#I’m shocked I haven’t fainted. and I’ve never fainted before

[aimeelouart]

Outraged to learn that the only way to stay calm in a crisis is to go through multiple crises and painfully learn how to stay calm.

[natalievoncatte]

“Okay,” Alex said, “listen, prepare yourself. She’s acting… strange.”

Lena strode next to her, clenching her fists as if she could grip her own cold fury with them. The audacity of Danvers

(Alex)

to call her in like she was some employee after what Kara had done to her, was shocking. She would have told her to fuck right off if not for the desperation in her voice. She almost hung up on her when Alex said it was about Kryptonite, and they needed an expert.

Outside the exam room, Alex directed Lena’s attention to a screen. Some two-bit “villain” (how she hated that word) was on the screen. She wasn’t sure what he was going for with his outfit but he looked like a cross between a cable repairman and a wannabe Ghostbusters with a helmet that reminded her of the cap on a salt shaker. He was thrusting a wand device at Kara, spraying her with a fine pink mist.

Some of the substance had been gathered into a small vial, currently residing in a lead canister. Lena turned the vial in her hands, watching the tiny, powdery crystals flow over each other like sand.

Lena swallowed, hard.

“She’s not on a rampage, so it’s not red kryptonite.”

“It appears to be pink kryptonite,” said Lena.

“Your scientific skills of observation astound me,” said Alex. “Marie Curie would be so proud.”

Lena gave her a flat look.

“Fuck you, Danvers. I haven’t had a chance to say this to your face yet, but fuck you. Fuck all of you, playing your little games mocking me to my face when we were supposed to be friends.”

“We were friends,” said Alex.

“Not friends enough for Kara to tell me the truth.”

“I told her not to,” Alex said, coldly, “and I was right. Maybe I kept at her too long about it, but she ended up keeping the secret because she was afraid you’d flip out and blow up your whole friendship over it, you fucking drama queen.”

Lena screwed the lead canister shut. It looks like it was meant to hold radioactive flour.

“Do you want my help or not?”

“Please save her. I’m prepared to deal with your sanctimonious bullshit if you save my sister.”

“I’ll need to work on the sample, but I should examine her first. Is it safe?”

“She would never hurt you.”

Lena rolled her eyes. Alex stared at her flatly.

“You two, Jesus Christ. If you were anyone else I’d just call it out, but fuck it, let’s keep this professional.”

Lena crossed her arms. “Call what out?”

Alex arched a brow. “Should I start with the office full of flowers or the literal billion dollars you spent on her?”

Lena’s nostrils flared and she felt red creeping up her cheeks. “That wasn’t about her, that was about keeping Edge from owning his own media empire. Murdoch is bad enough.”

“It’s a fashion industry magazine,” said Alex, “and Edge could just start his own. The difference is Kara worked at CatCo, where you started working instead of…”

“Do you want my help or not?”

Lena huffed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Alex opened the door. Kara was seated sideways on the exam table, swinging her feet like a bored child. There was a faint pinkish tinge to sparking points on her pale skin and she looked up with a slight pink gloss to the whites of her eyes, visible at a distance.

“Heyyyyyyyyy~”, said Kara.

Lena blinked.

“Kara? How are you feeling?”

Kara stared at her hands. “Why are you here? I thought you hated me now.”

Lena felt a sharp sting of regret deep in her chest, but brushed it off, like crumbs from her sleeve. It was as meaningless as crumbs. Kara’s honeyed words were always to sweeten her lies.

Kara resumed staring at her hands. “Humans call them fingers, but I’ve never seen them fing. Oh,” she giggled, wriggling her fingers, “there they go.”

“Kara?” said Lena.

“Oh, hi, I didn’t see you come in,” said Kara. “Some dude sprayed me with glitter and now I’m all funny.”

Alex leaned over. “We only got her in her by convincing her the Backstreet Boys were waiting inside and she spent three hours singing those stupid songs with Nia before I called you.”

Lena licked her lips. “Ah, I see. Kara?”

“Yeah, babe?”

Lena flinched. Babe? What?

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel great,” said Kara. “Kinda… kinda relaxed but excited. I’m excitalaxed! I made up a new word!”

“Would you excuse us a minute?” said Lena.

“Sure,” said Kara.

Lena stepped out and closed the door after Alex joined her.

“Alex,” said Lena.

“Lena,” said Alex.

“She’s high,” said Lena.

“I know,” Alex sighed.

“That’s incredibly dangerous. If she was just a dumb blonde we could let her sleep it off, but she can bench press an aircraft carrier. What if she gets some inane idea in her head and levels half the city?”

“She isn’t going to hurt anyone.”

“Didn’t she throw Cat Grant off a building the last time she was under the influence of something? It was on TV, Alex.”

Alex scowled. “That was different. Also she had it coming.”

Lena’s brows shot up.

“What? She was a bitch to my sister. She made her cry like three times a week. I don’t buy into that hardass girlboss mentor routine, I never liked Kara working for her. It was a relief when you bought the company, I had hopes someone would finally be looking out for her. She’s fragile, Lena.”

Lena blinked. “What?”

“Yeah, turns out that having your planet explode and losing your entire culture, family, and way of life, then losing your foster father, and then having to kill your aunt who is your mother’s twin sister can do a number on you. Might make you a little bit clingy and weird and paranoid about losing everyone you love. Shit, Lena, out of that whole list I just lost my dad and it was not make me a drunk for six years and captain of the varsity slut team. And I’m gay.”

Lena stared at her.

“Why does everyone I know need therapy?”

Kara chose that moment to throw the door open, making them both jump. She was grinning ear to ear.

“I don’t need therapy, I need rum,” said Kara. She turned to Lena and stage whispered, “alien rum that I can get drunk on.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kiddo. Why won’t we go sit down and try to rest.”

Kara snapped her fingers. “I know what we can do! We can go clubbing! Come on, Lena, let’s go clubbing. If I go clubbing with you it’ll make Lena jealous.”

“We are so fucked,” Alex muttered.

Kara started forward, but Lena stepped in her path and pressed a hand to her chest.

She froze, staring open-mouthed at Lena. Lena could feel the muscles flexing under her palm and fingers, the nearly infinite strength pressed against her simple touch and yet yielding to it.

“Kara,” she said, softly, but firmly. “Let’s just go back in the room, okay? You’re intoxicated by the altered Kryptonite you’ve been exposed to and you’re not thinking straight.”

Kara looked her up and down, slowly. Lena felt a hot tingle pass through her and her legs quivered in her slacks. Kara’s eyes had gone dark and her chin dipped slightly and holy shit she was staring directly at Lena’s mouth.

Alex looked at her nervously.

“Lena,” Alex said, in warning.

“She won’t hurt me,” said Lena.

Brainy walked into the lab. “I have good news,” he said. “The half-life of this particular type of Kryptonite is very short, by my calculations it should only last a few… hours…” he trailed off, then added quickly. “I have business elsewhere, excuse me,” and fled the room.

Lena gave Kara a tentative push and the invincible Kryptonian stumbled back. Lena ended up guiding her into the room again and sat her down.

Alex began to follow.

“It’s fine,” said Lena.

“Are you sure?”

“She won’t hurt me. Close the door.”

Kara sat down and stared between her feet, fiddling with her hands.

Lena waited for the door to close and sat down next to her.

“Are you mad at me?” Kara whispered.

“Yes,” Lena murmured. “I’m so angry at you that it makes me want to scream.”

“Oh,” Kara said, her voice small.

Lena sighed. “I’ll never be mad enough to let anything happen to you, Kara.”

“But you’re mad.”

“I’m mad. I let you in, you didn’t do the same for me. I let you see who I am, good and bad, and you held back from me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“But you’re still mad.”

“Yeah,” Lena sighed.

Kara rubbed at her arms, sniffling.

Great, Lena thought, she’s coming down.

“Everybody changes,” said Kara. “Everybody goes away and leaves me. I’m so scared, Lena. I’m so scared of being alone. I was alone forever and ever in my pod and it hurt so much,” she choked out a little sob. “Everyone goes away and I can’t take it. I can’t stand it. I didn’t want you to go away so I lied to make you stay. I’m sorry.”

Lena, haltingly, put an arm around her. Kara leaned her head on Lena’s shoulder.

“Can I make it so you’re not mad at me anymore?”

Curious, Lena thought.

She wasn’t mad at all right now.

Kara began to sob softly, and suddenly, all at once, being mad didn’t make so much sense after all. She still felt it burning in her chest but it had gone from hot coals to dying embers, from raging magma to something bitter and sticky coating her lungs, making it hard to breathe.

“I think you can do anything if you try hard enough.”

Lean smoothed back her hair and curled the sleeve of her designer jacket around her hand and used it to dry the tears, and Kara hugged her, tightly but gently in her insistent way.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know, darling. Just relax and breathe, I promise it’ll be better soon.”

It was a funny thing, when Kara kissed her. It happened so naturally, so easily, that once it began, Lena was hardly aware how it started. It was not a lustful kiss, though she could feel that was there in the hungry way that Kara’s lips tugged at her own, almost pleading. Nor was it sad. It was hopeful, and it made something flare in her chest.

No, more than that. A crushing blast of warm air snuffed the dying embers of fury in her chest and in their place a new bonfire blazed into being, a sudden explosive joyful warmth that would blaze in her forever until the sun went out and the sky went cold. It was as if Kara had given her some red sun fire.

On instinct she lunged into the embrace and suddenly they were on the table, Kara swinging one leg lazily off the side as Lena straddled and locked lips with her.

"Oh God," Lena blurted, yanking back.

"What's wrong, baby?"

Lena almost fell off onto the floor when Kara called her that. She was sitting on Kara, panting.

"We can't," said Lena. "Kara, please, you're high as a kite."

Kara let out a soft, sad sound. Lena brushed her cheek softly. "It's okay. Just let me lay with you."

Kara shifted so Lena could join her, and they lay facing each other.

"I love you," Kara whispered. "You are my red sun, my scarlet sky, my beacon calling me back from the void."

Lena's breath caught. She tucked in close and kissed Kara on her nose.

"I'm tired," said Kara.

"Go to sleep," Lena whispered. “It'll be okay. I'll still love you tomorrow."

With a contented smile, Kara closed her eyes, looking so peaceful that Lena wanted nothing more than to watch over her.

When Alex came in and laid a blanket over them, she had the most frustrating grin on her face.

Lena decided she'd allow it.

[dira333]

Sleepwalker - Tensei Iida x Reader

Words: 10k (sorry, my hand slipped)

It’s warm, dark and there’s a faint smell of grapefruit and Mint, a combination that should not work as well as it does.

You groan, close your eyes again, and bury yourself in the blankets once more, not yet ready to start the day. What a weird dream you’ve ha-

There’s an arm. There’s an arm next to your arm!

Your heart stops and picks up with twice the speed as you slowly, carefully, pat around to feel what’s attached to said arm

A shoulder, naked. There’s a neck and a chest, muscular and sturdy. 

When your fingertips find what feels like a mouth you hear a grunt. The light flickers on and you blink, staring in silent shock at what is most likely the most attractive guy you’ve seen in weeks, if not longer.

His dark hair is sleep-mussed and his blue eyes squint back at you with an equal mix of confusion and shock.

“Who are you?” He asks just as you realize that you did not, in fact, go drinking last night. Which means-

“You’re a creep!” You bellow, jumping out of bed. You put a tank top and matching panties on last night and you’re glad you did because this way you’re at least wearing a little bit more than he is. 

“Wait, I’m not-”

“Did you do something to me?” You look down at yourself to check, but you don’t feel weird, just exhausted. He’s stuttering out something but you’re too busy freaking out.

“I should call the- the police, I- who are you anyway and-” your eyes flicker to the alarm clock next to his bed. Shit. You’re going to be late for work.

“If this happens again I’ll kill you in your sleep!” You threaten, focus on the pattern of your own bedding, and teleport away, using your Quirk. It’s not legal, but you’re in no way going to wait for a cab at this creep’s place.

This time you half expect it, which sounds weirder than it is. 

But as you wake up and smell that telltale aroma of grapefruit and Mint, you know exactly where you are.

You turn slowly to check the time. It’s around midnight.

You went to bed fully clothed, phone in your back pocket. The stranger seems to have had the same idea, the fabric of his shirt soft against your fingertips

He wakes up as you slip out of bed, waving your phone to start the flashlight app. So much for snooping around to get intel on him.

“Who are you?” He asks, which is totally the wrong question if you’re a creep who kidnaps people.

“I should ask you the same thing. And you should answer first since this is your place.”

“My name’s Iida. Iida Tensei, to be exact.” He rubs his face. “And I didn’t take you here. I went to bed like normal and woke up with you beside me.”

“Oh. Well, I mean. It hasn’t happened in a while, but it could-”

“Your Quirk?” He asks, making sense of your stuttering before you can. “It’s teleporting, right? Does it malfunction sometimes?”

“Well, it used to, as a kid.” You explain, shame flooding you, “I can only teleport to places I know because I have to see them in my mind. But I don’t know you, right?”

“Maybe I saved you?” He offers. You scrunch up your nose.

“I am- I was a hero. Ingenium? Maybe you heard of him?”

“Oh,” you nod slowly before shaking your head, “well, I’ve heard of heroes, because who hasn’t, but not of Ingenium, sorry. Never had to be saved either.”

“Sorry.”

You laugh, short and abrupt, but in all honesty. “Why? I don’t think getting saved is such a nice thing, right? It means you were in danger before.”

“Oh, but it’s an experience for sure. I mean… When I was a kid, I was-” He stops and you’re not sure why you do it, maybe it’s the softness of his features or the sound of his voice, but you urge him to speak.

“I got lost, once, as a kid. I still remember how helpless I felt and how a hero saved me, and took me back to my parents. I haven’t seen him around since, but I still remember his name. Gran Torino. I knew before… that I was going to be a hero, but that cemented it as something I really wanted to be.”

“Wow,” you breathe, a little awkward in the face of something like that. “I just became a mechanic because my Dad’s one too.”

He laughs, but he doesn’t invite you to speak and you realize that you’ve overstayed your welcome anyway. Not that there was ever any welcome to begin with. You stumbled in here on your own, bothering this nice, attractive man.

“I’m… I’m going to get going now,” you stutter, “and I promise it won’t happen again.”

He doesn’t move to get up. Maybe he only put on a shirt but not shorts?

You try not to think about it when you teleport away.

Nothing happens for over a week, long enough that you begin to think of it as an outlier, brought upon you by the return of your period.

Now that that’s over you only have to get checked out for future disasters.

But then you open your eyes to darkness and the smell of Grapefruit and Mint and you know, without a doubt, that you’re back.

“Iida-kun?” You ask, voice soft with shame.

You reach out your hand and touch his face, surprised to find a slight stubble. But it gets his attention and only a second later you blink against the light. 

It’s gone just a second later and as a blanket is thrown over your head you remember that you went to sleep wearing nothing tonight. In your defense, the AC was broken.

“I’m so so sorry,” you point out, voice shaking, “I don’t know… I thought it was my period.”

“It’s okay,” he huffs. You wonder if he’s blushing. 

“I’m leaving, okay,” you tell him, embarrassment flooding you. “Sorry.”

Half an hour later you find yourself pressed into his side once again, though this time better dressed. He’s not, however. 

You teleport away once again, this time without waking him.

But as you open your eyes to the morning sun filtering in through the half-open blinds, there’s an arm slung over your shoulders and a warm, naked chest pressed to your back.

You’re back. Again.

It’s Sunday and you don’t have to be gone right away, so that’s your excuse for letting your eyes wander through the room. 

His bedroom is clean and organized, with books and sports equipment in every corner.

And there are pictures, tons of them.

Right next to the alarm clock is a picture of a little boy. He looks just like Iida-kun and with a pang, you realize it must be his son. What lies on the other side of his bedroom door? How many children does he have?

This bed is barely wide enough to house two people, so you don’t think he’s married, but-

A pained groan interrupts your thoughts. 

Before you can react, though, Iida pulls you closer, his arms now crossed over your stomach.

He’s mumbling something, his voice laced with pain.

“No, don’t, please-” he begs, “help, someone- Help!”

That’s when you feel it, the telltale signs of your Quirk activating. But you’re not teleporting anywhere, not that you could after doing it so much this night already. And you’re not the one who activated it.

For a second you’re floating, disappearing slowly into thin air. That’s not unusual, it happens mostly when the space you want to go is already occupied or too far away.

But when you materialize again, you’re back where you started, right in Iida’s arms.

That’s when it hits you.

You didn’t teleport to him. He teleported you.

But how? And how are you going to explain that to him?

If Iida is weirded out by the fact that you’re a) back in his arms again and b) not making any move to get away from him, he’s not showing it.

Instead he wipes a hand over his face and plants himself back into the pillows.

“I think I need a coffee,” he tells you after a minute.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t say no to that either.”

“Would it be terribly rude to ask you to make it?” He lifts his head again to squint at you. “Or help me out of bed?”

“Help you out of bed? What are you, eighty?”

He smiles shyly. “No, I’m paraplegic.”

Blood rushes to your face as you realize what that means.

“Shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“You didn’t know.” A hand rests warmly on your forearm. “But the choice is yours.”

You huff for a second, trying to reel in the shame before getting out of bed and walking around it. There’s the wheelchair you should have noticed earlier. 

“What do you do if you need to pee?” You ask as he leans heavily onto you before swinging himself into the chair.

“Hold it in,” he tells you with an embarrassed smile. “But I’m working on getting into it myself.”

Your nerves bubble in your throat as you approach the door only to release in a soft sigh when no little kid is waiting on the other side.

“Your… uh… son doesn’t live here?” You ask as you follow him into the kitchen, too aware of your messy bedhead and your sleepwear-clad form.

“My son?” Iida turns to squint at you. “I don’t have a son.”

“The picture on your nightstand. I noticed it.”

“Oh,” he laughs softly, “that’s my little brother. We’re fifteen years apart, but I should really get a new picture in there. But he looked so cute back then. Not that he’s not looking cute now, I-”

“I get it,” you nod, “I still have a picture of my cousin in my wallet from when she lost half of her teeth.”

“Quirk coming in?” He asks and you snort. “Yes, actually.”

“How am I calling you here?” Tensei asks. He offered you his first name over that first cup of coffee, called his mother to let her know he wouldn’t need help this morning while you fried eggs for breakfast.

“I don’t know,” you tell him honestly, “that never happened to me before.”

“But you knew it was possible?”

“Actually,” you breathe loudly through your nose, “I only realized that it had to be that because I was in the middle of teleporting this morning when I was already here only to land back where I was. It’s like reloading a page, you know? You just get back to where you were.”

“But we don’t know each other,” Tensei points out, “or do we? What school did you go to?”

You name it, all of them. Nothing seems to ring a bell. 

“When you…” you hesitate but he urges you to go on, “When you reloaded me, so to say, you were… you were calling for help.”

Tensei pales, his lips stretching into a straight line.

“You don’t have to tell me what that was about,” you add on quickly, “I just thought… maybe us teleporter Quirks are like a helpline? And I was just the closest one?”

“You think so?” He asks, voice strained.

You shrug. “What other possibility is there?”

But there is one. One you don’t even want to think about.

What if the Universe with its laughable humor, decided you were right for each other? 

No, that would be too crazy.

-

Just because you know why it happens doesn’t mean, however, that you know how to stop it. And as you start waking up in his bed more often than not, it seems only logical to go with it.

“Morning,” you mumble, knowing where you are without having to open your eyes. The telltale aroma of Grapefruit and Mint gives it away.

“Morning,” Tensei yawns, unmoving.

You can feel yourself slipping back into sleep, the warmth of him, the softness of the bed pulling you back in. Five more minutes won’t hurt.

“What did we say?” You ask groggily, face planted against Tensei’s chest. “You gotta wear a shirt to bed.”

“Sorry,” he rumbles but doesn’t move. “What time is it?”

“Too early.” You close your eyes again. He doesn’t move either.

“Shit, I’m late for work.” Your jump out of bed is thwarted by the blanket around your legs and you fall unceremoniously onto your face.

“I’ve got a spare toothbrush if you want it,” Tensei offers.

“I have no clothes.”

“Bring them next time,” he smiles, grabbing the hand you’re offering and pulling you up.

He blushes seconds later when he realizes how that sounded.

“I mean, only if you want.”

“Sure,” you agree easily because he really is good-looking, “if you make the coffee in the morning?”

“Brother, I wanted to check in before schoo-” 

You make the mistake of shooting up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice.

The guy in the door looks like Tensei’s Doppelganger, mouth wide open as he takes you in.

You wrap your arms around your torso, realizing a little late that your skimpy tank top might be a bit too revealing for a- how old is Tensei’s little brother again?

“Tenya,” Tensei starts blubbering that second, “You’re… I didn’t expect you this early- I’m…”

“This is my cue to leave,” you mutter, but stop when Tensei’s arm presses you back into the pillows.

“Stay,” he breathes out, eyes flickering over your face before he turns back.

“Sit,” he asks his brother, “we can explain.”

In all honesty, you don’t really know why you stay. 

It’s not like Tensei could do anything about you leaving, really. He has no idea where you live, doesn’t even have your number saved or something like that. And he still has no idea how to activate your Quirk on command…

But you stay, blanket pulled up to your chin to spare the youngest Iida’s innocence.

He’s fun to watch, little Tenya, taller than you without trying, yet turning smaller and smaller in his older brother’s presence.

It’s not hard to guess that Tensei’s his hero.

