#and Nico's is just a clock gear

[aroaceleovaldez]

rough concept doodles for my latest au musings (which will hopefully have a fic. im gonna try.). current title for it is “RETCON”

au premise: the gang becomes self-aware of how messed up their timeline is and seeks out the help of Chronos, primordial god of time, to set things right. The characters working with Chronos get a mark of some kind on them from him, everybody else is out of the loop and having A Time, probably.

the entire thing is ridiculously meta it’s fun.

[estapa-edwards]

WAITING FOR HIM---- N.HISCHIER

paring: nico hischier x fem! reader

word count: 1k

requested? yes - maybe he comes back to your apartment after a loss and you’re asleep and you hear him come in and you wake up and it’s just super fluffy 

warnings: use of y/n.

The living room is dimly lit, the soft glow from a table lamp casting a warm light on the couch where Y/N sits. The clock on the wall ticks away, its hands inching closer to midnight. A hockey game blares from the TV, the commentator's voice echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

Y/N shifts on the couch, her eyes flicking to the clock again. She checks her phone, no new messages. Sighing softly, she wraps herself tighter in the blanket draped over her legs.

"He should be home by now." y/n thought to herself. She rests her head against the back of the couch, her eyes heavy from the long day. She fights to keep them open, wanting to greet Nico when he walks through the door.

The TV's noise becomes a distant hum as Y/N's eyelids grow heavier. Slowly, her breathing deepens, and the rhythmic sound of her soft snores fills the room. 

The room is still dimly lit, the TV now showing the end credits of the hockey game. The front door clicks softly as it opens, revealing Nico, carrying his hockey gear and looking disappointed. He enters cautiously, trying not to disturb the peaceful sleep of Y/N on the couch.Nico tiptoes around the living room, his movements slow and deliberate. He sets his hockey gear down gently near the door and takes a moment to watch Y/N sleep. Her face is relaxed, a soft smile playing on her lips even in her dreams. 

Y/N stirs, her eyelids fluttering open slowly. She looks up to see Nico standing over her, his expression a mix of exhaustion and disappointment.

"Hi Nico, how was the game?"

"Hey, it was... tough. We lost."

Y/n sat up rubbing her eyes “"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

nico takes a seat next to her ‘’Yeah, it was a rough one. But seeing you here when I got home makes it a little better." 

Y/N gives Nico a soft smile, touched by his words. "I'm always here for you, win or lose. Do you want to talk about the game?"

Nico sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Honestly, not really. It's frustrating, you know? We practiced so hard, but things just didn't click today."

She reaches out to place a comforting hand on his arm. "I understand. Sometimes things just don't go the way we want them to. But you gave it your best, and that's what matters." 

He looks at her, his eyes searching hers.‘Thank you, Schatzi, Your support means everything to me." She leans in, pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I'll always be your biggest fan, Nico." He smiles, the weight on his shoulders seeming to lighten a bit. "I know, and I'm grateful for that."

"Do you want me to cook you dinner?" y/n asked. Nico's eyes light up at the offer, appreciating the gesture of care and comfort from Y/N. "That sounds wonderful, Y/N. Thank you." "i can help if you want." nico exclaimed. Y/N smiles warmly at Nico's offer, touched by his willingness to help. "That would be great, Nico. Cooking together could be fun."

Nico nods, eager to contribute and spend time with Y/N. "Alright, what are we making?"

Y/N thinks for a moment, then suggests, "How about we make some homemade pasta? It's comforting and I know you love it."

Nico grins, "Sounds perfect. Let's do it."

They head into the kitchen together, Y/N taking the lead with the pasta dough while Nico offers to prepare a simple tomato sauce. Working side by side, they quickly fall into a rhythm, laughing and chatting as they cook.

As they finish preparing the meal, Nico looks over at Y/N with a smile. "Thanks for letting me help, Y/N. It was actually really fun."

Y/N smiles back, wiping her hands on a towel. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cooking together was a nice way to unwind and spend time together."

They plate up the pasta and sauce, sitting down at the dining table to enjoy the meal they've made together. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful, the earlier disappointment of the game now a distant memory as they focus on their shared meal and the joy of each other's company. 

After enjoying their meal and cleaning up the kitchen together, Nico and Y/N decide it's time to head to bed. The earlier fatigue from the long day still lingers, and they both look forward to a good night's sleep.

As they enter the bedroom, Y/N begins to change into her pajamas, while Nico takes care of his nightly routine. The atmosphere is calm and comfortable, a stark contrast to the tension of the hockey game earlier.

Once they're both ready for bed, Y/N climbs into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Nico joins her, wrapping his arms around her as they settle into a comfortable position.

"Tonight was really special, Nico," Y/N whispers, her eyes meeting his in the dim light of the bedroom.

Nico smiles, brushing a strand of hair behind Y/N's ear. "It was. Cooking together and spending this quiet time with you was exactly what I needed after today."

Y/N snuggles closer to Nico, feeling the warmth and comfort of his embrace. "I'm glad we could make the best of a tough day. I love you, Nico."

Nico tightens his hold around Y/N, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead. "I love you too, Schatzi. Thank you for always being my rock."

In the stillness of the night, with Y/N in his arms, Nico feels a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. The disappointments of the day fade away as they focus on their shared love and the comfort of each other's presence.

[lazygirldoesfics]

drunk confession [1/7]

how i imagine each of the bistro huddy guys would drunkenly confess their feelings for you

starting with nico !!

Nicole plops into the passenger seat of your old sedan, heaving a sigh. "Thanks for picking me up last minute."

"No worries, you're on my way anyway. What happened to Bridgette?"

"She fucking bailed." You watch as Nicole studies herself in the visor mirror. She picks at her mascara, eyes sparking with outrage as she continues, "Her bum ass boyfriend told her she 'couldn't come', that it's not 'his scene' so it'd be 'disrespectful' if she goes to another guy's birthday party without him. Like fucking grow up."

"Unbelievable," you groan, commiserating.

"I don't know why she stays with him," Nicole says smacking the visor back into place before she turns to you. Her lips curl upwards, deviously. "Which means we have to put in the work tonight to make sure she feels every bit of FOMO and gets pissed at that piece of shit so I'm not the only one seething about it." Nicole pulls out her phone, angling the camera to get both of you in the shot, and snaps a picture when you're wearing matching frowns. She texts it to Bridgette as you shift the car into gear and take off.

"Of course he picks a spot with absolutely no fucking parking," Nicole complains as you make your way to the club. The click clack of your heels echoes every inch of road you had to drive down until you finally found a place to park. Nicole keeps having to pull her dress down, grumbling each time she wrangles the hem back into it's place. You suppress a smile, amused by her grumpiness, knowing fully well that if she didn't want to be here she wouldn't have put in the effort to show up.

"It's gonna be fun," you cheer. "He's been talking up this spot all week."

Nicole stops dead, glancing down at you with eyes bearing just a hint of judgement. "It's Nico. I don't exactly trust his idea of a great spot. I'm prepared for sexual harassment and well drinks that taste like diesel." You shove her playfully with your elbow and that at least rises a smile out of her. "All I'm saying is I better get extra fries all week for coming to this. Like they better be hot and waiting as soon as I clock in."

"Agreed," you laugh.

There's a line out the door that emits more cursing from Nicole, but you make the best of it by sending selfies to Bridgette while you wait. She responds to each one almost instantly, hearting the messages or sending crying emojis. You frown when Nicole suggests this means Bridgette's probably watching reruns of Real Housewives by herself, while her boyfriend ignores her.

When it's your turn to be inspected by the bouncer, you give him your best smile. He barely glances at you before waving you passed the threshold. Stepping beyond the entrance door, you become engulfed by the change in atmosphere. Sweat slick air clings to you, fog from the DJ booth hazes your vision and the thrum of the bass pulsates through to your core. An air of cloying desperation sinks into your skin while your heels stick to the grime covered floor.

Nicole coughs next to you, disdain barely concealed. Eagle-eyed, you spot a guy stumbling towards your direction, beer sloshing onto the floor in his wake. Gently, you steer Nicole to the left, just beyond the drunken splash zone, saving her from a drenching.

That man has no idea of the life debt he owes you.

Nicole clenches her eye shut, breathing deeply. "Okay. Okay! I'm aligning my energy. I am here." Her eyes snap open and she brushes her long blond tendril back. "Let's go kill this shit."

She uses her height to scan the crowd and you're happy to watch from your shorter vantage point. "I see them." Nicole strides through the crowd towards the left side of the dance floor and you follow the path she carves. Still, she checks behind her every so often to make sure she hasn't lost you.

At last you make it through the crowd, rewarded with the sight of familiar faces. Brad turns his attention from the bar to wave a greeting, then signals back to the bartender to add two more drinks to his order. Ruby toasts her beer to you with a barely perceptible nod. Joey, perched at the edge of a black plastic bar stool, rubs at his temples. "This music is fucking awful."

"Oh, don't be such a boomer, Joey," Nicole teases, happy to abandon her own irritability if it means she gets to rub Joey's face in his. He mouths for her to shut up and Nicole responds by turning around to snap a selfie. She winks at you after sending the photo off to Bridgette, a secret between the two of you that she actually agrees with Joey more than he'll ever know. You choke down a laugh as you sit next to Ruby, letting Nicole sidle up to Brad and grab the two drinks he ordered for you both.

"Where's the birthday boy?" you ask and Ruby nods towards the dance floor. It's easy to spot Nico with his signature red bandana, though you don't know the cute blond girl he's dancing with. The burn of a blush creeps up your neck as you linger on Nico's hand clutching at the girl's side, ashamed that you notice the way his eyes rake down her figure. Besides him is Pickles, bouncing around like a pinball and dancing, presumably, with himself. That, at least, makes you smile.

"Bottoms up!" Nicole announces, handing a shot off to you. Her and Ruby share a terse smile. You wish they'd get along better, they are so incredibly alike.

You down the shot, letting the warm burn fill you. "Next one's on me!" you say, putting the glass down on the table and standing. "Anyone gonna dance?"

Ruby stills and Nicole proclaims she's not ready, turning back towards the bar to get another drink. Brad scans the crowd, though his eyes seem to trail after Nicole as she flirts with the bartender.

"Joey?"

The chef shakes his head. "Sorry, sunshine, as soon as this beer's done I'm out of here." He shakes his half full bottle of Coors at you. You put your hands on your hips, feigning appall. "You're all boring." With that, you jump into the crowd next to Pickles and bump your hip into his in time with the music.

"Y/N!!!" Pickles beams, flinging his arms around you and squeezing. "I'm so happy you're here!"

You squeeze Pickles just as hard, then take his hand to let him twirl you around. As you spin your eyes lock with Nico's, unaware that he'd even noticed you were here. You smile at him over Pickles' shoulder, and his lips pull into that lazy half-grin he sometimes gives you from behind the line. The blond he is with is lightning fast though, putting her hands on either side of his face to pull his focus back to her.

Your chest tightens, but the music changes to a song with a fast bass that dissolves the knots forming. You grab onto Pickles' hands and you jump together while sing-screaming the lyrics at each other. This goes on for awhile, the songs bleeding into each other, each one hyping you and Pickles up more and more.

The latest song begins to fade and Pickles leans into you, panting. "I need water."

You nod in agreement, fanning yourself with the neck of your shirt. Hands entwined, Pickles pulls you off the dance floor. Ruby and Joey are exactly where you'd left them, a few more beer bottles discarded around the table and hands waving wildly as they argue about something. Nicole stands a few feet away, back leisurely pressed against the bar. She's making exaggerated expressions over her espresso martini glass. You follow her eye line as you press up to the bar next to her and realize she is silently judging Brad's dance partner. Brad's eyebrows react back to her, and though not a word passes either of their lips, they are having a full blown conversation. Gracefully, Brad untangles himself from the girl, walking back over to Nicole in defeat. "I didn't think she was that bad."

"I didn't say a word," Nicole responds, smugly.

Barely hiding a smirk as the bartender approaches, you ask for two waters, handing a cup over to Pickles when they're given to you. The song changes just as the water hits your lips. The familiar opening bars to a Queen song fills the club. You turn to Pickles, eyes meeting each other in pure delight and the water cups are immediately discarded. "Oh we're ALL dancing to this one!" You proclaim, latching onto Nicole and Brad's wrists. You pull them forward, pushing them to follow Pickles onto the floor before you turn on Ruby and Joey. "You guys too, let's go! C'mon Joseph!" Ruby gets up, feigning reluctance as she lets you prod her along while you pull Joey by the crook of his elbow onto the floor with you.

You meet the others just in time to hear the girl Nico had been dancing with pout over the song being lame. She leaves when she realizes Nico's attention is totally lost for the moment. The song may not be her thing, but it also probably didn't help the way Pickles was jumping on top of Nico with abandon, holding absolutely no regard for her attempt to continue grinding. You all surround Nico, singing at the top of your lungs and jostling him in the middle of your mini mosh pit. Even Joey belts out a few words and plays air drums along with Nico's air guitar. Nicole catches it all on video, instantly sending it to Bridgette.

"Alright, alright. I'm outta here," Joey says as the song ends, waving his hands in front of his chest when you groan in protest. He pulls Nico in for an overly aggressive hug and slap on the back. "And don't any of yous be late tomorrow. I'm not dealing with a Terry temper tantrum." A chorus of 'bye Joey' and eye rolls reply to him.

"I'm heading out too. Happy Birthday," Ruby adds, a near smile hinting at her lips before following her boss towards the exit.

"Need. Water." Pickles pants again and heads back to the bar, just as the blond girl re-enters and takes up Pickles' spot next to Nico. Nicole and Brad, who have somehow gotten into an argument about how to make a proper gin martini, are so lost in their own bickering that they haven't noticed the crowd jostling around them. You stand awkwardly next to them, not wanting to get involved but feeling like you can't exactly escape either. Holding your arms across your chest, you sway uncertainly.

A hand find yours, and you look over your shoulder to see Nico tugging you back towards him. "It's not too early to cash in on a birthday dance is it?" He smiles at you in that aloof way, his eyes focusing in on you. A question bubbles on your tongue, wanting to know where the blond went but you decide you'd rather not know. "No, not too early. Right on time, I think," you smile back, fitting your arms around his neck.

His left hand is soft against your lower back, fingers guiding you to sway back and forth in time with the music. You're moving slow, the beat lost as you can feel the inches between you and Nico closing. The club is nothing but Nico's dark eyes swallowing you, the weight of his arms pulling around you until you're poised to meld together. You can't take the heat of Nico's eyes on you anymore so you hide against his collarbone, eyes shutting and letting the smell of earth and smoke on his shirt collar encompass your whole world. You're not sure if the thrumming you feel is the bass or your own heart, if you're still dancing or just standing still wrapped up in Nico's arms.

Suddenly you're knocked backwards, stumbling over your own feet until you hit up against someone. "Hey!" a voice shouts, indignant and you mumble an apology as you try to find reality again. "What the fuck, man," Nico's saying, head turning to glare at the man who'd shoved him and caused you to nearly fall on your ass. The guy is standing over him, absolutely beaming. When Nico finally sees him, he starts laughing. "Oh! Yo, I almost fucked you up man!" The two start shoving each other, albeit playfully, as more guys surround Nico, shouldering anyone, including you, out of the way to land punches and smacks on Nico's shoulder and stomach.

You feel disoriented, discarded even, as you slowly find your way back to the edge of the dance floor. You find the others there, all looking towards the sea of newcomers that have swallowed Nico. "Who are those guys?" you ask, hating how defeated your voice sounds.

"I think they used to work with Nico at Waffle House, at least some of them did," Pickles informs you. You try not to watch him assess you, ignoring the slight frown he wears as he turns to the bar to order another water. You drink it slowly when he hands it to you, watching the amorphous blob of raucous men completely take over the dance floor.

"And that's my cue to leave," Nicole asserts. "Ready?" she looks at you expectantly.

You should leave. You know this in the way you feel cold and unsure and slightly humiliated but you can't ignore that something just opened up between you and Nico. You're not quite ready to leave whatever that is behind yet.

"I'll drive you home," Brad interjects, saving you from having to say anything at all. You're not sure if he could sense your hesitation or if he was just looking for an opening of his own, but you're grateful nonetheless. As long as Nicole agrees.

Her eyes flit to Brad, assessing him with the quickness of a hummingbird's wings. "Let's go then," she says as if it's a challenge, daring Brad to follow through on something unspoken. You watch them disappear, Brad's hand hovering at the small of Nicole's back as she leads them through the crowd.

Next to you, Pickles rifles through his front jean pocket. He pulls out a bag of Skittles, pours some into his hands and offers them to you. "You don't have to stay for me you know," he chirps, "I told Nico I'd drive him home so I'm here for the long run."

You shove the Skittles into your mouth, the candy sticking to your teeth. You look towards the dance floor, watching the group of men you don't know chatting up different girls and pointing them towards Nico. You fix a smile on your face for Pickles. "I'm having too much fun to leave."

Pickles nods, giving you a look that's somewhere between skepticism and pity. You sigh, letting your shoulders sag and the pit in your stomach swallow you down with its full weight before putting your hand back out for Pickles to fill with more candy. Instead you feel a warm weight in your hand. You look up to see Nico, hand wrapping around yours. "You're still here," he's beaming at you, though his eyes are so glassy you're not sure how he can even see you clearly.

"Yeah," you answer softly, wishing you could stop the smile that's spreading from cheek to cheek.

"I think you need water," Pickles says after assessing Nico's wobbly stance, excusing himself from the table. Nico's still standing over you, hand in yours. "Our dance got interrupted," he says, his signature lazy laugh chasing after his words. He starts to move to the music that's playing, eyes slowly shutting. A heavy arm slams into his shoulder, and in the startle Nico slips his hand away from yours.

