#and I honestly can’t say stuff like having it be age gated/come with warnings eventually was a bad thing

[xx-k1tsun3-k1d-xx]

full statement here

[zevlors-tail]

Shinsou x Reader x Deku Zoo HC’s

Pairing: Poly ShinDeku x Reader/Shinsou x Reader x Izuku

Description: A day trip to the zoo with Reader!

Warnings: Established poly relationship, otherwise none. Maybe tooth rotting fluff.

A/N: First and foremost! Both boys and the Reader are in an established poly relationship, are Pro!Heroes, and are aged 21+. Bet y’all can’t guess where I went today lol. Today had hella Shinsou vibes, and of course I will forever love the green ball of sunshine that is Izuku Midoriya, so this happened. Enjoy!

A Day At The Zoo

-It’s so rare that the three of you ever end up with the same day off together, so most of the time you have to plan ahead if you want to have outings or adventures, the zoo included!

-It was Deku’s idea first. Well, not idea per se; he just suggested it in passing and you hopped on that train of thought so freaking fast! A whole day spent looking at cute animals with your cute boyfriends? Um, yes please!

-Shinsou had never been to the zoo before, so he didn’t really understand the hype at first. What exactly was the point in visiting animals other than cats? Especially when you can’t pet or hold them? But if it made you and Izuku happy, then who was he to say no?

-Izuku recommended a zoo that was a little bit farther away than your local one, but it had so much more than the typical barnyard animals at yours. He’d gone a few times himself for fundraisers and meetings but you and Shinsou had never been there before.

-So the three of you planned out a day in advance, took the day off from your respective places of work, and thus, the adventure began!

-You talked about it for weeks beforehand, right up until you were parked at the front gates. “Are you guys excited? Because I am SO excited! I’m gonna pet the goats, and the stingrays, and the sharks, and look at all the birds, and take so many pictures-!”

-The first thing you spot is the giant monarch butterfly chilling on the flowers outside of the front gates, so you already know it’s gonna be a good day. You already have your camera whipped out to take a pic.

-Izuku thinks it’s the cutest thing, and Shinsou is literally taking a picture of you taking a photo of the butterfly. The butterfly might be photogenic, but honestly, he thinks you’re the real work of art here.

-The three of you pay and no sooner than when the receipt was in Shinsou’s hand were you running off to the first exhibit, both boys trying to keep up with your pace so they didn’t lose you.

-The first exhibit had some arctic animals like polar bears and seals, which you watched for a while with a content smile on your face. The bears were up and playing around with a dented bucket and a huge rubber ball, and you got some really cool pictures of them. Izuku even managed to get a video of a seal gliding through their underwater tunnel.

-Once again Shinsou is taking pictures of you taking pictures of the animals, because he thinks it’s absolutely adorable. He has this little smirk on his face as he watches you from the camera lens. Although he has to admit, the polar bears are super cute. 

-You keep bouncing around from exhibit to exhibit. One moment the boys are watching the wolves with you, and the next, you’ve wandered over to the giraffes by yourself. Shinsou briefly wonders if they should invest in one of those backpacks with a leash for you.

-Eh, they can just use Izuku’s arms instead. At some point in the day, you’re not really sure when, Izuku just resulted in wrapping his arms around you and holding you while you’re looking at exhibits to keep you from running off. He likes to rest his chin on your head and listen to you gush about how cute the animals are.

-And when you’re walking from place to place, you can bet he’s immediately reaching for your hand to lace his fingers in yours. You end up in between him and Shinsou who also wants to hold hands with you.

-You point out all the animals, even the ones that aren’t a part of the zoo, and the boys think it’s endearing. “Awe, look at this dove over here in it’s nest! Isn’t it so cute!?”

-”Y/N, I don’t think-” He’s being good-natured about it and laughing because he finds it sweet, but Izuku can’t finish his sentence because Hitoshi is slapping a hand over his mouth.

-”Just let them be. It’s precious.”

-”Hello, Mr. Squirrel!” You probably name all of the local ducks and geese walking around, too.

-Eventually you guys make it to the aviary, and you start to explore all the bird exhibits.

-Shinsou, immediately: “It’s so loud in here.”

-Izuku seems to know little random bits of information on the birds, and really enjoys watching them fly around.

-”Shinsou,” you beg him, “can you take my picture next to this giant bird!?”

-He perks up a little after that. Also, he already took your picture. He’s super sneaky and really good at taking pics while you’re not looking. Some of the best photos he has of you and Izuku are candids he took without you knowing. Nothing terrible; they’re all literally still shots of your smiles, your eyes, or just of the two of you doing routine things. His whole camera roll is full of you and Izuku.

-After the birds, you come to the penguin exhibit.

-Penguins just so happen to be Izuku’s favorite animal at the zoo. He loves how they waddle around without a care in the world, and he thinks their black and white patterns are just so unique!

-Definitely embarrasses Shinsou by imitating the penguin walk. He’s a goofball with the two of you, you know he would! And you’re right there with him, following him around with your hands at your sides as you waddle behind him. 

-”I don’t know them,” Shinsou jokes with the people next to you. But he loves you both, you can tell by the way he’s smiling. He thinks it’s cute how the two of you act like this together...in a dorky way, but still.

-Finally, you guys get to the aquarium. The moment you step through the door, Shinsou is practically mesmerized by the fish. He’s never seen so many before; there’s so many colors and shapes and sizes...

-He feels peaceful while he’s watching them swim around.

-You like all the really weird fish. Izuku likes the tropical ones with all the crazy colors, and Shinsou...

-He loves the moon jellies. The second he stepped in front of that tank, he was gone. You and Izuku just watch him for a moment as he relaxes his shoulders and stares into purple tinted waters, totally serene and carefree.

-Izuku takes a 2 minute long video of him bc the moment is just so precious. RIP anyone else who wanted to look at the jellyfish today, bc Shinsou’s literally been there for like 10 minutes now

-Shinsou decides he really likes the zoo after that. Every other exhibit is much more enjoyable and he’s in such a better mood. Not that he was in a bad mood when he first got there, it’s just that he didn’t see the point in all of it at first. 

-Izuku also spends a while looking at the sea turtles, which happen to be his second favorite animal.

-You guys spent the most amount of time in the aquarium no thanks to Hitoshi, but you did manage to make it to the museum before it closed for the afternoon as well.

-Izu reads all the plaques out loud to the two of you and tells you all about the animals and displays. Some of them are interactive, and you can’t help yourself from pressing every single button and listening to the noises and information it gives you.

-There’s a section in the museum where you can pet stingrays. You had never done something like that before, and neither had the boys, so the three of you decided to give it a go.

-It was so soft.

-Stingrays feel like wet velvet, almost. 

-Izuku decides he’s done so he just ends up taking pictures of you and Shinsou. But soon you’re done too so you grab Hitoshi to leave, however-

-You and Izuku are walking away and suddenly: “Uh, Y/N? Wasn’t Shinsou with you?” “No, I thought he was with you?” “Where’s our boyfriend!?”

-You turn back around and he’s still there petting the stingrays. He’s SO fascinated, please don’t make him leave. He’s having the time of his life! It melts both of your rapidly beating hearts (you know, from the mini heart attack you had bc your other third was missing for a second).

-You both let him stay there for however long he wants, and when he reluctantly leaves (finally), you make your way to the giant gift shop at the end of the zoo.

