#We all know I love a good concussion whump scene between these two!!

[thesymphonytrue]

81. “Hold still.” Peter & Neal :)

Hold Still

Read on AO3

For the Drabble challenge here. (pre-canon) Peter groaned and pried open his eyes. The feeling of cold metal against his wrists and a throbbing headache blurred his vision as he tried to make out his surroundings. It was so bright, too bright. Shards of light stabbed his corneas as he shifted his weight, attempting to stand, but his hands were cuffed behind his back. “Woah there, Agent Burke,” a smooth voice said as a hand gently pushed him back against the brick wall he’d been leaning against. Peter squeezed his eyes shut, blocking out that light and tried to place the voice. It sounded familiar but… “This will sting a bit, but I’m almost done,” the voice said again and Peter saw a flash of a smile in the recess of his mind.

Charming grin. Dark hair. Blue eyes that danced with delight. Peter let out another groan as recognition dawned on him. Neal Caffrey. He struggled against the handcuffs again, the fog from his mind beginning to clear. Neal Caffrey had cuffed him, not the other way around. Peter squirmed this way and that, but his still-muddy brain inhibited his movements and he ended up just wiggling back and forth like a worm against the wall. Finally, Neal grasped the sides of Peter’s head, forcing Peter to still, forcing Peter to stare into those blue eyes. “Hold still,” Neal said, cocking his head like he was commanding a dog to “sit and stay.” Peter scowled. Neal’s face was still a bit blurry, but his brows were furrowed in….concern?

"You're a terrible patient, you know that, right?" Neal said lightly under his breath, his fingers nimbly assessing some painful, wet wound on Peter's forehead. “Well you’re…” Peter grunted painfully, “Under arrest.” Neal laughed, bright and clear and Peter’s head erupted in pain as a result. “Ahh Peter,” Neal shook his head, his usually coiffed dark hair falling around his face as he brought his hands up the corner of Peter’s forehead, “If you can catch me after I am done stitching up this head wound, then I’ll come with you to prison fair and square.” Just then, Peter felt a tiny prick and winced, closing his eyes. A little tug on his head, and then Neal sat back on his knees and observed his work, narrowing his eyes and humming to himself. “Just saved you an emergency room trip and from the mob that we were both running from minutes ago,” Neal said, an edge of cocky pride to his voice. Neal clicked open the cuffs restraining Peter, leaning in so close to Peter that his heart pounded and he could smell Neal's cologne. Peter had never been this close to someone he'd chased and not cuffed them.

It was thrilling. Neal tucked the handcuffs into his own pocket, shrugging. “Never know when these will come in handy.” “Hmph,” Peter reached up to find a neat row of three stitches close to his hairline. Neal smiled brightly, eyes dancing as looked at Peter. “You won’t even have a scar,” he said boastfully, light and energy radiating from him. He patted Peter’s shoulder, “See you next time, Peter.” “Caffrey….” Peter bemoaned, trying to stand, but his head was pounding. Neal grinned and bowed politely, “Please. Call me Neal.” And then he was gone, leaving Peter with a throbbing headache, near-perfect sutures, and…a warmth in his chest. Peter smiled, not even angry that Neal had gotten away. Neal had left an aura of sparkling energy, falling to the ground like soft snow and enveloping Peter in light. Since Neal Caffrey got away this time, that meant Peter would see him again. And Peter didn’t seem to have a problem with that at all.

[whump-tr0pes]

I need to gush about Honor Bound for a bit, I apologize for how long this might get, but I figured it can’t be too wrong to show gratitude for something you hold dear! I found Honor Bound through the “Bleeding through the Bandages” chapter in book 4. I got into whump around that time, mainly as a coping mechanism for my own pain, and I saw that chapter pop up on my dashboard and I didn’t really consider it was part of a bigger story and I needed a distraction so I was like, might as well. And then it ended up being the best depiction of what I was feeling that I’ve ever read; not just the pain, but the frustration, and the exhaustion, and the mind-numbing boredom shown in other chapters too. I read the previous chapters of book 4 and then decided I wanted Context and also More Sam and then I read the first three books in two days. And then I reread them all in one day because I needed to reprocess the journey that was. And then I reread all of them again with book 4 when it finished, and then religiously followed book 5 through the worst time I’ve ever had, and reread the previous books multiple times as 5 was updating as well. Needless to say it quickly became my comfort series, and on multiple occasions waiting for a new chapters was one of those little joys that kept me going. I am so, so thankful I found it when I did. The Honor Bound family is like no other found family, at least to me. All of them are such complex individuals, but their interpersonal relationships are just so deep and meaningful and each is so incredibly unique, I could honestly write essays upon essays analyzing each one. And the way you connect everything and weave tropes into the overarching plot is just Insane, it’s truly like you’re… retelling a story that actually happened, you know? Like these are real people and real stories. Because I can’t com prehend how you come up with some of this stuff. And there are so, so many “cinematic” moments that are just. So raw and hard-hitting and just stay with you. Big and small moments alike. The Ryan reveal, Joseph Stormbeck’s death (best death scene ever by the way?? I’ve told everyone I know about it when I read it I was absolutely in Awe. Never recovering from that), every moment between Sam and Isaac (I also have a sibling who I’m not technically related to by blood but would like, probably die for, so I just really appreciated everything about them and we need more stories like theirs) (and also every time Sam called Isaac out. Good for them), Sam talking Gavin through his caning holy shit that was a religious moment, Gray’s slowburn adoption of Gavin and when Gavin decided he wanted to be a Uriah (and how his initial thought to getting asked what he wants to be called was “Moore”. And then he was like “Well fuck.” Love that dumbass), just every single thing Finn ever did for the family, Finn and Ellis and Gavin’s monologue about giving Finn a concussion (!! chills!!) and their reunion after Coleen, Vera and Tori and the Work Song scene??, Vera and Tori lowkey adopting Edrissa and Edrissa’s character development and her rants about pretty things and her and Sam and Zachariah’s adorable Young Love that made me so giddy right along with them and Sam and Zachariah’s meet-ugly (I mean it was kinda sweet), Gray being the parental figure we all needed, and Nata and Zelda and Nata helping Sam (and now Gavin!!) and Vera being so proud of her puppy. Also, Isaac and Gavin’s relationship…Insane. The most dramatic enemies to lovers and I love them for it. Invented love. It’s so crazy to read the beginning and see how far everyone’s come and think about everything that has happened from that one Whumptober prompt. It’s a lot but it also makes so, so much sense. I can’t imagine a version where Isaac and Gavin aren’t together in some way (and since I started out of order, when I realized it was a enemies to lovers I was really excited to see how all of that happened. Especially after reading the first book, because it (1/2)

