#and then everyone else looks and just sees is some Italian blue collar guy sitting on a curb eating a sandwich | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nxrthmizu · 3 years ago

Text

kill em’ with kindness

fandom | miraculous ladybug

genre | lila salt, so much salt

summary | marinette takes the high road to a better life.

w.c | 8.1k

author’s note | had this idea for a few days after i wrote victory tastes bitter, which really blew up on ao3 (thanks for all the support <3). always wondered what it would be like if marinette just. played nice. so here she is, being an absolute badass.

author’s note.2 | okay so since i did not write this in one sitting, i get that the story probably doesn’t flow as properly as it should. will edit if i ever find the will to do it.

Marinette was done. They wanted her to be a model student? Fine. They wanted her to stop being mean? Fine. They wanted her to be friends with Lila? Fine.

Luckily for Hawkmoth, no akuma plagued the sky of the previous night, or she would rain hell on him. There was no more tolerance left inside her to spare, and she certainly wouldn’t go out of her way to make some for the manipulative pest problem Paris has had for way too long.

She looked up into the mirror, having exchanged her pigtails for a low ponytail, strands curled to frame her face. Bluebell eyes glistened with a fire that burned brighter than hope— Hope that her ‘friends’ would see sense. Hope that Adrien would be there for her. Hope that the good guy would always get the happy ending. No more being patient, no more being passive, no more putting up with things she didn’t have to.

If Lila Rossi wanted a battle, then fine, a battle she would get. Marinette was lowering her white flag, replacing it with a battle emblem that scorched red, redder than blood and redder than the anger her friends would feel when she was finished. No more peace negotiations. Rossi wanted a fight, Rossi wanted a challenge. Who was Marinette to deny her from what she wanted?

They didn’t know what was coming for them.

The power of makeup was truly one that reigned apex among the world. A few touches of her makeup brush was all it took to erase her dark eyes from existence, give her skin a more radiant glow (She promised that she’d take time to give it a natural glow after she was done being nice), and ease a cherry-pink blush onto her cheeks, making her freckles stand out more in contrast. Marinette Dupain-Cheng meant business, and when she meant business—

“Good morning, Marinette! You look great today!” The head of the student council, a sensible, down-to-Earth blonde by the name of Noelle smiled, speeding up slightly to catch the bluenette on the steps of Francois Dupont. “Love the new look.”

Ah yes. The new look— A royal blue blazer, detailed with golden embroidery of cherry blossoms bursting at the sleeves and the collar, accompanied by a classy-looking silk blouse tapered with a soft, black felt. The pleated black skirt (Made from heavy cloth so that it wouldn’t flap about in the wind) was lined with a beautiful scarlet at all the edges to complete the look. Knee-high black socks trailed all the way into the slight heels that Marinette had added flower adornments on, just so she could tap a little of her own touch on it.

“Thank you,” Responded the bluenette with a smile.

“Woah! Someone looks like they got a good night of rest.” Madeline, the president of the Art Club teased, flocking to the other side of the girl. “That mascara looks sharp enough to kill, girl!”

Sharp enough to kill?

Oh, that wouldn’t be necessary, Marinette mused to herself, sending out thanks to those who had complimented her on her way to class. Nothing sharp was going to be required for the liar’s downfall— No, no. That would just be too messy, and she wouldn’t even think of staining her new outfit. Of course, the ensemble was crafted from her own hands, as stated by the classic MDC that graced the inside of her blazer, the collar of her blouse, and one of the pleats of her skirt. Besides… Lila wasn’t worth getting her hands dirty.

She was going to do things the right way.

The kind way.

“Good morning, everyone.” She greeted, walking into the classroom, garnering their attention with her punctuality. Every set of eyes in the room were attracted to her, like iron fillings to magnets. Some of the gazes were malicious, hateful; Some were doubtful, wary; One was pleading, as if spelling out ‘Please keep taking the high road!’— And then there was Chloe, who was entirely uninterested.

Good, Lila was already present.

“I’d just like to take a minute of your time. Won’t be too long, I promise.” She took a deep breath, ignoring the imploring gaze that dug at her side, courtesy of a blonde that sat in the front row (And no, it wasn’t Chloe she was referring to). “I’d just like to say…”

The class watched with bated breath.

“I’m sorry.”

Alya blinked. So did everyone else in the room. Stunned faces greeted Marinette’s apologetic one, including Lila’s— She didn’t even have to fake her reaction. What on Earth was Marinette trying to pull off? What kind of stunt was this?

“I realise that I’ve not really been the best version of me lately,” She admitted sorrowfully. I haven’t been the best version of me because I was being boycotted and isolated, “It wasn’t fair to put you all through this,” It wasn’t fair that you idiots had to lose all your reputations because of the words of one liar, “And people got hurt as a consequence,” Me. I was the one who got hurt. “I realise that things haven’t been all smooth-sailing in our class lately, so I’d like to apologise to everyone.” I’d like to apologise for not being able to save you from a liar who only sees her own personal gain.

A practiced breath escaped Marinette’s throat as she waited for her cue— The school bell— And set her bag on the teacher’s desk. Good, everything was unfolding right on time. Not quite far away, there was a distinct clack-clack-clack of someone’s heels— An auburn teacher, perhaps? Marinette reached into her backpack and drew out a package she had meticulously wrapped in brown paper and tied in golden ribbon. Sitting passively on top of the package was a small note, decorated in hand-drawn flowers and a hummingbird in the corner.

“Here,” Marinette strode up the steps of the class, stopping right in front of her former seat— Now Lila’s— Internally taking pleasure in the first time she’d seen the Italian’s true expression. “For you, as a token of my apology. I understand if you don’t want to forgive me,” Marinette swallowed painfully, biting her lip, as if she was trying not to cry, “But I just want to make things right.”

Lila blinked.

What the hell was happening?

The silence was broken by a quiet sob, one that did not originate from Marinette. Instead, Mlle. Caline Bustier stood in the doorway of the class, clutching her books and notes for the day’s lesson, wiping away a tear that dropped from her eye. “Oh, Marinette,” The teacher sobbed, “I’m so proud of you.”

“That’s so sweet of you, Marinette.” Rose sniffed, wiping away a few tears of her own that had started dripping during the bluenette’s speech. Juleka patted her girlfriend’s back, trying to calm the emotional blonde before she cried out a tsunami on top of her textbooks, giving Marinette a thumbs up to show her approval.

Alya beamed, seemingly proud of her former best friend, who had (In her opinion) finally started to see sense. “I’m so proud of you, girl!”

(Adrien was too shocked to form any words.)

“Could you… Open it?” Marinette asked hopefully, ignoring the teacher for the favour of the liar who ruined her life. “I… Just want to know if you like it.”

The Italian could do nothing more than grit her teeth when Alya urged her to open it. What kind of trick was Mari-Brat up to? Never mind— She’d just spin it into something stupid and the class would take to it like starved animals. With no other choice, she tore apart the brown paper, discarding the golden ribbon on her desk. The class gasped, oohs and aahs echoing all around as the package unfolded to reveal a pretty, beige-coloured cardigan, hand-stitched with murals of foxes, jumping livelily among berry bushes.

Stitched into the inside of the cardigan in pastel blue were the words ‘Lila Rossi’, done in an exquisite cursive that could no doubt only come from Marinette’s hand.

“I made it for you myself,” Marinette sniffed humbly. “I know you’re a really great model and you’ve probably seen clothes that are much better than this one, but I poured all my feelings into it. I spent every night of last week working on it, and—” She hiccuped rather loudly, instantly covering her mouth with her hand in embarrassment. “I just hope you like it.”

“I…” Lila was at a loss for words. She had an itinerary full of the lies and stories she would spin that day (“Marinette texted me mean things last night,” she would weep tearfully to Alya, sniffing and wiping away tears on Alya’s shirt sleeve, “I just want to be friends but she just keeps… Attacking me!”) but no matter. A smirk danced along the Italian’s lips. “Did you design this yourself?”

Judging by the smirk that Marinette could practically hear in the other girl’s tone, the liar already had a trick up her sleeve. If Marinette had to guess...

Something along the lines of she stole this design from [random designer], who just coincidentally had the time to be Lila’s friend. Or maybe the friend of Lila’s grandmother. Whichever didn’t matter much, because Marinette was prepared.

Marinette crossed the room in mere seconds, returning back to Lila’s seat with a sketchbook that she’d pulled from her bag. “Here!” She chirped, flipping open the page with an exercised movement, not even having to shuffle through the pages to find the correct sketch. “I brought the original sketch, just in case you wanted to see it so you could get a professional to redo it for you.”

Lila opened and closed her mouth like a gaping fish out of water. Beside her, Alya’s eyes sparkled, envy still glowing in her eyes at the sight of the intricate foxes, coloured in hazel, gold, and orange threads.

“Thank you, Marinette.” Lila gritted through her teeth, basically seething at the thought of having to thank the girl in front of her, who was smiling like an innocent sunshine child.

The bluenette then turned her attention to her homeroom teacher. “Sorry for interrupting and taking up class time, Mlle. Bustier.”

“It’s not a problem, Marinette,” Mlle. Bustier wiped at her eyes, slightly embarrassed now that the whole class was watching her cry at the sight of her ‘model student’ correcting her wrongs. “E— Excuse me.” She mumbled, clearing her throat. “Let’s pick off from where we stopped yesterday. Open your textbooks to page 63, please.”

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The rest of the day went along smoothly. Marinette sat at the back of class, as usual, sighing in boredom as class was derailed off course, whisked off by another one of Lila’s tall tales. Honestly, they were already weeks off schedule— How the hell were they expected to sit for the final exam, at this rate?

She huffed quietly to herself, watching Bustier trying (and failing) to act like she wasn’t interested in Lila’s story. The woman— An actual adult— Fell for Lila’s usual tricks like a fool, taking in every single word in drunken thirst. Did Mlle. Bustier really have nothing better to do than get absorbed in a teenage girl’s wild fantasies (in a way it was like that). At that thought, Marinette sat up straighter in her chair, an idea going off like a lightbulb above her brain.

Was it...?

After further thought, Marinette settled back into her chair, humming thoughtfully as she drummed her fingers against her table quietly. Yes... Yes, perhaps.

Perhaps it was possible.

The rest of the lesson passed in wasted time as the class took a major detour to go on a warped journey through Lila’s lies, and before Bustier knew it, the lunch bell had rung. Students chattered animatedly as everyone got up, Mlle. Bustier’s announcement of ‘please go home and study this chapter by yourselves, everyone’ was pathetically drowned out by the rest of the noise.

Marinette collected her things quickly, needing her exit from the classroom to go off without a hitch, exactly the way she planned it. “I’ve got to go back to my parents’ bakery for lunch,” She said shyly, shrinking into herself as her classmates turned to look at her. “I... Was thinking of bringing some macarons back later. Before I go, though... Lila, is there anything you’re allergic to?”

“What?” The girl being asked snapped back as a reply, the words leaving her mouth too fast for her to register. Before she knew it, the whole class was staring at her, mouths agape. “I... I mean.” Clearing her throat, the liar plastered on a sweet smile. “What was it, Marinette?”

“I wanted to bring some macarons back for everyone.” Shyly, the bluenette repeated her plans. “And... Since I’ve been in class with everyone else here for a while, I know their allergies, but not yours. Is there anything you’re allergic to that could be in baked goods?”

The Italian cursed under her breath— Mari-Brat really wasn’t letting up. The bluenette had made sure to cover any ground that the Italian could use and turn back against her. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m not allergic to anything.”

Brightening visibly, Marinette nodded, shooting the Italian a smile. “I know things between us aren’t going to get better immediately, but I promise to do my best in fixing things! See you guys after lunch.”

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Lila was getting really, really fed up. For the whole morning, she wasn’t able to come up with any reason to blame Marinette. If things kept going at the rate that they were, the class would be fully convinced that the bluenette was a changed woman, and that couldn’t happen. There was, in the end, a downside to having such a gullible bunch of classmates— Sure, they swayed easily to her side, but that meant that they swayed back to Marinette’s just as easily.

Hissing under her breath, Lila looked up to catch Alya and Nino’s concerned looks.

No.

She was Lila Rossi. She was resourceful. She had Gabriel Agreste behind her back. She was powerful. She was not going to let Mari-Brat halt her plans in their tracks ever again.

“I’m going to go use the bathroom real quick,” She said, excusing herself from the lunch table. Perfect! Now all she had to do was come back in tears, saying that Marinette confronted and mocked her in the bathroom, and the class would be all hers, once again.

Little did she know that Dupain-Cheng was one teensy step ahead.

As soon as Lila rounded the corner of the cafeteria, Marinette appeared, having just had a lovely chat with Rose (And Juleka, although it was Rose who did most of the talking). The two were at the front steps of Francois Dupont, having a lovely couple moment that Marinette hated to interrupt— But she needed to have at least a word with them.

“Rose, Juleka!” Marinette greeted, box of macarons held carefully in her arms, as if it were a box of important jewelry instead of just a box of pastries. “Oh— Rose, is that a new watch? I’ve never seen you wear it before!”

“Yep, it is!” Rose beamed, delighted that someone (Besides Juleka) had finally noticed it. “Isn’t it pretty?” Indeed it was. The watch in question was a pretty, intricate-looking thing done in rose-gold metal, with a pastel pink leather strap holding it down. The background of the watch face was a white background with a thin film of rose-gold metal, cut to resemble a wall of precious rose vines.

“It is!” Agreeing wholeheartedly, Marinette offered her classmate a smile. “Oh by the way, what time is it?”

Rose peered at the watchface, returning the answer with an equally-bright smile. “11.47.”

“Thank you.” Marinette thanked, continuing her way through the school until she reached the cafeteria. Just before she fell into line of sight, though, she hid behind a wall, peering over the corner until she spotted the table she was looking for.

Perfect— Lila just walked away. Marinette thanked the gods for all the luck that she was having— Okay, maybe she thanked one god in particular more than the others. Gently, she patted the secret pocket that was sewn into the lining of her blazer— Tikki, who had magic powers, managed to create a miniature ‘room’ inside the secret pocket, with the pocket itself acting as a portal of sorts to the room. After a few seconds, she felt the pocket tap back, managing a small smile of gratitude for her kwami’s constant love and support.

“Hey, Alya, Nino.” Marinette greeted shyly, box of macarons propped up against her hip. “Where’s... Lila?” She hesitated slightly with her question, acting as if it was a little out-of-place to ask about the Italian girl.

“She went to the bathroom.” Nino provided, mouth still full of unchewed food. This gifted him with a smack from his girlfriend (“Don’t talk with your mouth full!” she scolded,).

“Oh, I see.” I definitely see. I know what she’s going to try and pull later— I have to time this properly. Timing is everything.

Marinette continued to make small talk with the two, whom she had not talked to for a very long time. Much to her surprise, they were very warm and accepting, quite unlike the people who slung slurs and accused her baselessly a few days ago. One morning made all the difference to people who believed anything, she supposed.

All of a sudden, something in her chest buzzed, as if it were a fire alarm, vibrating in warning— She had to go. “It was nice talking to you guys again.” She admitted, having briefly dipped into a pool of what their friendship used to be like. “But I have to go. I promised Kagami I’d meet her for a few minutes before lunch ended.”

Alya’s eyebrows jumped up comically in surprise. “I didn’t know you still talked to her. I thought you two were… Love rivals.”

“So what if we were love rivals?” Marinette shrugged with a simple smile. “Adrien is… As much as it’s odd to admit, he’s just a boy. Neither of us let him get in between us. He’s just a boy, and it’d be stupid for us to not get along just because we like the same boy. It doesn’t bother Kagami that we used to like the same boy, so why should I let it bother me? Besides,” Marinette tilted her head slightly. “It’d be stupid to give up a great friendship just because of a boy.”

With her last words still hanging in the air, Marinette turned tail and left, walking faster than usual. She had little time left— As she neared the wall that would shield her from the view of the cafeteria, she sped up her footsteps, practically half-sprinting just so she could get out of sight before Lila Rossi returned, looking like someone just killed a puppy in front of her very eyes.

“Oh my god, what’s wrong?” Alya jumped to her feet instantly, reaching out to comfort her best friend, who was moments away from having tears stream down her cheeks.

“I… I thought she’d changed.” Lila sniffled, biting her lip to appear as if she was desperately trying not to cry.

Alya frowned. “Who?”

“Marinette.” Lila stated as if it were obvious, faltering for a moment— Why had Alya bothered to ask? Shouldn’t it come pretty obvious? The liar dismissed the thoughts and continued in her performance. “She threatened me in the bathroom. She… She confronted me and mocked me, saying… Saying that all of you… All of you are idiots for believing that she’s changed. She… She said everything was an act to turn you all against me.”

Nino’s jaw dropped so far that it touched the floor. “Uh… Dudette, are you sure it was Marinette?”

“Yes!” Lila spun to look at him so fast that it was a wonder she didn’t break her neck. “Are… Are you doubting me? Oh my god, it’s working. She’s turning you guys against me. I just want to have friends, I don’t get why she hates me so—”

“You’re… Absolutely sure it was Marinette? You saw her face?” Alya repeated her boyfriend’s words, emphasising each and everyone of them as she looked Lila in the eyes.

“Alya, not you too.” Lila sniffled, tears basically dropping out of her eyes like big, fat droplets of salt water. “It was her— I saw her blazer, it had MDC stitched onto it.”

An uncomfortable silence settled in between the girl and her boyfriend, neither quite knowing what to say. “Oh. I… I see.” Alya said at last, turning back to her food. “Well… Lunch is almost over. Let’s… Let’s get back to class.”

“Marinette just threatened me in the bathroom!” Lila puffed up, clearly upset now. “She mocked me! She called you guys stupid for believing her act!”

“Dudette.” Nino shattered the ice-cold silence at their lunch table, swallowing heavily. “Marinette was with us the whole time you were in the bathroom.”

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The tension inside the room was so thick that Adrien could cut it with his bare hands. God, what had happened? The day had started off so well— Marinette agreed to be friends with Lila, god bless the girl— But as it turned out, one hurdle folded over only to be towered over by a taller one.

“Alya—” Lila began tearfully, her pitiful look attracting the sympathy of those who still didn’t know what was going on.

“You claimed that Marinette threatened you in the bathroom.” Alya interrupted. “While she was with us the whole time in the cafeteria.”

Faltering, the Italian struggled to find a way to squeeze herself out of the tight spot. “M— Maybe it was someone else.” Reluctantly, she backed out one trap into another one.

“You said that you were sure! You said that she was wearing a blazer with MDC stitched on it. Marinette was wearing that blazer during lunch!” The reporter shot back, Nino at her side, trying to extinguish the conflicted fire blazing inside Alya’s heart.

The seeds of doubt had been sewn, and Lila was going to have a tough time weeding them out. “I... I’m sorry!” She burst out into tears, sobbing pitifully in front of the class, most of which were already in attendance. “My lying disease is acting up again. I... I can’t help it. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone!”

“Uh... Is this a bad time to ask if anyone wants macarons?” Marinette cleared her throat awkwardly, standing at the front of the room. Her royal blue blazer had been shed, and it now hung over her arm, properly folded into half. Earlier, she had asked Rose for the time to make sure that she had a witness in case Lila tried to pull another act— But as it seemed, the Italian was determined to dig her own grave and all the work had been done.

The students of Mlle. Bustier’s class shared looks.

“I’ll... I’ll have one.” Mylene cleared her throat, hoping that it would diffuse the situation.

“Me too.” Kim followed, not missing the way Marinette flinched slightly at his words. Most of the words he had said to her of late had not been nice at all— But he justified that with the fact that she was being a bully to Lila, like Chloe had been to Marinette herself.

“Great!” Marinette cleared her throat awkwardly, slapping on a strained smile. She passed the box to the front row, where Sabrina and Chloe were, gesturing for them to pass the box along until everyone got their fill.

Internally, Lila seethed, anger burning like a wildfire that tore down every lush sign of life in her path. The girl had never felt that livid in her entire life— Who did Dupain-Cheng think she was, having a change of heart out of nowhere, pretending to play along with those oh-so-innocent eyes of hers?

“I... I think I know why my disease acted up again,” Lila sniffled, loud enough to gather attention again. Unsure glances passed around like an object that no one wanted, carried from hand to hand forcefully as no one wanted to hold onto it for too long. “It... It must’ve been because of... Of the cardigan that Marinette made me! You must’ve known that...” The Italian squinted at the cardigan on her desk, “... Cotton triggers my lying disease!”

The bluenette, still passing around macarons, stopped in her tracks. Inside her mind, Marinette was shaking her head, an amused smile on her cheeks. She had to give Lila credit for that one— She would’ve never anticipated that lie from her nemesis. “That’s terrible!” She sucked in a breath, putting on a dismayed look. “I’m really sorry, Lila! I know it seems like I did this on purpose, but I promise I didn’t! To make it up to you, I’ll make you another one.”

Is she serious right now? Lila scoffed mentally. How long does she plan to keep this going? No matter— She’ll eventually drain herself out and I won’t even have to meddle in this matter.

Marinette sniffled, collecting the cardigan pitifully from Lila’s desk. “But to prevent future incidents, Lila, I just want you to know that this isn’t made of cotton... It’s made from the highest-quality of star silk, which is incredibly difficult to produce and is rather expensive. It’s such a pity... I thought that only the best of materials would be deserving to be used to make an apology present... I guess you can’t wear it. I’ll just make another copy of the cardigan with some normal-range silk.” Sighing, the bluenette pretended to mull in sadness for a few seconds before an idea struck her. “Alya! You aren’t allergic to star silk, right?”

The flow of conversation redirected suddenly, with the reporter snapping to attention and nodding eagerly as she realised what was about to happen.

“Then... Since I’ve spent so long on this, I don’t want it to go to waste... Why don’t you have it, instead?” Offered Marinette with a sweet, shy smile on her face.

Lila, still caught up in shock by the reveal of the material— Was then slammed with a wall of flaming anger as Alya squealed, coddling the soft, fluffy material that made the cardigan the exquisite product it was.

“Marinette’s right,” Adrien chipped in with his own two cents, “Father can rarely get his hands on that material— It costs a fortune, and if hand-made... It takes forever.”

“Oh, I wove the silk by myself,” Marinette added shyly after Adrien’s contribution, “So I apologise if it’s not up to the quality of industry-level star silk.”

The reporter gushed, still cooing and running her hands over the gorgeous threads of fabric that made up the cloud-like base of the cardigan, eyes sparkling and the details of the embroidery.

Marinette smiled, returning to her seat without a fuss. The rest of the class continued to pass the pastries around, the perfect description of ‘ignorance is bliss’ as they pretended as if they couldn’t see the way Lila was shaking in anger. Alya, on the other hand, could see nothing but the garment in her hands, her ‘best friend’ having become invisible for the time being.

Just as well that it turned out this way, Marinette hummed, twirling her pen in hand, Let that be my departing gift to Rena Rouge.

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Tomorrow arrived like clockwork, never late and always on time. The crowd of students clamouring by the front of Francois Dupont hushed to silence as they parted for two dark-haired women, both of which were giving off waves of confidence. Simple conversation flowed between the two, who were perfect examples of elegance and grace, their traditional-inspired attire complementing the royal-like aura they had.

“This dress is really lovely, Marinette,” Kagami smiled gently, admiring the way the fabric flowed around her. The designer had gifted her friend with a maroon-coloured hanfu-inspired dress, complete with hand-sewn embroidery of a golden dragon curled around Kagami’s waist and neck. The dress was completed with a pleated skirt that went all the way to the heels. At first, the fencer was reluctant about the skirt due to the limited maneuverability, but then Marinette revealed that the skirt was very simple to take off as it was just tied around the waist.

“You look gorgeous in it. It suits you.” Marinette replied, dressed in a similar looking dress. Her hanfu-inspired dress was light pink in colour, with silver threads depicting cranes flying about freely. The pleated skirt was grey in colour, lined with a soft circle of white.

Kagami blushed slightly. “Thank you.” Briefly, the Japanese girl wondered why on Earth Marinette would go and embroider a dragon onto her dress— Was it purely a coincidence, or...?

“I’m really glad you decided to transfer here,” Marinette smiled softly, her dark blue bangs framing her face as the rest of it was gathered into a braid that Kagami had helped weave. “It’s going to be nice! I’ll get to see you a lot more often.”

“We’re in different classes, though.” Frowning, Kagami wondered if she should request a change of homeroom.

“For now.” The designer winked playfully. “Oh, I have to get to class. See you during lunch?”

Without waiting for a reply, the blue-eyed girl moved away gracefully, leaving Kagami in confusion.

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“Good morning,” Marinette greeted gracefully, sweeping into the classroom with her bag over her shoulder and a package in her hands. This package was clearly not as exquisitely-wrapped as the one from the day before, as it was just brown paper and some rough string.

Alya brightened at the sight of her friend, shrinking away slightly whenever Lila tried to say anything. Sure, the reporter did shake off the initial reaction and respond to whatever her ‘best friend’ said, but the damage had been done.

“Here’s your new cardigan. It’s made from the same material as your shirt,” Marinette smiled warmly, placing the package on Lila’s table. “It’s a little different from the one I brought yesterday, but I still poured in all my emotions when I made it, so I hope you’ll accept it.”

Through a gritted smile, the Italian thanked the designer, clenching her fists under the table. That was the second time in two days she had to thank Mari-brat! She swore that if she had to do it again a third time, she was going to slap someone.

“Oh, Marinette!” Alya called out excitedly, wearing the cardigan that was originally supposed to be Lila’s. “This cardigan is so soft! It’s really amazing to wear! As expected of you, girl!”

The bluenette stared back at the reporter, wavering for a bit. She had a feeling that Alya wanted something from her...

“So... I was wondering...” The reporter’s expression turned sheepish, with Marinette’s internal thought-train going ah, there it comes— “Could you remove this and put my name instead?” Alya picked up the corner of the cardigan, pointing to the inside of the garment, where ‘Lila Rossi’ was embroidered on.

“Ah...” Marinette didn’t even have to fake her nervousness. We already agreed on this, She told herself, No more doing free stuff for people. No more. “Sorry, Alya. My parents need a lot of help in the bakery recently,.. You know how it is! Family always comes first. I’ve already taken out a lot of time to make the cardigan for Lila... And I promised Kagami I’d go out with her this weekend. I’m afraid I don’t have time...”

There was no missing the way Alya’s face fell instantly. “Couldn’t you put off Kagami for me? Aren’t we best friends?”

“I thought Lila was your best friend,” Feigning an expression of innocence, Marinette tilted her head slightly. “You shouldn’t go around saying things like that, Alya. You might hurt Lila’s feelings. Besides, a promise is a promise. I wouldn’t want to hurt Kagami’s feelings either. Not to mention— I gave you that cardigan for free. That was two weeks’ worth of hard work. I’m afraid I don’t have the ability to take time out to alter it for free either. If you really want to get it done, you could ask an external tailor to do it for you. I know a few who can do really good embroidery.”

Alya faltered. “But... We used to be best friends...”

Snorting mentally, Marinette continued to hold her calm composure. “Like I said, you really shouldn’t say that, Alya. Lila might get upset and we don’t want to hurt her feelings— Right, Adrien?”

The blonde jumped when the conversation turned to him out of nowhere. All of a sudden, every eye in the classroom was fixed on him. “R— Right, of course.” He said, forcing out each word.

