#I sound like a old lady smoker

[taddymason]

im dying. I'm going to have to go against my principles... drink tea

[xoxo-sarah]

My Wife

Part 2 | part 3

↝a/n: 2,605 w/c... I like this one, guys.

↝pairing: Season 1!Daryl x wife!reader

↝warning: usual walking dead stuff, angst, animal death (mentions blood. No details), reader being sexualized?, creepy men, harassment, the creepy guy getting punched (he deserved it), cursing, protective Daryl, Merle (ew), crying, moody and soft Daryl, sassy Daryl (it's season one, what do you expect?), slightly proofread

|| Disclaimer: I do not own Daryl Dixon, or any character from The Walking Dead. I only own y/n and any characters I create with my own brain. ||

↝⎙ 10.2.24

Daryl Dixon masterlist

Before the apocalypse, you'd say your life wasn't bad. You had a decent job that paid well. A husband, a dog, and a house you owned all on your own, without any help from your parents.

You had met Daryl fresh out of college. He was staying with Merle at the time. In a rush to get away from your parents, you found a rent-to-own house on the outskirts of Atlanta. It wasn't extravagant, only having 2 beds and one bath. It was still a house-your house.

The first time you went to the grocery store to stock up before you started work since the big move, an old man had hit on you. Daryl listened from afar, not wanting to cause any more trouble for you. He knew you hadn't been in these parts of town before, he hadn't seen you before.

After many attempts at shooting the guy down, Daryl had to intervene. The guy had grabbed your arm, and before you knew it, the guy was backing away from you.

“She said she's not interested.”

“My bad, man. Didn't know she was yours.” He raised his hands, grin still on his face. It was a game to him.

“So you only take no for an answer if I 'belong' to someone?” Venom laced your voice, disgust painted into the wrinkles between your eyebrows and frown lines, glaring through the guy. A chuckle rumbled out of his chest, followed by a smoker's cough that told you he had more tar in his lungs than he had sense in his brain.

“Ma'am, will all due respect-”

“I doubt anything respectful comes out of that raunchy mouth of yours.”

His grin dropped, eyes slanting in your direction. “This one sure has a mouth on her,” his attention moved back to Daryl. “She have that mouth in the sack?”

You scoffed, glancing down at the floor, collecting the words you wanted to shoot back at him.

In the time you looked away, Daryl had put the 12-pack of beer down and swung. You snapped your head up at the sound of a fist colliding with a cheek. Daryl glared, spitting at the man as he held his cheek in shock. “Give the lady some respect, prick.”

“Damnit, Dixon!” An elderly man came running down the aisle, a manager tag clinking against the pins on his shirt. Safe to say both men had been kicked out.

After checking out, you caught sight of Daryl hunched over, looking at his bruising knuckles.

“Here's for helping me.”

Daryl's head shot up, eyes flickering to the 12-pack in your outstretched hand. “Ya didn't have to.”

“You didn't have to.” He shrugged, taking the box from you.

the rest was history.

You eventually got together, then, moved in together. He supported you in your job, making jokes about you “bringing home the bacon”. The only downside was his brother.

“Damnit, Merle.”

An intoxicated Merle flopped on your couch, cackling up at Daryl. You watched from behind the couch, arms folded across Daryl's shirt draping over your form. Daryl's own top half was bare, his muscles flexing when he folded his arms in disappointment, glaring down.

“What? Did I interrupt you 'n your housewife duties?”

You scoffed, turning around to walk back to your room, the dog Daryl had gotten you for your birthday following after you. Merle watched your movement, lowly whistling. “I'd be a housewife for that piece, too.”

Daryl grabbed the collar of Merle's shirt, bringing him to eye level. “Don't talk about my wife like that.” He threw him back against the couch, “You're out by the mornin'.”

The world had gone to shit right in the middle of your workday. Everyone was running around, yelling and panicking. You tried making a beeline for your car, getting pushed and pulled every which way. The traffic was the worst you had ever seen, when you had finally made your way onto the road.

When you finally got home, the door was open.

You rushed in, looking in every room. There was no sign of Daryl besides the place being completely trashed, in a rush to leave. He wasn't there. You had no clue where he was, if he was safe, if he knew what was happening.

You cracked the backdoor open, nearly falling to your knees. A body laid on the back porch, blood dried on its way down the person's forehead. A lump of fur and blood was right beside it. A sob racked your body on your way back to your car. Your knuckles were ghostly white as they gripped the steering wheel, as you made your way out of town, away from the life you worked hard to get and worked harder to keep.

You eventually got stuck in even more traffic. Everything only got worse when your car ran out of gas.

You had to hide in the city, which was run with zombies. Luckily for you, you had found a few bodies that hadn't turned yet, stealing anything that could be used as a weapon. You were able to stay safe, hiding in an empty office building. Living off of the vending machines and what was left in the break rooms.

You regularly walked up to the roof, getting fresh air, wondering where Daryl had gone and if he was thinking of you. Sure, a part of you wanted to be mad at him for leaving without you, but you knew he had to have his reasons. Merle had to of made him run away with him when the news first got out.

While you looked over the edge, watching as dead bodies herded together, feasting on whatever had run into the city on your way up here, you saw quick movement to your left. Swirling around, you held your gun up, pointing it at the kid in front of you.

“Woah, Hey! I'm alive- I'm alive! Not going to hurt you.” The poor boy might as well have been shivering in his boots. His hands shook in the air. He was probably the third person you've seen, alive, since you squatted in the top floor. He didn't seem like the guy to kill you just to take your stuff. “Look, there's a guy in the tank down there. I'm just trying to help him.” You thought back to the sounds of pained neighing you heard when you first stepped onto the roof, but you had shrugged it off, figuring you were going insane already. No sleep and being isolated will do that to you. “C'mon, dude.” He was practically begging you to not shoot him in the head.

What would Daryl do in this situation? He wouldn't just trust anyone when it comes to survival. You reluctantly put your gun down, watching as he sighed in relief. You hid the shake in your hands when they fell to your sides, not wanting him to know you didn't want to kill him even if he were dangerous.

“We have to get down there to help him.” The boy leaned over the edge, at the tank and the 'geeks' that surrounded it.

“We?”

He looked back at you, then to the tank. “The extra help would be appreciated.”

Somehow, you followed after him, climbing down fire escapes and counting the amount of bodies in each alleyway. He was quick, but you kept up with him with ease.

He led you down the alleyway, hiding behind the trashcans and gate separating you and a painful death. “You have good aim? I need you to shoot that big guy closest to the tank.” He whispered, fixing the hat on his head.

You glanced at him, watching as he awaited your next move. You whispered back, “it's empty.” You held the gun up in emphasis. You weren't going to tell him that when it was pointed at him. He huffed, throwing his head back. “I only have a knife.”

He shrugged off his backpack, grabbing the empty gun and throwing it in there. It was useless with no bullets, and it only took up a hand, making it harder for you to climb.

“Alright, change of plans.” He grabbed the walkie, bringing it to his mouth before pressing the button. “Hey, you alive in there?”

A frantic voice broke through the static, “Hello? Hello?!”

The next thing you knew, you were running downstairs with the young boy, Glenn, you had figured out, and the guy you nearly died saving, Rick. Glenn led you two to another alleyway, before the door to the building in front of you busted open, 2 people filing out with gear and helmets on, attacking the walkers wondering in front of you.

“Lets go!” Glenn jumped over the bodies on the ground, running through the door, you and Rick following. As soon as you were through the door, you were pushed to the other side of the wall, before Rick was pushed back, a gun aimed at his face. “You son of a bitch! We ought to kill you.” A blonde woman was seething, ready to put a bullet in Rick's head.

“Just chill out, Andrea. Back off.” One of the guys who bashed the walker's head in pulled off the armor, glaring at the blonde.

“Come on, ease up.”

“Ease up? You're kidding me, right? We're dead because of this stupid asshole.” The gun was pointed at you next, “And her.” Her finger twitched on the trigger, but you were at a loss of words.

“She helped.” Glenn was ignored.

“Andrea, I said, back the hell off. Or pull the trigger.” The same guy from before stepped forward, closer to Andrea. It was silent for a second, before Andrea dropped her hand, lips quivering with oncoming tears. You took a breath, having the room to do so when a gun isn't pointed at you.

“We're dead,” Andrea sobbed, “All of us.” Her gaze moved back to Rick, “Because of you.”

You wondered after everyone as they walked through the old building, listening as they scolded rick for firing his gun.

“No signal. Maybe the roof.” The man, who was introduced as T-Dog, said, holding the walkie. Before anyone else could reply, a gun shot fired, echoing from above.

“Oh no, Is that Dixon?”

“Dixon?”

Andrea stopped her movement, looking back at you. “Yeah. What, you know 'em?”

Sadly, you were met with a distasteful Merle on the roof. He refused to tell you about Daryl-about how Merle had to drag in out of the house. About how Daryl wanted to pick you up and take you with them. About how Daryl had gone back, against Merle's wishes, and found you nowhere in the house. But you weren't told that, so the nerves in your stomach still fluttered, making you feel like you were going to vomit any minute. The only thing he told you was that Daryl was with the rest of the group by the quarry.

The nerves still fluttered even on your way to the said quarry. The thought of Merle being trapped in the roof was at the back of your mind, the thought of seeing Daryl for the first time in God knows how long, being front and center in your mind. Your leg shook with nerves as you sat in the back of the van, hitting a bump every once in a while, and knocking into one of the other people.

The van pulled up to the quarry, people piling out of the back, running to their families.

You were introduced to a woman named Carol. She was surprised when you told her that you knew Daryl. The short time she had known the man, she couldn't think of him having a soft spot for anyone, but here you were. She told you that he had gone hunting and that he should be back before dawn.

You sat around, getting to know everyone. As soon as Carol's husband raised his voice to her, you had kept an eye on him, instantly feeling protective of the woman. As she silently did for you. She kept an eye on you, making sure you felt comfortable among all of the strangers.

Night fell and there was still no sign of Daryl. You distracted yourself by helping Carol with whatever, or Dale with lookout. You hadn't told anyone much about you and Daryl. Mostly because you couldn't form a coherent sentence with Daryl on your mind. Where was he? Was he okay? Why wasn't he back? The band around your ring finger became a fidget habit. You spun it around any time the thoughts got too much.

The crisp morning air did little to wake you. You might as well have been a walker with how you sluggishly moved around camp, helping with anything, wanted to be helpful and pull your weight.

Carol handed you another pair of soaked pants, to ring the water out and hang it up to dry. While doing so, your eyes caught sight of Rick and Lori. They had been reunited. When was it your turn?

“How did you and Daryl meet?” Glancing back up at Carol, you cleared your throat to speak.

Before you could utter a word, a scream echoed throughout the camp, followed by Carl's screams for his mother.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, a few running toward the screaming, ready for the worst.

You walked behind the group, watching as Rick, Glenn, Dale, Shane, and a few others beat the walker that had made it from the city.

Dale swung down with his axe, cutting the head clean off the walker's body.

“It's the first one we've had up here.” He heaved, “They never come this far up the mountain.”

“Well, they're running out of food in the city, that's what.” Another guy, Jim, said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Branches snapped, followed by more footsteps. The guys with the weapons moved toward the sound, weapons ready.

Your breath caught in your throat.

He hadn't seen you yet.

Daryl stepped over branches, slightly taken aback with everyone standing in front of him, ready to strike.

Everyone took a step back, “Oh, Jesus.” Dale's shoulders released the tension.

“Son of a bitch.” Daryl cursed, “That's my deer!” He walked to what was left of the poor animal.

He looked how he did when you first met. Frustration clear on his brow. You had helped him get rid of the constant scrunch of his brow and frown on his lips, and here it was, making its appearance in a dramatic manner.

“Look at it, all gnawed on by this-” He kicked the headless body that laid on the ground, “filthy,” kick “disease-bearing,” kick “motherless,” kick “poxy bastard!”

“Calm down, son. That's not helping.” Dale peeped, infuriating Daryl more.

“What do you know about it, old man?” Daryl walked closer, getting in Dale's face. "Why don't you take that stupid hat and go back to “On Golden Pond”?"

“Daryl.”

Daryl paused, his face dropping. He turned to the voice, his knees nearly collapsing from underneath him.

Before you could say anything else, his crossbow was dropping to the ground, followed by the string of squirrels on his shoulder. He rushed over, his body colliding with yours. His calloused hands pulled your face closer to his.

He didn't care if everyone was watching. Or if the scene made them think differently about his tough-guy thing he had going on. His lips moved against yours.

“I didn't know where you were.” He mumbled against your lips. “I tried looking everywhere-”

“I know, I know. Doesn't matter.”

Part 2

•2021-2024 by xoxo-sarah on Tumblr•

•My work is not to be translated, copied, modified, and/or reposted on any other site without my permission. [I don't give permission!]

[aneenasevla]

Red Velvet - Chapter 11 part 2

MasterList / Akane’s profile / Last chapter here

Chapter 11 - Intervention (part 2)

"Okay... here we are.” Kaneda sighs “I hope he's home..."

"He is.” Ohma stops in front of the door “I can hear the sound of him hitting his sandbag in the living room."

"What if he refuses to let us in...?"

"Then it's time to take ass and kick names!"

"Himuro, I think you got it mixed up."

"Sorry, I’m still pissed…"

"Be careful not to burst a vein, man," Okubo says, worried about his friend, as they walk.

As they had previously agreed, Ohma, Okubo, Himuro and Kaneda met at two in the afternoon sharp, in front of the apartment complex where Rihito lived, preparing themselves both physically and mentally for the intervention that the idiot who lived there had forced them to plan. They had no idea how he would be, whether overwhelmed by the recent events or cornered by their sudden arrival. And a cornered Rihito had a tendency to be violent.

They definitely didn't want to destroy his whole place in the likely event that their friend became aggressive, but they were prepared to go to that route if there was no other way.

The four men stop in front of the door, Kaneda putting his ear close to the wood. They could hear the continuous and distinct sound of something being repeatedly struck. There was a hoarse breathing accompanying it.

Ohma nods to the other three, and gives way to Okubo, who knocks on the door, after clearing his throat a bit.

"Rihito!," He calls. Ohma and the others waited patiently.

Inside, Rihito is scared to death when he hears the knocking on the door and the call, missing a blow and receiving deserved retaliation from the sandbag, in the form of a blow to the chin.

"Ow, fuck!," He yelps, and then he covers his mouth with his hands, his eyes wide, while staring at the door as if cops were on the other side.

He had been planning to ask Akane out that afternoon, but he had received a text from her informing him that a last-minute meet up had come up with friends she hadn't been out with in a while, so she would be unavailable. He finds himself relegated to trying to entertain himself on that boring Saturday. Asking his friends if they wanted to do something had crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He wasn't ready to face them yet. He didn't like being distant with them or feeling like a coward, but after reading the texts they sent in the group chat, after his strategic exit, he only retreated into his shell even more.

And now they were there, on his doorstep, without warning. He curses loudly in thought.

"Rihito! We heard you screaming in there," He hears Himuro's voice next "There's no point pretending you're not there!"

"There's no need to talk like that, Himuro… Rihito?," Kaneda calls soon after, in a softer tone. "We just want to talk, come on."

"Seriously, bro, go take some Clonazepam," Okubo snorted. "You're more pissed than a crab in a can."

"Is this clonazepam thing tasty?"

"No Ohma, it’s  medicine for the nerves."

"Oh."

"Shut up, Okubo," Himuro grumbles, before they hear footsteps approaching the door. They are suddenly silent, waiting. And then they hear a ridiculously high-pitched and hoarse voice, as if made by an adult man trying to imitate an old smoker, "Oooh, are you Ichiro's friends? He's not home, sorry! This is Mrs. Sekihara, his neighbor, just helping with cleaning while he-"

"Dude, cut that shit out!," Himuro says impatiently, while Kaneda rubs his eyes with tiredness. "Who do you think you’re fooling, huh? Your 'old lady with a tobacco addiction' imitation is terrible."

"Oh," Ohma looks to the side, disguising a grimace. He didn't want to seem like he was the only one who almost fell for that.

"Seriously, Rihito," Okubo snorts. "What's your deal, man? We brought food, are you hungry?"

"Peace offering," Ohma says. "I would accept it if I were you."

"Bro, it sounds like you're threatening him," Okubo hisses between his teeth.

"In the end, Himuro is doing the same," Ohma squinted his eyes. "And I would accept it, just letting you know."

"I'm not playing around today. But yes, we brought food. A sign that we want to at least try to do things the easy way," Himuro snorts.

There is silence on the other side of the door for a few seconds. And then they hear the metallic sound of locks being opened. The door opens a crack, and they see green eyes peeking out hesitantly.

"First of all, are you going to attack me as soon as I open the door? Because if so, then I'll prepare the Razor."

"We would've attacked already if we really wanted to, believe me," Himuro grumbles.

"Knocking this door down would be a piece of cake for us, you know," Ohma smiles.

"Yeah. We brought takoyaki and… Ohma brought cake. And what is that other dessert you mentioned?"

"'...Bu-ri-ga-de-ro'," Ohma tries to pronounce it. "I told Kanami about Brazuca’s and she said it was a Brazilian dessert. It's good, so I asked her to make some."

"Now I'm curious," Okubo raises an eyebrow, and then looks at Lihito. "Aren't you curious too? It's from our favorite bakery."

That seems enough to convince Rihito. He finally opens the door, and the others are a little surprised by his pale face, the  stubble covering his chin and the small dark bag under one of his eyes. The other was still black and swollen.

"Oh… it didn't look that bad in the pic you sent…," Kaneda comments with a grimace. Rihito shakes his head.

"Just come in, before one of the neighbors sees you and starts complaining that I'm going to throw a loud party that's going to make her cat have a heart attack or something..."

Ohma enters unceremoniously, followed by the other three. Okubo blinks when he sees the scene before him.

"Huh," he comments. "I swore we would see clothes and cups of ramen scattered on the floor, and one or two lingerie hanging on the arm of the couch, not that..."

"What?," Ohma raises an eyebrow. "I don't see anything like that. The place is clean..."

"That's the point, man. Rihito's place isn't clean. It's as certain as sugar being sweet and water being wet," Himuro comments, looking with a frown at the strange cleanliness around them, to which Rihito twists his mouth in irritation.

"Did you come to talk or to bully me, you assholes?"