"You gonna introduce me?" It's the same guy that shoved into Nico while you two were dancing. His eyes waggle towards you in a way that makes you recoil.

"Oh uh, Carmine this is--"

He interrupts before Nico can finish. "No, let me guess. Nicole, right? Or are you Amber?"

You frown. "Neither. Actually, you just missed Nicole."

"Damn!" Carmine snaps his finger. "I really wanted to see the hottie my boy won't shut up about it."

"Bro," Nico says, with what could be a glare if his eyes were alert at all.

"Nah, I mean, you're cute too, don't get me wrong. What's your name sweetheart?"

"I'm nobody," you answer, hastily. "And I'm leaving so…have a good night. It was nice to meet you." You stand, ignoring the hushed way Nico tries to stall you. You put a hand on his shoulder to stop his fretting. "Happy birthday, Nico." You lean in, landing a soft, barely there kiss to his cheek. Eyes glued to the exit sign, you walk as fast as you can towards it before you completely lose your composure. You even ignore Pickles when he calls your name, pretending not to hear the way he asks Nico what happened to make you run off.

You look back at the dance floor quickly, noticing Nico's red bandana bob and sway in the crowd. You leave before it gets too close. The cold air outside hits you in the face like a brick, clearing your senses and leaving you with a weird empty feeling. Like you had something in the palm of your hand but it's slipped through your fingers. You walk a few feet, until the music is no longer drumming in your ears, and lean against the wall of a closed Chinese takeout. Your hands brace against your knees and you let yourself breathe. You can feel tears start to prick at your eyes but you're too drained to fight them off. You can't help but wonder what the hell that was all about. Your feelings for Nico aren't entirely a secret to anyone, certainly not to yourself, though you hope you've always held your composure well enough. You're always hiding your blushing cheeks when he flirts and batting away Nicole and Amber's teasing when they catch you smiling to yourself after leaving the kitchen. But you always held it arm's length, knowing it was all just part of the fun with Nico. It can't ever be serious with him, it just can't be.

"Y/N."

His voice is like a rasps against the wind. You brush your eyes quickly, straightening up as Nico jogs haphazardly towards you.

"Why'd you leave so fast?" he says, breathing heavy as he catches up to you.

"Sorry, yeah, I um, I didn't realize how late it was," you lie.

"Are you mad or somethin'?"

You shake your head as he contemplates you. Eventually he leans against the wall next to you, pulling his vape out for a long pull, as if that's going to help him breathe any easier.

You shrug one shoulder up. "I didn't want to overstay my welcome, is all," you admit quietly, trying to escape the track of his eyes on you. His lids are heavy almost closing as he rests his head back against the wall, yet he won't take his eyes off you. "Not possible for you to do that."

"I have to go, Nico." You say gently.

"Don't." Nico says, hand finding yours again. Entwining your fingers together, Nico tugs you towards him and you oblige, leaning against your side so you're facing him. His head falls into the crook of your neck and you can feel him nuzzling against the sensitive skin there.

"Nico," you protest without any real harshness or edge to your tone. Just a sadness that you can't mask the way you normally would.

"Stay," he pleads, hand trailing down your back. "Everyone else can leave, if it means you'll stay." His words murmur against your skin. Lips press against the side of your neck so gentle you're not sure you really feel anything at all. You sigh as he moves further up, letting him land soft little kisses up your neck to the nape of your ear. He nips at your lobe and that's when you have to push him away.

"Nico," you say firmly, putting a hand against his chest to make distance. He smirks as his head lolls back against the brick wall.

"C'mon baby," his hand hooks around your wrist, thumb running gentle circles. "I know you want me."

Your heart drops, sinking into the deepest pit of your stomach. You wretch away from him. "Don't be an asshole."

Nico's bloodshot eyes widen and he shakes his head as he stumbles forward trying to cling onto you again. "No, no, no. I want it too. YOU, I mean, I want YOU too."

He's holding onto your wrists, knees slightly bent as he sways in the non-existent wind. You're afraid he's going to fall down and you won't have the strength to pick him up so you walk him back towards the wall so he can lean against it. You try to pull your hand from him but he just holds on even tighter. "It's your birthday, you're drunk and you're just trying to get laid. There's a million girls in that club that would be happy to go home with you. Please don't do this to me, Nico. It's not fair. "

"They're not you. I don't want them."

"You don't want me either!" you laugh, incredulously.

Nico's mouth drops open, eyebrows shooting straight up as if they're going to hide in his bandana. "You're all I want!" You don't know how to respond to that. You stare back towards the club hoping Pickles or Carmine or someone will appear and come take him away so you can just go home and forget this entire night happened.

"I like you SO much," Nico confesses, eyes still wide and words slurring together. "Like, I haven't even quit once since you started working. Every time I get to see you it makes all the like bullshit worth it. I know it's kinda crazy, you and me. You deserve a lot better."

All the wind knocks out of you. You try to process what Nico is saying, justify it against the way his eyes glaze over with alcohol and weed. "You're drunk," you say again, an explanation.

"Yeah," he smiles, lopsided. "No way I'd ever tell you this shit if I wasn't."

And though his eyes are barely open there's a sincerity to his words. "You know," he continues, "I've seen our future, if we like, try this. It's all good baby, just me and you forever. 'Till the four kids of course."

"Four?" you laugh,"That seems like a lot."

"Okay maybe two, and a cat named Lucy."

"I'd like a cat," you smile, leaning against him as Nico wraps his arms around your waist. You can feel the stretch of his smile against your cheek as he spreads kisses across your face. He moves closer to your mouth and you can feel his lips reach out for yours. You catch his head between your palms. "Not while you're drunk," you reprimand gently.

"That's fair. I can fuck with that," Nico smiles. "Tomorrow then. I'm taking out for breakfast before our shift and I'mma kiss the shit out of you."

"Sure," you smile back. "IF you remember any of this."

"Oh, baby, I'll never forget it."

Nico grabs you, picking you up off the ground as he twirls you just slightly. You're a little afraid you're both going to fall and tumble to the ground but he makes it around a little half circle before setting you back down. You throw your arms around his neck, holding him close as he nuzzles deep against your cheek.

Your phone pings, notifying you of a text. You pull it out from your purse, swiping it open while Nico continues to nestle into you. It's from Nicole, a picture of she took of you and Nico dancing. In it you're pressed against him, face hidden in his collar as he looks down on you with an expression of pure serenity. Looking at it you can't help the butterflies that swarm within you. You hold Nico even tighter, hiding your big, wide grin against his hair.

[ladylooch]

hello! Can you pretty pls make a blurb with Lexi and Nico when they first brought lucie to a devils game and she’s wearing a tiny jersey 🥹🥹 that’d be so cute thank u

The sweetness of this! Lil Lucie in her daddy’s jersey and Nico so excited he can’t EVEN.

Diapers.. check. Wipes... check. Pumping supplies.. check. Lucie's jersey... check.

I smile in accomplishment, then turn to Lucie in her car seat, stuffing her black hat onto her head. The vibrant, red pom-pom shakes as she tries to turn away.

"I know, sweets." I coo, hoping her dad's nickname will soothe the angry face on our daughter. Her nook pops out and a shrill cry fills the kitchen. "It's okay." I stick it back into her mouth with a final adjustment to her hat. She looks back at me with Nico's brown eyes and I melt. "Should we go see daddy at work?" I ask, tightening her seat straps as I hear Emma's car pull into the driveway.

Emma and I make our way into the city, leaving the car with the valet and heading into the arena. Lucie is three months old, but with winter sickness running rampant, we decided to keep her home until she had a little more experience in the world. Nico couldn't take his pre-game nap this afternoon because he was so excited. I promised him, four times, that I would bring her to the ice for warm ups.

We stop quickly at the family suite to park Lucie's car seat, then grab both kids and head down to the lower level. The Devils staff members oo and awe at "Nico's sweet girl". Lucie's eyes are wide, staring around at all the lights and sounds from the pre-game show. The boys are already on the ice when we step onto the stairs. I can see Nico patrolling the perimeter, letting his eyes stalk the chairs, searching for us. I wave as we get closer to the bottom. His big grin warms my cheeks.

Emma and I sit down in the first row. The Devils family members always have a closed off section so the kids can come down and see the players. Lio presses his nose to the glass, laughing as Timo pretends to boop it with his glove. Lio drags his nostrils down the glass, leaving green boogers. Timo belly laughs. Emma groans, wiping it off with a boogey wipe from her bag.

After a quick stretch, Nico comes to where I hold Lucie up to the glass. She doesn't recognize him with all his gear on. He is gentle as he waves at her, smiling sweetly and looking at me. His dimples are pronounced and stretched to accommodate his excitement.

"Say hi, daddy." I encourage her, tugging her Hischier jersey down then grabbing her small hand to wave. The cute, little C on her chest has Nico swooning.

He reaches his hand through the camera hole, palm up. I maneuver Lucie down so she can hold his hand. She stretches her tiny fingers out against his large palm. He keeps his hand there, then leans down to grab a warm up puck. He puts it between their hands and Lucie retracts at the cool rubber.

"Her first puck!" I exclaim to Nico who nods enthusiastically. A large bang comes from a puck careening off the glass close to us. Lucie jumps, then immediately begins to sob.

And that's when I realize I forgot her little ear muffs.

"Oh I know. That was loud for your little ears." I pout at my husband. He frowns back at me, feeling distressed at not being able to comfort her. "She's okay. Just scared." I tell him. I rub her back, then turn my shoulder so he can see her already calming back down. He smiles, then glances at the clock.

"Gotta go!" He mouths.

"Good luck!"

"I love you." He puckers his lips twice for both Lucie and I. Then he dashes off, falling into captain mode until he can reunite with us after the game.

[the-stars-in-between]

Conclusion after my first Whumptober participation: 11 stories. Not too bad, more than I expected, but the moment I realized I was allowed to sleep instead of continuing to write it was over for me. Overall it was a fun experience — for me, not for the characters — and the prompts gave me ideas I never would have thought of without it, so thank you @whumptober.

However! I will finish this challenge whether it is finishing the stories I already started or those that are not yet written. I am not giving up. My goal is to finish by the end of January considering that I have a big break for Christmas but nothing is guaranteed.

I leave you now the links of the stories that are already posted and I will update each time I post a new story.

DAY 1 & DAY 19: Every Day You Fight Like You're Running Out Of Time (Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester)

Sam gets lost in the forest. This action has consequences.

No. 1: RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK Search Party | Panic Attack | "If only we could hold on.” (Icysami x Renegaderr, Strangers.)

No. 19: BLOOD TRAIL Abandoned Cabin | One Way Out | "Is there anybody alive out there?" (Bruce Springsteen, Radio Nowhere)

Luffy relives the worst day of his life, over and over again.

DAY 2: Again. (Monkey D. Luffy)

No. 2: ALTERNATIVE  Time Loop

Dean is going to die, Sam doesn't know what to think about it.

DAY 3: Did You Bring Me Some Pie? (Sam Winchester)

No. 3: SET UP FOR FAILURE Fingerprints | Wrongfully Arrested | "I warned you."

Law can't escape, even in his dreams. Especially in his dreams.

DAY 4: A Good Night's Sleep (Trafalgar D. Water Law)

No. 4: HALLUCINATIONS Hypnosis | Sensory Deprivation | “You're still alive in my head.” (Billy Lockett, More)

Luffy can stretch and stretch, but he can't escape his pain.

DAY 5: If My Pain Will Stretch That Far (Monkey D. Luffy)

No. 5: SUNBURN Healing Salve | Heatstroke | "If my pain will stretch that far." (Lottery Winners, Burning House)

Bobby is bleeding out, but family doesn't end in blood.

DAY 6: Blood On The Car Seats (Bobby Singer)

No. 6: NOT REALIZING THEY'RE INJURED Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms | Healed Wrong | "It's not my blood."

The heart of a demon, willingly given, is a powerful weapon for the one who wields it.

DAY 7: The Heart of a Demon (Crowley)

No. 7: ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES Unconventional Weapon | Magic with a Cost | "It's us or them."

Zoro can't sleep, ghosts come to keep him company.

DAY 8: Nightmares Don't Sleep (Roronoa Zoro)

No. 8: SLEEP DEPRIVATION Isolation Chamber | Forced to Stay Awake | "Leave the lights on." (Coldplay, Midnight)

Castiel is learning to be human. It hurts. In more ways than one.

DAY 10: Did It Hurt When You Fell From Heaven? (Castiel)

No. 10: BLOW TO THE HEAD Slurred Words | Passing Out from Pain | "I can't think straight."

No. 11: SEEING DOUBLE Convenience Store | Loneliness | “Leave no trace behind, like you don't even exist.” (Taylor Swift, Illicit Affairs)

DAY 11: Fade Away Into The Sunset (Sam Winchester)

No. 12: STARVATION Underground Caverns | Cannibalism | "Just a little more."

DAY 12: (Nico Robin)

The end of a crew. The end of a legend.

DAY 13: Till Death Do Us Part (Straw Hat Pirates)

No. 13: TEAM AS A FAMILY Familial Curse | Multiple Whumpees | "Death will do us part." (Set It Off, Partner's In Crime)

No. 14: LEFT FOR DEAD Hunting Gear | Blackmail | “Because I want you to know what it feels like to be haunted” (tiLLie, kooL aiD mAn)

DAY 14: (Shanks)

The cycle repeats itself.

DAY 15: The Father's Mistakes Fall on the Son's Shoulders (Dean Winchester, Jack Kline)

No. 15: CHILDHOOD TRAUMA Painful Hug | Moment of Clarity | "I did good, right?"

No. 16: NECROSIS Swamp | Wound Cleaning | "No, I can't feel anything."

DAY 16: Where Dreams Go To Die (Sanji)

No. 17: NOWHERE ELSE TO GO Ruined Map | Shipwrecked | "We had a good run."

DAY 17: In the Dark You Can't Tell Ink and Blood Apart (Nami)

No. 18: REVENGE Unreliable Narrator | Loss of Identity | “I see what's mine and take it.” (Panic! at the Disco, Emperor's New Clothes)

DAY 18: (Sabo)

No. 20: EMOTIONAL ANGST Shoulder to Cry On | Giving Permission to Die | "It's not your fault."

DAY 20: (Charlie Bradbury)

No. 21: BODY HORROR Body Horror | Tattoo Gun | Spirit Possession | “Let the bedsheet soak up the tears.” (Apparat feat. Soap & Skin, Goodbye)

DAY 21: D.E.A.T.H. (Trafalgar D. Water Law)

No. 22: BLEEDING THROUGH BANDAGES Tourniquet | Reopening Wounds | "Oh that's not good."

DAY 22: (Jack Kline)

No. 9: OBSESSION Broken Window | Bruises | “Frame me up on the wall, just to keep me out of trouble.” (Fall Out Boy, Irresistible) No. 23: FORCED CHOICE Public Display | Broken Pedestal | "I'm doing this for you."

DAY 23 (+DAY 9): The Hand That Saves Is The Same As The Hand That Wounds (Gabriel)

No. 24: RADIATION POISONING Collapsed Building | Equipment Failure | “I never knew daylight could be so violent.” (Florence + The Machine, No Light, No Light)

DAY 24: Embracing the Sun (Portgas D. Ace)

No. 25: SURGERY Stitches | Being Monitored | "It's for your own good."

DAY 25: Grit Your Teeth, Everything Will Be Fine (Sam Winchester)

No. 26: NIGHTMARES Breakfast Table | Parting Words of Regret | “I'm haunted by the lies that I have loved, the actions I have hated.” (Poe, Haunted)

DAY 26: (Claire Novak)

No. 27: VOICELESS Laboratory | Muzzled | “I have no mouth and I must scream.”

DAY 27: EX-FL02 (Portgas D. Ace)

No. 29: FATIGUE Labyrinth | Burnout | "Who said you could rest?"

DAY 29: Run Rabbit, Run (Dean Winchester & Sam Winchester)

No. 30: RECOVERY Hospital Bed | Holding Back Tears | "What have I done?" No. 28: ALTERNATIVE  No-Holds-Barred Beatdown

DAY 30 (+DAY 28): When the Sun Dies, the Stars Go With It (Portgas D. Ace, Sabo)

No. 31: ASKING FOR HELP Therapy | Making Amends | "I'm alive, I'm just not well." (Elliot Lee, Alive, Not Well.)

DAY 31: The Hardest Things To Say (Dean Winchester)

[corky-the-gluttony-demon]

Corky’s Scare Pranks

AN: I decided to change it up and write from my OC’s pov, and I am having a lot of fun with it.

Also, I know Devil May Cry doesn’t give years, but for the sake of the timeline in my fanfiction, Devil May Cry 5 takes place 2014. And while I am sharing bits and pieces of my Fanfiction on here (including the entirety of the Sloth arc and working on revisions and edits for the Wrath arc when I have time) I only upload what I feel comfortable uploading. So I might give some context depending on when the scenes take place if I feel it is necessary.

October 9th, 2014

Devil May Cry shop - Red Grave City

6:42am

Nico is knocked out next to me still. Good. Shoulder’s healing up nice, but the poor gal still needs rest so I’ll let her sleep in.

I slide out of bed, careful not to make a sound. My feet land on the floor with a soft thud. I go downstairs and see the lights are still out. It’s too early to open, but usually Nero is up around this time drinking his coffee and eating breakfast. Maybe he went to train a little?

Felix is passed out on that crusty couch. Soon we’ll find our own place here in Red Grave but for now we are making do. Although I like my little slumber parties with Nico. No not those kinds you perverts. I told Felix the same thing. The floor creaks under me as I make my way downstairs, the wood groaning like it knows I'm up to no good. Felix is sprawled out like roadkill, one arm hanging off the couch, head turned at that weird angle which I know he's going to regret.