-You guys buy so much stuff it’s not even funny. Partly because as Pros, you have the money to spend, and partly because you want to support the zoo so you can come back. They always appreciate business and donations.

-Speaking of donations, Izuku whips out his checkbook and makes a huge donation to a cause for sea turtles. The zoo is super thankful and you couldn’t be more proud. 

-You’re sure that if there was fund for jellyfish, Shinsou would be donating too.

-You all end up buying each other a plush of your fav animals; Izu gets a penguin, Shinsou gets a jellyfish, and you get your favorite animal too.

-You may or may not have bought a shirt as well... It has the zoo’s museum name on it along with some really cute animals.

-All in all a really great day! 

Bonus Content:

-Shinsou wants to book another trip as soon as you all are back home. He loves the zoo now and he wants to go, like, all of the time.

-You and Izu have caught him watching jellyfish videos on youtube on more than one occasion. He finds them relaxing and can’t wait to go see the real thing again.

[fieryhonesty]

The life of You

[AO3]

“Story is situated directly after webtoon/manhwa.”

Words: 3002

Genre: from fluff to angst (mainly in later parts)

Warning(s): just a very minor “swearing” appearing like two or three times in all three parts

Summary: After you settle down your problems in Liyue, it’s time to go back. Reunite with your friends, finding out how many things have changed...

It's been ages since you were there. Or at least it felt like that, in reality it's been just five years. Even though those years you had to deal with things you didn't want to. You were not fancy or looking forward to that. Who would after all? 

Your parents were selfish. Father being from never ending winter country, always so cold that normal people would be craving for any source of warmth. That thing alone made him travel to the south where he met with his future lover. They didn't see how they didn't match. But love is blind, they lived together, made a child and thought they will live like that forever. 

When you were about five they argued a lot. That much it always made you cry. One day father decided to leave. Saying he will go back to home, where people actually loved him. Why didn't he think of you? Leaving you behind just like that? 

Mother was not that much better, she cared more about running her business. Sewing clothes was more important than taking care of a kid. Since she had a close connection with one of her friends from Mondstadt she reached out to them. Asking if they could take care of her daughter, no to raise her as their kid. She really wanted to toss away her only child like that? So much to mother's love.

You were hesitant and scared at the beginning. Didn't want to go out at all, playing with other children felt like a huge problem to you. Looking through windows, gazing down at streets, seeing other kids playing together, chasing each other or hide and seek. Your new parents never had a kid as they simply couldn't. And seeing the little you like this was making their hearts ache. 

One day as you were just looking outside and noticed how one of the kids was waving at you. The boy was grinning from ear to ear. His scarlet hair were so bright, entrancing you. He certainly got your attention especially when he shouted to come out. You didn't go. Instead of it you hid in the bedroom, sitting on top of the pillow mountain you had there. 

Days were passing by and the young boy sometimes appeared and called out for you. Sometimes he appeared with another boy, he had dark blue hair and an eye patch. ‘What an odd kid’, thinking to yourself. Your interactions started slowly, asking for names, how old you guys are and why you aren’t going outside. 

The boys kept coming everyday. Eventually convinced you to go out. Your parents were beaming with joy upon seeing that. Getting out of your shell and started making friends.

The trio of you was often seen together doing some boy stuff. But sometimes you did just typically girly things like making flower crowns. It was actually fun to give each other one. It didn't take long until you found out they were brothers, well adoptive. 

The blue haired one was from foreign country and during the visit with his dad he got separated. Father told him that he would fetch some juice but he never came back. After hours standing in the storm, a cart which was passing by stopped and a tall man with long scarlet hair came out. Asking the boy what he was doing there. Taking him in and promising they will search for the boy's father once the storm is gone. They never found him so the man who had his own kid decided to take in this boy. 

Knowing this you naturally felt closer to him than the red haired one but in reality you liked both of them. As you guys were growing up you were amazed by knights and wanted to become one once you grew up. The saga of the trio has begun. Training and sparring every day until you were tired.

Red haired boy got his vision at just the age of ten. Vision is a magical thing with which the owner can channel elemental powers. A few years later he became a knight and it didn't take him long until he made it to the post of Captain of Cavalry. Making his two friends amazed and jealous. But their bonds never faded.

When you reached the age of fifteen your foster parents received a letter from your biological mother. Asking if you could come to Liyue, your homeland where you were born and where your mother lived and had her business. There was nothing more written than a simple sentence ‘It's urgent.’ 

You really didn't want to nor cared. That woman put you away so why should you care? However the brothers convinced you, saying you could always leave and come home. They would be waiting for their y/n and train again together! Little did they know the visit would take over five years. Many things happened. Many things changed. Once everything calmed down on your side, you decided to depart home. To place you always felt like your real home.

Stepping yet once again on Mondstadt’s soil made you feel heavy. But you didn't stop. Not until you arrived at the city's gates. Guards had greeted you but didn't react anymore. No wonder, you had changed. You were no longer that timid and weak girl. You were a strong and independent woman now. 

The light reflecting from your own vision which was hanging from your belt was a proof enough you got stronger. Making your way through night streets. Recognizing each of them. Once you were satisfied with sightseeing. Well if one could call it like that. You decided to stop by at the tavern. A tavern you knew the father of your friends was owning. You are all grown ups now, right? What are the chances?

Pushing the door open. The warmth coming out of the tavern was already pleasant. It was quite cold outside and this was really welcoming. Even more when your eyes dropped to the bar. You couldn't help it but grin like a madman upon the sight.

Your eyes met with the bartender's. His crimson orbs matching with his hair locked on you. It seemed like he was already suspicious. The other male who was sitting at the bar and drinking his wine noticed how the bartender got so stiff all of sudden. Turning his gaze to the door. Eyeing you up and down. Something was telling him he knows the female in front of him but from where? He is certain he would know about a beauty like this.

You slowly came to the bar, sat up on a chair. Still having that grin on your face. Making the red haired male narrow his eyes. He asked what would you like to order. A short pause. You were wishing to have a camera to take a picture of these two. It was obvious they have no idea who you are although you knew it's them. Those unmistakable red hair and the other one's eye patch.

"Diluc. Kaeya. I feel really offended now. Forgetting about me!" You acted up, making a sad face. Observing how male's expressions changed from unawareness to confusion and then suddenly to realization. 

The blue haired male spoke up first. Which was unnatural, it usually was the other one who initiated talk. 

"Oh my. You got me there for a while I was really confused and shocked. Knowing everyone in the city and suddenly a beautiful woman coming in place like this." You giggled at his remark. Their reactions were truly amusing. 

"Well you on the other hand- you didn't change much. Other than dressing up fancy. When we were kids I could just dream of seeing you in a suit, Kaeya."

Another giggle coming out of your lips. "And look at you Diluc, I never thought the Captain of Cavalry would stand behind the bar in a bartender attire." 

There was a slight pause before he answered with a simple. "Welcome back."

Looking at his childhood friend with more narrowed eyes than he should have. If felt all of sudden, you opening the door to his tavern tonight was just an odd coincidence. Honestly he thought you won't see each other anymore. When you didn't come back after several weeks, months later receiving a letter saying you won't be coming home for a while. He came to a conclusion that you rather prefer Liyue's climate. 

It doesn't help with the fact there was never any other response from you. And since nobody knew where exactly you were or how your mother's industry was named. He could not pay a visit or anything. He'd be lying if he said he was not angry but his better judgement told him to wait with hopping into conclusions. Perhaps you had a reason. 

