#YOU CAN TRY TO STAND ON MY PATH BUT YOU ARE GONNA REGRET IT! I WILL BE THE ONE WHO LAST LAUGHS AS IM MAKING MY EXIT

[mira0000000-blog]

[lilasamaaa]

Missed chances | Max Verstappen x Reader / Part One

Genre | Angst, Hurt, Fluff.

Word count | 4.1K

Warnings | Mentions of heartbreak, alcohol consumption, Max being an asshole.

Summary | It's been years since you've had a crush on your best friend's brother. But him too, right? Or is kissing you every chance he gets just a game for him?

Author's note | Angsty Queen is back at it! This piece is the result of this poll. Thank you so much for all the feedback on the previous pieces, I'm so glad you like them. Enjoy this one! (Not proofread yet, sorry!)

You and Victoria are thirteen when you cross paths for the first time. The shy blonde girl stands upright, nervously nibbling her lip. It's the first day of school, and you're both waiting to find out which class you'll be in, hoping to be with friends. Her gaze meets yours, and she offers a timid smile. You're not friends. Not yet. You just have mutual friends. Your names are called almost simultaneously, indicating that you're in the same class. Instinctively, you head towards her, giving her a big smile. You don't know anyone else in the class, so you'll have to get to know each other. Stick together.

A few months later, as your father drops you off in front of Victoria's house before rushing off to your little brother's soccer practice, you take a moment to observe the pale blue house from the outside. Upstairs, a curtain moves, catching your attention. You don't see anybody, though. You knock on the door, and Victoria opens it, immediately throwing herself into your arms.

"I'm so glad your parents agreed to this," she says, excited. "This is gonna be so cool. My parents aren't home so Max is supposed to look after us, but he'll probably lock himself in his room. Boys, you know..." she finishes, leading you into the hallway.

Max? For months, you've been sharing your lives between classes, but you've never heard this name before.

"Who's Max?" you ask, curious.

"My older brother," she replies, rolling her eyes. "We don't get along so well these days. He thinks he's all grown up... Barely even acknowledge me," Victoria says, frustration evident in her voice.

"I can relate," you reply sarcastically. "Well, mine's younger, but not that interested in me either."

You spend the afternoon in her room painting your nails, braiding each other's hair, and sharing your secrets (you're starting to run out, after all this time), until night falls. You're deep in conversation when someone knocks on the door. That must be Max, you think, waiting for the door to open.

And it is Max, indeed. His face appears, and your heart skips a beat. He's cute. He seems a bit grumpy. Not in the best mood, that's true. But there's something immediately touching about his big, wide eyes and annoyed expression.

"Diner's ready," Max says before closing the door.

"I bet he made fish sticks again," Victoria grumbles, getting up. "That's the only thing he knows how to cook."

Sitting at the table, cutting a fish stick in half with your fork, your gaze shifts from Victoria to Max, who sit across from each other, not exchanging a word.

"So..." you start shyly. "What's your favorite subject, Max?" you ask, immediately regretting your words as the boy glances in your direction, brows furrowed.

Of course, your only topic of conversation is school. You've always been one of the top students. A real bookworm, as they say. Plus, you're not exactly comfortable around boys, especially those around your age. Victoria shoots you a desperate look, eyes wide open. But right now, anything seems better than this uncomfortable, excruciating silence.

"Erm," Max says, grabbing a green bean with his fork. "Geography, I guess. I don't know."

Silence falls once again, lingering until each of you finishes your meal, and then Victoria and you retreat to her room.

"Don't even bother trying to talk to him," the blonde says as she slips into her pajamas. "Nothing interests him except go-karting."

The next time you encounter Max, you're fourteen, and he's sixteen. Victoria and you are participating in an endurance race to raise funds for a charity, and your families have been invited to attend the event. Your parents, who have crossed paths several times at school meetings and other events, find each other in the stands and share enthusiastic greetings before sitting down. Already on the track, you watch the reunion with a smile when your eyes fall on him. Max is here? you think. He never attends these things.

The race begins, and Victoria and you take off along the lake, completing lap after lap. On one of them, as you pass by the stands, particularly the one where your parents are seated, you turn your head, hoping to catch a glimpse of them. You don't see your father or your mother. Your eyes only see him. Max. And he's looking at you, too. Your eyes don't leave each other until your foot slips on a stone, and your ankle twists violently. You fall to the ground, letting out a cry of pain as your father rises, rushing to your aid.

A little less than an hour later, as Victoria finishes her run and joins you at the infirmary, the blonde gives you a worried yet disapproving look. "You're too distracted," she says, hand on her hip. "What was it this time? Did you see a cute boy or something? Was it Jan?". You don't respond, giving a sheepish smile to your friend. A cute boy, yeah...

As the years go by, you see Max less and less. At the beginning of your friendship with Victoria, you often ran into the young man when you spent afternoons or nights at the Verstappen's, but the aspiring driver has started to become increasingly scarce in his own home. One evening, though, as you're racking your brains over a philosophy essay, your phone vibrates, signaling a message from the person who's become your best friend.

"Max is throwing a fucking rager at home. Please come, I beg you. I'll shoot myself if I have to deal with his drunk friends all alone."

Thirty minutes later, you're on your bike, covering the five kilometers that separate your house from Victoria's. Summer has begun, with only a few days of classes left, which certainly explains Max's sudden urge to throw a party. On your bike, you're anxious, your stomach tying itself in knots. Despite your daily visits to Victoria, it's been almost a year since you've last seen her older brother. You try to convince yourself that the fact you applied a bit of mascara to your lashes or straightened your hair has nothing to do with his presence. You just wanted to tidy up a bit, that's all. Nothing else to it.

When you arrive at the blue house, your first instinct is to anxiously glance at the surrounding houses. How has no one called the cops yet, you think, impressed by the decibels pouring out of the open windows, and the number of people you can already see inside the house. Leaving your bike in the grass, you venture into the house, passing by the wide open front door. On the way to the living room, drunk bodies cling to you, spilling beer on your shoes, shouting incomprehensible words in your ears. Wow. Victoria wasn't kidding. This thing is a huge mess.

Spotting your friend in the middle of the kitchen, you make your way to her.

"What the fuck is happening here?" you ask, casting a glance over the room.

"Can you believe this asshole?" Victoria replies, fuming. "Mom has been gone for five hours. Five! And I haven't even finished my fucking essay," she says, despair filling her eyes.

"Forget about it," you reply, stifling a laugh. "That's not happening tonight."

Victoria launches into another tirade about how much her brother annoys her when you catch sight of him in the middle of the living room. He's wearing a shirt that looks slightly too big for him. Maybe borrowed from his dad. He's holding a beer in one hand. A girl in the other. The sight twists your heart and brings a bitter taste to your mouth. Clinging to his arm, the blonde —who you recognize as Sanne, a girl from his class— can't seem to tear her gaze from Max, looking at him as if he belonged in a museum.

"Hey, are you listening?" Victoria says, bringing you back to reality.

"What?"

"They want to play a game," Victoria repeats. "Seven minutes in heaven."

"Seven minutes in heaven?" you repeat, eyes wide.

"Yeah. Sanne suggested it."

Of course she did, you think, biting your lip. Of course Sanne, who clearly has a big crush on Max, would suggest a game where the goal is to get locked in a narrow closet with someone for seven minutes.

"Listen to me," Victoria says, suddenly serious. "If Max has to be locked in a closet with anyone, I want it to be you. We'll figure it out. We'll cheat at the draw," she continues. "I hate Sanne. At least with you, I know nothing will happen."

You swallow loudly, completely at a loss for words. Getting locked in a closet with Max? The Max who's never really noticed you? Who's always seen you as nothing but a kid because you're a year and a half younger and his sister's friend? You don't have much time to think about it because already, you're sitting in a circle in the middle of the living room with a dozen other people, a bottle in the center.

Johannes, a friend of Max's, spins the bottle, which lands on Sanne. The girl's eyes sparkle with excitement, her gaze fixed on Max. Johannes spins the bottle again, and this time, it stops in front of another girl you don't know. You glance at Victoria, who seems particularly amused by the situation. Sanne looks absolutely gutted.

"Rules are rules, girls," Johannes says, laughing.

A boy from your class escorts the girls to the closet by the entrance before locking them in and starting a timer. The seven minutes pass, filled by various discussions. When the alarm goes off and the girls are freed, Sanne sits back in the circle, her face closed off.

"It's my turn to spin the bottle," she announces, seizing the plastic object.

She's quite skilled, as the bottle spins twice before landing directly in front of Max. Sanne grabs the bottle again, sending it spinning, and it rotates for a while before stopping right in front of you. Sanne seems beside herself, but your attention is focused on Victoria, who gives you a discreet thumbs-up. Your eyes meet Max's, and it's safe to say the young man doesn't look too pleased. But as Johannes said, rules are rules, and the two of you get up before walking towards the closet.

The space is ridiculously tiny. Max ventures in first, one foot behind the vacuum cleaner, the other squeezed between two shoe shelves. There's barely enough room for two people to fit, and as Johannes pushes you inside unceremoniously and you hear the lock click behind you, you realize you're standing between Max's legs, your hands on his chest.

"Sorry," you say, trying to get away, your back hitting the door.

A heavy silence settles between you as outside, you hear the lively conversations resume in the living room.

"I'm sure you would have preferred to be locked in with Sanne," you say, trying to fill the silence that's slowly eating away at you.

"Not really," Max responds, evasive.

"Aren't you two together?" you ask, curious.

He scoffs against you, sending vibrations to your chest.

"She would like to, yeah," Max says, as you feel his breath against your face despite him being twenty centimeters taller than you.

"And you don't?" you ask, trying to appear nonchalant even though you fear his answer.

"I don't have time for her."

"Oh. I didn't realize your time was so precious," you reply, stunned.

"Depends on who it's spent with," Max replies, his voice deeper.

You're suddenly incredibly grateful to be plunged into darkness because your cheeks are definitely burning red. Is Max Verstappen flirting with you?

"You've changed since the last time I saw you," he continues, as you feel like the temperature in the closet has risen several degrees.

"Changed how?" you ask, seeking his gaze despite the darkness.

"You're taller. Your hair seems longer. It's lightened up a bit, it's nice," he says. "Sixteen suits you. You're not a kid anymore."

You're going to suffocate. Die in a closet.

"We're only a year and a half apart," you reply, breathless.

"I know," he replies, as you feel his hand caress your cheek. "I'm not a kid anymore either."

His lips crash onto yours before you even have time to comprehend what's happening. You melt into him, closing your eyes, savoring the contact you've dreamed of for years. His hand rests on the back of your head, bringing you closer to him, as your hands find their way back to his chest. You bite his lip, and he lets out a groan before wrapping his arms around your waist. You thank the loud music from the living room for drowning out the sounds you're making in this closet, pressed against one another. Your hands find his neck, and his crawl to your ass, squeezing it as you let out a moan against his open mouth.

You thought you couldn't get any closer, but one of Max's hands slips under your right knee, lifting your leg. You've never kissed anyone. Never touched anyone. Yet, as your two groins press against each other, everything feels so easy, so natural. You could stay here for hours, exploring his mouth, his face, his body, but already, footsteps echo in the hallway, and you pull away from each other as if you'd been burned.

"Time's up, lovers!" Johannes says opening the door, prompting laughter from the living room.

"As if," Max says, getting out first. "That's disgusting, bro. She's like my sister."

You stay in the closet for a few seconds, watching the two boys go back to the living room, catching your breath. Several hours later, lying in Victoria's bed as the music has stopped and most of the guests have left the house, you stare at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep, despite your best friend softly snoring by your side. Getting up to get a glass of water, you walk blindly through the dark hallway, passing by Max's room.

"Can we talk?" a voice suddenly rises, making you jump, your hand finding your heart which threatens to leap out of your chest.

You remain silent. Not quite sure if you want to talk, let alone with Max. And certainly not to talk about earlier, in the closet, and be rejected by the boy who stole your heart.

"Come here," he says, pulling you into his room before closing the door behind him. "I don't want Victoria to hear."

You're about to pour your heart out, tell Max how much he hurt you, when he pulls you towards him and presses his lips to yours. Again. Everything you had planned to say escapes your mind as your tongues meet and the hands of your best friend's brother slide under your shirt, stroking your back. Max pulls back, sitting on his bed, pulling you onto his lap, one leg on each side of him. The kisses intensify, your noses brushing, your hands getting lost in each other's hair. Your lips speaking without sound, your hearts opening up without words.

"I don't understand you," you admit between kisses.

"Don't try," he replies, biting your lip.

Max grabs your butt, pressing you against him, and a flash of panic grips you when you feel him against you. Hard. You moan, and suddenly, all the reason seems to come back to him. It's you. His sister's best friend. He pulls back, avoiding your gaze.

"I..." he starts, breathless. "You should go," Max says before pushing you off his lap. You stand here, facing him awkwardly for a few seconds. Waiting for him to say something. Anything. When nothing comes, his head still low, you turn on your heels. Back in Victoria's room, slipping under the covers of your best friend's bed, you let out a tear, feeling a sadly familiar ache tugging at your heart.

Max and you cross paths again a year later, at your high school graduation ceremony. You and Victoria are among the top students in your class, and you're invited to go on stage to give a speech with eight other people. One of these people is Niels. Your boyfriend. You've been together for a few months now. He welcomes you on stage, pressing a soft kiss to your cheek before holding you close. In the audience, your eyes meet those of your parents, proud. Those of Victoria's parents, proud. And those of Max. Icy.

The speeches go by quickly, and just before the buffet begins, you apologize to Niels and your parents, saying you need to make a quick stop at the restroom. In the deserted corridors of your high school, your heels click against the floor, soon joined by the sound of another pair of shoes. You turn around, surprised, seeing Max approaching in the distance.

"Niels Harmen?" you hear the boy say. "Really?"

"What do you want?" you reply, eyes cold.

"That guy was still picking his nose last year."

"It's good that he stopped, then," you respond, annoyed.

"Why are you dating him?"

The question makes you laugh. Not a sincere laugh. A laugh that says "mind your own business" and "screw you" at the same time. An ironic, ugly laugh that you don't even recognize.

"When we kiss, I'm not afraid that he'll reject me the next second," you reply, even though you know it's hitting below the belt.

Max scoffs, crossing his arms.

"Is it what it is? Some sort of revenge?"

"I'm not seeking revenge on anyone. My life doesn't revolve around you," you spit before turning on your heels.

You haven't taken a step before a hand grabs your wrist. You already know what's going to happen. So you try to resist. You know you shouldn't turn around. That if your eyes meet his, you'll fall back in. Start another round of false hopes. Disillusionments. Heartaches.

Yet, you do. You turn around, and, of course, his lips find yours. It's almost routine now, mechanical. You close your eyes, your heart torn between the joy of feeling his touch again, and the anticipation of the pain that will undoubtedly assail you in a few hours. When he'll reject you, again.

You're lost in each other when the sound of applause brings you crashing back to earth. The two of you quickly pull away before turning towards the source of the noise. Sanne.

"Don't you have a boyfriend waiting for you?" the girl asks with a fake smile.

"Get out of here, Sanne," Max says like a warning.

"What happened to "I'm not interested in her", Max?" Sanne asks, one hand on her hip. "Or to "She's just a kid, and not even my type"? Or, wait, what was it, the last time?" Sanne continues, stroking her chin. "Oh, yeah. "She was just there, and I was bored"."

You look at him, mouth agape, but Max carefully avoids meeting your gaze. Sanne's words tear at your heart. In a way, it's even worse than being rejected by him. You turn on your heels for good this time, passing by Sanne who's looking at you like you're the most despicable thing on earth. You're vaguely aware of Max saying... no, screaming your name, but you keep on walking, not looking back once. For a second, you thought you were gonna cry, break down in tears in the middle of the hallway. But nothing comes. You don't feel anything. Your heart has given up, surrendered. Returning to the ceremony, you smile at your parents before settling next to your best friend.

"Have you seen Max?" Victoria asks, and you don't miss how the mention of his name doesn't make your heart flutter, for the first time in years.

"Nope," you reply, smiling at her.

Three years later, you're in Victoria's car, on your way to the Zandvoort Grand Prix. You don't even know why you agreed to come with your best friend. You don't watch F1. You have no interest in the sport. Curiosity, your inner voice whispers. You wanted to see him again. You shake your head to dispel those intrusive thoughts when Victoria turns to you.

"I'm so glad you agreed to come. Max is so happy, too."

"What?" you ask, turning to her.

"He told me over the phone. Is that so surprising?"

Well, it is. Max and you haven't exchanged a word since the last ones thrown in the hallway of your high school. But Victoria, of course, doesn't know that. Victoria thinks you're friendly. Like two people who grew up together, gravitating in the same universe without ever colliding.

"He got us VIP passes", your best friend continues. "We'll be able to go everywhere, even see the pit stops!"

"How kind of him," you mumble.

"Look," she says, looking over at you. "I know Max wasn't the kindest... or the warmest, growing up. But he's changed, so much. You'd be surprised!"

"Oh, I bet," you say, smiling at her.

