#and it was like. spontaneous too. like she’s been in the room for like fifteen minutes and she JUST started smelling like shit.

[emawinslow]

….

[stevieschrodinger]

Part One Fifteen

Steve’s left bloody smears on the tiles, but the bleeding does seem to have turned a little more sluggish; he’s too frightened now to pull his sock away, he’s pretty sure it’s stuck to the wounds where the blood has started to crust over.

From the floor, Steve manages to reach up for the phone, it rings nearly a dozen times, but Steve persists. He knows Hopper will assume it’s an emergency.

Steve hates doing this, but he definitely can’t drive. Just the thought of making it to the car on his own makes him cringe, and the dull, thudding pain is radiating out to the rest of his foot.

“Hopper.”

“Hop. Sorry. I think I need some help.”

“On my way.”

The doctor frowns at Steve spectacularly, “a raccoon?”

“I know, wild right?”

“So that means he definitely needs a tetanus,” Hopper says unhelpfully from where he’s perched on the other side of the treatment room. He’s got a coffee in a Styrofoam cup and an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth.

Steve hisses as the doctor uses some saline to loosen the sock, peeling it away from the wound, “I’ll give you something to numb the area, and then it will need some stitches. An x-ray might-”

“Nah,” Steve interjects, “stitch me up, I need to get home.”

The doctor has that look on her face again. From the other side of the room, Hopper sighs, “I’ll be back in a bit.”

Steve can hear El and Eddie from where he’s standing in the kitchen. El’s been teaching him stuff again; today she’s taught him the ABC song. They rush through when they get to the ‘LMNOP’ part, making Steve smile.

“Okay Steve, we’re ready!” El shouts for him from the next room, and Steve goes in.

The furniture's been moved out of the way, Eddie lying on his back in the middle of the room. He’s laying on a white sheet, the long point of his tale stark black against the material. Next to his hip, there’s a pair of legs. They stand perfectly fine on their own, disembodied, rounds of flat pale skin on top, where they end at the thighs.

Eddie looks over smiling, “oh good, you’ve brought it.”

Steve looks down. In his hand he’s holding a saw.

Steve wakes, flailing. He’s gasping for air, trying to orientate himself. Panicking.

He’s sitting. It takes him a few confused seconds, but it all comes flooding back. Fuck, his neck hurts, and his back.

Just a dream he thinks on repeat to himself. Just a dream just a dream just a dream.

His foot. His foot is still up on the coffee table, “Steve, come on, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

“What,” he manages to croak out.

“Here, drink this,” Robin hands him a half glass of tepid water, Steve downs it, “you had a nightmare.”

There’s a towel and a bag of peas draped over Steve’s ankle; trying to cool the area. Keep the swelling down, or whatever. The peas are melted now, the bag sagging in either direction with the weight of the mush inside.

The sight of it makes a sob catch in Steve’s chest, it comes out in a huge shudder, and Steve’s only vaguely worried he’ll never be able to walk the frozen isle in the store again. That he will cry spontaneously every time someone offers him a pear.

“When did you get here?”

“Mom dropped me off, Hopper wanted someone to watch you. He’s going to go check on El.”

Steve’s head feels muzzy. Too much has happened. They didn’t get home until the early hours, and Steve’s blinking in the full light of day that’s streaming into the lounge. “Where is he now?”

“Back yard.”

That takes a second to process, “no.”

Steve pulls his foot down, wobbling as he stands, leaving the towel and peas abandoned, “Steve, hang on.”

The dressing and stitches feel like they’re pulling as Steve takes a few tentative steps, the whole end of his foot feels like it’s burning, Steve moves until he can see Hopper; he can see him from the back, he’s smoking and looking down into the pool.

“Robs, get him away from there, please. Please.”

“Okay, okay,” she says, holding her hands out like she’s dealing with a skittish animal, she goes to the door, opening it and calling, “Hopper, he’s up!”

Hopper comes back in, dropping the end of his cigarette and stamping it out with his boot on his way in, “kid, are you sure he went into the pool?”

The implication of Hopper's question has Steve’s moving before he can really think about it, Robin calling after him that he’s got nothing on his feet, that it’s cold out. Steve ignores her. He has to walk funny, keeping all his weight on his heel on the left foot, but he makes it work. He sees why Hoppers asking; the water of the pool is opaque white.

It looks like the whole thing is filled with milk.

Hopper leaves to go and check on El. Steve’s glad, he did cause Hopper to have to leave her in the middle of the night, and that’s not fair on El, she might be worried.

Steve’s had maybe a couple of hours sleep on the couch, passing out when they got back from hospital. “You don’t have to do that,” he tells Robin; she’s scrubbing at the bloody smears Steve’s left on the kitchen tile.

“It’s fine, and it’s not like you’re in any condition to do it. What the fuck Steve, Hopper said he bit off two toes??”

Steve looks down at where the dressing’s covering his foot, “yeah.” Robin sits back on her haunches, bloody rag in hand, glaring. “He said that...if he eats Demogorgon, then that’s what he becomes. And if he eats Demodog, he becomes one of those so…”

“So you let him eat some of you instead? Because that’s the sane response-”

“I love him, Robs.”

She sighs, “I figured.”

Robin spends most of the day. She talks him into eating some toast; he balks at the thought of soup. Steve takes his pain killers and his antibiotics under Robins close supervision. They have the TV on, and Steve sleeps more.

She tells him to come away when he spends too much time staring out of the window.

Robin has to go that evening; she only does because Steve swears on everything she can think of that he will be fine. He will eat some eggs. He will take his pills. He’s not a complete invalid.

Robin leaves him after what is probably a ten minute hug, and a promise that she will sell Keith on Steve’s 'family emergency.'

The eggs are sitting heavy in Steve’s stomach when he hobbles outside. He managed to get a sock on over his dressing, but couldn’t bare the thought of anything else pressing on his wound, so he goes out like that. Just in socks.

He has a coat on at least, and takes the blanket, knocking snow off a pool lounger and moving it to the edge of the pool so he can sit with his feet up, wrapped in the blanket. The water still hasn’t frozen; but it is darker than it was. It’s turned a sort of pale mucky brown, like someone's mixed some dirt in.

Or chocolate milk.

Steve sits, and he waits, and he cries quietly.

Eventually the cold gets too much, and he heads back inside to try and sleep on the couch.

Steve stares blankly at the unlit Christmas tree, and considers dragging the thing outside and setting fucking fire to it.

He hasn’t cried since he woke up, which is a new current record, and he doesn’t understand where the anger has come from...but he thinks he might prefer it. It’s not fair. Nothing about this is fair, and it fills Steve with a rage he doesn’t think he’s ever experienced before.

Hopper sits opposite Steve, leaning forward, his hands dangling loose between his knees, and Steve knows that this is Hoppers ‘I’m trying to be kind, or sympathetic, or understanding face,’ Steve also knows he’s not going to like whatever is about to come out of Hopper's mouth and he’s already angry about it.

“Kid, I really think we should drain the pool.”

“No.”

Hopper takes a deep breath, “son,” and that one word fills Steve with a rage so complete he feels utterly still. Utterly calm. He’s completely empty, in that moment, except for the rage, “if we don’t, his body will rot into the water, and if you want to be able to bury him? Then-”

“Out.”

“-what?”

“Out,” Steve stands, and he speaks calmly and levelly, “get out of my house. Right now.”

Hopper doesn’t stand, he spreads his hands in a non threatening gesture, “El says she’s can’t feel him, kid, he’s gone-”

“Get the fuck out of my house!” Steve screams at him, suddenly full to brimming, his hears his pounding, breaths sharp, “I said get out!”

Hopper sighs. He looks at Steve with...pity on his face, but he gets up, and he leaves.

The water is so dark now it looks nearly black. Murky and shitty. There are black, choking vines growing up the inside of the tiles; clinging to the sides of the pool. Some of them are long enough to creep up over the edge, like The Upside Down is bleeding into Hawkins again. Steve is reminded viscerally of Barb Holland, and he hates it.

The phone is ringing. Steve ignores it until it stops.

It makes him itchy, ignoring the phone. It’s too ingrained in him that something could be wrong. It’s an emergency. The kids might need him.

It starts ringing again; Steve answers it this time, but only as a preventative measure. If he doesn’t answer it, whoever it is might show up, and Steve would really rather not right now.

“Hey, Steve.” Robs is uncharacteristically quiet. Reserved. “So...it’s Christmas tomorrow and, I know you said you didn’t want to come for the day but...what about in the evening? Just for a little bit?” She asks, hopefully. “Mom says we can save you some leftovers, you know.”

“Yeah...yeah, that’s really kind and everything Rob...” Steve trails off scrubbing at his face. He’s got a fair bit of stubble going on, and he only showered this morning because even he could pick up on the fact that he stank.

She sighs quietly, “have you been eating? Taking your meds?”

“I...yeah. Some. And finished the antibiotics.”

“Good. That’s good. You want me to come over then?”

“Uhm. No. No that’s fine you, you should have a nice Christmas with your family, okay? We can talk after.”

“Steve…”

“I know, Robs, I know, but I’ll be fine,” Steve tells her with a confidence he doesn’t feel.

“Okay, well, I’ll call tomorrow. Love you, Dingus.”

“Love you too Birdie.”

There are thick black vines growing up the legs of Steve’s pool chair; he ignores them. He climbs into position, wrapping himself in his blanket. He has a beer, his pills are finished now, so he can’t see the harm.

“I had a shower Eds, sure you’re pleased to hear that. Took the dressing off my foot, and it looks fine, you didn’t hurt me, not really.” Steve tacks on, “not ow,” out of habit.

Steve sips his beer, pulling the blanket tighter around his legs, and not thinking about Eddie's tail doing the same, “I’m supposed to have an appointment to get the stitches out, but it’s not until like the twenty seventh, or something, you know, everything being shut for Christmas. Which is tomorrow, by the way.”

Steve sighs, “anyway, I probably won’t go, it really doesn’t look so bad now, I think I could get them out with nail scissors and some tweezers, so I might just do that.”

Steve sips his beer, watching the laden pale clouds scud along overhead, “I think it might snow again, that’d be nice, right? White Christmas and all that stuff.”

Steve sighs again, and quietly admits, “I think you would have really liked Christmas. You get like, gifts and stuff-”

There’s a frantic splash in the pool, Steve’s up as quick as he can, fighting with his blanket, his beer bottle falling, forgotten, and rolling away on the tiles, getting caught on a vine.

Steve’s flooded with adrenaline, heart beating so fast, he doesn't register the chill as he scrambles up, stepping to the edge of the pool.

Eddie’s on the steps, he’s covered in so much slime and shit from the pool it's hard to see him, but Steve doesn’t care how dirty it is, he’s knee deep and helping to haul Eddie out the rest of the way.

He has no hair; but he does have legs, and he takes a stumbled step with Steve before collapsing to the ground. He can’t breathe, he’s bent over, on his hands and knees, choking. Steve’s lifeguard first aid training kicks in before he can really think about it; fueled by adrenaline, he braces Eddie with an arm about his middle, then using the palm of his hand he delivers one hard upward blow between Eddie’s shoulder blades.

Eddie splutters, but there’s nothing, so Steve does it again. Suddenly, like a seal has been broken, Eddie coughs up what might be nearly a pint of fluid, yellow and green and streaked with pink blood, it splatters loudly on the ground.

Eddie drags in a huge breath; it might be the most beautiful sound Steve’s ever heard.

They collapse down again, Eddie shivering like crazy, his teeth chattering; Steve grabs his blanket, covering Eddie. He’s naked and covered in gross shit, completely hairless, and has long gangly legs. Steve doesn’t pay attention to any of it really. Just Eddie. Eddie’s here.

He smells fucking awful, but Steve doesn’t care, Steve bundles him up and pulls him close, “Eddie, are you okay?”

Eddie blinks, his eyes crusted with gack from the pool, pink and puffy and sore looking around the lids, the whites bloodshot to fuck, his voice a raspy mess, the words broken by how violently his teeth are chattering, “Eddidie good bad.”

Steve bursts into tears.

Part Seventeen

[jogetsobsessed]

How would Embry react if his imprint told him she was pregnant?

A cutesy little blurb, it's unedited if I'm gonna be honest lol

---------- 

“There's no way”. 

You were freaking out. 

There was a second line, there was not supposed to be a second line. 

Embry and you have always been careful. 

Except for the time after you worked a double, or when Embry had gotten off a twelve-hour patrol and there was the time in Emily’s guest bathroom during game night. 

But you never thought those moments would have led to this one. 

Kids were something that the two of you always danced around. Being young adults you didn't really want to spend your time raising kids. 

Your twenties were for having fun and staying up at night. Waking up whenever you felt like it and getting to be spontaneous. 

Your thirties were when you were planning on raising your children, even getting pregnant in your late twenties would have been expected. 

But you were twenty and Embry was only twenty-one. 

The two of you still felt like kids yourself, the task of raising one of your own made your head spin. 

Once tears began clouding your version you shot off from the edge of the bathtub and tossed the test into your drawer. 

Embry was going to be home any minute and you were going to let him catch you like this. 

----------------

You had been avoiding him. For over a week. 

Sleeping at friends' houses and coming back when he was on patrol. You knew that once the two of you ended up in a room together he would figure it out. 

He would smell the change, or depending on how far along you were, hear the heartbeat. 

And you weren't ready for it. 

It's not that you were scared of how Embry was going to react. He loved you and you knew it. Plus he was rational, there was no reason for him to get mad at you when it takes both parties to make a baby. 

Emily, who had been helping you sneak back into the apartment since Sam would let her know who was on patrol, had texted you fifteen minutes ago that Embry should be gone for the next six hours. 

Laying on the couch the ceiling was entertaining your eyes since your brain was too preoccupied to do anything else. Your eyes began to feel heavy as the exhaustion of dodging your boyfriend was catching up to you. 

----------

A soft hum was the first thing you heard as you groggily opened your eyes. The open curtains allowed you to see that it was now dark outside. The hum got louder as you tried to rub away the sleep still left in your eyes. 

Once you were able to knuckle the sleep away the sight of your disorganized living room came into view, but not for long since your eyeliner was quickly filled with your boyfriend's worried face. 

“Look what the cat dragged in '', he was clearly pissed off, but you couldn't even argue that he had no reason to be. 

Being avoided for a week tends to do that to someone. 

The awkward silence had you internally cringing. It was not supposed to be like this with the both of you. Ever since Embry had imprinted he had vowed to be there for you and to never let anything stand in the way of you and him. 

But now there was something in the way of your relationship. The monster of fear was consuming you and clouding your judgment. 

“Y/N you need to talk. I'm not going to put up with this for much longer. I love you but come on this is ridiculous. I haven't heard more than five words from you”. 

He was crouching in front of you now, staring at you. He didn't look mad anymore, worry had replaced the anger. 

This was hell on earth for you. 

You don't want to crush him. 

“I don't want you to be mad Em, this isn't something small”, the tears were flowing now. You tried your best to keep them at bay, but you weren't able to choke them down. 

“Bub I’m sure it's not that bad. You can tell me anything”, his hands snake upwards to grasp onto your forearms. His thumbs rubbed comforting circles. 

“I'm pregnant Embry”. 

He paused. 

The world was moving in slow motion and he paused. 

That was the confirmation that you needed. The confirmation that you had been dreading. 

As quick as you could, you stood up hell-bent on getting out of the apartment as fast as you could. But Embry was quicker, jumping in front of you, stopping you from leaving. 

“Woah, woah calm down Y/N. You can't just leave after you drop a bomb like that”. 

“Embry I’m not going to stay here so you can be mad at me”, you sobbed. 

“Mad? What said anything about me being mad”. 

“The look on your face Embry. That said everything, you didn't have to say anything”. 

This time his face contorted to shock, and then he stared at you for a moment. The silence was back, until…he laughed. 

“What the hell Embry”, you yanked yourself out of his grasp. 

“I'm sorry I just, bub I’m sorry you thinking I would be mad is kinda funny”, he was laughing harder. “Bub I promise I’m not mad”. 

“You're not?”. 

“No. Bub kids were always on the table with us. We were always gonna be parents, just now, just sooner than we thought”. 

Your arms found their way around his neck as your bodies melted together. He held you close, rocking you slightly, soothing you as your sobs turned into hiccups. As the night went on, Embry told you everything he was excited about in the coming months, explaining all his ideas for names and how he wanted Sam to help him build a crib from scratch. 

Embry was going to be the best day, you were sure of it. 

[worrabei]

OKAY, hear me out before reading the text below: this blog of mine is just a place, where I can see my progress in many of things, and writing in english is one of them. the deal is - english is not my native language, and my way of writing can look very bad.

if you decide to read my little sketch, firstly - good luck; and secondly, if when you see some dumb mistakes - feel free to comment because learning stuff is fun!