But still. As he looks at you just happily talking with that annoying bluenette. He can't help himself but to feel... Whatever the feeling is he doesn't like it. Trying to push it to side and ignore most of your conversation. Most of it was Kaeya's gossips. That man could have been born as a woman and nobody would find it weird.

Rather busying himself with cleaning glasses or refilling drinks for patrons. His mind was already tired after their mini plan with giving Fatui what they deserved. He played a big role in it and simply just cooperating with somebody like Kaeya who's not only a traitor and liar but also part of the incompetent Knights of Favonious. But he knew he didn't do it for knights but for the city. He has his pride and sometimes putting it aside is unavoidable. 

Returning behind the bar once again. Noticing your glasses were empty. Part of him wanted Kaeya to just fuck off, his presence was irritating him already. But he can't be rude. At least not now. Usually he would tell Kaeya if he is done with his drink to either slide to his usual spot with other patrons or leave. ‘Archons, why can’t he just leave?’ Whenever Kaeya is there Diluc feels like to punch his face. 

He will have to suck it up tonight. Just for the sake of his conflicted feelings. His childhood friend probably has no idea about him no longer being with the knights, or that he and Kaeya have a very strange relationship. He can't trust that guy anymore.

His attention quickly shifted from staring at the glasses to your face. Judging by your expression you probably talked to him but he didn't hear anything as his mind was just too preoccupied. Resisting the urge to groan, giving you an apologetic look. 

"I'm sorry. My mind's everywhere tonight. Would you like another glass?" He wasn't lying at least. Ignoring the irritating feeling of Kaeya’s eye on him. Seriously can he just throw Kaeya out? 

"Well I was just pointing out you are silent. I remember you being more, you know. Talking? But I guess you must be tired. Being a bartender and a captain-" 

"Yeah. I'm tired." Stopping himself before saying something poisonous towards the knights. Reminding himself you don't know. Yet being associated with the knights was driving him nuts.

Rather taking your glasses to refill them with more wine but you stopped him. 

"Um, Diluc? I don't want more wine. I'm tired and actually I'm not good with alcohol, haha. Do you sell juice here or just water, both are fine." 

Giving you a slight nod. Ignoring Kaeya's teasing about you being still a kid, just like somebody. Next second hearing his 'Owh' as you elbowed the blue haired male. Diluc is glad for being turned away. As he could feel his corners slightly moving up for a brief moment. 

"I see our little shy flower got thorns. Well, I guess you'll need them." Kaeya said as he rubbed his sore ribs, giving you a teasy wink. 

"Yes. y/n will need them, especially around people like you." Diluc said as he gave you new drinks. 

"Ah, yes. You speak like I'm the most dangerous man from Mondstadt, womanizing every maiden I meet. Do I need to remind you who's the hot topic around the city, hmm?" Kaeya chuckled just like he thought he had an upper hand in discussion.

Clearly the cunning man was trying to push Diluc’s buttons. Taking a deep breath and focusing his attention on you. Being sure you were confused by their not so warm remarks. Somebody will have to tell you what happened but he didn't feel up to for it now. Still the weird feeling about your arrival just now was lingering in his stomach. 

Was he really mad at you? Or was it because you weren't around when he needed somebody and the only one person who he could trust turned out to be the biggest viper. 

"So, since you are here, y/n. I assume you sorted out things you needed to?" He asked while crossing his arms on chest. You gave him a positive nod and sipping of the juice. 

"Glad to hear that. I assume you will go back soon." Diluc noticed a slight twitch in the corner of your eye. What does that mean? Eyes locked on you, while you were spinning around with the glass in your hands nervously.

"Ah... well, actually. I-" Your voice trailed off as a sudden thunder announced the incoming storm. Seconds later you could hear heavy rain drumming against windows. "Ahaha... I'm not scared guys. Don't worry. It just came out of nowh- aaah!" 

Another loud thunder. Both males knew you were lying. Remembering how as kids they used to calm you down if you were sleeping over during a storm. Diluc averted his gaze, looking around the tavern. He never cared about storms but since that one day he felt unwell. It reminded him of his past, past which changed him and his life. 

Letting out a sigh. There were many things that changed during these five years. From brothers to nearly enemies, from cheerful young man to secretive one, keeping his distance from anyone. You also seemed different than you used to be. At least the fear during storms stayed with you. Reassuring him it's still the friend he knew. You might have changed in appearance, have this unknown aura around you. But the kid he knew was still there. 

Nearly feeling sorry for giving you that ugly look before. His train of thoughts was broken by your voice nearly whispering. "Oh boy, I will get soaked before I get home!" 

He realized something more has changed. Before he could even open his mouth to say anything, Kaeya was faster. And for once he was glad for that. 

"Or you could sleep over at my place, Dearie. It's closer." 

"Huh? But don't you guys live at the winery? That's not closer!" Kaeya chuckled as he leaned forward to you. 

"I said my place. Just think of it. It's night, you don't want to wander around the streets at this hour, in the rain. Do you?" You looked over at Diluc, trying to read anything from his expression. Just why is Kaeya living on his own now? What happened? 

"I guess... you are right? I mean I don't want to wake them up. But why do you live in the city now?"

The bluenette exhaled. "Well, we are grown ups now. Wouldn't it be weird for two guys living together?" 

You pondered about it a bit. It didn't sound wrong at all. Two brothers living with their father. But then you recalled their quarrel a while ago. Could it be? You slowly looked up at Diluc, blush crawling on your face. This can't be. No way. Diluc is taking too many girls home and it bothered Kaeya enough to make him move out?! 

The scarlet man always been popular be it either to being son of somebody who literally owned the wine industry over the whole country. Or because of his looks. You had to admit he looked more mature, still young in his face but he was tall, pretty and rich. A real lady magnet. 

"I see." You quickly muttered and averted your eyes from the man, now busy once again with cleaning glasses. The thought of Diluc being such a man whore was not leaving your mind. He looks so calm and elegant. Is it just a mask he puts on but when nobody's around he just shows his true colors? Oh dear. Things have changed for sure.

Kaeya cleared his throat, getting your attention. "It's getting late. I have duties tomorrow morning and you do seem tired, so how about we get on our way?" Noticing how your hand instantly dived into pocket. Fishing for mora. 

"Don't bother yourself, I will pay for your drinks. Take it as a... welcome gift?" He says while head patting you lightly. Giving him a small nod and a thank you. 

Before leaving you took a quick bathroom visit which guys used for a small talk. Kaeya put enough mora on the bar which Diluc gave a quick glance and took only part of it. 

"Her share is on the house."

"Ah, I see. That's very nice of you. How about me as your brother?" Receiving a cold glare from the bartender. 

"Try it once more and next time your prices are double the normal." Kaeya chuckled at his words. He knew Diluc was holding back with hateful remarks in your presence. 

"Well there's always Cat's Tail. Your loss, brother."

 "For the last time. You are not my brother..." Diluc snapped at him. Noticing how you were slowly approaching them. "You better behave, Kaeya." 

"I always do, brother~!"

Diluc didn't say anything but his cold eyes were speaking clearly. ‘Get out.’ Observing how you two left the tavern. Finally some fresh air, finally he can breathe out. How much he hates being in the same room as that guy.

Next

[colourthestarts]

Bad Days and Baby Steps

Warning: smoking (kids do not smoke!) and swearing.

