#allergies. where i can’t be happy. where i. yeah… now if you’ll excuse me i’m going to get through work and a meeting and then cry

[skeleton-monarch]

i want to live anywhere else so badly. i want to live somewhere where i don’t need a car. i want to live somewhere where i can meet and talk to people. i want to live somewhere i can be happy

[stinkkyy]

the creator falls (out of a tree) for diluc

Now why the hell was Diluc back here.

There wasn’t a real reason other than he had taken a walk that had ended up with him at this big ass tree again.

As he stands at the base of the statue to Barbatos, he feels a tug at his heart. It had been happening a lot more lately, this pulling. The tug at his heart as if somebody was at the other end of the string, gently urging him to go somewhere or do something.

So here he was at a statue for a God he admired and a tree dedicated to a woman who now protects all of Mondstadt silently.

He crosses his arms and glares up at the tree. “Well? I’m here now, what do you want from me?”

Diluc stands there for just a moment longer, secretly expecting a response but of course nothing comes from it.

He sighs, looking away from the tree feeling rather embarrassed for having such a wish.

With nothing left to do but try and enjoy his day out, he goes to sit at the base of the tree. He slumps against it, one leg folded up and the other splayed out before him. Diluc rests his head along the tree as he watches the clouds in the sky.

He felt like a fool.

For the past month or so he had been.. Strangely content. Happier than usual. That in itself would normally be cause for celebration but with such happiness came an unease.

Jean chalked it up to allergies, his immune system never favored the summer weather.

Lisa suggested that perhaps he was in love. That was the last time he’d ever come to her for advice.

Kaeya had a certain look in his eye. It told him that his past brother likely knew the ailed him but chose not to answer truthfully, only giving a rather cryptic response.

Venti was the only one who had given something halfway decent but even then it was bullshit upon more bullshit.

“Follow whatever is pulling your heart along and go talk to it! That will solve everything and who knows, maybe love will consume you and everything will be answered!”

Diluc snorts haughtily at himself as he remembers the bards words. Sure he was a god but he didn’t have to sound so annoying about it, former crush or no.

Before he could have anymore time to think about it there was a voice calling out to him from above.

“Hey! Hey hey, you there, D-! D..... Theee stranger in red!”

“… Excuse me?”

“Yeah you! Hey uh, I’m in a bit of pickle right now so you think you can help?”

Diluc looked up to where the voice was located and felt his heart freeze. The tugging had become stronger than it ever had before, so sharp and pointed like it was going to rip apart any second now.

The owner of the voice was covered by the leaves and branches of the tree but if he focused he could make out the outline of their body but even that was hard.

Whoever they were just might be the answer he had been searching for.

More leaves and twigs fell down onto his lap and he grunts in annoyance when he flicks them away. “How can I help you, stranger.”

A pause. “How confident are you in catching a person?”

“Depends on how high up said person is and considering we’re practicing yelling at one another, I’d say you’re rather high up.”

Another pause followed by quiet, nervous laughter. Another sigh. “Yeah.. Right on the mon- On the mora. Yeah.”

Diluc resigns himself to his fate and slips off his jacket, letting it fall into the floor as he tries to coordinate himself to wherever they must be hanging out at.

“Let’s get this over with then.”

“Wh- You’ll help me? Seriously??”

He glares up at them, a bit offended. “You assumed I wouldn’t?”

“W-Well…”

“Get down already before I leave you stuck up there.”

“Okay okay! Gimme a second, okay? This is a really high fall!!”

“You’ll be fine.”

Diluc huffs as he listens to the rustling of the branches, gauging how soon this stranger would jump down from the tree. Really, he had better things to be doing other than attempting to catch somebody from a tree like-

“Huh..” The more he tries to think of what he could be doing with his time he realizes he can’t come up with anything. For some reason, all he wants to do is stick by this stranger and see this through to the end.

He places a hand at his heart, jaw clenching slightly as he thinks it over. And then there was that whole thing where the longing at his heart was pulling him closer to whoever this person was. 

Were the two connected somehow?

He doesn’t have time to think about it for much longer until he hears the strangers voice yell out something that has him on his guard.

“Wait-!”

“Aaand three!! AH-“

Diluc widens his stance and holds his arms out wide for them, grunting when they land in his arms at last, though he does falter back just a bit. That is the last time he will ever catch somebody from a tree ever again.

He growls lowly in his annoyance, a glare locked and loaded on his face as he looks to the person but whatever scolding he had ready to dish out die in the back of his throat when he lays eyes on them.

They’re smiling. It’s a big toothy grin with their eyes filled with stars, their entire being glowing the world up in a way he could never properly put into words.

“You’re Diluc,” the say with a giddy laugh. “The Diluc Ragnivinder!”

And yet he’s still just staring at them like a fish out of water

He comes to his senses and clears his throat, easing them into their feet as he fights a wicked flush off of his cheeks.

“It’s Ragnvindr, actually.” He finally says, not really caring for their incorrect pronunciation, eyes never leaving their form.

The tugging at his heart was pulled taut and it was headed straight towards them. This had to be why he had decided to come here. For them. Diluc swears he can recognize their face from somewhere but he can’t place it. 

All he knows is that he feels so unbelievably loved and cherished.

“Got a staring problem, Master Diluc? C’mon, lemme thank you for saving my tail somehow!”

Diluc snaps out of his daydream as a ghost of a smile breaks onto his lips, nodding. “You wear clothes not of his nation, dirty ones at that. I will have lunch prepared for us at my home..”

“Wh- Man.. You’re a lot more stern than I had expected…” They grumble but dutifully follow by his side.

His heart pounds wildly in his chest as the pieces begin to connect themselves and while Diluc was not the most devoted follower to the gods anymore, you would have to be a fool to not eventually realize that you are standing besides The Creator.

A god who had been absent for thousands of years and only now resurfaced.

A god that will cause a stir in the world if left unchecked.

A god that has his heart pounding, face flushed, and palms sweaty.

“The Dawn Winery?” They squeak out. “Really?? Aaah man Diluc, you’re amazing! I can’t wait!”

Yes, to keep them to himself for a little while longer wouldn't hurt. He’s doing this to protect them, nothing else.

[dreamescapeswriting]

Kim Seokjin x Reader ~ Don’t Tell Mummy [Request]

>>> Word Count: 2,978

>>> Genre: Floffy, familyAU

>>> Pairing: Kim Seokjin x Reader

>>> A/N: Hope this is something you were thinking of! Love you!! Also! I hope no one is afraid of requesting something that isn’t angst from me, I’d love to write more than the usual I do! So I hope this is okay!!

You loved the fact that your husband was an Idol, you didn't mind that it meant he spent a lot of time away from home because he was doing what he loved. When he was on tour you were normally at home with your daughter, but most of the time you would fly around the world with him. You had done for the first two years of your daughter's life, neither you or Jin wanted her to think someone was missing from her life and so whenever he had to go out on tour he took you with him. It was chaotic at first but you all adapted to the new lifestyle and everyone on the team got to know your daughter as she grew up. It was getting harder now she was four years old, she had to stay home for lessons so you didn't get to spend a lot of time with Jin but you made sure she saw her dad every day, having skype sessions together before she went to bed at night. 

"She's growing up too quickly, make it stop." He groaned as she fell asleep in your lap, you giggled to your phone picking it up and taking it and your daughter up to her bedroom. 

"It's her birthday in one week, have you managed to get the time off?" You questioned, laying your daughter down against her princess bed and tucking her in. Jin sighed on the other end of the phone which meant no. 

"It's okay, we can celebrate again when you're back. She might be young but she understands how awesome her dad is." You admitted, turning on the small nightlight for her and cleaning up toys as you backed your way out of her room. 

"What about you, do you understand how awesome I am?" You scoffed at him, quietly shutting the door and going to your bedroom. 

"I wouldn't have married you if I didn't know how awesome you were would I?" You teased, taking him into the en-suite and brushing your teeth. He stared at you the whole time, watching as you smiled cheekily at him just like you used to when you first started dating. 

"Brings back memories, me getting up while you're just going to bed." He admitted, laying back down against the hotel sheets and staring at you through his phone screen. 

"Maybe it's why this is so easy." You told him as you rinsed out your mouth, turning off the light and climbing into the bed that seemed massive without him beside you.

"Maybe." He whispered back to you, watching as you snuggled down against his pillow and smiled to yourself. He missed being able to fall asleep next to you, waking up to you drooling on his chest or to your daughter sitting on his lap and begging for his famous pancakes in the mornings. 

"You'll be home soon anyway, so it's going to be okay." You reassured him, knowing how he would get if you didn't. He's talked about it before, how he was scared that because he was touring a lot you would lose the spark in your relationship but you assured him that him being away for long periods meant that when he did come back more time would be spent together reigniting any flame he thought would have gone away but it never would. You'd fallen in love with him when you were younger and it wasn't going to change now, you were married with a daughter. Nothing would change your love for that man. Nothing would change his love for you. 

"You have a busy day, I love you." You yawned to him and he smirked, he loved that you knew his schedule better than he did.

"I love you, sleep well." You hummed and he hung up the phone, swinging his legs out of the bed and going to get ready for his day. 

"How was your day?" You asked as you daughter came running towards you, bookbag in her hand and her lunchbox in the other. Her teacher called your name and you waited, standing your daughter in front of you as she said goodbye to each of her friends that passed by. 

"Is everything okay?" You quizzed the teacher as she came to your side, pulling you both out of the way of passing parents. 

"It seems that her birthday is coming up and we were wondering if the other students were okay to make a cake for her. We always ask in case there are any allergies we should be aware of." You looked at the teacher and then down at your daughter who was too busy waving at her friends to pay attention to the conversation, 

"I actually booked her the day off, I know it isn't practical but her dad can't make it home so we're going to skype him." The teacher nodded, completely understanding. The school was made for children of Idol's and she was used to this sort of thing. 

"That's fine, I'll make sure her card is ready the day before then." You smiled and started walking hand in hand with your daughter out of the gates, 

"Are we going home?" She questioned as you got the car, putting her into her car seat and shaking your head. 

"Mummy has to stop at the studio for something first, but then we'll go home I promise." She smiled and nodded her head eagerly at you, you smirked and got into the driver's side.

Jin had asked you to call by the studios to get something he and Namjoon had been working on and you felt uneasy going into Namjoon's studio without him there so you called him. 

"I'm going in now, where is it?" You questioned watching as your daughter sat on the sofa that was outside the studios, she was going through her bookbag so you assumed she was going to sit and read while you did something for her uncle. 

"Should be in the PC." He told you as you headed inside. As soon as your daughter knew you were inside the room she jumped down from the sofa, sprinting as fast as her tiny legs would carry her in the direction of her Uncle PD's office. 

She banged repeatedly on the door until he opened the door and looked down in her direction, 

"Excuse me." She ordered, pushing past his legs and sitting in front of his desk on one of the chairs. Something she'd seen Jin doing a lot, and he chuckled going to his side and sitting in front of her. 

"What can I do for you?" She slammed an envelope on his desk and slid it over to him. 

"I want this to get to my daddy, mummy and I miss him very much." She said to him, looking over her shoulder to make sure you hadn't found out where she was just yet. 

"And what is it?" He questioned, opening it and reading through the childlike handwriting, 

"Something for the boss man and dad to see...Don't tell mummy, it's a secret." She said to him, hearing you calling her name. PD tapped his nose and shut the envelope into his top drawer. Making plans to try and decipher it later when you'd left the studio. 

"Shit, I'm so sorry." You said to Jin's boss, bowing as you reached for your daughter trying to get her to leave the office, 

"She's okay, she was just telling me about how much she wants to be an Idol when she grows up." She winked at him and you both left the office. You scolding her for running off after you told her to stay where you'd left her. 

"Can we have ice cream when we get home?" She pleaded, looking up at you with the same puppy dog eyes that Jin used to give you when he wanted something. 

"Maybe." 

Something had been off for the last week, Jin had been avoiding your calls like the plague and you couldn't get through to any of the other boys. You put it down to them being busy but it just didn't feel right, especially with your daughters birthday being tomorrow morning.

"Sorry baby, daddy must be really busy." You told her as you tucked her into bed that night, finding one of her favourite books and reading it to her instead of Jin talking to her. 

"It's okay mum, he's famous and busy." You smiled at her and closed the book, pulling the blanket over her and kissed her forehead. You don't know how you managed to raise such a smart and beautiful daughter but you were glad you'd done such a great job so far. Wishing she didn't have to get any older than four. 

"His worldwide handsome...You know." She mumbled as she turned over in her bed, you groaned reminding yourself to never show her old videos again. 

"Goodnight princess." You whispered to her as you backed out of the room, quietly shutting the door and trying to ring Jin again but it was going to answerphone. 

"I know you're busy, call me when you get this." You hung up and crawled into bed. 

"Y/n? Are you there?!" You giggled down the phone as your daughter ran around in the new princess dress you and Jin had gotten her for her birthday, it matched the one you were wearing. The plan was to have you dressed as a Queen while Jin was king and your daughter was a princess. 

"Yeah, sorry. What's wrong?" You questioned Jimin, he'd been calling you all morning but you'd only just seen your phone. Deciding to give your daughter the best birthday breakfast you could both cook and then watched her favourite Disney movie before letting her open her presents.

"You have to go to BigHit, right now. I can't talk about it but please just hurry, it's an emergency." Every single happy moment was struck from your body and your mind was filled with panic, 

"I'll go right now." You whispered hanging up the phone and looking around, no one was going to be able to babysit so you were going to have to take your daughter with you.

"We have to go and see Uncle PD, come on." You said, trying to fake as much enthusiasm as you could manage while your mind raced with awful thoughts. What if something had happened to Jin while they were out on tour and that's why he hadn't called you? 

"What's going on mum?" Your daughter asked as you rushed to put her into the car seat, 

"Nothing, but we have to go right now." You got into the car and started up the engine, not caring that you were still dressed up as a queen, the only thing that mattered was finding out if everything was okay with Jin. 

"What's going on? Is Jin okay?!" You asked as a stylist dragged you through the building, she looked sad which only made your mind race more. 

"This way." You bent down to pick up your daughter who was struggling to keep up with you and the stylist, had hung onto your hip as you were pulled through the halls and let into the small garden area of the building. A giant bouncy castle standing there, kids running around everywhere and screaming once they saw your daughter. 

"What-"

"PD organised everything..." The stylist told you, your daughter kicked out of your arms and ran towards her friends, all screaming her name and pulling her into a tight hug. 

"He did?" She nodded and handed you a letter, 

"She gave him this." 

Uncle PD, 

I would like it very much if you let my daddy come home for my birthday, mummy is very sad...though she doesn't tell me that but, I've walked in on her crying because he won't be home for my birthday. Please bring him home and I will work for you and not JinHit when I'm older. 

Thank you, 

Ps...This is a secret don't tell mum 

You teared up after reading the letter, she'd seen you crying? You never wanted her to see that. You were just over-emotional because she was growing up too quickly.

"We have a surprise for the birthday girl." Someone said into a mic, you looked up to see Bang PD dressed up as a jester, something you never thought you would see for as long as you would live. 

"If the Queen would come and stand with the Princess." You nodded and walked over to your daughter, placing your hands on her shoulders as she danced around giddily. 

Everyone started singing happy birthday to her and you smiled as they wheeled out a giant cake on a tray, you smiled at Bang PD who was wheeling the cake in and singing. 

"Make a wish." You whispered in your daughter's ear, she looked up at you before closing her eyes tightly.

"I wish for daddy to come home." You squeezed her shoulder and she blew out the candles, everyone clapping and cheering. 

The bouncy castle was a huge success, your daughter and all of the kids were jumping and sliding all day, and you were still sad that Jin wasn't there to experience it with you, but you knew he was there in spirit.

"She's getting too big and too smart for her own good," Jin said, wrapping his arms around your waist and making you jump up and turn around. 

"Jin?" He held his finger up to his lips and pulled you inside of the building, 

"It's a surprise, I'm gonna go down the slide and surprise her." He chuckled staring at you, you touched his cheek and he chuckled. You wanted to make sure he was really there and it wasn't some kind of sugar high you were experiencing from the cake.

"You're really here right...I'm not just too doped up on sugar and fizzy drinks?" He nodded and you wrapped your arms around his neck, just leaning your forehead against his and wanting to stay there for as long as possible. 

"I missed you." He whispered, kissing your nose making you giggle. 

"I missed you too." You let go of him and he linked your hands together, nodding to the building. Both of you walking hand in hand around the building while you caught up on where he'd been. 

 "He showed me the letter and the plans, I'd been avoiding you all week because I can't lie to you." He said as you reached Namjoon's studio, you stared at him still in disbelief that he was standing there.

"How will I make you believe I'm here?" You smirked at him, wiggling your eyebrows at him. 

"I have a way."

"Not in my office you don't!" You heard Namjoon say from inside, you opened the door to see him dressed up in a Prince costume. 

"We all got dressed up for the occasion." He said staring at Jin who was sniggering from beside you, you bit down on your lip. Making plans to get photos of each member in their outfits later.

"I don't know how I'll be able to thank you all," You told Namjoon as he straightened the blazer. 

"Your buying food later," He told you, leaving the studio and locking the door so neither you or Jin could go inside. 

"We wouldn't really go in there." You shouted as he walked away, which was a huge lie because you and Jin both knew it was where your daughter was made.

"Let's just go and get you ready. I need my king." You giggled to him, he leant down and kissed your lips softly. Nothing dramatic but it still made your stomach flip whenever he did it.

Keeping secrets wasn't your kind of thing so you made sure you stayed silent when you went back out into the garden area, your daughter sitting with her friends as they drank milkshakes and had some more cake. 

"Is that a Princess I see?" You heard Jungkook yell dramatically, everyone turned to see him standing by the door and holding a wooden sword. 

"A dragon too!" Namjoon yelled pointing over at Jimin who was dressed in his dinosaur onesie roaring and scaring the kids, you held your hand across your face as you felt the cringe coming in. 

"We'll save you!" Hoseok and Yoongi yelled in sync, you looked over at your daughter who was smiling so much you were sure her cheeks were going to hurt later. 

"The King should save her!" Namjoon yelled pointing up to the top of the bouncy castle, everyone turned to look at Jin who was wearing a cape, crown and carrying a sword. 

"The King has arrived!" Jin yelled sliding down the slide and walking over to your daughter, she gripped onto his leg and screamed happily. 

"I will defeat the dragon." Jin walked over to Jimin and stared down at him, 

"Do you promise to be kind?" Jimin nodded and that was it, it was over and everyone went back to playing happily. 

"My hero." You yelled as you walked over to Jin and hugged him, your daughter smiling at you both and high fiving Bang PD. 

"I don't like that she's sneaky like you." You told Jin as she grabbed her dad into a tight hug.

"Like me? She gets this from you!" He yelled jokingly making your daughter giggle and run over to her uncle Namjoon, you sighed and stared up at Jin. 

"When do you go back?" You questioned him, he looked down at you with a sad smile. 

"Two weeks, but at least we have now." You nodded in agreement and kissed him quickly while no one was looking. 

"I love you, King Jin," You giggled.

"I love you too my queen." 

tagline: 

@yourguessisasgoodasminemate​ @yoongisdumplingcheeks​ @snowy-meowl​ @lynnthevirgo​ @kpopfanfictionhoes​ @mitzwinchester​ @lyoongx​ @rjsmochii​ @callingmyangel​

[cynergy-laughter]

Obey Me! One Master to Rule Them All! Fanfic #3

Garlic Tomato Bisque

(MC x Levi) (MC x Lucifer) (fluff, comedy) (mild language?) [inspired by one of the boys’ D.D.D. Chats where Lucifer was sick]

By: @cynergy-laughter

Word Count: 4,187

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You really liked Lucifer, besides all the drama that happened between you two, he was a very sweet, dependable, charming guy. A bit of a sadist yes, but adoring. But now, you hear that Lucifer was sick, in bed, so that’s why he wasn’t at breakfast right now.

“Pfftt Hahahaha! Lucifer is sick?! Oh my gosh, this is too rich!” Mammon chuckles over his food.

“But Lucifer never gets sick, I don’t even think he’s had a cough.” Asmo said, frowning. “I guess there’s a first time for everything…”

“Just knowing that our brother, our eldest brother, is so vulnerable right now… it… shakes me…” Satan said, balling up his fist.

“Yeah, with mirth. You and Mammon are probably the ones taking the most joy in seeing Lucifer suffer…” Belphegor pointed out, “Not that it isn’t interesting to see our brother in such a state… interesting and worrying.”

“And on top of that, Beel is standing guard over Lucifer, it’s both adorable, and sad… to have the second youngest brother protect you… it’s entertaining all on its own.” Mammon snickered as he kept on eating his breakfast.

“Mammon, let’s not forget, Beel works out because of how much he eats, he could twist you into a pretzel and eat you if he wanted to.” You pointed out, making Mammon gulp a bit while Asmo straight up laughed.

“Ahahaha! Chalk one up for [MC]!” He giggled. “But Lucifer’s lucky we’re having a weekend off, otherwise he’d have to miss student council meetings.”

“Well, I’m gonna be playing my game if anyone needs me, which I doubt.” Leviathan said, finishing his breakfast, and getting up.

“Uh-uh-uh, Levi, you are on dishwashing duty this morning.” Satan reiterated. “Dishes, then you can go up to your room.” Earning a groan from Levi.

Soon, everyone finished breakfast, while Asmo and Satan went to go and deliver the leftovers to Beel standing in front of Lucifer’s bedroom door.

But while you were heading back to your room, you couldn’t help but think about Lucifer sick in bed. You wanted to do something for him, and then an idea occurred to you. You headed for the kitchen where Levi was still washing dishes and you looked in the fridge.

“Beel, shouldn’t you be watching over Lucifer’s room? Oh, [MC], it’s you… you come to laugh at my failed attempt to get out from doing the dishes?” Levi said, turning around.

“No, I was just seeing what we have, I was gonna make something for Lucifer for lunch.” You say.

“What? You do know Lucifer is sick, right… like if it’s a cold strong enough for someone like him to catch, you might catch something stronger if you catch it…” Levi tried to warn you.

“Well, he’s not gonna be visited by anyone if everyone is so scared of catching it… I wanna help him feel better.” You say, “I’m thinking about making him soup… but I know it won’t be enough…”

“Well… I heard that Beel’s gonna be taste testing anything that is for Lucifer.” Levi said.

“Yeah, I figured I would make Beel some too…” you trailed off and then you got an idea… “My grandmother’s famous garlic tomato bisque, and a patty melt, with 3 cheeses…” you say with a smile.

Levi blinked. “Patty melt?”

“It’s like a hamburger, but make it grilled cheese style…” you explain.

“Oh… oh wow… that sounds pretty good actually…” Levi said, “something that sounds so normie… sounds delicious.”

“Do you know if Lucifer has any allergies, or does he not like beef?” You asked, excited.

“Umm, not that I know of… I’ve seen him eating steak before…” Levi thought about it. “I think…”

“Close enough! I’m gonna make him and Beel a get-well lunch they will never forget!” You say clenching your fists. You then turn to Levi who seemed to be sneaking away. “Levi! I need your help. Would you come shopping for the ingredients with me?”

“W-What?! Why me? I have streams to do today!” Levi leaned back a bit because you were so close to him.

“Please? I really need your help, I’ll owe you some game time, it’s been a while since we did a livestream together.” You say, you held your hands together pleadingly. “If you help me, I’ll make you your own patty melt too…” now you tried bargaining.

Levi blinked. “W-What? You think I would wanna try one of your weird meat grilled cheeses? Just how old do you think I am?” Levi grumbled, folding his arms and turning his head away from you.

You frowned and sighed. “Okay… I understand… I guess I can ask Belphie or Asmo if they want to go food shopping…” you said as you turned to go and find Belphie or Asmo, when you were suddenly stopped by an exasperation from behind you.

“W-Wait! Gosh, don’t you know a dramatic pause when you see it? U-Umm… Will I get to be the first one to try one of your patty melts?” Levi blushed a bit as he crossed his arms and looked down.

You gave a small smile and held his hands, looking into his eyes. “I promise you’ll have the first melt I make.”

Levi blushes more as he was sharing this tender… normie… moment with you. He pulled his hands away in a huff. “Well, I guess I can spare some time and get to gaming later tonight… but next time, you’re gonna be helping me with a video game release livestream.”

“Deal! Alright, let’s get ready to get shopping to get ready to cook!” You say triumphantly as you grabbed Levi’s hand and rushed out the door with him.

-One Grocery Shopping Montage Later-

You spent a good amount of time shopping for the ingredients, you were happy that Levi had agreed to help you, you weren’t sure how helpful Asmo would have been, but you also knew that Belphie would have slumped down and took a nap while you began cooking. But there was a reason why you wanted someone to really help, and why Levi would be perfect for this.

“I also need a witness, a documenter of sorts.” You said as you put the groceries down on the counter.

“A documenter?” Levi rose an eyebrow.

“Well, this morning, Mammon and Satan were talking pretty mercilessly about Lucifer… I don’t know about Satan, but I wouldn’t put it past Mammon to try and sabotage this and make Lucifer more sick…” You explained.

“Well, in the group chat, Satan was talking about a book about poisons for demons…” Levi said, “So, I wouldn’t put it past either of them…”

“Now that you put it that way, I definitely need you to be my witness. I’m counting on you, Lord of Shadows,” you said, smiling to Levi.

Levi blushes and smiles, “You can count on me, Henry!” He said, clenching his fist, “I’ll go get my camcorder!” He said, heading on upstairs.

You smile as you took out one of your notebooks, and you flipped to a page that had your grandmother’s garlic tomato bisque recipe in. You learned your cooking directly from your grandmother on your father’s side, and she had helped you to keep her recipes alive. She always used to say that her ancestor’s cooking was like a love letter, it had a beautiful presentation, and was full of emotion in every part from beginning to end. You just hoped you could translate the recipe well without her this time. Suddenly, you jumped a bit, feeling a hand around your waist, and someone was pulling you in close.