(2/2) was like, how the hell are they gonna get from point A to point B. No way those are the same characters, how is this ever going to get justified? And then Gavin ended up having the best character development Ever, and I love that, I love that he had to work for it and that we as the readers have to work to love him too, because it pays off). And now the ending of book 5! Oh God. On that note, you’re so good at writing villains; making them human and also absolutely detestable and killing them off in the most satisfactory way tailored to them. There was never a point after a major arc where I thought “oh, I wish this had happened instead of x, I wish this had gone this way instead”. Also, to go back on the topic of pain (physical and mental both)! The way everyone copes with it differently, it’s the same thing but it’s unique to the person dealing with it and that’s so clear in your characters, and I also love, love how you made a point of showing how pain changes people because that’s something that I find so often gets ignored, whether voluntarily or not, even in whump. But, yeah, pain definitely changes people. And that’s not always bad, and it’s not always drastic, but it happens and it’s not a shameful thing. Everyone breaks. And HB made me believe that I was allowed to break, and that it’s still possible to live a life you think is worth it. And I won’t even get into how much it’d taught me about friendship and family and how it made me reflect on my own relationships with my loved ones (especially Isaac’s perspective, oh God). It’s just such a rewarding journey. That’s the best word to describe it, I think. And this latest chapter: “The sun shone brightly on the hood of the car, so bright Isaac almost had to close his eyes. The wind moved through the trees that swayed on either side of the lane. Isaac rolled his window down, and he could hear the birds calling to each other, and the sound of the wind rustling the long grasses that smelled so green. With each heartbeat, Gavin relaxed in his arms, his head falling against Isaac’s shoulder, his breaths becoming deep and slow again. A tear rolled down Isaac’s cheek, and he hid his smile against Gavin’s hair.” That image. It’s so vivid and visceral. It gives me the exact same feeling as spring after a long winter (which is…super fitting, actually). It’s that moment of pure contentedness when you realize it’d all been worth it. I don’t know, it just really, really struck me, and I’m so glad the book ended on that note. Despite knowing more hurt awaits, even that feels okay, because happiness will always find a way to seep through. And God, do they deserve that! It’s gonna be heartbreaking when their story ends, but I also know it’s gonna feel right. Like a peaceful retirement. Just, thank you for sharing this world with us, Athena. I hope you’re aware how meaningful this story is to so many of us. And being able to follow it in real-time and hear your inputs and chat about the characters and scream in the comments and reblogs is such a privilege (and being able to read it for free at all? Five books (six counting Vera)! For free! Though I will be getting books 1 and 2 soon hopefully actually). I cannot wait for book 6 and I Will be crying about book 5 until then (and long afterwards, most likely). And I wish you all the best in everything you take on next.<3

Wow, I... wow. I had to set down my phone and just sit in silence after I read this. I’m just... so humbled and amazed that you were able to connect so much with the story and the characters. I’m so glad that you saw something of yourself, and that you were able to find comfort in it. I find comfort in them, too, just knowing that the characters are there when I need to write them. 

It’s important to me for things to turn out ‘right.’ That’s part of why I write whump: the bad guys can be defeated, the good guys emerge safe, and love prevails. Writing Isaac and Gavin’s love story was absolutely the biggest surprise for me, it really did feel like I was the last to know. But I treasure them both so much and I love writing them. The family is so fun to explore, with each relationship being so different from the other. I’ve poured so much of myself into this story and into every single one of the characters. 

Book 6 is going to be such a challenge. It’s the last book in the series, and the one that’ll (hopefully) tie everything together. I’m giving myself a little break, but I’m also a little scared to start it because once I start it, then each chapter will be closer to the end, and then it’ll be over. I have a few more things in store for the family but at the end, I hope they’re safe, happy, and together. These characters mean more to me than I can say and I’m so happy I’ll have you with me along the way.

[howtowhumpyourhiccup]

Whumptober Day 5: Collapsed Building

Summary: Written for Whumptober Day 5. Also takes place in my Httyd Zombie AU. Main fic to follow. Sometimes Hiccup's plans can get a little out of hand and when it does, sometimes his Riders can get into trouble for that. This time, it's Fishlegs and Tuffnut.

Rating: Teen and up

Characters: Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Hiccup, Toothless

Pairing: None

Words: 1 354

Fandom: How to Train Your Dragon

Prompt: Failed escape + Rescue

Whumpee: Fishlegs, Tuffnut, Hiccup

Author’s Notes: This started out as Fishlegs whump, but then suddenly Tuffnut got whumped, but then Hiccup demanded a scene... So three whumpees for one prompt! It's been fun!

Constructive criticism is appreciated!

Enjoy!

Day 5 and I’m honestly getting really tired of all this tagging.

Ao3

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

At the same time, they hear the explosion going off, they can feel the whole building rumbling beneath their feet.

Fishlegs and Tuffnut don't know what exactly is happening downstairs on the ground floor, but when everything starts to crumble around them, they know at the very least that it's gone horribly wrong.

Hiding away from the Dragon Hunters, Fishlegs was hoping to take care of an injury, a nasty gash on a leg from a terrible fall combined with an unlucky landing. It's been bleeding quite profusely and his shoe and sock are both stained.

Tuffnut had found him and wanted to help him out. But then the explosion happens and the two know they need to run.

So Tuffnut pulls Fishlegs up to his feet and takes his weight upon his shoulders to the best of his ability.

"Come on, we can make this. We can make this, right?!" Tuffnut huffs and puffs, not quite as strong as his friend, but still attempting to carry him to safety.

They are trying to make it to the stairs while the floor is collapsing beneath them and the ceiling is caving in above them. Fishlegs still tries to make it on his own strength, but his leg hurts terribly and he needs Tuffnut to get out of this situation.

It is terrifying, they can feel their hearts pounding in their ears and the adrenaline threatening to slow them down. The floor and walls are rumbling and crumbling and their legs struggle to keep them up.

But they have to outrun the destruction, they have to somehow get to the ground floor from the fourth floor in time without getting hit or falling while the building shakes with such force as if an earthquake has taken hold of its foundations.

"There it is!" Fishlegs shouts, spotting the staircase down. But then part of the ceiling comes down and the two abruptly stop to not be flattened. The debris blocks their way down the stairs.

"No!"

"Oh no!"

"What do we do now?!" Tuffnut asks, gaze shooting into every possible direction to find another way out. Except, those stairs were the only ones off this level.

"I don't know, Tuff. I don't know!" Fishlegs answers, feeling the creeping dread and panic at the possibility that they may not be getting out of this predicament alive.

Another, fiercer rumbling comes following a second explosion and both Riders are thrown off their feet. Keeping their balance is impossible.

"Hey! Look here! Fishlegs, bro!" A familiar grating voice calls to them in urgency and they look over to the broken windows to find Ruffnut on top of Barf and Belch. Each head gurgles at Tuff to make him come running.

Without another word, they struggle back up to their feet and hurry over. Fishlegs hobbles over while Tuffnut runs. If they can just make it to Ruffnut and Barch, they'll be safe.

But just as they are about to reach the window, a large chunk falls and hits the male twin on the head.

"No, Tuff!"

"Tuffnut!"

Ruffnut and Fishlegs both shout as Tuffnut crumples to the floor unceremoniously. Blood immediately escapes the wound and stains his hair and the concrete floor.

Jumping off her head of the Zippleback, Ruffnut runs over, shielding her own head even though that will really do nothing against the falling debris.

"Get on the dragon, Fishlegs!" She shouts at her friend, who had collapsed onto the ground as well with his loss of support.

While he continues to Barf and Belch, getting up and dragging his injured leg, Ruff picks up her brother from the back, turning him onto his back, hooking her arms under his shoulders and wrapping a forearm of his around his middle for leverage before dragging him towards the open window.

She's in too much of a rush to do it carefully, but she manages to get him to the dragon. As Fishlegs gets on one head, she maneuvers Tuffnut up on Barch's back before getting on her head and together they escape. It is only seconds later that the entire fourth floor is gone.

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

Back at camp, the Dragon Riders are gathered around Tuffnut. He's lying on a sleeping bag with a pillow and his head wound bandaged up neatly.

"And he'll be okay, right?" Ruffnut asks Hiccup, who sits on a chair opposite to Fishlegs'. His foot is up on Hiccup's seat between his thighs as he works on disinfecting and stitching up the gash, his pant leg rolled up as far as it will go. His wound is deep enough to require stitches if they want to prevent an infection.

Pulled out of his concentration, Hiccup briefly looks up to her before returning to what he's doing.

"We won't know, Ruff. Not until he wakes up." Hiccup tells her and since it's been only an hour, Tuff's chances of being perfectly fine are still relatively high.

Ruffnut isn't too comforted by his answer, but she takes it knowing that it's a realistic one. She sits down on the sleeping bag next to Tuff, sighing. She draws her knees up and wraps her arms around them. Astrid kneels by her and places a hand on her shoulder.

Hiccup is quiet as he takes care off Fishlegs' leg, occasionally glancing the twins' way. There is a deep frown on his face and his vision is going blurry. He has to wipe at his eyes with his sleeves.