Satisfied, Marinette nodded, still wearing her ever-so-kind smile. “Exactly.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

“Hey, why don’t we all go out and have a picnic outside during lunch?” Alya suggested loudly, jumping up as soon as the lunch bell rang. “Marinette, you can come along too!” Something inside the reporter’s chest was stirring, and with the events of the past few days, Alya felt like she just had to quench that unsettling feeling— And the first step to that was to mend things with Marinette, even though it was the bluenette’s fault for always having been biased to Lila. Alya smiled, proud of herself. She would be the bigger person, she would forgive Marinette, she would integrate the designer back into the class again.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Marinette replied just as quickly, “We don’t know what Lila might be allergic to— She could easily trigger a reaction if we go out, especially since it’s spring.”

A collective choir of groans rounded the class.

“Well, I’m going to go back to the hotel to have a first-class meal,” Chloe turned her nose up at her classmates. “... Dupain-Cheng, would you like to come?”

Shock painted the faces of the whole classroom. Did Chloe just... Ask Marinette something... Politely?

“I’d love to take that offer, Chloe.” Responded the bluenette, graceful and flawless as ever. “Perhaps tomorrow?”

“Suit yourself. They’re serving lobster today.” Chloe huffed. “If you’re really that busy, then fine. We can discuss...” The Mayor’s daughter trailed off as she blushed.

The bluenette giggled knowingly. “You’d like to commission a dress from me, right?”

“... No.”

“...”

“... Maybe.”

“Alright.” Marinette nodded. “Then maybe it’ll be more convenient if I head over to the hotel after school. I’ll need to take your measurements and we can discuss the prices after.”

“Whatever.” Chloe waved her away haughtily, a poor effort to cover up her embarrassment. “Sabrina. Let’s go.”

“Chloe?” Alya guffawed. “Why are you commissioning something from Marinette?”

Rolling her eyes as if Alya had just asked the stupidest question ever, Chloe answered plainly. “Because she’s one of the up-and-rising designers in the industry? Have you seen what Dupain-Cheng is wearing today? Celebrities are already fighting for spots in her commission list. Even my mother and Gabriel Agreste acknowledge her talent. I’m not dumb, Cesaire. I can recognise a future fashion queen when I see one.”

Wow, Marinette breathed, looking at the stunned faces around the room, Chloe sure knows how to create an impression.

“W— Well.” Stuttered the reporter after Chloe made her big exit. “Then... What about going to the bakery for lunch?”

“Didn’t Lila say she saw a rat in the bakery the last time she visited it?” Marinette pointed out. “The health officer checked the surveillance and the claim was dismissed, of course, because my parents make sure the bakery is as hygienic as possible— But I’m sure Lila is traumatised from that incident. I wouldn’t want to force her to come along to the bakery— And we wouldn’t want to leave her out either, right?”

This elicited another round of groans.

Oh, I am enjoying myself way too much, Marinette chuckled mentally.

“Then— Then...” Alya struggled visibly before she was put out of her misery.

“It’s fine, Alya.” The designer reassured her. “I wouldn’t want to bother Lila. I’m sure she’s still upset at me. You guys go ahead. I have to go back to the bakery to help my parents out. See you guys after!”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

Slam!

Lila fumed, hand still pressed on her locker door. What. The. Hell. Was Mari-brat trying to do? She didn’t miss the way some of her classmates sent her unsatisfactory looks after that pre-lunch stunt that Marinette had pulled.

And what was the thing about high-and-mighty Chloe commissioning from Marinette?

Sure, Lila would admit that the cardigan that the designer made was indeed gorgeous, and the fabric was smooth and velvety, a quality unlike any of the clothing that Lila had ever had the privilege to touch— But surely a lowly brat like Dupain-Cheng couldn’t be that popular... Right?

Dammit, hissed the Italian girl, Maybe I should’ve tried being friends with Mari-brat instead of Cesaire.

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

“Is that... Marinette and Kagami?” Nino gaped, prompting Alya to turn around. It was true— Walking up the steps of Francois Dupont together were the two blue-haired girls, a gentle smile dancing on Kagami’s lips as Marinette talked animatedly, her hands waving around quickly to further elaborate her point.

Students lounging around the entrance for lunch couldn’t tear their eyes off the two and their matching dresses. Sure, the two girls had walked into school the same way that morning— But now that the afternoon sun was high up in the sky, the golden and silver embroidery was glinting luminously, revealing the true caliber of Marinette’s craft.

“But... They’re rivals.” Stuttered Alya. She just couldn’t understand... Weren’t they supposed to hate each other?

“They both like Adrien but they can still get along,” Nino remarked thoughtfully, taking a bite from his sandwich. “So Marinette wasn’t lying about going to meet Kagami yesterday.”

Alya was silent.

“Alya? What’s wrong?” Worried, Nino put a hand around his girlfriend’s shoulder, care and concern shining through his honest eyes.

“If... If Marinette doesn’t get jealous or biased over someone who also likes Adrien...” Alya started quietly, eyes still fixed on the two girls, “Then why was she so against Lila?”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

“Mlle. Bustier?” The teacher looked up at the voice of her favourite student. Fondly, she smiled. Marinette had finally seen the light and changed her ways, becoming the helpful, generous, kind Marinette that served as a great example for her peers. “May I make an announcement before class ends?”

“Of course, dear.” Mlle. Bustier gave permission instantly— Marinette was taking up the reins of leadership again! The teacher couldn’t help but do a happy dance internally.

“I have an announcement to make, so if everyone could listen, I’d be really thankful.” Marinette started, her clear blue eyes meeting those of her classmates.

She took a deep breath. This is it. I’ve done what I needed to do, now it’s time to finish the job.

“These past two days... Have been great,” Marinette started wistfully. “I really missed hanging around everyone, just like we did before,” Before you all turned your backs on me and stabbed me when I wasn’t looking, “But I can’t deny— And neither can you— That the things that have happened... They had a really deep impact. And I’ve realised that I can’t just ignore that damage that has been done.” The damage that has been done to me. “So, for the better of everyone— I’ve decided that I... Will transfer classes.”

It was as if an explosion had gone off in Mlle. Bustier’s classroom.

“Girl! You can’t do that!” Alya exclaimed in dismay, “We can fix things! Everything has been going well these few days, haven’t they?”

“Dudette! Honestly, we forgive you.” Nino sighed, “Things just aren’t the same if you’re not here anymore.”

Adrien didn’t say a word, but the imploring gaze he wore said enough. Please don’t leave me here alone. We promised we’d fight together, right? As long as both of us know...

Marinette held her hand up to silence them, and the classroom, just as swiftly, became the deadly silence that followed post-disaster. “I understand. But once again, this is for the better,” — Of my mental health, “I’ve talked to Mlle. Mendeliev, and she’s agreed to take me in. I believe that once the changes have taken place, we can all grow more freely without restrictions.”

In the corner, Mlle. Bustier was tearing up and dabbing at her eyes with her sleeve.

“Mlle. Bustier,” Marinette turned to her teacher, no malice in her eyes. “I’ll be under Mlle. Mendeliev’s care now.”

“Marinette...” The teacher sobbed quietly, with Chloe shooting her a look of disgust from the front row.

“It’s not going to be easy for any of us,” Marinette turned back to the class, “But with time, I’m sure we will all prosper. Especially since you will now be under the care of our one and only Lila Rossi.”

Adrien looked like someone had just killed a puppy in front of him.

“Since I am the current class president, I thought I’d pass on the duties onto the most capable person in our class.” Marinette explained warmly, never moving her gaze away from the bewildered Lila. “Lila has the most connections in our class out of all of us, and she’s met so many CEOs and entrepreneurs that she must know a lot about organising and planning. I’m sure you can do it, Lila, but...” She paused. “You can handle it, right?”

“Y— Yeah. Of course.” Lila stuttered.

“You promised the class that you’d get BTS to perform for the year-end fundraiser since you were supposed to be in an arranged marriage with their youngest member, Jungkook.” Marinette continued, God I am enjoying myself too much honestly, but I ain’t going to stop now, “And you said you could convince your godfather, Bruce Wayne, to allow the class to go to Wayne Enterprises for this year’s class trip.”

“She said she could convince Tony Hawk to give me an internship, too!” Alix chipped in.

“And that she’d bring me along the next time Prince Ali asks for her help for a charity cause!” Rose smiled.

“She said she’d introduce me to the CEO of Graham Films!” Nino’s eyes shone at the idea.

The class continued to talk all over one another until Marinette silenced them once more. “Now, now. Let’s not overwhelm Lila. We wouldn’t want her to be overworked or to feel like the expectations are set too high, right?”

The class agreed, nodding along.

Marinette made eye contact with Lila, offering her a sweet smile as she did so. Lila, on the other hand, had no taste for such politeness. Instead, she straight-out glared at the former class president.

This is your problem now.

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

“Marinette! I was hoping to catch you before you went home,” Alya panted, having been able to find the bluenette in the locker room before the designer slipped out of her reach. “You... You’re really serious about leaving?”

“Yeah.” Smiled Marinette, organising her textbooks into her bag, dusting down her skirt. Noticing Alya’s crestfallen expression, she took the initiative to continue the conversation. “Is there anything else, Alya?”

“Did you... Did you really hate Lila because she liked Adrien, too?” The reporter asked somewhat timidly.

Marinette giggled. Normally, when the girl giggled, you could hear a gentle tinkling of wind chimes— But at that moment, Alya heard the freezing winds on Mount Everest instead. “Don’t be silly, Alya. All this over a boy? Besides, I’m over him.”

“Then...” Alya swallowed difficulty. “Lila... Really was lying this whole time?”

The gaze that swept across the reporter was stone cold, and it made Alya feel as if she was dangling over a valley of jagged rocks. “What do you think, Alya?” Even so, the bluenette maintained a sweet smile.

“She was. She was lying the whole time.” Alya suddenly felt as if she had a shortness of air. “This whole time—”

“Oh, good for you. You finally learned how to see further than one feet in front of you.” Marinette hummed. “I’m proud of you, really. But I’m afraid that I don’t have the time to listen to you slowly come to conclusions after I’ve tried making you see sense for the past half a year. I tried to stop you from ruining your futures, but I guess determination was always one of your good traits.”

Alya slipped to the floor, having lost the feeling in her legs. She placed one hand against the lockers for support as she shook, weakly looking up at the girl who she was once so proud to call her ‘best friend’.

“Marinette?” Kagami’s voice rang through the room, indicating that the girl was waiting at the doorway. “You said you were heading to Bourgeois’s hotel after school— Would you like a ride?”

“That’d be nice, Kagami. A moment.” The designer looked down at her friend and smiled, albeit a little sadly this time— And then she lowered her voice.

“Determination was always one of your good traits.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

“Marinette,” Adrien perked up at the sight of the bluenette leaving the school doors— Side by side with Kagami, who looked ready to draw a sword and start a duel then and there.

“This’ll just take a minute, ‘Gami.” Marinette reassured, gently patting her friend’s arm. “Why don’t you get in the car first? It looks like it’s going to rain.”

Reluctantly, Kagami nodded. “Alright.” Warily, the fencer stepped down the stairs and into the car— But even as she sat in the vehicle, she watched over her fellow bluenette like a hawk, ready to jump out and challenge the blonde if the situation called for it.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, not quite knowing what to say. Luckily for him, the designer decided to start the conversation.

“I just wanted to say thank you.” Marinette smiled softly. A few months ago, when she looked at Adrien, she would see the kind, generous, pure-hearted boy with the finest golden hair and the brightest green eyes. Now? All she saw was a spineless, sheltered, passive child that was afraid of confrontations.

“For what?” Adrien looked at Marinette, and no longer did he see the cute, pigtail-adorning girl that would blush fiercely everytime he tried to talk to her. Instead, he saw a beautiful, young woman, a rock that had pulled through all the odds to become a vibrant, iridescent diamond.

Marinette was glowing with confidence, her presence diffusing into the air around her and triggering eyes to look up every time she walked by. There was something about the way she held herself that just made the woman demand awe and respect from those that crossed her path. The old ‘Clumsinette’ had been shed like an old snake skin to reveal a treasure, a better version of the bluenette that had always been waiting for her time to come.

Bluebell eyes met green ones just as rain began to patter down onto the streets of Paris. Marinette glanced up slightly, not at all bothered as she smoothly retrieved an umbrella from her bag, holding it out for the blonde to take. A flush of deja vu burst through Adrien’s veins and through his skin as he took it with a mumbled thanks, eyes blown wide as Marinette let loose her hair from her ponytail, pulling her blazer over her head to avoid getting her head wet.

Adrien could only gape as Marinette uttered familiar words back to him, a knowing smile dancing across her lips as she ran off into the rain as if an invisible weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The bluenette looked lighter, brighter, ready to take flight and soar towards the success that her crops of hard work had finally started to bear. Before the blonde model knew it, Marinette Dupain-Cheng had slipped out of his grip, already spreading her multi-coloured wings to land among the stars.

“Thank you for telling me to take the high road.”

──────── ⋆⋅❉⋅⋆ ────────

this was both satisfying and tiring to write...

#ml salt #ml saltfic #saltfic #lila salt #marinette dupain-cheng #adrien salt #miraculous ladybug #alya salt #[ris writes]—✧

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cherrykindness · 4 years ago

Text

wild tweets |

pairing: Harry Styles x Actress!Reader

summary: as newlyweds, you and harry read thirsty comments for buzzfeed.

warning: it's thirsty tweets, so below there is adult humor 😳

"It's a bright, sunny morning in Los Angeles, and there's nothing I want more than to be on BuzzFeed and read wild tweets alongside my husband."

"Thirsty tweets, babe." Harry corrected, laughing out loud with the producers behind the cameras.

"Thirsty Tweets." You said quickly, putting your hand over your mouth to stifle a giggle. "I'm terrible at that, I'm sorry. Can we start over?"

"Let's take a break for one to two minutes. You've given us a great introduction, Y/N."

You shook your head, smiling shyly before turning to Harry, who was already watching you with that easy smile at the corner of his lips. You liked how his hand remained firmly on yours, making those circular movements with the thumb that always served as a natural medice for your anxiety.

"You look so fucking beautiful."

The pleated dress with flounce sleeves fit you like a glove. You had made peace with the various shades of white since the wedding and knew that Harry liked to see you in that color too.

"Thank you, you're not too bad either, Styles."

You intimately suspected that Harry would always seem far beyond that "not bad" that came out as a euphemism from your mouth. He wore nothing but a pair of bell-bottom pants in a strong shade of blue and a soft vest printed with fluffy little sheep on a striped American collared shirt - in your opinion, no one could look better in farm animal clothing than Harry Styles and Princess Diana with her red "Black Sheep" sweater in the 1980s. In contrast, you knew your husband well enough to know that he was arrogant and knew exactly how hot he looked - you also made your thoughts clear enough when you kept him backstage beyond ten minutes in a rather heated kissing session.

"Are you anxious?" you asked curiously, remaining with downcast eyes fixed on the strokes that remained assiduous on your warm skin. "To read about how the whole internet dreams of fucking my wife?! Of course." Harry joked, leaning over to leave a small one on your cheek. "We agree on that, don't we? Although I'm a little nervous, I'm really interested to know all the crazy things they say about you. Everyone knows you're mine at the end of the day, that's enough."

At the end of the break, you and Harry made a silent agreement that you should be the first to pick up one of the scattered papers in the red pot. There were quite a significant amount of tweets, and as much as you were used to reading rather sordid things about your husband on the Internet, the excitement was there as if you were wading into uncharted territory.

"I would be a good girl all year round if Santa guaranteed me a threesome with Harry and Y/N Styles on Christmas Eve." You laughed, Harry staring at the camera with an expression close to the meme of the surprised Pikachu. "You guys are incredibly nasty, I love it."

"If that was the first one, I'm really worried about the next ones." Harry commented with a little corner smile, picking the next tweet out of the bucket. "I have an entire folder on Pinterest dedicated to Harry Styles' hands, and let me tell you why: those hands are art, and art needs to be recognized."

"What- Guys, you promised you wouldn't post my anonymous tweets here." You quipped with false reproach, laughing at your own stupid joke while everyone else in the studio did the same. "But I can't blame her, honestly." Shaking your shoulders, you opened another piece of paper. "Harry Styles finally confessed that he wrote Watermelon Sugar for Y/N!!!! Are you guys imagining the same thing as me?!!!!!! 🥵🍆💦"

"Exhausted emoji, eggplant emoji, and water emoji?" Harry frowned, staring at the tweet you held up. "I imagine you're in need of a vacation somewhere refreshing and you're craving a fruit that everyone eats like it's really a vegetable."

"That reminded me of that story-" You laughed, hiding your face on the table as Harry continued to offer a poker face to the camera, struggling not to keep up with you laughter. "I'm sorry, lovie, I have to share this with the rest of the world." You stated, wiping a few tears from the corner of your eyes. "Harry always wears those fancy suits to concerts, right?! Right! Turns out he looks really hot in some, like his ass molds perfectly into those tight pants and everything. I was home that night because I wasn't feeling well enough to face the big crowds, but I was still following everything on twitter. It was a concert in London, not so far from where we lived at the time, so it was obvious that he would come home after it was over. I follow some portals that do really fast updates of pictures, videos, etc; everything that happened at Harry's concert was on my timeline in a matter of seconds. When one of these profiles uploaded a picture of him with his back to the camera in a heavily accentuated black and white suit, I quickly sent him the image along with a peach emoji and then wrote "looks good tonight". He didn't reply to me until a few hours later, of course, but I obviously didn't expect a "ready for a Fifth Avenue peach salad for dinner?" and numerous cutlery emojis."

Harry rolled his eyes comically, indulging in laughter as did everyone else who occupied the backstage area.

"I'm against the eroticization of emojis." He said between uncompensated breaths, shaking his head negatively. "Let's go to the next ones, please, I'm already feeling exposed enough here."

"I like your old-fashioned spirit, baby." You assured him with a smile, laying on the sturdy shoulder hidden under the fluffy fabric.

Harry chuckled low, leaving a little kiss on the top of your head before selecting the next paper. The fans would die when that video aired, everyone was sure. You two easily forgot the cameras when you were side by side, and the public display of affection had never been a problem.

"My life mission is to look at someone the way Harry looks at Y/N and be reciprocated the way Y/N looks at Harry, then I could die happy." Harry read. "That was very good and healthy, thank you!" He smiled. "But don't settle for death in that case, please. Just make sure to keep that person around forever."

"Awn, we got so sweet now." You made a pout. "Thank you for sending us something so cute! I really hope you find the right person soon." Sending a kiss to the camera, you moved on to the next tweet. "I wouldn't want to get a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka's factory, I would like to get a golden ticket to actively participate in Y/N and Harry Styles' Honeymoon.

"That was creative, so I will disregard the fact that you removed my last name from my wife's name." Harry joked.

"I will always be an Y/L/N." You flashed the tongue. "We had a great Honeymoon, but I know you guys already know all about it because there are pictures all over the internet of outings that I don't even remember existed."

"Even though we chose a rather reserved city, many paparazzi still managed to photograph some of our nights there." Harry agreed. "There was one particular day when we opted to have dinner at a restaurant near the beach. Y/N had found it even before the trip, it was pretty laid back and we could spend the evening at karaoke. I don't really remember what happened, but we woke up the next day with a terrible hangover, still wearing the clothes from the dinner and with several headlines saying that I was cheating on my wife in the middle of our Honeymoon with a blue-haired italian girl."

"That wig made me sexy, man." You blinked, laughing as you remembered the situation. "It's a shame the paparazzi only got low quality images, but I swear I looked really amazing that night. Italy, I miss you."

"We're coming to the end and I haven't had to ask production for a glass of water yet, thank you to whoever selected these tweets." Harry raised his thumb to the camera, smiling before turning his gaze back to the small paper he had chosen. "Y/N could literally punch me in the face and I would just bow down and thank them for it." He laughed. "She has heavy hands, so I would rethink that choice."

"It takes strong hands to be a superheroine." You blinked gracefully, referring to your works as a Marvel actress. "I move around a lot during the night, so I'll take this lovely opportunity to say that twitter can dismiss all the malicious theories about Harry always show up with a new bruise all over his body."

"Please stop making indecent assumptions while Y/N is aggressive with me at night only unconsciously, her father has access to social media."

You laughed, clearing your throat before reading the next obscenity aloud.

"I would sell all my possessions to have Y/N sitting on my lap for ten seconds."

"Oh my God." Harry laughed out loud, throwing his head back. "I should have said that in our wedding vows."

You shook your head, laughing low as you set the tweet aside.

"That was pretty funny and cheeky, I approve."

"Okay, looks like we finally got to the last one." Harry announced, waving the paper in the air dramatically before opening it. "Harry could literally crush me with those boots while fuc- I need that glass of water." He said dumbfounded, hiding his face between his hands after throwing the tweet over his shoulder. You laughed out loud next to the organizers, and meanwhile Harry leaned his head on your bust, staring at you still with wide eyes. "Please promise that we will be careful with our future children on the internet."

#harry styles imagine #imagine1d #imagine harry styles #harry x reader #harry styles x reader #harry imagine

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artzychic27 · 4 years ago

Text

Dark Quill

RIIIIIP!

Marc’s eyes widened as the Italian tore up his journal, page by page. He knew this girl was a liar, but he didn’t think she was just flat-out evil. He just asked her to stop lying about Marinette, and now this was happening!

“You made a mistake choosing to side against me!”

“I-I didn’t take sides.”, Marc managed to say despite still being in shock over his journal being destroyed, “What are you talking about?”

“Marinette, stupid!”, she hissed before tearing out another page, “You decided to side with her, you tried to defend her! I’m gonna show you why you made a horrible mistake.”, another page, RIP!

Marc was horrified. He never believed Lila’s lies and just thought she was just trying to impress her classmates, but he threw that idea out the window when he heard that Marinette was expelled for cheating, pushing Lila down the stairs, and stealing. Her. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the sweetest girl in school. After Nathaniel told him that Lila was the one accusing her of doing such things, and that Marinette supposedly sent mean texts to Lila over the weekend when her phone was being repaired, Marc knew then and there that Lila Rossi was out to get the pigtailed girl.

Alix told him how she, Rose, Juleka, and Nathaniel tried to get everyone else to see the truth once they found out for themselves, but Lila would always turn on the waterworks and claim they were bullying her, making them look like the bad guys. They eventually stopped trying and decided to let everything crash and burn when Lila finally tells the wrong lie.

Marc wouldn’t give up so easily, though. She could lie about celebrities all she wanted, they’d eventually find out and sue for defamation. But it would be a cold day in hell before Marc let her lie about Marinette being a jealous bully…

Why did he have to confront her in an empty hallway with no witnesses?

“Since I’m so nice, I’ll give you ‘til the end of the day to choose the right side.”, she said with such malice, “But just a reminder- If you pick wrong, I will make your life hell. It’ll be too easy. They say keep an eye on the nice ones.”, she smiled evilly, “Just imagine Nathaniel’s face when he realizes that his innocent boyfriend is really a cruel, jealous bully.”

Hearing Nathaniel’s name come out of her evil mouth, Marc glared at the girl with so much hate that she took a step back, “Don’t even think about laying a finger on him!”, he felt tears about to pour out of his eyes any second, but he would not give her the satisfaction of seeing him cry

The Italian smirked, realizing that she found his trigger, “I never said anything about hurting him. A few choice words and I’ll make sure he’s disgusted at the mention of your name.”, tearing three more pages out the journal, Lila threw it to the floor, added insult to injury by stomping on it, then walked away

Once the evil Italian was out of sight, Marc dropped to his knees and cried as he picked up the remains of his journal. In his fifteen years of living, Marc’s dealt with many horrible people. Sure, they cheat and make fun of people, but there’s a reason behind it- They’re just petty, jealous, or insecure. But Lila Rossi is just evil. She gets a thrill out of hurting people; she lies to get whatever she wants. And she wants Marinette to suffer, and for Marc to be alone and hated by Nathaniel.

—

“Such a strong mix of emotions. Protective, devoted to his love, terrified of what may come, yearning for vengeance, a desire for justice. It’s almost too easy.” A pure white butterfly flew into the outstretched palm of Hawkmoth’s hand. Once covered with his under hand, the magic of the Miraculous transformed it into an Akuma, and it flew out the window, “Fly away my little Akuma. And evilize him!

—

Marc was too busy crying and picking up the pieces of his journal to hear the fluttering wings of the Akuma, and to notice it landing on his journal where it absorbed into it, turning it black. At that, Marc lifted his head up, revealing the red skin around his eyes and the dreaded Akuma symbol over his anger-present, tear-stained face

“What?”, he spat

Hawkmoth has never felt emotions this strong. It almost made him revoke the Akuma, worried of the destruction the boy may cause. No, he couldn’t let an opportunity like this go to waste. Marinette Dupain-Cheng evaded him many times, she was a ticking time bomb ready to bring about doomsday when Rossi pushed her over the edge. He’d just have to go for the next best thing…

“Dark Quill, I am Hawkmoth. With your powers, you can write your own story, create a new ending. One where this conniving villain parishes. And all when you put pen to paper.”

“… Fine. But I get to go after Rossi first.”, Hawkmoth sputtered a bit. Before he could speak and regain control, Marc continued, “You’ll get the Miraculous when I’m done. Got it?”

After a terrifying silence, Hawkmoth answered, “You may retrieve the Miraculous after you get your revenge. Do we have a deal?”, he asked, trying not to stammer, not wanting to show any fear

“Yes, Hawkmoth.”, Marc replied

At that, Marc was engulfed by a black and purple mist that bubbled up from the journal. When it dissipated Dark Quill stood in Marc’s place. The Akuma’s skin is a pale grey, he had no pupils or irises, just his white sclera. His hair became messier, and what appeared to be a hair ribbon was two red quills. A black mask covered his face, and his lips were painted black.

His outfit was a blood-red jumpsuit with a high collar, puff sleeves, and Renaissance pants. Along with the bodysuit was a black vest with blue accents, black fingerless elbow-length gloves, dark blue stud bracelets and a matching belt, and black knee-high platform boots. In his hand, he held a rolled-up scroll.

With a smirk, Dark Quill plucked one of the quills from his hair, unfurled the scroll, and began writing. “I’m coming for you, Liar Rossi.”, on the scroll, in black ink, was, ‘Those who saw the truth found their hatred for the Liar and her posse increased tenfold.’

Nathaniel has never wanted to punch someone so much in his life. He always thought Lila was annoying, but God! And not only her, but these idiots surrounding him.

There was Alya, who’s blog was becoming a tabloid, going on and on about Lila and her “accomplishments”.

Then Kim, who followed that girl around like a puppy. He obviously had a type- Petty and whiney when they don’t get what they want

They were all so stupid!... Well, except for Marinette, Alix, Juleka, Rose, and Adrien. Everyone else? Idiots who’ll believe the dribble that falls out of the Italian’s mouth. Nathaniel didn’t know where these thoughts were suddenly coming from. He always thought his classmates were kind of irritating from time to time, but now he just hated them… And from the dirty looks Alix and Marinette were giving their desk-mates, they felt the same way.