“What’cha reading? Grandma’s Garlic Tomato Bisque?” Mammon read over your shoulder to which you closed the book.

“Mammon! Don’t do that!” You held your notebook over your chest.

“Heh, sorry, so, what’s all this? You making lunch or something?” Mammon asked, picking up some of the ingredients.

“As a matter of fact… yes, I thought about it, and I wanna make everyone lunch.” You say, “I’m making Patty Melts and my Grandma’s Garlic Tomato Bisque.” He said.

“Patty Melt?” Mammon asked, leaning on the counter, “Excuse me for living but what is that?”

“Picture a hamburger cooked like grilled cheese.” Levi said from the doorway of the kitchen, holding his camcorder.

“Oh? Well then, can’t wait to try it. You will let me know when it’s ready? You know, cause I am your first guy.” Mammon said, trying to get a rise out of Levi.

“Actually, I promised Levi he would be the one to have my first patty melt.” You said, earning a smirk from Levi, and a stunned look from Mammon.

“Ha! Now I don’t regret doing the dishes.” Levi smirked.

“No! No! I asked you to switch dishwashing shifts with me, I demand we switch back!” Mammon growled. “It should be me in your position!”

“You don’t get to change the game when it’s convenient for you! And plus, I got [MC] owing me a hangout day~. So that’s what you get for pawning off your duties!” Levi smirked back.

“Levi… the camcorder?” You ask as Levi set the camcorder up and pressed record on it as he continued the insult match with Mammon.

You sigh and shake your head as you began to start your cooking, starting with the forming and seasoning of the burger patties, making sure they were shaped like ovals so they would fit on the wide bread slices you had. All while you were cooking, you felt someone watching you, and felt someone’s warmth behind you, which you figured out was one of the other brothers, but you were too busy focusing on the patties that you didn’t acknowledge whomst was behind you.

“... And that’s why your feet stink!” Levi fired at Mammon. “They stink so bad, you got a Venus fly trap hacking!”

“Oh those are fightin’ words, your feet stink so bad, when you take your shoes off, the flies die!” Mammon growled as he got into Levi’s face.

“Could you two take your stinky feet somewhere else? [MC]’s trying to cook.” Satan said calmly as he was standing right behind you as you worked on prepping the soup.

“O-Oh… right, sorry [MC]…” Mammon said as he began to leave the kitchen.

“Oh! I’m sorry, Satan…” Levi shied away, following Mammon out the kitchen.

It only took a few seconds before the footsteps came rushing back into the kitchen.

“SATAN?!?!” Both Mammon and Levi shouted in unison.

“You two really are idiots. Letting [MC] cook all by themself while you’re having a little insult fest.” Satan said, smirking, trying not to laugh as he had almost got them to leave.

“You’re the one just standing behind [MC] just watching them cook!” Mammon growled.

Levi realized that they were in the presence of the last two people they wanted in the kitchen right now, so he had to be diligent. “Y-yeah! If you’re gonna be in the kitchen, you’re gonna have to do something to help with lunch.”

“Like saying how badly both of your feet stink?” Satan turned to them crossing his arms.

“THEY DON’T STINK!!” Both Mammon and Levi shouted again. It was at this point of your cooking that you had enough, you hadn’t even started on the bisque yet, and the three of them were standing around having a quarrel.

“ALL OF YOU!” You shout, causing them to turn their attention to you. “I’m already done shaping and seasoning the patties, and I need to start making the soup, if none of you are going to help me, then I need you all to leave the kitchen.”

Mammon, Levi and Satan looked taken aback, they didn’t see this side of MC before.

“Well, I wanna help, what do you want me to do?” Levi asked, walking up to you.

“H-Hey, I wanna help too!” Mammon followed Levi.

“... You know, if you didn’t make a pact with anyone here, you probably would have been in danger of getting hurt…” Satan began, “But… I guess we aren’t earning your cooking if we didn’t help… So you’re making tomato bisque? That’s pretty ambitious, especially for a house of seven.”

“Well, this is my grandma’s recipe, and I wanted to give a lunch that warms the heart as well as your mouth.” You said, softening your smile as you recruited two more brothers to help cook. “I wanna keep my family’s recipes alive.”

“Ah… that is noble of you. Well, I can start chopping the vegetables.” Satan said, smiling.

“Yeah, I’ll start cutting the cheese for the patty melts.” Levi said.

“Umm, I can start buttering the bread, and cook the patties!” Mammon said as the boys started getting everything ready.

It warmed your heart to see that you all were working together. You felt like the head chef, supervising the next three eldest brothers after Lucifer, and you all came together to show how you made the garlic tomato bisque. Eventually, you cooked the patties and started to make them melts.

“Thank you all so much for this… I really do appreciate your help, by the way, Mammon, Satan? Could you go and tell Belphie and Asmo that lunch will be ready shortly?” You asked.

“Why can’t Levi do it?” Mammon asked.

“Because I’m trusting you with this task, Mammon. And you too, Satan.” You replied, smiling.

“Understood, come on.” Satan said, walking out of the kitchen, with Mammon.

You smile and look at Levi. “Thank you so much, I think they were pretty behaved, but check the footage, just to be safe.”

“Of course. Oh, and don’t forget that the first melt and soup bowl is mine.” Levi mentioned as he began to play it back.

You kept your eye on Levi’s patty melt, not wanting to flip it too late or too soon. And at the first flip over, it was a delightfully toasted brown. “Yes!”

Levi smiles as he saw the joy on your face, but then as he played back the video, he noticed you had only made 7 patties… it should have been 8… were you not gonna make one for yourself?

“Oh Levi, here you go, fresh and a perfect toasted brown and cut in half, I hope you like it.” You say, handing him his sandwich and the bowl of garlic tomato bisque.

“Oh wow, it looks so good… thank you, [MC]!” Levi said, closing the camcorder. “And you’re in luck, I didn’t see any sabotaging, but maybe taste the bisque before you try it…”

“Oh right…” you said as you went over to the bisque and tasted it, and you got transported back to when you were sick in bed, and your grandma made you this soup. It made you fall asleep easier, and helped you feel better the next day. You remembered going down to grandma’s kitchen and giving her the biggest hug, cause you felt the best you had felt in your life.

“Hey… [MC]? What’s wrong?” Levi asked, lowering his head to meet your eyes, which he grew misty.

“H-Huh? O-Oh nothing… It just… tastes just like how grandma made it…” you shook your head and wiped your eyes.

“Well, now I’m sold and I haven’t even eaten yet.” Levi smiles, “By the way, how are you going to get past Beel with those sandwiches? He’s eating anything that comes in for Lucifer…”

“Well, I’m gonna cook Lucifer’s and Beel’s at the same time, but then, I’ll cut them both in half, and swap out one of the halves for another. So Lucifer can have some of Beel’s, Beel can have some of Lucifer’s, and They’ll both still have a whole sandwich.” You explained. “And I can show the footage to Beel to back it up.”

Levi blinked, surprised that you thought it through. “It’s pretty scary that you are this thorough… I don’t think even Satan is that thorough…”

You blush and chuckle. “Well, go and eat, everyone will be down soon.” You say, nodding as you shoo Levi off. Eventually, one by one you cooked the patties and grilled cheese’d them, and served them with bisque to brothers who also came down. Soon, you made the last two at the same time, cooking them side by side while the camcorder recorded you. You finally made a beautiful presentation, two halves of each sandwich indicated by ornate toothpicks, two colored red, and two colored orange surrounding but not touching the bowl of garlic tomato bisque. You put it on a tray and made your way up toward Lucifer’s room, where Beel stood guard.

“Oh, [MC]. How are… what is that?” Beelzebub said, giving you a smile, but then it dropped into longing. You swear you could hear his stomach growling.

“Oh, I made everyone lunch, and I made one for you and Lucifer.” You explained. “Four cheese patty melt with garlic tomato bisque, and water with lemon slices because… hydration.” You listed, giving a smile

“... You do know I gotta eat both because of Mammon and Satan. Right?” Beel asked, frowning with an eyebrow raised.

“Well, not necessarily, I cut the sandwiches in half, and swapped the left halves, the soup was made in the same pot and I tasted it. I have recorded footage as well. And even though Mammon and Satan helped, Levi and I made sure that nothing wrong happened.” You say.

Beel blinks, and took one of the plates offered to him and began to eat the sandwiches, he nodded impressed, and then dipped a half of the sandwich into the soup and his eyes widened in joy. “I need more of this soup… and this… patty melt… it’s like grilled cheeseburger… [MC]... I didn’t know you could cook this good…”

You blush as you saw Beel enjoying it so much. Suddenly, Beel opened the door. “Lucifer, [MC] made you lunch, you’ve gotta try it!” He said into the room.

“... Send him in.” Was all you heard.

“Go on in, I’m gonna see if there’s more.” Beel said, running off excitedly to the kitchen.

“There’s more soup, but there’s no more… beef…” you called out but stopped halfway because Beel was already gone. You went into Lucifer’s room, closing the door behind you.

“[MC]... what’s this I heard about you making food?” Lucifer asked from his bed in his dimly lit room, he sounded like he was suffering. He had never had a cold before, and it must have come as a shock.

“Oh, I wanted to help you feel better, so I made you a patty melt, which is basically a grilled cheese-burger, and some of my grandma’s garlic tomato bisque. She made me this when I was younger whenever I felt sick. And I always felt better after.” You said, sitting down on the bed next to Lucifer.

“Oh… I appreciate it, but I heard that Mammon and Satan helped you make it… I hope you understand…” Lucifer said, solemnly.

“Well, I served everyone else before serving you, and I don’t think Mammon and Satan would have eaten something they sabotaged.” You explained. “Please? I’ve been worried about you all day ever since I heard you were sick this morning…”

Lucifer looked at you and his face softened. “Well, if you insist that nothing’s wrong… it does smell good… although I’m not a fan of greasy food…”

“Don’t worry, the grease adds flavor to the bread, here…” you gave Lucifer a fork and knife, to which he started laughing.

“You know me so well.” Lucifer said, smiling, as he took the utensils and began to cut into it.

“You just strike me as the kind of person to eat everything with a fork and knife, you’re not exactly a hands-on eater… oh, and if you want, try dipping the bites you cut into the bisque.”

“... Well maybe I’ll try them separately first before marrying them.” Lucifer said as he was given a spoon as well and began to eat his soup. “Ooh… and you said this was your grandmother’s recipe? Your grandmother knows her flavors, this is delicious!”

“Oh good, I’m glad you like it…” you sighed in relief.

“I don’t like it, I love it…” Lucifer said, smiling at you, “Your grandmother would be very proud of you...”

You blush as you start to feel pretty warm yourself, it felt like Lucifer was holding your hand, or holding you close even though he continued to eat.

After Lucifer has finished his food and his water, he smiled at you, and slightly sniffles.

“Thank you for such a delicious lunch, [MC]. And thank you for such great company… didn’t you make some for yourself?” Lucifer asked, tilting his head.

“Oh you’re welcome! And no, I had a taste of the bisque, and I think that Beel might have eaten the rest of the soup… I’m just glad that you all had yours.” You say, shaking your head.

“I see… I suggest you eat as well, after all, you made us all lunch, you should enjoy your cooking as well.” Lucifer said, holding your hand. “You deserve yours.”

You blush and smile. “I will, don’t worry… now get some rest, and give me a message if you need anything else, okay?”

“Of course, I hope I feel better fast.” Lucifer said, but before you left, you went over and gave him a kiss on his forehead before leaving his room. Lucifer was blushing now, “Heh… I hope I feel better for your sake…” he said after you had already left.

You came out of the bathroom a few minutes after leaving Lucifer’s room to wash your hands, and your lips. Levi was right, you didn’t want to catch the Common Cold 2.0: The Sequel. You smile as you walk back down to the kitchen, and pull out your D.D.D. You were about to call for delivery when you went to the kitchen and you heard;

“Surprise!” The other brothers said as you gasp and almost drop your D.D.D. Mammon was holding up another patty melt while Levi held a bowl of what looked to be fresh garlic tomato bisque.

“W-Wha? What is this?” You ask, going up to them, not sure what to say.

“Well, Beel went Gaga for your soup, and he finished it off.” Belphie said as he pat Beel’s back as Beel blushed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, it was so good…” Beel said, biting his lip.

“And Levi noticed that you didn’t make a patty for yourself, so, he naturally told us, and we decided to go and get the ingredients to make YOU your lunch to us~.” Asmo winked.

“I-I just thought it wasn’t fair for you to make us lunch and not get your own lunch to enjoy…” Levi blushes a bit, looking down.

“You left your notebook in the kitchen so we kind of looked through it… sorry for snooping around your things… but we made you some fresh bisque as well.” Satan said, smiling.

“I hope this is up to your standards, and I hope we did your grandmother’s recipe proud…” Mammon said.

“Yeah, even though Mammon suggested we make this and make a market out of it.” Belphie smirked at Mammon.

You didn’t even hear what Mammon said to that because you were touched that the brothers had come together to make lunch for you. You smile sweetly and took the dishes from the brothers, set them down on the kitchen island and gave them all a hug.

“Thank you, all of you. You don’t know how much this means to me… thank you all so much! Especially you, for all of your help today, Levi…” you said, giving Levi a kiss on his cheek.

“Wha-WhoooOOOOAAA!! What was that for?!” Levi blushed madly.

“H-Hey! Why did Levi get a kiss?!” Mammon’s eyes widened and bared his teeth.

“Cause no one wants to kiss you, scummy Mammon~.” Asmo teased.

“No one asked you Fifty Shades of Pink!” Mammon growled. “And everyone wants a piece of The Great Mammon!”

“Yes, especially those three witches you still owe a debt to.” Satan smirks.

“You know what Satan, I’m getting sick and tired of your mouth, you always got something smart to say!” Mammon stepped up to Satan.

“Well someone has to cut through the idiocy that comes out of your mouth.” Satan crossed his arms.

Belphie snuck your food to you from behind their fussing. “You’d better eat while Beel doesn’t try to grab it.” He said, winking at you.

You smile and head to your seat in the dining hall, and you chuckle as heard them fighting as you are carefully.

“You know what?! I don’t need to take this from someone whose feet stink!” You heard Mammon throw out.

“What does that have to do with anything, Mammon?” Beel asked.

“My feet don’t stink!” Satan growls. “And that statement is irrelevant to the topic at hand, and is proving my point!”

You chuckle a bit louder as you try to calm yourself down to continue eating. “Oh I love it here… Never a dull moment with these brothers…

[tsukki-rising]

let me know everything is ok in the end

Pairing: Tsuyu Asui x Gn!Reader

Genre: Fluff

Summary: When you start missing and worrying about Tsu you decide to get a pet frog but don't tell her about it until she finds out for herself by seeing your dorm room.

Word Count: 1.6k

You're about halfway finished unpacking into your new dorm. The room was a good size and the prospect of living on campus seemed pretty fun. As long as you didn't think too much about why the student body was put into dorms.

You're glad you can live on campus though, you can live closer to your girlfriend who you love and you'll always know where she is, know that she's safe. She's training to be a hero, you know she's smart and strong but sometimes close calls come just a little too close for your liking. The league of villains especially liked to get too close. That point was introduced at the USJ and really drilled in with their other schemes. You never had enough time with Tsu before. The two of you had lunch together and study dates for your core classes but she was becoming a hero and you were in the support course, your paths rarely crossed naturally.

Back before UA introduced their dorm system, when the ache of missing her got strong you thought of getting a pet, but you didn't have space or time for a dog, there were cat allergies in your family, and birds were just too loud for your liking. You were thinking about Tsu, daydreaming of future dates when you realized what would be the perfect pet. You were going to get a frog. Being a support course student, you were accustomed to extensive research, and since you knew nothing about taking care of actual frogs, you did your homework and at the beginning of your summer vacation, bought the best fitting space for a frog to live along with the frog. You didn't tell Tsu, you thought it'd be a little embarrassing to tell her that you missed her so much you bought a frog (and named it Froppy).

Froppy (the actual frog) only became that much more comforting to have around when the summer training camp incident happened.

You were getting ready for bed and checking on little Froppy when you caught wind of the breaking news that UA students had been attacked yet again by the League of Villains. You stayed up all night, first waiting for news updates, then trying to call Tsu, and eventually when she finally called back to explain she was caught up in the police interview and checked out by doctors but completely fine, you broke down just a little. The whole thing felt like a trip, you had really worried yourself sick over her. When you saw her after that she didn't seem too shaken by it herself but you could feel it in the way she'd held your hand tighter, kissed you more, and hugged you a lot longer.

Now you're moving Froppy's sanctuary into your dorm, a cloth covered it over the top since pets weren't technically allowed and you set her on her table next to the window. You decide to set her amenities up last since it will take a little while and begin putting finishing touches on the other parts of the room.

There's a knock at your door. It was probably a classmate but it could be a teacher so you double-check that Froppy is out of view before you open the door. It's Tsu though. The most pleasant of pleasant surprises.

"Hi.", she croaks out, muttering a little ribbit. Her smile is like a breath of fresh air. You wrap your arms around her and lift her up, holding her close like your hoping to keep her safe there in your arms.

"Hi.", you say back. She is a person of few words, it's something you like about her though because when she does speak it means she really wants to and she's always sincere.

"Are you unpacked yet?" she asks as you set her down and walk her in past the doorway.

"Almost." you gesture around the space, "I just have some clothes left to unpack and finishing touches. Are you?"

"Yeah." She observes the room and goes to sit on the chair you brought specifically because it was her favorite (the fuzzy blankets too). You watch her get comfortable then go over and tuck her in the blankets extra well, parting with a kiss to her forehead before getting back to your unpacking work. Ever since the summer training camp incident you've been extra attentive to her, and maybe you spend extra time in your support class shop trying to think up the best kind of supporting items for her. She means so much to you and you can't stand to think of her getting badly hurt in a fight.

After emptying the box of clothes you were working on you turn back to her to ask how things were going with the rest of 1A but her eyes are shut and she looks so peaceful in her sleep. You continue to finish unpacking, setting up Froppy's spot before covering it back up so the real Froppy won't see it when she wakes up.

Once you finish you join her on the large chair. There's no way to get in with out moving her a little so you move slowly, wrapping your arms around her with her head resting on your chest the way you know she likes. She stirs a little and remembers her surroundings and noticing the now empty boxes, seeming a little put out.

"I wanted to help you move in.", she looks up at you. She's frowning and you can't help but smile at her cute little pout.

"It's ok. This is all I could ask for.", you smooth your hand over her hair, hoping to give some extra reassurance with the gesture. She relaxes under it the same way little Froppy does when you give her pets with your finger, you melt. She's too precious for your heart to handle.

The two of you relax and drift off to sleep in each other's arms, getting closer and tangling your limbs together further in your unconsciousness. You have happy dreams of picnics in the grass on nice summer days with her. You are at peace.

She is the first to wake up, then waking you up when she looks to your alarm clock and notices the time, it's now late in the afternoon and the two of you take your time waking up since you were given the day to settle in and this was the best possible way you could think to do that. As she wakes and stretches her limbs, Tsu notices a box left with a cloth covering it.

"I thought you were done unpacking?", she moves towards the box.

"I-" before you can even begin to think of an excuse, she removes the cloth and sees Froppy.

She's frozen. Dropped the cloth to the ground to watch Froppy climb the sticks in her habitat.

"You have a frog?", she looks to you.

"Yeah.", you don't see a point in trying to cover any of it up at this point. "That's Froppy." You move to stand beside her and pick up the spray bottle next to Froppy's spot to give the small frog a spritz.

"Why?", she tilts her head as she watches you care for the little amphibian.

You explain to her about how you'd miss her and thought of getting a pet and a frog just seemed to be the best fit. You're not looking at her when you explain, feeling a little embarrassed. But she wraps her arms around you once you've finished your explanation.

"I'm sorry", she says it in the same tone she says most everything else but just saying it at all, you know she's sincere.

"What?" Why would she be apologizing? For not noticing little Froppy's presence sooner?

"I'm sorry for making you worry. I'm sorry you were lonely." She'd always been the quiet type and wouldn't speak up when she herself felt lonely. That just made sense to her but now that she's hearing your feelings, she can't believe she didn't notice you'd been doing the same. She squeezes you tight.

You squeeze her back, "Tsu no. Don't feel bad, it's not your fault.". She pulls away to look at you and she begin her rebuttal but you speak first. "You're becoming a hero Tsu. Danger is just written into that path and as your s/o I'm with you for the ride. Don't worry about making me worry. We'd get nowhere with that." You let out a little laugh and rest your head against her shoulder, hugging her tight again. "It's not a matter of trying not to make me worry, it's a matter of showing me that everything is ok in the end. Just you being here is enough to let me know that.". You think you've said the right things but she's quiet for a little too long. Then you hear her sniffle.

You look up and she has tears welling in her eyes but she won't look at you, instead watching little Froppy in her habitat.

"Ok.", she says, her arms draped over your shoulders. "I'm- We're ok.", then she looks to you and the corners of her mouth turn upwards again, then she jumps up into your arms and you have to catch her. The way she nuzzles into you after jumping up so fast has you off balance so you direct the two of you towards your bed and you fall down onto the covers together.

The two of you laugh together and once you're done you just cuddle together and soak in each others presence. She is ok. She's here and she's safe with you.

[pan-fangirl-345]

Purple Heliotropes and Red Salvias

Summary: Tadashi didn’t think that loving his best friend would lead anywhere, and yet there he is, puking up flowers in a school bathroom. Where will he end up?

TW: Mentions of blood, vomit, and death. No one actually dies, but there are mentions of character deaths.

A/N: I’ve been going through a Hanahaki Disease AU phase, and now I’m subjecting you guys to it too. Good luck. I promise that it has a happy ending.

Tadashi knew something was wrong during practice.

He was slower than usual, and his breathing was becoming  hell of a lot harder than he thought was normal, but he hadn't been feeling very good lately, so he didn't think much of it until Suga said something.

"I promise, I'm okay," Tadashi assured his former vice-captain. The former third years had stopped by to see how the new team was doing, which meant that they were all much more preceptive than usual.

"You don't have a fever. Are you sure that you're feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, I just don't feel the greatest, I think it might be allergies," Tadashi explained, attempting to wave away his former vice-captain.

"If it gets any worse-"

"I'll let you know," Tadashi promised.

It didn't get worse, but it didn't get better either, and by the end of practice Tadashi was panting.

"Tadashi," Tsukishima murmured, laying a hand on Tadashi's back. Concern was lacing his facial features as they locked eyes.

"I'm fine," he gasped, hands on his knees as he tried to breath.

Suddenly, there was something coming up, clogging his throat.

"I-" He paused. "I'll be right back. I have to use the bathroom," he muttered, trying to walk as calmly as he could to the bathroom.

As soon as the door shut behind him, Tadashi was on his knees in front of the toilet, coughing and hacking as he tried to get it out of his throat.

When he was finally able to clear his throat, he stared in horror at the small purple petals that were floating on the surface of the water.

"No, no, no, no, no," he whispered, shaking his head.

This couldn't be happening. He was not doing this. Not now. Not when they were so close to their tournament.

He couldn't do this, he wasn't going to go through the hassle of trying to figure out who it was, what he was going to do about it, and why this was happening to him now.

"Tadashi?" Hinata asked, rubbing his back as he appeared. "Oh no."

"You can't tell anyone," he croaked, voice and throat raw. "Not until I figure this out."

"Yamaguchi, I need to tell Suga, or Daichi! Or Tsukishima so he can-"

"Tsukki can't know," Tadashi ordered. "He doesn't need this, and I can't burden him with this," he rasped.

"But . . . isn't he the reason that you-"

"Probably, but I've been expecting this, probably more than anything," Tadashi whispered, voice still hoarse.

Hanahaki wasn't rare, and he was likely to get it, he had been in love with he friend every day since they were kids, and it was about as unrequited as it could've gotten in their scenario.

There was a kind of beauty to the flowers, Tadashi supposed, having gone through a small botany phase when he was younger.

Heliotropes represented eternal love and devotion, and Tadashi supposed that it made sense.

There was a kind of sadness to the flowers too, with how small the petals were.

"Tadashi, you know that you'll have to confess right?" Hinata asked, crouching down beside Tadashi as he rubbed the pinch server's back.

"No." It slipped out before Tadashi even had time to think the answer through.

"No? But Tadashi! If you don't then . . . ." Hinata trailed off, looking close to tears.

"I'll die, I know," Tadashi whispered. "I know, but . . . have you ever been in love Hinata?" Tadashi asked.

"Yes."

The answer was so firm that Tadashi turned to look at the small red-head. There was nothing but a small, fond smile on the red-head's face.

"Would you want to get the surgery? If it was you in my position?" Tadashi asked. "Would you want to get rid of something that made you smile like that whenever you thought about the person? Would you want to forget the little things that they do to make you smile? The little things that only you know about? Would you want to forget the things they did to make you fall in love?"

"No."

"Then you can't tell me that I need the surgery," Tadashi told him.

"There's a difference between want and need," Hinata said, getting a sad look on his face.

"Maybe, but I've made my choice," Tadashi murmured.

"Sometimes I envy you Tadashi," Hinata admitted, sinking to the floor with him. "I envy the way that Tsukishima looks at you. The way you look at each other. I envy what you have. My person . . . they'll never look at me like you look at each other. They'll never care for me like that."

Coughing wracked Hinata's body, and Tadashi realized that they were in the same boat, just in different stages.

A full flower was sitting peacefully on top of the water, dying it pink with Hinata's blood. 

The black sunflower looked menacing to Tadashi, but there was something about it.

"Kageyama," Tadashi whispered.

