#Mimi is just in the corner of my mind

[chocohedgie]

I actually gotta use the OCs I created like dang 😭

[avaf00rd]

Little Shits 4

Arsenal wfc x teen!reader

Auswnt x Teen!reader

summary: you cherish some special and cheeky moments with you club team during your birthday week, and the end of Camp with you national team.

warnings: none, maybe that its edited shit - someone teach me to feel confident with my writing again so i can actually write something good

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“You can’t make up your mind, mind, mind, mind, mind!” You and Alanna screeched into the microphones on the team bus back from Marvel stadium.

“Make it stop!” Kyra screamed over the extremely loud music, covering her ears, causing other girls to laugh and yell in agreement

“Shawty is a eenie meenie miney mo lover!” You sung into Caitlin’s face in her seat, she recorded you as she laughed, you would later find that video on her insta story.

Alanna threw you over her shoulder as you walked back to your bus seats once you were both finished your karaoke song. Voices gone.

You and your national team had just won against Uzbekistan with a wicked 10-0 and were officially going to Paris. Something you had been losing sleep on for weeks.

“You have ruined Justin Bieber for me you two!” Mimi yelled over the rows

“Oh get over it!” You yelled back laughing

You had some of the sprite bottle that was in your backpack to cool down after the performance before Alanna laid on your shoulder from next to you. “Tell me I’m dreaming and we don’t have to get on a 3am flight”

You pinched her

“Ow don’t pinch me” she exclaimed as she rubbed the now red skin

“Dreaming?” You laughed “we are going to be awake the whole night before that it’s fine”

“I’m already tired” she said before muzzling herself back into your shoulder.

“You’re boring” you said already bored at her energy level, getting up out of your seat while the rest of the bus was still singing and going nuts in excitement.

When the bus reached the Hotel you all took the lift to your respected rooms. You all had roommates this camp, and you were with Caitlin as she would usually room with Sam.

When you reached your room you both plopped onto your bed's before you reached over to the phone next to you as Caitlin got up to use the bathroom.

“Room service?” You asked as she had left the room to shower, before she quickly popped around the corner again and pursed her lips at you grinning. Implying a cheeky ‘yes’.

You dialed in the number as the phone rang to the kitchen and greeeting the staff on the line. “Yes just two of your cheese burgers, two fries, one side salad, two chicken nugget meals please and your umm…chocolate Sundae as well as your strawberry one” you said, ordering a lot for you and the hungry brunette

Caitlin came into the bedroom once again, giggling at your requests on the phone.

“20 minutes is fine. Thank you!” Before hanging up the phone and putting it back on the bedside table.

“I’m not gonna have any room for my airplane food!” Caitlin said

“I don’t understand how you like that stuff”

“Airplane food is great” she shrugged

You both had 1 hour before you had to leave for the airport. It wasn’t long at all, considering you both had stuff scattered around the apartment. Caitlin’s face cringed in confusion at your choices but left it before she got on the phone with her girlfriend and your Arsenal Teammates Katie.

—————————

“No fucking about alright? Everyone is tired” Mackenzie warns you and Kyra as you are lined up for boarding, large carry ons in hand and an all too eager duo consisting of you and your best friend.

“Hm” Kyra shrugs at the tall brunette

“We won’t, I’m tired too you’ll be fine” you reassured Mackenzie

As you slowly made your way down the boarding bridge you yawned more than twice on your way you were sure. Greeting the flight attendants you and Kyra made it to your respected seats.

You had fallen asleep after an hour, which is what you were specifically not meant to do due to all of the London Aussies trying to align themselves back with European time. But you slept for five hours and now you were up. Bored as nothing else as basically the rest of the plane slept.

Peeking over the small separator of a wall between you and Kyra, you found her dead asleep. Mouth hung open like drool was about to drip out any moment. You sent a photo of the girl in her state to your Matilda’s group chat, attaching ‘I hope all you who didn’t have to leave at 3 are having fun🥰’.

Quickly deciding to get up and go to the bathroom, you found Mini waiting at the bathroom door for someone to come out so she could go. She found you walking down the aisle and smiled at you before opening her arms slowly to hug you.

You lazily accepted her arms and slumped into her embrace. “I fell asleep just before” you said leaning into her side, keeping your feet grounded as the plane slightly felt wobbly.

“Naughty” Mini chuckled

When the older woman came out of the bathroom, Mini offered for you to go first but you insisted she go. Then noticing a very tired toddler in her seat a few rows down from the bathroom as you waited, Harper yawned bringing her smaller arms up to stretch which made your heart melt. Her tired and slow eyes found yours as she smiled before opening her arms for a hug.

Even though you were quite a fair bit away for her, you made your way back down the aisle to sit next to her in her overly large seat. She crawled into your lap, resting her body there. You, Carefully stroking her arm and looking around the plane at some of the girls asleep, you had completely forgotten about needing to use the toilet before Mini came down the aisle once again.

———————————————

“And to all those returning home, welcome home” the captain said sweetly over the overhead speakers, Kyra rolling her eyes. You had slung your carry on over your shoulder and prepared to get straight out of your seat once Kyra had gotten her over-head carry on out.

“Hello London” you said once you finally made it to baggage claim and stopped to stand and stretch for a moment, before resting on your suitcase waiting for the other girls to grab their’s. Katie would be picking both you and Caitlin up and would drop you home. Teyah picking Kyra up.

“Oh my gosh can I please get a photo y/n!” You heard an excited voice behind you. Your tired expression immediately vanished as you turned around on your heel to meet with the voice.

A girl and a boy that looked about 10 years old stood there cutely with their phones out asking for a photo. “Me?” You asked smiling

“Yes! Only if that’s okay” the short boy said

“Of course” you smiled before putting your handbag on top of your suitcase so you could take the photo.

“We are Australian too! We are on holidays” the girl explained once you handed her phone back to her after you all took the photo

“Oh I thought I heard some Australian accents” you laughed “what do you think of London?”

“It’s very cold” the girl said

“Yeah” they both laughed

“Oh I agree. Bit different from Australia. What are your names?” You asked them

“I am Emma”

“And I’m Luke I play soccer like you!” The small boy said after his sister

“That’s awesome wow!” You said excitedly.

“Hey y/l/n, Katie’s here” Caitlin said from behind you. Not seeing the two young fans that you were talking to just yet.

“Caitlin Foord!” The little girl said excitedly before they both ran off to her. The small boy waving to you as he ran.

You looked a little to the left to find the Irish girl standing there smiling at the interaction, you walked towards her before she started to do the same to you when she noticed you. You hugged, a hug that felt long because it felt soothing to be in her arms like always. Every time Katie hugged someone, it was liked she always framed them in her arms perfectly.

“How you going tiny?” She asked looking down at you with that wide and comforting smile.

“Good”

“Good” Katie mimicked you

“Very tired but I’m happy” you shrugged before pulling her back in. Before feeling a slight tug at the hood of your jumper. Caitlin pulling you away from Katie, so she could greet her. You grabbed your suitcase quickly while they kissed and did whatever else you chose not to look at for too long.

“Let’s go” Katie said grabbing your suitcase off of you so she could hold it before you all walked to her car and out of the airport.

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“Vivvy I don’t need your help” you groaned as Viv came over to where you sat at the dining table, attempting to help you with your homework for the 10th time tonight.

“We aren’t starting this movie until it’s done and unless you want to be hated from us collectively I suggest you pick up that pen” Viv stated trying to keep her words firm and clear.

“Kyra I’ll have one” you pointed to Kyra who was at the fridge getting herself a coke. Completely ignoring Viv who attempted to help you hurry up.

“I give up we are starting the movie” Viv said before walking back to the living room where most of the girls were already.

It was a team bonding night with some of the girls who lived super close to you, Kyra and Alessia’s building. Everyone forced the idea on you that you would host. As no one else was bothered to host and cook for everyone.

You were quite a good cook as the 16 year old yourself. So you gave in, but had deadlines for your online school due tomorrow that you were nowhere near done. The girls found out about your deadlines and made sure you finished them.

“I’ll just ask for an extension” you shrugged getting up and heading to your kitchen to grab the coke off the island that Kyra left for you.

“You can’t just ask for an extension every time” Caitlin, your Australian teammate, said from her position leaning against your kitchen counter, digging her grimey fingers into the leftover salad on the counter.

“out” you flicked her fingers out from the bowl and pulled her arm with you into the living room. “Yeah well I don’t know my teachers so I don’t care” you shrugged before you both sat down on the couch. Caitlin having to take the floor, sitting in between her girlfriend’s legs, due to there being no more space left in the couch nor the beanbags.

“Excited to be 17 tiny?” Laura said from her position on the couch next to you

“Very” you smiled sweetly. It was your birthday in two days.

“That reminds me. Game day in two days, so we can’t watch this full movie” Kim said from the other end of your couch

“Oh come on” Leah groaned like a child to her club Captain

The movie had been playing for around 45 minutes now. When Kyra’s intrusive ideas quickly sprung up and she was sharing them with you. “If we snuck out no one would notice” she whispered

You quietly chuckled at the comment that came completely out of no where, before some of the girls turned to look at you, as the movie scene playing was definitely not that funny.

“Mate how are you gonna do that”

“Your gonna do it with me” Kyra said, you laughed quietly dropping your head and shaking it.

“Yeah and where the hell are we gonna go”

“We can literally just go to my apartment or the lobby. Just to see how long they notice, or how long it takes for them to finally find us” she said finally now leaning back into the couch to act casual, but waiting for your response. Instead you headed to the kitchen

“I’m grabbing water” you said as the rest of the girls eye’s stayed on the screen, Kyra’s following you before quickly getting up and following you when you motioned her to do so.

“I’m in, come on” you whispered before grabbing your key and heading for your front door, which was luckily behind the couch where the rest of your friends lay.

“Should we take our phones?” Kyra asked looking back before she shut the door behind her.

“Nah” you shrugged before Kyra finally shut it, very, very gently.

Bad idea.

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Vic’s Pov

I got up to use the toilet, softly apologise to girls as I stepped over their legs that sprawled out over the carpet before I made my way to the bathroom. I knocked, remembering that Kyra had gone in not too long ago.

“Kyra?” I questioned softly after hearing not response, knocking again. “Kyraaa” I dragged out as I very very gently opened the door slightly to see if she was even in there. When my head finally poked through, I saw no one there. Walking in to double check, there was no one.

“Guys where is Kyra?” I yelled from the bathroom not too loudly. There was silence for a moment as none of the girls bothered to respond to me.

“Where’s y/n?” Katie yelled back, making me exit the bathroom and go out to see the rest of them. “Y/n” Katie slightly yelled across your small apartment. Going to check your bedroom and guest bedroom. “Did you say Kyra was gone too?” Katie asked me as she walked to the rooms, the movie now paused.

“Yeah she’s not in the bathroom like I thought she was” I said before following Katie, me laughing slightly once we checked both rooms only to find them not anywhere.

“Fuck me” Kim said under her breath, now getting up front the couch, Teyah also getting up along with Lia. Viv and Leah asleep on the couch.

Kim went to the kitchen to grab her phone so she could call y/n and Kyra. “Kim” Katie said motioning for her to look at herself, holding up both there phones as she walked out of the room. Signalling they left them.

“Why do they do this” Caitlin said as she went to your front door to look out into the hallway, before completely disappeared down it to look for both of you.

end of pov

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“You dumb kid why did you say no when I asked about taking phones?” Kyra groaned as you both sat up against the wall, the outside of your apartment building. You and Kyra had ventured down to the lobby, only to think that it was too obvious, so you walked outside into the dark and sat outside the building. Dangerous. Yep.

“Oi Don’t call me that. Why did you ask me then?” I rushed

“This is boring come on” Kyra said before getting up and reaching her arms out, offering for you to latch on so she could help you up. Kyra dragged you back through your libby and then out a door. Leading to the car park.

“It’s so scary down here no” you said standing in the emergency doorway that you had both snuck into. It was 11pm, pitch black, and Kyra was making her way over to the box trolleys. The trolleys that the residents used to take up large items.

“Push me” Kyra said sitting down in the middle of the trolley, putting her hands in her lap, and crossing her legs.

“No” you hummed

“Yes”

“No”

“Yes”

“Only if you push me after” you gave in. It sounded fun.

“Don’t push me into a car” Kyra laughed as you started to walk with the trolley “faster cmon”

After spinning the trolley around for no more than two minutes filled with laughter and Kyra screaming as the trolley headed for the cement wall. "Okay off, my turn please" you said tugging on Kyra's sleeve before you helped her out of the trolley. As you went to hop in, you both heard the squeaky but heavy door leading to the car park swing open from he other side of the lot. Thinking someone was here to kill you both, you shared a paranoid look before instantly moving behind the red car you were both near, you peaked through the car's back window to see if you could see the figures that had entered, you heard the voice of a female before your eyes landed on Katie, Kim and Teyah.

"Is it a man?" Kyra asked, not looking, her back against the car.

"what? oh, no, worse. Kim Little"

Kyra just looked up at you and smirked before pulling you away, further into the dark parking spaces filled with cars. "Oi!" a strong Irish accent was heard, you looked back as you and Kyra ran through the large car park, locking eyes with a stern Kim Little. "Get back here!" Katie yelled again, a slight goofiness in her voice.

Kyra pulled you behind a car as you noticed Teyah and Katie running up to follow you, you and Kyra ducking out again and running behind another car. "Stop" Teyah breathed out as she ran after you two again. You turned back around only to realise you were running straight towards your captain Kim.

"Ah shit" you chuckled as your jogging came to a stop "hey it was funny-"

"we didn't know where you were, everyone was looking for you two!" Kim exclaimed

"Why" you asked smiling and still breathing heavily, recovering form your chase. Hearing the squeals and laughs from afar, Katie and Teyah were still taking off towards Kyra as they basically played tiggy.

"cause we all care about you. And it worried me that you and Kyra just left"

"Kyra's 22!" you said throwing your arms up

"Is she" Kim said, motioning towards Teyah and Katie tackling Kyra into the cement ground while she broke out into a giggling fit. "besides you're 16!"

"and you're over reacting" you breathed out before grabbing your jumper off the ground near the door and making your way to the exit. Getting in the elevator by yourself, pressing the button with the number 16 on it, heading to your apartment again. Though the lift stopped at ground level, above the car park, someone also trying to get the lift up.

Once the elevator doors opened, a blonde girl with a messy bun and her head in her phone was walking in. Not seeing you yet. "Shit"

Leah looked up from her phone at you. "There you are" Leah said, hitting the back of your head before rubbing your hair aggressively.

"Ow" You groaned, rubbing your head.

"I was looking outside for you, where's Kyra?" Leah said as the lift dinged and you both walked up the hall.

"Kyra's with Kim, Katie and um Teyah" you said, now unlocking your apartment door.

"Where on earth did you go" Leah asked now

"first outside, then the car park" you grinned

"look who it is!" Viv said as you both walked in, from her spot on the couch next to Beth, Laura and Alessia.

"Where is the rest of yous'?" Beth asked you simply shrugged, not bothering to answer, before collapsing into Laura's lap on the couch.

"You're kinda sweaty" Laura said from above your head.

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Your birthday happened to land on a Thursday, which was your day off. Which meant your birthday would be spent not in the gym, and relaxing, just how you preferred. You sat up in your own bed, in your own apartment face timing your whole family on your computer. Once that ended, you stayed in bed, smiling and your heart warming at the Instagram posts your friend's back in Australia had created for your day, and the one's from your teammates also.

After a slow 30 minutes, you finally left the comfort of your blankets and got into the shower to freshen up for the day. You would be meeting the 'London Aussies' for breakfast this morning. Which included you, Caitlin, Steph, Macca, Sam, Kyra and as of late, Mini and Charli. It meant a lot to you that they took the morning's out of their day off to spend it with you on your birthday. Something you weren't sure would've even been thought about when you nervously moved across the world.

Steph offered to pick you up. So after applying some light makeup to match your usually-bronzed Australian self, changing into a warm outfit consisting of Jeans and a crew neck, Steph had texted you that she was now out the front of your apartment complex.

A wide grin was plastered on both your faces as the glass door outside your lobby opened, Steph leaning against her car waiting for you, large bouquet of yellow flowers in her hand. "Happy birthday Dancing queen!" she exclaimed before engulfing you in a tight hug, slightly lifting your feet off the ground in the warm gesture, you giggled at the comment before she let go of you.

She handed the flowers to you, "for me?" you asked in awe of them as she smiled.

"Of course" Steph said warmly

"Thank you it means a lot to me" you said hugging her again.

"Okay let's go i'm starving" She said before skipping off to the other side of the car to drive. You chuckled as you got into the car

"Where are we even going" you asked on the road, curious as to where you and your Aussie teammates would be eating

"I forget what it is called but I have taken you here before, you loved it" Steph said. Moments later, the car pulled into the parking lot, you remembering the cafe now. You saw Kyra getting out of the car with Charli, from your window.

Meeting up with all your Australian teammates from all around London once again made you happy, almost was the highlight of your day. During the breakfast, you got photos together at the table, some of the girl's mentioning that they would post them on their stories later for Instagram. You spoke about the Olympics, Sam's recovery and wedding plan's, along with plan's of Steph's big day also.

"You're gonna love the present from me and Katie" Caitlin grinned, nudging your shoulder, You let out a quiet but excited squeal.

"What are your plan's for the rest of your day y/n?" Sam asked you before sipping her iced coffee.

"I have been invited over to Beth and Viv's place for dinner tonight. So just chilling at my place then I will head over for that" You said to the girls, them all nodding.

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Your birthday breakfast was over and Steph had dropped you back home, after taking you to the super market. To buy you whatever Sweets or snacks you wanted for your own apartment. You heard a knock at your door so you walked over to it and peeped through the door. Only to be met with a man in a fluro green vest and black hoodie.

"Y/n y/n/n?" the man asked. You hesitated at first, the multiple worried chats from Leah pondering into your mind about not talking to people who just show up at your apartment. That was before you looked down at the large box with pink wrapping paper and yellow ribbon, the object softening your initial expression. You quickly nodded at the man, before singing on a line from the form he put in front of you.

"Thank you" You smiled before he headed off, leaving the pink box at your door. You went to pick it up, it was heavier than you expected, but you brought it inside and placed it on your dining room table. You unwrapped the gift and saw the card from Katie and Caitlin. Their sweet words about how they were proud of your journey and their love for you had you smiling to yourself. You had received multiple gifts, most of them at training yesterday though, they all made you extremely grateful for the teammates you could call home now. The gift from Katie and Caitlin was a light pink Smeg mixer for baking may not seem to exciting, but baking and cooking for the people closest to you was your love language at this point.

Your teammates had become used to you hosting dinners, with your cooking skills. Also getting used to and comfortable with you regularly bringing them baked treats you had made. Some of them like Katie, Leah and Kyra had become quite demanding that you visit them with treats now.

On the cardboard box the mixer, Katie had written largely in thick-red sharpie 'I expect a shit ton of cookies now', her writing taking up the whole left side of the box. You laughed to yourself at her antics before opening up the box and taking a look at your present.

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You and Viv got out of her car, where she had parked it outside her and Beth's flat. You were here to spend your birthday dinner with them. "Ready?" Viv asked before she opened the door.

"Uh yeah why" you questioned. Quickly before the door swung open and lights were turned on

"Surprise!" yelled a group, you shooting your head up.

You were met with the beaming faces of your whole family. Including your parents, older siblings, grandparents and closest cousins. Your jaw hung low really fast in shock. Your Australian family was all her in front of you. "What are you-" you yelled in excitement before running into your mother's arms. You greeted your whole family eagerly before hugging Beth who watched you interact with a proud smile.

"who did this?" you asked looking up at her, Beth still holding you

"i may have organised it. But you can thank your siblings" she grinned at you before you hugged her tighter.

You spent the rest of the evening eating pizza and talking with your family. You ended up having to get takeaway as Viv bought the wrong meat from the butcher to make for dinner. Forever grateful for your biggest supporters in your life and your Arsenal and Aussie teammates.

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Not my best fic at all so i apologise. And i'm so sorry it took so long. Uni is kicking me in my ass daily so it's hard to edit a such.

xxx

[eideticmemory]

DARLING & DANDELION | SPENCER REID

Spencer is a lot of things to you. Your baby daddy, your lover, your best friend, and a massive pain in your ass.

Word Count: 6k.

Warning/Includes: Dad!Spencer, smut, angst, hurt/comfort.

You haven’t even caught your breath yet and you go, “We can’t do this anymore.”

And Spencer’s, whose chest is still heaving up and down, goes, “Wh…what?”

“We can’t do this anymore,” you wipe sweat from your forehead. “It’s tacky.”

Spencer props himself up his elbow and turns his body to face you, “Tacky? What do you mean?”

“Don’t do that. You know what I mean.”

“It’s…I mean…we…it’s healthy.”

“Tuh!” you laugh. “That’s your professional opinion, doctor?”

“Yes. Yes, sex is good for the body and the mind.”

“What if…” you prop yourself up on your elbows, “It’s with your ex, who you can never work it out with, who you have a kid with, on an occasional and convenient basis?”

“From personal experience, it’s the best sex you can ever have,” he finishes his sentence with a devilish smile and you roll your eyes, poke your tongue out at him.

You shake your head, “I have to go. You have to go,” you get out of bed.

Spencer’s eyes scan over your naked body and he asks, “Why? Where are you going?”

“Gotta pick up Dandelion from my mom’s,” you tell him as you button your jeans.

“Can I come?”

“What? No.”

“Why not? I haven’t seen Dandy in a week.”

“It’s not about you seeing Dandy. It’s about my mom seeing you.”

“What? She loves me.”

“Duh, more than she loves me, but you know how she likes to pry. She’s gonna think we’re back together.”

“Ah! No, not that we’re back together,” he mocks. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, darling.”

“Well, it’s not a good thing. Put some clothes on.”

“Take your clothes off.”

“Oh, you wish.”

“Can I come?”

“You came about five minutes ago, mister. It’s time for you to go.”

He fakes a laugh, “You’re so clever. Can I come?”

“Are you going to keep asking?”

“Yes.”

“Ugh,” you roll your eyes. “Fine, just, put some fucking clothes on.”

“You’re so easy to wear down,” he giggles, and he hops up, gets himself dressed. You go to leave the room and he calls out to you, “Hey.”

He steps in front of you, takes a good look, and runs his hand over your hair, “I think it would be a good thing…”

You feel this lump in your throat, jammed in the center of your voice box, blocking any air, any words. You tear your eyes away from him and clear your throat, “God, I hate your haircut.”

He chuckles to himself as you maneuver around him and he follows you out to your car.

You ring your mom’s doorbell and say, “Need you to act normal, please.”

“Oh, so, not like we just came from having sex?”

“Exactly.”

You feel him squeeze your ass and you jump, swat at his arm, “Hey!”

“I’m just getting it all out now.”

And as you roll your eyes, the door opens and your mom greets you with nothing but an, “Oh!”

“Hey, mom,” you wave as you step inside.

“Hey, mom,” Spencer mimics and gives her a big hug.

“Well, this is a surprise, huh?”

“Wrapped up with a case early, darling said I could tag along.”

You round the corner into the living room and see Dandelion sitting in front of the TV, legs crisscrossed underneath her. You lean against the wall and just watch her for a moment. You scan over her features, your eyes landing on the tip of her nose that pokes out just like her dad’s. You clear your throat and she does a double take when she sees you.

“Mommy!” she shouts, and she hops up at lightning speed, rushing towards you as fast as her little feet will carry her.

You drop to your knees and let her crash into you, engulf her in your arms, hold her really tight. You pepper her face with kisses, saying, “Hi, baby, hi, baby!”

“Did you have a good day at work?” she asks you.

“Yes, baby. How was your day with Mimi?”

“We got ice cream.”

“No way!”

“Yes!”

“What kind of ice cream?”

“Chocolate,” she giggles.

“Ooh, that’s your favorite. Did you eat all of it?”

“Yes.”

“Every single bite?”

“Yes!”

“Where did it all go, huh?” You start to tickle her tummy and she falls over in laughter. “Here? Here?”

Her giggles are so loud and contagious that you smile so wide, it hurts your face. “Guess what? I have a surprise for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes, you,” you tickle her face. “Look,” you stand her up. “Look who’s here.”

On queue, Spencer pops his head around the corner and Dandelion’s eyes light up. She jumps up and down, screaming, “Daddy!”

“Dandy!” Spencer exclaims, and he scoops her up in his arms.

You stand up as he walks her into the living room, pecking soft kisses all over her face, twirling her around, “Oh, I missed you. I missed you so much.”

You watch the two of them, Spencer sat on the couch with Dandelion in his lap, his arms around her protectively. And as you settle into the peace of it all, something - someone - pinches you very hard and they won’t let go.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow,” you wince, as your mom drags you into the kitchen.

“What the hell is Spencer doing here?” she whispers.

She stands in front of you with her arms crossed and you suddenly feel like a little girl. You cut your eyes over to Spencer and Dandy very briefly and stutter, “He…told you. They finished the case early and he asked if he could come see Dandy.”

“Mmhmm…” she nods.

“Mom, please,” you groan.

“Don’t mom, please me. What is going on?”

“Nothing is going on. I…we…he wanted to come see Dandy, so I let him come see Dandy. Coparenting 101, I don’t understand why you’re so suspicious.”

“What…what is this…” she reaches in and pulls down the collar of your shirt to reveal your neck. “Is…is that a hickey? Oh, [y/n], c’mon. What are you? 15?”

“No, no, I…burnt myself with a flat iron.”

She sighs, “I hope you know what you’re doing here, kid.”

“I’m not doing anything. Nothing is happening. I…”

“Shush,” she tells you and you turn around as Spencer enters the kitchen.

“Darling?” he calls.

“Hm?” you reply.

“Could I, uh, could Dandy come home with me? I’ll be off tomorrow and I can watch her while you’re at work and you could pick her up after?”

You and your mom exchange a glance and you cross your arms defensively, “Sure,” you nod at him. “Sure, if Dandy’s okay with that.”

“Thank you!” he gives you a quick kiss on the cheek and your mom raises her eyebrows at you.

Spencer runs back into the living room, chanting, “Daddy and Dandy day! Daddy and Dandy day! Daddy and Dandy day!” and Dandelion bursts into laughter, repeating him, going, “Daddy and Dandy day! Daddy and Dandy day!”