(also I'm like probably need to do a disclaimer or something like this, but I don't know how :D)

well, it's just fluff (?), without any triggers and just something that was in my head for a while. also I'm using the real names on the dream team in this text. actually, all my thoughts slowly became a whole au (this is the right word for it, right?), so if I will be really confident, maybe I write something else....

UGH this is again a super long text, I'M SORRY.

imagine that you've been friends with «dream team» for an almost a three years.

originally you were an employee on a mr. beast team, something that others would call an errand boy (well, errand girl in your case). but despite your small position in a whole team, everyone was simply in love with you. you just were a little shining star, that everybody adored. and beside that, you knew how to do your job. and by one of these hard-working days, you've meet sapnap.

there were a small pause between shooting for a new challenge video, where nick was one of the judges, and it happend that you both had a chance to chat for a little bit. you two find in each other someone nice, almost like a soulmate. when you too start to speak about different topics, including hobbies and favorite things, something just clicked. after a shooting, y'all just spontaneously decided to go for a walk. you both just can't stop talking, and after a hour or so, you find yourself on a basketball court. the day slowly becoming an evening, there only a few people around, and you two with beer cans just lazily playing basketball.

and after that day your life just start change entirely.

after sapnap you've met sunshine with name karl, and then dream, george, even quackity. the boys was also amazed with your warm personality and you all pretty fast become great buddies. you start to show in theirs instagram photos, twitter posts, stories. you've slowly become an important member of their group. staying for a movie night, cook for them, give a ride on your car, making birthday presents, spending time in video games, and eventually joining the streams.

to be honest, chat was kinda aggressive by the first time and full of comments like "omg why are they even let this girl to join, she's just ruining all the fun" and bunch of other not-so-nice words. guys were super sorry that you have to deal with all this hate, but you honestly won't making a big deal out of that. you just continue to show up from time to time, and slowly but surely people realize that your "boring" side was actually a "super caring" side.

and only after this realization everybody understand how cool actually your character resonates with sometimes childish characters of the rest of the group. the memes start to full the internet, boys start jokingly addresses to you like "sweet mother of ours", and you were very audible and visible cringing at the name, but they're just unstoppable.

and after a two and a half years of your friendship, after george finally gets a visa and clay does a face reveal, four of you guys finally moved together.

and that simply become a golden era of your friendship.

you spend mornings with george, when you get ready for work and this man with no sleep schedule gives you company. at the moment that you start making a breakfast, this man just magically appears with his cute puppy eyes, and after the few times when your plate was getting empty for about a fifteen seconds, you just start to cook for you two. imagine: dark room with only one working lamp, you both eating some puffy pancakes, drinking something warm, chatting and silently giggling. it's a little foggy outside, and almost absolute silence. sounds really comforting, does it not? after you finished eating, you give george a small kiss on his head, maybe mess up with his hair and beg him to get some rest.

the days fly by really fast, when you making stuff with dream. join the stream for a moment? sure. what about the new idea for the video/song? tell me everything. maybe you want to go to the shopping together? get in my car, clay. you freely can go to his room when silence in your head gets too loud. often you just knock on his room door shyly, and ask if you can sit on the bed while dealing with work. and he never refuse. also you absolutely love to draw him in the moments when he really focused on something, maybe make him a few more knitted hats or something cute, but stupid. and he absolutely melts at every single touch. you just need to tell him that everything is okay, and he always can find a support in his friends. and he's so thankful for this.

and finally, you want the evenings to never end because you spend them with sapnap. he don't want to show it, but you just see it anyways - he cares about you. of course, that doesn't mean that other guys don't care, but sapnap do it in his own way and you really appreciate it. almost every evening he casually walks into your room, and if he sees how tired you look because of the work, all his appearance softens immediately. with his silent, raspy voice he asks how do you feel. and if your answer not satisfying enough, nick just casually says that he's going to wait you in the car. and that means - this evening going to be awesome. you both have no clue what are you going to do tonight, but that's just more fun, right? basketball court, just like in the old times? eating junk food in the car, while chatting and shouting the songs? skateboarding park, when nick trying to impress you, but just stupidly falls and now you need to bandage all his wounds, while you just can't stop from laughing? (he's trying to act offended, but inside he's all fluff, believe me).

but sometimes you decide to hang out in the house. sapnap picks up some random film, brings more pillows and blankets, you cook (or order) snaks, and you both just simply chilling together after a long day. and I don't need to tell that almost every time the rest of the group decide to join. maybe it's even spontaneously become a movie night? who knows. you can't even blink, and it's 3am already, the third movie silently playing on the back, all the boys sleeping and barely audibly snore. and only you stubbornly want to wait until the credits. and the movie finally ends, you trying to clean up a little, while you judge the main character in your mind. when you come back to the sleeping kingdom, you can't help but smile at the view of three big men just calmly sleeping, and unconsciously trying to hug something. you definitely take a few photos, and when you want to go to your room, suddenly dream wakes up and mid-sleep reach up to you, whispering that he want to cuddle. your heart was not ready for this, and you just can't say "no" to him.

and when you slowly falling into sleep, while warm big hands carefully hugs you, you just think to yourself - oh, how extremely lucky you are.

well, maybe you can skip the next day at work.

...you can't miss how nick and george all morning going to scream that they're absolutely-for a hundred percent-for sure-definitely didn't hug each other all night.

[maccreadysbaby]

Project: Killcode

batfamily + oc insert

tw: none

wanna read more? here’s the table of contents!

want to read the first fic in the hundred days series so you understand what’s going on here? here it is!

its his first day and b is already having issues... as his luck usually goes

also here's what the note they threw at koa said

part sixteen

❝ GHOSTS OF THE PAST ❞

MONDAY — JULY 23 — 9:57AM

KOA WASN'T KIDDING WHEN HE SAID THEIR TEACHER WAS WEIRD.

Ms. Heidi was her name, and she didn't show up for class until ten minutes after the bell rang. She didn't use the door, either, no -- she leaped through the open window from somewhere outside instead.

Judging by the look on Koa's face, it wasn't a rare occurrence.

She was wearing a Redwood Academy mandated uniform — a black pencil-skirt and blazer set, with these tall heels on her feet. Her hair was red, tied up in a weird looking, spiky updo. It wasn't as dark as Bentley's — it was orange-er than his, like Babs'. (Bentley had learned he was kind of a rarity, being born with dark red hair like that — he hadn't seen anyone else with that natural color but his father.)

She then began shooting questions off around the room rapid-fire style (which Bentley was not a fan of, by the way), asking them for verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs. By the end of it, she had a perfectly natural sounding story compiled of each of the words she'd been given and a perfect segway into a short lesson on a technique she called spontaneous storytelling.

The boy whose drink exploded came back to class maybe fifteen minutes later in a clean uniform — and he got a detention slip for being late. 

(Oops?)

Thankfully, after the weird spontaneous questioning and short storytelling lecture, Bentley didn't have to talk or answer anymore questions aloud — instead, they were given in-depth get-to-know-me worksheets to fill out for the remainder of the period. While they did that, Ms. Heidi played some strange jazz music from her desk and started doing some weird stretches.

Bentley may have been slightly appalled at her behavior, had he not already dealt with a teacher who was an evil murder scientist. He'd much rather deal with an eccentric weirdo.

There were lots of questions on the front and back of the get-to-know-me sheet -- about their siblings, parents, hometowns, hobbies. Bentley wondered if every school did that every year; because they'd done it at Gotham, too. 

The classroom fell silent, and he started to fill out the first blank: Your Full Name (first, middle, last.)

Bentley Thomas Whittaker-Wayne was what he put down -- because that was his name now. It still felt kind of weird, seeing it on paper, even though he was sure that was the name on all of Redwood Academy's records. Bentley hadn't known his middle name when Bruce first met him (he wasn't even aware he had any names besides his first and last, actually.) so, when he was adopted, Bruce gave him his. He couldn't even remember what they said it was before.

The second was his birthday, easy. October tenth.

The third was his birth city and state -- he put down Drew, New Jersey.

That's about when he noticed that Koa had gone really still next to him. When Bentley glanced over, his pencil was hovering just over the blank for question three, and he was staring at it hard like it was an impossible math equation. Maybe he didn't know what city he was born in?

Bentley watched discreetly as Koa continued to hesitate for almost ten whole seconds before he wrote down Adora, California, in handwriting that was purposefully messier than the rest. Maybe he didn't want her to know where he was born? It did seem like a random question for a teacher to ask, Bentley guessed.

He filled out the rest of the form fairly easily. For parents and their jobs, he put Bruce in the dad blanks, and didn't fill out the mom blanks. For siblings, he took it upon himself to painstakingly write down everybody's names in order of age: Babs, Dick, Jason, Cass, Tim, Steph, Duke, and Damian. He wrote about their pets. Damian's cow. About Nico and Asten, his best friends. His powers. And the last question was:

What is your dream job?

When he glanced over at Koa's, he was surprised to find that it said professional soccer player. 

Bentley looked back at his own paper, staring at the blank. What did he want to do with his life? He guessed he didn't know. Not really. Being a superhero sounded cool and all, but he wasn't exactly interested in fighting bad guys anymore -- not since he got saved from certain death by Future-Nico while under the alias of Robin. He thought he'd endured quite enough chaos for one lifetime, and superheroing just... didn't seem to be for him. Not with the way he unwillingly managed to find himself in life-threatening, bone-chilling situations without really even trying. 

What did he want to do with his life, if not follow in the secret Wayne-family legacy?

Bentley ended up writing I'm not sure yet, and hoped that was okay. For now.

And he made a mental note to google Adora, California.

--

His second period of the day was art. 

He and Koa had gone separate ways after leaving the English classroom — Bentley wasn't exactly sure why, maybe Koa had to use the bathroom — but with his handy-dandy campus map, he was able to find the art classroom without too much trouble. It was only two buildings away from the English building, which made him happy — he didn't quite feel like running across the entire campus again.

He made it to class just in time, and was immediately greeted by the smell of paint and something like clay. The whole room was layered in paintings and artworks from students long graduated, with two long, wide tables that streaked down the center with over a dozen seats at each. Layla, Koa, and Summer all ended up being in that class with him.

Their teacher was a guy named Mr. Lockwell, who was similar to Ms. Heidi in the sense that he was very odd. He kept going on and on about art and at one point got really emotional, then set them loose to create whatever they wanted in their own style so he could get a feel for their personalities.

Bentley drew a horrendous rendition of Titus the dog. Koa did a watercolor surfboard — which didn't turn out how he wanted, but still looked pretty cool anyways. Layla (who was apparently the next Van Gogh) drew an insanely realistic and detailed picture of a girl and a boy sitting on a rooftop watching the sunset, and Summer did some really intricate charcoal smearing-drawing-stuff. Bentley wasn't sure what the finished product was supposed to be. It looked like a big dark blob... maybe a butterfly? Apparently Koa thought it was the most amazing thing in the world, because he told her how good the blob was multiple times. (Bentley wondered how having a crush on somebody could make something so strange seem so... amazing.)

After various blobs and attempts at art were done, the bell rang, and they split to go to third period — Bentley's was Geometry.

Thankfully, the math building wasn't too far away, either. He crossed the threshold into classroom one-eighty-nine with a quiet exhale, with still a few minutes to spare before the lecture would begin.

The Geometry classroom was set up like the English one, like a lecture hall, but way less... chaotic. There wasn't much on the dark, wainscoted walls, and the only kind of decor that seemed to be in the room was the shelving that held the math textbooks. The desks were already full of students to glanced at him when he walked in. He relaxed just a little when he spotted Varian in one of the front tables, sitting alone, eating a pop-tart. (Where had he gotten more?)

At the teacher's desk at the front of the room sat a man...

 — and the world seemed to stop spinning for a minute.

At the front of the room sat a man. A man with light eyes, white hair, and a bald spot. Glasses. A man that sent Bentley a cold glance when he came through the door. The redhead went rigid, and his legs outright refused to work. He froze in the middle of the classroom, tugging on the strap of his backpack, his heart skipping and muscles twitching like a prey animal preparing to flee.

That guy looked just like Dr. Keene.

Like, actually just like Dr. Keene. Same face shape, same features in the same places, same mysterious air and heavy atmosphere about him.

He didn't look like Dr. Keene. He... it...

It was Dr. Keene.

Bentley was pretty sure he could've thrown up just then, willing it away for the sake of what minuscule dignity he had. Instead, his breathing picked up a little -- and he hoped it wasn't obvious to anyone else.

He blinked once, twice, glancing down at his phone that he managed to bring out of his pocket. His schedule had the all teachers' names on it, and he desperately searched for relief he wouldn't receive.

Keene, Theodore.

Keene.

Keene?

Bentley wasn't sure what was going on. But he was pretty sure he was starting to hear water in the pipes, and that Dr. Keene said something to him, and that he was still standing in the middle of the room. He kind of wanted to cry, but he also sort of wanted to bleed that man dry, literally, but he decided that was too violent, and his muddy brain finally settled on nothing more than staring and feeling awfully similar to how he he felt when he was ten.

He couldn't  live through that again.

Bentley jumped a mile and a half when someone touched his arm, and water roared in his head, blood.

"Whoa, Bentley, what's going on?"

The voice was soft, and quiet, and familiar. Bentley peeled his eyes off of the teacher just long enough for them to drift over and land on the person beside him.

Varian's worried brown eyes were staring back. He took a second to scan Bentley's outward appearance, and he assumed it all came back good when he looked back up at his face. "What is it, Bentley?"

Bentley breathed in. Felt like he might throw up. Heard some water roaring in the distance. "Dr. Keene..."

Varian glanced at the teacher. "Dr. Keene? That's Mr. Keene." 

Slowly, pieces began to click in Varian's head, and a physical, visual connecting of the dots rippled across his features. He moved in front of Bentley in an attempt to shield him from prying eyes — a valiant attempt, and thoughtful, too, but Varian was only slightly taller than him so it didn't really help that much. Even if it had, some of the students were craning their necks and leaning over to catch glimpses of the unfortunate soul who was on the verge of a panic attack at the front of the math classroom. (That was Bentley.)

"You went to Gotham Academy, didn't you?" Varian spoke lowly. "You're a lab meta."

When Bentley responded with only a curt nod, glancing back up at the teacher, Varian moved between him and Dr.— Mr.? Keene so he couldn't see him anymore. "Hey, Bentley, no."

Bentley was hardly able to breathe, to think, to focus, so when Varian grabbed his shoulder and tugged him back out into the hallway, it didn't take much to move him.

Apparently the math building had a lot of water and a lot of blood in it, because Bentley's head was roaring at the sound of it. Dr. Keene couldn't... he was in prison. He'd killed people. He'd... he knew Bentley's face. Bentley had been the one to bring his operation to light — and if Dr. Keene got ahold of him now... he was pretty sure giving him more superpowers would be the least of his worries.

Dr. Keene couldn't be there. Bentley couldn't be there.

Varian seemed to fumble for something to say. He was still holding onto Bentley's shoulder tightly and it didn't seem like he'd be letting go anytime soon. Bentley might've been embarrassed about the whole thing, if he could actually think straight. Which he couldn't.

He looked down at his phone that was clutched tightly in his hand — it was shaking. And he kind of felt like puking. And crying. And passing out. And all of those things wrapped up with a nice little bow was typically the feeling he got right before an anxiety attack.

"Are you gonna throw up?" Was what Varian settled on asking, because apparently Bentley looked like it.

He swallowed thickly and stared at the hardwood. "I don't know."

A moment of contemplation passed across Varian's face. "Are you gonna pass out?"

"I don't know,"

"Are you having a panic attack right now?" He questioned urgently, his grip tightening on Bentley's shoulder. "Oh, Geez, I-"

"I don't know, Varian, God, I... I don't know," Bentley muttered, bringing a hand up to rake through his hair. He had to be hallucinating, or flash-backing, or dying. He felt everything and nothing all at once.

"I heard about what happened in Gotham on the news," Varian inhaled and exhaled. Bentley opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"That's not him. It isn't the same guy. Dr. Keene worked at Gotham — Alexander Keene. This is Mr. Keene, Theodore Keene. It's his brother. He's been working here for a long time, since before Rockie started going here, and Rockie's been here the longest. It isn't the same guy. It's okay. You're okay," Varian rambled.

Bentley raked a hand through his hair again, trying to force himself into some semblance of calm. It wasn't Dr. Keene, it was Mr. Keene. He was fine. He was not going to have a panic attack on the first day of school. It was fine. He was fine. He absolutely refused to make himself look any stupider than he already had.

He didn't have the willpower to say anything when Varian, in a last-ditch effort to make him feel better, stepped up and hugged him.

Bentley went rigid for a split second, his mind still spinning and swirling until it maybe, finally, came to rest. The hallway came back into focus, slowly, and he was able to bring his arms up around Varian in return. Why was life so hellbent on benching him at every turn?

