#and now i will go back to my cave and not emerge for weeks yet again

[damianbugs]

in remembrance of that anon that i tragically lost, here are some recs for THE most underutilised duo in the batfam. i could write ridiculously long essays about the tragedy of these two characters, and how they could become something great, if dc would get a grip a let tim grow up, preferably in the next decade. no complaints about damian. he is perfect.

this is also a cry for HELP. PLEASE write more big brother tim fics i am literally on the verge of collapsing as i ask. he is so unprepared but well meaning big brother so let him carry out his duty towards damian and duke PLEASE.

right then, anyways:

TIM AND DAMIAN FIC RECS ON AO3

miles and miles (in their shoes) by JUBE514

Where is Damian? Why can’t he see anything clearly? Where is the little brat? Damian had been by him in the cave when everything had exploded, they had been arguing like always when the two of them had gotten the punishment to go clean the trophy room, stop yelling at each other, stop being at each other's throat for two minutes and go clean the goddamn trophy room-

They had been cleaning, got into another knock out drag out argument, and it had come so close to blows and they had been screaming more than cleaning and-

The stupid fucking shoe, in the magical section- exploded out-

--

Tim and Damian switch bodies, the two of them realize exactly why the other does the things they do.

MY NOTES: i know body swap aus can be a little worrying, but this is a phenomenal fic on not just the complicated relationship between tim and damian, but also their own individual struggles and how that brings them closer together in an unspoken yet profound way. a must read if you appreciate the characters in their entirety.

Biphasic Reaction by renecdote

People may have allergic reactions all the time and be fine, but they can also die from them. He has a flash of sudden, morbid curiosity about what the exact statistics for fatal allergic reactions are.

MY NOTES: secretly protective big brother tim u mean the world to me. they are so fun in this, even with the medical emergency occurring alongside the sillies.

i only sink deeper (the deeper i think) by call_me_steve

Drake clicks his tongue and tilts his head off to the side. “This really isn’t as fun as I thought it would be.”

Oh, really? Damian starts furiously finger spelling, just to be annoying. You know, I thought the floating platforms would be of the utmost excitement.

“I caught a solid half of that and I think you’re making fun of me.” Drake goes to shift before remembering that he can’t - his face beneath his domino contorts into something unpleasant. “My legs are falling asleep, dude.”

You move, signs Damian, for real this time, and I go under.

“You talk,” Drake shoots back. “And I go under."

MY NOTES: it wouldn't be a real saki fic rec post without at least one kidnapped and almost dying in order to escape fic. i think about the conversation about love and danger at least once a week at random intervals and do not know how to be normal about it. at all.

The Wound Begins to Bleed by audreycritter

Now that Tim’s moved back to the manor, he just wants a few afternoons a week without Damian around.

Funny how getting that was the catalyst for him becoming a better big brother.

MY NOTES: okay so maybe i've read this a billion times and maybe it's my favourite tim and damian fic ever to exist but isn't that just proof you need to read it too? such a real fic. so personal. can't think of anything else but u must read it

picture perfect memories by Fandom_Trash224

“I… require assistance with something. I believe you are best-suited for it.”

Tim raises an eyebrow, but motions for the younger boy to enter his room. As Damian does, he slowly closes the door behind him, and Tim notices a small piece of what Tim assumes to be paper in Damian’s hand. Then, he realizes it’s not just a piece of paper: it’s a photo.

Damian approaches Tim, holding out the photo at arm’s length once he’s close enough to do so, saying, “I would like you to explain this photo to me.”

Tim glances down at it, and to both his surprise and mild horror, he recognizes the photo.

MY NOTES: oh... oh. Oh i am on the ground dead forever. damian and tim bonding over the shared fact that they got a version of bruce they'll never, ever meet. finding a common ground in grieving something they never had. oh.... how marvelous.

The Study of Birds by MaskoftheRay

Tim and Damian have hated one another since the day that the youngest Wayne arrived in Gotham City. A few years later, that hatred has cooled into a mutual disdain and somewhat-wary tolerance. If necessary, they can even work together— though neither likes to. Then Tim discovers that Damian enjoys bird-watching too.

Or: sometimes the difficult things are the most rewarding.

MY NOTES: truly something so special about stories where tim and damian find comfort and something to cherish in animals. a middle ground born from compassion and empathy perhaps. so sweet.

[harringroveera]

The whole thing was Robin’s idea. 

So she had a crush on her gym instructor, but that didn’t mean she had to drag Steve with her to their date. Yet somehow, they ended up at the restaurant anyway. 

Apparently, Robin’s crush wouldn’t go on a date unless her friend could come too. The guy had just been dumped, and she wanted to help him. Robin, of course, didn’t find any reasons to protest that. She found so many reasons to get Steve to come with her, though.

I helped you during your finals, Steve. I got you to go back to Nancy, Steve. I let you borrow five bucks last week, Steve.

In the end, he caved in and went with her.

“Okay, how do I look?” Robin put the silver spoon down on the table and turned to him for help. She bared her teeth. “Do I have anything on my teeth?”

“No, Robin. You’re fine!” he said, groaning as he sank back to his seat. “You know, you owe me big time for this.”

“Think of this as an opportunity for you, Steve. Heather’s friend is really hot. He works at the same place she does. Personal trainer. People ask for his number every day. I saw.” 

“I don’t know. He was just dumped. Wouldn’t that make him a little, I don’t know, desperate?” 

“And Nancy just dumped you again, when?”

He rolled his eyes, kicking her leg from under the table. “Shut up,” he said. “Okay, fine! You get the pretty one, and I get the pathetic one. That’s our deal.”

“Obviously. You’re not Heather’s type anyway.”

“What’s Heather’s type?”

“Women.”

Steve snorted, straightening his back, when Robin kicked his foot. She pointed at the entrance, where a girl their age walked through the door in her off-shoulder, black dress. From the mesmerized look on Robin’s face, he could only assume this was the Heather she had been crushing on for months and only gathered the nerve to ask out last week.

When Heather spotted them, she smiled, waving her fingers at Robin as she approached their table. Robin nearly tripped while trying to get out of her chair. 

“Hey! Hi,” she said, pulling out a chair for Heather. “Heather, this is Steve, my best friend. The one I told you about.”

“Pretty,” Heather said, and Steve blinked at her confusedly. “My friend would like you.”

“Really? Who did you bring?”

Heather’s lips curled up to form a smirk. She turned to Robin instead. “I have to go wash the cologne smell off my hands. I had to help him with a bit of an emergency earlier,” she said, and Robin nodded. “Can you get me a daiquiri and a whiskey neat for Billy?”

“Sure, yeah, absolutely! One daiquiri and one whiskey neat!”

Heather patted Robin’s hand gently and headed towards the restroom. Steve watched her go, his shoulders tensing up when he finally processed the words she had said.

“What did she just say?” he said, as Robin looked at him. “Did she say Billy?”

“Yeah.”

“Billy. As in, Billy Hargrove?” he hissed.

Robin’s lips parted, but then she let out an unconvinced scoff. “No, no way it’s him. You haven’t seen him since you graduated.”

“And now I’m in California, where Max told me he lives.”

“There’s no way that your high school rival is actually friends with Heather, Steve. It’s a one in a million chance!”

“Steve Harrington.” 

Steve froze, sending Robin a sharp glare that made her shoulders shrink. She gave him an apologetic smile before they both turned to look at the guy standing right in front of their table.

“What are the fucking odds?” 

*

The date, as it turned out, was a disaster. 

He hadn’t seen Hargrove since he graduated. And sure, Max occasionally told her friends things about Hargrove to keep them up to date, and Steve was always there to listen to them, but he had no interest in Hargrove whatsoever. Not since they got into that big fight that ended up with Steve having a broken nose for weeks. He hated the guy.

He was smug and arrogant, and his looks didn’t help either. He was attractive; even Steve had to admit that, but his personality repulsed Steve. 

For Robin, she was rather enjoying her time with her crush. The two of them had been talking since the date started, and Steve had been glaring at Hargrove since the date—not a date—started.

“I see that your nose healed nicely, Harrington,” Hargrove said, and Steve narrowed his eyes on him.

“Yeah. No thanks to you.”

It made Hargrove laugh. That bright, annoying laugh that Steve found irritating. “Don’t tell me you’re still bitter about that. It was, what, seven years ago?” 

“You broke my nose!”

“You kidnapped my sister.”

“I didn’t—” He took a deep breath, swallowing the bubbling anger down. “I didn’t kidnap her! I was driving her to Dustin’s place. They had a stupid game night. I just—I didn’t even know she snuck out of the house.”

“So what you’re saying is, it’s your fault you got a broken nose?”

Steve heaved a breath and said, “Sure, and how is single life treating you after you got dumped?” 

Hargrove laughed again, which was getting annoying. “It’s cool.”

“And here I thought you’d never be dumped,” he remarked. “King Hargrove. Always the dumper, never the dumpee. Weren’t you with Munson for a long time?” 

“We were,” Hargrove said, “until he realized he got a thing for older men, not younger.”

Steve blinked at him in surprise, flicking the piece of carrot in his place. “Oh.”

“And you? Last time Heather talked to me about you, you were with Wheeler. Again.”

“Of course, because I just love talking about him,” Heather said, deadpan.

“We were together for a while, yeah,” Steve said, “then she realized she had a thing for women.”

A smile tugged at the corners of Hargrove’s lips. He said, “Looks like we both had bad luck in relationships.”

“Looks like you both got dumped,” Robin said. “And looks like Heather and I are leaving.”

“What?” 

“Yeah, sorry. We really have to go.” She flashed Steve a guilty smile, patting his shoulder and leaning closer to whisper in his ear, “Heather said she’s very flexible, not just at the gym, and now I really want to find out what that means.”

“God, Robin. Fine, go!” he said, waving his hand in dismissal as she squeezed his arm. 

“Thank you!”

She gave him another smile before disappearing with Heather, leaving him completely alone with Hargrove, who was possibly the worst choice to spend the night with. He sighed, sinking back into the chair and darting his eyes to Hargrove. The guy was already smiling at him.

“What?” he said.

Hargrove shrugged, twirling his fingertip around the rim of his whiskey glass. “Nothing. Just thinking about how I’d need another drink.”

“Yeah, me too,” Steve said. “You aren’t gonna break my nose this time, right?”

“Not unless you kidnap my sister again.” Hargrove gave him a wink, and Steve gulped. When did he get so much more charming than before? 

“I wasn’t,” Steve said. “It was a misunderstanding. I already explained everything to you.”

“Yeah, I heard both yours and Max’s stories already,” Hargrove said, taking the champagne bottle and pouring it into Steve’s empty glass. 

“Woah, hey.” He snorted, nudging at the bottle in Hargrove’s hand when the champagne nearly touched the rim. “You’re trying to get me drunk and get in my pants or something?” 

“You want me to?” 

Steve stared at him. He cleared his throat and said, “Of course not.”

*

When Steve woke up in the morning, it was from the constant buzzing of his phone on the nightstand. He scrolled past the missed calls and unopened messages from Robin with half-lidded eyes. The last one was a text from Robin asking if anything bad had happened the night before.

He flinched when an arm draped over his chest. He widened his eyes and turned his head, taking in the sight—the person—next to him. Their limbs were tangled, and there was a nest of messy blond hair buried in his shoulder blade. 

His eyes darted down to the skull tattoo on the man’s arm. Steve let out a shaky breath.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “Fuck, fuck. I slept with Billy Hargrove. Oh, god.”

“Yeah, you did. Now shut up,” Hargrove said groggily into his shoulder, squeezing his midriff tighter. “Or do you want me to leave?”

Steve gulped, glancing at their entwined and very naked limbs. Memories of last night came back to him, shoving five amazing orgarms back in his face. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t that bad. Besides, Hargrove was really warm, and his morning wood was poking against Steve’s hips, like a promise to the sixth orgasm he would be experiencing soon.

“No,” he mumbled quietly, embarrassment filling his cheeks with heat. He put a hand over Billy’s arm, tilting his face to breathe in his cologne. “No, you can stay.”

[s-u-m-i]

JASON TODD doesn't get jealous. or at least thats what he told himself as you launched into the cave. a perfect sight really; body hugged in all the right places by the costume you had on and gorgeous hair rushing behind you. as you landed in front of him, jason couldn't help his eyes from wandering; scanning every part of the gorgeous woman in front of him.

"jeez big guy, you ever gonna say anything?" jason's face dropped as soon as he saw his brother emerge from behind the flawless silhouette. DICK GRAYSON wasn't supposed to be here. grayson made it abundantly clear that bludhaven was HIS territory, so why did he need to be in gotham.

"oh come on jace, we both know you missed me. plus i had to come see my favorite girl," dick swung a lazy arm around your shoulders, "poor things been having to spend so much time with you, i thought she could use the break." at this point jason wouldn't be surprised if he was literally smoking. your small giggle was the only thing that snapped him out of thoughts contemplating the various ways he could exterminate the nightwing infestation.

"why are you here dick?" jason's tone was stern. all week he had been looking forward to this. a patrol, just you and him. it wasn't much, but when the majority of time jason got with you was accompanied by the rest of the family, he'd savor every second he could steal.

"well i just tol-"

"cut the bullshit grayson. why are you really here?" jason couldn't miss the sly smirk on his brother's face. he may have died, but he wasn't born yesterday. dick had turned you into a competition, which jason hated. you were gorgeous, no one could deny that. so the first day you came strolling into the batcave, the brothers knew that it would be a dogfight to get you on their team.

"i told him he could come red," your voice cut through the tension, "we've been talking about those weapon shipments and think they might be coming through bludhaven first."

"thank you," grayson took a small (yet somehow extremely dramatic) bow, "see jace, i'm only here to help, so lets talk." the acrobat strolled past jason stopping only to whisper in his ear, "you can give up now if you want... no shame here."

"fuck off grayson, you're here on business. thats it." the red vigilante snapped back,

"i guess we'll find out tonight if it's just business, or at least i will." as the older walked away, every instinct that jason had told him to turn around and rip dick grayson a new one, but a soft hand on his forearm stopped him,

"please just hear him out red, i know you guys don't get along but we really need this intel," your eyes were mesmerizing, jason would've said yes to anything you could've possibly asked. however you still sweetened the deal, "i promise i'll make it up to you, anything you want and it's yours." jason tried not to drool at the thought.

"ok, fine."

JASON WAS SEETHING. plain and simple. there was no reason for him to be at this stupid fucking meeting if all grayson was going to do was hit on you. bludhaven's vigilante had spent more time leaning over your shoulder and whispering in your ear than he had looking at any sort of lead being offered up.

"sorry guys, i just have to run to the restroom quickly. i swear i'll be right back." you excused yourself quickly and rushed out of the room, leaving the brothers to catch up. it was quiet in the room, tension thick in the air. a question of who would speak first rather than if they would speak. the boys locked eyes from across the room, leading dick to spread a smile across his face,

"do you want me to tell you how she is tomorrow? nevermind, stupid question, i'm sure you'll hear us tonight." jason wanted to smack that look off his face. he could've jumped the table and pummeled his brother, but the door to the meeting room swung wide,

"hey gorgeous! welcome back," grayson quipped.

"oh, thanks? i hope i wasn't gone long, we should try to wrap this up soon." you strolled through the room back to your seat, both boys eyeing you the whole way, "so dick, if you're able to put a tracker..."

jason quickly lost interest in the inner workings of the operation, instead opting to keep a close eye on how his predecessor was acting around you. jason watched as he savored, savored every move you made, savored every word out of your mouth, every smile you gave, savored everything that should've been jason's. jason watched as dick hooked his foot at the bottom of your chair, pulled you next to him, then snaked his arm around your waist. grayson leaned into you and continued like nothing had changed.

jason liked to say that he was not a jealous man. however jason todd would never claim to be a patient man, and his brother has just crossed the line.

the large man shot out of his chair in milliseconds.

"get the fuck out of here," jason was pratically growling at this point. he watched as his the flustered man attempted to quip back, but he had heard enough of this loudmouth tonight, "you can walk out now, or i can send you back to bludhaven in a fucking bodybag grayson."

with the threat in place, the brother stood up,

"we were about done here anyways, don'tcha think?" your eyes flicked away from one brother to the next, seemingly looking for a reasoning from jason. with a blank stare from him you turned back to his brother.

"yeah, i didn't have anything more to add," you both watched the showboat walk out of the room, eyes following him the whole way. when the door snapped shut, you shot up and spoke immediately,

"jason, what the hell was that?" you were visibly irritated, taking a few strides towards the man, "i'm trying to get something on this case, and-"

"you're joking right," jason spat, "you're telling me you didn't know he was hitting on you the whole fucking time?"

"i knew he was flirting, but-"

"jesus christ, what was the fucking point of me being here? so you can flirt with my brother and rub it in my face?" jason pointed his finger at you, taking a large step towards you, "i get it! you want him, not me! just next time-"

"let me finish my damn sentence before you start jumping to conclusions," you yelled, "i knew he was flirting, but i was putting up with it so we might be able to get a lick of info about these weapons"

"oh"

"yeah, 'oh'," you smiled up at him. the proximity was going to make jason sick. you stood no more than a foot away from him, staring up at him through your eyelashes. he was firmly under your spell.

"are you jealous?" your voice was just barely above a whisper, "because if you are," your hand snuck its way up his arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake, "you don't have anything to worry about."

"i don't get jealous, sweetheart," you cocked an eyebrow at jason

"oh yeah?" he nodded quickly at you, "HEY GRAYS-"

jason's mouth quickly covered yours. his warm lips moving against yours with a sense of desperation. as his hands sank onto your hips , yours ran up the nape of his neck and into his hair, you gave a small tug to what you could reach eliciting a low, heavenly groan from jason who let his stature crumble into yours.

as you finally broke away from each other, gasping for air, jason's hands found their way to the back of your thighs, where he tapped gently. you looked up at him hesitantly.

"come on baby, i gotcha," he spoke gently, a tone you had never heard from him before. you jumped cautiously, he caught you and immediately pushed your lips back together. his kiss was heavenly, sending warmth throughout your body. his tongue lapped at your bottom lip, seeking entry, which you granted eagerly.

while your tongues intertwined, jason had sat you down on the cold conference table. his hands wandered upwards, breaking away from you, he looked for permission. at the moment of your nod, his hands began roaming your chest and his mouth trailed kisses from your jaw to where he was now pulling on the zipper of your costume.

the door to the meeting room swung open,

"did you need some- oh shit," dick grayson stood there, dumbfounded. jason, realizing who it was, dropped his head to roll his tongue around your sensitive nipples. letting out a sultry moan of jason's name, you turned your head to a very red in the face dick,

"want him to tell you about it in the morning? or are you staying to listen?"

[ssivinee]

✧The Dancer to the Music✧

BEBE! Kim Taeyoung, aka Tatter x Composer! Producer! F Reader: After not seeing each other for so long, you surprised your best friend at her studio. Work had been rough the past few days so you assumed seeing your friend could fix that, but it was someone else that does.

Word Count: 3.5k

Note: Ahhhhh, my first Tatter fic. Tatter simps rise😌. My other gf needs some love, too. I've done my civil duties and will now go to bed🙃

Character Vision Board

Being a composer in the music scene was always a dream of yours. While growing up, your parents surrounded you with the beauty of instruments and melodies. So it was evident for you to pick up your talents due to your parent's infatuation with music. Yet you never wanted the fame of being a singer, so you stuck to staying behind the scenes, writing music for several artists.

You sat in your cold studio, sipping on the hard hitting energy drink as you stared at the computer screen. Eyes never wavering at the sight of several color-codded melodies. The song felt bare and not up to your standards, causing a groan of frustration to emerge.

I need a break, was all you thought before leaving your room. You walked around the current building you were working at, the famous SM Entertainment. 2 years ago, you were merely a freelance composer, taking any project handed your way.

An SM representative then got ahold of you, saying they've been keeping an eye on you for a while and had a proposition for you. Before you knew it, a week later, you were signing a contract under the entertainment, becoming an in-house composer and producer, even gaining your first big shot project.

Better by BoA.

After the release, more and more tasks were flowing your way, SM making sure you had work to do 24/7. So now you were here, trying to piece together something for NCT's Ten.

As much as you loved your job, you couldn't deny hitting a stump. Truth be told, this happened quite often, but you usually got over it after a day or two. Yet it had been a week, and you had nothing but a simple chord progression and bass that was spaced out.

You make your way over to the hallway full of dance studios, trying to clear your mind, and you think of the perfect people to do so. Entering the room, you hear the soft volume of a song and see some of your favorite friends in the company.

"Oh shoot, nice to see you out of your cave," Jeno jokes at the sight of you after being trapped in the studio for 7 hours straight. "Dude, leave her alone," Bada says, approaching you to encase you in a warm hug.

"Seriously though, you didn't leave that room since you got here this morning," Taeyong points out, voicing his worry for the younger girl.

Ten sighs at you, "I know you're a perfectionist, Y/n, but don't stress too much over my song. Okay?" The Thai member knew how stuck you've been the past week, as he spoke to you almost every day about your progress. "I can't help it, oppa. This is your first release after Paint Me Naked, so it has to be amazing."

Bada rubs your arm in consolidation, "Maybe you need a new change of pace for now? How about the lyrics for the song? Got anything?"

You keep your head down, silence answering Bada's questions, and she sighs. "It's probably an inspiration issue," Jeno says, and your head whips up quickly. "That might actually be the problem."

"You need a change of scenery for sure. Been staring at your computer screen for almost a month straight," Taeyong says with some pats on your back. Your eyes finally had a glimmer of hope after the past weeks, with the long days tiring you out.

A light bulb then flickers in your head, "Unnie, do you have a class coming soon?" You ask the tall woman, who answers perplexed, "Uh, yeah. Tomorrow, I'm at JustJerk. Why?"

"Never mind that. What time?" Your voice evidently becomes eager.

"At 5 p.m.?"

"I'll see you then."

You took an off day, resting your mental for the day, and it was currently 4:30 p.m. as you got ready to head out for the day.

In the JustJerk studio, Bada, Lusher, and Tatter marked their dance as they waited for time. They took a water break as people were making their way into the studio.

"By the way, you have a surprise later," Bada nudges the brunette, who looks at her with a questionable gaze. "What is it?" She simply asks, but Tatter cuts her off, "That defeats the purpose of the surprise dummy."

"Do you know what it is?" Lusher asks, but the blonde shrugs at her. "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you," she says, teasing the older. "Oh, come on, you two were about to get started." Bada breaks them up as the class begins.

You walked into the building about 20 minutes into the class and asked the receptionist for a visitor's pass that you hung around your neck. Peeking your head in, you see Bada teaching steps already, and the two of you make eye contact. She gives a small wave, and you reciprocate with a smile hiding behind your mask.

You made your way over to the side of the room, sitting on the bench where you put your tote bag beside you. Your eyes scan the room, falling onto your best friend, Lusher. That's what everyone calls her nowadays, but you only called her by her real name.

Then you see the woman next to her, and you pause.

Your eyes widen at the blonde beauty who stood beside your childhood friend, taking in her existence. She wore a simple crop top, black baggy sweets, and a denim jacket. You basically had found an angel whose body flowed fluidly at every step demonstrated to her. Her aura brightened the room's atmosphere whenever she smiled at Bada's antics. She played around with your best friend often, and you saw the two' precious bond.

Well, Jeno was definitely right about finding some inspiration.

Thoughts overflow your brain, and you take the notepad from your bag, writing down everything you can.

Baby, dance, dance, dance Wrap me up with your devotion It's a bad romance Got my body rockin' in slow motion But I can't cope walkin' on a tightrope Hangin' on the tension Let me down, down, down with you Let me give you my attention

After an hour, the class takes a break, and you shy your way behind Lusher. Your hands covered her eyes, and she flinched at the touch, "Who the hell?"

"Did you miss me, Seoyoung-ah?" You ask, and the girl instantly recognizes who it is. You were the only person who called her by her real name and had a husky, rough voice. She almost rips your hands off, wrapping her arms tighter around your neck. "Y/n? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I needed to get away from work," You mumble into her shoulder and slip the mask under your chin, revealing your face. Bada smiles at the two while Tatter wonders who you are. She was marveled by your slender eyes and relationship with the brunette. "Is this my surprise, unnie?" Lusher asks the tall dancer. She nods, proud of herself for keeping your arrival secret.

"The girl has been struggling the last few days and figured you could brighten her mood."

"Is that right?" Your best friend questions you, and you only show a bright smile.

Tatter's heart fastens at the sight of your grin. She didn't even know who you were, yet she couldn't help the feeling creeping up on her. "Ah, Y/n, let me introduce you. Tatter, this is my best friend Y/n, and Y/n, this is Tatter." Your eyes meet the blonde dancer, and she gives you a friendly smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Tatter."

"Likewise. Glad to meet one of Lusher unnie's long-time friends." Your face shows a look of shock. "Unnie?"

You thought she was at least the same age as you and Lusher, but you learn she was born in 2001. "I hope I haven't been replaced as your best friend," you joke, and Lusher punches your arm lightly. "Tatter is my dance duo. You and I will always be forever," she tells you as your arm wraps around her shoulder, you leaning your head on hers.

"Let's wrap up this class soon so we can all hang out?" Bada suggests, and Lusher nods excitingly, leaving your side. You and Tatter giggle at the girl as she tries to dance quickly. "You two must be close if she's acting like this," Tatter spoke calmly. "Well, she's always like that with me. This isn't anything out of the ordinary."

"True," she says, and you laugh at her bluntness. You went back to your seat as you appreciated the view of all the dancers and even watched the filming process. When the class finally ended, and all the students were out the door, you were left with the three dancers who sat on the floor, a bit tired from the dancing.

"So how do you know Bada-unnie?" The blonde asks you out of nowhere. "Uh, I'm a producer and composer at SM, so I see her at the building almost daily."

Tatter becomes fascinated at the thought of your profession, not knowing anyone in that field of work. "You make music?"

"Yeah. It's something I always loved doing since I was a kid."

"So that means you play instruments?" She looks at you, super interested, and you can't help but grow flustered with her eyes on you. It felt intense, and you weren't used to feeling this intimidation. "Um, of course. I started playing multiple instruments at the age of 11."

Her face goes into amazement at your words. "11? That's amazing. You must be really good then."

"I'd say I'm decent," you say teasingly. "She's more than decent. She created the melody Better by BoA," Lusher points out, and Bada nods in agreement. "Better? By BoA? That's one of my favorite songs."

You look at the blonde happily, "I also part-took in writing some of the lyrics."

Tatter gets up and begins bowing at you, causing you to frantically wave your arms at her gesture. "Please get up and never do that ever again." You chuckle as she gets up.

"Her unreleased stuff is fire, though," Bada says, exposing you, and your eyes widen. "Unnie~" You whined at the older woman, who chuckled, "What, it's true. The stuff you don't release are some of your best works."

"She's not wrong," your best friend added.

"Would you mind showing me some?" Tatter asks innocently, and you nod, looking away. Every time you made proper eye contact, your hands got clammy, and breathing felt ten times harder. What in the world was happening to you.

You then pull out your work phone, where you keep all your projects and private songs. Your hands lend her the wired headphones you used only specifically for this, and you connect it to the phone.

"What vibe are you looking for right now, Tatter-nim?" You joke with the question, and she responds, "Hmmm, some RnB would be nice right now." You then scroll and click the song called "Clueless Mystery."

As Tatter listened, everyone watched her eyes go soft at the sound of your voice. "Holy shit, you sound beautiful." Your ears go red at the compliment, and give her a slight bow as she keeps listening. Her upper body begins to sway at the beat, and your focus on her becomes sincere. She looked like she genuinely enjoyed the song's melody, almost freestyling as she stayed seated. You smile at her movements, and Lusher can only watch you two curiously.

That look you gave the blonde was something Lusher knew all too well... you were falling for her and falling quick.

When the song ends, Tatter can't help but applaud your work, and you bow jokingly, "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all night, folks."

“Would you mind sending me those songs?" She asks you seriously, and you nod, happily switching numbers so you can send her some tracks when you get home. "You sure you gonna listen to them?"

"Of course. That one also seemed nice to dance to, so I might make some choreography."

That was unexpected. You nod slowly, realizing her words, "Sure, I'll pick some of my best work out."

Your visits at the JustJerk Academy became frequent as you got excited to see the blonde. The past few weeks, you had slowly but surely finished Ten's solo song, the NCT member, deciding to call the sensual song "Birthday." A piece usually took less time to make, but if you made it, you made sure to take your time, ensuring you put every single thought, sweat, and tear into it. Now, you were only missing a few lyrics and decided to keep seeing your newfound friend as she secretly became your muse for this piece.

The two agreed to meet at YGX today as Tatter was working on some new choreography for the studio. When you go to the dance studio, you see the blonde dancing through the window. This time, she wore black leggings, plain Converse, and a sheer white long-sleeve. You were fucked. Tatter looked immaculate in her simplistic outfit, the white top emphasizing her heavenly beauty.

Your brain goes crazy at the sight before you, and your breath becomes terribly shaky. Your hands move on their own, opening the door ever so slightly, and you hear one of your slow songs. You bow, coming in, letting her do her own thing until the song ends.

You watch as her body moves elegantly to the song, the jazz training being prominent in her dancing. Moving fluidly, as usual, you were in a trance, not even realizing your track had ended and she was approaching you. "Was it good?" She asks you breathlessly.

"Of course it was. What else could I expect from you?"

She smiles, taking a seat beside you. "So, you have a new song for me?"

"Wanna find out?" She nods, and you give her the phone. This time, she unlocks the phone with ease and connects the phone to the speaker. After hanging around the dancers for a while, you and Tatter became close to the point where her face could unlock the phone, and she knew her way well around the phone. You even called her by her real name.

You trusted her with it as she hasn't given you a reason not to. She clicks the unfamiliar name "Drowned Happiness." A slow-paced pop-synth beat could be heard, and Tatter's body automatically grooves away. She does a rope-pulling movement in your direction, and you roll your eyes. She was well aware you didn't dance, but here she was trying to entice you.

