milluki and that's why he allowed the torture. I'd say being stabbed is a lot worse then whipped. Not the normal amount of Zoldyck violence so he feels bad about it.

2) Killua has never shown any fear towards him despite him being older. There was a point where he was stronger then Killua just because he was 6 years older. Killua knows Illumi won't kill him and he doesn't seem to mind most torture, but he's terrified of Illumi.

Clearly Milluki has never really tried to make Killua fear him.

3) Milluki is the only one Killua is willing to call and he does it with his regular phone. After telling Gon not to use his computer because it can be traced he calls Milluki on Whale Island who is like the best tech person ever. That bird that delivers stuff also found Killua on a boat headed away from whale island.

Milluki could find Killua, but Killua trust him not to tell their mother.

4) The yo-yos. We see Killua make a deal for information, but Milluki seems to just send Killua handmade special yo-yos. I say handmade because Killua says his brother made the alloy for them. Killua doesn't kill anymore and he has nothing Milluki would want. Could be he got them from Milluki awhile ago from a deal and just needed them sent to him, but even then someone had to be trusted with his location to send them and that had to be Milluki.

All this to say. I think that Milluki thinks of his family as being 'Zoldyck normal'. They hurt each other for 'good' reasons. They care about each other in a special Zoldyck kind of way. I don't think he ever questioned that his family 'loves' him and he 'loved' them back.

At least until Illumi kills Killua. Killua the favorite.

Milluki feels deeply betrayed by his family now.

Illumi who is in shock and not acting mournful at all. Silva who is only somewhat disappointed. Zeno is quite. Kalluto doesn't come home for the funeral and his mother who he still calls mama only pretends to cry.

She can't shed tears under her visor so to cry for real she would have to take it off, but she doesn't. She looks perfectly put together while she dramatically wails at an empty coffin because they didn't care enough to bring home a body.

Milluki feels like no one is sad his little brother is dead and if no one loved Killua, the favorite? Then it's impossible that any of them ever loved Milluki.

This is what is going though his head when the light takes him. His whole life feels like a lie. Does he have to fear Illumi killing him too? How close has he been to death every time he angers his family?

He isn't just mourning Killua he's mourning the family he thought he had. All the abuse was only justified if they loved him, but they didn't.

Being Isekaied is a great distraction. What's even better is that Milluki knows what an Isekai is and.... he knows My Hero Academia.

This story is a Satire or Parody of SI fanfics.

You see Milluki isn't a great fanfic writer himself, but he is certainly a connoisseur of the fanfiction format.

Much like one that does not paint can be an art critic Milluki has sent pages long flames picking apart fanfictions and the very worst kinds of fanfictions for Mary Sues and unrealistic power leveling is of course SI fanfictions of which he now finds himself in.

Luckily he is well read on the topic so he has a 27 step plan for ultimate power in his back pocket or he would if he was born as Deku or any one else in cannon so some plans will have to be adjusted.

If it's not clear he very much assumes he is in a fanfiction and spends a fair amount of time pissed at the author, but in order to run from his own angsty backstory Milluki is going to dive headfirst into this new world.

He will be in denial about Illumi having his memories, but that's alright because Illumi makes the same assumption about him at first.

He will try to have that Main Character energy despite mostly wanting to stuff his face with food and sit in front of a computer.

There will be a lot of him trying to exploit fandoms tropes and canon knowledge. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

He's going to be just as big as before, but for quirk reasons.

See I think it's BS that Momo has a quirk based off fat, but doesn't look like Fatgum so I think a pretty normal mutation for her quirk would be for her kid to have the same quirk, but retain a large about of body fat.

It could in fact be considered a stronger version of her quirk since he can make much more stuff then she can.

He will at first aim for Heroic to be his daytime job while he takes over the world from the shadows, but gives that up pretty fast. He doesn't exactly enjoy excise and sense no one makes him train he knows he isn't going to have a good time of it. Making support equipment will work just as well.

I also see him trying to help his parents with finances and paperwork and anything to be useful because he knows he was only tolerated for his usefulness before, but he will realize he is valued for more then what he can do for his new family and became fond of them.

He will try very hard to not have emotions about having a loving family for once and mostly succeed.

I think he has low empathy so I think he would be slow to love people.

At some point though he is going to realize that Illumi is a bit of failure at being the perfect child so by the time Killua is born Milluki considers himself to be winning the favorite child contest that only him and Illumi think are a thing.

Milluki once he has properly mourned is mostly mad and offended that Illumi killed Killua more then anything so he tries to one up Illumi in everything as much as possible.

His relationship with everyone is complicated.

He gets along mostly with Illumi until he has to face the fact that Illumi remembers then he is pissed off at him and then doesn't trust him around Killua.

I may put Milluki very low on the sociopathic spectrum actually, but I'm unsure.

While he doesn't really like Killua he is protective of him especially from Illumi.

Illumi will of course try to repair his relationship with Milluki, but he doesn't know what he did wrong so good luck with that.

I very much want Milluki to have a saving his little brother moment somewhere.

I think he will be unbearably smug that he is more trusted then Illumi around Killua.

Illumi tried to stick a pin in Milluki as a baby to train him and their parents Did Not like that.

I have a few other random notes for Milluki. Like he becomes good friends with Iida and Camie's child Raito who also likes anime.

He gives up on ultimate power at some point because it's too much work and he works out his issues mostly.

I think I'd like to see him ending his story either as an adult or close to it with a fairly boring chapter pointing out how realistically being reborn into an anime isn't going to change the kind of person you are so the chance of you having the motivation to go through with your plan to be op is pretty low.

[mmkin]

Shameless Wily simping fun... also, the next chapter of Forever Clockwork is done faster than I anticipated, so here's the link on AO3, the chapter is also included under the cut.

Content warning - None (some flirting, but teen safe/SFW)

(Yes, these are the scrubs described in the fic, my first time ever drawing scrubs. I obviously need more practice, but it was still a hoot to draw)

III

o0o0o0o

(Wily’s POV)

Wily glanced down at the tablet, occasionally tapping the screen as he looked at the design and schematics of the robot that was on the table before him.

Robots these days were designed with fail-safes or automatic shutdowns that were triggered by certain behaviors. For example, a maid-bot might not be able to go more than a designated amount of meters from a house before it receives a warning signal, and if it ignores said warning, it would power down automatically.

Another feature that was typical for a robot was a GPS, in case the robot was stolen. Robots could also be shut down with voice, wireless, or radio commands. Robots, especially ones programmed with AI, were pricey investments, and thus needed safeguards so that humans could protect their property.

The GPS had already been disabled by Shademan before the robot was taken out of the amusement park it had been built for. However, the brightly-colored robot remained inactive, having powered down shortly after it went beyond the borders of the park. Not surprising, really, and the mad scientist was prepared for that.

He set the tablet down and leaned over the robot, lifting the panel off its back with little effort. A network of complex circuitry met his eyes, but it did not intimidate him the least as he examined it, making mental notes about what to upgrade or change.

That was one thing he'd always found fascinating about technology. It was ever-changing and improving, and he could learn and benefit from it. With each line, his robots became better and stronger, and with everything he learned, he could go back and upgrade some of his older Numbers to increase their efficiency or power., or in this case, take other people's robots and give them his modifications. Any robot could be improved on. Unfortunately, the same could be said about Megaman, but eh. Dr. Light and the blue robot were pushed out of his mind as he focused on his current task.

Wily lifted the helmet off the robot, revealing the circuitry located within its head. With deft hand movements that spoke of long experience in this particular process, the doctor hooked up wires to certain parts of the circuitry that made up the robot's mind and personality. This was a precaution he took every time he significantly modified or upgraded a Robot Master. Once the memory was backed up in his computer, he got to work, removing the GPS, the power override, and other devices that this 'bot's creators had installed to impede its freedom.

It took a bit of time to figure out what sort of weapon to give the robot. However, looking at the long, flexible arms of this robot gave him the idea to use their unique qualities to this robot's advantage. He did these robots a great service by maximizing their potential. Too bad the world could not see that. Such was the lot of a mad genius...

o0o0o0o

A Decade Ago, 200X

The first series of Robot Masters was already well underway. DLWN-003 through 005 were just about done, and 006-008 were all more than halfway through. Albert was rather proud of himself, but then who wouldn't be? He and Thomas had come a long way since their university days, and so had technology. When the first AI robot had been created by the two of them, it was very limited in its capabilities and most people did not see the use or benefit of their work. But then, look at the first automobile or the first computer. If people had thrown up their arms and not wished to work more on these inventions, then who knows where the world would be today?

“To a job well done, Albert," Thomas said as he raised his mug of coffee. Albert grinned and raised his own before he glanced at the television screen. Their work had brought them much recognition, and soon, would bring them an award. They had already won several for their work in the field of robotics, but the Technology Award was almost basically the Noble Prize of Science.

The head of the council, a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, rose from his seat. He had won last year's award and had also replaced the former leader of the council when he retired.

“As history shows, man has been very creative in his use of technology, and seeking ways to advance it. We are very fortunate to live in a new century, and not just that, but a new millennium. Man has been able to utilize technology in the last century that would have been unthinkable in the entire course of human history.”

“Get on with it," Albert muttered before he took another swig of his coffee. He had disliked Dr. Cooper upon meeting him, finding the other scientist to be a blowhard at times. To receive his award from this man... feh.

“This year's Technology Award goes to someone who is known as the father of robotics.” Father? Albert frowned at that as Dr. Cooper continued, "And without him, robotics would probably still belong in the realm of science fiction. I am pleased to announce that this year, Thomas Light is the winner of the Technology Award!"

Albert and his partner stared at the television for several moments, waiting for Dr. Cooper to realize his mistake, or for someone else to correct him on his omission. There was a round of polite applause from the other members before Dr. Cooper announced that he would fly to Light Labs and present Light with the award himself.

“What the...!” He rose to his feet, glaring at the screen, his knuckles white as his mug slightly shook.

“Albert, I am sure it was an honest mistake, I will explain it to him. You deserve that award as much as I do, and we both know it.” Thomas put his hand on his partner's arm to calm him.

o0o0o0o

Now

The mad scientist wiped his brow after he adjusted the tightness of the coils that he had added to the robot's flexible arms. When he took robots created by someone else, he preferred to keep the external design changes to a minimum and work with the robot instead of against it. It had taken him some time to decide how to optimally weaponize the clown-themed robot, but studying the arms had given him a sudden burst of inspiration.

He had retrofitted the insides of the arms with flexible Tesla coils, enabling the production of electricity and the ability to use it as a weapon. His work on DWN-060 was almost complete. The previously installed safeguards and controls that enabled this robot's original creators or owners to control him had all been removed. His memory had been uploaded to the new brain and installed within the head cavity.

He sat back on his stool, basking in the glow of a job well done. He still enjoyed building his robots and challenging himself with new designs, like he was doing now for DWN-057, but there was a perverse sort of pleasure in stealing the robots of others and giving them freedom and his enhancements. Now, only if it were as easy to enhance the human body... He grinned to himself dryly as he stretched, feeling his old bones creak a bit as he did so.

o0o0o0o

(You)

You set the weapon down, running your finger lightly along one of its planes and looking at the three green blades, having followed Wily's blueprint and putting the pieces together. It was easy to get lost in the work, and doubtless, that was partly from starting a new job and doing something that was a challenge.

But oh, how your back aches from being hunched over the project. So you back away from the table, stretching out your arms and legs as you pace the large room, where several other tables sit with various projects including a new Robot Master. You wander over to it, slowly circling it as you study his work. Most of it is assembled already, though a casual observer would see several pieces missing or incomplete.

It's over seven feet tall and near it is a red facepiece with a long, pointed nose. Much of one arm was missing, and you blink when you realize the weapon you'd just been working on was intended to be part of that arm. So now, apparently, officially you helped to build a Wily Number? You lean in, finding the number that identifies it as DWN-057.

Well, now you’re curious to see your work in action. You smirk to yourself and startle when you turn around and see Shadow Man. You wonder if he’s ever startled Wily the same way.

“Forgive me for startling you,” the ninja-bot says as he bows his head.

“No harm done. Is there a problem?” you ask.

“Nothing at all. How goes your task?”

“Almost done. I just needed to stretch out.”

“Father is almost done with his work, and he says you can stop and clean up. Dinner will be in half an hour.”

“Oh, cool. Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“I'm curious... you have free will, right? You're free to do as you want go where you please, unless I assume wrong.”

“No, you are correct.”

“You have your own... hobbies, interests, predilections? Did these come about on their own?”

“Yes. That is how it is for all of us. Father designs us with different tasks and occupations in mind, as you can see by our bodies, but as far as personalities go, we develop our own. Not all of us were created by him but are loyal to him.”

“Why do you serve Wily, then? You are a powerful robot and could do nearly anything you wanted.”

He looks at you curiously for a moment, thinking quietly for nearly a minute before speaking.

“Because we love him, and we believe in his cause. He wants to make robots equal to humans, not slaves. He wants to blur that line, the line between human and machine to the point where we can't be treated like objects. We have souls, we have feelings, others can't see that, can't hear it, or won't try to understand us.” he said quietly, his words baring a conviction more convincing than any human you’d heard in a long time.

“When I first met him, we talked about the possibility of robots having souls. This was right before the first line of Masters came out, mind you. Everyone around me, except for Albert and Thomas, of course, thought that a robot could never have a soul. People scoffed at the idea. But Mega Man came along and… A lot has happened since then.”

“That is true. We are loyal to him because he cares for us. If we get damaged, he takes the time to repair and upgrade us instead of discarding us. We are his sons, whether he built us himself or rescued us.”

It’s heartwarming to hear a robot speak so passionately, and you stare at him quietly. He takes your silence as skepticism and adds, “You can choose to believe me or not, but I am confident in the truth. Many condemn his actions, simply because they don't understand him or us. He stands against the world. And we stand with him.”

“I believe you,” you reply.

For lunch, there are deluxe sandwiches with a tasty ingredient you had almost forgotten the taste of. You haven’t had one of these since… Fuck, really, you ask yourself as you smell the tantalizing scent of the hot ingredients in the sandwich, finding yourself on a cruise down memory lane. Amazing what little details he remembers. You'd always figured he was much more focused on his work, like the stereotypical male who forgets the details while his partner is the one who remembers all the little things. But he'd remembered your favorite colors. And you two had talked about science fiction in the past, and he remembered the particular titles you mentioned as your favorites.

Wait, he’s not your partner. He’s your mentor and boss. You look at the table, where the sandwiches sit, waiting to be enjoyed.

“When was the last time you had one of these?” he asked, gesturing to the sandwiches. The smell envelops you in a pleasant memory.

“That would be when you informed me I was getting an A for the semester,” comes your reply.

He blinked. “Really?”

“I'd never had that type of sandwich until you made me one, either," you admit as you take one of the stools and sit down. You take a bite of your sandwich, letting the taste of well-seasoned ingredients explode in your mouth. Yeah, that's some good stuff. You remember when you'd shared this in his lab, it was your final semester and not long before Wily went rogue. Since you spent a fair amount of time in his lab, sometimes he provided you with food. One day, it'd been these sandwiches, ordered from some nearby local place. They'd been pretty damn good. He sits across the table from you and starts on his food, and the two of you munch away contentedly.

He’s not made any overt moves. Most talk is about either work or the hobbies you share. He’s been a gentleman, and you’re happy about that, but a bit let down. There’s an occasional teasing or snarky comment, and you wonder if you’re just being impatient, or oblivious, or something. You’ve dated a few times, but nothing ever panned out in the long run. What might dating Wily be like? Would that make things awkward, or would it turn out to be a meeting of both minds and bodies?

“So how was your day? I trust you had no problems in the lab.” you hear him say.

“Everything was just fine, thank you. I had all the things I needed and I'm almost done with DWN-057's arm.”

“Since you were able to identify who you were making the weapon for, I take it you looked at the rest of him. What did you think?”

“I am impressed," you admit, seeing the flicker of pleasure in his eyes at her admission. "You've come a long way since the DLWN Numbers. I'm almost jealous of you."

He sat back, a smug grin on his face. “Jealous? Why would that be?”

“You have your lab and army of robots to bring you all the materials you need. You're pretty much free to do as you please, you don't have the constraints that law-abiding scientists have to deal with."

He let out a pleased laugh at that. “Living on the wrong side of the law has its benefits.”

“As I can see.” You wave a hand to indicate your surroundings, “I know Dr. Light isn't too proud of what he had to do to get funding to build his lab.”

Wily nodded. Light Labs was a huge undertaking, and to get funding for that, Thomas Light and his partner had taken several contracts with the military. He had been compensated well for his work, but you and Wily knew that it weighed heavily on Light that his genius had been used in war machines. He tried to ease his conscience by building robots designed to help humanity, but that part of his past still haunted him.

“Sometimes you do what you have to. It was not pleasant for Thomas, but it benefited him in the long run," he replied.

You nod slowly. You could easily understand the time and effort it took to build Rock and his sister. What was harder to grasp – at least for the layman – was how much funds it took to not only build these two but the funds needed just for the research into AI and advanced robotics. Dr. Light had also grown attached to his first Robot Master, known initially as Blues before he became Proto Man.

“I guess you felt like you had to leave Light Labs and do...”

“I did," he replied in all seriousness.

“It was a pretty damned ballsy move.”

He grinned widely at that, wiggling his eyebrows. “You're right, it was. But dreams are not accomplished by the meek.”

“Ha. I suppose not.”

“What are your dreams?” he asked. You glance at him, and he continues. “You didn't study robotics just so you could build robots for other people. What do you hope to accomplish?”

You’re not sure. It’d be pretty cool to design your own Robot Master. Cybernetics was also another interest to you, as its current applications were relatively limited due to the barrier between machine and flesh. You have another idea milling around, but despite your time with Wily, you’re hesitant to share your idea with one of the world’s most wanted criminals. You regard him with a thoughtful frown.

“What if I gave you time and space for your research?" he asks. Your eyes widen as you struggle to control your reaction. He grins at you, knowing he has your interest.

“Come now. I'm giving you the chance to get to work on your dream. I can provide you with the materials you need. And you've seen for yourself that there's plenty of space. So if there's an idea rolling around in that pretty little head of yours, I don't doubt it's a good one."

Well. You’re not immune to a well-placed stroke of the ego, are you?

