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waywardodysseys · 5 years ago

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Unconditionally - Chapter Three

Warnings: mentions of cheating, cussing, SMUT, oral receiving (m & f)

Word count: 4.2+k

Author’s note: because everyone deserves to be loved unconditionally; part 3 of ?; sorry not sorry for this either; enjoy!!!

Unconditionally: Chp. 1, Chp. 2

Pedro finds you in the kitchen making omelets. He walks up behind you and wraps his arms around you. He brushes your hair aside then nuzzles your neck.

“Smells delicious,” Pedro whispers.

You shrug and smile. “Fair warning, I don’t cook often.”

Pedro’s quiet as he licks a sweet spot.

You sigh contently. You could get used to this. Mornings with Pedro. You frown down at the skillet on the stove – were you really thinking about the future so soon?

You turn around in his embrace. You swallow as you realize he’s shirtless. You bite your lip at seeing his chest in the morning light shining through the kitchen windows.

“See something you like?”

“Yes,” you half whisper, half squeak.

Pedro brushes his lips against yours as he touches your cheek and sweeps his hand through your hair.

You return the kiss as your free hand travels up his chest. His skin is warm, soft. You reach Pedro’s long neck and glide your thumb up it then trace his jawline and feel the prickliness of fuzzy hairs along the strong bone.

The food begins to sizzle in the skillet, but Pedro keeps moving his mouth against yours, his tongue dipping in for more. You give into him, not wanting to let go. Both of you aren’t giving a care to the world around you until the smoke alarm starts blaring its annoying beeps.

You jump back and face the stove, moving the skillet from the flame. You then walk over to the window and open it widely. Trying to move the smoke out of the apartment with a dishtowel.

After the alarm is off and the smoke nearly cleared, Pedro grins, “I want to set more alarms off with you Y/N.”

You turn and face him; you blush as you smile.

Pedro walks over to you and pulls you into his strong arms. “I’ve become a greedy man with you. I don’t know if I can wait a couple of days to see you again.”

“A second date? Tonight?”

Pedro smiles and presses his forehead against yours. He loves the intimate contact between your skin and his, no matter where that contact takes place. “Yes. Tonight,” he pulls away but cups your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin. “Unless you don’t—”

You nod. “I do. I want another date. Tonight. Please.”

Pedro smiles widely. “Good.” He kisses you loudly on the mouth. “How about I pick you up at seven?”

“What about breakfast?” You shrug.

“I’ve had my breakfast,” he says as he places a kiss against your lips.

You blush again, smiling down at the floor.

Pedro places a finger under your chin, raising your head up. “Never be embarrassed mi querida. You’re beautiful.”

“Pedro,” you sigh.

He glides his thumb over your lips. “Remember if I am moving too fast for you, let me know.”

You didn’t want him to slow down. This was still overwhelming, but you wanted him, you needed him in your life. You nod and smile. “I’ll let you know.”

“Good,” Pedro grabs his shirt, which he had to have placed on the counter when he walked in.

You watch him put it on, already missing him and his skin against yours. You follow him to the front door, and he turns to look at you while he puts his coat on.

“Seven?”

“Yes,” you say quietly.

“We’ll go somewhere fun.”

You raise your eyebrows.

Pedro pulls you in for a light kiss. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

You kiss him back then say, “alright.”

“See you tonight, Y/N.”

You rest yourself against the doorjamb as you watch him walk down the hallway towards the elevator. Once he is out of your sight, you turn back into your apartment and close the door, spending the rest of the day gleefully and patiently waiting for seven o’clock.

-------

Pedro walks into his Brooklyn apartment, shrugs off his jacket and hangs it up in the hall closet. You are the only thing running through his mind as he walks towards his bedroom and undresses. He recalls the way you blush at his words, respond to his touches, his kisses. He seared into his memory the way you looked at him with your Y/E/C eyes when he revealed his intentions, revealed he wanted you and only you for the rest of life. No one mattered after he laid his eyes upon you, no one other women could compare to you after he and you shared that passionate kiss under the mistletoe. If he hadn’t restrained himself, he would’ve pulled you away from the party, brought you back to his apartment and had you then.

Pedro doesn’t want to think about the past, but it creeps into his mind. He had loved deeply once and she turned his back on him by leaving him suddenly, with no explanation, no thought about his feelings. Then he learned she was pregnant with another man’s child. She’d been cheating on him, and Pedro had no clue. He had even been planning on proposing because he wanted to marry her.

After that, he closed his heart off to love. He remained focus on his career, his friendships, his family. He eventually came to terms he was going to be alone for the rest of his life until you walked in with your kind eyes, open heart, and gentle soul. You are the answer to the question which plagued him most of his life – will I ever love again?

Pedro knew he was taking an enormous chance, an even greater risk when he told you he couldn’t wait a couple of days for the next date. He needed to see you again, even if it meant the same night, only hours apart. He wanted you to know he needed you, he wanted you.

-------

You are being led into Spin in the Flatiron District at eight by your hand inside of Pedro’s. The ping pong venue is packed with people wanting to get out of their cramped apartments and have a fun night with friends or their significant others. You had visited this place a few times with Kendrick and Will. You push Will from your mind, all you want to think about is the man in front of you and the way he’s beginning to make you feel.

You’d spent most of the day writing after Pedro left. He had become your muse regarding the main male character in your book. You had poured your feelings onto the page and realized those feelings were for Pedro.

You had felt like a closed book your entire life. Not opening for anyone except those you trusted and loved. You had held yourself back when you were younger because growing up you thought you’d never find someone till Will. You had experience with sex but with love that didn’t happen till Will walked in and showed you what love could be and what could happen when you open yourself to having love and being loved. Then Will threw it all away because of a lie he has told and that hurt you even more. It broke you, it crippled you. It nearly ended you…then Pedro appeared, and all seemed right with the world. One touch of his strong hand grasping yours and you felt calm, peace, at ease. You felt the world was giving you a second chance when you had decided it wasn’t going to give you one and let you live out the rest of your days alone.

“Played ping pong before?” Pedro’s smooth voice cuts through the quietness between the two of you.

You laugh, “not since I was in middle school.”

Pedro raises an eyebrow, “then prepare to be taken down.”

You tease, “wanna do a bet?”

Pedro gathers you in his arms. “What kind of bet?”

“I don’t know,” you say as you place your hand on his t-shirt. “How dirty are you willing to get?”

“Mi querida, a tease.”

You shrug, “if you don’t wanna bet…”

“Oh, I do.” Pedro growls lightly before kissing you.

You swallow, “winner gets to pick their choice of room for doing the loser in.” Because this morning, you could’ve taken him in the kitchen, and he probably would have let you.

Pedro runs his hand down your back, “the loser?”

“Loser still gets sex. I mean, technically, it’s a win-win,” you laugh.

“Now I have a serious question.” Pedro states.

Uh, oh. “What?”

“When can the winner claim this prize?”

“Tonight,” you breathlessly say before bringing his mouth down to yours.

Pedro playfully smacks your ass before letting go, “we should get a table before I change my mind and just take you home.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” you say without any warning. Yeah, you wanted him, needed him. He was going to be your demise, and you didn’t mind at all.

“I promised a date Y/N. You are getting one.” Pedro says before pulling you further into Spin.

Sounds of chatter, music, and ping pong balls fill your ears as you make your way through the club. Pedro eventually finds a table tucked away in the corner. You both sit down, and he wraps an arm around you.

“Just got to wait our turn.” Pedro says as he glances at you.

“Drinks? Food?” A waitress asks as she appears.

“Whiskey neat,” Pedro answers.

“Blue Hawaiian.” You reply.

After the waitress returns with your drinks, you order food and settle in to watch the crowd of people milling about in the vibrant, art deco space.

“Tell me more about you.” Pedro whispers against your ear.

“Like what?”

“Your interests, hobbies.”

You take a sip of your mixed drink. It’s your favorite. The alcohol in it seems to give you courage as you say, “big animal lover, love to travel, still take time to read when I can, watch movies and TV shows. Should I say I’ve never seen any of your shows?” You laugh with a tease.

Pedro laughs, “please tell me that isn’t true!?”

You shrug, “I’ve seen Game of Thrones, Narcos, The Mandalorian, If Beale Street Could Talk, Kingsman 2, Equalizer 2, Triple Frontier.”

“You do know Kendrick and I worked on Equalizer 2 together?”

“I do. I would’ve gone to the premiere, but I was stuck down in Australia for a movie I was working on.” You reply.

“Kendrick talked about you that night. First time I heard your name.”

You inwardly groan. “I hope he didn’t paint me in a bad light.”

Pedro shakes his head, takes a sip of his whiskey. “No. He was saying how much of an ass your boss was. And he knew you wouldn’t retaliate; you’d keep to yourself and not push the boss’ buttons. Didn’t want to cause drama so you stayed and finished working.”

Yeah, Kendrick knew you well. You shrug, “I like to keep to myself and mind my own business.”

“Tell me what the ideal night for you would be.”

“Date wise or just by my lonesome?”

“Both. Start with the date.”

“I don’t know,” you shrug. “Probably dinner at home, a night in. Watching a movie or just being in each other’s presence. Me reading, writing. You reading or,” you pause as you look at him. “or you just looking at me like that.”

Pedro smiles widely, his eye crinkle. His hand reaches out and brushes some of your Y/H/C hair behind your ear. “Nice to know I’m already in your mind for your ideal date.”

He was?, you think. He is.

Pedro places a soft kiss on your lips and as he begins to pull away, you pull him back in. Tasting him, tasting the whiskey. Your mind wonders off to thinking if you were both not here and back at your apartment, or his, you’d devour him. You wanted him badly, needed him badly. He was beginning to become the air you needed to breathe, to survive. He was becoming your world.

You pull back, a little too quickly. Your heart is racing inside of your chest. You had never felt a wave of emotion hit this quickly with anyone. Not even Will – with him it was gradual but with Pedro it’s a spinning nosedive.

Pedro palms your cheek, concern in his eyes and voice. “Are you okay?”

You swallow, take a drink. “Yes.”

“I told you if this is too fast—”

Was it?, you think. Your heart is twisting inside of your chest. You close your eyes, trying to clear your mind. You and Pedro were on a second date. Second! Yet this felt more like the fifth, or tenth. Like you two had been together for more than just 24 hours.

“Talk to me. Please.” Pedro whispers against your ear.

You open your eyes and sigh, “I’ve never felt…,” you hesitate, “you’re doing something to me Pedro. I can’t explain it. Yet. But I want to feel it more than anything else. I want you, need you. Yes, this has been overwhelming but with you it’s something I want to experience. Something I want to last.”

Pedro palms both of your cheeks, lifting your face up to his. “You are my answer Y/N,” Pedro grins as you raise your eyebrows, “I’ll explain it one day. I have no intention of letting you go, of letting anyone else have you. I want to be yours and yours alone. I want you to be mine and mine alone. We’ve been given a chance to find someone again and I know my someone is you.”

Here Pedro is bearing his heart, his intentions to you again. You had done the same you realize. You told him you wanted to feel what was happening between you and him. You told him it was something you wanted to experience; you told him you wanted it to last. You look into his coffee colored eyes, notice the crinkles around them. You see the kindness and sincerity in them again, you also see a flicker of love in them. This man is falling for you. Were you falling for him too?

You are once again rendered speechless. Oh, boy. What this man has done to you, is doing to you. He is yours, your heart pumps inside your chest. He. Is. Yours. Now if only you two were in a more private location because you want nothing more than be with him, whether having sex or just holding onto one another. You just want, need to be in his presence. It soothes you; it calms you. Nothing else matters, no one else matters but him.

“Pascal?” A voice cuts through the club and through the intimate moment you two are having.

Pedro brushes your lips with his thumb, “come on mi querida. I want to take you down and have you where I desire tonight.”

You blush and grab his hand, heading towards the section of ping pong tables.

-------

A couple of more hours and drinks later, a giggling you and Pedro are walking out of Spin, not giving a care to other people walking on the sidewalk. Pedro pulls you towards the curb and into his arms.

He hails a cab and gets you in the backseat. He climbs in and gives the driver his address then pulls you into his arms again. He rests his head atop yours. “Where shall I have you tonight?”

“You’re just lucky! I would’ve won if it wasn’t for those damn frat boys.” You giggle.

Pedro laughs as he snakes a hand under your coat, then under your shirt.

“Pedro,” you ground out at his touch. He drums his fingers lightly against your skin, causing goosebumps. You close your eyes and hum, then say, “don’t stop.”

He tips your chin up with a finger then glides his mouth over yours. “Never.”

You loop an arm around his neck, your fingers thread themselves through his hair. Keeping his mouth on yours for the duration of the cab ride back to his place.

Once Pedro has you inside his apartment, he pulls you to him, shrugging you out of your jacket quickly. He pulls you up against as his mouth kisses you soundly then his mouth moves down over your jawline to your neck. He finds your sweet spot and suckles at it.

“Pedro,” you say as you make the soft, gasping moan sound Pedro can’t get enough, will never get enough of.

He growls at the sound. “Eres mia.”

Your hands are fumbling at his jacket and pushing it off him. You aren’t sure exactly what he said but you do know mio is mine. “Only yours.”

Pedro removes his mouth from your neck, strokes your cheek. “You are mine Y/N. Eres mia.”

“Yours Pedro. All yours.” You kiss his mouth. “Eres mio Pedro.”

“The only room, only place I want you tonight is in my bedroom, in my bed.” Pedro breathlessly says as he grabs your hand and walks you through his apartment towards his bedroom.

When inside his bedroom you capture Pedro’s mouth with yours, kissing him deeply. Your tongue presses against his mouth and he lets you in. Your tongues dance together as you reach down and lift his shirt up. You part for a brief second as he finishes taking it off. He pulls you close as his lips finds yours again. His hand cups your cheek before he weaves his fingers into your Y/H/C hair.

You hook your arms around his back, your hands landing on his shoulder blades. You move your hands down slowly against his back. Feeling his soft, warm skin against your fingers.

You had wanted to get lost back in kiss since the Christmas party, and now you get lost in it every time he presses his mouth against yours. His mouth fused to yours is a feeling you never want to lose, a feeling you want to experience day after day.

Pedro reaches under your shirt and touches your skin. He wants to give you the same sensations you are giving him with your touch – featherlight which causes shivers to roll across the flesh as the touch sets the body on fire.

He lifts your shirt up; you pull faintly away and help him remove it. He dips his head as he kisses you along your neck. His fingers dance lightly across the edges of your beige bra, his fingers graze your nipples through the material causing you to let out a soft, gasping moan as well as arching your back, pushing yourself up against him.

“Pedro,” you whisper.

He lifts his head and smiles as he glides his thumb over your lips. “Y/N.”

Your hands travel down his chest and stomach as you keep your gaze on his coffee colored eyes. Your hands unbutton and unzip his jeans. You push them down over his ass, revealing his hard cock. You stroke his cock once, your thumb swirling over the tip. You lick your lips as you lean forward and whisper, “I want to taste you Pedro.”

Pedro half hisses, half growls before crushing his mouth to yours.

You pull away slightly and lick his lips before you kiss down his neck. You slowly move your mouth against and down his chest and stomach. You finally kneel in front of him. Your eyes on his hard, thick cock. You inwardly moan as you wrap both of your hands around him comfortably before leaning down and swirling your tongue around the tip.

“Fu—fuck,” Pedro hisses at the touch of your tongue on his cock. He rocks back on his heels as he feels your mouth engulf his entire length slowly. He looks down at you and brushes your hair away from your face as his entire length is inside of your mouth and the tip hitting the back of your throat.

You begin moving up and down his cock slowly. Your tongue swirling around his cock, from the bottom over the top back to bottom. You repeat this motion over and over until you reach the tip, when you do you swirl your tongue around the tip.

“Y/N,” Pedro grounds out as his hands tighten in your hair.

You keep moving your head up and down, your tongue back and forth. Swirling the tip with your tongue.

“Y/N!” Pedro hisses.

You smile as you release his cock from your mouth. As you stand Pedro pulls you against him and reaches behind you, unhooking your bra.

“On the bed,” Pedro moans as he backs you up against it.

You fall back, throwing your bra aside, and Pedro scrambles to undo your pants. He pulls them off, along with your panties, in a hurry. He pushes down his own pants and briefs, kicking them off before kneeling on the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight.

Pedro kisses you down your neck and across your collarbone. He leans up and looks down at you. “I want to taste you too mi querida.”

You moan at the mere thought of his tongue on your clit. Fuck! “Yes.”

Pedro kisses his way down your chest, he pauses to flick each of your nipples with his tongue, causing you to arch your back and your fingers to run through his hair. He palms your core. You’re hot, wet, ready. Pedro moans as he continues moving down across your stomach. He settles himself between your legs as his fingers open your folds, exposing your pink pussy to his eyes. He runs one finger along the folds before dipping his head.

He runs his tongue up and finds your clit. Nothing tastes like you, he thinks. You’re sweet like honey and sugar, nothing else tastes better than you.

“Pedro,” you moan as you finally feel his tongue against your clit. You suck in a breath as his tongue begins swirling around your clit. The orgasm inside of you climbing higher and higher as seconds tick by. “Oh—mmm,” you lustfully moan out. Pedro’s tongue works overtime as he brings you to the peak of pure ecstasy. “Fuck…,” you ground out as your toes curl and you arch your back as your orgasm seeps through you.

You run your fingers through Pedro’s hair as he travels back up your body, kissing your stomach, chest, flicking your nipples. Pedro nuzzles and nips at your neck as he positions his cock against your pussy.

You moan, “yes,” as you feel him enter, then protection for him crosses your mind, “Pedro…”

“I want to feel you around me. Please tell me you are…”

You nod, you are on the pill. “Yes.”

Pedro enters his cock slowly into your soaked pussy. He growls lustfully at feeling your slick walls around his cock instead of the latex of a condom being a barrier between him feeling you around him.

“Eres mia, Y/N,” Pedro whispers as he begins slowly thrusting in and out of you.

Your hands travel up his chest and then to his back where your fingers press into his skin as he begins thrusting faster and harder into you. You’re rolling your hips up, meeting his thrusts, trying to figure out his movements and when you finally do, when you finally become one, you’re on the brink of another orgasm.

“Pedro,” you pant as your fingers keeping applying pressure on his back. You look up and into his coffee colored eyes.

Pedro has kept his eyes looking down at you. Taking in the way you strain your neck and moan lowly at him inside of you. He takes pleasure in knowing he is the one making you cum, giving you endless amounts of pleasure with his cock, his mouth, his hands.

You reach up and touch his cheek, you stroke it lightly with your thumb. Looking at him with lust, looking at him with love. Looking at him and seeing only him, thinking of only him. Thinking he is the one for you. You swallow as you travel your thumb over his lips. He is becoming your world, the air you need to survive.

Pedro slows his thrusts to take in the look you are giving him. That look is for him and him alone. He captures your hand in his and strokes the back of your hand with his thumb. He then kisses your inner wrist, he feels you shiver at the intimate gesture, at feeling his fuzz against the delicate skin along your inner wrist.

“Y/N,” Pedro breathlessly whispers.

“Pedro,” you whisper back before pulling him down for a light kiss.

Pedro smiles as he pulls back and thrusts into you and explodes inside of your pussy. He feels you orgasm as well, feels your pussy milking him as your orgasm around his cock.

Pedro wraps his arms around you as he moves to his side. He pulls you up against him as he nuzzles your neck and inhales your scent. He can smell a hint of coconut and vanilla along with his sandalwood cologne. Pedro’s possessive as he captures your mouth with his.

You kiss him in return, one hand running through his hair while the other is pressed against his chest. You’re able to feel his heart under your palm. His heart is steady whereas yours is still coming down from the pleasures you and Pedro had shared.

Pedro pulls faintly away, runs a finger over your soft and swollen lips. “Y/N.”

You hum and raise your eyebrows as you look at him.

“If someone told me to choose what’s the most beautiful being in the universe it would be you. The sun, our planet, the billions of dazzling stars could never compare to you.”

You heart swells at his words. You’ve fallen headfirst into the deepest ravine, and there’s no chance of you ever wanting to climb out.

#unconditionally #unconditionally chapter 3 #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal x you #multichapter #smut #when you meet your soul mate everything is calm

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tiliamericana · 4 years ago

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Muay Thai: 1.04

Read From Start | Read Ahead | Home Site

It was amazing just how quickly Nairi got used to waking up and finding texts from Cherry waiting for her.

Cherry seemed to be up and on at all hours of the day; she was awake in the morning well before Nairi’s eleven o’clock alarm, but also worked well into the small hours of the night and put in long hours at the day job. Nairi had managed to ascertain that it had something to do with art—Cherry had strong opinions on grades of paper (something about absorbency), colour theory (people were stupid), watercolours (they were bad), and on the one occasion she’d come upstairs had informed Nairi that her walls were driving her mad and that she’d be painting something to stop the encroaching insanity.

When she wasn’t inserting herself into Nairi’s life she was sending Nairi pictures and selfies with her other friends; grad students with brightly coloured hair, a grinning bartender showing off his flair, baking with a short woman in glasses. And now this:

C: youre closed on tues y/y?? C: which means yourf free tonight right?

Nairi sent her back a quick “yes” and set her phone down before pulling herself out of bed to face the day. Not opening the dojo meant she was able to take a little longer with her morning, but she still preferred to do her prayers before she had to think about anything else, and Cherry was prone to showing up if Nairi indicated she had free time. Which she apparently had a lot more of than she realised.

Maybe she should look for a new style to start training in. This was the first time she hadn’t been focused on a new one since she… Well, for a while.

When she came back upstairs her phone was lit up again. Maybe Cherry had ideas about lunch? It would mean she’d have a reason to go out and eat something.

C: great!! C: dn you wanna come out tonight?? dinner C: on me if i need to sweeten it ;) edies just moved back fr work and if its just me her and nick im go6na die from them being old folks who disapprove all night C: also i keep talking about you at nick and he wants to meet you lol

Nairi had initially assumed ‘Nick’ was Cherry’s father, just based on the way she talked about him. But then Cherry had mentioned her father later, just calling him ‘Dad’, so maybe he wasn’t? Either that, or she was very discreet about their being gay. Or she just went back and forth between ‘Dad’ and ‘Nick’ arbitrarily. ‘Edie’ on the other hand was a name Cherry had mentioned in passing once and then never again, so Nairi had concluded she was one of the colourful grad students. Apparently not.

She sent back a “sure”, and then after a moment, asked for a place and time.

C: yay!! thank you!! C: its this fckn italian place edie loves but theres a ok bar so not all bad C: edies fatal allergic to being on time but nickll be 7 minutes early

The next message was a sticker, a little pair of eyes rolling across her phone screen when she opened it.

C: meet at 7? C: i checked the menu has good veg C: pasta heavy but good :p

Nairi smiled a little at that and sent her another “yes”. After a moment she added a “thank you”. Cherry sent her back three hearts, and Nairi put her phone down to go and get some lunch.

She didn’t think anything of it until she showed up at the restaurant. Cherry had driven and was already parked, leaning against the side of her obnoxious little two door to wait. It was bright red and nearly vintage, and she’d obviously put a lot of care into it. Nairi had half expected vanity plates, but they were a normal registration.

Nairi waved as she approached and Cherry visibly perked up with a wide, glossy smile, waving back. Cherry had dressed up a little nicer—dark skinny jeans and a pretty sleeveless shirt with a modest v-neck. The heavy Docs were gone, traded for heeled ankle boots, and she had delicate pearl bob earrings to match her golden cross. Not a paint spatter in sight.

“Hi,” she said as Nairi drew to a halt just out of arm’s reach. “Didn’t we pick an interesting night to go out?”

“We sure did,” said Nairi, her brow furrowing as she looked past Cherry to the road between them and the restaurant. “What the hell is going on?”

The stretch of asphalt was filled with a flock of young adults, all of them shirtless, yelling along together in an incomprehensible chant as they ran up and down between two unmarked points on the road. They were arguably being directed; a young woman with a reflective coat and a manic grin, holding a megaphone in one hand and an airhorn in the other, was standing on a shopping cart in the middle. Standing next to her on the ground, was another woman in reflective orange with a clipboard.

Judging by the amount of honking and the lack of anything resembling city signage, this wasn’t an official event.

Cherry glanced down at her phone as one of the women held up the airhorn to the megaphone. Charitably she waited for Nairi’s ears to stop ringing before she spoke. “Flo did a round on the facebook pages—apparently it’s some dorm flash mob from a hall at her college.”