“Nath, did I ever tell you about my uncle? He’s a famous artist in Italy.”, Lila said, making Nathaniel roll his eyes at her obvious lie, “I could show him some of your work. He has connections with a few museums, and…”

‘Make it stop!’, he thought, rubbing hid temples to ease his headache, ‘The bell will ring soon. The bell will ring soon.’

“And who knows? Maybe he can find you a new writer for your comic!” Now that was the final straw, “No offense, but the writing seems a little subpar. I actually won a few writing contests, so I-“

“God! Will you shut up?!”, everyone in class gasped at the redhead’s outburst, “You are just so annoying! I have had put up sitting next to you and being forced to listen to your shit!”

“Nathaniel!”, Bustier scolded, “Don’t use language like that.”

Alix stood from her seat and slammed her hands down on the desk, “Cram it, Caline!”, she yelled, “That bitch just insulted Marc’s writing!”, she pointed out, casting a glare at Lila. All eyes were now on Lila. She started the waterworks and came up with a lie on the spot

“I-I didn’t mean to insult Marc.”, she stammered as she wiped her eyes, “I was just trying to help Nath get his art more recognition. B-but he yelled at me!”, she wailed, making students come to her aid, glare at Nathaniel and call him a bully. They were too mad to notice her sending a sneer the artist’s way

“Dumbasses.”, Marinette said with such malice in her voice. Everyone turned to the pigtailed girl with widened eyes. They’ve never heard her curse before.

“I’ve put up with a lot of your shit before, guys, but this? Come on. You honestly believe that thing”, she pointed a finger at Lila, “has connections? That she can get you whatever you need to succeed in life? She’s a damn fraud! Even a certified idiot can tell you that.”

The students who believed in Lila were stunned into silence. Why were they being so cruel to Lila and them? Lila didn’t lie, and they weren’t idiots.

“Yeah, and I can do without her constantly clinging to me, and touching me all the time!”, Adrien snapped

“B-but Adrien!”, Lila whined, “You said it was okay.”

“Why would I say that?”, he asked, “I despise you! You’re a liar, a thief, and just. A. Bitch.”, Nino cautiously approached him and put a hand on his shoulder

“Dude, what’s going on with you?”, he asked. At that, Adrien merely rolled his eyes and muttered what sounded like a curse word under his breath

Lila, becoming angry, ran down the stairs and tried to hold onto Adrien and remind him of his father’s threat, only for him to push her away and not reluctantly go through with it like he usually would, “Adrien, have they been manipulating you?”, she asked with a hand placed on her chest, “Did they threaten you?”

“Shut up, Rossi! We’re tired of your pathetic shit!”, Rose shouted. And once again, the students and teacher gasped as one of the sweetest girls in class cursed for them all to hear. Everything then turned to chaos. Marinette, Nathaniel, Alix, Rose, and Juleka pointed out everyone’s flaws and called out Lila’s many lies, (Not that anyone listened) while Adrien just glared at them with so much hate in his green eyes. Their classmates just looked at them, stunned. Not even Lila could do anything to stop them. They were supposed to stay silent and out of her way. When did they all grow spines?

Before they could tear into them some more, the bell rang for lunch, much to everyone’s relief. The art kids needed to take a few breaths, and the other students felt like crying or hiding in their rooms. And Lila wanted to set them straight and remind them who they were messing with.

“Finally.”, Nathaniel said, grabbing his messenger bag, “Let’s go before we lose anymore braincells.” At that, the arts kids and Adrien left the room

Mme. Bustier’s class walked out of the classroom minutes after comprehending what just happened and assuring Lila that it wasn’t her fault. While they were making their way to the cafeteria, all eyes were on them. None were friendly.

‘Ugh, it’s them.’

‘Lousy tabloid writer.’

‘Idiots.’

‘Is that actually her hair? I thought she had sausages taped to her face.’

‘What a liar.’

‘Jagged Stone had a cat? I thought they were supposed to be his fans.’

Alya whispered to Lila, “What’s going on? Why is everyone saying this stuff?”, she asked. Lila put on a meek demeanor and pouted

“I-I don’t know. I bet Marinette and the others are spreading lies about me.”, she wiped away a fake tear, “Now they’re turning the whole school against me!”, she whined, making Lila pull her into a hug

Watching from an empty classroom was Dark Quill. Once again, he plucked a quill and began writing, “Out of nowhere, a pencil case hit Lila on the side of her head.”

“I-I just-“, she let out a yelp as a red, black, and blue pencil case hit her on the head, “OW!”

Everyone looked for the culprit, but the other students looked just as confused, having no idea where that pencil case came from. Back in the classroom, Dark Quill continued writing, “The Akuma form of Dark Quill would soon reappear when the time was right.” A bright light engulfed Dark Quill. When it faded, Marc was in his place. The scroll and quill also changed, becoming a red pencil and a white journal

“What exactly is your plan?”, Hawkmoth asked as the Akuma symbol appeared on Marc’s face. He smirked and replied, “You’ll see.”, before he walked out of the classroom

“Have you guys seen Marc?”, Nathaniel asked as he sat down at a table with the other members of the art club. They all shook their heads, “I haven’t heard from him since this morning. I hope he’s okay.”

Alix grinned, “Aw, someone misses his boyfriend!”, Juleka smacked her on the shoulder

“Nath!”, the voice Nathaniel grew to hate called out, making him slam his head down on the table. They looked to see Lila and her posse walking in, only to be met with harsh glares from the other students. Nathaniel grabbed the plastic knife off of his tray and handed it to Alix before asking, “Will you be a good friend and kill me?”, but it was too late. Lila made her way over to the table and sat down between them

Marinette smiled, “Lila, I say this in the nicest possible way. Get the hell out of here before I rip those two sausages off your head.”, seeing the Italian’s astonished expression, she smirks

Lila ignores her and turns her attention back to Nathaniel, not caring about the annoyed look he was giving her, “I’m sorry about insulting Marc’s writing like that, it wasn’t my intention.”

Rose coughed into her elbow, ‘Bullshit.’

Ignoring her, Lila continued, “But I don’t think you should be hanging around him anymore. He may seem nice, but when you’re not around, he acts so mean!”, she wailed. Nathaniel rolled his eyes, “I saw him copying someone else’s story and claiming that it was his. A-and when I tried to talk him out of it, he threatened me.”, she forced a tear out of the corner of her eye

Juleka chuckled, “Great story, Lila. One of your most pathetic.”, she spat. The whole table laughed, but Lila was fuming

“I’m serious! Marc really did threaten me!”, at that, the entire cafeteria laughed, except for the few students in Bustier’s class who believed her stories

Aurore approached her, “Rossi, you’re talking about the boy who cried when we had to dissect frogs in biology.”

“And when I killed a spider.”, a brunette boy, Ismael, pointed out, “The boy is a literal saint.”

“Aw, Ismael,”, Everyone turned to the source of the touched voice and saw Marc, standing at the doorway, “you do care about me.” Ismael crossed his arms over his chest, “Do not. I’m just wondering why lil miss Lie-la is spouting bullshit about you.”

Lilla, still trying to look like the victim, held onto Alya’s arm. The creole girl shouted, “Leave her alone! She’s just trying to warn Nath.”

“Uh, last time I checked, only people I like get to call me ‘Nath’.” Alya was taken aback. Nathaniel got up from his seat, walked over to Marc and planted a kiss on his cheek, which the disguised Akuma enjoyed, “And you honestly believe that my sweet Rainbow could threaten someone?”, Marinette and Rose giggled at the adorable nickname

Alya looked a little unsure but then she saw Lila crying. She sniffed, “S-so you think I’m lying?”

“Yep.”

“Pretty much.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying.”

“It’s pretty obvious.”

“Yeah.”

Kim frowned, “Why are you guys being so mean?”

“And why are you singling us out?”, Marinette asked, now fuming, “You don’t see how everyone here hates that girl’s guts?”, she pointed to Lila, who was now scowling, throwing away the whole ‘kicked puppy’ routine, “And you all know Marc. He would never threaten anyone. He doesn’t even talk to Lila.”

Noticing their eyes shifting around the room, Marinette rolled her eyes, “You guys honestly think there’s an Akuma making us act like this? Newsflash! We’re tired of you guys!”, she jabbed at Kim’s chest with her finger, prompting him to back away.

The Akuma Class was horrified. This had to be the work of an Akuma, they just knew it. Their friends didn’t really feel this way about them, they were just being controlled by an Akuma out to get Lila

“Dude, there’s gotta be an Akuma!”

“We know it!”

“You don’t really mean what you’re saying!

“THERE’S NO AKUMA!”

…

A voice cut through the silence, “No. There is.” Everyone, especially Nathaniel, gasped when they saw Marc being engulfed by the same bright light from earlier. They all backed away when the light faded to reveal Dark Quill

“… Huh. I guess there was an Akuma.”, Marinette said as she backed out of the cafeteria, everyone too busy staring at the new Akuma to notice as she ran off to transform into Paris’ hero

Lila pointed to the villain, “See?! There is an Akuma after me! He’s making everyone say all these horrible things!”

“Marc?”, Nathaniel whispered, “W-what happened?”, he asked as he slowly approached his Akumatized boyfriend

“Don’t listen to him! He’s an Akuma, of course he’s gonna lie!”, Lila exclaimed

“Well sweetie, if you must know, Lila threatened me, then tore apart my journal.”, he said as he cupped Nathaniel’s cheek, “… The rest you know.”

Nathaniel’s concern faded as he slowly turned his head toward the Italian. She actually backed away when she saw the fiery rage in his turquoise eyes, “You. Did. What?!”

“Lila wouldn’t threaten anyone!”, Ivan yelled

Mylene added, “She doesn’t lie either!”

Dark Quill frowned, “God, you’re all twits.” Plucking a quill, he began to write, “Doing what she should have done months ago, Alya checks her sources.”

Alya looked confused, wondering what he meant. Then suddenly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, “I-I’m not doing this!”, she starts typing something in the search bar while Lila desperately tries to snatch the phone out of her hands

“H-he can do whatever he wants with his powers!”, she said with desperation in her voice, “He probably got rid of all the websites that mention me!”

The class was sure that what their friend is saying was the truth. This Akuma could probably bend reality and do whatever he desired with his powers. He made every student at school hate them and Alya pull out her phone against her will. But a voice in the back of their heads told them otherwise. They often doubted Lila because of this voice, but she had no reason to lie, so they had no reason to distrust her�� Right?

Alya scrolled through her phone, a look of confusion on her face, “There’s nothing here...”

“See? I told you!”, Lila yelled, “He erased every record of my accomplishments, so you all think I’m lying! He’s out to get me!”

He chuckled, “Now why would you think that?”, then wrote something else on the scroll. Five red darts materialized at his side, and the Akuma class suddenly flew across the room, leaving Lila exposed. Lila paled when she saw that the darts were aimed at her. “Rossi, all you have to do is tell the truth, and- Oh, what the hell? Let’s just get this over with!”

Lila tried to run away, but she found her feet glued to the floor. This Akuma clearly thought of everything. The darts hurdled at her and Lila closed her eyes, waiting for the darts to pierce right through her… Only for a red and black spotted yo-yo to wrap around her waist and pull her out of her shoes, leaving the darts to hit a wall. All heads turned to see Ladybug standing at the doorway, looking pissed

“Great. Once again, saving your sorry self.”, she spat, much to everyone’s shock

“I could’ve handled him myself, Ladybug! I didn’t need your help!”, Lila said in response

“Hey, idiot!”, Aurore yelled, “She saved your damn life! Show a little thanks!”

Dark Quill only grinned, “Well, it would seem Paris’s hero is aware of Miss Rossi’s lies. How convenient. Ladybug, I thought Lila was your dearest friend.”

The spotted heroine only gagged, “Please! I would rather be cataclysmed than be friends with her!”, she spun her yoyo, using it as a shield to block the darts heading for her while the class stared with their jaws hung open. ‘Lila wasn’t friends with Ladybug?’, they thought.

Then, as if summoned by the mention of his power, Chat Noir burst through the door. “Alright, let’s get this over with.” The Akuma class shuddered as the usually friendly superhero sent a glare their way. Alya even put down her phone, “Look, I get why you hate Lila. But we can’t let you hurt her.”

“Hurry up and take him down, now!”, Lila demanded

Dark Quill scowled as he wrote something down on his scroll, “Dark Blade appeared. His sword ready to cleave the liar in two!” At that, Dark Blade appeared next to him in a flash of red light. Lila’s eyes widened when she saw the armored Akuma running towards her with his sword raised. Ladybug readied her yoyo, but soon found herself being used as a human shield when Lila pushed her to the front and held her wrists so she couldn’t use her yoyo to defend herself

“What the hell?”, she screeched. Chat let out a snarl and extended his staff to duel with the knight. He then gasped, “NO!”

“Dark Blade immediately froze in place!”, Dark Quill narrated in a panicked voice as he quickly wrote on the scroll. The Akuma suddenly stopped on his tracks. Ladybug, still trying to get out of Lila’s hold, wondered why he called off the attack until she saw the familiar mess of red hair. Nathaniel stood in front of the knight; his eyes widened when he saw that the tip of the sword was only an inch away from his face, and he let out a relieved sigh.

Nathaniel backed away and locked eyes with Dark Quill. Fear was present on his grey face, and a single tear trailed down his cheek, “Marc… Rainbow, I’m fine. Really.”

Lila released Ladybug and made a run for the exit. But before she could reach the door, she fell. She looked and saw that a pair of metal shackles have formed around her ankles. Another pair, with a chain connected, appeared around her wrists. The Italian let out a yelp as she was pulled by the extra chain towards Dark Quill, who was livid

“You. Will PAY FOR THIS!”, he yelled as tears formed in his eyes

“I’m not the one who summoned the knight and almost put his stupid boyfriend in danger!”, she retorted, but then let out a scream as the shackles tightened around her wrists. “Everyone in Paris will know who you truly are!”, Dark Quill gave Nathaniel one last sad glance before writing on his scroll. He and Lila disappeared in a flash of blue light

“NO!”, Ladybug screamed

“Alya’s gone!”, Nino said frantically as he searched for his girlfriend

Chat scratched his head in confusion, “Did the Akuma take her, too?”

The Akuma class let what Lila had done sink in. They felt horrified, disgusted, and betrayed. Lila. Their supposed friend. The most honest person they know. Used Ladybug as a human shield. If she would do that, then it was clear she lied about her and Ladybug being best friends… And about everything else.

“Marinette was right…”, Mylene said what her classmates were thinking, tearfully, “Lila really is a liar.”

The scowls and sneers Alix, Rose, and Juleka have been giving their classmates earlier melted into guilty expressions. Same for the other students. They remembered all of the things they said and could barely look them in the eyes

“Nathaniel, are you alright?”, Ladybug asked him as she glanced over at the still frozen Dark Blade

“Yeah, I’m fine.”, he said, “Marc wouldn’t hurt me.”

The spotted hero smiled and let out a breath of relief, “Please don’t do that again.”

“Save Marc, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Feel free to let Marc take care of Lila.”, Ivan grunted. Everyone turned to the usually pacifistic boy with astonishment. He shrugged, “You were all thinking it.”

“Where could they have gone?”, Marinette asked herself

“Well, Marc did say he would show Paris who Lila really is, and he did take Alya with him.”, Nino said, “Nadja Chamack has the most popular show in Paris, and the Ladyblog grabs everyone’s attention when there’s a livestream. They’re probably at the TVi Studio.”

“He’s going to reveal her on live tv and the Ladyblog!”, Chat Noir exclaimed

Ladybug nodded ad the capped boy, “Thanks, Nino. Let’s go Chat.”

And they were off. The tension in the cafeteria was thick as the Akuma class felt like idiots for believing Lila, and the others felt remorse for how they acted

Meanwhile, Ladybug and Chat Noir were sailing and vailing over the rooftops in the direction of the studio when their yoyo and staff suddenly beeped. They stopped on a roof and used the phone setting on their weapons; a live stream of the Ladyblog was playing

“Hello, viewers.”, Alya greeted, but not in her usual ‘live on the scene reporter’ tone. Her voice had a hint of ire, but she tried to mask it with a strained smile, “Alya here, and once again, I’ve been kidnapped by an Akuma. But don’t worry, I’m not going to be sacrificed like last time.”, she joked, then panned the phone around to show Lila, tied up on the couch next to a terrified Nadja “The Akuma is having me do a livestream so everyone will see Lila for who she really is!”, she snapped, “This girl used Ladybug as a damn shield!”

“Alya, you can throttle Miss Rossi later.”, the young reporter panned her phone over to Dark Quill, “Right now, let’s introduce our guests.”, using a quill plucked from his hair, he wrote on the scroll, “Bursting through the doors was Jagged Stone, Clara Nightingale, and Prince Ali.”

The cameras turned to the doors as Jagged, Clara, and the Prince made their way into the room. The celebrities and royal looked very confused, “Now how did we get here?”, Jagged asked

“What are we doing in this place?”, Clara asked before pointing to Lila, “And why does that girl look red in the face?”

Ali spoke, “Um, I was at a very important meeting. I shouldn’t be here right now.”

“Oh, this will only take a moment.”, Dark Quill said, and they backed away at the sight of the Akuma, “Have a seat.”

They nodded, not wanting to anger the Akuma, and made their way over to the couch. They casted a confused glance over to the tied-up girl, “Who’s she?”, Jagged asked, and Lila internally screamed

“Oh, Jagged, you don’t remember Lila? The girl you wrote a song about?”

Jagged sputtered, “Wrote a song?! About a teenage girl?!”, he stood up and faced the cameras, “That is just sick! I am in my bloody late thirties!”, he exclaimed

“Why, the girl tied up next to you, of course.”, Dark Quill, gestured to Lila with a taunting smile. Jagged gave the girl an incredulous look, “You were so grateful that she saved your poor kitten from being run over by an airplane, gaining a hearing loss in the process.”

“That is false!”, the Rockstar shouted, “I never owned a kitten in my life! I’m highly allergy to animal fur!”, he points to Lila, “Whatever this girl is saying about me is false!”

Clara gasped, “How could she say such falsehoods? They’ll only do worse than good.”, she rhymed

“So true Mme. Nightingale.”, Dark Quill nodded, “So I’m sure you absolutely abhor the lies she’s been telling about you, hm?”, off Clara’s stunned reactions, he continues, “According to Lila, she taught you some of your best dance movies, but you didn’t give her credit.”, he sent a sneer at the Liar, she returned the look

“SHE WHAT?!”, Clara yelled in anger, much to everyone’s shock, “All of my dance moves come from only me! Not from this… This LYING HUSSY!”, everyone in the studio went silent as soon as they heard the pop-star curse. Jagged stifled a laugh, Prince Ali covered his mouth in shock, Nadja hid her face with the papers in her hands, and Lila just glared at everyone in the room, “I apologize for such a harsh word, but it seemed appropriate for this wretched girl! I take my dancing seriously, and I hope miss Rossi gets punished harshly…”

The prince lets out a cough after a few seconds of silence, “H-has she said anything about…”, the Akuma quickly turned to him, making the prince sink into his seat, “…me?”

Dark Quill smiled, “Yes, your majesty. Whenever Lila wasn’t in school, she was spending time at the palace with you, helping your with your environmental charities, crying whenever you and some other prince would fight over here.”, he lets out a dark chuckle then grabs Lila’s face, “But what’s there to fight over, really?”

Lila thrashes in her chains, “I was just jealous of my friends, okay?! I just wanted them to like me!”, she wailed, ignoring the heat radiating off of the music artists and Prince

“Are you kidding me?”, Jagged asked as he rubbed his temples, “She’s kidding right?”

Alya groaned, “God, I feel stupid.”

Dark Quill summoned his scroll, and pulled out another quill, “Time for you to finally tell the truth, Lie-la.” On the scroll, he began writing, “Lila Rossi finally revealed every lie she’s to-“, before he could write the last two letters, Ladybug and Chat Noir burst into the room, “Oh, great.”

“GET ME OUT OF HERE!”, Lila screeched

Ladybug ignored her and approached the Akuma, “Dark Quill, you got your revenge. Just surrender now.”

Dark Quill scoffed, “Oh, I haven’t even started!”, he grabs Lila and hoists her up by the front of her shirt, “I want this she-demon to reveal everything! Then I’ll make sure Paris never has to deal with her ever again!”, he let go of the scroll, and it floated in front of him. He wiped his hand over the sentence he was writing before the heroes barged in, making the ink disappear. Dark Quill wrote, “The Akuma, the Liar, and the amateur reporter teleported out of the studio.”

A white light engulfed him, Lila, and Alya. Chat tried to grab Dark Quill, but he vanished out of the room, and Chat ended up on the floor, “M’lady, maybe it’s time to break out the Lucky Charm?”

“I think so too.”, she agreed, then yelled out, “LUCKY CHARM!”

A red feather floated down gently into her hands, “A feather?”

Chat shook his head, “I don’t think he’s ticklish.”

“That’s a rooster feather.”, Jagged said as she walked over to Ladybug. The spotted heroine handed him the Lucky Charm object, “Yeah, my old man bred a few when I was young. I’d recognize one of these anywhere.”

As Ladybug examined the feather, she realized what she was meant to do with it, “I got it! Thanks, Jagged!”, the rockstar beamed at the praised from the hero. Ladybug turned to Chat, “Go look for Dark Quill, call me when you find him.”

“I can have the news choppers look around if that’ll help.”, Nadja suggested

“It will!”, at that, the two heroes ran out of the station.

Ladybug ran into an alley, “Spots off.”

After the detransformation, Tikki floated in front of her, “What are you planning, Marinette?”

“When I was battling Kwamibuster, I remember seeing a rooster Kwami.”

Tikki perked up, “Orikki?”, Marinette nodded, “Who do you have in mind for the job?”

“The one person who can help Marc now.”

The drawers of the Miracle Box opened before her as Master Fu gave her the warning about the Miraculous getting into the wrong hand and choosing only people she could trust.

Marinette reached down to pick up the thumb ring. “I know just the person.”

In the Louvre, Alix was furiously skating around the gallery while Nathaniel, Juleka, and Rose watch, “GOD! She was exposed on live tv, and still tries to make herself look like the victim!”, she exclaimed, “Whatever Marc’s gonna do to her, she deserves it!”

Juleka furrowed her brow, “I hope it isn’t too bad.”

Alix stopped skating, “Huh?”

“Well, Marc said he make sure Paris never had to deal with her ever again.”, she reminded the pink-haired girl. Rose’s eyed widened, “… He wouldn’t.”

“No.”, Rose covered her mouth

Nathaniel shook his head, “N-no. Marc wouldn’t do that!”, he denied

“I don’t know Nath. He did summon Dark Blade to slice her open.”, Alix reminded him, horrified

“Nathaniel!”, the four of them turned to see Ladybug running into the room, “I need you!”

Nathaniel choked on his own spit, “E-excuse me?!”

“I need you to tell me. How much do you want Marc back?”

“I-I’d do anything! He’s still in there, I just…”, he wipes a tear forming at the corner of his eye. Ladybug rested a hand on his shoulder and smiled, “Well, you can help him.”

The four of them watched as Ladybug held a hexagonal box in front of the redhead

“Nathaniel Kurtzberg, here is the Miraculous of the Rooster, which grants the power of distraction. You will use it for the greater good. Once the job is done, you will return the Miraculous to me.”

Nathaniel was speechless, and just stared at the box resting in Ladybug’s hands. When ten seconds passed buy and Nathaniel didn’t say or do anything, Ladybug waved her hand in front of his face, “Nathaniel?

Alix snapped her fingers in front of his face, “Nath? Bud?... I don’t think- Oh! He’s falling!”, Juleka and Rose catch him before he can fall to the floor, and help him back up

Helping Ladybug save Marc was one thing but being a superhero?! Nathaniel couldn’t believe it. He wanted to scream and jump on his bed… But what if he failed? He’d disappoint Ladybug and… Marc.

“Nath, you gotta do it.”, Alix told him as he was brought back into reality, “Marc needs you.”

“I…”

Juleka gave him a reassuring smile, “You got this.”

“Do it, Nath!”, Rose screamed as she shook him by his shoulders

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

Ladybug placed the box in his hands. Nathaniel opened it, revealing a bronze thumb ring inside. It was two loops connected by a single chain and adorned with a feather decoration. There was a bright flash of light that spiraled around Nathaniel, and the art kids shielded their eyes for a moment before looking at the little Rooster-like creature floating in front of them

“Hi! Nice to meet you! I’m Orikko! You must be glad to meet me!” Nathaniel and Juleka just stared with their jaws hung open, Alix has already seen a Kwami, so she wasn’t too impressed, and Rose was trying not to squeal at how adorable the Kwami was, “Ooh! I love your hair!”, they gathered Nathaniel’s bangs in their hair and moved them to the side, “I am going to have so much fun styling it!”

“W-what are you, exactly?”, Nathaniel asked

“Why, I’m a Kwami! I give you powers, enhanced abilities. Just put the ring on you thumb and say the words: Orikki, sunrise!”

Nathaniel nodded and slipped it on his thumb, “Orikko! Sunrise!”

The Kwami flew into the Miraculous, turning it gold and adding a red enamel feather that connected the two rings. A yellow beak appeared over Nathaniel’s face and extended into a red mask that covered his face. His hair swept back into a faux hawk, and the tips were colored a red much darker than his hair. His outfit was similar to Rena Rouge’s, only the boots were yellow, the bodysuit was a burnt orange color, the underbelly was yellow, he had elbow-length dark red gloves, and the ends of the tail looked like feathers. In his hand, formed a formed a golden bow

Royt Hon was ready!

—

Meanwhile, Chat Noir was at the top of the Eiffel Tower, sword fighting with Riposte as news helicopters hovered around them and recorded the fight, along with Lila, tied up with rope and dangling over the railing of the fence. Dark Quill was plucking the rope and cackling as Lila screamed whenever she felt a vibration, thinking she was going to fall

“I’ll give you one last chance, Rossi!”, the scroll appeared next to him in a puff of smoke and unfurled, “Just tell Paris the truth, and make things easier!”

“I’M NOT LYING! LADYBUG WILL BE HERE ANY MINUTE!”, she screeched

Dark Quill sighed, “You just have to make things complicated.”, he plucked one of the red quills, and began writing, “Once the last lie has been told, Lila Rossi shall meet her demise!”

“Dark Quill, what are you doing? Don’t kill her! That is an order!”

“You want me to write a death scene for you?...”, he was met with silence, “Then zip it! Now tell all of Paris you’re lies, Rossi!”

”I… I hate Ladybug!”, Lila yelled, clearly against her own will, “I want her dead!”

Alya gasped, nearly dripping her phone, and judging by Dark Quill’s widened eyes, he was not expecting that. The citizens watching from below frowned and started yelling. Ladybug was their hero, so anyone who hated her was public enemy #3, before Hawkmoth and Mayura

“Why do you hate her?”, he asked

“That bitch ruined my chances with Adrien! He should be MINE! All I did was lie about being some damn fox hero! Who gives a shit?! Every time I get myself Akumatized, I try everything to get rid of that stupid bug!”

…

Alya and Chat were speechless. Dark Quill was horrified, as were the citizens below

“You… Get yourself Akumatized on purpose?”

“Yeah! That’s how much I hate those heroes! Every time there’s an Akuma attack, I just laugh whenever Ladybug is crushed, thrown into a wall, or worse!”