Tensei’s voice is calm and collected as he explains. You don’t even try to help him sort through this mess, instead letting your eyes wander over his features. He’s not wearing a shirt and his back, turned to you, is covered in scars, like a spider web of history. 

Your hand itches to smooth across it, letting the warmth of his skin seep into your fingertips. 

He’s got a few Moles too, sprinkled across his milky white shoulder blades like freckles over sun kissed cheeks. 

“Are you even listening?” Tensei turns his head and you blink a few times to focus.

“Sure,” you lie effortlessly, not missing how his lips quirk into a smile. 

His eyes are warm as they move over your face and you have to force yourself not to hide away. You’ve never seen a face this attractive turn so soft before, at least not when looking at you.

“I’m… I’m leaving then,” Tenya adds, voice a little strained. “I don’t want to be late.”

“Sure,” you nod, just as Tensei asks him not to rush. 

It’s weird. You want to leave and you want to stay longer, want to keep this bubble around the two of you, yet go out and scream from the rooftops that this man might feel things for you.

Work calls, though, and even though you stay as long as you can - helping him out of bed and into the shower, making coffee while he gets ready, thinking about kissing him while he sits on the other side of the table, talking about his plans for the day - you have to leave eventually. 

You hug him awkwardly, trying not to sink into his hold even though you want nothing more.

“See you next time,” you say with a wink, expecting to be back in the evening.

But Tensei does not call for you.

-

One week passes without finding yourself in his bed.

You have no means to contact him other than teleporting into his apartment and you don’t dare to do just that. What if he’s having guests over? 

What if- and the thought is making you nauseous - you end up teleporting into his bedroom only to find him making out with someone else?

Wait. The thought of someone else implies that he made out with you too. He didn’t and it’s not like you can blame him for that, right? 

Looking down at your hands, the skin oil-stained and chapped, you can’t help but feel unworthy of him. Former Heroes do not mingle with basic mechanics. 

You go out drinking the second week, trying to drown your sorrows in cheap beer and awful music.

“What about him?” Rumi, your best friend points toward a guy in the corner, red wings folded behind his back. He’s attractive, but there’s also something unsettling about him, the way he seems to be watching everyone without a care in the world.

“No,” you shake your head. You don’t feel like erasing the memory of Tensei’s touch - as platonic as it had been - from your skin by being with someone else. And even if you did, you wouldn’t pick someone who’s definitely way above your league.

“Oh, come on.” She takes a shot and winks. “I’m going to talk to him if you don’t.”

“Suit yourself,” you say when you notice someone else. 

His hair is jet black, reflecting the bright lights overhead that flicker over his heavily scarred skin. His eyes, a bright turquoise, move over the people with cold carelessness. Something drops in your stomach when his gaze crosses yours.

You grab Rumi’s arm. “We need to leave,” you tell her, and there must be something in your voice that cuts through her haze, because she nods, following you toward the door.

Shivers are running up and down your back as you wait for a Cab, chatting up a few girls who are waiting by the door, convincing them to join you and your friend.

“Oh shit,” Rumi says, moving to get out of the car, “I forgot my jacket inside.”

“I’m getting it,” you tell her, pushing her back, “I’ll see you there, okay?” 

She hesitates, but you’re already out of the car, closing the door with a click.

Inside, the mood has shifted, though not many seem to have noticed, too far gone already in their haste to get drunk. 

Sweat’s running down your back as you move through the crowd, looking for the flimsy black jacket. 

You smell it just as you reach it. Fire. Something’s burning. 

It’s hard to tell from back here and even getting up on a barstool barely helps. That is, until you turn, spotting the guy with the turquoise eyes behind the bar. His hands are filled with flames and his eyes burn the same.

He notices you at the same time, lips curling into a cruel smirk. Not far from him is the fire alarm and you lunge forward to pull it. Something collides with your shoulder, pain curling around it.

You scream just as the alarm goes off, cutting the music like one does a ribbon. The sprinklers go off immediately, but you’re already halfway gone, panic setting off your Quirk.

You have half a mind to think “Somewhere safe” before the room disappears before your eyes.

Grapefruit and Mint.

It cuts through your panic like sunlight through a rain cloud.

“Tensei?” You rasp, trying to make sense of it. “Tensei?!”

The light comes on and you find yourself sitting on the bedroom floor, hair damp, jacket clutched in your hands.

“Are you okay?” He asks, before sucking in a breath. “What happened to your shoulder?”

“I think- I think I just got attacked.”

“Let me see. Can you get up? What happened?”

You dissolve into tears under his gentle care.

Tensei thinks you should talk to the police.

You think everything else would be a better idea. 

“I’m not supposed to use my quirk,” you tell him, again and again, as he pours you a cup of chamomile tea in the morning. “What if they fine me? What if- what if they take it away?”

“They’re not going to take away your Quirk just because it activated by itself. You might get a slap on the hand for using it too much if they knew, but you’re not hurting anyone with it, are you?”

“Can you check the news?” You change the topic, unease swirling in your stomach. “See if there’s something about the bar?”

He dutifully picks up his phone, giving you a second to take him in.

His sight eases your mind. He looks just like he did two weeks ago like he always looks in the morning. Soft and warm and reassuring, like all you need to do is climb into his lap and forget the world.

You want to ask if he missed you, but you don’t dare to.

“Nothing,” he says, putting his phone down. “Would you- would you feel better if I accompanied you to the police?”

“How would we explain that we know each other?”

He blushes. “We could… we could say that we’re… friends?”

The unease in your stomach is getting harder to ignore. Or maybe you’re hungover as well.

“Why didn’t you call for me… uh, the last few weeks? Are you getting over your nightmares?”

Tensei huffs out a tired laugh. “I’m taking sleeping pills. I’m not a fan of them, but they seem to be working. I thought… maybe you left before I woke up or something.”

“No, I thought…” You swallow nervously, looking down at the table before shrugging as if you don’t feel as much as you do. “Maybe you found someone else you could teleport into your bedroom.”

You realize how it sounds just as you say it, but it’s too late to take it back.

His hand moves to cover yours, a warm weight that seems to settle your nerves with the smallest touch. “I’m barely managing to figure out how I got you, I’m not switching things up.”

For a while, you two sit in silence, unmoving. 

Eventually though, Tensei speaks again.

“If you let me, I’d like to accompany you to the police, okay?” 

You’ve only been to the police once before when a car you had been working on turned out to be stolen. Everything, from explaining how you noticed to how you got that client in the first place, had been a terrible, terrible experience.

But walking in with Tensei is like stepping into a different world..

One officer, a mutant with a cat face, comes up to you almost immediately, shaking Tensei’s hand with a smile.

“What brings you here, man? Long time no see.”

“I’m- my friend here,” Tensei points to you, “got attacked in a bar yesterday. Nothing in the news suggests that you know about it, so we wanted to inform you right away.”

“An attack?” Green eyes flicker to you. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” you mutter just as Tensei disagrees. “First-degree burn on her shoulder. I did the best I could last night when she came by, but I’m no doctor.”

“I’ll call someone to check in on you. Come in, come in. Do you want coffee? Donuts?”

It clicks by the third person who walks in. They all assume that you’re not just Tensei’s friend, but his girlfriend.

It’s in the way they smile at you, unassuming, chuckling when you name your profession.

“Fits like a glove, doesn’t it?” They say, preening when the words light up a feverish blush on 

Tensei’s cheeks.

He holds your hand when a nurse examines your shoulder and you wish that this was real, that you’ll step out of this building and continue just like this. 

But living in his world for a day, where police officers joke around with you and doors open that you didn’t even know existed, just highlights how far apart your lives truly are.

As it turns out, you seem to have met Dabi, a villain who’s rather new to the scene. You can tell, just by the looks exchanged and awkward silences filling the room, that he’s someone you don’t want to mess with.

“It would probably be better if you didn’t go home for a while,” Detective Tsukauchi announces. “If this is a bar you frequent regularly, it wouldn’t be hard for him to figure out where you live.”

“My friend-” You start just as Tensei says “You can stay with me.”

You tense, just as Detective Tsukauchi smiles and nods.

“An excellent idea. We can escort you home if you need to pack some things first.”

“Oh, no-” You shake your head and wave your hands at the same time. “Getting escorted by the police to my place would just open the door to more trouble. If you could… like… give me a proper written excuse so that I can use my quirk, I can do that in one trip.”

“I’m afraid that I-”

“Tsukauchi, Sir-” Tensei lays it on thick with the charm, “I think in a situation like this you could make an exception, right? Don’t you have Officer Moroi on your team as well? You could still consider it an official escort if she did the teleporting.”

And so, half an hour later, it’s decided.

Officer Moroi’s Quirk is almost the same as yours, although she needs exact coordinates and is able to teleport other people - and stuff - as well.

Saying goodbye to Tensei is an awkward affair. Detective Tsukauchi is going to take him back to his apartment while you pack your things.

You move in for a hug, a handshake too formal for what everyone assumes you are. Tensei moves as well, but you misjudge his intention as wanting to hug you as well. His lips end up on yours for the briefest moment before you pull back, his face as red as-

“Oh,” you cough awkwardly, turning around. “Detective, I… I just remembered. There was another guy at the bar, with wings, he was looking-”

Tsukauchi doesn’t even blink. “No worries. We’re aware of him.”

“You-” Tensei’s hand curls around yours, pulling your attention back to him.

“Stay safe, okay?” He asks, face still flushed. “I’ll see you later.”

-

“I’ll take the Couch,” you offer in the evening, your things awkwardly merged with his. Your clothes stuffed into his drawers, your toothbrush sitting in the same cup. 

Tensei made dinner, told you stories from his past, and checked your injury, warm hands seemingly everywhere at once.

“Are you sure?” He asks, rolling through the living room. “There’s more than enough space in my bed and we’re kinda used to sharing it, don’t you think?”

“Well, yeah, but that was then-” You trail off, not really sure where you’re going with this.

His features stay relaxed as he nods, moving toward his bedroom.

“Do you want some help-”

“I got it,” he sends you a smile you can’t help but question. “I told you I’m getting better at it.”

So you’ve got nothing to do but slip under the covers and stare at the ceiling, trying to blend out the thrumming of pain in your shoulder.

You can hear him breathing, even from this far away, and it calms and upsets you at the same time.

He’s here. But he’s so far away.

Quietly, he calls your name. 

You consider ignoring it for a second, pushing him a little further away. For your safety or his, you’re not sure.

Still, your voice slips out anyway.

“Yes?”

“Are you scared?”

“Of what?” You ask, surprised.

“Being in a relationship.”

You swallow harshly. Has it been this obvious?

“I am, you know,” he admits, “and I was wondering… if you feel the same.”

You blink up at the ceiling, your mind racing ahead. Whatever you do now, it can make or break… whatever this is, between the two of you.

“You know,” you answer, slipping out of bed, “I have called myself a lot of things. I have been called a lot of things, too. But I don’t think I’ve ever believed that I was scared of something.”

You stop in the doorway to his room, your eyes getting used to the darkness. He’s facing you.

“So you’re not scared?” He asks, voice thick.

“Oh no, I’m scared shitless,” you admit, walking the short distance until your knees hit the bed frame, “but that has never stopped me from doing something. What about you? Doesn’t being a hero mean something similar?”

He’s warm as you slip under the covers, your whole body sucking up that familiar aroma of Grapefruit and Mint, your head almost falling into place against his shoulder.

“It’s a different kind of fear, I guess? You can train how to be a hero, from fighting Villains to rescue missions. You can’t train being in love.”

“Mhm, some people definitely try,” you joke, your hands unable to rest, moving across his chest until you can feel his heartbeat pick up beneath your fingertips.

“Tensei?” You ask, basking in his warmth. “Have you been in a relationship before?”

“No,” he admits, one hand a soft pressure on your lower back. “I dated around a little after school, but I was so busy building up the business, spending time with Tenya, I just…”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. You think you’ve got all the time in the world and then you’re thirty, everyone else has already had kids and you wonder where you went wrong.”

“Would you-” He stops, but his heart races, you can feel it.

“Yeah?”

“Would you go on a date with me?”

“Usually,” you tease, because his voice quivered in a way that doesn’t fit his sturdy frame, “I don’t ‘sleep’ with guys before a first date. You kinda messed with my rules here.”

“Sorry,” he rasps, trying to play along.

“It’s fine,” you move a little, pressing your lips against his cheek. “You did wine and dine me today, after all.”

-

You could get used to this.

Tensei’s still asleep, mouth half-open, face mushed against the pillow. You can’t stop your curious hands from traveling, rubbing soft circles into his warm skin, following the spiderweb trails of his scars, pressing a teasing kiss to one of his moles.

He groans softly, hands twitching by his side.

“What time is it?”

“Time to relax,” you tease, pulling one of his arms around you. He snorts.

“I would, but I really have to pee.”

“Oh, what a shame,” you move to sit up, untangling him from the blanket. “But we can slip back into bed after if you want. Although I am craving breakfast.”

Tensei blinks up at you but doesn’t speak. You blame it on him not being a morning person and help him into the bathroom, before moving toward the kitchen, prepping a quick breakfast.

He’s already back in bed when you step into the bedroom. 

Sleeping with, or rather, next to Tensei, has taught you a few things about him so far. He runs hot, he likes to spoon, and he makes the softest little kitten snores when he’s sleeping on his back.

But living with him, just for a day or two, shows you so much more.

He pretends to be a morning person, but it takes a while for his brain to kick in. The smell of him, Grapefruit and Mint, comes partly from his Quirk, the engine jets in his arms being powered by Grapefruit juice, and partly from his absolute obsession with everything Mint scented. Bodywash, Shampoo, Deodorant, he even has Mint scented Candles sitting all over his apartment.

Tensei obviously works out a lot and hasn’t stopped after retiring from being a Pro Hero, the dumbbells in the corner showcasing not a single speck of dust, but he has no trouble lounging on the Couch with you, asking about the book you’re currently reading, or bothering you with the most insane questions about the show you offer to watch.

He’s a family man, too, and you suspect that there is only one reason you’re not absolutely plagued by visiting family members right now.

“Did you tell your parents not to show up?” You ask as you pull on your shoes. Tensei had asked to go out for a little stroll and since the weather was playing along, you had no choice but to agree.

“Uh, yeah, how did you know?”

“I’m a woman, I can tell.”

He sends you a look and you falter. “Okay, fine, there’s a Calendar by the door that has everyone’s name on it. Your parents would have come by today.”

“Oh that,” he nods, face clouding, “I’m trying to become more self-reliant. I know everyone’s just trying to help, but-”

“It’s stifling,” you finish his sentence and he nods, smiling a little.

“You get it?”

“Oh yeah, my Dad is the worst when it comes to this. It doesn’t help that we live in a district that has quite a high crime rate. I’m not dumb, but he’d like to see me somewhere safe.”

“As every parent would, probably. Where do you live?”

“Why, do you wanna know if you went on patrol there?”

“I’m pretty sure I didn’t, I would have noticed you.”

There’s a teasing tone to it, letting you know that he’s flirting. He’s not bad at it and since you’ve been doing nothing but cuddling all day, you dare to lean down and kiss him.

-

If Rapunzel was a man, he would look like the guy following you.

He’s dressed as a civilian, his long, blonde hair tied into the prettiest messy bun you’ve ever seen. And the size of it…

Tensei recognized him yesterday at the park. Apparently the Police are really concerned with your safety, sending him over to keep an eye on you.

“He’s nice,” Tensei had declared. “You don’t have to worry about him. His Hero Name is Present Mic, you might know-”

“No,” you shook your head, “Never heard of him.”

“Any Hero that you do know?”

“Well, All Might, of course,” you smiled. “But my favorite Hero is Laundry Hero: Wash.”

Tensei laughs. “I could never have guessed that. Sounds like a story I would like to hear.”

Your phone alarm pulls you out of the memory and you turn it off, blinking yourself a little more awake in anticipation of your stop.

Tensei doesn’t live that far away, but you still need to take three different trains to get to work, now that you can’t just teleport into your apartment and walk the short distance from there.

Goldilocks, err, Rapunzel, follows you out, whistling a tune. You don’t know how he does it, but he manages to fit in with the crowd of blue-collar workers.

 -

“So you got yourself a boyfriend?” Rumi, best friend and also best car-saleswoman you know, is eating her lunch across from you. “Without telling me?”

“It’s not like that,” you argue, well aware of the tall man dressed in jeans that must be Rapunzel’s replacement for the day. “It’s complicated, okay?”

“I know complicated, but that sounds like a whole ‘nother level,” she takes a sip of her diet soda and pins you down with a glare. “If you’re staying over at his place already it’s a big deal.”

“Yeah,” you fiddle with your utensils, “I know, he’s just… he’s so safe, you know?”

“Safe?” Rumi furrows her brows. “Explain.”

“Like, he’s so… funny. And warm. And caring. Last night we were fighting about who gets to cook Dinner, and- What?” You cut yourself off when you notice her wry smile.

“Oh, you’re so far gone, it’s hilarious.” She chuckles into her drink. “Bring him in some time, will you?”

“We’ll see,” you put your stuff away, “My dad would most definitely love him, for sure.”

Your phone rings at that moment and you pick up, heart hammering in your throat at the sight of Tensei’s name on the display.

“Yes?”

“Hey,” you can hear the smile in his voice. “How’s your lunch break? I’m in the store right now and wanted to ask what you want for Dinner tonight.”

“I thought I was going to make Pizza?”

He laughs softly. “Fine, you can make Pizza tonight. Do you want ice cream for dessert?”

“Oh, yes, please. Mint-Chocolate Chip, if possible.”

“Mhm, no, not possible, that box is already reserved for me.”

“Well, you gotta learn how to share one day.”

Rumi’s grinning like a madman when you finally put your phone away.

“What?” You ask, fighting against the warmth bubbling in your chest, the smile that’s threatening to overtake your face.

“Nothing,” she giggles, “nothing at all.”

-

“What’s the verdict, Doc?” You ask as Tensei finishes changing the bandage on your shoulder. 

He huffs with amusement, the sound cut off by the closing of the door.

“Tenya?” Tensei asks, a tone in his voice that can only be worried. You turn.

Tenya’s face is bruised, dark blue hair full of grime. 

“Nii-chan?” His eyes flicker over to you, face closing off the hurt and exhaustion he’d shown seconds before.

“I should leave-” you start, realizing half way that you have nowhere to go. Tensei’s hands are still warm on your shoulder and even though he’s pulling away, his hold on you stays, his eyes flickering between you and his brother.

If he has to decide between the two of you, you’d rather have him pick Tenya.

“Are you hungry?” You ask, getting up. “I’ll make you something to eat, give you boys some privacy.”

Tensei’s apartment is bigger than yours by a mile but not huge.

You can hear them talking, the tone of their voices heavy.

At one point you think you can hear one of them crying, the sound squeezing your heart like one does a lemon. Should you check on them? What if it’s Tensei crying?

The food getting ready decides for you. No one likes burnt Pizza.

“Coming in,” you announce your arrival softly, feeling relieved and a little guilty when you realize Tenya had been the one crying.

“Hey, big guy,” you place the dish in front of him, “hope you like this. If you want, I can disappear again, the choice is yours.”

“I’m fine,” he wipes his eyes on his sleeve, leaving a smear of dirt across his nose before he puts his glasses back on. “You can- You can stay. I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“It’s fine. Tensei was your brother first. And I’m warning you, if you let me stay, I’m going to ask you all sorts of questions.”

“What kind of questions?”

“Well, for starters, I definitely need to know your favorite flavor. Because your big brother here is obsessed with everything Mint flavored and I need to know if it runs in the family.”

“I do like Mint,” Tenya offers, cutting off a first slice of Pizza. 

You know very well that this is just a means of distraction, that talking about what’s bothering him would be a lot better, but still… you need to start somewhere, right?

Tensei’s hand squeezes yours under the table as Tenya rambles on about different flavors he cannot choose between.

“He asked if he could sleep over,” Tensei explains as soon as Tenya disappears into the bathroom. He sighs. “When I-” He stops, gestures to himself, the wheelchair. “When this happened, it hit him hard. I was in a coma for quite some time and he’s never been without me, really. We were always very close. I know that everything changed, but there’s something to him now… something that wasn’t there before. It’s like something turned dark inside him.”

“That does happen sometimes,” you agree. “When you realize too early on that life’s not fair. That people are more vulnerable than you thought they were.”

Tensei takes a shuddering breath and your hands rush to hold him, console him in any way you can.

“Do you want to share the bed with him?” You ask, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head. You’re not usually this touchy with guys you’re interested in, but you usually don’t feel this safe around guys you’re interested in. You’re starting to act all weird and mushy around him and it’s a little unsettling sometimes.

Tensei laughs. “I don’t think we’d fit. But we could keep the door open.”

“I think it would be good for him if you could admit that you’re still having nightmares.” The words slip out before you’ve really thought about them, but you don’t want to take them back. “Not that you have to do it right away,” you ease the sting of them, “but it can help, sometimes, to know that the strongest people are also afraid of something.”

“Maybe,” he offers, and you leave it at that.

-

Toshi nudges your feet, walking by. You roll out from under the car to check what’s going on, surprised to see Tensei in all his glory.

He sits tall in his wheelchair and the shirt he’s wearing is one of your favorites, bringing out the blue in his eyes. 

“Hey,” you greet him, a little self-conscious about your dirty overalls. “What brings you here?”

“I had an appointment not far from here and thought I could check in on you. When’s your lunch break?”

You squint up at the clock in the corner. “Half an hour.”

