#It's a gaming day while I get to recover from yesterday

[obaewankenope]

I have an angry daisy who wants to over-groom but is currently feeling thwarted

[godmadeaterribleerror]

Chapter 1 - Purgatorial

Main Masterlist - Mini-Series Masterlist

Tags: Dean Winchester/Female Reader, Sam Winchester/Reader (platonic), angst, very light fluff, mutual pining, time loop!

Summary/Warnings: Something is frighteningly familiar about the day. You feel as if you've done this all before. Usual Warnings.

Author's Note: Palm Springs top ten movies of all time. That's not at all what this is but I just wanted to do some non-sponsored promotion of my favorite time loop movie. Enjoy the story!

Word Count: 6.4k

Read on A03! - Chapter 2

You’ve been here before.

You’ve literally been here before.

Staring at the ceiling of your bedroom, a fluffy blanket tangled over your limbs but your bed stripped on its sheets, and Dean loudly singing from the kitchen. 

This is how you woke up yesterday. Or- This is how you woke up in your dream, or simply a while ago in a faded memory, because you remember yesterday but it’s all fogged and clouded, as if some had dragged it through mist and smoothed all its features. The familiarity is eerie, but it could just be the lost haze of whatever was making your head pound and the world spin as you push up on your feet.

You must have been drinking last night. You don’t remember drinking—you don’t remember much, past a haze of Dean voice grunting in your ear something that’s only jumbled noise in your brain—but that could just be a result of the drinking. Cas keeps impossibly strong vodkas in the kitchen, because they were the only thing that gave him a buzz and he likes to be included.

He always stops you from drinking them, when you try to climb on the counter and grab them while no one is looking.

Maybe last night you finally managed to slip past him, and you’re paying the price now. Everything just feels like Déjà vu because your brain is floundering to recover from the night of drinking what Sam had called legally poison. You’ve woken up in your bedroom countless times. Dean sings like that every other morning. This is how most days begin, so it’s probably nothing-

Something clatters and bangs down the hall, and you wince as the sound echoes through the room.

“Son of a bitch!” 

Dean’s shout is a higher pitch than you’ve ever really heard it.

But it’s still oddly familiar. 

And that’s probably nothing.

Pushing out of bed and shuffling down the hall takes more effort than it should, but you’re the room is spinning, and the bunker is filled with fluorescent lights that always seem to flare at the wrong time, and why does Dean always insist on being off key when you know the asshole can sing-

“Morning, sunshine.” Dean looks up at you from the floor, a mess of eggs and bacon on the floor across the kitchen, and you blink at him. 

You’ve seen this before. The pan upside down on the counter, Dean crouching with a rag in his hand, the trash can dragged to his side as he glares at the mess scattered across the tiles. 

“I- uh,” you swallow, everything moving too slow and your words mechanical and slow, because you’re sure you’ve said them before. “I think it’s more like noon?”

“Nah, eleven. Still morning.” Dean points over his shoulder to the sink, and a little bit of egg falls out of his rag. “Can you grab me the cleaner, sweetheart? Gotta clean this up before Sammy gets back from his run and tries to teach me how to use a mop again.”

“What do you say, Winchester?” You cross your arms, raising your brows at him, and that must be familiar because you’ve done it a million times before. And Dean’s always rolled his eyes like that, and you’ve always grinned at how adorably grumpy he can be. This is Deja vu because you live in these moments all the time.

Where Dean’s looking at you, and only you, and he’s glaring but there’s no hatred or real annoyance behind his features. He likes playing this game just as much as you do. 

He doesn’t love it, adore it, live for it every single second of every single day, but he enjoys it. 

And that itself makes these moments ones you replay a million times, because you have no other way to hold him with your hands, so you grab every grin and word by the throat and add it to the mural of Dean that covers your skull.

“Please,” he grunts your name, and there’s a light in his eyes that ignites over your ribs. “Save my ass and get the cleaner.”

“Hm,” you tilt your head at him, pretending that you’re actually thinking about it—you’re already sold, you were sold the moment Dean said can you and it was something that was possible—and hold his gaze just long enough for him to look a little worried, and then you grin. “Okay.”

You step over his arm—supporting him against the counter—to get to the sink, and it brushes against your thigh. Sparks fly over your skin and your blood fills with light for only a second, and then it’s all gone as you keep moving, and Dean stays behind you.

That’s happened before. It happens whenever Dean touches you, but it’s still familiar in a way that’s far too specific. Almost as if he’d hit a raw, open wound. A place he’d already shot and branded you before, and now the contact is twice at strong.

This whole morning feels too familiar. Dean has winked at you a million times before, and you’ve sat on the stool watching him so often it could be classified as an addiction, and the bunker door has always echoed behind Sam when he got back from a run, but this feels like more. Like a polaroid photo stuck in a faded but over saturated color, a snapshot of something you know you’ve seen before.

“Dude, what’s wrong with you.” Sam walks into the kitchen, and you’d already been looking at the door. As if you’d been expecting him. “You look like a keyed car.”

Dean’s head shoots up from beside you, where he’d been grumbling about the gross lack of food in the fridge and glaring at his hand. “Did someone key my fucking car-“

“No, it’s a metaphor-“

“Simile. Not a metaphor.” You hum, shredding the paper towel in your hands into tiny little pieces you—somehow—know won’t be cleaned later. “And he dropped his breakfast.”

Dean scowls. “Fucking frying pan burnt me, I didn’t just drop it-“

“Burnt you?!” You grab Dean’s hand before you can think, turning it over to find a swollen, blistering red mark. “You- Fucking Christ, Dean you need to ice that-“

“It’s alright, sweetheart, I’m fine-“

“Nah, man.” Sam leans over your shoulder, frowning at Dean’s palm in your hand. “That looks like it’s second degree.“

You swallow, your eyes fixed the mark—long and red and thin, in the shape of the pan’s handle—and you could fucking swear you’d seen it before. He hadn’t even said which hand he’d burned, but you’d grabbed the right one, and this is so strange-

Dean clears his throat, and when you look up he’s rubbing the back of his neck, staring at where you’re still holding him. “I kinda need my hand back. If you’re gonna make me ice the damn thing-“

“I’m not making you do anything.” You mutter, releasing him with a frown. ”But you should-“

“I gonna. I’m goin’ right now.” Dean pushes out of his seat, giving the fridge a longing, rueful look as he passes it. “Sammy, you goin’ out to get food later-“

Sam shakes his head. “I need to clean up, dude, I just ran ten miles-“

“That’s too many miles.” Dean mutters, and you can’t stop looking between them with a slight gape hanging from your mouth. You’ve heard this conversation before. “Gonna pull a hamstring or something-“

“I won’t. You would. But we,” Sam gestures between himself and you, and you stare at him, feeling a little frozen as you mouth along with his next words. “Aren’t made of grease and junk. We’ll be fine.”

Dean scoffs, and you know what he’s going to say as well. “I’m not grease and junk-“

“You were eating bacon.”

“We don’t have anything else, and I don’t hate myself enough to eat your damn rabbit food-“

“Well, that’s why you’d pull a hamstring-“

Dean scowls, and you feel your hands mirror his as he presses the ice to his palm. “I’m not in the mood for your health shit, Sammy, I’m starving and we have nothing-“

“We have Lucky Charms.” You say, and it feels like a cue. Like that’s what you were supposed to say, from some invisible script, at that exact moment. “In the cabinet. And I’m not going on one of your runs, Sam. Stop trying to convince me.”

Sam lets out a long sigh, giving you a disappointed look, and Dean’s grin could power the entire bunker for a year. 

“That’s my girl.” He shoots Sam a smug look, and you swallow.

He’s said that before. It had punched you in the gut in the exact same way, and his smile had been that exact amount of blinding, and you’d felt this electricity in your blood at the same voltage, and-

“I’m gonna call Cas,” your voice is a whisper, and you feel like a tape recorder. You’ve said this before. “We’ll go to the store after I get dressed.”

Sam and Dean nod, and you know exactly what happens next. Dean goes to grab the Lucky Charms, and you’re supposed to giggle when he lets out a loud groan and the lack of “normal” milk in the fridge. You tell him that you’ll get three bottles, because that’s what you’re supposed to do. And then he grumbles about having to use Sammy’s stupid fuckin’ plant milk, and puts his hand on your lower back as he reaches to grab it, and your breath hitches.

He stares at you. You’re supposed to stare back, and get lost in his eyes for a long second—just long enough to burn them like a neon light over your vision—before excusing yourself with soft words. 

You walk past the shower, and Sam’s singing Celine Dion. Your hands tap to the beat before you even pick up on the exact song, because you’ve heard it before. You get dressed and it feels like a costume. What you’re supposed to be wearing. 

Cas is right in front of your door when you open it, and you don’t jump like you usually would. 

You’d known, somehow, that he’d be there.

“I heard we are going shopping.” He tilts his head at you, and you nod slowly, the right words creeping into your throat.

“Yeah, if we don’t, I’m worried Dean will resort to something stupid.”

He may take drastic measures to get bacon. 

“He may take drastic measures to get bacon.” Cas hums, reaching out to hold you by the shoulder. “Have you eaten today?”

You nod slowly. “I had the last apple.”

“I will make sure we land near a bathroom, then.”

You don’t get further warning before the world turns to a blur. Molding and morphing from the bunker hall into the meat isle of a grocery store, and you feel sick, and-

“It should be to your righ-“

You’re stumbling to the bathroom before Cas can finish his sentence, and you always vomit like this after he flies you somewhere, but this is different. There’s a ghosting image over your vision of this exact bile in this exact toilet bowl, and when you shuffle back to Cas, you’re not surprised he’s not where you left him.

And you find him too fast. In the snack isle, scanning over the million Oreo flavors with a frown.

He doesn’t look up as you approach him. You hadn’t expected him to.

“I didn’t mean to wander.” He hums. “I find it fascinating that there are so many varieties of one, simple cookie. Is double stuffed not enough?”

“Not for most people, no.” You point to the Mint Oreos, and they feel like a fucking prop. “These ones aren’t even that good, but that’s never stopped anyone before.”

“Hm.” Cas shrugs, grabbing the Mint Oreos, and you’re pulling out your phone before he can even ask the question. “Do we have a list of our required items?”

“Yeah, I had Sam text me everything.” 

Cas opens his mouth. You cut him off a beat before you were supposed to.

“If I asked Dean, we’d buy half the store.”

Cas nods, and that’s the last Dean will be mentioned until the checkout aisle. You know that. You still can’t tell how you know that, but you do, and all of this still feels like it’s played out before. It’s more than Deja vu. It’s a show. You will stand on your mark, right at Cas’ side, and on cue you’ll make a joke to match his dry comment. You’ll let him buy five bottles of honey, and you’ll talk him into sharing a tub of ice cream with you, and you need to get these apples and not those ones because that’s that the invisible script calls for.

You’re not supposed to speak of anything but food and the pre-set list until it’s time to pay. Then Cas will say-

“You told me the list called for pumpkin pie.”

And you need to respond-

“That’s because Sam is trying to trick Dean into eating healthier.”

“Pumpkin pie is not healthy-“

“It’s healthier than other pies.” You shrug now, and the movement feels mechanical, and Cas is frowning at you.

“Then why is this cherry pie.”

You don’t answer. You don’t need to answer. You have to hum and fidget with your own fingers, until Cas speaks again. 

“You do not wish to try and change him. To make Dean try and be something else.”

Now you have to blink at Cas. “I- I want him to be healthy, I just know he doesn’t like being tricked like that-“

“Because you care for him.”

“Because I know him-“

“And your feelings bar you from engaging in deception against him.” Cas places the pie on the belt, his voice remaining too casual for how your heart is pounding at your chest. “If it is any help, I agree. I do not believe the way for Dean to improve his health is via deception.”

You swallow. “Um-“

“I do believe he would be helped by you being forthcoming about your feelings. It would serve as motivation.”

“I- what?”

“Your romantic and sexual feeling towards Dean-“

The air becomes too thin, but you’d been expecting it. This whole conversation is too heavy in your throat and making your heartbeat like a drum—right out of your chest to spill over the floor, because these words were never supposed to be said aloud, where people could hear them—but you’d been braced for it.

And you have a phantom memory of the same conversation, but you hadn’t been braced. You’re supposed to stumble back and gape at Cas, but you’d been ready.

You’ve done this before, so you were ready.

“I, um, there’s- You haven’t told him, right?” The words are falling out of you at a frantic pace, but it’s still not as fast as they should be. “Cas, don’t tell him-“

“He is not aware.” Cas frowns into the air, watching you carefully as he continues. “But I firmly believe that it would be to both your benefits to have a conversation-“

“No- it’s-“ Long breath. Run your hand through your hair. “It’s complicated. I- please don’t tell him. He can’t know. Please.”

Cas says your name, and his tone is cautious, and your blood is going to leak out of your body. “I am… more perceptive than most. I know you anticipate rejection, but I do not think the conversation would end as you fear-“

“Cas.” You make your voice firm, and shake your head. “Please. Drop it.”

He does. He looks like he’s going to push it, but you relax before he nods and turns back to the shopping belt, because you know he’s going to drop it.

Just like you know he’s going to only make you carry two bags, and will bring you back to the bunker right next to the bathrooms again. 

And you’ll vomit, and he’ll put all the groceries away. And Dean will be in the library when you get there, and he’ll grin at you, and you’ll flush.

“I got you pie.” You whisper, because that’s how you’re supposed to say it. “Cas put it in the fridge.”

His grin widens. “You’re an angel,” he’ll say your name, and you’ve already pulled a blanket over your body to hide the squeeze of your thighs. 

“No,” you return his smile, pulling a book into your lap. “He’s putting the pie away.”

Dean snorts, and it’s a horrible, cheap-shot joke, but it works. You’d known it would work. And Dean will ask what else you got, and you’ll tell him. Sam will come in after exactly three hours, look between you and Dean—pretending to read but mostly just talking and smiling—with a dramatic sigh, and then walk out again. 

“He’s grumpy you’re not falling for his death-traps.” Dean mock whispers, and you giggle.

“I don’t think he cares that much, Dean. They’re just runs-“

“You’re wounding him. Brushing Sammy’s massive ego by calling his runs stupid-“

You hum, giving him a pointed look. “Sam’s massive ego?”

“Uh huh.” A bright joy dancing behind Dean’s eyes as he holds your gaze, and you melt a little into your chair. “Turn a man down enough and he’s gonna start falling apart.”

“I think he’ll recover.” You drawl, and Dean just shrugs.

There’s a long moment of silence here. Dean will break it.

“You still seeing that guy from the city?”

You blink at him. “Huh?”

“The suit and tie asshole, from the bar last month.” Dean frowns at his book. He’s not going to look up at you for the rest of the conversation, and your heart is going to tighten and feel like stone, right here, until at least the end of the day. “Sam said you were out with him last week.”

“Sam is a liar.” You say, and guilt will twist in your gut because Sam’s not a liar. You’re the liar. You had gone to see the Suit from the City, because you’d been cold and lonely in your too-big bed, and Dean had come home the night before with a hickey, and you hadn’t known how else to handle it beside finding an artificial warmth that you’d known wouldn’t last.

Because it wasn’t Dean’s warmth. The only heat that ever lingered was set off by Dean, but it was never enough, and it always faded to something colder than before. Something that had more longing burned and tainted over your skin, that would be harder and harder to replicated and fill with flickering, weak embers.

You don’t know why Dean cares. Why he’s asking at all. You do know that, in about ten minutes, he’ll stand up, grumble that he’s going out, and leave. The slam of the door echoing behind him, and you’ll move to sit in his chair because it’s a simple, easy way to steal a little more of his heat. 

He’ll call you in five hours. His voice will be slurred over the phone, and you won’t understand half of what he’s saying but you’ll know he’s drunk, and shouldn’t drive himself home.

You’ll send Cas to get him. 

And Dean will shove Cas away from him the moment they pop into the bunker, collapsing over you instead.

You’re supposed to stumble back. But you’d been ready for it. Just as you’re ready for him to grab your face between his hands, and say your name like it’s… Something. Anything. More than just your name. 

“You’re- Look at her, Cas-“ His words mold together in your head, and you can’t really hear them because Dean’s touching you, and you’ve never been warmer. “Son a bitch, she’s pretty- I need- gotta tell her-“

He slumps slightly, his head dropping to your shoulder, and you don’t call to Cas for help. That’s not what needs to happen here.

You get to run your hand through Dean’s hair and hear him moan in your ear, and then you get to help him to bed. He’ll keep muttering low praise that you’re going to be stuck thinking about until the day you die, and when you try and put him to bed, he’s going to drag you right down with him. 

“Dean.” You whisper in his ear, and he squeezes you around your waist. Keeping you pressed his chest, and he smells like whiskey and you- 

You don’t know what you’re supposed to say here. 