“Does he know nothing is happening?” your mom asks you.

“Spencer’s a smart boy, mom. Don’t worry about him.”

“And yet,” she sucks her teeth. “He’s a complete dumbass when it comes to you.”

Spencer asks if you can drive them to the park. There, JJ meets you with Henry. Dandy and him are close in age. In fact, Spencer had just returned from seeing Henry in the hospital when you told him you were pregnant. It was not your best timing, considering his familial trauma and all, but it had to be done. This puts Henry at 4 and Dandy running in close second at 6 months behind. JJ takes a seat next to you on the bench, watching Spencer run around with the kids. There are the casual aspects of conversation. The how are yous and how’s work and anecdotes about the kids and then she asks, “So, what’s going on between you two?”

“Ugh,” you groan. “Is there a sign on my face today or something?”

“Sore subject?” she grins.

“No. Nothing sore about it. Nothing’s going on…” you look at her from the corner of your eye, then turn your head, “Why? Why, did he say something to you?”

“No.”

A beat passes.

“You seem disappointed by that,” she adds.

“Oh, no. Don’t do that. Do not profile me. You know I hate it when you guys do that.”

She laughs, “Well, I lied. He talks about you all the time.”

You bite down on your lip and look away.

A beat passes.

JJ says, “You seem pleased by that.”

You drive Spencer and Dandelion to his apartment and she runs in like she owns the place.

“Okay, so,” you hold out her backpack for him. “She’s got a change of clothes in here, some hair clips, some ties, oh, uh, how much of her body wash and shampoo do you have left? Because I don’t think I put any in here…”

When you look up and he’s giving you a blank stare, you go, “What?”

“You’re not gonna come in?”

“It’ll just confuse her.”

Spencer wants to argue. He wants to sweet talk you and coax you inside, but coparenting 101, “No, yeah, you’re right.”

He watches you kiss Dandelion goodbye and when she runs back inside, he says, “Call you at bedtime?”

“Yes. Please.”

He has that look in his eye like he wants to kiss you, you know it well. So you leave before he can get a chance.

When you’re laying in bed that night, Spencer calls you on FaceTime and he sets you up on the nightstand so you can see them both. Dandelion laying in bed and Spencer kneeling beside her.

“Hi, mommy!” They say in unison.

“Hi,” you giggle.

“We were just about to pick Dandy’s story for the night,” Spencer tells you. “Dandy?”

She tilts her head.

“What story do you want tonight, baby?”

“Ummm…” she hums, giggling, “The story about my name.”

“Ohhh, that’s a good story,” Spencer grins.

“That is a good story,” you smile.

Spencer holds Dandelion’s hands in his and starts, in this sweet, soft voice, “Once upon a time…there was a mommy and a daddy. And they loved each other sooo much that they were gonna have a…”

“Baby!” she finishes for him and he chuckles.

“That’s right, they were gonna have a baby! And the mommy and daddy were sooo excited about their baby, they just couldn’t wait. But when the time came for the baby to come…”

“She didn’t wanna come out!” Dandy laughs.

“No, no, no, the baby didn’t wanna come out. She wanted to stay warm and cozy in the mommy’s belly. So, the mommy and daddy tried everything to get their baby to come out, but nothing worked! Until one day, they went for a walk at the park. And the mommy was so big that she walked like this…” Spencer mimics your trademark waddle and the two of you laugh at him, you rolling your eyes at the screen. “And they walked and walked and walked and nothing was working. Until, this big, big gust of wind came by…”

He flails his arms, going, “Whoooooosh!” and Dandelion mimics him.

“It was so big, it almost knocked the mommy and daddy over. And when the wind stopped, this tiny, small dandelion floated out of the sky and landed right on the mommy’s belly…and then…”

“Pop!” they say in sync.

“The baby was ready to come out! So the daddy took the mommy to the hospital and out came the most beautiful baby the world has ever, ever seen. The mommy and daddy were so happy and they loved her so much. But they still had to pick a name for her. So after they thought and thought and thought, they named her…”

“Diana Dandelion Reid,” she smiles.

“That’s right,” Spencer nods. “But we just call you Dandy.”

Dandelion smiles as Spencer places a kiss on her nose. “Goodnight, baby. Say good night to mommy,” he grabs his phone and holds it up to her.

“Goodnight, mommy,” she tells you and your heart just melts.

“Goodnight, baby,” you whisper. “I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

She nods and rolls over as Spencer turns out the lamp, leaving her to sleep. Once he’s out of the room, he closes the door and gives you a soft smile.

“Thanks for joining us, darling.”

You smile, nod, “It’s a good story.”

“The best.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it.”

While you’re at work the next day, Spencer sends you a picture of the two of them out on the lake.

S: Pedal boats today!

You giggle to yourself.

Y: Omg so fun!! I thought you were afraid of open water?

S: I was terrified but she begged and begged and begged! What was I supposed to do???

Y: 😂😂😂

You pick up Dandelion after work and she is distraught.

“I don’t want daddy to go!” she cries and you see Spencer’s heart break. You can hear it.

“He’ll be back, baby, he always come back,” you whisper, rubbing her back.

“No-oo-oo!” she cries and reaches up for Spencer who scoops her into his arms before she can ball her hands into a fist.

“Hey, hey, hey, Dandy, look at me,” he cooes. He wipes the tears from her eyes, “You and mommy are going to call me everyday, huh? And you’ll tell me all about your fun day with Mimi and we’ll do your story before bed and I promise you, I will be back before you know it. Okay?”

She sniffles, gives him a sad nod.

“Okay, give me a hug,” he says and they squeeze each other real tight. “You, too, mommy,” he holds his other arm open for you and you hesitate, but only for a moment, and then you step in and wrap your arms around both of them.

“Mmm,” he hums happily, gives you both a kiss on the cheek, “My girls. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

Dandelion lets Spencer hand her over to you and he waves until you guys are out of the door and all the way down the stairs. Then he exhales all the air in his chest and he cries. But only for a little bit.

He’s gone for a little over two weeks. The day he comes back, he doesn’t really give you any notice, he just texts: Back in town. What are you up to?

And you, still at work, reply: Nothin. Workin.

S: Lunch?

You meet him at a restaurant down the street and when you walk in, he gets so excited that he stands up to wave and knocks all the silverware off the table. Your hand flies to your mouth as it all falls to the floor in a loud sequence of clangs and booms and you watch him scramble to pick it all up. People are staring and as you make the decision to walk over to him, it’s like you’re saying to everyone: yep, he’s mine!

“Hi, darling,” he huffs, his face bright red.

“Hi,” you laugh.

He takes you in a warm embrace and you hold the back of his head in your hand.

“Oh, I missed you,” he says.

“We missed you, too.”

He’s not supposed to, but like he always has, he tells you all about the case they were working on. Full of twists and turns and gorey details that make you sick to your stomach but, somehow, you can still eat. He asks about Dandy and that leads you into the dreaded preschool conversation and you both shut it down instantly.

“How did she get so big?” he asks.

“We just…kept feeding her,” you laugh and he chuckles, shaking his head.

“Time needs to slow down. Seriously. It’s happening too fast.”

“I know. I know, I know, but we’ve got so much more to look forward to, y’know? First day of school and science fairs and graduations…”

“Ah-ah! No, no, none of that. She’s gonna be little forever.”

“You’re in denial, doctor.”

“Well, duh.”

“Here’s the check, you guys,” the waiter interrupts. “No rush, though. Take your time.”

“Thanks,” you say in unison.

“He only brought one check?” you question.

Spencer raises his eyebrows at you.

“And he gave it to you? How caveman of him.”

“Now, now, darling, stand down. Let me pay for your food.”

“I mean, of course I’m going to let you pay for it. I just don’t like the assumption.”

“What assumption?” he smirks.

“I…you really like driving me insane, don’t you?”

He cackles and nods, “Yeah, actually. Kinda my job.”

You laugh and lean into him a bit. The booth you two are in has you sandwiched shoulder to shoulder, and sure, there is plenty of room for there to be distance between you two, but you don’t want there to be. You look at his neck and reach in. As your fingertip touches his skin, you can feel his pulse kick up. You pull the chain from underneath his shirt and let the dandelion pendant fall to his chest.

“Where’s yours?” he asks and his fingertips trail over your collarbone, grabbing onto your matching necklace.

You release his chain, but he won’t let go off yours and he’s giving you that look and you just shake your head, “I should really get back to work.”

When you get to his place, the two of you burst through the door, bodies mangled and tangled together, lips mushed into each other’s faces. Spencer’s got his arms wrapped tight around your waist and your hands have gotten lost in his hair. As he pushes you backwards, you trip over a barbie doll and nearly fall over but he catches you.

“You okay?” he mumbles.

“Mhm,” you nod, and you whip your bodies around, push him onto the couch. He lands with a deep, “oof!” and watches you crawl into his lap. His eyelids drop, feeling the warmth of your hand on his face and your lips on his neck. He grips onto your waist, bunches your dress up in his hands and you work to unbutton his shirt.

You breathe into each other’s mouths, out of breath and grinding against one another on a constant, rhythmic loop.

“Mm,” you moan as he licks down your neck. “Do you have a condom?”

“Mm,” he ponders, “Condom, condom, condom…yes!” And he throws you off of him, leaving you laying on your back while he runs into his room. You slide your panties off and he returns with the packet in hand and falls right on top of you.

His body perched between your legs, you undo his pants and take his jaw in your hands, put your tongue in his mouth. He puts the condom on and holds onto the couch as he pushes all the way into you. You both gasp and Spencer crashes on top of you, catching you in a messy kiss. You pull your legs back for him and he starts pounding into you with this rhythm that you love and he knows that you love. He peppers soft kisses all over your face and grunts into your ear, grips onto your jaw so he can look you in the eye. He thrusts into you so quickly and with so much force that the couch is rattling around on the floor and your head is getting knocked off the edge of the couch. But he’s got you.

Your moans bounce off the walls and your mouth is wide open as you scream, “Fuck!”

As Spencer leans into kiss you, the both of you lose your balance and go sliding off the couch.

“Oh, shit!” you gasp, and try to hold on, but it’s too late and you guys fall on the floor, Spencer groaning as he breaks your fall.

“Oh, my god,” you whisper, leaning down to comfort him. “Oh, my god, are you okay?”

“I’m okay, just…just do that thing with your hips that I like,” he huffs.

You readjust, “This?” you pant as you start to grind your hips on his cock.

“Oh, yeah,” he moans, his eyes falling shut and his head rolling back. “Yeah, that’s it.”

You lean back, resting your hands on his knees and bounce on him, your mouth falling open. He paws at your breasts and pulls at the fabric of your dress. He knows you’re about to come because he knows you, and he knows your body and he can feel you tightening around him, your hips increasing in speed. Your voice starts to get real whiny and you pound your palms into his chest.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you whimper and all he can do is watch, and hold himself back until you get there.

He takes your nipple into his mouth and you tangle your fingers in his hair and grind yourself against him until your whole body tenses up and trembles. You come with his face in your chest and your eyes rolling so far back in your head that you go blind. It only takes a few more motions of your hips for him to follow behind you and he holds onto you for dear life, muffling his groans against your skin.

You both fall onto the floor, still holding each other, trying to catch your breath. Spencer grips onto your hair and kisses you passionately, repeatedly, and casually says, “Love you.”

You can’t stop the visceral reaction you have. You just sit up and stare at him, your eyes big and wide. “I…” you stutter, give him a friendly pat on the face, “Love you…I have to go.”

He watches, dazed and confused, as you hop off of him and fix your dress, “You’re making me feel cheap here, darling.”

You laugh, awkwardly, “No, no, I just, I’m so late for work. I have to get back,” you trip over your panties as you pull them up your legs and swear, “Shit!”

Spencer fixes his pants and stands up, striding over to you, “I freaked you out…”

“What? No. You didn’t freak me out.”

“Because, I can say I don’t love you if it’ll fix it.”

“I’m not freaked out.”

“I don’t love you, I…hate you actually.”

“I’m just late for work,” you try to slide out the door but he reaches out for you.

“Wait, wait,” he calls. “I thought I could maybe see Dandy today?”

“Uh, yeah, she’s at my mom’s just, go whenever,” you shrug. “I have to go. Bye.”

“Darling?” he calls, but you close the door on him.

Your body shivers and you march down the hallway, down the stairs and back on your way to work. When your shift ends, you head over to your mom’s and she opens the door with a bright smile, “Hello, my love!”

“Hi,” you groan as you step inside.

“You alright?”

“Yeah, just, rough day. Need to see my Dandy…” you round the corner and see Spencer playing with her in the living room, so you push yourself back, your mom along with you.

“What the hell is he doing here?” you whisper.

“He’s been here for a few hours. He said he told you?”

“He…I mean…yeah, he did. Why is he still here?”

“I don’t know, [y/n], maybe to be an active, caring father? Crucify the boy, why don’t you?”

Your heart is pounding out of your chest and you tug on your hair with a rush of anxiety.

“[y/n]…” your mom says. “What is going on?”

You sigh and lean against the wall, “I don’t know what I’m doing…you were right, I don’t know what I’m doing.”

And she steps in, grabs your shoulders, takes a deep breath. You follow her. In and out, in and out.

“Well, then,” she nods. “You better figure it the fuck out, baby.”

“I know. I know, I know.”

“Mommy?” Your heads turn to the sound of the tiny voice and Dandelion looks up at you with wide, innocent eyes and every bit of tightness in your chest just dissipates.

“Hi, honey,” you coo and you instantly lean down to pick her up. “Oh, hi, you. Hi, my baby.”

Spencer follows her out there and waves, casually, “Hi, mommy.”

“Hi,” you nod to him.

“Me and daddy made a castle,” Dandelion tells you. “Come look!”

“Oh, yes, show me, show me!”

You follow her into the living room, leaving Spencer with your mom. She purses her lips at him and then promptly walks by him, giving his shoulder a harsh slap.

“Ow!” he exclaims. “What did I do?”

Spencer takes Dandelion home for the night. It’s a Friday so he plans to have her all weekend and most of next week which is fine with you. It’ll give you time to rest and reflect and figure it the fuck out. Spencer takes the hint. For once, he takes the hint and he only texts you sporadic updates.

So, when he calls you on Monday at four in the morning, you think he wants to have a talk. One of those conversations that you guys can never seem to have in the light of day.

“Hello?” you grumble.

“Hey,” he says. “Sorry I woke you up. Can you, um, can you come over?”

You sit up, “Why? Is Dandy okay?”

“Oh, yeah, she’s fine. She’s asleep. I, uh…there’s a case…”

You sigh. “Of course.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.” You’re already up to get dressed.

“Darling…”

“I’ll be there in ten,” and you hang up.

He sees your car pull in from the street and he has the door open for you when you get upstairs. He has his go-bag packed and he looks apologetic.

“I’m sorry,” he tells you. “I’ll make it up to you. Both of you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you wave him off. “I’ve got it. You can go.”

“Darling, you know I can’t…I…I didn’t ask to be called in.”

“No, well, duh. This is just one of those things, right?” you shrug. “One of those things I could never stand and I still can’t stand. I’m used to it. It’s fine. I’ll explain to Dandy.”

“This isn’t about the case…”

“Can you…please?”

“This is about the other day. When we…when I…”

“I’m not upset. Don’t project on me. I’m fine.”

“Oh, okay, that was convincing.”

“Why do you always have to do this?” you snap, keeping your voice down. “Without fail. You always do this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why do you always have to ruin a good thing? You always, always just have to suck the fun out of everything.”

He scoffs, goes to speak, and pauses, “Did it ever occur to you that…that it wasn’t fun for me, [y/n]?”

Oh, he’s serious. He used your real name.

“That I didn’t enjoy being yanked around and used like some toy?”

“I…oh, come on! Is your eidetic memory broken or something? You initiated it, remember? And if you did that just in hopes of us getting back together, that’s not fair. That’s so unfair.”

“I just wanted to be close to you. And, yeah, maybe that wasn’t fair. But I just…I’m having a hard time believing that it doesn’t work. That we don’t work, hey,” he grabs your shoulders, makes you stop shaking your head and look at him, “Maybe for all the hurt we’ve caused each other and all the baggage, maybe it’s just meant to work. We are meant to work, okay? Because I love you. I am so in love with you. I don’t know how to not be in love with you, look,” he puts your hand to his chest, “Feel how fast my heart is beating? It does not every time I’m around you. I can’t help it.”

“Please, stop.”

“And you’re telling me you don’t feel the same way?” he puts his hand to your ribs and your heart is pounding against his palm. “I don’t believe you.”

It takes you a moment before you can pry his hand away. You remove your hand from his chest, hold his hands in yours, and give him this sad, sad look.

You can see his shoulders fall in defeat, this heavy breath of air coming straight from his chest. He steps away and grabs his go-bag, stands up straight, “It’s a local case so I shouldn’t be gone too long. Kiss Dandy for me?”

You nod, but you can’t look at him. You let him place a kiss on your forehead and then he leaves. You lock the door behind him.

You crawl into bed with Dandelion and you stir for most of the night.

By the time you fall asleep, she wakes up twenty minutes later.

And so, life just kinda goes on. Spencer calls to talk to Dandy just before you go into work so you tell him to call your mom and he does. That’s the last you hear from him for the next couple of days until he calls you while you’re at work.

“Hello?” you answer.

“[y/n]?”

You pause for a moment, “JJ?” and then the realization hits you and you hop up from your desk, running out of the building.

There’s some words like “bomb” and “concussion” and “pavement” but they all blur together and you yell, “Just tell me what hospital!”

You can’t even remember where you parked your car. Everything is muffled and you rush around the crowded hospital in a frenzy. You can’t hear anything. Hell, you can barely see anything. Just Derek, holding an ice pack to his head, pointing you towards a room so you go.

When you see Spencer lying there, a big bandage wrapped around the circumference of his head and a doctor tracking his vitals, you can barely bring yourself to step in the room.

The doctor glances at you, then returns to his clipboard, “Are you his wife?”

You step in, slowly, bring yourself to Spencer’s side, “I’m, uh, the closest thing he’s got to one.”

He tells you there’s some swelling around Spencer’s brain, but it’s been drained. He can’t provide you with an exact estimate of when Spencer will wake up. If he ever wakes up. And as this man is talking to you in this stern, stoic voice, you just look at Spencer. You trace the structure of his face and put your hand on his chest. The doctor leaves and you still can’t pull yourself away from him.

“You did this on purpose,” you whisper, caressing his face. “You did this on purpose to make me feel bad, didn’t you? Because…because I was awful to you…I’m so sorry,” you sob. “I’m so sorry.”

You lay your head on his chest and cry, “Just don’t die. I can’t do this by myself, you hear me? Please, don’t, die.”

Spencer wouldn’t wake up for another four whole days. You sleep in the chair beside his bed until a nice nurse brings you a cot. Dandelion stays at your mom’s house and JJ offers, repeatedly, to give you a a chance to leave. Shower, eat, see your kid. But you’re so worried that if you leave, Spencer will die. So you fall asleep every night to the sound of his heartbeat on the monitor and if it ever should stop, you would know. On day four, you pop your head up from a few hours sleep and he’s watching you. His eyes are hooded and grey, but they are open, you can tell. You hop up and rush over to him, gently setting your hands on his body.

“Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Hi! Hi! Hi, Spencer,” you sob. “Oh, my god.”

He stares at you for a moment, then his eyes scan the room. He looks back at you, “Who…” his voice breaks, “Are you?”

Your eyes go wide and you let out this defeated sound. You don’t even know where to begin. You don’t know how to respond or what to do or how to feel. You think you’re gonna crumble to your knees. And then he smiles.

“I’m just messing with you, darling.”

“Ugh!” you shout and you start slamming your palms into his chest. “That’s not funny!”

“Ow! Ow! Ow!” he laughs. “Okay, okay, okay, I’m injured here!”

You take his face in your hands and give him a long kiss. You can hear his heart rate go up on the monitor.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” he mumbles, as you hug him. “I’m…I’m sorry for everything.”

“No, stop that. Not important. Ridiculously unimportant, okay? Don’t even think about it.”

He nods and breathes you in, “You…stink. When was the last time you showered?”

“That would be…like, the day you were blown up.”

“Ah. When was that?”

“Four days ago.”

“Holy shit.”

You giggle, “Did you just say a bad word, doctor l?”

“Fuck, cut me some slack! I slept through hump day.”

You press your nose against his and laugh and the world feels okay again.

Spencer has to stay in the hospital for another week before you can bring him home. Dandelion is back in her own bed and she just thinks Spencer has gone on a long, long trip. She’s at your mom’s when you get Spencer to his apartment and he begs to see her. Even when his head is still killing him, he begs to see her.

“Tomorrow,” you say as you tuck him into bed. “You’ve still got that scary raccoon look going on. Don’t wanna freak her out.”

“Tomorrow? You promise?”

“I promised the both of you. Tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

He curls up and notices you crawl in bed beside him, “Darling, you don’t have to sleep here.”

“Shhhh,” you whisper, run your hand through his hair, “Go to sleep.”

The next day, he is more like himself. Maybe it’s the adrenaline he gets from the prospect of seeing his daughter, maybe it’s waking up next to you in the morning, but either way, he looks like himself and he talks like himself and he can’t wait to go to the park.

Your mom meets you there with Dandelion and she trips over her feet running to Spencer. She crashes into him and nearly knocks him over, and you can tell it hurts him, but he takes it and kisses her face.

“Where were you, daddy?”

“Oh, on a long, long trip, baby. But I’m back now.”

“I missed you!”

“Oh, Dandy,” he squeezes her tight. “You have no idea.”

He plays for as long as he can. He climbs the playset and runs around playing tag and hide and seek until his breath nearly gives out. He runs over to the bench you and your mom are sat on and huffs, “Can someone else push her on the swing before I pass out?”

The two of you laugh and your mom says, “I’ll go.”

“Thanks,” Spencer takes her spot beside you and his head falls into your lap. “Phew! Tell you what, a coma seriously bends you out of shape.”

“Well, you weren’t all that much in shape before the coma.”

“Ugh,” he groans. “You sound like the fitness personnel at the academy. What does in shape even mean?”

You cackle and he puts his arm over your shoulder. The two of you watch Dandy on the swing. Up and down, up and down, higher and higher, until her laughter is echoing around the park.

“You know…” you start. “Maybe it wouldn’t be…the worst thing in the world…”

Spencer doesn’t even have to ask what you’re talking about, he just looks at you and smiles, “Really?”

You give him a sly shrug.

He looks away from you, trying to keep himself from smiling so hard that his face rips in half. “I…I’m sorry - it’s because I got blown up, isn’t it?”

“Just shut up,” you laugh.

“You can tell me the truth, I won’t be mad.”

“You know what? I take it back, you get on my nerves. Oof!” you exclaim as he suddenly takes you into a tight hug. And for the first time in a long time, you feel a calm, serene peace.

“Yeah, well,” he says, “Sorry, too late.”

[whalesforhands]

kaizen daycare! 1

summary: you love taking care of such adorable children, and they love you in return. however, it seems that you’ve garnered more than just the attention of some cute kids.

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You rejected him again.

“So how about tomorrow? I’ll come pick you up for dinner at my place?” His genteel smile, his captivating eyes, black hair draping over his shoulders as he’s leaning down slightly to stand before you, his three children long strapped into their seats within his car to ensure that they don’t overhear his conversation.

(Note that they could still very much see him, twins practically clambering over Megumi to get a better view of you two through the car window.)

Your pretty eyes are shifty, averting away from him as you scratch at your cheek. “Mmm, I’m afraid I won’t be available tomorrow, Geto-san.”

He’s already deflating, a barely put-together smile starting to give way to a frown as he nearly fails to hide his disappointment. He shouldn’t push you for a reason, right?

(Right…?)

“Ahh, I see. I suppose we could plan for another day, then.” He’s not going to hound you for an answer if you won’t tell him voluntarily.

“I’m really thankful for the invitation though, I’m sure you and your husband make great food!” A cute grin overtakes your face as your eyes turn into adorable crescents, a hand placed on your cheek. “I surely wouldn’t mind getting to eat the extra cookies you bake all the time.”

His heart melts. You’re forgiven.

Geto Suguru wants to slam his head into the steering wheel. Cookies, cookies— They were just made as an excuse to give way to longer conversations with you—!

“Papa, are you okay?” Mimiko’s shy voice is heard along the ride home, the passing streetlamps giving a warm glow to the interior of the car in contrast to the otherwise darkened, gloomy atmosphere of their father.

“Papa is… Just fine…” If getting rejected by someone as lovely as you 6 times in a row is considered fine, anyway. “Thank you for asking, dear.” He’s basically sulking as his eyes are kept on the road, a deep sigh leaving him as he turns a corner.

Eh? Mimiko really doesn’t think he’s fine at all. Did something upset him today?

“Oh, oh! Nanako knows why, Mimi!” The excited blonde is jumping in her seat as she raises an arm in the air, as if waiting to be called upon. “Gumi and I figured it out wayyyyy fast!”

“It wasn’t hard.” Megumi is almost looking triumphant, cute, chubby arms crossed and proud.

“…Is that so, sweethearts?” Suguru’s eyes flicker to the rear view mirror, amethyst purple meeting overjoyed brown and blank green that nods at his sister’s antics. “Care to tell what you think is making Papa sad?”

(There’s no way they figured it out, right? They may be his kids, but still…)

“Cause…” A contemplative finger on her lip as she lets the tension of unknowing rise for dramatic effect, an innocent grin on her cute face. “Cause Daddy and Papa are hopeless at getting (name)-sensei’s attention!”

Geto Suguru really wants to slam his head into the steering wheel now.

——

“AHAHAH!” There’s a loud laughter about the room now that Gojo Satoru has appeared, bathrobe around his form and towel in his hair as he kicks his feet into the air whilst laying down, held within Suguru’s embrace as he holds his stomach.

“Can’t— Hahah!” He’s struggling to breathe, a deep intaking of air as he gasps. “Pfft, believe how that sensei is so~ oblivious.” He wipes a tear from his eye, his voice finally finding itself as he rolls onto his side to face his pouty husband.

“Aren’t you laughing a little too much, Satoru?” The red on Suguru’s cheeks is very apparent as the shame manifests itself on his face. How many failures does he need? Geto Suguru was so sure that you had liked them, would even go as far as believing that you definitely had the hots for them.

(Because, who wouldn’t?)