“I can wait, if that’s okay with you. Is that alright? I can leave too, if you don’t want company.”

You don’t want company, but you want his company. 

“Stay, please,” you say, swallowing the weird feelings that are swirling in your chest. “You can share a cup of coffee with Rumi in the office, if you want. You know how to get there?”

He nods, smiling as he turns his wheelchair and rolls out of the garage.

You can feel all eyes on you, but you’ve never felt less like discussing your personal life with anyone, so you roll back under the car. There, at least, you can ponder why him showing up has made you this nervous.

Tensei knows you’re a mechanic. And he’s obviously not bothered by the fact that this isn’t some fancy-schmancy auto repairs shop. So if he doesn’t think bad of you, why do you do it?

Tensei’s laughing with Rumi and your Dad, of all people, when you walk into the office. You tried your best at cleaning up, but you still feel dirty in comparison to Tensei’s perfectly ironed clothes.

“What are you doing here?” You ask, leaning into your father’s hug. His overalls look worse than yours. 

“Rumi called and asked me to come check out one car. She suspects some foul-play.”

“Ah.” You shoot her a glare, but she smirks, playing innocent.

“And how lucky I came in right away,” Dad adds, “so I could get to know this guy. Did you know that your mother got saved by his father once? I remember it clearly, it was this awful purse-snatcher guy and Ingenium saved the day. He really was a fine lad, you got to tell him I said hi,” your father slaps a heavy hand onto Tensei’s shoulder. You flinch at the ink-stains he leaves in the fabric.

“I will. Father remembers all of his saves, so I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear from you. But I think we should get going, if we want to make use of our time,” Tensei turns to you. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Leave where?” You furrow your brows. 

“There’s a park nearby and I thought we could get a stroll in, what do you think?”

“Eh,” you falter for a second, but Rumi’s less than subtle head movements tell you to go along. “I guess why not?”

“Do you always have to be out in nature?” You ask twenty minutes later when you’ve found a place that’s to Tensei’s liking, a tall tree creating enough shadow for the two of you to sit under.

He blinks. “I guess… I guess I like it a lot, does it bother you?”

“Not that much,” you admit, “It’s just a little surprising, I think. How was your day so far?”

Tensei’s face turns serious, your heart thundering at the sight.

“You know,” he starts, fiddling with a napkin, “I’m supposed to undergo surgery in a week or so.”

“Oh? What kind?” Surely, it’s nothing big, you tell yourself.

Tensei sighs, taking your hand and squeezing it tightly.

“It’s experimentative surgery. I have a twenty percent chance to walk again.”

“And the other eighty?”

He chuckles, but it doesn’t sound amused. “I try not to think about it.”

“And you’re supposed to do it? Or is this just an option you’re thinking about?”

His eyes flicker over your face. “It’s an option. My mother doesn’t want me to take it. Tenya’s all for it, although I haven’t really disclosed the risks to him.”

“Tenya wants you to be the person he knows you as. You’re his hero. No one wants to see their heroes fall.”

Tensei sighs, shoulders slumping. It hurts to see him that way. Before you can stop yourself, you’ve climbed onto his lap, dirt be damned.

“Hey,” you say, cradling his face in your hands. “Talk to me?”

“I just want everything to be how it used to be,” he admits. “I want Tenya to be happy again.”

Behind your ribcage, a flame of hurt starts licking at your heart. You push it aside, focus on what he’s saying.

“He’s becoming a hero, right?” You ask, “Doesn’t that mean… He’ll have to face these things eventually, will he not?”

“Yeah, but- but not like this. Not on his own. I’d be by his side, fighting alongside him.” 

Tensei’s hands dig into your hips now. Your heart stutters with his next words, sensing something beneath them that your mind isn’t ready to process yet.

“If I could turn back time, I would. Even if it meant being a coward that day. I just-” He breaks off, resting his head on your shoulder. You let him cry it out, your food long forgotten.

-

Tensei’s smiling again by the time he leaves, though you can still see the sadness lingering in his eyes. 

Your mind is fogged up as you work and you need twice your usual time for even the most basic tasks.

Rumi’s sending you looks, but you’re not ready to talk about it yet.

It’s on your way to the train station that someone pulls you aside.

You recognize those red wings instantly.

“Yo!” The guy smiles, but it’s not friendly, “Have you heard anything from Dabi?”

You blink, trying to move away, but his grip on your arm is firm.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Ah, don’t play it like that.” He smirks. His eyes are a mesmerizing golden color, but they hold no warmth for you. “I know you had intel. What I don’t know is why you came back into the bar?”

“Intel?” You finally manage to rip your hand out of his grip. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I told Tsukauchi about you and he knows you were there. I’m going to let him know you’re not unimportant as he thinks you are.”

You ready yourself to teleport, cursing the time it still takes - it’s not like you had much chance to practice - when he laughs. It transforms him, the cold, harsh lines bleeding from his face.

“Oh, so you really know nothing,” he says, voice easy as if he’s just talking about the weather. He waves at someone, who turns out be Rapunzel, hiding behind a nearby pillar.

“You were right, Mic, she really knows nothing.”

“Excuse me?” You ask, equally horrified and … You’re not sure how to name that other feeling, just that it leaves you feeling weak, like a terrible cold. 

“Ah, I’m glad.” Rapunzel- Present Mic, you remind yourself, grins at you, blonde mustache dancing above his lips. “Just taking care, you know. Can’t be careful enough these days.”

In less than a minute, both of them are gone and so is your train. 

All you want to do is teleport over to Tensei and let him make sense of this interaction. But using your Quirk out in the open is never advisable when you’re not a registered Hero, even in a place like this. 

So you find yourself a secluded space to wait for the next train - or teleport, depending on what’s shorter, your patience or the wait time - and sit down to think. 

Your mind’s still reeling from today’s revelation.

In about a week, Tensei will undergo experimentative surgery. He might be able to walk just fine after that, be who he used to be before it happened, whatever it is. 

You try to think of him, standing up. He’s going to be tall, for sure. Probably leaning in the doorway with that lazy smile he always wears when you get home.

But- if everything turns the way it was before, where will that leave you?

Because before, he didn’t have time for a relationship, nor did he want one. He was busy prepping his agency for when Tenya was ready to join him and there’s still a few years until that can happen. 

And even if he wanted to scale down his work hours, there’s a difference between dating an Ex-Hero and an active Hero. Not just in the risks he takes, but also in his public image.

Dating you, with your job and your origin, your ties to a part of Tokyo that’s less than stellar. You can’t help but think of yourself as a stain on his public imagine, much like the oil stains your father - and you - left on his outfit today.

Your train arrives, but you don’t get on. There’s still too much to think about.

-

“Where were you?” Tensei waits for you in the hallway, brows furrowed. “You didn’t pick up your phone.”

“Thinking,” you say, plant yourself in front of him without taking off your shoes. “We need to talk.”

“Do you want to sit down-”

“If you want things to be how they used to be,” you talk over him, needing to get this out, “I will no longer be here.”

Tensei stops, mouth half open.

“I’m not offering you a chance to turn back time. There might be people with a Quirk like that, but I don’t have it. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking today and I… I don’t want to hold you back. I understand why you want to get back on your feet and I’d never be in the way of that, but I don’t think we could be together if you returned to being a hero.”

“Why not?” His voice is too soft for a man this sturdy. 

You turn your eyes toward the floor.

“Because you are you and I am me and we do not fit together.”

“I think we did pretty well,” Tensei argues and you pull your shoulders up to your ears.

“Yeah, because at the moment you’re broken. I do fit well with broken things, not with those who look new and shiny.” You can’t stop your hand from reaching out, touching the oil stain that’s still on his shoulder.

“I leave stains, Tensei. And you’re a Hero in a white suit.”

“So that’s it?” He asks after a moment of silence. “You’re just going to leave?”

“Staying would just prolong the hurt, wouldn’t it?” You wring your hands. “You don’t even need me anymore. You sleep fine.”

“It’s not about sleeping,” his fingertips dig into the armrests of his wheelchair. “It’s about the time in between. I want to be awake with you.”

“I know,” you swallow the pain, “but that doesn’t make everything alright, does it? I’ll… I’ll get my things, okay? Apparently, I can go back to my place.”

Tensei watches you quietly as you grab your stuff.

A few times you can tell that he’s preparing to say something, but he doesn’t.

“Goodbye,” you tell him, heart heavy, longing for nothing more but to crawl into his arms and stay there, the whole world be damned. “I hope everything turns out alright for you.”

-

Rumi thinks you’re stupid.

You think you’re stupid.

You’re not sure what your Dad thinks, because you haven’t yet told him about the whole affair.

But from the looks he’s sending you over a plate of what you fondly call “Dad’s hodgepodge”, you’ll find out pretty soon.

“So,” he says, taking a sip of his drink. “That guy in the wheelchair.”

“What about him?”

“He’s your mate?”

You fight the flinch, but your face must betray you. Your father chuckles.

“You know, you come right after your mother.”

“I know.”

“Mhm, do you?” He cocks his head to the side to squint at you. “Because I don’t think you do. Did you know that your mother accidentally conjured me up one day?”

You freeze, food halfway to your mouth.

“What?”

“Yeah,” he nods, a wistful smile on her face. “She was so done with dating, she sat down, thinking long and hard about what she wanted in a man, and then wished for it to appear, in one person, thank you very much. A few seconds later I sat in the middle of her room, plenty confused. Didn’t know my Quirk could be turned on me like that.”

You gape at him, mouth open. 

“That’s not what you told me! At all!”

“Well,” he takes another sip. “Didn’t want you to try and recreate it. You’ve always been a curious kid.”

“But-”

“Ah,” he shakes his head at you. “Don’t talk back to me. Your mother would be disappointed.”

“Mom would be disappointed if I didn’t talk back,” you snap and he grins, bright like you know him.

You drop your head in your hands. 

“So what if he teleported me to him?” You ask, face hidden. “That doesn’t mean we will automatically work out.”

“No,” your father agrees, “but I don’t think we raised you to be a quitter. Or to be ashamed of where you came from. You used it as a motivation, became something we could be proud of. But I’ve noticed, lately, that you’ve lost your goal out of sight. Didn’t you want to get out of this part of town? Open a garage in one of the nicer districts and take me with you?”

“So you’re saying I should milk him for what he’s worth?”

Your Dad laughs.

“No. But I think you should at least try to see if you can work things out before you decide it will fail. And before you ask, Rumi didn’t tell me a thing. You’re just bad at hiding stuff.”

“Am not.”

“Am too. Eat your food.”

-

Tensei messages you every day. It’s not much, just a few details of what’s going on, but he’s persistent, even though you don’t respond.

Today’s text has you freezing though.

“Talked to Tenya. He’s as torn about going through with the surgery as I am, now that he knows the risks. Hope you’re doing well.”

The letters are dancing in front of your eyes. 

Tensei’s just as scared of things as you are. But while you were the one to take the first step, slip into bed with him when you could have run away, he’s the one keeping the conversation going.

You pick up your phone and start to type.

But isn’t that cowardly as well, you wonder, staring down at the words. You should tell him in person.

His apartment, however, is empty. 

At first, there’s no hint as to where he could be, until you reach the Calendar in the kitchen, tomorrow marked. Tensei, thorough in everything he does, has written the name of the Clinic next to the appointment.

Not that it’s of any use to you now, when visitation hours are most certainly over.

You pace his living room for a good minute before you realize, a little late, that you don’t have to deal with those anyway. All you have to do is focus on his face, the familiar smell of Grapefruit and Mint and-

Tensei groans, loudly. You’ve landed on top of him.

“Shit, sorry,” you climb off of him as quickly as you can, expecting the telltale smell of Hospital disinfectant and the crinkling of cheap linen.

Instead, your legs land on a mountain of plushies instead of the floor and when he turns on the light, you come face to face with a lifesized poster of a Hero named Gran Torino, the name all but plastered above his head.

“What are you doing here?” Tensei asks, voice groggy, “Am I dreaming?”

“Are you not in the hospital?” You ask back, trying to see more of this strange room. There’s sports equipment in the corner and pictures on the wall. 

Wait, is that Tensei with his front teeth missing? 

“I’m at my parent's place,” he whispers, turning the light off. “What are you doing here? Did I- Did I summon you again?”

“No, I wanted-” The darkness doesn’t make it easier to speak, instead you’re so much more aware of his body and his smell and the warmth he exudes. “I wanted to be there, with you. For the surgery or whatever you decide to do. I didn’t want to send you just a message, though, so I turned to your apartment but there was only a note on the calendar-” Tensei pulls you into his arms without a word.

“Are you going to leave again?” He asks after a while, voice muffled by how his face is pressed into your shoulder.

“Only if you send me away,” you promise, your hands finding the scars on his back, the spiderweb familiar, though not yet burned into your memory. One day they will be, you think, hoping that it’s true.

“Not sending you away,” he says, pulling you down. “And about the surgery-”

“You can do whatever you feel like doing,” you promise, “And I’ll do my best to support you.”

He laughs softly. “Even if means having breakfast with my parents tomorrow? Accompanying me to a different surgeon for a second opinion? Sitting with Tenya and my parents while I’m undergoing surgery that could kill me? Or pushing my wheelchair around until you need your own in case I decide against surgery?”

“Out of all those options, breakfast with your parents sounds the most daunting,” you confess, “but if they don’t bite my head off for sneaking into your room in the middle of the night to turn their innocent son into a Rebel, I can be swayed.”

“What about the rest?”

“You’re not the only one scared of relationships,” you admit. “But I’m not willing to let that fear stop me. You might have to remind me, though, sometimes. I don’t have the best memory.”

“Deal,” he says and you don’t need light to know he’s smiling. You can feel it, the curve of his lips, pressed against your own.

- x -

“Tensei?” Tenya calls from the front door.

“Taking a nap,” you call back, “I’m in the kitchen.”

It surprises you yet again, how Tenya’s still not done growing. He’s blinking in that tired way that tells you that school has been hell, but he still moves to hug you before he descends onto the Couch. 

Your apartment is closer to his school than his parent's house and even if it wasn’t, you’re pretty sure he’d still show up at least once a week.

In a few months, right after graduation, Tenya will start working as Ingenium, the newest member of their family to properly carry the name as a Pro Hero.

Tensei is insanely proud and so are you.

You take one look back at Tenya’s sleeping form when you feel it, the telltale signs of your Quirk activating.

You have just enough time to drop the knife you’d been holding before you dematerialize, only to plop back into existence right next to your Husband.

Tensei’s smiling, eyes open.

“Hey there,” he greets you, pulling you close, smothering you in a cloud of Grapefruit and Mint. “Missed you.”

“I was just in the other room,” you pretend to be mad, but your hands are betraying your words, rubbing circles into his back. 

“Too far away,” he jokes. 

“One day you’ll get in trouble for misusing my Quirk,” you tell him, twirling a strand of hair around your finger.

“But not today,” Tensei quips back. He’s right.

[literaryavenger]

Heartbroken

Summary: Tony helps you through your first heartbreak.

Pairing: Dad!Tony Stark x Daughter!female!reader

Warnings: Fluff. Language cause why not. Reader is hurting. Tony is an angel. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 1.4K

A/N: I wanted some soft dad Tony and this came out. The end is a little rushed, I didn't know where I wanted it to go but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I hope you like it!

Masterlist

You exited the elevator and made your way through the living room, not sparing anybody a second glance.

You went straight to your room and slammed the door behind you, leaving all of the avengers that were currently in the living room in a shocked silence.

That wasn’t like you.

You're a cheery and positive teenager that never misses a chance to hang out with your favorite group of superheroes.

Even during your bad days, you at least said hi and chat a bit before going to your room, so your behavior today as you came home from school leaves everyone worried.

They all know high school isn't easy, but it somehow never affected you much.

Maybe because you grew up in the spotlight, being a Stark.

You were the perfect combination of Pepper and Tony, smart and driven, sarcastic and confident, sweet and supportive. Really just a ray of sunshine in everyone’s life.

Everybody at Midtown High knows who you are and every student you meet gets surprised by how nice you are to anyone that approaches you, everyone expecting you to be a stuck up bitch.

You talk to and befriend anybody who’s nice to you, but you spend most of your time with Peter, Ned and MJ.

Speaking of which, while everybody stares at the door you just disappeared through, Peter enters the room through the window, a feat that not everyone is used to yet.

"Damn it, bug boy, stop doing that!" Sam almost yells, never failing to get startled by his abrupt entrances.

"Sorry, Mr. Falcon, sir." he says sheepishly while Bucky snickers like every other time, but before they can start bickering like always, Tony addresses Peter.

"What’s wrong with my daughter, Spider-ling?" he says in a serious tone, despite the nickname he can’t seem to get tired of.

"I don’t know, Mr. Stark. She was fine during lunch, but when school ended she was nowhere to be seen. We were suppose to meet at the exit like always but she rushed home alone. That’s why I’m here, I was worried." the more Peter talks the more Tony gets worried.

It wasn’t like you to not show up to do something you planned to do with someone else, let alone without giving a reason or at least a warning first.

Tony has heard enough so he gets up from his seat and walks towards your room, knocking twice, then once and then three times fast, a secret knock you came up with when you were little designed just for him.

He hears a faint ‘come in’ and, with furrowed eyebrows, he enters your room, finding you sitting on the bed hugging your knees to your chest.

Without saying a word he comes in, shuts the door and sits next to you, putting an arm around your shoulders. You shift to put your head in his chest and, when hug him as tightly as you can, Tony can actually feel his own heart breaking at the sight.

His little ray of sunshine, crying her heart and soul out and there's nothing more he can do but hold you. So he holds onto you just as tight as you are, willing himself not to let his own tears fall at seeing you so broken, needing to be strong for you.

After you calm down a bit, he can’t help himself as he asks "who do I have to kill?"

He feel a little better when he hears your little giggle against his chest, but he's still very worried and you both know he wasn’t entirely kidding.

He doesn’t rush you into talking, giving you time to put together your thoughts before starting to explain.

"I’ve been seeing someone..." you start, sitting up straight, sniffling, and he already doesn't like where this is going. "I’m sorry I haven’t said anything, mom knows though…"

"Of course she does." he mumbles, a little offended you would tell her and not him, and Tony Stark was never one to not voice his thoughts. "Why didn’t you tell me?" he was clearly hurt, pouting a bit just to amuse you. You giggle again as you answer.

"I’m sorry, but I know what you would’ve said: ‘You’re not allowed to date until you’re 65’" you try to imitate him with a deep voice that makes him chuckle.

"Damn right you can’t!" He says and you lighten up a little at his laughter and keep talking.

"I was going to introduce you soon, I swear! But then…" your smile falls and you can’t stop the few tears that escape. "Today, while I was waiting on Peter, I saw him…"

You trail off and he holds your hand giving you an encouraging squeeze but still not pushing you. Then, in the smallest voice he’d ever heard you use, you finish your sentence. "He was kissing another girl…"

He wished you hadn’t finished the sentence. You start crying again, quieter than before, but it still broke Tony’s heart.

"Oh, honey…" He wraps his arms around you again, mentally planning how to kill and dispose of the body of the little prick, when he hears you again, your voice barely a whisper.

"It hurts, dad… why does it hurt so much?" you still couldn’t stop crying, barely able to finish the sentence.

"I know, Tinkerbell." The use of your childhood nickname made you smile against the tears, the memory of how it came to be coming to the forefront of your mind.

You were about 6 years old, watching Peter Pan for the first time with your parents, when you started giggling uncontrollably.

Your parents gave you a funny look, expecting you to be sad at the part where Tinkerbell was dying and worried they were raising a little psychopath.

"What are you laughing at, Junior?" much to Pepper’s displeasure Tony had started calling you that, sustaining that you were turning out to be just like a little version of him.

Your mom disagreed, but was slowly changing her mind, especially after what little six year old you said next.

"Daddy’s just like Tinkerbell: if she doesn’t get attention he dies!" you got out between giggles, making Pepper almost double over laughing as Tony started a tickle attack, a fake offended look on his face.

After that your dad started calling you Tinkerbell, not able to let go of your first sarcastic comment, against him of all people, but secretly very proud.

You were brought back to the present by your dad’s words as he started rubbing your back. 

"I know it hurts now, but it’s gonna get better, I promise. Your first heartbreak is never easy, but the good news is you have your whole life ahead of you to find a guy smart enough to understand how lucky he is to be loved by you and never let you go."

Now, Tony Stark is many things.

He’s a genius, billionaire, former playboy and philanthropist. He’s an entrepreneur, a superhero, a savior. He’s a role model, a caring friend and doting husband.

But, at this very moment, you can’t help but be proud to call him your father.

You wish you could tell him that at the moment, but you can’t find the voice to speak so you make a mental note to tell him later. Right now all you can do is hug him so tight you’re not entirely sure he’s able to breathe, but he doesn’t make any attempts to make you let go.

The next couple of hours are spent between hugs, words of encouragement and Tony trying everything he can to make you laugh.

When he succeeds in lifting your spirits, you both make your way to the living room where all of the Avengers are now, Pepper included. You sit next to her and she wraps her arm around you, having already been updated on the situation, of course.

Everyone else seemed to have come to a mutual understanding of not pressing the matter, knowing you’ll open up when you’re ready and not wanting to upset you again now that you’re back to your cheery self.

You’re glad nobody’s asking any questions, acting like nothing happened, exactly what you need right now.

You spend the rest of the day with your family, forgetting all about your broken heart, realizing you’re better off without him.