For the first time all day, this is new. Nothing is familiar, and the world feels too real. Dean is big and strong around you, and you can hear the pound of his heart and feel every flex of his muscles. The world is sharp and bright and violent in your head because suddenly it’s too much, and you don’t know what’s about to happen. 

“Dean.” You repeat, because it’s the only thing you can know for sure. Dean’s here, and he’s—for now—still awake to hear you. “I- You’re holding me really tight-“

“Gotta hold you,” he mutters, hauling you a further up his chest and burying his face in your shoulder. “You’re gonna leave.”

“I-“ You frown, trying to push up on his chest to look at him, but he’s strong. You’re stuck. It’s doing unfair things to your gut and heart, and part of you knows you’re never going to recover from this. From Dean. From him holding you like this, and you not having enough will to fight it, because you crave it more than anything. “I’d never leave, Dean-“

“Good.” He hums, and you can feel his voice. Rumbling in his chest and moving into your ribs, breath fanning right over your ear and making your whole body shiver against him. “Can’t do it… Don’t- you need to be here, baby. Need you.”

“Dean.” He’s talking nonsense. You can’t hold onto this too tight, because he’s drunk and talking nonsense. You still can’t push away. “You need sleep.”

He hums, and his words are barely a breath. “Need you. Better than sleep. Love you more than sleep.”

The first snore tears through the room, and you can’t think. You can only hear Dean, over and over and over. Love. He said love. Dean said he loves you and he’s still here and love, why would he say love and then just fucking fall asleep, why would he say love at all-

Everything fades to black, and the last thought you have before a light seems to turn off far in the distance is just an echo of Dean’s voice, saying love.

———

You’ve been here before.

You’ve literally been-

Fuck.

The ceiling. Th blanket. No sheets and no memory of how they vanished.

Dean hits a horrible, off-key high note, you sit up with a start, and this can’t be right. Or good. Or logical.

But you’ve been here before. Twice.

And it’s not a dream or show or sense of Deja vu. 

It’s real. It’s happening again. And when you take a long, deep breath and dig your nails into your arms to make sure you’re still alive, you count down from three and-

“Son of a bitch!”

You almost vault out of the bed, discarding the blanket on the floor as you sprint down the bunker hall, slamming your gut into the counter as you skid to a stop.

“Fuckin’-“ Dean shouts your name, and a second clatter echoes through the kitchen as you groan. “What the hell are you doing?”

Dean moves to your side in an instant, wrapping his arm around your waist to keep your upright, and you should’ve leaned into him. On any other day you would’ve just whined and molded into Dean’s side, grumbling about Sam’s habit of wiping the floor until they’re practically ice rinks and letting Dean laugh as he took care of you.

But today is not any other day.

Today is yesterday. And—if your horrible, gut twisting feeling is right—the day before as well.

Today you grab Dean’s hand before he can protest, and feel your blood freeze through your body.

There’s a long, thin, bubbling red mark on his palm. When you look around his body to the floor, bacon and eggs are scattered on the tiles. 

Fucking- Fuck-

“You need to ice that.” You mutter, pushing yourself out of Dean’s grip and moving to the freezer. “It’s second degree.”

Dean shakes his head, trialing behind you. “It’s alright, sweetheart, I’m fine-“

“Ice it.” You snap, tossing him an ice pack with a firm glare. “And there’s Lucky Charms in the cabinet. Eat that while I clean.”

Dean looks between you and the ice pack, slowing pressing it to his palm as he watches you march to grab the mop. “You feeling okay? You’re- you seem a bit, I dunno, touchy-“

“I’m feel great.” Your voice is flat. Drained. You feel mechanical, as if you’re drifting through every motion, and that doesn’t feel like it will bode well for the future. “There’s no milk in the fridge.”

“You sound great.” Dean drawls, still only a few paces behind you. “And I saw milk in there before you busted in, we’re good-“

“It’s Sam’s milk.”

“No, it’s-“ You hear the fridge door open, and Dean cuts himself off with a groan. “Son a bitch-“

You sigh, running a hand through your hair as you move back to the mess on the floor. “I’m going shopping with Cas later. After I clean this up and get dressed.”

He nods, and you clean, and this is a little different. Maybe you just needed to realize what was happening, and it will all be a horrible dream. 

Maybe you’ll scrape the last eggshells into the trash, and sit down next to Dean as he eats all the marshmallows in his cereal, and it’ll all be okay-

Dean gives you a wide grin, and places his good hand on your thigh. Right where he’d brushed against you before. Sparks. Sunlight in your blood. Raw and wired and beautiful right to the point of pain, just like before.

“You’re an angel, sweetheart, you know that?”

“Yeah,” you offer him a weak smile in return, and he takes a long, deep breath.

“I mean it. You’re- I mean- Son of a bitch. Never mind.”

Dean glares back to your cereal, his brows drawn and jaw clenched. Something’s off. This whole thing is off, but you still know Dean, and something’s off with him.

“Dean-“

“Dude, what’s wrong with you.” Sam walks into the kitchen. This whole thing feels like a crude, poorly crafted joke. “You look like a keyed car.”

Dean’s head shoots up from beside you. “Did someone key my fucking car-“

“No, it’s a-“

“Simile.” You whisper. You’re going to throw up. “It’s not a metaphor, Sam. It’s a simile. And Dean burnt his breakfast and his hand, but he’s icing it. You should go shower, you just ran ten miles.”

“I, uh-“ Sam blinks at you. “That was the plan, yeah. Are you feeling alright?”

You nod, and Dean makes a face in Sam’s direction.

“Course she’s alright, you didn’t force her on one of those stupid runs-“

“They’re not stupid, dude. Movement is good for the body-“

“Not if you pull a hamstring-“

“I’ve never pulled a hamstring. Neither has she. You would, but we,” Sam gestures between himself and you, and you cut him off with a choked whisper.

“Aren’t made of grease and junk. We’ll be fine.”

Dean shoots you a glare. “I am not grease and junk-“

Sam snorts. “You were eating bacon.”

“We don’t have anything else, and I don’t hate myself enough to eat your damn rabbit food-“

“Well, that’s why you’d pull a hamstring-“

“I have to go call Cas!” You half scream, shooting up out of your chair. “And I’m not doing a run, Sam. And Dean’s getting cherry pie, not pecan.”

Dean grins at you. “Awesome. Suck on that, Health Boy.”

Sam grunts, mostly just frowning at you. “Shut up, dude. Uh,” he scans over your panicked movements, saying your name is a slow, careful tone. “Are you sure you’re good-“

“Yeah! Just gotta- Cas. Pie.”

You scramble out of the kitchen, and behind you Dean chuckles, his words still somehow audible over your heartbeat.

“That’s my girl. Priorities, Sammy. Priorities.”

It’s amazing you stay on your feet. It’s amazing you get changed, and open the door, and manage to not scream at Cas for help the moment you see him.

You’d still eaten the apple. You still vomit when you reach the store, and everything falls in a disgusting, perfectly places picture of yesterday, and you find Cas staring at the Oreos.

“Double-stuffed isn’t enough.” You say, and he turns to you with a frown.

“I- That is exactly what I was wondering.” He nods over your shoulder. “What about Mint?”

“They taste like shit. I have a list, and we can get five bottles of honey.” You take a deep, shaking breath, watching Cas carefully. “Is anything- I don’t know do you sense anything that’s wrong? With the world?”

“Many things are wrong with the world,” he shrugs. “The phenomenon humans have named ‘climate change’ is about 236% worse than your scientist believe, there are an uncountable amount of living creatures in imminent peril at this very second, and the washer in the bunker laundry room is jammed with sheets-“

“No, I know,” you shake your head, fidgeting with your fingers as you frown around the aisle. “You’re just more perceptive than most, and I was wondering if you’d noticed things being- I- Just off-“

Cas frowns at you. “Is this about you and Dean?” 

“I- no-“

“Sorry.” Cas tilts his head at you, his voice dropping slightly. “I did not mean to overstep. I am simply aware of your… complex feelings for him, and believe that it would be to both your benefits to have a conversation-“

If this is a part of every loop, you’re going to shoot yourself in the head.

“I don’t want to talk about this.” You snap, pulling out your phone and shoving it into Cas’ hands. “I’ll get the frozen and produce, you get the rest, and I’ll meet you at check-out.”

You’re being a bitch. Guilt twists in your gut and crawls over your skin, because Cas was just trying to help and you’re being a bitch, but your skull feels like it’s teetering on your spine and the smallest nudge will make everything topple. Something is so very wrong but no one else can see it. Cas had been the check, the only person you had on call who would’ve been able to tell you that you weren’t just going mad, but nothing was abnormally wrong.

Everything is stuck on a scratchy, slightly shifting repeat, but nothing’s wrong. 

You vomit when you return to the bunker, and Cas puts everything away. Dean is in the library, but he gets up the moment you enter this time, clapping his hands and grinning like a child about the pie he already knows is in the kitchen. He returns with a plate, drops back in his chair, and both of you pretend to read. Sam comes in after three hours, then leaves. You joke about hurting Sam’s ego, and nothing feels like you’re doing it. It’s like you’re a puppet.

Dean mentions the Suit from the City, and you still don’t understand the switch that seems to flip inside of him, and he storms out. 

You try to busy yourself. You find your sheets and make your bed, you find Cas and apologize for being, tense, but he doesn’t seem that bothered.

He brings up your feelings for Dean again.

You manage to escape the conversation when Dean calls you right on time, slurring and drunk and not safe to drive.

Cas volunteers to go get him.

You go yourself instead.

Dean shouts your name, a wide, boyish grin on his face the moment his eyes land on yours.

“This is-“ He burps, slinging his arms over your shoulders and pulling you right into his side, speaking to no one but the air and inanimate bar. “She’s the one. You’re- Shit, you’re so fuckin’-“

“Pretty.” You give the bartender an apologetic look, letting Dean keep himself upright as you pull out your wallet. “How much does he owe you?”

Dean hums in your ear, his fingers running through your hair as you settle his tab. “More than pretty, baby- I gotta- needed to tell you something-“

“I know, Dean.” You sigh, wrapping your arm around his waist and guiding him to the door. “C’mon, let’s go home-“

“Already home,” he mutters, burying his face in your shoulder. “Got you. Need you. That was- son of a bitch, is the room spinning for you too?“

“No, it’s not.”

“Then why’s is doin’ that.”

He sounds like he’s whining, and you have to bite back the smile on your lips. “It’s because you’re drunk, buddy.”

You can feel his frown on your skin, his body tenses around yours. “Not your buddy- needed to- Can’t just be your buddy-“

He shoves himself up suddenly, and you to try and steady him back against you on pure instinct.

“Dean-“

You’re cut off as his mouth slams into yours, and the whole world turns to only color and the smell and taste of whiskey, and Dean. This isn’t a reputation. This is real, and new, and amazing. His lips are chapped, but they fit so well against yours. He’s walking you back to pin you against the bar wall, and his body is so warm and sturdy, and he’s drunk out of him mind but you know he’d never let anything hurt you. That you’re safe here, being kissed stupid and weak-kneed, and he might regret this in the morning, but when he pulls back from a ragged breath, all you can see is adoration and affection in his eyes. 

“Love you.” He mutters, and it’s the most sober you’ve ever heard him. “So- Fuckin’ hell, I love you so much-“

The fade is starting. Dean’s blurring, but he can’t go yet. 

You yank him back down with a half-whine, he smirks against your lips as the kiss turns open and sloppy and needing, and there it goes. 

The light switches off, and everything turns to black.

The last thing to vanish is the feeling of Dean’s lips, pressed to yours, and the feeling of his groan down your throat. 

———

You’ve been here before.

You don’t wait for Dean’s shout this time before you’re out of bed. You march down the hall, and enter the kitchen right as Dean roars and the pan falls to the ground.

“Hey, you’re-“

“There’s cereal in the cabinet.” You snap. It’s harsher than Dean deserves, but you’re losing your fucking mind and you’ve been here before. “And that’s second degree, Dean. You need to ice it.”

“It’s alright, sweetheart, I’m fine-“

“Shut up.” You point to the freezer. “Ice.”

Dean just stares at you. “You feeling okay? You’re- you seem a bit, I dunno, touchy-“

“Ice, Winchester, now.”

You stomp past him to get the mop, and he catches your wrist. 

“Look,” he says your name carefully, and you can see the concern painted over his every feature as he holds your gaze. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything, even if it’s really dumb?”

You swallow, your heart turns to the tight stone hours ahead of schedule.

“Yeah.” You whisper, your voice softer. Weaker. “I know.”

You run a hand through your hair, and sigh. You clean up and Dean eats his marshmallows. It’s all going to be pointless routine until Sam gets back anyway, so you drop next to Dean and eat your apple, and prepare yourself for the spark through a raw wound when Dean places his hand on your thigh. 

“You’re an angel, sweetheart, you know that?”

“Yeah.” Weak smile from you. Deep long breath from Dean.

And something is different on his face this time. More determined.

“I mean it. You’re- I mean-“ He squeezes his hand on your thigh, and looks at you like you’re something priceless. Like you’re going to vanish out of his hold if he’s not careful. 

He doesn’t know just how right he his, and the stone triples in weight.

“Are you-“

“I’m good, I just gotta do this now. Before I-“ He lets out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Needs to be now. Just- I- Shit-“

You know where this is going. It has to be a joke. You don’t want to dread it in the way you’re starting to feel over your bones. “Dean, you don’t have to-“

“I love you.” He blurts, staring at you with a wide, almost frightened expression. “You- don’t say anything, just- I fucking love you, and this never happened, but I needed to say it. And I mean it. So- Just- Yeah. Done.”

Dean looks back to his cereal, his face red and body tensed, and you can’t breathe. You can’t speak. It’s all going too fast, and there’s the light, but you weren’t ready and you can’t go, not yet-

Everything fades to black.

———

You’ve been-

No time.

You scream at Dean to ice his burn as you sprint past the kitchen, and a clatter follows seconds later. You don’t stick around to find out if he listened. 

You fly out of the bunker doors and start running. 

Dean was right. This is fucking hell. You don’t know how Sam does it all the time, but you don’t care because he does it, and it’s a million degrees outside but Sam has to be here somewhere, how can you possibly be missing him, he’s a million fucking feet tall-

Someone shouts your name, and you turn on your heels to see Sam jogging towards you, a deep frown on his face.

“Are you-“

“I’m not- Fuck.” You double over, clutching your stomach through ragged breaths. “Just- gimme a second-“

“What’s wrong?” Sam moves to keep your steady, his brow set in worry as he scans over you. “You’re not hurt, is Dean-“

“Dean’s fine.” You wheeze, shaking your head. “Sam- I- We need to talk. Now.”

End Note: Need a reverse limitless drug to slow down my brain. Enjoy the series!

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[saerins]

𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒈𝒆

+ nagi seishiro x f!reader | wc 2.4k | content: fluff, high school setting!, some cursing

notes: this was something requested by an anon !! i realised this prompt was also done in my other fic whole except nagi was the second lead :’) also pleaseeeee excuse me if this is ass because i haven’t written in a long time T_T but i’m working on getting back properly !! <3

summary: he didn’t ask you out because he wanted to, yet nagi gets more than he bargained for in the end.

“so, um, nagi, why’d you ask me out all of a sudden?”

it’s kind of an awkward situation to be in, you think, as you look around the arcade, shuffling your feet beside where nagi’s seated, trying to win some tickets from what you can only assume to be a music machine.

when he’d asked you out on a date yesterday, you didn’t think he’d take you to an arcade, of all places. (then again, nagi asking anyone out is sort of unbelievable, honestly.) if you knew sooner (or if nagi had bothered to tell you), you wouldn’t have worn such a nice dress for today.

besides, you’re not even sure why you’d agreed. call your state half-flustered or whatever, because you heard that nagi seishiro of all people does not bother with human relationships much. you’ve only ever seen him interact with mikage reo anyway—and you’d just chalked it up to him wanting it that way. nagi had never shown interest in girls or romance or that kind of shit, so cue your surprise when he asked you out yesterday, when he saw you at the bus stop.

“hey, wanna go on a date tomorrow?”

you blinked at him, utterly surprised because that was the first time that nagi had ever spoken to you.

“um, where to?” (you were still malfunctioning over the fact that he was asking you out on a date.)

nagi scratched the back of his head, and you could faintly make out reo a few ways behind him, watching on.

“hmm, not sure, i’ll text you tomorrow morning?” he suggested, pulling out his phone. “what’s your number?”

okay sure, you could’ve asked for more details, but it was hard getting nagi to respond to you at all. you’re pretty sure he was gaming, that’s why.

“oh, ‘cause reo asked me to.”

that… was not the answer you were expecting. “reo asked you to?”

nagi has a bad habit of not elaborating. you don’t really like that, because you don’t like asking questions, but you can’t help yourself now. this is too bizarre for you to let go.