"Talk. Come on, guys, this is a good thing, so let's praise it instead of making fun of it, okay?," Kaneda suggests, to which Himuro rolls his eyes a little.

"Quit trying to butter things up... but yeah, at least now you can sit comfortably here in the living room..."

"Okay, let's tidy things up," Okubo takes what he brought to the kitchen. Ohma hands over the cake and the package full of sweets, while Okubo exclaims, "Holy shit, even the kitchen is clean! I'm actually proud."

"Hey, what is this?," Ohma points to a trinket on the kitchen table. "What does this little thing do?"

"Oh... that's something I bought at that thrift store," Rihito says, scratching the back of his head, suddenly embarrassed. "Put a glass of water under it and it'll bend down to 'drink' it. It's pretty neat," He smiles, and Himuro and Kaneda exchange a somewhat surprised look.

"And since when do you care about these knick-knacks?"

"I don’t know! Akane said that my place needed a little more color and...," He says with a shrug, but then stops, a little startled. "Uh- ugh, you know how women are with these things, c'mon! I only bought it so she wouldn't talk about it later..."

"Funny of you to say that, 'cause e want to talk about her," Okubo calmly takes things out of the bag, and gestures for Kaneda to help him set the table to make the takoyaki dough.

The shortest does so, taking the takoyaki grill out of a bag and placing it on the table, more to delay what was to come than anything else. Rihito had crossed his arms in a defensive pose, suddenly frowning.

"If it's that shit about organ trafficking, I already said that she only takes certain fluids-"

"Don’t play coy with us. You know very well what exactly we want to talk about," Himuro cuts him off immediately. "It has to do with a certain rug."

"Uh... the rug from that day? What, you want one too?," Rihito responds quickly, going to get a glass of water and then placing it in front of the little plastic bird, which Ohma was still watching with interest. "I recommend it! Laying on top of that thing was amazing, if you know what I mean, hahaha!"

"Great, I was looking for some positive reviews," Okubo nods, sarcastic, picking up everything to prepare the Takoyaki dough. "But it's not exactly about the rug itself, it's about the whole circumstance that made you buy it."

"Ugh, not this shit again...," Rihito puts a hand on his face, looking exhausted. And then he stops mid-sentence, letting out an exclamation of pain that makes the others startle, when his hand hits his injured eye.

"Ow, fuck! Argh…"

"Dude, be careful with that eye," Himuro makes a face. "Have you been taking care of it? That's a nasty bruise."

"I have, damn, Akane gave me some medicine for-,"

And he falls silent again with an expression of regret, his face reddening. Himuro and Kaneda look at each other again, to which the latter sighs.

"Maybe we should have brought a bottle of sake to go with the food, after all..."

"I brought beer," Okubo announces. "And some soda, but not much because I thought that if we drank, we would fight. But I only brought a little, if we want more, we'll have to buy it. "

Ohma seemed to no longer be paying attention; he was watching the bird go down, drink water and return to its former position with a fascinated look.

"No, you're right, it's not good to overdo it," Kaneda comments while turning on the electric grill. "I just thought this would be the only way to get Rihito to spit it out..."

"Spit what out, bro? There is nothing to spit out," Rihito gestures a little, irritated. "I already explained what happened to you guys. She saw the rug in a store and liked it, but as it was cheap as hell, it attracted a lot of vultures and the mob wouldn't let her get close. All I did was go over there and get her the fucking rug! What's the big deal?"

"It wouldn't be a big deal if we didn't know you well and knew that the Rihito we know would only do something like that for a girl he plans to fuck. Not one that he has already fucked and continues to do so for three months," Himuro says at the same time.

"It's almost as if... Ohma, seriously, the conversation has already started, get away from that bird."

"Hmm?," Ohma looks at Okubo for a moment. "I was paying attention," he raises an eyebrow, pointing at Rihito, but returning his gaze to the plastic bird. "You went through an ordeal to get something for a woman you like. What confuses me is you insisting that you didn't want to, when you clearly did. And this wasn't the first time you did this... to the same woman."

"That's right," Okubo nods, pleased to see that his friend hadn't been hypnotized. "I mean... we thought you might be confused, so we came here to at least try to help you with that," He tried his best to be polite, as Kaneda was suggesting at first. And also because he needed to be careful when preparing the dough for the takoyaki.

Rihito grinds his teeth, his entire body tensing. The others tried to remain calm, but were already preparing for the possibility of things escalating into violence.

"I'm not confused! What the- she's my friend, for fuck's sake! Friends do these things for each other," He gestures widely, not hitting Himuro in the nose only because he dodged. "I would do it for you guys, just as I know you would do it for me!"

"Yeah, but you don’t have sex with any of us…"

"And I thank God every day for that!  Argh...," He growls at Himuro, and then closes his eyes in an attempt to calm down. "I can't even try to be a more decent guy and treat my first fuck-buddy with respect without you jerks blowing things outta proportion..."

"But this is the level of respect we are talking about," Kaneda turns to him, his brow furrowed. "Rihito. You paid for it. You paid for the rug. You could've grabbed some money with her before going into that crowd, but you paid out of your own pocket."

Rihito turns furiously red, and neither of them knew whether it was from anger or mortification.

"I- I didn't even think about it at the time, if I took another second one of those sons of bitches would definitely grab the rug! And anyway, I… I decided I wanted to pay her back for the sweatpants she bought me. I didn't want to feel like I was indebted...," And he puts his hands in the pockets of said sweatpants. And now that they noticed, the piece of clothing was immaculate, unlike the rest of him.

"It looks like my favorite Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes cap…," Okubo comments. "The one Tomori gave me the other month. I bet if someone gets these pants dirty he'll be pissed, guys.

"I'm still mad about the sweater," Ohma comments offhandedly. "And about my cake."

"Fuck, man," Okubo makes a face.

"I'm kidding about that last one," he smiles a little. "But not about the sweater."

"All that fuss because of an ugly sweater? Holy shit, Tokita!," Rihito snorts as he turns to Ohma, not noticing that Himuro had gone to the table where the plastic bird was and picked up the glass of water. "You can find one of these in any department store downtown, I don't even know why- be careful with that, damn it!," He dodges, astonished, when Himuro throws some of the water from the glass at him, aiming for his pants. "The hell was that for? You wanna fuckin' go?!"

"What’s the problem? It's just water, it wouldn't even leave a stain..."

"But I just picked it up from the laundry! It's clean and it's smelling like fabric softener!"

"That was the gayest thing I've ever heard you say. And anyway, who cares?," Himuro raises an eyebrow. "It’s just a pair of sweatpants that you can find in any department store…"

"But it was a gift from Akane, you son of a...!," And Rihito stops ranting, his uninjured eye widening a little. "Uuuh…"

"Exactly," Himuro nods, very solemn.

"Exactly," Okubo imitates him.

"Exactly!," Ohma nods, frowning as his new hyperfocus is taken away from him," Now you know how I felt about my sweater, you fuckin' hypocrite." 

"Grrrr... it's- it's not the same thing!"

"It is. I still remember the time when you made fun of Okubo's jealousy of the cookies Tomori baked for him...," Kaneda shakes his head.

"But cookies are food! You can share 'em and still have leftovers, unlike pants!," Rihito protests. "And anyway, that means absolutely nothing! I already said, it's all consideration for the friendship I have with her, damn it!"

"We could believe it, if it weren't for that black eye there," Himuro points out. "And it wasn't the first time you threw hands with someone for that girl's honor. We didn't forget the snow war on Christmas, y'know."

"And if I remember correctly, she never asked for it. And Himuro is our reference for that sort of thing, and he would never do that even if asked," Okubo stirs the bowl, bringing the ingredients to the table right after. "Here, Kaneda," He hands it over to the shortest. "Which only makes us conclude that you're head over hells for this chick." 

Kaneda picks up the bowl, a little tense, already preparing himself for the possible explosion that would come.

Rihito looked like he was about to attack Okubo, his good eye twitching in anger. But the intense redness of his face showed that this wasn't the only feeling he was having to deal with.

"Seriously, dude, go fuck yourself! Your lovey-dovey bullshit is getting on my damn nerves!," He opens and closes his fists. "Just because you got a girlfriend doesn’t mean everyone will magically want to get one too! I've already said it five hundred times, I'm not a one-woman man!"

"No, go fuck yourself!," Himuro raises his voice, now almost as angry as Rihito. "Don't give us that bullshit, Rihito, we know you too damn well! On New Year's Eve, the first thing you did after hugging us was run to call her!"

"I-I didn’t have anyone else to call-"

"Yes, you did. Ivan, Komada, Kuroki…," Okubo counts on his fingers.

"Dude, my master doesn’t even have a phone-"

"You also didn't give a damn after Ohma was hit on at the bar, even though it was done by two girls at the same time," Kaneda interrupts him, and Rihito takes a step back, feeling cornered.

"I already told you, I hadn’t even paid attention-"

"And you also didn't care about hitting on any of the clearly single girls who were also there," Himuro points at him accusingly. "Not to mention other minor things. You didn't hit on Mariko at the Christmas party, you sang girly songs at karaoke with Miss Agata, you danced a fucking romantic movie dance with her on Just Dance, you took her to your apartment, you listened to her suggestions about decorations and he even cleaned the whole place! Since when do you like cleaning, huh?"

Rihito lets out an angry growl, turning around and punching the sandbag hard enough to make it almost hit the ceiling.

"It doesn’t mean anything!"

"Okay, it doesn't mean anything then," Okubo sits down, sarcastically, starting to make some takoyaki. "Take a chill pill, sit down and forget about it, okay?," He looked at Rihito, who had assumed an unarmed pose. "Good. She's your friend, we got that."

He then turned to the takoyaki grill, throwing Himuro a quick glance. Ohma sits at the table, watching the food being prepared, with a plate in his hands.

Rihito blinks, awestruck, as he watches his friends gather around the table, their attention now completely focused on the takoyaki grill.

"No, wait... that easy?"

"Yeah," Himuro snorts, sitting down next to Kaneda, who hands him the ladle. He returns Okubo's gaze for a second. "It still makes my blood boil to see you being so dumb, but if you're so sure of what you're feeling, then whatever. It's your business, right?"

"Uh... yeah, but-"

"Then that’s it. End of story. Sit down, before we eat all the dumplings without you."

Rihito still hesitates, breathing a little harder than normal as he holds the sandbag so it doesn't swing anymore. He stares at them, very suspicious of their sudden indifference. Kaneda looks at him and lifts the bowl of dough.

"Come on, Rihito. I can guess that there's nothing in your fridge. You're hungry, aren't you?"

Rihito looks him up and down, his uninjured eye narrowed. He approaches slowly, almost as if he fears a group attack at any moment. He sits down slowly, between Okubo and Ohma, facing Himuro and Kaneda.

"... Okay. And yeah, I'm hungry."

"Now we are talking," Ohma smiles, turning his takoyaki to brown them on the other side. "It's kind of interesting that you didn't complain about the cake being all red and shiny. I ordered this flavor only to annoy you," He explains.

Rihito turns to said cake, blinking. He scowls, which is hilarious considering his swollen, black eye.

"I only noticed now. Hunf... they talk about a request for peace, but with a cake like that... although I think it matches the intentions. Since you're being such fags with all this sentimental crap... wasn't there a more discreet cake?" 

"I asked Kana to bake one like this," Ohma says. "It matches the rug."

Okubo can't resist and laughs softly, shaking his head. "Bro, you're such a troll. Have someone ever told you that?"

"Only you, and I suppose it's a good thing. At least you think it's funny."

"I knew it!," He shouts angrily, slapping the table and almost turning over his plate. "I knew there was something there, you fucks!"

"We brought you cake, dickhead. It's more than you deserve. Just stop complaining and eat with your mouth closed...," Himuro says before putting a dumpling in his mouth, and Rihito grinds his teeth.

"Ugh...! What's the flavor, anyway?"

"Red Velvet."

"Huh?"

"Red Velvet. Chocolate cake made with buttermilk, dyed red and with cream cheese filling. Try it before you complain," Kaneda says, without taking his eyes off the grill. Rihito says some bad words while cutting a piece of the cake with a knife.

"Red Velvet... if you wanted to be any gayer, you'd have come to give me this thing wearing thongs. What happened to the good ol' chocolate cakes with strawberries and...," He mumbled as he took a bite of his slice. And then he freezes, opening his uninjured eye, which starts to twinkle. Kaneda laughs.

"Tasty, isn’t it?"

"And it's my favorite flavor, dumbass," Ohma grunts. "I'm in a good mood, so take some of these and shut the hell up," he hands him some of the sweet truffles with chocolate sprinkles. "I asked Kana to make it so I could try it with you guys."

"L-Leave me alone...!," He barks with his mouth full, taking the sweets Ohma offered before continuing devouring his cake slice. "Hnn... Thanks..."

Like everything that came out of that damn bakery, it was delicious! Sweet, but not too much, and with a citrus touch that only enhanced the flavor of the cream cheese... and that intensely red cake really reminded him of the rug in the living room of Akane's apartment. He wonders if she liked that cake flavor. Maybe he could even bring her a slice one of these days and-

"No! Stop right there!,” He orders his own brain, putting one of the chocolate balls in his mouth and fucking hell, that shit tasted so good! A rich, creamy dark chocolate dessert to accompany the cake. Maybe he would order some of those so Akane could try it too…

“Stop it, for the love of God!”

"Wow, I remember that Tomori loves making these sweets," Okubo looks at the chocolate balls. "I think it would be nice if they put it on the bakery menu."

"Yeah, it would," Ohma nods, playing along. "I watched Kana make it, it was nice," He has a unique smile on his face…

“Akane also has a unique smile when she finds an outfit she likes- enoooough!”

"Alright, we've been thinking too much about cutesy shit today. Grab your dumplings and shut up," Okubo jokes, throwing some dumplings on Ohma's plate.

"Thanks," He starts to focus on the food, as always. "But still, I asked Kana to make the cake look like the rug, but look, he accepted it gladly. It's not even funny.

"Maybe he has resigned himself," Okubo laughs. "He must've particularly liked it. Magic carpet and all that shit," he jokes, trying not to choke on his food. "Or maybe not. Maybe it doesn't really affect him. "

"So that means he's free?," Ohma looks at Rihito. "You're free, right?"

"Man, I'm not gonna punch you only because I'm grateful for the food," Rihito growls with his mouth full. "And of course I'm free! Just forget about that stupid rug, it was a nice thing I did for a friend and nothing more!"

"Does that mean she's free too?," Ohma asks, and then he looks at Himuro. "See? She's free."

Okubo looks at Himuro, with an eyebrow raised. “It's your chance,” his eyes said.

"Yes, she- what?," Rihito looks up from his plate, blinking as he looks from Ohma to Himuro. "Wait, why do you want to know that?"

Himuro arches an eyebrow, returning Okubo's gaze again, while Kaneda discreetly tries to move away from him, his expression a little anxious.

"What do you mean 'why'? He's saying that I can try my luck. You don't mind, right?"

"... Try your luck?," Lihito repeats, his voice coming out low, strangely calm and, because of that, almost macabre. His face turns slightly pale. Kaneda looks from Okubo to Ohma with a nervousness that Rihito would certainly have noticed if his attention hadn't been entirely focused on Himuro.

"I mean, yeah? I thought she was hot since we first looked at her Instagram profile three months ago. And I liked her personality too, during that Christmas party. She's a funny, nice girl... it would be fun to go on a date with her."

They watched as Rihito's hand clenched on the table, so hard that it started to shake.

"Himuro...!"

"What? Are you jealous of a chick that you've already made clear is nothing more than your friend?," Himuro makes an indifferent gesture with his hand. "I'm already showing enough respect by asking you first. You don't mind, do you? I was also a little curious about the things you told us, you know?"

"What-"

"That thing you said about her surreal performance," He smiles smugly, now speaking more quietly, as if confiding. "You have a tendency to exaggerate, so I want to see it with my own eyes to be sure. I wanna see if that velvet mouth is really all that…"

And an alarmed Kaneda only has time to grab the takoyaki grill and the bowl full of dough to stop them from flying into the air when Rihito throws himself across the table, growling furiously, and slams violently into Himuro, the two of them rolling across the floor of the living room.

"Whoa! Oh, damn, I thought he would be angry, but not that much...!"

"Hell yeah! A Fight!," Ohma smiles, eating his takoyaki and cake slices calmly. "That's the Heavy Bakery style! My favorite show."

"Go, Himuro! Show no mercy!," Okubo raises his hands in the air, already cheering. "Kick his ass!" 

Rihito and Himuro don't even hear them, exchanging blows with a fury that would alarm them if they didn't know them well. Himuro even looked satisfied as he blocked Rihito's punches with his arms in front of his face. That was going to leave bruises, but fuck it, he'd been wanting to beat the shit out of that idiot for days!

"I'm going to fucking cave your face in, you asshole!"

"Come at me, son of a bitch! I was itching to have an excuse to beat your ass!"

"Guys, be careful! The neighbors will call the cops- watch out for the couch!," Kaneda gasps when the two fall over said furniture, which falls to the ground with a loud thud. "Oh man, we should've tried to take him out of the apartment beforehand... "

"Nah, relax. It'll be over soon," Okubo crosses his arms. "If any of his neighbors show up, we'll give up and say that we're undercover officers. It's worked before."

"And no one can say that we didn't try the easy way," Ohma shrugs, watching the fight. "But he's stubborn as hell."

They knew that fight wouldn't last much longer. Rihito was stronger physically, but Himuro had technique and speed combined, which always proved to be difficult for the former to deal with. But at that moment, his blind fury had left him extremely focused, making him even manage to break through Himuro's defense and hit him in the ribs, making him cough and close one eye tightly in the pain.

"Ugh...!"

"Take back what you said, Himuro! Take it back now, dammit!," Rihito demands, already preparing another blow, but even in pain, Himuro still had extremely sharp reflexes. He blocks Rihito's hand with his elbow while attacking with the opposite arm, punching him in the jaw. The others then noticed that he had his middle finger slightly raised. Rihito's head snaps back violently with the force of the impact, blood spraying from his cut lip and splashing onto the wooden floor.

"Take what back, dumbass?! You said she's nothing more than your friend!," Himuro shouts, quickly dodging Rihito's murderous fingers, which cut his shirt like sharp knives, some buttons flying and falling onto the fallen couch.

"But that doesn’t give you any right to talk like that, you fucking piece of shit!"

