#and jinx goes ‘this is your baby okay? she’s just light skinned.’

[justaz]

Oh. Imagining happy ending au Ekko and Jinx living in the firelight base together with Isha. When Ekko cut her hair after finding her/before going into battle, he cut it like Isha’s. After everything was said and done, Jinx faked her death so Piltover would leave her alone and she went home to her husband former enemy partner best friend and daughter and had Ekko and Isha dye her hair brown like Isha’s so they look more alike since the blue has faded from Isha’s hair. Everyone is the Zaun knows Jinx is still alive but they respect her peace with her family and never give the enforcers anything to go off of. Piltover might know she’s still alive but that’s neither here nor there.

ANYWAYS I was thinking about Isha, Ekko, and Jinx in their home and Jinx puts on a random record and starts dancing with Isha like they used to do in Jinx’s base/hideout/lair/whatever and Ekko hears the song that’s playing and trails out to see his wife former enemy partner best friend dancing with their daughter her daughter their daughter Isha to the song Ma Meilleure Ennemie and laughing. Ekko smiles and steps in, joining in their laughter and dancing. Then he and Jinx slowly make their way towards each other and just start dancing together. So similar to that other world but so different but still the same woman he loves in all universes, in all timelines.

Isha watches them with a giddy smile, her parents are so happy and so loving and she couldn’t be happier

[dissapointu]

ARCANE characters x Innocent S/O headcannons

____________________________________________

Jinx

• Playful Corruption: Jinx lives for how easily you blush or get flustered. She’ll drop the wildest innuendos just to watch your face turn bright red. “What? Did I say something wrong?” she teases with a mischievous grin.

• Childlike Chaos: Your innocence balances her chaotic energy perfectly. She adores your wholesome reactions to her antics and will sometimes soften her usual mischief just to make you smile.

• Bedroom Teasing: In intimate moments, Jinx is both playful and surprisingly attentive. She loves guiding you through new experiences, her hands ghosting over your skin as she whispers, “Don’t worry, doll. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Vi

• Protective Big Sister Vibes: Your innocence brings out Vi’s protective side. She’ll shield you from Zaun’s darker realities and anyone who tries to take advantage of your trusting nature. “Don’t worry, babe. No one’s messing with you while I’m around.”

• Loves to Tease: Vi can’t resist playfully poking at your naivety, but it’s always affectionate. “You seriously didn’t get that joke? Oh, babe, you’re too pure for this world,” she says with a laugh, pulling you in for a hug.

• Gentle Passion: In private, Vi is surprisingly tender. She takes her time, guiding you through every touch and kiss. “You okay? Just say the word, and I’ll stop,” she murmurs, her voice full of care.

Sevika

• Smirking All the Time: Sevika finds your innocence endlessly amusing and lowkey endearing. She loves dropping suggestive comments just to see you fumble for a response.

• Teaches You the Ropes: Whether it’s poker, drinking games, or…other activities, Sevika loves showing you the darker, more thrilling sides of Zaun. “Stick with me, sweetheart. I’ll take good care of you.”

• Domineering in the Bedroom: When it comes to intimacy, Sevika takes full control. She loves guiding you step by step, her deep voice soothing yet commanding. “Relax, baby. Let me show you how it’s done.”

Silco

• Fatherly Patience: Silco appreciates your innocence as a rarity in his gritty world. He admires how you see things with such optimism and takes his time explaining the harsh realities in a way that won’t break your spirit.

• Subtle Seduction: Silco enjoys using his smooth, persuasive tone to draw you out of your shell. “Come now, my dear. Let me teach you the ways of the world,” he says, his gaze intense but tender.

• Slow and Intentional: In intimate moments, Silco is precise and patient. He takes his time exploring what makes you tick, savoring every sound and reaction you give him. “You’re exquisite, my love. Absolutely exquisite.”

Vander

• Protective & Gentle: Vander treasures your innocence, seeing it as a breath of fresh air in his rough life. He’s fiercely protective of you and goes out of his way to ensure you’re safe and happy.

• Big Softie Energy: He loves your wholesome nature and enjoys simple moments with you, like teaching you how to pull a perfect pint or listening to you ramble about something you’re passionate about.

