#I'M SO SORRY FOR GETTING THIS OUT LATE YESTERDAY & DAY BEFORE HAD SOME * ISSUES * IN MY PERSONAL LIFE

[hxvemxnd]

Starter for @surevive

It's still strange to them, even if they'd seen the signs, to see Vash change their opinions on humans after all this time.

Part of them hopes it's a trap, as they fly to remain eye level with the taller and keep a fluorescent green eye on him at all times. Perhaps, maybe, this was some twisted way to get Knives to change. Another plan, another power struggle. Unlikely... But giving up on ideals is not a concept Zazie can understand easily. Giving up on those he loved-- or seemed to at first. Now travelling at the request of his brother...

Zazie can't force themselves to stop staring, to stop looking at the independent as if he were only a single move away from revealing his colors. Maybe it's just wishful thinking - they don't want their newest little hive to get hurt, but to see Vash back smiling and happy the way he was... He was so much fun to watch through insect eyes, especially in the earlier days. To tease Knives with snippets of what the other was doing. This feels so...

"Wrong," they finally mutter, shaking their head. "You shouldn't be here."

Their tone is quiet. It's admittedly not something they realize they've said out loud - but the echo of the whole hivemind processing this new information. Something they can't shake, feeling that this is so incredibly wrong.

[ssahotchnerr]

I need a 'you came' - 'you called' moment with our beloved Aaron. Either if he shows up for the reader or the reader shows up for him.

aftershocks

cw; bau!reader, takes place after 4x1 mayhem, descriptions of violence

you couldn't sleep.

you've been tossing and turning for hours, frustrations growing inside you as the clock hit one, two, three am.

you had returned to quantico from new york yesterday, and the adrenaline that had been racing through you the past few days had still yet to lessen. as if your mind and body still believed something horrible was about to happen; you felt as if you were buzzing- with anticipation, uneasiness, fear.

every time you closed your eyes, it replayed. so vividly as if it were happening right before you again.

the franticness the city had fallen into, trying to get ahold of your team and failing, finding out that one of your government issued vehicles had exploded. aaron and kate's vehicle. aaron.

kate hadn't made it. but aaron had.

your mind kept coming back to the what ifs; the idea of sam waiting a few more seconds before initiating the explosion. if they had been any closer...

or, what if aaron and kate had entered the car? they would've been right above where the device had been planted. on the driver's side.

aaron always drove.

you currently choked back a sob at that one.

however, you had managed to keep it together through the case's entirety. how you did so, you still had no idea. and as much as you wished you could've been by aaron's side, at the scene of the explosion, you were selfishly grateful it had been derek, and not you. seeing aaron in that state, covered in blood in a scenario where he could've easily not made it, it would ruin you.

and now, in the comfort of your apartment, alone with your thoughts, it was too much. too much to handle alone.

and only one person could ease your mind. he may not know it, but he meant everything to you.

"hotchner."

just the sound of his sleep-filled voice through the phone brought you to tears. he's alive.

he's alive.

"hi, it's me." you held back another sob, hoping your voice maintained some normalcy.

it hadn't, and within less than a second aaron was wide awake. "what's wr-"

"i just needed to hear your voice." you interrupted, clutching onto your phone with a shaky hand. "i know it's late, i'm so sorry, but-"

"no, please don't apologize." he cut you off this time. his voice was soft- comforting. "what is it?"

"i just wanted to make sure you were okay." your voice cracked in the middle of your sentence, and you exhaled a breath in attempt to calm your nerves.

"i'm okay." he whispered softly, repeating again to give you the confirmation he knew you needed. "i'm okay."

"i was... am, so scared." you admitted, biting down onto your lip hard. "i'm so scared to lose you. in new york, you were so close, too close. you could've..." you couldn't finish your statement, as if it would your somehow change the outcome. make it real.

"i'm here." aaron insisted, his tone firm but exceedingly gentle. "i'm right here."

"i know. i just..."

"do you want me to come over?"

you immediately froze at his question. yes. "no, you don't have to. it's late, and you have jack. so it's fine. don't worry about m- it, please."

"but he's at-"

"i'll just see you at the bau. only in a few hours, right?" you forced a laugh, a single tear falling from your eye. "goodnight."

he started to say something else, but you had already hung up.

after hearing his voice, you felt somewhat better. your heart rate had slowed, but an empty feeling in your chest was still present- as if some unknown force was still going to take aaron from you unannounced. you simply stared at the ceiling, accepting your inevitable fate of doing so until the sun came up, until there was a soft knock on your door.

your heart did a leap as you pushed back your comforter, quickly heading to your front door. as it was nearly four in the morning, the most logical thing to do was check through the peephole to see who the culprit was.

but you didn't. you knew in your heart who it was.

you opened your door to reveal aaron. his hair was still disheveled from sleep, he was still in his pajamas. it was strange seeing him in such casual attire- flannel pants and a grey crewneck- rather that his usual suit, or even just a simple button-up or sweater. it was more personal, vulnerable even.

"you came?" your words left you in a breath as you looked at him in disbelief, your bottom lip already trembling.

there was something in aaron's eyes you couldn't quite place, and you could've sworn you've never heard his voice so gentle. "you called."

just as the other way around, he would do anything for you.

the sob you had been holding in for nearly two days finally broke through your chest, and aaron didn't hesitate to gather you into his arms.

"i'm here." he mumbled into your hair, cries shaking through you. "i'll always be here."

[starlight-writer]

Fighting

A)n: Heyyyy... I'm back :)

Warning: none, angst, yelling, arguing

Gn reader Masterlist

Steven

He doesn’t yell

But it’s that exactly that makes it worse

He refuses to yell, but he’ll be a sarcastic little shit

“Oh really? How lovely.”

“Oh my dearest apologies, my liege, I didn’t realize I had to agree with everything you had to say.”

Steven won’t back down, he’ll keep this energy until he’s done talking about it and then he’ll ignore you

He won’t ask how your day's been, he won't hug you, he won't even look at you

And it’ll drive you crazy

The only reason this started was because Steven missed a date and didn’t acknowledge that he would be late or wanted to cancel

He was working late for Donna again, but this time it just set off something in his head

Normally you wouldn’t be too upset about him missing a date, seeing as he’s got other people to take care of and he’s got a shitty boss, but when you asked him about the date, he blew up

“God, it was one date, why do you have to nag me about it?”

“Excuse me? I wasn’t trying to nag you, Steven, I just wanted to know what happened.”

“You’re not my bloody parent, you don’t need to know!”

“Take that back.”

“No.”

And now you're in your room and Steven's sleeping on the couch

That night will give him time to realize he was in the wrong and he'll feel super guilty

When he wakes up with a stiff back and sore neck, he'll think he deserves it

He'll wait until you come out to get up

And then he's following you around like a lost puppy

He won't say anything, but he'll look so sad and just be following you everywhere you go

It would be cute if you weren't upset with him

You'll have to be the one to start a conversation, but as soon as you say a single word to him, Steven's apologizing faster than you can process

"Love, I'm so so sorry. I was an absolute knob, I was so stressed and upset yesterday and I know that's not a reason to treat you so terribly, but it was such a bad day. I promise I'll make it up with 3, no, 5 dates! We can do whatever you want today and tomorrow and all week! Please forgive me, darling. I know I don't deserve it, but please just give me another chance."

He looks like he's about to burst into tears and kneel for you

(Which would be hot in a different setting)

Depending on how passionate you feel about this, it might take some time to forgive him, but he's there every second of the day

Or if you want him to leave you alone, he'll respect that

You'll find little notes of lovey poems around the flat and your favorite snacks littered around the living room

He honestly feels like a terrible partner so when you do decide to forgive him, just give him a kiss and hug him

He'll cry and apologize a bunch more so just pet his head and tell him it's ok

He'll genuinely sit you down and ask if there's something he can do to get his 'anger issues' under control

Poor baby doesn't have anger issues, he just has a shitty boss <3

Marc

He yells

He yells loud and painful things

He doesn’t care, he can’t bother to care

He’s angry and that’s all he feels

He can’t think past it, it’s like he sees red

He’ll shout until his throat is raw, but he’ll get as many insults and sarcastic comments he can before that happens

He knows what he’s doing is wrong, he knows the only reason you’re arguing is because of him

But he’s not backing down

He wants to hurt you and he does

And it makes everything worse for at least a week

Marc came home absolutely wreaked from a fight and refused your help, preferring to drink and just sit there

If you weren’t so upset at the fact he refused your help and instead wanted the help of alcohol, you’d yell at him about staining the couch with his blood

You’ll either have to deal with Marc breaking out into an argument after the initial one, or leave to stay somewhere else

If you come back the next day, Marc will still be upset

He won’t start yelling at you again, but he’ll ignore you

And it really just stops there

It’s the silent treatment for a week

He'll make dinner for you and all that, but he won't talk to you

He'll stare at you, wondering if you'll be the one to apologize

Or he'll be staring at you to see if you're watching him

You're not

He'll stay silent for an entire week, festering in his anger and guilt until it overflows

And when you come back home from work or being out late, he's waiting for you

And he looks like a kicked puppy

It was no surprise Marc had no idea how to apologize and admit/accept his feelings but at this moment, none of that mattered

His guilt and the feeling of missing you outweighed his discomfort of voicing his feelings

He'll start with an apology, saying how sorry he was and how terrible he felt

He didn't give any excuse or reason for his anger, he just apologized and stood there

He expects you to yell at him, leave him, insult him

Just gently take him in your arms and kiss his cheek

You don't even have to tell him anything, he'll promise to never yell at you like that again

"If I do, you can hit me as hard as you want."

Marc will say, though if you did actually hit him, he'd probably cry

He'll be so genuine with his words and.the nail in the coffin was the fact that he promised

Marc never makes promises, even if he knows he can fulfill them

But he swears up and down that he will never yell at you again

And he does everything in his power to reverse or heal the damage his words did to you

Even going out of his comfort zone

He loves you so much and he doesn't understand why you're still with him, but he thanks every God and Goddess that you are

Jake

He’s dangerously silent

He’ll stand there completely blanked face, eyes set in a slight glare as you argue about something that was definitely his fault

Maybe he missed a date and didn’t bother to let you know he wasn’t coming or wrote off your worry about a few injuries and called you ‘clingy’ and ‘overbearing’

Either way, he doesn’t respond to your anger, just standing there like he didn’t care

And it hurt

Once you were done explaining how you felt or what Jake did wrong, he’ll roll his eyes, pull out a cigarette and sit in the couch

He’ll play the baseball game he may have missed or just watch the news to really set in that something that boring was more interesting than your feelings

“Do you seriously find the news more important than our relationship?”

He won’t look at you

“I can’t believe this. If you care so fucking little, then why are you still here?”

“This is my house.”

“Then maybe I should go if it’s just your house.”

“You should.”

And you do

You go to a friends house, or a hotel, somewhere that you can rest for the night because you’re obviously not going to get anywhere with Jake and you can’t stand his attitude

The second you’re out of the room, Jake curses and throws the tv remote at the wall

He throws everything that he can without any worry of breaking something or getting a noise complaint

He'll throw bottles, plates, pillows, books

Once he's run out of steam, he'll shamefully clean up everything, throwing glass away and putting pillows back

That's give him the time he needs to realize 'oh shit, I fucked up'

He won't come out and admit it instantly, no

He'll fester in his guilt and figure out what exactly he should say

He'll even plan out when he should breathe during his apology

And when you get home, no matter when that is, Jake it waiting patiently with breakfast, lunch, or dinner

He'll give a nervous smile and walk up to you, giving you a hesitant kiss on your cheek before pulling you to the living room couch

Your plate of food is already made and somehow still warm despite Jake no knowing when you'd be back

He'll give an awkward apology, explaining how he's still not used to being something more than a protector for Marc and Steven, how he's still learning to let people in, how he loves you with all his heart despite being such a monster

He might start crying, but he'll try not to show you

He doesn't want to show vulnerability, but he knows it's important in a relationship

So he'll just ask very quietly if he can hug you

Is you say no, he'll nod in understanding as tears fall into his lap

He'll quietly mutter another apology and just sit there, unsure as to what to do

If you say yes, however, he'll gently wrap his arms around your waist and bury his head in your neck

He'll silently cry, muttering 'i love you' over and over again until you say it back

Just rub his back and kiss his head, tell him you forgive him or need time to forgive him and he'll understand either way

He loves you with his entire being, almost like he lives off of loving you

[lengthofropes]

okay, Oookay, a WIP! (sorry prob a lot of typos, my issue) inspired by my What if Tommy never left 118 series, basically (can't help it)

Despite Bobby’s lasagna being extra delicious today (new secret ingredient?), Tommy feels like he’s chewing on grimy sole. He knew this day would come sooner or later. It’s been over a week since Sal got transferred, and of course they need a new member for their team. But.  But. What? Sal has been a pain in the ass lately (not that he’s ever been anything less, but...), and his constant arrogance and disobedience made it only a matter of Bobby’s patience to be finally kicked out of 118. And to be completely and utterly honest, Tommy got much tired with having to deal with his best friend’s shit to the point it has become harder to even call him a friend.  But. He was his first friend here, in some way, his mentor. And even if they both were under constant pressure of keeping the mark of Gerrard’s ‘best boys’, they always had each other’s back. Always.  It’s just- Strange, not to see him here, sitting across the table, making his obscene jokes with a snarky grin face. And even if Tommy knows now, it’s better to let go of everything that fuels your worst traits, it feels like it’s the Sal’s empty chair that is somewhat a stupid joke itself. Like, if Tommy could blink – and everything would get back to how it used to be, simple and familiar. Nevertheless. No matter the ball of unaddressed feels in his chest, Tommy made a promise to himself to take it as it comes and hold on to this new and better version on himself and try his best to make their new probie’s life here if not carefree, but at least tolerable. He learned his lesson good with Howie and Hen, thanks! He chews and swallows.  He’s gonna be fine, Jesus! He has other friends here too, good friends. And, finally, a captain who knows how to be one. Job is good, his mom is fine, and that girl he met near the gym yesterday agreed to go out with him, and he has a good feeling about this, like it can actually work out this time. Life is good! No need to feel all anxious and insecured again, he’s in a good place, he’s ready for anything.   “Uh, hi. I'm Evan Buckley, new recruit.”

Tommy must’ve gotten too much into his own head with eyes on his plate, he didn’t even notice that someone came near the table. He rises his eyes.  “I was told to report to Captain Nash.” That “someone” looks the right amount shy, but at the same time like he’s trying to make the nicest first impression ever with that ear to ear smile and awkward pull on a shoulder strap of his duffle bag. “You know a Captain Nash? You?” Bobby pulls out a joke, and everyone play along, efficiently hiding their smiles. Kid looks more and more confused, before Bobby takes a pity on him and invites him to the table with one of his kindest smiles.  “Take a seat, Evan.” Evan’s smile grows wider with that. “Uh, Buck. Everyone just calls me Buck.” “Well, welcome to the 118, Buck.” Well, could’ve been worse, Tommy thinks, as kid sits himself down into Sal’s chair, glancing exited at their fabulous lunch. They could’ve easily been tossed with some asshole, but this one looks civilized. At first sight, at least. Gotta see how he will handle the job, though, but as for now, Tommy makes another mental note to himself to treat this “Buck” kid no worse than Bobby.  “Uh, that’s a sauce?” Buck asks particularly no one, just hangs the question in the air, pointing at one of the bottles on the table. So, Tommy decides to become one of the first friendly faces here. “Yeah, but I’d rec the other one -“and he points at the second bottle. “This one is spicier.” Tommy's smile is easy and polite, bit twisted in a chewing process. But what happens within next 5 seconds makes that smile freeze and food stuck in his throat. “Oh yeah? Thanks! Never too much spice, - Buck grins at him and winks. “Just what I need!” He winks. And by any means, it’s near same obscene as Sal’s innuendos.  But no one seemed to notice, and Buck already redirected his efforts into putting as much food on his plate as possible. And maybe - maybe Tommy just overthinks it?? Maybe that’s just the way this guy communicates? Just a silly little playful - Wait, no! Even if so, how the hell is it appropriate?!  They are not friends. They literally just met. They are colleagues (about to become). And Tommy is not a freaking high-school girl to be winked at like this, for fuck’s sake! Buck continues to chew and talk non-stop, smiling at everyone who’s willing to talk to him; table mood is pleasant and unbothered, and no one notices how one of Tommy’s hands involuntarily makes itself into a fist under the table. He’s not angry, in fact. Just.  He doesn’t know. He cannot explain. But one thing he’s certain of, he’s sure as hell won’t be calling that brat a “Buck”.

I have no idea where it goes so god help me 🙃

[tenebraevesper]

Sonic Cyber Revolution, Entry 64: A Punk Philosophy

''Yesterday's rules are simply loose today! The best goal is to break them! If I don't keep running, there's no other meaning! It's a punk philosophy!''

– Sonic Drive by Sonic X

xXxXxXx

Touka yawned, noting the light coming through the slant window and figuring that she had probably slept in. Considering how they came late back home last night after their mission, it wasn't a surprise, but she did take note of Shadow missing. Well, he was always an early bird.

Touka got up, got changed into her usual outfit and went down to the kitchen, being met by Kisaki, who was scrolling down some news and messages on a holographic screen she generated with her AR Visor. Touka remembered how Kisaki had a free day today, allowing her a breather from all the work at the hospital. It also meant that breakfast was ready and still warm.

''Thanks! Sorry for… uh, 10:45 AM?'' Touka glanced at the clock as she grabbed a sandwich. ''I guess I really overslept.'' She then scanned the room. ''Where's Shadow?''

''I think he's outside. He has been up before me, and I woke up around 8 AM,'' Kisaki replied. Touka rose a brow.

''Did he even have breakfast?'' she asked. Kisaki shrugged.

''I did ask him, but he ignored me. He was too focused on that motorcycle he got,'' Kisaki said, giving Touka a questioning look. ''Where did you even get that?''

''Shadow found it during our mission, and considering just how shady the place we found it was, I sincerely doubt anyone is going to look for it,'' Touka replied, starting to stack up sandwiches on a plate. ''I'll see whether I'll manage to distract him from the motorcycle long enough to get him to eat something.''

''Don't be too hard on him. I remember how, when you got your hoverboard, spent days just working on it without a care for anything else,'' Kisaki said, giving Touka a sly smirk. Touka grimaced, feeling called out, and decided not to respond to this.

Instead, she walked outside, finding Shadow on the driveway, working on the motorcycle, with tools, rags and two small cans of red and black paint lying next to it. The motorcycle itself was cleaned up and any minor scratches and chipped paint were fixed meticulously, making it look brand new, with Shadow currently wiping off any specks of dust that remained. Touka whistled in awe.

''Woah, you did a great job with the motorcycle,'' she said. Shadow smirked, beaming with pride.

''Thanks. It is in a good condition, but whoever had it previously didn't care too much about any surface damage,'' he replied. ''Fortunately, it is now in better hands.''

''Right, however, I think you'll be able to even better care of your motorcycle if you eat something,'' Touka said, shoving the plate right under his nose. ''Also, did you even get any sleep last night?''

''I'm well rested, so you don't have to worry about that,'' Shadow responded in a dry tone, taking a sandwich from the plate. Technically, it was the truth, but he had figured that telling Touka that he may have slept only for a few hours and got up around 5 AM to start working on the motorcycle might unnecessarily upset her and he wasn't in mood to hear another of her lectures. Fortunately, Touka decided not to press the issue.

''You know, the motorcycle does look somewhat familiar to me…'' she trailed off, only to be hit by a realization. ''It's the Dark Rider, isn't it?''

Shadow nodded. Admittedly, while he and Touka weren't exactly good with recalling all the lore information and specific details in regards to the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, they were far from ignorant. Touka tilted her head as she observed the motorcycle, humming in thought.

''I wonder how the Dark Rider ended up in that warehouse,'' she said, turning to Shadow, who shrugged.

