#I turned off notifications and occasionally come back to check and get shocked to Hell and back

[whatdoesthequeersay]

ACE 👏 PEOPLE 👏 CAN 👏 MAKE 👏 DIRTY 👏 JOKES

Then again, if you’re an aphobe, your mom already made the dirtiest fucking joke of all time, so why should we bother?

[bagelbright-tok]

"Hello! I want to request some Headcanons or Scenarios of Jotaro how he will react being shrunked mysteriously in the size of an action figure in his home one morning and Female Reader is his best friend tries hard to help him and make him feel comfortable but she gets stressed and feels that her efforts are not enough and she hides it but Jotaro sees through the fakery and comforts that everything is fine and no need to push herself. The idea takes place after Part 3 and Jotaro is in college."

(Y/N); Your name:: (E/C); Eye color:: (H/C); Hair color:: (S/T); Skin tone. Underlined is; Text message. Italics are; Other languages spoken. Bold are; Thoughts in the mind. *** is; Time skip. --- is; Different POV Word Count: 2368

Warning(s): Description of anxiety and stress. Described feelings of failure. Comfort. Mentions of Trauma.

___

Don't Be Such a Doll.

Jotaro x female!Reader

Platonic/Friend relationship ______________________

Jotaro's alarm clock blinked 3:28 AM. His eyes blinked tiredly with the clock. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. If he stayed up for this school report again, it'd be his 3rd day in a row without sleep. Jotaro sighed, closing his books and returning them to his bag and bookshelves. He grabbed his phone to check what he had missed while working. A message. From you. Someone he had learned to trust after moving to America for school. You were assigned to assist him with whatever he struggled with. After some years, a friendship had grown, a bond of trust. (Y/N): "Hey! I'm coming over to visit you tomorrow. The weekend is finally here, and I have something for you!" - 10:03 PM (Y/N): "Be sure to get some sleep too. I don't wanna get there and find you passed out or super tired." - 10:05 PM No one could hear the tone through a message. And yet, somehow, Jotaro felt the demanding voice of yours in his ears as he read the 2nd message. He planned on sleeping before seeing your message, but now he felt a sense of not wanting to do that anymore, only because you asked. He furrowed his brows and walked to his bed anyways.  His coat was thrown off onto his hanger, he slipped out of his shoes, and he tossed his hat onto his nightstand. Then he threw himself into his bed, putting his phone next to his hat on the nightstand. Sighing one last time, he closed his eyes, and fell asleep almost instantly. *** --- You'd awaken at 8 in the morning, happily getting up and getting dressed in casual attire. You walked into your bathroom, brushing through your long (h/c) hair, brushing your teeth, and washing your (s/t) skin. After pulling your hair into a ponytail, you checked your phone.

Your messages had been left on "Read," by Jotaro, at almost 3:30 in the morning. You sigh. "I hope he at least went to bed after that." You think to yourself, almost disappointed.

You walked into your kitchen, grabbing a small snack to eat, grabbing your gift for Jotaro, and grabbing your bag and keys. You opened your door, walked out, and shut the door behind you. Getting into your car, your destination set on Jotaro's place, you sent one final message to him. "On my way!" -9: 50 AM. --- Jotaro dryly opened his eyes, blinking a few times to refocus his vision, and to get most of the eye gunk out. Groaning, he sat up, feeling completely sore and having his entire body hurting. He rubbed his eyes, not necessarily caring that he was sore. He looked at his alarm clock on his desk. 9:00 AM. He took the time, and then noticed the size of everything. His alarm clock looked farther and bigger. His desk was humongous. The nightstand with his hat and phone all looked giant.  "What the Hell?" He whispered aloud.

Looking around some more, everything around him was huge. Or… He looked down at himself. He was small. He had shrunken down to around 8 inches (20 CM). He was definitely awake now. He frantically got up, standing on his feet, on his bed, looking around his room for the potential enemy that had done this to him. He was still traumatized by the events that had taken place in 1988, and expected this to be an enemy attack. No one came out, though.

"Come out now!" Jotaro yelled, hoping this would scare them out. He summoned Star Platinum, expecting it to be the same size as him, but it was still as large as ever. Jotaro waited 5 minutes. Nothing. There was no one in his home, or at least, in his room. Still on high alert, he managed to slide down his bed using the blankets onto the floor. The only way he was able to get around his home was using Star to open doors and turn on lights. Doing this, Jotaro spent almost an hour searching his house. Still no one but himself and the occasional dust bunnies. Now it was confusing. If it had been an enemy, why would they attack him at his most vulnerable, and just leave, leaving him even more vulnerable. Hearing his phone go off, he left his living area back to his room. His guard was slightly lowered, but still high, still expecting someone to come out and attack him. He climbed back onto his bed, grabbing the blankets and using them as ropes. Onto his bed, he went and hopped onto his nightstand. Jotaro managed to turn his phone on and put in his pin by himself while Star stood guard. The notification was a message from you. (Y/N): "On my way!" -9:50 AM. Sent just a minute ago. Meaning you'd be there within 5-10 minutes, depending on the severity of traffic. Jotaro pondered what your reaction would be. You sort of knew about Stands, but you weren't a Stand user. Jotaro had somewhat talked to you about them, explaining what his did and what his Grandfather's Stand did. He'd even displayed his Stand's strength to you one day when while you two were out walking, a perv had tried to grope you. Jotaro nor Star took it kindly, and pummeled the drugged perv into his place in Hell. Seeing as there appeared to be no enemies in his house, he waited for you. He was a bit disappointed that you would have to see him hatless, shoeless, and coatless, but the most important thing was getting him unshrunk. *** --- 10 minutes passed and you finally arrived, parking nearby, you walked up to his door, knocking, and ringing the doorbell. You wait patiently, knowing he was up by then and that he heard your knock. If he wasn't awake, then he was now. A minute had passed. If you didn't know any better, you'd say you were getting impatient. You didn't knock or ring again. You waited. You knew Jotaro hated it when people were impatient, especially when only a minute had gone by. Right on time, the door swung open. But-- You look around, not stepping in.  "Jotaro?" He wasn't at the door. "Is he pulling a prank, or joking around? No, that would be too out of character." “Oi! Down here!" You can barely hear his hollering. Following the voice your head automatically looks down at the floor. Down at Jotaro. "..." "..." "What the Hell?!" You burst out, shocked, surprised, kind of scared. "Jotaro?!' "Good grief. Quiet down will you?" Jotaro asked, more demanding, of you with his usual tone. "Come on in. Maybe you can help with my situation." You just nodded along, walking in as Jotaro hopped to the side of the door. You entered, shutting the door thinking that Jotaro wouldn't be able to reach again. Still shocked, you slowly head into his kitchen and set his gift on the counter, and your bag onto the small table that was in his "dining room". You walked back on over to the small Jotaro that stood below you. "Jotaro…?" You say, almost questionably. "What--? How--? Why--? I don't--" You didn't know what to ask first. You took a deep breath in, and a deep breath out. Trying to calm down, you smiled nervously, and bent down to look at him better. "Is this some fever dream I'm having?" "No." Jotaro bluntly and quickly answered. "As much as I wish it was, it isn't. I woke up like this, and I don't know how or why." "Uhm-- okay okay." You closed your eyes for a couple of seconds. "Oh! Those Stand things you mentioned before. They have abilities right? Maybe someone did this to you..?"

"I thought so too, but if they did it maliciously they would've attacked me while I slept or at least when I had woken up." Jotaro pointed out. "This has to be a Stand attack, but I'm not sure of the reasoning behind it."

"Good point.. I guess." You state, confused. "What can I uh-- What can I help with?"

"Research. Maybe there are others in the area that have gone through something similar." Jotaro stated, beginning to walk into his office room. "Whether articles directly say it, or they are labelled as 'missing.' “ "Alrighty then." You stand up and follow Jotaro slowly. *** You'd acquired his laptop and began charging it for use. You got things around the room for Jotaro that were out of his range. You helped him into higher areas that he needed to reach. It was all still super bizarre. You were still expecting to wake up any second. Only 45 minutes passed, and this wasn't how you expected to use your time. Nothing was coming up. And now you two were contemplating going out and searching for any suspicious figures. *** 20 minutes. Now you two were out and on foot. Jotaro hung out in your bag and you walked around to wherever he asked. Just normal people going about their normal days. However normal is in Florida, that is.  "Take a left." Jotaro said, peering out of your bag. 

You take a left. This continued, you just followed the words Jotaro spoke. *** 30 minutes passed. Your anxiety and stress built up. The horrible feeling of a weight in your chest. The thoughts that ran through your mind. Your amped up heart rate. You felt a bit useless. Just carrying him around, unable to assist in finding the enemy. You couldn't see Stands, and so it was only Jotaro's eyes that had to scan everywhere. You got weird looks from people whenever you tried to talk to Jotaro. So at this point, you had just decided to remain silent, making small noises whenever Jotaro asked you to go somewhere. You decided that to help in any way you could, you wouldn't bring up needing to stop for a break, or mention just giving up. It would be for Jotaro to decide when to do that. But even at this point, Jotaro was starting to give up. Not that he felt at this point that it was useless, but the energies you radiated were definitely felt by him. The anxiety filled noises, the stressed gulps you took nervously. It was obvious.  "Oi, (Y/N). Are you okay?" Jotaro asked. "Yeah of course." You respond, trying to sound happy. "Are you okay? Isn't it a bit uncomfortable to be small and in my bag?"

"I'm fine." Jotaro stated, more convincing than you had said. *** 25 minutes. The weight in your chest grew heavier. The dread you felt when you thought about the odds of Jotaro remaining this size. It was already about to be the afternoon, and there had been no luck whatsoever. Your feet were burning and your legs were hurting. You grew hungry, tired, and a bit thirsty. You didn't want to mention anything, though. You were already just as useful as a piece of broken glass on the floor. The frown on your face proved even more to Jotaro that something was wrong. "You are not okay, (Y/N)." "Huh? What?" You were taken aback "What do you mean? Of course I--" "Don't."Jotaro stopped you. "What's bothering you?" "..." You remained silent for a moment, still walking around aimlessly. "I guess. I feel a bit useless right now. Suddenly I'm super stressed and anxious. I feel like if we don't find whoever did this to you, it's my fault." You explain quietly. "I can't see 'Stands.' I can't really help other than just walking where you want. I'm sorry for being pretty useless." You lightly chuckle at the end. "Sorry for getting all cheesy too." Jotaro remained quiet for a moment. He didn't really know how to process it. Not many, if any, actually went to him and let their feelings out to him. "Good grief…" He whispered to himself. "(Y/N), don't be like that. You are helping the best you can, and that's what matters." His tone wasn't comforting, it remained monotone. His words were comforting, though. "Really?" You ask, just wanting confirmation. "Sure."Jotaro couldn't bring himself to give a straight "yes." "Jo-"You were interrupted by Jotaro. "Oi! Over there! Straight ahead!" He yelled, pointing at a strange looking man who was already attempting to flee. Hesitating for about a second, you booked it running after the strange man. You pushed past the small crowds of people in the streets, and gained on the man. He seemed out of shape, and would die if he continued to run for another 5 minutes. Once he was 5ft away, Jotaro summoned Star, and used it to slam the man down. The crowds had died down in this area, and so there were only about 1-2 people outside watching. "Bastard!" You yell, as intimidating as you could. You slowed to a halt beside the man who was disoriented. "You're the one who shrunk Jotaro aren't you?" "Huh--? What? No! I don't know--"The man tried to play dumb, but was obviously nervous and had already shown himself as guilty when he had started running. "Y-You aren't even a Stand user! You can't do anything!" You realised that the man didn't know that Jotaro was with you. "You wanna bet, bub?" You snarl. Jotaro read your mind, and summoned Star right behind you. The shadow cast over Star made him all the more frightening. The man yelped. "Ah-! O-Okay! I'm sorry! I'll make him normal again!" He squealed, terrified. At that, Jotaro hopped out of your bag, and was almost immediately reverted back to his tall self. You smiled mischievously at how easily the enemy had been intimidated by you and Jotaro's Stand. "H-Hang on! That wasn't your Stand! That was--"The man stupidly connected the dots. But he was interrupted when Jotaro had used Star to grab the man and begin to pummel him. You couldn't see the magnificence that was Star, but you could see the show that he gave. You didn't have a magnificent Stand to show off to Jotaro, but he could still see the true friend within you. ________ E N D A/N: Apologies for any errors. I wrote this all down, pasted it into here, formatted it, and posted it. No look overs for spellings mistakes or grammatical errors.

[bakutae]

bnha headcanons #5

today's menu:

a platter of bakugou katsuki, a drop of shouto todoroki and a pea sized aizawa shouta

scenario:

when a kid comes up and proposes to you

author's note (if any):

i did a shigaraki tomura, kaminari denki and hitoshi shinso version here check it out if you're interested!

bakugou katsuki

'oh my god katsuki what are you doing'

you stared at your boyfriend in disbelief, mouth dropping open at the peculiar sight in front of you

there katsuki was, tackling a poor child on the floor

he was almost thrice the size of the kid and for a moment you were worried that katsuki would accidentally strangle him

you snapped out of your shock and stepped in to help the kid

you were at the playground, with katsuki, and the two of you were on the swings, swinging gently with the help of the soothing wind

a kid was then pushed in front of you, with the help of his friends, who were giggling uncontrollably behind the slide, thinking thay they were hidden well

you rolled your eyes and smiled, he was so adorable, with his cheeks tinted red and black orbs casted downwards as he fumbled with the corner of his shirt

bakugou frowned instantly as he saw him, sensing that something was up

bakugou opened his mouth to say something but the kids behind the slide beat him by a second

'hey lady! he wants to marry you!'

the boy flinched at the remark and he slowly nodded, eyes squeezing shut as if to prepare himself for the result

before you could say anything, however, you saw a quick blur from the corner of your eye and within seconds, the kid was tackled by bakugou

the kids behind the slide screamed their heads off and ran away, screaming something that seemed like 'oh no! a monster has grabbed chiaki! runnnnn!'

which led you to this situation you had in front of you

you tried to tug at bakugou's sleeves, hoping that it'd snap him out of his obvious rage and it didn't work

the kid's face went pale, as he started to shake under bakugou's body pressure and fear

'you dare steal my woman away from me? you absolute piece of shit.' bakugou hissed into the boy's ear

'oh my god, for god's sake, are you really arguing and tackling a kid now?'

bakugou grumbled as he got off the kid, glaring at the kid

you bent towards the kid and stretched out a hand to help him get up

he didn't take it, simply looking at bakugou with evident fear in his gaze

he slowly stood up himself and you took back your hand from embarrassment

'are you okay?' you whispered, a look of pity in your eyes as little balls of tears began rolling down his cheeks

without saying a word, he ran away, crying all the while

you were left speechless, and you stood there for a while

'so, uh, y/n'

'don't you dare uh me right now bakugou katsuki. you know what you did.' you frowned at him

you weren't mad with him, you were just... disappointed?

bakugou and yourself knew that the kid meant no harm, besides, you were already his and you didn't see the need to react that way

but on the other hand, the fact that he reacted this way meant that he cared about you deeply and that made you happy

'look, y/n i'm sorry okay? please don't be upset now.' bakugou peered into your eyes, eyes tinted with a hint of worry and panic

you cracked a smile and pinched his nose admiringly

'i'm not upset, it's alright suki. but maybe next time, not so violent again alright?'

'hell no. there ain't going to be a next time on this shit.'

shouto todoroki

you and shouto had a date planned on a sunday afternoon and you were extremely excited

you were clad in a white dress and had a thin black belt comfortably hugging your waist; simple and stylish, exactly the way you liked it

unlike other girls, you didn't see the need to spend so much time to get ready for a date

the moment you peeked into your closet, fingertips trailing along the soft material of your clothes while humming a soft tune, fingers matching the beat

the moment you stopped humming, your finger followed and you pulled out the dress from the closet, a whiff of detergent caressing your nose

it just so happened to be a simple white dress, nothing too flattering about it and you instantly reached for a thin belt, knowing how that'd complete your look, adding a more feminine note to your vibe that day

therefore, you were early to that date, and waited for shouto

you didn't text him and tell him about your early arrival; since you didn't want him to rush when you were the one who arrived early in the first place

gazing down at your phone, you scrolled through your friends' instagram stories, occasionally smiling at the stupidity of your friends'

it was then you felt a slight, delicate hand tugging at your skirt

you tore your gaze off your phone and looked down, feeling anxious for some unknown reason

what you didn't know, was that shouto was a few metres away from you; he stopped walking when he saw the boy who tugged at your skirt

ngl he'd be wondering if that was your secret love child or smth KEIDNFJFI

he looked at you, eyes devoid of any emotion as he observed you

you bent down to see a boy, no older than six, holding a flower that seemed like he just picked from the bushes nearby

his big vibrant eyes shone with determination and you smiled at him, reaching out a hand to ruffle his hair affectionately

yeah shouto was 50% sure he was your secret love child at this point

'h-hello, i want t-to tell you that i really l-like you a lot. p-please m-marry-'

'ding!'

your heart pounded as you looked at the boy, not knowing what to say to him, but the notification saved you from a potentially awkward situation

it was from shouto; 'i'm at the convenient store right now, do you mind if we met there instead?

you heaved a sigh of relief and slipped your phone into your slingbag and ruffled the boy's hair

'i need to go now, alright? see you!'

you watched as the boy's face slowly fell, but you briskly walked away before you could see his expression more clearly

when you met shouto at the convenient store, he was just standing there, occasionally turning his head left to right as if he's looking for you

when shouto caught sight of you, you walked towards him and threw yourself on him, arms circled around his waist as you buried yourself into his neck

shouto pulled away after a while

'so, y/n, was that your secret love child or something?'

'what?'

'that boy, that came up to you just now'

'you saw? why didn't you come and say something?'

'didn't want to ruin your reunion'

shouto pouted slightly and you couldn't help but smile

'aww shouto, don't worry, he's not my kid. the only person i'd have a child with is you'

'what?'

'what?'

'what?'

'let's go shouto!' you ran away from him, relishing in embarrassment, not believing that you really said that to him out loud

aizawa shouta

you and shouta had been together for quite some time, and shouta thought it was a great idea to play the marriage card

okok hear me out, shouta would make a cupcake, for the both of you, and in the icing will have the ring in it

he didn't really think of how it could go wrong and he really did think that it was a genius idea

so you two were hanging out, having a picnic in the park, relishing under the sun as the sunlight reflected into y'all's eyes

he brought out the cupcakes and you loved cupcakes, and spent no time waiting for him and you licked the tip of the frosting off the cupcake

that's when a two kids, both opposite gender, came up to you and stood in front of you, facing away from each other

'hey lady, why did my boyfriend say that he wanted to marry you?'

you were caught off guard and you blinked once, staring at the kids with a blank look in your eyes

'it's cause she's way prettier than you! and more nicer too! at least she doesn't talk like you do!' the boy replied, rolling his eyes at the girl

'fine! i don't want to be your girlfriend anymore! not even your friend! bye!'

the girl left so abruptly and you slowly looked at shouta, who was equally as confused as you were

now that the girl had left, the boy shot you a smile, and pulls out a toy ring

'she's gone! now miss, please-'

'shouta?!'

shouta had used his quirk and carried the boy all the way to the other side and roughly plopped him onto the ground

'aww shouta, are you jealous that someone else proposed to me first?'

'yes, i am. now what about it? shut up and eat your cupcake' his gruff, somewhat monotone voice cracking a little

you grinned knowingly and you bit into the cupcake

you were almost half way done when you saw something in the icing

'oh my god shouta there's something in my cupcake'

'i know, now continue eating it, theres a surprise inside the icing'

you squinted your eyes and took a closer look at it

it moved.

'oh my god why is the thing in my icing moving shouta'

'what?'

shouta picked up the cupcake and took a closer look at it

turns out, that some bugs had crawled inside the icing and found a safe place to stay; your supposed ring

you took the cupcake from shouta, ready to throw it out when he stopped you

he wasn't about to let you throw away the ring that he took months to save up for

as gross as it was, he forced himself to dig out the ring, which was covered in bugs, some even crawling up shouto's arm

'is that a...ring?'

'uh no? yes? maybe?'

'awww shoutaaa that's such a cute way to propose, too bad the bugs ruined it though'

'who said i was going to propose to you? the ring is in the cupcake, i proposed to the cupcake'

you grinned, watching in admiration as shouta grumbled away to wash the ring off throughly

maybe next time, shouta. maybe next time.

taglist: @bnha-homeroom

[violetsmoak]

Untitled JayTim WIP

Happy Evil Author Day! 

Here’s a WIP I’ve been considering for a while for a one-shot (I know, shock! A non chapter fic from me? Will wonders never cease!) but haven’t really been giving a good amount of attention to because I’ve been focused on finishing Philtatos and the other fics I already have posted. 

Pairing: JayTim

Rating: M for language, sexual themes (not nsfw tho)

Summary: Years from now, they’ll make up a story about how it really happened. After all, how do a series of autocorrect fails lead to a relationship?

________________________________________________________________

T: Wanna bang?

Jason stares at his phone for a full ten seconds trying to connect the words to the contact name.

Logically he knows Tim probably meant ‘hang’, since they have been doing that more often lately. Something about brunch and commiserating over Alfred’s waffles established a tenuous friendship that’s continued in the form of intel sharing and the occasional team-up on cases when they both happen to be in Gotham at the same time.

The relationship is about at the level of shooting each other the occasional meme or gif via text, and ‘hey, let’s grab a chili dog but you’re paying, Mr. Moneybags’. Even if Jason were inclined toward trying to get into his replacement’s pants—which, he’s not thank you very much even if he recognizes as a completely objective equal-opportunity appreciator of the human body that Tim Drake grew up hot—he also knows that Tim Drake is depressingly straight.

So, their occasional meetups have been nothing but casual, family friendly (for this Family, anyhow) encounters with no hidden subtext or intent behind them.

(At least he’s 87% sure, because Tim’s the kind of awkward pretty or pretty awkward that sends out flirt signals without even realizing it.)

In any case, it’s probably the most functional relationship Jason’s ever had with another Robin.

Which is why he’s fairly sure that this text is one of those autocorrect fails.

And he could let it go.

But he’s Jason Todd, and when has he ever let anything go?

J: Depends. Are you going to buy me dinner first, or is this just a casual booty call?

He goes back to cleaning and checking his weapons on his kitchen table, more out of habit than actually needing to. He was taught the fine art of weapon maintenance by the most paranoid man in the world, his guns never jam.

His eyes catch a flicker on his screen and he glances over, watching the three dots indicating someone typing for barely a blink. And then,

T: Omg

T: Shit I meant hang. Autocorrect.

Jason grins, imagining the face Tim must be making, and decides mocking him is more fun than unnecessary gun polishing.

J: Should I bring anything? Condom? Lube?

J: Vibrator?

J: Ball gag?

T: Wtf? No!

J: Also, you’re clean, right? Only B really drilled the safe sex talk into me so

T: Oh my god Jason why are you like this

J: Would it be your first time?

J: Because I’m not sure I should be the one to take your v-card.

T: I hate you.

J: Guess that means sex is off the table?

At this point, Tim seems to realize that the best course of action is to ignore him, which works well enough for Jason. He’s gotten his laugh out of it, and there’s really no need to beat a dead horse.

Or dead bird, as it were.