“And the celebrities you’ve met? The places you’ve visited?”, Dark Quill asked, getting over his shock

“They were telling the truth back at the studio!”, she admitted, “I don’t know any of them! Jagged Stone never even owned a cat!”

Before Dark Quill could ask another question, Alya called out, “What about Marinette?! Was everything she said about you true?”

“Duh! All that self-righteous pain in the ass had to do was fall in line like the rest of you idiots! But instead, she decided to go to was with me! So I tried to ruin her life! I framed her for everything! She didn’t push me down the stairs, I put my necklace in her locker, and I put the answer sheet in her backpack! And everyone was too stupid to check the security cameras!”

Back at Dupont, the students and teachers were watching the live stream with looks of rage and disgust. M. Damocles even ordered the custodian to check the security footage from when those incidents took place

“And why do you hate here?”

“Because she stole Adrien from me! His dad even gave me a modeling contract so I would keep them apart because I told him she was a bad influence!”

Chat Noir lost focus when he heard that, and Riposte used that moment to attack and overpower him. He was now pinned to the floor with Riposte’s sword just inches away from his face

“Anything else you’d like to admit?”, he sneered

“I tore up Marc Anciel’s stupid journal and threatened to make everyone hate him!”, she glared at the Akuma with all of the hate in the world, but he smirked.

“Well, if that’s all, you should be plummeting in three… two… one.”, and at that, the rope snapped, and Lila was falling to her death

“NO!”, Chat yelled

Alya covered her mouth in horror, “Oh my God!”

It seems as though luck was not on Lila’s side. The trampoline the firefighters used to catch people jumping out of burning buildings had a massive hole, so nothing was keeping her from becoming a stain on the ground. She was halfway from her doom when suddenly, a red and orange blur swooped in, and she found herself on the second floor of the tower. She looked up and scowled when she was met with a new hero

“Who are you?”, she spat, only to receive a hate-filled glare from the rooster-themed hero

“Just stay here, and don’t do anything stupid… Liar.”, and he leaped away

—

“Is that all you’ve got, Ladybug?!”, Dark Quill shouted as he swiftly dodged her yo-yo. Behind him, Chat Noir was still pinned to the floor by Riposte, his staff was out of his reach, “Just hand over your Miraculous!”, an arrow suddenly shot past his head, “What the…”

The arrow hit Riposte, and she disappeared into pieces of shredded paper. Chat Noir was back on his feet, and ready to join the fight. Royt Hon leaped onto the railing, holding the bow in his left hand, and a glowing arrow in his right. Alya held up her phone to film the new hero.

“Good to see you again, m’lady. I wasn’t eggspecting a new hero.”, he joked. Ladybug let out a groan, and Royt Hon chuckled a little

“The name’s Royt Hon.”, he answered before turning to Dark Quill with a soft look, “Marc, this cant be what you want. I know you’re not a violent person.”, he said calmly. Dark Quill was stunned for a moment before he scowled and his grip tightened on his quill as he wrote again

“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M LIKE!”, he screamed, then multiple heat-seeking missiles appeared at his side. He pointed to the heroes, and the missiles went after their targets. While they were preoccupied, Dark Quill jumped from down, ready to get rid of the liar once again

Ladybug used her yoyo to grab one missile and fling it into two, making them blow up. Chat smacked one into another, the same result. Royt Hon got his bow ready and pulled back the string. Five glowing arrows appeared, and when he released, they shot right through the remaining missiles, and they blew up

“Nice shooting, Royt!”, Chat complimented as he patted him on the back, much to the Rooster hero’s gratitude

“We better go. He’s probably after Lila.”, Ladybug rolled her eyes at the mention of the liar’s name, then she turned to Alya, “You should go home.”

The journalist nodded, “I will. And I’ll be making a new post on a certain someone.”, she said with hatred in her voice before walking towards the elevator

—

“Lie-la!...”, he called out, “I’m not gonna drop you this time!... Maybe.”

The liar, still tied up, hid behind once of the beams and tried to keep her breathing quiet as this psychotic Akuma searched for her. How could Hawkmoth do this?! He should’ve akumatized her! Not some pathetic loser out to kill her!

“Found you.”

Lila paled as the Akuma threw her to the cold hard floor. She looked up and saw Dark Quill approaching her with a look that said, ‘I’m going to kill you.’, and as she prepared for her demise, she heard…

“SUNRISE!”

Lila and Dark Quill shielded their eyes as a being made of light approached them. Dark Quill tried to open his eyes and write something that would get rid of this blinding white light, but he couldn’t concentrate and shielded his eyes again.

“CATACLYSM!”

Dark Quill felt the scroll disintegrate in his hands, and heard the flap of a butterfly’s wings, followed by, “No more evil-doing for you little Akuma! Time to de-evilize! Gotcha! Bye-bye, little butterfly.”

Dark Quill uncovered his eyes and was relieved to find the bright light has finally dimmed. He saw Royt Hon, giving him a look of concern, and Chat Noir handing Ladybug a pair of ladybug-print sunglasses. She tossed them into the air and shouted,

“MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!”

The sunglasses exploded into millions of ladybugs that flew all around Paris, fixing the damage caused by the Akuma. Jagged and Clara returned to their hotel rooms, Ali was back at Achu, much to the relief of the castle staff. Dark Blade, still frozen in the cafeteria disappeared, and Lila was no longer tied up.

Dark Quill was engulfed in purple energy that vanished to reveal Marc, who blinked in confusion. “W-where am I? What happened?”, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Royt Hon giving him a sympathetic look, “What did I do?”, he asked fearfully

—

Hawkmoth sighed, “Maybe it was for the best. His emotions were too strong, I couldn’t even control his actions… Another time, perhaps. Now that Miss Rossi is out of the picture.”

—

“YOU TRIED TO KILL ME, YOU WORTHLESS NOBODY!”, Lila screeched. Royt Hon glared and wrapped his arms around Marc, making him blush. Before Lila could say more, Ladybug approached her, looking furious and her fists shaking, ready to punch her. Chat Noir even extended his staff and bared his claws. She backed away

“Like you would hurt me!”, she gloated

“Oh, I think she has every right.”, she turned her head and saw Alya, holding up her phone, still recording, “You just exposed yourself live in front of Paris. Admitting your hatred for the city’s beloved hero, framing Marinette, and working with a known terrorist!”

“I-I…”, she pointed to Marc, “He made me say those things! They were all lies! He’s jealous me, just like Marinette!”, she claimed, crocodile tears already forming

“Why would I be jealous of a lying bitch?”

Lila let out a gasp and cried harder, “See? He hates me!”

“Oh, I could think of much worse.”, Chat muttered before turning to Royt Hon, “Royt, get Marc out of here. We’ll deal with Rossi.

“I’ll get your Miraculous later.”, Ladybug added as she cracked her knuckles, and Chat cracked his neck. Royt sent the liar a smirk before gathering Marc in his arms bridal style and carrying him away. Alya stormed over to Lila, her fists ready

“I posted lies because of you! I called my best friend jealous!”, she shouted as Lila back into a corner to get away from the angry reporter, and the even angrier heroes

—

Royt landed outside the school and set Marc down, “Are you alright.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”, he smiled before worry took over, “Where’s Nath? Is he alright?!”

“Uh… Yeah!”, he answered, “I saw him and three girls by the Louvre, actually.”

Marc sighed with relief, “Oh, thank God. I gotta apologize. I almost hurt him, he must hate me-!”, Royt reacted and took his hand in his

“He knows you didn’t mean to. You weren’t in control, he understands that. You just didn’t want Lila to hurt you or Nathaniel…”

Marc smiles, “Thank you…”

Royt blushes, “No problem…”, he started leaning in, but suddenly felt Marc’s hand on his chest, stopping him. He gives the boy and confused look

“I-I have a boyfriend.”, Marc said, looking away in embarrassment

The Rooster hero remembered that he wasn’t Nathaniel right now and internally face palmed, “Heh. Sorry! Sorry about that…”, they suddenly heart a beeping sound. Royt looked and saw that the feather on his ring was flashing. ‘Thank you.’, he thought, “I should go. I’ll see you around.”, and he jumped up to the roof of the school and went from rooftop to rooftop

“Yeah…”

—

“You should have seen them!”, Orikko gushed as Ladybug giggled at the sight of Nathaniel’s red face, “It was so cute! I haven’t seen sparks fly like that since Captain Phoenix met Lady Lacro Iris on one of her expeditions!”

“Okay, okay, back in the box.”, the Kwami groaned, gave Nathaniel one last hug, then returned back to the ring. “Thanks, Nathaniel.”

“It was an honor working with you and Chat Noir!”, he admitted, his voice laced with joy before turning butter, “So, what happened to Lila?”

“Let’s just say that Karma finally caught up with her.”, she pulled out her yoyo and prepared to swing away, “And since the other heroes have been compromised, I’ll be sure to find you when the situation calls for Royt Hon.”, before Nathaniel could say anything, she swung away. He looked around to make sure he was alone, and squealed

“NATH!”, Alix yelled as she ran out of the Louvre and tackled him to the ground, “YOU WERE AWESOME!”

“We saw it all on the Ladyblog!”, Rose squealed

“You were a total badass.”, Juleka complimented

Alix got off of him and help him back in his feet, “So, how’s Marc?”

Before Nathaniel could answer, a voice called out, “Nath!” The redhead whirled around and saw Marc, a look of relief on his face. The two ran towards each other, and met with a loving embrace, “I’m so sorry.”

Nathaniel chuckled and ran his fingers through Marc’s hair, “It’s okay, Rainbow. It’s okay… Lila’s gone.”, seeing Marc’s smile, he kissed his soft pink lips as Rose and Juleka awed while Alix nodded with approval

“I don’t really care but… What happened to Lila?”, Alix asked

—

Ladybug and Chat Noir sat in the park, eating macarons and watching Lila being pushed into a police car as she kicked and scream while a woman, who had a similar appearance to her cried and cursed in Italian. Onlookers took pictures of the exposed liar, no doubt they were going to spread her name and turn her into a pariah

“I have been waiting for this for a long time.”, Ladybug said as she but into a macaron. Chat responded with a nod, and the two fist bumped

#miraculous ladybug salt #miraculous ladybug #marc x nathaniel #dark quill #fanfic #ao3 #rainbow tomato

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return-of-a-space-cowboy · 5 years ago

Text

CONTROL FREAK

(Yandere Melone X Female Reader)

Every person lives a double life. Some display a different persona around different people, sometimes their persona changed with their work.

Melone may have a life beyond that of an assassin but that never seemed to change his actions. No matter what side of him you met he would always deep down be a sick, depraved and paraphilic individual. It wasn't like he could just change his thought process after the job was done. However he still just managed to live among the rest of society and blend into the crowd.

🍉🍉🍉

You were nothing special. You were just another struggling waitress that was only just above water. You had dreamed of being an actress however you managed to screw up when you performed for a production in middle school. All that you could say was there was a lose board on the stage and a large cluster of arachnid nests... However things had gone a little differently for a close friend from high school Andrew Prince, who was now a costume and prop maker as well as a make up artist for the big Italian movie productions.

Today was just another tiresome day. Bringing plates and glasses back and forth while also juggling complex orders from multiple patrons and with three of your fellow waiters and waitresses off work due to 'illness' didn't make things any better. You let out a sigh of relief as the lunch time chaos had ended and the numbers of customers declined but one of the few that had walked in had caught your attention, you remembered this man's wavy light brown hair, his jet black eyes and you couldn't mistake that Gucci handbag. It was Andrew Prince himself.

"O my God Andrew it's you" you squealed as you pulled him in for a hug.

"(Y/n) I didn't expect to see you!" He stuttered in shock

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he looked at your uniform.

"Oh no don't tell me your working here" he gasped.

"Maybe we could catch up later when I finish my shift" you said as he sat down at one of the nearby tables.

"Sure, so what time do you finish?" He asked.

"5pm" you answered. He looked at his expensive watch before replying.

"Sound good for me, I'll just grab a coffee and some cake while I wait"

"Just wave me over when you make up your mind" you said as you handed him a menu.

"Sure will"

So time went on, he ordered you served him his coffee and cake, everything was normal. You watched the clock tick by.

Four o'clock struck and the place had almost been empty. The bell rang to signal your attention to the door once more.

A tall blonde haired male walked in wearing a pair of black dress pants, a white dress shirt with a loose dark Gray cardigan over it. His long hair flowed in the small amount of breeze that passed the door. His blue eyes locked onto yours for a matter of seconds before he took a seat and looked at the menu. He looked at the menu for not even a minute before placing it down. You walked up to him.

"Good afternoon sir, are you ready to order?" You asked as you gave him a smile, he gave you a small smile in return before replying.

"Yes I have, I just want a Vienna" he responded.

"Ok I'll need right on it" you said before going to the barista and giving them the order.

You walked back to Andrew's table to grab the plate.

"I think that guy likes you" he whispered in a sly tone.

"What? No..." You replied.

"Yes, I see how he's looking at you" he said in a smug tone.

"Come on take a chance, what's the worst that could happen?" He continued.

"Your right..." You mumbled.

"Then go! Get his number!" He stage whispered.

"Fine..."

You got the blonde males drink and brought it to him.

"Here's your Vienna" you said as you placed the cup down.

"Thank you" he said with a smile.

"Umm I know I shouldn't be saying this while working..." You began.

"I don't mind, please continue~" he cooed while giving you a devilish grin, you felt your chest tighten and you whole body heat up.

"I was wondering if I could have your number?" you asked. He grin became even more suductive as he grabbed out a pen.

"But of course my darling (Y/n)" he replied which at first frightened you a little, until you remembered that you were wearing a name badge. He began scribbling down his number on a clean napkin before handing it to you.

"The name's Melone by the way" he stated as he gave you a wink. If looks could kill then this man had just made you have a heat stroke.

🍉🍉🍉

Meeting that man was the biggest regret you had ever made...

It had started of normally, you would occasionally ask if he wanted to catch up and have a coffee. The conversations started of normal. After a while be began to flirt with you, which you didn't mind but then certain comments started to creep you out but the breaking point had been when you had invited him over your house.

You had been sitting on the couch talking to him when all of a sudden he pinned you down.

"Melone" you squeaked in surprise as you felt his tongue glide across your neck.

"Yes" he whispered huskily.

"This is to fast, I don't want to do this" said as you tried to push him off.

"You mean sex" he cooed as he pecked you cheek. You affirmatively nodded.

"Oh (Y/n), how cute" he gushed.

"You don't have to worry about anything, I promise I'll be gentle" he continued as he tried to lift your shirt, you however quickly stopped him.

"I'm not ready to have sex" you stated.

"Everyone says that a one stage but trust me, it's not a bad thing. Why do you think so many businesses make money from it and don't even get me started on all of the health benefits" he rambled as he licked his lips in anticipation. It seemed like he wasn't listening to a word he said. You quickly grabbed onto the decorative breakfast tray that was on the coffee table and slammed it into his head three times.

"Get out of my house now! I never want to see you ever again!" You screamed as you pushed him on the floor. He complied with your order and left without a trace.

You had thought that had been the end of it until he started calling you.

"(Y/n) please answer me, I'm sorry"

"I acted out of line, please forgive me"

"I promise it'll never happen again"

"Please give me another chance"

Your phone was jam packed with all of these voice mail messages daily. You had gone to the police to file a restraining order against him but the police had shooed you away telling you that he was no threat.

"He may not be a threat now but someday it's going to escalate, so many passion crime start just like this" you pled but they ignored you.

And it escalated quickly, quicker then you realised. It happened so suddenly and you had been in no way prepared.

🍉🍉🍉

"(Y/n)" a voice rang in your unconscious mind. You tossed and turned in your sleep until a hand gripped your shoulder, your eyes opened wide due to the foreign touch.

"Good morning, or should I evening" a familiar voice sung, you turned your head slowly and to your horror Melone was sitting next to you.

"Oh what's with the horrified expression?" he chuckled with a hand over his mouth. You simply couldn't speak, no words could amount to the absolute horror.

"Don't look at me like that, I can explain" he giggled as he tried to close the distance between you two. without a single thought your fist collided with his chest, which caused him to fall off the bed. You quickly jumped out of the bed but as soon as your feet hit the ground a jolt of electricity surged through your body. You body dropped to the ground and you felt something around your neck that you hadn't noticed earlier.

Melone stood up, waving a small controller in his hand.

"I didn't want to use it but you made me..."

"But now since you've given me an example I'll tell you what this is" he said as sat down in front of you.

"This thing wrapped around your Pettit neck is a shock collar" he said as he pointed to your collar.

"And this is the controller" he said as he waved it in front of your face.

"This little knob allows me choose how many Watts it sends into your body and the button below allows me to apply it" he explained as he moved the knob up a fraction before pressing the button. You screamed as your muscles had a momentary seizure.

"Do you understand that?" He asked as he gave you a bright smile.

"Y-yes" you mumbled.

"Excellent! I'm sure that you'll graduate out of the shock collar stage in no time but you must be hungry" he chimed in joy as he stood up and helped you up.

"Lucky for you I prepared us a three course meal" he continued as he dragged you out of the bedroom and into a dinning room, pushing you down into a seemingly normal chair, that was until he strapped you in by the waist and legs.

"I'm not taking my chances of having you try to escape me" he smiled as he gave you that wave of the index finger; which honestly felt more like having someone flip you the bird.

"Why the fuck are you doing this!" You yelled at him.

"Don't give me that foul language unless we are in bed, you hear me?" he scolded as he shocked you again.

"Honestly, image if our future offspring heard that language from you, their mother" he continued. Your eyes widened in shock as he said that.

"And why do you assume that we are going to have kids" you hissed, your voice dripping with venom.

"I'll be honest with you, when we first met I thought you were a strong 7.5. You were above average in most thing I look for in a woman but I felt that you lacked in self confidence and passion however when you attacked me with that tray that's when you proved me wrong and because of that you became a absolute 10 out of 10" he explained.

"What? So you just rank women like we're products!" You spat.

"No no no, you have that all wrong, I don't see any woman as a mere product... I see a woman just like anyone else" he said he placed down the controller before leaving the room.

He came back with two plates, placing one in front of you and another in front of him. You looked at the plate in disgust, it was a salad and not any normal salad. It looked like something that younger you would have never thought and most likely feared of being served to you.

"Oh (Y/n) it's just a kale salad made with pomegranates with a soft camembert cheese and a Vinaigrette dressing" said as he pushed your plate closer. You still refused.

"If you don't eat this then you'll miss out on my salmon carbonara and also the dark chocolate mouse with a raspberry compote that I made for dessert" he spoke to you like a parent trying to encouraging their child to eat.

You folded your arms and refused again. Melone raised an eyebrow before slowly reaching for the controller. Never had your mind changed it's decision so quickly. You grabbed the fork and picked up a small amount of each component of the salad before eating it and to be honest it wasn't as bad as you thought.

"See it wasn't worth all that resistance" he chuckled before taking another bite. The room became deadening silent for a solid minute.

"I think I should lay down the guidelines now that you've calmed down" he said

"I'm sure that you'll adapt to this new lifestyle very soon"

#yandere x reader #yandere jjba #yandere #melone #female reader #spacy works

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fruit-teeth · 5 years ago

Text

American Boy

Alternate title: The Day Soldier Realized what He Was Going to do With His Life

/(Yep Soldier’s up next! Just wanna give everyone a quick warning: this one gets pretty violent at points, so read with caution. Hope you enjoy!)/

The year was 1932, June 1st, and all the school children were waiting anxiously in the hot sun to present the projects that they’d worked on all year long. Their parents were all gathered in the gym, fanning themselves or checking the clock to see how much time they had left in that sweltering gymnasium. Of course, they wanted to see the children they were so proud of say what they had to say, but no adult is exactly thrilled about having to sit through speeches written by children that are not their own.

Finally, the principal graced the stage, and he took the microphone, beginning with, “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! The Roselake County children are all very excited to present to you their projects! This year, we instructed the children to write about things they are passionate about, and then to tell us all how their passions will benefit society. So, in alphabetical order, we will begin!” he cleared his throat. “First up is Jonathan Apperly!”

The adults applauded, and one by one, the children came up to the podium and nervously read their papers out loud to the room of adults. Jonathan wrote about his passion for airplanes and how they were important to society, Ella spoke about the importance and benefits of gardening, and Rick stumbled through an essay about water systems. There was applause each time and the occasional whistles or shouts of support from the child’s family.

However, when the time came from the principal to read the next name, he grimaced. “Uh…um, up next is…Jane Doe,” he shuffled away quickly, glancing over his shoulder a few times as if he were fearful of what was about to come.

Jane came stomping onto the stage—he was well-known around town, for all the wrong reasons. At eleven years old, he was already tall for his age and rather muscular, and this was the first time he’d ever been allowed to present a project.

His blue eyes scanned the room, silently taking in every face he saw, and he leaned forward into the microphone to begin speaking.

“The kids from the high school,” he began, very focused on what he was saying. “Are very rude and mean and nasty. I don’t like them at all! But one day, they followed me home and made fun of my hair and clothes…I was very mad. So, I punched one of them! I kicked him to the ground and pulled his hair, and the other boys tried to stop me but I just punched them too! I gave one three black eyes—”

“You can’t give someone three black eyes, dummy!” another boy from backstage snarked in a loud voice.

When Jane whirled around and angrily waved his fist at whoever dared to make that comment, the principal cut in. “Jane? Jane, please, for the love of God…just—what is it you are passionate about and how does it benefit society?”

Jane turned back to the audience, his eyes still hard and focused. “The point is I got in trouble for defending myself! I was the bad guy—but that’s why I think we all have to fight against the system!” he suddenly leaped up onto the podium, proclaiming, “Fight the system! Fight it! Punch mean people! Fight them! I’m tired of being nice—let’s all fight back! Let—”

He was cut off when the podium flew out from under his weight, and he crashed down into the row of seats before him, yelling as his face met the floor.

The principal gasped, jumping up and rushing to check on Jane, shaking his shoulder. “Jane! Jane, are you all right!?”

Jane sat up, touched his nose, pulled his hand away to look at it and when he noticed blood he began to wail pitifully, sobbing out in pain. The principal looked around helplessly until the math teacher came running over to gently lead Jane away from the scene.

The math teacher left Jane crying in the hallway, clutching a rag to his bloody nose. He could hear the other children giggling about him backstage, and he just wanted to curl up and disappear.

Just then, the gym doors came flying open, and a large hand grabbed his collar.

“Damn it, Jane!” his father’s voice came booming into his ears. “Why can’t you be a normal kid!? For Christ’s sake—I dunno why I even try with you!”

Bess came peeking over his shoulder, watching in concern. “Pa, another kid is reading,”

“Do I look like a give a shit!?” barked Michael Doe, and he yanked his son to his feet. “Come on, Bess, let’s get this idiot home,”

Michael shoved Jane into the truck, and Bess climbed in beside him. As the truck started up, Bess reached around to carefully pat Jane’s shoulder.

“Aw, come on, now,” Bess assured, smiling as sweetly as she could at Jane. “I thought you did very well,”

Jane sniffed, wiping his nose, smearing his blood all over his face. “R-really?”

Michael snorted contemptuously from the driver’s seat, and Bess shot him a look. “Pa!”

“Bess, he was awful!” Michael growled. “Don’t lie to the kid’s face!”

My Country ‘Tis of Thee began to play over the radio, and Michael turned the volume up. “You here that, Jane?” he called back to his son. “Your paper was supposed to be about benefittin’ society—you know who benefits society? The soldiers who fight for this country!” he sighed, looking out the window out at the road. “You’d make a fine soldier…you could finally put all your rage and shit to use. You ain’t succeeded in much, let me tell you, but you’d probably kill a few fellas pretty well!”

They pulled up to their house, where the shutters were rotting from the windows and the hounds barked outside. As Michael stepped out of the car, he yelled at the dogs, “Shut the hell up, you bastards! You make so much damn noise!”

Right away, Jane seemed to forget his bloody nose as he ran to the dogs, taking turns petting each other them and telling each of them how special he thought they were. Michael just rolled his eyes at the sight and went into the house, while Bess stayed behind to watch.

“You’re a good friend to them, Jane,” she remarked gently, coming up behind him and wrapping her plush arms around his smaller body.

Jane paused, but he didn’t stop stroking the dogs. “Animals are better than people,” he muttered.

“Well,” Bess considered the statement. “That ain’t totally true…there are good people, and there are bad animals. You ever see a baboon? I’ve seen them on the television, they’re nasty things! They could rip you up,”

“Baboons don’t say I ain’t succeeded in much,” Jane murmured bitterly.

Bess paused, and she sighed, rubbing at her younger brother’s back. “Yeah, yeah…I know,”

After a moment, she stood up, taking Jane’s hand. “C’mon, let's go inside. Ma probably wants to see you,”

Jane just nodded. “Okay,”

Their mother sat in the living room, draped in her shawl as she sat in the rocking chair, just as she always did. Like always, she didn’t say a word, but she smiled at Jane when he approached her, and he laid his head in her lap.

Her hands caressed his scalp lovingly as she hummed to him, and Jane knew she didn’t need words to say she loved him. Jane tilted his head up to look at her, and he sniffed, “Mama…they laughed at me. What’s wrong with me? Am I ever gonna benefit society?”

His mother still said nothing, and she rubbed his cheek, still humming. There was always a sadness in her eyes, one he couldn’t understand. His father spoke about she used to talk, and how she used to be ‘normal’, but then after one bad day, she just shut down and never said another word. Jane didn’t get it: he had bad days all the time, but he could still talk.

“Jane!” Michael shouted from the kitchen. “Go feed those damn dogs, will you!? They won’t shut up!”

Jane’s head popped off his mother’s lap, and he patted her hand, assuring her, “I’ll be back, Mama,”

He grabbed the bag of dog food and lugged it outside, scooping out some to pour into the bowls. The hounds swarmed eagerly, each wanting to get a taste of the dry dog food and occasionally licking Jane’s hands. Jane smiled as he watched them, yet it wasn’t long before something else caught his attention.

Several feet away, in the yard, a small creature moved in the grass. Jane squinted, trying to get a good look, and it wasn’t long before he realized it was a kitten.

Jane gasped a little, and he moved closer, but he went slow as he didn’t want to startle the kitten. The kitten, a little orange thing, eventually noticed Jane and acted as if it were about to run away.

“Don’t run!” Jane begged, kneeling to make himself look smaller. “I like you a lot—do you wanna be my friend?”

The kitten seemed hesitant, but Jane extended his hand, showing he was friendly and meant no harm. After a moment, the kitten stepped forward to sniff him, and Jane began to pet her gently.

She purred, moving closer and rubbing against him, her eyes falling shut. Jane couldn’t stop grinning, and he picked up the kitten to get a better look at her. “You’re my friend, now! We should go inside, I can get you some chicken. Cats like chicken, right?”

The kitten only mewed in response, and Jane stood up, scooping up the little thing in his arms. However, it wasn’t long before he noticed someone way out by the fence, and they were coming closer.

It was Matteo Cancio—a boy from an Italian family who had moved next door just a few weeks earlier. Jane had never spoken to him, but he knew his father didn’t much care for him or his family.

Matteo noticed Jane, and he approached, hands in his pockets, a smug grin across his face. “Hey, are you Jane?” his accent was so odd to Jane’s ears, like nothing he’d ever heard before. “I thought you would be a girl…”

Jane scowled. “I’m not, I’m a boy. Can’t you see?”