''I don't know, and frankly, I don't care,'' Shadow replied. Touka crossed her arms on her back, leaning over with a smile on her lips.

''I bet you want to show it off to everyone, especially Sonic,'' she said.

''I don't believe that's necessary,'' Shadow said in a matter-of-fact tone, trying to keep a composure that showed how he was above showing off, but given how he kept smiling contently, it was clear to Touka that he did want to brag a little about his newly acquired vehicle.

''You could bring it today to the Taylor Workshop for the meeting,'' Touka told him, with Shadow giving her a questioning look.

''What meeting?'' he asked.

''I had been planning to ask everyone to meet up so we can tell them about the warehouse and how someone had been either stealing Eggman technology, or the Doctor had been supplying them with his Badniks,'' Touka explained, with Shadow's expression turning serious.

''That is something that would need to be investigated,'' he agreed.

xXx

''You see, I'm completely fine,'' Sonic said, stretching his arms and legs to show Lucas that here were no more injuries nor that he felt any pain. The teenager was observing him carefully, still a bit sceptic, noting how getting fully healed after only a day and a half was a bit too soon, and he wanted to keep Sonic in bed for a little longer. However, that became a losing battle as Sonic would constantly trying to show him that he was fine, with Lucas catching him in an attempt to sneak out of the house and go for a run. Eventually, the teenager relented, hoping that he wasn't making a mistake. Sonic, on the other hand, was excited to finally get out of the house, wanting to go for a run, only to be stopped when Lucas got a message from Touka about Team Neos meeting up to discuss something important.

''I suppose you could go for a quick run and then meet up with everyone at the workshop,'' Lucas told him. Sonic gave him a two-finger salute, grinning cheekily as he dashed out of the house, kicking up a gust of wind and leaving the door open. Lucas sighed, closing the door, and smiled, feeling a bit relieved. ''Honestly, being stuck at home really doesn't suit Sonic.''

xXx

Sonic felt exhilarated as he ran all over Neos City, finally getting out all that excess energy, allowing him to calm down a little, and rushed towards the Taylor Workshop, where all of his friends were waiting. They looked quite relieved to see him, asking him how he felt and whether he was fully healed.

''Yeah, yeah, I'm fine… I just got back from a run,'' Sonic told them in an assuring tone. ''So, what are we here for?''

''Touka was the one who called us for this meeting… which is a bit of a surprise,'' Lily said, turning towards the person in question.

''I had figured that this would be important information for everyone to know, which is why I asked whether we could meet up,'' Touka explained. Sonic looked around, noting how there was someone missing.

''Where's Shadow?'' he asked.

''He's still out in the city, but said that he'd be back for the meeting,'' Touka replied. Sonic smiled cheekily.

''Heh, so he's late to the meeting?'' Sonic muttered under his breath, already plotting to tease the dark hedgehog about being late to something. The group's attention then turned to the sound of an engine coming from outside, with Sonic being the first one out to see what was going on. What he witnessed made him drop his jaw.

Shadow was sitting on a red and black motorcycle, the engine still growling as he gave Sonic a smug, self-satisfied look. Not only as Sonic stunned by Shadow's newly acquired vehicle, but so was the rest of the team as they walked outside to see what the noise was. Before Shadow could even dismount the motorcycle, Sonic ran up to him, awestruck.

''Woah, where did you get that? May I take it for a ride?'' Sonic gave Shadow an eager grin.

''I have found it during a mission, and no,'' Shadow responded with a smile, only for his expression to turn into a frown when he added the second part. Sonic narrowed his eyes, a bit irked at the denied opportunity, but then smirked as he turned the charm up.

''Could you at least drive me around? I'd like to see your skills as a biker,'' Sonic said, still giving him a half-lidded smile as he traced with his finger lightly over the handle. He was quite amused that, despite the stern gaze, he knew that there was a battle going on in Shadow's head over whether to accept the proposal or not. ''I'd like to see how fast you can go with this.''

''It's way slower than your top speed,'' Shadow said, trying to get himself out of this conversation. Unfortunately for him, his initial attempt at showing-off in front of Sonic was quickly turned against him. One side of him wanted to maintain his aloofness, but the other side wanted to take Sonic along for the ride, certain that he would enjoy it just as much as Shadow did. Nevertheless, he wanted to keep Sonic on his toes. ''You can easily run beside me.''

''I know, but this is different,'' Sonic said, giving Shadow his best puppy-dog eyes. Shadow just stared back at him silently, only to sigh.

''Fine, you can come along,'' Shadow relented, well aware that he would've agreed regardless. Meanwhile, Sonic fist-pumped in excitement.

''Yes!''

Both then turned back to their teammates, some of which gave him curious glances; the most prominent being Amy's scrutinizing gaze. However, before anyone could say anything, Touka quickly distracted them. ''This was what I wanted to talk about. Basically, Team Dark went on a mission last night to a warehouse in Souto, and what we found, besides the Dark Rider, were Badniks.''

''Really? So, the warehouse was owned by Eggman?'' Makoto asked.

''No, it wasn't. The robots looked more like they were scrapped together from Badnik parts. It certainly didn't look like anything Eggman would own,'' Touka replied. ''I had figured that, if you guys would be interested in investigating it, I could show you where the warehouse is.''

''You said that the robots were scrapped together from Badniks parts,'' Tails rose his voice. ''Is it possible that there were also remains of the Buddy Bots?''

''Honestly, I don't really know…'' Touka trailed off, with Shadow, who walked up to them, taking over.

''I have seen some robots that looked similar to the Buddy Bots,'' he said.

''I see…'' Tails said, exchanging knowing glances with Warren. ''It sounds like the same situation the Chaotix have encountered.''

''What do you mean?'' Knuckles asked.

''To keep it short, the Chaotix were on an investigation of their own and someone had taken the scrapped parts of the Buddy Bots and Badniks, made some repairs and sold them off as weapons,'' Warren explained. ''We wanted to tell you that before, but we forgot due to the whole Neo Metal Sonic fiasco.''

''So, someone had been stealing Eggman's robots?'' Silver asked, giving the two a curious look.

''I wouldn't say they had been stealing his robots, just taking the ones we destroyed,'' Warren added. ''It is a little worrying to know that there are more of them, hidden somewhere.''

''I suppose we could tell the Chaotix about this so they can investigate who keeps hoarding Eggman tech,'' Lily said, her and Knuckles exchanging glances. Since they didn't have anything to do, they had figured that they should be the one to deliver the message.

''To be honest, I'm not surprised that they would use both Eggman and Tamago Corp. technology for their weapons,'' Warren continued, drawing everyone's attention, Lucas' in particular. ''They are both high in quality, at least in comparison to other robotics companies, while also being easy to mass produce.''

''Really?'' Lucas tilted his head. ''How similar are they?''

''Similar enough to be combined like this, even by someone who doesn't understand robotics,'' Tails explained.

''Admittedly, that shouldn't really be possible. Robotics companies typically make sure that certain parts they produce are unique to their brand so they wouldn't be so easily copied and reproduced by their competitors. It is common sense to keep your product unique enough so your clients keep buying it,'' Warren added.

''That's… interesting,'' Lucas muttered, surprised just as much as everyone else about this revelation. ''How is it possible that Dr. Eggman is able to produce robots similar to those from Tamago Corp.?''

''Maybe he somehow gained access to their technology when he took over the Buddy Bots?'' Minami suggested.

''Eh, I dunno. Would Eggy really try to steal other people's technology just to make his own robots?'' Sonic asked, folding his arms behind his head.

''Honestly, I can't see that happening. Eggman is too arrogant to just rely on someone else's technology when he has his own,'' Tails pointed out.

''Still, he did use the Buddy Bots against us back when he first attacked us,'' Makoto pointed out. ''He clearly isn't above stealing or controlling robots created by other people.''

''True, but that happened only one time,'' Silver noted. The group fell silent for a moment, contemplating what this meant, with Lucas staring ahead, lost in his thoughts. He took note of his friends staring at him, well aware that they were hoping that he would have an answer in regards to what is going on. Truth to be told, he did have an theory about what might have happened, but that theory sounded rather insane.

''Well, there is another possibility…'' Lucas started, with everyone giving him curious looks. ''What if the Tamago Corporation is connected to the Eggman Empire?''

As expected, the collective reaction was that of disbelief, with Lily voicing their opinion, ''Wait, why would you think they're connected? Sure, both make robots, and they appear to be similar, but last I checked, the Tamago Corporation existed before Eggman.''

''I know, but I was wondering, how much do we really know about the Tamago Corporation?'' Lucas asked.

''We know that the Tamago Corporation was founded by Dr. Telos Tamago, the current CEO, about five years ago,'' Warren said. ''I have read plenty of articles about the corporation, and people were shocked how fast it rose to prominence, becoming the most successful robotics company in Starpoint Area almost overnight.''

''Okay, and what do we know about Dr. Tamago?'' Lucas asked, stunning the group. Warren scratched his head, trying to remember whether he had any information on the CEO.

''I… don't really know,'' he said. Tails immediately opened the holographic screen, searching for information.

''Huh, there are several articles about him from the past five years, but there isn't anything before that,'' Tails said, with Amy glancing over his shoulder.

''I know that there are people who like to keep their information private, but even in this day and age, you'd think there would be something,'' she commented.

''You mean, it's almost like he never existed until the establishment of the Tamago Corporation?'' Silver, who joined the two to take a look at the monitor, asked. Both Tails and Amy shrugged.

''We don't really have any evidence about these two being connected, and even if they are, what would the Tamago Corporation even gain from working with the Eggman Empire…'' Touka started, only to get interrupted by Shadow.

''They'd have access to the Doctor's technology, and we know from personal experience just how resilent and advanced his robots are,'' Shadow pointed out.

''Wait, does this mean that Tamago Corporation is a sell-out then?'' Sonic asked.

''Either that, or Eggman is the sell-out here,'' Lily said, causing Sonic to snort at that thought.

''There is one more thing to consider,'' Lucas added. ''I've been actually trying to figure out where Dr. Eggman's base might be, and one of the conclusions I had was that it had to be somewhere in Neos City. So, what if the Tamago Corporation is his base?''

''But, how would that be possible? Do you want to say that Eggman is actually the owner of Tamago Corporation?'' Knuckles asked. ''Didn't you just say that this Tamago guy owns the company?''

''Yeah, that's what confuses me,'' Lucas admitted, furrowing a brow as he folded his arms across his chest. ''Dr. Eggman isn't the type to even work with anyone on equal footing, so the only thing I could think off is that Dr. Tamago is somehow subservient to him.'' He then glanced at his friends. ''But, it would make sense for Dr. Eggman to have a cover in the form of a company not associated with the Eggman Empire. Not to mention, the fact that this company is specifically called 'Egg Corporation'.''

''…and Eggman is apparently the only person in the universe whose naming scheme has an 'Egg' in his creations,'' Lily said in a dry tone, her and the rest of the group catching on the irony of this conclusion.

''So, what should we do about this?'' Makoto asked.

''I was actually planning to pay a visit to the Tamago Corporation, just to check it out,'' Lucas said. ''If you guys don't mind, I'd like to go there alone.''

''If your theory is correct, and Tamago Corporation really belongs to Eggman, you should have some back-up,'' Sonic said, but Lucas shook his head.

''The reason I'm asking for this is because there is still a chance that I was completely wrong. I could easily come up for a valid reason for visiting it on my own, but I'm not sure how I should explain a whole group of people being there,'' he explained. ''If I need help, I'll call you.'' He then glanced at Sonic, giving him an assuring smile. ''Besides, you told me that I should try taking more risks.''

''Heh…'' Sonic smiled back in response. Lucas then gave everyone a confident look.

''I'll be fine, I promise,'' he said, with the rest of the team agreeing.

''Okay, but if you do run into Eggman, tell him that someone has been stealing his robots and record his reaction,'' Minami said, grinning slyly. ''I'm sure he'll be furious when he learns that.''

xXx

'''Operation: Remaster' is moving into its final testing stages. With this, I will finally be able to break what I affectionately call 'The Sonic Cycle'. To wit: Dr. Eggman stages a bold plan to reshape the world, Sonic arrives, oftentimes with his menagerie of friends, to ruin everything, until finally the day is 'saved'. The general populace rebuilds and returns to their regular lives. No evolution. No vision. No future,'' Dr. Starline said, speaking in front of a holographic monitor as a video of Sonic defeating Dr. Eggman appeared on it. He then leaned back into his swivel chair, placing a hand on his chest as he continued proudly. ''Thankfully, I'm here. Step one of 'Operation: Remaster' will be to remove Dr. Eggman from play. He is a revolutionary, a visionary, and grooms a fine mustache. But he gets tunnel-vision when it comes to Sonic. I have studied under the master, seen his few short-comings, and perfected his technique. He'll thank me in the end, I'm sure of it.'' Starline then smirked, continuing the speech he knew by heart. ''Step two: replace the so-called 'heroes' who stand in the way of progress. The general populace relies on them far too much, although I'd add that this is mainly because of the deal Dr. Eggman made with Sonic and his friends. Nevertheless, it is fair easier to replace the existing heroes with new ones rather than change society. By controlling the 'hero-versus-villain' dynamic, I will be able to shape the world and its people with the very theatrics they've become accustomed to. It has been an arduous journey to complete all my plan, but now, at long last… They're ready!''

Starline pressed a button on the computer, showing a video of a green blur speeding through what appeared to be a training course within an AR Field featuring Badniks and other weapons, continuing his narration, ''Sonic is undeniably the hero of the world, or perhaps more accurately, the main character of this narrative, and while Dr. Eggman has a dangerous weapon in Metal Sonic, I don't believe that the robot will suffice. Sonic is more than just raw power, he's about style – attitude; something that Metal Sonic lacks. I need that indomitable spirit, that rougish charm. However, since it is a liability as much as it's a boon…''

Suddenly, the green blur smashed into one of the Badniks, uncurling as she lorded over her destroyed opponent.

''You thought you could touch me? Pathetic!''

She was an anthropomorphic tenrec, possessing mostly bright green fur with a patch of black fur on her face and eyelids and angular blue-green eyes. She had a peach muzzle with a medium-long black nose, upturned sideburns on each side of her head, peach-skinned arms, and several spiky quills that she kept in a ponytail by a black hairband with six silver studs on top of her head, leaving her quills turned forward. She also had a tiny nub tail split in two, shark teeth, and tall, vertical, flat ears on top of her head. For attire, she wore two silver earrings on each of her ears, a black shirt with torn-off sleeves, white gloves that possess visible lining with black cuffs that possess six silver studs, a silver ring on each of her index and ring fingers, and yellow, baggy pants with black stripes down the sides that were held up by a black belt with a round, silver belt buckle. Her shoes had yellow flares with double spikes that gave them a ripped appearance resembling lighting bolts while the back of the shoes was white. Two white straps could be found on the yellow section of the shoes, which also had black toes, black soles with two metal plates embedded, and silver studs on the edges.

''…Surge will replace him, and I will keep the bravado on a leash.''

Surge the Tenrec didn't even notice that another Badnik creeped up on her, turning around just in time to several water tendrils envelop the Badnik.

''As previously noted, there are 'design flaws' inherent to Sonic. Surge needs a support unit to make up for her short-comings. An analytical balance to the brashness; someone to look before she leaps.''

Surge grinned, blasting through the Badnik and destroying it. ''Cheap shot for a cheap bot!'' She then landed on her feet, turning to the person who had helped her out. ''Nice assist, kid! Don't let it go to your head!''

''Y-Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, Ma'am.''

The one responding meekly to Surge was an anthropomorphic fennec fox about the height of a child. He possessed mostly blue fur with a patch of white fur on the front of his torso that is shaped like a water drop, and a medium-long white muzzle with pointy cheek tuffs and a small black nose. He also had fuchsia eyes, teal eyelids, long bangs of fur on his head, and long triangular ears on his head with teal tips that hang down the sides of his head. Lastly, he had a long, thick tail with a teal tip. For attire, he wore the Hydro Pack, a bag that allowed him to carry the water supply for his water tendrils, white gloves that possess visible lining with black cuffs that are studded with gray studs, and yellow boots with black toes and soles, and six gray studs along the tongues of said boots.

''Thus Kitsunami was modeled after Sonic's most beneficial ally: Tails.''

Kitsunami ''Kit'' the Fennec followed Surge, but Starline then turned the video off, his mug appearing once again on the monitor as he pressed his hands together. ''Lastly, I took one more variable into account – the fact that I'm essentially repeating my past actions. Now, this might be a little troubling, as I'm seemingly acting the same way as Dr. Eggman with his own plans. But, fortunately, I have already planned ahead for every possible scenario.'' Starline then held up a manga sporting Sonic and Surge clashing on the cover. ''As depicted here, we were all characters originally created for the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, which had its ups and downs – and it certainly improved when my character was brought into the spotlight, but that is not here nor there. The point is that I'm well aware of my fate in this story, specifically being crushed by debris after fighting Dr. Eggman with his own mecha and exhausting the Tricore, but I will take advantage of that knowledge to introduce step three to 'Operation: Remaster'.'' Starline suddenly slammed his hands on the table. ''I will not let myself perish in such humiliating circumstances!'' Starline then held up the coloured manga, tapping on it with the back of his hand. ''In fact, the writer should be ashamed for killing me off so soon. I could've contributed far more to the narrative than this, but it appears that at least my legacy has continued in the form of Surge and Kit.'' He furrowed a brow. ''Even if I don't approve of their idea of turning into heroes as of The Phantom Rider Arc, I will admit it does make sense, as they were supposed to replace Sonic and Tails as heroes and simply following their original programming.'' Starline then waved with his hand in a dismissive manner. ''Nevertheless, I will make sure that none of this malarkey happens. It won't be easy, as I will be dealing with not just Sonic and Tails, but also the extended cast of characters, but human and Irregular ARNav. But, I have faith in my plan…''

Starline suddenly heard a sudden knocking on the door, and sighed in irritation, well aware who was interrupting him. He stopped the recording and haphazardly shoved the manga into a drawer, with the door behind him opening.

''Yo, Doc, what is up with the schedule?! Why do we have more training and tests on it?!'' Surge barged in, loudly complaining. Starline sighed, pinching the bridge of his beak.

''Have you forgotten that you left Kit behind during your last exercise?'' he responded.

''I'm sorry, I had to recharge my pack,'' Kit replied meekly.

''Kit arrived here eventually. The more important one made it in record time!'' Surge protested, pointing at herself. Starline huffed, placing his hands on his hips, with Surge getting frustrated by his attitude. ''Test? Passed! Me? Awesome! Com'n, Doc, let's get on with the main mission already!''

''You've proven yourself efficient in a controlled environment. The next step is to test your skills in the field-'' Starline panicked when Surge suddenly grabbed him by his shirt, her hand charged with electricity.

''I'm really tired of you talking down to me! We go now and we go hard!'' Surge demanded furiously.

''Go to sleep.'' Starline suddenly pointed his gloved hand at Surge, her eyes glazing over as hypnotic waves hit her, overwhelming her senses and knocking her out. Kit caught her, completely shocked by what he saw.

''Wh-What did you do to her?!'' he cried out, but Starline pointed his Hypno Glove at him, causing Kit's eyes to glaze over.

''You saw nothing,'' Starline stated, watching Kit as he fell over. He then gulped, his mouth dry and his heart beating rapidly as he adjusted his collar. I suppose I can only use hypnosis on them for so long. They are indeed more susceptible to it, but at the same time, they can build up tolerance to it. I will have to work with them a little longer to make sure they won't betray me.

Surge and Kit slowly came back to their senses, both feeling dizzy and holding their heads, with Surge groaning. ''Ugh, what happened?''

Starline gave the two a look of sincere concern, masking his true feelings. ''You pushed your enhancements too far and had a brief blackout. Fortunately, it is nothing that will affect you long term.'' He then smirked. ''Now, then, shall we discuss the field test?''

