#as if I really wanna go around carrying a bag that shows my employer and ‘HR appreciation!’ on it

[rurinnfane]

Last time HR sent employee gifts to my site, they sent paletas (popsicles)… but we were the last delivery on the route and they weren’t stored properly, so we instead received a ziploc bag full of half-molten paletas that later froze into a horrifying amalgam in the office freezer.

This time they delivered us drawstring bags of office supplies while I was on leave, but they also included what I can only imagine was once cotton candy.

That’s at least my theory because by the time I received it, it transformed into a tiny crumb of some bizarre blue sugary thing.

Thank you HR you make me feel very appreciated

[theninjamouse]

33 for Shore and Gaster maybe? Id say maybe a little off shoot from the Silks versions of them if you're feeling up to it?

33. An unexpected kiss that shocks the one receiving it.

(Note: This will reference stuff that happens in the fic. It’ll be left intentionally vague but there will be some *minor spoilers* for Lightning and Silks. Also this is a scenario that might possibly show up in the fic itself so...consider this, at the moment, semi-canon)

~~~~

Stupid, you were so stupid. You knew better than you try and make jumps when you couldn’t clearly see the landing area. But it was a path you had taken a dozen times before, you knew the patch of concrete that your feet would meet between the layered boxes that offered a shielding wall from prying eyes like you knew each scrape and scuff on your shoes. 

But knowing a place doesn’t mean it won’t ever change. 

The fall itself is a bit of a blur. You jumped, you saw that it was not clear ground before you but some kind of large metal equipment and twisted your body to avoid collision with the sharp edges. The burst of pain through your left side, the deep and damning snapping in your ribs, now that you remember. That had left you shoving your fist in your mouth, muffling the shrieks tearing at your throat as you breathed through the pain. Once you caught your breath, you had staggered home, limping and pressing a hand against your bleeding arm. It definitely counted as one of your worst landings, perhaps save for the one where you landed directly onto your current employer. 

Cleaning up had revealed harsh red lesions and bruises all over your ribs. Every breath made sharp pain slice through your lungs. Reason tells you that you’ve got a least one broken rib. You shove it down, telling yourself it’s just bruising. 

Even if it is broken, it’s not like you can really do anything about it. What are you supposed to do, take time off from work? Tell Cinders ‘Sorry I can’t help you track down the bad guys for a few weeks, I got a boo-boo on my ribs?’ 

Nah, you’ll grit your teeth and get through it. You’re good at that

So it’s with only a limp very slightly showing and long sleeves on that you show up at the club for your silks show, one of your less see through suits shoved in your bag. Grillby’s nowhere to be seen, thank god so you quickly slip back towards the dressing rooms. You doubt he would’ve outright said something had he seen you but you’re far more concerned about-

“Not even going to say hi?” 

You barely bite back the yowl that shoots straight from your ribs as you jump. Teeth grit around a hissing breath, you turn. “Well, I can’t very well say hi if you hide in the shadows like a creep.” 

Gaster peels himself off the hallway wall, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his slacks. “For once I wasn’t hiding in the shadows; you just looked like you were too busy planning a murder to notice me.” His red eye lights dance over you. “Little warm for long sleeves, isn’t it?” 

“I don’t wanna hear that from you, Mr. Turtleneck.” You turn on your heel and continue down the hallway. Gaster trails after you, silent save for the very slight rustle of fabric. 

“You’re limping.” 

“Am not.” 

“Crash into another dangerous monster on a run did you?”

You snort. “Like I could afford to be in debt to another Grillby.” You’ve reached the door and instinctively move to grab the handle with your bad arm. Ow, nope, bad idea. You switch last minute, awkwardly shifting your bag on your shoulder and reaching out with your left hand. “Anyway, I’ve got to get ready, did you actually need anything?” 

The door shuts with a solid thud. You blink at Gaster’s hand just above your head, keeping the door firmly shut. Your heart shoots up into your throat and your skin prickles from the mere presence of him right behind you. “What the hell are you doing?” you ask as calmly as you can, still facing the door. 

“I was about to ask you that,” he says just as casually, as if his arm wasn’t trapping you one on side. “Or rather, what the hell did you do?” 

“What, the limp? I just took a rough landing earlier, it’s no big deal.” 

You can hear the grin in his voice, the smug bastard. “I thought you said you weren’t limping.” 

Lip curling into a snarl, you turn around. “Look, you can’t just--”

You’re cut off suddenly. Because Gaster has leaned down and pressed his mouth against yours in a kiss. All annoyance, all pain and all thoughts stutter to a complete and utter halt. Your bag slips from your shoulder and lands on the ground with a muffled thud and still you stand frozen, mouth caught in a shockingly gentle kiss that can barely be called a kiss at all but rather the press of smooth bone against your lips.

What is he....what the hell...?

Then, pain shoots up your arm at a sudden grip and movement and you jerk back, head smacking against the door. 

Gaster has already moved his stare away from you, hands deftly pushing your sleeve up your injured arm to reveal a harsh marring of bruises and scraps. “Several lacerations, most appear superficial but clean. Bruising, will probably darken over the next day or so.” 

“Hey--“ Your voice is a high croak. 

His hands release your arm and instead press very, very lightly against your side. His eye lights flare and you shiver under the press of magic that sets off your senses like a sudden wave of cold. “Two breaks, clean. Aorta is stable but further motion may cause puncturing.” 

“G-get off me!” You shove him back, not that it does a single thing to actually move the towering monster. But he does let his hand fall and takes a step back. “What the hell! Why did you do that?” 

“I needed to assess your injuries.” His tone is still clinical, though you do catch an undercurrent of some emotion that you can’t quite place. “I didn’t want to just grab you and possibly cause further harm.” 

“So you kissed me?!” 

“I distracted you.” He’s frowning now, eye lights still boring into you like he can see the extend of your injuries through force of staring alone. “Let’s try this again; what did you do?” 

Head still spinning with the force of your racing heart, you don’t bother to gentle the truth. “I nearly got myself sliced by some kind of metal equipment thing, alright? I didn’t though and just landed hard. It’s not that big a deal.” 

“You have two broken ribs.” 

“It’s none of your business!” 

He ignores that, shoulders very slightly loosening out of their tense hold. “You weren’t attacked?” 

You blink. “No?” 

A long and heavy breath of air leaves Gaster’s mouth at that and he closes his sockets for a moment. Then, with a quick flick of his wrist, his phone appears in his hand and he presses it up against his skull. After a moment- “Cinders? You’re going to need another act for tonight.” 

A burst of noise from the line has you wincing. 

“Stop spitting, she’s fine. Well, no actually she’s not but she’s not dead, which is something.”  A pause. “I don’t know, you’re the owner, figure it out! Love you, byeeeee.”

He hangs up, that familiar spark of annoying glee back in his sockets. “Well, you’re cleared for the night. Now come with me; I’ve got the keys to Grillby’s penthouse.” 

Excuse- penthouse?! “Why?” 

“To get those ribs taken care of of course. You can’t be leaping around rooftops like this.” 

“You can’t- look, I’ll be fine okay? Ribs have to just heal on their own, there’s nothing you can do.” 

Gaster gives you a flat stare. “There’s nothing you humans can do about it. I am capable of far more than what your measly human doctors could even hope to dream of.” He leans over you, a promising grin on his face. 

The sight makes your lips burn with the ghostly echo of his kiss.

“Are you going to make me carry you, or do you want to hold on to what’s left of your dignity and walk?” 

You gape up at him for a moment before snapping your jaw shut. “Fine.” 

“Good choice.” He pats your cheek, picks up your bag and slings it over his own shoulder and then smoothly walks away, fully expecting you to follow him.

You do so, the fingers of your good hand reaching up gingerly touch your lips. 

A distraction. That’s all it was. 

Right. 

…Right?

[carminecalico]

Eren x Armin “Fuck Away The Pain Chapter 6 “It’s Comforting When You Do It"

Eren showcases another instrument under his belt, enjoying his newfound friends before a betrayal is revealed by the person you'd least expect.

*also quick note.

My story is also on Ao3 the link is below I would love it if y’all showed it some love on there too

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28809192?view_full_work=true

Armin woke but kept his eyes closed in hopes of going back to sleep. He patted the spot Eren should be in to find it empty. He sat up sleepily as he looked around for his boyfriend before seeing a note on the bed.

"Morning sunshine, don't worry I'm still here. I'm just making coffee and breakfast. I didn't know if you'd have a hangover so I brought you Advil and water. They're on your nightstand."

Armin smiled placing the note in his nightstand before getting up and slowly made his way to the dresser. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants and Eren’s hoodie that he "borrowed" earlier this week before walking into the kitchen with soft music playing. Armin walked up behind an unaware Eren wrapping his arms around his waist. "Morning Eren...." He mumbled leaning into the dark haired one's back.

"Morning surshine." Eren smiled as he finished making Armin‘s coffee. "Coffee?" blue asked to which Armin nodded and stepped back. Eren turned to face Armin, handing him his coffee, "Cream and sugar’s already in babe."

"You know how I make my coffee?" Armin took a small sip, his eyes widened in shock as it was perfect. "How?"

"I've watched you make your coffee for a like a week now. And whenever we go to Scout’s Coffee you get the caramel iced with 2 creams 3 sugars." Eren winked smiling. "Mayb e I'm better at this than I expected, huh?" He wrapped an arm around Armin‘s neck, leaned his head down and kissed the spot between his eyebrows gently.

"I've been saying that since day one, moron."

"Moron?"

"You’d think you would've gotten smarter after those private lessons." Armin smirked from behind his cup and looked up to see Eren with his eyebrow raised with a less than happy look on his face.

“You really wanna piss off the guy making you breakfast?"

"You really wanna try me on this?" Armin smiled as Eren chuckled as he leaned down, and pressed their lips together. The blonde sighed into the kiss before pulling away. "Let me make breakfast, you did make the coffee after all." Eren went to protest but was stopped by Armin pressing a finger against his lips. “Let me, please." He smiled as he grabbed the blonde's hand, pulling it away enough he could bend his head down pressing a kiss into Armin‘s palm.

"Sure Blondie." Eren pressed another kiss to the blonde's palm before stepping back leaning on the island in the kitchen. He reached over and turned the speaker up, now that he didn't have to worry about waking his boyfriend. "You ever listen to Against the Current?" Eren asked scrolling through his music. Armin shook his head no without looking up. "Okay, guess we're listening to her." He put his Against the Current playlist on before sipping his coffee. Eren hops on the counter near Armin and air drums the song playing as he hums along.

Armin watches briefly before turning back to the omelette he was making. "Hey babe? How many instruments can you play?" He plates the first omlette, and hands it to Eren pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I'm just curious 'cause you almost always pretend there's either a drumset or a piano in front of you. I already know you can play guitar, obviously."

"Uhmm.... I think I'm at 6? Let's see there's the guitar, violin, piano, drums, bass, and I taught myself the harp for fun." Eren chuckles nervously scratching the back of his head. "I guess that sounds kind of nerdy."

"Not at all. Music's your passion it makes sense, but I've never heard someone play the harp. I bet you're really good, it looks like you need really skilled fingers." Armin states plainly working on his omlette smirking to himself.

"Most instruments need- wait...." While it took Eren a minute to figure it out, his face went red at Armin‘s boldness. "Shit Blondie you can't just-" Eren looked to his boyfriend seeing the smirk on his face as he plated his omelette. "You little brat."

Armin gasped, "Me? A brat? Never." He teased as he carried his breakfast and coffee to the table. Eren joined him setting his omelette on the table and scooted his chair closer to Armin. He gently grabbed Armin‘s hand pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "What's that for?" the blonde asked, a faint red spreading across his cheeks.

"A thank you for breakfast. I'll bring you to one of the music stores I regular at one day, they have a harp and they let me play it all the time." Eren said smiling at Armin who nodded before they both started eating.

"ARMIN! Please be decent!" Mikasa called from outside the door before opening it and sighing in relief. "Oh thank god."

"What if I wasn't Mikasa? What if I getting railed on the table? What then?" Armin smiled as Eren doubled over in laughter. Mikasa freezes in the door as Sasha leans on the door laughing with tears in her eyes. "Oh hey Sasha." Sasha gives a quick wave before wrapping her arms around Mikasa’s shoulders.

"Okay in all honesty Mika, you should've expected that." Sasha rested her head on Mikasa’s shoulder smiling up at her.

"Fair point."

"Guys have you ever heard someone play the harp?" Armin asked as the girls sat at the table with them, to which they both shook their heads no. "Eren, can they come? He was gonna play the harp for me at a music store someday."

"Why not today? We’re all here." Eren suggested as he and Armin finished their food. He looked over at the blonde next to him and noticed something odd. "Armin is that my hoodie?" Eren asked confused as to how he didn't notice.

"I have been wearing it all morning. How did you only just now realize this?" Armin asked in disbelief. Eren shrugged and grabbed the dishes and silverware bringing them to the sink. "Anyway, are you two down to go today?" Armin asked turning to face Mikasa and Sasha. Sasha nodded while Mikasa scanned Armin‘s chest seeing at least three hickies and two dark bite marks on his skin.

“Jesus Eren! Show some restraint!" Mikasa said concerned pointing at the marks as " Eren turns to them from the sink confused. "There has to be five marks on him."

"Ten actually but who's counting." Armin mumbles finishing his coffee turning to see Sasha and Mikasa with wide eyes. "What? There's some on my legs, I'd show you but I don't have any boxers on." Armin walked over to Eren, to put his mug in the sink, causing Sasha to notice the claw marks covering Eren’s back. She just shook her head before bringing Mikasa in for a soft kiss making them both smile.

Eren wrapped his arms around Armin after he finished the dishes. The blonde snuggled into his chest. "Mikasa's mad at me for the hickies isn't she?" Armin laughed as he nodded and Eren pressed his lips to his boyfriend's head. "Does she know you left more on me?" The blonde shook his head no with a smirk. "I'm not allowed to tell her am I?" He shook his head again and Eren signed running a hand through his hair. "Fucking brat." The brunette grabbed the back of Armin‘s head and pressed their lips together roughly. Armin moaned softly into the kiss, sending a shiver down Erens back.

The four decide to watch a movie before getting ready, Armin and Mikasa sit on the couch leaned into opposite corners, talking about their night. Sasha and Eren were in the kitchen getting drinks and snacks while chatting. She leaned on the island gazing at Mikasa with a smile. "Two years I couldn't say anything. And thanks to you, she's mine now."

Eren smiled at Sasha leaning on the counter next to her. "I like Mikasa, she hooked up the warriors with food, even when her boss yelled at her. Plus she always looked like she was enjoying our performances since day one, before we had any real traction." Eren grabbed a piece of popcorn before tossing it in his mouth. "C'mon they're waiting for us.” He said as he picked up two glasses and the popcorn bowl, leaving the soda and two other glasses for Sasha to grab. Eren walked to the couch setting the glasses and bowl on the coffee table as Sasha brought everything else. Eren laid on the couch cuddling into Armin‘s chest, smiling as the blonde wraps his arms around his waist. Sasha sat on Mikasa’s lap wrapping her arms around the black haired girl's neck. Mikasa pressed a kiss to Sasha's head and the four of them bunkered down to water the movie.

