#I'M DONE W BOOK THREE SOMEONE SEND ME THE REST

[handern]

Ratthi "wow, look at that SecUnit on the news threatening people and swearing at them while trying to get them to safety"

Overse "SecUnits can swear?"

Arada "ah fuck, it's OUR SecUnit."

[orginllazyblog]

Where Are You?

Summary: Yuu stopped showing up in the HoM mainly because of the canon story still processing. This took place before and during Book 7.

Note: Gender-neutral Yuu (can use your Yuu oc for this)

It has been an exhausting day in school for Yuu. They just dealt with Idia's and Ortho's overblot a few weeks ago, and now Yuu has started to gain awareness. They notice how each overblot resembles the Great Seven's by the vivid dreams they are having, and now worrying for the next one. 

"*Sigh* I need to get ready for work. Just need to rest for a while before dinner." 

As minutes went by, Grim woke up Yuu to remind them that it's about to be dinner time, well, mainly to remind them of his tuna. Yuu couldn't blame Grim for this one, he did get kidnapped and probably never eaten his favorite food. 

"Sure, Grim. Let's go to Mr. Sam's shop. Maybe get more than three this time."

"Fnagh? You will?"

"Yes, I have been saving up from my job. Remember?"

"Oh yeah."

"Well then, let's go in a hurry as I have to go to work in about an hour."

*

*

*

In the House of Mouse, Yuu serves the food to the great sevens as they are the only waiter who wasn't afraid of them. Also the fact they can handle it. Yuu also knows about their evil deeds from their vivid dreams, but after dealing with the OB boys, they kind of got used to them and see the similarities between them. 

After their work hours, they are on their break so they went to the seven's table to chat with them.

"So Yuu, how's your day in Night Raven College?" (QoH)

"Busy as the upcoming exams are coming next month." 

"If you need help, you can ask one of your classmates. Why not ask Azul? I'm sure he'll help you without paying any debt." (Ursula)

"I'm pretty sure they'll ask Riddle as they are not what they call "shady" Ursula." (QoH)

"Aren't you forgetting that Leona is wiser than those two. He's even older than those brats." (Scar)

'Oh boy, here we go.' 

"Oh wait! I forgot to mention that I won't be able to come back to work."

"So when will you be back from your exams?" (EQ)

"I would say about a week or two. I'm not sure how long it'll take considering it's a different school system from my home world, but I know it won't take long."

During the conversation, Yuu didn't bring up another overblot incident, which happened to be the shroud brothers. They didn't want to make them worried, but Yuu still needs to tell them about their vivid dreams and know the truth about them. They just need to wait until the time is right. 

After hours pass, the clubhouse is about to close. Yuu farewell to the great sevens and the other disney characters as they left. Mickey congrat them and gave them their paycheck of 5,000 thuamarks. 

"Thank you, Mickey."

"No problem, Yuu."

"By the way Mickey, I won't be able to work in the next couple of weeks. I have an upcoming exam so I would need time to study and a small break as well."

"Oh okay, thank you for reminding me, Yuu. Remember to take it easy. I'll have to tell the other staff about it."

"No worries, I also told the great sevens about it. I'm sure the rest will understand my situation."

"Okie dokie! Good night, Yuu." 

Little does Yuu know this might be the last time they see the rest of the disney characters again.

________________

After a couple of weeks, Mickey and the staff were able to work knowing Yuu is busy with their education. There was some mischief going around, but it was only from Pete, and one of the great seven's shows up one time only. So far, everything seems normal. Nothing can go wrong… right?

It's been about a month, and the whole House of Mouse Club was panicking. Yuu should have been done with the exams. Where are they? Did something happen to them? 

Of course it wouldn't make sense, Yuu wouldn't just quit their job as they need money to buy their needs or send a message to Mickey or anyone to let them know. 

Even the great seven's were wondering what happened to them. Someone like Maleficent, who has access to travel to Twisted Wonderland world only to find out she can't.

 As if there is a barrier that she can't enter. That's when things are going downhill.

Mickey and his friends try to calm everyone down, but nothing seems to work. Until the lights went dim, the front stage, the screen went black. Then the loading screen started, which is not just any loading screen but the twisted wonderland loading screen. Everyone then quieted down as they sat down at their table as they watched how book 7 started.

*

* half an hour later…

*

With all there is, the screen went black again. With half of them, questions to what just happened and the sleeping beauty cast, now know what's going to happen next. 

Then again, 2 months later, the theater screen went black and the twst loading screen play. Now playing Book 7, chapter 2. 

"Hey Mal, do you know what's going on?" (Hades)

"How I'm I supposed to know? I can't enter Twisted Wonderland because the canon story is happening so I can't interfere." (Maleficent) 

"But do you know what will happen? This is where he will began to overblot." (Jafar) 

"Let's just watch it. There's no way my descendant won't-" (Maleficent)

*Malleus OB by end*

"..." (Maleficent) 

"You were saying~?" (Scar)

"Shut up." (Maleficent)

_______________________

Knowing there's like 5 chapters in Book 7, I have no clue for how long will I continue writing. So I just stop at where chpater 2

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week 2020 | Day 1: Crime

He-who-annoyed-her

Sesskag

a/n: If you accuse me of writing a wannabe BNA au, then I mean...youre not wrong but way to call me out lol

Kagome took a deep breath when she woke up. The unfamiliar room and the unfamiliar sounds of a city that wasn't her own caused her to pause and bite her lip. Sitting up was a disorienting affair. It felt as though the air hammered against her from every side, and it took every second of her waking to try and just focus on herself and the action of sitting up in bed.

"You're focusing too hard on the wrong things," the low voice from the other side of her door huffed, slightly muffled. "Just breathe. Let everything flow around you."

She growled and grit out, "I'm not in the mood."

There was no reply and she welcomed the silence.

That man on the other side of the door infuriated her. If she could even call him a man for that matter. That male. She groaned and rested her forehead against her palms, wishing she was anywhere else but here.

Still...she wondered how solid his advice was, he who annoyed her. Taking a few stabilizing breaths, she focused on the sounds and shifted pass the sensations—like strokes through water. Gradually and painstakingly slow, the overstimulation eased away. The bombardment that had assaulted her mind, all those irritants that she couldn't quite name, finally petered off. Taking a breath of relief, she slid her legs off the bed and dressed for the day.

Opening her door, the back side of he-who-annoyed-her faced her from across the room. His head was bent down and yet his posture was impeccable as always. The shorts strands of his hair tampered back along the base of his head, stopping just above the nape of his neck—pointed ears displayed quite clearly. The rest of him was hidden away behind an ever-pristine white coat, a red t-shirt, and jeans. He looked so clean cut, Kagome was almost grateful he wasn't wearing a stereotypical PI outfit of trench coat and suit.

"You are in less distress." His tone never wavered and it never reached anything other than a disinterested monotone. 

"Thanks for the advice," she muttered.

"Hn." He shut the book he'd been occupying and returned it to the shelf in front of him. "You'll find no shortage of youki, jaki, and miasma in this city. For as long as you stay here, a natural ability to ignore it is apparently imperative for your daily functions."

Kagome bit her lip and nodded, despite the sharp pang of pride stinging and making her want to snap and tell him she knew exactly how to block out things that weren't her reiki—she knew he was just trying to help. In fact helping was all the man, male demon she corrected herself, had done.

He turned around so that the bright glitter of his gilded eyes, and the stark contrast of crescent moon and magenta stripes on full display. This was Private Investigator Sesshomaru. Current landlord of her loft (which was actually a rooftop janitor's closet in his study) and interestingly enough her savior.

He stared listlessly at his nails. "I've recorded and analyzed the scents at the site where you were found. Based on the olfactory trails that were left behind, you were kidnapped and dragged here by a centipede demon."

"Centipede demon?" Kagome echoed with an owlish blink.

He flicked his gaze up with an unamused expression and didn't repeat himself.

There was a pause as Kagome messed absentmindedly with her bangs. Three days ago she woke up in one of the most dangerous places a girl like her, a miko to be exact, could be. Shikon City. A city with a 100% population of demons or those of direct demon descent. Not knowing where she was or how she was there, she suddenly woke—her body ablaze and overreacting to the completely untamed demonic energy that saturated the metropolis. And in her loss of control that was when he-who-annoyed-her found her, knocked her out, and took her to his home. Because there was one teeny tiny problem about Shikon city, unless you were an official or extremely and brazenly overpowered, the barrier surrounding the town neither let things in or let them out. So obviously the PI had questions. Questions she couldn't answer. 

What's your name?

"Kagome Higurashi."

Occupation?

"I'm a highschool student—although I just applied for my first year at Tokyo university."

You realize demons cannot leave this area, correct?

"W...what do you mean demons? We're in Meguro...aren't we?"

You're human.

"Um. Aren't you?"

"Thanks to your scent being eradicated by your reiki outburst a few days ago, I can neither confirm nor deny that you are actually from outside the barrier," Sesshomaru clenched his hand. "However your little stunt did not vanquish the smells on the surrounding ground and further behind you. Congratulations Ms. Higurashi, you may be able to process out of here in less than a month if what you claim is true."

Ah yes. That was one other thing, and it was the main reason for why she'd so kindly dubbed him the annoyance of her existence. "I told you. I had a wallet on me, and it wasn't there when you found me. Someone must've pinched my wallet, but if you find that, my ID in it would prove that I really am not a demon or from this city!"

"And yet conveniently, said-wallet disappeared before I arrived on the scene of your kidnapping."

"Aren't you a detective? Isn't it your job to find missing things?" She bit out with exasperation.

"You need money to hire me, Ms. Higurashi." He gave her a cruel and fanged smile. "And that was stolen. Apparently. Be grateful I'm scenting without charge as to why you are missing from wherever you came."

Her lip curled up in anger and she stormed away. Sesshomaru made no move to stop her and she was glad. Maybe she'd find her own way out! She didn't need that stupid, smug, stuck-up jerk's help. After all she was a miko, if she could make a barrier then surely she could escape one.

Outside in the open-city was as unnerving as it had been the first day. Different auras of all demonic pedigrees pressed upon her as if they knew she were a human. As if they knew they could disperse the holy energies inside of her. She shivered and didn't like the idea. Trudging along she wrapped her arms around herself and tried to avoid bumping into people along the walkways. The demons here were for the most part humanoid. Sesshomaru told her no one took on their true forms unless it were for festivals or protection. And extreme emotional overload. Her warned her that for every chance that she could blow a circuit, so could a demon. And neither outcome would be pretty.

Something pulsed.

The air, herself, the aura inside her. Sight shooting up, she swung her gaze everywhere, trying to spot what drew in her power. And that's when she saw her. An eerily tall, four armed woman with wiry wavering locks. She was walking away from her, and right then and there Kagome felt a shiver of familiarity. A centipede demon. What were the chances? Honestly in a demon city, what were the chances.

Tucking herself to the crowd and trying to appear small, Kagome followed the woman. There was no proof that the demoness had stolen the wallet—but if it was the same centipede that Sesshomaru had sniffed out, then it was really truly super super possible that the wallet had been stolen by her kidnapper. The only question was, why go through the impossible hassle of dragging Kagome from the human city to a demon one. It shouldn't have even been plausible and yet somehow it happened. But all that was taken was a little tiny wallet that was hardly more than an over-glorified coin purse.

Kagome tailed the centipede demon to a back alley that led into a dumpster area—little more than a small turnabout for garbage trucks to circle around once they've picked up their loads behind the buildings. Crouching against the wall and doing her best to hide, she waited to see what the centipede would do. To her horror, the woman turned towards her direction and slid a long and slimy tongue from parted lips. Between clawed hands she reached into the pockets of her outfit and held Kagome's missing item in the air.

"Oh little human so predictable. Come out, come out, I'm hungry," she sang out.