Surge and Kit exchanged glances, still a bit out of it, but then nodded, with Starline getting between them and placing his arms around their shoulders and pulling them closer.

''Excellent! I also have the perfect target for both of you!''

xXx

''Huh, this is the target?'' Surge rose an eyebrow, her and Kit walking between the warehouses in Souto. Both of them were also equipped with an AR Visor for communication with Starline, Surge wearing a pair of yellow shades on the top of her head, while Kit wore blue goggles with a yellow outline on top of his head.

''According to the map we were given, it should be close,'' Kit informed her. Surge grinned, sparks of electricity flying between her hands as she punched her knuckles.

''Finally, some real action! I've been dying to scrap with someone other than those stupid robots,'' she said.

''B-But, didn't Dr. Starline say that this is a stealth mission? We need to pass it to move on to the main mission,'' Kit pointed out. Surge whipped his head towards him, furrowing a brow.

''Hey, do you see Starline anywhere here, Drippy?'' Kit shook his head. ''Exactly! He's waiting back in the base, while we're doing our thing. Since I'm now in command, I say that we'll do this mission my way. You're my support unit, so support me!''

''I-I'm sorry, Ma'am,'' Kit apologized, lowering his head. He then gave her a determined look, clenching his fists. ''I will support you with all I have.''

''Now, that's the attitude I want to see,'' Surge said, smirking in satisfaction. ''Now, com'n, and don't slow me down. I want to finish this mission in record time.''

Surge then quickly rushed towards the next building, with Kit dutifully following her. They soon reached their target destination when they saw a few Irregulars holding boxes and moving them to a hovercraft. According to Starline, who had meticulously kept track of all of Dr. Eggman's robots, someone was taking the scrapped remains from the battlefield and storing them in warehouses all across Neos City. Showing quite a lot of disdain for the culprit, Starline instructed them to enter one of the warehouses and destroy the Badniks within it so they couldn't be used by anyone else, then escape the warehouse without getting caught.

Surge was quite excited about this, and ready to make her move, but Kit suddenly pulled her back with his water tendrils. She gave the fennec an annoyed look, but he then pointed at another group sneaking between the buildings; an echidna, a bat, a crocodile, a chameleon, a bee, and a teenage human girl.

''Ugh, don't tell me that they're here to for the same reason,'' Surge grumbled, gritting her teeth.

''Starline didn't tell us anything about anyone else knowing about this warehouse,'' Kit said, feeling concerned. Surge at first didn't like that they would have competition, as she wanted to destroy whatever was in the warehouse by herself, but then smirked confidently.

''You know what, Drippy? Maybe, this isn't so bad. This makes things more difficult, but will show that platypus that we can handle any situation,'' Surge said. Kit nodded in agreement. Surge then turned her attention back to the warehouse. ''Let the show begin!''

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[softxsuki]

Hello, I have an urgent request, could I request head cannons for Baji and Hakkai and how they would comfort/ help their s/o with anorexia? But like, they never noticed since their s/o is always wearing baggy clothes, but one day they collapse and then the boys go to pick them up to help them and realize how thin they are.

My mental health has been really down recently and your blog has brought me so much comfort, keep up the good work :)

Baji, Hakkai, and Mitsuya (Separate) with Anorexic Reader

Pairings: Baji x Gn!Reader, Hakkai x GN!Reader, Mitsuya x Gn!Reader

Warnings: mentions of anorexia, being thinner than usual, mentions of potential death in mitsuya's (very brief), pretty sure I accidentally used a comma instead of a period somewhere in here, but I'm too tired to look for it :0

Genre: Comfort

Post-Type: Headcanons

Word Count: 1.1k

Summary: In which you collapse and upon helping you up, they discover how thin you've become and address the issue of your anorexia

[A/N: Hi hun! I was supposed to write this yesterday, but I woke up not feeling too great, so sorry for the delay. I'm so happy to hear that my blog has brought you some comfort <3 I hope these headcanons are useful to you as well then <3 Take care! ]

Baji:

You were spending the day with Baji at his place

It was pretty easy hiding your anorexia from him–he never pushed you to eat at his place, having already told you that you can just take food if you want it from his kitchen

He was always too caught up in the moment of spending time with you to realize that you never ate while with him

So when you suddenly collapsed after standing up from the couch, he was very shocked, and worried

He’s by your side in a second wrapping his arms around your waist to hoist you up, but what he feels makes him pause

Expect him to be very blunt, he’s not going to sugar coat his way around asking you upfront why you’re so thin

And he doesn’t have the patience to hear you try and weave your way around excuses–you weren’t like that before

Is this why you haven't been so touchy with him lately? You used to love cuddling up to him, but lately you had been pushing him away

He didn’t really think anything of it at the time though; gosh he was so stupid

He picks you up with ease and traps you on his lap as he sits back on the couch, refusing to let you go until you’re honest with him

Doesn’t care if you’re upset with him afterwards, he needs to know so he can help

After everything is said and done though, he’d apologize for being so rough about things

You’re very important to him, and he doesn’t want you to struggle in any way, especially not right under his nose when he could have been helping you the whole time

You’re definitely not getting off easy though, he’s keeping a close eye on you this time, and will try and make sure you at least eat something whenever you’re with him

He’d do whatever he can to make sure you feel better again–tells you that you don’t have to starve yourself

Reminds you of how perfect you are in his eyes, and how badly he wants you to be healthy again

Overall, he is very passionate and a bit aggressive at his approach to help you out, but he’ll soften if you ever crack under the pressure and apologizes for being too tough on you

Just tell him your boundaries very clearly and he’d do his best to not cross them

Hakkai: 

You were walking hand in hand with Hakkai back home when you suddenly collapsed, causing Hakkai to freak out

Reaching down to help you up, he could feel how thin your arms were

He tries to wipe the shock off his face though, not wanting to alarm you or make you think that he was judging you or anything–because he wasn’t, he’s just…worried

After reassuring him that you’re okay and just felt dizzy for a moment, he plays along and continues to walk by your side, your hand still held in is

He’s not fully there though as you try to talk to him for the rest of the walk

Truth be told, he was trying to figure out how he wanted to address what he had discovered; would it be rude if he just asked you outright? What if you got self-conscious and closed off from him? What if you scolded him for pointing out when he should have just kept the discovery to himself? He was just over-thinking at this point

So when you finally arrive at your place and kiss him goodbye, getting ready to let go of his hand and walk into your home, his grip on your hand doesn’t loosen

“What’s going on?” He asks nervously, hesitant that you’d take his words the wrong way, but knowing he needed to address it nonetheless

If you do brush him off though, he definitely wouldn’t have the guts to reiterate what he means, so he’d try again another day, but he’d be keeping a closer eye on you

He loves you so much and he’s scared he’ll say the wrong thing and potentially lose you one day, so he’s extremely cautious

However, if he does notice you getting thinner and thinner before his eyes, he would find the courage to go to you about it

He just wants to help you and love you–he wants a long future together with you where you’re both healthy and happy! So he’ll definitely make sure that happens.

Tell him what he needs to do to help, and he’ll do it 

Mitsuya:

You were jumping onto Mitsuya’s motorcycle behind him, when the world started to spin, making you stumble a bit, almost falling off the bike had Mitsuya not caught you

He felt it, how thin you had become, but it wasn’t news to him–he had already noticed your face getting thinner and thinner each time he met up with you, but he couldn’t sit by and help from the sidelines anymore, he needed to be more bold with his approach

“You’ll be riding up here from now on until you start taking better care of yourself, darling,” he whispers in your ear as he sits you in front of him, making sure your helmet is on securely before racing off with you leaning against his chest

You knew he had found out–but you didn’t know that he had already known for a long time–as observant as he was, Mitsuya was a gentleman and he didn’t want to address it at first in fear that it would make you self-conscious

His lousy attempts at helping you subtlety weren’t working so he needed to do more–and that started now

The rest of the ride is silent (ofc, you’re not gonna try and scream over the motorcycles’ engine lol) but as soon as he stops at your destination, he keeps you trapped in his arms

“Look, I don’t know why you’re doing this to yourself, and I won’t pry for an answer if you’re not ready to give one, But something has to change. I can’t sit back and watch you slowly kill yourself. I love you too much to see you harm yourself like this, so please…tell me what I can do for you and I’ll do it.”

With having two sisters, he’s used to being the person people rely on, and you feeling like you couldn’t do that, hurt him, but he needed you to know that he was here to help and even after knowing what he knows, he still loves you and will continue to love you through it all

That’s the only time he’d bring it up though. He keeps a close eye on you and makes sure you’re eating well balanced meals, even if it isn’t a lot. But he won’t speak of it ever again until you bring it up first

When you’re ready to take the step to seek professional help as well, he’s right there by your side the whole way

REQUESTS ARE OPEN :D

[amazingmsme]

What Do We Have Here?

AN: Finally finished the milestone celebration, & I’m already almost halfway to the next one! I can’t believe how much this blog has grown, my 15 year old self would be so shook if she knew how far she’d come. But I’m not here to get sappy, I’m here to deliver some highly requested curtwen fluff! Hope y’all enjoy the newest installment of the fake interrogation series!

All traditions must start somewhere, even the more unconventional ones. Especially the unconventional ones. Curt remembered it like it was yesterday...

He had just disposed of the remaining guards in the long hallway. The entire building had been strangely sparse, with few obstacles in his path which could only mean one thing: Owen got their first.

Damn it, he really hated when Owen got there before he did. He took all the fun out of it, only to later rub it in his face. It looked like it was shaping up to be one of those times.

That is, until Curt stumbled upon a room being used to interrogate one Owen Carvour. Oh, this was just too good.

He managed to change into one of the less bloodied uniforms from a previously disposed guard. He put on a straight face and marched in like he owned the place. All three heads snapped to look his way.

"Sorry to interrupt gentlemen, but there's been an issue. You're both needed in the lab."

"Excuse me?"

"Who the hell are-"

"Don't give me your fucking lip! Get to the lab now, that's an order!" Curt demanded in such a tone that left little room for argument. The interrogators reluctantly left their battered victim, but not before one spat on Owen before leaving. The other stared him down as he walked out of the room. Curt let them get halfway down the hall before firing two shots, watching them crumble.

Curt was sure they had been the last ones in the building, but just to be safe, he shut the heavy door, concealing them as he freed his partner.

"Perfect timing Mega, they were just about to go for the teeth," Owen quipped as Curt sauntered towards him.

"Pity. If only I'd been a few minutes late," he teased, squatting in front of him to untie his legs. Owen smirked down at him, biting back a larger grin.

"I'll be sure to remember that the next time you're in this situation," he shot back, cocking his head smugly. Curt rolled his eyes, reaching up to squeeze his knee in retaliation. He expected an annoyed huff, maybe a chuckle, but what he got in return was so much better. He shrieked and his entire body jerked in his bonds, even making the chair hop slightly.

They locked eyes, and it only took a moment for Curt to put the pieces together. Owen was already shaking his head, "No no no, Curt wait!"

"Why didn't you tell me you were ticklish?" he asked instead, cutting him off abruptly. "We could've been having so much fun together," he practically purred, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs. His legs twitched in response, tugging on the rope around his ankles.

"That's exactly why, now quit fooling around and get me out of here!" he demanded, hissing through clenched teeth. Curt hummed in thought, tapping his fingers impatiently on Owen's bouncing knee.

"I don't knooooow," he drawled as he stood up and began pacing the room. "This is a very interesting situation." He didn't even bother trying to hide his smirk as he watched Owen glare up at him from his seat. "Oh come on, don't give me that look."

"Then let me out."

"On second thought- no. After all, a man doesn't get in a situation like this every day..." he mused, circling his trapped partner like a hungry wolf.

"Curt, I'm serious!"

"Oh so am I! I mean, this is a real golden opportunity here!"

"Seriously Curt, stop quoting It's a Wonderful Life, you're not George Bailey," Owen scolded as he tried to free himself, seeing as Curt would be useless in that effort. "Have you forgotten we have a job to do?"

"Actually," he corrected with a shit eating grin. "I finished it. Cleared the building too." Owen felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. "So really, we have all the time in the world."

Owen frantically shook his head, scooting the chair away from his downright evil companion. "No we don't! I'm supposed to be back at headquarters in 2 hours!"

Curt shrugged, "Alright, so you got a little tied up." He couldn't help but snicker at the pun, making Owen roll his eyes dramatically. "Wouldn't be the first time we ran late."

"Curt."

"I'll just let Cynthia know," he cut him off, pulling up the call on his watch.

"Mega, I hope you're calling with good news," came the unamused drawl through the crackle of static.

"Sure am! Just finishing up around here. But Owen and I are gonna stop off and get a beer, so don't wait up."

"Wasn't planning to." With a click, she was gone, and they were alone once more.

"I hate you."

"That's a lie," Curt said, pointing an accusatory finger and smirking.

Owen snorted, "Not right now, it's not." Curt scoffed, placing his hands on his hips.

"Oh you are so asking for it."

"The only thing I'm asking for is to be let go," he insisted, but the effort was futile. Curt's mind was made up.

"And you will! ... Eventually," Curt said, dropping his voice an octave and putting on a halfway decent Russian accent. Owen smirked in amusement, cocking an eyebrow skeptically.

"Uuh, what are you doing?" he asked, barely holding back a laugh.

"Shut up, I'm interrogating you! What's it look like?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Oh you'll be answering for a lot, actually," Curt mused. He made a show of grabbing the tray of torture tools and dragging it closer. The tiny wheels slid across the smooth, concrete floor and the sound alone sent a chill down Owen's spine. He knew Curt wasn't planning on using them, but the knowledge of their proximity and the damage they could inflict definitely made his heart race more than he'd like to admit.

Curt began rummaging through the tools at his disposal, picking them up for inspection before tossing them haphazardly over his shoulder. "Nope. Not that one. Nu uh. Too quick. No, too messy. No. No. No..." The tools clattered to the ground one after the other. Owen didn't miss the looks tossed his way as Curt showed off, clearly trying to cheer him up.

"Keep doing that, and you'll have nothing left," Owen piped up smugly. He froze and turned to look at him, a dangerous glint in his eye as he held his hands behind his back. He crouched down to speak directly in his ear.

"Trust me, that's the plan," he purred, and Owen hated how good he was at that stupid fucking accent. A deep chuckle curled around his neck, drawing his attention back to his partner.

That was a mistake, because he was met with fingers wiggling threateningly in his direction and he flinched at the sight, giving himself away. He swore under his breath as Curt laughed at him.

"A little jumpy are we?" he teased with a shit eating grin.

"Fuck you," he barked, feeling the last bit of defiance surge within him.

"Well well well, someone's eager to start!"

"Curt, don't!"

"Who is this "Curt" you keep speaking of? I'm Viktor, world class interrogator. And you will talk..."

Owen rolled his eyes, a smart ass quip on the tip of his tongue, when gentle fingers prodding his sides made him swallow the retort. He sucked in a breath through clenched teeth, closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to meet Curt's teasing gaze.

"They all do."

"That's a bit cliché, even for you, love," Owen said, tilting his head back to smirk up at him.

"Yeah well, I'm not the one tied up, so I wouldn't know," Curt shot back, slipping out of his fake accent before falling back into character. "So... What is it you were hoping to find, snooping around?"

Owen scoffed at the snide dig, but despite his growing annoyance (as well as nerves) he couldn't deny his amusement at the show on display. It was for his benefit, after all. Might as well enjoy it while he still could.

"Your mother's telephone number," he smirked, reveling in the way Curt's jaw dropped to the floor.

And then he felt hands digging into his thighs, and he was a goner.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly. What were you looking for?" Curt repeated, kneading into the soft flesh.

"Curt plehehease! Thihis ihihis stupid!" Owen pleaded through his already growing laughter.

"I told you, I am Viktor," he corrected, squeezing from his upper thighs all the way down to his kneecaps. He gasped and jerked in his bonds when he felt Curt "crack an egg" on his knees, so to speak. His fingers continued scratching his knees in that odd jellyfish-like motion.

Owen's legs twitched from where they were tied down, and he barely held back a surprised laugh. "Q-quit plahaying around! I'm warning yo- NOHO DON'T!" he barked out a laugh when Curt squeezed his knees. He threw his head back and cackled when he didn't stop, only encouraged by the sounds of mirth spilling free from his mouth.

"It would seem I've found your weak spot, Agent Carvour," Curt purred, whispering in his ear so his warm breath curled around his ear and neck. He giggled and scrunched his neck, leaning away in his chair. Curt's eyes sparkled with mischief as he cocked his head. 

"Oh, what's this? Is your neck a little sensitive?" he cooed, scratching under his chin teasingly. He let out a choked snicker, slamming his chin down. Curt chuckled and pulled away. "I'll have to remember that."

"No!"

"I'm sorry, but who's the one tied to the chair?" Curt sassed, slipping back into his normal noice. Owen glared at him instead of answering, and Curt smirked. "Yeah that's what I thought."

"Curt, Ihihi swear, as s-soon as I gehet out of hehehere I'm kihicking your ahahass!" Owen tried to sound threatening through his growing hysterics, but failed miserably.

"I don't think so. See, you'll be way too tired to even lay a finger on me," Curt bragged, scribbling his fingers from his ribs down his sides, pausing to drill his thumbs in the hollows of his hipbones. Owen shrieked and bucked against the ropes that tied him to the chair. In fact, you'll be so tired I'll have to carry you out."

Owen whimpered at the threat, the blush on his cheeks darkening. Curt smirked.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" he taunted.  Owen's jaw dropped.

"I would not!" he denied, yelping when he felt Curt drill circles against the bone.

"Lying will only make things worse, you know," he teased, shooting him a wink. Owen sputtered for an excuse as he squirmed in the chair.

"Ihi hate you!" he giggled, tossing his head back. Curt grabbed his hair and yanked his head back to look at him, and Owen did not need to dwell on how that made him feel right now.

"Oh I'll make you change your mind," he growled, raking his fingers down his ribs. Owen strained against the ropes holding him to the chair as his laughter grew in pitch.

"Ohohokahay, okahay! You wihihin!" Owen conceded, not wanting to give Curt any more reason to torture him.

"Aw, thanks. Can you be my prize?" he asked, walking his fingers up his ribs. Owen gasped and squirmed in his seat.

"Wha- no! Absolutely not!" He sucked in his belly and barked out a laugh when Curt's other hand dug in without warning, scribbling against toned muscle.

“Yeah, well, you should’ve thought of that before saying I win,” he taunted, scribbling over his sides ruthlessly. Owen shrieked, bright laughter pouring from his mouth as he strained against the ropes tied around his body.

“Plehease, behehe reasonable!” he pleaded, bucking like a bull once Curt latched onto his thighs.

“I think I’m being very reasonable, all things considered,” he cooed, raking his nails down the backs of Owen’s knees. He practically convulsed, blushing when a loud snort forced its way out. Curt let out a gleeful, downright sadistic cackle of his own.

“I didn’t peg you as a snorter, Carvour. Didn’t peg you as ticklish either, yet here we are,” he winked at him before scratching the backs of his knees and thighs, drawing out another snort.

“There won’t be pegging of any kind if you don’t hurry and get me the fuck out of here!” He managed to sound semi threatening as he caught his breath, glaring up at Curt. He looked absolutely ravishing as the blush spread across his cheeks, his hair matted to his forehead with a layer of sweat. Curt couldn’t resist, and grabbed him by the chin, pulling him in for a quick kiss.

“I will babe, but I’m having too much fun right now. Maybe in a few minutes, I promise.”

“You’re going to regret this once we get back to the hotel.”

“Oh I don’t doubt it.” Curt placed his hands on his hips, resting his forehead against Owen’s as his breath hitched. “In fact, I’m counting on it.”

Owen heaved a deeply annoyed sigh, though he sported a sly smirk. “Fine then. As long as you know what you’re in for.”