"Like what? Like you  always talk about any other woman? Why is it different with her, huh?!"

Rihito freezes in place, stunned, letting his guard down for a moment. For Himuro, that was enough. He knocks him off balance by hitting him in the stomach with his knee; he is much gentler this time, not applying as much force to the blow, but Rihito still loses his breath, his eyes bulging. And then the world is momentarily turned upside down as he is knocked to the ground with a loud thud by a leg sweep, the air being released from his lungs in a violent cough, his back aching with the impact. Himuro quickly corners him by climbing on top of him, facing him from above, one hand on his neck, the other in a fist ready to strike, his teeth clenched in both anger and triumph.

"I fucking knew it! You can stop denying it now, you idiot!," He declares. And then his face softens, his eyes losing their murderous gleam, his fist returning to normal as his hand on Rihito's neck becomes a pat on the shoulder. "That's jealousy. You're in love with her."

And Rihito can only stare at him as if he's never seen anything more absurd in his entire life.

Ohma's head appears halfway between the two, his expression unbothered as always. "He's right, Ichiro."

Okubo and Kaneda had barely seen the guy get out of the chair, but at least they saw him approaching, so they didn't get scared.

"I... I don't...!," Rihito begins, his body feeling as heavy as a rock, his chest filling with a terror that left him paralyzed. "That's not-"

"No. That's enough, Rihito," Himuro interrupts him with a huff, getting off of him and looking at him seriously, his hands in his pants pockets, his destroyed shirt now leaving his chest partially exposed; "You couldn't even concentrate properly on the fight, pissed off like that. You were once again focused on defending her honor. Just accept it, man. You're head over heels for that woman."

Kaneda just crosses his arms with a tired expression. It could have been worse, honestly. They could have punched each other until they needed to be hospitalized…

"You're not sick, Ichiro," Ohma says, calmly squatting down to be at his level, resting his arms on his knees. "This is normal, really. Well, not that normal, but not bad either."

"Yeah," Okubo smiles, his arms still crossed, still sitting in his chair. "It's not the end of the world. We're not dead, right?"

"Speak for yourself," Ohma smiles. "But no, I'm not dead, as far as I know."

Rihito can't respond. He sits up slowly, grunting lowly, blood still oozing from the wound in his lip. He touches it mindlessly, staring at his bloody fingers almost in amazement. Himuro snorts again, then grunts and hugs his torso with one arm.

"Don’t make that face, you fucked me up too! You almost broke one of my ribs, you... Rihito?," And he calls, now a little worried, when Rihito doesn't answer again. His uninjured eye had gone out of focus, a little glassy, ​​as if he was no longer there with them in mind.

All the things he had already done for Akane, all of which he had avoided thinking about as much as possible in the last few days, came pouring into his mind like a devastating flood. The night in her apartment while they watched the snow fall, everything they did together at the Christmas party, the fight with Ohma over her honor, the wish that she wouldn't leave his apartment, the New Year's call, the Thrift Store Wars, the fight he just had with Himuro, also because of her... all those absurd and atypical attitudes of his, which he had tried not to think about too much, now made sense with a clarity that made his eyes hurt.

The conjectures he had two days ago as he sprawled out on a plushy red rug, with her cradled in his arms, return. And he could no longer ignore the frightening voice that spoke loudly in his ear, in clear Japanese with no grammatical errors, squeezing his heart with hot claws as if to make sure there was no doubt left.

“You are in love with her. Welcome to the Fallen Soldiers Club, sucker.”

And the other four men see the exact moment when his expression transforms into one of defeated despair.

"... Oh, fuck."

"Calm down," surprisingly, it is Ohma who holds his shoulder in a firm but comforting grip. "Breathe slowly. It all makes sense now, doesn't it?”

He looks up at Ohma, his uninjured eye blinking, disoriented. He shakes his head.

"It does… no, it doesn’t… but it also does…"

"Fuck, I think I hit him too hard," Himuro notes, worried. Kaneda places the takoyaki grill and bowl of dough carefully on the table he had set up, his expression sympathetic.

"Okay, I think now more than ever he needs to eat and drink. Sugar and salt circulating in his bloodstream and all..."

"Come," Ohma helps Rihito to get up, guiding him to a chair. "Get him a beer, Okubo. This cannot be discussed soberly."

Okubo nods, and takes five beer cans, one for each of them. Ohma is even kind enough to open one and give it to Rihito, in his hand, and then help himself. A hand was on the guy's back.

"Yamashitakazuo helped me with this, so it's my turn to help you," He says, slowly. "I know it's strange, you must have never felt something like this before, but there's nothing wrong with that. Say, how do you feel?," Ohma tried to imitate Kazuo's tone, but still using his own voice. After all, it wasn't supposed to sound fake, it was supposed to sound comforting.

Okubo nods, letting him talk, but still smiling, a little taken aback. Ohma was always full of surprises.

Rihito looked like a rag doll on Ohma's arm, letting himself be guided without offering the slightest resistance. He barely shows a reaction when he is sat at the table, or even when the can of beer is opened and placed in his hand. He looks from Ohma to everyone else, seeing their expectant looks. He swallows hard, no longer able to suppress that feeling of helplessness, the fear that made him feel fragile. And that was by far what he hated the most.

"... I feel like shit."

"C'mon, Rihito, don’t say that…," Kaneda sighs, but Rihito raises his voice, almost shrieking, "It’s the truth, dammit! I feel like any son of a bitch weighing over 170 pounds could run over me like a tractor now! Shit...," He grabs his hair. "Things weren't supposed to be like this..."

"Seriously, man, it’s not that big of a deal-"

"But it is! This wasn't supposed to happen, damn it!," He slams the beer can on the table while staring at Himuro, his hand shaking. "It was supposed to be just some casual fucking! How did I let things get to this point?! Shit, I'm so fucked..."

"You'll be fucked only if you want to be, you idiot," Himuro says, again impatiently, as he unsealed his beer and brought it to his mouth. "You’re making a mountain out of a molehill. This can all be a lot simpler than you're making it seem, if you just accept it."

"It's easy for you to say that! You're not the one who will now have to live feeling like you've lost your only point of support, the only thing that made a fucking sense in your life! And I'll tell you more, Himuro!," He points at Himuro, his uninjured eye burning with rage. "This is all your fault!"

Kaneda and Okubo have to protect their faces with their arms when Himuro spits out his beer, gobsmacked.

"What- my fault?! How the fuck is this my fault, you sicko?"

"It is! You were the one who came up with that talk about me missing the chance to make friends with benefits! You're the one who convinced me to go ahead with this! And now look at what I got myself into!," He makes an angry gesture with his arms, to which Himuro responds in the same tone, leaning over the table, almost snarling.

"Did I pointed a fucking gun to your head and forced you to do this?! You were the one who wanted an encore to begin with, you dumbfuck! I told you that night, this is only a problem if you're an idiot who doesn't know how to separate things-"

"And I don’t! I never knew how to separate shit, man! I'm not like you, I never was!," Rihito points to himself, now looking more desperate than furious. "That's what I was afraid of! To get to know her better, to grow fond of her, and then fall on all fours like a fool, because I always had a hard time separating things! And that's exactly what ended up happening! I fell for her and now I feel so damn weak..."

And he rests his elbows on the table, hiding his pale face in his hands, his shoulders hunched. Himuro sits back down, stunned, his expression of anger cooling and giving way to one of shock and concern. Kaneda, distressed, hesitantly reaches a hand.

"Rihito..."

"Ichiro," Ohma sighs. "Rihito," He says with more authority.

He looks up at Ohma, a little taken aback when he hears him calling him by his nom de guerre, and even more so with all that firmness.

"You. Are. Not. Weak," he continues saying, with the same firmness. "This is not weakness. Being strong is not about being invulnerable or untouchable...," He gives him a plate with some takoyaki, served by Kaneda. "It's about knowing your limits, staying put when you shouldn't advance, and above all knowing when you shouldn't fight, especially when you're against yourself," He squeezes his shoulder tightly. "I learned that the hard way, and it was literally at the brink of death. Don't be an idiot like that."

And he lets him go, still sitting next to him, taking a sip of his own beer. "And I'll say more. That doesn't make you weak at all, on the contrary. You are not recognizing an opponent, far from it. You're recognizing a partner. One who will stand up and fight alongside you if necessary, and who will support you when you can't support yourself. It's not a matter of bending over and staying down, vulnerable. It's a matter of knowing who to count on when you need help, who to trust when you need support. It's knowing...," He sighs, becoming calmer. "It's knowing that, with that person, you don't need to be strong to be seen. "

Okubo's eyes widened while he sat up at Ohma's words. Holy shit, where did that all that come from?!

"Yeah…," He finally manages to say, nodding. "I agree with Ohma. This has nothing to do with our abilities, or whether we are more or less of men because of it. It never had anything to do with it."

Rihito could only stare at Ohma as if he was only seeing him right then, his uninjured eye wide, his jaw slightly dropped. Himuro and Kaneda turn to him, perplexed, Kaneda even looking proud.

"Damn, Ohma... when did you become such a... philosopher?," Himuro blinks.

"I think going to the world of the dead and coming back really changes your whole perspective on life, in some way," Kaneda concludes, a hand on his chin, quite impressed. "But yeah, I have nothing to add after that speech. I agree with everything."

Rihito swallows hard. He closes his eyes and shakes his head before bringing the beer can to his mouth, drinking the contents all at once. He grunts lowly, crushing it between his fingers. And then he stammers, exhausted, "I... I didn't want that. I didn't want her to have to fight for me too... I was the one who wanted to fight for her. Protect her..."

"Dude…," Himuro sighs, tired. "That’s not how relationships work. Even if you have no prior experience, you should know this."

"I know! ... I know. Seaweed Head is right, oddly enough... but seriously, before anything else, where did you get that Mr. Miyagi-like wisdom from, man? You were talking like you're a hundred years old or something…"

"You really think I have nothing between my ears, don't you?," Ohma smiles, taking a sip from his beer can. "But... about the protecting thing...," he smiles more, looking at Rihito. "Did you know what I learned that from Kanami?"

Rihito looks at him and Ohma continues, "She doesn't fight to win, or to be the strongest. She fights to protect those she loves. I thought this was strange, but when she explained it to me, it clicked. When you like someone, you protect them, right? But it also allows them to protect you too, to do something for you that you can't do for yourself. They're someone who knows what your weaknesses are, but they aren't going to use them against you. It brings you closer, and they'll prevent anyone from using them against you. And that someone will know exactly what to do to get you out of despair, like we did with you now. You can go far alone, yes, and I did, none of you doubt that...," He points the can at the other four, and then turns back to Rihito. "But it was by her side, that I felt I could go further, and she solved the biggest personal dilemma I've ever had. I feel like I can trust her with my back. So... no, you're not getting weak. Relax."

Rihito looks at him sideways, then returns his eyes to the table, still downcast and scared, but looking a little less desperate. He seemed just contemplative. He closes his eyes, sighs and then asks Okubo, "Do you feel the same way? With- With Tomori? Because it's hard to think about that Half-Pint guarding the back of a gorilla like you, haha... no offense."

"Well, it's not as literal as Ohma said," Okubo smiles, still a little surprised by Ohma's speech. "Especially because his woman is a modern-day Amazon, but…," he sighs. "That's exactly it. She and I have a lot of things in common, we like a lot of the same things, but the most important thing is that… well, she can't protect me physically, but she gives me security. Everyone has their down days when we're feeling like shit... but she didn't abandon me when I was on one of these moments. She wanted to know who I really was, and when she saw the real me, she wasn't scared. She didn't reject me, nor make a big deal outta my problems. She just accepted me and helped me improve. I don't need to pretend to be anything else around her, to maintain a façade of being perfect. I can be myself. And I make sure I always do the same for her."

Rihito closes his mouth, the eyelid of his uninjured eye falling a little tiredly. Being himself… he'd never felt like he needed to pretend to be anything else with Akane, ever since she'd made it clear with a few devastating metaphorical punches that his macho bravado didn't impress her. Every time he let his other side show, so different from the Rihito he was in the fighting ring, she accepted it with the naturalness of someone who appreciated the welcome change it was to have an idiot with the personality of a dog in her life. Just as he had accepted it when she displayed all her fascinating paradoxes...

"Exactly," Ohma nodded. "Last summer, I took Kanami camping..."

"Oooh, is it the story about the pig?," Okubo smiles, now paying attention. "Do you guys think this is a good time to listen? Just to see if we can unwind?"

"Fine by me. A story about a modern caveman would blow my mind a lot less than this philosophical soliloquy," Himuro comments, and Kaneda laughs.

"I’m in too! Who knows, maybe Rihito will get some tips…"

"Shut up, Kaneda!," Rihito complains, eliciting relieved laughter because he no longer sounded so furious and desperate.

"Well," Ohma nods again. "I took her camping, she said she liked it, and I needed to train in a quiet place. She wanted to take a lot of things, so I said I didn't need it, just because I knew how to manage without much. We reached an agreement," He takes a sip from the can. "When we arrived and settled camp, we only needed food, so I left and spent the night hunting. The next day I got a wild boar..."

"Like the one I saw in that abandoned mansion of yours, when Ivan and I went after you?," Rihito asks, already getting excited.

"No, not as big, that's why I was disappointed," Ohma makes a face. "And when I arrived at the camp, covered in the pig's blood, she, of course, was impressed, but I didn't think it was something worthy of praise. It was just a small pig... and I even said that to her, but then she looked at my face and said some things that... I don't remember exactly what, but in short, she said that she thought I was so badass that if I hadn't gotten blood on me, she would let me fuck her right there. And I felt like... man, I don't know what happened to me. Everything, anything I was feeling, went away like dust in the wind, and I only felt a huge and warm bubble in my chest. I've never felt so good with so little effort. And the next thing I knew, I was sitting in front of the fire, already clean after a river bath, and she had done everything else on the cap before going to wash herself. I ended up going with her," he smiles a little at the memory. "So, the point is... I had never seen or felt anything like that, it was surreal."

"Holy shit, Tokita...," Rihito blinks, looking genuinely astonished. "So the thing about bringing food to women as proof of our virility and efficiency as providers wasn't bullshit! It really works!," He notes, his jaw dropping. "Take that, Himuro! You and your 'Fuckboy Anthropology'!"

"In Ohma’s case it worked because his girl is a fighter with a high survival instinct too, dumbass. It's not a Gyaru whose natural habitat is a concrete jungle, like yours," Himuro shakes his head, exasperated, but sincerely relieved to see Rihito acting more like himself.

"She- She's not mine...!"

"But you want her to be."

He growls, looking away with a grumble, blushing heavily, and that was answer enough.

"Man...," Okubo smiles. "Sometimes I don't know if you're some sage from a Buddhist temple or if you're an caveman. I can never decide and it confuses me the hell out of me," he laughs loudly, patting Ohma on the shoulder. "But I'm impressed, damn it." 

"Yes, I'm also kind of impressed!," Kaneda comments, smiling. "I bet you feel like doing it again, eh, Ohma? This time with a bigger pig, hahaha!"

"Oh, I will," Ohma says proudly. "I can even teach her how to hunt, then she will go with me. And yes, it only works with her. In your case, Ichiro, a shag rug has the same effect. I was proud of you for that. And she was happy with it, wasn't she? And also worried that you were more hurt than you really were. So…this was her supporting you, as a response to your gift."

"Fuck, you’ll never let me forget this rug thing, will you?," He groans, throwing his head back a little. "I already told you, I did that without thinking...," He straightens his head, finding the silence that follows strange, and finds everyone looking at him. He sighs again. "She looked all sad when she thought she wasn't going to get the damn rug, and I... I don't know, I just didn't want to see her like that... I wanted to see her smiling..."

Himuro and Kaneda exchange smiles that are both mocking and tender.

"I swear, I now want to meet this girl more than ever. The person who managed to do what we thought was impossible."

"She's nice," Okubo nods. "She's basically a female Rihito, only smarter and prettier. She even has the same big tits," He pretends to squeeze Rihito's chest, making everyone laugh out loud.

"Cut that shit out, man!," Rihito slaps his hand away, grunting in embarrassment, and this only causes more laughter.

"Oh, so it’s only your Cannibal who can honk your tiddies, then?," Himuro asks, making a gesture with his hands, like he was squeezing something soft and invisible in the air; the same gesture Rihito had already done. Only now did he realize how stupid that seemed.

"Leave me alone! And 'my Cannibal'...," He suddenly becomes unhappy again, even pouting a little. "I don't even know if she feels the same way..."

"And here comes the critical part," Ohma says. "Just take her to a private place and tell her the truth. No bravado, no gift, nothing like that... it has to come from you. At least that's what Yamashitakazuo told me. But I kind of didn't say it, she realized it before I did... and then we kissed and that was it."

"Yeah… in my case it was like… a mutual understanding. Like, we were already together and we basically looked at each other’s faces and I went “That’s it, do you want it?”, and she went “I do!”, and that was it," Okubo imitates Tomori's voice in a falsetto. "We've been official since."

"That's some lame-ass falsetto, man," Himuro comments with a laugh. Kaneda turns to Rihito, saying, "There you go. You have two examples to use for inspiration. We already know that you’re not the romantic type, so…"

"Yeah, but... but I... argh, I can't do that!," Rihito groans, grabbing his bleached hair. "I can’t just go up to her and say 'heya, girl, we’re not socks, but I think we’d make a great pair'!"

"... Well, you really can't do that, because she'll think you're a dork ass loser," Himuro says with a grimace.

"I'm serious, dammit! It was simpler for you guys because you only started getting physical with your girls after you already had a more or less established relationship!," He gestures frustrated. "But that's not the case with me and her! We had sex on our first date. The thing between us was always physical, it was always carnal, everything was so simple! What if she gets scared if I come in saying I want to add… ugh… romance into the mix?," He says the word almost with disgust.

"You know her better than we do," Okubo raises his hands. "I'm sure you'll know how to work things out. And it's not like you two only went out once or twice, man. It's been what, three months? I'm sure you've stopped counting on your fingers how many times you two banged, you have intimacy and that's something. Just go have a serious chat with her. Or have you guys never had something like that?"

"I think they had," Ohma comments, leaning back in the chair. "Otherwise he wouldn't know so much about her. Say, what does Canibal like to do besides fucking you and visiting thrift stores to face old ladies with sledgehammers?"