 Sachihiro Kondo. Also known as Sachi had a sort of relation with y/n that Kuroo had with Kenma. They grew up together and they both joined same type of sports which were jiu jitsu and judo. They met Mika together in first year of high school when Sachi very rudely hit on Mika and she slapped him in the face. Y/n howled the whole day and then kicked Sachi’s ass during training the same day. Then both of them got twenty push ups for slagging each other off. Then another twenty for asking why. But neither regretted cause they met Mika and clicked together well.

By the end of the year y/n and Sachi were not as close. Y/n was no longer training and the group would eat together and hang out but there was still that distance. Then it got bigger when Sachi got a girlfriend or well… few girlfriends over time. The issue was not that he had girlfriends but rather the type. Somehow they all turned up jealous of his two female friends. But they were all understanding for their age, tho sometimes still argued.

Third year started to change when Sachi started to pester y/n more often once again. This did not go unnoticed in school and a small rumour started that they were dating. Which got the attention of Sachi’s girlfriend Yua who was seeing him a lot less lately. So it was not surprising that eventually she would come to the girls on the whereabouts of her boyfriend.

“Y/n, Mika have you seen Sachi?”

“No.” Y/n stated while trying to cram in that bloody chemistry chapter for the test tomorrow.

“Probs in your classroom.” Mika replied while trying to understand the geography homework.

“Yeah, he’s not there which is why I’m asking. He’s been recently hanging out with you two. I barely see him at all.”

“We’ve been hanging out since first year. That would be normaaaal.” Mika sang, which irritated the girlfriend more if not for Sachi walking in. Yua immediately approached him. 

“Awww Sachi let’s have lunch and hang out!” But she was swiftly ignored when he passed her and sat in front of y/n, closing her book which was met with a whine.

“Sweetie, I need to study. We got a chemistry test tomorrow and I need to know my study sessions with Kuroo are not a massive waste of time. Can your existential crisis wait till tomorrow?”

“Come back to me.” Sachi stated.

“Ehhh… you might want to be a bit clearer when you say stuff like that.” Y/n nodded towards the girlfriend who looked like she was gonna explode. And rightfully so from her perspective.

“To the club. Come back to train.” Y/n face became sour.

“No.”

“I know that you’re done with physio.”

“Wait what? Seriously?” Mika asked.

“Yeah. So what? I’m not coming back.”

“Be my vice-captain. We can go back to before the injury.” Although y/n understood this came from a good place to say so, she just couldn't take it that way. There was nothing good with this.

“Let’s make this super clear. There will never be a "before the injury". And I am not coming back so go deal with your girlfriend and kindly fuck off.”

The same day Sachi broke up with Yua with the explanation that she was too clingy. Y/n did not shut down. Instead she blanked the whole day and when school ended she didn’t go to physio. Cause there was no more physio. Nor did she have a chemistry session with Kuroo that day. In theory she knew she should study for the test but she didn’t want to go home. So she spend her time in the wondering in the shopping centre then to the cafe and when that wasn't good enough she just walked around the streets until finally sitting down.

That was the worst decision and she knew it. Cause when y/n felt upset and with no way out she smoked. It happened rarely and it was a disgusting habit, yet she didn’t quit. On her second cig she was woken up when it was taken straight out of her lips. Y/n expected her brothers, Mika, Sachi even the police, but definitely not Kuroo.

In retrospect, Kuroo was shocked when he was walking towards train station after getting himself a new pair of volleyball shoes, seeing y/n sitting with a cig between her teeth. He never thought that she was a smoker. Suddenly he started to get sort of pissed off. No reason why but that feeling was there. So he walked up to her and asked what was she thinking, but she completely blanked him, the same way she blanked her lessons. After not getting a response after few more times Kuroo just took her cig right out of her mouth which seemed to wake her up. With few blinks she finally responded.

“What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t think you were a smoker.” Kuroo stated while taking out the cig and sitting next to her.

“I’m not.” Then Kuroo pointed at the pack. “Rarely. Until the next time happens I guess.”

“Have you talked to Mika?”

“Nah, not there yet.”

“What about Sachi? You two are close right?”

“Yeah… he’s not a good option at this time.”

“Your brothers. They seem chill from what I’ve seen.” That was Kuroo’s honest opinion. Sometimes after sessions he would stay longer when her brothers were around to have dinner. It was always insisted and he honestly liked the extra company. Once in a while Kenma joined too.

“I can’t cause I’m mad at them.”

“Aaaaaa….”

“Yeah…”

“… You can talk to me? I mean I can listen or not listen.”

A minute later y/n stood up, putting away the pack back into the bag.

“Let’s walk to the train station.”  Kuroo nodded and tagged along. At least he offered his help. Y/n tho considered his offer and though that she’d go with it. You never know. “I think better in motion so this will be easier as we walk. Plus then I don’t exactly have to look at you and that makes me feel more comfortable. Although I don’t mean looking at you in a negative way.”

“Okay…”

“So basically I’m out from physio. It’s all done.”

“That’s good news right?”

“Well technically yes. But this now brings the opportunity to go back to training, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet in a weird way. But then Sachi just flew in on the break saying I should come back and be vice-captain and like as if everything is fine but I know... I’m not fine. Dunno why but I know I’m not. And now Mika knows too because of him and she’s gonna be all happy and supportive and she’ll team up with Sachi who I kinda wanna strangle for this.”

“So you’re angry cause he’s pushing you? If you don’t wanna do this why don’t you tell him that. You’re pretty blunt usually.”

“Thanks. Not angry, more like feeling suffocated." Y/n commented with a chuckle. Tho both knew it wasn't funny. A minute later they stopped and y/n turned to Kuroo. "I can’t cause he was the one who injured me. Well he thinks he did. I think that I fucked up and its on me and we never agreed on this issue in the first place. So now he probs thinks that this is a remake. But since I can’t even think about training without having a nervous breakdown it’s a fucked situation for everyone. Hence smoking.”

Wow. Not exactly what he imagined nor he could relate to her situation. He really didn’t know what sort of advice to give. He never had a serious injury. Never really felt stuck like this with Kenma. Maybe Yaku, but it was just arguing with banter. Definitely never with Bokuto or Akaashi.

“I’m sorry.”

“Lol for what even. You said you’d listen and you did. If it makes you feel better this kinda made me feel better.”

“Weirdly helps. By the way why are you mad at your brothers?”

“Sachi doesn’t walk to physio with me. I banned him after the whole surgery and stuff. He was a nightmare. Mika didn’t know I was done so she didn’t tell him. Which means my dumb ass siblings told him which was frankly none of their business.”

“I don’t think they meant to harm.”

“Of course they don’t. So I can’t be mad at them either. I am just royally fucked in every way.” When Kuroo made a face she quickly realised. “I just heard how that sounded, but the basic point stands.”

“Okay… didn’t know you were such a badass tho. Judo? Really?”

“And Jiu Jitsu. And even MMA once in a while cause Kisho does that.”

“So you can easily beat me up anytime.”

“I wouldn’t and haven’t trained in ages, but if necessary yeah think so. Deffo could break a few bones.”

“You are terrifying.” Kuroo stated intrigued. To him this somehow made y/n even more attractive. Same didn’t registered with y/n tho.

“Thanks. That’s what all girls wanna hear.”

"No no, I mean in a good way! Like a badass! Not like that you're boyish or anything."

