#and him turning around and pointing at his buttcrack

[critical-birb]

Omg to add on to the lizard headcanon- I can imagine daruk seeing someone who seems a little down and he walks over and goes “wanna see something cool?” And then he whips out a lizard from nowhere and lets them hold it and feed it and stuff

THATS SO WHOLESOME I LOVE IT 🥺

[lakesbian]

@simurghed ok here are some miscellaneous nothing thoughts ive had about undersiders team vacation for you. this is my purest form of autism theres literally nothing interesting under this post just a lot of words of me sticking undersiders into situations. thats not intended as self deprecation just fair warning

if they went in a cave where the tour guide is like "DO NOT TOUCH ANY CAVE FORMATIONS or they will BE DESTROYED, FOREVER, after THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF BEAUTIFUL EXISTENCE" brian would immediately proceed to spend the entire tour staring at aisha and alec instead of looking at the rocks and shit and preparing to grab them if either of them attempts to touch a cave formation. alec would accidentally set his hand on one w/o realizing while huffing and puffing his way up stairs or a steep incline but he would be walking behind the rest of the team so no one would notice and he would pretend it didn't happen

brian accidentally slams his forehead into top of low tunnel everyone is walking through and swears for like 20 continuous seconds and then has to go sit somewhere with an ice pack and the entire time hes like I bet aisha and alec are touching so many fucking cave formations right now.

if the undersiders went on a hike or something where there were like. Ledges. over Long Drops. aisha would without doubt go stand on them and dick around in a spry 13yo manner and it would freak brian out so much he would yell Aisha Middle Name Laborn Get Your Ass The FUCK Down From There!!!!! and then she would pretend to be startled like she was about to fall off for a moment and he would almost have a heart attack and he would be so mad for the entire rest of the day and not let her off the trail at all and keep glaring at her

if they went to a beach they could all wear cute little swimsuits...taylor would have a full bodysuit (dark gray) but mostly just spend time sitting in a chair reading. rachie wouldnt wear a swimsuit but she would just take her dogs up and down the beach on walks in normal clothes and maybe get a bit damp anyway. brian would wear swim trunks and a long-sleeved top because he also feels uncomfortable having too much skin exposed but, like, more quietly. aisha is wearing a purple tankini with one of brians giant t-shirts over top. voluntarily, to be clear, ifeel like someone might misinterpret this as "brian made her" but shes doing that on purpose. i also think she has at least one "nightgown" that is fully a massive shirt stolen from brian but thats besides the point. lisa is wearing a purple bikini with one of those like. flowy half-skirts tied around the bottom. and alec is wearing girls swim shorts and one of those sheer white swim cover tops youre supposed to take off before you get in the water except he's not taking it off

aisha keeps pestering alec to go swimming with her and he's like sure ok and lets her drag him in. and then almost drowns because he doesn't know how to swim and figured he could just "wing it." brian has to dredge him out and he spends several minutes coughing up seawater sopping wet style while brian takes the opportunity to lecture about how he's stupid. and then he spends the next half hour after that complaining about how there is Sand up his Buttcrack.

aisha and alec spend literally like over half an hour just standing next to taylors chair pestering her to make a crab rave happen. she tries to ask lisa for back-up but lisa says she also wants to see the crab rave. so it happens. very clandestinely with only a few crabs.

aisha demands a ride on brian's shoulders into the ocean. he obliges. alec demands to get to go next. he is denied, because brian thinks it would be kind of gay. he doesn't say that, but it's what he's thinking.

i think they should get to have the most miserable time on the planet all waiting for their turns to shower off in the hotel room after going swimming. reasonably they would have multiple rooms but i like to envision theres only one and everyone is shivering and holding malicious intent towards whoever is actively in the shower. they make alec go last because they know how he is with long showers and he just kind of sits tragically on the entry tile in a slowly collecting puddle of sandy water and stares into space looking haunted and intermittently shivering

undersiders trip to history museum. undersiders trip to preserved historical building. undersiders trip to preserved fancy mansion. ive posted about this one before but both alec and brian are enjoying it (for different reasons) while aisha HATES it and it's freaking all three of them out a little. alec is performatively trying to pretend he also thinks it's lame because he's (largely platonically) whipped but then he turns around and asks the tour guide an actual question and he and aisha both know that in this moment he has betrayed and abandoned her. they reconcile via shared advocacy for ice cream afterwards

alec vasil hot and tired of walking frow up incident, no deaths, intense injury to one boy's pride and also his shoes

brian laborns intense and immense joy over getting to organize and use the contents of his cargo shorts

the incredible drama of brian laborn trying to parallel park the van in a really tight spot while lisa and taylor both play unwanted spotter for him and he's like Please. just Let me Concentr-. Just let me do what i need to do just be quiet for a minute . they do stop talking for a minute, during which aisha takes the opportunity to start making fart noises

rachel lindt is fitting so many ouppie dogs in the van and theyre just kind of ferreting between everyones legs and climbing onto laps to stick their heads out the windows and shit. this starts off as something everyone but rachel is mad about but settles into a more amenable cuddle pile situation

undersiders go to aquarium or zoo....zoo would be more fun to witness because alec would complain about it being hot + smelling bad the whole time. lisa has the intelligent idea to quiet him with a blue raspberry slushie

speaking of lisa you know shes going into this entire thing like Taylor Specifically has to have the most funnest specialest time ever. shes always like "ok ill read some dinner options off the phone :)" and then all 5 of them are things taylor specifically would love. and so on and so forth.

alec vasil spotted wandering lost and ghostlike in the modern art gallery

i could go on

[chilipowder9]

Dad

tw: childhood trauma, abandonment issues, severe mommy issues, minor daddy issues, idk what it's called but that thing where you think you need to be [this] good to earn someone's love specifically here mentioned it's my dad, and one mention of considering suicide paired with a mention of it again to portray that it was (and still is) gone

this starts as an explanation of a couple things Dad did to me as a little kid that hurt me, then ways he tried to counter that, then the main point which made me understand that if no one else in my family loves me as I am, it's him; I will be labeling each part so if you want to only hear the happy parts or the main premise of this post you can skip

everything's under the cut

The Rough Edges

when I was super young, like, 4 to 10 young, he had no idea how to interact with a child, he was always gruff when talking to me, and it seemed he never had anything nice to say to me

he's always been on a strict work schedule and therefore was home every day but he never had enough time to spend time with me and learn who I was and keep up with my phases through life

Mom was always worse when he wasn't home, I don't want to get into it in this post since that's not the point of it, but she was really rough, but when he was home she was nearly a saint and protected me from his gruffness, so despite being so harsh with me, I idolized her and wanted to one day be good enough to be loved both by the fact that I am her child and for who I am

Him Trying His Best

he started to find ways to connect with me as I got older, each time we were in the car we would try to talk, it was awkward at first, but over time we bonded over music, then videogames, then slowly more and more

he started to see my personality in the things I did, he started to relate to me in any way whatsoever, I started to understand why he was "so mean," I started to understand that to have a relationship with him I needed to be the one to reach out because he's never known anything else

this kept going and getting better and better with my relationship with my mom staying the same kind of rocky until December 2022

The Context Needed For The Point

not much, but some, please read this so the point makes sense

I was in a relationship my family did not like, I had my tech on severe lockdown, but still not quite taken away, I was allowed to speak with her but only with them around, the comfort of falling asleep with someone was going to be taken away... except I had my brother's old phone he would have thrown away and wifi to talk to her on

the rest of the context is that Dad has to get of at the buttcrack of dawn to go to work

The Point

I was on the phone with my at the time girlfriend (she abandoned me two days after this, no it wasn't ghosting, I wish she would have ghosted me) I remember it so vividly I was on the phone and I genuinely believed I would not have survived the next day, that Mom would finally have weighed down on me so much that I was going to end it all and I begged her to help me relax just for a moment before I had to struggle the next day (there's a lot of toxicity please don't ask) it was five in the morning and we were arguing with me trying to get her to understand I wasn't saying about my worry to guilt her into helping, I sincerely believed I would not have survived the next day

Dad heard me yelling in my room, stormed in, and freaked out, he barely gave me a chance to explain and honestly the entire ordeal was a blur, I remember begging, I remember feeling like he hated me, and I remember being terrified he would tell Mom

then he began to walk out of the room to leave for work, and something came over me, I haven't the slightest clue what, not the slightest idea in the world, but as he was walking out the door

"hey.. wait!"

"what?" he turns glaring at me, with every look of "you dare speak to me?" on his face

"can... can I have a hug?"

he paused for a moment, but that man pushed his anger to the side, settled his stomping, lowered his voice, and came to hug me

he came and he hugged me, telling me, "I used to do some stupid things when I was your age too, y'know... that's not good but we're gonna get through this and you're going to get better... but I want you to know I still love you"

and that

that right there is what saved me from committing suicide that morning

he paused every emotional response to my betrayal of his trust, and he reminded me that he loves me, and I can't remember for certain if it were here or in one of our car conversations but he ended up telling me he was proud of me despite that

my dad is every reason I stay in this house and serve the family, my dad is every reason I am alive, my dad is every reason I find to get up in the morning, my dad is why I take care of my body, my dad is why I try to take care of my mind

my dad is why I feel so safe around punks; he was a thrasher in the 90s, he may not have been a punk (and he's really elitist with saying punk died with Green Day and that "nowadays punks are just a bunch of pussies trying to fight for bullshit issues behind a little screen") but he was one of those people that was only not punk because he didn't appreciate community because he had a fuck the world because it fucked me mentality

[citowon]

judas 🎨 kazunari miyoshi

i never thought in my 5 years of writing fanfic i’d ever name a fic after a song, but everyone’s gotta pop a cherry, i suppose. shoutout to my girl miss gaga for being the inspiration behind this one! judas is a banger, always and forever

word count: 943

tags: fluff, implied sexual content(?), established relationship, gender neutral reader

summary: Kazu goads you into dancing with him and gets far more than what he expected.

“So I was thinking I’ll try to do a flat wash in alizarin here?”

“But then wouldn’t it just get lost between the impasto?”

“So true. Ugh.” Kazunari’s eyes stared up at the storage room ceiling like it was the Sistine Chapel and the musty rafters would grant him inspiration, but slammed his head onto the desk and into his arms. “I’m taking a break,” he loudly announced.

“Poor thing.” You patted Kazunari’s head as he groaned, playing with his bleach-blond locks. “You worked hard.”

“Impasto suuuuucks.”

“You don’t really think that.”

He grunted in mock disagreement as the chirpy pop song playing from his phone faded away, only for another to take its place.

Kazu shot up like a sunflower at the buttcrack of summer. “Oh my god, Gaga,” he said.

“What?”

“Lady Gaga! It’s her!” He beamed as he pointed to the phone, jumped to his feet, and held out a hand. “May I have this dance?”

“If you insist,” you replied, only for your arm to tangle with Kazu’s as he spun you. You landed face-first into his chest.

“Sorry, sorry.” He pressed a kiss to your forehead as you collected yourself. “Maybe you should lead?”

“So silly,” you tittered. “Give me your hand, then.”

You stepped forward as Kazunari swung back, rocking you with a hand along your hip. You slung your other arm around his neck as the rhythm thrummed, an EDM track that just screamed Kazu’s name.

You held him out as he twirled, and fit himself right between your arm like he didn’t want to leave. His oversized gray tee, loaded with paint stains from over the years, slouched off his shoulder, and your fingers grazed the patch of skin between his neck and shoulder as the pre-chorus chimed.

“Since when did you learn how to dance?” he asked, fully aware of the answer.

“I know a guy that’s never satisfied with just swaying like a middle school couple,” you retorted, just as playfully.

“Better not tell him you’re mine, then.”

“I dunno, I feel like he’d be overjoyed to hear it.” Kazunari’s hand broke from your hip again as he lunged, the other still intertwined with his fingers. His free hand flourished in the air, way too extra for an impromptu storage room dance party, but so undeniably Miyoshi that you couldn’t help but smile softly.

When he returned to your grasp, his eyes lowered and focused on the turn of your lip. “Cutie.”

“Look who’s talking,” you said.

His face flushed. “Hey! You can’t just use my words against me like that!”

“Who’s gonna stop me?”

Another spin, but Kazunari pressed his body against yours. “It’s no fair. So cute and for what?”

“I’m only cute when I’m with you.”

“That’s good. I get jealous when you’re not around. You’re so clever. And adorbs.” He nipped at your neck. “Totally adorable.”

“That so?” Your arm held him tighter.

“So patient and supportive, you know? Even when it’s something like art projects or acting. Bonus points for being hot as hell.”

He went in for the kiss when the bass hit, sending shivers down your spine as he ran his tongue over your lips. The thumping music only added to Kazu’s passion, and you hungrily bit his lip, falling into the kiss like a storm.

Paint-covered fingers clutched at your jawline and pulled you closer, his dance all but totally ignored in favor of making out. Your hand slipped lower and lower before resting on the small of his back, and when it arched at your contact, your mouth twitched into a smile in the middle of a love bite.

You leaned forward inch by inch and savored the last of the kiss before Kazunari parted to breathe, curls of hot breath matching the pink dusting his cheeks and nose.

His eyes only began to open when you dipped him low and suddenly, the music not forgotten by you as his vibrant green eyes snapped open and met yours, dark and inviting. His hair brushed the floor.

“If you think that’s as hot as I can be, I’ve got way more where that came from, trust me,” you said, low and husky. “I hope you aren’t busy today.”

You simply watched with satisfaction as his face went even brighter, matching his ruby red painting. Kazunari’s mouth fumbled, opening and closing with no words coming out, only a small, stunned squeak.

Naturally you dove to close the distance, barely leaving any space between his face and yours. Even under the shadow you cast on him, Kazunari’s eyes twinkled. “You have such pretty eyes. Beautiful.”

You stole another kiss and his eyelashes fluttered closed as his actions reciprocated what words could not. Your heart raced in the face of your addiction, the man who could charm anyone and yet melted like putty into your arms, and the one that held your affections unconditionally. Another noise escaped him, this time a deep moan, as he moved in tandem with you.

You rose from the dip, still holding Kazunari in your arms, and when you pull away, he falls into you in a tight embrace.

“I love you,” he said, loose and dazed and exhilarated.

And out of everything he’s said to you, these three words are what eats away at your cool exterior and makes you feel like air. “I love you too.”

“I love you,” he repeated, just as breathlessly, pecking at your chest.

Your hand feels under his shirt, still running on your high. “You’ll love me more when I’m through with you.”

“Please,” he whispered. “Please.”

And who were you to say no to that? 🎨

[dioko]

~Childhood Headcanons~

random things i think they did when they were younger

Characters : dekusquad

Warnings/Includes : no warnings, fluff (?) idk iss just headcanons

a/n 1 : unedited, almost all my works are unedited if y'all find anything tell me

he picked up worms like they were nothing

and also those... potato bug things

this absolutely horrified bakugou, you cannot change my mind

he was a dirt child idk how else to put it

used to take clean pots from inko to go outside and make 'stew'

this stew consisted of dirt, leaves, pinecones, flower petals and occasionally some type of grub

imo this habit didn't fully die off and he has a small terrarium in his UA dorm room

was also obsessed with bubble baths

like, there was probably some kind of All Might themed shampoo/body wash/bubble bath 3-in-1 combo that he would never not get

he still uses it probably

i really like ochaco i think she's rad

she drew her own hero posters. there was no way she was allowed to spend money on a shiny piece of paper

you know, they actually turned out pretty good

she was able to keep those better ones and to this day, still has them hung up

she ALSO made nature soup

in winter she could break a slab of ice where there was a body of water, roll snowballs and then dip them in to 'deep fry' them

that is weirdly specific because i did that

she and her parents painted their nails ✨funky colours✨on weekends because fun

one time she snuck on her mother's makeup and got caught halfway through

110% this guy watched Crayon Shin-chan when he was young

ABSOLUTELY HATED HIM

moving on

he wasn't really an outdoor kid but he really liked making bird houses with his brother

this tends to be a popular hc but imo you could definitely see kid-iida's buttcrack every time he squatted down

he would try to get other kids to put earthworms back into the dirt so they could 'properly survive'

his hair was almost always greasy, this did not get better until his second year of junior high

at one point he felt like his glasses were inconvenient so he tried to switch over to contact lenses

it worked... temporarily

TW EYEBALL STUFF

one morning it got stuck in the corner of his eye. it terrified him permanently so that was the end of that

ive got the same mbti personality has her and i normally dont trust this stuff but PLS it makes me so happy

she hatched from an egg

at one point she had a tail similar to a tadpoles tail

she was extremely concerned when it started to shrink

she read countless kids' animal encyclopedias... like, for fun

she didn't fully walk on two feet until around her third year of grade school, walking (hopping?) around on all fours meant she moved faster

despite her small stature she was a volleyball champion ✨

the first time she manifested her whole quirk was when she was playing tag and she was trying to catch one her of her friends when she tried to laugh and her tongue just... grabbed them LOL

the catch was declared an interference smh

childhood my ass

i wholeheartedly dislike (thats an understatement) endeavour ANYWAYS

his math/science homework was covered in tears

on a brighter (?) note

sticky child

like his hands were just always sticky with some kind of unknown substance

he read A LOT of chapter books/novels for older audiences when he was young

which is why the last time he picked up a book at sat through the whole thing was like sixth grade

the attention span to read full, tangible books just doesn't exist anymore

a/n 2 : this ended on a kinda sad note oops i hope you liked it tho lol

[calypsoff]

Seventy Seven.

Squinting my eyes open a little, my daughter is crying and I’m awake of course. Of course I am awake, I always sense when my daughter is awake, she has a good pair of lungs on her too with the amount of crying she does when she is unhappy, she is really unhappy right now because her father is asleep still but I do not want to show I am awake, I am trying my best to remain in one place but he is sleeping still, I don’t want to nudge him either, I have stepped back a little, calmed down with him. Chris is a little reluctant still, I think he probably feels I will bite at him again about it but I won’t, I want him to bond with her so I stepped back, I tried the when she is a good mood he has her but this is the first night since our midwife visit that I told him to wake up and see to her, he isn’t awake still, how can you ignore that. Looking over at Chris about to speak but he moved, I quickly closed my eyes. Feeling the bed move as he did, he is awake and that is the main point. Looking over at him walking to the crib, his boxers up his buttcrack, a small smile played on my face. He is sexy as hell, he is my baby daddy and I love it “hey pookie, it’s ok” Chris said as he reached into the crib, his voice is croaky but watching him pick up Rylee. Her cries calmed down; she is at peace “you good now yes? You calmed down now, hey” watching him with her, least she is calm with him “let’s go and make your bottle in your room, don’t want to wake your momma” closing my eyes again, trying to make out I am asleep because I can’t make him feel I am watching which I am of course, I can’t help myself with that.