• Intimate Tenderness: Vander is incredibly soft and gentle in the bedroom. His large hands cradle you carefully as he murmurs sweet reassurances. “Just tell me if it’s too much, love. I want this to be perfect for you.”

Ekko

• Adorable Duo: Ekko thinks your innocence is absolutely adorable and finds your reactions to his jokes or compliments hilarious. He’ll often say something flirty just to see you squirm.

• Patient Teacher: Whether he’s showing you around Zaun or teaching you new skills, Ekko is incredibly patient and encouraging. “You’ve got this, babe. Just take it one step at a time.”

• Playful Yet Caring: In intimate moments, Ekko keeps things light and fun, easing your nerves with jokes and soft kisses. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

Jayce

• Golden Retriever Boyfriend: Jayce loves your innocent nature and often acts like your personal cheerleader. He’s always there to hype you up or explain something you don’t understand without making you feel silly.

• Big on Reassurance: He constantly tells you how amazing you are, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. “You don’t have to know everything, babe. Just be yourself—that’s more than enough.”

• Loving Exploration: Jayce is incredibly affectionate and patient when it comes to intimacy. He takes his time, kissing every inch of you and making sure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Viktor

• Gentle Curiosity: Viktor finds your innocence fascinating and refreshing. He loves explaining complex ideas to you and is always amazed by how quickly you pick things up.

• Soft Protectiveness: Viktor has a quiet but strong desire to protect you from the darker sides of Piltover and Zaun. He’s always looking out for you, whether it’s offering his arm while walking or pulling you closer during tense moments.

• Tender & Thoughtful: Intimacy with Viktor is full of soft touches and whispered reassurances. “You’re so beautiful, my love. There’s no rush—we’ll take this as slow as you need.”

Caitlyn

• Gentle Encourager: Caitlyn adores your innocence and often takes on the role of your guide in Piltover’s social scene. She’s patient and kind, never making you feel out of place.

• Sweet & Supportive: Caitlyn is incredibly affectionate, always finding small ways to reassure you—whether it’s holding your hand in public or giving you soft kisses when you’re flustered.

• Soft Yet Passionate: In private, Caitlyn’s love shines through in every touch. She’s gentle yet firm, always focused on making you feel cherished. “You’re perfect, darling. Let me show you just how much you mean to me.”

[slytherinnbitch]

Day 30: Pride

"So who all are going tomorrow?" Harry asks his usual friend group. Everyone responds with a yes and how is that possible?

"Uhm, I'm sorry did I miss something?" He asks incredulously.

"Maybe our coming outs," Pansy comments from beside Blaise and he looks at Draco for confirmation and he shrugs.

"Maybe we all can come out to each other? I don't think we ever did that properly." Neville suggests and everyone agrees and so it begins.

"I'll start then?" Pansy suggests and before anyone can respond she is talking again, "I'm a raging lesbian, if there was ever doubt to my homosexuality then I would like to apologise." She smirks at them and all of them laugh loudly at that.

Blaise goes next, "Pansexual!" he declares proudly.

"You mean anyone who even shows a slight interest?" Draco quips and gets swatted on his head for that.

"As if, darling. It's the other way round, everyone falls over their feet for me." Blaise preens and Pansy shuts them both with two mild stinging hexes.

"Okay me now!" Draco squeals and Harry shakes his head fondly, "I'm bi. And ready to die." Draco smiles cheekily at his own joke and Harry shakes his head. What did he do to get this bloke in his life?

"Oh, I always thought you're gay." Ginny comments and many of them nod agreeingly.

"Nah, bi." Draco waves them off and it's Harry's turn.

"Well I'm gay." Harry rubs his neck as he looks around.

"Was I really the only one to think that Harry was bi and Draco was the gay one?" Theo asks and by the looks of most of his friends, no most of them thought the same thing. Well, it's not like he ever came out properly or anything. He just started dating Draco and let people assume whatever they wanted to. Maybe it was a bad decision to not include their friends. Maybe.

"Girls nah!" Harry exclaims and Ginny frowns and exclaims, "Hey!"

"Gin, as much as I love you. You are a lesbian yourself and in love with a mysterious blonde. Much like me, so shut it." Harry says goodheartedly and Ginny makes a face at him but shuts up.