(He would never be able to look at his math teacher in the eye again.)

--

tag list! (If you want me to remove or add you, ask in comments!)

@fleur-alise @sarcopterygiian @flyrobinflyy @gayboss-too-close-to-the-sun

@xiaonothere @skylathescholarly @beatyoutothatusernameloser

[ladykailitha]

A Valentine’s Day to Remember Eddie’s POV Part 1

This technically part 2. It will help to read this first. There are three parts like with the first story and will be put up once a day. I will tag for future parts if you want to be tagged, let me know. Preferably in the comments (I might miss them if you hide them in the tags ;) )

And the last part WILL be spicy. I will put the +18 under the cut so you know when it starts.

*

The Corroded Coffin boys were getting tired of Eddie mooning over Steve fucking Harrington. They didn’t have a problem with the guy himself. He had been a little douche-y in high school but they were so beyond the realm of King Steve that they weren’t even on the fucking map.

Nope.

The problem was how Eddie kept talking him up.

“Dude,” Brian sighed. “Just ask him out. You know he’s bi. You know he hasn’t dated in months. Just...something. Please, you’re killing us.”

Eddie growled. “It’s fine for you lot. You’ve all got girlfriends. You know, people you can actually take out in public and be all over without people throwing bricks at you.”

Jeff raised a single eyebrow at him.

Eddie deflated. “I know it’s hard for you and Kelsey, too. But of the two of us, I am more likely to get beaten to death for loving a boy then you are for dating a white girl.”

Jeff cocked his head to the side and then nodded. “Fair enough.”

“So go out of Hawkins for your date,” Gareth suggested. “Take him somewhere that even if people saw two dudes, they wouldn’t immediately clock you as couple.”

Eddie sighed. “This is King Steve with all the Harrington moves and shit. In what world would I be able to take him out on a date that he hasn’t been on a dozen times before.”

The other boys shared glances and grimaces. Eddie had a point.

Brian clapped Eddie’s shoulder. “You’ll come up with something. You always do.”

*

Eddie walked into Family Video to return a tape and chat with his two favorite employees.

They weren’t at the front so he wandered around trying to find them when he heard Steve whining to Robin: “I’m just going to work and then hide in my room until the fifteenth and hope to hell not too many couples come in looking for a romantic movie to ignore after fifteen minutes while they make out.”

Holy shit. This was perfect.

So Eddie did the smart thing and offered to take Steve out. Create the perfect date. Because from what it sounded like, everyone wanted the Harrington ExperienceTM but not actually Steve. And that was positively heartbreaking.

But now he had to plan. And one week to do it in. Eddie wasn’t worried, though. He had put together a four hour one-shot in thirty minutes. He just needed to do a little research first.

First stop: Nancy Wheeler

*

When Nancy came by after Hellfire Club to pick up Mike and Will Eddie pulled her aside for a moment.

“Hey, soo...” he hummed. “Not be all awkward or anything, but I’m taking Steve out for Valentine’s day and I kinda wondered...”

Nancy folded her arms and huffed. “You want to know what our dates were like?”

Eddie nodded shoving his hair in front of his face.

“Just normal date things,” she said. “Dinner and movies and stuff like that.”

Eddie frowned. “You didn’t do anything fun?”

“It was fun,” she insisted. He raised a questioning eyebrow. “It was! Though, I think a couple of previous girlfriends broke him of doing spontaneous stuff like picnics and bowling.”

“That’s really depressing, Wheeler,” Eddie said softly.

Nancy sighed. “Yeah, it kinda was. He liked that sort of thing, but I think the girls were expecting to be wined and dined because his parents were rich.”

“Noted,” he said. “Thanks.” He patted her on the shoulder and smiled.

She cocked her head to the side as he walked away. ‘You don’t want to know things like his favorite color or favorite dish or anything like that?”

Eddie turned around and grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

She threw her arms in the air in frustration as he just skipped away.

*

His first stop after talk with Nancy and finding out Steve’s favorite flower, was the florist.

The little bell chimed over head as he walked in.

A very harried looking woman at the counter looked up at him in dread. “If you want roses you’re shit out luck. There is no place in the surrounding area that has them. Please don’t ask.”

Eddie grinned. “Then you, fair lady are in luck. Because I’m not looking for roses.”

She eyed him skeptically. “Yeah? What are you looking for then?”

He pulled out the piece of paper Steve had given him. “All-strow-mary-ahs?”

Her face cleared of fatigue and she blinked. “Alstroemarias?”

Eddie beamed. “That’s the one. I’m looking for six pink and six red.”

“Come with me,” the florist said waving him to follow her to the back room. Eddie bounced up to her and let her lead him to the cooler that held all her remaining flowers. The biggest section held these small lilies of every color. Orange, purple, blue, white, pink, red, even some with multiple colors.

“Are you sure you just want pink and red?” she asked, waving her arm at her selection.

“All these are al-alstr-” he stammered.

“I just call them alstroes,” she said taking pity on him. “It’s easier.”

Eddie sighed in relief. “So all these are alstroes?”

She nodded. “Pretty flower.”

He could only agree. The red ones were bright and not dark the way roses tended to be and the pink ones were the color of the blush on Steve’s cheeks when Eddie told him it was a unique choice. He loved them.

Eddie hummed. “Yup, just the two colors, please.”

The florist smiled. “When do you want them delivered?”

He blinked. “Um...would it…I mean, I would like to pick them up myself, if that’s okay.”

She shrugged. “Sure. People just prefer to get them delivered because the store could be pretty hectic that day.”

Eddie sighed in relief. “No, no. I want to hand them to them directly.”

If she noticed the absence of any gendered pronoun she wisely said nothing. “You can also write a card to go with if you’d like. Or you can choose a standard greeting.”

Eddie pursed his lips together and licked them nervously. “I’d like to write it myself.”

She handed him the card and a pen. He carefully wrote out the note, blushing darker than flowers he was about to buy.

He handed her the card back, shoving hair into his face.

The florist looked at the card and smiled. “The language of flowers. So that’s why you wanted the specific colors.”

Eddie nodded. “I got a book out from the library. Wanted to make Valentine’s day extra special.”

She filled out the order form and using a paper clip added the card to the front of it.

“When would you like to pick up the flowers?” she asked.

“4pm.”

She wrote it down. “All right that will be $3.95.”

Eddie pulled out his wallet and paid the amount. This was the hardest part. Spending the money to make Steve happy. Not that he thought he had to spend a lot on Steve. No, the problem was that Eddie wanted to. But he also knew he had to keep to a budget as to not completely blow this out of proportion.

*

Whenever Eddie needed to know something over the course of the week, he would just ask Steve. Because just because his favorite color was green two years ago didn’t mean that it was still his favorite color. Which coincidentally it wasn’t.

Steve had called it baby blue but it was more cerulean. It was a pretty color blue if Eddie was pressed. It certainly brought out the hazel in his brown eyes.

Which was not a thing Eddie noticed. No. Nope. Nope. Not at all.

He called the florist to update the order to new color of tissue paper to wrap the flowers in. The florist nearly sobbed in relief when he said he didn’t want pink, red, or white.

Eddie had agreed to take his sheep to the arcade because he was going to be busy on Saturday. He knew that realistically that most of them had dates anyway, and wouldn’t want play that day either, but it was still something he could do for them instead of DMing that week.

“Look, man,” Eddie was complaining to Dustin, “I have a budget for this shit, I can’t just go to the fanciest restaurant in town and drop $20 on dinner. Not to mention this late in the game, there is no way I’m even going to get a foot in the door let alone get a reservation.”

They were waiting in the Wheeler’s front room on Mike, who was taking forever.

Nancy’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m coming with you to drop the kids off,” she announced just as Mike walked out.

“What? Why?” Mike asked.

“Because I need to go to the store, and Eddie can take me,” she said in the tone that booked no argument.

Eddie shrugged. “There’s plenty of room, I don’t see why not.”

She smiled, wrinkling her nose and Eddie gulped.

Eddie picked up the rest of the gremlins and dropped them off at the arcade. He turned to Nancy and said, “So what’s this really about?”

She smiled sweetly. “I’m going to teach how to make Steve’s favorite dishes and then you can decide candlelit dinner at your place or a picnic. I don’t really care which.”

Eddie blinked and then eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you helping me?”

Nancy sighed. “The one Valentine’s day Steve and I had together, I spent looking into Barb Holland’s death.” She looked down at her hands. “She was my best friend and I hated not knowing what happened to her. Steve was supportive. Because of course he was. But I threatened him that if he bought me so much as flowers or chocolates, I was going to shoot him.”

Eddie winced. “And then the last two Valentine’s days were just shit for the guy...”

She nodded. “I don’t think Steve’s had a good Valentine’s day since elementary.”

Eddie chewed his lip. “All right let’s do this. What all do we need?”

Nancy’s smile was sweeter as she patted his cheek.

Part 2 Part 3

Tag List: @zerokrox-blog @bidisastersworld @swimmingbirdrunningrock @madamonsieur-silvrene @artiststarme @samcoxramblings @maya-custodios-dionach @bejeweledbaby @spreckle  @a-little-unsteddie @krazyperson @princess-josephina @wonderland-girl143-blog @plutoshelm @newtstabber@bookbinderbitch @darkwitchoferie 

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

reader and matt who have been dating for a bit so reader thought it would be fun to surprise matt for lunch but when she gets there matt isn’t there but foggy is and she finds out that matt hasn’t told him about them

ooo a lil bit of heartache, I love it. thank you for requesting, hope you like it💌

lunch [no] date (Matt x fem reader)

wc || <1k

warnings || none (?)

> PART 2 >

masterlist + rules

taglist

You have been dating Matt for about two months now, things were fairly new but everything was going great. You’ve known him for quite a while, so you knew that Matt was daredevil and about his past etc.

You had a longer lunch break today at work so you thought you’d surprise Matt. You brought lunch to him in case he couldn’t actually leave the office, you also kept in mind that he might be too busy right now, especially with no notice.  

Walking up the steps, knocking politely on the office door of ‘Nelson and Murdock’, waiting to possibly be let in. 

Foggy greats you warmly, “well hello there! Surprised to see you. How are you?”

“Hi, I’m doing well thank you, how are you?” You respond with a smile. “Yeah I’m okay, this case is a nightmare... wanna come in?” He asks, noticing the way you looked behind him into the room. 

“Yes please, I wanted to see Matt, if that’s okay.” Walking past him as he moved to the side.

“He’s actually not here right now, but you’re welcome to wait until he gets back.” 

“You sure?” You ask not wanting to get in the way.

“Of course, I’ll just be in here, I’ll keep the door open.” Foggy says with a grin as he walked back into his office.

Taking a seat in the armchair to the side, waiting patiently with a bag of lunch food on your lap. About fifteen minutes had passed, so you began the look aimlessly around the room, eyes staying focused on Matt’s empty office. 

“You alright?” Foggy says peeking over his computer and looking out at you through the window.

“Yeah… I was just hoping to have some lunch with Matt before I go back to work.” You said with a sad smile. 

“Ouch, why not with me.” He jokes, leaving his desk to talk to you in his doorway. 

Laughing at his ‘hurt’ facial expression. “Sorry, I just meant, as a little spontaneous lunch date.”

“A lunch date?” He questions with a quick of his eyebrow.

“Yeah, I thought it’d be fun.” You smile. 

The look on his face tells you that he’s trying to figure out how to word the next part politely. “Why uh- why a date?”

“Because…” eyes widened as you nodded, as if for him to finish your sentence.  

His head slightly shakes with a confused expression. “Uhh.” 

“Wait a second, are you messing with me?” You joke.

“I wish I was, I’m really confused right now.” 

“Wait. You… don’t know about me?” Your voice is slightly saddened. 

“Yeah… I know who you are.” He lingers, laughing wryly. 

“No, but- like, about me and Matt?”

His eyes slightly bug, telling you he doesn’t know. 

“He didn’t…” you quietly said, almost to yourself. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what’s happening right now.” He says empathetically. 

“No, it’s okay. I uh- never mind.” You say as you sat up.

“You don’t have to go, what’s up?” He says walking towards you. 

“Matt and I have been seeing each other for a couple of months… but I’m guessing he didn’t tell you?” You say as you shrug your shoulders. 

“He hasn’t, I’m sorry. Why didn’t he tell me?” Foggy said with a pained smile.

“I’ll get going, you can have this if you want? I’m not hungry anymore.” You say extending the bag towards him. 

“No no it’s okay, take it with you.” Smiling with his eyes. 

“I’ll see you soon.” Hugging him in your usual friendly way before you walked towards the door. Turning on your heel, “don’t tell Matt I was here, pretend I never said anything?” You jokingly smiled, trying to side your sad one.

[anchanted-one]

Legend of Lightning Chapter 65 - Lady Kai Arrives

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43208574/chapters/115300393

Flanked by her most trusted confidants and bodyguards—and Quinn, who she didn’t fully trust yet—Lady Kairegane Rooks marched to her banquet hall. The doors, which were more than tall enough to let even her through, towered over most humanoids in the room.

“Greetings, my little guests!” Kai called in a singsong voice. “And thank you for accepting my invitation!”

The crowd stood up and cheered raucously. Cries of “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARTH KAIMERYN!” poured in from all around.

“Thank you, thank you! And I can see you’ve already started the party without me. As you should, of course. Someone has to screen my spread for poisons.”

There was more laughter all around. Most Sith took measures against poisons. The only way a Sith fell to poison was if they were already dead or dying.

“How long has it been, since we’ve all been together like this?” she asked around. “All of the most powerful Sith in the Empire, all gathered in the same room?”

“Fifteen years,” answered the black-scaled Subutarik Kaygir. The Tayirchids were the only other alien nobles in the room. Few of them were allowed to join ranks of High Nobility. “Not since we gathered to say farewell to your mother. Truth be told, I never expected to see you escape Angral’s grubby clutches.”

“Yet here I am,” she grinned. “And Angral failed to even answer my challenge.”

“Good. It would have been a waste to see the Dracogriff Legions rot under that parasite’s inept rule.”

“You were willing to throw your armies against that man’s holdings?” Lady Svana Tartarid asked snootily. “They’ve still not recovered from the war.”

“My lady would have torn him apart, limb from limb,” Ryuga boasted. “He’s lucky he only had to contend with a half-grown Jedi brat.”

“That Jedi ‘brat’ killed twenty-five Sith warriors,” Kai reminded him. “Most of who were elite combatants. I daresay he might even give me a hard time.”

“There’s a monster in him,” Jaesa whispered with an unimaginably frightened look on her face. “He’s going to be pure evil one day. Just mark my words!”

“Noted. But we’re all monsters here, aren’t we, chaps? Come, my dear friends. Set your arses down anywhere you like!”

While they had started the party, they had respectfully left the head table empty until she arrived. Thank goodness for this modicum of decorum!

The younger nobles remained on the ballroom floor with the servants and escorts, but the seniors and their adjutants took their places.

Kai sat at the head and greeted all of her guests in turn, starting from her left. “Lord Titus and Ladies Octavia and Lucia of House Vergil.” The human male nodded coldly. “Try not to chill my table. Most of this food is meant to be devoured hot.”

“You alone make up for it, Kai,” Lucia assured her. “If anything, you should thank my uncle for keeping your food from spontaneously combusting.”

Kai grinned. The younger woman seemed to be aiming for a girth to match Baras’ one day, but so long as she kept her wit, few would ever complain.

“Lords Philippon, Apollodorus, and Ajax Tekton. I heard about how you crushed the revolt on Mellca V. Bravo!”

Ajax glowered, unwilling to speak, but his Pureblood brothers more than made up for it with their loud boasts.

“Ladies Svarta and Svana Tartarid. I’ve heard about the recent problems you’ve been facing. I trust that the relief I sent has started to reach your territory?”

“It has,” Svana smiled unwillingly. “My husband has already started to oversee the distribution of water and food.” She snorted. “To think you sent premium foods as relief. You always were an odd one!”

“Like your mum always taught us, nothing’s too expensive if the enemy’s paying for it, right? It’s so nice that you could make it all the way out here.”

“It’s not often that one of our number is allowed a Darth title,” Svarta pointed out. “The Council are too worried about our power even without it. Who in their right mind would ignore your summons?”

The refined woman had touched upon the reason why Kai had called them here, but she needed to acknowledge her final guests before getting to it.

“And finally, my rivals and friends, the Hagans of Kaygiri. Subutarik. Nongkye. Kushlaruk. Esulun. And Hochi. I hear your raids into savage territories went very well, even outnumbered fifty to one.”

Hochi’s fingers wove his reply. <What else do you expect? The Kaygiri are Lords of Death. A hundred to one? A thousand? It makes no difference. We will always crush our enemies.>

The Tayirchid’s overconfidence made Kai smirk. “Sure. I’ll bet your sister thought the same thing when she attacked then-Padawan Satele Shan.”