Curt knew full and well what was in store for him, but right now, seeing Owen tied up and at his mercy, he knew any retribution he’d face would be worth it.

[angelwishess]

Hehe... Like I promised. This is meant to be super silly lmao I was laughing so hard writing some scenes. @screamintoad cuz Jane.

Ivrine wasn't one to care what name anyone used for her, much less address her. However her boyfriend really tended to be… creative with his choices. 

When they first got together, it started off sweet with endearing names that cussed her heart to flutter. The issue though was that Marven was inconsistent with his choices. He called her with a different nickname everyday to the point Ivrine lost count of how many variations she had heard. So she relied on his tone to know who he was talking to and eventually Marven pieced it together. 

Knowing that Ivrine payed more attention to his tone, he began using random nicknames to see how far it'd go. 

“Paint mixer 2000”

“What do you want.”

Eventually Ivrine reached her limit of tolerance. 

. 

. 

The halls felt too silent for a booming place like NRC as Ivrine sat alone at the schools library, searching it's racks for an appropriate reference book to use for her exams. 

Eventually the sound of heavy footsteps approaching began becoming more evident. The rhythm with which the feet struck the ground was unmistakably a result of Marven and she was certain he would barge in, in less than a minute or so. 

Sure enough by the time she sat back down at her table with her books sprawled out in front of her, her boyfriend was leaning onto her shoulders, peeking over her head to see what she was reading. 

“Ultra super sonic hot and gold cheese grating wall hammer! Whatcha reading~? ” 

No response. Marven frowned, poking Ivrine's cheeks to get a reaction out of her as she continued to work. 

“Hey. Are you ignoring me??” 

No response again. Marven sighed, leaning his weight of Ivrine with a pout. 

“If you're mad cuz of the names, I'm sorry just don't ignore me cmon I came all the way from my dorm to meet you and you won't even talk, sea rose.” 

Being met with silence once more Marven sat down besides her attempting to see if he could get her to reply. The seconds ticked by and he remained unsuccessful as Ivrine stood up and grabbed her bag leaving for the door. 

“Hey, wait-! ” 

Before Marven could get his sentence out however Ivrine had left as he remained sat at the table, sulking. 

. 

. 

. 

“Could you please pass me the stirrer, Evelio?” 

“Of Course, Ivrine. However, I have a question if you don't mind. ”

“Ask away. ” 

“Marv has been feeling down since yesterday to the point even Binnie’s treat did little in improving his mood. Any idea why?” 

Huh… Ivrine didn't expect him to take it that hard. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen her bf the entire day either and this was the last class…

“Are u listening?”

“Ah,apologies I zoned out but I don't have any clue as to why he is moping about.”

“I see.”

The final bell rang, indicating the end of the day as Ivrine hurried back to her dorm. If Marven really did take it to heart, then she'll need to make up to him. 

The students at heartslabyul seemed to be much more present today. It was rare to see so many stick around and they all seemed to be talking amongst themselves. Did something happen that she missed? 

“OH yea and Marven is such a great guy right? He cares sooooo much for Ivrine” 

Ah. So that's what this is. She should've known. 

Surely enough she figured out the scheme. Multiple students were gossiping amongst themselves “discreetly” about how Marven is. Whether they were threatened or joined in out of free will was unclear and something she'll look into late-

“Uh oh! It seems as if I have accidentally broken one of the Queens saucers.”

What.

Quickly following the voice, she was met with Jane surrounded by broken glass. However before she could say something an arm stretched out infront of her. 

“Heh… Don't worry babe I got this.”

Above all, the scene was painful to watch. Ivrine could appreciate the effort but the execution of the plan was terrible. Seeing Marven “scold” Jane and “Forcing” her to pick up the broken shards and clean up the mess. It was all so stupid… but cute. 

“You're a hopeless lot, you know that.” 

Hearing Ivrine speak to him again, Marven quickly turned around to face her, pleased that his plan had worked only to be yanked down by his tie and kissed. It was over before he could even process it as Ivrine began to make her way to her room but stopped.

“Oh and Jane. You have double hedgehog duty next week. And if you don't follow through, I'll lock you up in the rose maze the entire night. ” 

“WHAT WHY? WHAT DID I DO?” 

“You broke my favorite saucer.” 

ADDIE OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GOOD IT aCTUALLY HAS ME GIGGLINGGG THIS IS SUCH A NICE SURPRISE TO WAKE UP TO LMAOAOAOOI 😭😭

ULTRA SUPER SONIC HOT AND GOLD CHEESE GRATING WALL HAMMERRRR ??????? MARVEN IS SUCH AN ANNOYYING DORK I HATE HIM HELEPP…

HE’D DEF DO THE MOST CLICHE THINGS EVER TO TRY AND GET HER ATTENTION😭😭 my dude thinks this is highschool musical or smth😭

ADDIE ILYSM THIS IS SO PERFECT AUAUAUAUUU

Rip Jane shes totally going to get Marven back for this LMAOO

[romanestuffsposts]

I have a minor heart issue where I get episodes of a high heart rate and chest tightness. Can you possibly write one where their little has an episode like at home or maybe out with them running errands? 🥺💖

Hi there love! 💜

I really hope that you're fine! And I hope it's not too serious. You're so so strong let me tell you ❤️

I hope you like how i turned it, babe.

Enjoy <3

****

Warnings : episode of chest tighening, high heart rate, angst, comfort, pet names, working daddies, tiredness, daddies take care of you, cuddles, reassurance

Pairings : Daddies!Stucky ; Daddy!Bucky x Papa!Steve x Little!Reader

Summary : you're about to prepare you a good lunch when something from earlier is suddenly coming back. Fortunately for you, your Daddies heard you and are here to make sure you're fine, as always.

A/N : I'm so sorry for the late post. I got a bit overwelmed about some things and I didn't had the strengh to keep working on my writing.

I had started writing some request but didn't finished them. But today, I had free times after school and the most important things, I didn't had any homeworks and I have a big week end of four days, starting tomorrow. So i'll have plenty times to rest and get my shit together.

Thank you for your understanding my love, you're all the best! Love you so much

I hope you had a good start to the week and will have wonderful days!

Big kisses,

Romane

Second A/N : i don’t know if how I wrote it in exact same way you have it- probably not but I hope that’s okay!

****

You're comfortably laying on the couch watching your favorite show. You're laying in here since the moment you woke up, you went to say good morning to your Daddies in their office right after you opened an eye.

They have a lot of work and they told you yesterday that they'll be working almost all day so, before jumping on the couch to do nothing you went to them a little good morning.

You could say they were very busy with work so you didn't stay for too long in their office. They kissed you good mornings and asked you if you had a good sleep but nothing more. You didn’t want to be a burden so you quickly excused yourself and left.

Now you're laying on the couch laughing your ass off as your show plays on the screen. But unfortunately for you, its the end of the show so now you don't know what to watch.

You grab the remote and put something else. You don't know what it is, you never heard the name of this movie nor heard about it but that's the first thing you found so you decide to let it there.

As you lie back on the couch, a loud siren suddenly yell from outside making you flinch hard. You feel your heartbeat going faster for a moment as you look at the window where the sound came from. The jump caused you to be on a sitting position now.

You feel your breathing going back to normal and the pain you felt in your chest due to the fear is going away by it's own. You slowly lie back down on the couch, taking some breath to be sure you're fully calm now.

You put your attention back on the screen and the incident is now completly forget as you're mind focus on the tv.

The movie isn’t that bad but you’re still happy when the screen goes black, announcing the end. You get up from the couch and make your way toward the kitchen to grab something to eat since it’s now lunch time. You hesitate at going in your daddies’s office to give them their lunch, maybe they’re hungry too, but you decide to not disturbed them. The last thing you want is to make them grumpy. They’re grown men after all, they can go eat by themselves when they’re feeling hungry.

You grab the bread and start making a little meal while thinking about what you’re gonna do after. Maybe watching another movie ? Or probably not, you already watch a lot of tv and you usually get a headache if you overdo screen time. But drawing sounds good.

You grab the knife and start cutting your piece of bread in two pieces when you feel something weird in your chest. It feels like what happened earlier in the day. The same weird thing you felt earlier in the day

You let go of the knife you were holding causing it to fall on the ground. Your daddies’s attention turn toward the baby monitor in their office who is relied to the one in the living room and kitchen. Since this area of the house is relied to each other

You start panicking and take a hold of the island counter, your chest start to tighten and you feel your chest getting heavier and heavier as if all the weight of the world were sitting and punching your chest.

What is happening ? You were fine two seconds before that. You turn to look at the stairs and decide to go upstairs. Maybe laying in your bed is the best idea, right now.

It’s probably because of the screen, you thought, but when you start to walk, you immediately feel the need to sit down. You can’t bear all the pain and all the uncomfortable feelings you feel inside of you. You let yourself go and drop on your knees in the middle of the kitchen floor.

Bucky’s attention is still glued to the baby monitor while Steve is getting back to work. He keeps telling Bucky to calm down and that you probably just dropped a spoon or a knife you were using but something tells him to stay focus on it a little bit longer and Bucky’s instinct never failed him so this time, just like any others, he listen to it

When he hears you whining and your breath starting to get heavier and shorter, he stands up and walks toward the little things beside their desks. Steve almost rolls his eyes because he didn’t heard what his husband had. He just thinks he’s overreacting because you’re alone downstairs and it doesn’t happen every times.

He suddenly hears you falling and he almost drops the thing in his hand as he lets go of everything and decides to make a quick run to you. He opens the door in one quick movement and it’s like in almost two steps, he’s beside you.

You didn’t know you made that much noise until you see your Daddy running down the stairs and to you. He grabs your face with his hands and tilts it toward his, you sees his lips moving but the only thing you can understand is the panic and the concern in your Daddy’s face.

‘’Little one ?’´ he asks looking into your wide eyes ‘’can you hear me ? Where does it hurt ?’’ He asks but the look on your face tells him that you didn’t heard anything.

He stands up and easily lifts you up, he pulls you closer to him and you wrap your legs around his waist. With one hand, he assures your safety in his arms while with the other, he looks through the kitchen for your medication.

He exhales loudly when he finally find it and analyse it. He sighs a second time but a lot less happy than the first time as he puts the medication on the counter. He rubs your back slowly, he can almost feel your heart beating faster and faster more the seconds pass. ‘’It’s okay, babygirl. You’ll be fine, everything is okay’’ before reassures you, not knowing if your attention is on him again or still away.

‘’I’ll rest you on the counter island a little bit and then you’ll come back in my arms. Are you okay with that ?’’ He gently asks, hid lips against your ear as a small whisper comes out. You whine and shake your head, holding him tighter than before with the little strength left in you.

‘okay, beautiful. We’ll wait a little bit more’’ just as he said that, a blond figure appears from the stairs. Steve looks up and frowns when he sees the scenes before him ‘’what happened ?’’ He asks but gets a silence answer from Bucky.

Your Daddy turns his attention back to you ‘’how do you feel about sitting down for a bit ? I’ll be right in front of you, you can hold my hand the whole time so you can be sure I wonky go anywhere’’ he quietly asks and waits for you to answer.

You think about it and slowly nod your head. He smiles and kisses your temple. He walks toward the counter and wait until it touch your ass, letting you know that it’s the time to let go ‘’I’ll help you sit down. Firstly I’ll unwrap your legs and when I’m sure that you’re ready, I’ll unwrap your arms’’ he tells you so you’re ready and knows what will happen.

You whine but nod your head. He lifts your butt and rests it on the counter, he slides his hands along your legs who are around him and gently unlocks your feet. He brings your legs against the counter before letting go of your toes. He then slides his hands on your arms until it reach your hands behind his neck. He squeezes your hands before unlocking them too. He kisses each one of them and rests them against your laps. Just like he promised, he keeps a hand in yours and turns around to find Steve already walking to him with a glass of water.

Even if Steve weren’t here since the beginning of what happened, he still knows what to do for you and what to do for helping Bucky.

‘’Thank you, Stevie’’ Bucky says, grabbing the glass before turning around to look at you ‘’did you took these this morning ?’’ He asks showing you the medications. You look at it and shake your head. Every effort is hard to make, even one simple movement such as moving your head or your body away from your Daddy

Your Papa stands behind you and wraps his arms around your waist, he gently rests his chin on your shoulder, his hands gently stroking your belly just like you love it. It’s something who calm you and make you sleepy and your Daddies know that. They help you getting on a deep sleep at night by doing that when you can’t sleep. But this time, it’s to calm your little heart and to show you that he’s here with you and for you.

Your Daddies look at each other after you shook your head and sigh once again ‘’you know what is it for ?’’ Your Papa asks, turning his gaze to you and to the pills on front of you. You shake your head again. Why does they keep asking you question ? You just want to rest.

‘’Baby, look at me’’ your Daddy’s voice get your attention back to him ‘’those ugly things’’ he says showing you the pills with a grimace ‘’are for your own good, baby’’ he says tilting his head. ‘’it’s for your little heart, and we need you to take it because you are our heart and we need you to be okay because we love you. You need your heart to be in a good shape just as much as we need you to be inn a good shape. Do you understand us ?"

You nod your head telling him you understood even though you didn't really understood. Your Daddy looks at your Papa behind you and they both arch an eyebrow "are you sure you really understood, sweetie ?" your Papa asks, his breath lightly tickling your neck. You nod your head again. You're too tired to tell them you didn't understood and having to wait for them to expalin all over again. You don't have the strengh, right now.

Your Daddy chuckles, he knows what you're doing and decides to let it aside today because it's not the time. You're not focus enough to remember what they're saying even if it's important.

"Just take one now. You have to take it every morning after you woke up" he says giving you the pill and the glass of water. You cring and shake your head. It's bad enough that you have to take it every morning but he want to give one to you now ? In the early afternoon ? It's not morning.

"baby it's really important. Take it." he orders putting the pill in your mouth. You grimace and whine looking one last time at your Daddy for mercy, but the look on his face clearly say that every wars you're ready to take against him is a losing battle. Sighing you allow him to bring the cup of water to your mouth and to take a big sip.

You don't swallow it right away because it's not a small pill so you're scared but with the praises and the words of your Daddies are helping you a lot. It help so much that you finally swallow the pill causing your Daddies to yell their proudness at you. "You did it! we're so proud of you, beautiful" your Daddy says with stars in his eyes

"You're so strong! How did you do ? You'll have to teach me because i'm not as strong as you for taking pills" Your Papa says with a shocked face before winking at you.

You blush and look down at your laps, fidgeting with your fingers. They chuckle and you feel your Papa removing his arms from around you making you whine. It felt so good, his arms around you, the warm of his body against yours, the comfort and reassurance he can give you without actually speaking.

Those feelings are quickly replaced by your Papa's arms again as he lifts you up from the counter after he walked around it to stand in front of you. He leaves the kitchen with your Daddy on his heels and starts to walks up the stairs.

You look at your Daddy who shifts his gaze to you when he feels your eyes on him. He smiles brightly at you and brings his hand to your foot. He hold your toes all the way to their bedroom for a good nap time. You giggle at him because h can't stop making funny face to you to high up the mood.

Your Daddy lets go of you when you reach the bed and your Papa gently rests you down in it. Since you were still in your pyjama, you can immediately slide under the cover and wait for the warmth of your Daddies.

While one of your Daddies went to use the bathroom, the other went to turn off the light of the bedroom and light up the night light before crowling in bed beside you. You immediately snuggle closer to him and sigh in contentement when your favorites feelings come back with his arms around you. You close your eyes and wait for your Daddy to come back from the bathroom to snuggle with you too

You need it but you know that they need it too. They had a lot of work the last few days and really deserve to rest.

You smile when two others arms come around you and you don't need anything more to feel ready to fall asleep and rest.

Now that your heart isn't hurting anymore feel good, a whole lot better. It was scary, really scary but it helped you a lot that your Daddies were there for you, they didn't let you alone, they didn't let you down. They accompanied you to the end and always will.

That's something you're positive about. It took a long time to find someone who'll carry you up to the sky and above the cliuds in everything you want to do, even if it seems like a dumb thing, you needed someone like that. And you found it, you not only found someone, you found two people, two gorgious men who'll do anything to see you fly on your own.

"good nap, baby girl" your Daddy kisses the bak of your neck "you handled things so good, just like a big girl. Don't ever forget how proud we are"

"we love you, always and forever"

[ineedtotouchgrassrightnow]

Moon,Sun,Earth

”The moon needs the sun to shine but the sun couldn’t care less earth is the one who recieves all the sunlight"

Child of Zeus!!!

You've been friends with Percy for years. You two just clicked from a young age, and nothing could alter that. You were each other's complement – you on his right, he on your left. Inseparable, wherever one ventured, the other followed; an unbreakable bond that time couldn't touch.

Every time he fell sick, you cared for him despite his reluctance, cautious not to make you catch the sickness. Whenever he fought with his stepdad and needed someone to confide in, you were there. Through every bout of poor grades, you stood by him.

Since meeting Annabeth, everything went awry. Initially, he praised her intelligence and agility. But it escalated, becoming a recurring issue in where every conversation somehow revolved around her. Hanging out? "Annabeth showed me-" Your birthday? "Annabeth did the funniest thing yesterday!" Even breaking your arm was tied to Annabeth, as he exclaimed, "I think Annabeth is mad at me." The focus shifted entirely.

It has reached a point where he cancels plans with you to cater to her every need. He promised to assist you with training later in the day but had to cancel due to Annabeth's fever. Even after she reassured him she was fine, he stopped talking to you. He ignores your waves when you cross paths, always choosing Annabeth. Every new quest or important news, he rushes to tell Annabeth. In his constant pursuit of her, he overlooks the one who was there for him from the beginning.

You reached a breaking point after he forgot your birthday again. It was worse than enduring his rants about her last year. Does he even know your birthday? If you were to ask him, 'What's my birthday?' would he mistakenly say July 12th, thinking about hers?

"Why are you acting so stuck up?" he snapped at you, frustrated with your behavior.

"Why am I acting stuck up? Why are you behaving like you're better than me?"

"When did I ever start acting better than you?"

"I don't know? Maybe after you completely forgot about me!? Perhaps it was when you replaced me with someone who is just another facade of me!"

"Don't you dare disrespect Annabeth!" he shouted, his voice clear and sharp, sending shivers down your spine. He had never defended you like this before.

"Disrespect? You disrespected me. What are you talking about? After all I did for you?" You couldn't help but laugh at his demeanor. "I wasted my whole life looking after you!" Your hand gripped into a fist.

"I took care of you every time you got in a fight with your stepdad! I nursed you back to health when you were sick! I walked you home! I tried to help you get better grades. I stayed up late talking to you even if I had a big test the next day!" Your nails dug deeper into your skin as your fist clenched turning white.

"I never asked for any of that! You just wasted your own damn time!"

"I wasted my time being a good friend!?"

"I never asked you to be my friend in the first place! You just came along some random day and never left! Following me around like a lost puppy with no life!"

"I'm sorry for caring about you!!! I won't do it again!" The words hung heavy in the air, a bitter acknowledgment of the unraveling friendship.

"Good, I don't want or need you in my life!"

"I want you!" You yelled without realizing. You quickly covered your mouth, but he still heard you. Percy didn't know what to say in response to that, the pissed demeanor fading to a confused look mixed with disgust. The tension thickened as the weight of your confession lingered in the air, both of you grappling with the sudden shift in the dynamic that had defined your friendship.

"Did you honestly think I would be anything more than friends with you?"

"I don't even like you romantically!" You felt your heartbeat race as you lied.

"I want you back! You were my friend, my other side. I miss you!" You took a deep breath as you felt your lungs giving out.

"I miss listening to you rant about your day, about the girls that bullied you, about your favorite class! I miss you! I miss my friend!"

"Were you my friend or was I YOUR friend? “Was I your friend... or were you my friend?" The questions echoed, revealing.