Hand covering her mouth, Kagome paled. Oh no.

"You need this don't you?" The demoness didn't move, just swung the pink wallet back and forth like a pendulum without a string. "All I had to do was hold onto this and my little meal came back to me without a fight and more importantly without that stupid guard dog. How tantalizing. I like obedience in a girl."

Something struck a nerve. 

Kagome stood up and stomped her way over, holy pink aura unhinged with her anger. "I'm hardly obedient! Least of all to someone like you!"

"Oh but you came to me, didn't you?" The centipede dropped the wallet and lunged—maw outstretched and ready to snatch up her snack.

No time to lose, Kagome ducked to the side, wrapping herself around the woman's leg and sending out a bolt of her aura. Purification rose into the air like the crisp clean stench of bleach. The demoness fell back and screamed as her leg faded away to wisps of incense—her body spasmed in pain as the residual effects of the purifying blast took its toll. Smiling Kagome picked herself up and sauntered over to her wallet. Well that was that.

One moment she was on her own two feet and the next she was elevated upside down, body restrained by tight exoskeletal coils. Kagome screamed and kicked, sending wave after wave of her miko abilities. And yet the hold on her only constricted.

The centipede woman extended her jaw and giggled. "See if you can get through my skin now, little human. Your struggling makes me even more hungry!"

This is it. This is where I die.

A flash of white, an agonizing scream, and then Kagome slammed into the hard cold cement. Her head spun and her limbs protested in agony. But when she looked up, Sesshomaru stood in front of her—protectively, angrily—claws barred and nose in the air. The centipede woman was no longer in her true form. The centipede woman was no longer. She lay in pieces, in shambles, in tatters on the floor melted by acid and torn apart. 

Not a single spot of blood stained the PI's still immaculate jacket.

Sesshomaru turned around with a smug grin that quickly faded while she sat up. His nose flared and his gaze snapped to the abandoned and pink wallet by his foot. He grabbed it and flipped it open, staring at the contents as if they personally offended him. 

The glare he shot her could've burnt a hole through her forehead if she had been paying attention. It took her a moment, but she realized why his nose was acting up. That wallet, that precious little thing that she'd been desperate to find and that he hadn't cared to find, held one thing that spoke on more volumes to he-who-annoyed-her than the words printed on the plastic ID in the pockets. That wallet had been stolen before she woke up her first day in Shikon City, and subsequently before she had burned her own scent in the subconscious attempt to self-purify. 

That meant her pure and unblemished scent, the details of her original home and original whereabouts, all sat there waiting for him to take a sniff and realize.

"Will you help me now?" She staggered to her feet and cradled her side. 

His gaze slid to where her hand rested, and lifted a delicate brow at the sight of blood seeping through her shirt. One of the slabs of the centipede's skin must've sliced the side.

"Only a human," he huffed and pocketed the wallet. He easily slid his arms beneath her legs and scooped her up against him. "Once we patch you up, we'll take you to the police for an official statement. This one will be able to start conducting the investigation from there."

Kagome smiled weakly and poked his chest. "Hey. Did you save me for free too?"

He rolled his eyes and didn't answer, carrying her out of the alleyway.

[daikenkki]

epiclafiteau: If Edward and Henry never left Tidmouth Sheds, BUT two engines HAD to leave, who would they be and why? Let me hear what you think! Who would be in their spots? Someone that's been there before, or someone that hasn't? My take btw: Edward and James. Edward at Wellsworth Sheds makes so much sense, and James should've been kicked out as the punishment. Yeah, Thomas/Percy at Ffarquhar would be neat but Toby's at Arlesdale End now. Henry doesn't need to stay at Vicarstown and Emily is just there.

JD41796: Honestly do what the series did and move Edward to Wellsworth because that actually makes sense, and throw Thomas and Percy back with Toby. Have the engines stay closest to their place of work, and have the sheds be what it used to be; whoever is working in that area, stays there.

epiclafiteau: Edward moving to Wellsworth to be closer to his branchline was a smart move, and it made sense. The issue is they're like "Henry's going to Vicarstown ok bye". I'm sure we were supposed to get an episode further explaining it but they haven't done so yet and the only thing to back it up is the fact that Henry is on the Mainland in 70% of the specials lol.

StreakSmeargle: I’d actually kick out three. Thomas, Percy, and Edward. Thomas and Percy can move to Ffarquhar (and honestly Nia can live there too). And Edward can move to Wellsworth like he already does. Fill up the missing Tidmouth slots with Rebecca and maybe the Scots?

epiclafiteau: Unless I'm missing something, I'm not actually sure where exactly Duck, Oliver, Donald and Douglas stay in the CGI Series. We see Ryan, Daisy, Judy & Jerome at Harwick but are there sheds somewhere else on the Little Western? It made sense for Duck to stay at Tidmouth in Duck and the Slip Coaches cause he was needed nearby, something they should do more often, but I don't think we've actually seen where he normally stays.

StreakSmeargle: There should be sheds at Arlesburgh if the RWS is any indication. Duck, Oliver, and Toad would realistically stay there. Donald and Douglas could also stay there but it might make sense to have them at Tidmouth as they’re not strictly tied to Little Western only. Gordon, James, Henry, Rebecca, and Emily can definitely stay at Tidmouth tho. Henry at Vicarstown was a neat concept but it went nowhere so I say move him back.

epiclafiteau: I can get past Edward moving because of etc reasons but the big 3 should definitely stick together. Edward leaving felt sort of natural because it had a whole episode to it and he suggested staying at Wellsworth permanently. Henry liked the idea, followed by deciding to transfer to Vicarstown, and nothing happened.

StreakSmeargle: If they ever do move Henry back to Tidmouth, they could do an episode where he starts reconsidering his decision on moving to Vicarstown but worries about what the others will think. That would allow him to move back and even potentially shedding light on why he moved in the first place.

Jacob34335638: Well, I think James could be kicked out as punishment for destroying the sheds in the first place, and Emily could possibly leave too since she works on the Misty Valley Branchline, and it would be convent for her to be closer to her work like Edward is at Wellsworth Sheds.

epiclafiteau: Yeah, literally. I never understood why they were like "Well James, you destroyed the sheds... Okay, Edward, go find somewhere else to stay".

Echo62445283: Because apparently they were like "Hey thats Edward's part of the shed guess he has to go, not like he can sleep in your spot James".

ComradeSpinel90: Tbh... Percy and Thomas. They have sheds at Tidmouth and Ffharquhar. And in Nia and Rebecca and it would be fine. Or better yet. Drop Nia and add in oh idk... Stanley, or someone underrated imo.

epiclafiteau: Now you're on the right track.

ComradeSpinel90: And it wouldn't be out there norm. There was many time where they were at Tidmouth and Ffharquhar.

ilovetrains3232: The obvious Thomas and Percy go back to Ffarqhuar, Edward going to Wellsworth like in the show because, and as much as some people hate to hear, it was a great idea. They just haven't executed it to it's fullest ability. James could be an interesting choice as a punishment for crashing into it in the first place. I feel like Gordon is the only one who should stay there no matter what. Emily was the reason the 7th she'd was added but that doesn't necessarily mean she HAS to stay there and Henry, should have probably stayed but could easily go somewhere else and it would work. Tidmouth AND Vicarstown both honestly don't make much since for Henry. Yes, Henry does go to the mainland sometimes but not as much as he works elsewhere. If anything, Henry should have moved to Wellsworth with Edward. Since he has to go to Brendam anyways to pick up the Flying Kipper, and Wellsworth is in the center of the island so it would make it easier for him to work anywhere. As opposed to be on either side.

legomastr_365: I love all of them too much to kick anyone out, but seeing the replies makes sense since that's literally what I do in my series.

epiclafiteau: Thomas and Percy is the most logical answer but I'm curious to know if anyone would consider Emily or James, or have other reasons for Thomas/Percy.

GraydonBruckle1: Definitely Emily, as for the other I'm not sure.. I guess Edward or Percy. Edward does make sense BUT he is one of the three original character the Rev W. Awdry wrote about.. Percy could go to Ffarquhar. That way he wont have to go far for the mail run or something like that.

ElliotKW: It would be Thomas and Percy and I'd move them back to Ffarquhar Sheds (even though the sheds are in the yards at Tidmouth Station). Series 2 kept the roots of Thomas, Percy and Toby living in the sheds for five episodes and I would love to see that happen again in the future.

SunilFan48: Thomas and Percy. Go to Ffarquhar sheds with Toby like they did for S2 and then never again. Leaves room for Nia and Rebecca and no Tidmouth Shed reconstruction.

ThomasTheorist: The only engines who really need to be at Tidmouth Sheds are Gordon, Henry and James. Everyone else can be shuffled around.

TheLargeBarge: At Tidmouth Sheds you'll have Henry, Gordon, James, Emily, Rebecca, Donald and Douglas. At Ffarquhar, Thomas, Percy, Toby and Mavis. Knapford Sheds; Nia, Paxton and Rosie. Wellsworth; Edward and Philip. Arlesburgh; Duck and Oliver and Harwick; Ryan and Daisy.

CTFEologist: Thomas and Percy; move them to Ffarquhar with Toby instead.

DanielAlsop2: Well I’d still go with Edward, but also Thomas and Percy to Ffarquhar or Tidmouth Station, since they both work on Thomas’ branch line and if they had the usual adventure encounters, they could meet the others at Knapford or Elsbridge, simple.

GTSHProductions: I’d actually kick Thomas and Percy to live at Farquhar. But to be honest, I liked it better when the engines just slept wherever whenever they wanted.

TFan512: This may be controversial, but I’d still let it be Edward and Henry. Wellsworth is on Edward’s branch line, and he could be a mentor to Philip like he was to Thomas in The Adventure Begins (too bad no episodes have so far done that). As for Henry, he goes up to Vicarstown a lot anyway when he travels to the Mainland, and with him taking The Flying Kipper at night, he hardly has any time to rest at Tidmouth. I don’t agree with James being moved out as punishment, as he showed remorse in An Engine of Many Colours and was forgiven.

NWTom25: I choose three, Edward, Henry and Emily. It make sense to remove Edward to his branch line shed, Henry at Vicarstown since he could run goods trains from there to the mainland and Emily could stay at Knapford sheds like she did in CAE! I honestly don't see the need to remove Thomas and Percy since it had been stated in a Mr. Perkins interval that Knapford was the starting point for Thomas' branch line. So it make sense in the current series to have Thomas and Percy at the sheds. Plus Toby could fill in the spot at the sheds that the engines I chose left and maybe fill in the space for any of the secondary characters (e.g - Duck, Donald, Douglas, Rosie etc.).

TidmouthStudios: Y know if Knapford sheds came back I would LITERALLY LOVE THAT SO MUCH. I think Emily earned her spot in the sheds though and calling all engines definitely made a good move by specifically confirming that Emily was an official part of the core cast.

crikey_fell: Kick out everyone but Henry, Gordon, James and Emily, move them to their RWS positions.

Fan12Thomas: Thomas and Percy they should be on Ffarquhar Sheds.

kirkronan25: I'd chuck Edward to Wellsworth and I kinda like the idea of James having a shed all of his own, but I'm not sure about that.

Diesel20212: Thomas and Percy. I just can’t see them staying in Tidmouth when they already have their own sheds on their branchline.

TruckFan1996: Emily and Henry. I hate Emily and Mattel has made Henry wimpy.

WyattLoughrie: Well Thomas and Percy would have to live at Ffarquhar sheds with Toby and probably have Donald and Douglas take their places in Tidmouth Sheds.

SciFiCosplay99: Maybe have Thomas and Percy move back to Ffarquhar, perhaps add Toby and/or Nia. The Scots then move in. Also, show a shed where the Great Western Engines and the Scots live at some point, please show?