“Which one’s Flo? Did she have the blue hair?” asked Nairi as she lowered her hands from her head and gladly pulled her attention away from a panting eighteen-year-old who had something pink painted on his heaving chest.

“Nah that’s Mason, he’s finishing up his sociology honours. Flo has the green hair, she’s doing her psych PhD,” said Cherry, craning her neck to look around Nairi. “Nick’s here! Right on time, like I said.”

She started waving, and Nairi turned to see the tallest man she’d ever seen waving back across at them. She raised an eyebrow, the muscles in her forearms tensing, and she tried not to feel too uneasy about it.

Cherry hummed happily, picking herself up from where she was leaning on the car door and reaching in through the open window to grab a thin cardigan from the seat. “Oh, and just a heads up,” she said casually, “Nick like, really hates it when people call me Cherry, it’ll probably be better if you just use my real name in front of him.”

Nairi opened her mouth to remind her that she’d never actually gotten around to saying what the was exactly, but Cherry was already halfway across the lot towards the man. “Nick!” she called out as she approached, closing the distance and leaning up on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his shoulders.

He said something to her, pausing to hug her back before continuing over to Nairi. He drew to a halt next to her while Cherry returned to perching against her car. “You must be Nairi,” he said, voice alarmingly deep, hand outstretched. “Linden’s told me so much about you.”

Nairi took his hand and shook it once before dropping it, resisting the urge to take a step back once she’d done so. “Likewise. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Nicholas was close to seven feet tall and probably in his late fifties or very early sixties if she was any judge. His hair had landed firmly in the ‘grey’ zone just past salt-and-pepper, though he’d managed to keep rather a lot of it, close cropped in a very standard short back and sides. He had broad shoulders and a carefully ironed shirt that looked worn but cared for. He had a firm grip, muscle swelling ever so slightly in the lines of his shirt, and there was a furrow in his brow that made him look deeply concerned about something.

Though, from what she’d learned being friends with Cherry—Linden—if she were an older adult in her life she’d probably be deeply concerned as well. Or maybe it was the students.

“Do either of you know what’s going on here?” he asked after a moment, nodding at the crowd.

“Youthful hijinks keeping us from our dinner,” said Linden, grinning easily. She’d released some of the tension in her shoulders since Nicholas’s arrival, but at the same time seemed a little more on edge, like she was anticipating something. She took a deep, exaggerated breath, and pushed her hands into her jean pockets. “Do you know what that smell is?”

Nairi exchanged a faintly puzzled look with Nicholas, though his looked a little more exasperated. “Cheap beer?” she tried.

Linden sniggered. “Yeah, we called it ‘Eau de Freshie’ when I was in school,” she said, tossing her head to give the students behind them a speculative, almost mean look. They were still yelling enthusiastically, and she gestured at them. “It’s no longer funny, anyway. How many of these assholes do you reckon I have to beat up to let us get through?”

“I’m sure it doesn’t need to come to that,” said Nairi, her mouth twitching a little at the side.

Nicholas shot her a grateful look. “From the looks of things someone has already called the police, I’m sure they’ll be dispersed presently,” he said with a nod towards a pissed off looking woman standing by the crosswalk, phone jammed up against her ear.

“The cops always take fucking forever,” complained Linden, running a hand through her hair, foot tapping impatiently. “Come on Nick, you actually like, made a reservation and now we’re gonna miss it.”

“Linden I’m reasonably certain the staff can see what’s happening from where they’re standing,” said Nicholas, irritation creeping into his tone. “A little patience will not kill you, please do not start a fistfight with a teenager.”

Linden grinned at him, stretching her arms out in front of her chest. “I’m like, pretty certain the one with the airhorn is at least twenty.”

“Linden.”

“Well, I mean,” said Nairi speculatively, eyeing the students. “All you really have to do is be flashier than them.”

One of the running students fell out of pitch with their friends, and someone complained in her peripheral. A car door slammed and there was the crunch of footsteps on gravel followed by a huff as someone else joined the spectators. Linden turned her grin back to Nairi. “Yeah? You got an idea?”

“Yeah,” said Nairi, stepping up to Linden and reaching past her into the car window.

The other items she wanted were on the front seat, and Linden’s grin only widened as Nairi pulled them out. The baseball bat was wooden and well used, with a long crack threatening to split it clean open and letter stickers in the world’s ugliest font spelling ‘LINDE’ down the length. There was a clean spot amongst the built-up grime under the ‘E’. The bottle of lighter fluid was about half full, and Nairi held the bat out in front of her to squirt the contents over it liberally, splattering the asphalt in front of them as she did so.

She reached around Linden, extending the same familiarity she’d been receiving from her for the last two weeks, and pulled the lighter out of her back pocket.

The bat lit up easily and Nairi twisted it around to hold it upright, offering it to Linden. Linden looked at her, wide eyed, and took the bat. She placed her other hand on Nairi’s shoulder and squeezed it gently. “You get me,” she said with warmth, before throwing her head back and cackling loudly, sprinting towards the crowd of students with the bat raised over her head.

Nicholas, next to her, made a faint, strangled noise. Behind her was a scoff and a loud voice. “Well. I’m guessing you must be Nairi.”

She turned and came face to face with an older woman in a rumpled men’s dress shirt and glasses who was glaring at her. She had red hair, natural as opposed to Linden’s box dye, and it was plaited out of the way to keep her tired face clear. Grey blue eyes stared down Nairi under her stern brow, and she uncrossed her arms to step forward into Nairi’s personal space. She was stocky and only a little shorter, barely having to raise her chin. “Just for reference,” she said, tone acerbic, “If I hear a single piece of news about young adult burn victims in the local urgent care facilities tomorrow? I will track you down and hold you personally responsible.”

She stepped away without waiting for an answer, glare sliding over to Nicholas. “You’re so right, Nicholas, I can see how much of a model presence she is,” she said in a way that even Nairi could read the sarcasm. “You remain a uniquely terrible judge of character.”

She strode across the street in the wake of Linden’s chaos. The students had mostly scattered with cheers and yells, and the girl with the megaphone was doubled over laughing in her shopping cart.

Nicholas was very slowly turning red, staring at Nairi with an unreadable expression. She coughed slightly and spun on one foot to follow the others across the street, trying to swallow her irritation at their judgement.

#serial fiction #series honey tree #book muay thai #104 #lgbt fiction

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youremeimyou · 5 years ago

Text

Old Friends

pairing: Jung Hoseok x reader genre: fluff, comedy, slight drama high school crush au and there’s a Hoseok vs y/n rap battle in there, somewhere word count: 6k warnings: just some passionate kissing, oh and shirtless Hoseok;)

Description: Hoseok is your high school friend that you had a different kind of relationship with. You run into him, after many years and rekindle your friendship. Then he takes you to your high school reunion and claims you as his girlfriend. But it’s only an act. Right?

A/N: EGO IS OUT!! I can’t get enough of it, or enough of J-hope. Hence, this oneshot. I gave this my all and had fun reading it back so I’m hoping it’s not shitty. Pls let me know what you think of it. Also I changed the way I write and reffered to the reader as ‘you’ for this one- idk i wanted to try it. If you guys have prefferences you can let me know. I hope you like it. Enjoy!

It's official, you hate summer. Sure.. school's out, no more chasing after professors or migraines lasting for weeks. But goddamn it it's hot and humid. It's like trying to breathe in a sauna, which you hate. Plus, the sun is like a deadly laser. Normally you love strolling through this street. Glancing at cute little stores and admiring street artists as you walk by. Not today, though. Not while feeling like all the water in your body is gonna evaporate any second.

You notice a little crowd up ahead, a half circle. And the sound of a groovy beat captures your attention. You might've stopped and joined the crowd just for the captivating music, if it wasn't for the torturous heat. In this instance you'll settle for only a glance at whatever show is going on inside that half circle.

That's until you see the street dancer there and you stop dead in your tracks. Someone is crazy enough to dance in this heat. Someone manages to look like the greatest performer alive despite the sweat covering his body and the fact that he's probably about to pass out. That someone is Jung Hoseok.

Before you can do anything else, you realize just how much better he’s become. And he was already an amazing dancer the last time you saw him. Back in high school, that is. Hobi the bubbly, cheerful dancer that dominated talent shows every year. Hobi who you occasionally helped pass chemistry. Hobi who could actually also sing, a fact only you knew about him of all the kids at your school. Because you’d spend most of your time in the music room, usually all by yourself. But one time, you caught him sitting alone and singing in there and after that, he’d visit you every so often. In return, he was the only one that knew you composed songs.

It’s been three years since graduation and your last conversation with him. But right now, he’s standing right in front of you. No, he’s dancing. The music ends in time with his final move and the mini crowd goes wild. As he catches his breath, most people leave money in his hat on the floor. You hope they’re being generous. Rightfully so, that was one hell of a performance.

You contemplate on whether you should say hi or not. The introvert in you decides you shouldn’t but before you can turn around to leave, you make eye contact with Hoseok.

“Y/N?” he asks.

“Hey, Hoseok.”

And he smiles. Despite how exhausted he must be, he gives you a whole cheekbones lifted, classic Hobi smile.

“You were amazing. But how did you not faint dancing in a weather like this?” you ask, smiling back.

“Come to think of it, I do feel like blacking out.” he says in between his panting.

You panic and go closer to him quickly. “I can take you to the hospital-”

“I’m kidding, Y/N.”

Did you maybe miss his mischevous ass? You both giggle.

“How about taking me to an icecream shop to catch up, instead? It’s been so freaking long. If you don’t have any plans, I mean.”

Your plan is going home, opening the refrigerator door and standing in front of it. So they’re skippable for an old friend.

“Let’s go before you deteriorate.”

You take him to the closest icecream shop you know and the shop has great air conditioning, thank god. Hoseok sits down and you feel as though he won’t be able to get up and order. Despite the smiley and bright facade of his, his body seems to be worn out. So, you take the liberty to order for both of you.

As you wait in line, order and wait for them to prepare it, you think about what you wanna say to Hoseok. Regardless of how much time has passed, you notice how you still get a little nervous with him around. It used to be like that in high school, too. You could never really look him in the eyes while he was speaking with you. You wouldn’t be intimidated. You’d just be kinda.. overwhelmed.

You take the cups and make your way to the table. Hoseok’s eyes light up, he seems content with your choice. He also looks better now, the cool air of the shop must’ve helped.

“What’re the odds of us meeting like this? Just on the street?” he initiates conversation.

“Well, I’m not exactly surprised to find Hope on the streets.”

“You remember my stage name?” He looks geniunely surprised.

“How can I possibly forget crowds of people going crazy, cheering J-hooope?”

That makes him shy, you think. With him averting his eyes to the ground. You’d hear those cheers often, back then. Hoseok was known as ‘J-hope’ and his act ‘Hope on the street’ was very popular. Everyone in Gwangju High would come to watch him perform, including you. It really is a bit strange how you ran into each other randomly on a street in Seoul, you think. You both had dreams of moving to Seoul as teenagers and had told each other about it. But neither of you knew if the other actually made it there. Until now.

"Did you move here right after graduation? I remember you talking about wanting to persue music here at University of Seoul." he says with his eyes on his icecream. He remembers your dream.

"Yeah, I had to get out of there. I moved here even before knowing if the university had accepted me. Thankfully, I got in. What about you? When did you come here?"

After he takes a spoon of the good stuff, he takes his eyes off from his cup and connects them with yours. It happens so suddenly that you almost blush. You're able to hold it in, though. Barely.

"I kinda wanted to wait until my work at the dance academy was done. So, after two more years at Gwangju, I finally transferred here, to National University of Arts just at the beginning of this semester."

You're glad to see him not giving up on dancing because he's so talented for it that it isn't like anything you've seen before or after you've known him. When he dances, it's like whatever music he's moving to actually finds form in him. And when he's not dancing, the way he moves around, walks, talks still somehow appears artistic.

But then, you realize you've been staring at him, lost in your train of thoughts. And he must've noticed because one corner of his mouth curves upwards a little, forming an almost smirk. This time, you can't stop your cheeks from turning red. Fuck.. What's wrong with you? It's been years since you've even seen his face. Why the hell did you just turn into a teenager, all over again?

"How's music school? Did you drop any albums I'm missing out on?" He asks and his eyes go back to his icecream. You can breathe normally again.

"I think school is always a pain in the ass. Even if it's about music." is your reply. You both laugh.

"I couldn't agree more."

Normally you have a hard time talking about yourself with others. But when it comes to Hoseok, it's different. Because that kinda used to be your relationship back in the days. Talking to each other about stuff you wouldn't with others.

"I've been working in a studio a friend of mine opened and we're working on some stuff but.. I can't seem to finish anything I start so, no. I haven't really been productive." you add with a frown. There're lots of things you don't like about yourself and being a procrastinator is one of them.

Then, a hand is placed lightly on yours that was resting on the table. It's Hoseok, holding your hand and looking at you warmly. "Nah, I'm still pretty sure we're gonna hear your stuff on the radio, soon." He looks like he geniunely believes that. All you can do is smile back in appreciation.

Time goes by as you talk about all kinds of stuff. You learn he lives at the student dorm but he's not exactly happy about it and wants to find a new place to stay. Also that he's giving dance lessons to earn some extra cash. You tell him about Yoongi, that friend of yours who owns a studio and how he's looking for someone to move in, after his flatmate moved away. You promise to have the two meet each other and see if they can become roomates.

Hoseok suggests to exchange numbers but it turns out both of you haven't changed them since high school, so you both have the other in your contacts. And you say goodbye shortly after, agreeing on hanging out again, soon.

By the time you get home, it's already evening and you're a little hesitant to open up the door and greet your roommate, Namjoon. Because you promised him that you'd watch that philosophical movie you can't remember the name of together. But you were supposed to do that about two hours ago. You decide to just go in and explain how you ran into an old friend and got held up. Namjoon'll understand, right? You go inside but see that nobody's home, so you call him.

"What's up ditcher?" is how he answers the phone and you can't blame him, really.

"I'm so sorry Joon. I wanna make it up to you but.. where are you, exactly?"

"Yoongi's."

"Okay, don't move." You hang up the phone and go straight into the apartment across the hall from yours. Yoongi has already opened the door before you can knock. You make for the living room and spot your roommate there. Just as you're about to explain, you also spot credits rolling on the tv screen and finished popcorn bowls.

"Wow, you watched Waking Day without me?" you complain. And Namjoon is quick to respond.

"It's Waking Life and yes, since you were a no-show."

"But you didn't even leave me popcorn."

"What're you saying? There's some left right here." Yoongi is the one who hands you one of the bowls.

"There are literally only three kernels here."

"Well, that's what ditchers get." Yoongi is just as merciless as Namjoon.

"But what if something happened to me on my way back-" you try the approach of pulling on their heartstrings but both of them whip their necks back and look at you in extreme worry, so you decide not to mess around. "Okay, okay. I encountered an old friend and lost track of time catching up. But maybe we can watch another movie and I'll make the popcorn, huh?" You wear a guilty grin on your face.

"Nope. You should take a seat and tell me about this friend that made you ditch me."

You sit down in between the guys on the couch, but you're facing Namjoon and telling him about Hoseok. Yoongi only sees your back and he's just so done with you, as always.

"You guys have a house exactly symmetrical to mine across the hall. Why the hell are you always here? I know it's not to see me, you're not even looking at me." It's a mix between ranting and whining. Both you and Namjoon know he's doing it to get attention.

"Because your couch is comfier." says Namjoon.

"And you have a piano." you add.

"You have a keyboard!"

"My keyboard is no upright piano."

Yoongi gives up with a huff. But you attack him with tickles until he gives in and giggles, all the while trying to get rid of your hands.

"By the way Yoongs, you're still looking for a roommate, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"The friend of mine from Gwangju I was catching up with, Hoseok, is looking for a new place. I want to introduce you guys."

"Sure. What can you tell me about him?"

You pause because there're lots of things you can say about him. But those are all about the high school Hoseok. You wonder how many of them changed and how many stayed the same. You're sure of some things, though.

"I can tell you that he's a great guy and a dedicated artist, a dancer. Also he's funny and a mood maker."

"Alright. You should bring him over."

"Great! I will."

You wake up to your phone buzzing repeatedly. First thing you do is check the time and your clock on the wall is striking 11:30 in the morning. You overslept, great. It makes sense after you convinced Namjoon to binge watch Death Note before going to bed. But you ended up sleeping on the couch. The fact that you're in your bed right now means Namjoon carried you there.

3 unread messages from Hoseok.

-Morning, Y/N.

-Are you free today?

-I wanna treat you to some coffee.

It's been three to four days since the time you ran into Hoseok and you've been meaning to reach out to him to hang out but he just beat you to it. You thank the god for his extrovertedness.

-I'm taking care of some stuff in the studio today.

-But you can visit me there and if I'm finished quickly we can even hang out later, too.

-If you'd like, of course.

You press send and for some stupid reason your heart races a little fast. Were you being too forward? He just said coffee, maybe he meant a quick get together. You just asked him to wait for you in a studio, possibly for a couple of hours.

Two more buzzing.

-Sure! I'll make sure to help out so you can finish faster.

-Text me the time and the adress when you can.

You sigh in relief. But now it's time to be nervous about how you'll be alone with him there for a long while. Not that it makes you uncomfortable. You just feel that overwhelming feeling of him being around returning. You hope to at least not act like an idiot.

You make your way to the studio and text Hoseok the location, saying he could drop by whenever he'd like. Yoongi told you to listen to some demos for him but you leave that for last. For now, you're setting up some instruments and tuning them up for the band arranged to record tomorrow. But the bell rings and you sprint to answer the door.

"Hi!" you greet him.

"Hey." Hoseok says with a bright smile. He holds up the bags in his hands. "I brought food and icelattes."

"Which makes you a hero. Come in."

You eat and drink your coffees as you talk about stuff. Then, you play a recording of a guy who did an awful cover of Smelly Cat a few days ago. It makes Hoseok laugh so hard that he tumbles out of his seat and falls towards you. You knew it was a habit of his but you had never been the person he falls over to, before.

He helps you get the rest of the things done after that and surely him giving you a hand speeds up the process. For the last thing, you call him over to listen to the demos.

"Wow, some of these are really good. Especially this one, I like the beat a lot."

"Yeap, me too. I'm showing this one to Yoongi, later."

Finished up with the things, you're getting ready to leave but you hear him beatboxing the beat he liked a while ago.

"You can beatbox?"

"Yeah, I picked it up not so long ago."

An idea pops into your mind. You take him by the arm, practically drag him back to the recording booth and hand him a mic.

"Get a beat going."

"Wha-"

"Just do it." And you run back to record him doing it. After that, you throw in some other instruments quickly. When you play the outcome, he smiles so hard.

"How did you just do that in such a short time, coming up with practically a song."

"You did it, too. You came up with a beat off the top of your head. That's the basis of songs, mostly."

He listens to it over and over. "Hey can I use this for when I do freestyle battles?"

"To dance over to? Sure! I'll work on it some more, though and perfect it."

He shys away a little. "Well, this would make a great dance track but.. I meant freestyle rap battles."

"You rap, too? Geez, is there any street art you're not talented in?" You're not that surprised, though. He always stroke you as swag in living form.

"I'm trying to get into it. I should improve if I wanna make a name for myself out on the streets of Seoul." he says half jokingly but it's true that the rap scene has become a major part of street competition, recently. You know from Yoongi and Namjoon who are also rappers.

You play the beat from the top. "C'mon, then. Let me hear a snippet."

"No, no I'm not really-"

"C'mon~ let's battle." you say to get him worked up a bit. Also, you picked up a few things from Yoongi and Namjoon over the last couple of years.

"Oh battle? Okay then, why don't you go first?"

Both of you try to control your laughter and you come up with some very stupid and childlike rhymes that make Hoseok laugh even harder.

"It's your turn, J-hope."

"Ooo~" he gets more fired up with the mention of his stage name. You're going back and forth rapping about the most random and funny stuff. But then you get bolder and want to go at him a bit, to get him more serious about this. Trying to remember embarrassing things he's done in high school, you throw in lines about the time he had to dance in his underpants in front of the whole school after losing a bet.

Also, there's this face you pull whenever you try to diss someone, something you picked up from Yoongi. But it looks funny on you and the boys always make fun of you about it. You're sure you're doing it right now, too out of habit. And you're not wrong because as soon as you're done, Hoseok starts and he mentions it.

Except, he says something along the lines of despite of you having that expression, he still doesn't feel like you're dissing him because of how beautiful you look even while pulling a funny face.

What? Did he just call you beautiful? In a rap battle?

You're in shock and aren't able to speak for a while. Which Hoseok takes advantage of. "You failed to come up with something in time, Y/N. I win." Then he boops your nose. He fucking boops your nose. What did you get yourself into?

It's the day you finally bring Hoseok to meet with Yoongi. It's been a couple of weeks since you guys started hanging out kinda on a regular basis and Yoongi finally had some free time. The three of you are sitting in Yoongi's living room and you're watcing them get to know each other. Everything seems to go well. The door opens and Namjoon walks in.

"Yo. Sorry I'm late."

"It's okay since you live far away. Oh wait, you live across the hall." Yoongi is quick to welcome him.

"At least I brought dessert."

The two boys go into the kitchen to get dessert ready to be served.

"That's my roomate Namjoon. He wanted to meet you, too." you inform Hoseok.

"Roommate? Wait- you live just next door?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'd beg to Yoongi or something to get him to accept me!" he says with a smile. You're glad he's happy about the fact you might live next to each other.

"I think he already likes you. I'm pretty sure you got the room."

And you turn out to be right. Hoseok and Yoongi hit it off quickly and he moves in a couple of days later. You start spending even more time together since then. Both with the other boys around and just you two, alone.

This one time Yoongi gives you the day off, Namjoon is off to do a job interview and you've got absolutely nothing to do. So you go over to see Hoseok. You knock and ring the bell but loud music is coming from inside and he doesn't hear you. The door isn't locked, though and you just go in. When you get to the living room you see Hoseok practising, going really hard at it. There're sweatdrops on his face and his white shirt-now practically see through shirt-is stuck to his body, revealing the delicate structure of it.

Blood rushes to your cheeks and your heart is thumping but you can't look away. He's art, you think. Art that you can't get enough of. He finally notices you, which almost gives you a heart attack but thankfully he isn't uncomfortable with you being there.

"Hey- uh- phew." he tries to talk but needs a moment to catch his breath, first. "Y/N. Please tell me you've been standing there long enough that you saw my new moves."

You nod, still not completely out of your daze. "They were.." you trail off because he just casually takes his shirt off in front of you. "Can you pass me that?" he asks you to hand him over the towel on the chair next to you. You're on autopilot as you do so.

"So, what do you think?"

"Oh yeah- Umm.. it was awesome. Very captivating.."

"Thanks." he smiles brightly while walking closer to you. "I'm gonna take a quick shower. You wanna hang out, after?"

Right. That's why you came over, you remember. "Yeah, I'll be here."

Hoseok and you just hang inside all day. Not doing much but still managing to have fun. Yoongi comes home for a while but has to go back out again, so it's mostly just you two. In the middle of the night, you guys start watching a movie, planning to stay awake till morning but Hoseok's tired from practising earlier and dozes off, eventually. And you're famous for sleeping in front of the tv, so you quickly follow. Then, you two somehow get in a cuddly position in your sleep.

The next morning- or more like afternoon, you wake up to Yoongi slurping his coffee, seated right across from you. Hoseok's nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Yoongs, why am I still here?"

"Well, you obviously fell asleep in front of the tv again and Namjoon's strong arms weren't here to carry you to bed."

"Where is he?"

"Joon said he was staying at a friend last night, not wanting to get all soaked up in the rain. And Hobi woke up just moments ago and went out, saying he has to get ready for a gig."

You nod at him and get up. You're about to go back to your place to wash up but realize something suddenly.

"Since when do you call him Hobi?"

"Since when do you have a crush on him?"

Your eyes go wide with panic. "Wha- No way what're you say-"

"Do you think I'm blind? I can perfectly see it when two people are cuddling on my couch."

"We just fell asleep that's all-"

"I saw you two over at the piano, too. And in the kitchen a few days ago doing the dishes. And while dancing here in the living room for no reason. You can't look him in the eyes without going red and he can't take his eyes off of you."

There isn't much you can say to convince him otherwise because you realize that he's right. At first when you guys started hanging out again, you thought you felt butterflies because you kinda had a thing for him in high school. You paid it no mind thinking it'd fade away with time but it didn't. Your feelings only grew stronger and now you know it was visible to others.

