#Okay so he comes home to find out one of his younger brothers got kicked out

[astro-b-o-y-d]

How pissed do you think Shermie was when he found out about what really happened with Stan and Ford???

[forever-rogue]

may i request one where joel finds comfort hugging reader in a bone crushing hug after a long day 👉👈

do with it what you will fluff angst spice ill take them allll i just want this man to crush me and id welcome it hehe

AN | One bone-crushing hug with a side of angst and softness coming right up 🥰

Pairing | Joel Miller x Fem!Reader

Warnings | Language

Word Count | 2k

Masterlist | Joel, Main

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You looked at the watch on your wrist and sighed softly. The watch didn't work. It hadn't for a long time. 

But he'd given it to you and that made it special. You'd never taken it off, even when the battery died. He insisted he'd get you a new watch or even a new battery at the very least. You never took him up on the offer; it didn't matter to you whether or not ticked away as long as you had it.

Normally it served as a bit of reassurance. Today it served as a reminder that he was gone. Not gone, but gone for long enough that you were starting to get worried. Not that you would ever admit that to anyone. You didn't want to appear weak, but you also didn't want to cause anyone else to worry.

But this wasn't like Joel; he was never gone for more than two or three days at most.

It had been over a week.

And not knowing what happened to your lover was brutal.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Worryin' isn't going to solve anything."

"Well, not worrying isn't solving anything either," you threw a hard look at Tommy and shrugged before going back to your relentless pacing, "so if I have the option, I'll choose worrying."

"It's probably the bad weather," he mused, and you were sure he was trying to convince himself of that as much as you, "could be a lot of things. Jumping to the worst possible conclusion isn't…"

"I love your eternal optimism," you stood in front of the windows and looked towards the gate as you often did, "but I'd rather expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised when he comes back. Versus the alternative."

The younger Miller brother nodded before letting out a long sigh, "I know."

"I'm scared, Tommy. It was supposed to be a simple supply run," stopping suddenly, you turned to him, eyes glittering with unscheduled tears, "what if he doesn't come back? It shouldn't have taken this long. I don't know what I'll do. I-I…"

He remained but hugged you tightly, trying to soak in all the worry and doubt you had. If it was an option, he would have taken all the worry and fear from you and dealt with it himself. If only.

"Why don't you go home for now and get some rest?" he suggested softly, wiping away the tears that had rolled down your cheeks, "I'll stay here. I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Tommy-"

"Go and be with the kids," he whispered as your heart panged. You knew Ellie was just as worried about you, but she was the glue holding you all together right now, "they need you too."

"Okay," you nodded, "thank you."

"It'll be okay," he promised and you desperately wanted to hang onto his hope. All you could do was give him a small nod.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

By the time you got home, you were spent and felt like you could use a year long nap. You closed the door behind out and let out a long sigh, letting go of everything you'd been holding back as you kicked your shoes off. 

You heard Ellie's voice in the living accompanied by a small set of giggles. Your heart softened at the sound and your heart yearned to be with them. You shred your coat before making your way over to them, Ellie on the floor on a big fluffy blanket as she played with the little girl. Your little girl; but really they were both your girls.  

The two of them stopped as soon as they heard you, Ellie offering you a small smile and Emma babbling and cooing happily. There had never been anyone you'd loved more than these two…and Joel. 

You walked over to them and sat down, pressing a kiss to the top of Ellie's head before pulling the baby into your lap. She squirmed as she tried to hug onto you, "she's been really talkative today. As much as a one-year-old can be."

"I wonder who she gets that from," she teased, causing the girl to grin sheepishly.

"Definitely not Joel."

"Definitely not Joel," you agreed. You sat back against the couch let out a long breath as you pulled up your legs and laid Emma against them, giving her tickles which only caused her to laugh harder.

"She looks like him," Ellie stroked her rosy, chubby cheek as you nodded. She had the same big, brown eyes and roguish hair, her expression often appearing as though she was deep in thought, "he's going to be okay, you know."

"Ellie…"

"I mean it," she insisted in that steadfast way she often did, "he'd never leave you or her o-or…"

"You," you finished for her, "we're all family, Ellie Bean."

"Yeah," she sat next to you and leaned her head on your shoulder, "he'll come back. Nothing would stop him."

"You're right," and god, you hoped she and Tommy were right, "he'll be home soon."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Several more agonizing days passed without any word, and the nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach felt like it was going to eat you alive. Even Ellie, happy, optimistic Ellie, was started to show signs of worry. She’d never admit it, but she didn’t have to; it was written all over your face. You were just glad that Emma was still a baby and wouldn’t remember any of this.

That thought alone had led you down a rabbit hole of worry. What if he didn’t come back? What if she never got to see her father again? What if she didn’t remember him? How were you supposed to raise and take care of Ellie and Emma all on your own? 

You groaned as you startled awake for what was the umpteenth night in a row. You hadn’t been sleeping much; every time you managed to fall deep enough into slumber, the dreams - nightmares - came again and caused you to wake up. Most of the time you ended up giving up on sleep and would sit in the kitchen, nursing a mug of tea that grew cold as the sun came up. 

A book was currently in front of you, one you’d read a hundred times before, but you weren’t actually taking anything in. Your mind kept wandering, wandering, wandering. You were so lost in thought and so zoned out at the same time that you almost missed the pounding on the door. You almost ran to the door when you snapped back into reality, trying to keep the noise from waking the girls up. 

When you got to the door, you wretched it open without even looking to see who it was. It was Tommy, wild-eyed and looking somewhere between excited and nervous. 

“Come,” he didn’t hesitate to grab your arm as he pulled you out of the door, “come.”

“What’s going on?” you looked at him, confused but going along with him. You noticed that the front gate was closing and a group of people were nearby. The hairs on your arms stood up as a shiver ran down your spine, “Tommy?”

The crowd slowly parted and you felt like your heart felt like it stopped in your chest. Part of you wondered if you were dreaming, but you felt Tommy squeeze your shoulder, “go.”

Your feet were carrying you, faster and faster until the rest of the crowd dissipated and you found yourself face to face with him. 

“Joel,” you hadn’t even realized you were crying, weren’t consciously aware of anything else but him. 

You didn’t get a chance to say anything else before he threw his arms around you, wrapping into the tightest, most bone-crushing hug imaginable. You didn’t care; you wouldn’t have cared if his touch bruised you black and blue. It was him, he was home, he was here. 

You held him back just as fiercely, and you could physically feel the tension in his body ease as he let himself relax into your familiar touch. You weren’t even sure how long he you, how long you clung onto his body before you finally parted. 

He took your face in his hands, his touch calloused but tender as he studied, almost as if he too didn’t believe you were real. He looked worse for the wear, but nothing unmanageable, nothing that would take him from you. And then he smiled, the same wonderful, lovely smile that made his dimple appear and the corners of his eyes crinkle, “sweet, beautiful abejita. I heard you were already planning my funeral.”

A moment of silence passed before you burst into laughter, tears - this time of joy and happiness - running down your face. Joel brushed them all away before kissing you softly. There was no way to properly put into words how much you’d missed this, him. When you pulled back you felt his arms wrap around your waist, “even if you didn’t come back, I’d find you and kill you myself if you thought you were going to get away with leaving me with two monsters to raise on my own.”

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” you buried your face into his chest and breathed him in. It didn’t matter that he was sweaty and dirty; him being here was enough, “you and that mouth and everything else about you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” you looped your arms around his neck and held onto him tightly, hugging him as you rocked back and forth, “I love you.”

“Terribly,” he agreed in the way that he was prone to doing, “I’ll always come back home to my girls. Even if I have to come crawling back.”

“Joel!” the small voice came from behind you. You turned to find Ellie there, holding a warmly bundled up Emma in her arms. Word got around fast, “you’re back.”

He let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his girls, dropping to his knees in front of them as he looked them both over. The baby, miraculously, was still sleeping, but he stroked her cheek before repeating the gesture on Ellie. She swallowed thickly, tears unshed in her eyes as he hugged the two of them, gently, delicately. 

“I missed you both,” he promised, not that there had ever been a question on that. Ellie nodded, at a loss for words, “what, kid? No smart comment from you?”

“No,” she shook her head, a few tears falling down her cheeks, “I missed you. I’m glad you’re home, Joel.”

“Me too,” he promised, turning back to find you watching them with nothing but reverent fondness in your eyes, as you smiled at him, “me too.”

[albed-hoe]

i have finally arrived 🤭🤭

OKAY I’LL GIVE U A FEW SCENARIOS I GOT IN MIND AND YOU’RE FREE TO EXPAND ON WHICHEVER ONE YOU WANT TO (idm gender neutral reader but was hoping for male :D )

REVERSE COMFORT: m!reader comforting poor lyney after the most recent 4.1 archon quest. (SPOILERS: after freminet has been moved the the medical area)

so lyney is really worried for his brother (it takes place before he’s fully up) and we’re jus hugging him and reassuring him that he’ll be okay bc we’re husband material like that 💪🏻

˚₊‧꒰ა💉໒꒱ ‧₊

FLUFF: i was thinking maybe the m!reader is a popular fontainian singer/popstar/dancer or anything that gains him popularity, and hence builds up a mass fanclub of ladiessss (if yk where i’m goin w this🤭)

so maybe we could get some jealous lyney up in here and m!reader feels bad for him so after the performance he takes lyney up on stage and gives a smooch on the cheek 😭

˚₊‧꒰ა💉໒꒱ ‧₊

ANGST (with comfort bc my heart cannot physically take angst with no comfort): OKAY KINDA INSPIRED BY SOMEONE ELSES IDEA BUT KINDA DIFFERENT!

m!reader got those richly rich strict ass parents who don’t approve of him dating someone as low as a magician (he’s also a guy but i’m taking this down a different root) and they aren’t abusive but they are pretty neglectful and strict on him.

reader finally had enough of their bs tho and him and lyney (with lynette & freminet ofc) run away to snezhnaya and have the reader work for the house of the hearth w them.

AND (bc i never shut up) then a few years pass when lyney finally takes over for the knave they waltz back into fontaine together with m!reader being his 2nd in command (once again, alongside freminet and lynette bc wherever he goes they go)

˚₊‧꒰ა💉໒꒱ ‧₊

PERSONAL FAVOURITE (i think abt this idea a LOT)

FOUND FAMILY /W COMFORT (heavily with freminet bc i love him sm HSNFEMCJEM)

basically m!reader went for a lil dive to get lyney some new flowers for his magic show later and he runs into freminet crying under the water

and ofc big brother instincts kick in 💪🏻 and we take him above shore and coddle him like how lyney would to freminet

AND THEN WE TAKE HIM HOME AND WE MEET UP W LYNEY AND HES JUS LIKE “OMG IF THIS MAN DOESNT PUT A RING ON MY FINGER RN IMMA LOOSE MY SHIT” because he adores the way m!reader looks out for his siblings the way he would.

(I HAVE ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS RQ WITH LYNETTE IF YOU EVER WANNA HEAR IT BTW)

˚₊‧꒰ა💉໒꒱ ‧₊

SPICY 😏😏😏:

i actually don’t have anything to much for this category but some simple spicy hc’s with a sub!lyney would be great (let’s be real this man isn’t dominating anyone). (he also has a breeding kink GOODBYE)

Found Family (Freminet ver.)

Characters: Freminet & Lyney x M!Reader

Summary: After bringing his younger brother home, Lyney thinks he’s found his husband for life

Warnings: Slight angst to comfort, Freminet crying, Lyney being hopelessly in love and shyyyy

Word count: 767

A/n: Okay first of all I’m so sorry for disappearing for like a year and a half… I totally lost motivation and finished university in the meantime and now I’m looking for a job but no one is hiring me so yay? TYSM FOR THIS REQUEST LY LOTS🤩 I might write some of the other ones too? Might make a poll for which one to do next cuz I’m undecided… Anyways THIS ONE GOES OUT TO THE MALE READER COMMUNITY!!! I fell in love with Lyney and still (I think?) have yet to come across a Lyney x male reader fic😫 So here is my contribution! I ALSO HAVE REQUESTS OPEN SO FEEL FREE TO REQUEST LYNEY X M!READER STUFF PLS AND TYYYYY

It was a warm afternoon as you got your scuba gear on, preparing to dive in the depths of Fontaine on a mission to look for flowers for your beloved boyfriend, Lyney’s, magic show tonight. You latched in your helmet and dove below the surface, sighing in satisfaction at the cool water enveloping your body after having been sweating all day. The fish danced around you happily and the rays flapped their wings gracefully on their way to find places to float around.

You reached the seabed, swimming around and beginning to collect the flowers that your boyfriend had requested. You stop after a few seconds to listen to a sound you could not initially identify. Listening closely, you follow the sounds of what seem to be sniffles over a ridge of sand. Peeking over the edge, you see a little blue form with a diving helmet on, balled up with his head in the pit of his elbow.

“Freminet?” You swam up to the form, recognizing Lyney’s younger brother, a sad expression on the screen of your diving helmet. You begin to rub circles into his back as he sniffles, embarrassed to have been found crying alone. “What happened?” You offer him a warm smile, encouraging him to confide in you.

“*Sniff* I- I made a fool of myself in the Court of Fontaine today… I- *sniff* I fell and dropped a whole basket of peaches…” Taking pity on him, you ask him if he wants a hug, then you pull him into your arms and rub comforting circles on his back.

“Wanna go back up? I’ll walk you home.” The boy nods and you swim back up with him in your arms.

Arriving on the beach, you take off his diving helmet and reveal his red, puffy eyes. You internally coo at how cute he looks but remember that he is in a vulnerable state and mentioning what he looks like would likely not be appropriate at the moment. So, after cupping a comforting hand on his cheek, you take his hand and walk him home.

Arriving at the triplets’ door (I know they aren’t all related, but for simplicity’s sake…), you knock and wait for the light pads from inside to reach you. The door swings open to reveal Lyney in his pajamas with a surprised expression.

“Y-Y/n! And Freminet!” He blushes slightly at having noticed you before his own younger brother and at having been seen in pajamas by someone he has been trying to impress. You gently push Freminet in front of you, handing him over to Lyney who hugs him shortly, ruffles his hair, then passes him on to Lynette who takes his hand, nods at you thankfully, then takes him into the home. Lyney steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind him.

“Uh… Thanks for taking my brother home. He can disappear better than myself, sometimes…” He rubs the back of his neck, a little embarrassed at the situation. You had only declared each other officially boyfriends about a month prior, so the whole relationship thing was a new concept to the ‘suave’ Lyney the public knew. It pleasantly surprised you to discover that he was actually very easy to fluster, making for a very cute boyfriend to tease occasionally.

“Yeah, no problem. I found him on the seabed crying while I was looking for your flowers, so I comforted him and brought him here. Oh, here you go by the way.” You hand him the flowers he needed for his show while smiling warmly at him. The tips of his ears immediately reddened, both at his immediate thoughts of marriage and at what the offer of flowers looked like. He knew this was not a love confession or anything of the sort, but the current situation could have fooled an outside observer.

He stepped forward and threw his arms around you, sandwiching the flowers between the two of you. He buried his face in your neck in an attempt to hide his face exploding with heat.

“… I love you…” That was all he managed to say after a few moments. You laughed, placing a kiss on the top of his head.

“I love you too, but… Watch the flowers.” He pulled himself away from you immediately, realizing he was damaging his precious show flowers.

“AH! Sorry! Uhm… Did you wanna come inside for a bit?” He looked into your eyes with a shy smile on his face, his cheeks and ears still red from before.

“I’d love to.” You said, your eyes locked on his.

Aur my gawdddd this was my first fic in a loooong time I’m so sorry if it was ass… THIS WAS CUTE AND I LOVE FREMINET TOO, PLS LEMME HEAR THE LYNETTE VERSION OF THIS😎

[jackhues]

bad reaction pt. 2 - mat barzal (au #1)

part one has been dubbed the 'bad reaction mat fic', so here's part two loll, also there's two ways i want this to go, so they're going to be aus of each other. here's the first one!

gif not mine!

mat was having an off-week.

that's what the whispers around him said. he was having a bad few days, and wasn't playing up to his usual standards.

nothing was wrong. it was just an off-time for him.

but mat knew it was deeper than that.

the moment you told him you were pregnant, his brain had shut off. the two of you had a silent, but mutual agreement, of having no kids. at least not until you had your lives figured out — whether you were going to spend it together or what.

when he heard you two were having a baby, he got mad. mad at you because out of all the girlfriends and flings he'd had, you were the last one he expected to baby-trap him.

but when he came home, late that night and for some reason completely sober, you were already gone.

the clothes from the dresser, the hair ties you left lying around despite mat's complaints, the jacket that had been sprawled on the back of mat's chair for a month now — every trace of you was gone.

and that's when he realized you weren't baby-trapping him.

that the pregnancy wasn't something you'd wanted, but something that had just happened.

that's when he realized he'd let you go.

"oh fuck," he muttered, rummaging through the drawers before finding his phone. in a rush, he'd left it at home.

he dialed your number, holding his breath and it reached voicemail. he tried again and again, even requesting your location, but it was radio silence on your end.

he dialed your younger brother, sighing in relief when he picked up the phone. his relief was short-lived as your younger brother didn't sound happy with him.

"the hell do you want?" he growled. "stop calling y/n, she doesn't want to talk to you."

"look, i fucked up, okay?" mat admitted. "i know that. i messed up, and i — i just want to explain to her. please. if she — if she wants nothing to do with me afterwards... i get it. i just want to talk to her. please."

maybe it was the desperation in his voice, but your younger brother sighed. "she's at my house. you have five minutes to speak with her, or until she kicks you out."

mat thanked him, running out the door and to your younger brother's apartment. when he finally reached, he knocked, leg bouncing as he wanted nothing more than to talk to you, to see you.