"Are you okay, Hiccup?" The man before him asks, noticing the watery eyes.

"I'm fine." Hiccup answers after swallowing the lump in his throat.

He finishes working on Fishlegs' injury and bandages it up. By then Tuffnut wakes up long enough for him to be hugged by his sister and be showered with well-wishes from the Dragon Riders. He's also diagnosed with an awful concussion, but he seems fine otherwise and all he needs is enough rest.

Good news for sure, but still one of the Dragon Riders quietly leaves the group after the most likely diagnosis is shared. He needs to be alone.

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

Hiccup feels like he can't breathe.

His friends had been in that building.

The one he wanted to blow up to be rid of this Dragon Hunter operation wasn't as empty as he thought it was. Fishlegs and Tuffnut were in there, one of them injured and the other simply trying to help him.

He nearly killed them. Two of his best friends, his only remaining loved ones that he swore to protect for as long as he may live. He nearly killed them with his own two hands.

This thought and the accompanying blame are too much for him to carry and he slides down the way as tears erupt from his eyes and sobs from his throat.

His knees are drawn up and his elbows rest on them as his hands grab a tight hold on his hair, just shy of pulling out actual clumps. He's so upset with himself, so angry.

How could he do that? They rely on him. On him! He can't make reckless mistakes such as this! If he doesn't step up soon, there will be no one left and he'll have failed as both a friend and a leader.

The other Dragon Riders watching over Tuffnut, it's Toothless who finds him sobbing all alone. He's made sure he was far away enough from the others to make sure they won't catch him in this state of mind. But Toothless is never far away, he can't hide these moments from him.

Cooing sadly at the state he finds his Rider in, the dragon invites himself into Hiccup's personal space and pushes his head into his arms, hoping to break him out of his little bubble of despair. It works and Hiccup throws his arms around the Night Fury's head, who lies down to let him keep his hold.

On his scales Hiccup cries and Toothless lets him, knowing that he needs to pour his heart out before he can return to the others and do what he is meant to do.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

sup steph! can u plz recommend some short johnlock fics? (short as in 1-2 chapters) ik this is incredibly vague but just give me ones that you may like hehe thanks :D

Hi Lovely!

OHHHHH Gosh, I have so many short Johnlock fics… and I know single chapter fics that are 30K words LOL LOL! So I’ll assume you’re looking for a shorter wordcount fics, as opposed to chapter count, LOL.

First of all, you can check out these past “short fic lists” I’ve done!

Ten Fave Short Johnlock Fics (Easy Reads April 2018)

25 Fave Johnlock One Shots (April 2018)

Fics Under 2000 w.

I think I’ll take this opportunity to post up the next set of “Under 2000 w.” fic list, how about that? :) If you want something other than that, let me know, and I’ll look for something else for you :P As a side note, on every one of my personal rec lists, all my shorter fics are always listed first, so if you like the topic but just want a quick read, go ahead and check out the first few fics until you hit a word count too big for ya

FICS UNDER 2,000w. PT. 2

When Morning Comes by Youarethelightoftheworld (T, 423 w. || Christmas Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Lazy Mornings/Morning After, Fluff and Angst, Sleepy Cuddles, Domestic Fluff, Cuddling / Snuggling, Emotional Hurt/Comfort) – “Sherlock,” says John solemnly, “I’m not sure we can go anywhere today.”

The Moment When by drekadair (K, 509 w. || TGG Fic, Friendship, First Person POV Sherlock, Introspection, Worried Sherlock) – Sherlock sees John in the pool, and doubts. Set during the end of “The Great Game.”

Do You Love Me? by whitchry9 (K, 641 w. || Friendship, Family, Epic Bromance) – John asks Sherlock perhaps the most important question.

New World, Old Words by thedeafwriter (G, 641 w. || Deaf Sherlock, Sherlock Whump, Pining Sherlock, Marriage Proposal, Fluff, Always John) – It was disconcerting to experience. One second, he was laying on the table, breathing in the gas that would make him sleep, the next, he was dragging his eyes open to look around the bright room, trying to wake up.

Promise of Sussex by LittleLongHairedOutlaw (T, 705 w. || First Person POV Sherlock, Sherlock Whump, Angst, Pining, Ambiguous Ending) – John tries to keep Sherlock conscious after he’s been shot on a case.

Promises Kept by grannysknitting (K+, 844 w. || John POV, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship / Pre-Slash, Sherlock’s Violin, Worried Sherlock, John Whump, Post-TGG) – When they were in hospital, Sherlock made a promise to himself. Now he’s keeping it. Set after ’Polygamous Marriage’ but before ’Back in the Saddle’

Possessive by Fang323 (T, 850 w. || John Whump, Hospitalization, Possessive / Protective Sherlock, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort) – His John did not belong. Not here. Not in this blasted hospital. It simply was not logical.

Concussions And Good Old Fashioned Awkwardness by Belldere (K+, 894 w. || Humour, Hospitals, Mild John Whump, Misunderstandings, Platonic Relationship, Concussions, Not-Gay John, Possessive Sherlock) – When John lands himself in hospital… again, all he wants is to just get out of there as soon as possible, too bad his doctor has other ideas about where John may be getting his injuries. Good thing concussions make everything strangely funnier.

Burn Burn by Jenn1984 (K+, 925 w. || Post-TGG, Angst, Worried / Panicked / Possessive Sherlock) – A week after the events of “The Great Game”, Sherlock returns to 221B Baker Street to find it empty.

Devil’s in the Details (Isn’t that what you always say?) by Rae Himura (K, 976 w. || Angst, Sarah POV) – It was the little things Sarah noticed. (Or, some things even the world’s only consulting detective can’t see.)

Sherlock Is Not The One You Should Worry About by AllesandraQuartermaine (K, 1,077 w. || Sally POV, Character Reflection, Praising John) – Sally Donovan’s eyes are opened about a certain Doctor John Watson.

Sherlock’s Mind Palace by Valkyrie Of The Dead (K+, 1,091 w. ||  Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Major Character Deaths, Self Reflection) – Sherlock needs to change his mind-palace once again. He had hoped he wouldn’t, he had thought he wouldn’t, because they were invincible, weren’t they?

Idiot by Anesthesiologist (T, 1,229 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Alternate TGG / Explosion, BAMF John, Sherlock Whump, Inner Monologue, John Saves Sherlock, POV Sherlock) – What the heck happened? He remembered the pool and Moriarty, but then what? Had he been dying?

The Simple Separation Will Not Come Between Us by The Circus (T, 1,278 w. || Hurt/Comfort, MCD, Violence, Heavy Angst, Sherlock’s Mind Palace, Prose) – The choice is simple. Real, and No John. Or Not Real, and John. For a prompt that says ‘John dies and Sherlock loses himself in his Mind Palace’

God Save The Queen by Alice Day (K+, 1,398 w. || Humour, Mystery, Friendship) – Sherlock has a new case. John is petrified. The Queen is amused.

I Was Wrong by AllesandraQuartermaine (K, 1,496 w. || TGG AU, Friendship, Hospitalization / Injury, John’s Self Esteem, Sleepy Sherlock) – Sherlock and John have a conversation a few days after the pool face off with Moriarty. And John hears something quite surprising.

Left In The Ashes by zoltargirl (T, 1,497 w. || Angst, MCD, Angry Sherlock, Brutal Violence) – Rage is a unique quality in all human beings. In Sherlock Holmes, it’s terrifying.

Angel by MrsNoggin (T, 1,513 w. || Winglock, Friendship, Chromoesthesia, Drugging) – John is an angel. That can be the only explanation. A response to the challenging request for a realistic wingfic one-shot.

Together is What we Have, Together Protects Us by Phantom of the Black Pearl (K+, 1,566 w. || Post-TRF, Friendship / Platonic or Slash, Hurt/Comfort, Insecure Sherlock, Worried Sherlock, Slice of Life) – After a case one evening in the flat Sherlock voices a concern that causes the pair to consider why they’ve chosen to stick together after all that’s happened.