"I’m the one fucking someone here, Seaweed Head!," He grunts before resting his chin on the fingers of his left hand, thoughtfully. "But well, besides thrift stores... she loves going out dancing. And also going out to drink too…"

"There you go. Take her dancing," Himuro says straight away. "If you have some money to spare, take her to Brazuca's. That's where you met, after all. It may even help to set the mood, or at least make you feel more confident."

"Hnnn... that's a good idea. Especially because the place is not the most romantic environment," ​​Kaneda comments, and Rihito nods quickly.

"I hope so! I still don't do the 'flowers and chocolate' thing even though I'm now a... argh... a Fallen Soldier...," And he puts a hand over his face, being careful with his injured eye this time.

"I hate that term," Ohma repeats, making a face. "It's sounds like a bad thing... like I lost something. I didn't. I won, actually..."

"Calm down Ohma, it’s just a joke," Okubo laughs. "Look, I would suggest someplace quieter. Brazuca’s is great, but it’s not a place you’d take someone for a serious chat. I prefer silence to concentrate and to make sure I'm not putting my foot into my mouth."

"I don't know, man, the silence could make me nervous and not be able to say anything... or I'll just take her to bed or that porn-ish couch... oh yeah, I don't think I ever told you about her couch-"

"Dude, we're really happy that you found a girl who's as horny as you, but that doesn't mean we want dirty details of your adventures with her," Himuro comments, to which Rihito shakes his head.

"I wasn't going to say that! I was going to say that the damn couch is not that different from the rug... wait, I think I have a photo here,' He gets up from the table and goes to pick up his phone, which had been left on the dresser where the television was. He has to walk around the sofa that hadn't yet been raised to get there, but when he comes back, Akane's Instagram profile is already open. "Just check out this fuzzy monster, hahaha!"

He shows them a specific photo, with Akane sitting on said couch, almost like a queen on a tacky throne. Himuro's eyes widen and Kaneda's jaw drops a little.

"Holy shit, the Cannibal murdered the Pink Panther!"

"And stuffed it to make it look like a couch!"

"Damn, that's some really nice fur. Now I want to hunt one of these," Ohma looks at the others. "Where can I find this animal?"

Okubo laughed loudly. "Man, you're sounding like Agito. That 'fur' is fake and dyed pink, relax."

"Aw man…"

Rihito laughs loudly too. "I made the same joke when I saw it for the first time! That and calling it a female Cookie Monster, hehehe."

Himuro and Kaneda laugh out loud at that too, the three of them even having small coughing fits. The four of them started to tease Rihito about that couch nonstop, even suggesting to him to finally relent and buy a similar one, while they cleaned up the mess and went back to eating takoyaki.

The fight earlier had not affected the dynamics of that group in any way, just as Okubo had promised Tomori. He hoped it would always remain like this.

…

"Thanks, guys, I… I needed a little encouragement. I… I'm working up the courage to say something…"

"That’s what we’re here for, Akane," Tomori leans her head on her friend’s shoulder, smiling affectionately, satisfied after they had eaten and talked in depth about her friend’s afflictions. The afternoon ended up being quite fruitful in that regard, although Tomori still regretted not being able to say what she knew.

Everything would be so much simpler if she could just tell Akane that Rihito reciprocated her feelings. She only hoped that Okubo and the others had had the same success as they had.

"Yes! Healing the ills of the heart is something we're good at, love," Hiro affectionately squeezes her wrist.

"Yeah. I think you can do it. He may be a little slow, but so are our men, right?," Kanami smiles at Tomori. "Being straightforward is ideal, and it's not far from your level, since you're the most honest of us."

"Yeah... I know," Akane blushes. "Maybe after we banged and we're in the middle of the afterglow, I'll be able to say something... but this is so... weird. I don't... I don't feel like I have the right to, you know, guys...?"

"What do you mean? You have every right to!," Tomori states categorically. Hiro nods, seriously.

"Exactly! What makes you think otherwise?

"It’s just… I don’t look like a woman who's girlfriend material… I mean, look at me," She points to herself. "I’m more like a street corner skank…"

"No. Stop right there," Kanami interrupts her. "Because I'm also far from thar profile. Look at me too," She flexes one arm, her muscles tightening. "Do you think I'm the cute and delicate type, who's all meek and submissive?"

"No…," Akane blushes.

"Exactly. I'm more the Amazon type, who beats the shit out of grown ass men instead of dating them," She goes back to normal, drinking her soda. "And I still got the most handsome guy in that friend group! Do you think I don't deserve it?"

"No, it’s not that… It's just… "

"Shut up," Kanami grunts. "Ohma loves me and no one will dispute that." 

"Hell yeah! And anyway, Akane, if we are to follow your logic, Rihito is also far from being boyfriend material," Tomori shakes her head, and Hiro laughs playfully.

"He's more like felon material, hahaha!"

"Stop it!," She blushes more. "I also get stupid when I drink..."

"Then that's it," Kanami rolls her eyes. "Stop complaining and just go get him already. No one is going to stop you, and if he doesn't want you, that's his problem. You're an independent woman and I doubt you won't get a decent man if you want to try your luck again. Kick the sucker to the curb, as Hiro says."

"… The problem is that I don't want to…," She sighs. "He's really my type… Cute, hot and dumb as fuck."

"Mine is just cute and hot," Kanami jokes. "He's only dumb in an academic sense, but put him in a forest or any hostile environment and he deals with it like a walk through the park."

"Really? I knew he looked like Tarzan...," Akane laughs. Kanami laughs too.

"Yeah, and he lives among gorillas, so he has prior experience."

They both laugh loudly.

Hiro laughs loudly too, while Tomori does so more restrainedly, saying, "Hey, one of those gorillas is mine, don't forget. And he's also the cute and hot type..."

"Tomori, my love, your boyfriend arrived on his second visit to the bakery saying that he wanted you as a side dish, remember? He's on Blondie's team too."

"He got confused while saying he wanted me for company, the poor thing! But... okay, it was funny," And she laughs more heartily.

"It was, I admit. But you got it, right, Akane?," Kanami sighs. "You do deserve to be loved. And we don't always win, but... we can fight for it, right?"

She stops for a moment, and looks at the fries on her plate, touching one in a fit of shyness. "Yeah... I'm not a fighter like you, but... I'll do what I can."

"Yes, you are a fighter. And one of the strongest, considering everything you went through to get here," Tomori leans in to kiss her on the cheek. "And if he has two functioning brain cells, he'll recognize that."

“If not on his own, the boys will help, whether there is violence involved or not”, she adds in her thoughts.

"Well, that's it... and now I just want to have some fun. Shall we go to an arcade or something? One where we can play Just Dance? I'm still upset that you didn't go to that Christmas party, Hiro... I'm not complaining because you were getting laid, but I wanted you to dance with us..."

"Girl, I would've loved to, but he was being so clingy and sweet that I thought you guys would be embarrassed," Hiro justifies himself with a laugh. "Not to mention that we ended up drinking too, and he gets all handsy when he drinks... Kana likes to keep her house like a temple of purity and chastity, and I wouldn't tarnish that, hehehe."

"Don't be dramatic," Kanami snorts. "It's just that you guys are always going overboard. At the Christmas party, there was even a fight in the hall. The four dumbasses got into a fight and almost broke the wall and one of the closets... I made Ohma and the others fix the mess."

"It was hilarious, she managed to make four monsters shake on the boots," Akane laughs, standing up. "I still say to this day that you're stronger than any of them. Okay, enough talking. To the arcade!"

"Yes! Shall we pair up on Just Dance?," Tomori excitedly suggests to her friend. "We can switch pairs so I can dance with Kanny. Then Hiro has a good idea of ​​what he missed at the Christmas party."

"Girl, I'm already regretting having missed this epic fight between mastodons! Are you sure none of you filmed it?," He asks with a pout.

"Ohma sent me the videos," Kanami smiles. "He said he wants to save them, so he always sends them to my phone. I have some here if you want to watch."

"I want them all! My roast material is getting scarce, I need more food for my troll soul!"

Tomori lets Hiro and Kanami go ahead, still talking about the videos, and walks further back with Akane. She looks at her friend, suddenly more hesitant.

"I just wanted to ask you, Kane... would you really be prepared? You know... to have a serious relationship with someone again?"

"I don't know...," Akane sighs. "I just know that I'm starting to get tired of dealing with men left and right... it's starting to get toxic for me. I mean... I was actually used to it, but after a while… after I recovered from those bad experiences, I felt terribly alone. And unprotected. Is it too much to want to feel safe again?"

"No, it’s not," Tomori assures, stroking her arm. "You have every right to want to feel safe. And look, despite being an idiot, I know that he has total capacity to take care of you, like Naoh takes care of me and Ohm takes care of Kanny. They are all very protective, which is really cute, considering their brute-like nature…"

"Yeah, I know," Akane holds her arm tighter. "That's why I want this… and I know he would do it. But I really need confirmation that he wants the same."

They spend some more time talking, until Hiro calls for them and they start walking together again, heading towards the arcade.

…

"Holy shit, I drank a whole can... Akane had said that it's not very good to drink when you're on medication..."

"Heh, and he says I'm the pussy-whipped simp."

"Go fuck yourself, Okubo."

Between laughs and jokes, the five of them finished cleaning up the mess in the kitchen/living room of Rihito's apartment, left after the little party they had. After spending a few quality hours having fun with his friends, he could say he was feeling better. No less scared, but at least a little more resigned to the facts that he simply couldn't change.

He loved Agata Akane. Period. There was no point in denying it any longer, whether to others or to himself. All he could do was accept it and move on. Now what he would do with this information would be up to future Rihito, because present Rihito was too exhausted to think about it in depth.

"Seriously, guys... thanks. For everything," He says suddenly, smiling shyly. "Even for that crude intervention."

"It was a necessity, and it worked out in the end. Oh, and by the way: you owe me a new shirt," Himuro snorts, indicating his button-down shirt, now in tatters. Rihito rolls his eyes.

"This is your fault, you know the damage my fingers do. And anyway, my lip's busted because of you, asshole. We're even."

"You owe me a sweater too," Ohma grunts in the same tone.

"You left me with a bruise on my fucking chin in retaliation. We’re even too," Rihito grumbles to him. Kaneda just smiles placidly.

"You’re welcome, Rihito. Just don't do that anymore and don't ignore us in the group chat, it just made us even more worried. You ignored even Okubo's private messages."

Rihito looks away, embarrassed.

"Sorry about that. I just didn't know what to say. I was still a little taken aback by that conversation..."

"But now you know that we are here to help you. Roasting the bros is part of the package, but we do help," Okubo nods, and then stretches his arms. "Man, I'm tired now. I also feel like a boulder has been lifted off my shoulders. I have my friend back, and now I can go to Osaka without a worries."

Rihito smiles, playfully punching Okubo on the shoulder. "You will always have me, y'know that."

The others smile too, to which Himuro lets out a low groan.

"I'm beat too, damn. Talking sense into an idiot's head is tiring," He scratches the back of his head, closing his eyes. Rihito sits on the couch, inwardly grateful that it wasn't destroyed in the middle of the fight.

"I would invite you guys to crash here, but I only have one futon and the couch is too small to fit y'all…"

"We wouldn't have this problem if you'd bought a rug for your apartment too…," Ohma begins.

"Man, I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?," Rihito groans, rubbing his face tiredly and then hissing a little because of the pain. "It's gonna be carpet this, carpet that, for the rest of my life. I'm almost doing what Akane suggested and buying something in that vibe, with a leopard spots pattern..."

"See why I was fine with being single? Falling in love causes unprecedented bouts of faggotism," Himuro jokes, and laughs when Rihito flips him the bird.

"But the idea is good, come on. It's something to make your apartment look a little nicer," Kaneda comments, smiling. "She really caused some unique changes in you, didn't she?"

Rihito lowers his head a little, looking at his legs.

"I don't know... the truth is that I don't feel so different. It's still me, y'know? It's just that there are some things that I'm seeing differently now."

"Same with me," Ohma sits on the couch and lowers his head, all his hair falling over his face. "I didn't even know I liked women, or people in general, until I realized what was really bothering me about them. And several other things."

"And what was bothering you?," Okubo raises an eyebrow.

"None of them saw me. I mean, just like you when you look at women dancing or in photos," He points to the others. "You see them, you think they're beautiful, but you don't even want to know what their names are, who they are as people or what they do for a living. You just look at their bodies and that's it. It was like that with me, only in reverse. Don't even tell me that you don't understand my problem, Ichiro," He interrupts before Rihito can say something. "It was like this even with Karla. She didn't even want to know what I wanted or even if I was interested, she just looked at me and decided she wanted my naked body. Even worse, she immediately decided she wanted to marry me and have children, and she didn't even know my name at the time. You understand that, right, Himuro?"

"I understand, Ohma. But looking at a pretty girl and commenting about her among ourselves is not so harmful. Now, touching and grabbing someone without permission, even harassing, is pretty bad. It's definitely not one of my tactics when it comes to picking up women," Himuro guarantees, to which a very embarrassed Rihito scratches the back of his head.

"C'mon, don't throw my past in my face like that. Now I remember the things I did and said... and I feel a little stupid. I admit it."

"You have to remember them. This way you can make sure you don't make the same mistake again," Kaneda says immediately. "Even more so now, when you want to leave that life behind," And then he makes a worried expression. "You want to, don't you?"

Rihito looks at him as if considering the question.

"I... I've been asking myself that. Earlier today, before you arrived, I was bored, because Akane had sent me a text saying that she was going out with some friends and that's why she wouldn't be able to hang out with me. I was wondering what I was going to do for the rest of the afternoon, and I had no idea…"

They stare at him, curious. And that's when Himuro's eyes widened a little.

Damn... you didn't even think about the Golden Pleasure Group, didn't you?"

Rihito shakes his head with an awkward smile.

"I just remembered it a little while ago. I hope this answers your question, Kaneda."

"Yeah… I think it does," Kaneda nods slowly, smiling approvingly.

Ohma smiles too. "Okay, I think that's enough for today. I'm going back home...," Je stops halfway while straightening up, looking into space. "Man... I have a house...," and then he gets up faster, suddenly extremely happy. "Yeah... I have one now..."

"Hahaha! Yeah, Seaweed Head, you do!," Rihito makes a V for Victory with his fingers. "And one that I want to visit again when I can! I ate like a fucking king at that Christmas party…"

"Yeah, the food was really great. But let's wait for an invitation, instead of inviting ourselves like this," Himuro says, and Kaneda laughs softly.

"Yes, Miss Kanami concluded that you are risky guests to have around, hahaha. And I will try to show up on this next visit too. I still want to meet Miss Agata in person."

"You'll like her, Kaneda. She wears some platform heels that make her taller than you," Rihito laughs too. "And she gives head scratches like no one else, man... oh, leave me the fuck alone!," He blushes a lot when the others laugh at his dreamy expression. 

"Yeah, it's really nice," Ohma defends. "You don’t know what you’re missing, you idiots."

"I agree," Okubo smiles. "Come on, Seaweed Head, I'll take you home. I barely drank, I'm safe to drive."

"Thanks," Ohma gets out of the couch completely.

"I get lots of head scratches. It's just that the pairs of hands change frequently," Himuro jokes. "But anyway, I'm going home too. Kaneda, tomorrow we have a meeting with Mr. Ohya about our next matches."

"Yes, Himuro, I remember. Well, we're going, Rihito. Seriously, don't disappear like that anymore, okay?"

"I'm not, man. You have my word," He promises, going to walk them to the door. "I’ll see you next trash day."

"Okay," Okubo and Ohma say at the same time, packing their things before leaving.

"See ya!," Himuro and Kaneda also wave, and Rihito watches them, from the balcony, walk towards the parking lot. He only lets himself go back into the apartment when Okubo's car disappears at the end of the street, and Himuro and Kaneda disappear as they turn the corner towards the train station.

He locks the door behind him, plopping down on the couch and sighing. The apartment was very quiet now, without those four idiots to mess it with him. And in that silence, it was easy to let your thoughts stray into embarrassing directions.

The place really felt lifeless, even with that ridiculously adorable plastic and glass trinket on the table. Maybe he would go back to the thrift store to buy more things that would give that place its characteristic mark.

And he would like Akane to accompany him too. The idea of ​​the blanket imitating a leopard's coat wasn't bad. A large, soft throw to cover his couch, one that could easily be laid out on the floor. Having sex with Akane on top of one of these would be really nice. But not just that. He imagined himself sitting there with her to watch bad series or movies. Or to eat junk food and chat. Or to just stay there, hugging each other, relaxing on a cold day…

Holy shit, he was really screwed.

He takes out his phone, opening his private chat with her. He smiled, immediately sending an attachment: a photo of the five of them around the table, with the takoyaki grill full of dumplings, Ohma holding the trinket with a fascinated smile.

Himbo_King🦍: 

I also hanged out with some friends today 😎

they complimented your choice of decoration, especially the seaweed head

he was almost asking me to give him the bird, but I didn't give it to him

You haven't even seen him in the kitchen yet, he's such a cute little drunkard lol

It took her a while to respond, but she eventually did.

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

I didn't choose the bird, you did lmao

but I'm happy they liked it

see how you place got way cooler?

(sorry for taking so long, kanami was laughing her ass off at the pic, with her man looking at the bird all starry-eyed and shit lol. I told her to piss off)

I'm gonna send a pic too

She attaches a picture. There she was, along with Tomori, Kanami and Hiro, the four of them sitting at a table and smiling.

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

they said Hi

I tried to hide our convo but kanami saw it. Nosy bitch… 

He laughs a little. The truth is that he didn't care about that. She was with people he knew and trusted, so there was nothing to worry about.

And she was smiling in the photo too. She looked happy. That was what mattered most to him, after all.

Himbo_King🦍:

lol no worries

tell tomori, auntie and the twink that I said hi too

and of course I see it!

all thanks to The Thrift Store Explorer herself

I'll only go on one of those crazy shopping sprees again if it's with you lmao

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

don’t worry babygirl

you’re safe with me ❤️

hey… you free tomorrow?

I wanna meet you in a quiet place, maybe in a square…

oh crap, it’s still winter

forget what I said LOL

alright then… do you have any ideas?

He sits up straight on the couch, his traitorous heart doing a somersault. Damn, he had barely accepted the fact that he was in love and the little bastard had already gotten out of his control!