I frowned looking at the time, she is crying again but this time Chris got up straight away. Why is she awake again and it’s late at night, I want to get up, but I won’t, I will just be mute here “it’s ok, calm down” Chris said “hey Pookie, hey there. It’s ok” hearing him walk off, he always leaves the room because he doesn’t want to wake me, which is cute but still, I wonder why she is not asleep. Hearing the door close, reaching over for my phone and seeing the time. It’s four in the morning, she woke up at half two and now again, maybe she wants some snuggles. I am awake now so I will go to the toilet, I won’t check unless Chris asks for help. I am just trying my hardest to allow him to grow in confidence with her, she seems ok, so I am not worried, but she has been sleeping through till about six in the morning so it’s odd to know she woke up again. Pushing the covers off of me, I guess Chris has got a fun night ahead of him. I am going to sleep, I need it because from six I am awake with her now, it’s all about Rylee now.

Grabbing my phone and looking at the time “wow” it’s going on seven, no sign of Rylee crying. Placing my phone down and looking over at Chris, I had to double take seeing Rylee asleep on Chris’ chest. Chris’ hands over Rylee and kept her place but she is asleep on him, she hasn’t even woke up either, that is how much she is enjoying herself. I am shocked, looking at the side of Chris, the baby bottle is next to him, grabbing the bottle and seeing that she didn’t drink it all but yet she is still asleep. Pushing the covers off of me, placing the bottle on the side table “hey” looking behind me, he is awake “hey you, what happened?” he looks tired “she wouldn’t sleep, I got fed up so I just thought fuck it, try this. She slept through the rest of the night. Is that ok? She good yeah?” nodding my head “she is content Chris, it’s fine. You look so tired, so she was playing up?” I questioned like I didn’t know that “yeah, she woke up. I fed her, put her in the crib and then she woke up again, the second time she did, she was fussing so I took her downstairs, we had a little walk around. I came up, used the machine to make the bottle, came here to bed, fed her whatever she wanted. Burped her, then carefully laid her on my chest, she slept through” I smiled lightly “that is so sweet Chris, and she is so happy, she has overslept but because she has been fussing all night she is catching up, I mean you can put her in the crib or keep her there. I am awake now” Chris nodded his head, he is tired.

Chris put Rylee in the crib for me, he can go back to sleep now, I can take over “did you have an ok night then?” I asked knowing that I know what happened “erm” watching him rub his eye “I did, she was a little off but nothing I couldn’t handle at all, as soon as I laid her on me, she was fine. I’m going to sleep, you good yeah?” He asked, nodding my head “I am” Chris rubbed the back of his head staring at me before he walked off to go to sleep, I am pleased to know he seems content and ok with her. I guess I can go and do my thing, I will take her downstairs with me “you want to bathe her today?” I asked, “I won’t breathe down your neck about it?” Turning around “I don’t mind it but can you be there” nodding my head “Robyn?” Looking over at him “why don’t you touch me anymore? Like physically? Like what about me? You know? Not sounding selfish but it’s been a while, we haven’t done anything. Not even a hug, I don’t want to sound like a little bitch because I mean men don’t generally care or should care but you said speak on it. I am because I care, I miss it” watching him get into bed in utter shock, I mean I shouldn’t be shocked because that is what I have been like “I am sorry” it’s the only thing that came out of my mouth, I feel awful with what has happened, what I have been like “it’s ok, I just thought mention it. I miss it, if you need me then wake me” watching him get comfortable in bed, I feel like a bad wife, but it was never intentional, I have been so caught up in being a mother and healing that I forgot I am a wife too, taking in a deep breath staring in sadness, I feel sad now.

Placing Rylee in the crib downstairs so I can be close by if she cries but have I really been that distant with Chris, I suppose he’s right because since she’s been here it’s been about Rylee every time and just worrying I’m doing right or wrong, I’ve not thought of Chris clearly, I feel bad. I’ve just had so much on right now, but I need to do something for him I think, let me just make breakfast and put something away for him. Walking off to go to the kitchen and then the buzzer went off, of course it does now “great” at this time of the morning it’s probably a parcel, looking at the camera and seeing it’s the parcel guy, opening the gate for him and made my way to the door. I look a mess so he can see me like this, I don’t care. My life is sweatpants and baggy tops, dragging my feet as I got to the door. Dragging it open and seeing the box in front of me with no guy, I frowned “sorry” he ran back over with another big box “oh wow, hi” the delivery guy stared at me in amazement, I’ve just had a baby and I look terrible so what is he staring at “wow, erm. You know it said Rihanna, but I didn’t think, oh wow. You look amazing, oh man. My people ain’t going to believe me, oh shit. I am sorry. I have a few more boxes for you” he smirked at me “you real beautiful for someone that just had a baby, like I am speechless” if he cannot, I couldn’t help but smile “thank you but can you do me a favour please, can you actually bring these boxes inside. I can’t carry them in, my husband is asleep” his eyes lit up “oh yes, of course I would for you” pushing the door open for him “thank you” I grinned, he is so sweet.

There is like five boxes, three are just in brown plain boxes and the other two ain’t “is that it?” I asked him “one more” my eyes bulged out “who the hell” walking over to the gift wrapped box, there is a note on there “I will be two minutes, that is the heaviest one of them all” nodding my head, grabbing the card. Opening the envelope, pulling out the card “Balmain” I said to myself “my beautiful Rihanna, congratulations on your queen that arrived into the world. Love from your boo Olivier Rousteing” I squealed out, oh no he didn’t yes he fucking did. I know that’s fucking right, he is late, but I will take it “last one for you, this is the heaviest. I think these brown box ones are Dior, but it’s amazing. Like to meet you, I will keep this day in my mind. It’s rude of me to ask for a picture, a lady just had a baby and stuff but, you are more beautiful in person, I mean you’re beautiful anyways. Aight, I am going” I giggled “thank you boo, maybe next time you come I may feel up to it. I will take that picture with you” walking behind him, escorting him out of the home “oh my god, it’s really Rihanna” he said to himself looking up to the sky, he is one funny delivery man. He was so shook to know it was actually me, closing the door with the biggest smile on my face. Now I got to look through these boxes, I can’t even. My daughter has so much clothing already, I am so excited to open the gifts.

So my daughter and I have been spoilt by Dior and Balmain, I am so speechless right now. I can’t even, Dior even sent a stroller, but I will get Chris to get that out once he is awake, but I am shook to the core, I can’t believe they sent so much, both of them. Grabbing the Dior pink muslin, it’s so adorable, making my way to the living room. Looking my bottom lip out, I can’t believe that my daughter is out here just flexing. How on earth am I going to have her wear all this, I don’t even know. I have two strollers now, I think I am going to have to give the one I bought away to someone in need, I need to get Tina to look into that, there is always new mothers in need so I will look into that, I am so happy. Dior and Balmain both picked outfits specifically for Rylee and I to match, these outfits are from their new season, I am just so fucking excited, I need to start getting back in shape already. Looking down at Rylee in the crib, she is asleep still. All that playing up got her tired I see, lightly lifting her hand up and placing the Dior muslin just under her hand and placing it back down, let me take a picture of this first. I have to do this; they really have sent a lot to me for free too. Getting my phone out from my sweatpants pocket, unlocking my phone and tapping on Instagram. Tapping on my camera, hovering my phone over her hand with the muslin under it. They can wait for to see my pumpkin’ face, they ain’t seeing that until I want too. Typing out a caption ‘@Dior baby! Thank you so much for everything you have sent us’ pressing send on the post, I am sure that will be getting the most likes, the post I put up of Rylee is the most liked post, so I am sure this will be too. Chris’ following list went crazy since he posted me and her, just everything is so crazy right now, I am just in love with the gifts.

I want to cry seeing these Balmain outfits “Chris just please, look at this” holding up the sweatshirt with the ruffles around her torso “awww, that is actually so cute. With her fat legs out, she going to love it” I love everything he sent “you not going to eat first?” I asked, he is already starting on the stroller “I want to build it now” I don’t mind seeing that, him topless just fixing things. Very manly of him “ok, I was thinking. We have so much, I am going to get Tina to look into like women’s shelter or a place for new mothers that need clothing and baby gear, we have so much Chris. Everything we have is double, triple. Our home is full of Rylee things, not it’s even worse so what you think?” watching Chris sit on the floor staring at the box “I think that is a good idea, you’re right. Because I was looking and I saw the feeding machine box, I thought it was just a box you had out. So I grabbed it to throw it away, but it was brand new boxed, we have a lot of stuff so I think it would be good” I need to do that, that is a chore “I am going to do a quick video to put on my story” I said to Chris, tapping record as I took a video of the Balmain outfits “Oliver, Oliver, Oliver. You have spoilt my girl! Look at this” holding the outfit up “you about to be her fave already, I can’t wait for you to meet her. I love you so much boo, thank you!” stopping the recording, I am just so happy “this should be straight forward you know” pressing send on the post, he says that but watch him do something to mess it up.

Chris actually did the stroller easily; he is just clicking things in together. I enjoyed watching him do it actually, just watching him work. Tapping record on my phone as I walked up behind him “my husband hard at work” Chris looked behind him and at the camera, he just laughed “why you got to record though” walking around him “because I like to see you busy, look at him. He fixed the Dior stroller for his pookie” showing the stroller “why you telling everyone that twin” he moved back from the stroller, moving my phone and aimed it at him, he laughed “you call her Pookie, it’s cute but he’s been so good. Night feeds is on him” Chris scratched his chest laughing “always” he mumbled smiling, he walked over to me, and he came into me for a hug. Wrapping my arm around his neck, he pecked my lips “a nigga is hungry now” he walked off which made me smile, I stopped the recording. He fixed my stroller, and I got a hug, I am happy what can I say. You know what, I don’t like posting much of my private life, but it’s been a while since I have so I will post this on Instagram. Adding a caption to the post ‘My whole life @Fuckyopictures’ pressing send on the post, let the media drool over that shit. I mean the only shit they can hear when Chris hugged me is the kiss and the only thing they can see when we hugged was the living room anyways.

I am feeling a little giddy inside, making my way to the kitchen “Chris” I said, I still haven’t forgotten what he mentioned about us not hugging anymore and all that so I just want to speak to him about “what’s up?” he looked up at me “I want to speak on what you said just before you fell asleep again, so yeah, about what you said. I want to apologise to you, I will admit yes I have been neglecting you in a way I shouldn’t have, I have been caught up being a mother and trying to be just that, forgetting the fact I am a wife to you. I am sorry for not being there with you like you are with me, throughout my pregnancy you have been constant. Yes there has been a few hiccups but it doesn’t amount to how much you have been there, so tonight erm how about we spend some time together. I mean of course Rylee is there but how about we cook dinner together, because I need help with somethings still, I don’t want to be bending and stuff and then we can talk and watch a movie together on the couch, meanwhile Rylee will obviously be there to interrupt” Chris chuckled “how about I make dinner, or I can bring something in? That would be dope” he is right “bring something in” Chris smirked “Giorgio Baldi to go” I giggled “how did you know?” he rolled his eyes, he knows me so well because I do want that.

[milliethekitty27-writing]

Friendly Rivalry

The first time Lovino met Ludwig Beilschmidt, they were twelve years old. Slytherin and Gryffindor had history of magic and potions together, and Ludwig Beilschmidt sat in the row ahead of Lovino. He was tall, and blond, and Lovino hated him. Why? He wasn’t sure. He just… hated him. 

Over the years, though, through the Yule Ball and awkward dates (with other people, mind you) Lovino and Ludwig became friends. That fact was blamed on Lovino’s Ravenclaw brother, Feliciano, because he and Ludwig were friends. (Lovino still wasn’t sure how that had happened.) Both Lovino and Ludwig griped about Feliciano’s longtime crush on his fellow Ravenclaw, Kiku Honda, who was in their year and top of his class and apparently oblivious to Feliciano’s fawning. They watched as Feliciano tried (and failed) to flirt with him, a bit like a very sad sitcom that started out funny but now was just a bit depressing. Lovino and Ludwig still kept up their bickering from second year, but it never had quite the same bite.

Ludwig and Lovino were in their fifth year. They’d been supposed to go with Feliciano to Honeydukes, but he’d unfortunately seen Kiku in the windows of one of the other shops of Hogsmeade. Now they were sitting outside on a stone wall, watching Feliciano trail Kiku like a lost puppy. It was starting to snow and cold. Lovino had shoved his hands into his pockets and was wondering if they could just leave his brother here to bemoan his fate. Instead, he let out a long disgruntled sigh while Ludwig kept awkwardly looking down the street. 

“He just wants senpai to notice him.” Lovino muttered. Ludwig snorted, then burst out laughing. “It’s not that funny you moron!”

“But it’s true.” Ludwig wheezed. He was still grinning when a dejected Feliciano came out, complaining that Kiku had barely spoken to him. 

“He’ll notice you next time.” Lovino pat his shoulder, though he didn’t necessarily believe it. Ludwig muffled a snort behind his hands but Feliciano did brighten.

When they passed one of the glass windows, Lovino pretended the red on his face was from the wind and not from watching his normally stoic classmate loss his chocolate frogs over something really pretty unfunny. 

Lovino realized he liked Ludwig in his seventh year. Ludwig, Lovino, Kiku, Feliciano, and a friend of Lovino’s named Natalia were going to the Yule ball as a big group since none of them wanted to go with a date (rather, Feliciano had been too terrified of rejection from Kiku since last year’s catastrophe) They met up outside of the hall. Lovino and Natalia got there first. She was dressed in a chic white dress that went to her knees and was covered in holly that shimmered in the candlelight, plus short white gloves with her hair swept into a ponytail. Lovino had decided to go in a white suit covered in shimmering frost that his grandfather had sent from Italy. He’d promised the absolute best fashion and to not making him and Feliciano match. (last year really had been a disaster) 

To no one’s surprise, Ludwig was right on time. Lovino was too busy peering down the hall to search for his brother and Kiku, but Natalia made a noise of appreciation. 

“Now that’s a tall class of butterbeer.” She elbowed Lovino and he looked up. Ludwig’s hair was slicked back (like it always was) and he was dressed in a sharp black tailcoat, along with a black vest. Underneath was a deep red dress shirt. He was wearing black shoes and dress pants and he looked highly uncomfortable as he kept tugging on the sleeves. Lovino got another elbow to the side. “Stop staring and close your mouth.” His jaw snapped shut as Ludwig approached, looking rather relieved.

“I’m not the last one?”

“You’re right on time.” Natalia said. She kicked Lovino when he didn’t say anything. “This one’s brother hasn’t arrived yet, but no one’s surprised.”

“Probably busy ogling Kiku.” Ludwig said. 

“You’re not very winter-y.” Lovino muttered finally. 

“Red’s a Christmas color.” Ludwig frowned. 

“Well, it’s not-”

“He means that you look nice.” Natalia linked arms with Ludwig. Lovino scowled at her and she smiled very sweetly, clearly squeezing Ludwig’s arm. The Gryffindor looked between them in confusion. 

Kiku and Feliciano had shown up a bit later, maybe five minutes after Ludwig. Kiku was wearing a nearly-black suit with red lining and a white shirt, while Feliciano was wearing dark green with a grey shirt. They eventually melded with the mass heading into the hall. Natalia was still hanging off Ludwig’s arm and Lovino really didn’t like that. She kept smirking at him, which Lovino hated even more. 

They looked really good together. It irritated him and he didn’t understand why. He flipped her off when Ludwig wasn’t looking and she laughed. 

The ball itself was fun, even if Natalia hung on Ludwig for too long, and he bid the rest of them goodnight as they parted ways. He power walked in front of Natalia and she laughed at him but didn’t pursue. 

Lovino barely slept that night. He kept tossing and turning because how could anyone look that good in a suit (besides him) and just… ugh. This was Ludwig, he wasn’t supposed to be pretty. His heart had beat too fast every time he’d looked at him and it felt all weird and-

oh.

oooooooh fuck.

oh fuckity fuck spaghetti on a stick. 

He liked Ludwig.

Lovino drew his silencing curtains very tight, buried his face in a pillow, and screamed. 

Despite his newfound… emotions, Lovino didn’t make any move on the Gryffindor head boy. It was the end of seven years of school and too much to deal with. Instead he bitched to his grandfather over holiday breaks (Nonno laughed so hard it seemed like he was about to cry. Lovino may have flipped him off) and did his homework. He pressed in for the final tests, his NEWTs, and he regularly met with his head of house. He’d decided, some time ago, that he wanted to be a professor, and he wanted to work in astronomy. The current Professor, Akila Hassan (her Ravenclaw son Gupta had graduated in seventh year and Feliciano had adored him, which had been a mark in Lovino’s favor because everyone loved Feliciano and Akila had looked at his gruff attitude and thought it was charming) had long been Lovino’s favorite professor and he had always enjoyed her class, but she was nearing retirement age. He’d asked if he could apply for her spot and if she could wait until he could take her place. 

He passed his NEWTs with decent enough grades that she agreed - he had to take a two year course at a magically university for teaching and astronomy, and then she’d take him on if she liked his style. He bid his friends goodbye (Feliciano was also aiming to be a professor, hopefully for charms, which meant working with his brother but also working with his brother) at the graduation podium. He really did consider kissing Ludwig goodbye, because Ludwig looked so good in his robes and his red tie with the proud flush on his pale face, but both Ludwig’s older brother (Gilbert, a Hufflepuff who’d annoyed the entire group until he graduated their third year) and father were there and Lovino just wasn’t going to do anything in front of them. So he settled with a handshake that ended up being a hug, and he figured that was the last of that. (did he dream about his cheek being pressed to that magnificently hard chest, inhaling the smell that he could never place but was definitely Ludwig and might have been what he smelled when they brewed amortentia? Perhaps, but he’d deny it if you asked) 

Except, two years after he started teaching for good, five years after he graduated from Hogwarts, Professor Binns finally kicked the bucket. Three days later, it was announced who the new professor would be. Ludwig Beilschmidt stepped back into Lovino’s life and he was going to scream because somehow Ludwig was prettier and he just wanted to touch the muscles.