A Long Way To Home by PeaceLoveAndCheese (T, 1,568 w. || Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Reunion Fic) – Human emotions are tiring, troublesome things. And Sherlock wants to be known as anything but that. No matter how hard you try though, you’re only human. And it’s been a long year.

Quite Contrary by Hollyesque (T, 1,805 w. || HLV Fic, Sherlock Whump / After Mary Shot Sherlock, Hallucinations / Flashbacks / PTSD, Hospitalization, Hurt/Comfort, Lestrade POV, ) – A short one-shot, alternate scene to Greg’s hospital visit in HLV. Instead of Sherlock disappearing, Greg is faced with an unexpected reaction to a hospitalized Sherlock and winds up figuring out something that he really would have rather not known.

BBCSH 'Poor Mary’ by tigersilver (M, 1,839 w.|| HLV Fic, Canon Compliant, Sherlock Whump / Mary Shot Sherlock, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Pining Sherlock, Hospitalization, Missing Scene, Sherlock POV) – As the tin says above, this is a missing scene, set directly after Sherlock awakens in hospital after having been shot by his best mate’s wife. Minor angst, some pining, nothing nasty; please don’t be alarmed unduly.

Like Euphoria and Scotch by FinAmour (M, 1,856 w. || Five and One, Alchohol / Drinking, POV Second Person Sherlock, Pining Sherlock, Sherlock’s Imagination, Armchair Sex, Fluff, Happy Ending) – 5 different ways it all could have gone + the one way it actually works itself out.

One in Ten Thousand by Blind Author (K+, 1,856 w. || Post-TGG, Friendship / Pre-Slash, Discussions of Violence, Worried then Curious Sherlock, Scars/John’s Bullet Wound, Medical Anomolies) – John seems to have unusual mobility for a shoulder wound…

Caught by Salambo06 (E, 1,859 w. || Frottage, First Time / Kiss, Bed Sharing, Wet Dreams, POV John, Masturbation) – A hotel room. They’re here for a case, hadn’t planned to spend the night and ended up sharing a room. No, sharing a bed. Suddenly John is very much aware of his own hand closed around his hard cock and the ragged breathing next to him. Closing his eyes for the briefest second, John dares to turn his head just enough to confirm what he already knows. Sherlock, on his side, watching him.

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil by PipMer (T, 1,895 w. || Deaf John, Mute Sherlock, Friends to Lovers, Romance, Fluff and Angst, Character Study, Morse Code, Love Confessions) – John is deaf. Sherlock is mute. There are no two people more suited for each other.

The Adventure of the Mysterious Appearance of Tissues by Gwen’s Blue Box (K+, 1,910 w. || Fluff, Humour, Sick John, Caring Sherlock, Hurt/Comfort) – In which there is a case, John has caught a cold and is not interested in investigating, Mrs Hudson is away and Sherlock does the shopping.

They’re Taking My Wisdom by whitchry9 (K+, 1,939 w. || Hurt/Comfort, Drugging, Dentists, Friendship, Anxious Sherlock, Humour) – Sherlock goes to the dentist. Of course, being Sherlock, things have to be complicated. Oh and drugs. They’re always fun.

[hookaroo]

A Captain’s Heart (20 of 34?)

Chapter 1 Chapter 19

Rated T for language and graphic descriptions of injuries.

Also on FF.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12937105/1/A-Captain-s-Heart

Tagging @therooksshiningknight & @killian-whump by request :)

The garbled voices were not matching up at all with the rhythm pounding through Killian’s brain. It should not have been so disturbing to him. But for whatever reason, it was. Enough that it drew him out of the blackness to which he clung so desperately. He just wanted to sleep, damn it; was that so much to ask for?

As sensations trickled back - everywhere below the shoulders because he was stubbornly refusing to acknowledge anything higher - Killian noticed a hand wrapped around his own. Another, rubbing his back. He was lying on his side, somewhere hard, somewhere cold. Uncomfortable. Except for the part of him that didn’t exist at present. That was being cradled gently, resting on a lap. Emma’s?

Confirming that would mean opening his eyes. Which would certainly make everything hurt worse.

More words slurred through the air, voices unrecognizable and uncountable. Made-up phrases. Speaking backwards. Or something. Killian stopped trying. Deciphering was way beyond his current capacity.

Touch was dangerous. Sight impossible. Hearing out of the question. So… smell? Therein may lie a clue. He cautiously deepened his breaths, paying specific attention. As much as he was capable, at any rate.

Ocean. Obvious. And unhelpful. And the deep breaths were only contributing to his whale-sized headache.

Killian failed to interpret the sound coming from beside him for what it was: a warning. He vaguely connected it with a cry of protest, but by then it was too late, and he was being hauled roughly up by the elbow as he moaned and tried to hold onto the contents of his stomach. He made no attempt to straighten on his own. His head lolled forward, eyes shut tightly against the pain in his skull. By force, he was set upright on wobbly legs that would have collapsed beneath him had he not been propped between two other beings. They smelled like orange and mint. Blossoms and vinegar. Sulfurous, burning hair. Killian’s gut lurched again.

“...r feet, Captain Jones. There’s work to be done.”

Killian reached for his face, intent on massaging the ache from his eyes, but the person beneath his arm was blocking the path.

So. He could distinguish words again.

“Gotohell,” he mumbled, tasting for the first time the metallic salt of blood in his mouth. He was talking toward the deck at his feet, not the woman before him, but he didn’t care in the slightest.

“I could,” she answered casually. “But you’ve wrecked the place.”

There was nothing for it. He had to see what he was dealing with. Who it could possibly be. And who else was here with him: Marvel or Emma. He had to open his eyes.

One eye. That would do. Killian winced and peeled an eyelid back, just a bit, just enough to squint painfully at the boards beneath him. Making out, through watering gaze, three sets of feet, plus a fourth facing them. And bloodstained knees in the background. Killian waited for the dizziness to settle, the fuzziness to sharpen, even as a stake drove through his temple deep into his brain, vibrating shocks accompanying each heartbeat.

It took massive effort, but Killian managed to raise his head. He forced his pained groan into a tense chuckle, plastering on a disdainful sneer as he blearily studied the lady before him.

For several heartbeats, he blamed concussion for the fuzziness of her outlines, but the rest of the scene appeared normal enough. It was like she wasn’t quite solid, like her very flesh wobbled on wind eddies so that one could never say for sure whether she were tall or short, rounded or slender. Hair, skin, and robes would not settle on a single hue or style; they morphed seamlessly from one to another, sometimes complementary, more often clashing. Killian found his nausea intensifying the longer he watched and soon had to look away.

“Don't believe I’ve had the pleasure,” grunted Killian, squeezing both eyes for a moment at a sudden spike in pain.

“You, dearest mortal, are standing in the presence of Eris, Goddess of Discord and Chaos. You may call me Goddess or Your Holiness; either one will do.”

“Bloody hell,” complained the pirate. “Thought I was done with you lot.”

Eris stepped closer, a haughty air about her. “Is that the appropriate reaction when meeting your deity? I thought you would be more excited, considering how long you’ve been promoting my cause.”

Killian squinted at her blankly. The bump to the head must have slowed his mental acuity, for he hadn’t the slightest clue to what she referred. She sighed.

“Anarchy? Mayhem? Random slaughter? All very much my passion and your life’s work.”

Killian couldn’t bring himself to protest, even if he wasn’t that man anymore. He was too damn woozy. “Fine. Granted. Can we skip to the demands, please? And then the part where you magically restore my cranium in thanks for the chaos thing?”

The goddess put a finger to her lower lip, tapping as she scrutinized him. Then, with an impish grin, she shook her head. “This is quite a good look for you, Captain. Painted red, all askew, only one eye open. I hate symmetry, you know.” Her gaze fell upon his hook where it rested on her henchman’s shoulder. “And that is why you’re my favorite mortal. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that everyone should have one. Because that would be too much conformity. But what a lovely example of deviation.”