“Whatever,” Matteo focused on the kitten in Jane’s arms. “What do you have there, Jane? A kitten?”

“Yeah,” Jane nodded. “She’s my new friend, she—”

Without warning, Matteo yanked the kitten out of Jane’s arms and bolted away, laughing. Jane gasped, about he gave chase, screaming, “Get back here! That’s my kitten, dummy!”

Jane chased Matteo through the field behind the houses, which was very overgrown but not hard to get through. Eventually, Matteo stopped at the dirt road beside the field, panting, holding the bewildered kitten in the air. “I got your kitten, Jane!”

Growling, Jane, tried to snatch the kitten back, but Matteo held it away from him, still giggling like a madman. Matteo then held the kitten down on the road, kneeling but grinning wickedly up at Jane. “Give me all the money in your pocket, or I crush this kitten!”

Jane felt himself panicking as the kitten mewled helplessly, and he rooted through his own pockets. “I-I don’t have anything! Give me the kitten back, please!”

Matteo’s wicked grin got wider, and he poised to strike his hand down. “Wrong—”

Something then came over Jane—something snapped in him. He tackled Matteo to the ground, pinning him there and beginning to mercilessly pummel him over and over, smashing his head into the dirt road beneath him and beating down on him.

Matteo shrieked something in Italian that Jane didn’t understand, and he tried to fight back, but Jane was much bigger stronger than him. When Jane took a moment to catch a breath, the beatings ceased momentarily, and Matteo took that moment to spit blood up in Jane’s face.

“Fuck America!” Matteo yelled, tears rolling down his face. “I hate this stupid country and everyone in it! I hope all you stupid Americans die!”

Jane glared down at Matteo for a moment, just thinking over what he’d said, and then he smacked him across the face. “No!” Jane barked, almost as loud as his father was when he yelled. “Our country isn’t stupid—you’re the stupid one! We live in a land of freedom and happiness, and we are the best! But you’re too stupid to see that! You just wanna hurt people who did nothing! Well, do you know what I’m gonna do!? I’m gonna hurt you and everyone like you who hates freedom and wants to hurt the innocent! I’m gonna kill people like you—and I’m gonna do it to fight for America!”

Matteo just started up at him, his eye bruised, blood pouring from a split lip. “You Americans are all the same,”

Jane gritted his teeth, and then he stood up, only to grab Matteo and flip him up and over his shoulder, dropping him directly on his head. He landed with a smack, directly on his head, and he lay limp in the dirt, his breathing labored, his eyes pressed shut.

Jane just watched, before leaning down to spit on him. As Matteo tried to inch away, Jane knelt beside a nearby stone, calling, “Kitten? Kitten, where did you go?”

The kitten appeared out from behind the stone, unharmed but terrified, and Jane gently picked her up. “C’mon, we’re gonna go home,” he assured softly, folding her in his arms. “Let’s go,”

He left Matteo alone in that field, and he didn’t look back. What happened to Matteo is something this story doesn’t tell, but it is safe to assume that he was forever changed by that incident.

Jane, however, went home with his kitten (who he later named Liberty) and a mission in his mind: he knew how he was going to benefit society and that was by fighting for his country.

He wanted to protect the innocent and destroy the guilty, and he vowed to himself that he was forever going to be an American soldier.

Jane opened the door to his front porch, Liberty tucked in his arms, and he went inside. He didn’t notice the woman staring at him from across the street, and he also didn’t notice how she smirked at him, her golden eyes glowing in the hazy light.

“Good work, Jane,” she murmured, turning and walking back down the sidewalk.

#this one is probably my least favorite so far but #maybe you guys will like it #writing #my writing #tf2 #tf2 fanfiction #tf2 soldier #tf2 administrator #child abuse tw #animal abuse tw #blood tw #violence #origins

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sassysweetcollegegirls · 6 years ago

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The Equine AU that No one really is looking for... ( Might need to call this RIDE MY GUYS but that sounds hella weird so working on it )

Lance’s day always started the same way; the little alarm clock beside his bed would buzz and then Hunk would wander in and throw the only fancy pillow he owned at Lance’s face. This routine had started because Hunk was a light sleeper and the only one who could hear the alarm go off and not wake Pidge up.

“I’m up.” Lance hissed rubbing his face as he sat up stretching out the old kinks of his muscles. Hunk just grumbled something as he went back to bed and Lance put his feet to the floor. Waking up for Lance was something special once he had his feet on the floor. “ Alright clothes” he grumbled as he pulled on the tight pair of dark jeans with holes and deep pockets,a tank-top and black hoodie were added to the ensemble and then he sat himself down to pick up his boots. His boots were the most important part of his outfit. The boots were Italian and soft as butter they cut off just at the knee and hugged him in all the right places but they were a bitch to get on. He always had to lay his legs out and then he had to zip each one half way before he had to bend them and zip them the rest of the way up and button down the final button.

Once the boots were on he stuffed his pockets full of carrots and sugar cubes from the kitchen that was always kept well stocked by Hunk. Then he would dart down the stairs of the apartment and head into the barn. The barn was the place Lance seemed to be the happiest. He loved the wide set aisles and the big doors that held the horses his family so cherished.

Lance smiled as he grabbed the empty blue bucket by the end of the aisle. Everything was dark still. He loved this part of his morning the way the shadows and the light from the feed room hit the floor as he scooped grain from the manger into the blue bucket. Once his bucket was filled he stepped onto the ladder and climbed into the hay loft. The hay loft was always the same tall ceilings with wooden floors that gleamed from years of having bales slid across the surface. The rope he hung for Pidge swung lazily. It took eighteen bales to feed the whole barn in the mornings and Lance tossed all the bales carefully down the chute and then climbed down the ladder and loaded them all onto the ATV trailer he grabbed the bucket from the feed room on the floor and before switching on the lights he turned on the cd that Pidge had made him and he turned it up.

“Perfect.” he whispered before he skipped out the door and toward the ATV. He deposited hay into all the paddocks making note of the sun rising in the sky. He was right on time.He hurried himself back to the barn hoping that he would give the morning round of feed before Shiro showed up to let everyone out. He pushed open the doors of the big red barn in excitement, “RAZZLE DAZZLE GANG UP AND ATTUM.”

The doors opening caused the horses to stamp their hooves in excitement. They knew the routine and they welcomed the idea of food and Lance. Lance was one of their favorite things in the barn (aside from Hunk who always seemed to make some kind of fresh mashes and treats for them). So morning feed and Lance was easily one of the most exciting things in their lives. Lance walked down the aisle visiting all twenty horses as he fed.

Each one was different. There was the old mares that they used for breeding that wore bright orange collars around their necks. Lance loved showering the mares in kisses and treats and touching their bellies to feel their upcoming foals kicking. He fed them sugar cubes before visiting the three year olds who were always wild and demanding,” Can’t you guys relax, just breakfast time. Plenty of time to razzle dazzle later.” He crooned he always gave them a sugar cube before he'd rub his fingers along their soft soft muzzles and give them a strong pat. The geldings were funny they were always crabby grabbing for each other and fighting just until Lance reached them. Then they would stand as if they had the best manners on the planet nudging his shoulders and hood almost demanding that he give up the goods (he always did). Then there was the riding horses and these were the ones wrapped in blankets and boots, carefully shod and bathed so that they shown like silver coins.

Hunk rode dressage and his horse was a dapple grey. She was smaller and wider than the rest of the horses in the barn her muzzle and eyes were rimmed with dark makeup and her mane was this salt and pepper color that Lance pictured being like spun silver. She was sweet and courageous Lance always gave her two sugars and one carrot and made sure to rub under her forelock before he visited the others known she was sensitive. Pidge’s horse was kind of bizarre. It was this LARGE BLACK and white mountain of HAIR you could hardly ever see the things eyes! It’s movements were always a little bit clumpier than others and it always took more nagging to get him to do things but some how he made the small girl sale across cross country courses in record times. No one questioned their teamwork (or Pidge’s devotion after Lance found her braiding the beast’s hair with green ribbons and talking about some nerd device she had built to make braiding and grooming at shows simpler for Shiro).

Lance’s horse was the coolest of all. She shone like a copper penny. She was fast and childish. She liked to do things her way so it took some convincing sometimes to get her to listen but Lance had no problems with her he knew you just had to ask her right. She took him higher than he had ever been flying over jumps that were 4′4 and higher but he hadn’t shown her yet. Something kept telling him she wasn’t ready and he respected that. He spent the most time in his morning with her giving her treats and talking to her about training the three year olds.

So when Shiro found him braced against her shoulder eyes closed talking about Pidge’s near disaster with an oven he really couldn’t say he was surprised,” You do realize If you keep doing my chores, I won't have a job right?” Shiro was smiling unangry.

“ I just fed and put out hay. I didn’t touch the stalls or the turnout.” Lance responded exiting the stalls.

“ Good, I can’ have you fussing to much with the stalls right now. We have a mare getting dropped off this afternoon. I need to switch some of these guys around make room for her.” Shiro groaned softly as he entered Red’s stall and removed her blanket carefully. Lance stood by to hold it and whatever else Shiro threw at him.

Shiro was one of the most attractive men Lance had ever seen. He was strong from hours of lifting hay and buckets and hauling tack across the yard as well as doing sit-ups and whatever weird excersizes Lance found him doing around the yard on occasion. His white hair wasn’t easy to understand with his age but the whole parent persona was. So anything Shiro said Lance did without question. The horses also seemed calmed by him despite the weird mechanical arm that he refused to explain ( Lance tried asking he just ended up in a water trough).

“ What do you need from me today?” Lance probed as he folded and put away Red’s blanket on her stall watching as Shiro attached a Halter and lead to Red.

“ Your dad bought the horse sight unseen. I need you to have a set of cross ties and brushes ready for when they come in. Your dad wants you to decide if we are gunna keep her or hand her back. Check for lameness and soundness. Jump heights, stuff like that oh and get her stall ready and if your really really a dear bring me one of hunks sweet treats.”

“Alright and who's on my docket today?” Shiro handed Lance Red and Red nuzzled his hands for more treats. Lance started walking toward the double doors

“ I need you to work Red and let’s see if you can get on Aursian today. If you can’t I’ll have call Adam see if he’s looking for something for the track. “ Shiro was working quickly and handing Lance the next horse who happened to be the White Andalusian who belonged to Allura. He walked the two down the aisle toward the sun thinking about how much there was to do.

***

Once everyone was turned out Lance set to work cleaning up one of the open wash stalls and setting out a few brushes making sure that there was clean snaps and towels for the incoming guest horse his father bought.

“LANCE.” The screech was loud as were the pounding of feet as Pidge came flying into the wash stall a big silver tray held high above her head. “ HIDE ME.” She was dressed in her typical green t-shirt and tan breeches with boots that were two sizes two big but completly hers. Her red hair was braided into careful ribbons of green and white.

“You didn’t” Lance pled looking at the tray.

“ I took all the turnovers before Hunk was finished baking. They are all still warm. YOU HAVE TO HIDE ME.” She was begging

“ No way, this is suicide Pidge! Hunk Cherishes those turnovers! He brings them to the Nuns Pidge. NUNS.” Lance was whining and groaning and looking at the tray of baked turnovers,” is that apple?”

“YES! NOW HIDE ME.”

“KATHRINE MARYANNE GUNDERSON.” There was a rumble of thunder and Lance and Pidge swallowed nervously.

“shitshitshitshitshitshitsshitshit.” Lance sang as he reached too the tray and pulled out two turnovers.

Pidge looked frantically for a place to put the tray Lance was busy trying to think of how to shove a hot turnover in his pocket.

“Those TURNOVERS are for THE SISTERS at ST. PATRICKS HOME FOR WAYWARD CHILDREN! If I find them buried in sawdust or gone; I will be take ROVER outside and LET HIM ROLL IN A MUD PITT.” Hunk thundered stomping down the halls looking into the stalls trying to find a wayward Pidge.

Pidge couldn’t handle that she was anal about Rovers black and white coat being kept spotless,” YOU WOULDN’T.” She gaped stepping into the hall holding the tray full of turnovers minus the two.

Hunk came down and took the tray from her,” If these were anything less than whole trust me I would.” Hunk carefully scanned them his Carmel face sunk with worry. “ Did you eat two?” He asked hysteria threatening to spill over and Lance’s heart broke sadly as he stepped out from the corner brandishing the two turnovers with great sadness if there was one thing Lance couldn’t stand it was to see Hunk cry.

Hunk towered over Pidge. He was more broad than tall and his hair was messy but always kept clean. He wore a wooden cross around his neck and plain white tee’s that never seemed to get dirty no matter what he did. He wore blue jeans and cowboy boots (something Lance tried to tell him was going to get him laughed at but he never seemed to care) the only time he wore jodhpurs was when he was practicing or when he was showing. Then Hunk was a different creature all together.

“I took them.. I couldn’t help it. Your turnovers are like heaven sent Hunk.” He cooed pleading showing a turnover in each hand offering them back to him.

“ WAIT a second.” Hunk’s eyes narrowed and he lifted Lance’s hands to his Face,” Did you start chores this morning?”

“ What kind of question is that? When doesn’t Lance start morning chores?” Pidge scoffed her arms crossing over her chest pouting because her trickery had been stopped.

“Because that means he’s been feeding treats. Did you wash your hands?” Hunk’s eyes looked crazed and he was holding Lance’s wrist higher than his head.

“n-no..”

Hunk hung his head. “ I can’t feed these to the sisters, what if Rover or Red or Shay left bits of mucus on your hands... Now I have to make more. PIDGE I’m changing the WIFI PASSWORD.” He said pushing her as he stomped passed her and back toward the door to the apartment.

“Not fair.” Pidge whispered following him head hung low in shame.

“I told her it was suicide.” Lance states as he takes a bite of the turnover that Hunk had left him carefully pocketing the other before going to harass Shiro.

Shiro was standing in the driveway next too the black and gold Trailer they used to go to horse shows when Lance found him. He handed Shiro the turnover before carefully propping his arm on the mans shoulder to finish his own.

“ How the hell did you get this?” Shiro wondered a form of amazement coloring his tone. He knew that Hunks turnovers were meant for the nuns or special occasions,” Hunk doesn’t just give out his rollover’s.”

“ Pidge was on a suicide mission this morning. Besides the point they are called TURN-OVERS. not Rollovers. So what are we waiting for?” Lance inquired watching the driveway that Shiro had been so intently staring at.

Shiro was busy stuffing his face with turnover so it took him a moment to answer,” Horse is supposed to roll up here in a minute.”

“ That one dad bought?”

“ One and the same.”

“ Where did he get it from?”

“ Came from place called Kerberos... He said there was some kind of special conditions that came with it though. If you ask me it’s pretty stupid to buy any horse unseen.” Shiro scoffed and Lance smiled. It wasn’t common knowledge but Shiro and Lance had more than one thing in common and it wasn't all about the horses.

Shiro was opinionated but he was respectful. He worked hard and did his part and he was battle wounded and scared.But he was also gay and that was something that Lance’s parent’s didn’t know about Lance. That he liked guy’s sure he loved women but he also loved men. So when Lance met Shiro who openly admitted his sexuality (out loud in front of Lances’s parents (and Lance’s parents just blinked and moved on giving Shiro free reign of the barn and with their son)). Lance was amazed and followed Shiro around taking note of his behavior and his style trying to understand where he got it all from. Shiro didn’t give up his secrets though.

“ You know Dad. He won’t do something he thinks we can’t handle.” Lance muttered and stretched his arms unto the sky. Just as his neck cracked a silver truck came strolling carefully down the drive attached to it was a small rusty two horse trailer. It seemed strange that his father would have picked up a horse from somewhere that didn’t have a nice trailer.

Lance started preparing himself for undernurishment and fuzzy worm gut. Shiro looked at him out of the corner of his eye and the two waited for the trailer to stop. The truck stopped and a man dressed in an alarming shade of purple jumped out. He was tall and narrow and his hair was white like Allura’s but he seemed younger and angrier. There was a blur as a second body jumped out of the truck but Lance wasn’t paying attention because he was shaking hands with the tall handsome awkwardly dressed purple man. “ My name is Lotor. Thank you for purchasing our stallion..It kills my father to part with the beast but as you know our trainer Haggar has passed and we have no skilled riders anymore.” The words were smooth and honest but something about what Lotor was saying was unsettling.

“ Well, Deal’s not finished yet. I need to see him and watch him move. See what kind of skills he has. I know my father has already written you a check but sometimes if the horse doesn’t fit the program theres nothing you can do but find another buyer.” Lance cautioned his eyes moving to an opening of a rusting trailer door. He still hadn’t seen the second person to come out of the truck. But he was watching waiting to see what came out from the trailer with eager eyes.

The first thing he saw was the tail. It was black and braided into a tight three braid that Pidge would have been proud of. Next was the feathering it was smooth and well groomed attached to hooves that reminded Lance of Hunks big baking pans that he used to make layer cakes. Everything else came out in a rush and for a moment Lance had to blink because HOLYSHIT. That thing had to be 17.2 and the boy handling it was so hot Lance had to swallow and blink to be sure he was real.

“KEITH?!?” Shiro’s voice was louder than Lance had ever heard it and the horse sidestepped in alarmed while Keith turned his head. His hair was jet black (and was that a mullet oh my fucking God (Hunk would kill him for that)(this was not the 80′s)) his violet eyes flashed angrily as he looked at the men huddled away from the horse. He was wearing this half cut red jacket and black jeans like Lance’s but he had on these old converse that were filled with holes and you could see his socks. He wore a dark-tank top and he had a Tatoo on his neck that Lance wanted to touch badly. The lip ring was what was killing Lance the most though he seemed to have the want to pull it into his mouth and hear it click against his teeth.

“He hates shouting. Where do I take him?” Keith snapped looking to Shiro for confirmation and Shiro blinked almost to lost to process and Lotor cleared his throat.

Lance awkwardly shuffled forward,” Follow me. Shiro why don’t you get...”

“ His name is Voltron.” Keith grumbled as he reached up to fix the stallions forelock. The stallion seemed calm as long as Keith was touching him. Keith seemed so small next to Voltron who was nothing but muscle and height and darkness all rolled into one.

“Voltron. Right, I’ll get them to a wash stall and you bring them his things and then Lotor and I can talk about Voltron’s history. “

The odd trio walked into the barn and Lance watched Keith listening to the careful clip clop of Voltron’s hove’s against the cement aisle. He seemed well set and his steps were wide and careful, Keith walked beside the stallion hands in his pockets shoulders broad his head barely brushing the top of the stallions withers.

“Voltron is legendary when it comes to jumping. He is fast and spook proof. I’ve seen him approach a Liverpool and clear it even if he’s three strides short.” Lotor gushes his voice confident watching as Lance points Keith to a wash stall and Keith confidently backs Voltron in. Voltron stands patiently brown eyes latched on Keith who begins by putting him in cross-ties.

“He has impeccable ground manners. Never kicked anyone. Has produced some real winners...” Lotor is still talking and Lance watches Keith unwrap the stallions legs. Keith’s fingers were long and covered in leather half biking gloves they were firm and quick as they unwrapped and carefully re-rolled the wraps. Lance was never patient enough to re-roll his wraps after he’d used them he usually waited until after they came out of the dryer and they were a tangled mess to make them into neat little rolls again.

Voltron seemingly board nipped at Keith’s hair. Keith stopped to reach into his pocket and offer the stallion an odd shaped brown nugget that he couldn’t identify. “Keith, I told you not to feed that Beast any treats.” Lotor hissed carefully and Keith stilled before nodding softly.

Shiro came in sighing loudly.

“ We treat our horses here Lotor so if he ends up here he will end up getting a lot of those type of things. Is that a problem?” Shiro asked his tone turning business as he dropped the tack on the rack at the end of the wash stall where Keith could easily reach it.

Keith was watching the two men and grooming. His hands were making smooth sweeping circles over Voltron's coat and he was using quite a bit of fore making the stallion lean gently into him. The two were focused.

“ Not at all. I am just not particularly fond of the practice is all.” Lotor responded trying to slide a reassuring smile onto his face but it was still unsettling to Lance.

“I want to know what the special circumstances are with the stallion though.” Shiro leveled ignoring the statement.

“ Why don’t we decide if there is going to be business here or not?” Lotor challenged him. Lance watched something was off about this display of power and he wasn’t sure why. He trusted Shiro though and everything in him was screaming that Shiro needed to handle Lotor right now. Lance just needed to observe and be present when the time came he would step in and make the decision he needed to.

Keith had unbraided Voltron’s tail and began setting him up with tack. He was very gentle. Nothing about the process was rushed. When Voltron puffed up his gut to keep Keith from tightening the Girth the young man smirked. “ Don’t pull those tricks on me.” He whispered and then he tapped the stallion’s belly once and the stallion was once again breathing normal girth tightened up to the appropriate length to walk to the arena.

The brideling was what Lance wanted to watch. Keith was careful as he gathered a bit in his hands. It wasn’t winter but he still blew hot air onto the metal to warm it up.

“ Why do you do that?” Shiro inquired his eyes having finally wandered over to Keith again at some point.

Keith didn’t answer. He simply blew a little more and then he touched the metal closing his eyes. He removed the cross-ties and Voltron’s halter,” Nieder.” he commanded and the stallion dropped his head to a point below Keith’s shoulder. The stallion accepted the warm bit like candy and Keith carefully secured the bridle and checked the leg wraps one last time before gathering the reins in his hand.

“ Where to?”

Shiro led them down the hall to the indoor arena which was freshly dragged and Lance looked at a couple of the jumps.

“ Lotor why don’t you go out and put Keith and Voltron through their paces. I’ll set up a jump. We’ll see what happens from there. “ Shiro stated

Lance took a spot on the wall. His eyes were wide as he watched Keith literally gather a hand full of Voltron's mane into his fist and pull himself into the saddle.

“ HOLY SNIKEY That’s a nice ass.” Pidge whistled coming to stand beside him watching as Keith literally hefted himself upward and bent at the waist to get on.

“Jesus Christ PIDGE!” Lance jumped and then he felt a warm hand on his shoulder and a voice at his ear.

“ Don’t take the lords name in vain please. You remember what happened the last time that happened. Now what on earth is that?” Hunk asked leaving his arm around Lance’s shoulder and pointing carefully at Keith and Voltron.

“That is supposedly the horse my father bought sights unseen.” Lance said watching carefully as Keith began a careful trot around the arena. He kept a perfect post that made Lance wonder what his thighs would feel like if he touched them.

“ AND THE THING ON TOP OF THAT MONSTER?” Pidge Hush whispered as Keith rode by eyes forward heels down to focused to care.

“ That would be Keith I believe.” Lance muttered watching as Keith asked Voltron for a Canter. Voltron of course was supple and responsive giving in and pushing his hind end under him and it was almost magical how much ground he covered. It looked like he crossed the arena in three strides. Keith sat his canter as if he had ridden it his whole life his gaze was calm his fingers were soft and he looked like he was talking to Voltron but Lance couldn’t be sure.

“I’d let him give me a lesson anyday.” Lance fessed up setting his arm on top of Pidge’s head,” you know take the lip ring he’s got and ju-” Hunk put his hand over Lance’s mouth.

“ Alright we get it. Keith’s hot. But are you looking at Voltron? How smooth that gate is can you imagine sitting that?” Hunk was watching and Lance knew he was supposed to be watching too but he was having a hard time. Pidge was watching calculating there was something always so precise about her gaze.

“What you thinking Gremlin?” Lance pressed.

“ I wanna see Keith make him half pass and then if he can take a seven foot fence.” She responded her eyes never leaving the black mass that had now slowed and switched directions repeating a process.

“KEITH: I WANNA SEE A HALF PASS IN EACH DIRECTION AND THEN I WANNA SEE HIM TAKE A FENCE.” Lance cupped his hands and called into the arena. Keith narrowed his eyes and whispered something to Voltron which made the stallions ears twitch.

Keith gathered his hands and bit down on the center of his lip. Lance watched as he and Voltron seemed to cross the arena again this time it was a little more complicated the side pass was still beautiful and flawless but it took work for both horse and rider. Keith was looking at fence’s once he'd made a successful set of side passes in each direction.

Everyone held their breath. None of the jumps in the arena were under five feet so taking any jump without seeing it and having setting foot in the arena before was risky.

“ Im not sure I can watch this...” Hunk whispered,” Keith doesn't even have a helmet.”

Pidge looked at Keith eyes narrowed,” I think Keith takes bigger risks than riding without a helmet Hunk.”

Lance wasn’t paying attention to the exchange between Hunk and Pidge. He was watching Keith. Being a Jumper he knew it took guts and bravery to have a horse carry you over a fence but you also had to be skilled. You had to count and know how the footing was going to be for it to be successful. There has to be so much right or everything could go so wrong.

Keith wasn’t paying attention to Lotor who was waving and throwing dirt at Voltron trying to prove how “safe” to jump he really was. Keith collected most of the dirt he kept his eyes forward. His lips were moving and his eyes were open as Voltron thundered toward the biggest jump available. Keith’s went up into a two point minutes before they hit the jump. His eyes closed and he let his fingers wrap in Voltron’s mane. Lance thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Keith looked vulnerable and peaceful and Voltron was happy. He never stopped talking though. His eyes opened the minute Voltron hit the ground.

Keith made Voltron walk for a bit patting and talking and Lance realized the whole time he rode Voltron he’d spoke to him. Shiro came behind Lance,” Tell me what you want to do Lance.”

“ I want up in the saddle.” Lance replied a smile creeping into his voice as he watched Keith get down and check Voltron's legs. Shiro nodded going to get Lotor and inform him of what Lance wanted to do.

Lotor paled a little at Shiro’s words and Hunk and Pidge looked at Lance,” That thing is a power trip Lance. You get on that and theres no telling what’s gunna come out of it.” Pidge warned.

“I’m with the Gremlin on this one. As beautiful and perfect as he seems something tells me you shouldn’t get up there...” Hunk said taking his hand off Lance’s shoulder and rubbing the back of his head.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAPPEN LOTOR.” Came An Angry shout. It was enough to make Voltron (who Shiro was now holding) sidestep nervously. Shiro reached out to give him a sugar cube but the stallion turned it down eyeing the boy in the red coat who was storming up to Lance.

“ You are a fucking idiot. Voltron is not some push button pony your DADDY bought you to play with. Have fun getting drilled.” Keith spat pushing angrily past Lance down the aisle of the barn and outside

“What. The. Fuck. Was. That?” Pidge demanded things besides anger coloring her tone.

Shiro approached Lance carefully handing him a helmet from the wall and Voltron’s reins, “ I’ll help you up. I wouldn’t take anything bigger than a cross rail the first time. Just give him a test. See how it goes. “

Lance nodded and strapped on the helmet. Voltron seemed to be nervous he kept dancing in place. Lance couldn’t help but swallow nervously as he reached for the withers high above his head. Voltron is not some push button pony your Daddy bought you. Lance’s blood was boiling. Who the Fuck was Keith to say shit like that. SURE he came in riding this really cool horse that could jump insane heights. But Lance didn’t ride push button ponies.