Victoria parks her small car in the VIP space, and a RedBull staff member greets you, handing you two passes before guiding you through the paddock. A stress you haven't felt in three years creeps into your head, into your body. Your thoughts collide, your hands are sweaty. You're beginning to wonder if coming here was a good idea after all when you spot him. At the end of the aisle, in his racing suit. Helmet in hand. Victoria's phone suddenly rings, and she apologizes, gesturing for you to continue without her.

You take the few steps that separate you from the driver. He's changed. So much. His teenage roundness has vanished, replaced by sharp features. His hair is longer, his eyes darker. He gives you a warm smile that twists your insides. It's impossible, you think. After all these years. Having so much power, so much hold over me.

"You came," he says, still smiling.

"For her," you reply curtly.

"Well..." he says, laughing softly. "She's not the one racing."

The silence falls again. Cold. Heavy. You turn your head, spotting Victoria a little further away, hoping she hangs up soon.

"You look beautiful," he says, and you know he means it despite you wearing the blankest blue jeans and white shirt ever made.

Silence, again.

"I'd hoped you'd no longer be mad at me." Max says, and you scoff.

"I'm not mad at you."

"You're cold."

"You broke my heart."

The driver winces, looking away.

"I should have called," he says, softly.

"I wouldn't have answered," you reply.

"I should have come to see you," Max starts again.

"I wouldn't have opened the door."

Your eyes meet his. Fire and ice.

"Well, I should have done something. Fight for you," he continues.

"Fight for who?" you ask. "The girl who was just there?"

Max runs his hand through his hair, embarrassed.

"You were never just that to me. You were so much more. I was just too young, too stupid to realize it. I have. Now."

You hadn't planned on getting into deep explanations with Max today. Not here. Not now. You're about to respond when Victoria returns, linking her arm with yours.

"Maxie!" she says, kissing his cheek. "Are you catching up on lost time? Did she tell you she's still dating Niels? Rumor has it that he's going to propose soon!"

Max's eyes glance down at your hand, and something in his demeanor shifts. It might be the breath he holds, or the way his shoulders seem to slump, defeated.

"She hasn't," he says, smiling faintly at his sister.

"We should go," Victoria says. "The race is about to start. Can we go to the stands?"

"Yes, no problem," Max replies as Victoria begins to head towards the garage, leaving you face to face once again.

"Congrats on your future engagement, I guess," he says.

"Thank you. I'm going to break up with him," you reply, crossing your arms.

"What?" Max says, astonished.

"It doesn't feel right. Him and I."

"If it has anything to do with me, please, tell me," Max breathes, as you avoid his gaze. "I was so focused on my career these past few years that I never wrote to you. I knew I didn't have the time to make it work. I knew it'd be selfish. Unfair to you," Max admits.

"Here you are, once again, thinking that my life revolves around you", you say, smirking at him. "I'm not waiting for you, Max. I haven't been for a while now."

The driver nods, swallowing hard.

"Of course," he says. "I'm sorry for assuming."

"I'm not against the idea of grabbing a drink with you sometime, though," you say, winking at him. "Just text me when you're free."

"I will," he says quickly, blue eyes boring into yours.

"See you around," you say, running to catch up with Victoria.

Watching you leave, Max stands there, grinning like an idiot, before unlocking his phone.

"How about tonight?"

Sent.

[lwtqts]

girls are fighting !

word count: 1.1k

The walk towards the park, which Yunjin had told you to go to, was quite amusing. A few months ago, the very thought of your best friend desiring to have a face-off with you over a boy would have seemed utterly ludicrous. The park, once a place of laughter and walks with her, was now a stage for this unexpected drama to take place.

“Yo" a voice echoed behind you. You didn't need to turn around to confirm that it was Mark. Earlier, you had made it clear to him that his presence wasn't necessary, yet he had been insistent on accompanying you. Mark was always stubborn with everyone. but as he walked closer towards you, you noticed someone else was there with him - Eunseok?

"Eunseok? What are you doing here?" You couldn't hide the surprise in your voice. This was turning out to be more than you had bargained for.

"I told you I was worried about you going through with this," he says, a smile stretched across his face. You continue to move forward, your mind racing as you attempt to process his words.

"I told you I was gonna be fine, Eunseok," you respond, your gaze firmly fixed on the path ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. As the three of you approach the park, your heart skips a beat as you spot a familiar face seated on a park bench.

Suddenly, the reality of the situation hits you. This is really happening, you think to yourself. A wave of regret washes over you. If there was any possible way to turn back time, to undo this tangled mess, you would do it in a heartbeat. The pit in your stomach grows as you realize that you don't want to do this. You know that Yunjin isn't a fighter, and neither are you. Sure, you've found yourself involved in fights before, but they were for dumb reasons, never over something that destroyed your friendship. Now, your only hope is that she isn't serious about this fight, that she simply wants to engage in a one-on-one conversation with you.

“Yunjin,” you call out, standing firmly in front of her while the two boys, Mark and Eunseok, stand behind you. She glances upwards, a chuckle escaping her lips as she takes in the view.

"Well, isn't this funny?" she jests, an edge to her voice. "Felt the need to bring backup, did you?" Her tone is light, but the underlying bitterness is unmistakable. You look to your right, inhaling deeply to steady your nerves, before turning your gaze back to her.

“What did you want to talk about?” you question, trying to keep your voice steady. Her response is a burst of laughter. The sound stings, a painful reminder of how she seems to have no qualms about this impending confrontation.

“Did you really think this was going to be a conversation? You always claims to have everything figured out. Well, you couldn't be more wrong” she retorts, her tone dripping with derision. You sigh, feeling a pang of regret. This was not what you had imagined.

“Yunjin, we don't have to go through with this,” you implore, hoping to appeal to her sense of reason. But she just laughs again, and then, without warning, strikes you. The sudden slap turns your head to the right, and out of your peripheral vision, you see Eunseok stepping forward as though to intervene, but Mark holds him back.

“Can't you see? You’re the reason all of my friends dont talk to me anymore” she accuses, her voice rising with each word. Another slap lands on your face.

“You've practically ruined my life,” she continues, her voice choked with emotion. And yet another slap.

“You and your whole friend group... you're all the same,” she spits out, her words punctuated by another slap.

“You're all full of shit, especially you and Sohee,” she rages, her hand striking your face again. This time, you react. You won't stand there and let her insult Sohee. You grab her hair and pull her head back, your eyes meeting hers in a silent challenge.

“You can slap me all you want, Yunjin, but you will not talk about Sohee like that,” you declare, your voice steady despite the burning sting on your face. In a swift motion, you return her slaps and push her to the ground. You want nothing more than to walk away and never have to deal with her again.

Turning around, you glance at Eunseok and Mark, managing a small smile for them. As your eyes meet Eunseok's, a flurry of butterflies explode in your stomach. But just as you're about to enjoy the moment, Yunjin lunges towards you, causing a fight to break out.

—💌—

Despite escaping the fight without any major injuries, you were left with a medley of bruises and cuts, particularly on your knuckles from where you'd landed blows on Yunjin. In addition to the visible damage, there was a nagging suspicion that you might have also suffered a concussion, given the throbbing pain in your head.

After the fight, you somehow managed to get yourself home. Mark, ever the responsible one, left shortly after to fetch some medicine, potentially to treat what you all assumed might be a concussion. You were left alone with Eunseok, who, with a gentle touch, tended to the bruises and cuts on your hands.

In the quiet of the room, you found yourself studying Eunseok. This wasn't the first time you'd seen him up close, yet his beauty never ceased to amaze you. There was an urge, almost irresistible, to reach out and touch his face, to run your fingers through his hair. But you managed to suppress it.

“I told you to be careful,” Eunseok scolded. Yet, his tone was filled with more worry than reprimand. The softness of his voice somehow making the 'scolding' sound more like a worried whisper.

"Do I have any injuries on my face?" he asks, looking up at you with a smile. There's a moment of silence as you take in his features, struck by how attractive he is. You have to force yourself to look away before you have a chance to blush.

Unprompted, he breaks the silence with a surprising statement. "I'm taking you out tomorrow," he declares, catching you completely off guard.

You blink, taken aback. "What?" you echo, not quite believing what you just heard.

"Yes,we're going to spend the day together tomorrow. I don't think it's a good idea to leave you alone right now." His words hang in the air for a moment, leaving you speechless. It takes a while for you to process what he just said, and you find yourself unable to formulate a proper response. Instead, you just nod in agreement, still a bit dazed.

A few minutes after your conversation, Mark arrives, effectively breaking the spell that had fallen over the room.

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💐: i literally suck at editing pics so just try to imagine it🙁 anyways im learning accendio by ive😋

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bole couldnt be tagged !

[sundeathh]

aizawa with a younger sister in his class and they dont get along well? maybe some angst of some sort?? Thank youuu <333

Here you go, I hope you enjoy it. I added some angst but only after finishing it I realized I also made it oddly comforting.

Family Ties

Head-canon  |  Masterlist 

Pairing: Brother!Aizawa × Sister!Reader

Fandom: BNHA | MHA  | Words: 950

The air in Class 1-A was tense as Shota Aizawa, known for his stern demeanor, navigated through the students, making sure to keep a watchful eye on each of them. His younger sister, though, happened to be in the same class. And unfortunately, your relationship had always been strained.

One day, during a particularly challenging training session, Aizawa's patience wore thin. He singled you out for your lack of focus and commitment.

"You there," he barked, his eyes narrowing in on you. "This is not a game. Your lack of attention could cost lives in a real battle. Shape up or you won't last a day in the hero world."

You bit back a retort, the frustration evident in your eyes. Aizawa's scolding wasn't just about your performance; it was a reflection of the strained dynamic between you two. The weight of his expectations hung heavy in the air.

After the class ended, Aizawa approached you, his expression a mix of concern and frustration, though you only took in the frustrated part. "You're not taking this seriously." He started. "You have potential, but you need to focus. Heroics is not a path for the careless."

You resisted the urge to snap back, his words hanging in the air as a silent agreement of the unresolved issues between you and your brother. Shota sighed, running a hand over his face. He wasn't satisfied with your silence, as if he wanted some kind of acknowledgement from you.

Then, when all of your retorts to his scolding gave space to silence, Aizawa grew frustrated enough to finally adress the root issue.

During classes, Aizawa glanced your way several times, catching glimpses of the familiar scowl that mirrored his own. You avoided eye contact, burying yourself in your schoolwork every time. The tension between you and your brother had become a constant undercurrent.

A few days later, Aizawa lingered after class, hoping for a chance to address the underlying issues that had become a rule in your lives.

As the last student filed out, he sighed and spoke, facing you. "We need to talk."

You rolled your eyes, not in the mood for another lecture so soon. "What now? You gonna tell me how to stand properly or criticize my skills again?"

Shota's expression remained stoic. "This isn't about you. It's about us. We're family, and I don't want our relationship to be this way forever."

You scoffed, crossing your arms. "Well, maybe if you weren't so obsessed with your work, we could actually have a normal conversation."

Aizawa's gaze softened, a hint of regret in his eyes. "I know I'm not the best brother. I'm not good at expressing myself either. But I care about you. I just... I have a responsibility to these students, to be the best hero and teacher I can be."

You glanced away, a mix of frustration and hurt weighing on your heart. "So, that's it? Your hero duties are more important than your own family?"

He raised an eyebrow before proceeding, his voice quieter. "No, it's not that simple. But I need you to understand the choices I've made. I want you to be proud of your big brother."

You scoffed again, but this time, there was a glimmer of understanding in your eyes, though you didn't adress it with words. "Proud? How can I be proud when I feel like I barely know you?"

Aizawa sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Maybe we can work on that. It's not going to change overnight, but I want to try."

Over the following weeks, Aizawa made a conscious effort to spend more time with you outside of class. Whether it was grabbing a quick meal or attending a local hero event together, the rigid walls between you began to crack.

Eventually, he even proposed training together, a mix of combat and quirk exercises. Despite the initial resistance, you found a common ground in your shared abilities. Slowly, you began to see a different side of your brother – not just the hero, but the person.

Attempting to normalize family interactions, Aizawa would invite you over for dinner sometimes. The awkwardness was always palpable, but the efforts didn't go unnoticed. It was a small step towards bridging the gap between your worlds.

As the months passed, Aizawa and you shared more moments together. Some were strained, others surprisingly pleasant.

One day, during a quiet moment, you looked at him and said, finally acknowledging his efforts. "You're doing your best, aren't you?" And for the first time, a genuine smile graced your face in front of him when he nodded.

As time went on, the sibling relationship between the both of you evolved. There were still disagreements, but the unspoken understanding grew stronger each day. Aizawa focused on learning how to balance his hero duties with family, and you slowly learned to appreciate the complexities of his world just as well.

Likes, reblogs, and comments are appreciated! Check the fixed post for requests & more details!

[chosotallgf]

DOUBLE IDENTITY #3 - TOJI FUSHIGURO

🔙 previous chapter

SYNOPSIS - y/n is a third year college student who is about to intern for the top business company in Japan in a week, what happens when she unknowingly cross paths with her future boss not knowing he's hiding a secret.

WARNINGS - mafiaboss toji x fém!reader, geto x fém! reader, alcohol, moderate au, sexual activity, criminal activity & behavior, naoya is his own warning, angst & fluff (not really lol) not proof read

As the night when on and more drinks were consumed, it was obvious how wasted you were than everyone else in the group. Slurring horrible jokes with Gojo and dancing like you were alone in your room. God how you wish you listen to utahime earlier and took it easy, that stupid bartender just wanted to run our pockets empty.

as you where dancing you felt someone behind you, scared it was a complète stranger but it was just geto “dancing all alone here?” he whispered in my ear. his hot alcohol breath sending shivers down my spine. Turning my head to look behind me I giggle “are you gonna be a gentleman and dance with me?” flashing my eyelashes up at him.

his tall present shadowing over me was already enough to make me feel things I didn’t want too. “I thought you wouldn’t ask” as soon as he said that I got right to it and started grinding on him. his hands griping my hips in a smooth manner following the music.

I’m feeling up against his crotch I can tell he’s starting to get hard “someone excited” i teased at his growing erection. “You find my little problem funny huh” geto slurred as he slowly started to move his hands down to my ass and slap it getting a gasp out of me.

Across the dance floor watching the whole interaction shoko shook her head her “those two together drunk is a bad idea they do reckless things than regret it” “don’t be a cock blocker” Gojo comes behind them with a tray of more drinks. “he hasn’t had anything action this whole semester” utahime whips her head around “and how would you know that” she questions.

“Because the dorm rooms are like paper thin so everyone I could know if he was, can’t say for myself tho” “pathetic, well I’m stopping it, it’s already 4am I’m tried and I’m not babysitting any longer.” Utahime march over to you and geto startling the both of you.

“omg utahime you scared me where have you been” you slurred out trying to hug her. “That’s enough for tonight let’s go say bye” talking to you like the a child who’s leaving a weekend sleepover. “Already? The fun was just getting started” geto winks at you and you blush. “Yes now come on before I leave you”

Even tho she would never you don’t take her words lightly. following her back to you guys area, you stop mid way realizing you had to pee so badly so you quietly sneak away. ‘Shit where is the bathroom around here’ finally seeing the sign you wobble over and as you came closer you in the hall there was a long line forming outside the women’s bathroom.

‘I’m gonna pissed my self if I don’t get to a toilet any sooner’ you whine. suddenly, an idea popped in your head to use the up stairs bathroom surely it was for VIP only in that area but you could work your way around it. Looking out to see who was securing the stairs to there surprisingly didn’t see anyone.

‘That’s odd they would always have a guy or two on stand by, oh well’. ducking going up the stairs so you wouldn’t get caught as you walk by slightly crack door, peeking you saw older business casual men no later than their 30s getting lap dances by strippers as cash was getting blown around.

‘So this what happens up here, I thought they only serve drinks?’. Moving on, reaching a dark lighten hall way, you finally found a bathroom with staff only on it. Not caring you enter the one person bathroom.