"Look, can we just call this quits? I have training with Annabeth-"

"Annabeth this, Annabeth that! What about Y/N this and Y/N that? Huh!? What does she have that I don't? What did you see in her that you couldn't see in me after years?"

"Do you want the truth?"

"I don't... I don't know. Something about her..." His face turned a slight pink as the heat rushed to his face, thinking about her. The room filled with an awkward silence.

You couldn't help but start laughing loudly too. "Y-You don't kn-know!?" Your sentences were breaking up due to your unstoppable laughter.

"Bullshit! Y-You, I- I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE!" You couldn't take it anymore. All the thoughts in your head were mashing together and mixing to the point you didn't know what to think. The room echoed with the chaotic laughter.

"Fine then! Forget me! Go, leave, go hang out with Annabeth!"

"Thank you." Percy rolled his eyes and left, leaving you standing all alone, dumbfounded.

*"I hate him! I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!"* You knew you could never hate him, but you needed to feel like you could hate him.

You watched as he walked up to Annabeth, and his mood increased right away, the same way it used to when you two would hang out. The contrast stung, emphasizing the void left.

Even if you hated her, you saw what he saw in her – she was smart, sassy, charming, strong-minded, and all the good stuff. She had nothing negative about her! He would be crazy not to be head over heels for her. Yet, you couldn't stop feeling guilty. You knew she did nothing wrong; she was always nice to you, but she was just... so UGH!?

A new pit of rage mixed into your stomach, one that grew bigger and bigger every time you saw them hanging out, laughing, or doing anything together! The conflicting emotions churned within, a storm of resentment and self-blame.

Not knowing what to do, you went back to your empty cabin, cabin 1, and grabbed everything that belonged to Percy: his hoodies, his sweatshirt, the stupid letters he would write to you when you were younger that made no sense since he had bad dyslexia, and the stupid stuffed dog he got you at the fair after struggling many times to get it. In your fit of rage, you went to grab a towel he left a long time ago and ended up hitting your side on an extra bunk bed. All the emotions you had bottled up came pouring out of nowhere; this was the final straw. Tears came down your face like crazy.

“I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE HER I HATE MYSELF I HATE MYSELF I HATE MYSELF I HATE MYSELF I HATE MYSELF”

Ignoring the pain in your throat, you shouted uncontrollably. Once you started yelling, you couldn't stop; your breaths became uneven, and you sounded like a distraught child crying. If you were a child, you would probably run to Percy about this too.

Without thinking, you shoved all his stuff into a box, getting ready to leave. However, the stupid bear just stared up at you from the box, a silent reminder of the shared memories.

“…”

You ended up throwing the bear onto your bed and walked off with the box in your hand, a sobbing mess. Your destination: Cabin 3, Poseidon’s cabin—the one where Percy would be.

As you were about to knock on the door, a laugh you knew all too well reached your ears. "I- I love you so much-" The words were abruptly cut off, replaced by the sound of a kiss. It took everything in you not to drop the box; a wave of sickness threatened to overwhelm you at any minute.

Without thinking, you placed the box in front of the door and banged loudly, surely startling them inside. You ran off to the side of his cabin as the door opened. "What is it, Percy?" "Just some stupid box full of my stuff," he sounded annoyed but took it inside.

Alone in camp, with your only friend turned against you and longing for the girl you wished to be, you felt stranded. The wait until you could leave weighed heavily on you.

Feeling a sense of emptiness, you stared up at the ceiling, boredom consuming you. With nothing to do or say, time passed, and as darkness enveloped the surroundings, you remained motionless. No standing, no thoughts, no appetite – just a lingering inertia as you lay there, lost in a void. Despite skipping meals, you knew the campfire was unavoidable, bound by camp rules. Summoning every ounce of strength, you reluctantly stood up, acknowledging that you would have to face them there.

Each step towards the campfire felt like a heavy burden, the weight increasing with every step. As you arrived, the sight of them together, laughing and sharing a moment, struck you. A shiver ran through her, and he offered his jacket, a familiar gesture that once belonged to you. She hesitated, blushing, but he insisted, and you witnessed the echoes of your past now shared between them.

Uncertain of what to do, you sat on the ground, drawing in the dirt with a stick you found nearby. Seeking any distraction to make time pass faster, you focused on the simple act of creating temporary patterns in the earth beneath you. It was a long 30 minutes, but you finally decided on getting up and leaving. You felt her eyes on you – her disgusting, kind gray eyes.

You went back to your cabin, laid down again, and started sobbing loudly. You hated him so much, but how you loved him! You ended up going into a depressive episode. You refused to eat for days on end, refused to train, refused to do your hair—refused to do anything other than lay down. It's been a mess outside; Zeus is fighting with Poseidon again due to this. Percy hurt you, and now the sky is fighting with the sea.

The sky is thundering like crazy, and the water is going wild as well. Hey, this is your fault; you should know better—water and electricity don't mix well together.

[wildlife4life]

Seven (+) Sentence Sunday Monday

Soooo.... I am very late to Seven Sentence Sunday because it is very much not Sunday, but Monday. Yesterday though I really just wasn't feeling up to it. Chores around the house needed to be done, football (american) was being watched, and I am a ball of nerves this week because my daughter is having a minor surgery done (tubes put in her ears) at the end of the week. I decided to stick to reading, liking, and re-blogging everyone else's works Sunday. Today the chores are done, my team won last night (a freaking nail biter), and the nerves are still there, but I'm putting that energy towards working on my fics.

Tagged yesterday by @callaplums @elvensorceress @eowon @lover-of-mine @spotsandsocks @rogerzsteven @devirnis @hippolotamus @disasterbuckdiaz @thekristen999 @daffi-990 @theotherbuckleyand @wikiangela Thank you all so much! You are all so amazing and I am so excited for all your works and I'm sorry I'm so late.

Also tagging those who have showed interest in my fic previously because it is way too late to tag for Sunday lol @hoodie-buck, @giddyupbuck @watchyourbuck @buddierights @jesuisici33 @spaceprincessem @forthewolves @exhuastedpigeon @ladydorian05 @try-set-me-on-fire @fortheloveofbuddie @eddiediaztho @cowboydiazes @cowboy-buck @eddiebabygirldiaz @thewolvesof1998 @loserdiaz @monsterrae1 @911onabc @911-on-abc @bigfootsmom @adiazhalloween @housewifebuck @honestlydarkprincess @arthursdent @glorious-spoon @athenagranted @rainbow-nerdss @gayedmundodiaz @gayhoediaz

Without further ado here is NFL Buck and I have once again hopped back over to the Eddie begins arc with hurricane Harvey.

Eddie trudged towards the kitchen, water now just past his waist. His captain’s voice cackled through the radio, “D-az. The- ie broke. Wa---- fast. We h-ve to pull-.” Static then nothing. He hits the key to ask for a repeat, but the tightening of the harness and three sharp tugs to his waist has his fingers slipping in panic. No no no. “DO NOT PULL ME UP! I REPEAT DO NOT PULL ME UP!” He shouts into the radio, “I HAVE HAYDEN’S LOCATION!” But the tugging continues, and his body is drug back towards the fireplace. Eddie barely registers his hand pulling out the standard HFD issued pocketknife and slicing through the rope with one swift stroke. He needed more time, and his reaction gave it to him. To this day he doesn’t regret it, even at the expense of his own life. On the roof above, Eddie can hear the muffled shouts of the other rescuers and the scrambled thumping of their boots.  They must be trying to reach him over the radio, because Eddie swears, he can hear his last name through the ceiling, but the device stays silent. Most likely dead. Eddie knew the next step of protocol, and another man would be sent down after him soon. He needed to get to Hayden and back to fireplace quick, before either of them drowned in the red brick home that was slowly becoming a waterlogged coffin. With the water now at mid chest, Eddie threw himself forward and started to swim. Every other stroke had some part his body knocking into free floating debris and unseen furniture, heavy enough to stay anchored to the floor. His body was going to sore and covered with bruises by morning, but Eddie didn’t care. Later Eddie would recognize that he was subconsciously trying to make up for his earlier misgivings with his son and Buck by risking it all to save this little boy. That by reuniting Hayden with his mother, Eddie could use that same bravado to stand up to his mother and allow Christopher to be with the man who is his other father in all but DNA and paperwork. Later, Eddie would chastise himself for being so reckless with himself and almost taking away another parent from his son.

Hope you all enjoyed! If you want to see more NFL Buck, just go here.

[toorusluvr]

❥ ҉   CHAPTER SIX - WHAT ABOUT US?

❥ ҉   NOTE FROM NIS: hello hello! an update after more than a year geez i'm so sorry. life got in the way! anyway, i decided to finish this fic before this year ends (time is ticking for me lol at least it's an accomplishment!!) this chapter carries mental health issues and toxic relationships. wow semi is being a dickhead in this chapter (spoiler alert) he reminds me so much of my ex LOL anyway i hope you enjoy reading this update! as usual, reblogs, likes, and comments are very very much appreciated!!

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The cafe used to be your dating place with Semi felt empty even though there were customers inside. You were waiting for Semi, and surprisingly, Semi was 30 minutes late than the promised time. But, it was not surprising given the condition both of you were living in. You glanced over your watch countless times, breathing out a soft groan as you kept on looking over your phone as time passed by.

Another 20 minutes passed when he finally showed up. He made you wait for an hour! If that isn’t infuriating enough other than the fact that he also cheated behind your back. What a douchebag. But fuck is it easy to let him go. It’s not as easy as it may appear to others. Hands to God, you have tried. But each try ends in failure.

The man, Semi, was seen wearing his backpack over his shoulder, still neatly dressed in his school uniform though his tie was loose. The guy kept both of his hands inside of his pockets and he appeared relaxed while you were looking like you could explode any sooner. Sucker. He spotted you nearby the glass window with a frown look. His steps felt heavy with each drag, but he needed to see you one last time. He promised, this is the last time he'll hurt you.

Semi recognised that look you had on your face. You were upset with him, extremely disappointed was all over your face. And, you had every right to be upset with him. He loathes himself too, sometimes.

“We need to talk, Semi”, you mumbled softly, not wanting to start a fight with your boyfriend. You do not want to act like a crazy girlfriend, but yesterday’s incident was too much as it never happened before. Your eyes trailed his movements when he pulled out the chair in front of you. Semi took his seat and rested both of his hands on the table.

When things got worse between you and Semi, neither of you had ever cheated on one another.

“What is it?” Semi asked half-heartedly. His tone showed concern for your question.

You let out a soft sigh, not knowing where to begin. “Who were you with yesterday?” you asked with a slightly stern voice. His answer is what you needed the most. There's no way he would lie to you, right? He would convince you that it is not him, right? Right?

Fuck. How you wished that wasn’t him but it was as clear as day. Your stupid heart wouldn’t want to accept any other answer.

The last word came across as pleading in your mind. Heaven knew how pathetic you sounded at the moment when the truth was as clear as day.

Please, he would not lie to me... you prayed.

His action yesterday resulted in you overthinking last night if this relationship was worth risking yourself and your sanity, which was on the edge to begin with. Getting back together with him has always been a mistake. Who else could you blame other than yourself? You’re the one who puts yourself in this position.

“I was with my team, as usual. Why?” Semi replied, with no remorse. A liar, he calls himself. How many times does he have to keep lying to you? No. The real question is, what is holding him back from letting you go? Is it the fact that he can't stand seeing you with another person, or he just wanted to keep you for himself even though he has fallen out of love?

You scoffed, “You lied, Semi. Some girl sent me a snap of you guys being together. I don’t even know what you guys were doing, but why were you guys shirtless? I swear to God, Semi, if you slept with the girl, I don’t even know what I’ll do.”

Semi’s eyes widened at the statement. So you knew the truth already. Fuck that. He was just playing dumb. He knew you already knew. The girl showed the snap she sent to you with a proud smile all over her face and Semi couldn’t stop her.

He didn’t hesitate to stop her so he just let it be. Anything to prevent him from saying he wanted to break up with you.

“She’s just a friend, you know?” Semi paused before he spoke again. A friend? That's what pathetic liars tell their significant other every single time they are caught cheating.

 “So it’s true that you did something that friends wouldn’t do?” you emphasised the term 'friend' he clearly misused. You felt your blood boiling when you spotted the lies hidden in his eyes.

He looked away from your face, letting out a frustrated sigh. “I guess.”

“Why in the hell would you do that with her? You have a fucking girlfriend, Eita. What am I to you? For fucks sake, what the fuck is wrong with you?” you asked. Your voice was slightly trembling as you could feel your tears threatening to fall on your face any moment from now on.

The rage you've bottled up for years threatened to be freed from your body. Torture. This is like a living hell if it's living in agony.

“You aren’t there with me every day, and I got… bored. I was lonely, Y/N! I need someone to be there with me physically!” Semi sighed. He stopped and stared straight into your eyes. The girl he has loved for about three years. The sweet look you have always had on your face is now gone, replaced with anger and betrayal.

It felt like he was painting you to be the bad guy in this case. Playing the victim card, huh?

You scoffed in disbelief, “What am I to you exactly, Semi? Was the reason you got back with me the other day so you could fuck me and then leave?” you snapped, trying to keep your voice low so the other customers won’t be interrupted.

Semi brought both of his hands to his face. He let out a deep sigh, “Would it hurt less if I said yes?”

“Hell yes, Semi! Oh god, I can’t fucking believe this. What has gotten into you, Semi? What drove you crazy? Fuck, I can't even believe I love you no matter what happens!” At this point, you don’t even know if you are strong enough to accept this. A part of you just wanted to storm out of the cafe, but a part of you also needed closure.

“You’re always there when I need you. That’s why I keep on coming back to you because you’re there. You’re special to me, Y/N,” Semi told. His eyes failed to convince you that he wanted you to be with him forever.

You let out a scoff, “You know too damn well that I’ll come back running to you whenever you need me. You used me, Semi. What happened to the old you? I can’t believe this. You know that I can never let you go, that’s why you used me, isn’t it? Semi, I’m not naive. It’s just that I loved you so much that I can never let you go and… and, you took it for granted!”

Your tears were beginning to fall on your cheeks. You were sobbing so hard that even a box of tissue is not enough to help you wipe your tears away. Shit, breakup hurts like hell.

Semi felt terrible, really he is. He couldn't deny that he takes you for granted. “I’m sorry.”

“Is that all you could say, Semi?” you asked with a gruff voice. You were hoping for a lot more. Maybe an 'I love you’ or ‘You’re my entire world’ would be sufficient.

“I’m so sorry," he apologised once again. You let out an unbelievable sigh as you wiped your tears. “That’s it. Once again, we’re breaking up. Maybe we’re just not meant to be. I hate the fact that I will always love you no matter how bad you treat me, Eita.”

“I’m sorry. I’m never good enough for you. I guess I will never be good enough for anyone. I hope she’s good enough for you, Semi,” you said your final words as you left the cafe without saying goodbye.

Strangers on the street looked at you with a weird look on their faces. Seeing a random teenager on the street bawling her eyes out concerned them most slightly.

Returning home, you cried yourself to sleep. Your thoughts kept you up at night, wondering if you are ever enough for someone. You wondered if someone is willing to love you unconditionally. Does love even exist in this cruel world?

You skipped school for two days because you were down in the slumps, all alone in your room. You never cheated with anyone behind Semi’s back when you guys were together. Hell, you even ditched Iwaizumi as your friend with benefits when you got back together with Semi.

You sobbed again, not knowing what to do with your life anymore. You just wanted your pain to be over. Why does everyone have it easier? Why can't you be happy just like they do?

The sound of keys jingling from outside startled you. You saw the figure of your mother standing at the door frame with a stoic face. “Y/N,” she called your name seriously. You wiped your tears and looked at her, nodding your head to answer her call.

“Why the hell did you skip school?” your mother asked, taking another step towards you. She was infuriated when your homeroom teacher gave her a call this morning and told her about you being absent for the past 2 days.

She even left her work to come home to ask you about this matter. Ever since your dad passed away, your mother barely cares or makes time about your personal life that much. All she knows is that her daughter is supposed to go to school, and she wants her to graduate high school and become a doctor.

Your mother sets a high expectation on you, and it kills you inside.

“I’m sick, can’t you see?” you replied with a sad voice. You caught a cold after meeting with Semi the other day. You sniffled back your tears, not wanting to cry in front of your raging mad mother.

“I didn’t raise you to become a liar, Y/N! Why the hell did you skip school? Tell me now!” your mother yelled. You flinched at her words, and you knew you couldn’t lie any longer. But you weren’t lying! You were sick! Anyone who sees you in this state could tell. But why the person who gave birth to you couldn't see it?

“I skipped school because I was sick, mom! Can’t you see? I was telling you the truth!” you slightly raised your voice back at her while wailing out loud.

Your mother didn’t take your wailing seriously, apparently. “Just return to school tomorrow. I don’t want any excuses.” 

“Because of you, I want to fucking die,” you snapped. “You tortured me throughout my life, mom! You should have let me die back then!” 

The woman who birthed and raised you had a fuming mad expression written all over her face. Her fists tightened on her sides, eyebrows scrunched together. Your mother’s back is now turned to face you. “I raised you to become a successful person. I don’t want to raise a pathetic loser. Get your shit together!” your mother raised her voice one last time as she slammed the door to your bedroom. 

You threw your pillows on the floor while wailing out loud, though it will never be heard. You weren’t sure what went wrong in your life, but everything seems to become a failure every fucking minute. 

The following day, you decided to return to school. With visible dark circles under your eyes, you lazily walked to your desk where Oikawa was already waiting for your presence. 

“Hey, are you okay? You didn’t come to school for two days. What happened?” Oikawa's gentle voice greeted you the first thing in the morning. He sounded worried. You shrugged your shoulders, ignoring his questions for the time being. 

You were quiet, not even bothering to pick a fight with Oikawa like you guys always do. Oikawa looked at Iwaizumi, asking him if he knew what’s going on with you. It turned out Iwaizumi didn't know about it either. 

Iwaizumi inhaled a deep breath, lowkey suspecting that you were going through something. Probably had something to do with your boyfriend. But, he knew better than to intervene. If you ever come to him, then he’ll keep you company.  

Every second passing by felt like an eternity. You kept on going to the bathroom only to break down in the cubicle. If this goes on any longer, you’d collapse for sure.

“Y/N! Let’s go to lunch!” Oikawa cheerfully said as he closed his textbook and kept it under his desk. You looked at him, “Okay.” Your short answer freaked him out a bit. That was the first thing you said to him on that day. 

Oikawa didn’t realize you were walking slowly until he realized you had collapsed on the floor. The other students gasped in shock as they gathered around you to check on your condition. 

The brunette gasped as he yelled for Iwaizumi’s name to ask for his help. Both of them ran to get you, who just collapsed on the floor. 

“Can someone call the teacher?” Iwaizumi asked one of the students there to go and get help. Iwaizumi checked on your pulse, making sure it’s still beating. Fuck. His mind was about to explode from all the possibilities. 

Oikawa rested your head in his lap. Not long after, the teacher came and brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Iwaizumi was with you the entire ride to the hospital. He couldn’t keep himself patient. A million thoughts were running in his mind. 

You heard people whispering around you the moment you opened your eyes. You looked around you and found your mother, your teacher and... Iwaizumi? It’s him, right? You weren’t mistaken. His sharp jawline and raven hair. No one else looks as gorgeous as him. 

Wait. That’s not right to be thinking of it this time.

Iwaizumi glanced over at you and noticed you’re already awake. “Doctor, she’s awake!” he immediately told the doctor in front of him. 

The doctor rushed to get to you and checked on your condition. “She’s awake, professor”, the doctor informed your mother. Your mother let out a relieved sigh before she approached you on the hospital bed. 

“Your friend told you that you collapsed at school today. What happened?” your mother asked. Not even an ounce of worry flowed in her tone. But she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t worried when she got a call from the teacher informing her that you collapsed in school. 