The Kaygiri’s countenance darkened. Except for Subutarik, of course, who was always as cool-headed as he was cold-blooded. The black-scaled Tayirchid picked up a fistful of fried fish and cheese nuggets and plopped them into his mouth. He somehow managed to make his chewing look messy, yet dignified at the same time. “Point conceded, Darth Kaimeryn. We will avenge our humiliation someday.”

“I wonder about that. The Grand Master has gone quite hands-off lately. It will take quite a lure to bring her out of hiding.”

“I already have just the thing. Two of several plots I’ve been nurturing for a decade now. The Grand Master will step out of the rear in a few months. She will have no choice.” He smacked his lips. “I would like the recipe for this after the feast. It makes for an excellent snack.”

“Well, is it time we got to business yet?” Lord Titus asked in his windy whisper of a voice. “What have you called us here for? You’re not the type to brag about your shiny new title.”

“Uncle Titus…” Lucia tried  and failed to stop him.

“We all know it, don’t we? Lady Kai… forgive me, Darth Kai—is always looking for her next mountain to scale. So what is it this time? Do you have a war game planned? Do you want to propose a contest with the Dark Council itself? Or perhaps you want to smash your horns against the Emperor himself?”

Kai rubbed one of her black horns idly. “Well,” she smiled. “You know me too well!”

“Anyone who’s known you for half an hour would know your love of contests,” Subutarik pointed out. “While you do enjoy your parties, it’s only with the common folk. But we are not them.”

“Hmmm…” Kai smiled thoughtfully. “Do I really want to lay it all out before we even have the main course out? Alright then. Consider this a challenge. I have proven that it’s possible for one of our number to earn the Darth mantle. If we prove our strength on a grand scale, not even the Dark Council would stop us.”

“Easy for you to say,” Svana huffed. “You and your family are the epitome of warriors. Even Mandalorians see you as their betters. And even among your house, you are the only Darth in centuries. Do you have any idea how rare you are?”

“I do, actually. I’m one of a kind, even in this beautiful, wide galaxy.” She took a sip from her goblet. “I am powerful, beautiful, and charming beyond most measures. I’m quite intelligent too. And I learn so quickly… I’ve conquered so many of the challenges headed my way, so easily, that I’m starting to feel bored of it all. Power is nothing if you cannot find a good rival to test yourself. To push you to your limits and beyond. I want to feel compelled to pull out every last stop. I want a fight that leaves me sucking wind and bleeding, where I win by such an infinitesimally small margin that it’s unclear if I even won at all! I demand the feeling that I’ve lived. And you lot are my best chance at getting my wish. Prove your strength, then come and face me. Anyone who can give me a good fight gets the biggest prize I have to offer. My hand in marriage.” She looked around. “Or at least, I think that’s a good prize, given how many proposals I turn down on a daily basis.”

“I admit I’m tempted,” Kushlaruk grinned. “I have sent you my own proposals several times now.”

“Win my gratitude, and you win my hand. I will not marry someone I can just push over.”

“Do you really think it’s that easy?” Svarta whined, echoing her sister. “Now that you’re a Darth, the Council will be watching us closely. They’ll be worried that we’re getting ideas.”

Ajax raised his own objection. “There’s a reason there’s so few High Noble families. There were hundreds, once. But the Emperor killed so many for raising our eyes too high. And the Dark Council killed the others.”

“It is our duty to manage our fiefdoms,” Esulun growled. “To raise the crops and herds. To keep the gold flowing and uphold the laws. To put down all threats to the Empire’s supremacy that rise up within our borders. Some of us have been deeply uneasy with your path for years. With you meteoric rise through the ranks. And now, you’ve taken over Angral’s entire domain? You even have a mansion on Dromund Kaas! None of us have been allowed to hold land on the capital before! You’re now close enough to influence the powers-that-be, so they have to be sweating bullets.”

“It’s not like I planned it,” Kai snorted. “Angral was playing rough, and the dozen or so complaints I put in with the Council were summarily ignored. They left me with no choice. I had to show them that I was no lamb. And even then, that greedy little buímuc couldn’t help himself. And when I issued him a public challenge, he failed to respond. If the Council didn’t want me claiming power beyond my station, they should have just done their jobs.”

“Even so, the fact that they couldn’t challenge you must be a troubling weight on their minds,” Philippon argued. “They have to be afraid that they’re losing their grip on us. They will not stand idly by as we follow your example.”

Svanta nodded furiously. “That’s right, that’s right! And who, pray tell, would protect us as we gathered our strength?”

“You’re a Sith,” Subotarik sighed. “In asking for protection, you have already revealed your weakness.”

Both Tartarids shrank back. It was privileged knowledge that their star was on the decline. If any great Sith had made a move on them instead of Kai, they’d have been swallowed up whole. The only reason Angral hadn’t looked their way twice was because they were—by his sole estimation—uncomely.

All they really had going for them was their monopoly of the Imperial markets. But what was wealth to a Sith? The important ones, at least. Most of them had enough personal wealth to build a Citadel-sized Mountain of gold.

“Darth Kai makes a very fine point,” Subotarik went on. “The way forward is now open. I don’t care which Dark Councillor stands in my way, or all of them. I will show the Empire my strength, and no one will stop me claiming the same honor as her. In fact, why don’t I just start right now?” He gave her a grin. “I do not seek your hand in marriage, but I will be glad to fight you after I’m done. As thanks for breaking the glass ceiling. Follow me if you please, my brothers. Or stay and have your fill. But once you return to Khamag Tayir, you will see an intensifying training regimen. We aim for the greatest prize; Master Satele herself.”

Once he and his bodyguards left, Kai turned an expectant grin on the others.

“I do not live for your games, Kai,” Titus shook his head. “I have a duty to my Emperor. The duty he gave me. Everything else is secondary. Congratulations on making Darth.”

Lucia held his hand as he, too, made to leave. “Can we at least finish eating first?” she begged, and Titus sat back down with a sigh.

The Tektons began arguing amongst themselves, more drawn by her offer of marriage than any wish to take a Darth title. Kai almost chuckled when she heard Apollodorus suggest they all three of them marry her, but Ajax shot that idea down, his expression disdainful.

As Kai watched the nobles arguing the merits of her challenge—or simply return to eating. Around them, the rest of her guests made merry. Seventeen-year-old Prokrustes Tekton challenged thirteen-year-old Markus Vergil to a friendly duel. They were of the same size, so the match would be fairly even.

A girl from a cadet branch of the Kaygir had gotten so drunk that she was singing rude battle songs at the top of her lungs. Several younger children started a food fight.

Such minimal hatreds! Kairegane approved.

The High Nobility were different from most Sith. Where the others fought for scraps of power, prestige, wealth, and influence, the five families already had all. The catch was, they weren’t allowed to seek more. Every fight they had gotten involved in, since the rise of Naga Sadow, had seen them gain little more than souvenirs and praise.

And while many of her own ancestors had been content simply to be allowed to fight, their spent resources were never repaid.

Herself, for example: she led a much-depleted army when compared to her mother, Riy’avi. Hundreds of thousands had been killed in the many pitched campaigns of the Great Galactic War. Most of the Muinar were unhorned. Meaning, they were too slow to fight. Horned Muinar were quite rare, and required years of training to be worthy of the Dracogriff Legions. There had not been enough births in the past sixteen years to replenish their numbers.

There was only one reason why so few Sith had dared test her strength during her minority. And that was the unity among the High Nobles. Not only were they enticing targets, they were also isolated from the power structure. Which was why the families always stood together.

Subutarik Kaygir and Titus Vergil had done much to protect her lands for her in the early days, and Svarta’s predecessor, Avarte, had taken young Kai under her wing, teaching her everything she needed to govern her lands effectively.

And since growing up, she had begun to return their kindness. But as a Darth, she could offer even greater protection to her comrades than ever before. And she intended to. That’s what friends do. And no matter what some people might think, the Five families are certainly friends. We stand together or fall alone.

Riya approached her silently as she mused. Kai accepted the commlink in her hand, and the Kage slunk back into the shadows.

She hit ‘Receive’ and waited for the call to connect.

A human woman appeared on the other end. The only distinguishable article she wore was a wide, teasing smile. Her eyes were almost slits.

“This is Lady Kairegane Rooks. Darth Kaimeryn now, I suppose.”

“Congratulations on your promotion, Dark Lord,” the woman bowed. “I hope I’m not interrupting something.”

“That depends. If it’s bad news, I’m gonna have to ask you to spank yourself for me.”

Her caller chuckled. “Oh, fun! I’m told I have quite a spanking arm. I’m Cipher Nine.”

“Ah, a Cipher. Honored to meet one of you before.”

“I was told you wanted this news as soon as I had it,” she went on. “Jedi Vajra Devarath has received your present. Some of his elders aren’t happy, but he’s started wearing the medallion already. The swords have been placed in his cabin. I believe he means to transport it to Alderaan, where the Queen rewarded his service with a home.”

“Ah, good, good. It’s been months since I sent in that request. Is he that hard to track?”

“I’m afraid I can’t divulge any more details without Darth Marr’s permission.”

“I see.” Marr was a problem. He was one of the few Councillors who wasn’t intimidated by her.

“What I can tell you, is that he didn’t take any time deciding at all. Just read your letter and accepted your presents for what they were.”

“And how long ago was this?”

“Forty minutes, I think? Hasn’t been long.”

Kai almost shouted. “Wait, what? Why has it taken this long for him to—” she stopped when the agent shook her head. She couldn’t say. “It wasn’t the Jedi Council, was it? Did they keep it from him?”

“No.”

“He wasn’t offworld? Deployed on a mission somewhere?”

“No.”

“Was he wounded then?”

“No.”

“Really? This is quite a riddle.”

“If ever I’m allowed to divulge my findings, I’ll be sure to tell you first, Dark Lord.”

“Ah. Good woman!”

“This is just my opinion, but I think he understood the true meaning of your gift. Whatever that might be. He certainly treated it like there was a hidden layer.”

“That’s good. Very good! Thank you, Agent. If you’re ever on Kouhaush Muin, please stop by. I’ll show you around town!”

Her smile grew even wider. “I’ll be looking forward to it!”

Kai stared into the space long after the holo had vanished. If the spy was right, Devarath had accepted her challenge. Kai tried a smile as wide as Nine’s. “Looks like I’ve secured myself a rival. I wonder what he’s doing right now?”

*

Vajra shifted to move one of his arms into a more comfortable position. Darth Kaimeryn’s token had caused some stir among the senior Knights and Masters, so he’d had to wear it more discreetly.

Doctor Row sat before him, looking through her notes on his journal.

“So, you still feel responsible for Uphrades?”

“If only I’d gotten there sooner. If only I’d thought to protect them—”

“Tell me more about it. Why do you feel solely responsible?”

“Because it was my home.”

“But why solely you? Many people—powerful people—relied on Uphrades too. It provided a lot of the capital’s food. They had a vested interest in keeping it protected. An obligation. I believe the ones who were formally charged with its defense was the 871st fleet.”

Vajra felt agitated. She did not understand!

“Why was I still on Alderaan, when I could have left a week earlier?” he asked. “Why did I not head over to Uphrades the second Kira defeated Ulgo? Why didn’t I Sense the danger sooner? Why did I only Sense it when the hour was nigh?”

“Even Masters of the Council couldn’t do that. Not one of them foresaw the Sacking of Coruscant, an event which—and I’m sorry to put it this way—the casualties were many times higher than Uphrades.”

Vajra fought the impulse to glare.

“I’m not saying their lives are more valuable. What I’m saying is that even that wasn’t enough to trigger a precognition among the Jedi. And that’s not even talking about what Tarnis almost accomplished… it’s true that this was averted… by you,” she added that last bit softly, “But still, the danger alone should have been enough, no? All it did was make the Council nervous for a few months. There was never a concrete episode involving precognition. Those are far too rare.” She looked at another note. “And then there’s the other extreme. Have you heard of the Taris Padawan Massacre? A Miraluka Master named Q’Anilia had a vision that one of their Padawans would nearly wipe out the Jedi. And so, she and her fellow Masters massacred all but one of their Apprentices and hounded the survivor. His name was Zayne, Zayne Carrick. And the irony was that their actions changed nothing. Revan and Malak turned to the Dark Side anyway, along with most of their followers that survived the war. They almost destroyed the Order.”

“This part I know,” Vajra said.

“Yes. Revan and Malak left quite a mess behind. Nary a thought given to actually cleaning up afterwards. Five full Jedi Masters, and not one of them capable of realizing they made a grave mistake. It’s why Master Raya enshrined a law decreeing that no action may be taken solely on visions alone. It’s a law the Council follows to this day. So you see, even most Masters admit that Foresight is an unreliable gift.”

Vajra scowled, looking at the Force through his third eye. The many eddies and storms in the flows of the Force made themselves known to him.

Causality, interconnection, omniscience. The Force had it all. He, like most other Jedi, could see its existence. All he couldn’t do—hadn’t tried to do—was to learn how to see what it could show them.

I could have done it, he thought. If I’d trained myself to see through the currents. Why did I bother with the Lightsaber? The Sight is what I should have focused on! In his pocket, the last Keleth stone pulsed, and he had to swallow the irrational desire to chuck it in the trash.

“What would Uupa have said, if she knew your plight?”

Vajra sat up. “She… she’d have told me help out the other villagers if I had time to waste on ruminating.”

“Is that all? She was a woman who loved giving people a piece of her mind.”

“She’d have told me to get off my high horse. That one man can’t change anything alone.”

“See? There you go!”

“Of course, I was too obedient when I was in her care. Pliant, reverent of my elders. Today, I’d remind her that one man really can change a lot. Aparajitha stopped Bellicose alone, and spared the galaxy any more of his depredations.”

“And what about all of your own one-man-army accomplishments? Tython, Coruscant, Taris, Alderaan, Angral?”

“Those hadn’t happened when I knew her.”

“Oh, right.” She gave him a look. “Have you talked about her much? Since she died, I mean? It sounds like you might have a lot you want to tell her.”

Vajra felt a deep sense of loss, all of a sudden. It had been a while indeed, since he’d last thought of his Master. Had he really just dropped her like a used toy? After everything she’d done for him? Sure, she may have sought to ground him rather than train him to be a warrior, but that was no excuse for him to have not even spared her a few moments for remembrance each day!

When’s the last time I really thought about her?

He started to feel very, very cold. “I—”

“It’s not very nice, is it? It’s alright. Most people your age might carry some form of resentment against someone who they perceived as holding them back.”

“It’s been so long,” Vajra said in a small voice. “Since I last bothered to think about her.”

“Ahhh… I see. So that’s where we are, are we? It’s unexpected, but not surprising.”

“Why did I forget about her?”

“Try to think about how much you had going on inside your head all these months. Is it really surprising?”

“It is! After everything she did for me—”

“Let’s start with that. Close your eyes. Try to center yourself. Reach out to your Lightsaber crystal. Listen to its song. Let it fill your soul.” She gave him around a minute before continuing. “What is your earliest memory of your Master? Do you remember how you met her?”

“I met her in Jnanaprastha, one of the major cities of Raudraksha. I was in poor shape. I don’t remember the city at all, or the people in it. Master later told me that they all had felt great compassion for me, that I’d had no shortage of families petitioning to adopt me. One of these, a woman named Sukanya, had been charged to protect me that day. She was already treating me as one of her own, but I don’t remember her at all.”

“And do you feel guilty about that?”

Vajra thought about it. “Yes. From what I heard, she had already begun to love me like a mother. The least I could do is remember. But every face from that day is blurred and cloudy, except for my Master’s.”

“How well do you remember your own mother?”

“Quite well. Her name was Anagha. I also remember Shruti and Jamuna.”

“Who were they?”

“My second mothers. My father’s other wives.”

“Oh, right. I’d forgotten that Raudra are polygamous.”

“Yes. It wasn’t uncommon for Raudra men marry ten women. My tribe elder, the one who killed Bellicose… he had fourteen wives.”

“I can’t imagine having to provide for so many mouths. Imagine having all those children! Who would raise them? Who would put food on the table? Did you have to be rich or powerful to have so many?”

Vajra shook his head. “Life on Raudraksha was communal. There were designated homemakers, caregivers, and breadwinners. Wealth wasn’t a thing… except perhaps in the cities?” Vajra trailed off uncertainly. “Anyway. Marriages weren’t entirely about the bride and groom. She had to get along with her sister wives and second children. It was often more about them than the husbands. My mothers got along much better with each other than they did with my father. And then there were the tribes themselves. How it worked was that vital resources like food were all shared. Anything the tribe caught or foraged would go into a common tent that the cooks would use to prepare meals for the whole tribe. So, there was no stress on sole family breadwinners. So long as the group secured enough food, it was enough.”