Himbo_King🦍:

yeah, I’m free!

and well, I can only think of the bakery right now lol

but I’ll go wherever you want

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

no, not the bakery

I want somewhere more private...

I wanna snuggle up with you… 🥺👉👈

I can only think of your place or mine, I want you so bad

It's so cold that even a love hotel won't be enough lol

I wanna cuddle with you under a blanket and get warm

then we'll have a dispute over your soul *evil laughter* 😈😈

Himbo_King🦍:

holy shit woman

you'll make me wanna run to your place like a madman right now!

I’ll be waiting for you at your doorstep like a hobo lmao

but alright, we’ll meet at your place then

I still own you some sexy times on that tacky rug

I'll bring food, your sausage sandwich included 

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

You pervert... you know me so well

I’ll be back home by 9pm, I think

we can meet there, but only if you want too

just thinking about you waiting for me outside my place makes me feel bad

guarding my doorstep like a bouncer, poor thing… I’ll be back right on time, I promise

I can buy food myself, I’m closer anyway

Himbo_King🦍:

woman, chill out

I was thinking about going tomorrow cause I didn't wanna bother you

but when my Panther's Bat-Signal appears, who am I to ignore it? LOL

And I accept the food, but I’m going there because I wanna see u

I want you REALLY bad too

I always do

It was the purest truth, and for a second, Rihito was afraid that she would realize how sincere he was being. Hell, confessing via text would be lame even by his standards…

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

oh you…

you’re lucky I’m as horny as you

cause there’s no other bitch in this world who can handle you LMAO

It has to be a woman baptized in the fires of hell

and you can come hot cause I’m boiling 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Himbo_King🦍:

and when did I ever come to you any other way?

just you wait 

you be leaving your bed anytime soon

kiss on ya tits 🍒

Boss_Bitch🍑: 

👅🍆

And he puts his phone aside, his energy completely renewed, running to take a quick shower. He definitely wanted to arrive presentable at her place, as she deserved.

He was spending fewer and fewer weekends in his own place. But now that he knew the reasons for it, he no longer cared. He now had someone he always wanted to share a bed with, and he would never complain about it.

Next Chapter Here

[sirfrogsworth]

My grandma died from lung cancer when my dad was only 16. They couldn't afford to take her to the doctor, so it was only discovered as what was making her sick when it was already stage 4. Having your mom die when you're a teenager is already hard, but my dad has to ALSO eternally wonder if catching it early would have even made a difference? Survival rates NOW aren't even that good, much less 40 years ago. It's insane that people are okay with making THE cause of lung cancer look "cool" again, when the end result is a painful and/or expensive death that leaves your family broken.

He says she was a lot like me, and that we would have gotten along really well. I'll never know.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I didn't get to know my grandpa either. I was just a baby when he passed. I can definitely relate there. And I was really close to my grandma. We spent almost every Saturday of my childhood together. We'd play board games and cards and then watch Wheel of Fortune. She called me "Ben Bolt" because whenever I entered a big store I used run and hide and make people find me. She was the cutest old lady there ever was. Classic grandma with the blue hair and the church quilting circle with all the other gossipy grandmas.

The sad thing is that she never smoked. She just lived with a very heavy smoker. And before she got to see me turn into a teenager her lungs failed her. I don't remember it well. I just remember her coughing in her hospital bed. And it always upset me that someone else was able to make her sick. It didn't seem fair.

That did inspire my uncle to try and quit. But after decades of smoking he just couldn't figure it out. He knew what was coming but he just didn't have the tools to fight it. I've never heard a cough like that. It just sounded... wet. And he'd get into these huge coughing fits for minutes at a time. And then his anxiety would get so bad he'd have to go outside for a smoke. It's such a vicious addiction.

The people who love smokers have so many of these stories. And I guess that is why we are so desperate to keep more stories from manifesting.

[little-worm-grant]

Jake's pov: Little Detour

Jake Lockley & Steven Grant

665 words / Masterlist.

If you like what you see, leave a like or reblog and follow me ♥

Summary: Steven's not at all pleased to discover the other alter still working for Khonshu. Jake's determined to show him he's not as bad as he seems.

Previously: Jake's pov: Night Shift

Driving home, Jake called it an early night. Couldn’t do anything while Steven was around and acting like he was the devil. “Old birds left you be, hasn’t he?” Taking a turn, the streets were quieter in the evenings but the city never slept.

“Guess someone forgot to include me on that little deal of yours, no?” Jake carried no maliciousness in his tone. More on the edge of sounding playful. Kept glancing to the rear view mirror which held the other’s face. This was his first time around someone from his head that wasn’t his own damn voice. It was interesting, to say the least. This how Marc felt? No wonder he was so strung up all the time.

He wasn’t going to focus on much else with Steven around. “This what it’s normally like in our head? Can’t say I blame Marc for wanting to use you like a stress toy.” Just making conversation. Keeping his eyes on the road. The occasional glance back to check Steven was still there.

“You don’t need to say it. I see how you look at me. Like I’d make a meal out of you si?” Jake gave a toothy grin and shrugged nonchalantly, “There’s still time.” He didn’t think he needed to justify why he hurt people, but Steven seemed to think he did so he entertained it.

“It’s because I know I have to, but I don’t do it for Khonshu.” He wrinkled his nose. Khonshu was exactly like a grizzly parent he’d have to endure over Chanukah. Be their entertainment without much say or choice. Their old lady was always worse around the holidays. “They were bad people who do worse if I don’t step in. You’d do the same, mi alma, so don’t go acting all cute on me now. Safer for everyone if I step in.”

He laughed light when he felt Steven try to shove himself to the front. A little impressed the small firecracker was still trying to overpower him. “Oh you’re a bribón, knew there was a fire in you somewhere. You want the body? All pushy and not asking. Here. You drive.” Jake pushed Steven the rest of the way into the front. Allowing the idiot to see his own mistake of wanting the body when he couldn’t drive. Jake didn’t leave him to figure it out alone, words firm but kind.

“Take a left. Need to move over the left lane. Car coming behind you. Pull in after it. There you go. You’re getting it. Red light, start to brake. The other pedal.” The car jolted to a stop and Jake chuckled from the mirror. “You did good, not your first try, no? But that’s enough.” He took over the body as easily as he’d given it up. A show of what he was capable of doing any time he wanted. Giving Steven a look in the mirror. “Just take it easy mijo. We’ll be back home before you know it. I need to make a stop first. I’ll behave.”

He parked the cab up on the streets, threw some coins into the parking meter and headed down to a local bar. Some of the smokers outside greeted him and offered him a cigarette. Jake took it and put it into the back of his ear just below his cap. Saying he was just stopping by. Stepping inside was greeted with a whole new wave of people happy to see him. Friends. People he’d helped some way or another. Networks of informants he’d been building up.

Jake was essentially pulled around the room with friends wanting to check in and say hi before he headed to the bathroom. Only two rooms he was able to lock the door and give himself a little privacy. Going to the mirror instead of the toilet. “You see it now? What I do. So go ahead and blame me. I can take it. But know I’m not your stress toy either.”

[4dmc]

I went to replay some Nico cutscenes for future drawing references.. and well I'm so sorry but I'm gonna be honest.. if Kat is to the haters Nico is sort of doing that to me

I can't believe it. Now I'm 50/50 about her character. I know I have had opinions on Nico before but I realize maybe I'm just seeing things & I'm like Nico is like reboot Dante genderbent if I'm going to be controversial here: they're both rough and rude in the exterior but they're kind to the select people they know (also they let her be the smoker something that was edited out of reboot Dante because y'know.. whiny hypocritical fanbase & everything)

Maybe I'm just seeing things and I'm like "nahhh you like Nico"...

But now it really feels like because Capcom may have seen the way haters do not like Kat "for having no personality" which is hurtful because this is the most usual comments against quiet introspective characters AND real people (me & the circle of friends & even some online mutuals in their lives we're just like that ig🤷‍♀️

That I think they overcorrected and let the mocap actress and the writers make Nico too much

I can't explain it. Maybe it's the stereotyping on the "southern belle" or in Japanese culture the Kansai/Southern country bumpkin thing that they just went for

Or maybe it's the sudden rudeness against Nero sometimes like wtf "Up your butt" sounds like an edgy annoying 10 year old who responded, not a rough edgy tough as nails 20 something woman who has a lot on her plate

I do admire her actress for wanting to make a spin on her character to be a little more happy go lucky but some of the lines are actually a bit cringey.. I'm sorry i know someone explained to me she's like that one "rude" friend in the group, when I felt Nico commenting on Lady's predicament when she fell out of Artemis and into Nero's arms, was kind of below the belt for insinuating Nero is cheating on Kyrie

Like.. no girl not right now. But okay... Sure... 😕

Someone might come in and say reboot Dante is rude and unlikeable too and to that I say... Well now you know how i feel about Nico now

And to give Dante DmC credit he's usually rude to demons and knows how to weaponize it for results (results will vary😂. And the few times he's rude to people reveals his isolated past & trauma. The biggest turn around and proof of his kindness is literally an entire car ride scene with Kat where he's the one who reaches out to her about how they can trust one another now. He knows how to communicate, and his camaraderie with Kat changes from then on.

which is the one thing that just cements it to me he's just the better Dante I'm sorry. And on videogame screen too sorry yeah I'm glazing this character for years

.. but I think personally the worst of all is the colorism. Her alt skin gives away some deeply rooted Asian colorism that even I have to deal with here. But on her og design the concept really shows they want her brown/dark skin. But they have referenced a mixed racial British model whose skin is not as tan

Like don't get me wrong. Emily Bador is not in the wrong here. I used to follow some of her work especially on makeup commercials so how she looks is going to depend on the brand who hired her too

But her photos with the costume gives away that she isn't tan. Like idk Capcom I feel like Nico needs more stirring in the pot as a character overall

Like.... Overall DMC needs more stirring in the pot if they are planning part 6

[devil-doll13]

Dr. Wu Headcanons ✨🐍

Since this post was structured like an ID it didn’t give much detail on their actual character, so I decided to put the information here.

A workaholic who is married to their job. Does not understand or care for the value of ethics.

Is valuable enough to the organisation that she works for that they are willing to accept their eccentricities and collateral damage for them.

As for ‘The Organisation,’ she has a history there, but not one they will openly speak of. Some have learned the hard way not to mention it to her.

Partial to the colours green, yellow and orange.

About 6,1ft tall, and when they wear heels… Rather imposing, which can be an advantage.

Coffee is their lifeblood. Black, two sugars. She may have a ‘mild’ addiction to caffeine.

Her office is full of greenery and tends to be pretty humid. Actually they love nature, but she spends so much time working that she doesn’t really get the chance to go outside as much. Also owns multiple snakes as pets, fond of looping them around their neck and scaring people.

Goes through icecream like a maniac. It’s her brain food. Matcha is their favourite flavour.

Types ridiculously fast. Walks fast as well. Does everything pretty fast. Has no patience for anyone who is ‘slow’ compared to her.

Garbage tier doctor handwriting. It’s a good thing they don’t even have a medical license 🤗

Raspy voice, on the deeper end. Sounds like a 50 yr old smoker - and they do like a cigarette, but only when extremely stressed and never in the sterile environment of the lab. If you see her with one, you should probably walk the other way.

Unsettling slit-pupil eyes. Even the way she blinks is more reptilian than human. The majority of people - including her colleagues, who are used to such odd sights - tend to avoid looking them in the eyes. It’s instinctive. You wouldn’t want to stare down a crocodile, would you;; ^^

Really into fashion - the artsy abstract kind. Think 2000s/2010s Lady Gaga looks.

Has an intensive hair care routine.

[atvace]

Lady Dior and the Seven Dilfs

Chapter 2: Fuck the military (litteraly)

masterlist

[shooting range]

"Jesus fuckin Christ this place look like Nevada in Madness Combat." you tried your best to not step on the most suspicious-looking ground substance. "it's a range, (Y/N)." Gaz opened the shed full of armory crates whilst Soap set up the dummy target and then to the workhouse.

"didn't you take worser training environment to get in the FBI top class?" Soap came back with a few handguns, wiping it with a cloth. "No, I fucked my way up to the top." you sarcastically place your hands on your hip. you're wearing stylish grey Bershka cargo pants and a Zara Dark Green Knit crop top, gaslighting Gaz and Soap by saying this is what they gave you as a uniform.

"Okay princess, pick your poison." Gaz came back with a few stacks of crates, opening them one by one.

revealing a matte black XM4, HDR, and a Gallo SA12. you frowned at the availability of the big guns because you usually have your personalized Dragunov.

"Are you gatekeeping the good guns..?" you slowly turn to them with a disturbing glare. their faces dropped and looked at each other in unison. Soap broke the gaze and cleared his throat.

"(y/n)- I think its best for you to use the basics just this time-"

"you're judging me."

"no, but-"

"you're judging me."

"I just-"

"you're judging me."

Gaz separated the two of you, "OKAY OKAY how about we use the handguns before getting into the primary weapon? Cool?" he said, spreading the handguns across the wooden table. Soap shrugged and picked his signature m1911, clucking it and released the safety lock while on the other hand, you picked your good old revolver.

you both looked at Gaz who didn't pick anything. he showed his slightly swollen palm, "I still have a sore hand from last mission's accident, I want to let it rest for a few days." you raised your eyebrow in approval, "Fair." you cluck in your revolver to your side.

"woah okay, cowgirl. playing dangerous?" Soap chuckled at your weapon of choice. you open the barrel and load it with bullets.

"Underestimate me one more time," you rolled the barrel creating a clicking metal sound, and swiftly flipped your hand to get the barrel in again. "I'll Russian roulette your ass." you stare at him.

"since the pretty mohawk boy here seemed to know what he's doing, what about you go first?" you look at the dummy targets that Soap placed. an imprinted person with a few circles in the color red could be seen in the distance.

"okay, sure." Soap exclaimed and got into his position. he shot three times, the sound of bullets clanking rang in the air. you squinted your eyes a little to see what part he hit. he shot the right chest, cheek, and neck of the dummy.

"Huh. blud got smoker throat and a hole in the lung. Are you aware of the fact that the human heart is on the left side of the chest?" you look up at Soap and he looks back at you. "my hand trembled a little, it's the coffee." you scoffed at his none sense.

"don't blame them beverage." you walk up to the stance, "you train here often?" Soap raised his eyebrow at the question. "yeah, duh?" in front of the line you raised your pistol eye level. "..and that's the best you can shoot?" you cluck your revolver's hammer. 'BANG'

the light smoke come out of your revolver's muzzle. Soap was a little startled at the sudden gunshot but when he looked at the target, you hit right in the middle of the head. complete bullseye.

you giggled at Soap's dumbfounded face and jumped in front of him, waving the back of your hand to him. "and that with pretty nails" you wiggled your colorful acrylic nails that Soap's bright blue orbs reflected.

the three of you practiced a few other guns, Gaz was actually impressed by the amount of skills you have. except for a shotgun. when you tried using one, it flew right under your armpit hitting Gaz in the balls.

Half of the time you made fun of Soap, but to your liking he didn't get offended. you guys are like two dads with a chaotic daughter. the window welcomed the shifting color of the sky from yellow to orangeish. and you three decided it's time to go inside and clean up.

[ indoor, living room ]

"Uno, motherfucker." (Y/N) threw her last +4 Uno card down to the stash of previous cards. She stood up and celebrated her own winning to the invisible cheering people. the sound of the men groaning in defeat lingers around the room. "Gaz, what you got there?" Soap tried to find hope as he's the only one that has 2 cards. the British just chuckled and handed another +4 to the stash. "damn it." Soap slams down his leftover cards.

Price has called Soap, telling him that The task forces had approximately 2 weeks day off, due to... well nobody been actin up so they got none to investigate. On days off like these, the 141 are just teenagers with graying hair.

like usual, Ghost is nowhere to be found, Price is doing his endless paperwork in the headquarter, Gaz and Soap would be either out in the pub, feeding the pigeons, or going out fishing like the average guy in their late 20s. but since you're here, they take their time to have a good bonding time with you indoors. and also lectured you a few things.

Gaz taught you how to use the dryer in the laundry machine since you always have your clothes stored and cleaned nicely by a personal nanny who came over to your apartment a few times a week so cleaning duties aren't your thing. Gaz was terrified when he found out you were chewing a tide pod whilst hes not looking.

You have no idea how laundry works. you're a nepo baby but your mom is dead from cancer and your dad.. cheated on your mom. This what made you had attachment issue and abandonment issue. even when your mom was dying in the hospital bed, her last words were "Men ain't shit. I'd rather you end my bloodline than getting cheated on. also, you should outlive Trump." you took it to heart, you took it serious.

Soap, he was lecturing you about the people you might going to see. You have to know who you talking to so you won't mess up your career or get demoted lower again for being a petty bitch. He said that Gaz, him, and you are sergeants. above that, it's Lieutenant Ghost. Above the five of them, it's General Sheperd and Kate Laswell. Soap told you about Colonel König from Kortac which kind of scares you about how Soap described his appearance. Soap showed you König's Korean partner, Horangi.

"wait I know this guy," you said to Soap, looking at Horangi's picture. "(y/n), you're...not supposed to 'know' this guy." Soap gave you a puzzled look. "this motherfucker got rejected from SM Entertainment because he got caught fucking the director's daughter in his own office." you huffed and place your hand on your chin inspecting his present appearance, "let me guess, gambler?" you snapped your finger. Soap's jaw dropped in appalled hearing your accurate remark

moving on, he told you about Ghost's old recruit, Keegan. the picture Soap showed you is him holding 3 bottles of Vodka with a wide toothy smile and red flushed drunken cheeks. he looks tall about 6'1 with a fluffy hair and a cold icy iris.

As an American-(your nationality), you find Europe men quite attractive. back when you were 10, you found an article talking about European being home to men with large penises. since then, you are intrigued to find a (rich) European husband. this man's picture in front of you is definitely your long-lost puzzle.

you have to fuck him.

I mean like, you don't need to marry him. You just want to feel what a real dick feels like because the men you had sex with in the past barely lasted 3 minutes. Live fast die young, try new things even though its nasty.