“yeah, something about how he’s sick of me playing games all day long, told me to go get a date, then he’d return me my switch,” nagi mumbles, and you can’t help but think that reo’s plan may have backfired, considering how he’s on a date and still playing games.

while nagi’s grey eyes are focused on the screen in front of him, you find yourself drawn to the way he’s sucking in his cheek as he concentrates, the way his bangs fall over his eyes and how his fingers can respond so quickly to the lines on the screen.

“you’re pretty good at this,” you tell him, getting lost in how well he’s playing. the points on the screen gets so high he’s almost nearing the high score.

for a moment, nagi’s distracted by how close you are to him; your hair smells like citrus and it’s really smooth. it’s also the only time anyone other than reo has been this close and you’re not anyone so he doesn’t really see why you’re able to steal his focus from the game.

someone like you shouldn’t make him notice things that aren’t about games or himself.

but you do—and he misses the first note since the start of the game, though he recovers fairly easily.

he doesn’t know much about you, only that you’re in his class and you’re very pretty (now that he’s actually looking at you). you have a really cute laugh too, he realises, right when he wins the game and probably what’s a thousand tickets, with you rejoicing happily beside him.

“oh my god, you’re so fucking good at this,” you’re jumping and giggly and nothing like how quiet you are in school and why does he feel a little giddy knowing that he’s getting to see this firsthand? this doesn’t make sense. “okay, move aside, teach me, i wanna do it too.”

nagi obliges. it’s a pain having to teach someone else compared to doing it himself, he gets to know, as you miss probably half the notes on screen even when he tries to tell you how to do it. hell, he’s not really a good teacher.

you win about 300 tickets.

“not bad for a rookie,” nagi comments as you grab your own pile and stack it in your shared basket. the neon red and blue flashes pretty against your skin. it makes you even prettier, he feels.

you raise a brow. “nagi seishiro, wanna play a bet?”

no, not really. but somehow, he can’t quite turn down a game when it’s from you.

“what’re you betting?”

you hold out the basket in front of you. “i’m gonna find a game where i can beat you.” your chest is puffed out, like you’re determined, like you really believe you can. “if i lose, you can decide my punishment.”

nagi blinks at you. you’re… weird. you make his heart beat faster than usual. it’s a little concerning. “and if you win?”

grinning, you wink at him, “let’s leave that to later.”

whatever possessed him to spend the entire day following you around the arcade and watching you fail, he doesn’t know. you’re pretty bad at everything compared to him, but it’s not really fair—he’s probably spent ten times as much of his days in the arcade than you.

have you ever even set foot in here before?

nagi observes as you try desperately to beat him in ddr. you fail, naturally. your feet coordination really isn’t that good, but it’s pretty cute how hard you’re trying. you’re still pretty even at the end of it, even when you’re sweating and some of your hair is matted against your skin. he keeps that to himself though.

throughout the entire day, nagi finds himself entertained by your persistent insistence to beat him at something. it’s funny how you’re awful at the arcade games. it’s also funny how you’re honestly trying. it’s really no use but here you are, sweating once again from shooting hoops.

your 64 versus nagi’s 154.

“wow, you’re really bad at all these games,” nagi murmurs when he sees your score. “wanna go somewhere else?”

you’re quick to open your mouth but it takes you just as quick to shut it, probably knowing you’ll never beat him. at least, not today. “fine, you win,” you say through gritted teeth. you’re a little prideful; nagi’s learning a lot about you. “what do you want?”

nagi seems to have forgotten your earlier bet. he just shrugs and tells you to choose what you want at the exchange counter.

“you don’t want anything?”

nagi looks at the prizes with such disinterest it makes you wonder what can interest a guy like him. he shakes his head, “i can get anything i want anytime anyway.”

(the underlying insinuation that coming to the arcade with him is your only chance to win prizes flies right over your head.)

but when nagi looks at your slightly disappointed face, he tries to backtrack. “i’ll let you know when i think of something i want since i won,” he says, looking away from you. “but you choose one of the prizes today.”

turns out it’s so easy to please you. just like that and that smile is back on your face.

you choose a big goddamn pink teddy bear by the way. nagi sighs as he leaves the arcade with you. it’s probably a character nagi doesn’t know. he’s judging you, but then you hug it and smile at him and he forgets what he’s thinking about.

“i know this was only because reo asked you to, but…” you mumble after you and nagi both finished eating dinner, sitting across from each other at the ramen shop. “it was fun.”

nagi’s not sure what this is. just a customary thing where you’re showing appreciation for the time you two spent together today? you’re looking away from him though, he’s pretty sure normal customs don’t dictate that. he’s pretty sure you’re supposed to look at him when you say that.

“why’re you looking away?”

you look at him in blank shock (an expression that he doesn’t know how to process—what’s so weird about asking you that?) before you smile helplessly. “you’re very weird, nagi seishiro.”

“what do you mean?” nagi’s clueless, in that nagi seishiro way only he can be.

a few seconds of silence pass when you try to make up your mind. it’s unnerving how big and wide his eyes are, especially when they’re focused only on you and nothing else. in the end, you manage with a shake of your head.

“it’s nothing,” you decide. telling him of your possible crush on him would not do any good, you guess.

something bugs nagi; he can’t understand what it is. he just knows something feels off but it’s not like he’s ever felt this particular kind of irk—he doesn’t know what to do.

when the time comes to leave the restaurant, nagi finds himself walking the opposite way to his home because you started walking first.

somehow, his feet follows you.

it’s stupid—walking this far away from the direction of his home is troublesome. it’ll be a hassle to get home when his bus is on the other side of the long gone restaurant. why is he walking you to the train station again when he’ll just see you next week anyway? you’re in the same class.

“oh, are you gonna take the train too?”

nagi blinks at you, drawing a blank at your question. he must’ve completely zoned out. did the both of you get here in complete silence?

“no,” he answers honestly. he doesn’t elaborate. as usual.

by now, that doesn’t surprise you. instead you just nod your head, a hesitance borne in the shuffling of your feet. “well,” you drawl out, dragging the syllable, somehow hoping this wasn’t the end of the night but it is. “this was a nice one-time date,” you settle for, smiling. you’re about to just say goodbye, but you bite on your bottom lip, contemplating, before you slip his phone out of his hand and slide the screen to the side, taking a picture of the both of you together, nagi looking at the screen in surprise and you winking beside him.

when you hand it back to him, you bite your inner mouth, trying not to grin. “in case reo asks for evidence,” you offer as an excuse. you totally didn’t want to take a picture with nagi. “he better give you your game back!”

nagi gets this fleeting feeling that he doesn’t know how to explain when he sees you smiling at him. like how you remind him of the color gray. not because it’s bland but because it’s his favourite color. you remind him of spring and the cool breeze and how refreshing it feels.

“it was a nice one-time date, nagi seishiro,” you chuckle before you turn around, ready to head into the station and probably never spend such time with nagi again. you’ll probably get over the sadness of what could’ve been pretty quickly. you think.

but just before you can enter, you hear the firm steadiness in nagi’s voice. “no.”

you whip your head around, not quite sure you heard him right. “no?” you narrow your stare a little, moving out of other people’s way as they push past you into the station. “as in, you didn’t like it?”

you hope he doesn’t mean it like that.

nagi looks away, earnestly processing it. it came blurting out of him, he didn’t even know what he said until he said it. “i won the bet and what i want is… this. again. with you.”

the implications of his words slowly sink in and it has you feeling giddy. nagi, the guy who barely cares about anything nor makes the time for anyone—is he actually telling you this? is he really saying he’d take you out more?

meanwhile, nagi’s feet stay firmly planted where he is, wondering why you make him feel like this, why you make him feel like he can’t get enough. you’re just… you. before today, he could honestly say you were insignificant. but just the way you are; how you speak, your smile, your laugh and your resilience—nagi likes it, finds comfort in it, somehow.

“then,” you say as you enter the station, face giddy with the excitement of something new blossoming. “i’ll wait for more dates with you, sei.”

the way you call him that makes his heart skip a beat and he’s left blankly staring at your figure as you retreat into the station, stealing his heart with you.

“fine, fine,” reo sighs. it’s two days later on a monday and reo grudgingly gives nagi back his switch. “so, what’d you two do anyway?” he asks, shifting his gaze between nagi and you, though you’re at the other end of the classroom, talking excitedly to your friends.

nagi’s attention quickly transfers to his switch, already opening up a game to play. “nothing much,” is all he offers, and reo’s beginning to think maybe it was more of a punishment for you than a date.

reo sighs again, ready to lecture nagi for being the worst date ever when he pulls up his phone to look at the time. but he accidentally takes nagi’s phone instead, unlocking it to find his own chat thread—to which nagi doesn’t even bother saving his name (reo side eyes him but nagi doesn’t even realise).

that doesn’t surprise him, but what does is when reo realises your contact is saved—with the icon being a picture of the two of you together. you must really be something to be able to make nagi do something so idiotic like this.

“oi, nagi.”

nagi only responds with a raise of his brow. he’s still clicking away at the controls. reo guesses it must be a racing game from those sounds.

“if you guys get married i better be the best man for being your matchmaker,” reo teases, his grin filling his face.

even though nagi doesn’t respond, the champagne pink that brushes across his cheeks is enough indication to reo of nagi’s feelings for you.

looks like he never needed to worry after all.

[slytherinshua]

ʚ　HOW TO WIN A GRAND SLAM　( 마크 이 )

genre fluff , established relationship , husband!mark x pro tennis player!reader   cw mention of diets for athletic performance , not proofread   wc 1054   request by me   note so fun fact seeing mark at the australian open is the entire reason i'm crazy now. like i swear i was sane before that and then i saw him and i went insane and never recovered. so i started this fic back then and did not finish it until now but just know this has been in my mind for A LONGGGG TIME good god. dedicated to all my tennis girlies and mark girlies @loserlvrss @blue-jisungs and @yudaies   net @kstrucknet @neocity-net

“Don’t you think it’s a bit heartless to crush your husband like this? You just won Wimbledon yesterday. Take a rest, woman,” Mark shouted from across the court, sweat building on his forehead. 

The morning after your incredible win at the most renowned tennis tournament of the entire tour, there was nothing that you wanted to do more than relax with a much less stressful game against your husband. Playing a sport competitively and training for prestigious tournaments was quite different from playing it recreationally. You rarely had the chance to enjoy tennis— to play without extremely high stakes hanging over your head. It reminded you why you loved the sport so much in the first place; why you had dedicated your entire childhood to playing every day of the week, sacrificing the regular childhood experiences and hanging with friends in pursuit of your dream.

Your younger self would never believe how far you had come. Number one women’s player in the world, with several major tournaments under your belt. You were particularly known for winning Australia and France, but it was your first time winning in England. This year was your chance at your first grand slam, and you were hungrier than ever to achieve it. 

As for the current game with your husband, you were grinning with satisfaction at how easily you were smoking him. You had let him get a few games in the first set, going incredibly easy on him just to be nice and give him a false sense of security. But you still won the set 6–3. Now in the second set, Mark’s stamina was dwindling, while you were still cruising easily. The score was 5–0, and once again Mark remembered why he always refused to play tennis with you.

It was unfair, really, Mark thought. Not the obvious gap in skills at the game, but the absurd power you had over him. He just couldn’t say no to you, especially right after a tournament win. For one, he was way too proud of you to say no to anything for at least a week after your win. And for two, he’d underestimated just how competitive you were. You weren’t one to go easy on him just because he was your husband. A game was a game, and Mark knew he was going to lose it in the next few seconds.  

“Rest? The US Open is in a few months. I can’t be out of practice when I need to win that one too, baby,” You shouted back with fake sweetness as you served the ball fiercely, garnering yourself another point. Mark tugged the inside of his cheek, focusing on the bright green ball in your hand as you threw it up for the second serve. With one point left until you won, there was no way you would allow him to get even another shot. But he focused regardless, ready to dash to return it. 

With a smooth forehand, the ball went flying back to your side of the court. You returned it with a backhand too powerful for Mark to even try to reach. He watched the ball whiz past him within a blink of an eye, securing your victory and his defeat. He looked up to the other side of the court, locking eyes with you. 

“Looks like another win under my belt,” you grinned, practically skipping back to the bench to put away your racquet. Mark sighed, wiping his forehead of the few drops of sweat on his way to join you.

“You almost look happier to win that game than the slam,” your husband noted, crossing his arms. He would’ve been a fool to think he had a chance at beating his pro-player wife in a game, but the loss was still disappointing. Perhaps he was a little too competitive for his own good.

“It’s not everyday I can play against my husband,” you smiled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Even rarer are the occasions when I can beat him at something.”

“I’ll get you one day, I swear!” 

“Not at tennis, you won’t,” you giggled, zipping your tennis bag up and slinging it over your shoulder. “I might let you beat me at something if you take me on a nice date, though,” you muttered with a teasing smile, starting to walk towards the car. Mark blinked, stars twinkling in his eyes before he jogged a bit to catch up to you. 

“A date? Want to go to that fancy cheesecake place you love so much? We could get the raspberry one you wanted to try for months,” he suggested, already excited about the idea. “There’s also that spicy barbecue place. That was really good last time.”

“Won’t be winning any grand slams if I indulge in either of those,” you remarked, although Mark could still see you considering it heavily. 

“Come on. Cheat day,” he nudged you gently, a stupid lovesick grin on his face.

“We could just go on a shopping date or something—” 

“Or, you could let me take you out where you actually want to go and eat that raspberry cheesecake,” Mark whispered, his tone extremely convincing. You mulled over it for a second longer, lingering at the exit of the courts. “Let me treat my wife,” he insisted. 

“Alright, I can take one cheat day,” you smiled, giving in. Mark beamed, leaning in to place his lips on yours. You hummed, pulling him in closer. 

Every kiss Mark gave you revived you a little bit more. Whether you were tired or distressed or uncertain, his lips seemed to always have the answer you needed. It gave you the motivation to keep going. Getting to where you were now in your career had been anything but easy. When you were doubtful of whether you were even on the right path, Mark was there to remind you that tennis was what you loved. His belief in you making it to the top was the biggest contributor to your success. His support was more valuable than any amount of hours you spent training. Perhaps indulging in a date to celebrate your win would only motivate you to work harder leading up to the next tournament. After all, Mark had told you that this year was going to be yours.

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nct 127 taglist (bolded could not be tagged): @50-husbands,, @forever-atiny

[zatrinaxxx]

U DONT WANNA KISS ME?...

Bakugo Katsuki x reader

No warning, pure fluff

It was late, late enough for a simple get-together to escalate into something more.

Your classmates from Class 1A were gathered in Kaminari's room, where they had arranged to meet earlier to watch a movie and play some board games. Those plans were turned upside down when Sero and Mina took four bottles of vodka out of their backpacks and proposed a game of truth or dare.

That didn't go so well. Poor Deku was curled up in a corner with Denki's desk trash can next to him covered in vomit. Uraraka had long since passed out in bed, and Shoto had already heated and cooled his glass so much that he'd broken three from thermal shock.

Bakugo, Sero, Denki, Mina, Eijiro, and you were left unpunished (though not that much).

-My turn- Mina foolishly wriggles in place, stretching out to spin the bottle. -YES!- she shouts excitedly when the bottle's mouth points toward you. -Ready, cutie, truth or dare?- Your drunken brain didn't consider the question before answering, much less set off alerts when it saw Mina's evil face. "You foolishly challenge me, sitting on your knees, trying to maintain your balance.

-I dare you to kiss Bakugou-chan- Your laugh thinking it's a joke.

-Come on, Minitaaa- you laugh again- give me my dare- you hiccup. She laughs.

-That's your dare.- Suddenly, your drunkenness subsided, and you regained consciousness, sitting up properly. A strangled giggle escaped your mouth.

-I'll pass.- You reached out to grab the vodka bottle next to Denki to pour yourself a shot, and before your fingernail could scrape the bottle cap with your finger.

-Sorry, kiddo, but you've already finished your 3 skips.- You paled, and not because you found Bakugo ugly (you'd be crazy to think that), but the guy was terrifying. His tone of voice, his way of addressing people, his attitude, and an endless number of things that, if you listed them, would take you two nights to finish.

You don't know how to kiss. You've gotten drunker than you've kissed, and this is only your second time drunk. Your recovered lucidity makes you get up and start gathering your things while you shake your head.

-Hey, what are you doing?- Shoto stops you by the wrist, his palm burning your skin. -You can't leave. You haven't done your dare- you shake your head.

-Fuck the dare, I'm going to my dorm.-You bolt out of there like a bullet, unaware that your decision didn't leave the one you feared the most happy.