"What's wrong with girls being boyish?"

"Nothing at all! God I'm just digging myself in a bigger hole aren't I?"

"Just a bit." Y/n mused, she knew he didn't mean it like that. Tho she also struggled to be a bit more feminine to say so. She wished she was tho. "I'm pulling your leg, don't worry. C'mon the train station isn't far off."

The journey home was more pleasant. There was some small talk but y/n mostly was quite clearly didn't feeling good yet. Also her hands gripping her backpack also indicated she wasn't completely fine. So when y/n got off at her station so did Kuroo.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Walking you home."

"You're what now?"

"Walking you home. You honestly expect me just to let you off like that."

"Like what? I'm fine."

"Yeah just the way you also are amazing at chemistry."

"It's a dumb subject! And we're not talking about that! You need to get on the next train." Y/n commented while waving her hands. Kuroo noticed she did a lot of that when she was explaining or arguing like now. Well she can keep doing that while walking home.

"There'll be 3 more trains. I got plenty of time. Let's go."

The way to y/n's was far more talkative cause y/n kept pestering for him to go back. But Kuroo shot back with the chemistry test that was due tomorrow so the rest of the walk up to her gates was him quizzing and her mostly whining.

"Can't believe you just tortured me with this."

"We have a test tomorrow. Can't have you failing."

"Pfff I've never failed a test so you better watch your own ass. At this point I'll do better than you."

"Dream on." Kuroo chucked as they approached the gate. The lights were on so someone was definitely on possibly waiting to give hell to y/n. "Are you gonna be okay?"

"You mean those two? Not the first time I got home so late so I'm used to a bit of telling off. Besides once I mention Sachi they'll shut right up. You should go or you'll miss your train."

"I will, you should go inside."

"You should go first. I'm literally outside my house."

"You-"

"You insisted to walk me home and quizzed me on chemistry. Can't you do this for me?" Kuroo noticed that she was waving her arms again. It was adorable.

"Okay I'll go first. But if you feel like that again where you wanna smoke text or call me."

"Sorry, I can't promise that. Text me when you get home or if you missed your train."

"I will, see you tomorrow."

"Bye "

It was when he reached the third house that he herd y/n yell thank you. But when he turned around she was already gone.

On the other hand once y/n got in she was met with Norio's dissaproved face.

"Where have you been I've been worried. Mike and Sachin had no idea where you were your phone is off. Have you lost it?"

"It's with me."

"Then what the hell?"

"Was it you or Kisho who told Sachi physio was done?" When she was met with silence she immediately knew. "So, both of you. I'm going to my room have a test tomorrow."

After some revision and finally getting to bed it was not a surprise that she couldn't sleep. Over think everything was an awful personality trait of hers. But this time it wasn't as bad as usually despite her weird day. Instead she had a weird feeling because of Kuroo that she couldn't quite identify.

Maybe it was graditute.

[xandars]

where the birds sing

word count: 2183

warnings: none

ao3 link

Summary:  The development of Sam and Bucky’s relationship through the years, starting with a pair of binoculars. (childhood friends to lovers)

—

AGE 12

—

Sam sits carelessly on the tree branch, legs dangling and eyes closed. He takes in the warm breeze, appreciating the soft chirping of birds. He wonders how many surround him in that moment.

“Hey!”

Sam jumps at the sudden noise, opening one eye to peek at the weirdo who scared him. There’s a boy looking up at him, with blue eyes and brown hair. He’s holding something in his hand, but Sam can’t make it out from this angle.

“What are you doing up there?” The boy pries, squinting at him. Sam wishes he’d stop doing that. He turns away to look at the sky instead.

“I’m birdwatching.” He says to him. Why does he suddenly feel so embarrassed about that? Sam crosses his arms.

“Is that so?” The boy turns to look, hand hooded over his eyes to block out the sun. “How can you even see them from here? You got eagle eyes or somethin’?”

“I prefer falcons.” Sam says bluntly. With that, the boy looks up at him with a smirk. Sam rubs his arms.

“Well, hold these for me will ya?” He steps forward, holding out what Sam can now see is a pair of bulky binoculars. Sam reaches forward to take them from him, then watches as the boy starts to scale the tree to join him.

“What are you—?” The boy sits right next to Sam, a little too close if you as him. When their knees brush together, Sam shifts slightly.

“Well, someone’s gotta show you how to use them.” The boy says obnoxiously, taking the binoculars from him. He puts them up to his eyes and looks off into the distance. Sam tries to find where he’s looking.

“I’m Bucky, by the way.”

“Bucky?”

Bucky puts the binoculars down and furrows his eyebrows. “What? What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothin’ wrong with it,” Sam assures him, shrugging. He quite likes it actually. “I’m Sam.”

With that, Bucky gives him a wide smile.

Later, Sam’s mom asks about his new binoculars.

—

Turns out, Bucky goes to the same school as Sam.

Sam thinks he’s pretty smart, he’s good at math. Bucky is quick to help Sam with stuff he doesn’t understand, which he is great because he hates math. In return, Sam helps him with his writing, cause Bucky isn’t too good with words sometimes.

It isn’t long before Bucky starts poking him at recess.

“Do you wanna play basketball?” Bucky asks, holding it up for emphasis. Sam nods and joins him on the court.

Sam finds out that Bucky has four sisters, which he can’t remember all of their names but he’ll get them eventually. Bucky’s the middle child of them all, which Sam says completely sucks. He agrees.

Bucky wins their game, but Sam would never tell him he missed his shots on purpose.

A months later, a new student joins their class. His name is Steve and looks as if the wind blew on too hard he’d topple over. Kinda like the Three Little Pigs.

“My mom knows his mom,” Bucky tells him at recess. They are playing tic-tac-toe with chalk. It’s boring and a bit childish, but it passes the time. Sam puts down an ‘x’ in light green. “They worked together for a bit, I think. Apparently, he’s gotta lotta health problems.”

Bucky puts down an ‘o’, falling into Sam’s trap and loses the game.

“Again?” He whines and starts making a new game.

—

Bucky doesn’t meet him at recess, which is odd because that was their routine. That is, until Sam hears loud arguing coming from the benches. He turns to see Bucky on top of one of their classmates and rushes over before he can land another hit, yanking him off.

“H-Hey, let me go!”

“Bucky, what are you doing?” Sam asks, shaking him. He doesn’t look at Sam, opting to stare at the asphalt.

“He started it,” Bucky argues, rubbing his nose. He winces looking at the blood on his hand. “H-He started making fun of Steve, started pushing him around and stuff. What was I supposed to do?”

Before he can reply, a teacher finally comes and takes all them away. Steve glances at Sam before being taken to the nurse. He can kinda make out the beginnings of a black eye.

Sam and Bucky both get sent to the principal’s office instead. Bucky has his arms crossed. His nose is still bleeding, seeping into his blue t-shirt.

Annoyed, Sam gets up to grab a box of tissues off the front desk. Before handing them over, he tells Bucky, “You’re an absolute idiot.”

“What? I’m not the bad guy here,” Bucky complains, taking a tissue. He winces again. “Maybe you should be tellin’ Steve that, you should’ve heard the stuff he said.”

“I never said you were,” Sam continues. “But you’re quite somethin’ Barnes.” He pokes Bucky’s leg.

Instead of arguing more, Bucky gives him a wide smile. It’s almost identical from the first day they met.