What has you tensed up, however is the way Yoongi talks about the situation like it's both-sided. That's where you can't be sure. Because yes, Hoseok randomly calls you beautiful, takes you out for meals and spends entire days with you. But you don't know if he likes you like that or if he's just being friendly. Just like back in high school.

"Okay, yeah. He makes me feel a certain way. But there's nothing going on, we haven't even talked about it. I don't think he's into me like that."

Yoongi's brows furrow in confusion. "He was just asking me if anything was going on between you and Joon the other day, though."

He asked what?

"What?"

"Dude, he was obviously jealous and suspicious of the fact that you were roommates. And very close ones."

You did have a very close bond with Namjoon, just as you did with Yoongi. Yoongi's just involved less skinship and more serious talk. But Namjoon was the first person who friended you in Seoul and over the years he became your self proclaimed guardian angel. That was all.

"You didn't correct him?!"

"I tried but he seemed overwhelmed with confusion, I'm not sure if he fully believed me. Or fully listened? I dunno- I was kinda enjoying his little emotional crisis."

"Yoongs!"

"Fine! So yeah, maybe you should to talk to him."

How do you talk to someone about this? you wonder. And can Yoongi really be right about the possibility of him reciprocating your feelings?

You're reading a book on your couch. It's been a couple of days since your cuddly interaction with Hoseok and you haven't really hung out after that, either. You're not avoiding him, though. More like testing the waters. Namjoon's little squeal and sprint to the living room gets you out of your thoughts.

"Y/N! Oh my god!"

"Joonie what happened?"

"I got in." His smile is from ear to ear but you're not surprised he got the job he was going after for a while now. He happens to be intelligent beyond your understanding. But also a goofball. Because he -who usually treats books like his children- throws the one you were reading away and gets you up on his back. Now you're both singing victory songs as he gives you a piggy back ride.

Just then, Hoseok makes an entrance to your apartment, sees you two and his face visibly drops.

"Oh- sorry guys. I should've knocked-"

"Dude, it's okay. Think about our two apartments as one big house. You don't have to worry about knocking everytime. Come in!" Namjoon is being his friendly self as he puts you down. "I gotta go call my parents. Thanks for always believing in me, Y/N." He places a soft peck on the top of your head and goes back to his room. Uh-oh. You hope Hoseok doesn't misunderstand.

"How are you doing, Hobi?"

"I'm-" he hesitates for a while. "I didn't know you and Namjoon were.. are you? Y'know like together?"

"No!" you regret yelling but it just comes out before you can stop. "I mean, it's not like that. We're friends. In fact he kinda decleared himself my older brother."

The total grimace that had took over Hoseok's face starts to slowly dissappear. "Oh, okay. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable like that-"

"No, no. Let's just change the subject." You want to move on from this before it gets awkward.

"Okay. Oh right! I came over to show you something."

He holds out his phone for you to see. It's an invite to an event. Gwangju High's high school reunion, to be exact. You also got one, too but immediately deleted.

"The reunion? You're going?" you ask.

"We should go."

You're about to protest but he cuts in.

"I know most of our year were jerks. But it's Gwangju. I know you miss it there. And high school wasn't all evil."

"It was the people who were evil, Hobi."

"That's why we have to show them their evil ways weren't enough to break us down."

"What do you mean, we? Everyone loved you!"

"The jocks hated me for being popular despite not playing football."

That was true. They sometimes gave him a hard time for grabbing the attention of girls more than them.

"Besides, we're grown ups. If they weren't able to mature, that's their problem. We'll just breathe in some hometown air and have fun."

You did miss home. And the fact Hoseok'll be with you eases your stress so you say yes.

Hoseok and you roam the streets of Gwangju, firstly. You tell him the places you missed most and you visit those. When the reunion evening closes in, both of you go to your homes to get ready. Your parents are sort of shocked you're attending the event but they won't complain because they missed you a lot and you haven't realized how much you missed them back till you finally came back after a long while.

Hoseok comes to pick you up and oh boy. He immediately recongnizes the dress you're wearing as the exact one you wore to prom. The light blue piece fits your body even more perfectly now, he thinks.

"This is your prom dress." It's not a question because he's certain.

You panic because well you wore it thinking nobody would remember since not a lot of people were paying attention to you during prom and you didn't have anything else decent enough in your old closet. How the hell does he remember?

"It looks even more beautiful." And with that, your panic is no more.

You get to the school finally and almost everyone is there. All trying very hard to look fancy, so Hoseok and you make fun of some of them before entering.

"It's J-hope!", "Hope's back!" and "Who is that with Hoseok?" are the comments you hear as you walk by. A few speeches are given, while you stuff your face with cupcakes. Then music's on and people start dancing.

Hoseok is approached by many and he kindly converses with them all. He forces you to speak from time to time, too. One of the boys who you used to tutor a lot, Hansung, tries to make a couple of moves on you. Probably under the influence of alcohol. You politely dismiss him but some other guys that came alone also are eyeing you from different places of the room. Hoseok is well aware and not okay with it, at all.

He slides a hand down your arm and links your fingers. When you turn to him in surprise, he pulls you closer. "Let's act like a couple."

"What-"

"I'm sick of people trying to see if you're available for them, aren't you?"

It is a bit disturbing. You bet most of them didn't even recognize you and are just looking for a prey for the night. "I am." you reply.

"Then just go with it."

So you do that but this time the girls start to get uncomfortable since most of them were eyeing Hoseok. And like clockwork, Gaeun appears with her gang of plastic girls. Gaeun used to be Hoseok's biggest fan. But all she actually wanted was to get into his pants just cause of how popular he was. Knowing this, you tense up. Her eyes hold such a suggestive look that you almost want to protect Hoseok from her.

As far as you know Hoseok has never indulged her like that back in school days. And he doesn't seem to be effected by the way she looks right now, either which can be described in two words: model legs.

"Hobi~" her irritating voice muses. "There're lots of girls wanting to dance with you tonight."

He takes his hand away from yours to claimingly grab you waist. "Sorry, ladies. My dances are all booked by this one, right here." He turns his head and places a kiss on your temple.

"I'm sure your date for the night won't mind if-"

"She's not just my date for the night. Y/N is my girlfriend." he cuts her off. Shock is evident not only on their faces but yours as well. The girls have to walk away awkwardly but what they think they're speaking among themselves is quite audible to you.

"There's no way. Y/N could never be enough for him. Just wait until the end of the night and see how he gets bored."

Hoseok didn't hear them. But you and some other people did. And you don't care what Gaeun says but her words get around fast and people are looking at you even more weirdly than before. Hoseok realizes your body tensing up.

"What's the matter?"

"I don't think people are buying that we're together. Especially after Gaeun started speaking to them."

He looks around to find that people really were looking at you suspiciously.

"Let's make it more believable, then."

He pulls you to the dancefloor and starts moving you to the rhythm. You've danced with him before but they were all silly ones, meant for fun. This one was serious. And your bodies were seriously close. But you just let him lead you, knowing that he knows what he's doing. After a while he figures that the music's ending so he twirls you around and finishes with a sudden dip.

You're back is resting againt his hand as you're leant back and Hoseok's face is so very close to yours. Some people clap and some don't but neither of you really care about the people watching anymore. Then he kisses you. He downright kisses you at the center of the dancefloor. It's passionate but gentle. He doesn't let go for a while but you've no clue how long it's been cause you're lost in the taste of him. Which is a thousand times sharper than the whiskey and a thousand times sweeter than the cupcakes.

He pulls you back up, finally parting your lips. "I think we got about enough attention. Wanna get out of here? We can go to the music room." he suggests. All you can do is nod cause you still can't form words.

You get there and it's the only place in this school that you've missed. You sit down on the piano seat and Hoseok pulls a chair next to you, it's like deja vu.

"You know the song you used to play, the one I liked a lot. River-"

"River flows in you." of course you remember.

"Yeah. I kinda tried learning that on the piano a while back."

"Show me."

He tries to play it and messes up some bits so you help him out. Then, your hands touch accidentally and you both freeze.

"Y/N-"

"Hoseok-"

You both try to speak at the same time and cut each other off, so you laugh. Hoseok goes for it again.

"Y/N. I wanted to ask you out so many times right here, as you'd play songs to me. Did you know that?"

You most certainly did not.

"I wanted to ask you to a dance at the prom, so bad. But you left before I could muster up the courage."

He turns to face you completely.

"I couldn't believe it when I found you again, like that. Everything I felt came back to me as we spent more and more time with each other. And when I got that invite.. I thought- Maybe I've been given a second chance, to do it right this time."

Your heart is racing so fast that you can hear it. Every word he said are things that you've been thinking. So you have to do it properly this time, too.

"So.. so, will you go out with-"

You crash your lips with his immediately and he responds in a flash. This time the kiss is much more deep and demanding. His hands travel down to your waist as you get up from your seat and move to his lap. He hums into your mouth and you try to take in every bit of the vibration from it before both of you pull apart, out of breath.

But he still looks at you with questioning eyes, as if you haven't just given him an answer clear as day. But he looks so cute that you entertain him.

"Yes, high school crush. I will go out with you."

He can finally smile again. Though, it turns into a smirk a while later.

"But will you go out with me?" you joke around, still sitting on his lap.

"I will go out with you so bad that it'll swipe you right off your feet."

As if he already doesn't..

....

A/N: Wowzers, my first Hoseok fic is finished.. I know this was long and thanks sooo much if you bared with me and read it. It would mean a great deal to me to know what you thought of this so, I’d love to have your feedback. Thanks again for reading and have a lobely daayyy :)

PS: How beautiful is Hoseok btw..

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ariadoesntwrite · 5 years ago

Text

The (he)art of Craft | e.k. x reader

Words: 2173

Boys are clueless.

I know this, but for some reason I keep forgetting.

I crossed my arms in front of myself to rest them as Elmer leaped onto his bed like a flying squirrel. "When you asked me if I wanted to 'hang out with you (and the guys)', this isn't exactly what I was envisioning."

Elmer looked over at me as he scrambled to sit up, blinking in confusion. "Why? What did you have in mind?"

In all honesty, shirtless basketball in the park.

"I don't know." I shook my head and sat on the bed beside him.

I watched Elmer boot up the server, staring at the screen with barely concealed excitement. Four users were already online.

This is not exactly my idea of a hot date. Then again, maybe it's my fault for reading into things. On the other hand, I mean really, what usually comes to mind immediately when a really cute boy asks you if you want to 'hang out'?

See, that's what I thought!

You know what, though? All things considered, it could be worse. He could've asked me to play Wii Sports Bowling with him. It's supposed to be so easy the folks in nursing homes love it, right? Well apparently ole gram-grams has more virtual athletic ability in her pinky finger than I do in my entire body.

Elmer scooted closer to me and pulled out headphones, flipping the earpieces outwards so we could share the same set.

I watched as the screen started spazzing out. "Is that..." I trailed off, pointing at the screen and not sure how to put my thoughts into words as I held my part of the headphones up to my ear.

Elmer quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah, it's usual for this section. The reason it's so glitchy is because someone spawned way too many ocelot assets."

"Hey guys, Elmer has a girl ov—" Romeo started to say, but he was cut off by somebody who was way louder.

"You can never have too many ocelots!" A distinctive, high-pitched but still decidedly male voice exclaimed through the headset.

"The queen of the felines has spoken." Elmer rolled his eyes and smiled as his avatar started jerkily walking towards a large light blue and white building that touched the sky. "This is Racetrack's cat castle—"

"A cat-stle, if you will." Racetrack interrupted.

"I will not." Albert shot back.

Racetrack cleared his throat and adopted a 'tour guide' voice. "Business hours are from 9:00pm to 5:00am, or for the low low price of three diamonds you can get an all-access pass."

"Good grief." Albert muttered under his breath.

"Killing one of my sweet, adorable, cuddly babies— I mean, very loyal subjects— results in an immediate ban for life." Racetrack continued, undeterred. "Donations of precious gemstones and fish, cooked or raw, are always appreciated."

"Yeah, good luck with that." Romeo replied with a small snort.

"I'll come tour your catstle, Race!" Crutchie said cheerily.

"Finally, some proper respect around here."

I gave Elmer the side-eye. "Why isn't it pink?"

"Pink? You think I would use pink?" Racetrack asked with an air of disdain, scoffing. "Please. Pink is a strong, masculine color, fit only for the he-est of men. My graceful feminine eyes can only bear the lightest, most delicate shades of blue, as is befitting a most proper young lady such as myself."

Elmer made eye contact with me and shrugged.

"Also, pink is Romeo's color." Racetrack mumbled with a defeated tone.

Romeo let out a triumphant laugh. "Ya snooze ya lose, loser!"

Alerts in all caps popped up on the screen as three more usernames joined.

Elmer nudged me with his shoulder to get my attention. I tried and failed not to blush. "And to our left, we have Henry's trailer park. In Minecraft, imagination is the only limit, and Henry decided to build a trailer park. Why, I have no idea."

"Because heck you, that's why!" Henry said, but there was no bite in his tone.

"Watch your ****ing language on my good Christian Minecraft server!" Crutchie yelled.

The random conversations going on between others in the background went silent.

"oh no." Crutchie said really quietly, but we could all hear it due to the aforementioned radio silence.

Jojo started muttering The Lord's Prayer to himself.

Somebody let out a very loud snort.

"Gross!" Albert shrieked. "Say it, don't spray it!"

"Kiss my butt!" Racetrack shot back.

There was some fuzzy noise, like somebody dropped their headset on the ground and they were wrestling with each other now.

Jack sighed. "Hey, if y'all are gonna hate-boink, can you please mute your channels please and thank you!"

"Shut up!" Racetrack and Albert shouted at the same time.

Jack cackled like a maniac to himself.

"Okay, you know what?" Albert asked, clearly annoyed. "Keep it up, but I'm gonna tell Katherine all about your little problem with–"

Elmer gasped and pulled his earpiece away from his head. He quickly crossed himself before returning to listening in on the conversation.

"No!" Jack protested as Albert proceeded to spill some very personal information. "You wouldn't!"

"—Don't test me." Albert finished.

"I did not need to know that." Jojo said, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"Ditto." Henry murmured in agreement.

A notification popped up on the screen alerting everybody that Buttons was online and had joined the server, bringing the total up to eight. "Hey, guys! Know what?" He asked, innocently.

"That the unflappable Jack Kelly apparently has a raging butt rash." Romeo answered matter-of-factory.

Buttons seemed at a loss for words. "...Oh." he said, finally.

"I'm dealing with it, okay?" Jack asked, annoyed. "I have cream and I'm taking oatmeal baths—"

"TMI, bro." Albert interrupted.

"You started it!" Jack exclaimed, exasperatedly.

"Your mom started it!" Albert retorted. The height of maturity, that one.

"My mom is dead!"

"Oh yeah? So's mine, you ain't special!" Albert said breezily.

A chorus of 'So is mine' rang through the airspace.

"Okay, well that's depressing." Buttons commented. "Who wants to duel?"

"Ooh, pick me! I'm always a ho for dying!" Racetrack yelled enthusiastically.

"Race, are you okay?" Crutchie asked, concerned.

There was no response for a few seconds, and then I heard the sound of somebody facepalming.

"Race, you're an idiot." Albert said flatly.

"Oh, wait a second."

Elmer adjusted his grip on the headset. "What'd he do?"

Albert sighed. "He shot finger guns at the screen."

"Woooowww." Jojo said, totally done.

"You're just jealous." Race clicked his tongue.

Jojo scoffed. "Why would I be jealous of an evil leprechaun? Oh wait, no, that's Albert."

"Hey!"

I elbowed Elmer. "Are they always like this?"

Elmer nodded. "Constantly."

"Uh, guys? Anyone else's game bugging out?" Jack asked. "Oh wait never mind, I just wandered a little too close to the crazy cat lady's cottage."

Racetrack huffed. "Heck you, butt rash boy."

Jojo let out a mock offended gasp. "Such language!"

"Frick you, HoHo."

Jojo gasped again. "Frick you!"

"That's gay." Racetrack said, snickering.

"You're gay!" Jojo replied.

"So what if I am?! Gay means happy, and I'm the happiest person I know! So there!" Racetrack punctuated his sentence with a somewhat audible 'blep'.

Elmer fake-coughed and raised his voice loud enough to cover Jojo and Racetrack's 'argument'. “To our right is Mush's giant flower garden." He did a slow pan of the colorful, pixelated blooms.

I leaned forward to examine them. It was quite impressive, if only from the sheer numbers of mass collection.

"Dare you to steal one, Elmer." Romeo piped up.

Elmer shook his head vehemently. "Heck no, unlike most of you, I actually value my life."

"Lives having value?" Albert scoffed.

"In this economy?" Racetrack finished for him.

"Now we're coming up on Romeo's super tacky building." Elmer leaned back against the wall as a large, misshapen, pink, vaguely-heart-shaped structure came into view.

"Look, I had a plan originally, but math and grids are hard." Romeo explained.

Racetrack let out a derisive scoff. "Grids are literally the easiest thing, you wannabe fashion icon."

Romeo blew a raspberry.

"Your mom is literally the easiest thing." Albert commented.

I could practically hear Racetrack's smirk from here. "You know, what I'm gathering from all the 'your mom' jokes is, you just really wanna be my daddy."

Somebody started making vey exaggerated gagging noises.

"Uh, pass." Albert muttered under his breath.

"You coughing up a hairball over there or something, Jojo?" Henry asked.

Jojo ceased his gagging. "No, I'm good."

"I bet Race has rabies." Buttons quipped.

"Don't be ridiculous, Race doesn't have rabies!" Crutchie protested. "I had him tested and everything."

"Interesting." I murmured under my breath.

"This is my house!" Elmer announced with a large grin, completely oblivious. "It's one of those tiny houses!"

"That's a very pretentious way of saying 'dirt hut starter home'." Crutchie teased.

"Wow, that's so funny I forgot to laugh." Elmer shot back. "No, it's like one of those minimalist houses that used to be all the rage, but in Minecraft! See?" He gestured at the small building on the screen, eyes sparkling.

I smiled back, his energy practically contagious. "It's very cute." Just like its builder, is what I did not say to him.

"And fully functional!" Elmer opened the door and started pointing out various features. "In the floor is a crafting table and a bed, to the side we have a furnace and a double-wide chest—"

"Your mom has a double-wide chest!" Racetrack exclaimed gleefully before erupting into laughter.

Elmer snapped his mouth shut with an unamused look on his face.

"Dang you Race, I was about to say that." Albert said, almost whining.

Elmer let out a sigh and moved his avatar to the back of the house. "And here's a small vegetable garden."

"Po Tay Toes!" Albert exclaimed, immediately perking back up.

"Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew!" Jack added. The first thing he's said in a while, now that I think about it.

"You Irish people scare me." Racetrack commented.

"You're part Irish." Albert said flatly.

"Yeah, and?" Racetrack asked defensively. "I scare myself!"

"That makes two of us." Albert muttered under his breath.

I stole a glance towards Elmer, who was engrossed in harvesting his virtual vegetables. I can't say I understand how or why people invest so much time in this kind of stuff, but at least it makes him happy.

It'd be nice if I could do that.

I don't know what I'm doing, but if I don't ask then I'll spend years replaying this day over and over in my head at 2:00a.m. in the morning overanalyzing every single little detail. Here goes nothing.

I smiled teasingly and nudged Elmer with my elbow, gently. “So, do you invite all the girls out to watch you play Minecraft or am I just special?"

"Say what now?" Elmer looked over at me suddenly, blinking as if he was coming out of a trance as his eyes re-adjusted to the real world.

Uh-oh.

"This is a date?"

"This isn't a date?" We both asked in unison.

There was an awkward silence for about ten seconds, which was then broken by the sound of loud crunching over the headset.

"Henry!" About five or six voices exclaimed.

"What?" Henry asked defensively. "This is entertaining, thus, snacks are a must! Can y'all blame me?"

"Elmer," Racetrack sighed, "when you ask a girl to quote, 'hang out', unquote, that's code for a date. Just like Netflix and Chill is—"

"Stop! Don't ruin his innocence!" Buttons interrupted.

"I'm just saying, he's not gonna get very far if he doesn't know—"

Elmer pulled the headset down and placed it on the bed between us, hitting mute at the same time. "Look, this didn't go the way I planned, 'cause I was gonna ask you out for real, but then I panicked, so no wonder you've been getting mixed signals, but..."

He stared down at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. "Can we just finish out today platonic and like, start fresh tomorrow? And I promise, if it's what you want, I will ask you on a real, proper date then."

I grinned and turned back to face the screen so I wasn't staring at him and making him even more uncomfortable. "Sounds good to me."

"Cool." Elmer returned the grin and did two thumbs up at me, shoulders scrunched up, then picked the headset back up and held it up to his ear.

I leaned in to unmute it and was greeted with a cacophony of all the boys arguing with each other over what exactly was happening on our end.

I hesitantly reached over to place my arm around Elmer's shoulders. "Do you mind if... is this okay?"

Elmer beamed from ear to ear and leaned into my touch. "Yeah."

"What's going on?" Romeo asked loudly, effectively putting a damper on the moment. "I need visuals!"

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flatsuke · 6 years ago

Text

SLBP Hana!MC Soldier AU

a.k.a., a super self-indulgent AU i’ve been thinking about for months. Please bear with me lmao it’s not fully developed or organized so rip

disclaimer: this AU was heavily inspired by Mulan!

@utsusemi THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR IDEAS AND FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE!!

forgive me for the messy doodle dump:

So the war is close at hand:

And the town magistrate orders every able-bodied man to enlist for the army. Since MC’s father died in the previous war, Yahiko is the next eligible candidate (for the sake of the AU, let’s assume he’s a bit older lmao)

Of course, MC doesn’t want to lose another one of her family members, so she sneaks off from her house in the middle of the night to take Yahiko’s place in the army (in this AU, the Takeda army

So MC arrives at Tsutsujigasaki Castle and she’s nervous as heck because she’s really about to throw herself into war with only very limited dojo training experience (and a little bit of some pointers from Inuchiyo)

But she’s doing it for Yahiko so she steels herself anyway

Yukimura inspects the men who have enlisted (MC included), and her heart’s beating so fast

Yukimura: What’s your name?

MC: It’s...it’s, uh, Yahiko.

Yukimura slaps her in the back, saying “You may be tiny, but don’t worry, you won’t be after we train you hard!”

MC visibly gulps

That night, before bed, she feels a presence near her and, lo and behold, Saizo appears outta nowhere, threatening to kill her if she’s actually a spy

MC begs him not to kill her and tries to bargain with him; she can’t prove she isn’t a spy, so the only way for him to believe her is if he keeps her under his surveillance 24/7

He begrudgingly agrees only under the condition that she pay him handsomely after that

And from here on, I was sorta thinking the paths would diverge to either a Saizo route or Yukimura route (though both are still under development)

Long post below:

Saizo’s route:

So for the next few weeks,

Saizo watches over MC to make sure she isn’t up to some shady business

He’s the only one in the Takeda army who knows she’s actually a woman

During training sessions with the army, he watches her struggle to keep up with the others

He thinks its both amusing and pitiful to watch her try so hard. She may not be spy material, but hey, it’s free entertainment. Cue Saizo laughing at MC trying to spar with someone

“Are you done laughing at me?”

“Not even close, little lady.”

Little by little, he’s convinced that she isn’t a spy (what kind of spy can’t even defend themselves properly anyway?)

He’s also convinced that MC will give up and go home after all the harsh training she’s been through

But she doesn’t give up at all. Day after day, she endures the training despite being the least experienced among the men. Eventually, she does improve

Saizo won’t admit it, but he’s kinda impressed she made it this far

One day, the army is called to the front to prepare for war (probably against the Oda or the Tokugawa)

And MC’s highkey nervous because this is war and she’s going to fight for real

Saizo teases her and says it’s not too late to go home, but MC tells him that she came to fight and fight she will

“I’m always stuck with the stubborn ones...”

So they’re in the battlefield now and they’re all fighting. Suddenly, arrows are flying all over the place (courtesy of Ieyasu)

Saizo’s dodged most of them, but one comes flying straight for him and he doesn’t have time to evade it so he braces himself for impact

Until MC shoves him out of the way and is hit by the arrow in his place

For the first time, Saizo visibly panics and even after he’s staunched the bleeding, he can tell the arrow’s poisoned because MC loses consciousness

Eventually, the Takeda army wins the battle, but Saizo is rushing to get MC to an antidote, stat

(He doesn’t let any other medic treat her because they’d find out her secret and possibly reveal it)

MC eventually heals and he is relieved

So that fiasco is over

And Saizo has a newfound respect for MC

He doesn’t openly mock her as much as he used to, and he even allows her to train with him sometimes (if he’s actually in the mood to train lmao)

One day, Shingen decides it’s time for all of them to visit the hot springs to boost morale

And MC wants to combust because how the heck is she gonna manage??