If Killian’s head hadn’t hurt so much, he would have rolled his eyes. As it was, he merely sighed. “You’re too kind.”

A quiet shuffle from behind him brought Killian’s attention back to his most pressing concern. Bracing himself for the inevitable pain and vertigo that would surely result, he twisted as much as he could to look rearward. A quick glimpse of auburn was enough, and he turned back, grimacing.

“Marvel? You all right, love?”

“I’m not hurt, Captain.” Her voice was small, uncertain.

“And her,” gushed Eris. She shivered in exaggerated ecstasy. “Such a beautiful anomaly.”

Killian didn’t care for this goddess’ tone. “Be that as it may… I would dearly love to know what the hell is going on here. And where’s Emma? Is she okay?”

Eris shrugged dismissively. “Your magic-wielding wife is quite safe back on the mortal realm’s beach. Out of my way, no threat to my plans.”

Feeling marginally more stable, Killian wrenched his arms off the shoulders of the two men flanking him. They allowed the action, but each put a restraining hand around the closest bicep. Wearily, the pirate ran his hand along his eyes. “And what plans would those be, then?”

“You’re going to help me with a bit of mischief I have in mind. Or rather, give me the means to successfully achieve the mischief.”

“Am I?” growled Killian. “I don’t recall volunteering my time and service to you. Just what is it I’m meant to be doing?”

“All in good time,” the goddess promised. “But first… this is for your part in the organization of the Underworld.”

She lifted a finger and a sudden blast of magic slammed into Killian’s cheek, a strike that combined the sting of a slap and the bruising force of a punch without causing any pain to Eris. Killian’s head snapped back, and if it weren’t for the brutes gripping his arms tightly, he likely would have toppled to the deck. Growling, the pirate waited for his battered brain to stop rattling in his skull before facing the goddess once more. He slitted one eye open and snarled,

“I merely helped to restore that cursed place to its rightful state of being. Zeus-”

“Stuffy old Zeus. Yes, I know his designs. How it was meant to be. But it was so much better under Hades’ rule. So much more suffering. People trapped for centuries, or better yet, lost forever in the River of Souls. All this ‘moving on’ business is much too procedural for my taste.”

Killian gently pressed the back of his hand against the throb; a trickle of fresh blood mingled with the dried caked on his cheek. “I thought Zeus rules you all.”

Eris scoffed. “He thinks he does. He’s got far less control than his deluded followers believe. Next.”

She cooly appraised her captive, and Killian stood unflinching, refusing to cower even under the threat of that one word.

“Neverland. A wondrous place with its feral children and savage king. My second favorite in all the realms, until you helped tame it.”

“That was hardly my-”

An invisible fist closed around his airway and he could protest no further. Automatically, he reached for his throat, but it was no more effective than any of the previous dozen times he’d been choked by magic. Following an invisible prompt by their boss, the two guards released him and stepped aside.

“I quite miss the wilds of that island. This is for Neverland.”

This time, the blast drove into his middle and he was instantly on his knees, doubled over. Still unable to breathe, but for an altogether different reason now. He heard Marvel whimper a protest and felt her hands on his back. Eris did not try to stop her, an omission for which Killian was grateful. He had enough to worry about without the goddess pouring out her wrath on Marvel as well.

Struggling past the inevitable panic of having had the wind knocked out of him, Killian was finally able to suck in a painful breath. As he clutched his brace against an aching abdomen, he panted with his eyes shut, all the while frantically seeking a way to escape. Eris and her men waited quietly. She seemed in no hurry to further the conversation.

“Anything else?” wheezed Killian. He squinted up at her but was forced to lower his gaze when the stabbing pain in his head became too great. “Black Fairy? Evil Queen? The bloody Dark One? Any other obsessions I’ve disrupted?”

“Small fish,” she answered, bored. “Although… now that you mention it… I am rather disappointed in your decision to align yourself with Good and Law. You made such an excellent villain. So for that…”

No magic this time. Her roundhouse kick caught him in the jaw, just below where it hinged with his skull. The force of impact drove him sideways and back, out of Marvel’s reach. He sprawled on his right elbow and hip, sliding along the boards, and for a long moment, everything was consumed by pain and darkness.

[zee-isaiah-pugnacious7-blog]

Campout (AU)

[The following is a revised scene of the Camping Trip. Expect mild fluff.]

It fell quiet in the tent an hour after Kanji joined them.

Yu didn’t mind. He had been spending time with the rebel a couple days after he joined the Investigation Team. He started out aggressive at first, but by the second time he decided it was time to make a change for the better and leave behind his ‘trouble maker’ reputation.

Since then, the leader started to like his company, and welcomed him in sharing his and Yosuke’s tent--- it was actually perfect, considering two of their guys didn’t make the trip… as if the night had plans for the boys.

Plans that, with Yu’s interference, took a different turn.

It was a gut feeling he developed. After the trio had shared their own rants about the dreaded King Moron (and devoured Kanji’s animal crackers, no penguin to be found), silence came over them; tired from a day of picking up trash and suffering food poisoning of the Nth-degree, there was no way Yu and Yosuke could stay up any longer.

At least, so he figured.

“Hey, Kanji, do you have any more room over there?” Yosuke asked, his tone a bit… tense.

He’s going to say something. Yu thought.

“Barely. If I move any further, I’ll be lying on a rock!” Kanji responded. “Why don’t you move over?”

“If I move any further, I’ll roll downhill!” Yosuke responded. (Yu then wondered how they ended up pitching the tent in such a horrible spot). “You sure you can’t scoot over?”

He’s going to say something… Yu knew.

“Why do you want so much room, anyhow?” Kanji scoffed.

“Uh, no reason…” Yosuke replied.

Better shut him up. Yu figured, then scooted closer to the rebel. “There. Is that plenty of room, Mr. Claustrophobic?” he quipped.

His friend blinked, while Kanji arched an eyebrow. “I-I’m not claustrophobic!” Yosuke countered. “I just… this tent is small, y’know? And the ground sucks,”

“You picked the spot,”

“Because it was the only spot left!”

“Lets just get to sleep…” Kanji groaned. “My group bailed on me, so I was stuck with the work.”

Yu looked at him, astonished. “You did all the work yourself? W-What were they doing?”

Kanji sneered. “Probably hiding in the tent until dinner… Bastards didn’t even save me any food by the time I arrived.”

“…Ouch. Talk about a dick-move.” Yosuke muttered, then added quietly, “(…at least you weren’t poisoned.)”

“Whatever. I didn’t expect anyone to eat with me anyway--- that’s why I brought my own snacks,”

Yu felt his stomach clench (and not because of Mystery Food X); to know he and Yosuke shared the only minimal food the rebel had brought for himself left him feeling a bit guilty.

“I see.” Yosuke replied, twiddling his thumbs.

He’s going to say something. Yu realized once again. Hanging out with Yosuke for so long, he knew when his best friend was going to speak his mind--- often leading to trouble.

And he knew that, whatever it was, it would piss off Kanji.

“So… Kanji,” Yosuke began.

Shit, here we go. Yu rubbed his face.

“We’re… ‘safe’ in here with you, right?”

Kanji gave him a look. “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, given the fact that you’re---“

*WHUMP!*

Before Yosuke could utter another word, Yu hit him in the face with a pillow. “(Shut it!)” the leader hissed.

Kanji sat up, a glare in his eye. “What was that, Yosuke-senpai?” he groused.

“…I’ll tell you after my concussion clears up…” Yosuke groaned.

“It’s nothing, Kanji. Don’t listen to him,” Yu sighed.

“No, I want to hear what he has to say!” Kanji reached over and yanked the pillow off Yosuke’s face. “Go on, senpai, spill it!”

Yosuke flinched. “Well, d-don’t take this the wrong way, but… well, after seeing your Shadow---“

Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up…! Yu repeated in his head, his eyebrow twitching.