“I remember you talking back then about how nice it would be to be able to upgrade a human body like you could for a robot…" Back then, it was an impossible dream, but as robotics advanced and cybernetics had a few promising developments, it seemed more possible that in the future, the two might become integrated. Possibly cybernetic organs, or a whole new body. You saw how sophisticated robotics has become since its inception. Hell, look at how cell phones were back then, compared to the smartphones of today.

You’d made notes, run test programs, and the like but you’d never had the chance or space to test it out fully.

“You didn't spend all that time just working on other people's projects, did you?” you hear him ask. You quickly look back at him.

“How come you didn't ask me to work for you back then?” you ask.

“I was just starting out. I was new at the villain thing and I didn't want to get you in trouble or risk you being harmed," he said calmly. "I respect you too much for that, and, I'd be a shitty teacher and mentor if I let a student get hurt."

“Hmph.” You give him a brief nod to show you accept his answer.

“As you can see, I am very well-established. I know what I'm doing now, and I can keep you safe. And let you work on your research. Course, I would need to know what you wanted to do…”

“Well…” You lean back, crossing your arms, appraising him. Can you trust him?

“What is it?” he asked, interest all too obvious in his tone.

“I did get a lot of work done. But it's mainly notes and research along with designs. Without a lab of my own, I could only do so much in the way of a physical product."

“I assume you have enough notes and research to start work immediately.”

“I do."

“I would be disappointed if you didn't," he commented. You smirk back at him.

“You seem to have a lot of faith in me even though I haven't made a big name of myself like Mikhail Cossack or Noelle Lalinde."

“I saw your potential in college, and there's nothing wrong with avoiding the limelight. You get more done when you’re not prancing in front of the cameras or trying to be careful to not piss people off.”

You throw your head back and laugh at that before you sober up, thinking about your research and what Wily could do if he got his hands on it. It’s not weaponry, but could enhance existing weapons. You’ve seen the remains of the Stardroids he managed to salvage and wonder what you might learn if he allowed you to examine the alien technology. You grin, deciding to try a bit of a Wily maneuver.

“I’ll tell you about my project, but I want to examine the Stardroid parts you have,” you offer.

“Think you can make a deal with me?” he asks with a grin. You calmly nod. “I’ll take it, at least this once.” He extends his hand for a shake, and you don’t hesitate to grab it. His hands feel like what you’d expect – bony but muscular. It’s also pleasingly warm and dry, and a thrill passes through your body at the contact, because thus far, Wily has given you space.

As you expect, there is quite a bit to learn from the Stardroids, and you see a couple of practical possibilities emerging from the Stardroids’ unique abilities. And while you’re looking at them, he explains how he’d already used some of the technology to improve Shadow Man, giving him Saturn’s teleporting ability so that the ninja-bot was able to teleport you safely to Wily’s lab – something that wasn’t supposed to be possible for organic matter because of its difference from data (which was why advanced robots like Mega Man could teleport, but not humans or animals)

You've been wondering about that since you came here. "That's fucking genius," you say in response to that. He grins knowingly and you're pretty sure he's puffing out his chest a little.

It was still a huge drain on Shadow Man, so he had to use that ability sparingly, Wily explains. Still, that sort of feat shows you that others are possible, including your own.

“One must be prepared to adapt. I am always willing to learn more, and there is plenty to learn from the Stardroids." He sounded like he had in the old days when he was giving a lecture. You notice he's standing close to you. Not indecently so, but as a fellow scientist examining the same thing as you. You decide to test the waters a bit and move closer to him, your shoulders just touching. He does not move away. You stay where you are, and so does he when the two of you are looking at the part, examining it under magnifying lenses, and listening to the observations he'd made. He points your attention to something and you feel his hand on your back, touching lightly. You have to remember to breathe and keep your hand steady because holy fuck, your pulse has picked up so quickly that you're almost dizzy.

You didn't realize that being here, in close quarters to him, was causing tension to build up. He used to be your teacher and mentor, now he's your boss. You don't want to jeopardize this relationship, but fuck, he's such a silver fox, and at this point, you're 99.9 percent certain he has… something for you. After all, hadn’t he remembered these little details about you?

So you take a deep breath and relax, letting him keep his hand right where it is as you lean to get a better look at what he’s pointing out. You chat a little over it before you stand back up, and he pulls his hand away.

“So there you have it. You can have access to this lab anytime, but first…” He raises his eyebrows. You take a deep breath, wondering what he’ll think of it.

“You could call it a self-repair matrix, I suppose. You know how cybernetics as a technology is still limited because flesh and machine don't exactly mesh well." There are limited examples, to be sure. Cochlear implants, robotic hands, pacemakers, and the like. Technology has come a long way, but the bridge between flesh and robotics is still a ways off. "It's a healing system for a robot meant to stimulate what a human does to heal themselves. It's more for internal technology, but I don't see why it can't also apply externally, with enough time and development. And hopefully, that can also help with meshing with a human body more efficiently."

“I knew you had to be cooking up something good, and I am intrigued.” His smile is enthusiastic.

“The issue with the program is that it has to be customized for each robot. Kind of like DNA. Each Robot Master is unique, so the program would have to have its specs added to it before installation. Once installed, the robot would need less maintenance than before, and some of the damage could be repaired by the program. It also helps to preserve memories, should the brain itself become somehow damaged."

“I like it. I definitely like it.” He tugs his mustache thoughtfully as he stares at you, and you regard him with a modest but pleased smile.“You will need a Robot Master to test it on and make sure it works.”

“It does. At least, when I tested it.”

He raised his eyebrow. “How? On one of the robots you built for others?”

“No way! But I did test it on my computer and a discarded robot brain. They were successful, and I anticipate the same results for a robot of Master-level, but it would take longer to make one matrix since there's more data to integrate into it."

“I look forward to seeing you build it. Let me know what you need.”

Boom. Just like that, your employer has essentially offered you a blank check. You pause as you realize that some of your supplies are likely going to be stolen.

If there was a better real-life example of ‘making a deal with the devil’ than what you had just gotten into, you’d be hard-pressed to imagine it.

“You look worried, Y/n. Is something the matter?" he asks. You huff softly, looking down at the table with the Stardroid parts illuminated under lights and magnifying lenses. So far, you haven't mentioned anything about the legal ramifications. And you hadn't done anything illegal so far. You weren't stealing things, taking over locales and terrorizing the locals, or shaking down governments for money.

Nah, you were just working for a mad scientist who did do all of these things, and technically, you could be considered an accomplice for assisting in the construction of a Robot Master. Now, if you asked for it, he’d steal for you.

You place your hands on your hips as you study your boss (and object of your desire) and decide to be honest.

“We both know what's going on here is illegal. You do not need to fear me snitching on you. And I am grateful for this opportunity, believe me. It's… exciting, and thrilling. I'm having a ton of fun here." You see his eyes light up at that, and you continue, "But I can't help but wonder if I made a deal with the devil."

At that, his grin becomes devilish indeed. “Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven!”

[moroser]

just journaling about my year and stuff. not doing that well but i’m also okay.  

i try every year to make this time of year more bearable but it just is not. i feel like i spend most of december distracting myself in any way possible so i don’t have to confront anything from this month or the year ending, reminding me of a lot of my failures and sorrows and far-from-reach desires. 

this year was not very good for me. i’ve been sick for four years now and still don’t know what’s wrong. my goals feel so unreachable but i made new ones this year. possible goals if i can manage to get through some obstacles, like feeling sick. 

loneliness has been a strong feeling this year. it’s hard for me to make friends in general and i actually have none offline. i feel sad sometimes about that, but mostly just unlucky that all my online friends live so far away. i have a hard time around people because i feel so different from most. i tried to make new friends online this year but it feels like what always happens, no one really sticks with me. i feel very forgettable that way.

i realized this year i’d really love a girlfriend again!! but its hard to sort out how to even go about that. i’m older now. i’ve spent so much time alone. and i’m grey ace and i think aromantic. but i know i’d do so well with a life partner. someone who understood me and me them. 

i feel so behind in life. i missed most of my 20s. almost all of them. i lost them to bad relationships, mental illness and addiction and chronic illness. ive always tried so hard. i’ve always been dealt unlucky hands and worked around it. but somewhere i lost any drive i had to help myself. i really truly wanted to die. i truly felt i deserved to die. i had planned to die, on this day. two different years. i don’t want to die anymore, but the feeling lingers. 

i managed, somehow, to quit my addictions in 2017 and i have been sober all this time. i smoke weed, but i don’t consider that a huge issue, though i wish i smoked less lol. but i detoxed alone for a week in a basement, sweating and with chills, throwing up. i did everything related to my addiction in secrecy. no one around me knew and it just made me feel even worse. because no one around me has ever really cared i was there and i’ve always felt unwanted. and i just felt really invisible. i detoxed twice because the first time, i relapsed. almost checked into a center but i said no i can do this and so i did. i stopped drinking alcohol and i stopped drinking energy drinks all around the same time i quit opioids. i’ve been really proud of myself for everything related to recovering from this period in my life. it’s the strongest thing i’ve ever done for myself and i did it alone.

i’ve always done everything for others and worked hard for praise from adults in my life. i rarely got it. there are so many things that impacted my life negatively out of my hands that i will never get validation for. i’ll never get apologies for. it’s hard to swallow that a lot of the time. but at the same time, it feels like something i’ve always known and carried forever. i’m just aware enough now to really understand. i’m aware enough to know that you have to be your own cheerleader a lot of the time and i am so bad at that. 

i found out this year, and this is actually hard for me to admit because of idk autistic reasons probably, that i want to have a baby. i want one child and it admittedly helps in driving me to fix things and get a career. i’m applying to school in january for spring classes to get everything going. it’s hard to do things for just myself. keeping this in mind, that i’m doing it for more than just me, helps. 

my grandpa passed away in july this year. it was unexpected but also expected. he’d been battling heart failure for several years and already had lived many years passed his original prognosis. he died in his sleep, in the house he built himself and lived in for 60 years. my gran is devastated of course but stronger than i thought of her. 

with his passing i moved into their house so i could take care of my gran. i already was taking care of them, but from my prior living space which was a dungeon. a prison. a horrible place. living with my gran has it’s stresses and difficulties but it will be better here, for me. and i hope for her. we have a really good relationship. besides my cousin she is my closest family relationship. 

overall this year was not wretched. but it was mentally difficult. physically exhausting. and demanded a lot of my strength to keep going. but i’m on new medication, i have an easier time remaining positive overall. but man i feel like the saddest person ever. lol. i just feel so sad and lonely and i question what it is i did in a passed life to deserve how hard it’s been since forever. i’m 30 and so lost. i hope 2023 is a little better. i guess that’s all i can ask. 

[z-haven]

Episode 9 thoughts

Part 1:

Scenes where characters get sick and need a good wipe down are usually cliched for me (like seriously, not every ill person would be too sick to walk to the bathroom) but here Jom passing out from exhaustion/weakened immune system/something in the air but still it made sense.

Then Aunt Prik catching an almost kiss and going "Ooh" Gosh I love her. I loved that she was comforting Jom when he learnt of the upcoming engagement. She doesn't need to say much, but she has observed Yai for years and is closer to him than his own parents. So of course she'd pick up on Jom too.

Maey Rescue Mission - heck yes. I hope Robert loses everything. He's keeping up the facade of a doting wife because although he knows the truth will disappoint Ueangphueng's parents, it's really more about keeping up his own pretenses.

James has a diplomatic nature that can charm both sides e.g, relating to Robert punishing his servants. James is more like Yai in that he doesn't look down on people (as far as I can tell) but also tries to steer Robert's mind away from his rage by saying "You have more important things to do."

Also, the camera makes a comeback. If anyone had watched the pilot before, and even before you saw the preview. you'd know the significance of it. I'll leave it at that.

Everything is set in its time and place even if we are dealing with time travel.

Yai was direct in telling his father what he wanted. He was direct in letting his mother know he would not go through what his older sister went through. It's not like he's shying away from expressing himself. However the time period he lives in and duty to family plays a part in how he proceeds and even though he's resisting that he goes through with it because Jom tells him too. And it almost seemed like Jom was giving in to Yai's father's wishes until, oh hello, crashing the party aren't we? What are you upto my dear Jom?

pops popcorn for the next episode

Part 2 (as a reply elaborating a bit):

The reply to above: Yai did express what he wanted to his parents but still went along with the engagement preparations and hid it from Jom until he found out the evening before. So I don’t think he goes with it because Jom tells him to.

My bit: I get what you're saying and I think it's both. So I'm going to read between the lines a bit and I should have elaborated more. Yes he goes along with it because for one thing, the main house has basically 'held him hostage' and can't necessarily throw a 'fit' in front of the servants and tell them "No, I am going back to my house". He still has to maintain his sense of decorum. We don't get to see the pre engagement preparations because it was important to focus on how Jom would react to the situation. And I'm pretty sure he wanted to break the news to Jom although he was procrastinating (although I don't blame him at all) but it was kind of too late to tell Jom because he had already gotten the news. Jom got upset and we saw his breakdown with Aunt Prik (Also kudos to Nonkul's acting in that scene). But this little time that they've been apart has given Jom the chance to calm down and think. And as such, for that time (before we all saw Jom crashing the ceremony) he, who is currently the more 'mature' one in the relationship due to life experiences and age (also that's complicated with regards to them) has to be the one who will be stronger for both of them. I don't know if he had a plan all along in his mind at that time (but I am so glad he had one). So you are correct, Yai doesn't go along with it (initially) but Jom's mental and emotional strength helps him move forward with the decision. I know we'd hate to think of it, (pilot spoilers or not, it's a possibility) but if and when Jom is pulled back to his present, what's going to become of Yai and his life? He's going to have to live up to expectations of his society at that time and may very well end up in a marriage of convenience. But it looks like Jom was like "Nah, violinist, cut the music." and wanted everyone's attention because oh boy he's got things to say.

Part 3 (more thoughts during this episode):

I should've added this before but it just came to me so I'll add it here.

Yai is only 20. Yes, an adult barely and trying to navigate a world where he has to hide himself and also subdue his own needs, aspirations and desires due to his upbringing and the culture he was brought up in during that time period. The one that puts the authority of the parents over everything else. If there was a grandfather and or grandmother involved, Yai's parents would be following their rules. Now not all households during that time are going to be same (because we can't generalize everyone) but Yai and Ueangphueng (not Lek as yet because he's still a child) has had the brunt of the parental 'laws' on their shoulders. You can marry who we say, no you cannot go abroad to study, you have to work in the same line of work as your father or actually no, you're the daughter of the house so you need to play house.

One 20 year old may find themselves gaining independence and learning how situations work through trial and error. Like Jom (in his twenties) has his own place, his own job and we can assume (correctly) that he has gone to college and has also dated for a few years (even though majority of that relationship was long distance) but Jom himself was making decisions on his own while still maintaining a relationship with his family e.g. his sister Somjeed. Yai hasn't had that opportunity to gain any of that experience and as a such there is a distance from his family and Ueangphueng also experiences that distance even though unlike others who had the upbringing and or developed the mindset and know how to challenge and change things, others are conditioned to stay behind the lines. So that's why I'm going to be a bit kinder to Yai's situation.

[prettybillycore]

Out of Love || Billy Hargrove x Harrington!Reader

Pairing(s): Billy Hargrove x Harrington!GN!Reader ; Steve Harrington + Sibling!Reader

Universe: Stranger Things

Summary: Steve’s younger sibling fell hard for Billy when he first moved to Hawkins, but as the summer of 1985 rolls around, they realize that they have fallen out of love with him. Now, they have to figure out how to break up with him. 

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 2.8k

Warnings: canon typical violence, mental health issues, relationship angst, billy’s anger issues, falling out of love, Neil Hargrove is his own warning, mentions of depression, major character death, mourning A/N: I am always excited when I receive angst requests because they give me a challenge and a chance to put my own inner turmoil into something productive. That being said, when I write angst for myself, I usually write angst with a happy ending. I enjoy things working out in the end. However, I know (and am all too familiar with the fact) that not everything ends well. Not everyone gets a happy ending. This was a good chance to write about that. Thank you for handing me this prompt anon (ik u told me who u were, but I can’t find the post for my life…). I hope y’all enjoy the angst, vulnerable!billy, accountable!billy, and trauma therapy. Please heed the warnings on this one. It is very dark.

I think I made reader a little more emotionally attached than you requested; I hope that was okay!

Read it on Ao3 or here on Tumblr (below the cut on this post)

Everything with Billy always moved fast. Everything he did started with whirlwinds and flying down the interstate at ninety miles an hour. At first, this is partly what caused you to fall for him. He rolled into the parking lot of Hawkins high with that beautiful Camaro and highlighting smile. Your first interaction pretty much just consisted of you mumbling “hot damn” under your breath and him tossing you a nonchalant wink. Your brother and his at-the-time girlfriend Nancy both grimaced and rolled their eyes. You, on the other hand, were entranced. 

Your connection only got stronger; you were in the same grade and your teachers seemed to like you two sitting together– you were next to each other in three classes. He flirted with you relentlessly and you tossed it right back to him. Your meeting felt cosmic to you; you were supposed to be in each other’s lives during that time. You partly wished you could go back to thinking that way. It would be easier if you could. 

You agreed to go on a date with him even though Steve told you not to. Your brother’s opinions meant a lot to you, but his word wasn’t the final say. It was your choice at the end of the day. You got ready and were excited to see what the night would bring, but it was called off when you found out that Dustin Henderson had been raising a baby Demogorgon in his bedroom. You fought to protect your brother in the junkyard and raised holy hell when Billy started in on the party while at the Byer’s house. 

You did end up going on your date later that week– with the requirement in place that he work on himself. He absolutely hated it, but he agreed to see a therapist. He started working on his relationship with Max and he wrote an apology letter to Lucas that eventually turned into a sit-down conversation. Steve forgave him for their fight after some time; he even agreed to let Billy and Max stay at your house when things got bad at their place. Max was in shock as time went on and Billy really was working on himself. He still wasn’t the best older brother, but she could see that he was genuinely trying– that was enough for the time being. You were still in love with him at that point. Your feelings were strong and, you thought, unbreakable. You started therapy as well for the trauma you endured while dealing with the upside down. You had to edit a bit in front of your therapist, not everyone knew about the upside down, after all, but you got better too. Your nightmares got less frequent and your bond with Steve got stronger too. You were open about your mental health with him for the first time and he was open with you too. You, Billy, and Steve took turns driving the party around town on the weekends. The world seemed almost perfect there for a few months. 