So they’re now at the hot springs and everyone’s wondering why MC won’t bathe

“I’ll just wait till you’re all finished...”

She finds a secluded area to bathe in and hopes to god no one’ll see her

But then Saizo pops in outta nowhere like usual and MC swears to god she’ll get a heart attack because of him one day

She asks if he can keep watch for her and, in true Saizo fashion, he says sure but he won’t do it for free

“I don’t have any money on me right now, so do you accept payment in food? I can make you anything you want.”

“Anything, you say?”

So he makes her promise to make him some dango at the next possible opportunity

Saizo is now sitting on a tree keeping watch for any interloper who tries to get in the hot spring

His gaze unconsciously floats to MC, and for the first time, he sees that she really is, undeniably, a woman. She wears either men’s clothing or armor all day, so her figure is always hidden

But right now, Saizo gets to see her as herself

(And he feels oddly satisfied about being the only one to see her like this.)

But the happiness doesn’t last long because

One day, during another campaign, MC is heavily injured and Saizo is away on a mission given by Iga

MC is treated by the army’s medics, and they discover she’s actually a woman

Saizo arrives back from his mission just to find out that MC is being interrogated and (possibly) executed for accusations of espionage

Just as Shingen is about to give the order to execute her, Saizo steps in to defend her

Everyone is shocked because there’s no way in hell Saizo would ever do something like that

He tells them she’s not a spy, but the fact that she pretended to be a man still incriminates her

“You wanna get to her? You’ll have to go through me.”

To be continued

Yukimura’s route

It’s finally time to begin training

But MC’s nervous as hell because what if she gets found out

Cue shirtless training session with Yukimura’s chiseled torso on full display

MC is flustered

Yukimura asks her to spar with him in order to gauge his skill

(He’s firmly convinced that MC’s hiding some sort of hidden technique, so he’s hyped)

While MC does have some experience with martial arts thanks to Inuchiyo and some lessons from the nearby dojo, she’s no match for Yukimura

She falls down, hard, and Yukimura is a little disappointed that she didn’t put up a better fight

All other training sessions end up grueling for MC

She’s sorely lagging behind the other men who have more combat experience than she does, and she’s slowly close to giving up

All the other men are saying MC has no place in the army because she’s a weakling. Some of them even tell her to go home because she’ll be a burden to the army

MC feels terrible at that, but she remembers that she’s here to fight for her family, so she doesn’t give up

She decides to find a place to train alone and uninterrupted so she can concentrate

She trains there every single day (and night) and slowly, she can feel herself improving

One night, Yukimura catches her training alone and he’s impressed at her sheer determination

He offers to train her personally and she says no she couldn’t possibly ask too much from him, but he insists

So they finally start training together

And they grow a bit closer

With Yukimura’s help, MC is slowly getting the hang of combat

One day, she even nearly beats him in a sparring match (Yukimura is very happy and impressed)

After that last session, he finally asks her why she enlisted and she says she did it so her brother wouldn’t have to fight. She’s afraid that he might lose his life in the war, just like her father before her

Yukimura says that dying in war is honorable, and that she should be happy that her father’s death brought honor to her family name, but MC can’t help but disagree with him

“You may fight in order to die for your clan and your honor, milord. But I fight so that I can live another day.”

He’s a bit speechless at that

The Takeda army is being summoned at the front (probably against the Tokugawa or the Oda)

The battle is increasingly growing heated as the two sides go at each other without any restraint

Yukimura is on horseback, attacking as many enemy soldiers as he can

But then one of the enemy soldiers shoots Yukimura’s horse with a rifle, and he nearly falls off the nearby cliff

Until MC comes in and catches him before he can fall to his death

“Sorry, Lord Yukimura. I can’t let you die yet.”

Both of them tag-team together and kick some enemy ass, and the Takeda are victorious for now

The Takeda army returns to the castle, and they hold a feast to celebrate

Yukimura specifically makes a toast for MC and pours her a drink

And for a while, MC feels like she really does belong in the Takeda clan

(And maybe, Yukimura might be more than just a commanding officer to her)

But of course things don’t always go well

Lately, Yukimura’s been noticing “Yahiko” more and more

He doesn’t know why, but he’s been acting so flustered around her (he’s even noticed a certain fragrant scent every time they’d spar)

Cue teasing from Saizo

One day during training, Yukimura and MC are sparring together when she suddenly drops dead

He sees that there’s blood on her hakama, and he panics

Yukimura immediately rushes to her and brings her to the castle medic

Turns out it was MC’s time of month, and her stomach cramps were so bad that she fainted

But of course, that means they discover that MC is a woman and she’s now suspected of espionage

Yukimura finds her at the main hall, being held down by the other retainers

He has mixed feelings about this because on one hand, “Yahiko” lied to everyone the whole time, but she also saved his life

Shingen gives Yukimura the order to execute her, and just as Yukimura is about to strike, he stops

He tells Shingen that he owes MC his life and that he can’t do it

Yukimura bargains with Shingen to at least try and let MC have a lighter sentence especially considering all that she’s done for the clan

After much begging from Yukimura, Shingen decides that MC be exiled from the Takeda forever

Yukimura personally brings MC to the gates of Tsutsujigasaki

MC thanks him for all that he’s done for her and Yukimura tells her that he’s still conflicted inside because she kept her identity a secret

“Please go back home. It’s better if you never return here ever again.”

To be continued

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marvelousbirthdays · 7 years ago

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Happy Birthday, calbeebellona!

May 7 - ShieldShock ficlet for the prompt “Can I borrow a kiss? I promise I’ll give it back.” or “Their pick-up line wasn’t as good as any of mine, I’m just saying.” I hate Civil War, so maybe set it in an alternative universe where there is no Civil War? I would also like it to be humourous and a bit of fluff? Basically, I just want a happy story with some laughter in. for @calbeebellona

Written by @iamartemisday

The Avengers had fans. Steve knew this, yet it was still a bit surreal to walk through the halls of Javits Center and see twenty one people dressed in homemade Captain America costumes of varying levels of quality.

He himself was suited up for the occasion. The shield strapped to his back felt heavier than usual and he was sweating under his helmet. So far, no one had recognized him, though. Tony had explained it to him while insisting he couldn’t go to any fan event in plain clothes and sunglasses.

“Do you have any idea how shady that looks, pun half intended,” he said with the beginnings of a grin. “If you really want to do this, you have to go whole hog. Get in there and work that suit like the real Captain America.”

“I am the real Captain America,” Steve had said.

“And that’s exactly why no one will notice you.”

Steve didn’t have to be a genius to know that didn’t make any sense. And yet, he’d been walking around the convention all day, attending panels, browsing the dealer’s room, buying a few things, and not a single person had anything to say about Actual Real Steve Rogers in their midst except ‘awesome cosplay, dude.’

“Maybe we should go,” Steve muttered to Bucky after they’d been asked to pose for pictures for the hundredth time. “Pretty soon, someone’s going to figure out we’re not just fans in costumes.”

Bucky, clad in black pants, combat boots, and a black jacket with the left sleeve ripped off to expose his metal arm, punched his shoulder. “Come on, Punk. I thought you were having fun. This was your idea.”

“I know,” said Steve. He quickly averted his eyes as a girl with his face plastered all over her clothes ran by. “I didn’t think it’d be so… this.”

A man with a distended gut and a cheap shaggy brown wig walked by in an amateurish Winter Soldier costume. His entire right arm was wrapped in aluminum foil, complete with a crudely drawn red star. He caught sight of Bucky and paused to give him a once over. “Your Bucky costume’s not bad, but that’s the wrong arm.”

He waved with his right arm, allowing bits of foil to fall off, then disappeared into the crowd as Bucky’s jaw fell and his face turned bright red. “It is NOT the wrong arm!”

He clenched his fists as Steve made a token effort not to laugh at his best friend’s pain. “Come on, Buck. I thought you were having fun.”

“Bite me,” Bucky stomped off towards the refreshments table, and that was probably the last Steve would see of him for hours.

He wandered into the main corridor, filing past kids with toy propulsion blasters and young women in catsuits and red wigs. A few more fans asked for photos. One of them wore a shirt which loudly proclaimed she was Steve Rogers’ future wife. He fake smiled like a champ and made a beeline for the dealer’s room as soon as the overly touchy girl set him free.

It was a little less crowded than before. Steve could actually move without fear of crushing someone’s foot. He stayed close to the walls, ignoring the multitude of Hawkeyes, Thors, and even a few Lokis hanging around. A few booths away, a bespectacled young woman in blue jeans and plaid would have been the most normally dressed person he’d seen all day, were it not for the signs she was carrying.

SUPPORT JANE FOSTER!

JANE FOSTER WAS ABLE TO BUILD A BRIDGE TO ASGARD IN THE DESERT WITH A BOX OF CAR PARTS.

JANE ONCE PUNCHED A NORSE GOD IN THE FACE. CAN YOU PUNCH NORSE GODS IN THE FACE? JANE FOSTER IS BETTER THAN YOU.

How she held all those signs with only two hands, Steve couldn’t say. Maybe she was secretly magic. A shirtless man covered in green body paint sidled up to her, his grin a perfect contrast to her irate frown. “Hey babe. Wanna hang out later?”

“That depends,” she said, “do you want to talk about how Jane Foster is unfairly treated by so-called Avengers fans and denied credit for her scientific innovations by drooling fangirls with internet access and delusions of becoming Asgardian royalty?”

The shirtless man blinked. “Uh… Jane who?”

She rolled her eyes and kept walking in Steve’s direction. From up close, he could almost say he knew her, but the name escaped him. “Do you need help holding those signs?”

He hadn’t meant to speak. The words just popped out of his mouth of their own volition. The young woman brightened up. “See? That right there is a much better pick up line. Here you go.”

She handed him the ‘Punched a Norse God’ sign and Steve made a note to ask Thor about that later. He had a feeling he knew which god got punched and that was a story he needed to hear.

“My real pick-up lines are much better,” Steve said, earning a smile from the girl whose name had finally popped into his head. “It’s Darcy, right? Darcy Lewis?”

“Yup,” she said as they re-entered the hall. “I guess you’ve seen the pics online. I’ve been working with Jane for years and last week I made the mistake of looking at the Avengers fan forums. There was a lot of bullshit on there about Thor dumping Jane because she’s ‘boring’ or that she dumped him because ‘she’s a bitch’. As if the woman just sprang into existence when Thor needed a muggle girlfriend and her life has no meaning outside of him. For fuck’s sake, they broke up mutually. They’re still friends and Jane had been working her ass off on that bridge since before Thor was even a thing.”

“That’s awful,” Steve said. This was why he stopped going to the fan forums after the first time. That and the rather… suggestive art people drew of him and Bucky. Or worse, him and Tony.

“I even found this website: janefostersux.com. And that’s ‘sucks’ with an X because who cares about proper spelling when you’re an unemployed, basement dwelling edgelord. It’s okay, though. I told Tony about it and he broke through the firewalls and filled every webpage with pictures of omelettes. I’m not sure why omelettes. I guess he was just hungry, but it killed traffic to the site so I can’t complain.” She heaved a long sigh. “Anyway, thanks for listening to me ramble.”

“No problem,” Steve said. They stopped in hotel lounge for a break, leaving their signs at their feet as they took the last empty spots on the last empty couch. “I think it’s great that you’re doing all this. Dr. Foster deserves to be respected.”

“Got that right.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a spiral notebook decorated with science stickers and a pen attached. “I’m collecting signatures from fans to give to Jane later. You in?”

“Of course,” Steve said. He wrote a quick note for Jane, who would probably be amused to learn how he finally met her legendary intern.

“Aw, you’re awesome,” Darcy said, with a smile that made Steve’s stomach flip. “And you’re the best Captain America cosplayer I’ve seen all day. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the real thing.”

Steve coughed and rubbed the side of his neck. “Well, actually…”

#shieldshock #fuckyeahdarcylewis

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arimayusa · 7 years ago

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thoughts on the tokyo ghoul movie

so I saw it yesterday and woAH the movie was amazing, but I ended up knocking out before I finished typing up all my thoughts, but now that i'm done with all my work for today, it’s time to post my opinions about the live action tg movie!! :D

(this is really long and includes a bunch of spoilers about the movie so it will be under the cut)

Masataka Kubota is an awkward adorable dork, case closed & Hide was really well casted too!

his cheerfulness and loud attitude really emphasized how opposite and introverted Kaneki is in comparison

I was happy to see that Kaneki’s desk was littered with books (like a crap ton of books), basically mplying he was a literature major without actually stating so + showing his love for books

SEN TAKATSUKI!!!! (sadly she wasn’t there but at least her name was mentioned)

omg Kaneki had such a stupid grin after looking at his calendar marked with "date with Rize"

only noticed it cause I saw it at the TG cafe, but Kaneki had a picture of him and Hide in elementary school taped on the top of his desk

the whole date with Rize was super awkward (especially the pasta part lol) but I think it created a strange (in a good way) tone leading up to the surprise of Rize’s reveal

omg the actress who played Rize was so good too :0 like the the shift in the pitch of her voice from shy and cute to the deeper, sensual one like in the anime when she revealed that she was a ghoul was so gooood

pretty sure the two people I went with were weirded out by how much I was giggling as Kaneki got flung around like a ragdoll by Rize

I thought the funeral scene was a nice touch, showing how Kaneki's been alone for so long (except for Hide of course)

Hide's drawing of a ghoul from the manga was still included even though it didn’t happen in Anteiku in the beginning (instead it was by on Kaneki's Campus notebook which was also on display at the TG cafe)

when Kaneki hallucinates Rize in his room, her shadow was a centipede on the ceiling!!!

that was a neat reference thrown in for the fans since we don't make it to Aogiri arc in the movie

that was one of the many things that only manga readers would've understood (which made the movie even more fun for me since that means if was made with that intention and care)

askdflkef when Touka threw cake at Kaneki after getting pissed off I was just like "lmao he's gonna get you a cake for your wedding later you know"

once again, of course Nishiki was perfect casting

I laughed a little too hard when Kimi was embarrassed & Nishiki kept staring at her chest with a blank stare while Hide and Kaneki just kinda stood at the door to his room

the Kaneki licking Hide's face scene™ was so funny (there’s all the Hidekane we gonna get y’all)

one thing that was real cute (cause it happened several times throughout the movie) was Touka telling Kaneki that he was an idiot and to stop crying and after the 1st time (when he learned he could drink coffee), Touka started saying it in a teasing tone rather than an angry one

the scene where Mado and Amon were introduced was actually pretty intimidating, it was right after they killed Hinami’s dad and Mado had Amon smash the ghouls hands with a rock that got bloodier as he continued (luckily the hand was off screen) in order to open

Amon's actor whoo boy (even my mom thought he was hot lmao)

oh my the scene where Mado held up the donut and asked "can you fall in love with this,” Amon was just staring at the donut (but we all know he was nodding inside guys)

(ok now this is me writing the day after aka today and I'm already forgetting the order of certain scenes so this may be slightly out of order rip)

Yoriko was so cute!!!! her actress was really pretty I wish we saw more of her...

I thought the food scene was kinda awkward though since it's wasn't at their school, but it was funny when Kaneki asked to have some too and Touka wouldn't let him have any

I was trying to look for Touka's bunny charm but I didn't notice it!! I did see something on Yoriko's bag though???

the “shuu” kanji scene was done a little differently but I liked it more

lol Hinami first asked Touka how to read the kanji but she didn’t know (because Touka-chan is bad at Japanese) so Kaneki explained

then Touka was just like "haha yeah that's it" pretending that she had just forgotten and Hinami straight savage calls her out, saying that Touka didn't know in the first place

Kaneki and Hinami both giggled at Touka and ahhh it was so cute, they felt like a family

the process in which Amon, Mado, and Kusaba determined who Ryouko and Hinami were made A LOT more sense in the movie than the animeit showed almost the entire process of them finding evidence starting from simply a string of fabric left behind on Hinami’s father’s clothes

*winks aggressively at Ishida and the director for the graffiti of a scythe and XIII in the background*

Hajime made his cameo the same way he did in the manga (and BOY DID I WANNA SLAP HIM RIGHT THERE that kid has a shady look on his face already I stg)

oh yeah the kagune! I thought they looked pretty decent actually

I liked how the scales shimmered and stuff, but of course some scenes kinda looked too CGI-y (especially the fight with Nishiki)

#blessed that they included the "I would be sad if you died Touka-chan scene"

the training montage with Kaneki and Touka / Amon was so cooooool (ok stfu Alyssa you just loved it cause you got to see strong Touka & shirtless Amon)

omg Kaneki apologizing after landing a hit on Touka for the first time was adorable ok

Touka's overalls when they went to HySy were really cute. I want to draw it when the movie comes out online later

idk why but I kept laughing at the little wrist watch radios that Amon and Mado had on their arms to contact each other???? it was just really weird and funny to see for some odd reason

ohh ok probably one of my favorite scenes was when Kaneki just started fucking speeding towards Amon's car which caused him to jam the brakes (bc some random hooded dude is just sprinting towards you in the middle of the street what else would you do)

then Kaneki just freakin jumps on it all slow mo and flips it over because he's dramatic like that

idk if this was in the manga but Doujima rotated and grinded Kaneki's kagune during the fight (which made more sense then a lollipop that Amon just swings around)???

besides some of the awkward shots in the movie, my only other criticism was that some of the fight scenes were drawn out way too long

Amon and Kaneki's was ok for the most part, but Touka and Mado's fight felt REALLY drawn out. they kept just standing and talking a lot

I tried it on when I was at the cafe but seeing Kaneki wearing the mask during his fight was way cooler and the shot of him unzipping it was noice

when Kaneki started losing his sanity during the fight with Amon, Kubota had this really psychotic laugh that made me giggle a lot ahhh

yo guys there was a bloody tear from Kaneki's ghoul eye that dripped onto Amon's right eye (his future ghoul eye)... like much wow such foreshadowing director/ishida

near the end, Amon brings flowers to Mado’s grave, but sadly Akira doesn’t show up cryy

all in all I thought it was a very enjoyable, pretty accurate adaptation (definitely one of the best anime live actions & *cough* better than the anime)

I went with two people who knew very little about TG, except for it’s premise, and they thought the movie was really good themselves (although a little too much blood in one of their opinions). Throughout the movie there was a bunch of hidden stuff for fans & probably a bunch more symbolism that I missed so I can't wait to rewatch it in the future (I wish I could go see it again this week tbh) and find even more stuff!!

oh one more thing! the credits were really pretty with BANKA playing in the background and there was some cool art during the scroll

I got pictures of three of them: the Owl/Dog/Ape, Touka's kagune, and Hinami's kagune!

#tokyo ghoul #tg #tg movie #kaneki ken #kirishima touka #amon koutarou #i really recommend going to watch it if you have the chance!!!#it was sooooo good

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imamotherfuckingstar-lord · 7 years ago

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Boundaries, part 6

Steve Rogers x Plus Size!Reader

Characters: Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes

A/N: Surprise appearance by my marvel favorite.

Summary: You just finished a two year long photojournalist stint overseas and decide to take a break from traveling. So you head back to your home town and lucky enough, your childhood friend Sam Wilson has a few rooms to rent out. So you head back to California and are met with a surprise, a very handsome surprise.

His name is Steve Rogers and he’s a shy guy from Brooklyn, New York. Dragged across the country by his best friend, Bucky Barnes - he hopes to start a new life after a pretty bad break up with his long time girlfriend, Sharon Carter.

Can the of four of maneuver the art of living together? Or will boundaries be crossed?

Masterlist

Eaton Canyon Trail, snuggled in the hills of Monrovia, California - a 3.6 moderate hiking trail that lead to a 40 foot waterfall. It was usually heavily trafficked with families and casual hikers, making it one of your favorite trails ever. For one, it was nice to see other people in the wilderness and secondly, you could never get lost.

“Good morning!”

You cheered over to a couple who were coming back down the trail, they smiled and waved hello. Steve and Bucky walked behind you, letting you take the lead. It was a pretty breezy morning, but you could feel the sun bearing down and knew it would get hotter once the morning faded into the afternoon.

Steve was half listening to Bucky talking about a new rule at the gym they worked at, his eyes were glued to you and the way you moved forward, headphones in your ears and green backpack strapped to you. He wasn’t trying to be objective, but the way those black Adidas pants hugged your behind, it was extremely distracting.

“Pick up your jaw from the ground, punk,” Bucky warned. “That’s my best friend you’re ogling.”

“I thought I was your best friend?”

Steve shot back in embarrassment.

Bucky laughed and shook his head. “Just lock it down, man.”

“Hey fellas, for two beefcakes, you’re pretty slow,” you teased turning to face them, walking backwards up the trail. “We’re almost to the waterfall and it’s going to get hotter. So hurry, I wanna get wet.”

“Oh, I can help with that,” Bucky responded turning his cap around, so the sun was no longer in his face. Steve sent him a harsh stare and mumbled something about objectifying.

Bucky turned to his friend with a smirk, before racing up to you and grabbing you by the waist. You yelped out a chuckle as Bucky turned you back to the trail and pressed his body up against yours. The two of you laughed as he pushed you up the trail, his hands on your waist.

“I missed this,” he murmured, pulling out your right earbud.

Moving your head slightly to left, you looked at him with a questioning look. “Missed trying to get your filthy paws on my silky drawers?”

Bucky grinned and stopped the two of you, his hands squeezed your waist. “No, I miss beating your ass.”

“Wait - what..”

You only had a second to realize what he meant before he took off ahead of you, screaming that he’d beat you to the waterfall.

“YOU SON OF BITCH, BARNES!”

You called out to him, but he was gone, faded under the shade of the large trees.

“He use to do that to me too,” Steve offered with a smile as he stepped up next to you.

“So he flirted his way to victory with you, too?”

Steve chuckled. “No, he just cheated a lot.”

The two of you start back up the trail, deciding to let Bucky tire himself out getting to the end first, while you took a more leisurely hike to the final destination. Still having one earbud, you hummed quietly as the two of you walked, neither of you really saying much, but enjoying the view and company. Steve watched from the corner of his eye as you focused on the trail, lips moving to a song. He looked away when he realized he was staring too long and gazed up to the trees.

“It’s nice here,” he commented quietly, unsure if you heard.

“It is,” you agreed, reaching for the water bottle tucked into a side pocket of your backpack. “Darlene, Sam’s mom, would take us hiking a lot, especially after Sam’s dad died.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Steve gave you a soft smile and you shrugged.

“That’s life for you, anyway, it’s one of my favorite places in the world. Here have some,” you nudged the water bottle into his chest.

“Thanks,” he remarked taking the bottle.

The pair of you made your way passed a small stream and you smiled over at Steve, bringing a finger to your lips.

“Do you hear that?”

“Hear what..”

Steve stopped his words and listened carefully, it was the sound of steady water and his eyes widen as you took off ahead of him. Clutching the water bottle in hand, he raced up the trail behind you, running past two shirtless men - who jumped out of the way.

Then he saw it, his eyes trailed up the waterfall - the sound was calming, soothing and Steve’s mouth pulled into a wide smile.

“Are you gonna just stand there, punk, or get in!”

“Yeah,” you mused standing at the edge of the water, pulling off the backpack and letting it fall to the ground.

Steve looked to Bucky, who was standing shirtless under the waterfall, looking up as the water flushed down onto him. Then he glanced over to you - you were tugging off the headphones and wrapping them around your cell.

“You getting in?”

You asked tucking your phone into the front pocket of the backpack. “Or like Buck said, you gonna just stand there?”

You didn’t let Steve answer as you tore off the dark green Adidas shirt, revealing a black sports bra. His eyes flickered away and you just grinned, turning to the water and rushing over to Buck.

“Come here, doll, it feels good,” Bucky hollered reaching a hand out to you.

Standing still, you gazed up at the water in front of you and smiled as you grabbed the man’s hand. He grinned and pulled you directly under the water, you screamed in delight and laughed as Bucky pulled you into his side. Squeezing your hand, Buck called out to his friend, who stood a few feet from the two of you.

Trying to ignore how good Steve looked shirtless, because it was the first time seeing him that bare - which was odd, considering you lived with him, but then again, Steve was a modest man. Ignoring all that commotion in your head, you held out a hand to him through the water.