"Taeyoung-ah, you know damn well I have two left feet," She doesn't respond to you, just grabbing your arm and pulling you to the center of the room. She circles your body as she dances, and you can only watch her in astonishment. The distance between you is minuscule, and you stand there, frozen. "Are you scared of me, Kang Y/n?" She asks in a whisper, the smaller girl making sure you kept your eyes on her the entire time. "You know I don't bite."

Your breath hitches at her words.

She takes your arms and wraps them around her own waist, and you try swaying your body to follow her movement. Finding the right pace, you two go in sync, and Tatter smiles at your awkward figure, finding you adorable. Your hands fondle with her hips as she leans your body closer to you.

"You know, no one has ever had this effect on me." You just listened to her, still sticking to the momentum the two of you had. "The first time I saw you in the studio, god. You did something to me. The stupid smile you have, the little head bobs you did while listening to music, your deep voice, everything about you was captivating."

That stupid smile she calls out takes shape on your face. "You're so beautiful, angel," was all you could say, giving her a new nickname. You couldn't even find the right words, making you nervous. It was literally part of your job, but Tatter made it overly difficult for you. The song ends, and you pull away quickly, feeling your face heat up at the exchange.

You cough before trying to redeem yourself, "Wanna head out for lunch?"

"Sure. What do you have in mind?" She asked, picking up her bag and phone. "There's a small Italian place near by if you want." She nods, and you drive to the restaurant. While driving, you felt Tatter's eyes on you occasionally, and you tried to shake away the anxiousness you felt bubbling inside you.

You guys make it and open the cae door for the girl. Entering the establishment, you were met with the smell of pasta and baked goods.

The two of you ate pasta as you chatted away, "I'm telling you, Seoyoung would get her hands stuck in her hoodie." You told her stories about you and Lusher's childhood, and Tatter always laughed. "How does that even happen?"

You shrug, "I don't know. All I know is she always cried about it, and I'd have to help her out every single time."

The two of you were about to continue but noticed the heavy rain outside. "Shit," Tatter said softly, looking out the window. "I'll drop you home. It's no big deal."

When finishing up, you two argued over paying the bill. "Let me, I've literally been using your music for my own fun."

"Taeyoung, that has nothing to do with paying the bill, like, at all."

"I wanna pay, please~" She pleaded, but you shook your head, handing your card to the water, "No, and that's final." Tatter quiets down at your stern voice, never hearing it before. You sounded so sexy, making her feel vulnerable in front of you.

When existing, you guys stood under the store's overhead, and you began taking off your letterman jacket. Placing it over the blonde's head, she mopes. "You're gonna get sick, unnie," she tried taking it off, but you stopped her, just pulling her waist close as you run to your car, ensuring she didn't slip. You open the passenger door and let her enter before running to the driver's side.

Safe to say, as soon as you sat in the car, you sighed at yourself. You were literally soaking wet. Tatter looks at you in silence, taking in your appearance. Your usual straight long black hair turned a little wavy, and your plain white shirt was now see-through, enabling her to see the black sports bra you wore underneath. When you look at her in a fit of laughter, she looks away, trying to hide the shades of pink on her face.

You drove her home, and as you sat in the front of her apartment, she sighed, "Can I at least give you some clothes? Before you get sick?" You just nod, saying, "Sure, this shirt isn't feeling too comfortable right now anyways." Not wanting to argue with her. She wasn't wrong, as you felt the heavy weight of your shirt tiring your body.

She lets you in, and your nose is filled with the scent of Vanilla. Of course, her house would smell like this. The girl herself smelled sweet all the time.

"Let me get you a towel with some clothes so you can shower."

She marches off somewhere with a mission in mind, and you wait at the entrance, not wanting to wet her place too much. Tatter comes back, handing you a soft sage green towel. "The bathroom is in the hallway, the door to the left, and I have some clothes in there for you."

You nod and take a quick hot shower, and as Tatter waits for you, she changes into a silk pink pajama set, getting comfortable in her humble abode. She sat in her living room, watching TV, and you came out in grey sweatpants and a baggy light blue shirt. Your hair was now in a ponytail, and Tatter couldn't help but stare at you lovingly. You looked adorable and comfy in her clothes.

Making your way over to her, you sat on her couch, making yourself feel at home as you were tired. "You good?" She asks you softly. "Yeah, just a bit tired from all the food we ate."

"Stay for a while. Let the rain die down, and we can watch a movie."

"Let's do it then," You put one of her throw pillows in your lap, and she smiles fondly at you. The two of you agreed to watch Mamma Mia. As the movie goes on, the two of you move closer to each other as you play around every now and then. Tatter then rests her head in the crook of your neck, and you smile at this. Finding some courage as you two watched the movie, you asked her in a gentle voice, "Hey?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna go on a date tomorrow?"

She peeks at you, leaning her head up, "Is this not a little date right now?" You grin, feeling your heart swell up at the view of her beautiful face. "A proper date, angel."

With her new name rolling off your tongue, she gives you a quick peck on the cheek, "I'd love to go on a proper date with you, unnie."

A/n: This took so long to write, but it was defo worth it!

-sivine

[apocalypse-shuffle]

BATMAN | BATFAMILY (assorted canon)

—

“Long Overdue” (Bruce Wayne x Batmom!Reader)

| Reader was with Bruce in the past but grew distant after Jason’s death. No one tells her when he comes back from the dead until Bruce is forced to bring her in on an ambush when they’re overwhelmed. -Jason and Batmom!Reader reunion.

| SFW, canon typical action, cursing, past death of a child, Reader & Bruce are divorced, cursing? -angry!reader

| This is like half fanon half UTRH/Batman:Hush. I’m really just fucking around with canon rn. Also the pictures used are just for aesthetics and have no contextual meaning to the story. (pic source: Gotham Knights video game)

| 1k+ words

| parts: one, spurt, two, three, four, five, six/six point five, seven.

Okay correction. That “Red Hood guy” actually is a problem. A very big problem - or no - it’s not that Hood is the problem, it's that the situation surrounding him is problematic.

Your voice comes out so faint it’s almost melodic. “Run that by me one more time?”

“Jason’s alive,” Bruce confirms, voice barely above a whisper floating across the recycled air of the Batmobile and to your ears.

You want to grab that whisper and force it back into his mouth with everything you have. How can he even speak when you feel like the air has been sucked from your body? Your mask comes off on your next inhale.

Jason. Your Jason was alive? A fully grown adult even. Jason was alive and he was the Red Hood and Bruce had neglected to tell you until this very moment. Their last big confrontation had happened almost a whole month ago!

“So you mean to tell me that you had almost going on five weeks from the second you found out to tell me my son was alive,” you wave your hands in defeated astonishment before flowing into a shrug, “and just didn’t?”

“It was still ‘need to know’ information. The situation wasn’t yet stable enough to tell you about.”

Slowly, your head bobs up and down.

“Oh okay, yeah sure. I guess I didn’t ‘need to know’ my son was chilling back from the dead less than an hour away from me.” The laugh you let out has too much edge to be truly reassuring. “Course not. Why didn’t I think of that?”

You pose the question at a low volume, running the situation back in your mind. There was no fucking way this man was serious.

“I was going to tell you.”

“Oh really? When? In another month? Or maybe a year from now?”

“If I had to,” his voice is tight.

If he had to?

“Mhm,” your lips purse. “Stop the car-”

“Running away won’t fix anything. If you would just listen-”

Bruce’s voice gets just that much louder so he can talk over you and you respond in kind.

“Oh that’s real rich coming from you-”

“Please don’t do this right now-”

“Do what? Be mad that you lied to me-?”

“I didn’t lie to you. You didn’t even know,” you can hear the way his teeth grind. “Weren’t supposed to know today, but I was forced-”

“Is that supposed to make it better? You’re supposed to be my husband-!”

“You forfeited that a long time ago when you divorced me and issued the papers in public-!”

“Are you really still caught up on that shit? That’s what happens when you keep ignoring the family law attorney-!”

“You barely even gave me a chance after his death-” he grounds out.

“You wanna talk about chances-?”

“Y/n-”

“Stop this goddamn car, Bruce!”

Thunk

The Batmobile is forced to a stop less than half a mile from the Cave entrance.

The emergency brakes are hit hard and work instantly and you’re out of the Batmobile in the next blink, walking around to where Bruce is jumping out the driver’s side. You feel shaky, your whole foundation falling apart. Bruce wasn’t incompetent enough for this to have been a mistake, but there was no way he would be this cruel. Not to you.

You don’t give him room after his feet touch the ground, in his space in an instant. When he doesn’t move to stop you you push him into the side of the vehicle. He skids backward, back making an impact with a decisive thud. The shove sends a horrible zing of pain up your arm that just fuels you more.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Your scream echoes in the still night air on such a vacant road, and your throat feels rubbed raw, so you know he heard you, but all he does is frown. It’s tempting to punch that frown, to dig your fist into his solar plexus until he fucking answers you, but with the suit on you know hitting him wouldn’t make him feel half as bad as you do right now.

You couldn’t - you could not - stand arguing with Bruce when he sunk himself into the Bat. It was about as useful as pounding your fists bloody on a brick wall hoping for it to magically turn into a door.

The silence continues to stretch and you can feel your resolve stretching thin.

“Usually you got an answer for everything, but not now?” Your voice comes out low and to your absolute shame your eyes start to burn. You shake your head and step away from him. “What could I possibly have done to deserve this, Bruce?”

Bruce takes in a breath and when he speaks it half sounds like he’s drowning.

“This isn’t about whether you deserved it, it was for your own good. Why can’t you just take my word for it? I needed more confirmation before you could be brought in.”

“You know I can’t accept that,” you let out a sigh. “I’m not one of your lil League friends, Bruce, I don’t think you’re fucking infallible. I know when you're not being one hundred percent with me. And you know what else? I was married to you for seven years, I can tell when you're not being honest with yourself either, so do us both a favor and rip your own head out of your ass.”

You hold your hand up when his mouth opens next, vision blurring.

“Do you know that I ask myself everyday if I was a bad mother, having two of my kids run away from me? I work to re-strengthen my relationship with Dick all the time, but I couldn’t do that with Jay. Couldn’t tell him how sorry I was for letting him die with a continent between us; that it’s the biggest regret of my life.”

Bruce shakes his head and speaks with so much conviction you want to believe him. You always do.

“You were a great mother. The boys were running away from me.”

The chuckle you give is without humor, voice getting thicker with the force of speaking past the lump in your throat.

“As much as I want that to be true, no I wasn’t. Our parenting was a two person job, Bruce, and I was almost never home. So when they had problems with you they didn’t come to me they went in search of new families. I should have been there, but you know as well as I do how this life locks its jaws and doesn’t let go till you die. But this time around it gave back what it took and you chose to keep that to yourself to -what?- to spite me?”

“You can’t believe I would keep him from you for such a trivial reason…”

A few minutes ago you wouldn’t have believed it either.

“No?” You scoff. “So why didn’t you take your briss ass and tell me then? Was I that horrible of a mother that you didn’t think I deserved a second chance too? Is that it, Bruce?”

A strangled choked out noise falls past his lips.

“Never, Y/n. I would never make a decision like this to hurt you. I didn’t tell you because you didn’t deserve to have your heart broken all over again.” He rubs his hands down the exposed half of his face. “I wanted to be sure before I said anything.”

“How much surer can the boy being right fucking in front of you be?”

“I saw Jason before this month.”

You jerk back.

“What?”

Bruce takes off the cowl and for a brief aching second you wish the two of you had been better. He looks as carved open as you feel; nerves and jagged reopened wounds that had never healed right in the first place rotted and exposed to Gotham’s starless sky.

“I saw him, but at the end of the fight when Hush was washed away, do you know who they made me think it was?”

The brimming tears finally overflow when you shake your head, heart pounding in your ears as the two of you's heavy breathing fills the vacant street.

“I was watching my son come back from the dead and then Clayface was in his place. As far as I was concerned Jason was still dead and everything was only a part of the sick game they were playing,” he blinks and his eyes are suddenly glossy, an admittance of defeat all their own. “I know you too. You can’t tell me that if I had brought you in the second I saw Jason that first time that you would’ve been alright after I had to take it back, Y/n. After I told you it was just a trick.”

“That’s not fair,” you shake your head. You glare at him, voice wet, and sniffle as you snap your hand up to rub your tears away. “You had no right to make that decision for me.”

“And yet I wanted to spare you that pain anyway.”

You stare at each other. A defeated slump to Bruce’s shoulders and his usual shuddered eyes so so open for you. If only that was enough.

Your breath stutters as you inhale. Mouth pressed into a wonky frown and throat tight and raw, you speak.

“You make it so hard to love you, you know that?”

He closes his eyes, painregretremorse flashing across his face, before going stock still. A brace for a hit that you will give no quarter to him by making physical.

You think of Jason, of him insisting on helping you with your hair during wash days, reading in the library together and conveniently leaving a pocket knife on the counter so he’d stop hoarding the ones from the kitchen, of arguing with Bruce over putting him in that damn costume, and your heart riots.

“I’m done, Bruce. I…cannot keep doing this after tonight. I thought I could trust you, but now I don’t know what to make of you after this.”

He nods at your proclamation, eyes locked onto yours. You let him have it for a few beats, watching him back. A man flayed open so many times it was inevitable he’d drag you down with him. You’d signed up for it the first time you’d said your vows, but you could never have predicted the ways it would shake you apart.

“I’m walking the rest of the way,” your hushed voice informs. He makes a sound in the affirmative, you turn and leave.

Nearly fifteen years of your life you have known, loved, and let yourself be consumed by Bruce. Five of those years you haven’t even been together; had as minimal contact as possible. Still he’s always done this to you and you to him.

Cracked yourselves open on one another.

It’s anticlimactic almost, how all you have to show for all this strife is a pounding arm and sore throat.

…TBC

NOTES: Hope you enjoyed! Comments would be appreciated if you wanted to leave one! I read all of them, I only don’t respond cause this is a side blog.

Also somewhere deep down Bruce knows that the even realer reason he didn’t tell Reader is because he was hoping to have fixed things with Jason (make him see “sense”) before giving her the happy news so they could be a family again. But you didn’t hear that from me. Additionally, I tried to make this seem like a decision Bruce would actually convince himself to make but I have no clue if I succeeded. I know I was excited when I came up with it though.

—

Caribbean word of the day(i.e.,the glossary): “Briss” - to be nosey or intrusive.

*remember, though, that dialects are regional so the word in this glossary is not used by every caribbean*

[myloverrunsthin]

𝔄𝔫 𝔞𝔠𝔱 𝔬𝔣 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔡𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰

For more frequent updates... continue Quotev or A03

TA 2941, Forelithe 14th

XXI. 

The day ahead promised to be long, and as expected  Thorin was the first to rise among the Dwarves. With no remorse, he kicked his kin awake, “Quickly,” Thorin urged, rousing his nephews first, “We must leave. Now.” 

“Oh, off it, Uncle,” Kíli grumbled, wincing at the sharp pain in his side as he swatted Thorin’s boot away. The Company stirred to life, slowly shaking off their sleep. Even Bilbo rose, eyes fluttering and stifling a small yawn.

You were lucky and woke to a more gentle stir, a soft shake of your arm. As your eyes adjusted, Kíli’s silhouette sharpened into view, “I’d suggest you wake up, milady. Thorin's doing his rounds, in his own sick way.” He spat.

“What?” You stretched, pushing back your hair and sitting up on your arms. 

“Brutal, but better him than Dwalin,” Fíli’s voice chimed, as he emerged from behind Kíli’s bed roll, “I still have a bone to crack from him somewhere, he did a number on my neck last week,” He tensed his arms, crossing them and winding them back before an audible crack was heard, “Ah, there it is.”

You noticed the other Dwarves moved quietly, packing their belongings, sheathing their swords, and rolling up their cots. Near the doorway, Thorin and Balin were deep in conversation, where Thorin had a sour look sketched onto his face nodding along to his older kin. 

But then he locked eyes with you, and you couldn’t bring yourself to look away. You still hadn’t found the chance to talk to him about the other night, and you wondered if he had forgotten it entirely, or if it was simply too awkward for him to bring up, either way, he hasn’t spoken much to you since. Perhaps it was better left unspoken. Maybe he had forgotten. Yet the tension lingered, whether he thought about it or not, you certainly did.

All of these thoughts only brought back to your she-elf, regretting you had not said goodbye to her as well. 

“Milady, catch!” Without warning, your pack landed in your lap bringing you back, “Gather your things. Brother, you too,” Fíli said with a wink, already busy rolling up his cot.

Everyone seemed on edge, with only the hushed murmurs of conversation breaking the silence as the Dwarves, one by one, filtered out behind Thorin, who stomped out the smoldering remains of the fire.

You rushed to roll up your cot, hastily grabbing the scattered items around your legs and stuffing only the essentials into your bag. With little time to spare, you buckled the straps and hoisted the pack onto your shoulder, determined to not be left behind. 

The halls were quiet that morning, not an Elf in sight as you crossed the long bridge through the courtyard. The stillness seemed unusual, one would think guards would be everywhere, but only the calming sound of the waterfall was present.

“Which way are we going, lad?” Dori spoke, pausing to catch his breath, his brows raised in curiosity. 

“We’ll take this path through the valley, before reaching the Mountain Pass,” Thorin said, pressing forward without looking back as he stepped back onto the uneven, rocky terrain.

“And what about Gandalf?” Ori asked 

“We will see the Wizard later. If he even meets us there,” Thorin said using his stick to continue his hike, "Be on your guard. We're about to step over the edge of the wild." Those were his final words before he rounded the corner to a cave for the rest of the hike. 

You found your stride as you reached the peak of the hill, but a faint sound reached your ears carried by a cold breeze that tickled the nape of your neck and made you pause. The Dwarves passed by one by one, and you lingered, turning for one last look at Rivendell.

The feeling was eerie, and you brushed it off quickly to press forward again but jumped in surprise when you found Bilbo standing in front of you, nearly bumping into him. 

“Bilbo!” You exclaimed, “You really need to stop that.” 

The quiet burglar chuckled, scratching the back of his head, “Ah, sorry! I was calling your name, but you didn’t seem to hear me, ha.” He stood for a moment, twiddling his thumbs before catching himself and stopping, a nervous habit of his. 

There was a pause before you continued, “What’s wrong?” 

“Ah, here,” he said, pulling something from behind his back and extending his arm toward you. “You forgot this. W-wouldn’t want to leave it behind, would you?” He laughed again, a touch more awkwardly this time.

“Oh,” Your eyes widen when you see your sword clutched in his hands. Patting down your empty waist with a sigh. Thanking him gratefully, you take it back, attaching it securely around your waist.

“My pleasure,” Bilbo shifted nervously, rocking on his heels, “Well then– after you.” Ever the gentleman, he gestured for you to lead the way. Chuckling, you give his shoulder a firm pat as you passed, ascending the rock stairs. 

The Company huffed and grunted as they made their way over the terrain, careful to avoid the edge where the river roared below. Now free from Rivendell’s halls, the Dwarves’ chatter grew louder, free to talk about whatever they wanted with no care of any Elfs brooding over them with every conversation. 

You and Bilbo fell into a comfortable pace, bringing up the rear of the group. As you walked, the two of you chatted softly, with Bilbo sharing stories of his quiet life back in the Shire. He talked about his few friends and family, and how he planned to write a book about all his adventures once he got home. You laughed at his jokes, amused by his silly, carefree life.

His eyes twinkled, and a wide grin spread across his face, "I do miss Bag End," He admitted his voice warm, looking ahead with nostalgia, “Though not as much as I don’t miss my neighbor, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, that is. Last spring, she decided that her rose bushes would grow better if she 'borrowed' my garden soil." 

You chuckled, "She didn’t actually dig up your garden, did she?"

The Hobbit nodded so quickly it looked like his head might fall off, “Oh, she did! Right in the dead of night! I woke up to find half my marigolds leaning sideways, looking as confused as I was! Would you believe it?”

“She sounds jealous, Bilbo. Your garden is very pretty.”

“She most definitely is, no doubt about it. Every morning since, she walks past my garden, eyeing it like it’s her second breakfast!” Bilbo laughed, taking a puff from his lit pipe, the smoke trailing behind him with each step, “I w-want to add more. I think it needs more trees too. Oh! Maybe some Snapdragons for next winter—they’d fit perfectly after this, and they're a bold statement piece I think.” You’d never heard anyone so enthused about their garden before. You found it rather cute.

The two of you fell into a comfortable silence. Bilbo offered his pipe to you, and you took a small puff, the herbs tasting surprisingly pleasant on your tongue.

“Do you really think Gandalf will come?” Bilbo asked solemnly, clutching his pack as he stepped over a fallen log in the path. Just as you were about to answer Balin, who had overheard had also fallen behind to the back, turned to beat you to an answer. 

“Yes, laddie. Gandalf promised to meet us at the Mountain Pass. It’s a dangerous trek up the mountain, and he’s the wisest of us. The wizard knows the right path to take. Do not fret.” That had brought all the hope Bilbo needed that morning and he fell back into a strong march to match your rhythm. 

There was many paths that lead through the mountains, and many more that passed over them. Thorin led the Company and came across many deadends, causing you to doubt his ability to even lead everyone out of the valley. It wasn’t until evening that you finally escaped the confines of the dark, gray walls and stepped into a beautiful, open pasture where the grass grew lush and wild and a thin river graced the paddock, leading back down into the canyon. With no point in continuing in the dark, camp was set up just a mile from the ravine's exit.

Everyone went back to their usual jobs, gathering wood for a fire and Bombur cooking up a hearty meal. 

Even with Bilbo nearby, you felt a bit lonely without your other half by your side, as if a piece of you was missing. You wondered what Joseph was doing right now. Hopefully, he missed you—that would be a comforting thought—or maybe he was listening to an Elven tale. Who could know?

You set up your bedroll next to the river, its running water a soothing white noise that dulled your brooding thoughts. As everyone settled in for the night, another bedroll was tossed down next to you.

“Kíli?” you said, though it came out more as a question. He responded with your name and a warm smile, “What are you doing?” Your tone was sharper than intended, laced with confusion.

The young princeling bit his cheek, chewing on the corner of his lip as if holding back a grin. He didn’t look at you, instead drawing small lines in the dirt with a stick. “Sitting,” He shrugged. “Is that alright?”

Kíli glanced up at his brother, who was barely holding back a laugh. From his bedroll, Fíli’s chest shook silently, and he rolled over to face the other side, unable to look at his brother anymore.

“Can I ask you something?”

Kíli’s question was tentative, and your brows furrowed as you leaned back slightly. The silence hung in the air, pressing him to continue.

He stumbled over his words at first, starting and stopping before finally managing, “How are you? With all of this?” Was that really all he wanted to say?

At first, it was small—a tiny pit forming in your stomach, accompanied by a flutter you couldn’t quite name. A few dozen or so thoughts ran through your head and yet, you couldn’t find anything to say.

“I’m okay.” 

“Good,” He said quickly, “I mean– it’s good you're alright.” 

Kíli glanced around, noting that everyone else had drifted into slumber. He looked back at you as you ran your hand through your disheveled hair, resting it on your neck while you stretched and watched the fire crackle, avoiding his gaze. 

“May I?” He asked quietly, his voice barely a whisper. 

You turned to find him looking at you with soft eyes. “May you what?”

He asked you to turn around, spinning his finger. You did as you told, giving him a confused glare, and shuffled around the other way. 

A sudden jolt of surprise ran through you when you felt him gently pat down your head. He was careful, his fingers barely grazing your skin as he raked through your hair, brushing it out with surprising thoroughness.

You didn’t feel brave enough to ask what he was doing, so you let him take his time combing through your locks. It felt comforting, and you definitely weren’t going to say anything about it. 

You weren’t sure how long the silence lasted between you. Then, you felt him gather a small section of your hair and twist it at the base of your neck, tucking it under the rest of your locks behind your ear. Kíli continued, twisting and weaving a tiny, almost unnoticeable plait. His fingers brushed softly against your skin, moving carefully, as if afraid you might ask why he was doing this. You simply let him continue, the gentle motion lulling you toward sleep.

But from a distance, Thorin watched, his eyes dark in the flickering firelight. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to look away and close his eyes.

[smilingformoney]

For the Love of Books | Sinclair/Betty (OC)

X. The Lion's Den

Summary: Betty and Sinclair attend a party.

AN: Now with added Lionel :D

Read now on Ao3 or below the cut:

Betty had never been one for adventure. She preferred to stay in and read about other people having adventures. Moving all the way to London from Falmouth to open her own bookshop had been a terrifying prospect, and certainly the most daring thing she’d ever done.

Learning to drive, being in a relationship, having sex - these were all things that most people did as a normal part of life, but they’d passed Betty by. Then came Sinclair, bringing all these adventures into her life, showing her new ways to experience the world. She loved the adventure that was being with him, and she happily agreed to any crazy idea he came up with.

But even so, his latest idea had taken some convincing and a lot of puppy dog eyes. For there was no way Betty could ever understand the appeal of rollercoasters, yet eventually she caved and agreed to go to Thorpe Park with him.

Leaving Goldie in Mei-Li’s care, Sinclair drove the two of them in the Accord to the theme park, which was only a 20 minute drive away but it felt like an eternity to Betty, especially when the tallest rollercoasters loomed on the horizon as they got closer. Sinclair, of course, told Betty all about the theme park that had opened 13 years ago, and he assured her that the rides were safe.

Sinclair practically bounced out of the car and Betty had to jog to catch up with him at the park entrance. His enthusiasm was admittedly infectious, and Betty thought that some of the rides might be fun, so long as they weren’t too fast or too high.

Somehow, Sinclair convinced Betty to go on the ‘Flying Fish’ ride. He was practically vibrating with excitement when they got off, ready to go another five times, and he turned to Betty to suggest that they go again when she dashed off into the nearest bush and promptly vomited.

“Betty!”

Sinclair quickly ran to her side and gathered her hair in his hand to hold it back from her face. With his other hand, he rubbed her back soothingly as she vomited again, then after a few moments she straightened up and Sinclair offered her his handkerchief.

“I’m never doing that again,” she mumbled as she wiped her face.

“Definitely not! Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and have a sit down.”

Ten minutes later, Betty emerged from the toilets feeling as clean as she could having used a public toilet, and found Sinclair at a picnic bench, tucking into some no doubt overpriced food.

He swallowed his mouthful of hotdog and said, “I bought you some fries in case you’re hungry but if you still feel sick and you don’t want to eat that’s okay. How do you feel?”

“Better. When we have kids, you can take them here, I’ll stay home with Goldie.”

“…When we have kids?”

“Well, I fully intend to get married and have kids and grow old with you. You’d better tell me now if you don’t want to, before I get invested.”

Sinclair smiled and wriggled happily in his seat. “I’d love that. Let me just get divorced first, though. Speaking of how much I love you - it’s a lot, by the way - Valentine’s Day is next week.”

Betty popped a fry into her mouth. She was hungry, but she didn’t want to upset her stomach again.

“Yes, it is. Did you want to do something for it? I’ve never had a Valentine’s Day before. What do we do that’s so different to every other day?”

“Well, I was going to offer to take you out somewhere nice to eat, but last night my cousin called me, he’s having a party on Valentine’s Day. He’s no romantic but he’ll take any excuse to throw a party. Would you like to go? He always throws the best parties, he’s got a huge manor in the countryside and all the food and drink is free!”

“You want me to meet the family already?”

Sinclair waved a hand. “It’s only my cousin. Neither of us had siblings and we’re the same age so we’re the closest either of us has to a brother.”

“Big manor in the countryside? Is he rich too, then?”

“Oh, very. Much richer than me.”

“Richer than you, eh? Is he single?”

Sinclair’s eyes widened as he bit into his hotdog, and Betty laughed.

“I’m kidding, Sinclair! Your cousin could be the richest man in the country and I’d still rather be with you.”

“Goo’cuseis,” Sinclair replied with his mouth full of hotdog.

“What?”

Sinclair swallowed, then repeated, “Good, because he is!”

“He is what?”

“The richest man in the country. He’s a billionaire, I’m just a humble millionaire. Only the Queen is richer than him.”

Betty thought back to last year’s Sunday Times rich list for a moment, then dropped a chip in surprise.

“Your cousin is Lionel Shabandar?”

Sinclair nodded, as if he hadn’t just dropped a huge bomb on her.

“So do you want to go? It’s okay if not, we can stay in or we can go to a restaurant —”

“No, no, I’ll go,” Betty said quickly. “I’d like to meet your family. I want to hear all the stories about what baby Sinclair got up to. I bet you were so cute!”

“What do you mean were?” Sinclair asked in mock offence.

“Well, of course you’re still cute now. What do you want to do for the afternoon?”

“Oh, don’t you want to go home? I thought you might not want to go on any more rides.”

“No, I don’t, but I don’t fancy a car ride either. I’m happy to watch you go on the rides. Plus there’s other stuff we can do. I’d love to go to the petting farm!”

“Yes, let’s do that! But don’t tell Goldie we’ve been petting other animals, he might get jealous.”

Betty decided not to mention that Goldie couldn’t understand English, and if he did he probably wouldn’t be jealous, and instead she fished out the park map to find their way to the farm while Sinclair started listing all the animals the farm had.

“I heard they have ponies, do you want to pet the ponies? And sheep and goats too, but I don’t think I’ll pet the pigs, although they are still very interesting so I’d like to see them.”

“I want to see all of them, and maybe once you see how sweet pigs are, you’ll stop eating their brothers and sisters,” Betty said with a smirk, looking up at Sinclair, who had finished his hotdog and was now licking the mustard from his fingers. He looked at her with alarm.

“Do you think they’ll be able to tell?”

“Well, I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out if one of them jumps at you.”

Betty stood up and Sinclair followed her, eyes wide with worry that an angry pig was going to tackle him.

“Can pigs jump? I have no idea if pigs can jump. Maybe we should ask someone there, just in case —”

Betty laughed and took Sinclair’s hand as they meandered through the crowds towards the ferry station for the farm. “Relax, Sinclair, they’re not going to be able to tell you’ve eaten pork.”

“Do you want me to stop eating pork? I can stop if you want, although I’ll miss the pork sandwiches that David does, but your halloumi burgers do look really nice.”