"Ding, ding, ding," Hinata rasped, leaning against the wall heavily.

It was concerning, how big the flower was, and how small Hinata was in comparison.

"How long?"

"A couple of months. It'll start taking something out of me soon, and my mom has already scheduled the surgery," Hinata said.

"Do you want the surgery?"

"No," Hinata admitted.

Tadashi tucked Hinata into his side, a small comfort, from someone who understood.

"I'll keep your secret if you keep mine," Tadashi murmured.

"Deal," Hinata agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~

Things were okay for a few weeks, Tadashi decided. He wasn't coughing flowers very much yet, and Hinata was still fighting, still flying high.

Then Hinata pulled Tadashi aside and said, "I need your help. My surgery, it's this weekend, and I want to let Kageyama know how I feel now, before that feeling leaves, and I need your help."

"Okay, what do you plan on doing?"

"I was thinking about writing a letter."

"That's a good idea. I'll come by after practice to help, okay?" Tadashi asked.

Hinata nodded then gave Tadashi a teary-eyed smile.

"I'm sorry, Tadashi," he murmured, before he went wide eyed and dashed down the hallway again.

Tadashi was wondering what he was sorry for, but then there was someone spinning him around and he was faced with the rage of Kageyama.

"What was he talking to you about?" Kageyama snarled.

"Hey, King, can you get your hands off my friend?" Tsukishima said, not really asking.

"Oh, right, sorry," Kageyama murmured, letting Tadashi go. "But he's been avoiding me like the plague. What was he talking to you about?"

"Homework. He wanted some help with his homework, and Yachi was busy," Tadashi murmured, giving Kageyama a small smile.

"Homework. Right."

Kageyama clearly didn't believe him, but he didn't press, probably because Tsukishima was standing at Tadashi's back, an intimidating presence.

"Are you okay?" Tsukishima asked.

"Yeah, thanks Tsukki," Tadashi said, giving him a wide smile, holding back the flowers that were crawling up his throat quickly.

"So what was the Shorty actually talking to you about?"

"He's . . . confessing to someone, and wanted my help."

"What would you know about confessions?" Tsukishima drawled.

Tadashi didn't say anything, he couldn't there were flowers clogging his throat, but the words hurt.

Tadashi's eyes watered as he held it in.

He squinted at the clock, decided he had enough time, and headed for the bathroom coughing into his handkerchief, trying to collect all the petals.

Once he was sure he was alone, he fell to his knees, kneecaps groaning in protest as he hit hard, cold tile, but he had more important things to worry about as he gagged, throwing up whatever was in his stomach into the toilet, small flowers floating on the surface peacefully.

Full flowers. That wasn't a good sign.

Next there would be stems, then leaves, the roots, until they started to puncture his lungs and squeeze his heart until he choked to death trying to cough up something that shouldn't have been in his lungs in the first place.

Tadashi sucked in a quick breath, flushed the toilet and rinsed out his mouth.

He needed to act normally, even though he was dying. He had a mission, and he would fight to see it accomplished.

Hinata had been fighting for a long time, and if he could do it, Tadashi could too.

It took more out of him than he thought it would. He hadn't realized how much time he spent with Tsukki until he got Hanahaki.

He'd coughed up seven more flowers by lunch, and had almost thrown up three times.

The excuse of helping Hinata write his letter made it easier to leave Tsukki when they parted ways, but there was still the ache in his chest. 

It was either suffer through the pain of Hanahaki, or the pain of not having the love of his life by his side.

"Your flowers are growing a lot faster now, aren't they?" Hinata asked when Tadashi coughed them into a bucket Hinata had hidden under his bed.

Tadashi nodded, letting Hinata inspect the contents.

"Yours are growing faster than mine did."

"I've been in love with Tsukki for a long time Hinata, for longer than you've even known about Kageyama," Tadashi explained.

"Have you decided what you're going to do?"

"I'm not confessing, and the surgery isn't an option, so I guess I'm dying," Tadashi admitted.

Hinata sighed.

"This sucks ass," Hinata muttered. "Would you confess, if you knew he loved you back?"

"Maybe, but that's the thing. He doesn't return my feelings, and I've known that for a while. He doesn't return my feelings and I can't say that I blame him."

"What does it feeling like for you Tadashi? Being in love I mean?"

"I know he'll always be by my side. I know that no matter what batshit crazy things come out of my mouth he'll understand, in some way. It's a reassuring feeling of belonging. It's lazy Sundays filled with sleeping in and comfy clothes and home."

"It's so different from mine," Hinata confessed. "For me, it's like running through a field and it's all 'fwaaahh' and 'haha!'."

"Because your heart isn't meant to be tamed, it meant to be ran with. You're an very free spirit, Hinata, kind of like a horse. To you, Kageyama is the wolf friend that runs with you."

"We're crows that fly together," Hinata mumbled.

"Exactly," Tadashi told him.

"I should write that down," Hinata murmured.

"Are you gonna sign it? Or are you going to let him brew on it?" Tadashi asked.

Hinata took a few minutes to respond since he was coughing up flowers, making Tadashi wince at the flowers that resided in the now-shared bucket.

"No. It won't make a difference if he knows it's me or not. It won't change how he feels. It might just inflate his ego a little bit," Hinata rasped, spitting into the bucket after washing his mouth out.

"That doesn't answer my question Hinata," Tadashi told him.

"I don't think I will," Hinata admitted. "I won't remember him after this weekend. The feelings won't ever come back."

"He'll want to know who it's from. He might go looking. Start asking question," Tadashi informed Hinata, who shrugged.

"Hinata, he has a right to know."

"Maybe, but . . . I think it'll hurt him more than help him," Hinata confessed.

"Hinata, put your name on that letter. Kageyama is a lot of things, subtle isn't one of them. He loves you, Hinata, but he's just not very good at proving it."

"He's in love with someone," Hinata agrees. "It just isn't me."

"What are you talking about?"

"I was going to confess, when this whole thing first started, but . . . when I asked him if he had ever been in love, he said yes, and he wouldn't tell me who it was. He doesn't love me back Tadashi, and I'm okay with that."

"How? How can you be okay with that?" Tadashi asked quietly.

"You didn't see the smile on his face when he talked about them Tadashi. He got this really fond smile, and it softened his entire face like 'awwww', and he looked so . . . happy, Tadashi. He never looks at me like that. I don't care if he doesn't love me back. As long as he's happy, then I can be okay with it."

Hinata had tears streaking down his face and when the hacking started Tadashi felt like crying himself.

"I'm so sorry, Hinata, I'm so sorry," Tadashi whispered, wrapping his arms around his friend as the tears started to leak from his own eyes and his voice cracked with emotions.

________________

The next day, Hinata looked drained, he wasn't exuding his normal excitement.

"Hinata?" Tadashi asked.

"There was a stem this morning, when we raced each other to the school. It's getting worse. At this rate, I'll be dead before the surgery even happens," he whispered, voice hoarse.

"Did he see it?"

"Kinda hard to miss," Hinata said, looking close to tears. "He had no clue what was wrong. Tadashi . . . the way he looked at me, the panic in his face . . . ." Hinata really did start crying then, big tears, like the ones they had shed the night before.

"I know, I know," Tadashi murmured, wrapping Hinata in a hug, moving them to a bathroom.

"I added something to the letter this morning. I told him it was me and explained everything that was going on. I slipped it into his bag while we were racing. He's probably found it by now, and I don't know what to expect. Tadashi, I'm terrified," Hinata admitted, once he got his composure back.

"I know, I know," Tadashi repeated slowly, curling his hands through Hinata's hair, trying to soothe the small middle blocker.

"Tadashi, what do I do?" Hinata asked.

"I don't know Hinata, hope for the best?"

Hinata sobbed and Tadashi wondered what would happen to him if he confessed to Tsukishima and he got rejected. He wasn't getting the surgery, he would never willingly give this up, but . . . what if he had no choice? What if someone found out and told his moms?

The pain in his throat crawled up and he let Hinata go to cough into the toilet.

Tears pricked his eyes and he could practically feel the plant ripping his throat on the way up.

He gagged, feeling his stomach roil around as the flowers flowed from his mouth like a river.

"Yours is almost as bad as mine," Hinata remarked sadly.

Tadashi nodded.

"At least we aren't going through this alone," Hinata murmured, giving Tadashi a hand up after he flushed the toilet.

"True, but it would be better if we weren't going through it at all," Tadashi grumbled, making Hinata laugh sadly.

"Ain't that the truth," he murmured, following Tadashi back to his classroom.

Hinata's eyes went wide, and he bolted, so Tadashi assumed he had spotted Kageyama.

"You and the Shrimp are spending a lot of time together lately 'Dashi," Tsukishima mused, hard look on his face. "Anything I should know about?"

For a nanosecond, for a fraction of the smallest slice of time, Tadashi considered telling Tsukishima everything, about Hinata, about himself, about he had been feeling since middle school, and then it was all wiped away by the worst case scenario. By the thought of Tsukishima throwing it all back in his face and laughing. Of Tsukishima walking away and leaving him behind again.

"It's nothing Tsukki, don't worry about it. You might want to take your seat, the teacher warned us about what would happen-"

"Fuck the teacher Tadashi," Tsukishima snapped, nearly slamming his hands down on his friend's desk. "There's something wrong, and I want to know what it is. For god's sake Tadashi, when did you start hiding things from me?"

"When I started to have something to lose," Tadashi replied, letting the mask fall for a moment. "You don't need to know about this Kei, not right now. I can't risk-"

Tadashi shut his mouth so quickly that his teeth clacked together audibly.

"Fine, talk to me when you're ready to stop lying to my face," Tsukishima snapped.

Tadashi blinked back tears, tearing a hand through his hair.

He and Tsukishima had fought before, but never like this, they had usually made up by the end of it, having forgotten what they were even arguing about.

Tadashi suddenly realized how tired he was, how deep the ache in his bones really was, how heavy his body was, how much effort it took to keep his eyes open.

Just one more day, just one more week, you can do this Tadashi, he thought to himself as he forced himself to pay attention in class, to not let into the ache.

It all came to a head at practice that night.

He'd been feeling worse and worse throughout the day, and Hinata had reported the same thing.

"I . . . will . . . reach . . . the . . . summit," Hinata panted, wiping sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

Kageyama nodded beside him, giving Hinata a fond look.

Tsukishima had never looked at Tadashi like that, and he doubted that he would now.

The ache throbbed and so did Tadsahi's lungs.

Or maybe Tadashi's lungs were causing the ache and his body was responding to it.

Tadashi's vision blurred in front of him as the whistle blew and Kageyama whispered something to Hinata.

Tadashi's serve went up, and so did he, but, as the ball hit the other side of the court, Tadashi hit the floor heavily, coughs wracked his body, flowers ripping out of him with a vengeance as he tried to keep them hidden in his hands.

Not now, not here, Tadashi begged whatever higher being and deity was listening. Not in front of Kei, not in front of my team.

"-Dashi! Tadashi!"

Tadashi tried to open his eyes to look up at Tsukishima, but he couldn't. He was tired, and he just wanted to sleep.

"S-Sorry Tsukki," he gasped, coughing up more flowers in between words, trying and failing to get enough oxygen into his lungs.

His vision was blurry, getting darker around the edges.

"I'm s-sorry," he whispered.

____________________

(Tsukishima's POV)

The incessant beeping of the heart monitor was annoying, but it was the only thing convincing Kei that his best friend was even alive.

The rise and fall of his chest was so shallow, and the drip of the IV was concerning.

Kei had been holding Tadashi's hand since he had gotten to his side.

He also hadn't stopped crying since he had gotten to Tadashi.

Kei should've known, he should've known that something was wrong. Tadashi had been his best friend since they were kids, he should've known that Tadashi was sick.

He should've noticed the flowers sooner, he should've seen the signs. He was suffering from them too after all.

Daichi was standing by the door, as were Nishinoya and Narita. Asahi was there too, and the others were with Hinata, who had collapsed after blocking a spike from Tanaka, couching up blood and big black sunflowers.

Tadashi had been coughing up purple heliotropes, and Kei had automatically known who Tadashi was in love with.

They'd gone through a botany phase together as children, before Tsukishima had gotten into dinosaurs and Tadashi had become interested in art.

Kei had been coughing up red salvias for about two weeks, right after Tadashi had started acting different.

He knew what was happening, but Tadashi had been pulling away, talking with Hinata more often than not, touching him constantly, and Kei had assumed that they were getting closer.

He hadn't expected this.

Tadashi hadn't told him, hadn't wanted to lose what they had, so he had been killing himself.

"You idiot," Kei snapped, his first words in hours.

"Tsukishima, take it easy," Nishinoya murmured.

Kei ignored him.

"You honestly thought I would reject you? You thought I would throw away the only friend I've ever had? That I didn't care about you like this? 'Dashi, how could you be so blind?" Kei asked, kissing Tadashi's knuckles lightly.

He had never thought Tadashi would got his far. Kei had thought that Tadashi had known how he felt. It wasn't like he put up with anyone else, except maybe Yachi, and that was purely platonic.

"Please, just wake up," Kei pleaded, laying his head on the bed.

"I'm going to call Yamaguchi's moms again," Daichi murmured, slipping out.

Narita convinced Noya to go check on Hinata before slipping out himself, laying a comforting hand on Kei's shoulder.

"Tadashi please," Kei begged. "I need you. I need you to be okay. I need you to be by my side. I need you. I'm in love with you Tadashi, and you can't leave before I tell you to your face, okay? I need to tell you, to apologize for earlier, for every time I-"

Kei stopped as he choked on a sob.

"You're my best friend, idiot, I love you!"

The tears returned full force, landing in wet splotched on Tadashi's arm, splattering over the covers, landing in Kei's hands where they were clutching Tadashi's tightly.

"Ts-Tsukki?"

Kei's head popped up as Tadashi blinked blearily at him.

"Tadashi," he whispered, throwing his arms around his friend.

"Where am I?"

"The hospital. You had a flower fit, remember?"

"Where are the others?"

"Either with Hinata or waiting in the lobby for parents," Kei explained.

"Hinata? Did they take him in for surgery?" Tadashi tried for sit up but ended up coughing up a bunch of bloody flowers instead.

"Don't try to sit up, moron," Kei hissed, pushing him back down by his shoulders. "The King already spilled his guts about everything to the Shrimp. Hinata's fine now, tired and in need of some serious training to get back where he was, but fine."

"Thank goodness," Tadashi murmured, relaxing under Kei's hands. "Listen, I'm sorr-"

"Don't apologize to me Tadashi," Kei murmured, stroking Tadashi's face with his thumb lightly, running it over the freckles he loved so much. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten jealous and mad at you, it was stupid and I just want you to be-"

A coughing fit over took Kei, who grimaced, releasing Tadashi's hands.

"Tsukki?" Tadashi reached out to him. "Tsukki, what's-"

His question stopped when he glanced at the little red petals in Kei's hands, glaringly obvious against Kei's paler complextion, and Tadashi's hands went to his mouth.

"Oh, Tsukki, I'm so sorry," Tadashi whispered. "Who are they for? I bet it's that girl from Class 5, right? The one with the-"

"They aren't for some . . . girl, Tadashi," Kei snapped, snatching Tadashi's hands up from where they were resting against his stomach. "They're for you."

"That's not funny Kei," Tadashi said, angrily.

"I know it's not," Kei replied, just as serious as Tadashi was. "I've been coughing them up for two weeks. I knew who they were for as soon as I coughed up the first petal. They're red salvias, Tadashi. Do you remember what they mean?"

"Forever mine," Tadashi whispered. "They mean forever mine," he said, a little bit louder.

"How did you not notice Tadashi?" Kei asked, giving his best friend a small smile, rubbing soothing circles on Tadashi's skin.

"You just never . . . I mean, we never . . . I never thought that . . . ." Tadashi trailed off and stared at their joined hands for a moment before he said, "I just never thought that you would ever think about me like that."

"Tadashi," Kei murmured, leaning their foreheads together. "I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier, I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay," Tadashi murmured, pulling one hand away from Kei's so that he could tangle it in Kei's hair.

"I'm in love with you, and I have been for a while," Kei admitted, and he could feel the heat rise to his cheeks.

"Me too," Tadashi said, the teasing lilt in his voice apparent. "I love you, Tsukishima Kei."

Kei smiled at him, real, and wide, and Tadashi smiled back at him.

"Why did you wait so long to tell me?" Tsukishima asked.

"Like I said, I just never though that you were interested in me," Tadashi muttered, glancing everywhere but his friend.

Kei frowned.

Looking back, he had never really shown any romantic interest towards Tadashi, he had been so worried about letting it show that he had been kind of an asshole.

"I'm sorry," Kei mumbled. "I should've-"

"I know now," Tadashi said, cutting him off, moving his hand deeper into Kei's hair.

Kei nodded, nudging Tadashi's nose with his own.

The sounds of crying made them both pull away, and they saw Tadashi's mother hurtling around the corner.

Kei moved so she could sit beside her son. She was rightly upset, since she didn't seem to have known that her son was sick.

His mom was there in the next five minutes, trying to comfort her wife and her son at the same time and looking more than a little panicked.

Kei slipped out, heading down to the cafeteria. 

He hadn't been eating much, and as much as hospital food didn't sound appealing, he was willing to eat pretty much anything.

He got something for Tadashi too, and then, ten minutes later, left it on a spare chair in his room, before starting to slip out.

"Tsukki? Where are you going?"

"I . . . I wasn't sure you wanted me around, so I was going to go home."

"Kei, come here," Tadashi ordered, opening his arms. "The IV itches and pinches and I am this close to just yanking it out."

Deciding that Tadashi really couldn't do that, Kei moved to sit in the chair, but Tadashi made a small noise of protest, tugging on Kei's sleeve.

"Come here," Tadashi demanded, pulling his friend into the bed with him.

"I'm not sure this is-"

"Kei," Tadashi grumbled, more of a whine than anything. "I want cuddles!"

Kei . . . couldn't argue with that. They hadn't been touching as much and he missed the solid warmth of his friend tucked into his side.

"What about your moms? And the team?"

"Fuck 'em," Tadashi muttered, burying his face in Kei's shirt, tangling their legs together.

Kei snorted, then regretted it when his throat protested.

"Kei, I'm really sorry," Tadashi murmured.

"If I can't apologize then neither can you," Kei countered, burying his face in Tadashi's hair.

Tadashi opened his mouth again, then shut it. 

"I really missed you," Tadashi whispered.

"I missed you too," Kei murmured, burying his face in Tadashi's hair.

"Hey, Yamaguchi-" Suga stopped in the doorway, giving them a soft smile. "I'm glad things worked out."

He disappeared down the hallway again and Kei couldn't help the blush that crept up his cheeks.

"We do this all the time at home, why does this embarrass you?" Tadashi asked, touching Kei's face lightly.

"It doesn't," Kei said.

"Then why is your face a strawberry?"

"It's not!"

"Yes it is!"

"Sh-Shut up Dashi!"

"You love me and you know it."

"I do."

He really did.

[commander-yinello]

Guardian (Jumin x Zen)

Happy Birthday @maniart1o9​!!! For you, I wrote some JuminZen with one of your favorite themes (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ I hope you will enjoy it! Read more under the cut ♥♥ ~_^

Word Count: 1945 Warnings: Mild swearing, smoking, references to a car accident

Jumin knows he’s seen him.

Even upside down, with the airbag so closely pressed to his chest that he couldn’t move, his vision spinning, and the overwhelming scent of gasoline making him dizzy, he sees Zen outside the front window. And he’s glowing, so bright his eyes water. Then, as someone pulls him out of the car, he’s gone.

That’s not possible, assistant Kang insists next to the hospital bed he’s sitting in, both waiting for the doctor to come back. Zen was nowhere near C&R International, and she only just warned the RFA 5 seconds ago of the crash. He could not have possibly arrived here that fast.

Ah. The crash. The car crash. The one Jumin was in because Driver Kim had his day off, and Jumin saw no issue driving to the client himself. The one where Jumin had to swerve to dodge another car cutting off his lane, and caused his own car to topple over and crash against a tree.

She’s right, Jumin thinks, there’s no way Zen could have been at the crash. Most likely stress from the crash, a concussion, his panicked imagination going in overdrive.

Yet, not a minute later, the doctor tells him he doesn’t even have a bruise. As if he never was in a car accident. That should not be possible, the doctor says, and assistant Kang is equally confused. Jumin however, is not.

He is certain now, he’s seen Zen.

And he has a suspicion why.

~~~~

Jumin Han:

Do you sometimes find yourself in places you weren’t before when you travel?

ZEN: Dude it’s 1 AM why are you messaging me

Also wtf are you going on about

Are you high???

Jumin Han: You still replied.

ZEN: Go to sleep and leave me alone, asshole

~~~~

He’s always wondered what was up about Zen. He knows about albinos, they often took great care of themselves when going outside, and sometimes had other health issues. Not Zen, who is so handsome, not that Jumin would admit it out loud. Who is so fit, he jogged daily. Who has no problem taking selfies in broad daylight with no sunscreen or sunglasses in sight. It had been only after Jumin made the last comment, a year ago, that Zen suddenly mentioned jogging at night, or an extensive skincare routine.

Back then, he stopped caring very quickly. It wasn’t any of his business, of course, what the narcissistic man did.

Now he cares again. He remembers how Zen had gotten into an accident, and V told him in full detail how Zen had healed insanely fast.

A handsome albino with super fast healing skills. How very strange, he tells Elizabeth, and she meows in agreement. He pets her while leaning an elbow on his mahogany desk, laptop showing a website of occult creatures.

Maybe he is a vampire. The ones in that one teenage movie sparkle. Which is not a glow, his brain reminds him. Plus the whole sun thing would still be an issue.

He entertains the sexy albino vampire idea a bit too long, before he realizes and cuts his thoughts off on purpose.

Maybe he is too paranoid. Maybe Zen is human. Zen’s allergy for cats seems real, at least. Even though Zen is an actor, Jumin thinks, he hides his emotions poorly.

And then Zen mentions that, sometimes, he has prophetic dreams.

Strange. Very, very strange.

Too many things don't add up for Zen to be human. And Jumin wants to know who he truly is - very much so.

~~~~

Jumin Han: Do you often glow?

ZEN: Of course I do, my beauty is radiant Blessed by the Gods themselves

Jumin Han: Gods. Interesting. Tell me all about them.

ZEN: What? What do you mean? You’re creeping me out Also why are you messaging me again what the hell

Jumin Han: You always reply to me.

ZEN: No I don’t, stupid jerk

Jumin Han: And yet you did it again.

ZEN: Argh! I can’t with you! Screw you!

~~~~ 

Zen is calling him a weirdo in the chat again. Jerk. Freak. The words have never mattered to him, but now Jumin wonders if it’s a smokescreen. He’s paid very close attention to all of the chatrooms with Zen in it, to the point it felt like stalking. It’s interesting how often Zen brings him up as a topic, even when it’s completely unnecessary.

He starts to understand why Luciel thinks Zen is obsessed with him. Perhaps because there is more than Zen shows.

But Zen denies everything he asks. He denies whatever screenshots Jumin sends him. He insults and denies and rants, and Jumin doesn't get any closer to the truth. At some point, Zen mentions that his behavior is akin to his older brother, but it comes over as an excuse to make Jumin shut up.

To the outside world, it seems that Zen truly despises him. Jumin is just not convinced.

There’s only a few things Jumin knows for sure. Zen was there when he crashed. And it had to be connected to the fact that Jumin came out of the crash completely unharmed. That’s it.

It drives him mad that he is denied more knowledge.

So he makes a decision. He tells assistant Kang to watch over Elizabeth. Heads down to the garage. Opens the car door. Takes a deep breath and wonders if he’s gone insane.