As the weather warmed and you got farther into your therapeutic journey, your feelings toward Billy started to drastically shift. He was working on being a better person, truly, but he was still dealing with a lot in his home life. Just because Billy (and sometimes Max) were receiving therapy, it didn’t mean Neil was. He was still just as bad as ever and you knew it was taking a toll on the step-siblings. Max came to you sometimes with stories of what was going on; you knew she just needed a place to vent. You listen carefully and fully to everything she said. Some of the things that Billy was still doing broke your heart, but you did your best to reassure her that everything would be okay. You would help Billy and her get to a better place. She hugged you and cried. You held her and never let any tears slip– though on the inside you were definitely crying. Your soul was screaming at you that something was wrong, but you brushed it off. Your therapist made you very aware of your coping mechanisms (which mainly consisted of saying “whatever” to everything). You did your best to confront your feelings when you could, but after helping those around you process their emotions, you pretty much had no energy left to process your own. Every time you saw Billy, he was his usual self– adoring, sarcastic, and mean to everyone, but you, Steve, and Max. He held you tight as you fell asleep at night and always had his hand on your waist when you were out together, but something just felt off to you. You knew from Max that he wasn’t being open with you anymore and you knew that something in your heart was changing. The walls that he had so quickly broken when you first met started to build themselves up again. You didn’t even realize it at first, but it was painfully obvious to Steve and Max. They were watching your relationship crumble before their eyes.

It was June and your bond with Billy was slipping every day. He still came to your house all the time, but sometimes you just ignored his presence altogether. He would try to be your classic doting boyfriend, but you were busy learning all the patterns of your ceiling. He did notice, but he pretended that it wasn’t happening. His attachment to you was fierce and he couldn’t bare the thought of existing without you by his side. It wasn’t an option in his world. A lot of the time you spent together became filled with silence or small platonic conversations. He wouldn’t open up to you about how he was feeling and you felt closed out. You didn’t know where he was anymore. Your therapist was telling you to stop dragging the relationship out. You refused to admit to yourself for a long time that the change you felt toward Billy was falling out of love, though June was coming to an end and you were only getting farther from your boyfriend. 

Billy was working at the pool and Steve was working at Scoops Ahoy. Max was off hanging out with Lucas and Dustin was gone to summer camp. Nancy and Jonathan were working or spending time with each other. Everyone was doing their own things and it left you with way too much time to yourself to think. You ended up spending most of your free time laying face down in your bed or rewatching Star Wars. Steve would get home at the end of his shifts to see you, looking completely defeated on the couch. When Billy would come home from the pool, Steve would watch you fall into his hugs or just flat out not respond to his presence. He knew you weren’t trying to be mean, Billy knew that too, but they both could tell you were going through some major emotional turmoil. You felt like there was no one you could go to about it; other than your therapist, of course. You were finally admitting it to yourself that you had fallen out of love with Billy and you had no idea what to do with this information. You felt anxious and disappointed in yourself. You kept telling yourself “whatever, just get through this next day and you can figure it out tomorrow.” Tomorrow kept coming, and you kept shutting your feelings inside. It was almost like you were trying to bury the fact that you weren’t in love with Billy anymore– you just weren’t doing a very good job of it. 

Steve was the first one to break the tension. Billy was at his dad’s place so it was just you two in your childhood home. “You don’t seem happy anymore,” it started, “is there anything I can do to help?”

The worry in your brother’s voice is what made you start crying. You felt so much all at once that you couldn’t keep it bottled up anymore. You loved and cared for Billy, but not in the same way anymore– and it was eating you from the inside out. He listened to your thoughts and reassured you that it would be okay in the end– Billy loved you as a person and would be okay if you ended your relationship. You weren’t so sure, but between your therapist’s reactions and Steve’s, you knew that it was the right thing to do.

You broke up with your boyfriend, Billy Hargrove, on July 1st. 

He came over to your house after his shift and you hugged him tightly. You were shaking and you both sat on the edge of your bed. He knew something had been terribly wrong for a while, but this was the first time you were showing signs of anxiety. “Whatever is going on, we can get through it together, you know?”

You rolled your eyes and sighed. “You haven’t been letting me in either, you know that right?” 

“I’m trying my best, Doll. I’m not exactly used to people caring about how I feel,” he replied. 

You flopped back so you were laying down. Your eyes were, once again, tracing the patterns of the ceiling. “I’ve been putting my feelings on hold as much as I could. I… I don’t want to hurt you, but I know what I’m feeling is going to hurt you… so I’ve kept quiet, but that’s really not fair to you at all either.”

“Darlin’,” he said, laying down next to you. You could feel his eyes watching your face. Your body was still shaking, in fact, you were sure the shaking was only getting worse. “Nothing you could say would change how I feel about you. No matter what shit I’m dealing with or you’ve got going on in that pretty little mind of yours, I am in love with you.”

You shut your eyes tightly to keep the tears from forming at your waterline. “And that Billy, is my worst nightmare.”

He sat up on his elbow. His eyebrows furrowed and his expression was almost a scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean, Y/n?”

“I don't love you anymore, at least not in the same way that you love me.” He propelled himself up as he processed your words. He was sitting on the edge of your bed again. You opened your eyes to see his head in his hands. You could hear his breathing become ragged. “I still want you to feel safe staying here, but I can’t continue like this anymore. I love you with my whole heart, but in the best friend kind of way. I absolutely still want you in my life, but I understand entirely if you don’t want me in yours… I’m so sorry.” He was still quiet and his breath was still rough. You could hear him counting under his breath and you sat up. You reached your hand out to touch his shoulder, but the second your fingertips made contact with the soft cotton fabric of his t-shirt, he ripped himself away from you. He stumbled to his feet; his expression could only be explained as seething white-hot rage and deep internal damage. 

“Don’t fuckin’ touch me! How could you do this?” His hands pulled the skin of his cheeks so hard that he almost broke it with his nails. His eyes were red and tears were following the trails that his nails made down his face. 

“I didn’t do this on purpose. It’s like my heart has run out of love. Romantic love that is. I still deeply care about you, Billy and the last thing I have ever wanted to do is hurt you. I knew this would hurt, but it would be even worse if I didn’t tell you and kept a relationship alive for months that was doomed. I needed to tell you now because that was the right thing to do. I don’t expect you to be okay or even want to speak to me for a while, I just couldn’t keep this to myself. I love–”

“Don’t you say you love me! Clearly, you fucking don’t. I’ve been in love with you this whole time; I would have married you tomorrow if you asked me to! How could you ever expect me to see this house as a home when you aren’t my partner anymore? I knew something was wrong, but I never would have guessed you were thinking that! Fuck–” His words were getting caught in his throat. 

You stood up from the bed and moved to comfort him, but you stopped yourself before you actually reached him. You pulled your hands close to your body and ended up wrapping them around your own shoulders to give them a place to be. “I don’t expect you to forgive me or be okay with this, but I want you to know that you are always welcome here, Billy. I want what’s best for both–”

His hands were balled into fists and you were cut off by him punching the wall by your door. You hadn’t even processed the fact that he had turned away from you. “Fucking damn…” he grumbled. 

“Billy–”

Your door slammed so hard as he left the room that two of your picture frames fell off your wall. You collapsed to the ground and crumpled into yourself. You knew that he was going to be upset, but you hadn’t expected that bad of a reaction. You could tell that he was trying so hard to control his anger, but his body was failing him. You wanted to chase after him, but you heard the Camaro roar to life and speed off before you could even get yourself to your feet. Steve came into your room, followed by a worried Dustin and Max. You had no idea the kids were in the house and your heart sank at the dark looks on their faces. “I’m sorry.”

Max lower herself to sit on her knees. She threw her arms around your shoulders and you felt yourself slipping away into the familiar “whatever” numbness. “It will be okay, Y/n. You have helped us so much. He will come around, I’m sure.”

| < ♥️ > |

If you knew what was to come, maybe your choices would have been different. You didn’t see Billy again until you were facing him in Starcourt Mall a few days later. The sight of him made your heart fall apart. Even though things were bad between you two right now, he was still one of the most important people in your life. You would have been okay knowing that he was still out there, even if he wasn’t in your life directly anymore. You never could have imagined that a few days after breaking up with him that he would become a victim of the mind flayer and the horrors of the upside down.

You were pretty open with him during the course of your relationships, but you did everything you could to keep him away from the monstrous hell dimension. You made sure the party kept quiet about it when he was around, you never told him the true details of the night at the Byers' house or the fight in the junkyard that caused you to miss your original first date. To think that he was flayed on the drive home from your house– just about killed you inside. You were looking him in the eyes. “Billy! Billy, come on! You have to be in there still! Fight this son of a bitch! Please, you have to make it out of this!” 

For a split second, you could see him. His expression softened and his hand moved out from his side; he was reaching out to you. Just as quickly as he was there, he was gone. Everything happened so fast and you felt so powerless. Eleven, the mind flayer, and all the destruction– Billy sacrificed himself to save the rest of you. Steve held you back; your body was trying to run toward him. Your heart wanted to try something, anything to save him, but there was nothing anyone could do. The upside down had claimed his soul.

| < ♥️ > |

You were laying on the dirt in his jacket. Your eyes were glued to his headstone; though they were dry. “Today was fucked up. You should have been there, your old friends are such assholes. Tommy Hagan was trying to mess with the younger hellfire club members, aka our kids. I told him to fuck off, but he didn’t really listen. Munson stepped in though. It was pretty cool I guess. I wish you were here to scare the shit out of him though for bullying the party. This whole high school thing is the fucking worst without you.”

Tags: @whoringrove @bilqis-of-sheba

[sapphireplums]

              𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐥𝐥 -𝟑-

     。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 / 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨

Description: When Bucky Barnes is captured by HYDRA, his life has one meaning: being a weapon. But what happens when HYDRA kidnaps a little girl for them to experiment on? Will he grow fond of the child? Or will he just ignore her and follow the orders of his handlers?

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Daughter!Reader / Child!reader

Warnings: angst, some fluff, the murder of the stark's.

Word count: 1.6k

Author’s note: I genuinely apologize for the lack of updating this series, but here we are! Hope you all enjoy this chapter. 

Even though Y/n has been on many missions with her papa, she had a bad feeling about this one for some reason. 

She couldn’t point it out, but she just knew. 

Bucky kept his eyes focused, trying to find the car that he was supposed to assassinate.

He felt a cold gust of wind go over him, not even letting it bother him. The Winter Soldier saw that Y/n was shivering, so he put her closer into his flesh arm, hoping to keep her warm. 

“Thank you, papa.” 

“Of course, babydoll.”

Y/n started to feel sleepy, so she buried her head near the soldier's shoulder and cuddled as he put his right arm comfortably around her. 

“Get some rest, my angel,” the Winter Soldier said in a soft, fatherly tone. 

Y/n nodded her head and placed her head back in her father's shoulder

                                · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

After what felt like minutes, Y/n was woken up abruptly by the sounds of the Winter Soldier's motorcycle revving. 

“Papa, where are we going?” Y/n asked confused and tiredly. 

“Don’t speak, doll,” the soldier said quietly and sternly.

He started to chase closely behind the car that drove in front of him. 

He clipped the car and it started to swerve out of control until it finally hit a pole, clearly damaging the car and the people inside.

Y/n stared at the damaged car, seeing the two older people in it. Their faces had blood on them and Y/n’s heart slightly dropped at the sight of them. Blood was not really a part of Y/n’s forte and it made her slightly lightheaded. 

The Winter Soldier got off of the motorbike, gently placing Y/n down on the seat. He walked up to the older man and grabbed him by his hair, making him wince in pain. 

“Sergeant Barnes?” A hint of Bucky came back in the Winter Soldier’s mind, but that quickly faded away when he remembered what his mission was. 

Extract. No witnesses. 

The Winter Soldier repeatedly hit Howard Stark in the face, knocking him unconscious.  

Y/n covered her eyes with her tiny feeble hands, hearing the cries of the people in front of her. The soldier started to go to the other side of the car, but this time, Y/n ran to his side pleadingly.

Кукла, что ты здесь делаешь? Вернитесь к байку.

Doll, what are you doing here? Go back to the bike.

Y/n shook her head no and proceeded to stay in her place. The soldier sighed and carried her back to the bike. 

In his arms, Y/n turned to see the woman giving her a small smile. So small it was almost invisible. 

Если я не завершу эту миссию, они причинят вред не только мне, но и тебе.

"If I don't complete this mission, they won't only hurt me, but you. I don't want that to happen."

“Don’t hurt her, papa.” The voice of Y/n made the Winter Soldier's heart drop, but he knew he had to complete his mission to please his handlers. 

He placed Y/n back on the chair then went back to complete his mission, executing the couple swiftly and emotionlessly. 

Grabbing the woman’s neck, the Winter Soldier killed her by asphyxiation.

He put the woman back in the car then went to the back trunk to grab a suitcase filled with over a dozen blue super-soldier serums. 

He grabbed the suitcase then proceeded to strap it on the back of the bike, making a curious Y/n look at him.

The Winter Soldier looked at the child and smiled slightly which was something he rarely ever did, considering the life he has to go through, but Y/n made it more manageable for him.

“What are you looking at, papa?” Y/n smiled widely, admiring her father figure. 

“Nothing, come on, let’s go.” Bucky put Y/n back on the bike and sped away back to the HYDRA base. 

                               · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.                   

Back at the HYDRA base, Y/n was shaking in fear and grabbed her father’s pant leg tightly, digging her dirty fingernails in it. 

“Mission report.” Karpov stood in front of the soldier, glancing at him to get an answer. Y/n has always been scared of the man and the Winter Soldier noticed her body tensing up. He picked her up gently and buried her head in his shoulder, refraining Y/n from looking at Karpov any longer. 

“Убит, свидетелей нет.“

“Killed, no witnesses.” 

Karpov nodded his head in approval and then talked to the other doctors there to examine the Winter Soldier's arm, fixing any technical difficulties it had. 

For the first time in a while, Y/n was able to feel some sort of peace as she was resting her head on the Winter Soldiers chest. Her heartbeat was starting to slow down peacefully, almost falling asleep. 

The small child soon fell asleep on the Winter Soldier's chest not too long after, making him feel like a part of hope was still alive. 

He wished that someday, and hopefully soon, he and Y/n were able to finally escape this hell hole. 

But that was too much of a risk, knowing his handlers will kill him and worse, Y/n. 

He cared too much to let this happen to his precious daughter. 

One of the doctors that were working on the Winter Soldier’s arm, was about to pick up the sleeping child to let him examine any other cuts on his body. However, the Winter Soldier quickly noticed and swiftly grabbed the doctor's hand, refraining him any further from letting the stranger touch his daughter. 

“Не трогай ее. Оставь ее там.”

“Do not touch her. Leave her there.”

Being notoriously frightened by the Winter Soldier, the doctor vigorously nodded his head and proceeded to leave the child on his chest. 

The Winter Soldier turned his hard glare away from the doctor and once his eyes landed on Y/n, his mood immediately became brighter.  

Smiling at his sleeping child, the Winter Soldier kissed Y/n’s head slightly, careful to not wake her up. 

“Спи спокойно, мой ангел.”

“Sleep well, my angel.” 

                               · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

                                             𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗                                     𝐇𝐘𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞

After the moment back in 1991 where the Winter Soldier completed his mission, he and Y/n were pretty much immediately put back into cryo freeze. 

For over 18 years, Y/n hasn't seen her papa, until now, where she felt the recognizable sensation of the fresh air flowing through her chamber as it opened. 

Fluttering her eyes open, Y/n saw her father, fighting and breathing furiously as he took out several guards that were trying to calm him down. 

"Где она?! Где мой ребенок ?! "

“Where is she?! Where’s my child?!” 

Y/n ignored the doctors that were trying to help her down and immediately ran to her father. 

“Papa! Papa! I’m here! I”m here!” 

The Winter Soldier whipped his head, finally calming down at the voice of his daughter. Y/n jumped in the Winter Soldier's arms, immediately comforted by her father. 

“I see your deep care for the child.” Y/n and the Winter Soldier turned their heads to the unfamiliar voice. Even though Y/n just met this man, she could tell he was not a good guy and he was higher in power.  

The Winter Soldier stayed silent and attempted to hold his daughter tightly, protecting her at any costs.

“Sorry, let me introduce myself. I’m Alexander Pierce and I will be your new handler since Karpov is older and retired.” The Winter Soldier loosened his grip slightly on Y/n, but still firm enough to protect her, not fully trusting this man yet. 

Pierce diverted his vision from the soldier to the little girl in his hands. He smiled devilishly, which made Y/n put her head back on her father's shoulders. 

"Do you really take out the child to missions?" The Winter Soldier stared at the man for a while before nodding his head slightly. Pierce chucked darkly then went off to talk to the other HYDRA agents, leaving the pair alone in the eyes of the guards.

"Papa, do we have to kill other people?" The Winter Soldier looked at his daughter with slight sympathy before answering.

"Да, кукла."

"Yes, we do, doll."       

Y/n just nodded her head, sad that other innocent people have to die just because HYDRA thought they were a threat.

"What if they-". Y/n started to make fighting and implosion motions with her hands, indicating that the Winter Soldier would have to get hurt during these missions.

"Не волнуйся, куколка, я сильнее этих людей."

"Don't worry, doll, I am stronger than those people."

Y/n knew her father was strong, but there were still times where she was petrified of the thought of the soldier dying. She just couldn't think of that thought.

On the other hand, the Winter Soldier mentally promised himself that he will stay alive and obey his orders, only for Y/n and to hopefully escape the hands of HYDRA one day.

The sound of dress shoes clicking on the hard cement floor grabbed the attention of the pair.

"Soldier, good news, you and your...pet have a new mission." The Winter Soldier wanted to rip the man's throat out for calling his daughter a 'pet', but that was suicide when they were in the hands of HYDRA.

Pierce handed the soldier a new file which he skimmed quickly due to his enhanced diligence. Curious about what the file read, Y/n slightly looked towards the files, not reading much except for the words 'nuclear' and 'engineer'.

"Assassinate the engineer. No witnesses." Closing the files, the soldier picked up his daughter, her hands caressing his neck, and started to walk to a room where they would get their gear to get ready for a mission.

Just another normal day of killing people, Y/n thought to herself. But little did the child know, a certain Russian red-head will change her life forever.

please like, comment, and reblog!!

𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

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𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒

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𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

@beverlyparkerr @mischiefsemimanaged @bonkybarnes107 @appaair @martellsmultis @tomhollandsstan @spookybooisa @salty—bones @sylvie-writes

[anaelartemis]

Her- Hunter Vescovi x Female Reader

Fluff

Y/n=Your name

Y/bn=Your brother name

Y/nn=Your nickname

Her. Hunter Vescovi. She lives in daydreams with me, in my thoughts 24/7.

She’s all I can think about all the time, her ashen-toned skin delights me almost as much as that light rose undertone to her cheeks that gets more visible when I make her blush. She doesn’t like to admit that I make her blush but I notice… I notice everything about her. Her jet black hair that she always keeps in a slicked back ponytail, there was only one time I’d seen her with her hair down after a training session. It was so shiny, it was silky, full of volume, and so flowy. Her eyes, they’ve got me held captive though I’m free to move and travel wherever I may please no matter where I am, I am always thinking of her, I always crave her, and my soul begs for her praise which leads me to my second favorite thing about her. Her voice. Her smooth feminine voice, it’s mellifluous, it’s noticeably pleasing. It’s silky smooth. I really can’t decide whether I love her voice more or her emerald eyes.

Her voice impersonates velvet. It can lull me to sleep even through the worst pains and pull me out of an everlasting mental prison, her voice is the key to my cell. On the other hand, her eyes are a galaxy in themselves. They remind me of the forest I used to frequent as a child when I got tired of being treated as the black sheep. Between my twin brother and I my brother has always been my father’s favorite because I was my mother’s favorite. Soon I found out why he was the favorite… because he was a male but of course, my mother did not share my father’s feelings. My mother favors me over my brother. She says I am much more disciplined and mature, she said when she found out she was having twins and one of them was a girl she was over the moon.

When mother and father return from a business trip my father always made an effort to bring something back for my brother Y/bn but my mother always made sure I received something as well. When Y/bn wanted to do something my father got the best mentor in that field to train him but once I asked if he could get me a mentor for horseback riding but all he did was tell me horseback riding was an activity meant for the dominant species… the male population. I went to my room which was noticeably smaller than my brother’s and I cried for hours feeling dumb for asking, for even thinking he would knowing the way he feels about me. Later that day mother came into my room and told me she got me riding lessons and not to dare worry about my father, she gave me one of those jackets all the horseback riders wore. She ruffled my long black hair which I took the utmost care of. My hair looked like my mother's, unlike Y/bn’s. He got his hair from father, his was straight while mine was curly. My mother then told me I would be the best rider to ever live and with a kiss on the forehead she wished me godspeed.

As the years passed my father despised me more and more each day while my mother’s love only grew stronger. She had fueled and funded all my goals. My father despises me because I’m better than my brother. I’m better than him at horseback riding, we had races all the time and I would win all the time. I thought about losing on purpose but my mother and brother told me not to, that I had a skill and I should hide it. I’m better at dancing, Y/bn and I were forced into taking dance lessons for ballroom dancing such as different types of waltzes and quick steps, while I was grateful and refined Y/bn was sloppy and clumsy. The one that pissed my father off the most is that I’m a better fighter, we used to spar all the time, and my brother always lost. Though our parents had favorites that did not stop Y/bn and I’s relationship from being amazing, we were as tight as twins could be but we got separated when my father named Y/bn first in line to the throne even though I’m the older twin so I’m supposed to be the first in line, I’m happy for him.

I went to join the royal guard which led me to her. To Hunter. I could get lost in her eyes yet never spare a flicker of worry. She was a goddess and she is on the royal guard beside me. The problem is I don’t know how to talk to her so I stay away. I switched my shifts because they lined up with hers, and every time I see I freeze I stay away. “Just go talk to her” I turned to my best friend Daniel Parsons or as I like to call him… Danny “No way, perish the thought” I replied “She’ll never look at me that way, we work together” I sighed “So what? You’re a total gentlewoman, you’re hot sorry let me rephrase that you're beautiful, and your personality is beyond compare. Just go talk to her and if it doesn’t work out so be it, you’ll find someone who will give anything to be with you” He smiles and pats my back.

I take a deep breath and walk over to her “Hunter?” she turns around at the sound of my voice “Y/n?” she said with a smile, I smiled back “How are you” I heard training got a little rough yesterday” I asked a bit concerned “Yeah, one of the guys got riled up after I repeatedly put him on his ass. I’m alright, he doesn’t hit that hard'' she laughed and I laughed along with her “Well I mean we all know whoever spars with you ends up on their ass if not in the medical room” I laughed “Nah that’s all you, the guys shit their pants when they hear you’re coming in for training” she laughed and stared at me, I will never get tired of her eyes, I can get trapped in them yet never feel imprisoned, I can wonder in them without a map yet never feel lost. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I hear Hunter calling my name “Y/n!” she shouted “Yeah sorry what did you say?” I asked “I asked if you needed something, usually, you don’t talk to me so I figured you needed something” I take a breath “I just wanted to know if you were free tonight?” I asked not taking my eyes off hers but my voice gave up my facade as it wavered “Oh yeah I am, why?” she asked with what I’m pretty sure was hopefulness, I bit my lip nervously “I want to ask if you would the honor of allowing me to take you on a date?” I said maintaining eye contact like the gentlewoman I was raised to be “I was wondering when you were going to ask” she smiled, and I went wide-eyed “What?” I asked in shock “Did you really think I didn’t notice the way you look at me” You may be an amazing guard but that glint in your eyes when you look at me is too bright to not to notice” she smiled, I didn’t know what say I just nodded “Yes I would love to go out with you. Pick me up at 8 in my room… don’t be late” she winked “I’m never late” I smiled.

It’s 6 o’clock. I have 2 hours to get ready so I start by taking a shower of course, I get out at 7 o'clock. I had to wash up, shave, wash again, wash my hair, and wash once more for good luck so it’s a long process. I have a lot, I cut it short when I was 18 and kept it like that ever since but even though it’s short there’s still a lot of it and it’s a hassle to take care of but I do it because I love my hair. It’s short, curly with an undercut and electric blue highlights. My mother loves it and so do I so that’s the way I keep it. When I walk into my room Danny’s sitting on my bed “I heard someone has a hot date” He chuckles “Don’t call her hot, call her beautiful it’s more respectful” I smile at the thought of her “Ok stop acting like a love sick puppy and tell me where you’re taking her” Daniel laughs “I’m taking her to my favorite Italian restaurant then my favorite place in the forest to look at the stars” I said as I started to get dressed.

Daniel just started talking about how I should kiss her, his words not mine he said “Take her by surprise, take control of the moment” I rolled my eyes and fixed my hair, it was out and kind of wild but it was neat. I’m wearing a black suit. I thought a tie would be a bit much so I didn’t put one on, I just left the three top buttons unbuttoned, I put on a silver watch with a silver chain and diamond stud earrings. I sprayed on some cologne and slipped some low top vans shoes black of course. I looked at my watch seeing it was time to get Hunter. I picked up my wallet, keys, and phone. I slid my wallet and keys into my pants pocket then slipped on my suit jacket and slipped my phone into the breast pocket. I picked up the lush red rose I picked up earlier and walked out the door.

I got to Hunter's door quickly seeing as we both lived in the palace along with the rest of the royal guard. I knocked on the door and she quickly answered “You’re on time” she smiles “I told you I would be” I smiled back and gave her the rose “Thank you, it’s beautiful” she she sniffs it the put it in a vase “Almost as beautiful as you” I said, once she comes back I noticed what she was wearing. It was a black above the knee skin tight dress that highlights her curves and flat torso. Her heels brought legs and her hair was out, she wore her hair out for our date! I framed her face beautifully and brought out her eyes. She smelt like strawberries “Oh lord help me” I thought to myself “Hey, you alright?” I heard her ask, I must’ve been staring “Yeah, I’m fine, You look astonishing” I said, that was an understatement the guard uniform did not do her even the slightest bit of justice. She smiled “Thank you, I wasn’t aware you were so fit. The uniform does you no justice” I blush slightly “I- well thank you, you honor me highly”

It was true, the uniform didn’t even begin to frame my body for the way it was. I had strong arms and an 8 pack but you wouldn’t be able to see it through the uniform but it’s very much visible since the suit I was wearing was tailored to me. She nods “I speak only truth” I held out my hand for her to grab which she does and before I know it we’re at my car. I had a dark purple Mustang GT. I opened the door for her “Thank you” she said as she got in “My pleasure” I closed the door and got in the drivers side “Such a gentlewoman” she smiled “ I treat woman like the queens they are” I look at her and she had a faint blush “You look cute when you blush” I commented making her blush harder.

I started driving “Where are we going?” she asked “To eat” I replied lightly tapping on the steering wheel. After a bit of quiet I put on some classical music which caused Hunter to ask me “What’s this?” she had a questioning tone which told me unlike most people when they hear a 23 year old listening to classical music… she didn’t judge “The 5th symphony - the nightmare version” I said with a slight smile “Nice I didn’t know you old soul” she said “Most people don’t” I said and this struck a deep conversation of sharing things most people don’t know about us. I told her about my childhood and my twin brother, most people don’t know I have a brother let alone a twin. She told me some things about her such as she had a childhood similar to mine including a brother that is royalty though they weren’t twins. This conversation continued all the way to the restaurant

“We’re here” I said getting out the car and walking over to her side, opening the door and helping her out “Thank you” she smiled and kissed my cheek “My pleasure” I smiled and walked us in “Hey, Mark” I greeted my friend who worked at the restaurant “Hey, Y/nn, your regular table?” he asked “No, can I get a table for two?” I replied “Yeah, no problem” he smiled and led us to our table. After we took our seats which I pulled out for her to get a thank you in return, we ordered drinks “Can I get a classic red wine please?” she asked Mark nods and jots it down “Your usual Y/nn?” he asked to which I nod and he walked away “What’s your usual?” Hunter asked, “Single malt scotch on the rocks “I replied, she smiled “Very dignified” I chuckled “Why thank you” we talked until the drinks then we ordered our food, she got ravioli while I chicken alfredo and we continued chatting and laughed. We really liked each other and had a lot in common. Our conversation went on even when Mark brought out our food. After dinner and dessert I covered the bill without a problem. I helped her up and we walked out hand in hand, when we got back to the car she smiled “I had a really good time with you” I smiled “It’s not over yet” she looked like she was gonna say something but she just laughed and nodded so I started driving.

After driving for about 20 minutes she asked where we were going so I told her to wait and see, 10 minutes later I parked just outside of the forest “You aren’t going to kill me are you?” she said in a joking manner “And lose the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met? Hell no” I replied chuckling and held out a hand for her “Do you trust me?” she nods “With my life… literally you’ve saved my life numerous times” I led her deep into the forest until we heard the sound of rustling water “Is that-” she smiled and I smiled back, moving some bushes to reveal a beautiful waterfall and a opening with a clear view of the stars “Here we are” I hesitantly snaked my arm around her waist, to my surprise she moves closer to me “It’s beautiful I hug her softly from behind “If only it could come close to you” she giggled “well aren’t you are charmer” I smiled “I speak only truth”

I feel her lean back into me “How about a swim under the stars?” I asked “Sounds wonderful” she replied, I pulled away and stripped as did she then we climbed to the top and held hands “On three?” I requested she nods and count down but instead of jumping she tackles me into the water, once we resurfaced we both broke into laughter “Real classy” I said playfully “You know, I found this place when I needed some time to myself then I found out two lovers would meet here everyday until one day he didn’t show up, she waited and waited crying her soul out until her tears were all that remained of her” I explained while floating looking at the stars “That’s magical” she smiled. I swam over to her, I ignored all of Daniel’s advice “Can I kiss you?” I asked and she smiled “I was hoping you’d ask” I beamed and leaned in to kiss her. It’s like fireworks went off, our lips touched, her lips were soft and tasted amazing, I could kiss her forever if she’d allow me. Kissing the woman of my dreams, in the waterfall of lovers, and under the stars… Everything was perfect

[luminnara]

Flying On Wings Made From Feathers And Wax | Ganondorf x Gerudo!oc chapter 2

Part one | Part two | Part three

Growing up in the Gerudo Desert is hard. 

The sun is merciless, especially to the small. For someone like Ilula, it is draining, seemingly determined to exhaust her as it beats down on her during the day. It will never stop doing so, but at a young age, she learned how to deal with it. 

The others called her lazy, but she considered herself clever. Just like the lizards that liked to snooze while they sunned themselves, she took naps during the day. It wasn’t that the other Gerudo didn’t—naps were almost a necessity in such a hot environment, and it was common to see be back in an hour signs hanging on merchant stalls—but Ilula simply napped more than the rest of them. 

It concerned her mother greatly. 

Kiluki took her daughter to the best healer in town, the one who looked after the chief and royal family, hoping to find answers about Ilula’s small stature. Just like the Hylian healers, though, this one declared that Ilula was, for the most part, fine, she was just...small. Small, and a bit weak. For Kiluki, a tall, strong vai, who had once been a member of the Chief’s guard, Ilula’s relatively tiny stature and shortcomings were cause for major concern; she knew that many Gerudo never joined the guard, and to keep Gerudo Town running, they needed all sorts. But she wanted Ilula to follow in her footsteps, to become stronger and braver than even she, and Kiluki feared that it was a dream that could never be.

Ilula knew that her mother worked, but what could she possibly do about it? It wasn’t anything that she could control. She spent her days playing or helping Uvira sell her produce while her mother advised the Chief, trying to forget the way that she couldn’t reach things the other girls could. As she grew older, it became obvious that she would never hit a growth spurt, and while Ganondorf shot up like a weed, Ilula stayed at least a head shorter than the others her age. 

“C’mon, pipsqueak!” Ganondorf scooped her up one day, interrupting her midday nap.

“Gan!” She yelped in surprise as he threw her over his shoulder. “Put me down!”

“Not a chance,” the prince grinned as he ran towards the palace. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I’ve got something to show you.”

Even at twelve years old, Ganondorf could carry her easily. He spent his days studying and training, his mother keeping a watchful eye over him and ensuring that her son would become strong and capable. While Ilula had already finished most of her schooling, knowing how to read and write and do simple math, the prince had many years of studies still ahead of him, his chambers lined with shelves full of thick books. Being royalty meant that he needed to know everything about the world, and he enjoyed reading about Hyrule and its politics and history. Ilula didn’t share quite as much appreciation for the Hylian kingdom neighboring the desert, but whenever he was reading, she had a chance to take a nice nap in his incredibly soft bed, and that was something she could absolutely appreciate. 

“It better not be stupid,” she grumbled with a yawn. “Interrupting me on my day off…”

“Day off from what?” He snorted. “You can’t even start real training until you’re twelve. That’s a whole month away.”

“So?” She argued.

“So you can’t possibly be too busy for me,” he rolled his eyes. “Sav’aaq!” He called to the guards at the top of the steps as he passed them. 

“Sav’aaq, my prince!” They snapped to attention, bowing their heads. “Ilula, sav’aaq.”

“Sav’aaq,” Ilula mumbled. She was used to the guards keeping watch over her and the prince, and they had all developed a certain fondness for Ganondorf’s runt of a friend. 

Ganondorf carried her through the throne room, past the chief and her advisors as they pored over a map of Hyrule. They bowed to him as he walked by and he grunted in acknowledgement, too focused on his task to stop and ask what they were doing. 

They allowed him to rush by without interruption. He only had a few years of childhood left before the burdens of leadership would fall on his shoulders, and his mother wished that he enjoyed his time as much as he could. He was growing into a fine young voe, the Sheikah prophecy a distant memory now, and As any voe, he should be enjoying the years of his youth as much as possible.

When he reached his chambers, he threw Ilula down onto his bed. She laughed as she bounced, sitting up to look at him as he grabbed a wooden box from his desk.

“Here,” he said, slightly out of breath as he pushed it into her hands. 

She took it, hearing something rattle inside. “What is it?”

“Just open it!”

With an inquisitive glance up at him, she slid the lid off the box. Inside, something was glimmering, reflecting the light of the desert sun that streamed in through the windows. As Ilula reached inside, she picked up a set of earrings, a teardrop-shaped sapphire hanging from each hook. 

“Oh, Gan,” she breathed, holding the jewelry in her palm as she stared down at it, “these are beautiful…”

He was watching her anxiously. “Do you like them?”

“I do!” She looked up at him with a wide smile. 

The prince let out the breath he had been holding, relieved. “Oh, good.”

“Did you have these made?” Ilula asked, peering closely at the stones. 

“I did,” he smiled. “Just for you. Well, actually, they were going to be a birthday present, but Amira finished them early. I couldn’t hold my tongue for an entire month.”

“This is the best early birthday present I’ve ever gotten,” she beamed up at him. “Thank you, Gan.”

“Oh, they’re not a birthday gift anymore,” he laughed. “I figured out something else for your birthday. These are just normal gifts now.”

Ilula raised an eyebrow. “You really shouldn’t be spending so much time spoiling me, you know…”

“Or what?” He laughed. “You’re my best friend, Lula. You deserve gifts.”

“Well, it’s not like I’m not going to accept them,” she grinned at him as she stood and walked to the mirror on the wall. 

“I put a spell on them.” he blurted out. “To help you stay cool in the sun. Sapphires are good for that.”

She glanced back at him. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I had the jeweler make them and then I enchanted them. I’m supposed to be practicing, and I wanted to try it out…”

“I can’t believe you know magic,” Ilula said as she faced her reflection. “I wish I could put spells on things.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” he shrugged. 

“Shut up,” she laughed. “It’s a super big deal!”

He watched with a serene smile on his face as she took out the big gold hoops she was wearing and replaced them with her new earrings. Just as he had hoped, the bright blue sapphires contrasted perfectly with her fiery red hair…though the thick green band she used to keep it up off of her shoulders didn’t match at all. He made a mental note to add a new, nicer one to the small pile of birthday gifts he would be giving her in a few weeks. 

Ilula admired the way the sapphires hung from her pointed ears. She had to admit…Ganondorf had an eye for jewelry. Maybe it was because he had so much of it himself; as she looked at his reflection behind her, she could count no less than ten incredibly expensive precious stones on his head and arms alone. The perks of being a prince, she supposed.

When he noticed her watching her, he suddenly shuffled his feet awkwardly, glancing away for a moment before looking down at his hands. 

“I’m, uh…glad you like them.” He mumbled. 

“Gan, don’t be sheepish,” Ilula laughed, turning to face him.