“Just pork or other meats too?”

“All of them! I’ll stop eating meat from right now. That hotdog was my last meat ever! Oh, no, but I have some chicken in the fridge… well, I’ll finish that off, then I’ll stop.”

Betty stopped walking suddenly, and Sinclair skidded to a halt when he realised she’d stopped, her hand in his preventing him from moving any further.

“You’d give up meat for me?” she asked with a frown.

“Of course,” Sinclair said with a shrug, as if it was a trivial thing. “It makes you uncomfortable so I’ll stop. Besides, when one of us cooks we always eat vegetarian so it’s not like - mmhm!”

She interrupted him with a kiss, which he happily reciprocated, and when they separated Betty was looking at him with such sweet adoration in her eyes that Sinclair wanted to melt.

“You never cease to amaze me with how sweet you are, Sinclair,” Betty smiled.

“I just want to make you happy, Betty. I love you.”

“I love you too. Now, come on, let’s go pet some ponies.”

---

The following Friday, Betty stepped out of her dingy London flat feeling like an absolute imposter, dressed in a gold dress and heels to go to a party at the home of the richest man in the country. Not only that, but she was attending as the date of said richest man’s also very rich cousin, who had managed to avoid mentioning in the last four months of knowing her that his cousin was Lionel Shabandar.

Sinclair was waiting outside, and they both equally gaped when they set eyes on each other.

”Sinclair - a limo?!”

”Betty… you look amazing.”

She blushed. She’d closed the shop early and spent all afternoon and far too much money at the salon getting her very curly afro straightened and the money she had left after that had gone towards her dress. She knew that the type of people she’d meet tonight were the type who could tell if she wore a dress from Primark, and would judge her hard for it.

”Thanks,” she said with a smile, fiddling with her hair nervously. “You look even more handsome than usual. Have you combed your hair?”

”Have I —? Never mind my hair! Look at yours! I almost didn’t recognise you! Oh - before I forget - since it’s Valentine’s Day…”

He produced a bouquet of roses from behind his back with a grin, and Betty blushed even harder.

”Sinclair! You didn’t have to go to all this trouble…”

”But it’s Valentine’s Day!” he said with his best puppy dog eyes. “And I have the best date in the world!”

”You’re so cute.” Betty leant up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. Let me just put these upstairs —“

”It’s okay, there’s a vase in the limo! It’s so much fun, there’s a mini fridge too, and a TV, and —“

”Are we going to a party at a mansion or in the car?”

”Both! Come on - here, let me help you in.”

Sinclair opened the door for her and helped her in like a proper gentleman, then he tucked the roses into a compartment and instructed the driver to take them to his cousin’s mansion.

”Clair, be honest, do I look okay? I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb among all these rich people…”

”You look so beautiful, Betty! I mean it. How did you get your hair so straight? That must have taken ages.”

”Oh, it took all afternoon. Straightening an afro isn’t an easy task, I wouldn’t dare to try it myself, I had to get someone to do it. It’s why I don’t straighten it often, it’s far too much effort.”

”It looks amazing. So beautiful. I’d love it if you were able to magically straighten it so you could have it like this more often. Not that I don’t love your curly hair, I adore your curly hair, but I love this too. You’d look good with any hair. Or no hair! Please don’t try that, though. And the dress is amazing! Gold suits you. Any colour suits you, but I really, really like this one. Do you want to see what’s in the mini fridge? I had a little peek on the way over, but I haven’t had any of it yet. Only the snacks. There’s still some crisps left, I think, but I ate most of them, sorry. There’ll be loads of food at the party, and loads of drinks, and they’re all free! Lionel really goes all out for his parties. He goes all out for everything. You think I’m rich, wait until you’ve seen his place. He has artwork worth millions of pounds, just sitting there!”

”Is that any different to your cars just sitting there?” Betty interjected.

”My cars aren’t worth that much!” Sinclair insisted. He was pouring the champagne into glasses now, and shooed Betty’s hand away when she tried to help. “Okay, a few of them are worth millions, but not nearly as many. Natalie always said I had more money than sense, but if anyone does, it’s Lionel. Here you go!”

He finally stopped to breathe as he handed her a glass of champagne.

”Happy Valentine’s Day to the best girlfriend ever!”

Betty laughed. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Clair. I love you.”

His eyes lit up as if she hadn’t said it a thousand times before. ”I love you too!”

They clinked glasses and drank, and Betty swore it tasted just the same as a £20 bottle from Somerfield, but she was sure the price tag was significantly higher.

”So, you just kind of dropped the bomb on me the other day that your cousin is Lionel Shabandar,” Betty said as she leant back into his arms on the double-wide seat. “Do you know him very well? I barely know my cousins.”

”Yes, we’re the same age, so we grew up together and went to Winchester at the same time. We were both very interested in business, and obviously we’re both rich and successful, but he’s even better off than I am because he invested a lot of his money whereas I’ve always loved spending. Then he bought all these media companies and put them into one big company so he owns most media companies in the country now and he can afford to spend even more than I ever did.”

”Yeah, I know he’s got a huge publishing house. Most of my stock is published by Shabandar Books.”

”Not just books! He owns TV channels, magazines, newspapers. I keep telling him he needs to invest in the internet, all my research at work says it’s the next big thing.”

”What’s internet?”

Sinclair’s eyes widened in the excited way they did when he realised he could explain something new to her, and so Betty spent the rest of the trip listening to him explaining some miraculous technology that let computers talk to each other even when they were miles apart. She was so focused on listening to him that she almost didn’t notice the limo slowing to a stop as they approached the mansion, and she almost jumped when the driver got up to let them out.

”Wow.”

It wasn’t eloquent, but it just about summed up Betty’s feelings when she stepped out of the limo - aided, of course, by her very gentlemanly boyfriend - and saw the mansion before her.

She clung onto Sinclair’s arm and let him guide her down the path. The gardens were packed with partygoers, and Betty didn’t want to get lost in the sea of people.

Sinclair was narrating as they walked down the path, pointing out stories behind statues, most of which seemed to be, “Lionel likes lions because of his name so he buys anything with a lion on it.”

“Oh, there he is!” Sinclair exclaimed. “Lionel!”

A man turned around, around the same age as Sinclair and bearing a strong family resemblance. He smiled and went to greet Sinclair with a handshake, but instead Sinclair pulled him into an embrace.

”Good to see you, cuz!”

”Ah - Sinclair. Good to see you too,” Lionel said with a restrained smile. He endured the embrace until Sinclair let him go. He turned to Betty and smiled very differently - warm, welcoming, and his eyes looked her up and down. “And who is this lovely lady?”

“Elizabeth Bennett,” Betty said, holding out her hand to greet him. She blushed when, instead of shaking her hand, Lionel took it gently and kissed the back of her hand as if the sound of her name immediately turned him into Mr Darcy.

”A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Lionel Shabandar.”

”Yes, I… know who you are.”

Sinclair wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. Lionel raised an eyebrow and dropped Betty’s hand.

”Betty’s my date for this evening,” Sinclair said firmly. “And every evening.”

”Oh, is that so?” Lionel replied, though he didn’t take his eyes off Betty for an instant. “You’re not tired of my cousin talking your ear off yet?”

”Of course not, I love listening to him talk.”

”Well, someone has to, I suppose,” Lionel shrugged, then turned his attention back to Sinclair. “What happened to that wife of yours? Natasha, was it?”

“Natalie. We’re divorcing. Didn’t your mum tell you?”

”Oh, probably, I don’t really listen when she starts talking about family drama. Well, I’m glad for you, Sinclair. She was such a bore. I’m sure you’re much more engaging, aren’t you, Elizabeth?” Lionel said, turning to Betty once again.

”I hope so.”

”She’s amazing!” Sinclair gushed. “She’s so smart, she owns a bookshop that she runs all by herself, and she used to be a librarian so she’s read almost as many books as I have, and she’s great at memorising things like the Dewey decimal system, cooking recipes, and she can recite most of Shakespeare by heart!”

Lionel chuckled. “A literature lover, I take it? I’m quite partial to paintings myself, and they do say a picture can paint a thousand words.”

”A thousand words isn’t actually all that much. Especially not when you’re dating Sinclair. He can say a thousand words in one breath.”

“She’s right, I can!” Sinclair grinned. “And she’ll listen to every one of them. Or at least pretend to. Say, Lionel, why don’t you show Elizabeth some of your artwork? She didn’t believe me when I told her you had paintings worth millions.”

“Yes, of course I will! But it’ll have to be later, I have rounds to do. Excuse me.”

Lionel took Betty’s hand to kiss it again, then sauntered off to speak to some other important rich white man.

“Well, he’s… charming.”

Sinclair sighed and shook his head. “That’s one way to put it. I should have known he’d try to flirt with you - he loves beautiful things, and you’re the most beautiful thing here. Not that you’re a thing - I mean because you’re beautiful. More beautiful than anything or anyone here.”

Betty laughed and leaned up to kiss Sinclair on the cheek. “You said the food here was free. Shall we go feast?”

Sinclair’s eyes lit up. “Yes, let’s!”

It soon became evident that getting some alone time with Sinclair was going to be impossible. He was constantly running into people he knew, greeting them like seeing them was the best thing ever, then proudly introducing Betty as his partner. The reactions were mixed - some were surprised or confused that he was with someone other than Natalie, some seemed happy to see him rid of her, and one or two looked at Betty like she really shouldn’t be there. Those people, as soon as their faces fell, Sinclair quickly turned cold to and made an excuse to get rid of them.

Sinclair was deep in conversation when Betty finished her food, so she excused herself to get some drinks. On the way back, she saw from afar that Sinclair was already chatting to someone else and was nearly finished with his food, so she stopped at the buffet table to grab him some more as she knew he’d be torn between continuing his no doubt very interesting conversation and eating more food.

She arrived at the table with a plate of food in one hand and drinks on a small tray she’d borrowed from the bar in another. She placed the drinks tray down first, followed by the plate of food, and Sinclair looked at the plate in surprise, then up at her, and his eyes lit up when he realised she’d brought him some more food.

“Ah, more drinks, excellent,” said the man Sinclair had been talking to, an older man in a suit as fancy as everyone else’s there. He helped himself to one of the drinks, and Betty frowned at him.

“Hey, that was mine!”

The man frowned at her, as if surprised she’d said anything. “Excuse me, young lady, these drinks are for guests.”

Betty froze. She didn’t want to cause a scene, not in front of Sinclair. It was their first fancy event as a couple, and she didn’t want to embarrass him. But she knew exactly what the man meant - he thought she was a server.

Sinclair, it seemed, had clocked too, because he straightened up and shot an icy glare at the man.

“I think you’ll find there are three guests at this table, Mr Benson. I did say my partner had gone to get drinks.”

“Well, then, she’ll have to fetch her own, won’t she? Rather than sending a server to bring them over.”

“I am the partner, dickhead!” Betty hissed.

The man looked at her with shock, as if the concept of his fellow rich white man dating a black girl was unprecedented.

“I’ve changed my mind, Mr Benson,” said Sinclair coldly. “I don’t think I have capacity to take you on as a client after all. I think you should leave now.”

“Well, I never!” Mr Benson spluttered, before standing up and storming off.

Betty felt her shoulders relax and she took her seat next to Sinclair.

“I’m sorry,” they both said in unison, then laughed.

“Don’t be sorry, Betty, you handled that very well.”

“I called a potential client a dickhead.”

“Well, he was being a dickhead. Besides, I don’t want someone like him as a client. You’ve just saved me a lot of trouble. I’m sorry you had to go through that at all."

Betty shrugged. “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be used to it!” Sinclair insisted stubbornly. “People like him are morons. I can’t believe anyone would look at you and think anything other than, Wow, she’s so beautiful, I can’t believe how lucky Sinclair is.”

“Yeah, well… I can’t believe anyone would be married to you and think, Hey, maybe I’ll fuck my brother. There are some strange people out there.”

Sinclair laughed. “We must be the only sane ones!”

“We must be.”

She kissed him chastely on the lips, not wanting to be too affectionate in public, and he responded by squeezing her hand under the table.

“I can’t believe you brought me more food without me even asking!” Sinclair said with a grin when their lips parted and his attention turned to the food in front of him. “You’re so amazing. Here, why don’t you have the drink Benson didn’t touch?”

“That’s okay. Actually, it’s getting a bit crowded in here for me. Do you mind if I go for a wander? You can stay here and mingle, I just need a bit of quiet for a bit.”

“Mmm-hmm!” Sinclair replied, his mouth already full of sandwich. He swallowed, then said, “Of course you can, Betts! Maybe see if you can find Lionel and get that tour from him!”

“Good idea. I love you.”

“I love you too!”

She kissed him on the cheek and left him to his mingling, and she was barely on her feet when he was already waving over someone he recognised.

The crowd thinned when Betty managed to squeeze out of the gazebo, but with so many people she didn’t know it was still quite overwhelming, and she was relieved when Lionel emerged from the crowd and greeted her.

“Elizabeth! There you are. How would you like to have a look at my artwork now? I’m desperate for a break from all this chitchat.”

“I was just looking for you to ask that myself.”

“Perfect timing, then. Come along.”

Lionel offered her his arm and she took it gratefully, glad to have someone to anchor herself to in the busy crowd, and she felt like she could breathe again as they left the chattering people behind and approached the front doors to the manor.

Betty followed Lionel inside, eyes wide and mouth agape as she stared at the incredible architecture - and this was only the reception hall. The walls were adorned with painting after painting, and Lionel steered her into a hallway, where more paintings stood proudly on display between lion statues.

”You certainly seem to like lions,” Betty commented.

”Well, they’re the kings of the jungle, aren’t they? And the business world is a jungle in itself.”

”And you fancy yourself the king of it, do you?”

Lionel smirked at her. “I am the king. Come along.”

He placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the hall, naming each painting and its artist as they passed it, and Betty wondered how much he’d paid for each one of them. The insurance alone was probably more than she’d make in a year.

”You know, king of the jungle is a misnomer,” Betty commented as they turned a corner to be greeted with yet another lion statue. “Lions don’t live in the jungle. They should be called the king of the savannah if anything.”

”Actually, jungle is a Hindi word for a place uninhabited by humans - such as savannahs.”

Betty glanced at him, surprised, and he shrugged. “Sinclair isn’t the only person who knows things. So what do you think of my collection, Elizabeth? Quite impressive, don’t you think?”

”There’s certainly a theme,” Betty said, glancing between two of the many paintings that depicted naked women.

”Well, I also have a collection of landscapes, but I must admit that I have a penchant for the feminine form. This one seems to have caught your eye.”

She felt more than heard him come up behind her as she examined a painting labelled Otahi .

”What is it about this one that intrigues you, Elizabeth?” Lionel asked softly. “Is it the way she sits? You know, this particular painting was considered rather controversial when it was painted. The way she sits… ready and waiting… exposed. Do you feel an affinity to her, Elizabeth? Does this particular painting arouse something in you?”

When had he got so close? Betty suddenly felt very aware of Lionel’s breath on her neck, his hands on her hips - when had they got there? - and when he pulled her back slightly to press against him, she felt a bulge on her lower back - just where —

“Lionel —”

”Hmm?” Lionel replied absentmindedly, his lips by her ear, the gap between them growing ever smaller as he leant his head down towards hers —

“I’m here with Sinclair.”

”Are you? I don’t see him anywhere. He seems to have abandoned you.”

”You led me here…”

”You were all alone.”

”He was talking to someone…”

”He’s always talking to someone. Gets distracted so easily. But don’t worry… my attention is solely on you, dear. Let me kiss you, Elizabeth. I sorely want to kiss you…”

Can I kiss you? … I’d really like to kiss you now … Can I have another kiss?

Sinclair’s voice rang in her head, and Betty felt as if she’d just been jolted awake from a hypnotic state. She tried to pull away from Lionel, but his arms were wrapped around her torso tightly - when had that happened?

”No, thank you,” Betty whispered, her voice hardly audible. She could hardly believe she was turning down the richest man in the country, but as much as he looked like Sinclair, he wasn’t Sinclair, and she only wanted Sinclair.

Lionel only chuckled. “Must you play hard to get, darling? It’s Valentine’s Day. A day for lovers… for making love…”

“Thank you for the advice. I’d really prefer to make love to my boyfriend.”

”And who says who that has to be? Hm?”

”Lionel —”

”Betty?”

Lionel let go of her as if her skin had burnt him. Betty took a sudden, deep breath, as if he’d been suffocating her. Maybe he had been. She turned to see Sinclair standing at the corner of the corridor, looking between them both.

”Sorry, I interrupted,” he said in a cold, detached voice, unlike anything she’d ever heard from him. “Don’t mind me.”

Sinclair turned and left, and Betty followed him as quick as she could.

”Sinclair, wait!”

He left through a side door that led to a quieter part of the grounds, and she jogged as fast as she could to catch up with him.

”Sinclair - come on! I can’t catch up to your long legs in these shoes - ow!”

She hissed as she stumbled, twisting her ankle to the side, and she grabbed onto a nearby lion statue to steady herself. She hopped to a bench and sat herself down to take her shoes off, but before she could do so, Sinclair was suddenly on his knees in front of her, unstrapping the shoe from the ankle she’d rolled.

”Thanks. I don’t think I’ve twisted it. Sprained, maybe.”

”You shouldn’t be running in these,” Sinclair muttered, not looking up at her as he eased the shoe from her foot.

”I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t run off like that.”

He looked up at her, his eyes full of anger and hurt, and it broke her heart to see it.

”What was I supposed to do? You clearly needed your privacy —“

”Sinclair, stop it,” Betty snapped harshly. “I’m not Natalie. Okay?”

”Am I supposed to believe that was innocent?”

”From him? No. Maybe I should have told him to back off more firmly, but… I didn’t know what to do. We were just looking at art and suddenly he’s got his hands on me and I can’t make a scene, not with someone like him, not in his own house, so I just… froze. But I said no. He asked for a kiss and I said no. Then he said it’s a day for lovers so I said the only lover I wanted was you and…” She sighed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let it get that far. Maybe I should have seen it coming when he pulled me away from the party and started showing me his collection of paintings of naked women, but I’m an idiot, okay? I thought he just wanted to share his art. I forgot men are pigs.”

Sinclair didn’t say anything at first. He just held her ankle gently, looking at it as if it held all the answers. Then he looked up at her meekly.

”Not all men are pigs,” he muttered. “You always said I was more of a puppy.”

Betty smiled. “Yeah. You’re my puppy.”

”You know, dogs can get very possessive. They growl at people who try to take what’s theirs. And what’s a little puppy compared to a great lion?”

”Hey.” Betty stroked Sinclair’s cheek softly. “I’d choose my puppy over a lion any day.”

Sinclair’s eyes shone a little more hopefully then. “Really?”

”Yes, really,” Betty laughed. “I love you, Sinclair. Do you really think I’m gonna sneak off to shag your cousin?”

Sinclair shrugged dejectedly. “Better my cousin than your brother, I suppose.”

”Oh, god, don’t even joke about that,” Betty gagged. “Will you get up here and cuddle me already?”

Sinclair got up from his knees, ignoring the grass stains on the knees of his very expensive suit, and sat next to her on the bench. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled up to his warmth.

”I’m sorry,” Sinclair mumbled into her hair.

”Don’t be. At least now I know you don’t want to lose me.”

”Never! I never want to lose you, Betty. You’re everything to me.”

She leant up to kiss him, and he finally smiled.

“I love you, puppy.”

”I love you too, kitten.”

“Do you wanna dance?”

Sinclair’s eyes lit up. “You said you hate dancing!”

“Yeah, well, you have a way of making me see things in a new light. I think I might like dancing if it’s with you.”

“What about your ankle?”

Betty gave it an experimental flex. “It’s okay. I think I was just being a bit dramatic.” She leant down and slid her shoe back on, then stood up, cautiously putting weight on it. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she concluded. “Come on, Mr Bryant, ask the cute girl to dance.”

Sinclair immediately stood and straightened his posture, and Betty laughed when he gave her a little formal bow.

“Miss Bennett, would you do me the honour of accompanying me in a dance?”

“Why, Mr Bryant, I’d be honoured!”

She took his proffered arm and let him guide her back towards the party, which was still in full swing, with plenty of other couples already dancing, but Betty was pretty sure none of them were as in love as she and Sinclair were.

“You’ll need to lead me, I have no idea how to do anything other than the robot,” Betty admitted.

Sinclair spun her around suddenly, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her up against him, their noses almost touching, and Betty felt a blush rise to her cheeks.

“Focus on me,” he said softly. He was quiet, and the music was loud, but Betty still heard him, because to her there was no one else in the world.

She looked at him, his sweet amber eyes alight with excitement, and nodded.

Betty hated dancing because it made her self-conscious, but for the first time, she felt she could move without fear of being watched. Maybe she was being watched, maybe her dancing was terrible, maybe people were laughing. What did it matter? She was with Sinclair. She was holding him, being held by him, their bodies moving in tandem, perfectly synchronised and so clearly made for each other.

“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” Sinclair murmured in her ear. Betty blushed, shrinking in on herself slightly, and Sinclair gently lifted her chin back up to look at her. “I mean it, Betty. I think you’re even more beautiful than…” He thought for a moment. “Julia Roberts.”

Betty laughed. “Julia Roberts?!”

“She was voted People Magazine’s most beautiful woman last year. And she is beautiful, I suppose, but she’s nothing compared to you.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s your favourite thing about me?”

Sinclair, whose hands were currently around her waist, reached down for a cheeky butt grab.

“This!”

“You can’t say my bum! Or my boobs. Or my heart, that’s such a cop-out.”

“Okay, okay!” Sinclair returned his hand to her waist and grinned down at her. “I love your eyes. I love how they sparkle when you laugh or smile, and the way your pupils dilate when you look at me. And I love your smile too, you have so many different smiles, but I think my favourite one is when you’re trying not to laugh. And your nose is so cute too - and I love your hair, of course. Can I just say everything?”

“Sinclair, saying everything is your whole thing.”

“That’s true! If you think I don’t shut up now, just ask me to list everything I love about you, I really won’t shut up then!”

“If we ever get married, you might well set the record for longest wedding speech ever.”

“If I was on Mastermind, my specialist subject would be you.” Sinclair gasped. “I should go on Mastermind! I’d be great at it! I don’t need the money, I’d probably donate it to charity, or just spend it on you. Not that there’s anything I wouldn’t buy you anyway. Anything you want, I’ll get it for you, Betts.”

Betty bit her lip thoughtfully. “Well… there is one thing I’ve always wanted to do but I’ve never been able to afford it.”

“Anything!”

“I’ve never been abroad.”

Sinclair was so shocked that he stopped moving, and Betty almost stumbled.

“Never? Surely not. Not even to France?”

“Devon’s the furthest we ever went for holiday.”

Sinclair shook his head stubbornly. “Devon’s not a holiday when you live in Cornwall! That’s just going up the road! No, that’s it, we’re going on holiday. Let’s find a travel agent tomorrow and book somewhere. We could go to the Caribbean, the Maldives, Hawaii… what kind of holiday do you like? I suppose you won’t know, will you, if you’ve never been away… do you have a passport?”

“Yeah, I needed one to get the shop set up. I don’t need to go somewhere fancy, Sinclair, but it’d be nice to go somewhere just the two of us, no work or Natalie in the way —”

“We need to bring Goldie!”

“Can’t Mei-Li look after him?”

“Well, yes, but she deserves a break from us too. Think about where you want to go and we’ll go! Somewhere dog-friendly with lots of fun things we can do!”

“I can think of some fun things we can do wherever we go,” Betty said suggestively, her eyes alight. “We wouldn’t even need to leave the hotel room…”

Sinclair blushed and glanced to the side, as if checking for anyone who might have overheard. “Betty…”

”Mmm?”

“Be careful what you say… you’ll make me want to whisk you off to one of Lionel’s many spare rooms.”

“Is that such a bad thing? I don’t think he’d mind…”

“I’d much rather get you home where we can cuddle and sleep afterwards.”

Betty laughed. “Sinclair, if we wait until we get home, it’ll be another hour before we leave while you say your goodbyes to everyone.”

“I… don’t have any condoms with me.”

“I bet Lionel does.”

“You’re determined to have sex in my cousin’s manor, aren’t you?”

Betty grinned. “What can I say? I waited a long time for you. I’m gonna savour every moment.”

She trailed a hand down his chest, stopping just a few inches shy of his waistband, her fingers teasing at the buttons on his shirt.

“What d’you say?”

Sinclair glanced around. No one was paying either of them the slightest bit of attention. He grabbed Betty’s hand and led her away from the dancefloor, away from the crowds, and no one noticed them slip away into the manor.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Betty giggled five minutes later as Sinclair hastily unwrapped a condom he’d snuck out of a drawer in Lionel’s study.

“It was your idea!”

“I thought we’d go to a bedroom, not Lionel’s personal art gallery!”

Sinclair grinned cheekily, a twinkle in his eye. “I thought it’d be more fun. We can go somewhere else though if you want —”

“No, here’s good, I don’t wanna wait.”

Betty hitched up her skirt around her waist as Sinclair unzipped his trousers and pulled his cock out to roll the condom down.

“You don’t wanna go on the bench?”

“No, wall’s good. C’mon, Clair, I need you —”

“I love it when you’re desperate.”

Sinclair gently pushed her thighs apart, then tugged the fabric of her soaking wet knickers to the side and began teasing her entrance with his tip.

It was easy to forget their height difference when they were in bed, but it was glaringly obvious now as Sinclair loomed over her, and though she knew he’d let her go if she asked, she liked feeling enveloped by him, as if there was nothing else in the world except the two of them.

“Arms around my shoulders,” Sinclair instructed her. She obeyed, and he lifted her thighs up with his large hands, wrapping her legs around his waist to allow him to slip inside her.

“Fuck , Clair…” Betty sighed with relief as he sandwiched her against the wall, pushing himself past her walls and settling in comfortably.

“Sinclair, please… please fuck me…”

He kissed her cheek and smiled.

“Since you asked so nicely.”

Betty had never in a million years expected this, yet here she was, getting fucked against the wall of a rich man’s personal art gallery, in the arms of her best friend, the sweetest and most loving man she’d ever met, who apparently had a daring sexuality with a bit of encouragement.

She felt completely safe in his arms, physically and emotionally, knowing he would never do anything to hurt her, that he loved and accepted her even with all her flaws.

“I love you, Sinclair,” she murmured against his ear, and Sinclair whined in response.

“I… I love you too, Betts,” he panted. “Mhm - fuck - this is really hot, but can I put you down?”

She giggled.

“Yes, I know I’m probably quite heavy. Wanna move over to the bench?”

“Yes, please.”

Sinclair put her down and pulled out of her, but he was back inside her within seconds when she bent over the bench and spread her legs for him.

He gripped her hips firmly as he thrust into her, and though he preferred to see her face, he did love the sight of her arse jiggling with each thrust, and he could see her hands holding on to the edge of the bench, trying to hold herself steady as he thrust inside her.

Betty knew that if either of them put a finger anywhere near her clit, she’d be done for. The sound of Sinclair’s moans, the slapping of his flesh against hers, filled the large, empty room, echoing back to them, and neither of them cared much that at any moment someone might decide to have a break from the party to have a look at some art.

They were so lost in the moment that they didn’t even notice the door open partway, only to close again as soon as Lionel realised he’d found where Betty and Sinclair had snuck off to.

Sinclair leant forward, his torso pressing against Betty’s back, and with her hair straightened he was able to pepper the side of her neck with kisses, alternating between kisses and murmured words of adoration, reminding her how much he loved her, how happy she made him, how much she’d changed his life in just a few short months.

“Clair… Clair, touch me, please, I need you…”

“Yes, yes, of course, anything for you, Betty…”

He reached around her body to rub at her sweet spot, and his expert fingers quickly had her cumming hard around him, her shouts of his name echoing around the gallery, and he came with a garbled cry soon after, the feeling of her walls shuddering around him too much for him to endure.

Some deranged part of Betty’s brain wanted him to cum inside her, to fill her up completely, and when he pulled out and lifted his weight from her, she felt like a part of her had pulled away with him.

She caught her breath, then let him pull her to her feet, giggling incoherently as she pulled her dress down.

“We really ought to get out of here before someone realises what we’re up to.”

Sinclair wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, smiling.

“Mmm, cuddles first though. Then how about we get cleaned up, say our goodbyes, and we go home and cuddle some more?”

“I’d like that. Can we fuck some more too?”

“Definitely.”

Sinclair had never left a party so quick.

[sakvvra]

SenHaku Week 2024

Day 2

Prompt: Amnesia

Summary:

In a freak incident while exploring the caves, Senku goes missing and returns two days later bloodied, injured, and missing his memories.

TW: Suicide Mention, Miscarriage, Angst/Comfort.

@senhaku-week

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

“Did he really lose his memories…”

“He certainly did… testing positive.. retro… amnesia…”

Apparently, Ishigami Senku, renowned and revolutionary scientist who “brought back the modern world” had a little cave accident and landed straight on his head.

He was labeled missing by co-worker Asagiri Gen who, when interviewed and questioned, answered profusely. ‘I knew it was right to put in the missing person’s eport-ray! There was never a time when he wasn't at his lab for more than two hours!’

Turns out Ishigami is a complete dumbass, instead of relying on professionals to go and dig out whatever needed material he wanted. He decided to grab the ores by himself. The day he was found, a few workers in the same cave were questioned and pointed out that he arrived at the west side of the cave at 6:24 A.M and reported that none of them had seen him exit.

When they never saw him resurface through their end— and also because the west cave and the east side are connected, they assumed that he exited through the east way simply because it was designed to be a proper and safer way to navigate incase of emergency.

At 8:04 A.M Gen filed the report, and before the time reached 10 everybody close to Senku or working with him was aware of his sudden disappearance.

When the worker’s found out about him vanishing, they knew he was trapped inside the cave when they questioned the east side and they never recalled seeing him exit. Experienced miners were requested to search the mine and traveled 100 meters deep that day, but they came back with no results.

The second day they increased their efforts and went 300 meters deep, this time aided with a man named Shishio Tsukasa incase of any emergencies. This search was unsuccessful as well.