“I see. Simply fascinating! But does this mean that all children were raised by one adult, even if it wasn’t their child?”

“Children had to learn some discipline before they could walk. We had to put as low a burden on the adults as we could. Any training was done by our own families.”

Doctor Row added something to her notes. “I think I’ll extend today’s session. We’ll be talking more about this, today.”

*

[kimnjss]

Teenage hyunki is a whole mess 😂😂 do yn and sana ever have days where they hang out? could you do a drabble of maybe yn, sana and hyuna having girls day and the boys being jealous/broody together ?

“you don’t want to go dress shopping with us and you know it,” sana is saying with a roll of her eyes, annoyed with the grumpy pout on her boyfriend’s lips. “you don’t know what i want,” hyunki sulks, arms crossed over his chest. he’s just being a brat to put it simply.

and you’re spotting that as soon as you’re entering the kitchen, hyuna steps behind you. “ready to go, hun?” sana is nodding back at you, leaning up to press a kiss to hyunki’s cheek. “i’m going, see you in a bit?” he nods, but doesn’t say much else. to be fair, he wasn’t actually upset that she was going without him - more so annoyed that because of that, they couldn’t spend the day together like he wanted. but, today was the only day you were free to take her shopping for prom and she was fine with shifting their plans. your son was spoiled, though, so his attitude isn’t a surprise.

“jase is out there with dad, you can go be lame with them.” hyuna is tossing over her shoulder with a smirk, never missing a chance to poke at her brother’s unserious fits. though, hyunki doesn’t grant her any type of response - he is making his way outside where his father sits with jase. a beer in the older man’s hand while the younger boy scrolls through his phone. “what are you doing here?” hyunki asks as he plops down across from his friend, gesturing to the drink in his fathers hand. “can i have one?”

yoongi’s letting out an unamused laugh, but he’s still handing the bottle over to his son. one sip won’t kill him, especially because he’d be off to college in a year - might as well get some practice in now. “i was going to take hyuna to the movies, but she’d rather go shopping.” jase says with a huff, slumping back into the chair. a look identical to the one hyunki had been wearing a moment ago on his face. “can i have one too?” jase is asking with a hopeful look in his eyes.

“absolutely not.” yoongi doesn’t hesitate, no way would he be responsible for getting a fifteen year old drunk - he didn’t need that lawsuit. “did mom fuck up your plans too?” hyunki is asking, it was a bit unusual to see his father home in the middle of the day and the fact that he was sat outside drinking a beer instead of actually doing something was proof enough his plans had fell through. “yeah, but i’m used to it.” he says with a shrug.

the two of you had plans to empty out your bedroom, a spontaneous decision on your part, but you were tired of the carpet and wanted pretty hardwood floor instead. so of course, yoongi was making it happen. but once sana was calling asking for you to take her shopping, all that was going down the drain. which was fine with yoongi, the only thing is now he’d have to get the job done without you. luckily, you left two sulking teenagers that he could recruit. he’s standing from his spot, reaching for the empty bottle on the table. “why don’t you get us two more and i’ll order a pizza, i have a project for us,” he says and hyunki knows this ‘project’ wasn’t going to be the least bit fun.

either way, he’s standing from the table and heading into the kitchen as jase moves to follow yoongi into the room. any type of physical labor was very low on hyunki’s to do list, but he is forever jumping at the chance to spend time with his father and having one of his friends here too wasn’t so bad. so he has no complaints while he’s ordering the pizza and is rushing to pull two beers from the fridge, jogging into his parents room with a smile.

[thatoneao3author]

fic excerpt - bright as the stars

sneak peek at chapter one of my upcoming au, bright as the stars. aka, the interstellar ian au (that’s the tag i’ll be using to post stuff under I think). for basic context, instead of ian’s plotline from the show, he got into acting when he was fifteen and scored his own blues clues vibe kids educational show called Interstellar Ian. 

this is just a funny scene exploring how different his life turned out due to acting while making some references to the show. this takes place around season nine. tw for canon typical cursing and mentions of jail and weed

Fiona constantly said that Interstellar Ian was the thing keeping her brother’s life on track. 

She had this theory that if he didn’t go into acting spontaneously and unplanned in the way that he did at the age of fifteen, his life would’ve been pure chaos. Not the good and adrenaline-filled chaos he ended up with, but pure insanity from the flames of hell. 

He would’ve hijacked a helicopter or something else wild if he actually went into the army like he originally wanted, she would claim. It was sort of a joke when she told him, but Ian thought about it a lot. About how different things would’ve been if he didn’t take those early roles or decided to not sign that multi-season contract at the beginning. 

“Where do you think I’d be now if I wasn’t acting?” he asked Lip one weekend during one of his regular visits to his family home. For one reason or another, Lip was the only one around to hang out. Well, Franny was there too, but she was sound asleep in the living room. 

PBS played on the tv, an old episode of his show playing at a quiet volume. It was from season two or three, when Ian was still a kid and Trevor was still his costar. Before all the drama, before Ian was outed. Many people considered that era to be the prime of the show. 

“Jail.” Lip answered immediately, not even pausing to think about it. “Fucking another dirty white boy in the shittiest cell in your block.” he added, placing a plate he had finished rinsing in the dishwasher. 

“Damn.” the redhead winced at that image, throwing clothes into the drier in an attempt to help out his family. He still did his chores, despite everything. “Frank did something right for once, getting me that role.” 

“I know his scamming is technically what got you in that first show, but you did everything from there.” Lip reminded, stating his words as if they were fact. They were, really. “You’re the one that scored your own show. At fucking sixteen years old. And here I am, a college dropout.” 

“Correction, I got my own show when I was fifteen and a half. And you didn’t drop out of college, you were kicked out.” Ian amended. 

“Oh, shut the fuck up.” Lip waved him off. Ian shook his head with a laugh as he closed the dryer, the two of them finishing up their tasks in momentary silence. 

“You really think I’d be in jail?” Ian asked as he pressed the needed buttons on the machine, “Like, actually?” 

“Oh, sure.” Lip hummed. He gave his brother a look after shutting off the tap water. “Weed or vandalism, probably.” 

“I should say that in an interview, get a another round of parents to not let their kids watch me anymore.” the ginger joked.

(if you’re interested in getting more info about this au/my fics, follow this blog or send an ask with questions! please reblog with any thoughts, as well! thanks <3)

[esther-lennox]

**esther lennox.

I would rather not go, back to the old house. There's too many bad memories, too many memories there.

basic information

Full Name: Esther Cecilia Lennox Nickname(s) or Alias: When she was in high school she preferred to be called E since she thought her name was too old for her but as she got older she really began to like it. She's usually only called Esther now but doesn't mind being called E still. Gender: Cisgender female Age: Twenty One Birthday: February 16th Zodiac Sign: Aquarius sun, Aries Moon, Aries rising Sexuality: Pansexual Nationality: American Religion: Agnostic City or Town of Birth: East Hampton, New York Currently Lives: Manhattan, New York Languages Spoken: English Native Language: English Relationship Status: Single

physical appearance

Height: 5′4 Hair Color: Blonde Hairstyle: Her hair is chest length and has a natural wave to it, she has wispy bangs that she'll sometimes pin out of her face. Her hairstyle usually depends on whatever outfit she's wearing. She enjoys doing intricate braids since it gives her hands something to do. Once in a blue moon she'll get her hair straightened but it never lasts for more than 3 days. Facial Hairstyle: N/A Eye Color: Brown Tattoos: None Piercings: She has both of her ears pierced but that's the extent she'll go. Scars/Distinguishing Marks: She has a few faint scars on her legs from falling a lot as a child, she was very clumsy. Preferred Style of Clothing: Esther is a preppy Upper East Side girl through and through, it's definitely obvious with her wardrobe. She loves blazers, sweaters, skirts, and well tailored trousers. She's meticulous about her wardrobe, everything has to fit her perfectly. She would never be seen in anything with a wrinkle, rip, or thread out of place. Frequently Worn Jewelry/Accessories: She always has on a pair of earrings either small gold hoops or pearl studs.

health

Smoker?: No, she thinks it's disgusting she can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Drinker?: Yes, she's been a social drinker since she was around fifteen. Her parents always let her have a glass albeit a very small glass of wine or champagne at holiday parties and special events. She tries not to drink now, she knows it can be a slippery slope for her so she tries to limit herself to a glass of wine, she'll take baby sips so it won't be as noticeable if she's drinking with other people. Recreational Drug User? Which?: Not anymore but when she was in high school she was a frequent cocaine, ecstasy, and speed. She hid her drug use well from her family and friends, so, people are her just assumed that she only used while she was with her friends and being "spontaneous". Addictions: Caffeine - Esther needs her coffee. She gets migraines and is in a general foul mood until she has at least 2 cups in the morning. Cocaine - While Esther has been clean for four years, she had a drug problem for around two and a half years. While her main three were cocaine, ecstasy, and speed...cocaine was the one she used almost every day. Allergies: Pollen and dust, they're not terrible but she will sneeze up a storm and get swollen eyes if there's too much dust or pollen in the air. Neurological Conditions: N/A Sleeping Habits: Esther isn't a light sleeper but she is a particular sleeper. She has to do her night routine exactly otherwise it takes her forever to fall asleep. She needs the room completely dark, a silk eye mask, and a white noise machine. It's very difficult for her to sleep at other people's places because of this. She also needs exactly seven and a half hours of sleep, otherwise her whole day is thrown off. Eating Habits: She's a relatively picky eater, she likes what she likes and doesn't really go outside of that. She's not completely against trying new things but she would prefer not to. She's a relatively slow eater as well, it takes her forever to finish everything on her plate. Exercise Habits: Esther isn't really the "working out" type, she hates sweating and exerting herself. The most she can do is a low impact yoga class, she doesn't want to twist herself up like a pretzel. She used to play tennis during the summer with her mother when she was younger which was how she discovered her hatred for physical activity, even though she was pretty good at it. Emotional Stability: She's definitely pretty good at keeping her emotions under her control and isn't the type of person to act out in a fit of rage or passion. Although this usually makes people think she's uncaring since she doesn't share what she's feeling. Sociability: It's hard for new people to talk to Esther since it's obvious on her face when she's not interested and in most cases, she isn't. When it comes to people in her immediate circle (or were in her immediate circle) they always said she was the fun and energetic one, always down for a spontaneous outing. However, it did take them a while to get to that point to see this side of her. Body Temperature: She's always cold which is why she's always layering. She has to have on a hat, scarf, and gloves once the temperature gets below 40 degrees.

personality

Label: The Fallen Angel Positive traits: Clever, focused, hardworking, independent, and sympathetic Negative traits: Aloof, blunt, critical, petty, and selfish Likes: Reading, gloomy weather, shopping, cats, merlot Dislikes: Reptiles, surprises, baggy clothes, pinot grigio Fears/Phobias: Having anyone find out about the reason she left Manhattan is definitely one of her biggest fears. She kept it under wraps and lied to everyone she cared about for so long, she can't risk it ever coming to light. Favorite Color: Sage green Hobbies: Reading and painting Habits: She often tugs on her hair while she's talking to people or just sitting around, she'll also twirl it Taste in Music: 

house and home

Describe the Character’s House/Home:

Do They Share Their Home with Anyone? Who?: 

family, friends and foes'

Parents Names:  Are Parents Alive or Dead?  Is the Character Still in Contact with Their Parents?:  Siblings? Relationship with Siblings? Other Important Relatives:  Partner/Spouse: None Children: N/A Best Friend: Other Important Friends:  Acquaintances:  Pets:  Enemies? Why Are They Enemies?: 

backstory

Describe Their Childhood (newborn - age 12):

Describe Their Teenage Years (13 - 18):

[chronicangel]

Complicated Questions

Link to this fic on AO3. Words: 1028 Date posted: May 6, 2019

Summary: "Well that's a pretty complicated question," he says, because it's true. Nothing but the truth.

He doesn't know how it comes up.

They're not doing anything in particular. They're sitting on the couch battery-style with their legs tangled together and she's trying to figure out knitting for the thousandth time while he reads over important documents for Kakashi to determine which ones he can fill out and which ones will need to be addressed directly by the Hokage. Then she just suddenly puts her knitting down and stares at him, and he glances up at her over the top of the paper currently in his hand and raises his eyebrow, and she just sort of spontaneously asks. "Are you in love with Ino?"

He's taken aback, really. Temari has known as long as they've been together that he and Ino used to date. He's been nothing but transparent about that. The circumstances of their relationship and of their break-up, of course, have been kept a little foggy, but he wouldn't lie about it if she were to ask. He's just always thought it'd be too troublesome to talk about with her when she has a hair-trigger temper like hers and things like that seem to set her off for absolutely no reason. "I mean, I know that you two dated for a really long time and you loved each other and you were probably in love with each other, but I mean... Are you still in love with Ino?"

He opens his mouth to reassure her that he's not, because he knows that's what she wants to hear, but then his mind wanders to when he and Ino started dating when they were fifteen. He'd just been in Suna for a mission for almost a year, and he hadn't been able to write to Ino because he'd felt like he couldn't put all of what he wanted to say to her in a letter-- at least, not one that a hawk could carry. Not one that could do justice to what he felt for her. She'd been waiting at the gate for him, and his heart had fluttered even as he recognized how angry she was the moment he saw her. Ino has always been so pretty when she was angry.

He thinks of when he dragged her off from her own father's funeral-- from their fathers' shared funeral-- because she'd looked like she was going to break apart at the seams at any minute and he knows how much she's always hated crying in front of people. She'd bummed a cigarette from him and immediately gagged at the taste.

He remembers when they'd sneaked up to his room during their shared 17th birthday party (and it was really only her birthday, but his was the day before hers and he's never minded sharing because the look on Ino's face when she opens a present or sees a friend for the first time in a while is the best gift he could ask for any given year) and made out for half an hour and then spent another fifteen minutes looking for her shirt when they realized that they didn't really have time to have sex in his childhood bedroom before everyone realized they were gone. About four seconds after she'd found it and put it back on, Chōji knocked on the door to let them know that it was time for dinner.

He recalls the time they were fifteen and they were sent on a mission just the two of them and it was only their sixth or seventh time having sex but they'd had a hotel room all to themselves because Chōji hadn't been sent with them and it had felt so adult. It had felt like they were an old married couple and it was their thousandth time sleeping together, and he sometimes wonders if Ino felt the same way in that moment.

He doesn't want to remember anything else even though they have a lifetime of memories together. He can think of the first time that he thought she was pretty, or the first time she forced him to play wedding with her (and a part of him still reads into the fact that she always played wedding with him and never Chōji like he's nine again), or the first time he wanted to punch a boy in the face for commenting on her body, but he doesn't want to. It's not his place to think of a lifetime of memories with Ino.

He is sure, in this moment, that Temari wants him to say that he's not. But he and Temari have been dating for just over two years and he has made it his policy in that time to be completely honest with her, always, even as he hasn't always felt like she's been that way with him.

He knows it's been too long for her to believe him if he lied, anyway. He's been silent for too much time and if he said no now she'd call him on it immediately, so the only option he is left with is the truth. "Well that's a pretty complicated question," he says, because it's true. Nothing but the truth. "I guess on a level... yeah, I am. On a level, it's always been Ino. And on a level, it'll always be Ino. I can't really... That's not the sort of thing you can just stop. But that doesn't mean I don't love you, Temari. On a level, it'll always be you, too."

Her face falls for just a moment. He can see it. The I'll always be in love with both of you, while the truth, isn't exactly the answer she was likely fishing for. At the very least, he can say that he's glad it's not an argument. She's not screaming in his face just yet which means she probably won't say anything other than some mild passive aggression in a couple of weeks if she's seriously mad about it. Finally, after a long time, she takes a long breath and picks up her knitting again. "No, I guess that isn't the sort of thing you can just stop. No matter how much you might want to."

[bisexualbumblebee-writes]

Without a Word- Tim Stoker x OC

Tim Stoker x Clara Florence

Description: Tim left after the archival staff discovered the truth about Sasha without a word to Clara or anyone, and now he’s back and ready to beg for forgiveness.

Word Count: 1.9k

Two months. That’s how long Tim had been away. Clara had come home to an empty house, with Tim’s luggage missing and no note two months ago. He didn’t answer her calls or texts, leaving her confused. It eventually took Elias telling her that, in an attempt to escape the institute, Tim took a spontaneous absence to go to Malaysia.

Many emotions ran through Clara at that moment. Worry, emptiness, frustration, mostly negative feelings. And it wasn’t like those feelings weren’t justified. A million thoughts ran through her head as she walked out of Elias’ office. Was he safe and/or okay? Had she done something to make him just up and leave without warning? Why didn't he trust her enough to talk to her?

The more she thought about it, the more she hurt. But, Elias made it very clear that she couldn’t let it affect her work unless she’d like to be disciplined for it. After all, he still had an institute to run and he couldn’t allow anyone to slow it down. So, she was forced to set those thoughts to the side and continue on with her work.