For a moment. Steve just stood there, eyeing both his best friend and roommate. And then his eyes laid on you, standing there wet and smiling - never in his life had he ever met someone so confident, so comfortable in their own self.

It was intoxicating, addicting and admittedly, a little scary. Yet, when Steve looked into your eyes all he saw was kindness, fearlessness and a strange new hope.

So he took your hand.

...

“Shit, that was refreshing,” you cooed out, pulling down the green shirt over your head.

“It was. I’m ready for a few beers now,” Bucky proclaimed brushing his hair back into his baseball cap. “How did you like it, Steve?”

“It was perfect,” the blond commented staring at you for a moment before putting his shirt back on. Bucky noticed and grinned to himself, announcing that it was definitely time to go, because the waterfall was becoming crowded with afternoon hikers.

The three of you were nearly to the end of the trail, you once again taking lead. The sun was warming your skin from the cold water and you were feeling tired, but kept going at a steady pace. Bucky noticed you slowing down and asked if you wanted to stop for a brief moment, but you turned around and shook your head.

We’re almost there,” you shrugged, walking carefully backwards down the trail. “I’m not driving home though.”

The two men laughed and Steve said he’d do the driving.

“My hero,” you exclaimed lifting a hand to your forehead.

“Will you turn around, for fucksakes,” Bucky shouted as you nearly tripped backwards over a rock.

You laughed and rolled your eyes. “Relax, jerk, I’m -

The two men shouted at the same time as you tripped over a hole in the ground, falling several feet back, landing hard on your ass. Before either of them could reach you, two hands were lifting you off the ground and a dog was licking your ankle.

“You okay?”

A rough voice came from behind you, the stranger’s hands were on your waist and you groaned out as he helped you get steady.

You slowly turned to the man and was pleasantly surprised at the handsome face staring back at you and the dog who jumped up against you, landing his paws on your stomach.

“Lucky, get off her,” the man groaned pulling his dog down. “Sorry, he’s real friendly.”

Smiling, you rubbed at your bottom and thanked him. “My friend told me to stop being an idiot and walk forward, but apparently I’m just a jackass.”

The handsome older man just snorted and shrugged. “Well from one jackass to the other, I’m glad you’re okay, do you need me to rub your butt?”

This time it you snorted and shook your head. “I’m good, thanks -”

“Jesus, Y/N, you okay,” Bucky interrupted turning you around to face Steve and him.

“My ass is sore, but I’m fine,” you explained.

“Are you sure?”

Steve asked placing a hand on your shoulder.

Nodding, you turned back to Lucky and his owner. “I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

He smirked and held out a hand. “Clint Barton.”

Shaking his hand, you stepped aside and pointed to your roommates. “Clint, these are my roommates, Steve and Bucky. Guys, this is Clint, he offered to rub my ass.”

Steve’s eyes snapped over to Clint, who laughed and held up both hands. “I was joking!”

Bucky took his hand to shake and thanked him for helping you.

“Of course, gotta help a cute chick when I see one,” Clint offered with a sly smile.

“It was nice meeting you, Clint, but we should probably get her to the house,” Steve urged shaking his hand.

You waved at Clint and petted Lucky on the head, but as the three of you walked off, Clint called out to you.

Steve, Bucky and you turned and Clint jogged over with Lucky.

“Listen, I own a bar, Archers, on Huntington,” Clint scratched the back of his head and smirked. “Come around anytime, first round of beers is on me.”

Bucky’s eyes lit up and he patted Clint on the shoulder. “Thanks man, we’ll see you around.”

“We will definitely stop by, thanks again, Clint,” you smiled at the man and he grinned.

“Have a good day,” Steve offered.

The pair took off and you sighed up at Bucky, who stood next to you. “Bestill my heart, he offered me free beer.”

Bucky shook his head. “He offered us all free beer, right Steve?”

“That’s what I heard,” he shrugged.

You watched as both men started down the trail and you grinned. “BUT HE SAID I WAS CUTE!”

They both stopped in their tracks as you yelled for them to wait.

A little breathless, you threw a hand over each of their shoulders and smirked.

“He said I was cute, my cuteness got us free drinks, so you’re welcome,” you smiled sweetly at the pair before jogging a few paces ahead of them, once again turning around to keep the conversation going.

“You never learn,” Bucky rolled his eyes, but you just shrugged.

“We’re definitely going to that bar, I foresee a new conquest in my future,” you announced, pointing a finger back and forth to your roommates. “We just have to work on you two now.”

“Not me, I’m good. Now this kid,” Bucky nudged Steve, knowing his friend wasn’t willingly to admit he had a thing for you. He figured he’d let Steve suffer a bit, if only to teach him a lesson. “He’s a helpless sack and Sam too.”

“Please,” you huffed out. “Sam’s got those smooth moves, he could get any girl. And you, shit, you’re sex on legs.”

Steve shook his head and tried to hold back a laugh, but it quickly faded when he noticed your eyes on him. Realizing what was going on, he shook his head.

“No...I’m not ready to date,” he stammered.

Chuckling, you looked at Buck in disbelief before glancing back at Steve.

“Who said anything about dating?”

Enjoyed the story? If you can spare a dollar or so, consider supporting my blog! Thanks love!

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#Boundaries Series #Steve Rogers x Reader #Steve Rogers AU #Steve x reader #Roommate AU #Marvel AU #Bucky Barnes #Sam Wilson

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marksleepy · 7 years ago

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increasing affections

genre: fluff, songfic (nct 127 - once again) word count: 1,662 main character: taeil, Y/N side characters: doyoung, seulgi, taeyong listen to this if you want: audio

pinkhairedminyoongi’s gif

The sea glistens under the sun. The waves throw themselves angrily on the shore, threatening to demolish children’s sandcastles that are a little too near the shoreline. Beachgoers stroll along the seashore, the girls not failing to show off their brand new swimsuits. You lie under the parasol, which is doing a poor job of shading you. You can already foresee the tan line cutting across your shins, but who cares? Summer is finally here. No longer do you have to worry about forgetting a coat at home, which once led to you suffering from a frostbite (okay, maybe not). You can’t wait to stick your tongue into a nice swirl of art—in this case, it’s ice cream and not the whipped cream resting atop a cup of hot chocolate.

You sit up straight on the white beach chair. The sun is shining so brightly, you struggle to keep both eyes open. Your ‘Keep the Good Vibes Rolling’ shirt clings to your back and you scan the beach for familiar faces. The people you came with had opted to frolic in the ocean instead of lazing on the shore, leaving you with only your thoughts for company. Lying back down, you tug off the sunglasses from your greasy hair and shield your eyes from the rays.

“Having fun over there?” someone to your right asks. You turn to see a shirtless Taeil, beads of perspiration racing down his face, chest, everywhere. Quickly lying back down again, you observe the people playing with a beach ball a few metres away to avoid looking at him.

“Real fun.” You lift your legs in a way where your knees are like mountain tops and pat grains of sand off. He sits down on the beach chair next to yours and leans towards you, resting his elbows on his thighs. You can feel him staring and burning holes through you. “Feels good to be here again, doesn’t it?” Taeil questions. He reaches for the bag of thirst quenchers and pulls out a can of Coke.

“Definitely,” you say. “The heat is killing me, though.” The sun had become an enemy instead of your constant companion during the colder days.

He chuckles into his drink before pushing it towards you. “Want a sip?”

The blood drains from your face. Then again, what harm can a sip from your friend’s drink do? You grab the sweating can from Taeil’s outstretched hand. Why the hell not? It’s not like you have a huge, enormous, massive crush on him anyway. As the cold metal touches your lips and the fizzy beverage flows down your throat, the rest of the gang comes back one by one.

“I need a drink. I’m dehydrated as f—,” Doyoung pauses. “French bread.”

Seulgi raises a brow before chortling. “Same, actually,” she adds.

Taeyong flops down next to Taeil, pulling cans of drinks out and throwing one to each person. As you breathe in the salty air, you watch your friends laugh over a joke Doyoung shared. It’s certainly a superb idea to spend summer with the ones who have stuck by you since the first year of high school. Your gaze slowly falls on Taeil, who is already staring at you. The smile that played on his lips disappears as he swiftly looks away. You feel the corners of your mouth lifting.

Your friends run towards to sea after the break under the parasol. Taeil lies down next to you on his beach chair with his eyes closed. “Aren’t you going to join them?” you query, flipping a strand of hair out of your face.

“Nah.” His eyes stay closed. “I’m, um, quite tired.”

You and Taeil stay silent. A flock of seagulls flies pass. You let the sound of the waves fill your ears as you remove your shades and look at Taeil. His brown hair sticks to his forehead, his face red from the heat. Resting your chin in your palm, you pick up his can of Coke and presses it against his cheek. He shoots up as if he got electrocuted. You dissolve into a puddle of laughter, the drink shaking dangerously in your hand. Taeil grabs your wrist and peels the can out of your grip. Bending down, he snatches another can from the ground and presses them on both your cheeks, making you look like a pufferfish. He laughs, revealing his row of pearly whites. You feel a little lightheaded, and it is assuredly not from the summer heat.

“Get off!” you laugh as you push Taeil away. He drops the cans and the two of you roared with laughter. The sticky drink splashes on your feet. But you lie back down on your beach chair, enjoying his presence, the beach, just everything at the moment.

Nature decides to bring the rain one afternoon when you are going back home from shopping at the mall with Seulgi. She took off earlier, claiming she has to babysit her neighbour’s rowdy tots. So there you are, armed with three shopping bags and no umbrella. You certainly didn’t expect it to rain today. Where are all the shelters when you need them? As you run, you literally run into someone.

“Sorry!” Your purchases spill all over the soaking wet ground, one landing just centimetres away from a puddle.

“Shit. I’m sorry,” a familiar voice speaks. You divert your attention away from your soggy items and lift your head up a little bit to see Taeil. He looks at you through his damp eyelashes apologetically before bending down to pick up your stuff sprawled on the ground. You join him, suddenly wanting the two of you to stand in the rain to experience each drop from the heavens. You stand up and tilt your head up to the sky, letting the rain cover your face.

Taeil bonks you on the head with his knuckle. “Come on.” He wraps his hand around your wrist, his other hand full with your shopping bags. Then both of you start running. Your heart beats wildly as you inhale faster. You indulge in a grin before you laughter hits you full on. Taeil glances at you and chokes out a laugh. By the time you found a bus shelter that is surprisingly deserted, both of you are drenched to the skin. His breath comes out in small spurts, and your hands itch push his fringe out of his eyes.

“That was amusing.” Taeil cracks a smile. The bags squelched as they are placed on the orange bench.

You eyeball his mucky sneakers. “Guess we’d have to stay here until the rain lets up,” you say. You wait for him to say something, listening to the rain hit the ground, almost sounding like logs crackling in a fireplace. He shifts slightly as red coats his ears.

“I don’t mind.”

A single droplet of water trickles down your bicep.

“Me neither.”

Tonight you are at a party held by one of Doyoung’s friends. Your left palm hugs a red plastic cup of punch while you tap your other hand on the countertop you are leaning against. As you watch people bop to the powerful music, you spot Taeil leaning against the wall, engaged in a conversation. You give him a little wave, and he seems almost relieved. After excusing himself, he walks towards you.

“Thanks for saving me,” he says, using his thumb to point behind him. “I couldn’t hear what he was saying half the time. Felt awkward having to keep telling him to repeat himself.”

“Er, what did you say?” you joke. He hit your shoulder lightly, sending a chill from where he touched down to your toes. You had chosen to wear a sleeveless dress this warm evening, but you were worried it might have been a little too showy. Judging from what most girls are wearing, you change your mind.

Taeil says something incoherent. You make an ‘I can’t hear you properly’ gesture. He steps forward and leans towards you. Cupping your left ear, he says, “It’s getting a little stuffy. Wanna get out of here?” You just nod, too freaked out to say anything. You place the cup of overly sweetened punch down and follow him out of the crowded house. Your bare arms are caressed by the cool night breeze. You shiver involuntarily. Taeil walks to the lawn in front of the house and lays down. It was empty if not for the black cat resting on the brown fence nearby. Taeil looks over at you and pats the spot next to him.

You lie down beside him, the damp grass poking your shoulder blades. The stars flicker in the dark sky like dying fairy lights. You can hear soft breaths of Taeil by your side. This isn’t like any of those movies you see in the theatres where the guy and the girl would sit on the roof, not fearing for their lives whatsoever. This is your very own movie, lying down in front of someone’s house beside someone you fancy. It is exhilarating. You ignore how messed up your dress is going to be, how gross your hair is going to get, and absorb the moment as it is.

You glance at him as he gazes in awe at the diamonds above. Then, he licks his lips and steals a glance at yours before closing the distance between the two of you. His lips are warm like the season. You reach over and cup his face, drawing him closer than he already is. You close your eyes and focus on what is happening, savouring every second of it. He pulls away and caresses your cheek.

“I like you,” he mumbles, words shaky.

That summer, just like the stars, you had fallen even harder for him.

#nct #nct scenarios #nct u #nct 127 #nct taeil #moon taeil #🌙 taeil #nct fluff #taeil fluff #🌚

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muses-by-z · 7 years ago

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Awake || Noelle & Octavian

Where: The Institute Infirmary When: Tonight, June 10 What: Noelle awakens from her coma, though her memory has been effected.

The room was getting clearer. Noelle could hear more than just floating voices, there was shuffling, beeping, small talk. She could feel herself laying on a bed, the mattress underneath her, the sheet laying lightly on top of her. Everything smelled...clean, and stale. There was a vague smell of flowers wafting towards her as well. Her fingers twitched, and she felt herself crashing back into her body, finally able to move again. Her hand closed again, tightening weakly around the larger hand that held it.

Octavian had let some of the flowers stick around, longer than they should have. A few of the vases had dead petals pooling around the bases of them. Octavian had been on his phone, before he had started to fall asleep in his chair. His sleep schedule was so off, it was only 6 PM, but he felt as though it was the middle of the night. The tightening of his hand forced him to slowly awaken. He was cautious about what to expect. He had dreamt that she had gripped his hand harder. But as OC opened his eyes and saw Noelles own eyes blinking open, he flinched. "N-Noelle?" he asked, wondering if this was a dream.

Noelle couldn't believe she was back, pulled out of the endless nothingness and in the real world again. Slowly her eyes started to flutter open and she grimaced at the harsh flourescent light greeting her. She was in a hospital, in a room she didn't recognize but it was definitely a hospital. Hearing a voice she jumped slightly, her eyes moving to the person holding her hand, sitting next to her. He looked like he had been sitting there a long time, like she had woken him up with her movement. "H-how long...was I...?" she tried to ask, her voice raspy. "Where am I?"

The sound of her voice lit Octavian's eyes up. He had almost forgotten it after all that time. He ran his hand over his face in disbelief, as if checking to make sure he was awake. "It's been... a while," he admitted as he thought about how long it had been. Had it been over a month already? The days had just blended together for him. He was certain he'd need to retake all his classes this semester. "It's been like, a month. And then some. You were out for a long time," he told her, still gripping her hand. "You're at the hospital, still at school," he added.

Noelle's face fell when he said how much time had passed. She was trapped in there for over a month? What life had passed around her while she was stuck like that? "Oh." she said quietly. She furrowed her brow at what he said, trying to think of what school she could remember past high school. "...school?" she repeated in confusion. Her eyes moved down to where he was still holding her hand, and the way he did and seemed so happy she was awake, he had to be someone who cared about her. But she was drawing a blank, and she felt horrible for it. "I don't, um," she stammered weakly, not sure how to say it. "but...who are you?"

Octavian wanted to cheer her up. He had played out her waking up in his mind over and over. She was happier in his dreams, and wanted to try and fix that. "Uh yeah, school. The institute? You know, college," he said while he gave her a confused look. Octavians own joy was dashed when she asked who he was. He was fearful of that, of being forgotten. "I'm OC... your... friend," he said unsure of how to explain it. "You don't remember me at all?" He asked.

Noelle looked around, trying to spark a memory from the room or just her mind. "The Institute...college." she repeated quietly. She gave his hand a tiny squeeze and her face creased with concern at the look on his face when she asked him. "OC...I, um, well you must be someone I know..." she reasoned, because he was here with her and knew her name. "I don't remember anything else though." she admitted. "I - I'm really sorry. I might if you try and remind me?"

Octavian held back his tears. This was his worst fear. Everything he has worked for with her was gone. He wasn't perfect, but the last thing he wanted was to start all over with her. The cambion nodded to her. "Yeah. I am. We're close. We live and work together, actually," he told her. How could he remind her? There had to be someone to prove how close they were. He looked down, eying Roscoe laying next to his chair to comfort OC. He reached down and placed it on Noelles bed. Seeing her awake, he got very excited, sniffing her, running around on her bed and licking her face. "I got you him," he added.

Noelle watched his face and it nearly broke her heart, "I'm so sorry." she apologized quickly. "We live together, like...roommates? Where do we work?" she asked, wanting as many details as possible to try and jog her memory. "What am I studying here?" When he picked up a little dog she gasped lightly as he set him on her bed. The puppy's excitement made her let out a tiny laugh, starting to smile as he ran around and licked at her. "Hey buddy," she said softly. "aren't you cute?" she said carefully petting him with her free hand, her movements still slow. Noelle looked back up at him, "OC...is that short for something?"

Octavian shook his head. "No, it's alright," he tried to tell her. It of course wasn't, but what else could he say. "Yeah, sort of. We sometimes sleep in the same bed," he said, unsure of how to tell her he had claimed her, like an object. Watching her with Ros comforted him a little. "Well my whole name is Octavian. But OC will will work," the student told her. There didn't seem to be a reason to remind her his middle name was Courtney.

Noelle gave him a confused look, they sometimes shared a bed. "Oh are we um, like, together, then?" she asked hesitantly. That could explain why he seemed so upset and had waited here with her all this time. She scratched behind the ears of the puppy, listening to him. "Octavian." she repeated. "I think I like Octavian better - if that's okay? Is that what I called you?" she asked. She looked around the room, seeing the remains of sweets and meals he had eaten while waiting for her. Suddenly she gasped lightly, "Octavian - you're a cook. Right? A chef?"

Octavian shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, something like that," he started. It wasn't clear what they were, the fact he has to feed a lot only complicated things. While she was in her coma, he thought about them. It was time to better define what they were, he sort of liked the idea of her being his girlfriend. She deserved a lot better than him. "Yeah, you called me that. And yes I like to cook, it's what I'm here for. You're here for art history. You may only like me because I make things for you to eat," he joked. "Well, that and the fact I go shirtless a lot."

Noelle nodded in understanding. He seemed like a nice guy who really cared about her, like he would be a good boyfriend. Her lips pulled into a small smile, "I did? And you are? I remembered that by myself." she pointed out, kind of proud. "Art history..." she mused to herself. "that makes sense, I've always liked art." The little dog curled up next to her and buried his nose in her sheets, making her smile again. "I wanna see if I can remember his name...he looks like maybe a Scout, or Buddy, or something?" she asked, searching her mind for something as simple as a dog name.

"Well you call him buddy a lot. But that's not his name," he told her as he looked over at the dog. He wanted to help her remember, so the two of them could move on, together. "You don't like, remember me at all? Like memories of us?" He asked her as he scratched his head. Would that mean starting completely over with her? "We've sort of been through a lot together," he added.

Noelle bit the inside of her cheek, trying to come up with something. She hated this feeling of fog in her mind, and she could only imagine how it felt for him. "I'm trying, but...I can barely remember anything about being here." she admitted. "Being in school, where this school is, any classes, people I've met. It's all fuzzy. But...I don't think it's like, gone?" she offered, trying to explain. "It feels like I could remember things if someone helped, it's all just really cloudy."

"It's in the Caribbean," he told her, hoping to spark anything in her memory. Octavian reached out and ran his hand through her dark hair. "I'm here to help. I want you to remember. I had a birthday, last month. You gave me this," he told her as he showed her the bracelet she had gotten him. It was right before his birthday she had went into a coma. "You didn't have a chance to give it to me yourself. You went into your coma first," he explained.

"A college in the caribbean, we're on an island then right? Do we live right by the beach?" she asked, an image of the beach right outside a window coming back to her. Noelle liked the feeling of his hand through her hair, she closed her eyes for just a moment as he did it, and another image came flooding back. "You used to do that sometimes, with my hair...when we watched movies?" she asked, vaguely remembering their sitting on a couch together. Noelle's face fell a little, "I missed your birthday?" She took the bracelet, carefully turning it in her hands and reading the message. "I gave this to you? I...knew that I wouldn't remember? Was I sick or something that I thought you might need this?" she asked, wondering what happeded before she went into the coma.

Octavian smiled, and gave her a nod. "Yeah, we do, we live right on the beach" he said softly. It gave him a small bit of hope, that maybe she'd remember him at some point. "Hallmark channel movies especially. I hate them, but they're your favorite. And you're cute enough where I can deal," he flirted. Despite the situation, he couldn't help himself. Octavian shook his head at her question. "I -- I don't know why you gave it to me. Maybe you knew something was going to happen. I'm not sure. You're pretty smart, so probably you were just thinking ahead, like worst case scenario. You were... compelled. A vampire here, he put it on you. It sort of made you do anything, anyone wanted," he informed her.

"That sounds nice, living on the beach." she mused. Noelle giggled a little at what he said, trying to picture him watching Hallmark with her. His comment sounded so natural, "Do you say stuff like that a lot?" she asked, feeling her ears blush a little. "So I must've thought we would need it." she said, still confused. When he kept talking though, she stared at him, her eyes growing wide. "Compelled? A what, a vampire ?" she asked. "That's not, vampires aren't real though." she said, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head. The machine next to her started to beep louder and faster as she tried to remember and terrifying images of blood and fangs and monsters sprung to her memory. They were real, and they were here, all kinds of creatures, and they had hurt her.

Octavian nodded. "I mean, yeah. I'm honest. And, I guess I sort of think you're really pretty," he admitted. Although, even in this state, she had to know how attractive she was. "They are real. And you worked for one. I know, it sounds fucking crazy. Trust me, I think so too. But I'm being real with you," he informed her. Even he thought this shit was straight out of some shitty CW or ABC Family show. But it was true, they existed. "You worked for one... and I, I tried to get you out of that situation. And your boss got mad, so he put a compulsion on you. Making you do whatever anyone commanded," he said, having a hard time looking at her as he spoke. The cambion still felt awful about it. "I'm really sorry for it. For my part in getting you here, in a coma," he added.

Noelle's breathing had picked up, and she was still shaking her head. "How..." she breathed. "Why would I work for a v-vampire?" she asked, having trouble even saying the name now that she was remembering they were real. She squeezed her eyes closed again as a pain hit her head, awful flashes running through her head. "I don't - I don't know if I'm remembering things or they're nightmares from the coma." she admitted, her chin quivering a little in fear. There was more blood, and chains, whips, sex, pain, fear. It couldn't all be real. She pulled herself from her thoughts long enough to hear him explain and apologize, and shook her head. "Hey, it doesn't sound like it was your fault." she assured, squeezing his hand lightly again.

Octavian shook his head. "I... don't know. It happened before we became friends. He can be convincing. And intimidating," he explained to her as he nodded his head. He wasn't sure how she got involved with him, but if he had a say in it when it first happened, he would have warned her not to get involved with a vampire. "That could be either. You've been through a lot since you've been here. Where you worked, and even just because of your compulsion. It's been really hard for you, I've seen how it changed you. It was really sad to watch," he told her, eyes welling up a little. "I'll always feel bad about it. Like I could have done more to protect you," he added.

"He sounds scary." she admitted, looking down at the dog next to her. She was embarrassed that she had gotten herself into such a mess, working for a vampire and letting him basically ruin her life from the sounds of it. "If I...tell you something I remember, can you help to tell me if it happened or not? Or tell me more about it?" she asked, wanting to make sense of all the clouds in her head. Noelle bit her lip, hearing the sadness in his voice as he explained. "How did I change? I hope it didn't make me mean or anything?" she asked. She shook her head again, "You're here now, I can't imagine how scared I would be if you weren't." she admitted, trying to assure him.

Xavier was scary. But honestly, it seemed so long ago. He was certain they wouldn't need to deal with him again. "Look, as soon as you get out of here, you won't have to worry about him, I promise. It's in the past. You beat him," he told her. Finally, she was out from working under him, and now able to make her own decisions. "Yeah, sure. I can do that. If it will help," he told her as he nodded his head. Octavian wondered what she'd ask, making him a little nervous. "Oh just... you weren't happy. You weren't as optimistic. Usually everyone at the school could count on your enthusiasm. But you sort of lost it. Which I mean, it's understandable. You went through some pretty messed up shit. Octavian pulled her hand up and kissed it. "I hardly left. Just to like shower basically. I wanted to be here when you woke up."