At 7:12 P.M the same day however, Ishigami Senku somehow reaches the east mine entrance alone, limping on his left foot with a fractured ankle and heavy bleeding and trauma to his head. He was escorted by medics that were told to be onsite in an ambulance and was taken immediately into surgery. When told to resurface, Tsukasa and the others decided to follow the blood splotches on the ground and traced it from nearly 400 meters deep. They soon found that it ended at the bottom of a high drop that was usually surrounded by light.

How he fell, made it out, or even survived was a question that lingered even two weeks after the whole freak accident. Even now as he works in his lab, performing his only regulated 30 minutes of work. The words of his colleagues were more focused on him rather than the work.

He…

I felt required to use the word He.

He, Ishigami Senku, is me.

And yet I have nothing resembling him other than his attitude and brains.

At least that’s what– my mind draws at another blank, the guy told me his name already, so why can’t I remember it?

C-Cra… Ca… Cray?

“I saw these from the coast and I came running! Because that’s what I do!”

Loud is what comes to mind, I wince at the foggy memory and my head throbs.

“Hey! My name is…”

Chrome.

… That’s what Chrome told me.

A loud ringing sound came from the small alarm on my desk, I shut it off and attempted to ignore the increase of whispers and stares undoubtedly talking about me.

This means my thirty minutes are up. So I pack my things and swing my bag over my shoulder.

Eyes linger on me until I exit the building. It took nearly two hours and a half to memorize the whole institution without someone immediately recognizing who I was and offered to help.

If that wasn’t long enough, spending a whole week in a hospital recovering felt like torture. And I spent the whole next one persuading Dr. Xeno I could actually function properly without a guide.

“We can’t risk you injuring yourself again.” The man folded his arms, he of course, naturally had a stern look on his face. It fit him perfectly. “You’re lucky I won’t put you on suicide watch.”

I wasn’t sure if Ishigami Senku was planning to kill himself, he should know of all people on this planet not to explore as deep as he did alone. Of all things.

The smartest man in the world made a mistake so inexperienced and reckless the man closest to him in his workplace wanted to put him in suicide watch– despite me having lost all motives or memories on why he would commit such an act.

“I want to do this because you need surveillance. If I do, you’ll be monitored by Kohaku. She’s especially worried about you.”

Kohaku. No birth surname. She’s that blond woman with piercing cerulean-blue eyes and a fierce smile. She was introduced to me as chief of the police force, nothing more.

When she first laid eyes on me hours after I woke up, she couldn’t stop fiddling with the silver ring on her fourth finger resting on her left hand no matter how hard-nosed and rigid she tried making her face seem. It was awkward, but it was seemingly easy to ignore.

Entering the police station was much less overstimulating than the laboratory. They were still staring at me, but they at least tried to make it less obvious.

My eyes are drawn to the woman leaning on the front desk talking to the other woman behind it.

“I mean… basically yeah! I haven’t told him yet, however, I…”

Blonde tied-up hair, lean stature, boisterous voice.

That was definitely her.

I find my feet stuck to the ground, a lump grows in my throat and my head throbs unlike the ones before.

“Agh, fuck…” I groan lowly and grip my forehead, a ringing fills my head and I felt as if I was going to pass out if it didn’t stop soon.

I could see the receptionist point towards me in shock and Kohaku whips her head and rushes to my side.

“Senku!”

Damn… the ringing pitches and at this point the only thing keeping me upwards was her grip around my waist. She takes hold of my shoulder with her other hand and now I could feel the eyes of everyone looking at me.

It was another tinnitus attack and what feels like the worst cluster headache in my life.

After a while it feels as if I'm walking on air, I have no idea where she was directing me as I’d closed my eyes a while ago due to the light spiking my headache.

“My meds.” I wheeze out once I feel that I'm sitting down on something.

“Right!”

When she removes the bag from my shoulder and I hear the rustling sounds of her looking through it I groan and clutch at the side of my head. Hoping she’ll be a little bit faster.

“Got it!”

She dropped a pill and water bottle in my hand and instantaneously I swallowed both. A shudder leaves me along with another wince and Kohaku grips my knee and shoulder comfortably.

“It should fade soon…” She murmurs softly, I let out a shaky exhale, praying that it does.

And it did.

She’s silent throughout it all, slowly rubbing my shoulder. The stinging in my eyes, pressure in my ears, the piercing high-pitched ringing— all of it eventually faded away. So does my headache, but it takes a while longer and slowly disperses with one last pulse against my forehead.

I slowly open my eyes and… back to normal. I blink a couple of times just in case and soon I huff in disbelief. “Well… fuck.”

“Yeah, fuck.” Kohaku chuckles lightly. “Welcome to the modern world.”

I look at the surroundings around me and figure out pretty fast that she took me to the park close to the police station. No eyes to stare at me worryingly, no hurried whispers between colleagues when I enter a room— none of that.

Just birds tweeting and the sounds of cicadas chirping.

“Is this what it feels to be at peace?” I utter purely out of incredulity, a stupid statement to make, I doubt Senku would ever say something that silly. Maybe I just want to hear her laugh again.

She stares at me with widened eyes before she bursts into small giggles. I swallowed and felt my chest clench.

Heart palpitations?

“I guess you could say that… pffft!” She giggles again, her face is softly flushed a pinkish-red and she’s doing a terrible job at staying professional.

When she settles down, she lets out a breathy sigh and the woody park is silent again. There are no kids here as school’s currently active, however as it’s friday undoubtedly the park would fill up when classes are over.

I find myself gazing at her in the corner of my eye. She'd removed her touch on my knee and shoulder but it still lingers like a phantom.

“I used to go to this park a lot a year back.” She finally speaks, way lower than her previous tone. “I stopped going when It got easier to cope.”

Even an idiot could tell she was talking about death, something I narrowly avoided myself. I silently debate if I should poke further before opening my mouth to speak. “Mind if I ask what happened?”

Kohaku's breath hitches at the question, her eyes flickering from the playset and towards me. She reacts to that harder than I expected and I can’t even mutter a word before she speaks.

“Senku… last year I had a miscarriage.”

Oh.

Oh fuck…

Her teary eyes desperately search in my eyes and I can tell that she's just praying that her husband would come back and just tell her it’s okay.

But I'm not him, and I'm not sure when I'll even be him again.

“K-Kohaku, I’m sorry…” Is all I could say.

Pathetic.

She whimpers as she finds that her efforts are for naught, so she sharply turns her head away and fiddles with the silver ring in her lap again.

The initials on it read: I.K

Ishigami Kohaku. No birth surname, of course she has no maiden name because she’s married to me.

More so, Ishigami Senku.

This resolution makes me nauseous. I swallow harshly and look away, quickly squeezing my eyes shut.

Forget, forget, forget.

Why would he try killing himself and he was married to someone as beautiful as her?

Kohaku takes in a huge gasp of air and claps her hands together. The sound makes me snap to look at her just to find out that she’s now standing up with a bright grin on her face.

Her eyes are red… I made her cry… I note unconsciously and I regret it as I can't seem to hide the guilt on my face when she stares at me again and her smile falters slightly.

“Okay!” She shouts into the air, her sudden boisterous energy makes me stiff. “Today, I will make it my goal that Ishigami Senku WILL smile!”

…Huh?

I stagger as she takes my hand and yanks me up. “What are you…!”

“Cmon!” She grins, leading me out the park with a pep in her step. “We’re gonna have fun today!”

Fun? “We aren’t children!” I shout after and nearly trip over my own feet as she picks up the pace. “S-Slow down!”

“Being an adult has never stopped me from having fun! That’s one thing you should keep in mind!”

Kohaku snorts and giggles when I trip on my feet again, she playfully rolls her eyes and scoffs. Before I knew it, she’s carrying me up in her arms and starts racing down the sidewalk as if it were nothing.

What the fuck? The air is knocked out of my lungs as she barrels around the corner.

“Pfffwahaha!” Finally she bursts into full-blown laughter at what I can only assume was my face as we both bundle down the street. The feeling of the wind hitting my face makes my chest pound— was it heart palpitations? No.

This was exciting. I couldn’t stop the smile from growing on my face whatsoever. Kohaku notices it when she hears me laughing alongside her and starts giggling twice as loud.

She takes me to a movie theater, then a music hall, and lastly a crowded skating rink.

At this point it’s already 10 P.M and they both are way past their curfew, so she offers to walk me to my temporary dorm room.

“Oh my god!” She snorts, I could feel my face tinge red with embarrassment. “You absolutely suck at ice skating!”

This is the fourth time tonight she’s bringing this up!

“Oh, lay off!” I huff jokingly and Kohaku genuinely looks hurt, my breath hitches.

Soon however, she snickers and my shoulders untense. “Oh you softie, you totally fell for it.”

“Yeah well! I haven’t–!”

I went to quip back, but the moment we turned the corner we reached my apartment. It’s silent as we walk towards the building, if only the day was longer. That way they could both talk and laugh for longer. She follows up the steps yet stops half-way when I make it to the top and smiles.

“Well, that was fun.” I turn to look back at her and smile back warmly. “You got me to smile, too.”

I see her shoulders tense and I immediately worry if I said something. “Shit. Did I do something wrong? I know I'm not him– I mean, I am him, but I don’t think like him. I lost my memories because I decided to do something fucking stupid and leave you alone and–!”

“You knew?”

My rambles are cut short by her voice. Instantly my throat closes up and I’m left to wonder what she means.

“Knew what?”

Her eyes are watery but no tears spill. “That we’re married.”

It’s silent for a while and her cerulean eyes are piercing as she stares into my eyes. I nod softly, not quite trusting my voice underneath her gaze.

“When did you learn that?”

I pause for a second, thinking carefully of which words to use then finally speaking. “When I first saw you, you couldn’t stop messing around with your ring and at first, I couldn't clearly read the initials. When you did it again at the park today, that's when I was able to read it clearly.”

Kohaku hissed in some air, and I winced at the reaction, obviously that wasn't a good thing for me to remember.

“Dr. Xeno’s is going to merk me.”

“Huh? Why?” The panic in my tone was abundant, but she smiled and shook her head. Kohaku sighed a little, waving off my worry.

“He already told me to take the ring of the day we met again. He was concerned it would create a not-so positive reaction.”

“Buuuut.” She grows a grin again. “It’s alright. You didn’t have a panic attack or fade off into space. So he’ll be chill for the most part. Maybe. Hopefully.”

This time, the silence that drifts between us is comforting, but obviously it can’t stay like this and eventually she claps and breaks the pause.

“Welp! It was fun!” She giggles and my mouth goes dry, the idea of her going home alone twists my heart. “Goodnight!”

“Goodnight…” I leave her off with a smile and waves her off– because the thought of her leaving with the impression that she failed trying to make me happy made me restless.

Ishigami Senku is coming back– it doesn’t matter if he wants to, or not.

[lostinhisworld]

secret hideaway- JJ MAYBANK

warnings: nothing really. brief mentions of illness, divorce, heartbreak and rumours. written while very tired. jj being wrongly accused. she/her pronouns. based on a tiktok i saw of the left and right images. might make a part 2 if it’s wanted. unedited.

word count: 634

hope you enjoy x

Air twisted and turned, tugging at JJ's hair in all directions as he gazed ahead, fixated on the waves crashing against sharp rocks. Finally, he allowed himself to breathe.

It had been at least ten minutes now, stretching longer than usual as he sat on the broken side of the hill, hiding from the trouble he'd unwittingly caused.

Unlike his typical antics, today was a mistake, an accidental incident born from bad luck and unfortunate timing. JJ Maybank, notorious for finding himself in situations where he emerged as the 'villain,' now found fingers pointed at him when he was discovered near a recently vandalized store.

He knew it wasn't fair; he was entirely innocent this time. Yet, he understood the odds stacked against him. Hence, when the store's owner nodded in his direction, prompting the officers to look his way, JJ sprinted off, finding refuge in the concealed cave he now occupied.

His secret hideaway wasn't common knowledge among the Outer Banks residents, sparing him the anxiety of discovery. Only a few adventurous souls had stumbled upon it, marking their find on the left wall with over twenty initials carved or drawn.

JJ himself had stumbled upon the spot a few years ago, despite spending his entire life on the island. It was as accidental as most things in his life—discovered after one too many beers at a boneyard party and a case of drunken wandering.

He'd been returning whenever he needed solitude since, never revealing its location to another soul, not even his best friend.

So, when he felt a rock shift, his immediate thought was that he was about to plunge into the ocean's turbulent waters.

Y/n Y/l/n was a newcomer to town, the latest resident of the Cut. She had moved to her mother's childhood home upon hearing of her grandmother's illness.

It was challenging to let go of the life she'd built for herself in Charlestown, but she knew it was the right choice for both her mother and grandmother.

The initial weeks had been tough, witnessing the transformation of the older lady into a mere shell of her former self. To make matters worse, news of her arrival had spread quickly, with malicious rumors swirling around her.

It was a Wednesday afternoon when she found her only refuge in this new town, following a particularly tough day at school. She had been returning there whenever she needed a break from the sadness at home and the cruelty at school.

She had never encountered another soul there before, believing it to be her private sanctuary tucked away on the side of a large hill. However, at the sight of golden hair peeking from behind a boulder, her dreams were dashed, sinking into the ocean beside her now frozen body. "Oh, no," she whispered, taking a step back in the hope that the stranger hadn't noticed her intrusion.

"Hey to you, too," the boy chimed in, amusement in his voice as she cringed.

"I didn't expect anyone else to be here—there never is. I usually come here to be alone, but obviously, I can't do that now," she babbled, uncertain about what to say to the smiling stranger. "Oh, my God. You probably came here to be alone, too, and now I've interrupted. I'll just go."

JJ sat up straighter, his face momentarily falling. "Or you could stay? We could be alone, together," he said, his words slipping out without him realizing it.

"Alone, together?" she repeated, confusion etched on her face. She thought for a moment, considering whether sitting in a secluded space with an unknown person was wise. Still, with the memory of what she was trying to escape, she decided to take the risk. "Sure, if you're okay with it."

"Of course," he replied, a bit hastily, then cleared his throat and tried a different approach. "I mean, yeah, whatever."

Y/n chuckled as she continued her descent down the hillside, using the cave's walls for balance. She hadn't yet mastered the perfect way to enter the secret spot, often tumbling rather than walking.

"I'm Y/n, by the way," she offered, her eyes fixed on the ground to prevent falling.

"Yeah, I know," JJ responded, watching her gaze snap to his. "You're new in town, and word travels fast."

Her eyes returned to the ground as she took a seat on one of the rocks, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Yeah, right. I guess you've heard all the stories, then?"

"I've heard a few," he answered easily, not sensing her sudden tension. "But I'm not big on gossip. I know how nasty rumors can be."

She looked over at him, searching for any signs of dishonesty but found only sincerity. "Well, I promise you I'm not on the run from the law, avoiding a baby-daddy, or escaping from a mental institution," she joked, a trace of sadness creeping through.

JJ furrowed his eyebrows. "Is that really what they're saying?" he wondered, receiving a shrug in response. "All I heard was that you got into a fight at your old school, and no one on the mainland wanted to take a chance with a flight risk. It's not much better, but damn, I didn't know they could be that creative."

She laughed, relaxing a bit. "Believe me, I was surprised too. One girl told me I got knocked up by my old principal."

"Wait, she said that to your face?"

"Yeah, she randomly sat next to me and told me without even looking at who she was talking to," Y/n said, rolling her eyes. "She totally freaked out when she realized."

The boy laughed genuinely, something he hadn't done in a while, as he looked into the girl's shy eyes. "I'm JJ," he said softly, his lips curving up as he extended his hand between them.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, JJ," she returned the gesture, her gentle hand wrapping around his rough skin. "Good to know not everyone thinks I'm some scandal."

"Hey, I never said that," he joked, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he held her hand. "Come with me."

"What?" Y/n sputtered as he pulled her to her feet, leading her out of their private hideaway. She didn't argue, prompted by the encouraging smile on his face and the subtle tug on her arm to keep up. She followed a few steps behind, her fingers interlocked with his.

She had known him for barely five minutes and was already chasing after him like a lost puppy. It wasn't a huge surprise to her, though.

She had always been a romantic at heart, a sucker for a good rom-com where the girl mysteriously meets her soulmate on a random afternoon.

When she was younger, lying in her pastel room, she had dreamt of the day her knight in shining armor would appear, saving her from the dragon and living happily ever after.

Regrettably, life hadn't unfolded as she had hoped. Heartbreak had found her the moment she tasted the sweetness of love. She had witnessed her parents' separation due to clashing opinions, seen her partner's joy slowly ebb away as days grew longer, and witnessed countless people walk away from her and her heart. Despite it all, it had never deterred her belief in "the one."

Y/n wholeheartedly believed that there was someone, somewhere, uniquely crafted for her, a person who would love her perfectly — she was simply waiting to cross paths with that special someone.

On the contrary, JJ was not a firm believer in love. His past experiences had soured his perception, leaving him disenchanted. He acknowledged that love existed in the world but believed it wasn't meant for him, at least not in a romantic sense.

As a result, he sought solace in meaningless hookups and unattached relationships, giving him control over his emotions and desires.

However, something had stirred within him as he watched her smile and heard her laughter. It was a sensation he had never experienced before.

And he was determined to decipher the meaning of that newfound feeling.

[yoitsjay]

The Whispers (Ch.2)

Pairings: Hunter X fem! Reader

Summary: you had saved Hunters family, and he promised to keep your secret. Now to Dathomir... where the whispers grow strongest.

Warnings: cannon violence, references and direct mentions to characters from Star wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but before that. Hunter starting to feel things maybe? Cid loves you surprisingly. Rip

Word count: 3,300

You had run out of rations before the week’s end, and the droids were still here, searching for any remaining survivors. In the distance you could still hear screams, but you knew you had to go out to gunt, to stay surviving. So while Merrin slept you gathered your things, holding your bow in your hands as you left the cave, slowly creeping through the forest, keeping your eyes and ears open for any animals, or for any dangers you might face. You could still hear your sisters screams in your head, angry cries… You found yourself crying, albeit silently, the tears just pouring from your eyes.

You shook away the anger and the hate. You moved forward. You heard something skittering so you lowered yourself to the ground, readyyour energy bow to shoot the creature, however when you saw two assassin droids emerge from the trees you lowered the bow, and pressed yourself into a tree, sucking in a deep breath, hoping that they didn't see you.

However when you poked your head out you heard a very childlike scream, and your eyes widened when you realized they had Merrin, and were about to execute her, but not before asking where the others were hiding. You quickly sprung into action, firing two shots with your energy bow before teleporting behind the assassin droids, slicing their heads off with your scimitars. And yet, in all your rage you were, and they grabbed Merrin because of it, and now you were surrounded, blasters aimed at you on all sides.

You were too blinded by your anger to see that it was a trap, they had been tracking you as soon as you left that cave but you would NOT let them kill Merrin, or you… so with all the energy you had, just as they started firing time seemed to slow, and a orb of purple seemed to expand around you and merrin, the energy you had created bursting from your body, destroying all the droids and life around you, trees starting to burn. Your adrenaline kept you going, and you grabbed Merrin and ran, and you didn't stop running, not until you were in a completely different place, one you'd never explored.

You only stopped when your knees started to buckle. You were exhausted, but you needed Merrin safe. She needed to be sa-

You woke up with a sharp gasp, sitting up abruptly, only to slam your head on the bottom of the bunk above you. You let out a loud groan, rubbing your head which you could already tell was starting to bruise. You heard some footsteps, and looking up you Noticed Omega by your side with a medpack at the ready, Hunter, Tech and the others all stood behind her, looking at you with curiosity, and distrust. Omega pressed an ice pack to your head, and you whispered a thank you, turning to face the men in front of you. “You have questions.” You stated rather than questioned, and Tech stepped forward, giving you a quick scan as he seemed to cross reference something before looking at Hunter, showing him the data pad.

“What are you?” Hunter asked, and you sighed. “I am a Nightsister, or I was… before my entire clan was executed, and I was left to survive, living with the fear that I would be found, and killed alongside my sisters..” You explained as water dripped down your face, you quickly wiped it away, revealing some of the markings on your face. “I don't want anyone else to know who or what I am” you stated, keeping the ice back against your forehead. “So you are from Dathomir?” Tech asked, and you nodded. “yes… after this mission… that was where i was going to ask you to bring me… I get these nightmares, and there's something or someone always whispering in my head… it's time i head back, discover how to rid myself of the voices and these nightmares.” You explained, looking at Hunter.

“The price of a witch is high, which is why I hide myself and keep these abilities secret. I don't want to die or get hunted… So please Hunter, keep my secret.” You begged him, Feeling omega place her hand on top of yours. You smiled for a moment, gripping her hand for a moment before letting go.

The man looked back at the others, who all seemed to share a look of agreement before they looked back at you. Hunter nodded to you before speaking. “You saved my family, I think we owe you more than just keeping a secret.” He said, and you let out a relieved sigh. letting yourself relax again.

“We can take you to Dathomir after we drop off what we got to Cid.” Hunter told you and you nodded, standing up and taking a step towards him, pursing your lips slightly before you pulled him into a sudden hug. You didn't know how else to express your gratitude. You pulled away from him, and he offered you a smile.

“Thank you.” You muttered to him, taking a step back as you looked at the others. “And thank you all as well, truely.” You added, looking back at Hunter with a smile.

“You know we work pretty well together.” You started, walking out with him to the cockpit. “Oh yeah?” He questioned, turning to face you. You grinned and nodded. “Well when we set those charges, we were like water and stone, they work together so smoothly that it just looks natural” You stated, sitting down in the cockpit.

You didn't say anything else after that as tech announced that the ship was dropping out of hyperspace, Hunter grabbed a seat beside you, pondering what you said.

The talk was Cid was over as soon as it started, The bad batch got their credits, and Cid seemed happy. However before you could turn around and leave, she gently grabbed your arm. “Hey, before you leave me in the dust with your new friends, I wanted to give you something. I know you've been improving with your sniping, so…” Cid trailed off before she ducked behind the bar, appearing moments later with a beautiful sniper rifle.

She handed it to you, seeing how big your smile grew. “Oh kriff Cid… it's beautiful, it matches the engravings on my scimitars… Thank you Cid.” You breathed out, pulling the Trandotian into a tight hug, however she quickly shoved you away, turning her head to the side.

“yeah whatever just go- and if you come back, stop in and say hi” She stated, pushing you towards the bad batch. You snickered, waving goodbye as you hooked the sniper on your back, letting it connect to a third magnet you had there, just for this moment. You walked up to Hunter, nodding.

You good with that thing?” he asked, and “Please.”the Trandotian into a tight hug, however she quickly shoved you away, turning her head to the side.

“yeah whatever just go- and if you come back, stop in and say hi” She stated, pushing you towards the bad batch. You snickered, waving goodbye as you hooked the sniper on your back, letting it connect to a third magnet you had there, just for this moment. You walked up to Hunter, nodding. “Are you good with that thing?” he asked, however you just shrugged. “I'm good, not great but good.” You stated, taking one last look at Cid before walking out with Hunter.

You made your way back to the Marauder, and quickly you snagged the fresher before anyone else, splashing some water onto your face, giving it a good scrub before drying it off with a stray towel you found. you set it back, and stared at your reflection, dragging your fingers over the markings on your face. You smiled, and walked back out of the fresher, looking over at the clones who were already off doing their own thing on the Marauder while tech set course for Dathomir.

You felt like you still needed some rest, so you made your way over to Hunter, tapping his shoulder to get his attention. When he looked up at you after fiddling with whatever he was working on, you smiled sheepishly. “Sorry to ask but- is it okay if I steal your bunk for a bit longer? I'm still quite tired and… If I'm going to face whatever is on Dathomir, I think I'll need some more rest.” You requested, not expecting Hunter to agree right away.

“Of course, thank you for asking. Go ahead and take my bunk, and if you need anything else just let me know.” He offered to you, and you smiled. “And you.” You replied, turning and walking away from him. You could feel his eyes trained on you still as you walked away, however you didn't pay any mind, and as soon as you reached the bed and got comfortable you were out like a light.

“You can't go!” Merrin shouted, fury in her eyes as green magic surrounded her form. You were standing by a ship that you stole from some unsuspecting travelers, ready to leave this planet for good. You stared at Merrin, shaking your head, noticing Malicos behind her with a smirk spread across his lips. “And you should just come with me Mer! It's not safe here, never has been and never will! And this… whatever he is, he's no good! I don't trust him and neither should you Merrin. If we leave we can find other clans! We can survive together like we always have!” You shouted back.

However Merrin only grew angrier, throwing a blast of magic towards you, which you quickly manipulated into your own magic, making it disappear. “I'm not going to fight you Merrin! Come with me or stay and rot with the pretender. But when he fails you, and you feel isolated, remember you had the chance to come with me and you didn't! Remember that when our sisters were massacred I was the one that kept you safe and made sure you survived!” You shouted, walking up the steps of your new ship, taking one last look at Merrin before you walked further into your ship. However you left the ramp open, just in case she changed her mind…

However when you took off, and Merrin was still standing there you simply sighed, closing the ramp and making your way out of the atmosphere. You had never flown but- there was always one way to learn, and you seemed to get a quick grip on the controls before selecting a random planet on the ships existing database, and you jumped to hyperspace, not looking behind you.

You opened your eyes after another dream, this one not as gory as the others but still equally as sad. You sat up slowly this time, rubbing your eyes before standing up. You fixed some stray strands of hair that fell from how you had it styled, and you made your way out to the cockpit, feeling refreshed and ready to take on your past… you didn't know how long you slept for, but the boys were still busy at work, making small repairs, or doing research.

You took a seat at the back of the cockpit, staring out the window and at the lights of hyperspace, a smile gracing your lips for a moment only for your mind to wander to Merrin… a sigh left your lips, one that was quickly picked up by Omega who was sitting beside you. “Are you okay?” She asked softly, tearing your attention from the window.

You looked down at her and smiled, nodding. “As good as I can be… I left someone behind on Dathomir… another Nightsister like me… I offered her a place with me but- she refused so I left her behind… I'm just wondering if… well… if she's still there… with that price?” You sneered at the last part, and Omega raised an eyebrow. “What prick?” She asked, and you sighed.

“A poser named Malicos. He told us that he was a jedi, and he could help us get revenge on those who killed our sisters but- I refused… Merrin however… she fell into his traps.” You muttered, looking away from Omega. “If I can avoid them… maybe it's all the better. But I have a feeling I'll need to confront her if I'm to rid myself of these nightmares.”

Omega nodded, and rested her hand on your shoulder for a moment before walking away. You heard some beeping coming from the center console and Tech quickly dropped the ship out of hyperspace. And right in front of you was the red planet of Dathomir. You let in a sharp breath, jumping slightly when you felt a warm and firm hand on your shoulder.

You looked up, relaxing when it was Hunter who was by your side. “You've got this. We'll be by your side the whole way.” he said, and you nodded. You entered the planet's atmosphere, flying over old ruins and burnt forests. You pointed out a good place to land and Tech did just that. Once fully landed you grabbed your gear and was the first to step off the ship. You inhaled, the long lost scents of your home filling your nose. You turned to Hunter, watching as the others piled out of the Marauder as well. “ready?” You asked them, staring ahead. “Dathomir’s terrain is dangerous, and some places are most likely blocked so we will have to find new routes to get to the center temple. So follow my lead, step where I step and we will be fine.”

You instructed them all sternly, but they were ready to follow your lead. Your magic felt strong here, and that was both good… and bad… regardless you started leading the way through the burnt forests towards the main temple. There were several different temples all over Dathomir, as well as encampments where your brother tribe lived, and you'd hope to avoid them because you really didn't want to get into a fight.

You and the bad batch walked for what seemed like hours, but was only multiple minutes at best. Tech was scanning the terrain and gathering data on the plants and soil. However when you approached a doorway, you signaled for everyone to stop. You sucked in a deep breath, channeling your magic through the door, hearing a soft click before the large doors opened slowly.

You raised your hand, a purple orb now floating above you, creating a light source that allowed not only you, but the others to see as well as you entered a cave system, one you knew well.

You lead them through, the only things heard being your breathing, or the grunts and coughs of those behind you. Nobody was really talking, and that was probably a good thing. The dead had ears here, and if Merrin was here there was a chance she could wake the dead… if she had Mother Talsins sphere.

A while later, you turned to face Hunter as another door was revealed. “We are getting close, the power of this place is growing stronger, and so are The whispers. Keep your weapons close, and if you see a living, stun, don't shoot. But kill any dead.” You explained, and you could sense the confusion. you sighed and with a swirl of magic you opened one of the beads cocoons, And summoned one of your dead sisters, who looked at you with her jaw slacked open, nothing behind her eyes. “Merrin isn't able to do this unless she has Mother Talsins sphere, and she most likely does, so just keep your eyes open.” You explained, closing your hand into a fist which rendered the dead nightsister into dust, which soon blew away from. The breeze.

You turned back to the door, extending your hand and your magic to open it. This time the door swung open with a bit more force than you intended, and you winced before walking forward. You stared up at the tall pires of the temple, and a sight left your lips. Despite that you continued forward with your newfound friends behind you… that was until-

“I never expected you of all people would come back here. It's been quite a while.” Came The sickly voice of Talon Malicos, who was leaning against the edge of the bridge to your side. How he got there so fast you had no idea, however when you heard the clicks of the batchers' blasters, you gestured for them to lower their weapons. “Malicos.” You sneered, glaring at him. “Why I'm here is none of your business. I suggest you stay out of our way.” You threatened, seeing him raise his hands with a chuckle.

“Please, don't mind me. Carry on with your business. I guess I shouldn't tell Merrin you're here either?” He asked, And Hunter noticed you tense up significantly. Suddenly purple magic lashed out at malicos like chains, and you brought him to his knees in front of you, anger in your eyes as you brought a magic chain to his throat and started to squeeze…

However when you felt a familiar warm hand on your arm, you released those chains, looking at Hunter with a newfound sadness. “Ignore him, let's keep moving.” He whispered to you, and you nodded despite those whispers telling you to end Malicos.