~~~~

Levi sighed as he grabbed a new essay from the stack and pulled up the students grading portal up. It was Saturday so there were no kids at the school so he came in a pair of jeans and a dark sweater. He looked over to find he finished his tea and decided it was a good time to stretch his legs. Levi grabbed his teacup before making his way to the nearby break room and put his teacup on table. He backed up to grab a tea bag but crashed into large, muscular chest. Two large arms caught him at the waist before he fell, "Woah, easy there. You okay?" Levi looked up to find two blue eyes staring down at him. He felt his heart leap into his throat so he nodded, not trusting his voice. The stranger helped him stand and smiled gently. “My apologies I should've been more careful. I'm Erwin I teach War Studies."

Levi took a step back before looking up to meet his gaze. "Levi. I teach classical literature. Uh thank you for catching me." Erwin tilted his head smiling causing Levi to turn his head away. "Let me make you some tea in thanks." He turned and quickly started making the tea grabbing his spare teacup from the cabinet. Erwin sat at the table quietly observing Levi. Levi carries the two cups over placing one in front of Erwin and sat down at the table with Erwin. "I've never seen you here before. It's a random time to get a new teacher."

Erwin hummed, “Well the man teaching this before me fell ill, so my employment got pulled forward. My question is why are you here on a Saturday?" He asked as he took a small sip of tea.

"I don't like bringing my work home, so I come here to do my grading." Levi looks up from the table to see Erwin looking at him with a relaxed smile. He gave the blonde a small smile in return. 'He's got a solid foot on me in height, built like a damn Greek God, and his eyes.... I could stare into them forever.'

"Can I take you to dinner tonight?” Erwin inquired tilting his head. "I know that's a little out of the blue but I think I'd much enjoy your company."