He looked up at her, hoping that she couldn’t see the blush on his face. She was the only person who ever made his skin heat up like that, the only Gerudo he ever wanted to be around, the only vai whose hand he wanted to hold. It confused him, the way he felt about his best friend, but he was headstrong and determined not to shy away from whatever he was beginning to feel. 

“I’ve never seen a sheep,” he chuckled. “What does sheepish mean?”

Ilula’s laughter grew louder as she plopped down on the edge of his bed and looked up at him. “They’re soft. Hylians cut their hair and make things with it. They look like fluffy little clouds with legs.”

Ganondorf grinned. “I can’t wait until I’m king and I can see all of Hyrule. I want to go to the castle, see the Hylians.”

“It’s a long walk,” Ilula said. “…well, Mama carried me most of the way, I think. I don’t really remember much of it. I know it rained a lot before we got to the outskirts, though.”

Ganondorf suddenly sighed and turned to the window. He walked towards it, placing his hands on the cool sandstone and leaning on them as he looked out over Gerudo Town and the wide, flat desert outside the gates. 

“What is it like there?” He asked, gazing towards the distant mountains that marked the Gerudo Highlands and the edge of Hyrule. 

Ilula frowned at his change in demeanor and stood to join him. “It’s…green. Everything is green, and you can smell all the plants. And there’s so much water, everywhere…when it rains, it isn’t like here. It just rains for a few hours, and then the sky clears up again, and the birds come back out.”

“It sounds…nice.” He admitted.

“It is,” she agreed. “You can just lean down and drink out of a stream if you’re thirsty. And if you’re hungry, there are apple trees all over! And fish in the rivers, and boar in the woods…”

“I like boar,” Ganondorf laughed.

“Yeah, they taste pretty good, I guess. When you add enough spices.” Ilula shrugged.

“No, not to eat!” He looked at her like she was crazy. “I like the way they look. Those big tusks…there are drawings of them in some of my books. I’ve always liked them.”

“Yeah, I guess they’re pretty cool.” Ilula giggled. “There are lots of other animals, too.”

“Life there must be easy.” He commented. “The Hylians have it all.”

“What do you mean?” Ilula frowned. “I thought you liked the desert.”

“I do, I just…wish we had things like grass and trees and forests. I wish we lived more comfortably.”

“You live very comfortably.” Ilula snorted. 

“What do you mean?” He looked down at her, nose wrinkled slightly. 

“Uh, all of this?” She gestures to the room around them. “The palace? You’re royalty. You hardly have to worry.”

“I have to think about our people!” He argued. “What’s Castle Town like?”

“Busy and big.” Ilula shrugged. “The streets are all made of stone, and there’s a big market where people from all over sell things. Mama didn’t let me go there very much, because of the way the Hylians are sometimes.”

Ganondorf looked down at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“They don’t really…trust Gerudo that much.” She folded her arms, hugging herself lightly. “They don’t treat the Rito or the Zora like Hylians, either, but they like them more than they like us.”

As Ganondorf listened, he considered her words. “I’m going to change that.”

“You’re going to change how they think?” She asked skeptically.

“I’m going to show them that they should respect us.” He said. 

“How?”

“Maybe I’ll…send them aid, if they have a natural disaster.” He thought out loud. “Or take a big delegation to visit the castle, or invite them here.”

“The king can’t enter Gerudo Town,” Ilula laughed. “You’re the only voe allowed. Remember, you spoiled prince?”

“Oh. Right.” He chuckled. “Well, I’m going to be in charge someday. I’ll have to figure out this whole diplomacy thing.”

Ilula smiled softly as she looked up at him. “I’m sure you’ll be good at it.”

He grinned down at her. “Only if you help me.”

She returned the grin. “Deal.”

“I don’t think I could handle the throne without you,” he bumped her with his shoulder, nearly throwing her into the wall. “I still have so much I have to learn.”

Ilula stumbled, but she didn’t fall like the last few times he had forgotten how big he was. “That’s why kings always have advisors. Nobody can run everything by themselves.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He sighed, his attention returning to the world outside his window. “I’ve got six whole years to figure it out, though.”

“Yeah, and it’ll be fine.” She tried to bump her shoulder into his arm with the same force that he had, but he didn’t budge. “Hey, seriously, are you made of rock?”

He barked a laugh. “No, I’m just bigger than you!”

“Well stop it!” She snapped, only half serious. “If you keep this up, you’re not even going to be able to see me!”

“Maybe you should just start catching up!” He retorted.

“I would if I could.” She rolled her eyes. “My mom keeps making me go to the healers to figure out why I’m so short. I keep trying to tell her that it’s not that big a deal, but she won’t listen.” 

As she spoke, her tone grew more serious, until it had Ganondorf frowning. “You’re fine.”

“That’s what I keep saying, but it doesn’t matter.” Ilula sighed. “She’s always worrying that I’m going to get hurt because I’m fragile. I always tell her that I’m not, and I know I’m not because you’re always throwing me down off the walls or into the aqueducts or whatever, but she just always gets mad and tells me to be more careful.”

“Do I ever hurt you?” Ganondorf asked, his eyes wide in alarm. 

“No, you don’t,” Ilula shook her head. “I’m serious, I’m not that fragile, but all she ever sees is me lagging behind everyone else. That’s why I want to start training with the guards, so I can show her that I’m fine.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You know, if you start training, you’ll be busy all the time…”

“Gan, they train literally right outside your window.” She rolled her eyes. “You won’t miss me. I’ll be right there.” 

“…oh. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“But I bet my mom is going to be all worried about me training, too.” She sighed. “Until i show her that I’m not some fragile little flower. You know, back in Castle Town, I was always the biggest kid. She didn’t worry as much back then.”

“Do you ever miss it there?” Ganondorf asked, studying her face. 

“Sometimes. I miss everything I could get at the market, and I do miss my father. But…I didn’t fit in there. I guess I don’t really fit in here, either.”

“Yes you do.” He nudged her with his elbow, gentler this time. “You’re Gerudo. You belong here, with your people. With me.”

Ilula smiled up at him. “I know, Gan. I think it’s less about the place, and more about who’s there. You know?”

He looked down at her, his heart fluttering in a way he wasn’t used to. “Yeah. I know.”

000

On Ilula’s twelfth birthday, she woke to the smell of meat cooking over the fire. As soon as her eyes were open, she remembered what day it was, and she shot out of bed to investigate the main room of the home she and her mother shared.

“Sav’otta, my little desert flower,” Auntie Uvira greeted her as she prepared breakfast over the small wok in the middle of the room. “Sleep well?”

“Fine,” Ilula shrugged. “Where’s Mom?”

“Right here,” Kiluki appeared in the doorway, a parcel in her hands. 

Ilula eyed it. “Sav’otta, Mama.”

“Sav’otta, Ilula,” Kiluki smiled, holding the parcel out towards her. “Happy birthday.”

Ilula lunged for it excitedly, tearing the wrappings open while Uvira yelled at her to be mindful of the fire. 

As the brown paper fell away, airy pink fabric was revealed, and Ilula pulled out a bandeau top. Matching pants were next, made of a thin, breathable weave, and as she rushed back to her room to try the new outfit on, Kiluki smiled. 

“How do I look?” Ilula asked breathlessly when she returned, holding her arms out as she spun around to show it off.

“Oh, it’s stunning!” Uvira clapped.

“I think it suits you perfectly,” Kiluki nodded. “How is the fit?”

“I think it’s good. What’s for breakfast?” Ilula was buzzing with energy, bouncing over to look at what Uvira was cooking. 

“This is for later,” her aunt laughed as she sprinkled in some Goron spices. 

“We will be eating breakfast at the palace,” Kiluki informed her daughter. “That’s why I wanted to give you that gift first thing in the morning. You should look your best.”

Ilula grinned. Eating at the palace meant getting to see Ganondorf, and as she rushed to get ready, she wondered what sort of gifts he had in store for her. 

She found out soon after she walked through the impressive archway and approached the throne. The chief sat with her hands on its armrests, her back straight as she looked down at Ilula and Kiluki.

“The prince and queen mother are awaiting your arrival, Ilula,” she said, her voice firm and strong. “I would not keep them waiting. Kiluki, if I could have a quick word.”

Ilula glanced up at her mother in confusion, but when Kiluki waved her off, she was eager to run towards the dining hall. It was her birthday, after all, and she wasn’t going to allow herself to worry about anything. Whatever the chief wanted wasn’t of her concern, and when she saw Ganondorf waiting for her with a pile of gifts, any and all thoughts about what her mother could possibly be needed for flew out the window.

“Happy birthday, Ilula,” Ganondorf’s mother, Mira, said, a smile on her face as she watched her son shove a box into Ilula’s arms.

The Gerudo royal family spared no expense. Ganondorf had given her a sapphire necklace, one that matched the earrings, and a ruby wrist cuff that he said would keep her warm at night when the desert winds pierced Gerudo Town. His eyes lit up at the sight of her happiness, and though he had certainly given her birthday gifts before, he was especially glad to see that all of his hard work and pondering over what to get had all paid off this year. He gave her a new sirwal, the light, baggy pair of pants a bright white with golden accents threaded throughout. Then came an assortment of her favorite candied fruits, a beautiful sand sealskin journal, and the biggest breakfast feast she had ever seen.

By the time the unwrapping was finished, the table was covered in a plethora of delicacies. Everything from platters of sliced hydromelons, to gourmet meats hunted in the highlands, to rare seafood brought all the way from the coast, was piled up and presented to Ilula. It was a lavish celebration, the kind usually reserved for holidays or royal birthdays, and with Kiluki returning from the throne room to partake, the festivities were finally truly underway. 

The adults drank as the children laughed and played. They were nearly too old to be doing so, both nearing the age at which they would begin training for adulthood, and one last romp before it all started seemed to be in order. The day was full of merriment and their spirits were high, and as the two tore out of the palace to get themselves into trouble elsewhere, Mira turned to Kiluki with a sigh. 

“He will be devastated,” she said.

“As will she.” Kiluki raised her cup to her lips and drank. 

“How long do you have?”

“I do not know.” Kiluki lifted her eyes. “Ryla did not say…all I know is that we are to return to Castle Town when she deems fit.”

“Why is she sending both of you?” Mira asked. “I hardly see the sense in taking Ilula away from her training.”

“I believe she wants us to keep up appearances.” Kiluki sighed. “Perhaps by the two of us seeming to return home, the Hylians will be less on edge.”

“Still…” Mira sighed again. “I am sure we will all be focused on our tasks, but your absence will be hard.”

“I only wish I knew when we would be leaving.” Kiluki frowned. “Ryla told me that it could be tomorrow, or in five years.”

“And I don’t suppose you’ll be allowed to visit home…”

“I doubt it.”

“Not even if Ganondorf requests it?”

Kiluki pursed her lips. “Perhaps after he takes the throne, he will summon us back to Gerudo Town. I should hope he will see the value in placing me amongst the Hylians, though, and so close to the royal family…”

“Like a spitting sand cobra, nestled right within their own walls,” Mira chuckled. “You must do your job well, for Ryla to send you back again.”

“Yes, I suppose I must. Though it was easier back then.”

“Will you return to that voe?”

Kiluki wrinkled her nose. “Perhaps, if he is willing to see reason.”

“What did you even fight about?”

“Everything.” She shrugged. “Hylian voe have a single use. The rest of the time, they are wholly disagreeable.”

Mira threw her head back and laughed, the hearty sound echoing off the sandstone walls. “That they are! That they most certainly are.”

[youarejesting]

Sly like a... ? Part 6

[Master list] [Sly Master List] Beta: n/a (at the moment) Rating: All Pairing: Hybrid!BTS x FailedHybrid!Reader Genre: Hybrid au, fluff, action, adventure, angst, drama, slice of life. Some marked chapters will contain mature/smut scenes, BUT they will not have plot in those scenes and are 100% skippable without losing your place in the story. Words: 1.8k

Summary: Human’s strive to be better, faster and stronger looking to animal DNA. Thus Hybrids are born. As the rise for designer and Pedigree Hybrids increase, so do the failed attempts. There is one species scientists are unsuccessful in creating, but, folklore says they have been here all along, hiding and blending in with the humans for many millennia. How clever they are.

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There had been a moment when Taehyung seemed almost reluctant to leave, as if he was having fun with the hybrids around his age and you couldn’t blame him. He had spent his life with older people who didn’t really do anything particularly thrilling. 

But the night ended without any fights from any of the hybrids so you considered that a bonus. They were slowly becoming more accustomed to the other presence and though there were a few small shoves, hisses or choice words, all in all they were being polite.

Sitting at the dining table talking with Jimin about your plan tomorrow at the shopping centre, he was very close, you knew it was a dominance thing, that he knew you the longest and he was unintentionally rubbing it in the other hybrid’s faces. Seeing Jungkook’s eyes barely staying awake you wished him good night with a hug and told him to get some sleep. 

Yoongi was slinking around looking like he wanted to say or ask something but waiting for you to be alone. Seokjin and Namjoon both headed off to bed and Jimin reached over taking your hand. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his brows creasing in the same concern that laced his words, “you keep making sure we are okay, that no one has asked you?”

“I’m good,” you admitted with a smile, “how are you taking this?”

“You know I am used to it, we grew up in hybrid homes just like this one,” Jimin laughed, “gives me a bit of nostalgia.”

“The only thing that is unsettling at the moment is the smell of the carpet, it is driving me mental?” you laughed, “that bleach not only burns it just makes the place feel empty.”

“I know what you mean, but if you would like I can scent the house?” he wiggled his eyebrows. “like we used to?”

“Jimin we were children running around naked was okay back then now it would be weird,” you scoffed, pushing him away, “go to bed.”

“You want to sleep in my room?” he pouted, “there is no need to be a martyr”

“Thanks but, I am going to stay up a little later and work out some things.” Jimin walked into the hall eyeing the older hybrid and gave a deliberate, let me know if you need anything spiel.

“Hey Yoongi, is something wrong?” you smiled patting the seat beside you, he hesitantly sat on the seat keeping his distance. He seemed to mull over his thoughts and choose his words carefully before he attempted to speak.

“When I was in University the first time, I was studying psychology, I wanted to help young hybrids,” you repressed a squeal he was opening up and you were so proud, “I was wondering, if there is a chance I could continue that course? I still want to help other hybrids like myself.”

“Of course, that is perfect, I can get you ready I will get your folders and work transferred over and we can have you started in no time, they might ask you to do an entrance exam so if you don’t mind I can give you a little refresher with the other boys and then you will be all set, all the Uni classes are online, so you don’t have to worry about transport and it’s all paid for so money isn’t an option either.”

“I don’t like free things” he played with his sleeves, “I much rather get things on my own”

“Well, if you would like I can give you pocket money everyday and you can save it so that you don’t feel helpless. Let’s say accompanying me grocery shopping, I could wash up the dishes and you could dry and little things like that and I can give you... uh, fifty dollars a week,” 

“That is too much,” He said, shaking his head, “not when you are also paying room and board. That is way too much and I don’t want to take more of your money”

“It’s not my money, you forget, I am living free here as well,” you laughed, standing up and holding out your hand. He took it and you walked him to his room, “please don’t stress Yoongi, I promise you I am not as scary as I look, you are safe and I want you to feel safe and if that means you have a little money box under your bed than let’s do it”

Yoongi laughed, “You aren’t scary at all”

“I don’t know if you had seen her dancing this evening, that was scary,” Hoseok called from his room. He was a very easy going guy, he liked to hear the others better so he left the door open. It must be hard coming from the country with night noises and lots of hybrids snoring to a place that is genuinely quiet with the occasional sound of a car and his own room.

“Alright Yoongi time for bed, I am here now so I hope you like being tucked in?” you walked him to his bed and pulled the blankets up to his chin and you could hear the purs as you pet his head.

“I want to be tucked in too,” Jungkook wined down the end of the hall, and you froze as the chorus of me too filled the hall. Rolling your eyes you stood up pressing a kiss to Yoongi’s forehead and stepping out.

“Fine, let me start with Jin, you want to be tucked in?” You grinned and the oldest hybrid nodded vigorously from his bed. You made the rounds and visited every room, Namjoon announced he was already tucked in and would accept a good night. He was acting proud but you thought to try anyway. “your blankets are askew, let me help, you can’t be tucked in if your blanket is all wonky”

The excuse worked and he purred deep in his chest as you pet his head and kissed his forehead. Hoseok made you laugh and requested multiple kisses but received a “Don’t be greedy,” from his neighbor Jimin.

Jimin gave you his signature eye smile that you just knew was there even without your superior night vision. You thought about it and a lot of the hybrids in the house were nocturnal giving reason to their late bedtimes and keen senses in the dark. You weren’t too sure about Hoseok and Taehyung so that would be something to google before bed.

Stepping up to Jimin’s bed he grinned, “Tuck me in,” he declared his arms out as if he was getting a hug. 

“Okay but you have to lay down and stop squirming,” you reprimanded, making him still long enough to tuck him in placing a kiss on his forehead with a pat, his hands holding his tail as he always did when he slept. “You still hold your tail when you sleep”

He blushed and turned away, “I dunno it’s comfy”

“It’s cute, have a good night” you walked on to the last room where Jungkook was standing at his door obviously having gotten impatient. You walked him to his bed and sat beside him as he got comfortable.

“y/n, I love being here and I don’t want you to give me up but, I miss my family, I barely remember anything about my mother I can’t even remember what she looked like, all I remember is she smelt like clean cotton and sunny days” He said a few tears in his eyes. 

Wiping his eyes he sniffed, “I wanted to be cool for you, but I am just a big baby” he whined, “Can you stay with me until I fall asleep, sing me a song or tell me a story?”

“Alright, get comfortable and I will tell you a story koo” tucking him in you opened your mouth when he grabbed your hand, “Is something wrong?”

“You have to give me a goodnight kiss too, while I am awake or I won’t feel it” he gave a big cheeky grin and you laughed brushing his bangs to the side and pressing a small kiss on his forehead. “Alright I am ready”

“This was a story that I was told when I was young,” you shuffled onto the bed more, “in japan there are monsters and mythical creatures called yokai…”

“Yokai were sometimes even gods they could be good and they could be bad, the kitsune was a yokai, they said when a fox grew to a certain age they would be able to transform into humans” Felix spoke cleaning some of the toys off your bed.