A/N - the few chapters it’s gonna get more interesting :)

[tuliprry]

asthore (h.s)

summary: "yn and harry have been married for 3 years now, still a secret to the public. this is a comfort story, going back and forth of how they met and their married life and a lot of sweet drama in between. very full of love, fluffy, safe. "

asthore main post

word count: 3.3k

warnings: death, anxiety, depression, christimas time, sex mention, fluff

sunday, 17 of december 2022, 3:36pm 

the cold breeze from christmas approaching in the small italian village almost freeze y/n’s bones as she’s cruising through the christmas markets, the ligurian sea facing her as she hands a 5€ bill to the italian man that just finished filling a jar with taggiasca olives, “grazie! buone feste!” y/n says as she puts the jar back in the jean tote bag and covering her right hand with the black comfy glove once again. the humidity has driven y/n to have her hair constantly covered by a beanie or her curls would be so tangled she would spend an eternity in hair masks trying to salvage it. the phone pings. 

soupy

“just passed passport control, 30 minutes and i’m home. i love you x H”

y/n smiles, feeling her cheeks blush up from thinking about seeing her husband after nearly two months since halloween in los angeles, the butterflies from being apart fly more in her stomach as she rushes to their italian home, this was the first christmas both their families would spend in the home they have been building in the small coastal village of sanremo, y/n had done her masters in  the university of verona and absolutely fell in love with the country. and here she is, buying olives for christmas eve dinner, the first ever she’s hosting herself. 

the white gate opens up as y/n presses the button attached to her keys, she sighs at the car standing in the driveway as harry told her to try and get used to it and he would teach them how to drive but y/n has a unreasonable fear of cars, even when she had to drive the bumper cars, she would cry and her dads would end up picking her out of the car. she walks down the darkened stone (by the raindrops) path, the automatic light shines, lightening up the whole entrance area, y/n opens the green heavy front door and is greeted by patata and notte, their two cats, “ahh my two girls!! daddy is about to be home so mama is gonna heat up the soy lasagna and light some candles!” y/n is used to only talking to the two kittens she had rescued with harry, she takes her gloves and beanie and her long brown coat, hanging them by the door as she closes it behind her. 

soupy

“it’s raining really bad, i’m at the petrol station right by the theatre, 10 minutes i’m all yours, sweet bunny. god i miss you x”

bunny

“i already threw your jammies in the dryer so they’re warm when you get here, turned the ac on and i’m watching british news, just for you”

soupy

“you’re an angel!!!!! my angel wife”

y/n wrapped herself in a black silk robe that matches her pyjama set and sat on the sofa, heart heavy awaiting for harry to open the front door and them reuniting, her stomach was seriously going through it, she could barely work in the morning and had cereal for lunch as she felt too eager to even think about eating. the news were mentioning winter wonderland in london and how crowded they were after the pandemic, y/n missed london a little bit, being her home for most of the year and 2022 being the first time she’s not having a hot cocoa by the london eye just staring at the tourists. her stomach growls again, her anxiety is leading up to not knowing if she should even eat or stay pretty by the door so she can immediately kiss harry. 

she opted to fill up the kettle with water so they could have a tea and harry could warm up, as the water boiled the sound of a car motor makes its way into the house, meaning harry was home, in unicorn slippers y/n gets out of the house in a rush. harry is parking his car next to his other one and y/n is regretting being outside in slippers but she couldn’t wait one more second. 

and there he was…

he stood tall leaving the car, wearing light blue jeans and black vans, his upper body was covered by y/n’s favourite coat of harry’s, the multitude of greens and how long it looked y/n genuinely wanted the coat for herself, his hair clipped back with his regular black clip and his smile, y/n felt her entire body relaxing as she sloppily ran to his arms under the humidity of sunset. “fuck, fuck, you’re real” his arms wrap around the short figure in front of him, “fuck, my y/n” he sighs in relief and keeps the embrace just as tight. y/n places her chin on his upper chest and looks at him, his face structure coral-ish like the sun just about to set. “i missed you” their lips meet, a kiss they had been longing for almost two months, yet as their lips collide it’s like no time as passed, they went to sleep and woke up together, just like their meant to be. “harry i love you but i came outside in my jammies and i’m freezing” y/n shivers as she speaks up, he can’t help but keep a stupid smile on his face, this was his most normal, his wife saying she was cold begging them to go inside, his brain filled with deja-vu, “goooo inside, dummy” he says, opening the boot of the car, taking his suitcase out of it, y/n had already grabbed his backpack and made her way into the house, making harry stand a few meters from the door, feeling nothing but relief, to be home.

☆

monday, 18 of december 2023, 4:13am

harry woke up almost jumping from the sofa, looked at his phone, 4:13am, y/n was passed out in the sofa as well, their cats asleep between them and the electric fireplace still on as well as the bbc 1 still playing out the news from throughout the day. 

a big yawn escaped his lips as he slowly got off under the covers to grab a chocolate brioche from the kitchen, he knew y/n like the back of his hand, keeping the chocolate brioches at hand for a lat night craving of something sweet. harry for the first time in a few months felt genuinely at peace, not that he doesn’t love tour, he does, he can’t stop touring and seeing the familiar and unknown faces he hold in his heart with so much love but just sometimes he misses home, home isn’t exactly a place for him, because harry has a lot more houses than he could explain, but he only has one y/n, a short irish and scottish teddy bear in a human form that writes her fingers off and spends too much time in front of her computer and totally belongs to the generation he longs to understand. he walked back into the living room, y/n’s now sleepy eyes open, petting the cats, “harry! we fell asleep on the sofa…can we go to bed?” his heart skipped a beat right there, her curls messy from the sofa pillow, eyes droopy, cheesy smile on her lips from having him home. home. she was home.

the sleepy couple headed off to bedroom with their two cats following them, y/n and harry have always allowed their kitties to sleep in bed, even though sometimes the cats do bite harry off the bed, “how are patata and notte doing at night?” harry asks as he slides under the covers with small roses that y/n picked and he loves so much, “well patata sleeps on top of my feet and notte well… she likes to stay under the covers” y/n admits not changing notte’s behaviours, “y/n! she’s gonna bite me off the bed! again!” y/n gets under the covers as well and kisses his lips softly, “god i missed having you home”, y/n places her self on top of him, “oh bunny.. you almost make me forget the jet lag” harry kisses y/n, this time more abruptly, almost raw. “fuck! i missed you”

10:46am

the regular sunny beach town’s sky was covered in dark, heavy clouds, ready to burst at any given second, harry was aware of this, he was in the middle of his run and upset that the rain was going to interrupt his so beloved routine, he was running along the giardini municipali, his favourite place to run while they’re in their sanremo home, he checks his watch when a raindrop falls exactly on top of it, harry groans, he has left 20 minutes ago and his run was being cut short by an angry christmas weather rain that the old lady that lives next door has told him… or what he understood from his beginners italian. running back home in hopes to not get soaked was truly in vain. when he opened the green front door he was soaked through his entire clothes, he thought of y/n, likely still wrapped in the duvet, he almost envied her for a second but he knows y/n’s medication makes her crave her bed a little longer than he does. after a much needed shower harry walks quietly into the bedroom, curtains still closed, loud purring coming from the bed, a little night light on y/n’s side, still on, his hands gently rubbed through y/n’s cheek, a way he learned to wake her up without startling her, “mmmm too early” she moaned, still with her eyes shut close, “baby.. c’mon sweetheart, i made coffee and pancakes, i didn’t know if you wanted eggs” he says almost whispering, lowering his body, squatting down next to the bed, “oh the banana pancakes? with pecan nuts?” y/n opens her eyes, looking directly in his, “exactly those ones”, harry smiles doing the gentle rub on her cheek again, “okay i’m listening” y/n yawns, turning on her side to look directly at harry, “well..after breakfast we could start decorating the house maybe even finish our christmas shopping?” his hand now travelled to her hair, gently running his fingers through it. “mmmmm give me a kiss?” she asks, getting closer to the edge of the bed, “always, as many kisses as you want, bunny.”. 

the kitchen smelled exactly as y/n had hoped, of harry, banana, coffee and fresh bread, their kitchen was a little sanctuary for the both of them, the floor was almost like honeycomb, brown, yellow and dark red, usually very cold, the walls white, the cabinets a sage green y/n and harry fell in love with, a white oven that seemed too complicated at first and all of the kitchen adorned with gold details, the handles, the pots… the countertops were wood like, matching the kitchen table with mismatched chairs, the other side of the kitchen still with the sage cabinets, a window right on top of the big white sink and golden faucet, decorated with tulips, y/n’s favourite flower. the cat’s food bowls filled, the eggs sizzling in the frying pan, y/n begged her brain to take a screenshot of this moment and remember it forever. her happiest place, her and her husband. 

y/n sat on one of the mismatched chairs as harry placed the food in front of her, “vip treatment huh?” y/n mocks due to him being the one used to vip treatment, “for my wife? anything.. also i got super soaked in my run earlier” harry comments as he takes the eggs out of the pan to another plate, “you did? why didn’t u call me i would’ve.. well i would’ve cheered u up” y/n speaks with her mouthful with a pancake bite, harry thought it was cute, how her mind was always racing, y/n hates it, harry in the other hand thinks it makes her special, her brain never shuts off, more time he gets to spend with her in her little world. “well baby i knew you were asleep and this jet lag is so weird, woke up, fell asleep, woke up and then couldn’t sleep so i went and fed the cats and then i came back still couldn’t sleep so i went on my run without checking the weather app and well yeah but i’m okay” y/n felt hypnotised, yes she knows she’s married to him but just sometimes when he goes on his rambles, y/n likes to stare at him, his lips, his lips now covered with honey from the pancakes, she doesn’t know what power over her has given her the chance to be here, staring at her husband eating her favourite breakfast. “if you feel like you get a cough i have those cough drops from when i had covid, they were pretty good” her lips press together in worry, “baby i came home, took a shower and woke you up, i’m okay. i promise” 

promises were something big in their relationship, from harry’s perspective he needed someone he could trust blindly and from y/n’s perspective she has always been an open heart ready to trust anyone, so they met half way, keeping promises. promises that they wouldn’t hide stuff from each other, promises that they’d always be honest about their health, promises to stay in contact even if the signal is one bar in the middle of nowhere. right here, right now, their home is a promise from harry’s vows: 

“i promise, even when i’m far to always come back home to you, my love, i promise to make our home the most beautiful place that ever existed, just for you and me.”

the rain hit the kitchen windows pretty strongly, soothing the couple that was still eating breakfast,  “i don’t think going out is a very smart idea, soupy, look at the weather!” y/n says, calling harry by his nickname when they started dating, soupy, he had soup every day on facetime and y/n just came up with it, soupy and now even her family calls him soupy, “don’t call me soupy! and we are still doing stuff because decorating the house for christmas doesn’t require leaving” harry affirms, holding his plate and mug placing them on the sink, “the christmas decorations are in your studio harry and i’m not going to the other house” y/n pouts, “i love rain when i’m inside! not when i’m outside and need to do stuff!” she complains. a few meters away there’s a small house that harry converted into his studio while he was stuck in italy with y/n because of the pandemic, y/n stored the christmas things there and never touched them again, in all fairness it was a beautiful sunny january day and she was in a good mood. “fine, i’ll get them, you’re lucky i’d do anything for you”, “oh!!! can’t wait to tell my friends my husband would walk in the rain for me, what a man!” she mocks giggling against the mug, “mrs y/n styles you’re very sassy today!” he says in the same mocking tone, “it’s what happens when you fuck me to sleep, i wake up feeling like a spoiled princess” she keeps laughing, waiting to catch her breathe to finish her coffee. harry gets close and kisses her forehead and sighs in relief, “i love seeing you like this” y/n knew what harry meant, her depression and major anxiety really sprout up in the first few months of their marriage, making the first year even rockier than what they had anticipated, y/n is still medicated, for awhile harry felt like he had lost his y/n, until everything started piecing together like a puzzle, her smile, her jokes, her collection of books, her arguments in irish with one of her dads, it’s like his y/n had never left, she just needed a little boost that harry alone couldn’t give.

“wonders of antidepressants and a good loving night with my husband, you should know i’m always better with you around” she whispered against his lips, “i love you, bunny”, “and “i love you, soupy”.

☆

to better understand this story, we have to go back to almost 40 years ago years ago, when y/n’s parents, cormac and callum first met, they were both 15, had the same classes, did everything together in their hometown of sterling, a true high school love story that lasted their entire lives, they considered themselves lucky, falling in love at a time it was no longer illegal to love each other in scotland, their love only grew with time, moving in together, dreaming of getting married, dreaming of having children.. which eventually happened when they were 25, elsie and ewan, their families thought they were insane, adopting twins at 25 and all the repercussions of only one of them actually being able to be “legally” their father, but they still did it, elsie and ewan were 1 year old when they were officially adopted by callum but they always taught them cormac was their father regardless of what any paper said. 

the year 1998 came along, cormac’s younger sister orla was pregnant, cormac was so excited that his children would have a cousin and nothing prepared him for the next months of his life, the day that should be of joy was clouded by sadness as his sister died while giving birth, making y/n immediately orphan with half a second of life in her body so cormac stepped up, christmas being the first holiday they all spent together, the 5 of them. just them.

when same-sex marriage became legal in scotland they did get married. even though, in their hearts they had been married since they were 15.

but before that, as the siblings grew, y/n had friends that didn’t have the best family environment, and cormac and callum had no luck trying to adopt them because their parents wouldn’t allow it, so as adults it did happen, simon and flora became the 6th and 7th member of the family. harry knew this story, y/n had told him this story a million times but he’s hearing it again as they get the christmas tree ready, he looks at her with an amount of love in his eyes that he’s not able to express if not by poetry in his hidden notebooks, “and well the rest you know, elsie is a teacher at the same school as my dad mac, ewan plays football in torino, simon is a tattoo artist in manchester and you know flora better than anyone” y/n explains once again as she places the handmade ornaments she got from and italian charity shop, “flora.. the baker that purposely calls me soups” harry goans as he makes sure the christmas lights are all working before placing them on the tree, “i didn’t know she was gonna give you hell for my nickname for you, harry, she’s the baby, i don’t like getting angry at her… are those lights ready?” 

“they’re ready”

“then help me put them on, soupy”

“kiss me first, under the mistletoe” 

“you’re so sappy!”

“thank god i found you then, to love all this sappiness”

“and i do. every single inch of you, tha gaol agam ort (i love you)”

“and i love you”

taglist: @grapejuice-rry @theekyliepage @madgracee @iamahallucinationnn (anyone else please tell me if u wanna be tagged in the next chapters!)

[im-akira]

Joel Miller x F!Reader | "𝐵𝑢𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑦 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡"🦋

Summary: a warm moment between Joel Miller and his wife, Y/N. Based on the refrain of "butterfly effect - demo" by Sophie Holohan.

Warnings: adorable, sweet, caring, mostly Miller fluff Do not: claim, repost, copy, or translate my stories anywhere else. Notes: this chapter is dedicated to @defeima ✨ I apologize in advance but English is not my mother tongue. 💙 ~*.♪。★*・゜・＊♪*.♪。★*・゜・＊♪*.♪°~

- Y/N?

- Mmh...?

- Do you remember?

They were seated, more precisely lying on the ground, facing each other. Ellie was asleep just behind Joel, in her own sleeping bag, in a deep slumber.

The journey had been long for the small group.

- What exactly?

- Our first encounter?

Joel's gaze never left that of his wife. Despite the darkness, he managed to discern her relaxed and peaceful expression. Each rising day was a moment of reflection for him, on how lucky he had been to stumble upon this beautiful person.

Y/N's gaze upon Joel in this situation was marked by a deep affection and an undeniable connection. Her eyes captured every detail of his face, as if trying to read his most intimate thoughts. Through this shared look, an unshakable trust in Joel could be discerned, a testament to a strong bond forged through time and shared trials.

Joel and Y/N don't share the same sleeping bag, yet it doesn't prevent her from slipping her arm under her wife's head. Y/N joyfully accepted her husband's gesture and settled gently against his arm, a smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Despite the passing years, Joel remained the man he had become due to everything he had experienced. However, when Y/N stood by his side, it was as if his barriers fell in an instant. She possessed a power over him he couldn't explain, but it left him feeling liberated and happy, far from his fears and regrets.

- Nostalgic Joel, who would have thought?

- Baby, don't play that game, answer me.

The tone used by Joel was imbued with serenity, his words flowed gently, and his attention was focused kindly on every uttered word. He wasn't stern but rather tranquil, expressing a certain thoughtfulness and a sincere desire to understand Y/N's response. It wasn't the first time Joel had been nostalgic; with Ellie and his wife, it was complex for him not to be.

- How could I forget that day, the day when our little butterfly made our paths cross.

"The wing of a butterfly brushed my cheek."

A few years back...

At that time, Sarah was young, the age to go to school, and that day was her first day. The little girl was so excited to join her school that she ran around without paying much attention to where she was going.

Unbeknownst to her, she brushed against someone on the street and continued on her way. Joel, who was just behind his daughter, was absorbed in his phone. He had an issue with one of his clients.

"So you bumped right into me, then you said, "Sorry", I said the same."

Joel bumps into the young woman Sarah had brushed past a few seconds earlier. Once everyone returned to their senses, the young woman dropped her coffee.

- Sorry, I didn't see you.

- I—I'm sorry.

Before the young woman could bend down to pick up her coffee, Joel interrupts her motion and helps her stand upright.

"Said you'd buy one in exchange. For my number and my name."

- I'll buy you a new one, I can't do it right now because I have to take my daughter to school. But...

- Dad, hurry up, we're gonna be late!

Sarah's words reach Joel like a distant whisper carried by the wind. For a moment, he's caught in her gaze, meeting the young woman's eyes, then he feels the urgency pressing on him. Sarah's voice snaps him back to reality, and he lets out a frustrated sigh, pulling out a contact card and handing it to the young woman. That little girl was going to kill him if he didn't hurry.

- I have to get my daughter to school, but send me a message during the day, and I'll let you know when we can set up a time to settle my debt.

Joel didn't give the young woman a chance to say anything before he was already running towards Sarah. Y/N could see from afar the beautiful relationship between Joel and his daughter. The little girl had latched onto his arm as if not wanting to let him be so far from her.

Y/N had crossed paths with Joel in an unexpected way, as if destiny had woven their lives into a chance encounter. As she walked peacefully down the street, a series of fortuitous circumstances guided her to this precise moment.