"she's in the room," your younger brother said, opening the door. "you have five minutes, and don't you dare make her cry."

mat gulped, rushing to the room. the door was open, and you were sitting against the bed, watching the princess diaries on the projector.

he winced. if you were watching the movie on the projector — it was bad.

"y/n?" he called out, voice cracking slightly.

your eyes widened as they met his, a part of you not believing your brother when he was mat wanted to talk to you.

"can i — can i explain myself?" he asked quietly.

you paused the movie, motioning for him to come in. "you can sit there."

he sat on the chair, trying to convey how guilty he was.

"i'm so sorry," he told you. "i — i was scared because this — what we have — it was realest thing i'd had in a long time. and i was scared that you were going to baby-trap me, and i'd fallen for it. i shouldn't have reacted they way i did. i should've listened to you and talked to you, and helped you through this. i want to be there for you. i'm here for you now. as long as you let me."

you were silent, digesting his words.

a part of you wanted to be mad at him, but you understood where his fear came from. he was a professional athlete, of course that would be one of his first thoughts.

you'd had over a week to come to terms with the pregnancy, while mat had barely had a day. you didn't blame him for his reaction, no matter how much you'd hated it.

"come here," you patted the bed next to you, allowing mat to sit. "i don't blame you for your reaction. honestly, i should've spoken with you earlier, and we could've talked it out together. but that's what we're doing now. we're communicating, and we're okay."

hearing that sentence come out of your mouth, mat tried not to cry.

he pulled you close, pressing a kiss to your forehead. whether you kept the baby or not, he was going to be there for you from now on.

he swore it.

-

tags: @woodruff-edwards , @austinbutlerscaresme ,  @svechnikovvv ,  @hockeyboysarehot , @emptyflowerpots ,  @mysticaldonkey , @lam-ila ,  @babydollmarauders , @starjoyyy  ,  @kjohnson-91 , @gavinbrindley, @hischierdevils , @jackhughesily  , @panarin10 ,  @equallyshaw ,   @power2myheart  ,  @lynnismypseudonym , @beccaiscold , @akengii , @hischierhaze, @cinnamonpancakes , @mitchymainer , @lifeofpriya ,  @marshmallow-babe, @hughesx3 ,  @emsully2002  ,  @starsandhughes , @huggy-hischier73 ,  @doglady5678 , @thatoneblog , @exonct07 @hughesmedicine , @qwanelledingele , @mindless-rock , @ireadthensuetheauthors , @huggy-hischier94, @slaythehousedownboots , @diary-of-jj , @youunravelme

[bluehourbucky]

Hey 🥰

No pressure to write this at all, but I was wondering if you could do a drabble or headcannon about reader being Bucky’s younger sister & he finds out she’s dating either Kate, Yelena or Wanda (you can pick ☺️). He goes into full protective big brother mode? 🥰

Letting go

pairing: older brother!bucky x youngersister!reader / yelena belova x reader

warnings: f bomb couple of times but other than that nothing?

a/n: Hope you like it! I had so much fun writing this hehe Sorry I might have done too much 😭😭😭

Bucky is an amazing older brother and you live him dearly but sometimes he can be a bit scary when it comes to your dating.

He's really supportive he's been there for you for every milestone and you've been there for him too.

Bucky always said that you'd be his little sister even when you're 50 with a family of your own he's always going to ruffle your hair and tell you how your hair is a mess.

First ever girlfriend you've bought home Bucky was livid because no one is good enough for his little sister. He was absolutely baffled when he saw you making out because you were his baby sister you can't be kissing people at the young age of 16.

Now in your 20s you wish that changed because you wouldn't have to be hiding your girlfriend of 6 months.

It's not like you don't want him to know you just really like Yelena and Bucky can be terrifying sometimes.

Tonight you invited Yelena to your place for the first time, you never got a chance before since you lived with Bucky. He's been on a mission for the past couple of days and you finally had the opportunity to bring her in without the big scary brother.

You're currently sitting on the couch in Yelenas lap, you'd been making out for a while.

"You know you're really cute."

"I am not cute." Yelena replies to your absurd statement she is not cute absolutely not. You laugh because the face she makes when she doesn't agree with something is the cutest thing ever.

"Sure, you're so scary."

You spend couple of hours making out and eating each other out but eventually you fall asleep.

Bucky is so ready to get home, he's tired and dirty and he hasn't slept in what feels like years.

It's around 4am when he opens the door to his and yours apartment, he tries to be as quiet as possible not wanting to wake you up.

He takes off his boots and hangs his jacket, he goes straight to the kitchen because he also didn't get to eat.

Bucky sees a silhouette of a woman but it's not you so he grabs the knife out of his back pocket.

The intruder opens the fridge and reaches out to take some leftovers.

"Mmff."

Bucky grabs the intruder from behind and slaps a hand over her mouth.

"Fuck." Bucky grabs his balls almost falling down on his knees.

"What the fuck are you doing!?" Yelena grabs a knife from the drawer and holds it up.

"Me? This is my house!" Bucky manages to stand up straight grabbing his own knife.

"What's going on?" you rub your eyes turning on the lights in the kitchen. Sleepiness vanishes in seconds seeing your brother and girlfriend hold the knives at each other.

"Oh my god stop that both of you." You take the knives from both of their hands.

"But-"

"That's my girlfriend dumbass I can't belive you attacked her!" Buckys jaw hangs open, how didn't he know you were dating someone?

"Bucky, Yelena. Yelena, Bucky." You introduce them and hold a hand over your chest they almost gave you a heart attack.

"Nice to meet you. Sorry for kicking you in the nuts." Yelena smiles and reaches out to shake Buckys hand and he shakes it.

"Sorry for almost killing you." Yelena laughs and Bucky lifts a brow.

"You didn't almost kill me I almost killed you! I would've won!"

Bucky is speechless he looks at you and then your girlfriend and then you again.

"I'm pretty sure I would've won."

Now you're the one that's speechless are your brother and girlfriend really debating on who would've killed who?

"Okay... Now that I've introduced you two maybe no more threatening?"

"How was I supposed to know we have a guest? You didn't tell me!" That's true and shame washes over you.

"I was scared that you'd scare her off like all of the others."

Buckys eyes soften; He knows he can be a bit overprotective but he didn't think that he was that bad. But now he realised he was a bit too much.

"Sorry, I was just trying to protect you. I didn't-"

"It's okay I know that and I appreciate that but you can just be a bit scary. Though you've never attacked anyone before like this but I guess I found your match." You smile at your girlfriend who had taken out the mac and cheese left overs from the fridge, she gives you a thumbs up.

"I promise I'll try to not be so scary and I promise to not baby you so much."

"Maybe we can work on the staring problem and find you a girlfriend too so you can take care of someone else too. I know it's cruel to send you off to someone but better you be a pain in the ass to someone else." Bucky rolls his eyes pushes you playfully.

"You love me."

"I do but I'm mad because you woke me up so you'll apologise by making breakfast in the morning! You're the best, good night."

"Hey that's not fair! And leave the door open I don't want any funny business happening in this house!"

You pull Yelena in and before closing the door you treat him with a middle finger.

"Little shit, if I didn't love you oh I would've strangled you." Bucky grumbles looking at the framed picture of you two when you were kids.

Being an older brother is a tedious job but he wouldn't change it for anything.

[The End]

sorry its so cheesey dhdhdhdh

[ladylooch]

Omg I must see how timo and Liv make up? And what role Emma and Luca (maybe even lio) play in the making up. Maybe like something really big and/or exciting happens in Liv’s life and it makes her wish she had her dad around and Timo finds out and wishing he was there for the important moment. And of course starts to like Luca:))

A/N: This one got loooong. Our sweet girl liv 🥺💜

Liv cannot believe the email that she is seeing. 

She is going to be a published author! Her first publication is going to be a whole freaking book! She lays back, kicking her feet up in the air. She grabs her phone, rolling onto her stomach as she listens to the FaceTime jingle connect to her mom back home.

“Hello Livy.” Emma murmurs into the phone. It is late, Liv realizes now.

“Oh I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

“No, dad and I were sitting by the lake. How are you?” Liv tries not to let her smile falter at the mention of her still estranged father.

It’s been months since the summer night Liv left home. In October, Emma had come to parents weekend on her own. Timo flew over with her, but spent all his time with Lio, giving Liv distance. Other than a few, brief moments together at Lio & Luca’s game, Liv continues to keep her dad at an arm’s length. 

“I am great. I have news.” She wiggles her shoulders. Emma perks, face expectantly glistening at her daughter. “I’m going to be a published author. My professor submitted my short story collection to a small company in Chicago. They want to do a full, 100+ page collection and publish it!”

“YES!” Emma cheers, jumping up and down. “Of course you are baby! I am so proud of you!” Emma’s eyes drift above the phone, then dart quickly back down to the screen. “So what are the next steps?”

Liv fills her mom in. This is the early stages, but because it is a shorter collection, it can be printed and released within the next 3 months. Right after Liv’s birthday is their target date. As Liv speaks, her mom moves into her office, closing the pocket door behind her.

“How wonderful! Oh, I knew you would reach your goal well before you were done with school.”

“Mama.” Liv chuckles. She is Liv’s biggest fan. The two women chat a little longer before Liv needs to head out to her next class. Before she goes, her mom has one final question.

“Is it okay with you if I tell daddy?” Emma asks, nervously. Liv nods. Despite everything, she wants him to know. 

It’s a grueling couple of months. Liv has to learn quickly to balance a long-distance relationship, several rounds of edits and her school work. Several times, she is crying to Luca on the phone that maybe she can’t do this. Maybe she should back out of the book. Luca talks her through every wave of uncertainty. 

“You can do this, baby. Don’t worry about us right now. We are solid. Worry about you and your dreams. I’ll see you when I can, okay?”

The problem is, Liv wants to see Luca. And her mom. She really needs a hug from her mom right now.

The night of the book launch, her publisher hosts a party in her honor. It just so happens to coincide with Luca’s schedule, and an off-day when the Wild are playing in Detroit. A quick flight gets him in Liv’s arms for the first time in months, where she refuses to let go of him. Lio is playing in Chicago the next night. It all perfectly came together for her big day.

For once, she is the main focus of the family.

But when her family walks in to the event space, beaming at her, Liv’s heart cracks in her chest. Discouraged tears rush into her eyes as she hugs her mom. Liv knows Timo came with her mom and younger brothers, but he is not here tonight. No one asked if he was invited; they all assumed it would be this way. Liv did too. But now that this is all happening, it feels wrong. Wrong in her heart. Wrong in her soul. Wrong in every rush of aliveness in her being.

She needs her dad.

“We are so proud of you!” Emma squeezes her tight again. “This is only the beginning. Anything you want is within your reach. I know it.” Emma squeezes her hand, then steps aside for hugs from the boys. 

Once those squeezes are done, including the half asses ones from the twins, Liv grabs her mom’s forearm. 

“Mama, can we talk?”

“Of course.” The two women leave the boys to talk shop aka hockey. “What’s up?” Liv swallows hard, looking into her mom’s brown eyes. 

“Ah… What is daddy doing right now?” Emma straightens, pausing to read every flicker of Liv’s face. 

“Um, he’s… at the hotel.” 

“The four seasons?”

“Yes.” 

“What room?”

“419.”

“Okay. I’ll be back.”

“Okay.” Emma whispers in awe. She thinks about warning Timo briefly, but ultimately, this is not her place.

Liv’s teeth chatter the entire ride to the hotel in the passenger seat of Luca’s rental car. His hand on her thigh is the only thing preventing her from clattering off the seat to the floor mats. She keeps trying to pull in deep, calming breaths. When Luca pulls into the valet, he pauses, putting the car in park.

“Do you want me to come in?”

“No.. well.. yes.. No.” She shakes her head, unclipping her seatbelt. The valet opens her door. She swallows hard. “Could you just wait in the lobby?”

“Yes. Whatever you need, babe.”

“Thank you.” She whispers.

They walk hand in hand to the elevators. Liv’s fingers reluctantly leave his.

“I’m right here.” Luca reminds her as the doors close, separating them. When they steel presses together, her anxious expression looks back at her. She had her make up professionally done. She looks so much like her mom, so beautiful and elegant. The doors open and she walks to the left. Their room is in the corner, at the end of the hall. Before she can talk herself out of it, she knocks. 

“Baby, did you forget your… purse.” Timo asks, holding up her mom’s black bag. Timo freezes when he realizes she is not Emma. He is dressed to the 9s in his best, blue suit. A shiny black bowtie is perfectly arranged at the opening of his neck. His loafers are shined, ankles exposed, and hair perfectly slicked into place. He looks dressed for the exact kind of event she came from.

“Um, no, but we can bring that to her.” Liv blurts. She can hear her blood pounding through her body.

“Hi Liv.” Timo says. 

“Hi.”

“What… ah… are you doing here? Did mama send you for her purse?” His eyebrows pull together in confusion. “I could have brought it. But I thought maybe I’m on a certain black list. Wouldn’t be the first time.” He adds a half-hearted chuckle. Liv folds her bottom lip into her mouth.

“No, I don’t think mama knows she forgot her purse.”

“Oh. Well here.” Timo awkwardly extends the YSL shoulder bag out by it’s gold chain. Liv tentatively takes it, letting it rest in her hands in front of her. They stare at each other, not quite believing they are breathing the same air. Liv has darker hair than before. She always loses her summer highlights in the winter. Her brown hair is deep and rich like her mom’s. She’s so beautiful; Timo can’t believe she’s half him. “So, why are you here?”

“I was having a great night tonight. At least I thought I was. But then mama and the boys walked in without you and, I felt so.” She pauses, licking her dry lips and swallowing to ease the static in her throat. “So incomplete.” Timo’s eyes drop to the floor. “I don’t want this night to happen without you. It won’t mean as much. Everyone important is in that room, except for you.”

“Sweetheart, if mama told you I was sad earlier and you feel like you have to invite me, you don’t. I don’t deserve to be there.”

“I am not here because of mama. I know we have a lot to talk about, but I really want you there with us. Will you come back with me?”

“Yes.” The rush of air from Timo is immense. He sucks in a shaky breath after, trying like hell not to break down into sobs. “Of course. Thank you. Liv, this means.. so much to me.” Timo turns to go back into the room. “I’ll grab my wallet and we can go.”

“Okay. You should know Luca is downstairs. He brought me here.”

“Okay. That’s great.” Timo nods, searching under his clothes, trying to find his wallet. “Here it is.” Timo chuckles. “Your mom still insists I need a chain on this but… yuck.” He shake his head.

“Not fashionable at all.” Liv smiles, knowing her dad’s preferences all revolve around the season’s hottest trends coming out of Italy. Timo puts it in the inner pocket of his suit jacket as he looks at his daughter.

“Livy I am so proud of you. And I love you so much.”

“Do you?” Liv whispers. Timo’s face shatters, cheeks tight with emotion. 

“Yes. Every day of your existence. I used to cry at the mere thought of you in my arms when you were in mama.” Liv knows this. She’s seen the videos her mom took of him wiping his wet cheeks. “Although I know I have not gone about this the best, every thing I’ve done has been with your best interest in mind… keeping you safe too. But you are grown up now. You’re way smarter than me and it’s your life. I respect that.” 

“Daddy, Luca and I are in love.” Liv says as she steps towards him, putting herself into his arms.

“I know, hon. Mama told me.” Timo responds. “Heard about your birthday too… The celebration you always deserve.” He trails off. “Sorry I missed another one.” 

“You’ll come over next year?” 

“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.” Liv rests her cheek on his chest, closing her eyes as he hugs her close.

“Are those the cuff links I gave you?” She wonders after they separate.

“Yeah.” Timo chuckles, bringing his wrist up for her to see. 

“Remember when I thought those were just my initials?” She grins, looking up at him.

“Yeah…. Your mom and I couldn’t think past L I guess. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay, you kept me as the only girl and that seems better.” 

“Our perfect girl.” Timo murmurs. “Let’s go. I wanna tell everyone all about you being my daughter.” 

Timo and Liv head down to the lobby where Luca waits for them. He grins wide when he sees the two Meiers walking towards him. Liv is so happy. Her arm is laced through Timo’s and they laugh about Emma forgetting her purse and still not realizing it. Timo’s smile stays even when he sees Luca. 

“Are we ready to go back?” Luca asks. 

“Yeah. We are all here now.”

“Hi, I’m Timo, Liv’s dad. It’s nice to meet you.” Timo grins. Luca laughs, shaking his hand solidly, while going along with it.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You should know I keep my hands to myself, sir.”

“I’m sure you do.” Timo chuckles. 

“Really?” Liv asks Luca.

“It’s funny. We’re laughing, no?” Luca laces their fingers together then opens the door for Liv so she can walk through first. It takes everything in Luca to not let his eyes drift to the sweet curve of her ass in that dress.

Things with Timo may have calmed, but Luca knows better than to press his luck any further tonight.

Plus, tonight isn’t about any of them, it’s about Liv. And she deserves the best.

[shuxiii]

Everyday pt.2

Hanni Pham x reader pt1, pt2, pt3, pt4, pt5, pt6, pt7, pt8, pt9, pt10, pt11, pt12, pt13

a/n some kid kept begging for a pt 2 to me so I did, and still credits are all given to the real author ''every day'' by David Levithan

TW: drugs, profanities

Day 5995

I wake up thinking of yesterday. The joy is in remembering; the pain is in knowing it was yesterday.

I am not there. I am not in Minji’s bed, not in Minji’s body.