"Well, you all know I'm Trans and probably a demisexual. Not really sure about that," Neville says next and then adds as an afterthought, "I like boys though."

"Really, darling? No one would have guessed via how you are in a relationship with a bloke, now would they?" Theo quips and the rest of them chuckle.

"Well I'm gay through and through," Theo says next and kisses Neville on the lips as if to show that.

"Agender and asexual." Luna declares next and this is someone all of them knew since Luna was the only one to officially come out to everyone of them.

"And mine." Ginny says possesively beside her and kisses her cheek. "I'm lesbian, as my dear ex just pointed out not five minutes ago." She smirks at him and he flips her two fingers.

"Gay,"

"Gay." Seamus and Dean say one after the other. It's not like they ever looked at anyone else since Dean and Ginny's breakup. He still wants to know the actual story behind that one.

"Well, so," Ron starts and everyone looks at him in unison, he looks a bit red but that can he the light as well. "I uh recently discovered that I am bisexual." And everyone looks shocked. Harry is pretty sure he is staring with his mouth open, but he can't make himself look away.

When was his bestfriend going to tell him this? He sorta feels betrayed but how-

"I came out to Hermione a few months ago and well that's it I guess." Ron states, and Harry thinks he is missing a vital part somehow.

"So who was it?" It's Pansy who breaks the silence.

"Yeah that's right, Ron. Who was the bloke or non binary person who finally made opened your eyes towards the other genders." Blaise inquires as well.

Ron is now red in embarrassment so it's Hermione who answers, "Well, love can I then? Since you don't seem like you can talk in the next hour?" Ron nods his head resigned and Hermione smiles her cat-ate-the-canary smile. Oh this is going to be good.

"Well, it's the same person who might have instigated it years ago but Ron had been quite oblivious that time. Much like you and Cedric, Harry." Something in her voice tells Harry that she is giving a clue, to maybe Harry exclusively because the others still look clueless as ever.

And then clicks and holy shit-

"Victor Fucking Krum!" Harry says out loud and it makes sense with all the obsession and everything that he say in his fourth year.

"That's right! Ron saw Krum a few months back, he was in Berlin for the new shop there and he came across there and I got a floocall taht very evening, he came through and told me through his haze." Hermione smiles at her husband and messes his hair slightly, "Just imagine my shock-"

"You thought it was Krum he was jealous of at the Ball but it turned out to be You!" Harry joins in and both of them stare at each other before bursting out loud at the situation.

"Alright, both of you. Stop laughing at my expense. I know the irony of the situation." Ron says at last.

"But Weasley, just think about it! We might have had Krum with us tonight as your partner and not Granger." Draco says and scrunches his nose in mock disgust and the couple sends a stinging hex each and Draco yelps.

"Harry, baby! Your friends are abusing me!" he whines and Harry tuts mockingly which gets him a glare.

"Aww, sweetheart. Maybe don't mess with these two then. One of the most successful business man who is so accomplished in hexes and jinxes and our Minister of Magic. Deadly couple these both."

"Oh come off it, as if you both aren't deadly as well. Head of DMLE and Head of Unspeakables. I think that makes you both more dangerous." Hermione replies and he shrugs in response.

"Yes, yes. All of you are bigshots and we are grateful for so much security among us. Can we proceed then?" Pansy asks and Harry blushes slightly at the implications.

Just Hermione is left.

"Well, I'm just going as an ally. Mostly for Ron but all of you are going to be there anyways so I took a day off." Hermione says and wow, Hermione and off days. That's almost unheard of.

"Wait, so almost all the heads of the Ministry are not going to be there tomorrow?" Blaise asks and six of them turn to glare at him but it's Harry who replies.

"Don't worry, Blaise. Our best officials will be handling everything in our stead. And it's not our fault that all of our friends have such a good role in the Ministry and outside as well." Harry gives him the look he gives the hitWizards when they tell him a basic criminal slipped from their hands. Blaise looks mostly unbothered by it.

"Was planning on making a attack on the Ministry tomorrow. Would definitely be successful." Blaise replies instead.

"Shut up, Blaise." The six of them, him, Draco, Hermione, Neville, Theo and Luna say in unison and it's a pictureworthy moment.