"Yes. I think I'd enjoy that as well."

~~~~

Eren lead the group to his favorite store, "In here guys." He opened the door, holding it open for them. Armin smiled at Eren, placing a hand on his chest before going on his toes to kiss the dark haired boy's cheek and went into the store. Eren smiled walking in after Armin and waved at the man at the counter . "Hey Rocco!"

"Eren! My man!" Eren walked over dapping up the large tattooed man. "It's been ages since you've been in, you finally ready for your tattoo?" Eren shook his head laughing lightly. "Whatcha doing here then?”

"You still got that harp? I kinda promised my boyfriend I'd play it for him." Rocco stares at him with wide eyes. "Why is everyone always surprised? This is starting to hurt my feelings." He looked over to Armin holding his arm out, to which the blonde walked over to cuddle into Eren. "Do you have the harp or not?"

“Sorry man, I just never pegged you as a commitment guy. Happy for you, but yea it's still in tester room 4."

"Thanks, I'll make sure I come visit more often." Eren leads Armin and the girls to the room and once again holds the door for them. Mikasa and Sasha sat on the far part of the bench as Eren settled behind the harp, stretching his arms a bit. Armin sat on the nearest part of the bench and just watched Eren as he plucked a few strings mindlessly. He started playing ‘Young and Beautiful’ by Lana Del Ray perfectly his eyes fluttering shut, like he could play this in his sleep. Mikasa cuddled into Sasha, which got her a kiss on her head, as they listened. Armin watched Eren play his eyes focusing on the intricate movements of his hands. He started getting a sense that music was like second nature to Eren, like he was just born with music in his blood. He couldn't imagine ever getting tired listening to him play, let alone watching. Armin started noticing anytime he was playing, or even just practicing, he always looked in his element, his anxieties were just non-existent.

He ended up playing quite a few songs; Creep by Radiohead, Sweater Weather by The NBHD, and Perfect by Ed Sheeran, to name a few. The group eventually walks over to the convenience store nearby to get drinks and walk over to the park. They all sit at a large tree, Eren holding Armin who's sat between his legs his back to his chest. While Mikasa just rests her head on Sasha's shoulder. Armin listens to Eren bond with Sasha over some obscure band he's never heard of, but it makes him smile that he gets along with his friends. His face scrunches in confusion as his phone starts ringing. Armin pulls his phone out of his pocket and holds it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Armin? It's Marco, I know you probably don't wanna talk to me but I have to talk to you. It's driving me crazy, are you free?"

"I'm out with Mikasa, Sasha and Eren right now. Maybe later?"

"It’s important. I don't care if Eren’s with you, I just don't want to admit to this in front of Mika or Sasha yet."

"Fine, meet me at my place I'll text you the address." Armin hangs up quickly rolling his eye s. "Mikasa, Sash, Eren and I gotta go but we'll see you later yea?"They nod in response waving bye as Armin leads Eren to the car. He explains everything to the dark haired boy driving while pouting in the passenger seat. "This sucks I don't wanna talk to Jean's new boyfriend. Like yea we were friends before but it's just awkward now." Eren frowns hearing the hurt in his boyfriend's voice and reaches over to grab Armin‘s hand. The blonde pulls his hand away before turning his body to face the window. "Sorry Eren, I just don't wanna be touched right now."

Eren nods and parks the car. "I'm really bad at comforting so just tell me how I can help okay, sunshine?" Armin nods before getting out of the car and stormed up to his apartment. Eren sighed resting his forehead on the steering momentarily before looking over seeing Armin left his phone. He grabbed it as he got out and quickly made his way up to the apartment. “Baby? You left your phone in the car... Where are ya?”

"In here." Armin called from his room before pulling the pillow closer and buries his face in the fluff. Eren walked in to his room sitting on the bed, not even an arms length from him. "Can we just stay in bed after this?" He lifted his head and looked over at Eren, who nodded at him smiling. He sat up pulling his knees to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. "Can you play with my hair? It's really comforting when you do it." Armin pulled his hair out of the bun it was in as Eren scooted next to him. The dark haired one guided the blonde so his head rested in his lap and started running his hand through the blonde locks, occasionally twirling some around his fingers. Armin‘s eyes fluttered shut before he nuzzled his face into Eren’s stomach letting out a small hum. The two stay like that, Eren keeping his other hand at his side not to push Armin‘s boundaries, until the doorbell rings signaling Marco's arrival.

Armin groaned before getting up unceromoniously, and walked over to the door opening it for Marco silently. Eren wrapped an arm around Armin‘s shoulders catiously, relaxing when the blonde leaned into him. The couple sat on the couch as Marco sat on one of the chairs. "Look Jean said he was gonna tell you but he keeps chickening out and I'm really sorry Armin." Marco looked down at the ground, his face was scrunched up in pain. "You know how you came to us when we started college about you and Jean were constantly fighting, you couldn't figure out why?" Armin rolled his eyes before nodding.

"Marco I really don't have the patience for you to beat around the bush like this. Just say your piece."

"It was because of me. October 19th is our anniversary..." Marco said suddenly as his eyes tear up. Armin stares at Marco blankly his mouth hanging open in disbelief. "I know it was wrong I just couldn't help it, I started falling for him over the summer and I guess he felt the same.... He kept saying he was gonna tell you and end things but stuff kept coming up for you, so he didn't want to add stress to you." Marco looked up at Armin tearfully. "I am so sorry Armin. If I-"

"Get out." Armin spoke in a cold ruthless tone, that actually terrified Eren, glaring at the freckled boy with a harsh glare. Marco began to protest but Armin grabbed one of the glasses from earlier and threw it at Marco. The glass hit the wall behind Marco shattering into pieces as Armin rose from the couch. "Get out! And don't you dare tell anyone! I refuse to be made a fool by you two ever again! Don't even think of telling Jean, we will act like nothing has changed, but you'll get your karma in time. Now, get out." Marco ran out the door as fast as he could, tripping over his own feet in his haste. Armin fell to his knees and looked down at the ground as his breathing got shallow and uneven.

Eren got off the couch is reeling next to Armin on one knee reaching a hand towards him carefully. Armin turned to Eren with tears in his eyes before throwing his arms around his neck and held him tightly. Eren wraps his arms around the blonde‘s shoulders, feeling the shake from the silent crying from Armin. "I'm here Armin, I'm here." He pressed gentle kisses to Armin‘s head as he brought a hand to the blonde locks, twirling sections of it around his fingers. Eren held him as close as he could doing his best to keep his anger at bay. Since day one Eren wanted to beat that guy's head in, but he knew Armin needed him right now.

He couldn't imagine how pained his ball of sunshine was hearing that, I mean almost half his relationship was a lie. No matter how over it you are, finding out someone you loved betrayed you? How do you trust after that? All these thoughts and questions ran through Eren's mind on a loop, causing him to lose track of time. He shakes his head as if that got rid of the thoughts and hears quiet snores. "Blondie must've cried himself to sleep." He shifted Armin gently making it easier to pick him up bridal style before carrying his blonde to bed. Gently, Eren set him down and covered him to his chest with the blanket, before leaning down and pressing his lips against Armin‘s forehead. He walked out of Armin‘s room at the same time Mikasa got home, with no Sasha. "Sasha go home?"

"Got called into work, where's Armin?" She asked walking into the kitchen to get a snack before having to get ready for work.

"Sleeping. Avoid the living room, there's broken glass on the floor. You got a broom or something I can clean it up with?" Eren asked leaning on the door frame. Mikasa pointed to the closet before it registered.

"Wait. Why is there broken glass on the floor?"

"Ask Armin when he wakes up. I don't know who he's okay telling." He said plainly as he walked to the closet grabbing the broom and dust pan. "It's not that I doubt he'll tell you, it's just not my place to talk about it." Eren walks over and starts sweeping the shards of glass into the dustpan. He kneels down to pick up the bigger pieces and accidentally cuts his palm open. "Shit." He quickly cleaned the rest of the glass up and emptied the dustpan into the trash, "Hey Mika? Can you help with this?" He held his hand out to her and she nodded grabbing their first aid kit.

She pointed to one of the stools at the counter. "Sit." Eren nodded sitting on the stool before Mikasa took his hand running a wipe over the cut.

"Ow! Shit that stings!"

"Lower your voice, you'll wake Armin." She said calmly as she cleaned the cut while Eren winced. "Don't be such a baby. It's not that bad." Eren glared at her as she wrapped the injured hand in gauze. "In a few hours you should be able to replace the gauze with a regular bandaid."

"Thanks, Mika." Eren groaned as he laid on the counter. "Do you still like Jean? I know you were all friends in high school and everything."

"I'm neutral? Guess that's the best way to describe it. Sasha's still friends with him so I have to be civil, but honestly I couldn't really care less." She said putting away the kit. "I have to get ready for work, if he's feeling up to it I'll get you guys a drink or two on the house. Just drop by okay?" Eren nodded and she retreated to her room.

Eren grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with water before going to Armin. He set the cup on the nightstand and brushed some stray hairs out of the blonde’s face. Eren sat by Armin on the bed moving some pillows so he could rest his back against the headboard. The blonde groaned as the bed moved under Eren and his eyes slowly fluttered open. “Eren?”