Today I am Huening Bahiyyih. I have slept through the alarm, and her mother is mad.

“Get up!” she yells, shaking my new body. “You have twenty minutes, and then Kai leaves!”

“Okay, Mom,” I groan.

“Mom! If your mother was here, I can’t imagine what she’d say!”

I quickly access Bahiyyih’s mind. Grandmother, then. Mom’s already left for work.

As I stand in the shower, trying to remind

myself I have to make it a quick one, I lose myself for a minute in thoughts of Hanni. I’m sure I dreamt of her. I wonder: If I started dreaming when I was in Minji’s body, did she continue the dream? Will she wake up thinking sweetly of her?

Or is that just another kind of dream on my part?

“Bahiyyih! Come on!”

I get out of the shower, dry off, and get dressed quickly. Bahiyyih is not, I can tell, a particularly popular girl. The few photos of friends she has around seem halfhearted, and her clothing choices are more like a sixteen-year-olds than a nineteen-year-old’s.

I head into the kitchen and the grandmother glares at me.

“Don’t forget your clarinet,” she warns.

“I won’t,” I mumble.

There’s a boy at the table giving me an evil look. Bahiyyih’s brother, I assume—and then confirm it. Kai. A senior. My ride to school.

I have gotten very used to the fact that most mornings in most homes are exactly the same. Stumbling out of the bed. Stumbling into the shower. Mumbling over the breakfast table. Or, if the parents are still asleep, the tiptoe out of the house. The only way to keep it interesting is to look for the variations.

This morning’s variation comes care of Kai, who lights up a joint the minute we get into the car. I’m assuming this is part of his morning routine, so I make sure Bahiyyih doesn’t seem as surprised as I am.

Still, Kai hazards a “Don’t say a word” about three minutes into the ride. I stare out the window. Two minutes later, he says, “Look, I don’t need your judgment, okay?” The joint is done by then; it doesn’t make him any mellower.

I prefer to be an only child. In the long term, I can see how siblings could be helpful in life—someone to share family secrets with, someone of your own generation who knows if your memories are right or not, someone who sees you at eight and eighteen and forty-eight all at once, and doesn’t mind. I understand that. But in the short term, siblings are at best a hassle and at worst a terror.

Most of the abuse I have suffered in my admittedly unusual life has come from brothers and sisters, with older brothers and older sisters being, by and large, the worst offenders. At first I was naïve, and assumed that brothers and sisters were natural allies, instant companions.

And sometimes the context would allow this to happen—if we were on a family trip, for example, or if it was a lazy Sunday where teaming up with me was my sibling’s only form of entertainment. But on ordinary days, the rule is competition, not collaboration. There are times when I wonder whether brothers and sisters are, in fact, the ones who sense that something is off with whatever person I’m inhabiting, and move to take advantage.

When I was eight, an older sister told me we were going to run away together—then abandoned the “together” part when we got to the train station, leaving me to wander there for hours, too scared to ask for help—scared that she would find out and berate me for ending our game. As a boy, I’ve had brothers—both older and younger—wrestle me, hit me, kick me, bite me, shove me, and call me more names than I could ever catalog.

The best I can hope for is a quiet sibling. At first I have Kai pegged as one of those. In the car, it appears I am wrong. But then, once we get out at school, it appears I am right again. With other kids around, he retreats into invisibility, keeping his head down as he makes his way inside, leaving me completely behind. No goodbye, no have-a-nice-day. Just a quick glance to see that my door is closed before he locks the car.

“What are you looking at?” a voice asks from over my left shoulder as I watch him enter school alone.

I turn around and do some serious accessing.

Eunchae. Best friend since fourth grade.

“Just my brother.”

“Why? He’s such a waste of space.”

Here’s the strange thing: I am fine thinking the same words myself, but hearing them come out of Eunchae’s mouth makes me feel defensive.

“Come on,” I say.

“Come on? Are you kidding me?”

Now I think: She knows something I don’t. I decide to keep my mouth shut.

She seems relieved to change the subject.

“What did you do last night?” she asks.

Flashes of Hanni rise in my mind’s eye. I try to tamp them down, but they’re not that easy to contain. Once you experience enormity, it lingers everywhere you look, and wants to be every word you say.

“Not much,” I push on, not bothering to access Hanni. This answer always works, no matter what the question. “You?”

“You didn’t get my text?”

I mumble something about my phone dying.

“That explains why you haven’t asked me yet! Guess what. Kyujin IM’d me! We chatted for, like, almost an hour.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, isn’t it?” Eunchae sighs contentedly. “After all this time. I didn’t even know she knew my screen name. You didn’t tell her, did you?”

More accessing. This is the kind of question that can really trip a person up. Maybe not right away. But in the future. If Bahiyyih claims she wasn’t the one who told Kyujin, and Eunchae finds out she was, it could throw their friendship off balance. Or if Bahiyyij claims she was, and Eunchae finds out she wasn’t.

Kyujin is Kyujin Jang, a junior who Eunchae's had a crush on for at least three weeks. Bahiyyih doesn’t know her well, and I can’t find a memory of giving a screen name to her. I think it’s safe.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I didn’t.”

“Well, I guess she really had to work hard to find it,” she says. (Or, I think, she just saw it on your Facebook profile.)

I immediately feel guilty for my snarky thoughts. This is the hard part about having best friends that I feel no attachment to—I don’t give them any benefit of the doubt. And being best friends is always about the benefit of the doubt.

Eunchae is very excited about Kyujin, so I pretend to be very excited for her. It’s only after we separate for homeroom that I feel an emotion kicking at me, one I thought I had under control: jealousy. Although I am not articulating it to myself in so many words, I am feeling jealous that Eunchae can have Kyujin while I can never have Hanni.

Ridiculous, I chastise myself. You are being ridiculous.

When you live as I do, you cannot indulge in jealousy. If you do, it will rip you apart.

Third period is band class. I tell the teacher that I left my clarinet at home, even though it’s in my locker. Bahiyyih gets marked down and has to take the class as a study hall, but I don’t care.

I don’t know how to play the clarinet.

Word about Eunchae and Kyujin travels fast. All of our friends are talking about it, and mostly they’re pleased. I can’t tell, though, whether they’re pleased because it’s a perfect match or because now Eunchae will shut up about it.

When I see Kyujin at lunchtime, I am unsurprised by how unremarkable she is. People are rarely as attractive in reality as they are in the eyes of the people who are in love with them. Which is, I suppose, as it should be. It’s almost heartening to think that the attachment you have can define your perception as much as any other influence.

Kyujin comes over at lunch to say hi, but she doesn’t stay to eat with us, even though we make room for her at our table. Eunchae doesn’t seem to notice this; she’s just giddy that she’s come by, that she didn’t dream the whole IM exchange, that chatting has escalated into speaking … and who knows what will happen next? As I suspected, Bahiyyih does not move in a fast crowd. These girls are thinking of kissing, not sex. The lips are the gates of their desire.

I want to run away again, to skip the second half of the day.

But it wouldn’t be right, without her.

It feels like I am wasting time. I mean, that’s always the case. My life doesn’t add up to anything.

Except, for an afternoon, it did.

Yesterday is another world. I want to go back there.

Early sixth period, right after lunch, my brother is called down to the principal’s office.

At first I think I may have heard it wrong. But then I see other people in class looking at me, including Eunchae, who has pity in her eyes. So I must have heard it right.

I am not alarmed. I figure if it was something really bad, they would have called us both. Nobody in my family has died. Our house hasn’t burned down. It’s Kai’s business, not mine.

Eunchae sends me a note. What happened?

I send a shrug in her direction. How am I supposed to know?

I just hope I haven’t lost my ride home.

Sixth period ends. I gather my books and head to English class. The book is Beowulf, so I’m completely prepared. I’ve done this unit plenty of times.

I’m about ten steps away from the classroom when someone grabs me.

I turn, and there’s Kai.

Kai, bleeding.

“Shh,” he says. “Just come with me.”

“What happened?” I ask.

“Just shh, okay?”

He’s looking around like he’s being chased. I decide to go along. After all, this is more exciting than Beowulf.

We get to a supply closet. He motions me in.

“Are you kidding me?” I say.

“Bahiyyih.”

There’s no arguing. I follow him in. I find the light switch easily.

He’s breathing hard. For a moment, he doesn’t say anything.

“Tell me what happened,” I say.

“I think I might be in trouble.”

“Duh. I heard you called to the principal’s office. Why aren’t you down there?”

“I was down there. I mean, before the announcement. But then I … left.”

“You bolted from the principal’s office?”

“Yeah. Well, the waiting room. They went to check my locker. I’m sure of it.”

The blood is coming from a cut above his eye.

“Who hit you?” I ask.

“It doesn’t matter. Just shut up and listen to me, okay?”

“I’m listening, but you’re not saying anything!”

I don’t think Bahiyyih usually talks back to her older brother. But I don’t care. He isn’t really paying attention to me, anyway.

“They’re going to call home, okay? I need you to back me up.” He hands me his keys. “Just go home after school and see what the situation is. I’ll call you.”

Luckily, I know how to drive.

When I don’t argue, he takes it as acquiescence.

“Thanks,” he tells me.

“Are you going to the principal’s office now?” I ask him.

He leaves without an answer.

Eunchae has the news by the end of the day. Whether it’s the truth doesn’t really matter. It’s the news that’s going around, and she’s eager to report it to me.

“Your brother and Josh Wolf got into a fight out by the field, during lunch. They’re saying it had to do with drugs, and that your brother is a dealer or something. I mean, I knew he was into pot and everything, but I had no idea he dealt. He and Josh were dragged down to the principal’s office, but Kai decided to run. Can you believe it? They were paging him to come back. But I don’t think he did.”

“Who’d you hear it from?” I ask. She’s giddy with excitement.

“From Kyujin! She wasn’t out there, but some of the guys she hangs out with saw the fight and everything.”

I see now that the fact that Kyujin told her is the bigger news here. She’s not so selfish that she wants me to congratulate her, not with my brother in trouble. But it’s clear what her priority is.

“I’ve got to drive home,” I say.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Eunchae asks. “I don’t want you to have to walk in there alone.”

For a second, I’m tempted. But then I imagine her giving Kyujin the blow-by-blow account of what went down, and even if that’s not a fair assumption to make, it’s enough to make me realize I don’t want her there.

“It’s okay,” I say. “If anything, this is really going to make me look like the good daughter.”

Eunchae laughs, but more out of support than humor.

“Tell Kyujin I say hi,” I say playfully as I close my locker.

She laughs again. This time, out of happiness.

“Where is she?”

I haven’t even stepped through the kitchen door and the interrogation begins.

Bahiyyih’s mother, father, and grandmother are all there, and I don’t need to access her mind to know this is an unusual occurrence at three in the afternoon.

“I have no idea,” I say. I’m glad he didn’t tell me; this way, I don’t have to lie.

“What do you mean, you have no idea?” my father asks. He’s the lead inquisitor in this family.

“I mean, I have no idea. He gave me the keys to the car, but he wouldn’t tell me what was going on.”

“And you let him walk away?”

“I didn’t see any police chasing after him,” I say. Then I wonder if there are, in fact, police chasing after him.

My grandmother snorts in disgust.

“You always take his side,” my father intones. “But not this time. This time you are going to tell us everything.”

He doesn’t realize he’s just helped me. Now I know that Bahiyyih always takes Kai’s side. So my instinct is correct.

“You probably know more than I do,” I say.

“Why would your brother and Josh Wolf have a fight?” my mother asks, genuinely bewildered. “They’re such good friends!”

My mental image of Josh Wolf is of a ten-year-old, leading me to believe that at one point, my brother probably was good friends with Josh Wolf. But not anymore.

“Sit down,” my father commands, pointing to a kitchen chair.

I sit down.

“Now … where is he?”

“I genuinely don’t know.”

“She’s telling the truth,” my mother says. “I can tell when she’s lying.”

Even though I have way too many control issues to do drugs myself, I am starting to get a sense of why Kai likes to get stoned.

“Well, let me ask this, then,” my father continues. “Is your brother a drug dealer?”

This is a very good question. My instinct is no. But a lot depends on what happened on the field with Josh Wolf.

So I don’t answer. I just stare.

“Josh Wolf says the drugs in his jacket were sold to him by your brother,” my father prods. “Are you saying they weren’t?”

“Did they find any drugs on Kai?” I ask.

“No,” my mother answers.

“And in his locker? Didn’t they search his locker?”

My mother shakes her head.

“And in his room? Did you find any in his room?”

My mother actually looks surprised.

“I know you looked in his room,” I say.

“We haven’t found anything,” my father answers. “Yet. And we also need to take a look in that car. So if you will please give me the keys …”

I am hoping that Kai was smart enough to clear out the car. Either way, it’s not up to me. I hand over the keys.

Unbelievably, they’ve searched my room, too.

“I’m sorry,” my mother says from the hallway, tears in her eyes now. “He thought your brother might have hidden the drugs in here. Without you knowing.”

“It’s fine,” I say, more to get her out of the room than anything else. “I’m just going to clean up now.”

But I’m not quick enough. My phone rings. I hold it so my mom can’t see Kai’s name on the display.

“Hi, Eunchae,” I say.

Kai is at least smart enough to keep his voice down so it won’t be overheard.

“Are they mad?” he whispers.

I want to laugh. “What do you think?”

“That bad?”

“They’ve ransacked his room, but they haven’t found anything. They’re looking in his car now!”

“Don’t tell her that!” my mother says. “Get off the phone.”

“Sorry—Mom’s here, and not happy about me talking to you about this. Where are you? Are you at home? Can I call you back?”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Yeah, he really does have to come home eventually, doesn’t he?”

“Look … meet me in a half hour at the playground, okay?”

“I really have to go. But, yes, I’ll do that.”

I hang up. My mother is still looking at me.

“I’m not the one you’re mad at!” I remind her.

Poor Bahiyyih will have to clean up the mess in her room tomorrow morning—I can’t be bothered to figure out where everything goes. That would take too much accessing, and the priority is finding out which playground Kai means. There’s one at an elementary school about four blocks from the house. I assume that’s the place.

It’s not easy to sneak out of the house. I wait until the three of them return to Kai’s room to tear it apart again, then skulk out the back door. I know this is a risky maneuver—the minute they realize I’m gone, there will be hell to pay. But if Kai comes back with me, that’ll all be forgotten.

I know I should be focusing on the matter at hand, but I can’t help but think of Hanni. School’s now over for her, too. Is she hanging out with Minji? If so, is she treating her well? Did anything about yesterday rub off on her?

I hope, but never expect.

Kai’s nowhere to be found, so I head to the swings and hang in the air for a while. Eventually, he appears on the sidewalk and heads over to me.

“You always pick that swing,” he says, sitting down on the swing next to mine.

“I do?” I say.

“Yeah.”

I wait for him to say something else. He doesn’t.

“Kai,??? I finally say. “What happened?”

He shakes his head. He’s not going to tell me.

I stop swinging and plant my feet on the ground.

“This is stupid, Kai. You have five seconds to tell me what happened, or I’m going to head right back home, and you’ll be on your own for whatever happens next.”

Kai is surprised. “What do you want me to say? Josh Wolf gets me my pot. Today we got into a fight over it—he was saying I owed him, when I didn’t. He started pushing me around, so I pushed him back. And we got caught. He had the drugs, so he said I’d just dealt them to him. Real smooth. I said that was totally wrong, but he’s in all AP classes and everything, so who do you think they’re going to believe?”

He has definitely convinced himself it’s the truth. But whether it started out being the truth or not, I can’t tell.

“Well,” I say, “you have to come home. Dad’s trashed your room, but they haven’t found any drugs yet. And they didn’t find any in your locker, and I’m guessing they didn’t find any in the car, or I would’ve heard about it. So right now, it’s all okay.”

“I’m telling you, there aren’t any drugs. I used the weed up this morning. That’s why I needed more from Josh.”

“Josh, your former best friend.”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t been friends with him since we were, like, eight.”

I am sensing that this was the last time Kai had a best friend.

“Let’s go,” I tell him. “It’s not the end of the world.”

“Easy for you to say.”

I am not expecting our father to hit Kai. But as soon as he sees him in the house, he decks him.

I think I am the only one who is truly stunned.

“What have you done?” my father is yelling. “What stupid, stupid thing have you done?”

Both my mother and I move to stand between them. Grandma just watches from the sidelines, looking mildly pleased.

“I haven’t done anything!” Kai protests.

“Is that why you ran away? Is that why you are being expelled? Because you haven’t done anything?”

“They won’t expel him until they hear his side of the story,” I point out, fairly sure this is true.

“Stay out of this!” my father warns.

“Why don’t we all sit down and talk this over?” my mother suggests.

The anger rises off my father like heat. I feel myself receding in a way that I’m guessing is not unusual for Bahiyyih when she’s with her family.

I become nostalgic for that first waking moment of the morning, back before I had any idea what ugliness the day would bring.

We sit down this time in the den. Or, rather, Kai, our mother, and I sit down—Kai and me on the couch, our mother in a nearby chair. Our father hovers over us. Our grandmother stays in the doorway as if she’s keeping a lookout.

“You are a drug dealer!” our father yells.

“I am not a drug dealer,” Kai answers. “For one, if I were a drug dealer, I’d have a lot more money. And I’d have a stash of drugs that you would’ve found by now!”

Kai, I think, needs to shut up.

“Josh Wolf was the drug dealer,” I volunteer. “Not Kai.”

“So what was your brother doing—buying from him?”

Maybe, I think, I’m the one who needs to shut up.

“Our fight had nothing to do with drugs,” Kai says. “They just found them on him afterward.”