“Aww, is wittle Suguwu hwurt?” An arm props his head up to better see his the blushing red of his husband. “Want a wittle kissy? Satoru will indulge you— OW!” He feels himself lose balance before his back his flat against the bed, an unimpressed Suguru atop of him.

Narrowed purple and playful blue meet as the black-haired male continues to straddle him. “Not the point, Satoru.” A pat to the smiling man’s cheek. “We haven’t made progress at all—“

“Don’t worry your pretty head off about our adorable teacher.” A smirk as Geto feels a hand trail up his thigh, exceeding close to the boxers he donned for bed.

“I got just the plan.” A wink as he grabs his waist, using his body weight to roll them over so that he would be the one on top, a loving hand stroking Suguru’s cheek.

“And I’m certain it’ll work this time~”

——

“Good morning… You’re awfully early today, Gojo-san…” A yawn escapes your lips as you hold a still sleeping Nanako in your arms, cradling her close and stroking her head as Gojo held the other two.

(You look awfully domestic. It makes his heart all the more softer at the sight.)

“And I’m sorry for that, sweet thing.” He adjusts a stirring Mimiko in his hold. “The family’s been too busy with our move lately, ya know? Gotta drop them off early to get the rest of the boxes.” His grin is ever bright as he follows you into the daycare, his footsteps light and his body close as they tested the limits of your boundaries.

(Truth was, he didn’t even need to move any boxes or anything. He just wanted to see you.)

“You must be working very hard, Gojo-san.” You hum quietly as you reach the nap area, the nightlights on and encompassing the room with their comfy glow as you gently kneel down to place a still sleeping Nanako onto a mattress, the man’s shoulder grazing yours as he placed the rest of his kids together.

“I think the change of pace is worth it. The relocation is gonna be a benefit to all of us.”

(My, is the new home that good?)

“It must be exhausting having to move houses, though.” You take this chance to poke at one of the mochi-like cheeks of Megumi, watching as his little nose twitches. “I hope you’re letting them get enough rest, Gojo-san.”

“Oho, plenty!” A glimmer of his teeth as you catch his bright smile. “You could even say they’re so excited, they can barely sleep thinking about yo— It.”

You’re humming as you follow-up with the light chatter, just happy to be able to have such light-hearted conversation with the man, ignoring how his fingers brushed against your own when you both reached for the blanket at the same time.

(This isn’t the time to think about such things! And he’s married!)

Unlike his husband, Gojo Satoru always seemed so hard to read, so hard to approach even after you’ve seen the softer, sweeter sides of him.

He was simply… Intimidating in his own right.

There is an odd, palpable air inbetween the two of you as the silence starts to drag, a gaze that’s seemingly stuck on you that hints and twinges between the line of unsettling. Hmm… You must be kind of tired today.

“Say, Gojo-san.” You’re getting up, patting off your apron and the almost scary tension as you lead him out the nap room. “Is your place near this area? I’ll be happy to help you find your way around.” Your back is turned to him as you gently close the door.

(You turn around only to meet the same intense blue, looking like they were glaring into your very being.)

“Well, we just moved into the apartment complex not far from here.” He takes a pause to tuck a loose strand of your hair back that your drowsy form fails to take note of. “I think it was—” His intense eyes glance downwards meet your dazed own, playful and prodding blue to the innocently awaiting you.

(So cute.)

“Akutami Estate.”

Your once sleepy self perks up at that mention, certainly recognizing that name.

“What a coincidence, Gojo-san! I happen to live within that building too!”

“That so? My, what a coincidence indeed.” His returning grin is bright, but his eyes are hard to read considering the sunglasses that had been slid back in place to hide them from your view.

“So, how about a little housewarming dinner tonight? My place, of course.”

There’s no way you can refuse now, right?

previous masterlist next

Notes:

“Shokoooooo…!” You’re whining as you sat on her chair, making grabby hands for her whilst slumped into the plush seat.

“You’re awfully needy today. What’s the matter?” She’s patting your head as you suddenly lean forward to wrap your arms around her hips, your face dug into her side as you muffled incoherent words into her doctor’s coat.

“What? Don’t speak with my clothes in your mouth.”

You pull away, pouting up at her with what looked like glossed over eyes. “I think I just doomed myself…”

“Huh?”

[lightsoutletsgo]

gotta go my own way — ln.4

pairing: lando norris x reader

word count: 1.3k

warnings: angst to absolute crack and stupidity that makes no sense

request: Hi, can you do an angsty fic inspired by “I gotta go my own way” from HSM2. If can either be Charles or Lando or Charlando and they fuck up or something and reader leaves them? Maybe hurt/no comfort? It’s okay if you don’t want to

I fully thank @norrizzandpia for the hot mess that is the end of this fic. we couldn't stop cry laughing once we pictured the rest of the grid watching them sing the song and thus the end of the fic was born. (also credits to them bc I stole some of the dialogue lines they sent to my dm's!) happy reading! mimi 🤍 (I'm so so sorry if this isn't the request fill you were hoping for 😭)

taglist (all works): @arieslost - babe I'm so sorry I'm tagging you in this mess

“Y/N wait!!” You heard Lando call your name from the opposite side of the hotel courtyard and you turned to see him sprinting after you. You stopped and rested your suitcase next to you as he reached you, “Where are you going? Baby we can talk about this!” His hand reached for your arm and you stepped back with a sigh, “Lando… Listen…” He looked at you, pleading as he searched your face, “I guess I just need to say it straight right?” Your heart clenched, god knows this wasn’t easy, “Something about us just… doesn’t seem right these days…” You tried to speak as gently as possible, wanting Lando to understand you weren’t mad at him. “Neither one of us can help it, I know that, but it feels like whatever we try and do somehow the plan is always rearranged…” You trailed off, stepping back towards him and taking his hand gently. You didn’t look up at him, instead choosing to look at where his hand was now gently squeezing yours, his thumb rubbing back and forth in a soothing motion. Whether it was to soothe you or himself you weren’t sure but you took a deep breath to calm yourself. 

He didn’t say a thing, just gave you the space to continue talking, “I knew what I signed up for when I started dating you and if I went back and did it all over again I wouldn’t change my mind. I guess I just didn’t expect that it would affect my life so much? My job, my friends, my family?” Your eyes flitted up to his and you noticed how there were tears now pricking the corner of his eyes. “So what are you saying?” Your bottom lip trembled as you shrugged apologetically, “I’ve got to move on and be who I am…” It was so silent that you hardly dared to breathe. “Lando I’ve tried, I really really have but… Losing my privacy? Losing my time with the other people I love? Sacrificing my job? I just-” Lando scoffed and took his hand away from you “But what about us? What about everything we’ve been through?” “Well what about trust and everything that I’ve given up for you?!” You couldn’t help the way you raised your voice, Lando flinched at your words, seeming to realise how blind he’d been about your struggles, 

“You know I never wanted to hurt you…” You nodded and almost shrunk in on yourself, “I know…” Lando approached you slowly, not wanting to make you feel pressured or smothered, “I just need to know… Do you not love me anymore?” You let out a forced laugh as your eyes welled up with tears, “Do I not love you anymore? Lando I still love you so much that it’s killing me to do this but I know I have to-” “Why? If you still love me then why?!” “Because if I don’t leave you now then I’ll continue to give up everything else for you because I love you that damn much but maybe for a while I need to love myself!” You ranted, panting when you finished. 

He inhaled sharply and you couldn’t help but let the tears fall as you spoke quietly, “I’m sorry- “Don’t apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for.” His voice was firm,  “I have to go, my flight is in a couple of hours.” “I’ll miss you.” His voice was even softer, barely audible even though you were so close to him. “Who knows… maybe we’ll find our place in the world someday?” Lando gave a weak smile, “Yeah, maybe we will… Can I hug you? Just once more and then I swear, I’ll let you leave.” You nodded, unable to speak as you started crying harder.

Lando pulled you into his arms, as he too felt the tears start to fall, “I know you need to do this but it still really fucking hurts…” “I know Lando,” You pulled back to gently cup his face, “I gotta go my own way…” You smiled with a shrug. He pulled you closer to him and gently pressed a kiss to your forehead, your eyes closing as you inhaled deeply. “I’ll see you round?” “Yeah,” You grabbed the handle of your suitcase and started to walk towards the door, “I’ll see you around.” ✩ ♬ ₊.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩ ♬ ₊.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩ ♬ ₊.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Alex sat on the balcony of his hotel room that overlooked the courtyard, enjoying the cool night air. The door opened and out stumbled Oscar and Logan, their eyes glassy from the alcohol they’d been drinking at the afterparty. Alex chuckled, “Steady on guys.” Logan gave him a hazy half-lidded smile, “I’m okay!” Alex snorted, “Sure you are.” He turned his attention back to his laptop where his movie was paused. “Oh look! There’s Lando and Y/N!” Alex followed where Oscar was pointing to see you dragging your suitcase and Lando running after you. “Oooo I missed them! Should I call them over? HEY LA- MMPH!” Logan’s shout was muffled by Alex darting to cover his mouth, “I think they’re fighting?” Oscar looked sad as Logan tapped Alex’s arm to release him, “Surely not? They’re the perfect couple?” Alex leaned over the balcony, thankful that it was quiet enough that they could hear some of the conversation.

“What’s up guys?” The door on the balcony of the room next door slid open and out stepped George and Charles, “Lando and Y/N are fighting?” “Lando and Y/N? There’s no way! They’ll work it out.” Charles said confidently shrugging. Oscar’s brows furrowed suddenly, “Are you guys hearing that music too?” George frowned and craned his ears, “Why does that sound like High School Musical?” “Alex, is your film playing?” Logan asked innocently, “You were watching High School Musical?” Oscar snickered, “NO!” “I don’t know if I should be more concerned that we’re hearing music coming from nowhere or that George knew what it was straight away…” George scoffed at Charles, “Excuse me but the second movie has the best songs.” 

“Is no one else concerned that it’s coming from where Lando and Y/N are?” Oscar pointed out. “Oh God they’re singing.” Alex’s jaw dropped open, “Shut up they’re not?” “I promise you they are.” George and Charles paused for a moment to look at each other before scrambling out of George’s room and down the hallway to Alex’s. They burst into the room and pushed their way onto the balcony, squishing in between Oscar and Alex to lean over the railing. Charles slapped a hand over his mouth as he heard Lando sing the next line very loudly and out of tune, “Are they high?” George pondered out loud, “What exactly is going on?” “Well it can’t be a fight, there’s no way that’s a fight.” Logan spoke matter of factly, “Do you think they’re aware of what they’re doing?” Their expressions varied as you warbled out a somewhat high note, 

“More than that, do you think they know we can hear them?” Logan’s hand came up to cover his ear, “Should we stop them?” Charles asked, “Nope!” “Absolutely not.” George and Alex spoke across each other as Oscar’s phone appeared out of nowhere in his hand and he held it up to start filming. “Are they okay?” Nobody answered Logan, instead just watching you and Lando, until they heard a cough from above them. Leaning back against the balcony and tipping their heads to look up they saw Carlos looking down at them, “That, my friends, is debatable. But it is entertaining, no?” Everyone’s attention turned back to the two of you as the song came to an end and you walked away from Lando, “Oh my god guys, I think that was actually them breaking up.” Logan stated as everyone stood there in shock. Nobody spoke for a moment until Carlos’ voice filtered down from the balcony above, “Also I’ve been out here the entire time and would like to let you know that Alex was actually watching Camp Rock.” 

[crepesuzette2023]

Ivan Vaughan writes about John and Paul

This is just a relatively brief excerpt from Ivan Vaughan's book, which, for the most part, focuses on his life with Parkinson's disease. (From what I can tell so far, it's absolutely fascinating: far more than 'simply' a memoir, it's a reflection on illness, the mind-body connection, science, psychotropic drugs, patients' autonomy...and much more.)

But since this blog is climbing the drainpipe to the John & Paul business, and there's been some recent discussion of Mark Lewisohn's claim that John was such a bad boy Ivan's mother sent her son to a different grammar school to separate the two, I thought the following might be interesting.

And the ending of this chapter also gives some context to Paul's reaction to John's murder—another topic about which ML has interesting opinions.

This isn't to pile on ML, but more...as words from someone who was there.

(CC: @mythserene, @anotherkindofmindpod) I met John when I was three or four years old. One wet morning there was a knock at the front door. My mother opened it, and looking down, found a boy a bit older than me, smiling, but preoccupied with the effort of remembering what he had been rehearsed to say.

‘I believe a little boy lives here. I wondered if you might like to come out and play.’ He stood there in the porch, rain pouring down behind him, with a pair of slippers under his arm.

‘Come on in. What’s your name? You live round the corner don’t you?’

Next day I went around to the house where he lived with his aunt and uncle. We played with Dinky cars. I was surprised by his generosity and willingness to share his toys; he was happy even for me to take some of them home. When his Uncle George came home with some sweets John readily shared them. There was an immediate bond between us. He was older, read books, and his great intelligence and experience were apparent. I accepted his leadership but I was determined to preserve my independence. From the warm security of Aunt Mimi’s control, John accepted me into his life.

John was a member of his local library and immersed himself in books so that by the age of five he was already a fluent reader. I was still in the infant school when he started at Dovedale Road Primary School, but we played together after school and weekends. There were numerous parks, a golf course, and fields full of tangled growth and trees — just right for playing cowboys and Indians. In one barren area with large lumps of hard earth we played football and cricket. We spent hours digging all tracks to race our Dinky cars. Our most exciting game, though, was ‘fires’. We would go to a large area of waste ground and simply set fire to the straw and watch the place. I have never understood why nobody stopped us.

John’s gang comprised, besides himself, Pete Shotton, Nigel Wally and me. I was the youngest and was constantly having to prove my worth. I feel privileged to be John’s friend since he was nearly two years older. He protected me against Timmy Tarbuck and his gang on the rare occasions when I made the mistake of confronting one of them.

John and I went to different grammar schools, but I used to hear about the chaos and riots that seem to be a daily feature of his schooling. I’d rather lost touch with him when I went to university, and did not see him again until sometime after I was married. Then one day, as I was playing with my little boy Jus on the steps of our house in London, white Rolls Royce turned into the road. John jumped out followed by a woman I have not met before.

‘Hello, Ivy! This is Yoko.’ (…)

My attachment to both John and Paul ran deep and occasionally I would go to great lengths in order to see them at a moment’s notice. Maybe Paul saw our continuing friendship as a way of maintaining simple values he held dear. Jan liked Paul, though she did not see much of John. She was not the least bit mesmerized by their fame. She enjoyed eating at expensive restaurants in sampling London’s nightlife, into which Paul took us from time to time. But, should the effort to come to great, she was willing to let the relationship fade.

A month after telephoning John in New York [with the news of the Parkinson’s diagnosis; their first conversation in years], a heavy parcel was delivered. It was not until I was reading the titles of the books it contained that I realized they had been sent by John and Yoko. There was one by Arthur Janov, author of the Primal Scream, and one entitled Mind Magic. How to Get Well had on the fly-leaf a message from John that read ‘to start looking’, and The Snow Leopard had a note saying ‘to relax’. This last book gave me the greatest pleasure and I frequently re-read passages from it. Its author, Peter Matthiesen, lost his son through illness and journeyed in Nepal and in Inner Dolpo on a completely pointless journey to catch sight of a snow leopard. The peace he found travels across to the reader from each page.

John’s accompanying letter urged me, in punning language, to keep my spirits high and strongly suggested that it was up to me whether I sank or swam. I must not lose faith in myself.

Ten weeks later he was shot dead. Paul and I did not contact each other about it; in fact, we never brought it up in conversation. I hardly reacted outwardly at all. The day after John’s death, however, a colleague said that he supposed I was very upset at what it happened. I heard myself say: ‘I don’t know what I feel. I don’t know that I feel much at all’. As soon as he had gone, I instinctively made my way to a room where I knew I could be alone, and I wept profusely.

-- from Ivan-Living with Parkinson's Disease by Ivan Vaughan. 1986.

[marlynnofmany]

Faceoff

Ever get cognitive whiplash going from one group of aliens to another? You’d think I’d be used to the variety since I’ve spent so much time bopping around the galaxy, but some things just catch you by surprise.

It was a simple difference. I’d been talking with my smallest crewmates while we walked into the space station, trying not to loom over anybody or step on a tentacle in close quarters. The hallway between our corner of the docks and the central concourse was a narrow one. Then Coals realized he’d left something on the ship, and Paint volunteered to go back with him to help find it, and Mimi took a side corridor off to the public bathrooms, with a comment about checking how the local mechanics handled sanitization fields.

It’s possible that he even meant that. As long as he didn’t steal any parts for our ship, I was more than happy to let the octopus alien’s bathroom time be his own business.

I was thinking that, still slouching a bit after waving goodbye to Paint, when I turned a corner and was suddenly the smallest person around.

Hulking shapes in scales and space suits filled my vision, clustered near the entrance with no way to see past, much less wriggle by. I hadn’t heard the voices over the chatter of the crowd that had to be out there somewhere, and the ambient music. (Something with drums. Much better than the leg-singing screeches from the last station we visited. At any rate, it was loud.)

I stopped in my tracks and straightened up, glad I hadn’t slammed into the broad back in front of me. The spacesuited individual wasn’t even looking, and neither were the other two next to him. (Her? No idea.) I couldn’t see the faces from where I was standing, just the burly, hunched shoulders, and the short reptilian tail. Smashers, that was the name for these guys. I’d never been on the receiving end of their disapproval, and I wasn’t about to start.

The raised voices got louder. I peeked past a giant elbow to see that some scaly members of this huddle seemed to be facing off with the Smashers.

Uh oh. The scaly guys were Armorlites. While most races that I’d met were likely to take the threat of a good smashing and back away, Armorlites never backed away from anything, even (especially) if it was a good idea. Not that I would speak ill of any intelligent race’s common sense, mind you. It’s just that after a few run-ins with these frat house dinosaurs, I had something of an opinion about their skills in diplomacy.

Picture a T-rex with good arms and bad self-preservation sense, baring his teeth at someone roughly his own height, who’s wearing a space suit and speaking in the deepest of voices that makes the very air vibrate. I’d honestly thought it was part of the music, an instrument I didn’t recognize.

But no. It was threats.

“You think you can just claim a table here without paying your respects?”

The Armorlite in front waggled his claws. “We can claim anything we want. You should be respecting me!”

“You’ve got to earn respect, blunt-fang.”

Those were definitely fighting words, and I was concerned. I hopped in place, trying to peek around the meat slab blockade to see if the station had any kind of security forces nearby. No luck. And with the music thumping away, I couldn’t tell what reactions the people on the other side were having to this confrontation.

Just as I turned to rush back down the corridor, the group broke out into sudden movement, all of them lunging and dodging. I watched over my shoulder for a couple of steps, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. Were the Smashers aiming to head-butt the Armorlites with their face shields? Those things weren’t rated for combat. Unless they were. Or —

Unless they were dancing instead.

I stopped dead as the laughter registered in my brain. The two groups were having an honest-to-goodness dance-off next to the food court, and that had been the plan from the start.

“You’ve gotten slow, with footwork like that! I thought this would be a challenge!”

“I’ll show you a challenge! Stand back with your short tail, and let a real expert show you how it’s done!”

“Oh, a real expert? Did you bring one with you?”

The trash talk and deep-voiced chuckles blended with the music while the crowd of giants stomped and jumped and spun. They moved away from the entrance a bit so they’d have room to properly cut a rug, and I caught glimpses of many staring faces at a safe distance. Not a single security officer was among them. Several recording devices were, though.

I edged back in their direction, cautious of flying elbows, and sidled along close to the wall. A cluster of Frillians moved aside to let me escape, busy as they were with filming the dance battle and also laughing about it. They were on the tall side for their own species, but downright spindly compared to the dancers.

Once past, I took a deep breath. I’d reached the food court. Nice to see that it was populated by a range of species, all of whom were going about their day as if this kind of nonsense happened all the time here.