In an instant, she went from being a stranger in the crowd to locking eyes with Joel, triggering a subtle yet profound connection. In this serendipitous meeting, Y/N found far more than a simple encounter; she discovered an unexplainable connection, a presence that would shape the course of their future.

"One date turned to two, then four, then ten."

Joel had kept his promise, he offered Y/N a coffee later in the week. A few days later, he invited Y/N for coffee, marking the beginning of a series of meetings and exchanges. This simple act evolved into a sweet and anticipated routine, weaving a special bond between the two adults.

Each shared cup was more than just a warm beverage; it was an exchange of smiles, confidences, and precious moments that fortified their budding connection.

Y/N didn't send a message immediately after the brief encounter with Joel on the street. An inexplicable sensation nagged at her, creating a knot in her mind and stomach. Was this something new? No, she had experienced past relationships that had left scars, both physical and mental. So, this time, she was cautious.

After meeting Joel, however, a gentle surprise brushed her heart. From him emanated a reassuring calm, a soothing contrast to the turmoil of the past. The moments shared in his company chipped away at the barriers she had erected, allowing a glimmer of hope to shine through. Mistrust was still there, but it had conceded some ground, allowing for a new possibility and perhaps, just perhaps, a chance for healing.

Rushing wasn't at the top of her to-do list, and Y/N was acutely aware of that. Now, she regarded it as crucial to take her time, to observe with meticulousness, and to savor each moment life presented. This newfound perspective was the result of maturity acquired over time.

Guided by this objective, she approached the situation with newfound patience, allowing things to develop naturally, without pressure or undue haste. Each step was taken deliberately, each emotion weighed and considered. Life, with its promises and uncertainties, was approached with more thoughtfulness and serenity.

If Joel was to become significant in her life, Y/N was resolved to explore this possibility step by step. However, bestowing her trust was a separate and delicate matter. She had learned from past lessons, from scars left behind by others. Now, her trust wasn't granted lightly. Each interaction with Joel was like a canvas painted with care, each thread of trust woven with attentiveness. She had decided that if Joel was to earn her tangle of emotions, it would have to be gained over time, confidence, and a deep mutual understanding.

"Hello" turned to "Never leave my mind again"

Every morning when Y/N woke up, her first thought was of him. Sometimes, it was stronger than her, an invisible yet comforting presence accompanying her. Though he wasn't physically by her side, she felt his warmth and influence, as if Joel had left an indelible mark on her mind. This thought gently cradled her, providing a sense of well-being.

On his part, every night as Joel prepared to sleep, it was her who occupied his thoughts. It was something new for him, a pleasant reminder of emotions he might have set aside for a long time. He never thought he would feel these emotions again for someone. The night became a time of silent reflection, a moment to explore these feelings with newfound delicacy.

Both of them, each on their own, navigated this new reality, exploring the contours of their nascent emotions, opening up slowly to each other while relishing the comfort of these thoughts that accompanied them in waking and sleeping.

Being attracted to someone again was a familiar territory for Joel, but it was imbued with a new complexity. Memories of a past relationship merged with the freshness of this burgeoning emotion. He found himself walking down paths he thought he had left behind, with the sensations of that time blending with the current palpitations.

It was both a reminder of what he had experienced before and a discovery of renewed feelings. The scars of the past intertwined with the gentleness of the present, creating a unique blend of caution and excitement. Despite the distance from the past, these emotions never seemed to truly fade away.

Joel navigated this sea of emotions with caution, allowing the past to inform him without defining him. Attraction to someone else was both a reminder of his humanity and a challenge for his heart, an opportunity to once again be touched while keeping a watchful eye on the lessons of yesteryear.

Until the unexpected arrival of Y/N.

After the sudden disappearance of Sarah's mother, Joel had focused on the education and well-being of his little butterfly. Joel's own happiness was no longer his priority; Sarah had become his number one priority. He wrapped his protective arms around her, filling the void left by her mother's absence. Every morning, he prepared her breakfast with care, ensuring she started the day with a smile. Evenings were filled with stories and laughter, a sacred ritual that chased away the shadows of uncertainty.

Y/N had a power over him, just as he had a power over her.

- You're wonderful, you're beautiful, you're unique, and when you have the chance to know and build a beautiful relationship like you do, you never let it go. And I don't intend to let you go, Y/N.

"Now you sleep by my side and kiss my neck."

Joel, Y/N, and Sarah had become an inseparable family. Their home resonated with laughter, whispered conspiracies, and shared moments. Each day was marked by a natural harmony that seemed as if destiny had finally found a way to bring these souls together.

The daily routine was where small gestures and shared looks spoke volumes. Joel and Y/N complemented each other in a way that went beyond words, a deep connection nurtured by mutual understanding. Evenings were punctuated with gentle exchanges and joint plans, while weekends were dedicated to family getaways that forged unforgettable memories.

Y/N had opened her heart and home to the Millers, feeling no regret. Each moment shared with them was a silent affirmation that her decision had been one of the most beautiful in her life. Sarah's radiant smile and the moments of complicity between Joel and Y/N were living proof that their little family was a precious treasure, a sanctuary where love and joy were the steadfast pillars of their everyday life.

"And I thank the world for the butterfly effect."

Returning to the present...

Through Joel's warm eyes, Y/N captured the reflection of their deep connection. Every exchanged glance was an open window to their thoughts, a silent exchange of trust and understanding. In these moments, words seemed superfluous, as they could read emotions in the corners of each other's gazes, an intimate communication reserved for those who had experienced so much joy and pain together.

- If Sarah hadn't bumped into me, would you have found your way to me, Joel? Was it destiny or the work of a theory?

Thanks to Sarah, their paths had intertwined in a way that transcended chance. A shared smile between them was tinged with gratitude toward the little butterfly who had orchestrated their meeting. Sarah, their sweet little girl, had unintentionally healed invisible wounds and brought together two souls destined to cross paths.

- Clearly, you and I were meant to be, and destiny decided so. The universe brought you to me, and I'm grateful every night to have you by my side. Day and night, Y/N.

The gratitude in Y/N's heart was revealed in every carefully spoken word, a sincere declaration of appreciation for this unexpected bond that had mended parts of herself she didn't even know were broken. Each night spent by Joel's side was a living reminder of this quiet healing, a deep bond forged through their little butterfly and shaped by destiny.

- Thank our little butterfly, for it was in part thanks to her that on the day I met you, I felt repaired, even without knowing it.

After experiencing a torrent of experiences, both good and bad, by his wife Y/N's side, Joel felt a depth of sentiment he could never have anticipated. Every challenge overcome had strengthened their bond, every shared smile had etched a precious memory in his heart. He felt simultaneously weary and alive, marveled by the power of their relationship and life itself.

Their joint adventures had sculpted his being, transforming him into a man filled with a wealth of emotions, grateful for every moment spent with Y/N, regardless of its nature. Each moment, whether good or bad, had become an essential chapter in their story, woven into the fabric of their unwavering love.

- You take care of me as I take care of you.

Joel and Y/N had woven between them a deep and protective bond. Every gesture, every exchanged look, was imbued with gentle care. Like two souls who had traversed similar paths, they instinctively understood each other's needs and desires.

Joel cared for her with gentle determination, ensuring her safety and well-being as if she were an extension of himself. His arms were always ready to comfort her, his presence a refuge in times of storm. He listened patiently, without judgment, offering words that healed.

On her part, Y/N had a unique way of reading between the lines of Joel's thoughts. She cared for him with evident tenderness, finding subtle ways to offer him moments of respite. A thoughtful look, a comforting embrace—she understood when he needed support without him having to say a word.

Their relationship was a graceful dance of exchanges and mutual care, where each step was guided by deep affection and sincere respect. In this balance, they found the strength to navigate the challenges of the world around them, knowing they were united in their commitment to care for each other, no matter what life might bring. - You're stuck with me until the end of your days, you know that, right Joel?

- What?

- Yes.

- Forever?

- For eternity.

- It goes both ways. You're stuck with me too.

- I quite like that.

Initially, Joel displayed a faint smile that gradually transformed into a gentle chuckle. Leaning in slightly, he closed the distance between his lips and Y/N's, sealing the moment with a tender kiss. As the night drew to a close, they fell asleep facing each other, finding solace and warmth in each other's presence, before drifting into peaceful slumber.

~*.♪。★*・゜・＊♪*.♪。★*・゜・＊♪*.♪°~ If you want to be marked on my future stories, let me know in the comments. Thank you again for reading ! 😊

[ourtearsofrain]

Slow It Down (D.R.W/S.F.K)- Chapter 4

Pairings: Danny Wagner x Sam Kiszka

Genre: ANGST

Word Count:  1.8k

Warnings: ouid consumption, Sam and Danny fight again and Danny gives him a harsh reality check, Sammy boy’s going through it and his family is worried about him

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“Alright, I gotta take a leak.” Josh slaps his hands on his thighs, a classic midwestern habit he would never be able to get rid of no matter how long he lived in New York. As he stands, he sways slightly as the half of a joint he smoked catches up to him. He grabs Jake’s shoulder for support, trying to pass him but only succeeding in bumping into his camping chair and nearly toppling the pair over.

“I’m gonna go with him, make sure he doesn’t fall off a cliff or something.” Jake stands, offering his arm out to his brother for support as he takes cautious steps over the loose rocks below them.

Fuck. They’re seriously going to leave me alone with him? The pit in Danny’s stomach only grows as the twins disappear into the trees, the sounds of Jake trying to keep Josh on the path growing quieter and quieter by the moment. Just look anywhere but him. Anywhere but him, it’s that easy. He distracts himself by focusing on the rocks below him, beginning to balance them on top of each other. He can feel Sam staring at him out of the corner of his eye and after five minutes, it finally gets on his nerves.

“Do you have something to say?” Danny didn’t mean for his question to sound so harsh, but it comes off angry nonetheless.

“No.” Sam looks away quickly, down at his hands as he picks his cuticles in his lap.

“Then find something else to do than stare, please.” Sam says nothing more, not once glancing back at Danny as he continues stacking the river rocks, looking up at Sam every so often to make sure he wasn’t looking at him. Why the fuck do you care if he’s looking?

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Sam’s question comes out of nowhere, and for the first time in years, he makes direct eye contact with Danny, his expression serious and unfaltering.

“What?”

“Did you find whatever it was that you were looking for? In New York. Are you- are you happy?”

Danny can’t tell if the weed was impairing his thought process or if Sam truly was making no sense, taking longer than he should have to consider his words. “I don’t know, I don’t know what I’m looking for. I’m happy… I could be happier.” Jesus fuck, remind me never to smoke around Sam anymore. The man ignores me for years and then the second he starts asking questions I’m an open fucking book.

“What would make you happier?”

You. Danny catches himself before he says the word, shaking his head at Sam as he tries to come up with any other answer. “I don’t know, but I do know it’s better than staying here.” If he gets to say cryptic shit, then so do I.  “Maybe I just moved to the city hoping the noise drowned out the regret.”

“What regret?”

Fuck. I wasn’t actually expecting him to ask. Danny fixes him with a blank expression, deep-rooted pain flashing behind his eyes. “I think you know. Why do you even care?”

Sam’s glad Danny isn’t close enough to see the tears threatening to spill from his eyes, and he hoped that when he found his words, they wouldn’t betray him. “So, you regret it?”

“Yes. I do.” Of course I fucking regret it. If I hadn’t kissed him, we would still be friends. I could still have him in my life, even if it wasn’t in the way that I wanted it to be.

“Good to know.” Sam picks his book up again, opening to a random page and hoping that Danny would drop the subject before it made him cry.

“Why the fuck do you keep bringing the kiss up, Sam?” Danny stares daggers at him, anger welling in his stomach as Sam shows so little emotion towards the event that ruined their friendship. “It’s in the past, move on.”

Sam looks up from his book, his eyes darting between Danny and anything else in the clearing he could distract himself with. “We just never talked about it.”

“And who’s fucking fault is that?” Danny saw that his comment hurt Sam, his features twisting slightly as if he were on the verge of tears, but it’s not enough. He continues, bringing every feeling he had to the surface as Sam blinks back tears. “You know what your problem is, Sam? You’re stuck in the past while everyone else around you moves forward. Leave the past where it belongs, or you’ll be left behind.”

He stands as if to leave, only turning and taking two steps before Sam’s voice stops him. “I’m not- I’m not stuck in the past.”

“Yes, you fucking are!” Danny rounds on him, his voice raised in his frustration. “You’re too focused on the past, on the kiss, on all of us leaving to actually live in the moment. We aren’t 18-year-old kids fresh out of high school anymore, we’re adults. You’re going to need to grow the fuck up at some point, and for your sake I hope that happens soon.”

“Fuck you.” His voice is quiet as a tear rolls down his cheek, not bothering to wipe it away as more come.

“NO, FUCK YOU SAM! You’re a fucking coward. Too scared to talk about the goddamn kiss so you ignored me, your closest friend, for three years. Too scared to move away from Frankenmuth so still living with your parents. Too scared to actually take control of your life so you study fucking business. What the fuck happened to astronomy, Sam? What happened to the boy I knew who was excited for his future after graduation, who was so passionate about following his dreams and getting out of Michigan?” Danny takes a deep breath, waiting to see if Sam had anything to fling back at him for his outburst. He thought seeing him cry at his truthful words would make him feel better. It didn’t. “If you find that boy again, tell him I fucking miss him. I want that Sam, my Sam, back.”

Danny turns before his tears escape his eyes, hastily making a grab for his shoes and shirt as he storms away from the clearing. He doesn’t even feel the sticks and stones stabbing the bottoms of his feet or the blistering asphalt until he’s safe in his old room, every ache riddling his body hitting him all at once as he sinks to the floor, holding his face in his hands until there are no more tears left in him to cry.

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June 30th, 2:42 PM

Danny had blocked that day from his memory, doing his best to enjoy his summer without focusing on every negative thing being back in Frankenmuth brought back. He hadn’t seen Sam since, but what did he care?

“Hey Danny?”

He cracks his eyes open, squinting at Josh as they lay on the beach of Saginaw Bay sunbathing after several hours in the water. “Hm?”

“Did you and Sam get into a fight after Jake and I left? When we went to the watering hole.”

“I don’t know if I would call it a fight.”

“Then what would you call it?” Jake’s head pops up on the other side of Josh as he sits up, his curiosity getting the best of him.

“I kind of… maybe yelled at him. A lot. He cried.” Danny keeps his response short, not wanting to get into the details of it. But the twins, being who they were, needed to know more.

“What did you say?” Josh’s voice is quiet, his mind racing between every possible thing Danny could have said to leave Sam the way they found him; alone, sitting on that same rock, sobbing.

“I called him a coward. Said he wasn’t the same boy I knew before I left.” His voice breaks as he remembers how angry he was, how disappointed at the man in front of him he had been. And worst of all, Sam’s expression. He knew he should have stopped himself; he shouldn’t have said such harsh things, even though they were the truth. He had watched Sam crumble away at each blow, but even that hadn’t stopped him. He had wanted Sam to hurt as much as he had. Just another thing to add to my list of regrets.

Jake and Josh exchange a look, seemingly telepathically communicating before Jake speaks for them. “You need to talk to him, Daniel.”

“No.” His response comes too quick, trying to backpedal as he stumbles over his thoughts. “I mean, he won’t talk to me. He didn’t want to talk to me before, so he definitely won’t talk to me now.”

“Please. Do it for us.” Jake’s statement makes almost no sense until his twin cuts in.

“We’re worried about him, mom and dad too. We don’t know what to do, Danny.”

Danny sits up, the broken tone of his statement sending his anxiety spiraling. “Why are you worried about him?”

“He’s moody, stays in his room all day. And yeah, he’s been like this since we all left but… but it’s worse now. He won’t talk to us, he barely comes down to eat. We invited him to join us today without telling him you’d be here, and he still refused. Any time any of us try to go talk to him about what’s going on, he gets angry, yells at us until we leave. We don’t know how to help him. We just- we just want our little brother back, Danny.” Danny’s regret only grows as tears glint in Josh’s eyes as he explains, feeling completely responsible for the state that Sam was in.

“If anyone can help him, it’s you. You might not be close anymore, but we know he would still hold your opinion and advice higher than ours.” Jake finishes, both men looking at him with pleading expressions.

They think I’m their last hope. “Fine.” The twins’ faces flicker with optimism at his agreement, causing Danny to continue. “But I can’t make any promises that he’ll even talk to me. He hates me and we’re strangers to each other at this point, I don’t know why you guys think it’ll work. But I’ll try.”

“Thank you, Daniel.”

“I knew we could count on you.” Josh moves to his knees in the sand, leaning forward to close the distance between them to hug Danny.

“I said I’ll try, not that it’ll work. The second he yells, I’m out.”

“Understandable. And that’s all we’re asking of you, Danny. To try. Know that it means the world to us.”

I just have to try to reason with a man that hates me after I berated him a week ago. How hard can it be? Where the fuck do I even start?