“I was sick. I guess,” you sarcastically replied. You kept your head hung low, not wanting to look at everyone in the eyes. Embarrassing, you thought. How weak and pathetic. 

She went silent for a moment. It was entirely her fault for neglecting you yesterday. The truth is, she just didn’t know how to comfort you the way your late father had always comforted you. And she was fine with you blaming her because she’s at fault. 

The silence was deafening and Iwaizumi felt awkward being in the middle of this hospital room. He glanced over at you who returned an awkward glance. 

Your mother didn’t say anything but ensured that you're okay before telling you that she had a minor surgery to perform on a patient. "I have surgery in 10 minutes. I have to go now. Take care, darling. I’ll come back to you when I’m done,” your mother said as she patted your head.

Before she left, she stopped in her tracks to look at your teacher and the man beside you, Iwaizumi.

"Thank you for coming here with her. I owe you a lot," your mother thanked Iwaizumi and your teacher. Your teacher then left to take care of school matters, leaving you under Iwaizumi's supervision. 

He stood there and watched you with a stoic expression. Well, it’s not like you could read him anyway. Both of you exchanged stares as silence surrounded the hospital room. 

“What are you doing here? You have practice, idiot!” you blurted out in half-murmurs. It’s not like you didn’t know about this man and his volleyball practices. He can easily get scouted as a professional volleyball player with his routine. Obviously you didn’t want him to waste his time keeping you company at the hospital. 

You heard a scoff from the man that had you looking at him with a furrowed eyebrow. Iwaizumi locked eyes with you.   

“Even when you’re sick, you’re still acting like a brat?” Iwaizumi shot you a look with an indecipherable expression. 

His words silenced you. “I’m sorry. You have practice. You should get back to school, or else you’ll miss practice. I am being a considerate person, Iwa. I know how practices are important to you.” 

Iwaizumi shrugged his shoulders, “Oikawa said it’s fine. He wants to visit you this evening. After he arrives, I’ll leave with him.” 

You didn’t know how to respond other than asking them to not mind you. So, you gave him a slow nod, avoiding his gaze at all costs.

“Do you need anything to eat? I’ll go and buy it for you,” Iwaizumi offered. He still remembered how he reacted when the doctor said you collapsed because of dehydration and lacked nutrients. In reality, you starved yourself for the past two days and hid alone in your bed. 

“Never mind. It’s useless asking you, anyway. I’ll just go buy whatever that will make you full,” Iwaizumi decided. He walked out of the door and went to the convenience store in the hospital. You didn’t get to say a word so you watched him leave. 

Iwaizumi came back with food and even fruits in his hands. “I just bought whatever is left. So, eat this for now. I think the nurse will come back with a meal later. Have this for now.” 

The plastic bag was then shoved into your hands but Iwaizumi took it back and placed it on the table instead. He took out the food one by one so you could take a look and choose what you wanted to eat first. 

You felt like he was scolding you instead of asking you to eat. Feeling dazed, you only stared at the food in front of you.

“I know for a fact that you would hate someone to feed you, or are you actually waiting for that?” Iwaizumi clicked his tongue as he sat on the chair beside your bed. 

You scoffed, “I can eat by myself, Iwa.” You proceeded to take the microwaved rice with curry and fed yourself a spoonful of rice. You chew the tasteless food, only to pour it all out not long after.

You ran to the toilet in your room and poured everything you’ve eaten just now. Iwaizumi gasped. He ran after you to ensure you’re fine. He held your hair for you while you were puking in the toilet bowl. You sat beside the toilet bowl lifelessly. Your head was aching like crazy to the point you felt like the whole world was spinning at a rapid speed.

Iwaizumi could only stare at you. “What happened to you exactly?” Iwaizumi asked with a laid-back voice. He was concerned. He was just trying to look out for a friend. Well, he definitely knew something was wrong with you the moment you skipped school after yelling at him the other day. 

You chuckled tiredly. Your energy was drained, leaving you with nothing. “I guess you can predict what happened to me, right?” 

Iwaizumi furrowed his eyebrows. What did you mean? Though his suspicions might be right. He is rarely wrong. Instead, he gave you a reply of “I am not a mind reader. Spit it out.” 

You tried to get back up, but your legs gave up on you. Iwaizumi helped you to get up and brought you back to your bed. He’s still waiting for your answer. 

“I broke up with Semi, and it turned out he was cheating with your ex-girlfriend. What a funny world,” you chuckled. You looked outside the high rise window next to your bed with the view of skyscrapers. 

“That’s all?” Iwaizumi questioned. You nodded weakly, expecting him to lecture you.

“Look, I know you loved him, but you have to take care of yourself too, you know. He doesn’t do you any good. It’s time for you to let that toxic relationship go to waste, Y/N,” Iwaizumi lectured you, but clearly you weren’t listening to what he said. 

Iwaizumi tilted your face gently with his fingers. You weren’t even looking at him in the eyes as tears dropped on your face. “I’m sorry if I ever did anything wrong to you, Iwa”, you apologized. 

“Why are you crying? Oh my goodness,” Iwaizumi panicked. He genuinely did not know what to do in this situation. Slowly, he brought your head to his warm body. “It’s unlike you to cry, tough girl”, his voice softened while patting your head gently. 

You chuckled, your vision glistening with tears. Iwaizumi’s touch made you feel comfortable, something that you need at the moment. 

“My mom didn’t even care about me. Sh-she just left..” you mumbled softly under your breath. Your tears weren't stopping spilling out from your tears duct.

“She's busy, right? You know that more than anyone,” Iwaizumi hummed. His voice was soothing that it made you smiled, but you made sure you kept it hidden from Iwaizumi himself. He’d tease you endlessly if he ever sees you smile because of what he said. 

“Dumbass, you need to eat. Are you trying to get sick again? Come on, eat this,” Iwaizumi said as he pointed to the rice he bought for you just now. You let out a deep sigh as you stared at the rice with a blank expression. You had lost your appetite, to be frankly speaking. 

You took another bite, making sure your stomach fully digest it. Iwaizumi on your side waited for you to eat your meal properly. You felt like you had hired a personal bodyguard with him staring down on you the entire time.

“Iwa, you don’t have to look at me like that”, you scoffed lightly at him while feeding yourself another bite of the rice. 

“I was making sure you’re eating properly”, Iwaizumi exclaimed. He dragged the chair closer to you. You gave a side glance at him, “Stop!” you yelled with a giggle. 

“Oh, is that a laugh I hear?” Iwaizumi teased you. You shook your head continuously, trying to deny it even though the hard smile on your face was evident. 

“I was sure I heard you laughed”, he wiggled his eyebrows at you. You just let out an annoyed sigh with rolled eyes at him. Both of you then looked at each other with a smile. 

“Oikawa's gonna be here after school, by the way. He’s bringing Matsukawa and Makki along,” he informed you as he just got a message from Oikawa saying he’d drop by after school ends. 

“Oh. You guys, you know... don’t have to visit me. You guys have practices after all,” you mumbled awkwardly while fidgeting with your fingers on top of the hospital's thin blanket. 

Iwaizumi frowned at your sentence, “Our friend is sick, of course, we have to pay a visit. Don’t you think you would do the same thing too?" He crossed his arms while staring at you with an unreadable look. Whatever you said just now made him questioned if you really look at the four of them as friends. 

You chuckled rigidly, “I’ve never had a real friend other than Yuuji, you know. That's why I was surprised seeing you guys here." 

“Oh- Terushima, you meant? I’m sorry if my words offended you,” he apologized, realizing what he said earlier might come across as rude. 

“Yeah, Yuuji is my only friend. He knows everything. Even if I’m stubborn, he still sticks with me. I owe him a lot,” you chattered, another tear dropped on your face. It’s just that you have gone through a lot, and it sickened you that nothing in your life ever worked out anymore. 

“Do you want me to give him a call that you got admitted? I can do that for you,” Iwaizumi asked. He knew how important Yuuji is to you. 

“I’ll tell him myself soon,” you smiled bitterly.

“How soon were you talking about?” Iwaizumi furrowed his eyebrows. It’s not like he doesn’t know how you are, generally. 

You let out a soft sigh, “Truthfully, he’d nag if he knew I got admitted again.” 

“What do you mean?” Iwaizumi asked. His expression showed that he didn’t get what you meant. 

A nervous chuckle escaped your mouth. You were clueless about how to break it to him. “I’ve been admitted to hospital several times, to be honest. So, you know, he’ll nag the shit out of me if he knows this.”

You clearly saw his confused expression. Iwaizumi cleared his throat, “Of course he’d nag you, dumbass. Who wants to see their friend falls sick?”

“I know. I know that Iwa. It's just that... Nevermind. But, thank you so much for helping me today,” you thanked him again with a genuine smile this time.

Not long after, Oikawa, along with Makki and Matsukawa, arrived at your door with a bag of food. You smiled at them weakly, trying to give them a warm welcome.

“What happened, Y/N? I was shocked when the ambulance rushed you to the hospital,” Makki asked as he took a seat on the couch provided. You let out a soft sigh, “I was just stressed, and then I passed out. It happened before, so no worries.”

“That doesn’t convince me. Iwa-chan, what happened?” Oikawa appealed. He crossed his arms and looked at Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi glanced over at you, “Y/N starved herself. She said she forgot to eat.”

Matsukawa looked at you with a mischievous smile, “Y/N, you’re really something. How could you forget to eat unintentionally? What’s wrong?” His tone was hinting that he couldn’t believe such mistake could happen.

Ah, there you were, caught red-handed. You bit your lip, “I-um, I suffered a loss of a loved one, okay? So.. yeah.”

“Oh my, what happened?” Oikawa asked this time. He was genuinely concerned and he also thought you had lost someone you truly loved.

“Y/N broke up with her boyfriend”, Iwaizumi blurted at last. Oikawa looked at you in disbelief, “What? I thought someone passed away or something. That douchebag? God, Y/N, you deserve so much better!”

You scoffed at Oikawa's words, “I know. My best friend has been telling me that every time. Thank you for the gentle reminder, Oikawa. I appreciate it. Thanks for dropping by too. I truly appreciate all of you coming here today.”

"Stop with that nonsense, please. We are your friends. That's what friends should do the very least," Oikawa scoffed dramatically. His brown eyes landed on your weak figure. He knew how painful your breakup was. Oikawa was in your place once upon a time. "You have to let go of that relationship, Y/N. Trust me," Oikawa said.

Yeah, the same old thing. You know it but you just couldn’t do it. Being cheated on is the final straw and you have to let this relationship for your own good too. Moving on takes time but everything starts from zero. You are not sure how you are going to do it, but you know it definitely will take you somewhere.

“Your words of wisdom might convince me someday but I’ll try. Thanks,” you gave him a bitter smile and Oikawa gave you the boyish grin that has all of his fan girls falling on their knees. Hopefully they will not come after you.

Iwaizumi gave his friends a once over, “She’s back.”

All of them burst into laughter after Iwaizumi said that, insinuating your sarcasm was the indicator of you coming back. You swatted him on the arm and he ruffled your hair messily.

“You’ll pay for that, Iwa,” you threatened him with a glare.

“Gladly looking forward to it,” he said with a glint of mischievous in his eyes, along with the stupid grin you wanted to wipe from his face.

Funny enough, your stupid heart decided to flutter at his remarks. Well, looks like you have another trouble to look out for.

[sw-33-ts-stuff]

One Thing

Wednesday X Reader

Part 4

Enid POV

It's been a week since both Y/n and Wednesday have spoken. While usually normal something about it just felt extra weird.

Every time Wednesday would enter the room Y/n would make herself scarce. Whether it was the balcony or the Quad, she made sure she was never in her sight.

And Wednesday seemed off somehow, angrier than usual.

It sucks considering they seemed to mesh pretty well. I would've thought they'd have become besties and I would end up being jealous but happy Wednesday made a new friend on her own.

I walked into our dorm determined, slamming the door open as Thing jumped up from my Cosmo magazine.

"Spill." As he aggressively signed his version of events I sighed.

"God Wednesday." I rolled my eyes.

Of course, she'd be rude and of course, because Y/n is still new she wasn't used to Wednesday's less than orthodox way of becoming friends.

That still didn't explain Wednesdays behavior and I doubt Y/n would let just one thing get to her....

Wednesday POV

I played my cello the music drowning out my thoughts as I felt the strings between my fingers.

Using the notes to drown out the the thoughts of Y/n.

I tried to wash away the thoughts of her hair and her eyes.

I tried to not think about her scent and how it always lingered no matter how quickly she'd try to get away from me.

I tried not to think about how she had read some of my favorite novels and seemed to hold some of the same interests I had.

I tried not to think about the silent conversations she would hold with Thing in the dead of night as she'd fail to find sleep for the fourth time in a row.

A hand closing my music sheets interrupted me.

I glared at the culprit finding Enid standing next to me slightly shrinking but holding her ground.

I almost respected her for it.

Almost.

"What?" She scoffed.

"You've been more of an asshole than usual lately and I want to know why." I raised an eyebrow at her going to open my notebook again.

"Wednesday! Even Xavier has been too scared to do his usual flirting. So either you tell me what's wrong or I leak the photos from this summer when you let me style you for a day."

I felt myself grow nauseous remembering that day. Enid's sense of style was truly something else and if anyone were to see those photos I'd have to kill them.

I put the bow down. "What makes you think something is wrong with me?"

"You mean besides the fact you've been an angrier than usual gremlin for almost a week?"

I quirked an eyebrow at the girl.

"You've been playing your cello every night like a mad man, tossed out more pages than usual when writing your novel and you almost broke Bianca's arm while fencing yesterday."

"I'm failing to see how any of that is an issue for you." She huffed.

"Wednesday!" She said exasperated.

We both heard a creek seeing Y/n about to step out piano under her arm.

"Uh sorry for interrupting."I glanced up to find her eyes catching mine for a moment before dropping again. I must have sat there for longer than expected because I turned to find Enid staring at me oddly.

"What?" I gritted out.

She squinted her eyes at me saying nothing else. She looked to where Y/n was then back to me. She said nothing more as she walked out.

I huffed now even more annoyed at the unnecessary interruption.

Y/n POV

"Hey Y/n wait up!" I turned to find Enid running up to me.

"I just have a quick question for you." I nodded at the blonde. "Did something happen between you and Wednesday?"

I shrugged. Relaying how it seemed like we were getting along at first but then the sudden cold shoulder. However, between her behavior to her actual friends and my late night talks with Thing this seemed to be her usual behavior.

Her eyes softened as she glanced at my hand seeing the faint scar.

"Are you ok?" I nodded.

"Kent got me good in a match but no worries Xavier's been giving me lessons," I glanced at my watch. "Which I should be going to now."

She nodded. "Good luck."

I got to the gym where Xavier was waiting for me.

"Hey you ready for this?" I nodded placing my helmet on.

.

.

Two hours later and I felt fairly confident that I was now at least adequate when it came to fencing.

Better than Xavier at least.

He had offered to treat me to dinner since our practice ran a little later than usual. As we got to the cafeteria I ran into my brother.

"A little late to be eating right now ain't it sis?" He smirked looking from me to Xavier. I rolled my eyes.

"You're here too, I can ask you the same thing." He shrugged before leaning down to whisper in my ear.

"Don't fool yourself he just wants you for one thing." He hissed as I put my hand on his to burn him.

"Tu perra!" He went to grab me when Xavier stepped in front of him glaring. He turned his stare to me before he straightened up laughing.

"Have fun."  His sarcastic tone not lost on either of us as I felt my appetite subside.

Xavier cleared his throat. "Hey are you ok? Do you still wanna-"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I felt my brothers words begin to replay themselves in my head.

"Actually I think I'll just head up to my room. Thanks again for your help." He nodded hands in his pockets as he stood in his spot.

"No problem."

I made it to my dorm to find Wednesday typing before slamming her hand on her desk throwing away another piece of paper.

I steered clear and went to lay down.

"Y/n." Her monotone voice sent shivers down my spine. I turned to her, almost black eyes boring into mine. Her brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

I chuckled darkly pushing my glasses up.

"What do you care?"

"I don't." Enid came in just then.

"Don't worry Dean Addams had expelled a student earlier today, I requested to take their room so after tonight I'll be out of your hair."

Wednesday POV

Y/n stood from her bed and walked out.

"Wednesday! I asked you one thing! Just try to be nice to Y/n and now she's leaving!"

I shrugged. "Good."

Enid threw her hands up exasperated before going to put her headphones on.

Hopefully her being gone will erase her from my thoughts. The only reason she was even in them was because she was invading my reality but if I were to see her less...

.

.

.

"Estudiantes escuchar! I will be assigning you partners for your next project!" I felt my eyes roll the minute my father opened his mouth.

"Addams and Ramirez." My father was going to die a very slow painful death. I grit my teeth as both Elijah and Y/n came next to me. Elijah smirked at me winking and I was sure it hadn't escaped my fathers attention.

"Y/n Ramirez. You will be paired with Bianca, Mr.Ramirez." He nodded smirking.

"She's hot too." My father tried to keep his face neutral but I caught his anger when he went to stroke his mustache. He continued to assign partners as Y/n gently placed her book down and sat in the seat next to me.

A snake was slowly slithering on the table going towards her as she held her hand out. I felt my head tilt slightly seeing as it was Percy, my fathers snake. Percy was volatile as a student had learned the hard way last week. She was obnoxiously chewing gum and he had wrapped around the girls neck until she fainted. I watched as the snake slithered up her arm giving a glimpse of the fresh scar going across her wrist.

He continued his slithering up to her neck but instead of strangling her he began to muzzle his head with hers making her giggle. I felt my dead heart actually beat for a moment. I looked to my father trying to hide my panic as he watched smiling.

"We will start off easy as you will be lab partners for the rest of the semester." I was unable to hold back my groan to this.

"This project is to get to know your partner. You will use a survey and see if there habits are similar to any amphibians or reptiles we will be learning about. It's due next week and you will be able to use your class time to complete it sooner."

Y/n sighed. "You don't like me and that's fine so let's get this over with."

I nodded as Percy began to get comfortable on Y/n getting ready to take a nap.

I cleared my throat. "Question 1 do you prefer areas that are hot and dry or cold and wet?"

Y/n slowly stroked Percy's head as his eyes began to close. "Cold and wet."

I felt my eyebrows raise. "The warmth can suffocate you sometimes." Her eyes held a distant look in them.

I wrote down her answer going to ask the next when Xavier walked up to us.

"Hey are you ok?" I sighed.

"Trying to do an assignment."

He coughed lightly.

"Actually I was talking to Y/n." Her head shot up surprised as she craned her neck to look at at him smiling slightly. I felt a flash of heat stir within me.

"I'm fine thanks." He nodded going to put his hand on hers as I cleared my throat harshly.

"Is there anything else you needed? We're kind of busy." I spoke through clenched teeth. Y/n glanced to me before turning to him.

"Really I'm fine if anything we can just talk at lunch right?"

He nodded turning to leave back to his seat. He looked back around once again wasting our time.

"We still on for practice later?"

She nodded glasses falling slightly down her nose before she pushed them back up.

"Yeah." He smiled FINALLY going to his seat. Had he not gone I would have strangled him.

"Guess it didn't take long for you to get a boyfriend." I muttered.

The girl took a deep breath before speaking.

"I don't see how that's any of your business, so if you don't mind I'd rather finish this sooner than later?" Percy popped up sensing the hostility and went to hiss before seeing me. My father came to our desk.

"How's it going girls?"

"Wonderful." I deadpanned.

Y/n scoffed rolling her eyes. "I'm sorry Señor Addams but seeing as she is your daughter and you know the handful she can be ...would it be ok if I leave class early today?"

My father was stunned.

I glared at the girl next to me.

"I fail to see how I'm the issue when you're too busy flirting with Xavier."

I saw steam begin to rise from her skin as her eyes narrowed. Percy slithered down quickly as my father went to put his hand on hers hissing and shaking it after.