I stood tall and set out to find some human food. There was bound to be someplace that carried Earth cuisine — likely mixed together in bizarre combinations that no Earthling would have done on purpose, but little surprises are a way of life out here.

~~~

These are the ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book.

Shared early on Patreon! There’s even a free tier to get them on the same day as the rest of the world.

The sequel novel is in progress (and will include characters from these stories. I hadn’t thought all of them up when I wrote the first book, but they’re too much fun to leave out of the second).

[yurinaa-world]

hello! platonic dan heng, blade, jing yuan and welt with a collei!teen reader?

they were used as an experiment from a very young age, thankfully [insert character] found and rescued them, they also took them in

they are chronically ill and scared of being touched due to their time as an experiment subject

Characters: Dan Heng, Blade, Jing Yuan, and Welt Yang platonic! x Female Reader

Synopsis: with teen reader, that's like collei from genshin Impact

Warnings: Fluff, spelling mistakes, angst but mostly fluff (except Blade went a little too hard on his with the angst), (No angst on welt because he would never), mentions of blood,

Notes: losing my mind a little, I've been grinding to finish these requests BUT IM OKAY :))

𝒟𝒶𝓃 𝐻𝑒𝓃𝑔

He could never understand what you went through, but he would never put you down. March was the one who found you because she was nosy, yet this time it was a good thing since they found you, of course, all messed up and bloodied with loose bandages, dredged in your blood.

But that was a long time, and now you have a smile that goes ear to ear; it also replaces that previous sad expression you used to wear. He doesn’t spend that much time with you, but he wants to, but he doesn’t know how to talk to you. Nevertheless, you seem happier with March.

Well, you seem to like learning, so why not let you in the archive room?

He accidentally touched you; he was really sorry! He didn’t mean to hurt you or have any intention to... to see you stare at him like he was going to kill you. He’ll do anything to get your forgiveness, and he will promise to never make the same mistake again.

𝐵𝓁𝒶𝒹𝑒

Why would he care about you? Just a piece to be played by the stellaron hunters to be their marionette for their "destiny," a little bug that happened to be saved from death... Now it seems that he’s stuck babysitting you because Kafka said, “Spend some time together, big brother. Be a dear and take care of her." Oh, how annoying it is to be dealing with a brat, but he grew a soft spot for you without noticing. Since he doesn’t stare at you with cold, dead eyes, which make you scared for your life, he just closes his eyes and looks like he’s sound asleep.

Well, he didn’t mean to scare you; he was just caught at a bad time, while he was losing control of Mara late at night. You couldn’t sleep because of the sound of someone or “something” in pain and just went to check it out? Maybe it would have been if you had stayed where you were.

Having a blade’s cracked sword to your throat with a twisted and malicious grin plastered across his face, tears threatening to fall from the corners of your eyes, “Scared?” that word was the thing to snap and hot tears to descend..if it weren’t for Kafka stepping in. You know he would have killed you. Those eyes were of someone who wouldn’t have shown you any mercy.

𝒥𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒴𝓊𝒶𝓃

Ah, when you are an unwanted child, how cruel could the universe be to you? Left all alone to be thrown after you’ve been used and messed up for life, what shall anyone do? If no one will take you in, then Jing Yuan will. It wouldn’t hurt if he had yanqing and his mimi. What will a child do wrong?

Ah, he completely forgot about the living cost, but you won’t be much since he has Mimi and she eats quite a lot. You, on the other hand, not really. What has he done about that? Oh! Why not go to a festival together? There's no need to be afraid; you wouldn't be a bother at all.

He comforts you a lot whenever you feel down; how does he know? Oh, come on, child, he’s the general, not some fool, since what kind of general (and father) would not be able to read emotions?

𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓉 𝓎𝒶𝓃𝑔

Again, it was March who found you. He’s going to take care of you. No one is qualified enough to take care of you because half of them can't even take care of themselves. He brings you books and snacks whenever he comes back on his mission, and you get your own room since you can’t sleep at night around other people.

He worries about you even when Himeko tells him not to since you're all grown up now, but to him, you’ll always be his kid, no matter how many years pass and how many grey hairs he grows.

if you liked this, consider tipping me on ko-fi! it'd mean a lot!

[bwabys-scenarios]

Fixer Upper

Part 12

Perv!Kurapika x Fem!Reader

part 11

part 13

warning: reader bets her own life, Leorio is worried about her

taglist: @fabitheraven @tsukilover11 @ashdownunderscorebeloved @lemonslut @homeinmydreams @superweeniehutjrsblog @bugmomwrites @heartsforseo @lixiawinter @altaircc @itszenava @fiightforlovee @mimi-sanisanidiot @monainanuttshell @wow-im-gay @whorermoviestar @lightshowerrr @mama-m1na

If you’d like to be ADDED to the taglist, please comment a red heart ❤️, make sure you’re able to be tagged/mentioned, and have your age in your bio(IF YOU ARE ALREADY ON THE TAGLIST, YOU DON’T NEED TO ASK TO BE ADDED AGAIN!!)

(Name) sighed, trying to relax her tired body by stretching.

“I want you guys to know that you worked very hard. 43 of you have passed the second phase of the exam. For your information, we’re scheduled to arrive at our destination 8 o’clock tomorrow morning.”

(Name) yawned, Kurapika glancing at her from the corner of her eye.

“Alright then, until our next meeting you guys have some free time. Dismissed.”

(Name) sighed in relief, setting her bag.

“Hey Kurapika, you gonna explore the airship with us?”

Kurapika shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Oh… how about you Leorio?”

“No thanks, I’ll have to pass. I’m so tired I can hardly move.”

“(Name)- oh.”

She was yawning, leaning her head against the wall. “Sorry boys, I need to rest a little, or I’ll crumble into dust.”The boys rushed off to explore.

Tonpa came by to ‘warn’ them, but (Name) was too tired to even listen. Kurapika jumped slightly when he felt her head rest against his shoulder before it leaned back. “(Name)?”

She was swaying softly, barely awake. “Hmm?”

He held back a chuckle. “You can lean against my shoulder, if you want.”

She blinked sleepily. “Really?”

He nodded, the girl giving him a pretty smile before scooting towards him, snuggling into his side. “Thank you.”

Kurapika’s face turned red. He had expected her to just lie her head against his shoulder, not for her to cuddle against him and sigh softly.

Leorio huffed. “Lucky.”

Kurapika sent him a glare before stiffly folding his arms. “Here!”

Kurapika watched as she used her cardigan to cover them both, looking up at him. “We can share my cardigan to stay warm!”

He wasn’t sure why, but sitting there, cuddled up to (Name) as she slept made his heart race. He could feel her body heat, smell her perfume. Although he had planned on resting, it was hard when he could hardly focus on anything but the girl leaning against him.

They stayed like this for around an hour, Kurapika eventually becoming comfortable to lean his head against hers.

Tonpa snored, preventing Leorio and Kurapika from getting any sleep. ‘At least one of us can get some rest.’ Kurapika thought, looking fondly at the sleeping girl next to him. He would be lying if he said he didn’t feel content right now, almost peaceful.

It had been a while since he’d had another person so close to him, sharing in their body heat. It felt… nice.

But all nice things come to an end.

Tonpa snored particularly loud, stirring (Name). “Mmph… what’s that sound?”

“Tonpa.” Kurapika said with a sigh, glancing at her with half lidded eyes.

“Ahh. How long have I been asleep?”

“About an hour.”

She pulled away, looking a bit flustered. “Oh, sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt your shoulder or anything.”

He shook his head quickly, feeling weirdly empty when she pulled away. “No, I didn’t mind at all.”

She tilted her head, giving him a soft smile. “Really? Then I hope you won’t mind me using your shoulder as a pillow in the future.”

Kurapika looked away so she wouldn’t notice his blush. “… that’s fine with me.”

(Name) stood up, stretching her limbs before smiling. “Let’s go get something to eat!”

————————

They walked to the cafeteria, noticing a girl standing before Gon and Killua at a booth. (Name) raised an eyebrow as Leorio scooted in through the other side of the booth, wrapping around an arm around her shoulder.

He asked her something, (Name) not paying much attention. She was too busy gesturing for Killua to move so she could slide in next to him. He did so, only grumbling a little. “That sounds like a terrible idea. Now why don’t you leave me alone?”

“We can’t do that. My names Kurapika, my goals the same as yours, to become a black list hunter. We have a lot in common, perhaps we could help each other.”

(Name) wasn’t sure why, but him seeming interested in that girl made her frown.

“I’d walk away if I were you. It’s me she’s here for.”

(Name) glanced between the two, tilting her head. “I acted on a rumor I heard, that a young member of the Zoldyck family was going to be taking the Hunter Exam this year.”

“And now you’ve found me. Yes, I’m a member of the Zoldyck family, so what about it?”

(Name) watched as the girl reached for something, her first response being to shield Killua with her arm. The white haired boy said nothing, but his lips twitched slightly.

‘What is she doing? Does she think she’s protecting me?’

“Hey, think about this for a minute. If an assassin is hired to kill someone, there’s a chance that person has done something to deserve it.”

“YOU TAKE THAT BACK!”

She flipped the table, Kurapika running forward to hold her back. The woman launched herself at Killua, brandishing a knife, but (Name) pushed him out of the way.

“(NAME)!”

The blade sliced her arm, the girl ignoring (Name) and rushing after Killua. The white haired boy paused for a split second, his eyes gone wide.

‘I could have easily dodged that, there was no need for her to try and protect me.’

“That is enough!”

Netero, the chairman, grabbed the place between two fingers, shielding Killua from the attack.

Now that she’d been dealt with, Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika rushed to (Name)’s side. She held a hand over her arm, sighing.

“(Name), are you alright?” Leorio asked, gently pulling her hand away.

The cut wasn’t deep, just long enough to look scary. Kurapika glanced back at the girl before kneeling beside (Name), slowly pushing her sleeve up.

“I’m fine, it’s just a scratch. Is Killua okay?”

The white haired boy stood facing away from her. “… I’m fine. You didn’t have to do that, you know. I could have dodged if you didn’t get in my way.”

(Name) chuckled. “Well, if you’re okay then it doesn’t matter.”

Killua glanced back, his eyebrows furrowed. He couldn’t understand her. Why did she risk getting injured, knowing that Killua was capable of defending himself?

“You never know. If I had let you get hurt and didn’t do anything to help, I would never be able to forgive myself.”

Leorio finished bandaging her arm.

“You’re our friend. It’s only natural I’d want to help.”

Killua jerked his head back to face the opposite direction. He didn’t want her to see the confused, flustered expression on his face. ‘Why? I can’t understand. Helping me then would have been of no benefit to her.’

He looked down, frowning. ‘Friends, huh?’

Kurapika helped her up, scolding her lightly. “You need to be more careful, you could have been really hurt.”

“I agree with Kurapika on this. That was reckless.”

(Name) pouted. “Wouldn’t you two have done the same thing? Kurapika held her back…”

The two sighed. “You’re too nice, (Name).”

———————

(Name) and Kurapika parted ways with Leorio after they group agreed to go to sleep.

“Kurapika, where are we going? I thought we were going to sleep.” (Name) asked, walking hand in hand with him.

“We’re going to speak with the examiner and ask them to be a bit more lenient with the stowaway.”

(Name) yawned. “Also, why are we holding hands?”

He blinked, staring down at where they were connected. “Oh, um… I didn’t want you falling behind.”

He didn’t let go, continuing to look forward. “Aww, that’s sweet of you, Kurapika.”

Kurapika turned his head around, nodding slightly. “It’s… it’s nothing.”

(Name) giggled to herself. ‘How cute.’

The two arrived at Menchi’s room, spotting Leorio. He’d came for the same reason they had. “Are you two holding hands?”

Kurapika dropped her hand, clearing his throat. “I was making sure she didn’t get lost.”

“Uh huh… Examiner are you still awake?”

Leorio knocked on the door for a moment. “HEY ARE YOU IN THERE!?”

(Name) jumped at his sudden change in volume.

The three glanced at each other before Leorio reached for the knob.

The door slid open slowly, Leorio screaming as a knife flew out and hit the wall behind him.

Menchi stood in the doorway, wearing only a towel.

“You two sure have a lot of nerve. Most applicants wouldn’t consider sneaking into an examiners in the middle of the night!”

She seemed to be ignoring (Name), only focused on the two men.

“It’s not like that!” Leorio exclaimed, hiding behind (Name).

“Oh no? Then what are you doing here, trying to sneak a peek at me!?”

Kurapika froze on the spot, trying to look everywhere but at Menchi. “Believe me I would never do a thing like that. I consider taking advantage of women in any way disgraceful.”

(Name) cooed at Kurapika, pinching his cheek. “What a sweet boy!”

Kurapika’s already pink cheeks turned red under her praise.

“Hey, why couldn’t you include me in your excuse!?”

“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!”

(Name) watched as Menchi chased the two down the hallway. Once the two men were far enough away and she’d gotten a few good hits on Leorio, Menchi huffed and turned back.

“(Name), is there something you wanted to ask of me?”

Menchi seemed to have calmed down, even smoothing out her towel in front of the girl.

“Oh, um…”

‘Oh no, I’ve forgotten already!’

She twiddled her thumbs, Menchi giving her a smile. “Aww, I’m sure you’ve had a rough day, having to be around all these perverted, smelly men. Why don’t you come have a shower? Us examiners have the privilege of a shower and bed in our rooms.”

“Really? Is that allowed?”

Menchi grinned. “It’s not against the rules. Come on!”

She grabbed (Name)’s hand, pulling her into her room.

From a distance, Kurapika and Leorio watched, confused. “Is (Name) in trouble?” Leorio asked, holding his bruised face.

“I don’t think so, Menchi seemed happy when she pulled her in. Perhaps it’s that girls supporting girls thing (Name) mentioned?” Kurapika replied, deep in thought.

“Or Menchi swings the other way.” Leorio said with a sigh. Kurapika raised an eyebrow.

“Swings the other way? What does that mean?”

Leorio narrowed his eyes. “You sure are sheltered, aren’t you?”

Another bruise was added to Leorio’s face, this time from Kurapika.

‘I’ll just ask (Name) about it later.’

————————

(Name) hummed as she showered, marveling at Menchi’s expensive shampoo.

“Menchi?”

“Yes?”

The woman sat on the bathroom counter as (Name) showered, getting dressed. “Is it really okay to use your shampoo and soap?”

“Yeah, it’s fine! It was provided by the airship, so don’t worry about it.”

(Name) still hesitated as she held the bottle, gulping. She squeezed some into her hands, rubbing the shampoo into her hair. After the long day she had, it felt like heaven.

“Mmm, it smells amazing!”

Menchi smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

(Name) happily washed herself, letting all the dirt and grime from the day wash down the drain. The hot water also did wonders for her sore muscles.

“So, you’re a chef?”

(Name) sighed. “Maybe a chef is an over exaggeration. I’m more of a baker, that cooks meals for my family. Or well… I used to.”

Menchi stayed quiet for a moment. That implied she either lost her family, or no longer had contact with them. Neither option was good.

“I see. Well I hope you know, I enjoyed what you gave me. I was just being picky today, because of that weirdo Hisoka. He really creeped me out.”

“Oh, please don’t worry about it, I understand. I would have been uneasy as well. That’s not even counting how rude some of the applicants were.” She huffed, rinsing the soap from her body.

Menchi smiled softly, running a brush through her hair. “It’s nice to have someone that understands me. How old are you, (Name).”

“I’m 18!”

Menchi hummed. “We’re around the same age. I’m 21 myself.”

(Name) yawned, letting the warm water run over her a little longer before turning it off. “Oh, I’ll leave the bathroom so you can get dressed.”

She heard Menchi leave and the door close behind her. (Name) stepped out, wrapping a towel around herself.

Menchi sat out her skin care products for (Name) to use. She was thankful, she had only packed a bat of soap and a small travel size bottle of shampoo and conditioner.

After thoroughly pampering herself, (Name) exited the bathroom wearing a pair of lounge shorts and a tanktop. Menchi looked her up, nodding in approval. “Your pajamas are adorable, (Name)!”

She felt her face heat up. “Oh, um… thank you.”

(Name) left Menchi’s room to go find Leorio and Kurapika.

‘She’s cute, I hope she passes.’

———————

(Name) walked around the airship until she found Kurapika and Leorio.

“Hey guys!”

She waved, smiling at the two. “(Name)! Did you get in trouble?”

(Name) blinked at Leorio’s question. “Oh no, I just took a shower.”

“Without me..?”

The two stared at Leorio. “I mean I can invite you next time, b-“

Kurapika put a hand on (Name)’s mouth. “Don’t even joke like that, you’ll get him too excited.”

She pushed his hand away, confused. ‘I wasn’t joking though….’

“(Name), just say the word. I’ll jump in with you anytime.”

Kurapika grimaced, pushing (Name) away from Leorio. “Here, I think if we report him to Menchi for sexual harassment she m-“

“WAIT I WAS KIDDING!”

Leorio fell to his knees, pleading. “Please don’t tell her, I’m already beat up enough!”

(Name) sighed, gently patting the man’s cheek. “Kurapika, be nice. Look at him, he looks like he sorry enough!”

Leorio nodded, cheeks turning pink at her gentle touch. Kurapika’s eyebrow twitched. “Don’t touch him, might catch something.”

“Hey!”

She giggled, leaning down and placing a kiss on Leorio’s forehead. “Shh, quiet down. It’s late.”

It’s like time slowed down to a standstill. Leorio’s face was turning red, Kurapika’s mouth hung agape, a gasp leaving his lips.

Both boys stared at her, unblinking. The girl seemed unfazed by the affectionate gesture.

She glanced between the two. “Hmm? Something wrong?”

They kept quiet, Leorio giggling to himself giddily, and Kurapika scowling as he crossed his arms

She turned to Kurapika. “You okay? You look upset.”

He cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”

“He’s jealous.”

Kurapika’s head whipped around to glare at Leorio, his cheeks turning pink. “Leorio!”

He was seething, with both anger and jealousy.

“Oh, do you want a kiss too?”

Still angry with Leorio, he whipped his head around and answered. “No!”

(Name) jumped slightly at the way he yelled at her, looking down at her feet. “Oh. Sorry.”

Kurapika paused, realizing what he said. “Wait, I…”

Too embarrassed to admit he also wanted a kiss, he stayed quiet. (Name) sensed he felt sorry, slowly inching towards him. “It’s okay, Kurapika. I know you didn’t mean to yell.”

She stepped forward, reaching up and pulling him towards her. “May I?”

He felt his heart thump against his chest, swallowing.

“Yes, you may.”

She cupped his cheeks, standing on her tippy toes to kiss his forehead. When she pulled back, she gave him a smile. “There, feel better?”

He nodded slowly, moving his hands to her to keep them in place a little longer. “Much better.”

“Aww you didn’t hold my face when you kissed my forehead!” Leorio complained, pulling on her sleeve. When (Name) turned away, Kurapika stuck his tongue out at the taller man.

“Hmph.”

He folded his arms over his chest, scowling. “Why does Kurapika get special treatment?”

The blonde hummed, curling a finger to his chin. “Maybe because I’m… cute?”

(Name) laughed, pinching Kurapika’s cheek. “You’re cute alright, the cutest.”

The blonde blushed, allowing her to affectionately squeeze his cheek.

“Hey, that looked like…”

The two boys looked out the window, Leorio grabbing (Name)’s head and turning it. “Gon!”

Gon, the 12 year old boy, was outside the airship with Chairman Netero, the old man.

(Name) rushed forward, attempting to open the window and climb out. “(Name)!”

Both Leorio and Kurapika pulled her back, the girl struggling to get free.

“Let go, what if he falls!?”

“What if you fall??”

She turned back, completely serious. “Then that’s something I’ll have to deal with. Let me go.”

Kurapika glanced at Leorio, concerned, before she suddenly went limp.

“Wait, what the-“

Killua appeared, standing a few feet away from them with his arm extended. “I knocked her out. If I didn’t, she would have done something stupid.”

Kurapika picked her up bridal style, giving the boy an incredulous look. “You hit her? Isn’t that too far?”

Killua shrugged. “Better than her potentially falling to her death.”

The blonde couldn’t argue, holding her close to him. Leorio checked for a pulse. “She’s okay, just asleep.”

Kurapika sighed. “Alright. I’ll take her to bed then. Make sure Gon doesn’t get himself hurt.”

He began walking away, looking down at the sleeping girl. Honestly, he wasn’t too upset. After all, he got to hold (Name) close to him and sleep next to her again.

‘… why does that make me happy?’

He frowned, but reached the sleeping quarters and sat her down. He saw her cardigan, and repositioned her so her head was lying in his lap, using the cardigan to cover her up.

He glanced around to make sure was looking before he began to run his hand over her hair, looking down at (Name) fondly. Kurapika had never felt the urge to do something like this before, so his actions surprised even him.

Eventually, Kurapika also fell asleep, letting the slow hum of the airships propeller lull him to sleep.

(Name) woke up to the feeling of something warm on her head. She was lying against some fabric, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.

“(Name), you’re awake.”

She blinked, turning to see Kurapika smiling at her. She glanced back down to see where she had been sleeping, only to become flustered.

“Oh- I’m sorry!”

She’d been lying on his lap, and Kurapika had been running his hands over her hair. The man held up his hands. “No need to apologize, I’m the one who laid you down.”

“Still…”

She played with the fabric of her shirt, face heating up. Kurapika sighed, patting her head. “I don’t mind, I promise. Honestly you kept me warm last night.”

This seemed to cheer her up. “Really?”

“Mhm. I run a little cold, so having someone near helped keep me from freezing.”

(Name) nodded, reaching out to take his hand. “I’ll keep you warm every night! Promise!”

His cheeks turned pink, and he cleared his throat. “Ehem. I’ll keep you to that, then.”

Leorio groaned next to them. “(Name), you can sleep on my lap too, ya know.”

Kurapika’s smile faded. “Why would she? You smell like sweat and desperation.”

(Name) gasped. “Kurapika, be nice!”

She scooted over and patted Leorio’s shoulder. “How about you sleep in my lap next time?”

Kurapika blinked, Leorio grinning. “Really? I’ll have to take you up on t-“

Kurapika pulled (Name) back, glaring at the taller man. “What a filthy pervert. (Name), you shouldn’t let random men sleep on your lap.”

“But I’d let you sleep on my lap, Kurapika.”

The blonde was at a loss for words, mouth opening and closing. Leorio huffed. “Uh huh. What’s your argument for that, blondie?”

Kurapika folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall. “Well I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but I still think you should be cautious, (Name).”

She smiled warmly. “I will. I just trust that you two wouldn’t hurt me. After all, you carried me here and let me sleep on your lap, so I don’t mind returning the favor.”

He looked away so she couldn’t see just how red his face was. ‘What’s wrong with me? It’s like everything she says has my heart racing…’

“Sorry for the slight delay, we are about to land at our destination.”

The group of three all stood when they heard the announcement, making their way to the exit.

————————

(Name) stood with Killua and Gon, the white haired boy staring at at her bandaged arm. Today, (Name) wore the tanktop she slept in and a pair of sweatpants. Her cardigan was wrapped around her waist, in case she got cold.

“I’m alright, Killua.”

She’d caught him staring, and the boy instantly looked away. “Whatever, it’s not like I care.”

Gon and (Name) shared a look. “Mhm.”

“May I have your attention?”

The looked over to see Beans standing in the middle of the group.

“You’re standing on what’s known as Trick Tower and it’s the site for the Third Phase. In this phase, there is only one objective and it isn’t complicated. Find your way to the bottom of the tower alive. There’s a time limit of 72 hours.”

(Name) thanked god that she restocked her bag with snacks and more water from the cafeteria.

“3 days…”

“72 hours to get to the bottom, and I have a feeling it isn’t going to be easy.”

Kurapika nodded, agreeing with Leorio. “Yeah, it’s bound to be harder than the last phase so we better make sure we stay sharp.”

(Name) nodded, watching as a man approached them and began to climb down the tower.

“Ooo, I want to t-“

“No.” They all said in unison, Leorio reaching out a hand to prevent her from trying. And thankfully she didn’t, because the man was carried away by large birds.

“Rest in peace.” she said, waving to the man as he was carried away. Kurapika patted her shoulder.

“See, this is why you shouldn’t rush to do things. You’ll end up like that man.”

She nodded slowly. “There has to be some kind of entrance to lead us to the bottom.” Kurapika said. “We should spread out, we don’t want to get left behind, so we?”

(Name) began to leave on her own, but Kurapika quietly pulled her along with him while the others weren’t looking. “You’re coming with me.”

They searched around the area, not finding anything. The two joined back up with Leorio.

“Huh, there are fewer people.” Kurapika stated.

Leorio began to count. “About 23 left? When did this happen?”

“About half the group has managed to find a way in. And so they must already be on there way down. I’m pretty sure if they’d all taken the same entry, we would have noticed this by now. So that would suggest there would have to be a number of trap doors around here.”

(Name) watched him with a surprised expression. ‘Wow, I hadn’t even noticed any of that.’

“Guys!”

Gon was waving them over, smiling. “You find something?” Kurapika asked, giving the boy a smile of his own.

“Nice, Gon!”

(Name) watched as Leorio lifted the stone, crouched next to Gon. Once he did, bars appeared, blocking their entry.

“Huh, what the? Stupid thing!”

Leorio dropped the tile, sighing.

“Looks like some sort of automatic lock.”

“What, so we can’t get in this way?”

“We’ll just have to find another way.”

(Name) glanced between the two as they talked. “And I think we’ll have to assume each of the doors leads to a different route to the bottom of the tower.”

Leorio grunted. “How can you be so calm about everything? For all we know there aren’t going to be enough entrances for everyone!”

“Yes there is!”

(Name) turned slightly to see Gon smiling. “I’ve already found seven of them, more than we need!”

(Name) laughed. “Wow! Good going, Gon!”

He pointed each one out, (Name) patting him on the head as he did.

“6 entrances so close together? Something doesn’t feel right about this.” Leorio said, looking down at the trap doors.

“It’s entirely possible that some of them are traps.”

When Kurapika said this, he glanced at (Name), concern briefly flickering across his face.

“So what do you say, doll face, you feeling lucky?” he asked (Name), poking her cheek.

“Mmm, as lucky as a girl can on a big tower surrounded by man eating birds.”

Killua snickered at this.

“You bet, we each pick one and live with our choices.”

“I agree!”

The all smiled at each other. “Alright, let’s figure out who takes which door.”

They played rock paper scissors, (Name) ending up between Killua and Kurapika. The blonde was glad for that, hoping that their close proximity might mean they ended up near each other.

“Okay, everybody, jump in on the count of three!”

Kurapika sighed. “I guess this is where our paths diverge.”

“Well, see you all at the bottom.”

(Name) nodded. “I wish you all good luck.”

“One, two, three!”

They jumped, (Name) landing on the cold stone floor with a huff. It was dark, and for a moment her heart dropped.

Then the light flickered on, showing that she was not alone…

All of her friends were there too!

“So much for the big farewell.”

“No kidding.”

(Name) laughed. “I’m happy. I didn’t want to split up with you all yet!”

The boys smiled, Kurapika and Leorio blushing lightly.

“Looks like this room doesn’t have a way out.”

(Name) slung her backpack over her shoulder, following Kurapika to a small table. It contained bracelets, with an x and an o.

“The path of majority rules. To reach the bottom, the 6 of you must vote to overcome the challenges you may encounter and on this route majority rules.”

(Name) put on the bracelet, the rest following suit. An announcement rang out, stating that they’d need to wait for their 6th member.

“All we can do is wait.”

(Name) nodded, plopping down onto the ground. “Oh, we can play a game! How does go-fish sound?”

“Go-fish? But we don’t have any cards.”

The girl grinned at Gon, reaching into her backpack. “Oh, but I do.”

The two boys marveled at the deck of playing cards, Kurapika humming. “You sure came prepared, (Name). Why did you think to bring cards?”

She shrugged. “Well, playing games with people helps to ease tension and create friendly ties. It’s also a way to decide things, like the winner of the game gets an item or something like that. If I were to fight against a gambler, I would suggest playing a game if cards. It may provide enough time for me to think of a better idea, while letting my opponent indulge in their bad habit.”

Kurapika nodded slowly. “That’s interesting, I would have never thought about that.”

He took note of this, storing the information away for later.

The four played as Leorio paced. He denied them when they asked him to play. “It’s been two hours. By now most of them should have been able to find a way inside, wouldn’t you say? The only guys up there are the morons who don’t have a clue what they’re doing.”

They looked up from their game, hearing a tile moving above them. “Seems like a moron is on his way.