So I crouch down. Real low. Like a predator, stalking its prey. I can hear the faint buzzing of a broken neon sign outside the window, the tick-tick-tick of the wall clock—God, someone needs to shut that thing up—and the steady breathing of Felix.

"Felix," I whisper, but not like whisper whisper, more like a hiss that’s dripping with menace, like one of those demons that crawl outta the walls in Limbo. "Feeeeelix."

Nothing. Guy doesn’t even flinch.

I get real close, like nose-to-nose close. I can smell the whiskey he got drunk on, along with…something sour. My gluttony-demon senses identified the source as a human female.

Hahaha.

"Felix!" This time, I scream like a banshee and I swear the windows shake. Felix jerks awake so fast he almost punches me in the face.

"Fuck!" He’s already halfway off the couch, fists raised, eyes wide like he’s ready to throw down with whatever demon just crawled outta the floorboards. His chest is heaving, that fight-or-flight instinct kicking in, and I can practically see the gears turning in his brain as he processes that it’s just me—again.

I’m laughing my ass off by this point, rolling on the floor, clutching my sides.

"Goddammit, Corky!" Felix snarls, rubbing his eyes like he’s trying to wipe the sleep—and probably the murderous thoughts—out of his head. "You can’t keep doing this!"

Felix slumps back into the couch, running a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath. Something about how he thought we left this shit behind in Limbo.

January 21st, 2015

Outside Grease Pit Royale, Red Grave City – 6:03pm I was just picking up some dinner from Grease Pit’s when I catch sight of Nico's precious little Devil May Cry van parked some random supply shop.

Nico's running errands. Again. Probably picking up God knows what—spare parts, screws, maybe some gunpowder to mix into her morning coffee. The stuff she gets excited about, y’know? But she doesn’t know I’m here. Ohhh, she doesn’t know.

Perfect.

Bag of burgers in hand, I waltz over and sneak up to the van, cracking the door open quietly, and sliding into the back seat. No creaks, no nothing. Nico’s off in that store and she’s gone long enough for me to get comfortable.

I’m sitting there in the back, burgers spread across my lap.

A few minutes pass. I bite into one of the burgers because I’m hungry, and it’s dinner time. The grease dribbles down my chin, and I wipe it with the back of my hand.

And then, there it is. The soft shuffle of boots outside. The jingle of keys. The van door swings open, and Nico steps in, balancing some weird metal contraption.

Just as she’s halfway in, I pounce, leaping from the shadows. “Surprise, bitch!” I scream, face practically inches from hers.

Nico, though? Nico doesn’t flinch. Not even a little. She just blinks at me, raises one eyebrow.

“How come I didn’t scare you?” My words tumble out, fast and loose, a little whiny if I’m being honest.

She settles into the driver’s seat, lighting up a cigarette.

“What, you think you’re some kinda unflinchable badass now?” I ask.

She doesn’t even bother turning fully to face me. Just that over-the-shoulder look again, like she’s humoring me. “You mad buttercup?”

“A little, yeah,” I admit.

Nico blows a cloud of smoke and shoots me a cheeky grin, “After I’m done with my smoke, I’ll give you a ride back to your place.”

March 8th, 2015

Outside Felix’s Apartment, Red Grave City

7:21am I’m crouched down outside Felix’s apartment. I told Nero that I was going to make sure he comes so we can head on out to Vie de Marli. I’ve been camped out here in the cold for, I don’t know, ten whole minutes, waiting for him to open that damn door.

I can hear him inside, shuffling around like he’s got nowhere to be. Dude’s slow. Probably hungover… again.

I hear the door click, the hinges creak like the thing hasn’t been oiled in years, and I know this is it.

The door opens just a crack, and I launch myself forward like a wild animal—arms out, mouth wide, and I let out the loudest, most demonic scream I can muster. “RAHHHH!” I’m in his face in half a second, and for a brief, glorious moment, I see it—actual surprise in Felix’s eyes. I did it. I got him. The guy who’s seen hell and worse, finally, finally rattled.

But then, of course, because it’s Felix, the bastard just blinks, his whole body barely jerking back, like he’s dealing with a mildly annoying fly instead of me. He’s standing there, door halfway open, one hand on the frame, and his expression goes from that tiny flash of shock to pure, unadulterated irritation.

"You really need to find a new hobby," he deadpans.

July 5th, 2015

Outside the Devil May Cry shop, Red Grave City

8:12pm

I feel I spend more time crouched behind doors to scare my friends then to hide from demon threats. But I’m committed—no, dedicated. I hear Marcus shuffling around inside, probably gathering his bag of nerd gear and whatever illegal software he’s been messing with all day.

I can hear Nero and Nico bickering inside, but I am focused on Marcus’s footsteps, that familiar clumsy shuffle he’s got going.

The door creaks open just a crack, and I hear Marcus muttering something under his breath.

And then, just as the door swings fully open—BAM—I leap out like a goddamn wildcat. Arms up, mouth wide, screeching like a banshee straight outta the depths of hell. “BOO, BITCH!”

Marcus’s face goes pale immediately, and I swear to god his soul leaves his body for a split second. He yelps like a kicked puppy, stumbling backward, legs flailing in the air like he just slipped on a banana peel. For a split second, I wonder if I actually killed him. His eyes are wide, pupils blown, mouth hanging open like he’s trying to process whether he’s dead or if this is some kinda fever dream.

“C-Corky! Shit! You almost made me piss myself!” Marcus practically screams, clutching his chest like he’s having a heart attack.

I’m doubled over, laughing so hard I might actually fall down and roll into the street. My sides hurt, but I can’t stop—it’s just that good.

His face is beet red now, either from embarrassment or the fact that he genuinely thought he was about to die. The guy’s wiping at his forehead, like he’s trying to erase the trauma from his mind. “Corky, that was not cool!” he whines.

“That was hilarious!” I manage between breaths, gasping for air.

Marcus glares at me—or tries to, anyway—but he’s too flustered to pull it off. He’s more like a wet puppy at this point, all shaken and twitchy. He runs a hand through his dreads, trying to calm his nerves.

July 19th, 2015

Njaa Village, Kijuju Jungles

1:22pm

It’s so damn humid out here, the air thick like molasses, making my skin sticky with that gross mix of sweat and jungle funk. Welcome to the Kijuju jungle—where every step feels like you’re walking through hot soup and everything wants to bite, sting, or eat you. And here we are, just sitting in this van that wreaks of cigarettes, Nico’s gun oil, grease, and Felix's funky boots. Nico’s out like a light, sleeping hard enough to miss the literal apocalypse.

My eyes dart to Felix, who’s standing by the van, leaning against it like he doesn’t have a care in the world. He’s got that smirk on his face, the one that says he’s already ten steps ahead.

“So, what’s the play?” he asks.

I grin, leaning closer to him like we’re planning a heist. “Alright, here’s what we’re gonna do. You sneak around the other side, knock on the window. Get her to stir just a bit, but not too much, y’know? Then, I’m gonna jump outta the back and scream.”

Felix raises an eyebrow, and for a second, I think he’s about to give me that “seriously, Corky?” look, but instead, he chuckles. “You know she’s gonna shoot you, right? This woman sleeps with a gun under her pillow.”

I wave him off, like that’s a detail that doesn’t matter. “Pfft, she won’t shoot me. Probably. Maybe. It wouldn’t kill me. It would just hurt… a lot.”

Nico’s inside, snoring softly, one hand draped over her stomach, her other arm tucked under her head. Poor girl’s been working her ass off all day, but it was almost go-time.

Felix taps on the window. Just a soft, deliberate tap-tap-tap. Nico stirs, a sleepy grumble slipping from her lips, but she doesn’t wake up fully.

I slam the back door open and scream—loud, shrill, like a banshee on crack. “WAKE UP, SUNSHINE!”

Nico bolts upright so fast I think she might’ve given herself whiplash. Her hand immediately shoots to her hip, where she keeps her gun holstered, but she fumbles with it, blinking blearily, eyes wide, not processing what the hell just happened. For a split second, I think she’s about to actually pull that trigger, and I’m about to have a hole in my chest, but then recognition kicks in. Her face twists into this expression—half disbelief, half murderous intent.

“You goddamn jackass! I swear to Christ, Corky, one of these days, I am gonna shoot your ass, and I ain’t gonna feel bad about it!” Her southern twang is extra thick when she’s pissed, and right now, it’s like molasses, all warm and sticky with that angry charm only Nico can pull off. She’s glaring at me, but I can see the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth—she’s trying not to smile. She won’t admit it, but I can tell.

Felix’s laugh cuts through the humid air. “Told ya she’d pull the gun.”

January 3rd, 2016

Kyrie’s House, Fortuna

Scaring Nero has always been tricky. It’s rare to catch him off guard. But since he has been back in his hometown and still dealing with… whatever is going on between him and Kyrie at this point has him kind of distracted, which makes him the perfect target.

Nico’s beside me, practically vibrating with excitement, that grin plastered across her face like she’s about to watch the best damn show on earth.

I smell Nero’s essence and then hear his footsteps.

Nico nudges me, eyes gleaming. “Here he comes.”

“BOO!”

I launch myself out from the corner, arms flailing, letting out the loudest, most guttural scream I can manage, aiming right at Nero, thinking I’ve got him dead to rights. But instead of Nero, it’s Kyrie. Sweet, gentle Kyrie—who was walking in front of Nero—right in my line of fire.

Her scream is so high-pitched I’m pretty sure it could break glass, and her eyes go wide as dinner plates as she stumbles backward, legs giving out from sheer shock. And—oh no, oh shit—she’s going down.

“Oh god! Kyrie!” I’m in panic mode now, scrambling to catch her before she hits the ground. Too late. She’s on her ass, wide-eyed and gasping, and I’m frozen for a split second because, holy shit, I just scared the hell out of Kyrie.

I drop to my knees, my brain catching up with my body, sliding to her side in an awkward crawl. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” My voice is all frantic, and I’m grabbing at her, trying to make sure she’s okay.

“Corky what the hell!?” Nero yells at me angrily, “Kyrie, are you alright?”

But here’s the thing—she’s laughing. Full-on, belly-laughing, like I didn’t just give her a near heart attack. She’s holding her stomach, face flushed, tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. “I—I’m fine!” she manages between gasps. “I wasn’t… expecting that!”

Nico’s already on the floor, too, doubled over in hysterics, slapping her thigh. “Damn, Corky, you just knocked her flat! That was supposed to be Nero!”

I can’t help but laugh, too, even though I feel like the world’s biggest jerk. I flop down next to Kyrie, still half-hugging her, and bury my face in her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to literally knock you over.” I’m laughing, but I’m also kinda mortified. She smells like lavender and something soft, and I just feel bad.

Nero, of course, is standing there, arms crossed, glaring at us like we’re a bunch of children. “Well it failed,” He shakes his head, but I catch the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips as he sees Kyrie is more than okay.

Kyrie waves him off, still giggling. “I’m fine! Really! I haven’t laughed this hard in a while.” She looks at me, eyes twinkling, and I swear she’s not mad. If anything, she looks like she enjoyed it, which makes me feel about ten times better.

March 5th, 2016

Felix’s Apartment, Red Grave City

4:31pm

Nero’s sitting on the couch, staring at the floor like it’s got all the answers. I can see the gears turning in his head, the way his jaw’s tight, the furrow in his brow—it’s all there. He’s thinking about everything. Dante and Vergil are back and this leaves Nero trying to figure out where he goes from here.

Which means… this is my shot.

I’ve tried a dozen times to scare him. Failed every time. He’s like a brick wall. No—he’s worse. He’s like a brick wall with demon blood that doesn’t flinch at anything. Felix is hard to scare, sure, but Nero? Nero’s on a whole different level. But right now, he’s distracted, and I’m thinking… this might be the one. The golden opportunity.

I’m crouched just out of sight, heart beating fast, excitement bubbling up in my chest like I’m a kid about to pull off the best prank of the century. This is it. He’s too deep in his head to see it coming. Perfect. I’ve got you now, Nero.

I tiptoe closer, quiet as a cat. Felix’s apartment isn’t much—just a couple rooms, a couch, and a whole lotta weird smells (seriously, what is that?), but it’s home enough for Nero while he figures out whatever existential shit he’s got going on.

I take a breath, hold it, and then—

“RAH!” I leap out from behind the couch, arms out like I’m a damn demon crawling outta hell. I scream loud enough to rattle the windows, full-on feral, just to get that reaction out of him.

And for a second, a glorious second, I think I’ve done it. Nero jerks, his body tensing up like he’s about to spring into action. His eyes go wide, hands shooting up like he’s ready to grab Red Queen or Blue Rose and shove them down whatever demon’s throat dared to come after him.

But then… nothing. He blinks. Looks at me. And then the realization sinks in, that heavy calm settling over his face as his eyes narrow. And I’m just standing there, caught in the middle of it, like a dumbass with my arms still raised, grinning like I’ve won something when, really, I’ve just lost.

Nero rubs a hand over his face, groaning like he’s disappointed in the whole world. “Corky… really?”

Goddammit.

I drop my arms, deflating like a balloon. “Seriously?! Nothing? I didn’t even get a flinch?”

“You got a grunt,” he says, leaning back on the couch, crossing his arms like the unshakable bastard he is. There’s a flicker of amusement there, though, hiding just beneath that stone-cold expression. “That’s about all you’re getting.”

“I was so close,” I mutter, half to myself.

[sunlightandsuffering]

Nico one day being surprisingly quiet, not even trying to be good just quiet and a little sad. Eren makes the connection that it’s because father’s day & he feels a little left out so he makes the effort to give Nico something small like an ice cream & he would not stop talking about it to Mikasa, eyes filled with stars and all. She’s definitely fallen in love now if she hasn’t already.

omg help no this poor bb boy 😭😭 He has no father figures and he absolutely latches onto Eren! omg ugh help me!! HELP IM DYING THEY'RE SO CUTE!!

It's the last day of school and Eren feels melancholy.

He's thrilled to have a month basically off from his little gremlins, get some good Christmas shopping done, hangout with his family, maybe go skiing, but on the other hand he's gonna miss them all. Especially Nico, he's gonna miss picking the little tyke up after school, hanging out with him, making him hot cocoa while they wait for Mikasa to pick him up after a late shift. It's an interesting arrangement they've come up with but Eren's embraced it, he likes hanging out with Nico whether he's on the clock as Mr. Yeager or not. So, he's not sure how he feels about not seeing him for a month, because really he shouldn't bother Mikasa and Nico during the holidays, it would be inappropriate, there's no reason her son's school teacher needs to see them during Winter Break.

And yet, Eren finds himself already coming up with ridiculous excuses to visit. To make matters worse Nico is acting weird, he hasn't been causing any mischief today and instead has been sullen and silent since story time earlier in the day. Eren had even read Nico's favourite story, 'The Berenstein Bears and the Big Road Race'. To say the least, he's concerned about the little hellion. It's the end of the day now and most of the students have already left, Nico is the only one remaining stubbornly at his cubby, very slowly putting on his winter gear while Eren waits patiently at the door. "Nico, buddy do you need some help with your boots?" "No," Nico tells him loudly, continuing to shove his little feet into his velcro snow boots and Eren groans, this is going to take another ten minutes. "We don't want to make your grandma wait too long for you do we Nico? She's probably worried at home about you," Eren tells him diplomatically and to his immense surprise instead of a typical snarky comeback the little boy abruptly bursts into tears.

He sinks to the floor in an absolute state, full body heaving sobs and Eren short circuits, his instincts taking over as he moves to comfort the shaking little boy. "Nico, what's wrong buddy?" He can barely speak through little sobs and all Eren can do is hug him while he waits for the tears to subside. It takes a few minutes but finally Nico is coherent enough to hiccup an answer through his tears, "Gonna miss you Mr. Yeager." "Oh Nico," Eren hums, pushing silky brunette locks away from his face and cupping chubby little cheeks as he looks into emerald eyes the same shade as his own, "It's okay, I'll see you in January, we won't be apart for very long." This is evidently the wrong thing to say because Nico breaks into another long wail, "But, but I won't see you all Christmas, and all the other kids are going to leave milk and cookies out for Santa with their daddy, and-and-"

Nico continues to sob as Eren gets a faint inkling about what this might be about, the fact that he doesn't have a dad, something Eren's been suspicious about for a while. His educator instincts had been tingling and this confirms it. "And there's no one to help mommy put up the Christmas Lights so we're going to be the weird house with no lights again, and no daddy to carve the turkey on Christmas Day." Yeah, the kid has some very obvious daddy issues. Eren wipes away some of his tears, thumbing over soft baby cheeks as he tries to comfort him by just being there, "But what about your Uncle Levi, I'm sure he'll cut the turkey." Nico sniffles loudly, a bubble of snot coming from his nose and Eren reaches over to grab a tissue from some kid's desk, wiping at his nose, "And I'm sure your mummy does an awesome job with the Christmas lights, you can help her." Nico shakes his head wearily, taking the tissue from Eren, "It's not the same, I wish I had a daddy Mr. Yeager." Eren ruffles his hair affectionately, "Well you know, sometimes people don't have daddies, sometimes they just have really great mommys and I think yours is pretty awesome isn't she?" Nico nods sullenly as Eren distracts him, taking his hand and helping him put on his coat before trekking him towards the car, "And tell you what, I'll come visit lots over the Christmas break okay, I'll even help you put the lights up and maybe we can make some cookies for Santa together." Nico perks right up at this idea and by the time Eren gets him to the car and strapped into his car seat he's excitedly babbling away about the kinds of cookies they're gonna make. Looks like he's going to be crossing some inappropriate teacher boundaries this Christmas, but he thinks it's all worth it for the look of excitement on Nico's face, and well, maybe seeing Mikasa won't be so bad either.