“…I figured… you might… be… gay? I-I mean if you are, that’s fine, but since we’re in a tent I just wondered---“ Yosuke was rambling now.

“Seriously?!” Kanji fumed. “You don’t trust me in the same tent because of that?! You think I’m going to…?! That I’d even consider…?! What the hell, senpai?!”

“Well, sorry! But the way your Shadow was acting, it makes me nervous---!”

“You obviously missed the symbolism, idiot.” Yu spoke up, sitting up between the two.

“W-What…?”

Yu gave him a hard glance. “Think about what Kanji had told us on the rooftop--- he enjoys sewing. But because people find it feminine, he had to keep it to himself; if people learned the truth, they would call him gay solely because they think it’s not ‘manly’. …That’s what his Shadow symbolized--- in truth, he just wanted to be accepted. Think about Yukiko’s Shadow--- it was a princess. Because everyone kept talking about how she was the heir to the Amagi Inn, that’s how they made her feel. And think about yours and Chie’s Shadows--- yours was a total jerk and Chie’s was a bitch, based on how you both felt about your own situations.”

Yosuke rubbed the back of his neck. “…O-Okay, you’ve got a point there…”

“Then why do I feel like I have to prove my sexuality to you?” Kanji sneered. “Should I go hit the girl’s tent now?!”

Yu shook his head. “That’s overcompensation,”

The rebel gave him a confused look. “What?”

“…Trying too hard. Plus it would only make you look like a perverted creep--- like Yosuke.”

“Hey…” Yosuke whined.

“I dunno… apparently it’s not ‘safe’ to share a tent with me,” Kanji muttered, bitterness all over his face.

Yu scooted closer, patting him on the back. “I feel safe with you.”

“(S-Seriously?)” Yosuke whispered, taken-aback by his leader’s actions.

Yu have him another heated glare. “If you don’t feel comfortable, Yosuke, you’re welcome to sleep elsewhere.”

“W-What?! No fair, I had to set up this tent…!”

“So did I. But you’re the only one having a fit about our sleeping arrangements--- ergo, sleep somewhere else.”

“But---!”

“Out.”

Yosuke grimaced. “…tch, whatever. This spot sucks anyway,” he then smirked. “Maybe I’ll use Kanji’s idea and sleep in the girl’s tent, hee hee.”

Kanji rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Good luck with that, Major Pervert,” he said, Yu giving a mock-salute afterward.

Yosuke sneered, but smirked. “Good luck--- try not to turn this campout into Brokeback Mountain!” with that he dashed out.

However his reference was wasted, as the rebel only arched an eyebrow. “Brokeback what?”

“Never mind.” Yu chuckled, turning out the lantern and lying down. “I give it five minutes before he comes back with a black eye.”

“I give it less,” Kanji lied back, staring at the top of the tent. “…y’know, you didn’t have to stick up for me.”

“I wanted to. …Besides, Yosuke needs to learn to keep his mouth shut about certain subjects,”

The rebel turned on his side, looking at his senpai. “Why did you get so defensive about it? As close as you and Yosuke-senpai are, I figured you’d joke around with him.”

Yu shrugged, keeping his poker-face. “I knew you’d get upset about it.”

“You sayin’ I’m sensitive?!”

“I know I would be…”

Kanji arched an eyebrow. “Huh? W-Why would you be sensitive about it?”

The leader sighed; he had to choose his words carefully. “I just would be. Getting picked on for something like that… it really hurts. Don’t think that I never had problems with other people’s comments, before.”

“Tch. Don’t try to give me sympathy… You’ve got girls like Chie and Yukiko-senpai hanging out with ya! And Teddie keeps calling you ‘Sensei’. I hear you’re good on the basketball team, too, and hear a buncha kids talking about you--- good things, too.” He frowned, looking back at the top of the tent. “No one goes quiet when you enter a room, or takes off running when they see you coming down the hall…”

Yu sighed. “Yeah, well… it’s only because I’m from the city, and everyone thinks I’m a hot-shot. Honestly, I’m just doing my best in school, and help people out with favors.”

“Yeah, but people trust you! And why shouldn’t they? You didn’t give yourself a bad reputation…”

“No… I got the ‘cool’ reputation--- and it’s a pain in the ass.”

“How?! People love you!”

“Because they think I’m cool!” Yu clenched his fist. “At first I figured it was just because I was the new kid. But no--- somehow people take one look at me and think, ‘Hey, if I hang out with this guy, I might be cool too!’ ...It was like that in the city, too. I think you guys are my only real friends, just because you like hanging out with me as a friend, not to ride my coattails,”

“Well, yeah. Of course we like hanging out with ya--- hell, you’re the only friend I’ve ever made! No one else ever had the guts to just walk up and talk to me,”

“No one else hung out with me just for the sake of hanging out,”

“Still… at least they hung out with ya,” Kanji sighed, shutting his eyes. Yu could tell he was trying his best to keep a cool head, to forget about all the comments Yosuke made--- and then some.

The leader could sympathize, but in more ways than one. True, he was the most popular kid at his old school, and had gained quite a bit of popularity since attending Yasogami High… but there was a secret he himself had.

He felt alone.

His parents worked nonstop--- not because they needed the money, they just put their jobs first. The 16-year-old couldn’t remember the last time they spent time together. He thought of those nights where he had dinner alone, all the birthdays were the most he got was a card with a half-assed signature on it, all the sporting events and ceremonies his parents missed…

Now their work took them overseas. Why bother sending him to stay with relatives? He was used to being home by himself.

Sure, he could invite his ‘friends’ over, but once they had to go home, it felt as if no one ever entered his doorway. None of them left behind a memorable moment like his new friends did--- all they wanted was to check out his stuff, ask him about parties, watch a movie then leave. No one told him about their problems, asked him for advice, confided in him…

To everyone, he was just a ‘cool kid’.

To his parents… he was more like some pet that went to school.

When he first came to Inaba, he was worried it would be the same cycle… Kids would just see him as a hot-shot, no one would be home, and he’d feel like an empty shell.

Thank God things were different.

“Senpai…” Kanji whispered, breaking him from his thoughts for a moment. “Do you really feel safe with me? …Not because of what Yosuke-senpai said, but… from what I’ve done in the past?”

Yu didn’t have to think too much. The rebel had a bad reputation--- taking on biker gangs, threatening to beat up the team the first day they met… hell, the guy punched his own Shadow’s lights out!

But deep down… there was more to him than his tough-guy image. Yu wanted to keep hanging out with him to see what all he kept hidden in his heart.

Like how he wished someone would hang out with him just to learn more about him…to see if they found their time together worthwhile.

It often scared him. If something happened to him, would any of them have cared? Probably not. His parents wouldn’t notice until weeks later, and his old classmates would just turn to the next ‘cool kid’.

At least the team cared. And he cared about the team.

Kanji included.

“Of course I feel safe,” Yu replied, moving closer and resting a hand on the rebel’s shoulder. “We’re always watching each other’s backs, remember? I know who to put my trust in,”

Kanji looked at him, taken off-guard. “S-Seriously?” sputtered; he crossed his arms, clearing his throat. “Y-You’re just saying that cuz I’m helping you guys catch the killer,”

“And because we’re friends,”

“Yeah?” Kanji turned on his side, looking his leader in the eye. “So if the cops suddenly come up to me, accusing me of causing trouble, you won’t deny we ever hung out in case they pin you as a troublemaker too?”

Yu sat up on his side; their faces were close. “If anyone accuses you of anything, I’ll be there to stand up for you, even if it gets me in trouble.”

Kanji looked at him, sighing. “You say that now, but you’d probably back down…”

“Don’t be stupid--- I didn’t back down when we had to fight your Shadow and save you. I didn’t turn and leave when that cop came into Aiya’s and started making comments. And I kicked Yosuke out of the tent when he wouldn’t keep his mouth shut. …I told you--- as long as you’ve got my back, I’ve got yours, no matter what anyone says.”