"I'm here sunshine." Armin turned to face Eren before grabbing his wrist pulling his hand to his hair. "Okay baby. C'mere." Eren moved Armin so his head rested in his lap before running his hands through the blonde hair gently. "Anything I can do just tell me." The blonde nodded as a comfortable silence fell over them.

"Distract me." Armin said after roughly five minutes passed. Eren raised his eyebrow in confusion as Armin sat up and quickly straddled his lap. "Please.... I don't wanna think right now..." The blonde wrapped his arms around the other's neck giving him a pleading look. The brunette’s eyes widened in realization before grabbing his boyfriends waist and nodding. Armin leaned down capturing Erens lips in a rough kiss pulling their bodies as close as possible.

‘Anything for you sunshine.'

[jawnjendes]

it’s always been you | shawn mendes

shawn x goth oc

forevermore 1/?

let me know if you want to be added to the taglist

PREVIOUS

masterlist | playlist (song added with every chapter)

One would be surprised to know the extent Annalise Flores would go to remain anonymous. She had a wig she wore specifically for work, and it wasn’t just to look professional. All of her social media is private, not that she surfs the web for leisure these days. Her own family doesn’t even know what she’s been up to these last few weeks. This is the life Annalise chose. Always reserved, always a mystery. She preferred it this way.

So when she got back together with her ex, it wasn’t exactly devastating to discover that she was not allowed to be seen with him in the public eye. Her ex-turned-current boyfriend is the world famous musician Shawn Mendes. They dated back in college prior to the fame, but that’s a different story. This is now.

Annalise was in between sessions at her Los Angeles counseling office, reviewing notes and waiting for the next client to arrive. It was a normal work day, she was at the halfway point, but not quite. It wasn’t lunchtime yet.

The phone rang, causing her to jump at the sound. She picked up and answered, hearing her assistant/secretary Mateo on the other line.

“Señora, tiene una entrega,” he said in a singsong voice.

“What did we say about señora?” she replied. “I feel old.”

He giggled. “So are you coming, or do I drink this coffee myself?”

Annalise perked up at the sound of coffee. “I’ll be right there.”

It’s not that it was a hot beverage. She never Postmated something she could simply go out and get herself. She smoothed out her black dress and went down the hallway, gazing at the waiting room on the way to the front desk, just in case anyone showed up early. That was a rare occurrence, what with the type of clientele she dealt with.

The delivery was exactly what Mateo had said, a cup of coffee from some obscure shop. The assistant was grinning excitedly, for this wasn’t the first time his employer had gotten a mystery drink with a note attached. Annalise knew he never read the notes she got, otherwise he would have flipped his shit long ago. Mateo wasn’t one to hide things like shock or excitement. He would learn though; He was still an intern.

Annalise took the cup and read the strip on the side of it. Decaf. Hvy cream. Sweetener. Yup, that’s the one. Then she opened the folded note that was tape to the cup.

See you tonight -Mr. M.

She hummed and slipped the note into her dress pocket. Looks like she has plans tonight.

“There’s also a man outside who wants to talk to you,” Mateo added. “He’s the one who brought the coffee.”

Annalise figured there would be more than just that silly little note. She went out the door and into the warm spring day, finding a familiar bald man sat on a nearby bench.

“Jake,” she greeted.

The man stood and smiled. “How you doing, Ann?”

“Good. Apparently I’m seeing him tonight? Has he lost his mind or something?”

“He says it’s important.”

“He and I have different definitions of the word important. But yeah, I’ll go. I assume you’ll be taking me again?” There was a bit of reluctance in her tone.

“That’s right. As soon as you’re done here.”

Anytime Annalise wanted to see her boyfriend, she couldn’t simply drive herself to his house whenever she pleased. The last time she saw Shawn was two months ago on Valentine’s Day, a day that he decided was important. Most days, they saw each other through FaceTime, Snapchat, text, even the coffee and notes became a regular form of communication.

It’s not like Annalise frequently keeps up with celebrity gossip, but she knew why it had to be this way, and honestly, she wasn’t mad about it. She had to sneak around with Shawn behind the scenes of his great big love story stunt, despite the fact that he wasn’t doing anything careerwise at the moment. It was more for the other person in this love story stunt than it was for him. Again, Annalise wasn’t mad about it.

Staying away from Shawn in public was fine, and that’s the truth. The world believed Shawn Mendes was dating Camila Cabello for the umpteenth time in his career. Well, some of the world believed that, and some was all that was needed. As long as Annalise didn’t get under that terrifying microscope, she was good.

~

Shawn was nervous for a multitude of reasons. The doorbell rang, and even though he checked the camera at the front door, he still felt knots in his stomach. He hasn’t seen this girl in a while. He was still surprised that she agreed to come all the way to sunny LA. This wasn’t her level of expertise, but she was experienced in law, so that was better than nothing. On top of that, Shawn didn’t trust anyone that was connected to Andrew, and most lawyers in this town seemed to know him. Shawn couldn’t risk any of this getting back to his team.

He answered the door to a petite woman with a jet black pixie cut. She had on dark sunglasses, and carried an umbrella. Ripped skinny jeans, a band t-shirt, and converse were her go-to. It was like she hadn’t changed clothes since the last time Shawn saw her. Dark as this girl looked, her greeting was like sunshine.

“Helloooo!” She dramatically threw her umbrella aside and opened her arms for a hug.

“Isabella,” Shawn greeted as he accepted her hug, minding the permanent chill of her body. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Oh, that’s okay,” she replied. She stepped inside the house and looked around the spacious area. “Damn, this ain’t no Canada. Also, how convenient that you live here and not your supposed home country.” She poked his chest with a grin.

Shawn chuckled. This girl genuinely did not believe Canada was a real place. “Tell you what, get me out of this contract, and I’ll send you on a vacation to Vancouver.”

Isabella took off her sunglasses, revealing red eyes. However she blinked a few times and they went back to brown.

“Who else is here?” she asked, placing her shoulder bag on the kitchen island. “I’m detecting Chanel Number Whatever.”

“Oh, that’s probably Camila,” Shawn replied, still thrown by how intuitive Isabella was. “She’s in the bathroom. And uh, Ann will be here soon.”

“Okay, so Camila’s the fake girlfriend, right?”

“Worse. They want us engaged.”

Isabella’s eyes widened. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Then, another voice sounded from the stairs. “Who’s here? I heard the doorbell ring.”

Shawn shared a look with Isabella. While she still looked human, there was that tiny shred of doubt. What if she had the words ‘vampire-witch’ tattooed on her forehead?

Finally, Camila entered the dining room/kitchen. She immediately spotted Isabella and went to introduce herself. Both girls were bubbly and enthusiastic, despite the serious circumstances. Shawn couldn’t help but feel a bit weird. He carried many secrets, but the biggest one had to be that he knew an actual vampire. That secret was just above the one about his relationship with Camila being a business arrangement. Could he really consider it a secret if his team was absolutely horrible at making that seem natural, and that the whole world figured it out years ago? Shawn and Camila were simply bound by contract.

That’s why Isabella Jayn Montgomery was hired.

Shawn checked the time on his phone. It was half past eight, Ann and Jake should be on their way. He shouldn’t have been so nervous about this. It’s not like Ann wouldn’t like the idea of not having to hide anymore… right?

~

“So you just decided that we were going to go public and not tell me?”

He didn’t really know what he was expecting. Not even five minutes had passed since Isabella, Camila, and Jake left, and Ann got right to it. She was polite through the whole discussion, listening to everything Isabella had to say, and asking questions every so often. But as it turns out, she had her own bone to pick.

Shawn was putting the empty water glasses in the kitchen sink, surprised by his girlfriend’s serious tone. “I thought that was something we wanted?”

“You wanted that,” Ann corrected, sitting at the island. “Look, if you want to stop fake dating Camila, that’s fine, I support that. If you wanna go back to making music for your fans and go back on tour, I support that too. Whatever you wanna do with your career is your decision. But when it comes to our relationship, I get a say too. And I don’t want my privacy taken away.”

“Well…” he trailed off, leaning against the counter. “Just because I get out of my contract doesn’t mean you and I have to go and make out in the middle of the street. It would just be more believable if we were seen out in public together. It would show mine and Camila’s teams that we’re not taking their shit anymore.”

Ann chuckled. “Yeah, I’m not here to be a pawn in a game of publicity chess.”

Shawn sighed and walked around the counter, holding his hands out to her. “They want me and Camila to be engaged, and then have a huge wedding covered by all the major media outlets. I don’t want my life playing out this way anymore.”

She kept her arms folded. “A fake wedding is where you draw the line? Really?”

“If I’m gonna have a wedding, it’s gonna be with you,” he told her.

That particular topic wasn’t new information. Shawn and Ann had talked about marriage in the past and when would be the right time. How their cultures and subcultures were going to come into play. How they would go about it with all this Shawmila nonsense. That’s why Ann remained serious.

“Weddings are clearly not a big deal if these business people are willing to just throw a fake one together. I’m sure your fake girlfriend will look beautiful in a stupid white gown.” She rolled her eyes.

“I wanna see my real girlfriend in a stupid black gown,” Shawn corrected.

 Ann cracked a small grin, but it faded quickly. She sucked in a breath as her face contorted.

“What? What is it?” Shawn asked, concern quickly replacing the building frustration.