Sam’s chest feels weird.

—

That night, he’s just about done with one of his books when his mother calls him down for dinner. Sam flies down the stairs and into the kitchen, welcoming the familiar smell of mac and cheese. His mother is still wearing her scrubs from the hospital.

“Hey Sammy,” She greets him, carefully spooning some macaroni into a bowl. When she places the bowl in front of him, she kisses his cheek. “How was school today?”

“Oh, you know,” Sam starts, sticking his fork into the macaroni. “Just the same old boring stuff.”

She hums with disbelief as she grabs a bowl for herself. “Do you wanna tell me why I got a call from one of your teachers today?”

Oh boy.

“Uh…no.” He stuffs some food into his mouth.

“Samuel.”

He sighs, knowing he’s already lost. “A kid was getting picked on, Mama.”

She nods, taking a seat next to Sam. “And does this new friend of yours have anything to do with it?”

“Well, you see Bucky was protecting him.”

“Ah, protecting him… I see,” She says, “Don’t I always tell you to stay out of trouble?”

“Yes, but—”

“And what am I gonna do with a troublemaker like you?” She tells him softly, a faint smile hiding behind her lips. His mother gives him a pinch on the cheek when he grins at her.

—

AGE 14

—

It’s the summer before they start high school and Sam is outside in his backyard on his old swing set. Bucky said he’d come over and hang out with him soon, which feels like complete years at this point.

He makes patterns in the dirt with his shoes and wishes Bucky was better at being on time.

Sam hops off the swing and opts to peeking at his mother’s garden. He admires her flowers and thinks about how it’d feel to give one to Bucky someday.

He shakes the thought away. He wasn’t a kid anymore. He would never—

“Hey loser, are you here?”

Bucky walks through his backyard gate, giving Sam a bright smile. He has one of his arms around his back.

“You’re a little late,” Sam tells him, walking towards his swing again. “I thought you weren’t gonna show up.”

“You really think I’d do that to you?” Bucky asks, smile falling, but then says quickly, “Well, hey, I got you these.”

He pulls out a yellow bag of butterscotch candies from behind his back and tosses them to Sam.

“I know they’re your favorite.” He adds.

Sam smiles and tears the package open, fishing two out and holding one out to Bucky.

Their hands brush briefly when he comes to take it and they sit in comfortable silence for a long time.

—

They are sitting in Sam’s living room, watching some random animated movie on TV. Both are working on homework, so they aren’t really paying attention to it.

Sam mindlessly taps his pencil on his notebook and sneaks a glance at Bucky sitting on a recliner, nose in a world history book. He thinks about how lucky he is to have his best friend, even if some days they can’t stand each other. And even on those days, they could never handle being apart.

Bucky looks up and interrupts his thoughts, “What are you dreaming about over there, Bird Brain?”

“About how much I hate you.” He replies instantly, with absolutely no bite.

“Oh, so you were dreaming about me?”

Sam doesn’t respond, just gives him an eye roll and goes back to doing his algebra homework.

“You were totally dreaming about me.” He hears Bucky mumble annoyingly.

—

AGE 17

—

Sam and Bucky go to prom together, not as a couple of course, definitely not, but you know. Together.

They join Steve and Peggy’s group, accompanied by their friend Nat and honestly, prom is fun for the most part. It was a little boring at times, but Sam just enjoys being around everyone, enjoys seeing all the dresses and suits.

They were at an afterparty now, Tony Stark’s to be exact. It’s loud and obnoxious, which is more so what he expected. He and Bucky are both outside on Tony’s back porch, sitting on a bench together and mulling over old memories.

“I still remember when you pulled me out of that fight,” Bucky says. “What was that like— in 7th grade?”

“Yeah I think so,” Sam replies, “It was Mrs. Henry that called my mom that night.”

Bucky laughs and runs a hand through his hair. “I always hated her. She was a major fuckin’ control freak.”

“Tell me about it.” Sam takes a swig from his cup, just soda, nothing too special.

“I don’t think I every properly thanked you for that,” Bucky says suddenly and turns to him. “So, thank you Sam. I think— without you I might’ve lost an arm there.”

Sam chuckles and takes another drink. “I wouldn’t be so damn dramatic.”

There’s a few moments of silence, seconds of comfort, before he hears Bucky say, “Sam, I hope you know I would give everything to you if I could.”

It’s probably not a great idea that he and Bucky are sitting this close together with no one to see or hear them. The party booms inside, music and all, but seems so distant.

Sam carefully takes Bucky’s hand.

They don’t talk about prom again.

—

A WEEK BEFORE GRADUATION

—

They are both lying in the grass next to Sam’s swing. The sun is going down, which casts a warm glow over the world and if he could, he would take a picture. A moment in time just for the two of them.

Bucky has his hands behind his head, staring up at the sky.

“Hey Sam?”

“Yeah?”

“Have you ever really thought about your future? Like… what you want?”

“I mean, yeah I guess. Aren’t you always supposed to be thinking about that stuff?”

“Yeah, but everyone tells you to think about college or a job or somethin’ like that…” Bucky trails off and sits up to start picking at the grass. “I’m talking like…like uh—”

Sam glances over and Bucky’s face flushed. He won’t look at Sam and focuses intently on a blade of grass he’s pulled from the ground. He starts to play with it until finally he asks, “Have you ever thought about getting married?”

Sam’s eyebrows furrow. Bucky didn’t really like to talk about sentimental stuff, so why was he asking about marriage?

“Of course I have.” Sam says simply.

“And…?”

“And what?”

“Wilson, you’re killing me here,” Bucky throws his hands up childishly. He finally meets Sam’s eyes. “Do you wanna get married?”

For some reason, Sam doesn’t know how to answer his question. It’s rather simple, but at the same time he can’t help but feel Bucky is asking him something else. Or rather, he wishes he was. He thinks about Bucky in a suit, thinks about two golden bands, thinks about—

“Yeah, I do.” Is all Sam can reply with. Bucky gives him a small half smile, then holds something up to Sam’s face. It was a blade of grass and tied carefully to make a small ring.

“Maybe I’ve been misreading everything, or maybe this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done and I know we aren’t even dating, but I just— I want you to know that I think about you all the time.”

“Bucky—”

“Let me finish,” He says quickly, “Everytime I get that question about the future… it’s always with you. I can’t see myself anywhere else. Like I think I’d rather die if that were to happen,” Bucky tosses the ring. Then he falls back again, arms behind his head. “Not really, but god— I really do love you.”

Sam laughs at that last comment. He shifts to lean over Bucky and look him in the eyes.

“You’re quite somethin’, Barnes.” He says with a smirk.

“Am I?” Bucky’s eyes are practically glittering and Sam can’t focus on anything else.

“Yeah, I think so.”

Then Sam finally leans down to kiss him proper.