They steer back into what they will be wearing and which type of makeup would look the best.

In the last, Draco agrees on a goth look with a short dress and mesh slacks. Harry with golden eyeliner which Pansy says would look godlike on his brown skin, so Blaise is going to do the same. He decides on wearing just his flag colours, with clip-on earrings and everything.

Blaise agrees on full black, as usual. Just the make-up would be his highlight, according to him. Luna is going in a fairy dress, Ginny in shorts and a sleeveless camisole.

Pansy in her signature heels and dress but make it pride colours. Ron, after a lot of coaxing decides on blue trousers, a pink and violet custom made sweater which apparantly Hermione had ordered almost three weeks ago. That makes him beam at her.

Neville is going in his usual wool sweater and trousers and his flag around his shoulder. Theo is matching with him.

As Harry looks around the table at the end of the night, and sees the happy faces of his friends who has somehow become his chosen family. He just feels one emotion. Love.

Endless love.

Day 29: Coming Out || Day 31: Unashamed

[annabethy]

doctor, doctor

in which Annabeth is pregnant and Percy is a super hot sexy doctor,, percabeth

Annabeth isn’t entirely sure what’s her imagination and what’s reality anymore. To be quite honest, she doesn’t care to decipher between the two either because her stomach is protruding far enough from her body that her sleep is scarce, and she’s not about to ruin that just to see if Percy got out of bed.

She doesn’t need to open her eyes and check anyways because he’s pressing a kiss to her forehead a second later. It causes her to stir, and she kicks up one leg to her side, stretching her arms.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Annabeth cracks open an eye and a lazy smile morphs onto her lips. The sun still hasn’t popped over the horizon – she estimates it’s around six in the morning. She yawns. “Why are you up?”

Percy brushes her hair out of her face before his hand trails down to circle around her bump where her shirt has ridden up. His fingers tickle the skin lightly. “I have to go to work.”

Annabeth frowns. It’s dark in the room and her vision is still blurry, but she can see the backpack he’s holding that she knows contains the things he’ll need throughout the day. It makes her unjustifiably sad because she knows the backpack means he’ll be gone for a long time. She’s so close to her due date that she can’t go to work herself, and all she really wants to do is snuggle up against him and sleep, which she can’t do if Percy’s at the hospital until she’s asleep again.

“Stay with me,” she pleads, hands blindly reaching out to grab him by the shirt. He concedes and leans down next to her so he’s on his knees facing her. He kisses her a few more times and nudges her with his nose.

“I wish I could,” he says softly. “But I have to saves some lives first.”

Annabeth groans, rolling over so that her back is to him.

“Hello?” Percy pokes her back playfully. “Anyone home?”

“Not you,” she deadpans.

“Aw.” Annabeth hears Percy stand back up and grab the bag by his feet. “Sick people need me to help them feel better.”

“What if I’m sick and need you to make me feel better?” she questions.

“Are you sick?”

Annabeth pauses. “Yes.” She pointedly coughs.

“Cute.”

She looks over her shoulder and finds him staring at her lovingly.

“I shouldn’t be gone too long,” he promises, rubbing her back soothingly. “Three in the afternoon.”

“You love your job more than me,” she breathes dramatically.

Percy laughs lightly. “That’s not possible. Now I have to leave now, so are you going to give me a kiss?”

“No.”

“Please?’

Annabeth pouts but flips back over. It’s actually quite mortifying the way she struggles to face him, her stomach proving to be an obstacle, but Percy helps her sit up. The kiss is short and sweet, and when he pulls away, he brushes her face affectionately. “I love you,” he says.

“Love you too,” she says back, but she’s pouting. Percy kisses her once more.

“I won’t be gone long. Go back to sleep, okay? You need the rest.”

She rolls her eyes and nods, laying back down. Percy helps lift the covers around her, and he disappears for a moment to refill the glass of water by her nightstand. It makes her roll her eyes fondly when he comments on how thirsty she is, but it also makes her feel warm that he’s noticed. It’s something he’s been doing recently, bringing her water in the middle of the night because he cares about her.

Annabeth feels oddly deflated when she hears the front door shut behind Percy when he leaves for work. She lays in bed for at least an hour, just watching the sun slowly begin to rise through the closed blinds of the window. Sleep doesn’t come for a while, and she blames Percy for waking her up in the first place. But she’s also glad he woke her up because as disappointed as she is that he left, she’d be even more upset if she just woke up with him gone.