"Did you know how I was born Mr. Yeager?" "Eren when we're off school right Nico?" Nico nods obediently, changing his phrasing, "Eren, did you know how I was born!" Eren chuckles, looking at him in the rearview mirror as he pulls out of the parking lot, "How were you born Nico?" "Mommy said she went to the clinic and chose me right there! I was in a test tube and then they put me in her tummy! It's called sp-sp" Nico struggles for a moment with the word and Eren swallows as he realizes where the six year old is going with this, a dawning horror overtaking him, "Sperm donation?" "Yeah!" Nico says excitedly, "That's why i don't have a daddy because mommy said she didn't need one, that she did it all by herself!"

Eren spends ten minutes at the stop sign outside of the school his mind going in circles because what are the odds that Mikasa used a sperm donor after Eren donated, and this kid looks EXACTLY like him?

[f1]

Zhou sets the fastest time on Day 2 of pre-season testing after Russell stops on track

Zhou Guanyu shot to the top of the timesheets on Friday evening in Bahrain, where Mercedes brought out a red flag as George Russell's W14 ground to a halt. Friday morning saw Carlos Sainz set the early benchmark on C3 tyres of 1m 32.486s, a time that stood at the top of the leaderboards until Max Verstappen emerged in the afternoon. The reigning champion shot to second with his first flying effort and 30 minutes into the afternoon he was at the top. Under the floodlights, Zhou eclipsed the Dutchman's time by 0.040s when he equipped the soft compound and rounded the circuit in 1m 31.610s, although though his session ended slightly prematurely as his car refused to enter first gear at the end of the pit lane with 10 minutes left. READ MORE: Sainz leads Sargeant and Alonso on second morning of Bahrain pre-season test Mercedes hit trouble just before the sun set, with George Russell (P13) coming to a stop with a hydraulic issue. The Briton did not return to action and tallied 26 laps in the afternoon, after Lewis Hamilton set 72 laps for P15. The seven-time champion's morning was briefly interrupted by some floor damage and the resulting repairs. Fernando Alonso managed more than 130 laps and finished third overall for Aston Martin, ahead of AlphaTauri's Nyck de Vries in P4 and Haas's Nico Hulkenberg, fifth. Verstappen finished second overall on C3 tyres Sainz's morning stint saw him end up sixth on the board with 70 laps in the Ferrari, with team mate Charles Leclerc taking over to clock more than 60 laps and finish eighth overall. Between the Ferraris was Williams' Logan Sargeant, who like Alonso and Zhou drove for the whole day. The rookie driver finished seventh and led the mileage stakes – more than 150 laps under his belt. Sargeant rolled into the pits with 15 minutes remaining and extricated the car, with what seemed to be an electrical issue. It was later revealed that the team were having Sargeant practise exiting the car in the event of a problem, during which a small electrical issue did spring up. Oscar Piastri finished ninth in the afternoon with his team mate Lando Norris 16th overall after a productive morning. READ MORE: Piastri says no extra pressure from last year's contract saga as he enjoys 'great' start to life at McLaren This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your cookie preferences Pre-season Testing: Red flag in Friday testing as George Russell stops on track Alpine's Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10, 1.5s off top spot, with Haas's Kevin Magnussen 11th and Gasly's team mate Esteban Ocon 12th after lapping 49 times in the morning. Red Bull's Sergio Perez split the Mercedes having set 76 laps in the morning. Rounding out the standings was AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda, who managed a session-high 85 laps in the morning before handing the car over to Gasly. The final day of pre-season testing begins at 1000 local time on Saturday, with live coverage on F1.com. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[gildedwar]

stygicniron​:

Jaw jutting forward for a stubborn moment as Theseus refuses the sword, he hesitates before he takes it back, again seeing the logic of the dead king’s words. Even if Theseus were to be more heavily armed, it would be like trying to stop an oncoming tidal wave with a slightly larger umbrella. It may help to give some resistance for a few extra desperate milliseconds, but it would not make much difference in the end. Nico’s stomach cramps again, old battle nerves coiling tight in his chest like a spring, battle reflexes all on high alert.

Gods above and below, they don’t stand a chance.

And as the doors splinter open, the very fabric of reality around them rippling with the power of the one who approached, Nico feels his knees buckle, every nerve in his body screaming at him to run. Mouth going dry, he watches in awe as Theseus surges forward to meet it, glowing with godly granted power. The dead king might be many things, but he was never a coward, Nico muses distantly, feeling his mind overcoming fear as well, readying itself to fight.

In the doorway, the Titan pauses at the sudden light and sound as he enters the arena. Skin once a luminous gold has faded slightly, likely due to the eons of imprisonment and the rich beard so like his sons is matted from lack of maintenance. But his eyes are bottomless, as empty and hollow as Tartarus itself and Nico feels himself almost tipping forward before he yanks his eyes away. He can still feel the pull though, although not as insistently, and an amused noise rumbles from within the god’s chest before it suddenly stops.

Nico looks up to see his black spear point embedded in the Titan’s head, driven by the combined force of the gods’ boons and intense mortal drive. He’s surprised, Nico realizes, leveling Theseus’s spear and letting it fly as well. Kronos is actually surprised at the hit. Nico own attack flies true, nipping the Titan’s right shoulder and this seems to startle him again, lurching him from the shock of being injured.

Reaching up, Kronos grabs for the spear in his forehead, pulling it out with a sharp tug and leaving a thin trail of ichor behind, the wound quickly healing. “Ah, I have not been surprised in a millennia,” he says, the words reverberating the very air around them, voice almost thoughtful. “It will not happen again.”

Kronos moves faster than Nico can process, swiping down to grab at Theseus, throwing Nico’s spear aside in the same motion. The scythe, unseen until a moment before, slashes through the air, freezing time around them just as Nico tries to recall Theseus’s spear. “At least make this entertaining!” Kronos booms.

Perhaps it was disuse that caused the sound of his voice, like rusted gears grinding together. It grates the ears, though he resists the urge to cover them. He does not allow himself to be distracted, not now. His thrust was true, sunken in the perfect center of the gods' skull. Even with the boons of mighty Olympus, it seemed he could hardly do anything to a being so behind his comprehension.

Theseus is glad that it stops the cackle.

One might believe Phobos to be near with how thick the air becomes, his young ward becoming swallowed by his fears. The king is thankful when he stands his ground to fight, pink flashing not moments after his first initial strike. It's enough to jolt the past ruler out of his stupor, cold eyes locking on Theseus, seeing his opponent for the first time. It's clear he anticipated little resistance, and what he did except was obviously not the man before him, a simple mortal.

As though removing a splinter the inky spear is pulled from his skull, leaving behind nothing as muscle, skin, and fat restitch itself. It's as though he simply turned back the time on the skin, forcing it to mend much like how it was split; forcefully. His voice booms like a clock striking midnight within a silent home, and after knowing so many gods Kronos can only be described as sickly looking, eyes sunken and hollow.

The spear is tossed away, the other arm swinging and he can only watch. The weapon bends time, moving both faster than his eyes can see and yet slow as a snail's pace at the same moment. It's indescribable. With a gasp, he seems to startle as it comes close to him and Theseus manages to avoid the hit, the blade of the sickle grazing his shield at a perfectly timed block. The edge of the scythe leaves a decent scratch in the shield before rolling off the rounded edge, though if one looked closely they'd see the way metal begins to rot quickly in the new groove. The shield would never last till the end of the battle now, though its quality ensures that it will hold for longer than the average warrior.

One thing is for certain, he needs that spear back, now.

The fuchsia spear flies back to the demigod, distracting the titan enough to allow Theseus to grab hold of his weapon. It leaves him vulnerable, and the titan takes his chance, swiping once again and Theseus is not fast enough to dodge a second time. The point skims his upper arm, pain sharper than even the lashing of the furies, or the kiss of hellfire. A curse falls from his lips and he feels himself shutter for a moment, feet shuffling sloppily and the titan attempts for another hit, and his block is only granted by the grace of Athena, reflecting the attack back when Theseus manages to collide weapons.

He catches his balance, and once he does he winds up, and with the titan so close he twists, whipping like a top as he strikes, a move that had doomed Zagreus several times. Power surges, each attack seeming to pack an extra punch from a different godly patron. Each strike is natural, like water, and with flawless execution. His arm burns like salt in a wound, though Theseus attempts not to think of it as he puts a bit of distance back between them, shield up and spear at the ready. His shield slowly rots, and Theseus hates to think of what this means for his wound, potentially festering with every second that ticks by.

[noisyalmonddreamer]

Coming out as trans

Request? Yes!

Characters: Percy ~ Jason ~ Leo ~ Nico ~ Frank ~ Will ~ Magnus ~ Hearth ~ Alex

"I'm trans..."

Percy

- He blinks for a few seconds

- Like you can seeeeee the gears turning in his head

- "Oh okay"

- Pretty much goes back to what he was doing - Jk but he doesn't make the biggest deal of it

- At the time

- Ones you come out to his parents

- The next time you come over

- Expect a cake

- "Congrats on coming out!"

- With your name and pronouns on it

- He's just very proud of you

- And great full for you telling him

- If you ever feel dysphoric he's there to help

- Legit anyway he can

- You also mention ones needing a binder - And he goes "I have binders at my house. Do you want some? Would they make you feel better?"

- You explain to him that it's a different type of binder

- He then proceeds to look down at his OWN chest and press his hands against his pecs

- Trying to imagine how a binder would work

- But he always has a hoodie for you

- Like everywhere

- Normally smells like him cause he was wearing it

- He at first didn't set reminders for your binder

- Mostly cause he didn't know

- But he somehow always finds a place for you to change your binder

- HE JUST REALLY LOVES YOU. OKAY? _____________

Jason:

- bby boy wasn't fully exposed to this type of thing

- Growing up with wolves do that to you ig

- So just have like a sit down talk and explain

- Eventually gets it

- He's a smart cookie

- Probably doesn't think about a pronoun and name change so you'll have to tell him

- He does the best he can to be supportive!

- He doesn't slip much, the max is like a few days he does ones in a while but after like 5 days or doesn't happen anymore

- Feels very bad after

- Again you'll have to explain dysphoria

- Even after you explain he doesn't understand so he doesn't separate research

- This caused him to do research about binding - Safest ways to bind, best binders, things like that

- Including binding tape!

- So you can train and still bind!

- Buys it for you

- And a normal binder

- Just to be safe yk?

- He sets alarms on his phone for your binding limit

- Has alarms reminding you to drink water

- If it's to hot...

- I'm sorry to say he probably will be like "please don't bind. It's not safe today"

- But will get you large shirts

- He may be a bit confused but he's trying! _____________

Leo:

- Leo is scatter brained

- "Umm what?"

- legit just didn't process what you said

- Don't take his second question as him not accepting you!

- I see him as know a lot about this topic

- Probably more than any one else in the HOO gang

- Foster care kid who was tossed around a lot

- He was probably exposed to lgbtq+ stuff from an early age

- He hugs you

- Tons of kisses all over your face

- Immediately asks your name and pronouns

- When you tell him he even makes you a custom name and pronouns pin!

- He also makes himself one

- And the rest of the seven

- And like legit all his friends

- So it's more normalized yk?

- He wants to make you as comfortable as possible

- He gets out of training all the time! So if you don't feel like training cause you're feeling too dysphoric...

- You go to bunker 9!

- He's also probably pretty aware of binders already

- Doesnt to exact logistics

- But he knows there's a time limit to wear them!

- So he builds you a mini alarm clock thing

- You can put it on your pocket and it goes off 20 minutes before you're at your binding limit (no one tell him about watches)

- He's also really good at comfort

- He's such a good boyfi _____________

Nico:

- honestly I don't think he fully knew what being trans was

- You probably need to explain it to him ones or twice so he can fully understand it

- He'll have lots of questions and will only ask if you're comfortable

- He isn't sure if he should ask you if you changed your names and pronouns so you probably have to tell him naturally

- He is fully supportive tho

- He asks you some questions and doesn't push you to answer them at all

- Now for binding-

- When you first start wearing them around him he's a bit confused

- "Ummm...is something different?"

- There is something different

- But he can't put his finger on it

- Please tell him

- When you tell him he's all like

- "Oh yeah! What's that?"

- So again you answer his questions

- And when he finds out about safely binding he goes HARD

- Keeps an alarm that's 7.5 hours. (Leaving enough time to find/go to a place to take off the binder) - Carries water

- If he sees you're over-binding he's gonna try to tell you to stop in a nice way

- V supportive bf _____________

Frank:

- he knows a little bit about lgbtq+ stuff

- Like he knows enough

- Not a whole lot

- Just cause he wasn't super duper exposed you know?

- But ones you come out-

- THE MOST CHEESY MF

- you know how Percy made you a cake

- He also made you a cake...and threw you a gender reveal party-

- "What if I threw you a gender reveal part? Jk...unless-"

- He would correct anyone that used the wrong pronouns or name for you

- Probably more then you do

- Doesnt take much time for him to adjust

- He would also go shopping with you to buy more gender affirming clothes

- He would also by you binders

- And do a shit ton of research about them

- He's also a pretty big dude so you're like

- "I'm feeling disphoric :("

- Boom. Hoodie

- Right over your head

- If you need comfort

- Boom. He is now your favorite animal

- Go to some private spot and play

- Or a fluffy animal and take a nap

- He is also there 10000% of the time If you need reassurance

- If you guys are just hanging out he'll carry around water

- And your favorite snacks

- In his own words "snacks make people happier"

- He also carries around a towel in the summer

- Cause of sweaty binding

- Ew _____________

Will:

- so supportive - Immediately asks if you're changing your name, your pronouns all that jazz.

- Even offers to take you to get your hair cut if you want a more gender affirming haircut (If you don't have one yet)

- I Lowkey think he'd be really good at cutting hair so he might even offer to cut it

- he will also keep tabs on your binder timing

- Like how long you've been wearing it, what you're doing that day (training)

- If you're feeling dysphoric and can't take it off (cause of training) he will write you a doctors note so you can stay with him

- If you're okay with him touching you he will and he'll tell you how handsome he thinks you are

- If you're okay with him kissing your like chest area he'll leave little kisses on your chest and tell you how valid you are no matter what

- He'll also keep a large hoodie with him so he can give it to you when you need it

- If it's your or his is your choice

- He also keeps sports bras with him for you

- And water

- If you're wondering where he keeps all this stuff

- He carries around a tote bag

- He has a little pronoun pin! (He/they Will lives in my brain rent free)

- Anyway

- Depending on what you like he'll call you a gender affirming nick name

- "My pretty boy"

- Stuff like that y'know

- Sweet boyfriend. Love him so much Imma cry now _____________

Magnus:  (after meeting Alex)

- his reaction is pretty calm

- Overall it's "oh okay :)"

- Asks your name and pronouns

- He already understand what being trans is

- I don't think he would know about dysphoria is though

- After explaining it he's like ":0 noooooo"

- he doesn't want you feeling uncomfortable in your own body!

- he tries his best to comfort you anyway he can

- But comfort isn't his...thing

- So he tries to make you laugh!

- He'll even...listen to Jack sing if it means getting your mind off it

- He loves you a lot

- He also didn't know what binding was

- I mean his main influence into the world of transgender was Alex

- And Alex doesn't need to bind

- So when you mention binding hes like "??????"

- Since he's you know...dead he doesn't really have money to BUY a binder

- So starts doing odd jobs for Blitzen when he can

- He thinks he's being sneaky but when he looks for binders he asks you your size

- Pretend to be surprised okay? He's trying his best!

- But overall he's a bit clueless

- But he goes to Alex and asks what he can do to make you more comfortable

- He does care a lot about your binding but he's also like "we're dead so-"

- Don't be like Magnus follow your binding limit _____________

Hearthstone: (this is after meeting Alex)

- hearth just looks at you for a sec

- Then kinda just goes

- Oh alright, sweetheart

- He also asks your new name and pronouns

- If you don't wanna tell anyone else yet he'll ask if you want him to use your ok'd name and pronouns around the others and he will

- But while you're alone he does tell you he sees you as who you are

- He also tries hard with Blitz to make you clothes that'll make you feel more comfortable

- He's not...great

- But hopefully you're only looking for baggy clothes cause that's what he can make!

- If not...he'll just ask Blitz

- Even offers to work extra hours

- He also gives you his scarf

- It probably can't help with your dysphasia but he just thinks you look cute

- He gives you his jacket if you need it though

- For binding...he wouldn't use a timer - Obviously

- He would just try to memorize when you put on a binder

- If he can't he'll ask someone else

- Not cause he doesn't trust you...just in case

- Sometimes you see him staring at you and you're like "bruh what??"

- And he's just like

- You're so amazing

- Dies

- On the spot

- He looks so genuine-

- If he finds out someone is being rude to you

- Especially a friend-

- He'll be super cold to them

- Not much he can do really tho :(

- He is super good at reassurance

- Kisses

- Lots and lots of kisses _____________

Alex: (she/her for this)

- fully understands

- Y'all would probably share your experiences with finding your identity

- If you're having trouble with something she'll explain her own experience with the thing you're struggling with

- You legit need to explain nothing to her

- Of course If you want to you can

- Would ask if you're changing your name and pronouns and immediately while you're gone would start practicing to use them (I love her so much it hurts)

- Legit will beat anyone if they mock you or misgenders you on purpose (not me attack someone for misgendering my old friend)

- If you ever need to explain something you're feeling because you're unsure, Alex will be there to listen

- Though it doesn't matter as much since y'all are dead she would still suggest not wearing a binder during training

- Alex doesnt peg me as the type to just talk about feeling dysphoric

- Mostly cause she can shape shift

- I don't think she suffers form dysphoria just cause she can shape shift but doesn't

- But will talk when you need it

- If you skip training cause you can't not bind she'll skip with you

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This lowkey flopped on wattpad so T-T

[ezra-squall]

Nico frowned, glancing at the scenery rushing by Argus's van. He looked at Will in the passenger seat, whispering directions to the many-eyed bodyguard. "William Solace, where are we going?" Even Argus cracked a smile at 'William'. Will himself reached his arm to the back and put a 'hush' finger on Nico's lips. Nico's expression didn't change. "I thought we were going back to camp."