“Then what were you and Josh fighting about?” our mother asks, as if the fact that these two boyhood chums fought is the most unbelievable thing that’s occurred.

“A girl,” Kai says. “We were fighting about a girl.”

I wonder if Kai thought this one out ahead of time, or whether it’s come to him spontaneously. Whatever the case, it’s probably the only thing he could have possibly said that would have made our parents momentarily … happy might be overstating it. But less angry. They don’t want their son to be buying or selling drugs, being bullied, or bullying anyone else. But fighting over a girl? Perfectly acceptable. Especially since I’m guessing, it’s not like Kai’s ever mentioned a girl to them before.

Kai sees he’s gained ground. He pushes further. “If she found out—oh God, she can’t find out. I know some girls like it when you fight over them, but she definitely doesn’t.”

Mom nods her approval.

“What’s her name?” Dad asks.

“Do I have to tell you?”

“Yes.”

“Yuna. Shin Yuna.”

Wow, he’s even made her Korean. Amazing.

“Do you know this girl?” Dad asks me.

“Yes,” I say. “She’s awesome.” Then I turn to Kai and shoot him fake daggers. “But Romeo over here never told me he was into her. Although now that he says it, it’s starting to make sense. He has been acting very weird lately.”

Mom nods again. “He has.”

Eyes bloodshot, I want to say. Eating a lot of Cheetos. Staring into space. Eating more Cheetos. It must be love. What else could it possibly be?

What was threatening to be an all-out war becomes a war council, with our parents strategizing what the principal can be told, especially about the running away. I hope for Kai’s sake that Shin Yuna is, in fact, a student at the high school, whether he has a crush on her or not. I can’t access any memory of her. If the name rings a bell, the bell’s in a vacuum.

Now that our father can see a way of saving face, he’s almost amiable. Kai’s big punishment is that he has to go clean up his room before dinner.

I can’t imagine I would have gotten the same reaction if I’d beaten up another girl over a boy.

I follow Kai up to his room. When we’re safely inside, door closed, no parents around, I tell him, “That was kinda brilliant.”

He looks at me with unconcealed annoyance and says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Get out of my room.”

This is why I prefer to be an only child.

I have a sense that Bahiyyih would let it go. So I should let it go. That’s the law I’ve set down for myself—don’t disrupt the life you’re living in. Leave it as close to the same as you can.

But I’m pissed. So I diverge a little from the law. I think, perversely, that Hanni would want me to. Even though she has no idea who Kai and Bahiyyih are. Or who I am.

“Look,” I say, “you lying little pothead bitch. You are going to be nice to me, okay? Not only because I am covering your butt, but because I am the one person in the world right now who is being decent to you. Is that understood?”

Shocked, and maybe a little contrite, Kai mumbles his assent.

“Good,” I say, knocking a few things off his shelves. “Now happy cleaning.”

Nobody talks at dinner.

I don’t think this is unusual.

I wait until everyone is asleep before I go on the computer. I retrieve Minji’s email and password from my own email, then log in as her.

There’s an email from Hanni, sent at 10:11 p.m.

M –

I just don’t understand. Was it something I did? Yesterday was so perfect, and today you are mad at me again. if it’s something I did, please tell me, and I’ll fix it. I want us to be together. I want all our days to end on a nice note. not like tonight.

with all my heart, h

I reel back in my seat. I want to hit reply, I want to reassure her that it will be better—but I can’t. You’re not her anymore, I have to remind myself. You’re not there.

And then I think: What have I done?

I hear Kai moving around in his room. Hiding evidence? Or is fear keeping him awake?

I wonder if he’ll be able to pull it off tomorrow.

I want to get back to her. I want to get back to yesterday.

[islandtarochips]

Talofa Taro 💖 For the OC ask game

Kanoa: Break and monstruous

Tiala: Mask and hide

Talofa, Witch! Been a while that I've posted stuff like these about my OCs in the ask game! Lol. Ok, let's do this!

[WARNING: Related to kidnapping, killing and the info is LOOOOOOOONG!]

Kanoa Toa:

break: "What would cause your OC to break down completely? What do they look like when that happens? Has anyone ever seen them at their lowest?"

ANSWER: Oof. This is a tough one for the poor guy. So, to answer that. The thing that would break Kanoa COMPLETELY is when something triggers him about his mistakes that relate about the past. Like the time he lost sister? If any of his teammates or his friends or his family got kidnapped or killed under HIS watch. That will make him go on his knees and bawled out silently. Having those flashbacks about losing his sister because of him had made his heart hurt so much. And the blame and guilt had grown MORE into him. The only people that could see him like this are Alana, Rangi, Aelan and Serah. let me list down how these people get to see Kanoa in his DOWNFALL.

Alana Kalani: She had seen how Kanoa looked when he came back from a failed mission where his sister had gotten kidnapped. Seeing him walking into her office and apologizing to her over and over for failing to protect his team. That mother instinct had kicked in as she got out of her desk and walked up to the poor soldier and comforted him. And he started to show his breaking point towards the General.

Rangi Toa: Rangi is the second to know about their sister's kidnapping and once he heard Kanoa coming back from the failed mission. He quickly ran out to find him. Hearing from one of the soldiers saying he's with the General. He ran to the office and quickly opened it without knocking. And surprisingly to see Kanoa was being held by Alana. Crying into her arms. He understands that Kanoa doesn't want to tell him first. Afraid of what his reaction would be after receiving the news. Rangi could feel the pressure that his younger brother is carrying and knelt down next to him before pulling him into a hug. Telling Kanoa that they WILL find their sister and bring her back home. He has no grudge against him.

Aelan Kalani: She's a MEDIC so she knows what a patient's guilt looks like. After the rescue mission, she had seen Kanoa's expression when he looked at his sister in the hospital and heard him excusing himself and walked away. Aelan had followed him into the area where no one would see him. And she saw him breaking down on the floor while hugging his knees. The soldier who is crying is feeling guilty and blaming himself. She knew she had to step in because it's her duty to make sure that every soldier is feeling okay. Both physically AND mentally. So she sat next to him before seeing him looking at her with those tearful eyes. It really hurts her a bit to see him like this. So instead of asking him about his condition, she just hugged him and told him that everything will be alright. His sister will be alright. And that made Kanoa cry even more before hugging back to her.

And Lastly, Serah Johnson Toa: Serah had seen her brother-in-law's Breaking point when she found him at the hill from their house. She heard about the argument between him and her husband. So she wanted to check up on him. Seeing him standing on top of the hill. Watching the sun setting behind the never ending oceans. She could see his tears falling down on the side of her cheeks. Glittering against the sunset rays. She slowly walked up to him and slowly touched his shoulders. Seeing him turning his head towards the woman. She could see that he was REALLY sorry and that breaks her heart. She knows that he won't let anything happened to his sister. So she gave him a hug and told him that she'll talk to her husband about this.

So yeah, that's how much suffering that Kanoa had to carry and force a smile to let the people know that he's ok. No matter how bad it hurts him. Would YOU notice about that?

monster: "Is your OC monstrous in any way? Is there something that makes them monstrous? Are they aware of their own monstrosity? Do they accept it or reject it?"

ANSWER: He USED to though. Same time after losing his sister from that mission. He started to grow DESPERATE of looking for her. As he KNOWS that she's still alive no matter how many times they told him that she's gone.

Wanna know WHAT is the most monstrous thing that he did? Killing the enemy in front of their family. After receiving the intel of where his sister may be. He will kill them. And he gave their family a WARNING if they ever ended up like the enemies then they're next on his hit list. He wasn't aware of his actions to be honest. Because those anger had made him blind with rage and he was DESPERATE to look for her. But AFTER he rescued his sister and seeing how she reacted when he tried to hug her from the hospital. She could see fear in her eyes, reminding him about those families looking at him in the same way.

THAT'S when he realized his action...so he made a promise to himself that they won't do anything to someone who has a family. Unless it's necessary.

Tiala Toa:

mask: Does your OC wear a mask, literally or figuratively? What goes on beneath it? Is there anyone in their life who gets to see who they are under the mask?

ANSWER: Figuratively actually. She found no use in using the mask since she doesn't express that much anymore in front of people. So it makes it hard for anyone to tell what she was thinking. Giving that stoic expression.

Beneath it is just a broken soul. Who had experienced traumas in relationships and kidnapping. And also being touched by MEN.

And her family are the only people that will get to see her under that mask. Slowly comes towards her team and close friends that she had trusted with.

hide: What does your OC hide? Why do they hide it?

ANSWER: That's for her to know and for you to find out.

Jokes! Lol. She hides her burnt scar that was on her right arm. Even having those other scars that were on her left forearm. As she always wears any shirts/tops that have long sleeves. Even during hot weather, she REFUSED to take it off. No matter how many times people tell her to do so.

The reason why she hides it is because she doesn't want those past traumas coming back to her. And even doesn't want anyone to say anything about how ugly it looks. Reminding her of what her Ex-Boyfriend kept saying about her flaws. So she kept it hidden under the sleeves and made sure NO one saw it. EVER. The only people that DO know are her family and her team. That's it.

This ask

Whew! That was a LONG one! Hope this satsify your answer, Witch! And thank you for sending these! Really appreciated it! Love ya, pele!

[blackcat2907]

Stars Shining Bright

Inspired by Day of Death (The Rookie Episode)

Content/Trigger Warnings: Torture, buried alive, trauma, Tawan

Tag List: @somnas-writes (let me know if you want to be tagged for my KP fics)

“Porsche! I found him!” 

“Come on. Breathe damn it!”

— — — 

Porsche knew something was wrong from the start. Tawan suddenly coming back from the dead and begging Kinn to stay at the Major Family’s home was too suspicious to be a random encounter. If Tawan was alive the whole time, why not come back sooner? Why now? Something was wrong, and Porsche was determined to figure it out. He bugged Tawan’s room, but that only made him fall into Tawan’s trap. Tawan convinced Kinn that Porsche was the mole and got him locked away. 

Now, Porsche was pacing his cell, glaring daggers at the guard. His heart hurt thinking Kinn believed Tawan over him. Did their relationship really mean nothing this whole time? Angry, bitter tears welled in his eyes. He clenched his fists. Did Kinn use him? Did he really believe Tawan? He swallowed back more tears, refusing to cry in front of the guard. Mek was his name, and he looked smug as he watched Porsche pace the cell. Porsche locked eyes with him and glowered. Porsche was innocent. He didn’t belong in this cell. 

Mek approached the cell, opening his mouth to taunt Porsche when a hand wrapped around his head and covered his mouth, muffling the startled scream. A knife embedded itself in Mek’s side. Deep enough to cause damage, but not deep enough to kill. Porsche’s eyes met Vegas’s dark eyes. The bodyguard inched backward as Vegas dropped Mek’s body and took the key. 

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you,” Vegas spoke softly, unlocking the cell. “We don’t have much time. Come on.” He extended his hand to lead Porsche to safety. 

Porsche’s eyes widened slightly. Those words struck him with deja vu, but it was all too fuzzy. He shook his head. “Why should I trust you?” he growled, slapping away Vegas’s hand. “How do I know you won’t use me to get to Kinn or anyone else?” 

Vegas’s eyes flashed dangerously. “I didn’t put you here, did I? Kinn did because he never trusted you. Kinn doesn’t trust anyone, not even Tawan.” He paused, smile growing. “But he obviously trusted that snake enough to lock you away. I’m offering you a chance to survive. Why waste it?” 

“I said before. I don’t trust you,” Porsche snarled, getting in Vegas’s face. “I trust Kinn. He has a plan.” Uncertainty filled Porsche’s eyes as if he was trying to convince himself Kinn had a plan and knew the truth. “I trust him…” 

“What if you are wrong and Kinn kills you for being the traitor you’re not? Who would look after Porschay?” Vegas knew he struck a nerve when Porsche violently flinched back. “From one older brother to another. I know we both would do anything to protect our younger siblings.” He held out his hand again. “So, Porsche, what will it be?” 

Porsche sucked in a sharp breath and mentally kicked himself for taking Vegas’s hand. “I’m not doing this for you. I am doing it for Chay,” he reminded Vegas.

“I know,” Vegas smirked, leading Porsche down the halls. A thrill of victory ran through his body. Everything was going according to plan. Now all he needed was Tawan and the mole to do their jobs correctly. Porsche got on the motorbike and Vegas drove them to Porsche’s house. “I”ll keep in touch. Let you know if anyone finds you,” he smirked. 

Porsche bit back a harsh retort and fought the urge to flip Vegas off. “Whatever,” he mumbled, practically running inside to find Chay. “Chay!” he called as he opened the door. “Chay! Where are you?” 

“Hia?” Chay asked, poking his head out from around the corner. “What are you doing here?” He put his books on the table and ran up to hug his older brother. “Are you okay?” he asked as Porsche tightly hugged him back. 

“I’m okay, nong. I’m okay.” Porsche gently cupped Chay’s face. “Are you okay?” Porsche’s anxiety kept creeping higher and higher. He couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. Chay’s safety was more important than his own safety. He’d risk everything to keep Chay safe. He ran his hand through Chay’s hair, trying to ground himself. 

“I’m fine, hia. What’s wrong?” Chay looked up at Porsche with wide eyes. “You’re acting strange.” 

“I’m okay, Chay. I’m okay. I just wanted to know if you were okay,” Porsche smiled wetly. “Promise me you won’t open the door for any stranger. Promise me you will be alert and stay safe. Please, promise me.” 

“Hia, you’re scaring me,” Chay whispered, hugging tightly. 

“Promise me!” Desperation seeped into Porsche’s voice. He didn’t trust Vegas or anyone not to come after his younger brother. 

“I…I promise,” Chay replied, soothingly. “Hia, I promise.” He buried his head in his brother’s chest. “Are you hungry?” He let go of Porsche and brought him to the couch. “I can make you something. Or heat up some left overs.” 

Porsche relaxed on the couch. “I’m okay. I need a shower.” He tiredly smiled at his brother, the events from the day catching up with him as exhaustion crashed over him. “I just need a minute to rest. It’s getting late. You should go to bed. You have school tomorrow.” 

“But you just got here!” Chay protested, gritting his teeth. “It’s not fair. Hia, can’t I stay up to help you?” He pleaded, giving Porsche his best puppy eyes. “Please?” 

Porsche chuckled and ruffled Chay’s hair, earning a slap and protests from Chay. “Here's the deal. You go get ready for bed. I’ll shower, and after that, I’ll cuddle you all night!” He grinned and tickled Chay’s side. Chay squealed and squirmed at Porsche’s relentless tickle attacks. “Okay!! Okay!! I agree!” Chay giggled, pulling away to rush off to bed. 

Porsche smiled at his brother’s antics and got up to shower. The almost too hot water soothed his aching body. The dirt from the cell washed away and he left the shower feeling refreshed and exhausted. He dried his body and started drying his hair as he went to Chay’s room to find his brother already asleep. “I knew you were tired,” Porsche smirked. “Hia always knows,” he whispered, kissing Chay’s forehead. “I’ll be right back, nong. Let me grab some water.” He petted Chay’s hair and strolled into the kitchen. 

“One move and I’ll kill you and then your brother.” Porsche froze as a gun clicked. He slowly turned around to see Tawan. 

“You–” 

“Shut up!” Tawan snapped, slamming the butt of the gun into Porsche’s jaw, watching with glee as he crashed to the floor. “You’re getting in my way so it’s time to erase you from the equation.” He squatted down, smirking at Porsche. “Do as I say and Porschay will survive this ordeal. My boss just wants you gone. And I want you dead.” 

Porsche wanted nothing more than to spit in Tawan’s face, but the fear of losing Chay stopped him. “What do you want?” he spat, eyes blazing with barely contained rage. “I’ll do anything, just don’t hurt Chay.” 

“I know you will,” Tawan grinned, standing up. “I’m going to enjoy this very, very much.” Porsche looked confused before Tawan brought his boot down on Porsche’s head, knocking the bodyguard unconscious. 

— — — 

Kim always suspected something was wrong. Being raised in a mafia family meant you were always alert or something bad would happen. Trouble always follows the mafia. At first, Kim was only interested in gaining information on Porsche, suspicious of the man after Korn hired him seemingly out of nowhere. But, he didn’t expect Porschay to be such a beacon of sunshine and joy. For once in his life, Kim found himself feeling guilty for using Chay to get information. For once, Kim found himself falling in love. So when he got a frantic call from Chay, he knew something was wrong. 

“Hey, calm down,” Kim spoke soothingly, jumping to his feet and grabbing his jacket. “I’m on my way. Tell me what happened.” 

“Hia is gone!” Chay sobbed, trying not to hyperventilate. Kim tensed up, a pit settling in his stomach. “He came home today and promised he’d cuddle with me tonight since we both were too tired to do anything else.” Chay’s voice cracked, his breathing shaky. “He…He said he’d take a shower and then he’d come to cuddle. But…” His lip quivered, and the fear in his voice sent shivers down Kim’s spine. Fear, desperation, and tears were evident. “He didn’t show up. I can’t find him. He’s gone. He’s gone, Kim!” 

Kim cursed under his breath. This was worse than he thought. “I’m almost there. Stay low and don’t let anyone but me inside, okay? Can you breathe for me?” 

“I don’t…I can’t…” Chay sobbed loudly. 

“Name five things you can see,” Kim said, driving his car faster than the speed limit. 

“The fl–floor, a pill–a pillow, the phone, blood, and…and broken glass,” Chay cried and Kim’s heart dropped. Blood was never a good sign. 

“Good job. Four things you can touch,” Kim praised. 

“The floor, the phone, the cold air, and the blankets,” Chay hiccuped, breathing slowing to a more normal rate. 