He promptly forgets about the whole thing when Roy calls him from the front of the ship and informs them they need to pick up supper somewhere because Kori vaporized the hotplate on the ship.

*

The next time he hears from Tim, it’s the night after they save Gotham from a secret society of owls trying to make a creepy nursery rhyme prophecy come true. He answered his call for help against his better judgement since he’s still not on great terms with the Family and didn’t exactly linger to help with the clean-up.

(Barbie was just as unimpressed with him as he remembers, though it was nice to see her up and about again. There’s something cathartic in knowing the Joker couldn’t keep either of them down.)

He, Kori and Roy have just touched down on their little tropical getaway, and Roy’s already trying to get laid (although Jason’s not entirely sure if it’s with Kori or Kori’s ship at this point) and Kori’s smiling that ‘aren’t-human-males-so-quaint’ expression she reserves for the men in her life. Jason’s in the middle of trying to call that flight attendant, Isabel, to see if she’s interested in meeting up for drinks (“Yes, Roy, I know how to ask a woman out, now fuck off.”) when his phone chimes with a notification.

T: Thanks for the team-up. I know it’s not your favorite thing to do.

Jason makes a face at that, both the implication that he was contributing anything to any type of team, and the idea that he doesn’t enjoy beating the crap out of whatever creeper of the week is infesting Gotham.

He weighs the pros and cons of acknowledging that, but eventually texts back:

J: It’s my city too. Make sure you remind him about that.

There’s barely a breath before the kid replies.

T: Always do.

T: And since he won’t say it, if there’s anything you need in the future, just let me know.

And…well. There are possibilities to that. Having a Wayne—even an in-name-only Wayne—owe you favors is a hell of a thing. But it also carries with it the strings of staying connected, which he doesn’t want to out and out encourage.

His eyes flit to the open text to Isabel, and he reconsiders.

J: Know anywhere I can get a few decent suits? Not the Family reunion kind. J: And not so expensive I have to sell me soul.

J: Again.

If he’s going to try this whole dating thing again, he might as well make the effort.

Three dots over beneath his message, and then

T: Your sense of humor sucks. As usual.

T: I’ll set you up with my tailor’s contact info.

T: Gimme a sex.

Jason snorts, and before he’s even really thought it through, he’s typing back.

J: Nah, I don’t put out until the third date.

It’s several minutes before Tim responds—likely he’s gotten distracted by something; it’s the middle of the workday in his time zone, after all—and when he does it’s as indignant as Jason expects.

T: What? No! A sex!

T: A SEC!!!

T: Autocorrect.

J: Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

T: You’re an ass.

J: It’s okay, Timbers, you don’t have to lie. First step is admitting you have a problem.

T: Forget it. No favor for you.

Jason sniggers at that, earning curious glances from Roy and Koru, but he shakes his head. No need to explain the joker.

*

He still ends up getting in contact with Tim’s tailor. Turns out the kid even insisted on paying for whatever Jason wanted up front.

Which he’s not going to say no to.

Somehow, taking Tim’s money doesn’t feel as fraught as taking Bruce’s.

It doesn’t stop him from sending a needling message as he’s leaving the store after ordering several disgustingly expensive suits. (Seriously, what the hell is it with rich people?)

J: So are you my sugar daddy now?

He never gets a reply.

TO BE CONTINUED

[meikos-realm]

Six Moons (CH.1)

Lunar awakens rather startled, a horrific nightmare plaguing her once again.

“Fucking…” Wiping her eyes from the tears as she rolls off the sofa to start her day. She heads to the kitchen, eyes lingering on the knife block for a little longer than they should before making her morning tea and breakfast.

“It’s been 5 years. Why are you fuckers still in my head!” Slamming the counter in anger before recomposing herself and taking a few deep breaths. She heads to her bedroom, turning the radio on as she passes it. A little background noise to break the deathly silence. Lunar gets changed for school before heading back to the kitchen to actually have breakfast. “Bastards” Muttering through gritted teeth. “I know I’m going to hell, but at least I took you fuckers with me.” She stops herself again, taking a few deep breaths before grabbing her bag, mask, and helmet. The cool air is apparent as her visor almost immediately mists up as she closes the door. “Great. Can this morning get any bloody better.” Today was definitely not a good day for Lunar. Her usual quiet and calm demeanour replaced with a rather vicious amount of spite and anger. Wiping her visor she starts her motorbike and enjoys the gentle hum of the engine ticking over before setting off, taking a bit of a longer route to school just to enjoy the ride.

Ahead on the road she sees a very vibrant yellow beetle that can only belong to one person, Six. Wanting to have a bit of fun with her friend she pulls up behind Six’s car and revs her engine really loudly before popping a wheelie and riding past, engine still revving loudly. Hearing the car horn go behind her gave her a small smile as she pulled into the parking lot, shutting down her bike and waiting for the yellow beetle to peel in. It pulls up along side as Six steps out.

“You cheeky little bitch!” Jokingly thumps her arm still chuckling. “But in all seriousness, getting rev bombed is better than any cup of coffee” Six grinning like a cherisher cat at Lunar.

“Thought you’d appreciate the little shock to the system” Her voice seeming up beat but still obviously down trodden. Popping her visor open, the dark bags under her eyes very apparent. Six’s expression changes to one of concern, stepping closer to her. “Nightmares again?” Lunar only nods in response, hanging her head a little. “Hey, it’s fine, I did stop by the shop on the way here so here, have this.” Hands Lunar a drink with a reassuring smile, Six’s unusual teeth a little visible. “I’ll meet you up on the roof. I know you wanna get your mask on.” She heads off after patting Lunar on the back reassuringly.

Heading into the school building, Lunar darts for a bathroom allowing her to swap out to her mask before depositing her helmet in her locker and heading to the roof. Whilst on her way to the roof one of the known bullies shoves her into a wall causing a yelp from her whilst deep in thought .

“Well well well, if it isn’t our favorite little psycho.” Lunar tries to hurry to the roof to get away from them but is quickly grabbed by the bully, pinned against a wall in the corner. “Oi! I was talking to you!” He barks in her face, the mask hiding her terrified expression. “Tch, disrespecting me. I should break that stupid fucking mask of yours.” He speaks while raising a fist. ”LUNAR! DUCK!” She does as she is told rapidly hitting the floor as someone slams the bully on the top of his head with a chair, before getting barged away. Keeping her eyes slammed shut, and arms protecting her head, a familiar touch gently rests on the back of her head. “Come on, let’s get out of here before the teachers show up” Helping Lunar back to her feet, Six leads her to the roof and their usual little spot overlooking the sunrise.

“You alright?” Lunar nods taking a minute before replying.

“Yea, just shaken…and my shoulder hurts. Shoved me in a corner again.” Her voice still wavering a little, adrenalin still coursing through her veins.

Six pulls her close rubbing her arm to try and help her calm down somewhat. “I am still sticking what I said that night. Whenever I’m around no one is hurting you again. Ever.”

--- 5 Years Earlier ---

“Just sit here, and we will have someone here for you shortly.” An officer tries to offer a gentle tone to the blood-soaked girl, shaking and still clearly terrified. He walks back to the people at the desk asking them to keep an eye on her.

Across another kid, wearing a yellow raincoat is sat swinging their legs watching the newcomer with curiosity. She hops out her chair and sits on the bench next to the bloodied individual. “What happened to you? You look like you have been through hell and back.”

The kid looks up at her, eyes almost nothing but tears, her now stitched slash on her face still very apparent. She just stares at Six for a few moment before looking back down at her hands, dried blood clinging to every nook and cavity in her skin. The weight of the crimes she had committed still fresh in her mind. Six just watched her for a while before noticing the shaking and tears dripping from her face. As if the kid was a sibling she pulled her into a hug and just started soothing her the best she could. It took a long while but she eventually fell asleep on Six, probably the safest sleep they have had in a while.

The lady at the front desk noticed this and went over to see what was up. “Everything okay?” Six nods looking at the now sleeping Lunar, still occasionally shaking. “What…happened to her? She looks like she was in a warzone” The lady rubbed the back of her own head before speaking. “Her parents tried to kill her, and killed her brother. She…shot them both dead” Six’s eyes opened wide in shock before looking back down at Lunar. “She must have been so scared…” The lady stood back up, heading off and bringing a couple of drinks and a snack for them each before heading back to the desk.

A few hours had passed when Six’s parents had arrived to pick her up. “Come on, let’s head home.” Six didn’t move, keeping Lunar’s head on her lap and still idly stroking her head. “I don’t want to…she needs someone to keep her safe” They keep going back and forth for a while before one of the officers pull Six’s parents to one side explaining what happened to Lunar. ”Ma, Is it alright if I stay with her until she is okay… I don’t want anyone to hurt her whilst I’m here…” A sense of duty and determination in Six’s voice as she speaks softly to not disturb Lunar. Her parents relented, and the pair spent a night in one of the cells, door left open so that they can roam freely.

During the night Lunar had managed to cuddle into Six, waking her up but giving her a small smile before settling back down.

“As long as I am here, No one will hurt you again.”

--- Present Day --- Lunar smiles having flipped her mask up to drink, leaning against Six quietly. “It seems you have kept that promise…And I’m glad you did.” She checks her phone, making note of the date, a bigger smile creeping up on her face, noticed by Six. ”What’s got you all happy all of a sudden?” Curiosity killing the cat as she looks at Lunar’s expression.

“Just…a plan sort of falling into place in my head.” Looks up at Six, the smile still there.

“Well whatever it is, I hope it works. Especially if it’s keeping you this happy.” The pair go back to watching the sunrise and drinking what remains of their cans before heading to class.

--- End of the day ---

Lunar sits waiting outside the detention hall playing a game on her phone, waiting for Six to get out. As she finishes another round a notification pops up.

[Feb 14, Valentines Day, 1 Reminder Set]

The smile she had earlier re-appears bigger than before. Staring at the phone screen as if in her own little world until a gentle thump noise from her mask being flicked shakes her out of it. ”Earth to the moon, we okay Houston?” Six chuckles at the bad joke she cracked before helping Lunar up onto her feet again. “Sorry about the wait, apparently one of your bullies squealed like a piggy.”

Lunar laughs at the pretty bang on description of her bullies before replying. “Heh, its okay. Just my plan came back into my head.” They start heading toward one of the bathrooms so Lunar can swap back to her helmet. ”Still not telling eh? Must be pretty big if you won’t even tell me about it.” Lunar nods in response. “Okay now I am really damn curious.” Lunar giggles at her before booping her nose and zipping into the bathroom, leaving the startled and confused Six in the hall. She pulls her hood up hiding her blush as she leans against the wall softly feeling the letter in her pocket and letting out a long drawn out sigh. Her own cowardice annoying her at the moment.

“Ready to go Six?” The chirpy voice spooking Six out of her thoughts. “Hehe, now who’s day dreaming.” ”Yea yea, come on. I’ll race you back to the village!” Trying to hide her annoyance in confidence and competitiveness.

“Oh you are gonna so lose. 3, 2, 1, GO!” They both bolt to their vehicles, Lunar being the first to get her engine started but almost stalling as Six gets her engine started and peels off, tyres smoking. Lunar rapidly catches up with her and rev bombs Six on her way past before the pair get stopped at some traffic lights. Fingers on the trigger waiting for the lights to go green. The minutes feeling like eternity as Lunar takes off immediately as they go green, causing a wheelie in the process. Six hot on her tail as they race towards the village sign, neck and neck passing almost at the same time and stopping at the burger van just on the outskirts. ”Who Won?” Six steps out laughing still unsure. Lunar can only shrug as she doesn’t know either. Six goes ahead and orders their usual Friday after school grub as Lunar changes to her mask in a secluded part of the car park before rejoining Six. ”I think you may have won by a headlight Six.” She says walking to the benches and plonking herself down opposite Six.

“Nah, I think you won by a mud guard.” Pushing a portion of chips over to Lunar as she tucks into her own. ”Draw? Again?” The pair go quiet for a moment before letting out a few laughs and digging in to their Burgers and chips.

They sit chatting as the sunsets, deciding to head out as it gets a bit chilly. “Hey Six... You busy tomorrow?” ”I don’t think so, why?”

“Want to come over and chill for the day?” Lunar hoping quietly she accepts, the final piece of her plan falling into place.

“Sure! Only if I get to finally beat your ass at XGIII. I’ve been practicing.” Six again using bravado to hide her nervousness, but in the back of her mind thinking this might be her chance. ”Sweet! Guess I’ll see you tomorrow then toothy.” Lunar smirks under her mask at the little jab. ”Watch it big ears. Hehehe” The pair share a hug before setting off home. To them both, tomorrow was a big day should all things go to plan.

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

based off of the LN School AU by @becauseimgabbeh-blog

[baezen]

hush | c.b

pairing: chris beck x reader word count: 4461 warnings: tooth rotting fluff,

prompt: librarian!au | college!au

summary: in which the good guy gets the girl

author’s note: repost

oneshot | masterlist

        If there was one thing she needed tonight, more than anything, was for the floor of her dorm not to host a party.  Yet, as she shoved her earbuds into her ears, she’s already packing her books and laptop into a backpack.  The earbuds do nothing to hide the fact that Ruby and her latest beau were going at it in the room next door, even with the music at a deafening volume.  The bed squeaking obnoxiously and the frame connecting with the wall.

        Y/N makes sure she’s got her key and purse before she leaves, locking the door to make sure no one goes inside.  It’s happened before and things have gone missing.  At least her roommate has finished her exams and gone home for break, which means no one will accidentally leave the door unlocked.

        Y/N nipped into the pizzeria on her walk to the library, tucking her earbuds into the pocket of her jacket as she ordered a large pepperoni.  Only needing to wait ten minutes before it was ready and she was carrying it into the library.

        You weren’t supposed to have food in the library, but the librarian on Tuesdays was more lenient than the one on Wednesdays or Fridays.  He didn’t mind if you ate, so long as you kept your area clean and didn’t use the library’s computers while you were eating.  The same went for the books.  Always keep them clean.

        The only reason she needed the library tonight was because of how quiet it was compared to her dorm currently.  She had one final exam to study for, which wasn’t for another two days, but she didn’t want to be cramming the night before.  She wanted to go to bed feeling well rested and prepared.  But knowing her, she’d be cramming, stressed she wasn’t going to pass.

        As Y/N entered the library her gaze turned towards the librarian’s desk.  He barely looked up from his astronomy textbook as she took a seat at a large group of desks.  Setting the box on the table as she unloaded her laptop and books from her bag.

        Y/N looked towards him, the librarian, as he scanned a few books for a customer.  Making small talk as he entered the card number in the system.

        He always looked so soft, wearing a slightly larger grey hoodie with a NASA symbol on the breast, his hair usually a mess from running his hands through it constantly.  Circles under his eyes making him look perpetually exhausted, which wasn’t a shock to any college kid.  Sleep was scarce around exam season.  Hell, it was scarce any season.  Y/N should know, the bags under her eyes were constant.

        The second she opened the box of pizza she’d caught the librarian’s attention.  He was in her space science class, but she’d never learnt his name.  He kept mostly to himself, except for when he dominated their professors questions, whereas almost every one else struggled.  He was effortlessly smart, and she’d admired him from afar for the longest time.  Noticing how some days he’d come to class wide awake and alert, but more often than not, he looked as exhausted as the rest of them.

        His fascination with space was incomparable to anyone Y/N had ever met.  His vast knowledge of the cosmos was intriguing.  Endearing.  It made no sense to her that she never saw him with anyone around campus, no bros, no girls.  It was always just him, with his nose buried in a new space book each time.

        Y/N typed with one hand as she ate, her eyes skimming her books for anything that she knew she needed to elaborate on with a further explanation.  Her hand grew tired of typing quickly and she sighed, wiggling her fingers and taking a break from staring at the screen of her laptop.  The bright white occasionally hurting her eyes, this time no different.

        She yawned as she shut the pizza box, unable to finish the last few slices.  Casting her gaze towards the librarian who’d gotten up from his desk and wandered towards a section of books, placing the ones from his arms back into their rightful places.

        Y/N looked at the clock hanging on the wall and groaned, it was almost eleven, which was when the library closed.  She rubbed my hands over my face to wake herself up a bit and started packing her things back into her bag.  She hadn’t thought it was that late when she’d first arrived, but clearly time had gotten away from her.  Taking one too many ‘breaks’ to admire the cute librarian as he spoke in a hushed whisper to himself.

        Scribbling out a little note on a scrap of paper before placing the half eaten pizza on his desk, the note sitting atop it.  Telling him he could’ve asked her earlier for a slice if he was as hungry as he looked, and leaving her name and number on the off chance he wanted to use it some time.

+++

        After Y/N left the library she had turned her phone off, too scared to learn whether or not he’d sent her a message at all.  She had a sudden burst in confidence, yet couldn’t even handle learning the truth; if he was interested in her or not.  No matter how hard a pill rejection is to swallow, no one wanted to learn that the person they’re interested in doesn’t share those same feelings.  It’s hard.

        At least that’s what Y/N kept telling herself.

        The day of her exam she turned her phone back on to see if he’d sent anything.  Clearing the notifications from a couple of apps, her breath catching in her throat when she realised there was a missed call from an unsaved number and a voicemail that’d been left.  She checked the voicemail first, holding her phone to my ear.

        “Uhh, hey, Y/N.  It’s Chris, uhh, the librarian you left your pizza for.  I’m just, thank you so much, honesty, I’ve been studying my ass off for finals and keep forgetting to eat.  So thank you.  You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you did.”

        Y/N smiled at the recorded message, finding Chris’ rambling adorable.  And his voice, god, his voice was like heaven.  She never wanted the rambling to stop.

        “I’m c-calling from the library’s phone because, well, long story short, I-I dropped mine in a puddle and someone d-drove over it.  And I don’t know w-why I told you that!  It’s not relevant, shit.  I’m s-sorry.  Um, I was just k-kinda hoping that m-maybe, on the off chance that you d-don’t already have plans this F-Friday, if you’d like to j-join me for dinner?  I, uhh,–” he couched to clear his throat, a nervous laugh sounded in the earpiece.  “I’ll be at t-the library all day T-Thursday if you wanna g-give m...”

        The dial tone sounded, letting her know that the message had been cut short since he’d exceeded the time limit.  But luckily he’d left another message which started off with a small nervous laugh.

        “I’m s-sorry, the last message was s-supposed to say I’ll be a-at the l-library all day Thursday if you w-want to give me a c-call or s-stop by.  I m-mean, if y-you don’t that’s...l’life, I guess.  I m-mean, I h-hope you do, b-but no p-pressure.  I – J-Jesus, you’re r-really nailing this w-whole thing, B-Beck.  Real s-smooth.  If I s-see you, I see you, a-and if I-I don’t, w-well, I’m sorry for w-wasting your t-time.  Good n-night, Y/N.  T-Thank you again for t-the pizza.”

        She saved the messages to her phone, unable to bring myself to delete them.  Spending ten minutes replying to a few texts before grabbing everything she needed and heading to her exam, a plan in her head to catch up with Chris at the library afterwards.

+++

        Y/N spent a total of two hours and thirty seven minutes in the exam, making sure she’d answered everything to the best of my ability before handing my paper in and making her trek across campus to the library.  SHe was nervous, to say the least.  Her hands sweaty as she gripped the straps of her backpack.  Blowing out a shaky breath as the building came into her line of sight.

        Campus was dead.  There were only two more days of exams and then it was Christmas/New Year break.  A few lights were strung up around the courtyard as she walked down the alley between two buildings.  The library was one of the only places still open, housing a few students sipping coffees from the shop next door as they tried their hardest to absorb any information they needed to prepare themselves for their exam.

        It was weird feeling like she’d done well in my exam.  Like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders the second she passed through those doors.  But it could have also been because she was going to see Chris at the library and confirm their date for tomorrow night.

        Y/N was excited.  Exams were over and she potentially had a date with the guy she’d been crushing on for months.  And it was Christmas in a little under a week.  Even though she wasn’t going home for the holiday there were a bunch of students in the dorms staying back and were planning their own Christmas shindig.  They had a tree put up and decorated on the 8th floor.  Y/N was making one of her favourite desserts.

        Hannah, on the third floor, had a friend who’d been buying them alcohol to stock up on since the shops would all be closed and the majority of our plans consisted of drinking.  Once they’d opened presents, of course.  They’re not totally uncivilised.

        Y/N unwrapped her scarf from her neck as she entered the library, automatically engulfed by a wall of warmth.  She walked towards Chris at his desk.  He was currently serving a customer but looked towards her when he noticed someone was standing to the side.  A grin forming on his lips as he went back to serving the customer.

        She didn’t mind waiting.  Watching him bumble around, stammering over his words as he kept sneaking a look in her direction.  The guy walked off with his books, leaving the pair alone to talk.

        “H-hey.  Uhh, hey,” Chris greeted nervously, walking out from behind the desk.  Rubbing the back of his neck as he walked towards her.

        “Hi,” she replied, breathing out a smile.  “I guess I should properly introduce myself, huh?  I’m Y/N.”

        Y/N held her hand towards him and he smiled down at it as he grasped it with his own.  “I’m Chris.”  He looked up at her with the most mesmerising smile, his blue/grey eyes catching the light from above.

        “So, tomorrow night…”

        “I was h-hoping I could c-cook for you,” he said, rubbing his arm.  “I’m a p-pretty good cook, and I-I’m kind of too b-broke to take you a-anywhere nice right n-now.”

         Y/N laughed, appreciating his honesty.  “A home cooked meal sounds lovely,” she assured him with a smile.  “Did you want me to bring anything?”

        He shook his head.  “Just yourself.”  He reached toward his desk for a pen and a piece of paper, quickly scribbling down his address before handing the paper to her.  “Does s-six-thirty suit?”

        “Perfect,” she replied, folding the paper and tucking it into her pocket for safe keeping.  “I’ll see you tomorrow at six-thirty, Chris.  Have a good night.”

        “You too, Y/N,” he farewelled, cheeks tinged with warmth and a smile on his lips.  “See-see ya tomorrow.”

        She gave him a slightly awkward wave before turning around and leaving the library, taking a peek over her shoulder to look back at him.  Still smiling after her.  Raising his hand in a wave before she braved the cold weather outside.  Wrapping her scarf around her neck and disappearing out the door.

+++

        Y/N stood in the middle of the room dressed in only her underwear, hands on her hips as she looked at the selection of clothes laid out.  A pair of jeans and a woollen jumper.  A cute dress and some stockings, with a lovely warm coat.  Her pyjamas.

        A chill ran up her spine, making her reach for the jeans even though she desperately wanted to put her pj’s back on and go to bed.  She wiggled the denim up her legs, doing a little hop, step and jump to bring the material over the curve of her ass.  Huffing as she finally managed to pop the button through the hole and tug the zipper up.  Grabbing a singlet to wear under a long sleeved shirt before putting a jumper on.

        Her bed looked extremely inviting, piled with a thick duvet and deliciously soft, warm blankets.  Still unmade from earlier today when she’d finally decided to crawl out of the warm nest and venture to Bobbie’s, since she’d agreed to buy her a nice bottle of wine for her date tonight.

        She was nervous for her date with Chris, but was also extremely excited.  It’d been awhile since she’d last been on a date, the last few having gone awry.  But those guys weren’t awkward, stuttering Chris Beck.  They were the over-confident, bordering on cocky assholes that assumed after a date she’d be willing to fuck them as a thank you.  The first couple of dates had been average, as well as the sex, so eventually she just stopped going on dates.