Kiku and Feliciano weren’t very sympathetic. One night at Madame Rosmerta’s with almost all of the teaching staff (as a bonding experience, Headmaster Wang had said, but everyone used it as a chance to drink and have fun. This was two years before Ludwig had come back into Lovino’s life) had resulted in several confessions. Feliciano had told the entire staff that he’d had a huge crush on Kiku in their school years but oh yeah I’m definitely over it now! Nothing more than good buddies! That had resulted in an equally drunk Kiku confessing that he had also had a crush, which then resulted in them snogging in the corner while Gilbert, Alfred, and Erzebet hooted and hollered. Lovino had confessed that he’d had a bit of a crush on Ludwig, which only his brother had heard somehow around the kissing noises. 

“You could tell him.” he’d suggested, Kiku’s lips at his neck. 

“Who knows what he’s doing now?” Lovino had waved a hand. “It’s fine. It was just a crush. Besides, he’s not even here.”

Well, now he was here and Lovino had a very big problem; every time History of Magic Professor Ludwig Beilschmidt walked past him, dressed in black and red or blue or whatever, Lovino’s heart went doki doki. 

He wrote his friend Antonio who played quidditch with the Spanish team, he wrote his Nonno, he complained to his friend Manon, the healer, or Natalia who was now the defense against the dark arts professor. He went out and saw Ludwig doing his morning workouts at the buttcrack of dawn because the man looked good in a tank top and athletic shorts. They talked about business and students, about what they’d been up to, and Lovino had never wanted to kiss him more than watching Ludwig complain about students who couldn’t tell the difference between the goblin wars. 

It was driving him mad and no one was helpful. They just told him to confess already or laughed at him. 

When they got the positions of the heads of house, after some deliberation by headmaster Yao, their friendship threw itself back into the rivalry of their second year. They exchanged quips over breakfast about the points, they threw themselves into the Quidditch Cup (the first year, Gryffindor won and Lovino was still bitter) and into the House Cup. (Ravenclaw won that year, under the Arithmancy professor Francis Bonnefoy. Both Feliciano and Kiku were smug about that. Lovino and Ludwig bonded over complaining about the snide comments) 

Lovino pined away for Ludwig Beilschmidt, who was somehow still none the wiser and he had no idea how this idiot was still oblivious to it. He hated how much his heart sang when he saw Ludwig in his Gryffindor sweaters over winter break, hated how much seeing the idiot smile made his heart do the thing, he just- ugh. It was fine. He’d get over it, eventually. Ludwig had never shown any interest in him anyway. 

Almost two years after they’d gotten the heads of houses position, Ludwig informed the rest of the staff that he was going on a trip to Brazil with a few other historians to explore one of the regions rumored to be rich with information and relics from the ancient peoples. He would be gone for at least a month, perhaps two, but he’d return for the school year. Lovino waved as he left with a promise to get dinner at the Three Broomsticks. 

When Lovino arrived with Feliciano after visiting their Nonno for most of the summer, he went to Ludwig’s room. The professor wasn’t there. Gilbert, the flying instructor, told him that Ludwig hadn’t been heard from since the beginning of the summer, and that Ludwig’s family was starting to get worried. 

Gupta, who’d been speaking with Ludwig a lot before he left, shook his head at dinner when the topic came up. 

“Mother had a few places she didn’t visit for any trips.” he said when Erzebet pressed. “Brazil had lots of interesting things for her, she’d always liked history, but there were so many unknowns in the forests and so many curses that she feared she’d never return. I tried to tell Ludwig not to go, but… he said it was too good of an opportunity.” The entire table stared at him. 

“You mean he might be dead?” Gilbert asked. Gupta sighed.

“Perhaps. Perhaps he’s just trapped. Brazil is a beautiful but unpredictable place. The area he was going to is… not supposed to be very friendly.” 

The rest of the summer was melancholic. They prepared for students but were very aware of the empty seat between Gilbert and Lovino, of the empty classroom at the end of the hall. Lovino hated it. They got a substitute, Vasilica Popescu, for history of magic, and Professor Erzebet Hédévary took over as the Gryffindor head of house until they heard from Ludwig again. 

Two weeks into the school year, late at night, there was a great commotion in the hall. Lovino was woken up by his brother’s silvery wolf patronus. 

“Ludwig’s here.” Feliciano’s voice sounded frantic. Lovino didn’t listen to the rest of the message, instead pulling on his black robe and running down the hall swearing under his breath. 

Ludwig was in the hospital wing, which had taken Lovino a minute to realize. All of the staff was already there and he was speaking with Gilbert, who looked ready to cry or strangle him. Ludwig was still dressed in a brown coat and his arm was being tended to by Manon, who didn’t look happy either. There was a wicked looking cut bleeding through his right arm, like he’d been splinched, and he had a bandage on his cheek. His knee looked odd and his right elbow was clearly broken. Lovino slammed the door open and the staff parted like the sea. 

“Where the fuck have you been?!” he snarled it. Ludwig looked up at him with rather wide eyes.

“If you upset him I’m kicking you out.” Manon warned. Lovino waved an acknowledging hand, but he did lower his voice. 

“You were gone for months longer than you said! And then it turns out that Gupta was telling you not to go and you went anyways! We got nothing from you, at all, and now you just show up in the middle of the night?! What the fuck is wrong with you?” 

Lovino kept going for almost five minutes. Ludwig kept blinking at him rather dopily and it eventually led to Lovino trailing off, because dopy Ludwig was a very innocent and sweet looking Ludwig, and it meant Ludwig was gazing at him like he was the night sky.

Lovino stepped back when the headmaster arrived. Ludwig would be resuming his position as head of house, but he’d be taking some time to recover before retaking his position of teacher. 

Ludwig was back on his feet the next morning. His knee had been completely fixed but his arm was still bandaged (Manon had done what she could, but splinchings were nasty things and on top of the elbow she wasn’t taking any chances) and he still had a bandage on his cheek. He was too busy catching up and checking in with the students in his house (all of whom were glad to see him back) to really chat but Lovino caught up with him in the library behind one of the bookshelves, looking at something. He turned when Lovino stepped behind the otherwise empty shelves. They looked at each other, then Lovino huffed. 

“If you ever do that again, I’ll beat you with my telescope.” The idea of losing this stupid man had been killing Lovino for literal months, and then Ludwig just showed up with his arm falling off and grinned at him like he was… something? It made his head spin. Ludwig stared at him for a moment, then smiled a little.

“You were worried about me?” Lovino was fairly certain he wasn’t imagining the pink flush spreading across those beautiful cheekbones, but he was livid enough to ignore it. 

“You almost died!” Lovino spat. “You just disappeared over the summer and then show up two weeks into the school year with-”

“You were worried about me.” Ludwig was still smiling and it made Lovino’s heart do the thing again. He hated it. 

“Yes I was!” Lovino threw his hands in the air. “Are you listening to me threaten you!? Or did the potions Manon gave you addle your brain even more?!” Ludwig just smiled at him dopely again and Lovino had to look away. “Just- don’t do it again.”

“I won’t.” After a moment, Ludwig leaned forwards and kissed his forehead. Lovino’s heart went from fifty to a hundred and he felt his cheeks burn. “I’m sorry for worrying you. I won’t do it again.” Ludwig stepped back, pink cheeked again. “A-after all, I wouldn’t want to get hit with the telescope.”

“Damn right you wouldn’t.” Lovino managed after a moment. His eyes were focused on Ludwig’s lips because wow they were right there and they’d touched his forehead holy fuck. “I… uh… I’m gonna… go. Back to my classroom. I’ll see you at dinner..” Ludwig looked disappointed and Lovino’s heart protested violently. 

“You don’t have to.” Ludwig said tentatively. “I could use a bit of catch up on what’s been happening.” 

“I… I think I have to.” If I don’t I’m going to kiss you until you’re seeing stars. “You already got the catch ups from everyone else.”

“I’d rather get it from you.” Lovino took a step back and Ludwig reached for him. “Is something wrong?” 

“No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know.” Lovino shook his head. “I… I don’t know. I’m… God…” Ludwig still resembled a confused dog and Lovino finally cracked. He stepped forwards and pulled Ludwig down to proper height, pressing his lips tightly to his. They were warm, a little chapped, and tasted like maple syrup from breakfast. Ludwig froze, Lovino let go, then he bolted out from the shelves. When he risked a glance over his shoulder, Ludwig was staring after him with a completely red face. Lovino turned the corner and left the library. Fuck fuck fuck fuck-

He didn’t go down to breakfast the next few days and he avoided the halls like the plague. Feliciano thought he might be sick but Lovino told him to fuck off when he asked if he needed to see Manon, so Feliciano was less worried. 

About a week after, there was a knock on his door. He was expecting one of his fifth years. “Come in.”

Ludwig pushed open the door and Lovino really considered diving under his desk and hiding for the next four years, but he froze instead. Ludwig’s arm was still wrapped up but the cut on his face had healed up. They both stared at each other for a minutes. 

“I’ve got a fifth year any time now.” he muttered. “So make this quick.” Ludwig swallowed. 

“So… that.” He flailed a little, then pointed at his lips like an idiot. “Was… was that… romantic? I know you and Feli do the kissing thing for greetings, it’s an It-”

“Italians kiss cheeks to say hello, not lips.” Lovino snapped. “And so what, if it was? I’ve liked you since seventh year, and-”

“Hogsmeade.” Ludwig blurted. His face was even more red than his robes. 

“...what about it?”

“Uh. I’ve liked you since Hogsmeade. Fifth year.” He buried his face in his hands. “I- Do you want to go at some point, with me? As a… a date?” 

Lovino’s Ravenclaw fifth year, Michelle Payet, didn’t end up having her meeting. She peeked inside the open door and found Professor Vargas pinning Professor Beilschmidt to the desk. (This was despite the fact that Professor Vargas was several inches shorter than Professor Beilschmidt.) She very slowly closed the door, then power walked down the hall.

When the pair of professors arrived at dinner that night, all the teachers were grinning. Headmaster Wang glanced up at them as they sat next to each other like they always did. 

“I hope that you don’t make a habit of making out during class hours.” he said rather brightly. Ludwig went red, burying his face in his hands, and Lovino just grinned. 

“I make no promises.” He loosely took Ludwig’s hand. Ludwig squeezed, and he squeezed back, his heart still making those goddamn doki dokis but at least he knew that Ludwig’s was doing the same thing. 

----

Thanks for reading!

This fic is also on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27823528

This is all Frukmerunning’s fault. They posted about a Harry Potter AU and it lived in my head rent free for a few days. It’s also their fault that I ship Germano as much as I do now. (and Itapan. Damn you. I’m not sure if I’ve got their characterization quiiiiiiite right but I’m happy with it) 

Natalia was included in the Yule Ball group because she was the only person in their year I had (for some reason? I kind of just… estimated the ages as I thought they worked) and I like her. Plus if anyone is going to make fun of Lovino about this, it’s her and Manon and I already had a plan for Manon.

I do have a list of sortings and positions that I made for my own amusement (this took a day of my life I will never get back) I’ll post it under the cut. There’s sort of a rhyme and reason for it but I can’t explain it, so… 

House sortings

Gryffindor: 

Ludwig (Germany) 1st year

Feliks (Poland) 2nd year

Erzebet (Hungary) 4th year 

Govert (Netherlands) 4th year

Alistair (Scotland) 4th year

Matthias (Denmark) 5th year

Ivan (Russia) 6th year

Yao (China, much older than everyone else) 

Slytherin:

Lovino (Romano) 1st year

Natalia (Belarus) 1st year

Antonio (Spain) 2nd year

Arthur (England) 3rd year

Carlos (Cuba) 3rd year

Brigid (Ireland) 5th year

Tino (Finland) 6th year

Sadiq (Turkey) 7th year

Basch (Switzerland) 7th year

Ravenclaw:

Kiku (Japan) 1st year

Feliciano (N. Italy) 1st year

Soren (Norway) 2nd year

Dylan (Wales) 3rd year

Francis (France) 4th year

Roderich (Austria) 4th year

Vasilica (Romania) 6th year

Gupta (Egypt) 7th year

Hufflepuff:

Alfred (America) 2nd year

Matthew (Canada) 2nd year

Heracles (Greece) 2nd year

Manon (Belgium) 3rd year

Gilbert (Prussia) 4th year

Lin Yi Ling (Taiwan) 5th year

Berwald (Sweden) 7th year

Irunya (Ukraine) 7th year

Staff members:

Ancient Runes - Sadiq Adnan

Arithmancy - Francis Bonnefoy

Astronomy - Lovino Vargas

Care of magical creatures - Antonio Fernandez-Carriedo

Charms - Feliciano Vargas

Defense against the dark arts - Natalia Braginskya

Divination - Arthur Kirkland

Flying - Gilbert Beilschmidt

Headmaster - Yao Wan

Healer - Manon Abelsson

Herbology - Matthew Williams

History of magic - Ludwig Beidschmidt

Librarian - Gupta Hassan

Muggle studies - Alfred Jones

Potions - Kiku Honda

Transfiguration - Erzebet Hédévary

Former Astronomy professor - Akila Hassan (Ancient Egypt)

Heads of houses:

Slytherin - Lovino Vargas

Gryffindor - Ludwig Beilschmidt

Hufflepuff - Matthew Williams

Ravenclaw - Francis Bonnefoy

Students:

Peter (Sealand) - Hufflepuff 2nd year

Wendy (Wy) - Gryffindor 2nd year

Erland (Ladonia) - Hufflepuff 2nd year

Leopold (Kugelmugel) - Ravenclaw 2nd year

Maximus (Molossia) - Gryffindor 3rd year

Dmitri (Moldova) - Slytherin 3rd year

Michael (Hutt River) - Hufflepuff 3rd year

Im Yong Soo (S. Korea) - Hufflepuff 4th year

Michelle (Seychelles) - Ravenclaw 5th year

Louise (Monaco) - Slytherin 5th year

Elise (Liechtenstein) - Hufflepuff 5th year

Emil (Iceland) - Hufflepuff 6th year

Wang Jia Long/Leon (Hong Kong) - Ravenclaw 6th year

Jett (Australia) - Gryffindor 7th year

Lux (Luxembourg) - Slytherin 7th year

Neeraja (India) - Slytherin 7th year

[jinmukangwrites]

Whumptober Day 28

Mugged

Ao3

Summary: It's a simple get together, and for once everything was fine.

Warnings: GRAPHIC MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH AND GRAPHIC INJURY. DO NOT READ IF THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE BOTHERS YOU, WHETHER ITS DIRECTED TO A CHILD OR AN ADULT. SPOILERS FOR DEATH IS IN TAGS.

-o-o-o-o-

 "You have something on your face," Dick teases, smiling and leaning his elbows forward onto the 24 hour diner table. In the booth across from him, Damian scowls and wipes a smidge of strawberry ice cream from his cheek then elbows to his side to hit the laughing Tim straight into his gut. 

Jason snorts and takes a spoonful of his own ice cream, which is raspberry flavored with little chocolate chips. 

The time outside is very late. So late that when the four of them walked inside the diner after a long, team up for patrol, one of the workers actually glared at them. Which is valid. If Jason worked at one of these places when it was reaching the buttcrack of dawn, then watched as four annoyingly loud and too awake people barged in, he'd probably glare too. 

Maybe they should have came inside in their costumes instead of getting dressed first into their normal clothes. One of the waitresses literally has a Nightwing pin on her vest. They could have probably gotten the ice cream and fries for free. 

Oh well. The ice cream here is worth a little glaring and a few bucks. 

"So I was thinking-" Dick says through a mouthful of ice cream. He's already dipping another fry into his chocolate mint shake, so Jason gets the feeling that whatever Dick says for the next twenty minutes will be through food- "that after this, we can go to a Redbox and pick up a movie."

"What movie?" Tim asks.

Dick hums. "One that Cass hasn't seen yet."

Jason scoffs. "She hasn't seen a lot of movies. You're going to have to be more specific."

"Then what about a movie Duke hasn't seen," Tim asks, scraping the bottom of his shake with his spoon. "That way we can kill two birds with one stone."

"I hate that metaphor," Jason stands up from the booth with his empty shake cup and equally empty bag of fries. 

Dick glares at him with a face that says yes Jason, we all know you died. 

Jason smirks and throws his trash away. 

As they all walk out of the diner, Jason hears one of the workers mumble finally, and he's not even that mad about it. He hopes their shifts end soon and they can go home and watch anime or something. Working night shifts like that in Gotham isn't something to scoff at.

Dick pulls out his phone while Tim runs ahead to take the lead. Jason walks behind the group as Damian falls into step besides Dick and looks over at his phone screen to see what he's typing. "Where's the closest Redbox?" Dick mumbles to himself and Jason rolls his eyes. 

He's serious about the Redbox thing? "You do know we can just buy whatever movie we want with B's card. We don't need a Redbox."

"It's for the experience, Jay," Dick argues back, scrolling on his phone through Google. "Everyone goes to Redbox to get random movies they don't actually want to own."

"Alright, alright," Jason huffs, smirking a little. 

And okay, he'll admit it. Tonight has actually been… a little fun. Even if Dick had to threaten to go skiing without him next winter if he didn't join them for patrol. And while yes, Jason could just go skiing alone or force Roy to come along… and while yes, Dick would have gone skiing with him regardless of the threat and if Jason went through with it… he still found it enjoyable to just pretend to be a family with these idiots for the night. He almost wishes the others could have joined, but with Duke and Cass being busy on their own sibling bonding mission for the night where no one else were allowed they were forced to be just the four of them tonight. 

Dick will have to work with Cass to better schedule sibling get togethers'. Just imagining the shenanigans and trash taking about Bruce they could be doing if it were all six of them has him staunching down a grin. 

Even better if Steph joined as well. 

Jason follows along as Dick picks up speed to pass Tim—whos balancing on the curb of the street like an actual five year old—and lead them towards the nearest Redbox. 

"We should get Princess Bride," Tim suggests as they walk past an alleyway. "I don't think Duke's seen that."

"He has no excuse to have not seen Princess Bride," Damian huffs. "It was one of the first movies Richard showed me."

"And one of the first I showed Cass, too," Dick adds, turning to flash a lopsided grin. "So we need to think of another one."

"What about that new movie?" Tim suggests. 

Jason lifts an eyebrow. "What new movie?"

"You know," Tim replies, "the- the new movie. With that guy from Voltron. Where they go on the bridges and fight the monkeys?" 

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"It's-" Tim growls, sounding frustrated with himself. Jason finds him amusing. "You know. That one movie."

"Timothy has no idea what he's talking about."

"I'm sorry I don't spend all day watching movies all the time. Oh! Dwayne the Rock Johnson was there!"

"… Are you talking about Jumanji 2?" Dick asks and Tim snaps his fingers. 

"Jumanji 2!" 