At one point your dad whispers to you "I still need the name of the little jerk, so I can fuck him up" and you can’t help but laugh, more glad than ever to be lucky enough to be a Stark.

[rebelspykatie]

While you all wait for the anticipated first date, here’s an alternate ending that I wrote before deciding to take this story in a different direction. This is in reference to my Soulmate AU you can find here. 

Soulmate AU Alternate Ending

They dance around each other for the rest of the year, and Steve quietly graduates, still never having spoken a word to Eddie. That is, until Steve’s father forces him to get a job over the summer.  

When Eddie wanders into Scoops one slow evening, he comes to a halt in front of Steve, looking between him and Robin with wild eyes, like a deer staring down the barrel of a hunters gun.

Robin is watching them, fascinated and a little intrigued by the absolute silence that they seem to be trapped in.

“You gonna order something, Munson?”

Eddie barely looks like he heard her, not looking away from Steve, but he mumbles out an order for one vanilla cone. Robin works around Steve, who is unmoving from his spot leaning against the counter, scooping up vanilla into a cone and holding it out over the freezer.

Eddie finally snaps out of it and goes to pay, which makes Steve realize how he was frozen in place, just watching Eddie. Steve shoves Robin aside and moves to take Eddie’s money. When their hands meet, you can almost see the electricity that passes between them, both pulling their hands back like they’ve been shocked.

“Enjoy your ice cream,” Steve says, looking at Eddie from under thick lashes and fiddling with the cuff on his wrist covering up Eddie’s name. He’s never been close enough to see the dark red stain of Steve’s lips but now it’s all he can focus on.

He can’t work up the courage to say anything back, just nods and takes his cone to a corner booth. It’s conveniently placed where he can see Robin and Steve working, the later routinely glancing in Eddie’s direction while he licks away at the cone, cheeks a faint pink color Eddie’s pretty sure he’s imagining.

Eddie wandered into Scoops close to closing, the regular mass of people dwindling down to just a few stragglers and mall employees. So it’s easy to pick up on the whispered conversation Robin and Steve are having behind the register.

Steve’s cleaning the counters and Robin is refilling the dispensers of spoons and napkins, but they’re arguing. Something about giving it a shot and what harm can it do. Robin receives a lot of bitchy little sneers that almost make Eddie laugh from his vantage point.

He almost chokes on his tongue when they stop arguing and Robin shoves Steve out from behind the counter with a bottle of cleaning spray and a rag. Eddie watches Steve make the rounds, cleaning the few tables that sat between him and the register, before he hesitantly shuffles over to Eddie’s table.

Who knew that Harrington could rock a dumb sailor uniform this well. If Eddie didn’t already have his name on his wrist, he’d scratch out whoever was there and get Steve’s name tattooed in its place from this look alone. No one can ever find out how hot he finds this getup. He’d never live it down.

“Hey sailor,” Eddie says, immediately wanting to slam his forehead onto the table and concuss himself, or maybe crawl under it and die there.

Steve freezes. And now Eddie can see that he was right. The pink color of his cheeks was very real and even cuter up close.

“You and your first mate done arguing?”

“You heard all that?”

“It’s not that big of a store, captain.”

Steve rubs at the back of his neck. “Sorry. She just thinks I’m being stupid.”

“About what? Is the USS Butterscotch sinking?”

A quiet huff of laughter escapes Steve. “You, actually.”

Eddie’s head whips back. “Me?”

Steve nods. He takes a step closer and gestures at the seat opposite Eddie, silently asking to sit. Eddie waves an inviting arm for him to join him.

Steve clears his throat, twisting the rag in his hand, looking down at the table. “She knows what’s on my arm. She’s the only person I’ve told. But she doesn’t understand why I haven’t talked to you, called me a dingus.”

“She brings up a good point. Why haven’t you talked to me?”

“I could ask you the same thing. You’ve known about this longer than I have. But I guess I was just scared,” Steve shrugs. “I’m no catch these days.”

Eddie reaches out and pushes a loose strand of hair out of Steve’s face, who finally looks up and locks eyes with Eddie. “Pretty sure the universe thinks you’re the exact right catch for me.”

They just stare at each other for a minute. Eddie’s never been good with silence, but he feels an odd sense of calm around Steve, like his presence is what Eddie was waiting for, and they barely even know each other.

“You would want that? To try being together?” Eddie nods. “I thought you wanted nothing to do with me.”

“You’re practically Hawkins royalty, Steve. I thought I was unworthy of even being in your presence, let alone being your soulmate. Our names showing up on each other’s arms is the most shocking thing that’s ever happened to me. I guess I just needed some time to process it.”

“And now?” He says it with this hopeful, shiny look in his eyes, still a bit cautious.

“I think I’m done processing. I’ve totally gotten over the whole jock thing-“

“Hey!”

“I’ve moved on because I think I can really get into this whole vibe,” he tugs gently on the red ascot of Steve’s uniform. “Never would’ve thought sailors were my thing, but you’re really making this work for me.”

A cackle carries across the shop and they both startle as if they forgot anyone else was here. Robin’s laughing as she goes through the register to close it out for the night, eyeing them and shaking her head.

“No one needs to know about your weird kinks, Munson.”

He flips her off. “Leave me and my soulmate alone, Buckley.”

A sharp intake of breath draws his gaze back to Steve. That hopeful look has turned to one of pure adoration. “Your soulmate,” he whispers.

Eddie pulls Steve a little closer and whispers in confirmation, “My soulmate.”

[fulltimesapphic]

Ok so I haven’t been able to see ep 4 of Hazbin Hotel cause of the mature content password thing. But I have seen clips and I am currently obsessed with Loser, baby so here I am.

Spoilers ahead

Headcannon that the first time they sleep together, whether that means just sleeping in the same bed or if it means sleeping together (edit: now that I’ve seen it, probably just sleeping in the same bed. I don’t think Angel will ever want sex again after getting free from Valentino), Husk is incredibly gentle.

He asks before touching Angel anywhere. He respects the boundaries and is just kind with him.

Headcannon that Angel wakes up first because Valentino never liked waking up to him in bed so he gets ready to leave but then he hears something.

Headcannon that Husk purrs.

Angel hears the purring and is so shocked that he doesn’t get up. Husk, still sleeping slides his arm around Angels thin waist and keeps purring.

Headcannon that Angel never thought Husk could be this soft. He is now trapped by Husks arm so he stays.

Headcannon the Husk hasn’t purred in so long that it sounds scratchy and unused.

Headcannon that when Husk wakes up Angel is staring at him, eyes so full of love, and Husk gets scared. He asks what happened and Angel just says ‘you purr’

Headcannon that Husk sits up immediately in embarrassment. He starts thinking that Angel is disgusted by it, like so many people. But he doesn’t.

Headcannon the Angel says nothing else but sits up to hug Husk from behind with one set of arms and uses the other to clean, just mess with Husks wings.

Headcannon that Husk hasn’t purred since he lost to Alastor. That he didn’t think he still could.

Headcannon the Husk only purrs because of Angel. Only when Angel is near him.

Headcannon the Husk accidentally starts purring in front of everyone because Angel pressed a kiss to his cheek. Everyone starts staring at him and Alastor says ‘didn’t think you could still do that’ shrugging.

Headcannon that Husk is embarrassed but Angel notices, and changes the subject.

Charlie keeps throwing glances towards Husk and later pulls him to the side. ‘I know that you were never someone who wanted help here, but I’m glad you have been helped. I’m glad you’ve helped each other.’

Headcannon the Husk walks away from the conversation and subconsciously wanders over to where Angel is, who asks him what the princess wanted.

Headcannon that Husk looks at him, realizing just how much Angel and him have helped each other.

Headcannon that Husk leans down and kisses him. In front of everyone. Vaggie is in shock, Niffty looks like she’s about to faint.

When they break apart Husk starts purring again.

Headcannon that Husk purrs all the time now and isn’t embarrassed by it. Because of a certain Sinner who wasn’t disgusted by it.

[riddles-n-games]

Say It First

"I love you."

Avery blinked. “What?”

“I said I love you.” 

She looked at him and wondered if she was hearing things. “A-Are you sure? You do know you what you’re saying, right? We haven’t been that long together, you don’t need t-”

“I’m sure. I’ve never been more certain, Heiress,” he said, his tone firm and steady. In my whole life. He’d never been more sure about anything or anyone in his life up to this point than her. She felt right, she fit into his complicated world as the most perfect piece in the puzzle and it had sent his heart racing when he first realized. But, some thoughts could be saved for a later date.

Avery was trying to smile but looked in disbelief, laughing nervously, “Jameson, I-”

“It’s okay, Avery. You don’t need to say it back if you aren’t ready.” 

She looked at a loss for words, struggling to respond. “But, I-You…”

He huffed amusedly. Avery Kylie Grambs, his wisecrack and dry-humored girlfriend, speechless.  “Aves, it’s okay. You don’t need to say anything. I just wanted to let you know where I stand because I am certain about you. Us. There’s no need for you to rush.”

“I know, I just…” 

“Heiress, I’m ready to wait.” His words were gentle, soft. It was so unlike him but it was soothing and didn’t that make her heart clench. 

She looked him in the eyes and was shocked at the unwavering sincerity they held. It was like she was held still, wrapped in an emerald cocoon when she saw herself in them. When he spoke again, his voice felt like a distant echo. “Don’t say anything you might regret. I would rather you take your time and save it for a different occasion than feel like you’re being pressured when you might not mean it yet.”

Slowly, she zoned back in and once she did, frowned, a bit upset with herself. Her gaze fell to his chest. “Yeah, but I…”

Jameson continued, “I’m not afraid to wait. You’re the one I want. It’s just that I want you to mean it when you do say it.” 

Avery looked back up, letting out a relieved breath as she hugged him. “Thank you,” she mumbled into his neck. He closed his eyes and buried his nose into her hair, the scent of faint grapes and apples wafting her locks. “You’re welcome.”

When they pulled away, her lips were pursed and brows pinched, an apology written all over her face. “I’m really sorry for not being able to say it now. You deserve that. I’m just still, you know…” She waved her hands around. “New to this.”

“I know, Heiress. I know. And I’m not judging you for it.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. When he pulled away, Avery blushed. The pink was spreading over her skin. Jameson smirked; she looked cute with her flushed cheeks. She hid her face into his shirt and he laughed but put an arm around her waist. For a moment, she was safe before his laughter subsided and he cupped her jaw, tilting her head up but before she could register, his lips were on hers. Her hand fisted the wool of his pullover and returned the kiss.

It would be okay. As long as she was his and he was hers, they would be good. In fact, they were just beginning and what a beautiful love story it would be.

Us against the world.

A/N: Hi, this is a short fic about Jameson telling Avery he loves her for the first time, a request by anon. You can see the headcanons under the original ask. Hope you enjoyed!

[archiveikemen]

Xeno Main Story: Chapter 4

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting

Xeno-san’s stern face came closer and closer, until it was right in front of my face. 

Rina: Eh…? 

Unable to peel my eyes off him, I could only stare… 

The overly unrealistic situation wasn’t clicking in my head, and then—

Xeno: … You haven’t been sleeping much, have you?

Rina: !

(He’s right, I’ve been too busy lately and had trouble sleeping.) 

Xeno: You have dark eye circles too, and your fainting spell just now must’ve also been due to lack of sleep. This shows that you’re not managing your health well. 

Feeling the warmth of Xeno-san’s embrace was only momentary as he immediately let go. 

Rina: I’m sorry… I’ve been a little busier lately. I took some work home to complete and didn’t have much time to sleep. 

Xeno: That can’t be an excuse for making mistakes in your work. 

Rina: … Got it.

His cold words felt like a stab at my heart. It hurt because I knew he was right. 

(It’s indeed as he says. I could’ve made an even worse mistake…) 

I shrunk apologetically. 

… However, Xeno-san’s following words shocked me. 

Xeno: Sometimes, getting some sleep and proper rest is part of work. 

Rina: Eh!? 

Xeno: What? Did I say something weird? 

Rina: N-no. 

I made a messy attempt at explaining my reaction to him.

Rina: I was just surprised that you would think that way. 

Rina: I’ve always thought you were the kind of person to not rest at all. 

Xeno: Unlike you, my performance never gets affected by my lack of rest. 

He answered matter of factly. 

(What? I can’t believe someone who gets absolutely zero rest exists.) 

… Even so, Xeno-san’s words sounded highly convincing. 

(Despite always dealing with such hectic work, this man was flawless at all times. I’ve never seen him look tired.) 

Xeno: If you’re going to do something, don’t presume upon others. I don’t tolerate any half-baked work. 

His harsh words went straight to my heart, but that was because he was the hardest on himself. 

… Once I thought of it that way, I found myself able to accept them. 

Rina: … I apologise for letting you witness this pathetic sight of me. I’ll bear that in mind. 

(I should try even harder. I’ll think of how to manage my time, and do my best to avoid exhaustion…) 

Rina: I’ll be more diligent in order for my work to meet your standards, Xeno-san!

Xeno: … Oh really?

Xeno-san looked slightly surprised. 

Xeno: I expected you to start wailing and complaining… well, words are pointless if you don’t have even that much resolve. 

Xeno: Be more mindful of managing your health from now on. 

Rina: Okay!

Xeno: … By the way, do you still have work from your company to complete today?

Rina: Eh? Yeah, a little bit.

Xeno: Then this is enough for today. Go back to your room. 

Rina: Ah… 

I was chased out of his room before I could respond.

…

(I failed again…) 

I felt dejected by how much of a good-for-nothing I was. 

(But as Xeno-san said just now, I can only work harder. Anyway, I should finish all my leftover work for today.) 

I recalled what happened earlier while I spread my work out on my desk. 

(When I was kicked out of the room, I didn’t get the chilly feeling I usually do.) 

And those arms that held me… they had an inexplicable feeling of gentleness. 

(Back when we first met, he also caught me mid-fall.) 

Xeno-san’s attitude and speech were always cold and unfeeling, but I sometimes feel warmth coming from him. 

(His character is so hard to grasp…)  

(If he were truly a cold person, wouldn’t he have let me fall instead?) 

(Or am I the only one who thinks that?) 

“I want to know more about Xeno-san” — such feelings started sprouting in my heart. 

…

On Saturday—

I was in a corner of a glamorous event venue filled with a bustling crowd of people. 

= Flashback Start = 

Sakura: Kawanaga-chan, today’s event is your first job at the main office. Since it’s your first time, the most important thing is for you to watch and learn. 

Rina: Got it! Please guide me well. 

Sakura: This is very sudden, but get ready to leave now! exe Creed’s attending an event today. 

= Flashback End =

(I didn’t expect the event in question to be the Japan premiere of “Strange Game”!) 

“Strange Game” was a super popular foreign drama series. 

I heard on my first day at the condominium that exe Creed were the singers for its theme song. 

(What an amazingly large scale event! As expected of a drama series with a production budget larger than that of a movie.) 

From the moment we arrived at the venue, the members got busy preparing for the event and I lost track of where they went. 

= Flashback Start =

Sakura: You can go ahead and have a look around nearby. 

= Flashback End = 

(… Although that’s what I was told, opportunities like this are rare. I should take the chance to make some notes for my presentation.) 

I stood in a corner waiting for the event to start while keeping that thought in mind…

(I’m feeling out of place with the event’s atmosphere…) 

…

Not long after, the event started.

Journalists and fans who won tickets crowded along the venue’s red carpet. 

(Oh, that’s Director Smith!) 

The director of the series was the first to make an appearance on the red carpet, he was a big name in the film industry. 

(The main cast are here too!) 

Amidst the thunderous applause, camera flashes going off and people walking by like characters in a Hollywood movie, the next guests to appear were…

Female Fan 1: Oh! Isn’t that exe Creed!? In the flesh!?

Female Fan 2: No way, could it be that exe Creed sang the theme song!? 

Female Fan 3: You must be kidding me! This is the BEST! 

Loud cheers erupted through the venue the moment exe Creed came out. 

(A-amazing…!) 

Information about exe Creed being the singers for the theme song was intentionally kept a secret from the general public as a surprise.

The cheers for them were even louder than for the actors. Especially for…

Female Fan 1: Xeno~! Look this way! 

Female Fan 2: AHH—! HE’S SO HANDSOME! 

Xeno: … 

(It seems that the loudest cheers are for Xeno-san. He’s very calm about it, though…) 

The members looked dignified as they stood on the red carpet, basking in the dazzling camera flashes. 

(I thought I already knew this, but they’re seriously mega superstars…)

For the sake of fulfilling my dream, I had to successfully convince those impressive people to accept my proposal. 

Rina: *sigh*… 

I couldn’t help but sigh.

Enveloped in the passionate cheers, the event and my first day of work at the main office came to an end. 

…

… The next day. I got dressed and went to the living room. 

(Looks like everyone’s here… hm? Why does something feel off?) 

Sakura: Know your limits, Xeno. 

Xeno: This is not a joke. I refuse. 

The other members were watching from the sidelines as Sakura-san and Xeno-san argued.

Rina: What’s going on? 

Hugh: Xeno and Sakura-san… they’re fighting. 

Ivy: Not really fighting, just a little bit of a tricky situation. We’re discussing what to do about it. 

Jace: We attended the event for “Strange Game” yesterday, didn’t we? 

Jace: Director Smith is inviting some of the event’s guests for a party today. 

Rina: Is that so? 

(But what does that have to do with Xeno-san?) 

Finn: The invitation received this morning states that Xeno’s attendance is requested and he has to show up no matter what. 

Rina: Oh! 

Yesterday, the director seemingly invited all members of exe Creed to the party. 

Sakura: We turned the invitation down due to scheduling conflicts, but… 

This morning, another invitation was received and it stated that Xeno-san’s attendance was compulsory at all costs. 

Rina: That’s… 

exe Creed’s schedule was planned all the way down to the minute; how could they possibly have the time to attend last minute events? 

Rina: Um, can’t we turn it down again? I think it’s too unrealistic to expect such a last minute invitation to be accepted. 

Xeno: I think so too. I could attend if the invitation was formally offered a few months in advance… this unreasonable request won’t be accepted. . 

Sakura: I was shocked too, but Director Smith is known for his carefree personality. 

Xeno: So what? Does that mean he can force me to attend when I clearly can’t? Today’s recording and filming will go on till night time too. 

Rina: Xeno-san…

As usual, Xeno-san took his work very seriously and his work arrangements were always perfect.

He must be feeling frustrated because his plans were messed up. 

(The request was impossible to begin with. How could they request a super idol’s presence at the very last minute?) 

Sakura: No, you have to attend.

Sakura-san declared firmly. 

Sakura: The rest of you guys get it, don’t you? Our company was only founded 5 years ago, we don’t have much of a history and are very different from large entertainment companies.

exe Creed’s entertainment company, “Aerolight Productions”, was founded by Sakura-san. 

Sakura: As a new company with no backup force, the slightest slip-up could put us at risk of being crushed. 

Sakura: We must be cautious when dealing with prominent figures like Director Smith. 

I was told that the director’s daughter was a big fan of exe Creed and especially Xeno-san. 

Seeing how passionate his daughter was about them, the director himself got interested in exe Creed and invited them to be the singers for the theme song after finding out their level of global influence. 

Rina: And so he invited Xeno-san to his party? 

Sakura: Exactly. Even though there’s no boundary between professional and personal matters here, the other party is a big shot after all. 

Sakura: We’re in trouble if we upset him, that’s why we can’t turn down the invitation. You understand this too, right? 

Xeno: … [upset]

Sakura: Today’s schedule has been changed. The other members will handle the work, so you absolutely have to attend the party. 

Sakura: This is an order from your producer and company president. 

Xeno: … [still upset]

Rina: Um… Xeno-san, I understand that you feel this is unacceptable. 

Rina: But why not take it as a last minute gig, then get over it and be done with it? 

Rina: Rejecting an unreasonable director like this one could potentially affect your career… 

Xeno-san looked displeased, but eventually… 

Xeno: … Fine. 

Xeno: … This doesn’t mean I tolerate such things. I’m only agreeing to this one event to avoid potential issues that may arise because this particular director indeed has the power to negatively affect our careers. 

Sakura: Thanks, Xeno. Sorry, but we’ll be counting on you..

Ivy: Leave the work here to us. 

Hugh: I will… fill in for your part of the dance.

Xeno-san nodded and the tension in the room slightly loosened up. 

Sakura: Still, we can’t let Xeno be the only one attending. … Kawanaga-chan. 

Rina: What is it? 

Sakura: You’ll attend the party with Xeno. 

Rina: Eh!? 

Xeno: Why would this girl…

Sakura: The other staff members are busy helping out with exe Creed and Gem Cuddle’s work. 

Finn: I mean, this girl is a staff member from the main office.

Sakura: Artists can’t attend public events alone. An accompanying staff member must be present at all times. 

Xeno: … [shocked]

Jace: Hehh, in other words, Aegis-chan will be Xeno’s partner. 

Rina: T-the responsibility’s too heavy! 

Xeno: Are you running away from it, Aegis? 

Xeno-san fixed his eyes on me.

Xeno: It was your idea for me to accept the invitation as a last minute gig, so you’d better be prepared for the worst. 

Rina: …!

(He’s right. How could I chicken out when I was the one who said that to Xeno-san…) 

After a lot of hesitation… I nodded. 

Rina: … I understand. I’ll do my best. 

Xeno: Don’t just do your best, do it perfectly. 

Rina: Got it! 

(Ugh, I have to do a good job…!) 

Sakura: Now that it’s been decided, Kawanaga-chan should get ready too. Do you have clothes suitable for parties? 