“Great. Three things you can hear.” 

“Your voice, the wind, and my breathing.” 

“Two things you can smell. I’m almost there.” 

“Iron and salt.” Kim grimaced at Chay’s answer. 

“Lastly, one thing you can taste. I’m right outside your door.” Kim gently opened the door and saw Chay cuddled on the floor by the kitchen counter. 

“Salty tears,” Chay cried, ending the call and looking at Kim. 

Kim’s heart broke even more at seeing Chay sitting next to a small blood splatter and broken glass. “Stay here. Let me look around, okay?” Chay nodded and Kim began to slowly walk around the house, looking for any signs of a break in. He found shoe prints and a syringe thrown in the trash. He grimaced and took the syringe, hoping to test its contents later. 

“Chay, I need you to do something for me,” he called to the younger male. “Gather enough clothes you will need for the time being. I’m taking you to my house. It’s not safe here.” He put the syringe in an evidence bag. 

Chay quivered, roughly rubbing his eyes. “I don’t care about my safety!” he snapped. “I want Hia to be safe!” He pushed himself to his feet, ignoring how the glass dug into the palms of his hands. 

“And Porsche would want you safe!” Kim snapped back, eyes cold. “I promise I will find Porsche, but safety comes first.” He stared at Chay’s bloodied hands. “I’ll grab the clothes. Sit down and let me bandage that.”

Chay bit his lip and sat at the table, palms up. Kim momentarily left and came back with a medkit. “This will sting a little,” he warned. Chay nodded, “Okay.” Kim wasn’t surprised to see Chay wince and not cry out as he got the glass out. After bandaging up the hand, Kim gathered Chay’s clothes and brought everything to his car. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow move. He tensed up. 

“Get in the car. I forgot something inside,” Kim told Chay, turning heel and stalking back inside the house. His movements were slow and calculated, his hand gripping the switchblade in his pocket, ready to defend himself and Chay. 

— — — 

Porsche coughed as he woke up, eyes slowly peeling open. His head pounded and his body felt like jelly. Movement was sluggish and trapped. Metal clinked and Porsche lifted his head to see he was handcuffed to a table. A low light hung from the ceiling and the room was cold. His shirt was missing and black writing on his stomach made his blood run cold. Eyes widened as the dull pain in his stomach was revealed to be a tattoo. His skin, angry and red, burned with the black writing staring back at him. DOD: 9/13/22 

“You’re awake!” Tawan cooed, hand coming down to rub Porsche’s cheek in mock adoration. “I was getting a little worried that I gave you too high a dose.” He laughed, drawing his hand back before Porsche could bite him. “Even drugged you are feisty. Vegas was right about that.” 

“Wh…what?” Porsche whispered, eyes wide. Vegas betrayed him? Was Chay okay? He pulled at his restraints. “Let me go, you bastard! I’ll kill you if you lay one hand on Chay! Let me go!” His wrists became red and raw from the tugging, harsh metal digging into the tender flesh. 

“Awe, don’t be like that,” Tawan pouted. “I promised I wouldn’t touch Chay if you behaved. And you did. Now, how do you want to spend your last twenty-four hours?” Tawan stared cruelly at Porsche. “When you disappear, Kinn will be mine and I will finally stop hearing about you. It’s been ‘Porsche this’ and ‘Porsche that’. Well, with you gone, it will be back to me.” 

“You’re sick!” Porsche spat, struggling again. “Kinn won’t be your lover. He’s just keeping you close because he doesn’t trust you. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.” Porsche’s head jerked to the side, pain erupting in his cheek as Tawan slapped him. 

“Shut your mouth!” Tawan screamed, face red with rage. “This is all your fault! If you weren’t here, Kinn would have loved me again!” He slapped Porsche again. “I was going to be nice, but I’ve changed my mind.” He stepped back and Porsche’s eyes followed every movement he made. “I’ll be back. I have preparations to make.” His cruel smile made despair pool in Porsche’s gut. “Don’t go away, my little Phoenix.” 

— — — 

Big never liked Porsche. Matter of fact, he hated the younger ever since he laid eyes on him. Porsche’s cocky attitude and the way he treated his job like a game pissed him off. Big worked hard and sacrificed everything for this job. Just for Porsche to flash a smile, save Kinn, and get everything handed to him on a silver platter. Then, why did he feel guilty dragging Porsche down to the cells? 

“Because you know he didn’t do it,” Ken spoke up, breaking Big from his thoughts. “Yeah, mate, you said that out loud.” He sat on the edge of the bed next to his friend. “I know you hate Tawan. You think he did it, don’t you?” 

Big rolled his eyes. “No shit, sherlock. Of course I do! Porsche may be an idiot, a cocky bastard, and a fool, but he is loyal,” Big groaned, rubbing his face. “He took this job for his brother. Of course he wouldn’t risk it all to be a mole. He may act dumb, but he’s not.” 

Ken snorted, shaking his head. “Is this Porsche support I am hearing? Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” He playfully elbowed Big’s side, trying to cheer him up. “It’s going to be okay. Kinn will figure this out and find the mole.” 

Big opened his mouth to respond when Chan burst through the door. “Porsche escaped,” he snapped and both bodyguards jumped to their feet. “The cameras caught Vegas breaking him out. Mek was attacked by Vegas and has disappeared.” He looked at them both with a stern gaze. “Kinn has ordered us to find him and bring him back.” 

“Sir, if I may,” Big spoke up. “What about Tawan?” 

Chan raised an eyebrow. “What about him?” 

Big and Ken shared a concerned look. “Don’t you think Tawan showing up now is a little suspicious? Porsche can’t have been the traitor. I think Tawan did something.” Big tried not to falter under Chan’s cold, steely gaze. 

“Tawan is not our priority right now. Porsche is,” Chan snapped, dismissing Big’s concern. Yet, both could see something different in Chan’s eyes. “Now, you two along with Arm and Pol will be searching for him. Pete has already been sent to Porsche’s house. You all will meet there and then spread out starting with Hum Bar and the street fighting rings. If anyone has seen Porsche, it would be someone there.” 

“Yes, sir,” Both bodyguards responded, Big sounding defeated. Chan stared at the two of them and left the room, shouting orders to the others. 

“Why the hell did Porsche go with Vegas?” Ken groaned, shaking his head. 

“I don’t–” Big’s head snapped to the side as he heard a ding coming from the phone Kim had gifted him. “Fuck,” he swore in English. Ken’s eyebrows raised. “Is that? How did you get?” 

“Kim,” Big replied, looking over the messages. He looked at Ken with wide eyes, heart pounding as his voice grew dark and grim. “And things just got much, much worse.” 

— — —

Vegas never wanted this to happen. Honest. He may enjoy seeing people writhe and scream in pain during his torture sessions, but that’s just it. When torturing someone, Vegas has all the control. He likes to see those bastards in pain. They deserve it. Porsche, he never deserved it. Porsche didn’t belong in the mafia world. He was too pure, too innocent. Yet, he stayed to protect his brother. Vegas knew what that was like. He’d do anything for Macau, even if it meant drugging Porsche or helping Tawan infiltrate the Major Family. 

Gun was not a good father. He was abusive and cruel. He would use Vegas as his personal punching bag, but when Vegas got too ‘boring’, Gun would go after Macau. Vegas came to realize that Gun hurting Macau was just as much a punishment to Vegas than to Macau. He hated his father, but where else could he go? The Major Family saw him as nothing but a monster and lesser than. Vegas hated Kinn because he was the perfect child. He got everything. He was the perfect heir while Vegas was constantly a screw-up and a failure. He hated Kinn with his entire being. So why did he want to help him save Porsche? 

The heir to the Minor Family found himself at the front door of the Major Family’s home. He sauntered inside, acting as if he owned the place. He called for a meeting with everyone. Vegas sat at the other end of the table, smirking at Korn, Kinn, Tankhun, and Chan.

“You don’t have much time,” Vegas warned, crossing his arms over his chest. His voice was grim and his eyes held muted concern.“Tawan is cruel. I made him that way. Well, Kinn did, too.” He smirked at Kinn, enjoying how he glared right back. “But that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that Porsche doesn’t have long.” 

“What are you talking about?” Kinn snapped. “You broke Porsche out! You ruined everything. I knew Tawan was a traitor. I had a plan. Seems like you did too,” he accused, raising an eyebrow at Vegas, taunting him. 

Vegas bit his lip to keep from making a comment that would end up with him dead. He wasn’t stupid. “I simply gave him a chance at survival. It’s not my fault he took it,” he drawled, smile returning. “I dropped him off at his house. I didn’t expect Tawan to abduct him.” 

“Ah! I knew Tawan was a traitor!” Tankhun shouted. “And you all thought it was Porsche! My best friend would never!” He seemed proud of himself for knowing Tawan was the mole. His smile fell as a more serious look took over. “And now he’s been taken by Tawan. We need to get him back now!” 

Chan cleared his throat. “I have everyone looking at the bar, the underground fight rings, everywhere Porsche could have gone. I got an update from Big that Khun Kim suspected Porsche was kidnapped. With Tawan’s sudden disappearance, I sent out an update to make this a rescue mission.” 

“Without orders?” Vegas teased, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t expect that from you, Mister Guard Dog.” Chan grit his teeth and stared down Vegas. “I don’t know where Tawan is. He double-crossed me to get to Porsche.” 

“Why would he want to go after Porsche? Why did you break him out?” Kinn asked, raising an eyebrow. “It sounds to me like you are starting to act out.” He leaned forward. “Tell me, Vegas.  Do you intend to try to overthrow us?” 

Vegas’s eyes flashed dangerously before he gave an innocent smile. “I have no idea why you would even suggest that, dear cousin of mine. Tawan wants to hurt you because you hurt him. Or, he wants Porsche gone because he thinks if Porsche is gone, you’ll love him again.” He barked out a laugh, throwing his head back. “You are just as much to blame as I am!”

Kinn jumped up, gun aimed at Vegas. “Shut your mouth! I suggest you remember who you are talking to,” he growled lowly. “You are lucky I don’t have you killed. I know you’ve been sharing information with the Italians.” Vegas tensed up, swallowing thickly. He shifted in his seat, glaring daggers at Kinn. “I should kill you right now, but I won’t because Porsche is my priority.” 

“Adorable,” Vegas rolled his eyes. “You’ve fallen in love.” He scoffed and tilted his head. “Go on. Ask me what I know. I know you are dying to. Come on, Khun Kinn, ask me,” he goaded, leaning forward, smirking as he stared down the barrel of the gun. 

Kinn’s lips curled into a sneer as he lowered the gun. “I won’t play your games, Vegas. Where is Tawan?” 

“I don’t know. He could have gone to any of the safe houses,” Vegas replied nonchalantly. “But he was obsessed with you. He’s too far gone. Maybe, he’s going to do something drastic and kill him somewhere you two have spent time together.” He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms behind his head. “It’s what I would do,” he grinned with all teeth. 

— — — 

Porsche grunted as he stumbled over more rocks. His arms were tied behind his back and Tawan had a gun trained on him. The dust mixed with the sharp rocks added to his quiet suffering. He recognized the area he was in, hopelessness growing in his gut. 

“It’s a shame it had to come to this,” Tawan sighed in mock sympathy. 

“You’re insane!” Porsche snarled. “Kinn doesn’t love you. He never will! You betrayed him.” 

“Shut up!” Tawan screamed, kicking Porsche’s knee, watching with glee as he fell onto the ground. Porsche grit his teeth as more rocks dug painfully into his cheek, chest, and legs. He glared up at Tawan and struggled to his feet again. He hissed as Tawan roughly gripped his hair, pulling him up. 

“You have two options,” Tawan snapped, dropping Porsche back down onto the ground, gesturing with the gun towards an oil drum. “You fight and I shoot you right here. Right now. Or,” Tawan cooed, “you get in the barrel and maybe someone will rescue you before you run out of oxygen.” 

“I’m not getting in there,” Porsche spat, squirming, trying to get away. 

“That’s what they all say,” Tawan sighed. “But they all always get in. Because,” he cocked the gun. “Out here, it’s certain death. In there,” he looked at the drum, “is a chance to survive.” Porsche gulped, eyes wide as his heart dropped. 

— — — 

Kim and Arm scoured the internet, files, and everything they could get their hands on concerning Tawan. Arm had pinged Tawan’s phone per request of Kinn when Tawan first arrived back at the compound. From the start, Kinn didn’t trust Tawan, but due to his decision to act like he did, Porsche is on death’s row. 

“Come on,” Arm murmured as he looked through post after post, file after file. It was late in the day of June thirteenth. He and the others had set up a base in Porsche’s home. Kinn had arrived with Vegas and Tankhun. Kim, Big, and Ken were going over a new conspiracy board. Chan had set up a perimeter and was interviewing anyone and everyone who knew Porsche or Tawan. Pol helped Pete with the weapons. Everyone was on high alert. 

“Can I help?” Chay asked quietly. Arm looked over at the younger boy. He looked so helpless as everyone else worked to find Porsche. Chay sat at the table. “I remember when Porsche went missing last time. Wasn’t he kidnapped and taken into the wilderness outside of Bangkok?” 

Arm paused and looked up from his laptop. “He was. The Yakuza targeted him per request from someone else.” A subtle glare was thrown at Vegas who innocently smiled back. “He and Kinn were missing for a few days. Why?” 

“Isn’t that when they officially decided to get together?” Chay hugged his knees. “Because after that Hia and P’Kinn started to act like a couple.” He managed a small smile. “It had been so long since I had seen Hia happy like that.” A solemn silence fell upon everyone. 

“I got something!” Ken shouted in english. “Tawan wants to hurt Porsche, right? He also wants to hurt Kinn from what Vegas told us.” He snapped his fingers. “And Mini Porsche just reminded us about the wilderness. It’s common knowledge around the compound and the families that Porsche and Khun Kinn were kidnapped.” 

“And you think Tawan wants to kill two birds with one stone,” Chan finished, looking proudly at Ken. “It would make sense. But that’s a lot of ground to cover.” 

Arm gasped and started typing something into his tracking algorithm. “I can narrow it down to a five mile radius, but that’s about it.” He pulled it up. “Tawan’s phone pinged two hours ago with this picture.” He showed it on the screen. “He sent it to Khun Kinn, but since you gave us your phone to help track him you never saw it.” 

“Those are the cliffs where I got shot,” Kinn recognized, hope rising in his chest. “We need to start the search. Start from the outskirts and work our way to where you found us.” Kinn grabbed his gun. “Let’s go.” 

“Finally, some action,” Vegas grinned, only for Kinn to snap, “You are staying here.”

“What!?” 

“Someone needs to watch Chay,” Kinn cheekily smirked. 

“Bitch,” Vegas swore in English, flipping off Kinn. 

“Let’s go!” Kinn snapped, glaring at Vegas. He rounded up everyone and they started the race against time. Arm rode in the car with Chan driving, Ken in the front seat with Big and Pol in the back with Arm. Kinn, Kim, and Tankhun rode in the same car with Kim driving. 

— — — 

Kinn should have seen this coming. He knew Tawan was up to something and yet he didn’t do anything fast enough to stop the fallout. Porsche was in danger because Kinn didn’t trust him enough with his plan. Sweat poured down his back as he shouted and called out for Porsche, searching through the rocky terrain. 

“This is my fault,” Kinn realized, glaring at the ground. “This never would have happened if you had had a better boss,” he told Big and Ken. 

“Don’t say that, Khun Kinn,” Big snapped. “Self-pity is not going to help Porsche. Get it together.” Both Ken and Kinn stared at Big in shock. Never had the bodyguard dared to speak up to his boss, especially in a disrespectful tone. 

Kinn swallowed and dipped his head. “You’re right. Thank you, Big. Come on.” He started his search again, shouting at the top of his lungs. The sun was beginning to set and each minute it set Kinn’s heart fell further. 

Just as Kinn was about to give up, he saw a glint of something shiny. He perked up and rushed over, falling to his knees. His fingers found the phoenix ring he had always worn. “Porsche!” he shouted, standing up and looking around, his heart plummeted when he stomped down and heard the sound of metal. “I found him!” he cried out, falling to his knees and digging with his hands. 

Soon everyone else had run over and helped digging, Chan and Kim brought shovels. Kinn didn’t take one, frantically digging. He didn’t care how his suit would be ruined by the dirt or the uncomfortable feeling of the dirt getting stuck beneath his nails. Porsche was the only thing on his mind. They cleared the dirt from the top of the oil drum and Chan pulled the top off. 

“Porsche!” Pete cried. “Help me get him out!” Kinn ordered, already reaching down for his boyfriend. The dead weight terrified him. Porsche was laid on the ground. “He’s not breathing!” Tankhun wailed. 

Kinn shucked off his jacket and started to perform chest compressions on Porsche. He didn’t care about bruising or breaking a rib. Porsche needed to survive. “Come on, Porsche. Breathe damn it. Breathe!” He got more and more desperate before Porsche coughed. “Porsche!” Kinn cried in relief, holding Porsche close. 

Heartbreaking wails that came from Porsche punched everyone in the gut. Porsche tried to hide in Kinn’s chest, sobs wracking his body. Kinn held him close, refusing to let go. He curled his body around Porsche, acting like a lifeline and safety net. They stayed like that for what felt like hours. Porsche cried until he had no tears left to cry. Kinn held Porsche close until Porsche passed out from the trauma, exhaustion, and dehydration. 