“Not even if your uncle got involved? He’s a detective, right?”

Yu scoffed. “He questions me about anything… Nanako often interferes so we don’t fight. Once I convince him you’re turning a new leaf, he’d cool off--- maybe still be suspicious of both of us, but I guess it’s part of being a parent.” He grinned. “Nanako would probably want you to make her something,”

Kanji blushed. “D-Don’t go around telling anyone! It’s bad enough someone saw my Shadow on the Midnight Channel. If you guys talk about my hobby, I’ll pound ya into the concrete!”

“I won’t.”

“Good.” The rebel turned on his back, letting out a heavy breath. “…Sorry. This whole trip’s been a pain in the ass,”

“At least it’s almost over---“

There came footsteps and loud groaning from outside the tent. “Hey…! Are you frickin’ kids asleep in there?! Anyone out past *urp* curfew gets suspended!” came the unmistakable threats of the teacher, Morooka--- aka, King Moron. It was clear he hit the booze a little too hard tonight.

“We’re asleep,” Yu responded, in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

“No you’re not! Get to sleep or you’re on my Shit List! (uugggh I drank too much booze…)”

The two stayed still, waiting until the obnoxious teacher stumbled off. “Senpai… Yosuke’s still out there!” Kanji said, a bit concerned.

Yu shook his head. “King Moron’s drunk off his ass. Yosuke could hide behind a tree and manage to avoid him,” he looked at his watch. “He should be on his way back by now. I wonder what’s taking him?”

Kanji stretched, letting out a yawn. “Maybe Chie knocked his lights out or something,” he looked at his senpai. “…Same thing probably would’ve happened to me--- I was so pissed I didn’t think twice about her deadly heels. Thanks for stopping me,”

Yu once again gave a shrug. “Like I said, it would be overcompen--- er, trying too hard. As long as you’re comfortable, I’m comfortable.”

“Alright, if you say so…” His face was still a bit red, and his position remained tense; he was still forcing himself to relax.

Yu moved back. “Here, scoot near the middle,”

“What? Why?”

“The ground isn’t too bad here. This way you’ll have less chance of rolling onto that rock,”

“Oh, uh, thanks… but what about you? Any further and you might roll downhill,”

“I don’t move much in my sleep, I’ll be fine.”

“Still… I can move back over, it’s no problem,”

Yu sighed. “How about we share the middle?”

Kanji’s eyes widened. “Are you nuts?! W-What if Yosuke comes back…?!”

“Then he can join us.”

“SENPAI!” The rebel’s face was completely red now.

“Kanji. We’re just. Going. To sleep. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed--- and if Yosuke wants to make comments, let him… you can just kick his ass later--- I’ll help.”

Kanji had his face covered in a face-palm. He mumbled something under his breath. “…If it were anyone else… Alright, senpai. If you’re okay with it,”

The leader gave a nod, then closed his eyes. The rebel let out another breath, relaxing and doing the same.

A few minutes passed before the two drifted to sleep.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Since he left the tent, Yosuke had been in stealth-mode. The entire campsite had fallen quiet since the sun had gone down, save for a few students sharing gossip.

“Did you watch the Midnight Channel the other night?” one student was whispering to another. “That show was BEYOND weird!”

“I know right? …I liked the last one with that princess.” His tent-mate responded.

“…I almost had a heart attack,” a boy was saying in a first-year tent. “I was like, ‘There is no way in hell Kanji Tatsumi is my soul-mate!’”

“How about that weird show he was on? I didn’t know whether to laugh or throw up!” another boy replied. “…Hey, Naoki, you used to hang out with him when you were kids, right?”

“Yeah, but that was years ago.” Naoki replied. “Besides, I don’t think you should be talking about him behind his back. He looked pretty pissed at you guys when he left,”

“Where do you think he went?” the first boy asked.

“I dunno, but if he doesn’t get back soon, he’s gonna get expelled--- King Moron likes to lurk around, y’know.”

“Oh well. It’s his funeral,” the second boy responded.

“…talk about a freak,” a girl was stating in a third-year tent. “And I thought he was scary enough in person!”

“But why would he show up on TV like that? You think he’s someone’s soul-mate?” another girl asked.

“Ugh, who would want to date… that?” a third girl sneered. “In any case, the Midnight Channel sure has been showing weird stuff. I wonder who’ll appear on next?”

Hopefully no one, Yosuke thought. So far the investigation was proving difficult--- every time they had a lead, the next victim would end up throwing them off-track.

He paused in his tracks, hearing a horrible sound…

“SNOOOOORRRRRKKKLLLLTH… ZZZZZZZHHHHHOOONNNKK…”

“The hell is that…?!” Yosuke whispered to himself, finding it was coming from a second-year tent…

Right at this moment, Chie and Yukiko were coming out. “…no way I’m sleeping with that!” Chie was muttering; she gave a yelp when she noticed someone outside their tent. “Augh!”

“Shh! Shh! It’s just me!” Yosuke stammered, shielding himself.

“Yosuke?! What are you doing outside our tent?!” Yukiko demanded in a hushed tone.

“I was just, uh, taking a walk. I was having trouble sleeping, so I figured the fresh-air would help. …What about you guys? Why are you doing, sneaking out?”

“Ugh, can you not HEAR that?!” Chie sneered, pointing to the tent just as another symphony of snores rang out. “We couldn’t sleep with all that racket!”

“We were going to see if someone else would let us bunk with them,” Yukiko said.

“Why don’t you come to my tent? Our guys cut out, and we’ve got Kanji staying with us already…” Yosuke began to persuade.

Chie glared. “Nice try, Horny-mura. There is no way I’m sharing a tent with you,”

Yosuke sighed. “It was worth a shot…”

Yukiko looked up at the starry skies; thankfully the weather was clear for their trip. “We should find somewhere to sleep; it’s already getting late. I heard Morooka patrols the campsite at night,” she whispered.

“Oh shit… I forgot King Moron’s obsessed with busting anyone on school trips,”

“W-Well, lets hurry up and get back to your tent; if he catches you around ours, he’ll call you out for being a pervert.” Chie stated.

“Me?! What if he catches you two walking with me back to my tent?!”

Yukiko shushed them both. “Let’s just be careful; your tent isn’t far from ours, right? We can get there, then Chie and I can slip into someone else’s tent.”  She suggested. Another loud snore came from their tent. “…preferably, the farthest one from ours.”

The trio began walking. As they snuck through the campsite, they heard a couple more students gossiping. “You think the killer will strike again?” a first-year girl was asking. “I mean, it’s been a while, but… you think he’s still in Inaba?”

“I hope not… C-C’mon, lets get some sleep. No more talking about murders,” her tent-mate replied, timid.

“…You think the killer did skip town?” Chie asked in a hushed voice as they walked behind some tents. “We’ve thwarted him twice now.”

“So he might be in another town, throwing people into the TV?” Yukiko wondered. “…but… wait, would this even work in other towns?”

“…I don’t know. But, it sure seems weird--- the Midnight Channel rumors didn’t start until that reporter, Miss Yamano, appeared on television.” Yosuke replied.

“Oh, yeah--- someone was making a fuss about it, saying she was his soul-mate!” Chie remembered. “It does seem to fit… The Midnight Channel is an urban-legend that only exists in Inaba--- er, right?”

Yosuke shook his head, sighing. “I hope it’s just Inaba… If it turns out someone got thrown in from another city or country, we’re going to have a hell of a time tracking them down in the TV World,”

“Heeeyyy… are there a buncha low-lives over there?!” came a drunken slur, ten feet away.

“Oh, crap--- King Moron’s coming this way!” Chie gasped.

“Q-Quick, hide!” Yukiko urged.

The threesome hurried around some trees; Yosuke ushered them to climb up one, each of them clinging onto a sturdy branch, just as the drunken teacher came lumbering over, waving around a flashlight. “Where are ya?! I know someone’s over here…!” he hollered.