"Girls please calmate."

Y/n stood up quickly grabbing her bag and walking out, the door slamming behind her. A hush fell over the class for a moment before the chatter began again.

My father looked at me.

"What?"

He shook his head laughing. "You truly are my daughter, my little scorpion. Since your partner left you are excused."

I grabbed my things heading back to my room.

I looked out from my balcony to find Y/n pacing in the grass. Throwing her hands up exasperated. I continued to watch her until the bell rang and of course Xavier was there to save the day.

I rolled my eyes wanting to turn away but also wanting to see what they'd do.

I watched him listen to her rant as her hands continued to glow. Xavier went to touch her but she backed away holding her hands up. I felt my ire continue to rise at the sight.

If she wasn't mad would she have let him touch her?

Why did it matter?

I went inside to continue my novel. Viper de La Muerte was far more important than Y/n Ramirez.

Y/n POV

"God she's so fucking infuriating!" Xavier chuckled.

"Yeah Wednesday has that affect on people." He shook his head. "Look how about we spar for a little maybe it'll help get your mind off of it?"

You nodded grabbing your things with one destination in mind.

.

.

You swung the sword with more strength than usual. Wednesday Addams was a cancer that you were hoping to be rid of. As Xavier went to lunge you spun hitting him on his back.

"Impressive." You looked to find the fencing captain Bianca Barclay watching you.

"How about you join us for practice today?" You shrug nodding still pent up from earlier this afternoon.

"Uh Y/n?" Xavier tapped your shoulder. You turn to him to see him pointing. You follow his finger only to find Wednesday Addams standing in her all black uniform.

She couldn't let you have one thing.

Taglist: @awolfcsworld @maria-403

@ognenniyvolk @tiffanysunshine @dreifhraniquo29 @rainbow-love4ever @ghostissus

[mad4turtles]

I'm not sure if you're still doing writing requests, but I really loved your oneshot about Leo coming out to Splinter - it brought a few tears to my eyes thinking about my own coming out experience :') if you want, could you maybe do something about Mikey giving Usagi "The Shovel Talk"? It doesn't have to be serious, I just thought it'd be funny if Mikey went all Dr. Delicate Touch while Leo tries not to die in the background. Hope you have a good day/night! :D

I'm so sorry this took FOREVER to get out, I went through several drafts before I finally had to say it was fine XD Hope you enjoy :3

---

First Impressions (Part 2)

Miyamoto Usagi has become a regular guest in the Hamato household.

After introductions went about as smoothly as one could expect—Splinter warring between outrage and panic and glee that his Baby Blue was dating, and the rest of the family stunned that Leo actually has game (or maybe Usagi is just as dumb as he is)—the clan don't go long without seeing him wandering the lair, usually side by side with Leo.

In hindsight, that makes the death glares Donnie drills into the back of the rabbit's head make much more sense, but that's another issue.

Apparently, they'd been together three weeks before the introductions, and Mikey believes it. Just yesterday, he'd caught them through the crack of Leo's open bedroom door sitting together on the bed, sharing a pair of earbuds as Leo shuffled through his Spotify playlist, letting Usagi in on his atrocious taste in music.

“Hey, glam-rock is the shit,” Leo nudged Usagi's shoulder. “And you can't talk when all you listen to is J and K Pop, classical, country and Lofi.”

“Shut up, baka kappa,” Usagi nudged him back, grinning wide and showing off the buck front teeth that Leo found adorable. “Classical is thought-provoking, good for meditation. And I'll have you know Lofi is calming, something you never are about anything ever.” 

“Okay, I will allow that just this once but you cannot defend country or K Pop—”

“Contrary to popular belief, not all of your western music is about human Christian values, tractors or drinking—in fact, give me your phone, I'll show you my jazz playlist—”

“No!” Leo pulled his arm up, holding his phone out of Usagi's reaching paws even as the rabbit clambered over him. “Knowing you it'll be some awful jazz-lofi remix or somehow have Catholicism involved, people are getting creative in converting the masses—ow! No, get away from me—!”

“Your music sucks! You must be properly educated! Jazz is soothing for the soul!”

“But Queen! David Bowie! Prince!”

“All of the Hidden City knows you're gay, Leonardo, you don't have to blast it on speaker, too!”

“You attack me?! I let you into my house! I trusted you!”

 “Gankona baka! Kōfuku shite horobiro!”

  “Conejito idiota! ¡Fuera de mi trasero!”

They'd tousled for a bit before falling over on the bed and giving into giggles, barely any space between them. Leo's cheeks were flushed, his eyes bright and his grin a wide, dopey thing. Usagi called him a fool and nuzzled his nose against Leo's, earning a delighted chirp from the slider, and it was the happiest Mikey had seen him in months.

He's so in love it's gross. Mikey means that in the best way.

And Usagi seems like a nice guy. A really nice guy.

But they've been fooled by a pretty face and flowery words before. Last time, Leo had to bail them out. This time, Leo is too high up on cloud nine; he won't notice the danger until it's too late, and the fallout will be devastating.

Leo is strong, the strongest of them all as far as Mikey's concerned, in little ways they've never noticed until he'd showed them all by locking himself in hell with a demon. He's faced bigger, scarier things than any teenager—any person—ever should. But relationships? Dating? Being vulnerable with another person, opening your heart and trusting that person to take care of it, and in turn care for theirs? That's a beast of a different calibre.

Heartbreak happens to everyone; it's just how life is, and ignoring the ugly truth of it serves no one. Leo had barely survived his physical body breaking under metal fists driven by hatred and mindless bloodlust. Mikey doubts even he, with all that strength he possesses in spades that have carried him through some of the worst moments of their lives, would last long with a wound that deep.

Mikey loves him too much to let that happen.

(That, and he really doesn't want to kill Usagi, bail costs a lot, and not even Donnie has that much in his many wired accounts.)

So the trio meet up in Donnie's lab late one night and make a plan.

Miyamoto Usagi is gonna learn what'll happen if he messes with the Hamato clan.

~0o0~

A week later, Mikey corners Usagi at the front door.

The samurai in training doesn't startle when he drops from the ceiling or flinch at the smile that would have his brothers running for the hills. He smiles back, adjusting the duffle bag on his shoulder.

“Hello, Michelangelo. Nice of you to drop in,” he says, completely straight, and Mikey kind of wants to die. Leo did say they've been dating for a while. More than enough time for him to be a horrible influence on the otherwise straight (ha) laced samurai.

“Hey, Usagi! Here to see Leo?” Mikey asks like it's not obvious.

Still, Usagi nods. “That I am. We'd talked about some traditional Japanese snacks he hasn't tried before, so I bought some from the marketplace near my home.” He unzips his bag to let Mikey peek inside. “I'd be happy to share some with you and your brothers. I may have over-purchased.”

Mikey is dazzled by the array of absolutely delicious-looking snacks—including mango-flavoured mochi, oh be still his heart—but he shakes his head. Focus. Leo's heart and Usagi's continued existence depend on it. “That's great, Usagi, but I'm good for now. Actually, we gotta talk with you real quick before you see your boy. May I take your bag?”

Usagi blinks at him. “Oh. Um. Certainly?” He zips the bag up and shrugs it off, handing it to Mikey, and damn, he wasn't kidding. Did he buy out the whole store?

Mikey shoulders the bag and smiles. “Perfect! Now, stay still so Donnie doesn't accidentally knock you out.”

“Okay—wait, what—?”

Donnie drops from the ceiling and shoves a pillowcase over Usagi's head. 

And as Mikey expects, Usagi doesn't immediately struggle or fight: he freezes, an innate rabbit instinct kinda like how Mikey retreats into his shell. He almost feels bad for exploiting that weakness. Almost, because it gives Raph enough time to grab him in his massive arms, pick him up and carry him off to the atrium. Mikey and Donnie follow behind, the latter wearing an unsettling grin that tells Mikey he's enjoying this far more than he should. 

Blindfolded and trapped in Raph's solid grip. Usagi doesn't panic. Though his voice carries a twinge of worry when he says, “Is this a game? Am I being kidnapped? Did Leonardo put you up to this?”

“All will be revealed in good time,” Donnie says with a chuckle meant to sound ominous but it comes off as dorky. “Just relax, don't ask any questions and everything shall run smoothly and without the removal of a thing attached to another thing, like your head from your neck.”

“Alright?” Usagi says. Mikey bumps his hip against Donnie's and scowls. Donnie rolls his eyes.

They reach the living room, Dad's chair thankfully unoccupied, and Raph drops Usagi into it. Mikey sets the duffle bag down and quickly zips to his room to grab the sweater, glasses and pants, shrugging into them. When he returns, Donnie has just finished duct-taping Usagi's arms to the chair—

“Donald!”

“What?” Donnie has the gall to look offended. “This was your idea!”

“Not to tie him up!”

“Who's to say he won't run, hm? He's a rabbit and they're fast as frick, we'd never catch him before Leo gets back, and then our whole plan is ruined. Also, no teenager is comfortable talking about 'feelings', so I'm just taking extra precautions—”

“I can still hear you, you know,” Usagi says, the pillowcase still over his head. He doesn't seem bothered about this whole situation, which both amuses and concerns Mikey a little.

“You shush, or I'll bring out the chainsaw,” Donnie says.

Mikey looks at Raph. “You didn't think to stop him?”

Raph folds his arms and shrugs. “I'm just the muscle here, big man. This is your show.”

Dr Feelings appreciates the level of trust and respect Raph has for Mikey that's been a slow-growing thing these last few years. Dr Delicate Touch wants to strangle his oldest brother for being a wise ass.

He rolls his eyes instead and gets in position while Donnie sets up the projector. He nods to Raph, and the snapper pulls off the pillowcase.

Usagi blinks, adjusting to the brightness and looking around. “You blindfolded me to take me to the living room? Where I've been multiple times?”

“Shush,” Donnie hisses, “second warning. We'll be doing the talking here, bunny boy.”

“Don, chill,” Raph says, looking seconds from bursting out laughing. “We're just here to have a nice, friendly chat.”

Usagi arches a brow, pointedly dipping his chin down at his taped arms.

Raph's smile twitches, a drop of sweat trickling down his brow. “... I'm just the muscle?”

Mikey clears his throat loudly, snapping their attention back to him. He smiles and rolls his shoulders back, relaxing into the role that's become a blessing these last few months than the curse it was two years ago (at least to his brothers).

“Good evening! I'm Dr Feelings, and welcome to my newest seminar—!”

He clicks the button for the next slide on the PowerPoint, a photo of the three turtles glaring down at the camera from a high angle, a shovel in Mikey's hands. Underneath, the title reads in comically bright, bubblegum pink letters--

“—Shovel Talks!”

Usagi stares at the slide and then at each of the present turtles. Mikey keeps his smile bright while his brothers (mostly Donnie) no longer hide the touch of sadistic glee in theirs.

“... ah,” he says carefully. “I see the position I'm in now.”

“See, I don't think you do,” Donnie drawls on Usagi's right, Raph looming over on the left. “So we are going to educate you, and do not interrupt or talk until you are spoken to as we have much to go through and very little time before our dearly devoted dum-dum returns from April and Splinter's distraction outing. Dr Feelings,” Donnie turns to Mikey and gestures grandly, “Proceed with your first slide.”

“Thank you! Let's start off by asking our patient some simple questions. Question one!” Mikey flips to the next slide titled 'Spill The Tea' with a doodle of a teacup underneath it. Under that is a photo of Leo flashing a peace sign at the camera with a goofy grin. “What are your intentions towards one Hamato Leonardo?”

Usagi blinks. “... I would think my intentions were obvious? We're dating, are we not?”

“Sigh, yes, we can see as much given how you two are all but attached at the hip whenever you're so much as in the same vicinity,” Donnie mutters before getting right up in Usagi's face with a glare, fisting the front of his blue hoodie and shaking him once. “What we don't know is why you are dating Leonardo! Were you dared to by compatriots or colleagues of similar age or older for a cruel joke? Or are you a spy sent from a yet unknown enemy seeking to destroy us from the inside, integrating yourself into our inner circle by seducing our resident feeble-minded little gay only to turn on us at the last second, surrendering us to your evil leader and shattering the heart of the boy who fell in love with a person that never truly existed?! Speak, heathen!!”

Usagi stares at Donnie with wide, mildly disturbed eyes. Donnie glares at Usagi, right eye twitching.

“Jeezy heckin' creezy, Don,” Raph squeaks after a beat. “How long've you been holding that in?”

Donnie whirls on Raph with a half-crazed grin without releasing Usagi's hoodie. “The whole dub, baby!” he says.

Raph facepalms.

Mikey gathers himself quickly and clears his throat again. “Donald, if you would please let go of our patient—”

“Prisoner, guilty until proven innocent—”

“—patient, so we can hear his clear and honest answer? Don't you test the waters of my patience, boy, I will bring out Dr Delicate Touch on your ass.”

“Language,” Raph sighs, working Donnie's grip from Usagi's hoodie and bodily lifting him up and away from the rabbit. Donnie goes without a fight, but not without a spitting glare aimed at Usagi. Ignoring him, Raph offers Usagi a smile, cementing his role as the Good Cop. “Sorry about him. Just answer the question so we can get this over with.”

“And we'll know if you're lying!” Donnie adds. “I have lie detectors under the seat that'll fry your cotton ass six ways to Sunday—!”

“There are no lie detectors.”

“Raaaaph, you're ruining it, I'm trying to instil fear—!”

“Yer doin' enough of that to me right now! We were worried about Dad goin' all 'Daddy with a shotgun' on him when we really should've been watchin' the 'Overprotective Twin with his Middle Child Nonsense'—!”

“May I speak, now?”

Usagi's tone cuts through the idiocy as neat as the katana he wields, and the boys fall silent. Raph sets Donnie down, and Donnie steps back, his glare fading to make way for open confusion and surprise.

Mikey, who'd been on the cusp of dropping the act and wringing his brothers' necks, takes in Usagi's expression—purposefully neutral, the way he shuts his eyes as he takes a breath, his fingers drumming the armrests he's tied to while the heel of one foot bounces on the floor—and wonders if they've crossed a line here.

Then Usagi sighs, slow and measured, and opens his eyes. “I understand why you're concerned,” he says. “Leonardo has been through... a lot, to put it mildly. You all have, which is why you're so protective of one another. I admire and respect that; you hold true to the ancient belief that founded your clan centuries ago. Anata wa hitori janai, I believe. Leonardo told me about it. About the Shredder, the invasion... and the prison dimension.”

A shudder runs through the brothers. Mikey sees Donnie's jaw lock, Raph's fingers curling into fists. Mikey pulls at his fingers and bites his lip. “... he told you?” he asks in a smaller voice than he intends.

Usagi's gaze softens minutely, and he nods. “Not everything, but yes. I never prompted, but... he saw me fit enough to know.” His brows furrow, his frown deep and angry as he glares at his lap. “It sickens me to hear what that creature put you through—what he did to Leonardo. And it frightens me to think of how you'd come so close to losing him... how I'd come so close to never meeting him at all.”

Oh, Mikey thinks, almost floored. Oh wow.

Usagi takes another breath and raises his head, meeting each of their gazes. “... So yes, I understand your fears regarding our relationship and your hesitance to trust me. Leonardo's well-being will always be your top priority. He's precious to you.” Then Usagi smiles. It's small but bright, warm and quietly delighted, proud and certain. “He's precious to me, too.”

This time Mikey is floored. Oh. Wow.

“To answer your question, Dr Feelings,” Usagi continues, heedless of the turtle's altering perception of reality, “my intentions towards Hamato Leonardo are simple: I want to protect him. I know he's more than capable, and knowing him, he'll never ask me for help outright. But when he does, I want to be there—no, I will be there, because I care about him. Very much. We haven't known each other long, but my life is brighter and better with him in it, and I'll do whatever I must to keep it that way.

“I want to make him as happy as he's made me because he deserves that much. He deserves every good thing in this world.” He shrugs, flashing a bashful, buck-toothed smile. “For now, I hope he can settle for just me.”

Mikey stares. Donnie stares. Raph stares.

Oh. Wow. 

Either he's the greatest liar ever, or they've had him pegged so wrong. But then, not even Big Mama, the Queen Bee Bitch of lies, could fake that kind of devotion.

No, Usagi really is just a good guy. A great guy.

“Dammit!” Donnie cries, throwing his hands up. “I can't even fully hate you ironically anymore, what the hell!” He hangs his head with a sigh. “I suppose I shall have to settle for 'jealous older twin suffering from attention withdrawal from the younger twin' until further notice. Also, you get to live another day. Congrats.”

Usagi smirks. “Thank you, I think?”

Raph rolls his eyes, but he's grinning from ear to ear, slicing away the tape binding Usagi to the chair and helping him to his feet without prompting. He drops a heavy hand on Usagi's shoulder, his grin widening when the rabbit doesn't buckle under his strength. “What I think Donnie means to say is... well. We're glad you have Leo's back. And we're sorry for thinkin' the worst of you when we're all still gettin' to know each other. I mean, we've seen how happy you two are together, and we just—well, we wanted to—”

Usagi huffs a laugh, patting Raph's massive bicep. “As I said, I understand. My sensei often warns me against jumping to conclusions, but it's different for family. Especially younger siblings. I should know, I have a little sister.”

“Right?! You get it! My little brothers are literal demons even the devil's too scared to look at, but you get it—!”

Mikey shoves his way between them and barrels into Usagi for a hug, squeezing him tight. The rabbit squeaks in surprise and possibly pain, but his arms carefully come around Mikey's shell a heartbeat later, a chuckle running through him. “I suppose this means I have the youngest's seal of approval?”

Mikey nods against his chest, raising his head to beam up at the rabbit. “You do. Welcome to the family!”

“Thank you. I'm honoured to—”

“But we didn't finish the slide show, so I'll run a tee-ell-dee-arr for you. Hurt Leo and you die.”

“... ah.”

“They'll never find your body,” Donnie adds, “because I will reduce it to atoms. I have a ray in the works, I can show you the blueprints.”

“And if that fails, Raph will break every bone in your body and dump you in the Hudson!” Raph says brightly. “Ever swim there? Pretty deep. You find all kinds'a weird stuff. A rabbit yokai won't stand out much.”

“... I understand. I'll definitely deserve one of those fates.”

“Oh, you will,” Mikey chimes. “Thank you for understanding, and thanks for coming to our TED talk!”

“Pretty sure I did most of the talking.”

“I will yeet your ass across this house—”

“Are you chuckleheads done harassing my boyfriend, or can I have him back now?” drawls a familiar voice that has them leaping a foot out of their shells. They turn to find Leo leaning against the back of the couch with one arm, the other hand propped on his popped hip. He arches a brow at their stares.

Mikey jumps back from Usagi to wildly point at his immediate older brother. “How long have you been standing there?!”

“About a minute,” Leo says. “I've been behind the couch the whole time, though.”

“What?! When'd you get back from hanging with Dad and April?!” Raph cries.

“Never left,” Leo pushes off the couch and swings his arm around Usagi's shoulders upon approach like its second nature. Usagi leans into him likewise, one arm curling around his waist. “I kinda figured this whole 'shovel talk' thing was gonna happen sooner or later, so the minute April and Splinter tried to drag me out for a 'father-son-daughter thing' the same day Usagi said he'd come over, I knew you assholes were scheming and told 'em I wasn't leaving.” His eyes narrow a little, and Mikey almost shrinks back. “Didn't think you'd tie him up, though, or that Raph would just let it happen.”

“I'm just the muscle!”

“And I am hurt and offended that you all thought so little of my absolutely innocent Bunny Boo! You look at this face—” He unwraps his arm to squish Usagi's cheeks between both hands—“and tell me there's a single bad thought behind those beautiful pink eyes!”

“Weonawdo,” Usagi mutters, fur tinted pink with embarrassment.

Quick as a whip, Donnie says, “There's not a thought whatsoever if he's dating you.”