You're leaving your last class, a little late since the teacher asked you to help her pick up the supplies that had been used, the school is empty, logical since at this hour everyone is in extracurricular activities or just resting. Your thoughts wander trying not to feel upset about what happened yesterday and how ridiculous you probably looked running away from the dorm in terror, you thought you wouldn't remember it but your mind has been torturing you all fucking day. You don't blame Mina, or the boys, everyone did and said stupid things that night so you didn't feel upset but unconsciously you took your space, you needed a break.

You're yanked back by your backpack, abruptly throwing you back. You waste no time and are free of the bag in the blink of an eye, ready to fight anyone. When you realize who it is, you freeze.

-What the hell is wrong with you?- his voice echoes in your eardrums, and your defensive posture falters.

-Bakugo- his name comes out of your mouth, scared but relieved that it's not someone trying to hurt you. -I don't know what you mean.- He hands you your backpack. You raise a trembling hand to take it, but before you can, he drops it in frustration.

-This is what I mean- he growls. -This fucking shit. I still don't understand what the fuck I did to you to make you fear me and feel like I stomped your fucking hamster to death.- Your backpack falls to the floor with a thud that startles you. He runs his hands over his face, completely frustrated. -I've tried every fucking way to get close to you, but every time I try, you find a way to get away. Do I scare you?-

-N...no, it's not like that, Bakugo-

-It's not like that?!- He raises his voice as his hands come up to squeeze his blond hair with even more frustration. -You're babbling! BABBLING!,Pale as if you've seen a fucking ghost- she squeals- I... I don't know what else to do, honestly, we're in the same group, we have the same friends, damn- he snorts a strange laugh- we go out together every day and yet you seem disgusted to have me around- he rubs his eyes tiredly.

- Bakugou... -

- I sit next to you at lunch and it's like the devil sat next to you, I still don't understand how you do it but in a damn blink you're on the other end, I try to walk by your side but you practically run to be next to the others, fuck, you'd rather be next to that wanker Denki than next to me... Did I do something to you?- his tone of voice sounds defeated and your heart crumples. You take a step towards him but he continues talking.

-I know I'm a shitty person and I treat people badly, but ever since I've known you, I've tried not to be. Even when those damn extras annoy me. I try to swear a lot, but I can't. I regulate my tone of voice in front of you to see if that makes you love me, even a little.- He murmurs the last words, but you can hear them perfectly. -Do I disgust you? Is that why you don't want to kiss me?- His crimson eyes pierce your soul, and you see something you never thought you'd see in him: fear. His gaze reflected fear and shame, and you can't resist it. You throw yourself at him so tightly that you both stagger. You hug him tightly, pressing him against you while squeezing your face into his chest, whimpering.

-I don't hate you Bakugo, I would never hate you- you poke your nose lifting your head to look him in the eyes- the truth is I'm a little scared of you- you laugh nervously- And all this time I thought you hated me so I kept moving away so as not to make you uncomfortable, besides...- you move away a little from him wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand, you feel your face turn red- I don't know how to kiss- you confess and he looks at you in a trance.

-I didn't kiss you last night, not because I didn't want to. Even though you scare me, I find you quite attractive. I just thought you'd be disgusted and laugh at me because I don't know how to kiss, not because I didn't want to...- Your words stumble as his lips crash against yours in a rough but soulful kiss, as if on cue. Your eyes close and your body melts against his. One of his hands moves down to hold you by the waist and the other rests on your face. His mouth moves at a slow pace in almost perfect harmony, both mouths fitting together as if it were the last piece of a 1,000-piece puzzle found after a long time. You struggle to pull away from him for lack of air, but he refuses, holding you tighter against him. But the air is stronger than both of you, so you move away slightly.

-Are you still afraid of me?-he murmurs in a small voice. You shake your head, burying your face in his broad chest. -Good.-You feel him place his chin on the crown of your head, his chest expanding with an exhalation. -Because I'm hard, and I assure you, you won't escape this.- A laugh escapes you and you move away from him.

-God, you know how to ruin a romantic moment.

💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

HELLO omg I'm so excited to be back, although I never really left, I just had a huge block and 200 unfinished drafts.

I doubt anyone remembers me or is still active on my page, but if you are, don't forget to leave a heart.

Disclaimer:English is not my first language. If you see any mistakes, please don't hesitate to tell me as long as it is done with respect to maintain a beautiful community.

I hope you like it. I have tons of ideas about Bakugo and tons of other characters. If you want to read more, don't forget to let me know. I LOVE YOU, LITTLE PERSON AT HOME. Try to stay hydrated.

[firewasabeast]

hey cj, it's bisexualbrainrots again, and damn you've rotten my brain with kidnapped tommy so i made this. beware i listened to "only love can hurt like this" on loop while writing. big cw though, it's... quite something.

The air is wet, it's always wet down here.

It makes his nose tickle sometimes, and he has to fight every urge not to sneeze, otherwise he gets reprimanded, again and again.

He knows it's stupid to hope, it's been so long he can't even think what day it is. It feels like it's been years though.

But it's okay, nobody's looking for him anyway. 

Nobody is. 

And yet, he still holds onto his memories, at least for a while before the tears form for reasons other than the constant beating and burning of his skin. He can hold onto that, onto the drinks, the pick-up games, the karaoke trivia nights.

He can hold onto those blue eyes and that birthmark. 

He can hold onto someone's who's forgotten him by now. 

He stares into the line of light that comes out of the frames of the door, and thinks for one second that he could try and get up, that he could escape. 

Except he's so tired, he can barely squirm without shockwaves of pain flowing through his body, it doesn't help that he's barely fed throughout the day. But he's gotten used to that, to that hunger.

He still isn't used to the broken bones though.

Maybe his leg is finally going to heal, or has, he hasn't tried to put his weight on it yet. He's too scared. 

He's always been scared.

Maybe that's why he's sabotaged every good thing in his life, maybe… maybe that's why he'll die alone. 

Like he was always meant to. 

He thinks back to when this started, when he woke up, his hands tied and his body resting on a chair, a chair that soon would fall along with him. He used to scream so loudly, begging for somebody to listen, to find him. 

He lost that will a while ago. 

He frowns when he hears noises, it's not him though, he's learned to pick up the signs, this is… this is different. 

It gets louder and louder. Steps, people talking, they're approaching. 

And suddenly, the door breaks and at least five people get inside the room, he has to adjust himself, shutting his eyes from the light that's almost blinding him. It's not like there wasn't any light in here, there is a lamp above him, but it was always warm and low. 

This… this was too much. 

“Tommy… Tommy!” he feels a hand touch his shoulder, and as his eyes flutter open he sees her. 

Athena. 

“W-what…?” his jaw hurts, he's still recovering from the hit he took yesterday, and he remembers the sting when he had to chew that stale bread. He refocuses on the woman in front of him, the woman he hasn't seen in months.

Her brows are furrowed, but it doesn't look angry or confused she's… worried. 

And it hits something inside his chest. 

“You’re okay now, we’ve–we’ve found you Tommy” she looks at him fondly before she stands up, while the rest of the people search things around the room. 

One of the kneels, and asks if he can stand, offers him to lift him. But he just shakes his head to both questions, and tells them, in an extremely weak voice, that he just wants to rest. 

His hands are freed, and it's weird, not having those ropes on them anymore. 

The group tries to give him small talk, but he's still so tired, he just wants to sleep. 

All he wanted was to sleep. 

Until he heard him. 

“Tommy!”

It was gutural, like he was desperate. 

In less than a second he had those blue eyes way too close to his, and he didn't know what to think, or feel.

He lifted his hand, searching for his face, and smiled weakly when he got to touch his cheeks. His wet cheeks. 

“You’re not a dream…”

Evan chuckled “Of course I'm not a dream… God, Tommy” he felt his upper body being lifted and winced, hissing at the pain still very much alive “Shh s-sorry baby… I'm so sorry” 

He looked up. His head was resting in Evan's lap, and Evan was holding— clinging onto his shoulders, like he was about to disappear if his hands weren't touching him. 

He smiled at him “D-don’t be sorry… I’m okay now”

He blinked when he felt something wet hit his face, and when he looked well he say it.

Evan was crying, or well, sobbing, his speech were hard to understand too. But he could follow.

“S-something was wrong and I didn't know, I'm sorry Tommy I didn't know, I didn't know” 

There's nothing he wanted more than to lean in and kiss the tears away, but he was so comfortable right now, he was about to fall asleep. 

But he had to say something before. 

So he shakes his head, giving him a comforting smile “It-it’s okay… I never… expected anyone to look for me anyways”

And he gave in to his slumber. 

At least if he died he wasn't alone anymore.

Praying with everything I have that I don’t plagiarize when I eventually write my fic but this was too good to avoid reading 😭 😭 😭

[haddonfieldwhore]

torn - vince dunn

vince dunn x fem!reader (x platonic! matthew tkachuk)

summary: with seattle on an 8 game losing streak, it’s even more difficult to choose who to cheer for; your boyfriend or your best friend

word count: 4k

warnings: language, a sprinkle of angst, drinking, nsfw themes implied but nothing explicit, mention of cheating

you fiddled absentmindedly with your fingers in your lap as you sat in the audience, paying little attention to the practice skate happening in the rink. your mind was elsewhere, unable to focus on your boyfriend vince dunn and his team as you thought about his instead. matthew tkachuk had been your best friend for as long as you could remember, and while you should have been overjoyed at the fact that you got to see him tonight, the fact that he was on the opposing team did slightly complicate things.

while it was just a game at the end of the day, it wasn’t at the same time. it felt like a double edged sword; while you knew you would be happy with whoever won, that also meant that one of your two favourite people had to lose, and you didn’t want that.

you breathed a sigh of relief that this was their last regular season game against eachother, the panthers and the kraken not meeting up too often. you felt you phone buzz in your pocket and checked it to see a text from matthew.

you looked up at the clock on the wall, which read 10:49am, meaning the kraken were almost done and you wouldn’t miss too much if you snuck out now.

you gathered your stuff, sneaking out without drawing attention to yourself, and not noticing the green eyes of your boyfriend flickering up to notice your empty seat. it was only about 15 minutes before matthew arrived, meeting you outside the cafe by sneaking up behind you and wrapping his arms around you. you let out a shriek, earning a few weird looks from people around the room as you turned around.

“you scared me!” you punched matthews chest lightly, before throwing your arms around his neck in a bone crushing hug.

“that was kind of the idea,” he laughed, holding you tight as he laughed. it had been months since you had seen him, and you always missed him like crazy when you were apart.

“you cut your hair!” you commented on his appearance as you finally looked at his face. you had obviously seen him on tv and in pictures since you last saw him in person, but it wasn’t the same as being fave to face. “last time i saw you your curls were crazy,” you smiled, remembering how long his hair had grown out.

“yeah, it’s a lot to fit under the helmet,” he smiled, and finally let go of you.

“also,” you began. “happy belated birthday! i can’t believe we were one day off from getting to spend it together,” you pouted, thinking of his birthday that had been just yesterday.

“thank you. we can celebrate tonight- after the game. i think we’re sticking around in seattle until at least tomorrow morning so we have all night.”

“deal,” you smiled, shaking his hand.

•

after a quick shower, vince towel dried his curly hair and threw on a kraken hoodie and some shorts, taking advantage of the warmer than usual weather despite it being mid december. usually after practice you were waiting for him outside the locker room, but he had a pretty good feeling that you wouldn’t be there to greet him today; the empty hallway confirming his suspicions as he sighed.

“everything okay? she’s never not here.”

vince looked up to nod his head softly at tye kartye, one of his teammates and one of your close friends. “where is she?”

“with tkachuk,” dunn replied, not meaning to sound so bitter. “he’s her best friend; they never get to see eachother,” he recovered, not wanting to give the impression that he was upset about it. he had no issue with you having friends that were on other teams, especially since you had been friends with matthew far longer than you had been dating him.

“sharing trade secrets about our practice?” tye joked innocently, and vince punched his arm.

“you know she wouldn’t. and besides, i don’t think she was really paying attention anyway,” he laughed. he pulled his phone out of his bag, checking to see if you had messaged him, trying not to be too disappointed when he saw no notifications on the screen.

•

you and matthew were walking around seattle, not straying too far from the arena, when your phone went off.

you smiled at the message, and didn’t notice matthew had stopped in front of you until you ran straight into his chest.

“loverboy wondering where you are?” he teased innocently.

“he’s just checking in. their practice just ended.”

“any-“

“don’t even ask. i am sworn to secrecy,” you scolded, with a finger pressed to his lips to quiet him. he smirked, raising his hands in surrender.

“i see how it is. does that mean you’re cheering for him tonight over me?” he asked playfully.

“i’m cheering for both of you. i don’t want either of you lose,” you admitted, and matthew threw an arm around your shoulder.

“i know. and i’m sorry they have to lose but-“

“hey!” you laughed. “don’t be an ass.”

“sorry,” he smiled. “and i promise to try not to hit him too hard in to the boards-“

“hey!” you repeated, but you knew that he was only messing with you.

“okay okay i’m done.”

•

you had gone home to vince’s apartment once matthew had to go to the panthers practice, giving you some time to get ready before the game. you and the birthday-boy would be going out straight after the game, so you had to get a little fancier than you usually did for a game, knowing you wouldn’t have time to do your makeup or anything.

putting on an outfit appropriate for clubbing and doing your hair and makeup took a little longer than usual, and soon it was time to head down to the arena with vince. he walked out of your shared bedroom dressed in his suit for the evening, a dark purple colour with a subtle blue plaid pattern. no matter how many times you saw him get dressed up, it still made butterflies erupt in your stomach.

“you really do look great in a suit,” you smiled, smoothing out his blue tie and brushing that one curl that never seemed to stay put off his forehead. he leaned down to kiss your lips softly.

“you look amazing. although i have a weird feeling this isn’t all for me..” he said hesitantly, his hands landing softly on your waist.

“i mean of course it’s for you,” you paused, kissing the side of his neck softly. “but i do have plans after the game with matthew,” you admitted, feeling guilty even though you knew he wouldn’t mind.

“i had a feeling,” vince laughed, but kissed your forehead. “you are still cheering for us during the game though, right?” he smiled.

“yes, but he’s gonna be a bummer to hang out with if they lose, so think of me if that happens,” you laughed as he kissed you again, before grabbing your bag for you and getting the door. you weren’t sure how it was time to go already, but you were only getting more nervous standing around waiting, so you were happy to get going, following close behind vince as he left the apartment.

•

you and vince arrived at the arena, but split off since he had a few things to do before the game; usual player stuff. you were in the back when the panthers arrived, and while most of them didn’t pay you any mind, a certain player with golden curls sent you a wink as he walked by and into the visitors locker room. you decided that while yes, you were hoping that seattle won the game (florida could afford the loss more than the kraken could right now), you would still be an encouraging friend, texting matthew a quick ‘good luck 🥰’.

you put your phone away, and took a deep breath, trying to ease your nerves. you and a few of the other players girlfriends went to your seats, and you tapped your fingers on your knee, drowning out the conversation going on around you. a hand in your shoulder snapped you out of your trance, and you turned to look at valerie, who was engaged to jared, one of the forwards for seattle.

“you okay?” she asked, and you smiled.

“yeah - just a little nervous if i’m being honest.”

“what’s going on?”

“my best friend plays for florida, so i’m just a little upset that one of the teams had to lose,” you laughed, and val giggled.

“aww. it’s okay honey. that’s the game; someone wins and someone loses - and i’m sure both vince and your friend know that.”

“you’re right,” you sighed, her words making you feel better. “thanks val.”

“no problem. are you and vince going out after the game? you’re all fancy today.”

“no, actually i have plans with matthew - my friend.”

“tkachuk?”

“yeah.”

“so you have a bit of a type, huh? tall, curly hair, a little dangerous…” she teased.

“shush.”

“i’m kidding, i’m kidding,” she bumped her shoulder against yours softly. “i won’t tell anyone if you secretly cheer for florida,” she whispered in your ear.

“i still want us to win,” you took a sip from your drink. “i just don’t want the other team to lose.” you both laughed at the redundant statement, and the players came out into the ice to skate around before the game began.

“what’s tkachuk’s number again? i want to keep an eye on him for you,” val asked.

“19,” you smiled. “i’m sure he’ll make his presence known.” as if on queue, you saw matt in the starting lineup out on the ice, and he nodded his head towards you, and you smiled.

“yeah, you definitely have a type.”