Lance was repeating YOU DON’T RIDE PUSH BUTTON PONIES. As his ass hit the saddle. Voltron was Tall and he knew that. What he wasn’t prepared for was the long strides of a gallop when he gathered the reins in his hands. No amount of pulling no emergency stop tricks. NOTHING was connecting to Voltron. It was like the stallion had come unglued. The horse was pure muscle running towards jumps at high speed. So Lance did the only thing he could think of and bailed. The stallion kept running jumping whatever jump he felt like.

Lance rolled and then stood as Shiro came to his aid,” what the hell happened?” He asked watching as Voltron continued to jump anything he could see. Hunk and Pidge had shut the arena doors keeping him contained. Lotor was nowhere to be found.

“ That horse is nutty! That’s what!” Lance barked and ran a hand through his hair. “ How are we supposed to catch this idiot?”

The doors opened and Keith stepped inside as if he was the answer to Lance’s prayers. Hands in his pocket eyes angry. His posture was relaxed. He went to the center of the arena and stood. Voltron seeing Keith slowed considerably but stopped a great distance from him. Keith sighed shaking his head,” Komm her.” he called and the stallion obliged his body drenched with sweat. He leaned against Keith as he took his now broken reins in his hands.

Lance watched stunned. Keith showed up and Voltron became soft as a kitten. There was nothing threatening or challenging about him when he looked at Keith with those big brown eyes.

Keith walked by Lance his eyes full of challenge,” idiot.”

Lance stood mouth gaping and then he turned to Shiro, “ We are taking Voltron.”

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itsallavengers · 7 years ago

Text

Tenth Time Lucky

The first time Steve decided to ask Tony to marry him, he made sure to plan everything out perfectly.

A fancy restaurant- Tony’s favourite place, just a few minutes out from the Tower. It was small and no-nonsense and served the best Italian food Steve had ever tasted. He’d set everything up- made sure to inform the restaurant owners and get them to keep away any paparazzi that happened to be lurking around the place, and told Tony to dress fancy.

It was going to be perfect. Steve wanted it all to be perfect.

They’d eaten their desserts, and Tony had been laughing loudly at something Steve had said; his face creased with lines of happiness that Steve adored. The box in Steve’s jacket pocket felt heavy- and he knew that he had to do it tonight. Wanted to do it tonight.

“Tony?” He grabbed at the hand that was resting on the table, mentally steeling himself. He knew that the question would undoubtedly illicit some sort of reaction from Tony- and that reaction would undoubtedly be an... interesting experience to deal with. But hell- Steve wasn’t expecting anything less, and it had been months since anything even vaguely resembling ‘normal’ had occurred in their lives anyway. Steve was used to it.

Tony looked over to him, raising an eyebrow. “Mm?” He replied softly.

Steve opened his mouth, wondering what the hell he was actually going to say. He had planned it all out, yeah- but there was a difference between theorising all this shit and actually asking someone to spend the rest of their life with you.

“Tony,” he said again, and his throat felt dry with nerves.

“Steve,” Tony answered, equally serious, but with an eyebrow raised in amusement. Steve didn’t blame him- he probably looked like an idiot right now, with his mouth working up and down like some sort of stupid fish-

“Listen,” Steve said, “I have something I want to-”

Of course- that was when all the windows blew out.

The world shook and Steve automatically reached out for Tony, pulling him into his chest as they went flying across the room. There were screams heard outside on the streets, and Steve sighed in dismay and tiredness.

Trust aliens to attack right now. If they hadn’t noticed, Steve was kind of fucking busy. Absolutely fucking typical.

They both landed on the floor with a thump, and Steve rolled them expertly under the cover of a booth. “You didn’t happen to bring your suit, did you?” He hissed into Tony’s hair.

Underneath him, he felt Tony grin against his collar, popping a quick kiss there absently. “Nope. You got your shield?”

“Where the fuck do you think I’d be storing a shield?”

Tony shrugged. “Fair enough. Looks like we’re just going to have to improvise then, aren’t we?” He asked, rolling up his sleeve and revealing his gauntlet watch from under the fabric.

Steve sighed. “Yep. Looks like it.”

Okay. Another time, then. He could wait.

For now, there were plenty of aliens to take out his anger on.

(read more, mobile users!)

The second time, they were away on vacation.

The beach was glorious; white sand and crystal clear sea and the perfect company. Just him and Tony, on one of his private islands somewhere in the Atlantic. They rarely got to do this- far too much going on in their lives, after all, but somehow they’d both managed to wrangle a few days off, and damned if they weren’t going to take the utmost advantage of that.

The little box was still tucked firmly in Steve’s jacket, waiting for its moment.

“I hope Clint hasn’t burned down my tower,” Tony murmured into Steve’s chest, his fingers writing out what felt like equations into his skin, “I feel like there’s something intrinsically wrong with letting him roam New York without some form of supervision from either one of us.”

“He’ll be fine- don’t worry yourself,” Steve said, before grinning a little, “and if anyone’s gonna be burning down your tower, it’ll be Thor. Or Natasha. Depends on the day.”

Tony huffed, and then rolled off Steve’s chest, sitting back up again. “God, it’s been a while since I got to do this,” he murmured, closing his eyes and smiling against the gentle breeze that hit him.

Steve just watched him for a few moments, his own smile forming as he looked over at Tony. The man really was beautiful- in a way that Steve was sure he’d never seen, and would never see again. Every line and indent in his body was just...perfect. And maybe that was Steve’s own bias showing through, but he doubted it. Just in the way Tony could stun a room into silence, simply by stepping foot in it, showed exactly how much hold Tony had over everyone.

And it was all Steve’s.

He sat up, took Tony’s face in his hands and kissed him softly. He’d never get over the way Tony felt against him; soft skin and plump lips and a beard that he’d never have thought he’d find as attractive as he did. Tony was smiling a little against his mouth, and wrapped his hands around Steve’s neck delicately when he shuffled closer. They stayed like that for a few minutes, wrapped up in one another as the sun warmed their blood and the quiet hum of waves against the shore let them know exactly where they were.

When Tony broke off, it was to pull at his hand and scramble up, back to his feet. “Let’s go swim,” he said suddenly, “clothing optional. In fact, clothing prohibited. My island, my laws.”

Steve rolled his eyes, but stood up all the same. The words were on the tip of his tongue- marry me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, would you do me the honour of being my husband-

But Tony was springing down the beach, shucking off his shirt and turning around in order to wink over at Steve. His hair was falling into his eyes- already turning a little lighter and curlier from the saltwater and sun- and Steve decided to let it wait until at least the evening.

For the time being, he just pulled his own shirt over his head and followed. Tony’s island, Tony’s rules, after all.

Rubbing Tony’s back whilst he vomited into the toilet was not exactly what Steve had been expecting when he’d said he was going to wait until the evening.

“God, must’ve been something in the fucking seafood...ugh,” Tony leaned his cheek against the bowl and shut his eyes, exhausted from the past twenty minutes he’d spent doing pretty much nothing but throw up.

“How is there even anything still in there,” Steve wondered absent-mindedly, fingers stroking through Tony’s bangs and sweeping them out of his face.

“Fuck if I know,” Tony grumbled- before leaning over the toilet and vomiting again.

Steve winced, restarting his gentle massaging of Tony’s back.

Looked like it was going to have to wait a little longer, then.

By the time the next opening came around, Steve was willing to admit that finding the perfect opportunity was going to be unlikely.

Five times. Five different occasions, he’d meticulously arranged in order to try and make it perfect. In order to make everything go as beautifully and perfect as Steve had wanted it to be in his head.

Five different fucking times that aliens or food poisoning or nosy teammates had interrupted him before he could even fucking begin.

He was getting annoyed. And he knew Tony knew something was going on by that point, because now every time they went on a damn date he started shuffling and looking expectant, like he knew Steve was going to do something big. He was a genius, after all- and it wasn’t exactly a massive fucking leap.

So the surprise was pretty much ruined.

It was annoying, but Steve could take it. It wasn’t the end of the world if he didn’t manage to get the setting right- it was the person and the answer that mattered the most, after all.

So the next time they were sat alone on the couch, Steve decided to take the leap and just ask.

Shuffling his butt a little so he was sat facing Tony, he crossed his legs and worked his fingers gently around the man’s hand, grabbing his attention. When Tony turned, Steve smiled down at him. “Can we talk? I need to-”

Of course, Steve should have been expecting the alarm to go off at that point. He really was just that lucky.

“Oh you gotta be fucking KIDDING ME-” Steve groaned over the sound of the blaring, slamming his arm angrily down against the cushions whilst Tony jumped to his feet.

“What’s the situation, J,” Tony called over the noise, turning away from Steve and hurrying off in the direction of the elevator. Steve just stared up at the ceiling and contemplated his life for a few moments, before sighing deeply and following.

“It appears there’s been an explosion on the outskirts of Central Park,” JARVIS relayed back to them, “and reports coming in show signs of energy influxes that are affecting infrastructure of nearby buildings.”

Steve barely held back another groan. That sounded like a long job. “Great,” he muttered, yanking off his sweater and feeling it tear between his fingers, which only produced more frustration.

Okay. Okay, Fine. Battle the aliens, propose tomorrow. It was fine. Fine.

The man’s hands crackled with blue energy as he began twirling it menacingly around the top of his head; creating patterns and spirals of whatever magic he’d managed to procure. “With my plan put in place, New York will be under the strict supervision of a man who can truly lead the community into a better place- you shall all kneel before m-”

“Oh, shut up, will you?” Steve growled and threw his shield, slamming the edge into whatever crazy fucking helmet the guy was wearing and knocking him clean out. The energy cut off immediately, and silence filled the streets as the buzzing finally ceased.

Everyone turned, looking at him in surprise. Steve just shrugged and walked over, snatching up his shield irritably. “Fucking annoying wizards,” he muttered, “ruining my fucking morning-”

“Team,” Fury barked into their comms, “Debrief in five minutes. Stark, that means you too.”

Steve just sighed.

Holding the box between his fingers as he sat on the side of the bed, Steve turned it around a few times before lifting his head. “JARVIS, is there anyone else apart from Tony in the kitchen?” He asked.

He was just going to ask. No fancy stuff- maybe he wouldn’t even speak. Just throw the thing at him and run away before anything exploded or died or started an uprising-

“No, Captain Rogers- Miss Romanov and Barton are sparring in the gym, and Bruce and Thor are both down in the labs,” JARVIS informed him.

Steve nodded. Right. Okay. Showtime. He could do this. It was a Sunday. Nothing happened on Sundays, right? Villains were lazy on Sundays- it was their rest day too.

“Cool,” he murmured, closing his fist around the box and standing up. “Cool cool cool. Let’s do this.”

He continued to encourage himself as he hopped down the stairs and slipped into the elevator. Smoothed out his hair in the reflective surface and sorted out his collar a little.

He could do this.

He felt the elevator slow to a quick stop, and took a deep breath. His pulse felt slightly erratic, but it was to be expected. He was fucking terrified, after all.

The doors opened, and without another thought he stepped out, Tony’s name on the tip of his his tongue as he looked into the room. In fact, it wasn’t all that difficult to find the man- he was directly in front of him, sorting out the cuffs of his suit and clutching a Styrofoam coffee cup between his teeth.

“Tony-”

“Can’t stop, fuck, I think my company’s dying,” Tony cut in, slipping past Steve’s shoulder and then jumping into the elevator, his fingers pressing at ground floor. He looked harried and flustered, and when he pointed to the suitcase he’d left by the foot of the counter a few paces away, Steve reached out for it automatically, handing it over in confusion. “Tony, what do you m-”

“I’m sorry, I can’t stop and explain, I’ve got to get down to headquarters,” Tony took the case without looking, jumping up to his tiptoes in order to press a quick kiss to Steve’s mouth and then turning back around into the elevator again. “I might be gone a while, sorry baby, I’ll call you when I’m free, stay safe,” Tony babbled as the doors closed quickly- bobbing his head to the side in order to say the last words to Steve before the gap closed and Tony was gone.

Steve stared at the doors for a moment, a little baffled as to what had just happened. Barely five seconds had even passed since he’d stepped out of the elevator himself.

The universe seemed to really, really not want him to pop the question.

Maybe it was a sign, Steve thought a little hysterically as he dropped his head into his hands and groaned- maybe this was the universes’ way of telling him this was horrible, terrible idea and was trying to protect him from making a stupid mistake. Because really- every single time? Every single fucking time he decided to ask the question, and something interrupted him? There were some Higher Powers out there that were thoroughly enjoying fucking with him.

At some point, he heard Clint’s footsteps wandering through the doors and felt the man stare at him for a few seconds.

“Get fucked, Clint,” he said, without looking up.

Wisely, Clint slowly backed away, muttering something that sounded like ‘need coffee before this shit,’ as he went.

Steve was inclined to agree.

9 times.

9 separate occasions. 9 scenarios. 9 interruptions, happening milliseconds before the beginning of every last fucking conversation that attempted to bring the question to light.

Steve was seriously debating if he should just leave the damn box on a table and hope Tony saw it at some point. Although, with his luck- that might just end up getting the entire tower blown up, considering the fact that the universe was conspiring to make sure Tony never saw the fucking thing, apparently.

“Cap, on your six!” Thor called out to him from ahead, and Steve turned, shield raised as he hammered it home into the face of a doombot. He made sure to hit hard enough to remove the head- had to take out his frustration somehow, after all.

This had just been another occasion in which villainous activity had ruined his day. God- he and Tony had been at a damn theatre, for Christ’s sake- Steve was still in his civvies, and as much as he loved his leather jacket, it wasn’t exactly battle material. He was just glad the team had brought along his shield as they’d joined the party a few minutes ago, and that Tony, luckily, had summoned his suit a while back, and so was happily blasting at bots as they crawled over cars and buildings from behind the relative safety of his armour.

Anyway. To summarise- Steve was suitless, covered in ash, and thoroughly pissed.

Growling irritably, Steve spun on his heel and slammed the edge of his shield into the neck of a doombot that had been creeping up on Hawkeye’s left, decapitating it effectively. He used his momentum to leap onto the hood of a car and then throw himself into the middle of a bunch of them, raising the shield as Iron Man passed over so that he could reflect the repulsor off the surface and mow them all down.

Tony blew Steve a quick kiss in the air before turning away again, and Steve couldn’t help but grin a little fondly as he plucked mechanical guts off his shirt and continued down the street. Tony had picked up some worrying energy signatures down by one of the buildings on the corner, and so that was where he, Tony and Thor were headed, whilst Hawkeye and Black Widow attempted to keep the perimeter.

That, however, was becoming increasingly difficult, considering the fact that it seemed the doombots were growing in numbers every moment, and most of them were centred around the building Steve was currently barrelling toward.

Which was great.

He hissed in pain as something exploded to his right and sent shrapnel flying toward him. He blocked most of it with his arm, but felt the painful scratch as metal sliced open his forehead. Running a little faster, he slammed his shield down on the next bomb that had been set, trapping the explosion under his shield. It hurt like hell, and he was pretty sure something popped out of place for a second in his shoulder, but ultimately didn’t take much notice of it. He’d survived worse, after all.

The familiar sound of repulsors suddenly surrounded Steve, and he had barely a second to process it before Tony was grabbing his waist and hauling him upward, just as a particularly fearsome explosion ripped down the street and turned the space Steve had previously been occupying into a charred, boiling mess.

Well. That was lucky.

“You were being slow, old man,” Tony told him, turning the faceplate toward him, and Steve knew he smiling underneath it.

God, he loved that man.

“Drop me there, shellhead,” Steve pointed at an overturned bus a couple of meters away, and he felt Tony’s grip loosen on his waist in preparation, until a moment later when he suddenly tightened his hold once more and halted them in the air.

“Tony?” Steve asked, turning to watch him curiously. He guessed JARVIS had said something to him, but was curious as to-

Ah. It was probably because of the building that was currently falling onto the bus Steve had just pointed to.

“God, how many of them are there?” Steve asked incredulously, as a swarm of bots began crawling out of the rubble and firing up at Tony.

“Too fucking many, that’s for sure,” Tony muttered in response, swooping down low and putting Steve on the road, then landing with a clang at his back, hands raised defensively, “highest score picks the movie tonight?”

Steve grinned, wiping the blood from his eye. “Aw, sweetheart, nice of you to let me choose for once.”

Tony was probably rolling his eyes under the helmet. “Shut up and kill some bots, Steve.”

Grinning, Steve followed orders, shield working like an extension of his own body as he scythed through rows of doombots at once. In the corner of his eye, he could see Tony blasting through the wave with ease, making sure nothing managed to sneak up behind Steve whilst they worked.

Honestly? It was probably twisted and a bit fucked up- but there wasn’t anywhere else where Steve could say he’d rather have been at that point, than right there at Tony’s back. Fuck the universe. Fuck whatever it thought he should and shouldn’t do.

He wanted this more than anything else in the world.

“Tony!” He called, stepping forward and tackling a doombot into a wall, and then ducking immediately after in order to avoid a spray of fire that went over his head in retaliation.

Briefly, he saw Tony turn, a missile launching from his shoulder and blowing up the area he’d just turned away from. “Yeah?”

Steve had to take a moment to smash his fist through a bot’s chest and yank out his engine, but once that was done, he turned back around. “Marry me!”

If another explosion hadn’t ripped through the air to Steve’s left, there probably would have been a pretty shocked silence. As it was, he was too busy being thrown back by the shockwave and slammed into a car to listen out for it.

Curling the shield over himself until the remaining rubble had fallen, he sat back up, watching Tony do the same across the road. They turned to eachother immediately, and then, against all safety precautions, Steve watched Tony lift the faceplate so he was looking straight at Steve with his own eyes. “WHAT?” He called out loudly.

Steve grinned slightly manically, stumbling back up to his feet. He almost lost balance as a bot jumped onto his back, but he quickly rolled it off and got rid of it, and then turned back to Tony. “I want you to marry me!” He yelled through a laugh.

Tony jutted out his chin, a little incredulous, and then suddenly raised a palm to Steve and fired just over his shoulder. Behind him, he heard another doombot go down. “Steve, did you hit your head?”

“No!” Steve was still laughing, and he swung his shield around, taking out four different bots at once as he dragged himself through the rubble and ash toward Tony, “this is genuinely me, asking you, Tony Stark, to be my husband. I’ve been trying-” he paused, rolling away from a beam of deadly energy that shot out of one bot’s chest and then wincing as the cut already on his head was scuffed along the concrete. “I’ve been trying to ask you for months now, but I kept-” something punched him in the face, and he slammed his shield into it before continuing, “-kept getting fucking interrupted.”

Across the road, Tony was gaping at him. He made to walk forward, but turned his head and managed to throw himself out of the way of a piece of flying rubble just a moment before it smashed its way through the place his head had just been. “Are you serious? Is that was that was?” He yelled from the floor.

“Yes! I thought you knew!”

“I thought you were going to say something bad, Steve- I thought you were gearing up to break up with me or something!”

Steve actually stopped, at that- and of course, he was piled on by doombots a second later. Spinning his legs, he swept them all on to the floor with him, and then crushed them under his shield. “What the hell? Tony, no- I want to marry you! I want to spend the rest of my goddamn life with you! And I tried to ask, but then aliens invaded or you got food poisoning or Thor fell through the ceiling, and I was sure it was some sort of omen, the universe trying to stop me, but you know what- fuck the universe! I don’t care what it thinks, Tony, I love you! And just because we’re being attacked by robots doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop, so the universe can go suck on that!”

Tony paused, still staring at him in a mixture of shock and disbelief. “You... you want to marry me?” He said, eyes widening, “you- really?”

“I had a big speech planned out and everything,” Steve nodded, rolling over a bot and trying to make his way over to Tony, “about how much I love you and how you changed my life- made me smile when I never thought I would, how I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. It was very romantic. But then-” he stood on his shield, flipping it back up into his hand and then swinging around immediately to throw it it into a group of bots, “- I got attacked, or thrown out of windows, or on that one occasion last month, remember, when I got sent into the other dimension?”

Tony’s eyes widened in understanding. “That was what you’d been going to say before you disappeared?”

Steve nodded, shuffling in his pocket before pulling out the box, now a little dirty and dented, but still mostly intact, so Steve counted it as a win. “Yep!”

Across the road, Tony laughed- those same lines of happiness lighting up his face just as they always did. He fired a burst of repulsors down the street, looking up and saluting Thor as he flew overhead and electrocuted a bunch of them over at the other side, and then turned back to Steve. When they locked eyes, Steve already knew what he was going to say. He’d never doubted it, not really.

“Alright then,” Tony’s smile looked as if it was about to split his face in half, it was that wide, “get over here and put that ring on my finger, Rogers.”

Feeling his heart beating wildly in his chest and his own grin stretch ecstatically across his face, Steve nodded, standing up and steeling himself.

Showtime. All he had to do was get across the street. Easy, right?

Well. it would have been, had it not been for the dozens of doombots that kept trying to blow them up, of course.

Crawling over a pile of rubble, he grabbed a chunk of it and slammed it over his shoulder at the robot that had latched on. Tony’s faceplate was back down, and it was lucky, because a moment later he got a car thrown at him, effectively sending him flying down the street. Steve cursed, trying to protect the box still in his hand, which the bots seemed to be actively trying to destroy.

Seemed the universe still wasn’t done trying to fuck with him.

“Tony!” He called out in the end, leaping onto a streetlamp and waving over to his soon-to-be fiance, who turned immediately, “hold onto this until I get there!” He hauled the box out of his hand, sending it over to Tony, who grabbed it out of the air immediately. “And you’re not allowed to look at it!” He added.

Tony stopped, and Steve guessed he was pouting. Gearing up the repulsors in his boots, he leaped into the air, dodging fire expertly until he landed once more, now just a few feet from Steve. “Thor?” he said, this time into his comm, “I need you to watch our six, just for a couple of minutes.”

“Of course!” Came the reply, “I am thoroughly enjoying smiting these idiotic things.”

Tony chuckled, and then watched as Thor swooped around the corner and began throwing his hammer left right and centre. Steve was still up on the lamp, and he swung back to earth, kicking right through a bot as he went. “So- where were we?” He asked, a little out of breath.

Tony walked forward pulling back the faceplate again. “Uh, you were about to put that ring on my finger and declare yourself stuck with me for life?”

“Oh, right, yeah,” Steve nodded stepping forward. He felt Tony yank at him suddenly, and lifted his shield instinctively, letting the beam of energy bounce off it rather than bury itself in his shoulder. “I’m gonna need my ring back, shellhead.”

Tony passed it over, and then glanced down at his left hand, which was currently covered in thick metal. “JARVIS, do something useful with that,” he muttered, and a second later, Steve watched it disassemble itself from the rest of the suit, flying over to a doombot headed toward them and punching straight through it.

“You should probably put your faceplate back up,” Steve frowned, covering him when another beam fired a little too close for his liking.

Tony scoffed. “Yeah, like I’m gonna do this with a visor up,” his face softened, and the hand that was now no longer covered with a gauntlet came up and wiped the stray blood from Steve’s forehead, “we’re getting as up close and personal as it gets, baby-”

There was a sudden blinding flash of light, and both of them ducked into one another as Thor swept past them. “Sorry!” He called out as he flew.

“Right,” Steve murmured, passing his shield over to Tony for a moment as he fumbled with the ring, “cover me a second.”

“This is ridiculous,” Tony said, raising the shield to Steve’s left as he slowly got down on one knee.

“I know. Three o’clock,” he jerked his head, and Tony fired a repulsor blast without looking away from Steve’s face, his eyes impossibly soft and still just a little disbelieving as he watched Steve kneel in front of him.

“Not a joke, sweetheart,” he promised, wiping the blood out of his eye yet again, damn that stupid cut, “look-”

he opened the box, and Tony’s eyes widened as they fixed on the little silver band nestled inside it. “100% real. Cost an arm and a leg, mind, but-”

He was interrupted once more when Tony’s head jerked up and he got to his knees right next to Steve, putting the shield up and covering his back seconds before something that sounded sharp slammed into it.

“Right, okay, I should probably hurry up, fuck,” Steve laughed a little, and Tony copied him, leaning into his shoulder and burying his head there as he giggled. “Hey, this is a very serious occasion, Tony, I mean it, you shouldn’t be laughing when I’m trying to propose-”

“You’re proposing to Tony?” Thor tumbled out of the sky like a boulder, landing next to them and staring at them both incredulously. “Are you- right now? Seriously?”

“Thor, you’re on comms,” Tony gestured to his ear, “you’ve been listening in to the entire conversation.

Thor held up a finger, asking for a moment as he swung his hammer through a line of bots and then grabbing it as it returned to him. “Well, yes, but I just thought it was some sort of...midgardian thing.”

Steve opened his mouth, about to ask what the fuck that even meant, when suddenly Clint piped up down the line. “Yeah, to be fair, me and Nat were running along the same line- I mean, proposing to someone in the middle of a fight to the death is just stupid, even for you.”

“I thought you and Nat were on a private line!” Tony said in confusion, readjusting the shield so that Thor could bounce a pulse of electricity off it.

“We were,” Nat chimed in, “but then we got bored and wanted to hear what everyone else was doing.”

“We weren’t disappointed.”

“I am still confused as to whether or not you are jesting-”

“Can everyone just pipe the fuck down and let me fucking propose, Jesus fucking Christ!” Steve cut in irritably, “I have been interrupted enough fucking times by now, and I am at the end of my fucking r-”

He was interrupted- but in the best way, because it was from Tony’s mouth pressing against his, mixing the sweat and blood and dust in his mouth and still somehow managing to make it one of the best kisses of his life. “Steve, hate to break it to you, but if you don’t do this quick, we might die, so-”

“yep, yep, okay,” Steve broke off hurriedly, keeping their foreheads together as he beamed, “Tony Stark, you would make me the happiest I’ve ever been and ever will be if you m-”

There was a dull roar from above them, and they both looked up, watching in horror as what definitely looked like the Hulk started falling through the sky at an immense speed, face contorted angrily.

“ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?” Steve yelled, as Tony laughed and then tackled him by the waist, turning on the boot-repulsors and hauling them out of the way just before Hulk smashed onto the scene. They rolled together down the road a few times, before coming to a stop with Steve pinned underneath the Tony’s suit.

“Tony, give me your hand,” he bit out, trying desperately to remain straight-faced, but failing as Tony just continued to cackle, holding out his left hand as his face fell once more into Steve’s shoulder.

They both ended up close to tears with laughter as Steve’s shaking hands worked the ring onto Tony’s dirty fingers pretty much blindly, due to the flow of blood steadily dripping into his eye. Tony was hacking up dust from the rubble around them, and it should have been the least romantic thing on the planet, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t. It was perfect.

“Have they done it yet, or are they dead?” Natasha asked blandly, and Steve and Tony just continued to laugh, holding onto one another as they curled up in the road.

Thor peered over at them. “It seems so,” he said, “they’re currently having a wonderful time on the road.”

“Ugh, don’t need to know,” Clint gagged, and it just made Steve laugh harder, kissing Tony’s temple, his cheek, his nose, probably smearing blood everywhere, but it’s not like they weren’t used to it at that point, so neither of them cared.

“We did it!” Tony said happily, looking down at his ring and then up, hauling Steve’s shield over so it covered Steve’s head. “Only took eight million tires.”

Steve was sure he’d never been happier in his whole life. “Yeah,” he said, curling his hands around Tony’s waist and rolling, using the momentum to pull himself back up into a standing position, “yeah, we got there in the end.”