        She didn’t need a half-assed attempt at conversation when they both knew what direction the date was heading in, and more importantly, she didn’t deserve to be left high and dry after they came and left her to take care of herself.  College guys are the worst.  But she got the feeling that Chris wasn’t like that.  Even though he planned on cooking her dinner at his place, it didn’t feel like an attempt to get her into his bed.  she was excited to see how the shy, quiet guy treated a girl compared to the arrogant jerks she was used to seeing.

        Y/N spent a small amount of time on her makeup, since she’d already applied it this morning.  Just touching up a few areas here and there.  Not wanting to overdo it, but still wanting to look nice.

        She blew out a breath as she packed her makeup away and stuffed her feet into a pair of boots, sitting on the end of her bed as she laced them up.  Taking a minute to gather er nerves as she looked at the alarm clock sitting on the bedside table, the glowing red numbers reading 18:04, letting her know she had less than half an hour to get to Chris’ place, and that her Uber should be here any minute.

        Rising to her feet, Y/N shrugged into my jacket and tucked the bottle of wine into her purse.  Her phone buzzing with a text from the Uber driver, letting her know he was outside, so hastily making her way down.  Locking her dorm behind me.

        The ride to Chris’ place took just over 20 minutes, Y/N’s leg bouncing with nerves the whole way.  Rubbing her sweaty palms against her thighs.  Thanking the driver as she climbed out of the car and walked up to the house, knocking on the door thrice.

        She exhaled heavily, a smile coming easily to her face as soon as Chris opened the door.  A bright smile on his own face.

        “H-Hey, come in,” he greeted, stepping aside so she could come in out of the cold, already shrugging out of her coat.

        “I know you said not to bring anything but I couldn’t show up empty handed,” Y/N said, hanging her coat up and pulling the wine from her purse, handing it over to him.  “The finest wine eight dollars can buy.”

    ��   Chris chuckled as he closed the door.  “Then l-let’s open it.  S-Shall we?”

        Y/N was already on her second glass when Chris finally served dinner, the delicious smell of a homemade roast chicken with all the fixings filling the little space.

        The house itself was cozy.  He lived with three other guys who were all home with their families for the holidays, but it was kept nice and tidy.  She suspected because it was just him there at the moment.

        They sat at the dining table to eat, a candle was lit between them, their glasses full of wine.  A warmth to Chris’ cheeks from the alcohol, or from Y/N’s flirting.  Perhaps both.  Asking each other why they were still here instead of with their families.  Her reason being that she couldn’t afford it, and his being that it was easier being apart for the holidays.  Family is messy.  That didn’t mean it was an easy decision for him to stay away.  The hurt she saw on his face told her there was more to the story, but that he wasn’t ready to share it.

        Dinner had been amazing, to the point that after they finished eating they stayed at the table drinking.  Their faces lit up with the flickering light of the candle dancing over our skin.

        He was beautiful.  The way he spoke, wise beyond his years.  Voice smooth, the alcohol ridding him of his stuttering, but slurring his speech.  The corners of his eyes crinkling with each laugh, his hand covering his mouth as he giggled.

        God, she was in deep, and it was only the first date.

+++

        Y/N ended up inviting Chris to the halls for Christmas, telling him a bunch of them had plans to eat and drink and celebrate together because they couldn’t be with their families.  He’d agreed to think about it, but when she’d swung by the library to see him on the 23rd he’d told her he’d be there.

        It’d been a couple of Christmases that he’d spent the holiday alone, and now that an opportunity presented itself where he didn’t have to be, he’d be stupid not to go at least for a couple of hours.  That was what he’d told her when she’d happily embraced him, anyway.

        And now it was Christmas day and Y/N was waiting in the lobby of the building to let Chris in.  He’d said he’d be there around ten, and it had just gone five past.  She was starting to get a little fidgety when he knocked on the glass door.  She stood up to open it for him, my mood changing from upset to happy upon seeing his face.

        “S-Sorry I’m a little l-late,” he apologised, shrugging out of his jacket.  “It’s i-icy and I k-kept s-slippin’ over.”

        Y/N laughed and shook her head.  “I’m sorry for laughing,” she replied.  “I’m glad you made it here in one piece, though.”

        “So am I.”  He smiled.

        “C’mon.  The party’s already started.”

        SHe took his hand in hers and led him towards the elevators, his gloved fingers slipping between her own as the doors opened and they stepped inside.  She hit the button for the eighth floor and held her key to the sensor, and only then did the elevator work.  Taking them up to the eighth.

        “Thank-thank you for i-inviting me again,” he said softly.

        “Thank you for agreeing to come,” she told him, smiling up at him and giving his hand a squeeze.

       The party was in full swing when the elevator doors opened.  They had to wait for a couple of guys racing on swivel chairs in the hallway to roll past before they could exit.

        “You can chuck your stuff in my room to keep it safe if ya want,” I offered and he nodded, letting her drag him around the hallway until they reached her room.  Using her keys to unlock the door and then pushing it open, letting him walk in first.

        He sat his bag on the desk and hung his coat up on the rack, unwrapping his scarf from his neck.  “I h-hope ya d-don’t mind,” he said as she leant against the doorframe.  “B-But I bought u-us a b-bottle of that w-wine.”

        “I don’t mind at all,” Y/N said as he handed the bottle to her, smiling at him as she grabbed two plastic glasses from her desk drawer and set them on the desk.  Opening the bottle and pouring themselves a glass each.  Ignoring the chaos out in the hallway, handing one of the glasses to him.  “To the finest wine eight dollars can buy.”

        His hand came up to cup her jaw, thumb brushing over her cheek lightly as he stared at er.  Gaze flickering from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes.

        “And to n-not being alone on C-Christmas,” he added softly.

        “And to not being alone on Christmas,” she repeated, clinking her glass with his and having a sip as he did the same.

        “Can-can I…” he stuttered, looking back down at her lips as he shuffled closer.

        “Kiss me, Chris,” she whispered.

        He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers, no trace of hesitation in his actions.  Kissing her with certainty.  Lips firm against her own at first, softening when she kissed him back almost instantly.  Tasting like the wine they’d just drank.

        Only detaching when Brooke waltzed in and announced it was time for presents.  She was gone as soon as she arrived, moving onto the next room.

        “I, uhh...”  Chris downed his drink.  “I’m not c-expectin’ anything in r-return, but I wanted to g-give you some-somethin’.”  He reached into his bag and pulled out a tupperware container.  “I m-made you some cookies.  F-Family recipe.  I-I hope you l-like ‘em.”

        Y/N rose to her tiptoes and pressed another kiss to his lips as she graciously accepted the container from him.  “Thank you, Chris,” she replied, smiling as she set the container and her wine on the desk.  Opening one of her clothing drawers and pulling out a hoodie she’d seen at an op shop.  “I haven’t seen you wearing this design so I wasn’t sure if you’ve got it or not.”

        He took the hoodie from her and his eyes lit up when he unfolded it, a large grin spreading across his face.  Reaching for the back of the current sweatshirt he was wearing and pulling it over his head so he could put it on.

        “I wasn’t sure about the size…”

        He shook his head after pulling it over his head, sliding his arms through it.  Wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground, a laugh escaping her lips before he silenced her with a kiss.

        “It’s great–it’s the greatest g-gift anyone has ever g-given me,” he confessed.  “Thank you, Y/N.  S-So much.”

        Y/N laughed and shook her head.  “You’re welcome,” she told him.  “Merry Christmas, Chris.”

        “M-Merry Christmas, Y/N,” he said back, the most joyous expression on his face.

        “You wanna go and watch everyone else open presents or stay here and make out a little bit?”  She asked him, her hands running through his hair.

         Heat rose to his cheeks as he coughed.  “Uhh, m-make out a little b-bit,” he replied honestly.

+++

        With the holiday’s over and done with, a mistletoe kiss and a New Years Eve kiss crossed off her bucket list, college classes had officially started back up.  Chris and Y/N had made things official before they welcomed in the New Year together, and they’d been on several dates since he first cooked her dinner.

        She’d met his roommates, mostly because she spent a lot of her free time at his place.  They seemed nice enough – typical guy behaviour trying to piss Chris off by hitting on her.  Though he knew she only had eyes for him.

        He’d met her roommate, who’d badgered him with question after question since she’d given her no warning that she now had a boyfriend.  So she’d returned back from break to find him asleep in Y/N’s bed.  No funny business had been happening.  They’d just been sleeping after a long first day back of classes.

        Her flight had been delayed time and time again, which was why she had no idea when she was coming back; because she didn’t know herself until she was boarding her flight.

        It was fine.  She was cool with it.  And she was happy that Y/N’d finally met a guy who treated her the way she deserved.

        Y/N was too.  He was so good to her.  And she always made sure to look after him, too.  When he let her.

        It was Tuesday today and he still had his shift at the library to complete before he’d go home.  She knew he never took anything to eat with him – knowledge she’d gained from past experience, – so after making her own dinner, she took a container full of lasagne to the library for him.

        It was still warm when she got there, sneaking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist, tucking myself under his arm.

        “Hi-hi, beautiful,” he greeted with a soft chuckle.  “I d-didn’t think I’d get t-to see you today.”

        Y/N hummed as she leant up to press a kiss to his cheek.  “Brought you dinner,” she told him.  “Because I know you never bring anything to work.”

        “Thank you,” he told her, kissing her forehead as he took the container from her hand.  “Lasagne?”

        Y/N hummed, producing a fork from her pocket and placing it on top of the container.  “Yeah.  I hope you enjoy.”

        “Can’t stay?”

        “Afraid not,” she replied.  “Got a lot of reading to catch up on that I was supposed to do over the holiday but I got a little sidetracked.”

        “It’s that b-boyfriend of yours, I t-tell ya,” he said, nuzzling his nose into her hair.  “He’s a b-bad influence.”

        Y/N laughed.  Loud.  “He’s lucky I love him.”

        “He–you, what?”

        “I love you.”

        And she did.  He was the kind of guy you knew from the moment you met him that you’d fall in love with him.  All the blushing looks and nervous laughter, piled in with how much of a genuinely nice guy he was...it was a no brainer.  She’d happily fallen in love with him.

        “I-I love you, too-too.  Shit, no.  I can say this without stutt-stuttering.”  He took a deep breath and steadied himself, cupping my face with both of his hands.  Dinner all but forgotten about.  “I love-lo, no.  Wait-wait.  I love you too.”

[dearchikkie]

Under Arrest

MARICHAT MAY 2020

Day 4: Thief

A/N: yikers. This is an adapted fic on a one-shot I wrote a while ago, but never finished. I changed a few things with this one and was surprised by how it turned out, but I'm still pleased. I hope you enjoy it :)

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧*:･ﾟ✧

in a world where fashion, was now justice for Marinette.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧*:･ﾟ✧

A shrill beeping sound echoed around the room, ruining the once peaceful silence. The black-haired girl groaned, only snuggling deeper into her covers. Her alarm was hushed as she pulled her pillow over her head and shoved it into her face. Maybe she could just stay like this forever. 

Half-asleep, with her annoying alarm clock beeping on and on till the end of time. But then she heard the familiar creak of her bedroom door and knew her peace would not last for long.

"Marinette! Get up! Your shift starts in an hour and you aren't even dressed yet," Alya tugged the blanket out of Marinette's grip and onto the floor.

"Ugh... Alya, go away," Marinette groaned. She tried to pull her blanket back but Alya kept a firm grip,

"C'mon, girl. You're not going to be late again, are you?"

"Mmh."

"Marinette!"

"Fine! Fine, let me get dressed," she grumbled. Alya nodded satisfied and left the room. Reluctantly, Marinette got up and pulled out her uniform. Before entering the bathroom, Marinette paused in the doorway, staring at an old photograph. 

Her, Alya, Nino and Adrien all grinned at the camera, eyes wrinkling with joy. The photograph had been taken all the way back in high school; back when Marinette was still Ladybug, when Alya and Nino were still together, when Adrien...

She looked away. She had already slept in, she couldn't keep Alya waiting anymore. After brushing her teeth and putting on some dry shampoo, Marinette left and greeted Alya at the door. Together, they drove downtown to the poste de police. Marinette stared out the window, eyes scanning over a large colourful billboard: 

EXCLUSIVE @ CLOUD NINE LOUNGE! NINO LAHIFFE LIVE DJ! 8PM - 2AM

Marinette could see Alya grip the wheel tighter. She side glanced her, carefully avoiding the event advertised outside, "You remember your phone?"

"Yes, Alya. That was a one-time thing!"

"Sure, just like the 'one-time-thing' where you showed up to work out of uniform, then five hours after your shift, then used the wrong radio code making us all think-"

"Ok! Ok!" they laughed together, settling into a comfortable silence. Eventually, the light turned green and they sped down the street. "Alya, do you ever miss being with Ni-"

"Can you turn the AC down? I'm getting kinda cold,"

"Ah, sure."

✧✬✧

Alya dropped Marinette off then drove down the road to pick up their coffees. Alya was lucky enough to have a later shift, so she had plenty of time to eat dinner and pick up their coffees.

Marinette on the other hand was not so lucky.

She quickened her pace and walked into the police headquarters, opening the door with a tug. Marinette pushed the door forward and let it slam behind her as she loosened the scarf around her neck. A young girl interning sat typing away at the computer.

"Hello Eve, is Elleanor in?" She stopped typing and glanced up at her. At the sight of Marinette, she smiled widely and pushed her glasses back up into her face,

"Marinette! Good evening! A bit chilly, isn't it?" Eve was the newest [and youngest] intern working here. Despite her short, girly bobbed hair and stylish glasses, she was a hard worker. Surprisingly positive despite the glum situation that laid in the files.

"I guess so, anyway, is Elleanor docked in yet?"

"Oh, Elly? No, she isn't inside. She had to meet her father this morning so she's coming in this afternoon, why?" Marinette waved her off,

"Don't worry about it. I'd better get to work; bye, Eve!"

"Bye, Marinette! Good luck today!" Nodding her head, Marinette hurried away to her office. Marinette fell into her chair, sighing at the stack of paperwork in her desks left corner. 

Despite it being her strong suit, Marinette despised paperwork, but someone had to do it. She cracked her knuckle and rifled through her cabinets, finally finding a working pen. "Let's get to work,"

✧✬✧

"Hey, Mari. I brought you a croissant," Marinette looked up and saw Alya leaning against her door frame. Alya threw a small brown bag in Mari's direction; practically drooling, Marinette removed the croissant and devoured it in record time.

"I'm starving! Thank you so much." Alya chuckled and sat down on the spare office chair,

"I figured. After all, you did miss your break,"

"I did?"

"Just like yesterday..." they sighed. Marinette had been too enthralled with her work yet again and hadn't realized just how much time had passed. She turned her phone on and checked the time: 11:43 AM

"I've been working for three hours? How the hell did that happen?" Alya tutted at her side,

"So dedicated. If only it was on purpose,"

"Shut up!" Marinette teased back. After checking her notifications she stood up and pocketed her phone, "You think I could get away with taking a break now?"

"Eh. We're all hyped on coffee and the chief is out right now. I say go for it,"

"Great. Cover for me!" Marinette wandered through the station, occasionally stopping to chat with a coworker. Eventually, she gave up on socializing and scaled the fire ladder to the rooftop. When she checked her phone again, she found it was now nearly 1 AM. 

The air above the station was much colder than the heated environment below. Marinette didn't have a jacket but grew accustomed to it easily. Cars drove by on the street below, honking at any small inconvenience.

A set of teens walked by, ice cream cones in hand as they laughed at something the tallest one said. Marinette felt an odd sense of nostalgia. There was once a time when Marinette and her friends had been like that, she remembered the first time they attended a party; Nino getting so drunk he vomited all over Roses shoes, then spent the entire night apologizing. Alya sticking by his side the entire time and laughing every time he called her beautiful. Marinette, when she danced and danced and danced with A-

She shouldn't think about that. The past was in the past, why couldn't she just accept that? Inhaling a big breath of fresh air, Marinette got up and stood on the building's edge overlooking the building next door.

She hadn't been Ladybug for a couple of years now. At times she desperately missed Tikki, the thrill she got as she swung across the streets of Paris. But that was her old life; she was Marinette Dupain-Cheng the police officer now. 

Tikki promised they'd see each other again, but Marinette now knew she was merely comforting the young girl. They'd never see each other again. Not as long as Hawkmoth was defeated.

But Marinette was still as strong as before. She stared at the small gap between the two buildings. If she jumped, she was sure she could make it over. Maybe she'd have to pull herself up a bit, but she'd get there. All she had to do was jump. Slowly, she let one leg dangle over the edge, then leaned forward and-

Marinette hit the hard ground, legs buckling beneath her as she hit the cement. She groaned in pain, hands automatically reaching for her stomach. Squinting her eyes at the culprit, Marinette's eyes widened. Already short on breath, Marinette gasped aloud.

"Chat?"

The leather-clad figure stood immediately, seemingly unbothered by the fall they had both just suffered, "What the hell were you doing?" he snarled.

Marinette was taken aback. For 5 years. 5 YEARS. Law enforcement had been desperate in their attempts to apprehend Chat Noir. For 5 years it had been a literal cat and mouse chase between them all. For 5 years Chat Noir had robbed the elite of Paris. For 5 years, Marinette had wondered what had happened to her kitty.

Now, here he was. Standing right in front of her.

"Answer me. What were you about to do?" a loud 'SLAP' filled the air. A tense silence followed, Marinette glaring at the man in front of her. A red, hand print stained Chat's cheek as he barred his fangs at the noirette. "What was that fo-"

"You're under arrest. Get on the ground with your hands behind your head." Chat glared at the silver pistol now pointed directly at his forehead.

"Go ahead. I dare you."

"Get on the ground! I will shoot you if necessary!"

Chat Noir scoffed, "And here I thought you'd embrace me like an old friend. You used to be the polite one between the half of us."

"Yeah well, things change when one half goes insane, don't they?" Marinette fiddled with her pistol. No way was she going to shoot Chat Noir, she doubted it would even penetrate him with his suit on. All he needed was to cooperate, and nothing would happen.

But what if he didn't?

"Still got your wits, I see. I missed our banter, Purr-incess--"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Chat's eyes widened, his once mocking smirk replaced with a tense straight line. Marinette couldn't blame him; she was shocked at the outburst herself. But no one was allowed to call her that. No one. Not even the one that started it. "Chat, please. Surrender."

"I came here to talk. I'm not turning myself in!"

Marinette pocketed her gun. It was obvious it was a simple accessory at this point, she'd have a better chance with both her hands-free. Slowly, Chat approached her. She glared at his walking figure but didn't protest as he stood right in front of her.

Blue eyes met green. Memories of puns and jokes scattered around her mind. Images of laughing faces, blonde locks and black leather clogged her vision, but she swiftly shook them away. Marinette apprehensively raised her hand, hovering it just over Chat's cheek. His expression remained cold, but his eyes softened at her touch. "What happened to you?"

They stayed like that for a while; staring into each other's eyes. Where did everything go wrong?

Loud thumps broke their trance. Like a switch, Chat pushed Marinette away and glared at the rooftop entrance. The doorknob twisted left and right, Alya's voice shouting from behind it. "Marinette? Marinette! You okay up here?"

As Alya struggled, Marinette returned her gaze to Chat Noir, "I'm not leaving without you. I'm an officer, I have duties now."

"I already said; I'm not here to sur-"

"Marinette! Is there someone else up here?"

Time was running out. Any second now Alya would get through and see Marinette casually conversing with the Chat Noir. "I'm sick of waiting, let's go." Chat Noir wrapped his arms around Marinette's waist, pulling her tightly towards him.

"What? Chat, what are you doin-" Chat seized Marinette and held her up bridal style, then took of bounding over the rooftops of Paris. Just as Chat jumped over onto their third building, Marinette heard Alya slam the door open. She's going to kill me. While bounding around Paris in the arms of Chat Noir was the last thing she wanted to do, Marinette decided against fighting back due to Chat being the only thing keeping her from falling over three stories down.

Eventually, Chat Noir paused on a particularly high building. He set Marinette down, and instantly she pushed him away, "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?"

"Yeah! I'm still on duty, you can't just whisk me away to play '20 questions'!" Marinette stabbed a finger into Chat's chest, rapidly walking faster and faster towards him, "Who do you think you are? You aren't a superhero anymore! Hawkmoth was defeated and instead of giving your miraculous in you fucking go rogue! Stealing from Paris' elite! Destroying buildings, just like the Gabriel Agre-" Marinette paused. Tears threatened to drip down her face, and Marinette didn't feel like crying in front of Chat Noir today.

He tentatively set a hand on her shoulder. Marinette hissed at his touch, but only moved her gaze towards a nearby water tower, "Princess, I-"

"No!" Marinette slapped his hand off of her, "You can't just do this! You can't disappear, go all 'Robin Hood' and rob the rich then come back! Calling me 'Princess' like nothing ever happened! Like you didn't leave me!" Marinette released a guttural moan, sobs breaking out, "You left me."

Chat watched as Marinette crumbled onto the ground, hands instantly wiping her eyes as she continued to cry. Pull yourself together Marinette. Warmth blossomed in Marinette's side, she glanced up, watching as Chat settled beside her. He held her as she cried, not once interrupting.

When she could finally speak without soaking her face, Marinette looked back up at him. Chat stared into her eyes as he replied, "I'm sorry for leaving."

"Why did you?"

Chat sighed, turning away from her, "So many things were happening. I lost control. I couldn't deal with everything."

"We all were."

"I know." Chat turned back to Marinette, who now sat silent, observing him, "I shouldn't have left. I should have said goodbye. I was afraid you'd stop me. Maybe things would have been better if you did." minutes passed as the pair sat in silence. Then, a golden glow overtook them.

Marinette couldn't help but let out a few quiet giggles, despite her still being fresh from crying, "The sun's rising. Alya's going to kill me when I get back." Chat laughed along with her.

"I guess it's time I brought you back anyway." he stood up, stretching his arms out. He offered his hand, Marinette grabbed it and pulled herself up beside him.

"I don't want you to disappear again, I can't lose you again."

"Me neither."

"I..." Marinette paused, Alya's grief-stricken face flashed in her mind. If she knew where Marinette was right now she'd freak. There was no one who hated Chat Noir more, but even so... "I live in the tall apartment building down Rue Baudin street. I room with Alya, but if you knock on my window..." she trailed off. Marinette's cheeks warmed to a faint pink, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

Chat grinned at her, eyes narrowing at the flustered girl, "Just like old times huh?"

"Just like old times,"

"Well," Chat Noir plucked Marinette and held her up bridal style yet again, "Guess it's time to go."

✧✬✧

"Marinette! Are you ok? Where were you?" Marinette stumbled down the hall, straight to Alya's office, "You're freezing!"

Alya cleared a nearby chair and sat Marinette down, covering her with a spare blanket, "I saw- I saw Chat Noir."

"WHAT!" Alya's face scrunched up and glowed a deep scarlet, "Oh my god- I'm telling Chief. You stay here." Alya rushed out the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Marinette's calm face struck Alya as she walked down the hall. She backtracked and paused outside her office door. Slowly, she cracked the door open and peeked through. Her face contorted into a sorrowful expression as she sighed. Marinette sat exactly as she left her, staring passionately at the tile ground, as her face reddened exactly the same way it did five years ago.