— — — 

Porsche woke up a day later, body sore and mouth parched. He groaned as he opened his eyes, a hand giving him a cup of water. Porsche was forced to drink slowly. He drifted in and out of consciousness. He would flinch whenever someone would touch him. When he was finally awake enough to talk to people, he saw Kinn, Chay, and Chan at the foot of his bed. Big and Ken sat on either side of the hospital bed. Porsche’s eyes widened comically when he realized the shoulder he thought he was leaning on was Kinn turned out to actually be Ken’s shoulder. He braced himself for teasing and torments that never came. 

“Are you okay?” Kinn asked quietly as Chay practically jumped into Porsche’s arms. 

“I don’t know,” Porsche whispered. “It was so dark and cramped…I couldn’t breathe.” 

“You have a few bruised ribs, a broken nose, and multiple bruises on your face, torso, and wrists probably from the bindings,” Chan explained in an uncharacteristically soft voice. “You…have a tatt–” 

“I know,” Porsche whispered brokenly. “I won’t get it removed for at least six to eight weeks.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “Is Tawan still out there?” 

“We don’t know where he is,” Big sighed in defeat. “He’s disappeared.” Porsche stiffened, eyes widened as his heart rate spiked. Big gripped Porsche’s hand. “There was a camera on the top of the drum recording you. It was live streamed somewhere else. Arm can’t find where. But we are still looking into it.” 

Porsche let out a broken sob. “I want to go home.” Chay started to cry and hug Porsche tighter. Soon enough, Kinn joined the hug, holding both in his arms. Ken, Big, and Chan let them have their moment. “Please, Kinn, can I go home?” Porsche pleaded, pressing his forehead against Kinn’s. 

“Of course. I’ll take you home,” Kinn promised, gently cupping Porsche’s face in his hands. “I won’t leave your side, love. I’ll stay with you until Tawan is caught and you feel safe enough to be alone.” 

“Promise me,” Porsche begged, pressing into the touch. 

“I promise,” Kinn vowed with a kiss. 

— — —

“Wakey wakey~” 

“No, please! Get away from me!” 

“I’m going to enjoy this.” 

[thevampirediariesuniverse-1864]

Edward cullen x reader mate

Ur a new student at forks , you moved from your home town if some no where town in Alabama lol ,and it was your first day of school at forks ! You got dressed in jeans and a t shirt , you looked over your tall body 5”10 and your broad shoulders and hips and the soft squishy stomach you had , you walked out the door grabbing your brother saying “come on y/b/n, we need to go don’t wanna be late”

He said “okay Yn ,let’s go “ your brother was a year younger than you so he was in the 9th grade your a 10th grader this year . Once you two got to school you were greeted with curious on looks , I mean who wouldn’t want to stare at the chief of police’s redneck hillbilly kids .

Soon people ran up to you “ hi ! I’m mike ! It’s nice to meet you !” He said , “ oh hi I’m Yn and this is my brother y/b/n”. Mike said “ we’ll it’s nice to meet you ! Do you guys know how to get to your classes ?” You chuckled “ honestly ! Not a clue ! I could find you a giraffe on this compass but the class I’m supposed to be in …. But a chance “ mike started laughing …

That’s the first thing Edward noticed about you , you were funny , he overheard you conversation I mean your the new gir everyone’s a bit curious but when he chuckled to himself at your remark he turned to look at you … and it hit him like a time of bricks !! His mate !! He found his mate ! He looked at your you were tall … very nice he loved tall women! And your thighs!! Ughhhh he was salivating !! You were THIC !!! And that’s just how he liked his women !! Tall and thicc!

So naturally he followed you around that day , without any of your knowledge of course . The more he saw the more he loved ! How bubbly you were !! It’s like you had no filter you said what you thought at that exact moment , I mean you couldn’t help it ! And your accent was so cute !! All the y’all’s and aints and southern talking ! It’s was quirky and cute !! Just like you !

But somehow on the first day your brother made some enemies. And when break rolled around those jocks cornerd him and started beating on him ! He held he’s his own but there were 3 of them and one of him . Thankfully you came by and saw what was going on. Edward watching closely to protect you . You ran to your brother “ hey get the fuck away from my brother ! You bitch !! “ a look that Edward can only describe as death and as on your face. Grabbing one guys by the back of the shirt slamming him to the ground and got on top of him laying punch after punch.

The guys nose was bleeding and your brother finished off one leaving you and your brother against one jock . That boy hose straight for you but you swerve and mis the punch . Kicking him in the balls, you and your brother stare at tje 3 severely injured bitches that tried to beat you up . “ you fuck with my brother you fuck with me “ and with that you and your brother walked away .

Edward was in pure amazement at you . Your strength your loyalty your love ! He knew you were perfect ! And his . He couldn’t stop telling his family about how you beat those jerks up and how hot you were ! Rosalee already loved you because she heard how you beat up 3 guys ! Girl power ! Boss!! And so did emmet same reason but just because you were strong . Alice thought it’s was sweet if you to defend your family like that. Jasper was impressed as you reminded him of a warrior like himself .

Edward saw you walk in the lunchroom and almost lost his shit ! You had a black eye and bloody knuckles ! You were so fucking hot ! “ she is mine ! She is mine !!! “ edward though over and over again !! Rosalee said “ if you don’t ask her to sit with us I will !” She teased . Edward said “ yeah , good idea rose “

he got up and walked twords you “ hello yn , I was wondering if you would like to come sit with me and my family your brother too of course “ you looked over to your brother who nodded “ of course I would love to “ “ I’m edward by the way “ “ we’ll it’s nice yo meet you Edward I suspect we’ll be fast friends “. Edwards heart was racing .. well it would if it beat , but he could swear he could feel his heart racing his chest tightening love … that’s all he could explain it to be

At that you went and got a tray with your brother and came back to edwards table who pulled the chair out for you sliding it back in to when you sat down . “Thankyou Edward “ “ of course Yn … this is jasper rosalee emmet and Alice “ “it’s nice to meet you all” you said shyly , “ you too dear “ Rosalee said making you blush

You handed your tray to your brother , allowing him to eat it as you always did “ are you not going to eat anything Yn ?” Edward asked “well I’m not that hungry but y/b/n is and he is family “. Emmet mused you on “ family is that inportant to you “ you give him a cold look “ yes it is .. always and forever family above all a vow I swore many years ago “ edward knew he would become your family and one day you would say that about him

Rosalee said “ I like this one ! She’s a fighter ! She loyal and absolutely gorgeous!!! Like look at this woman !! She’s perfect ! “ you blushed so hard “ no please !! Look at yourself ! Your everything I’ve ever dreamed of being and more !! So pretty !!! Like you look like a Greek goddess “. She too blushed too ,Edward became jeleous of you two .

“ what do you enjoy Yn ?” Edward asks. “We’ll I like horse ridding art music and reading and writing “ Edward was really impressed with you “ wow that’s amazing yn “ edwards thiygys trailed away from the conversation as he thought about how he wished he could just take you in his lap and hold you petting you .

Lunch bell rang and you said your goodbyes . School eventually was out and it was of course raining . Because you and your brother had to walk home . But of course Edward came to the rescue ! “ yn , love would you like a ride home “ he asked and opened his passenger door of his Volvo “ my little passenger princess” he thought to himself with a smile “ ummm .. sure yeah it’s cold I have a new found will to live so I’ll take that ride “ edward laughed at that comment and said “ hop in “ edward took your school bag for you dropping it in the back for you and your brother got in also with the rest of the Cullens it was as full car

He drove and the car was full of laughter at your hilarious jokes or comments you were just bubbly and could make anyone laugh and fell completely comfortable ! And you truly loved everyone ! Jasper found it a bit strange how kind and loving you wer but soon saw it wasn’t just an act and you were truly on of the kindest people he’s ever met

You arrived at Charlie a house as Edward walked you to the door . “ I truly enjoyed your company today yn, I hope you eat with us tomorrow “. You smiled “ of course Edward ! I’d love to !” At that you walked in the house closing the door as Edward smiled .

That night Edward became restless at the thoughts of you so he just decided to go and watch you sleep . And so he did . He watched your large chest rise and fall your giant breasts moving . How he loved your body ! How he loved you !! He couldn’t resist and slowly crawled into bed cuddling into you just holding you as you slept protecting you

The next morning came you felt as though someone was watching you .. protecting you . You woke your brother for school to realize he was really sick so you cooked him soup and told him to drink plenty and just reheat the soup if he got hungry .

You set off to school . Arriving you were greeted by Edward who handed you a biscuit. “Picked this up for you while we were at the dinner this mornin thought you might be hungry “ you realized in the first bit this wasn’t a normal dinner biscuit it was a salted ham biscuit your grandparents called them a southern delecasy and no one else’s ate them it was a southern tradition and you couldn’t be more greatfull “ awww Edward !! THANKYOU so much !!! My grandparents made my these biscuits back in Alabama I haven’t had them is so long !!” Edward said “ of course ! It’s no trouble “. “ thankyou Edward really “ you said softly wrapping hi. In a soft hug . He quickly hugged back ! Tightly .

Sadly you had to go your separate ways . But you met up for break and ended up just laying In the grass talking and laughing as you played with his hands . He realized you were probably cold so he wrapped his jacket around you “ Thankyou Edward “ as you cuddled into him . He took in every moment and memorized it by heart .

But of course the bell rang and you had to return to class you tried to give Edward back his jacket but he refused “ no love it looks to good on you “

At the luch table edward asked if you wanted to leave and go somewhere for lunch you said yes and Edward walked you out to his car opening the door for you helping you in .

Lunch was amazing Edward was the perfect gentleman and treated you so nicely paying for the whole thing you went back to his car sitting there for a moment

you ended up in his lap and him stroking your hair as you fell asleep like a little kitten .. his little kitten

[s-creations]

Can we do the one where person be escapes from an abusive relationship with Luigi being person B and Mario being person A? Movie-verse, ofc, because their relationship is just so pure and they are the best brothers.

Threat/Help/Wounded/Angst Prompt

Person B finally got rid of an abusive relationship (whether it’s a family member or their s/o), and Person A does their best to help them recover. @shadow-angel7

(Uh, so, this came out a little darker than I meant? So I'm putting up a 'read more' line for this short.)

There was a lot of unintelligible shouting from the first floor. The changing tones indicated that people were trying to talk over the others to get their own point across. Softer tones were their mother and aunt to keep the calm. Even tones were their uncles, slow and sounding as if they were working through an issue logically.

The loudest of them all was their father. Ranting and raving. The phrase “I’m going to kill him!” and “They’re never gonna find his body!” on rotation as he no doubt paced the kitchen floor in anger. It was amazing the rest of the family had been able to keep their father in the house for this long. 

Mario tried to ignore it. Wanting to close the door to block out more of the yelling, but knew it needed to stay open. To offer a clear escape route. Just in case. 

He was pulled back to his current situation hearing Luigi let out a small whine in pain. Mario holding his younger brother’s hand in one of his own, the other holding a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Which had just barely touched the deep cut resting on Luigi’s arm. 

“You’re okay,” Mario whispered softly, “It’s gonna sting, but you’ll be fine.”

Luigi merely nodded back. 

The oldest tried to keep his focus on the current job. But he couldn’t keep his eyes from wandering over the other wounds that decorated Luigi’s pale skin. A heavily bruised black eye was settled over his right that was currently hidden by a bag of frozen peas. Bruises around his neck and upper right arm. Said arm also had numerous wrapping around it, hiding further cuts that Mario had just finished cleaning. Who was focusing on the cuts the left arm was carrying. 

This was definitely not how Mario thought this evening would be ending.

He certainly didn’t expect it to start with a frantic phone call from his younger brother to come pick him up from his ex-boyfriend’s house now. The calm early evening shattered when Mario heard angry shouting in the background with Luigi’s quick but shaky reply filling the older brother with rage. 

He was out the door before his parents could ask what was wrong. 

Kicking down the front door of the other with absolute fury. Brain fog focusing on finding Luigi, his little brother, with a hand wrapped around his neck and upper arm. The ex-boyfriend actually looked offended that someone would dare damage his front door and not about the person he was currently hurting. 

He wasn’t sure what happened. All Mario knew was that he was standing in the doorway one moment. The next, the ex was on the floor, supporting a busted him, Mario’s hand was hurting, and Luigi was behind him. 

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my brother. Hope that I never see you again.” 

And with that, they were out. 

Mario fuming while Luigi was silently shaking as he followed behind. Their parents were in near hysteria when they arrived back home. Their mother immediately went to Luigi, hands hovering nervously over the numerous injuries he carried. Their father froze, just able to stand up from his chair before his muscles stopped working. Eyes wide as he took in the scene. 

“Mom…” Mario said softly, “I’m going to take Luigi upstairs, okay?”

She let out a small sob, but nodded slowly. Allowing Mario to disappear upstairs with his brother. Ignoring the rest of his family who had stuck their heads out the kitchen doorway. 

Which leads to their current situation. Family members arguing downstairs, trying to keep their father from going out to hunt the ex down. Mario focused on patching Luigi up as best he could. Keeping his hands and emotions stable. 

“There…that should feel better. Let me take a look at your eye.” Mario said softly, wincing as Luigi let out a hiss moving the frozen bag away. “Ah, not too bad… How are you feeling?” The younger brother shrugged weakly, unable to look up. 

“...Lu, I need you to talk to me. Were you hurt anywhere else?”

Luigi shook his head.

“Lu-”

“I’m sorry.”

Mario felt as if his heart was being stabbed. Swallowed his worries down as he moved to sit next to his brother. “What are you talking about? You don’t have anything to be worried about.”

“But you told me… You said he wasn’t good for me and I didn’t listen… Now you’re cleaning up my mess again.” Luigi sniffed weakly. Reaching up to rub at his good eye. 

Mario frowned softly as he pulled his brother close. Luigi eventually collapsed against the other, quietly crying as Mario gently rocked them back and forth. “You didn’t do a single thing wrong. You see the best in people, it’s a wonderful quality you have… I just wish I had seen the signs sooner…I wish I’d helped sooner.” 

“I didn’t let you help, I thought I could…I could fix it…”

“It’s not your job to fix everyone Weegee. You…just need to be yourself and the rest will follow. That doesn’t mean you’re… You can’t save everyone, you shouldn’t have to.” Mario said softly, gently rubbing Luigi’s back. 

“...I think dad’s upset.”

“I think dad wants to kill someone.”

Luigi laughed softly. “I thought he’d be this mad when I told him I was bi.”

“And I told you he wouldn’t care.” 

“Yeah, you’re right…you’re always right… Thanks Mario.”

“Anytime Lu… Seriously, anytime. I’m here to keep you safe.”

[dove00]

CW Flash Rewrite

Hi! I wanted to try and do a cw The Flash rewrite. I acknowledge I am not a writer. This is just for fun!

I own nothing DC owns. Warning for child abuse mention (Wally’s past). Please let me know if more warnings are needed. Stay safe and enjoy!

This is going up to a season 1 mid season finale. I really did like how they cut the main villain into arcs A and B with A being stopped in some way in mid season finale. The B villain is Thawne and the A villains are the rogues.

Rogues of Season 1A: Captain Cold, Heatwave, Golden Glider, Pied Piper (who’s a bit younger, maybe 16-17, recently kicked out by parents)

Okay. Barry still goes to Starling but comes back to his fiancé Iris West. As awesome as WestAllen is and their journey, I’d think it’d be better to start here because reasons you’ll see.

Barry and Iris are planning stuff for the wedding and Iris is nervous because her brothers haven’t RVSP yet. Her brothers, Rudy and Daniel, don’t have a close bond but Joe isn’t abusive. They just don’t see each other enough. Barry is aware Iris has nephews (Wally and Wallace) but has never met them.

Barry gets struck by lightning and is in a coma for 9 months. He wakes up in a hospital and they tel him what happen but to him, they talk very slowly. He shakes it off. Iris is called and picks him up. She waited for him but she has news. Her nephews have been placed in her custody.

Barry freaks out and then realized everything stops. Barry sees Iris still and the world the same. Good thing, too, because a driver is going to hit them. Barry grabs Iris and pulls her out of the car and he gets a look at the driver and bam! Normal time starts again. Iris stares at him and he stares back. “Oh, fu—“

The driver keeps going but Barry recognizes him. Leonard Snart.

Iris is confused and Barry said, “I think I’m like Jay Garrick.” Iris nods. She knows about his favorite comic book character (the one who got him through his parents’ tragedy).

She has to go to work so Barry runs her to work and promises to pick up Wally and Wallace from high school and elementary school.

Iris is a reporter already at Central City Picture News (not the Citizen yet) so she does some investigating (even sometimes using one of the intern’s comic books) when news of a bank robbery is happening. A bank robbery where the guy has an ice gun.

Barry…isn’t doing so good. He shows up in his car, that he ran home to grab and then rushed to Wally’s school—meaning he was late. Wally stared and then got in the front seat. Barry tries to make small talk but Wally isn’t really responding. They’re even later picking up Wallace. He apologized but Wallace doesn’t talk to him either. Wally is 16 and Wallace is 7. They make it to Barry and Iris’ house and that’s when he sees the news.

Barry is so used to going to crime scenes after—maybe he can stop one before anyone gets hurt. He runs upstairs and grabs what his teen self created as cosplay of the flash and changes.

He hears a “woah.” And turns to see Wally.

“No time to explain. Watch your cousin. Back in a flash.”

Barry and Cold have a cool (ha!) fight and Barry wins.

Episode ends with Iris and Barry kissing.

The rest of arc 1A is finding the other rogues and Barry and Iris taking care of Wally and Wallace. Wally is hesitant to trust Barry but eventually he wins Wally over. At one point, Rudy West and the Manhunters kidnap Wally two episodes before mid season finale (two episode arc) and Barry is trying to save him and come to terms with the fact that he sees Wally as his son.