"He's like.. in his beekeeping age, you know what I'm saying?" you said to Soap giggling, still staring at Keegan's picture. "What was that supposed to mean?" he slowly pull the picture away from your grasp. "Nothing!... can I keep his picture?" "NO."

back to present time, you three decided to play Uno cards. which Soap was deliberately beaten twice. "How are you so good at this?" Soap gathered the cards and pack them back into the box. "skill issue." you smirked down at him, which he rolled his eyes and place back the box of cards to the shelf.

Gaz looked up at the clock that was hung on the wall, it shows that its 5 pm. he thought about something for a second before having a go-out idea."(Y/N), you drink?" Gaz typed something down to his phone. he swore he could hear her bone crack from tilting her head too fast. "yes." you smiled menacingly, waiting for him to say the words.

"Okay so lets go-" "YESS I'LL BE READY IN 5 MINUTES" You sprinted away from the two towards your assigned room, Soap chuckled while fixing his belt strap. "She is so..energized don't you think?" he leaned to the wall, watching you slam the door behind. "I think shes very charming. but I hope that doesn't apply on missions." Gaz shrugged, sinking his phone to his pocket. "Why?" Soap turned to him.

"profesionalism above personality."

You haven't done some adjustments to your room. rather than a barrack. the whole room was painted in industrial dark green. it's built like a fucking mental asylum but in green. you started to think there's a ratatouille going on inside the walls. the floors are dusty white textile flooring. in the side of the room, your whole stuff is neatly placed. and it's the only thing that is in fresh pink, white, and baby blue colors.

you dug through your duffle bag and pull out a short black cut-out body con dress that reveal the side of your hips. it was your best buys from the Euphoria series franchise Maddy Perez inspired. you swift to the mirror holding your make-up bag, diving your hand inside it and pull out a primer spray. after spraying the cold substance through your face, you quickly put on concealer in several spots of your face and blend it away with a beauty sponge. you just put on blush on, smeared a smoked eyeshadow, then lined a sharp eyeliner to her eyes. it was uneven but nobody can tell. you slipped on your Saint Laurent Opyum 110mm heel sandal. giving your pedicured black painted nails a show to the outside air. lastly, you smeared your lips with lip tint.

you clutched your black Prada shoulder bag and walk out of your room towards the men. you saw three figures by the cafeteria, one catches your attention, it was Ghost. your gaze caught his eyes, and he stared at you with his cold orbs. which also caught Soap and Gaz's attention and they both turned to you in unison.

"(Y/N), You're-" "dressing too much." Ghost cut him off and crosses his arms again. you feel your mouth fall slightly agape. "change, now." he demanded. "I think she looks great." Soap flustered at his own words, Soap looked at Gaz whose frozen in his place "Gaz?". "you look beautiful, (Y/N)" he lend out his hand which you accepted. you had a smug grin toward Ghost when Gaz pulled you softly to his side. "come on, princess. let's go to the bar." "Oh, you are such a gentleman." you said in a Spanish accent, blowing a kiss to his cheek and giggled. Ghost was left flabbergasted as you pulled away Gaz's grasp and walk in front of him.

Ghost got irritated and looked at Soap in a 'Are you seeing this shit right now' stare. "we're off duty, I don't see a problem dressing up neatly. maybe she wants a good first impression." he said, following the two. "Fucking hell." groaning in annoyance, Ghost followed the others from behind.

Gaz opened the shotgun door for you, gesturing for you to be in control of the car radio. as you elegantly sat, he closes the door and slid to the driver. which made Ghost stops in his tracks. "Oy fucking hell?" Gaz raised his eyebrow and shrugged.

"you DIYed your driver's license from an empty Froot Loops cardboard, Ghost. I'm not risking it again." Gaz shook his head in disapproval and got into the driver's seat. defeatedly, the skull face silently sits in the backseat with Soap whose trying to turn on the radio which resulted in Ghost facing his round ass.

you looked out of the window with your chin resting on your hand, gazing through the trees and sands outside the car. thinking about your past mistakes while the sound of Gaz and Soap chattering because of the radio jagging. you know you're a confident woman, you are mesmerizing, a sight for sore eyes, you love yourself and you always live your life to the fullest. but something about Ghost's words. maybe he's right, you're dressing too much. but how much is too much anyways? are you really that arrogant? why are you suddenly scared they wouldn't like you as a person?

'SMACK' "-welcome to Radio Love Life FM." Soap bonked the radio changing the buzzing noises to finally catching a signal to the public radio station. "fucking finally. let's go Gaz." you were slightly startled but the two didn't notice. you rub the back of your neck and chuckle. "is it always like that? you should get it fixed." Soap sat back down and nodded. "I'll tell Price to put it on the list." Gaz drove out of the base's gate while somebody doesn't seem to be able to stop staring at you the whole time.

Fantasy - Mariah Carey

there was a traffic jam unfortunately but the car ride was rather lively. it's just you, Gaz, and Soap singing along while Ghost leaned comfortably with earplugs, a huge noise-canceling Sony headphones, and put his hood on to cover his protection from the other's voice. he doesn't listen to music particularly he just wants to shut his ear the whole ride. "oHH I'm so into you! darling if you only knew, all the things that flow through my mind YEAHH" the three of you sang along, each holding an invisible microphone.

(5 minutes in, Bad Romance - Lady Gaga)

Soap dramatically run his hand down from his chest. "I want it bad, bad romance" "I WANT YOUR LOVE I WANT YOUR REVENGE YOU AND ME COULD WRITE A BAD ROMANCE" you sang loudly to Gaz, as Soap sang the 'Ooh' part. "I WANT YOUR LOVE AND ALL YOUR LOVER'S REVENGE YOU AND ME COULD WRITE A BAD ROMANCE" Gaz fisted his chest dramatically. the three of you sang the 'Ooh' part in chorus. receiving an irritated grunt from Ghost.

(10 minutes in, Collide - Justine Skye, Tyga)

"oh my God this is my favorite song." you cooed excitedly, repeating the lyrics with Soap. you also whimpered slightly at the naughty lyric which caused Gaz dazzled a little but he doesn't judge. you have a melodious voice that he is secretly a new fan of. he slightly grew a warm spot for you, even though you two just knew each other by today. You just slipped into his mind like a puzzle piece. "when you put your body on mine and collideeee, collideee" You look at Gaz and rubbed his forearm in a flirtatious way. his cheeks got warm.

(15 minutes in, Simon Says - YC Banks, B. Smyth)

"wait I know this song, it's popular in LA" you giggled and patted Gaz's shoulders. "really? What's it called?" he's unfamiliar with the song, so does Soap.

"Simon Says!" you whistled excitedly. Soap and Gaz's faces went pale as Ghost jolt his body and bloodily stared at you from the back. "approach the bed imma get it wet!!" you cooed to the lyrics. Gaz and Soap looked at each other with their jaws down in disbelief. Soap was about to reach for your shoulder but Ghost stops him by shaking his head, letting you sing the song.

"SIMON SAYSS SPREAD OPEN YOUR LEGS-" you sang. not noticing the guys went dead silent.

"And put yo hands behind yo head~" you took out your phone to snap a quick picture of yourself, still not noticing the sudden silence.

"Simon saaayss take a deep breath"

"Um, (y/n)"

"CAUSE TONIGHT WE GON MAKE A MESS BABYYY"

"(y/n)-"

"IMMA DIVE IN THAT PUSSY LIKE MIKE PHELPS"

"(Y/N)!" Gaz gripped your shoulder, you looked at him with your smile drops.

"What?! you wanna kill my vibe uh?" you hissed at his touch, but he took a deep breath then looks at you softly.

"(Y/N), were here." Gaz reassured as Soap and Ghost stared at her in amusement. Soap was holding back a laughter, his face is just as red.

'Oh." you looked around, it seemed like you were in a parking lot. there weren't that many cars around, but it was not too empty either. "Okay, thank-" You were about to open the door but Gaz held your arm again, gesturing you to sit. you didn't like it when anyone touches you but upon realizing, he's not letting you open doors by yourself. he finally opened the door for you and lend out his hand.

You'd be lying if you weren't flustered. he was being extremely nice to you since in the base. but you don't take it to heart, because his mama probably raised him right. he walked you towards the back door of the pub, pushing the door and letting you enter first. As you were inside, you could see an antler head hung behind the bartender with a few beer machines and a shotgun resting below it.

It was a Scottish pub, and the song that plays at the moment you entered was Killshot by Magdalena Bay which you hummed to the beat. there are not-so-many women in the pub but they were in the same dress code as you are.

But the ones they're wearing are probably rip-offs. "I like the song you sang back in the Car." Ghost said coldly, walking past you. "I know." you shrugged your shoulders smiling.

you found yourself sitting on the bar stool between Soap and Gaz. Ghost is in the corner of Soap's left. "Open bill? it'll be $120 for 4 people with free 2 bottles of vodka." the bartender cooed with a portable EDC machine in his hand. "Yes please" Soap gave him his card, which he scanned in his machine. "I'm sorry, your credit card declined." Soap flushed in embarrassment as he got his card back. "you know what, take this." you slid your platinum card across the table towards the bartender. "thank you," he scanned it and the light turned green. "any drinks?"

"Kentucky Bourbon" Ghost rested his chin to his hand.

"Whiskey," Soap followed. "same here" Gaz followed as the bartender nodded. "and you miss?"

"Brut." you didn't bother looking, you were just scrolling through Instagram. everyone around you looked at you awkwardly because of your drink choice. but the Bartender just nodded and scooted away to get the drinks.

"Your card is made out of metal?!" Soap turned to you while sliding his card down to the ragged leather wallet. which you were...slightly squick at the sight. "personal adjustment." you gave him a half smile.

"Soo, (y/n)." you turned to Gaz and shut your phone. "tell us about yourself, I don't think we heard a lot from you since we've been just introducing you to a new place this whole time." Gaz cast a smile. you look at him then down to your nails.

As you were about to speak, Ghost and Soap was also invested in what you were about to say. this caused you to look at them funny. "the fuck you guys interested in my life lore or something," you chuckled. "oh come on, everyone has something cool to say." Soap cracked his knuckles and rest his chin down.

"should I show you a minecraft parkour video below me talking or play Time Back - Bad Style music in the background?" Soap and Gaz snorted at the reference. you chuckled at their response and layed your eyes to your arcylic nails.

"Well, my mom was a billionaire which that makes me a nepo baby. I got into a private military school and Laswell used to be my mentor actually," you slid a strand of your hair behind your ear, revealing your Kate Spade Heritage Bloom Ear Crawler and feel their gaze at you. "that was when I'm...around 15 I think? I got lost track of time because I wasn't a phone type of girl." the bartender served the drinks.

"My childhood is full of horse riding, violin, and shopping. I admit, I'm a total baby. by the time my mom knew shes going to die, she sign me up for military so I can survive and all," you chuckled to yourself. "..here I am."

"what about your father?" Gaz picked up his glass to his mouth. Soap notices your sudden change of expression, "Oh, my dad? Well I uh- Umm.." you feel yourself shrunk. "That is completely fine, (Y/N). we'd understand." he places his hand on your bare back. you shrugged and weakly laughed, "Alright I get it now, you're all without fathers, right?-" "I'm not." Gaz cut you off. "fucking love my dad" he showed you a picture of him and Price catching a huge fish. "Price's fuckin awsome." he proudly said.

Your mouth falls slightly agape as Soap wheezes at the sight of the picture. "Captain Price is your dad?" you tilt your head to the side. "No, but I like to pretend he is." he put the picture back to his phone case. "Oh. good then." you took a sip of your drink, closing your eyes, feeling the alcohol explore your tongue. "Why is that a good thing?" he shifts his pupils, watching you holding your glass close to your lips. "Because I was about to say that he probably adopted you." Soap and Ghost turned to you in disbelief.

Lights Down Low - Maejor, Wake Flocka Flame

After chattering for a good half an hour, the night becomes more effervescent. your glasses dried up, people using the jukebox, the disco ball got down and some people are actually from the military that Soap and Gaz knows. they came over to your table to say hi and you got to know the other sergeants.

"This is 141's new recruit, Lady Dior." Gaz introduced you to one of his deputies. "Shes a mid-range support," Soap exclaimed about you to his friends "Say hi, Dior". at this point, it feels like you are a kid at an uncle's party. the men been introducing you to their friends, joked around and laugh it off. Ghost in the other hand, only nodded and observed his surroundings.

some of the soldiers introduced to you are from Shadow Company, you overheard. there's a few names you caught upon talking. there was Kevin, Graves, Christ, and a few average white dude's name. and you don't really take them so serious because their ranks are a little far below you. Apparently, Shadow Company is a private elite unit of military contractors. lead by an unreachable individual. you pin this at the back of your head, you want to dive more into this.

General Sheperd is a man with many secrets. back when you were first deployed with a human trafficking case, Sheperd is the kind of man who would slow down operations intentionally. he said it was an operator and intel error but you were so dead suspicious of him. you have a personal hatred towards him, it grew into a loathe of grudges you can't help but keep. upon working in the field investigation sector, you never knew why would Laswell trust Sheperd. demoted to the 141, you finally knew why. because Captain Price, Laswell, and Sheperd had a task force they retained. this is it, where you are.

"Vodka?" the bartender offered you your free bottle of it. you took it from him forcefully, yanking it from his grasp. you took a butter knife from Soap's empty sandwich plate, clicking the bottle twice in the bottom side and twice in the rear then yanked the cap off resulting a smoke to come out of it. the bartender, Ghost, Gaz, and Soap watched you religiously. you jerk your head back, deepthroating the liquid down your throat and slams the empty bottle to the table. wiping your lips with the back of your hand, you jump down the stool. "Hold this." pushing your purse to Gaz's chest.

you went down to the crowd of people feeling your friend's piercing gaze at your figure, you didn't care. you swayed your move to the girls who eventually got along with you. the vodka started its job intoxicating your veins.

a bottle of vodka consists around 17 shots. you knew you're going to die anytime sooner for being deployed as a sergeant, dying from alcohol poisoning is cooler than getting shot and buried in a dirt.

LoveGame - Lady Gaga

Its been a while since the last time you put yourself in such a situation. you feel yourself living the night away, letting go your demotion stress out with the vodka taking over you. the lub music nuzzles into your muscles, making you whirl your hips in circles with your hands above your head.

you feel a presence on your back, rather a tall one. your eyes drowned from the smell of grapes and sugarcane from the vodka lingering in your tongue. but you don't mind to turn around and see the uninvited guest.

Men.

you sighed in frustration, still swaying your hips side by side in a pretty rhythm. the guy in front of you seemed to smile at your moves but that turned into a frown when you feel someone sandwiched you from behind. another unknown person drunkenly tried to press into you. irritated, the taller guy swiftly wraps your waist with his hands and pulls you to a dark hallway of the pub. he softly presses you against the wall behind you.

"You...are one new bunny," His gruffled voice mixed with his musk-scented perfume. "Are you a civilian?" He leveled his nose to the crook of your neck, his deep Irish accent made your stomach knot. "..You smell like sterling."

You run your finger, trailing slowly from his arm up to his flexed biceps. you tilt your head a little, brushing your lips to his red drunken ears. "That depends on how you treat me tonight," you put your thumb to his chin, making him face you. but the alley was too dark for you to see his eyes. "Maybe I'll consider giving you a good swallow." you slurred words, feeling completely influenced.

His nose brushed against yours, feeling his breathing harder. As your lips nearly interlinked, a flash from the dance floor bounces to his iris.

it's the exact same eyes you saw from the picture Soap showed you.

[amanita-the-spore-druid]

Computer is broken so moving one of my fics to tumblr

Deare Diary

A 2010s AU Post Mortum Fanfic from soda's perspective

Agust 15:

Deare Diary, a cuple weeks ago Darry talked with Pony's school and got us set up with a shrink and she got us to start jornal's after todays visit. Nothing much today, but Pony's been asking about going to the libary recently.

Agust 17:

After Darry left for work me and Pony walked to the libary. I wound up spending 30 minuts arguing with the guy (oh wait pony's not gonna read this). I spent about 30 minuts arguning with the fucker at the desk while trying to set up a card for pony. He mostly just checked out books on computures, which i guess makes sense because im pretty sure he spent all of yesterday just messing with the computure. But weirdly enough, he also got like two books about brains i think? i think one of them was like 'something something nurology'.

Agust 20:

Pony's spent the past few days just reading in his room, i went to check up on him and it looks like he has tons of notebooks full of stuff written down, but he fell asleep at his desk so i just put a blanket over him and left him alone. I invited a couple freind's over for a bit, and it turns Johnny's parents didn't pay for cremation or a coffen, and some of them said hes still at the mortuarry morticen murt the place with the corner man where they preserve the bodies. After they left it was getting close to the end of darry's shift so i made him and pony some sandwhichs. Of course pony refused to eat the bolone, he just fucking took it out. No clue why he's been so Weird about it since he got Back.

Agust 21

Today pony showd me what's he's been working on for the past week. its this weird program that converts code into like words, but does it without needing to like tell it how to say things, it just creates this weird voice. he showed it off by making it sing this old song, aparently some other computure nerds made soemthing lik it and made that same song. think it was called daisy bell. pony's also been asking to start going to church on sunday's again but darry got this new weekend security gaurd job, i hate to break it to the kid.

Agust 22

Darry and Pony got into a fight today. pony had skipped school today, And had apparently one of shepard's boys saw him and called darry immediately. Pony also had one of those notebooks on him, which darry Tried to look through. i told him to just drop it and they both stormed off to there rooms. pony refused to let me in to talk, poor kid. And then I walked in on darry smoking outside.

"You know ponyboy wouldnt like that." I told him,

"Yeah yeah, who gives a shit?" he said, before tossing his smoker on the concret patio and crushin' it.

"Hes been real fussy about smokes since he got ba-" "HE WAS GONE FOR A FUCKING WEEK, HE ACTS SCARED AND DIFFRENT!"

after shouting darry just crumbled against the door. "And he wont tell us what happened..."

Agust 23:

I got up extra early, really early, to be up in time to make him breakfast. he well, sounded confused when he saw me in the kitchen with a plate of pancakes, burnt eggs, and a black cofe coffee (thanks darry:).) He laughed a bit and offered to clean the mess befor he left but I told him id clean it after pony left for school. i decided to cheer the kid up with some french toast, so I walked to a convince store to pick up some cinoman like Mom used to make it.