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taglist: @gretnavannfleet @aioba1503-sdm @jake-whatthefisgoingon-kiszka @milojames16 @sanguinebats @theres-a-tvjoe @jakekiszkapunchmeintheface @currentlyfangirling10

[bestedoesmeow]

✩ 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕖𝕝 𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕠 (requested)

PART 1

Will they be able to overcome their fears and take a chance on love?

@peytonmarkey thank you for the request, and help. I enjoyed every second of it!!

summary : daniel comes across the architect of the best summers that he had before leaving his hometown to achieve his biggest dream, little does he know his whole life is gonna change in a day

Daniel’s pov

I was walking around the paddock after almost a bad qualifying, with my water bottle in my hand, walking at the speed of light, trying to ignore anyone who was trying to talk to me. I was devastated, heartbroken, and disappointed, first at myself then at the team. At the beginning of the season, I thought it was going to take time to get used to the car. But at the almost end of the season, everything was totally the same, and my mood was worse than ever. On my way to my trailer to take a shower and grab a bite, I saw her. I don’t know how it made me feel, but I could feel the nostalgia rushing through my veins and my whole body. I didn’t realize my lips were curled into a smile until Nick touched my shoulder to bring me back there.

‘’ I’ll be there in a minute; you can go before me, I said, before looking at him. He smiled, still not understanding why I stopped in the middle of the road, but he didn’t refuse my offer and made his way to grab a coffee with the team members. She was standing there, scrolling through her phone, and probably waiting for someone. It was so hot that day that I can still recall the sun, sweat, salt, and everything else about that day. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail, and her signature bangs were framing her face beautifully; she was in denim shorts, a white tee, and red Converse. I don’t know now how long I stayed there and watched her every motion, trying to remember the last time I saw her; maybe she was 18? She then raised her eyes from the screen to take a look around, and then her eyes met mine, the eyes that had been watching her movements for the last two minutes. I was sweaty as hell, I was dehydrated, and I was hungry, but to watch her standing there like she didn’t give a damn about the sun that was burning her pale skin was enough to make me forget about the bad day in the car. She looked at me like she was trying to understand why I was looking at her, but then her lips curled into a wide smile, showing off her teeth, and she made her way towards me in fast movements, almost excitedly. As she got closer my heartbeat grow faster and

"Look who we got here!" Ricciardo, it’s been years.’’ She said, with her precious, teasing smile.

"You still have that teasing blood in your veins, huh?" I said, trying not to make it too obvious that my heart was pounding.

‘’ You look good.’’ She said. Not even trying to answer my question. Her gaze was watching me carefully, like she was trying to memorize something about my features.

"What are you doing here though?" I said, literally wondering how our paths had crossed in this place after years.

"Oh, I applied to be the manager of Charles last year after finishing my major, and somehow I got lucky, and now I am here. Jason, Mom, and Dad literally manifested me to be here. “It was almost like music to my ears to hear her naive and excited voice and see her gestures while talking.

‘’ Jason! How is he? How is your family doing? Tell them I said hi next time you talk with them.'' I said that while I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, she was literally the definition of pure beauty.

"Oh, he is okay; he is working as an engineer at some company in NY right now, and mom and dad are in Australia, living that retired life you know." She said, smiling and winking at me in her last words.

‘’ I am glad, Zahra, so glad. It was so nice seeing you, you know. You look amazing. I mean, you were then too, but now—I said, then, regretting the words that I came up with, I bit my lip and tried to avoid the heat that was coming up to my ears. Ricciardo, the man of flirts, was unable to bring the right words together.

‘’ Thank you, Daniel; you look good too; you were then too, but now you've grown up; how old are you now, 33? It was nice seeing you too.” She said, waiting almost five seconds between her sentences.

‘’Yes, I am 33; it must be nice to be still in your 20s; enjoy it while it lasts, I said. For the first time that afternoon, I managed to say something that really sounded like Daniel.

‘’Oh, okay, okay, old man, I gotta go; see you around, huh?’’ she said before acting to get back to the Ferrari paddock. I completely forgot that I was hungry, sweaty, and disappointed after that little interaction.

‘’ Zahra.’’ I almost yelled her name, hoping I didn’t sound so desperate. She turned around while she was on her way back.

"It was nice seeing you."

She smiled and waved her hand before starting to walk again.

I was a wreck but in so many ways.

Zahra’s pov

As I made my way back, I had a huge smile on my lips. To finally see Daniel after he left Australia to become a driver was refreshing. Daniel had always been my comfort person. I remembered the days we were sitting on the dock of the bay, eating ice cream, talking for endless hours, swimming, and teasing. Those were all such good memories to remember; to see his charming smile used to be enough for me to blush right away; he was the meaning of the word ‘’ comfort ‘’ . Charles and Carlos were in the middle of shooting a video for Ferrari’s page, and no one seemed to be inside. Since it was a hot, sunny day, I preferred to sit outside with the other paddock members of the Ferrari, taking a deep breath before grabbing myself an espresso shot. It was a nice day indeed. It was a very nice day, according to my heart, which felt like it was being ripped out of my chest.

Daniel's pov

After the shower, during the shower, in the team meeting, while listening to Lando, even when I was about to take a break from my thoughts to go to sleep, the talk we had was the only thing that didn’t leave my mind. The way she smiled, the way her cheeks were flushed red with the heat wave, and the way she talked and looked beautiful even without trying I didn’t know what was happening to me or if I felt this way towards her before, but this was different. A totally different case and the last thing I knew what I was doing at midnight in bed was to write her name on Instagram’s search bar. I thought maybe I could give her a follow, to not lose the touch between us; I knew she wouldn’t understand it wrong rather, I thought she’d be happy that we found each other again after years. As I clicked on the user, I could feel my heartbeat growing faster again. Her birthday photos, Paddock photos, and mirror selfies were smelling like the summers that we used to spend in Australia, the beautiful and matchless summers.

I was about to leave my phone since I had to wake up early tomorrow for the big race when I clicked the follow button without even considering it for a second. Then I took a deep breath before wrapping myself in sheets.

[fluentmoviequoter]

Sleepwalk

Pairing: Victor Vale x reader

Summary: Eli finds an EO that can travel into people's dreams and decides to pay you, the one person Victor Vale cares about, a visit.

Word Count: 5.3k+ words (I'm on a roll with long fics that no one is reading lol)

Warnings: spoilers for Vicious by V.E. Schwab, canon-typical violence, description of fights and injuries, Eli touches the reader w/o consent (not sexually), angst, fluff, time skips, Victor calls reader 'sweetheart.' There are two points that I left open-ended if anyone is interested in another part. I think that's all!

A/N: Here is my first Victor Vale x reader fic! He is likely OOC, but I would like to keep writing for him and try to capture his character better if anyone has any requests! Please let me know what you think!!

Masterlist Directory | Victor Vale Masterlist | Request Info (OPEN)

Yesterday Morning - Merit

“No, no, no! Stop. Please. Don’t shoot me; I’ll do whatever you want,” the EO begged, a gun pointed at his forehead. “I can do something. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

Eli inhales deeply, dropping the gun to point to his chest. “Fine. What can you do? Twenty seconds or less.”

“I can travel to dreams,” he rushes out. “Like, if you fall asleep and have a dream I can come into your dream and do stuff.”

“How would that help me?” Eli growls, raising the gun to his neck. 

“What I do in the dream affects the dreamer.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning if I say something, hurt someone… kill someone, it really happens. They remember, they have the wound, they don’t wake up.”

Eli weighs his options as the gun stays steady on the shaking EO. 

“And I think I could take someone into the dreams with me.”

Eli smiles and drops the gun to his side. “Now that is promising. You’ll do anything, you said? Excellent.”

10 Years Ago - Lockland

Victor Vale doesn’t have friends. He does have you, though. Every Tuesday, you meet in the library and spend the afternoon together, when you can, you get lunch together, and despite his determination not to, he cares about you. 

“You’re leaving again?” Eli asks as Victor heads toward the door. 

“Yep, that’s the joy of a standing date, Eli,” Victor explains sarcastically, “it’s always standing.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get dinner. Why?”

“I’m hungry.”

Victor stops with his hand on the doorknob, sighing as he invites Eli to come with him. He knows he’ll regret it, but it’s too late. 

“Hey, Vic!” you greet, standing from your seat to hug him before he sits down. 

Victor hugs you a little tighter than usual but pulls back quickly. “This is my roommate, Eli,” he introduced you.

Victor clearly doesn’t want to share one of you, and you assume he’s likely closer to his roommate than you. Eli extends his hand to shake yours, and when he raises your hand to kiss your knuckles, you have an overwhelming urge to run as far as you can from Eli. 

“Nice to meet you,” you say, awkwardly smiling as you pull your hand back. 

“So, how do you two know each other?” Eli asks, sitting beside you in Victor’s usual spot. 

Victor sighs and sits across from you, ignorant of Eli’s hand resting too comfortably on your thigh. You squirm in your seat, trying to make room between you, but Eli stays too close. 

“We just crossed paths one day,” you answer with a shrug. 

You glance toward Eli and suppress a shiver at the look in his eyes. It’s like there’s nothing behind them, like his attitude and humanity are part of a mask covering a monster underneath. His hand moves on your thigh, and you can no longer resist the original urge to never see Eli Cardale again. 

“I just remembered that I have a test tomorrow and I need to go study. I’m gonna go,” you say, standing from your seat. 

“Good luck. See you around,” Eli responds, his practiced smile nearly blinding you. 

“Maybe,” you whisper as you walk behind Victor, heading quickly toward the door. 

“I’ll walk you out,” Victor says as he stands and walks to your side. Once Eli is out of earshot, he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” you say, trying to convince yourself as well as Victor. 

“Sorry about him. We still on for Tuesday?”

“Always. Don’t bring Eli, though?”

“Didn’t want to today. See you then.”

Last Night - Esquire Hotel

The hotel room has been quiet since Victor and Mitch left. Staring at the ceiling, you embrace the silence and avoid falling asleep.

“What did you do while Victor was in prison?” Sydney asks quietly from the neighboring bed. 

“I just lived a normal life,” you answer. “Finished my degree, got a job. I stayed in touch with him though; we wrote letters after he got out of solitary.”

“When did you join him and Mitch, then?”

“I knew he was going to break out. Happened to be in the neighborhood at the time and fought my way back into his life. It was easier than I thought it would be.”

Sydney took a few quiet breaths before asking, “Do you love him?”

You smile at the ceiling as you confess, “Yeah, I do, Sydney. I know we’ll never be more, but I love him regardless.”

“I think he loves you too,” Sydney whispers before falling asleep. 

You hope she’s right, although you’re content to have Victor anyway you can, as long as you have him. When Sydney’s breaths even out and grow quiet, you slip out of the bed and walk to the couch in the living area. 

You haven’t told anyone that you’re not sleeping. When the nightmares started, sleep seemed like a privilege rather than a necessity. No one knows about the repetitive dreams where Eli kills you. The nightmare has been the same for weeks, but every night you have it, it gets harder to wake up. Looking out the window, you wonder where Victor is and if he’s okay. 

“You okay?” Mitch asks as he walks inside, followed by a silent Victor. 

“Yeah. Everything go well?” You ask, turning toward them on the couch. 

“As well as it could. Goodnight.” Mitch walks down the hall, and your eyes meet Victor’s. 

“What’s going on?” Victor asks as he sits beside you, his arm resting across your shoulders as you lean into his side. 

“Nothing,” you lie. “Just couldn’t sleep not knowing if you’re safe.”

“Thanks for staying with Sydney.”

“It’s not a problem. She’s great.”

Victor grumbles like he doesn’t quite agree with you, and smiles as you elbow him. 

“Go get some sleep,” he whispers before standing. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight, Vic,” you respond, your heart racing at the pet name, no matter how many times he has used it. 

As Victor disappears down the hallway, it begins to rain, and the fight against sleep becomes impossible to win. 

Last Night - Merit

“Distance doesn’t matter?” Eli confirms. “Perfect. Because I don’t know where she is.”

“But you know who she is, right? Her name?”

“Of course I know her name. I have a feeling I know who she’s with, too.”

“Okay. Then let’s try this. What’s her name? And, any chance you have an idea what she’d be dreaming about?”

Eli smirks as he says your name. “And if I had to bet, she’s dreaming of Victor Vale.”

One Week Ago - Outside Merit

You haven’t slept in three days. The nightmares have become more violent, and waking up gets more difficult every time you close your eyes. Eli not only kills you, but now he hurts you first and threatens the people closest to you. Victor is always the first to be mentioned. You know it’s just a nightmare and more than that, you know you should tell someone. But Victor is too focused, Sydney would get far too upset, and Mitch would tell Victor, so you’re keeping it to yourself. Someone will die before you tell Victor: Eli or you.

Last Night - Merit

“It depends,” the EO answers slowly. “If she has a very good memory of what he looks like, yeah. But if not…”

“She knows what he looks like. We’ll be lucky if she’s not dreaming about him now,” Eli assures.

“So, you want to go in first. Then you want me to come in, disguised as her memories of…”

“Victor Vale, yes.”

“Say someone will stop you when you’re ready for me,” the EO says before gripping Eli’s shoulder and causing everything to grow dark.

“You got it,” Eli answers.

Eli blinks and suddenly finds himself in a dark room, a body strapped to an exam table as the person fights against the restraints. He gets close enough to see who it is and smiles, glad he decided not to kill this EO.

“If it isn’t Victor’s little friend,” he taunts as he walks further into the room.

You try to move away from him, but the straps hold your ankles and wrists firmly. Eli steps to the table, looming over you.

“I never understood why you went for Victor. I mean, I was right there.” You flinch as he rips a piece of tape from your mouth and demands, “Let’s hear it, what made Victor better than me?”

“For one he’s not a psychopathic serial killer with a god-complex,” you snap at him.

“Shh.” He brushes your hair out of your face as he shushes you and says, “Those rumors are so hurtful.”

“Rumors?! You tried to kill-”

His grip falls to your neck as you try to move again. “Silly,” he breathes lowly, “you can’t leave me this time.”

His hand leaves your neck as he runs his fingertips across your face, then down your shoulders and arms. He stops at your wrists and traces the straps holding you.

“I always thought you’d be able to come to your senses and see that I’m better. See that you should be with me. Victor is incapable of love; you’ll never get back what you’re giving him.”

“And you are capable of love? You’re crazy, Eli,” you counter.

“I am capable of more than you know,” he answers darkly. He looks at the wall and smiles as he looks back into your eyes to ask, “What do you think your friends would think if they saw us together?”

“I hope they’d kill us both,” you mumble.

“That can be arranged. Care to take us somewhere new?” Eli asks, smiling as the setting changes.

“You didn’t kill him,” you say. “You’re using him.”

“Oh, I planned to kill him,” Eli promises, faux sadness on his face. “But he made a counter-offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“What’s his power?”

“I’ll take this as confirmation Victor figured out my deal with the Merit Police Department.”

He looks to the side, and you turn your head to follow, gasping as you see Sydney asleep in the bed beside you. You don’t feel awake, but if he’s actually in your dream, he may be in hers too. To protect Sydney and Victor, you may have to play along with Eli’s delusions.

“Hey, I’m right here,” Eli says, framing your face with his hands as he directs your eyes back to his. “Your friends deserve to meet the guy worthy of your time, right? Then let’s give them a show,” he says as he traces his thumb over your lips.

He pushes you down against the bed and sits atop your thighs so you can’t get up. His hands hold your shoulders down as he smiles at you.

“I’ve dreamed of being with you since we met,” he admits.

“And killing me?”

He cocks his head and nods as he says, “That too. Anyone who can get close to Victor Vale has got to be a monster. I’m helping you, baby.”

“And who made it your job to kill monsters?”

Eli pulls a knife from his pocket, twirling it before pushing your shoulder down again, the blade flat between your skin and his.

“I’m going to make sure everyone knows that you are mine,” he growls, moving the knife off your shoulder. “Where should we start carving?”

You see Sydney move in your peripheral vision and hope she doesn’t wake up or join this dream. The knife is in the palm of your hand as you look back at Eli.

“Let everything you touch know whose you are,” Eli calls as he carves something into your palm. 

You bite your tongue to stop yourself from yelling. Eli’s knife drags up your arm, tiny dots of blood rising to the surface as he goes. As he moves it across your collarbones, he applies more pressure, leaving a long streak of blood.

“Maybe one above your heart?” he asks, balancing the tip of his knife against your shirt, directly over your heart. “Actually, we’ll save that for last.”

He moves the knife over the length of your torso, watching the blade rather than you.

“Eli,” you say through the pain.

“Yes, baby?” he responds, giving you his full attention. He drops the knife onto the bed beside you as he looks at your face.

“Can you take me someplace else? Where there’s no evidence of Victor?” you ask, trying to play into his delusion to get him away from Sydney and Victor.

“Where?” he asks, tilting his head.

“What about Lockland, where we met?”

“Where you met Victor?” he asks, his eyes darkening.

“No, no, I want to go back to where I met you.”

“Victor was there that day.”

“Then let’s find a place to make our own,” you say.

Eli leans forward, kissing you roughly as you cross your fingers that no one walks in. You kiss him back, trying to distract him as you move one leg out from underneath him. As he pulls back, he bites your lip harshly, adding to the amount of blood on your body.

“We’re not going to Lockland. We can find another place to be ours,” he says, swiping his thumb across your bloody lip.