However you didn't, and instead you grabbed his face while he was still down. “Merrin made her choice. And like you, she will stay out of my way.” You spat on his face before letting him go, walking the rest of the bridge until you finally reached the temple, Hunter right beside you, just like he said he would be.

You lead them through the temple, following the whispers the louder they got until you reached what looked like an altar. You knelt down in front of it, grabbing a blade from your thigh as you brought it to the palm of your hand. You brought it up over the bowl on the altar, slicing a small cut in the palm of your hand, allowing your blood to drip into the bowl.

Green and purple magic clashed against each other in an uproar before your purple magic dwarfed the green. You rose back to your feet as two doors opened, one on either side of you. One would lead you to where you needed to go, and one… where your deepest desire lied. A sigh left your lips and you reached out with your hand, feeling with your magic in each door.

Eventually you stepped to the left side, and gestured for Hunter to follow. “Stay close now. No telling what could happen here.” You said softly, watching as they all got a bit closer to you. You lead them down until you reach a room. It was a large open space, one surprisingly unfamiliar to you.

You then turned to Hunter, placing a hand on his shoulder. “The rest I must face alone.” You stated, handing him your sniper rifle, grinning widely. “I'll come back for that.” You added, hearing him chuckle

“You better.” He rebutted. He found it odd however, that he was already caring so much for you. Maybe it was because you saved his family, or maybe it was because you were right. He was the rock that held everything together, and you were the fluid water that moved around him, and yet you fit together…

He watched as you walked away, disappearing down a dark hall. He turned to his brothers, gripping your rifle in his hands. “Best get comfy. This might take a while.”

[jetsteelyourheart]

Vampire Academy Book 4: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Listen, I'm a Dragoway truther, and I support Rose, Lissa & Christian as a Polycule. But Ship literally whatever you wanna ship in this series, its silly and fun, and anyway my OTP of all time is Sydrian - speaking of, shout out to my first ever attempt at a Sydney -- hilarious to me now because I changed her whole design pretty much completely.

Anyway, here's a book 4 group shot before I put those in an actual setting with real visuals.

Excerpt from the end of Blood Promise, Chapter 30

Adrian had said seeing me in dreams couldn't compare to seeing me in person. The same was true with Lissa. Being in her head was nothing like being near her in reality. The door opened, and it was like an apparition materializing before me, some sort of heavenly messenger descended from above. I'd never been away from her for this long, and after all this time, part of me wondered if I was imagining this.

Her hand went to her mouth, and she stared at me wide-eyed. I think she felt the same way -- and she hadn't even had warning of my visit. She'd just been told I was coming "soon." No doubt I seemed like a phantom to her too.

And with that reunion... it was like I was emerging from a cave - one I'd been in for almost five weeks - into the bright light of day. When Dimitri had turned, I'd felt like I'd lost part of my soul. When I'd left Lissa, another piece had gone. Now, seeing her... I began to think maybe my soul might be able to heal. Maybe I could go on after all. I didn't feel 100 percent whole yet, but her presence filled up that missing part of me. I felt more like myself than I had in ages.

A world of questions and confusion hung in the silence between us. In spite of everything we'd been through with Avery, there was still a lot of unresolved business from when I had first left the school. For the first time since I'd set foot on the Academy's grounds, I felt afraid. Afraid that Lissa would reject me or scream at me for what I'd done.

Instead, she drew me into a giant hug. "I knew it," she said. She was already choking on her sobs. "I knew you'd come back."

"Of course," I murmured into her shoulder. "I said I would."

I mean, come on, there's murmuring for god's sake. How are they not cannon??????

[orions-hole]

GREEK GODS? | Piper | 3/?? | 1/5

ALL | PREVIOUS | ... | NEXT

The week had already been horrible. First, my (ex) boyfriend did a "prank" that nearly killed Jason. Then there was what happened with my father... I still got chills remembering the nightmare.

I was all alone in a mansion. I felt... small. So small. "Dad?' I called out but nobody answered. The corridors seemed to crush me. "Daad?" I called out more desperately and arrived at the living room. The firepit was gigantic. It could swallow me whole. I held tightly onto my plushie and then... A giant walked out of the fire. Suddenly everything changed. We were no longer in a gigantic living room but a gigantic cave. And dad... he was bruised, battered. I tried to run to him, I really tried. But I wasn't moving.

IF YOU WANT HIM KILL STORM AND FIRE

I was unsure what that meant. It was scary but I decided not to dwell on it further as Jason woke up. It was so cute how much he flustered... I enjoyed playing oblivious. He was 13, and I was 15 nearly 16. So I wouldn't let him know I was aware of his feelings, for his own good.

As we got off the bus Dylan took my hand and dragged me around, he was back to acting all sweet and caring, but after that day... I just couldn't see him the same. "Why are you acting like nothing happened?" I asked coldly, he tilted his head "What do you mean?" "Oh. And now you play blind after what you did to Jason!" I snapped, but he continued pretending to be clueless. "I don't know what you-" "YOU HUNG HIM OFF THE ROOF HOW CAN YOU SIMPLY NOT REMEMBER!?" I snapped, and I saw a strange wave of realization in his eyes "..I thought you stronger to the mist, love..." "STOP IT WITH THE LOVELY NONSENSE! I told you that day! WE ARE OVER!"

I felt the wind pick up, but everything seemed normal. Then... a hand choking me, but I couldn't see anything.

"I should've known your mortal eyes would eventually be deceived..." Dylan snarled, his voice was so full of fury - like the thing in front of me wasn't even human.

Then something shot him - I fell with a thud and Leo dragged me inside the bus. That's when I saw who had shot Dylan. Jason. Coach kicked Dylan and told Jason to go inside. Jason listened - me and Leo dragged him inside. The Bus's doors closed and all we saw was a hurricane unfold outside, but based off Jasons expressions... He saw something much, much worse.

Everyone was huddled up together - trying to keep each other safe, when the winds died down. A girl forced the door open. She... looked like a well-seasoned warrior. A soldier born into the war. Her hair - Her skin. I didn't pay attention to any of that. Just her scars, like the patches of grey hair - no doubt from stress and strain.

"Everyone. Out. It's safe now." Her voice was cold - but also with an edge of worry, like she was looking for.. something. No - someone. She was very worried.. I could tell - but something also told me.. That it was someone so important. She'd fight god to make sure they were sure.

We followed her out - there was another soldier, this one even more scarred, he was holding a necklace up to everyone's forehead, no... a thermometer. No definitely a necklace on second(third) thought.

It glowed on Leo's turn, it also glowed with me, and it glowed with Jason. "..these three need emergency transport" she decided and told everyone to hold still and wait for the rests of the medics.

She took me and the kids back to a carriage. She sat us down and sighed

"Hello. My name is Annabeth." "Hello Annabeth... I'm Piper" I extended my hand, she never took it, instead she turned to the driver. "You explain, or I explain?" "Well, I guess I am the trained professional," he sighed and hopped over to us. He was much like coach hedge. Yet... so different.

"Hey, you know greek gods, right? Like Pan the god of the wild or Athena the goddess of wisdom?"

I nodded, yeah I'd read about them for one of dad's movies... dad. The earlier soldier came back and took Annabeth away, talking about something, coach-hedge-if-he-was-younger resumed talking "So, every person has different faiths, but the greek gods are reals, and they have... angered a lot of people of the centuries. Right now.. That storm, it was a bunch of venti. They targetted you three, well because... hey Malcolm!" The boy threw the amunet and the goat held it up, it glowed shaprly. "because you're demigods." "What- What you're saying makes no sense goat man." Leo said, he laughed "How do you know I'm a goat, then?" Leo rolled his eyes "Because of my GREAT imagination." he snarked - "I always see weird things! Coach hedge was also a goat. Its just my imagination"

The boy relaxed and laughed a bit.. He sighed "Let's start from 0. I'm Grover, you three are?" "Jason" "Leo" "Piper"

That was... the start of a very confusing(and very scarring) year and a half.

[orchid-151]

I had some ideas for the journey Orchid and her group were going to take, I haven't fully planned them out but if any of you all like this idea involving your OC's do let me know... Or if you don't like the idea then also let me know because I can change/shorten the 'Inner Evil' arc...

I will list a small summary for each picture...

Again, these are just ideas... if any of you don't want your OC to show up for a mini arc just let me know... I won't do it if you ask me not to.

Under readmore because long...

@lilium2034 Amicus and Fidus

The idea is after they reach land, Mason stirs up an argument with Orchid about not needing to be so reckless with her actions with her firing comments back at him about trying to be a team player... After she walks away to blow off steam when she runs into the Duo. Amicus heals her shoulder while hearing her out and tries to give her some good advice...

I might add more when I get to that part but that's it for that mini arc...

@asktotallyhuman Sarah

To be fair, I have been reading all I can about this girl and her village, and thought of a good arc where Orchid goes alone and tries to make a bargain with Sarah to help her brother and the group. Orchid would stay and make a few double chests of 'God Apples' and Sanah would allow Mason and the others to pass and continue (Valkyrie and Archie would be given two of the 'rings' to make them look like villagers)...

I don't think Sanah is evil but I think she would rig a double chest to drain the apples into another dozen double chest below Orchid cell making her work even harder to make more apples then offered... Only later finding out more about the strange Illager and finding that Orchid is literally going to kill herself trying to fill the last chest to fulfill her end of the bargain...

In the end, Sanah does a good deed and finally lets Orchid go after letting her recover... But Sanah's mindset of Illagers doesn't change. And Orchid understands that, tell Sanah she can keep the extra 'God Apples' for an emergency with no ill will to the human...

Not fully planned out again but again, I don't think Sanah is evil... Just untrusting of ANY Illager that comes to her with a bargain...

@ask-wretched Wretched

(Damn is Wretch hard to draw for me... Even if it is just his foot 😓)

Ok, this idea was running a mug through my head for a while now so here is some of the idea...

As Orchid's group continues on, they start running into some of Drake's forces... While Orchid goes looking for some ingredients for a few potions a small party of four ambushes her in a cave mouth and chases her into it. One uses a tipped arrow with blindness on it and aims it at her. Orchid suddenly notices that she had blindly ran into a Wardens territory and stops to hide and be quiet... Only to get hit by a tipped arrow in the back and knocked down... The 4 are then 'mowed down' by the warden of the area, obviously being loud and aggravated when they found their target and almost lost her... Orchid tries to get up but realizes she is low on health and is blind for who-knows-how-long...

Wretch would be humongous next to Orchid and if he did try to help would probably be scared to even hold her, she so smol... (I don't have her exact measurements yet... Maybe 4"6' or 4"10' somewhere in that range of shortness...)

(originally I was going to have her a few weeks pregnant with Smith's child but I might not do that... Unless y'all like the idea of more drama but I don't think I'll do it.)

And there you go, four ideas I had for mini arcs in the comic, I still plan to put the few OC's in the background in some panels so be looking out for the small cameos~

[oblivions-dawn]

WHY IS IT SUNDAY

HELLO IT'S BEEN. A WHILE. I've had so much shit happen with my job and I haven't had any motivation to do anything substantial. BUT NOW MY SHACKLES ARE OFF, GONE FOR THE WEEK, AND SO! In celebration I'm sharing a liiiiiiittle bit of my chapter c; I'll save the best parts for when it's published hopefully later this week of course, but I'm willing to give you a small taste to hold you all over~ Thank you to everyone that has been tagging me in WIP Wednesdays. I see them and I love them all and I'm sorry for not being better about sharing WIPs in a timely manner. I hope you enjoy this tiny snippet as much as I do ❤❤

Serana sighed in annoyance. “Remind me again why I’m allowing you to come with me when it specifically said to come alone.” She paused, albeit briefly, her voice laced with bitterness. “I know it’s a trap. I’m not stupid.”

“Then you should know that letting you go alone is even more fucking stupid.”

The vampire’s only answer was a hard, loud huff through her mouth. They elapsed into complete silence, save for the crunch of snow beneath the horse’s hooves. Vigdis’ sharp eyes traced the horizon in search of a manmade silhouette—but found none, even as they neared the top of the slope. This deeply troubled Vigdis, as she had thought the manor would be more obvious. Her instinct brewed hotly beneath her calm, studious façade. She couldn’t shake the uneasiness that clawed into her lungs, the dread that twisted in her heart and ensnared her mind.

Something was wrong.

Mournloaf stopped, then snorted harshly. The hunter pulled herself from her thoughts, only to stare deep into the mouth of a cave. There was no manor to be seen.

“I don’t like the look of this,” Serana voiced uncertainly.

Vigdis furrowed her thick red brows. She tugged gently on the horse’s reins—then froze as a figure emerged from the cave. Her freckled knuckles went white as an orange and black marbled Khajiit vampire stepped out from the shadows and offered them a mirthless grin. Serana was quick to dismount Mournloaf and approached him. Vigdis reluctantly followed.

“We’ve been expecting you, Lady Serana,” he purred. But his grin fell as his eyes slowly glided to Vigdis’ form. “Unfortunately, your cattle is not welcome inside. Perhaps if they are willing to wait . . .”

Fury seared through the hunter’s veins. She snarled and stepped forward—only for Serana’s arm to abruptly halt her. Vigdis turned her enraged glare on the brunette, who merely smiled at the Khajiit with uncharacteristic ease.

“I have an acquired taste,” she said smoothly. Vigdis didn’t miss the faint yet palpable sinister edge to her voice, or the sharpness in her persimmon eyes. “I doubt you have anything exquisite to offer me, so I brought my own drink. I would like to accept your invitation—however, you will allow her to accompany me if you wish for me to be cordial.”

The Khajiit frowned, silent as he considered Serana’s words. Vigdis gritted her teeth, sickened by the words cattle and drink; but she was forced to recognise that it was the only way for them to get in without too much suspicion. It was a stealthier approach, therefore, Vigdis’ more preferred method, no matter how uncomfortable this interaction made her feel. She stepped back, to show that she would trust Serana on this—and give her acquiescence until trouble arose.

When he lifted his slitted gaze, he smiled widely and warmly. “Very well. If you will follow me, I will lead you to the manor.”

[queen-of-writing-bad-things]

Henry Danger Reader Insert | Captain Man x Reader: SEASON 4

Episode 18: Up the Stairs!

Oh, Charlotte. 

She was the long-suffering smart one in the Man Cave if you didn't include (y/n) on the list of sane people against not so sane people. It was hard being the only responsible helper when the heroes were out doing whatever heroes do; Schwoz was smart but often too weird to be classed as "normal" and Jasper, well, he was Jasper. 

That meant that the girl was often left to work alone when Ray, Henry and (y/n) went out to fight bad guys and bring home the bacon, all that jazz and because the woman was in a similar situation, she often understood how she felt. Sorry not sorry, but for the most part, it was always like Miss Danger was Captain Man and Kid Danger's carer, y'know, she cared so they didn't have to, she always paid attention to the small things and listened to her gut when it sensed there was peril, and that had gotten them out of a few scrapes. 

But that didn't mean that her role on the team was easy, taking care of a man-child and a still-developing teen made her want to tear her hair out at times like when shit happened, they received texts and failed to relay the information to her, y'know, the other smart one. And that brought them onto Exhibit A...

The boys came down the tubes with huge grins on their faces, (y/n) bundled up in Ray's arms with a whole load of Inside-Out Burger takeout in hers. They were joking about this, that and the other, the other being some funny thing that had happened to them whilst they were out on their mission, and as a reward for saving the day yet again, they'd picked up a few burgers, fries, onion rings, sodas, you name it they bought it. 

And why the hell not? They were oblivious to anything else apart from their rumbling tummies and for two, the need to make up for time lost during Ray's jaunt to California. Yeah, it had been a tough week for him; Minyak had been insufferable, his back and butt were aching, his heart was hurting and by the end of it, the Man Cave had never looked so welcoming. 

"Hey! You guys are back here already?" Charlotte asked the heroes as they walked down from the tubes, Ray's arm firmly around (y/n)'s waist with no intention of letting go as she carried their food close to her chest, a mix of their favourites that she had no intention of losing it now that she had it. "What happened out there?"

"What do you mean?" 

"We just went to Inside-Out Burger." Henry and Ray had blank faces as they gestured to their purchases, (y/n) shaking her paper sack full of greasy goodness that was gonna be in her tummy soon enough. Henry was sipping his soda too as the woman painted a soft smile on her face, thinking that all was well in the world because as always, her doofus and friend had failed to tell her anything that Charlotte had alerted them about, things like emergency texts just as a random example.

"Did you guys not get my text messages?" Charlotte asked sternly, making focusing on Henry and Ray since they were normally the guilty ones for not replying, (y/n) was pretty good about stuff like that, but for once, the woman was also guilty because she'd failed to read them, although to be fair, she did have a very good reason.

"Oh, no, I couldn't. I left my phone here 'cause it needed to charge but Ray had his and so did Henry..." She shrugged, feeling concerned but also guiltless since she couldn't react to something she didn't know existed and in all fairness, she'd trusted her fiancé to read what people sent him, the same with the kid, but no. If you want something done properly, charge your phone and do it yourself.

"Uhhhhh, text messages...I've seen it..."

"Uh, I got one from you, like, last week--oh no, here's one from you..." The boys muttered as they briefly scrolled through their test and yeah, there just so happened to be one from the worried teen, but neither could bring themselves to care now that they were old news. 

(y/n) found herself perplexed as Ray guided her over to the table to start eating their burgers whilst they were still hot and if wasn't for the fact that she'd been distracted by the Ray had a picture of them together as his lock screen, then she would've concentrated a lot more on Charlotte's clear concern.

"Ugh! I texted you guys because I got a call on the emergency hotline from the Swellview Airport. Some five-year-old child climbed into the cockpit of a big jet aeroplane and drove it all the way to ToysPlus!" The girl exclaimed, trying to communicate her urgency to them and (y/n) gasped softly as she set the food down and immediately became focused. A child with a plane? Why was her life never simple?

"Oh god, is the child okay?" At least she understood the need to act and was fully prepared to ignore her hunger and the junk food that would inevitably go soggy and cardboard, and go out to save someone's life, once she got all the details, that was.

"Oh, yeah! You did send us a text! Hurry, child in danger, time's running out, blah blah blah, why aren't you responding? Are you seeing my texts? Hello?"

"Oh, yeah! I see it! That's exactly what you said. Hurry, child in danger, blah blah blah, why aren't you responding? Are you seeing my texts? Hello?" They read out together, their voices merging into one monotone blur as they finished the influx of worried texts Charlotte had sent and (y/n) quickly felt irritated at how they'd promised her going to Inside-Out Burger would be okay. Stupidly, she'd believed them, just like that because Henry was a starving boy in need of sustenance and Ray...Ray was cute. And she couldn't handle how cute he was.

"Ugh, you guys! When I asked you, you said everything was fine and that I was just hangry!" (y/n) gently thumped Ray's bicep and raised her eyebrows at Henry, causing both of them to give him a look of feigned innocence as if to say that they had thought it would all be fine because ignorance is bliss. Nothing can go wrong if you don't know about it, right?

"Sweet girl..." Ray mumbled, his bottom lip wobbling as she tried to be stern with him for thinking about food more than anything else, but it was the same cuteness that broke down her walls again. She didn't have the heart to stay mad, not when his enormous hand grabbed hers and held it to his chest as a silent plea for forgiveness. He wanted her love, he wanted that pride she felt when he gave Charlotte the win a few weeks ago. 

Ugh, for the young girl, she knew that her complaints weren't gonna go very far and she wasn't gonna be the one to make them argue, lord knows that that was painful enough, so she'd let it go...at a price.

"Just forget it, (y/n/n). Can you give me an Inside Double?" Charlotte requested gesturing to the paper bag as (y/n) began gingerly pulling out her soda, fries, onion rings and a fucking huge burger from the bag, which left Ray's significantly smaller portion for him to take. Hell yeah, she was gonna eat all of it, although secretly, Henry would bet anyone one hundred dollars that at some point, the couple would swap food and feed each other fries. It was just one of their things.

"But, uh, I actually only got one of these and I was gonna eat it, so..." The man said awkwardly, tugging the paper wrap so the bun and patty were poking out for his first bite, which he'd been looking forward to ever since he'd placed the order with the dopey teen behind the cash register. This was his food, he'd ordered it, it wasn't nice for him to share unless the person asking was exceptionally pretty and had lips like honey, but right now, he wasn't gonna budge.

And Charlotte could saw that. She noticed that fact in the way he held the burger to his chest, shielding it away from her, even though she deserved it after panicking so much about an emergency they were never gonna respond to. So, as (y/n) nibbled on her first french fry, she did the only thing she could to assert dominance. 

Ignoring her maturity, Charlotte blew a raspberry all over the sandwich, making sure that little flecks of saliva landed on the bun to accompany the sesame seeds, rendering it inedible since Ray wasn't about to eat a spit-covered anything.

"Here, I got you this..." He conceded in a strained voice, his mood now all grumpy since he was now left burgerless, his fries the only other thing he'd bought and he growled lowly as Charlotte took away his beloved Inside Double. 

Henry couldn't help but laugh at his friend's loss, not in a mean way, more like at how the mighty superhero had lost out to a girl half his size but double his brainpower. Yet, it wasn't all doom and gloom, not for Ray anyway, no matter who laughed at him.

"Come on, doofus, come sit down. You can share my Inside Double." Someone pay Henry one hundred dollars because he was right. Without even a second thought, (y/n) warmly invited her finacé to sit with her, or rather snuggle up into her open side where his spirits would inevitably be brightened by her generous offer of giving him half of what she had to suit what he lacked. 

It was a no-brainer for her, he'd go hungry otherwise and in her mind, fries weren't a meal, just the thing that accompanied the main event, so whilst he was sliding in next to her, she was already unwrapping her burger to split it.

"Awww, baby, you sure?" Ray's smile grew as he saw what she was doing and for a second, he wasn't sure if it was right to accept. He knew what the offer signified, (y/n) (y/l/n) didn't give out food lightly unless she was particularly fond of the person in question, so that warmed his heart when he realised that this was one of her ways of showing affection. 

But then there came the hitch of him technically taking food away from her when she was hungry. That's why she had so much, she was starving, ready to chow down and he didn't want to take food away from her mouth when his protective instincts told him that she should eat more and he'd survive on the leftover scraps. Some stupid, prehistoric caveman gene telling him to provide for his family before himself, and it half made him want to turn down the offer, but (y/n) was way ahead of him.

"Of course, sweetheart." Her eyes flickered to him briefly, loving the way they instantly melted into each other as he got comfy; her leg over his, his arm behind her, bodies cuddling up to one another so they could be as close as possible. 

It was cute but nauseating and Henry rolled his eyes at them when the woman awkwardly broke the burger into two rough halves. It wasn't easy, pickles and lettuce fell everywhere but she did it unapologetically and when she offered it to him, Ray accepted the bigger half like it was the most precious thing he'd ever received.

He couldn't help but tilt her head up and kiss her gently as Schwoz came out from the secret door. The kissing wasn't a new sight, but (y/n) seemed so flushed, breathless...what did he miss? 

"Oh, hey, Schwoz..." Henry greeted the genius, who was singing some unknown song from his homeland as he carried something across the room. His phone was his main focus right now and he didn't look up from it whilst Schwoz ambled past, meaning he missed how Charlotte grimaced as she quietly took a seat next to Ray, who was still mid-kiss with (y/n), their movements passionate enough to make her roll her eyes. Didn't they need air? 

"Hello, Henry...ooh, you guys got Inside-Out Byergurr!" The genius grinned once he got a whiff of the unmistakable scent of fast food and when he saw the logo, he knew that they'd made a little detour. That made the happy couple pull away, knowing that the aforementioned food was growing chillier by the second and that now wasn't the time or the place. 

Still, that being said, nothing stopped them from giggling as they gazed into each other's eyes and nothing stopped him from placing another peck on her lips, one final taste of that honey before they straightened out to eat, although they were still pretty close. 

"Burger." Henry corrected the genius, not seeing how in love Ray was with (y/n) at that moment, although no one needed to tell him that, he already knew it. And so did Charlotte, who was being reminded right now as she endured them being all cosy and icky right next to her.

"Heh?"

"Uh, you said--you said byergurr or something like that. It's pronounced burger." Henry told him, not realising that any attempt to steamroll Schwoz's Schwozian accent into an American one was futile. He was just Schwoz, odd with his funny pronunciation of English and he was never gonna change because he saw no point in it. He could put on an American accent if he wanted to, he just chose not to.

"It's pointless trying. Trust me, no matter what you do, he always says it like beyerrrgurrr." (y/n) piped up, slowly chewing an onion ring through her amused smile, watching as the kid tried what she'd attempted for the few months of her employment. Yeah, Schwoz would never change, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, he was goody and that was good.

"Beeyergurr..." The small man attempted again, prompting Henry to fall back into the role of teacher, an uphill battle that he'd eventually lose, so (y/n) left him to it. Being fed french fries by Ray was much more interesting, especially when his eyes softened at her pink cheeks. They didn't share food often, only with each other and she was more than happy to shyly give him one of hers.

"Nah, nah, nah, nah. Burger!"

"Bervurr!" This was going nowhere and Henry was starting to see that. For him, pronouncing the G wasn't so hard, but no matter how he stressed every syllable, Schwoz always arrived at the wrong conclusion. Dear God, it was frustrating and as a kid who already had enough on his plate what with school, puberty and being a goddamn sidekick, he decided that he didn't need that stress. "Yeah, you nailed it..."

"Okay!" Schwoz exclaimed gleefully, thinking he'd impressed his friends by excelling that their language, but deep down, they were just gonna let him think that. There was no need to ruin his happiness, not when they could just leave him alone and continue to munch at their burgers, fries, onion rings, whatever. For now, there was peace...and Charlotte. took the time to connect with the genius during said peace because he had a device he'd never seen before.

"Hey, what is that?" She asked, leaving her burger on the table and walking over to the genius as he fiddled about with something, plugging it into the supercomputer for some reason that was unknown to everyone except for (y/n). He'd told her about it, of course, he had, they were science buddies, but she was way too intrigued by the hue of Ray's eyes to be able to give a coherent answer.

"Oh, I'm optimising the power consumption here in the Man Coave," Schwoz explained nonchalantly, still adjusting all his wires and things as he prepared the system for the work and from what he'd described to his science buddy, she knew it was gonna be a big one. 

"Cave. Man Cave" And here came Henry, still obsessing about the man's speaking abilities and it's like he hadn't learned his lesson before. The couple a few centimetres away from him shared a knowing look, aware that the kid couldn't help himself, which was honestly kinda funny but also irritating since they didn't want to go through that again.

"Uhhhh..."

"No! Please, we are not doing that crap again!" (y/n) protested, taking the first bite of her burger half after saying her piece. She just wanted to sit back, relax and be all mushy with her doofus as they ate lunch because it wasn't often that they had the time to just be calm and hang out, so she wanted to make the most of it and squeeze in as many kisses as she could too.

"Yeah, come on! Let's get this story going..." Ray argued too, although he said it through a mouthful of French fries. He wanted to know what was going on in his Man Cave because he could guarantee that if he had been told then he wasn't listening. Science, science science, he didn't care, only when his sweet girl was explaining something with that enthusiasm of hers that just made her seem so bubbly and gorgeous, he couldn't help but listen. And yet even then, he was too distracted by her to properly process what was being said.

"Wait, so, what does optimising power even mean?" Henry asked as Schwoz lifted the big battery-looking block bag thing over his head and plonked it on the supercomputer's console. Honestly, it was all pretty simple, but Henry and Ray weren't exactly scientists or intellectuals for that matter, so, he had to dumb it down.

"Oh, it just makes everything work better. And now, I'm going to have to temporarily turn off the electrical power that operates both tubes and the elevator." Schwoz explained in the simplest terms he could, but then Charlotte thought of something.

"So, you can say I'm going to have to temporarily turn off the electrical power that operates both tubes and the elevator, but you can't say burger?" She asked, knowing that there was a lot of complicated lexis and phonology embedded into that sentence, so he should've been able to say just one normal word, but nope. As always, Schwoz had some words he could say and others he couldn't.

"Gwaaaveuuurr..."

"Enough! No more about Schwoz's inability to speak, thank you." (y/n) butted in, raising the hand that wasn't holding her food so that they'd all be quiet, or at the very least move onto a new topic of conversation. They could go on and on about what Schwoz could or couldn't say, but they weren't going to, not on her watch, because it would just descend into chaos.

"You're so hot when you take charge, sweet girl," Ray whispered into her ear, making her blush and look down at her fries when his lips curved over her the shell of her ear and his hand briefly settled on her thigh to stroke at the smooth skin there. Anything to see her so flustered and ignoring the kids wrinkling their noses at them, he plucked one of the fries from her pile and lifted it to her mouth, chuckling when she shyly parted her lips to nibble the end. Why so shy all of a sudden?

"Okay, and..." Schwoz, ignoring the blatant PDA going on behind him (he didn't need to be a genius to know that it was), had finished all his setting-up and with a tiny flick of a switch and one hell of a button press, he killed the power to the Man Cave. All the lights dimmed and flickered several times once he did and until the generators kicked in, Ray happily used the darkness to return his hand to where it had been on his girl's thigh, causing her to squirm subtly since no one could see.

It was only a few seconds later that all the lights came back on, save for the tubes and elevator, which were lifeless, just as Schwoz had said. It all seemed to be going according to plan, things were going smoothly. Until they weren't.

Suddenly, just as (y/n) was about to feed Ray yet another fry in between the chomping of his burger half, the emergency alarm for Junk-N-Stuff sounded, making them all snap their heads up like meerkats. Oh god, Jasper was busy working up there and if he'd flipped the switch, it could only mean that some serious shit was going down. A robbery, an explosion, a fire, who knows?

"Uh-oh! Emergency up at Junk-N-Stuff." Charlotte stated as she abandoned whatever pickings she had left from her food and ran to sit in the computer's chair, Ray, (y/n) and Henry not far behind her. Schwoz was there too, wondering what the hell was going on as she pulled up the live camera feed and Ray pulled his girl's body back into his. Yeah, even in a crisis, he couldn't say no to holding her.