"Oh, Mari..."

[kyukun]

Psyching Yourself up for Failure (OumaSai)

ohoho! hell yes

this is basically just best friends turned lovers ig lmaO and i also live for shumai being a smug little shit so enjoy!! <33

title: Psyching Yourself up for Failure

summary: Confessions aren't necessarily an easy thing to do. Especially if you're confessing to your best friend whom of which you still aren't sure feels the same way you do. So what does Kokichi do? Invite him over for a totally platonic painting date. 

word count: 1461

~~ prompt starts after cut! ~~

Kokichi hadn't known what had been up with him for the past few months. He had been a complete an utter gay mess the entire month of December. And you may be asking yourself why that is, and to answer that, he has fallen into the pits of a new type of Hell called Love. 

 This Hell wasn't fun either. Not like the cool type of Hell most people expect to see where all the bad people rot forever, no, this was exceptionally worse than that. 

 It all started when he had met someone named Shuichi Saihara. And while this feeling hadn't begun to fester until later on, he was primarily the reason why Kokichi was in this Hell. Shuichi and Kokichi had known one another for a while, a little over a year to be exact. Their relationship was rocky at the start, not exactly getting off on the right foot but later grew into a very strong bond.

 Of course, like most best friends do, they had begun to share each other's insecurities, even joking occasionally about their past traumas and such. But little did Kokichi know that with every conversation he had with Saihara, the more the Hell had wrapped its vines around his entire being. 

 And once they had their grip on him, they did not hold back. They dragged him under and beat him to death with a stick and more. Soon those once platonic conversations grew more than platonic. His heart ached for more than that. He yearned for Shuichi's attention and god, he went absolutely feral when he received it.

 Their late night talks seemed more therapeutic the harder he had fallen for him. He was absolutely in the hard grips of Love and there was no escape from it. 

 Now we trail over to the present. Kokichi felt like he was confident in his feelings. And while yes, he maybe should've thought about this more instead of letting his hormonal teenage brain take over once again, it was already too late. Shuichi had been on his way.

 He quickly scooted over to his phone constantly checking it to be sure he hadn't texted him, dying a bit each time he noticed his notifications were empty. It was until he received a ping from his phone from Shuichi himself. He could feel the adrenaline rush through his veins as a goofy grin immediately took over his face the minute his name lit up his screen.

 The text had signified that he was here. Kokichi squealed a bit, jumping up from his bed and rushed over to fix his already made bed to assure things were perfect for his guest. While yes, he had been over dozens of times, today was the day. The day that would determine if he wouldn't sleep due to happiness or due to him sobbing his eyes out.

 Either way, he hoped his way towards the front door. He unlocked it, noticing Shuichi had a regular casual outfit under a green painting apron. He smiled, holding up a basket full of paints and brushes as well as a canvas on his other hand. "Hey."

 "Hey, Shumai!" He leaned against the door, feeling his own heart race the more he thought about what he was going to do. "Can I come in? Or are you just gonna continue blocking the door?" Shuichi joked, smirking slightly as Kokichi nearly slipped against the door he had leaned on.

 "R-Right! Come on in. You know where my room is." Well, that didn't totally sound sexual at all! Way to go. He stepped aside and allowed for his friend to walk through the door, mentally slapping himself silly afterward.

 The two walked into the room, the bright sun poking through the translucent curtains as a gentle breeze walked into the room with them. Shuichi took a seat on the ground as Kokichi brought out his own paints and canvas. He sat across from Shuichi, feeling himself at a loss for words as he unpacked each item from his bucket.

 Fuck it. It can't be that hard right? It's only three words. Just three little words. He was Kokichi Ouma after all! He was fearless! He could do a simple little confession. This was nothing. 

 "Hey so, uhm," This caught Shuichi's attention but he still had his eyes downward but he could hear a small hum to indicate that he was listening. "I've been thinking and…" Shuichi finally managed to look at him, his eyes pouring into his own. And for a minute, Kokichi could feel his own heart stop.

 Fuck he couldn't do this.

 He quickly shifted his eyes elsewhere, trying to distract himself from looking and Shuichi. If he just stopped looking at him while doing this, that would be great. "You can do this. You'll be fine. You got this! You're Kokichi Ouma, you can do anything." He inhaled sharply, feeling his heart beat out of his chest the more he thought about it. 

 "And, uhh, we've been friends for a long time and…"

 "And?" He raised an eyebrow. "And I like…" Come on, you're almost there. Just one more word, come on you can do it.

 "What? Not finishing your sentences? Trailing off? Come on, Kichi. What's up with you today?" He laughed, teasing the flustered male. Shuichi playfully nudged him in the shoulder, which didn't help his situation. "Damnit let me finish!" He finally broke.

 Shuichi cooled off, nodding and allowing for Kokichi to finish his sentence. "We've been friends for a long time now. You come over a lot and I really like that. You're an amazing friend and honestly, probably the only person I trust with my life. We're best friends, but don't tell Miu I told you that because she'd beat me." Shuichi laughed, picking up a paint brush and dipping it in the water Kokichi had placed already.

 "I won't."

 "Good. Anyway, uhm, and since we're best friends, I can tell you anything right?"

 "Naturally."

 "Ah shit. This is hard to say." His entire face grew heated, looking down at the ground with his arms crossed and a slight pout to his lips. But there Shuichi was eating this shit up like it's a fucking buffet. "Go on, use your words." There he goes again. Using that same smug shit-eating grin attitude he always did when Kokichi grew flustered.

 It honestly pissed him off. Here he was, pouring his heart out to Shuichi and he was over there laughing at him like he was a clown. "You know what? I know something better than words." He had no clue what on Earth fueled him more: frustration or his genuine inability to speak properly around Shuichi. 

 Either way, he slapped his thighs with his hand, making a loud smacking sound which echoed through his room. This caught Shuichi by surprise, causing him to flinch a bit backward. Kokichi gripped him by the straps of his apron and forced him closer. Once he was close enough, Kokichi looked Shuichi dead in the eyes, feeling Shuichi melt under him as his lips touched his in a fit of confidence.

 His eyes closed as soon as their lips met, still feeling Shuichi's eyes on his. He drew back from the short but sweet kiss slowly, coming back to reality as Shuichi sat back in shock with a blush covering his face.

 "Ah shit. Shit, shit, shit, that was your first kiss wasn't it? Shit! Uhm, here!" He used his hand to wipe his lips and then used it to wipe it on Shuichi's. "Have it back! I don't want it."

 Shuichi's fingers now traced to his own lips as Kokichi paced his room in embarrassment. While he was having his existential crisis, Shuichi couldn't help but smile to himself. He was glad he had felt the same. Though, seeing Kokichi like this was quite cute.

 Maybe playing dumb would be a better option for now. "But you didn't read the fine print. There's no return policy."

 Kokichi stopped his pacing, glancing back at Shuichi who had that same shit eating grin on his face as before as he had begun painting. "There's only one condition though. Meet that condition and I'll forgive you."

 "What?"

 "That condition is that you'll be my boyfriend."

 Goddamnit. He did not expect that. Kokichi slowly plopped down on the ground, picking up a paint brush and dipping it into the water. "I guess I have no other choice but to follow that condition…" He mumbled.

 The rest of the day went along well. And needless to say, Miu would be more upset over the fact that not only did she get replaced as a best friend, but that he got a boyfriend faster than she did.

[kasdeyathebitterwoman]

A Ninja Warrior Love Story - Part 14

Hey y’all! Here we are at part 14! I hope you like it and get ready for more things to come!

Word Count: 3,065

CW: starving, verbal abuse, depression

taglist:

@maeleeme @andyrazzledazzle @henrycavillluv32 @blossom-a @jhenno2002 @fanfictionaddiction99

Stumbling into her apartment, Lily lazily dropped her bag onto the floor and shuffled her way to her bed. Collapsing onto the mattress, she fell into a fitful sleep for a few minutes. After tossing around for a few moments, she decided to check her phone. She turned it on and it immediately began buzzing with notifications. The majority were from Mar, asking if she got home okay and why she wasn’t answering her phone. A few were from Henry asking the same thing. The rest and most alarming were from Carter.

Hey Lily-pad, I just wanted to check to see if you had any suggestions about the job offer.

Please don’t ignore me, I know you’re not feeling well, but the least you could do is give me an answer.

Why aren’t you texting back? Are you really that angry at me that you can’t even help me out? Because it’s not me you’re disappointing, it’s my business partner.

Seriously? You are a fucking bitch, you know that? After everything I did for you, this is how you repay me? You sociopath bitch.

Lily read every text and went numb. She felt herself slipping away to the dark times again. Wanting to hear a familiar voice, Lily decided to call Mar. The phone rang a few times before hit picked up.

“You bitch, where the fuck have you been?” Mar demanded. Her first words to Lily in over 24 hours. Still numb, Lily accepted them knowing full well she deserved them.

“I wasn’t feeling good, so I turned my phone off,” Lily replied, her voice empty.

“Yeah, I gathered that from you text,” Mar spat. “God, Lily, I’ve been worried sick about you. I know that you’re upset, but you had no right to do this,” her words were dripping with anger, but Lily didn’t feel anything.

“I know, I’m sorry,” she said simply. “I just wanted to tell you that I made it home. Thanks for showing me around New York. Sorry I scared you,” Lily could tell all of her words were empty, but he said them anyway.

“Lily,” Mar murmured, the anger gone from her voice.

“Anyway, sorry,” Lily said. “Bye Mar,” Lily could hear Mar saying her name and something else, but she was already hanging up the phone. She looked at her phone again and decided to call Henry. After a few rings, he picked up.

“Oh thank God, Lily, where the hell have you been?” Henry asked when he answered. Lily sniffed a little.

“I just wasn’t feeling good, so I turned my phone off so I could sleep,” she replied. There was a pause on the other end of the line before Henry spoke.

“Lily, what’s wrong?” Henry asked. Lily shook her head and replied.

“I’m just tired. I still don’t feel great, so I’m just going to sleep,” she said. She heard rustling on the other side of the phone.

“No, no, Lily, do not go to sleep, okay?” Henry asked, panic evident in his voice. “Stay awake. Keep talking to me,” she heard him moving around.

“No, I don’t feel good,” Lily said weakly. “I’m going to sleep. Bye Henry,” Lily said, hanging up the phone even though she could hear Henry calling her name. She clicked her phone off and fell back onto her bed, almost instantly falling asleep.

The knocking on her door woke her up. Lily rolled over to see the time on the clock. It had only been about 30 minutes since she fell asleep. The knocking started up again and Lily slowly climbed out of bed to check who it was. She stayed quiet in the hopes the person outside wouldn’t know she was up. Silently checking the peep-hole, Lily saw Henry standing outside her door.

“Lily, open the door please,” he called out. A pang pierced through Lily’s heart when she saw him and heard the pain in his voice. “Lily, please,” he pleaded with her through the door. Lily said nothing, but hung her head in shame. She walked back to her bed and fell asleep to the sound of Henry knocking.

—

Maybe it was hours, maybe it was days, Lily wasn’t sure. She laid in bed for what felt like forever. Her phone buzzed almost non-stop until it didn’t anymore. Dead. Occasionally, there was knocking on her front door, but she stopped getting up to check. She hadn’t eaten since Saturday, whenever that was at this point. The one time she tried to get up, she collapsed back onto the bed and passed out. Every time she woke up, it was either too bright or too dark. She stayed there with no intention of getting up.

Suddenly one day when it was too bright out, she woke up as someone was picking her up off the bed. They carried her out of her apartment fireman style. She moaned and whimpered a little, but said nothing else. Through squinted eyes, she found herself inside a car. Trees and road signs whipped past and they made her nauseous. She dry heaved and a steady hand stroked her hair. A familiar voice shushed her. Lily tried to look around for the source, but her shoulders were stiff from being unused. When the person picked her up again, Lily passed out.

When she woke up again, she was in a hospital bed. Breathing in, she felt an oxygen feed under her nose. She tried to move but felt her muscles sore and stiff. Her groaning disturbed the woman sitting in the chair next to her bed. Eleanor.

“Oh, Lily,” Eleanor said quietly, standing up from her chair. Lily frowned at her.

“Where am I?” she asked, her voice raspy. Eleanor looked at her with concern written all over her face.

“You’re at the Presbyterian Hospital,” she said quietly. “When you didn’t come into the gym or work for the fourth day in a row, Ray and Henry went to your apartment to check on you. They found you passed out and barely breathing,” her voice caught when she said it. Lily was confused.

“Henry?” she asked. Eleanor nodded her head.

“Yes, he came to the shop to ask Ray if he had a key to your apartment. He’s been worried about you,” she paused, looking expectantly at Lily. “He’s come by every single day since he brought you in,” Lily looked up at Eleanor.

“He brought me here?” she asked and Eleanor nodded. “How long have I been here?” Eleanor took a deep breath in.

“Today makes it six days in total. Four days in your apartment and two days here. You’ve been asleep for all of it.” she replied. “The doctors say you were severely dehydrated and malnourished. They figured you would need nutrients and sleep to get you back to normal,” It was Lily’s turn to take in a deep breath. Suddenly, the door to her room opened and Ray and Henry walked in. They were chatting about something when Henry noticed Lily was awake. Ray followed Henry’s eyes and he grunted when he realized Lily was awake.

“Well look who’s finally awake,” Ray said, his voice a mixture of amusement and anguish. Lily offered him a half-smile then turned her attention back to Henry, but he had dropped her gaze. Eleanor seemed to notice this whole exchange because she suddenly said to Ray,

“Ray, honey, will you take me to get a cup of tea?” Ray grunted at her and didn’t move from the chair he’d sat down in. “Ray,” Eleanor said firmly. It seemed to jar Ray enough that he looked at her. He grumbled about asking in the first place as Eleanor led him out of the room by the arm. So it was just Henry and Lily. Henry stood around awkwardly for a few moments before Lily attempted to sit up. Concerned, he came over to her to help. When she was sitting up, she gently pulled him down on to the small hospital bed. He said nothing at first then he suddenly asked,

“What happened, Lily? You were fine and then suddenly you weren’t. What happened?” Lily sighed and fought the fear of saying anything.

“I got sad and then I got scared and then I did what I do best,” she paused. “I locked myself away so no one else would have to deal with all these broken pieces,” she sucked in breaths, holding back sob after sob. Henry wasn’t looking at her, but she could tell he was on the verge of tears as well. “Because I’m so scared that everyone is going to leave. My biggest fear is that I’m not enough because the people that I was supposed to be enough for didn’t want me,” a loud sob escaped from her lips. Her whole body convulsed from the action. “I’m so sorry, Henry. I’m so sorry,” Lily sobbed. She pulled her knees up to her chest and cried. Henry sat there for a moment before reaching out to touch Lily. He said nothing for a while and Lily calmed down some.

“I’ve been hurt,” Henry said. “I’ve been used and abandoned,” he emphasized the word abandoned. “Yes, I’m fortunate to have a family, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been through shit. I’ve put myself out there time and time again only to be rejected,” there was anger in his voice. “So yeah, Lily, it hurts quite a bit that you seem to think I couldn’t understand what you’re going through. But I do.” he finally turned to look at her. Lily looked back at him through watery eyes. They sat like this for a moment before Lily spoke.

“I understand if you don’t want to do this anymore,” she said, quieter than she meant for it to be. Henry frowned at her then he suddenly popped up off the mattress and walked toward the door to leave. Shocked, Lily didn’t say or do anything. Silently, she watched him walk away and round the corner for the door, but it didn’t open. Just as suddenly, Henry came back marching toward her.

“The most frustrating thing about you, Lily, is you assume,” he started. He wasn't malicious with his words, but he was clearly angry. “You assume that I’m going to treat you like your parents or Carter did. You assume that because the one time you mess up, I will want nothing to do with you. You assume that any act of kindness I have to offer you is masked with ill-intent when it isn’t,” he stopped, breathing heavy. He looked down at her with an intensity that Lily didn’t understand.

“Mar said something similar in our fight,” Lily said mostly to herself, not really meaning to say it out loud.

“What?” Henry asked. Lily looked up at him and realized he’d heard her.

“In my fight with Mar, she said something really similar to that,” Lily repeated, but Henry still looked at her confused.

“What fight?” Henry asked. Lily realized she hadn’t actually mentioned it, only talked about the aftermath.

“On Saturday after we left the restaurant, Mar and I ran into Carter on the way back to her apartment,” she started and watched as Henry’s features softened. “He mentioned some job offer that I had no idea about. After he left, Mar told me it was in the letter he left for me but decided it wasn’t relevant enough to mention. I got angry and we fought,” she stopped to take a breath, realizing she was a little light-headed. “She said a lot of things I wasn’t ready to hear and I said a lot of things that were just mean,” Henry had come back to her bed. He was sitting on the edge, one hand resting gently on her knee under the covers. “When I got back to my hotel, he started texting me. It’s been non-stop. Even with my phone dead, I have a feeling he’s still sending messages calling me a bitch and a whore,” her voice trailed off as she looked around the room for her phone. Henry reached out to caress her hand.

“I’m so sorry, Lily, I had no idea,” Henry murmured. Lily looked over to him.

“You can’t know what I don’t tell you,” she replied, shrugging. Henry bobbed his head.

“True, but I could eat my own words and not assume that you actively chose to shut me out without good reason,” he said. Lily took a breath in, not sure how to respond. Henry took that as an invitation to continue. “I don’t want this to end, Lily. I love you, I do, but if we are going to make this work there has to be trust,” he said. Lily nodded.

“I know, Henry, I know,” she started. “I am trying. I feel safer with you than I’ve felt with anyone else for a very long time, but trust is hard for me,” she watched him as she spoke.

“It’s hard for me as well, Lily,” Henry replied. “I think we both have some work to do,” she nodded. Henry smiled at her gently. He reached out to cup the side of her face. Lily closed her eyes and pressed gently into the palm of his hand. Good god, she realized just how much she missed his touch. She gently twisted her face and kissed the heel of his palm.

—

The very next day, Lily was released from the hospital. Ray and Eleanor drove her back to her apartment and waiting outside was Henry and Kal. As soon as she stepped out of Ray’s SUV with the help of Eleanor, Kal was pulling on his leash to get to Lily. She smiled wide at the sight. Walking slowly, the trio made their way toward the duo with Kal watching Lily intently.

“Who is this?” Eleanor asked, looking down at Kal wearily. Henry and Lily smiled at each other, then at the big bear.

“This is my dog, Kal,” Henry replied. “He’s perfectly harmless unless there’s danger. Or a squirrel. Or a cat,” Henry’s voice trailed off as he realized his list was longer than anticipated. Lily and Eleanor laughed and Kal responded by shimmying in place, his eyes never leaving Lily. All of them walked up the single flight of stairs to LIly’s tiny apartment. It was a tight fit, but everyone made it in.

Lily walked into her tiny kitchen realizing something was different. She opened the fridge to find stacks and stacks of contained food, all courtesy of Eleanor. At the bottom of the fridge were rows of water bottles, courtesy of Ray. Henry was behind Lily and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his chest, feeling him breathing. Leaning down, Henry whispered into her ear,

“They love you. More than you could possibly imagine,” Lily smiled to herself. She pulled away from Henry and wobbled over to Eleanor who was sitting on her couch, looking Kal in the eye and telling him what a well-behaved dog he was. She stood up when she saw Lily and the two embraced.

“Thank you, Ellie, for everything,” Lily murmured into her ear. Eleanor chuckled.

“We’re always here for you, sweet girl,” she replied, leaning back to take a look at her almost daughter. Lily suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion. She tried to hold back the tears, but they came anyway. Eleanor pulled her back in for a hug. “You’ve been so brave for so long, but I still see that little girl in pigtails when I look at you,” she said, her voice wet with her own tears. “I just want to see you happy, that’s all. That’s all that Ray and I can hope for,” she pulled away and looked at Lily. “You’re not your momma,” she said firmly. “And you’re not your daddy. You are the sweetest little girl this side of the Mississippi,” she said. Lily laughed through her tears.

Ray walked up to them and informed Eleanor it was time to go. Lily could see his eyes were wet and bright with unshed tears and she understood. She hugged them both, thanked them for the food and the water, and watched them walk out the door. Then it was just her, Henry and Kal. Lily collapsed onto her couch, exhaustion hitting her out of nowhere. Kal immediately hopped up with her and placed his front half on her lap. She chuckled and stroked his ears.

“I think this means you’re not allowed to leave tonight,” she said, looking up at Henry. He was smiling wide down at the two of them.

“I wasn’t planning on it anyway,” he said, perching behind Kal at the end of the couch. His dog looked back at him over his shoulder. Lily could only assume it was a look that confirmed Henry had no say in the matter. Henry chuckled and scratched Kal on his back. He looked up at Lily. “Are you hungry?” he asked. Lily shook her head no.

“I am kind of thirsty,” she said, realizing her throat actually was pretty dry. Henry nodded, then walked over to her little kitchen and grabbed a water bottle. She accepted it and graciously downed almost a fourth of the bottle.

“Whoa, easy there tiger,” Henry said, smiling a little. “You don’t want to get sick,” Lily laughed a little and Kal groaned in her lap. She looked down at him smiling then she looked over at Henry. Silently, Henry fished his phone out of his pocket and took a picture of the scene.

“Oh,” Lily groaned. “You’re not going to post that are you?” she asked and Henry laughed.

“No, that’s just for me,” he replied, smiling warmly. He then texted his assistant asking her to bring Kal’s food and water as well as a burger for himself as well as a few other things. Laying her head back on the back of her couch, Lily closed her eyes and smiled.

“What?” Henry asked when he noticed her smile. Lily opened her eyes weakly.

“I could get used to this,” she said, glancing down at Kal then back to Henry. He smiled at her, one hand reaching out to stroke her hair.

“Me too,” he whispered back. Lily closed her eyes and smiled, feeling content.

[b1acksw4n]

Who Do You Love? Part 1

Genre: Hybrid!AU, highschool AU, some fluff, LOTS of angst, maybe some smut in future chapters

Pairings: Hybrid!Taehyung x Reader

Jungkook x Reader

Summary: Hybrids were owned by humans and were viewed as pets. But what happens when hybrids are given a chance to be our equals. When Kim Taehyung a tiger hybrid transfers to your school, your whole world is flipped upside down. He’s mysterious, which draws you in. Jungkook doesn’t like the sudden interest you take in this hybrid...

Words: 1.5k

Warnings: None as of now

A/N: please tell me if you like this chapter and if you want me to continue or not. I will probably make more parts though.

You didn’t know and you sure as hell weren’t keeping track these last few days. Smacking the stupid alarm clock out of pure aggravation you groggily sat up. Before you could even process what the heck just happened your phone was buzzing and several text notifications popped up on your bright screen.

Squinting you looked at your phone. Your eyes still hooded with sleep and rather sensitive of the light coming from your phone. Huh... they were from Jungkook. “OHMYGOD!! It’s Monday!! I’m gonna be late!!!” You shrieked, trying to get out from under the blankets you buried yourself in when you were in a deep sleep the night prior. Hastily opening your closet door, you grabbed a random t-shirt and jeans. Throwing the outfit on, you did your hair and brushed your teeth. Running out the door, you ran to school, occasionally checking your phone to see what time it was. ‘7:27’ Fuck I’m almost late..