He looks up suddenly, seemingly noticing that you are not alone in the room. “Clever girl,” he says, smirking down at you. “We’re not leaving now.”

Eli raises the knife and plunges it into your side. You yelp as it punctures your skin, then bite your tongue. Tears leak from your eyes, but you remain silent as you watch Sydney roll over. 

“Go back to sleep, Syd,” you beg, whispering under your breath.

“You’re much prettier when you’re bloody,” Eli praises as he traces your face with his finger.

“You won’t get away with this, Eli.”

“You mean I won’t get away with killing you either?” Eli asks, playing dumb. “Who will stop me?”

“You know who.”

“Me?” Victor asks as he pushes the door open and walks in.

“Vic,” you sigh, relieved that this nightmare is finally ending.

Victor approaches the bed and looks at you over Eli’s shoulder. “What did you do?” he asks.

“Made her prettier,” Eli answers with a shrug.

Eli holds your shoulders down as he stands. When you remain still, watching Victor, Eli releases his grip on you and steps back. Victor leans over and looks into your eyes.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

“No problem. You are missing a few things, though. Eli was never as thorough as he should have been.”

“Victor? What are you doing?”

He picks up the knife and holds your shoulder, just as Eli had, before saying, “Finishing the art.”

“Victor, please,” you beg, tears streaming down your face.

“You’re pretty when you cry.”

“Please don’t do this.”

Victor doesn’t respond before the knife presses into your thigh, and you scream.

Last Night - Esquire Hotel

“Please wake up!” Sydney yells, shaking you, her current roommate and best friend.

She takes a few steps back, breathing heavily, and turns on the lamp. As the light turns on, Sydney notices blood on the sheets and starts to panic. The only time she’s woken Victor up, she was met with pain, but that doesn’t matter now. She runs to Victor’s room, crying as she enters.

“Victor,” she calls as she steps inside.

He sits up quickly, his pale brows furrowing as he sees Sydney breathing shallowly and crying. He jumps out of the bed and rushes to stand in front of her, holding her shoulders as he bends over to look into her eyes.

“What happened?” he asks.

“She- she-” Sydney stutters, unsure what to say. She’s covered in blood and not waking up? She looks… gone?

Victor immediately knows who Sydney is referring to: you. 

“Wake up Mitch,” Victor demands as he walks into the hallway. “And stay with him!”

Victor rushes into the bedroom you are sharing with Sydney, the blood immediately catching his attention. He gently pulls the blanket and the sheets down, noticing the number of wounds littering your body: your side, your leg, across your collarbones, and down one arm. As he checks the wounds, more begin to appear.

“Sweetheart, you have to wake up for me,” he says gently, raising a hand to your neck to check your pulse. Your heart rate is elevated but steady. When he feels you move under his hand, he whispers, “C’mon, wake up. Come back to me.”

Footsteps sound as someone walks down the hall, and Victor turns to see Mitch standing in the doorway, with Sydney peeking out from behind him. No new wounds were appearing, which could be good or bad, but Victor was more concerned with waking you up and stopping the bleeding.

“Get her out of here, Mitch,” Victor says as he looks back to you.

Mitch ushers Sydney back into the hallway, holding her as she cries.

“Sweetheart, don’t do this to me,” Victor whispers, fighting his own tears.

You move, and Victor’s head jerks to look at your face.

Last Night - Merit

“That was… exhilarating!” Eli cheers before collapsing on the couch, not even looking at the EO’s still body.

“Are you going to do something about him?” Serena asks, gesturing to the unconscious man in the chair across from her.

“As soon as he comes back,” Eli answers, pulling his gun from his pocket and laying it on the table.

“How’d it go?”

“Excellent. Should’ve seen her face when ‘Vic’ walked in.”

“Is he going to kill her?”

“Absolutely not. She needs to be there to watch Victor’s reckoning,” Eli answers.

The EO gasps as his eyes open, raising a hand to his racing heart as he says, “She fought me. She kicked me out of her mind because she knew I wasn’t him.” He looks at Eli and asks, “What didn’t you tell me?”

Serena flinches as the gun discharges the bullet, effectively silencing the rambling EO. Eli stares at the bloody wall behind him.

“I don’t know. Maybe our dear Victor Vale did his own experiments on her,” Eli finally answers.

“Or there’s more to her relationship with him and this guy messed up, so she knew it wasn’t real,” Serena offers. Eli rolls his eyes, and Serena demands, “Think about it.”

Last Night - Esquire Hotel

“It’s okay,” Victor soothes, pushing your hair out of your face, “we’re done for now.”

“Why are you doing this?” you ask through your tears.

“Because we have to, baby.”

Victor would never call you baby, and as you look at him, you realize you’re still asleep. You begin fighting to wake up, forcing yourself to open your eyes. The room around you grows darker and then disappears.

You blink, and you’re back in the room at the Esquire Hotel. Victor is kneeling beside the bed, staring at you, and Sydney’s bed is empty. You hear sobbing echoing in the hallway but don’t take your eyes off Victor as you move backward, away from Victor, tensing in pain.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Please,” you beg, allowing your eyes to close.

“Sweetheart,” Victor whispers.

You open your eyes and find his, noticing the tears on his waterline as he lays his hand on your bed, palm up.

“Vic?” you ask, unsure and uneasy.

“Yeah, I’m right here, sweetheart.”

You lunge forward, off the bed, and wrap your arms around his neck. You don’t care that you’re getting blood all over him, and he doesn’t seem to either as he wraps his arms around you and leans back.

“We need to stop the bleeding,” he says quietly in your ear as he brushes your hair back.

“Just one more minute?” you ask into his shoulder.

He nods against you and looks toward the door before dropping his forehead to your shoulder. It doesn’t seem like much time passes before he sits up and gently pushes you back.

“Can you sit back so I can look at you?” he asks gently, keeping a hand on the uninjured side of your waist as you lean back against the bed.

“Where’s Sydney?” you ask as he lifts your shirt to see the knife wound.

“In the other room with Mitch.”

“Is she upset?”

“Yeah. She came and got me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Other than the obvious pain you’re in, are you okay?” Victor asks.

“You’re numbing the pain,” you tell him with a small smile. “I’m as okay as I can be.”

You tell him about the dreams as he cleans and bandages your wounds. When you explain that this one was different and that a version of him was there, he clenches his jaw and stops touching you. 

“You’re the reason I woke up, Vic. Thanks for always calling me sweetheart,” you say, running your fingertips along his forearms, showing him you’re not scared of him.

As Victor helps you stand after finishing the last bandage, Sydney rushes into the room and hugs you, mindful of your injuries. While you assure her that you are okay, your hand begins to throb despite Victor’s numbing. You shake the hand and try to ignore the sensation, but you keep thinking about the feeling of Eli’s blade. When Mitch and Sydney go back to sleep, and Victor is busy improving one of his parents’ books, you peel the bandage back and see that there isn’t a mark on your hand.

Midnight - Falcon Price Project

Detective Stell takes Eli into custody while Victor hides in the shadows, watching. Mitch, Sydney, Dol, and Dominic left to find a safe place to wait before meeting everyone else. Somehow, all of the planning, all of the deaths, and all of the crazy plans worked out, and everyone made it out alive.

On your way to meet at the predetermined point, you pretend to be a distressed passerby and tell the police things about Eli that no random citizen should know. No one seems inclined to question how you learned this information. Serena is gone, and they’re willing to listen. As you answer a question, Eli is escorted past you and smiles when he locks eyes with you.

“You will be mine,” he growls.

Your hand suddenly begins bleeding at the sound of his voice, and you shove it into your pocket, escaping the construction lot and finding Mitch and Sydney. While you wait for Victor, you grip the inner lining of your jacket in a poor attempt to stop the bleeding.

“Everyone alright?” Victor asks as he approaches, the keys to a stolen SUV hanging from his fingers.

“Yeah,” you answer, along with Sydney, Mitch, and Dominic.

“Let’s go, then.”

As you step toward the sidewalk, Victor wraps his hand around your exposed wrist and pulls you into his chest. His arm wraps around your back as he looks down at you and asks, “Are you really okay?”

“I am. Are you?”

“I’m fine. Eli will get what’s coming to him.”

He moves his hand down your arm, freezing when he feels warm liquid pooling in your pocket. Looking into your eyes, he pulls your hand from your pocket.

“When did this happen?” he asks, ripping part of your jacket and wrapping it around your palm.

“It just started bleeding a few minutes ago, when Eli said something to me. But he cut it in the nightmare last night,” you answer.

“Vic, we need to go,” Mitch calls from the driver’s seat.

“Syd, get in the backseat,” Victor says as he helps you into the middle row and sits beside you.

The ride is silent as Mitch drives to a safe house Victor remembers from his time at Lockland. He checked the property records, and it was still abandoned, the perfect place to lay low. When Mitch parks in front of the old house, Victor pulls you out of the car before Mitch turns the ignition off. He finds a bedroom with an en suite and places your hand under the cold water as he digs around in the cabinets for a first aid kit.

“It’s an E, isn’t it?” you ask, looking at Victor. 

He doesn’t answer, wrapping your hand before pulling you into his chest and hugging you again. You cry in his arms before he leads you to the bed and pulls you to sit with him.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he says, rubbing your back. “I won’t let him hurt you again. I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” you sniffle, looking down at your lap. “He- in the dream he said everything I touch will know I’m his. Then tonight he said I’d be his.”

Victor raises your chin with his finger, looking into your eyes as he says, “You’re not his. You’re not anyone’s. That’s your choice.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Vic,” Mitch says, standing in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt. We’re short a bed.”

“You guys take what we have; we’ll figure something out,” Victor responds.

Mitch nods, and you send him a small smile as he walks out.

“I’ll go sleep on the couch,” you offer, standing up.

Victor doesn’t let you get up, his hands grabbing your waist and pulling you closer to him as he says, “Stay here.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Sweetheart, stay here.”

After - Somewhere Safe

The following morning, you wake up in Victor’s arms, the scent of waffles filling the room.

“Morning,” Victor says behind you.

“Good morning.”

As you exit the room to help Mitch with breakfast, Sydney waits in the hallway.

“Can I talk to you?” she asks quietly.

You nod and follow her down the hall, sitting on the bed in her temporary room as she closes the door.

“What do you want to talk about, Syd?” you ask as she joins you on the bed.

“My nightmares stopped,” she tells you.

“That’s good.”

“Have you- are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” You smile and take one of her hands as you answer. “I was having nightmares too and something really weird happened with that one; Eli was actually in the dream, somehow. But my nightmares are gone now, too.”

“That night when you were dreaming, I tried to wake you up and you weren’t responding. Then I saw the blood and I was so scared,” she rambles, tears building in her eyes.

She hugs you, crying into your shoulder as you hold her, rubbing comforting circles on her back.

“I’m not going anywhere, Syd, I promise.”

You look up and see Victor standing in the hallway. You nod, telling him she’s okay, and he walks away.

“Can you do something with me today? Something normal,” Sydney asks as she pulls back.

“Name it.”

“Make cookies?”

You smile as you say, “Of course.”

Victor and Mitch leave to tie up loose ends, so you spend the afternoon with Sydney. You bake cookies, make hot chocolate, and watch cheesy movies. She seems like a new person at the end of the day, hugging you goodnight and walking down the hall as you finish the dishes.

After you put the last dish away, you walk back to the living room to sleep on the couch. 

You don’t notice Victor standing in the doorway until he asks, “What are you doing?”

You jump, ignoring his smile. You answer, “Sleeping on the couch.”

“No. Let’s go,” Victor says before turning and walking away.

You follow him into the bathroom, sitting on the counter and watching his face as he peels the bandage off your hand. He tells you it looks better before replacing the dressing with a new one. Your eyes stray to your palm while he works, the clear ‘E’ a permanent reminder. You sniff as you suppress a sob, tired of crying and feeling weak.

“Sweetheart?” Victor asks, halting his movements as he looks into your eyes.

“It’s always going to be there, Vic. I can’t get away from him. Since the day I met Eli, he’s been…” you trail off as you remember everything you kept from Vic: Eli’s unwelcome touches, his constant advances, and how scarred you are (inside and out) from the nightmares.

“What did he do?” Victor asks quietly. You shake your head, so Victor raises your hand, half-bandaged, to his lips, gently kissing your knuckles as he says, “You’re not tied to him. You’re better than him, and you’re strong enough to overcome this; all of it.”

“Do you remember that day I met him in the cafeteria?”

“Yeah. You had the good sense to get out of there.”

“He touched me. Sat way too close and put his hand on my leg.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Victor asks, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of your hand.

“I thought he was your friend and didn’t want to ruin that. Every time I saw him after that he asked me out or made an advance of some kind. I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“You couldn’t have known, Vic. It’s fine. I dealt with it the best I could. At least now I know why he did it.”

“Why?” Victor asks, stepping closer as he moves his hand to your waist.

“He thought I was yours. He couldn’t stand the thought of you having something to care about, to care for you. He can’t care about or love anyone, so he didn’t want to either.”

“He thought I cared about you, so he tried to take you for himself to get you away from me? I didn’t know he had that kind of… anything,” Victor repeats before saying something under his breath and squeezing your waist gently.

You look at him with furrowed brows, silently asking what he said.

He sighs before whispering, “He was right.”

“You did care about me?”

“Do care. More than care. You’re the only thing I’ve ever loved.”

You smile at him before leaning forward and kissing him, your hands raising to his jaw as his arms wrap further around your waist, pulling you closer. You pull back to catch your breath, and Victor returns his attention to your hand.

“I can take the physical pain, no problem. But all I can do for the other pain is be here for you.”

You flinch away from him as your hand begins throbbing again. Victor turns the dial in his head, but your face stays pinched in pain. Pulling your hand back, you remove the bandage and look at your hand before looking up at Victor. You slip your wrist and show him the clear skin across your palm.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” you say.

“I can’t. Something else must have happened.”

“The EO?”

“Eli wouldn’t have kept him alive this long.”

You nod as you look back at your hand, curling and uncurling your fingers with no pain. Victor smiles before lifting you from the counter, setting you on your feet, and directing you to the bed. He kisses you once more before you go to sleep.

When you wake up before Victor, you walk out onto the balcony and enjoy the quiet morning, hopefully, the first of many. A warm chest presses against your back, and you lean against him, Victor’s arms circling your waist as he rests his chin on your shoulder.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he greets, kissing your neck.

“Good morning,” you respond, turning in his arms to properly kiss him.

You pull back when the door opens, and someone gasps, your eyes meeting Sydney's as she asks, “When did this happen?!”

“Last night,” Victor grumbles. “Do you mind?”

You lightly slap his arm, and his eyes stay on yours as he apologizes. 

“About time!” Sydney cheers as she walks back inside, Dol following.

Mitch walks by the door and smiles as he agrees with Sydney, looking at you to say, “I told you.”

“Told you what?” Victor asks.

“He said you care about me,” you answer.

“I said you were in love with each other!” Mitch yells from inside.

You smile at Victor as you confirm, “I’ve been in love with you since Lockland.”

“I’ve been in love with you since I laid eyes on you,” Victor responds.

He kisses you again, and you feel complete, even if your situation is viciously weird.

[saltysideblog]

Trust <3

Tek Knight x OC Drabble

Summary: Part two of two. The falling out.

Warnings: Canon typical violence and sexual themes

Part one

divider by: @ plutism

Cancer is a bitch.

Supe cancer is a bitch on steroids.

Tek Knight has given up. He's here for a good time not a long time and he's going to indulge in every horrible whim that crosses his mind. A lot of it crosses the line for Lovebug.

Drugs, liquor. Those are to be expected. Anything to numb the pain.

He increases his visits to the Tek Cave, bringing in more and more people, more victims to feed his insatiable desire....

He gets rougher, harsher, ignores safewords...

Breaks bones. Pierces skin.

He can't turn it off... it's affecting their work life too.

But Lovebug holds out hope.

She's still desperately searching for a cure for him, to try and save the version of him she loves. He gets upset with her because he is dying and she's everywhere else but by his side. She would rather be anywhere else, she can't even look at him anymore. He snaps at her,

"You're never home."

"This is hardly home anymore."

"Why don't you fuck off and go then?"

She's taken aback every time with how cruel and angry he's gotten. She senses no regret.

"Why don't I do that?"

Elijah clears out her office and conveniently, the very next day three files filled to the brim with hospital pamphlets and Lovebug's meticulous notes appear on Tek Knight's desk. He regrets it now, but it's too late. When they cross paths again, he tries to act like nothing happened, like they're old friends, but she doesn't know this man...

They're both looking into the same murder at a meat packing plant and he spots her across the yellow police tape, interviewing a cop. He tries to act cool and "bumps" into her. She can tell he's horny already. He suggests they compare notes,

"Maybe over coffee? I know this great little place right by the-"

She stops him, trying to keep it light, "Like I'm gonna let you steal my scoop."

No. Take a hint.

He leans in, putting on his most dashing smile and playfully tilting her notebook trying to get a peek, "C'mon... for old time's sake?"

"No."

He gets a bit angry at the rejection,

"You still want me."

"Physical reaction to stimuli has nothing to do with desire. You know that."