"Wherever we're going, I want a Happy Meal on the way."

The van kept rushing. Nico realised, Will was using magic to pass distances longer than the van was taking them. Maybe Apollo was in on it too? Or Hermes? Because a quick glance at the landmarks outside told Nico they were in Las Vegas. Memories of Bianca rushed back to him, and the Lotus Hotel, snippets of days full of carefree abandon where life never had a purpose. He never wanted to go back. So why was Will taking him here?

As they reached the place where the Lotus Casino should've been, in it's place was...

Was a building.

Not just any, but the most beautiful Nico had seen. It was modern, yet antique at the same time. It brought back a locked up memory of his mother's house in Italy, but the shrubs were bursting with life and the brickwork was brand new. Nico smelled Annabeth in this weird equation. Will led him inside, and Nico's breath was stolen by something other than Will, which barely ever happened. The inside of the house had a whole yin and yang look, with sunny white nooks and darker cushioned spaces. It was beautiful. Nico frowned again, wondering why Will had brought him here.

Suddenly, a beaming Annabeth materialised, leaning on a countertop, holding her Yankees cap, and without a word, led Nico and Will to the garden. It looked as if half the world was there, but Nico could make out Jason near a table piled with food, and Leo trying to get nearer to the table piled with food. A bronze fountain stood in the middle of a garden, paths snaking through the various shrubbery. The fountain was also a clock, with its gears visible, shifting and making the water drip in beautiful patterns. Leo smiled at it as if it was his firstborn child. Percy stood suspiciously near the fountain, and Nico could see his hands moving the water even more, giving a spectacular show.

He could make out Reyna's dogs, Aurum and Augmentum, running around the bronze fountain and saw the queen herself nabbing a pastry and handing it to Leo behind Jason and Piper's backs.

Coach Hedge bellowed happily. "YOU CUPCAKES TOOK YOUR SWEET TIME GETTIN' HERE!"

Nico saw Percy chuckle, "Hehe. Cupcakes. Sweet." as the fountain water became a giant one.

All the campers and Romans began cheering as they saw Nico and Will step out into the garden, and Nico whispered, "Will, I thought we were going home?"

Will kissed him, before leading him into the party. "We are."

[happer08]

"Let Me Explain"

I was unbelievably excited for this date. Ian and I had been talking for months, and finally, we had decided it was time to go on an actual date. He finally had a day off in Chicago and was free to meet for dinner. I had spent the whole day making sure I would look perfect and that the date would be good.

It had started to rain on the walk to the restaurant we were meeting at, but there was nothing in the world that could stop how happy I was. I was practically skipping as I rounded the corner through the doorway of the restaurant. Scanning with a smile, I looked around at the bar to the left of the door since that's where Ian told me he'd be.

My smile and my stomach dropped as I saw him talking to a woman. They stood close, much closer than two people that had just met. He was laughing and smiling at her as she was doing the same. He leaned on the bar with his arms crossed as she reached out, putting her hand on his arm. He smiled and blushed, dropping his head looking at her hand.

Tears welled in my eyes as my heart sank. I knew there was no way he wanted to date me. I took a shallow breath, trying to push the tears away as Ian looked up to see me. He froze and pushed her hand away, I turned back toward the door moving toward the exit.

He called my name as I pushed the door back open. It was pouring, and between the rain and the traffic noise, I couldn't hear if he was still calling. I trudged back toward my apartment. My night and mood were ruined; the rain-soaked my clothes as I turned each corner till I got there.

I was freezing; my hands shook as I pushed my key into my door, unlocking my place. Pulling my phone out of my water-logged jeans, my screen was full of calls and messages from Ian. I didn't bother even looking as I undressed, standing in my kitchen. I tossed all of my soaked clothes into the washer before getting into the shower.

The shower was more to heat myself back up than anything else. I sat on the tile floor, pulling my legs to my chest as the hot water cascaded down on my skin. My tears mixed with the water, and by the time I got out, my skin was red and burning, and I was numb. I dried off, combed my hair before pulling on some sweats, a sports bra, and falling into bed, exhausted.

Thankfully I had the next day off of work as I woke up a few hours after I got home, wide awake at 2 am. Pulling on socks, I padded through my apartment toward my phone that was on the kitchen counter.

It was dead, I sighed, moving to plug it in, letting it charge a little as I opened the fridge illuminating the kitchen with the bluish glow. I grabbed a bottle of water and a few cheese sticks looking over as my phone lit up. It charged a little, leaving me to lean on the counter next to it to use it.

There were 15 texts from Ian and a few missed calls. I shook my head, starting to read through the messages.

"That wasn't what it looked like"

"She is someone I used to work with, and we ran into each other while I was waiting for you."

"Where did you go?"

"Come on; it's pouring. Let me come get you so I can explain."

"I'm sorry, please let me explain."

The rest of them consisted of him apologizing or asking where I was or if I was okay. I read all of them; then I listened to his voicemails; they were all the same content as his texts. His voice brought tears back into my eyes. I didn't respond or call back. I had nothing to say. Making my way back to my room, I took my water and laid in bed in the silent, dark room.

I drifted off the sleep at some point and woke up to the sun coming in from my windows. I sat up, rubbing my hands over my face before pulling my hair up and sighing.

Ian POV

I went home after driving around for a few hours, looking for her. She never answered any of my calls or texts, and as I walked into my apartment, I realized how bad I had messed up. I kept checking my phone as I showered and went to bed. I laid awake for hours, practically praying to fall asleep as I repeatedly checked for her to either respond or post something on social media. She never did. Eventually, I fell asleep and was woken up by my alarm. A few of the guys and I had scheduled batting practice at the field, so I got dressed and left doing everything I could not to think about the night before.

When I got to the field, I left my phone in my locker, heading out onto the field, hoping to take all my emotions out on the ball. I set my bats down and found Anthony, Nico, Patrick, and Zack, who was in town for a few days.

"Fellas," I walked up.

"Hey, how did last night go?" Nico asked.

I had told the whole team about the date with the girl of my dreams.

"I um don't want to talk about it."

"What did she stand you up?" Anthony joked.

"No, I screwed up" I put my hands on my hips, looking at him.

"What happened?" Zack asked.

"I was waiting for her, and I ran into Taylor, and she was kinda flirting, and I was trying to be polite, and she walked in at the wrong time; I haven't heard from her since."

All of the guys were silent, looking between the ground and me.

"I fucked up potentially the best thing that could happen to me," I sighed.

The guys were about to start giving advice when our hitting coach showed up, and we got started. While Anthony was batting, Nico came over and stood next to me. Since there were five of us, we had a lot of time just to stand around and talk.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I have no idea. I fucked up, and I have no idea what to do."

He was quiet as we watched Anthony launch a homer toward the center. I took a few deep breaths as Nico looked over at me.

"Have you even talked to her?"

I shook my head.

"I called, and I texted, trying to get her to hear me out, but she hasn't called or texted back. I don't blame her either; I want her to hear me out."

Nico nodded as Patrick walked over.

"Buy her a ticket to tonight's game," he said, stopping in front of us. "Make it somewhere you'll be able to see her, and then have security get her and explain yourself. If she shows up, it means she's willing to hear you out at least; if not, let her go" Patrick looked between us as Nico nodded a few times.

"The man has a point"

After batting practice, I went to the front office and bought a ticket for a few rows up from the on-deck circle.

pov change

"Hey, it's Ian. I know I'm the last guy you want to hear from but, I got you a ticket for tonight's game if you want to come. It's at the main entrance, and all you have to tell them is your name. I want to see you, and I want to have a chance to explain. I understand if you don't come, but I'd like it if you did"

I listened to his message twice from where I laid on my living room floor. I set my phone on my chest, sighing before looking at the clock. It was a night game, and it was already 4 o'clock. I forced myself to get up.

"You have to at least give him a chance," I whispered, heading for my bedroom. "If the explanation isn't good enough, at least you got a free baseball game." I chuckled sadly as I flicked the light on in my bathroom.

I washed my face, did some light makeup, and curled my unruly hair before pulling on a pair of black jeans, a real bra with a tank top. With the base of the outfit started, I walked to my closet. I knew it wasn't warm out, so instead of a jersey, I opted for a Cubs sweatshirt. I added my grey Vans before collecting my things.

I had an hour to get to the field as I got into a cab. I sighed, debating my choice as the cabbie pulled away from the curb. Resting my head back, I looked out the window, watching the city pass on the way to the stadium.

"You okay back there, honey?" The cabbie asked, breaking me out of the nothing box I had gone to in my head.

"Um yeah, I'm fine," I answered politely.

"Come on, you're going to the Cubs game; try and cheer up a little," He tried.

I offered a fake smile and was quiet the rest of the ride. I thanked him and paid as I got out, joining the crowds on the street filing toward the historic stadium. When I got to the main entrance, I found a lady that worked there and approached her with the same fake smile I used in the cab.

"Hi, I'm so sorry, one of the players left me a ticket, and I have no idea where to go to get it," I stated.

"Oh honey, come with me."

She put her hand on my shoulder, leading me back through a few entrances to the inside of the stadium.

"You must be the one," she said with a smile.

"Yes, ma'am," I said with a smile.

"Well, you are good to go," she handed me a ticket with my seat number on it. "If you wanna just head out that door right there, you'll be on the concourse, and you can find your seat from there," She said with a sweet smile.

"Thank you," I said politely, walking out the door she had pointed at.

I got a beer before using the numbers on my ticket to find my seat and settle in. The first pitch was only a few minutes away as I did what I could to prepare myself for seeing Ian again.

Ian POV

"Have you checked to see if she's here?" Nico asked as we stood next to each other in the dugout.

I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheeks.

"I don't want to. I think it's going to be bad either way."

Nico pat my back a few times before walking away. I took a few deep breaths before grabbing my glove and running out onto the field with the rest of the guys. I made sure I didn't look at the seat I'd gotten as I made my way out to centerfield, knowing I would be too far away to see her.

I was the third in the lineup that night, so no matter what happened, I would see her in the first. Pushing the thought of her out of my head, I focused on the inning at hand. All of the outs were on the infield, leaving the outfield just standing there.

We all ran back in, switching out gear as Joc headed to the box. I hid in the dugout while Joc singled to deep left. Kris was on deck, and I stayed in the dugout as long as I could before making my way to the on-deck circle. Pouring over my bat, I looked for any imperfections that could take me back into the dugout. It took some searching, but I found a crack in the barrel and headed back to grab a different bat. Nico came to stand next to me as I reached for one.

"She's here," He said.

I took a deep breath holding it in my chest for a second. Choosing not to respond, I headed back for the on-deck circle standing there as Kris got a single to left-center. My music hit, and I walked over to the batter's box, taking a deep breath before glancing at her seat.

We made eye contact; she held a beer and offered a half-smile at me as I set up with runners at the corners and no outs. I focused on the at-bat and took two pitches down the middle before stepping out and adjusting my gloves.

I took the next pitch deep, basketball out in right field. Rounding the bases, I kept my head down; as I crossed the plate, I tipped my helmet, then high-fived the guys as we ran back toward the dugout. I glanced up, seeing her clapping and smiling. She seemed happy, which was a massive weight off my chest. I walked through the dugout celebrating and putting my gear away before taking a seat on the bench; Nico and Patrick joined me.

"You talked to security yet?" Nico asked.

I shook my head, watching Willson get a base hit. Patrick stood up, looking over at where she was sitting.

"She's still here, Ian; you gotta talk to security before she clears out" He sat back down. I got up, walking down the hall toward the head of the security desk, stopping in front of the desk.

"Hi, Ian," One of the guys said.

"Hey, I was wondering if you could do me a favor" I leaned on the desk.

"Name it"

"There's a girl I need you to get before the game ends and bring her to the clubhouse."

He nodded.

"Of course"

I gave him the information he needed then headed back to the dugout. I sat back down between Nico and Patrick.

"Got it taken care of," I sighed. "Do you think I should get her something to eat or anything?"

Patrick shrugged.

"She already has a beer, so it depends on what she likes for ballpark food."

"I know she likes pretzels and stuff."

Patrick nodded.

POV change

Settling in after the inning, I watched the other team bat as I took in the ballpark atmosphere. After two outs, a few people were walking up and down the aisle next to me; I moved to stand before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

He was wearing a locker room attendant shirt showing he worked for the organization.

I was confused.

"Ian sent these" he smiled, handing me a giant soft pretzel and a second beer.

"Oh, thank you," I smiled, taking them settling back in, getting looks from a few of the people sitting around me.

The next few innings were filled with baserunners for each; by the top of eight, the Cubs were up 8-2. I had finished my pretzel and both beers and had gotten a bottle of water, watching Patrick Wisdom walk up to the box. I moved as a few people filed in and out of the row before security appeared next to me.

"Ms.?" He asked.

"How can I help you?"

"Would you mind coming with me?" He asked.

I shook my head, knowing what this was about. Standing up, I moved out of the row, following the security guard up the stairs and through the stadium. He led me through the common areas before we took a few turns heading deeper into the stadium. The tunnels under were a maze; I had no idea how everyone didn't get lost. I made sure to follow close to security before we stopped near the clubhouse. There was a small couch with a tv in the hallway near the entrance.

"You can wait here; I'm sure you know who asked us to get you," he chuckled as I moved to sit down.

I nodded, smiling, setting my water at my feet.

"They should be down soon, and Ian knows you're here, and he'll come find you."

"Thank you"

"Do you need anything else, or do you need someone to stay?" He asked.

I shook my head with a smile.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Have a good night," He said with a smile before walking away.

"You too"

I sat back on the couch watching the last few outs of the game and then watched the guys celebrate on their way off the field. It was a few minutes between when they got off the field and heard them come down the stairs and file into the club house. I listened to a few voices I recognized as I stared at the corner waiting for Ian to come around. I stood up, hearing his voice grabbing my water bottle. He came around the corner, looking at me.

"Hi," He said.

"Hey," I walked around toward him.

"Thanks for coming"

I nodded a few times.

"Look, I wanted to explain," He started.

I shook my head.

"I don't need you to explain anything, Ian. I took some time to think, and I don't know if we would have ever worked. With who you are and who I am, we have different lives, Ian."

He nodded.

"The first few weeks we talked, I started bragging about you," He explained. "To the guys in the clubhouse to Dakota and Zack to everyone, even my mom," he chuckled, leaning on the wall. "The guys started calling you the dream girl."

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"I don't know about that."

"I do" Ian looked up at me. "They were right."

I swallowed hard, looking at him.

"I understand why you think what you do and why you feel how you do. But I just want a second chance. I don't want to force your decision right now, so take a few days, a few weeks if you need, and I'll wait to hear from you. I want to have this conversation in person, so I'll text you my address and then wait for you to reach out; leave it all up to you since you know what I want."

I nodded a few times, taking a deep breath.

"Okay"

Ian nodded with me.

"Just take your time, okay."

"I'll see you soon, Ian" I smiled as I started to leave the tunnel.

"Do you need someone to walk you out, or do I need to get you a cab?" He called after me.

"No, I'm okay; I remember how to get out of here."

I kept walking till I got outside the stadium heading down Addison heading for my apartment. I walked for a few blocks thinking through everything Ian said and everything I had felt since I saw him with someone else. I called a cab and caught a ride home while my mind spun.

The next few days, Ian and I didn't tal. He sent me his address the night of the game, but we had no contact since then. My days were dull; I had gotten so used to his texts and his little check-ins, not having them felt weird.

It was four days without talking to Ian and at four in the morning when I made my decision. Getting up, I pulled on a pair of jeans with a sweatshirt, pulling on a pair of vans. I grabbed my phone and a bomber jacket on my way out the door. I found Ian's address and put it in the maps on my phone. His place wasn't far, but it was still a good walking distance, and as I climbed the stairs toward his place, I wasn't sure if I should have waited till a more appropriate time.

Licking my teeth, I knocked on his door then stepped back. It was a few minutes of me standing there when I started to debate coming back in a few hours. Just as I was about to walk away, the lock clicked, and the door swung open.

Ian stood on the other side in a pair of underwear and a t-shirt he just put on. His hair was a curly mess. I smiled as he blinked hard.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked.

"I made my choice," I breathed.

Ian nodded and stepped out of the doorway, silently inviting me in. I walked in, looking around at his place; it was just like I had imagined. Turning, I watched Ian close the door and take a few steps toward me, crossing his arms.

"The last few days have been weird. You are not checking in on me, making sure I'm taking care of myself."

Ian nodded.

"I've missed it, and I missed you a lot. I think I want to try and make this work."

"Do you want me to explain?" he asked.

I nodded slowly.

"She's a co-worker, she works on the field doing sideline stuff, she had a few too many and was flirting with me. I was trying to be polite, and you walked in at the wrong time."

I took a few steps forward, getting on my tippy toes. I put my hand on the side of Ian's face pushing my lips to his.

Ian grabbed my hips, pulling me against him, kissing back softly. His lips were soft and full; I kissed a few more times before settling back on my feet.

"Let's make it work," he said.

[dearophelia]

gonna set your flag on fire - chapter 9

chapter 09: the house don’t fall when the bones are good

operational security [read on AO3]

it’s been a hot minute with this one, whoops. eternal and forever thanks to @tarysande and @nightingaleseeking for their cheerleading through this.

“Olivia?” Garrus calls. The audible panic in his subvocals makes him wince.

“Bedroom!” comes the answer.