“Like Hybrids!” You giggled, jumping on your bed, your stuffed toy under your arm, Felix tackled you onto your pillow and grinned, tucking you in and switching off the light. He reached over to turn on a small night light. “Or like the other story where they peel off their skin?”

“Alright, I admit it was a mistake to tell you that, are you still having nightmares?” he sighed rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I still haven’t been let off babysitting duty because of that, the earful Astrid gave me”

You laughed at his dramatic shiver, she wasn’t that scary, but Felix always seemed to think so. “If you know so many stories about fox hybrids then why did they make me, if they were already out there?”

“That is the thing little Kit, they aren’t hybrids” his smile was big and his eyes gleamed mischievously. “They are huli jing, kitsune and kumiho, they aren’t hybrids. These are special beings; foxes with the ability to transform into humans, they are special.” 

“If they can disguise themselves as humans how do you know they exist, have you seen one?” you were ever curious to know more about fox related things it made you feel like you were getting to know more about yourself and why you did the things you do”

“Humans can’t see them unless they wish to show themselves to them first, but they can see each other, they can’t hide from one another,” he hummed

“Are you a fox person Felix?” the memory of the other night in your head when you thought you saw two tails and some ears attached to him.

“I am just Felix and you young lady are up past your bedtime. So lay still so I can tell the story.”

“The fox breathed fire burning the forest and when their emotions calmed they saw the town destroyed and the woman the fox man had loved had died from the flames along with her new husband” you whispered, Jungkook’s little snores were cute and you readjusted the blanket and gave him another kiss on the forehead before retreating to the living room couch.

A thought passed by about perhaps using Taehyung’s room but you thought it was best to not invade his privacy, that was his safe place and your scent would ruin that. The thought didn’t last long as you were soon out cold from exhaustion.

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[lovemesomeharry]

REASSURANCE

Warnings: Angst

Words: 2k

Summary: Harry feels insecure and needs reassurance that Y/N won’t leave him.

The sun was shining, birds were singing and the sound of water splashing made the summer feeling even sweeter. The distant sound of people talking was almost unnoticeable, compared to the hectic and loud streets of London, Y/N, and Harry was so used to. It almost made them forget how quiet the world could be and they were thankful for the little getaway into a peaceful habitat to recollect themselves.

Currently, Y/N was sitting on a chair on the balcony of the small Italian house, reading a book Harry urged her to, a while ago, and eating grapes every once in a while when she had to turn the page. Her white summer dress was floating in the wind and her hair was up in a ponytail to keep the strains of hair out of her concentrated face. The tip of her tongue was sticking out as she tried to imagine the scenario she had just read, not noticing her boyfriend staring at her in awe further away.

Harry was trying to cool himself down at the small pool, Y/N had great access at looking at, and he had hoped she’d join him but she was too focussed on her reading to even notice the lack of attention she was giving her boyfriend. Wet hair was sticking to his forehead and tiny little droplets we're covering his body when he looked up to see her sitting on the balcony. His heart immediately picked up on speed and started to hammer harder against his ribcage. His emerald eyes were scanning every single one of her outlines, trying his best to memorize them as if she was his favorite painting he never wanted to forget.

With a muffed sigh he got out of the pool and instantly felt the hot ground beneath his feet as he grabbed a towel to dry himself off a bit, knowing well that his girlfriend wouldn't approve of him getting the expensive Italian carpet wet.

It was really not a big deal to him but it was to her and he was glad about it. She kept him grounded, even though Harry could swear he was on cloud nine, nowhere near the ground, whenever he remembered she was his to love and he was hers.

He truly couldn't grasp how she’d even consider being with him, knowing what consequences and difficulties he had brought into her life but he was too selfish to push her away and he was happy she never considered leaving him. Even if he couldn’t understand her decision.

When he finally got to see her again, she didn't notice him right away. For a moment Harry let the cold fan air surround him before he decided that she’d spent enough time reading a book. With big and fast steps, he walked into the balcony and stopped right behind her so he could wrap his arms around her shoulders.

A small shriek left her lips and her body jolted forward a bit, making Harry smirk. “Hey, love. What are you doing?” He wrapped his arms tighter around her as she tried to push him away slightly.

“Don’t scare me like that!” She complained but did not close the book yet much to Harry’s dislike. He wanted all of her attention on him. “Besides I was reading the book you wanted me to.” She held the book up so he could see what she was reading. He nuzzled his face into her neck, covering it with sweet kisses as a blush crept onto his face, heating his face up. She couldn’t be more adorable to him than at this moment, he thought. He loved that she always listened to him and paid attention to what he was saying. It made the butterflies in his stomach go crazy knowing she cared enough about him to read one of his favorite books. He knew he’d read her favorites within a second but never expected her to return the favor. “Thought we could talk about it once I finish it.” Y/N suggested only making those emotions Harry was feeling stronger. He really wondered how she still had this effect on him after all this time being together and hoped he was causing the same impact on her.

“Sure.” He said leaving open mouth kisses on her jaw. “But first, your boyfriend needs some attention.” She turned her head to the side to get a look at his beautiful face and got lost into his mesmerizing eyes once she looked into them. His long eyelashes were framing them perfectly and the tiny freckles on his face made her want to count them so she could tell everyone how many he had on his cheeks. She felt his large hands grip her forearm, squeezed it slightly before he planted a kiss on her nose. Her body melted into his embrace as if it was missing his kisses the whole day and craved them already.

When he let go of her she made sure to take his hand in hers and put the book on the round glass table in front of her. Her legs, that were pulled up to her chest, were set back on the ground so that she could have better look at him. He sat down next to her, squeezing her hand back when a small yawn escaped his mouth.

“Are you tired, baby?” She asked and studied her boyfriend carefully. His lips turned upwards and with his other hand, he ran through his fluffy mustache that was tickling her neck not even a few seconds ago. He looked so different with it, she thought but not in a bad way. He looked older with his ’Mario mustache’, as he liked to refer to it, and made him feel proud of finally being able to grow some facial hair. And it came in handy in the bedroom. So how could she ever dislike the little bit of hair?

He nodded his head. “A bit.” She couldn’t deny that he was looking tired but not enough for him to be craving a deep slumber.

“Should we go to bed?” She asked only making Harry feel softer for her. She said ‘we’ and it made his heart swoon and wonder what he’d done to deserve an angel like her.

God, he was so whipped.

“No. But come here.” He hummed and opened his arms. No more words were needed for her to understand what he’d meant and she was already climbing on his lap. Her legs were dangled from each side and her hands found their way into his hair, pulling slightly on the hair on his neck. A deep, satisfied sigh left his mouth and he had to fight the urge to kiss her breathless, fearing he’d be too clingy. “I love you. You know that, right?” He asked instead and held her hips tighter.

Worry was clouding his innocent face and Y/N could only frown. “Of course, H. Is everything alright?” She didn’t want him to think that she didn’t know that because she did. She felt so appreciated, adored, and mostly so incredibly loved because he never failed to prove his feelings to her. Even if it’s just making her coffee the way she liked it or him knowing when she’d get her period so he’d have all the candy ready, she was going to crave.

Sometimes she’d even feel bad about it, thinking she wasn’t giving him enough love. Thinking he deserved somebody better as she did at that moment. Maybe she should have put the book away and focussed more on him, she thought.

Her fingers were massaging his head in hope of calming him down. “Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you know that.” He shook his head as if he was trying to figure his words out and let out a breathy but nervous laugh. “I don’t deserve you, angel. You’re too good to me.” Y/N wanted to ask him if he was joking but seeing the sincerity in his eyes made her swallow the lump in her throat. How could he ever think that, she wondered truthfully.

“Why would you say that?” Her hands stopped playing with his hair, what Harry didn’t like but he kept his mouth shut about it. His heart aches to see the worry and hurt in her eyes as the previous sparkle died down. He mentally cursed at himself for making her feel this way when it was supposed to be their getaway vacation, for them to escape the hectic world they lived in.

His fingers were playing with the fabric of her dress, which she looked ravishing in, only making her look more like an actual angel. “I don’t know why you’re with me when I bring more trouble than joy.” His shoulders sagged and the sadness in his voice made a painful throb run through her heart. She couldn’t believe he would think that and felt as if she didn’t do a good job as his girlfriend proving to him that he was all she ever needed. Y/N wished she could make those thoughts disappear out of his head, but to Harry, they came completely naturally after multiple broken relationships due to his lifestyle no one seemed to be able to put up with. And to think that she’ll leave him too, was a pain no one could’ve ever prepared himself for. Just by the thought of never holding her again and getting to smell her sweet scent made him tear up and something laced his neck, keeping him from breathing.

“Harry, that’s not true. I love you.” She tried to reassure him and once he lowered his gaze she took his chin into her hands, forcing him to look at her. The corner of his eyes was filling up with tears and Y/N wondered how she didn’t realize what was going on in her boyfriend's head. “I’m sorry if I hadn’t made it clear before but there’s no one and nothing I’d trade you for. Ever.”

“It’s just-“ He stopped to take a deep breath to collect his thoughts. “I, I’m scared, ok? I’m scared that one day you’ll wake up and not love me anymore. That you’ll realize I’m not worth the trouble.” Y/N saw how he was fighting with his tears, felt how his hands started shaking around her hips, and his voice got so quiet that he was barely whispering. She wanted to kiss his troubles away but felt so helpless not knowing what to do. “Sometimes I wonder if I should just let you go, but I’m too selfish.”

“Love, I never wanted you to be selfish more than I do right now.” Her voice was slowing losing its power and tears started to form at the brim of her eyes. “I love you, Harry. I love you so much and I really don’t care what we have to go through as long as we’re in this together.” She pressed her forehead against his and let the small skin contact send shivers down her spine and try her best to take all this negativity away. Her fingers were gripping his face and pulling him closer, if it was possible. “You’ve no idea how much you mean to me. You’re worth risking everything for and I’d rather lose everything before I’ll lose you. My heart just wouldn’t be able to take it.”

Harry was still battling inner thoughts even though he believed her and Y/N saw the conflict going on inside of him. Her thumb stroked his cheek and finally, he started to lean into her touch. He breathed the hot air out of his lungs when he pulled back to look at her properly. ”You sure?”

”I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” And with that, she finally captured his lips with hers, trying her hardest to get the insecurity out of him. His soft lips moved perfectly in rhythm with hers and by the shape of their mouths, both parties were convinced that their lips were meant to be together. Harry sighed into the kiss and even though he still believed she could get someone better he was happy she still wanted to be with him and didn't mind giving him the reassurance he sometimes needed. Y/N on the other hand already planned to devote her heart to him for the rest of her life and make it her life goal to prove to him that he was all she ever wanted, needed, and loved.

[tobiramaika]

Edo Tensei

I don't even know why am I doing this. Maybe to let my sorrow out? Well, either way, enjoy.

Isn't it nice? Peace can be achived, even if temporarily.

You can make civilians and shinobi live together peacefully, regardless of clans.

Tobirama was always skeptical about that, but his big brother showed him that it's not impossible.

Still... why is he smiling? Tobirama can't help but feel hatred towards him and his so called friend as he looks down on them from the tree he is sitting on.

They are laughing, training together, even being affectionate... what kind of brother is that?

Hashirama doesn't care to notice as Tobirama stares at him, rather just drowns in self pity as he had gotten a harsh comment from Madara.

Maybe, perhaps, that will never go away. That little habit of his.

Watching that unfold... all he can think about is how foolish it is.

Tobirama never had any hate in his heart towards Hashirama, but it hurts.

It hurts that he has to walk alone in a flower shop, because he is the only one who remembers.

He shook those thoughts out of his head though, as he already took out his wallet. He greeted a smile to the man wrapping up some roses,

" Good morning Inoae "

The man greeted back, happy to see a regular.

" Good morning, Lord Tobirama. "

He is not going to lie, being called that makes him feel a little icky, he isn't Hokage yet, or is it certain that he will ever be. However, formality is kept.

It's not like it will matter in a few years, right?

He just went on to choose flowers.

Four purple hyacinths for the first bouquet.

Two pink tulips and two delphiniums for the second one.

Two white tulips and two gladiolus for the third one.

They were all so beautiful, yet they only caused silence. He wished he could, but Inoae couldn't look the man infront of him in the eyes. He knows all too well what does this mean.

Tobirama was used to it. Usually he is greeted with silence upon entering a room.

And that silence followed him everywhere.

Well... not the cemetery. Where his brothers were.

He walked his way in, getting more and more nervous as his heart went quicker upon approaching the huge rock where his brothers are laid.

Dare he call it a grave.

Although, he was quite scared to face them just yet. So he decided to go to the left side of it, paying his respect to someone else's brother,

" Izuna, are you listening? I am sorry.. no, I just ask for your forgiveness. I hope you are watching over your brother, he seems to be doing well. "

He had placed the first bouquet of flowers down the cold shiny rock. He didn't know if the feeling in his chest is emptiness, or rather guilt.

It could be both.

Now came the hard part, going to the right side of the rock.

He can't call it a grave, he refuses to accept it.

He had placed the beautiful flowers down, bowing as he spoke.

" Itama... Kawarama... Please forgive big brother, he didn't come to your anniversaries. Even if he didn't come, I hope I am enough. Please don't hate him for this. Are you doing alright.. ? I wish I could hug you both for one last time, " tears streamed down his face as he grabbed his chest, gasping for air " I am sorry you could never make it to 10. I am so so sorry.... this isn't how it was supposed to turn out like... it really wasn't.... "

It was dawn when Tobirama caught his two younger siblings painting their face in the reflection of the river by their house.

He had approached the two giggly smaller ones as he noticed that they have their mothers make up paint in their hand.

It was cute, how excited they were over a few crushed up wet roses..

" Say, what are you doing? "

Itama looked at him, holding a brush for him to take,

" We are wearing warrior make up! Try it too! "

And so he did. He squat down alongside them, copying the motions they did,

" So tell me... Why are they dots? "

Kawarama smiled, clapping his hands together, happy to answer,

" It will bloom like a flower! It's just dots now... But when we will reach 10, it will all be lines, mimicking the shape of lowers! "

Itama nodded, as he adjusted the hand of his older brother,

" Yeah! Hashirama already celebrated his 10th birthday! So it's between us three now! "

Tobirama hummed, murmuring a little 'I see' as he painted his face. That was, to this day his favourite memory with his brothers.

And it keeps repeating over and over, he can't stop thinking about it. It pains him, if not everday, every other day.

Even as he looks through their family album and seems their cut off hair, from the first time they each got a hair cut.

The circles under his eyes barely tell a story compared to how swollen it has became. He had cried all day, his heart crushing.

He stroked over the plastic covering of the hair, sighing to himself in the darkness of his own room, being surrounded by nothing but cold..

... and a bunch of research papers.

" I wish I could bring you two back just by this... I miss you so much "

One thing is for sure, ghosts exist.

Tobirama had found out that a long time ago, by experience.

Turns out, hating your father and trying to please your brother's wishes only results in your dead father's spirit yelling at you whenever you manage to stay up after 5am.

Tobirama sniffed and wiped off his under eyes.

It's time to be stronger, it sucks to drown in self pity, day by day everyday.

And so that was the start of it all. The start of Edo Tensei.

Both the sun and moon had fallen down multiple times while Tobirama spent weeks in his office, only leaving for small wash ups.

He was desperate, he had a goal in mind and he for sure going to achive it.

Sleep was something he... well forgot to do, but came to him naturally. Each time, he had envisioned all the failed attempts that had happened.

It's been months, he is used to it. Used to all the dry tears on his cheek after a few minutes nap, as he still hears the painful scream of his little brothers. He wants to get it right. He so does.

Just what is he missing? What?

He has calculated everything imaginable. So why.. why don't they look human?

Those questions rang louder and louder in his head as he made an attempt to revive his brothers in their - now - family home.

Well, the little hill next to their garden tree.

Itama and Kawarama were sad. They couldn't be as grown up and as human as their big brothers.

They tried to comfort their older brother too.

He was on his knees, punching the ground with his fists as tears stormed down his face.

" Why, why, why? ", he asked, over and over.

Not to mistake him for an idiot though, once he felt two little hands stroke his back, he had wrapped his arms around what he knows as his little brothers.

" It's okay "

" Thank you for trying "

Those small little voices trying to comfort him.. their gentleness... It should be the other way around. It really should.

But why is he like this? It's hard to admit, but Tobirama is ashamed. It should be the other way around.

The ground broke, and suddenly there was water everywhere but around the three of them.

It was almost destructive, flooding everything around them, breaking of their tree, turning into a water tornado.

It took a mental breakdown for Hashirama to notice what's wrong, as he ran there yelling out

" Tobirama! "

That was the last thing in Tobirama's memory before his coma.

Hashirama must have solved it, he guesses. After all, not only their house is new, but their list of forbidden jutsus are too.

[fireemblems24]

Post Grondor Field AM Analysis

I'm prefacing this by saying that I'm still not sure I can write a good analysis of this scene for two reasons:

1. I don't know what comes after, and

2. I'm very emotionally involved in what happened.

But I tried my best. One thing is for sure though, what happened in Grondor in AM was an incredibly significant turning point for AM and Dimitri and my thoughts and analysis on it will definitely expand as I keep writing about and playing the game.

Part of me is just so happy I got to see Dimitri's supports, have the inevitable turn around, and get to do things like tea and dinner time again that it's hard to be objective about this scene.

And by "this scene," I don't mean that actual fight at Grondor, but everything from Fleche's attack to Byleth's words in the rain later.

It wasn't all about Byleth . . .

Given how poignant Dimitri's character arc has been so far, I had a deep rooted fear player-pandering would ruin it. Byleth, as a concept, isn't bad, but too often the heaps of praise feel underserved and other things (like Claude's intelligence, Edelgard's relationships with everyone else) get ignored to make more room for player-pandering.

Thankfully this did not happen. Byleth, throughout the early chapters of AM's part 2, failed to reach Dimitri. And, honestly, seeing Byleth actually struggle for once has done wonders for how I view her character. Still, I worried that player-pandering-power, rather than something that felt earned, would cause the inevitable eye-opener for Dimitri.

But it wasn't just Byleth. Fleche's vengeance kicked everything off, what veered Dimitri away from his fate in other routes. He accepted his death at her hands, not bothering to defend himself. Rodrigue stepping in the way and his parting words forced Dimitri to confront things he'd ignored. Throughout AM so far, people have posed questions to Dimitri who refused to answer them because he didn't want to face what they asked. But Rodrigue dying for him, spending his final words telling Dimitri to live for himself - combined with Fleche's attack - forced Dimitri to confront things he avoided. It wasn't until after all of that when Byleth steps in.