Just making it, you entered the school building, shoving things in your locker, only getting out what you needed for your next few classes before lunch. Jungkook walked over to your locker, leaning against it. “If it wasn’t for me you would’ve been lateee.” He said smugly, looking down at you with a look of what? Accomplishment. Pff please. This kid. “Hm is that so?” I playfully rolled my eyes at him. “Y/N how are you ever going to get a boyfriend when you go out in public looking like that?” Jungkook stated teasingly, ruffling your hair. “Why you-” Huffing, you shot him a glare his way in return. The bell rang and the hallways were full of teenagers scrambling to class. You and Jungkook one of them. Taking a seat next to him in the back of the class, the teacher started talking and Jungkook playfully winked at you when you two made eye contact.

The teachers phone rang and he quickly answered it, speaking into the phone. A few moments later he hung up. A few students curiously looking in his direction with expectant looks on their faces. Perhaps hoping for a early dismissal from their parents? “We have a new student everyone. He should be here any minute now.. I almost forgot.” He said sheepishly. “Hm I wonder if it’s a girl.” Jungkook wiggled his eyebrows at you, causing you to roll your eyes and laugh. “Like she’d give you a chance.” Suddenly there was a knock at the door and the teacher opened it. A tall, lean and muscular boy entered the classroom wait- With ears at the top of his head and a tail.. A few people let out shocked gasps. Was this really happening? You’ve heard of hybrids before but you’ve been actually seen one or been this close to one before.

“As you all know hybrids are now joining school with humans, so he’s transferring here for now. He’s a tiger hybrid. Would you like to introduce yourself?” The teacher turned to the mysterious looking hybrids direction. The tiger hybrid looked stoic, expressionless and rather uninterested. His sharp features making him very attractive. He said nothing at first a bit hesitant as if he was contemplating on whether or not to introduce himself. With that Jungkook let out a scoff, leaning over his desk only to whisper in your ear. “Guess he thinks he’s too good for us to introduce himself. He belongs in a zoo.” You gave Jungkook an exasperated look, turning away from him, shifting your gaze to the hybrid in the front of the room. Other people were exchanging glances and whispering about him already. The tiger hybrid’s soft looking lips parted and his expression was as usual well.. expressionless. “Kim Taehyung.” He spoke, his voice deep and monotonous.

Taehyung took a seat behind you, Jungkook giving him a annoyed look here and there. You could feel the hybrid drilling holes in the back of your head. Why was he staring at you of all people? You suddenly felt very out of place and tried focusing on what the teacher was saying but you couldn’t help but still feel his eyes on you. Taehyung kept looking at you, with a curious and interested glint in his yellow eyes. He noticed how you couldn’t keep your gaze off of him when he first walked in.

After class it was lunchtime and Jungkook pulled you aside at his locker. “Jungkook what the hell has gotten into you?” You angrily looked up into his eyes, your expression softening when you try searching for even the slightest bit of remorse or sincerity in his eyes. “Y/N what’s up with you and hybrids.. huh?” Jungkook looked down at you, before slamming his locker door shut. You both walked to the cafeteria as you continued this little argument. “They don’t deserve to be treated like animals Kook. They have feelings too.” “Why are you suddenly protective over that thing you don’t even know him.”

“You’re right I don’t.” You scoffed, surprised at your friends attitude. Was he jealous? You shook your head, walking away from him to the lunchroom to get a tray and your food. Having a feeling that his feet were basically glued to the floor where you left him. “YN! W-Wait-” Jungkook called out to you, but you didn’t even look back, ignoring him. ‘Serves him right..’ You thought to yourself. Reaching for a tray, you swiftly turned to get yourself some food but in the midst of trying to perform that task, you walked right into something very hard. You slowly looked up to meet yellow eyes? Taehyung.. Your face turned red and you apologized repeatedly. “O-Oh my god I’m so sorry. I’m sorry!” You timidly bowed your head, hair falling over your shoulders. You really just walked right into his chest. ‘Ugh how stupid are you YN?!’ He gave you a light nod, his voice still low and expressionless like before. “You okay?” You almost had to strain to hear him, his voice was that soft.

You nodded quickly, looking down and once you got your food you darted out of there and sat down at the lunch table with Jungkook and your best friend Hoseok. “Y/NNN!!” Hoseok squealed, clapping his hands together, throwing you the most genuine and cute smile you think you’d ever seen in your life. You gave him a smile in response, digging into your food. Hoseok eyed you and then Jungkook. His gaze shifting between you two for a few moments until he couldn’t take it anymore.

“What’s up with you two? Did you two get in a fight?!” Hoseok exclaimed, sighing a bit to no one in particular. You stayed silent, continuing to eat the crappy cafeteria food. “You’ve seen the new student right? The hybrid?” Jungkook spoke, lowering his voice so only you and Hoseok could hear. Hoseok nodded. “Yeah he seems really familiar.. like I’ve seen him before somewhere..” Hoseok spoke thoughtfully trying to brighten the mood up a bit. Seeing as this conversation was taking quite the turn.

Jungkook ran a frustrated hand through his soft brown locks before he spoke again.

“I know I sure have. I know the beast. And I’ll be damned to let YN around it. He’s a killer. An anima-”

“Alright Jungkook that’s enough!” You practically yelled causing people from other tables to look your way. Taehyung gave you a small glance, his fluffy looking ears erect at the top of his head. You shyly looked down after locking eyes with Taehyung, also getting embarrassed by your sudden outburst. Why was Jungkook so against hybrids anyway.. “How do you know him?” Hoseok’s eyes widened with interest. “You’ve never talked about him before.”

“My family sells hybrids. Hunts some actually if the pay is high enough that is.” Jungkook stated it so casually, it was making your stomach churn and twist in pure and utter disgust. He couldn’t be serious right now. You almost choked on your apple juice, causing your throat to burn. “What the fuck..why?” Your pink lips trembled as you spoke to him.

“It’s my father’s business.. and Taehyung. Fucking Kim Taehyung... his father.. he killed Jimin. He’s a monster just like this father and he deserves to be treated as such.” By this point Jungkook’s hands were clenched into fists, pure anger taking over him. “But Jimin got in a car accident Jungkook.. you’re seriously going fucking crazy, are you losing your mind?”

“YN, the public covered his death by saying it was a car accident that killed him. Because people want hybrids and humans to live peacefully. But they fail to realize that hybrids will always be savages and animals.”

Your eyes filled with tears. Even if what Jungkook was saying was true you were hurt that he’d label and generalize all of them. You barely knew Taehyung but your heart ached when you looked at him. What exactly was Jungkook going to do to him?

[early-sxnsets]

Scales, Fins, and other Fishy Daydreams

Archive Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/18215168/chapters/43151156

Chapter 3/10 of It’s A Handheld Disaster

Word Count: 1553

Chapter Summary: Baz takes Simon's shitpost text a step further, and the outcome ends up spreading a few rumors.

SIMON

bi-sammy: sammy would still fuck huxley if he looked like the fish from shape of water

I grin smugly at my screen, sitting in a dark room with nothing shining but my mobile. The shutters stay shut, and the light from the bottom of the doorway barely filters into the room. It’s just me, this scratchy blanket, and Baz, somewhere else in England on another screen. I absolutely adore that.

gaystrell: why would you say something so controversial yet so brave.jpg

Sometimes, I catch myself smiling. Other times, I elect to ignore how real it feels. It’s weird, given that it feels like I’m just chatting with someone who I see everyday. The casualness of this reminds me of texting Penny in the afternoon on a Thursday.

Except, given the current time, it could be interpreted as more intimate than that of a friend’s text.

8am on a Saturday is usually a time reserved for comfort. For staying warm with someone you care about. Instead, I’m just messaging Baz.

bi-sammy: because im right

bi-sammy: hear me out here ive got a brilliant idea

gaystrell: whoever taught you the definition of a brilliant idea was clearly misleading you

bi-sammy: dont be an arse until youve heard it

bi-sammy: wanker

gaystrell: you’re truly proving your point

bi-sammy: ANYWAY

bi-sammy: shape of water au

bi-sammy: thats all

gaystrell: i’m appalled.

gaystrell: hold on.

I don’t think much of it. Occasionally, he disappears for an hour to two. I don’t bother asking, assuming it’s none of my business, but I do tend to worry a bit. I hope he’s alright.

After clicking off my phone, my head settles against my pillow as my eyes fall shut.

There’s something about this. There’s something about him. It’s a bit hard to pinpoint what it is, but the overwhelming feeling of comfort I have in the notifications I get from him just answering my bullshit is incredibly welcomed. He’s semisweet. I don’t know why I didn’t see it earlier, but he’s a fantastically bitter person.

My head slowly turns over, eyes opening and straining in the darkness.

I hate my empty room.

I hate the absence of comfort--I hate the plainness of these walls.

I want to say I hate my foster dad, but I also feel like I’m not allowed to say that. Not because the system will take me again and throw me back (even though I could have left a year back, if I was still in it). Instead, I feel like I shouldn’t hate him. Theoretically, I should be thankful for what I have. I’m not in a boy’s home, and I haven’t been since I was 11, but the remnants remain. The fights don’t go away, and neither do the weeks of starvation.

Still, I sort of despise living here under Davy.

That’s what he makes me call him. His name. His nickname. Not dad; of course not dad. He’s had me in his care for roughly six years, but he’s still Davy to me.

Shitty fucking Davy, with his strict curfews and practically using me as a housemaid because he’s too cheap to care for himself.

Shitty fucking Davy, not letting me add anything to my room because the day I turn 18, I’m out of here until his next kid (and cheque, apparently) come in. Told me I’d wreck the walls and ruin his furniture if I did put anything on it, too.

So that’s what I’ve got. Blank walls, blank furniture, blank everything. It’s like a jail cell for a bedroom, and everything I’ve got to show for myself is in a backpack and two dresser drawers/

But, at least, I own my mobile.

Every summer job, mixed with odds and ends shit and whatever I can do for my bill. It’s all mine, and Davy can’t fucking touch it.

Maybe that’s why, when I feel it buzz against my chest, it makes me feel more alive. It’s a reminder of all that work just to be able to talk to someone freely.

Arguably, the best feeling in the goddamn world.

I grab it and flip it over. It’s just an email about uni.

Fuck.

I end up scrolling through tumblr for a little while, doing nothing but liking and reblogging a thing here or there. It takes a little while before a little drop down falls from the top of my screen.

gaystrell: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r7Wkwj7MSFk0--DgquHGhYVBbqneEYq0J01t0uMRmxA/edit?usp=sharing

gaystrell: feel the need to apologize before you click the link, but then again, you asked for this hell

When I click on it, it pulls up a doc titled just “crackfic”, and I’m floored with the first sentence alone.

“Fuck my fish ass harder, daddy.”

My hand flies up, covering my mouth as I practically wheeze as quietly as possible. A few paragraphs in and I’m nearly crying into my palm, muffling my laughter as I read through pages upon pages of the most ridiculous fic I’ve ever laid my eyes upon.

I check the word count out of pure curiosity, and it somehow makes me laugh harder.

bi-sammy: holy fucking shit

bi-sammy: i swear to god if you don’t post that i will

gaystrell: already in the process of making the archive post

gaystrell: i seriously believe you underestimate my sincere ability to be the biggest dick on the street

bi-sammy: i dont know whether or not u meant that as ur literal dick or the big dick energy in making that a post but id probably agree with you in both

bi-sammy: tag me in the post pls i want to be the first to reblog it

gaystrell: you’re a ridiculous, sad, little man

gaystrell: of course i’ll tag you

Within minutes, it’s uploaded with the absolute worst slew of Archive tags attached to it, and as soon as he tags me in his post, I tap the notification.

Scales, Fins, and other Fishy Daydreams

Word Count: 3,192

Summary: Fish!Huxley and Sam get it on Shape of Water style

@bi-sammy this is your fault (you're welcome)

I immediately slam like and pull up reblog, rapidly typing out my response before posting.

absolute madman. cant believe youve done this. i trust you with my entire life.

As usual, he's quick to reblog back.

anything for the absolute pain in my life x

Smiling shamelessly, I ride on the moment's high as our conversation stays out in the world. I quite enjoy this version of his softness. The public, taunting replies to mine. In all this time of following him, I can't really recall him ever being this friendly with anyone but me.

Makes me feel special. Maybe too much so.

BAZ

The jarring shock of the seemingly endless notifications rattles me momentarily speechless.

It isn't even 15 minutes after I'd replied to Snow and there's already a few people reblogging it with comments about him and I. A quick “i ship y'all’ to “powermove of the century”. Each make me flush deeper as the replies flood in.

If I were to be practical, I'm aware that I shouldn't be so flustered over the concept of us being a couple. It's most likely my overactive, sad, lonely imagination, but the idea of being loved just makes me blush. Especially since it's someone who doesn't seem to absolutely loathe me.

gaystrell: are you reading these?

bi-sammy: the what?

bi-sammy: i have. nothing to read. i cant read.

gaystrell: use your two remaining brain cells look at the notes for the crackfic

bi-sammy: holy shit

bi-sammy: im cackling

A notification pops up, making me snort this time. I pull up the post and send it off to him without a second thought.

gaystrell: sent a post

gaystrell: “sounds like something huxley would do for sam”

bi-sammy: stop im gonna piss myself shits too fucking funny

I pull it back up, scrolling down to reblog and adding a quick reply that, in all honesty, I should have thought out more. Secretly, part of me is glad that I sent it.

huxley wishes he was this smooth ;)

Within seconds, replies flood in from everywhere. From jokes about Snow and I possibly dating to the concept of Huxley writing (purposefully) shitty homoerotica about himself as a fishman. I quite like the conversation about the latter, while the former makes my chest knot in ways inexplicable.

Going through the notes makes me smile, even if it's mildly embarrassing. The amount of times I've seen the eyes emoji used is definitely excessive, but still somewhat welcomed.

Even my archive has a few comments already, although more based around the fic itself. More ironically, though, is the one person who probably took it seriously and just commented, “Nice fic!” I love the abundance of shameless appreciation for obscure fanfiction in the depths of this community.

Snow's messages roll down my mobile screen as I'm checking the comments, continuously replacing the previous message for the top slot.

bi-sammy: mate

bi-sammy: i love you

bi-sammy: also every time you reblog something of mine i get like 5 followers

bi-sammy: if you mention me i get 10

bi-sammy: youre???????????? a god????????

bi-sammy: can i marry you????????????

I slowly close my laptop, eyes on my phone with an absolutely gleeful grin.

gaystrell: when and where?

[cakesunflower]

Sugar Coated Pain [Boxer!Calum AU] Ch. 13

All Chapters: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Epilogue | BONUS CHAPTER

Chapter 13

SHE RAN AWAY.

Okay, maybe saying she ran away was a bit of an exaggeration, but it was all the same in Noelle’s ashamed, self-hating mind. In her defense, she didn’t entirely know how to react when the guy she liked told her he broke someone else’s nose for her. That. . . Wasn’t normal, was it? Maybe Calum breaking other people’s bones wasn’t a surprising occurrence, but Noelle being slammed with the fact that this particular time she may have been the motivation behind it was something, she thought, she deserved a moment to process.

Evidently, that meant practically speeding out of Ashton’s kitchen and demanding Beverly go home with her. Sure, Noelle felt a bit selfish tearing her sister from her boyfriend’s side and admittedly bad about leaving Calum in the kitchen, but she needed to get out of there. Thank God they’d been at Ashton’s house for over an hour that leaving didn’t look too suspicious. Still, Noelle wouldn’t be surprised if any of the boys could feel the urgency she left with.

“You can’t avoid him forever,” Beverly pointed out in that knowing, pointed tone that made Noelle want to throw her phone at her. She wondered when was the last time she was able to do work at work without Beverly somehow weaseling Calum into the conversation. “I’m telling you, Elle, he’s been looking pretty bothered when you didn’t show up the past few days.”

The corners of Noelle’s lips tilted into a frown, inhaling a sharp breath. Calum apparently being bothered by her lack of presence had been something Beverly kept telling her about, yet Noelle was somehow unsure if she should believe that. She and Calum rarely interacted when they were all together, except as of late—but he couldn’t be that pressed about her not being around for the past few days, right?

“I’m not avoiding him,” Noelle defended, putting her phone away to return her attention to the computer. They were in the backroom of the store, taking inventory by themselves as their other employees worked the register and helped customers out. “I only see him when we go to Astros or one of the guys’ place. And I’ve been too busy to go to either.”

Which wasn’t a lie. That night—the fight, Calum’s bruised knuckles and Boman’s broken nose for Noelle—had been three nights ago, and Noelle did get busy with other things. Shopping trips with Camille and hanging out with Andrea, not to mention spending some time with Isaac, because apparently her mother and his father still thought they’d be a perfect match and wanted them to spend time together.

The morning following the night at Ashton’s house, Noelle’s mother had asked her about Isaac and if she likes him, and Noelle was about to ask her mom what the hell she was talking about because Isaac was gay. Then she remembered he hadn’t told his dad yet, and she knew if she told her mom then she may let it slip to his dad, so Noelle just let her mother believe her and Isaac were interested in each other. She’d take care of that situation when she wasn’t freaking out over Calum.

Mostly for you.

Noelle’s teeth dug into her lower lip, an embarrassed flush spreading on her cheeks as she recalled Calum’s words from last night. She couldn’t believe she left without saying anything, turning around as soon as his words slammed into her like a ton of bricks. His admittance of breaking another person’s nose for her made her heart do so many things at once; skip a beat, stop all at once, before picking up an erratic pace. She wasn’t sure what took her more off guard; the fact that Calum actually did it, or that he so easily admitted that he had.

What did he want?

“Fine,” Beverly snorted, pulling out some books from one of the boxes to count them. “If you’re not avoiding Calum, then you’re hiding from him. Especially since you’re not coming to tonight’s fight again.” Noelle glanced over at her, mouth dropping with an incredulous gasp as Beverly raised her eyebrows. “You’re all anxious around him now because you found out he broke a guy’s face because he talked shit about you, aren’t you? We have six copies of Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” she added, referring to the books she just counted.

Noelle shot Beverly a helpless, exasperated look as she put it in the system. She had to admit—when Beverly told her, in more detail after fleeing from Ashton’s, that Calum did what he did because he found out Boman had been saying some crude things about her, Noelle couldn’t deny the flutter her heart gave. Was she crazy for feeling touched at the knowledge of Calum standing up for her like that?

It was strange, how many times he’s come to her defense in one way or another, but Noelle was not at all complaining. But that kind of aggression—could Noelle deal with that? Everyone she hung out with liked Calum—how could they not?—and while his fighting or apparent short fuse wasn’t what was making Noelle hesitant on even dancing around with the thought of her and Calum, it was just the merely question of her being able to handle it. Don’t get her wrong, there was no genuine fear in the matter, she wasn’t afraid of him. . . It was just the concept of wondering just how far off Calum could go.

Watching Calum fight, the way he moved on the ring smooth and the looks of concentration and smugness almost arousing, was a thrilling experience but it still worried her whenever a fist or kick came his way. No doubt her worry, along with the thrill of watching him, would increase if something were to happen with them and she went to his fights.

When Noelle didn’t respond, Beverly sighed, and Noelle knew her sister thought she wasn’t going to say anything. Even though that wasn’t the case, Noelle decided to stay quiet when Beverly said, “Calum only goes around throwing punches for four reasons; when he’s training, in a match, someone is pissing him off, or when someone he cares about is involved. Pretty sure the last three apply to the other night.”

Noelle swallowed the small lump in her throat, hand on the computer mouse tightening as she responded in an even tone, “Weren’t you the one telling me to be careful with him and this whole feelings mess?”

“I also told you to take a chance,” came Beverly’s instant response, her next few words striking Noelle like a lightning bolt. “Especially when the possibility of him returning those feelings is there.”

                                                        ♔♔♔♔♔

Imagine Dragon’s music airily swept through the bookstore as Noelle hummed along over the sound of the rain pelting outside, using the rag in her hand to wipe down the many shelves. It was after hours, nearing 9:30 P.M. and she was the only one left in the store, taking her time in sweeping and cleaning the thin layer of dust collected on the shelves over the course of the past few days while some nighttime summer rain wetted the city. It was quiet in the store seeing as she was the only one there, the only sounds emitting from the speaker of her phone, the rain and mild thunder,  and the occasional honk of a car from the road outside.

Noelle liked being by herself, especially in the store. She enjoyed being there alone after hours, cleaning up after a busy day or week, surrounded by books and engulfed by her thoughts. Only this time, all she could think of was that she could be in a somewhat run-down building in Brooklyn right now, but her hesitation had her convincing an exasperated Beverly to go on without her as she cleaned up the store. She hadn’t gone to the last two fights, though she knew Calum won because of course she was gonna ask Beverly—she’d also seen the boys’, minus Calum’s, SnapChat stories to see them celebrating. But right now, Noelle wasn’t so sure if she was ready to face the music.

For God’s sake, she practically ran from Calum. She felt incapable of manning up and looking at him after that embarrassing stunt. God, what was he thinking when she took off like that?

Sighing, Noelle fixed the cushions on the small couches by the chalkboard wall, head snapping over to her phone when her music was interrupted by the text notification. When she crossed the store and checked the message, seeing that it was from Beverly, Noelle’s eyes widened, brows drawing together in shock.

From: Beverly 9:43 P.M.

Calum lost. Thought you’d wanna know.

Noelle’s jaw dropped slightly in disbelief as the music continued playing, thunder ironically sounding outside at the same time as she felt her mouth dry because Calum lost? She’s only been to a number of his matches and he hadn’t lost a single one of those, and from what she knew, it was a rare occurrence if he ever did. Noelle didn’t bother replying as she put her phone back on the counter, her movements a bit slow as she picked up the rag to continue cleaning the shelves.

But her actions were thoughtless, her body moving on its own accord as she cleaned the shelves, while her mind was once again filled with Calum. Only this time, she wasn’t thinking of the two times his body was against hers—once in the alley a while back and then in her bed. She wasn’t thinking about how he’s come to her aid, defended her more than once, resulting in some asshole’s broken nose.

All she could think of was that the first time since she’s met him, Calum lost a match, and although it wasn’t Noelle’s place, she wanted to be able to comfort him. Though, she was sure that there wasn’t anything she would be able to do to make him feel better about this. Noelle may have not known Calum for long, but he obviously took his fighting seriously and a loss was most definitely not something he would take lightly. She pursed her lips as she absently cleaned one of the shelves; he was probably pissed.

Noelle wasn’t sure how long she was lost in her thoughts, thinking about the same guy whose seemingly become a permanent resident in her mind, but suddenly her heart was jumping in her throat at the sound of pounding on the glass door over the rain outside. She gasped, clutching the rag to her chest as she spun around, wide eyes immediately going towards the door.

The windows looking out in the streets were shielded by drawn curtains, and Noelle’s only view of outside was through the glass doors. Glass doors which allowed her to catch sight of Calum standing right outside of the store.

“Calum—” She couldn’t even hope to say anything else but his name, frozen in her spot as she noticed him standing with one hand on the handle, dark eyed gaze piercing through the glass and right at her, waiting for her to let her in.

When lightning struck, briefly shadowing him into nothing but a silhouette, Noelle was startled into action as she absently dropped the rag and moved forward, hurrying to the door. She didn’t think, couldn’t think, her sole attention on opening the door and getting Calum out of the rain, not even questioning what he was doing here until her hands were on the locks as she twisted them open.