Noelle nodded, smiling lightly. "Thank you. Even if I don't remember everything...I feel safe, with you." she offered. "I remember, or, I think I remember...a pink house? And...being tied up, and, stretched? Like I was being pulled, and it hurt. Did that happen?" she asked hesitantly. Noelle felt bad that she had changed the way he said, like she had let everyone down because she couldn't handle whatever the compulsion had done to her. "So, I had to do whatever I was told? Like, automatically? Even if I didn't want to?" That sounded horrible, and scary, no wonder it wore on her if that was what she had to live with. Noelle watched him, thinking he really was a sweet guy to do all this for her, to treat her with so much kindness. "I'm really glad you were, thank you." she said again. The puppy next to her perked his head up at the sound of a nurse walking by the room and she breathed a small laugh before gasping. "Roscoe - his name is Roscoe, right?"

"Yeah... the place we live in has a lot of pink," he confirmed. It was better than living in the dorms, it was safe for Noelle being secluded. Tiff's house was also gorgeous, which made the decision a lot easier, to find someplace else to live. It was nice to hear she felt safe with him, despite her lack of memory. "Yeah... people did some awful shit to you. Because of your compulsion or otherwise. It's just sort of how this place is. But I'm here for you. So are your other friends. To make sure you're alright. You've dealt with a lot, but you got through it. You're really strong," he assured her. He didn't want to go into much more detail about her compulsion. The sooner it was in the past, the better. "Yeah! You named him. I got him for you for your birthday, to try and help you deal with shit."

Noelle laughed a little, "Did I make you decorate it pink? Why pink?" she asked. Her favorite color was purple, she would've chosen that if anything. When he confirmed what she remembered, she shuddered a little that it was true. What kind of place was this, with mythical creatures walking around, and people hurting each other like that? "Who are some of my friends? Will you help tell me who is nice here?" she asked, worried she might end up in another bad situation. She preferred to trust people and be optimistic, but after this she wondered if she should be more careful. Noelle smiled wider that she had gotten something right, the puppy starting to jump excitedly when he heard his name from her. "Hey Roscoe! Oh I bet you were so good waiting here." she said, hugging him. "And you brought him here," she said, looking at Octavian. "you're a good guy."

Octavian shook his head. "Oh hell no," he started with a smile. "I wouldn't stand for that if I had a choice. It's our roommate, she owns it. It's her place, her decorations," he explained to her. The house was beautiful, despite the color choice. "But don't worry, she's totally cool, you're friends with her. Um, Violet is your friend, you should probably see her soon. That might help you remember," he said. That made Octavian a little nervous, about what she would tell Noelle about him. How she could tell her how much of a jerk he sometimes was to her. "You have a lot of friends though. The list of people who are mean to you are shorter," he added. OC flashed her a smile when she mentioned he must be a good guy. He shook his head at the notion. "I -- I don't know about that. I've made a lot of mistakes. Don't some things I shouldn't," he admitted.

Noelle blinked in surprise, "We have a roommate? So it's us two and we like rent from this girl? I'm glad she's a good one." she mused. "It sounds good to live with anyone...I was so alone in there, in the coma." she admitted softly. "Violet, that's a pretty name. Was she here a lot too?" she asked, seeing other stuff strewn around the room that didn't look like it was from him. She breathed in relief at what he said though, glad that she had made friends and didn't have to worry quite so much. Noelle wondered why he talked about himself like that, if he was always so down on himself or if it was about everything that had happened. "I think everyone has...that doesn't make you so bad." she offered.

"Yeah, she is. I wouldn't have moved in if I didn't trust her. Or if you didn't. It's safe to go to, whenever you're ready," he assured her. Octavian didn't want to know much about what it was like in her coma. He felt bad about feeling that way, but it just saddened him. He wanted to forget about it. "Yeah, she has been. She's sort of got a master..." he started. He wanted to avoid that dynamic of the island. But he didn't know how else to explain why Violet had to leave here more than him. "So she has responsibilities to him. She can't be here as much as me," the cambion told her, his face growing a little hot. "I guess. We've known each other a long time. We went home to Chicago last year. And we met each other's families. They're good, I promise. They miss you," he told her to try and lighten her mood.

"Good." she said, kind of excited to be back living in the pink house again. "I'm not sure they'll let me leave here right away though..." she admitted, looking at the machines around her. "Is our roommate a uh, one of the supernatural ones? Are...you?" she asked, realizing she hadn't. Noelle was confused again at what he said, "She has a master?" she repeated. "What does that mean?" she was surprised to hear they had gone back home together, "So you're from Chicago too? You met my family?" She must have trusted him to bring him home to meet them. "You're sure they're good? You've talked to them? Do they know about...this?" she asked a little quieter, hoping her family wasn't at home scared for her.

"Yeah, probably not. We can ask Qhuinn when she comes to check on you. But they'll want to observe you I bet," he said with a shake of his head. Octavian had asked what would be the process, once she woke up. And every time he was told they'd want to watch her, to make sure she was okay. And clearly, with her memory issue they'd want to observe for a while. "Tiff? Yeah, she's a Siren. Which is like, a mermaid, but can sing. And like, control you. But don't worry, she's totally chill. She'd never hurt you or anything. I trust her. And I... yeah I am. My father was an incubus. So I'm a half one of those," he admitted, trying to skirt past that subject if he could. Octavian didn't want to scare her. "A master... here, if you're a grant student, you can be like, owned or claimed by someone. It's not a great dynamic. And yeah, they're great. We spent a week there with them. I slept on your couch, to make sure their favorite daughter stayed saintly," he joked. That was his least favorite part of the trip. "And they can't know everything about here. I haven't told them about you in a coma. I didn't know how to tell them. They're probably worried about you," he added.

Noelle nodded, she would probably be in the hospital a while still but at least she could be aware of it and talk to people again. Her stomach growled loudly and she giggled a little, setting her hand on it. "I guess I'm kinda hungry." she mused shyly. "So we live with a siren and I'm dating a...half incubus? So you like, feed on...humans, right? You both do? I don't remember a lot about mythical people." she admitted, trying to hide her nervousness but the beeping machine gave it away. "Wait, you can be - owned? Like, belong to someone?" the beeping only got louder, enough to call a nurse in who got very excited and concerned and bustled around her to check on her, only making it worse really. She blushed when he mentioned her family though, talking despite the nurse doing tests. "Yeah I could see them wanting that...I hope they're okay. Maybe I can call them soon?" she asked, looking to the nurse who for some reason gave her a sad look and reverted her back to Octavian.

Octavian looked around him. There were some wrappers, take out boxes from the pub, and a few pizza boxes, courtesy of Sage around him. But nothing left to offer Noelle. Plus he wasn't sure if giving her solid food right away was the best thing to do. Octavian got up and looked around, finding the remote connected to her bed. If a nurse wasn't on the way yet, they would be soon. "Let's get a nurse in here to see if was can feed you or something," he said softly. He clicked the button, a small ring buzzing. "Look I know it sounds crazy. I get it. It's not the easiest thing to wake up to. But it's true. I don't like that people here can be owned. But that's just how it is. And yeah, I feed in a weird way. I didn't ask for it, it's just how I am. Same with Tiff, But we're both have like, good hearts. We don't abuse people for it. We can call as soon as you're out of here, once you're back home and safe," he told her.

"Have I had a feeding tube the whole time then?" she asked hesitantly. "Or an IV?" Noelle was definitely overwhelmed, finding out this school had supers and you could own people. "So, um...do you own people? Do I?" she paused a moment. "Do you...own me?" she asked, shrinking into her bed a little. Noelle was glad neither him nor his roommate were mean about it though. "That's...this is, a lot." She admitted, glad when the nurse offered to get her some pudding and she nodded. When she left, Noelle looked at Octavian. "But thanks for explaining things to me."

He nodded his head at her. "You've had both. I'm not sure why they didn't stick with one, you'd need to ask a nurse," OC told her. They had explained it to Octavian before, but he couldn't remember it. It was best not to tell her that. "I -- yeah I do. You're a slave, which means you go here for free. You can't own people, just be owned. You're sort of my slave. I did it to protect you. And because, I also sort of like you," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. The cambion hoped she wouldn't judge him for it, and believe that his intentions were good.

Noelle looked down at her arm with an IV in it, tracing the tube back to the machine. She couldn't remember the last time she'd spent time in a hospital, but hopefully this time would mean she wouldn't need to again soon. Her lips parted in surprise at the word, "S-slave?" she repeated, her stomach feeling sick at the thought. All the awful flashes of memories she was getting, it was because they were free to what they wanted to her here, including whatever sex they wanted. "I'm your...so you - " she stammered, looking down at her hands and unable to finish. "I thought...we were dating? Or do you um, own me? Or both, somehow?" she asked, and let out a defeated breath, covering her face with her hands. "Do I even want to remember things about this place?" she asked, her voice cracking and she felt like she was going to cry. "So far I've learned more bad than good...I'm scared." she admitted, curling up on the bed.

"Well I mean, we sort of are. Not officially. We like, live together. But like, we're not boyfriend and girlfriend," he admitted. He felt like a douche for it, for not treating her like how she deserved. "But like, I want to date you," he started. He had thought about it while she slept. It was time to finally put his money where his mouth was. "Look you don't need to be scared. Things will be better now. Better than when you went into your coma. I promise. It might not feel like it, but it will," he tried to explain.

Noelle supposed she could see where it would be hard to explain things simply, why he couldn't just answer with yes or no they were dating. "You do?" she asked quietly when he said he wanted to though. She could barely remember her life, she probably wasn't the best person to date right now. But he was really sweet for staying with her, and helping her now, and he was handsome..."I just, it's so much." she said again, shaking her head. "I hope it's better though, so I don't risk something like this again." she mused. "Did I...tell you I was doing this? Or was it a surprise? If you didn't know...I'm sorry for scaring you." she offered. "As long as I can stay with you and other nice people who help me remember, I'll feel better."

"I know it is," he told her, running his hand through her hair again. They weren't dating because of her compulsion. It wasn't her fault, at all. He just didn't think he would be a good boyfriend. "Don't like think it was because of you, why we aren't dating. It's not. You're great. And anyone would be lucky to be dating you," he tried to assure her. Octavian knew Noelle long enough to know what she must be thinking when he explained these things to her. The cambion shook his head at her. "Naw... you didn't. We had talked about it, but I only found out after you were already in the hospital," he told her, not wanting to relive it any longer.

Noelle smiled a little and blushed, nodding to show she was trying to understand. Dating probably wasn't so easy when one person 'owned' the other, who had to do whatever she was told..."I mean, I know I don't remember everything yet, but I don't see why I wouldn't want to date you too." she offered honestly. "You've been so nice to me, you're-um, you're handsome, and, you said we've known each other a long time." she reasoned, but knew it probably didn't mean as much at the moment. She frowned, "I'm sorry." she said again, knowing how much it must have scared him. "But...thank you for being here, and helping me."

Octavian shrugged his shoulders. "Well, when you get to know me again, you might realize it," he told her. He couldn't help but feed, even if he wasn't terribly hungry, how could he turn down someone like Tiff, or Sage? He felt a little bad about it, but in the moment, he didn't feel remorse. Noelle deserved better than that. "Ha, yeah, I know," he said about her compliment. "You're hella cute. I mean, obviously you are. I don't think I'd be as eager to hang out with you if that wasn't the case," he joked. Octavian looked back as the nurse entered the room. "You'd do the same for me. Of course I would do the same for you. I'm going to make sure you're back to 100%," he assured her.

Noelle wished he didn't talk about himself like that, even if she didn't know everything about him she didn't like hearing people be down on themselves. "No matter what I remember about you again, there has to be a reason we were together, why you stayed here," she offered. "why I feel safe and like I can trust you." she pointed out. His willingness to be insecure and vulnerable around her right now was a good thing to her, she probably wanted to date him too before she forgot everything. When he started complimenting her again she shook her head lightly, "I'm not that - not really." she insisted with a nervous laugh, touching her hospital gown. She took a deep breath and let it out to relax herself when the nurse returned, thanking her for the food and starting to eat small bites. She tried to be optimistic, "I'll remember more, I know it. I have to."

#awake #skype thread #p: octavian #She's awake!!

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ezra-blue · 8 years ago

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You’ve Got Something - 27

For @baronvonriktenstein‘s Messy!AU

27: When The Cat’s Away

Hakkai leaves town, and asks Gojyo to house-sit.

Word Count: ~12,500

27: When The Cat's Away

Gojyo was almost embarrassed of how obviously Goku could gawk at someone. He'd physically push the kid’s jaw shut if he weren't trying so hard not to laugh at him. Gat, luckily, either hadn't noticed or was pretending not to notice that both Goku and Lirin were taking him in, Goku like he was staring at a work of art, and Lirin as if she'd found a plate of cookies. Gojyo merely patted him on the back. "Guys, this is our new mechanic, I think I mentioned him, Nenegatty Hawk."

"Just Gat," Gat added in a mutter. Goku sucked in air when Gat spoke, and Gojyo had to stifle a chuckle.

"Right. Gat, the boy's Goku, my apprentice, the girl's Lirin, our receptionist." He motioned between them, then clapped his hands together and addressed Goku and Lirin. "So, he's gonna be here Tuesday through Saturday, closing the shop, and I'm gonna be leaving at four on days he's here. That's all. Gat, you need to know where anything is, you can ask anyone, but Goku'll give you the tour."

Goku squeaked, and Gat turned his steady, focused gaze towards him, but Gojyo's phone went off, breaking the tension. "Ah, that's all. Let's get to it, kids!" Gojyo grabbed his phone as Goku nervously introduced himself again and showed Gat into the garage. Hakkai had sent a message:

"Come over for lunch?"

Gojyo grinned and typed back: "Sure."

Hakkai's response came before Gojyo could finish fixing his hair back into a ponytail: "Sanzo will come grab you when it's ready."

Gojyo blew a raspberry to himself, but replied, "Sounds good." He heard something clatter, and leaned into the garage to find Goku had stumbled into a toolkit, then groaned and chased him down. "Tol'ja, monkeybrains, you gotta watch where you're going!"

Gojyo kept catching Goku helplessly staring at Gat as they worked, and kept having to shake his head at the dumb kid. When Gat stepped out for a break, Gojyo caught Goku by the collar. "S'matter with you? You can't just stare at a guy. Plus, you have a boyfriend!"

"Hey, just 'cause I already ordered doesn't mean I ain't curious 'bout what else is on the menu!" Goku turned bright red. "An' I'm just lookin'. That's it. He's really nice to look at but I'll get over that."

Gojyo raised an eyebrow, then mussed Goku's hair and pushed his bangs into his eyes. “Fine. Just watch it. I don't want Gat complaining to me about you.”

Despite Goku staring as if Gat were washing his car shirtless and using his own chest hair as a sponge, Gojyo couldn't be happier. He was cutting his hours so he could get off at the same time as Hakkai most of the week! He could open another bay during the day and get more work done! He was one step closer to giving himself two days off a week. Gat was already worth the salary Gojyo had promised him, just for the promise of good things to come.

Gojyo busied himself through the day, but he had an ear open for the shop bell, and sure enough, Sanzo showed up right around noon. Gojyo heard Goku run out to greet him, and a brief shock of terse conversation between Sanzo and Lirin. Gojyo chuckled and went closer to listen.

“... droolin’ over at the new guy when you got a handsome boyfriend!” Lirin was pouting, but Gojyo hid in the little storage hall, a few feet behind where Goku stood, as she stomped her feet. Sanzo, standing near the door with his arms crossed tight, inhaled sharply and turned to glare at Goku. Goku laughed nervously, lifting his hands.

“You gotta see him, you'll get it! He's like seven feet tall and made of muscles!” Goku tried to estimate just how huge Gat was with his hands. “I mean, like, Gojyo's got the sexy muscles, but I think Gat's got even sexier--”

Gojyo nipped an arm out and grabbed Goku's ear, yanking it to an exclamation of pain and panic, then stepped into the office and dragged Goku a step towards Sanzo. “Kid, you're right on the knife's edge of sexual harassment. Chill.” He then pushed Goku towards Sanzo. “How's it goin'?”

Sanzo, looking like he'd sucked a lemon, tensed and took Goku by the arm. “I shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore. Come on.”

“Yeah, sure. One second.” Gojyo turned and leaned back into the shop. “Yo! Gat!” Gat stepped back from the car he was working on to face Gojyo, an eyebrow raised. “Me an' Goku were gonna grab lunch. You need anything, Lirin's here and has my number, I'll just be at the bakery on the other end of the block!” Gat nodded, and leaned right back into his work. Gojyo scratched his head. “Oh, you want anything? Coffee? Croissant?”

Gat tipped his head out from around the car hood again. “Black, and no, thank you.” Then, right back to work. Gojyo scratched his head and shrugged, but turned to find Goku, Lirin, and Sanzo at his shoulder, Goku and Lirin both grinning, and Sanzo with a face loaded with apoplexy as he examined Gat like a great big wall that had been dropped into his path. Gojyo had to force himself not to laugh, stuffing his tongue into the back of his throat like a gag for a second before he could talk without laughing.

"Guys, let's go, I don't wanna keep Hakkai waiting. Lirin, roll your tongue back into your mouth and mind the phone."

Lirin stomped both feet, then stormed back to her desk. "Killjoy cockroach."

"That's my name, kid." Gojyo grabbed his jacket and strode out the door with Goku and Sanzo in tow. He could hear them quietly talking -- Sanzo defensive and argumentative, and Goku calm but a little confused -- and smirked to himself.

Maybe Sanzo could use a little competition. Goku probably wouldn't mind if Sanzo tried harder.

Sanzo directed Gojyo and Goku to the back door of the bakery, muttering something about not wanting customers to see them go in through the front, and unlocked the door for them before immediately directing both of them to wash their hands. Hakkai had put bowls out on one of the work benches and was laying out napkins and spoons, already wearing a smile when Gojyo approached. He set a hand on his hip and admired Hakkai, always so professional in his apron and cap, grinning with satisfaction.

"Seems like those few hours between when I wake up and when I see you again are just too long, babe."

"The feeling is mutual; except I'm awake longer." Hakkai finished setting out spoons and turned, pausing only to let Gojyo dust the flour from his sleeves before leaning in for a kiss. Someone scoffed behind them, and a sharp, teasing voice interrupted:

"I'm not sure that's sanitary in my workspace." Gojyo and Hakkai turned to find Sharak, dressed in colorful pajama pants and carrying a big purse, watching them with a smirk on her face and her hands on her hips. "Knock it off, I don't think our disinfectant spray helps with cooties."

Gojyo snorted, but Hakkai sighed his discontent with a disingenuous smile. "You remember Sharak, of course."

"Couldn't forget her. Nice to see ya."

"Now, where were we?" Hakkai pulled Gojyo back to face him and kissed him square on the nose, then swept off towards the stove, speaking to the room: "I've made tomato soup and brioche melt sandwiches for everyone in the kitchen! There will be plenty in the pot if you can't take your break yet!" He returned carrying a cauldron of soup, and Sharak laughed and held out one of the empty bowls to him.

"Psht. Brioche melt. Just call it 'grilled cheese,' you ninny."

"I didn't grill it, so that would be inaccurate." Hakkai filled her bowl with a single, neat ladleful, then turned to fill the rest of the bowls, explaining to Gojyo. "I baked some of our leftover brioche loaf slices with cheddar and dressed them with a bit of clarified herb butter. The brioche is rich and buttery, and when a little stale it's absorbent, so it can pick up fantastic flavors. I love using it for sweet French toast, but it’s just as good for savory sandwiches."

"I'd love to try it." Gojyo took a bowl, as Sanzo pulled a tray of sandwiches from the oven and Goku followed with a stack of plates. Gojyo noticed that Sanzo made a point of giving Goku a plate and a sandwich as soon as Goku had put the rest of the plates down. Sharak grabbed a sandwich (over Hakkai's quick protest to 'mind yourself, the sheet is hot') and a bowl, then set her sights on Hakkai again.

"So, I don't suppose you've told your boy toy here why you had to wake me up during the day."

"Not as yet, no." Then, Hakkai leaned in, eyebrows raised with excitement. "Did you bring the sample?"

"Damn right." Sharak patted her purse, and Gojyo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Something had happened, and Hakkai looked absolutely delighted at the prospect.

Most of the kitchen staff milled around eating their sandwiches, but Sharak, Sanzo, and Hakkai gathered around Hakkai's bench as Sharak took a package from her purse, a brown bag rolled shut tight. Goku and Gojyo leaned in from the back of the bench, frowning with curiosity. "I was told," Sharak said with drama in her tones, "that this was packed the moment it was cool enough to be in an enclosed space and sent by Federal Express. The deliveryman woke Hassan up two hours ago. This is as fresh as it will be unless we go to their bakery ourselves."

"Enough theatrics." Sanzo grabbed a knife. "Open it."

The package was cut, revealing a round mound of golden-crusted bread with an X cut into the top crust. The smell of fresh bread wafted into the air, that ineffable smell that spoke of hearth and comfort, and Sharak and Hakkai both gasped. Sanzo didn't seem especially impressed, especially as he took up a serrated knife and carved it into little wedges. The inside of the bread was bright white, and as Gojyo took his piece, he noticed that it was springy and tender to touch, while the outside was hard and a little flaky. Hakkai tore a little bit off of his to taste, and nudged Sharak's arm. "This is the real deal. I can taste it."

"What the hell are you talking about? It's bread." Sanzo rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, sorry, babe, but I'm a little lost." Gojyo took a nibble. There was a pungent tang to the bread, making his mouth water, and the flavor sparked in his mouth, but still: "It's really good bread, but yours is better."

"That's our problem. It isn't." Sharak motioned to Hakkai. "Is there any sourdough from this morning left on the shelf? I'll buy it."

Hakkai returned with a sandwich-style loaf that had a similar flaky golden crust and the same bright white insides and passed slices around. Gojyo tasted Hakkai's slice, and though it had the same flavor, there was something different. The bread Sharak had brought out of the bag had a scent to it that reminded him a little of good beer, just a little bitter, and maybe even a little more salt. Sanzo and Goku tasted for comparison, and even Goku shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Hakkai, but yeah, the other one's better. So, what're ya gonna do?"

Hakkai and Sharak both turned right to Sanzo, who grunted uncomfortably. "How much of an improvement will it really be, and will it be worth it in the long run?"

Gojyo and Goku looked to one another, both confused, but Hakkai noticed and turned to them. "This bakery is offering a four-day sourdough seminar. They're a small shop, but well-known for having exquisite sourdough."

"And," Sharak added, excitement bright like citrus in her voice, "They'll be providing their starter to other professional bakers!"

"That's worth the cost of admission alone," Hakkai added. "Sourdough is made without adding packaged yeast, but instead by harvesting the yeast in the air and growing it as a culture in your dough. You never actually bake all of the dough, either, you simply keep some and feed it and it renews itself. When we say they're giving out their starter, I mean they're giving out a piece of their dough for us to take back.” Hakkai tore off another little piece of the bread. “The wild yeast culture living and growing in that dough actually changes the flavor of the bread, depending on where the yeast is grown, because yeast cultures differ everywhere you go. Ask any connoisseur, however, and they'll tell you the best cultures start in San Francisco."

"The West Coast is generally accepted as having better cultures than the East Coast of America, as a rule, but San Francisco is king. There's something in the air." Sharak gesticulated, twirling her fingers in the air in front of her nose, but Goku curiously volunteered:

"Is it the salt in the air from the bay? Maybe you could just add more salt to your dough."

"Sweet child." Sharak shook her head and patted his hand. "Salt kills yeast." She looked back at Gojyo as Goku stuck his lip out and hung his head. "Scientists have attempted to determine why San Francisco is consistently so much better, but there's no consensus. It's just like different bacteria cultures that naturally occur in water or in the common cold."

"Wait." Gojyo frowned. "But if you bring it up here, won't the yeast up here, y'know, spoil the party?"

"Once a culture is started, it reproduces of its own. It may capture some of our natural yeast, but chiefly, it will be the original culture." Hakkai ran his finger down the flaky crust of the round loaf. "We want to bring this bread here."

"But this tightwad here--" Sharak thumbed towards Sanzo -- "Won't pony up for the seminar."

"Am I made of money? Our gold card has a limit, you know." Sanzo crossed his arms. "The asking price is exorbitant."