Rina: I- I don’t. 

Sakura: Then it’s time to go shopping.

Sakura: Here, take the card. Go buy yourself something gorgeous and cute. 

Xeno: You know what to buy, don’t you, Aegis? Don’t wear anything strange. Choose something suitable for attending parties. 

Rina: I- I do know. I’ll get going! 

(Will I be able to do well as Xeno-san’s escort?) 

(I feel anxious… but I have to do it! Let’s settle the clothes shopping first!) 

[magic-is-something-we-create]

Writing Share Tag!

Thanks for the tag, @illarian-rambling!!!

In return, I'll tag @vacantgodling, @sleepyowlwrites, @mk-writes-stuff, @indecentpause, and @kaylinalexanderbooks. As always, absolutely 0 pressure to play, and if you'd like to join in, this doubles as an open tag!

Rules: Just share some writing!

here's one of my favorite bits from Goddess-Touched so far <3 Dusk POV <3

There’s a moment of quiet, as I feel the Priestess’ scrutiny rove over me. Within that quiet, with my hood down and my mind exposed to the surface thoughts of everyone in the room, I feel the moment where she recognizes me, and finally fits Ember’s comatose, scarred, changed form on the bed to her memories of their devotions from years past.

And I feel her relax.

“Very well.” She rises from her seat on the edge of Ember’s bed, donning her gloves once again before offering me her hand. “There is no shame in pulling back if it becomes too much.”

I give her a weak smile of acknowledgment, hoping it doesn’t come to that. If I fail another sibling in their moment of need, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to feel like a person again.

I ease myself to the edge of the cot. Take off a glove, flex my fingers. Prepare myself for the sensation of skin on skin, despite the shudder that runs through me at the thought.

And then I press my first two fingers to Ember’s temple and concentrate.

The world blinks away. I find myself not in the Umbra, not in the cot, but somewhere I would not be able to recognize if its meaning did not immediately project itself into my mind as sharply as it does Ember’s.

Pressure encases me. Relentless, unyielding. My feet drag in silt, the darkness around impenetrable but for the distant, faint lights winking in and out in pulses of red. Even here, in this realm of dream and thought, the instinct to breathe overwhelms me just long enough for a mouthful of water to rush into my lungs, salt scoring my throat when I swallow involuntarily.

The depths of the ocean seem utterly empty, for a moment. But when I focus, forcing myself to remember how I see through darkness in the material world, I find a set of dragging footprints leading into the distance.

Their path is lined with bones. Great, arcing ribs that grow so thin at the tips that they become nearly translucent, like those of a fish. They reach upward, scarred, snapped, and eaten-through in places, all manner of creatures I’ve never laid eyes upon feasting on the remains.

I force myself to stop staring, despite the curiosity they spark. I can learn about the deep sea later, when Ember’s lucid and Aree has recovered enough to stand on its own again.

I start to follow the footprints. More of the little red lights in the distance disappear with each step I take, until at some point, I realize that they haven’t burnt out or scattered.

They’ve been blocked.

Blocked, by something massive.

It’s a few more minutes of walking later, when the ribs have finally started to shorten, if only by an inch at a time, that I finally reach the enormous something that blocks my path. It’s a dull wall of some matte substance or another, on first inspection, undulating just subtly enough and at a long enough interval that it takes me a while to realize it’s moved at all.

When I reach out and touch it, the pressure of the water disappears. It’s as much a shock to my system as the memory of cobblestones bashing against my head, of steel-toed boots slamming into my chest, of Star’s hands shoving me out of the way when the baton fell--but this time, instead of paralyzing fear, I feel myself swell with rage.

The sea floor is gone, replaced with a vast expanse of nothingness. At the very fringes of my magical periphery, concern begins worming its way in through the cracks of my own focus, glimpses of myself doused in shadow from other people’s eyes invading my concentration.

I grimace, baring my teeth, shunting the thoughts and images from my mind. Ember. I need to find Ember.

Out of the expansive nothingness comes a hiss that jolts almost like a laugh, and I’m suddenly swept upwards in the palm of something huge beyond comprehension. Something to which I am but an ant, something that brings me up and up and up, until I am brought before one mountainous, beady eye.

“You,” it whispers, the reverberations of its voice almost knocking me to my knees, “have no power here.”

The anger in me flares, bolstered by the condescension in its voice. Bolstered by Xavi’s skepticism before we left, by Tieling’s dismissal of my skill, by the townspeople’s distrust and disgust.

Bolstered by my own failure to save Star, too. How much stronger the Flex made me, too late to do anything to stop the inevitable.

And how much everyone underestimates me, just because I am young.

“Let them go.”

The thing holding me, keeping me away from Ember, chuckles that awful, slithering laugh again.

That laugh grates away the last shreds of my restraint.

“I said,” I growl, as flickers of the scene from the eyes of those around me peek in again. Bared teeth, snarling, the black pools of my eyes glaring not at Ember, but away along the chain in the Umbra.

“Let.”

Something snaps.

“Them.”

The eye before me widens.

“Go.”

And the darkness of the void surrounding us welcomes me as I plunge my mind into it, instead of this mocking thing’s conception of me. I feel myself expand, warping as the thing shrinks in my view, hissing and spitting as I grab at it’s other hand, clenched around a flickering flame.

The thing that was once so huge, so vast, so insurmountable, shrieks in fear as I grip its wrist and squeeze, black claws digging into its skin and staining the veins beneath. With its shrieks, the fire in its fist burns brighter, hotter, and finally, finally, I feel Ember somewhere within.

Bug? What are you doing?

Protecting you, for once.

My body--my real, corporeal body, sitting on the edge of their cot--shudders as a shockwave of shadow bursts outward from my core. An infinitely more vast pulse rocks through the mindscape we stand in, and the thing that was clutching onto Ember, locking them away, evaporates into a plume of dust with a shriek that I hear even in the material world.

And then fire overtakes me, and I’m shunted out of Ember’s mind.

I come to with a jolt, yanking my hand away from their forehead as they gasp awake. Almost as soon as the breath enters their lungs, they start coughing, hard and long, curling upright like their very breath is yanking them up with a fist around their neck.

I manage to get up, to stand, to back away, just before their coughing coalesces into vomit that smells like brine.

Autumn rushes to take my place, rubbing at Ember’s back as Gab takes up a perch on the other end of the bed, cooing wordless comforts as he takes their hand in his. While they continue to expel saltwater in great hacks and heaves, Tieling catches my eye from across the room, gratitude and trepidation tangled in his gaze.

Finally, as their coughing subsides, Ember looks up at me with reddened eyes from behind the locs that have escaped their tie.

“What--” Their scratchy, hoarse voice catches on a final cough. “What did you do?”

Somewhere in the distance, there is a screech of rage in the night.

[damn-stark]

Chapter 30 Beyond the sun

Chapter 30 of Cherry

A/N: Who’s back? I’m back! IM BACK!!!! *cue in Oprah you get a car gif*

Warning- Angst, long chapter, swearing, fluff, mentions of blood, wounds, ptsd

Episodes- 4x88 (special episode pt.1)

Pairing- Jean Kirstein x reader

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

————

There he stood calmly, every bit of that boy you knew before he abandoned everyone in Marley, before he turned to this cold person, before he started the rumbling and began to stomp on the world beyond the Island. Here he was standing before you with those same ferocious green eyes full of hope and determination.

Eren was here before you.

“What do you need to say, Eren?” You probe. “What's so important that you couldn’t include everyone?”

Yet even if you saw him before you, your annoyance and anger doesn’t fade.

“Is it perhaps about what you’re doing?” You spat. “The destruction? The killing of innocents? Eren, what is—”

“Stop,” he cuts you off, and still doesn’t seem annoyed. “Just listen okay?”

You blink to look down at the sand beneath your feet and don’t respond with anything to let him speak.

“I know you have a lot of questions, I know you’re angry, you have every right to be, but,” he pauses and sighs. “I just need you to hear me out. I won't be able to say it again.”

What? What does he mean by that?

You slowly look up at him and narrow your gaze.

“When the time comes,” he continues and steps closer to you. “I need you to do what’s right. It’s all going to come down to one final act…you’ll know it when it comes. And if anyone else can’t, if no one will, please do it.”

Your anger and annoyance begins to fade, and concern and confusion replace it. “What are you talking about Eren?” You ask with a puzzled look. “What’s going to happen?”

Eren let’s out a deep breath, and then offers you a faint smile, one you haven’t seen in months. One so kind that this now seems like a dream.

“You’ve been a good friend,” he suddenly changes the subject. “You’re like the annoying sister I never had.” He scoffs softly, and you just look at him with more confusion. “I…” he pauses and his breath trembles. “I really hope you get everything you want out of life. You deserve it.”

“Eren,” you breathe out and still can’t figure out what to feel, even if you’re beginning to understand why he isn’t being cold, why he looks kind and sounds genuine.

“Live your life to the fullest, y/n, don’t regret a thing.” He closes the gap that was between you and holds your gaze with his watery eyes. “And promise me one more thing?”

Since you’re unable to comprehend what’s going on you remain quiet.

“Promise me you’ll look out for her…Mikasa.”

You blink in disbelief, and then it hits you like a bullet to the flesh. You finally accept what you were trying to deny. This….it’s a goodbye.

“Promise me you’ll be there for her.” He adds.

You shake your head, and now your lips form to a sad frown whilst your eyes fill with tears. “No, Eren, no. You can—”

“Come back?” He cuts you off. “After all I’ve done?” He shakes his head. “I have to do this. I have to say goodbye. Just promise me you’ll live your life, okay? Don’t think about me, be happy and live your life with Jean or whoever you want. And look out for her, please tell her to live a good life, a happy life, tell her not to think about me. Please,” he begs as tears roll out of his eyes.

“Eren,” you whisper softly.

Said man offers you a gentle smile and lets his eyes linger on you to take you in one more time before he wraps you in an embrace.

His warmth and comfort shocks you at first since he’s never been one to be this affection. But as you take in his words, as tears escape out of your own eyes you hug him back.

“I’m glad I…” your voice quivers. “I got to meet you. You were a headache and quite scary, but I will never forget you.” You assure him so you won’t regret not saying what’s on your mind, and feel him hold onto you tighter. “I’m glad I got to have a brother.”

Eren lets out a slow sigh and whispers. “Keep this between us okay? You’ll keep your promise?”

You sniffle and nod. “I promise.”

And just like that the starry sky is gone, that bright tree is no longer ahead, and the comfort of Eren’s arms are no longer holding you. It’s cold and bright only due to the lights that come from the ceiling above.

He was right too, nothing changed around you in this physical state; Jean, Connie, Armin, Onyankopon and Reiner were still pulling in the flying boat, only your mood changed. Now instead of wanting to tease Connie as he struggled, as you were annoyed you couldn’t help, now a sad frown decorates your features, and tears roll out of your eyes.

Why did Eren have to tell you that now when you’re with everyone? Why you?

You suck at lying, people see right through you. He knows that. He knows it’s hard for you to keep things from Jean. It’s hard to keep in what makes you emotional from Levi. Why say goodbye?

Why does he have to say it?

No matter what—

No, no you can’t think about it any further or else you’ll just sob and not stop….but now, now it’s hard to actually be furious. What he’s doing is still wrong, but it’s hard to…hate him.

Fuck, fuck!

You let out a shaky sigh and push yourself away from the tall crates you’re leaned against to…do what exactly?

You can’t help the men because Jean doesn’t let you, “you’ll open your stitches”—please.

Maybe Mikasa needs help unloading!

You wipe away the tears and thank the night sky that it’s dark or else they’d see your puffy eyes. You the head over to the ship. Yet when you see her walking down with a crate in her hands, when you see her face all you’re reminded of now is what Eren told you, the promises he made you keep—you can’t be with her right now. Not now. So you turn on your heels and just take a step forward and stay there. There’s nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.

You can’t go to Hange or else they’d make you spill everything, you can’t walk around the harbor because what if someone is out there in the shadows ready to take you back to a cell. You can’t talk to Annie because…well there’s nothing to say, and Levi?

You can’t lie but he wouldn’t force you to say anything, he’ll be good company too.

Thus before anyone can talk to you, you turn around again and just keep your head down as you make a beeline to Levi’s quarters. You rap your knuckles on the door and wait for a response. Which you don’t get so you knock again.

“Come in,” he mutters.

You slowly open the door and poke your head inside first, causing him to sigh. Yet before you can react you notice him sitting on his bed. “What are you doing?” You complain and rush over to him. “You should be resting. Laying down.”

Levi scoffs and swats your hands away. “I’ve had enough of it. I’m tired of being useless.”

“But you’re not, we understand,” you argue. “Please just rest.”

Levi looks up at you to meet your gaze. “I will if you do. You need it too, you’re putting too much strain on your wounds. If it gets infected what then? You’ll get a fever,” he answers his own question. “What if your heart can’t take it?”

You step back to sit next to him and sigh deeply. “I had a fever before you know? When I was on my way here, I didn’t die.”

“But how close were you?” He asks without hesitation. And that’s when he makes you go speechless because last time was a fever that almost took you.

“Exactly,” he interjects in your silence.

You swallow thickly and begin to fiddle with your fingers. This is not the talk you expected, but it does keep you from thinking about what Eren said. And to keep that up you comment on something discussed before. “So is it true that you’d go back home if we make it out of this?”

Levi turns his head to look at you with his eye and nods. “If it’s what you want? What of Kirstein though? You really think he’ll want to live in the slums?”

You shrug. “We don’t have to live underground….I just want a home. Some place where we can feast and see the stars,” you smile softly and meet his gaze. “Just like what we wanted. He can come, but if he doesn’t want to that's fine too.”

Levi raises his chin and narrows his eye. “Well isn’t that a change of heart.”

You drop your gaze and draw in a deep breath. “Being in Marley,” you sigh. “It changed me. I…” you shake your head. “I just don’t know. I don’t know what I want.”

Jean fills your head with so much pretty stuff, you want to still cling onto your previous wishes that you had before getting trapped in Marley, but as the days go by, as the nightmares haunt your mind slowly those dreams and wants get torn away. You want peace, you still love Jean, but it’s the future that’s hazy now.

Levi huffs out and carefully pats your hand before he slowly holds it. “That’s fine too. You’re young, if we make it out you’ll have the whole world to see. You can fall in love again and again. You’ll have choices, that’s something we didn’t have before.”

You hum in agreement and nod slowly. You stay quiet after that and just watch your hands, and it’s your silence that he reads you like a book.

“What's bothering you?” He asks.

You blink in disbelief and keep your gaze down as you shake your head. “Nothing. Just thinking of what we just talked about. What…we probably have to do.” Without giving anything away you lift your eyes slightly to share a question while also trying to find comfort somehow over what Eren said to you. “If it came down to it could you…get rid of Eren?” You can’t even say the word anymore. It hurts too much.

Levi studies you for a moment, tries to figure out why the sudden bleak question, but all he sees is anguish you can’t hide.

“If it came down to it,” he says but hesitates. “What else can we do? Why? Having doubts?”

“Whatever he’s doing, after all he’s done, he's still my friend, my comrade, and family.” You share with a sniffle. “If I regret then I will be miserable. But I’ve never had to fight against someone I really truly care about.”

Yes you fought against Reiner before when you learned of his betrayel, but this is different. Eren is different.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “But sometimes we have to make hard sacrifices for the better.” His voice goes quiet and his gaze flickers away. You don’t question him, you don’t have to, so you just sit there and linger in the silence.

You need comfort and help with much more but you made promises you can’t break. So as for now that’s all you’ll say.

However, that silence that had filled the room, is broken by the springs of the bed sounding as the mattress begins to move. When you lift your gaze you catch Levi getting up.

“What do you think you’re doing?” You snap at him as you jump to your feet.

“Getting out of this room,” he throws out like some senile old man. “I told you I’m done resting.”

You scoff and begin to follow behind him. “I promise I’ll come get you when we leave, you can—”

“Stop babying me, I…” he pauses and sighs. “I’m grateful, Cherry, but I can’t lay there anymore.” He opens the door of his room and begins walking out with struggle, but he still does it.

“It’s still crazy, you should still be in bed,” you keep reminding him and turn the hall with him, seeing the stairs coming up.

“So what?” He quips. “So you shits can forget all about me?”

You sigh and put your hands out behind him as begins to slowly descend the stairs. “No, we would never do that. You know that.”

He scoffs. “Besides that bearded bitch who passed out after her arm was broken is awake.”

Who is feeding him this information?

“And I’ll be damned if we don’t make her tell us where Eren’s going.”

Footsteps approach the stairs from below, and when you look down you see Armin. So if he’s here now that means the flying boat is in the hanger getting prepared for take off.

“What?” He gasps as his eyes go wide with worry. “What’s going on?” He tries to climb up, but stops when Levi shoots him a glare.

“He’s not listening, that's what is going on,” you remark and grab Levi’s arm to help him down the last step, whilst Armin reaches for his arm to do the same. Albeit Levi then swats both of you away.

“Stop, need I remind you I’m still your superior,” Levi throws out. “Being close doesn’t erase that. So stop trying to help me.”

He turns to head where Yelena is being kept, letting Armin and you share a concerned look before you both follow him to the room.

“I can say that Eren won’t be hard to spot considering who his travel companions are,” you comment.

“Well, we can’t waste fuel flying in blind,” Levi counters as he opens the door before Armin could.

As you walk in after Levi, you notice that Hange, Pieck and Lady Azumbito are already inside searching for the same information Levi is.

“Look at you,” Levi throws out to Yelena in disdain as she slouches in her seat. “You look pathetic now that your ape is gone.”

Yelena spares him a glance before looking back at the map. “Here,” she points to a spot on the map spread over the wooden table.

You pull the chair out for Levi and once he’s seated you lean over him to look.

“….Is most likely Eren's second target.”

“Fort Salta,” Pieck names before you could decipher the letters—“true. If he knew of the existence of weapons that had the slightest chance of harming the Founding Titan…”

“I expect that’s his next stop after Karifa Naval Port,” Yelena cuts Pieck off. “He’ll go destroy the airships.”

You sigh and lean back.

“You answered mighty obediently,” Levi interjects.

“I have a request for all of you,” Yelena shares and fists a handful of her blanket. “Please acknowledge something. Zeke was defeated. But he was right. The only solution to the two-millennium-spanning Eldian problem was the euthanization plan. I’m sure you can see that in the wake of this disaster.”

Even you have to admit that she’s right. As horrible as that alternative is for your future, for your peoples future, that plan would’ve been a thousand times better than what’s happening now.

“Yeah,” Hange agrees. “I admit it. I wasn’t able to show Eren any solution, or hope, or a future. I admit my powerlessness.”

You avert your gaze and quietly comment. “It’s not your fault. It seems he had made up his mind long before. Nothing to do now but stop him.”

Everyone stays quiet, but you know that they’re all in agreement.

“Anyway, if we’re done here,” you add on and walk around Levi’s chair to be in front of him. “Let’s get out of this room, yes?”

Levi narrows his glare on you for the way you speak to him, but he doesn’t argue this time considering there’s nothing left to do now that he has what he needs. Once you’re out in the hall he speaks up. “You should get some rest, Cherry, the flying boat won’t be ready soon, I’ll wake you up in the morning.”

You shake your head. “No. There’s things to do, like check my gear, I,” you sigh. “Can help them out there. Keep lookout.”

Hange pats your shoulder and contradicts you much to your liking. “Don’t worry your pretty head about that. We got that handled. But you haven’t slept since we left the forest, sleep, we’ll be around.”

Alone? Across the ocean? What if a Marleyean soldier sneaks in, what if colossal Titans come. You can’t possibly sleep now. So you turn them down again. “No. I’m okay. I can’t sleep.”

Hange turns their head to shoot you a pointed look, which is threatening for them considering when they look at you it’s never as serious. “Sleep, that’s a command. Levi will even accompany you.”

“Tsk.”

“I myself will come back and get you both. Swear.”

You look at Levi and then out the small circle windows on the wall of the ship to make sure that somehow someone isn’t looking in from outside. “Okay,” you whisper.

Hange shoots you a smile and a quick nod before they turn the hall and head out, leaving Levi and you to walk back to his room.

“Just,” you murmur once you walk in his room. “Leave all the lights on. And,” you add in a quivering voice. “Don’t leave.”

Levi meets your gaze to read your look, and doesn’t fail to see your utter terror that now haunts your eyes.

“Fine,” he agrees. “Just sleep though.”

You nod stiffly and sit on the edge of the bed to throw your boots off, climb in bed and try what they ask from you. Sleep. Which doesn’t actually long to take you under, your body and mind are exhausted so you fall asleep fast.

It’s peaceful, and for the first time in a long time it’s quiet.

At least it was for a moment because then a dream begins to infiltrate your mind. Albeit, this dream unlike the others is kind, sweet and nostalgic; you’re back home, not the barracks, home in that shitty apartment Underground.

You recognize the dirt street the moment the dream paints the picture. You recognize the damp dirt smell, you remember the fire lit street lights. It all looks so real, you even feel real, like somehow you got put there. But this time you aren’t young, you’re yourself, you’re even wearing your military uniform.

It’s scary real, but a relief from all the nightmares, the grief, pain, and destruction. You actually wish it was real….

Maybe the inside looks real too?

You break away from your spot and head to the house. And as you do, you then spot them through the window; Furlan and Isabel. They’re there, you see them talking and smiling. They’re home.