She pushed the door, feeling the light spray of rain and wind against her face, welcoming the smell of the outside world and Calum. “What’re you—”

Her words were cut off not by Calum’s words, but by his actions of pushing past her and inside the door, dripping wet as he unapologetically tracked water inside. She only got a brief look of his face as he moved past her, features taut and jaw tight, and Noelle swallowed down her apprehension as she fumbled to swing the door shut and lock it before turning to face him.

Calum stood in the middle of the store in front of the shelves, facing the counter to his left with his hands on his hips and chin lifted in agitation, as if he was contemplating something. Noelle’s heart was pounding, deafening her to the music still playing through her phone—the soft melody of Imagine Dragon’s Dancing in the Dark was just beginning to play—and the rain outside. What was Calum doing here? Why was he here?

Hesitatingly, Noelle took a few unsure steps further into the store she knew so well, eyes never leaving Calum’s rigid stance. His dark hair was flat and wet atop his head, black leather jacket and everything under it clinging to his skin as he finally turned to look at her. Noelle froze where she was under his sharp gaze, breath stilling in her lungs. There was a small cut on his right cheekbone, another one on his lower lip and the yellowish hintings of a bruise forming right along his left jaw.

Noelle wondered if there were any other marks, signs of a lost fight, marring his skin.

“This is all your Goddamn fault.”

Her eyes widened, brows drawing together incredulously. “I—Excuse me?”

Calum turned to face her as she noticed the way his grey shirt, dark with rain, clung to his chest and torso invitingly. Focus, Noelle, she chided herself, forcing her to pay attention to the fact that Calum was apparently angry at her—blamed her for something. “What’s all my fault?” she continued, finally finding her voice with a disbelieving scoff.

He took a step towards her, his skin transparently colored with rain as beads of water followed the path along his sharp jaw down to the side of his neck. Calum’s dark eyes were narrowed in agitation, the mere look on his face igniting the tension in the room. Noelle figured the rain lightly thundering outside didn’t help diffuse the thickness of the air.

“I lost tonight, did you know that?” Calum responded to her question with his own, his head tilting to the side to accompany the rhetoric, sarcastic nature of his tone. Noelle pursed her lips, recognizing that he wasn’t looking for an answer. One hand still on his hips, the other raised to rub at his stubbly jaw, Noelle noticing the familiar bruising of his knuckles. “Lost to a guy I should’ve had no problem knocking out in five seconds flat. All because of you.”

Okay, was he out of his mind or something? Noelle couldn’t keep her jaw from dropping even if she wanted to, the scoff choking in her throat with brows shot up in incredulity. What the fuck was he blaming her for? “B-Because of me?” she stuttered out, words jumbling out of shock as she reeled back slightly. “What’re you talking about? I wasn’t even there!”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” Calum snapped, the irritation hardening his voice. Even his accent sounded thick. Noelle had to school her expression from recoiling. Why was he so angry? He took another few steps closer. Running his fingers through his hair, effectively keeping it back due to it being soaked, Calum jutted his lower jaw out, tongue pressing to the floor of his mouth as his annoyed gaze remained on her. “You weren’t there tonight. Or the past two nights.”

Confusion overwhelmed Noelle, lips parted in bewilderment as she tried to make sense of Calum’s words. So many questions were flying through her mind, trying to make sense of what was going on because she sure as hell wasn’t sure. All she knew was that Calum was pissed off about losing and for some reason or another, the blame was on her. Had she missed something?

“But somehow it’s my fault you lost?” Noelle found herself demanding, unable to stop the disbelieving laugh that escaped her. He had to be joking, right? “You’re gonna blame someone that wasn’t even there? Maybe take into consideration that you lost because you just weren’t that good tonight.”

She didn’t mean for her words to come out so bitchy, almost to the point of antagonizing, but Noelle didn’t appreciate Calum finding some way of blaming her for his loss. He was angry about losing, fine, and she guessed he had the right to being annoyed with her for running out on him a few days ago, but assigning fault to her for something out of her control was overstepping it a bit, wasn’t it?

Obviously, her words didn’t settle well with Calum, his jaw snapping shut and tightening, shoulders rigid as he took the final few dominating steps closer to her. At this point, he was basically toe to toe with her, forcing Noelle to reluctantly tilt her head back to maintain their gaze. She didn’t even want to acknowledge the wild beating of her heart, anticipation for God knows what exciting every fiber of her being.

“You’re a distraction,” Calum muttered, brown eyes flickering between her hazel, which were taking in the fresh cut on his cheek and the one on his lower lip. Was it bad it just made Noelle desperate to kiss him? Her mouth dried, the music still playing nothing but a hum she couldn’t recognize mixed with the pelting rain, at their closeness. How did they always end up in each other’s personal space? How come nothing ever came from it? Calum’s gaze dropped to Noelle’s lips and she swore her breath was gone. “You weren’t even there tonight and I couldn’t get you out of my damn head. Cost me the fucking match.”

Oh. Oh. What the hell was she supposed to say to that?

Hell, it would be a miracle if she could even form a coherent thought after Calum’s clear yet devastating words. He lost the match because he couldn’t get her out of his head? The very statement had Noelle tensing in astonishment, lungs burning for air she failed to inhale because of the shock stilling her in every way.

Pressing her lips together, heart hammering, Noelle took in every detail of Calum’s face in that moment, giving her thoughts a second to realign. His long lashes, the tip of his nose slightly flushed from the rain, not to mention the water slickening his skin. The two small slashes on his face were red with dried blood. She wanted to kiss the cut on his lips better.

She didn’t realize Calum had taken that moment to memorize every feature of her face, too.

“Should’ve been thinking about where to throw my next punch, next kick,” Calum was saying, his low rasp pulling Noelle out of her thoughts as she blinked back up at his eyes. Dark eyes that she felt were staring right through her. “Instead, all I could think about was you running the fuck away from me. Destroyed every ounce of my focus.”

Noelle was finding it difficult to swallow the lump forming in the middle of her throat. Finding it difficult to breathe because every time she inhaled, all she could smell was the scent of rain and pine clinging to Calum. Finding it difficult to believe that he lost a match because she was the reason for his inability to focus, to think of anything but her.

She had been on his mind, just like he had been on hers.

Still, she wasn’t going to let herself believe this so easily. She wished her voice was stronger, steadier, more confident when she spoke instead of it coming out as a whisper. “Hard to imagine a fighter like you letting some girl get in your head like that.”

It was a small yet pleasant surprise when Calum’s lips curled in slight amusement, a scoff escaping him. “Think I’m realizing you’re not just some girl,” he responded, his own voice a quiet murmur, gaze unwavering from hers.

Noelle’s breath stilled in her throat, unsure if she heard him right. Unsure if his obvious words held the obvious meaning she picked up on. She didn’t want to just assume and end up embarrassing herself, but the way Calum was staring at her, intense dark eyes seemingly staring into her Goddamn soul, Noelle was sure there was no other meaning behind his words.

Everything stilled in the next moment, the world coming to a seeming halt despite the steady pour of rain outside. The music was still playing, some soft melody Noelle didn’t recognize because all she could focus on was Calum. Towering over her, gaze flickering around her face, the air between them practically crackling with the same anticipation that was exciting their hearts.

And despite her chest threatening to burst open and her throat drying at their closeness, at being crowded by Calum despite having room to move back, Noelle couldn’t help the sudden urge to push his buttons. To see if she could get some kind of reaction out of him. Lifting her chin slightly, eyes on his, she practically taunted, “Sounds like a bunch of bullshit.”

His eyes darkened even more, narrowing at her words as a hint of challenging anger flashed across his face, shoulders squaring slightly as his lips pursed at Noelle’s goading. The mildly irritated look on Calum’s face, funnily enough, had Noelle’s stomach twisting in excitement.

But then Calum recognized the mirth Noelle couldn’t keep from dancing in her light eyes as she looked at him, corners of her lips twitching into a smile she tried to keep at bay. Noelle couldn’t help herself; this entire situation was nerve wracking and unexpected with Calum’s presence, but the excitement was bubbling relentlessly.

His own shoulders relaxed as all forms of irritation and anger left him with a sharp exhale, pursing his lips to prevent his own smile. In this moment, being annoyed with her for running out on him a few days ago seemed like the last thing on his mind. There they were, the two of them standing toe to toe with the blood in their veins simmering with anticipation, looks of nothing but want and need etched across their features. And the second Calum took in the way Noelle’s gaze flickered to his lips, her neck tensing as she did so, he allowed himself to let his guard down and threw caution in the wind.

“It’s not,” Calum gruffed, his movements swift as his hands grasped Noelle’s face and pulled her towards him, head ducking to press his lips to hers in a near bruising kiss.

Noelle’s response was instant; never once hesitating, never pausing to comprehend what was happening. Moving her lips with Calum’s was instinctive, eyes closing at the toe curling force he kissed her with, her heart going into overdrive as she couldn’t help but think, Finally.

There was nothing gentle or slow about this kiss, and Noelle absolutely had no complaints, feeling herself melt into Calum’s lips, into his large hands grasping her cheeks as his fingers lightly tangled into her hair. She stumbled closer on the tips of her toes, pushing herself closer to Calum’s height as their fronts pressed together to get rid of any unwanted space between them.

Both of their senses were invaded by each other as Noelle gave into the desire she’s probably had the moment she met Calum and sucked on his plump bottom lip, her knees threatening to give out at the rough moan that resonated from the back of his throat and into her mouth. Noelle took advantage of his parted lips, tongue meeting his in a greedy dance Calum easily took the lead on, using his grasp on her face to pull her closer in appreciation. She couldn’t possibly be any closer to him but it still wasn’t enough.

It was like weeks of figuring out confused feelings—their own and each other’s—and pure desire of being able to just hold each other was finally being paid its due. For now, in this moment that seemed to be inevitable, all they could do was be overwhelmed by each other.

Noelle felt Calum’s wet yet surprisingly warm hands on her face, the metal of his rings a cool, stark contrast that had her gasping. He reveled in the way her hands fisted the front of his wet shirt, right below the neckline before sliding up and briefly pausing at his shoulders, until finding home on the sides of his neck, her warm touch a welcome stranger on his wet skin. She could taste the cigarettes and mint in his mouth, like he chewed some gum after taking a smoke, and he was willing and able to suck off the cherry chapstick she wore.

Calum was drenched from the rain, Noelle could feel some droplets of cold water on her skin, but she couldn’t bring herself to care if her clothes got wet the closer she pressed herself against Calum, feeling the delicious pressure of his hips against hers. When Noelle’s lips moved against Calum’s a certain way, his hands slid into her hair and he tightened his grip, not enough to hurt her, as he groaned into her mouth.

She quickly realized, through her muddled mind overtaken by everything regarding Calum, that she had touched the cut near the corner of his lips. Eyes still closed, brows furrowed, she breathed into his mouth, “Sorry.”

His teeth lightly clasped around her lower lip, pulling it back and taking in the hooded gaze she was staring at him with, eyes clouded with the same desire Calum’s already clingingly wet pants were tightened with. Shit, he was ready to take her right in the middle of the damn store, what with the way her hands felt on him and the addicting taste he couldn’t get enough of.

He let go of her lip, Noelle’s insides melting like ice over fire, as Calum rasped, “Don’t be.” He didn’t mind it. In fact, Calum enjoyed the pressure of Noelle’s lips against the cut on his own. Her light eyes peered up at him through her lashes, and Calum was surprised to find himself needing a moment to let this moment sink in, to properly appreciate what he just did.

Closing his eyes, Calum kept his hands in Noelle’s hair, just as soft as it had felt that night in her bed, pressing his forehead to hers, noses brushing together as Calum inhaled a deep breath. The kind of deep breath he needed after a fight to allow his body to relax from the adrenaline of the fight. Only this time, Calum needed to come down from the high of finally, finally, finally getting to feel the softness and taste the sweetness of Noelle’s lips. So he held her in place with his hands holding her head, letting their warm breaths puff against each other’s kiss swollen mouths. Calum vaguely recognized I Found by Amber Run softly playing through the store, heart thundering as he wondered if Noelle felt like the world was floating away from her, too.

He had been cold from the rain, but now he was on fire.

I kissed Calum. I just kissed Calum. Those were the only thoughts her brain was processing in the moment; nothing less than, nothing deeper. Noelle was incapable of thinking of anything further than the notion of her lips meeting Calum’s—didn’t want to take this long-craved moment to think about what the hell this meant and what Calum meant about it. Those were questions she could drive herself crazy over analyzing, overthinking about later tonight. For now, all she could do was keep her warm hands on his neck with his forehead against hers, her parted lips that let out soft pants, mixing with his own, curling into a small, giddily content smile.

But then a deafeningly loud clap of thunder roared across the sky, cruelly breaking the blissfully content silence Noelle and Calum had enveloped themselves in as they appreciated the afterglow of a kiss neither of them had planned. Noelle’s eyes flew open at the startling noise, breath catching in her throat as her hands dropped from Calum’s and she unexpectedly stumbled back, the thunder catching her off guard since she was too busy being satisfied the way her lips were tingling from being pressed against Calum, for still being able to taste his minty tongue and the smoke in his lungs.

Opening his own eyes, Calum straightened as he saw Noelle turn her gaze towards the door, watching the rain pelt harder outside, lips parted to still catch her breath. He couldn’t help the smirk threatening to tug his own, noticing the way her mouth was slightly pink and swollen from entangling with his, boyish smugness flooding through him.

Much like Noelle, he didn’t want to think about anything other than the fact that he was here, and that he had done the one thing he had been battling with himself on doing for the past few days. Calum didn’t want to ponder the inevitable thoughts of what to do next, where to go from here; he just wanted to pat himself on the back approvingly for coming to terms with the fact that, yeah, he really did have undeniable feelings for Noelle.

So without giving it too much thought, without letting any of the nagging voices at the back of his head get the better of him, Calum reached forward and gently grasped Noelle’s hand in his. Her gaze instantly snapped down to the way his fingers curled around hers, her own slowly returning the gesture as she lifted her gaze to meet his, and Calum smirked softly—a small little smile that didn’t hold any of the smugness he was feeling moments before. “Come on,” he tugged at her hand slightly, nodding towards the door. “I’ll take you home.” No way was he letting her go out alone in this rain, at this time of night.

She blinked up at him, the offer taking her by surprise—but really, at this point with Calum, what didn’t?—and the tall, drenched boy wanted to kick himself for even giving her the impression of him not wanting to do something for her in the first place. Calum didn’t regret many things, but for the first time, Calum regretted ever being even the smallest bit of a jerk to the pretty girl in front of him.

“Okay,” she smiled, showing off the dimples Calum fought the ridiculous urge to poke, instead feeling his lungs swell up at the sight of her smile. She had such a gorgeous smile.

He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her; not when she put away the rag she had been cleaning with, not when she moved around the counter to grab her things, not when she approached him by the doorway and clicked off the lights. He didn’t leave her side; not as he stood over her with his jacket off and holding it above her head to shield her from the rain as she locked up the store, or when the rain freshly drenched him once more yet he kept the jacket over her, trying to keep her head as dry as possible.

And despite the low jazz music playing through his stereo and the rain echoing as it hit the glass and roof of the car, there was silence during the drive as all either of them were privy to was the sounds of their pounding hearts that would give the thunder a run for its money. He was drenched and the rain had gotten her only a little, the heater of the car already working on drying them, yet the last thing on their minds was the pouring rain.

But the silence in the car was anything but tense. It wasn’t like the first time they were in Calum’s car alone together, on their way to Michael’s house. No, this time it was the kind of quiet that allowed Noelle to focus on biting back the goofy smile threatening to split across her face; it allowed Calum to keep his attention on the road, keep his grip tight on the steering wheel even if his right hand itching to let go to rest on Noelle’s thigh, just for the sake of being able to touch her.

But was he allowed to touch her? He’d kissed her impulsively, without much of a thought, and he had gotten lucky that she hadn’t pushed him off or slapped him. He was lucky she had accepted the desires that he so desperately needed to quell by just pressing his lips to her—though, after kissing Noelle the way he had, Calum realized his want and need for her only intensified. But. . . Baby steps. If any, at all.

However, figuring everything out wasn’t for tonight, he understood, as he pulled up in front of her house. Tonight was for them to replay the head spinning, dizzying kiss their lips craved more of in their minds, to silently ask themselves what the other person meant by it as they laid in bed at night, hoping they both wanted the same things. But were Noelle and Calum, themselves, completely sure of what they wanted? Had either of them established what they wanted the other to mean for them?

Calum was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard the seatbelt zing back into place, glancing over to see Noelle picking up her bag, one hand on the door handle as she looked at him. He wondered if feeling his breath catch in his throat was something he needed to get used to around Noelle. “Thanks for the ride, Calum.” Her voice was soft, low, as if not to disturb the personable silence they mutually created around them.

Oh, how fucking desperately Calum wanted to kiss her again. But he wasn’t sure if that was pushing it, if it was something she wanted. She may have kissed him in the store, but Calum didn’t want to just assume she’d be willing to do it again. So, instead, Calum asked, “Come to my match tomorrow?”

She gazed at him, hazel eyes lit up by the street lamps outside looking at him almost scrutinizingly, and Calum wondered what she could be thinking, before feeling the words die in his throat when she shifted slightly to face him and mused, “Might need a little convincing.”

Calum didn’t miss the way she leaned closer and once again he was surprised to see the mirth in her eyes, challenging him to make the next move, and Calum couldn’t help but wonder how he could’ve missed the minx-like personality Noelle seemed to carry. But, fuck it if Calum didn’t find it the hottest thing ever.

An airy scoff of a laugh escaped his smirking lips, and he didn’t need to be told twice has his right hand pressed against the area under her chin, cupping it with his thumb on one side of her jaw and his fingers on the other, pulling her cupped face towards him as he met her lips halfway with his own.

He felt Noelle smile against his lips, felt his own mirroring the action as they worked to pull a slow, sucking kiss from Noelle’s mouth as he held the bottom of her face in one hand. Calum had kissed off most of her chapstick, though the cherry flavored lingered slightly as he sucked the rest of it into his own mouth, pants straining when he heard Noelle let out a quiet yet satisfied moan that he swallowed.

Shit, only the second kiss and he never wanted to fucking stop. Never wanted to stop her lips on his or their noses pressing against their cheeks.

“Okay,” Noelle breathed, pulling away in need of air, eyes fluttering open to dazedly look at Calum. He brushed his thumb over to join his fingers on the other side of her jaw, and Calum never understood what it felt like to melt in someone’s touch until Noelle turned her head ever so slightly to press a kiss to his palm. She smiled at him, lazy and sweet. “I’ll come to your match.”

And without another word, another kiss, Noelle smiled that pretty smile before opening the door, the roar of the rain making Calum blink back into reality as he watched her shut the door behind her and run up to her front door in the rain. He watched from where he sat in the driver’s seat, looking through the rain pelted window to watch Noelle open the door to the house, her silhouette turning around to offer a quick wave before shutting the door, and Calum fell back in his seat as reality replaced Noelle’s presence.

He let out a deep breath. He was in trouble, but he was completely okay with it.

tags: @aphroditebeautyshit @cartiercalum @modelukes @tothemoonmikey @candidcalum @perfectlycake @cakestan @lukesback @polarizehood @vaporlewk @luke2k18 @biggestslutforcalum @kinkycorbyn @nostalgia-luke @captain-what-is-going-on @hoodstations @calumamore @thesamebutwonderfullydifferent @rosecth @aghostofmgc @mollypayge @o-cece-d @hemmohales @crownedbyluke @vscsng @invisiblexcth @lukes-youngblood @sunflowertoejam @5sos-stan4lyfe @vistaviola @clum-thomas @justalittleofmyworld @babygirlcashton @ashsthetic @bahylon @angelbbycal @egyptiangoldhood @julianniez @morethanalover @romanticalumhood @calistajs @booklove-2 @pickleluke @rememberr-iloveyou @ghstofcalum @chloettegriffiths

[buckysgoldenheart]

Unprofessional: Seb Stan x Reader  Part 5

Summary: Starring in the same movie meant feelings between any two actors was not allowed.

Sebastian Stan x Reader

Part: 5/?

Warnings: Cursing, I think. 

Words: 2151

Hope you guys like it. Comments are appreciated!!!!

Part 5

SEB P.O.V.

I didn’t even say ‘bye.’ Why the fuck didn’t I say ‘bye, Seb’s mind screamed, disappointed in his actions, or lack thereof. What the fuck is wrong with me?

As he made his way to his car, Seb turned his head over his shoulder to get one last look at you as you talked to a member of the set crew, but he didn’t stop walking until he was forced to by a small body blocking his way. Seb’s head whipped so fast to the source that his brain slightly jostled in his skull.

“Ann?!”

The small red-head before him smirked and gave a little wink. “Hi, baby.”

After recovering from shock, Seb huffed out a breath as he glanced back in your direction to make sure you were nowhere near. “Ann, what are you doing here?” He asked, exasperated. “How did you even find out where I am?”

She stood on her toes, put both of her manicured hands on his chest, and placed a small kiss on his cheek before he had the chance to protest. “Was just missing my man; Thought I would come pick him up and take him home, and don’t worry about how I’m here, just be happy that I am.” She smiled and brushed her fingers through the hair just above his ear and Seb flinched at her touch.

He grabbed her hand from his face and placed it back at her side. “Ann, we talked about this. We aren’t—”

The girl rolled her eyes. “I know, I know…’involved anymore.’”

“Yea.” He replied, nodding his head just a little extra harder than normal, hoping to drill that point home. “That’s exactly right, so why are you here?”

Ann’s brown eyes trailed up and down the length of Seb’s body, his face growing more bored as she took her sweet time, until he had to look away from the eye-groping for his sanity. That look of hers may have worked on him months ago, but not anymore. “I gave you some time to think about us and now I’m back.” Ann said, turning Seb’s face back to hers by his chin.

“This wasn’t something I needed to think about. I was pretty clear.”

She made a humming sound at his statement that he recognized all too well as an indication of her not giving a shit about what he said. “Seb.” She said, locking her eyes with his. “C’mon, you can’t be seri—Oh my God, is that Y/N; That girl you’re working with?”

“What?” He hadn’t noticed Ann look over his shoulder until your name fell past her lips.

Ann pointed in the direction Seb knew you had been minutes before, he had just hoped you had gone home already. His ex was the last person he ever wanted you to meet. “That Y/H/C-haired girl over there?”

Seb didn’t need to look. It was too late to fix the problem anyway. “Yes.” He said, his tone solid, but angry as a result of this situation.

A shrill laugh passed her painted lips. “Well, thank God, huh?”

Seb’s eyebrows scrunched together, genuinely confused at her reaction. “What?”

“I thought she was going to be pretty. I was worried about her stealing my man.” She smiled and drew a fingernail from the tip his shoulder to the curve of his wrist. “But, clearly that will not be a problem.”

“I’m not your man, Ann.” Seb groaned. “And what the hell do you mean you thought she would be pretty? She is p—"

“Is, um, this a bad time?”