Someone fell to the floor, landing with a thud.

“Ugh, not you.”

(Name) also frowned when she saw you had joined them.

“Hey, Tonpa!” Gon greeted the man.

“So the gangs all here, huh!”

“Aw man, so we gotta take the path of majority rules with this jerk?” Leorio said, groaning.

(Name) stood as Tonpa put his bracelet on, pocketing her deck of cards.

“Come on, follow me!” Tonpa said as the door opened.

“Who does he think he is? He shows up last and all of a sudden he’s the leader?” Leorio huffed.

The first task was to decide on if the next door should be open, with 5 saying yes, and 1 saying no.

Obviously, Tonpa was the one who said no.

(Name) walked in, ignoring Leorio’s yelling.

———————

Kurapika and (Name) stuck close together, Tonpa noticing this. They went through several doors before they ended up in a large room, being unable to cross over the path. There was a flat, tiles surface in the middle of the room, and looking down, they couldn’t see the bottom.

‘Guess trying to jump across is out of the question.’

(Name) thought, peeking over the edge.

“The exam committee has enlisted us to be a part of the applicant testing process. This is where the six of you will fight against the five of us.”

‘There’s only 5? That means one of us won’t have to fight.’ Kurapika thought.

“That guy looks pretty tough.” Gon said, (Name) nodding along.

“You see, this is why I wanted to go left back there.” Leorio stated, crossing his arms.

“There’s always a chance that route could have been even harder.”

They watched the muscular man. “Matches are one on one. You can’t fight more than once. It doesn’t matter who fights when, you’re on the path of majority rules. Which means in order to continue, you have to win at least 3 out of 5. Fight anyway you want. There will be no draws. To be declared the winner, your opponent must admit defeat.”

(Name) leaned against the wall, thinking about how she’d fight. ‘Mmm, I don’t really wanna hurt anyone…’

“It’s time to decide whether or not you accept this challenge. If you do, press O. If you do not, press X.”

(Name) sighed as Leorio made sure Tonpa wouldn’t press X again. ‘I wonder if I could to a flip before falling all the way down…’ she thought, before pressing O.

“How are we gonna decide who goes first?” Gon asked. (Name) hummed, pulling out her dagger.

“I can,” she said, putting the handle between her teeth as she put a headband on to prevent any hair from getting in her face. Gon shook his head.

“I’ll go first.”

“No, I think it should be me.” Kurapika said, pulling the blade from her mouth. “He’s obviously the type of fighter that relies on his physical strength. In hand to hand combat, you two would be at a disadvantage.”

He wiped the handle and returned it to her. “Wait a minute, you’re not that much bigger than Gon.” Leorio reminded him.

“That’s true, but I have a weapon.”

“So do I…” (Name) mumbled, twirling her dagger in her hand. Kurapika frowned, wanting to scold her but unable to.

“But if he takes it away from you, you’re a goner.”

Kurapika raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you want to go?”

Leorio frowned, glancing at the muscular man. (Name) stood. “If you two are done, I’m ready to-“

Killua stepped forward, cutting her off. “Well, if you guys are scared, I’ll go.”

“Hold on, I’ll go.”

Tonpa held his arm out, looking to the man on the other side. “There are no rules to these matches, right? Which means anything could happen. Who knows, he may set a trap for us. Sure he looks big and strong, but we can’t say for sure how he’s gonna try to beat us. Trust me, the most important thing here isn’t physical strength, it’s the ability to react to whatever they might throw at you. Allow me to go out and test the water for you guys.”

(Name) stopped paying attention, moving closer into the room and sitting down on the rocky ground.

Tonpa and the man entered the ring, the man suggesting they make it a fight to the death.

Killua walked over to (Name) and sat across from her. “Why are you just sitting over here? Aren’t you interested in the fight?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I may not like Tonpa, but I’m not exactly excited to see him get his ass beat.”

Killua nodded at this. “I see. So you don’t like fighting?”

“Not necessarily. I’ll fight or watch a fight if I have to, but fighting when it’s not in defense of myself or a friend is hard to get behind. Though I guess it’s unavoidable now. If I want to become a hunter, I’ll need to be able to fight for other reasons as well.”

‘So she doesn’t fight unless it’s necessary? Is it because she’s weak, or because she dislikes it?’

He seemed deep in thought when he felt something hit his shoulder. Killua glanced down to see a small piece of candy.

“Here, Menchi gave me some to refill my bag. Apparently they’re gourmet candy!”

Killua nodded slowly, confused. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“I dunno. I like sharing with friends.”

He stood up and walked away, opening the wrapper to the candy and tossing it into his mouth before returning to watch Tonpa’s fight.

Tonpa’s fight didn’t take long, the man admitting defeat before the man could strike him.

“Did he just surrender?”

“Unbelievable.”

(Name) blinked, looking up at Kurapika. “Did he seriously just give up?”

Tonpa went on a whole speech about how blah blah he’s a rookie crusher blah blah he’s a coward. (Name) didn’t pay much attention, only listening when she saw Kurapika tense up beside her.

“You’re despicable.”

“Damn you. I won’t forget this. We are gonna get out of this tower, and then I’m going to beat you senseless.”

“Old man, you’re nothing but a pest. And the only good pest, is a dead one.”

Killua began walking towards Tonpa, (Name) stepping closer to Kurapika. She gently patted his back, the blonde giving her a smile in return.

“Hey, wait, you can’t do that! You need a fifth person!” Tonpa began backing away.

“See if I care.”

Kurapika pushed (Name) back a little, his eyes trained on Killua.

“He’s right! Listen guys, Tonpa’s actually got a point. With 5 against 1, we can still win! So there’s to be angry about. Right, Kurapika? What do you say?”

The blonde nodded. “I guess it makes sense.”

“Come on, you can’t be serious!” Leorio groaned.

“Hm. You owe your life to Gon, you know.” Killua said, walking back to stand by Gon.

—————————

“They’re sending out their next fighter, who should we send?”

Gon ran forward. “Hey, I’m going next.”

“You sure you’ll be okay?”

“Come on, I’ll be okay Killua, don’t worry!”

(Name) made a distressed noise, watching him run along the path with a frown. “Please be careful, sweetheart!”

He waved at her. “I will!”

‘Sweetheart?’ The others thought, glancing at (Name).

“Will you be okay, Gon?” Kurapika asked, standing near (Name).

“Yeah, actually this guy seems like he’s pretty normal. He doesn’t look scary or anything!”

(Name) crossed her arms. “You shouldn’t underestimate him, Gon.”

“Compared to the first guy he’s not really that intimidating.”

“Hmm, something about him gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

(Name) sat at the edge of the platform, Leorio giving her a confused look. “(Name), you shouldn’t sit so close to the edge. It’s dangerous.”

She looked back at him, the look in her eyes causing him to rush forward and pull her back from the edge roughly.

“Leorio, what are you doing?” Kurapika asked, stepping closer to the pair.

“I…”

He let go of (Name)’s arm, the look in her eyes that had been there a moment before gone. “Hmm?”

She tilted her head at him, Kurapika giving Leorio a confused look before helping her up.

‘That look in her eye… it must have been my imagination, but for a second, I thought she was going to…’

He shook the thought from her head. ‘No, that’s stupid. Why would she even think of that?’

“Sorry, (Name). I just didn’t want you to fall.”

She shook her head. “No, don’t apologize. Thank you for worrying about me.”

Leorio nodded. “No problem.”

He still felt uneasy, making sure she was farther away from the edge.

Kurapika explained that their opponents were long term convicts. (Name) watched as the convict pulled out two candles, one longer and one shorter.

“Once again majority rules. O for the longer candle, X for the shorter one.”

(Name) glanced between Kurapika and Leorio as they argued the choice. “Gon, go ahead and pick one, we’ll back your decision whatever it will be. I’m willing to bet that in this case, your natural instincts are better than our logic.”

“I agree.”

Gon smiled. “I choose the longer one!”

(Name) giggled. “Hehe, good choice, Gon.”

The two lit their candles, and stood at opposite sides of the ring.

Suddenly, the flame grew large, causing the candle to melt much faster.

(Name) gasped, watching as Gon placed his cancel on the ground and rushed forward to blow out the other persons candle.

“Alright, now it’s my turn to go.”

Kurapika walked forward, (Name) grabbing his sleeve when his opponent revealed himself. “Be careful, Pika.”

For just a moment, Kurapika paused. ‘Pika?’

He’d ask her about that later, now he needed to focus on the task at hand. Kurapika nodded before joining his opponent in the ring.

“I’ve got 19 kills so far, but I don’t really the sound of odd numbers and it’s been bugging me for a while. Now the times come, and I can make it an even 20.”

(Name) and Leorio tended to Gon’s burned finger. They weren’t too bad, only needing a bit of aloe. She glanced up just in time to see Kurapika remove his Tabard and white shirt, revealing a gray sleeveless undershirt.

“Shall we get started?”

Her face heated up. She already knew he was handsome, but seeing him like this had her flustered. “Get him, Pika!”

The blondes lip twitched up into a half smile before he focused on his fight.

The fight began, the man punching a hole into the ground. As he turned, the man revealed a spider tattoo.

“It’s proof that he’s a member of the phantom troupe!” Leorio yelled out, obviously worried for his friend.

“Aren’t they the ones that killed all of Kurapika’s friends and family?”

(Name) held onto her shirt, heart racing. “Pika…”

‘He must be experiencing such rage and sorrow right now. I hope he gives that bastard what he deserves.’

“What’s the matter, you too terrified to speak?”

(Name) was having trouble paying attention to the mans monologue.

“He’s not scared, he’s angry!”

Kurapika stood up, eyes gone red yet again. (Name) watched as Kurapika easily defeated the man.

“Remember these three things. Number one, if you really were a member of the Phantom Troupe, your tattoo would include your member number, which it doesn’t. Number two, they wouldn’t bother to keep track of the people they’ve already murdered. Three, don’t ever speak of the Phantom Troupe again, because if you do…”

He picked up his tabard. “I’ll have to kill you.”

Kurapika walked back, brushing off the front of his tabard.

“Are you alright?” Leorio asked.

“Yeah, I’m uninjured.”

“I mean, is it okay for us to be around you right now?”

“He really wasn’t much of a fighter, I could tell that right from the start just from looking at him.”

(Name) began rummaging through her bag as they teased Leorio for not realizing the man was bluffing.

“And not only that, his tattoo was a fake. But as soon as I saw that spider, everything turned red. You know, to tell you the truth even when I see an ordinary spider my rage builds up and I lose control.”

He sat down near the back, pulling his knees to his chest. “Huh. I suppose it just proves my desire for vengeance hasn’t faded away quite yet. I should be thankful for that.”

(Name) sat next to him, sighing softly. “You alright?”

He didn’t answer, only leaning his head against her shoulder.

“Alright, time to wrap this up.” Leorio said, cracking his knuckles. “Hey, get that piece of garbage out of the way so we can continue.”

“We can’t do that, the last match still hasn’t finished.”

“What are you talking about?”

Kurapika had only knocked them out, meaning the match wasn’t over. It was a death match over all, and the man wasn’t dead.

“Hey, Kurapika, go over there and finish that guy off so we can get through this thing.”

“I won’t. This match is over for me.”

“Yeah, but y-“

“When I was out there I allowed myself to attack an opponent who had already lost the will to fight. I refuse to kill someone that has already been defeated.”

Leorio groaned. “But you’ve got to do something!”

“I’ll leave it to him. When he regains consciousness, he’ll choose his own fate. I’ll do absolutely nothing until that time.”

Leorio was about to complain, but Killua stepped forward.

“Hey I can kill him for you, I don’t mind. You’ve never killed anyone before, have you? You scared to?”

(Name) glanced between the two, sensing a change in the mood.

“I’ve never thought about whether or not I was scared to kill someone. Anyway, this match is one on one, you can’t get involved.”

“It’s up to you, but it’s not what’s best for the team, is it?”

(Name) knew Kurapika wouldn’t be changing his mind, so she just soothing rubbed his arm, letting Leorio yell.

He attempted to get them to use majority rules, but she ignored him. Right now she was focused on softly soothing Kurapika, who was obviously upset by the mention of the Phantom Troupe

“You don’t have to do anything that would make you uncomfortable, Pika. We’ll wait.”

He nodded, resting against her shoulder again. “Thank you…”

‘She used that name again. I’m too tired to ask her about it now…’

“Leorio, give it a rest.” (Name) said after a while. “He’s not doing it, and I won’t let you make him.”

Leorio huffed and walked away, sitting in the very back.

“You know, I think your tabard is pretty. Is it traditional clothing for the Kurta?” (Name) asked. Kurapika nodded, glancing at her.

“Yes, why do ask?”

She smiled, pushing some of his blonde locks out of his face and behind his ear. “I was curious. The person who made it must have been quite talented.”

Kurapika’s cheeks turned pink. “Actually, I was the one who made this. My… my mother taught me when I was a child. She was a talented seamstress.”

(Name) beamed. “Really? Oh, that’s wonderful! I bet she would be proud to see how far you’ve come, with your sewing, and just in general.”

Kurapika looked at her, his eyes red, but this time they were softer, not the violent shade of scarlet she’d seen before. ‘Huh, maybe the shade is different depending on the emotion.’

“That’s… very kind of you to say. I think she would have liked you.”

“Really? I’m honored.”

He was feeling better, the anger he’d felt simmering down enough that he could smile. Right now, (Name) couldn’t stop staring into his eyes.

Kuraoika blinked. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t scare you.”

“Scare me? Why would you scare me?”

He sighed. “My eyes… they aren’t normal. When I’m angry, or feel strong emotion they turn red. Some people fear them, some covet them.”

(Name) shook her head. “I certainly don’t fear them. You eyes are beautiful.”

Kurapika seemed a little uneasy with her response, but with one look at her sweet smile he knew she wasn’t the type to try and harm him for his eyes.

“They’re… they’re warm. That’s the only way I can describe them. When your eyes are staring at me, I feel… warm.”

Kurapika felt his heart begin to race again. “Warm? I don’t understand.”

She hummed, curling a finger at her chin. “Hmm… it’s like being covered up with a blanket on a cold night, being tucked into bed by someone who loves you. Not cold, not hot, but… warm.”

He stared at her with half lidded eyes, tears threatening to spill. “Do you really mean that?”

“Mhm. I could look at your eyes forever.”

She truly was a kind girl. With little no to effort, and with nothing to gain, she’d made Kurapika’s day a little better. The burden he carried, of everyone he knew fearing his scarlet eyes became a little less heavy.

“You don’t know how much that means to me, (Name).”

She didn’t respond, only patting his head.

The two spent the next few hours resting, (Name) occasionally offering the group some water or a snack. Kurapika stayed near her the entire time, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was being a little clingy.

—————————

Leorio stood, joining Gon and Killua.

“Listen up, I’m going to go out there to check and see if that guy is already dead. If he is, then this match is over.”

“It’s like I said before, he’s not dead, he’s unconscious.”

“Yeah, but it’s already been a few hours. Do you expect us to stand here and take your word for it?”

(Name) stood up, Kurapika immediately moving to follow her.

“Alright then, let’s bet on it. Is Majitani alive, or is he dead, place your bet.”

(Name) stared at her bag as they continued talking, her eyes narrowing.

They were betting time.

She sighed as they began fighting amongst each other again. “Gon’s right, you know. All this fighting is just playing right into their hands.”

“Ugh, you’ve got a point.”

Leorio let go of Tonpa.

“So, what are you going to do? You have to decide whether or not you’re going to accept the challenge.”

Leorio thought for a moment. “Yeah, yeah I know. HEY! I accept your challenge.”

“Alright. I’m gonna go ahead and make the first bet. It’s up to you to decide how many hours you decide to wager.”

Leorio sighed. “Ten hours says that he’s alive.”

“Really? Just a minute ago weren’t you thinking that he was already dead?” Gon asked with a tilt of his head.

“You’re playing it safe, aren’t you?”

“You bet I am.”

The man laughed. “Alright, let’s go see if he’s dead or not. Hey, girl.”

(Name) blinked, pointing at herself. “Uh, yeah?”

“You come with him.”

She stared at the man in confusion, glancing at Kuraoika. He held onto her arm. “Why does she have to go? That makes no sense.”

The man grinned. “Two against two. I’m being nice and letting two of you enter the ring, since it will be two of us convicts present as well.”

Kurapika frowned. “Why her, though?”

He shrugged. “Picked at random.”

(Name) patted Kurapika’s shoulder. “It’s fine, I’ll go. After all, I don’t feel good having Leorio go alone.”

The blonde could only watch as she followed Leorio into the ring.

She stood by Leorio’s side as he felt for a pulse, watching the man while Leorio was distracted.

“He does have a pulse.”

“See, I told you so. He was just unconscious.”

(Name) hummed. “He’s alive you guys!”

“I’m all done here. He’s obviously not dead yet.”

“Okay, I guess that means it’s your turn then. What are you going to bet on this time?”

Before Leorio could speak, (Name) opened her backpack and pulled out her dagger.

“Why don’t we up the stakes a little?”

Kurapika felt Gon pull him back. He hadn’t even noticed he’d begun to walk forward.

“What do you mean by that, girlie?”

She placed the blade at her own neck, staring into the man’s eyes. “Instead of betting time, I’ll bet my own life.”

This time, Kurapika rushed forward, yelling from the edge of the platform. “WHAT IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!?”

Leorio attempted to reason with her, but she only pressed the knife against her throat tighter when he approached, causing him to pause. A thin trickle of blood ran down the front of her shirt.

Kurapika’s eyes were shining red again, Killua anxiously clenching his fist.

‘What’s wrong with this girl, is she crazy!?’

“If I die, that means we lose anyways. All of the time will be yours, meaning your life sentences will be reduced by 72 hours. Isn’t that what you want?”

The man laughed. “You’ve got one scary look in your eyes, girlie. Alright, I accept your offer. Just be ready to kill yourself if you’re wrong.”

She relaxed, keeping the blade at her throat, but releasing some of the pressure.

“I’ll put 20 hours on the line that he really is unconscious. So tell me, how are you going to prove which one of us wins?”

She glanced at Leorio, who nodded.

“That won’t be hard. I happen to know a very effective way to find out.”

Leorio picked up the man and held him over the edge.

“I’ll drop him over the edge, and if he really is unconscious, he’ll drop like a stone and that will be it.”

“What are you two insane or something? Majitani hasn’t even finished his own match yet. How can you seriously expect me to agree to this?”

Leorio squeezed Majitani’s shoulder. “Let me make this easy for you. If he screams as he falls, we’ll give you the match between you and Kurapika, which gives you two points in total. Now will you agree to do it?”

(Name) waited patiently, risking a glance at her friends. Kurapika was staring at her with those red eyes again, yet this time he looked… scared? Anxious? She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She felt a little bad, but this was the best way to get the convict to agree.

After all, she didn’t mind risking her life if it meant helping her friends.

“Hold it, alright I agree to your position. But I’m changing my bet. I’m now going to wager all 40 hours over him regaining consciousness after you drop him over the side.”

“Huh, it took a while but you finally revealed your position with that bet. Oh well, looks like I don’t have a choice. Away he goes.”

Majitani gasped, holding onto Leorio’s hand. “Agh, wait please don’t let go! I’m awake!”

He sprinted away, muttering as he hid on his side of the room. (Name) sighed, placing her dagger back in her bag. She sent Kurapika a smile.

“See, I told you I wouldn’t make you do anything that made you uncomfortable.”

Leorio pinched her cheek. “Go ahead and stick to your principles, Kurapika. I’ll handle the rest.”

Kurapika smiled. “(Name), Leorio…”

“Alright, who’s next?”

(Name) began to raise her hand, but Leorio shot her a look. ���Go back, now. I’m fighting this one.”

She frowned, walking down the path to meet with the others. “Alright, but I’m fighting the next o-“

Her entire world went black, the last thing she would remembering being a sharp pain in her neck.

“Stupid girl. If you fight, you’re going to get yourself killed.”

Killua hoisted her over his shoulder and handed her off to Kurapika when he got. “Here, you can take care of her.”

Kurapika pulled (Name) into his arms, sitting down so her head could rest in his lap. “Killua, you do that again and-“

Killua rolled his eyes. “Did you see what she did out there? She’s reckless, you should be thanking me. I don’t think she would have taken no for an answer next round.”

Kurapika knew he was right, but seeing the red mark on her neck where Killua knocked her out made his stomach churn. “… I understand that, but…”

Gon crouched down, patting Kurapika’s shoulder. “It’s alright Kurapika. She’ll be okay, and Killua is right. We shouldn’t underestimate (Name). She’s determined to pass this phase!”

Killua watched her from the corner of his eye. ‘That’s not quite right. She’s determined, but I don’t think it’s to pass the Hunter Exam.’

He sighed. ‘I don’t care either way.’

But even as he thought that, he continued to watch her, frowning slightly when he caught sight of the red marks on her neck. One from him, and one from herself.

———————

(Name) groaned going to rub her neck, only to feel bandages. She shot up, being greeted with multiple pairs of eyes on her.

“(Name), you’re awake!”

She was pulled into Kurapika’s arms, the blondes tight hold making her wince. “Pika, too tight…”

“Oh, sorry!”

He let go, and instead grabbed both of her cheeks. “What were you thinking, (Name)?! What if they won their bet? Are you really ready to sacrifice your life?”

“If it means none of you will die, yeah.”

The room went quiet. Every single person was staring at her, even Tonpa.

“(Name), you can’t be serious. You’ve just met us.” Killua said, his eyes narrowing.

“But you’re all my friends, and have goals and aspirations I want to help you complete. I…”

She shook her head, seemingly stopping herself from sharing too much. “Im not stupid. I wouldn’t put my life on the line for no reason.”

Leorio scowled. “Care to share your reasoning?”

(Name) smoothed out her top, seeing that the bloodstain had faded a bit. ‘Did they try and clean it?’ She thought with a faint smile.

“Like Leorio, I knew that man was awake.”

Kurapika’s eyes widened. “Wait, how?”

She smiled. “I told you I dropped out of med school, right? Anyone training to be a doctor knows the differences between someone that’s sleeping and someone that’s awake.”

“Maybe so, but that doesn’t explain why you bet your life on it. There was no need.”

(Name) sighed. “But there was. Leorio, just from your face I could tell you were planning to do something risky to prove he was conscious. To take some of the heat off of you, I used my life as both an incentive and a distraction. Therefore his mind would be clouded with both the possibility of receiving the full 72 hours, and getting to see a woman kill herself in front of him. He looked like he would enjoy that.”

Kurapika was surprised. Her plan wasn’t just a spur of the moment thing, it was thought out and calculated. “That’s-“

“That’s stupid! I don’t care what reason you say, you doing that was not only stupid, but an unnecessary risk. Your life is worth far more than this damn exam! If it’s between me failing and you dying, I’d fail!”

Leorio seemed genuinely upset, his eyebrows furrowed. (Name) looked down to the ground, fiddling with her cardigan. “… sorry, Leorio. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

He huffed, approaching the girl until he was right in front of her. She stared at his legs for a moment, before she felt his arms wrap around her.

He sighed, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Just don’t do anything like that again…”

She didn’t respond, instead wrapping her arms around him and patting his back.

Once she was let go, (Name) got a good look at her surroundings. “Wait… where are we?”

They weren’t in the same place they’d been before, now in a small room. “Oh… well…”

It was Leorio’s turn to fiddle with his thumbs, looking away from the girl. (Name) looked to Kurapika for an explanation.

“We lost most of our time during Leorio’s round. Because of that, we have to stay in this room for a few days.”

(Name) stood, suddenly panicked. “In here, for days? Is there a bathroom!?”

They nodded, and she relaxed. “Oh, okay. Got me worried there for a second.”

She stretched out on the couch, lying on her tummy. “So… how long was I asleep?”

Kurapika hummed. “About twoish hours. Not long.”

“Long enough for Leorio to start pacing around acting all worried.” Killua stated with a snicker.

The tall man huffed, plopping down on the other couch.

A few hours passed by before (Name) stood, groaning. “Well, now I’m bored. Let’s see what they’ve got in here…”

“We already looked, there wasn’t anything interesting. Just some board games and some yarn or something…”

(Name) gasped. “Yarn? Are there needles?”

Killua raised an eyebrow. “… yes?”

“Oh hell yes. My grandma training is finally useful to me.”

‘Grandma training? What the hell does that mean?’ Killua thought as he watched her crawl over to the half opened drawer.

“Hmm…”

Kurapika turned his head when he heard the sound of humming. (Name) was knitting, tongue out in concentration. ‘Cute.’

“What are you doing, (Name)?”

He scooted towards her, peeking over her shoulder. “Oh, I’m knitting! Not sure how much I’ll get done by the time we leave, but…”

She showed him what she’d gotten done so far. “Oh wow, you work fast. What are you planning to make?”

She poked out her lip in thought. “Hmm… maybe a scarf? It’s kind of cold, although I was expecting that because it’s January…”

Kurapika tilted his head. “You’re cold?”

“A little. But my cardigan keeps me pretty warm!”

She went back to work, Kurapika fascinated by the way her hands moved to knit smoothly. “Do you…”

He scooted closer, sitting next to her. “Do you think you could teach me a little? Just the basics of course.”

(Name) smiled, pausing her work. “Of course! But I have a favor to ask of you in return.”

“Oh? And what is that?”

She set down her needles, shaking her hands to ease the ache. “Could you teach me more about the Kurta? I know very little about them, and I’m very interested.”

This took Kurapika aback. Although many people had more than one question to ask him about the scarlet eyes, not many were interested in his people. They wanted to know about their eyes, not them.

“Oh… yes, I would be happy to teach you. I could start out with telling you a few words in my language.”

“Really?”

His heart began to race. She looked excited, leaning forward, a bit too close to his face for comfort. “Y-yes. It would be a pleasure.”

They stared at each other, inches apart. For a moment, he caught himself looking at her lips, considering closing the distance and-

“Can you teach me some cuss words too?”

Kurapika internally groaned, turning to see Killua hovering around him. “That would be a disservice to my people.”

“Come on, just a few. I wanna make people wonder what I’m saying when I yell at them in a video game.”

He gestured over to the screen Gon was sat in front of, some first person shooter game pulled up.

“(Name), what’s a-“

Killua covered his mouth. “If someone called you it over the game, don’t say it out loud. At least not in front of the others.” he whispered.

Gon nodded slowly. “Okay, I won’t say twink in front of the others.”

(Name) held a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh. “They… called you a twink?”

Leorio did nothing to hide his laughter. “Holy shit, they must of sensed Kurapika nearby!”

‘I don’t even want to know what twink means.’ Kurapika thought, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What’s a twink-“

(Name) spoke up. “Anyways…”

She began knitting again, showing Kurapika the basics. Much to her annoyance, he caught on quicker than she ever could. ‘It took me weeks to get that right…’

But she couldn’t stay mad when he proudly held up the work he did, smiling at her. “Look, I did it!”

“You did, it looks nice! A perfect little square!”

He seemed to beam under her praise, allowing her to pat his head. Her touch always felt nice, especially when it was after he’d done something to earn a smile from her.

A few more hours passed by, the group settling down onto the couches. The two boys curled up near (Name), Gon lying his head in her lap. Kurapika was a little disappointed they wouldn’t be sleeping near each other this time, but couldn’t deny how sweet the scene in front of him was.

(Name) slowly ran her fingers through the young boy’s hair, only pausing when she noticed him shiver.

Kurapika watched from the corner of his eye as she shed her thick cardigan, draping it over the two boys. He could see her rub her arms slightly before resting against the couch.

‘Didn’t she say she was cold earlier?’

She drifted off to sleep, and once her chest began to rise and fall softly, he tiptoed over.

‘You’re too nice, (Name).’

He pulled off his tabard and draped it over her, making sure her bare arms were covered before he sat on the opposite side of her and pulled her in close.

‘I may not be that warm, but…’

He glanced around the room before he planted a kiss on the top of her head. ‘Hopefully I can keep you a little warm…’

Kuraoika fell asleep soon after, his head leaned against her’s. Unbeknownst to him, Killua watched this interaction.

‘I don’t understand… neither of them have nothing to gain. Why did she…’

He sighed, snuggling into the warm cardigan. ‘Whatever. It’s not like it matters.’