"All right, everybody, we're live in five, four, three, two..." The team's horror and concern faded to confusion as they watched jasper scramble to defend the store and the secrets that were hidden underneath it with whatever he could find. And his weapon of choice was a random bow and arrow, which he crossed and aimed to form a defensive stance so he could smite the intruders if they dared to come too close, but they were harmless. Less than harmless, wondrous rather.

"Hello, Swellview!" A guy appeared through the door of the store and immediately, Jasper knew who he was, everyone knew who he was. The best celebrity chef on TV, and the boy felt himself instantly hyperventilate at his appearance, the bow and arrow slipping from his hands as he gasped and felt his head spin. The excitement was the same in the Man Cave, everyone screaming at the guy who was in Ray's store--Ray and (y/n)'s store because it was so surreal.

"You're Morgan Maykew!" Jasper screamed, not believing that the happy, go-lucky chef was standing in front of him as it was so crazy that he'd be chosen as his guest on his amazing show. That's how it worked, the chef would pick a person, any person and then cook them the wackiest, but most delicious foods known to man and boy, it made for great viewing. Everyone wanted to be on the show, but there were millions of people in the city, so being picked was like winning the lottery, and it was jasper's day to win.

"That's right! And I'm here to Maykew a meal!" The chef grinned and turned around to gaze into the camera, making everyone in the Man Cave turn into jelly. Oh god, this was so insane, Ray could feel (y/n) vibrating in his arms as she excitedly jumped up and down on the spot and the others weren't much better.

"That's--that's Morgan Maykew!" Henry reiterated, not because he was dumb, but because that's the kind of effect the man had on people. He took away their ability to form proper, relevant sentences and control their urge to scream.

"Yeah, he's my favourite celebrity chef!" Schwoz exclaimed and pretty much everyone was in the same boat as him. Morgan just had a quality that no other chef had, probably because he seemed so warm and kind and because he came with great food, so everyone liked him.

"Oh my gosh, I have all of Morgan Maykew's cookbooks." 

"Oh my god, so do I!" (y/n) squealed at Charlotte as the girl revealed just how much she loved the guy. To be honest, the younger girl wasn't into cooking that much and (y/n) normally just stuck to cookies and cakes, whatever her and Ray's sweet tooth were hankering for, but for Morgan, they'd make anything. All his recipes were too good not to make and Ray was certain about that because he'd had the delight of sampling whatever his girl made for him and holy shit, it was great.

"You do?" Henry asked the girls. He knew about (y/n) and her culinary escapades, he'd sampled her brown soup and oat raisin cookies more than enough times to know that she dabbled in it, but he did not know that about his other best friend. Huh, you learn something new every day, Charlotte likes to cook...

"Yeah! I have Maykew lunch! Maykew say yum! Maykew drool!..." The girl listed, proving that she was an aficionado and (y/n) nodded along with her. Yeah, those were the good ones, but in her opinion, the best one was...

"Maykew fatter!" (y/n) exclaimed, adding her favourite, most prized cookbook with an excitement that made Ray smile at her cute, happy face. He liked seeing her happy, it felt right and just for a brief second, he tore his eyes away from the idol on the screen to kiss her temple, which he just couldn't help when his heart was bursting with so much love.

"Okay, today, we're here at a store called Junk-N-Stuff and--love the energy, it's great... We're here at Junk-N-Stuff with---" Morgan Maykew tried to explain where there were and what was happening to the unfortunate souls at home who had to sit in misery and see the lucky kid get fed, but there was one small problem. Jasper couldn't contain his excitement and every time Morgan said something, he screamed throatily. Okay, keep cool, keep cool, no screaming...

"We're here at Junk-N-Stuff with--"

"Morgan Maykew!" Yeah, that kept happening. The viewers knew who the host was, his name was in the damn title, they just wanted to know who the kid was, although it was understandable as to why he was acting like that. Sure, it was a bit extreme, but hey, Morgan was a celebrity and he was used to it.

"Right! But what's your name?" The man asked, circling the counter so he could put a friendly arm around Jasper's shoulders, and that was a good thing. Y'see, the boy was so nervous, so eager to impress in front of the chef (he'd had the same problem when he'd been just a mere fan of Captain Man, not his employee), he just said the first thing that came to mind.

"J-Master Boogie the Third!" Oh god, that was embarrassing. The boy looked up in terror when he'd realised what he'd said, an old online nickname that had haunted him since he was, like, twelve years old. Y'know, the sort of age when you're a bit cringey on the internet.

"That really your name?"

"No. It's Jasper. Jasper Dunlop." The boy replied honestly, Morgan having seen through his humiliating fuck-up with a kind smile and like a true professional, he moved the show on to spare the kid's blushes. 

Meanwhile, back down in the Man Cave, the family were still watching eagerly, hanging onto every word, which seemed a bit weird when Ray took the time to mull over it. For one of the few times in his life, he was using his little grey cells and worked out that rather than being spectators, they could be on the show with Jasper if they just went half a mile up and walked in his store. He was the goddamn owner, (y/n) was very nearly, practically already his goddamn wife and the others were like family to him, so why shouldn't they go and enjoy some incredible food?

"Why are we standing down here when Morgan Maykew is up there making a big delicious meal?!" Ray questioned in a squeaky voice. He too was unable to contain his need to yell and run all over the place with exhilaration, grabbing onto (y/n)'s hand as she giggled at his goofy but adorable face.

"Because we're idiots!"

"Come on, let's go!" Henry exclaimed and Charlotte was quick to shout the command to run to the elevator, all three of them eager to get upstairs as quickly as possible. They ran to the elevator, leaving Schwoz and (y/n) standing there in confusion as they collided with the wall, mashing the button to get the damn thing to work. But that was the thing and it was why the clever ones were trying to get their attention; there was no way upstairs right now, Schwoz was rebooting the system, how could they forget?

"Guys? Guys? Guys? Guys..." Schwoz piped up in a voice that was just a tad too quiet and submissive for them to hear as they bickered about pressing the button properly because that must've been why it wasn't responding immediately like it normally did. There were just too many fingers trying to reach it at once, it was fine until (y/n) grew impatient and dug deep to find her loudness underneath her instinct to stay quiet and observe.

"YOU GUYS!" She yelled at the top of her voice, ignoring how the sudden, sharp use strained her vocal cords a little bit. Because she never raised her voice in that way, unless she was angry with Ray about something serious, they all listened and stood to attention like she was their general and they were her soldiers. Well, that had been a lot more effective than she had thought it would be.

"Schwoz told you! He turned off the power to the elevator for his system update thing!" The woman reminded them and suddenly, they were feeling a bit dumb. Oh, her doofus looked so cute, another time when she was distracted by that stupid face he pulled when he didn't understand or know what to, but she folded her arms and remained strong anyway. Yeah, it was disappointing that they'd have to wait, but sometimes, life is unfair.

"Well, turn it back on, man! Come on!" Henry protested, thinking that this was just a simple fix and if they just flicked the right switch, they could pop up to Junk-N-Stuff and he could just resume whatever techno bullshit he was up to. But if only it were that simple.

"I cannot do that until the system update is finished!" The genius explained, gesturing to his fancy machine that was still whirring away, transferring new software into the system. He didn't want to get too technical, but that was a very delicate process and turning it off would be a disaster, so it was tough shit for all of them.

"The tubes!" Idiots. They worked with idiots. Thinking that they were being clever or maybe they just hadn't listened, the three idiots sprinted to the tube pads, believing that they would be able to lift them upstairs, but that was a no-go too. They had been switched off, didn't they remember? There was no technological way upstairs and honestly, the queen of the spelling bee should've known that because she was meant to be a smartie too.

"Up the tubes! Up the--up the tubes! Tubes!"

"Guys. Guys...Guys....guys, guy--gu..." Again, Schwoz found himself in the same situation as before. Full of knowledge but not enough power to be the voice of reason, so he turned to (y/n) when they wouldn't listen to him. Nudging her arm, he gestured for her to speak up and she sighed at how obvious this all should've been.

"YOU GUYS! DOOFUS ONE, TWO, AND THREE!" (y/n) shouted and they turned to face her again, listening intently as she deemed them all the adorable idiots that she often saw Ray be. It wasn't the same; she always said it with so much love when it typically concerned him, but this time, she was annoyed, evident by the way she folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. Yeah, she wasn't being that affectionate right now...

"He turned off the power to the tubes too! Remember?" 

"The elevator!!" Oh dear lord, was it her? Was it them? Were they the dumb ones or were this lot just a different type of thick? Partially absorbing the "new" information, Ray, Charlotte and Henry stumbled down the steps and back to the still dead elevator, which was still in the same condition as when they had left it ten seconds prior. No matter how many times they pressed that button, it still wasn't gonna work, not that they were open to rational reason.

"What do we do?" Schwoz asked the woman, observing the obsolete rush to cram into the elevator with one eye and studying her facial movements with the other, a feat only Schwoz could pull off. Hmmm, she was thinking, analysing her fiancé and the teens with careful eyes until she came to one conclusion. The only conclusion she could think of when they were riding the wave of insanity.

"Well...I say we go eat some Inside-Out Beyergurr." (y/n) grinned down at him and they chuckled as they walked off to go and eat the rest of the food the others had left behind. She still had plenty left and Schwoz wasn't the kind of guy to have any shame about eating someone else's leftovers, so they happily went to sit down again.

Henry, Ray and Charlotte would calm down eventually, in predictable stages where the smartest, Charlotte, returned from her craziness first, and the stubbornest, Ray, was left kicking at the elevator door in the hopes that the kinetic energy would turn into electric.

Yeah, that's not how it worked, poor doofus, he was so done with all this science malarkey, but at least he had his sweet girl to feed him French fries and smother him with kisses until all that confusion faded into obscurity. Some things weren't so bad... 

~

"So, Jasper. You like appetisers?" Morgan asked the boy as he got started on his first creation of the day and no one could take their eyes off his hands. It was like they were creating magic and they sort of were; he turned the culinary arts into wizardry and he didn't use pots and pans, he used cauldrons and spells to perfectly sizzle, fry or bake masterpieces that melted in the mouth.

"Sure! I'll eat whatever you say!" He replied eagerly, desperate to try anything that Morgan Maykew could make because it had been one of his dreams for years, just one small taste of his enchanted delights. Plus, he didn't want to be the first guy on TV to insult the loveable chef by turning his nose up at an offering. That would be social suicide.

At least it made him laugh, and was that a blush Jasper could see? Aw, he was such a nice guy, so it was easy to just breeze the conversation on like it was the most natural thing in the world. They were old friends just cooking some grub, not a randomer and the guy who'd been to red carpets and award shows. "And you're making a sushi appetiser?"

"Well, it looks like sushi but inside, it's actually filled with macaroni and cheese!

"Oh, dang, Morgan!" Jasper said it. This was what Maykew was known for, taking a well-known, well-loved dish like sushi and adding a twist that seemed a bit odd at first, but he always made it great in the end. People like sushi, people like mac n' cheese, it just made sense to mush them together, and the temptation was too much for those still down in the Man Cave, especially now that they'd all calmed down.

"Why, Schwoz?! Why would you trap us down here?!" Charlotte screamed at the small man, grabbing onto the lapels of his jacket so she could shake him in a violent fit of rage. It wasn't like her to do that, the girl seldom lost control and looked at life with a rational mindset, but come on, Morgan was up there cooking for Jasper of all people. But here she was with a crummy, common burger, life was so unfair.

"I told you I was turning off the power to the tubes and the elevator! You know, everybody knows!" Schwoz snapped back, finally finding the strength inside him to defend himself. To be fair to the man, he had given them a heads up and it was only due to a cruel twist of fate that they found themselves stuck at precisely the wrong moment.

"Okay, okay, you 'Lil coconut, calm down." (y/n) instructed him, placing a soft hand on his shoulder as he wildly jerked his body in frustration. She could understand why he was mad, they were being so difficult, but there was no incentive to work himself up into a fit, that wouldn't solve anything, especially not Henry's relentless need to get moving.

"Can you at least turn the tubes and the elevator on for, like, ten seconds?"

"Yeah! Just long enough so we can get up there and be on the show!" Henry asked and Charlotte was quick to join in, bringing a level of enthusiasm and giddiness as she smacked her hands together and jumped on the spot. What part of no power didn't they get? No, the tubes nor the elevator could be turned back on, not even for a little bit, otherwise, Schwoz, being the genius he was, would've done that by now. Sheesh.

"I can't interrupt the system update!" Schwoz insisted, causing the teens to groan in frustration because it seemed like they were stuck downstairs and destined to watch Jasper being fed with burning jealousy. No ideas, no plans, no way up, or at least there was nothing that (y/n) could think of right now and when she was stuck, there was always one person she turned to since his goofy smile always sparked inspiration in her mind.

"Okay, right, Ray, what do you think? Can you think of any other way to get upstairs because I'm-- Wait, Ray? Wha--?" (y/n)'s deep thought was interrupted when her brain triggered an alarming realisation. She was thinking, she was being smart and for her fiancé, her being smart equalled her being hot, no matter if she was in her Miss Danger costume or in her civilian clothes like she was now. Being hot equalled getting handsy, getting handsy equalled lips on her neck and hands on her butt and yet she found her body cold. Huh?

The stark contrast between what she was experiencing now and what she normally experienced when her loving doofus was around made her eyes snap around the room, worried that something was wrong since he never missed an opportunity to hold her hand, sneak her kisses or get close enough to smell her perfume. 

And then she spotted him, right above the tubes pads, in a position that would be impossible for anyone else, but this was Ray and he had the determination to defy the laws of physics and as such, he was attempting to make the climb to the store above their heads via the tube. Oh, what a brave, adorable and yet so dumb doofus.

"Uh, Ray, sweetheart...what are you doing?" She asked, calling out to the legs that were dangling from the mouth of the right tube and Henry followed after her. Jeez, this guy was an idiot, he could barely hold himself up on the first metre, how would he feel when he made the half-a-mile mark?

"I wanna meet Morgan Maykew and be on the TV show, sweet girl!" He answered, the effort of the climb colouring his every word with grunts and moans from how his muscles were starting to burn. It was tough holding up his body weight because he was a wall of solid muscle and therefore not very light, not that it was gonna stop him. That was his store, his junk, his stuff, he wanted to get fed some nice food and cherish the memory of it with his darling girl later on.

"So you're gonna climb...half a mile...up the tube?" Henry asked, gazing up at his boss as the man's legs kicked around for some kind of friction that would make his biceps hurt less, but there was nothing. All he was doing was making himself look desperate, nothing more.

"It can happen!" Could it though? It was a hell of a long way up and he was already struggling. Not to mention the fact that it would probably take him about two hours to make it even if he could hold on for that long, he'd probably end up getting his (y/n) withdrawal symptoms again and give up when the pining got too bad. 

"Okay, handsome, whatever you say! We'll be waiting down here for you!" The woman shouted to him, knowing all too well that he'd never make it, so she wasn't gonna pout about not getting a goodbye kiss just yet. He'd be back the moment he saw sense or more like the moment he slipped and fell when his muscles gave up or he put a foot wrong.

"No, I'm doing it!" They turned their attention away from the man-child and back onto Morgan, who was ready to serve his starter to Jasper. The boy couldn't stay still and was literally jumping for joy as a plate of macaroni sushi was pushed into his face. "Okay, Jasper, you wanna try my special susharoni-and-cheese rolls?"

"Morgan, may I?"Jasper felt it was only right to be so polite with the man since he was like a god, offering him food that he didn't deserve but he sure as hell was gonna eat it anyway, especially when the chef gave him his enthusiastic permission.

"Hit it!" And with that, Jasper picked up a sushi-mac-cheese-whatever roll and rammed it into his mouth so he could start chewing immediately. Okay, maybe it was a bit animalistic the way he wolfed it down but he honestly didn't care, not when so many flavours burst across his tastebuds at once. There was the cheese, there was the macaroni, but then there was the rice and it all worked so well together, this man had some serious skills.

"Don't know what you just said but you better swallow that 'cause in a few minutes, I'm gonna make you a lot more of my funkalicious dishes right here on..." Morgan exclaimed chirpily, moving on from Jasper's incoherent mumblings with his mouth full. He pointed to the kid, who'd quickly swallowed his food and it was pretty obvious what Jasper needed to say to complete the sentence, but he wasn't the brightest at the best of times, let alone when under so much pressure of not screwing up in front of millions. 

"Television!" The kid had heart, just not a lot of brains.

"On...Maykew A Meal!

"On television!" Well, at least Morgan knew which show they were doing, and the reminder of Jasper being the one to eat all of that glorious food was enough for the team down in the Man Cave to grumpily turn off the monitor as the TV cut to a Fred Lobster commercial. They should've been up there, but they couldn't, they just had to sit downstairs and tolerate the torture...

"Okay, okay, you hear that? Now, Morgan Maykew's making Jasper a bunch of awesome snacks!" Henry complained over Ray's grunts as the man tried to shimmy his way to the store, which was still impossible, but whatever. What was more important was that they were going hungry and all they had to eat was crappy, average food from the auto-snacker or the culinary abominations they could whip up themselves. Nothing would ever match Morgan's food and that was the sad truth.

"Yeah! And all we get to do is stay down here and stare at 'em!" Charlotte grumbled too, looking at the monitor with a sad expression, but then, her words prompted something to spark in Henry's mind. Stare...Stare...Stair...Stairs... Holy shit he was a genius, that's how they would do it.

"Stairs!" He yelled, spooking the three standing with him into falling onto the floor because his voice was just that loud. (y/n) and Charlotte looked up at him with moody stares, wanting to know why they'd been scared into collapsing onto the dusty tules but he offered them a hand up, so they didn't snap too much. Henry was a gentleman to the end.

"What are you screaming about?" The woman asked as she dusted off her ass and tilted her head in confusion. It wasn't so bad for Schwoz since he'd fallen onto the chair but she and Charlotte hadn't been so lucky, not when Henry was out here and making their hearts race.

"The stairs! We can take the stairs up to Junk-N-Stuff!"

"Yes! Yes!" Schwoz was quick to agree with the boy's theory, thinking that he must've been picking up on his brainwaves because that plan was genius. Of course, they could take the stairs, they were there for that very purpose and the only reason why they were never used was that it was the mother of all workouts trying to reach the top floor. And that was what the girls picked up on, taking the time actually think the enormous challenge through before they went galavanting off to give themselves coronaries. 

"Dude!" Charlotte exclaimed, causing Henry to pause for a moment and turn around to look at her again whilst Schwoz was tootling away to get a head start. The sooner they got moving, the sooner they'd be eating with Morgan, a fact that meant Henry couldn't wipe the dorky smile off of his face. "We're half a mile underground!"

"Right!

"Hen, there's got to be, like, two hundred floors between us and Junk-N-Stuff. Do you really think we can climb all of those stairs?" (y/n) questioned, not trying to be the Debbie Downer who ruined that rose-tinted view of his on the situation, but she was being realistic. They were superheroes, they did cardio and exercise things every day but even still, this was gonna be a serious test of their physical fitness and truthfully, she didn't feel up to it.

"Sure! It could be fun, it sounds fun! Let's go, let's go!" Henry grinned at her, leaving the girls where they stood as he and Schwoz ran off to get to the door behind the tube area, but there was one guy they couldn't forget. Ray.

He'd be up for it, Henry was sure of that, and he was Captain Man, the greatest fighter in the world so this would be just a light workout for the likes of him, he probably did it every day as a warm-up. They'd be fine, stairs weren't that bad, it's just y'know, up and stuff, much better than crawling up the tube or sitting on the couch with a crappy burger whilst Jasper of all people eats the best food in the city.

"Hey, Ray! Come on, come down! We figured out a way to get up to Junk-N-Stuff!" Henry shouted up to the legs and the person they belonged to, not that Ray could understand him due to the tube's closed casing and his sounds of effort. Still, for (y/n), the prospect of seeing her doofus was a happy one because it meant she'd be getting kisses and hugs and his goofy smile back, even if it was for only a little while. There was no way she'd follow him up the stairs, not even for Morgan Maykew's food or her unending love for him.

"What?! I can't hear you!"

"Uhhh, all right, come on..." Henry sighed and deciding that his boss wasn't gonna come down without some serious encouragement, he took matters into his own hands. Grabbing one of his boss's flailing legs, he used all of his weight and all of his muscle to yank Ray's body out from his hiding place, the man unable to hold on after the second pull. He fell from the tube, landing on the tube pads with a thump that made his sweet girl cringe and recoil at the force of it, but he was okay. After all, he was Captain Man.

"Hey, doofus. You okay?" (y/n) asked him cutely as she dashed over to help him to his feet, ensuring that she distracted his mind from the brief ache by brushing the floppy hair away from his eyes. Ray quickly straightened up at her concern, silently preening at how her hands instinctively searched his chest for injuries that were never there, or maybe it was just her way of feeling his muscles ripple under that stupidly hot shirt of his, who knows. He liked it---he loved it, he knew that much. He loved her.

"Yeah, I'm okay, sweet girl. You worried about me?" Ray shot back cockily, smirking when her nose wrinkled and a blush dusted her cheeks, not that she was embarrassed about loving him, more like shy that he'd picked up on it. Her fingers froze against his pecs, suddenly aware of how they'd rested there without her giving it a second thought and he smiled kindly when he saw her hesitate about whether it was okay or not.

"No...yeah...a bit." (y/n) bit her lip, feeling her cheeks grow warm as he chuckled and brought her hands away from his chest. For a moment, she thought he was pushing her away and for some unknown reason, he didn't want to feel her touch on his body, but no. Ray brought her wrists close to his face, pressing a kiss to each as his eyes crinkled with happiness, an action that caused her to melt and Henry to barf internally. 

"Ughhh, gross..." He muttered, screwing up his face as the woman stretched her neck to place a delicate kiss on her fiancé's lips. It was cute, really cute, but seriously, come on! They were on a mission here and they weren't gonna find a taste sensation inside Ray's mouth. (y/n) begged to differ.

"What was that?" Ray pulled back from the gentle exchange with a pointed gaze, prickling at how his sidekick was always teasing them, not that the couple ever took it to heart because they knew that the moment Henry had a girlfriend and got all smoochy, they'd be the first to do the same. It was only a matter of time before the shoe was on the other foot and Ray would be the one making vomit noises for a kid who'd fallen in love. 

"We're gonna take the stairs." Henry recasted, knowing that Ray was just getting grouchy because his kissy-kissy time had been interrupted, but he wouldn't go any further, not when he had (y/n) resting her head on his chest and her arms around his lithe waist. That was his happy place, a moment where she was with him and nothing was wrong; plus, he was gonna be blown away from his anger when he finally heard about his great plan.

"Oh, yeah! The Man Stairs!" Ray exclaimed, grinning at his sidekick as he realised that his Man Cave was equipped with multiple ways of getting around the place, although some were more strenuous than others. Henry laughed excitedly and skipped off to go and find Schwoz, who'd been waiting at the stairwell for his friends since he wasn't gonna walk into the store alone. He was too weird-looking for that.

"Please stop calling every Man. They're stairs, doofus, stairs!" (y/n) whined, pulling at the man's shirt since she found his incessant need to "man-ify" everything so cute and yet so annoying. Sure, they lived in the Man Cave, they flew in a Man-Copter, he had so many things named Man-something that she let slide, but some just got under her skin. Like the stairs; why put the Man there? Next, he'd have a Man-toothbrush or a Man-Toilet, hell, maybe she'd become his Man-wife when they got married, or maybe she'd be the one to draw a line somewhere.

"Okay, stairs... Come on, let's go, sweet girl." Ray rolled his eyes playfully at her pouty lip, fully aware that this was the quirk that mildly bothered her. His was how she stole his food and drinks, hers was his need to make everything fit in with his theme, they were even and so, he had no problems in tugging her by the hand towards the door. He wanted to make the trip with his girl and taste the food with her, but (y/n) had made up her mind and he wasn't gonna make her budge.

"Nuh-uh, doof, no way." She told him, digging her heels in against the metal of the tube pads so the friction would leave her stationary...and a heartbroken pout on Ray's face when he learned that she wasn't gonna follow him on this one, not when she still had food leftover and a system update that was one-quarter of the way to being complete. Of course, she hated seeing him so gloomy at the thought of leaving her behind and she reached out to stroke his cheek lovingly, but her judgement hadn't changed.

"But baby...we can be on the show if we go now."

"Ray, I know that but the probability of us reaching the top is pretty low considering how hard it is to run when having a heart attack. And I'm okay waiting for the elevator to work again." (y/n) smiled, watching as he toyed over her reasoning and sank lower into his pouting. Yeah, sure, she could look at it logically and notice that judging by the download speed, the power would be back on before they'd made it to the top, if they ever did, but that was so boring. And lonely. (y/n)-less, that's what it was or what it would be for him.

"You sure? 'Cause I don't want you to miss it." Ray countered, although what he should've said was more along the lines of "You sure? 'Cause I don't want to miss you." It was a struggle, a real struggle for both of them confessing how much being apart sucked, probably because they'd kept silent for so long before, back when they repressed anything that reared its ugly head when the other smiled, laughed, loved with someone else. 

But it was fine, they were getting over it. Another thing they had to learn as they navigated the relationship that they were sure was going to last a lifetime; how to take a step back and still be okay, how to put things into perspective. They'd be fine if they didn't do everything together, they'd be fine if Ray made an ill-judged comment about a mom, they'd be fine if the boys never stopped chasing Miss Danger, it was just about knowing that at the end of the day, when all was said and done, they loved each other. Enough to survive one afternoon apart, surely.

"Go on, doofus. I'll be cheering you on from down here and waiting for you to come back." (y/n) giggled softly, standing on her tippy toes to press a goodbye kiss to his lips, well, more of a see-you-later peck since she wanted to give him another reason to come back in addition to the pile he already had. No doubt, he'd return sweaty, dehydrated and cursing the day Schwoz built those damned stairs but she'd be there, just like always.

"'Kay, sweet girl, I'll be back before you know it... I love you." Ray whispered back, carefully guiding her neck into bowing her head so he could place yet another kiss on her crown. Vaguely, he was aware of Charlotte still in the background, watching with sharp eyes and knowing yet soft smile at how for a guy who was often loud, brash and insensitive, he could be a real sweetheart, one who knew exactly what to say and how to say it.

"I love you too, handsome. Now, go on, get going." She smirked at him, pushing him away slightly by his shoulders, watching as the childish grin reemerged on his features when he broke into a sprint. 

That made him seem younger, that energy; you'd never think he was a grown man on the verge of permanently settling down into a stable relationship nor would you think that a domestic life suited him. Not when he barrelled past Henry like a stamping herd of elephants, loud and clumsy. The boy had grown impatient with his boss's absence and ventured back into the room to see what the hold up was.

"Hey, you comin'?" He asked the girls, the older of them slowly stepping away from the tubes like a sudden wave of tiredness had overtaken her. Ray's energy could do that to a person and she was anticipating the rest of her tasty burger, which wasn't a patch on Morgan's but it would do, especially when paired with Ray's leftover fries. Yeah, that would generate an eye roll later when he realised that she'd scarfed the packet but eh, it wouldn't keep. He found it endearing, like most things she did.

"Oh, yeah!" 

"You lying?" Henry questioned further when Charlotte gave him a dry, sarcastic drawl that sounded like it bothered her to say. Jeez, was the effort that bad? Kinda, well, only because he was expecting her to start climbing when she actually had a similar ethos to (y/n), wait for the rational solution to materialise. 

"Oh, yeah, she is." The woman replied, releasing a sigh of relief as she plonked down and found her burger still there in a state of cold loneliness. There wasn't much, it wasn't going to be a five-star meal, but it sure as hell beat exercise any day of the week. A girly afternoon with Charlotte sounded much nicer too.

~The first flight of stairs~

This was it. The big climb. Man, boy and coconut-head versus the stairs. And they were ready, starting from the bottom, floor numero uno. 

Ray, Henry and Schwoz were limbering up for the task ahead because y'know, they couldn't make the journey without a few stretches first, just their thighs, arms, calves, hamstrings, that sort of thing. And it was worth mentioning that they were also going to a place of mental tranquillity, calming their thoughts before they started climbing because this was a battle of the mind as much as it was a test of their physical endurance.

They went to their happy places; Henry's was quite vague, probably just him relaxing since he never got to do that these days what with school pressure mounting and his sidekick duties getting hectic too. Schwoz's was undoubtedly a lab filled with weird and wacky experiments that probably weren't legal but were fun nonetheless. And Ray, well, no surprises with him, he was thinking about a pretty girl with smiling eyes and soft lips, the one who'd be waiting for him when he crossed the figurative finish line. Yeah, that calmed him down and settled his nerves.

"All right, boys. We got a half-mile journey ahead of us." Ray grinned at his friends as he tried to inspire some energy in them. Getting pumped up made sense since they had a gruelling slog up to the top and none of them was prepared for it, no matter how much they brushed off the enormity of the mammoth task. Ray could clap his hands and smile all he wanted but this was gonna be hard, for him, for Schwoz, for Henry, for anyone stupid enough to attempt it.

"It's exactly two hundred and forty-two flights!"

"We got this!" Schwoz and Henry exclaimed, stamping down the slight fear in their stomachs at how they were ever gonna manage this. Still, they didn't let Ray see it, they knew that once his mind was made up and he'd made a show of his strength and manliness to (y/n), there was no backing out and no way he'd accept their failure. They'd be fine, right?

"The key to not getting tired is to not stop!" He advised them, thinking that if they just skipped up the steps and ignored how their muscles begged for the oxygen that their lungs couldn't provide, then they'd be at the top before they knew it. Because that's obviously how biology works.

"Not stop!"

"See you at the top, boys!" Ray shouted like a battle cry, prompting them all to roar with him as he took the first few steps, running speedily as if nothing could stop him. Okay, he felt good, they felt good as Schwoz and Henry raced after him; nothing was burning, they still had air circulating around their bodies, and nothing was aching. Yet.

Floor two came quickly and still, nothing was wrong. They were still shouting, still full of fire and still thinking that running all the way up was a good idea because their bodies could take the strain. Hell, even Schwoz was feeling good, of course, he was no hero, he didn't work out for hours on end and fight bad guys until the sun came up but he had this peculiar fitness about him that gave him the strength to climb walls and scurry about the Man Cave like a goddamn ape. So, as they approached floor three, he was still going strong.