YBoi95: Honestly probably still Henry and Edward. Edward is too smart to be involved in the hive mind mentality of the Steam Team and Henry is just kind of there and doing very little. Honestly the two just don't really contribute enough to be worthy of being main characters.

gwr_fan: Part of me wants Thomas and Percy at Ffarquhar with Toby, Mavis, etc

Mechai94829484: For me it’s Thomas and Percy instead of sleeping in Tidmouth sheds they sleep in the sheds at the ffarquhar station with Toby and Henrietta just like in the railway books.

CementLord: Thomas and Percy, send them off to Ffarquhar.

TidmouthStudios: I’m not mad that Edward left due to the fact that he simply wasn’t offering anything consistently new to the franchise for some time at that point. He’s been outshined by the other core cast members since S5 and him being removed from said cast was inevitable. I’m happy they just did it in a nice and pleasant way and didn’t just suddenly have him leave. He at least got an episode showcasing his goodbye. Going off where he was going to be stationed makes more sense and serves as a sorta mentor for Philip like bill and Ben before him.

FantasticMrS3: I'd go with Emily and James. Then they could be given their own branch line to share, and it would open up more storytelling possibilities for them, especially Emily; God knows more could be done with her as a character.

TomtheSTL: Thomas and Percy, they don’t belong on the mainline or you know, besides the big 3 and Emily, not having a strict cast at Tidmouth, have it change a bit, hell the Brenner era did it on occasion.

HTGE3Prod: Hmm, Edward and Thomas. Both have their respective branchlines to run. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Salty, Bill and Ben are running Edward's line, and Mavis and Toby for Thomas' line.

Edwardandjamesp: Thomas, Percy and Edward. Thomas and Percy can go and sleep at Ffarquhar because that's where they work, and Edward could sleep at Wellsworth with Philip. And the ones to replace them would be Rebecca/Bear and the Scottish boys.

8Puffer: It would make more sense to put Thomas, Percy and Toby at Ffarquhar as it would help develop the three characters more and help build the relationship further.

ChaosDustSteam: I would actually pick three. Thomas, Percy, and Emily. Thomas and Percy would go to the Branchline Sheds, revealed in a new render for CGI. Emily would be moved either to Knapford Sheds or her own sheds, as I feel she is not a Main Line worthy engine.

BJG922: Hmm I would take out Thomas and Percy from Tidmouth and take them to Ffarquhar Sheds like how Edward went to Wellsworth, and keep Henry, Gordon, James and Emily at Tidmouth and allow Bear, Pip and Emma in Tidmouth.

ahmirallthings1: The answers obviously be Thomas and Percy. They lived in Ffarqhuar.

LNERA0X: If we wanted to apply this to all the engines really only Henry, Gordon, James, and Emily should be stationed at the main sheds. Decentralize the cast a bit.

JohnDarkblaze: Thomas, Percy, and Toby. My head canon is that they belong at Ffarquhar like they were before (also considering Arlesdale End hasn't been relevant for a while). As for Tidmoth Sheds itself, I'd leave Edward, James, Henry, and Gordon while adding Rosie, Stanley, and Molly.

TheThomasFan: Thomas and Percy, they’re supposed to be at Ffarquhar.

benbearce96: Toby and Emily because for Toby I just think he’s overrated as a character and Emily, well she can live at the shunting yards with Spencer Murdoch Arthur etc.

IvoryGreen456: Thomas and Percy. Because they were originally based at Ffarquhar they can easily go back.

SayCheeseBurgr: Emily and Edward, but Edward would still remain a main character, purely to line up with old continuity :p

sixteen_dnw: Edward to Wellsworth and Percy to Ffarquahar, they wouldn’t take Thomas away from Tidmouth.

EianHardy: I’d choose Thomas and Percy to go, as a way for them to be with Toby again in the branch line sheds.

TY_HAMMER_TIME: Its a tough one. I see a lot of thomas, percy, and Edward. But i think the "steam team" while still cool concept i think it hurt the series. Why not have a rotating cast of engines at Tidmouth Sheds per season. It would allow the writers to switch the engines in the shead and we wouldn't need to feel that Tidmouth Sheds = 100% steam team residences. Maybe then when Edward and Henry moved out it wouldn't have felt like such a blow or need explanation.

NWRGresley1942: Thomas and Percy because it would make sense that their work are closer to his branch line. Toby could also sleep at Ffarquhar with them. James because he destroyed the back of the sheds and Sir Topham would’ve strictly moved him out.

the_mega_derp: Move Thomas and Percy to Ffarquhar. It can have the same benefit as Edward moving to Wellsworth, since they’d be living on the line they work on. Whatever happened to them vibing in Ffarquhar sheds back in the day?

Jordan192692: I think Percy and Emily; To run the “new” Kirk Ronan branch-line. Thomas would miss both engines, but he would know it was for the best.

jaymeerkat520: It would be Thomas and Percy. Those characters have just become annoying now.

imnotveryfunny0: My take is Edward and Henry, yes, but don’t stick Nia there. Put her and her bland personality at Vicarstown. Put Rosie there with Rebecca, who knows the others but still has some well deserved fleshing out to be done.

HydesR01: Personally, I’d say Emily and Edward. Emily doesn’t really “click” with the originals, and I think Edward would be better suited at Wellsworth anyway. And in their spots, I’d say Rosie instead of Emily and Stanley in place of Edward.

Glover368: Emily and James, just send James back to his early RWS shed, and Emily can go back to Knapford.

RealMay_C: Emily and Henry, Emily is just a badly written character and Henry is just the stereotypical worrier and I'm really not a fan of that trope.

cgsmodelling: Let me say it loud enough so everyone can hear.... JUST ADD TWO MORE FUCKING BIRTHS. ITS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

SquidTrain2020: Thomas and James can simply fuck off. But instead of Nia, replace James with Rosie and Thomas with Rebecca.

[blueberryrock]

Hey here is chapter five. Enjoy!

(Blue's pov)

It has been one month after me and Yellow have got the news, the first week has been nothing but gems congratulating and telling me how "lucky" I am.

I don't feel very lucky.

"Hey blue" I jolt awake from the sound of some gem saying my name. I lift my head a little to look to my left. All I see tons of books, huh I fell asleep in the library.

The grogginess starts to wear off, I look down to a blue screen at I was working on.

I turn the screen on, the time read a quarter cycle till twenty-seven. I let out a groan.

The gem put their hand on my back, I jolt again. "Blue?" They ask.

"Oh, White, I'm going to be honest, I didn't notice you were here" I yawn.

"Ok let's get you to bed" White says. Before I can comprehend what happened, White pulls my chair out from the desk, I quickly stand up which was a bad idea, almost instantly a wave of exhaustion rolls over me.

"I still have to-" I cut myself off with a yawn "mmmm reports" I finish sleepily.

White only chuckles "no, you are pregnant and I am watching over you, Yellow would be mad if you stay up any later. Although all you were doing was sleeping.." White gently pushes me to the side and scoots in my chair.

I grab the screen that I was working on and I put it in a secret pocket in my dress. "I'm ready to go" I say in defeat "I hate how I have to sleep all the time"

"Sleeping is the best thing you have to do, I've seen what happens with food" she says with a hint of disgust.

"Yeah, it's even worse when it comes up" I sigh as we make our way out of the record vault.

White turns to look at me "It can come up" she says, her stone gray eyes go wide.

"Unfortunately yes" I sigh.

We continue down the hall, past the records vault and the medical wing. Out the big blue doors to another set of big blue doors.

"You know you should really have that panel moved" White grumbles as she gets back up from her knees.

I give her a small smile as the doors that lead into my sleeping chambers open, the warm, familiar, and a hint of lavender-scented air hits us.

I quickly walk to my vanity and I grab one of my hairbrushes. I sit down and I start brushing my hair, I look in the blue teardrop mirror. The doors close as white turns on the light to my room.

I can fully see my face, my skin color has turned back to its normal color so I did my hair, but my bags under my eyes are still dark.

I let out a big yawn and my eyes water, I wipe my eyes and I set my blue hairbrush on the vanity, I push my chair out and stand up. I don't even bother pushing it back in, I slowly walk to my dresser and I pull out a nightgown.

The nightgown isn't very long, it only stops just above my knees. I phase away my dress and bra, not caring that White Diamond is still in the room with me. I put the silky light blue gown on and I head to my bed.

I just flop onto the bed face first, I slowly sink down, White is on the bed and on her side just watching me.

"You ready for bed" she says.

I let out a muffled response.

"Blue, sit up" White orders.

I do as she says "I said yes, after years of pink's tantrums I thought you could understand someone talking into a pillow".

I pull the blankets out from underneath her. "And I don't need you babysitting me" I say as I lay down, I pull the blankets on top of me.

"Babysitting" White mutters under her breath, she shakes her head a little "Yellow told me to watch over you, and so I am, I know how protective she can be over you and in this state I can't blame her".

"Yeah but i-" I get cut off.

"In watching over you, and there is nothing you can do about it" White raises her voice.

"I'm not some little weak organic that needs to be constantly watched." I snap at her.

White shoots me an angry look "I-i'm sorry" I lower my head and quickly apologize.

White gets off the bed, she lets out a sigh "I'll send some topazes to guard your chambers, you should get some rest" White walks to the door and turns off the light, she opens the door and then leaves.

I pull the pillow she was leaning on and I shove it into my face, after a few seconds I sit up and hit myself with it.

I shouldn't have said that but just because I'm...pregnant...I shouldn't have to be watched over. I fling my pillow like a disk, it lands on the carpet.

I fall back onto my pillow, I maneuver on my side to face where Yellow would be. I wish Yellow was, unfortunately, a small rebellion has broken out on one of her old colonies so she is gone for a few rotations.

Yellow was never good at diplomacy, well nether was I, when you're a powerful race that conquers planets, there isn't really a need for it. But I happen to be the best out of the three of us.

Which is why I stayed up so late today, I was sorting through the mess Yellow had made. I let out another big yawn,  I turn onto my back then to my other side so I can face the wall and I pass out.

Dream World

"Blue" someone familiar yells

I quickly snap up from my position, the back of my head hits something hard.

"Ouch" I wince as I rub the spot with my hand, I look at what I hit my head on, it's my throne, I'm sitting in one of my old thrones.

I then look at my dress, it's my old dark blue one strap dress. I take a strand of my hair, it's as dark as the night sky.

The person that yelled my name smacks my hand with their own tiny hands, I turn to look at them.

"Pink!" I exclaim, I grab her and pull her into a hug.

"B-blue...can-n't breathe" she sputters out.

I immediately drop her, she falls on her but and onto my lap. "Sorry" I say "hey wait, we don't need air to breathe".

Pink smiles at me "well you were squeezing me so tight, anyways you promised to take me to your new colony".

"I did?" I ask.

Pink nods very quickly "yeah you said that once the lazulis are done with terraforming you'd take me there, well it's been a year and they're done" pink says excitedly.

I smile at her, then it dawns on me, was it today...I quickly put pink down on the ground and pull up a screen and I look at the date.

No....no no no... Today was the day that Pink got "shattered" or turned into Rose Quartz.

I stand up almost stepping on Pink, she starts running to the door, she hits the panel and calls for me "come on Blue" she says.

She runs out of the room."Pink" I say as I run to the door, once I get to the door a blood-chilling scream rips through the quiet room.

I frantically try to open the door, but I accidentally hit the panel to hard and it breaks. "Pink" I start sobbing.

I eventually I break down the door with my own hands, I pry open the door and I step outside.

The soft wind blows from the left, I see pink's palanquin in front of me. I start walking towards it sobbing "pink, no pink" I cry harder.

My foot hits something hard, I look down to find not only Pink's shards but White's shards and Yellow's shard.