They save him but he was hit by lightning too. He doesn’t end up in a coma for very long (a week) and finds out he has powers. They train but Barry is hesitant to let Wally into the field.

Mid season finale has Barry almost losing to the fully formed Rogues when Wally comes in and helps him out. They save the day and Wally recognizes Piper from school. They don’t talk much as the season will show with Wally in school sometimes but Hartley’s story is pretty popular at school—especially for bullies. Wally tries to shut it down when he can but it’s not like they’re friends. He tries to stop the cops from arresting them (he has nobody to bail him out) but Barry pulls him back, whispering “we’ll help him but we have to protect our identities first.”

Wally looks hesitant and then nervous as we see Iris come into the scene but before she can speak a voice calls out, “Flash…um…Younger Flash!” Iris turns and it’s the intern who had comics. “Linda Park, CCPN…intern. Can I have a statement on tonight’s events?” Again, Wally remembers her from school. Linda Park writes for the school newspaper. She’s in four of Wally’s classes—not that he’s aware of that. Nope. She continued, “Why is Hartley Rathaway working with…um…rogues? Oh, yeah! That’s a good name.”

Wally frowns. “It’s complicated. Not that you’d understand.” Then he rushes away.

“Is…is that your statement?” She asked Barry, who shrugs then runs too.

“Do you need a ride home, Linda?”

“Yes, please.”

Look, I wanna see WallyLinda but I also wanna see them grow!

Mid season ends with a blonde man coming through a portal. Running through a portal.

That’s all I’ve got. Hope you liked it. Let me know if you’d like more!

[inkribbon796]

Egotober 2023 Day 7: The Little Things

Summary: Ethan wants to be a hero, he wants it more than anything else in the world. And Silver is terrified when he won’t take no for an answer.

Prompt: Leaf/Leaves

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Ever since Ethan was little he could remember the heroes. They had a team in his own home city. When he was five his mom moved him and his brother into Egoton.

He saw Silver flying around and even doing aerial tricks. And as a young gymnast, Ethan thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

It was all he wanted, and now literally the only thing standing in his way was Silver himself. Someone who seemed to believe that Ethan should do anything but be a hero. And literally everyone in the Coalition seemed to be making Syndrome jokes, and that was only making Ethan want it even more.

Dark even seemed to be under the impression that not only was Ethan working with Silver, but was his kid or at least a younger brother. And anyone who saw Ethan, at least in costume, was to chase him out of the area. Or if Dark was in the area to bring the “child hero” to him.

On one particular slow Saturday, Ethan was wandering around town, trying to find things to do. He was crunching any leaves he could see on the ground, some gave what he was looking for, others were disappointed. He was minding his own business, trying to keep an eye out for Dark’s enforcers, when Silver flew in.

“Fuck off,” Ethan said, trying to sound bigger and tougher than he felt.

“Let’s talk,” Silver said. He was holding out a baggie. “Your mom mentioned you were allergic to peanuts, before you ask. It’s safe.”

That disarmed Ethan a bit, so he took the bag as Silver touched down on the ground.

“Talk about what?” Ethan asked, looking at the sandwich inside. It looked like a normal burger.

Silver canted his head to the side. “Somewhere a bit more private, we’re too close to Barnum Park.”

“Park’s a great place to talk,” Ethan said, pointing his thumb in that direction.

“Yeah, just not that park. C’mon, I’ll explain once we get to 5th Street Plaza.” Silver began leading the way, actually walking.

“Can’t you fly?” Ethan asked.

“Yeah, but you can’t, and I could use the exercise,” Silver said and started walking.

Debating for a second, Ethan watched him go before following Silver down five blocks until they got to the plaza. The changing leaves following the whole walk.

Silver asked how school was going and when they got to the plaza Ethan had eaten half of his sandwich and it had yet to cause an allergic reaction.

Besides a free sandwich was a free sandwich.

Instead of sitting down on some random bench, Silver directed Ethan up three flights of stairs to a roof. On the top of the roof was a couple air conditioning units and two benches that were side by side and overlooking the plaza.

“Sometimes we come up here to talk and get a break during patrols.” Silver brushed off some leaves and sat down on one of the benches.

“Okay,” Ethan said and took a seat, sitting around some of the leaves as he eat the rest of his sandwich. “Nice view.”

“It is,” Silver agreed. “Barnum Park is owned by Dark, he’s got spies all over the place in there.”

“Oh,” Ethan said.

Silver nodded. “Yeah, anyways, Bing, Jackie, and I have been talking and you’re in if you want to be.”

“Yeah,” Silver said, a slight sigh in his voice. “Bing and Henrik got apprentices behind my back and it’s not fair that they got in and you don’t. Even if all three of you should get kicked.”

“When did that happen?” Ethan asked, excitement bubbling up inside of him.

“One of them happened a couple of days ago, and the Septics have been sitting on theirs for a couple weeks. They're both seventeen."

“This is awesome!” Ethan shouted.

Silver held up a finger. “Wait a minute, we’ve gotta set some ground rules, first.”

“Sure, whatever.” Ethan could help but grin.

“No, not whatever, you break the rules, you’re either off the team or suspended.”

Ethan sat back down, unable to stop his legs from bouncing.

“First, you don’t tell a soul. Your parents will know, but that’s it. I don’t care if you think you can trust your best friend with your life, they can’t know. Your grandparents, siblings, cousins, they can’t know. For any reason. You keep pretending like the only thing you want to do is be a superhero and I keep saying no. But don’t overdo it.”

“Okay.”

Silver stood up and pointed to his spot on the bench. “Sit here, it’s got a better view. Jackie always takes it first.”

Ethan quickly took the spot and Silver moved to the spot on the bench where Ethan had been.

“First thing’s first,” Silver said. “You picked a hero name yet?”

“Blank or Crank,” Ethan smiled at him.

“You picked one yet?” Silver asked.

“Blank,” Ethan said, “cause invisible.”

“How does it work?” Silver asked. “You use it often?”

“Sometimes,” Ethan said, which sounded like a lie and Mark wished that Ethan could see his face. “Anyways, I just concentrate and I turn completely invisible. It used to just be me, and my clothes wouldn’t go, but now I can do it with anything I’m wearing or holding.”

Silver leaned forward. “Really, anything you’re holding?”

“Well, the more things I hold the more I have to concentrate,” Ethan said. “Heavy stuff takes a while. And if someone taps me I tend to come out of it real easy.”

“Neat power, how long have you had it?” Silver asked.

“Maybe a year,” Ethan said. “I don’t know when it first started, and it took a while to figure out how to control it.”

“You’ll learn more, after we talk to your folks, you’ll be working directly under me, and we’ll make sure you know how to use those powers better. Just make sure you’re not stealing anything or peeking in the girl’s restroom okay?”

“Hey, I only have stolen one candy bar, I’ll have you know,” Ethan said.

“At least you’re honest,” Silver said, laughing a little. “We’ll get you a better outfit too. Can’t have you running around in sweatpants. And you’ll get to meet the other two apprentices: Logic and Stripes.”

“Awesome,” Ethan looked out over the plaza with a huge smile.

He was finally getting everything he wanted and he was so excited he could hardly stand it.

[heygutlcssa]

A big meta(analysis) on Riff that was inspired by @whatsbehindthefacade , @localfandomscribe && @grazziella

TW: child abuse, neglect, self harm, domestic violence, alcoholism suicidal intention, r.ape, internalized homophobia, blood, and gore.

BACKGROUND:

Raefer "Riff" McClellan is an Irish American. He's born in 1934 and has always been poor. He's lived in the tenements all his life and does not know any other way to live but through hand to mouth. His family has been in San Juan Hill for generations. While he doesn't know his father, he has a few memories of his mom, though those are all idealized. He has an elder sister, Saorise(1932), and a younger half-brother, Joseph(1940) whom he calls Joe. Joe is biracial and was born after his mom started soliciting to make ends meet because she couldn't survive with two kids and a single income. Riff doesn't really remember her soliciting, but he does remember the day she died, because that was when Joe was born.

Saorise got sent up to the Bronx to live with distant cousins. They only wanted her because she was old enough to help them out with the kids they already had. Riff only gets to see her around Christmas time. She ended up meeting a nice boy in 1947 and when she turned 16 in 1948 she stole a lot of money out of their family mattress and ran away with that boy. The family took it out on Riff, thinking he might have know where she went to. This is how he finds out she left him behind and he has never forgiven her for it.

Riff has a very complicated relationship with his younger brother, he does love him very dearly and gets to see him much more often up until Joe is about 3 or 4 as they had been living with his mom's sister. She found it too hard, both emotionally and financially to keep both Joe and Riff. They managed to get in contact with his father's brother, but said brother had not heard from Riff's father in some time. still, he agreed to take Riff.

Living with this Uncle was not good and it was a very violent home. If his uncle wasn't beating on his Aunt then he was beating on Riff. Riff doesn't mind his Aunt so much, especially when his uncle was passed out drunk because she could have the qualities of a saint. That didn't stop her from throwing him under the bus if it meant she wouldn't be abused. It only made Riff try to be in her favor more instead of turning against her, thinking that maybe if he did better then she'd take better care of him. He often would run off to go see Joe and check on him, and his Uncle would bring him back at the end of the day, furious. Riff got tossed between several family members at his aunt's request and his uncle kicking him out of the house when the violence was too bad but he always ended up back at his Uncle's. During this time he saw Joe very frequently and really hid him from everyone else. He did everything in his power to make sure he was okay. Joe also got moved around, but not nearly as much as Riff, which made Riff always be running away to find him.

Valentina is the only one to really know Joe and Riff are related, but she never mentions him unless she's alone with Riff. She's disappointed he's so ashamed of his brother. She not surprised where he learned that racism from.

Riff has one suicide attempt at the age of 13 where he tried to throw himself out the window of his tenement and into the river. Tony had been coming up the steps to come and get him and was able to stop Riff from jumping, but not going out the window where Riff sustained a head and back injury, spent the next year in the hospital with Tony coming to see him as much as he could. His back is still bad from this injury and there is a scar on the back of his head but it is covered by his hair.

His Uncle ends up dying when he's 14 of an aneurism or heart attack while he was beating Riff. Riff essentually sat next to him until his Aunt bothered to even dare to look in and see why it was so quiet. she went off the rail a little as to why he didn't call for help and he replies " he told me to stay down." From there she threw him out of the house, twisting the story to make his family think that he caused his uncle's death and lose access to joe. He ends up living with Tony for the next four years.

THE JETS AND MEETING TONY:

Riff met Tony in the fall of 1942 at the local Catholic school. It wasn't much and most of the neighborhood couldn't afford the school but sent their kids anyway out of pride and fear of judgement from the congregation. Riff never would have met Tony if it hadn't been for government issued posters that promoted the elimination of enemy languages and encouraged students to report any suspicions to their teachers. Tony had grown up as a first generation immigrant in an immigrant home. He did not speak English at home and thus could barely speak it at school. He was made fun of and put down for his lack of language skills, having failed a grade because of this. Riff stood up for him and they became fast friends. Riff Introduced himself but Tony misunderstood his given name Reader and ended up with Riff. The name stuck. So they stuck together.

By the time he was 12 in 1946 Riff had the chance encounter of running into Buck McGowen. Buck was the leader of a local gang called the Falcons and had ripped Riff off of the street and took him to work with him at O'Conner's automotive. Buck's employer had advertised for a shop boy, and buck took it into his own hands to find him one .

When Buck said go, you went. There had been active turf wars between the Falcons and the Dukes, but Riff was absorbed along with Tony into the Falcons at Bucks say so. It was his first taste of a real family. Riff would leave periodically to go find Joe with no one knowing where he disappeared to but Riff would always come back.

It wasn't until the spring of 1950 that Buck died in a car accident, leaving the gang fractured and causing infighting. A new gang emerged out of this, started by Tony, Riff, Diesel, and Balkan. To keep police interference away they changed the name of the gang to the Jets and began to build a reputation for themselves.

VELMA:

This pertains to my interpretation of Velma as based off of the 2009 revival where velma became Riff's definitive girlfriend and was given more violent dialogue during DATG. (CW: domestic violence)

According to the Office for National Statistics more that 51% of people who were abused as children experience domestic abuse later in life. Child abuse is defined as psychological and physical abuse, sexual assault, and witnessing domestic abuse. Abuse into adulthood includes  sexual assault, non-sexual abuse (physical and psychological present in both female and male victims) and stalking by a partner or family member.

Riff feels very passionately when it comes to his relationships. He stats going with Velma roughly around the end of 1947 and they start going steady in 1949. He thought the attention she gave him at first really meant that she loved him, but it soon devolved ( for more on Velma see here: x ) Tony found out about how bad the relationship after she hit Riff with a hot frying pan and it left a decent sized scar on his arm. they don't break up until her family moves in 1951-2.

GRAZIELLA:

The love of his actual life. Noted, he hated her when he met in her in late 1950. She had Tony's attention and the two of them were stupid in love but as the years progressed Riff and she ended up really hitting it off and getting along. Riff doesn't like change and is very paranoid about people he doesn't know, especially when it affects his personal relationships. Riff isn't aware of what happened to cause her and Tony's breakup, only that neither talk about it, Graziella went to the hospital just prior to their breakup ( she told everyone her appendix burst) and Tony soon went off to prison in 1954. She and Riff began dating in the second half of 1954 when she came home from the hospital.

He's stupid protective of her. They really compliment each other well and constantly challenge each other. (more info on Grazi here: x )

TONY:

Tony is a very complicated character to pin down because he's written as a contradiction. We have all this dialogue to Tony's violent and aggressive behavior, but are exposed to a big dumb himbo looking for love. the 2021 version doesn't really fix this, it just makes Tony an asshole. What remains consistent throughout the course of this shows life is that Riff and Tony are like brothers, have lived together in Tony's mother's house for at least 4 years due to personal struggle at home for Riff, but no longer are on good friendship terms. Riff spends the whole musical trying to get Tony back and in every version we have of Tony he's constantly pushing Riff away, not the gang lifestyle, but Riff himself until it is too late.

Tony's arrest and how that affects the rest of the story is something I'd rather discuss on a person to person basis(at least until I write the chapter in my fic for it and can just send people there to read it at their own discretion.) because of triggering content.

[xgoldenlatiasx]

You guys want some random ass OC lore? Well you’re getting it anyway here we go

BASICALLY: Blake and Gold used to be the same character.

Waaay back when Colored Skies was my main project and I still considered Al my trainersona, Blake was a character I was forming in my brain. This was before I changed my name or even realized I’m trans so it was a LONG time ago. They were going to be my B/W protag from the start except the story was based off White so they would’ve ended up getting Zekrom instead of Reshiram. Basically, they were going to be Al’s kid, like Gold is. They had the Ho-Oh feather and everything.

The OG Blake was like Gold is, a rambunctious teen who wanted to live up to their mother’s legacy. Maybe a little less self-absorbed. I think in this old storyline Al didn’t go missing, she was just chilling in Nuvema rooting for her kid after they set out on their gym challenge.

OG Blake’s relationship with N was COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from how current Blake’s is. N was gonna end up like a big brother figure to them who kept trying to keep them out of Team Plasma’s affairs, but they refused to let him carry out his plan and kept butting in to conflicts with Team Plasma.

And man the final battle scene was gonna be extremely different too. N reluctantly agreeing to challenge them to decide the world’s fate yada yada and then after the battle Ghetsis tries to hurt them but then Al storms her way into the castle and kicks the guy’s ass. Then she sees all the shit N went through and was like “NEW SON ALERT” N still ends up leaving but Al assures him he’s welcome to visit her and her family in Nuvema anytime. Then I imagined once BW2 rolls around he’s tired from his two year journey and goes to stay with them.

Basically what happened was I began to start losing interest in Al, she obviously didn’t represent me anymore as I came to terms with my gender identity. Sure I could’ve just revamped her character, but at the time my family was already super familiar with her (I’d been telling them about my Pokémon fan story for YEARS, ever since I was a kid, obviously they’d want to keep reading it) and at the time I was terrified of them finding out I’m trans, so I didn’t want to out myself by completely changing the character they were so invested in.

THEN!!! Sword and Shield were announced, over the months as new mons were introduced I was like “hey, new gen new me, I’m gonna completely revamp my trainersona” and boom that’s how the new and current Blake came to be. Originally, they were just gonna be a silly self-insert, I didn’t plan for their story so get so deep. But years later we’ve come full circle and now they’re my B/W protag once again, except this time around they’re a depressed college dropout who’s tired of Everything.

There’s still aspects of the OG Blake I’ve implemented here and there- Obviously, Gold has the Ho-Oh feather thing, personality-wise he’s very different but like I said he’s still trying to live up to his mom’s legacy just like in the old version. Except instead of cheering him on from back home his mom has gone poof.

August (my BW2 protag) also picked up some of OG Blake’s qualities, personality-wise she is actually quite similar to them. She also sort of got that “younger sibling and older sibling” dynamic with N. (N is a lot more present in the Unova Fates version of BW2, instead of only appearing at the Ghetsis and Kyurem battle he’s kind of like a traveling companion for August most of her adventure.)

And also!!! There is one more character that’ll show up in Unova Fates that ends up with the same team I had in my original copy of White (OG Blake’s team). Remember the Trainersona Challenge I did where I created an AU where Blake joins Team Plasma but secretly helps the player take them down?? Yeah that’s a concept I’m gonna be revisiting to say the least :)))

okay HOLY SHIT if you read this far bless you and I hope my insane ramblings didn’t bore you to death.