It seemed to be a normal day (at least as normal as it could be given the situation she was forced into). She had spent quite a bit of time over the last few days assisting Jon in cleaning up his office after the whole Jurgen Leitner incident and such, which meant she’d been in his office for most of the day. Jon had left nearly fifteen minutes ago saying something about getting lunch with Mavis, leaving her alone.

After a small while Clara decided that she had done enough to earn a break and prepared to leave to grab lunch. As she walked towards the front of the building, her brows furrowed as she heard multiple voices yelling in Jon’s office. Naturally her interest was piqued and so she walked over to the door.

“Guys?” She called confusedly. Most of the yelling died down almost immediately but Clara could recognize Arwen’s voice as the last one yelling. Just as she reached the open doorway, Jon stepped in front of her, his hands resting on either side of the doorway. She would have run into him if she hadn’t already been slowing down.

“Jon, what’re you doing? What’s going on?” As she questioned him, she attempted to look around him and get a peek of the situation. The man refused to let her look though, maneuvering his body to block her view.

“Nothing,” he responded way too quickly. If Clara didn’t think he was hiding something, she definitely did now. Now she was becoming annoyed.

“Stop being ridiculous Jon,” she said before finally ducking under his arm and getting into the room.

“Wait- Clara no!” He attempted to grab her but she successfully dodged it and looked around the room. Basira, Daisy, Arwen and Martin stood in the room surrounding another person. Another person she hadn’t seen in almost two months. Tim offered her an awkward grin as he waved a hand.

“Hi Clara.”

For a moment all Clara could do was stare at him. Despite the blank look on her face, a rush of emotions came back and hit her like a bus on the inside. They were similar to the ones she felt when she learned that Tim had left: desolation, sadness and frustration. All of that washed away however a moment later as she finally processed what was happening. She was now past the point of sadness, and all that was left was anger.

Clara hadn’t even realized that she had lunged for Tim until Basira grabbed her, using all her strength to hold her back. The girl thrashed against her colleague’s grip angrily, yelling at her to let her go. Everyone was shocked by her rather violent outburst and Tim was even forced to take a step back when she got a little too close to him. She had always been the peaceful one of the group along with Martin, so this was severely out of the ordinary for her.

Eventually Daisy stepped forward and helped Basira get Clara out of Jon’s office, Martin following. Once they were a safe distance away Jon closed the door just to be safe while Arwen sighed.

“Well, that wasn’t the welcome I was expecting,” Tim attempted to joke. Neither Jon nor Arwen found it funny and instead glared at him.

“Seriously?” The latter questioned resentfully. “You really leave England without a word to your girlfriend or anyone and now you have the audacity to act surprised when she gets mad? Do you know what she’s been through since you left?” Tim opened his mouth to respond, but Arwen didn’t even give him the chance before she continued.

“Did you even think about the potential consequences of your actions before you decided to just flee the country? I mean, you didn’t even consider Clara’s feelings with you leaving out of nowhere! I just-” At that point Arwen had gotten angry enough that for a moment Jon and Tim thought that she would do what Clara attempted to do before being dragged out. She quickly calmed herself down enough to storm out. Both men flinched when the door slammed quite loudly behind her. Jon sighed, pushing his glasses up when they slipped down his nose, then looked at Tim.

“She’s right, you know,” he muttered, crossing his arms.

“Well I’m sorry if I was overwhelmed after finding out one of my best friends was dead and I was stuck in this hellscape,” Tim retorted sarcastically. “What would you have suggested I do then?”

“Telling Clara,” the man answered immediately. “I don’t care that you left, I care that you left without warning your girlfriend and she suffered for it. Every single day she constantly wondered what she had done for you to just leave her out of nowhere.”

“I didn’t leave her,” Tim said desperately.

“And how was she supposed to know that? How were any of us supposed to know? You. Didn’t. Tell. Us. Clara wondered why you didn’t trust her enough to talk to her about what you were thinking or feeling. Every. Single. Day. Tim, it’s not often that you genuinely make me mad, but you have crossed the line here. You need to do something about it because I will not have Clara being upset again.” Jon sat down after his little speech, gesturing for him to get out. Tim sighed, but did as he said. Rather than go find Clara, he instead went home and gave her time to calm down.

Meanwhile, Clara was fuming in her office. She had gotten so angry that she had begun crying, which only irritated her more. It took quite a while for Martin, Arwen, Mavis and Basira to calm her down (Daisy was asked to leave because she was encouraging Clara to beat up Tim), but after they did they decided to call it a day. It had been an upsetting day for everyone and it was nearly time for them to clock out, so that’s what they did. Martin and Arwen had been kind enough to give the girl a ride home because she just didn’t have the strength.

“Call us if you need anything,” Arwen requested as Clara got out of the car. After promising to do so, she bid them farewell and walked up the steps of her house. Upon walking inside she was greeted with Tim on the couch. A small sigh left her lips and she held a hand up as he opened his mouth to speak.

“Please, Tim, I can’t do this right now,” she said tiredly.

“I know, you’re mad at me,” he said as he stood up. “But I want to make things right.”

“Oh, I think you’re a little late for that,” she laughed humorlessly, setting her bag down and slipping off her jacket. “By like two months.” The man sighed at that.

“Yeah, I’m an ass for that, but I want to apologize,” he responded, continuing when he realized she was about to say no to it. “Just let me say this and if you still want nothing to do with me, I’ll leave. I’ll move out and never try to talk to you again if that’s what you want.” Clara sighed, considering his offer. When she ultimately nodded he grinned and internally sighed in relief.

“Okay, why don’t you sit down.” He led her to the couch and helped her sit. Once she was comfortable he took a deep breath.

“You know talking’s never been my strong suit. Hell, you didn’t even know about Danny until after our third anniversary. We both know that I just use humor to hide what I’m thinking because I have a problem processing things, and you’ve been helping me work on that,” he started, earning a nod from the girl. It was true after all.

“Sometimes I just revert back to how I was before I met you, especially when new information is dramatic enough. When I realized that one of my best friends was dead and we were all trapped at the institute with no escape I did what I do best: I ran. I packed a bag without thinking and hopped on the first flight away from England. When I got there I tried looking for something I couldn’t get in Malaysia; I was looking for comfort. I wouldn’t get that there though. What I really wanted was to be with you again while we dealt with this.

I didn’t think about how that might have affected you until after I got to Malaysia. But then I was afraid of you being mad at me, and I didn’t think that I could handle it after everything,” he paused then kneeled in front of her, carefully holding her hand before continuing. “Clara, what I did was stupid and insensitive, and words can’t even explain just how sorry I am. I already know that I’m way past the point of forgiveness, but I just want to let you know that I am sorry.”

It was silent for a few minutes after he finished speaking. Clara had yet to look at him again. Instead her gaze stayed focused on their enclosed hands. She ducked her head a bit so he wouldn’t see the tears threatening to well up in her eyes. It took her another minute to gather herself enough to speak.

“I don’t think that I can forgive you yet,” she started, which made Tim nod. “But, I understand why you did it, and I can start the forgiving process as long as you don’t go running off to the other side of the world without telling me.” She shot him a pointed look that made him laugh as he nodded again.

“I think I can manage that,” he muttered softly with a fond smile, making her giggle. “I missed you, you know.”

“I missed you too,” she responded in the same tone, surprising the man by wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. He was quick to return it and allowed her to nestle into the crook of his neck. His smile widened as he stroked her hair comfortingly. What he had done was far from okay, and maybe Clara was stupid for attempting to forgive him, but they just couldn’t stay away from each other. Especially now, when they need each other the most. And that’s what brought them back together.

[spicler-man]

injured peter

masterlist here

Thirty Hours by polaroid15

The sun sets. Peter breaks three toes and hits his head hard against concrete. There’s a steadily bleeding wound in his side that he’s staunched with his webbing and tries not to acknowledge it when it burns. He can still walk in a straight line, which is good. He’s starving and tired and cold. It’s been fifteen hours.

Or, Peter doesn't take any breaks during a lengthy fight with the Avengers. The mind-melting fever that follows really should have been expected.

Warmer in the Winter by Bean_reads_fanfic for eccentric_artist_221b

Nobody's seen Peter for a couple days. ...this is how Tony finds out that spiders hibernate.

(Written for the 12 Days of Fluffy Christmas prompt: "cold sleepy cuddles")

Like a Bear by An_Odd_Idea

Whumptober 2020 Prompt 21: Hypothermia Peter and Tony wake up sealed in a box, but it’s not just a box, and Peter’s not just a kid

How They Perceive You by ephemeralstark

Peter couldn't finish as the doors to the room they were in flew open and a shaky “you can't go in there,” could be heard. “Hey, Underoos, fancy meeting you in here!” Mr. Stark said cheerfully, although Peter could see the tenseness in his jaw and the hardness in his eyes that made him mentally groan. “M-Mr. Star’.” Peter mumbled in greeting. “Mr. Stark, you can't-” “-be in here.” Mr. Stark said, interrupting Dr. Kat. “I know, they told me, but judging by what I can see here, it’s a good thing I ignored everyone. That won’t work on him.” “It’s anaesthetic.” “I know.” Mr. Stark said. “And it won’t work on him, he’s a funky thing, aren’t you Underoos?” - Peter's lung spontaneously collapses and Happy does the only thing he can - takes Peter to a regular hospital.

a poisonous cure by turtle_bean

“Hey, does this juice smell weird to you?” Peter asks suddenly. There's a bit of an aftertaste lingering on his tongue - a prickling, tingling sensation. A doubt stings at the edge of his mind. His spidey-sense buzzes softly.

May raises an eyebrow and sniffs at the glass. She frowns, shakes her head. “Smells like orange juice. Why, do you smell something?” --

or, may parker learns that her nephew has been swinging around the city in spandex.

[sicktember day vi. - alt prompt: vitamic c]

{Death Can't Stop Me} by Chaeyoung26090 for vilhelm

Requested by Vilhelm: I also think it would be cool if in a one-shot Peter meets the grim reaper and he's like I can't take this innocent bean away and they become friends.

********** "Safe and grieving," Death said softly, waving his hand. In front of them appeared a screen.

"Peter NO!" Tony was sobbing, clutching his hand. They were still on the battlefield, but all the enemies were dead. All around them, the citizens could be seen sobbing or comforting each other, "Not you. Please, Bambi, wake up. It's not funny."

"Tones," Rhodey said, clutching the man's shoulder, tears streaming down his own face. Thor strode in, seemingly about to say something, before he caught sight of Peter and froze, dropping his hammer on the floor.

"PETER BENJAMIN PARKER WAKE UP BEFORE YOU'RE GROUNDED FOR YOUR ENTIRE LIFE," Tony screamed, shaking Peter's body which was riddled with bullet holes. Steve flinched, shaking his head and turning away. Clint retched and covered his mouth, dropping to his knees.

Peg Leg Pete by wolfypuppypiles

You know what a broken leg feels like? Not good. Not good at all. It aches and feels wrong and Peter was sort of worried about his bone shifting but it's not as if he could go to a hospital.

Peter breaks his leg at school and doesn't want to tell anyone about it. But that doesn't mean Mr Stark doesn't already know.

Walk It Off by cyborgchickenbanana

Steve forgets that Peter is just a kid, not a seasoned Avenger.

Mistakes by happyaspie

Peter is injured during a mission but Tony is too distracted to notice... or listen when Peter tries to ask him for help. This leads to some frustrated tears, a trip to medical, a few promises and, of course, forgiveness.

when my body won't hold me anymore (where will I go) by madasthesea

But he knows. He knows.

He can feel it.

Peter’s dead.

Peter Parker watches as Tony carefully arranges his limbs on a cot.

“Mr. Stark,” he tries for the dozenth time. No one hears him.

stop, don't start by iron_spider

“Shit shit shit.” Tony severely underestimated this guy, if this is on him, because Tony has a backup plan for every backup plan in his suit, has protocols for every misstep, every frayed wire, every glitch, and yet here he is, someone else’s weapon.

The true horror of it doesn’t set in until Tony sees Spider-Man swing by—Tony raises his own hand, aims and locks on.

“No, no!” Tony yells, panicking. “No!”

He shoots a repulsor blast, and knocks Peter out of the air.

Cold Snap by inkinmyheartandonthepage

“Hey, did you know that some spiders hibernate.”

“I did,” Peter hummed happily.

“Hmmm. And did you think that it would have been wise to share that little bit of information?” Tony huffed.

“Why?” Peter frowned.

“I don’t know, maybe because you triggered a hibernation sequence and you’ve been asleep for three days,” Tony quipped.

Mother May I by battybatzgirl

Peter gets hurt a lot. But that's fine! He doesn't need Karen to call Tony every time he gets a concussion or a broken bone. He heals up just fine on his own. He doesn't need to have a hospital on call.

Until the one time things go too far.

Whumptober Prompt Day 3: Impaled

Presumed Dead by spooderboyandtincan

After a HYDRA mission goes wrong, Peter is presumed dead and Tony mourns his son, until...

[stranger-marauders]

shattered

fifteen: grocery shopping

chapter summary: After a sobering episode, Kate faces her biggest task yet, which involves Steve and the grocery store.

chapter warnings: language, canon-typical violence

word count: 3.0k

series masterlist | masterlist

STEVE HAD WOKEN up before Kate, just like he normally did.

For about a minute, Steve had been absolute bliss. Before his eyes had even fluttered open, he could smell her perfume. She always sprayed it after she got out of the shower, her reasoning being it stuck better if she did it then. Her head was rested on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her back. She was perfectly fine now, seemingly snuggled up against him. That feeling of Kate in his arms again, that feeling of their legs intertwined, that feeling of her hand in his made everything shadow in comparison—she was the only thing in the world as far as he was concerned.

That was when he remembered once again that Kate wasn't truly his, even if it had felt that way for a fraction of a second.

He had carefully untangled himself from her whenever he'd finally decided to get out of bed, careful not to make too many sudden moves. Once he'd pulled himself out from underneath her, he placed a pillow under her head, trying to keep as close to her former position as possible. He didn't want to wake her up right now: he had to take a shower, make his hair more presentable than it had looked in the past couple of days.

Nancy wouldn't be at his house to pick them up for at least another hour or two anyway, so she definitely had time to sleep a bit more. He had no idea when she had finally fallen asleep, but he assumed it had taken her a while to relax enough to where she could after the night she'd had. He owed her the opportunity to get a couple more hours, and he was going to cash in on that now rather than later.

He hesitated to leave her alone in his room. It didn't matter if it was just long enough for him to take a shower and get his hair right—it was still too long without being able to keep an eye on her. He didn't think anything would happen to her in her sleep. Not after last night. Besides, she hadn't had nightmares in months. The only reason they'd start now is if Vecna were trying to take her, too, but she hadn't had a nosebleed since they were in eighth grade. He would've noticed if she spontaneously had a nosebleed, and considering how many her sister used to get, she definitely would've said something to him if he didn't notice it himself. If she'd had any nightmares, they hadn't been bad enough to where she'd woken up; he would've heard her, felt her shift against him.

Steve knew the longer he debated with himself the more likely she would be to wake up and find him staring at her, which would definitely come off as more creepy than endearing. It didn't matter the context—he would still seem like a weirdo.

He knew that for now, he needed to let her sleep: he didn't know how much more of that she would get.

By the time Nancy had picked Steve and Kate up at his house, they were quickly banished to the trunk with Dustin.

Nancy and Robin gave Steve and Kate the rundown of what their next task was. They, including the kids, had already worked up a list of things Eddie wanted from the grocery store, and that also included a six-pack of beer. The group of five had no idea how they were going to get such a thing until Robin conveniently remembered that Steve and Kate both had fake IDs which they'd used to buy alcohol many times from the grocery store in Cartersville, the town next over from Hawkins. They both protested for only a minute before Nancy pulled the "you both would want a six-pack too if you were being hunted by the police" card, so they obliged (even though Kate was definitely more of a hard liquor girl, in Eddie's position, she would have taken anything).

That also meant that Kate had to deal with Steve in the grocery store alone, and that was something she didn't want to do.

It wasn't like he was annoying or anything; in fact, it was quite the opposite. She needed the exact opposite of whatever they were about to get themselves into, especially after falling asleep next to him again the night before.

The whole thing made her brain feel fuzzy. She didn't like thinking about what she was feeling, and she certainly didn't have the time to unpackage all of her emotions right now while he was standing next to her. She couldn't begin to tell herself how stupid she was being: she couldn't love him. Everything about the night before made her feel like she was crazy for feeling that way, especially after he'd told her she'd broken his heart. That wasn't something you could simply get over, and somehow Steve had pushed past all of it just to make sure she was okay.