They turn a corner, then immediately all stop when they spot the entire road blocked off by orange coned and giant signs telling you to detour. In the middle of the blocked off road is a giant, dangerous looking hole in the ground leading towards the sewers. 

Huh. Jason's almost forgotten one of Two-Face's thugs had thrown a very powerful grenade of some sort last night. 

"Damn. Google hasn't updated this?" Dick sighs and begins tapping on his phone. 

"Crap like this happens all the time in Gotham," Tim sighs while stuffing his hands in his pockets, "you really think they're gonna catch everything?"

Dick's mouth turns into a frown, then he looks up at the building rooftops around them as if wondering how difficult it would be to climb up and parkour towards the nearest Redbox in civilian attire. He sighs, probably settling on it not being difficult, but potentially compromising of their identities ifanyone saw. 

He looks back at the phone. Then turns towards the alleyway they have just passed. 

"… We can cut through the alley," he suggests. 

Jason immediately scoffs while Tim walks towards them, shaking his head. 

"Um no? We shouldn't? Have you forgot what city we're in?" 

Dick gives an unimpressed look at Tim before sighing. "We'll have to go all the way around the block to get to the Redbox. That's like, another twenty minutes. Besides, we just finished patrol. Gotham's at its safest around now."

"We're going to get in there and then get shanked by some rando," Tim argues. 

Damian watches the two of them argue with narrowed eyes. When Damian opens his mouth, Jason decides it's his turn to step in. He grabs Dick by the back of his jacket and then behind to walk towards the mouth of the alleyway. He has his guns on him still, concealed under the belt of his jeans. If anyone is stupid enough to try and try to assult them in the alleyway, all Jason needs to do is pull out his guns and they'll go running for the hills. 

Gotham isn't filled with fighters. Gotham is filled with rats that only prey on those with smaller claws than them. 

"I'm not spendin' another hour out here to get a monkey bridge movie," Jason huffs, stopping in front of the mouth of the alleyway. "Now let's go."

"Fine," Tim mumbles, following behind as Dick takes the lead inside the alley. "But if we all get killed don't blame me."

"Dying isn't that bad, actually," Jason says, and Dick turns around and shoots that glare again. 

Damian huffs and trails behind Dick, but he watches the shadows like how a kid shouldn't. Thirteen years old and he's already seen the worst the world has to offer. Jason, once again, takes the back, fully aware of the weight hanging off his hip. The alleyway is long, and dark, and definitely not as surveillanced as it should be, but they continue anyways. So far, all there is to see is closed doors here and there that would lead into various shops and such if they weren't boarded up. Trash cans, litter, bags, and boxes of various contents dot the entirety of the alleyway. 

Otherwise, it looks pretty empty. 

Jason sighs. It should be fine. Gotham is always quiet around these early morning hours after Batman and his army of sidekicks have just combed through its streets. Criminals are back in there nests, shivering and praying they're not found tonight. Hours like these are usually the safest to go out for a after midnight stroll, or a very early morning jog. It's like a limbo. Where Gotham can actually feel like a normal city for once.

Of course, it's right when Jason let's his guard down that something goes wrong. 

Because something always goes wrong. 

Because some criminals are rats. But there's others who are like moths, too dumb to go back inside and persistent enough to jump at anything shiny enough to catch their attention.

A man, practically rags, skin, and bones jumps our from behind a dumpster, his hands already lifted in front of him with a gun in his grasp. Immediately, everyone pauses in their tracks. Jason goes to grab his own gun like he planned, but the man points his weapon at Jason with shaking, obviously trigger happy hands. 

"No one move!" The man shouts, trembling like a nervous mut. Jason holds off grabbing his guns for the moment, knowing that if he makes any sudden or threatening moves the man will fire. 

Dick, like the idiot he is, immediately steps in front of Damian. Damian growls, but doesn't make a move to fight that show of protection yet. Dick slowly raises his hands in surrender. "Take whatever you want," he says slowly. Evenly. 

Tim shifts behind Dick and glances at Jason, questioning in his eyes. 

"Give me your money- all of it," the man demands, and Jason can practically hear the body of his weapon tremble in his shaking hands. "No one will get hurt if ya give me all your money."

"Okay, okay," Dick says gently. Like he's soothing the mugger. Dick carefully lowers his arms to his pockets and uses smooth motions to bring out his wallet, which is probably only filled a debit card he can easily cancel, his driver's license which is definitely expired, and not even four dollars of cash. Jason only knows what's in Dick's wallet because Dick's his main victim for him to practice pickpocketing on. He holds out his Superman patterned wallet but the man keep his gun up and trained. 

"All of you," he wheezes. "All of you, give me your fuckin' money."

Tim snaps into movement with shaking hands, pulling out his wallet while Damian makes to do the same. Why the kid has a wallet with actual cash, Jason will never know. Something about Bruce wanting Damian to feel independent… like how he bought a lock for Jason's bedroom door that only Jason had the key for, just to make him feel like he had control while small and scared and barely eleven years old. 

The gun moves back to Jason, and Jason realizes he's been focusing too much on the wrong things. He lifts his hands and clears his throat. 

"I don't have anything," he says, because it's true. He doesn't carry his wallet while on patrol, nor does he stash personal belongings with his changes of clothes after patrol. Then, there's also the added fact that this guy is definitely one more nerve shot from firing his weapon. Him seeing a glock on Jason's belt might be the thing that pushes him over the edge. 

"I don't believe you," the man growls, taking a step forward and aiming directly at Jason now. 

And of course this is happening. Of course Jason's being mugged when he doesn't have any change on him. 

"Jason…" Tim hissed and Jason throws him a sideways glare. 

"I'm telling you, man, I don't have anything."

"Show me," the man snarls, jerking his pistol dangerously. "Show me your pockets."

And shit. This is what Jason was worried about. 

"Okay," he says, softening his voice, "alright. Just... I'm carrying okay? But I'm not gonna-"

"YOU HAVE A GUN?!" The man screeches, and Jason winces. Great. He was trying to warn the guy. There's no way Jason can show all of his pockets and his gun go unnoticed. It's grip is hanging out of his jeans waistband, black as night and clear as day. 

Jason lifts his hands immediately in surrender, watching the man wearily as his already panicked breaths become more labored. The tendons in his paper thin wrists are twitching. 

Jason's record for drawing and shooting a gun with accuracy is a little less than two seconds. Even with his hands up like this. 

But this man already has the gun aimed and finger on the trigger. 

"Let's calm down," Dick tries, "we have money, just take it and we can all-"

"You have a gun-" the man practically froths. 

And that is when Jason knew the sound of gunfire will be heard in this alleyway tonight. Jason can see the resolution in the man's eyes to shoot a moment before it happens. Jason doesn't have time to dodge or pull his own weapons. He will try to anyway. 

He goes to dodge, drops his hands to his waistline, and the enemies gun explodes. 

There's normally a moment of nothing between the time you've been shot and the time you realize you've been shot. But it doesn't happen this time. 

What happens is that Jason suddenly blinks on the grimy floor, his gun having skid across the cement from the force of his fall. 

He… he was pushed. 

"RICHARD!"

Jason looks up just in time to watch Damian run for the collapsing Dick Grayson… just to be violently knocked to the side by the sound of another bullet launching from the chamber. 

Jason doesn't watch or look anymore. He just scrambles to his gun, turns, aims, and fires.

The man chokes on blood as the bullet rips through his chest. 

And Jason thinks that this should be the end of it. This should be when he can get to his feet and look his brother's all in the eye one at a time. And- and he doesn't know. Go home? Call Gordon? Plead self defense?

However, when he stands up, he finds only Tim standing, his hands leaving his face from protecting himself moments before. 

Dick's on the ground writhing from pooling red in the center of his gut. 

Damian… Damian…

Jason thinks he's going to get sick. 

The damage a 9mil can do to a head at this close of range…

He doesn't look. He can't look. Not yet. He rushes towards Dick and ignored Damian's b- he-

He ignores Damian. He ignores Damian and slams his hands down onto Dick's stomach. 

Guilt twists in his gut like something he's never felt before. Rage. Helplessness. Disbelief. It's all he can do to force his limbs to press down as Dick jolts from agony beneath him. "Stay- stay still-" Jason snarls. His chest hurts so badly. His ears are ringing. 

His fault his fault his fault his fault-

"D-" Dick babbles, blood coating his teeth and dripping from the corners of his mouth. "No- n-"

Dick's not paying attention to anything. It's then, Jason realizes he's not struggling because of his own pain.

He's struggling because his kid is laying across from him in a puddle of blood, a hole in his skull. 

"No-" Dick twitches. Practically sobs. "M'suh- sorry- D'mi…"

"It's okay, just-" it's not okay, but Jason continues- "just focus on me, kay? Just- Tim, hospital?"

"Working on it."

Jason presses harder onto Dick's stomach. Dick sobs and his eyelashes flutter. 

He almost wants to tell Tim to stop. 

The ambulance isn't going to make it in time.

He knows this because he can hear Dick's protests begin to die down. He knows because he can see Dick's hand twitching towards Damian's limp one. He knows because he can feel the final shudder through his frame before his normally clear blue eyes cloud over. 

Jason… doesn't know what to do now. It's like his entire world just… stops. 

And he wants to scream. He wants to throw something. He wants to go back in time and shake Dick by the shoulders until he fixes this. 

He can't... he can't go back to a world where Dick and Damian aren't apart of it. 

Especially not if it's all. His. Fucking. Fault. 

"-we need help- my brother's been shot-"

And Jason clutches his fists in Dick's sopping wet, blood-soaked shirt and turns to find Tim kneeling against Damian, blood painting his fingertips. 

He wants to scream that there's no use of an ambulance. There's no point. 

But then Tim meets his eyes, tears trailing down in tracks, then looks down at Damian. 

It takes a second for Jason to see it. But Damian's chest moves. 

Damian's still alive. 

He's still alive. 

Jason forces himself to leave Dick so he can scramble over to Damian and get a closer, desperate look. Tim rattles off the details of their location the the details of the mugging while Jason just... Hovers. Holding his red stained hands above his- his baby brother. 

He doesn't want to touch Damian. He doesn't want to break him more.

So he sits there and counts every breath the kid stubbornly makes even with a bullet in his skull. 

He sits there until Tim hangs up the call and sits besides him. He sits there until a loud ambulance accompanied by at least three cop cars pull up and then a shock blanket is wrapped around his shoulders. He stays there until Damian is loaded into a gurney. Until he's left there, kneeling, not even realizing he's holding Tim's hand, until a female cop with sad brown eyes kneels down in front of him and tells him Bruce is on his way with Cass and Duke. 

He nods, and stands up, keeping Tim besides him even though he's caused this. 

He looks to his side to see Dick already covered by by a tarp. He can see red bleeding out from under it. 

Slender arms wrap around his waste, and it takes him a moment to realize Tim is clutching to him. 

Jason's... The big brother again. The big brother. 

He- he should…

He wraps his arms around Tim and let's his own tears finally fall.

[dalgikiss]

Catch-22 // h. iwaizumi

index

part 17

The walk home from the ramen shop after stuffing your faces to ignore your loss is nothing short of unusual and you grip onto the sleeve of Hanamaki’s jacket when he tugs you out of the way just in time for Oikawa to go flying in the air, courtesy of Iwaizumi.

“Why are you guys arguing over who should be more upset?” questions Matsukawa

“Oh, nice throw” Hanamaki comments and you agree with a nod of your head, watching Oikawa spiral away.

“Anyways,” Hanamaki begins, looking up at the tall building of Aoba Johsai, the doors to the gymnasium where they had spent countless hours of gruesome training beckoning them to step inside, “weren’t we supposed to head home?”

The sound of the volleyball hitting the floors is somewhat comforting to your ears after the shaky events of the day and you had even been lucky enough to join in on some makeshift games with the other volleyball members that had found themselves unable to stay away from the court for too long.

They make fun of your serves, who uses an underhand serve still, and your shaky form when you’re barely able to receive the ball but it’s okay as long as you can hear their laughter mixing in with the shoes squeaking on the floor.

Time passes too quickly in your opinion, leaving only the sun that had once been up high in the sky long gone, leaving only the moonlight and the dim street lamps to light the roads. The volleyball games are still going on strong and you have been unable to keep up with the copious amount of energy they have been putting out.

Matsukawa teases you for your lack of stamina and you promise to go to the gym with him so he can turn you into a makeshift athlete.

The third years are busy in the middle of their own game and you watch them with amusement written all over your face from the sidelines as they bicker over each other

“Crap, I’m gonna puke up all my ramen!”

“Ow! Oikawa! Stop spiking for real!”

“My sides hurt”

You wish to take a photo of them like this and tuck it away in your heart forever. Their half-shouts of laughter, their playful teasing and even the sound of just them yelping in pain when someone hits them in the head accidentally are all sounds you have learned to grow fond of over the three years.

It’s only after they decide to start cleaning up, thanking you as you help them collect the stray balls that their emotions finally spill over.

“Hey guys, do you have a second?”

You turn to face Oikawa, gathering the loose volleyballs with help from Hanamaki and wait.

Matsukawa jumps, recognizing the look on Oikawa’s face, the look they had promised each other not to make at the end of their high school volleyball careers. “Hey, don’t do it! We’re trying to end this on a good note! Let’s just let everything end peacefully”

You nod your head vigorously, feeling your neck grow tired underneath it.

Oikawa please don’t, pleasepleaseplease do not do it

“Shut up” Oikawa takes a deep breath and next to you, you can feel Hanamaki’s body shaking from the force of his tears that were already building up.

“THANK YOU FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS!”

Oikawa’s face is riddled with tears that stream down his cheeks viciously, his hands clenched in fists so tight you can the whites of his knuckles.

You hold back your tears when you hear the sound of your beloved friends' shaky breaths and whimpered sobs, staring up at the bright gymnasium lights until there’s purple spots that dance in your eyes.

The volleyball you’re holding suddenly feels like it’s a thousand pounds, tossing it from one hand to the other.

“Hey, Aoba Johsai’s number one volleyball club fan, got any words you want to say to us?”

You look back at the straining red eyes that with tears in the corners of them that wait for your words expectantly.

“I’m so proud of you guys” You clear your voice to get rid of the lump in your throat. “I will never regret being your number one fan”

You take a deep shuddering breath

“I have never regretted staying late to watch you practice or waking up at the buttcrack of dawn just to send you off to a training camp far away. It’s okay to cry” you tell them, soft and low, “it’s okay to cry. I’ll carry your disappointment until each tear you shed makes you feel lighter. It’s the least I can do as your biggest fan”

You finish off with a watery smile, proud of yourself for not shedding a single tear and having a strong voice, a hesitant smile on your face.

Someone in the back lets out a strangled cry, fresh tears spilling down everyone’s faces at your words.

The Crybaby of Seijoh has not yet shed a tear, an accomplishment you hold dear in your heart with your head held high. You think you’re the only one who’s noticed your small accomplishment, face dry despite your heavy heart.

“That’s not fair” Matsukawa points a finger at you, “why are we crying and the Crybaby of Seijoh isn’t?”

You puff your chest out with pride, “I have just evolved much more than you”

“Stop lying, I can see those tears you’re holding back” Iwaizumi shouts, the sound reverberating in the gym. “Take your own advice idiot. It’s okay to cry”

His expression softens at your large eyes staring at him in shock before repeating himself. “It’s okay to cry”

Your lip wobbles and shakes, shaking your head. You bow, thanking them for their entertaining volleyball games and practices to hide your face.

“It’s okay to cry cutie-chan”

“Seijoh’s crybaby, it’s okay to cry”

It only takes a few more words of encouragement and you bite your lip so hard, the taste of copper fills your mouth. You sink down to your knees, the volleyball you were so carefully holding dropping in front of you.

“I wanted-” You choke out, “I wanted to see you go to nationals”

“I don’t want this to end” You feel your nails digging into your knees, crescent shaped indents forming on the surface of your skin “I don’t want you to go”

Your tears make a puddle on the ground as you take shuddering breaths, “I don’t want you to stop, I don’t want to lose this”

You wail into your hands, shoulders shaking as you cry and apologize for the things you weren’t able to do, what you couldn’t do and the memories you wish you can make and the third years wish they could put back the pieces of your heart like you had done for them many times before.

x.

The corners of their eyes are red, rubbed raw from trying to wipe away all their tears as you all lie on the floor in a heap, a pile of tangled limbs and deep breaths as you tried to calm down. The night feels oddly lethargic after your impromptu crying session, exhaustion sagging away at your bones and you wonder how the volleyball players must feel. You shift slightly, shuffling around until you’re laying on your side, face to face with Iwaizumi.

His eyes are shut and a small smile makes its way onto your lips at his relaxed expression, a hand reaching out to gently poke his cheek.

“Hrmmgh”

He makes no indication of moving or even being awake at this point, snugging himself deeper into the linoleum floor, using Oikawa’s thigh as a pillow. You poke his cheek again and he blearily opens his eyes, puffy and swollen. Your heart swells in your chest at the sight of the half awake Iwaizumi so close to you.

The rest of the third years are beginning to stir awake as the security guard begins making his way through the building and the sound jangling keys and doors being locked fill the air. One by one, the former volleyball team members stand up shakily, cracking their necks and stretching their arms up over their head and complain of sore muscles and cricks in their necks from sleeping in weird positions. You sit up straight once Matsukawa gently pats your head and forces you to get off his arm.

“Hajime” You poke Iwaizumi’s cheek again when he closes his eyes again and he lets out a groan, getting off of Oikawa’s thigh to shuffle forward and rest his head on your lap. You card your fingers through his hair, soft tendrils of his hair curling around your fingers. “You need to get up, they’re starting to close the building”

He let out a soft groan and forced himself to sit up, rubbing the bottom of his palms onto his eyes. The purple spots dance around his vision dizzyingly and he stands up shakily, moving to kick Oikawa gently in the ribs to stir him awake.

You stand up with the help of Matsukawa and grimace at the pinpricks of pain that scatter through your legs like fallen flower petals. He hands you your bag and from the corner of your eye, you can see everyone sluggishly moving towards the back entrance.

The lights turn off with a flick of the switch and the beloved gym was left in the dark while the third years stare fondly at the doors. Your lips twist into a thin smile at the way they stare at the doors forlornly and your heart breaks when you see tears dampen Oikawa’s lower eyelashes.

You clap your hands, their attention turning towards you. “Man, I’m tired. Crying really takes a lot out on you, ya know?” You grin and rummage around your bag for your wallet, pulling it out with a grin. “Will you guys wait here while I get something to drink from the vending machine?”