He gets behind the wheel again.

~~~~ Yoosung☆: Hi Zen!!

Jaehee Kang: Hello Zen, good to see you!

ZEN: Hey guys Where’s Jerkmin?

707: Lololol why do you ask~ Could it be.... You miss him??! (~˘▾˘)~

ZEN: What?! Of course not Why would you say that I’m glad he’s not around to spoil the mood! I just find it suspicious he’s not here

Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han said he had something important to do Now I have c-fur on my suit again T_T

Yoosung☆: Poor Jaehee, hopefully you’ll be free soon - Zen has left the chatroom -

Yoosung☆: Ehhhh????

707: Zen suddenly leaving? Now that’s suspicious ರ_ರ

Jaehee Kang: I hope nothing happened to him. ~~~~

Jumin never crashes. The moment he turns on the engine, Zen is there, in front of the car lights, scaring the hell out of him. In a split second, the lamps in the garage flicker, and Jumin swears he sees a faint glowing outline of feathers behind Zen. 

Zen is wearing his trademark turtleneck and holds a cigarette in his hand. He takes a drag and blows out the smoke, looking bored, as if he had been waiting.

“You're such a jerk, you know that?” Zen’s voice echoes in the large garage. They are alone. He hears nothing in the background, as if time stands still.

Jumin is too stunned to reply. Zen sighs, and walks to the side of the car, opens the door and takes his place in the passenger seat. He grabs the key from Jumin’s fingers and turns the engine off. The smell of tobacco and cologne fill Jumin’s nose, yet he doesn’t find the will to tell Zen not to smoke in his car.

“If me sitting here will stop you from killing yourself, then so be it,” Zen says, and takes another drag after closing the door.

Jumin realizes his hands still grip the wheel, and he slowly lowers them to his lap.

“What… what are you?” he asks.

“I can’t answer that. You already know way too much because I fucked up. Don't worry, nothing will happen to you,” Zen replies, and the smoke surrounding him makes him look more human.

“And to you?”

Zen looks out the open window instead. “It’s fine,” he finally replies.

That isn’t what he wants to hear. But if nothing would happen to him, then possibly Zen’s punishment wouldn’t be too severe.

Zen’s words do confirm other things - there is some higher power at work keeping Zen in check. And Zen did protect him, he’s sure of it now, from dying. So much so that Zen is in trouble for it.

“You protected me… too much. I should have had some damage,” Jumin says, inadvertently licking his lips. He’s nervous, because the bratty vain actor had been the one standing between life and death for him.

Zen runs a hand through his hair. Maybe Jumin is projecting, but he feels Zen is nervous too.

"I know that, trust fund. I just… couldn’t deal with… that." Zen waves his cigarette-free hand at the air in front of them, trying to stay as cryptic as possible.

He cares too much, Jumin instantly realizes. He watches Zen cross his legs - a defensive stance, Jumin notes - and wonders how much Zen has said in the chatroom is real.

“For someone like you, you aren’t exactly good at keeping it a secret.”

Zen chuckles. “You’d be surprised how much people accept. In fact, the stranger you seem, the less likely they suspect.”

Jumin hates to admit that it made sense. “Are you always fighting me because you have to distance yourself from me on purpose?”

“I can't answer that.”

Can't or shouldn't? Either way, Jumin is content with the answer. Yet, he can’t stop asking questions.

“Does everyone have… someone like you?”

“Not me specifically.”

Jumin makes a mental note to check all sun-loving albinos in the country. “Do you know who else is like you?”

Zen shook his head. “I know there are others. No idea who.”

“Sounds… lonely.”

“...It is.”

Jumin knows all about loneliness. He imagines Elizabeth on his lap, and sees the photo of V, Rika and him on his desk, and hears his father’s voicemail on his phone. So many days he’s convinced only Elizabeth would be there to catch him, when he comes home tired from work and falls down the abyss in his mind. Awful, lonely thoughts.

He wants to ask more. Menial questions like is Zen truly allergic, or deeper ones asking about the forces unknown. Jumin decides that he doesn’t want to push it.

“So… what now?”

“You,” Zen points at Jumin’s chest, “Will stop trying to drive, you menace. I actually like it here, so don’t make it worse.”

Jumin grins. “You like it here? Even with me?”

“Yeah, I know, must suck being guarded by someone you hate.” Zen rolls his eyes.

“I never hated you.”

Zen whips his head towards Jumin, eyes wide. 

“Never. Not even when you tried your worst. And now, knowing it is you watching over me… It is a blessing. Thank you, Zen.”

He means it. There is a happy light feeling in his chest, knowing there’s a very logical reason for Zen to act so irrationally towards him. And he knows that he’ll have to act irrational back in order to keep up the facade, so Zen can stay.

He wants Zen to stay.

Zen blushes, and tries to hide it poorly by looking out of the window again. Jumin can’t help but find it endearing. “When you say things like that, people will think you’ve gone crazy.”

Jumin smirks. He doesn’t care what people think of him. Wasn’t there still that rumor of him floating around?

Zen flicks his cigarette stub away and sighs. “Well, I need to go. Take care.”

“Should I, when I have you?” Jumin sasses. It’s too close to flirting to be misconstrued otherwise.

“Wh- N- Whatever, just don’t drive!” he yells. His cheeks are redder, and Jumin notices before the car is filled with a bright light.

Once again, Zen is gone. A very typically Zen to do. Jumin smiles, and sits in the car for a while.

He still has no good excuse when Assistant Kang finally finds him there.

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: Say it with Flowers

AU-gust Day Twenty-Seven: Flower Shop AU Fandom: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Pairing: Scorfuma

Rated: G

Summary: Scorpia is florist Perfuma’s best customer, and she wonders who all the flowers Scorpia buys are for.

Say it with Flowers

“Welcome to Plumeria Flowers! It’s nice to see you back again.”

There could be no denying the fact that Scorpia was definitely Perfuma’s best customer, and there could also be no denying the fact that Perfuma spent most of her days wondering if she would see Scorpia at all that day. She came in a couple of times a week, and although she never went for expensive bouquets, usually just buying a small posy or two, she had come in so frequently and consistently over the past few months that when everything was totalled up, she must have spent a small fortune at Plumeria Flowers.

“Hi.”

Scorpia seemed different today, quieter, a little nervous. She was usually bright and chatty whenever she came in, happy to talk about her day and ask Perfuma about hers. Perfuma had never really understood what she did for a living, but it seemed to involve looking after several pets with her friend Entrapta. It was only after at least four conversations that Perfuma realised that the ‘pets’ were in fact robots – which explained why Entrapta was going after them with screwdrivers, at least. Perfuma wondered if Entrapta was the one who received all the flowers Scorpia bought, but from what she’d heard, Entrapta would probably prefer a set of socket wrenches or new welding gear to floral gifts.

Today, though, there was no news of Emily and the other bots. Scorpia was just looking around the shop, and Perfuma decided to take the initiative.

“What can I get for you today?”

“I don’t know. I can’t decide.” Scorpia continued to look around at all the buckets. She seemed sweetly lost, despite coming into the shop so often. “What are your favourites?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Perfuma sighed before coming around the counter and wandering around the shop, touching the delicate petals of her precious flowers. “I love them all. I don’t think I have a favourite. They’re all so beautiful in their own way. All plants are, don’t you think? They all have something special about them. Even cacti.”

“Right.”

Perfuma looked over at Scorpia, who had evidently been watching her wander and now turned away very quickly, feigning interest in a bucket of greenery that was mainly used just for adding bulk to bouquets. Unseen, Perfuma smiled. Maybe there was the possibility that Scorpia looked forward to coming into Plumeria just as much as Perfuma looked forward to Scorpia’s arrival. The only trouble was working out if her hunch was correct.

“I guess that doesn’t really help you,” she said eventually. “If I had to pick just one flower to look at for the rest of my days, then I would probably go for sunflowers. They’re always so happy. You can’t be sad when you look at a sunflower. Did you know that if they can’t turn towards the sun because it’s cloudy, then they turn to look at each other? I’ve always loved that about them.”

Scorpia looked over at the sunflowers and then back at Perfuma. “They seem like friendly flowers. Almost romantic, in a way. Like they’re saying to each other ‘you’re my sun’.”

“They’re a bit like us, in that sense.” Scorpia looked at her suddenly, and Perfuma hastily backtracked. “I mean, humans in general. We love to look at the sun, but we see the sun in other people, as well. We just need warmth, I guess, no matter where it might come from.”

Scorpia smiled. “Yeah. I guess we do. I’ll take a half dozen sunflowers, please.”

Perfuma selected the best and biggest blooms from her bucket of flowers, tying them with twine and wrapping the cut stems in damp kitchen paper and foil to keep them fresh.

“There you go. I’m sure that their recipient won’t be able to resist them.”

“I hope so.” Scorpia didn’t seem quite as convinced, and she kept looking pensively at the sunflowers as she paid and left the shop.

Perfuma sighed, wondering where the flowers would end up. Still, there was nothing to be gained by pining after her best customer. There were flowers to tend and bouquets to make up, and she shouldn’t let her mind wander.

X

It was not unusual for Perfuma to receive customers right at the very end of the day, people looking to buy flowers on their way home from work in honour of hastily remembered birthdays and anniversaries, but it was always a quieter time than usual, and the bell over the door startled her out of her daydream. 

“Hello, welcome to Plumeria Flowers…” She trailed off when she saw that her customer was Scorpia, still holding the bunch of sunflowers from earlier, a little worse for wear now. “Hello again. I wasn’t expecting to see you back here so soon. Is there something wrong with the flowers?”

Scorpia shook her head, holding them up and then quickly putting them down again when she saw how dangerously limp they were.

“No, no, nothing’s wrong with them. Well, I mean, I’ve been carrying them around all day, but that’s all.”

“Oh. Ok then.” Perfuma desperately wanted to ask why Scorpia was there, but she didn’t want it to sound accusatory.

“I, erm, I did want to bring them back though.” There was a flush rising in Scorpia’s pale cheeks, and she went to run a hand through her short hair before realising that she was still holding the sunflowers in that hand, and she brought it down again. “I know it’s stupid, because you’re a florist and you’re surrounded by flowers all the time, and you don’t want people bringing you any more, but when I like people I bring them flowers, it’s what I’ve always done, and I can’t keep buying any more just for me because my apartment is now so full of them that my next door neighbour is complaining that it’s setting off her allergies every time I open my windows, so I needed another excuse to come in and see you, and…”

She trailed off, holding out the sunflowers. “They’re for you,” she said simply.

For a few moments, Perfuma didn’t know what to say. It turned out that her pining had not been for nothing after all, and the little hints that she had thought she had seen this morning had been genuine.

“No one ever buys me flowers,” she said eventually, taking the yellow blooms from Scorpia. “Everyone always thinks that because I spend my days surrounded by them all the time, I wouldn’t want to receive them as gifts. But I think they underestimate how much I love flowers. And I love it even more when people take the trouble to ask which ones I like the most.” She had to give a little laugh at her train of thought. “You know, just this morning I was wondering who you were giving all those flowers to. I suppose I was trying not to be jealous. I assumed they were all for Entrapta.”

Scorpia laughed. “No, Entrapta doesn’t do well with anything remotely organic. If the flowers had circuitboards, then maybe. The first time I came in here, I just wanted something to make my apartment brighter. And then I saw you, and I thought that since I couldn’t have you and your smile to make my apartment brighter, I might as well have the next best thing.”

“Oh, Scorpia…” Perfuma breathed in the sunflowers’ delicate scent and smiled, before glancing out of the window. “It’s overcast,” she said. “No sun. The flowers in the garden will be turning towards each other now.”

Perfuma took one of the flowers, turning its face towards Scorpia, who smiled.

“I’d like to be your sun, if you’ll have me,” she said.

Perfuma nodded. “Yes. I would like that very much.”

She had to go up on her tiptoes to press her lips against Scorpia’s cheek, but it was definitely worth it when it caused her to blush anew.

Perfuma just giggled. “You know, if nothing else, this is going to save you a fortune in flowers.”

[luci-in-trenchcoats]

Acting Your Age (Part 6)

Summary: The reader spends Thanksgiving with the Ackles family for the first time but not everyone is eager to meet the new girlfriend...

Masterlist

Pairing: Jensen x reader

Word Count: 5,200ish

Warnings: language, age gap, angst

____

“Alright,” you said on the phone while Jensen drove into some Dallas suburb. “Mhm. Say hi to everyone. I’ll talk to you later.”

You sighed when you hung up, Jensen chuckling to himself.

“Your mom missing you for Thanksgiving already?” he asked.

“Apparently. It’s not like we went down on Sunday to have dinner with them or anything,” you said.

“Well Christmas you’ll be all theirs,” he said, turning down a side street, parking behind a car on the side of the road. “Ready to go face them?”

“Uh, still a hard nope,” you said as you undid your seatbelt. You both got out of the car, following him to the trunk. 

“You get the dessert, I’ll get the bags,” he said. You swallowed and reached in to grab the platter, Jensen slinging a few bags over his shoulder. “Hey.”

He grabbed your hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Don’t be scared, kiddo,” he said. “You’re shaking like a leaf.”

“My parents are one thing. I mean, they already knew you and I had older boyfriends before,” you said. “The biggest age difference you ever had was a few years, not-”

“Y/N,” he said, cupping your cheeks with both hands. “Relax. I love you. My family will love you. I’ve told them you’re a little bit younger than me already. They’re good people. Sarcastic, but good people. Please don’t be afraid.”

“What if it goes to shit?” you asked.

“Trust me,” he said, giving you a quick kiss. “I promise.”

You took a deep breath and nodded, picking up the platter, hanging back some as Jensen shut the trunk and started to walk up a driveway. You caught up with him, Jensen barely opening up the door before it flung open the rest of the way.

“Jensen!” said an older woman with a big smile, her gaze going to you, a curious look on her face. “You must be Y/N. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Nice to meet you,” you said more quietly than you were hoping for. Jensen gave your hand a squeeze as she gave him a hug and took the platter off of you, giving you a side hug as well.

“Jensen, drop those bags off up in your old room,” said his mom. He took off, his mom looking over the plate. “Did you make these?”

“Yes. Jensen said no one has any food allergies so I made some sugar cookies,” you said, her head tilting again. “He said that was okay.”

“Sure…” she said, whacking Jensen when he came back downstairs.

“Okay, I’ve been home less than a minute. What could I have done wrong?” he asked.

“She’s nervous,” she whispered. “What did you tell her?”

“Nothing!” he said, grabbing your hand. “We’re both a little nervous.”

“Well get unnervous before your brother pounces. You know how he is,” she said. She headed down a hall and you followed towards the back of the house, finding the family spread out in an open kitchen and family room area, every head in the room turning your direction. “Everyone, this is Y/N.”

“Hi,” you said quietly, giving a small wave that you cringed at yourself for doing. A guy a little taller than Jensen with a similar kind of build walked past with a beer in his hand. You could tell he wanted to make a comment but he kept his mouth shut as he kept going. Conversation started back up and Jensen pulled you into the kitchen, his mom going back to a stove as an older man approached the two of you.

“Y/N, this is my dad. Dad, this is Y/N,” said Jensen, putting on a smile. 

“How old are you?” he asked.

“Twenty six,” you said, the conversation in the room dropping again. You glanced at Jensen, ready to bolt for the door if his hand hadn’t been wrapped around it. You could feel the tension in the air before a kid in the family room laughed and people started talking again.

“You’re younger than I thought you’d be,” he said. 

“Yeah,” you said, starting to gnaw on the inside of your cheek.

“Well wine’s on the counter and beer’s in the cooler in the garage,” he said. 

“Is that really all you’re gonna say?” asked Jensen quietly.

“I think the both of you need a drink before one of you keels over. You look like you’re walking into a funeral,” he said. 

“Dad-”

“I don’t give a shit how old she is, no offense,” he said to you. “I don’t know if you’re aware but you make my son happy. Obnoxiously and annoyingly happy to the point where sometimes during his weekly calls, I’ll put the phone down and just walk away only to come back and find he’s still talking about you. It’s cute. I haven’t seen him like this over a girl since he was a teenager. So that must make you pretty important and nobody here is going to care how old you are. You two got that?”

“Okay,” you said with a nod, Jensen shrugging.

“Help your mother, Jensen,” he said, waving you to follow him. He went past and you looked back at Jensen. “We’re not the Mansons, kid. Come on. I see this is going to be like pulling teeth.”

“Here,” said his mom, rolling her eyes and handing you a glass of red wine. “Leave the poor girl alone.”

“No, no. I’m just introducing her to the rest of the family is all,” he said, putting a hand on your shoulder, leading you away from the kitchen.

After ten minutes you had most everyone’s names down and had started to feel a bit better. Until Jensen’s dad wandered off and you were stuck standing there with his older brother.

“So where’d you guys meet? The playground?” he joked, taking a sip from his beer.

“Um, my brother’s party. Jared, who did the show with Jensen-”

“I know who Jared is,” he said.

“Yeah, so, uh, Jared’s my older brother. I’d just moved back home from the UK. I’m living with him right now,” you said.

“Never heard of you,” he said.

“I wasn’t really super close with my family until recently,” you said with a nod.

“Cool story,” he said, giving you a glare. You bit your cheek again, excusing yourself to the kitchen.

“Can I help with anything?” you asked his mom.

“Oh no. We got it. You’re the guest,” she said. You forced a smile and headed back to the family room, making sure to stay clear of his brother.

“Y/N,” said Jensen after dinner as you were helping wash some plates. “You okay? You’ve been quiet all day.”

“I don’t think your brother likes me,” you said.

“He doesn’t even know you. How could he not like you?” he asked as he dried off a plate.

“I got the feeling was all,” you said, handing him another plate.

“Hey,” said his dad, slapping you both on the back. “Fire in the backyard is going so whenever you two are done, come on out.”

“Thanks, dad,” he said, looking over his shoulder as he walked away, catching his brother staring at you. “Hey, Josh. Come here a sec.”

“Jensen,” you mumbled. “Don’t.”

“Yeah?” his brother asked, Jensen spinning around when the house was quiet.

“You don’t like Y/N?” he asked.

“I never said that,” he scoffed, his brother giving you a dirty look.

“Well you seem to be the only person she’s actively avoiding,” he said.

“Maybe she doesn’t like me,” he said.

“Jensen, it’s fine. I’m sorry, Josh,” you said, glaring at Jensen. 

“It’s not fine and don’t apologize to him,” said Jensen. “You don’t have to like everyone but don’t be an asshole and write her off because she’s younger than me.”

“She’s living at home with her rich brother. Why do you think she’s with you, Jay? It’s not that hard to figure out,” he said. Jensen scowled but you could tell he was upset, more so than you’d ever seen before.

“Hey,” you said, stepping up to his brother. “I love your brother. You don’t have to like me and you can think whatever you want about me and why I’m with him. I know why I am and so does he and that’s all that matters. But please don’t upset your brother.”

You put the last plate down on the counter and brushed past them both.

“Y/N,” said Jensen.

“I’m kind of tired from the drive. Maybe I’ll come down to the fire later,” you said, still walking until you found the stairs and got up them, looking in open doors until you found a small bedroom with your bags on top of a bed. You smiled as you looked around, some pictures still up from when Jensen was younger but it was obvious the space was used more as a guest room now for when he came to visit. You pushed the bags to the floor and lay down, frowning after a moment and going to Jensen’s duffel, pulling out his hoodie and pulling it over yourself. You could smell him on it and you felt a bit better with it on.

“Y/N,” said Jensen, knocking on the door a few minutes later. “Can I come in?”

You didn’t say anything and you heard the door open, Jensen sighing when you had your back to him.

“Apologize, asshole,” said Jensen. You sat up and turned around, his brother standing next to him, looking you up and down. “Hey. Now.”

“You know he’s had girlfriends before that were only after one thing and it wasn’t him,” said his brother. “You know that?”

“Yes,” you nodded, glancing at Jensen. “But I can’t prove you wrong.”

“Apologize or leave,” said Jensen, his brother seeming to ignore him.

“No. You can’t,” he said. “I don’t know how you got him so good so fast but you do.”

“Yeah, well,” you said, sniffling your nose, wiping off your face before you started crying. “I’m just some slut after his money. You know, you can think that about me if you want. Go ahead. But think about what the hell that means you think of your brother. Do you think he’s stupid? That he just cares about sex?”

“No,” he said.

“Well that’s what you’re telling me when you think that about me. So think what you want but don’t you dare disrespect your brother,” you said, scrunching up your face. “You tell him you don’t think those things about him.”

“I don’t,” he said.

“Well good,” you said, wrinkling your nose and staring down at the bedspread. “Please go away.”

You heard him leave and saw the bed dip, one of Jensen’s hands sliding over to you.

“I told you,” you said, pulling his hood down to cover your face, tucking your knees into your chest to hide them. “I told you for weeks what your family would say about me.”

“Josh is being an overprotective dumbass right now,” he said. “He’s always been that way with me. He’s scared for me. He doesn’t want me to get hurt again is all.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt!” you said. “And look what happened anyways.”

“The only thing that hurt me was him. You’re crying in here because of him. Someone I love hurt someone I love and that fucking pisses me off,” he said. “Maybe I made mistakes before but no one would ever have stood up to my brother and told him to stop hurting me. You only cared that he wasn’t hurting me. He’s an idiot if he doesn’t realize you were trying to protect me just now.”

“I’ll be okay,” you sniffled. “Go hang out with your family. I know you haven’t seen them in a while.”

“I don’t want to hang out with them. I want to hang out with you,” he said, scooting closer on the bed, wrapping his legs and arms around your back, pulling you into his chest.

“Why on earth would you want to hang out with someone like me?” you said into his shirt. He pushed back your hood and tilted your chin up.

“I love you, kiddo,” he said, a small smile on his face before he kissed you. “He’s just gonna have to get fucking used to you being around.”

“He’s your brother.”

“You’re my girl,” he said. You smiled and gave him a hug, resting your head on his shoulder. He ran his hand up and down your back, making you all kinds of warm and helping you calm down.

A knock on the doorframe made your eyes pop up, Jensen’s dad looking back.

“Well that doesn’t look good,” he said. You ducked your head down, Jensen staying close as he turned his body some, his dad coming in and sitting down on the end of the bed.

“I don’t think Josh and Y/N are going to be the best of friends is all,” said Jensen.

“Go get your brother for me, would you?” asked his dad.

“I don’t think Y/N’s in the mood for anymore fights,” he said.

“There ain’t gonna be no more fights,” he said. “You kids have a fight, you make up. No one goes to bed mad, that’s been the rule since before you even existed. Now go get your brother.”

Jensen sighed but let go of you, heading out of the room. His dad tapped your knee, your gaze flickering over to him.

“You want to tell me what’s going on before the buttheads get back?” he asked.

“I think Josh is being protective of Jensen is all. It’s okay. I’m the one that overreacted,” you said.

“Maybe. Maybe not. You don’t have to like each other but you respect each other, understand?” he asked. You nodded, feeling his eyes on you. “You care about him.”

“He’s my best friend,” you said.

“I don’t think he ever dated his best friend before,” he said. “Other pretty girls. Some nice girls but never his best friend.”

“I don’t really understand what you mean,” you said.

“He’s been in love with a pretty girl before. He’s never been in love with his best friend, not until now. There’s a difference. There’s a big difference,” he said.

“What’s your honest opinion of me?” you asked.

“I think you’re a bit younger than we were expecting. But you care about protecting him, even if it hurts you. Kid, I don’t care how old you are. Honestly. But we’re not gonna go through you feeling second class around here because of what year you were born,” he said.

You nodded as you heard the boys come up the stairs, Jensen glaring at his brother as he stepped inside.

“You’re a grown man. Use your words. What’s your problem with Y/N?” asked their dad.

“Nothing,” he said.

“Yes. Clearly,” he said, waving at you. “Try that again.”

“You’re really shitty at finding girlfriends,” he said, turning to Jensen. “When you were younger, it was all normal stuff and I didn’t worry. But since the show got big, you got money. You got some sway in that business stuff and how many girlfriend’s since then have pretended to like you just get stuff? All of them.”

“Some of them liked me,” said Jensen quietly. “They just weren’t ever going to work out.”

“And you think the twenty something is? I know she’s Jared’s sister but come on, be smart. How do you know she isn’t pulling the same thing?” he asked.

“Because I do,” said Jensen.

“You’re still as gullible as ever,” he said.

“If she hurts me then she hurts me. That’s not your fucking problem,” said Jensen. 

“She’s just like the others! Why on earth do you think she’s hanging out with a guy as old as you?” he said.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize me being happy pissed you off so much,” he shot back.

“Boys,” said their dad as he stood up. “Josh. Maybe try getting to know Y/N before you make assumptions about her.”

“She already said she can’t prove me wrong,” he said.

“Yeah and she asked you more than once to stop hurting me. Not her. Me. Yeah, she must be some horrible person to try and defend me like that at her own expense,” said Jensen, stepping into his brother’s face. “But I’m just an idiot that no woman would ever want for me, right? That’s the point you’re really trying to get at, isn’t it? I’m just a good looking dumbass that has nothing to offer except money and connections, right?”

“Jensen-”

“Come on,” said Jensen, grabbing the bags from the floor. “Y/N, come on. We’re going home.”

“Jay,” said his dad as he righted himself.

“Thank you for proving our fears right,” he said, grabbing hold of your hand when you stood. “Don’t expect us to stop by for Christmas.”

“Jensen,” his dad and brother said as he pulled you down the hall and downstairs, outside and shoving your things in the trunk quickly. He was in the driver’s seat before you had a chance to blink. He honked the horn and you jumped in the passenger side, Jensen already down the road when you saw his dad step onto the front porch.

“Jensen,” you said, reaching over and grabbing his hand. He let out a sigh and turned down a few streets, parking in a small parking lot for a park before he shut off the car and rested his head against the wheel. “Honey.”

“I don’t want you around someone that makes you feel like that. I know you could care less about money and the spotlight and fuck him,” said Jensen.