Now, I have no fucking clue how they recognized me but some fucking soc fucks decided to open their fucking bitchass mouths when they realized I was pony's brother. "Hey Your the brother of that KILLER right?" some blonde said. "My brother's a fuckin' hero, prep school." the girl with him started laughing her pre- pretens- annoying rich girl ass off, "Atleast he stayed in school grease. And that Ponyboy's no he-" now, misses therapist lady, God, and officers if fate have it, I promise I am not a violent man. HOWEVER, she was going to insult my brother.

The cashear turned around the exact second I decked her. Now, he was greaser too, but he also had rent to pay. "Soda, what the hell are you doing?" he asked me, sounded like darry if 'm honest. Meanwhile blondie was yelling at me but got interrupted by the cashear, "Here's a ziplock bag, soda machine has ice, and Sodey-Pop here is going to pay for a bottle of Advil for the lovly lady." he said, "I am?" "You wanna shop here again?

So after that TOTALY FAIR accident, I walked home and made ponyboy some hero's french toast. ever wonder why its called french toast? i mean we put maple syrup on it I don't think the french got that, well maybe the Canadians are french. holy shit french toast is Canadian? anyways, I surprised the kid with french Canadian toast like mom used to make and told him to make sure he goes to school ill be walking with him.

turns out, that shit at the convince store wasn't the only place people were calling pony a killer. Now, Mrs Beth I new what I did was not aproprate but I have no regret. because when that silver spoon lickn daddy's boy called my brother a killed in my face, and spat on pony's, I had no regret or dobt pushing that little fuck against a locker, nd holding my switch to his neck.

agust 25

I know it was a bit, unkempt I think is the word? to scrible an enetery in your office but the cops held my jornal while I spent a day in the cooler. it was, decent I think. refused to take a shit though, that camera wouldve seen. darry didn't say a word while we drove here, so I know he's gonna be pissed. just, be easy on him. first pony gets detention for skippin' after a fight, and now this.

update;

darry didn't say anything to me, just gave me the keys and told me to drive pony home and pick up dinner. Ponyboy went to the bathroom and I over heard you two, sorry.

"Darrel I know your frustrated but theres very little I can do."

"Im not just frustrated! Im pissed off! i want Ponyboy to be able to head to college, and I want to atleast make sure sodapop is comfterbal. I'm asking, is there any of that welfair shit I can apply for? i don't think I can manage two jobs, and afford everything."

"Of course Mr. Curtis, do you want the papers imedatly or should I find a good few for you?"

"Mr Curtis..."

"My mist-"

"No, its fine. just look for a few you think we can apply for. and please, do something about these socs."

That was all I heard before pony was outta the bathroom and we left. we picked up mcdonalds, and I bought a six pack for darry. lite, I didn't want him getting pickled.

agust 26:

after school, darry offered to watch over pony while I 'saw a frend'. I think they were watching ben 10 while darry looked through the papers since he picked pony up. little did they know, I was going back to the school. i asked about job openings and it turns out theres a security gaurd gig with basicly no requirements. i signed up, and asked for a few extra days this weekend so darry didn't worry.

he was excited to say the least, and pony was shocked I wasn't thrown out when I went to apply. Darry quite his weekend job, and we made plans to go to church since I worked a night shift. after that we just had dinner and all went to bed.

agust 27:

darry was excited just to have time alone with pony, and took him to the library to return his books and get some new ones. i even checked out a cookbook so I could make something for the two before I left for work.

...mom and dad would be proud...

after that we just walked around town for a while, and finally went home for dinner. i tried to make fancy pork chops with the frozen ones we had in the back of the freezer. they came out, well it was a month old so no clue what we expected. darry and pony went to bed, I put on my uniform and headed to work. it was weird, seein the high school after dark like that.

it was mostly boring, until I heard something. a loud crash in the new computure lab. i ran over and I think something was stolen, no clue the whole thing was a mess. i signaled the cops and ran after the prick I saw running out of the lab. I didn't catch the fucker, checked the paper and you'd've known that. i was expecting to get yelled at, but turns out I was supposed to call the cops. lucky me.

agust 27:

darry turned on the news while I made everyone breakfast, turns out the mortuary (thanks pony) got broken into as well. and you know what? I'm telling you Beth, it was them fucking socs. Because Dally and Johnny got their FUCKING BODIES CUT UP. its a goddamn disgrace. when we went to church, the preiest was shocked to see us to say the least. pony promised i'd behave and darry asked if he could make a special prayer for dally and johnny, 'course his holyness did like a true gent.

after church we met with two-bit, steve, and their girlfriends at a greaser bar for dinner. we had a moment of silence for dally and johnny, god bless. when we went home darry took a seat on the couch and said he was going to watch a few movies on the black n' white chanel before he goes to sleep. I decided to check on pony and say goodnight, turns out he was taking a shower before bed (fair enough, the joint reeked like a barbeque pit if you know what I mean)

I noticed that the computer, which darry let him move to his bedroom, had one of the box doo-hickies opened up. i walked over to close it, and saw ...

look, don't call me loony? alright? I'm not, fuck I don't even belive me and I don't needa be sent off to booby-land but I swear to God I saw blood and some pink meaty thing twitching in the box. i closed it. and i swear the computre didn't get turned on, but i heard that bing and heard a voice. Johnny's voice. But it had like the weird robot accent like that daisy bell song robot. i left the room, and just went to work.

it wasn't pony. it wasn't pony last night. Pony would never do that to our fellow greasers.

Maybe i am crazy, if it makes you ask ponyboy less questions.

[xmimiteh]

Body Language: X'mimiteh Lhim

This is one of the "newer" old prompts still sitting in my inbox. "Only" 2 years old. So, I am slowly catching up! I am a little bit afraid of the ones being 6 years old. Oh, dear. I truly hope nobody gets offended it took me so long. But the past years have been a really crazy ride and I do not understand how time flew by so fast! But let's clean everything up and get it done. I'm on it!

Bold what happens ♥ Italic what sometimes happens

DEFENSIVENESS.

arms crossed on chest  /   crossing  legs / fist-like  gestures / pointing  index  finger   /   karate  chops   / stiffening of shoulders /   tense posture / curling  of  lip  /   baring  of  teeth /  tail lashing  /  pinned ears / intense look

REFLECTIVE.

hand to face gestures /   head tilted / stroking chin  /  peering over glasses  /   taking glasses off to clean them   /   putting  earpiece  of  glasses in  mouth   /   pipe smoker  gestures  /   putting hand to the bridge of the nose / pursed  lips  /  knitted  brows / lip chewing / Hand on chin

SUSPICION.

arms crossed  /   sideways  glance  /   touching  or  rubbing  nose  /  rubbing  eyes   /   hands  resting  on  weapon  /  brows  rising or knitting together   / lips pressing into a thin line / strict unwavering eye contact /  wrinkling  of  nose /  eyes narrowing

OPENNESS + COOPERATION.

Open hands  /   upper  body  in  sprinters  position  /  sitting on edge of a chair /   hand to face gestures  /   unbuttoned  coat  /  tilted head  /  slouched shoulders /  relaxed  posture  /  feet  pointed  outward  /  palms  flat  and  facing  outward

CONFIDENCE.

hands  behind  back / hand son lapels of coat  /  steeped  hands  / smirking / baring teeth in a grin /  rolling  shoulders / tipping head  back  but  maintaining  eye  contact /  chest puffed up  /  shoulders  back  /  arms  folded  just  above  navel

INSECURITY + ANXIETY.

chewing  pen  or  pencil  /  rubbing  thumb  over  opposite  thumb /  biting fingernails  / hands  in  pockets /  elbow  bent  /  closed  gestures  /  clearing throat  / “ whew ”  sound  /  picking  or  pinching flesh  / fidgeting in chair /  hand  covering  mouth  whilst speaking   /   poor eye contact  /  tugging pants of clothes / jingling  money  in  pockets /  tugging  at  ear  / perspiring hands / playing  with  hair  /  swaying  / playing  with pointer or  marker  /  smacking  lips  /  sighing  / rocking  on balls  of feet /   flexing fingers sporadically  / chewing on lip  / pacing

FRUSTRATION.

short breaths  / “ tsk ”  sounds / tightly clenched hands /  fist-like gestures  / pointing  index  finger / running fingers through hair /   rubbing  back  of  neck /  snarling  / revealing teeth  / grimacing   /   sharp eyed glowers with brows drawn together / shoulders back,  head  up  / clenching of jaw  / grinding  of  teeth /  nostrils  flaring / heavy  exhales  / tail lashing  /  pinned ears

Tagged by: @zhauric - Thanks for tagging me!

Tagging: @mischiefandmystics @fair-fae​ @avwalya​ @mirkemenagerie​ @punchelf​​ @kich-rp @lady-lissette​ @ink-dreams-ffxiv​ @limitsbroke @captainkurosolaire​ @ysandrethedreamer @miqojak @antlers-and-omens @vulpes-ferus @starforger @miqoquest @candlelethe @gatheredfates @arbiterofthedead @archaiclumina @airis-ray @ahlis-xiv @luck-and-larceny @uldahstreetrat @blackbirdffxiv @riftdancing @arasnealashandr @little-birdseeker and everyone who wants to do it, but has not been tagged.

[ghost-guard-13]

Quite a Disguise

Requested by @oolunafoxoo Hope this is kinda what you imagined <3

Nick Fury x Talos

Warnings: Language, Guns, Blood, Violence, Death, Smoking

Summary: Going undercover per Fury's request yet again, Talos wants nothing more than to get into his own skin once the mission is done. When Nick unexpectedly appears in the middle of the final day, Talos must play along, but can't help but mess with his friend along the way. (Takes place around the 1990's - 2000's, no real specific date) (This isn't my best work ngl but I sorta like it) (Also sorry if they're a little OOC, sometimes I have trouble with writing characters that aren't mine so- sorry :])

Talos dragged the unconscious body into a supply closet, mimicking the mans appearance as he did so.

The man's name was Novak Smithy, a member of the organization known as The Raven. They had been causing trouble on a national level, and although it was important enough to get on Nick Fury's radar, it wasn't big enough to drag S.H.I.E.L.D into its mess.

Hence why the shifter was here, taking another mans face and stealing the means to take the organization down from the inside, per his good friends request.

He harbored deeper feelings for the dangerous director of the world's largest, most secret company meant to keep the world safe, of course. He had since around 1995. But that was a problem for a later date.

Slipping Novak's I.D. and other possessions from his person, he rehearsed what information he knew about him prior.

Nick hadn't given him much time to prepare for this job, nor a specific target to shift into, so he had taken it upon himself to choose a higher ranking officer in The Ravens ranks and study him for a week or so from afar, taking the appearance of passerbys throughout the days. Finally he felt confident enough to get the ball rolling and finish this mission. He wanted to be in his own skin again.

"Just a few more days," he whispered to himself, shaking out the broad shoulders he now had.

And so, turning off the lights and entering the empty hallway - one of the only ones without a camera - He straightened his now shoulder length hair and army green jacket, breaking off the closets jaunty doorknob on his way out and dropping it into a nearby bin.

Copying the low-hipped saunter he had seen Novak take on throughout his day, he began the hard part of his job, copying the mannerisms and such from his hosts everyday life.

He just hoped it wouldn't be long.

~ Six Weeks Later ~

Talos walked beside Novak's closest friend and associate, Isaac Lloyd, the chilly breeze whispering the coming of Autumn in their ears. The Skrull shimmied further into his jacket, muttering to his 'friend' in vague codes, or simply commenting on the pedestrians of New Jersey.

He had learned more than he thought he would in the last month, most likely enough to give Nick an update, if not blow the place to the ground, and he was ready for the final day to end.

What he had seen here though...he knew he'd never forget. The morbid methods they planned for the future, the ideas he had to give in order to stay out of suspicion, the way they treated their prisoners was inhumane. He wanted to leave during the first hour within the compound, but he stuck with it, knowing no one else would suffer if he saw this to the end. At least not by their hand.

Which led to now, where he and Isaac travelled to a nearby coffee shop to pick up lunch for the members of today's shift. They visited so often that the middle aged employees paid below minimum wage had memorized their entire order.

As Isaac rattled off their orders anyways in that husky accent only smokers seemed to master - a sound Talos wasn't fond of - Talos let his eyes wander the danky diner. He saw a few sketchy regulars, and an old lady he's seen visit every other week for one reason or another. She always gets the same thing, and an extra plate of steak and chips to go, he assumes for some sentimental value of a lost one.

Besides that however, he didn't see anything new. Same flickering fairy lights, same checkered tiles and same peeling rose red walls. A sad little place really, but the food was decent.

He nearly turned back to boredly stare into the tip jar when a shadow in the back seat caught his eye. The seat that always seemed to be empty.

First looking out of the corner of his eye, he made out a silhouette he couldn't help but call familiar, the warm and dark colors adorning its limbs pulling him in.

Stretching back and turning his head, he locked eyes - or eye - with none other than Director Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Shit.

Why was he here? How was he here? When was he-

Shit.

That seemed to be the main word going through his head at the moment.

But the strangest thing? Nick didn't use any secret signal or mouth a word, never even kept eye contact for more than that second. He looked away so fast that Talos wasn't sure if it had happened at all.

But Talos couldn't not stare.

The dim lights shining on his dark hickory skin, the eye patch he wore blending with the shadows, the intense calculation that rested within his deep iris watching his cup of coffee with personal offence, the natural turn of his lip set in his skin.

He must be here for more than a cup of coffee though.

When the one-eyed man glanced his way again, he quickly looked away, thankful for the tan skin that overpowered the blush creeping up his neck.

Wait a second-

That's right, he didn't know he was him.

Nick didn't know who he had taken the face of, but there was no chance he hadn't been keeping tabs on the group since his arrival either, so while he didn't know who he was...

He knew Novak.

Shit.

~ Five minutes Later ~

Issac had went out back for a smoke, leaving Talos on a bar stool staring at his coffee, keenly aware of the director watching him discreetly like the spy he was.

The Skrull wanted nothing more than to sit and chat with his human friend, inform him of the horrid things he saw and give him Intel on other organizations The Raven was working with. And he would on any normal day.

But many things were at stake here.

For one, Issac could come back at any second. His smoke breaks were inconsistent, so he wasn't able to tell when he'd be returning.

Then there's the fact that Nick could choose not to believe him. He could think he, Talos, had been captured.

He was sure that with enough time, he could be convinced, but what time he had was unsure and running out...

He could give a hint, a few actually seeing as Isaac wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed and he loved to brag.....

Talos decided, finally, to bring a bit of light into his currently sorrowful situation.

Sure enough, Issac appeared minutes later, tapping Talos' shoulder, nodding his head back to the door he had just entered. Having no other choice, he nudged his chin up in confirmation. But just before he closed the door, he glanced at Nick suspiciously and quickly looked away.

That outta get his attention.

As the man beside him dug out another cigarette, he stuffed his hands into his pockets, watching his breath swirl with the rising smoke beside him.

"What's new, man?" He asked, the human slang falling naturally from his lips.

"The boss called, started talking about our next delivery."

Delivery, of course, meant one of two things. Drugs, and prisoners. Experiments, more like.

Humming in that deep voice he had adopted, Talos waved away the offered joint, leaning his head against the brick wall behind him, faintly hearing the door open. So soft that Issac surely wouldn't notice.

"What does she want us to do?" He questioned, keeping his indifferent tone. No one in the compound was bothered by their work, so neither must he.

"Oh the usual, break 'em in and all that." The brunette shrugged, letting the cigarette rest between his teeth. Talos needed to reveal a bit more than that if Nick wasn't going to do anything himself.

"What if we tried something different this time? Y'know, fuck 'em in the head instead of with guns and shit." He muttered.

Issac gave him a strange look.

"You've never had a problem with it before."

This was going south very fast.

"I just mean, y'know we could test out some other methods, see how it affects the experiments."

"Do you know how much trouble we'd be in if the tests went wrong? You really wanna risk that?"

"Well of course not, I just thought-" Talos struggled to fix this conversation.

"You've been asking so many questions lately, man. I thought you were just going through something, y'know all that shit with your wife, but now it's getting weird." He studied him with a scrutinizing stare. "You aren't...doubting anything right?"

Even as he asked, he dropped his joint, letting it burn out in the snow as he reached not-so-subtly for the pistol he had attached to his hip. Talos gulped, cursing Nick sending him on a mission alone.

"Nah man, I'm just tired is all, don't worry about it." He raised his shoulders, eyeing his hand warily. Issac narrowed his eyes, his hangover from the night before still apparent.

There was a moment of silence, no one moved, no one spoke, and Talos didn't dare breath, the two just watched each other, pupils shifting.

The moment ended when Issac pulled his gun, only to find himself disarmed a second later, his hand now broken and his 'friend' trapping him in a chokehold. Talos finally let out a breath, the precipitation clouding around his enemies head.

"Sorry mate, but we can't have that now can we?" And he snapped his neck with a jerk, catching the body already in his arms.

Dragging the 160lb man around the corner and to the dumpster, he hid him from plain sight. Rummaging for his I.D and all other identifications, he shoved them in his pocket and tossed some trash bags over his body, wiping his hands of death on his jeans.

The adrenaline completely rid his memory of Nick following them, or the danger he posed to his host's identity.

He was reminded, however, when the barrel of the same gun he had kicked away was pressed to his temple.

"Hands up. I don't take murder lightly." Nick spoke.

"Oh we both know we do what's necessary when needed." Talos said as he did what he was told, smirking at the fact he knew something Nick Fury didn't. He wondered if he should keep his disguise much longer.

"Is something funny?" Nick asked rhetorically.

"Not at all, Fury." He shrugged, glancing to the side and seeing Nick narrow his eyes with a scowl.

Suddenly the biting metal was removed from his skull, but his relief was short lived as a blinding pain erupted from his calf, causing him to fall to his knees.

"Shit!" He cried, grasping the wound and watching the man now above him. "What the Hell Fury?!" He could feel the skin around the wound burn and shift - as well as the blood seeping into the snow - his green skin revealing itself to the shocked Nick Fury.

"Talos?" He exclaimed, kneeling down beside him after dropping the gun.

"Who else, you lunatic?!" Talos huffed, tearing a piece of his shirt to better compress his wound.

"How was I supposed to know?" He muttered back, placing a hand on his back and the other on his leg, assessing the damage as he helped Talos tie the strip of fabric.

"You're the damn spy here! You read into everything,"

"Well clearly you've been getting better."