That was why it made her feel fuzzy. She couldn't begin to try to unravel what he must've been thinking. Steve must've thought she was absolutely insane considering all he'd seen of her now, but he hadn't acted that way. She couldn't stop thinking about how he'd said he still cared about her: how could he still care about her after what she'd done to him? All of the thoughts were seemingly stuck in her head. Her brain felt so congested that she could barely read the list Dustin had given her.

"All right, let's see," Steve said after grabbing a cart, peering over Kate's shoulder to look at the list in her hands. "Jesus, Henderson put a lotta shit on there. Does he think I'm made of money or something?"

"You waste money on him all the time."

"I don't waste it," he shot back. "I know Dustin. I've met Munson, like, once or twice, and now I'm gonna have to give away an entire paycheck just for his grocery bill."

"I mean, we don't want him to starve, now do we?" Kate asked, still scanning over the list. She couldn't believe this was a grocery list for Eddie Munson—she hadn't thought he would like Kraft macaroni and cheese.

Kate had never had the pleasure of meeting Eddie. She didn't know much about Eddie Munson, only the bits and pieces that seemingly everyone else knew about him. She knew he was one of the more successful pot dealers at school, even though he overcharged people for weed (as everyone did at the high school,). She knew almost everyone at the high school knew he was a bit crazy, especially because he seemingly loved antagonizing the athletes, especially the basketball players. Most importantly, she knew he loved Dungeons & Dragons, and that was how the boys knew him. She couldn't help but be curious about him, mostly because she'd never really heard too much about him up until now.

"So, what's he like?" Kate finally asked.

Steve gave her a confused look. "Who?"

"Eddie."

He scoffed. "Yeah, you're not gonna like him."

Her eyebrows furrowed together. "What's that supposed to mean? Also, that's not what I asked."

"I don't know, he just..." He sighed, shrugging. "He's just a little off, that's all. He held a beer bottle to my throat the other day."

"What?"

"Yeah, see? Look," he said, pointing to a spot on his neck where there was, admittedly, no mark at all.

Her eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Steve, there's nothing there."

He ran his hand down his neck, confused. "What?"

She sighed. "Look, I just... there's no way he's terrible. If Dustin's friends with him, then he can't be that bad, right?"

"Oh, Jesus, don't even get me started on Henderson's obsession with him," Steve said bitterly, starting to rant. "It's always 'Munson this, Munson that.' 'Steve! Come play D&D with us tonight, because we need someone to fill in for Lucas!' As if I'd play that nerdy shit with him and Eddie. I mean, seriously, all I hear about anymore is how cool Eddie's music taste is, and how cool his hair is, and—"

"Jesus, never mind. Forget I asked," she said, shaking her head. "If you feel so passionately about him, why don't you just marry him?"

He gave her an annoyed look. "Seriously?"

She only shrugged in response.

Steve leaned against the cart, reluctantly following her as she moved to the next aisle—cereal. He remembered when they used to go grocery shopping for him when his parents weren't ever home, especially last summer. Going to the grocery store together was something they'd done since sophomore year, but going to that grocery store, in particular, was something they'd been doing since they were seniors in high school. It was simple things like this that he missed so much about Kate, something so simple that he could seemingly go without it. Now that he was with her again, though, he didn't want to do anything like go to the grocery store without her ever again.

"Do you know what type of cereal he likes?" she finally asked, grabbing his attention again. "Dustin literally just wrote cereal down."

"I don't know, just get some Frosted Flakes or something."

"No, that's what I like."

He shrugged. "Exactly! If he doesn't like them, we can eat them for breakfast tomorrow morning."

Her eyebrows furrowed together as she pressed her lips together. "Talk about a one-track mind."

"I'm just thinking ahead."

"Sure."

Moving through aisles slowly became less of an annoyance and more of a privilege. Kate had forgotten about the way that he would sneak the most random things into the cart, even if they weren't on the list. For example, Eddie had specifically asked for the Original flavored Pringles, but Steve had also thrown a sour cream and onion flavored can—Kate liked those ones much more than any of the other ones. She liked that side of him, the passively affectionate side. While she did love the flippant, overly-loving side of him, too, it was the smallest gestures like that that made her melt on the insides.

She tried to shut them out, those feelings. She really did. She couldn't help it, however, when he would pick some random thing off the shelf, talking passionately about whatever it was ("this is the only acceptable brand of popcorn, Kathy") that he had picked up. She thought it was absolutely adorable, and she could barely focus on what he was saying.

"Jesus, this'll be hard," Steve said somewhat sarcastically whenever they got into the alcohol section. "I wonder what beer he likes."

Kate beelined straight for the Schlitz six pack in the corner when Steve started yelling at her, grabbing her arm. "Kathy, what are you doing! Are you insane?"

"Jesus Christ, Steve!" she said, pulling his hand off of her. "I'm just grabbing the beers like we're supposed to so we can get out of here."

"No, not that, I'm talking about the brand."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"The brand, Kathy!" he said, his voice a hushed whisper. "What are you thinking trying to bring him a pack of Schlitz? You're out of your goddamn mind."

She scoffed. "I'm sorry, Schlitz is extremely cheap and easy to get wasted on. Perfect for our needs."

"Tell me you didn't give yourself a beer hangover on Schlitz," Steve said, giving her a concerned look. Whenever she didn't answer and only avoided eye contact, he sighed. "Seriously? Kathy, that's just sad."

"Yeah, well, I was sad and it reminded me of my dad, so get over it."

He shook his head—he'd forgotten that her dad drank Schlitz. He turned his head, seeing another six-pack next to him out of the corner of his eye. "See, now this is what I'm talking about."

Kate tilted her head in response. "Miller?"

"This is the best of the best, all right?" he said, putting it in the cart. "When things get normal again, I'll re-refine your palette, because it obviously needs cleansing."

"Oh, whatever."

He stifled a laugh, pushing the cart again. "Yeah, this'll be perfect. Munson's gonna love this."

It hadn't taken them long to get through the checkout line. The lady that had cashiered for them had been older, seemingly unsuspicious of them as Steve displayed the fake ID they'd made together last year to replace his old one. She didn't think about it anymore whenever Steve had taken as many bags as he could in one go, only letting Kate carry one of them. Nancy had pulled the car around whenever she'd seen them again, quickly letting them throw all the grocery bags in the back before they got comfortable next to Dustin again and drove off back toward Hawkins.

When they'd gotten back inside of city limits, Robin broke the silence that hung over the front part of the car.

"Not to be a wimp, but can I sit in the car for this visit? 'Cause this is gonna totally and royally suck."

"It'll be fine."

"I just can't stand to see those dull eyes of Eddie's break again. I really, really can't."

"At least he can drink himself into feeling better," Steve said, holding up the case of Miller Genuine Draft before putting it back down again, still stuffing his face with Pringles.

"That's what my mom does," Max said, her tone somewhat forced.

"Hey, my dad used to do it, too," Kate said, shrugging as she stole a Pringle from Steve.

"Hey, I got you some of your own! Stop stealing mine!" Steve said to her, giving her a displeased look when she put the chip in her mouth anyway with an absent shrug.

"Why don't we just give it a trial?" Robin asked, prepping what she would say to him. "'Hey, Eddie. Uh, good news first this time. We got you some Dustin-approved junk food and that six-pack you requested. Oh yeah, and we found Vecna. Only the bad news is that he's in that other, darker, much scarier dimension that we told you about, and the gate's closed, so we have no way of getting to him, like he's entirely shut off to us, so basically you're screwed. And, no, I know that you were already screwed, but now you're doubly, triply screwed!"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Maybe we don't put it like that," Lucas said, cutting off Robin's speech.

"We're one step closer to finding Vecna," Nancy suggested instead. "That's what we say. That's what's important."

"See, Robin? Positive spin can make all the difference," Steve said, eating another Pringle.

"Uh-huh," Robin replied, seemingly unimpressed.

Before anyone else in the car could contribute to more conversation, Nancy mumbled, "Oh shit."

Everyone stopped what they were doing, only looking ahead to see what Nancy saw: Reefer Rick's house had been rendered a crime scene. Once she parked the car, everyone jumped out, mostly to watch the press conference that was about to take place.

"Come on, this way," Kate said, taking Steve by the hand and walking behind one of the news vans, leading the rest of the group to follow her. As they took their place out of sight to watch Chief Powell talk to the group of reporters, the message became more and more clear.

"As many of you may know by now," Powel started, "the Roane County line received a call a little after midnight... reporting a homicide out here on the lake. Officer Callahan here and myself arrived first on the scene. We made our way to the shore of Lover's Lake, about ten yards from that house you see behind me. It was there that we found the victim, an eighteen-year-old senior from Hawkins High, Patrick McKinney. His limbs... his body, uh... it was disfigured similarly to the other victims. There was an eyewitness to the scene, but we will not be releasing the name of this individual. We have also identified a person of interest." Powell stopped, holding up a picture, one of an all too familiar face. "Eddie Munson. We encourage anyone with information to please come forward."

"Oh shit," Kate whispered.

He matched her worried expression. "Yeah, this is not good. This is really not good."

Before anyone could say anything else, Dustin's radio went off loudly. "Dustin, can you hear me? Wheeler?"

Dustin pulled the antennae out, turning down the volume and replying to him. "Eddie, holy shit, are you okay?"

"Nah, man. Pretty... Pretty goddamn far from okay."

"Where is he?" Robin asked.

"Where are you?" Dustin called into the walkie urgently.

"Skull Rock. Do you know it?"

"Uh, yeah, that's near Cornwallis and—"

"Garrett, yeah. I know where that is," Steve said, looking to Kate for half a second before running back to Nancy's car. She knew where it was, too.

"Hold tight, we're coming. We're coming," Dustin said as he signed off, getting into the car with the rest of the group.

next chapter

taglist:

@thatsonezesty13 @cece5298 @thepowerstoner @alovelytardis @coolchick333 @stand-tall-pineapple @littlet-holmes @guichu @cinderellacauseshebroke @blackbirddaredevil23 @mads-weasley @ilovemarauders @pearlstiare @liableperfections @khaylin27 @girlwiththerubyslippers @cyarikaaa

[gashinabts]

Ask Me Out (m)

Words: 5k

Pairing: Taehyung x Reader, Idiots to lovers

Genre: Angst, Smut, Fluff, Mature

Summary: You and Taehyung get in a fight because you were allegedly cheating, the only problem is, who are you dating and who are you cheating on.

Warnings: Teasing, spitting, oral (f/receiving), fingering, DomTae, slapping, jealously sex

A/N: Just a small one shot, hope you enjoy!! This is my work no reposting this and my other works on any other platforms.

Holding the letter tight to your chest you breathe out a heavy sigh before giving the letter to Eunha. Taehyung texted her that he will meet with her across the administration building, instead here you are standing in front of her, counting the seconds of when this interaction will end. She opens the letter and you cringe at every second she reads it, you look off at a distance to see if Taehyung could be watching this scene unfold. “ What the hell is this Y/N? Where’s Taehyung?,” she crumbles the letter and there’s irritation evident on her angelic face.

The one con of being Taehyung’s friend is that you have to break up with his girlfriends since he doesn’t like confrontation, to see them yell at him or worst cry in front of them.

In middle school Taehyung told you to break up with Soojin for him on Valentine's day, that was the first time you got bitch slapped by someone at school. Taehyung went to visit you at the nurse office with a red rose. “ Where did you get that?,” you asked him as you pressed the ice pack closer to your cheek. “ I stole it from Jungkook’s valentine’s gift,” he says, as he hands you the rose and sits next to you. His hands gently take off the ice pack inspecting your pink slap mark. “ Ouch. This will be the last time I let you do this for me,” he gives you a boxy smile. Another con of being his friend, Taehyung could be quite the liar.

“ Well as it says on the letter, he wants to break up with you…” you trail off taking a centimeter back. You don’t think she’ll do anything crazy, Eunha was nice when she was with Taehyung, however break ups can change a person.

Eunha takes a step closer and takes the lid of her ice coffee and throws it on your sweatshirt. The cup is empty and the ice cold coffee makes you flinch, “ I knew you guys were sleeping behind my back. Tell him, ‘ The next time he wants to break up with someone, he should be a man and tell them in person,’” she bumps her shoulder against you hard as she walks past you. You groan at her comment and walk towards the center of the campus where the water fountain is, there are students who briefly look at your coffee stain white sweatshirt. “ Well she got you good?,” Taehyung bites his lip and you glare at him. He stands tall right next to you, with his neutral tone baggy pants and sweatshirt.  “ Hey I’m sorry I didn’t know she’ll react that way. Take my sweater,” he pulls his already oversized sweater and hands it to you.

You pull off your soaked sweater, “ That’s what you always say Tae,” then you put on his ugly dark green sweater. “ When are you ever going to have the guts to ask the girls you like out and also break up with them?” There’s also another thing he has a problem with, he needs to have someone, you, to ask the girls he likes out. It’s always awkward for you to tell them that Taehyung, the guy that you have a slight crush on, likes them.

“ Y/N, I can’t do that! Just imagine if I ask someone out and they straight out reject me. I would be traumatized for my whole life,” he takes your dirty sweater and walks with you to the apartment.

“ Nope. I can’t possibly see that. You are attractive and funny so I don’t see how you’ll be rejected,” you smell yourself and groan at the scent of ice americano. “ Look, ask me out right now,” you joke around while laughing to yourself. The short laugh becomes a gasp when Taehyung pushes you against a wall with his arm caging you in. His face is close to yours, you could almost count all the long dark eyelashes. Time feels like it slows down because the wind started to lessen along with chirping sounds from the birds.

“ Y/N. Go out with me,” he looks at you dead in the eye, his black curls slightly cover them. Without thinking much you let out a small okay and he backs up giving you space.

His face returns back to his bubbly self smiling, “ Do you want to order fried chicken and beer or pizza?,” he asked you while adjusting the straps of his backpack. The question takes you back and you pinch yourself just to see if this is a dream or an alternative universel. “ Fried chicken and beer,” you tell him, walking alongside him. There is silence between you two as he orders the food on his phone, he gives you the phone so you can review the order, you smile as he orders an extra order of spicy chicken since you are the only one that likes it. “ Looks good,” you say while handing it back.

You and Taehyung are watching a movie while eating the fried chicken peacefully until Jungkook barges in the living room from the front door, “ BAHAHA...Y/N you’re like all over everyone's snapchat. I even saw this video on my fyp on tiktok. Look it almost has one million likes,” he hands his phone while sitting down on the couch. ‘It’s the cheating for me’ you groan as you read the description. “ What the hell? Did you at least comment and tell them that I wasn’t the other woman?,” you ask Jungkook, the video plays and Eunha throws the coffee at you and your face grimaces.

“Yeah but like my comment got lost through the thousands of comments that are there,” he grabs a beer from the table, “ just live through your fifteen minutes of fame,” he chugs the beer. “ Ohh spicy chicken, my favorite,” his hands grab your chicken eating it with gusto.

You toss the phone on the couch, “ Y/N-” you ignore Taehyung’s voice as you go to your room. You take solace in your warm comforter hugging your stuffed penguin and taking a nap. The feeling of Taehyung’s warm hands wakes you up, he’s spooning you, hugging you tightly against his chest. You are used to Taehyung's skin ship at home, he typically does this when he sees a scary movie and has nightmares so he crawls into your bed or when the apartment is too cold and he doesn’t want to spend money on the heater. “ Are you okay?,” he asked carefully.

“ Yeah, I just hate how people don’t know the real story but it’s whatever I have you to make me feel better,” you sigh as you hug your penguin tighter.

He laughs and grabs the stuffed animal, “ You still have this raggedy thing?”

“ I’m not gonna throw him away. It was a present,” you take it back in your arms. Yeah, it looks beaten down but it was something special you cherished.

“ Man, I still can’t believe you dated Jungkook in high school. Doesn’t it feel weird to have that since you guys are not dating?,” he hugs you closer to him, you feel his warm breath against your neck.

“ Nah, we are still good friends even if he is kind of an asshole,” one of your hands reaches back raking your fingers against his curls. He hums deeply, “ Are you jealous of Mr. Penguin?,” you teased him with the question.

“ Kind of,” he mutters and snuggles into your hair. That wasn’t the answer you were expecting but you ignore it going back to sleep.

---

You grab an ice coffee for Taehyung and add sugar but a light tap halts you, turning you see a girl holding a phone zooming onto your face, “ Is this you?,” she asked you, eyes peering for a reaction. It was that stupid video from tiktok.

You laugh lightly, “ No, that is my twin,” you lie eaisly, you ignore her calls as you continue walking. You wait outside Taehyung’s office since he is talking to one of his students. The student adorably bows multiple times and thanks him, as she exits his room. “ She’s cute,” you comment as you enter his office with his coffee. He has his glasses on, along with his usual comfy aesthetic, there are a bunch of papers on the desk, and he looks the part as professor but clearly isn’t because he is a TA.