“He’s trying to protect you. He went about it in a bad way but that’s all he’s doing,” you said.

“Why? Because he knows I’m pathetic?” he said with a shrug.

“Jens.”

“My siblings are all married, they all have kids. I was feeling good you know? I didn’t show up alone this year, maybe I’m not hopeless after all. And he just…” he said.

“Never talk about yourself that way again,” you said, leaning over and giving him a hug. “There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re mine and I’m so happy you are. This is the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time, Ackles. Maybe not tonight but I’m not going anywhere.”

“Maybe there is something wrong with me,” he said, lifting his head up, turning to face you. “Jared did the show too and he managed to find someone. Maybe it’s just me.”

“You found someone,” you said. “I’m right here. There’s nothing wrong with you. You worked hard and you got dealt a few bad hands. You’re kind and intelligent and you have helped me enjoy life again. There’s not a damn thing wrong with you, understand me?”

He nodded and rested his head on your shoulder. You rubbed a hand up and down his back, spotting a car pull into a parking spot nearby, Josh climbing out. 

“Stay here, honey,” you said, pulling away and out of the car like that, storming over to meet him. “Leave him alone.”

“No offense but you’re not really gonna stop me,” he said, walking past you. You jumped in front of him, stopping him from opening Jensen’s door. “Move.”

“No. You have no idea how much crap you stirred up for him so you can leave him alone until he gets it out of his system,” you said.

“I said move.”

“I said leave him alone,” you said, staring up at him.

“Fine. You come with me,” he said, nodding as he walked onto the sidewalk. You paused for a moment but followed him, his brother quiet. 

“You’re not like, gonna murder me, are you.”

“No,” he chuckled. “No. I came to apologize but since you’re willing to rip my head off, I should probably apologize to you first.”

“I’m not after your brother’s money,” you said.

“Yeah, I sort of got that after I realized he had a point,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Listen. I’m sure you think I’m a dick, rightfully so. But I’ve seen him been taken advantage of over and over and over again. I mean, I was going to be skeptical of the new girlfriend whoever it was but then seeing how young you are...it made it pretty clear in my mind you only wanted one thing.”

“All I want is your brother to be happy,” you said, crossing your arms as you walked.

“I know. I don’t think you’re a slut or money hungry or...I’m sorry for being a jerk. It was wrong,” he said.

“It’s fine,” you said with a shrug.

“No, it’s not,” he said. “You were a guest. You’re someone my brother cares a lot about. I was rude and ignored you and I ruined your first time meeting us when you were chicken shit scared to walk in that door. But you did it for him. You probably have to put up with a lot just because you’re dating him and not some no name guy.”

“It doesn’t matter who the person is. You put up with stuff no matter what,” you said.

“Like asshole big brothers?” he smiled.

“You need to have a serious conversation with Jensen. There’s probably going to be some groveling involved,” you said.

“I haven’t even started groveling here,” he said.

“Well, I’m getting used to people not liking me. Just make up with your brother,” you said.

“I don’t not like you. I don’t know you,” he said.

“I would try being kinder to people you don’t know from now on. World would be a better place,” you said, catching Jensen get out of the truck. “Go talk to him. I’ll be in the park.”

“Hey,” you heard about half an hour later, the two guys wandering over to where you were hanging out on a swing. 

“Hey,” you said. “You guys talk it out?”

“Mhm,” said Jensen, nudging his brother.

“I feel like I didn’t finish apologizing to you. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of each other and I want us to be friends...not just people who say hey at holidays. We’re a pretty close family and I don’t really know how to make it up to you yet but I’m really sorry,” he said.

“Why don’t you two go to lunch tomorrow? You don’t have work, right?” asked Jensen.

“You’re not going shopping with the girls?” Josh asked you.

“Not a huge fan of shopping,” you said.

“I like you already,” he said with a smile.

“How about Uncle Jensen spends some times with the kids while you two take a few hours, hang out, try to realize you’re both overly protective of me and I love you both so please get along before I have to kick Josh’s ass?” asked Jensen.

“You can’t kick my ass,” he said.

“Pretty sure I could,” said Jensen.

“Guys. Uh, yeah, we can try that before we escalate to ass kicking,” you said. 

“Good. Let’s get back before they send out a search party for us.”

“Well how did it go?” asked Jensen when you got back to his parents place the next day. You huffed as you looked at Josh, getting a dirty look back. Jensen’s face dropped but you started to smile, his brother chuckling. “I hate you both.”

“It was Y/N’s idea,” said Josh.

“Was not! It was totally his,” you said.

“I like her more than you. At least she can race a go kart,” he said.

“You took her go karting?” asked Jensen.

“Yeah. It was fun,” you said. “We were talking on the way home and said for Christmas we should get everybody to go. We were gonna stop down the weekend after. We thought it’d be a good idea.”

“That sounds fun,” said Jensen, smiling as his brother excused himself. “It really go okay?”

“Well it was awkward for the first ten minutes but we talked and we both care about you a lot and he really relaxed once we got that out in the open that we’re on the same side,” you said.

“I’m happy you could work it out,” he said.

“You feeling any better today?” you asked, getting a nod from him.

“Yeah. My parents really like you. They’re friends with your parents so I guess they kinda like already knew about you more than I knew. Your mom and my mom talk about their single kids to each other a lot apparently,” he said.

“That’s kind of cute,” you said.

“My dad says I better pray I never piss you off,” he chuckled.

“You can piss me off. But I’ll stick up for you too,” you said.

“I love you,” he said, kissing the tip of your nose.

“Well isn’t that adorable,” said his dad as he walked by. 

“Excuse him. He’s senile,” said Jensen.

“I like him,” you said.

“Excuse, Jensen. He suffers from that middle child syndrome. He used to tell us as a kid that he had emotional pain from it whenever he wanted something,” he said.

“You did not,” you said.

“I had to get something out of it,” teased Jensen, his dad ruffling his head. “At least I didn’t wind up as the baby.”

“You were the baby for seven years, kiddo. You’re still baby boy,” he said.

“I’m a grown man,” said Jensen.

“Hey, Y/N. We didn’t show you embarrassing childhood photos of Jensen yet, did we? That’s my favorite part.”

“I hate all of you.”

Four Days Later

“Hey,” said Jensen when you curled up next to him on the couch that night, throwing your arms and legs around him. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you said, resting your head on his shoulder. “Just happy to be home.”

“I’m so sorry about how things went on Thanksgiving,” he said.

“S’okay. I’m not going to be upset over the fact that you have as protective of a big brother as I do,” you said.

“I guess that’s what we get for being the little siblings,” he said, nuzzling his cheek against yours. “I know why you’re really here.”

“The cuddles,” you said with a smile, Jensen laughing to himself.

“Obviously,” he said, picking up the TV remote and turning it on mute. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Shoot,” you said.

“That acting job I wanted I talked to you about a few months ago. They made a final decision. I got it,” he said.

“I told you you’d get it! I’m so proud of you,” you said, giving him a kiss. He smiled and ducked his head down, turning his head away for a moment before he sighed and looked back. “What?”

“It’s for a Netflix show. Eight episodes. I’ll be gone for about four months,” he said. “It films in Vancouver.”

“Oh,” you said, Jensen looking away again.

“Long distance is hard,” he said. “Jared and Gen did it for years. I know how hard it can be. I’ve done it before. It always drove us apart.”

“Jensen,” you said, grabbing his chin and turning him towards you. Big green eyes stared back at you, worry all over them. “What part of you’re mine Ackles don’t you understand? It’s only four months. We can get through it.”

“I love acting. I love telling stories. It’s not just four months. This is my life forever. Cons start back up again next year and that’s weekends away and part of this will always have that long distance element and-”

“If you don’t love me anymore, I’ll go. But I can handle this. We can handle this. I can come visit you. You can visit me. We can facetime and skype and send flirty texts all day and I want you to have this job. You don’t have to give me up, ever,” you said.

“I’m just scared it’ll be too much. What if the spotlight comes back on me? What if it’s bigger than before? I don’t want you to be delegated to my girlfriend and that’s it,” he said. “I don’t want this job to break us.”

“Then I’ll come with you,” you said.

“What?” he asked.

“I spend most nights here. If you’re that scared, I’ll do what I can so you’re not,” you said.

“Kiddo,” he said, a soft smile on his face. “You’re building your clients up here. You have work and your business is doing really well. You can’t throw that all away for me.”

“Then we try. We talk to Jared and Gen, get some advice to make it easier to handle,” you said. “Look at us. We aren’t scared of stuff we should be.”

“I do have one other thing I wanted to talk about then,” he said. “Would you maybe want a drawer here?”

“Yeah,” you said. “I’d like that. I’ll make some space in my room at Jared’s for you too.”

“Okay,” he said, reaching over to the end table, grabbing a key and fob off of it. “Um, this is a key to door and this is for the gate. I figured...you know.”

“You have a way with words, Jensen,” you said, giving him another kiss. “You getting serious about me?”

“Been serious,” he said. “I know after the holidays, we’re not gonna see each other as much. I want to spend the time with you while I can.”

“Me too,” you said, snuggling into his side. “We’ll be okay though. I promise.”

____

A/N: Read Part 7 here!

[sanderssidesfanfiction]

Royal Growing Pains - Chapter Ten

Warnings: Homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, sympathetic Deceit

Royal Growing Pains Tag

“So, have you two decided on what you might want served at the wedding?” Patton asked.

“Uh...” Roman looked over at Damien only to find him turning red as he ate. “Not yet, Patton, sorry.”

“Oh, it’s no worries, I know the both of you were hesitant about this whole thing, and after all, the food doesn’t get made until the day of, save for the cake depending on difficulty, and you already have so much to plan. I don’t hold it against you,” Patton said cheerily.

“You’re awfully forgiving,” Roman laughed. “I gave my mother some half-baked ideas about what I might like because she refused to stop pestering me, and she said that I ‘couldn’t put this off forever’ in that patronizing voice I absolutely hate.”

Damien hummed his disapproval. “I don’t like your mother,” he said. “Especially after last night when she tried to convince me that you were pretending to be transgender for a prank. And that whole ‘treat you like the princess you are’ thing? I thought I might throw up. It was actually and truly disgusting.”

“Glad I’m not the only one who feels that way,” Roman said. “It reminds me that everyone looking at me by first glance will see a princess, not a prince. I am well and truly a prisoner of my own body, and my mind can’t be set free.”

“Well, the least we can do is spruce up those prison walls, hm?” Damien asked. “Make your body match your mind a little more. It may not be perfect, but it is a start.”

Roman sighed and propped his head up with one of his hands, even as he used the other to continue dipping his grilled cheese in ketchup. “It feels like it’s going to be an age before that happens.”

“I know it does,” Damien said, placing a hand on Roman’s shoulder. “But hopefully you can find things to pass the time when I am not around and your mother doesn’t require you. I’m assuming you got your phone back?”

“Yeah,” Roman said, sighing. “But if I get caught talking to any of my friends, I’m dead.”

“Would the same be true if you talked to your brother?” Damien asked. “Because the way you talk about him, you might be able to call.”

“He’ll be in meetings all the time, I won’t be able to call,” Roman sighed. “But I just might be able to text.”

“I would advise you to text him whenever you need and can get away with it,” Damien said. “Someone to help affirm your identity is always a good thing, and I can’t be around all the time, much as I would like to be.”

Roman sighed. “I know,” he said, pulling out his phone and playing with it. “I don’t know how much time we’ll have to text each other, but I can try and talk to him when I can.”

“Why don’t you send him a quick text now, letting him know that you want to text when you can?” Damien proposed. “Open the line of communication when you know you can.”

Roman nodded and unlocked his phone. “Yeah, I’ll shoot him a line.”

Figuring out what to type wasn’t easy. Their parents couldn’t monitor their texts because Roman and Remus never went anywhere without their phones, but how did Roman sum up what was going on here? hey loser, guess who? mom gave me back my phone, and i want to talk to you when i can, you up for that? He sent the text and stared at the screen a few seconds hopefully, before turning off his phone with a sigh. “He probably won’t see that for another hour at least.”

“But at least he’ll see it,” Damien said, rubbing Roman’s shoulder.

“Yeah, it’s a real good thing the two of you get to talk!” Patton said. “Even if you have to be careful with what you say, talking is always good.”

Roman’s phone chirped with a text alert and he opened his phone at lightning speed, laughing when he saw what Remus had responded with. oh thank god you’re alive! i was really starting to worry, ro. i let our friends know that you were going off the grid for a bit so you don’t have to worry about them worrying. pls talk to me about what’s going on. and...pls tell me that you’re not mad. i’m super super sorry

Roman smiled and typed back, i’m currently with future husband and we’re having lunch. everything is such a long story, i don’t know where to start. but don’t worry, i would never ever EVER be mad at you for an accident

“I take it he’s doing well?” Damien asked.

“He hasn’t said he’s dying, so that’s promising,” Roman said drily. “Currently he’s apologizing for accidentally outing me.”

“Oh, is that what happened?” Patton asked. “I thought you might have told your folks yourself and they just took it poorly.”

“Well, Remus called me ‘Roman’ in front of them and I had to explain, so it was a combination of both,” Roman said. “Regardless, my parents didn’t take it well.”

Patton scowled. “I don’t like them,” he declared.

“I don’t know anyone who does,” Damien said with a wry smile. He checked his own phone and sighed. “Father will want me to be at the meeting within the next ten minutes, I’m afraid I have to go.”

Roman felt his stomach sink. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, if I’m not there Father will send Virgil after me, and no one wants that,” Damien said, pulling a face. “But at least we placed everyone in the wedding, so you don’t have to do that on your own. I imagine you’ll be wrapped into looking at flowers, or ribbons, or some other decoration around the chapel that really doesn’t matter to either of us but everyone else insists is important.”

“Well, we’re both men, and men stereotypically don’t care about this sort of thing,” Roman said with a shrug. “I will try and see if we can get good colors for everything based on the chapel’s walls, though.”

“Well, keep in mind that the walls are a pale, cool blue. Almost slate colored,” Damien said. “If you need to see it in person someone can show you.”

“Okay,” Roman said reluctantly. “Find me whenever the meetings are done?”

Damien looked pained. “My dear, these meetings typically go until dinner.”

“On the off chance you finish early, please,” Roman almost begged, grabbing Damien’s hand as he stood up. “I don’t want to feel so alone.”

Damien nodded. “I will do my best, Roman.”

Roman nodded and let him go. Patton sighed from across the table and said, “Everything’s been really rough, hasn’t it?”

A groan was Roman’s only answer.

“Do you want me to hide you away for a bit so you can talk to your brother more?” Patton offered.

“Much as I appreciate it, Patton, that would probably just land me in more trouble,” Roman sighed. “I’ll respond to his texts when I can, and he’ll do the same for me.”

As if on cue, Roman’s phone chirped again. fh treating you right? i’ll kill him if he makes you cry

Roman smiled. fh is nothing but a perfect gentleman, re. relax

Patton put his hand over one of Roman’s. “If you ever need anything, at all, don’t hesitate to ask, all right?” Patton said. “I’ll be more than happy to help.”

“I know. Thank you,” Roman said, standing up and leaving the kitchen with a sigh, heading back to the room where his mother and the Queen were.

“Oh, Veronica, I was just about to go looking for you!” his mother said brightly. “We need to talk about decorations.”

Roman was torn between cringing and laughing. “What specifically about decorations do we need to discuss?”

“Well, there’s the flower arrangement for the bouquet, and then we should look at the chapel itself and see what else is necessary. Rose says that the walls are somewhat plain, and I think it would be nice if we could cover them with something special for the occasion.”

Roman blew some of his hair out of his face and sighed. “Well, I could always paint a thing or two to pin on the walls for the wedding,” he offered, voice somewhat lackluster. “But the chapel is pretty big, if we can invite all these people. I doubt I could cover every instance of wall between or under windows with paintings.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t ask that of you,” the Queen laughed. “I was hoping to use flowers to cover the walls. And warn people ahead of time that if they have allergies, they might want to use antihistamines in advance.”

Roman wracked his brain for what he remembered about flowers from talking to the gardeners. “I like the thought of daffodils,” he offered. If he remembered correctly, daffodils symbolized change, and hope. He thought that definitely applied, and his mother would never be the wiser about the meaning.

“Convenient, considering the crest of our kingdom is dark grey and golden yellow,” the Queen said with a smile. “Why don’t we pick out some red flowers to represent your family’s crest, and then work from there?”

“Peonies are also around this time of year, aren’t they?” Roman’s mother asked. “They’re fairly popular for weddings.”

“All right, daffodils and peonies will be on the walls, and in the bouquet, if you like that, Veronica?” the Queen asked.

“Yeah, that works,” Roman said, sitting down with a sigh.

“I have a proposal for flowers that we can decorate the pews with,” the Queen said.

“Hm?” Roman hummed.

“Hydrangeas,” the Queen said with a smile. “Blue, pink, and white. All soft colors, and I think they would be perfect.”

Roman inwardly perked up at that. The trans pride colors, he thought with a smile. That’s considerate. “I do like that idea,” he said with a small smile.

His mother was about to say something but her phone rang and she sighed. “Excuse me, this would be my husband,” she said, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her, but not before Roman heard his mom snap, “I was just talking to Veronica, what do you want?!”

Roman winced and the Queen sighed. “I am truly sorry for your mother’s behavior and the toll it’s taking on you, Roman,” she murmured. “You shouldn’t have to be put through this.”

Roman offered her a weak smile. “Well, out of all the guys I could be married to, Damien isn’t half bad.”

The Queen laughed. “He’s a handful, however. You will of course have help around the castle if he gets too out of hand, but he is a lot to take in.”

“I know,” Roman said. “The more he loosens up the more...intense he seems to be. That paint fight we had...the whole experience was made that much more enjoyable, and tiring, because it was Damien who I was fighting against.”

“I suppose intense is a good word for him,” the Queen said. “He can only look and act like the perfect gentleman for so long before he has to be human again. And he likes to make the most of when he’s allowed to just be human.”

Roman nodded and his phone pinged. He jumped. “Sorry, that’s probably Remus,” he said, pulling out his phone. “Do you mind if I answer him?”

“Go ahead,” the Queen said. “Before your mother comes in and can interrogate you on who you’re talking to.”

define perfect gentleman was the only thing in the text.

Roman stifled giggles as he typed, we got in a paint fight and he took all the blame, just because he knew i would get hell from mom. he’s fine, re

His phone pinged again within seconds. i’ll believe that when i see it. dad’s starting the meeting, gotta go. love you lots, brother, don’t ever forget <3

i won’t <3 Roman promised, putting his phone down and locking it.

“Anything interesting?” the Queen asked.

“He was asking about Damien, and if I’m being treated all right, here,” Roman said. “Which of course I responded that Damien’s been wonderful and that I’m as fine as I can be.”

The Queen offered Roman a sad smile just as his mother walked back in the room. “Sorry, my husband wanted a quick update before he started his next meeting,” his mother said. “I told him everything was fine. I hope that’s still the case?”

“We were just talking about Remus, because Her Majesty wanted to hear more about him,” Roman said, nodding to the Queen. “Nothing scandalous went down while you were gone, Mother.”

“I don’t know of anything that could be scandalous and occur in two minutes,” the Queen laughed. She stood. “Some of the women in the family were hoping to meet you, Veronica, if that’s all right with you? They will probably keep you for most of the afternoon one way or another, I’m afraid.”

“Would I be allowed a sketchbook and pencils?” Roman asked. “In case I want to draw during any lulls in conversation?”

“Of course,” the Queen said. “I do believe you have those supplies in your room?”

Roman nodded.

“Then go on and grab them, dear, and we’ll see you in the main day room. You spoke to myself and my husband there yesterday after lunch.”

“Oh, yeah, I know where that is,” Roman said.

“You spoke after lunch?” his mother asked suspiciously.

“Just apologizing for having to run out. I’m afraid my nerves made me rather sick,” Roman lied.

His mother nodded, but continued to scrutinize him. The Queen cleared her throat. “Come on, Diana, they’re all very eager to talk to you as well.”

With a barely audible sigh, his mother followed the Queen out of the room. Roman walked down the halls away from them, back to his room. He knew that he couldn’t get out of the bulk of this socializing, but he was going to try and drag it out as long as possible.

His thoughts went out to Remus. When he texted, he seemed impossibly nervous, and he seemed scared that Roman would be mad at him, if Roman read the text correctly. Which, of course Roman had been mad at first. When he had been confined to his room for several days as this wedding plan came into play, he was downright furious. Only able to sneak quick messages on his computer to his friends before his parents would come in and check on him, or have guards checking in, to make sure he wasn’t talking with those friends. Eventually not even having that, as his parents confiscated his laptop and phone. Having books to read, and sketches to finish, but nothing else to do while he waited for his meals. He cursed Remus repeatedly in his head for that, throughout all those days.

But eventually, the cursing became less from anger at being outed, and more at the general loneliness that Roman was plagued with from virtually no human contact from the outside world, whatsoever. And by the end, when Roman’s mother dragged him out of the house before the break of dawn yesterday, he missed Remus, and wasn’t angry at him whatsoever anymore. Accidents happened. It wasn’t Remus’ fault that their parents had reacted the way they had. That was entirely on his parents. No one else.

He walked past the mudroom that lead to the back of the castle. Roman briefly entertained the idea of throwing his mother off the cliff, but he would most likely be caught, and his father would have him charged with treason, being a child of his or not. So that was a bust. He instead continued to walk up the stairs, and down the hall to his guest room. Once he was inside, he took a brief moment to take a deep breath, and let the soul-crushing depression and anxiety settle over him. Then he lifted his head, took another breath, and forced that aside. This was just a role he had to play for a week. A week of theatre. He wasn’t going to be Veronica, he never was Veronica in the first place. He was Roman Augustus Ayer, and he would not be stopped.

A quick search of his suitcase and he located his sketchbook and pencils and left the room. He wasn’t in a hurry to get to the day room, but he was aware that he couldn’t drag his feet without his mother making a snide remark about timeliness, so he walked with his head up, his shoulders squared, and his face set with determination. He could do this. He was more than capable of doing this.

He could hear the women laughing and talking from here, and his footsteps slowed. He didn’t want them to know he was there, not just yet. He couldn’t make out their conversation, but he wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. He took a couple more steadying breaths, in and out, in and out. He could do this, he could do this. It would hurt like hell but he could do this. He was more than capable of playing a role for a week around a scrutinizing audience.

Rolling his head on his shoulders, he took one last steadying breath, and muttered, “Showtime,” under his breath. He plastered a fake polite smile on his face, and took the final steps he needed to get to the day room. “Hi, everyone, sorry for being a little behind!” he chirped.

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[sunlightdances]

Sugar and Spice

Title: Sugar and Spice Author: Katie @sunlightdances Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem Reader Author’s Note: Inspired by this post. Pretending to be engaged so you can eat free cake samples at a bakery. Disclaimer: I don’t own Bucky, or Marvel. The original prompt isn’t mine, either. Please don’t repost my work on any other sites (ao3, wattpad, etc.) without my permission! Reblogs make me so happy.

“You’re Bucky Barnes, right?” The voice to his left startles him. “If you’re an Avenger, you have to tell me.”

He blinks. “I think that’s how it works for cops.”

You wave a hand. “Whatever. I need help.”

Immediately he straightens to his full height, coffee abandoned on the table in front of him. “What’s wrong?” His eyes dart around to all corners of the bakery, but he doesn’t see anything amiss.

“There’s a lady who works here. Real stick in the mud. I’ve been dying to try this cake of hers. She said she only gives samples to brides shopping for wedding cakes.”

Bucky blinks again, because he honestly has no idea what the fuck to say. “What?”

“I need you to pretend to be my fiance so we can eat some free cake. It’s a win/win, if you ask me.”

“I don’t think--”

“You’re supposed to protect and serve--”

“Again, I think that’s the cops--”

“It would really serve me if I could eat some cake and protect this bakery from me trying to steal it from behind the counter without everyone noticing.”

Bucky sighs. He can’t very well let a crime go down while he’s sitting here. He’d never hear the end of it from Steve. He’s not sure he’ll ever hear the end of this, either, but you’re practically bouncing on your toes in front of him, eyes sparkling and a grin growing on your face as you realize he’s close to giving in.

He’s a little mesmerized by the sight, to be honest.

“I can’t be your fake fiance if I don’t know your name,” he says, and your smile is a mile wide as you tell him your name and hold out your hand for him to shake. “Won’t she realize we’ve just met? I come here all the time and she recognizes me.”

“Leave it all to me,” you say, and grab his hand, dragging him towards the counter. He’s a little stunned as he realizes you’ve got a tight grip on his metal hand, not even noticing or caring.

Bucky’s seen you here before a time or two. You mostly spend time reading, or working on your laptop. He’s not blind - he’s noticed you before and wanted to say something, to introduce himself or ask to buy your coffee, but he’s always chickened out.

He has no idea how he’s ever going to explain this turn of events.

“Excuse me, Amanda?” You ask sweetly, getting the attention of an older woman behind the counter. “You’re never going to believe this.”

.

.

.

A half hour later, and you and Bucky are in a small, private room in the back of the bakery, three plates with tiny cakes in front of you. Bucky has to admit, as far as nefarious plans go, this one has some sweet, sweet rewards.

It’s easily the best cake he’s ever eaten in his life, and he’s more than a little distracted by the noise you keep making every time you try a new flavor.