But he found himself feeling comforted by the soft fabric, able to sleep much faster than he usually would.

———————

(Name) woke up to the sound of Killua groaning. “Damn it, we lost again. Gon, you suck.”

Although barely conscious, she yelled out. “Hey, don’t be mean Killua. Gon’s just…”

She began to fall back asleep, startling awake again when Kurapika shifted next to her. “Gon’s just silly.”

Kurapika hummed in his sleep, pulling her closer to him. “Mmm, (Name)…”

She felt her face heat up as snuggled into the crook of her neck. “P-Pika!”

His eyes slowly blinked open. “Hmm?”

It took him a moment to realize what he’d been doing.

The blonde jumped back, mouth dropped open in both shock and embarrassment. “Oh- I didn’t mean-“

“And you said I was the pervert.”

Kurapika was still processing that he’d just been nuzzling into her neck moments before, cheeks slowly catching fire. “I’m so sorry, (Name). That won’t happen again.”

“No, it’s alright. You just surprised me is all.”

She reached out and grabbed his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Leorio huffed.

“You snuggle up to her like some creepy old man and it’s fine, but I want to lay on her lap and all of a sudden there’s a problem.”

Kuraoika threw a pillow at the man. “The difference is, I was asleep, and you’re a pervert!”

“Well seems like you were saying her name in your sleep. It’s not looking good for you, Buddy.” Tonpa said, butting in.

“Shut up!” the two said in unison.

(Name) stood between the two. “Okay, break it up ladies you’re both pretty. Now why don’t you two sit down and I’ll make some breakfast?”

Leorio grumbled, but did as he was told. Kurapika followed her to the small kitchenette. “You’re going to cook something?”

He remembered trying some of her leftovers during the second phase, and was excited to eat her cooking again.

“Yeah! They provided us a fridge and small kitchen, why not use it?”

Kurapika watched as she began cooking, his observant eyes following her every move. He noted exactly when she flipped the pancakes, how she cracked the eggs, and what she used to stir the bacon.

“How do you know where it’s time to flip the pancakes?” Kurapika asked, ever the curious one.

“Well when the edges start to bubble up, I know it’s time to-“

She picked up her spatula and flipped it. “To flip them!”

He marveled at this, (Name) noticing he was staring at her spatula. “Pika, do you want to try?”

“Oh, if that’s alright with you.”

He took over pancake flipping duty, getting the hang of it almost immediately. If (Name) wasn’t busy preparing the eggs and bacon, she may have been a little pouty.

Gon poked his head into the kitchenette, smiling. “(Name), is it almost ready? It smells so good!”

She nodded, crouching down to offer him a piece of bacon. “Here, half this and share with Killua.”

He gasped and ran out. “Killua, look!”

A moment later, Leorio poked his head into the kitchen. “Hey, where’s my bacon??”

Kurapika raised an eyebrow. “Are you so childish that you can’t wait another 10 minutes?”

(Name) elbowed the blonde. “Hey, be nice. I happen to like Leorio’s enthusiasm for my cooking.”

She handed him a piece of bacon, smiling. “Here you go, careful sweetheart, it’s hot.”

“Sweetheart?” they said in unison, one blushing, one pouting.

“Oh, sorry, sometimes I forget not everyone is used to pet names. Where I’m from, we use them a lot. Nicknames too.”

“Oh, is that why you’ve been calling me Pika?”

(Name)’s face heated up, the girl turning back to the stove. “Kind of!”

“Kind of? Is there another reason?”

Kurapika tilted his head. (Name) glanced at him, biting her lip.

“Well… I thought it was cute. Like you.”

Kurapika felt his face get hot. “Cute? Do you really think I’m cute?”

(Name) nodded, avoiding his eyes. “Yeah, really cute.”

Leorio groaned. “Gross. If you two are going to flirt don’t do it in front of my breakfast.”

(Name) squeaked, nearly dropping her spoon. “We’re not flirting!”

If her face got any hotter, she feared she might pass out.

“Sure, and my name isn’t Leorio. Just do it after you’re done cooking.”

Kurapika huffed, shooing the tall man out of the kitchen.

“Sorry he’s such an…”

“Asshole?”

“Yes, that.”

The two were left in an awkward silence, Kurapika occasionally glancing her way. She was obviously flustered, and Kurapika cursed Leorio for making things awkward. They had been having fun before.

‘I hope I haven’t been making her uncomfortable…’

(Name) returned one of his looks, giving him a shy smile. “I think it’s ready. Could you go tell everyone to come make their plates?”

The group came rushing in shortly after, (Name) nearly being knocked over by Tonpa.

She grabbed the man by the back of his shirt and yanked it back. “Hey, back of the line. Kids eat first, and you’re at least pushing 60.”

He grumbled something under his breath, quieting down when Kurapika shot him a look. “Choose your words carefully, Tonpa.”

Killua and Gon held out their plates, (Name) giving them their food with a smile. “I also cut up some fruit, if you want some the bowl is in the fridge.”

Gon beamed, opening the fridge and taking the bowl with him.

‘I meant for him to take a little, but I guess that’s my fault for not specifying.’ she thought, watching Gon shove his hand into the bowl and throw a handful of fruit into his mouth.

Once everyone’s plates were made, (Name) made her own. Kurapika winced, seeing one of his earlier, less pretty pancakes on her plate.

“(Name), I can make you a better one if you-“

She stopped him, placing a piece in his mouth. “Why? You made this one, I’m going to eat it.”

Even though it was lumpy and burnt at the edges, she showed no sign of disliking it. She happily ate the pancake, giving him that pretty smile of hers.

Kurapika pulled his knees to his chest, watching her eat. His eyes were soft, glowing a light red. It was hard to control the way he felt when he looked at her, his true feelings reflecting in his eyes.

“Mmm, that was delicious. Thank you, Pika.”

Kurapika didn’t respond, only leaning against her shoulder again. Right now, he felt… warm. Something warm and fuzzy settled over his entire body, the feeling intensifying every second he spent leaning against her.

“You still tired, Pika? You can sleep on my lap if you want.”

He realized that yes, he was still tired. Maybe that was why he felt so warm and fuzzy. Kurapika gave her a nod, lying down so his head was in her lap.

He relaxed when he felt her run her fingers through his hair, eyes fluttering shut. “Mmm… this is nice.”

She hummed in response, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

Leorio pouted from across the room, (Name) noticing, and curling a finger towards herself. “There’s room for you too, Leorio.”

Kurapika was too sleepy to argue, only letting a short huff.

The tall man hurried over, quickly lying his head on her other thigh. Kurapika grumbled, trying to swat him away. “Go away, Leorio…”

Leorio, who was much more conscious was able to easily dodge his groggy movements. “You go away! Stop hogging (Name)!”

Kurapika glared at him, only stopping when (Name) patted both of their heads. “Hey, no fighting. My lap, my rules.”

They both grumbled, but turned away from each other. Soon, they had both drifted back to sleep.

“Ew. (Name), say the word and I’ll pull them off of you.” Killua said, extending his claws.

(Name) held up her hands. “Woah, no need for that. Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine.”

Killua’s cheeks turned pink. “Concerned? I’m not…”

He huffed and walked away, plopping down onto a pillow next to Gon. “Killua, you’re actually really nice.”

“Shut up.”

———————

They spent a few hours asleep, before (Name) had to move to use the bathroom. “Sorry…” she muttered, trying to slip away undetected.

But going from sleeping on soft, warm thighs to the cold hard couch made both of them shoot awake.

“(Name)?”

Kurapika’s head swiveled around, looking for the girl. “She went to go use the bathroom. Jeez, clingy much?”

The blonde frowned. “Clingy? I was just worried for her.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say blondie.”

Killua shrugged his shoulders, Kurapika furrowing his eyebrows.

‘I’m not being clingy…’

(Name) was back soon after, wearing a sweater and pair of shorts. She stretched lightly before getting back to her knitting.

Killua watched as Kurapika sat beside her again. “Clingyyyy!”

The blonde hadn’t been noticed he’d gravitated towards her again, sending the white haired boy a look. “She’s teaching me how to knit, you brat.”

“Brat!?”

Killua jumped up to walk over, but Gon pulled him back down. “Hey, we’re going to lose!”

He grumpily continued playing, a pout on his lips. “Stupid blonde twink…”

As she taught him to knit, Kurapika quietly taught her a few words.

She struggles to pronounce them, fumbling over the word for water bottle until he started chuckling. “That’s close, but it’s a long a, not a short one.”

(Name) tried again, Kurapika having to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing. It was cute really, watching her nose scrunch up as she attempted to pronounce it correctly.

“Close enough. Good job, (Name).”

He patted her head, the girl pouting. “Close enough isn’t good enough, I want to get it right! It’s only right that I’m able to pronounce it correctly.”

Kurapika blinked, the pink returning to his cheeks. “Well, if that’s what you want, you can keep trying.”

(Name) continued until she got it right, Kurapika genuinely impressed. “You did it. Wow, I’m surprised.”

“What, you didn’t believe in me?”

She was teasing him, the blonde frowning. “I did, it’s just the Kurtan language isn’t easy to learn. It’s actually considered one of the hardest.”

This caused (Name) to sit up a little straighter. “Really?”

The corner of his lip twitched upwards into a smile. “Yes, so you being able to pronounce anything is praise worthy. Good job, (Name).”

Her face heated up and she played with the edge of her shirt. “Hehe, thank you…”

They switched information back and forth, (Name) guiding his hands to create new items through knitting, and Kurapika having her watch his lips as he pronounced a new word.

Honestly, he was having fun, more fun than he had in a long. It was nice for someone to be so interested in an integral part of him, his mother tongue.

“How do you say bread?”

Kurapika looked away from the pair of socks he’d been working on. “Bread? Um…”

He thought for a moment before stating the word. (Name) nodded, turning her gaze away from the loaf of bread to look at him.

Kurapika paused. Instead of saying the word for bread, she’d stumbled and said something else, something a lot more… intimate.

“I love you.”

His face turned completely red. She was looking right at him, her eyes staring into his and had just said she loved him in his mother tongue.

“Pika, are you alright?”

He felt like his heart was going to break out of his chest with how hard it was thumping against his ribs. In his mind, he knew it was a slip of the tongue, but his body was still heating up.

“I- you…”

(Name)’s eyebrows furrowed, confused until the realization dawned upon her. “Oh no, did I say something bad? Wait, it wasn’t something offensive was it?”

She scooted closer, leaning towards him. “I’m sorry Pika, I didn’t mean to.”

She was too close, much too close. His eyes were red again, the man able to see the reflection of scarlet in her own. “N… no, it wasn’t offensive. You haven’t upset me.”

She calmed slightly, leaning back. “Oh, then what did I say?”

Now that was something Kurapika couldn’t tell her. “It was… nothing important. Don’t worry about it.”

Killua appeared behind (Name) using her head as an armrest. “Hey, are you going to teach me some cuss words or not? I’ve got some people to piss off.”

Kurapika, who’s face was still burning hot, huffed. “Sure, say this.”

(Name) held back a giggle when Kurapika said the word for bread, making sure Killua could pronounce it correctly before he left.

“Nice save, Pika.”

He nodded, still trying to calm himself down. The exact phrase she’d used was one shared between lovers. There were multiple ways to say “I love you”, some platonic and some romantic.

And he’d never been told “I love you” like that before.

————————

The time was ticking down, with only an hour left. Although she enjoyed the time she spent with them, (Name) was ready for some fresh air.

The group stood at the door, all feeling relieved when they opened.

“Let’s move.”

They ran through hallways, (Name) feeling herself being thrown over someone’s shoulder.

By how high up she was, she assumed it was Leorio.

They were being chased(?) by a rock Indiana Jones style.

“Why do I have to be carried?”

“Too slow!” they all said in unison.

“Okay rude.”

The next trap had them crawling under lasers, (Name) having to move very slow.

“Hurry up, (Name).”

“Shut up, my butt is bigger than yours and I don’t want it being lasered off!”

After she was done, she had everyone turn around so she could change her now singed pants.

She was glad she’d choses a pair of shorts when they had to climb up between two walls. “Well at least the view is nice.” Leorio said from under her.

She considered kicking him, but fortunately she cared a bit too much to do that. “You’re lucky I’m nice.”

Kurapika pulled her up when she got closer to the top, ignoring Leorio’s plea for help.

After hours of work, they reached one of the last doors. (Name) ignored Tonpa and Leorio’s bickering, walking into the room.

‘This is either some kinky sex dungeon or a torture room. Shit, maybe both.’

“Applicants attention please. You’ve come to the first fork upon the path of majority rules. Your long journey to journey to the bottom of trick tower is almost at an end. First, you must cast one final vote. There are two doors in front of you. The door with the O will lead all of you on a long dangerous path to the bottom. The door with the X will lead to a path that is short and easy. Only four of you are allowed to take it. If the majority chooses X, the door will not open until two of you have been handcuffed to the wall with the chains provided. Those two applicants will have to stay that way until time has run out.”

They all looked to the O door.

“By the way, I should inform you that the path behind the O door would take at least 45 hours to complete. Where as the path behind the X door will get you to the bottom in 3 minutes. So will you vote X or O? Let the majority rule!”

(Name) tilted her head, glancing at the X door.

“Not an easy decision.”

Kurapika blinked. “Leorio?”

“I’m gonna be honest with you guys. I’m going to choose the shorter path, the X door, and I’m not getting chained to a wall either. I’m going to be one of the four to leave this room, no matter what it takes.”

He walked towards one of the walls, containing various weapons. “Looks like the examiner thought of everything. There are weapons here to suit the fighting style of just about anyone in the world. Guess it’s their way of telling us we have to fight to decide who gets to move on.”

“Well I’m pressing the O button.”

(Name) glanced back to see Gon. “We came this far together, and I think we should stick together right until the end. I know we’ve only got a small chance of making it, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

(Name) and Kurapika smiled at the boy.

“Get serious, we have less than one hour left now, we don’t have any choice. We gotta take the shorter path, the only question left is how we decide who gets to go. I don’t have any intention of giving up yet, so unless someone stays behind we’re going to have to fight each other.”

(Name) stopped paying attention to the situation, walking over to the chains as they talked. She lifted one of the chains, studying them as Tonpa egged Leorio on.

“I’ll stay behind.”

“No!” Her four friends yelled in unison.

Kuraoika pulled her away before she could chain herself up. “I’m going to choose O. Like Gon said, there might be another way out of this we haven’t thought of yet.”

(Name) pouted. “Don’t I get a say in any of this?”

Kurapika pinched her cheek. “No, you don’t.”

She folded her arms and sat in a corner as they rest of the group argued over what they’d do. She was sure she heard someone swing an axe and hit the wall close to her, but out of pure spite she ignored them.

‘Stupid men and their chivalry…’

“Hey, wait! Look at this!”

(Name) continued to pout as Gon pointed out that the could be damaged. “Hey, (Name), pick O!”

She squinted her eyes, but listened to Gon.

“Is she going to help us?”

“No, she’s busy pouting.”

At that, she stood and ran over, biking Leorio over the head. “I was not pouting!”

(Name) picked up a weapon and began helping them break through the wall to the X door, only stopping when Kurapika put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s our turn. Go rest.”

“Hmph.”

She walked past him and Leorio, opening her bag and only allowing herself to hide out in pain due to her blistered hands when no one was paying attention. ‘Shit, that hurts. Gonna need to wrap these up…’

Just in time, the group arrived at the bottom of the tower. (Name) flew through the air, only being held down by Kurapika.

Once they disembarked from the makeshift car thing, (Name) collapsed onto the ground.

“(Name), are you alright?”

“Floor time. Need some floor time.”

Kurapika and Leorio shared a look, but they let her be.

“Okay, everyone give me your hands.”

She began spritzing them with sanitizer spray, giving Gon a little extra. “Gon, you’re a great kid but you need to wash your hands more.”

He scratches the back of his head sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry.”

After stretching a bit she stood, shouldering her backpack. “Let’s just hope Hisoka died- oh wait there he is. Can’t have shit during the Hunter Exam.”

Kurapika raised an eyebrow. ‘I guess even she has people she dislikes.’

(Name) and Kurapika stood next to each other as the doors to the outside world opened. “Ahh, natural sunlight!”

She shielded her eyes. Kurapika chuckled and helped lead her outside.

“I’d like to congratulate you all for escaping Trick Tower. Your ride to the next Phase is here!”

(Name) leaned against Kurapika’s shoulder as an airship appeared. “Guess that’s our ride”

————————

It didn’t take long to reach their destination, the group of five watching from the airship.

“Hmm, do you think we’ll get to swim?” (Name) asked, staring down at the vast ship graveyard.

“Probably. Do you enjoy swimming?”

She nodded. “Yes!”

They landed shortly after, (Name) running off of the airship and inhaling the salty air. “Mmm, it’s been forever since I’ve seen the ocean!”

She twirled around, stretching out her legs. Kurapika smiled fondly, following after her. “I guess this must be the test sight for the fourth phase.”

“I wonder what it will be?”

(Name) shrugged at Gon’s question. “Maybe a swimming contest?”

“Hello applicants! We are your hosts! Welcome to our hotel.”

An elderly couple stood before them, bowing politely.

“Do you think they’re the next examiners?” Leorio asked, bent over with motion sickness.

“No, they’re not.” Killua answered.

“How do you know?”

“I just do. Isn’t that what Gon always says?”

“Whatever.”

The couple smiled, the woman speaking. “We’re so pleased that all of you could make it! I’m the manager of this hotel, and I run it with my husband.”

(Name) swayed back and forth, trying her best to pay attention but unable to. She was too excited to get in the water, peeking behind Kurapika to stare.

“The exam committee has given me a message to deliver to all of you applicants. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations on a job well done. The 4th phase will begin three days from now. Until then, please take a break and enjoy all that this island has to offer.”

(Name) sighed in relief and let her shoulders relax. “Wow a break!” Gon said. Leorio coughed.

“Aww, that’s too bad, I was kind of looking forward to getting right into the next phase.”

Kurapika smiled. “This has been pretty intense since day one, a little rest and relaxation would do us a lot of good.”

The group began walking towards the hotel, everyone happy to take a break.

“Just a minute please!”

(Name) stopped, shouldering her backpack.

“Here you have to pay in advance. 10 million Jenny per person!”

(Name) blinked. “Oh dear.”

“10 million Jenny!?” Leorio exclaimed.

“That’s what it costs?”

“Seriously?” Killua asked, after Gon.

“That’s way too expensive!”

(Name) pouted, crouching on the ground and as the group argued.

“For people in your situation, we’re more than happy to suggest an alternative method of payment. What have you got to trade? As a side business, my wife and I also run a little antique shop. There are a number of shipwrecks in the island. Many of them still have treasure on board. If you were, to say, bring something back of value to us, you could put it towards your room.”

“Are you serious?”

“The type of room we give you would depend on the value of what you find. The better the item, the better the room.”

The group began to leave, (Name) staying behind.

“(Name)? Are you coming?”

Her friends waited for her, Kuraoika being the one who asked.

“Yes, just a moment. You guys go ahead.”

The hesitantly listened to her request, leaving to go and search the shipwrecks.

(Name) turned towards the elderly couple.

“Excuse me… but I may already have something to trade.”

“Oh? Well let’s see it then.”

(Name) opened her bag, pulling out a golden brooch. The old man took it, humming. “What’s this?”

“It’s a golden brooch, a gift from my mother for graduating high school.”

The old man raised an eyebrow. “You’re trading in a gift from your mother?”

His eyes softened at her expression. It wasn’t the face of someoem giving away something precious. Her eyes were full of hurt and resentment. Obviously, the brooch had caused her a lot of pain.

“Yes. I don’t want it, at least here it can be of some use to me.”

The man glanced to his wife. “This is worth quite a lot, but not enough for a private room. Do you mind sharing with two other people?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I would like to help my friends now. Could I get my key later?”

He nodded. “Yes. Go along now.”

The old man watched as she left. “What a kind girl. She’s not going to get a better room, but do help her friends…”

(Name) joined Kurapika and Leorio, the blonde’s face lighting up when he spotted her.

“(Name)! How did it go?”

She sighed, setting her backpack down. “Alright, I guess. I have a room at least, thought I’ll be sharing with two other people.”

“Two other people? Perhaps you should try and get a better room, (Name).” Kurapika said.

‘What if she rooms with someone dangerous?’

His face turned pink when he saw her lift up her shirt. “Well, I’m going to be diving for treasure, but only to help you guys out.”

“(N-Name), what are you-“

She placed her shirt on her back before pulling off her skirt, revealing a pair of shorts. “I’m getting ready to swim. What else would I be doing?”

He turned his head away, his entire face red. “Please tell me before you begin to undress next time.”

She pouted. “But Leorio just took off his shirt. Unfair.”

“He’s a guy!”

She rolled her eyes, stuffing her clothes into her bag. “Could you watch my bag for me, Pika? I don’t want it getting stolen.”

“Oh, yes.”

He turned back, averting his eyes before he got a good luck at her. It was a little cute, she was just in a modest sports bra and shorts, but that was enough to fluster the boy.

“Hehe, thanks. I owe you one~”

She dived into the water, leaving Kurapika standing on the ship, gripping his tabard. His eyes darted to Hanzo, who had been peeking at (Name) as she undressed.

“Keep your eyes on the treasure, Hanzo. I won’t have you leering at (Name).” Kurapika called. The ninja huffed.

“What, are you her boyfriend or something? Lay off.”

Kurapika’s eyebrow twitched. “I don’t have to be her boyfriend to worry about her well being. Don’t let me catch you looking at her like that again, this is your only warning.”

When she resurfaced, (Name) was holding a small treasure box. “Pika, Pika look! I found something!”

She swam over, placing it in the deck. “Oh, this chest looks very old. Nice find, (Name).”

They opened it, only to be disappointed. It was empty, besides a bunch of water that was leaking of if a hole at the bottom. “Awww…”

Kurapika smiled, patting her head. “It was a good try. Why don’t you try again? I’m going to search the ships. Gon and Killua are in the area, so go swim near them.”

She nodded, pulling him in for a hug. “Thanks, Pika!”

He yelped, his hands flying into the air. “(N-Name)! You’re…”

“Oh, sorry, forgot I was wet!”

She pulled back quickly. He’d been more concerned she was half naked, but used her being wet as an excuse. “M-Mhm, I’m going now, be safe.”

(Name) got her key and found her room. She hadn’t met back up with Kurapika, so she didn’t have her bag that contained her clothes yet. She did her best, dropping her wet clothes into the hamper and taking a shower before wrapping a towel around herself.

“I guess could ask my roommate to retrieve my bag for me… I don’t want to walk around in a towel…”

She sat on her bed, pouting, until she heard the door open.

“Hello? I heard-“

It was Kurapika standing in the doorway, staring at (Name) with wide eyes. She sighed in relieve. “Pika, thank g-“

The blonde turned away so quick that her backpack swung on his back. “Why are you naked? Don’t you know how many dangerous men are taking this exam? Your roommate could have been any one!”

“But it wasn’t anyone, it was you.”

He paused, tossing her bag to her. “Just,.. go get dressed.”

She giggled. “Alright, if you’re that opposed to me relaxing in a towel, I’ll get dressed.”

(Name) stood up, walking to the bathroom. “There’s a shower, by the way. You can take one when I’m done.”

Kurapika sat on his bed, waiting for her to get dressed. In the small amount of time they’d spent apart, he had already begun to miss her. He scolded himself for this.

‘You shouldn’t get too attached. Think of your mission, having too many attachments could jeopardize it.’

But when (Name) walked out, wearing a pair of pajama pants and tshirt, he couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll shower now.”

She paused. “Oh, do you want me to wash your clothes while you do?”

He tilted his head. “I guess so. I plan on taking a longer shower than usual, so there should be enough time…”

He thought for a moment, calculating the time it would take to both wash and dry his clothes in his head.

“Well, if they’re not dry in time, you can just borrow my clothes.”

Kurapika blinked. “Your clothes?”

“Mhm. They may be big on you, but they should work in a pinch. I have an extra pair of pajamas.”

She set the shirt and pants out for him. “Here, just in case.”

He held the clothes to his chest, cheeks turning pink. ‘Oh, they smell like her perfume…’

“Do you mind if I wash your clothes with mine?”

He shook his head. “Not at all.”

With that, she left, carrying their clothes with her.

———————

When (Name) got back with their laundry done, Kurapika was sat in bed, wearing her tshirt and pajama pants, while Hanzo argued with him.

“If you have a problem with your room arrangements, bring it up with the owner.” Kurapika said, flipping through a book.

“Oh I will!”

Hanzo turned around, seeing (Name) standing in the doorway carrying a laundry basket.

“Move.”

She did, staring at him with a raised eyebrow. “What an asshole, I hope we don’t have to share a room with him.”

Kurapika sighed. “I’m not sure we’ll have much of a choice.”

The two sighed, (Name) dumping the laundry basket on her bed and sorting through the clothes. ���Here’s your clothes, Pika.”

He took them shyly, seeing them all folded neatly on the bed. Kurapika tried not to think about the fact she’d washed his underwear, knowing it wasn’t something she cared about.

“Oh, I hope you don’t mind but I used floral detergent. I wasn’t sure what to use, but that’s my favorite.”

He sniffed his tabard, sighing contentedly. “I don’t mind, it smells lovely.”

She smiled brightly, finishing her laundry before jumping onto his bed.

“Hey!”

He laughed when she landed, watching as she wiggled around into she was facing him. “I know it’s early, but I’m so tired. I think I’ll go fishing and gathering for some dinner then sleep.”

Kurapika nodded, sitting up. “I’ll get dressed and come with you.”

(Name) set her comfortable pajamas to the side and threw on her only dress. She didn’t plan on doing anything too strenuous, so a knee length sundress would be perfect for exploring the small island.

“You… you look nice, (Name).”

Kurapika shyly complimented her. She giggled. “Thank you!”

The two left their room, fishing for a bit before leaving to travel around the island and forage.

There were several fruit trees, along with wild onions, mushrooms, and potatoes.

“We’ve got a pretty good amount of food, it should last us more than two days.” (Name) said, placing another potato into their borrowed basket.

“Yeah, but I’d like to have a little extra.”

She giggled. “For Leorio?”

Kurapika smiled. “Yes, I doubt he’d be able to feed himself, considering he’s never cooked before.”

She nodded balancing the basket on her hip. “Alright then, let’s keep going.”

After they gathered for 15 more minutes, the two returned to the beach. “I’ll start a fire, could you find a pan for me?”

“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”

(Name) started a fire, sitting on a log as she began chopping up some of the vegetables. She’d rinsed them beforehand, sighing to herself as she considered what she should make.

‘I guess we could skewer the fish then I can sauté the vegetables… it’s not perfect, but it will fill out stomachs.”

Kurapika returned with Leorio in tow. “Guess who’s replacing Hanzo as our roommate?”

“Leorio!” (Name) waved, having already cleaned and skewered the fish. Kurapika handed her the pan, watching as she tossed in the chopped vegetables and mushrooms before beginning to cook.

“Wow, (Name), you sure are efficient.”

Kurapika sat down next to her, watching as she worked. The fire was kept small, with a rock she used to rest the pan on in the center.

“When’s it going to be ready? Im starving.”

Leorio plopped down on the other side of her, the sound of his stomach growling making her laugh. “It won’t take long. Why don’t we share some stories as we wait?”

This was perfect, both Kurapika and Leorio were curious to learn more about her.

“Actually, (Name), I’m curious on how you got your own room without having to search for treasure yourself.”

She went quiet, eyes staring into the flames of the fire.

“(Name)?”

Kurapika put a hand on her shoulder, the girl sighing before answering. “I traded a golden brooch my mother gave me.”

The blonde’s grip tightened, being almost painful. “You… gave away something your mother gave you?”

He almost sounded hurt, pulling away from her. “(Name), that’s…”

He wrapped his arms around himself. “I would give anything to have something that belonged to my family. To know you’d give something like that away…”

He frowned, but his expression changed when he saw (Name)’s face.

There were tears running down her cheeks, but her eyes were empty. Leorio patted her back, sighing. “You don’t have to explain yourself if you don’t want to, (Name).”