He’s going to be such a good dad, she thinks. A hot dad, too. She’s sure she’s told him a million times but there’s just something about him in scrubs that gets her going. When he was in his residency, she didn’t think he could get any more attractive than in those light blue scrubs, but then…

Those navy blue attending scrubs makes her a bit more hot and bothered than she cares to admit.

At some point, she thankfully does fall back asleep. It’s some of the best sleep too because after being awake for hours in the early hours of the morning, there’s something otherworldly about sleeping in. She’s content sleeping until Percy gets home actually, but all hope goes flying out the window when she wakes up and feels overbearingly nauseous.

She stares at the ceiling trying to figure out what exactly woke her up, but it takes a few seconds of fighting the urge to pass out before she realizes her phone is ringing beside her head.

"Hello?"

Percy’s voice appears over the line. “I’ve been calling you. Are you okay?”

“I’m great.” Annabeth’s following cough says otherwise. “What do you need?”

“Nothing,” he says, laughing. “I’ll be home in an hour. Do you want anything to eat?”

Annabeth groans, the sound of any food disgusting. “No thank you.”

“I’ll get you something for later then.” Percy pauses, and Annabeth closes her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? You sound sick.”

“Because you jinxed it by leaving,” she tells him. “I told you to stay and play doctor with me.”

“I’ll come play doctor in a little bit,” he says jokingly. “See you soon. I love you.”

She barely musters the energy to repeat the three words back before he hangs up, leaving her to wallow in pain and misery. Realistically, she just kicks her blanket off in a sudden wave of heat and she falls back asleep.

When her eyes decide they’re ready to blink back open, it’s to Percy sitting next to her, a hand pressed to her bare stomach.

She smiles lazily, taking in the sight of him. He’s still in his scrubs, much to her delight. “Hey, sexy doctor.”

Percy purses his lips to suppress a grin at the comment. “Hey, you. You’re sick.”

“Nah.”

Percy raises an eyebrow. “Nah?”

“Mhm.” “You have a fever,” he says. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “You wanted to go see your work wife,” she accuses. “I don’t have a work wife,” he tells her.

“Sure you don’t.”

Percy looks at her as though to say, really?

“I’m okay,” she assures, “I’ve just been sleeping all day.”

“Did you take anything to help?”

“No,” she admits. “I was waiting for my personal doctor to come help.”

“Where is he?”

Annabeth pokes Percy’s neck, and he grabs her finger to press the tip to his lips. “Right here.”

“Yeah? You want me to take care of you?”

“What’s the point of dating a doctor otherwise?”

“We’re married, you doofus.”

Annabeth snickers. “I forgot.”

Percy’s hand is still rubbing her stomach as he stares into space blankly.

“What does the doctor prescribe?”

“Lots of cuddles,” is his answer.

Annabeth opens her arms, smiling when Percy settles into them. He rests his head on her chest gently, and it makes her heart feel full. He’s usually the one to hold her, so moments like this are rare. It just makes her wish she could live in this moment forever.

“You’re too warm,” Percy mutters against her neck. He kisses the skin softly, nuzzling against her. He tries to move a second later, no doubt going to grab her some medicine, but she tightens her grasp on him.

“Stay here,” she complains.

He gives in, resting against her once more. “Only for five more minutes, then I’m going to take care of you.”

“You’re taking very good care of me.”

“I don’t want the baby to be too warm inside your tummy,” he says.

She makes a sound of agreement but doesn’t move to let him go. “I wish we could listen to her.”

He stays silent for a while, and she thinks nothing of it until he lifts his head suddenly so that he can lock eyes with her. “Do you want to?”

“Is that possible?”

Percy smiles widely, wiggling off of her. “Let me show you something I learned not too long ago.”

As he runs out of their bedroom, she watches him in his childlike excitement. He bangs around the kitchen for too long, and it has her calling out, “Hurry up.”

When he does pop back in the door, his arms are entirely full. He’s holding a cup and a stethoscope, and of course, there is a fresh glass of water in his hands.