“Can you get me yogurt while you’re there?”

“Oh! I want the black tea box!”

“I want soy milk!”

You’re bombarded with requests coming from all sides and coins being thrust into your hand before you can even acknowledge them. You stare up at them in disbelief as they grin at you with delight. They send you off with their gratitude and you stick your tongue out at them as you make your way to the vending machines.

You’re gone far longer than they expect and Oikawza takes it upon himself to bother Hanamaki in order to pass time.

Iwaizumi watches Oikawa climb onto Hanamaki’s back like an overgrown child. Hanamaki glares at Iwaizumi, letting out yelps of pain when Oikawa grabs his hair in between his fingers.

“Get your dumbass child off of me!”

“I’ve passed the responsibility of being his caretaker onto you. Good luck”

Hanamaki lets out a strangled yell and falls to his knees as Oikawa tries to climb onto his shoulders. Iwaizumi grins at the sight, glad to be a spectator instead of being on the receiving end this time.

Matsukawa frowns, nose wrinkling when he checks the time. “Don’t you think she’s taking a long time to get back?”

“She’s probably struggling to get all the bottles in her hand” Iwaizumi volunteers to get you, dropping his bag into the dirt and dodging Hanamaki just in time when he shoots his hand out to lock onto Iwaizumi’s ankles and switch places with him.

He makes his way to the back of the building, panting slightly at the effort. It’s too dark to see anything now but he knows his way by heart, turning the corner of the building sharply only to collide with a couple, the sounds of their messy kisses echoing in the empty space and he stifles a gag.

The dim moonlight makes it hard to see as he haphazardly apologizes, reaching his hand out to pull the girl up onto her feet.  

Her face is red, flushed with embarrassment as she takes his hand in hers and the boy stammers his thanks, shirt wrinkled and buttons popped open. Iwaizumi decides he’ll spare the poor boy and not mention the dark bruises that are scattered along his collarbones like paint on a canvas.

“My bad” Iwaizumi apologizes as he lifts the girl up using a bit too much strength and she topples into him, the both of them stumbling backwards.

“Shit, my bad. You alright?” His hands hold onto hers firmly as she regains her footing, ignoring the press of her nails digging into his skin.

“Yeah, thank you. I’m fine”

“Sorry, I should be more careful with where I’m going”

Her hands feel all too familiar in his, the heat from her hand warming his already heated ones in a way he can only describe as routine and the glint of the deep purple tinted nails shines when the moonlight catches it and Iwaizumi wonders why he recognizes it.

He wonders if it’s a color you wear, the group of friends practically have your entire nail polish collection memorized from how often you asked them for an opinion but it’s been a while so maybe your tastes have changed, but this color he sees is too dark, too rich to be yours so why does he know it?

A heavy feeling settles into the back of his gut when the girl thanks him for his help and tells him it’s okay, that she didn’t get hurt and neither did the boy she was with and everything is going to be okay but it isn’t. The suspicion he has is gnawing away at his insides, growing with every passing moment he hears her voice and it echoes within the confines of his brain.

It can’t be

She thanks him with soft words, pulling away so she can go back to the boy she was with but Iwaizumi’s grip tightens on her hands and she lets out a yelp of surprise.

“Hey-”

He grabs her hand and pulls her into the light so he can see her face, pulls her so the structure of the building doesn’t hide her any longer and pulls her because the feeling in his chest is growing too heavy to bear, his head is spinning and his line of vision is beginning to cloud around his surroundings until all he can focus on is her.

It can’t be

He hates the way his heart seizes in his chest, he hates how his breath is going in and out of his body so fast it hurts his lungs but he hates, hates, hates the face he sees under the pale moonlight.

“Ryuoko?”

[factoffictionwriter]

This is stupid, Tony thought to himself as he stared at his own image on his phone screen and adjusted the old, faded NCIS cap on his head. Completely and totally stupid. Why am I doing this? What even is the point here?

He sighed, lowering the phone and glancing up at the streetlight just in time to catch the walk signal.

The streets of New York City were empty, especially at this hour. He'd spent just over two months in Ziva's Unofficial Academy of the Early Risers (a school in which he had no more say in enrollment than he had in the half dozen boarding schools he'd attended in his life), and his time spent in America felt a whole lot like a midterm. Getting up at the buttcrack of dawn was easy when you had a pushy bedmate to grunt, rollover, and pull half the covers off you in the process of getting up. It was much harder, he found, to maintain the habit when said pushy bedmate was halfway around the world and therefore unable to ease the blow of a blaring alarm clock with a cup of coffee and a good morning kiss.

But alas, he'd managed to maintain his 'proper' morning routine: up by 5, first cup of coffee at 5:05, early morning run by 5:30, second cup of coffee by 5:35, and the rest of the morning to laze around on the couch until it came time to clock in and work (lazing on the couch was a new addition. Back home, such time would be taken up the daily grind of getting a 5-year-old - who unfortunately inherited his sleeping habits instead of her mother's - from bed to bath to school. Funny how he almost wished he could be helping in that routine these days. Almost.)

He'd come to truly cherish those quieter moments of the morning spent huddled around a coffee pot or a muted laptop with his partner. Now his mornings seemed to drag on, and he'd started using any excuse just to run to the corner store. If he went at this hour, there were hardly ever crowds - and the shelves were normally fully stocked.

As he approached another intersection, he noticed a group of what appeared to be teenagers taking up the majority of the sidewalk a little ways in front of him.

"Social Distancing, my love, is easier said than done in a city like New York. Tali and I would much rather have you here. Safe."

"Hm. Did you know Paris has almost twice as many people per square mile compared to New York City?"

Even from thousands of miles apart, he could feel her utter lack of amusement.

"I'm serious, Zi. Things are bad everywhere. I'm just as safe here as I am at home - maybe even safer since I haven't gotten on a plane lately. I'm way more worried about you. You haven't left the house lately, right?"

She let out a slow sigh, clearly signaling that she, much like he, had grown tired of her partner's constant concern.

"No. I have remained home with Tali since the day I spoke with the doctor. Elizabeth has been kind enough to drop off groceries and pick up prescriptions - though I suspect you had a hand in that."

Elizabeth was the high schooler across the street who watched Tali from time to time. He may have - a confession that would never hold up in a court of law - given her a call as soon as he understood the scope of this whole situation. And he may have offered her twice her babysitting rate plus a little bonus for every prescription she fills to go to the store and make sure the girls had everything they needed.

"I just wanted to know that you guys were taken care of."

"Then come on home and take care of us yourself."

Now it was his turn to sigh. Every conversation ended like this these days. Her asking him to come home, him refusing, and both of them growing too frustrated to even muster a quality goodbye. Something had to give. He couldn't keep ending things like this.

[openforjean]

Mr. Neighbor

Warnings: mentions of masturbation, language 

A/N: I think I should make more of these.

I just got back from work, it’s been a long day dealing with kids and confused adults like you. I worked at the library, it paid fine just wasn’t your ideal thing. I got out of my car and walked to my mailbox, knowing mom forgot to check it. I opened it, there were a lot of bills and it made my heart sink. I looked at the names hoping one with mine would come up, these weren’t yours. His name sounded old, maybe he’s a nice old man. I looked at the address below the name James Buchanan Barnes. 

167 Parment street

That’s right behind me, my mind battles to return it to the mailbox or give it to the person who just moved in. I turn around to the house, music was playing, but no one in sight. I walk across the street, I pass the mailbox. I search around the yard, I walk up the porch and knock once.

This neighbor just moved in three days ago, I haven’t met them yet but mom and dad has. Maybe they’re a nice elderly couple who likes 90s rap. No response, I walk from the porch back to the mailbox.

“Can I help you?” This didn’t sound like an old man, I turn around with the papers in the air. The wind was knocked out of me, I wasn’t prepared to see a shirtless built muscular man in his prime time. This man made you feel weird, it was different. I didn’t feel this way with anyone else, but him.

“I-uh, your mail was sent to us.” I hand him the mail, he takes it and stuffs it it in his jean pockets behind him, his sweat makes him glow in the golden sunlight. He was glorious, he had long fluffy brown hair and striking blue eyes.

“Thanks, do you live around here?” He asks, I was distracted by the way his face glowed.

“I live right in front of you.” I point behind me, he looks over my shoulder and smiles. “Y/n.”

A car zooms in the drive way, a woman gets out.

Wife

He doesn’t move, she gives him an annoyed look. She goes to the car door behind and opens it, a little girls comes running out.

“Daddy!”

I left as soon as I could, the mother seemed mad about something so I excused myself and left. I went straight to my room and called my friend Jackie, she picked up.

“Hey, Jackie.”

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“I met my new neighbor.”

“You did? Are they nice.” More than nice, attractive is the right word.

“Yeah, it’s some guy.”

“Does guy have a name?”

“James something Barnes, he’s nice. Wasn’t what I was expecting either.”

“What do you mean? What were you expecting?”

“I was expecting a nice old couple, turns out he’s a middle aged dad who is divorced so maybe single.”

“Wow, uh. How do you know he’s single.”

“He didn’t have a ring.”

“He could have a girlfriend, Y/n.”

“Yeah, for sure. He was too good looking to be single.”

“Y/N! DINNER IS READY!”

“Crap.”

“Enjoy dinner, Y/n.” Jackie says sarcastically.

“Shut up.”

The dinner table was quiet, just me, mom and dad. I picked at my rice.

“How was your day, dear?” Mom asked, I look up and see her sip her ice water.

“Good, I got the mail and met the neighbor.” She nods and my dad continues eating, I look back at my food. I can’t stop thinking about him, something was pulling me to him. I needed to find more about him, fuck I’m in too deep and I just met him. Maybe I just need a good fuck and I’ll get over it, I can call Dan. Dan has been trying to get in my pants since high school, but do you really want him to take your virginity. Nah, I’ll stick with waiting for god knows what.

“How’s work?” I’m not even sure who’s asked, I’m so focused on my thoughts.

“It was busy, there was a field trip today and I had about 15 kids come up to me and ask where was the bathroom.” I eat a piece of steak, and sip some lemonade.

“You love kids don’t you?” She asks, I finish drinking.

“Sure, they have a positive energy and say stupid things that I find funny.” They nod as they eat.

“Like today I heard a girl tell a boy he smelled like Satan’s armpit, then he said she smelled like Satan’s buttcrack. She cried and I laughed in the break room.” They stare at me, I feel uncomfortable and I stand up with my plate.

“Thanks mom, it’s delicious. I’ll be heading to bed, good night.” I leave and wash my dish in the sink and stare out the window to James’ house, the woman’s car wasn’t there anywhere to be seen. After that I’m off to get ready for bed, the night routine is normal. Brush teeth, check, wash my face, check. Bedtime was here, I laid in my bed knowing tomorrow was Sunday and I didn’t want to go to church. It was fine, but I’m tired of tagging along with my parents everywhere. My thoughts drift off to what I was thinking about earlier, was I just horny or is it something else? I thought about the way he looked, sweaty, muscular, beautiful, a true man. I felt like a tingle in my core, I never touched myself cause I don’t really now how. Ever since I met Jackie, she assured me that it was normal to have sex and masturbate. I’m more comfortable with my body now, thanks to her. I wanted to touch myself, I didn’t. My parents were next door and it was weird, I went to sleep.

Next morning

“Y/n, dear, the neighbor told me he met you and he wanted to know if you could babysit his daughter.” I sit up from my bed fast, this can’t be happening. What I learned from yesterday, this man makes me feel some sorta way.

“W-what-Why?” I say, look at the clock on my nightsand.

7:49 am

“We got to talking and I mentioned you work at the library and you like kids, it works. Come down, breakfast is ready.” She leaves and closes the door, I get up and put a light blue dress on, then I did my hair and makeup. I walk to the kitchen, i should’ve just stayed upstairs. 

There he was, standing next to my dad with his daughter at his side. He notices me immediately, I ignore his gaze. I stayed a safe distance from him, I was by the sink, eating a pop tart. I go on my phone to text Jackie about the current situation. 

“-Y/n works with kids, she can help you watch your daughter.” I look up and see they’re eyes on me. 

“If its not a problem with you, I just need someone to watch Emmy as I do some work.” I want to help, but I need to keep my distance. I let my heart speak for me. 

“Sure, when?” 

“Tomorrow night would work.” 

“Sounds good.” I say, he reaches for something in his pocket. He pulls his phone out, that's the last thing I needed. 

“Here give me your number so I can text you the time.” I did, his daughter seemed familiar. She makes eye contact with you, she was at the field trip. 

“Did you say to that little boy that he smelled like the devils armpit?” All the adults look at me and the girl. She nods.

“Satan’s.” 

“I think were gonna get along just fine.” 

[razorblade180]

Shackles pt6:Progress

Sun:Sigh.... still nothing. *grabs scroll* Ilia are you having better luck than me? Our mystery man seems to have disappeared.

Ilia: “No. I’ve probably looked from every building I could by now. Twice.”

Sun:He wouldn’t leave his team would he? Their captured and odds are they were looking for something right?

Ilia: “You mean besides me?”

Sun:Maybe? I mean I don’t know why they would think to look for you here. Are you sure you don’t know those guys?

Ilia: “I never forget a face. These people are new, but that hate in their eyes I’m more than used to seeing. They called me White Fang trash.”

Sun:You would think after a few years people wouldn’t be so quick to drudge up the past. Especially when people like you have been making up for it in spades.

Ilia: “Think about it, that’s why they call it a grudge. I don’t mind people hating me. Honestly I still hate most people, but these guys....they put me on edge.”

Sun:You thinking this thing is bigger than we expect?

Ilia:Five men walking around cloaked and armed? Of course this is something big. The question is wha-

Sun:*Yawns* aaaaaahhhhh!

Ilia: “Seriously? You’re tired after a little search? I need you alert if we’re gonna find him.”

Sun:Ilia, look at the horizon.

She turned her head and looked into the distance. A beam of light blinded her for a moment until her eyes adjusted. “Hey where is that coming fr-” a quick look back down at her scroll answered the question for her. It was 4am

Ilia: Daybreak already?

Sun: “We’ve been looking for hours. I doubt Trigger is doing much in broad daylight. Let’s regroup with the others and take a break.”

Ilia:Fine. You’re right for once.

Sun: “Gee....thanks. You think we should call Blake? We’ll probably be late going back to Menagerie. Also I’m sure she’ll want to know about this.”

Ilia:Yeah, once we get our facts in order. I don’t want to worry her without having at least some answers.

Sun: “See you back at the hideout. I’ll make sure the guys clean up first.”

The call ended and Ilia put away her scroll. Something definitely was off about the entire situation. The words of the man still clear in her head while she watched the sunrise. ‘Another sick beast? What the hell does that mean?”

xxxx

Sun and Ilia weren’t the only one experience daybreak. Despite her own orders, Blake ended up staying awake for most of the night. The news of her party of three was secretly four, had hit her like a bombshell. ‘Adam, a dad?’ it still did not sound right in her head. Then again, Adam being alive in general was still a bit shocking. Yet she had learned that a few years ago. Time really had a way back soaring by. It still felt like yesterday when her team was saving the world; who would’ve thought those were simpler days? Now politics were her greatest enemy. This current adventure hasn’t exactly been great, but Blake would be lying if she said that she hadn’t missed adventures in the first place. Indeed, time really has changed things; it changed her. Maybe, just maybe, time changed Adam like Jacquelyn said. Her organization was changing other, just as stubborn people. The idea might not be so insane after all.

Blake stood up and looked over the edge again and exhaled a sigh of relief. Finally, the grimm were gone. “Perfect.” She turned back around to go wake up the others. Yang was laying on her side away from everyone like she always does when she’s moody. Blake approached slowly reached for Yang’s shoulder. Hopefully everyone was in better spirits than last night.

Blake:*shakes her* Yang? Hey, time to wake. We can finally keep going.

Yang:Mrgrgr.....having the word sunny in my name does not mean I enjoy waking up at the buttcrack of dawn.

Blake:Sooner we wake up, sooner we can finish this. Also I’m positive you’re getting bugs in your hair.

Yang:*raises up* I’ve been suppressing that thought for hours but you really had to say it out loud.

Blake:*smiles* It works every time. Hmm? Hey are you okay? Your face, it’s pale like before.

Yang:I’m fine, just a little out of it.

Blake:.....Spill it. What aren’t you telling me?

Yang:I’m telling you, I am fine. *stands up* let’s get a move on okay?

Blake:Hey....listen, I really appreciate you-

Yang:I heard some of what you said last night; about what I mean to you and afraid of losing questions? Blake you never lost me. I....just can’t keep up with you sometimes; that’s all.

Blake:Oh. I’m sorry. *frowns*

Yang:Hey, it happens. All I ask for is for you to be more apart of your decision. Believe me, I love being a thrill seeker and taking leaps of faith, but I’m not a shamed to admit some of the ones that you take make me hesitate. Especially the ones that involve you know who.

Blake:I understand. My parents have told me before I may have a habit of charging towards whatever gets me emotional.

Yang:I mean it’s gotten you every single relationship you’ve been in.

Blake:Yang! That’s......*rubs her head* a fair point...

Yang:Hehehe. I really should be the last person to call out anyone for getting emotional. I’m married to one of the most loyal men on Remnant and I still get feisty whenever a woman looks at him for too long.

Blake:Jaune knew what he was getting into. So, we’re okay?

Yang:*smiles* We’re always going to be okay. That’s what makes us, us.

Blake:Okay then. Now if you and Jacquelyn can hold a decent conversation then we might make it to the oasis.

Yang:*folds arms* Hey that’s up to her. She’s the one that caught an attitude.

Jacquelyn:You bring that out in me....

Blake and Yang jump slightly at the voice and turn their heads to find Jacquelyn standing in the middle and ready to go. Blake might not see the girl often, but she can her face was a little pale as well. ‘Her too? Well I guess that makes sense. Probably has morning sickness from being-’

Suddenly a possibility became very clear that Blake hadn’t thought of until now. Her attention shifted back to Yang again who was too busy having an angry staring contest with Jacquelyn. ‘Pregnant....? No way. Well...no she would’ve said something; right’ the thought bounced back and forth for a minute until a touch from Yang snapped her out of the trance. The ground was moving downward slowly.

Blake:Huh!?

Yang:What? Nothing. Jacquelyn said to hold on because she’s lowering the platform.

Blake:Oh, okay. Sorry I spaced out.

Yang:Well you better look alive. I’m still not completely sold on their place being trap free.

Jacquelyn:I haven’t put any traps in my house. The desert is one giant trap and Adam does not have the type of mind to create or rig complex traps. The entire layout was mine design with his occasional input.