So quickly before any of it can disappear you break into a run and hurry home with a smile on your face, and tears in your eyes. When you make it to the door, you don’t knock, you just turn the knob and push the door in, seeing the candle lights travel out, and letting out the fresh smell of flowers that Levi liked to fill the house with so you wouldn't smell the stenches from outside.

You then walk in and expect to see Furlan and Isabel where they had been, but you then gasp and frown as you don’t see anyone, nothing but sudden darkness as all the lights go off.

“No,” you mutter and quickly turn to get out, but the door suddenly slams shut and even the lights from outside go off leaving you basked in pitch darkness. “No,” you breathe out, feeling even your breaths turn ragged whilst your heart and mind begins to race.

“My, my,” you hear a familiar voice taunt, “my Ackerman.” The doctor, you’d recognize his voice anywhere, anytime.

It’s just a dream though. It’s all a dream though, this is home. Home; comfort, relief, safe, nostalgic. It’s home.

It’s all just a dream.

You close your eyes to try to wake up and ignore the approaching footsteps. You lift your hand, and pinch your arm.

Hoping that worked you open your eyes—and now you see the room you were in before, you’re still on the ship. Levi isn’t here, but the lights are on, you’re okay. It’s all okay.

You let out a deep sigh and sit up to collect yourself.

“You thought you could run away, did you?” The voice cuts in again, making you snap your head up and look at the door. And there the doctor is walking in, no blood or injuries, just him and a straight jacket in his hand.

“No,” you snap out and crawl back to the wall. “Get away from me!”

He seems so real, he looks so real.

“Let’s go back home,” he says and begins to approach you. You try to crawl back more, but you then hit the wall and have nowhere else to go. “It’s where you belong.”

You shake your head and look up at the window, but it’s too small to escape out of.

“I said we’re going home!” He yells out and throws himself on the bed to grab your ankles.

You try to kick back, but he’s too strong he manages to pull you back.

“No!” You cry out and dig your nails on the matress. “No! Get away from me! I’m not going back! Let go! Let go!” He pulls you off the bed and then slaps his hands on your arms, making you jump and shut your eyes out of defeat.

“Y/N,” another voice mutters, and triggers something to break. “Y/N, wake up, open your eyes.” This voice is more soothing, this one is closer to you.

You shake your head and begin to cry. You can’t open your eyes out of fear that you wouldn’t see the man that’s calling out for you; Levi.

“You’re safe,” he whispers. “You’re safe. You’re with me. Cherry.”

You slowly peel your eyes open and see the bland ceiling, you move your fingers and feel the stiff mattress, not the cold floor. You’re afraid to turn your head, but you do it slowly and luckily see Levi with a worried look painted on his face.

“You’re okay. You’re safe. You’re not going back,” he assures you.

You let out a shaky breath and sit up to drop your head on your hands. Nothing changes now, he doesn’t leave either, he stays by you on the edge of the bed.

“I thought Hange and Mikasa were being dramatic,” he adds quietly. “I've never seen you like this.”

You sigh and lift your head to look at the white bland wall that brings nothing but more sadness. “It’s new, weird too. I can’t tell the difference between what’s real or not sometimes.”

“Can’t say I can offer much help with that, but you can ask me or anyone else,” he lets you know, causing you to blink and meet his gaze. “I’ll tell you.”

Tears fill your eyes and you nod slowly. “Okay,” you let out in a shaky voice. “Then can I ask one thing?”

Levi nods in agreement.

“This.” you whisper and avert your gaze. “War, we’re almost done. Is that real?” You drift your eyes back to him and wait.

Levi takes long to answer, but it’s not because he’s hesitant, it’s just hard. “Yes, one way or another, we’re almost done with all this shit.”

You let out a deep breath and nod. You want to just unload everything that Eren told you now that you’re sharing this moment with Levi, but you made a promise to Eren. One you’ll regret breaking if you do. And even if life has turned to shit, you can’t break that promise you made yourself about not regretting.

“Come on,” he encourages you and stands up off the bed. “Sun is rising, the flying boat is almost ready to go, we need to put on our gear.” He doesn’t hesitate to begin walking out, and you don’t take long to follow either. However, Levi does stop when you reach the end of the hall. “Clear your mind, Cherry, you can’t risk getting lost now. No matter how hard it is, don’t lose yourself in your mind, understand?”

“Yes,” you nod in agreement. “I understand.”

Levi opens the door, welcoming in the natural soft sunlight. “Good,” he says. “We need you. I do.”

You smile softly at that and can’t help but get all giddy. Even if it’s just a short moment.

The moment you make it to the ship's ramp your name is immediately called. “Y/N.”

You lift your head and land your gaze on Jean heading your way, so you smile even wider. He meets you halfway on the pier and immediately bombards you with concern. “You feeling okay? Did you get any sleep?”

Your small begins to falter and you shrug. “Some. What have you been doing?” You probe and walk towards the hanger by his side, noticing the gear he’s carrying in his hands. “Working hard?”

Jean smirks. “You know me.”

You scoff softly and nod before pointing to the gear. “Is that for me?” You meet his gaze and offer him a soft smile.

Jean glances down at it and nods. “Thought I could help you so as to not add strain on your wounds when you don’t need to.” He looks up and looks you in the eye, making you avert your gaze and tilt your head away to hide the scar on your face.

“You okay?” He asks without needing to be told anything, he knew by your look alone.

“Yeah,” you nod as you come to a stop so he can begin helping you. “Just tired…you know.”

Jean lets out a deep sigh and remains quiet as you know he stands there unconvinced. “You sure? You left in quite a hurry when you were so adamant on helping us.”

You meet his gaze and nod softly. “Yeah….” He can’t know. Him most of all.

Damn Eren.

“Okay,” Jean breathes out and finally begins to help you get your gear on. “Well you need to eat, so grab something after we’re done here.”

You hum in agreement and then let him help you get your gear on, you relish in his presence, find comfort in the warmth that radiates off him, and shiver at the feeling of his hands grazing your skin. However, as you’re holstering your weapons you catch your reflection on the metal, you catch a glimpse of the scar that ran from under your eyebrow up to your forehead, and all those blissful feelings disappear.

Out of all the scars you have on your body, this one on your face is the worst, not only because it’s hideous and ruins what you once cherished, but it’s also a ugly reminder of this war, of all the comrades you killed to get here, it’s the reminder of all the tragedy…

You let out a small sigh and holster your weapon, Jean steps back as he finishes helping you, and as you look ahead you catch the gaze of Reiner on you.

How long was he watching you? He looks like he has something to say from all the way over there too.

Was he watching you as you studied your scar?

Creep….

You look away first and focus on your boyfriend. “You need help?”

Jean shakes his head. “No, I got it. You grab something to eat.”

You offer him a sweet smile and nod, even if your appetite is lost. “Fine,” you mutter and begin walking past him.

Yet before you can leave his side, he grabs your wrist and pulls you to him to cup your cheeks and smile at you. “You look beautiful, you know that?” He says as if he knew what you were just being insecure about.

You sigh softly and offer him a wobbly smile.

Jean leans in and presses a gentle kiss on your lips before he murmurs against your lips. “We’re almost done here. For good this time. After that it’s just you and me. Just keep fighting, okay, sweetheart?”

Before you can dare to answer, Jean pulls you in for an embrace that immediately makes your chest feel heavy as tears fill your eyes.

Again, it’s like he can read your mind, you were in such desperate need of comfort that thinking of pulling away pained you. But you had to eat the dry ass ration food.

Once upon a time you actually liked eating them because it’s not something you had underground. It was a long time ago though, your tastes have changed, and this lack of appetite doesn't make this any more appealing.

“Hange!” You hear Onyankopon shout whilst you make your way to them after getting your food. “In about an hour, we can begin preparations for takeoff!”

“Got it!” Hange retorts and turns back around to face the group.

Once you finally reach them, they share their order so they wouldn't repeat themselves. “You heard the man. Each of you, inspect your gear.”

“Yes, Commander,” everyone agrees at the same time whilst they were all doing exactly that.

“Cherry,” Hange now directs at you. “You have everything handled?”

You swallow back the food in your mouth and nod. “Yeah. Jean helped me.”

“Good,” they nod.

Since jean said he didn’t need help, and the others can help themselves, you look to Levi to offer your help, but before you can even part your lips, you freeze as you notice his blade handle shaking as he’s trying to press the trigger with the two fingers he has.

He never was one to struggle before, not when you were a kid and not when you were above ground, so seeing hin strain, seeing that glimpse of his frustration as he tries hard to press that trigger, filled you with shock and pity.

“Two fingers is all I need,” he says as he finds the way to press the trigger. “I’m ready.”

He’d hate you feeling pity for him, so you shove all that away and let him be to continue eating. And since your friends are getting ready you stand back and wait for them to finish.

And just as they do finish, Hange and Connie yell out, “Annie!”

You shift your gaze to the boat and see her stopped by the ramp.

“Annie, take care!” Connie says.

Oh that’s right she’s leaving.

“See you later!” Hange tells Annie too as they wave at her.

You hold no grudges against her anymore so you shoot her a faint smile before you turn away again.

“To be honest,” Jean interjects. “I was relying on her.”

“But Annie has fought enough,” Connie adds, making you scoff.

“Haven't we all?” You counter and put the spoon in the can as you finally finish. “What makes her different from all of us? From her own comrades?” You ask.

Connie and Jean look at you and are unable to answer to your shocking response, so you continue.

“Nothing, that's what. She’s just running away, that’s just as bad as giving up,” you whisper that last part and break away from the pair to go sit on a wooden crate under the furious dawn painted sky.

You sit and hear them all in the hangar standing behind you, you find safety in hearing them work, hearing others talk as they eat, you sit and breathe in the fresh air, you sit and reach your hand out to watch the sunlight bask your hand. What would that little girl dreaming to come above ground think of you now? What would she think of the person you are now?

What do you think of yourself now?

So much comes to mind, but it’s hard to pick one specific thought.

“Taking in the sun, huh?” You hear someone interject behind you.

You pull your hand back to peer over your shoulder, spotting Pieck walking your way.

“While I still can,” you respond and watch her fall by your side. “It feels different when you’re not stuck behind walls.” You peer back to check if Reiner would be with her since it’s surprising to hear talk to you, but he’s not with her, he’s actually with the others. “Would you agree?”

Pieck nods. “I can actually say I can. It feels….hotter, richer, like it actually shines for you.”

You smile softly and nod. “Yeah.” You shift your glimpse to her and probe. “What about when you’re on Titan form? How does that feel?”

“Well being in Titan form feels liberating, for one,” she shares. “But when the sun hits I’d say it’s cold, like it doesn’t shine for me but the form I’m turned into. It’s perhaps one of the reasons why I don’t like being in Titan form for so long. I miss the sun.”

You smile down at your hands and retort after a moment of silence. “Well soon perhaps you won’t have to turn anymore.” You say and meet her gaze. “You won’t have to miss the sun.”

Pieck folds her arms over her chest and sighs. “You might be right. And from now on, regardless of the outcome with Yaeger, the walls won’t be a problem for you.”

You swallow thickly and avert your gaze to nod without actual sincerity because lately finding bliss under the suns light has been difficult.

“A month ago, in Marley,” Pieck interjects suddenly. “Why didn’t you kill me when you had the chance? I heard I was only inches away from death, so why didn’t you?”

“Simple,” you don’t take long to answer. “I hesitated.” You begin fiddling with your fingers and let out a deep sigh. “And well—”

Yet you don’t get to finish what you want to tell her because the sound of bullets being shot from in the hanger steals your attention, and causes the both of you to run over. That’s when you see Floch at the other end of the hanger with a gun in hand. You then barely manage to catch Mikasa hastily shoot out her grapple as she zips forward to stab Floch right through the throat.

It doesn’t seem believable at first, like, where the hell did Floch come from? Has he been around the entire time, lurking?

Yet you know it is real because well, it’s just everyone’s shitty luck so far, two, by everyone’s startled and panicked reactions, and three, why wouldn't he try so hard to fight until the bitter end?

Not like his end actually bothers you. Not anymore, perhaps once you would have been affected by his death once, but now, after seeing what he did in the name of freedom, of what he wanted, you don’t care that Floch is dying. It’s why as Jean, Connie, Armin, Mikasa and Hange run over to his body, you instead run over to Onyankopon.

“Onyankopon!” You call out as you reach him lying on the floor with his hands over his head. “Are you okay?”

He doesn’t seem to have been hit in any way from what you can see, thankfully.

Said man lifts his head and sits up on his knees, letting you grab his arm to help him to his feet. “You okay?” You ask again and examine him for any sign of fresh blood.

Onyankopon studies himself and shakes his head. “No,” he breathes out shakily. “No. I’m fine. Thank you.”

You let him go and offer him a nod.

“The flying boat,” he interjects and runs past you, making you turn to watch him approach it and check it out for any new defects. And since he’s blocking your view, you walk to where Levi is under the hanger to look at the flying boat better.

Alas, that’s when you catch the sight of bullets on the flying boat. Yet you don't know where exactly.

“Hange!” Onyankopon yells out when he notices the same thing. “There are holes in the fuel tank!”

Your breath catches in your throat as your eyes widen.

“We can’t fly like this,” Onyankopon says.

“Don’t lose hope,” one of the Azumabito tells him when he approaches Onyankopon. “If we cover the holes, we can make it work!”

“Get the wielding tools!” Someone else orders their comrade.

You get closer to the flying boat and squint your eyes on the damaged part, and even if they’re small little holes, they still did enough damage.

“How much will it take?” You ask the men out of curiosity.

“With tin plates, we could do it in an hour, barely,” a man answers you.

An hour? No, that's too long. Way too long.

Yet before you, or Hange right beside you can rebuttal, the ground beginning to shake steals all the words out of your mouth, and the breath out of your throat.

It can’t be…

“This sound,” Hange mutters.

“Don’t tell me,” Reiner yells out before he runs out of the hanger.

You stand there frozen in your spot feeling the ground tremble beneath your feet, hearing the echoes of loud stomps on the ground hit like lightening. There was supposed to be more time, you were supposed to have more time!

You snap from your stupor and run out to join the others outside, catching the thick clouds of smoke that already cover the horizon. You swear you can already feel the heat too, but maybe that’s just an exaggeration. The one thing you do feel is more shock and fear as you now see the titans marching your way.

“Armin,” Mikasa interjects through the shocked silence that was spread over your group. “Do you have any ideas?”

“Only one,” he says. “I stay behind and slow them down.”

One of your greatest friends, and best assets to ending this war? No. Hell no, not him. Going out there means certain death, everyone knows that; everyone has to.

“It can’t be you,” Reiner quickly rebuttals. “You’re our sole trump card for stopping Eren. I’ll do it.”

“And I’ll help,” you volunteer without a single doubt; you’re fast, and whether you want to admit or not you do make a good team. He’ll need you.

“What?” Jean quickly protests and grabs your shoulder. “It can’t be you!”

You snap your head back and part your lips to argue, but Hange then cuts you off as she joins the group. “That’s obviously not the play. We can’t afford to expend another shred of Titan power, or lose Ackerman strength. I’m the one who led you this far.”

No….

“And we killed many friends and comrades to get here,” Hange continues. “I'm taking responsibility for that.”

Not them either. It can’t be them either….

“Armin Arlelt,” they add and walk past you to reach said man. “I hearby designate you the 15th Commander of the Scout Regiment. The position calls for a certain quality. A mindset of continuously pursuing understanding. There’s no one more suitable than you. I leave everyone in your hands. Well, that’s that. See ya, everyone.” They just throw it out as if nothing. As if they aren’t sacrificing their lives!

“Wait,” you whisper, but it’s not loud enough.

“Ah, yes,” Hange adds one last thing. “Levi’s your underling now, so really put him to work.” They continue to walk down the pier with nothing else to add, with nothing to tell you, not even a glance to the other scout they’ve known the longest, the one person they raised. Hange just walks off.

“Wait!” You yell out and walk a few steps forward.

Hange comes to an immediate stop but doesn’t look back. “Don’t make this hard Cherry-girl.” They say to the air. “You can’t stop me, you know you can’t. It’s for your own good. For everyone’s own good. I’m giving my heart.”

You shake your head and swallow back thickly the lump that begins to form in your throat. “Let me come,” you plead softly. “Let me help you. Let me give my heart and give you a chance to see this through. Please,” you beg and take another step towards them. “You deserve to see this through. Please…”

Hange shakes their head. “I told you that I can’t spare Ackerman strength. It has to be me and me alone. Leave on that flying boat that’s an order.”

An emotional weight falls on your chest that makes it ache, and a tight sharp grip wraps around your heart that makes it bleed as you know that there's nothing you can do to change their mind.

“Please,” you plead one more time in a shaky voice.

Hange exhales and keeps their back turned. “I said no. Who would I be if I let you come with me? Huh? Fight and live your life for me, for all those we lost, okay? Promise me.”

As to not break their own heart by not responding, you nod. “I promise,” your voice breaks.

Hange nods and then continues to walk away, only stopping to share a few words with Levi that you can’t hear over the pounding of your own heart, over your own disbelief that begins to fall more and more each second.

You don’t even want to accept their….sacrifice though, the fact that you’ll never see them again. You try to play it off as some silly dream, a cruel dream actually. You close your eyes and open them again in hopes it is just a stupid dream, but no the titans are still approaching, and now they’re actually flying off. They’re leaving….

You can’t deny it no more.

“No!” You cry out and try to run out after them. You lift your gun to shoot your grapple to chase after them, but before you can get far with Armin, Mikasa and Jean who run after them down the pier, arms then wrap around you and stop you. “No!” You fight them off through thick and hot tears. “Let me go! Hange! Hange!” You call out and try to desperately reach out for their retreating figure getting smaller and smaller in the sky, but those strong arms stop you from moving.

“Hange!” You cry out as loud as you can so you can they hear you, even if you yourself can’t see them anymore with the cloud of tears that cover your eyes. “Hange!”

“You can't stop them,” you recognize Reiner’s voice. He’s the one who’s holding you. “You have to let them go.”

You shake your head and sob out, you grow weak by the fact that your heart was shattering more and more. So weak in fact that you can’t even hold your weight so you fall to your knees, and Reiner falls with you.

“Please,” you mewl out even if they can’t hear you anymore.

You then wipe your eyes to try and see them fight off the Titans, but Reiner then holds the back of your neck and turns your head away so you wouldn't see.

Which is actually good, you probably couldn’t see their last moments, you couldn’t be strong enough to watch them…die. So since Jean isn’t here and Connie is too captivated by Hange’s fight, you clutch onto Reiner and bury your face on his shoulder, and keep crying out for yet another lost comrade, friend, and family. You just play the memories you share with them over and over again, you just hear the sounds of the titans falling, but don’t look.

“It’s sealed!” You hear someone shout from the hangar. “Start fueling! Hurry! Hurry!”

“Come on,” Reiner mutters and begins to pull you back. “Let’s get you on the flying boat.” He grabs your arm to help you up, and without holding your anger, your hate or grudge against him you let him help you back to your feet. You let him walk you to the flying boat, and let him help you inside so you could keep not seeing and only hearing.

“They’re right on top of us,” someone shouts. “There’s no more time for fueling! Start the engine!”

Losing comrades, friends, family should be dealt with ease now since you’ve experienced so much loss in your time of living. Knowing death, feeling its vast emptiness every time it takes someone else shouldn’t hit you as hard, but after losing them your grief only gets worse and worse each time. This time you can’t even handle that sharp ache that radiates all over your chest, you can’t even feel your heart.

“Push through fuselage forward!”

They push the flying boat out of the hanger, you see the light hit you, but you keep your eyes averted from the small windows to avoid seeing them die.

“Launch the ship!”

And with those last words shouted out Jean is the last one that jumps in before the door closes behind him, blocking that tragic view, that last view you could’ve had of Hange. The boat then flies off and you close your eyes and rest your head on Levi’s shoulder to not watch your own friend's grief. Not this time. You can’t even handle your own.

“So long, Hange, watch us,” Levi mutters to himself.

You stay quiet and just assure yourself of one last thing, Hange was a hero, a brave hero who gave their heart. You will too.

.

.

.

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Tagged- @expectoscamander @greenygreenland @that-soft-lesbian-friend @dai-tsukki-desu @usernamehere91 @avocadopoosae @romancried @victor-criss-bish @moo-moo-meadow @stareatceiling @padfootii @ravensleepyeyes @thanosisadilf @dawneee @babyyblueey @leahseclipse @ifimnotabushimnoone @luvelyxp @ameliabs-world

[sevensdeadly-if]

i just finished reading your demo (i chose the fenrir and aster route—they already have my entire mind, body, and soul), and i really enjoyed it!!!

i loved seeing the characters interact with each other, especially the sins. i’m excited to see more from the sins who haven’t had as much time in the spotlight yet. i also really like how greed and pride (whose names i have regretfully forgotten) feel like parental figures to the MC—they both bring a comforting presence, especially greed.

i noticed that the MC seems to pass out quite often. i was wondering if that might be connected to their body being overwhelmed by memories coming back, rather than just the pure shock of everything happening around them. i could understand them fainting the first time—maybe even the second time—but it's happened several times now. i thought perhaps there might be a deeper connection, like a reaction to recovering their memories and powers. the MC also seems to come with a preset personality—being pretty extroverted and having a sailor’s mouth. usually, the MCs i play are more quietly confident, reserved, and a bit introverted, so this is a little out of my comfort zone, though it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

the fae court members are all really interesting, especially the monarch of autumn—was that their title? i apologize if it seems odd that i’m not using their name; i have a regrettably bad memory, especially with names. they’re the one side character i would’ve loved to see as a RO. i have to admit, their power to change their appearance at will is something i’m a bit envious of as a gender-fluid individual myself, haha.

i also wonder who the apparent antagonist’s love is. it would be quite intriguing if they were referring to the MC. the potential for delicious angst and drama from that is endless.

all that to say, i can’t wait to see where you take this story—it’s already so interesting. i’m eager for the contracts to be completed with each of the sins and for the MC to regain their full memories and powers; i’m sure those will be epic scenes. i’m also excited to see how the romances develop. as i mentioned before, i already love aster and fenrir wholeheartedly. it’ll be heartwarming to see them and the MC in an official relationship in the future. i wonder what that will look like.

much love & light, author. may your love of writing never wane & your inspiration never cease to flow. <3

Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying it! And as I’ve been writing the mc’s personality has honestly just started to form on its own! And you were close! Morrigan’s title is trickster of autumn or fall either works! I hope you enjoy the rest to come!