“You’re going to love this,” he says, nudging her over on the bed. She reaches out to mess with the fabric of his scrubs as he sets the water down on the table.

“What are you doing?” she asks when he lifts her shirt up and the top of her pants down right below her stomach.

He places the stethoscope tips into his ears, gentle fingers pressing the bell to her lower stomach. He places the cup over the stethoscope, moving it around slightly, and then a soft smile breaks out across his face. “Here,” he says, taking the stethoscope out of his ears and handing them to her. He helps her put the ear tips in, and she suddenly can’t wipe the smile off of her own face.

There’s a steady thumping in her ears that she knows is her baby’s heartbeat. It’s subtle, but it’s there. She begins to feel overwhelmed with love as her eyes tear up and her hand presses against the bump.

“You hear it?” he asks.

She nods, unable to speak.

Percy kisses below her belly button. “That’s our baby.”

“I still can’t believe we’re going to be a family,” she whispers.

“Mh-hm. You’re going to be the best mama.”

She laughs wetly, tossing her head back. “God, I love you.”

Percy kisses her stomach for a few long seconds. “It sounds like our baby girl is nice and safe inside of there right now, so why don’t we take care of you now?”

Annabeth’s hand darts down to press over his, preventing him from moving. “Just a few more minutes? Please?”

They fall into a silence, and Annabeth continues listening to the beating heart. It blows her mind that in only a few more weeks, she’s going to get to meet this baby, and they’re going to be a family. She can already see it, Percy holding their baby, maybe even dressed in a pair of clean scrubs, while she watches him talk to the baby like she’s the only thing that matters.

“You’re going to be such a good dad,” she tells him.

“Yeah?”

“And a super hot one.”

Percy snorts.

“A dilf.” “Oh my god, please never call me that again.”

“Thank you for marrying me,” she says.

Percy softens. “Of course I married you. I love you more than anything.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she admits. “You wouldn’t be listening to your baby’s heartbeat with a stethoscope and a cup.”

She smiles. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“You also wouldn’t have a super sexy, smart, funny doctor husband.”

She shoots him a look.

“You said it, not me.” “I didn’t say that.”

“Well, you called me a dilf, so.” He shrugs. “Same thing.”

Annabeth shakes her head at him, amused.

“Come on,” he says, sitting up. He pats her on the stomach and drags her up as she complains. “I want to make sure you’re okay, and then we can keep intruding on our daughter’s womb.”

“Is that a pun?”

“What?”

“Room? Womb?”

“Shut up,” he says fondly, kissing her on the forehead. “Let me take care of you. I’ll even keep the scrubs on.”

“Now that I can live with,” she says teasingly, pushing him away with her foot. “Go on, then. Play doctor.”

He does, but she can’t help grabbing his butt when he turns. He looks at her over his shoulder as he leaves, and she smiles into a pillow.

Yeah, she’s pretty lucky she married a super sexy, smart, funny doctor.

Percy’s words, not hers.

(Not that she doesn’t agree.)

[suchastart]

for @son-of-rome​ ♥

warnings for language and mention of physical injury

a sequel to this prompt here with Jason and Piper in a meet cute with a drunken night and a dog

I haven't written anything in 84 years so please be kind

*

It’s another two weeks before he sees her again.

Three, Piper corrects, as she always does when they tell the story of how they met. Though Jason is not known for having an incredibly reliable memory, he distinctly remembers those long weeks between, remembers the days he thought of her and her smile and the inevitability of never seeing her again. It’s not like he has any real proof of her--nothing but her name--and he’s not about to be the idiot who stalks a stranger on the internet.

So: he lets it go, and gets on with his life, and it’s another three weeks before he sees her again. Like the first time, he is standing in the kitchen of his townhouse, holding onto the counter, barely awake. He’s coming off the longest shift of his life and he can’t decide if he wants to pass out on the couch or drag himself upstairs to his bed.

The cold counter feels nice beneath his hands.

The sunset on the other side of the sliding glass door is pretty. Orange and gold and purple, fluffy wisps of clouds, shining rays of light.

His bed is so, so far away.

It takes a moment for him to realize that Libby is barking at something. He blinks, and the sunset has shifted, and his dog is in the backyard, barking.