And Byleth didn't "fix" him either. Dimitri's supports show a young man who's still very much struggling with his mental health, poor self-image, his previous actions, and wondering if he deserves not only to live for himself - but if he even deserves to live. Byleth didn't hand-wave Dimitri's problems away.

Everything about the scene is stronger because it didn't fall back on player-pandering, but more earned, realistic, and dramatic actions and consequences - including Byleth's involvement which felt far more earned than usual because of prior failure.

But I wish Dimitri's friends played a bigger role.

Not everything was perfect though. I wish we got a little more than we did from Dimitri's house mates - especially his childhood friends Sylvain, Ingrid, and extra special mention to Felix and especially, especially Dedue.

Throughout all of AM, none of the above mentioned characters feel utilized to their full potential. This isn't a problem exclusive to AM, and by all means it's far from the biggest offender, but given how close all the ties are in AM, it's felt when it's not there.

I still don't know what exactly I would've done with them. Maybe I'd need to make the game an actual novel to do it, and you can't forget how perma-death has historically held back games at times, limiting major moments to a select few "retreat" candidates.

Still, though, getting a bit more from Ingrid, Sylvain, Felix, and Dedue would've made the scene even more powerful.

I actually really liked the scene in the rain.

I haven't made it a secret that I dislike Byleth. Or maybe disliked is more accurate. Lately I've been rethinking my stance on Byleth, in part because I've heard from people who like her or found ways to make her work and from my own thinking about the game while planning future write ups.

I don't think it's Byleth I really dislike, but the player-pandering. Separating the two isn't easy, but it's easier since I've starting coming around to seeing Byleth as her own character.

There's been a few moments that made me care for Byleth, and this scene in the rain was one of them. Because she didn't just fix everything. She tried and failed for months to reason with Dimitri, and despite everything she never gave up on him or failed to keep offering her hand.

I'm not going to lie. I got all the bubbly, heartwarming, heartbreaking feels the writers wanted me to in this scene. Seeing Byleth reach for something and fail, and then finally, finally get through was rewarding in a way many of Byleth's prior accomplishments aren't because this one felt earned. And by God did she earn it.

Some people will likely disagree with that last point, but I disagree with them. She asked Dimitri hard-hitting questions, forcing him to come to unpleasant conclusions rather than trying to force him into anything. She kept Dimitri from veering to far off course, even at expense to herself when she killed Randolph. She saved Dimitri from Fleche when he refused to save himself. She quietly supported him, coaxing out the good she knew was still there and refused to give up on.

I'd never in a million years say someone in real life should put up with Dimitri's toxic behavior and verbal abuse, even considering his extreme trauma and aggravated mental illness. But seeing someone fuck up so badly still get forgiven, still get supported, still struggle but honestly change for the good, still get loved, start to accept and forgive himself through the power of love and forgiveness from others is very powerful, especially since media so often downplays those "softer" things as weakness in comparison to the "badassery" of ambition and stoicism. Using Byleth, who previously had little experience with feelings, who was encouraged to experience them in healthy ways by Dimitri, return the favor isn't really the worst choice.

It's cliche, but cliches aren't always bad.

The mentor dies. Redemption in the rain. Revenge against the protagonist's actions opens their eyes. Etc . . . This scene was chuck full of cliches, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Tropes serve an important narrative purpose because a writer can rely on them to convey a message to the audience that either saves time or sets them up for something unexpected or even expected. Fire Emblem has always and will always be incredibly cliche and full of tropes. It loves tropes so much there's in-universe ones that make some unit or character discussions sound like a foreign language to people outside of or new to the fandom, talking about "Ests" and calling someone a "Camus."

What matters is if a story pulled something off well, not if it's terribly unique. A mentor dying is powerful because it forces the student to grow. Redemption in the rain is high symbolic of water washing things away + the somber atmosphere rain creates. Someone trying to get revenge against a character provides an eye-opening experience about the ripple effect of their actions. We see these things in fiction all the time because they work.

All the tropes worked like expected in this scene. Using images instead of cut scenes did make less of an impact, but more on that later.

Tl;dr: There's nothing unexpected or terribly unique about what happened. It was honestly painfully predictable, but that doesn't make it bad and is in a series that does this all of the time.

The voice acting carried because those images can't.

A major downside to this scene is that it used vague images instead of a cut scene. I get that budget and time were likely concerns, but many cut scenes from earlier in the game seem rather trivial. Did we really need that dance one? Really? I don't think so.

This was a hugely important, action heavy moment. Using one or two still images to convey everything that's happening and all those emotions, really makes it less than it could've been.

That said, the voice acting saves it. I've raved about how amazing Chris Hackeny is as Dimitri, so nothing new here. Rodrigue's and Fleche's VAs also did a fantastic job. No one oversold or undersold the emotions. Even without the cut scene, you felt what happened thanks to the skill of the actors. This scene would've been so much harder to engage with without them, if this was an older FE game where all you got was text. This is 100% one of the moments highly elevated by the decision to have a fully voiced game and choosing high caliber talent (let's not talk about Radiant Dawn's voice acting).

Questionable support timing.

One issue I had came right after the scene when I viewed Dimitri's supports. The nature of some - like his with Raphael and Alois - didn't quite line up with the character I saw in dialogue right after. I wish they staggered them a bit more or got picker about what you could get in part 1 or 2.

This isn't limited to Dimitri either. In the same support batch, I also got a Marianne B support where she still had no confidence or self-worth. And then like 10 minutes later I talk to her in the monastery and she mentions about how seeing all the death in Grondor made her value her life even more.

In the past, I've also received entirely valid opinions that Dorothea in part 2 is hard to understand because she's cherry and flirty in her supports, and morose and hates the war in her monastery stuff, making her seem inconsistent.

It's a bit jarring. It's not really an issue for characters who don't change much like Edelgard or Raphael, but even for characters with more subtle differences than Dimitri, Marianne, and Dorothea - like, say, Lorenz - you get a lot of weird stuff because of supports. I just think Dimitri's stands out because he's a main character with a really prominent, important turning point for his growth.

[raisinchallah]

i was curious about the next discovery episode see how things got resolved with the whole spocks mental illness and finally understand his and michaels relationship but im left with more questions than answers like the absolute terrible cant come back from thing michael did was... be nasty to him when she was 10....... after they had presumably known each other for like a year and this was something amanda couldnt forgive her for... being a scared child... and irreparably damaged her relationship with spock and also i guess she was in active danger by living on vulcan which sort of makes no sense when u would think if there were extremist vulcans hating all humans amanda would also be a target? and again its like why the fuck was michael put in this awful situation but its like im left wondering were her and spock ever close cuz this moment supposedly reveals the rift between them happened when they were so young its not like they had a relationship to rekindle or anything also tbh i realize for the longest time i had misremembered the spoiler and thought that michael was the red angel and that what was making spock go crazy was a premonition about michael being gone and i thought that would be very cool but um the time thing felt so silly but like god... i really felt like until more details were coming out it felt like their rift would have been something that happened when they were older and maybe something where they were both wrong and like had to heal their relationship rather than something perfectly constructed so u dont actually feel like anyone did anything wrong but also just feels like again another illustration of what an awful situation michael was put into and nobody supporting her and idk i just wish that instead of some like oh wow spocks falling apart cuz he has a messed up understanding of time which feels so silly it could be that he had a premonition about michael leaving into the future or how her moms the red angel and it was like him having to confront the buried pain of his distance from his family or fear of losing michael and that bringing up the pain of them not speaking for years or just you know djkla;kljs he could be mentally ill for normal reasons like theres just like it feels like a few small changes could make the emotional reality of it a lot stronger..... idk its just a lot of quick fixes that sort of leap over character development i did really like hughs section of the episode the focus on his alienation and trying to rediscover who he is... which did pair well with like i think what they were going for with the spock and michael parts of the episode nice to have like thematic consistency..

[anomia-sama]

Akutagawa x Reader | Dark Chocolate

Pairing: Ryuunosuke Akutagawa x Reader

Warnings: Gender neutral reader (they/them), probably uncorrect english, curses, verbal aggression. 

Notes: Nobody asked for it, this Headcanon is just my way to wish you a happy St. Valentine’s Day, full of love, warmth and affection; even if you’re single, you deserve to celebrate love. Love for yourself, love for you significant others, love for your life! I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Small reminder: In Japanese tradition, only women give chocolates to men, but I wanted to write a more inclusive Headcanon, so I used Gender Neutral pronouns. There’s a huge difference between Honmei Choco and Giri Choco. The so-called Honmei choco (known as the "true feeling chocolate") is given by women to men whom they have romantic feelings for, like husbands, boyfriends or desired partners. It is a qualitatively better chocolate, and it’s generally quite expensive, but sometimes it can be home-made. The so-called Giri choco (known as "obligation chocolate") is given by women to male co-workers or friends, as a customary gift. It’s cheaper and less refined, but it’s a very apreciated symbol of respect and friendship.

◈ ━━━━━━━━  Headcanon ━━━━━━━━ ◈

Akutagawa is totally clueless about St. Valentine’s day. Seriously, he knows nothing about it! He has no idea of the cultural meanings of February 14th and he doesn’t know much about traditional gifts linked to this celebration.

First of all, he never had time to devote to such a nonsensical feast. And then, he never cared about useless things like romance and love. They’re like profanities to him. 

So, when he sees you offer him an elegant and refined dark red box full of assorted chocolate, he’s a bit confused. Like…what the hell are you doing, exactly? His deep and grey eyes sharpen in a frown, his cheek muscles unconsciously contract, but even in his confusion he looks so cute and adorable at your eyes.

He quietly stares at the box for almost five minutes, exploring every single detail of it, careful not to touch it. It’s a big and rectangular pack, he notices, closed with a thin ribbon, and he doesn’t imagine what it could contain.

It takes a while before Ryuunosuke finds the courage to look at you in the eyes and ask for clarifications. 

“What is it?”

Poor boy. It’s not his fault, he’s just a bit (a lot, actually) ignorant about certain things. 

He notices your bizarre and inexplicable look, that makes his gaze sharpen more and more by the second. His irises linger on your red cheeks, he can see how desperately you try to avoid eye contact and that makes him a little suspicious. Your entire body is shaking, it’s really a weird behavior…

“It’s a…gift. A Valentine’s gift, actually.” You try to explain, with trembling voice.

“A… what?”

Your heart beats so fast, in this moment. You don’t understand if the young man appreciates it or not, he just stands there, right in front of you, with a stern look and crossed arms. An unconquerable stronghold that turns your heart in dust every single time you’re in the same room. 

You don’t even know when you started being so attracted to him, nor when attraction became love. You really thought offer him Honmei Choco was the most natural way to express your feelings and confess to him. But…

“Chocolate, Akutagawa-san. Just chocolate.” You murmur, now embarrassed and quite in panic. You really don’t understand if he’s rejecting you or not.

Being in love with him is a daily challenge. Akutagawa is unpredictable, fierce, a broken soul… and, well, he totally lacks in social skills. You know it, you always knew it, but that doesn’t cushion the blow when it arrives.

“Are you trying to poison me or what?”

Oh god. Is he allergic or something? Does he hate chocolate? What did you do wrong?

Your eyes widen and you finally meet his gaze. He seems angry.

The truth is Akutagawa is not used to kindness. He doesn’t know what it means to receive a gift and something like pure and selfless love, so he just thinks the worst option is the most credible.

“N-No, Akutagawa-san, I could never…” 

“So is this because you failed your last mission? You really think you could corrupt me?”

His voice raises in a rough expression of anger, he makes you feel so small and defenseless. Ryuunosuke totally misunderstands your intentions, but you know you don’t deserve such a treatment, even if you love him and even if he’s your superior.

You put the box on his desk, firmly (because you’re upset, and you got the right to) but gently not to ruin it.

 “I don’t want to disrespect you, Akutagawa-san, you know, or at least you should know, how much I admire you. Think what you want about this gift, I let it here. Now excuse me, I have work to do.”

You get out of his office with fast pace, your eyes shining with tears you proudly don’t cry. 

At the door, you almost bump into Chuuya; the redhead was right there with a raised fist, ready to knock, but you barely notice him. You have rush to walk away.

“...The fuck happened?” He whsipers, following your silhouette with his eyes before enter Akutagawa’s office.

Obviously, the Port Mafia rabid dog has a terrible pout drawn on his face. He’s even more confused than he was before and now he even feels inexplicably weird. His chest is so heavy he’s not sure he can normally breath, his hands are closed in fists.

“Akutagawa.” Chuuya says. 

 “Chuuya-san.” The ravenette murmurs in response, looking at him and trying to mentally come back to his work. He has no time to think about these strange feelings, okay? He has no time to investigate why the hell he suddenly feels so bad.

“Here is a message from the Boss. He wants you to… wohoh! What do we have here?” The redhaired executive notices the box on Akutagawa’s desk and a sly smirk appears on his lips. He looks like knowing a thing or two.

“A box.” Akutagawa answers laconically. What kind of problem do they all have with boxes, today?!

“This is not just a box, man.” Chuuya seems quite intrigued and he delicately opens the box, peeking inside it. His ocean’s eyes widen a little and the older man whistles in appreciation. “My, my…”

“What?”  

“This is the most fucking expensive chocolate in town. The logo is unmistakable, it comes from a famous and refined bakery.” He explains, grinning while he crosses his arms. “From whom is it? I didn’t know you were such a successful Don Juan. No offense.”

Wait, a successful WHAT?!

Akutagawa’s pale cheeks are suddenly touched by a peach colored shade of pink but there’s something in his eyes that suggests Chuuya he not fully understand the situation. The two of them looks at each other for a while, the one with a perturbed expression, the other trying not to laugh. 

It’s Nakahara that breaks the silence: “Seriously, man. It’s St. Valentine’s Day, if you recieve such an expensive gift today, well... you know what it means, don’t you?” 

But, against Chuuya’s expectation, Ryuunosuke perseveres in his silence. The black-coated man starts feeling uncomfortable, realizing he truly has no idea of what the other executive is talking about and rapidly avoids his inquisitive gaze. Akutagawa is clueless, okay, but he’s not stupid at all. He perfectly understands he’s not perfect (someone in his past never missed a chance to remember it to him) and he can recognize his lacks.

Chuuya, on the other hand, he’s quite more understanding than other Port Mafia members, especially when it comes to emotions and feelings. No, obviously he’s not a softie, he just understands a little more human beings and their emotive nature, so when he sees how confused Akutagawa is he sighs in exasperation.

“Man, if someone gives you expensive chocolate on St. Valentine’s Day, it’s because they have feelings for you. They like you that way. It’s a way to confess and, trust me, this is clearly the chocolate box I would only give to someone I fell fucking hard for.” 

First reaction: shock!* 

To our poor Ryuunosuke it’s like receiving a punch right in the stomach. His cloudy eyes widen in surprise and he’s quite sure his not-so-stoned heart lost a beat or two. So… is this the true meaning of your gift? You were trying to confess to him? You wanted to make him feel your affection? You wanted him to feel…loved?

He hisses a curse and slowly hides his face behind his left hand. Shit. He yelled at you. He accused you, just because he never thought he deserves love and affection. 

“So? Whose heart did you broke?” Chuuya jokes, hearing Ryuunosuke swearing.

"Y/n L/n. I asked them if they were trying to corrupt me or poison me.” He admits with a gloomy and yet shocked tone. 

In his defense, he had no idea you could have feelings for him. Let’s be honest: he never cared about certain things, but he’s not blind nor deaf. You are good looking, understanding, kind, diligent, resourceful, supportive. He is...well, he’s a demon. How could he even imagine someone like you falling in love with someone like him?

Chuuya sighs again. 

“You rejected Y/n. Good fucking job, man, only an idiot like shitty Dazai could do something so stupid, you really are his worthy heir.” He says sarcastically. “They gave me chocolate too. But not such an expensive one, so I can assume their feelings are stronger then we can even imagine. Maybe you’re still in time to fix the situation. If you’re interested, of course. Are you?” 

His final question sounds definetly like an insinuation and a provocation at the same time. Akutagawa narrows his feral gaze in Chuuya’s direction, meeting his allusive smirk. 

He doesn’t say a single word. But he knows the answer. 

Later that night, you come back from your daily mission. A successful mission, you want to specify, just to prove yourself (and someone else) you don’t need to corrupt your superior, because you’re the best in your job. Failure can occur, of course, but it’s a true rarity for you. 

You just endend report to the Boss himself when you see a familiar shape standing in the corridor, next to one of the polychrome windows. 

Your steps hesitate, you’re still upset and embarassed so you’re not in the right mood to face Akutagawa again, but just a second later you see he’s holding your chocolate box. 

You just stop your walk, a couple of meters separate you from the man and despite distance you can see how nervous he is. 

“Dark chocolate.” He suddenly says. “Dark chocolate is my favourite. But I didn’t know it before tasting one of each kind in this box.”

He avoids your gaze and his words kinda hurt you. He never tasted different kind of chocolate before today?

“The box is still full. I...I thought, maybe... sharing such a good chocolate with you would be a good idea.” 

“It would be nice.” You say softly. “Dark chocolate is my favourite too.” 

Your voice is trembling again. You didn’t like at all the way he treated you some hours ago, but you can see in his gesture how hard he’s trying to remediate.

“I have to apologize.” He suddenly says, and your e/c eyes widens with emotion and surprise. You perfectly know how hard is to say sorry, for a man like him, but he did it. He really did it.

“No matter what you say, I have to.” He continues. “I just... had no idea. I’m not used to all of this, and probably I’m not wort-”

“Please, don’t say that.” You firmly interrupt him and he finally looks at you. 

“That’s not true. I made you the gift you deserve. And I...”

Now or never, Y/n. Now or never. 

“ ...If you let me, I will give you the love you deserve, too.” 

Ryuunosuke needs some time to process what you said. He stays there, his eyes in yours, incredulous. Now he feels even more guilty about the way he treated you. 

How is it possible? Even after that, you still have feelings for him? Even if he yelled at you, even if he’s nothing more than a cruel and merciless rabid dog?

The silence between the two of you is dense and heavy, but not as much as your breath. He doesn’t say a word, again, and you have no idea of what to do. You did your best, today, and more. 

But, you know, Akutagawa is not a word man. He doesn’t know well how to verbally express his feelings, he’s instinctive, a man of action.