[animeboye]

New Dragon's World Chapter 30

Chapter 30: The Conclusion Part 1

That morning, Titus' friends, both old and new gathered at the edge of town to see them off with the exceptions of Crystal and Sean. Titus, his mother, Drake, and Eig'nia stood by his car which was parked in the middle of the road. His friends and family were wrought with worry. Noticing this, Titus took in a deep breath and smiled, hoping to assure them that everything would be fine.

"Well, this is it." Said Titus.

"Are you going to come back?" Adam asked, looking sad to see his hero leave.

Titus looked down at Adam. "Yeah. After this, we're going back home."

"But…I don't want you to leave. Please stay, Mr. Titus!" Adam cried.

"I can't Adam. This isn't my home. But I promise I'll come and visit you and I'll bring Tim too. Is that okay?"

"Mmm…" Adam pouted, sniffling, soon proceeding to cry.

Jessie was next. She walked up to Titus and looked at him with a hint of sadness. She placed her hand on the side of his face and slowly moved it down. Then without warning, she hugged her brother-in-law tightly. Titus shut his eyes and hugged her back. After a moment, she went back to her husband.

Next up was Lucas. He looked at his best friend since childhood contently and placed his fist in the air. Titus responded to this by bumping his fist against Lucas'.

"Titus, if you die, I'm gonna kick your ass! You understand?" Lucas smiled.

Titus smiled back and nodded. Jackie and Kyle were next.

"I've never been very good with these kind of things. So I'm just going to say this: I'm glad you're my uncle. Please, be careful out there." Said Jackie.

"I will." Titus replied.

"Ditto what Jackie said. I want you to know, Uncle Titus, that after all this is over, I'm going to stop drinking so much, I'm going to finally finish college and turn my life around. I probably wouldn't even be able to say that if it wasn't for you." Kyle said, a tear forming in his eye.

With nay another word, the two siblings walked back to their family as Sarah and Rick went up next. Rick sat in a wheelchair which was being pushed by Sarah. This time it was Titus who spoke first.

"Rick, thanks again for protecting Sarah. I'm sorry about –"

"It's okay you don't have to feel bad. I'd rather lose my legs than lose my little sister." Rick smiled.

Titus looked at his wife. Out of all his friends and family, she was the one who looked saddest. She feared that this would be the last time she saw her loving husband and son. She didn't know how she'd be able to get on without them. And although she knew she should say something to him, she just couldn't find the courage to do so. She looked down and proceeded to walk away, still handing Rick's wheelchair when Titus called out to her.

"Sarah, I love you." He said.

"…I love you too." Sarah said without turning around.

Ben and Frank were the last two to bid Titus farewell. Ben was the first to speak.

"Titus, you've come such a long way. I still remember way back then when I found you in the woods as a baby dragon, crying and lonely. No matter what happens, remember that we'll always be brothers." Ben said softly.

Titus smiled and nodded as he rubbed his eyes. Ben patted his younger brother on the shoulder and then walked over to his young nephew.

"Drake, watch out for your father, grandmother and Eig'nia." Said Ben.

"I will, Uncle Ben." Said Drake.

"Good boy."  Ben smiled, rubbing Drake's head.

"Hey, sorry to cut the farewells short but we should be going." Eig'nia chimed in.

"Yeah. Okay." Titus said.

"Just a second." Frank said just as Titus and the others were getting into the car.

"Titus, I've only known you and your family for a short time.  But I'm very glad I got to meet you. I feel safe placing mine, Adam's, and Baker Valley's future in your hands. With that said, as sheriff of Baker Valley, I feel it is my duty to give you and your party one order…Come back alive, all of you." Said Frank.

Without another word, Titus, his mother, Drake, and Eig'nia piled into his car and drove off.  Not a sound was uttered as friends new and old watched the car shrink more and more until it was completely out of sight.

The car drove on the dusty road, hitting two bumps. Titus took the wheel with Drake sitting up in front with him while his mother and Eig'nia sat in the back. Drake leaned against the door, watching what little scenery the desert had to offer pass them by. He thought about what he would do when he finally saw Jake again. He didn't want to fight Jake. He hoped that he might be able to just apologize to Jake for pushing him and thus prevent a fight from ensuing.

As he tried to think of methods for avoiding his inevitable battle with Jake, he sat up and pressed his face against the car window.  For a brief second he could have sworn that he saw Alex and Theian in their human forms waving to him. Once the car had passed by them, Drake unrolled the window and stuck his head out, only to find that the two had now disappeared. Was that really them? Surely he must be seeing things, he thought to himself.

"What's up, Drake? Did you see something?" His grandmother asked.

Drake rolled the window up and sat back in his chair. "No." Was all he said.

"In about forty minutes, we should be arriving at our destination." Said Eig'nia.

"Good. In the meantime, I think we should start making plans." Titus suggested.

"Mom, while I'm fighting Saulstrance, you stay back and guard Eig'nia. Eig'nia, approximately how long should it take you to complete the spell?"

"Unfortunately I can't say for certain. It'll all depend on how quickly you can wear Saulstrance down." The dragoness explained.

This news made Titus uneasy. Yet somehow he knew that it wouldn't be that easy. Thankfully for him, he had come up with a back-up plan in case things went awry.

"Hey, mom…" Titus said grimly.

"Yes?" She asked.

"In the likely event that I'm unable to defeat Saulstrance, I want you to get out of there. Fly back to Baker Valley and hide everyone somewhere safe in the dragon realm." Titus instructed.

"Okay." His mother muttered.

All that was left now was Drake. Even before he had hatched this plan, Titus knew what his son's role in the upcoming battle would be. But what he did not know was if Drake was truly ready for this.

"And Drake…what are you going to do?" He asked.

Drake didn't want to answer. He clutched at his shorts and closed his eyes. He knew what he had to do…and just like with Alex, it would weigh heavily on Drake's heart.

"I'm going to fight Jake…" Answered a reluctant Drake.

"But… Will I really have to kill him? Isn't there another way?!" Drake added.

"Hmm…I don't know, Drake. But like you, I don't want anything to happen to Jake either. I've known him for most of his life and after the time I spent watching him grow, I started to see him like a son. If anything happened to him…" Eig'nia said.

Don't worry, Eig'nia!" Drake said optimistically, shifting around in his seat. "Maybe if I just talked to Jake, then we won't have to fight!"

Eig'nia smiled at the little half-dragon. If only it were that easy. Still, she admired Drake's youthful optimism. Deep in her heart, she hoped that that was all it would take.

The car continued en route to Death Valley. In less than thirty minutes, they would at long last reach their destination.

Meanwhile, Saulstrance and his son were perched outside of an old desert castle. It was rather small, only the size of a house but it served them as their base during their time in the desert. The castle was surrounded by cavern walls with one approximately fifty feet behind it. The other walls were thirty feet away from the castle on both its left and right.

"Dad, are you sure they'll be here?" Asked Jake testily.

"Patience, Jakol…Doulstraz has waited a long time for a rematch with me. He won't run away. Don't worry. You'll still be able to have your revenge." Saulstrance said with a calm demeanor.

Jake flashed a rather disturbing glare. He had been waiting for this day for quite awhile and now he was finally going to make Drake pay for killing Alex. He clenched his fist and squeezed it tightly.  Nothing would stop him now. He had finally learned how to control his powers and he would make sure to use them to their fullest in the coming battle.

After thirty more minutes of driving, Eig'nia called out for Titus to stop. Titus slammed his foot on the brake and the car came to a screeching halt. The four stepped out of the cool, air conditioned car and into the scorching desert heat. From just a few short seconds of being out in this weather, sweat had begun to make its way down their foreheads as Titus, his mom, and Drake looked around, panting heavily as they did so. To their right were a range of mountains.

"Those are the Funeral Mountains." Eig'nia said.

"That sounds quite welcoming." Titus remarked sarcastically.

"Nestled within those mountains is an old castle we've been using during our time out here. If Saulstrance's diary was true, and he's waiting for you in Death Valley, then he'll most certainly be there." Eig'nia explained.

"Alright then. This is it, guys. Is everyone ready?" Asked Titus, turning towards the others.

Everyone nodded and Titus smiled with satisfaction. Knowing that it would take too long to get to the castle by foot, IF they were able to get to it by foot, Titus, his mom, and Eig'nia took on their dragon forms and unfurled their wings. Drake hopped on his grandmother's back and held onto her neck tightly as they prepared for takeoff when all of a sudden…

"Hey, wait! What about us?!" A young sounding voice called out.

"Oh, no…" Much to Titus' chagrin, he recognized that voice instantly: Sean. And if Sean was there, then that could only mean that Crystal was as well.

Titus and the dragonesses descended to the ground.

"What are you doing here?! Did I not, specifically say last night, that I wanted you all to remain in Baker Valley?!" Titus snapped.

"Well…we…" Crystal stuttered.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? We're going to be fighting their leader, their BOSS! I mean – GAH!!" Titus roared in exasperation.

"Mr. Flamel…we…"

"WHAT!!!!!" Titus yelled.

Sean and Crystal flinched. "We…we just wanted to make sure Drake would be alright." Crystal squeaked.

Titus shook his head. He could already feel a headache coming on. The last thing he needed was to be a babysitter when he was going to fight Saulstrance. Unfortunately, he was left without much choice: It was either take the kids back to Baker Valley and waste precious time, leave them in the car without any air until they suffocated, or take them with them and risk them getting hurt. The very thing Titus wanted to avoid by leaving his friends in town.

Titus groaned.  "Hop on…" He said as he crouched on the ground. The kids jumped on Titus' back. Sean sat in front and Crystal was behind him. Crystal wrapped her arms tightly around Sean's waist. The dragons' wings unfolded and they soon took to the sky. They soared higher and higher until they were hovering above the mountains. Crystal looked down, shrieked and hugged Sean's gut ever tighter when she saw just how high up they were.

"Crystal, what?" Sean gasped.

"We..we…we're so high up…" Crystal stuttered, shaking violently.

"Well, yeah, we are flying." Sean replied.

"Shut up! I'm afraid of heights, okay?!!" Crystal screamed in Sean's ear.

"I know right, Crystal? I don't like heights either…" Drake said in a shaky, terrified voice.

"At least you've got wings, Drake. I don't." Crystal said angrily.

Sean scoffed. "Please! You guys are such babies!"

"Oh, yeah? Well why don't you look down below us? Go on, I dare you." Said Crystal.

"No problem." And so Sean looked over Titus' side and gazed down below, keeping a firm grip around Titus' neck. His eyes bulged and his heart raced once he saw how high up they were. He took several deep gasps and slowly turned away from the sight.

"No…problem at all. It's not that bad." Sean said in a high voice, his arms shaking.

"Yeah right." Drake said, rolling his eyes.

"Can you three please stop your bickering? We're going now." Said Eig'nia.

Eig'nia led the way with Titus and his mom following behind her. Drake and his friends watched in awe as they flew over the mountains, admiring their beauty. After no less than a minute or two, the group soon came upon the castle.

"Is that it?!" Titus shouted to Eig'nia.

"Yes! Now all of you get ready! We're going to descend!"

"Wow, that didn't take too long." Crystal thought aloud.

"Yeah, I thought it woulda taken us like, three hours!" Sean said.

"It might have taken us that long if we had decided to walk there. Thankfully however this saves us time and energy." Titus said.

They lowered to the ground and Drake, Sean, and Crystal hopped off of the dragons' backs. The six of them stood before the small, dusty castle. The castle was no more than two stories. There were five steps that led up to a small porch and at the top of the steps stood a stone archway. Titus looked at the castle with a determined look in his eyes. The moment of truth was finally upon him. The only question that remained was where were Saulstrance and his son?

"This is a castle?!" Crystal asked in disbelief. "Where are the knights and the prince and princess? And why is it so small? It's gotta be as big as my house!"

"It's not that kind of castle, kid…" Eig'nia said in an irritated monotone voice. "Now then… We just have to find Saulstrance and Jake. If they're not out here…"

"Then they must be inside…" Titus added.

"Can we stop talking already?! C'mon, let's barge in and jump them!" Sean exclaimed enthusiastically.

Titus groaned, his annoyance ever swelling. Without saying another word, he made his way up the stone steps and went into the castle. Everyone else followed shortly behind him.

They stood in the doorway. A small wooden table was centered a few feet from the door with a fan suspended over the table, its blades spinning around. To their right were three separate rooms all located within a small hallway. Above them were four more rooms that overlooked the first floor.

They searched around the castle, checking each and every room. Much to their surprise, there was no sign of Saulstrance or Jake! Titus asked Eig'nia if there may have been a hidden room located somewhere inside the castle, however Eig'nia insisted that there was no such thing. Having made a clean sweep of the place, they considered the possibility that Saulstrance was waiting in another part of Death Valley. With nothing left for them there, they proceeded to exit the castle when all of a sudden…

There they were, standing a couple hundred feet before the castle, Saulstrance and Jake. Saulstrance grinned with anticipation, his arms folded. Jake stared coldly at Drake. He looked as if he would try to attack at any moment.

"So you came. I'm truly happy to see that. Then am I correct in assuming that you were able to come to terms with yourself?" Asked Saulstrance.

"…I have." Titus said, scowling.

"Good. Oh, and I see that you've brought Eig'nia with you."

Eig'nia couldn't stand to look at Saulstrance. In her eyes, the dragon that stood before her was no longer her childhood friend but something else: A monster wearing his flesh. Her eyes filled with sadness and regret. Regret knowing that she was partially to blame for all of this.

"Don't look so sad, Eig'nia. To be honest, I'm actually relieved to see you alive. Now you can help me kill Doulstraz and his little gang. Then we'll continue with our plans. Of course I'll have to gather the four remaining Apprentices but then—"

"No…" Eig'nia muttered under her breath.

"Excuse me?" Saulstrance asked.

"I'm with them now, Saulstrance…" Eig'nia said softly, turning toward her former friend and comrade.

"Wh-What? What are you saying, Eig'nia? You're not making any sense! What do you mean 'you're with them'?!" Saulstrance asked again, raising his voice slightly.

"I meant what I said, Saulstrance." Eig'nia said, her voice also becoming louder and sounding more confident. "I couldn't bring myself to kill you that night. It's my fault that the worlds ended up like this so I want to do what I can to make things right."

"So…You'd betray our friend's final wish?! In order to 'make things right' as you say?! Well tell me what right is then! Those who have never known peace…and those who have never known war have different ideas of right and wrong, there is no concrete answer!" Saulstrance shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Well then how about this?" Titus asked, jumping off the castle's porch and returning to his dragon form. "Whoever wins this battle…That'll be whose side is right."

Saulstrance was amused by Titus' declaration. "I like that.  It sounds perfect. Now COME!!!" He bellowed, taking on his dragon appearance as well.

The two dragons lunged at each other and spiraled high into the sky. They zigzagged around each other, launching fireballs as they did.  At the same time, back on the ground, Jake stood, impatiently waiting for him and Drake to start their own battle.

"Come on Drake!!!" Jake shouted furiously. "Fight me!"

"Jake, please, I really don't wanna fight you…" Drake begged with a sad tone to his voice.

"What?!" Jake exclaimed, growing even more furious. He growled loudly, his body shaking rapidly and his teeth gritting. "Fight me right now, you pussy!! I've waited and trained for four days and I'm not gonna let you tell me you don't wanna fight! I'll make you PAY for killing Alex! Do you understand me? FIGHT!!!"

"Jake, I'm sorry…Really I…"

"Stop. SAYING THAT! You really sorry? Then let me kill you!!" Jake screamed.

Drake sighed reluctantly. He realized that he had no other alternatives. Slowly, he walked down the steps and over to Jake. Drake and Jake stared at each other for a short moment before they charged at each other. Much to the surprise of Eig'nia and the others, the two boys began their battle in their human forms!

Drake threw his left fist back and swung it at Jake, connecting it with Jake's jaw. The other half-dragon grabbed Drake by his shirt and threw him to the ground. With this, Jake pulled his leg back and attempted to strike Drake in his gut, only to have Drake roll out of the way.  Then he stood up and dashed towards Jake. Once he was close to twenty feet from the boy, Drake ran around him at a forty-five degree angle. Without turning around, Jake raised his right arm so that it covered his mouth and elbowed Drake in the face, knocking him onto his back. Blood oozed from Drake's nose and he promptly wiped the fresh blood away.

As the young half-dragon stood up, his father was sent plummeting into the left cavern wall.  Large rocks that had made up the wall fell on Titus, covering him completely. He quickly erupted from the large pile of rocks and launched into the sky. A ball of fire shot from his throat. With very little effort, Saulstrance flew slightly to the left as Titus' fireball flew into the distance and was soon snuffed out.

With a huge flap of his wings, Titus flew high into the sky. He propelled himself towards Saulstrance, curled into a ball, and smacked Saulstrance in the head with his tail. Saulstrance responded to his nemesis's attack with a smack to the snout by his own tail.

At the same time, Drake and Jake were panting heavily. Their bodies shook and Jake glared at Drake with great discontent.

"Ready for round two, Drake?" Jake asked, mockingly.

"What's round two?" Asked Drake.

Jake shut his eyes. His ears became pointed, turning into fins. His wings ripped through his shirt and his tail wiggled its way out of his shorts. Drake's eyebrows furrowed and he smiled, eager to meet Jake's challenge. Just as Jake had done before, Drake closed his eyes and his ears too became fins, his wings tore the fabric of his shirt and emerged in all their glory and his tail ripped through the back of his shorts, leaving a tail hole for it to fit through.

Drake eagerly flexed his wings by flapping them a few times and his tail wagged around wildly. Jake flapped his own wings fiercely and clenched his fists. They were finally ready to begin their battle anew. The two half-dragons flapped their wings, flying barely even two inches above the ground, and launched themselves at each other. Their fathers likewise did the same. The four of them knew that their battles were far from over.