[braindamageforbeginners]

In Case of Emergency

Cycle 9, Day 4

So, welcome if you’re here from the Gryt article (the-gryt-blog/patricks-story-of-gryt-fefee6dd6a27), feel free to root through the archives, which cover parts of Tumor #2 (2014) forward through the current crisis (which is about eight months of progression-free according to my calculations). Speaking of the current crisis, even though I can’t speak for everyone, most people would consider getting a tip of the hat and take a day off. Sadly, I am not most people. I mean, I’ll take encouragement or adulation, but there are no days off when you’re sick; even if you’re on disability (if you do have brain cancer, or any other serious, debilitating illness, check out the federal government’s list of “compassionate allowances”). This is also why, even though I’d love to fictionalize or novelize my experiences (Hey Zoe)(and Zoe)(yes, two separate women named “Zoe” have asked me about that, which is probably a sign), I honestly don’t have time - the disease-based stuff just comes so fast and constantly that it’s all I can do to manage the situation as best as I can (the verb “manage” implies far more agency and control over the situation than I actually have, but I don’t think English has an appropriate verb) and take careful notes. Speaking of which, for those of you wondering if anything about my overall health has changed, I don’t think so, although I have had something of a brief hiccough today.

So, if you start chemotherapy, everyone - your doctors, nurses, friends who recently figured out how to spell “chemo,” random taxicab drivers - will warn you that chemo causes constipation. The Warlocks warned me from day 1, and gave me a few recommended drugs available over-the-counter that I could use to, ah, “alleviate” the situation, with the addendum that, I should fee free to call them if I needed any further help, recommendations, or prescriptions regarding that particular problem. I shrugged and made a note of it; however, further interactions with these guys (yes, I refer to my physicians a “The Warlocks”), suggested that my first impression - that they don’t screw around, and go straight for the nuclear option if there’s any doubt (again, bless him, Warlock Sr had my knee x-rayed after I got wobbly and sprained it on an elliptical). So far, that’s excellent oncology policy, but you want a somewhat softer-touch when it comes to your GI system.

I noticed, ah, occasional irregularity somewhere during the initial treatment, and just changed my diet to keep everything in me moving at high speed, along with lots of protein because I know, based on previous experience (at the recommendation of a neurofeedback specialist). Good news, a diet that’s good for the Fluten Gator, as Dad calls it (it’s German for “flood gate,” which I only discovered this afternoon, which is eerily accurate, as it turns out) is pretty easy to lose weight on (all it takes is eating 10 kilos of fruits and vegetables a day; you can keep anything else you manage to pile on top of that - realistically, that is the only dietary change I’ve made). What was only hinted at prior to this - which you also should know if you ever have to undergo chemo - is that the side-effects from chemo seem to get worse and more intense with repeated cycles (that’s been my experience)(although I should say the “chemo brain” has gotten better, with CBD and getting more sleep). And that kept me going until last night, when things reached a head.

In order to tell today’s tale properly, I should point out that my disinclination to laxatives has nothing to do with any sort of opinion about what’s natural or healthy (at this point, “natural” would be dying from cancer by March of next year), it’s because I have a rather sordid history on the subject (of course I do). Way back in 2002 - at the end of the last Ice Age - I had Tumor #1 removed. There were an awful lot of side effects and long-term mental/cognitive issues I attributed to that (Not that I’m a paragon of sanity and rationality now, but this is all in comparison). At that time, most doctors on my team were not only fine prescribing various opiates and narcotics for pain, I’m not sure they’d be above anaesthestising me  to get me to stop complaining and/or griping (in my defense, the next time you take a hatchet to the frontal lob, you’ll have a lot to moan about, too). The second that you’re out of the OR and somewhat alert, the nurses were giving me laxatives with every dose of various steroids, pain-killers, anti-seizure drugs, etc. Unlike McConnell’s next SCOTUS pick, I will admit that I blacked out. A lot (although I’m not sure it’’s “blacking out” if you’re just so exhausted you fall asleep every 10-20 minutes).. However, one of the fragments of memory is waking up at some late hour, realizing the nurses’ fiendish laxatives were about to start working, and screaming into the bathroom (possibly literally, which would be no mean feat, since I think I still had an IV in my arm). I’ve rather successfully repressed most of the rest of that memory and replaced it with the warning, “DON’T USE LAXATIVES.”

Cut to last night, when I realized that I hadn’t moved my bowels in over 24 hours (there’s more than a few women with kids who are reading this and thinking, “He doesn’t realise how easy he has it.”)(which is not inaccurate, but I’ll swap an eventually-terminal disease for permanent pooper problems any day of the week, if that’s a swap I’m allowed). Anyway, after taking last night’s bedtime meds (including Temodar), I made a mental note to address  the issue if it was still unresolved this morning. So, instead of descriptions, let me just give you the hour-by-hour-break-down of current events. 9 am - wake up, after ten-ish hours sleep (that’s my recommendation for Temodar nights). While noting sharpness of focus and memory (NO CHEMO BRAIN, HOORAY), note odd cramp-y feeling in guts that’s still unabated. 9:30-10:30 - standard mega high-fiber breakfast. Nothing. 11 am - take dose of Warlock-approved OTC laxative, which, oddly, starts like an “S.” Make there are clear lines of sight to the closest bathroom.

11-12:30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg 12:45 - Look up how long it takes for - 8 hours?! Jesus, GI surgery would take less time. 1:00 pm - Take small dose of second laxative recommended by Warlocks (also a stimulant laxative). 1:30 pm - sensation of impending doom, rush to bathroom, memory cuts out 1:45 - Regain control of mind and body (which is feeling almost-normal again) while closing bathroom door. Privately vow never to use that bathroom again, which, given how badly I just got burned after breaking my own rule about laxatives, seems fair. 2 pm - While looking up laxative antidotes, realize I have five hours before the first laxative hits the system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IfHDi-2EA

[thatssonanii]

Line In The Sand - Chapter Eight

Tama Tonga/OC

Author’s Note: Honestly .... a lot of arguing. lol. Before we get to the romance and love. And sadness ....

The ride to the house Colin had purchased was quiet. Tama nor Sevyn made a move to turn on the radio or strike up a conversation. Tama was afraid she would lash out at him; Sevyn just wanted nothing to do with him. She was angry and she wanted him to know it. She wanted to know when Colin had purchased the home instead of reservations at a hotel but that would mean she would have to talk to him.

 His car had barely come to a stop before Sevyn had bolted out of it. She stood at the front door of the rather large house waiting for her to let him in.

 “I’ll go back later and get our bags,” he whispered pushing the door open.

 Sevyn hummed, stomping into the house. Her focus was on finding a room she could away from Tama in. She couldn’t stand to be around him,

 “Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t think she would do that to you.”

 She knew he would follow her, that didn’t mean she had to talk to him though. If this is how things were going to go then she could have stayed locked up in her room back in Florida with Colin. At least she knew what to expect with, he let up eventually.

 “How long are you gonna ignore me, Sevyn? The silent treatment is pretty childish for people our age.”

 Just as she had closed the door to a bathroom she had found, she stopped in her tracks at his words. She rolled her eyes not bothering to turn and face him.

 “Fuck you, Tama,” she scoffed.

 Her words made him pause. She wasn’t just angry at him, he had hurt her. Hurting her was never his intentions.

 “Look, I’m sorry. I don’t know how many times you want me to say it.” He sighed rubbing his silky beard anxiously. “The bedroom is the last door on your right, Sevyn.”

 Humming out a ‘thank you’, Sevyn went to the room attempting to close the door behind her. He pushed the door back open, going to sit beside her on the king sized bed.

 “Please talk to me. I don’t like not hearin’ your voice, Sugar.” He pled quietly.

 “Yeah well I don’t like being ambushed like that.”

 “I know I should have said something but I thought she was gonna be nicer than what she was.”