Floor four was when the first sweat broke, Ray's stupidly hot shirt sticking to his skin and making it look even tighter as his brain ignored the messages coming from his legs. They were feeling a bit numb, nothing major, just the start of the buildup of lactic acid that would eventually make him cave but for now, Captain Man wasn't giving up, not when Jasper was up their scoffing his susharoni-and-cheese. 

But his resilience was waning and even if he could go on for another few flights, not that he could, Henry was ready for a breather, finally admitting that he wasn't the gym bro he thought he was as they stumbled up to floor five. 

It was an impressive feat that they'd managed to run up five flights of stairs at full speed, but they definitely needed to stop, Ray calling for a time out as he collapsed against the steps and his sidekick clung to the rails. Schwoz looked like he was gonna vomit and cough and sneeze all at once as he trailed behind, limping up the last two steps whilst Henry struggled to stay standing.

"Oh, I think I'm gonna die! I'm pretty sure I'm dying, guys..." The teen groaned dramatically. Jeez, he'd thought he'd been fit, but clearly, he wasn't, or maybe he just wasn't a machine, that was more like it. Ray was, like, the fittest guy in Swellview, he'd been working out every day since...forever and he was feeling the same way like his stomach had been pummelled like a punching bag and his legs were made from ramen noodles.

"Oh, I'm going to vomit..." Schwoz added too, in equal pain to Henry, more so since he wasn't a fitness guru. This wasn't part of his job description, in fact, he was certain that the exercise wasn't doing him good, it had probably knocked at least ten years off of his life because he was feeling like pure crap. Why didn't his clever little brain tell him to back out when he had the chance? Why didn't he listen to his gut when it asked if he was sure he could do this? 'Cause he wasn't built for this shit.

"How many floors have we climbed so far?" Henry gasped with the others, not even having the strength to throw them an understanding glance. Honestly, he hadn't even been looking at the numbers as they ran because everything had felt like a testosterone-fuelled blur, a desperate charge to get to the top because that was their mission, counting what floor they were on wasn't.

"Five." Ray punched out, his face feeling scaldingly hot as he pressed it into the cool metal of the handrail. God, now he knew why his sweet girl didn't want to do this, now, he knew why she'd had that mischievous glint in her eye when he ran off with so much excitement, now, he knew why she was probably sitting five floors below them having a good old natter with Charlotte with oxygen in her lungs and legs that weren't dead. Now, he knew all too well why she'd refused.

"How many more to go?" The boy asked further. His mind was like one big jumble of facts and opinions, nothing was working, his synapses wouldn't connect and he didn't have the willpower to do some quick mental math. They were on floor five, surely it couldn't go on for much longer, surely to god. The air seemed so thin up here, he was certain that they were near the top because there was no way he'd be feeling this crap without making some serious ground on these goddamn stairs. They must've made some decent progress, they must have.

"Two hundred and thirty-seven." Or not. Schwoz's brain was grasping at straws, working with whatever it could to carry the one, subtract five from forty-two and smush it together into one tidy sum, and the revelation was devastating. The air wasn't thin because they weren't at a high altitude. The three were very much still deep underground, with little progress to show how much work their bodies had put into a very short distance and in comparison to what lay ahead, five floors were pathetic. Measly. Not even worth the sweat, tears and vomit that were threatening to make an appearance.

And all the while, above their heads, Jasper was tucking into yet another delicacy. This time, it was spaghetti tacos, something that Morgan swore was his own creation, although some would say that they could swear they'd seen it before, it didn't matter. Jasper was loving them, the audience at home was loving his reaction to them, all of them wishing that they had been chosen to taste them. However, the pleasure was all his and being able to stream the show on their cell phones didn't make the pain any easier for the boys.

"Ohhhh, this is the best!..." Stupid Jasper. 

"Ohhhh, this is the worst!" Henry groaned, not realising the irony of it all. This was their choice, their pain, and maybe in the future, they'd appreciate going up to Junk-N-Stuff to give Jasper a hand. After all, all the best things seemed to happen to him in that funky little shop.

~Meanwhile, back in the Man Cave~

"So, have you and Ray thought any more about the wedding?" Charlotte asked (y/n) as the woman carefully swallowed the last bite of her burger. It didn't really hit the spot, not when it had grown cold and limp after being left alone for too long, but she wasn't about to waste it, Ray's cardboard-like fries too. 

They were done, finished, scoffed with a hunger that set at the moment they'd sat down to continue watching the show and currently, all her attention was on the girl, who sat on her left, coating several screws that had been jammed into a long strip of wood in red paint. She didn't know why she was doing the task, maybe it was a favour for Schwoz or Ray, she honestly couldn't say, but that was irrelevant right now. Obsolete. Because the mention of the wedding caused a shit-eating smirk to grow on Charlotte's face.

"Well, we know we want it to be small, y'know? I don't like the idea of inviting hundreds of people to the happiest day of my life just for them to treat it like a free-for-all." (y/n) answered, rubbing her hands together in an attempt to remove the grease and flecks of salt that stained them, but she stopped when Charlotte's brushed paused and she looked at her with a curious face. Huh, she was a superhero who hated the attention and the woman could see that she was waiting for her to elaborate.

"Well, I know loads of people who should be at the wedding, y'know people I've known since forever, friends that I had in college, family that I see at reunions, but honestly, I just want it to be the people closest to me. I don't want my wedding day to be an opportunity for people to have a free lunch and a free party," She confessed, flicking away the paper wrapper from the burger before continuing. 

"All I need is Ray and my family at the wedding. I don't know if you've noticed but I'm not one for grandeur." 

"Come on, (y/n/n), it's your wedding day. You're allowed to be the centre of attention for it." Charlotte argued, hating to see her friend put herself down because she was shy or feeling unworthy of everyone looking at her. That's what it was supposed to be like with brides, their wedding was a chance for them to shine and celebrate finding the love of their lives with their families, but for (y/n), it wasn't like that at all. And it wasn't because she couldn't stand the crowds and hundreds of pairs of eyes watching for her first mistake.

"I know, I know and I will be, I'm sure...just not in front of a huge crowd of people who know nothing about me and Ray, or what we've been through." She replied, giving the girl a soft smile to tell her that her mind was made up on this. Nothing extravagant, nothing spectacular, she didn't want that, after all, her and Ray's love had blossomed behind closed walls, not out in the open for everyone to pick apart.

"You want it to be small and...intimate," Charlotte said carefully like she was trying to find the right words to describe what she was picturing in her head. Right, right, parents, friends, immediate family, the people who mattered, those were the people she was talking about, the people she felt closest to for a romantic ceremony. Those were the ones who'd be there on the big day.

"Exactly...and that's why I want you to be my maid of honour." (y/n) turned to face her fully, rather than giving her the side-eye during such an important moment. This had been given a lot of thought, a lot of time discussing the pros and cons with Ray and herself to decide if it was the right choice. Of course, she was the only choice in the woman's eyes, there was no one else, but she wouldn't force the girl, whose mouth dropped open upon hearing her confession.

"What?!" She exclaimed, the only other accompanying sound being the clatter of the paintbrush onto the table.

"Y'know, my chief bridesmaid, well, my only bridesmaid so far. You don't have to if you don't want to, it's just all of my old friends kinda think I'm marrying a loser with a junk store, so I don't want them. I don't know, we've been the only girls in the Man Cave, so you're like my best friend--" (y/n) started rambling in an attempt to nervously explain her reasoning behind choosing a sixteen-year-old girl as the one to stand by her side when she made the biggest promise of her life. 

Not her college roommates, not her family members, not her childhood best friend. Nope, she wanted Charlotte.

"(y/n)! I'd be honoured to be your maid of honour!" The teen grabbed onto her hand, ending her nerves there and replacing them with a bright smile as they revelled in the happiness that stemmed from Charlotte's acceptance. (y/n) quickly pulled her into a hug, muttering thank you's into her hair for being the nicest girl she'd ever had the honour of seeing grow up. Of course, she do it; she'd been rooting for her and Ray from the moment she met them, to be seen as family was a huge privilege.

"Oh, thank god for that, you have no idea how nervous I was to ask you that..." The heroine chuckled breathlessly as they pulled away into an electrically happy atmosphere. Charlotte started painting again, although this time with a huge smile on her face. Yeah, that sounded like her friend, skittish but always with the best of intentions.

"I can imagine..."

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, it's back on!" The pair fell into a comfortable silence as the ad break ended and Morgan Maykew's enormous grin reappeared on the supercomputer's monitor. Well, the moment was over but the feeling was still there and silently, they were both thanking their lucky stars that neither of them had decided to take their chances and run up the stairs.

"Okay, people of Swellview! We're back live, I'm Morgan Maykew and I'm here with..." The chef reintroduced the people at home with his trademark enthusiasm. However, he really needed to remember who he was working with and that leaving gaps for Jasper to fill was never gonna go in the direction he wanted.

"Me!" Poor Jasper, he was right but so wrong at the same time.

"Jasper!" Morgan corrected him, which only confused the boy more at hearing his name, but whatever. The chef moved past it, eager to get on with the show, his cooking and the conversation. "What's up?"

"Jasper, let me ask you something..."

"It's a real store!" Well, at least he was doing his job whilst he was eating, even if he was technically drawing attention to the secret when no one was interested in the first place. The first rule about owing a secret store that hides a superhero's hideout out, don't talk about owing a secret store that hides a superhero's hideout out. Well done for trying but come on, he was just being obvious that Ray Manchester, owner of junk and sometimes stuff, had something to hide.

"It won't be for much longer if you keep mentioning it, Curly." (y/n) muttered, crossing one leg over the other as she and Charlotte shared a look, knowing that the kid meant well and was a great shopkeeper, whose tendencies to freak out about the slightest thing had mellowed as he gained experience, but he still fell short sometimes. 

"Got it..." Thank god, Morgan didn't register the significance of what he'd said. The last thing Captain Man and his sidekicks needed was a camera crew poking around the entrance to the Man Cave because otherwise, Swellview would be losing its most beloved chef. "Do you like soup?"

"Do I?" Jasper laughed at the question, not realising that Morgan was expecting an actual answer, not just a rhetorical chortle. 

"Well? Do you?"

"Yes. That's why I said, do I?"  He explained, looking into the camera with the same goofy, energetic smile that he'd given Morgan. Honestly, he'd thought it had been obvious what he meant, but clearly not.

"Well, you know wanna try some of my famous pizza soup?!" Morgan asked, gesturing to the enormous soup pot that was currently boiling away on the pop-up stove the crew had shoved into Junk-N-Stuff. How they'd managed to set up an entire kitchen in such a short amount of time and in such a tiny space, including a fridge, chopping area and eating counter, was incredible, just like that dang pizza soup. Dear God, it smelled and looked amazing...

"Ohhh, do I?!" Again with rhetorical crap, did Jasper never learn his lesson?

"Just say yes or no," Morgan told him, wanting a straight, simple answer. And predictably, Jasper wasn't gonna say no. He'd be a fool to turn down Morgan Maykew's cooking, in fact, he'd probably become a social reject if he did. The boy who turned down pizza soup and lost all his friends, how tragic.

~Back on the stairs~

For some, however, life was much worse. Try floor one hundred and seventeen worse. Ray and Henry were pretty sure that their bodies weren't even listening to their brains anymore as they robotically marched up the stairs without stopping. 

By now, they'd fallen into a rhythm that meant they were still dying but their hearts and lungs were used to the strenuous activity, so their noodle-like legs just kept working, up and down, up and down, up and down. That was their job and they weren't gonna stop now that they had made some serious ground. Maybe it wasn't a lot compared to their end goal, but it was still admirable. Foolish but admirable.

"Argh!" The boys jumped when Henry's phoned began to vibrate in his pocket, the noise being a startling new stimulus after an hour of nothing but the sounds of their feet slapping against the floor and their ragged breathing. Jeez, who could this be? Didn't they know that they barely had the breath to survive, let alone talk?

"My phone...I got it..." The boy panted, stumbling to go and sit next to Ray on the first round of steps up to floor one-eighteen and they both looked terrible. The man had his head resting against the wall, drenched in sweat and thinking that when he died, 'cause it was gonna happen judging by the pounding in his skull, he wanted his sweet girl to move into a peaceful house in the country, have the life that he planned to give to her before death took him away so cruelly.

"Hello? What?" Henry barked into the speaker, causing the girls to smirk on the other end of the line because it was them who dared to break up their rhythm. Y'know, just to see how they were getting, learn how much pain they were in and to see if they were gonna give up. And maybe (y/n) just wanted to hear her doofus' voice and make sure he was okay, maybe...

"Hey... we're watching the show but we don't see you and Ray up there yet." Charlotte started with a smug lilt in her voice at how they knew that their big plan wasn't going so well and they didn't need to hear the wheeze after the boy's words to know that they were regretting their life choices. Aw, (y/n)'s heart squeezed at the thought of her adorable lover's pain, but there wasn't much she could do apart from giving him her love and support.

"Uh, yeah, we're still climbing up the stairs," Henry replied, eyeing the many more flights they still had left to go. He also didn't miss the way Ray perked up at the mention of "we" because that meant his fiancée was now speaking to him and he really needed to hear her voice if he was gonna get through this.

"Right, so...which floor are you guys on now?" (y/n) asked and Ray's heart quivered in his chest as it pounded and although he wanted to, he didn't have the energy to properly sit up. Not that it mattered, it wasn't like she was there next to him, her voice echoed with a metallic garble that only came from a phone speaker, so there was no point in getting excited. He could touch her, he couldn't kiss her and he sure as hell couldn't pull her body against his for the longest nap of their lives.

"One hundred and seventeen." The kid told them breathlessly and that made the girls sit up. Hold up, they'd been gone for ages and they'd only made up it that far? Jeez, it was worse than they thought.

"Whoa! You're not even halfway up yet?" Charlotte asked in shock, wondering if they'd been dragging their feet or something because that was still quite a small number. She got that it was a lot of work, that's why she was comfortably sat with (y/n), painting her nails and sipping bottled water, but seriously, she thought that Captain Man and Kid Danger would've breezed through the first one hundred and fifty by now.

"What? Yes, we are! We've only got, like, a hundred floors to go!" Ray's grumbles came through the speaker and the girl through (y/n) a teasing grin when a soft smile worked its way onto her face without her even knowing it. There he was, she'd been waiting to hear him and just like always, his baritone voice caused her tummy to flutter and her thighs to clench.

"No, doofus, if you guys are on floor one-seventeen, then you have one hundred and twenty-five more floors to go, so you're not halfway yet, sorry..." She explained, using her clever little brain, full of math and equations to point out that they hadn't made as much progress as they thought. Ray and Henry looked livid as they did a quick mental sum as she had, although much more slowly since they weren't scientists or even that brainy. Sweet cheese, she was right...

"You know what, sweet girl? You're just mean!" Ray whined petulantly, so petulantly that (y/n) actually laughed instead of feeling offended. Right, he was being moody because she was right and he was tired, not because she'd actually upset him and had it not happened before then her mood would've deflated instantly. The next time they were together he'd whisper a thousand apologies into her hair for saying such filthy lies and being a big baby, but for now, he was throwing a tantrum.

"Math can't be mean, sweetheart. It's immune to bias and misunderstanding." She replied with a smile audible in her voice, so Henry's muscles stopped being so tense when he realised that he wasn't gonna have to sit through another argument between them because they were agonisingly painful. Literally, he hated when they fought as much as they did, not that Ray was helping his case.

"Yeah, well, it's mean math, goodbye!" The man snapped, snatching the cell from Henry's hand so he could angrily press the red button, but the moment he did, he was left with resounding guilt and disappointment. He just hung up on his sweet girl, he just cut off the sweetest laugh he'd ever heard, he'd cut off his nose to spite his stupid face and now, he felt lousy.

"Dude, seriously? You complain about how you miss (y/n) and how you want to talk to her, but you just called her math mean and ended the call!" Henry stated dryly, looking at his boss with a tired expression. Okay, he couldn't complain about his heartache now because she'd just ruined a golden opportunity to let out some of his mushiness and all he did was give her a playground insult. Dear God, give him strength...

"I didn't even tell her that I love her..." Ray grumbled, knocking his head against the wall as he cursed himself for being the biggest moron walking the Earth. Damn his stupid, childish brain; now, he was doubting whether his sweet girl actually knew whether he loved her or not. Screw the hundreds of other times when he'd whispered it into her hair or shouted it from the rooftops, all he could focus on was how he'd left her on a sour note without reparation and that hurt more than the stair ever could.

"Your fault, man..." Henry muttered and he didn't care if he wasn't helping the situation, more like stirring the pot. The only way Ray would learn was if he got a taste of his own medicine, and understood how crappy he made other people feel when he was mean by feeling crappy himself. Therefore, if he wanted to act like a man-child, then Henry would treat him like one.

"Put the show on, I wanna see what's happening!" Ray snapped, moodily nudging the boy's phone into his hands so he could pull up the livestream and see if it was as good as the girls were saying. And he certainly wasn't happy with Henry's words; of course, he knew that it was his fault, he knew that he had no right to complain when he was the jerk who'd hung up, but damn, did he really have to rub salt in his wounds? Like, he was already debating running back down to apologise, he didn't need a reminder of what an asshole he could be.

"Here you go, here's the show..."

"So, to make pizza soup, we pour the pizza sauce in!" The hero and his sidekick groaned as they watched Morgan tip a bowlful of top-quality, homemade pizza sauce into his soup pot, prompting Jasper to grumble heartily at how good it looked and smelled. Jeez, they wanted to experience that, sitting over one hundred floors below that soup seemed criminal because they loved pizza and they loved soup. It was their perfect combination by Morgan Goddamn Maykew.

"Oh, that looks so good..."

"I know..." Ray wholeheartedly agreed with the kid as they drooled over the sight of Morgan stirring his soup, and a thought crossed the man's mind. The longer they sat down, the more time Jasper had to sip all of that tomatoey goodness himself and he couldn't let that happen. "Come on, we better get up there or we're not gonna get any pizza soup!"

"Come on, we gotta keep going! Schwoz, come on! Schwoz, let's keep--dude, where's Schwoz?" They were so ready to set off again, so ready to keep pumping their legs and complete their task but then, something became worryingly apparent. They were one man down. What had started as a trio was now a duo because the coconut-headed genius was absent, not above them, not hiding, not passed out, he just wasn't there. Oh, god...

"He was with us, he was right there!" Ray argued, thinking that he'd seen his handyman only a moment ago, but that was the problem with the stairs. The only distinguishing feature in that environment was the floor number nailed to the wall and truthfully, on several levels, he'd stopped looking at them, he'd just kept on going until they needed a break. And that meant that the last time he saw Schwoz could've been on floor fifty or floor fifteen because they all looked the same.

"No, he wasn't! Dude, I haven't seen Schwoz in ten minutes." Henry revealed this to his worried boss, who was now grasping the situation. The kid had been the one paying attention, sort of, and they realised one terrible detail. Schwoz had been left ten minutes ago, he'd fallen behind ten minutes ago, meaning that he was passed out or hurt or...dead several floors below them and they hadn't noticed. Well, there was only one thing for it.

"SCHWOZ!" Ray bellowed as he and Henry descended back the way they came, clearing three flights of stairs from their progress as they searched for their comrade. Floor one-fourteen was where he had collapsed, his arm and leg tangled into the handrail from how he'd tried to keep going in a desperate attempt to stick with his friends before his body gave up. Strangely, he looked quite peaceful in his exhaustion, eyes glazed over and begging to be left alone but they weren't about to let him do that. They started as a three, they were finishing as a three.

"Schwoz, hey, what you doing? What you doing?"

"Schwoz, come on, we gotta get up!" Ray and Henry tried to encourage him as the former shook his floppy body to try and get him to stand up, but no dice. Schwoz felt like shit, and the floor was beginning to feel like home, or maybe like the perfect place to just lie down and die peacefully because he swore that that's what was happening to him.

"I think dying...."

"You're not dying, man. You're not dying! We gotta go! Come on! Come on!"

"We're gonna meet Morgan Maykew in Junk-N-Stuff! Don't make it weird, Schwoz, come on..." The boys tried to haul him to his feet, mumbling anything that sprung to mind, no matter how cheesy it was, if it had a motivational tinge to it, they said it. Teamwork, live, laugh, love, the whole works, they said it all as they dragged his body towards the steps with the hope that his legs would start up the rhythm again, but no. Schwoz just wasn't having it.

"No man left behind!" Was the ironic thing because the moment Ray said it, he and Henry reached a mutual, unanimous agreement of "fuck it" and dropped his body back down the stairs. 

Well, if he wasn't going to put the effort in then they weren't going to help him, to hell with their morals. He wasn't a man anyway, more like the body of a man when he was a little boy with a coconut for a head instead. They had places to be, Morgan Maykew to meet and Schwoz was just dead weight.

~

Ray and Henry had scampered up the floors they ran back down to retrieve Schwoz, and now that they had decided to leave him to his nap, they had to make up for the lost time. The walls turned into a grey blur as they pushed through the pain and continued their rapid movements over the next eighty or so floors. 

One hundred and ninety-five, that was the one that left them crawling up with the last fibres of their strength and whatever resilience they could muster. Each breath was difficult and laboured, sweat was dripping from their hair and they fought to get up the steps like babies on their stomachs. And all the while, Henry still had the livestream up on his phone, using every word as motivation.

"Gimme some!"

"I'll tell you when I'm done!" Oh, sweet cheese, Henry knew that shrill voice that snapped at Jasper, he knew those petite yet rough hands that grabbed his bowl of soup and he knew that obnoxiously loud mouth that guzzled it down for herself. Piper. 

What was she doing there? Well, like pretty much everyone in Swellview, she'd been at home watching the show as she studied, would you believe it, and the moment she saw that her brother's dumb friend was being made a four-course meal by the Morgan Maykew, she'd legged it over to the stupid junk store downtown. Obviously, the film crew didn't want someone just barging in, but this was Piper and what she wanted she got, namely she was able to force her way onto the shop floor and con Morgan and Jasper into thinking that she deemed the goofy boy as her family. Yeah, right. 

"Like it wasn't bad enough that Jasper gets to be on the show and eat all of that delicious food, now they got some random little brat on there?" Ray questioned as he and Henry took their fiftieth breather against the wall and railing. 

At this point, he was drenched in sweat and certain that he'd never be fitter after this, but that didn't excuse how he didn't recognise Piper. Come on, she was the girl that his fiancée liked to go watch movies with, she was the girl who'd snapped at him for the past few years that his sidekick had been his employee. How did he not remember her? 

"That's my little sister. Y'know, the one who goes to the movies with (y/n)..." Henry told him, not believing what he was hearing. Jeez, his boss had a serious problem, everyone remembered Piper apart from him, how could they not? She was a shouter, mean and didn't care about idiots, a fact she made very apparent whenever someone annoyed her, so people always knew to stay away. Well, (y/n) didn't, she thought the girl was sweet, misunderstood, perhaps annoying in some ways but not deserving of some of the mean things people said about her. Henry, though, begged to differ.

"Whoever she is, she's eating my soup..." Ray argued in a throaty, bitter voice, just as the show was interrupted by the loathsome trill of Henry's ringtone. God, that cut straight their ears and made their heads hurt, more so when they saw that it was Charlotte's caller I.D. Great, that's all they needed, her smugness sprinkled in with what was starting to feel like the bitter sting of defeat, but there was a plus side. Ray could portray himself better this time, and perhaps end things on a better note with his sweet girl.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Hey, have you guys seen that Piper's on the show now?" To their surprise, it was (y/n) who answered the phone, although it was clear that Charlotte was still right next to her as they could hear the girl's faint, amused chuckles through the speaker. Well, that was irritating, but the soft sound of the woman's playful tone was enough to melt away some of Ray's annoyance. Some.

"Yes, we see that Piper's on the show now," Ray replied, his voice still containing his petulant quality but also tiredness that somehow took the edge of it. It was good to know that he hadn't totally screwed up again and that motivated him to limp across the platform to the next lot of stairs. However, the next bit of news was about to send his newfound chip of happiness into a nosedive.

"System update complete." The girls stopped what they were doing. Charlotte ceased painting her nails. (y/n) halted her teasing of her doofus because the computer had just said something very, very interesting. 

Huh. The woman had been right, it had been more likely that the system update would be finished before they reached the top, (y/n)'s logical hunch had paid off. The elevator dinged as it slid open in all its glory, the tubes beeped as they came down to test the mechanics and Charlotte and (y/n) felt a swarm of excitement overcome them. They were free to leave, able to get upstairs and get in on the action, but did they dare tell that to the boys? Heck, yeah.

"Oh, yay! The elevator and the tubes are working again!" Charlotte announced in a cheerful voice, causing Henry and Ray to perk up as what was a splendid thing for the girls turned into a devastating blow for the hero and sidekick. What did they mean the what was what now? That meant all their hard work had been for nothing and if they'd had just stayed put, they'd be down there, not sweaty, and ready to just amble up to the store.

"Wait, what?! For real? The elevator and tubes are fixed?!" Henry asked in amazement, facing Ray, who looked like he could cry. Seriously? He could've had an hour spent downstairs, not moving, just making out and snuggling with his girl on the couch, then, they could make it up to Morgan in time for dessert, but no. He was Ray, he'd not listened because he always thought that he knew better.

"Yeah! So, we're just gonna head up to Junk-N-Stuff, so love you, sweetheart, b--"

"Okay, bye!" Henry didn't give (y/n) the chance to say goodbye properly, well, not nearly as properly as she wanted since she'd only managed to squeeze out one halfhearted proclamation of love before the end, but still. The race was on, no time for romantics now, even if it did make Ray's heart flutter, they had to make a very important decision.

"Come on, let's go!"

"Yeah, we better get there before the show's over!" Ray was quick to agree with his sidekick, giving him a bright smile at the thought of being so close to their goal, but there was still a risk of everything being for nothing. That's what they had to avoid, they couldn't let that happen, no way. He had to get into his damn shop, meet up with his darling girl, give her his best pouty face for snapping earlier and then they could eat one sundae with two spoons. Absolute perfection.

"Last one there's a rotten finger!" Henry giggled and to their mutual surprise, each set off in his own direction; Ray took the upwards approach, thinking that they'd come this far, what was a few more floors compared to all the work they'd undo by going down, which was Henry's plan. The boy had gone for the downward approach, not seeing the point in working harder when they could just run straight to floor zero and then take the elevator. Very different opinions, but equally stubborn wills.

It was less than a minute later that they both realised that neither had a shadow, they were running solo and for some odd reason, the other had chosen the "wrong" option. Where was Ray? Where was Henry? Why didn't they follow after them? This was the quickest way to get there...

"What are you doing?" They asked immediately upon reuniting, having gone back on themselves to see where the other had gone, not that they were gonna like the answers they found. Ray and Henry had started as a team and they wanted to finish as one unless the other was being a moron because that would mean chivalry and camaraderie would go out of the window.

"I'm going up!"

"I'm going down!"

"What are you stupid?" Well, stupid was the wrong word because both had their positives and both had their negatives, meaning either was a smart option, a fifty-fifty chance of making it in time if they pushed their bodies to the brink of peak human capability.

"Kid, it is stupid going down!" Ray argued, trying to make the younger boy see sense because he clearly had a lot of that. He was the eldest, they should listen to him, after all, he was the Captain around the Man Cave and these were his stairs. He knew what he was doing, why couldn't the teen see that?

"Man, it is stupid to go up!" Henry fired back, trying to make the older hero see sense because he clearly had a lot of that. Yes, he was younger, but that didn't mean Ray was wiser. Henry had been doing this job for a while now and had been chosen for his good instincts, (y/n) was always quick to remind her lover of that. He knew what he was doing, why couldn't the man see that?

"Okay, listen to me, okay, Junk-N-Stuff is up there, okay? It's up, up, up!"

"Yes, I know but the elevator's fixed now, okay? It's downstairs in the Man Cave, it's down! It's down, down!" They were like an old married couple bickering about what they should do and all the while, the clock was ticking. The show would be over soon, neither had the time to just stand around and debate which route was best they just had to take one and hope it lead them to the reward they were seeking.

"SO?"

"So, we're gonna go downstairs, we're gonna get in the elevator and we're gonna go up to Junk-N-Stuff, come on..." Henry had made his executive decision and believing that Ray would just trail behind him like a sheep, turned to start making his way back to where they'd started, but he'd forgotten how hardheaded Ray could be. It's why he and (y/n) had such vicious arguments at times, it's why they'd been at a standstill for two minutes, he just wasn't the kind of guy to change his mind when it was already made up.

"Dude, we're on floor one-ninety-five, we only have like fifty more to go!" The man bellowed back, his anticipation to just get running again bleeding into his vocal cords and making him scream. Why couldn't the kid get it into his head that they were so close to making it? Sure, fifty was a big number but they'd already done three times that amount and more. A few more flights wouldn't hurt, surely to god.

"Yeah, butt's way easier to go down than up!"

"You fool! You would rather go down one hundred and ninety-five floors than up fifty?!" When he put it into perspective, Henry's mind had to contemplate it for a split second. That ratio certainly was heavy on one end and he could kinda see why Ray would be deluded enough to attempt it, but when he factored energy and exertion into the equation, it became a no-brainer for him. 

"Yeah! I would because it's easier and faster!"

"Why?" 

"Because gravity! Yeah, gravity, man! Gravity's our friend!" Henry snapped back as their exchange started to teeter on the edge of being abusive. Had the guy not been listening during Schwoz and (y/n) semi-boring lectures on the basic laws of physics? Come on, Henry thought Ray listened to everything his girlfriend said, or at the very least absorbed the noise as he stared dreamily at her face, something must've gone in. 

"Okay, well, good luck with you and your new gravity girlfriend! Me? I'm going up and I'll see you later when I get there before you!"

"Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!" Henry kept chanting as Ray rambled on and on about how he was gonna be the first to cross the finish line, the first to taste that goodness waiting for them in Junk-N-Stuff and the first to feel the relief of relaxation when he reunited with his girl.