Yosuke flinched, hiking his leg higher as the flashlight’s beam aimed his way, avoiding getting caught in the light.

“Morooka!” came a teacher’s shout in the distance. “Get back to your tent--- it’s almost midnight!”

“And let these hooligans run ‘round…? *urp* probably heading into each other’s tents to cozy up with someone… Ya want to deal with a buncha pregnant teenagers?!” Morooka slurred back.

“Ugh, you’ve been drinking too much. Go get some sleep--- you’re going to wake up the whole camp!”

“Fine… but whatever happens didn’t happen on MY clock, buster…!”

Everyone kept quiet until they were sure the teachers were gone, then climbed down the tree. “Whew! That was too close…” Chie sighed with relief.

Yukiko looked around at the rest of the tents; they all had fallen silent. “I think everyone’s sleeping now. It’s so quiet,” she said. She paused, still hearing snoring in the distance. “…save for our tent. If we sneak into someone’s tent now, they would probably freak out.”

“My offer’s still on the table,” Yosuke said with a wink.

“Ugh, get over it…” Chie sneered; she heard the snoring in the distance. “…Fine. But will there be enough room? You said Kanji-kun was with you guys,”

“Why IS he in your tent, anyway?” Yukiko asked. “Isn’t he supposed to be sharing one with his group?”

“They all got quiet when he was in there, he said. We let him bunk with us,” Yosuke grinned, trying not to snicker. “That’s… actually the real reason I’m out here. I kinda pissed him off, so I had to am-scray.”

“What did you do?” Chie sighed.

“I-I just made a couple jokes about his Shadow--- I made a crack, asking if he were really gay and if Narukami and I would be safe sleeping with him. …Man, the look on his face! I never saw anyone turn that red!”

“What?!” Yukiko snapped; out of reflex, she slapped Yosuke across the face. “You asshole! How could you say something like that?!”

“I-It was just a joke…! Sort of… I mean, his Shadow was practically eying Narukami and I--- a-and those two muscular shadows it summoned groped our asses!”

“But his Shadow was just an extension of his feelings--- the way he was made fun of as a kid made him keep them locked up inside.”

Yosuke rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah… Narukami told me that…” he looked at himself and Chie. “I wonder why our Shadows never transformed into something like that, Chie. Ours dressed like us--- they just acted like jerks,”

“I wondered that too… Why did mine look like some evil twin of mine, while Yukiko’s was a princess?” Chie agreed.

“Well… maybe it’s based on how others make us feel?” Yukiko guessed. “I felt like a princess, Kanji felt like a gay stereotype… But, despite both of your inner-feelings, no one dubbed you two as anything else.”

“I think I get it…” Yosuke crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. “…and now I feel like a dick… He’s probably dealing with enough, after what everyone saw on the Midnight Channel.”

“I suggest you apologize to him. NOW.” Yukiko said firmly, a heated glare in her eyes. “What you said was downright mean-spirited!”

“Yeah. A-And you have no right to tease him about it, anyway! You keep making lewd comments--- how would you like it if we accused you of being a sex offender?!” Chie snapped. “I’ve got a cell-phone full of the gross text messages you send me at night as proof!”

Yosuke flinched. “Alright, alright, I’ll go apologize! No need to get personal…”

“You’re already there, Hana-moron.”

Yukiko snickered, covering her mouth to stifle a laughing fit. “Hee hee hee! That’s a pretty good nickname for him…! *snort* Ha ha!”

“Shh! Shh! Keep it down, Yukiko! You’ll wake the whole camp!”

“C-C’mon, our tent is over here. …It might be a little cramped, but I think we can make room,” Yosuke assured as they snuck over to his tent. The lantern was out, and it was quiet save for soft snoring. “Huh. They must be asleep. Better be qui--- guh!” He froze after poking his head in.

“W-What’s wrong?” Chie asked, as she and Yukiko looked in.

“Aww…” Yukiko sighed softly.

Lying in the middle of the tent were Yu and Kanji; at some point during their slumber, the leader’s head ended up resting against the rebel’s chest; the first-year’s arm was draped around his senpai’s shoulders, both of them looking content.

“Oh geez… I was right…” Yosuke said, his voice almost cracking.

Chie elbowed him in the ribs. “If you say one word, I’ll kick you in the balls so hard your semen will ache!” she hissed.

“Oh c’mon! They’re curled up together!”

“I think it’s pretty sweet… But, should we wake them and let them know we’re here?”

“Let’s let them sleep,” Yukiko advised, then grinned. “Hee hee, they can actually serve as a barrier between us and Yosuke.” She looked at the right side of the tent. “We can sleep on this side.”

Yosuke’s shoulders slumped. “But that’s my side… and there’s a huge rock on the other side! It’ll kill my back!”

Chie crossed her arms, giving him a look. “Well, maybe that’ll teach you to think twice before you make gay-cracks about someone, hmm?” She and Yukiko crawled over to the left side. “(Careful, Yukiko, it slants here…)”

“It’s only for tonight. We’ll be out early in the morning,” Yukiko assured, lying down with Chie.

Yosuke groaned, lying down on the left side, adjusting himself so that he wasn’t too close to the middle or lying on a rock; he ended up on his side, his back slightly arched. Damn, his muscles were going to ache after this…!

He looked over at Kanji and Yu, trying to get his head around their position; sure, in his mind, he figured the tough rebel secretly liked to cuddle (something he was sure to tease him for later)… but looking at their leader, he was confused. He was only outside the tent for maybe 20 minutes, half an hour at the most--- they couldn’t have ended up that close in such a short amount of time, especially with the amount of time it takes someone to fall asleep (which, given their poor location, would be triple the effort).

Plus, Yu’s head was on Kanji’s chest… the silver-haired student using the freshman as a pillow. The way the rebel was laying--- one arm around his senpai, the other sprawled by his side--- it seemed he made no effort to curl up with the leader.

In actuality… it seemed like Yu was the one who snuggled first…

So, our leader cuddles in his sleep… Yosuke thought, beginning to drift off as fatigue set in despite his suspicions were going haywire. I wonder if that’s his only secret, though…

He wasn’t alone, as Yukiko and Chie were looking at Yu as well; the leader had been training with the tomboy for a while, and had just started hanging out with the inn-heiress. “Hey, Chie… do you think Yu-chan…?” the latter quietly whispered.

Chie shook her head. “L-Let’s not jump to conclusions… otherwise we’d be no better than Yosuke.” She smiled, looking over at the middle. “…besides, it’s kinda cute. Oh, I wish I could take a picture with my cell phone,”

“Um, maybe it would be best if we kept this a secret. For their sake.” Yukiko rubbed her arm. “I don’t want them getting teased...”

“Yeah… Okay. Consider my lips sealed,”

Yukiko nodded, and the two drifted to sleep.

…

Unbeknownst to them, their leader overheard everything. He had only been half-asleep by the time they came in--- Kanji dosed off quicker than he did, his arms stretching out. The silver-haired student had no choice but to lift his head above the left arm… and it automatically curled around him. He would have moved, scooted over… but knew that would make him a liar after stating he was comfortable in the middle with the freshman.

In fact, he was more comfortable than he thought he would be.

After a lonely life in the city, it felt nice to be held by someone--- guy or girl, it left a warm feeling in his heart. He actually felt like the bond between him and Kanji would be growing closer soon.

Not to mention… he did like the rebel. He admired his will to change, the effort he was making to turn a new leaf, how he opened up to the group after his recovery… And Yu wanted to see the best of him.

He stole a glance over at Yukiko and Chie, thankful they would stay quiet about it. Yosuke would probably make jokes about it, but the leader was already thinking up retorts to counter his wise-cracks.

Closing his eyes, Yu began to nod off, listening to the chorus of soft breathing, mild snores, and a strong heartbeat drumming against his ear.

Yes, he certainly felt safe.