Garrus takes a moment to breathe. The Normandy won’t be here for hours yet and packing won’t take long. He can spend these thirty seconds to breathe now, before walking upstairs and seeing Olivia. He might not have them later.

Good air in, bad air out.

He allows himself to take a full minute in the silence of their home for a moment of calm and quiet. The hour since Olivia called him has been pure chaos: reschedule his week, call the Primarch, don’t forget the dinner party tonight for the new quarian economic delegation or tomorrow's breakfast with the forensic auditors from Irune Galactic, find suitably-important people to replace him at both events (and everything else this week), have someone pick up his gear, avoid looking panicked while doing any of this.

The silence is overwhelming and welcome. He closes his eyes and takes another breath before going upstairs.

He finds Olivia kneeling on the floor of their bedroom, packing.

Thirty years ago, chasing Saren across the galaxy, he’d watched in awe as his commanding officer stood firm and stoic in the face of utter mayhem. Nothing rattled her, nothing shook her steady posture. He’d never had a CO before who was that calm.

He knows her better now. The calm is how she gets through things. The calm is how she’s made through to the other side of trauma and crisis in one piece over and over again. Her voice doesn’t shake and neither does her resolve, but there’s a certain fragile steel in her spine that betrays the façade.

She may look calm to anyone else, but Garrus knows that Olivia is fucking terrified.

She’s thrown a sheet on the floor and laid her armor out on top of it. Shiny black and purple, with a scratch she never bothered to buff out on the left thigh. Her Black Widow and Avenger lay next to it.

“Vega’s letting you on the ground team?” It’s not the first thing he anticipated saying to her. He’d planned to say something idiotic, like are you okay. Of course she isn’t. He’s so far from okay that it doesn’t sound like a real word. Olivia can’t be closer.

She pauses, hand on her visor. “I’d like to see him try to stop me,” she says, slow and low and even.

Garrus would too, but Vega’s not that stupid. Olivia may not have seen any action outside the Arena in twenty years, but she has standing platinum matches three times a week; if he’s available or any of their friends are on the station and willing, she’ll pull them into it – otherwise, she goes solo. Last he checked, her stats were 7:1 extracting.

His are 6:1 and his assistant picked up his armor this afternoon.  “He’ll have to go through both of us.”

She finally looks up at him.

He swallows. The expression on her face is identical to the one she wore while staring down a reaper. “I’m going.” Olivia isn't the only unstoppable force in their family. There are a million reasons he shouldn’t even be on the ship, let alone groundside, but not one of them stands up against Cerberus having control of his daughter. This mission is too important to leave solely in the hands of other people.

Olivia sits back on her heels and sighs. “Wasn’t gonna stop you, Garrus,” she says softly. “Vega's meeting us at Soyuz-Janiri tomorrow with whatever resources he can scrounge up.”

Garrus steps around her, letting his hand briefly brush against her shoulder. He ducks into the closet to change out of his robes. “Good.” That was the last part of the plan, the only piece she didn't have locked into stone when she called. He exchanges his council robes for a pair of comfortable loose pants and a tunic. “When does the Normandy arrive?” he asks, stepping out of the closet. She told him the rest of the specifics this afternoon, but everything is a dull roar after Cerberus has Nora, Garrus: they activated the chip. Some part of him thinks he should be upset that she waited to tell him last. Another part of him knows that he'd call her last, too.

“4:45 in the morning.” She closes and locks her armor trunk and then stands, gathering the sheet. She balls it up and drops it in their laundry basket. “So we have,” she checks the clock, “ten hours to kill.”

Garrus takes a step forward and draws Olivia close into the hug he’s needed to give her – and needed to get from her – since she called. He wraps his arms tight around her, flattening his hands across her back as she tucks herself against him. He feels her breath shake and her arms circle around him just as tight.

After a few moments, he bows his head and kisses the top of her head. “We’ll get her back,” he whispers into her hair. They have to. They’ll rescue Nora and her team from that facility. And then they’ll turn the chip off again, this time for good. There is no alternative.

“I know,” she says quietly.

Tugging her closer, Garrus hums softly, a low, gentle, calming rumble he knows she likes. He ghosts his hands over her, slowly rubbing her back in soothing circles.

After a few moments, Olivia briefly tightens her hug and then takes half a step back. Garrus looks at his wife, keeping his arms still loosely wrapped around her. His heart twists in his chest. The lines on Olivia’s face, earned from decades of smiles and laughter, now look hollow and haunted.

He remembers the night in their quarters after Thessia, when the light hit just right and he thought for the briefest of moments that she was becoming a ghost before his eyes. She’d shattered in his arms, wild and feral and desperate, in a way he’s so grateful he hasn’t seen since. But as Olivia looks up at him tonight, twenty-five years of motherhood in her spine, Garrus knows that the night after Thessia fell will pale in comparison to how both of them will shatter if this doesn’t work.

So it's going to work.

Leaning down to bump his forehead against hers, he lets his subvocals shift a little deeper into a tone that will settle them both. “Let’s get some food.” Ten hours is a long time to have nothing to do. Neither of them will spend any of it sleeping.

As if on cue, her stomach growls. She laughs softly at herself and steps away.

“Have you eaten since breakfast?” Garrus asks as they walk downstairs to the kitchen. Food is the first thing Olivia always forgets during a crisis, followed very quickly by sleep. He can’t change that about her, but he can encourage her to get both.

“I had coffee?” she says, half a question, as if the whipped cream on her afternoon frozen coffee might qualify as food.

“Coffee hasn’t counted as food in the thirty years I’ve known you, Liv,” he gently chides. “It’s not suddenly going to start counting now.”

Olivia ignores him and opens the refrigerator, only to stare blankly at the levo side. "Takeout," she decides. Neither of them are in the right headspace to make anything. She sits down on the middle stool at the counter and opens the delivery app on her omnitool. He sits beside her and does the same.

“Oh,” she says after a moment. “You should order for two.”

Garrus raises a brow plate.

“Nico’s coming.”

The plate rises higher. Nico’s been working at the bakery for the past eight years. He officially took over from Hannah two years ago when she and Zaeed moved to Earth. Out of their two sons, he is not who Garrus would guess if asked who was coming on this mission.

She sends her order off. “We need a decryption specialist and he’s the best one I know.”

Garrus can’t fault that logic; Nico’s knee kept him from an active combat position and his entire deployment was spent in intelligence programs so classified Garrus didn’t even know they existed until he became councilor. He quickly orders for himself and his youngest son and then looks back at Olivia. “He’s staying on the ship though, right?” While their other two children took to combat like it was in their blood, Nico counted down the days until basic was over and he could get away from gunfire.

Olivia nods with a smile. “That’s the first thing he asked me, too. Yes.”

“Good.” Worrying about one kid is enough; he’d rather not have to worry about two. Or three. He wonders if Quentus has somehow found out and is currently badgering Solana to divert their current mission to Zorya.

***

James blinks as the airlock door opens to reveal not only Liara, Miranda, and Wrex, but also Deck and her entire team. “Thought you were on the other side of the galaxy,” he says, stepping aside to let everyone past him.

“I cashed in a favor,” Deck says. “Incidentally, the Blue Suns have some pretty wicked experimental quantum drives.”

He holds up his hand before she can continue. “I don’t want to know,” he says. “Find a bunk downstairs. Briefing’s in thirty. We’ll debrief on your thing once this is over.”

“Roger,” she says and gestures for the other three to follow her through the CIC to the elevator.

Wrex nods as he passes, revealing Jack and Tali standing in the space behind him. James looks over at his wife. Liara shrugs and gives him a small smile. He’s not sure whether the extra reinforcements are a good thing, but he’ll never turn down help. Tali hugs him, Jack gives a curt nod, and then he’s finally alone with Liara.

“Hi,” he says, drawing her into a hug. He wraps his strong arms around her shoulders and kisses her forehead. Nora’s family to him, but so are the other five trapped in that base. He’s had to mount rescues before, but this keeps getting worse the more he learns about it.

Liara hugs him back, just as tight. “Hello,” she says, giving him a gentle squeeze before pulling away. “I thought you might need the extra backup; I did not realize you’d have Anubis back.”

“Neither did I,” he says, walking side-by-side with her through the CIC to the war room. “The more the merrier.” He nods at the crew they pass. Everyone looks so young. He supposes he’s gotten old.

James feels the Normandy shudder as the docking clamps release, followed by a brief wobbly moment before the inertial dampeners kick in. He gestures for Liara to go through the war room security checkpoint first. Three days. He takes a deep breath. He needs his guys to hang on for three more days.

“You’re the reason I have children,” Wrex is saying when James enters the room. “You think I’m not gonna come help you get your kid back?”

Shepard looks like she’s about to cry.

Jack crosses her arms and shifts her weight; the red holographic display casts angry shadows across her face. “Cerberus doesn’t get to fuck with kids as long as I’m alive.”

“You’re my friend,” Tali says. And then she shrugs. “Plus, I was already on the station.”

At that, Shepard laughs. “I’m glad you’re all here, thank you.” And then her eyes settle on Liara.

James doesn’t know what it is that Liara sees, but she lets out a soft, sad sigh before making her way down the stairs and over to Shepard.

Liara hugs Shepard tightly and doesn’t let go. Everyone talks around them, letting the two of them fade into the background and share their quiet little hug in the corner alone.

Out of the corner of his eye, James sees Garrus step into the room and stand beside him. He turns. Garrus is watching Shepard and Liara in much the same way he was.

“How’s she doing?” James asks. He wishes he could just ask as her friend. But Shepard's on the ground team and he needs to know.

“Not good,” Garrus says.

The understatement in Garrus’ voice is crystal clear and James looks up at him. “How are you doing?”

Garrus slowly turns and looks at him. “Not good,” he repeats, with the same clipped tone.

Exhaling, James nods. If their positions were reversed, not good would be an understatement for him, too.

***

“Why do I always have to be the one to do this?” Rachel asks with a sigh. It’s almost time for them to come collect the empty lunch trays. She’d actually enjoyed lunch today; there was an apple.

“Always?” Micah asks. “You mean this is not the first time you’ve done this?”

She shakes her head.

“It always has to be you because you look the least intimidating,” Jonah says.

“People underestimating me is largely how I've gotten this far,” Rachel says cheerily. The door opens and a single guard enters while another stands at the door. “I hate this part,” she murmurs to herself.

Rachel waits until he’s deactivating her forceshield and then bends over, her hair hiding her face from them. She dry heaves a few times and then makes herself throw up the remnants of lunch. She stands up straight, stumbles a little and pushes her hair back out of her face. “I don’t feel good,” she tells the guard.

“Sorry,” he says.

She gags again, making sure to aim in his direction. She wipes the back of her hand over her mouth when he looks up at her in disgust. “Told you.”

The other guard sighs. “We should take her in to medical. Turner says we need these guys alive for the time being.”

“Fine,” he says, gesturing for her to come out of the cell.

Keeping her hands up, showing that she has no intentions, Rachel follows the guards out.

“Hey!” Carlos shouts after them. “Send someone to clean this up! It’s gonna smell!”

Rachel counts guards and doorways and turns, making a mental map of the immediate area around the cells. They pass a stairway marked roof access, and there’s noise coming from the closet next to the stairs. It’s quiet, but definitely music. She listens as hard as she can without revealing herself.

Love beyond moons, love beyond stars!

They walk past the closet and take another turn to the left, but Rachel bites back a smile as the song fades. She’s found their gear.

***

Her caffeine load inevitably crashes and Olivia stumbles into bed beside Garrus. Though she’s exhausted, and even took a sleeping pill, sleep eludes her. Olivia rolls onto her side, then her stomach, then her back. She waits twenty minutes and then tries the whole cycle again. After three attempts, she gives up and stares at the ceiling while Garrus snores softly beside her. He's always been able to sleep anywhere, anytime, as long as he knows someone's keeping watch.

She could lie here in bed and get increasingly more annoyed about being awake, or she could do something useful. She brushes a kiss to Garrus’ forehead and then noiselessly slips out of bed.

Tugging a blue Alliance-branded sweatshirt over her head, Olivia stuffs her feet into her boots. Her black pajama pants get stuck in the cuffs and she pulls them out, wishing she’d had the foresight to bring sneakers. She really ought to change into BDUs since she’s going to be out of quarters, but she’s a civilian now and it’s the middle of the night.

She and Garrus are in a two-bunk officer’s quarters, sharing only with James and Liara. It’s small, but it isn’t sleeper pods and it isn’t the barracks-like atmosphere downstairs: with fifteen extra passengers, there aren't enough bunks for everyone and they've thrown every spare couch and chair and pillow into the lounges for impromptu sleeping space. Olivia tiptoes around the other bed, noting that James is the only one in it, and grabs her tablet before slipping out.

Yawning, Olivia steps onto the elevator and presses the control panel for Deck Four. If she’s not going to sleep, she’s going to need coffee. They still have two days; she’ll properly crash later. She runs her fingers through her hair and yawns again before the elevator doors open. The Normandy’s nighttime lights are dim and soft, and she’s in the galley with her hand on the coffeemaker before she notices the figure sitting at the table, hunched over a glowing tablet.

She starts a fresh pot and then walks over to him. “What are you still doing up?” she asks quietly, softly rubbing her son’s back.

Nico sighs and looks up at her. “Trying to break this. I think I’m close to the second decryption level.” He blinks. “Didn’t you and Dad go to bed?”

Olivia slides into a chair opposite him. “He did,” she sighs. “I gave up.”

He looks at her, then over at the coffeemaker burbling happily as it drips into a mug. “Going the Nora route of staying up until your body can’t take it anymore?” He lifts a browplate.

She shrugs and curls a little into her sweatshirt; she’s not proud to say Nora didn’t develop that habit in a vacuum. “Works every time." She reaches across the table and clasps his hand. “I’m sorry I pulled you away for this.” Nico chose a non-military life and it was for a reason. Desperately needing his decryption skills doesn’t change that she feels guilty pulling him away from his own life and back into one he left.

He smiles as she stands to get her coffee. “She’s my sister,” he says simply. “I have people who can handle the bakery for a few days and Lucien can feed my fish.”

Smiling, Olivia returns to her seat, steaming mug in hand. She takes a sip; Alliance coffee hasn't gotten much better in the years since she left, but it’s still tolerable. “Have you two found a place yet?”

“We have a few in mind,” Nico says. “But trying to find something that’s close to the bakery and his precinct and in our price range is harder than we thought.”

Olivia nods. “Apartment hunting sucks,” she commiserates. She does not miss it; designing their home from scratch was one of the best decisions she and Garrus ever made. “What are you going to do with the one above the bakery?”

His tablet beeps with a sad noise and he sighs. He types a few thing and then looks up at her. “I’m thinking about keeping it for when my brother needs to drink himself silly again.”

Olivia winces. “How’s he doing?” She’s had a few emails from Quentus since he left the Citadel. He’s excited about his new assignment, but rejection has always stung strong for her eldest.

Nico shrugs and pushes his tablet aside while the program runs. “He’s upset. But the new assignment’s helping. Solana has him leading a ground team and they have some crazy new tech he can’t tell me about.”

“It’s stealth,” Liara says around a wide yawn. She drops into the chair next to Olivia. “The Hierarchy’s working on no-discharge zero-emission stealth drives.” She picks up Olivia’s mug and takes a sip.

“Get your own,” Olivia says, sliding the mug out of Liara’s reach once she’s set it down. “What are you doing up?”

Liara yawns again. “Talking to vorcha.”

Olivia silently slides her mug back toward Liara. She gets up to pour herself another. “Anything useful?”

“Updated topographical maps, a weather report, and a headache.”

Nico’s tablet beeps, happy and successful this time. “Finally.” He looks up to find both his mother and Liara looking at him expectantly. “Updated base schematics, guard rotations, rolling door codes.”

“Nicely done,” Olivia says, leaning against the counter.

"The base is definitely central ops for Project Damocles, but I'm also finding something about a Project Gemini. No assets on base, just some bio metadata in cached email."

Olivia glances at Liara. "What are the chances that's not what I think it is?" Under normal circumstances, hearing about a Cerberus Project Gemini would cause her stomach to drop all the way through the ship and out into space. As it is, she's not sure her stomach has been inside her body since she got the call from Vega.

"Slim," her friend confirms.

Sighing, Olivia shakes her head at Nico's raised browplate. "Way above your clearance level," she tells him. "Forward all of it to Alliance Central Intelligence." Leave it to Cerberus to keep that particular project going. She never thought she'd label her clone a Tomorrow Problem, but a lot of things she never thought would happen have happened in the last 48 hours.

"And me," Liara says.

"And her."

The observation bay door opens, and loud, excitable indistinct conversation filters out before being silenced again as the door closes. Ashley walks into the mess and straight for the coffee. “We’ve officially given up on stealth,” she says, pouring herself some coffee and setting it to brew more. “Just rush the gates.”

“Blowing the door down has always worked well for us,” Olivia muses.

“That’s what I thought,” Ashley says, sitting down beside Liara. “They’re still working on a way past the AA guns that doesn’t involve a two-day hike through the jungle, though.” She looks at the clock and then back in the direction of the observation bay. “Were we ever that young?"

"No," Olivia says.

“Speak for yourselves, please,” Liara says with a grin.

Laughing, Ashley lightly shoves Liara’s shoulder.

“Uh, Captain?” Joker’s voice crackles over the comm.

Ashley sighs with a distinct tone of I don’t want to hear it. "Yeah?"

“We’ve got a ship on intercept course. Unknown configuration.”

“Keep us quiet,” she says. “I’m on my way.” She gestures for Olivia to follow her.

Olivia stands and takes one last sip of coffee. "Keep working on the AA guns," she tells Nico before following Ashley.

“What’s the likelihood this is just a coincidence?” Ashley asks once they’re both in the elevator and rising.