Fuck, Seb internally cursed as he heard your sweet voice behind him and rolled his eyes at the satisfied smirk on Ann’s face. Seb was so engrossed in arguing with Ann that he didn’t hear your footsteps. He turned away from the woman he loathed to face you and the uncomfortable look that had spread across your features. It was like all at once, you figured out what was happening in front of you, how he felt about you, who Ann was, and how utterly screwed he seemed to be in this moment; but, Seb couldn’t help his smile when he saw you, even with the awkwardness of the day looming over your heads. “Y/N, hi…”

“Is this a bad time?” You asked again, your beautiful Y/E/C eyes staring at him from under thick, long lashes. You hadn’t looked at Ann yet and Seb just prayed you couldn’t see her altogether. “I was asked to give you this.”

Seb didn’t even look to the thing in your hand, barely even registering what you said. He just saw you in front of him and knew that your bodies being so close made him forget that Ann was even there, but he should’ve known that wouldn’t last. Moments later, Ann’s aggravating voice piped up from behind him, drawing your attention away and forcing the magic Seb felt from his current connection with you to shatter to bits at his feet.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Sebby?”

When he made no move to bring you and Ann into the same conversation, the annoying one took it upon herself.

“Can’t trust this man to be a gentleman for his life.” She chuckled, and it made him nauseous. “I’m Ann, Sebastian’s girlfriend.”

At that word, Seb’s eyes snapped shut from frustration. Why I thought she wouldn’t try to stake her claim is far beyond me. When he opened his eyes, he saw your face had changed, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.

“Oh.” You acknowledged, your head down, eyes suddenly interested in the pavement.

“You’re not my girlfriend!” He groaned without turning to Ann, then quietly directed his words to you. “Y/N, she’s not my girlfriend.”

“It’s not really my business. It’s late, I should get home. I’ll see you on Monday.” You hurried away, the paper you were meant to give him still in your clenched hand.

Seb felt clear, sharp pain when you left him to trek back to your car. It hurt, the fact that you walked away from him so easily, the unreadable expression on your face, coming to the realization that he wouldn’t see you the entire weekend.

“Aww, she seems sweet. I would love to get to know her better; let her know where her boundaries lie when it comes to you.”

The sarcasm dripping from Ann’s mouth did nothing to calm Seb’s overflowing frustration.

He whipped around and grabbed his ex by her upper arm. “Boundaries are not going to be a problem, so Leave. Her. Alone.” He demanded, his lips close to her face and blue-grey eyes burning in a threat.

“Oh please, I saw the way she was looking at you.” She spat, before her lips formed a smirk rivaling any Disney villain’s. “She needs to learn a lesson. Maybe I should catch up with her before she leaves.”

Seb gripped the red-heads arm firmer. “You listen to me right now. Y/N didn’t do anything, ok? She is my coworker and I don’t need you causing more problems in my life than you already have.” He growled, then released her and stepped back. “Besides…she doesn’t like me like that.”

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

SEB P.O.V.

The Next Day

“Oh my God, just do it already!” Anthony moaned as he laid along Seb’s couch, eating popcorn and throwing an occasional kernel at the screen in front of him when his team didn’t score.

Seb looked at his phone warily, reading the text he had written and rewritten while his thumb hovered over the ‘send’ button. “I don’t know if I can.”

“If you don’t do it, I will.” His friend replied, words muffled by a mouth full of snack food.

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

Y/N P.O.V.

Your phone dinged with a notification, which was beyond odd, because your phone never dinged with a notification unless it was from your roommate, Billie. With a confused look on your face, your head slowly turned left to the tall, raven-haired girl sitting next to you on your bed, her eyes fixated on on the tv show in front of her as she munched on some Doritos.

Billie had always been great at multitasking, could text and do anything else at the same time, but considering her phone was nowhere to be seen, you guessed it probably wasn’t her.

“Billie?”

“Yea.” She asked, face stuffed with chips as she continued to stare at the show in front of her.

“Did you just text me?”

Apparently, your question was stupid enough to merit a judgmental face and direct eye contact, because Billie rarely looked anyone’s way once Netflix was turned on.

“Ok, hun, I know you’ve been kinda stressed lately, you know, with the ridiculously hot co-star and all, but maybe you should take it easy. Maybe take a nap.”

You grabbed your phone off the nightstand and fiddled with it between your hands, nervous to click the unlock button. “My phone dinged.” You said as you stared at the dark screen. One touch of a button and you would see who it was from, but no one ever texted you, No one except Billie.

This is silly.

You looked back to your best friend, her eyes re-glued on the tv. “Yea? I’m not sure what you want me to do about it?” She chuckled. “Maybe, I don’t know, check who it’s from?”

You nodded, still looking at the phone, then clicked the button with your thumb. The screen brightened, and the image of your dead dog popped up. “One new notification’ with the little messaging box next to it covered Fluffy’s big, brown eyes.

If I want to see my dog ever again I’m going to have to open it.

You entered in your pin and there it was, your ‘one new notification,’ from non-other than Sebastian Stan. You had forgotten the director gave you each other’s numbers before you even met in case you wanted to do outside rehearsing, or discuss the scene, or whatever came to mind.  

“I’m having a party at my place tonight. I know its short notice, but I hope you can make it.”

That’s all it said except for his address a couple spaces underneath and the time the party started.

Party at Sebastian’s starting in 30 min and he wants me to come?

“Oh, no.” You whispered to the phone.

“What?”

“Uh n-nothing.”

Yours eyes had yet to look up and without expecting it, Billie had snatched your phone from your hands. You swatted at her and grabbed for it, but her arms were a little longer than yours. She held you back as she read the words in front of her.

“A party?” She said, excitedly, tossing your phone back in your lap.

You huffed in response. “Yea…”

“At the ridiculously hot co-star’s apartment?”

“Yea…”

Billie smiled mischievously and got up from the bed, chips and Netflix forgotten. “Oh, you’re going.” She said, walking over to your closet and rummaging through it.

You panicked at her statement, not question, but statement. “No! Billie, no way!”

She pulled out the only sexy dress you had; simple, short-ish without being slutty, and in a deep plum shade that gave you ‘killer curves,’ or so Billie claimed, then threw it near you. “Yes, way.”

You stood and moved to where she stood as she looked for your black heels and you took the opportunity to snatch the dress from where it laid on the bed to put it back in the closet.

“Don’t you dare!” She scolded from a hunched position, her back facing you. She knew you too well. “You are going!”

“Billie—”

“No!” She yelled again, standing and tossing your shoes on the mattress. “This is the first man you have been attracted to in I don’t know how long, and he has invited you to a party at his place. I will drag you there kicking and screaming if I have to.”

“We work together!”

“I. Don’t. Care.” She said as she repeatedly poked your shoulder with a finger. “Now, be a good girl and put on your outfit, do your make up, and get out of here.”

“It’s at 9.”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “Then, you better get cracking if you want to look like a sexy-as-hell goddess for that man of yours.”

Your face straightened out. “Not my man. I think he has a girlfriend anyway. I mean, he said he doesn’t, but the woman he was with seemed pretty damn sure he does.”

“Well, show up looking like a seductive temptress and figure it out. If she’s there, hanging all over him, making out with him, then yea, maybe he does…God, that would suck.”

“Maybe? Maybe he does? If he’s doing all those things with her, I would say he definitely does.”

Billie huffed. “Just go.” Then, she lightly slapped your ass in the direction of the bathroom where all of your make-up products lived.

Tags: Perm: @dugan365 @moonlightimagination @pietrotheavenger @marvel-fanfiction @agentsinstorybrooke @dani-si @alyssiamking @wintersoldier98 @then-there-was-me-emily @prxttybirdz @tessvillegas @xceafh @jazzwoman897 @fandoms-who @meganwinchester1999 @ufffg @debra77 @rebelliouscat @anise-d-castle6 @projectxhappiness @buckybarnesappreciationsociety @lowkeysebby @stringgeek13 @quotemeow @jjamesbbarness @stangirl4eva @guera31 @sophiatomlinson23 @youreahandsomedevil @thisismysecrethappyplace @rex-orange-baby @slytherin-in-hufflepuff-robes @itssmallerontheoutside-13 @hiddles-rose

Unprofessional: @randomawesomeperson102 @asstiel4-20 @amina4-4 @buckysrcse @tacohead13 @pxrrishly @jamesbuckybarnes13 @universal-death-of-a-fangirl @sirod-30 @cutesy-angst @partlybcrnes 

[hyukmark]

Teasers || Prev. || next 

↪ Masterlist  ↩

↳ A Reader X Mark swimmer!au series in which Johnny's little sister Y/N finally moves back to Korea after graduating high school in Chicago. A written/social media fusion au!!  ↲

A/N Feel free to tell me and KP how you feel about our work! I wonder what Y/N will say ;)

CHAPTER TWO

You placed your phone down on the table after scrolling through the comments left by the boys, you couldn’t help but laugh a little at how clingy Haechan was coming across. You had been here together for around forty minutes now and had already fallen love with the few members that were here. Your brother gave you a proud smile as you started up conversations with them, all your nervousness from before had all dissipated and now you were sure you had made some friends here in Korea.

“I’m going to head to the rest room, anyone else?” Your brother suddenly said, you were sure you saw him wink to Taeyong but you shook it off.

“I was about to say the same thing.” Taeyong said, getting up out of his seat.

Taeil got out of his seat and followed, “What a coincidence, I need to go too.”

Before you knew it everyone but Jaemin, Haechan and Renjun had left to go to the restroom, you glared at the bathroom door wondering what your brother had planned or if this was some sort of sick trick to make you even more embarrassed. You had noticed the sly comments these three would come out with as each one of them tried flirting with you, causing you to go into a frenzy of stutters.

“We aren’t making you uncomfortable are we?” Renjun asked, concerned. “We are trying to annoy Johnny but we’ll stop if you don’t like it.”

You shook your head, “If it’s to annoy Johnny then I’m in. I’m just not used to having guys, younger guys, talk to me like that.”

They laughed at your response, understanding completely why you would feel that way. Mid laughter, Haechan slid his phone over to you. You looked down at the phone, his contacts were open and you instantly knew what he wanted you to do.

“I thought we agreed I was asking for her number.” Renjun scowled as you typed in your digits. 

You handed Haechan his phone and shyly put your hand out for the other’s phones, “What does it matter? You were taking too long.” His smirk was radiating smugness.

You typed your number into Jaemin’s and Renjun’s phone then gave it them back for them to name your contact. “We’ll message you later Y/N, be expecting us!” Jaemin cheered, giving you a wide smile that melted your heart.

You noticed the boys come out of the restroom and coming back towards your booth. Your brother seemed happy about something but instantly frowned at you when he saw that Dream had moved even closer to you since he left. “Are you okay Y/N, they didn’t hurt you right?”

“Don’t be dramatic Johnny, we’re friends.”

“Yeah hyung. Best friends.” Jaemin smirked.

“Okay great lets go home Y/N.” Your brother grasped your arm and lightly pulled, “That’s enough friend making for one day.” You got out the booth, rolling your eyes at your brother’s protectiveness.

“I think we better get going too.” Yuta suggested, talking more to the boys in the booth, earning a series of groans from them.

“Wait we aren’t training tomorrow right?” Renjun suddenly remembered, his eyes pleading at Taeyong.

“No not tomorrow, why?”

“Well you know since it’s a heat wave and everything...” He started, glancing at you and Johnny, “Why don’t we all go swimming together?”

Jaemin and Haechan shook Renjun out of excitement, clearly for his idea. Taeil nodded in agreement along with Doyoung, however your brother seemed a bit off.

“It’s fine with me, will she want to meet everyone else at once though?” Taeyong questioned Johnny.

“I don’t mind.” You answered, a little annoyed he checked with Johnny and not you.

“It’s not her meeting everybody I’m worried about.” He sighed, running his hand through his hair for the second time this afternoon. “Her with seventeen boys. Shirtless.” You couldn’t quite catch what he mouthed to Taeyong but from the boy’s reaction you could tell it was him being protective again.

“Don’t worry about that Johnny.” Taeyong laughed, slapping him on the arm. “Plus it’ll help finalise..” He gave Johnny a wink and he winked back, what the hell were they talking about?

“Johnny what do you--”

“Okay let’s go Y/N it’s your bed time.” Johnny interrupted, pushing you out the door. You could hear the three boys from dream snickering behind you.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing it’s your bed time too.” You heard Taeil say behind you, instantly silencing the boy’s laughs, now it was your time to snicker.

***

You walked home, quiet at first but you could tell something was running through Johnny’s mind. He suddenly ruffled you hair before you had the chance to ask him what was wrong, you glared at him whilst he just laughed.

“I’ve really missed you Y/N. My baby sis is all grown up now.” 

Your eyes widened in shock at his sudden confession but you quickly regained composure, “Funny how you use grown up and baby in the same sentence.”

He stopped, his features turning serious. “You didn’t miss me then?”

You sighed, pulling him into a hug trying to fight the tears brimming at your eyes, “Of course I did you idiot.”

“It’s oppa to you.” He grinned.

“You always ruin the mood.” You laughed, slapping him lightly. The rest of your walk was quiet, occasionally you glanced at each other and burst out laughing for no real reason but out of awkwardness.

“I’m staying in my apartment tonight.” He murmured as your block was in sight, his apartment was in the same block as yours however he lived on a higher floor than you and your parents. “I’ll pick you up at one tomorrow, you shouldn’t be late this time either.” You shrugged, not promising anything.

You reached your door, it was around five right now so you figured your parent’s had left it unlocked. You were about to go in when you remembered your brother’s actions earlier, “Johnny what were you and Taeyong on about?”

“Huh? Just about a college we had thought of for you.”

Your eyes roamed his face, looking for any signs that he could be lying.

“College?” You said finally, giving in slightly. “I’m old now aren’t I?”

“You’ve certainly grown from being the little cute baby you once were.” He laughed, earning a punch in the arm from you.

“I’m still cute.” You pouted, opening the door slightly.

“Maybe a little bit.” He gave you a quick hug goodbye before disappearing up the stairs to his floor.

The lights in the apartment were all on, you could hear your parents discussing something in the kitchen . When you entered you saw your mum and dad making dinner, your dad cutting the remaining vegetables and your mum prepping the stew.

“I’m home!” You declared, feeling a bit weird at how fast you had adjusted to your new life.

“How was your day?” Your father asked, handing the chopped vegetables to your mum.

You walked to the counter where your mum had placed a container with chopsticks inside and placed them on the table, “It was great, Johnny has some really cool friends. I’m meeting the rest tomorrow.” You grabbed three glasses from the side, your parents must have gone shopping whilst you were out, and placed them next to the cutlery.

“Where are you going?” Your mum questioned, serving the food into small plastic bowls which your dad took over to you.

“I think Johnny-”

“Oppa. You need to remember your manners.” 

“Right I’m sorry. Oppa.” You mentally cringed, not used to referring your brother as it, “Said something about going to his club’s swimming pool, a way to defeat the heat whilst making friends.”

Both your parents sat down, showing their approval by nodding. “Well eat up, seems like you won’t have time to settle in.” Your mum pushed your bowl closer to you, encouraging you to eat. “Thank you for the meal mum~”

When you had finished helping your parents clear up after eating you washed up and got ready for bed, the jet lag catching up to you once again. You checked your phone before going to sleep, no notifications. You couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed that the boys hadn’t messaged you but you knew they might’ve just pretended to want your number  to wind up Johnny. You wondered if they actually wanted to be friends with you or if it was all an act just to have a dig at your older brother. Before you had the chance to worry any more you felt yourself slowly drifting away into a deep sleep.

***

You woke up and instantly checked your phone for the time, 12:17PM , it was just as you had feared, you’d slept in. You jumped out of bed and ran to the kitchen, opening the fridge you realised your parents had only gone shopping for the meal last night and a few necessities. You quickly grabbed an apple deciding that it would have to do for now since you haven’t got the time for anything else.

After chucking the apple core away you ran into your bedroom, being as quiet as possible as your parents were still asleep, and found the first decent outfit you could find and carried them into the bathroom. You splashed water onto your face then applied moisturiser to keep your skin looking fresh. There was no point for makeup since you were going swimming, there was no time for it anyway. You brushed your teeth, setting a two minute timer so you could be exact.

After finally putting your clothes on and throwing your hair into a messy ponytail it was 12:57, you had just made it. You slipped on your converse, getting a small backpack from your suitcase and put your swimsuit as well as your towel inside. Once you finished zipping up the bag your brother messaged you saying he was outside, you tiptoed to the door trying your best not to wake up your parents and opened the it.

“Hey Y/N~ You look terrible.” Johnny snorted as you locked the door behind you.

“Shut up. I woke up late, I didn’t even have an hour.” You sighed, patting down any lumps in your hair.

“Least you have enough energy for swimming, you’ve got to beat Yuta in a race, he doubts your skills.”

“I’ll beat him.” You declared, already determined for the day ahead.

You reached Johnny’s club, NCT standing out clearly on the front of the building. Taeyong was there at the doors waiting for the two of you, when he saw you both he gave you a big smile and waved.

“Hey Y/N~” He said cutely, “I heard the boys got your number yesterday but I told them to leave you alone. You’re welcome.” He winked, now you understood why you had had no notifications. It suddenly felt like you had another older brother now, this one just as protective as your own.

“Thank you TY.” Johnny responded for you, it was more of a favor to him than for you.

“I know how the dream team can be, but if you want to go get changed then you can go meet the other boys.” You nodded, excitement pulling you forward as you ran towards the changing rooms. “I’ll be right out!” You shouted to your brother who also went to get changed alongside Taeyong.

You locked the door behind you then shrugged your bag off of your back, unzipping it you got your plain  black swimsuit out. It was nothing special, you didn’t think it had to be since you were only meeting your brother’s friends, plus you knew Johnny would take you home if you wore something like a bikini.

You got changed, neatly packing your clothes into your bag and hanging it on the hooks on the side of the door. Taeyong had mentioned that the club was closed to other non-member’s today so you were able to leave your belongings in your changing room.

You unlocked the door, not expecting to be met with literally everyone. You stepped back in surprise, suddenly feeling self conscious, and used the door to cover you. Your brother came out of his room and ran to you, standing in front of you as if to protect you.

“Why are you all here?” He said exasperated, not expecting this outcome himself. “Hyuck why are you the only shirtless one?”

“Because no one told me we had to wear a swimming vest.” He looked innocent but everyone could tell he was lying.

Your brother turned around to face you, you were blushing like crazy and was fanning your face to cool yourself down. “You alright Y/N? I can tell them to go to the pool.” He asked, still standing so the boys couldn’t see you.

You took a deep breath and motioned to your brother to move out the way, he stepped to the side yet still stood close to you.

“E-erm hi...” You mumbled, coming out from behind the door. “I’m Y/N...It’s nice to meet you all.” You bowed down like you did yesterday and put on a smile even though you were still nervous.

One by one they introduced themselves making you slightly more at ease, however once you got to the Dream Team you could tell they were awkward.

“Y/N!” Renjun shouted, coming up to you with two unfamiliar boys. “This is Chenle and this is our maknae, Jisung!” He pushed the two boys to bow, one did on demand however the other was more stiff in his movements.

“Jisung isn’t used to girls.” Jaemin laughed, bringing another new member with him.

“I’m Jeno, I hope you’re good at swimming, everyone wants to race you.”

“I’m the best at swimming, I’ll take on any challenger.” You beamed, making a small fist.

“Wow here comes Mark, never thought he’d approach a girl by himself.” Chenle giggled, pointing at the boy who was shyly making his way over to you. He was handsome, you couldn’t deny that, you somehow anticipated his introduction.

He opened his mouth to talk but instantly Haechan pushed him out the way, “Hey Y/N!” Mark backed off and shook his head, going to the pool where the rest of the guys were. “I’m sorry I couldn’t message you last night, TY didn’t want me bothering you.”

Jaemin rolled his eyes, “You are annoying Hyuck.”

“I am not.” He pouted, but then his features lit up. “Last one to the pool gets thrown in!”

You ran as soon as he spoke, not wanting any of them to pick you up in this swimsuit or for Johnny to turn big brother mode on you again. You jumped in with a splash, you heard the boys cheer as poor Chenle was the last one to the pool.

Renjun edged him forward, Haechan and Jisung holding onto him so he couldn’t escape, “Any last words?”

“Y/N! I hope we can be good frie--” SPLASH!

He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence and instead was ruthlessly chucked into the pool. You laughed along with the rest of NCT as Chenle resurfaced, his hair covering his face.

“That wasn’t fair!!” He yelled, frowning at the three boys who threw him in.

“Y/N is my best friend, sorry!” Haechan replied, shrugging. They jumped into the pool, nearly taking out Chenle by doing so. You figured this was going to be a lot of fun, especially with people your own age here, it was about to get a lot better too.

***

“Y/N I challenge you to a race!” Yuta delcared, already at the wall of the pool in position.

You swam over to him, taking your place, “You’re on!”

“Anymore challengers please go next to Yuta and Y/N!” Taeyong announced. Haechan, Lucas, Jeno and Jaehyun swam next to you getting themselves ready.

Everyone else got out of the pool and watched, your brother mouthed a ‘fighting’ and fisted the air, you smiled at him but soon focused as Taeyong started to count down.

“..Go!!” It started with front crawl, you didn’t check to see where anyone was and instead focused on yourself. You timed your breathing with your body movements, you thought only of how the water moved around you and the sounds it made.

Before you knew it you were at the end of the pool, you didn’t stop to check what place you were but instead turned to swim backstroke like you had all agreed. You steadied your breathing again, you closed your eyes and counted to three, then opened them completely determined. You were practically glaring at the ceiling as your wanting to prove yourself kept you going, you drowned out the voices shouting your name and totally focused on swimming and only swimming.

Your hand hit the wall, you stopped kicking your legs and let yourself float in your place. You hadn’t quite won, Lucas had beaten you to it, but to your shock you had come second.

“That’s my little sister!!!” Johnny hit the air then jumped in the pool to congratulate you. You hadn’t quite comprehended that you had come second, it seemed like no one else did either as they stared at you in shock, their mouths agape.

“Wow Y/N you beat Yuta..” Jeno said from beside you, his eyes wide.

“You were actually leading for the whole of the front crawl, Lucas overtook at backstroke though.” Johnny informed you, knowing you wouldn’t have paid attention. “I’m so proud of you Y/N!!” He yelled, pulling you into a hug.

Everyone jumped into the pool again to congratulate both you and Lucas for the close match, soon after you had gone back to playing though.

***

You had gotten changed, you hair was still damp so you had resorted in putting it in a bun for now. A lot of the members had gone home but Johnny had said he needed to discuss something with Taeyong so you had to wait.

You packed your damp things in a plastic bag before shoving it back into your backpack. Unlocking the door you noticed Johnny and Taeyong whispering, Taeyong saw you first and called you over.

Your brother wrapped an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into him, “Did you enjoy today?” He ruffled your ponytail much to your annoyance.

“I guess so, wish you weren’t here though.”

Taeyong laughed lightly, observing your relationship with each other before speaking. “Your swimming was really good today Y/N.”

You smiled at his compliment, feeling quite proud of yourself, “Thank you!”

“You know we have a girl swim team.” He started, “We haven’t made them official quite yet because we felt like they were missing something.”

Your brother smiled beside you, excitement lighting up his features.

“To cut to the chase Y/N.” He paused one last time before handing you a badge, it read ‘NCT PRIME’, Johnny had never mentioned that team before. “I would love for you to be our final member.” Taeyong finally asked, catching you off guard, you were speechless, not sure what to say to him.