“Uh,” he says around a mouthful, “How long are we going to do this? This is our fifth cake tasting.”

“She hasn’t brought out the special one yet, Buck.” You tell him, the nickname so many of his friends use rolling off your tongue like you were always meant to be saying it.

“What’s so special about it?”

“I’ve seen it once, but she never serves it at the counter. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever set my eyes on, Bucky.”

He rolls his eyes, but smiles. “What happens when we leave here and don’t buy anything?”

You prop your head up on your palm, smiling sweetly at him.

His eyes widen. “Oh, no. No. We are not buying a wedding cake just so you can eat an entire cake in one sitting.”

Your face contorts into mock offense. “Hey! That’s rude. I’d share with you, dummy, but not if you’re going to be like that--”

“Why me?”

“What?”

Bucky slouches a little, already feeling full. “Why did you ask me? There’s a ton of people in there.”

You shrug, a little tinge of pink settling on your cheekbones. “I see you there a lot, and you’re almost always by yourself.”

Bucky feels a little ashamed, just for a half second. He’s a loner, sue him. Sometimes he can’t stand being in the Tower and needs to get out of there, despite everyone’s best efforts to make him feel like he has a home there, like he belongs.

“I just-- I don’t know. I’m by myself a lot, too. Thought we’d make a good pair.”

His heart starts to race a little bit at the hope in your eyes. He opens his mouth to reply, but you stop him by grabbing his arm tight, watching as Amanda brings out the next cake. “Bucky. That’s it. The cake.”

It’s beautiful, for sure. An off-white, with a sprinkle of something sugary and sparkly over top that has him practically drooling.

“Here you go, the final option. It’s one of our most popular cakes.”

You’re beaming and Bucky can’t help but chuckle, the excitement on your face infectious. You both grab your forks and dig in.

The taste explodes in his mouth. It’s sweet and buttery and flaky… the frosting just right, and-- wait. You’re sort of frozen, managing to chew the rest and swallow before sending a tight smile in Amanda’s direction.

“I’ll leave you two to decide.” She leaves, and Bucky immediately turns to you, concern on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

You smile, but it’s weak. “This is what I get for lying. It’s karma, and now I’m going to die because of it.”

“What?”

“Coconut, Sarge. That’s the special ingredient.”

“And?”

“I’m allergic to coconut.” You say, eyes starting to water a bit. “Nothing too bad, but my throat is probably going to swell up because I was so excited I took a giant bite, and--”

“Slow down.” He stands, offering his hand to you, “Come on.”

“What?” You take his hand, bewildered. “Where are we going?”

“To the Tower. Dr. Cho can give you a shot and it beats waiting at urgent care.”

You follow Bucky as he tugs you towards the door, Amanda coming back in looking a bit offended.

“So sorry,” Bucky says, praying to whatever God exists that he can muster up enough of that 40s charm to get you both out of this, “There’s been a family emergency. We’d love to come back and talk more, and pay you, of course-”

“Please, it’s okay. Just promise you won’t get the cake anywhere else!”

“Thank you so much for understanding.”

Bucky all but drags you out of the bakery and pulls his phone out of his pocket, asking Steve to let the Med Bay know they’re coming.

“You-- you liar!” You sputter, and he looks to you, alarmed. “You made it seem like you’re such a goody two shoes, but you just charmed her socks off like it was nothing--”

“You need to stop talking, your tongue is swelling up.”

You frown. “This is what I get. I’m going to die on a New York street all because I wanted some cake.”

“You’re not going to die.”

“If I don’t make it, I want you to know you’re the best fake fiance I ever had.”

Bucky snorts, rolling his eyes. “Okay, settle down.” He flags down a cab, tugging you inside after him and asking the cabbie to step on it. If his voice is a little harder than normal and he looks a little more menacing than usual… well. Anyone would be worried about your well being during an allergy attack. That’s all it is.

.

.

.

“Ow!”

Bucky smirks. “That couldn’t have hurt.”

You glare. “Just because you’re built like a sumo wrestler--”

“It’s going to take a minute, but you should feel the swelling start to go down soon,” Dr. Cho says, smiling softly at your antics.

“Thanks, Helen.” Bucky says softly, leaning back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You know,” you begin when she leaves the room, “You told her we’d come back and buy a cake.”

“I’ll send Stark over there the next time it’s someone’s birthday. The money will make her forget all about us.”

You’re fidgeting. “I don’t know. I was sort of looking forward to a coffee date.”

Bucky’s brain short circuits. You’re blushing again and it’s so cute and you’re so different to anyone he’s ever met. “Yeah?” He croaks, trying and failing to find that suave part of him that showed up briefly earlier.

“Yeah. I- I maybe had ulterior motives for the cake tasting.”

He can feel the grin stretching across his face. “Should have known.”

“Don’t get cocky. It was mostly for the cake.”

“Right. Mostly.”

You smile genuinely at him. “Fine. Only a little bit. Mostly wanted an excuse to talk to you. It kind of-- spiralled from there.”

“I’d love to have coffee with you.” Bucky says softly, taking in the freckles dusting your cheeks and the way your eyes light up when you hear his reply.

“Are you sure? I’m a criminal.”

“You lied to get some cake. I think you’ll avoid jail time.”

Later, Bucky drops you off at home, allergy-free, with your phone number scribbled on his hand and a kiss to his cheek that sets fire to his entire body.

“Until next time, fiance.” You say, and he smiles, softly, adoringly, unable to help himself.

“Next time.” He agrees, watching you go.

[optimistic-violinist]

Guys, we’re getting the band together!

Wow! Another fanfic! This time inspired by the lovely @not-so-innocent-bi-sander ‘s CALM band au, which you can find here.

summary: how Roman manages to get them all together in one place and pitch his idea.

word count: 2500 ish

Enjoy!!

“Mr. Brooks? A messenger dropped this off for you this morning.”

Logan looked up from his phone as he walked into his office and nodded gratefully at his secretary, taking the letter from him.

“Thank you Dominic. If you need me, I’ll be going over the latest mix in my office until my meeting at eleven.”

Logan Brooks: music producer, DJ, remixer, and EDM composer extraordinaire. Logan sat down at his desk, taking a moment to look out over the skyline, before turning his attention to the letter he had been handed.

To: Mr. Logan Brooks was scrawled on the front of the heavy, cream colored envelope. It was sealed with a bright red, wax seal that made Logan quirk his eyebrow. That was a bit extravagant. He grabbed the letter opener he kept in his desk and deftly opened it.

Dear Mr. Logan Brooks,

You are cordially invited to a business dinner at my home this Friday evening at 7. I am a big fan of your work and would love to discuss a collaboration with you if at all possible. Do you have any allergies I should know of? Please let me know in your RSVP.

Highest regards,

Mr. Roman Lyons

Now that was a surprise. Roman Lyons was a well-known actor, having won several awards over the past year alone. What on earth could he want with Logan’s line of work?

But still, the invite was intriguing. He figured there would be no harm in seeing what this collaboration was all about. After all, if worse came to worse he could always decline. Rising from his seat, he returned to the front desk.

“Dominic. Send an RSVP to Mr. Lyons through the same messenger service. Tell him I’ll be there.”

Patton Campbell was probably the most down to earth celebrity anyone had ever met. Granted, he was still up and coming, but he was talented and his fan base was growing fast. Even with the added attention recently, he still loved to go out and mingle with the crowd after a show, signing autographs, taking photos, or just thanking them for coming.

He was enjoying the buzz from the crowd as they slowly trickled out of the lobby and back into the parking lot, ready to go home after the concert. He was still smiling as someone came up and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Patton Campbell, correct?”

He turned to face the newcomer and his jaw nearly dropped.

“Yeah, yeah! That’s me! And you’re-“

The man laughed. “Roman Lyons. That was a sweet concert you just put on my friend.”

“Oh wow, I mean, thank you! I- I really enjoy what I do, so it’s always a pleasure.”

“I’m glad. It’s important to be passionate about one’s career. Say, what are you doing this Friday evening?”

“Oh, I- um, I don’t think I have anything. I’d have to double check of course, but, why?”

“I’m having a dinner at my home with a couple other artists. I have an idea for a collaboration and was wondering if you would be interested in joining us.”

Patton didn’t know what to say. “I- yes! Oh my gosh, I would love to! I’ll be there!”

“Excellent! I look forward to it. I’ll have my agent contact yours with all the information. See you then!”

Patton stood in blissful shock as he watched one of his favorite actors ever walk away after, not only, congratulating him on his show, but giving him a personal dinner invitation.

He needed to sit down.

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

Virgil was finally happy to have a moment to relax. He had been working non-stop on his latest album and had just sent the final cut to his producer to make sure it was good to go. With a groan, he flopped back onto his bean bag chair that he kept at the studio for that express purpose. Being a solo artist was a lot of work, that was for sure. He had convinced his assistant editor to take the night off and had finished up the album himself. The punk rock guitarist had just needed some time alone.

He was dozing off, enjoying the quiet, considering playing a game on his phone when there was a quiet knock at the door and the click of it opening. Virgil’s eyes snapped open and settled into a glare when he saw who it was.

“I already told you I’m not interested,” he said loudly, relaxing back into the bean bag.

“You haven’t even heard my idea yet!” Roman replied closing the door behind him.

“Well it’s your idea so, the answer is still no.” The actor heaved a deep breath, trying to keep his cool, and Virgil smirked, pleased to get a rise out of the man.

“I know you like to work alone,” Roman finally said, voice a lot softer than expected. “But I can’t help but think that that must get… lonely sometimes. This Friday evening at 7, Patton Campbell and Logan Brooks will be coming to my place for dinner. You’re invited. And if after that you decide you still don’t want a part in it, I won’t bother you further.” He held up a business card and set it on the desk where the sound mixer sat. “I hope you’ll come.” And he left.

Well- heck.

Now he kind of wanted to go.

He and Logan and interacted a bit in the past and he had never met Patton, but the guy seemed nice enough (not that he wasn’t totally convinced it wasn’t just a front). And just the four of them wouldn’t be too awkward.

Or it could be the most awkward thing of his life.

Virgil groaned, pressing his hands into his eyes, fighting against the new emotions. He had tried working with others one time and that had led to him going to ongoing therapy for the last five years and a scandal of considerable size that had taken months to work through. So no, he was not eager to try it again.

But Roman had seemed to cut right to the heart of the issue. If he really admitted it to himself, he was lonely. He didn’t do friends anymore; he couldn’t, not after last time.

He finally stood up and stalked over to the card Roman had left. It was a business card with the actor’s address and (personal?) phone number scribbled on the back. Virgil hated this- this… speck of hope.

He shoved it in his back pocket and grabbed his jacket, flipping the lights off on his way out. Maybe this time could be different.

He doubted it though.

 ---------------------

Roman peeked out the door and into the entryway. Everything was set up and ready to go. Two out of the three of his guests had arrived and were making small talk near the door, but he had to admit, he was quite disappointed that their resident punk rocker had failed to show. Ah well. He poised himself, ready to swoosh open the doors and welcome his guests, when his phone buzzed. Odd. Roman pulled it out to see a text from an unknown number.

Running late. Be there in ten. [skull emoji]

Roman smiled. This was going to be an excellent evening.

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

“Friends! Welcome to my home! Thank you so much for coming.”

Logan and Patton looked up from their conversation, Patton smiling warmly, dressed in a light blue flannel shirt, and Logan, wearing a black button up shirt, merely looking intrigued.

“Glad to be here,” Logan replied, adjusting his glasses. “Are we expecting anyone else this evening?”

“Our third guest will be arriving shortly, he’s running a bit late I’m afraid. While we wait, let’s move to the dining room.”

Roman’s house was indeed quite ostentatious. Dark wood, white marble floors, with red upholstery and gold detailing really made the place seem quite lavish. And of course there was the fact that it was, well, huge.

“Your house is amazing, Mr. Lyons!” Patton exclaimed as they made their way down the hall.

“Please, call me Roman. And thank you, I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. “ His phone buzzed. “Excuse me. Please, take a seat. Our third guest just arrived.”

Patton watched Roman go, then turned back to Logan excitedly, taking the seat across from him. “Who do you think it’s going to be?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea. While you and I may be in the music industry, there is no connection between the three of us. I expect we’re in for a surprise.”

No sooner had he spoken than Roman returned toting a leather jacket clad Virgil Grimm in tow.

“Oh. My. Goodness,” Patton breathed. No one could probably tell based off Patton’s look alone, but Virgil Grimm was one of Patton’s favorite artists. His lyrics were absolute masterpieces.

“Sup,” Virgil greeted. Roman gestured for him to take a seat and he chose the spot next to Patton, almost sending the country singer into a heart attack.

“Hi! I’m Patton!” he greeted, unable to contain himself any longer and extended his hand, which Virgil awkwardly shook.

“Virgil.”

“Big fan of your work. Actually, big fan of all your work. You guys are amazing!” He stopped, realizing he had started to gush, and hoping he wouldn’t be kicked out or anything. Roman smiled.

“I have to agree with Patton. You guys are amazing. But, there’s plenty of time to talk business later. First, food!”

A couple servers came in, each carrying two plates, placing one in front of each artist. They were met with a quiet chorus of thank you’s as they ducked back out.

“Geez Roman, you pulled out all the stops, didn’t you?” Virgil asks, admiring his steak, baked potato, and bowl of fresh fruit.

“It does look quite good,” Logan agreed, placing his napkin on his lap before digging in.

Patton and Roman were the ones that kept the conversation going throughout dinner. They jumped from Roman’s most recent projects to how Logan got into the music industry in the first place to asking after the inspiration for the lyrics of Virgil’s various songs. It was a little awkward, but not for long. Virgil hated to say it, but he was enjoying himself.

“How about we take dessert in the lounge?” Roman suggested. The others followed him, Virgil and Logan quietly discussing the pros and cons of various sound editing techniques, and ended up in a comfy lounge. Bookshelves lined the walls, a couple couches were centered around a coffee table in front of a fireplace with a TV mounted above it on one side of the room, while a grand piano took up the other half of it. A small display of sweets was set up on the coffee table and they moved to sit on the couches.

“Now-“ Roman began only to be cut off by Virgil.

“So help me, if you say, “now you’re probably wondering why I’ve brought you all here today.””

“Psh, ah, I was not going to say that.” A pause. “But since you brought it up, you’re probably wondering why I’ve brought you all here today.”

“Yes, that would be accurate.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious.”

“Very well then. I told all of you I was interested in a collaboration and that’s true, however what I didn’t tell you was that it would be a collaboration between the four of us.” They looked amongst themselves all thinking the same thing: they were all so different. What could they possibly do together?

“I want to form a band.”

All three seemed to react at once. Patton with a laugh and a surprised smile, Logan with a frank, “Absurd,” and Virgil with a growl as he seemed to sink in on himself.

“Now hear me out-” Roman began.

“Not to be rude,” Logan interrupted. “But the thought is preposterous. We all come from different genres of music and you,” he said, waving his hand, “don’t even have a presence in the music world.

“Come on now Logan,” Patton said. “We have more in common than you think. Music…”

They waited, but he didn’t continue.

“Oh he’s done. As I was saying-”

“I am Moana!” 

They were all left in stunned silence as Roman belted out the random Disney line. It was surprisingly good.

“Have you ever felt like nobody was there?”

“Dear Evan Hansen?” Patton whispered to Virgil.

“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere! I want it more than I can tell!” he sung, standing up and moving to the more open part of the room.

“Beauty and the Beast,” Virgil muttered.

“You sound really good Roman,” Patton said.

“Yes,” Logan mused. “He’s not wrong.”

“Oh, ah, thank you,” Roman said, clearing his throat. “Come on, don’t you see! We could make this work! I’ve always wanted to sing, but the right role never came up. So, I thought, why not take matters into my own hands? And you three! You’re all brilliant! With me as vocals, Virgil on guitar, Patton on bass, and Logan on synthesizer, how could we not be huge?”

“So is that what this is about?” Virgil said. “Being huge? In case you haven’t noticed Princey we’re all kind of famous.”

“Which is why…” Roman drawled. “We keep our identities a secret.”

He was met with confused silence, maybe a cricket chirp.

“What-”

“Think about it. Combined, we have the resources to keep this completely internal. To write, record, and produce our own music without anyone having to know who we are. And then we can see how good we are together. Will people listen to us for our music? Or just for our names.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Patton finally said. “And I think it sounds like a lot of fun. I’ll need to brush up my bass skills though.”

“The idea is intriguing, I admit. Assuming we can work around all of our schedules, I’d be willing to give it a try.”

“Virgil?” The look Roman gave him was pleading, but also respectful; whatever Virgil’s decision was, he would accept it.

“You know I hate working with others,” he finally said. “But, I’ll give it a shot.”

Roman couldn’t help the whoop of excitement with a rather enthusiastic fist pump.

“Thank you guys. Thank you guys so much. I can’t wait to start working with you.”

[kiddoryder]

Gemini Frame Up

Hey guys! Sorry for the long delay, I was busy with school and my allergies kicked me in the butt XP but I’m all better!

 Anyway, based on a rp I did with one of my besties @anitoonzforever, this story will be about Sonya/Liz being framed for a crime she didn’t do and it’s up to Charlie and the others to clear her name.

 So relax and enjoy the story!

 It was just a regular day in the hotel, and everybody was relaxing and doing their own thing. Charlie came back from outside getting the mail. It was the usual bills, junk mail, but then she got a letter with an apple design on it which meant it was from her father Lucifer: The King of Hell. Charlie opened the letter and when she was reading it, her eyes widen and squeal in happiness. This got her girlfriend Vaggie, friend Angel Dust and her baby cousin Sonya attention.

 Vaggie - “What is it Charlie? What all the screaming about?”

 Charlie - *excited* “My family is hosting a party and Sonya and I are invited!!”

 Vaggie - *happy* “Oh that's great!”

 Charlie- “And we can bring guest so I'm bringing you and Angel Dust!”

 Angel - “Are you serious?”

 Charlie - “Yes I am serious.”

 Angel - “Why should I go to some fucking fancy Schmancy party?”

 Charlie - “Aw come on Angel it will be fun! Plus I feel like this can help you interact with people as a way to get clean and maybe make some new friends.”

 Angel - “And risk my reputation? No thanks.”

 Sonya: *comes in* “Count me and Liz out too.”

 Vaggie - “What? Why?”

 Sonya - “Because they said that everybody is going to be there. That include more cousins and Liz and I don't like them.”

 Angel - “Why's that?”

 Sonya - “Liz and I are the Forever Black Sheep.”

 Vaggie - *confused* “The forever black sheep? What’s the hell is that?”

 Then they see Liz coming out in shadow form who looks down in shame. Sonya and Charlie gave her a sympathetic look and Sonya took a deep breath and said:

 Sonya - “When Liz came into our lives, most of our family thought I was mentally ill or curse because they discovered Liz as my shadow and whenever Liz came out, she was...kind of...really hyperactive. They kept me locked in the house thinking I wasn’t ready to go out until I was “better”. They would ask different people including uncles, aunts, and cousins to come to help me in a science or magic but not painful way. I know my parents meant well and Liz didn't blame them because they honestly trying to help and didn’t know. But when it comes to the cousins, we would have to spend time with them even at family reunions to keep me company. Whenever Liz came out, she plays with them...very very roughly.”

 Angel - “And they hated it?”

 Sonya - “Every minute of it. Even if Liz didn't come out, the cousins wasn't interest in because I wasn't into girly stuff. I mean,  they would look at me weird I mention different kinds of magic,  or boy stuff like sports. Even they thought I dress weird.”

 Charlie - “You don't dress weird. You're stylish in my eye.”

 Sonya - Thanks but they don't think so. They even think Liz dresses weird. Even it came to stuff like family reunions and all, they would all ignore me and give me the cold shoulder.”

 Charlie - “But luckily for you, I stepped in and help you with Liz. It turns out that not only Sonya was born a Gemini, Liz didn't mean to act hyper she just wanted to play and be part of the family. All I did was taught her the different between right and wrong.”

 Sonya - “That's true. Without Charlie, I don't know where I'd be.”

 Vaggie - “So after Charlie tamed that psycho brat everything was cool?”

 Sonya - *sighs* “Sadly no. Even when Liz was tamed and reveal that we are Gemini's, they still ignore us and gave us the cold shoulder. The only reason we are ever invited because hating me and Liz brings them closer together.”

 Angel - *a little sympathetic* “Did you try talking to them?”

 Sonya - “They won't listen and who cares? They are assholes anyway.”

 Charlie - *kneeled down to Sonya’s height level and put her hands on her shoulder*  I know but this is really important cause it's one of Daddy's galas. You know how much he loves those, and he wants everybody to be there. He will be hurt if you didn’t go.”

 Sonya - *nervously* “Can you just tell him I'm sick or something?”

 Charlie -  “Now you know I can't lie to my parents. Also, your parents are gonna be there too. How about this: you go and just stick by me the whole time? You don't have to talk to them. I won’t force you to talk to them.”

 Sonya - *reluctantly* “Well as long as those punks keep away from me...I guess I can go for a good time.”

 Charlie - *happy* “Cool! We better start getting ready and wear your fanciest clothes you guys.”

 Sonya and Liz roll their eyes but doesn't complain as she and the others get dressed getting ready to go to the gala.  

 ()()()()()()()()()

 Charlie and the others were all downstairs waiting for Sonya. Charlie was wearing a pink fire design shirt with black overall dress. Vaggie was wearing a gray and white dress that had moth designs on it. Angel was wearing a white wig with pink streaks, a red and pink short dress, black panty hose, and red rose heels. He also wore lipstick and mascara on and black long gloves.

 Vaggie - “Man What’s taking Sonya so long?”

 Angel - “Hey some people are concern about their looks. Unlike some girl I know and see every day.”

 Vaggie - *annoyed* “Said the fucking asshole who spent like 50 years in the bathroom putting on makeup!”

 Angel - “At least I make an effort on looking pretty!”

 Vaggie - *about to punch him* “Why you!!”

 Charlie - “Enough! I’m pretty sure Sonya is just wanting to look nice. We can’t rush-“

 Sonya - “I’m ready!”

 Sonya walked downstairs and they all saw that her hair was in two low pigtails, long black fingerless gloves, wearing a headband with a little black top hat on it, a black short cape, a unitarded with a sky-blue tuxedo design, net leggings and high purple black converse.

 Charlie - *amazed* “You look great!”

 Sonya - *smiles* “Thanks. You guys look great too.”

 Vaggie - “Thanks.”

 Angel - “I’m surprise that you actually wearing a unitarded kid.”

 Sonya - “Well it is the least girly thing me and Liz would actually wear. Beside you know how Liz love to mix up outfits she wouldn’t want me to wear just a tuxedo.”

 Charlie - “That’s true. Okay is everybody ready?”

 Vaggie - “I'm ready.”

 Angel - “Me too.”

 Charlie - “Alright let's go in the limo!”

 They went outside and went inside the limo. As they were driving to the mansion, Vaggie seem a little nervous yet excited.

 Vaggie - “I can't believe that I’m actually going to meet Lucifer and Lilith themselves!”

 Angel - “Ya never meet Charlie’s Ma and Pops?”

 Vaggie - “No not really. I mean, they are the rulers of Hell. I didn’t that they would have the time.”

 Charlie - “Don’t worry they will like you guys and I know you will definitely love them!”

  As the others was talking, Sonya was just listening to music on her phone. She noticed that Liz came out looking nervous. Sonya took off her headphones and said:

 Sonya - “It's okay, Liz. Charlie won't let anything happen to us. Besides, we are just gonna stick by her, nothing bad is going to happen.”

 This calm downs Liz and she gave a comforting smile and nods.

 Sonya - *smiles* “That a girl.”

 ()()()()()()()()

 A few minutes later, they arrive at Lucifer’s mansion. Vaggie and Angel Dust was surprised on how huge the mansion is since it’s red and black. Even the front garden look like a huge fancy forest.

 Angel - “Damn! I never realized Charlie was that loaded.”

 Vaggie - “Well what did you expect she’s the Princess of Hell after all.”

 Charlie - *excited*  “Oh this is going to be great!”

 Sonya - *doubtful* “For you maybe.”

 Charlie: Don't worry, baby cousin. Things will be fine, I promise.”

 Angel - “You think some of them would be cute?”

 Vaggie and Sonya only rolled her eyes in annoyance and walk to the front door. Charlie knocked on the door and saw one of the cousin’s name Jeanie who have black wavy curly hair, the rosy cheeks, dress in a sparkly glittery black dress with purple heel shoes.

 Charlie - “Hey Jeannie!”

 Jeanie - *happy* “Charlie! Good to see you!”

 Charlie - “It's good to see you too! This my girlfriend Vaggie, and my friend Angel Dust.”

 Vaggie - “Hi there.”

 Angel - “What's up.”

 Jeanie - “It’s nice to meet you guys.”

 Jeanie then looked down and was shocked and surprised to see Sonya. Jeannie gave an awkward smile.  

 Jeanie - *fake politeness* “Oh Sonya! I didn’t think you'd come.”

 Sonya - *sighs* “Well when it comes to Uncle Lucifer wanting me to come, I just can't deny him.”

 Jeanie - *seriously* “Just don't break anything other than your face you go it?”

 Charlie - *defensive* “Leave her alone, Jeanie!”

 Jeanie - “What? We can’t have her or that…that shadow thing she has ruin everything.”

 In a sudden twist, Charlie slaps Jeannie causing her friend and Sonya to gasp. The others were shocked because never seen Charlie using physical violence on a family member. Even Liz was shocked herself that Charlie did that.

 Charlie - *glares* “That is just a sample. Mess with her or Liz again, and you'll be sorry. Now if you'll excuse us.”

 Charlie and the others walk right past the stunned cousin. They walked down the hall to go to the party.

 Vaggie - *amazed* “Wow Charlie was that really badass!”

 Angel - *impressed* “Yeah didn't know you had it in you Princess.”

 Charlie -  *smirks* “Hey, no one messes with my family.”

 They soon went inside the party and the party room was huge: the floor was glass titles with apple designs, the walls were lavender with not only an apple design but with rainbow swirls as well. There was lots of food, drinks, tables and chairs, and a lot of members of Charlie’s family. While some did look different, there was those who still had either the blonde hair or the rosy cheeks. That where Angel Dust and Vaggie saw  Charlie's parents, Lucifer and Lilith the rulers of Hell themselves, coming toward Charlie and Sonya.

 Charlie - *happily* “Hi Daddy! Hi Mom!”

 Sonya - *happily* “Hey Uncle Lucifer and Aunt Lilith!”