“You're a thot.”

“Different words and spelling. And it takes one to know one.”

“Die.”

“You first.”

“Both of you knock it off,” Raph sighs, pinching his brow the way he's done since he first knew the pains of being the eldest. It's a miracle there's not a permanent mark between his eyes. He turns to the rabbit. “Sorry, could we borrow Leo for a sec? Then I swear you two can finally go hang out and... do whatever two teenage boys do when they're head over heels for each other but still in their parent's house so they gotta keep it PG, 'kay?” 

“Um, wow?” Leo scowls, dropping Usagi's face to plant his hands on his hips. “Who do you take me for, a horny teen with no self-control around my significant other?”

“That is exactly what we take you for,” Donnie says.

“I don't!” Mikey says, raising his hand. “You're just a dumb gay hoppin' mad for your bunny boo!”

Leo's eye twitches. “Gee. Thanks.”

Usagi snickers, taking Leo's hands, and Leo instantly melts like putty. “It's fine, Leonardo. I'll wait in your room and get the snacks sorted,” he says, then he leans in to kiss the corner of Leo's mouth. Right in front of everyone. 

It's not something he's done before—being openly affectionate with Leo when his siblings or fathers were around—but then Mikey isn't surprised.

Maybe this whole 'hesitance' and 'mistrust' thing hasn't been as one-sided as he'd thought.

Mikey never knew a slider could turn pink, but Leo manages it, steam funnelling out of his ears as the rabbit walks away, grabbing his duffle bag as he goes. There's a pep in his step, and Mikey wonders if the kiss or their acceptance put it there.

Once he's gone, Donnie breaks the silence, staring in the direction Usagi had left in—“Should I get the tranquillizer?”

“You've done enough today.” Raph puts a massive hand over Donnie's face and shoves him onto the couch, ignoring his indignant squawking as he faces Leo. The slider collects himself quickly and crosses his arms, flashing that devil-may-care grin that irritates and amuses Mikey.

“So? You gonna tie me to the chair and subject me to the horrors of dating life via Dr Feelings?” Leo drawls, “Or are you finally gonna admit that you were wrong about my totally amazing and hot boyfriend?” 

Raph sighs. “Yes, we may have taken it too far—and in Donnie's case, we were overly paranoid, even by my standards, but we learned our lesson about jumping the gun. Again. And you were right.” He smiles, broad and warm. “Your boy is cool with me, little brother. You got yourself a keeper.”

Leo blinks, his smirk falling. “... wait, wait—for real?”

“Did you not hear his heartfelt speech not even two pages ago? It was rather dramatic and moving,” Donnie says absently from the couch, eyes now on his phone to avoid looking anyone in the eye, but Mikey knows what's up. They all do, but they're nice enough not to say anything. “And if I'm being honest—which isn't saying much because I can't lie for shit and you can clock one with an accuracy that borders on mystical—I don't actually think your new beau is inherently evil. I cannot say that I like him... but I approve. For now. My earlier threats still stand, though, so please try to keep him in line, or I will turn him into a hat.”

Leo falters again in the face of sincerity, however masked, from his twin. “...oh. Um. Wow. That's—uh, cool. That's cool, Dee, I, um... thanks...”

And finally, Mikey steps forward, shrugging off the sweater, glasses and pants. “What? You really think it's that odd that we're lookin' out for you? It's like Usagi said, you're precious to us, bro! And he was damn right sayin' you deserve every good thing. You deserve to be happy with someone who cares about you as much as we do.” 

He darts forward again even before Leo's eyes take on a misty sheen, bundling his brother in his arms as much as he can and squeezing. “And if Usagi makes you happy, we're happy too.”

“... you guys,” Leo whines, his voice thick as he holds Mikey impossibly close. Donnie tosses his phone aside to hop up and join the hug, cheek resting on Leo's shoulder. Raph lumbers over and plucks them off the floor, nuzzling the top of Leo's head with a low grumble from deep in his chest.

Later, with mostly dry eyes and a megawatt smile, Leo jogs off to find Usagi. Mikey stands with his eldest brothers and folds his arms. “Our work here is done, gentlemen.”

“But we didn't really do anything,” Donnie says.

Mikey swishes his cape and departs.

“Where the hell did you get that cape?!”

~0o0~

The following week, Mikey corners Usagi at the front door and tackles him with a hug. Usagi laughs and returns it freely.

In the living room, Donnie's eyes are glued to his laptop, fingers typing away. He lifts one fist, Usagi wordlessly bumping it as he sits on the couch with Raph. Setting his comic book aside, Raph reaches out to ruffle his white bangs and chuckles when Usagi's paw bats him away.

Leo enters from the kitchen and immediately brightens when he spots Usagi, leaping over the top of the couch to bounce in the open space beside the bunny. “Hey!"

“Hey, yourself,” Usagi snickers. "You couldn't possibly have missed me that much to come running as soon as I walk in."

Leo swings an arm over the top of the couch, the other pressing a hand to his forehead in a dramatic swoon. "Parting is such sweet sorrow," he bemoans, batting his eyelids at Usagi, "that I shall say good night till it be morrow!"

Mikey laughs so hard he gives himself hiccups. Raph chokes on his soda. Donnie whirls on Leo, looking downright mutinous. "You did not just quote Shakespear so you could flirt with your boyfriend!"

Leo gestures to a madly grinning Usagi trying to hide behind his hands. "It worked, though! You guys hate it when I use the cheap pickup lines off Google, so I consulted the world's finest wordsmith instead."

"You are abusing and defiling William's good name! Thou crusty batch of nature!"

Leo rolls his eyes. "Whatever. You're just jelly 'cause I've officially got more game than you."

"Or Usagi has terrible taste in men."

Leo opens his mouth to say something he'll probably regret, but Usagi swiftly intercepts with a kiss on the cheek that stops him cold. "I thought it was creative," he says, "Much better than your awful pickup lines."

At that, Leo forgets Donnie completely, leaning in with a dumb grin to peck Usagi on the lips. Raph shakes his head with a secret smile, and Mikey giggles as he lays across Raph's thighs, Switch in hand.

Donnie gags. “Get a room.”

“But keep the door open!” Splinter calls from—somewhere. 

Usagi tugs an ear over his face, flushed and embarrassed. Leo throws his head back and laughs.

Mikey grins, basking in the glow as he plugs into his game. He can get used to this.

---

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[moonochi]

I swear life is just constantly testing me lately, I've had to shave my head again due to the burning and itching in my scalp (my doctor says the fibromyalgia is affecting the nerves in my scalp) we aren't sure why shaving my head helps the nerves in my scalp but it does, but that's not my only problem...

Sorry if this is TMI guys, but the only ones I can talk to about this are with my best friends and my family doctor (obviously), but yesterday I woke up and went to the bathroom and when I wiped there was blood, there wasn't any in my urine it was just on the toilet paper, I haven't had any symptoms of my period for the last 7 years since I've been getting my testosterone shot weekly, I immediately went to my family doctor and told him because it stressed me out and made me dysphoric both of us were somewhat confused because i wasn't showing any signs of bleeding anymore (only happened on my first trip to the bathroom and i was completely fine for the rest of the day???) So he sent in a referral for an ultrasound, so I'm just waiting for a call from CAMIS for that, and he gave me a prescription that will help stop the bleeding but it sounds like he only wants me to fill it if I'm having prolonged bleeding, like one would if their on their period but the thing is I'm not bleeding like that...

Anyways, fast forward to this morning. I woke up at 9 am. because of my cat, and when I went to the bathroom again, guess what? THERE WAS BLOOD AGAIN. Obviously, I'm going to mention it to my family doctor when I see him again today for my shot, but I noticed something between yesterday and today??? Again, I'm really sorry if this is all TMI. I'm just worried 😭 but Sunday night I uh... got myself off... and then I woke up to blood, and not thinking it was connected, I did that again last night only to wake up with blood again. For some reason, I feel like the blood is connected to me getting myself off?? It just scares me because that's NEVER happened before... I already have a lot going on with my chronic illnesses, and this is the last thing I need right now 😭

Are there any other FTM people here on Tumblr who have had these issues?? If so, what was going on for you, and how did you get it to stop?? I can't really talk to my family about this because they would blame by HRT for it like they do for everything else the only people who listen and take me seriously are my best friends and my family doctor so I'm just really scared and want to know if any other FTM people have had this issue before??

(I should probably mention I don't do any internal stimulation. I always do external stimulation, so the bleeding wouldn't be from any tearing from a toy or anything. That's why I'm worried about the whole thing..)

[modern-day-bard]

Worth The Feeling

Note: I’m still having issues posting this as quick as I would like, I’m sorry! To anyone who has read the first two chapters or left a note, thank you so much! 🤍

Content Warning: 18+

This story includes explicit smut, intimidation, and an age gap relationship (MC is 26, Javi is in his 40s). Minors, do not interact.

Chapter 3:

Knowing that Barb was not kidding about the coffee, I make sure to stop at a cafe on my way to set. I also made sure to toss a spare t-shirt in my trunk this time, just in case. Luckily today's call time was a very late 6:00am, so I had an extra hour and a half of sleep under my belt. Hopefully that will make the possibility of mistakes lessened today.

For most of the day, things go off without a hitch. We're filming a couple of reshoots from yesterday's scenes, as well a couple of more indoor shots of another part of the CIA set. Nothing too crazy. By noon, I'm depositing Lloyd's dog, Pebbles, back in his trailer and heading into the soundstage again. I find my place next to Lana by the craft service's table right before they start the next take.

"Okay..." Lana mumbles out of the corner of her mouth. "I may have been wrong."

I glance sideways over at Lloyd and the producers seated behind the camera. I've been chewed out once for talking during a take, and once was enough.

"Wrong about what?" I keep my voice at the same level.

"Javi, how he wouldn't remember your little encounter yesterday."

My back stiffens.

"Why do you say that?"

Lana pauses, either to think over her words carefully – a rarity for her – or because she wants to make sure we're not overheard or scolded.

"Well, every time Lloyd calls cut, he looks over at you."

I feel heat rise to my cheeks immediately.

"We're standing in front of crafty, Lana. He's probably just hungry."

"Depends on what he's hungry for, I suppose." I can practically hear her suggestive eyebrow wiggle. I lightly slap her on the arm, trying not to draw any attention to ourselves.

Though a part of me can't deny the bubble of excitement I feel at her words, another part of me knows that Lana is my best friend, and she is kind. Kind enough to give me some hope, and maybe a boost of confidence. My last relationship didn't end well, and I met Lana only a few months afterwards when I was still a mess. She's pushed me to go on a few dates since then, but the Los Angeles dating scene is beyond bleak. Plus, it's hard to emulate Lana's optimism when her and Mia have been happily together long before I even arrived in L.A.

"Cut!" Lloyd calls out, "Martin, I'm going to need you at least five paces to the right before Javi delivers his line."

"Aaand cue look..." Lana snickers next to me.

I look up, and sure enough, I make eye contact with Javi as soon as I do. He doesn't look away instantly like I assume he will, and neither do I, like I thought I would. We hold each other's gaze for a moment longer, but his expression gives nothing away. For all I know, he's simply dissociating. But then, I catch the corner of his mouth tip slightly upward, and he peels his eyes away. I mean, he could have been smirking at Lloyd's directions, but I'm not sure.

I hear interference over my walkie.

"Repeat." I say into the mic.

"Hey Ava, it's Dwayne. Talent requested escort to and from their trailer."

"Copy. Who do you want me to escort?"

"Javi, please. You should break for lunch soon, be sure to bring him to his trailer and confirm that his lunch was delivered."

Javi requested an escort?

"Copy. Thanks, Dwayne." I secure the walkie back on my belt.

Lana is gaping at me.

"He requested you to escort him? Ava, take a hint!"

"He didn't request me specifically. He requested an escort. I'm one of the more seasoned PAs and Dawyne probably knows I'm least likely to get lost."

"Right. Sure." Lana says in a tone that is anything but agreeable.

I don't have time to reply before Lloyd calls for lunch. I grab a water bottle and an apple off the crafty table behind me and walk over to Javi, who is just stepping out of the set.

I can keep my cool.

"Mr. Gutierrez, I'm here to escort you back to your trailer?" Oh god, why did it come out like a question?

Javi smiles that same warm smile as yesterday.

"Hi, Ava. Sounds good." He claps his hands together, startling me. "Let's go!"

"Right this way." I lead him out into the sunshine. We walk side by side for a few moments before he breaks the silence.

"How long have you been a PA?" I glance up at his tall frame, which is bent slightly toward me in seemingly genuine curiosity.

"Four years and counting." I give him a polite smile.

"Ah. And do you enjoy it?"

I shrug. "It has its ups and downs, like any job. I do love the film industry, but I could do without the early call times." I'm not sure if I should be this honest with an actor, but his brow has knit together in a way that felt that he wanted the real answer, not just the pleasant one.

"But there is something else you would like to do." It wasn't a question.

"Um...yes. I'm actually in graduate school currently. Online, and I double up on classes when we're on hiatus."

"What are you studying?" He really is curious.

"Film Production. I'd like to be a director someday, or possibly an editor. Later down the line, producing would be my ultimate goal."

Javi raises his eyebrows, nodding slowly. We're almost to his trailer, so he probably is realizing that he has asked me enough questions–

"How old are you?" He blurts out.

It's not totally unusual for talent to make small talk, but that seems like a personal question.

"How old are you?" I counter without thinking. We're stopped in front of his trailer now. I'm holding my breath, unsure if I've offended him.

But then his brown eyes are alight with humor, and I know that I haven't. And then, easing my trepidation further, he laughs. His laugh is bright and breathy. It makes me giggle for a moment too, though I'm unsure why.

"You could just google me." He points out.

"Googling you feels inhumane." I say honestly.

"Inhumane?" He is close to laughing again.

"Yeah, I mean, you can't Google me to find out. But I can do it to you."

"I don't know, you have a pretty Googleable face." He is staring into my eyes now, and I have no idea how to take that or what he just said.

"Well, regardless, it just feels dirty." I walk up the three steps to his trailer and open the door for him.

As he steps inside, so low that I almost don't hear it, he murmurs, "Dirty isn't necessarily a bad thing."

I keep my face turned away from him for as long as possible so he can't see how red it just became. I remind myself that he doesn't know for sure if I heard him, and that my face could also be red from the heat.

I poke my head inside to see if he did indeed get his food. It looks like it's already been dropped off on his table.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Gutierrez?" My hand is on the trailer door, ready to go eat lunch myself.

He regards me for a moment from his chair.

"Yes. Two things. You could call me Javi, and you could join me for lunch."

I hesitate. I wasn't expecting that. His gaze is mostly friendly, but with something else I can't place. No one from talent has asked me that before, and I'm not sure if it's breaking any rules. But, with walking back to craft services to get my own lunch, and then needing to come back and get Javi again to walk back to the soundstage, it would actually save me time to eat here. As in, I would actually have time to eat at all.

"Please, I have plenty." He says, opening up the takeout box on the table.

"Okay, thank you." I take the chair across from him, placing my apple and water bottle on the table.

He takes a large bite of his burger, and me a bite of my apple. Then his eyes go wide and he hunches dramatically over his plate.

"Shit!" He says, mouth full. "I forgot I'm still in my wardrobe." Javi stays in that hunched position as he finishes chewing, clearly being careful of where to put his hands. I get up instinctively, moving to the small kitchenette and grabbing a paper towel for him, but when I turn around he is right behind me, apparently doing the same thing.

"You don't have to do that." He says, grabbing his own paper towel and tucking it into his collar.

"It's my job." I try not to focus too much on his fingers tucking the towel in his shirt as I respond.

"You're not a nanny. I invited you to lunch." He smiles as we sit back down.

"An actor acknowledging that I'm not a nanny is somewhat of an enigma around here." I smirk and take a swig of my water bottle, slightly less worried he will take offense this time.

He puts his hand on his heart in mock-hurt.

"You think so low of my community?"

I chuckle. "Your community has a long way to go."

"If I offer you my fries, would that help our case?" He pushes the plate toward me.

"Possibly..." I accept one of the fries, remembering that I haven't had time to eat all day. I can't help but close my eyes as I take a bite. I really am hungry.

I open my eyes to take another, and I realize that Javi is staring at me. He hasn't taken another bite of his burger. His brows are knit together again, his mouth parted slightly. I feel my breath catch in my throat, and I fake a cough to cover it up.

"I'm sorry, by the way." I keep my tone casual, picking up another fry. "For the other day. I should have done my research on the castlist beforehand."

"Aren't I the one who made you spill your coffee?" He raises an eyebrow. I'm beginning to think there is hardly ever a time where humor isn't filling his eyes.

"You can't be held responsible. It was way too early for any of us to open doors correctly."

"Well on behalf of all actors, I'm sorry too. It doesn't sound like we've made a very good impression."

I shrug. "Some of you aren't too bad. Especially the ones I didn't realize were actors." I smile at him.

"Now I'm offended." Javi takes another bite of his burger, clearly no truth behind his words.

"Well, unless you want to get lost on the way back to the soundstage, you should toughen your skin."

Javi chuckles quietly.

"First you clearly don't watch any of my work, and now you would abandon me?"

"To be fair, I have seen one of your HBO shows. The Passage Of Time, I believe."

"My character wasn't memorable enough for you, huh?" He quirks an eyebrow again.

"I was too focused on the blonde, Huston Katz, at the time." I take a long drink of my water.

"At the time..." Javi repeats back, almost absentmindedly. "So I have a chance at becoming memorable?"

I highly doubt he meant for those words to be filled with the same level of innuendo that I feel now. Luckily, I don't have a chance to respond before he speaks again.

"Besides, I wasn't worried about getting lost. Maybe I just wanted some company."

"Maybe I just wanted some fries." I say, taking a large handful. He laughs, pushing the rest of the plate toward me in defeat.

- - -

By 5:00pm, I'm finally winding down my responsibilities. I have a handful of things to deliver to Barb and her team, and then I should be able to go home. I almost drop everything in my arms when I hear rapid footsteps sprinting behind me, and then two hands grip my shoulders.

"Tell me everything." Lana says breathlessly.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"I don't care. How dare you not find me first before all this." She gestures to the stuff I'm carrying.

"Before my job?" I can't help but laugh.

"Yes!" She has no shame. I love her. "Now tell me!"

"Okay, okay, just keep it on the downlow. Keep in mind this means nothing to him."

"I completely disagree, but continue."

"Well, I escorted him to his trailer and we had lunch."

"If you don't give me actual details I swear to God I will stab you with my walkie."

"Okay. He's... warm."

"Like his skin?" Lana's eyes widen.

"What? No! His words, or I don't know, his personality was warm. Jesus, Lana."

"I mean if you're not going to worry about your sex life, I have to." She folds her arms and I can tell she's growing impatient with me. I'm not certain if she's impatient over how I'm answering her questions, or simply that I didn't have sex with this man in his trailer the moment we were left alone.

"How did doing my job turn into worrying about my sex life?"

"I can just tell these things. And Ava, let's face it, you need to get laid."

I stare at her in shock, my mouth agape.

She shrugs. "I'm just looking out for you. Ever since you and John–"

"The Traitor, you mean."

"Right, The Traitor. Ever since you and The Traitor broke up, you've barely gotten back out there. And now this nice, beautiful man is showing you attention and you don't even want to acknowledge it." Her voice is softer now, and I know that she genuinely wants me to have hope in this situation with Javi.

"I know, okay? I know I haven't really gotten back out there, and I love how you're looking out for me, I really do. But, and it's a very large but, we don't actually know if he is interested. So until we have some concrete evidence, can we just go about our days? Please?"

Lana watches my face for a moment.

"Okay. Fine. But when we do have that concrete evidence, you need to promise me that you'll go for it."

And whether it be the need to finally put down the collection of crap in my arms, or maybe the possibility of a tiny glimmer of hope within me, I nod my head.

"Okay, I promise."

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