She breathed out. “Nothing, just cramps.”

“Stomach cramps? Nausea? What did you eat?”

“Period cramps. I don’t get any of that often but when I do…”

You’re moody as hell and question everything I do, Shawn thought. Only a second later, guilt formed in his chest.

NEXT

_______

goth gf taglist @normalcyisoverrated-beyou @ilsolee @strangerliaa @kitykatnumber @mendesromano @iloveshawnieboi @goldenmndes @parkeraul @someoneunimportantxx @shawnvvmendes @calyumthomas @softmendesss @wronglanemendes @theprivatewritings @peruvian-bae

[enamis1]

OC INTERVIEW

it’s that time again where I ramble about stuff only i care about! i got tagged, as always by the lovely @courierspikeee and i'm tagging @worthlesssix if they're still around and wanna do stuff 1. Choose an OC. 2. Answer them as that OC. 3. Tag 5 people to do the same.

[Three months after the Second Battle of Hoover Dam and the declaration of Vegas’s independance a young ‘news courier’ managed to orchestrate an interview with the local courier-turned-leader on the casino floor of the Lucky 38]

1. What is your name? Viva. Or Empress Vivianne if you wanna be fancy.

2. How old are you? [she rubs the back of her head] somewhere in the ‘thirty’ ballpark I’m guessing 

3. What do you look like? You have eyes don’t you? And yes the white hair is natural. No, I don’t really know why it’s like that. Apparently it’s some genetic condition. 

4. Where are you from? Where do you live now? I'm from the West. I've been told. [pause] Maybe. But as far as anyone’s concerned I might as well be a native Mojave-ian. Won't be leaving Vegas or, hell, even the Lucky 38 anytime soon.

5. What was your childhood like? I’m sure it was fine. I mean, I have no memory of it, but I’m sure it was /fine/ 

6. What groups are you friendly with? Are you allied with any factions? [she groans] As you can imagine politics are a bit uhh… tense at the moment, what with me kicking the NCR out of my city and all. Our current alliance consists of the Families, the Kings, Freesiders, the Boomers, and the Followers. Once we get our issues here sorted I'm extending my hand to all the independent settlements in the area and we’ll go from there

7. Tell me about your best friend. Which one exactly? ‘Cuz I have a few. Oh, I know, I can tell you about this guy [she points over her shoulder to a securitron with a static smiley on its screen] This is Yes Man, he’s my second in command. [the robot raises a clawed hand and gives a cheerful ‘howdy’] It's not that i couldn't manage coordinating a brand new, independent nation by myself, but he does make all the busywork and number running and security that much easier. And he yells at me if I forget to eat or sleep for a few nights [Viva proceeds to glare at the robot, its smile unchanging]

8. Do you have a family? Tell me about them!  [Viva glances away for a moment] My friends are my family. [pause] and even if we don't get along entirely, that's just how it is. I wouldn't trade any of those fuckwits for the world.

9. What about a partner or partners?  [she gives a single loud laugh] Do I look like I have time for shit like that? Especially now of all times?

10. Who are your enemies, and why?  I’d hazard a guess and say at this point everyone who’s not my explicit ally [Viva drums her fingers for a moment] Of course the NCR is going to pretend to be nice for now, but politics is like chess. Complex, and annoying and I hate it. Give me a year and i’ll be begging for the Legion and their blunt insanity

11. Have you ever heard of The Brotherhood of Steel? What do you think about them?  Oh I’ve heard of them alright. [she grumbles under her breath] Good people. Bad priorities though. 

12. What about The Enclave? [shrug] no comment 

13. How do you feel about Super Mutants?  What you mean the ones up north? They're great and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I mean, yeah sure they're pretty scary to be around, especially if the nightkin get antsy, but they're decent people. Marcus is… Marcus is a good man.

14. What’s the craziest fight you’ve ever been in? I… [she trails off, thinking] There was… /is/ a man. Who knew me from before. Long before. He challenged me to face him in a grave of ash and… I consider the three weeks it took to track him though the pits of hell as one very, very long and very exhausting fight. [she pauses again] That and all the verbal sparring along the way. And… everything after, too. 

15. Have you ever fought a Deathclaw? I mean… I've shot Deathclaws. And they're about as pants-shittingly terrifying as they've always been. But that's what the .50 cal is for

16. Do you like fighting? [she grins] I like shooting, I’ll tell you that much 

17. What’s your weapon of choice? [Viva holds up her finger to pause and proceeds to heft up an Anti-material Rifle. It’s new with a faint silvery sheen, and only a little scuffed from use, the Gun Runners logo still visible on the side. It is custom made, with every possible attachment, some parts are black carbon fiber. There are three bands of color around the stock and several engravings including six letters -CALBVR] [Viva is gleefully beaming as she wordlessly shows off the gun] 

18. How do you survive? Your wits, your charm, your skills, brute force, some combination? (a.k.a. what’s your S.P.E.C.I.A.L?) You don't get to where I am without a bit of everything. But you could say my speciality is shooting, robotics, and outplaying people in the games they weave. [she tilts her head back and hums] Back when I was still just a mailman i knew how to hide in plain sight. Saved my life more often than not. That and brass knuckles. Very effective. Anything mechanical is child’s play too. Can't figure out how to cook geko without burning it though, so all the money I saved on gear i spent on food. [she rubs the back of her head and mutters through her teeth] and bandages. so. many. bandages. I swear the world really wants me dead and is having better luck at it than I am

19. Have you ever been in a vault? What do you think about them?  Plenty ‘round these parts. Can't say I'm fond of lurking around /in/ them but… Marvels of tech those things, shame most of them failed. There's actually one or two I want to strip for parts in the future. If I can get the wildlife out beforehand that is. 

20. How do you beat all the radiation around here? Has it affected you?  Radiation and I have a… complicated relationship. [she turns to the securitron and mutters something with a slight smirk. Suddenly the lights of the bottom floor wink out. Viva faces forward once more, her already unnaturally green eyes now glowing with a faint, sickly light. The lights flick on just as suddenly with a loud clack and the woman giggles] Honestly if I don't end up as a ghoul by the end of my life I will be /very/ surprised

21. What’s your favorite wasteland critter?  Do… Do the robots count? Because I'm going with the robots anyway.

22. What’s your least favorite wasteland critter?  I’d say it starts with death and ends with claw, but that's not right. At least with those fuckers I know where to aim, no, first place goes to cazadores, the best reason for carrying around a shotgun. 

23. How do you feel about robots? [she gestures to the dozens of securitrons surrounding them with a wide grin] Bliss, home, paradise and then some. 

24. How many caps do you have on you right now? I mean- [she rummages in her pockets] I don't have my bag with me. 23. I can't fit more into these pockets they're too full of specialty ammo.

25. Nuka Cola or Sunset Sarsaparilla?  Nuka. I fucking hate Sarsaparilla and I know it's blasphemy in these parts, but listen, if you're dehydrated and all you have to drink is that mind-meltingly awful shit i'm looking for the nearest cactus to suck on

26. Do you do chems?  Uh. [she rubs her neck and nervously bounces her leg] I mean. Mentats are uh. Pretty… pretty great. [she bites her lip] Next question?

27. Do you ever think about the Pre-War world?  It fascinates me. What a life they lead to have created tech of this calibre [she gestures to the casino once more] I keep on finding parts of the old world that shine though, all the good, all the awful, all the same, always there. [she thinks for a moment] Like the past isn't as distant as people want to believe. But maybe that's just me… I've had more run-ins with old world ghosts that you’d believe. And I don't mean my previous employer either.

28. What’s your deepest regret? What would you do differently?  [her expression darkens] [after a minute of silence she shakes her head] Can't change what was done. No point dwelling. 

29. What’s your biggest achievement? Or what do you hope to achieve? [she exchanges a look with the smiling securitron] Right now? We’re in step four. There's a lot of steps to go. [exhale] And every single step takes more effort than anyone realizes. Because a lot of people don't think. Don't think about food, don't think about water, don't think about safety, don't think about business, don't think about what's next. I have to. And it's hard yaknow? But I've done more than I could ever imagine. I dethroned House, I defeated the Legion, I defanged the NCR. That’s��more than most can say…

30. What do you want for the future? For yourself? Your friends? The world? [she sinks into her seat] I didn't do all of this because I thought it’d be fun. [her expression darkens to a cold seriousness] Vegas is something else. Vegas and the Mojave. Everything that's happened here is that much more important than anyone realizes. This place is a crossing point. A bridge. Between the West and the East. And bridges can't belong to either side. I need to make sure it stays that way. I need to make sure this place, everyone who put their faith in me, /my/ people are safe. Are fed. Are… Vegas has to prosper as it stands and everything else’ll be sorted out in time. That's what I want. The Mojave to thrive. And so help me I haven't walked through storms of fire and death to let all of this fall apart. [she raises her eyes, a haunting look with a smile] So tell everyone who’s gonna be listening - I have the shadow of a nation behind me. I won't waste it this time.

[snuggietuan]

BAMBAM GIRLFRIEND SERIES // HOW YOU MEET

Word Count: 1817

Your life was actually so boring. Going through the same routine as always. Wake up, go to school, go to work, sleep. You were getting tired of your boring ass life and you needed something new. Your parents pressured you into going to this specific college and you were so broke. You were barely getting by after paying for rent and taking care of yourself. It was hard to find time for yourself since you were so caught up in school and working for money.