•

the first period went by without too much excitement, besides vince getting a penalty for a high stick. while you would never admit it to him, you always thought he looked hot sitting in the penalty box. florida got a few more power plays in the second period, but yamamoto was still able to score the only goal so far, giving seattle a 1-0 lead. you noticed vince and matt give eachother a couple shoves as play was whistles down for a save from seattles goalie, daccord.

bellemare scored the second goal for seattle, giving us an even bigger lead, and while i was happy for the kraken, my mood fell as my eyes landed on matty. he was sitting on the panthers bench, chewing on his mouthguard instead of wearing it properly, as always. on his next shift he got a good shot, but it was deflected, and the start of a fight broke out between vince and one of the other panthers, but it was quickly broken up.

wennberg intercepted a pass and got a breakaway to score seattles third goal, and your gaze went to the florida bench again. as your eyes found matthew, you realized he was already looking at you. you mouthed a sincere “i’m sorry” at your best friend, and you knew he understood it when he tilted his head sideways with a shrug; but you could tell he was frustrated.

florida pulled their goalie with five minutes left in the game, and tolvanen scored an empty netter to secure the victory early. the girls were cheering next to you and you smiled as they announced that vince got an assist on the goal, adding to his already impressive tally of points on the season so far. the time dwindled down to nothing, confirming the win for seattle and in turn earning daccord his first nhl shutout.

the fans cheered as the kraken skated around celebrating, and the panthers headed back to the locker room.

•

you were leaning up against the wall talking with some of the teams girlfriends when you felt arms wrap around your midsection from behind, and a soft kiss being placed on the junction between your shoulder and your neck. you giggled as vince’s stubble tickled your skin, and you turned around and kissed him on the lips.

“hey,” you smiled, admiring the sparkle that always appeared in his eyes when the kraken won.

“hey yourself,” he smiled, kissing you again, before his eyes traveled up and down your body, taking in every inch of your outfit. “you’re sure you’re not gonna hang with us? we’re going to kartye’s place, it’s gonna be a good time….” he trailed off, his fingers drumming softly against your hips.

“i’m sad i’m missing it, but i promised matthew; it was his birthday yesterday and i haven’t seen him in forever,” you pouted, and vince nodded.

“i get it, don’t worry. i just thought i’d ask.”

“you could come with us?” you offered, and he smiled, but shook his head.

“i don’t wanna third wheel,” he teased. “go have fun. i get you all the time, he can have you for one night.”

i raised an eyebrow, and vince seemed to realize the error in his wording.

“not like that,” he scolded, a light blush on his face, and you laughed.

“i’m kidding. you’re the only one who gets me in that way.”

“good,” vince said, his confidence returning as he kissed you deeply, before the rest of the team started exiting the locker room.

“hey, you coming out with us?” yamamoto asked, and you shook your head, but vince answered for you.

“she’s got a date with the enemy,” he replied, and you shot him a glare for throwing you under the bus, but knew the team wouldn’t care. they hazed you for a minute, but you laughed it off before they stole vince from you, him calling out for you to text him if anything happened. you waved to the guys and said goodnight to the girls before heading towards the visitors locker room to find matthew.

the panthers were still inside when you got there, so you sat on a bench in the hallway while you waited. about 10 minutes went by before anyone exited the room, and finally a defeated looking tkachuk walked out of the door. he perked up slightly when he saw you, and you stood up, gasping slightly as he lifted you up in the air. to not fall, you wrapped you arms and legs around him like a koala bear, laughing as he spun around.

“stop you’re gonna drop me!”

“i would never,” he replied, but set you down on your feet anyway. “you ready to go?” he asked, and you looked at the white button up shirt he had on with some dark jeans. his hair was still slightly damp from his post-game shower, and he smelled like his usual cologne.

“yeah, what the plan?”

“there’s gotta be a club around here somewhere right?” he asked, and you nodded, remembering the handful of times you had gone out with the team to celebrate after a game.

“yeah, i know a place.”

“well what are we waiting for?” he smiled.

•

a few hours and many drinks later, you found yourself being pulled onto the dance floor by matthew, some throwback hip hop song blaring through the speakers of the club. his hands were on your hips as you danced to the music, your back to his chest as your bodies got closer together. the club lighting was low except for the flashing stove lights, casting different colours across the people in the room.

“what are you thinking about?” matthew asked, his breath fanning across your ear as he leaned closer so you could hear him over the music, and you realized you must have zoned out.

“i’m sorry you guys lost the game.”

he laughed, using his grip on your waist to turn you to face him, his hands never leaving your body.

“it’s fine,” he shook his head, but his eyes didn’t meet yours, so you could tell he wasn’t too happy about it.

“sorry, i shouldn’t have brought it up. kinda ruined the mood.” his gaze found yours now, the bright blue of his eyes slightly hazy from the alcohol.

“and what mood was that?” he smirked.

“we’re celebrating your birthday, matty,” you smiled, throwing your arms around his neck and burying your face against his collarbone. you felt another laugh rumble in his chest, as his arms encircled you, and you breathed in the way he smelled; expensive. you looked up at him, and found him already looking at you, his eyes half closed, either from intoxication or tiredness. without thinking, you placed a soft peck on his lips, and then both of your froze. his eyes were wide now, and you stuttered incoherently.

“i didn’t mean to do that,” you finally said.

“you didn’t?”

“no,” you confirmed.

“okay,” he laughed, and you hit his bicep softly.

“it’s not funny matty, i fucked up,” you said seriously, and he cleared his throat.

“okay, just breathe,” he said as you began to panic. “let’s get some fresh air okay?” he led you outside, the cool december air helping to sober you up quickly. there was no one stood outside the club except a couple people smoking a little ways down the sidewalk. you leaned against the side of the building as you continued to freak out. you had to tell vince- and now, before some paparazzi posted a photo of it and he found out some other way.

you pulled out your phone, and matthews eyes widened again as his hand gently wrapped around yours.

“what are you doing?”

“i have to tell him,” you mumbled.

“tell who what-“

“tell my boyfriend that i just cheated on him, matthew. oh god-“ you cried, tears welling in your eyes.

“are you sure you should call him right now? you’re hyperventilating.”

“he needs to know. and he needs to hear from me first before he finds out from someone else,” you insisted, somehow managing to calm for breathing down, though your heart remained pounding against your ribcage.

“okay. you’re right,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair. “it’s not like it meant anything, right? it was a stupid drunken kiss.”

“yes. i love you, but not like that, dude.” you both laughed, and you were glad to be on the same page about it. matty would always be your best friend, and there had never been anything romantic between the two of you.

“agreed,” he smiled. “i’ll give you some privacy, but i’m not leaving you out here alone. i’ll be over there if you need me,” he said, and walked down the side of the building, keeping you in his line of sight under safe watch. you took a shaky breath, and scrolled through your phone to vince’s contact, and pressed the call button.

“hello?” he answered, and you could hear loud music in the background.

“vince - it’s me. can you hear me?” you replied, and you heard the sound of a door and the music getting quieter, like he had gone into another room.

“hey, babe. yeah i can hear you now. is everything okay?” he asked, a concerned tone in his voice.

“yes - well no- but yes, i’m fine. i need to tell you something.”

“what is it?” he asked.

“i accidentally kissed matthew,” you admitted, closing your eyes like it would stop you from hearing his reaction. “we got really drunk and it just happened and it was one tiny little kiss and i’m so sorry,” you blabbered, before listening to a long painful silence on the other side of the phone.

“it didn’t mean anything? it was just a mistake?” he asked calmly, and you were a little shocked. you hadn’t exactly expected him to yell at you, but you thought he would at least sound… angrier.

“god no - of course it didn’t. i love you so much and i’m so sorry.”

“does he know it didn’t mean anything?” he asked, the expected anger a little more present in his voice this time.

“yes, vince. we’re just friends; i promise,” you insisted, and you heard him sigh on the other end.

“okay. i mean i’m not happy about it but if it didn’t mean anything i i’ll get over it. i’ll kiss one of the guys and we’ll call it even, okay?” he teased, and you laughed, slightly in relief but also in disbelief.

“have you been drinking?” you teased, and he gave a genuine laugh.

“maybe a little. but seriously - if it was just an accident i forgive you. are you guys staying out for a bit? do you need me to call you a cab or anything?” he asked, and you smiled at how much of a sweetheart he was.

“i think we’ve both had enough partying for one night. i’ll get a cab home, okay? are you and guys staying out much longer?” you replied.

“okay, text me when you’ve made it home. i think we’re almost calling it a night, so i’ll be there soon.”

“okay. i love you.”

“i love you too.” he said, and the call ended. matthew saw you put your phone away, and walked back over to you.

“is he coming here to kill me?” he asked, and you rolled your eyes, wondering how he could joke at a time like this.

“no - i have the best boyfriend in the world and he said everything is fine since it was just a drunken mistake.” speaking of vince your phone went off in your hand and you looked at the screen to see a text with a picture of larsson and yamamoto kissing him on either cheek, a big goofy smile on his face. below it was a text that just said “now we’re even 🩵” and you shook your head, smiling as you showed matt.

“i don’t know him too well but he seems like a good guy.”

“he is,” you smiled. “i’m gonna call it a night, and you probably should to, considering i’m sure you guys have to be in the road pretty early tomorrow.”

“yeah you’re right,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “i’ll see you during the holiday break, right?” he asked. the teams always got a few days off at christmas and you usually spent at least one of them together. that meant it would o it be a few weeks before you got to see each other again.

“of course,” you said, wrapping your arms around him in a hug, suddenly sad to be saying goodbye so soon.

“okay,” he smiled, returning the hug as your cab pulled up. “tell dunn i’m sorry. and congrats on the win.”

“i will. text me in the morning?” he nodded in response, and pulled out his phone to call a cab of his own. you sighed as the car pulled away, and you shut your eyes, suddenly feeling exhausted.

•

you were home long enough to shower and get into your pyjamas, which was just one of vince’s t-shirts and some shorts, before you heard his keys in the door. you ran over to him and he wrapped you in his arms immediately, his familiar scent filling your nose as you buried your face in his chest.

“i’m sorry,” you mumbled.

“i know. i forgive you,” he laughed softly. “i am a little sad i don’t get to take that outfit off you, but i might like this one even more.”

you smiled, placing soft kisses up his neck until your lips connected. he walked you backwards to the bedroom and let your fingers undo the buttons of his shirt. once he was down to his boxers, you both crawled into bed, your head on his chest as his fingers traced little patterns on your thigh.

“i love you,” you mumbled, very sleepy after a long day.

“i love you too.”

“i love you more than anyone else on earth,” you clarified, and it was the truth. vince smiled, though you couldn’t see it, and kissed the top of your head.

“i know. goodnight baby,” he said softly, and you were out before you could say anything back. while he wasn’t exactly happy about what had happened, he felt better knowing that at the end of the day, it was his arms that you were falling asleep in.

disclaimer: all screenshots, events, and/or interactions depicted in this are a work of fiction. i have no association with any parties mentioned

[deadghosy]

AMONG US X GN! TEEN READER

Summary: your iPad kid sibling broke his iPad making these weird creatures pop out and they seem to love your company.

“AGGHHH!”

CRASH!

Your little shit of a sibling Noah had thrown his iPad at you after you killed in this game called “among us”. You laughed at his red face as he hits you but it doesn’t do much affect until he hits you in your gut.

“YOU LITTLE SHIT!” You said yelling as Noah runs to his room sticking his tongue at you. As a door slammed again the wall you groaned against the floor holding your stomach with clenched teeth. You hoped you recovered, cause when you do. That little fucker is dead meat.

What you didn’t notice was the cracked iPad as you got up and shoulder rushed your sibling’s door.

It’s the next day as you lay in your bed watching tiktoks while eating some chips. You heard a small skitter which made you pause the edit audio coming from your phone to turn to see nothing. You narrowed your eyes thinking it’s your sibling.

“Noah, if you don’t want me to smack you. Come out now.”

You waited for a response but nothing happened. You scoffed playing the edit again until you heard a choking sound. Okay now you were kinda weirded out. You got off your bed to only step on something that made a “squeak” sound.

“WHAT THE F-”

A small among us character in yellow is squashed but pops back up brand and new. Yellow squeak at you and starts to hug your leg which made your eyes widen even more.

“GET OFF ME YOU WEIRD THING!” You start to shake your leg only for the damn thing to squeak louder and louder as other colors came out and start to squeak at you. You stopped shaking your leg watching these small things surround you as you pick yellow up who squeaks holding your hand.

“Where the bloody hell have you guys come from.” You heard a manly ass squeak looking at black who drags a iPad, the broken iPad your brother broke from yesterday. You raised a brow and pointed at it as yellow nuzzles against your face. “That’s where you guys came from?” You asked as black nods moving towards you with a waddle. He? They? She? Whatever fucking gender they are, it seemed to bow at you like if you were their god. But now you weren’t.

“Hey hey, dont bow at me dude.”

After you said that the rest of the little critters started to bow at you with small squeaks. Now you just stand there awkwardly as you scratched your neck not knowing what this is even about…..

“Listen lil guys…how about you just go back in and maybe we can call this a day” you say pointing to the iPad and picking it up.

It seems they knew what you were saying as yellow starts to cry with a squeak as he hides in your shirt making you jolt trying to get them out. “H-hey! Get out of there man!” Black and another color which is green jumps on you making you fall back in your bed.

Then everyone came in and squeaked at you! You were basically getting swarmed by these chibi shits!

“Please get off! I demand you guys get off!” As you yell this, they got off sitting in a formal line in front of you as you crossed your legs in bed

You sigh looking at them as yellow pops out of your shirt holding onto your shoulder with soft squeak as they nuzzle against you.

Guess they don’t want to go back into the iPad…

—

Reader to their little brother:

(Let me know if you want part two or not)

[translatemunson]

cat and mouse for a month or two or three • ttfd

chapter eight of the tortured firefighters department

previous chapter | masterlist | next chapter

cw: fem!reader, afab!reader, no descriptions of reader, brains is recovering, idiots in love, short chapter after a huge hiatus I'M SORRY OK , no proofreading otherwise i’d never post this (lmk if i missed something)

A new routine took place. You spend most days inside your apartment, classes online since they were checking all the buildings on that side of the campus, on medical leave from your job because, on top of the broken ribs, they wanted you to recover from the burnout you got yourself into. That also meant you were taking mandatory therapy sessions, and maybe after a month they could let you work again. It was like being grounded from what kept you fueled in your late twenties.

Their first mistake was giving you way too much free time while bored. You wrote pages upon pages of your thesis in your first week. The moment you hit send and sat to wait for your professor’s notes, you found out you couldn’t reorganize your home because it was considered too much effort for your broken ribs. Your kitchen became the latest victim.

But a real victim to all your boredom was one door down the hall, who probably regretted giving you a copy of his keys — to be used just in case of an emergency.

“What the hell are you doing, Brains?” It was the third time this week that Buck arrived at his home and found out you were there, just casually chilling,

“Reading!” You were upside down on his couch, a romance book in your hands.

“I don’t think this position is good for your ribs. Can you sit like a normal person?”

“No. It’s boring. Also, I’m gonna babysit Chris tomorrow, so I’m hijacking your Xbox.”

“Why aren’t you doing that at your place?” He pointed to your silly reading position.

“Because I needed to tell you about your video game. Are you hungry? There’s some lasagna in your fridge.”

“Did you make it?”

“Yeah. Now shut up, they’re finally confessing their feelings for each other.”

Buck turned the TV on just to get some noises into the silent apartment. You were too busy with your book, he was too afraid of doing something he would have regretted later. Somewhere between his first and second plate of lasagna, you put the book aside and started to pay attention to the news.

“Big rescue, hm?”

“I don’t know why they keep building towers with paper thin structures and too many glass windows with shitty fire alarms. What happened to the good ol’ bricks and stones?” He was eating at the table, probably destroying the food in record time.

“Excellent question. I’ll look it up and give you an answer tomorrow”

“You’re really bored, aren’t you?”

“Oh, what gave it away?”

“It’s definitely not the same book from yesterday, you cooked a lasagna as big as the ones Bobby feeds us, you’re gonna babysit Chris on Eddie’s day off.”

“He needs to run some errands, and Chris hasn’t been feeling good lately, probably just the flu. So I offered my services for the day. What’s wrong with that?” You stared at him. Was he cuter upside down than the other way around?

“Nothing, it’s just… are you ok?”

“Please, don’t pull a therapist on me, I already had my mandatory session today. I swear I’m ok, I’m just bored of doing nothing. No adrenaline, no deadlines.”

“You’re really addicted, hm?”

“What can I say, Buckley, I wasn’t made to stay still.” As soon as the local news was over and football started, you moved back to your book. Buck got up and went for some beers. “I’m just gonna finish this and I’ll see myself out.”

“I’m gonna charge you rent for my couch.” He sat on the floor, right next to your face. Third time in his living room was a charm, right?

“Wasn’t the lasagna enough?”

“I thought that was for my Xbox. Want one?”

“No, thanks.”

You opened your book again, but the sudden proximity with Buck was the only thing you could focus on. The five o’clock shadow, the red birthmark on the left side of his face, the brightest eyes you’ve ever seen… Staying alone with your thoughts for too long was making you think of things you once judged impossible.

It was a split second, but he caught you red handed, staring at him. You smiled and moved your eyes to the pages of your book, not sure where you left off.