Jason sighs and goes to open the glass door. He hopes Hedge doesn’t come over the fence yelling again. The guy’s a new parent, sure, and though Jason can’t fully empathize about a brand new baby in the house, he gets it. His dog should be a little quieter. But she’s a good girl, and she doesn’t really bark at much, not unless--

There’s a girl sitting in his backyard.

It’s like a punch-quick flash of deja vu, like the endless dreams and flashbacks that his therapist tells him are Okay. This one, though--this one doesn’t feel quite as dangerous. There’s a girl sitting in his backyard, and the little details are a little different--a tye-dyed tank top, camo cargo shorts, and worn sneakers. Her hair in a braid down her back. A bandage wrapped around her shin.

Some things remain the same: her warm brown skin, and the pink cast around her arm, and her laugh, loud and joyful.

Libby is shaking, her tail is wagging so hard. Piper McLean has her hands buried in the dog’s long, golden fur, and gives in completely to Libby’s aggressive affection, leans back in the grass and lets the dog lick her all over her face.

“Excuse me,” Jason calls, walking down the deck stairs.

Excuse me, Piper says, putting a hand up, interrupting his retelling. She’s sitting on the kitchen counter and has a greasy slice of pizza resting precariously on her bare thigh. Your first words were nothing near intelligible. I distinctly recall you saying, ‘Uhhh,’ for at least a few seconds. Tell it true, Grace.

Who is telling this story?

We are. Together. Go!

“Uhhh,” Jason says, walking down the deck stairs.

Libby detaches herself from Piper and hurries to him, tongue out, still wriggling. She takes an excited circle around Jason when he reaches the grass--look who came back, look who’s here!--before returning to Piper, feet tapping, tail wagging.

Piper sits cross-legged in the grass. She waves with her casted arm. “Hi.”

“Uh, hi,” Jason says. He doesn’t know what to do with his hands. “Do I need to take my shoes off?”

“No,” Piper laughs. “Totally sober this time. No danger of ralphing on your feet. Sorry about that, by the way.”

“I only have minimal nightmares about it.”

“Understandable.”

Libby settles at Piper’s side and looks between the two of them.

Miraculously, Hedge does not come out to holler at them from next door.

Jason stuffs his hands into the pockets of his sweats. He takes a breath. He doesn’t want to ask, doesn’t want to jinx it, lest she completely vanish, but: “What are you doing here?”

“I, uh,” Piper says. Jason has known her for all of half a conscious hour in total, but he recognizes immediately the bashful look on her face. She reaches back and pulls out a small bouquet of wrapped flowers he hadn’t yet noticed. Small and white and yellow and wrapped in blue cellophane. “I wanted to say sorry? For barfing on your feet, and crashing on your couch. You took care of me and you were a good guy and you didn’t have to be.”

“Uh, yeah, I did,” Jason says automatically. After a stalled moment--because she’s here, and she’s brought him flowers, and he doesn’t think anybody’s ever given him flowers?--he takes them, surprised, touched. “Thank you?”

“Is that a question?”

“No. Thank you.”

She smiles. “You’re welcome.”

The cellophaned flowers crinkle in Jason’s grip. He smells them, because they’re pretty and because why not, Piper is looking at him and he wants to be appreciative, is appreciative. He buries his face in the flowers and breathes in and tries not to be awkward, tries to think about what to say, what to ask, what not to ask--

“I’m a skater,” Piper blurts.

Jason unearths himself from his bouquet. “What?”

“I skate.” She waves her pink casted arm in the air. Jason thinks he sees a dick drawn in the space by her wrist. The whole thing is kind of a mess--scribbles, and drawings, and the rough wear and tear of plaster that she picks at. “Professionally? That’s not really a question. I, uh. I’ve been on TV. That’s a thing.”

“Wow.” He sits down a few feet across from her and motions to her arm. “What happened there?”

“This? Just landed wrong. Like, real bad.”

“No kidding,” Jason laughs.

“I have a video! It’s pretty gnarly.”

She pulls out her phone and scoots a little closer. She has to press hard on the spiderweb-cracked screen to get it to register her touch. “So, there was a meet a few weeks ago, super casual, and there’s this ramp I’ve taken a hundred times before. We call it the Empire.”

“But?”