“I can tell you’re not sure, just let me know when you’re ready okay? I’ll be waiting.”

[goliath-de-senfina-sango]

Homo Ecto Sapiens

Chapter 2 Fandom: Danny Phantom Rating: General Audiences Relationships: Jack Fenton/Maddie Fenton, Danny Fenton & Jack Fenton & Maddie Fenton, Danny Fenton & Jazz Fenton, Danny Fenton & Tucker Foley & Sam Manson Characters: Danny Fenton, Jack Fenton, Maddie Fenton, Jazz Fenton, Sam Manson, Tucker Foley, Mr. Lancer (Danny Phantom), Dash Baxter, Lunch Lady (Danny Phantom), Dorathea "Dora" (Danny Phantom), Paulina Sanchez, Valerie Gray, Princess Dorothea, Princess Dora, Skulker (Danny Phantom) Additional Tags: Fix-It, Danny Fenton has ADHD, Multilingual Tucker, Trans Male Character, Multilingual Danny, Bisexual Danny Fenton, Bisexual Tucker Foley Summary:

Danny Fenton stood inside the dark tunnel of the only portal his parents couldn't get to work because he couldn't say no to a dare. He tripped on his way out. Now he has to deal with figuring out how to come out to his parents as being half ghost, while dealing with all the ghosts that come out of the portal.

Tucker and Sam stare at each other.  For a handful of moments, neither is entirely sure what they should do.  Sam is full of shock and anger and regret and terror.  She could've died.  Her best friends could have died.  How is a teenager even meant to process that?  She wants to curl up on the ground and hide from everything in that moment, will all the nasty reality that is Ghosts away.  But Tucker is bent over Danny, and Danny is out cold.  So she packs away the emotions, cools her shit, and bends down.  "You get his legs, I'll take his shoulders.  FentonWorks?"

They get him there.  Danny's parents are downstairs, working on something.  They get Danny on his bed, and Sam slumps against the door.  Tucker and Danny skipped over a detention essentially and all three have skipped school.  So Tucker goes down to erase the Fenton's voice mailbox and sends out a bug to his own.  Sam has no clue why he has that ready but asks if he can do it with her folks' line.  He asks for a few minutes. The silence passes, Tucker gets on Danny's laptop.  He always fled to the tech when he needed somewhere safe.  Eventually, he asks.  "You ok?  Today went to shit."

"No, I don't think I am.  Like, the worst I've got is some bruising that my make up can handle.  I need a shower, I guess."  They both know why she isn't actually ok.  Neither wants to bring it up.  So instead, Sam checks Danny's closet and finds something she'd left there a couple months back.  "I'm gonna do that actually.  Keep an eye on him?" Tucker grunted in acknowledgment.  That was the best she'd get so Sam grabbed a spare towel from the dresser and headed to the shower.

When Sam got back she looked over Tucker's shoulder.  Images of old ladies in familiar looking uniforms were all over the screen.  "Looking her up?"

"If we know more about her then we can talk it out with her right?"  Tucker's fingers paused over the keyboard.  He stretched, looking over at her.  "Right?"

"Probably.  Looking to work that Foley Charm on her?"  Sam elbowed him lightly in the ribs.  Tucker clutched his chest as though he'd been broken.  Thank gods for that smile on his face.  "Tell me you aren't planning to flirt with her.  Danny might get jealous."  Tucker snorted.

"I don't think Danny is into old ladies who occasionally burst into flames." Tucker went back to typing and clicking, screen light glaring off his lenses.  "So, my theory is that ghosts draw on ambient energy to sustain themselves.  When we went into that fight my phone was on like… 50 percent.  When we got here it was at 17.  So maybe we should carry batteries on us?"

"And our wrist rays."  Sam was never letting herself be helpless like that again.  "what've you got on her so far?"

"She said the menu hasn't changed in 50 years and she wasn't kidding.  So I'm looking back at people employed by Casper back when she was alive, and hoping I can recognize her facial structure."

"Impressive."  Sam sighed and looked over at Danny.

He zipped up his suit.  Sam made a face at him and pulled off the logo of his dad's face.  "You can't go around with this on your chest."  He agreed. If Danny ever met aliens of the extradimensional kind, he didn't want them to see his dad's face plastered on him.  Danny walked into the tunnel that was his parents' ghost portal, looking all around it.  The whispers of those other worlds called out in his head again.  As he walked deeper into the portal, Danny saw nothing wrong.  Not a nut or bolt out of place.  He got to the end. It was dark.  Too dark to see anything.  Turning back, he kept a hand on the wall to steady himself.  His foot hit a raised panel, and Danny leaned to the left for support. There was a click.

Danny opened his eyes and saw Sam looking down at him.  Not unusual.  The soreness in his muscles, however, was.  Danny stopped mid-stretch and winced.  "Oh. Right.  20-foot meat monster."  Tucker was at his desk, turned around in the chair and giving him that frown he had when Dash had slammed Danny into a locker.  "How long was I out for?"

"Four days."  Tucker reached under Danny's bed and lifted up a bag of Nasty Burger.

"Four Days?!"

"Nah, like, 2 hours dude."  Tuck chuckled and handed him a wrapped burger.  "You need this dude, that fight took a shit ton outta you."

“Don’t I know it.”  Danny unwrapped the burger and sank his teeth in.  He'd been hungrier than he thought.  It felt like a blink before the burger was gone.  "Thanks, dude, I really needed that.  We basically skipped lunch, didn't we?"  That thought had a horrible domino effect and Danny tore the burger wrapping in half.  "Fuck, my parents are gonna kill me!"

"I erased the voicemail from your box, mine, and Sam's.  Don't worry about that."

"Speaking of, how ya doin Sam?"  Danny turned, looking his friend over and wincing at the bruises on her arms.  “Fuck, the meat pile did that?”

“Yeah, turns out being grabbed up by a bunch of proceeded corpses can do some damage.”  Sam shrugged.  “It’s nothing I can’t fix with some concealer and sleeves.”

“It’s still warm though,” Danny said.  “You good baking yourself?”

“The heaters in the school barely work, and it’s nearly October, Danny.  Things have cooled down plenty.”  Sam frowned and looked over to Tucker.  “Do head injuries affect the perception of temperature?”

“I’m sure they can.  If only someone hadn’t summoned up a meat-obsessed lunch lady with a menu change.”  Tucker paused and raised a brow.  “Actually, how in the hell did you even get them to change it?  Nevermind the why.”

“The why, Tucker, is that schools need to promote healthier changes in the food we consume.”  Sam had that fire in her eyes.  Again.  Danny let out a long sigh, which went ignored by his bickering friends.

“And removing an entire food group from the menu was your solution?”

“It’s one we don’t even need Tucker!  Do you know how inefficient the transfer of calories from meat into our bodies is?”

“We need protein, Sam!  If there’s anything that the Lunch Lady said truthfully it’s that!  Look at Danny!  He barely gets any protein, you can see how that’s turned out for him.”

“My dude, I’m not the only skinny person here.”

“And whether or not we have meat and protein isn’t your decision to make for us all, Sam!”  Tucker glared balefully at the vegan and stood up from Danny’s chair.  “You had to be an individual and have all your individual needs met over what anyone else wanted, didn’t you?  No one but you even wanted this menu change and I’m going to fix it!”  Tucker stormed out of the room, leaving the door open.

“Oh like Hell you’re gonna undo all my hard work!”  Sam barged out as well, completely forgetting Danny as she slammed his door shut.  And Danny stared at that door for a moment before groaning into his pillow.

“This is going to be a whole thing, isn’t it?”  For several moments, Danny laid there and stared up at the constellations he’d put up on his ceiling in glow in the dark stickers.  His stomach reminded him of its existence, and Danny groaned again.  He still had some allowance left, so he went out and headed to the Nasty Burger.  Considering Tucker’s words and how much he’d done that day, Danny ordered a full meal.

After he’d eaten and walked it off on the way home, Danny let what had happened that day go through his mind.  Even as he fought off a small angry blob with his wrist ray, growling at it.  “Ghosts aren’t mindlessly violent beings. I know that.”  He needed to believe that.  “So, that means that she can be calmed, somehow.  She kept going on and on about the benefits of meat, and she died years ago…”  An email notification popped up on Danny’s computer, and he sighed.  “Right, homework assigned by Lancer.  What would I do without Tuck?”

The next day, Danny pulled on one of his darker shirts - a gift from Sam with some constellation’s accurately displayed - and some jeans.  His parents didn’t come up to join him and Jazz that morning, which was likely for the best.  Danny didn’t need their ghost radar pointing at him before he could figure out how to break their biases.  The second his cereal was finished, though, Danny pulled out his journal and attached pencil.  “No,” Danny snapped when he heard Jazz take a familiar breath.  “It’s not a diary, no you may not read it.  For the 11th time, Spazz.”  One weird benefit of super hearing - I can tell when she’s about to speak.  Everyone had different rhythms for when they spoke and when they were thinking etcetera.  Danny knew his sister’s patterns almost as well as Tucker and Sam’s.

Danny wrote into his journal a goal of recording his encounters with apparently sapient ghosts and how quickly he managed to pacify them.  If only he could think of how to pacify this one.

Once the hybrid got to school - later than he would’ve been had those damned blobs not been so interested in fucking with him - Danny groaned as he was dragged to the Vice Principal’s office.  There he found Tucker, who was glaring down at the desk in just the right angle to look like he was glaring directly ahead.  A trick he’d developed for gathering valuable passwords while tricking Lancer and other authorities into thinking he was just a semi-rebellious teen.  Danny couldn’t tell what Tucker could possibly be trying to gather from the desk now, but he may have just been scowling.  Tucker was complicated that way.

“Take a seat, Mr. Fenton.”  Danny obeyed and took his seat, looking steadfastly at the space just behind Lancer’s head.  “Tell me, gentlemen, how and why did you leave my office when both of you were already being punished for starting a food fight in the cafeteria?”  Before either could come up with an answer, Lancer slammed his hand down hard on the desk, and Danny flinched.  “What could possibly have possessed you two to skip school for the rest of the day?”

Danny squirmed a bit, while Tucker took even, obviously measured breaths.  He then looked up at Lancer directly.  “We were worried about Sam, sir.  She hadn’t answered any of her texts, and she always answers even when we’re fighting to make sure we know she’s safe.”  Not untrue, Sam wouldn’t have been able to answer a text if they tried that.  Danny nodded along to Tucker’s story.

“We left out the window to find her, which took forever since she had gone to find a way to help organize something for the school.”  Danny put on his most apologetic face.  “We’re truly sorry about ditching you, Mr. Lancer, but we had to make sure our friend was safe, you see.  We wanted to make sure none of the jocks or anyone had gone and done something horrible to her as revenge for getting the menu changed for a week.”

Lancer glared between the two of them for several seconds more, and Danny fought to keep himself still.  “Fine,” Lancer finally allowed.  “I will be following up with Ms. Manson to confirm all of this, but you won’t be receiving too harsh a punishment for looking out for your friend.  For endangering yourselves by leaving through the window, however, and for leaving without simply telling me, you will be serving both lunch detention and after-school detention.  Do you understand, boys?”

“Of course, Mr. Lancer.”  It amazed Danny, at times, that he and Tucker could speak in unison.  They were like twins.

“Dismissed.  You two best not be late to my class.”

On the way to class, Danny brought up his thoughts on trying to appease the Lunch Lady.  “Her name is Agatha,” Tuck said.  “Agatha Reece.  And maybe you could, I dunno, teach her about the health crisis in America?  Help me organize the school to reform the menu the right way?”

“You want it changed too now?  I thought you were gonna get it changed back early, or something?”

“Oh no, the food around here sucks either way.”  Tucker rolled his eyes.  “I just wish we had like, a better storage of better food in general.  I could recommend my uncle and aunt’s farm for fresh, nearby food products.”

“If only we knew how Sam had convinced the school to do this whole ‘vegie week’ thing.”  Danny shook his head.  “That’s what really doesn’t make sense to me.  We’ve only been in school for like, a month or so.  How the hell did Sam ‘wear them down’ so quickly?”

“No clue,” Tucker growled.  For a moment the hair on Danny’s nape stood on end at the sound.  “But, I’m going to make a petition, and head around the school getting signatures for a better permanent change decided on by the students.”

Danny patted Tucker’s shoulder and nodded somberly.  “Leave some printer paper for the rest of us at least?”

Tucker raised his nose, Danny now straining to hold in the laughter in front of the door.  “Sorry Danny, but a man on a mission has to go to all lengths to complete his quest.”

Danny bowed at the waist.  “Of course, Friar Tuck, how could I possibly forget?”

“You are forgiven, peasant Daniel.”  Tucker laughed and pulled Danny into the classroom.  Things would be alright.  Danny just needed to weather the storm and make sure both of his friends were still friends by the end of it.

It proved far more difficult a task done than said.  The three had most classes together, but Tucker was busily writing something down every few seconds in a second journal in his desk while he worked.  Tuck had the most fascinating form of ambidextrousness.  He barely paid any attention to Danny’s attempts to start a conversation and crumpled up any notes about Sam he slid over.

Similarly, Sam was ignoring him almost entirely.  She took her notes, but every time she caught him whispering to Tucker, she glared and went cold on Danny himself.  Am I not allowed to talk to both of my friends?

Lunch came around, Lancer had them eating in his room, and Danny had never been more grateful to Tucker’s mom than he had been when Tuck handed him an extra bagged lunch.  “Tuck, you are the best.”

“I know it, dude.”

“Gentlemen!  This is meant to be a time of quiet reflection upon your misdeeds.”  Lancer glared at them until the teens went to silently eating, and Lancer went back to whatever he was doing on his computer.  If Danny focused on the man’s headphones hard enough he could pick up the faint sound of… blasters?  Weird.

At the end of the day, however, while the two were meant to be heading to detention, Tucker was going around and asking groups of friends who were lingering about something and holding up a clipboard that Danny was almost certain he stole from his dad’s office.  Along with that pen.  Never was Danny ever earlier than Tucker to something, but apparently, detention was one of those things.  Sam, surprisingly, was also there.

“Lancer got you too?”  Danny asked as he swept a bit nearer to the goth

“I was gone all day.”  Sam shrugged, pushing the few remains of grass and mud into a pile and then grabbing a dustpan.  “Plus I wanted to help clean it up anyway.  We need this place to eat in after all.”

“Actually, I heard Jerry and Katelyn at least were eating on the theater stage.”  The two scooped everything up into a trash bag with the dustpan.  “They were inviting some other people to bring sandwiches and chips and stuff.”

“Oh wow,” Tucker called out from where Danny was very sure he shouldn’t have been able to hear them.  “No one wanted to eat garbage right from the ground?  I’m surprised, shocked even.”

“Had you actually been there to see, Tucker, there were plenty of people eating peacefully in the cafeteria today!”  Sam looked downright murderous and stomped off to clean away from Tucker.  Danny sighed a heavy sigh and shook his head.

The detention had gone on for an hour, but it’d felt like forever.  Danny watched both his friends march off in different directions and groaned.  Another friendless night for him.  After a trip to the Nasty Burger, Danny did a little walk around the city.  A few ghosts that he could see when the world lost focus skittered away from him, or ignored him entirely.  Some attacked, but his wrist ray had yet to run out of juice even though he forgot to charge it last night.  “Maybe something to do with my other self.  Gonna have to ask mom and dad about that.”  A shiver ran down Danny’s spine, a puff of mist coming out of his mouth and he looked around, letting his senses shift into that surreal state of his ghostly self.  He saw nothing out of the ordinary.  Relaxing, Danny sighed and headed home.

"Danny!"  His dad, Jack Fenton, only seemed to speak in exclamation marks. Danny wondered if he'd ever had an inside voice.  "C'mon, dinner's ready son!"

Danny raised a brow.  "Who cooked?" He'd eaten his Nasty Burger meal and was pretty sure he got all he needed.

"I did!"  On the other hand, more food that wasn't infected with ectoplasmic residue sounded nice.  Danny set down his bag and headed into the kitchen, where his dad had set out chicken, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, and spinach.  His mom and sister were already sitting and eating, and Danny gave them both a wave.

"Hi, Danny!  Juice is in the fridge.  Jazz reminded your father and I we need to refresh our minds with some air every now and then.  I thought, why not a family dinner?"  Mom shrugged as she picked up a chicken leg.  "Jack insisted on cooking."

"Mom," Jazz said in her best calming voice, "Dad never mutates the food."

While Mom and Jazz debated who had the bigger mishaps with ectoplasm - Danny felt the Christmas turkey and Dad dragging them into a world of blinding perpetual light ranked as the biggest mishaps period - Danny grabbed himself a plate and fruit punch.  Jazz clearly grabbed some groceries before telling their parents to surface.

Halfway through his meal, a thought struck Danny.  "Hey Dad, Mom?  How does ectoplasm interact with electricity in its rawest most natural form?  The ectoplasm not the electricity."

Jazz stared at him in betrayal, Why written in her expression.  His parents, however, jumped on the thought of their son having an interest in their work.  Danny had never seen his dad swallow food that fast.

"Ya see Danno, ectoplasm as it is when we retrieve it is naturally an energy thief.  In relation to electromagnetic radiation, it soaks in any and all of it from the area with the exclusion of green visible light.  That's why it feels so cold."

"If we can refine our engines properly we can utilize the flip side of  that natural state," his mom added, "We could revolutionize energy efficiency in technology around the world!"

"It can store up a lot of power, but once it hits it's maximum?"  Dad held his hands together then spread them out so fast he almost smacked Jazz and Danny.  "It all comes out in an intense burn!  Ectoplasm is either plasma hot or cold as space.  When it's cold, it'd drain the power out of everything around it."

Danny nodded, letting the info process for a couple of moments while he ate.  "So if, say, a ghost was to eat human food…?"

"Well," his mom twirled her fork around.  "It likely wouldn't, but if it did the ghost would soak up all the energy that could be gotten out of the material in the food, leaving nothing but ashes."

Danny nodded, curiosity satisfied, and steered the conversation elsewhere.  Once he was done clearing off his plate, Danny was struck with a realization.  It was the sort of thing that happened all the time, when a thought lingered in his head, waiting to present itself.  Usually, that was artistic inspiration.  Now he knew exactly how to calm down Agatha.  Up the stairs, he ran to his computer.

AO3

[dandrubert]

“Funny” Stuff

Here’s some random stuff that makes me laugh…

People who type defiantly when they mean definitely - “I will defiantly be at your birthday party!”

Occasionally when I’m out and about with my mom, we’ll drive through the cemetery to say hi and check on the flowers and stuff on a few different graves. As soon as we pull in, she always turns the radio down. I know it’s a respect thing. But also, like…well, you know…I don’t think you’re gonna disturb anybody.

Dad jokes. I know they’re cheesy and dumb! They’re supposed to be! Don’t you get it? THAT’S WHAT MAKES THEM FUNNY! Don’t act like you’re too good for a well-crafted dad joke! Puns, too.

Customers at the liquor store would always ask me if we had something by chance. “Hey, do you guys happen to have any Bud Lt by chance?” Yeah, we weren’t planning on carrying Bud Lt, but the truck delivered some on accident, so now we happen to have some by chance! Could you just ask a question like an adult, by chance?

I like when people have notification sounds or ringtones that sound like someone just answered correctly on a game show. When that happens right after I say something sarcastic…the best! “See? Told ya!”

You know how sometimes people make a comment on a Facebook post and for some reason it posts the same exact thing twice? Even though I know it’s just some kind of glitch, I like to imagine they were really passionate about that comment. So, I reply that same exact thing. If I’m lucky, other people will come in and say the same thing, too. I know…what a little stinker!

I almost always walk around the house as I get dressed. Like, when I’m putting on my belt or my shirt or whatever. Occasionally I’ll pull my shirt over my head as I’m walking through a doorway and end up walking face first into a wall. This has happened more than a few times.

I like pictures where one person clearly thought they were in danger of being out of frame, so they lean in real hard toward the middle. Almost 100% of the time, they were already well within the shot and now just look like they have some sort of spinal deformity.

On the subject of pictures, taking a video of someone who thinks you’re taking a still photo can be very entertaining. I remember doing this at least 10 years ago to Brent on a late-night train ride back to our hotel in Chicago. And I also remember thinking why don’t more people do this? It was several years until I found a bunch of videos on YouTube and realized that people do do this!

Any time people say do do.

One of the last times Alec Baldwin hosted SNL, he was in a skit where he was supposed to say “chili cook out.” Instead, he accidentally said “cookie chill out.” Now I can’t hear the phrase chili cook out, or just the word cookie, without thinking about how awesome a cookie chill out would be.

The first, and still only, time I ever ate at a Popeye’s Chicken was in Michigan City. Brent and I were on our way to the outlet mall. I think we were still in high school. There was only one other group there – a family sitting a couple tables away from us in the front of the restaurant. At one point, the little girl who had been pounding pink lemonade suddenly got up and headed to the bathroom in the back of the restaurant. She made it as far as the exit before she stopped and out of nowhere projectile vomited undigested pink lemonade all over the rug inside the door. That wasn’t particularly funny. But when I turned and looked back at Brent, he was frozen in mid-bite of mashed potatoes with a hilarious look of shock and disgust on his face. If you know Brent, you might know what look I’m talking about.

The word ashtray always makes me think of trash in pig latin.

I get a kick out of the old guys that have a clever response for every little bit of small talk you can throw at ‘em. You just know they’ve been working on their routine for probably longer than I’ve been alive.

Ice cream companies put out “warm” flavors in the winter, like hot chocolate and…..I can’t think of any more right now, but I know I’ve seen others. Whatever, you know what I mean!

A few summers ago, Sam and I went golfing at Sprig-O-Mint one Sunday afternoon. We pulled up to the first tee box and there was a guy waiting to tee off by himself. He asked if we wanted to play with him. My initial thought was “A stranger? Hell no!” Naturally, Sam said “Yeah, sure.” Ok whatever, I guess we’ll play with Alan today. Not like I could overrule him at that point. At the time, Sam had this driver that sounded so loud and cheap when he would hit the ball. It wasn’t actually that cheap, but it definitely wasn’t top of the line either. It had the words “raw distance” written on it. Pretty cheesy. So, we were joking about it like we usually did, and Alan chimed in with “Well, you get what you pay for.” Burn!!! And that made my slight discomfort worth it to see Sam get owned by a chain smoking, pre-diabetic divorcee stranger that traveled down from Granger just to play at a mediocre course in Bremen for some reason. Alan, wherever you are, I’ll never forget your mysterious, slightly creepy ass.

Back in high school, Jon Slein and I would do this thing where I would be driving and when another car was coming toward us, he would take the wheel and I would reach out the window and adjust the side mirror with both hands. I’ve still never seen anyone else do that. Probably for good reason, because I don’t know if that ever freaked anyone out even a little bit, but it was pretty funny to us.

The first time I ever had Chick-fil-A was during my one semester at IU in Bloomington. They had one in the basement of the library. I would go there for lunch, pick up a #1 or some nuggets then go to Kral’s dorm and watch old SNL episodes on Comedy Central. That was the only reason I was ever in that library, which might explain why I went from National Honor Society in high school to a 0.56 GPA! Yeah, 0.56! But it’s cool. I got it up to 3-point-something by the time I was done, 15 years later.

Well, there’s that! Let’s do it again sometime, shall we?