“ You are cute,” his large hand holds your hand giving it a quick kiss, while grabbing the coffee with his other hand and starts to gulp it. Today you were far from cute, you had no makeup, and you feel bloated because you were on your period.  “ There’s an essay due about the elements of Gothic architecture and she was having a hard time about what to write,” he moves his hand as he talks, he finally sits down on his desk.

“ That sounds fun,” you sarcastically state. Sitting down on the chair you look on his desk and there’s a picture of you and him at the Louvre, it was two years ago that you guys spontaneously took a trip to Paris.

“ Sorry you aren’t a fan of art history,” he nudges you with his leg, “ Anyways let’s go to this new hotpot restaurant,” he gets up putting his laptop away along with his papers. “ Should we invite Jungkook?,” you asked while putting your seatbelt on in Taehyung's car.

“ No. It’s Y/N and Taehyung time,” he firmly states but his sparkly teeth show as he smiles.

---

“ You guys look closer than ever, which is weird because how can you guys possibly get closer,” Jungkook comments as you wash the dishes. It’s obvious that he is talking about Taehyung. Taehyung had been more clingy with you, almost every night sleeping in your bed and taking you to random restaurants without Jungkook.

“ What do you mean? We are always like that, you are just jealous that we don’t take you out anymore and pay for you,” you finish washing the last plate, you put the gloves away to dry. Jungkook crosses his arms which cause his biceps to bulge and you throw your head back with a laugh, “ Is that supposed to intimidate me?,” you lean against the counter.

He walks closer, “ Kinda, I’ve been working out,” he flexes it more. You roll your eyes and he stands right in front of you, “ So friends just invade other people’s personal space?,” his face comes closer to you, making eye contact with you. He’s provoking you and you just want to slap his smirk off his face. Jungkook lays his head against your neck, rubbing his nose against your neck, his body is against yours. “ This kind of reminds me of our first time, we did it in my parent’s kitchen when they weren’t home,” his hands gripped your waist.

You decided to play at his game, your hands reach his nape pulling his hair, “ But then you came the minute you put it in,” you whisper against his ear. You laugh as his face flush with embarrassment, you push him against his chest so he can give you space.

“ C’mon Y/N that wasn’t nice,” he groans, he tugs his situation in his grey sweatpants to not make it obvious that he has a boner. You stop laughing when you see Taehyung standing near the entrance of the kitchen, he has a blank face and goes to the fridge. Jungkook turned around looking at Taehyung as he quietly grabbed a coke, “ Hey Hyung, have you eaten? Y/N made dinner.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook, “ I’m good,” he doesn’t even acknowledge you, walking away from the kitchen and you hear his door shut.

It’s quiet as you eat dinner alone and it is even quieter when you go to sleep by yourself. The bed feels more bigger and you might think it’s more comfortable but it’s not since you don’t have Taehyung hugging you like a pillow. The next morning you wake up late, Taehyung usually wakes you up and cooks you burnt toast with a shitload of jam but this time he’s already gone.

After class, you get his favorite coffee drink, and go to his office, there is another cute student talking to him. You peer through the window and see how happily he exchanges words with her. You wait until their session is done and she thanks him and he waves goodbye, you walk into his office. He looks at you but quickly reverts his gaze back at his laptop screen typing mindlessly. Placing the coffee on his desk, “ She’s cute,” you comment.

“ Yeah,” he says and continues typing, your heart lurches not expecting him to agree with you. There’s so much tension you feel like you are walking on eggshells.

“ Umm...are you okay?,” you ask timidly. You aren’t sure if he heard you since a minute goes by and he looks through his paper and then again types. There is sweat coming off your hands and wipe them down against your jeans,“ Taehyung?,” you speak just a decibel louder.

He closes his laptop, packing up his papers, throwing them harpazidly in his backpack, throwing the ice coffee that he hasn’t even got a sip of into the trash. “ I’m meeting with someone,” he brushes past you trying to exit his office. You grab his wrist before he can leave, “ Tae, are you mad at me?,” is the only question you can think of.

This is the first time he looks at you, it’s the first time he has ever shown anger at you, he yanks his hand back to himself and the feeling of the subtle warmth is gone from the palms of your hand. “ I just didn’t think you were the type of girl to cheat and try to fuck their ex in the kitchen,” he says seriously.

Cheating? Who were you cheating on? “ I wasn’t- Jungkook and I-,” you try to explain yourself but he wasn’t hearing any of it. He interrupts you, “ I don’t care anymore...I don’t want to see your face,” he jabs at you with a disgusted face one last time before leaving. There’s tears coming out and you quickly wipe them but they still stream down your cheeks. This is the first time in your friendship that you had a fight with Taehyung and it looks like it will be the last time you grab the tissue of his desk blowing your nose. The picture of you and Taehyung gleefully smiling in Paris is mocking you, you grab the picture and take it with you before he can also throw it away as easily as he did with the ice coffee.

You usually don’t like going to your parent’s house but this time you accept their invitation, planning to stay with them for a week, you already submitted all the assignments for classes and you could always look at the podcast lectures. There’s not much clothes you have to pack up since you hardly buy any new clothes and you usually borrow Taehyung's infinite amount of clothes, well used to. “ I’ll see you in a week,” you hug Jungkook goodbye.

“ Make sure you get some rest,” he walks you to the car, you nod and smile at him, waving him goodbye.

This is the last time you will ever visit your family, they make you do chores and take care of your nephews and nieces. It doesn’t even feel like you got any rest, you found a box under your bed and it’s filled with pictures of you and Taehyung, some of Jungkook but mostly of Taehyung. The more you shuffle through the pictures it gets harder to hold your tears. You have the urge to call him but you are afraid that he has you blocked.

---

It feels and sounds quiet in the apartment, Taehyung thinks to himself. Jungkook isn’t even making noise either which is odd since he is loud. He hasn’t seen you in three days, he was sure that he was going to eventually bump into around the house while you cook or get out of the shower but nothing, he hasn’t even seen light peek out of your door. He hears the door opening expecting it was you but it was Jungkook. Jungkook goes straight to the kitchen taking out a pan and vegetables out of the fridge, “ You want some Kimchi fried rice?,” Jungkook asks as he cuts some kimchi.

“ No,” Taehyung shakes his head and scrolls down on his instagram.

Jungkook sighs loudly, “ Wow this is going to suck. I have to start learning how to cook better since Y/N moved out.”

Taehyung drops his phone on the ground, “ What?,” he asked while walking towards the kitchen to where Jungkook is at.

Jungkook puts oil in the pan and adds onions, “ Yeah she moved out three days ago. She looked really sad, took everything she had and left.” Taehyung doesn’t believe him and enters her room, the bed looks empty, there are no comforters or pillows, he opens your drawers and is met with nothing, there are some skincare products on the table but those can easily be left behind. However there are pictures of you and Taehyung on the dresser, and he easily spots the one that he kept in his office. He walks back out and Jungkook looks like he is almost done cooking. “ You could be a real asshole Taehyung. Y/N would never do anything with me since she already whipped for you. The things you make her do and how she always does it because your Taehyung,” Jungkook says and finally turns off the stove.

“ What are talking about?,” Taehyung asked with hesitance.

“ Ask Y/N, why does she break up with people for you despite the many times she gets hurt from it. Ask her why does she spend so much money on your dumb ice americano? Ask her why she broke up with me in high school?,” Jungkook didn’t mean for the last question to come out but he’s tired of his two best friends being idiots. “ I’m going to eat in my room,” he leaves with a plate of Kimchi fried rice.

Taehyung sits in silence in his room thinking about your last conversation with him, and how he didn’t let you explain. How he yelled at you, how he threw his coffee, and how you looked like you wanted to cry. He hugged his pillow tightly desperately wishing that it was you and maybe if he thought hard enough you would appear.

---

“ Are you sure you don’t want to stay the whole week?,” your Mom asked while she helped you put your suitcase in your car. It’s the fourth day, six in the morning, and you don’t think you can last another day with her yelling at you to stop taking naps and to go grocery shopping with her.

Getting in your small car you sigh,“ Yeah, I have to go back. I forgot to turn something in for class,” you make up a lie.

“ What? Are you serious? Why didn’t you do that before when you came here, that’s very irresponsible-” Maybe on another day you can take her lecturing but not today.

“ Okay, bye Mom. Love you!,” you close your door waving at her as you leave the driveway.

It is expected for the apartment to be quiet since it’s early in the morning, you drag the suitcase quietly hoping that you won’t wake them up. Opening the door slowly, you are shocked to see a sleeping figure in your bed, your hand let’s go of the suitcase and you yelp trying to get it but it comes down crashing loudly on the wooden floor. Taehyung's head pops up from his small blanket, looking at you with wide eyes. “ I umm- I’m sorry. I’ll leave right now,” you pathetically try to excuse yourself. Taehyung said he didn’t want to see your face anymore so you hurry to pick up your things. Your shaky hands try to grab your suitcase but you are tackled into a hug, Taehyung’s arms engulf you trying to make you part of his body.

“ You came...I was scared that you were gone forever,” he whispers. “ I’m sorry for what I said. I was an asshole and didn’t let you speak. I hurt you in many ways that I never expected. Then Jungkook said you moved out…” he trailed off you couldn’t clearly hear him since his voice muffled in your hair.

“ Taehyung, let’s sit down and talk, okay?,” you asked him and brushed some of the strands of hair out of his face. He nods and sits down beside you and your bed, “ I wasn’t going to move out, I just went to visit my parents hoping that would relax me but it didn’t so I came back early,” you smile at him. “ Okay good,” he smiles back and scoots closer to you. “ Taehyung, I need to ask you something?,” you look away nervously.

“ Ask me,” he encourages and grabs your chin to look at you.

You swallow nervously, “ Are we together? I mean were we together? Since you said I cheated on you and I was kind of confused…” you trail off playing with your fingers.

He grabs your hands gently squeezing them “ Of course we were together. I mean we still are. Remember when you told me to ask you out?,” he asked, you nodded remembering it vividly, “ Well since that day we’ve been dating.” You didn’t think that was serious but it did make sense because of all the skinship he was doing and the places he would take out to eat. He did take you to the Han river and had a picnic during the night which you found oddly romantic but you didn’t think much into it.  “ Y/N, I’m sorry,”  he asked, kissing your hands.

“ It’s okay there was a misunderstanding. Next time, let’s talk before we act out on our emotions,” you tell him softly, before pecking him on his cheek. Turning quickly away so he won’t see you blushing in the morning sun.  “ Help me set up comforters,” you get up, grabbing the comforters off the floor. He helps you set it up while complaining about how he missed you while you were gone, crying in your bed until Jungkook told him to shut up. You place Mr. Penguin on the bed and lay down hugging it.

Taehyung turns your body easily around so you're facing him, “ I actually didn’t know we were dating, I thought we were joking around,” your hand caresses his sharp jawline.

“ Idiot. I would never joke around about dating you,” he scoffs and takes the hand you were caressing him with, bringing it to his lips, kissing it softly.  His lips move to your wrist, trailing up your forearm, arising goosebumps and leaving a giggly response from you, making him smile. Taehyung scoots closer to your neck so he can leave kisses there and you hug him closer when he kisses a particular spot that makes you squirm. The kisses trail upwards to your jaw, going closer to the area you wanted. He looks at you seeking permission and you pull him to feel your lips against his. It’s soft as you expected and you sigh happily at the feeling of his warmth. He pulls aways looking at you, “ That was nice,” he says as he moves over to hover you.

“ Yeah, it was,” you pull him down for another kiss, this time it’s more needier. Lips smacking at each other can be heard along with some heavy breathing. Your hands leave his tousled hair and go under his baggy sleeping shirt, feeling his naked back. You never thought you could feel Taehyung this way, but here are lightly trailing your fingers up and down his back. His mouth leaves yours kissing your neck and leaving marks here and there, he pulls the collar of your shirt down trying to get more access but gets frustrated. Laughing at him, you pull your shirt off, laying back down so he can kiss wherever he desires. His eyes sparkle at the sight of the swell of your breast, immediately leaving open mouth kisses that make you shudder with excitement. His large hands pull the cups of bra and his mouth envelopes your nipple, sucking while his other fondles with your other breast. Your pants are being louder and you can’t take anymore of the teasing. Your hands pull his hair as he lightly bites your nipple leaving you with pleasure and pain, “ Touch me Taehyung,” moaning at the end of the sentence.

“ Baby, I am touching you,” his lips leave your abused nipple and go to the other one giving it the same treatment. It looks like he enjoys you getting impatient since he is smiling at your frustration as you try to grind against him. “ No no no, touch me somewhere else,” you tell him shyly, you are never this coy with your partners but Taehyung just screams out dominance. His eyes darken and his mouth leave your nipple along with a string of salvia, his hand wipes his spit all over your chest. He sits up pulling off his shirt, his eyebrow arched, “ Where does my baby want to be touched?,” he asked, looking down on you. Your hand trails down to the button of your jeans, slightly tugging at it, refusing to tell him in words. His index finger tugs at the belt loop, “ You want me to touch your pussy?” Blushing at his words you nod, he takes off your jeans and looks at your panties, smirking at your evident arousal. He bends down and kisses above the hem of your panties before tugging them down your legs.

“ Please Tae,” you whine as he teasingly kisses the inside of your thighs, Taehyung finally listens to your words and eats you out like his favorite dessert, his hands holding your thighs up trying to taste more of you. Crying out in pleasure, as his tongue pays special attention to your clit and his two fingers slowly inched his way into your seeping hole. Afraid that you are making too much noise, you moan into your palm, his head lifts up and you whine at the loss of his tongue. “ Who told you you can cover your pretty mouth?,” Taehyung slaps your cunt, making you moan louder.  “ Sorry,” you meekly let out but you desperately want to be punished again. He chuckles at your apology, rubbing your cunt to soothe the pain, “ Do you want me to fuck this needy pussy?”

“ Yes, I want you so bad,” you drawl at your words, hips rising and riding his long fingers. His fingers withdraw from you, quickly taking off his sweats and boxers, as you finally discard your bra. “ Spit,” he commands, his hand is below your mouth. Following his command, his large hand wraps around his impressive dick and you can’t wait for it to stretch you. Reaching to your drawer, you give him a condom and he puts it on. Taehyung slowly enters you and you feel an immediate stretch, your nails scratch his back at the slight pain. He kisses you to relax you and smile at his encouraging words. Moaning at the slow thrusting, the pain is completely gone, wanting to feel him deeper you tell him to fuck you harder. His hips move at fast pace and you can feel him in your stomach, “ You’re so fucking tight, I’m gonna have to fuck you everyday,” he moans out. “ Gonna have to fuck you everywhere too, so Jungkook can no longer flirt with you,” he thrust deeper hitting that particular spot that makes your toes curl. Nodding deliriously you meet his thrust, eyes rolling back at the euphoric feeling of Taehyung fucking you good. Moaning his name louder, as he grabs your jaw forcing you to look at him, “ I’m the only one that makes you feel this good, right?,” he asked but he already knows the answer.

“ Only you, only Taehyung,” you scream out feeling his other hand rubbing your clit. “ No one else,” you confirm once more, pulling him down for a messy kiss. Your approach is coming, clenching around him harder, “ I’m gonna cum,” you claw his back more, “ Can I please cum?,” begging him.

Rubbing your clit faster, “ Yeah, fucking cum for me, scream out my name,” he gives your clit you couple smacks. Crying out his name you come loudly with your body shaking in pleasure. Taehyung's pace falters, groaning at your tight cunt swallowing him in, holding your body closer as he orgasms. Kissing you softly Taehyung pulls out, tossing the condom in the trash bin. “ How’s my baby?,” he asked while stroking your flush cheeks.

“ Good but kinda tired,” giving him a tired smile. “ Taehyung I like you so much,” you confess, holding his warm hand against your cheek. High school you would be so proud that you finally confessed to him.

Taehyung grabs your hand and kisses it, “ I like you so much more. I liked you since high school but I was afraid to tell you and then you started dating Jungkook. So I thought I can never be your type. But then you told me to ask you out, joke or not, I thought that was finally my chance to have you be my girl,” he softly speaks but there’s an underlying insecurity in voice. Your hands pull him close to your body causing him to squeal, his head is on top of your breast listening to your heartbeat, as one of your hands comb his hair.

“ I guess we are both idiots, I liked you since high school too. But here we are now in each other's arms, better late than never right?,” you sigh. His fingers trace shapes your stomach, “ Just gotta make up for the lost time,” he agrees and his hand trails down.

“ Yes but not now because I’m tired,” you grab his hand before it can go any further. He laughs and kisses your breast tenderly.

“ I’m just glad that Mr. Penguin got to see me fuck my girl,” he snuggles more into you with heavy eyelids.

You sleepy smile at his words, “ You are so weird.”

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