[luciferfemme]

Love Confessions | Fictober

Prompt #2 - "Don't worry, I've got you."

Fanfic/Fandom: Good Omens

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Pairing: Ineffable Husbands/Ineffable Bureaucracy

Other Notes: 

Crack!fic 

Synopsis: Gabriel’s startling confession comes along with an even more shocking revelation about who inspired this all; Crowley never one to be upstaged especially by the Supreme Archangel, has a confession of his own. 

Word count: 1,016 words

“I realized there was something more important than choosing sides,” Beelzebub said. 

Gabriel smiled, "We were inspired by Aziraphale after all.” 

“What?” Aziraphale asked, swallowing hard, certain he had misheard. Surely Gabriel the Supreme Archangel was not crediting him for this?

Gabriel looked at him, “Aziraphale, everyone knows how you feel about Crowley.” 

Aziraphale’s eyes widened. “I—I—”

“How who feels about what now?” Crowley asked, looking between Gabriel and Aziraphale then back again. 

“Don’t worry, I got you,” Gabriel said with a smile. “Because see I get it now. I didn’t understand it… before. Didn’t understand what you saw in him, what you could see in a demon… until I did.” 

Aziraphale rather felt like he might faint. 

“Hang on, what the bloody hell are you on about Gabriel? First Nina, now Gabriel… does everyone here think we’re together?” 

“Yes!” The assembled group said in unison. 

“Oh, I see, well then,” never one to be shown up by anyone, least of all the Supreme Archangel, Crowley got down on one knee, and took Aziraphale’s hand. “Right I was going to save this for the Ritz, but bugger it. Aziraphale… angel of my eye, my favorite person, light of my life, would you do me the great honor of becoming my husband?” 

Aziraphale’s legs went weak at that, the room around him spun and it was only with the grace of Crowley’s hand in his own that kept him grounded. He was certain he was dreaming, certain this could not possibly be happening right now, because surely Crowley was not proposing now in front of Heaven AND Hell! Only he was still staring up at him, everyone was staring up at him and Aziraphale felt lightheaded. 

“Crowley,” he said weakly. 

“I’m right here angel,” he said. 

“Is this real?” 

Crowley laughed despite himself. “Yes angel.” 

“Cause this feels like… I’d say a dream I’ve had but usually it’s not this strange.” 

Crowley smiled up at him. “And what do you say in those dreams?” 

“Oh Crowley how could you even ask? Of course I’ll marry you. A thousand times over I would marry you.” 

Crowley grinned up at him, sliding the ring onto his finger as Heaven and Hell respectively exploded into a cacophony of outrage. Crowley stood and spun around toward them. “Now then, I think we all know what happened the last time you tried to get on our bad side.” He raised an eyebrow. The angels nodded, as did the demons, and Crowley smiled. “Good. I trust I don’t need to tell you not to bother Gabriel and Beelzebub the same way you ought not to bother me and Aziraphale.” 

“They can’t have gone native that fast!” Shax hissed. 

“Couldn’t they?” Crowley asked. 

“I’ve lived here for almost two years and I haven’t…” Shax froze, looking scared then.  

Crowley raised an eyebrow, barely resisting the urge to grin. “Do you really want to take that risk?” 

Shax hissed. “Fine!” 

The demons vanished and he turned his attention back on the other angels who all looked less than amused. Michael opened their mouth but Crowley shook his head. 

“Ooh!” Michael glared, and with that the trio of angels disappeared as well, until it was only himself, Aziraphale, Gabriel and Beelzebub still left in the bookshop. Aziraphale was staring at his ring his eyes shining and Gabriel was staring.

“Why?” He asked. “Why would you help me of all people? After what I…” 

Crowley wrapped his arm around Aziraphale. “Against my will, my angel here has taught me a thing or two about forgiveness.” 

“I have?” Aziraphale looked up at him eyes wide. 

“You’re so cute,” Crowley smiled at him. Aziraphale flushed at the praise. “Now then… I’d still like to take Aziraphale here to a fantastic breakfast. To celebrate our engagement. Gabriel… Lord Beelzebub, would you care to join us?” 

“We don’t…” Gabriel said. 

“Eat,” Beelzebub finished. 

“Neither do I,” Crowley said with a smirk. “But watching my angel here enjoy himself is more than enough for me.” Aziraphale blushed again, and just like that two angels, a demon, and the former Prince of Hell were piled into the Bentley and on the way to the Ritz. Their usual table was plenty big enough for a party of four as much as a party of two, Crowley thought. 

“How do you stand this death trap?” Beelzebub said as Crowley whipped across traffic. 

“I find it’s best not to think about it,” Aziraphale said. 

“You’re perfectly safe,” Crowley replied with a smirk. “Never let anything happen to my two favorite things in the whole world.” 

Aziraphale couldn’t stop smiling at that. “Crowley…” Crowley’s fingers had curled into his own at some point, and Aziraphale couldn’t remember when exactly that had happened. 

“Yes angel?” 

“Was that just a ploy… back there.” 

“Would you want that?” Crowley asked, looking for the first time, nervous. Aziraphale swallowed and shook his head.

“No.” 

“Good because I meant every word.” 

“You’ve never said.” 

“It’s never been safe too.” 

“And… was that especially safe?” Aziraphale asked.

“Well… I figure with Gabriel and Beelzebub in our corner… strength in numbers and the like. Besides… after all the ridiculousness of the past few years. Angel I don’t want to live another moment without you by my side. So… I took a risk. It paid off.” 

“You mean to tell me… you two weren’t… together?” Gabriel asked, shocked. “All this time?” 

Aziraphale blushed. “I’m afraid that’s mostly my fault…” 

“No,” Crowley said. “That would be your fault, supreme archangel! You terrified my angel half to death and made him afraid of what would happen to either of us if we even thought about disobeying.” 

“You did stop Armageddon,” Gabriel said. 

“And you nearly killed both of us!” Crowley hissed. 

“Right. I’m… I regret that.” Gabriel admitted. 

“As do I,” Beelzebub added.

Crowley pulled to a stop and the four piled out and made their way into the Ritz and their usual table. Crowley ordered himself a cocktail while Aziraphale ordered his usual pileup. Gabriel and Beelzebub looked on in horror while Crowley simply watched him with his usual besotted expression.

It was all in all a strange morning, but Crowley wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

[baambastic]

Who wants a giant list of various sentences and phrases I’ve collected or otherwise thought of? That could also be used as prompts.

You’re getting it regardless.

“…but I take your meaning.”

“Dashed/shattered against the rocks.”

“His gaze softened.”

“<Name> didn’t know what to say.”

“You will leave by sunset, or you will not see the morning.”

“Leave before the setting sun, or you will not see it rise again.”

“Are you calling me a coward?” “No, I am calling you defeated, <name>.”

“And they will do so again, and again, and again. And there shall be no end, for they will never run out of that which they deem evil.”

“Your god’s love is not unconditional. He does not love us, and he does not. Love. You.”

“You could sooner divert a river from its path than deny us ours.”

“His blade sang, each strike(/flash of steel) a resonant note (in the song of combat).”

“I’m not much for ____.”

“A look of faint ____ (apprehension, shock, surprise, etc.) (flitted across his face).”

“Swallowed up by…”

“You’re hip-deep in it now, and the only way out is forward.”

“Draw up plans to…”

“With a bit of luck…”

“A sensible choice.”

“, to be sure.”

“Mirth in his voice.”

“…as the crow flies.”

“…as the wolf runs.”

“Present company excluded, of course.”

“If you don’t have your own story, you become part of someone else’s.”

“My gift, given freely.”

“Anything worth doing is hard.”

“Nervous/angry people make mistakes.”

“Buzz(ing) of fluorescent lights.”

“I’ve devised a plan.”

“As he made his way to…”

“, what with…”

“We’re cut from the same cloth. You[third person]… were stitched together from a white flag.”

“Daylight’s a’wasting.”

“That’s a good reason, except it’s not.”

“You taught me to bury the dead!” (condemnation)

“We can avoid talking about this another time.”

“It was fun… until it wasn’t.”

“…been erased, yet the shadow remains.”

“He lingered by the door. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it, continuing to drum his fingers against the door’s wooden frame.”

“Instead, I let myself believe that you actually cared.”

“…under the deluge (of water/rain/etc.).”

“It buckled under his/the (ferocious) onslaught.”

“His breath caught.”

“He put a hand to his head, blinking the spots out of his eyes.”

“When have I ever __?” He remarked. “Don’t answer that.”

“…wrinkled his nose.”

“…got too grisly.”

“…in and of itself.”

“It was child’s play.”

“…(I’ll be back) before you know it.”

“She and my mom ran in some of the same circles.”

“…spent the night poring over ____.”

“I would know.”

“…but beggars couldn’t be choosers.”

“…barely fazed her.”

“…hissed in pain.”

“…went back to lazily kicking his feet in the air.”

“…with ___ in tow.”

“…slathered it with honey.”

“…riddled with bullet holes.”

“…nearly wrenched out of its socket.”

“His stomach was tying itself in knots.”

“His stomach churned.”

“His muscles/arm(s)/leg(s) screamed in protest.”

“He said, biting out each word like it had personally offended him.”

“His head pounded with every belabored step.”

“He chose not to/refused to/didn’t dignify that with a response.”

“I’ve kinda fell out of it, honestly.”

“He balked at the price.”

“It sort of fell by the wayside.”

“He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.”

“Strangers lived where his childhood ghost once walked.”

“…lifted/raised his chin defiantly.”

“The one saving grace is that…”

“That’s not how ____ work.” “Could be.” “…”

“A bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” -“I think so?”

“…But I’m feeling generous today.”

“…to stop himself from saying something he’d regret.”

“…laughing too hard to dodge properly.”

“…he blurted out.”

“As the afternoon drew on towards evening…”

“…’cause you haven’t unclenched since age ___.”

“…drawing a glowing path atop the waves.”

“Today had been nice.”

“It was pretty great.”

“…is still a languid puddle of a man.”

“…sprawled out on his back.”

“…flipped him off with a cheery smile.”

“One good thing about the ocean is that it is made of water, which is wet.”

“She flowed to her feet.”

“He blinked at her.”

“This is such an insult. I’m insulted.”

“…for a minute, he forgot…”

“…but…that didn’t seem so bad.”

“…balanced precariously on his chair.”

“He moved like water, effortless and bold.”

“Wait a damn minute.”

“Your brain works in weird ways.”

“In his defense…”

“His cheeks darkened.”

“Whoop-de-freaking/fucking/dang/damn-doo.”

“…way too cute for its own good.”

“Well, now,…”

“‘I’ve got this.’” -New Chapter / Line Break- “He definitely did not have this.”

“…wrought-iron fence.”

“…as fragile as spun glass.”

“Score one for _____!”

“They’re playing fast and loose with…”

“…grinning like an idiot.”

“He raised a single, devastating eyebrow.”

As an opening line: “_____ was smaller than he remembered.”

“Oh my god, you did.”

“…agreed/nodded fervently.”

“…from the light of the muzzle flashes.”

“…said under his breath.”

“…stage-whispered.”

“Don’t make me regret this.”

“I’m ready to go, but I’m not ready to, you know, be gone.”

“…pinched the bridge of his nose.”

“…squawked in protest.”

“…in half as many ____.”

“…slumped in his chair.”

“Naturally.”

“There are matters I must attend to.”

“It seemed prudent to stay in their good graces.”

“The color drained from his face.”

“He ducked his head.”

“…incandescent rage.”

“…ruddy cheeks.”

“Without knowing what he was doing, ____ agreed/listened/tugged.”

“Oh, for—you think…”

“…the tide lapping at his feet.”

“All at once, he felt his anger melt away.”

“His anger melted away all at once.”

“All the anger—that rage, that fire—rushed out of him. In its place, all that remained was a hollow pit.”

“…but I’d bet the farm that…”

“He watched in silent terror.

-She swung / pulled the trigger / pressed the button.

-And terror turned to horror.”

“…with a cheshire grin.”

“I understand. Really, I do. But…”

“Like a drop of oil on the surface of a lake.”

“Hello, old friend.”

“There you are, old friend.”

“There you are.”

“In all likelihood…”

“I burned the wool that covered my eyes.”

“A story may become truth, but it never begins as truth.”

“A great many changes come about from belief in a lie.”

“To become better, one must first believe the lie that one can be better.”

“We all lie to ourselves, you more than most.”

“You are not the kind to walk into a minefield with naught but prayers on your lips. But left deaf and blind, what else can you do?”

“All I want(ed) is/was to…”

“A teller of tall tales laid low.”

“Seize him/her/them!”

“Curse you infernal wretches!”

“Must I do everything myself?”

“Unhand me!”

“‘You know nothing of pain.’ He smiled. ‘But you will.’”

“What is it?

-Nothing I can’t handle.”

“You sanctimonious asshole!”

“Not enough to feel like it matters, but enough that how I feel doesn’t.”

“You’ve got ice in your veins. I like that.”

“There’s a certain freedom in knowing when something’s out of your hands.”

“I would not welcome death. But I do not know if I would have the strength to fight it.”

“A world and a word of difference stand only a letter’s breadth apart.”

“I’d rather keep to my own misbegotten patch of city.”

“If that be/is the price I must pay, then I have coin to spare.”

“Give ____ my regards.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

“I doubt that.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“…he said ruefully.”

“You’re much too young to be telling people things you think they need to hear.”

“You’re trying to _____.

-Is it working?”

“I need some fresh air.”

“…he spat ____’s name like a curse.”

“I refuse to believe otherwise.”

“I don’t make the rules, I simply set the stage.”

“It worked, didn’t it?”

“When I find out, I’ll let you know.”

“You leapt at the chance…”

“We’ll talk about this later.”

“Their blood is on your/my hands.”

“This guy walks in off the street and thinks he can…?”

“I have problems, same as anyone else.”

“You’re right about that, at least.”

“…and vice versa.”

“He wordlessly moved out of the way.”

“Stand. Aside.”

“…he said carefully.”

“And what of/about you?”

“Where will you go?”

“He turned to her with pleading eyes.”

“…sent a jet of flame roaring past…”

“He gasped for air.”

“For what it’s worth…”

“You seem to have me at a disadvantage.”

“…put his fist through the door.”

“…pumped his fist in the air.”

“Be the bigger person.”

“…as befits someone of your station/status.”

“Welcome back to the land of the living, __.”

“Seize him/her/them!”

“Unhand me!”

“Godspeed.”

“A word of advice…”

“…if you catch my meaning.”

“Luckily for you…”

“You’re going to catch cold if you stay out here.”

“I’m/You’re/He’s every bit the ___ you are.”

“He tried his damnedest to…”

“I cannot tolerate loose ends.”

“If push comes to shove…”

“Life waits for no man.”

“Ugh… What happened?”

“Let’s see you wriggle (your way) out of this/that (one).”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“Don’t be naïve.”

“…so let’s not and say we did.”

“Where ____ failed, ____ may yet prevail.”

“…or close to it.”

“Please accept this token of my appreciation.”

“Out of the mouth of babes.”

“The crowd was stunned into silence.”

“He loved her in a way that no one should ever call ‘love’.”

“I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

“He flew like an arrow shot from a bow.”

“Tell that to (my)…”

“Be that as it may…”

“You’re better off not knowing.”

“You’re in no position to make demands.”

“You sound just like him.”

“Do I/you/we have a choice?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“I have accepted what will come. But there is no peace in that, nor will there be.”

“I’d rather make a mistake with you than play it safe with anyone else.”

“He feigned surprise.”

“At last we agree on something.”

“You’re coming with me.”

“Much has changed in your absence / while you were away.”

“[cutting off other character’s rambling self-blame] Stop.”

“Please, you have to believe me!”

“…that familiar thrum of energy beneath his skin.”

“You have space in your heart for everyone in the world… and none left for yourself.”

“It’s so easy to suffer alone.”

“The distinction, fine as it may be, carries quite a bit of weight.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

“You cling so tight to that old version of me, I’ll leave you behind.”

“Mercy makes you good, but it does not make you right.”

“The words fall through my fingers like sand through an hourglass.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

[incubatorbycora]

In The Dark

Date 07/20/2258 Journal Entry: I sit here in darkness writing. I hope my writing is at all legible, I don’t really know where my hand is in relation to my last words.  It’s been 3 days since the power went out. Thankfully the secondary generators kicked a few hours after, so we at least have the necessities. Besides light we have running water and heat. The lamps outside still have power so the streets are visible. Unfortunately, radio doesn’t work down here so we haven’t received any news about what happened.

I usually work at home from my interface, but since I have no power, I’ve decided it’s fine that I’m not working. Being disconnected from the internet has given me so much time to think, normally I’m hyper connected all the time.

After my previous paragraph I decided to get some breakfast, but I was interrupted by a knock at my apartment door. At first, I expected it to be my mom, I figured she’d be worried. I slid open the door and was greeted, not by my mom, but by a pair of large figures shrouded behind a bright headlamp.

“May we come in?” They asked.

“Um, who are you?” I said trying not to sound scared.

“We’re peacekeepers here on behalf of the world central government.” One of the officers said. You never expect to see peacekeepers at your doorstep unless you’ve done something wrong.

“Oh, by all means come in.” I showed them in and as they stepped through the doorway into the faint streetlight streaming from my window, I was able to get a closer look at them. I had never seen a peacekeeper in person before, I’ve only seen them in videos. They dimmed the lights on their helmets. They wore black pants and jackets that held plates of armor inside. Their boots were equally intense and geometric. Their helmets and gloves covered the last inches of skin on their bodies. The Helmets have streamlined geometric forms that conform to the shape of the skull and have no space for eyes or mouth but have a dozen tiny cameras dotted around the front, sides, and even back. If that wasn’t intimidating enough, they were also many times more muscular than the average person.

Despite the peacekeepers appearance their voices were quite normal. “Please don’t be alarmed you aren’t in any trouble or danger; we're simply here to deliver a message about the current situation.”

The second officer finally spoke. “We want to inform you and your neighbors that surfacing would be inappropriate at this time. Directions are being given to all subterranean citizens to remain underground until further notice. The central government is currently working on a solution and asks for your co-operation and patience.”

The first officer spoke again. “Do you have any questions regarding your situation?”

What kind of questions was I supposed to have? It was certainly shocking, and I’m still shocked by the information. I’m supposed to sit here without power for an indeterminate amount of time with no explanation of what’s happening above me.

“I’d like to know what’s going on at the surface.”  My voice shook from frustration and fear.

“It’s all under control you don’t have to worry. If you don’t have any other questions, we must get moving to continue spreading the word.” They didn’t even stay to wait for a response, they simply turned around and walked out, closing the door behind them.

Now I sit here, not just in the literal darkness, but also in a metaphorical darkness. I hope the lights come on soon.

[geometropolis]

grt3D episode 7: mathematicakes

“you really should be asleep, y’know,” star murmured.

“i know,” droplet replied. “i can’t sleep though.”

the two shapes were sitting just outside their cabin. the night was dark and a gentle breeze was blowing. the faint rustle of leaves could be heard through the otherwise still silence.

“hm…” star blinked his half-lidded eyes. “hey, i never told you about what happened with me and heart, did i?”

droplet didn’t reply, just looked at him.

“you deserve to know, you know.”

“really? i haven’t done anything to help this team…”

star scoffed. “that is soooo not true. but even if it were, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re a part of it.”

“...thanks.”

“right…” star took a deep breath. “y’know, i’m still shocked about it myself. i should’ve seen this whole thing coming, but i didn’t. even if heart would tell me about whatever he was worried about, he never called me out for not listening… but i guess i should’ve seen that myself.”

“so he finally got mad?”

“yeah… i mean, he had every right to be mad. now that i’m thinking about it, i’ve always done this. i’ve always told him to stop worrying and just, y’know, relax with me. that’s why i wanted us to sign up for this show, so we can just have fun together like we used to.”

droplet smiled. “well, you just want him to smile and be happy!”

“well yeah! i love the guy… but y’know, i can’t just turn his frown upside down without knowing why he’s frowning, right?”

“right…”

“i hope he’s doing okay in the paradox. he was so afraid of what it’d be like there.”

“another one of us is going there this morning,” droplet said slowly. “thanks to me…”

“droplet…”

“thanks for talking to me.” she stood up. “i need to go to bed now.”

with that, droplet went inside and went to bed. rhombus was sitting on their own bed, messing with their weird remote like usual. as droplet passed, they didn’t look up.

…

“HELLOOOOOOO MORTALS!!!!” möbius strip called. “WE’RE BACK TO EARLY RISING!!!!!!!”

the shapes dragged themselves in their fatigued stupor to the usual spot in the field; just like the morning before, origin was actually present. 