Yang:No offense Jacquelyn, but I’ll keep my skepticism and it’s not because I don’t trust you, but because it’s help keep me alive.

Blake:You sound like your mom.

Yang:Ugh, please don’t say that. Though, I guess that’s a good thing in this case. That woman cheats death like it’s her job. As much as I would love to have half the confidence either of you have, I don’t. My history with the hothead is simple and violent. Even if he has changed I still wouldn’t like him. *detaches right arm*

Jacquelyn:I can’t argue with that. To be honest he’d probably be badgering me for roping both of you into this; I’m a bit frustrated myself. Relying on others isn’t something I’m used to. Being a full fledged maiden is the equivalent of being a skeleton key. Nothing really stops your progress. However.....health issues are making me feel like more of a flimsy lock pick. So thanks, I really needed support.

Yang:Hmm....Jacquelyn I only have one question for you. Well, technically two.

Jacquelyn:Shoot.

Yang:Are you in love with this guy?

Jacquelyn:I....well...*red* despite all odds and reason, I am. For better or for worse.

Yang:Now for the more important question. Does Adam love you?

That...was a good question. One that caught Jacquelyn off gaurd. Her body started to slouch a little and her flushed demeanor quickly turned sour as the platform finally reached the ground.

Blake:Yang that was little low don’t you think? I mean-

Jacquelyn:It’s okay Blake. It’s a fair question to ask. I’m.....not sure. He’s never said before. Then again, I haven’t told him my exact feelings either. There’s a lot I still haven’t told him.

Yang:Well, I guess we’ll know soon enough *grabs bag* Let’s make tracks.

Blake:Right.

Jacquelyn:Sigh....okay.

xxxx

“Alright, back to work people! This Dust won’t mine itself!” Multiple gaurds shouted. Rajah slowly stood up, now filled with a little food and water. Jasmine on the other hand was allowed relief until further notice. Every inch of her body still ached immensely and all of her senses still more acute than what they should be. Especially her hears. It wasn’t as bad as before but the constant sound of pickaxes chipping away at arid rock was headache inducing. Not to mention her fever. Jasmine simply laid on the ground exhausted and looking up at her brother.

Rajah:I have to go.

Jasmine:I heard from the grownups that’s there isn’t actually Dust here anymore.

Rajah:Yeah...I know.

Jasmine:They should really stop,...being such big liars. Lying only makes problem.

Rajah:I think all these people want is problems.

Jasmine:That’s dumb. They’re really dumb. Especially Sob-

Rajah:*covers her mouth* You know you can’t say things like that freely. I don’t want you to go back for more “correction” Jasmine. So please, rest up and keep your head down low. I gotta get back to work now. *leaving*

Jasmine:.....

Jasmine:Mom and dad wouldn’t have kept their head down.

Rajah:*stops*Yeah....look how far that got them. Slaughtered, all because of the words of a crazy person.

He said nothing else to her, then walked away. Jasmine could not respond to that even if she wanted to. Her big brother was right, at least he should be. Yet, there was something weird about. Most people do blame Adam, Sobek calls him plenty of terrible names; some of them go over her head though. Some feared him while others think him weak and useless. As far as she’s concerned, no way that could be true. Just earlier he managed to get Sobek to give everyone food; that’s not useless. Not to whatever else he said allowed her to get more water and help for her fever. Useless? Not to her.

Her head turned to the elevated platform where he was trained up for all to beaten. Currently he was free from that punishment. By now the giant, tattered cloth that draped over it had to stained badly. Right now they had him on his knees; wrists and ankles still restraint but at least to Jasmine, it looked comfier than the other way they had him. She couldn’t think of the name of it but she had definitely seen the pose before on old books and her mom’s old jewelry. The man was drenched in sweat to the point his hair was weighed down. The gaurds were ordered to bandage some of his injuries but whatever material they used already needed to be changed. What was once white was soaked completely red.

None of his bruises looked any better. Just looking at his black and blue splotches on him made Jasmine’s body ache as well. She couldn’t imagine what his wrist and ankles look like. A few hours strapped to a chair with leather straps was enough to make hers red and tender. Metal chains had to be worse. Despite all that, the man looked......okay? It was interesting to wittiness. His body had much older scars and though he looked exhausted, he wasn’t broken. Not like all the others that had been put on display before him. They screamed and rambled for hours; broke down and cried relentlessly. Especially the guy with the bat wings. Then eventually....they broke. Removed of what made them special and then never seen again. Surly it would happen again. Right?

‘What makes you so different?’ Jasmine wanted to know badly. If he’s the reason her life is like this then shouldn’t she have a right to know? Seems fair to her, but how to get what she want? Everyone was busy so now would be perfect. There’s no way the gaurds would just let her talk to him though. With her luck, they’ll turn on her shock collar again; that was something to avoid at all cost. Also getting Rajah caught up in it as well. Her problems might become his. That means she can’t get caught. ‘Maybe I should just stay put?’ It was about to be the only option. Then something caught her eye. Support beams were slightly visible through one of the holes of the cloth. If they connected all the way up then......

Jasmine:It....might work?

xxxx

Adam:.......

Adam:You’re going to get in trouble if they find you. Ya know that right?

He puts his head like he’s in defeat and peeks through one of crevasses between the platform’s planks of wood. Staring up at him in utter shock is jasmine holding two pieces of bread. She carefully whispers so no one but him can hear her.

Jasmine:How’d you know I was here?

Adam:You’re quiet but not super quiet. Your foot slipped on your way up here.

Jasmine:Oh, well I’m out of practice.

Adam:You’re one of the girls that came out of from behind that metal door.

Jasmine:My name is Jasmine.

Adam:Last name?

Jasmine:It’s......hmmmm I’m not sure.

Adam:You don’t know your last name?

Jasmine:My parents told so many people different ones whenever we moved. We moved a lot actually.

Adam:I see.....so Jasmine, why are you under my platform?

Jasmine:People keep saying a lot of things about you that don’t make sense. Like how scary and strong you are. I don’t see it.

Adam:*raises eyebrows* Is that so?

Jasmine:I mean the black eye and your voice sounds tough but you’re banged up.

Adam:Being strong comes in a lot shapes and sizes.

Jasmine:This shape looks like it hurts a lot.

Adam:Hehe, you are right about that. Not many can do it. Not many should have to though.

Jasmine:Well I’m tough. Sobek tried to “cure” me, but I’m still the same.

Adam:Is that what happened when you got taken away?

Jasmine:Yeah....

Adam:And exactly did he tried to “cure” you?

Jasmine:He gave me a shot that made everything hurt more. The room got really bright, then things kept getting really loud before going quiet. I got really hot in the room, then everything was super cold and hurt my skin. Sometimes I heard his voice telling me to do things over and over again.

Adam:What kind of things?

Jasmine:Give up, stop fighting, behave....

Adam watched the girl in silence as she grabbed her head in physical pain.

Jasmine:It was.....so much......

Adam:I’m...so sorry.

Jasmine:The doctor hates it when I get upset. My eyes get all angry and my nails get longer and I just want to claw at something. He says it’s ugly.

Adam:You’re part feline and a child. That’s what happens when you get extremely emotional. Even adults sometimes go little feral. Not to mention you’re not just any feline faunus, you’re part big cat. Intensity is in your blood.

Jasmine:Really?

Adam:Yeah. Believe me, I’ve seen it others like you.

Jasmine:It doesn’t seem to happen to my big brother though. He always does what everyone says.

Adam:Well that doesn’t mean he’s not upset about it. I’m sure he’s just thinking of you first.

Jasmine:*pouts* I can take care of myself. He’s the one always scared. He says we should wait this out but I don’t like it. Everything hurts here and that is not okay. Everyone should fight but people are scared.

Adam:You’re not scared?

Jasmine:I am scared, but not of the grownups. I don’t....I don’t wanna break down here or die. Not like my parents. I promised them I wouldn’t.

Adam:...You’re a strong little girl, you know that?

Jasmine:I’m not little. I’m six years old.

Adam:Tell me, do you blame me for being down here. Someone must have told you all the terrible things I’ve done.

Jasmine:Are they true?

Adam:Yes.....

Jasmine:Oh....I guess that means my mom and dad weren’t nice people for trying to be like you.

Adam:Like me?

Jasmine:They made things. I don’t know what they were though, but they told me to never touch them or things would get loud.

Adam:I hate to break it to you but your parents saw me do bad things and thought it was okay.

Jasmine:It wasn’t?

Adam:It was really bad. I knew it was but I didn’t care because I wanted to believe it was right. People hurt me and I got very upset. I hurt them back, but then I kept hurting more people. People who weren’t really hurting anybody or did not deserve what I did to them.

Jasmine:Did you kill people.

Adam:Yeah, I did.

Jasmine:Sobek said my parents hurt a bunch of people too. But those people....they hurt us.

Adam:A woman I know has been telling me for awhile now that hurting others who hurt you, does not make you feel better. It just makes you angrier.

Jasmine:What should my parents have done instead then.

Adam:Focus on loving you and your brother. It doesn’t make the hate go away completely but, you’re so busy loving that you forget to hate. It’s more important to you. I didn’t realize that for a very long time.

Jasmine:Do you love anyone?

Adam:Heh, that’s a good question. I can think of one person. I hated their guts at first. They are really snooty and think they’re always right. It’s even worse because they usually are. She makes me want to try to be different though. In a way I never thought possible. So I do my best for her and if I screw up, she sticks around and makes me try again. For the life of me, I can’t understand why she thinks I can be a better person.

Jasmine:Can you?

Adam:I hope so. Or she’s gonna end up hurt because of me. Frankly, that might be happening now I don’t even know. I hope she’s okay.

Jasmine:So because you love someone, you do your best not to start trouble anymore?

Adam:That’s right. Which means you should probably scram. You love your brother right? That means even if it’s frustrating to listen to the grownups, you should try. Wait patiently and don’t let them see how unhappy you are. Never let them break you; fake a smile if you have to. Because one day, you won’t have to anymore. You’ll be on top.

Jasmine:You sound so sure.

Adam:I’ve seen it work before.

Jasmine:Well, I guess I’ll believe you. But that won’t work if they hurt Rajah.

Adam:Why’s that?

Jasmine:Because they hurt what I love. That means I have to hurt them back. If you hit someone, then it shouldn’t be a surprise if they hit back. Right? They asked for violence. That goes with them hurting a loved one too.

Those words were shocking to listen to. Jasmine had a point and it wasn’t that he didn’t disapprove of the logic. It was simply surprising to hear it from such a young girl. Not to mention so well thought out.

Adam:How long have you been in here?

Jasmine:I don’t know. I haven’t seen my parents in awhile. They used to keep track by putting marks in the wall then slashing them.

Adam:Those are called tally marks. Each one with a slash through it is five days.

Jasmine:Really? There were at least five of those I think.

Adam:Y...you’ve been here for almost a month?

Jasmine:I guess so. That means Rajah must be nine already. I should give him one of my sick rations as a present. Nah, I’ll just get him something when we’re free.

Adam:A month here and you still have hope. You’re still fighting.

Jasmine:You said it is in my blood right? I guess I have a lot of it.

Adam:*smiling* You remind me of someone I knew. She was pretty feisty and willing to get violent as well. No one was going to cage her spirit. She was a tiger faunus too, just not a white tiger like you.

Jasmine:Really? What’s her name?

Adam:Sienna.

Jasmine:Hmm, sounds a little familiar. She sounds pretty amazing.

Adam:Yeah, she really was. It’s time for you to head back now though. Don’t want you getting caught now do we?

Jasmine:Okay. It was nice meeting you. I still don’t get what’s the big deal is about you though. You just seem like a person.

She put a piece of bread in her mouth and hopped off the beam. Her hand caught another one right before she hit the ground and she landed without a single noise. Adam would be impresses if she didn’t tell him about her parents. ‘Good skill, I wonder what they had her doing?’ He watched the girl sneak from hiding spot to hiding spot until she managed her way back to where the other prisoners rested. It was nice to have an actual conversation. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like and he hasn’t even been here a fourth of her time. With Sobek’s intentions for him, Adam knew he wouldn’t get the chance most likely. Still he wasn’t worried; not in the slightest. Jacquelyn taught him more than just dealing with his demons. She taught him how to trust and have hope. All he had to do was endure. He knew she’d do the rest.

Adam:(Since when did I become so reliant on others? What has Jackie done to me? I’ll remember to complain about it later. Right after I thank her.)

Part 5

[puckerjae-archive]

All Tied Up | Tobae

Who: Jae Puckerman & Toby Karofsky ( @tobiaskswitch )

Where: Football Field

When: During the Easter Egg Event

Eggs: Scarves, football field, 4am

Toby and Jae met in the entry of the switch dorms a little before four in the morning and headed out to the football field together.  It was chilly, but Toby had brought coffee for both of them.  He had wanted it because it was the literal buttcrack of dawn, but now he was happy to have something warm to drink, too.  "So, real quick," he said as they were making their way onto the field.  "How far do you want to go with this?  Are you thinking completely non-sexual?  Maybe a little sexual?  Very?  I don't know your comfort level for that kind of thing."

Jae was feeling far more comfortable with the idea of submitting to someone else after his first scene with Noelle. Not to mention he really wanted these points. He accepted the coffee happily and smiled at Toby before offering a quiet thank you. The question caught him off guard and he thought about it for a moment. "Um, I think I'm okay with it getting a little sexual," he confirmed with a nod. "I'm still getting used to all this, but I'm at a good place this morning, so I'm more than ready."

Toby sent the other switch an answering smile.  "You sound like me, actually.  I've been here a year, and there's still a lot that I'm just getting used to."  He glanced around the field, still dark and completely empty.  "If this were a few hours from now, there's no way I'd do this.  Or at least, anything sexual.  Out here in public, where people might see....  But it's four in the morning, so we're the only ones here.  But yeah, I can be hesitant about some of this stuff, too, especially when I'm the one subbing.  Just, uh, you know, say something if you're not feeling too sure anymore, 'kay?"  As they got to the field, he walked over to one end, heading for one of the field goal posts.

The more Toby talked about their scene, the more nervous he got, but he was not about to let his insecurities mess this up for him. "I've just come to the point where it's always going to make me a little uncomfortable so I need to just suck it up and do it, you know?" He nodded in agreement to everything Toby was saying and was glad he found someone who he could kind of relate to and who seemed to understand his reservations so well. "Thanks, Man. I will. Or um... I mean Sir, right?" He followed the other Switch out onto the field, taking in how big the field looked while standing on it.

Toby huffed a soft laugh, mostly because he knew exactly what Jae was talking about.  "Yeah, honestly, same, dude.  I've only subbed a few times, and I'm super nervous before I do it.  Still kinda nervous when I Dom, too.  So yeah, I totally get it."  He set his backpack down and pulled out one of the silk scarves he'd picked up from a supply room the day before.  "Oh, right, yeah, I guess you should call me Sir during the scene.  Unless it makes you uncomfortable or anything."  He moved over to Jae and picked up one of his wrists.  "I'm gonna tie one end of this scarf to your wrist.  You good to go?"

Jae didn't mind using titles with other people, he only felt a little weird when people used them with him. The fact that Toby felt the same as he did only served to make him more comfortable doing this with him. It made him feel like he didn't need to be perfect and that definitely took off some of the pressure. They could use this as a learning experience. As soon as Toby started to ready himself, he followed suit, placing the coffee on the ground and giving into the Toby picking up his wrist. "Yeah, I'm good, Sir, let's do this."

"Cool," Toby agreed with a smile.  He decided he liked Jaeden.  They seemed a lot alike, and Jaeden was chill and easy going, which Toby appreciated.  He tied the scarf around his wrist with a simple knot, then pulled Jae over to the goal post.  "Stand over here with your back to the pole, for me."  He moved behind him, pulling his wrist back around the post a bit, though not enough to be uncomfortable.  He took Jae's other wrist and pulled it back a bit too, and then tied it to the other end of the scarf, holding him against the pole without putting him in any kind of strenuous position.  The scarf was tied tight enough that it would hold up to any gentle tugging, but if Jae really wanted to, he could definitely get out of it.  Functional restraint wasn't the point of the scene, though, so it wasn't necessary.  Toby took another scarf out of his backpack and returned to Jae.  "I'm going to put this one over your eyes.  You still good?"

Jae couldn't help but fixate on the scarf tied around his wrist. He followed Toby with no problem to the goal post and allowed the Switch to tie his hands together behind his back and against the post. It was an odd position to be in and he was glad that he already had some experience with this. He relaxed against the post, resting his head against it an closing his eyes on instinct. He opened it at the sound of Toby's voice and swallowed at the prospect of the second scarf, but he didn't hate the idea. "Yeah that's good. Let's do it," he replied, mentally preparing himself for the added obstruction.April 19, 2020

Toby grinned at him and poked lightly at Jae's exposed sides, wondering if he was tickling.  "I think you meant let's do it, Sir," he teased, his tone playful and light.  He sent Jae another smile before carefully wrapping the scarf across his eyes and tying it at the back of his head.  Another thing he could easily get out of if he wanted, just by pushing the knot at the back against the goal post, but Toby was sure he would leave it where it was.  He took a second to run a hand up and down Jae's arm, making sure he still felt safe.

Jae was in fact ticklish and tried to pull her body away from the soft touches - at least as much as he could in the restraints. “Right, Sir, sorry.” His face flushed a bit at the reminder and he was glad that it was still dark out. Soon enough his eyes were covered and he tried to focus on the sounds around him as his body anticipated what was to come next. He nearly jumped at the touch to his arm but relaxed immediately once the shock wore off. He could have gotten out of the restraints, of that he was sure. But he liked the idea of being completely at Toby’s mercy.

"There you go, relax," Toby said softly.  "It's just you and me out here.  Only me touching you.  And you know I'm not gonna hurt you."  He moved his hand up Jae's arm to his shoulder, then down his side, then slipped it under his shirt to feel the skin underneath.  "You've got nothing to worry about.  I'm just gonna explore a little.  Is that okay?"

Despite of what Toby said about not being comfortable with Domming, he was really good with working Jae and keeping him relaxed and calm during something that would make him otherwise very anxious. "Yes, Sir." The title slipped out with ease this time as he focused on his words and the soft touches he was giving him beneath his shirt. "That's okay, Sir."

Toby smiled to himself, pleased that Jae had relaxed.  "That's good, good job.  You don't have to do anything."  He let his hands explore for a minute, sliding up under his shirt, the other hand moving around to map the curve of Jae's ass.  He was taking things slowly, just touching him all over.  After another couple minutes of just touching and occasionally speaking softly to the other switch, Toby leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Jaeden's jaw below his ear, then another further down the line of his jaw, and a third to his neck.