I drop to my knees, I pick up their shards and I hug them tightly to my gem. "NO" I scream to no one. Tears are pouring from my eyes, but my aura isn't loose.

I hear faint footsteps in front of me, I look up, through my blurry vision I all I see is a pink and white figure. As the figure comes closer I try to stand up, and I'm still cradling the gem shards in my hands, I wipe the tears in my eyes to see a Rose Quartz. No...the Rose Quartz.

"Y-you" is all I say before she tackles me to the ground. The gem shards go flying, and they hit the ground and shatter into even more pieces.

I scream in terror.

She holds her long, pink, blood-covered blade above my gem, "don't worry, you'll join them" she thrusts her blade deep into my gem and through my back and pins me into the ground.

"Noooo" I scream as I quickly sit up. Tears roll down my cheeks, I move some of my still light hair to check my gem for anything, a few tears drop onto my skin and my gem.

I sigh as I see no cracks or any other sign of damage, tears are still rolling down my cheeks. I feel my stomach churn from the stress of my dream, I look up at the sound of my doors opening.

Two topazes run into my room. "Are you *sniff* okay my diamond?" she asks as tears roll down her own eyes.

"W-we heard *sniff* screa-aming" the second one says.

I look around my room to see blue light has consumed everything "i-im fine" I quickly wipe my eyes and pull my aura in "sorry about that, it was just a bad dream"

"Okay, but if you need anything we'll get it for you" the other topaz says, I nod as they exit the room and close the door.

I wipe my entire wet face with my arm, my stomach is still killing me, I fall back down onto my pillow. I clutch my belly with my hand while the other one wonders where Yellow would be.

Stars, I wish she was here, usually when I'd get a nightmare she would sing me to sleep while she'd hold me. Maybe I should try to talk to her, I could send her a message, but I want to see her face.

I sit back up and summon another blue screen, I squint from the brightness but I turn that all the way down, I glide my fingers across the screen trying to call her.

Once the screen starts buzzing, I wait for her to pick up. "Come on, come on, the rebels shouldn't be giving you so much trouble" I tap my finger on my uncovered thigh "well I shouldn't underestimate any rebellion, no matter the size"

I let it buzz for a few more seconds before I hang up "she going to pay for that" I grumble.

"Maybe I shou- no she is probably still mad, maybe I should talk to Steven. No, he's probably asleep or busy" I mumble to myself out loud.

I sigh, looks like I'm not getting to sleep any time soon. Well it's not like a night of no sleep poofed anyone, I exit out of what I was doing on the screen, I decide to contact the chef gems to bring me a green apple and a cup of water.

I switch the screen once more to all the work I didn't do, I read over reports that gems have sent and files about the rebellion. I have some messages from the leaders of the rebellion, but I'm going to read those later.

After a quarter of a cycle, my door chime startles me. I rapidly stand up and I quickly make my nightgown reach all the way down just below my knees. I dismiss my screen and I walk to the door.

I hit the panel as quickly as I can, the doors open with a SWISH as two topazes walk in with my green apple and a cup of water.

"Here I can take them" I say, I try to bend down a little to grab the green apple and the water "thank you" I say as the walk out of the room.

I close the door behind them with my foot, I take a big bite of my apple as I walk back to my bed. I put the large cup of water on the nightstand and I get back in my original position.

I pull up my screen again to get more work done, but the screen flashes Yellow and I nearly choke on my apple.

I pull up the message from Yellow diamond, my heart flutters as I see her face. I push the play button and turn up the sound.

"Blue, why aren't you in bed? I told White to put you to sleep by 18:00" Yellow sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose

I roll my eyes when she mentions the bedtime, I take another big bite of my apple.

"Unless you had a nightmare and woke up, if its that then I'm sorry, I'll be there in a few rotations. Just remember to relax, eat well, drink lots of water, and don't put on any extra stress it's not good for you or the gemlings" she smiles.

I am reminded of what's inside of me as I put my hand on my baby bump.

"Yellow diamond" a gem that is off-screen says out of breath. "What is it Obsidian" Yellow sounds annoyed

"The rebels are closing in, we need you out there" the Obsidian says. A huge BOOM rattles the building that Yellow is in.

Fear starts to seep into me, and anxiety starts to build at the bottom of my stomach.

Yellow turns her head to face the screen, she sighs "looks like I've got to go, if you and White could look over the files for me, that would be lovely. So good night my love" her hand reaches out to turn off the recording.

"Bye" I say to no one. I finish the rest of my apple and I toss it in the bin by my bed.

I let out a mixture of a yawn and a groan. I pull up the time to see that a cycle has passed since I last checked, I let out another groan. I run my fingers through my hair knotted hair.

Should I try to sleep? Maybe I should let my stomach settle? I should drink my water...I pull my hand free from my tangled hair, I turn to grab the glass of water but the cup slips through my fingers.

I'm able to hold the water in the air but glass shatters on the hard floor. "Ah fuck" I say. I use the water from the cup to pick up the glass, I dump the shards into the trash.

I move the blob of water around, I let my hand drop and I try to keep the water in the air. But it's making me tired, so I quickly try to stuff it in my entire mouth and swallow it.

I fall back onto my pillow, I pull the thick blankets on top of me, my stomach makes a low grumbling noise but it's not from hunger.

I groan and I turn my entire body again, to face where Yellow would sleep. I hope she's okay, it sounded like the rebels were bombing the building, we'll maybe they were just trying to break down the wall?

No. They'd never do that, they would try to blow up the building with her in it. What if they do blow up the building and poof her? Or worse....shatter her...

Hot tears form in my eyes at the thought of losing her, I can feel the apple creeping back up to my mouth. I try to keep it down but it's not working, I tear the blankets off of my and I sprint to the "bathroom".

I almost break the panel trying to hastily open the doors, once their open I bolt straight for the "toilet".

I almost trip on the rug that I put in there, I quickly lift the lid and not a moment too soon, I unload everything that was in my stomach.

After a few minutes of clearing almost everything inside me, I get up from my position and I wipe my mouth. I walk over to the light blue sink and I wash my hands and I scoop up some of the water and put it in my mouth, I swish it around then spit it back out.

I dry my hands and sit down on the plush navy blue rug, I wrap my arms around my knees and I start crying.

Why...why am I like this...even after finding Pink/Steven I'm still after and weak, that's all I do, that's all I'm good for. That's why I need someone to take care of me. Cause I can't take care of myself, I can barely even drink water let alone eat, im utterly useless.

I comb my hand through my hair again, but when my finger gets caught on a knot, I just rip it out from my scalp.

Something moves around inside me, I ignore the pain from my head and I unwrap my arms and I let my legs touch the carpet. I carefully lift my baby blue nightgown all the way up to my belly, I drag a finger across my baby bump.

I then drag my nail horizontally across,  the slower I go the harder I push my nail into me. I make sure not to break the skin but hard enough to leave a mark. I let out a small yawn.

I wipe my eyes and I pull my nightgown back down to my thighs, I carefully move to the " toilet" and I put my hand on it and I slowly push myself up.

I groan when I get to my feet, I slowly drag my feet across the rug, not even bothering to pick up my feet, I shiver when cold blue tile floor.

I move slowly towards the "sink", I place a hand on the sink and I lean on it for support. I let out a big yawn and shiver.

One of the gemlimgs starts moving. I let out a groan. "I get it, you three are tired, I'm tired too". I let out another big yawn "I-if it wasn't for you three, I wouldn't need to sleep, or eat, or drink. Hell, I wouldn't even do what I just did" I yell at my baby bump.

They answer that with a few more movements. I carefully make it past the sink and to the door, I slam my fist on the panel and the door opens.

I slowly wobble my way to the bed, I pull the blankets back and I lay on the cold plush mattress, I wrap the entire blanket around me to make a cocoon.

I clutch my baby bump with both arms, I let out an exhausted sigh as I finally get comfortable. It takes me a few minutes to fade into darkness and fall asleep, but I do it without annoying thoughts.

"G-good night yellow" I mutter to no one.

If anyone is curious, this is the longest chapter I've ever written, it Is a little over 3000 words! But see y'all next Saturday! Adios.

(I forgot the tags)

[rwbyremnants]

Glad you guys are liking this so far! Special thanks to Tom G. for the beta work!

=Chapter 2

The next day, Weiss braced herself as she walked past locker 134. But this time, nothing happened. The Dragons all looked at her, and Yang’s expression held a strange mixture of emotions. The others looked a little smug. Still, none of them said a word. The looks on their faces haunted her so badly that she barely noticed what she was doing, stumbling through her day.

“What’s the matter with you?”

Glancing up, she flashed a wan smile over at her friend. “Oh… nothing, Pyrrha; it’s fine. I just feel a little weird.”

“Weird in what way?” Studious as always, Pyrrha Nikos had already taken her notes from the board and was now happy to focus on her friend. What a sweet soul. There was a reason the two had been thick as thieves for so much of their lives.

“Well… I’ll tell you at lunch.”

So she did. It was hard to get through the rest of class, but she managed, completing her notes even if it took her twice as much effort to concentrate as usual. Then, once they had gained the relative quiet of the cafeteria, she unloaded all her woes onto her friend.

“She kissed you?!”

Face beet red as she tried to focus on her tray of underwhelming school food, Weiss whispered, “Keep your voice down! And… yes.”

“But that’s…” Glancing very briefly over at the table on the other side of the room, where the Dragons were holding court, the red-haired amazon whispered, “You’re both women!”

“Really, Pyrrha? Am I a woman? What gave that away?”

Frowning, Pyrrha looked back down to her tray. “I’m sorry. But I’m not sure what else to say.” After a pause, she added, “Did you like it?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Really?!” At least she was keeping her voice down now. “Weiss, I thought you were going to tell me that it was disgusting, a-and that you wanted my help reporting her to the authorities!”

“Reporting her for what? Feeding me a cheeseburger and giving me a kiss?”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

The prissy platinum blonde deflated, all fire and vinegar leaving her. “It was nice. But it was also disgusting. Sorry I can’t describe it any better than that, because I really don’t have any other frame of reference. I’ve never been kissed by anyone before.”

“I’ve never been kissed by anyone still.” Scratching the back of her neck, she reached for her milk carton with her other hand. “But it really wasn’t bad? Kissing a woman? I mean, you said ‘disgusting’ but you also said ‘nice’, which sounds like… it wasn’t the worst thing you’ve ever experienced.”

“It wasn’t.” The two simple words took a lot more effort to get out than they should have.

“Wow…”

“H-hey, you know that I’m telling you this in confidence, right? Don’t go blabbing it around the whole school.”

Looking quite offended, Pyrrha urgently hissed, “I would never! You’re my best friend! Even if I don’t really know how to feel about… well, about this, that doesn’t mean I could-”

They were both interrupted by someone bumping into Weiss’s back as she walked past. It was one of the Dragons - a dark-skinned girl with vibrant green hair. She didn’t even glance back at them, but merely kept walking toward her comrades.

“Rude,” Weiss grumbled.

“Hey, what’s this?” Pyrrha asked as she bent to the floor. When she straightened back up, she had a folded sheet of notebook paper between her strong-but-dainty fingers.

“I don’t know, what is it?”

“She dropped it. Emerald, I mean.”

“That’s her name? Emerald?” But they were both too curious about the note to focus on the identity of the one who dropped it. There weren’t many words to read:

‘Princess. Same place same time. Or not.’

Weiss was reading it through again when Pyrrha whispered, “What does it mean? Do you think she… dropped it by you on purpose?”

“I don't know.” Sliding it into one of her books, she added, “But I suppose I'm going to find out.”

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

Weiss shivered in the slight breeze as she waited in the school parking lot. The weather wasn't turning to Autumn chill quite yet, but Summer was definitely over. Besides, her cheerleader skirt let more air in than it could have; she should start wearing tights underneath soon.