Your alarm went off, stealing you away from the dream world you were in. You had always dreamed to get a stable job, a nice boyfriend, and maybe get married and having kids. But life was looking the complete opposite of that. You found your phone buried under your pillow and hurry and tapped snooze. It wouldn’t hurt to sleep in for at least another 10 minutes right?

10 minutes later, the annoying ringtone went off again and you set yourself up in bed, wiping your eyes and turning the alarm off. You headed to the bathroom and did the normal routine. Brushed them pearly whites, and got in the shower. This was your only time to mentally prepare yourself for the day.

You wrapped a towel around your body and rushed back to your room to get dressed. You just threw on some leggings and a sweater since the weather was starting to cool down a bit. You rarely ever did your makeup in the morning since you could come home and make yourself look presentable for work.

You grabbed your bags and books and headed out the door, walking to the campus that was near your apartment. It was rainy today which meant you had to carry an umbrella and avoid puddles. This was one of the disadvantages of your roommate having earlier classes than you. She took the car and left you to walk.

You arrived at your class, your socks almost completely soaked from accidentally stepping in puddles. Your day was already starting out terrible. You paid close attention to your professor's lectures but you somehow always drifted off into a daydream. 

You got your phone out from your bag and texted your roommate, you know, the one with the car?

You: Hey. I hate to be a bother but it’s raining and my feet are already soaked. Would it be too much to ask for a ride home?

You drew your attention back to the monitor your professor was teaching on. A few minutes later your phone vibrated

Cassidy: Sure it’s no problem. I would drive you to work but I have a date to catch. I’ll leave you a bus card.

You hated riding the bus, but it was better than no ride at all.

You: Sounds good. I’ll see you then!

You tucked your phone into your pocket and looked at the time on your laptop. You had barely 10 minutes left and you had to make it through it.

You put your laptop in the case and grabbed all your things and made your way to the entrance. You stood under a shelter for 5 minutes until you saw Cassidy’s car pull up. You hurried to open the door since it was pouring down.

She dropped you off at the apartment and you sprinted to your room to get ready for work. You worked at quite an expensive jewelry store so the employers did not have any time for trashy looking employees. You dried your hair and straightened it and put on some heavy makeup. You threw on some jewelry that your mother let you have from her collection and put on a form-fitting dress.

You snatched the bus card that Cassidy left you from the kitchen table and grabbed your purse and umbrella. You made your way to the bus stop that was near your place in 4-inch heels, and it was an understatement that your feet were already starting to hurt. They were not ready for this 4-hour shift you were about to work.

All was going well at work. You assisted a lovely couple looking for wedding bands. They looked absolutely cute and how you dreamed of having a man be so good to you. But then there was also your co-worker who could not go an entire shift without flirting with you. He probably thought you would never catch on to him, but you saw right through him. And your legs felt like they could give out at any moment.

The doorbell on the entrance rang and you whipped your head around to get a view of the customer. You were destined to assist the guy and beat your co-worker to it. You tried to keep a good posture with your aching feet as you made your way to the man.

“Good evening sir, are you interested in any engagement rings? We have a sale goi-” You began to start the staged introduction until the man cut you off.

“Actually I’m just looking for watches, you know, for myself.” He smiled awkwardly.

God damn it Y/N. Always fucking assuming that every guy that walks into the damn jewelry store is looking for a ring.

“My apologies. Here, I’ll show you our finest watches.”

He smiled and you led him to the other side of the store to show him what he was looking for. You showed him the silver watches and some that were on sale. There was absolutely nothing wrong with treating yourself. Damn you should probably take notes.

“What do you think would look good?” He asked you, pointing to one of the more expensive watches, and then pointing at a silver watch on sale.

You smiled and grabbed for the key attached to your wrist to unlock the glass display. “Why don’t we find out?”

You grabbed for the watches he pointed out to you and he tried them on and you could tell he was very pleased. He put one on his right wrist and one on his left to really tell the difference.

“Which one do you think looks better?” He asked you as he flexed his left arm, and then the right.

You put your index finger up to your lips and thought about it.

“Well, I think the expensive one makes you glow a ton. But if you’re on a budget then I would suggest you buy that one.”

“Would you buy this one for your boyfriend?” He questioned you on the spot. It made you a bit flustered, but it would be pretty rude of you to ignore a customer.

“Definitely, if I had one.” You smiled awkwardly at him, but it was just the truth.

“I’ll get this one then” Damn it must be nice to have money in your wallet to treat yourself.

“Excellent! Will that be all you’re looking for today” You asked him as you put the watches back into the display and locked it up.

“Yup that’s all”

“Okay well meet me at the first register and I’ll be back with your watch” You smiled brightly. You ran to the back of the store to fish for the watch he picked out. You came back and helped him pay for everything.

“I think I’ll just look a while longer, thank you though!” He smiled and carried his shopping bag around the store, admiring all the pieces. You heard the doorbell again and your co-worker was making his way out, pulling out a cigarette box. You sighed and followed him outside where he was leaned up against the building, lighting his cigar.

“Do you mind sharing?” You asked him. It had been a while since you smoked, but it wasn’t like you were gonna get addicted or anything, you just needed a chill pill.

He smirked and pulled out a stick for you, you stuck it in your mouth and lit the end for you. You inhaled and immediately started coughing.

“This is exactly why I don’t smoke” You sneered.

“Lame”

“Don’t be an ass” You punched his shoulder and continued smoking the cigar.

“So Y/N, you still single?” He questioned you.

“Don’t you ask me this every shift we have together?” You rolled your eyes at him.

“Cmon Y/N, why won’t you go out with me? Just one date!”

“That’s not how you get a date, Daniel, you have to be way nicer than that”

“Fine. Will you go out on a date with me please?” He asked again, softening his voice as he popped the question.

“No.”

Suddenly he was all up in your face. You could practically smell the pack of cigars he smoked throughout the day.

“Why are you being so stubborn? I have the looks, the potential to be your boyfriend, you just don’t wanna commit to a rel-”

“Hey, why don’t you get out of her face?” A man yelled from the distance, cutting Daniel off. You turned your head to the side to see the man you assisted earlier. That’s when he backed away and walked over to the guy.

“I was actually just returning to my duty.” He inhaled his cigar and blew it right into the man's face, but he did not move a muscle. Daniel took his cigarette out of his mouth and threw it on the ground, smashing it with his shoe, and walking back into the store.

The man walked to you and his expression told you that he was sincerely worried for you.

“Are you okay? That guy seemed like a dick.” He comforted you.

“I’ll be fine” You brushed your fingers through your hair and pulled the end of your dress down, throwing your nasty cigar onto the ground and stomping on it.

“I apologize. You didn’t need to see that.”

“It’s not your fault, who knows what he would have done if I hadn’t come out.”

You seriously didn’t know what else to say. You knew Daniel was a cocky bastard that would constantly flirt with you on shifts, no matter how many times you rejected him, but you never expected him to get up in your bubble.

“I should probably head back to my job. I hope you enjoy your watch.” You started making your way to the front door until the boy stopped you.

He took a random piece of paper out of his wallet and started writing something down.

“Here take this. You can text me when you get home if you want. It’ll make me feel better if I know you made it home.” He smiled softly and perhaps your heart skipped a beat. A man, actually sincerely showing concern for you. Fuck.

You hesitantly took the paper and nodded.

“What’s your name?” You asked him, needing to know the name of the man that basically saved your ass.

“Kunpimook. But really though, call me BamBam”

[zendozebra]

All the Time in the World Chapter 8

Can’t one day go by without something going wrong in Majima’s life? Apparently, just yesterday there was a villain attack on the students when they were supposed to be doing some sort of rescue training. Majima was supposed to be there helping out the other teachers, but he had promised Izuku that he’d go back to Bandō and look through some of his old stuff. The kid wanted to see some pictures of some of the original quirk users, and it had taken some time to find his old albums. Even then, he had to separate the ones that had himself, Akira, Jin and Aimi in them, seeing as that would probably raise a few questions that he didn’t want to answer. So, since he wasn’t around to help out, Aizawa got his ass handed to him, as did 13 apparently. What does this mean exactly?

It means that Izuku is a fucking idiot and broke his fucking bones again.

“Seriously, kid, if you keep doing this, your ma is gonna take you out of the school. I won’t be able to help you if she does, you know that, right?” The kid wilts under his gaze as Ashido starts to snicker at the boy’s plight. Majima pulls out a cigarette, hoping to catch a fucking break today, and lo and behold, his fucking, lighter is empty. Great, super, fantastic! He snatched the other lighter from Ashido’s hand, angrily lighting his ciga- What? He looked at the pink zebra-striped lighter in his hand, then back up at Ashido. He held up the lighter, “You wanna explain this to me, kid?”