 Lucifer - *happy* “Ah my girls!” *He hugs them both* I'm so happy you both could make it!”

 Lilith - “Yes it's truly wonderful. I’m even happy that you made it Sonya.”

 Sonya - “Thanks. Are Mom and Dad here?”

 Lilith: *pointed to a table* “They're over there getting refreshments, dear.”

 Vaggie and Angel saw Sonya and Liz’s parents: Azrael and Zella. Azrael looked similar to Lucifer���s with the pale skin and rosy cheeks, but Azrael’s hair was nearer yet slick back. He was wearing a leather jacket with a dark red cheetah design on it , a white button up shirt with a red tie, ripped up black jeans, and fancy-dress shoes. Zella has pale skin and blue eyes, but long orange hair, three long hair pieces sticking out in the front of her head that were sky blue. She was wearing a lilac long dress, with white flower design on it with silver high heels.

 Vaggie - *impressed* “Wow. I didn’t know he was also the legendary Dark Cheetah.”

 Lucifer - “Yes Azrael always love to be in his gang whenever he not busy with his job letting souls know if they belong in heaven or hell.”

 Sonya - “And Mom is one of the best witch doctors in Hell. Do you mind if I go sit with them?”

 Charlie - “Of course! Go have a good time.”

 Sonya went to sit and interact with her parents. Charlie, Angel and Vaggie was sitting with Charlie’s parents. Vaggie was looking around the ballroom and was surprised.

 Vaggie - “Wow Charlie never realize you had a big family.”

 Angel - “Yeah. Hell, they are even bigger than my family.”

 Charlie -  “Oh yeah. I mean like you don't believe how many cousins I have.”

 Lucifer - “Well I do have a lot of siblings.”

 Vaggie - *impressed* “Really? How many do you have?”

 Lucifer - “I don't know. I lost count.” *laughs*

 The others laugh too. Then Angel said to Lilith:

 Angel - “Man I love your outfit Queenie! Ya think they have it my size?”

 Vaggie - *appalled* “Angel! This is the Queen of Hell you’re talking too!”

 Lilith - *chuckled* “No no it’s okay. I don’t mind being talk to the way he does.”

 Lucifer - “I agree. I mean sure we are the rulers, but that doesn’t mean we like to sit back and have fun like regular demons. So Charlie, how's the Hotel business going?”

 Charlie - “ Oh Daddy, it’s going really good! We are making process. It can be a little slow, but I think it’s really coming around!”

 Lucifer - “That's my girl! I knew the hotel will be powerful sooner or later.”

 Lilith - “We're so proud of you, honey.”

 Charlie - “Aw thanks guys!”

 Angel - *to Lucifer* “Hey Luci, I noticed ya bro sure love to drink wine a lot. It’s like his 3rd cup.”

 Lucifer - “Of course Azrael just love to drink wine. He can drink it like water.”

 Charlie - “Yep. We are one big happy family.”

 ()()()()()()()()

 So far, the party was going really well. Charlie and the others were just enjoying themselves eating and  having fun. Sonya would join them too but would also enjoy spending time with her parents too. Right now she was just enjoying some drinks with her parents, and Liz was in shadow form looking around annoyed at seeing their other cousins and crossing her arms.

 Sonya - “It's okay Liz, just ignore them. As long we ignore them, they won’t bother us.”

 Zella - “Sonya my dear, I was thinking why don't you make some pies? It can help your mind clear.”

 Sonya - “Alright Mom. That sound good.”

 As Sonya was walking to the kitchen,  she was seeing how some of the cousins was glaring at her and Liz. They all ignored them, even whispering things to each other while pointing at them. All the memories of the past reunions came to Sonya and Liz with all of them ignoring them, giving them the cold shoulder or just avoiding them in general. Sonya just shook her head and kept on walking.

 Sonya - *muttering* “Screw you guys.”

 Sonya went to the kitchen to cook some of the pies to help relax her since she loves to cook. Then a little while later Charlie looked around for Sonya to check on her and Liz.

 Charlie - “Hey Uncle Azrael? Where's Sonya and Liz?”

 Azrael - “She's in the kitchen making some pies.”

 Angel - “She bakes?”

 Charlie - “Yeah she loves to bake pastry stuff. You didn't know?”

 Angel - “She never told me.”

  Vaggie - “Or me.”

 Charlie - “Oh I must have forgot about that.”

 Angel - “The only bake I know she does is getting high.”

 Vaggie rolls her eyes as Charlie, Zella and Azrael chuckles.

 Charlie - “I'll go check on her.”

 Charlie went to the kitchen and she saw Sonya making and baking some pies. Charlie walked up to her and said:

 Charlie - “You okay Sonya?

 Sonya - “Yeah I'm good. Do you need something?”

 Charlie - “Nothing. I just wanted to check on you is all.”

 Then a cousin name Patrick came in. Patrick had a neatly comb black hair, wearing glasses, wearing a purple tuxedo and had the rosy cheeks. He was happy to see Charlie, but then nervous to see Sonya again. Charlie turned around and saw Patrick.

 Charlie - *happily* “Oh hey Patrick!”

 Patrick - “Hi there Charlie...and Gemini.”

 Sonya - *annoyed* “That's Sonya to you, bud.”

 Patrick - *nervously* “Yeah...Yeah…”

 Patrick eyes on Sonya and left the room. Sonya sighed in sadness and she continue making some pies.

 Sonya - *bummed out* “Cousin Charlie I think coming here was a big mistake.”

 Charlie - *comforting* “Don't let it get to you. You'll have a good time.

 Sonya - “I hope so I mean it just being here at places like this just remind me how me and Liz are the *mockingly* “Forever Black Sheep”.

 Charlie -  “If anyone hurts you or teases you, don't hesitate to come get me. I'll take care of it.”

 Sonya - “You'd do that?”

 Charlie - “Of course. I mean I did slapped Jeanie earlier for being so rude to you and Liz.”

 Sonya smiles and spent the time making pies and talking with Charlie. Charlie even helped her make some of the pies. A little while later, they both heard a ding sound.  

 Sonya - Oh! The pies are ready!”

 Sonya put on some oven mitts and took out the pies from the ovens. There was lots of different kind of pies and there one that was clearly an apple pie.

 Sonya - “I made a special apple one for Uncle Lucifer.”

 Charlie - “Oh he'll love it!”

 Sonya - “Of course I know how much he loves apple related things. I figure I give him an apple pie.”

 Charlie - “I know he will love it. We better wash up before we hand these out.”

 Sonya - “Right.”

 Charlie and Sonya went to a bathroom to wash their hands. However, what they didn���t noticed was somebody was watching them and secretly cut some of Sonya’s hair and spread it on the ground. Then they all look at the pies and nodded.

 ()()()()()()()()()

 After coming back from cleaning themselves up, Charlie and Sonya help wheeled in the pies on a cart. Then Charlie took out a triangle and began to ring it.  

 Charlie - “Come get some pies!”

 Everyone came and had some pie while Sonya smiled. She’s happy that everybody was eating her pie. Even Lucifer was eating the apple pie that was made for him.

 Lucifer - *eating* “Mm! This is delicious!”

 Sonya - “Thanks! I made it myself.”

 Lilith - *eating* “Mm. Wonderful job, dear.”

 Lucifer - “My compliments to the chefs.”

 Sonya - *chuckles* “ Well, I do know how much you love apple pies.”

 Vaggie - *angry and annoyed* “Angel That was my pie!”

 Angel - *shrugs and cocky* “You snooze you lose babe!”

 Sonya is happy to receive compliments. Everybody was eating pie and talking to each other. Then of all sudden, Lucifer slowly stop eating his pie and starting to look sick.

 Lilith - *concerned* “Honey are you Ok?”

 Lucifer - *moaning in pain* “Ohhh....I feel like I'm going to be sick.”

 Suddenly Lucifer dropped his pie, kneeled on the floor,  and held his stomach in pain. This made everybody gasps in shocked and look at each other in worried.

 Charlie - *scared and concerned* “Daddy!!”

 Lilith - “Lucifer!!”

 Then they heard moaning and saw Angel Dust looking sick too.

 Angel - *pained and ill* “Ooh my stomach…”

 Soon other people  started getting sick too. It was making everybody worried as they gather them and took them to the sick bay room.

 ()()()()()()()()

      At the sick bay, there lot of people resting in the beds. Even Lucifer and Angel Dust was resting in the beds. Zella, Lilith and other relatives was tending to them and making sure that they get better quickly. Charlie, Vaggie, Sonya and everybody else look worried for the ill people. They were even told to go wait in the other room so they wouldn’t get infected by the illness.

 Sonya - “Ohh...I wonder how this could have happened.”

 Patrick - *angrily* “You tell us, sheep!”

 That's when the cousins angrily approached Sonya. Sonya was getting scared and backing off. Liz came out in shadow form looking worried for Sonya.

 Sonya - *nervous* “S-Say What?”

 Jeanie - *angry* “They got sick from your pies! You must've poisoned them.”

 Sonya - *shocked* “What!? No I didn't!”

 Paulie - “Yeah right! You're the one who made them! Plus we found your hair in the kitchen!”

 Ashley - “Or it could have been that other half of hers!”

 Sonya - I didn't do anything! Neither have Liz!”

 Anita - “What else do we expect from a black sheep like you?”

 Sonya - *angry* “You guys better stop or else!”

 Paulie - “Or else what? You'll let your little shadow throw another tantrum?”

 James - *shudders* “I'm still recovering from the last tantrum that Gemini threw.”

 Sonya - “Maybe I would let her out to kick your asses! I told you before: I didn't do anything!!”

 Jeanie - “Maybe your parents should disown you!”

 Paulie - “Or Locked away forever!”

 Just when Liz was about to move Sonya’s arm to something pointy, they heard a loud:

 “THAT IS ENOUGH!!!!”

 They are look at Charlie who was furious. Even Vaggie looked angry at them too.

 Charlie - “Sonya didn't do it!”

 Jeanie - “How do you know? She the one who made the pies!”

 Paulie - "And some of her hair was in the kitchen!"

 Vaggie - “It didn't fall out. One of you cut it!”

 Ashley - “How do you know? You weren't there.”

 Vaggie - “First off, I can easily tell when hair is either yanked out or cut! The hair in the kitchen was clearly cut.”

 Charlie - “Second, I was with Sonya the whole time! I know she would never do something like this. And finally, I ate one of her pies and didn't get sick!”

 Vaggie - “Yeah. I even ate one of her pies and I feel fine too. Even half the people who ate the pies didn’t get sick. Even you guys are fine and ate the pies.”

 The cousins look at each other nervously. What Vaggie was true: they ate Sonya’s pies and didn’t feel any illness at all. Patrick was looking really paranoid.”

 Charlie - “And we know who the real culprits are.”

 Patrick - “Yeah it was still the Gemini! She the one made the pies in the first place! She deserved to be trapped in a crystal forever!”

 Charlie - *shocked and horrified* “What?! No!!”

 Out of anger, Liz moves Sonya’s hand and made her prick her finger on a fork. Then Liz came out looking furious much to the cousins and Patrick other fear.

 Charlie - “Oh boy that’s not good.”

 Liz - *furious* “You want to trap me and Sonya in a crystal!? Well...HERE’S YOUR FUCKING TANTRUM!!”

 Liz took out her scissors and began to attack Patrick. Patrick dodge it and began to run in fear. Liz jumped in front of him and cut his arm and he screamed in pain. The other cousins were watching in fear as Patrick was getting beat up. Charlie and Vaggie on the other hand, was actually enjoying this feeling like he deserves it.

 Liz - “I changed! But you and the others are too stupid to see that! You bastards wanna mistreat me Fine! Just leave Sonya out of this!”

 Liz cut Patrick again with her scissors and Patrick pushed her off. Then out of nowhere, Paulie sneak behind Liz, and hug and pet her hair changing her back into Sonya. Quickly, Patrick trapped Sonya’s feet in a crystal.

 Charlie - “Sonya!”

 Charlie and Vaggie was about to help her, but suddenly, Jeannie and Ashley grabbed Charlie and Vaggie putting them in a strong full Nelson. They were struggling to break free. Patrick walked up to Sonya and Sonya was angry and said:  

 Sonya - *annoyed and defensive* “I told you I already! I-”

 Patrick - “Enough! Into the crystal with you!”

 Patrick began to use his powers to slowly trap Sonya in a crystal. The crystal around her feet was slowly starting to rise. Even her hands were trapped in the crystal and couldn’t let out Liz again. This is one of the rare times that Sonya and Liz was starting to get scared as the crystal was getting bigger and keep covering her up.

 Sonya - *scared* “No! No! Please! No!”

 Charlie - *scared and horrified* “NO STOP!”

 Paulie - “Sorry Charlie, this is better for everybody.”

 Lucifer - “ENOUGH!!!!”

 Hearing that voice, Patrick stops his powers and Sonya was halfway trapped inside a crystal. Everyone turned around and saw Lucifer still looking pale but still standing and looking furious. Lilith even had an angry glare as well and was helping Lucifer stand.

 Lucifer - “I will not tolerate anyone harassing my daughter or accusing my innocent niece! Let them go now!”

 This made Jeannie and Ashley freed Charlie and Vaggie out of fear. Charlie and Vaggie quickly ran to Sonya and helped her be free from the crystal by Vaggie using her spear and Charlie summoning her claws. After freeing her, Sonya held to Charlie in a tight hug.

 Lilith - “Somebody better tell the truth: Who poisons all the pies

 Patrick was too nervous and under the pressure, he said:

 Patrick - “Okay it was me and the others! I was the one who did it! The Gemini is evil! I mean you all witness and remember her and that shadow thing was wild and crazy! I see it with my own eyes!”

 Vaggie - “Are you kidding me?! Just because you don't trust Sonya doesn’t mean you should act paranoid and if you think poisoning Lucifer and a bunch of other people was a good idea, you're the bad guy here!”

 Lilith - *angry* “I am very disappointed in you, Patrick!”

 Lucifer - “And so am I! You are in big trouble!”

 Charlie - *worried and concerned* “You okay Sonya?”

 Sonya just hugged Charlie was even slightly shaking in fear. Even Liz was trying to comfort Sonya in shadow form.

 Sonya - *scared and trembling* “H-He...almost...trapped me! I was going...to be...trapped forever!”

 Charlie - *hugging and petting her head* “Shhh....I know. I know.”

 She glares over at her cousins and her eyes turned blood red in anger. How could they do this to their family, let alone their own baby cousin?

 Charlie - “Mom, Daddy, I think they should all be punished!”

 Lilith - “I couldn't agree more, darling.”

 Charlie - “And to think I brought my cousin here to have fun! I didn't think my stupid arrogant and hateful cousins would do this!”

 Then they heard some panting and saw Angel standing despite still feeling a little sick.

 Charlie - *curious and concerned* “Angel what are you doing out of bed? You should be resting.”

 Angel - “Don’t worry Princess, the kid’s mother made me better. But just so you know, I was the one who saw what happened and called Apple Ringleader what was happening.”

 Jeannie - “What?! Why?!”

 Angel - *mad and disgusted* “Because I maybe an asshole, but even I think the poison pie shit and trapping a little girl in a crystal especially by a family member is so fucked up!”

 Lucifer - “For your crime and for you framing Sonya, you will all be severely punished!”

 Patrick - *scared* “H-How?!”

 Jeanie -  *begging* “Please Don't! You must understand the deed that we did.”

 Ashley - “We were just teaching the Gemini a lesson!”

 James - “We were doing everyone a favor by getting rid of her!”

 Paulie - “Haven't you forgot what she and that...that...thing! Did to us?! And what that freak just did to Patrick?”

 Charlie - “She is still family and the only ones I see as monsters are all of you! I know Liz was hyperactive when she was younger, but she changed and the only reason she attacks Patrick because he was the one who threaten her. If you guys can't accept that, then how do that make you better than her and Sonya?”

 The cousins look at each other uncomfortably. However, they felt like trapping Sonya was the right thing to do because they can’t get over how roughly Liz played and tortured them.

 Patrick - “Well that thing is still evil and a monster!”

 Charlie - *shocked and disgusted*  “I can see now that you're nothing but ungrateful vultures! As a matter of fact, you guys aren’t so great yourself because you never visit me or even bothered to visit and support my hotel. So it's with heavy heart that I announce that Sonya and Liz are my only cousin from this point on.”

 Vaggie - *happy* “That a girl Charlie!”

 Angel - *impressed* “Nice job princess!”

 Lilith - “I don't blame you for your choice dear.”

 “Neither do we.”

 They turned around and saw it was Azrael and Zella. They too had disappointed looks on their faces.

 Azrael - “I can't believe you would do this to our daughters.”

 Zella - “Yes I agree. What you all did wasn’t right, and the poison pie idea wasn’t bright.”

 Azrael - “Charlie, why don’t  you take Sonya back to the hotel?”

 Zella - “Yes. I think that getting her rest would be for the best.”

 Charlie - “But what about Daddy?”

 Lucifer - “Don't worry, honey I’ll be okay. Besides,  I have some business to take care of.”

 Charlie - “Alright. *to her friends* Come on guys, we are leaving. And never seeing these hateful vile vultures again!”

 They got inside the limo and was now back at the hotel.

 ()()()()()()()()

 Sonya was in her room changing her clothes. But some tears came out of her eyes. She saw Liz coming out in shadow form trying to comfort Sonya.

 Liz - *comforting* “Hey Sunshine it's okay.”

 Sonya - “I know but I'm still a little shaken...”

 Liz - “Yeah. But I'm sure that Uncle Lucifer took care of it.”

 Sonya - “Yeah I guess so. I do wonder what he plans to do to them?”

 Charlie - "You want me to answer that question?"

 Sonya saw Charlie at the doorway smiling. This made Sonya and Liz smile as well.

 Sonya - “Oh Cousin Charlie! How's Angel and Uncle Lucifer?”

 Charlie - “Doing much better thanks to Mom and Aunt Zella. She came up with a spell to speed up their recovery. Angel is in his room right now having his “alone time”.”

 Sonya - “Right. So un what’s happened to those punks?”

 Charlie - “Well first,  Mom called their parents and forbid them for using their powers for a month. Then Daddy not only put then in the dungeon for two hours, but force them to wear their least favorite clothes for a month

 Liz - “Sweet!”

 Sonya - “Oh I love that! Liz thinks that’s a sweet punishment too.”

 Charlie - “Yep!”

 Sonya - “Um Cousin Charlie? Thanks again for defending  me and Liz especially from...from…” *tear up again*

 Charlie: *smiles and hugs her* “It's okay, Sonya. You're safe now.”

 Sonya - “I just never been so scared! I thought I was gonna be stuck in a crystal forever.”

 Charlie - “I told you, I'd never let anything happen to you. You can count on me.”

 Sonya - “And it was cool that you called out those bitches out.”

 Charlie - “Thanks! My Mom and Dad taught me to be strong both inside and out.”

 Sonya - “Well she is right but...do you think I'm like that?”

 Charlie - “Like what?”

 Sonya - “That I'm not strong inside and out? I feel like I'm weak….Normally I can handle stuff like fights even turf wars, but today just really freaked me out. I couldn’t even let out Liz and I was really scared. Made me think that I was weak.”

 Charlie - “Sonya, you're one the strongest little girl I've ever known.”

 Sonya - “Really? Some thought I was weak without Liz.”

 Liz - “Hey you're just as strong without me.”

 Charlie - “I mean you are getting better at your magic.”

 Liz - “And you're as tough as nails.”

 Sonya - “Yeah right. I guess I'm still freaked out after what happened.”

 Charlie - *guilty* “Sonya I'm sorry about that.”

 Sonya - “Why are you sorry?”

 Charlie - “For practically forcing you to come to the party. It's all my fault for not listening to you.”

 Sonya - “It's okay Cousin Charlie. I know you just wanted me to have fun with the family.”

 Charlie - “Some family we have. I mean, why couldn’t they see what a wonderful and unique person you and Liz are. Yet, they still treat you guys if you are a disease or feral monsters. It’s just not fair!”

 Sonya - “Yeah I know. But some family don't have to come by blood you know?”

 Charlie - “That’s true. I mean I look at my friends at the hotel as my second family.”

 Sonya - “So do I. And to be honest, it was nice seeing Uncle Lucifer and Aunt Lilith again. The other uncle and aunts don’t interest me like they do.”

 Charlie - “And your parents too.”

 Sonya - “Umm Cousin Charlie? Is it okay you tuck me in bed and stay with me? I'm still a little shaken…”

 Charlie - “I got a better idea. How about you bunk with me tonight? Like when you were little.”

 Sonya - *surprised* “Oh you would do that again? Really?”

 Charlie - “Of course! Anything for my best and officially only cousin.”

 Sonya smiles and hugged Charlie tightly while tears of joy and relief coming out of her eyes. Charlie even saw that Liz was giving her a hug in her shadow form as well. Charlie vows to keep her promise of protecting Sonya and Liz because not only they are her only cousins now, but because how much they mean to her and how much she loves them.

 Hope you all like it!

[michael-radi-the-glamorous-life]

God I Hope I Get It

Audition (noun) - A necessary, and often grinding, step to acquiring a theatre performance job, which some actors love, many actors hate, and everyone else is relatively indifferent to

*Warning: This post is geared mainly toward the actor-folk and those interested in the audition process!

Last week I found myself once again in an audition room - this time behind the table, which was a lovely change! Generally speaking, whether or not I am part of the casting team, I’m hearing/viewing auditions on a weird side angle from the piano. So this was a lovely little treat!

Over my years of taking classes and workshops on “THE AUDITION” I have certainly learned many things about the audition process, and particularly about myself as an auditioner. But there is no better way to learn the ins-and-outs, dos-and-don’ts, and [other-cliched-phrases] of auditions than to sit on the other side of the table and observe with non-actor-oriented eyes/ears.

So, here are some of the things I’ve learned about auditioning.

How Many People [Do They] Need?

Auditioning and Performing are completely different skills.

WHAAAAAAAAT???

Yep.

But how can that be? You’re performing something for other people in both cases.

Yes, italics-half-of-this-conversation, but to entirely different ends! And each requires it’s own skill sets.

When you perform in a show, you are part of a living, breathing production. It doesn’t matter how grand or how bare bones that production may be - or how large or small the cast is - a production is a live event in which the artists and technicians have crafted a piece with the purpose of conversing with an audience. And audience who has invested their time and/or money, nonetheless.

Auditions are not a production. The only people helping you out are the monitor and accompanist (if it’s a vocal audition), and they’re really there just to do their jobs and to work with every person auditioning. This time in the room is for you and you alone. And though you are not shutting out the other people in the room, your work is not a rehearsed theatrical piece meant to make them ponder XY or Z about the human condition - that’s not the conversation you are having. This conversation should be “Here I am, this is what I do, and let me know if this fits with what you’re looking for. Thanks!”

So what is step 1 to a great audition? Preparation.

Whether going into a room with an appointment or at an open call, know exactly for what you are walking into the room.

What are the shows? Especially if you’re being seen for a full season.

Who is behind the table and at the piano? Know this please!

What did they ask you to prepare? Do you have that, or are the stretching with your choices?

Did you arrive on time? Did you have time to breathe, fix yourself up, warm up, etc.?

Did you research the theater or production company? Always a good idea to get a sense of who they are and specifically what they might be looking for.

Did you enter the room with excuses ready? The train…I’m sick…Allergies…ehn! Just do what you can today! Excuses are unhelpful.

I am floored by how often it seems as though actors have not prepared before they enter a room. They may make choices that are incorrect for the season at hand, or they make excuses before they begin, or they miss their appointment times, or they treat someone (the monitor, pianist, reader) rudely…all of this is easily avoidable with a little research and time! It’s worth that extra little bit of work - it will make your auditioning life much easier!

*A particular note about accompanists: Please know how to speak to you accompanist about your piece(s) in a way that is professional and efficient. Things to note:

They are not your enemy - in fact, they’re the only help you’ve got!

Treat them kindly - Not only is that good human behavior, they may also very well be the Musical Director. And even if they’re not, they will report rude behavior to the casting team.

Succinctly tell them: 1) What the song is, 2) Where you are starting and ending, 3) Whether you’d like an introduction or a bell tone, and 4) Your tempo.

Speaking of Your Tempo - Clapping, stomping, tapping, and snapping your tempo is highly discouraged. It’s loud and comes off as rude. Simply sing a few bars of the song to them at the tempo you would like.

Thank them…twice. Once as you leave the piano to audition and once on your way out of the room as you grab your book. Kindness is memorable!

I Can’t Imagine What [They Want}

One of the weirdest things about auditioning is that everyone involved wants you to be the answer, to be exactly what they want/are looking for. You’d like that, the auditioners would like that, the artistic team would like that, etc. Everyone would be happy.

BUT…that cannot be on your mind as you audition. Oof. That makes things more complicated.

But why not? What if thinking about what they wants wills it into existence and I suddenly shine with the perfection of the role they’re casting?!

Uh, yeah. Cool. Though, I’m fairly certain it doesn’t work that way.

It should be an incredible comfort to the auditioning actor to know that you have zero control over whether or not you are the right fit. None. Whatsoever. Not a jot.

Then what’s the point of even preparing and trying???

Well, you always want to be prepared to showcase your best self. And if you want to work in theatre, then you have to keep trying (or else you won’t get jobs…). But this idea should be freeing to you!

It’s not about how well you feel you sang your cut that day, or how you didn’t like the way the pianist played your music, or that you had some flyaway hair you didn’t notice, or that the casting personnel barely looked up…these are all things that happen all the time and have no bearing on the outcome of an audition.

So what to do?

What Should I Try To Be?

Yourself.

That’s it. Just be you. Show us what you do best and what you enjoy doing.

If you’re possibly what we’re looking for, awesome! We’ll give you a callback and explore who you are a little further. And if you’re not what we’re looking for then there are several possible outcomes:

We enjoyed you and you made the day of auditions a little less terrible. (For let’s remember, sitting through auditions is rarely an energizing and lovely experience!)

We put you on file because you were great even though you’re not right today.

You’re right for another project someone in the room is working on and you will be kept in mind.

You actually were potentially right for the role, but we had to be stingy about callback time and made some cuts.

And you may never learn any of this, but it happens all the time. There is a gigantic machine of thought and consideration that auditioning performers never get the opportunity to experience. You just have to trust that your work - if it was genuine and good - got you noticed and considered in ways you may not hear about for weeks, months, or even years.

So how to be yourself?

Make sure your pieces are things you enjoy performing. Auditioning with your own, chosen material should be fun for you. It should not stress you out. Don’t choose something where you’re unsure that you’ll hit the high note on a given day, or where you haven’t gone through the acting moments yet, or just because it’s been in your book for a while, or because it booked you that one gig five years ago. What do you enjoy doing now?

What shows you off the best? Know the styles of material that work best for you, your voice, your acting ability, your style, your type, etc. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Play you your strengths.

Keep your audition book thin. Relieve yourself of the burden of songs you don’t perform any more or any other excess. Accompanists will absolutely look through your book, which means that anything in there is fair game to be asked of you to sing. So only keep the 10-12 song cuts that you can whip out at any time with confidence!

Be a human. This one may seem obvious, but people get weird when walking into audition rooms. Read them room on when to say hello. Try not to interrupt if they’re talking behind the table when you enter, but definitely say hello before slating your pieces. All of the rules that apply to general polite conversation apply to the audition room as well!