“There she is. Right on schedule.”

That wasn't Yang’s voice.

After a second of hesitation, she turned to see three of the Dragons bearing down on her. They were all wearing the standard black leather jackets, elegant art of an Asian-style dragon on the backs, but their outfits varied beyond that. Emerald was wearing jeans, a low-cut top that matched her hair and baby doll pumps. The Italian-looking girl had leather pants and a white tank top on, black boots that more suited the jacket. And the third…

Weiss found herself getting lost in the smoldering eyes. They were somehow hypnotic. Her simple red dress flared out around her knees, and the trim tapering legs disappeared into matching strappy heels - the open toes were a tiny bit scandalous in their conservative little town. In some ways, she looked far too delicate to be a Dragon… except for her fiery gaze was more fierce than even that of Yang herself.

“The Dragon sends her regards,” she purred in a silky voice.

“So the Dragon can't come see me herself? That's nice. I can tell she really cares about me when she sends her flunkies.”

The Italian girl scowled before snapping, “Hey, watch it, Pep Rally Princess. Yang can't always be available; she has responsibilities.”

“Then what was the point of this?”

“To test your interest level,” the fiery girl susurrated. Her hand reached out and nipped a strand of hair behind Weiss’s ear, prompting her to shiver before taking a step backward. “Heh… nervous little thing.”

Folding her arms over her chest, Weiss grumbled, “Thought you were supposed to back off if I let her try charming me once. That was the deal.”

“Have we bothered you all day?” Emerald insisted. “No. This is just checking in. And like Cinder said, we want to know if you would be open to more fun with Yang or not. But you showed up, so you must not be too mad about last night.”

“I'm not a homosexual.” When they all giggled, she snapped, “What? Why is that funny?!”

“So many girls have said that,” the one called Cinder laughed easily.

“Said that to Yang?”

Emerald offered with a little smirk, “To all of us.”

“Oh.” She took another little step backward, a hand raising to ward off sudden advances. “You're all lesbians? Like a… a group of delinquent deviants?”

The Dragons laughed. And instantly, it was back to the way things were before; an entire gang of girls laughing, making fun of her. Looking down on her as some kind of simpleton, a pleb who didn't understand the world as intimately as they did. Weiss wanted to disappear.

But then Cinder cackled, “I like the alliteration. And it's close enough to true that it might as well be.”

Maybe this time they weren't laughing at her. It helped relieve some of her fear, her shame. And her curiosity could take center stage again. “Really? You all… kiss women?” A nod from all three. “Why don't you just kiss each other, then?”

“Some of us have,” Emerald admitted - and she saw one of Cinder’s eyelids twitch, and the Italian girl’s hands went into her jacket pockets. “But mostly, we don't date inside the Dragons. We're all like sisters to each other, so it would be weird.”

“Oh. Well… I guess that makes sense. As much as any of this does.”

“And not all of us date only women. Coco is going steady with that boy Fox, even though she keeps Velvet on a short leash, too.”

Weiss looked over at the Italian girl, who shook her head with a slight smile. “No, I'm Blake. And I'm all about pussy.”

“You really are,” Cinder muttered, and the other two laughed.

The word “pussy” was still making Weiss blush, but she found her voice again. “O-okay, so… so you all like girls, and you all like me? Or what? I'm not really… sure why you…”

The three had turned to stare at her, and she was stuck by how intense their gazes could be when they let the full brunt of them fall on a single target.

“Someone thinks she's real cool cat,” Emerald snorted.

“Well, she is,” Cinder said in that low, silky tone of hers as she began to pace around Weiss, the latter turning to keep her in sight. “Those sweet cheeks, long, skinny legs… and it's so cold today. Really committed to showing her school spirit.” Her fingers flipped the very edge of Weiss’s skirt to illustrate.

“H-hey, it's not that cold! And I could say the same about you, with that dress!” When Cinder took a step toward her, she stepped back. “What are you doing?!”

“Testing.”

“Well, I have had enough tests for one lifeti-”

Her heart leapt into her throat in a way it hadn't done yet when she felt not one, but two bodies connecting with her back. A hand apiece from Blake and Emerald fell to her arms, not quite gripping tight but still boxing her in as Cinder stepped forward, completely taking over her field of vision.

“Smells good,” Blake observed, voice low and intimate in a way that sent shivers up Weiss's spine. “Jasmine?”

Terrified, Weiss whispered, “M… me?”

“I agree; it's jasmine.” Cinder sounded completely at ease, which only made Weiss feel less so. Her hand came up to pet along the side of her neck. “Soft skin. Really takes good care of herself.”

“W-wait, I'm… what are you doing to me?” No answer. The three petting hands were joined by two more in the small of her back, and she clamped her eyes shut. “What… are you going to… do?”

Lips next to her ear told her in a whisper, “Whatever you want.” She couldn't even tell who they belonged to.

“Please… I…”

Something she would never have predicted in all her life happened. She realised that beneath her fear, and how little she wanted those three to be pressing in on her from all sides… it was also the most exciting thing that had ever happened in her short, sheltered life. Her hands came up to slap Cinder, or push her away, and only wound up resting on her shoulders.

“Golly gee,” came a husky voice from her left side. Probably Blake, if they hadn't changed positions. “I think… she's into it.”

“Naturally.” Weiss finally opened her eyes, only to see the burning embers staring back as Cinder whispered, “I think this has been a very successful test. Don't you?”

Weiss swallowed. After a moment, she managed to breathe, “I… I d-don't… please stop, I’m-” Instantly, they all backed off. “Huh?”

“Now I'm more worried about Yang being with you than you being with Yang,” Blake laughed. Of the three of them, she was the only one who looked a little flustered.

“You stopped.”

“Mmm, we did,” Cinder said with a smug smirk. “The word ‘stop’ was pretty clear. Besides, our goal wasn't to start a foursome in the middle of the parking lot. Just to see if you were… open to courting one of us, or if our fearless leader would be wasting her time.”

Emerald patted her arm, and it was a lot more platonic. “Looks like you're our kinda girl, Schnee.”

“No,” she breathed. But she sounded less than sure. Yang's kiss returned to the forefront of her mind, and her already-flushed face turned darker.

“It's alright,” Blake offered gently. That was enough to make her feel a little flare of affection for her, simply because it was the kindest thing any of them had said since this sapphic gauntlet began. “None of us are going to judge you, obviously.”

Cinder let out a harsh little laugh. “Pampering the new blood? No. Let her figure it out on her own like we had to. It will make her stronger.”

“I'm not joining your little social club,” Weiss said defiantly. Though her voice shook, at least she did it.

“Listen to this rich girl. What a-”

“That's alright,” Blake cut her off. “Take your time. Girls?”

At Blake's prompt, Cinder and Emerald began to walk away with her toward their bikes. It was only Blake who looked back, though her expression was unreadable. The entire encounter had left the pampered princess shaken and her legs buckled, sending her down to the pavement. There she remained, trembling and completely useless, until Pyrrha arrived.

“You alright?” she asked gently, reaching down a hand to help her up as her green eyes stared down in concern.

“Just… take me home, please?”

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

It took twice as long for her to finish her homework that night. Pyrrha stayed with her, and listened when she needed to vent about what was going on with the Dragons. After a while, the subject became the prime focus.

“So do you think they might be right? That you're… like they are?”

“Of course not!” Weiss burst out, flopping onto her back on her canopy bed. “I like boys! Sun, that football player? O-or… um, I don't know, um…”

The taller girl shrugged, penciling in another answer. “You don't have to prove anything to me, Weiss. But it doesn't sound like you wanted them to stop.”

“Like I…” Blinking, she turned toward her more fully. “What do you mean? I was terrified!”

“No, of course! I'm sorry, I didn't mean that you wanted them to keep going, either - or that they should have done that! Still… the way you talk about it doesn't make it seem as if the event itself was bad. Only that you didn't trust the people doing it, so you weren't comfortable with it going further. That's all I'm trying to say.”

Her cheeks were already darkening. “So I would have been alright with it if it was Yang, is that what you're trying to say?”

“I don't know! I've never had to think about girls going with girls before!” Sighing, she reached over to pat Weiss's wrist. “Please know that if you tell me you're not interested, then I believe you. But if you're asking how this sounds to me…”

“Oh…” She sighed, putting her hand over Pyrrha's. They shared a tentative smile. “You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just really on edge. Let's get back to work.”

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

Late that night, a sharp sound startled Weiss awake. When she went to her window to see the source, she was just in time to watch a rock ricochet off the glass. Staring down at the ground a floor below, she was able to make out the dim figure of Yang Xiao Long.

“What are you doing?!” she mouthed after opening the window. All Yang did was motion for her to come outside. “No! It’s almost midnight!”

“Come on!” Yang mouthed, glancing around nervously.

“How?!” Her hands swept wide to the roof. There was no way for her to get outside without going through the entire house. Yang pointed to the corner; there was a trellis lining one side of the porch. “Oh…”

“Hurry!”

Cursing her own stupidity, Weiss put on her heeled slippers with white rabbit fur pom poms and cautiously climbed out the window onto the thin lip of roof that stretched over the porch, knowing she was about to fall and break her neck. The one time she glanced over, she saw Yang was a lot closer now, standing just below where Weiss was crouching. Ready to catch her if need be. A little at a time, she made her way over to the trellis until she could safely climb down.

“There,” Yang whispered now that they could hear each other properly, cradling her in her arms like a lifeguard with a drowning victim.

“Put me down!” Yang did, though she looked regretful. “Thank you.”

“Great. C'mon, let’s take a walk.”

Once they were down the block and away from her home, Weiss demanded, “Alright, what is so important it couldn’t wait until tomorrow? My father would blow his stack if he found out I was sneaking out in the middle of the night like this!”

“Blake told me what happened.”

Gulping, she felt her shoulders go stiff. “And?”

“And… I wanted you to know, I had nothing to do with that. Like, I was gonna give you a few days to figure out how you felt. They weren’t supposed to rush you.”

“Oh.” The tension didn’t leave, but her ire began to wane. This wasn't what she had been expecting at all. “I suppose I believe you. They never said you asked them to do it, and I didn’t see you looking at me after they dropped the note.”

“Note?”

As they walked, Weiss recounted her side of the story on the after-school encounter. Yang mostly just listened, hands stuffed in the pockets of her leather jacket and expression impassive. They had reached a cul-de-sac when the tale finished up.

“You could have punched Cinder in the tit. She talks a big game, but she’s really only dangerous if she’s got a knife in her hands. Or fire; she’s a terrible firebug. Otherwise, you could probably take her if you needed to.”

“But could I have taken all three of them? When I’ve never so much as thrown a punch before?”

Yang snorted. “Fair point.”

“They really thought I wanted to… I don’t know, date all of them at once? But that’s crazy!”

“You were into it, though.” Before Weiss could protest, she held up a hand. “It was new. You liked the attention, and it felt real neat and exciting with them being so close, even if you were scared and might not have really wanted it if you had the chance to think.”

The accuracy of her assessment stunned the prissy girl. “Yeah. That’s… that’s it exactly.”

“I get it. And they’re all really hot.”

“That’s less pertinent,” she sighed.

“Really? Which one isn’t hot?”

“None of them! To me! I mean, I like boys!”

“Do you?” she pressed, reaching over to take up Weiss’s hand and swing it idly between them. Weiss didn’t pull it away. “You can like both, you know. Like Coco.”

In a small voice, Weiss whispered, “But I don’t. Before now, I’ve never really thought enough about dating anybody at all. Boy, girl, wooly mammoth… nobody. Even if I do think Elvis is dreamy.” Yang laughed. “Stop making fun of me all the time!”