Hissing as pressure was applied, Talos grasped the director's arm, sighing as he sat in the shadows. Fury sat with him, thinking of a way to get out of here inconspicuously. It'd be a bit difficult, but he may be able to manage.

"Can you stand?" Fury asked quietly, aware that someone could walk by any second. Talos let out a hard breath and nodded, using the wall to help him while Fury held his other arm. Taking a moment to shift into one of the men he and Issac had passed by earlier, he made sure the man's coat swept over his leg to hide the oozing blood.

Limping to the end of the alley, Talos watched him look down either side of the street before deeming it safe enough to come out. Helping him walk to the car, it took everything for Talos to walk like a half-normal human. Albeit a possibly drunk one.

He was sitting in the front seat of Nick's Impala SS, observing his friend drive from out of the corner of his eye.

"So," he edged, a question for information. However it was parried with,

"So..."

Alright, he'd just have to start then.

"There's a shipment coming in soon, within the week most likely. Drugs and prisoners they'll be experimenting on. I could get you the passcodes, maybe go in myself." Talos informed him, watching the road as they drove.

"Are you sure you'll be up for that? You just got shot for fucks sake." Fury quizzed.

"You shot me. And I'm well aware." He gave him a side-glance. Nick grumbled in response.

"Well that was quite the disguise, Talos." He managed to murmur.

"Wasn't that the point?" He shot back. "Anyways, I'll give you more of what I've learned, I have a few data sticks in my pocket...er, somewhere." Talos looked down at his current disguise, shrugging it off. "Back to the diner, what were you doing there?"

"We'd been tipped off that something may be going down, and due to surveillance I need Novak, you, would be at the diner today. I was planning on calling in your mission today anyways. If at least for just a check up."

Talos accepted the answer, any fight soon leaving him. Resting his left hand on the console and resting his eyes, he peered down when a weight was placed over his skin. Covering his knuckles was the hand of the man beside them, a light touch, but a reassurance all the same. His heart beat just that much faster, but he took the chance. Before Nick could even consider pulling away, he turned his hand, trapping his fingers between his own.

A surprised noise came from the director's throat, but Talos just smiled, closing his eyes with his temple on the windows glass.

And together they drove home.

~ Bonus ~

Cleaning the wound and nursing it properly, Nick then carried the now half-conscious man to his room he often stayed in when working with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Laying the Skrull down and pulling the covers to his chin, Talos shifted on the mattress, sighing once he got comfortable.

The fearsome Nick Fury couldn't help but smile at him, his markings, his ears, and he could just imagine his beautiful black eyes glittering under the light.

Unable to resist himself any longer, he kneeled down and pressed his lips softly against his forehead, quickly feeling heat rush up his skin at the realization of what he'd done.

Quietly wishing his...friend goodnight, he left the small apartment and locked the door behind him.

Maybe friend wasn't the right word anymore...

[pseudowho]

so sincerely, honestly, and deeply sorry for your loss haitch. she sounded like a wonderful soul, i hope you can take time to grieve

Thank you so much. She was a silly, grumpy old lady at points, but she was mine 💕

I got some of her cigarettes, and while I'm not strictly a smoker, I think I'll have a night out tribute cigarette for her the next time I'm out!

-- Haitch xxx

[noodle-anime]

k i have had. enough of fishman island. SKIPPING TO PUNK HAZARD. i've not been careful about spoilers but all i know abt this arc is 1. there's a green bird lady 2. i think law shows up?? 3. uuuh bodyswapping i think which is going to be Fun with sanji -_-

which is kind of refreshing! no idea what's going to happen but here we gooooooo

'kay the gassing and abduction really highlights the fact that the strawhats just having a whole skeleton onboard is full of untapped hilarity. "they must have had a falling out and left this guy here until he became a skeleton.' unparalleled.

i'm enjoying spending more time with brook and learning more about him! funny old man

franky being instantly and incredibly popular with kids and sanji being incredibly bullyable to kids is just. it feels right.

of course the gas guy is voiced by mayuri

okay the concept of devil fruits being able to permanently alter the natural world is cool as shit. one fight making a perfectly normal island into punk hazard?? i want to see more of this!

smoker! ...making...interesting choices about how to wear a gas mask!

something about the sanji-franky interactions in the nursery reminded me that sanji is. what. nineteen? twenty? A Child. franky being the adult in that dynamic is very fun.

the luffy-robin-zoro-usopp group is actually a very fun dynamic i'm enjoying a lot.

chopper being so excited to get an assignment from sanji is very cute

HEY LAW HAS ARRIVED. still not getting over him sounding natsume, it's not what i was expecting originally.

"what brings you here to my vacation home?" OH HE'S SNARKY

i need to go back and watch the other law scenes, turns out he's a smirky little bastard and i'm loving it

gotta figure out how to get screenshots bc there's this one guy who's using his hair? as a hat?? and also law's "eath" tattoo title card is cracking me up. Also brook with another branded teacup!

the strawhats busting into the middle of a tense warlord-marine standoff, doing a full comedy skit, then noticing that they know both parties involved and running the other direction is just. wonderful. i love the strawhats and i love what their nonsense is like when inflicted on other people.

law's silhouette being mostly a long, skinny coat and a long, skinny sword is cracking me up. his other outfit being just. a hoodie and jeans. eyebags for days. amazing. he's just a med student. and he's insufferable. i love it.

mmm love a devil fruit flex

this is fun! i'm having a good time

[athenaoffantasy]

What I think Team Prime's favorite music is, which may or may not be guilty pleasure for some

He listens to country while alone

Optimus Prime:

Oppi feels a little younger secretly turning on his radio and letting whatever country song play as background music when he wants to decompress.

Beatles. I saw this in another post, and I very much agree that every time the others are on a mission, he puts the Beatles on blast. But only on weekdays, he can't have the kids knowing.

He feels guilty listening to country music because some songs have səxual undertones or swears in the lyrics, but also, he's a Prime. And as Arcee once said, "Primes don't party." But this Prime likes country. And he'll be damned if he can't milk every second of country soundtrack drives.

Ratchet

He wouldn't be caught dead listening to music because he knows that at least one will never let him live it down

Ultra Magnus

Brittany Spears. He'd listen to her music when he's alone and at a low volume because "he's a commander and he shouldn't be listening to music", but he does.

He may listen to a few country songs or sea shanties every now and then, but he mainly listens to Brittany Spears.

If there's a remix he seems interested in, he'll listen to it. Half the time he likes them, and the other half he wishes it never disgraced his audials.

He would never listen to Scream-o or Thrash Metal. He does not like how it makes his audials ring, and Miko blasts that shit.

He only let a Brittany Spears song play in front of others once, and it was when Miko blasted her Metal

Wheeljack

He likes a variety of rock and metal, and he also listens to some old Japanese songs mainly for the melody.

His favorite metal genre is Industrial Metal. An example is a German band called Rammstein, though they do mix a few elements of other genres.

He also likes the hot mess /pos of bands like Queen. The mixing of various genres, especially Opera. The best example of this is Bohemian Rhapsody.

If it's a hot mess and sounds good for what sounds like ten different tunes with just slightly off lyrics (I'm just rambling), there's a good chance he'll like it

Bulkhead

He likes Scream-o and Metal genres like Thrash, Heavy, and Death. It's all account on Miko.

Thanks to her, if Bulkhead decides to play music, it's gonna be loud, it's gonna sound raspy like a smoker of 40 years, and he's gonna jam out while everyone else has to suffer.

He doesn't play it as loud as Miko does, but it's still loud enough for Ratchet to fail to focus and for Ultra Magnus to have a ringing in his audials.

Arcee

She doesn't listen to much. She lacks a radio, so all music she hears is either from June, Jack, Miko's guitar, Raf, or literally anyone else who puts on music via a radio.

She doesn't have strong feelings for songs or one particular music genre. If she likes it, she likes it.

Though if she has to pick someone to blast their favorite music, she'd pick Bumblebee over everyone else. His choice isn't loud or disruptive.

Smokescreen

Soft rock, pop, and hip hop. While he still prefers some old Cybertronian songs over Earth music, he loves to sing along to music he puts on his radio.

He tends to keep it low so he doesn't disappoint Optimus or get scolded by Ultra Magnus. Technically, he never got caught by either of them, he still is scared.

Bumblebee

He likes creators like Lady Gaga and Kesha. Throw in some rap songs here and there, and he's jumping with choreography with purr good vibes.

He would put on literally any song that is nothing but good beats and vibes to him. Prime examples are Cake By The Ocean, Moves Like Jagger, Party Rock Anthem, etc.

He tends to prioritize songs that feel good over meanings, He does know the meanings of some songs, he just ignores them.

[adversarialharrow]

The Oceanside Car Port The year was 2009

Big marijuana op run out of an oceanside car port with huge buds in Maine.

In a small town, there’s an old man named Harold who runs a pot shop out of his car port. Known for his eccentricity and charm, Harold has become a local legend. He’s famous not just for the quality of his product but also for the stories he tells about his biggest nuggets—massive, glistening buds that he claims are the result of years of nurturing and a secret blend of nutrients.

The car port is often filled with the sounds of music, as Harold loves to host what he calls "small concerts." Friends and patrons gather to enjoy the tunes, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.

"Watch this." he said as he bent over down as far as he could till he was almost touching his toes, and then he let her rip a huge fan that blew dank all over the neighborhood and got so accosting. One lady had to call the cops. She said that she was allergic to it, but that’s not proper: She was in fact getting high.

It's time for some talk, be attention young ladies, attention young men. Man homeboy's over here in the car port with 4 1000's nutrients growing in the dirt Takin' 4 and a half months — In a room the size of a telephone booth using liquid nutrients, One 1000 watt high pressure sodium buds the size of a royal Volkswagen. Ya know what I'm talkin' about, you do the math motherf--ker. What's up smokers? Another joint for you to pull on. He began exhaling blowing smoke everywhere, people were covering their sandwiches and their coleslaw.

Giovanni Barone was in from New Jersey. He had a head of face in a mouth like a big toad. He was seen pulling a huge marijuana nugget out of his throat before hanging out to dry and later illegally sold it to a homeboy named Lonous.

"Come on, why is that Gio here?" someone, I think Lonous, whined. "Everybody’s welcome." Kind a-s Harold responded.

'Yep no it’s never a problem to bend over and get f--ked by Gio.' He tempermentally hated Harold for being promiscous and a h-mo to be a push over.

As the music played on, two girls sauntered over to Harold’s car port. “Hey, Harold! Can we talk to you for a sec?” “Sure thing, girls! What’s on your minds?” Harold replied, wiping his hands on his apron and stepping closer. “It’s that incarceration facility nearby,” one of the girls whined, crossing her arms. “It ruins!” Harold chuckled softly like what about my pot op?, his eyes twinkling with understanding. “I hear you, girls. It can be unsettling. But have you thought about how some people are bored, as s--t in there? .. Just like I try to nurture my plants here, they’re trying to nurture their lives.” The girls exchanged skeptical glances. Harold said, leaning against the wall, “But maybe instead of just complaining, you could think about how you could help. You could get involved to help those folks once they’re out. Maybe even raise awareness about what they go through. It could change how you feel about that facility. They might even hire a health inspector.” Harold said with a wink, “think of it like my garden tools. They might look rough, but they serve a purpose. Just like those facilities, which can lead to new beginnings.” Harold leaned against the doorframe of his car port, a warm breeze drifting through as the sun began to set. The familiar scent of his prized cannabis hung in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the garden. As he watched the crowd, a curious customer wandered over to the wall lined with an assortment of garden tools. Trowels, pruning shears, and a few hand-painted pots hung there, each with its own story etched in the wear of the handles. "Each one has a purpose. This trowel right here? I used it to dig the first holes for my plants—back when I was just a kid trying to make a little extra cash. Every plant has its own personality. You’ve got to listen to them, nurture them.” He pointed to a colorful pot, its glaze reflecting the twilight. “And see that one? I painted it. Yup.” As the first notes filled the air, one of the girls, Mariah, felt it was a place where stories grew alongside the plants.

. . .

Lonous had rushed home early from the party and dove into to his sack that he had been waiting for. Lonous blew out his hit. After like three good bites from his Italian sub, he set it down. 'I’ve never been so angry after eating this Italian sub I don’t f--king wanna know or care my life sucks or I hate it or that I have too much money saved up or that it’s not good that my car is gonna last me another five or six years or that it’s not good that my carport is up above the car blocking the car roof from debris falling on it I don’t get why GIO BARONE is such a fat slob, but yet has such a tight I guess like a grasp a firm grasp on his car what it’s like where he keeps it he’s always like he feels good that he knows where he keeps his car . …It’s I don’t know I don’t know if money can buy me or find me real true like a like love.'

In the fading light of a suburban twilight, the streets lie still, cloaked in an unsettling silence.

Lonous sighed the sigh of a Lonous Donous. His mother smiles at him in his head. A time they went swimming. And he thought about his cousin.

The scent of damp earth mingles with the remnants of summer.

[ The air hangs heavy with unspoken dreams as the day slips into an oppressive night, leaving a lingering sense of disappointments and something lost. Behind closed doors, families sit in hushed isolation, their lives disconnected despite the proximity. - SAWC out ]

[xo8ball]

OK OK OK FAVR SONG FROM EVERY FOB/MCR ALBUM (if I listed MV's too I'd be here all day :] )

FOB

TTTYG: Dead on Arrival (my grandpa likes this one so I like it too!!)

FUTCT:Dark Alley, or Get Busy Living!!

IOH: I'm Like a Lawyer, or G.I.N.A.S.F.S!!

Folie á Deux: Headfirst Slide, 27, or West Coast Smoker!

SRAR:,,,the entire album,,,

AB/AP: ...the entire album is such a fucking banger

MANIA: The Last of the Real Ones, HOLD ME TIGHT OR DONT, Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea

SM(F)S: THE ENTIRE ALBUM IS SUCH A FUCKING BANGERRRR AUGH

MCR

Bullets: Honey, This Mirror isnt big enough for the both of us, Our Lady of Sorrows, and vampires will never hurt you!!

Three Cheers:The Ghost of You, To The End, It's not a fashion statement, it's a deathwish (it's not on the actual thing but I love Desert Song)

Black Parade:This Is How I dissapear, Dead!, Mama

DD:TLOTFK: EVERY SINGLE SONG ON HERE FUCKS.

Conventional Weapons: Boy Division, Tommorows Money, The World is Ugly, AMBULANCE

Black Parade/Living With Ghosts:All The Angels, Emily, Not That Kind of Girl!!

(Sorry if this list is kinda long, I'm just normal about these albums :]]] )

you're on tumblr who is normal here :3 (positive)

granpa has taste me thinks!!!!! AND I GETTT ITT its so hard choosing from srar and abap theyre INSANELY cool <3 SMFS MY BELOVED THEY DID DROP A BOMB LIKE THAT AND PRETEND I WAS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT. NO IM NOT I'M BETTER THAN EVER

for mcr, YES desert song deserves that spot from here to the moon (and from the earth to the morgue) ALL THE ANGELS AND EMILY MY ULTRA BELOVEDDDDSSS <3 love that living with ghosts is there you just get it buddy

nows my turn heehaaa!

fob

tttyg : postcards specially has my whole heart, sounds so... TEENAGER. special mentions to : saturday, chicago, dead on arrival, and calm before the storm

futct : i definitely have a fave and it's XO can you see.... but as corny as it is, i love dance dance, and also nobody puts baby, 7 minutes, snitches and talkers, music or misery, and get busy! never gets old :]

ioh : SO HARD BECAUSE ITS BANGER AFTER BANGER ..... defo hum hallelujah because i love her so bad! golden too, carpal tunnel, fame > infamy, youre crashing, ive got this ringing, after life of the party and dont you know who i think i am :3 (DID I LIST ALL OF THEM IDK... LOL LMAO)

FOLIE... you cabt do this to meeee..... literally cant stop listening to the whole album its all good! but top top top Mega Top faves are headfirst slide, suitehearts, 27, what a catch, shipped gold standard and disloyal order, but cant pity 13 queens against eachother<3

ON SRAR ITS SO BAD FOR ME its really good but the mighty fall wins by far it just does it for me. ALSO I REALLY LIKE THEM ALL but tmf.. shes special

abap is crazy good and twin skeletons will always kill me as uma thurman dances on my dead body. cant choose too much, Novocaine, 4th of july and jet pack blues also are very <3 IRRESISTIBLE WINS MV CATEGORY HERE first time i saw it i almost frew up from laughing its so good for my humor

mania will be forever my close to first fave post hiatus! wilson expensive mistakes GETS IT and also sunshine riptide <3

on a special note : believers never die! dear future self and from now on we are enemies are ingrained so bad in me <3

for the newest addition in the family, smfs is a good album back to back! so good right now, i am my own muse, flu game, what a time to be alive and the title track are the ones i find myself singing the most, but i do like every single one!!

Well that's a lot! now for the vampires :3

bullets : this one album hits close! but early sunsets made a home in me, as well as drowning lessons, headfirst for halos, skylines and turnstiles and well demolovers too because!!

revenge : BOMB album will say that. every single song is SO good<3 i never told you will always be mine mine and forever mine! but i really like every single song in there, jetset life is good too, helena and ghost of you also win! oh no THEYRE ALL GOOD also best demo is i never told you. "covered in blood and piss" forever.

tbp is my second favorite album ever, the theatrics, the feeling, the instrumentality....... <3 i dont love you, the sharpest lives, mama and sleep go by far to be my adored most repeated ones, but cant really choose! mcr you put a curse on me

dd is AMAZING the comics are CRAZY GOOD it was the FIRST INTRODUCTION I HAD TO MCR whatever so cool so dancey so party <3 SING IS MY BABY GIRL NOBODY TOUCH HER everynyan hates her but i love her. save yourself, destroya, scarecrow are soooo good too.......... my baby girls

conwep IS MY girl she gets me. gun is the only one i dislike as i said but mdhfjejemwnwb <3333 so much love to her <33333 ambulance, surrender the night, burn bright, kiss the ring and make room! my babies

living w ghosts KILL ALL YOUR FRIENDS FOREVER <3 emily, my way thru home is you and all the angels get it<3

mention to foundations because i still cant heal and cope I LOVE FOUNDATIONS REALLY REALLY BADDDDDD SO MUCH WO M7CH IM SO PUMPED UP FOR MCR5 <3

oh thats longer now. OKAY ALRIGHT drop me your fave era or looks :3