"Oh, wrong? Oh, yeah? I will bet you money, you won't make it before me!" This was getting into dicey territory. Ray didn't want to make any promises, he just wanted a simple afternoon with a belly full of delicious treats, one arm around (y/n) and the other nursing a soda as they binged movies. Giving away the money he was saving for the wedding wasn't part of that plan.

"Really?"

"I will bet you a thousand dollars! I'm taking the money out of my wallet right now!--"

"Okay, you're on--wait, wait, wait, shhh! Shhhh! Shhhhhh!" Henry's sudden one-eighty from shrieking with his boss as the man dug around for whatever cash he might have on him, jarred Ray into shutting his mouth for once. A remarkable feat but it only worked because Ray's curiosity outweighed anything else, it even got him to leave the precious bills that would go into purchasing flowers, a dress, a tux, a venue, catering, the ceremony and whatever else well alone.

"What? What, what, what, what?"

"Dude, keep your money for your wedding. You gotta make it perfect for (y/n)..." Henry began, trying to ease the blow that was coming in a moment so he could take his boss by surprise with his sneaky plan. Of course, he didn't want the money either, that was just Ray being stupid and he meant what he said about giving his friend the day that she deserved after years of patiently waiting for it to come, but still. That didn't mean he couldn't be a little bit cunning.

"You're right, kid..." Ray nodded, realising that he was letting his mouth run away from him again. It was true, he'd been saving for what was gonna be the best day of his life, no matter what happened, it would be special because he'd walk away with the girl of his dreams as his wife. But he was determined to not leave her disappointed and wanting for more, after all, he'd promised himself the day they revealed their feelings for each other that he'd fill the shoes of the man she deserved, not just the man she wanted. 

"My school councillor, she taught me a way to stay calm in a high-pressure situation like this," Henry added softly, and this was where the trickery came in. Sure, he meant all of that crap about not allowing his friend to screw up the best thing he had going for him, but now, this was how he was going to play and Ray was hooked.

"...Well, what is it? Tell me."

"Here's what I do. Close your eyes. You put your thumbs on your temples and you go, lalalalalalalalalalalalalala...you should try it." Henry described, looking absolutely ridiculous as he did what he said, but miraculously, Ray seemed to fall for it. Maybe it was some kind of ancient meditation thing that soothed the brain and whilst he was certain that he'd discovered other ways of finding tranquillity amid a storm, mainly by clinging to the only person who ever seemed to know what he needed to not fly off the handle, this couldn't hurt to try.

"Close your eyes..."

"Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalala..." The moment Ray couldn't see or hear anything thanks to his chanting, Henry was off like a shot. A cruel prank, but an effective one as he raced down the stairs, smirking to himself at how he'd had the perfect headstart and whilst he wouldn't be getting a financial reward at the end, he'd still have the satisfaction of being right.

"Lalalalalalala---oh, oh! OH, OHHH!!" Ray growled and his muscles snapped into action after cracking open his eyes to see that his sidekick had pulled a dirty on him. He'd have to work extra hard to make up the difference, but he had something Henry didn't. Sure, the kid had the food waiting, and so did Ray, but the hero also had something else to run for. 

His sweet girl and the kiss he'd be claiming as his prize for when he became the winner.

~

They ran and ran and ran like the devil himself was chasing them. In the time that Henry had descended five floors, Ray had sprinted up the same amount, which wasn't the best advertisement for Henry's gravity argument, but still, that man was on a mission. 

It was surprising how quickly they could move when there was a mini, testosterone-fuelled competition going on between them and now, it was a race to see who'd be the lucky son of a gun who'd get to eat the last batch of food considering that with Charlotte and (y/n) heading to Junk-N-Stuff too, there'd be a lot of people around that table making grabby hands at whatever Morgan put in front of them. 

Henry breezed down to floor one-one-four, the level where he and Ray had abandoned Schwoz to sleep off his exhaustion since he was just dead weight and technically, it was his fault they were doing this stupid fucking thing in the first place. Sure, he was begging for help and company since he'd been dying by himself for the last god knows how many minutes, but the kid didn't have time to stop. Like a true, focused champ he powered through the pain of hearing Schwoz's pleas and kept trotting down the stairs, praying that Ray's inevitable tiredness was slowing him down by now. 

~Meanwhilein Junk-N-Stuff~

The savoury stuff had soon been wolfed down by Jasper and Piper, literally, they'd licked the bowls clean, meaning if anyone else had wanted a slurp of the pizza soup or a bite of the macaroni and cheese sushi, then they'd had to look elsewhere. That would be a disappointment for the heroes on their mission, but all was not lost.

"So good!"

"Look at that!"

Hope still existed in the form of ice creams sundaes, everyone's favourite kind of dessert and because they'd been made by Morgan Maykew, they were more than just sundaes. They were frozen, creamy deliciousness that came with customisable toppings. They could have sprinkles, chocolate syrup, nuts, and cherries, if Piper and Jasper wanted it, they could put them on top of Morgan's homemade ice cream and so could two new guests...

"Hey!"

"Hi, guys!" The girl panted as they burst through the beaded curtain, slightly out of breath from their scramble from the couch to the elevator and into the store itself but it was nothing compared to how Henry and Ray were feeling. Plus, despite their disorganised appearances, Jasper and Piper were delighted to see them and even happier to share what had so kindly been given to them.

"Charlotte! (y/n)!"

"Try our sundaes!"

"They're so good!" The boy and girl exclaimed through spoonfuls of ice cream coating the tastebuds and (y/n) and Charlotte would be lying if they said that they weren't tempted by the cream as it mixed into the slowly melting vanilla-honeycomb blend, the cherry on top and the chocolate syrup that was drizzled over everything. 

They looked so good and they were offering them, enticing the girls in, but the eldest couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for starting when her other half wasn't present. The ice cream was melting under the warm lights of the store, she had no idea where the boys were and she hated that they would miss it if they started eating, but would they be able to justify holding a grudge? 

"Ooh, but shouldn't we wait for Ray and---oh, screw it! They should've gotten here sooner!" (y/n) caved when Charlotte tugged on her sweater sleeve and threw her a look that only meant "bitch, really?". Yeah, Ray would understand her motive when he crawled from wherever he and Henry were and she'd find a way to make it up to him somehow. In a way, she tried to think about what he'd do; like her, he'd seize the moment and not wait for anyone because time was passing by. 

Well, there was no room for arguing then, as Morgan smiled at the girl and passed them a spoon each, welcoming them onto his show since they were clearly part of this wacky family of coworkers too. Charlotte dug into Piper's sundae as (y/n) tackled Jasper and they all but melted when the sweetness hit their tongues, agreeing that it was the best thing they'd ever tasted.

~

Ray was so close to discovering that sweetness for himself, assuredly about to discover a flavour that would rank itself second on his list of the best things he'd ever eaten because he was on floor two hundred and forty-one. This was it, the final climb to the finish.

He'd powered through the burn, the ache in his lungs, the begging of his body to stop and give up but he ignored it. Instead, his arms took some of the work, pulling his heavy frame up the last ten steps; one, two...a few more....six, seven...don't give up now, she's waiting for you...nine, ten! Ladies and gentle, we have a winner.

Ray panted as he made it over the threshold of floor two-four-two and to his sheer relief, joy, pride and shock, he found himself staring at a door that didn't have another carbon-copy door number on it, rather, it had a rather ornate "J-n-S" stamped on the largest, circular panel, indicating that he'd done it. Brawn had triumphed over brains and here he was, the victor over Henry because he'd made it to Junk-N-Stuff's floor just like he said he would.

"I did it! I made it! You lose, kid!" Ray shouted to no one in particular, not even Henry since his voice wouldn't carry that far down, but it was nevertheless nice to scream in delight. 

Food by Morgan Maykew, here he came, the kiss of his sweet girl, here he came because he was walking to the door and...it wouldn't open. Oh shit. He rattled it, shoved it, thumped his fists against it, Ray did everything in his power to get the damn thing to open, but no matter how hard he pulled on the door handle, it wasn't gonna open.

"No, no, no, no, come on...come on! Hey! Hey, sweet girl, anybody, can you hear me?! No, come on! Come on!" Ray shrieked in anguish as he realised that no one could hear him, no one was coming and there was no way into Junk-N-Stuff from this door.

Of course, there wasn't; no one ever used the stairs, keeping that door unlocked was a safety hazard in case some randomer wandered through the store and somehow found their way to the Man Cave, but Ray didn't want logic right now. He wanted to cry and shout and tear his hair out because he'd worked so hard for nothing and there was a solid metal door blocking him from reuniting with his world and whatever she was eating. Life was so not fair.

"Nooo, man! Aw, there's no way I could run back down two hundred and forty-two flights of stairs before Henry--" Ray began to monologue, thinking out loud since no one--literally no one-- was around to hear him or see him cry or witness the way his shoulders sagged from the burden he was carrying. But then he had a thought.

There was a big difference between him and Henry and now that he recalled, there was something that his brain had processed when (y/n) was standing there looking all pretty when she was spouting physics and that gravity stuff. "--Hey, wait a minute...I'm indestructible! Ha, yeah!"

"Woooooo!" Without a second thought and not caring about how much it would hurt, Ray laughed as he jumped over the railing of the infinitely long staircase, looking straight down the middle. It was just one big hole from the top straight down onto floor zero and honestly, anyone else would think he was crazy because he kinda was. Then again, at the same time, he wasn't.

Ray knew that he'd taken serious falls before, he knew that he could survive it and the fall would only hurt whenever he clipped the walls and when he hit the ground. Henry was right about one thing, gravity was his friend; the man cleared forty floors in under thirty seconds as he yelled the whole way down, grunting only when his arm, leg or head hit the blue stair rail, but that was fine. He even got the chance to say hi to Schwoz as he dived past floor one-fourteen.

"Yes! Yes! I made it!...what's that noise? Is th--Oh my god!" Henry's brief elation at reaching the end of the stairs after circling his way to the bottom was over pretty quickly as he heard a far-off scream. Only, the scream was getting louder and louder and when he squinted at the sky, trying to see if it was Schwoz or maybe Ray had finally given up but no.

It certainly was Ray, but he wasn't groaning from exhaustion, he was coming in hot. Henry instinctively hugged the wall as his face paled at the sight of his boss's huge body hurtling down the centre of the stairs and just in the nick of time, the boy avoided his collision with the floor. In a puff of dust and flying debris, Ray's indestructible body cracked the concrete and bent the metal that was in his path as the meteoric sound of the destruction he cause reverberated up the shaft.

"Yes! Yes! Ha, I'm okay!" Ray's smile and legs were wobbly as he crawled from the pit in the shape of his Greek God body. The adrenaline rush that followed the excruciating pain made his head spin and his face turn silly. However, through the haze, he could still picture the goal that had spurred him to pull such a reckless stunt in the first place and it was enough to light the way for him.

"Did you just jump all the way--"

"Sorry, kid, can't talk, my wife's upstairs and I gotta beat ya!" Ray didn't have time for stupid questions nor did he have the time to properly connect his neural pathways and think about what he'd just said. Feelings were mixing with reality after the crash and he just had one thing on his mind; get to the food before Henry did, get to (y/n) before his heart burst and his legs gave in.

"What?! Raaaay! She's not your wife yet!" Henry yelled as he chased after him, scampering through the Man Cave and noticing for a split-second what Charlotte and (y/n) had left behind before he clawed to press the elevator button more times than Ray. The girls were already up there and the hero had no patience for anyone who would deny him what his heart so sorely desired, so he tried to push the boy away as the door took its sweet time. Well, they had a chance to breathe, that was nice.

"So?" Henry asked as they waited for the elevator to come down and he had to admit, he was curious as to why his boss was down here now. What happened to his big plan about the final fifty floors and all the hurrah he made about gravity being dumb?

"Door at the top was locked," Ray admitted, feeling a bit stupid at how after all of his boasting, he'd had to follow what his sidekick had been right about, but no matter. He'd corrected his mistake and he was now on his way to winning their semi-bet. 

"Ha!" Okay, maybe he'd have to stop Henry's gloating before then, but they'd see who was the one laughing when the elevator finally did its job and he stormed his way into Junk-N-Stuff and shook Morgan Maykew by the hand. Yeah, that would be Ray Manchester, not Henry Hart and y'know what, just for tricking him, the man suddenly felt like a little payback.

"Shut up!... So, you got any weekend plans?" Ray asked casually as he leaned closer to the metal door and then he heard what he'd been looking for. Great, the elevator was coming down and there was no way he was gonna let Henry get in first, so as he'd done with him, Ray set up a small spot of sabotage. 

"Uhhhhh..." Just as Henry took the time to think about what he could do outside of work, homework, seeing a movie, relaxing, the elevator dinged and no sooner than it did, Ray shoved the boy to the side. It opened a window for him to barrel in first since Henry stumbled to not fall over and whilst the boy was still able to recover quickly and get himself inside before Ray managed to shut the door again. 

He mashed that button with everything he had left and they were quickly escorted to Junk-N-Stuff, where all would be decided.

~

"Okay, thanks so much for joining me for another fun and fantastic food-filled feast on...!" Morgan smiled brightly into the camera as he wrapped up the show, and that was the devastating detail. The show was over, the food was gone, nothing to show for any of it apart from the sugary taste that still lingered on (y/n), Charlotte, Piper and Jasper's lips, which meant that for some, the afternoon had been a satisfying success, whilst for others, it was just one big disappointment.

"The planet Earth!" Oh, Jasper. He would never learn. Obviously, the viewers knew that Morgan was talking to them from Earth because whilst his food was out-of-this-world, he wasn't an alien, silly boy.

"No, on..."

"Maykew A Meal!" 

"On Earth!" Well, at least the girls got it right as they huddled up and grinned into the camera as best they could. They'd certainly enjoyed themselves and for Charlotte and (y/n), it had been nice to share a quiet afternoon together with a special treat to finish it off. 

Normally, they were preoccupied with keeping the boys and their "bright" ideas in check, so they never had time to just chill and hang out together, so today had been good for them. The addition of Piper had made it perfect, considering that the tween saw them as normal gals that understood her level. How they tolerated her brother, his dumb friend and his even dumber boss were beyond her. Seriously, what did (y/n) see in that lump of a junk shop owner apart from how cutely in love they were?

"And we're out!" The cast, guests and crew broke into applause as the cameras turned off and they were left to thank Morgan for a great show and an even greater meal, only for two sweaty, panting, exhausted boys to come sprinting out from the back two seconds later. What a shame, they were so close and yet so far.

"And that's a wrap!" Jeez, the woman didn't mince her words and for Ray and Henry, clad in the sweat-stained clothing and with their skin flushed and in need of a long shower, they couldn't believe it. After all that, the running, the stairs, the determination, the goddamn competition, they'd missed the entire thing?! Screw the clapping, they wanted answers.

"What?!"

"No!"

"The show's over?!" The boy asked as (y/n)'s eyebrows flew to her hairline when she turned to her left and saw her hunk of a doofus putting off of his weight onto the pop-up countertop. Technically, she smelt the boys before she saw them, her nose caught off guard by the stench of a male gym changing room, but she masked her disgust when she saw how beat they were and instead, nudged closer to where he was so she could make a start and comforting him. Things had gone so wrong, he needed it.

"Yeah, the show's finished!" They all nodded and the ones who'd eaten felt guilt pool in their stomachs at how that simple fact seemed to break the boy and man who'd tried their hardest to get to the action, but it hadn't been enough. If they had worked harder or moved faster, they might have gotten a bite, but they couldn't rewind the clocks, they just had to deal with it.

"Wha-no! Well, what food is leftover!?"

"Yeah, is there any food leftover?!" Ray scrambled to check the empty sundae glasses himself, even though it was clear that all of the ice cream was gone. No matter how much he scraped the spoon against the sides, he was just digging for something that wasn't there, Henry too, and the sad desperation painted on his face was enough to motivate (y/n) into stepping next to him to take the bowl away.

"No, sweetheart, we ate all of it..." She told him, throwing Henry a sympathetic glance over her shoulder as she rubbed at Ray's tense bicep. Ignoring the sweat was easy, ignoring how much he needed a shower was a breeze, but getting over the heartache on his face was not. Suddenly, she wished that she had the talent to make an ice cream sundae the way Morgan could, but it wouldn't have the same value because the moment was gone and the pain had set in.

"Oh, Ray, Ray, you would've loved the pizza soup! Henry, spaghetti tacos!"

"Oh my god, that sundae though?! Too good!" Did they want a slap in the face? Seriously, did Piper, Charlotte and Jasper have a death wish or something because Ray and Henry didn't need to know how amazing the food had been. They couldn't taste it and find out if what they were saying was true so what was the point? Just knowing that they'd missed out on something so amazing was torture, so the boys could only do one thing as their friends droned on and on. Block it out.

"Lalalalalalalalalalalalalala..."

"Lalalalalalalalalalalalalala..." They started to chant above their voices, causing the teens to stop and look at the man and boy weirdly since they were now doing some kind of meditation thingie. Their thumbs were on their heads and they wouldn't shut up, god it was annoying and honestly, kinda concerning.

"Hey, is he okay?" Piper asked (y/n) as she poked Ray's arm to try and generate a response from him, but it seemed like he didn't want to feel anything right now or maybe that was a side effect from the all the running he'd done. Just because his body was immune didn't mean his mind was and knew that when Ray was tired, he got weird. Really weird. 

"Eh, don't worry about it, I can handle it." The woman shrugged off the girl's concern certain that she had the right medicine for whatever wound he was hurting from. Henry was a different matter, she didn't know how to help him apart from letting time numb the pain, but for Ray, she could do many things to take his mind off it.

And she had experience, she knew how he thought, how he acted and what he liked, she hoped. So using what she knew and what felt right, she gently laid her hands on Ray's shoulders, making sure not to go too fast or be rough in any way since she didn't want to startle him. 

Taking his continuation of the "lalalalalalalalala" as a neutral sign that he wasn't feeling bad but he still wasn't registering anything good, so she moved onto step two. Reaching up on her tiptoes, (y/n) placed a delicate kiss on her doofus' lips, catching him off-guard and swallowing his last "la" when he realised that he knew that sensation, he knew it very well. 

After a two-second pause, the heroine pulled back with a soft yet curious expression on her face, glad that he had stopped doing whatever the "lalalalala" thing was, but she also didn't know if she'd improved the situation or just left him worse off. 

That was what she didn't want, she never wanted to hinder rather than help, especially when it came to cheering up her fiancé, but he was difficult to read right now. The man had his thumbs against his temples, he looked like some dumb reindeer mutant, not what she was used to dealing with.

"Ray? You feeling any better?" (y/n) asked carefully, acutely aware that Piper was still keeping an eye on them, although she had also been swept up in prodding Henry until he broke from the trance too. Not having an audience was nice, and she could handle the girl's interest in romance, the only thing was that her heart sped up when Ray's lips parted in tandem with his eyes opening. 

Watching his every move, (y/n) could swear that her heart wasn't beating as Ray's gaze stayed motionless, staring at the wall behind her head as his tongue darted out to swipe against his bottom lip. Was he okay? He was saying anything, just standing there like a gormless idiot as she debated whether she'd done the right thing because whilst it had gotten him to stay quiet as the crew packed away the refrigerator and stove around them, it wasn't a comfortable silence. At least not until...

"I can taste ice cream...and honey." That was the first thing Ray mumbled after snapping out of his sugar rush-induced daydream and coming back to reality. The moment her lips touched his, all Ray could taste was the remnants of the sundae plunge into his mouth, followed by the honey that he'd grown addicted to in the last year or so of having her as his lover. 

Sweetness after sweetness that had made his already tired mind stop for a moment to try and overcome the high it gave him, which left y/n) standing there, wringing her hands together awkwardly, searching to twist the ring that reminded them of the most saccharine moment of all.

That's how he took her in, he saw how his lack of response had made her nervous and that didn't sit right with him, but when he finally did tell her the first thing that came to mind, she went from anxious to puzzled. Huh, she hadn't noticed how the ice cream lingered, but that wasn't what stood out to her.

"There wasn't any honey in the sundae..." She told him, her eyebrows twinging together as she mulled over his words to try and decipher the meaning behind them. Hadn't he said something about honey to her before? Maybe? 

It sounded familiar but for the life of her, she couldn't remember what it was. That was annoying considering that her stupid brain could recall facts about the most complex chemistry and mathematics that an engineer would ever have to know, but when it came to a tender moment amongst the thousands she'd shared with Ray, it was struggling to locate the right one.

"No...there wasn't," Ray muttered in return, causing her to gasp when she too broke out of her trance to see that her synapses had been so focused on retrieving what she wanted to remember, she'd failed to notice that he was now right in front of her, hands ghosting over her hips so he didn't spook her too much when he grabbed hold of them. What was she trying to remember? Hone...honest...Honda...honour...ho...hon...ho...

Her thinking became obsolete when her mind was given something else to focus on, namely the way bubblegum became the thing she could taste, followed by mint as Ray took his time in catching her lips with his and plunging his tongue to chase the honey that eluded her thoughts but clouded his. Piper was smirking, the film crew were ignorant, Jasper, Charlotte and Henry were preoccupied, and that gave them the chance to just enjoy it, enjoy being together again.

And who would've thought it, Ray got to know what Morgan Maykew's ice cream sundae tasted like after all, although he would be quick to argue that the addition of his sweet girl's honeyed taste made it better. 

He was stinky and sticky with sweat as his body curled over (y/n), but she didn't mind. Having him in her arms, having him like this, just being able to go slow and appreciate his softer than soft lips against hers made the sleepless nights, almost constant peril, the occasional heartache and years of waiting worth it. It made it better.

Sure, meeting Morgan Maykew and eating a feast would've been nice, perhaps even a privilege, but they were damn sure that if things had gone smoothly then this wouldn't have happened, they wouldn't have an excuse to stand in Junk-N-Stuff and kiss like there was no one else in the room. 

This was better. So much better.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

30th January >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

or

Saint Aidan, Bishop.

Monday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading Hebrews 11:32-40 The example of the Old Testament saints.

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – these were men who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what is right and earned the promises. They could keep a lion’s mouth shut, put out blazing fires and emerge unscathed from battle. They were weak people who were given strength, to be brave in war and drive back foreign invaders. Some came back to their wives from the dead, by resurrection; and others submitted to torture, refusing release so that they would rise again to a better life. Some had to bear being pilloried and flogged, or even chained up in prison. They were stoned, or sawn in half, or beheaded; they were homeless, and dressed in the skins of sheep and goats; they were penniless and were given nothing but ill-treatment. They were too good for the world and they went out to live in deserts and mountains and in caves and ravines. These are all heroes of faith, but they did not receive what was promised, since God had made provision for us to have something better, and they were not to reach perfection except with us.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 30(31):20-24

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you, that you show to those who trust you in the sight of men.

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plotting of men; you keep them safe within your tent from disputing tongues.

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Blessed be the Lord who has shown me the wonders of his love in a fortified city.

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

‘I am far removed from your sight’ I said in my alarm. Yet you heard the voice of my plea when I cried for help.

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Love the Lord, all you saints. He guards his faithful but the Lord will repay to the full those who act with pride.

R/ Let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation John 17:17

Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord: consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia!

Or: Luke 7:16

Alleluia, alleluia! A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people. Alleluia!

Gospel Mark 5:1-20 The Gadarene swine.

Jesus and his disciples reached the country of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake, and no sooner had Jesus left the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came out from the tombs towards him. The man lived in the tombs and no one could secure him any more, even with a chain; because he had often been secured with fetters and chains but had snapped the chains and broken the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. All night and all day, among the tombs and in the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones. Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran up and fell at his feet and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? Swear by God you will not torture me!’ – for Jesus had been saying to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’ ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘My name is legion,’ he answered ‘for there are many of us.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the district.

Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding, and the unclean spirits begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs, let us go into them.’ So he gave them leave. With that, the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand pigs charged down the cliff into the lake, and there they were drowned. The swineherds ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about; and the people came to see what had really happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his full senses – the very man who had had the legion in him before – and they were afraid. And those who had witnessed it reported what had happened to the demoniac and what had become of the pigs. Then they began to implore Jesus to leave the neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed begged to be allowed to stay with him. Jesus would not let him but said to him, ‘Go home to your people and tell them all that the Lord in his mercy has done for you.’ So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Aidan, Bishop 

(Liturgical Colour: White)

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Exodus 32:7-14 Moses pleads with the Lord his God to spare Israel.

The Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostatised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. “Here is your God, Israel,” they have cried “who brought you up from the land of Egypt!”’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.’

But Moses pleaded with the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, “Ah, it was in treachery that he brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth”? Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.’

So the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

OR: --------

First reading Deuteronomy 10:8-9 The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to do him service

Moses said to the people: ‘The Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the Lord’s covenant, to stand in the presence of the Lord, to do him service and in his name to pronounce blessing as they still do today. Levi therefore has no share or inheritance with his brothers: the Lord is his inheritance, as the Lord your God told him.’

OR: --------

First reading 1 Samuel 16:1,6-13 David is anointed by Samuel

The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, he caught sight of Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed one stands there before him’, but the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Take no notice of his appearance or his height for I have rejected him; God does not see as man sees; man looks at appearances but the Lord looks at the heart.’ Jesse then called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse then presented Shammah, but Samuel said, ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen these.’ He then asked Jesse, ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ He answered, ‘There is still one left, the youngest; he is out looking after the sheep.’ Then Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down to eat until he comes.’ Jesse had him sent for, a boy of fresh complexion, with fine eyes and pleasant bearing. The Lord said, ‘Come, anoint him, for this is the one.’ At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him where he stood with his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord seized on David and stayed with him from that day on.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 6:1-2,3-8 'Here I am: send me'

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord of Hosts seated on a high throne; his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs, each one with six wings. And they cried out to one another in this way,

‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. His glory fills the whole earth.’

The foundations of the threshold shook with the voice of the one who cried out, and the Temple was filled with smoke. I said:

‘What a wretched state I am in! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have looked at the King, the Lord of Hosts.’

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding in his hand a live coal which he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. With this he touched my mouth and said:

‘See now, this has touched your lips, your sin is taken away, your iniquity is purged.’

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:

‘Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’

I answered, ‘Here I am, send me.’

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 52:7-10 Rejoice, for the Lord is consoling his people

How beautiful on the mountains, are the feet of one who brings good news, who heralds peace, brings happiness, proclaims salvation, and tells Zion, ‘Your God is king!’

Listen! Your watchmen raise their voices, they shout for joy together, for they see the Lord face to face, as he returns to Zion.

Break into shouts of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord is consoling his people, redeeming Jerusalem.

The Lord bares his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

OR: --------

First reading Isaiah 61:1-3 He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken;

to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those in prison; to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord, a day of vengeance for our God,

to comfort all those who mourn and to give them for ashes a garland; for mourning robe the oil of gladness, for despondency, praise.

OR: --------

First reading Jeremiah 1:4-9 Go and say whatever I command you and do not fear

The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying,

‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I have appointed you as prophet to the nations.’

I said, ‘Ah, Lord; look, I do not know how to speak: I am a child!’

But the Lord replied, ‘Do not say, “I am a child.” Go now to those to whom I send you and, say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you – it is the Lord who speaks!’

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me:

‘There! I am putting my words into your mouth.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 3:17-21 Warn the wicked man, and you will live

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows, ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from me, warn them in my Name. If I say to a wicked man, “You are to die,” and you do not warn him; if you do not speak and warn him to renounce his evil ways and so live, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man and he does not renounce his wickedness and his evil ways, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life. When the upright man renounces his integrity to do evil and I set a trap for him, he too shall die; since you failed to warn him, he shall die for his sin and the integrity he practised will no longer be remembered; but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you warn the upright man not to sin and he abstains from sinning, he shall live, thanks to your warning, and you too will have saved your life.’

OR: --------

First reading Ezekiel 34:11-16 I will look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view

The Lord God says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I shall bring them out of the countries where they are; I shall gather them together from foreign countries and bring them back to their own land. I shall pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in every inhabited place in the land. I shall feed them in good pasturage; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing ground. There they will rest in good grazing ground; they will browse in rich pastures on the mountains of Israel. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest – it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 88(89):2-5,21-22,25,27

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have found David my servant and with my holy oil anointed him. My hand shall always be with him and my arm shall make him strong.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘My truth and my love shall be with him; by my name his might shall be exalted. He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.”’

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Mt23:9,10

Alleluia, alleluia! You have only one Father, and he is in heaven; you have only one Teacher, the Christ. Alleluia!

Or: Mt28:19,20

Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!

Or: Mk1:17

Alleluia, alleluia! Follow me, says the Lord, and I will make you into fishers of men. Alleluia!

Or: Lk4:18

Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives. Alleluia!

Or: Jn10:14

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep and my own know me. Alleluia!

Or: Jn15:5

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Or: 2Co5:19

Alleluia, alleluia! God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. Alleluia!

EITHER: --------

Gospel Matthew 9:35-37 The harvest is rich but the labourers are few

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’

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Gospel Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

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Gospel Matthew 23:8-12 The greatest among you must be your servant

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will exalted.’

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Gospel Matthew 28:16-20 Go and make disciples of all nations

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

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Gospel Mark 1:14-20 I will make you into fishers of men

After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’ As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men.’ And at once they left their nets and followed him. Going on a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John; they too were in their boat, mending their nets. He called them at once and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the men he employed, they went after him.

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Gospel Mark 16:15-20 Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them: ‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’ And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.

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Gospel Luke 5:1-11 They left everything and followed him

Jesus was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God, when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats – it was Simon’s – and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point. When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

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Gospel Luke 10:1-9 Your peace will rest on that man

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’

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Gospel Luke 22:24-30 I confer a kingdom on you, just as the Father conferred one on me

A dispute arose between the disciples about which should be reckoned the greatest, but Jesus said to them: ‘Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves! ‘You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.’

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Gospel John 10:11-16 The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep

Jesus said:

‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd.’

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Gospel John 15:9-17 You are my friends if you do what I command you

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants any more, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me: no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.’

Or:

Gospel John 21:15-17 Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.

Jesus showed himself to his disciples, and after they had eaten he said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.