One big hand snatched the object from you. You turned to your side to complain and retrieve it, giving Buck the perfect opportunity to bring your lips close and kiss you. It barely turned into a deep kiss before you took some space to process what was happening. Your action made Buck a little confused, blinking his eyes and nervously messing with his own hair.

Your ribcage started hurting, so you moved your body carefully until you were sitting on the floor, face to face with him. Giving him enough time to change his mind, to say he actually didn’t mean it. Because how could he kiss someone like you?

You thought you’d never see a glimpse of fear on the eyes of one of the most fearless men you knew. Buck was too stunned to say anything, his full, pink lips slightly open. Your hand found the curve of his neck, your cold skin over his boiling hot veins.

You leaned in for another one. He pulled you closer carefully. However, it was nearly impossible to avoid the messier, helpless kisses. Evan Buckley was finally taking over your mind, maybe even your whole body.

Both of you had to move back a little, taking quick breaths after such intense kisses. You rested your hands on his shoulders and smiled.

“Did it really take me getting trapped in a burning building for us to have the courage to do this?” You bit your lower lip, trying to avoid him noticing your blushed cheeks.

“I don’t know about you, but I wanted to do this for a long time,” he confessed.

And it caught you by surprise. So Maddie was really telling you the truth.

“Wait, how long?” He avoided eye contact and you laughed. “No, Buck, please. Tell me.”

“Do you remember that shift I got your number with Eddie? So,” he took a deep breath, “I was planning on asking you out that day, but I just… I chickened, ok?”

“And right after that you ate all my cupcakes when I was at Maddie’s. Off to the best start, Buckley.”

“Not my best move, ok?” He laughed. “How many months ago was it?”

“No clue, to be honest.” You pecked his lips again.

Buck’s arms held you close, not willing to let you go. His lips were just inches away.

“Should I remind you of my doctor’s orders?” you whispered.

“You’re never walking into danger on my watch again.” Buck finally let you go, but it was written in his face it wasn’t what he wanted. His touch lingered a little longer, a little too deep. And you were sure you were mirroring his actions.

“I know.” You got his video game console and your book. “See you tomorrow?”

“Sure thing, Brains.”

You leaned over, leaving a goodnight kiss and a promise to come back to whatever you just started.

+++

“Ok, do you want some snacks? I,” you checked your storage once again, noticing how you should’ve added “do groceries” to your list. “How are we feeling about popcorn?”

“I love popcorn!” Chris replied, his focus on the TV screen.

“Popcorn it is.” You turned the machine on and measured the serving. You heard knocks on your door. “Just a second!”

Maybe Eddie was back because Chris forgot something in the car? No, he had everything in his backpack. You opened the door, but your eyes stayed on the kid on your couch. “Really, Eddie, don’t worry. I can watch him for as long as you need and… Buck.”

“Hi.” Even if he looked like he just left the shower, his voice sounded like he ran a marathon and stopped at your door.

“Buck!” You both heard Chris from the couch. “Are you joining us?”

“Only if Brains let me.” He smiled, waiting for you to invite him in.

“How could I say ‘no’? Come in, we are playing video games and having popcorn.”

“You can play with me!”

“I’ll be there in a sec, Chris. I just need to talk to Brains first,” he pulled you aside and out of Chris’ view. Not like the kid is paying any attention to you, anyway. “Hey there.”

“Hi. Why do I have a feeling you’re here to babysit me?” You move to your kitchen, rushing to find the popcorn bucket in your cabinets.

“Can you blame me? You have two broken ribs, self diagnosed burnout syndrome,” you mumbled, “ok, your therapist said you have it, and you’re babysitting Chris on a day you’re supposed to wake up after 3.”

“It’s just for a few hours, and he’s not like Jee-Yun,” you pointed out the reality: Chris was just a little bit sick and Eddie didn’t want him to be alone. “So you’re here to see if I have plans for today.”

“Kinda.” He opened the top cabinet and gave you the bucket. “Do you?”

You elbowed him on the torso, playfully.

“Watch your step, I know his reputation.” You pointed to Chris over your shoulder. “But the answer to your question is no.”

Buck smiled, satisfied with himself. “Hey, Chris, orange or apple juice?”

“Apple, please! I’m crushing you!” The kid's voice indicated a promise to end Buck’s character.

“Ok, buddy, if you say so,” he turned to you and whispered, “so it’s a date?”

“Yes, Buckley. Now are you gonna help me with Chris or not?” You served two glasses of apple juice.

“Sure thing, but I might need to run some errands later because,” and he stopped himself. “You’ll see.”

a/n: hi is there anyone here still? i know guys, i was gone, no sign of life, but hey, i'm back (i hope so). IT FINALLY HAPPENED! i had to make this chapter shorter than usual because otherwise it would be too big. so that's it. see ya soon!

[sonicjustbecause]

Headcanon time: Shadow's limits...

I didn't bother much actually.

Until yesterday I saw this:

And this (that is too much also for him, honestly. In term of self destructive behaviour, I mean)...

I'm surprised that in 24 years, nobody explored this territory with Shadow. We see fanart of all sonic characters swimming, diving etc... Even Sonic who is occasionally given the ability to swim to suit the needs of fans. For Shadow is unusual seeing him underwater.

Some fans think he just doesn't need to breathe, eat or sleep and that's boring I think. In official material, though rarely, it is shown that he needs at least to breath and sleep (eating too I guess, the way Rouge in Shadow generations tries to convince him to join Sonic's party with the 'free food' thing).

"There is free food."

He is shown to need to sleep in Sonic X, Sonic Movie and Shadow Dark Beginnings. I think is especially clear in Shadow Dark Beginning. Shadow is falling asleep while driving toward the ARK and he already starts to dream (when you're sleepy it may occur you fall asleep while looking awake from the outside). It is shown he lives a stressful life and a life he clearly doesn't want. Shadow would choose to live a peaceful 'NPC' life, far away possibly in the colder regions of Earth (Holoska in Sonic Fandom, naming actual place he would choose Canada, Alaska, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Iceland and north Siberia but also Antarctica). But he is forced to fight, is duty!

100% goth

Shadow is also shown to experience physical pain and damages. It also should be noted that this varies, depending on who writes him.

Shadow was shown he needs to breath in SA2 first. If you mod the game and go in underwater places, like Acquatic Mine, soon the countdown starts and you have to seek the bubbles. But somebody even managed to drown Shadow in the Chao garden (there is a video on YT that I can't find at the moment).

Characters that aren't supposed to enter in water levels still have the drowning animation. It is also shown in Sonic Speed Simulator and at least twice in Archie comics.

In SSS ther are also characters that don't need to breath, like the robots. Clearly Shadow is not one of them.

How long Shadow can stay underwater? We'll, since this topic has never been touched, who knows? We only got stated that Shadow, unlike Sonic, can swim. In Sonic Prime is shown he might be able to stay underwater longer than Sonic. But how long? We don't know. In Archie's he was brought to his limits but without a proper feel of a passing time.

About the Fandom, they explore this territory very little. A lot of them think Shadow just don't need to breath. In their fictions they put him in poisonous places or underwater and nothing happens. It is often described he does breath because how he is designed to do so naturally but doesn't need to. Other fan think he just might get a little headache, but no other ill effect. Few others (including me) think he will suffer, loses conscience and appears dead until somebody doesn't rescue him. The longer he will be 'dead', he will need more time to recover, even days or weeks.

Anyway, I think he can stay underwater for a decent amount of time before losing consciousness. Because we are talking about Shadow, I would think something between 7 and 8 minutes max, comfortably 5 or 6 minutes. More than this would appears very exaggerated and not believable.

In some fan games featuring Sonic and Shadow, Shadow can stay underwater at least twice of Sonic Time

References from canon material:

There are four main recognizable incarnations of Shadow:

Maekawa's (Original) Shadow

Iizuka's (Emo) Shadow

Flynn's (Archie) Shadow

Fowler's (Movie) Shadow.

Now, for this analysis they can combined in pairs, due to characteristics they have in common.

Maekawa/Flynn

One noticeable thing in those incarnations is Shadow's willpower. When needed he push to his limits if not beyond. This is the Shadow that fought the byolizard until he passed out and the one that forced himself to not cry while he was both emotionally and physically exhausted.

I can easily see this Shadow remaining underwater the longest, to his very limits if needed. I don't think Shadow would do this just to prove anything, he doesn't seem this kind of guy. Just, if he has to do something underwater, he tries to finish the job if it doesn't take too much time or if is very important before doing anything else (aside saving people 😉). However I think he would not be so stupid to let himself drown.

Iizuka/Fowler

Well, this one can wink more to the part of Fandom that thinks Shadow doesn't need to breath.

Iizuka often describes Shadow as somebody with no weak spots. Hearing him, at worst Shadow can feel minor annoyance, but he got never crippling flaws

As for Fowler, the scenes that might suggest Shadow doesn't need to breath are several.

When he escapes from prison island he doesn't cough up the liquid he was submerged in for 50 years.

In his past he was contained in a liquid tank, however it can be easily one of those special breathable sci-fi liquids.

When he is put in stasis he is clearly afraid, but we don't see him trying to swim to escape the liquid or to keep his head above as much as possible. But is also possible that the scene has been toned down.

[yourstarvic]

Summary: Starting a new job is always exciting. Especially with it's taking care of four hungry Jackals. So, here you are, working your way with their crazy antics but at least you get to meet your favorite player.

Pairing: MSBY Jackals x Manager!reader, no romantic pairs...(yet? Still thinking about it...Maybe do a poll? Let me know what ya'll think)

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You dragged your feet as you entered the training setter, the events from yesterday with Sakura drained your energy that you still haven’t recovered. A Sunday was meant to rest, get brunch, drink mimosas, and lounge around, but work had called you one more for a managers and coaches meeting. With fingers crossed and a prayer on your lips, you hoped for an early day. 

“Good morning!” You smiled, walking into the conference where a few of the managers were already waiting. 

“Good morning!” They all responded to you, smiling as bright as yours. Taking a seat next to one of the manager, they happily invited you to their conversation as you organized everything for the meeting. 

“So,” Hana hummed, wiggling her eyebrows at you. “How was date night yesterday?”

“Wait, Hana-“

“I got called in,” you pouted with a cold tone. “And when I did get home for a date night, he wasn’t even there. He went out with some high school friends. Saying there was no point since I worked. And then we argued this morning.”

“Are you serious!”

“You got called in?”

“If it was planned, follow through! He could have waited!”

“I’m more tired than upset,” you sighed, placing your cheek on the table as you looked at them, hiding a yawn behind your hand. “It’s been a while since I had a day off.”

“Sorry,” Yuki winced at your strained voice. “But this meeting won’t take long, promise!”

“I hope so…”

Thankful the meeting went by quickly. Covering the next month's schedule and practice games, what each player needed to work out, and what each of you could do to help each other, you were happy that it went by so quickly. Now, having your afternoon and evening free you were going to spend the day exploring the city.  “Any fun plans?” Hana asked, catching up to the right as you left the training center.

“I wanted my boyfriend to show me around Osaka,” you pouted, “but with the argument this morning, maybe another day. Sleep sounds so good right now.”

“Can I ask… Why were you arguing about?”

“I rather not talk about it-”

“Sorry!” She quickly apologized, feeling she had overstepped. “I didn’t mean to!-”

“It’s not that,” you quickly assured her, scratching your neck in embarrassment. “It's just something… Embarrassing.”

“I see,” she hummed, “

Waving at her as the two of you parted ways, you started to head back to the apartment that you shared with your boyfriend. You thought of ways how to talk to your boyfriend about the argument. Telling him about the advertisement yesterday, and he wasn’t happy with how close you were either Sakusa. You understood where he was coming from, but it was your job! And you didn’t have a say in it! And you’ll get to be on TV! It should be an exciting and proud moment…right?

Deciding to take a detour, you walked through a park that was near your apartment complex, wanting to clear your head before talking to your significant other. Enjoying the peacefulness, you sighed in contentment, seeing family and couples enjoying the day; casually walking, playing on the playgrounds, or a picnic underneath the cool shades of the tree. It was peaceful. At least, it was peaceful. 

“One more!”

You know that voice. 

“Just one more!”

Don’t look. 

“One more-”

Making eye contact, you instantly flinched. Quickly turning away and started to take a step away. Yet the voice was quicker. Hearing the excitement in his voice made you feel guilty that you wanted to run away, “(L/n)-San!”

“Hey, Hinata!” You turned, smiling at the tangerine. Walking up to him, he happily ran towards you, excited to be seeing you outside of work. “What are you doing here?”

Beaming at you, he puffed out his chest with pride, “My sister visited me and I’m helping her out!” But he suddenly deflated, a scrunch of his nose as he mumbled, “And shittygama is also helping out and visiting.”

“Shittygama?” You question yourself, wondering how bad a person had to be for Hinata to make a foul face and give someone such a nickname. “I didn’t know you had a sister.” Quickly changing the topic, turning his mood. 

“Yeah! Let me introduce you!”

Walking over to the sand volleyball court, you saw a young girl who looked just like Hinata, with an energetic smile and sparkling eyes. “This is my sister, Natsu!”

“Nice to meet you,” you greeted her, smiling wider as Hinata looked so proud of his little sister. “I’m (L/n) (Y/n), I’m a Manager for MSBY Jackals. I work with your brother.”

“Nice to meet you!”

“And this is,” Hinata forcefully said. Not wanting anything to do with the other person. “This is-”

“Kageyama Tobio!” You cut Hinata off. Your eyes went wide as you stared at the man in front of you in awe. There he was, his blue eyes staring at you in surprise when you burst his name out. His figure looming over that you crane your head up to have a good look at him. “I’m a huge fan! I’ve seen you play ever since you joined the Alders and when you first joined the Olympic team!” Excitement bubbled in your chest as you stared at him. The Kageyama Tobio! In front of you! 

“Thank you,” he said quickly, nodding his head at you, his face not changing to any emotion.

“(L/n)!” Hinata whined pushing the setter away to stand between the two of you, “You can’t go around saying that to the enemy!”

“Don’t push me!” Kageyama angrily said, pushing Hinata’s head down. 

The two started to bicker at each other. Fighting as young kids. Pulling on hair, tugging in shirts, pulling the other’s cheeks as they insulted each other. You stared at them for a few seconds, then turned to look at Natsu who only shook her head in disapproval, “How does Hinata-San know Kageyama?”

Turning to look at you, she tilted her head in confusion, “You don’t know?” Shaking your head at her, she turned to look at the duo, “They went to the same school.”

“I see,” you hummed, taking in the information. Until it registered in your head, “Kageyama went to the same school as Hinata?”

“You really don’t know!” Natsu exclaimed with wide eyes. This caught the two pro athlete's attention, seeing how very surprised you were when finding the news. “All through high school, they were known as the crazy duo! Especially during nationals!”

“You didn’t go to school here, right, (L/n)-San,” Hinata asked, pretending the fight he had with Kageyama never had happened. 

You smile, feeling warmed that Hinata remembered a small detail about you. “I’m from the States and stayed till I graduated from University. I started being a fan of yours when a friend of mine showed me a video of you. Your sets are amazing and always dead on.”

“Oí! Stop changing the topic to him!”

The Alders setter, ignoring his old schoolmate, gratefully smiling at your euthanized smile, “Thank you for supporting me.”

“Weren’t you leaving!” Hinata showed his teeth to Kageyama, a suddenness of protectiveness overcoming him. You are his manager, the MSBY manager. You shouldn’t be having heart eyes over a mediocre setter who gives him great tosses. You should have heart eyes for your team! A team that you work with, not the enemy!

“And weren’t you the one that wanted him to stay?” Natsu pointed out, giggling at her brother’s antics.

“Who’s side are you on!”

“You’re not one of the greatest setters, but one of the great volleyball players in the generation,” You gushed, excitement bubbling through you.

“Come on Natsu!” Hinata grumbled, pushing Kageyama away from you, “We got to get going! Kageyama has to leave.”

“Stop pushing me!” Kageyama barked at the Jackal, digging his heels. 

“Shut up! Manager thief!” 

“Sorry about them,” Natsu laughed, seeing how successful her brother was in pushing the setter away from you. Still fangirling that you had just met Kageyama, you didn’t mind Hinata and his fight with each other. “They always fight over something.”

“I don’t mind,” You blissfully sighed. Looking over at the young girl, you noticed the ball in her hand. “Sorry that I interrupted your practice time.”

“More like Shoyo and Kageyama practice,” she pursed her lips, watching the two volleyball players arguing away from them. “I really wanted to hit some good sets in.”

“If you would like I could help,” You offered, a way to make up for the interruption. 

“Really!” She was delighted over the request. “I would-”

“Natsu!” Hinata's voice yelled out, “Help me stop Kageyama! He’s trying to get away.”

“Maybe next time,” You giggled, seeing how quickly she deflated at her brother’s request. 

Sighing in defeat, waved a farewell at you, “Next time! See you, (L/n)-San!”