 “Your sister is not changing her mind about me. To her, I mean nothing and I am nothing. Because your sister feels so strongly about me we could never e together if I got away from Colin, Tama,” she explained glaring at him. “And because I smacked the shit outta her ass.”

 With his head hung low, Tama grabbed for her hand lacing his fingers with hers. He didn’t like to argue with anyone, Sevyn was no different.

 “I can fix that, Sev.”

 She snatched her hand from his grasp as she stared at the side of his face. “You think you can fix everything and you can’t, Tama! You can’t fix your sister’s fucked up perception of me, you can’t fix how Colin treats me and you for damn sure can’t fix the position I’m in. You’re trying to be Captain Save-A-Hoe and it’s just not worth it. I’m not worth it.”

 “Sevyn, please. Listen, you’re stressed out and all over the place. Let’s just calm down,” he suggested lifting his head to look at her.

 “Stop!” She shouted. “Don’t tell me what I am and what to do. I’m tired, I am so fucking tired.”

 Tama moved closer to her, shoulder to shoulder. “Tired of what, Sev?”

 “This and you,” she sighed softly. “I don’t get why you’re going so hard about this. You don’t really want me, I’m just easy access for you.”

 “No, you’re not, you’re more to me than that. I care more for you than any other woman in my life besides my sister.”

 “I hear you, Tama. I just,” she paused looking at her hand cradled inside of his, “I wanna believe you but I can’t. No one just wants me for me. They want me for their own good, for what I can do for them.”

 “Let me show you that I mean what I say. Can I do that?” He asked kissing the back of her hand.

 “I don’t care, Tama. Just give me some space. I need to be alone right now. Please?”

 “You got it, beautiful. But before I go let me get some sugar, Sev.”

 Looking over to him, she smirked seeing the sneaky grin on his face. She leaned in quickly placing a quick kiss on his lips.

 “There now go,” she laughed pushing his chest away.

 “Kiss me like you mean it,” he whispered.

 Tama pulled her face to his by her chin, pushing his lips against hers. He deepened the kiss as he laid her back on the bed. Their bodies intertwined with him lying between her legs. One hand gripped her thigh and the other wrapped loosely around her throat, putting slight pressure on it. The room was quiet outside of the smacking of their lips and their groans. In the heat of their kiss, Tama hitched Sevyn’s leg up on his waist preparing for his next move but she had other plans, she pulled away from the kiss and pushed him off her.

 “The space I asked for, Tama. I meant it. Go,” she demanded softly.

  “Alright, alright,” he laughed raising up from the bed, “I’m gonna go grab our stuff from Mel’s house. I’ll lock up behind me, call me if you need anything, Sevyn.”

 “You know I will, Tama. Go before her hateful ass cuts my shit up.” He gave a warning glance making her laugh. “I was joking. Geez.”

  “You better not have that bitch with you, Tama.”

 Tama rolled his eyes as he entered the kitchen, approaching the island his sister and Roman stood. She held an ice pack to the cheek Sevyn had slapped, Tama could see a bruise forming.

 “Her name is Sevyn. I won’t say it again.” Tama spoke through gritted teeth, barring down on the island.

 “Why the fuck do you keep taking up for that bitch? Her pussy can’t possibly be that good.” Melanie spat tossing the ice pack down.

 Tama took slow deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He loved his sister dearly but he was over her attitude.

 “Chill, Mel. He clearly doesn’t like what you’re saying,” Roman said placing a hand on her shoulder. “Just stop it.”

 “I don’t give a fuck what he likes, Roman. He shouldn’t have brought her hoe ass to my house.”

 “Shut the fuck up,” he growled loudly. Melanie sat stunned at her brother’s words. He had never spoken to her that way. “I’m so tired of your fucking attitude every single time I bring someone to meet your spoiled ass. Even after I told you she was a good person and shit, you still stood here in her face and disrespected her.”

 “Well, you shouldn’t have brought that bitch he—,” Tama slamming his hands down on the counter startled her. She closed her mouth tight watching her brother closely. “Do not call her out of her name again, Melanie! Are we clear?” he asked staring dead into her eyes.

 “Either way, Tama. You brought her here and expected me to laugh and smile with her like we’re best friends.”

 “No, I expected to bring her here and you not act like you’re a spoiled ass brat. That shit was kind of cute, funny even at times when you were younger but now it’s old,” Tama ranted moving his hands around as he spoke. “Every female I bring to meet you, you act like a fucking brat towards them. Either you’re gonna act like you got sense or I’ll be gone. Because now you’re not only fucking with my love life but you’re fucking with my job and I’m not havin’ that shit, Melanie.”

 “So you’re really gonna choose her over your sister? The only flesh and blood you have in this world,” she scoffed.

 Roman stepped in before Tama could answer her question. He knew Tama would have cursed her out with no hesitation and left. “Mel, you’re missing the point. He’s not choosing her, he’s asking you to grow up and stop being so childish. You’re putting his work in jeopardy and he clearly has strong feelings for Sevyn.”

 “Oh, I’m putting his work in jeopardy? Me?” She chuckled looking between her husband and her brother. “That’s funny cause I think you did that when you stuck your dick inside her.”

 “You know what,” he humbled laughing lowly to himself, “I’m gonna go before I do or say something I regret later. I just came here to our bags anyway.”

 “Don’t leave, Uce. Let’s talk about this.”

 “Nah, Ro. Let’s not,” he said staring directly into his sister’s eyes. “We clearly aren’t gonna see eye to eye on this and I’m not fighting with my sister, my only flesh and blood.”

 Melanie watched him walk away, her anger fading with each step he took. She wanted to stop him but her pride wouldn’t let her. The things she said about Sevyn, she was not going to take back and she knew that would be the only way Tama would speak to her again.

 After taking a two-hour drive around Los Angeles, Tama finally headed back tot the house he and Sevyn were sharing. He knew she was probably worrying about him, figuring he wouldn’t be gone long. He pulled into the gated driveway, making sure it was closed before he pulled into the two-car garage.

 He found her lying on the sofa in a ball with a comforter wrapped tightly around her.

 “Hey, Suga,” he said kneeling to kiss her.

 “You got our stuff,” she asked after kissing him back.

“Mmhm. You tired, huh? Jetlag’s a bitch.”

 She shook her head then sat up a little so he could sit down. Tama pulled her back down, so she could lie her head in his lap. “No, it’s my stomach. I’ve been sick since you left.”

 “Like throwing up or the other thing,” he asked laughing.

 She popped his chest laughing a bit, “Throwing up, Tama. And now I’ve got heartburn.”

 “Might’ve been the plane ride, babe. Or that virus you had a couple of weeks ago is making it’s comeback.”

 “Whatever it is, I need it to go away,” she sighed looking up at him playing in his beard, “How did it go with her sister?”

 “She’s still being all bitchy and disrespectful so I left. I tried talking to her but it didn’t work. I wasn’t gonna stand there and allow her to attack you that way.”

 “Baby, you didn’t have to do that. Melanie is your sister and I don’t want to come in between that.”

 “Don’t worry about it, Sev. She’ll come around eventually,” he said as he scrolled thorugh his emails.

 “If she doesn’t?” Sevyn asked.

 He shrugged in response not really caring for the conversation anymore. In his mind, he knew he wasn’t wrong so there was no need to even dwell on the situation.

 Sevyn rose suddenly from her spot eith her hand cupped over her mouth, tossing her comforter aside and ran towards the bathroom off the side of the living room slamming the door behind her. 

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