He held out a hand, and Tony took it, jumping to his feet. Once upright, Steve couldn’t resist pulling him in, kissing him soundly, kissing his fiance soundly, god, he couldn’t even believe it-

“We’re gonna die if we don’t concentrate,” Tony murmured, whilst making no effort to move away.

Steve just shrugged. “I’ll die happy,” he admitted, “anyway- I think Thor and the Hulk have it covered.”

They probably did. Hopefully did. Whatever. Steve had more important things on his mind right now. Like Tony’s mouth. And Tony’s left hand, that was wearing the ring he’d kept in his pocket for nearly half a year now.

God. They were going to get married. They were actually going to get married. If they didn’t die in the next few minutes, of course. Which really should have been incentive to get back into fighting mode and help out their team, but-

Well. Tony’s mouth was right there, after all.

Yeah. Saving the world could wait a little longer.

#stevetony #tony stark #steve rogers #proposals #itsallavengers writes #I hit 5000 followers and thought I'd write something unapolagetically fluffy #so here! yay

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zwiezraczek · 7 years ago

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What somebody like you is doing in a place like this ? // Otayuri

It wasn’t a pure coincidence that Yuri was working in Nikiforov’s mafia, his angelic face was his pass for every event, his golden hair shining in the dark and smelling like lilacs, and above all the smile for which everyone could die for ; he wasn’t what he seemed to be and that’s why Viktor was lucky to have him by his side. His godfather was the biggest mafioso in Russia, remaining this ancestral tradition between palaces, drugs, art traffic, jewelry… And Yuri was so good at art traffic and robbing jewelry. His tiny hands were always filled with shining objects, his neck was orned with majestuous necklaces and diamonds that his pink fake fur was revealing with a sensual touch, his long black dress was giving him this duchesse’s allure, while his hair was attached with a glamorous hair clip : he always wanted to wear dresses and black high heels, and now he was allowed to do so. While having a flute of champagne in his hand, he got closer to the painting, worth at least five dresses from a grand couturier he whispered to himself while wetting his lips with the alcohol. It was worth it, and he was able to do so. While tasting champagne, he felt someone walking just into him, spreading the liquid on his perfect dress, suka sine, as he rose his head to see the one who ruined his perfect evening. He couldn’t see his eyes through the glasses he wore but he knew he was gazing at him with surprise -they were everytime when the heard his voice : you are a man ? No, a fucking rabbit, dickhead-, Yuri could have kille with his eyes, he was ready to make him pay for the dress, for the painting, for the champagne, for every-fucking-thing. I’m sorry, sir, he heard saying from his lips, with a scratchy voice with a smilira accent to his. I should have looked where I was going. - Yeah, you should, Yuri answered waving his hands to let fell the drops of alcohol. You know how much this dress cost ? - Do you want some help with this, he asked politely, taking off his glasses and placing them on his shirt and then Yuri could see his eyes, two black holes that somehow he wanted to explore for no reason at all. - It’s ok, gonna take care of that alone, he answered, crossing his arms, one feet on the broken glass in front of him -perfect, now all the attention was on them ! Perfect for some robbery.-. - Excuse me again, said the other with a sorry smile and continued then : I swear I’ve seen your face before… Do you come here much ? - Impossible, Yuri said panick striken somehow, never showing it, batting his eyelashes like curtains to his eyes. First time here. And he turned his back to this man, puting a foot in front of the other quickly to the toilets where he started to rinse out the material, looking at his pale and perfect face in the mirror : where in the world this man could have seen him ? Italian hotels were Yuri’s favorites, it was his week off and his godfather offered him a week-end in Italia because he has done a beautifule job the previous time in this museum, with this huge painting. He had his legs crossed, sitting in the beautiful green garden, flowers all around him, sipping some delicious tea, while the soft breeze was moving his savage hair ; his red nails caught one of his locks escapping from his messy bun. A sun ray flirted with his cheek, and his green eyes layed upon one man, he knew he already saw him, somewhere. He put his hand under his chin, looking carefully at him : it was him. The one who ruined his dress on that night, saying he already saw him ; an old lady was showing her friend her beautiful collar worth the world, given by her hausband the last week-end, shining like a constellation, a red one, and laughing so much while drinking some tea with the other grey one. Yuri could only roll his eyes : if he wasn’t here to chill he would rob this old one, throwing her money down the drain, talking about it with thoughtlessness… He hated that. Then, the man sat in front of him, taking of his glasses and looking him right in the eyes, as if he was trying to figure out something that was written on the blonde’s face. - Excuse me but, he started. - Yeah, excuse you, Yuri interrupted. I don’t know if you see, but this table is mine so : how about going somewhere else, huh ; his voice was sarcastic. And, by the way, what somebody like you is doing in a place like this, he asked to look at his outfit, a simple black leather jacket, black jeans and black glasses, Yuri could swear that he was a goth or something alike. - … Can you just let me sit here, since I’m aware of who you are, he asked whispering and putting his face closer to his from the other side of the table. - What the fuck are you saying, Yuri could feel angst gaining him slowly, the one that could make him wreack something -like the little porcelain cup he was holding in his hand-. Leave, now. - I know you’re in Nikiforov’s mafia, he announced as Yuri just coughed hardly, he never felt more surprized about what he heard -how the fuck he knew that ?- Relax, I’m not going to report you, I’m on the same side, he finally revealed ; more or less on the same side… Just, let me sit there until the old lady returns into her room to leave her collar. Yuri had a good eye though, he sighed and took another sip of his tea ; whatever, this guy knew him : what else he could do ? Kill him ? In fact, he could but he didn’t want to for the moment. While placing his cup on the little porcelain basis, he looked careful. His black hair was perfectly shining and stuck on his head, like in those movies in the sixties with bikers, his skin was much more darker that Yuri’s -it wasn’t hard, he was as white as the russian snow-, somehow like a delicate capuccino in the morning, steaming in the light, perfect skin. He could swear that he had the sam accent that him, but brighter and softer ; the man began to play with a knife in front of him, the little knife that they borrow you in hotels for breakfast -but here they were made of silver, shining to drive you blind- and it’s when Yuri saw the golden ring on his index, the most massive he saw, with a huge « A » on it, and then he knew. - Altin’s mafia, huh ; he purred as he smirked, finally finding out where he belonged to. - Obvious with this ring, right, the other answered looking at him while turning around, stoic face ; thank you for the cover and I hope we will meet again soon. Maybe sooner, Altin. Heels slamming on the wet asphalt, wearing black glasses Yuri was happy as never ; he finally did it : stealing the golden egg, he didn’t care about the name, he only knew that the shit was worthing mountains of bucks and that made him happy. All in black, in his trench coat he was smirking, thinking about what he could do with all the money -maybe a Prada dress ? Louboutins ? Make-up?- ; blue and red, lights, sirens and he turned around while the car just rushed near him, his emerald eyes followed them and two policemen came, holding guns, pointing them at a car from which came the Altin man, hands in the air, saying inaudible things, hands behind his neck as the two cops were inspecting his car : bad, really bad. From where he was looking, they seemed to find something really interesting, and so they took him into their car, driving him home while the man from which Yuri just robbed the damn egg followed them. Menya eto zaebalo, he murmured while looking into his purse, seeing the shining bundle of a billion bucks. The fucker really had to thank him later. Standing in front of the police station, arms crossed on his chest, waiting for the other to come out from there ; leaning on a stoplight that gave him this angelic halo in the sweet rainy night, he saw the boy showing himself, putting his jacket on his perfect hair, looking left and right, as if he was afraid of getting caught again. - Hey, Yuri screamed as the other just saw him, you owe me a big one. - True, the other said, coming nearer and smiling a bit. What can I do for you then ? - New black dress, not a big deal, the blonde said with a smirk. But above all, a dinner, I’m starving as fuck. - And then, the other asked, being closer to him, actually reaching his waist with his hand as Yuri just purred a bit. - That’s actually your turn to propose something, he said and pressed his lips against his. Yuri Plisetsky. A pleasure. - Otabek Altin, a pleasure too.

[While listening to If we ever meet again by Katy Perry I couldn’t resist to write this haha I hope you enjoy it!]

#otayuri #otabek altin #yuri plisetsky #yuri on ice #yuri on ice au #mafia au #yuri is a badass boy who wears dresses and high heels #otabek is this mysterious guy that you could die for #maybe one day i will come back to this au haha

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promptistrashqueen · 8 years ago

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A Royal Commission (6)

This fic references irl shit too, so imagine hollywood/pop culture still exists in Eos?

I started this late today and you guys sent me asks like “Please more” as if I could ever not write more of this… as if my love for @fleetstreetfatality would let me. Also she’s not feeling well so please, bury her in love <3

Loqi’s voice breaks Prompto’s concentration as he finishes touching up some tiny leaves on a young woman’s tattoo, luckily he’s used to it so nothing happens, but it’s still annoying.

“Hey, you’re big client’s back.”

Prompto huffs a sigh, because these days it seems like everyone wants him to work on large pieces so that means nothing to him. He tosses a thumbs up over his shoulder and goes back to finishing up his work, trying not to be too impatient for the store to close.

When he’s done he reminds her how to care for the work and hands her a card in case she needs anything as well as a sheet about touch ups and other things she needs to know. She’s nice enough but Prompto really doesn’t even remember her name and he’s grateful when she doesn’t try to flirt with him or anything, it’s been happening a lot.

When he’s alone again Loqi sticks his head back in, “Seriously, I’m sending them back, the lobby’s getting crowded with people gawking and he looks like a twat out there, surrounded by them.”

Prompto blinks and then he feels his breath rush out of him because oh. That big client. Damn Loqi for not just saying it was Noctis and letting the Prince be harassed instead.

“Seriously? Next time just send him back right away...big client...he’s Noctis ya ass!”

Loqi rolls his eyes but doesn’t leave just yet, leaning against the opening and toying with the curtain that’s still mostly pulled shut.

“He can’t already be back for more after yesterday...Prompto, you’re not, seeing this dude are you?”

Prompto sighs and puts on his best “fuck-you” smile, “Does it matter? You and I ended a while ago and I am an adult.”

Loqi flips him off, “You know why I asked, the Lucian Prince? If he ever finds out where you come from, do you think he’ll want anything to do with you then? It would ruin you, us, everything.”

He doesn’t wait for Prompto’s reply before shoving away and calling back, “I’ll send him.”

Taking deep breaths, Prompto grips the edge of his drafting table hard. He hates to admit the truth in Loqi’s words and curses himself again for letting himself hope, for agreeing to the lunch dates and dinner with Noctis. He squeezes his eyes closed and sighs, “fuck”

“Fuck what? Man, you alright?”

He shoots up and turns, plastering on a smile that does turn more genuine when he see’s Noctis. He can’t help it, the Prince just makes him feel good.

“Yeah, just been a long day, you know?”

Noctis nods and his expression says that he knows all about long days, “Yeah….you like Italian?”

Leave it to Noctis to skip the platitudes. Prompto appreciates his ability to leave things alone though, especially now.

“Love it. As long as I can get something with white sauce? Stomach’s a little bitch otherwise.”

Noctis’ lips quirk at the corner and he nods, “Isn’t white sauce a normal Italian thing? If not, Ignis has been feeding me something weird my whole life?”

Prompto slaps his shoulder, because he knows that tone of voice, that “duh they have it” one that makes him bite back a smile.

“Sasshole.”

“You like it.”

True. He’s so screwed. Prompto looks around his space and decided, screw it, it’s picked up enough he doesn’t have to be methodical every night as long as the hazardous stuff is taken care of.

“The other’s can close tonight, I’ve got a date with noodles….and you I guess.”

He smiles and holds out a hand, Noctis’ expression softens and he takes it, lacing their fingers together and bumping shoulders with Prompto as the artist leads him out.

He cringes a little, the entry is still full of people and they all immediately turn their attention to both Noctis and himself and he curses Maddy again. It only takes a split second before someone gasps, “Ohmygod are they holding hands?”

Fortunately there seem to be some pretty alright people in the crowd because someone replies, “You don’t hold hands with your artist? What kind of trust is that?”

The first camera shutter is followed by a lot of hand waving from a few people and Prompto realizes, grateful, they’re trying to block opportunities to take photos. Noctis pushes him a little and he navigates the cram of bodies to the door, yelling loudly back to Charlie and Loqi, “Good luck! See you tomorrow!”

He vaguely hears Charlie laughing and swearing from Loqi that makes him hope none of the crowd were easily offended.

They’re free and the evening is pretty, the city lights creating the usual halo as they reach for the wall. Prompto finds himself pausing to look at the distant hazy barrier, only slightly visible, it reminds him of how much he doesn’t belong here, with a Prince. Noctis’ fingers tighten around his and he tears his gaze away, offering a reassuring dip of his head to the Prince’s concerned expression.

He’s learning quickly, Noctis isn’t great with words, but that suits Prompto fine. He’s a chatterbox most the time but he’s never been good with deep stuff really. He squeezes Noctis’ hand in thanks and watches the way his shoulders relax.

“The Italian soda’s at Giacamo’s are choice. You have to get one.”

Prompto almost stops again, eyes widening. After Mama Claire’s he’d assumed Noctis would be taking him someplace similar, blue collar and relaxed, where he would fit in.

“Giacamo’s is black tie!”

Noctis shrugs, giving him a look, “I’m the Prince. Rules don’t apply on this one.”

Prompto gawks at him as they come to a stop next to a car, “Okay, but dude! I’m a pleb and a tattoo artist, they’ll probably assume I’m trying to rob them!”

Noctis opens the car door, “Oh no, a robber, I guess you’ll get sent to trial and spend the next ten to fifteen years in jail. If only you knew a charming Prince to help you!”

Prompto just sticks his tongue out. He makes a small surprised noise when Noctis ducks down quickly and swallows the appendage, pressing their lips together and letting his own tongue drag over Prompto’s, playing with the stud in it.

Prompto’s eyes slip closed and he melts a little, fuck Noctis is a good kisser. He leans into the touches, pulling back just enough to tug Noctis’ lower lip and tilt his head before kissing him again.

Noctis steps back, Prompto leaning forward in an instinctual chase, “You keep kissing me like that, we’re going to miss dinner.”

Noctis seems surprised at himself as the words come, like they were a thought that’s escape, it’s a feeling Prompto understands because he can’t seem to stop himself from answering, “Maybe I’m not so hungry.”

They stare at each other and Noctis takes a step forward, like he’s going to give in. Before he can reach him though Prompto actually sees the car he’s sitting in.

“Holy Shit!”

“What?” Noctis’ face pinches and the heat turns to confusion and it’s really pretty cute but Prompto’s too busy being blown away for that.

“Am I touching...did you put me in a fucking Aston Martin?”

Noctis blinks and then he starts to laugh, despite the way Prompto is frowning at him with large, shocked eyes.

“Dude, Prince remember? I don’t like it either, but I mentioned a date and Gladiolus refused to give me the keys to anything else!”

Prompto just nods, “Uh-huh, blame him. You just wanted to give me heart attack. The car, Giacamo’s? What’s next, a diamond necklace?”

Noctis looks sudden sheepish and shifts a little, rubbing the back of his neck, “Er-actually….”

Prompto’s face is trying to do things he’s not familiar with and he opens his mouth but can’t find the words. Fortunately Noctis starts to laugh again, shoulders shaking, “No! But you should’ve seen the face you just made!”

Prompto briefly wonders what the penalty for strangling a member of the royal family is, but Noctis’ bright eyed laughter is too infectious for him to stay upset and he laughs along until Noctis is buckled in beside him, pulling smoothly into traffic.

The restaurant looks exactly like the photos of it and Prompto swallows the nerves he feels as he looks at the building, but Noctis is calm beside him as they pull up. He gets out and has a word with the valet, the fucking valet. Prompto tells himself it’s either get out with Noct or have a really bizarre drive with a valet and opens his door.

He can’t afford this, is the next thing he thinks that’s not just whoa. They’ve been greeted without any question to their dress, and seated in a private booth without having to see more than a glimpse of the elegant people dining in other parts of the business. Prompto’s pretty sure the waiter-or maitre’d or whatever has shoes worth more than his entire life, except the shop of course.

“Uh, I’ll get the uh..is there any way to get just water and a leaf of lettuce because that still might break the bank here.”

Noctis glares at him over the top of the menu Prompto is using to try and hide his embarrassment over not being able to pay.

“Yes, I choose an insanely expensive restaurant so you could pay. Who do you think I am, a Kardashian?”

Prompto snorts at that but his anxiety eases some, “Fine. You keep spending money on me and I’m going to feel terrible charging for your tattoo.”

Noctis shrugs, “I model it for your little pleb shop and we call it even?”

“Aaaand I’ve changed my mind. Double charged.”

They lapse into silence as Prompto looks over the menu, trying not to cringe a little. Not that the prices are even listed, that’s how he knew. “So, uh, how did you end up doing it? The shop and everything?”

Settling on what he wants, and firmly not thinking about the cost, Prompto sets the menus down, fiddling with his bracelets thoughtfully.

“I...I guess I didn’t really fall into it, but that’s what it feels like? I got really into photography when I was younger, my early memories are pretty vague and I guess I wanted to create new ones I wouldn’t forget so easy? I dunno dude, I just eventually started drawing from my photos and after a field trip to see some surrealist art at school...I fell in love? Putting it on my skin seemed like the next step, holding on to memories you know, and they saw my sketches and we started talking and before I knew it I had my own gun. Charlie and Loqi and I were all shop mice around the same time and when old Lima retired we decided to start our own place. So I guess, I never found anything else to do?”

Noctis listens carefully and Prompto hopes he doesn’t pick up on the small lie, because he remembers his childhood with a clarity he wishes on no one.

“That’s...really cool.”

Prompto grins at him, “Yeah, not as cool as being a Prince or whatever but..eh.”

Noctis rolls his eyes but his smile falls a little, “Sure. At least you got to choose.”

They both get quiet, but then Prompto bumps Noctis’ foot with his own and reaches to take his hand, offering him support.

“Oh! There’s a new arcade bar that opened like, two blocks from my house and…”

They fall into a conversation about games and drinking as their food comes and before either of them are really aware of it their sitting, full as they could manage on good food and sucking on after dinner mints.

Prompto’s relaxed and it’s nice and probably pretty good because he didn’t even try to look at the bill..he really doesn’t want to know and Noctis didn’t even blink.

They stand and Noctis takes his hand again, going back the way they came with a togo bag hanging from his free wrist.

The valet is already waiting for them and Prompto tries to look cool as he gets back into the ridiculously expensive car after a meal at a ridiculously expensive restaurant where he was exempted from the dress code.

Noctis laughs, he must be making a face, and leans across the center to kiss his cheek.

“I’ll take you home, give me your address.”

Prompto shakes his head, “Not after that you won’t. Can’t have you seeing my shack. Besides I’ve got to walk off some of the noodles. The shop is fine.”

Noctis huffs at him but shrugs, “Alright, but by the fourth date I expect to be able to drive you home.”

“Four? My glass of wine wasn’t aired long enough and you’re expecting two more dates?”

He’s flicked for that one and chuckles a little to himself before closing his eyes contently, enjoying Noctis’ presence as he drives him back.

When he opens them again Noctis’ seat is empty and he turns his head to find the Prince leaning into his space through his open door.

“Sleepy?”

“Mmmm” Prompto feels like he’s not fallen asleep but he must have. Noctis’ eyes are soft and the curve of his lips gentle as he leans in, pressing their foreheads together and cupping Prompto’s cheek.

He kisses him slowly, their lips just touching as he breaths in and then slowly moulding together as Noctis uses his hand to tilt Prompto’s chin. It’s one of the best kisse Prompto thinks he’s ever had, all warmth and affection and the promise of another meeting.

Noctis slowly pulls away, hand lingering on Prompto’s cheek as he does before he allows Prompto to get out of the car.

“See you soon blondie.”

Prompto smiles at that, “You too charmless.”

#Part 6 #I uh #they keep eating together i dunno #Promptis #FFXV #FFXV Fanfiction #A royal commission #Prompto #Noctis #cute boys #Italian food #goofs #kisses #fleetstreetfatality

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trulisthetic · 8 years ago

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The Gift

[AU] When April’s 28th birthday arrives, her roommates get her a very special present. But no one warned poor April she shouldn’t fall in love with the escort hired to deflower her.

[First Chapter / Previous Chapter]

[Next Chapter]

Chapter Two – Coke Cap

Coming here was massive mistake. And I had come to that nonnegotiable conclusion in less than two minutes, which should really say something.

The thing was, though, that this wasn't because of any of my initial fears and objections. Nothing close to those, actually. I didn't regret my decision to join him to dinner because this was all a huge lie and I wanted nothing to do with it, or because it stood against every single Christian value, or because 'what would my father think of me if he saw me right now?', or because dinner was in the deal which actually meant I was doing exactly what those stupid pieces of… of crap that were supposed to be my friends had planned for me tonight and I had no idea if it was even legal or not. All those were perfectly good reasons to stop me from coming here, but all of those seemed to just vanish the second I looked into his eyes, the second he smiled at me, the second he took my hand and lead me through the restaurant's door. Instead, there was this tiny bitty fact that lead me to believe this decision of mine was a horrible, horrible mistake.

The fact that all I could think of as he was sitting across me on the other side of the table was how much I wanted to kiss him.

Yep. Told you I was going insane.

Was I really the one at blame though? Yes, would be your answer since you haven't seen him. But having him here in front of me, I should assure you that I wasn't. Not fully, at least. The largest part of the blame went to him and him only.

I had been so occupied by staring into those ocean eyes of his like a moron that I never even noticed what he was wearing until he started removing them. Not his eyes, his clothes. And not all of them, in a public space like this that's called exhibition not prostitution. Or escorting, whatever. The only piece of clothing he did remove was a black jacket he had been wearing, revealing a dark grey shirt from underneath, which just so happened to highlight every single muscle of his upper body perfectly.

I heard him clear his throat, and my eyes flew back to his face, only to notice he wore that cocky smirk of his again. "See anything you like?"

My entire face flushed red and I quickly looked down at the menu in my hands. Well, of course he had caught me gawking. "Um, yes actually, this… swooiy… uh…" I squinted trying to make out what on earth the first thing in the catalog was but soon realized it made absolutely no sense. "Is there a catalog in English?" I asked instead. "My Italian is a bit rusty."

His mouth twitched in a weird way and he quickly brought his hand up, pressing his fist against it. Once it finally left his mouth, his expression was mostly under control again, apart from his eyes. The complete and utter amusement in them gave him away. He began leaning towards me then, closer that he had ever been before, until his face was just a foot away from mine. Obviously I began freaking out, and just when I was about to ask him what on earth he was doing, his long fingers got hold of the menu I was holding and with a single move he turned it upside down.

Well that makes sense.

"Maybe this will help." He whispered with a kind smile, and the small distance between our faces made it so that I got to smell him for the first time. And his scent, just like the rest of him, was intoxicating. It represented freshly cut timber, like the damp forest after a rainy day; he smelt heavenly, like fresh-scented pine and honey. And instantly his aroma felt like a drug to me. I wanted more. I needed more.

My body instinctively leaned closer as my arm shot upwards to tug on the collar of his shirt and keep him there. Fortunately my mind took over just in time and changed my hand's curse, making it land on my neck instead -my racing heartbeat pounding against my palm. "Right." I muttered. "Thanks."

"Anytime." He somehow still managed not to chuckle as his body straightened up again.

I glanced back down at the menu, my eyes searching for anything I felt like eating, but my mind not nearly comprehending the words. All I could think of was how light the color of his eyes seemed as he had leaned close to me. So light that I really couldn't decide if they were green or blue after all. Outside I would have sworn they were mainly green, but under the dim light of the single lantern placed on our table –right next to the single white rose I had put in a glass of water- they looked completely blue.

"So, what did you decide on?" he asked me after a while.

I pursed my lips. "I think blue." I said calmly, and once I actually realized what exactly I had let out of my stupid mouth I felt all the color drain from my face. "UH, no! That's not what- I didn't-" I shook my head and quickly I held the menu even higher to hide my face behind it, although the hiding I really needed right now would be in a cave up the mountain where nobody would ever see me ever again. "I haven't decided yet." I mumbled, wincing now that he couldn't see me and mentally kicked my self's ass.

I heard him starting to cough, and even though it was so clear he was masking up his laughter to coughing, I actually did appreciate the effort… with the tiny bit of my mind that wasn't dying of shame. The coughs came for quite a long time before he finally calmed down but the amusement in his voice was more than clear when he spoke again. "Any thoughts on drinks, then?"

I sighed, and finally lowered down the catalog, after forcing the wincing away from my characteristics. Most of it, that is. "I don't drink alcohol."

That seemed to snap him out of his amused state. "Really?" he asked, his tone curious. "Why not?"

I dared a glance up his face, but nothing but curiosity emerged from his expression. This reaction surprised me, if not confused me. Every time I told someone I didn't want to drink alcohol I was met with weird looks and raised eyebrows. I had got called a prude, a nerd, a party popper and all sorts of other lovely adjectives. And even though I knew he wouldn't call me any of those names, I still expected to find at least a trace of mocking of some short in his voice. Yet, there was none.

Man, he was good. They should give him an Emmy or something.

"I… I just don't like the taste." I told him the same excuse I told everyone, but the second I did a wave of guilt washed over me, leaving icy trails inside my veins. I frowned. I was not a good liar, but I had learned the hard way that some things were better kept to myself and that only. The things I had come up with to tell people instead of the truth when the matter presented itself, though, seemed by now as if they were some good old poems that I had learned by heart, and after telling them so many times I never even felt bad anymore. I sure didn't own this stranger anything, not along personal information, but yet lying to him felt so wrong for some reason, and I felt so guilty doing so.

He seemed to consider that for a second before he nodded. "Well, I sure get where you're coming from. It tastes pretty bitter." He said with a small wince, and I let out a little surprised huff. I couldn't believe my ears. "What?" he asked in response.

I shook my head. "I just… I didn't expect you to agree with me." I admitted.

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "You just seem like the kind of guy that would appreciate a glass of champagne. Or, well, more than one."

He grinned. "Well, you know that assuming things about people isn't very nice." He pointed out. "But I have to admit that I do enjoy champagne -with the right company. I am generally more of a beer guy, though."

…Beer? "Seriously?" I completely failed to make the connection. I expected champagne and exotic cocktails but beer? That was so… so ordinary.

"Seriously. And since we are all about assumptions…" he trailed off, bringing his hand up his face so that he could rub his chin in a gesture of thought. "Hmm, let's see… I assume you are the kind of girl that enjoys orangeade." He said, confidence in his voice.

I smiled. "Nope, but close."

He raised his eyebrows. "Lemonade?"

"No."

"Coke."

I shook my head. "Only on special occasions, but generally no."

He frowned. "Sprite?"

"Almost there."

He groaned. "What else is there?"

He sounded so desperate that I couldn't help but giggle. "I like sparkling water."

His expression immediately changed, from playfully frustrated to… Well, I don't know what it was. He seemed impressed. But not fully impressed, there was something else too as he was staring into my eyes. Some… warmth in his look.

"What?" I asked in advance. "Lots of people like sparkling water."

He blinked and looked away, as if snapping out of whatever it was that suddenly got into him. "No, yeah, I know, it's just…" he mumbled and then closed his eyes and smiled to himself. When he opened them again, he looked back at me, and I frowned confused. "You have a really lovely laughter, April." He explained.