“Can I kiss you, Y/n?” 

Honestly, he thinks it’s kinda weird to ask something like that. But Chuuya always says consent is important and Ryuunosuke is a quiet learner. He doesn’t want to desrespect you, ever again. 

You are so surprised to hear this question, and yet so happy, your eyes are filled with tears. So...does he accept your feelings? And even return them? 

You slowly nod in affirmation, walking at his direction, and just a second later you wrap your arms around his body in a strong hug he tries to return properly. He’s a bit tense and awkward, but he holds you very tight. 

And then he does it. 

He presses his lips against yours, not gently, not softly, but with the quiet and passionate desperation of someone always yerned for love.

Yes, Akutagawa is totally clueless about love, St. Valentine’s Day, affection, human feelings. Totally clueless.

But he will learn, with you by his side. He will. 

* Sorry, only Italian readers will fully understand this, but I had to.

[wannabe-fic-writer]

All Over Again - Chapter 3

Summary: What was lost can be found. 

Warning: 18+ Smut, Language, Violence. 

Ch. 2

* * * * * *

Breathing heavily, you run your hand along the rifle, watching as it glows red. You then peek around the corner, calculating your next moves, and counting the number of enemies ahead. 

The new plan of action quickly falls to pieces when a dash of red goes by from the corner of your eye. Natasha leaps over the desk she used for cover, intent on charging the guy ahead of her, not paying attention to the other guy emerging from the shadows of the hallways to her left. 

You take off, pushing yourself over the desk, and tackling Natasha behind yet another one just as shots are fired from both men. 

She quirks an eyebrow, smirking just a little,“ got my back like always huh Y/Ln.”

Resisting the urge to curse, you just punch the ground beside her in frustration. Pushing yourself up and shooting focused, power imbued, bullets at the last two guys. 

Natasha sighs and follows after you as you head further into the building. 

Of course after that incredible day spent in NC, you come back to find out Bucky is no longer available for your mission, so Steve assigns Natasha. Maintaining your professionalism, you didn’t make any complaints. . . out loud. So now you’re in Canada with the woman. 

“Data retrieved, prepare for extraction.” You speak into the coms, pocketing the drive. 

Tense filled silence surrounds yourself and Natasha as you head to the extraction point. She’s mentally facepalming herself for screwing up. As if she wasn’t already on your bad side, now you’re annoyed with her for making a mistake. 

When the jet doors open, you let her in first, and she heads to the front of the ship with Steve. You opt to sit at the back. No longer needing to be off radar, you pull your phone out, an onslaught of messages coming in. 

Hey Y/n! - Wan

Before you go off radar, can you tell me what I’m supposed to wear tonight? - Wan 

You chuckle and shake your head, quickly telling her hi and to wear something formal. Then going to the other messages you have. All from Miss Luthor. 

Hi - Lena

Y/n hi, again. I realized you’re probably doing super important Avenging. Lmk when you get this. - Lena

You reply with a message received, a subconscious smile on your face. Seeing as you didn’t expect it or know why it’s there, you can’t fight it. 

Great. I was wondering when you’d be free to come back to NC. - Lena

Aside from debriefing and your plans tonight with Wanda, you aren’t sure what you have to do. But you also know you can’t just get up and go to NC. As much as you wish you could. So you tell her you’ll let her know and she quickly sends back a smile and thumbs up. 

When the jet lands you’re the first off of it and heading to the meeting room for debriefing. Steve meets you and Natasha there with the mission files. 

“How did it go?” He asks, eyeing you and the redhead. 

The woman stiffens beside you, ready to open her mouth to say something when you speak,“ just as planned Cap.” You slide the drive across the table.“ We collected the data without any injuries.”

After explaining a few more things in detail Steve ends the debriefing, taking the drive and walking out. You’re just about to follow when Natasha speaks up.

“Why didn’t you tell him about my mess up?” 

You sigh,“ because if I had we would’ve been here a lot longer. You know you fucked up, train harder, don’t do it again.”

Natasha pushes herself up and comes to stand beside you,“ I know I don’t have a right but I’m begging you to at least act like you still care.” 

“It’s not that I don’t. In fact the problem is that I care too much.” You turn to face her,“ there are times where I still want you. I care about you like you’re still mine. And I feel like shit because you deserve every bit of love that Bruce gives you and more, without my silent dislike of it.” 

The redhead reaches up, resting a hand on your arm,“ and you deserve love too.”

You step away from her touch.“ Look, Natasha, I’m sorry I’ve been acting cold toward you. But you have to understand how hard this is for me.” 

“I know.” She nods. Your relationship was a strong one, could’ve been stronger had she been honest with you. Having that end out of the blue sucked.“ But I don’t know how to make this easier for you. I want us to be friends.”

Friends? 

Friends.

The idea isn’t the worst thing ever. But being friends means hanging out. Which will most definitely include Bruce. You don’t really have anything against the man. He didn’t do anything. And quite frankly, you wouldn’t mind having Natasha back in your life, in a good way. 

You just aren’t sure if you’re ready for that at this particular point in time. 

“I can’t say I won’t ever be ready for that, just not now.” 

Natasha refrains from placing her hand on your arm again,“ you will tell me when you are right?” 

For the first time in years, you smile at Natasha and the woman can’t help but smile as well,“ I can. Or we can just hang out, they say actions speak louder than words right?” 

All that being said, you nod to her, and leave out. Heading towards your room. 

“Y/n!” 

Your gaze snaps up from the floor to find Wanda. 

The young woman stands at her door, a black knee length dress fitting to her form nicely, and her curled hair pulled into a ponytail. 

“Wan!” Going over to her, you take her hand in yours.“ You look great.” 

A light blush hits her cheeks and she smiles down at the ground,“ thank you.” She chuckles softly then looks back up.

“Give me a minute to clean up and we can go.” You tell her as you take a few backwards steps down the hall.“ Wait for me in the commons yeah?” 

She nods and you disappear into your room. 

After a shower you get dressed and do your hair, making sure you have everything you need before leaving out. 

Meeting up with Wanda, you tell everyone you’ll see them later, and you both leave. 

“So,” Wanda speaks up as you slide into the driver's seat,“ I never had a chance to ask: how did your trip to National City go?”

A smile forms on your lips at the reminder of the one day trip and you tell Wanda about it. Admittedly she has no idea what half the stuff you tell her even means, but she loves seeing how happy you are. She hated not having you around but if it meant you staying this happy, she wouldn’t have a second thought about you going out there again. 

In fact, she’s quick to ask when/if you’ll go back. While you plan to, you just aren’t sure when.

Before heading to the theater, you stop at the Stark’s. Tony has Morgan bring the tickets out to you (he got them for you after you told him that you endorsed Stark Industries to Lena). You and Wanda have a short conversation with the girl. Waiting for her to get back inside before you pull off. 

Wanda’s excitement for seeing the play kicks in on the drive to the theater. She asks you to tell her everything you know about Alexander Hamilton, to which you tell her that if you do, you’re spoiling the whole play. 

And she’s glad you didn’t.

The whole time she’s dancing in her seat and watching on in intrigue. She starts getting excited when certain “characters” come on stage. 

By the time it’s over she already has songs stuck in her head. Singing along to them on your way to dinner. 

“I am not throwing away my shot! I am not-” the lyrics fall short as she looks out the window.“ Where are we?” 

“A restaurant. You hungry right?” 

She smiles at you when you open the door for her and together you walk inside. 

You have to ask what her favorite part of the play was and she launches into telling you about it. Apparently she loved Lafayette. Hamilton’s crew in general was awesome. And she just has to know if that’s what really happened. You hate to tell her it wasn’t nearly as exciting and that there was a lot less music. 

You laugh when she tells you real history sucks and you have to agree.

Over dinner you ask about her. To which she tells you that she’s good and considering going to Clint’s for the holiday. The man truly cares for Wanda. She admits that it’s almost like having an older brother with hints of a father figure. You get that brother vibe from Clint, but being the same age takes away from the father aspect of it. 

With it getting late, you pay and leave, not heading back to the compound until you’ve gotten dessert(ice cream per Wanda’s request).

You find yourself shushing Wanda when you get back. The woman can’t seem to not sing the songs. But the majority of the team is probably sleeping or getting ready to and the disturbance probably isn’t welcomed. 

“Wan please it’s late.”

The Captain’s voice speaks up, startling you and Wanda,“ I take it you two had fun.” 

Wanda nods excitedly and tells Steve he has to see it. Steve tells her he just might.

“Hey Cap,” you stop short on the way out and turn to the blonde man,“ am I assigned to any missions over the next month or so?” 

His brows pinch together in thought, then he shakes his head.“ No you’re not. Got another trip?” 

You chuckle softly,“ yeah probably, but I’m always on call.” 

Nodding in understanding, he bids you and Wanda a good night. The two of you heading to your room, Wanda saying she doesn’t want to be alone tonight. She’s out in an instant and you ease into the bed after her. 

Before you go to sleep, you text Lena, telling her that you’d be happy to come down for a bit in a couple of days. 

That time passes quickly. All of it you spend with the team. They hate that you won’t be around on Thanksgiving so they implement an impromptu movie night. In which you’re allowed to pick the movie. 

Funnily enough you end up between Wanda and Natasha for the night and while you’re a little tense, since your last talk you don’t feel entirely upset about being so close to the ex-assassin. 

The day of, You and Wanda leave at the same time, her heading down to Clint’s, and you to the airport. Outside the compound you part ways, a long hug and a promise to call left between you. 

As expected it’s chaotic as hell getting through the airport with everyone traveling for the holiday. Over the flight you find yourself coming up with designs for the power saw. By the time you land you think you have a pretty decent idea for it. 

This time around, you’re let up to Lena’s office when you get to Luthor Corp. The space is impressive but not nearly as much as the labs.

“All work no play Miss Luthor?”

Lena looks up from her desk and smiles instantly at the sight of you leaning into the room,“ work hard so you can play harder Miss Y/Ln.” 

You point inside and she nods. Her office has a great view of National City. Despite the cloudy sky, it still looks nice out. Lights from other skyscrapers scattering the view almost like twinkling stars. 

“How long have you been here?” You ask, turning from the floor to ceiling windows to the clock. 

The brunette shrugs,“ got in at eight.”

It’s currently nine, p.m.“ You’ve taken a couple breaks right?” Her silence is answer enough. Walking around the desk, you lean on it and lock your gaze with her green eyes.“ Why don’t you head home and we meet up tomorrow.” 

Her gaze snaps up to yours,“ why?”

“Because it’s been thirteen hours and you’ve been working nonstop. I’m not going to be the reason you end up exhausted Lena.”

She sighs, knowing you’re right, but still wanting to spend at least a little time with you.“ Okay. You’re right. How about dinner?” 

“How about you go get some sleep?” 

“We’ll do it at my place. I relax and we both eat.” 

The two of you stare at each other with narrowed eyes. Determination swirls in those green ones and you can’t help but chuckle at it.

Standing up straight you nod,“ fine fine. Dinner at your place.” 

Lena smiles satisfactorily and makes quick work of packing her things up and leaving. Instead of a car service, Lena walks you out to her car. You must admit, you appreciate the simplicity of her black BMW. Only to find that the luxury lies inside with the red leather interior. Suddenly you want one. 

The second she’s sitting you compliment the car and she waves it off, saying she’s had the car for years now. Among having other things in common, you find that you and Lena share similar tastes in music. Which is really a mix of all kinds of genres: Jazz, Pop, R&B, Classic Rock. 

On the way inside her apartment, you end up joking about the last song being stuck in your head.

“Oh wow, this place looks great.” The apartment is similar to her office with the open concept and glass walls. However there is a very homey feel about it, with a combination of colors making the place warm and inviting. 

Lena smiles,“ thank you.” Moving into the kitchen, she pulls out two menus, both of which she orders from constantly.“ Thai or Mediterranean?” 

Thinking for a second you agree to Thai. Then joining her in the kitchen to choose a meal and accept the glass of scotch. 

“So, have you given any thought to the power saw?” 

“Aht aht, nope.” Lena raises a brow at your response.“ You just came from work, you really want to talk about more work?” 

A laugh falls from her lips,“ no I suppose not.”

You nod,“ as I thought. Without overstepping can I ask how things have been outside of your career?”

With a nod she beckons you to the living room, the two of you sitting on the couch,“ I’d love to tell you it’s been great but really, I’m far too invested in my career to focus on my personal life.” 

“I’m afraid that’s not very healthy Miss Luthor.” Your tone is teasing but you’re serious. 

She chuckles,“ I’m aware. But finding the time is a struggle.”

After a sip of your drink, you set the glass on a coaster on the table,“ not about finding the time, it’s already there. It’s about making the time. Thing is, work will always be there, and not to get dark but, you can’t guarantee that the people you love always will.”

Green eyes watch the emotions flickering through e/c and Lena knows immediately that you’re speaking from experience. If she had to guess, she’d say it was your dad. When you spoke of him at dinner the first time you came there was distance in your voice.

Before she can ask about it though, you add,“ besides I’m sure there are plenty of people dying for a bit of your time.” 

She tilts her head, expression of disagreement.

Noticing, you say,“ then allow me to be the first.”

Her jaw slackens and she’s ready to comment on your words but the buzzer sounds.

“I got it.” You pat the couch, pushing yourself up and fishing your wallet out. 

Lena still sits there, wondering if your statement was meant to be as flirty and suggestive as it sounded. Because her heart definitely reacted to it that way. 

It’s fluttering, a feeling she hadn’t had in quite some time. 

“He gave us a bunch of fortune cookies.” 

Your eyes are trained inside the bag as she looks at you, a smile pulling at the excitement in your voice. 

Suddenly she can’t help but see you in a different light. She saw how attractive you were before, sure. But it’s now a lot more than your looks and science knowledge that has her taken by you. 

With the containers spread out on the table, you and Lena start to eat. Conversation between the two of you light.

God you’re hilarious. And was that laugh been that cute last time, she finds herself asking(mentally).  

She washes her last bite down with a sip of wine and looks at you,“ how long will you be staying this time?” 

“I planned for at least a week, but I’m always on call with the team.”

The CEO smirks and raises her eyebrows,“ I get you for a whole week this time. And Thanksgiving.” 

Even if you tried you couldn’t fight the heat rushing to your face. Much like Lena just had, you wonder if she meant that flirtatiously. 

You laugh a little,“ if that isn’t a problem of course.” 

“I don’t see how it ever could be.” 

Over the next two days, ending the night like this seems to be a little routine. You go into Luthor Corp with Lena and hang around while she attends to company matters during the early hours of the day, the two of you work on the core and saw for a few hours, and then you have dinner together. 

Until tonight that is. You still spend the first half of the day like before, however as you two are working on the core security lets Lena know a friend of hers is here. So you both go up to her office, where Kara is waiting. 

The blonde smiles at Lena brightly, that same smile then directed to you,“ Y/n it’s great to see you again.” 

“Likewise.” You accept the hug she gives after pulling away from Lena.

“How’ve you been?” 

Nodding your head, you decide to just shrug,“ alright. In need of this little vacation that’s for sure. But what about you?”

The blonde’s smile is incredibly contagious. She pushes her glasses up her nose,“ great. I’m actually here to see if Lena will be joining us for game night.” The look on her friend’s face has Kara telling you,“ which you are more than welcome to join.” 

“Oh um,” e/c eyes flicker from Kara to Lena and back,“ I really don’t want to intrude.”

Lena waves it off, ignoring Kara’s curious look,“ game night is for friends, old and new.” 

It takes a few more persuasive words from the women, and a promise of good food before you give in. 

That’s how you find yourself in Kara’s apartment for the first time. Winn is the first person to approach you, hesitant about giving you a hug but you open your arms for it. 

“Y/n,” Alex approaches you,“ you’re joining us tonight?”

“If that’s okay.”

Lena and Kara frown at you then Alex. They’re wondering if you’d leave if Alex said she didn’t want you here. And you would. This isn’t your space. But you don’t have to.

Alex smiles a little,“ it’s fine, great even. I need a new partner since Olsen has fallen off.” She raises an eyebrow,“ drink?”

You nod and follow after her,“ what’ve you got?”

With your drink in hand, you go over into the living room where everyone is. Alongside greeting all the people you’d met the first time, you meet Mon-El. 

“Pleasure to meet you.” You shake his hand and the guy smiles.

He returns the sentiment,“ these guys told me about your last visit.”

“Uh-oh.” 

The friends around you laugh at your reaction. 

James shakes his head,“ nothing bad.”

“Yeah no,” Winn adds,“ we had fun last time.”

Smiling, you tell them,“ me too.” And you have fun this time as well. 

Quickly discovering that this group is competitive. Being on Alex’s team has you striving to win. The amount of high fives she gives you has your hand red but you love that you’re both dominating in charades right now. 

“Hey woah no!” Alex exclaims and you’re right there with her, shouting,“ you’re mouthing words James!”

“Exactly!” Alex smacks your arm with the back of her hand.

Kara looks from you and her sister, a laugh on her lips, and sees Lena. The blonde follows Lena’s gaze to you, for seemingly the hundredth time tonight. 

“Lena, mind helping me with these?” The closest excuse she has to getting the woman alone and she takes it.

The two pick up the empty snack bowls and carry them into the kitchen. At Lena’s side, Kara notices that she continues to glance over at you.

Playfully bumping Lena’s shoulder with hers, she says,“ this explains why you rescheduled lunch the other day. Didn’t want to waste a second of Y/n’s visit huh?”

The CEO’s eyes widen,“ I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh yes you do. You like her. I’ve seen it every time you looked at her tonight.” The blonde leans down a little to catch Lena’s eyes,“ what changed and when?” 

She could try to deny this statement, but looking over at you and the way you throw your head back with laughter, she can’t.“ The day she came back. We ate dinner together at my apartment and I don’t know-” she shrugs with a soft smile.

A quiet squeal of excitement leaves Kara,“ this is great. I’m so happy for you Lena.” 

“For what there’s nothing going on between us. It’s just a crush.” 

“Right now maybe, but if you tell her how you feel. . .” Kara trails off, knowing the brunette can fill in the blank herself. 

While she knows there’s a chance you do in fact like her, there’s also a chance she’s just reading too much into small things. You could just be being friendly. 

Giving Kara a pointed look, Lena says,“ Y/n and I are just friends.” The words don’t reach her heart though and as she carries the refilled bowls back over to the living room, she knows that statement isn’t very believable.

* * * * * *

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