“No but. Same ramp, same tricks. Just went down wrong, I guess.”

The screen focuses in on what looks like a huge warehouse. Several brand logos hang on the metal walls. Indistinct music plays in the background. The view shakes, is briefly obscured by a bandaged finger, and then turns; under high, bright lights, Piper frowns at the camera and makes a playful fist. She adjusts her helmet and looks down at the intimidatingly tall ramp. The wood gleams, falls into a vertical drop.

Jason feels exhilarated just looking at it. No wonder they call it the Empire.

The person holding the camera laughs, and a man says, “You gonna go or what?”

“Cool your jets, Jackson. I gotta make sure everybody’s paying attention.” She looks across the half-pipe to a shorter guy with wild curly hair, sitting on the opposite platform and fiddling with an old, hefty camera. “You almost ready?”

The guy flicks her off without looking.

“He’s ready,” Piper says, grinning. She nods and faces the ramp.

Jason feels himself holding his breath. He sees the results of this kind of thing every day, the broken bones and the bruises and the blood, but it’s never easy, watching it about to happen--watching Piper smile, and knowing what comes next.

I was alright, Piper says, now, taking a bite of her pizza. There’s a triangle of grease left on her skin, and he smacks a napkin down on her thigh. You knew I was alright.

Jason shrugs. Even years later, even in the retelling, he still feels nauseous. It still sucked, watching it. I had a big crush on you. I still have a big crush on you.

Aw, babe. That’s cute, but I wasn’t gonna let the Empire keep me down.

A hand reaches out from behind the camera and knocks on Piper’s helmet, a swift one-two, and she raises her shoulders, lets them fall, does it again, hyping herself up.

Someone shouts.

The camera follows her as she tips forward.

Piper flies. Down, and down, and down, and then back up. She does nothing special at first, a smooth turn at the apex, another trip down the ramp. Her face is focused. She pulls her board out from under her feet on her second apex, balances a hand on the edge of the ramp, is suspended upside-down, and, for the briefest second, still.

“Alright,” Piper says, leaning into his side. She brings the phone up closer to their faces, pointing to the screen. Her nails are a vivid, chipped yellow. He looks up to see her frowning in real time. It’s just as scary and endearing as it is on screen. “Look, you’re going to miss it! It’s right after this 360 Pegasus.”

“Is that English?”

She laughs, but she also puts a hand on his face and pushes his gaze back to her phone. The Piper on screen is at the end of some crazy-complicated acrobatics, twisting midair, coming back down, and it happens too quick for him to register--he doesn’t see what goes wrong, only sees Piper’s board shoot out from beneath her feet, sees her put her hands out to break her descent--

The recording shakes, blurs. Whoever’s holding the phone--Jackson, he thinks--must’ve slid down the ramp to get to her. When the view clears, Piper’s lying fetal on the wooden ramp, cradling her arm. “Shit,” she groans. “Shit, shit, shit.”

The curly-haired guy kneels next to her. “Let me see. Pipes, let me see.”

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” she says, her voice shaking. She sits up, and Jackson, behind the camera, gasps. Her forearm is almost bent in half. “I’m fine?”

Jason looks away from her phone. He’s seen this one before.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to squick you out,” Piper says. She locks the screen. The sound cuts off. “That wasn’t cool. I should’ve asked if you were okay with, like, gory stuff--”

“I’m a paramedic,” Jason blurts.

“Oh! That’s cool?”

“Is that a question?”

“Ugh, you’re awful.” She waves her cast in the air. “So I guess you see worse, huh?”

“Doesn’t mean I want to see you like that.”

Piper blinks, and Jason feels his face go red. He rubs at his eyes. “Sorry, I’m tired, and--”

“Do you want to go for ice cream?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a nice evening, and I want to hang out with your dog. There’s a little ice cream shop a few blocks that way that we could walk to,” Piper says, nodding back over her shoulder. She squishes Libby’s face between her hands, and Jason swears that her cheeks are a little pink, too, as she avoids looking at him. “How’s about it, Libs? You wanna go get some ice cream? Huh, sweet girl? You think you can talk your dad into it?”

Like she’d have to. Jason scratches Libby’s belly. “We’d love to.”

And Piper’s smile is as radiant as the sunset. “Me too.”