"It's not that bad." Hakkai laced his fingers. "We'll share a hotel room and take the train to save money. I'll expense my own meals. I also know we're not wanting for money right now. It's an investment, Sanzo."

"We will win awards with this." Sharak sounded as certain as stone. "No other bakery in town will have bread like this. We can even market it as such: Real San Francisco Sourdough! The tourists and vacationers will love it."

Gojyo found himself nodding along, until something Hakkai had said caught him by the ear: "We'll share a hotel room." "Wait, Hakkai, you're going too?"

Hakkai faced Gojyo, eyebrows knit up, but nodding. "I want to, yes. I'd like to learn the techniques so I can train any new hires. That is, if we do learn them." He turned back towards Sanzo, his smile entreating an answer. Sanzo finally sighed with disgust.

"Fine. Fine, sign up. This better be the goddamned bestseller bread next month, and if I find out you got yourselves a fancy-ass suite at the Ritz, I'll bury you. Two double beds at a HoJo, and don't expense anything pricier than a McDonald's trip or I’ll take it out of your skin."

Sharak cackled and kissed Sanzo on the cheek, to a disgusted grimace. "Fantastic! I'll make the reservations." She patted Hakkai on the back. "I'll text you the details before I go back to bed. See you in the morning!" Sharak wolfed the rest of her sandwich down and stuffed a wedge of the sourdough bread back into her purse before sauntering out, and Gojyo turned back towards Hakkai, his heart beating a little harder.

"When're you gonna be gone?"

"If all goes according to plan, from this Friday until next Tuesday." Hakkai bit his lip. "I... should I have cleared this with you first?"

Gojyo shook his head. "Nah, you're your own man, of course you can go. This's important to you, why would I stop you?" He grinned broadly. "You just gotta bring me a souvenir."

Hakkai's face crinkled with joy. "Of course I will."

"Me too!" Goku tugged Hakkai's apron. "You gotta get pictures!"

"There won't be time for sightseeing, but I'll get souvenirs." Hakkai laughed a little and backed away from Goku, then put his hand over Gojyo's. "And can I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything, babe."

Hakkai squeezed his palm. "Will you take care of Ryuu while I'm gone?"

Gojyo's face froze in a smile. There was the fucking rub. “Sure. You got it.”

For all the upsides, there was always something, right?

Gojyo loved their new normal, for the most part. He got home in the afternoon (the same time as Hakkai now that Gat was working evenings), he kicked his boots off and washed his face, and he was greeted with Hakkai's happy kiss, a glass of water, an offer for tea, and an request for him to tell Hakkai all about his day. Then, there was dinner, and it was always good, and Gojyo got to enjoy Hakkai's company. Then, they'd sit on the sofa, cozy and happy, and Hakkai could read and Gojyo could watch whatever he wanted on the little TV in Hakkai's hutch.

Usually, though, Ryuu would slink up, jump directly between Hakkai and Gojyo, and hiss and spit at Gojyo whenever Gojyo reached for Hakkai. Even when he wasn't trying to get fresh! Ryuu had the meanest face when he stared at Gojyo, fierce like a little tiger with his teeth bared, and if Gojyo did just try to reassure himself, 'it's just a cat, what can he do to stop me?' and reached past him to tousle Hakkai's hair, he'd usually be rewarded with a swipe of claws across the forearm. Hakkai would tut Ryuu, but Ryuu would bump his head against Hakkai's palm and purr and be immediately forgiven, and then Hakkai would clean Gojyo's battle wounds. Ryuu seemed to know exactly what he was doing, glowering at him from over the edge of the sofa as Hakkai dabbed the blood from his arm.

Gojyo wanted to like the cat. The cat just plain didn't like him.

Even the night before the trip, Ryuu was sitting in Hakkai's suitcase and giving Gojyo the stinkeye as Hakkai stacked up pairs of pants and socks around him. “I know he can fuss at you, but thank you for agreeing to mind him.” Hakkai smiled at Gojyo over the suitcase, even as Ryuu batted one of the pairs of socks off of the bed.

“I'm happy to help, babe.” Gojyo shrugged, but kept a healthy distance from Ryuu even as the cat craned his neck back around towards him. “I mean, I see how you do for him. Half a cup of kibble in the morning and at night, spoonful of the wet food at night.”

“Yes.” Hakkai pulled a few shirts from his drawer. “Scoop the litter every day, and it'll need to be dumped and changed on Sunday.” He tucked the shirts into the suitcase, then turned back to his chest of drawers, frowning. “Hmm. And you should try to play with him.” He began to busy himself with something or other in the drawers. “He likes the feather duster, he'll chase it around. He clearly has a strong hunting instinct.”

“Yeah.” Gojyo set his hand on his hip, and Ryuu immediately crouched on his haunches, ready to pounce. “I noticed.”

Hakkai giggled, but didn't turn around. “Ah, and you can throw his jingly ball, and he'll chase it. Anything you can do to keep him at arm's length, I suppose. I do wish you two got along better.”

“Me too.” Gojyo turned his arm over and scowled at the most recent set of scratches, which were still weeping just a little. “But I guess the claw marks are getting more shallow.” He grinned and showed them off, and Hakkai merely sighed and shook his head.

"Perhaps you two can bond while I'm gone. I really would like you to get along." Hakkai turned and gestured to his chest of drawers. "Especially with how much you're around, which is why I've done this." Gojyo realized Hakkai was displaying an emptied drawer and a broad smile. "It's a bit silly for you to have to carry your things in an overnight bag when you're here six nights a week. Why don't you bring a few changes of clothes with you to keep here?"

Hakkai had made space for him. Even with his jerk cat hissing and spitting for him, it was reassuring that there was still room for him. "I don't got much, but I'll bring some stuff here." He circled the bed to stand next to Hakkai (staying well out of Ryuu's swat radius) and took both of his hands. "It feels like home more and more every time I come in and see you here waiting." He kissed across Hakkai's forehead, then smiled into his skin. His hair smelled good, sweet like sugar, rich with Hakkai's natural scent. "You want me to take you to the train station tomorrow? That way, you don't have to leave your car there, so it won't get damaged or stolen or nothing while you're away, and I can say goodbye to ya last thing before you go and be the first to see you when you're back."

Hakkai sank into his chest, his chin propped on Gojyo's shoulder. "Please."

Ryuu was swatting at Gojyo's pants pocket, his little claws tearing at the denim, face curdled up like a little goblin's. Gojyo held Hakkai tight and ignored him. The hum of Hakkai's heartbeat against his chest was so much more valuable than any ragged pair of jeans and more important than anything else in the universe at that moment.

Seeing Hakkai off at the train station was only a little heart-achy. They kissed on the platform, Hakkai pausing to tousle Gojyo's hair and rub his nose against his before breaking away and stepping onto the train to be welcomed with a few teasing jabs from Sharak. Gojyo watched the train leave, then returned to his car to get on with his day.

It was only four days, and Hakkai had promised to text him when he wasn't busy. That wouldn't be so bad. They'd had days when they were too busy to see each other, this was just like that.

The uncanny part kicked in when he got back to Hakkai's house and opened the door to find just Ryuu there in the dim living room, curled up on the couch. He lifted his head just to hiss at Gojyo, then settled back in the very middle of the cushion as Gojyo threw his jacket onto the banister. Gojyo sniffed to himself and made a face at the cat, then tried to sit on the far left of the couch. Ryuu yowled and clawed at him, and Gojyo jumped off the couch and moved to an empty chair. Ryuu's beady little eyes followed him as he sat and yanked his phone out to text Hakkai.

"Home sweet home. It's quiet without you." He sighed and settled in after hitting the send. Gojyo could still feel Ryuu staring him down, and though he found the TV remote and flipped the set on, the house was still too quiet.

Maybe there just wasn't enough in it. Usually, Hakkai would be flitting around the kitchen in his apron by now, or settled up reading a magazine or a cook book, and the house would smell like Heaven. Instead, Hakkai had made four lunches in sectioned Tupperware containers and three dinners for Gojyo to heat up for himself, complete with little post-it note instructions on how each one was best served. Gojyo had Hakkai's shadow here, but the lack of his substance was darkening Gojyo's mood.

Gojyo's phone chimed with a message, and Gojyo read: "You could always invite Goku and Sanzo over. I'm sure Goku would love to meet Ryuu. There's an after-dinner session, so I can't talk now, but I'll call before bedtime."

Then came another message, this one a photograph: Hakkai holding the phone at arm's length above him, his face and cuffs dusted with flour, looking down into a vat of bubbly-looking dough. Gojyo couldn't help but grin and turn his own phone towards himself. Ryuu jerked to attention at the first flash and crossed the sofa to take a closer look, but Gojyo didn't notice. Instead, he checked the photo and grimaced. He'd blinked. One more try. He held up the phone again, but when he checked his work, he saw that Ryuu had stuck his head in the frame, looking inquisitively at the camera lens. Gojyo turned and saw Ryuu blinking off the flash, looking a little dazed. Gojyo found himself grinning with all his teeth and sent the photograph right off to Hakkai with the message:

“Check it out, he actually willingly came within five feet of me without mauling my arm!”

He hopped up to his feet and headed for the kitchen, turning a few lights on and trying to decide which of the tasty things Hakkai had left for him. He could miss Hakkai all he wanted, but he'd lived most of his life in a world without Hakkai in it. He still had enough of Hakkai to keep things bright.

Soon enough, he had a bowl of stew, a bottle of beer, and a text sent out to Sanzo and Goku inviting them to come and hang. He made sure to scoop the litterbox and put Ryuu's food out once he put his bowl in the dishwasher, just as Goku sent a text to say he'd be over soon, and Sanzo followed up with an offer to drive. Hakkai had put snacks in the cabinet and sodas in the refrigerator, as if anticipating that Gojyo would invite company over, and Gojyo put out a bag of pretzels right as the doorbell rang.

Goku gawked around Hakkai's entryway, before hurriedly taking his shoes and jacket off. “Is there somewhere I can put this?”

“I'unno.” Gojyo shrugged, but Sanzo scoffed and took Goku's jacket.

“There's some hooks here. He probably always puts your jacket there without you noticing.” Sanzo shut the door to reveal a rack behind the door. Gojyo vaguely remembered finding his jacket there a few times after leaving his jacket wherever it fell, but it was so automatic he hardly noticed most of the time. Sanzo hung his scarf and coat up as well, but Goku had already bounded into the house to find Ryuu licking his forepaws.

“Kitty!” He squealed, then crouched down. Ryuu turned to him curiously, and Goku quickly composed himself with a deep breath, then deliberately looked away from Ryuu, towards one of his catnip toys on the ground. Ryuu followed Goku's sightline, then stalked towards the toy and batted it towards him. Goku pretended not to notice, but flapped the hand nearest the toy, sending it skittering into the kitchen. Ryuu chased it, and Goku watched him run off, smirking to himself. Gojyo gawked from the entryway.

“How'd he do that?”

Gojyo expected a snarky response, something like “takes an animal to know one,” but Sanzo said nothing. Gojyo pivoted to see that he was backed into the corner nearest the door. “Uh, you okay?”

“Where is it?” Sanzo's eyes narrowed, and Gojyo found himself smirking.

“You mean Hakkai's kitty? Goku just sent him into the kitchen.”

Sanzo made a strange face, and muttered, “Fine. Maybe it'll stay in there.” He hurried to the sofa and sat, looking over his shoulder all the while, and Gojyo grinned with all of his teeth.

“Are you scared of the kit-kat?” Sanzo scoffed and put a bag he'd been carrying on the coffee table, but Goku looked up from observing Ryuu.

“You didn't tell me you were scared of cats!”

“I'm not.” Sanzo pulled a face. “I don't like them.” Then, he motioned to Gojyo. “Besides, I'm surprised you're not avoiding it like the plague. Don't think I haven't seen your scratches.”

Gojyo sniffed and scratched at the healing wounds on his arm, then flopped onto the chair opposite Sanzo. “It's a ten-pound half-naked gremlin. What's to be scared of?”

Sanzo 'hmph'ed and crossed his arm. “I'm not.”

“Yeah, well.” Goku trotted to sit next to Sanzo on the sofa. “He seems nice! Shy, but nice!” Goku put an arm up over the sofa onto Sanzo's shoulder, and Sanzo gave him a sideways look but settled into it. “So, you brought the mah jongg set?”

“I did.” Sanzo took a wooden box out of the bag, then held it out to Gojyo so he could see. “One of my dads' sets. They can only play one of them at a time, they won't notice it missing. You interested in learning a party game?”

“I'm game.” Gojyo shrugged his shoulders back. “Does Hakkai play?”

“He did, when he was closer to my family. Usually he'd play on a team with his sister when he played with my fathers and me.” He opened the box and poured out the tiles. “It's best played with four, but if you learn, then Hakkai can play on a team with you, Goku can be on my team, and maybe one of us will stand a chance against Koumyou.”

“I think there's gambling, too!” Goku sat forward on the sofa and pushed some of the tiles back towards the center pile. “Like, money. But they were just playing for scores.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“It is!” Goku grinned. “But it's fun, and once you learn the rules, it's sort of a luck and strategy thing.”

“Koumyou and Toudai have been playing likely since before your parents were born, and competitively since I was a teenager.” Sanzo began to mix the tiles around with his hand. “If they invite you two over for dinner, they'll likely ask you to play after dinner, and they'll likely whoop your ass, but if I start teaching you now, maybe you'll save a scrap of dignity.”

“Thanks.” Gojyo rolled his eyes, but sat forward. “Okay, what's the game?”

Sanzo dealt out the tiles and built up the walls, including an empty fourth slot next to his own. As Sanzo explained, “I'll play for two so you can see how it works with four.”

“Yeah,” Goku snickered, “And pass yourself the best tiles.”

Sanzo's cheeks went crimson. "I can demonstrate higher play for you that way."

"Ohh, so beating two novices is your idea of a good time? Maybe you could beat somethin' else." Gojyo made a jerking-off motion as he sat forward, and Goku laughed. Sanzo shot Gojyo a venomous look.

"Do you wanna learn or not?"

Gojyo smirked and picked up the tiles nearest him. "Sure, why not?" He held the tile up. "So, what's all this mean?"

Sanzo, displaying a surprising amount of patience, reviewed the different tile markings with Gojyo so he could tell the scores, then demonstrated how to build the walls and play a round. Gojyo tried to go with the flow, despite being a little lost, but Goku and Sanzo both peeked around to his tiles a few times to help him along. At the end, he had the fewest points, but he kind of got the game. However, it was when they mixed the tiles again that Gojyo noticed Ryuu's tail flicking next to Goku.

"He's back." Gojyo pointed, and Sanzo inhaled sharply. Goku glanced to his side without turning his head, and nodded.

"He's sniffin' my feet. I can feel him."

Sanzo scooted three feet back from the coffee table, knocking the sofa back when his back his the cushion. "Get it away!"

"He's all the way down here." Goku chuckled and pointed straight down under the table. Gojyo felt something brush against his leg and stiffened, as if Ryuu might forget he was there, or maybe just not think not to strike a still target. Ryuu did pass him by, and popped up on the other side of the table where Sanzo had maintained the second spot. He surveyed the table, beady little eyes traveling the tiles, then he reached a paw out and swatted one of the tiles into the discard pile. Then, he grabbed one of the tiles and pulled it closer to the row. Gojyo grabbed his phone and snapped a photo as Ryuu put the tile next to the others and surveyed his work. Sanzo overcame his tension to lean closer, and shook his head.

“The cat just got Riichi.”

“Is that good?” Gojyo typed a message to Hakkai, already grinning. Ryuu chose that moment to knock the entire row of tiles off of the table with one imperious swipe of his paw, then chased one of the tiles off as it skittered towards the entryway. Sanzo grimaced.

“It would have been, yes. Now go find the tiles or Toudai will lose his shit.”

Gojyo laughed and sent his message, then went hunting for the tiles and avoiding Ryuu's scraping claws as he crawled the floor. The night continued pleasantly, and Gojyo found himself missing Hakkai just a little less.

Hakkai had never thought he'd tire of the smell of bread, but he was coming to anticipate it. Every lecture was held in the bakery's work room, and the room reeked of the sweet yeast and starch scent of fresh bread. He knew Gojyo liked the smell of pastry coming off of him, but Hakkai didn't especially care for the faint scent of fermentation in his skin and hair. Sharak minded less, but she swore she couldn't sleep smelling like work.

That was why she jumped in the shower first, and he waited, resting on one of the two double beds in their modest little motel with the scent of bread wafting through his nose. Sanzo had emailed him the daily numbers, but though he responsibly reviewed the sales and stock information first, he was much more excited for the messages he had waiting from Gojyo. Sharak emerged from the shower with a contented sigh, her hair and nothing else covered by a towel, just as he went to open them. "It's yours, if you want it."

"Mm." Hakkai averted his eyes as Sharak retrieved a set of clean underwear from her suitcase and dressed. "I'll shower in the morning, if it's the same to you."

"Do as you like." Sharak tugged a tee on and dropped back onto her bed with a groan. "How do you do this 'awake day, asleep night' thing?"

"My, my, you're too used to your schedule, are you?" Hakkai laughed through his nose and sat up. "I tend to sleep early in the evening as it is. Poor Gojyo, he's usually up a little later, but now that he stays overnights, he'll sit in bed with me and fiddle on his phone or the like. I think I heard him take a picture of me once."

"Oh, because you're cute sleeping?" Sharak smirked, and Hakkai laughed airily.

"Likely it's because I sleep with my eyes open, and he wanted to verify that he wasn't dreaming it in the morning."

Sharak craned her neck around. "Really?"

Hakkai laughed again, a careless "Ahaha," then winked. "I suppose you'll find out." He set his phone down and faced her. "Was Hassan upset or jealous that we'd be sharing a room?"

"Hmph." Sharak sniffed. "If he was, he kept it to himself. If he doesn't like the way things are, he knows where the door is. He didn't say anything to that effect, though, so I think he understands. Besides, you're not my type."

"Ahh." Hakkai didn't quite understand their relationship himself. Sharak said they were second cousins once removed (if his understanding of the family tree was correct), but he also knew that some didn't mind consanguinity, especially since he knew Sharak never planned on motherhood. However, Sharak had made clear (laughing at Hakkai when he'd asked) that she had no intention of marrying Hassan, either, though she also had no intention of being with anyone else. It was more like she'd picked him up, imperiously declared 'I want this one,' and did as she pleased with him. Hassan seemed completely okay with their arrangement, even though Sharak was obviously less than affectionate. "I only ask because I think Gojyo was a bit jealous."

Sharak snickered. "Oh, is he jealous? He's got a lot to worry about. After all, you could have your pick of men or women--"

"You know very well I'm nothing like that." Hakkai folded his arms and shifted on his hipbones, but Sharak clicked her tongue.

"I do, yes, but even knowing doesn't help some. Aren't you ever jealous for him? You romantics are all like that." She smirked to herself, as Hakkai's face took heat. "He is very handsome."

"Very much so, yes. And he's had previous partners, too. How scandalous." Hakkai's kept his affect flat, as Sharak twisted all the way around to face him, and he cast a sideways glance her direction. "I met one of his previous partners. Awful sort of man. I have no reason to envy him, or anyone else Gojyo knew before he met me. I don't think any of them truly appreciated him."

Sharak raised an eyebrow and turned onto her belly, her chin pillowed on her forearms, kicking her legs behind her. "Truly appreciated? What does that mean?"

"They didn't see him for his true worth." Hakkai couldn't quite look at her as her heels swung back and forth over her spine. "I doubt that Banri fellow knew his caring side. How he strives to cheer me up if I'm low. How determined he can be. He likely never saw past a nice face and body. I'd like to think I have." He paused and swallowed. "But even then, I wonder."

"Hmm?" Sharak tented her hands and put her chin on the backs of her palms. "What's that?"

"Do you think... perhaps I'm missing something? He seems to have something seedy behind him, but he doesn't talk about it. What if..." Hakkai struggled with the words, then swallowed them and forced a smile in their place. "You shouldn't worry about it."

Sharak sat up again. "Kouryuu told me a bit about the last one."

"Which is why, when I allowed you to play matchmaker, you set me up with men like him."

This made Sharak pause and scowl. "They were all honorable."

"I'm certain they were." Hakkai sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "But anything I tried to do with them was just... rote. Going through the motions. I couldn't stand it."

"I know, I know, but listen: nobody can be like that Nii fellow." Sharak leveled a harsh stare at him. "He's a horse of a different color entirely. As a friend, I urge you: enjoy what you have. The two of you make a good couple, even if he's nothing like you."

"Yes, I know." Hakkai drew his legs in and fidgeted with the hem of his pajama pants. "He's so very good; he's absolutely nothing like me. I admit, it irks me that I still doubt him because he is so good."

Sharak frowned and leaned in. “Listen.” She skated her fingers across the futon and jumped her palm to pat the bedspread next to Hakkai's thigh. “You're unsure. But you're also young and learning. I know my experiences are different from yours, but trust me when I say honesty and open communication work things out if they're meant to work out.” She shrugged. “Or help you to know that they aren't meant to work out.” Hakkai's face fell. "It's true. Just keep talking to him, about important things, about silly things, everything. You'll overcome this if your relationship really is right."

Hakkai's phone went off just then, and he checked it. Gojyo had sent a photograph of Ryuu swatting at a familiar set of Mah Jongg tiles with the caption, “I taught him to play Mah Jongg!” He laughed and turned the screen so she could see, and she stifled a giggle.

“Oh stars, what a sweet little fool.”

“He's something, isn't he?” Hakkai saved the photograph, then sent a text to Gojyo asking who got the high score, still smiling helplessly.

For every moment of doubt, there was a reassurance. Like the smell of fresh bread on his sleeves every morning, was it perhaps too good to be true, or just too much of a good thing?

Gojyo wasn't obnoxious about texting Hakkai, or at least he hoped he wasn't. 'Good morning,' 'how's the day going so far?' and other things like that, always waiting for a response. Hakkai did respond, even if Gojyo had to wait. It didn't bother Gojyo, not one bit.

He knew that evenings were the trouble, because he wasn't used to sitting alone in someone else's house, especially not with a cat that hated his guts. Ryuu always glared at him with narrowed eyes and ears flattened back against his skull, even taking swipes at him while he was scooping out the litterbox or opening a can of tuna for him. Gojyo made an effort: he tried to do what Goku did and pretended not to be interested in him, offhandedly sending toys his direction or picking up one of the feathered rods and dangling it over his head without looking at him, but it didn't work. Goku did have more suggestions when he came to visit the next night, or at least one good tool:

"It's a laser light! I watch cats on YouTube go nuts for these things!" Goku handed the laser pointer to Gojyo. Gojyo pointed the laser first at Ryuu's feet, then moved it across the floor to the wall. Ryuu's ears perked, and he swatted the light when it was close, then chased it and jumped up the wall to try to snatch it. Goku made a noise of pure glee, and Gojyo grabbed his phone out.

"Holy shit, holy shit, film it, we gotta show Hakkai!"

Off went the video of Ryuu learning to hunt fairies, but even things that made handling Ryuu easier wouldn't mean that he wasn't alone in a quiet room with nothing but himself and the television. After three weeks spending most nights with Hakkai, he realized just how hollow those nights were. Luckily, once Ryuu tired of chasing the laser, Goku had a solution for Gojyo's boredom:

"Hey, so, I was gonna go over to the inside basketball court at the Y and play some pickup hoops with a few of my college buddies. You know how to play?" He grinned mischievously. "Even if you don't, we're not really good, but we'll teach ya! You wanna come?"

That sounded way better than sitting home alone watching the tube. "Hell yeah!" He shooed Ryuu back and grabbed his keys and coat. “I'll drive, let's roll.”

Goku's friends were all boys around his age, from what Gojyo could tell of the group milling around the brightly-lit inside court. None of them looked at him twice, though a few waved to and hailed Goku as he came in. Goku greeted them in return, but darted over to a scrawny, light-haired boy sitting on the bleachers with a book open in his lap. "Gojyo, this's Nataku! He's my roommate!" Nataku didn't lift his head, even when Goku tweaked his ear. "Nataku, this's Gojyo, my boss and friend."

This got Nataku to look up. He took Gojyo in with an impassive expression, then turned to Goku. "You're sure it's wise to be friends with your boss?"

"Yeah, he's nice!" Goku nudged Gojyo's rib with his elbow and got on tiptoes to wave a hand over Gojyo's head. “Plus, he's way tall!” Gojyo rolled his eyes, but let Goku reach for the stars.

“Ah.” Nataku stood and measured himself next to Gojyo. “So he is. He's on our team.”