There's a long pause before he speaks again, quieter this time,

"I uh... I talked to that Turkish doctor."

The one from her files.

There's a glimmer of hope in her eyes. At the very least, he's making conversation, which is more than can be said about his obnoxious flirting.

"And?"

"He's a fraud."

Damn.

He can see the hurt in her eyes, the way they dim. "I assume he's dead now?"

He smiles sheepishly,

"You assume correctly."

She nods. There's another beat of silence. They watch the crime scene investigators move about the place. He doesn't look at her when he says,

"I miss you."

She sighs, "I miss you too."

His hand reaches for hers, but she's already gone. He stands alone awkwardly, trying to play it off, looking at his watch.

Just checking the time... what little he has left.

[mooshkat]

Rules: Post your favorite line or passage from as many of your published works as you’d like. Let yourself feel proud of your creations! Tag as many people as you post snippets, so your fellow fic friends can be proud, too.

thank you @chaotictarlos for tagging me ♡♡ we're gonna ignore that it's saturday now i haven't been on tumblr much today

for if i'm going down, i'm taking you with me | John Wick with a splash of Romeo and Juliet AU | written together with the beloved @thebumblecee ♡

Do it, TK wants to tell him. He wants Carlos to make the first move again, to prove that everything from that night wasn’t a mistake he regrets. Please, just do it.

There’s a stutter in Carlos’ breath as he glances down at TK’s lips before looking into his eyes again. Even before, when they were more up close and personal than they’d ever been, he’s never seen Carlos this vulnerable.

The candlelight flickers and glows around the spiked halo TK put on Carlos’ head, making him look truly as Holy as a Saint. TK feels like he’s temptation personified, ready to make this angel in front of him fall from grace and into sin.

This moment is one he doesn’t want to break. It’s something to hold and cherish, a fragile thing that can shatter with one wrong move.

oh, take me back to the night we met | A tragedy puts a halt on TK's wedding, and things aren't exactly as they seem with Carlos.

"TK? What's wrong?"

His husband grabs his face gently with both hands and pulls him close to press their foreheads together, his bottom lip trembling. He looks devastated, like something terrible has happened.

Carlos grabs onto one of TK's wrists, the ache in his chest growing, getting sharper by the minute. "Tyler, you're scaring me."

A broken sob shatters from TK's chest, and the tears in his eyes finally slip down his face. "I wish you would wake up, baby. I miss you so much. I can't—I can't do this without you. I don't want to live in a world without you."

Carlos freezes. It feels like someone has dumped a bucket full of ice water over him, chilling him to the bone.

"...What?"

each brave step forward, i take three behind | A temporary firefighter at the 118 brings chaos down on Buck and Ravi.

The alpha’s rage slams into Buck like a brick wall. He stands firm, barely holding onto the control it takes to not flinch, fists clenched at his sides. “Look, man. Whatever issue you have with them, take it up with their insurance company.” The man tries to go around him, but Buck steps into his path again. “Buddy. Don’t do anything stupid that would get the cops involved.”

As he looks toward where Athena is already watching and ready to make her way over, Buck is grabbed. He rips his arm out of the man’s grasp and tries to take a step back, but a heavy, calloused hand lands on the back of his neck and squeezes.

A yelp tears itself from his throat as his knees threaten to buckle underneath him. The rage practically soaks into his skin, surrounding him and leaving him feeling like fire ants are crawling all over his body. His heart pounds in his chest as he fights back against the instinct to cower.

“Get the fuck out of my way, you omega cunt.” The man shoves him away and tries to continue on his warpath to the ambulance, but he is quickly restrained. He thrashes against Bobby, Athena, and another cop, who suddenly have a hold on him, still shouting obscenities.

desire's burning (your hands are sweating) | Buck steals Tommy's hoodie and finds out just how much Tommy likes seeing him wear it.

Buck goes to take the easy way out, his hand reaching for his cock to jerk himself off, but Tommy's hand is lightning fast at snatching his wrist.

“Uh-uh,” he tuts, raising a brow. “You get off on my thigh or nothing else, baby.”

He pouts but doesn't try to pull out of his grip. Buck can't help but stare at the way Tommy's hand wraps around his wrist, his fingertips almost touching. “Is this punishment for the picture?”

Both of Tommy's brows raise this time, a common look when Buck says something that surprises him. He licks his lips before answering. “Do you want it to be?”

“I…” Buck can't stop taking in every part of his boyfriend. His heart is racing in his chest, and he swears his cock is throbbing with need in time with it. “I think that's something we should talk about when I'm not horny out of my mind.”

The corners of Tommy's eyes crinkle when he smiles. “Deal.” He squeezes Buck's wrist lightly before letting it go and masking his face in indifference again. “Try again. You can brace yourself on my shoulders if you need to.”

tagging: @thebumblecee @cowlos-reyes @birdclowns @brasscacti @prettyboybuckley @paperstorm @safeaswrites @blessedbucky @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut and you 🫵

[chaggie-supporter]

Sunday special:

|PT.2: CLOCKTOWERS|

After what felt like hours, I finally made it to the bright clocktower. And boy, was it even bigger up close. Some people were gathered around the tower, some watching it with anxious looks, while others going about their day advertising, selling, arguing and fighting. It seemed the tower was the in the center of a square, much like ones on earth, with so many people that you can barely walk. Some were holding flyers and shouting out advertisements, Some buying the latest technology, others buying... 'merch'. Yeah, no thank you.

Some people were watching fights go down, betting on the winner. While others were walking around with glowing chains around their neck, following others that I can only describe as a creature that if you were to ever see, you would regret everything you had ever done that lead you to see it, so vile, rotten and most of all; utterly terrifying. I watch as they make others around them shake and cower in fear. I do not go anywhere near them, only watch from afar.

There are also multiple flyers stuck to the tower, advertising different services, places or jobs. I grab a few different flyers, 1 off the clocktower, one off a blue, eel-man hybrid looking person. Then, I look for a space to sit and take a look. I consider alleyways, but they look quite sketchy, and who knows what lurks in the dark.

Eventually I give up looking and take a seat with my back against the golden clocktower, and begin reading the first flyer from the nice gentleman.

" The Vees need you!"

Alright, who are the Vees?

"Have you ever wanted to become a famous face in hell? Well good news, the Vees are in need of some new hires! Maybe you could become an outfit designer or modeller for Velvette, and invent and wear the latest style before anyone has seen it!"

No. Definitely not. Not my style at all.

"If that isn't your strong suit, maybe become a famous film star for the great Valentino! Become famous within a few productions with amazing pay, and free housing!"

Movie star eh? Now that much more down my road. I could act.

I'll consider it.

"Or, the best option, you could become a new producer for one of Vox's many TV shows! Film the news, record lines for VoxTec's finest programs, and much more! Come, and become a member of the Vees today!"

TV director? That one would be tough. I mean, I can barely hold a pencil still, never mind a camera. Gonna be a hard pass from me. But still, movie star. Maybe.

I look up for a moment, and notice I'm getting quite a few stares, due to just sitting there, not fighting or selling or advertising, and it's quite awkward. But I push on, and look st the next flyer, the one from the clocktower.

" Hello you wayward sinners! Are you sick of damnation and wish you could become a heavenly being? Well now you can! Come to the Hazbin Hotel! The mislead pathway to heaven, founded by the daughter of lucifer, Charlotte Morningstar!"

Wait, so the daughter of hell itself is trying to work sinners into heaven? Why?

"Watch as she tried to get through her daddy issues by fixing you!"

Ah. There's the answer.

"Here we offer fun things! Such as half functional staff, specialised rooms, and 24 hour cleaning services from our lovely maid and dear friend, Niffty! Enjoy riveting conversations with our guests! We even have a walking, talking, spear welding guard dog! Wow! Come meet yours truly, the Radio Demon!"

Who us the radio demon? Do I want to even find out?

"All this and more st the Hazbin Hotel! Your misguided path to redemption starts here! Come now!"

A hotel, for getting into heaven? I'm skeptical.

But, do I have another way of getting out of this place?

No. No I don't.

So I could give it a try. But wher- ah.

"007 uptown, pentagram city, pride"

Uptown. Where's uptown? Like literally, upwards in this town? Can't be. But it's worth a try, I guess?

Just as I stand up, the clocktower rings 4 times, meaning either 4pm, or am. It's hard to tell down here, but I assume pm.

The clock also really hurt my ears with how close I was to it. Nonetheless, I get up and stretch my limbs out, before starting the walk in the only direction I can describe as 'up' which quite literally slopes upwards.

It also happens to be the direction of the other massive building I had seen earlier on that morning.

How long will I have to walk before I get answers? I walk through the streets again, they all look the same, honestly. Red, fire, drugs, alcohol. It's like they're the key words of this place. What a great place to be, am I right?

After another hour of walking, I finally see it, and actually, I feel stupid for not seeing it earlier. The other big building I had seen earlier, has a sign on top that, in big, bold, giant letters, reads: "HAZBIN HOTEL'. Like, wow. How stupid do you have to be to miss that one. I continue my journey to the building, hoping and begging on every last peice of my soul, that it isn't a scam, or worse, a way to lure people into God knows what. Anything seems likely down here.

I reach the so called 'Hazbin hotel', and brace myself for what is to come behind this door. Then I take a big, deep breath and

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

[weirdozjunkary]

Golden heart [a SATBK au fic] chapter 10 (end)

Finally here we are. The climax, and sadly, the ending to it all. This was a fun ride, and surprisingly, my first multy part fanfiction. Thank you all for tuning in to read this story, I hope you had a blast reading it. Take care, ill see you in the next post!

Chapter1 Chapter9

Chapter 10- Time Trials

The sun had long set beyond the horizon a long time ago now, leaving the sky an inky darkness that was only separated by speckles of starlight, caught amongst the tall trees that aggressively swayed and writhed from the wind that the two blue hedgehogs were creating. The elder one had trouble keeping the pace as his younger self chased after him. He wasn’t used to running this fast.

“Blue please stop!” Sonic called out. “Let’s talk about this!”

“Stay out of this, Sonic! This doesn’t concern you!” The king yelled back.

“It does when you are about to do something that you’re gonna regret!”

The king raised the sword and slashed off the thick branches of the trees along their path, trying to block the hedgehog from running further. The blade sliced through them with ease, it only took one strike before each branch fell onto the path with a heavy thud. The branches barely slowed Sonic down as he jumped, swerved and dodged each falling branch. He wasn’t going to let anything stop him.

“Sonic please! Whatever you are planning to do, it’s not worth it!” Caliburn pleaded. 

“Be quiet!” Blue said through barred teeth. “I already was stick of your nagging! I don’t want to hear more!”

Tailing behind the speedy hedgehogs was the black knight Lancelot and sat atop his shoulders, the blacksmith Miles. The knight struggled to keep a steady fast pace. He was fast on his own, but the twin hedgehogs were faster, especially without something on their shoulders. It didn’t stop him from racing on despite the extra weight he was carrying. 

The hedgehogs left the forest and into open fields. The ink blackness of the sky fading away as the stars shone bright as ever. It would’ve been a beautiful night any other time. Sonic called out to the king, he wanted to fix things. Things would be better if he just stopped and talked. The king wasn’t interested in talking. 

Fed up, Sonic ran his fastest and stopped just a few feet away from the king. “Come on Blue! Can we just talk about-“ The king didn’t stop, he ran at top speed towards the blue hedgehog, raising caliburn out to strike. He missed, thankfully, but only by a hair. Sonic watched as Blue continued to run towards his goal. And judging where he was running to, his goal was not something good.

Sonic furrowed his brow. “Guess I have no choice!” He spun and launched himself into the back of the king, falling to the ground. The king still didn’t let go of the sword.

Blue stood himself up, using Caliburn as a crutch. His legs shook as he struggled to stand again. It’s been ages since he ran like that. He swung his leg at the second blue hedgehog but missed him by only inches. He swung his leg again, and again at Sonic, attempting to strike him somewhere, anywhere. The king was fast, and Sonic could keep up just as well. 

“You are such a nuisance!” Blue cursed.

“Heh, thank you! Being a nuisance is my specialty!” Sonic ran to the king and reached for the blade.

The king held it up high and struggled to push Sonic away from him. “I told you that this doesn’t concern you!” 

“And you should know that I NEVER back away from someone in need! And I know you wouldn't to!”

Blue growled. “If you won’t leave… THEN YOU WILL PERISH!” His leg slammed into Sonic's body, tossing him to the ground. He jammed the handle of Caliburn into his side, creating a loud and painful yell to come out of him. Sonic held his wounded side as the King kicked him over again. 

He gripped his fist tight as he walked off, speeding up the further he got from his young double.“I don’t need your pity…”

Sonic got up onto his knees and groaned. That was the hardest he’d been hit in a long time, he forgot what it was like to have the wind kicked out of you. 

“Sonic!” A young voice called out.

“Are you alright?” A deeper voice called after.

“Miles? Lancelot?” Sonic noticed. “What are you doing here?”

“Following, to make sure that the king won’t do something stupid.” Lancelot growled.

Sonic stood up and stretched his back. “Yeah, I’ve been trying to talk to him, but he’s not listening to me. And I don’t think he’s gonna listen to you either.”

The knight nodded. “I know. But-“

“Don’t worry! I’ll do whatever it takes to knock the sense back in him! I have to try!” Sonic put his hands to his hips. “I just need to figure out what he’s planning on doing before he does it…”

“… He’s going to the volcano..” Tails said.

“What?”

“There’s a volcano not far from here. It’s lava is so hot it could melt even the densest materials…. He’s going to destroy Caliburn!”

“WHAT?! THATS CRAZY!”

“That has to be it! Something happened to him back then with Caliburn, he must think that getting rid of him would fix things!”

“Well he’s not gonna do that on my watch!” Sonic spun his legs around. Revving up before dashing away. “I’ll get him to stop! No matter what!”

“Sonic! Wait!” Lancelot called out, but he was already across the horizon. Too far and too fast to hear anyone.

…

He was already at the base of the volcano, a gigantic hill that hid burning hot lava in its center, waiting for the right conditions to burst its fiery contents onto the forests below, destroying the foliage and the people and animals that lives in it. The magma inside of it felt all too familiar. He was the volcano. The king clenched the sword in his hand. Maybe for a moment he second guessed himself.

“Blue.” Sonic stopped a few feet away from the other hedgehog. He didn’t give him so much as even a glance. Sonic gave a deep sigh. “Come on, let’s talk about this. Just… talk…”

“What else is there to say?” The blue king stepped along the steep path.

Sonic grabbed the kings hand, preventing him from progressing further. “Please, Blue! I want to help you! But I can’t do that if you keep shutting people out!”

“Then stop trying…” the king glared at the blue hedgehog. He ripped his hand from his grasp and moved up the side of the volcano at the speed of sound. Sonic followed after.

The two hedgehogs bickered and tussled, grabbing and pushing at each other. It was only slowing the kings quest to the top. He wasn’t going to let some younger and more naïve version of him from another world stop him. He’s never going to stop. Something that he and his younger self had in common. 

“Blue please!” Sonic cried out in desperation. “Do you really think that DESTROYING caliburn is going to fix things?”

“STOP ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW WHO I AM!” He struck sonic in the face and sent him tumbling a quarter ways down the volcano. He was quick getting back onto his feet, and Blue was just the same getting up to the top.

He stared through the mouth of the volcano, down at the white hot bubbling lava. It was the entrance to hell. Or maybe, the final circle of it. Despite the heat emitting from the lava, the king felt ice cold. His body shook. His hands shook. He struggled to lift caliburn up, extending him over the glowing hole. His fate was coming, and if he had a body he would be breaking out into a cold sweat. 

Blue stared into the swords’ eyes. His green eyes, despite how dull, shone through his brow. His expression was firm, and it could only be described as frustration or anger. His hand was firmly attached to the sword. Perhaps he didn’t want to let go. Caliburn didn’t say anything. He didn’t know any words that would deter this hedgehog from the things he was considering. Or the fate he was bringing him to.

“Blue! Please! Just stop!” Sonic panted. He finally caught up with the king.

“Why not?!” Blue snapped. “Everything- EVERYTHING is because of this thing!” He addressed caliburn like an object. “He was the cause of ALL OF THIS! The magic that’s inside of him- if I hadn’t used it, none of this would be happening!” He gritted his teeth, baring his gums. He gripped caliburn even tighter than before. “The magic of Excaliburn corrupted me… turned me into a monster that I can never forget. I was filled with rage and sadness… I needed everyone to feel my pain.”

“And why did it change you? Why did Excaliburn bring out the worst in you?”

“BECAUSE MY FAMILY IS DEAD! THAT IS WHY, SONIC!” The yell pushed all the air out of his lungs. “MY MOTHER, MY FATHER, MY UNCLE… THEY ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF THAT TYRANT! They were so kind… they pushed me to be who I am… and now they are NOTHING BUT ASH!”

“Even so, would they want you to be like THIS? A shut in, sad and pathetic, about to kill one of his friends! Is that what they pushed you to be?”

The king struggled to hold back his tears, his throat throbbed and burned and he struggled to breathe. He bared his fangs at Sonic and resisted the urge to scream at him. He needed to scream. His body shook again.