“Wooly mammoth,” she chortled, and Weiss finally cracked a reluctant smile. “Good one.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

“But seriously, I meant it when I said I would back off if you weren’t interested. But I didn’t want you thinking they were shaking you down for answers for my sake. They were being overprotective all on their own.”

“Protecting you against me? That makes no sense. You’re so…”

One of Yang’s eyebrows went up, but Weiss didn’t finish and she didn’t force the issue. “Even Dragons are human. Well, these Dragons are.” Sighing, she looked up at the sky as they paced down the sidewalk. “Lot of crap in my past I’m not proud of. Pain. I broke some hearts. A couple girls broke mine. Whatever. But they know that when I go all-in on a girl, I go all-in. No beating around the bush.”

“And… they don’t want to see you get hurt again?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow,” Weiss breathed. “I didn’t expect you to admit you get hurt.”

“I get hurt all the time. Of course, my response is usually to hurt back.” Her grin was lopsided, and for some reason it made Weiss’s heart skip over a beat. “But hey, sex is just sex. If you did decide to try a little fun with all three of them, I wouldn’t care.”

Now her heart was just stopping dead entirely. It took a few seconds for her to resume normal breathing and hiss, “YANG! That is so inappropriate! I w-wouldn’t- that isn’t how I-”

“Whatever. I’m not here to pass judgment. ‘Let whoever is without sin cast the first stone’ and all. You wanna chase another girl? Have at it. I got no room to talk.”

Weiss’s face was still hot enough to fry an egg on it, but she was too startled by the quote not to respond. “You know the Bible? You?”

Taking offense, Yang straightened a little more. “Yeah, me. My stepmom used to take us to Sunday School all the time. But that was before…”

The particular flavour of silence Yang lapsed into somehow told Weiss she shouldn’t push that topic. So she didn’t. Instead, she squeezed Yang’s hand a little as they walked. In that moment, they both seemed to notice they were still holding hands and let go, walking a little further apart.

“Okay, here’s your stop.”

“Right.” Glancing at her house, she looked back toward Yang. “Um… I feel like I should thank you, but I’m not sure why.”

“Then don’t,” she snorted.

“Oh wait - thank you for telling me you didn’t ask them to flirt with me so much. It really… I mean, you might want to think about whose company you keep, but at least it helps me feel less, um, like prey.”

“You’re still prey. I’m just a sporting hunter.”

Weiss’s stomach dropped away as Yang put her hands on her waist. She thought for sure something was going to happen - but instead, she merely lifted her up to the trellis so she could climb to her bedroom. Every time she felt those hands on her body, she lost her breath and her power of rational thought. It was intimidating and frightening and exhilarating all at once.

She had only gone halfway up when she lost one of her slippers. Yang picked it up and hissed, “You want this now?”

“Wait until I get up there!” she whispered, climbing the rest of the way. Then she turned to catch the slipper…

Only to see Yang pacing away. As loud as she could muster without worrying about waking anyone up, she hissed, “Wait! That’s mine!”

“I’ll keep this as a souvenir, Cinderella,” she hissed back at her, twirling it around in her hand and winking at its owner. “Maybe you can be my queen someday.”

Then Weiss was alone, standing next to her open window with only one slipper and trying to figure out why her life had taken so many incredible turns.

[imaginedilestrade]

Valentine's.

"What are those?" You raised a brow at the flowers on your desk.

"Those are flowers...the things with petals and they small nice, you sometimes find them in a garden..." Anderson sarcastically muttered.

You rolled your eyes and bopped him on the head with a file you had in your hand "I know what flowers are smart arse! What are they doing on my desk? Did someone leave them for Sally?"

Anderson shook his head "Nope...they're yours from a secret admirer..." he wiggles his brows.

You narrowed your eyes "It better not be you winding me up!"

"It's really not!" He defended "I don't know who left them, they were on your desk this morning when I came in." You looked back and forth from Anderson to be beautiful bunch of flowers whilst you removed your jacket and hung it over your chair. You moved them to a spot on the floor beside the desk. "It's strange...sunflowers aren't usually associated with Valentine's," Anderson uttered as he tapped away on his keyboard.

You looked down at the flowers, baffled, yet the corners of your mouth were tugging upwards "They're my favourite.. you quietly admitted before your eyebrows knitted together "But I've never told anyone they're my favourite, so how does this person know?"

Anderson simply shrugged "Maybe you did tell someone and they've either a) blabbed or b) it could be the person you've told..." Anderson wiggled his brows and you glared at him through your eyelashes.

"It doesn't matter, just someone being nice. I don't do Valentine's anyway..." you began to type up a report and Anderson sniggered in his seat "What?" You narrowed an eye.

"You don't do Valentine's because in all the years I've known you, you've never had one! Come on Y/N, do you have any plans for tonight?"

You sighed as you typed, not taking your eyes away from the computer screen "Well apart from me taking a long romantic stroll up the wine aisle and then the aisle with all the chocolate at the supermarket...no."

You could hear Anderson half groan half laugh "Why don't you put those police skills to use and figure out who your admirer is?" You glanced down to the sunflowers again and pondered over Anderson's comment.

"No."

Anderson blinked at your deadpanned reply before letting out a dramatic sigh. He sighed again, even louder and then again, trying to capture your attention.

"I'm trying to focus..." you warned him with a deadly look "I don't have the time to find this person!"

"There's always time lurveeeeeeeeeeee!" He teased and you flung a pen at him, he caught it with a loud clap "I want to know who it is too!"

"I'm going for lunch..." you uttered and saved the file on the computer before shutting it down. You grabbed the rest of your things and looked down at the sunflowers again...not knowing who left them was slowly starting to eat away at you. "I'm going to drop in and see Sherlock and John before getting my usual at Speedy's for lunch. Do you want anything?"

"I want to know who your admirer is!" He stood up and practically shouted it across the office. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the pair of you.

Your face burned from blushing so much "You are so lucky I don't have my gun on me right now because I'd use it on you..." you gritted your teeth at Anderson who sheepishly smiled. You grabbed your things and left.

"Hey," you walked into the flat and found Sherlock perched on his chair and on his phone texting away "Where's John?" You noticed the doctor's absence.

"Picking Rosie up from nursery...why are you here?" He muttered and you rolled your eyes, plopping yourself down on John's chair.

"Well it's nice to see you too! You know I pop in every afternoon before I go to lunch to see my favourite cousin!"

He looked up to you with a smirk "I'm your favourite?"

You gruntled "Don't tell Myc." Glancing around the living room you noticed a stack of unsolved cases building up on the fireplace "You taking a break?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes and stood up, making his way over to the stack of letters and papers and ran a finger through them all "I'm waiting until your finished with your current case. You know I only like working with you. Although I don't know why you work at Scotland Yard, you could do so much better."

"I enjoy it," you craned your neck to look at him "Plus I get flowers..." you added, smiling to yourself. It quickly disappeared when Sherlock caught you and raised a brow.

Before he could open his mouth to interrogate you, someone entered the living room with a tray carrying a teapot, cups, milk, sugar and biscuits "Ooh oh! Only me! Y/N!" Mrs Hudson cooed "Its so lovely to see you, tea?"

"No thank you, Mrs Hudson. I'm just popping down to the cafe to have some lunch. My break doesn't last forever!" You laughed and stood up.

"You've just missed G-" Mrs Hudson but herself off when she spotted Sherlock sending her a conspicuous glare, one that you didn't notice. She cleared her throat before continuing "-John!" She almost yelled out his name "Yes he's just away not that long ago."

"Right..." you politely smiled "Well I have to be off, see you both later!"

"Have a wonderful Valentine's Day Y/N!" Mrs Hudson grinned just as you headed towards the door. You tightly shut your eyes before groaning out a strained 'Thanks'. She giggled to herself "Oh Frank and I had wild Valentine's days...he'd do this thing where he was-"

You quickly cut her off "-Got to go!" You sent a single wave to the both of them, Sherlock was starting to grimace on his seat as Mrs Hudson continued.

You stepped into Speedy's and were instantly hit with the smell of coffee. The cafe was covered with bright red hearts and filled with couples holding hands and lovingly gazing at one another.

You made your way to the counter and just as you were about to place your order the waitress held her hand up with a smile "It's already taken care of, just take a seat."

You raised a brow "W-what do you mean?" You asked as she came around from behind the bar and took you to a table that had a single sunflower on it and a little package wrapped in brown paper and tied with red string with a heart gift tag attached to it "What is this?" You breathed out, too flabbergasted to speak more than three words.

"Courtesy of your admirer," the waitress coyly smiled "I'll be right back with your lunch." She walked away and left you more confused than ever. You slowly sat down in the chair and read the tag on the package 'Open this book and you will find, the reason why you have made me lost my mind.' You let out a small laugh and tore the paper off a journal of some sort. You looked at the plain cover with a furrowed brow before you opened it inside. You gasped to yourself finding the pages bursting with little drawings, hearts, poems and a list on the second page with the title 'Reasons why I can't get you out of my mind'. With each word you read your smile grew;

'•Your smile.

•Your laugh.

•The days you smell of strawberries because you've brought those flavour of sweets into the office.

•The days when you're proud of yourself for closing a case (I'm proud of you too.)'

You felt your heart flutter, you shut the book over with a soft thud as the waitress came with your lunch. "Can you tell me who it was who left this?"

She sadly smiled "They told me to keep it a secret, I'm sorry." She walked off and you let out a sigh, brushing your fingers over the cover as you tried to deduce who it was.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but Anderson," his head popped up from behind his computer screen and he turned the radio he was listening to down a little. You let out a defeated sigh "I need your help finding out who my admirer is."

"Yes!" He ecstatically stood up and swivelled his chair around to sit next to you. He soon got into detective mode "They left you that too?" He pointed to the book and you handed it over to him, even if it felt like handing him a piece of your soul. "It's interesting that they've typed everything and then glued the bits of paper in so you can't figure who it is by their handwriting..." he thought aloud "Have you made a list?"

"Not yet," you uttered before grabbing some paper and a pen "Okay, we'll start with this floor...let me see....there's Jackson, Daniels, Williamson, Samuels, Anderson," you playfully glared at him beside you before he tutted, took the pen and scribbled his name out. "Uhh...there's Hunter and Peters too-"

"Don't forget Lestrade," Anderson interjected.

You looked up and furrowed a brow at Anderson "Do you really think so?" You asked in a hushed tone.

"Why not?" He shrugged. Your eyes flickered up to Greg and you gulped before writing down his surname and a trembling hand. "Why are you so shaky?" Anderson asked and you shook your head. It hit him and he smiled widely "You like him don't you?"

"Shut up."

"Do you want it to be him who's done all this?"

"I don't know! Maybe?" Anderson sent you a knowing look and you let out a groan "Alright yes! Yes I like Greg and yes I want him to be the one who's responsible for this, but what if it's not?" Anderson blinked once and then twice, realising that you had a point.

The pair of you peered over your computer monitor and looked at Greg who was on the phone in his office. He looked over and saw the two of you staring, you and Anderson quickly sat back down again looked at each other. The radio was still playing in the background, the host was playing Valentine's requests.

"This next one is for Y/N Y/L/N!" The radio cackled and you looked at Anderson in shock, although he was as equally as shocked. "Apparently this is the only love song she likes..." he laughed "'It must be love' by Madness."

You turned to Anderson and a smile slowly formed on your face "It's true..." you whispered to Anderson "It's the only one I like. But again, I've never told anyone. How do they know?"

"I can ask about, see if anyone knows anything?" You nodded and he dashed away. You reached over to turn up the radio a little before sitting back down in your seat and smiling to yourself.

The rest of the day dragged in, you barely saw Anderson as he was busy trying to get to the bottom of who was your admirer.