There’s math she could do to figure out the exact probability, but Olivia knows a rhetorical question when she hears it. “First time for everything,” she says.

“They’re hailing us,” Joker says when they walk into the cockpit. “Unknown frequency.” He turns in his seat and looks at Ashley. “What do you want me to do?”

"They shouldn't even be able to see us," Ashley says.

"And yet." Joker gestures to the communication panel and its blinking light.

Ashley waits a moment, shares a long look with Olivia, and then shrugs. “Here’s hoping no one’s dumb enough to fire on us,” she says. “And here’s hoping today isn’t the day that logic runs out. Answer it.”

The viewscreen flickers on. Olivia smiles.

“Heard you were on a rescue mission,” Solana says, Quentus standing behind her. “Anything we can do to help?”

[dreaming-gamer]

Magic Touch – Nero X V Chapter 4

Firefighter Nero x Massage Therapist V

Thank you so much to everyone who has read this story! 💜💜💜 I'm sorry this chapter took so long to finish, but it's longer than usual! I hope you enjoy! 😀😀😀

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Nero could admit he struggled to not gaze out his window, just to check the process of V’s move for the rest of the day. Whenever he realized his gaze had stuck on the moving truck, or just straight over to the other apartment, he tried to keep busy for a bit. Cleaning up his own apartment was an efficient way to get rid of some energy because hey, even though he hadn’t gotten V’s number this time either, at least they were actual neighbors! That was still something to be happy, not to mention feel hopeful about. When the apartment looked great, he sat down on the couch, trying to occupy his mind with checking the TV.

The distance between his and V’s new home was too far for Nero to really see what was going within the apartment but dammit if his curiosity didn’t make him try, even from the couch. But when sight didn’t help, he turned to imagination.

And when he had been imagining for long enough, at least until he realized that an episode of the current show Nico had ordered him to try watching, Once Upon a Time, had passed with him having no memories of what happened in it, he abruptly tried to stop. Not watching the show, that felt like something Kyrie would enjoy, rather than Nico that was usually so much more into sci-fi shows, but thinking about V.

Or at least trying to stop. The gears in his mind seemed determined to spin in only one direction, producing more thoughts about V.

Nero’s gaze went one more time toward the window and he groaned, stretching himself out further on the soft couch. With a jab at the remote, he paused the show and let his thoughts be heard. Maybe he could head over, just ask how the move was going? But V was probably too busy focusing on his new home to want to see Nero. Or maybe he’d be happy for the distraction? Maybe he wouldn’t mind Nero’s help?

But then again, V already had the help of the moving company to get his furniture in place… maybe Nero was just better off praying for them to meet in the door or something soon, but he had no clue how V’s schedule looked or anything and he still didn’t have that stupid number dammit—

A simple guitar riff, only a few notes, made him aware of a new message from none other than Nico. Stretching his arm toward the living room table, Nero grabbed his phone, unlocked it and swiped the screen once, revealing the message in its entirety. Not that the content made him any wiser.

“Alright, ya can thank me now.” That was all it said, together with a ton of emojis, including a satisfied devil emoji. Nico had cackled at him, through text, when he had revealed that V’s number had escaped him, yet again, but then she had gotten back to work. Rather than trying to figure out whatever crazy plot or invention she had come up with now, he found it easier to cut to the chase:

“The hell’s that supposed to mean?” Nero sent back, checking what time it was. 16:42, meaning work was almost over for her, of course that meant she’d start texting again. It took mere moments for him to get the next message.

“Your mysterious massage therapist friend called a while ago! He’s coming around to pick up the car tomorrow instead so I’m giving you a heads up!” More emojis before the message continued. “But that’s not even the best part!”

Nero waited, for about a minute or two for the continuation, but there was none. With quick thumbs, he tapped a reply. The heads up was certainly a ticket for him to once again try to get V’s number… but what else had she planned?

“Don’t leave me hanging! What’s the best part?”

“He asked if there was any way to rent a car trailer, says there’s something he needs to pick up. I asked what and he said bookshelves! Big ones!”

“How’s that the best part? Not following, Nico!”

“Duh! Ya don’t got work tomorrow, right? I told ‘im there’s one in the back that Dante’s not using. And that ya can help him out!”

Nero stared at the screen. Was she serious? His heart sped up from the feeling of hope.

“What did he say?!” Had V accepted the suggestion?

“I think ya might have a shot here Romeo, cuz he said yes, if yer fine with it. Took the liberty to say yeah for ya, so ya better holler yourself over here tomorrow at 4 in the afternoon, sharp!”

“Got it, will be there!” Nero hadn’t really asked for this favor but… it was nice of her to arrange it. “Thanks, I owe ya.”

“Music to ma ears!” Lots of emojis followed. “I’ll call in the favor when needed.” The mischievous emoji that followed made him think that she might have watched the show just a little too much recently.

“I took a break from watching. And I can get you an iced latte tomorrow.”

“That’s what I wanna hear! Make it extra strong and ask for some cream on top!”

Nero shook his head with a grin, Nico was the same as ever and while he wouldn’t admit it to her face, he loved her for it.

“Roger that.”

***

Nero felt like giving a shout of victory when the clock finally closed in on 4 ‘o clock. Anticipation had kept him checking the time way too often during the day, only to find that not as much time as he had hoped had passed, every check. But now, with half an hour to spare, he was ready, dressed in a chill hoodie with short sleeves and a new pair of shorts as he descended the steps. Maybe he should knock on V’s door and ask if he wanted to walk together to the garage, or he could simply walk ahead and meet V there…

Nero’s thoughts were cut short as V emerged from his new apartment building, wearing a cotton shirt, with only a few of the buttons buttoned over a black t-shirt with no print, and black trousers. The massage therapist seemed to notice him immediately, meeting him without a cane in his hands today.

“Good afternoon, Nero.” His voice was deep, smooth and accompanied by that smirk that made the butterflies in Nero’s stomach return full force.

“Hey.” Nero grinned back. “Heard from Nico you need some help. What was it, picking up bookshelves?”

V’s smirk remained and he gave a little nod.

“That is correct. She offered your assistance, with the words that you don’t have work today.”

“Well, she was right. Just promised her to get an iced latte before showing up at the garage, you fine with making that small detour?”

“No problem at all.” V claimed as they started to walk to their destination.

“So how’s it going, settling in and all?” Nero was looking forward to seeing a glimpse of how V’s apartment could look, even if it was probably a bit messy still.

“The furniture is all in place thankfully. I do admit that the unpacking of the boxes has not been as… swift as I would have liked. I had to leave for work, just after the moving company left yesterday.”

“Whoa, were you okay getting there without your car?” Nero wondered, there weren’t that many buses that passed by V’s working place, from what he knew.

“Let’s just say I arrived… a while before my assigned time, courtesy to the bus.” V smirked.

“Man, if I’d known, I’d have given you a ride again.” The words slipped out of Nero’s mouth before he even had time to think about them. “Didn’t have work yesterday.”

“I see. Thank you, for the offer.”

In his peripheral vision, Nero noticed that devilish smirk soften a bit. The butterflies in his stomach flew around with greater force.

“No need to thank me when the offer’s a bit too late!” He pointed out, one hand scratching the back of his head.

“Hm. I’d say that it’s the thought that counts.” V replied, just as they arrived at the café.

"You want anything?" Nero offered, he didn't need anything for himself, but it was a hot day.

"I'm fine, thank you." While Nero went inside, meeting the pleasant chill of an aircon, V waited outside on a bench in the shade. With V's sort of pale complexion, Nero had a feeling the sun could be an enemy. It didn’t take long for Nero to appear again, holding the iced latte, custom made after Nico's preferences.

Had Nero been the one waiting on that bench, he knew he would have had his focus on some silly mobile game or something. But V? His eyes seemed glued to the pages of a leatherbound book, with an emblazoned V on the cover.

"That's how you got your nick?" Nero joked with a nod to the book.

V chuckled.

"I admit it is my favorite… But that is not the case. It's the fifth edition." He replied, standing up. As V left the shade, Nero could see hints of dark bags under V’s eyes.

“Of what? Poetry?” Nero guessed, did novels even get published in five editions?

“Correct.” V smirked. “Shall we?”

“Yeah.” Nero nodded, matching the massage therapist’s stride while holding back a comment to ask if V had been sleeping too little. There was a slight slouch to V’s shoulders too, Nero noted.

The last of the walk didn’t take them long, the iced latte in Nero’s hand still cold when they stepped into the garage, Nico greeting them with a grin.

“Hiya! Yer beauty is all ready, attached the car trailer for ya!” She proclaimed, handing the car keys to V.

“Thank you, I’m glad to hear it. I shall return it tomorrow.” V took the keys with a polite smile.

“Great! There’s just the little extra payment for renting that, so let’s get it outta the way huh?” Nico showed the way towards the office, grabbing the iced latte from Nero with a wink and a grin. V followed her, while Nero remained, glancing at V’s car. It did look better than it had when it had been standing by the road, dripping oil a few days ago. And now, they were neighbors. Actual neighbors. Nero sometimes felt like he needed to pinch himself to be sure this wasn’t a dream...

It didn’t take long for Nico and V to return, the massage therapist giving Nero a smile.

“Are we ready then?”

Nico grinned knowingly at Nero from behind V, giving him a knowing grin as if to say: “Oh, I think yer ready alright.”

Nero had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at her, because V wasn’t aware of what was happening behind his back.

“Yeah, ready when you are. Let’s go. See you around, Nico.”

“See ya!” The mechanic grinned at them and opened up the garage gate for them, while the guys got into the car. Inside, the car seemed very clean, mostly because there wasn’t a lot of things in it. Nero only spotted a pair of sunglasses, close to the gear lever. The seats were old, like the rest of the car, but clean and comfortable. Upon starting, the engine sounds were surprisingly pleasant, not really rumbling, but rather a soft purring.

Nero waved at Nico as they passed the garage gate, just as she pulled out a cigarette to smoke. V’s driving was calm and steady.

“I’m grateful you agreed to help me with this, Nero.” The massage therapist admitted softly.

“Hey, no worries. Are we heading for the furniture store?”

“Not exactly, I found an advertisement.” V replied. “As long as you pick the bookshelves up yourself, they are completely free. The lady that posted the offer is apparently moving to a much smaller space, and will have no room for them.”

“Sounds like a great deal to me.” Nero grinned, and honestly, with V’s arms so twiggy… he could imagine why he needed some help.

When they arrived and he got to see the size of the two bookshelves himself, he was definitely glad he’d accompanied V. The bookshelves looked nice, he could admit, but they were two meters tall and made of rather heavy wood. With his regular training as a firefighter, Nero wasn’t worried for himself, but could V take it..?

He got his answer pretty quickly, since they had to cooperate to get the bookshelves onto the car trailer and Nero’s uncertainty must have shown, because V sent him a smirk when they grabbed a hold of a side each.

“I am not so frail Nero, remember?”

“Right, sorry.” The tips of Nero’s ears burned, he remembered very well how V had proved the strength, or perhaps rather technique he had, despite his lean frame. Both of them giving a nod, they started to carry the first shelf between them. It was heavy, but Nero’s grip was firm and he walked slowly to make sure V could keep up. With just one verbal confirmation that everything was going alright on both sides, they soon loaded the first shelf onto the car trailer and their cooperation went just as seamlessly with the second one.

“Well, that went great!” Nero grinned, tightening the last strap around the furniture before they could go and he was delighted to see V smirk back at him.

“Indeed. Let us hope it will go as smoothly, transporting them up three floors.”

Nero couldn’t lie, it sounded heavy. But it also meant he’d see a glimpse of V’s new apartment.

“Don’t worry, we got this.” His grin widened at the amused grin in V’s eyes.

***

“You… have been a great help.” Nero turned to find V smiling at him.

The apartment was still rather chaotic, consisting of two rooms. Taped boxes were still stacked here and there but from the furniture, most of it in wooden, natural colors, that was already in place, the apartment seemed nice. The smaller room contained the bed and now, the two bookshelves against the opposite wall.

“Told you we got this. No need to thank me.” Nero grinned.

Nero wondered how many bookshelves one person could need, because he counted four big ones, so far, compared to the single one in his own home. And he had lost count of how many of the boxes had “books” written on them.

“I would still like to. Would you like to stay for dinner? If you do not mind takeout? My treat.” V suggested.

Nero’s heart did a small, happy jump in his chest.

“Sounds great, I’m craving some good Chinese.”

V chuckled.

“Then perhaps you have a good recommendation?” He asked, tilting his head ever so slightly, with that charming little smirk on his lips.

“You bet I do.”

***

“I am honestly surprised you could eat that.” V looked at him curiously, when Nero finished his takeout dish of hot noodles, the sauce spicy and a bit sweet due to the touch of peanut. V’s vegetable wok looked really tasty too, but he was eating much slower than Nero.

“It’s not that spicy, just a pleasant tingle on my lips.”

“I would most likely find that too much. I do not eat spicy dishes very often.” V admitted, putting down his finished box on the round living room table before leaning back into the couch.

After all the unpacking, there seemed to be a slight slouch to V’s shoulders, even though he was sitting down to relax. It had been a nice experience, eating takeout by someone else’s living room table for once. Since Nero broke up with Kyrie, it hadn’t really been a common occurence to eat with someone else.

“You know, I could massage you?” The words stumbled out of Nero’s mouth before he had time to think about them.

V’s eyes widened.

“Pardon?”

“You look like your shoulders could need it. Come on, I can at least try, right?” Nero pressed, hoping the grin on his face looked as innocent as he wanted it to be.

V’s lips curled into a small smile.

“Very well.” With long fingers, he started to unbutton the soft cotton shirt, as he turned his back to Nero. The intricate patterns of the tattoos on his arms came into view, as he was now wearing only a black t-shirt on his upper body.

“I will tell you if you need to use more… force.” V’s tone was teasing.

Nero snorted, but the sound came out more as a chuckle.

“I apologized, didn’t I? Maybe you should tell me when I need to use less.” Nero set his hands on V’s slim shoulders and started to knead. Careful touches wasn’t his strong suit, but Nero did try to not put too much force into his palms or fingers. V’s skin was so pale under the tattoos, looked like it could bruise from so little, but he didn’t seem to complain yet. Until Nero found a rather big knot and V’s entire being stiffened.

“Sorry, too much?” Nero was about to take his hands off him, but V’s voice made him pause.

“No, if you do not mind… continue. It would help a great deal… to get rid of it.” V sounded like he was talking through clenched teeth.

“You sure?” Nero was doing this to help him relax, not make him stiff with pain!

“It will be worth it. And a knot like this is quite hard to get rid of, on your own.” The massage therapist replied firmly. Nero didn’t find it within himself to refuse, because V looked like he honestly could need it. Especially after the bookshelves they had worked together to carry up the stairs.

“Alright, if you say so…” Nero slowly put his hands more firmly on V’s shoulders, closing in on the knot and started to knead at it a bit more gently. He shifted between using his fingers and his palms, took note of when V seemed to be pained, or when he was fine. V gave him some pointers that made it easier to focus. Heat engulfed Nero’s fingers, not just from the massage he was giving, but also from how V’s pale skin was flushing so red that Nero could feel the heat through the t-shirt.

When Nero felt the knot dissolve a few minutes later, he swore he could both see and feel V’s back sag, a light sigh escaping the therapist’s lips. It wasn’t hard to feel that there were a few more minor knots here and there, but for now, maybe this would have to do. Nero used his fingers and knuckles for some gentle strokes over V’s skin. The massage therapist said nothing, his head sagging a little bit, as if he was collecting himself.

“Hey, lean back a bit.” Nero suggested, before he gently pulled on V’s shoulders, keeping his grip steady and V didn’t protest, letting himself be guided backwards. He blinked as his head ended up in Nero’s lap, but his eyes remained half-lidded.

“Blood rush to your brain?” Nero guessed with a smile, wow, V’s black hair looked silky, this close.

“Yes, a minor one.” V replied quietly, remaining where he was. Nero noted the dark bags under those beautiful green eyes again and the realization ached in his chest.

“You’re taking care of people for a living, but who’s taking care of you?” The words slipped out without Nero meaning to say them. The move, his work… V seemed to be working himself too hard.

V’s eyes widened, just a tiny bit, as if he clearly was not expecting those words. He opened those plump lips, paused before letting them form a fond smile.

“You need not worry, it is just a stressful period. Once I am more properly settled in, I am sure it will be better.”

“You’re not doing anything relaxing each week, are you?” Nero tried to keep his voice light and casual, but he found himself unwilling to let the subject go, just yet.

V chuckled, a light hint of tiredness in the sound.

“Are you using the words of my profession against me?”

“It seems like I need to.” Nero pointed out, then he puckered his lips in a rather humorous manner.

“One relaxing activity per week, like a bath… or a swim. Or if you find it relaxing, a massage.” He made sure to make his voice sound deliberate and deep, but in a completely over the top way.

Another chuckle left V, sounding close to a laugh.

“I do not sound like that. Nor do I look like that.”

“You do.” Nero grinned, still using his makeshift voice.

V stilled his next chuckle and locked eyes with him.

“Then, are you offering?” The smirk that grew on his face gave Nero’s good shivers down his back. Until he realized his mind had ground to a halt. Had he heard that right? V just watched him and Nero wasn’t sure what was on offer here.

“Huh?”

“To remind me, once per week. We will be living… close to each other now so perhaps… we can remind each other? Once per week, to do something relaxing.” V explained smoothly, observing his confusion, while Nero was still processing what he had heard. It sounded like he was dreaming.