“I don’t know what you’re feeling, but it’s okay to feel these things. Excaliburn may have gave your emotions a physical form, but they aren’t who you are deep down, I can see that.” Sonic took a single step towards the king. “Blue, I know you want everyone to be happy. You want good things to happen. You want everyone to be free to do what they want to do. I’m like that to.”

“But the sad truth is that there is always gonna be someone, or something that’s gonna try and stop you from doing that. That’s why you need to step up and show the world who’s boss! You’re a good person, Blue. Please, put down Caliburn and let’s just talk. Okay?”

The king stared at sonic in his calm eyes, his own were sharp. Trying to stare daggers into the younger hedgehog that looked like him. He acted so much like him, full of positivity and hope for others, so naieve. No, he wasn’t naieve. 

He knew just as well of the horrors that could come, and yet he persisted in staying his sickeningly optimistic self. He was just like him. He was him. They were each other. Both of them were just as likely to be the one in front of them as likely as they were to be themselves. 

The hedgehogs broke eye contact and drew their attention to the fox, who stood not far from them. He didn’t look angry or upset, he was determined. He looked at the king through firm eyes, only then, now, the king finally softened.

“Go away, Miles…” He squeaked through his throat.

“No” Miles said flatly.

Blue put a hand over his face, tilting it away from the fox. “You shouldn’t see me like this… I don’t want you to…”

“I know, I don’t care.”

 “…why…?”

“You’ve done bad things, I know. But I don’t care about that. They don’t define who are are! You are a kind person, Sonic. A kind person who’s helped so many people.” The fox walked up to him. “The whole reason you’re king is because Caliburn chose YOU! He chose you because he knew you were a good person. You’ve done so many selfless things for others, I can’t even count! You are King Arthur because you DESERVE to be!” He chuckled. “I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.”

Blue glanced his tired eyes at the ground. “How do you know it wasn’t a lie?”

Miles raised a brow, then shook his head and sighed. “I don’t. But it doesn’t mean that what I’m saying ISN’T true. I think you are the best person alive! Youre someone who's very important to me!” He reached up and took the kings hand and held it in its own. He smiled. “I love you, big brother.”

Tears streamed down Blue’s face as the emotions inside of him burst open like water from a broken dam. He collapsed to the floor and sobbed, dropping Caliburn to his side who continued to stay silent. Miles wrapped his arms around the king and let him sink into his chest. He sobbed and cried and whined, letting out years of built up emotions of pain and regret, he was so sorry. So sorry about everything.

Sonic picked up Caliburn and sat on a rock not far from them, his eye caught Lancelot standing a bit of a ways down the mountain. This wasn’t his business to be in, but he didn’t want to leave them completely alone. Sonic rested his cheek against his hand and smiled. 

“You are a lot like him.” Caliburn finally spoke. 

Sonic chuckled. “What? The king, or mister dark and brooding?.”

Caliburn laughed. “You know who I mean.”

Sonic returned the laughter. “Yeah I know.”

“I am surprised, though. That you do act like him, when he was younger. But you are from somewhere different. Somewhere where none of this exists. It’s like you came from his past.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just this good in every timeline!” He winked.

“I see you also have his ego…”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Sonic.” The dark hedgehog appeared in front of him. “I wanted to say that even if you’re actions are extremely reckless… thank you, for doing it.”

Sonic raised a brow. “You’re thanking me? For screwing stuff up?”

“I know I haven’t been the best host to you, none of us really have been. But I am glad you came here, and I am glad you helped the king. Hopefully things will be much brighter now. The king, and the kingdom.”

Sonic grinned widely. “Heh. It’s no biggie. I do this stuff all the time!”

Lancelot shook his head and smiled and Sonic returned it. 

“You know, Lancelot. When I first arrived, I thought that everyone was just a version of my friends. Ya know, just putting on a costume with a slightly different backstory. But I know that’s not the case now. You may look like them, but you aren’t them, you’re different.”

“How different am I to your friend? I believe his name was ‘Shadow’?”

Sonic chuckled. “Well for starters, he’s SOOOO serious about everything! He’s the guy to ask questions later. He calls ME a hazard, yet the times I’ve met him, he’s the one looking for trouble!”

“He sounds… interesting.” Lancelot said with a brow raised.

“Perhaps he should take lessons from you, Lancelot.” Caliburn said.

Lancelot shrugged. “Perhaps.”

The young fox came towards them. His and the king hands were locked together tightly like two pieces of a puzzle now united. The king looked tired, not like how he used to though. He was tired from crying, expelling all his energy into the fox that was much younger and smaller than him in comparison.

“… I’m sorry for what I’ve done… and what I’ve tried to do.” Blue said sorrowly. “I understand if you think less of me. But now ill be better, for everyone. Ill make up for the hurtful years I've caused.”

Lancelot scoffed. “you don't need to, because I never thought of you liked that.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I knew back then you weren’t yourself, and I know now that you weren’t in the right mind either.”

Blue smiled, relieved at his comment. Lancelot smiled back, but just as quickly it turned into a smug grin. “Though, I hope that something like that doesn’t happen again. I don’t want to run all the way down to the town to grab the Fox, just so you can stop whining.”

“You remember I’m your king, right?”

“Of course. Why else do you think I said those things?”

Blue couldn’t help but laugh at that, and the others soon joined in. Even though the sun had long set, things felt brighter. There was no weight of the word, no weight of guilt. Not anymore, not ever for the time to come. Things were okay now. Finally. They were. Okay…

[END]

[kfkr1ze]

[002-A28] Stand by “ME”

Summary — ✈︎ Akuta unexpectedly receives a failing grade. The other students desperately try to tell their teacher, Sakujiro, about Akuta’s strengths, but…

Characters— ✈︎ Sakujiro, Akuta, Ushio, Nanaki, Muneuji, Kiroku, Kafka

Location: Hama Asunaro High School Community Revitalization Club Room

Kaede: Eh…?

Nanaki: …He failed?

Ushio: ………

Muneuji: ………

Kiroku: ……Wh……

Akuta: ーー Eh, I failed?

Everyone else passed, but me?

… Wooo～ow.

Muneuji: Sensei, I have to disagree with your grade here.

Akuta: …Muneuji…

Muneuji: I tried applying Isotake’s actions throughout the trip to the grading criteria you laid out, and I came to a different conclusion than you have.

Sakujiro: Oh? A student assessment is it? That is quite impudent, but I will allow it. May I ask how you came to this conclusion?

Muneuji: Neither being a candidate for a Ward Mayor nor the study trip were ever something I truly wanted to do, butーー

After getting caught up in Isotake’s excitement, I ended up participating anyway. Though there are times I do regret this…

However, whenever I was given a task, I managed to complete it thoroughly. In fact, I went beyond expectations.

I was able to fulfill my role and grew passionate about this too. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to have fun like this.

Even whenever he made funny faces on the nights I couldn’t sleep, I ended up enjoying myself.

Nanaki: Saku-chan-sensei, can I say something too?

… Personally, for a while, I started to get annoyed with people. I felt myself not caring what happened around me anymore.

But… Whenever I saw Akuta. Whenever I saw just how stupid, reckless, and idiotic he wasーー

I felt like the things I was worrying about were just pointless. I just looked like an idiot trying to act nonchalant. 

When I saw him, I thought that it’s okay to show more ugly sides of myself. It’s okay to keep interacting with people. It’s okay to not give up.

And it’s even okay to eat convenience store omurice by putting natto on top of it like I saw him do a while ago…!

Akuta: Natto-omu's good as hell…

Nanaki: He’s the one who made me think all those things. So I don’t agree with your grade either, Saku-chan-sensei. 

Kiroku: Isーー …Isotake… accepted my weird tastes… in my art and… aesthetics… He never… hated me…… for it…

And… unlike me, who… couldn’t even finish… my lantern… Isotake… heーー

…He never… gave up…!

The… reason the… festival was…… successful… was because… he carved out… his own path… with all of his… own power…

He even… wore the…… same T-shirt… for 3 days… in a row……

Akuta: I uh, didn’t bring enough clothes with me…

Kiroku: …I wouldn’t… be able to … do any of that… myself…… he’s amazing…

Sakujiro: …I see. You all seem to have thoughts about this. I understand.

Is there anything you would like to add, Kurama-kun?

Ushio: ………

Akuta: ………

Ushio: I dunno. Not gonna lie, nothing’s coming to mind right nowーー

Akuta: Whaaat!

Ushio: He’s completely egoistic, entirely stupid, and definitely cringe.

He’s dumb, and I don’t understand half of the shit he says. He’s just acts like a complete mess, butーー

I don’t think it’s a bad thing to let a kid do the best he can as a kid.

Akuta: … Hey, are you sure that’s a compliment?

Ushio: From the bottom of my heart, with my whole being.

Sakujiro: ーーAre you finished?

Ushio: ………

Sakujiro: Is there anything else you all would like to add?

Muneuji: There’s still something. …I’m just, in the middle of calculating it right now.

Nanaki: Umm… There’s that one thing. …Y’know… that.

Kiroku: ………

Ushio: Yeah, I’m done. 

Can’t think of anything else. We should just give up.

Akuta: ーー…… Ah… I see…

Well, that’s that. If there’s nothing, there’s nothing.

Everyone, thank you for looking for things to say! I love you all. …You too, sensei.

ーーThen, I’ll just go now.

Kaede: W-Wait! Akuta-kunーー

Sakujiro: …Kuku…

Kaede: Sakujiro-san?

Sakujiro: Kukuku… Hahaha…

Sakujiro: AAHHAHAH! FUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Kafka: ………

Akuta: Eh… Uh, what happened…?

W-Was it a bad idea to leave right now, or…?

Muneuji: Have you gone mad, Karigane-sensei?

Kaede: (Sakujiro-san, your true colors are coming out… You told me before you tried to act pretty normal at school, but…)

Sakujiro: Utterly correct! It is far too early to leave, Akuta-kun! Sit down! Or you will find a piece of chalk flying directly between your eyebrows!

Akuta: Awawawah, O-O-O-O-Okay!

Sakujiro: Everyone, listen closely.

Although I have a purpose in life, I do not possess a dream.

Unlike all of you young people, I do not have sparkling dreams, hopes, or passions.

Not when I was the same age you were. Not before that, and not after that either.

Howeverーー

Whenever I heard Akuta-kun’s 100% egoistic speech at the festival, with his straightforward and honest thoughts…

I felt a sudden shock that spread throughout my body.

For the first time in my life, I learned firsthand that I could experience another human’s passion. Something I was sure that I would never experience myself.

To put it simply, I felt as if it was the phenomenon known as having something “touch your heart”.

One of the primary jobs of a Ward Mayor is to “connect” others to a region which they have no connection to.

Placing this passion into people traveling to another region allows for a stranger to feel as if that place is like a second home to themーー One of our primary goals is to make others feel this passion. 

Therefore, I have added a new grading criteria.

“Preacher of Passion”

Isotake Akuta-kun, for that talent you possess, I shall award you 10,000 points in that category, and I shall endorse you to be the Noon Squad’s leader.

What do you think, Young Master?

Kafka: ………

Akuta: ………

Kafka: Approved.

Kaede: ………!

Akuta: …Seriously?

………

Akuta: Yーー

All 5: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Location: Hama Asunaro High School

Akuta: Well, my place is this way, so…

Muneuji: Alright.

Akuta: ………

Ushio: …Are you gonna go, or?

Akuta: Yeah, it’s just… I kinda don’t wanna leave, y’know? It’s a weird feeling!

Kiroku: ……That’s… rare…

Muneuji: ………

Nanaki: Now that we all passed… I can’t help but feel like we did something bad to the egg.

Kiroku: ーー……

Akuta: Aw, c’mon, cheer up! I’m sure it’s living it up at some pretty ocean lady’s house!

Nanaki: Y-Yeah, right! The shell was really strong, remember? I’m sure it’s gonna be fine. Okay?

Kiroku: ……Mm……

Ushio: …Well, Muu-chan and I live over here, so. See ya.

Muneuji: Wait a moment.

Ushio: Hm?

Muneuji: …I have something I would like to tell you all.

Akuta: Ehh, what is it, what is it? Your tone is all serious all of a sudden,  what’s up?

Muneuji: I remembered something after listening to Oguro-san’s explanation. On that day, at the old school building…

I saw the principal there.

Ushio: Eh?

Nanaki: Are you sure? Why would the principal be at the old school building?

Muneuji: I’m not sure either. At first, I thought that he may have been doing some late night patrolling.

However, remember how the news reports on that day say no one was injured? At the time, I thought that the principal somehow managed to escape, just like the rest of us did.

Since the principal still gave that speech online at the closing ceremony that took place after the incident. But, if you can recall…

On that day, he gave his speech with his camera turned off the entire time. It was audio only.

Kiroku: …That’s… true……

Nanaki: So, you think he has something to do with the egg?

Muneuji: Yes. Not only that, but also that mysterious slime stuff we saw and Ohno’s disappearance.

Nanaki: …Right. Ohno-kun… They still haven’t found him yet, have they.

Akuta: Ugh～ If only I was able to get good footage of that night, it could’ve been used as evidence…

Kiroku: … T-There’s a chance that… You might’ve…… seen wrong…

Ushio: Muu-chan’s eyesight is really good, and he can see well at night. Plus, he definitely doesn’t lie.

Nanaki: But, logically, there’s no reason for the principal to go all the way to the old school building just to bring some slime and alien eggs or whatever, is there?

Muneuji: ………

That’s true, I could be mistaken. Maybe I’m just being overly suspicious of him.

However, I felt it was better to let everyone know. …All I ask is that you keep it in mind.

Nanaki: Got it. Thank you for telling us.

Kiroku: …nk you…

Akuta: ーーAlright! Now that that’s over!

There’s no point in lingering here forever! I’m getting super hungry, so let’s go home!

Nanaki: ‘Kay. See you guys tomorrow.

Kiroku: ……Bye…bye.

Muneuji: I will see you all tomorrow.

Ushio: Let’s go, Muu-chan.

Previous — ✈︎ Masterlist — ✈︎ Next

Notes — ✈︎

This is the end of Part A !! Thank you all for reading ! Part B is releasing now!

[liviavanrouge]

Comfort

Livia: *Stands up, her ears flattened back then snarls running forward*

Deuce: Huh-

Ollie: LIVIA-

Livia: *Hisses at the beast then slashes it's eye, leaping around and landing on its back sinking her teeth into it's neck, her nails clawing it's face*

Chimera: *Throws Livia off, running away*

Vil: POTATO CUB!!

Livia: *Stands up, her eyes wide as boulders fell towards her*

Trey: *Rushes forward and grabs Livia dodging falling debris*

Livia: *Twitches and trembles, her eyes wide*

Deuce: What's wrong with her-

Trey: Shock, everyone keep their distance or else she's gonna die for sure..

Epel: Huh-

Vil: She won't die, Trey is trying to scare us so we'd back away

Deuce: Oh....thank sevens...

Trey: You all go tell the Headmaster about the chimera...

Vil: What about-

Trey: I got her...

Livia: *Chews on her nail, her eyes wide*

Trey: That can damage your nail and the skin..

Livia: A monster....

Trey: Chimeras are known to be monsters but we spooked it-

Livia: A m-monster

Trey: Liv, it's gone now, everyone is fine, we're all safe

Trey: You're-

Livia: *Curls into herself, covering her head* -A monster...

Trey: *Stares at her then lays on his side beside her, propped up on his arm* I've heard of monsters in storybooks that my siblings would have me read to them...I know for sure that you are not one of those monsters...

Livia: I attacked the Chimera, I could've did something I would've regretted, my species are born to be evil, everyone always says that

Livia: I attacked that poor animal when it was our fault because we spooked it, I-

Trey: -saved everyone

Livia: *Looks up, tears falling to the ground*

Trey: Everyone is born with innocence, that innocence withers away as we begin to age, as we find ourselves, as we experience and witness things good and bas

Trey: *Looks away* Growth is finding yourself, you must grow into something more than what people paint you as

Trey: Only people, people like you, like me, like Vil, like Riddle and the others....we decide for ourselves what we are, we can define our own path....to choose which path we should take

Livia: *Stares at him, flicking her ear*

Trey: Whether you are the shyest of people, the most brave, one with such great leadership, a good guy or a bad guy...hero or monster.....

Trey: Everybody has their own choice, their own path, own mind, soul and heart...

Trey: *Looks at her* Do you....want to be like your fellows...

Livia: No...

Trey: Then how are you a monster....how are you like them?

Livia: The chimera...I should be called a monster-

Trey: Livia, you're no monster, you have the power to control your own future, your heart, mind and body....you can control your own path

Livia: *Looks down*

Trey: *Lifts her head* You control your heart, mind, soul and body......you control your path

Livia: *Stands up, stumbling slightly*

Trey: Hm?

Livia: A-Are we gonna go? We gotta catch up...

Trey: *Nods and stands up, walking beside her*

Livia: Trey.......thank you..

Trey: Anytime..

Livia: .....can I call you Trey-Onii?

Trey: Of course, can I call you Pipsqueak

Livia: I'd like that...

@queen-of-twisted @yukii0nna @zexal-club