"It's alright," you assured with a disappointed smile "Thanks for the help though." You gave him a quick hug before putting on your jacket and flinging your bag over your shoulder.

"No problem, I hope you find out. Have a nice night, Y/N."

"You too!" You picked up your flowers and left.

On the way back home, you stopped off at the small shops at your house to pick up some shopping. A worker smirked seeing you with the biggest bunch of sunflowers in the world in your arms.

"Someone was lucky!" They winked and nodded towards the flowers.

You smiled "If only I knew who they were from!" Making your way down an aisle, you reached your hand out to grab a pizza for yourself when you froze seeing a note on top of the box of your usual choice. 'Dinner's ready, Y/N. You better hurry home.'

You ran as fast as you could out of the shop and down he street to your flat. A light was on and you look in a deep breath before rushing into the stairwell and practically leaping up the stairs.

You stood outside your door for a moment, a million thoughts running though your head, nerves creating a knot in your stomach, trembling fingers...you had to compose yourself.

Lightly pushing on your door, it opened and you felt tears welling in your eyes seeing your flat beautifully decorated with flowers, candles, hearts cut out of red paper and a trail of rose petals leading to your living room. You placed down your bag and flowers on the long table by your door and then took off your coat. You walked though to the living room slowly and felt the air leave your lungs within less than a second.

"Greg?"

The Di bashfully smiled and guiltily held his hands up. You reached your hand out as you walked towards him, relieved when it pressed against his chest and knowing that he was there and he was real.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Y/N."

You let out a watery laugh and wiped away a stray tear with the back of your hand. You leaped into his arms and he spun you in a circle "I can't believe you did all this for me."

"Why wouldn't I?" You both pulled back at the same time but were drawn together again like a pair of magnets, your lips crashing together. You finally thanked your admirer for all the wonderful little gifts he had gave you throughout the day.

You pulled back, both of you smiling so wide that your cheeks ached "How did you know? How did you know everything? The flowers, the song...how did you know all of that?"

Three weeks earlier...

"And you're sure? 100% sure?" Greg asked as he took down notes.

"I'm positive...I know that her favourite flowers are sunflowers, she always goes to Speedy's for lunch. Always. I also know that 'It must be love' by Madness is the only love song on the planet she likes. I've heard her bang on about it so much that it once almost made my ears bleed and I know that every Wednesday after work she goes to the shop beside her house to pick up dinner which is always cheese pizza."

Greg nodded and scribbled down everything "Okay. Thanks Sherlock."

Greg looked off into the distance before looking down at you again, innocently ignoring your questions with a smile before pecking your lips "Dinner's getting cold!"

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

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope you've all had a lovely day 😁❤️

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[daily-dose-of-naruto]

This is more of a personal request since I'm struggling really hard at the moment. Can I have a scenario of Sasuke finding out his S/O is recovering from an eating disorder? ( preferably anorexia, with some purging ) if not its okay. If you dont want it on your blog but are comfortable writing this could you send it to me? Thank you ;w;

Now, everybody, you are going to witness one of the long, long, long reflexions Admin Night writes.

This request was sent when the ask box is closed. However, I contacted Admin Shadow and asked her if I could do it. Usually, we tend to forget laws are made to protect us, and that means that, sometimes, the right thing to do is to bend the rules. I know this feels like a weak excuse. But I the truth is I care about you: even if we aren’t very active, all the admins discuss what can we do to make the experience of this blog more enjoyable. We care about you and we care about your problems. If using a bit of my time to write a scenario will make you feel a tiny bit feel better, I will.

Now, the topic of this scenario is difficult. As a first disclaimer, I don’t have an ED. But, I do have had problems with my mental health, and one of the things that helped me the most was fanfiction. I loved reading headcanons, scenarios, fics and all that kind of writings about my disorder, it made feel I belonged to something. Just for that, I wrote this. I tried to make a good research, and to write about the topic in the better way possible. But, as always, if someone feels uncomfortable, they can contact me.

Also,  always remember: you are worthy, you are beautiful, you deserve being here, right now. You are not your bad thoughts, you are not your illness: you can win the war, and the best strategy is loving everything you are. Never beat yourself if recovery doesn’t go smooth, it happens. But you will make it. You are strong and you will make it.

As a final note: this is an AU.

Trigger warnings: Food mention, eating disorders, anorexia, purging.

~Admin Night

[Ten Steps] Sasuke finding out his S/O is recovering from an eating disorder

I

You realized it was an illness that afternoon.  The sky was already turning red, myriads of colors traveled across it: orange and yellow and even a bit of purple splashed it like paint, the clouds soaking in the colors with their cotton-like texture. Red strawberry licorice. Orange cheddar. Yellow fries.  Purple cake icing. You were sitting on the bus-stop, recounting both the conversations of the day and how many numbers you had eaten. It was cold; your skin seemed to shrink with every molecule of air, even with the heavy coat you wore. Your fingers drummed against the metallic seat, how much more you had to wait? Your stomach hurt — your mind always fought between the pain and the sensation of control it produced—, but you ignored it and drank a large gulp of water. Chocolate cake and buttery popcorn.

Today Sasuke had kissed you. His lips were warm and slightly chapped. His hands were feathery. You had closed your eyes and smiled and shivered. But instead of enjoying the way his hair tingled against your forehead, you were thinking about it. Greasy pizza and ramen. You were proud he had kissed you because that meant you were actually beautiful —beautifully thin— and that meant you finally had gotten control over your body.

The sky got darker. Now, there was more than a smidge of purple. Grape Soda. The sun was setting. You heard the bus finally approaching, his motor diluted in the many cars that transited that street. Sugary lemonade, anko, vanilla ice-cream. Today, you weren’t going to eat more, the salad you had eaten with Sasuke was enough.

You stood up slowly. But this time, that didn’t stop the trembling of your knees, or the sudden layer of white that blinded your eyes, or the feeling of death that crossed your head seconds before your hands grasped the floor. Ears buzzed, a high whistle breaking your eardrum. You couldn’t breathe. Air wasn’t in your lungs and an acrid taste was creeping up your throat. In a sudden act of determination you stood up and got on the bus; hands burning and eyes avoiding the driver.

This wasn’t the first time you got dizzy. Nevertheless, in the seat of the bus, observing both your new bruises and the old reddish skin of your knuckles, you felt alone, helpless, vulnerable. There wasn’t any control. You were dying. You were drowning.  

Then, you realized you wanted to breathe, you wanted to fight it.

II    

The meal was laughing at you, pointing its caloric fingers at your chest. Stomach closed, you weren’t hungry. And still, still, all that your mind could think of was creamy chocolate bathing dozen of cookies. If you ate, then grease would clog your veins, fat slowly accumulating under your skin.  But you had to eat; your body was disappearing, you were shrinking into nothingness, and you wanted to live. Or at least, a small part of you, trapped somewhere between your withered organs, did. You wanted to fight for that tiny part. But food meant calories, calories meant fat, fat meant ugly. Those horrible thoughts weren’t your thoughts.

Chest felt heavy. You moved every grain, categorizing them in size, as you had done so many times. You didn’t remember how you felt before this: how life felt before your hands ached, before the pains, before the black hole in the brain.  How did it feel when you were you? You turned your cell phone on. Three numbers greeted you, fifteen minutes had passed since you sat on the table. If you could eat… It was just rice, why were you afraid? If you just could eat. Automatically, your fingers did what you always did to stop with the panic: the app opened under your index command, a list of weights, days and calories appeared on the screen. As you read, those numbers you had already learned crossed your mind. Bowl of rice, 204 calories.  It was too much. You couldn’t eat. Too much. It meant fat. Fat was bad. They would hate you. Sasuke would. But you were going to die and you didn’t know if that was good or bad. You couldn’t eat. Your stomach was glued. But darkness was horrifying. Almost as horrifying as the sky made of strawberry licorice, cheddar, fries and cake icing. The sky that took the control out of you and that was sucking life out of your marrow.

With hands trembling, you let your finger pressing the icon of your inquisitor. Then, it was out of your life. Tears blurred your vision as you gripped to anything that could keep you sane, the light of the screen stabbed your pupils. You put the cell phone on the table and redirected your attention to the rice.

Just a bit. Even after you swallowed, you felt the food trapped in the throat. Maybe you were hurt, you thought while drinking small gulps of water. It was tiresome. You were going to sleep.

Suddenly, your phone rang. Sasuke had sent you a message.

I have a break but Naruto is a dumbass. Call you at night.

Even in the haziness, you smiled.

III

The first thing Sasuke noticed was how your eyes sparkled. How they acquired a sharp quality every time you were remembering or talking with him. He loved it. The day was bright, rays of sun painted patches of the world in a warmer color, clouds floated in a sky made of a surreal blue. Today, the air didn’t seem transparent; it was creamy, softening the acute edges of every object in the world.

“Today’s very hot.” You said. The statement was true, however, it was strange hearing you say that. You always wore wool sweaters and big, heavy jackets. Even in summer.

He feigned returning his attention to you —it was always on you, his eyes were perpetually piercing your soul, even when he hid his face behind a book—. Your long shirt was rolled up, hair tied in a bun, some drops of sweat sliding down your neck. The bottle of water you always carried was empty, resting against the trunk of the tree, as you two were.

“You are right,” He responded. Wind tossed his hair, some leafs flew in the current. “Do you want to eat something cold?”

Sasuke had seen you eat counted times. You maintained a rigid schedule that he didn’t want to disturb.  However, this was the only solution he could think of. You were already in the shadow; a big cherry tree was protecting you from the sun. There wasn’t a better place to stay in Konoha’s Park.

“We could buy something for the two.” You pronounced the words before your mind could process it. That something meant ice-cream, and as you realized what you had said, a small hole began to grow in your belly. You dreaded the colorful stall placed in the middle of the park. What if you couldn’t eat? And the sweet? It was bad.

“Okay.”

Sasuke didn’t like ice-cream, he preferred salty foods. Nevertheless, he wanted to make you happy, and taking into account your difficult relation with food, it was good you wanted something cold to eat.

And your mind screamed as both of you walked to the vendor. This was okay, it was recovery. You didn’t process what flavor was chosen, merely assenting to the man’s suggestion. Sasuke received the cone and paid. This was okay. After days of anxiety, you had managed to eat one full meal at the correct hour. This was recovery. Still, the pain in your stomach and the electricity in your hand, and your heart’s drumming resonating in your bones…

Suddenly, you became cold, all the sweaty, hot skin was replaced for shivering. But you allowed the creamy ice to touch your tongue, and it tasted nice, it felt nice on your palate. Sasuke did the same. And you did. And your stomach wasn’t totally closed.

At the end, you managed to eat half of the cone. It was an achievement, you mused.

IV

Nightmares continued seizing your skin.  Food. Food. Food. In them, everything was food. Rivers of chocolate that cascaded in marshmallow clouds; a sun made of corn; a boat drenched in the oily texture of pizza. And in those dreams, you ate it all. Now, they were scarce. As your body reabsorbed all the nutrients you had denied it, the reasons your brain had to reproduce such terrible fantasies were dimming; or at least, you imagined that.

Nevertheless, even if you only had them once or twice a week, they were enough to destroy your nerves. Always, you woke up feeling grease was seeping through your pores. It was all anxiety and pain. Now more than before, as you tried to stop the urge to poke your fingers in your mouth and puke all that imaginary calories that you had eaten.

You had always resisted. You were proud.

Every little advance made the heavy burden became lighter. Nothing made you happier than looking at your knuckles: now, they weren’t red and bruised. Hunger had returned to you, letting you feel a small tug at least once a day.  Sasuke looked so much less worried. You loved accompanying him in his walks, usually, he let you take his hand, and last time you saw a smirk on his face when he noticed you never stopped to rest.