She shook her head. “No, no, it’s fine. In most cases, Kurapika, I would agree with you. Giving away a gift given to you by someone that loves you is unforgivable.”

Kurapika’s eyes widened at her words.

“But my mother never loved me, and just before the Hunter Exam I was disowned. I no longer have a family to go back to.”

She felt Kurapika’s arms wrap around her and pull her close. “I… I apologize for assuming the worst of you. I… understand how it feels to not have anyone to come home to.”

(Name)’s lip quivered before she let herself cry into Kurapika’s arms, Leorio scooting closer to pull them into a hug.

After being comforted, (Name) wiped away her tears and cleared her throat. “Kurapika, Leorio, if we all pass, I’m going to buy a house, and it’s going to open if anyone ever needs a place to stay.”

She held onto Kurapika’s hand, the blonde softening at the slight tremble in her hands.

“We can make a home together, okay?”

Kurapika didn’t respond, only holding her hand tight with both of his.

The three ate dinner before returning to their room. As Leorio showered, the two played with (Name)’s cards.

[ari-or-art]

For your consideration: Mimi & Enki

Ack!! I love Mimi and I love Enki and when I got to thinking about it, they totally match each other’s freak. I just really feel like they’d get along and would be great friends in a crossover.

(This entire idea stemmed from a really dumb idea I had a few days ago because of that audio- “name a more iconic duo” was stuck in my head, and so I present to you the twink & redhead duo)

To be clear, Mimi’s and Enki’s designs/colours are done in a more headcanony way- so I gave Enki more melanin and made Mimi a redhead (it just felt right).

Okay so, I wanted to show the crossover in a few different ways- (a lot of writing will ensue, sorry I’m a yapper through and through)

The first in the top left corner is a swap AU where Enki is in WOH and Mimi is in Funger. I tried to capture the essence of both games while staying in my style.

Then next in the bottom left is a modern AU/Not Evil AU where it’s present day and there’s zero supernatural stuff going on in their lives. They are college/university students in this au and I have Mimi studying Pathology and Enki studying Anthropology (probably also Religion), since those both just felt right. I had in mind that they’d both have sh scars in this au since even though there’s nothing cosmically fucked up happening, doesn’t mean they are cured of their inner turmoil- with Enki’s depression, and Mimi’s unhealthy obsession with her own self-mutilation in-game. Now both in uni, they are doing much better and have found that ✨therapy✨ works wonders.

Then lastly, it’s a proper crossover where they meet in the middle and see each other’s worlds. I feel like Enki, seeing as his world doesn’t have human people, very much not godlike at all, with two hearts and the ability to stab into one’s brain and kill the nerves in one’s brain without killing oneself, he would be intrigued by Mimi’s experiments. For Mimi, obviously she’s at least semi used to seeing horror roaming her town, but most of those are at least semi-humanoid and that isn’t the case for a large majority of the creatures in the dungeon. Obviously the gods exist in her world, but none are as big (or I guess imposing??) As they are in funger.

Any thoughts? I absolutely LOVE discussion, so if y’all have any hcs or anything I’d love to hear it.

[wooahaeruby]

Chapter 14: Disrespectful

Chapter Word Count: 4,646

Anything in Bold Italics are Korean/Another language.

Master List | Prev | Next

The flight from Jakarta was long and grueling. Everyone was tired, staff included, and Jihoon’s exhaustion was bleeding over from the last two days. You were home for just over a week before everyone would fly out to Thailand. You had work, the group had practice, and it was weighing a little on your mental health. 

While you had traveled here and there for work once and a while, it wasn’t to the taxing extent of traveling with Seventeen. There were many rules everyone needed to follow – luckily, that wasn’t the problem –, you had to be careful with fans so you hovered around security personnel on the ground, but the most taxing was always being on the go. Though New York was a fast paced place, the momentum in which Seventeen and their staff moved was mind boggling. 

They were always busy. Between makeup and hair, they were vlogging, signing things, recording Tik Toks, and already working on or discussing what was coming next. You had heard a few murmurs of Caratland ideas, a new album, even whispers of Vernon working on his solo release. There was so much going on that you didn’t know how to mentally handle it all when Jihoon was telling you things, Seokmin and Mingyu were excited, and Seungkwan was trying to help you understand (thank god). 

Jamie and Kazuki were there for you but it was getting harder to talk with them on the phone with the time zone change. Mimi and Papa always called you at the perfect times since they were up early, however they didn’t really understand the degree in which stuff was bothering you.

It was only the second day back in Seoul when Jihoon shuffled into your apartment mid-afternoon (you gave him the code over text because you were too comfortably curled up in the corner of the couch). He had been feeling uneasy all morning. When you tried to text him if he was okay, all he replied back was that he’d be over in a couple hours and you could talk about it. 

“Hi.” You peaked out from your bundle of blankets, only doom scrolling on your phone since you finished your work for the day. 

“Hey.” He said in English, near tossing himself down on the couch, head resting against some of the blankets at your feet. 

“ You okay?” 

Jihoon sighed, pulling the hat he wore over his face and groaning. “ You are gonna hate it.” 

“What- What am I going to hate?” 

“My parents are coming into town tomorrow to meet you.” 

Yeah…yeah you were going to hate that. 

Jihoon removed his hat to look up at you, watching the once relaxed look on your face turn into something closer to stressed out. Quickly he sat up and scrunched his nose up in distaste as he faced you, sighing heavily. “ I’m sorry. My mom called me this morning and said they already have a hotel booked not that far from here and wanted to meet you, more specifically her.” 

You swallowed down the lump in your throat, hiding your slightly trembling hands in the blanket around you. The uneasiness Jihoon had been feeling since earlier was still there but now he was worried and a little irritated. By the look on his face, he was able to feel the stress and dread that was growing in the pit of your stomach. 

“ Ruby-ah, it will be okay.” He reached out, placing his hand on your cheek and letting his thumb run over your skin, the buzzing of the bond trying to calm you. “ They just want to meet you.” 

“I’m meeting you parents, ‘Hoon-ah, they aren’t just normal people.” You frowned, unwrapping the cocoon you created to let him in, bundling the two of you back up. He shifted to better hold you now, bringing your head towards his shoulder and letting his arms wrap around you. Gently he placed his chin on the top of your head. 

“ I know, but I’m sure they will like you. If it helps, I’m terrified to meet your grandparents.” The small rumble of laughter he tried to push out had his shoulders shaking. “ And they are the ones that will have jet lag.” 

“ Do we have to meet them…?” 

He snorted, “ Mom would be knocking on everyone’s door and trying to contact my manager if we try to hide.” 

“Mama Bear.” 

That had both of you laughing quietly. You leaned further into Jihoon’s embrace, listening to the calm, rhythmic beating of his heart. 

“ I’m sure they will like you, Ruby-ah.” 

Jihoon was out of your apartment early the next morning, saying he wanted to hit the gym and shower before you were to meet up with his parents at noon. You could feel he was nervous but there was an unspoken agreement that it was nerve wracking for the both of you. He was still calm under the jittery feeling, working out probably was a good idea if it helped diminish his worries. 

For yourself, you did what you did best. You cleaned your apartment up despite them not even coming to your place, reviewed any paperwork needing to be handled for work, and took a shower to get yourself ready. Best impressions were in order so you put on a nice pair of slacks and a not too oversized t-shirt. You styled your hair to look more presentable and shuffled about the apartment to gather anything you need. 

When you sit down for the first time in a couple hours, you don’t know what to do. Everything was clean, you were ready to head out, nothing needed to be done. Your leg started to bounce with jittery energy, drumming your fingers against the top of your thighs. A check of the time on your phone had you still an hour away until you were to meet at a restaurant his mother wanted to visit. 

The buzz under your skin of Jihoon getting close had you springing up and hurrying to the door. Before he got a chance to tap in the keycode, you were already opening the door for him. His eyes were wide as his hand hovering where the keypad was and he looked at you with confusion. Then his expression shifted into sympathy, stepping in and closing the door. 

“ Ruby-ah, everything will be okay.” He placed both hands on your arms, “ Everything will be fine, nothing to worry about.” 

His reassurance was needed but it didn’t reach every nervous crevice of your mind. There were so many worst case scenarios racing through your head. 

“But what if they hate me?” You groaned, turning and stomping towards the couch and face planted, words coming out muffled now. “ They are going to hate me.” 

“Now you are being dramatic.” You could hear his footsteps getting closer before he sat beside your head, patting your back. “ They aren’t going to hate you.” 

That’s how you found yourself sitting beside Jihoon, waiting for his parents, at a popular Korean restaurant. Even with you holding Jihoon’s hand under the table, your heart was beating out of your chest. At his suggestion, you both went and arrived early to secure a more secluded table but the silence that followed after only heightened the uneasiness passing back and forth between the bond. You were glad you weren’t the only one feeling tense. 

Jihoon flinched and released your hand, moving to stand. Quickly you followed, straightening your shirt, following his line of sight to come face to face with his parents. To say he looked like his parents was an understatement. His father greeted you both with a smile, pulling his son close for a hug, patting him on the back. Her mother seemed much more subdued, her smile small, not fully reaching her eyes as she hugged Jihoon. 

When they turned to you, you gave a proper, deeper bow, greeting them formally in Korean, stating your name and taking a few moments pause before standing straight. His father was smiling at you but his mother…she was analyzing you. The smile was gone from her face and her eyes roamed your person, taking in everything and anything she could about you. 

“ It’s very nice to meet you, Y/N-ah.” Mr. Lee reached out and you shook his hand with both of your own. 

Mrs. Lee…she was still quiet and it was unsettling. 

“ It’s an honor to meet the both of you. I apologize that we couldn’t get together sooner between the tour schedule.” You gave them another bow, still deep but not like the previous one. With a small motion of your hand, you gestured towards the empty seats for them. “ Please sit, I’m sure the trip here was long.” 

You and Jihoon stayed standing until both of his parents sat down. When you did sit, you tried your hardest not to let your leg bounce or fidget with anything. Jihoon, thankfully, told them to order whatever they’d like, and a period of quiet fell over the table. Both his mother and father didn’t hesitate to get different dishes once the waitress arrived. 

“ How has the tour been, Jihoon-ah?” 

Jihoon cleared his throat at his father’s question, puffing his cheeks and tilted his head as he thought. “ It’s going well. It’s just tiring with all the traveling and little rest, but it’s overall satisfactory. ” 

“ Has it been hard on you, Y/N-ah?” 

You blinked at him but shook your head slightly. “ Aside from all the traveling, it hasn’t been too rough on me, but I do try my best between the schedules to help Jihoon-ah the best I can.” You wanted to say more but you didn’t know how much you probably should talk… 

His father nodded along. “I’m sure he doesn’t make it easy, knowing my son.” 

Jihoon bulked at that a bit, huffing. “ What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“You are difficult.” His father shot back, still smiling, which had you covering your mouth to laugh. 

“ No- Jihoon-ah has been fine, I mainly make sure he is eating and sleeping enough. Despite my efforts to stop him, he has been helping me a lot.” You glanced beside you and Jihoon was trying to suppress a smirk, sitting back in his chair. Looking back at his parents, you smile. “ You’ve both raised a very caring man.” 

“ What do you do for work?” His mother spoke up, her hands folded neatly on the table, raising a brow at you. 

“Oh- I do translation and international communication between my head company in America and Korea, however I also work with Japan and, occasionally, Spain.” The explanation was a little forced under her watchful eyes. “ When I was back in America, I would go into the office, but I work remotely so I can travel with Jihoon and the group.”

“Did you go to college?” 

“Yes, Ma’am. I acquired my Masters in Business Administration and International Relations. I’m hoping to move up the managerial chain of the office we have here in Seoul the longer I work here.” 

She didn’t look impressed, not that you were trying to impress her, but you were hoping she’d like that you weren’t just using Jihoon for money or anything. That was the last time you wanted from this…relationship thing you have going on. 

The waitress had returned in time to give the table a breather, placing down dish after dish with another member of staff until the table was full. Thanking them once they were finished, you and Jihoon waited until his parents took food before grabbing any for yourself. In relative silence, the four of you ate, not knowing what to ask, what to say, nothing like that. You felt completely out of your element. 

“ I’m curious, Y/N-ah,” Mrs. Lee didn’t look up from the food in front of her. “ What can you contribute to my son’s life that makes you believe you can be something outside of a soulmate?” 

Jihoon stilled and you stopped chewing. 

“ Mom-” 

“Dear-” 

“What can you contribute to my son’s life?” She repeated and lifted her head, meeting your trembling eyes. 

“ I- ” You didn’t break the gaze between you, taking in a deep breath to calm your anxiety. “ I’d like to believe that the relationship Jihoon-ah and I have can be meaningful.” 

“I didn’t ask if your relationship can be meaningful,” Mrs. Lee placed her chopsticks down and once more folded her hands neatly. “ To be frank, you don’t seem fit to help him succeed.” 

“Fit to-” You were thrown off, furrowing your brow in confusion. Your heart was in your throat and you wanted to escape but knew you couldn’t.  

“ You seem…immature. I can’t see you contributing more to Jihoon’s life than providing the necessary things for a soulmate to live.” 

There was anger starting to rise within you. The confusion you wore easier flattened into a stony expression. Jihoon whipped his head to look at you then towards his mom. 

“ That’s enough.” Jihoon spoke up but his mother was staring you down. 

“ Lee-nim,” You kept your anger at bay, keeping your tone even. “ I don’t appreciate you assuming things about who I am based on this first meeting.”

The air surrounding you was so thick you could cut through it with a knife. Both Jihoon and his father were stunned silent, neither sure of what to do at the moment. The staring contest between you and his mother was deadly. 

“ I wonder what type of people raised you seeing as your parents didn’t raise you with any respect for your elders.” 

Your heart stopped. All the anger that once built up within was heightened. Around you, things moved in slow motion. Jihoon raised his voice but everything was muffled as if cotton was shoved in your ears. 

“Whether you like it or not, I’m Jihoon’s soulmate. I’ve worked my ass off to get to where I am by myself and I won’t let you determine the type of person I am or how I can help him succeed in life when he has already done so much for himself. You speak about respect for elders but my grandparents taught me to only respect those who show me respect and currently I see none.” You stood from your seat, three sets of eyes staring at you in shock. “ Now if you will excuse me, I will not let myself be disrespected by someone who doesn’t even know me, nor seem willing to get to know me. Enjoy your time with Jihoon. I’m no longer hungry. I’m done.” 

You took your card out of your wallet and handed it to Jihoon before giving a curt bow to his mother and father. 

“ Ruby-ah-” Jihoon looked panicked and you felt the alarm flow between you. 

“It’s fine. Enjoy the food.” 

And with slow, heavy steps, you left the building and walked aimlessly through the busy city streets. 

He was…He didn’t even know how he felt. 

Watching as they left the restaurant, the outrage they felt, it was surreal. 

Never had he imagined that his mother would treat someone so harshly, let alone with such little respect. She was usually composed and kind but now she was down right nasty. 

“ What is wrong with you?” He bulked in disbelief, furrowing his brow. “ What the hell is wrong with you?” 

His mother scoffed and frowned at him. “ What is wrong with me? What is wrong with them!? Disrespectful and immature are an understatement of what they are!” 

“The only person here that is disrespectful is you! You just met them and you are telling them that they can’t be more than my soulmate? Someone that is keeping me alive?” Now he was getting angry. 

“ They aren’t. They will hold you back every step of the way.” Her words were frigid. 

“Hold me back- Mom, you don’t know them!” 

“Clearly I don’t have to, Jihoon-ah.” 

“ Enough. Both of you.” His father placed his hand firmly on the table, causing both his mother and him to shut their mouths. He turned his direction to his wife, “ I’m disappointed in you. You didn’t give them a single chance. You judged them based on whatever you read online from horrible fans.” 

His mother scoffed once more. “ Unlike you, I’m trying to watch out for our son and make sure his future will hold success.” 

Jihoon let out a groan of frustration. “ I’m not a child anymore! I’m twenty-six this year! I don’t need you vetting my soulmate when fate has already picked them!”

“Just because they are your soulmate, doesn’t mean they are perfect for you, Jihoon-ah-” 

“They are perfect.” Jihoon stood, exasperated and annoyed. He couldn’t believe that he was hearing. “ Ruby-ah is perfect to me and that’s all that matters.” 

He held his mother’s gaze, eyes narrowed in a pointed glare. She raised her chin higher, probably thinking she was right. He hated when she let her pride get the better of her. 

“ Think what you want, Jihoon-ah. I’m disappointed fate picked an ill-fit person to be tied to you for the rest of your life.” 

“ The only disappointment here is you for being a judgemental and hateful person. You raised me better than that.” 

She gasped, he didn’t know what brought him to even think those words, let alone say them, but in that moment, he meant it. 

“ Jihoon-ah.” His father started sternly but Jihoon shook his head. 

“ No, dad. The disrespect she showed Ruby-ah was too far. Neither of you raised me like that.” He pulled his wallet from his pocket and pulled out a handful of bills, placing them on the table in front of his father. “ This should cover everything. Only call me when mom is ready to apologize.” 

Jihoon grabbed his jacket and walked out the door, looking either way down the street, trying to figure out which way they went. Ruby didn’t know the city well and he didn’t know if they were heading home- 

Pulling his phone out, he quickly called them, walking down the sidewalk in the direction of the dorms. The blaring ringing went on once, twice, and he continued down the street, picking up his pace. 

“Come on-” He muttered in English when the call went to voicemail after a few moments. He hung up and sent a text message, hoping to get any sort of response. 

Waiting at a crosswalk, Jihoon bounced on his feet, still feeling their anger, but it was calmer than what they felt earlier. To his current displeasure, there were a few people – who he assumed were fans – taking pictures of him on their phones. He pulled a mask from his jacket pocket and slid it on, keeping his head down. While Carats were part of his love for his career, right now he wasn’t in the mood to be gawked at. 

When the street was clear to cross, a text came in and he was bolting down the street in the opposite direction. Ruby had sent a message of their location in the other direction along the Han River. Though he didn’t get out much, he at least knew the basis from all the years of living in the city. 

As he neared the approximate location, the hum that coursed under his skin was comforting. The subconscious pull led him directly to where they sat under a tree, staring out on the still green grass and the flowing water of the river. 

“I blew it.” They said, not looking up as he slid to a squat beside them. “ I’m sorry.” 

“ Why are you sorry? My mom was rude and judgemental.” He shifted to sit, letting his legs splat out on the grass and leaned back on his hands. “ It was uncalled for.” 

It was music to his ears hearing Ruby snort and try to cover up their laugh. “ She is still your mom, Jihoon-ah.” 

“And moms can be overbearing and unaccepting of their kids growing up. I’m sure your grandmother can relate to that.” 

“Yeah. I guess she can…” Ruby sighed, running a hand through their hair before laughing under their breath. “ When I was in my first semester of college, Mimi drove all the way from upstate New York to the city to see me every month. She kept saying that she needed someone to take care of outside of Papa. It took her a while to realize that I was an adult after that.” 

“I’m sorry about what she said about your parents.” 

“ You don’t need to apologize for her, she can do that for herself if she throws her pride aside.” Their voice was laced with a hint of anger, that same feeling was still in the bond. 

“ Say what’s on your mind before I have to deal with you sulking for hours on end.” Jihoon rolled his eyes. 

Ruby huffed, criss-crossing their legs and crossing their arms. “ I know she is your mom and all, but who does she think she is judging me!? I’m not here for your money, I’m not here to use you in any way, and I’m definitely better than some of the people in this world for who your soulmate could have been.” 

He snorted but said nothing, letting them continue. “And learning a shit ton of languages is hard! It came earlier to me than math. Let alone getting my Masters in a double major. And asking me what I contribute to your life? Are we still in the fifties? No offense but you don’t know how to really cook! She should be happy I’m feeding you whenever you come over! And I make you sleep at a reasonable time!” 

That had him bursting out in laughter, face scrunching up and shoulders shaking. They weren’t wrong. Even in just a month, Ruby has been helpful in the caring for himself aspect of everything. And…And Ruby can cook pretty well so he wasn’t going to complain. 

“ I’m serious! She doesn’t know me, she assumes that because I’m ' disrespectful' and 'immature' that I’m not a responsible person. I pay bills, I work a full time job, and I have to deal with you and all of Seventeen! Especially ‘97 line, maybe minus Minghao-ah because they are up my ass!” 

“They will never leave you alone. You’ve signed the figurative contract and now Mingyu-ah and Seokminie will forever be your problem.” He gasped for air, watching them throw their arms up in defeat. 

Ruby pouted, rolling their head back and to the side to look at him. Jihoon easily looked back, but saw their eyes looking over his shoulder. 

“ Are they recording us?” He asked and they nodded. He wasn’t surprised fans followed him or noticed him in general. “ Come on.” 

Lazily he stood, holding his hand out to help them up and patted off their back. Jihoon slid his hand properly into Ruby’s, pulling out his phone to order a taxi. Ruby stepped close, seemingly hiding him the best they could. The fans did keep their distance, but the chorus of loud whispers and phones being held up to videos or pictures were making Ruby uncomfortable, he could feel it. He turned his back to the fans that looked upon them, facing his soulmate and waited for the notification that the car he ordered arrived. 

“ Are we going home?” They whispered, keeping their head down. 

“ Yeah, I’m gonna get us home.” 

“ ...I’m never going to get used to that.” 

“Do you see why I’m a homebody?” He followed their hushed voice, pouting his lips as he looked down at his phone. “ Sleep, exercise, work, sleep, that is my life.” 

Ruby snorted and a small smile spread on their face, “Don’t remind me, loser.” He only rolled his eyes, running his thumb over their knuckles as a small distraction.

Without too long of a wait, the taxi came and Jihoon pulled Ruby along towards the road, matching the car’s plate to the app, and opened the door for them to get in. The ride back to the doors wasn’t long and Jihoon was already receiving messages from Seungcheol asking ‘ why Carats are posting about him and Ruby on twitter when they were supposed to be at lunch with his parents?’ 

“ Wah, he really does work fast.” Ruby leaned against his side, looking down at his phone to better see Cheol’s texts. “ It’s kinda terrifying.”

“ Well, your name has been added to his roster of ‘people I can look up on twitter now when I’m bored’. Congratulations.” 

“I will never know peace between knowing all of you.” 

“Welcome to my life.” 

“No no!” Mingyu whined, throwing himself helplessly to the floor across from you. “ Tell us what happened!” 

“Yeah!” Seokmin tossed a crumpled up napkin at you which you dodged. “ We’ve met Jihoon-hyung’s mom, she wasn’t mean to us.” 

“You aren’t his soulmate.” Minghao pointed out, taking another bite of his takeout. “Ruby-ah isn’t a normal person in the eyes of a mother.” 

“ For example, Jihoonie’s mom loves me.” Soonyoung spoke up and everyone told him to shut up which caused him to pout. “ Mean…”  

“ I’ve never heard her so critical before.” Jihoon spoke up, pushing his food around with his chopsticks. “ She wasn’t even this bad when I told her I was going to be a trainee.” 

“Ruby-ah~ Tell us~” Seokmin said in a sing-song tone, using one of his chopsticks as if it was a wand, pointing it at you and twirling it happily. 

“She like-” You puffed out air, fidgeting side to side as you thought. “ She first asked about my education and my job so I explained all that. Then she asked me something about how I can 'contribute more to his life than just being his soulmate'. Then she called me disrespectful and immature and this mother f-” 

You stopped yourself, getting angry, similar to how you were earlier. “ Sorry, didn’t mean for that to slip…Then she brought up my parents not teaching me respect.” 

The air surrounding the group of you tensed and you sighed. They all knew vaguely (except for Jihoon who got to hear the whole story) of your family with how much time you’ve spent with them. You shrugged, shoveling some food into your mouth, not wanting to get too heated as of now.

“ Sorry Jihoonie, but your mom was a bitch.” Soonyoung said it so casually that you nearly choked on your food. 

“Thank god someone said it.” You threw your head back in laughter, falling over onto Jihoon who was trying not to laugh at it while Soonyoung smirked to himself. The rest of 97 line was in different extents of laughter, Mingyu on the floor and Minghao giggling with shaking shoulders. “I was going to say…Mother fucker but that would have been mean.” 

That made them roar up again and Jihoon followed by throwing his head back, face scrunched up in a wide smile. Seokmin and Mingyu were laying on their backs on the floor, Soonyoung was keeled over on the couch, holding his stomach as he gasped for air. Minghao sat beside you with his back to the couch, shoulders raised and curling in on himself as he laughed. 

You were glad you became friends with Seventeen. They were just the company you needed to deal with this. It was nice to have them as friends when Jamie and Kazuki were halfway around the world.

[werelosingdaylight]

Life worth Living

Morizono Aguni x GN!Reader

REQUESTED? Yes • [No]

WORD COUNT: 486

SUMMARY| You saved him, and he is glad you did.

Adm Note: I FINALLY FINISHED MY AGUNI THING AND ITS SO SHORT BUT MY HEART IS FULL OF LOVE FOR THIS MAN!! Also, a tag to the biggest Aguni enthusiast I have met: @herbyzung

You had woven yourself into his skin so easily, like the work of a master who had years of training, lacing yourself through the cracks of his breaking mask and now laying under his flesh in a peaceful slumber, molding yourself into him until your souls danced to the same tune with each other; no longer was his soul dancing alone in the darkness.

No, now he had you. You, who came into his life just when he needed it. You, who pulled him away from the edge of the deepest pit he could find. You, who managed to fight away the demons that lingered in his mind with the light that you carried with you. You, who saved him from himself, even if you didn't know it.

And he was so grateful you did, because if you didn't he wouldn't be here. You holding the newest addition to your little family; A cat that you affectionately named 'Mimi' who was curling into your chest and sucking on your pinky finger.

It had been three years since you managed to save him, he had originally mistaken you for an Angel; the Sun was burning behind you giving, you an Angel glow, as you led him away from the edge.

Your voice reminded him of a siren song, Beautiful and Angelic, but deadly if followed into the deep waters, oh, how he wished to be drowned by the beautiful creature that stood before him. A smile so bright it put the suns rays to shame as you did the job ten times better, lighting up the room with your mere presence alone.

In his eyes you're a divine deity sent to save him from his own destruction, you were not carved from stone, but forged from the soil of earth, you were real and glowing but so deeply connected that he oftentimes wondered if he did die that day.

If he was? He didn't mind, because you were waiting on the other side to greet him with caring eyes and gentle caresses. The promises of love you spoke had been carved so elegantly into his bones that he could still recall your voice in his head.

A smile was on his face as he watched you coo at the cat, who had fallen asleep with your pinky still in her mouth, from his stance leaning against the door frame he couldn't help but feel the love and adoration that rolled off of you in waves; so much passion that the harshest waves of the ocean would feel like rain drops hitting his skin.