Goosebumps erupted all over his body with every touch of Toby's nimble fingers to his skin. He liked that he was the one receiving instead of the one doing. His breath hitched when he moved over the curve of his ass, but he welcomed the touch and it showed in the way he leaned into the touch. There was a part of him that was still uncomfortable, but he was still enjoying the odd sensation of touch without sight. Especially when he pressed his lips to his jaw line. "That - that feels good, Sir."

Toby grinned and squeezed Jaeden's ass again.  "Yeah?  You like being touched?  Kissed?"  He was close enough that his breath ghosted across Jae's skin as he whispered.  Toby kissed his jaw again, and then nipped lightly.  Meanwhile, one of his hands moved down between them, lightly passing over Jae's crotch.  "Do you want more?"

"Yes," he whispered, almost embarassed by how much he liked it. There was even a big part of him that wanted to lean forward to get more of his small touches, the softness of it almost overwhelming him. The hitch in the back of his throat turned into a full blown hiss when he moved over his crotch and his embarassment only intensified as he jutted his hips forward. "Yes, Sir. More please."

Toby's grin widened, and he palmed Jaeden's cock through his pants.  "Do you want my mouth on this?  Hm?"  He rubbed Jae's bulge softly as he he teased him, then started to undo the fly of his pants.  He nipped at Jae's neck lightly, then kissed his jaw again, and then pressed a brief, gentle kiss to his lips before pulling away and dropping down onto his knees in the dew-wet grass.  He slid Jae's underwear down a bit and pulled out his cock, stroking it gently.  "Tell me what you want, Jae," he instructed, his voice still teasing.

Of all the ways he could have possibly imagined this scene going, what Toby suggested wasn't even on the list. It seemed as though every touch and every word was calculated to make Jae was weak in the knees as possible. The prospect of having Toby's mouth around him was too much to fathom. He couldn't be completely sure, but all he could do was assume that the sudden absense of his touches and kisses meant he was already on his knees. Just one touch and Jae was already hard and he was embarrased about that, but there wasn't enough time to dwell on that. This really was too much. Please. Please, don't leave me up here on my own.”

Toby hesitated, looking up at Jae. His hand stilled on Jaeden's cock, but stayed where it was and his other hand came up to rest on his thigh. "I'm right here," he said softly. "You're okay, I'm not leaving you. Is this too much? We don't have to go this far, it's okay."

It wasn't the fact that his hand was wrapped around his cock that set him off, it was the sudden emptiness he felt without the touches and caresses he was receiving previously. The hand on his thigh helped though and Jae focused on the sound of his voice. "No, this is good. Sorry, Sir.. Please don't stop."

Toby was hesitant to keep going, since Jae had seemed unsure for a second there. He moved his hand reassuringly up and down Jae's hip, watching him closely. "You don't have to apologise. You're doing just fine, Jae. I don't want to make this more intense than you want." He leaned up to press a coulde of kisses to the strip of exposed skin above Jae's hip bone where Toby had moved up his shirt a few minutes ago.

"No, no." Jae's voice came across more secure than it did previously. He wanted this and he just needed to let himself give into that want. "I want it. I'm ready for it. Please."

It was starting to sound more like Jae was feeling comfortable again, and a smile spread across Toby's face.  Okay, then.  Just a little slip up.  It was fine.  That kind of thing was normal when scening with someone knew, at least as far as Toby was aware.  "Okay," he said, his voice taking on a playful tone again.  His hand that had been unmoving on Jaeden's cock now started to slowly stroke it.  "Just relax for me.  I've got you, and there's no one else here."  He leaned in, letting his breath hit the head of Jae's cock, just enough stimulation to be noticeable, and watched Jae's reactions.  Then, after another stroke, Toby dipped his head down and licked the tip of Jae's dick, slowly.

Jae trusted that Toby was being completely honest with him about their surroundings and willed himself to relax. Which was easy to do under Toby's careful words. Even though the blindfold was obstructing his view, he still closed his eyes beneath it, if only to keep his body still as the other man continued to work over his body. "Fuck that feels - that feels so good, Sir." Being tied up and temporarily blind only made his senses heighten and his body incredibly sensitive to everything Toby was doing to him. He bit at his bottom lip but that didn't stop him from moaning out at the sensations. "So good."

Toby didn't blame Jaeden for his nervousness.  Toby wouldn't be doing any of this if there were anyone around to see them, and with the blindfold, Jae could only trust Toby's word.   But Jae definitely reacted positively to Toby playing with his cock, so Toby leaned forward and wrapped his lips around the head, sucking as he continued to stroke up and down the shaft.  As he kept this up, he kept his other hand on Jae's hip, hoping that the extra point of contact would help keep him relaxed.

Toby knew exactly how to work him and it felt really good. Too good. So good that Jae was unable to focus on anything else but the way he was touching him expertedly. His breathing was intensified when he could feel Toby's mouth more prominently on him as his fingers tightly clutched each other. It was already overwhelming but the combination of his mouth and hands were too much too take and it only took a few strokes of his hand before Jae was losing it and it came out of nowhere. "Oh shit I'm gonna- " But before he could finish warning him, he was already done, cumming far sooner than he anticipated or wanted to. "Fuck," he exclaimed out of embarassment. "I'm so sorry. I didn't meant to- fuck." He dropped his head down and shook it.

Toby honestly didn't expect Jae to last long, because he had reacted so quickly to Toby's initial touches.  Still, he hadn't exactly been thinking about it yet, so it took him by surprise when Jae came into his mouth.  But only for a second.  Toby pulled back, so most of the cum landed on his cheek rather than in his mouth, and he was grinning up at Jaeden.  "No, no, it's okay," he said, good natured laughter in his voice.  He swallowed what was in his mouth, because why not, and started wiping off his cheek with his hand, then wiping the cum onto the grass.  "Don't be sorry, Jae, that was perfect.  I wanted to make you come, and you did."  He pulled a kleenex out of his pocket to wipe off Jaeden's cock before tucking it back in his underwear and zipping up his pants again.  "You did just fine.  Don't be sorry."

Toby's words of reassurance were nice to hear but they didn't necessarily make him feel better. At least not right away. At leasr Toby didn't sound annoyed at all, so that was a definite win for him. He waited as patiently as he could for Toby to clean them both up and tuck him back into his jeans. He had no alternative so all he could do was trust that Toby was being honest with him. "Thank you, Sir.  Can I -" he felt foolish because he couldn't see him yet but he needed to offer himself. "Do you want me to return that favor, Sir? Make you feel good like you made me feel?"

"You don't have to," Toby said as he stood up.  He kept a hand on Jaeden's as much as possible, so he'd know where he was, and then slowly lifted off the blindfold. "You don't have to," he reiterated now that Jaedon could see him, and in particular see the relaxed smile on his face. "I'm okay. It doesn't have to be a quid pro quo. I had fun just making you come."

Jae felt instantly better once he could see Toby's face again and offered the other man a small smile. "Thank you, Sir. I um- I really liked that," he finally admitted, even as the adrenaline started to wear off. He was at a loss, not sure how to reciprocate how appreciative he was of Toby at the present moment but wasn't sure how comfortable Toby would be with a hug or anything so he just said thank you again and then a third time for good measure. "And um... we should definitely do another scene in the future."

Toby grinned at Jae and then moved around behind him to tug free the knots in the scarf. "Yeah, definitely. This was really fun for me. It's been too long since I did a scene as the Dom. I forget how much I like it sometimes. And you were great." He finished untying the scarf and came around where Jae could see him again. "Seriously, you were fantastic. Have you done any sensory play? I took the class on it, I think you'd really like it. You react really well to being touched in different ways."

The knot in his stomach was long gone and he waited patiently as Toby untied him from the post. The scarves weren't tight by any means so there wasn't any discomfort to his wrists. "So does that mean you sub mostly?" He asked out of curiosity, more than anythign else. He didn't really talk to anyone about his mark as a Switch and he wanted to get someone else's perspective or experience. "Thanks, man, that means a lot." He shook his head immediatey and dropped his head again sheepishly. "I actually haven't taken many kink classes but I think I'm definitely gonna take this one next semester. I think I'll really like it." He turned to pick up his coffee then pulled the hood of his sweatshirt back over his head. "So are you gonna try to get some more sleep? Or did you wanna maybe head to the cafe? Get first dibs on breakfast?"

[jaywantsleep]

Corner Store

It was 3am or so, and Hitoshi couldn’t sleep. He was pretty used to it at this point, so he clambered out of bed and slipped some late night clothes on, just some sweats, a hoodie, and pull-on shoes. Quietly leaving his dorm, the purple haired boy made his way towards the local corner store. He was running out of food anyways, why not buy it now, at the buttcrack of dawn where nobody would interrupt him? Arriving at the store, Shinsou watched sleepily as the sliding doors slid open, the warmer air of the store washing over his body as he entered. Scooping up a basket, he paced down the aisles, loosely grabbing the items he needed or the items that looked tasty at the moment. The school had supplied the students with a food budget, and Shinsou used his “wisely.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he groggily moved to the counter, paying for the mass assortment of food he had acquired. Muttering his thanks, Hitoshi made his way towards the exit, the cold outside air slapping against his face as he walked back to the dorms, his bag of food slung over his shoulder as he did.

Finally arriving back to his room, the brainwasher sets his bag down, fumbling around in his pocket for a moment before grasping his keys, sliding them into the keyhole and opening the door with a foot. Taking hold of his groceries again, he turns on the light and shuts the door behind him with a heel, pausing for a moment to absently stare at the ceiling out of pure sleep deprivation. Snapping to his senses, Hitoshi locks his door and makes way to his kitchen, casually dumping the entire bag of food, toiletries, and whatnot onto the counter. Sorting through this new mess, he gets to work putting things where they belong, the food into the fridge, the first aid kit in the cabinet, toiletries in the bathroom, that sort of thing. After what seemed like decades, Shinsou flops over onto his couch, his chest to the ceiling. He lets out a sigh of relief, a hand instinctively moving to cover his mouth. “That should cover this week, though maybe I didn’t need as much as I bought..” He mumbles to himself, his eyes threatening to close at any given moment. Pulling his phone out of his jacket pocket, he absentmindedly scrolls through his contacts before thinking twice, shutting it off and gently tossing it onto the coffee table. He groans, the lack of sleep finally starting to get to him. Stifling a yawn, he cranes his neck to look out the window and to the night sky, where he could see just a small amount of light come through. His eyebrows raise as he comes to the realization that it was almost 5 in the morning, which also meant that it would soon be day outside. Pushing himself into a seated position, Shinsou shuts the blinds, washing the room in darkness before falling backwards to the couch, his arm laying gently across his stomach. The couch seemed more comfortable than usual today... maybe even bed like. “Ah.. fuck it” were Shinsou’s last words before he shut his eyes, rolling over to press his face into the side of the couch, effectively darkening his vision even further. It only took a few moments for the boy to fall asleep, his breath falling into a steady motion. The quiet sounds of the nightlife certainly helped put him under, as it did to so many others. It was blissful, really. The darkness of sleep washed over his body, and Hitoshi Shinsou finally got his well needed rest.

[noah-andrews]

Helping Hand- Willa & James

Participants: James Beiste (sw) and Willa Cohen-Chang (s)

Where: Campus and Town

Classes: Sub 102

Date Recorded: Friday 3/29/2019

Jamie was angry. It wasn't that the emotion was unknown to him. He was a Beiste after all. What was unusual was the level to which he was displaying that anger. In the end, though, you couldn't go into a scene with anger. That was asking for disaster. After a good talk with his brother and Nick he'd decided how to deal with his emotions and still make the scene safe and sane. He'd messaged Willa that he would be picking her up at her door at six am on the dot and that she needed to be ready to leave when he arrived. Seyella at his side and cane folded and neatly placed in his bag, Jamie checked the braille plate on the door and assured he was in the right place, knocked. As he waited he did a breathing exercise knowing he would need all of his patience today.

After her rough day and rougher night, Willa was beside herself. Only to make matters worse, Jamie wanted her up at the buttcrack of dawn for their final. She barely made it to the door in time when she heard him knock. She threw open the door, still slipping her shoes on. It was liekly he heard her scuffling and jumping around trying to get it on her foot, but finally she sighed and stood up. "This is a ridicuous hour to be awake."

He could hear her moving around inside. A louder thump, thump, thump hopping sound proceeded the door opening. The first words out of her mouth proved that she was in no better mood. "Indeed. I would sorely enjoy more time, but unfortunately it simply isn't feasible." He was forever jealous of people who could sleep to the last second, jump out of bed, and still make it to class on time. That would never be his life. He coughed and straightened up to his usual ramrod straight posture. "Alright. Here is how today will go. You will use my title as often as seems natural and appropriate. If I require it in a specific situation, I will inform you, otherwise assume the frequency is acceptable. You are to be my personal assistant for the day... from now until four this afternoon. You will do as I ask, help in any ways that you deem appropriate, and at the end of the day write or record your personal reflections on the scene. If you need to exit the scene at any time you will use your safeword. Please, give me your safewords and any and all limits so that we may begin."

"Until 4!?" she groaned semi-quietly, hating the idea that this was going to take an entire class day. "Safeword is cherry. Limits are scat, broken bones, death, and i think that's pretty much it." She took a minute to survey the situation, seeing the dog obediently by Jamie and the posture the boy had. She'd known about his condition, but wasn't sure she'd seen him so personally and up-close before. "If you have the dog, why do you need me?" she asked simply.

"Yes, 4." He reiterated without acknowledging her attitude. "I don't need you Ms. Cohen Chang. You serve me because you are a submissive and we are doing a service scene, but do not extrapolate that I need you. I function perfectly without anyone's help." He wasted no time handing her his bag. "Carry this. My cane is in the side pocket. I might need it in the classroom halls so acquaint yourself to it's location. Coffee first, then classes. We will need to hurry if you are to be on time for your own." He turned on his heels and with a soft command to Seyella to let her know they were walking started off. He didn't acknowledge her any further, leaving her to follow along. Whoever designed Lima's buildings hadn't given much or any thought to the needs of the disabled. Back when it was built there were 'special' institutes for the disabled and they were kept quite seperate. He's glad those days are in the past, but the past lingers. The stairs are too steep and the hallways a bit too narrow. Even with Sey at his side, he's jostled unexpected a couple of times just getting out of the submissive dorms. It was something he was used to and yet it took so much energy to always be on guard for these things. He was working all of the time.

"Stop saying that," she grumbled, "my name is Willa." Every time he said that, it felt like he was talking to her mother, whom she didn't like so the distaste was easy to track from there. "Fine, you don't need me," she said, taking the bag from him. She felt around it, looking around the pockets to discover the collapsed cane. With a soft huff, Willa followed suit, trailing behind Jamie as they slowly made their way to get some coffee.(edited)

Jamie huffed. "Were you raised by wolves? Grumbling was not required. A simple civil request to call you Willa would have sufficed." He shook his head, feeling the irritation returning. He pushed it away since he needed to focus on the pathway under his feet. Sey would either pull or gently nudge him to keep himself centered. He moved efficiently, or at least he felt as though it was efficient, but he knew of course that the people grumbling and striding past him would disagree. He let it all slide off him. It was the only way he could get through the day without frustration and embarrassment hanging over him like a heavy coat. As they neared the cafeteria they were halted by a gruff voice. It was a guard he wasn't familiar with. "Hey you can't take a dog in... Oh shit... oh... um yeah.. okay. Just... just make sure it behaves." Jamie had to really restrain himself from making a snide comment. The man had authority over him and deserved basic respect. It was an honest mistake he supposed. "Yes Sir. She's well trained. Have a pleasant day." With that out of the way, he pushed open the door. "Get me a dark roast coffee black one sugar, please." The please was unnecessary and probably unwise, but  manners were important to him and couldn't be turned off.  He pushed the button on the side of his watch and the electronic voice gave them the time. "Best hurry or you'll be late for class." He pulled money out of his pocket and handed it to her. "You may get yourself something just be quick about it."

Willa rolled her eyes, unsure of what the point of all this was or why she was being called out for being rude when he was being just as rude back. She was walking behind him, not thinking much of anything and just trying to get through the day. That's when she noticed how people were looking at Jamie, knowing he couldn't see it. It bothered her. She didn't even really know Jamie or have any connection to him to be bothered, but yet here she was. One person nearly ran into Jamie, then grunted as if it were Jamie's fault before his annoyed fact caught Willa's eye. It wasn't Jamie's fault, he was walking in pretty much a straight line and if anything the other guy coulda looked up from his phone like a decent human being. When they got up to the cafeteria door, Willa's head went up as the guard started to grumble. "Are you serious? The dog is so very clearly working right now and is allowed here. The dog will behave just fine," she growled as they started to walk passed, "Maybe it's me you need to worry about." Willa stood in front of Jamie as he started to dig in his pocket and took the money from him. She could notice the change in his face having to deal with what he clearly realized. "Thanks....Sir," she said quietly, moving to get the coffee and one for herself. When she returned she had remembered the watch going off. "I feel like your watch is not aware that there are no classes today," she said, putting the coffee against the back of Jamie's hand.(meh, i don't actually know if it's provided or not - i just let people say what they want lol)

Jamie had to breath in slowly through his nose and out through his mouth. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate where her words were coming from. She obviously had a very distinct and perhaps overly developed sense of justice... of right and wrong or perhaps more accurately.. fair and unfair.  But the motivation for her surly words didn't negate the way they struck. "They are not part of this scene you are. I am concerned and responsible for you. Perhaps you would do well to focus on your own behavior and not worry about others." He waited for her to return and grinned to himself as he sipped the hot brew. He still couldn't believe how bad the coffee was, but it was growing on him. "Oh it is aware, as am I. There are no official classes but you still have somewhere to be." His grin didn't fade as he gave Sey her walk command.  "My cane please. The sidewalk to the classrooms has become cracked after that frigid winter." He held out his hand and took the white cane and flicked his wrist to extend it. "Come along now." The walk to the classroom building was easier than to the cafeteria as there were no classes, but there was always the challenge of the heavy front doors. They were a heft today as always, but at least he didn't have Sey, his cane, and his bag. "We'll first walk to my usual first classroom 24 A and then upstairs to room 32." Once they'd made it all the way upstairs to their final destination, Jamie asked for his bag back. From it he produced the blindfold he and Nick used for sensory play. "I'm going to put this on you. Do not hesitate to safeword if you need to." He'd played with blindfolds enough to know people were often not prepared for the total darkness. He didn't even experience total darkness. He saw light interrupted by vague and shapeless shadow. "Are you alright?"