Treat the casting team as fellow humans before you perform, then ignore them. Look people in the eye and be yourself as you say hello and tell them what you’re going to do, then perform to a point that is not their eyes. It’s rarely a good thing to make people feel uncomfortable.

Hold the last moment of your piece! Don’t break the moment too soon, for this can ruin the effect of your audition piece - especially if you created a captivating moment.

Say thank you to the room, and then to the accompanist. It shows that you’re done with your audition, you appreciate their time, and it’s also just polite.

Walk out of the room. Sounds silly, but sometimes people run out, which can feel abrupt. Also, if you run it doesn’t give them time to potentially share glances and ask you for something else! One the flip side, don’t saunter expectantly out of the room either. That’s uncomfortable for everyone involved, and if they want to see more from you they will let you know!

God, I Really Blew It

Nah, you probably didn’t.

We are way harder on ourselves than anyone else is going to be. Let’s not forget that the people who are casting you are trained professionals who know how to spot what they’re looking for - the potential to be the right fit.

If you mess up a line or a note, they don’t care. They’re taking you in as a whole human and performer. We can easily hear around the errors to find what we need.

So don’t be so hard on yourself.

Treat auditions like another part of the day. It’s a job. You come in, you do your thing (and enjoy doing it), and then you leave. On to the next!

It’s easy to put large amounts of stock into an audition, especially if it’s a job you really want or if you haven’t been cast in a while, but those pressures aren’t going to help anyone - and least of all you. No one audition is make or break, so be kind to yourself.

God, I Think I’ve Got It

I know that’s a lot of information, but like any other set of skills it will become second nature with practice.

There will be good auditions and bad auditions. You’ll be thrilled with your work at times and bummed at times. You’ll get callbacks, you’ll get ignored, you’ll meet some great people, you’ll have (too many) terrible MTA experiences, and you’ll do it all over and over again. But that’s the gig!

Auditions are not monsters, they’re just your stepping stone to the jobs you want. Work on them, trust your skills, and be yourself. And hopefully, you’ll then be…as the kids say…#BookedAndBlessed.

[cass-chan12]

The Best Friend’s Baby (Chapter 6)

Fandom: Fairy Tail

Rated: T Genre: Romance/Drama Pairing: Nalu

Summary: Their Story was a strange one. They were the best of friends but led different lives. She was tired of waiting to start a family and he didn't mention something important to her. As a result they will come together in the most wonderful way. The question is- Are they up for it?

Chapters: One, Two, Three, Four, Five

“So how are the twins doing Lev?”

It had been a month since Lucy found out she was pregnant and since then there had been so many things happening all at once. From seeing the positive on the test to telling Natsu and having such weird changes in her body occurring. Her body felt tender and tired all the time, the food aversions and the constant running back and forth to the bathroom either to pee or from the nausea. Quite a number of times, Natsu would come over and spend time with her when she was feeling down telling her it’ll get better soon.

But today Lucy decided it was time to ‘catch up’ with her girlfriends. In reality she would try not really catching up with them on her personal life… well not yet at least.

With the girls sitting in Lucy’s kitchen table Levy looked to Mira who had asked the question and smiled “They are slowly killing us Mira… But they haven’t won the war.” She proclaimed keeping the eerie smile on her face.

Mira stared awkwardly and quickly turned to Erza “Anyway, how have you and Jellal been doing Erza? Has the long distance affected you guys yet?”

Erza being the beautiful yet uptight woman in the room peeked at Mira through her red bangs and genuinely smiled at Mira’s question.

“It’s become a lot easier; I’ve worked out a sleeping schedule for him so we can video chat.”

“Do you take turns waking up and video chatting?” Lucy asked.

Erza looked offended at the question “With a job as demanding as mine there would be no way. Chief of the Fire station is no easy task Lucy.”

Lucy started to sweat at Erza going into scary mode and tried to reassure the red head how she was aware how taxing her job was “I can believe it’s not easy since you have Natsu and Gray causing a lot of trouble at the station.”

“Juvia thinks that Gray-sama is very professional at work Lucy-san.”

Lucy mentally groaned, she really can’t say anything right today…

“I'm sure he is but you know boys Juvs.” Lucy reassured.

Juvia did shrug in response and perked up at a question Levy presented “So Juvs, yours and Gray’s first wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days, right?”

Juvia glowed in happiness in a millisecond “Yes it is and Juvia has the perfect present for Gray-sama.”

Mira smiled giddily “What did you get him?”

Juvia blushed “Well…”

“Well…?” Erza echoed in anticipation.

“It’s not really the case of what Juvia got Gray-sama… it’s what Juvia got from Gray-sama”

The girls all looked at the blue haired girl in confusion until the noticed she was rubbing her belly.

Lucy felt like her breath got caught in her throat. Then she was engulfed by a smile.

“YOU’RE PREGNANT???” Levy practically yelled.

The four girls moved in on Juvia wide-eyed and grinning.

“Congratulations!” they all shouted in union.

Juvia’s usual porcelain complexion turned pick at everyone fawning over her and her eyes averted down in embarrassment.

“So how far are you?” Levy asked

“Juvia is not certain but maybe two and a half months. Juvia only took the test yesterday.”

It would be common for most women to find out their pregnant when they’re in the middle of the first trimester as normally it came upon them as a happy surprise but Lucy can’t relate. After all she did plan it and on top of things… it wasn’t the natural way to get pregnant. Obviously Lucy had been constantly taking pregnancy tests once she was inseminated, especially with the accountability that her egg would possible reject her donor’s sperm, the odds where really against her so the second she found out she was in fact pregnant her whole world changed.

She slightly envied at the notion that Juvia could share her pregnancy news with the girls and she had to wait. But Lucy knew that this was her moment to enjoy the adoration from the girls and shook the feeling off and hugged the blue haired woman.

“Thank you everyone, Juvia is really scared of telling Gray-sama now.” Juvia admitted.

Erza patted her shoulder reassuringly “I think he’ll be taken off guard but he will definitely be happy.”

Juvia smiled brilliantly, she honestly suited being pregnant in Lucy’s opinion.

“So are you hoping for a girl or boy, Juvs?” Mira asked.

Juvia didn’t hesitate “It’s a boy, Juvia knows for sure.”

Lucy smirked; she frankly knew the reason behind Juvia’s words. Put simply she knew Juvia would want a boy because she wanted a mini Gray running around.

“It’s just too bad there’ll be a bit of an age gap between Levy-san and Gajeel-kuns twins and Juvia and Gray-sama’s little boy.”

Levy waved her hand at the other blue headed girl “Oh please. It’ll be a 2 year gap; my kids don’t care whether Natsu is playing with them or the neighbour’s dog.”

As the girls laughed and Mira released a huge sneeze almost knocking herself off her chair.

“I'm sorry girls my allergies are acting up again. Lucy do you have any allergy medication.”

“Oh sure Mira, it’s in the medicine cabinet in my bathroom. Help yourself.”

Mira excused herself from the table while the girls continued to talk and eat the cake Erza brought. The few minutes that passed seemed like milliseconds till Mira walked back holding… a pregnancy test box.

Lucy looked to her friend and her heart almost imploded.

The girls noticed as well the room fell silent.

“Lucy, why do you have two of these in your cabinet?” Mira asked.

The girl’s necks snapped to the blonde waiting for a response.

“I- Uh…” Lucy stuttered.

“Is Lucy-san also pregnant?” Juvia asked.

Lucy breathed in deeply and nodded slightly.

She couldn’t lie to them, sure she could’ve kept the secret for a bit longer but to look her close friends in the eyes and lie to their faces was not what she was going to do. Lucy shut her eyes waiting for someone to speak after the long silence.

The weight of her friends’ hugs took her by surprise and being startled by them for a moment she hugged them back after a few seconds.

“Lu-chan why didn’t you say anything?” Levy asked

They all pulled away and had very cheerful smiles on, as expected from her supportive friends. So why did she panic of what they would think a moment ago?

Lucy teared up a little.

‘Stupid hormones’ she thought to herself

“I’m really sorry guys. I was going to tell you but I'm still early on and Juvia just shared her news… I couldn’t have possibly said anything any time soon.”

“Oh Lucy-san Juvia doesn’t care about attention.” Juvia giggled “And besides Gray-sama and Juvia’s baby has a new friend!” She continued smiling ear to ear.

Lucy smiled and nodded with a tear rolling down her face.

“So is Sting the dad then?” Mira asked.

‘Oh… yeah right, I guess I have to tell them.’ She grimaced internally

Lucy coughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of her head “Um yeah about that… So after Sting and I broke up I made an impulsive BUT practical decision.”

“You got back together for an hour and ensured a pregnancy?” Erza asked seriously.

Horror washed over Lucy’s face and she immediately shot the theory down “Not a chance! No no no!”

“So you found a random guy then?” Levy asked shocked.

“NO! Guys I was inseminated!” Lucy yelled out flustered

Mira let out an ‘Oh my Mavis’ and the others stared at the blonde as if she confessed a murder. Erza though seemed to be thoroughly impressed by her approving look.

“Efficient choice. What brought it on?” Erza asked

Ignoring the other girls gaping appearances she explained her choice over to them.

“Yes well it was because after Sting and I’s break up I reflected what our relationship was like overall and it made me realise that we wouldn’t have been happy together. I honestly just wanted a baby and blocked out my true feelings for him. I just don’t feel I could’ve waited any longer to be a mom!” Lucy clarified.

The others bewildered looks mellowed into more serene ones after hearing Lucy’s heartfelt reasoning.

“Sorry Lucy we didn’t know you felt that way” Mira consoled

“We only want the best for Lucy-san” Juvia added.

Lucy sighed a bit in relief and smiled to her friends, happy that they are going to support her.

“So that means they’ll be two babies on the way how exciting!” Levy cheered

“Quite indeed. Makes me only wish Jellal was here so we could have our own.” Erza pondered.

Lucy laughed at how casual Erza just said it would be if she had the choice of being pregnant. Of course Erza was resourceful enough to convince her long distance boyfriend to get her pregnant just plainly because she feels like it… Well at least she had a boyfriend.

Although Lucy had chosen to have no man in her life at the time being, a little nagging voice crouched at the back of her mind telling her she was in fact feeling neglected in the relationship category. Yes she did choose this path but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to be with someone she loved. But now it seems that she sentenced herself to a life without a husband or even a boyfriend.

“Speaking of boyfriends, you’ll be without one for a long time ey Lu-chan?” Levy seemed to have spoken what Lucy had thought.

“Y-yeah. I guess so.”

“As much as I still wanted Natsu and Lisanna to stay together, you and our pyromaniac fireman is still my otp.” Mira confessed,

Lucy couldn’t help but blush and instantly kill any connotations behind Mira’s words. Although she had always seen Natsu as a friend, she momentarily thought of him as more and that made her blush hard. She knew though that they were just friends and that she had always treated him as such.

“Come on Mira, Natsu and I have been friends since forever. And this whole pregnancy thing has made him so attentive that he’s committed himself to being an uncle.”

“Natsu-san knows Lucy-san is pregnant?” Juvia asked surprised.

Another thing Lucy forgot to mention. Oops.

“Oh… yeah he was the first I told.”

‘Poor guy’ Mira thought.

Changing the subject Levy raised her hands in the air and grinned widely “Now you two girls will know what Gajeel and I go through! Best wishes to the mom’s to be!”

“Best Wishes Girls, I'm sure you both can manage. You both are tough as nails after all” Erza said fondly.

“Thank you!” Juvia and Lucy said together

During the rest of the girls get together Lucy couldn’t help but to drift away from the others conversation and started thinking to herself sombrely.

‘Is being tough going to enough though?’

[gimmesumsuga]

BTS Reaction - doped up on allergy medication

Seokjin

When Jin comes home to find you practically passed out on the couch he’s admittedly a little concerned.  You’re not the type to just nap for no reason in the middle of the day - you must be hurt or sick or worse - so he hurries over to your side, kneeling and stroking his hand over your hair, calling your name to rouse you.  

Your head flops to the side to face him, blinking slowly, a dopey smile spreading across your face.  

“‘llo there handsome,” you greet, a limp hand flopping out to touch his face.  You don’t even have the energy to keep it there; it falls, drooping over the side of couch, and Jin starts to frown in confusion upon witnessing all this odd behaviour.  

“Jagi… have you been drinking?!” he asks accusingly as you try and fail to kiss him, missing his mouth by a mile to almost faceplant the couch cushions.  You start to giggle, shaking your head. “That Prosecco was supposed to be for for our dinner, not for you to guzzle all by yourself!”

“Noooo!  The dust in here… my nose was all itchy ‘n’ gross so I took some of those pills in the bathroom!”  you explain, vaguely aware yourself that you do indeed sound a little drunk, even to yourself.  

Ah, the penny drops!  You’ve been at the antihistamines again.  He scolds himself for not recognising it sooner; he’s found you once like this before, albeit a long time ago.  You’ve never had a very high tolerance for any sort of medication, whether available over the counter or not.  Jin smiles affectionately down at you, stroking your hair, and then he pulls out his phone and starts to text rapidly.  

“Whatcha doin’?”  

“Telling the boys they need to come home and help me clean up in here. Can’t have you getting like this every time you come round!”

Yoongi

You’d learnt all too soon into your relationship that you weren’t the only contender for Yoongi’s affections, and had had to quickly come to terms with the notion that on a list of his priorities you come in at a rather pitiful second to Min Holly, and probably always will do.

When he asks you to look after him so he can put in some hours at the studio one morning you know it’s a big deal - he’s the love of his life, after all - so you agree straight away, eager to show him what a good puppy momma you can be.  

Of course you don’t mention your terrible allergies when he drops him off, telling yourself you’ll be fine when really you know that even your brief meetings with him before have left you with an itchy nose and runny eyes.  You even pick him up in your arms to ‘wave’ goodbye to Yoongi through the window as he leaves, just to see him smile, though you instantly regret it when the first sneezing fit hits before he’s even out of sight.

By the time Yoongi gets home you’re an absolute state; so dosed up on pills and your eyes so swollen that you can barely see him when he walks through the door.   

“What the hell happened to you?” he asks worriedly, briefly acknowledging Holly jumping around his ankles on his way over to where you’re curled up on the sofa.  Maybe he’s not more important than you after all?  

“I didn’t want to tell you…” you murmur sleepily, the side-effects of the antihistamines hitting you hard, “I’m allergic to dogs, to Holly.”  Yoongi’s eyes widen marginally, glancing from you to Holly and back again.

“Why didn’t you say?!” You just shrug, struggling to keep your eyes open.

“Sorry… my-my pills make me super tired.” At first he just rolls his eyes and shakes his head at you, amused, but then he stands and points to Holly’s bed decisively, turning to her.

“Go to bed, Holly, go on.  Good boy.”  The happy little ball of curly brown fur trots off to bed obediently as Yoongi then begins to prod you.  “Move over.”  You shuffle with as much effort you can manage to make a space on the couch which he then lies down in so you’re nose to nose, his arm hooking over your hip to pull you close. “Good girl.”  

Oh, if only you had the energy to roll your eyes.  He smiles at the look of mild annoyance on your face but then kisses it away, soft and gentle.  

“Seems as good of an excuse for a nap as any other.”

Hoseok 

“Baby, are you dressed?”  Hobi’s voice breaks you out of your daze, your eyes drifting lazily from the wall to the door you presume he must be standing behind.  He knocks when you don’t reply, clearly becoming a little impatient.  “Babe?”

“Uh… no… not really,” you reply, turning your head to look at the outfit you’d laid out on your bed earlier to try and save time getting ready - not that it’s ended up doing you much good.  

“Can I come in?”

“Sure, yeah.”  He does, pushing open your bedroom door to find you sat on the edge of your bed in just your underwear with a slightly dazed look on your face.  He looks totally and utterly confused at your state of undress, not to mention devastatingly handsome in his crisp black tux.  

“What’s going on?” he asks, the stress starting to show on his usually bright and happy face as his eyebrows furrow, “We’re going to be late, why aren’t you ready?”  

“I’m sorry Hobi,” you reply slowly, your tongue thick in your mouth, “My allergies were bad today so I took some of those… those tablets and they always make me kinda… uh…”  Hobi stares at you, eyes wide, waiting for you to finish, but when you don’t he simply places his hand into his hands, groaning loudly.  “Sorry Hobi,” you repeat, smiling sheepishly.  

After a moment or two he lifts his head, collecting himself and picking your dress up off of the bed as he hauls you up from the bed.

“C’mon, we’ll do it together.”  Quickly but gently your boyfriend helps you get ready, his long-fingered,dexterous hands making quick work of your zipper and the buckles on your shoes.  He even manages to tie up your hair into a loose, messy bun that looks better than any that you usually manage to do, and all the while you’re just smiling softly at him as he treats you like some kind of precious, living doll, thinking to yourself just how much you love him.  

“You look beautiful baby,” he tells you as he leads you towards the front door, still the same sweet Hobi even though you’re both now horribly late and you’re still cursed with the capability and general manner of a toddler.  You automatically go to pick up your car keys from the hook by the door but Hobi quickly snatches them from you, chuckling.

“Oh no no no, you think I’m letting you drive like this?  Thanks but no thanks, baby, I choose life.”  

Namjoon 

You’re lying on your bed like a starfish, watching the patterns on your ceiling swirl a little when you hear your front door open and close, Namjoon’s voice calling out to you from the living room.

“In heeere!” you call back playfully, squinting one eye after the other to see if it makes any difference.  It doesn’t - everything’s just as ‘whoosy’ with either eye - so you close them both, giggling to yourself.  Your bedroom door opens too and you hear Namjoon’s footsteps on your laminate floor, approaching your bed.  

“What’re you doing in bed?  It’s two in the afternoon,” he laughs, and although you can’t see him you feel him sit next to you.  “Wanna go get something to eat?  Have you had lunch yet?”  He’s running his fingers through your hair now and it feels so nice; you hum happily and roll onto your side, shoving your face into his thigh and slinging your arms around whatever part of him you can find.  

“I would, but I’m not sure I can stand up right now!”  You speak into his leg, your words muffled, but somehow he still manages to understand you.  

“Why not?”

“Hmm, my hayfever got super bad earlier so I took those tablets you gave me last time, remember?”  You finally open up one eye, able to squint up at Namjoon enough to see him smiling bemusedly down at you, one eyebrow raised.  

“I remember.”

“But then I still felt bad… so I took some more.  Two more.  So three.”  Namjoon’s eyes widen in concern, his hand stilling in your hair.

“Three?”

“Three,” you nod, smiling, “But I feel much better now.”  He grabs the packet off your bedside table and quickly starts to scan the information leaflet, concentrating hard whilst you just watch on, wondering why on earth he looks so worried.  

“You’re only supposed to take one tablet a day!” he exclaims after a moment, but when he looks down and sees the way your eyes are starting to droop he just ends up sighing, plonking the box back down and then running his hand through his hair.  It’s not like you swallowed the whole box, and you still look ok… just a little doped up maybe.  

Namjoon can’t help but think you’re kinda cute like this, actually, all snuggly and grabby, now fast asleep with your head lolling against his leg.  He smiles down at you, lovingly stroking your cheek and smiling even harder when it makes you stir and grumble.  Pulling out his phone in his free hand he makes himself as comfortable as possible, determined to stay by your side for as long as it takes to make sure you’re ok.

“Don’t worry baby, I’ll watch over you.”

Jimin

“Are you feeling any better?”

You prise open your eyes to see your boyfriend sauntering over to the bed where you lie, sprawled out on your front, a sympathetic smile on his face.

It was a total mistake to go outside when the pollen count so high - just asking for trouble - and now you were paying the price. You’d only been in the park for half an hour at most before you’d had to make a hasty retreat, your eyes and nose streaming, itching and sneezing.  Such a good look for what was only yours and Jimin’s fourth ever date.  

He’s such a sweetie, though.  As soon as you’d gotten back to your apartment he’d put you in bed, fetched you your pills, much needed tissues and a drink, only leaving you to go and fetch some groceries like you’d originally intended to do.  

“A little bit,” you answer, though you still end up sniffing to try and prevent your nose from running on the pillow, “Sorry I’m not much fun… Those pills always knock me out.”

“It’s me that should be sorry,” he disagrees mournfully, sitting himself on the mattress next to you when you pat it invitingly, reaching out to start running his fingers through your hair, “You warned me it was a bad idea.”

“A sweet one, though.  No-one’s ever taken me for a picnic before.”  You smile sleepily up at him as you place your hand on his leg, gently squeezing.  “Come cuddle with me?”  It must be the pills fuzzing up your brain making you so brave; you and Jimin have never done anything quite so intimate before, and you can tell he’s hesitating by the way his cheeks start to blush a very light shade of prettiest pink.  

You’re about to tell him not to worry, that it’s just the meds talking, but then he slowly starts to shuffle down the mattress till he’s lying flat on his back next to you whilst you remain on your front, folding his hands across his chest and staring at the ceiling like he’s nervous.  His adam’s apple bobs up and down too, just for added effect.  You love being able to feel his warmth next to you, to watch his chest rise and fall so close to yours, and soon you’re feeling even sleepier than before, your eyes almost falling closed before Jimin finally turns his head to look at you.  

Hesitantly, he offers you his arm, creating a nice little nook for you to lie in snuggle in close which you gratefully take, humming contentedly.  

“Better?” he asks softly, his delicate fingers trailing down your arm.  

“Much.”

Taehyung 

You’re not sure why you ever thought it was a good idea to get a cat.  You’ve always suffered with allergies - washing powder, pollen, dust - so why should a furry friend be any different?  Still, it’s worth it because Taehyung absolutely loves her, and it’s probably a good job he does, or else she’d never get any love from anyone at all.  It’s unbearable for you to even stroke her, let alone have her on your lap - even after just five minutes you’re sneezing and your eyes itching, your nose completely blocked.

These days antihistamines are your new best friend.  You take one a day, every day without fail, lest you wish to suffer; in fact you’re so used to them now that you don’t even really feel the side-effects, save a very slight increase in fatigue.  Whilst they’re usually very effective Tae always puts them to the test whenever he’s around, sitting next to you with Misty in his arms, scattering her fur about everywhere, completely oblivious to the gradual reddening of your eyes or thickening of your voice.  

“See how cute she is, Jagiya?” he smiles, drawing your attention from the TV to the grey cat who’s fallen asleep against his chest.  

“Adorable,” you grunt in reply, more concerned with trying not to scratch your own eyes out than appreciate her gentle, contented purrs.  She must decide she’s had enough when he starts to tickle her chin though, because suddenly she hops up and jumps off his lap, sending fur flying everywhere.  “Oook,” you declare, getting up from the couch abruptly, Taehyung’s mouth opening in concern, “I’m gonna need to take some more of my allergy medication.”  

“Aish, I’m sorry,” Tae apologises, trailing after you as you stomp into the kitchen and grab a tissue, wiping your nose, “I always forget how sick she makes you.”  He walks towards you with his arms open and a goofy smile, and though you’re still mildly irritated by how damn oblivious he is almost 100% of the time, you still end up delivering yourself into his embrace - though not without rolling your eyes first.  Taehyung starts to smother your face in kiss after kiss, tiny little pecks that increase in strength and speed until you’re sputtering and screwing up your eyes at his unrelenting onslaught of love.  

“Alright, alright, you’re forgiven!” you laugh, pushing on his chest to no effect - he’s holding you far too tightly to allow even the slightest parting of your bodies.

“Good.”  He gifts you with that boxy grin of his and one more kiss to the tip of your nose before finally letting you go, busying himself foraging in your cupboards to find something to eat.  You find your pills and take another before setting about making yourself a much needed coffee, switching on your cappuccino machine before almost dropping your cup when Taehyung shrieks,

“Jagiya!  You’re not supposed to operate machinery when you take those!”  

Jungkook

“Mmff, lemme alone.”  You shove your face into your pillow, trying to ignore the pointed finger that’s poking relentlessly at your ribs.  

“Nope.”  Jungkook starts to poke even harder, like he’s trying to dig under the very bones, completely ignoring your attempts to swat away his hand or wriggle away.  Your threats and curses only seem to spur him on, too, much to your frustration.   

At this point he’s leaving you with very little choice; you’re going to have to kill him.  You’re going to end up in jail for the murder of Jeon Jungkook, but you’ll be damned if you regret it even just the littlest bit.  He deserves a grisly, gruesome death for teasing you so relentlessly when you’re weak and vulnerable, for flicking your ears and your nose as he is now, chuckling evilly to himself.  Damn boy is the bane of your existence - how did you ever let him convince you to start dating?  

“Jungkook, I’m going to bite that finger off in a minute,” you threaten, but the yawn that follows somewhat lessens the strength of your convictions.  You lie there with your eyes closed, damning your hayfever and damning the medication that’s rendered you like this.  Even at full strength you can barely fight Jungkook off when he’s in one of these mischievous moods - nevermind when you’ve been left with the body strength of a newborn kitten.  

“I don’t think you will,” Jungkook teases in a singsong voice that makes you groan, rolling you over from your front onto your back so he can blow the most obscene of raspberries on your exposed stomach, too.  God, you hate those.  “See?” he grins when you finally open your eyes long enough to scowl at him.  He’s got his cheek resting just below your belly button, a smug look on his face, and if you had even an ounce more of strength you’d be reaching down there to smack it off of him.  

As it is, your hands are soon no longer your own; Jungkook’s holding you by each limp wrist and flopping them around, humming some bizarre little tune.  

“Why’re you hitting yourself baby?” he asks when he slaps your palm gently across your own cheek, widening his eyes in faux innocence and looking like butter wouldn’t melt.  

“I’m going to kill you,” you hiss as he does it again, laughing gleefully.  “I hate you, Jeon Jungkook.”  

“Aww, baby, I love you too!”

The above gifs do not belong to me - all credit to the rightful owners.

- Steph

@yuki-nuba - Hope you like it!