As soon as the words left his mouth I felt my cheeks inevitably growing hot. I watched his eyes lay on my cheeks a moment too long, before suddenly looking up to the waitress that was now standing beside us.

"Hello." She said with a kind smile. "I am Katie and I will be your waitress for tonight. What would you like to drink?"

He looked back at me. "Is this a special occasion?"

I impossibly blushed even deeper, and I didn't even know what on earth he was asking me. Well, why not? I nodded.

"Two cokes, please." He said and the waitress nodded and walked away.

Oh, right. I guess I did mention drinking coke only on special occasions. "You didn't have to get one too just because I did." I pointed out. "You could have just gotten yourself a… a beer." It was still hard to imagine him drinking a beer. It was like wearing your pajamas at a gala. I just couldn't make the connection.

"Drinking alone when accompanied by a lovely lady? Now that's just rude."

"Well thank God I am not a lovely lady, then." I said with a huff.

"You are not?" he questioned, quirking one eyebrow. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

His eyes narrowed playfully. "Is there something else under that pretty dress of yours that I should be aware of?"

Under my dress? What on earth was he…

Oh.

OH.

"What?! No! What are you- why would you even… no! I'm a… I'm a girl, like, everywhere, and down there I-" Oh. GOD.

I looked around and found more than a few sets of eyes looking at me with amusement. Because obviously I had been yelling and I could bet everyone in the restaurant had hear my perky voice. Please let the earth open up and swallow me this is too much. "I'm a girl." I repeated in a whisper, my face red as a tomato.

And he was laughing. That… that bastard was laughing! "Quit laughing, it's not funny!"

He bit his lip, nostrils flaring and shoulders shaking. I was tempted to actually get up and hit his shoulder, but that's when the waitress came back with our drinks. "Have you decided on what you will order?"

I grabbed the menu and read the first thing in the catalog. "I'll take a Chicken a La Creme." I said and she nodded and wrote it down on a little notepad before looking towards him.

"Lasagna for me, thank you." He managed to say through gritted teeth, his eyes never leaving mine.

The waitress wrote that down too and walked away, and I clenched my fists, trying not to do something stupid. "Why on earth would you ask me that?" I hissed.

He held his hands up the air in defense. "You are the one that said you weren't a lovely lady."

I all but growled. "Well, yeah, obviously I didn't mean I'm not a girl!"

"Well, that would be the only way your statement would make sense to me."

Ha. Yeah, right. I grabbed my coke and tried to open the bottle. "Okay, you don't have to do that."

"I'm not doing anything." He exclaimed with an innocent expression.

I rolled my eyes. "Really, just… stop, alright? I don't like it." I mumbled. The coke had the kind of lid that needed a bottle opener to open, and so obviously it didn't want to come out. I scanned the table for an opener but there wasn't one, so I just struggled with the lid, putting all my strength in the action.

"Stop what?"

"Jackson…" I realized that this was the first time I had ever spoken his name out loud. He had a very nice name, I had to admit. A name would like to get used to saying. But never would, obviously. At least, not linked to the person sitting across from me. I sighed. "Look, I know I agreed to dinner but that doesn't at all mean I agreed to…" I paused and closed my eyes. "I don't want you to be my… escort. Or whatever. I know they paid you for that, and I know that's the only reason you are here right now, but I just…" I opened my eyes again, and look down at the bottle in my hands. The stupid thing wouldn't open no matter how hard I tried. "I don't want you to try to make me feel good." I continued. "I don't want you to do or say things in order to make me feel… in a certain way. You don't have to, and it just makes me feel worse for agreeing to even this, so please just stop. I don't want for tonight to be 'my night', and I don't want you to be mine. I want you to just…" I lifted my gaze, locking it with his. "Be you. Be honest. Or, you know, don't be if you don't want to be, you don't have to. Do whatever you want. Just don't pretend for me." I pleaded, emphasizing the last words.

His eyes were on mine the entire time I was speaking, staring at them with intensity. He didn't speak, and neither did I, and for a long moment we just stared into each other's eyes. It was such a bizarre feeling, to look into somebody's eyes for so long. This was yet another first for me, and I couldn't help but notice his intense gaze didn't make me feel awkward at all, like I had expected. Instead, it made me feel important. After a while he finally looked down at the table and took his own coke in his hands. I watched as he delicately raised his left sleeve and pressed the bottle against the inside of his forearm. He then proceeded to twist it, and with a small popping sound the bottle snapped open.

How the... I shook my head and I looked down at my hands with a sigh. This whole situation was so messed up. And basically, wasn't what I just asked him also what I wanted? By asking him to not do what I wanted, wasn't I asking him to do what I wanted too?

Man, I wasn't even making sense anymore.

I sighed and decided to attempt to open the bottle once again. I shut my eyes tight and held my breath, and using all of my strength I tried to twist the cap with my palm. A few struggling sounds came out of my mouth but I didn't give up, until I felt something warm against my hand. My eyes snapped open to see his fingers against my skin, brushing it softly. I looked up at his eyes again, their all-too-familiar warmth fully returned. "Let me help."

I handed him the bottle and watched as he placed the cap against his forearm again, putting on it what seemed like just a tiny bit of pressure, and in no time he held the open coke up for me to take.

"Thank you." I mumbled as I took the bottle in my hands.

"You're welcome." He said with a crooked smile and raised his own coke up in the air. "Let's make a toast."

I blinked. "A toast?" What could the two of us possibly have to toast to?

He shrugged. "Why not? Don't you have anything you'd like to toast to?"

Here's to not regretting tonight –highly unlikely.

I snorted and he raised an eyebrow at me in response. "Uh no, I can't think of anything." I patched it up.

"Well then…" he trailed off, rubbing his jaw in thought. He frowned then, his eyebrows joined together in an expression I could only describe as an 'angry face', but I was sure he was just thinking and not at all pissed. Still, a wave of satisfaction washed over me at the sight, as I quickly realized he had actually dropped the charming attitude for a second there. That face sure wasn't purposed for charming me. Instead, it was real. And, I had to admit, so damn cute. I bit down on my lower lip to hold back a wide grin.

His 'angry face' gave its place to a short of an embarrassed look, and he rubbed his neck with his hand. "Uh, you know, I actually can't think of a toast that's not dirty right now, and I think you probably wouldn't appreciate something like that." He admitted truthfully.

He looked like a dog that had just peed on the carpet and I had to chuckle loudly at the view. "Yeah, probably not." I agreed. "Cheers?" I offered while grinning.

I noticed his eyes laid on my lips for a moment before he grinned back. "Cheers." He said and raised his coke a bit higher before bringing it to his mouth and taking a few sips. Only when I mimicked his movements did I realize how truly thirsty I had been for some reason, and almost finished up the entire bottle.

"But it's not like I'm into that kind of stuff." He clarified suddenly, as if he was afraid I had misunderstood him. "It's just that the people I usually acquaint with seem to enjoy them a lot so I have memorized quite a few." He stated and slightly shook his head. "But you are clearly nothing like those people." He added with certainty, as if he had known me my whole life instead of a few minutes.

Well, it was true. He probably hanged out with all short of rich sexy women and hot guys with the most expensive cars, who had enormous pool parties every weekend with huge amounts of alcohol and God knows what other substances, went to work with helicopters and lived in a house as big as freaking Seattle. And then there was me, a living and breathing potato that couldn't even afford a place of her own and had to live with her two stupid, supposedly best friends who left her alone with some random… handsome… cute… and kind… and funny- escort, in the middle of nowhere, without a second thought.

Oh, had I mentioned that already? Good.

"Yeah." I exclaimed with a sigh and took another sip of my coke. "I guess I'm definitely nothing like them."

He nodded in agreement. "Definitely not. And I'm so glad that that's the case."

Har, har. Right. And here I thought he had actually dropped the act. "Didn't I just ask you to stop doing that?"

"I thought you asked me to be honest."

I rolled my eyes. "Come on now, really?"

"Didn't you want me to stop pretending?"

"Exactly."

"Well, I'm supposed to do anything you want, so I did."

I groaned. "No! That's exactly what I don't want you to do!"

He frowned. "You don't want me to do what you want?"

"Yes!"

"So I shouldn't stop pretending is what you're saying."

"No!"

"Oh, so I should stop pretending we're just having dinner and treat you like I was paid to do." He concluded. I could see in his eyes that he was playing with me. He knew pretty damn well what I meant.

I groaned. "No, that's not-"

"But if that's what you want then I should probably keep pretending since I'm supposed to do what you don't want, right?"

Okay, he was insane. I huffed. "You don't-"

"So I should not do what you want because if I did I would be doing what you didn't want me to do and that's what you want so I shouldn't do it?"

"Jackson!" I giggled and reached over the table to playfully hit his arm. I knew it sounded weird but I also knew he got it. "Stop! You know what I mean."

He chuckled. "I do, but it just happens you look so cute when you get frustrated and I couldn't help myself."

I buried my head in my hands, hiding yet another blush. "Seriously now?!" Why couldn't he just stop with the stupid lying already?

"Okay, here's what's gonna happen." he said, ignoring me. "The two of us, we are going to make a deal."

I sighed and peeked at him through my fingers. "What kind of deal?" I asked, although my body was too busy reacting to the way he said 'the two of us'. And by reacting I mean the usual heart-racing, stomach-flattering stuff that I had been certain only happened in romantic movies and books until tonight.

"Be open-minded though, okay?" he said, narrowing his eyes cautiously at me.

I'm having dinner with an escort, I think that's just as open-minded as you can get.

"Ouch." He said wincing and only then did I realize I had actually spoken that last part out loud.

"Shoot. Sorry, I didn't really mean that, I-"

He held up his hand, cutting me off. "Hey, no, it's fair enough. And true. You can't apologize for speaking the truth."

"You can if it's rude to speak it." I disagreed.

He seemed to consider that for a moment. "Well, maybe. I guess you can't tell someone their baby is ugly, even though it looks more like a monkey than a human." He remarked and I chortled. "But still this wasn't rude. You just thought of it and said it. And that must be a great accomplishment for you, come think of it. I assume you are not the kind of person that is easy to win over and get to open up. It sure as hell has been hard for me so far."

"Well, you know that assuming things about people isn't very nice." I quoted him, and he grinned widely in response. "But I have to admit that you assume correct. Although I really am not giving you a hard time, that's just an exaggeration."

He pursed his lips. "True. I bet you give others a much harder one, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah… I don't talk to people." I admitted. "Like, ever. I don't start conversations unless it's absolutely necessary, and I just pretty much suck at social interactions. I have two good friends, the ones behind all this, and then their boyfriends are pretty cool too, but that's it. Although now that I mentioned it, even that might change after what they did to me tonight." I grumbled while raising my coke to my lips, only to realize that it was in fact already empty. He didn't miss the frown of mine that followed, and immediately looked for the waitress and ordered two more cokes.

It wasn't until then that I realized we had been here for less than an hour and I had talked to him more than I had ever talked to most of my colleagues all those years we had been working together. This was very unusual for me, to actually have a lively conversation with someone I had just met. In fact, I thought tonight was the only exception to the rule. This guy ahead of me, this guy of all those decent and kind guys that the girls had attempted to set me up with, this guy had to be the guy that made me laugh, made me blush, made my heart race and my stomach flatter. This guy had to be the guy that I wanted to get to know and spend time with. God, I wanted to spend time with the guy that I would never see again after tonight, how ironic was that? And worse yet, having him here in front of me, the dim light of the paper lantern painting dark shadows across his face, ocean blue eyes gleaming with delight as his lips were curled into a charming grin, wide enough for his white, perfect teeth to shine under them, all I wanted to do was lean closer and kiss him.

And that fact scared me to death.

"Don't be too mad at them though, okay?" he said, interrupting my thoughts.

I blinked. "Sorry, what?"

"Your friends. Don't beat them up for this too much. They seemed like they really cared for you, I'm sure they didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable in any way."

"I know, I know…" I let out with a sigh. "They just wanted me to lighten up and have some fun or whatever… And truth is I have been kind of too uptight, and I do know that I have to work on that aspect… But still, I can't believe that they made me do this. They were supposed to know me, to know how I feel about this stuff… And not only did they arrange all these without even asking me, but they basically abandoned me here against my will. They just left. I mean, how could they do this to me?"

It felt like my words hovered in the air, as silence fell between us. The switch of the mood was so sudden that I had to look up at him, confusion written all over my characteristics. And then I saw his face, and I froze. It was empty. I had never even begun to imagine someone's face could actually not express the slightest bit of emotion, but as I was looking at him right now, the emptiness of his expression had a shiver running down my spine. Confused, I then seeked for answers inside his eyes. And those eyes of his… they were a completely different story. They were like ice, transparent. I looked at them and I could see that the ice was like frozen tears. His fears, sadness, weakness, everything was trapped in those eyes. And they suddenly looked so cold, like his stare could freeze the whole world in a moment.

I had touched a soft spot. I played back my last words in my head.

They abandoned me.

They just left.

Oh, no.

His parents? Probably. To get a reaction like this with a single mention, the roots had to be tracing back to his childhood. Or some other pretty dramatic event closely after. I gulped. "I'm sorry." I mattered, and I hoped he could hear the change in my voice as well. "I'm really sorry, Jackson."

At the sound of his name he looked up at me, his eyes still cold. Detached. "For what?" he asked, the corners of his lips twisting upwards, in what looked more like a grimace than a smile. "There's nothing to be sorry for."

Well, yeah. Obviously he wouldn't want to talk about it. And of course I wouldn't pressure him, although I was rather curious as to what could have earned such reaction from him.

The unison of his hands was placed on the table, fingers tangling and untangling in a rhythmic motion. I didn't think about it much when I leaned closer and reached for it, softly brushing my fingers against his skin. I felt him immediately tense against my touch, his fingers freezing for a brief second. Then, he let out a sigh and untangled his fingers, opening his palms to hold my hand inside his own.

We didn't speak. We didn't move. The only things moving were our hands, caressing each other softly. He was looking down at them, and so was I. I traced my finger against the lines of his palm as his thumb played with my knuckles, and noticed how beautifully the colors of our skins blended together.

A long while passed before I dared a glance at his eyes, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me when I saw the warmth in them had finally returned. "Your hands are cold." He mumbled softly, breaking the silence. I noticed the left corner of his lips slightly twisted upwards and I mimicked him.

"Your hands are warm." I said in contrast. They really were. In fact, every single time he had touched me I had noticed that his hands felt so warm and soft against my skin.

And that was when the waitress appeared, so I quickly pulled my hand away and straightened my body, leaving her enough space to set down a couple of cokes in front of each one of us, as well as a steamy plate.

"Thank you." we both said at the same time and exchanged a little smile before looking away.

Once the waitress was gone, I took a moment to examine my plate. There were three large chicken fillets in the middle, above which was poured a great amount of milk cream mixed with chopped mushrooms. On each corner was also some rice, lettuce, tomatoes and potatoes and I had to admit that the decoration was amazing. It looked really delicious.

I heard a popping sound and looked up, just in time to see a little red cap falling from the inside of his forearm. His sleeve was pulled upwards again, and I could clearly see the veins of his arm popping out. I bit my lip and grabbed my own coke, holding it up to him. "I have no idea how on earth you can do that."

He looked at my hand for a moment before he shook his head. "No, you do it."

I huffed. "Yeah right, there's no way I will ever be able to do this."

"You won't know unless you try."

I huffed. "I never had you as the cheesy-motto type."

He flashed me a crooked smile, his eyes deep into mine. "People can surprise you." He exclaimed, and it sure seemed like there was a double meaning in that sentence of his but I didn't think much of it.

Instead I broke our gaze to look down at the bottle in my hands and frown. "I'm not nearly strong enough to open this." I complained.

"But it doesn't need strength. Just the right technique." He said, and placed the cap back on his coke. "Here, I show you. Place the bottle on you forearm like this." He instructed, pressing the cap against his skin. My dress had no sleeves, so I copied his movement at once. "Good. Now's the tricky part."

I gulped. "There's a tricky part?"

He smirked and winked at me. "Don't worry, sweetheart, you got this."

Sweetheart.

From deep inside my chest, through every cell of my body, the warmth took over every cell of my being, leaving me numb in the sweetest of ways.

"Okay, so if you just twist it as it is, it's gonna be hell of a lot painful." He noted, but I was too busy replaying that single word inside my head to actually react any other way but by grinning like an idiot. "But, if you press it hard against your arm and then twist it…" he trailed off and executed the act, making a popping sound with his lips.

Sweetheart.

Okay, stop, that's enough.

"…Can't we just ask that waitress for an opener?" I couldn't believe they hadn't brought us one in the first place.

"No. Now, come on." He urged me on, pulling down his sleeve and taking a sip from his coke.

I looked down at my positioned hands and gulped. If someone had told me this morning that tonight I would be tutored on how to open up a coke with my forearm by an escort in a fancy restaurant in the middle of nowhere I would have shut them in a madhouse to rot.

With a deep breath, I pressed the bottle on my arm with all of my strength, and then slowly twisted it against it.

The piercing pain shot up fast. "Ouch!" I shrieked and the bottle almost fell from my hand.

"Are you okay?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

I sighed. "Told you I couldn't do it."

He shook his head. "Of course you can. You just need some practice."

"Practice on opening bottles?" I asked amused. "You do realize how crazy that sounds right?"

"Not crazier than 'I want you to not do what I want, so you shouldn't do what I want but you also shouldn't do what I don't want because then you'll be doing what I want and-"

"Okay, okay, I got it." I cut him off. "And I don't talk like that." The voice he had used to mimic me had been too high and pierced it was annoying.

"No. No you don't." he agreed. "Okay, just one more try, and then if you can't do it I'll open it for you. Sounds good?"

I glared at him. Why was he making my life so sweetly difficult? "Fine." I grumbled and placed the bottle against my forearm again.

"Hold it more vertically. And twist it very quickly." He instructed.

"Okay coach." He chuckled.

With another deep breath I shut my eyes closed and repeated my earliest movements, but when I came to the twisting part I moved my hand as quickly as I could.

And then I heard a popping sound.

When I opened my eyes back up, I saw the cap falling to my lap, the smell of freshly opened coke reaching my nostrils. I picked up the cap baffled, noticing it had a little white spot on one side, and I looked up at Jackson opened mouthed. He was wearing an enormous, proud smile. "I did it?" I asked in shock.

"Damn right you did."

It was so stupid and childish to get excited about something so small like this, but at the realization of my accomplishment I felt pure joy bubbling up inside my chest, the excitement racing through my veins. "Yes!" I cheered, throwing my hands up in the air.

But when my stupid, clumsy self realized I was still holding an open bottle of coke in my palm, it was already too late. A good amount of liquid left the opening and landed right on top of him. But like, everywhere.

He blinked twice, coke dripping from his wet eyelids, his nose, his jaw…

And then came the freaking out. "Oh my God, Jackson, I'm so sorry!" I cried, instantly jumping up from my seat and sprinting over there to help him. How though, I had no idea. Stupid, clumsy self! "Are you okay? Oh no, I ruined your clothes didn't I? I'm so sorry! So, so, so sorry! I didn't mean to, just my stupid… Ugh, I'm sorry!" I grabbed a napkin and started mopping his face as quickly as I could. "I should have just let you open it anyways, I can't believe I was stupid enough to-"

"April! April, stop. It's fine, I'm okay, calm down. It's nothing." He assured me with a chuckle.

"No, it's not nothing, you're covered in coke!" I insisted, grabbing more napkins.

"I'm not covered in coke, it was just a couple of drops."

"No it wasn't, it was like half the bottle, and God, you must be so cold, you'll freeze to death! You'll get pneumonia and they'll have to put you on antibiotics for, like, ever and you'll have to stay in the hospital for tests for more than a week and they charge so much you have no idea."

He snorted. "How do you even know this stuff?"

"I'm a surgeon, okay, so just trust me, you'll freeze to death, that thing came straight from the freezer and you can't have it all over your body, you'll get sick!"

"April."

"And plus it's coke so it will stink so bad. Wait, not stink , like, it smells bad, I meant stick, like it's sticky, you know?"

"April-"

"Cause you could never stink, I mean, have you smelled yourself? You smell so incredibly-"

"April!" He grabbed my hand and spun me around, and before I could even begin to comprehend what was happening, I was sitting on his lap, his face inches away from mine. "Calm down." He muttered. "Really, it's okay."

I blinked and my rambling instantly stopped. I was on his lap. He was holding me, his hands were both around my waist now. My left side was entirely touching against his body, his chest, and my hands… my hands were still holding napkins against the sides of his face.

I am touching his face.

I let the napkins fall and bit my lip. "I'm sorry." I whispered softly, and began retrieving my hands, when his one hand came and took hold of my right one. Slowly, he brought our hands up his face again so that my palm was cupping his cheek.

"See?" he murmured. "Dry."

The second his hand fell down, letting my own alone on his cheek, I felt the utter urge to explore. To touch him. And when I looked into his eyes, I noticed they were darker than I had ever seen them. He was looking at me with such tension, and I had no idea what that meant, but it somehow made up my mind.

And so I let my fingers unfreeze from their spot and he instantly closed his eyes as they traced patterns down his jawline, up his temples, along his eyebrows, brushing against his eyelashes and then down his nose. "You have freckles?" I whispered in surprise, as I caressed the little dark marks on his skin softly.

He smiled but didn't respond, bringing my attention down to his lips. I bit my own, debating on whether I should let myself touch them or it would get us too far. He really seemed to be enjoying this too, though, and so at last I let my fingers go lower and lower, until they were at the corner of his mouth. And then slowly, I brushed them against his lips as softly as I possibly could.

They were so soft. Like literally, his lips felt like feathers and they were impossibly even warmer than his hands. And then he slightly opened his mouth and let out a breath, which –extremely warm too- tickled my fingers, making my entire body shiver in response. I felt the warm wisp of air hit against my face, and I inhaled in response.

And, God, I thought I had found heaven.

His breath smelled so fresh but sweet at the same time. It reminded me of late spring, the scent of flowers mixed up with watermelon and just a tiny bit of salty ocean breeze . But with a strong dose of coke too. And all I wanted was to just lean closer and breathe more in… I wanted more, I wanted…

I wanted to kiss him.

I needed to kiss him.

But… but he didn't want that too, did he? And I was not going to do anything with him because only I wanted to. I was not going to take advantage of him like that. He had to want it too.

I let my hand fall to my lap. My fingers suddenly felt too cold, but I ignored the feeling. I ignored all the feelings. The feeling of my blood burning as it run through m veins, the feeling of warmth crawling up my chest, the feeling of tension in my belly, and above all the feeling of my pulse pounding like crazy in between my legs. I knew what that last one meant, and I also knew I had to get away from him before I did something stupid.

"The food is getting cold!" I suddenly blurted out and untangled his hands from my waist, jumped up from his lap and quickly made my way to my seat. I sat down, looking at my plate and focusing on my food as if it suddenly was the center of my universe and I had eyes for it and it only. I took a bite, barely tasting the food as my mind was running a thousand miles per hour. "Mmm, it's delicious!" I exclaimed without even knowing if I was lying or not, as I attacked my food like there was no tomorrow. A hard accomplishment by the way, since my stomach was already full. With butterflies.

I didn't dare look at him. How could I? I got carried away. God, I got carried away and I didn't even know how he felt about it. It might have felt horrible for him! Maybe the entire time I was enjoying myself and exploring his face he was praying for the moment I would let go off him to come as soon as possible. Maybe he couldn't wait to get out of here, away from me. Maybe I had touched him against his will… Oh dear Lord. That was sexual harassment! What did I just do?

"Why did you do that?" His voice was husky, low and rough. It made something inside me twist and turn, and the feeling was so intense I couldn't tell if it was good or bad anymore.

Oh, he was mad. He was mad, right? He hated me. I made him hate me.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"I just-" I cut myself off, tears threatening to leave my eyes. "I- I don't know, I got carried away and…" …and I had touched him against his will. I was a harasser. I was a monster. "I'm so, so sorry, Jackson, I never meant to-"

"No, no, I meant, why did you… Why did you walk away?"

Uh… What?

I blinked and my gaze flew to meet his. I was sure I heard him wrong. I mean, there was no other explanation, right?

"Why did you pull away, I was about to…" he paused. His eyes were still dark, but just a tiny bit lighter, and as they were looking into mine I saw something in them that I recognized pretty damn well. I had felt it so many times. "Am I really that bad?" he asked, the hurt of rejection clear in his voice.

I couldn't believe my ears. "What on earth are you talking about? You're… you're so…"

He shook his head. "Okay, you know what, it's fine, I get it. Don't hurt yourself. You don't feel the same way, it's fine."

I don't feel the-

What on earth…?

"Jackson, you got this all wrong, that's not why I-" I took a sharp breath. "I can't be near you, or I might…"

His eyes were on mine again, the tension in them eating me alive. I felt so many things. So many stupid, amazing things and I felt like I was going to burst any moment, like all those feelings were too much for my body to handle. And the thing was, I didn't want to hold back. I just wanted to touch him. To feel him. To kiss him.

I wanted him. All of him.

And what choice did I have but to tell him the truth?

"You know what I'm thinking about right now?" I asked him, slowly shaking my head. "Kissing you. Standing here looking at you, and all I want to do is kiss you."

At my pathetic words, I saw his clenched shoulders instantly relax. His entire body relaxed, but his expression didn't. He wore his 'angry face' again, his eyebrows joined together, his lips curved slightly downwards. "Then why… why didn't you?"

Why didn't I… kiss him? Were we really talking about the two of us, actually kissing? And did he really sound like he actually wanted that to happen, or was I making the whole thing up?

Acting, April. It's called acting.

Right. True.

Gosh, did I say Emmy? I meant a freaking Oscar. "Because you'd be pretending for me again." I said, as if explaining it to a child for the millionth time. It sure felt like that. "And I won't do anything unless you want me to, how many times do I have to-"

"Okay, okay, stop." He cut me off, holding up his hands. I stopped talking and just studied him for a moment. His lips were pressed together in a straight line, but there was something about those eyes of his that just… It seemed like he was frustrated but relieved at the same time, and I had no idea what to make out of that. "I really think it's time for that deal I mentioned earlier, remember that?"

I nodded, frowning. Now I was really curious to hear what that could possibly have to do with anything.

"Okay, here it goes. So as for my part…" he trailed off and his gaze met mine again I felt the anticipation building up inside my chest. "I am honest." He said, his lips curling into a small smile. "I am true. I don't pretend, I drop the act, I don't lie, I'm not a paid escort, I'm just… I am me." He concluded, and I just stood there staring like an idiot.

Was I hearing correctly? It seemed like I was hearing correctly. But then again I bet I wasn't, because this looked like the deal of a lifetime and yet I had no idea why he was possibly offering it to me. "You don't have to-"

"I want to." He said, slightly shaking his head. "Okay? This is what I want. I want to be true. I want to… I want to just be me with you."

I frowned. Now he really made no sense. What reason did he have to want that? With me? What did that even mean? He acted as if he actually… I don't know, felt something for me, and I mean, we all know how completely and utterly insane and irrational and impossible that was. "And what about my part of the deal?" I asked nonetheless, baffled.

"Oh, that's the hard part." He said with a sad smile. "You have to actually believe me."

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