Saying goodbye, you waved at her as she quickly ran after her brother and Kageyama before turning on your heel and skipping back home. The smile of the excitement of seeing your favorite volleyball play echoes in your head. Today was a great day, you happily thought. Quickly grabbing your phone out of your pocket, you quickly sent a text to a friend from college, telling him about meeting the famous young setter. 

Prev - Masterlist - Bonus - Next

Notes: Sooooo what yall think 🫣 I had to out Kageyama in there ❤️ he’s my number two (after Sakusa ❤️) I hope yall enjoyed it! Don’t forget to take care of yourself and drink lots of water! 🔫❤️

Taglist: @usermins @walllflowerrrsss @nagi-core

[allthingsfangirl101]

The Bookworm and The Basketball Player – Steve Harrington

"Just go talk to him."

I jumped, involuntarily letting out a small shriek. I didn't recover before Steve came jogging over.

"Everything okay over here?" He asked, looking between me and Robin.

"We're fine, Harrington," Robin said, not looking away from me. "I just scared Y/N. My bad."

Steve glanced at me, his eyes softening. "So you're okay?" He asked me.

"Yeah," I said, my voice soft. "I'm fine, Steve."

Steve looked between me and Robin before clearing his throat and fixing his vest. He sent me one more look before going back to work. I turned toward Robin, the butterflies in my stomach disappearing when I saw her smirking at me.

"Please don't say anything," I whispered as I glanced at him walking into the back office. "I know how pathetic this is, okay? I know how sad and pathetic I'm being. Of course, the one guy in all of Hawkins that I happen to fall for is Steve Harrington."

"Y/N," Robin sighed but I was on a roll. I have been holding this in for too long.

"And what's worse is the fact that he would never be with someone like me. Before you give me the 'you're a great girl, why wouldn't he like you' speech, it's useless. There is nothing that you could say to convince me that I'm exactly the kind of girl he'd go for. I'm quiet, introverted, antisocial. The list goes on. I'd rather stay at home and watch a movie than go to a party. I'd rather drink a smoothie than a beer. I'd rather read a book than go to a high school basketball game. Trust me, I'm not the kind of girl Steve Harrington would fall for."

"If I could say just one thing," she said hesitantly. "The guy you're thinking about is the Steve Harrington from high school. He's not that kind of guy anymore, Y/N. He's changed."

"But I haven't."

Robin studied me. "That doesn't matter," she said, her voice dropping. "Y/N, Steve's a great guy. If you like him, you should tell him."

"Steve would never go for someone like me," I said, pushing down the pain. "So I might as well forget my feelings."

I grabbed the box of returns and started putting them back on the shelves. I tried to ignore the feeling in my stomach when I saw Steve walk over and start talking to Robin.

Robin didn't talk to me for the rest of our shift. Instead, she kept talking to Steve. That stupid feeling in my stomach kept coming back every time I looked at them talking to each other.

Robin and I are good friends. Robin and Steve are good friends. Me and Steve, however, act as if it's our first day working together.

At closing time, we went about our usual routine of closing up shop. Something about the smirk on Robin's face made me nervous for our shift together tomorrow.

* * * * *

I walked into the empty video store, not paying attention to who was already in the store. When I looked up and saw who was here, my breath got caught in my throat.

"Morning, Y/N."

"Morning, Steve," I stuttered. "I thought Robin was working the opening shift with me."

"She asked me yesterday if we could switch," he shrugged as he powered the computer on.

"Was this before or after. . ."

"Before or after what?" He asked when I didn't finish my question.

"Never mind," I said a little too quickly. I went into the back room and dropped off my bag. I pulled my vest on as I walked back out to the store.

"You okay with running the cash register?" Steve asked as I joined him behind the counter. "We got a shipment of new movies. The boxes are heavy so I figured it'd be easier for me to lug them around and unpack them than it would be for you."

"Okay," I said, picking at my nail polish.

"Not that you're not strong," Steve said quickly. "I just don't want you getting hurt while lifting and moving boxes around the store. I didn't mean to come off as sexist, Y/N. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I chuckled. "I didn't take it that way. Thanks though."

"Thanks?" He stuttered.

"For watching out for me," I said as I patted him on the shoulder and walked to the storage room to grab another box of candy.

When I walked back out, Steve was focused on unloading a box. I walked over to the counter and started putting the candy away. I moved on to checking in yesterday's returns. After I finished, I started putting them back on the shelves.

"Oh shit!"

I looked up in time to see Steve drop a box, instantly holding his back. I ran over and gently put my hand on his back.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said through his teeth. I glanced around to see the store empty.

"Come with me," I said. I grabbed his hand and kept my other hand on his lower back.

"But the store," he said, trying to hide his pain.

"Is empty," I finished. "Come on. The movies can sit alone long enough for us to make sure your back doesn't get worse."

He didn't argue as I led him to the employee lounge in the back. I helped him sit down and ran to the fridge.

"What are you. . ." He didn't finish his question because he tried to sit back.

"There's an ice pack somewhere in here. At least, I thought there was," I mumbled as I tried to find it.

"Since when have we had an icepack back here?"

"Since Robin kept dropping boxes on everyone's feet." My heart jumped into my throat when he laughed. I turned around with the ice pack in my hand but froze when Steve was suddenly right in front of me.

"Y/N," he whispered.

"What are you. . ."

He grabbed the ice pack out of my hand and tossed it onto the nearby table. He then grabbed my hands in his and intertwined our fingers.

"I heard you and Robin."

"You heard us?" I asked, not understanding. "I don't. . . You heard us when?"

"Yesterday," he answered causing my heart to jump into my throat.

"Yesterday," I said slowly. My eyes widened when I realized what he had heard. "Oh."

Steve stepped closer to me, his face inches from mine. I held my breath as he leaned down and delicately pressed his lips to mine. I let go of his hands and wrapped my arms around his neck as we deepened the kiss.

I broke the kiss when Steve let out a pained gasp. "I'm sorry," I stuttered. "I was getting you ice to help your back."

I let go of him and ran to the table. I quickly grabbed the ice and went back to him. He smiled at me as he grabbed my hand, moved it around his body, and placed the ice pack and my hand on his back.

"Much better," he whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Suddenly his smile dropped. "Y/N, can we talk about your conversation with Robin?"

"What about it?" I asked, looking away from his eyes. Steve used his free hand to lift my chin.

"The part where you thought that I would never be with someone like you," he said, his hand still holding my chin. "And the part where you said that there was nothing Robin could say to convince you that you're exactly the kind of girl I'd go for. Or the part where you listed off things you like to do, assuming I wouldn't like to do them too."

"I just. . . I can. . . I can't really explain," I finally got out. "But I'm not wrong. Why would our school's basketball star want to be with the school's bookworm?"

"Because he knows that she's so much more than that," Steve whispered. "And because she doesn't know the truth."

"What truth?"

"The truth that a certain basketball player often spent his lunches watching a certain bookworm who always spent her lunches sitting in the library by the window with her nose stuck in a book. Every. Single. Day. And the truth that the same basketball player wished he would've had the guts to ask out that bookworm. Or the truth that the only reason he didn't ask her out was because he never thought the bookworm would want to date someone with his low grades."

"Or the truth that the bookworm has a major crush on the basketball player even with his low grades," I blurted out.

Steve smiled as he pulled me closer. "Or the truth that the basketball player has a major crush on said bookworm."

Steve leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I smiled against his lips as I kissed him back.

"Y/N? Steve? Where the hell are you guys?"

"Crap," I whispered as we broke the kiss.

"We should go out there," Steve chuckled.

"You should stay here," I corrected. "I'll go handle Robin and the store."

I started to walk out, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back into his chest.

"Before you go back," he said, "I need to ask you something."

"Okay," I said, trying to push down my sudden nerves.

"Will you go on a date with me?"

"Are you. . ."

"Yes," he chuckled. "The basketball player wants to buy the bookworm dinner and listen to her talk about her latest book and vent about the newest and worst movie adaptation of a beloved book."

"For the record," I said, my voice dropping, "the bookworm would be willing to sit and watch a basketball game with the basketball player just so she could spend time with him."

Steve was about to kiss me again but Robin came bursting through the door.

"There you two are," she sighed. "What the hell are you doing back here? Why is no one watching the store? Why are you holding the ice pack like that?"

"Steve threw out his back moving boxes," I said as I finally let go of the ice pack and wrapped my arms around myself.

Robin looked between the two of us with a knowing smirk. "Ohh," she elongated. "Gotcha. Well, I'm gonna go cover the store. You two. . ."

"Robin," Steve warned. "Shut up."

"Sorry," she chuckled. She sent me a wink and turned on her heel. Steve and I turned toward each other and laughed awkwardly.

"So, date tonight, bookworm?"

"Tonight works, basketball player."

[koolades-world]

Spellbound Secrets

chapter three: wishes unspoken

synopsis: The House of Lamentation caught fire one night, and you were the only one they recovered from the wreckage. The brothers were in the house as well when you went to bed that night, but they were nowhere to be found. The pact marks are faded, and seem to be getting more and more indefinite by the day. You and Solomon get to investigating but oddly enough, nobody can seem to remember the missing brothers. It’s up to you, with the help of Solomon, to find your beloved demons, lest you never see them again.

navigation: playlist | prologue | chapter one | chapter two | chapter three (you are here!) | chapter four (coming next saturday)

authors note: sorry this was a little late! i procrastinated again lol. but! i did have some great fried chicken lol. tags list is still open for anyone who'd like to be added :) and yes, i do know the ending is a little cheap but i was running out of ideas haha

You awoke the next morning with a start, unsure as to where you were or why you were there. Despite the confusion, you were calm and felt the most well rested you'd been in months. The lights were still off but a little bit seeped in from under the door. In the time you were laying awake, a few shadows past the door, going in opposite directions. After hearing the familiar footsteps outside the door, you recalled you were at Purgatory Hall. You were safe and sound, surrounded by those who cared about you.

After that revelation, you sat there for a while. You weren't sure how long since the clock in Solomon's room was most definitely slow, but it was peaceful. You knew you couldn't lay there forever, but you took the moment while you could. With a stretch, you got up and found your D.D.D. charging on a nearby table. You only had notifications from games, most notably Ruri Tunes. It was bittersweet, and was no longer mindless fun as it once was. You took the device with you to the bathroom to freshen up a little.

Thankfully, the bathroom was open. Just like the House of Lamentation, there was one main bathroom. Since there was only four of you in this household, it was much more manageable and it was endearing to see everyone's things intermingling. It was easy to pick out what belonged to who. A pink, worn toothbrush for Solomon, a pristine yellow one for Luke, and a still wet blue one for Simeon. Meaning, the remaining purple one had to be yours. Just like yesterday, it was spine-chilling to see how it was identical to your toothbrush from back home. That just wasn't possible though. The fire took it, just like everything else in the house that night, including the brothers. You reached out to it and turned it over in your hand to search for the smiley face Belphie had drawn on it to distinguish yours from his. He thought it was cute that you unintentionally matched but didn't want to get them mixed up. Sure enough, it was there.

You put the brush down. You'd ask someone to head to the shop with you later to get a new one. Brushing your teeth could wait until after eating today. You went through the rest of your routine and in place of brushing, you rinsed your mouth out with some mouthwash that belonged to Solomon. You made your way downstairs after you were finished in the bathroom.

"Good morning, Mc!" Simeon was downstairs, leaning over the stove. He greeted you enthusiastically with a smile on his face.

"Good morning. What're you making?" You joined him beside the stove.

"Luke requested omelets. We had lots of leftover veggies from dinner yesterday, so I figured we could put them to use. Do you want one?" He made it look easy when he flipped the omelet perfectly without the use of a spatula.

"Yes please. No bell pepper in mine." You moved to the cabinet beside him to get a glass to fill with water.

"Of course. I'll let you know when it's finished. If you're looking for Solomon, he's in the library." Simeon answered your question before you could ask it.

"How'd you know?" You sipped from the glass. Instead of responding, he merely chuckled and didn't turn back to look at you once. "Thanks." You left the water on the counter, and left for the library. You remembered that library well. It was nothing compared to the House of Lamentation library, but you often remembered finding Solomon and Satan huddled together there, pouring over a spell book. Sometimes, Luke could be seen with them, watching in awestruck. Today though, Solomon was alone, reading a book on the floor. He was surrounded by stacks of other books. Some were on the table, but most were piled on the floor beside him due to the sheer number.

"Isn't sitting on the floor a little taxing for your old bones?" You sat crouched beside him.

"Not even a hello or a good morning?" He turned to you and placed a bookmark between the pages before shutting the book.

"How are you on this fine morning, good sire Solomon?" You elbowed him with a smile.

"It's so kind of you to ask. I'm well." He fully turned his attention to you.

"Really though, what are you doing on the floor? The sofa is right there." You picked up one of the many books and read the title. "A Complete History of The Devildom?"

"I sat on the couch at first, but it's much easier to sort through them on the floor." He gestured to the stack to his right. It wasn't nearly as tall as any of the others surrounding it, but it was decent enough.

"How long have you been awake? Are you really planning on reading all of these?" You set the book back down where it came from after you realized he had a system going.

"I promised to help you, didn't I?" He dodged the questions, but looked at you. You swept your gaze over all the books again. There were easily over one-hundred of them.

"Thank you." You tried to convey all of your feelings with a smile. It was returned with a similar intensity from the sorcerer.

"It's my pleasure." He stood up, and offered you a hand. He pulled you up alongside him. Before you could respond, the two of you heard Simeon yelling off in the distance.

"That must be breakfast. Have you eaten yet?" You asked him, patting down a stray hair on his head.

"No. I got up and came straight here with a plan." He said back.

"That you came up with when?" You raised an eyebrow.

"Yesterday evening." Solomon told you. The door to the library was shoved open by the young angel who'd seemingly come looking for you.

"Breakfast is ready! Come eat. Simeon worked hard." Luke grabbed the both of you by the hand and marched you back to the kitchen where he'd presumably come from. You and Solomon exchanged glances as he tugged you behind him that you'd continue the conversation you'd been having later. He sat the two of you down in your spots at the table, then sat himself. The table was already set, including the glass of water you'd gotten yourself earlier. Simeon walked into the room shortly after with a large plate with all of the omelets on it. He told you all which had what ingredients in it, and you began to eat.

It was like yesterday. The conversation flowed naturally and never seemed to hit any lulls. It was a nice way to start the morning. The four of you discussed plans for the rest of the day. Simeon and Luke had some errands to run, leaving you and Solomon to do whatever you pleased. In the evening, Simeon wanted to watch a new movie that'd come out recently, and wanted to invite over the residents of the Demons Lord's Castle as well. Apparently, part of their errand running included headed there, so they just planned to invite them in person. After you'd eaten, you tried to offer to do the dishes, but as you thought he might, Luke protested and did them instead.

Solomon retreated back to the library, so after bidding farewell to the angels, you followed him. He was already back in the center of his bookstack when you reentered the library. However, this time there was a spot for you, right next to him. "So, about earlier." You sat down next to him with a slight wince.

"What about it?" He had already resumed reading the book you'd found him with before breakfast.

"How'd you sleep last night?" You put a hand in front of the book in an attempt to get him to look at you.

"Not well." He finally stopped attempting to read the book, and turned his attention to you.

"That's ironic. I think last night was the most well rested I've been in forever." You let out a sharp exhale.

"Really?" Solomon asked.

"Yeah. Lately, I've been tossing and turning. Just thinking. But I don't think I was up too long yesterday." You tried to recall last night, but you couldn't remember much.

"I'm glad." He said in barely a whisper. The room went quiet. He didn't go back to reading, but he didn't look at you either.

"How can I help you?" You finally spoke up.

"With sleeping or what I'm doing here?" He looked at you, wide-eyed.

"Both, silly." You leant into his side, lightly swatting at his arm. For a moment, you could tell he didn't know how to respond. His face was covered in a light dusting of pink, and as much as you searched his face, he wouldn't look back.

"Well, I've been searching these books in hopes for clues. Right now, I'm looking for traces of the brothers, but the books on the table are possible useful spell books." Solomon took a deep breath and continued like nothing had happened.

"Then I'll read with you. We can get through them quicker together." The two of you spent the rest of your day reading. You stopped around noon for a lunch break, but then you were right back at it. Occasionally, you'd look up and observe him nose deep in a book. He was focused and didn't even realize you were looking at him. The way he furrowed his eyebrows and pursed his lips was adorable. It proved a little hard to handle the books with your dominate hand still out of commission, but you were determined to make it work. You'd have to get used to life as a leftie from now on.

"Nothing from this book either." You set it aside on the growing pile of booked you'd already checked.

"How about we take a break?" Solomon set down the book he was midway through.

"Sure." You got up and stretched.

"I know we haven't found much yet, but we can't give up." Solomon stood up and began to reorganize the books you'd yet to read.