Something forlorn came over V’s green eyes and he averted his gaze, but the smirk remained. “Pardon if my suggestion does not sit well with you, never mind it--”

“Sure.” The word stumbled out of Nero’s mouth, but he had never felt more sure about anything before. Whatever those moments would include just a massage or two, or a small talk or maybe… maybe a date, he didn’t know but either way, he was all for reminding V to relax, at least once a week. “Definitely, I’m in. It’s a good plan.” He quickly added, almost rambling. His heart skipped a beat when V’s smirk softened into a smile, his green eyes lighting up with mirth.

“I’m glad to hear it.” He replied softly, slowly straightening up from Nero’s lap, the slouch to his shoulders less noticeable.

Nero was watching him and V was observing him in turn. The living room was still filled with a few boxes, the smell of Chinese food in the air. Nero couldn’t help it, his eyes went to those plump, attractive lips.

V seemed to notice, as he chuckled. The flushed skin on his neck and shoulders wa returning to its original color. Tattoos peeked out under his t-shirt, just a few lines on his throat and Nero wondered again, how much they must have hurt to make.

Nero felt a shiver down his spine as V’s long, slightly cool fingers cupped his warm cheek.

This was happening. His heart beat like crazy as he leaned in, feeling V’s warm exhale on his lips…

And V’s phone rang.

He didn’t miss the flash of defeat in V’s eyes. Nero’s hand reached for V’s cheek, about to silently ask him to ignore it, just for now.

“Pardon me.” V said quietly, pulling away as he stood up, moved to collect his phone on the kitchen counter. Nero lowered his hand, along with the stone forming in his stomach.

“Yes?”

What followed was conversation that Nero barely caught, because he sank into the couch with a huge sigh. His heart still beat hard, like a drum at a festival. It had been so close! And V seemed occupied with whatever the call was about, in the kitchen.

Was the moment stolen? Gone? Would they continue when V returned? Nero felt himself gripping one of the soft cushions V had placed on the couch earlier, he really didn’t know what to do with his hands, or himself.

“I beg your pardon, I am a bit preoccupied at this… yes, yes… Is there truly no one else that can…?” A pause, a soft inhale of breath. “Very well, I understand. I will arrive shortly.” Nero didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but his stomach dropped at the words. It felt like V’s chance for relaxation tonight was slipping out of his fingers.

The apologetic look on V’s face as he returned, confirmed his suspicions.

“I apologize, but I appear to be urgently needed elsewhere.”

Nero gave a small nod, holding in the disappointment that created a small twinge in his chest. V looked bothered, so Nero pushed it down, for now.

“Everything alright?”

“I am part of a… association for literature lovers, I suppose you could call it. We are but a group of individuals that sometime gather for discussions about various pieces of literature. We sometimes attempt to arrange various activities, such as book fairs.” V explained, seemingly checking his schedule in a leather bound calendar. There was no sound of a sigh on his lips, but it could be seen in how his shoulders seemed to tense, again.

“We are meant to host a public poetry reading, pretty soon. I have been asked to help arrange it, as well as participating. Now, we have encountered some unforeseen difficulties and my presence has been requested to solve it.” V looked up again, lips slightly parted. The mirth in his eyes from earlier seemed replaced by determined calculation.

Nero felt his heart sink, for two reasons. The moment was completely gone with the wind, or rather the tones of a cellphone signal. And V was probably not going to relax anymore tonight.

“I truly apologize, Nero.” V said, his tone quiet. “I’m afraid I must be going.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Nero assured quickly. Sure, he was disappointed that this was cut short, but it seemed to be for something really important for V. Poetry seemed to be so close to his heart. Nero didn’t want to stand in the way for that, he rose from the couch easily. “It’s fine, really. We can just do this… some other time?” There was a small hope in his voice, he couldn’t help it.

V smiled, his gaze softening a bit.

“Yes, I would like that. Let’s remind each other, once per week.”

“Once a week.” Nero agreed, as V followed him to the door of the apartment where half of the things still needed to be put in order. “You taking the car?”

“No, it is within walking distance.” Nero opened his mouth, about to offer to walk with him, but slowly closed it again. Perhaps V needed time to think, he didn’t want to act stubborn. Silence drifted between them, broken only by their steps down the stairs.

“Oh, and Nero?” V said as they stepped outside his apartment building, about to separate. “Thank you for the wonderful massage.”

Nero felt his cheeks, as well as the tips of his ears blush red at the compliment, especially since that smirk was in place again. V chuckled as he held his cane in a sure grip.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, later!” The heat in Nero’s cheeks didn’t lessen as he watched V go. A massage therapist, a poet. A man with a determined gaze and a new apartment, suddenly living right across the street from Nero’s.

He walked into his own apartment, touching his lips lightly, feeling those damn butterflies flutter around in his stomach again. It had been so close and yet so far. But they had made a promise now, there was hope. And Nero had a plan, he’d just go get some paper from his apartment…

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Tagging: @la-vita and @thedyingmoon 💜💜💜

[jaysoldboog]

4, 28, 29, 43, 48, 62, 67, 86, 90

4. Do they like cuddling? 

from most to least cuddly (this is only some): sterling, mars, mark, freddy, hypno foster

28. If they could have one wish, what would they wish for?

this is complicated for a lot of ocs because they have Regrats that they’d like to undo or things they wished they’d done like. sterling would wish to never have been cursed to die with diamond in the first place but then he would never have fallen in love with diamond. and mark would wish he could go back to college and tell nico he loved him but idk actually that might literally be a better life than. everything he has lived through.

29. Do they wants kids? If they already have kids, do they want more?

tr1p wants kids but he doesn’t actually want kids so he builds little robots instead. mark would want kids if he felt stable enough for it. cedric wants kids but he is INSANE. sterling couldn’t settle down long enough to have kids. mars has a kid and he’s good with just her because she’s being hidden away by his ex husband. foster would never ever want kids and if he never had to see another child ever again it would be too soon. 

43.  Where is their dream vacation?

mark went on his dream vacation to new zealand literally just to hike around the hills and pretend he was in middle earth. caseys dream vacation is like. basically just a way to forcibly remove his problematic alter and get some peace and quiet in like a hot spring or something. hypno’s dream vacation is to get a VERY EXPENSIVE airbnb in hollywood and go sightseeing and go to clubs in west hollywood. he grew up on the west coast but in seattle so he never made it down to hollywood and he’s always wanted to go and look beautiful with all the other beautiful people in los angeles. frederick would want to go to a cabin in the woods alone with marius and basically just f*ck the entire time. maybe they could bake some stuff together and eat raw cookie dough. and they could bring marius’s dog. 

48.  What does their room look like?

Mark’s room is influenced a lot by his boyfriend ratthew so between the two of them it’s very cluttered but not messy, just a lot of things on all the surfaces and yeah sometimes trash too because ratthew will leave energy drink cans literally anywhere. and mark has a problem with not putting books back on the shelf so there are random stccks of books everywhere. hypnos room, on the contrary, is very neat and tidy and incredibly pink. he has a huuuuge bed with very lush comforters and and a walk in closet for all his clothes as well as a few wigs out in the open on display. fosters room is minimalist because he doesn’t have many Things other than clothes. he has a bunch of clown dolls and a poster for the it from the 90s or 80s or whenever. there aren’t any mirrors or clocks in his room because those are evil.

62.  Who, in their opinion, makes the best food?

hypno, frederick, casey: themselves

mars: his mom

67.  What is something that is simple, but always makes them smile?

for most of them literally their boyfriends ngl. that is a cop out but its true. 

86. What is something they can’t leave home without? 

for birdy its crystals and for mars its cigarettes + his lighter, hypno its lip gloss, dom its his backpack (which is full og bondage gear. never too careful)

90.  What is a joke that they would find funny?

mark is into classic memes and lolcats and rage faces and stuff. hypno thinks 100 gecs jokes are hilarious. sterling likes dad jokes. tr1p likes political humor and memes. birdy thinks saying things like its a deep quote but its actually like ‘he who smelt it dealt it’ is peak humor. bub thinks screaming HAIL SATAN at old people at the grocery store is really funny.

[lonelypond]

Can’t Get Started, Ch. 5

NicoMaki, RinPana, Love Live, 1.7K, 5/6

Chapter 5

Summary: The morning after the night before...

Nico’s phone went off. She grumbled and reached for the...nightstand? No, Nico opened her eyes, couch, phone on floor...right, Maki...Maki, barely wrapped in a robe, gorgeous hair twisted up in a towel, mostly asleep and giving off levels of sexy cute like Nico would kill to be able to pull off on or off screen, had stepped out of Nico’s bath and into Nico’s dreams forever. So Nico, recognizing exhaustion when she saw it, had tucked her...girlfriend into her bed alone with just a quick temptation of a kiss, claiming she was too awake now to go back to sleep. Maki had had too crazy an evening to object so Nico took a blanket to the couch and settled in. It was more comfortable than some of her sleeping arrangements on location in the early days of her career.

More angry buzzing. Oh right, phone...Nico grabbed it, saw Nozomi’s pic, and swiped, “What?”

“Let me in.” Nozomi sounded too amused.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I’m in the lobby of the Peninsula and you need to give me the private elevator code.”

“How the fuck…” Nico sat up.

“You’re all over the Chicago Red Star’s social media. You’ve made a whole bunch of new fans.”

“Why are you even in Chicago?”

“I’m crashing a wedding.”

“No.” Nico liked short answers.

“Look, if you’re letting random strangers sleep in your hotel room, I have to meet the girl you’re trying to impress.”

“Nico is not trying to impress anyone.”

Nozomi snorted, “Liar.”

“Why aren’t you in…”” Nico couldn’t remember where Nozomi and Eli were currently orbiting the art scene of.

“Detroit, Nico. It’s practically right next door.”

“You’re into cars now?”

“No. Taking pics of black women entrepreneurs for a serious magazine spread. And Eli’s consulting with some local art and dance studios. She loves it there.”

“Tell her Nico says hey. And to keep you at home.” Nico closed the call.

An immediate text.

N: THE CODE, NICO-CHI, OR ELSE (ง ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)ง

Nozomi would find a way up and be banging on the door sooner than Nico would be able to think of a plan to divert her. So Nico typed in a string of numbers.

And opened the door to Nozomi sweeping in and hugging her, “You looked so happy in all those pics, Nico-chi. I just had to see why. Usually candids show the grumpy gremlin I’ve known for years.”

Nico broke Nozomi’s hold and stomped through the foyer. Nico had ordered an array of breakfast pastries after Maki’s arrival. And there was a coffee maker. As Nozomi was likely to continue to ignore Nico’s invitation to leave, Nico was going to need coffee. Maybe she could send Nozomi to the Orrington before Maki woke up. Nico glanced at the clock, a little after nine, hangover victims should be wandering through anytime now. And the bride. Nico grinned, RIn had looked like she was having the time of her life last night. Nico had certainly gotten Maki’s best friend on her side, so her sudden ascension to the spot of the Chicago Red Star’s most famous fan was worth it.

Nozomi, unwrapping her practical army green parka to reveal a gray wrap blanket skirt and a bright purple cowl neck sweater, settled into the table, “Why yes, Nico, I will take a coffee.”

"Hmmmppffff…" Nico sputtered, loading a pod.

“Nico?” Nico froze, that wasn't Nozomi’s voice, that was sleepy cute confused Maki bumping into the doorframe, her robe falling a little open. No pajamas. Suspicion confirmed. Nico heard clicking, saw Nozomi’s hand moving, and leapt to grab the phone. Delete. Empty trash. Then, as soon as possible, take out the non digital trash that masqueraded as her best friend.

“If you ever ever do that again, I will kill you. Literally.” Nico hissed, her tone frozen lake cold as she stashed Nozomi’s phone before smiling at Maki. “Good morning, Maki!”

“You’re not green anymore.” Maki giggled.

Nozomi spun to stare at Nico, her turquoise eyes mischievous, “Oh, this is too cute, Nico-chi. It was worth the early flight.”

Maki jumped slightly, refocusing on the person sitting at the table who wasn’t Nico. “Hello?”

“This” Nico had her arm around Nozomi’s shoulder, ready for a chokehold, “is the person Nico mentioned last night, the unavoidable pestilence that Nico can't shake, Nozomi Tojo." Nico took a big breath, not minding if she sounded smug, "Nozomi, this is Nishikino Maki, Nico’s girlfriend.”

Maki blushed, glancing away, fingers discovering a knot in the rock star worthy bedhead. Nico wanted video.

Nozomi stood, shaking off Nico, extending a hand, “Very pleased to SEE you.”

Nico kicked, Nozomi yelped, Maki looked confused.

Nico stepped smoothly between Nozomi and Maki, shoving Nozomi’s hand aside, “Nico is making coffee. Want some? There’s a bakery's worth of breakfast too. And since your clothes were wrecked, one of the early rising Red Stars messengered some gear over.”

Maki blinked, yawning, then frowned as she woke up enough brain cells to process Nico’s statement. “I’m a Seattle Reign fan.”

“Nico will make a note.”

Maki smiled, nodded, and leaned over to kiss Nico on the cheek.

Nico glanced back over her shoulder, Nozomi was making coffee, eavesdropping, and ogling with equal skill, “But, put on a t-shirt for Nico, okay? And maybe sweats. Until we get you to your wedding gear.”

“Wedding.” Maki straightened, her jaw setting, amethyst eyes hardening, “I have to talk to Rin. Where is she?”

“Whoa.” Nico put out a hand, “what’s the rush?”

“I um…” Maki looked angry, but while her hand gestures indicated agitation, no coherent sentences were being produced. “After how Hanayo…”

It was going to be a bathrobe only breakfast Nico realized so as she sat Maki down in a chair, she mostly blocked Nozomi’s view. Fortunately, Maki was now disgruntled enough to be fully awake and had retied her sash, actually closing the robe.

“Ooohh, I should have crashed the bachelorette party.” Nozomi brought the coffee over, carefully avoiding any glances toward Maki’s cleavage as Nico was still glaring death threats, “What happened?”

“Blue Zoo.” Nico stated simply. Maki picked up a donut. She definitely needed calories if she was going to have to remember last night.

Nozomi whistled, “You’ve found a very interesting crowd, Nico-chi.”

“Nico didn’t go.”

“Smart.” Nozomi nodded, suddenly sober, “that would have really dented your rep.”

“Nico knows.”

Maki felt like yelling that someone should have warned her, but Nico might have kinda did and Rin had certainly been worried almost exactly the right amount and Kotori...Maki put her head in her hands, cue memory induced hangover throb, “What do I tell Rin?”

Nico and Nozomi exchanged a glance, then Nico spoke, gently, “If you want Nico’s advice, talk to Hanayo, not Rin.”

Maki’s head fell to the table, and after a yelp of pain, there was a reluctant ‘yeah.’

“Maki Maki Maki” Rin bounced into the room, with enough energy to power a hyperdrive, her short hair out of the shower wet, “Nico is the best. You should get married too. We had so much fun. I can’t wait for your bachelorette party,”

Maki tensed and Nico wondered how close they were to an outburst, but Maki just lifted her head, eyes sad, and ran a hand through her hair, “No. No parties. Ever.”

Rin froze, her face sliding into disappointed worry, “What did Kayo-chin do?”

Maki’s eyes met Nico’s, desperate. Nico reached out for Maki’s hand, and Maki squeezed so hard Nico couldn’t hold back the wince. Then a huge inhale and Maki slid the baked goods toward Rin, “She got drunk and very silly.”

Rin frowned, sitting and biting into a donut, “Handsy, right?”

Maki nodded, not sure what else to say.

Rin sighed, but then she reached over and ruffled Maki’s hair, “But she loves me, Maki, she really does. She just gets stupid sometimes.” Donut gone in two bites, “I’m sorry you had to see it.”

“We got arrested.” Maki stated so solemnly Nico wanted to send a sympathy card.

Rin’s eyes went wide, then she started pounding the table and laughing, “Oh my god, that’s the best. I want to see the mug shots.”

Maki shot up from the table, furious, “I can’t believe you.”

“But Maki, that’s so funny. Kayo-chin in JAIL.”

Maki growled, “Good bye, Rin, I’m going back to LA.”

Rin kept laughing, “That’s okay, I’ve got Nico now, she’s not a criminal.”

Maki remembered she had half a donut in her hand, crumpled it, and dumped it in Rin’s wet hair on her way out the door. “You and Hanayo deserve each other.”

Rin, looking as pleased as a person could, leaned back in her chair as she brushed most of the crumbs out of her hair, “Guess I’ll have to tell Kayo-chin she needs to apologize so Maki doesn’t glare through the whole ceremony.”

After a pause, Nozomi glanced at a bemused Nico before deciding to contribute to the chaos. “You’re crazy. I like you.”

Two thumbs up from Rin. “Come to the wedding. You’ll love me. We got the best cake maker in the whole Great Lakes region.”

Maki shouted from somewhere, “YOU CAN’T INVITE ALL OF CHICAGO TO YOUR WEDDING.”

Rin jumped to the door, “YES I CAN.”

“GO HOME!”

“YOU’RE MY RIDE.”

“BITE ME.”

As Nico and Nozomi watched in a state of awe, Rin came table-ward, grabbed a scone, broke off a piece, sat back down, tossed the carb in the air, caught it in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed before declaring. “Maki’d be lost without me.”

Nico grabbed the rest of the scone out of RIn’s hand, “Nico believes it. But now you can rely on Nico.”

“Good.” Rin nodded, serious, “Me and Kayo-chin’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

Nico saluted. Nozomi shook her head. Maki could be heard shouting “We are the Reign, the Mighty Mighty Reign.”

“Maki’s gonna start a fight.” Rin zipped out of the room.

After a long pause, a raised eyebrow, and maybe an aura addition of slightly impressed, Nozomi went back to chat mode, “So, what’s new in your life…” Nozomi sipped her coffee, obviously waiting for Nico to fill in details.

Nico grinned and bit into breakfast.

A/N: This gets us back in the zone. So I hope you enjoy.

Also, you're getting another chapter...sue me ; )