At the very least, she had the good graces to look embarrassed. Izuku looked a bit confused too. “Please don’t tell the other teachers, Majima-sensei.” She said to him, growing a bit nervous, “I know that you can’t smoke on campus, but I don’t know if it’s against the rules to smoke at all.”

“Pretty sure it’s not? I really don’t care either way, your life not mine and all that, but just be careful. Don’t smoke too much.” He then looked over at the problem child. “You knew about this, boy?”

“She asked me not to tell anyone, sir.”

“Good, keep your promises. Trust is important.” He stood up from his desk, stretching his back. “I’m heading to the corner store across the way, gonna grab a snack. Want anything?”

“Ooh, gummy worms!” Ashido called out, while Izuku just shook his head.

Majima walked out into the hall, thankful that the rest of the students have left so he wouldn’t have to stop smoking. He made his way through the security door and out to the crosswalk. Is that Uraraka? He walked up next to his other student, greeting her while they waited for the signal to cross the street. “What’s up, kid? I’d figure you’d be halfway home at this point, what’s got ya stickin’ around school?”

“Oh, Majima-sensei. It’s nothing too important, I just had some questions for Yamada-sensei about the test on friday. Actually, can I ask you a few questions about monday’s lecture? I was hoping you could explain something to me before your test on thursday.” Man, he just can’t catch a break today, can he? Wait, he told them they’d have a test on thursday? Damnit, now he has to write up one of those! Oh, she wanted him to explain something, right? He can’t say no, Nezu has been on his case ever since he almost broke all those classified-information laws. He has to be on his best behavior, so fine.

“Alright, walk with me. I’m headin’ to the store for some stuff, you can keep me company.” She nodded, walking across the street with him and following him into the store.

“So, you told us that villains who act for pleasure or desire are easier to be swayed towards an act of career villainy, but only in situations where the paid actions would fit within their own goals.” Pretty sure that’s not how he worded, but whatever. They walked into the store, where Majima waved at the clerk, and then made his way towards the drinks section.

“Well, in a way. A good example would be the Hero Killer: Stain.” Uraraka shuddered a bit at the mention of that name, but the teacher pushed forward, “If he was contacted by a third party group who desired his assistance with, let’s say, capturing heroes, he might be persuaded to accept the offer, seeing as he himself has a similar goal. However, that union would be unstable due to their varying different end goal. The third party might want to keep the heroes alive for many reasons. Information, extortion, experimentation. Stain, however, only wishes to kill or maim them, and would likely act upon his desire despite the wishes of his employers.” Oh sweet, they had vanilla-flavored milk here? He hasn’t seen any of that in years. Grabbing a few of those sonsabitches. He moved away from the drinks and moved over to the snacks. “Anything else you wanna know?”

“What about trauma villains? Those who do not have a clear goal, but-”

“Trauma villains don’t act with a goal, but more with a lack of one, if that makes any sense.” Judging by the look on her face, he guessed it didn’t. He threw a bag of chips at her. “Hold these for me. Alright, think of it this way. You are training to be a hero. You wake up, you train, you go to sleep. Simple. All of your actions are pushing you towards an ultimate goal. Someone who has been traumatized to the extent of the Echoed Mind is no longer being motivated by a goal, but of some basic desire that has consumed them. He didn’t have any reason to cause the violence that he did, but he didn't know what else to do. He was empty, hollowed, and without purpose in life.”

There we go, there’s a look of something on her face. Majima grabbed the bag of gummy worms that Ashido wanted, as well as a small can of walnuts for Izuku. Might as well get the kid some protein for his strength training.

“So, if someone had found the Echoed Mind, and gave him some kid of a goal to work towards, like using his quirk to help amnesia patients, he might not have gone down the path of villainy?” Damnit, she’s going backwards. Hopeful thinking, but backwards.

“Not… Quite? It’s rather difficult to explain, especially when I’m not paying too much attention to the conversation. Plus, I’m not a doctor and I’m totally not certified to say anything for certain. However, it’s less of that, and more like damage control. The Echoed Mind had been traumatized since birth, and he might have been beyond emotional help, but there could have been a possibility that he could have at least been rendered non-violent. But I knew the Echoed Mind personally, and I can tell you that he was too far gone to be helped, especially in a world that hated quirks.”

Uraraka helped him carry his food over to the counter, where he paid for everything and left the store. She thanked him for his help and made her way to the station, while Majima headed back to the school. He opened the door to his office and- The hell was their problem? Izuku and Ashido were bright red in the face, well Ashido was a darker pink but same thing, and they both seemed super nervous about something. He was missing something, wasn’t he? Alright, time for a little test. He put his bags on his desk and threw Ashido her candy. Just before he sat down, he made a show of checking his pockets and saying, “Aw, damnit, I think I left my wallet at the store. Alright, hold on guys, I’ll be right back.” Alright, plan set. He’ll just wait outside in the hall for a few minutes and use time stop. He’ll be able to walk back into the room and catch an eye of whatever they were-

“Majima-sensei!”

-Aaaand, he lost his train of thought. He gave an annoyed huff, looking to his left and seeing Kendo walking up to him. Oh great, another student wanting to talk to him. Man, this is bullshit, he just wants to drink his fuckin’ milk. Waste of his time, dealing with stupid ass kids and their dumb questions.

Kendo gave him a strange look, “Are you okay, sensei? I just wanted to ask you a question about your-”

“Look, I probably shouldn’t have even given that lecture on monday, so any questions you have should probably go to the principal. Don’t want to get myself into any more trouble than I already have.”

“I… Just wanted to ask about your old friends.” Oh, shit, well. That changes things. He really shouldn’t talk about that. Not without writing down like, a script or something. The whole thing tends to make him uncomfortable, except if he mentions one of them in like, an anecdote or something. She was staring at him, waiting for him to answer. This is gonna be tough to say.

“Why do you want to hear about that, kid? They’re not important, just an old man talking about things that don’t matter anymore.” Man, he had to be how old now? Almost 300, yeah?

“It’s just that Ibara-san noticed that you always seem to be sad when you mention your old friends. Maybe we could help you out a little bit, sir?” Kendo’s a good kid, probably his favorite in 1-B. That class always seems to be lagging behind 1-A, and quite a few of them are pretty bummed out by it. Plus, the Sports Festival is next week, right? He should give these guys a little gift, something that he doesn’t give to 1-A.

“I, uh… I’ll tell you what. Remind me next week, I’ll tell your class some stories about some of my friends. Nothing about Jin, Akira, or Aimi, though. I’m not really… Ready, to talk to so many people about them. But there’s still quite a few stories that I have with guys like Ueno, or Arai. Play your cards right, and keep that Monoma guy at a safe distance from me, and I just might tell Class 1-B about some of the other original villains.” She nodded and made her way down the hall, leaving Majima alone in the hall.

Why was he out here again? It had something to do with time stop, right? He snapped his fingers, looking around for whatever. He sighed and walked back into his office, where- Oh, yeah, forgot about that. Well, Ashido is tracing the scars on Izuku’s hands, so he guesses there’s something going on there. He should mess with them. He sat down at his desk and opened a bag of chips, throwing a handful in his mouth as he propped his feet up on his desk. He snapped again and watched the two of them for a minute. Yeah, they’re definitely together. With an extra loud crunch his two students jumped out of their skin in surprise, both a complete stuttering mess while Majima laughed his ass off.

[ecotone99]

[NF] I was a surveyor for Hillcraven Gold Mine. I think there's people trapped in the tunnels.

It’s 2 a.m. I’m lying in bed, waiting for the day to start, so I can finally escape this nightmare.

Once dawn hits I’m jumping out of bed, running to the Ops Managers' office, and handing in my resignation. I'll explain to him that I can no longer work here, and thank him very much for the opportunity, but I’m seeking employment elsewhere. I’ll pack my bags and leave this place on the next bus out to town.

For the last five months I’ve been working at Hillcraven Gold Mine. It’s a relatively small operation, but one that's been going for over two hundred years. I’ve been working as it's surveyor, much to the dismay of my mother.

I was originally supposed to study and become a software developer. After passing high school and getting my degree (alongside the hundred other kids who had the same idea), I'd spend most of my days sitting behind a computer monitor, drinking copious amounts of coffee while typing code for hours on end.

Luckily for me, a few bad marks on my final report card prevented that catastrophe from ever happening.

As a result, I’ve become what is known as a ‘third generation miner’, as my dad likes to call it. He made his living as a mine surveyor, and his dad did as well. It was fate, really, that brought me to here.

The work is tough, but I’ve found that the mining culture and the routine of the work is extremely enjoyable. I've been living in a commune on-site with five other men, provided to me free of charge by the mine, eating meals at the cafeteria for pennies and only going in to town once a month for a whole week of drinking with my colleagues. The routine has created what I can only describe as a kinship between me and my coworkers. We eat the same food, work in the same conditions and sleep in the same house.