"Aguni, look!" Your voice was a soft whisper like yell, not wanting to wake the sleeping kitten in your arms. The excitement that beamed in your eyes had a warm smile pulling at the corner of his lips; Life was always going to be a struggle, but to Aguni? You made life worth living.

[ode2rin]

we need more rin thoughts from you pretty please 🎀 mimi please 🎀 help us get through this shitty economy please 🎀

since you asked so nicely 😭

you've heard my take on orange peel theory and now i present to you... itoshi rin and the hedgehog's dilemma :D i know i have a draft about this somewhere lmao anws here it goes!

hedgehog's dilemma is abt a group of hedgehogs who want to huddle together for warmth in the winter but can't stop themselves from sticking each other with their sharp spines. it's a metaphor for people wanting intimacy but inevitably push people away :D

i just think rin has this huge dilemma.. especially before the two of you became a couple.

btw there's just no way itoshi mf rin is confessing first, i'm sorry to break it to you rinnie lovers. no matter how painfully obvious that he likes you or no matter how much teasing he gets - there's just no way so you gotta take one for the team 🙏🏻 and when you confess? it's a hundred percent probability he's going to reject you and pushes you away. yup. tough life i know.

but it's not because he doesn't like you back. how can anyone not tell he likes you? he does a POOR job in hiding it, he thinks he's so slick and nonchalant but man is literally brooding next to you most of the time, scaring other people who shows the slightest hint of hitting on you. he knows your orders by heart, the type to walk to the waiter and say "they said NO pickles". offers you the first bite of his food. and not only does he know the sidewalk rule, but mf puts his hands in table and counter corners instinctively when you crouch down. even unconsciously leaving the space next to him for you to sit during group lunch breaks, and the twitch of his mouth when you sit beside him? a goner for you, really. bachira even told him he looks "mellow" when you're around (wc btw earned a lot of snickers in disbelief because itoshi rin??? mellow???? like, do we know the same person babe?)

i'm a firm believer that rin is a "fell first ➔ ignore it, it will pass it's just a stupid crush what am i?? 10?? ➔ SHIT i can't fucking ignore it *panics* ➔ then fell even harder (but denies it still)" type. when rin realized he likes you, he lets out a laugh in utter disbelief. like he just Laughed on his own... followed by an abundance of curse words... then his mind went blank for a minute then fear and self-doubt crept in.

for someone who has an ego as massive as the ocean, self-sabotage goes crazyyyy in that man's head i swear to god especially when it concerns you. you, ever so bright and pretty, you, who for some reason chose to look at him. rin will probably think at some point that you must be incredibly stupid to choose to like someone like him. actually, what the hell were you thinking. he was supposed to hide these shitty feelings until it leaves him and now you're saying you like him too!! what the hell is going to do now? push you away, that is.

but don't worry :3 just a tiny push, some missing you hours, and maybe some sprinkles of jealousy will make him come banging on your door and taking the rejection back 👍🏻

so yeah. getting together with rin is gonna be such a long ride because of his personal issues but god, does he make it so worth it when you're finally together.

[britswriting]

Visiting Y/N on Campus! H.S

Summery: Harry surprises his girlfriend on campus!

Rate: Everyone - brief swearing

WC: 2k - fluff Xx

Masterlist

Read on Wattpad

Harrysbabyhoney: Harry Styles spotted at an airport in Boston this morning!

Simone34857: Help I almost shat my pants seeing Harry Styles 😭 It was 4am. I wanted a snack- HE SAW ME LOOK LIKE A RAT KILL ME

All the girls at Y/N’s University were losing their minds as Harry swiftly walked through the campus, knowing exactly where he was going.

He gave quick waves and head nods to passing fans, walking too fast for them to ask for photos.

He took the stairs by two, wanting to get to his girlfriend as quickly as possible. He stopped at the RA’s desk, signing in on the sheet, thanking the young woman who seemed to care less.

16, 18, 20 he mumbled to himself, checking his phone once more before knocking on room 24, a smile on his face as he heard shuffling.

The door whipped open, his stunning girlfriend wearing a look of shock.

“Hi love”

“Shut the hell up!” She gasped, Harry laughing, opening his arms.

“Surprise?”

“You suck so bad, Styles! I look like shit” She frowned, looking down at her three day old clothes, knowing her hair hasn’t been brushed in a week and her face has crusty makeup on it from the night before.

“Gunna let me in sweetheart?” He asked, a tiny smirk appearing on her face as she went to shut the door in his face, Harry’s palm slapping the hard wooden door, stopping it. “You think you’re so cute” 

“Actually-”

“Shut up and kiss me or I’m getting back on that plane to London” He threatened, Y/N pulling him into her dorm, letting the door shut as their lips locked. “I’ve missed you baby”

Y/N showed Harry all her course work, Harry having asked how college was going, joking that he would’ve dropped out the second they said he would have to buy a $100 textbook.

“Okay Mr. Multimillionaire” She laughed, setting the textbook aside.

That evening they decided to be risky and slip out of the dorms, Harry having been craving Sushi, promising Y/N they’d stop at her favorite market on the way back.

Hand in hand they walked through campus, the sushi place being around the corner.

“Y/N?” A girl said, causing his girlfriend to turn and look, Harry following her lead. “You’re dating Harry Styles?” She asked, Y/N immediately freezing.

“Just hanging out. See you later Mimi” Y/N waved, tugging Harry away who was giggling to himself. “I swear I just watched you shit your pants”

“You’re the one who suggested we leave the safety of my dorm!” 

“Want to explore my beautiful girlfriend's campus. I haven’t been to college, you know? I mean, look at this place” He spoke in awe, tilting his head up as he looked around. “My girlfriend is so smart” He complimented, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

“Harry, we’re in public!” She gasped, shocked by his boldness.

She was surprised they were openly holding hands, and now he’s kissing her cheek? 

“And?”

“I don’t want to be on a tabloid looking like garbage!” she griped, already seeing people’s phones out.

“You don’t look like garbage babe” he reassured her, Y/N shaking her head, “I’m in BU sweatpants and your hoodie. I look like trash”

“We’re literally wearing the same thing”

~

“I don’t know how you eat that shit” She fake gagged, Harry fake a moan as he ate it, smirking at his girlfriend. “That’s disgusting”

“‘I’m so glad you love me so much babe” He teased, picking up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks, trying to force it into her mouth, Y/N’s lips in a thin line as she avoided the gross food, Harry’s grin turning into a laugh.

“You’re an asshole!” She pouted, Harry happily eating the sushi.

“Oh my god, are you Harry Styles?” A girl asked, stopping dead in her tracks by the table.

“I am, hello” He greeted her, setting the chopsticks down, the fan looking over at me, then back at Harry.

“Oh my god, Hi! I love your music! I’m seeing you next year” She exclaimed, a smile on her face.

“Awe, thank you love! Can’t wait to see you. Are you coming to the Boston show?” he asked, the girl nodding.

“I spent my life savings on it, it was worth it!” She giggled, Y/N stealing pieces of rice off Harry’s plate, Harry noticing out of the corner of his eye.

Y/N took the fan’s photo before the fan left them alone.

📍Boston, Massachusetts 

kristina_Heavens: Just met @harrystyles on my BU Campus, what is happening!! 

“Sorry baby” he apologized, turning his plate towards, Y/N, silently offering her his rice.

“S’fine, let me know if you want a box” She murmured, leaning back in her chair, pulling out her phone and subconsciously checking her timeline.

📍Boston, University 

Alyssamorelli: No fucking way is @harrystyles on my fucking campus right now

Y/N quietly sighed, shutting off her phone.

Harry knew that sigh.

“What’s wrong love?”

“We’re all over my friends' Instagram feeds” She mumbled, pinching some of the rice between her fingers, dropping it into her mouth.

“And that’s a problem, why?” He asked, plopping the last piece of sushi into his mouth, his eyes watching her subtle movements.

“It’s not a problem per se.. Just… nervous people will change around me, you know? I like being a loner. It makes skimming by easier” She confessed, Harry letting out a light chuckle.

“Next time I’ll hire an FX artist and transform myself. Show up to your dorm as an old man, big bushy beard, the whole nine yards” he grinned, Y/N smiling, shaking her head.

She gave her student ID to the woman at the counter, getting a discount on the meal, the two of them thanking her and heading out.

That night Y/N cuddled up into Harry’s chest, her laptop playing a Netflix show they had chosen to watch together as she skimmed through her math assignment, anxiously waiting for her roommate to get back.

Before she knew it, Harry had fallen asleep next to her, his arm draped over her lap as she hunched forward, pausing the show only to hear her door open, Freya walking in, her arms full of books.

Freya’s eyes widened, almost dropping her books before whisper yelling “You didn’t tell me he was coming!” to which Y/N whisper yelled “I didn’t know!” 

Y/N proceeded to quietly explain the situation, her roommate dropping all their books onto their bed, falling into their nightly routine as if Harry wasn’t even there.

The next morning Y/N and Harry went out to breakfast together off of campus, going on a mini exploration date; Harry commenting how much he loved Boston’s weather this time of year.

“I thought you were a London boy?” She teased, their hands intertwined as they walked along the sidewalk.

“London is nice in portions” he began to explain, turning to look at his beautiful girlfriend. 

How did he get so lucky?

“In portions?” She laughed, his lips tugging up into a smile, “You told me you loved it there! Now it’s only good in portions?” She giggled.

“It depends if you’re in the mood for the weather it brings, I guess. Plus, it’s busy and uh, being famous.. Can’t really sneak around as much there”

“Are you ever going to bring me?” She joked, Harry’s been hounding her for months, but with her school and work schedule she can’t seem to find any time to free herself from BU’s Campus.

“Don’t even start!” His voice raised, giving her a playful look.

“Oh come on H! Wanna meet your mum” She mocked his accent, Harry faking offense.

“Bloody American you are”

Y/N rolled her eyes, tugging Harry along with her into a shop, promising herself to not buy anymore trinkets, but that didn’t mean Harry wasn’t ready to open up his wallet, finding a magnitude of gifts for his family.

Their last day together was bittersweet, but also welcomed.

Y/N hated leaving him, but she also loved when he came back to surprise her. It gave her something to look forward to each day.

“I’m sorry people took photos of you” Harry murmured into her neck, placing a soft kiss against her skin, Y/N’s arms clinging onto his back.

“It’s alright” She sighed, Harry placing kisses up her jaw to her cheek before letting hips lips linger against her own.

“I’m going to miss you bubs” He frowned slightly at her, Y/N shaking her head.

“Just a phone call away, remember? Plus, I like when you surprise me, you know that” She grinned, Harry nodding, kissing her once more.

“I’m sorry I could only stay for two days-”

“Hey, no. Stop. It’s alright. Two days is better than no days. I’m happy I got to see you at all” She quickly reassured him, her hands reaching for his face, cradling his cheeks between her palms.

“You’re still going to try and come to a show, right?” He asked, Y/N nodding. 

“I really want to. Who knows, maybe I’ll ditch for you” She grinned, Harry’s smirk beginning to show. “It’s just hard since I’m almost graduated. I’ve got so much to do” She pouted, her hands falling down to his waist as Harry’s hands slid around to her ass, resting his hands as he kissed her again.

“Well, I can wait to be there when you get your degree, and I’m sure one of the guys will FaceTime you again if you can’t make it. I know how important graduating with honors is to you, little miss, I want to be the valedictorian”

“Hey! I’m working my ass off! Might as well have something to show for it!” She swatted his arm, harry’s hands moving to her waist, tugging her closer.

“Your master’s isn’t good enough?” he teased, Y/N rolling her eyes.

“Leave me alone Mr. This song is amazing but doesn’t fit the album. Release Singles! You can put things out that aren’t on an album Harry!” She began to argue, one they’ve had a plethora of times, neither one budging.

They playfully argued for a moment before Harry just leaned down and kissed her, knowing it worked every time, unless she truly was pissed, then he was opening a whole new door in satan’s layer.

“I’ve got to get going baby” He reminded her, sadness washing over Y/N again. “I’ve placed my recent hoodie on your bed and yours is in my bag” He reminded her, the ritual becoming a piece of mind for the both of them.

“I still can’t believe it fits you, and you wear it” She snickered, her hands playing with his hair.

“You buy hoodies in my size” he reminded her, chuckling.

“They’re comfy!”

“I know love, why I buy ‘em” 

“Shut up and get out before Jeffery sends a search warrant!” She playfully shoved him towards the door, Harry letting out a crackle.

“I love you too” he teased, his girlfriend grinning.

“I love you more, go be Harry Styles, kay?” 

“As long as I get to come home and be Harry for you”

Y/N nodded, her eyes beginning to sting, knowing he was about to walk out the door and she wouldn’t see him until god knows when.

With one more hug and kiss, the two separated and Harry signed out on the dorm sheet, wishing Y/N’s RA a good evening, repeating his route back to the airport, ready to go take off his BU hoodie and sweatpants, and put on his dazzling suit patterns, perfected hair and impeccable charm, praying that his visit on campus didn’t rise any havoc in his girlfriend’s life.

He was perfectly fine playing the role of Harry Styles, if that meant he got to still be Harry at the end of the day, snuggled up in bed on FaceTime with his girlfriend.

He didn’t know how he got so lucky finding the most incredibly beautiful, smart, ambitious, and extremely understanding girl.

He hoped playing Harry Styles didn't ruin Harry.

[notsowrites]

where every wish comes true

Summary: Alex wants everything to be perfect for his first Christmas with Michael.

A/N: my humble contribution to this year's @rnm-secret-santa for @dr-lemurr

[read it on AO3]

----------

Because the holidays have never been a big deal to Alex, he has a basic amount of Christmas decorations - a wreath for the front door, a fake tree that he usually puts up in front of the window in the study, and enough ornaments and decorations to make the tree look festive. It's basically the extent to which he feels is enough “holiday cheer.” He and Maria exchange gifts - a tradition between the two of them since they were kids. Even when he was overseas during the holidays, he'd always make sure she got sent something he knew she wanted but couldn't justify the expense for herself. Since he understood that money was difficult for her, particularly given Mimi’s medical bills. 

But in all their years together, their on and off again relationship with no discernible beginning or end points, Alex realizes that he and Michael have never shared the holiday together in any way.

And of course, everything is different now. Never before have they been in a committed relationship like this, one that others around them know about, and one where Alex feels like he can be public about his feelings for Michael. The pendant of alien glass around his neck, laying against his chest, feels like a promise that Alex intends to make good on one day.

The first problem he encounters this year, however, is where to put the tree. Typically he just rearranges the study, moving the couch from under the windows to against the wall, and putting the tree there instead. It's only temporary, and it makes the house feel a tiny bit more festive.

But when he drags the box out of the storage, and stands in the open doorway to the study, Alex realizes he doesn't want to keep the tree out of the way this year.

Wanting is something he's teaching himself is okay - he's allowed to be selfish. He's allowed to do things and desire things simply because they make him happy. And right now, he wants to put the Christmas tree in the living room, because he wants to be able to cuddle with Michael on the couch, with the fireplace going, and really see if all that fuss about coziness is actually true. There's simply never been the opportunity before where it was possible, and now that it is, Alex finds he wants to experience it for himself.

“There's nowhere to put it,” he whines to Maria on the phone, standing in the middle of the living room, surveying the furniture.

“And the study is not an option?”

Alex sighs, glancing down the hallway, the reasons floating through his mind. “No.”

“So we just need to figure out a different spot for you,” Maria replies, sounding much more confident than Alex feels. There's another voice in the background, and Alex can just make out Maria explaining his dilemma, realizing after a moment that she’s speaking to Rosa.

“Is that Rosa? I can call back-”

“She says you're overthinking it,” Maria pushes on, ignoring him. “And I agree with her.”

“Great,” he grumbles, falling down on the sofa and staring up at the ceiling. 

Overthinking is something that he knows he does on occasion, especially in regards to Michael. Because Alex can’t think of any time in his professional life - a decade in the Air Force, including officer school and two completed tours - where he’s had the same doubts and worries. Things just always seemed easier when he can fall back on facts and logic.

And Michael, well. Alex knows his feelings for Michael are sometimes anything but logical.

“What about in that space next to the dining table?” Maria asks, pulling him out of his thoughts. 

Alex glances over where there’s a potted plant in the corner near the doors that lead out to the patio; the decor in the wall alcoves; and the guitar he has leaning in the corner near his bedroom doorway. It might work, he thinks, but it’d be a tight fit. And he doesn’t really want the tree to be sticking out awkwardly, especially if he’s putting it somewhere he might trip over coming out of the bedroom.

“No, I don’t think so.”

There’s a bit of shuffling on the other end of the line, and then Alex hears Rosa loud and clear, realizing he’s been put on speaker.

“What about in that corner? Next to the sofa?”

Alex twists to look to his right where the end table is currently placed. It’s a large enough space in the corner if he moves the table and the plant - but isn’t the point of this to be able to see the tree while sitting on the couch? It really would just look like it was shoved into the only available spot between the couch and his keyboard bench.

“The couch would be in the way.”

Rosa sighs, rather loudly, and says something that Alex can’t quite make out, probably meant only for Maria anyway. While he listens to them chatter amongst themselves, he wonders about next to the fireplace, but figures there probably isn’t enough room and the tree would cover part of the TV - and it’d definitely make it harder to get to the record player. 

“Are you up for moving some furniture?” Rosa asks after a moment. “Because I think I have an idea, if I remember your house correctly, and Maria says I am.”

Not letting himself get too hopeful, Alex nods his head as if she can see him. “Yeah, if it’ll make this whole thing work.”

“Move your keyboard bench.”

For a moment, Alex wants to argue and ask where he’s going to put his music set-up in the meantime, but the answer is obvious. If he moves the keyboard, and his audio equipment into the study, they can go against the wall where he typically puts the couch when the tree is in there. It feels like such a simple solution, he’s annoyed at himself for not thinking of it. 

“You two are geniuses,” he replies quickly, pushing himself up off the sofa. “Love you both, but I gotta go.”

He hears the two of them giggling on the other end, and ends the call. 

None of the furniture he needs to move is actually heavy, thankfully. And he hopes he can get it done before Michael gets home - because he’d like to be able to at least have the tree up. First, he gets the bench - it’s the smallest and lightest part. Then all of the smaller items - the guitars, the sound mixing equipment, the speakers, and finally - the keyboard itself. The table, however, presents its own dilemma. It’s a little too big, and a little too awkward in size for him to lift all on his own.

Alex falls back onto the sofa, frustrated with himself and his own limitations, when he hears the front door open, close, followed then by the familiar sound of Michael’s boots on the floor.

“Rearranging?” Michael asks, and Alex turns slowly to look over at him, noticing the way he’s taking in the emptiness of the space where his instrument set up used to be.

“Trying.”

Michael nods his head, glancing around the living room and dining room, as if looking for something. “Where’d the rest of it go?”

“In the study.” 

He watches as Michael disappears out of view, his footsteps receding down the hallway, and then back towards him, as if Michael had needed to see for himself where the missing equipment had gone. 

“So we just need to move the table?” Michael finally asks, sitting down on the coffee table and sliding over until he’s across from Alex, reaching out and taking his hands in his, letting their fingers slide together. “Any particular reason for this change? You seemed pretty settled in how you had the house set up.”

Alex lifts his left hand, along with Michael’s, and motions vaguely towards the box with the Christmas tree that’s on the floor next to the dining table.

“I thought - I think it'd be nice to be able to enjoy the tree out here.” Alex doesn't know why his own reasoning feels dumb - it's his own home. A house he bought with his own money and has worked to furnish how he wants. “Since it's our first Christmas together.”

Slowly, a smile spreads across Michael's face, as he gently tugs Alex's hands towards him. Alex goes, letting himself be pulled forward until Michael is pressing their lips together - once, twice, three times. The smile never leaving his face, either.

Alex pulls one hand out of Michael's grasp, reaching out to slide it up along Michael's chest to cup his face, letting the tips of his fingers slide into the curls at the back of Michael's neck. His hair is longer - obviously in need of a trim, but Alex likes something about it like this as well. 

Especially when it means watching that one stubborn curl fall over Michael's eyes as he works. Or as he cooks. Or even as he's just talking while they're sitting on the patio chairs outside, Michael telling him about the dreams he had as a child, searching for home in the night sky.

“So where’d you put it last year?”

“Uh, the study,” he replies with a sigh, still frustrated with himself. “Christmas was never a big affair growing up. And here I just - I never saw much reason to go all out on decorating.”

Michael’s eyes go soft, and Alex feels a little less like an idiot for admitting something like this. 

“Max and Isobel always tried - especially when we were kids,” Michael says, his attention drifting back down to their hands, letting his fingers drift lightly across the skin. “Think they wanted to make sure I felt included. Never really got a real Christmas otherwise.”

Alex’s heart breaks for the childhood Michael should have been able to have growing up. That he’d been left to fend for himself so often in ways that no child should have had to do.

“That’s why I wanted to tree in here,” Alex tries again, gently tugging at Michael’s hands, pulling him towards where he’s sitting on the couch. He smiles at the easy way Michael moves, first pinning him against the back as their lips meet, sliding onto his lap and dropping his hands. Michael’s hands slide up to cup his face, kissing him over and over again as Alex drops his hands to his thighs. He doesn’t stop his hips from bucking up against Michael.

“Good thing for you,” Michael says after a moment, pulling away and Alex feels his hands drop down flat against his chest as he looks up to see a familiar smirk, “that your boyfriend is an alien who can move things with his mind.”

It’s always fascinating for Alex to watch Michael use his abilities, watching as the table slowly glides across the floor of the living room, freeing up the empty space in front of the bay window. 

Between the two of them, they carefully get the table moved into the study, and set everything to rights with his equipment, which seems to calm the remaining nerves Alex had about everything. 

Getting the tree together is easiest, the two of them laughing as they try and fluff the branches out enough to make it look somewhat like a tree before decorating it in the small collection of ornaments Alex has purchased and collected through the last several years. He sits on the coffee table to sort through the containers, Michael choosing to be the one to hang them up, taking any leads Alex chooses to give him about placement. 

And it’s then, as he watches Michael place the silver star at the top, that it hits Alex just how right all of this actually feels. How perhaps this is what has been missing for the holiday to feel like it’s more than just a date on the calendar. That perhaps next year they’ll be doing this not as boyfriends, but as husbands instead.

Husbands, Alex repeats to himself. Because he’d asked Michael to marry him, and Michael had said yes.

He watches as Michael effortlessly gets a fire going in the fireplace, fascinated by the way the flames burst from his hand, the logs lighting with minimal effort. 

“Is that why you run hot?” Alex can’t help but ask, raising an eyebrow at Michael and nodding at the fireplace. He knows enough about the alien’s biology to know the elevated temperature the alien’s have is related to their species, but it feels like a good moment to joke. He knows he’s tried in the past to make a similar remark in the past, but the timing hadn’t been right, and it hadn’t landed how he’d intended.

This time, however, he watches as a smile spreads across Michael’s face, his eyes lighting up in amusement. 

They settle onto the sofa, fingers laced together, Alex pushed into Michael’s side as they both take in the quiet moment around them. 

“What did you used to do for Christmas?” Michael asks, his voice quiet next to Alex. “Since coming back here?”

“Spend time with Maria and Mimi,” he replies, turning to look at Michael, noticing the way he’s focused on him, eyes bright and golden in the warm haze of the firelight. “Maria called me a grinch the first year I got back because I didn’t decorate.”

“But not this year.”

Alex shakes his head, leaning up to press a kiss to Michael’s lips. 

“No, not this year.”

[cosmica-galaxy]

Kinda random but was thinking on the Titans getting a Mimi Power Boost from Origin and randomly thought “What if the Main Trio + Veteran got the same treatment? And how would they react to being Mimics temporarily?” Do with my random brain thinkings as you will. *skitters off back to the void*

Camron and Veteran would get a powerful strength boost. The moment himself or someone he dearly cares about is cornered and about to be killed, suddenly he feels a powerful energy fall over him and a powerful voice declaring "kill them" from within his mind. His optic constricts and his frame changes...and then the large metallic claws come out of his leather gloves. The skibidis are completely unprepared as Camron/Veteran charges them, shaking with boiling rage and their hands completely transformed into claws fitting an alpha mimic. He rips, he tears, and he mauls whatever threat lays before him in a fury matching a beast. When the moment passes and their foes lie in pieces at their feet, the energy dissipates and Camron/Veteran are confused at what came over them. It felt like a fever dream...but the ripped gloves on their hands say otherwise. DJ would find himself backed into a corner by his enemies and would be at a loss on what to do. But just as he felt like accepting his fate and dying, a wave of mysterious energy swells up inside of him...urging him to scream. He feels it build more and more as the enemy closes in on him and the pressure almost becomes too much. Then, he hears a faint command from elsewhere..."speak" it says. The moment that he releases the pressure from his speaker, the enemies that once stood in such close range of him are blown back by a powerful force. Heads exploding from the sheer decibels coming from his speaker. The buildings and ground in front of him cracks and crumbles at the power in his voice. The glass of buildings shatter and abandoned vehicles are flung away from him like mere toys. When he can scream no more...the damage that was present was devastating and his adversaries lie in pieces. Curiously, his speaker could only produce tired static when he tries it again. He would need repairs when he got back. Vee would feel the energy long before he even process what his screen is witnessing. His friends and allies surrounded, some in skibidi grips, and others in partial pieces waiting for their inevitable demise. Each skibidi covering their eyes with protective glasses...rending his ability useless. The energy that seeps from the ground around him charges the air with something ominous. A voice that sounds like an echo reaches out into the depths of his processor...telling him to "make them suffer the same pain..." and Vee finds himself focusing and his powers become amplified. A fog envelops his enemies, confusing them. It wasn't the black void fog his kind are known for...no. This was mist...an all-consuming and mind-altering mist. He feels himself connecting with each of the skibidis minds, their glasses helpless to stop his assault, as he makes their minds his personal playground. The ones holding his comrades drop them as he turns his friends into piles of snakes, their allies into large alliance "enemies", and the sadistic joy he revels in as each skibidi begins to kill one another in their lucidity; much to the confusion of his comrades who watch the skibidis stab, shoot, and punch each other to death. In the end, the skibidis kill one another in a delusional delirium instigated by Vee. The power wanes and Vee finds himself drained of his abilities, but his allies remain untouched and alive...how peculiar.