“time for the elimination?” star asked.

“YUP. THE COOL KIDS WILL BE MUCH COOLER TODAY… AS THE ELIMINATED CONTESTANT IS THE NERD!! HA!!!”

“you mean rhombus, right, sir?” origin asked.

“DUHOY.”

rhombus didn’t even bother to look at droplet; they just glared at star. “you know what?” they started. “i don’t blame droplet for this. i blame you, star, for trusting her and her stupid idea. that ruined it for me.”

star furrowed his brow. “i admit, i’ve done my fair share of damage. but if being genuinely nice to people for the first time in my life is wrong? i don’t want to be right.”

“...you’re not gonna last long.”

“i’ve lasted longer than you. tcch, say hi to heart for me…”

origin started buzzing; as rhombus’s limbs disappeared, they dropped their remote. 

droplet sighed.

“OKAY, WE CAN’T START THE CHALLENGE UNTIL TWINKLE COMES BACK,” möbius explained, “BUT I CAN AT LEAST EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.”

“please do!” rectangle exclaimed.

“TODAY’S CHALLENGE WILL BE A BAKE-OFF: YOU’LL ALL GET PLENTY OF NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS – USE THEM TO MAKE A DELICIOUS MATHEMATICAKE FOR ME TO JUDGE. YOU’LL HAVE AROUND AN HOUR AND A HALF TO FINISH.”

“aw man,” rectangle grumbled. “i suck at baking.”

“yes!” hexagon exclaimed. “i love baking!” she turned to her teammates. “is it fine if i lead this challenge?”

“oh, definitely,” octagon said. pentagon nodded.

trapezoid paused. he also loved baking. 

but she should get a chance to shine, he thought. “of course!” he smiled. 

origin soon reappeared. “you needed those numbers and operations, right sir?”

“YESIREE!”

origin glowed for a moment, and soon hundreds of symbols came flying out from his side. “you can use these to make your lovely desserts – and there should be an equal sign per team too, right?”

“YES INDEED! IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW, ONCE YOU’RE DONE ADDING EVERYTHING, YOU NEED TO PUT IT THROUGH THE EQUAL SIGN TO BAKE. I DON’T WANT ANY RAW NUMBERS.”

“ohhhhh,” square gasped. “that’s why rectangle’s homemade mathematicookies always taste so bad! they’re raw.”

“shut up,” rectangle muttered.

“OKAY… GO! …and twinkle, can you come here for a sec?”

“welp,” parallelogram said to himself as he headed over to pick up ingredients, “i guess it’s just me and me.”

“i’m right here,” heptagon cut in.

“just leave me be.”

“i want to help!”

“do you really?”

“please, parallelogram.” for once, heptagon’s voice was riddled with emotion. “please just let me help you.”

parallelogram regarded him with shock. “fine, whatever,” he muttered. “if you insist… here, carry some of these.” he handed heptagon a few of the numbers while he carried the rest. “i don’t want to give you too much to mess up…”

“so, what do you think we should bake?” star asked droplet. “a double-decker even mathematicake? a multicolor exponential?”

“it doesn’t matter what i think… i’ll just mess it up…” 

star clicked his tongue. “okay, well, then i guess i’ll take the lead. i’ll tell you what to do, okay?”

“fine, sure, whatever…” her mind was clearly elsewhere.

“so first we’ll need a pi, and a couple sine functions…”

meanwhile, hexagon was leading her own team. “okay gang, so how do you all want to help? i already have a recipe in mind.”

“i can be your baking assistant!” pentagon suggested. 

“me too!” said octagon.

“how about you, trapezoid?” hexagon asked.

i want to be her baking assistant as well, he thought, but i don’t wanna step on her toes… 

“i can just do prep and clean up,” he said.

“okay!” she faced the rest of the team. “so i wanna make a triple-triple-three mathematicake! it’s one of my personal favorites.”

“will we need a lot of 3s?” pentagon asked.

“oh yeah, for sure. you have three layers, each with three 3s. that’s…”

“nine threes in all,” octagon finished. 

“right. and we’ll need a whole bunch of parentheses and plus signs as well…”

“it’s only addition… then why do you need parentheses? it’s commutative anyway.”

“that’s the funny thing about baking,” hexagon said. “even if in regular math you can end up with the same result in a billion different ways, in this kind of math it’s the process that makes the biggest difference.”

“so the parentheses separate out each layer,” trapezoid continued. “for this type of cake, the overall contents would be the same without them, but you’d just get one really tall cake. there’s aesthetic value in splitting the cake in layers, which is why we add them.”

“hey, that’s right! have you baked before, trapezoid?”

“what? oh, um… no…!” trapezoid quickly went away to get the ingredients.

“twinkle,” möbius said, “could you please keep your camera on group two?”

“huh? why?”

“listen. i know you’re broadcasting the show to the eliminated contestants. i want them to see this.”

group two, like always, was arguing.

“square’s right for once,” triangle said. “you suck at baking, rectangle. let me do it.”

“hey, you’ve never even baked once in your life!” he countered. “even if my baking is bad, at least i’ve done it before! let me do it!”

“i’m gonna do it.”

“no, i’m gonna!”

“for primes’ sake!” square snapped. “can you two just cut it out for one second? you’re driving me insane!”

“i’m gonna make my own cake.”

“fine, me too!”

square rolled his eyes. we’re definitely gonna lose as it is, he mentally noted. still wouldn’t hurt to have a little secret self-sabotage down the line… anything to make sure i can get away from these two.

“you want them to see group two fighting for the billionth time?” origin asked.

“...yes,” möbius replied cryptically. “i think it’s… enriching.”

“okay…” origin replied, staying right in front of them…

at the same time, droplet was absent-mindedly handing star ingredients.

“square root symbol!” star requested, and droplet gave. “e! i! opening bracket! natural logarithm! …okay, that should be it!”

“mm,” droplet replied.

the two began to put the ingredients together. “okay, so we’ll take the natural log of pi times 37… pass me that 3, would you?”

droplet passed it to him. then she blinked and shook herself out of her thoughts. “...hey wait a sec, what in math are we doing?”

“what do you mean? we’re making a mathematicake.”

“but look at all these crazy ingredients!” she exclaimed, motioning to the bizarre operations scattered in front of them. “this cake will be terrible!”

“you sound just like rhombus,” star chuckled. 

droplet paused and sighed. “well, i… sorry, i just think this idea might be a little too…”

“a little too out there?”

“yeah…”

“wanna help me workshop it?”

“...what does that mean?”

“well,” star explained, “we’ll talk about the idea – what works, what doesn’t – and we’ll make whatever changes we need, and then it’ll be better!”

“so you can make your idea work?”

“so we can make it work.” he smiled. “together.”

parallelogram held a few numbers in his hands and shrugged. “i’ll be honest; i remember the ingredients for two-ten mathematicake but i do not remember the method.”

“i might know how,” heptagon said nervously.

parallelogram raised an eyebrow.

“i know it has 10 thin layers, each with a different power of two. i know we should use parentheses to separate the layers, each pair of parentheses containing 2 and an exponent.”

“...huh…”

heptagon bit his lip. will he listen?

“...i guess that makes sense,” parallelogram concluded.

heptagon exhaled. thank the primes.

“i’ll go get some more 2s, i’ll be right back. don’t mess anything up while i’m gone.”

möbius had long since moved on, so origin decided to move along himself, leaving group two’s drama behind him.

good progress was being made on helvetica’s triple-triple-three mathematicake: trapezoid got the ingredients, and hexagon was leading octagon and pentagon in combining them the right way. “remember pemdas!” she sang. “it’s all about the process.”

octagon put a 3 in a pair of parentheses. “i love baking!” she said. “it’s so orderly!”

pentagon put a plus sign next to it. “and i love baking because you get to throw a bunch of stuff together and make something yummy!”

octagon put another 3. “only if it’s in the right order.”

“right…”

“good work, everyone!” hexagon beamed. “you’re doing great. just tell trapezoid when you’re ready for the next pair of parentheses.”

“got it!”

trapezoid translated over to hexagon. “you’re great at this!” he exclaimed. “just a few minutes ago they had no idea how to bake at all, and now they’re experts!”

“just playing my part!”

trapezoid soon handed pentagon and octagon another pair of parentheses. “don’t forget to put a plus sign after the first pair before you put this one down.”

“oh, right!” hexagon piped up. “i almost forgot that part! thanks, bud… hey, you seem to know a lot about baking. why didn’t you want to help?”

trapezoid sighed. “well… you said you liked to bake, and i wanted to let you have your moment. i would’ve just… stepped all over you.”

“aw, i appreciate it… but you don’t have to do that for me. i want you to shine as well! …how about we lead together?”

hexagon smiled at him and he couldn’t help but smile back. “sounds good to me.”

droplet blinked at star. “so irrational numbers add flavor?”

“yeah,” he said. “they give the cake a certain… spice.”

“i guess the square root symbols make sense then… but i think maybe it’s a bit too complicated with logarithms and exponents too?”

“do you think the flavors would clash?”

“yeah.”

“maybe we should simplify things then… how about each layer has the square root of two plus pi?”

droplet nodded. “sounds good! and we can add an additional pi to the end of everything for that last little pop.”

the cool kids were the last to know what they were doing, but their idea was the most unique; the two quickly got started putting things together.

rectangle and triangle were busy making their own individual mathematicakes; neither knew any recipes, but at the very least rectangle knew how it was supposed to work. triangle just threw down a bunch of numbers and symbols. 

if there’s anything square knew about baking, though, it’s that adding a single additional 1 to the end of a recipe completely changes it. he grabbed two 1s and two plus signs and started sneaking towards his team’s equal sign.

“TIME’S RUNNING OUT, FOLKS!” möbius proclaimed. “TIME TO START PUTTING THINGS THROUGH THE EQUAL SIGN.”

helvetica was the first to start baking their cake, with trapezoid explaining the proper way to put it in the equal sign and for how long. 

parallelogram had been closely monitoring heptagon as he put the numbers and operations together; heptagon seemed to know what he was doing, but parallelogram was still dubious… 

heptagon soon put it in to bake.

“hm, it actually does smell nice,” parallelogram noted. heptagon smiled.

triangle and rectangle headed over to their equal sign, glowering at each other, where square was waiting. “i’ll put your cakes in for you,” he told them. before they could respond he took their cakes and put them through – not before sneaking in a +1 to each.

the cool kids were the last to put their cake in; droplet and star high-fived after doing so. 

“we did it!” star cheered. “this cake is gonna be great!”

“i hope so…”

“and thanks for your help! it really meant a lot.”

droplet smiled.

“OKEY DOKEY!!!” möbius boomed. “LET’S SEE IF YOUR CAKES HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!!!!!”

first helvetica presented theirs. möbius strip approached it and the cake seemed to noclip out of reality.

“THIS IS DELICIOUS! I WANT TO EAT IT AGAIN!”

origin buzzed and the cake appeared again. möbius touched it again, and it vanished like before.

“9/10 FOR HELVETICA! YUMMYYYY!!!!!!”

“yes!” hexagon smiled. “awesome job, everyone! especially you, trapezoid.”

trapezoid smiled back. “especially you, hexagon.”

“too bad we didn’t get to eat it…” pentagon mumbled.

next up was yim yum. möbius touched the cake.

“OH NICE. THIS IS GREAT CAKE. A CLASSIC! 7/10.”

“oh wow, that’s pretty good!” parallelogram was taken aback. he hadn’t expected heptagon to actually do well.

he made eye contact with heptagon. and for a moment, he smiled.

then the cool kids. like before, möbius approached their cake and made it glitch out of existence.

nothing.

“uh… möbius strip?” star asked uneasily.

“THIS IS THE BEST MATHEMATICAKE I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!!!!!!!!!” möbius strip screamed. “THE FLAVOR, THE AROMA, OH, I JUST WANT TO EAT IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND A–”

“that’s enough cake for you, sir,” origin butted in.

“YES!!! 100000000/10!!!!!! THE COOL KIDS WIN AT CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“woohoo!!!!!” star hooted. “we did it, droplet! we made my stupid idea work!”

droplet laughed, then paused. “hey, was this all meant to teach me a lesson about how being imaginative is great but that it can only work when grounded in reality?”

star blinked. “huh?”

“NOW TIME FOR THE LAST CAKE OF THE DAY…”

triangle and rectangle brought up their cakes.

“I SEE YOU HAVE TWO CAKES!”

“uhh, yes,” rectangle said. “that’s a… a good thing!”

“yeah!” triangle affirmed, knocking into him. “two cakes for the price of one! you should give us double points.”

“don’t push it.”

“LET ME TRY YOURS FIRST, TRIANGLE…” möbius made it disappear. “THIS IS… THIS IS GOOD! THE FLAVOR SEEMS SO… IT SEEMS SO GARBLED AND BAD AT FIRST, BUT THERE’S THIS SINGLE UNIFYING TANG AT THE END THAT TIES IT ALL TOGETHER! WOW!”

square groaned. no, i accidentally made her cake better! darn!

triangle put her hands on her hips. “what’d i say, tango? i’m simply better than you at this.”

“he hasn’t even tasted mine yet!” rectangle protested.

“OH, YES!” möbius exclaimed. he touched rectangle’s cake and it vanished. “MMM, GOOD… HEY, EEUGH!!! WHAT’S THAT DISGUSTING AFTERTASTE??? THAT’S THE WORST THING I’VE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!”

rectangle was shocked. “w-what?”

square glanced at him.

“YOU KNOW WHAT? TRIANGLE’S CAKE WOULD’VE BEEN A 5/10; THIS ONE IS A -5! FOR A TOTAL SCORE OF 0/10, YOU GOSH DARN IMBECILES!!! IF THESE RECIPES WERE COMBINED MAYBE THIS WOULD’VE BEEN A CAKE THAT WAS EDIBLE FROM START TO FINISH!!!! GOOD DAY!!!!!!!”

möbius was so offended by the horrible cake that he left.

“um…” origin started awkwardly, “group two, you um, lost, by the way…” he then left as quickly as his boss.

rectangle’s brows knitted. “ugh, it… it’s all my fault…” he looked at triangle. “it’s all because of this dumb fight i started with you. if we’d have worked together, we would’ve had a decent cake…”

“you’re right,” triangle snapped. “you should’ve just let me take the lead, like always.”

rectangle sighed. 

“don’t blame yourself,” square told his brother. “it was probably just… a little something that accidentally got into your cake. it totally would’ve been fine otherwise.”

“what are you talking about?”

square bit his lip.

“square! that was you, wasn’t it?” triangle pointed at him. “you keep trying to sabotage our team!”

“this again?” rectangle gasped. “you said you’d stop!”

“hey, hey, i never promised anything,” square said defensively. “and this is for your own good, rectangle. you want to win; i don’t. we lose, i get out, and you have a higher chance of winning!”

“i don’t want you to get out, square! neither of us do!”

“i’m sure triangle wants me gone,” square retorted, “don’t you, triangle?”

triangle didn’t respond.

“and weren’t you mad at me yourself, rectangle? why do you want me to stay?”

“because you’re my brother!”

square stopped talking.

…

the empty white grid was filled with voices echoing out from its center –

“hey, how are you?”

“check this out!”

“i just miss them, okay?”

“still think my team’s gonna win.”

“darn, that sucks!”

– and rhombus did not enjoy it one bit.

“kite, how do you stand it here?” they asked.

“what do you mean?” their cousin replied. “it’s pretty chill.”

“everyone’s either screaming or crying or talking about something completely insignificant. it’s driving me crazy!”

“sorry not everyone’s as above-it-all as you are, rhombus. this… this is nice.”

“they’re all just distracting themselves. i say we try and find a way to escape this place so we can–”

“did you even say hello to heart yet?”

rhombus was taken aback. 

“okay, folks, gather round,” circle called over his fellow eliminated contestants.

“what’s it gonna be this time?” heart asked. rhombus was surprised – he seemed so… calm.

“i bet it’s gonna be a baking challenge,” kite teased, nudging oval.

“what! i love baking!” oval cried. “don’t you jinx it–”

“TODAY’S CHALLENGE WILL BE A BAKE-OFF…”

“noooooooooooooo!!!! how dare he do that without me!!!!!!”

the other shapes laughed, heart among them.

eventually, they were subjected to watching triangle and rectangle fight. for the billionth time.

“i want to punch them both in the face so bad,” circle groaned. “they used to be so close!”

“well, y’know what they say,” heart noted morosely, “keep your enemies closer…”

“it’s like… they turned the dial on friendship so far that it circled around and became animosity,” kite suggested.

“darn,” circle said. “sounds about right…”

“that’s just what this competition has been doing to people, i guess…”

the broadcast lingered on group two for an uncomfortably long time before moving on.

they saw helvetica succeed. they saw parallelogram accept heptagon’s help – even if begrudgingly. they saw star and droplet make an awesomely stupid and stupidly awesome cake.

“y’know, i still don’t forgive star for what he did to me,” heart murmured, “because he hasn’t been able to apologize yet. but i know i will forgive him someday.”

rhombus lingered near him, uneasy. they didn’t know what to say… they didn’t even know what to think. and rhombus always knew what to think.

“oh, hey rhombus!” heart moved towards them. “it’s been a while since we’ve properly t-talked…”

rhombus paused. “...i don’t think we’ve ever properly talked. i don’t think i’ve ever properly talked to anyone.” their voice was strained and uncomfortable.

“...well, things can change! i’m not-very good at talking to other people myself, but… here we are. so let’s start over: n-nice to meet you, my name is heart, and i believe we started on the wrong foot. what’s your name?”

“my name is rhombus and i… i’m sorry.”

“for what?”

“for ruining everything.”

[thattransboyaled]

the captain/havers - scared // fluff

read on ao3

the knock on the door startled allison. it startled her more when mike told her he couldn’t hear it. she and mike had decided to join the ghosts for film club that evening, they were watching a film about shakespeare’s early life (“he looks like me!” thomas exclaimed when shakespeare appeared on the screen. none of the other ghosts were convinced, but thomas was adamant). a knock sounded through the house about halfway through, and allison paused the film. 

“what’s wrong? is it a ghost thing?” mike had asked, confused. “no, someone knocked on the door. didn’t you hear it? it was loud enough.” allison stood up and began walking to the door. “no. i didn’t. i’ll get the door,” mike rushed ahead of her and opened the door. “see? there’s no one there!” he said in triumph. allison’s face fell. “are you a ghost? you must be, mike would be able to see you otherwise,” she mumbled, hesitantly stepping closer to the soldier standng in the doorway. he was quite tall and stood awkwardly in a dirty uniform with messy brown hair flopped all over his face. his left hand was wounded and bloody. 

“i’m gonna go… watch the movie.” mike crept back into the other room and the faint sound of voices on the tv started again. “sorry if i frightened you, miss. i was just looking for someone and thought he might be here. my names lieutenant william havers,” the soldier explained, a lot calmer than allison thought he might be. allison ushered him into the kitchen and sat down. he sat down opposite her. “how did you get here? how did you knock?” she asked, surprised. “if you didn’t die here. or did you? where did you die?” 

“i died in north africa, miss. during the war. for some reason unbeknownst to me and many other wandering ghosts i have come across, i can move freely to wherever i wish. i am also able to interact with certain real life objects, such as doors.” 

“and you came here?” allison queried, ignoring the rest of the information.

“yes. i was stationed here before i was in north africa, and i have something i wish to say to my captain. i heard nothing of his wellbeing before or after i died, so i hoped he would be here. i do hope i haven’t wasted 80 years coming here.”

“i don’t think you have. give me a second.” allison went back into the film room. 

“everything sorted?” mike asked. “not quite. captain, could i borrow you for a minute?” 

“of course, allison. i must admit, i am quite confused. whatever’s the matter?” captain asked when they left the room. 

“your old lieutenant, havers, his name wasn't william was it?” 

“why yes, yes it was. why?” 

“he’s here to see you.” the shock as evident on captains face. “what? how? why? where is he?” 

“in the kitchen. he said something-” but he was already gone. allison thought it best to leave them alone, so she went back in the film room. 

—----------------------------------------------------

“havers! good lord, man, how are you here? why are you here?”

“captain. it’s you. god how i’ve missed you.” he stood up and pulled his captain into a tight embrace. his captain accepted the hug and found himself wrapping his own arms around haver’s waist. “you died in africa, didn’t you?” captain asked as they pulled away from the hug. havers nodded. “how are you here then?” havers sat back down. 

“i can go wherever i want. it’s too complicated to explain,” the captain gave un understanding nod and let havers continue. “but i know why i’m here; for you. i love you, captain. i did the whole time i was here but i never told you because i was too goddamned scared. not scared of getting reported, mind, scared that you wouldn’t feel the same. scared i wouldn’t see your smile that i loved so much again, scared i would never be able to spend another night alone with you in your office, scared i wouldn’t be able to force you away from your work to stop you from overworking yourself again. i was just scared i would loose you. but now we are both dead, well, i don’t think there is much to be scared of.” he wasn’t sure when he started crying. he wasn’t sure when captain started crying, either. “i love you too.” the captain sobbed before enveloping havers in another hug. this time, havers let his hands linger on captains hips. “i love you, havers.” the captain whispered again, staring into the younger mans eyes. “call me william, please,” he laughed. he pressed their foreheads together, the captain bringing his arms around his back again. “and call me teddy.” 

“i love you too, teddy.”

i actually got a fic out before new years. yay! i hope you enjoy it, it was nice to write :)