Nataku was quiet on the bleachers, rarely spoke above a murmur, but when the teams split into fives and a few relievers, he was ruthless. Gojyo knew just enough about basketball to keep up – he'd played in school. He was nothing next to Nataku. Nataku was swift, he had impeccable aim, he was small and lithe enough to weave in and out of the other players, and his instincts were fantastic. However, when the round was over and he was rotated out, he sat right back down on the bleacher, opened his book, and returned to reading. Gojyo, panting and sweating (and a little embarrassed at scoring only four baskets compared to Nataku's however-the-fuck-many, he lost count) stumbled to sit near him and Goku, smearing sweat off of his brow.

“You're way good.”

“Mm.” Nataku didn't seem to have heard him, engrossed in his book. Goku, dripping sweat down his arms and in dark spots on his tee, nudged Nataku's leg with the back of his hand.

“Hey, you got another fan.”

This got a smile out of him. Goku twisted back around to Gojyo. “He's quiet, but he's super cool. Kinda like the exact opposite of you!”

Gojyo brought his elbow down on Goku's head. “Watch your ass, kid, I sign your paychecks.”

Nataku chuckled and intoned a sing-song, “Told you,” to Goku, and Gojyo laughed hard.

After a few more rounds, with guys switching in and out as they came and left, Gojyo thought he recognized one of the boys on the bleachers. He was sure of it when he took another break and the guy smiled and waved at him. Goku, who'd followed Gojyo off the court, sparked with recognition. "Oh, hey, don't I see you at Hakkai's a lot? Mille-Feuille and Flowers?"

The younger man blinked, and Gojyo caught his gaze flashing over to him. Then, he put on a big, catlike grin. "Oh, I recognize y'all! Aren't you friends of the owner?"

"Yeah," Gojyo answered, as memory caught up with him. "Uh, and weren't you at that restaurant that one time?"

"Golly, I'm surprised you remember that little ol' shindig!" He laughed, then wiggled his fingers in a coy wave. "Hazel Grouse, if you please."

Nataku glanced up, eyes narrowed as he took Hazel in. “He's in the same math class as me. I didn’t invite him, though.”

"Golly," Goku repeated, grinning, then nudged his elbow into Gojyo's ribs. "'Zat the fistfight you guys got in?"

"That was once." Gojyo dropped onto the bench, faintly realizing just how out of breath he was. Hazel was still eying him, and Gojyo remembered a little more: Hakkai had said he was an activist of some sort. Hazel was probably drinking him in for the specimen he was. He studied Hazel for a moment, and decided it wasn't worth showing off. Kid was scrawny, and that accent would have gotten on his nerves fast. "You're a regular at Hakkai's?"

"Best croissants in town. Y'know, I've put requests for beignets in that suggestion box o'his so many times, I'm all but certain it all goes right into the circular file!" He winked at Gojyo. "Would you kindly feed that one into his ear? I got a feeling he listens to you."

Gojyo wanted to be flattered, except Hazel was actually making him a little uneasy. "Sure, I'll, uh, pass it on."

"Aw, he can't. Hakkai's out of town." Goku scrunched his nose, his tongue tangling in his mouth. "But what's a ben... ben-yay?"

"Beignet. It's a kind of donut.” Hazel brushed Goku's question off and turned his full attention to Gojyo. “Is he out o' town?" He raised an eyebrow. "Ain't that a shame."

"Well, yeah, but he'll be back." Gojyo grabbed his phone out. "Thanks for reminding me. I'm gonna show him what I'm up to." He twisted around on the bench and took a photo of himself at the court, then sent it to Hakkai with a message saying that Goku took him out to play. Goku snickered as he did so, but Hazel merely sighed.

"I do recall thinkin' the two of you were a cute little item. It's nice y'all are still together. When's he get back?"

"Tuesday night." Gojyo put his phone away and turned back to Hazel. He couldn't help but feel like Hazel was looking him over for more than just his ruggedly handsome good looks or muscular back. "So, uh, how do you know Hakkai?"

"Tol'ja, I go to his shop all the time."

"Jeez." Goku scrunched his nose. "Hakkai gives me a discount on my coffee and Sanzo keeps comping my muffins and pretending I don't notice, and I still can't afford it all the time. Do you work, or is it just the activism stuff?"

"How could I work with a twenty-two credit courseload?" Hazel laughed, flapping a hand, but it was false and hollow, and he looked uncomfortable when he spoke again, not lifting his face. "No, I got a little trust from my daddy and student loans. I only get so much per month, but if I'm careful, I can manage it. 'Sides, I don't usually get more than a coffee." Goku scowled and shifted into a sulk, until Nataku nudged his knee.

"C'mon, let's get back in for another round or two. Playing here's free." Nataku put his book down and launched himself off the bleacher, and Goku, throwing one last scowl at Nataku, quickly followed. Gojyo started to do the same, then nodded to Hazel.

"I'll let Hakkai know his regulars miss him." He managed what he hoped was a polite, conversational grin, and returned to the game.

Gojyo missed Hakkai too, but running around with the kids, having fun, working up his smoker's cough, and just doing something with himself made it a lot easier. Hazel's continued leering did not.

After a grueling, exhausting day of lectures and practicing kneading techniques, Hakkai had a cup of strong tea with dinner to make certain he'd have the energy to call Gojyo. Sharak made herself scarce, taking Sanzo's gold card to the hotel bar with the fingers-crossed attitude of “What he doesn't know won't hurt me,” and Hakkai settled down next to the window with the phone. Just as he called, he got another text message from Gojyo, with a photograph attached: Ryuu chasing a toy, tail up, and the caption from Gojyo, “We get along much better when he's moving away from me.”

Hakkai laughed to himself, then dialed Gojyo up. Gojyo had texted him frequently, though not annoyingly so, with little updates about Ryuu and what he was up to. He couldn't help but delight in the video Goku had sent him of Gojyo playing basketball with some of Goku's college friends, because though Gojyo had his hands on his knees and was wheezing between plays, he looked like he was having a good time. He wanted to hear more of it from Gojyo himself, that rich, warm voice light years better than images and text on a screen.

Gojyo picked up, answering with that warm affection that Hakkai found himself craving, “Hey, babe, how's San Fran treating you?”

Hakkai answered with a contented little chuckle. “It's a lovely city; if only I were here for pleasure. It's been fine, but I've spent most of the trip inside of a bakery.”

“Ah, well.” Hakkai heard a chair creak, Gojyo settling in on his end. “It was a business trip, after all. I'm just sorry you couldn't do any sightseeing at all.”

“We did a little,” Hakkai admitted. “We took a streetcar tour this afternoon, just seeing some of the famous sights. We actually drove down the curviest road in the world! It was actually a little frightening, winding around and around down the hill hanging off the side of the carriage...”

Gojyo listened contently as Hakkai talked about the little bit of fun he had, and about the seminars, but Hakkai was happy to hear him breathing, the little incidental noises he made, his encouragements to go on, tell him more, tell him everything. “But what about you?” Hakkai sat forward, just as he heard Gojyo hiss and mutter something off of the receiver. “Gojyo?”

“Ah, sorry, I left my feet where Ryuu could get to them.” Gojyo muttered a few swears under his breath. “Damn it, hang on.” Hakkai heard Gojyo put the phone down, then the sink running somewhere away from the phone. Hakkai pursed his lips, shaking his head, until Gojyo returned to the phone with a sigh. “He clawed my ankle. My foot was wiggling, I guess he thought it was one of his toys. Or me.” Gojyo forced a self-deprecating laugh. “He still don't like me much.”

“I know you're trying.” Hakkai clicked his tongue. “You sent me all those pictures of you playing with him.”

“Oh, yeah. I throw his little mice around, I dangle his toys, he chased that laser for an hour while I was watching the game. He actually kind of likes Goku now, until he doesn't, I mean, he sat with Goku for a while and then he scratched him and ran off, and then Sanzo yelled at him, and so the cat shredded his scarf.” Gojyo snickered. “Did you know Sanzo was scared of cats? I think he got over that, now he's just pissed.”

“Is he, now?” Hakkai laughed. “Considering how I always found his personality rather catlike, perhaps it's true that if you met someone just like you, you'd dislike them!” Gojyo laughed, thick and rich like the froth off of a mug of cocoa, and Hakkai's chest flooded with warmth. “But goodness. Tell me about everything else. How was your day?”

Gojyo did. He had found the family-size meal Hakkai had left (hoping Gojyo could keep himself company) and invited Sanzo and Goku over again, and they'd watched a hockey game then played cards. Gojyo briefly mentioned a weird kid who'd been looking him over while he'd been playing basketball the night before: “Like, I get it, I'm hot, and I can appreciate a kid not knowing how to be subtle, but at least try to pretend you're not staring, right?”

"My, my, perhaps if you'd told him as much, he would have stopped."

"Guess so." Gojyo sniffed, sounding unimpressed. "He wasn't my type anyway. I'm picky about guys. Right now, it's basically just brunet guys who cook like nobody's business and talk so sweet I get cavities." Gojyo chuckled into the receiver in that intimate way of his, and Hakkai flushed.

"I like the sound of your voice too, but really, I can't wait to see you again."

"Me neither. What time's your train get in?"

"Six. Sharak is taking a later train so she can take the starter dough straight to the bakery as quickly as possible, but if you pick me up in a timely manner, perhaps we can get a nice dinner before we go home." He laughed to himself. "As much as I miss home cooked food, I'll be exhausted from traveling."

"Say no more. I'll be there." Gojyo heaved a deep, weighty sigh, exuding obvious relief at the very thought. “I miss you way more than I miss your cooking.”

“Oh, Gojyo.” Hakkai cradled the phone.

“I'm serious. Even with the others around, I keep missing the sound of your laugh.” Gojyo paused, gathering himself. “There ain't nothin' that makes me happier than just sittin' near ya.”

Hakkai inhaled, pulling that wistful sensation of desiring someone's presence in through his lungs and letting it sit, warm in his chest. “I know what you mean precisely.”

“Truth be told, it's actually makin' me be sort of okay with your cat, a little. 'Cause I look at him and remember you like him, and that's why I should like him.” Gojyo paused, and Hakkai could hear him fidgeting a little. “Eh, I'm rambling. Sorry, babe.”

“I don't mind.” Hakkai glanced to the clock on the table between the beds, and realized that time, too, had rambled on without him noticing. Poor Sharak was likely swimming in ouzo by now, though she likely wouldn't mind, Sanzo would. “I should apologize; I must go. It's gotten late, and we've got an early morning.”

“Yeah? Yeah, I oughta get ready for bed, too. But I'll check in with you tomorrow, and I'll see you tomorrow night.” Gojyo blew a kiss into the phone, and there was a second of hesitation, dead air. “Sleep well.”

“You too.” Hakkai hung up, and heaved one last sigh. He somehow felt no less lonely after the conversation. He wanted to sink back into the ease of their repartee, because he felt so whole there. All he could feel now was Gojyo's absence and that blank space in his words. He wondered what should have gone there, if maybe that would fill the space. He rose wearily, musing, as he went to fetch Sharak, of what could have filled that space.

If that could have made him feel complete without Gojyo at his side.

It was a cloudy evening that reeked of frost, and the sky looked far too high. Gojyo didn't relish a cold, snowy evening. “Just hold over 'til I get Hakkai home,” he muttered as he took in the distant horizon around the trees in Hakkai's yard, and opened the door.

He was greeted with a hiss and a swipe at his denims. Gojyo hardly had time to swear and jump back before Ryuu skittered off and jumped onto the sofa. “You fucking asshole!” He groaned and shut the door behind him, then rolled his pants up. Luckily, Ryuu hadn't broken the skin this time, but Gojyo still turned a sour glare at Ryuu. “You make it real hard to like you.”

Ryuu didn't respond – he was, after all, a cat – but instead narrowed his eyes and raised his hackles, his bony tail swishing left and right over the arm of the sofa. Gojyo huffed his disgust and snatched up one of Ryuu's little catnip mice and pitched it over to the kitchen. “Fuckin' jerk-ass cat, I feed you and shit and you still hate me? Little fuckin' asshole!” Ryuu chased his toy as if he hadn't heard Gojyo – again, cat, doesn't speak English – and Gojyo gave up his anger with a groan. No point.

Still, Hakkai would be home soon, and he'd have Hakkai to comfort him after one of Ryuu's attacks. Gojyo cast an eye around the room, faintly taking in how different it felt without him. Darker, even with the lights on. Was it that the pillows on the sofa weren't just the way Hakkai kept them? The throw blanket was out of place. The table was dirty, littered with crumbs and streaked with grease. Gojyo faintly realized he'd instinctively thrown his jacket over the chair instead of on the hook Sanzo had pointed out to him. Hakkai probably did all sorts of little things habitually to keep his home so bright and clean, so welcoming. Now Hakkai was going to come in and see a mess. “He's gone for four days, and this place starts looking more like my goddamn sty.” Gojyo scratched his head. He had time. Might as well try to make the place presentable.

Maybe there was just something indelible, indescribable about having Hakkai in his life. Gojyo couldn't even place what it was that Hakkai did for him that he so needed. He just knew, now, more than ever, he had to have him there. Gojyo couldn't help but relive their conversation from last night as he wiped down the table and ran the vacuum around the carpet. Specifically, the end.

“I love you. Sleep well.” He'd been so close to nutting up and just saying it. It was on the tip of his tongue, and it would have come naturally, and it would have been out there. Maybe Hakkai would have said it back. But he'd pussed out and swallowed it, because that thought rushed back to him: what if now's not the right time? Gojyo couldn't remember the last time he'd said those words to someone he'd been really in love with, or even if he ever had felt that strongly. Jien, sure, but that was his big brother, of course he loved his family. Hakkai was a different kind of love. That was something special.

He wanted to look into Hakkai's eyes when he said it. Yeah, that was it. Besides, he thought, as he caught sight of Ryuu tearing across the living room floor to evade the vacuum, he'd left a little reminder of how he felt about Hakkai in the house.

“Hey, cat.” Gojyo turned off the vacuum, as Ryuu peered around the banister and glared at the suddenly-silenced machine. “I helped Hakkai get you because I love him. You know that, right?” His gaze caught on the little tag around Ryuu's neck, which he'd slipped onto the collar before giving it to Hakkai to put on Ryuu. Hakkai hadn't looked at it twice, far too enamored of his kitty friend to cease talking to him and flattering him. He wondered if Hakkai would ever notice it and be surprised.

No point in worrying about that now. Right now, all Gojyo could think about was Hakkai, his Hakkai, cuddled up against a train window with a book on his way back to him, about bringing him home and really lighting his life up again. This house wouldn't feel like home until Hakkai was back in it, and Gojyo was there with him.

The house looked marginally more presentable by the time Gojyo was ready to leave for the train station. Ryuu sat on the stairs as Gojyo grabbed his jacket and went for the door. He turned back to Ryuu one more time. “Right, kit-kat, I'm gonna go get your real dad. Stay here and try not to mess anything up, right?”

He threw the door open and jogged for his car...

and stopped cold.

Because his shitbox Nissan was on the ground and his tires were flat, with huge, jagged gash piercing through the rubber. Gaping like someone had punched a hole through him and feeling very much the same, he circled his car slowly and found all four tires slashed. His car was was a brick, and someone might as well have hit him in the face with it from ten-thousand feet for all he knew what to do now.

He grabbed his phone out as sense started to come back to him. Hakkai was the important thing here.

Hakkai picked up the phone as Gojyo continued to stare at his worthless tires, tugging at the loose flap of rubber to see through to the smashed bottom. Hakkai's cheerful tenor sounded so completely alien: “Hello, there! Are you on your way?”

Gojyo struggled for a minute, straining to reconcile that voice with the sight before him, then finally muttered, “Uh. Hey. Uh.” Smooth. “So, this is gonna be a stupid question, but do you have a spare car key?”

Hakkai didn't respond for a moment, obviously puzzling over why Gojyo might be asking. “Er. Sanzo has it. Is something wrong with your--”

“Someone cut my tires open. All four of them. My car's dead in the water, babe, I'm--”

“Oh, Gojyo!” Hakkai gasped. “Who would do such a thing?”

“I dunno! Maybe a crazy ex of mine, shit, but it's been years since I saw someone else regular, how would they know I was here?” Gojyo groaned and finally sank from a crouch to his backside. Hakkai didn't say anything for a second. “I dunno. I'm just – shit, I wanted to--”

“Gojyo, Gojyo, calm down. Call the police, then call a tow truck. Get your car to a shop and make a report. I'll call Sanzo for a ride home.” Gojyo couldn't fathom how Hakkai could clear his head that quickly, even though he still sounded distressed. Gojyo felt his shock starting to break down into a nasty mix of anger and self-loathing. Anger this had happened, and that he couldn't do anything to fix it. He'd failed, and it wasn't even his fault.

“I... I guess...” He folded his arms tight around himself, sinking down onto his ankles and pulling his knees in. “Ha... Hakkai? Could you stay on the line with me a little?”

Hakkai's answer was wrought and tense: “No, you need to call the police, and now. I have to let you off the line, and I have to call Sanzo.” Gojyo gripped the phone tight, not wanting to let go. Snow started to drift down around him, catching in his hair and melting on his jacket, but Gojyo was only faintly aware of Hakkai's voice, ever more distant in the quiet. “I'll see you soon, okay? Don't panic. Call the police.”

“Yeah,” Gojyo rasped. “See you soon.” Hakkai hung up, and Gojyo lifted himself to his feet and dragged himself back to Hakkai's door. He was cold, and the snow was starting to get his hair wet. He slowly dialed the emergency number, waiting while it rang, and sank to sit inside the front door, still staring at his car.

“Hello? 911? I'd, uh, like to report a crime. Someone slashed the tires on my car.” He cringed – the more he repeated it, the more it sucked. He'd have to pay for the tow – he had a tow truck, but usually if someone needed emergency service they were calling him, and he had no way of getting to his damn truck right now. If Gat was there, maybe he could come, but that was a coin toss right now. He could do the tires himself, but he'd still have to pay for them. This was gonna be a massive hit to his wallet, and that was just further injury on top of the gaping wound of failing Hakkai.

The operator asked him to stay on the line, and Gojyo groaned and let his face fall. He felt bitterly cold, and the darkness that sat in this lonely little home crept behind him. Then, there was a noise behind him, and Gojyo felt Ryuu pawing at his jacket. “Not now, cat,” he muttered, but Ryuu slunk up under his arm and tipped his head back and looked up at him. Gojyo didn't have the energy to glare and shoo him off, but Ryuu wasn't trying to claw his face this time. Instead, Ryuu rubbed the back of his head against Gojyo's elbow, emitting a curious noise, a trill that he only made when Hakkai was rubbing his little mohawk. That was a nice noise. Ryuu wound around his arm a few times, petting himself against Gojyo's arm, then crept up into his lap and settled there: kneading his paws on Gojyo's thigh, but his claws were firmly tucked in. Gojyo wasn't sure what else to do but to keep his phone at his ear with one hand and gently stroke Ryuu's back with the other.

The cat was trying to make him feel better. There was no other explanation, but Gojyo didn't want an explanation. He wanted Hakkai to wrap an arm around his shoulder and tell him things were alright. If this was the best he was going to get, then he'd take it.

Hakkai stepped off the train onto the snow-covered platform, duffel held tight to his side and his phone at his ear. “I'm sorry about this. I honestly can't believe this is happening either.”

“Whatever, it can't be helped. I'll be there in twenty.” Sanzo grunted, and Hakkai heard the rustle of his clothes as he tugged his jacket on. “You said he thought it was one of his exes?”

“I've only met the one, and he's certainly the kind of person who'd do that, but he said he didn't know.” Hakkai sighed and stepped down, shaking his head. “I don't know how much the police can do, but he should at least make a report.”

“Yeah, he ought'a. Fine. I'll be there soon.” Sanzo hung up, and Hakkai put his phone down and looked out at the street with another sigh. The snow was coming down harder and harder now, which Hakkai knew was befouling his mood. He was sure he wasn't alone in it, either. Poor Gojyo, he'd sounded so desperate. He tried to dial Gojyo back, but the line was busy. Hopefully he was making a police report, and they'd find fingerprints or something on the vehicle and tie this back to that awful Banri fellow. Jealous of Gojyo's happiness, perhaps, or just wanting him unhappy. Gojyo didn't deserve that. Hakkai tried to think of something he could do to lift Gojyo's mood, but the gray weather dampened his mind as much as his own mood.

At least he'd have time to figure something out while he waited. He tried to remember Koumyou's little tips and tricks for centering himself, breathing deep and slow, closing his eyes tight. Just for a moment, just to find white space in his mind, and yet...

"Oh, Hakkai. Fancy meeting you here."

Darkness encroached. Nii was at the bottom of the steps, a bag in hand, his hair damp with flecks of snow, and a serene smile on. Hakkai tensed up, but Nii stepped up towards him. “It's almost like Fate keeps us passing back and forth in front of each other.”

“Why are you here?” Hakkai's eyes narrowed to slits, and he balled his fists tight at his sides. Nii chuckled as he ascended the stairs and stopped close to him, too close.

“I'm visiting a friend out of town. Funny, that we just happened to cross paths coming and going.” Nii wiggled an eyebrow, then leaned inquisitively towards Hakkai. “What are you doing here?”

“Leaving.” Hakkai broke eye contact and crossed his arms tight, squeezing his duffel in his arms and digging his heels into the snow. Nii hummed and pointedly looked around.

“Getting a ride? I don't see that cute little car of yours.” Hakkai didn't answer him. Nii hummed again and stood elbow to elbow with him. “Your new boyfriend, maybe? What was his name – Joe?”

“I have nothing to say to you.” Hakkai tried to bite it back. Nii studied his face, and finally shook his head.

“I've tried, y'know. I really have. I've given you your space and I've been nothing but nice to you since you broke it off with me.”

Hakkai tried to bite back a retort, but failed: “You're good at pretending to be nice. But you're not.”

Nii laughed. “You used to like that I wasn't especially nice. And you're wrong. I don't bother pretending when it's important enough.” He slid a smirk towards Hakkai. “I was exactly as nice as you wanted me to be.”

“And that was fine then, but I found the flaws in that, and now I can't stand the thought of you. I've made clear, I want you to leave me alone.”

“Hmm.” Nii continued to study Hakkai, not moving even a step further, as Hakkai tried harder to draw away. He debated calling the police in his mind, but what could they do? Even if he ran, where could he go that Nii wouldn't follow? Nii clearly had no interest in doing as he wished, not today. “Why don't you want to at least talk to me? I feel like you ended things so roughly, there wasn't closure. Do you ever wonder if maybe we could have weathered that storm?”

“No. I don't.” Hakkai kept his words clipped, staccato. He thought of Kanan, her smile, and the reason he would never see it again.

“Look at me.” Nii ran his fingers down Hakkai's wrist. Hakkai jerked his hand away and refused to turn his head, focusing on the snow where it gathered on the empty bench. “Are you really happy with someone who just matches you, who never challenges you?”

“You know nothing about what makes me happy.”

“I think our three years together proves otherwise.” Nii pursed his lips, his smirk sinking away, and he slid his hand up to cup Hakkai's palm. “Hakkai, I want you to remember that I did everything I did in our relationship because I thought it would be best for you. I thought it was what you wanted. I'm sorry you weren't happy.” Hakkai felt an ache run through him, as Nii disengaged and stepped back. “I've got a train to catch, but I can try to delay it if you'd like me to give you a ride home, and get you out of this cold.”

“No. I'm fine. Goodbye.” Hakkai kept his face low, and Nii shrugged.

“Suit yourself. It's been nice talking.” Hakkai didn't turn and watch as Nii sauntered up the steps towards the platform, the snowflakes sitting on his shoulders flurrying off of him in his wake. If he had, he might have caught Nii turning back, giving him one more long once-over, then continuing on his way. Hakkai tried to close his eyes to the darkening afternoon, the overcast gray sky being swallowed by murky night, tried to find his white space.

Instead, he could only think of Kanan on his right side, and Nii on his left.

“Nii?” Hakkai turned in place to look for him, but he was already gone. Instead, there was just Sanzo's little white sedan waiting for him, his headlights shining bright against his chest, and Hakkai had to try to forget that pang of nostalgia that threatened to erupt through the walls he'd built around what he'd had with Nii.

Instead, there was Sanzo, and the promise of getting home, and trying to forget that there was ever something there. It was easier to forget there was something before Gojyo when there was Gojyo to fill that empty space.

#you've got something #fanfiction #my writing #long read #sorry guys

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