After mentally recalling all those little victories, you aimed for another one. A dinner-date. The phone illuminated the blankets and the pillows. You wrote the message, hands still shaking from the nightmare. But you could control this.

Want to go out for dinner tomorrow?

He was probably awake, he stayed up after midnight writing reports. Still, your lungs turned heavy when you read his answer.

Yes. I’ll make time.

V

You feared the bloating. You hated it. Before you date with Sasuke, you rummaged all your closet, searching for something, anything, that didn’t show your grown belly. Maybe going back to it was better? With time, all your clothes would be too small, and then everybody would hate you. You chose that ample dress he liked so much, but now, it wasn’t that ample. You felt tired, air heavy and blood rushing through your veins.

Maybe it was too early for this? Still, you continued. Waiting, sighing. The taste of your saliva, his knocking.

Sasuke leaned in the frame of the front door, waiting for you to arrive. Your steps were a little shorter and slower than you would have wanted, you felt like walking to the gibbet. But you got to the door. You opened. He looked at you. Sasuke’s eyes always left the sensation of coal burning in the flames, always pierced to the deepest part of your flesh.  He wore one of his more formal shirts, which amazed you, taking into account how improvised your date was.

“You are beautiful.”

Those words were like a caress every time Sasuke said them, even if he had muttered them. You wished you had found them true, even just once.

The drive to the restaurant was slow. Sasuke’s expression rapidly became grim, somber; you fidgeted with your seat belt and looked through the window with an expression of profound fear in your features. You had never eaten a full dinner. Now, you were scared. And nervous, and anxious, and bloated.

“You were awake rather late yesterday.” His voice penetrated your panic.

This was the first time you had contacted him after a nightmare. He didn’t know anything. Although you knew he wasn’t stupid, you never tried to confess him the true.

“I had a nightmare. But everything is okay now.”

He hummed. That ended the conversation. Sasuke was annoyed at his inability to talk. Just a stare to your trembling hands and white face was enough to realize everything wasn’t okay.

The rest of the ride was a blur. How you entered the restaurant and whatever Sasuke had asked you in those lapses was also blurry. The only thing that appeared horrifyingly real was the menu in front of you. The menu that extended to the clash of glasses, the smell of meat, the dancing light of the candles, and the torturous music that spread from the speakers.

You had promised yourself you were going to choose whatever sounded more delicious, but every word in that booklet appeared to be a synonym of death.

“What are you going to ask?” You questioned Sasuke, ready to emulate his order.

You heard what he had chosen and repeated it in your mind like a chant. Then, you repeated it to the waiter, with your lips contorted in a fake smile.

“(Y/N), in there anything you want to tell me?”

Had he discovered it?

“What make you think that?” You answered, letting the façade you had used for so much resurface.

“You don’t like to eat outside.”

The giggle that left your mouth was thunderous. He sent you a questioning look that you overlooked while diverting the conversation.

The food came. You looked at it again and again and again. At some point, you heard Sasuke’s voice, is there something wrong? But you ignored it and smiled and took the first piece to your mouth and chewed and swallowed it — even when your throat was completely closed— and took another and chewed and swallowed and took a sip of wine. The drink was Sasuke’s idea, he was glad you were eating dinner together. And you ate and tried to answer his questions and smelled fish from the other side of the restaurant and chewed and swallowed and drank and smiled and let the music daze you and chewed and swallowed and tried to stop the acrid taste in your throat and ate and chewed and drank and-

You couldn’t breathe. The plate was empty. You looked at Sasuke, sitting at the other side of the table. You had a bloated stomach, why had you done this? Heart throbbing in your neck.

“Give me five minutes, I have to go to the restroom.”

You prayed the lack of composure didn’t show as you walked away from the table. Heart ached, head ached. Everything was hazy. You had eaten everything, too much. Your stomach was giant. You closed the door and sat on the floor, chin resting on the seat of the toilet.

After a final sigh, you entered your fingers into your mouth. Deeper and deeper, nausea, acid slowly rising from your stomach. Vomit. Vomit. Vomit. Vomit.

When your stomach finally emptied, you fell into despair. What had you done? Everything was going so well and now… now you were trapped in the beginning. You didn’t even think about cleaning your face or your mouth, instead, you just cried. Tears from the anxiety, tears from the shame, tears from the pain. Maybe you weren’t strong enough to do it…

Sasuke waited for you. Five minutes passed, and ten, and fifteen. He glanced at the restroom door every time the minute hand of his watch moved. At sixteen minutes he went to look for you. He knocked at the door, no answer, just this inaudible wailing he knew was yours. He didn’t have to force the door, you had forgotten to lock it.

And there, in that small room, surrounded by an acrid smell, staring at your eyes, Sasuke understood everything.

VI

Sasuke lifted you from the floor with shaking hands. With shaking hands he flushed the toilet. With shaking hands he cleaned your face and paid the bill and drove back to your home. He didn’t utter a word. How could he? He was so stupid, ignorant, negligent. Everything matched. It was so obvious and he had failed to protect you. And damn it, his hands had to stop shaking.

All that time, while you let him lead you, your mind intonated the same chant: he hates me. Hates me. Hates me. Hates me. Hates me. And why wouldn’t he, you also hated yourself. You had failed. It was too hard, you were going to shrink to death. Tears never stopped staining your cheeks. His hands held the wheel extremely hard, the knuckles were white. Your lungs were too busy choking for managing to utter any word.

He also led you to your house, taking the keys from your trembling hands and opening the door. The two entered. And, finally, you found yourself in your bed, Sasuke holding you in his arms, tight enough to relieve the tingling that pierced all your body. His body was still, extremely stiff, and he didn’t move until your breathing had become somewhat normal.

He didn’t ask for details. He only made one question.

“How can I help you?” The words were pronounced slowly, dragging the syllables, as if it was hard to speak. Almost at the end of the sentence, his voice broke slightly.

It was enough to make you cry again.

“I don’t know.”

His embrace tightened. Right hand combing through your hair, left hand drawing circles in your back. Trapped in his chest, you couldn’t see his eyes.

You told him everything, every word that left your mouth carried the acid taste of puke. But as the last confession left your mouth, you felt a heavy weight disappearing from your heart.

VII

“Is it time to eat?” You asked, answering your boyfriend’s phone call.

Sasuke had done it the last months. He called you for the three big meals of the day, asking about your day and your overall mood. Sometimes, he didn’t tell you to eat, instead, he stayed on the line listening to your ramblings.

You knew it wasn’t time to eat. The clock marked six, there were still two hours before dinner.

“It isn’t. You already know,” He stated, letting silence follow the sentence before continuing, “I finished early today. Do you want to do something?” As he concluded his question, you heard a knock on your door.

“Well, you are here.” You hung up without a farewell. Either way, Sasuke was at your side now.

He entered to your house without much parsimony. He was already used to it.

“Let’s go for a walk.” He said. You knew that was Sasuke’s way of making questions. He would change the plan if you did as much as sigh.

“I’d love to.”

You promenaded under a boulevard adorned with cherry trees. Their leaves were green and there were already red dots growing from their branches. Sasuke’s hand was a bit sweaty, but that was okay, as, with the heat of the summer, yours was too. He walked slowly, trying to inhale all the landscape that rose around him, still, one of his strides, meant two steps for you. You stayed silent most of the time, enjoying the other’s company. At your right side, a stall of food spread its smell. But this time, it didn’t faze you. Instead, you continued admiring Sasuke’s hand. He, on the other hand, walked a little faster, trying to take you away from the odor.

Sasuke stopped when you were away from most of the people. A nervousness you hadn’t perceived apparent now in his eyes. He never left your hand.

“Is there something wrong, Sasuke?”

He kissed you. Firm arms, chapped lips, warm breath. You smiled and giggled. There wasn’t much of a reason, you just felt happy. He smiled too.  

“Come live with me.” That was also a question. Even if he had disguised it as an order.

You kissed him again. A layer of sweat, warm tongue, feathery fingers, tense jaw.

“I will.”

That day, you dined together. You didn’t notice the nervousness, too busy making plans for your future.

VIII

Sasuke felt a harder hold on his hand as you approached the cinema. You dreaded going to the movies, it meant the sweet smell of popcorn and the pressure of consuming more food than you could resist. The movie wasn’t worth it, especially when your concentration decreased in the first quarter of the movie.  

Nevertheless, things were different now.

You bought the tickets and entered to the confectionery. Sasuke stared at you with his dark, preoccupied eyes. You were anxious, afraid you weren’t capable of this yet.

“I’m going to buy the food.”

You had planned everything before coming. It calmed you, giving you a sense of control. Nevertheless, he waited for you to change your wishes, maybe you weren’t ready to eat.

“Okay.”

You sat and waited for him to return. Funny enough, the odors weren’t bothering you. Still, for safety, you let your mind wander. There wasn’t food in your brain. There were books and gifts and kisses. For the first time in your life, you imagined your older self: married to Sasuke, with a pet and a successful career. You weren’t tiny and invisible anymore; life run through your veins, and you felt complete.

Sasuke startled you when he came back. Popcorn and two iced teas in his arms.

“Let’s enter now.”

IX

“How are you?” Sasuke asked, watching you with attention.

Something paralyzed your vocal chords. But you were happy, so very happy. The plate in front of you was empty. This was the tenth consecutive day you had managed to eat a whole dinner, without feeling any kind of distress afterward. And today, finally, a feeling of contempt had filled you when you were full. This was what you had forgotten.  Your fingers grazed his, your smile enough to tranquilize him.

“I still have space for the dessert.”

His kisses were wet, his caresses plumed. Sasuke’s fingers traveled across all your body, making silent compliments in all your skin.

“I love you.” He mumbled against your neck, his lips moving in your skin.

“I love you too.” Happiness was tangling in your chest. Salty tears rimmed your eyes. “I love you so much.”

X

You stirred in bed. Over your skin, the blanket felt soft and warm. Fluffy caresses engulfed your legs as you moved them across the mattress. Sunrays seeped through the curtains. With a little concentration, you could even see small particles of dust dancing in the light. Before you moved to sit up, a grunt reverberated against your neck. Sasuke made his embrace tighter, his breaths lifting some strands of your hair. Yes, he wasn’t a morning person. You turned around and faced him. Eyelids fluttering and a pout. His chest slowly rising and sinking with every breath. You kissed his nose and his eyes and his cheeks.

“Good morning, Sasuke.”

This morning you felt happy, energized. Mind already making a million of plans for the day. It was Sunday, but the day to come was still exciting.

“Stay in bed,” he mumbled as a response, nuzzling your shoulder. That was the way he showed love. His fingers were making little arabesques in your back.

“Just for a while,” you said, as his sleepy state infected you. You curled up on his chest, letting his heartbeat lull you.  “I have to make breakfast.”

Everything was so soft, so warm, so creamy…

Both of you woke up when the sun crashed directly against your eyes. Sasuke tried to hide in your chest, his eyelashes tickling your skin. However, he admitted defeat with a single huff; then he stretched his arms, letting sleep slip off his body. You, on the contrary, accepted the light with a smile, a last yawn escaped your mouth before you jumped away from the pillow. He looked at you while still lying down on the bed. His eyes, even now, sent electricity to your nerves.

“Morning.”

He was answering to your words from earlier that day. That was all you would get.

“I’m hungry. I’m making breakfast.”

You threw him another smile and gave him a small kiss on the lips. Knowing him, he would stay another five minutes in the bed, mourning the lost sleep. The floor was smooth against your feet. A song left your lips as you walked to the kitchen, content bubbling in your chest.

“Do you need any help?”

Today, Sasuke was quick.  He had followed your steps shortly after you left. It was nice. His raspy morning voice was nice.

And, in the counter, while wondering what to cook you realized: there wasn’t any anxiety, or fear, or pain. There was only peace. A warm peace that grew in all your limbs.