"But he was -" she cut herself off with a huff, "Fine. Sir." Willa sighed, sipping her coffee before pulling a gross face, "this stuff is so gross. We should have gone off campus for coffee. I mean, it still won't be as good at Seattle's but it's better than this swill." As Jamie explained his watch, willa gave a shrug as she conceded to his answer. She put her coffee down and went to Jamie's bag, getting out his cane and extending it, putting it in Jamie's hand. She groaned a little at how he spoke, "I'm not a dog, you know," she grumbled quietly, before realized he may have in fact been talking to the dog. She didn't understand why they were walking to classes they didn't have today, but regardless, she follow suit. "Wouldn't it make more sense to go to the classes you're going to have? Like, get a lay of the land, as it were?" she asked before handing Jamie his bag as requested. When she saw the blindfold, she felt herself get really nervous. "Ummm...why? Why do I need a blind fold, I thought I was supposed to be helping you."

It seemed like a win that not only did she halt her argument, but also that she used his title... though that might have been sarcastic. He didn't know her well enough to be able to tell. He tilted his head. "I apologize if I spoke to you thusly. I'm not... soft or conversational. You are acting as my assistant today and I just feel better giving simple, direct orders. I will attempt to do better." His goal for the day was to open her eyes to other perspectives, not to entrench her in her own. "Perhaps, but I have some plans on how to use the free day to my greatest benefit." He folded up his cane and nodded. "You will be aiding me in something very important. I'm going to lead you to the center of the room. Just stand for now while I turn on the recording I made of my switch class. I've been having issues keeping up and taking notes. I'm hoping you'll be able to think outside of the box I'm stuck in." He turned on the recording that Professor Leetch had helped him make of his Switch class. The bondage teacher was an amateur audio engineer and the speakers around them really gave a realistic experience. "Move around as you wish. I won't assist you with the desks and things unless you ask. I don't do this to be cruel, but in that particular classroom the desks are constantly being rearranged. I only want you to have all the information I do. I will be here, but silent for the next twenty minutes, but ask if you need help." The room was filled with the sounds of scraping chair legs, coughing, keyboard tapping, talking and also the teacher giving a lecture. He truly was hopeful she might have some ideas for him, but the point was for her to practice being inconvenienced without throwing a fit.

She listened as he spoke, semi-correcting himself and explaining. Willa just hummed as she didn't really have much to say about it and nodded, they quickly realizing that was a pointless gesture. She listened to his explanation of what was going on and what he seemed to need her help with. She still didn't understand how the blindfold was going to help or aide in what they were trying to do, but after a deep breath she put it on. "So you just want me to move around the room?" she asked, jumping a little as the tape started and she kept her hands out in front of her, trying to find her way around the desks and chairs that were collected in the room. "What exactly am I supposed to be figuring out here?"

"You don't have to move or if you want to move but need my help I'm happy to offer it." He sighed, using the command to release Seyella from work and moved closer to her. "As you can hear this class is a bit noisy. The teacher allows a more free and casual classroom environment, probably to great effect for most of the students. However it has left me... at loose ends. I miss moments of the lecture as he moves around and all of this chaos is going on around me. How would you approach it? Is there some way of listening, some where to sit, anything that will give me an optimal experience. I feel I might be so stuck in my box that I'm not thinking creatively. As someone who only now can't see perhaps you can come up with some new idea." He nodded to himself and then chuckled quietly before adding a caveat. "And that idea cannot include chastising, yelling at, or calling anyone names." He knew the part of the recording he remembered with a faint burn of embarrassment. *"Yes James? You have a question?" "Yes Sir. Can you list those sub to Dom transitional ideas again. I missed the last two." "They're on the board.... uhh..." There is a smattering of laughter. Not a lot, just a couple of people in realiy, but it still stings. "come see me after class and I'll help you with that." He can hear the embarrassed tension in his own voice as it sounded around him. "Yes Sir. Thank you." He doesn't know if it was a mistake leaving that in, afraid that he's done nothing but make himself see weak in Willa's eyes. The rest of his planned day will consist more traditional help and he wishes he had just stuck to that.

She opened her mouth to give a snarky retort to what she would do to solve this problem, though closed it abruptly as Jamie had clearly caught on to how WIlla reacted to things, which she whimpered quietly at. She took a deep breath as she listened to the sounds, taking very small steps to be able to somewhat navigate from where she was. She was trying to listen to the instructor's voice more than the stuff going on around her, but it was definitely difficult. She stuck her left arm out, "Is there a desk here, Sir? I think if I were closer to the instructor's voice, I could tune out the rest easier." But then Jamie's voice came from the audio, and Willa listened to the conversation unfold. She could feel herself getting annoyed at how the instructor seemed to just forget all about Jamie and - again - she was getting frustrated on his behalf. "Does he always talk to you like that? Or forget your exsistence? I mean, jesus you've been at this school how long and he can't fucking remember something as simple as who you are?"

"I'm not sure... " He flung out his cane and walked toward her voice. Sure enough there was a desk closer to the front of the classroom. "I've always been loathe to ask for special considerations, but you're correct. I think I will be able to more easily attune myself to the lecture if I'm closer to the source." He could tell that she had probably gotten the point he was trying to make and didn't see the sense in belaboring it. "Thank you for your assistance. You may take off the blindfold." He considered his answer as he walked back to Seyella and took her harness up to prepare her for work. "Yes... I suppose he does. He has many students. Think of all the people who have walked through the doors of this classroom... all the classrooms.  I would not be so arrogant as to assume I'm anything special. This is his domain and I will do what I can to respect that." He composed himself and smiled. "I assure you that the rest of the day will a bit more sedate. Though I will continue to need your assistance. I have some homework to do so will need you to do a bit of tidying and then I will have you accompany me to work to do some filing. I sometimes forget to stop for meals so please do let me know when you require a break."

Willa slipped the blindfold off as Jamie allowed her too and let her eyes adjust to the light again. "Glad to help," she said, though not pacified by his answer. "Not the point. Whether you're arrogant or not or special or not, it shouldn't matter. I mean, you have a dog and a cane with you, there's no reason he shouldn't have it figured out by now and it's completely fucking rude." Her attitude was certainly back but not aimed at Jamie, the idea of having to deal with this from professionals made her completely crazy. "Alright, well, lead the way then, Sir."

He threw her a mirthless grin.  "This is how the world is. I change what I can and accept what I can't." He shrugged as they left. "And above all I am ultimately in control of no one buy myself. My goal in life is to always look back and know that I have not reason for shame or regret. I don't care about him, he is unimportant. I care about myself and my own behavior." He nodded and led them back to his dorm. "The kitchen and the living room are in need of a bit of tidying. I will not order you about like a dog as you pointed out I was doing, however I would ask you to finish what chores you will without complaint while I attend to some emails." He released Sey from her work and got his laptop and set it up with the refreshable braille display. "Oh," he called over his shoulder, "Seyella is not working at the moment so feel free to interact however you wish."

"Well as if I didn't already know this is a stupid world," she grumbled and followed behind Jamie again. "Do you ever get tired of the knight in shining armor thing? Like, sometimes it's okay to be pissed you know, whether it's in your control or not," she added as they made it to Jamie's room. "Without complaint, huh?" she asked, looking over the two rooms he had pointed out. "Alright," she said quietly, working towards the kitchen and figuring she'd start there. She cleaned up the dishes and cleaned off the counters, moving then to sweeping up the floor. She continued her sweeping until she hit carpet, breaking out the vaccuum and working her way across the floor. After tidying up the objects on coffee tables and end tables she looked around and couldn't see anything else to do, so after letting Jamie know she was done, she bend down to scratch at Sey's neck.

"I'm no knight in shining armor. Simply not in my DNA, but I do try to be the best person I can be. I have not always behaved so and I don't like the feeling I get when I think about it." He chuckled. "I know complaining is a particular talent of yours, but I'm sure you'll survive for just a bit." His tone was gentle and kind, hoping she wouldn't take offense. He nodded and thanked her as he finished up his last email. He always felt a stab of guilt for messaging with Haydon, but same stab when he considered braking ties. He smiled hearing Sey's tags jingling. "She he loves when you scratch under her ears. She makes this funny little contented noise."

“Optimism only gets you so far,” she said soft and short in response. Hearing what Jamie suggested, Willa moves to the dogs ears, giggling softly as she immediately started giving the reaction Jamie described. “Oh yeah, look at that. Feels nice doesn’t it girl?”

Jamie knew that she wasn't wrong, but he also knew you never went wrong doing the right thing. Heclosed his laptop and smiled, hearing the lightness in Willa's voice. It was something he didn't know he'd hear at all. He let the two of them have some time as he stood and stretched, enjoying the pop in his spine. "Unfortunately it's time for us all to get back to work. Will you please pack up my laptop bag with the things here," he motioned to the laptop and the braille refreshable display, "and we'll head into town. I only work until three. Then you can help me with some shopping and then you'll be free of me." The time at work went quickly because an unexpected emergency had given him, and Willa by extension, plenty of work to do. It might have been a scene, but in the end he'd ended up really needing her help. By the time they were heading out he was pretty tired and ready to get home. "I just need some of the essentials. Especially coffee. I will most definitely be unhappy if I have to drink the swill they call coffee in the cafeteria." He turned down the road and into the corner bodega closest to campus. The aisles we're cramped and the owner was grumbling as he always did about the dog, but he just ignored it. "Please pick out a coffee while I grab the milk and some pasta sauce. The sooner we get home the happier we'll both be I suspect."

"Oh look at you pretty girl," she hummed as Sey got excited and scratched. She pouted slightly when she heard they were going to continue working, slightly hopeful she could just keep playing with Sey. With a sigh, Willa got up and got the bag, slipping his laptop into it along with the other things pointed out before slipping it over her shoulder. Willa followed Jamie around at work, mostly tyring to stay out of the way and barely knowing what she was doing. She did her best to follow Jamie's example and well as slipping him things when he seemed to struggle to find them. By the time they walked out, the deep breath she took was overly needed after the rushed few hours she'd just been through. "Coffee is perfect and completely necessary and bless you for not finding that cafeteria shit delicious," she said, following Jamie towards the corner store. Willa stayed behind Jamie because while Sey and Jamie navigated themselve quite well, a few things got moved on shelves and Willa pushed them back on. The grumbling made her grumble back, "Make your aisles wider then, Satchmo," giving the man her patented glaring stare and put some money down. "Two large coffees, one black, one with one sugar, and it should be strong enough to lift this whole building, so don't get skimpy on me," she ordered as Jamie walked away to grab the other stuff. "And, by the way, if you grumble at him again for something out of his control, I will come back here every single day and knock stuff off the shelves just to make you have to reset everything. So get me the coffees and shut our mouth," she growled. She didn't know how well it would go over, but the coffees were ready by the time Jamie got back.

"I am a terrible coffee snob, but one doesn't have to even be a connoisseur to recognize how truly awful that stuff is." As turned he heard the young woman give the man some sarcastic comment. She needed to learn that withou knowing who the hell that man was she had to err on the side of polite and respectful. What if he was a vindictive Dom?  "Willa," Jamie chastised her lightly. "It's alright." This was life. She might not believe in optimism, but he was determined to show her a way of acceptance without compromising your own self respect. He came back to the counter and fished out his wallet and handed over his debit card. "Carry the grocery bag for me, please Willa." He commanded Sey and breathed in the aroma of his coffee.  The walk back to campus was mostly quiet. Passing through the front gate he breathed in and out. "It is nearly four, but I hope you will be so kind as to help me carry my things back to my dorm. You've done very well today. I don't think I've cured you of any of your sarcastic, combative ways, but you did the scene very well and helped me with so much. I was wonderfully suprised at how well you helped at the office. I would have drowned without some help." Once they arrived at his place, he released Seyella and took the bag of groceries. "You can write you summary of your experience at your earliest convenience and email it to me." He thought for a moment. "Sey probaby could use some down time outside. Would you like to take her out for a while? Not as part of the scene. We're done with that... just if you'd like."

"You and me both, Sir," Willa agreed with gusto about the coffee. She was in the middle of glaring at the middle aged man when she heard Jamie's voice and closed her mouth. She paid for the coffees and took them as she returned to Jamie, switching one of the coffees for his grocery bags. "Yeah, I can do that. I have to go back that way anyway," Willa agreed with a nod. When Jamie continued with the compliments she was suddenly happy he couldn't see her blushing and getting a little nervous and not knowing what to do with her self since her hands were full. "Well...thanks," she said softly as they walked, her mind swirling a little bit. "A written experience?" she whined slightly but ultimately sighed, "Sure, Sir. SOunds...fun." But when he  mentioned the scene was over she felt a little better, a little less like she had to watch everything she said and did - not that she was doing well at that in the first place. "Well, sure. That sounds nice. Thank you."

Jamie sighed. "Yes, a written summary. Nothing excessive. Just be honest please. I will be writing one as well. So that we can prove to the Heads that we learned something from this experience." He wasn't sure what he'd learned just yet, but he had the night to think about it. He smiled hearing some genuine excitement from Willa. "No thank you. She'll love it." He walked over to the sideboard and counted over three drawers and opened it to pull out he dog's 'non-working' leash with a holder for some poop bags attached to the handle. "There is a basket by the door with balls and toys for her if you'd like."

Willa was not happy about the writing assignment but as Jamie handed her the new leash she pepped up, taking a ball and a pull rope from the basket. "Alright, so we'll be back. Unless, are you coming too?" she asked, not entirely sure.

He hadn't planned on going with them, figuring that she would want to get away from at this point. However maybe he needed some 'down' time as much as his guide. "Umm... Yes... that would be nice." As they left his dorm room, he wasn't sure if the scene had been successful or not, but he didn't regret it and he didn't regret his own behavior so he'd take it as a win.

[bubltae]

147 for minkey please :)

song: colorful by shinee

kibum’s having a pretty crappy christmas morning but the guy he meets on the sidewalk bus stop complimented his eyes and now he’s feeling magical

i’m so sorry this took so long to post. i haven’t been all too well lately so writing has seemed like more of a hassle rather than a hobby. i’ll do better in the future!

Kibum cannot believe this is actually happening to him. He woke up at precisely 4:30am on Christmas Day, of all days, to get on a stuffy bus and wait three hours until he would arrive in the heart of Seoul. Jonghyun specifically said to “be there or be square” at exactly 9:00am so they could get seats to see the Christmas parade at 10:00am.

Jonghyun isn’t where Kibum said he would be. Initially, Kibum thinks this is weird. Jonghyun is usually never late, and when he is, he at least shoots him a text or phones him. Kibum has received neither of those.

Ten minutes later, Kibum becomes a little worried.

Another twenty minutes and Kibum is now irritated.

At 9:55am, Kibum is in no mood to see the parade anymore after he gets a text from Jonghyun that goes along the lines of, “Sorry, need to cancel, something came up.” The fact that this kind of absurd behavior by Jonghyun has occurred completely flies over Kibum’s head as he is simply too angry to fully comprehend anything rational. Besides, it’s so damned cold and Kibum forgot his favorite gloves at home.

“Excuse me, are you okay?”

Kibum looks up quickly, an angry look embedded in his face. The guy who has gently tapped him has jumped back at the sudden jerk. “What?”

The guy looks flustered now, sputtering like a dying engine. Kibum raises his eyebrows. “Y-you looked angry and the parade is about to start so I just wanted to make sure you were, y’know, o-okay, I guess…”

Kibum’s frustration immediately disappears once he actually makes eye contact with this guy. His large, brown eyes are widened in fear and he’s biting his lower lip. He lowers his gaze to the little nametag on his polo shirt that says, “Teacher Minho” on it. He must work at the daycare down the street. “Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t… mean to yell at you. Today just hasn’t been so great. For me, I mean.”

Minho’s face softens. “What do you mean by that, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Well, I woke up at the buttcrack of dawn to get here in time for the parade since my best friend said he wanted to watch it with me. Then he cancelled and I’m about three hours by bus away from my home. I told my parents I wouldn’t be able to come home for Christmas this year because Jonghyun fucking insisted that this was the only year he was free from work on Christmas.” Kibum’s expression turns hard and cold again and Minho begins to regret asking him what had happened.

“That… I’m sorry. You don’t deserve that,” Minho says quietly.

Kibum shrugs. “Whatever. I mean, Christmas is lousy enough anyway.”

Minho now looks offended. “I wouldn’t say it’s technically lousy…”

“Why?”

“I mean… because it’s colorful. Christmas brings out the color in people. I see color in you right now. Your eyes are just, so magical looking. Like, rainbow-y. You may hate Christmas, but I see Christmas in you right now,” Minho explains.

Kibum inhales. “Do you see color in everyone?”

Minho nods. “Of course. Sometimes, it’s duller, like before I met you. Sometimes it’s vibrant, like you right now. Especially your eyes. They’re the most colorful.”

Kibum laughs, but it isn’t tart nor is it fake. It makes Minho relax a little bit. “Thank you. I appreciate the compliments. You’re pretty colorful yourself, if I may.”

A comfortable silence fills the two but is interrupted by the start of the parade. Kibum hasn’t even noticed how many people have gathered on the sidewalks to see it. Minho gives Kibum a sneaky glance. “If you’re not in the mood to watch the parade, I have a Christmas tree that needs decorating and a name from you that I need.”

Kibum chuckles. “I’d love to help decorate your tree, Minho. I’m Kibum.”

“How did you know my name?” Minho asks. He looks slightly alarmed. Kibum points to his nametag and Minho’s shoulders sag in relief.

Minho’s daycare is filled with little children, running around and playing with toys. It’s not necessarily overwhelming but Kibum looks nervous. Minho gently takes his hand and leads him towards the back where the tree is located. It’s bare and dark. A box of decorations sits sadly next to it.

“Minho, this is all you have? Have you never decorated a tree before?” Minho shakes his head slowly. Kibum sighs. “We’re going to the store right now and getting you more decorations.” He grabs Minho’s wrist and leads him back out of the store.

“Wait,” Minho says. Kibum lets go of his wrist and watches as Minho fiddles with something behind a table, which is pressed up against the wall next to the bare tree. Suddenly, the room lights up. Kibum looks up, taking note of the sparkling Christmas lights that adorn the room. All of the kids stop playing, oohing and ahhing at the sudden change of lighting. Minho grins when he sees Kibum’s jaw drop. “How about this?”

“I think the lights can wait…”