"I really still can't believe nobody but me remembers the brothers." You let out a heavy sigh.

"It's alright. We aren't giving up. This is just the first day of searching. We'd have to be incredibly lucky to have struck gold on day one." He reassred you.

"You're right. I know I shouldn't give up, but, it's sad, you know. I miss them." You rubbed at your face, exhausted. Solomon got closer to you, and placed a hand on your head. "It's only been a few months, but it feels like torture. And, nobody else even understands. Nobody remembers them, and I think that hurts more than my lonliness."

"No tears, alright? I made you a promise. It isn't often I do that. Save those for when we make a breakthrough." You could hear the subtle panic in his voice at the thought of you crying, which made you move your hands away from your face. You looked up, gently smiling. "You have me, anyways. I will not give up, no matter how long it takes. My ears are always yours to borrow if you need." He told you.

"I'll try my best." The grin he gave you back was worth dying for. You wished he genuinely smiled more.

"Didn't you say earlier that you needed to do some shopping? Let's go do that. It'll help us mentally relax from all the reading." Solomon offered.

"Actually, that's a great idea. I haven't brushed my teeth today." Solomon faked being disgusted and recoiled. "Don't worry, I used your mouthwash so I didn't stink up every room I entered." He continued to banter with you, but you couldn't ignore the way his ears flushed. The two of you set off to the store, laughing and talking the whole way there. You weren't really sure what color toothbrush to pick, because most of them just reminded you of the brothers. In the end, you settled on a deep blue that reminded you of the night sky, and the color of Solomon's cape. The only thing it was missing was a handful of silver sparkles for the stars.

As you added it to the little basket Solomon had on his arm, you heard a familiar voice behind you that made your heart drop. "The last thing I expected was to see the two of you here."

tags list: @bagofmice

[cowboybarzy]

see it with the lights out — mat barzal

SORRY!!! a bit late but it’s out!! I’m also not very proud of this but I wanted to publish it for you and didn’t really see myself write it any better lol I hope you still like it. but this part was just to get ready for the big finale!!!!!!!!!!

word count: 2.3k

masterlist read part 1 & 2 first

debate: are landos eyes blue or green? I definitely think they're green but sometimes appear blue so for the sake of this story they are green lol

THREE — you can see it with the lights out

October 19th

"Because he doesn't fucking love you like I do."

The harder you tried to push those words out of your brain, the more they repeated, reminding you that your best and longest friendship just imploded.

It had been five days since that night and all you had done was sit in your apartment going over and over every single moment you shared with Mat. You hadn't spoken to him since that night and don't know how to face him. After he said those words, you stared at each other in stunned silence until one of Mat's friends came over to talk to him, breaking up your discussion. Not soon after you left the bar, retreating to your apartment to wallow in peace.

Lando was supposed to come to New York a couple days ago to see you, before you both traveled to Texas for his race this weekend, but after what happened with Mat and now your feelings being all messed up, you felt guilty and told him you were sick. You felt guilty for rejecting him, but you needed a few days alone to collect yourself.

Having Mat's sister stay with you didn't make this situation any better, but she had friends in the city and you just pretended you had work to do so you could avoid the topic of her brother. She finally left yesterday and now you were on the elevator up to go see your boyfriend.

"Hi! Finally," Lando greeted you when he opened his hotel room door, pulling you into him immediately. "How are you?"

"Good," you answered, kissing him.

"Yeah? Not sick anymore?" He pulled you into the room, dragging your suitcase in and closing the door.

"No. Had some turbulences on the flight that made me feel nauseous, but all good now." His smile widened and his hands grabbed you by your hips. You immediately figured out what his face was saying and let him push you onto the bed.

"Good," he whispered and slowly leaned over you showing you just how much he missed you these past two weeks. Unfortunately, another brown haired boy was on your mind.

***

"You okay?," Lando asked, pulling you out of your deep thoughts. He ever so slightly brushed his finger against your cheek, gaining your full attention.

"Mhm." A certain pair of green eyes were haunting you and unfortunately they weren't your boyfriends. You pulled the bed sheet up, nodding, pushing the guilt away.

"Maybe not fully recovered then, huh?" He pressed his lips against your forehead. "So, how was New York? We've barely talked since the weekend."

"I know, I'm sorry. Just had a lot of things to do and people to see and obviously didn't feel great." You told him about your time at home, what you did and saw. About the hockey game – but purposefully left out the party after.

Talking to him got easier as time went on and he caught you up on his last few days as well. "Wait, I got something for you." Lando stood up, not caring about walking around the hotel suit naked. He came back with a little jewelry box. "This was a lot harder to find than I thought it would be."

You opened the box to find a dainty charm bracelet, a singular charm hanging from it – a little formula one car. "Aw. I love it. Thank you." You kissed him gently, before he placed the bracelet on your wrist. "And I love you." While those words rolled easily off your tongue, your heart didn't mean them and your stomach turned at the realization.

"Room service?"

November 13th

For Lando's birthday, he had spent a few days in England with his family which you couldn't make due to having to work. But you joined him and his friends for the real celebrations in Mexico.

Except for those few mandatory office days, you hadn't been back in New York since that weekend. You were too scared to bring up any of the emotions you were trying so hard to push away. And it was working great so far. At least until you opened Instagram and saw all of the New York Islanders posts that often included pictures of Mat. You avoided those posts, but every once in a while, you broke down and fell down the stalking rabbit hole. But you told yourself you just missed your friendship.

He still hadn't reached out and neither had you. You were too scared to hear what he had to say that would ruin your friendship and felt like you were cheating on Lando if you let yourself think and feel about the situation too long.

In front of Lando, you pretended everything was fine – that you didn't just lose your best friend. Not that he asked much about him, but you pretended to watch his games and still be in contact with him – but you weren't.

And while you thought you were doing a good job about hiding your feelings, there had been a few tense and awkward moments between the two of you. You had never really fought before, but in the last month your quarrels increased not only in frequency but intensity.

But today of all day, it had to be all about Lando. You started with a morning swim, just the two of you, and then a huge breakfast that you got catered to the villa you were renting. You spent the rest of the day on a boat, celebrating and trying to revive the connection you had with Lando just a couple months ago.

During dinner, your phone reminded you that the Islanders had game that night. The notification however shocked you a bit when you read the full title: 'Barzal doesn't return to ice after brutal hit from Nurse'

Your heart sunk and your first instinct was to excuse yourself and move to a private room to figure out what happened to him. No matter how many times you watched the replay and saw his face in terrible pain – and blood – it didn't make you feel any better seeing him leaning on Lee as he was skating off the ice.

"What happened?" You jumped at Lando's voice as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. It's Mat. He had a game tonight and got injured." He nodded, but you could see the twitch of jealousy flash across his face.

"Is he okay?"

"Not sure, there hasn't been an update yet." Lando sat beside you, wrapping his arm around you to comfort you.

"I'm sure he'll let you know soon."

"Mhm." You nodded as your eyes flooded with tears. He wouldn't, though. Not after you ignored him after that bombshell of a confession.

"What's wrong?," Lando asked immediately when he noticed your demeanor change. He grabbed your face with concern, but you just shook your head not daring to speak. His face changed from concern to a much more serious. "Did something happen between the two of you?"

His hands dropped from your face. "What? No. Why?"

"You've been acting weird since Texas. You didn't let me come take care of you when you were sick and you've been distant ever since."

"No, Lando. We're fine, it was a stupid little fight but it's all good." You weren't very convincing.

"Are you sure? You usually talk about him more, or his hockey, which I haven't seen you watch in a long time. And every time I touch you, I feel like you flinch and I can't shake the feeling it's got to do with him."

"No." That's all you could say. No. Nothing happened between you. You stood up, forcing a smile. This day was about Lando. Whom you loved. Right? "I promise."

You distracted him with a kiss and another assurance that everything was fine. He believed you, but you could tell you were nearing your breaking point. Just not yet.

November 25th

And that that came sooner than you'd hoped. You'd been having a great time in Abu Dhabi, celebrating and partying g with the other girls until you slept in Saturday and you were reminded of one of your favorite days.

In your first year of university, you had caught your then boyfriend making out with another girl at a party. After that, you might have gone a little hard on the alcohol and ended up calling Mat to come pick you up. However, he was in Seattle and you in Vancouver. That didn't stop him from showing up outside the club at 2am. He picked you up from the side of the road – a low point in your life that you thankfully never repeated – and drove you to your apartment. He gently helped you change into pjs and held your hair when you threw up in the toilet. Then he let you cry into his chest until you fell asleep.

You almost called him remembering that moment, but couldn't figure out what to say so you put your phone back down.

'I got you. I always will.'

Mat's voice hit you like a bullet. It was clear as if he was just next to you and you felt his fingertips stroking the side of your face like it was yesterday. But you were still back in your freshman year apartment, cuddled up in bed with Mat. He thought you were asleep when he whispered those things to you and until this day you thought you'd dreamt him saying it.

Something in you broke and all your feelings finally came crashing in. All those years he made you laugh and stood by your side you had mistaken it for friendship. You thought you were in love before, that's why you didn't recognize what you were feeling for Mat, but turns out no one ever made you as happy as Mat did. He'd always been your person and one day just turned into something even more.

You had no idea how long you laid in bed, thinking everything over and finally admitting to yourself that Mat may be more than a friend.

Eventually, you had to get ready. Lando was due to return from the qualifying race anytime soon, which you were actually supposed to attend, and you needed enough time to pull yourself together. You couldn't dump your newfound revelation on him the night before his last race.

"Lando." You looked up at him, tears streaming down your face. "I'm sorry."

"I know," he said, nodding, trying to mask his pain. He turned away from you and started packing his bag.

"No, I'll go. I'm so sorry." He shook his head, denying you and you could just stand there and watch him throw his suitcase together.

"Lando," you called, before he reached the hotel door. "You really were so good to me. And I'm so grateful to you. For everything you did to me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He nodded, avoiding your gaze though. "I'm just sorry he got you first."

You took the few steps you needed to reach him. "I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me one day. And I hope we can still stay friends."

"Kinda hard to forget you." He let you pull him into a hug and it felt like goodbye. It was hard for you to let him go. He did play a huge role in your life and had shown you so much. He was a genuine friend and you did love him, but enough to stay with him. Lando smiled, pain still in his eyes, and pressed his soft lips on your forehead. "One day."

December 29th

It was almost midnight when your phone rang, the screen lighting up the darkness of your bedroom. You reached for it, sitting up when you saw the name and picture flash across the screen. It was Mat. The first sign of him since that night in October you regretted so much. Carefully, you pressed the green button and held the phone up to your ear.

"Hello?"

"Hi." His voice was rough and from that small word you could tell he was in pain. And after the game he had you couldn't blame him. He was more aggressive than he usually was – even counting the last few weeks – and got punished by it, not only with penalty box minutes but also with brutal fights on the ice. On top of that, they lost the game with a pretty rough score.

The line was silent for a while, neither of you daring to speak. You could feel your eyes tearing up. You missed him so much. And that's when he finally broke the silence with the exact same thought. "I miss you." Still so much pain in his voice. "I miss you. And I'm sorry for what I said that night. You were right. I hope that you are happy. And I do support you, no matter what. Just putting it out there that I miss you while you're out there exploring the world."

And in the darkness of your room, you suddenly could not see any clearer. You heart ached for him. For him to hold you and kiss you for the rest of your life. You wanted him. To explore the world with, yes, but also to do the mundane things with. You still had a lot to figure out about yourself, but one thing you were sure about was him. That you needed him by your side just as much as he needed you. It had always been like this. He was your person. And you wanted him to be that for the rest of your life.

"Mat," you took a deep breath, mustering up all your courage. "Lando and I broke up."

The line went dead.

[miramemo]

so updated bday collages :3 these past few days have been so much better than my actual bday. i won’t go in to too many details, but Ill list out the activities and things i got so i can remember !

wednesday we had gone to a wine bar to watch their screening of pulp fiction, along with some wine flights + free popcorn. after, we headed to another bar-arcade for some beer, cocktails, + fried pickles.

thursday was my actual birthday. detailed that in my previous post. not awesome, but the farmer’s market, time alone in the park, photography sessions, yummy sandwich from the food hall, + dinner with my family was lovely. also received some beautiful flowers.

yesterday i started my day by making myself a little breakfast of eggs, delicious crispy rosemary potatoes made by my younger brother, and fresh strawberries that i got for free from the farmer’s market. when my boyfriend got home, we took his little sister thrift shopping, and i got lots of cool stuff! a few knitted shirts, the red shirt i’m wearing in the photos, a nike tee, a leather tote, sunglasses, a new cast-iron skillet, + a lovely dip bowl. my boyfriend got himself a jenga drinking game set. after we returned home, we went to see the minecraft movie :3 he fell asleep but i loved it sm!! then he took us for pastrami chili cheese fries, and we came home + played drink jenga while watching buffalo 66’ (one of my faves, but his first time watching!) it was a lovely day.

then today, we started the day by going to the dispensary, and i got us two vapes! then we went to the candle store to get my free candle (got an olives + cypress scent!) and stopped by the hello kitty cafe! my bf bought me the little birthday cake + we split that, along with an iced mocha. we then headed back towards home, and stopped for in n out + my free crumbl cookie (i got the lemon glaze flavor 🍋). after lunch, we headed to the theatre to watch warfare (was super graphic!! not usually my cup of tea but it was well made and my bf rly wanted to see it !). following that, we headed back home for a shot of whiskey + to pick up my victoria’s secret package, which contained two lip glosses + a fuzzy cross-body bag! we went to dinner shortly after, stopping by an old italian restaurant in my town that i hadn’t been to since i was a little girl, with my late grandfather. we drank a bottle of white zinfandel, had some pasta, bread, + meatballs, stuffing ourselves thoroughly. now we are home, resting, and recovering from the long weekend.

other things photographed:

- mini laneige set from sephora (freebie)

- mini lash growth serum from ulta (freebie)

- white chocolate raspberry bundtlet (freebie)

[rosy-crow]

Girl I cannot believe it's been a year since rebirth... like... already?! So many things happened too wow. I feel like it was... so far yet yesterday ya know? Idk how we recovered from it really. Probably not fully XD

I remember you told me you watched everything on twitch with a friend like the day it release or just the day before. It was like a marathon and you were so much sleep deprived and tired too XD (I think we all had the same reaction to the fucking boxes 🤣)

Playing it myself without spoils was a crazy ass experience too. I finally had figured out how to remote play on my computer in my room (bc well roommates) so everytime I was free, I played it! And finished it in just 2 weeks. Even after playing OG it was phenomenal. Not perfect but still a good game with incredible story driven moments and characters.

You might remember our chat in dm each time I had a big playing session. And omg the final act when I played until 3am.... (should I stop after the temple of the ancients? Nope straight to the end!) Incredible.

A YEAR??????

BRAIN BROKEN.

IT WAS FEB 29TH YOU’RE RIGHT??? HOLY SHIT AND NOW IT’S MARCH FOR ME

Sorry I just had a massive crisis over how fast time is moving like OKAYYYY

It still feels like yesterday when I was cheering you on to reach the end ;-;

I DO remember, yes!!! In DMs we were screaming lolol. Laughing over Elena and the silly stuff. And Aerith’s fate….dude I still haven’t processed everything. I only got to play through it once on a friend’s console and now everything for me is so DIFFERENT. But lowkey, this fandom and the hype around that game got me through 2024. I’m really grateful for that because I can’t explain how unstable and constantly moving my life has been lmao.

It WAS a great game, absolutely. Beautiful and big….such good music that I’m still listening to….

AGAHA I LOST MY SHIT OVER NIBELHEIM IN 4K XDDD

And you were so funny when you freaked out over Zack showing up and he was like “WHAT IN THE HELL WAS GOING ON”

Also this

Sjfhsjsdjjssj still dying

AND SHOUT-OUT TO THE ONE MEME I MADE ABOUT THE GLENN/SEPHIROTH AND RUFUS SUBPLOT LOL

✨MEAN GIRLS✨

Rufus, he called your ass a lonely daddy issues bitch. You gonna take that?

SORRY ANYWAY

And yes, don’t even get me started on BOXGATE. What a fucking night. Me and @altocat were up till 5 am hollering in dms in mutual agony watching that early streamer play through the Shinra Manor on some sketchy website lololl. WE JUST WANTED TO SEE IF SEPHIROTH WOULD DO THIS THING IN 4K

AND HE DIDN’T EVEN DO IT SKFJF

INSTEAD IT WAS BOXES. SQUARE ENIX.

Man.

Anyway, yeah it’s been so fun being in both Soulsborne and FF7 while our fandoms explode with new stuff. You guys have been a blast to react to everything with.

Rebirth was fabulous. I’m so, so hyped for part 3 and we may get a title in 2025….soooooo :))

HAPPY ANNI!!!