Every morning at 6:30 a.m. sharp, we wake up and make our beds, rubbing the sleep from our eyes and stretching out our stiff limbs. We walk out and join the other hundred people in the locker rooms. We open up our assigned lockers, get changed into our overalls and gumboots, grab our hard hats from the racks and make our way to the lamp room.

The lamp room is where you get the safety equipment required for going underground. The kit includes one battery-powered LED headlamp, which you attach to the top of your hard hat, an external battery pack that provides power to the lamp, which you thread through one side of your belt, and one small oxygen tank that you clip onto the other side of your belt.

So far no one has bothered to explain to me when I should use the oxygen tank, or even how, so I pray that I won’t have a need to know anytime soon.

Once you’re kitted out, you make your way to the mine shaft. The Shift Boss will be waiting outside the lift, with his ragged clipboard and leathery face. You give him your name, and tell him which tunnel you’re going to today, and he’ll make a note on his list. That way, they can see who’s missing at the end of the shift, and who shouldn’t have gone in in the first place.

The Shift Boss is also responsible for checking if you have the right equipment on. If you don’t, you can’t go in.

Got your hard hat? Check.

Headlamp working? Check.

Earplugs?

Check.

Last on his list is your boots. He’ll glance over his clipboard and give your gumboots a quick once-over, to make sure you have them on. Once he’s checked that off the list, he’ll give it a second check. If your gumboots have so much as a spot of dirt on them, he’ll raise his eyebrow at you and give you a chuckle.

“Been working the night shift, huh?” he’d ask.

All the fellow miners will laugh at that, having been asked the same question at some point.

“What?” I asked the first time it happened to me, my boots muddied and hard hat perched awkwardly on my head.

“Your boots. The only people who have a reasonable excuse to have dirty boots are the people who work the night shift.” He replied.

“But we don’t have a night shift?” I asked, slightly confused.

“Exactly. Make sure you keep your boots clean.” He replied, stepping aside to let me into the lift and looking back down at his list, checking off the next person’s name.

All the surveyors must also report to the survey office for a briefing on what parts of the mine you'll be surveying that day, as well as to fetch the equipment from lock-up. Since I’m the only surveyor on the mine besides Mark, I have to lug the near-10kg equipment by myself.

Mark is nearing eighty, has severe arthritis and spends his days in his office, looking over the mine plans and watering his beloved fern. He retired over ten years ago, hopping onto the solitary bus that takes you back to town once a week to live with his wife of fifty years. His plan was to spend his last good years with her, doing some gardening on the two-acre property that he brought in the 80’s, until he passed away, hopefully, in his sleep.

After spending a month living with her, though, he hopped right back on that bus and begged for his job back, deciding that he’d rather spend his last few years working away from home.

His duties mainly comprise of checking my work and updating the plans when necessary. On occasion, though, he’ll grace you with one of his many pieces of advice that he’s acquired through the years.

“Always keep both feet firmly on the ground while in the tunnels. Don’t wanna slip and fall.”, he’ll tell you as you pass him in the kitchen, or: “A sharp pencil is a sign of sharp work.”

One of his favorites though, that he never seems to grow tired of, is: “Always check your headlamp before you go down. It’s easy to get lost and without a torch, you’ll never make it back.”

I normally try to follow the advice he gives me. Most of it makes sense, and has actually helped me at times.

Thanks to him I always check my lamp before going down. I mostly just give it a cursory click-on and click-off while the lift takes me down to the right level.

Yesterday I was working alone in one of the quieter parts of the mine. It was an old shaft that they were looking at expanding, and it was my job to make sure they knew where they were going. While I was setting up the equipment, I stepped on something soft.

I picked up my foot.

It was lying on the floor, half-buried by the dust and debris.

A small pocketbook.

Curious, I dug it out and dusted it off.

“Survey Report - Mark Whittel.” it said on the front, in neat block letters. It was bound by a green leather cover, slightly scuffed and warped from sitting in someone’s back pocket.

I chuckled to myself as I picked it up. He must have lost this back in his heyday, when he was still making his rounds. I thought it would be funny to show it to him, take a look through his old notes and laugh at how he lost it.

I slipped it into my pocket and carried on with the job, forgetting about it almost immediately. Once closing came I went back up the lift, locked up the survey equipment and said goodnight to Mark. I handed in the headlamp and oxygen tank and went to the locker room.

It was there that I remembered it, as I was changing into my normal clothes. By that point Mark was most likely asleep, so I’d have to show it to him the next day.

My colleagues and I ate dinner in the cafeteria, playing a round or two of poker before ultimately moving back to the dorm. As I lay in bed, winding down and getting ready to sleep, I decided to take a look through the pocketbook. Just out of curiosity.

The first few pages were just random personal notes on things to remember, as well as some drawings of different tunnels, all of them labeled. I laughed at a few of them, the contrast between the old man Mark I know and the young man Mark in this book was startling.

After a few more pages, though, something caught my eye. A note was written across the page:

“If you’re reading this, please send help. I’m trapped down here with no idea how to get out.”

I almost choked laughing at that. The Mark I know could probably navigate those tunnels with his eyes closed, there’s no way he’d lose the exit. He must have been very young.

I couldn’t wait to show him this. We’ll go through it together, most likely in tears thinking about Young Mark lost in the tunnels. Getting found by a group of miners who probably never let him hear the end of it.

I turn the page and carry on reading. This time the page is full of text. He’s numbered the date at the top.

“Day 6”

“It’s been almost a week since I came down here, and none of the tunnels seem familiar. I’ve been walking upwards for what seems like hours now, with no signs of me getting closer to the surface.”

“I was surveying tunnel B2L when my headlamp turned off. I stood there frozen for a second, the darkness causing my muscles to seize up. I reached for its switch, flicking it off and then back on. The light flicked back on, luckily, but that was the least of my problems.”

I turned the page.

“For a moment I couldn’t believe what had happened. I wasn’t in the same tunnel.”

I re-read that line again, slightly confused. Did he mean that he somehow accidentally wandered into a different tunnel? Or was he just magically teleported to a different part of the mine?

I’ll have to ask him tomorrow.

“I wandered around for a while, calling out, hoping someone would hear me and tell me which section I was in. My equipment was missing as well, most likely left behind when I was taken here.”

“After what felt like hours, I heard noises. What sounded like people digging further in. I made my way towards it, still calling out, until I heard them stop and call back to me.”

“I’ve been working here for over ten years. I started as an ordinary miner, rubbing shoulders with everyone at some point, before getting promoted to Chief Surveyor.”

“In all that time, I have never met these men.”

I turned the page again.

“Day 9.”

“These men have a wild desperation about them. Some just keep hammering against the wall, ripping chunks out of it with wild abandon for days on end. Some just sit idle, making small talk or just staring at the wall.”

“They told me that there’s no way back up, as far as they’ve seen. At some point they worked on the mine and their lamps did the same thing as mine. When they turned back on, they found themselves here, just like I did.”

The next few pages are filled with what looks like scribbles drawn inside a grid. They all start in the center square and stretch out until meeting back in the middle, hundreds of little strands stretching across the pages,

After awhile, I realized that they were maps.

“Day 10.”

“They call this ‘night shift’, due to the fact that all their watches stick at 2 a.m. sharp. Mine’s been reading the same thing since I got here. When I asked them why they were digging, they explained that no matter how far up or down you go, you end up back here anyways. So they decided to go sideways.”

“I’ve been here a week, and to me that sounds like a reasonable choice. Some of these guys have been here for years.”

“Since I got to night shift, I haven’t felt the need to eat or drink. Sleep hardly comes and almost seems to be more out of habit when it does. I’ve spent the week mapping out the tunnel system, there are hundreds of offshoots that all seem to end up at the same spot, no matter how irrational it is.”

“Day 11.”

“I think I’ve finally found something. A small stress seam at the end of a dead-end tunnel. It stretches from the floor to ceiling and is just wide enough to stick my pinkie through. I can feel air coming from it, a soft, erratic breeze that must come from outside.”

“I’m turning back and finding the other guys to help me dig. This could be the way out.”

The next few pages were full of sketches of the tunnel wall. He labeled where the stress seam is, as well as the optimal spots to dig it out.

I flipped through them until I found another page full of text. This time, it looks like it was written with a shaky hand.

There’s no date on the top.

“They haven’t stopped chasing me since we let them out. As far as I can tell I’m the only one left alive. They were waiting on the other side for someone to break the seam.”

“They look just like us. Same faces, same clothes, same everything.”

“I’ve been hiding but I think they’ve found me. I can hear them coming, they have good sense of smell. I can hear them sniffing-”

The rest of the pages are blank.

I turned off my torch and placed the pocketbook on my nightstand. As I turned on my side, something caught my eye.

Fred was lying in his bed, his head turned towards me.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could feel the hair on the back of my neck rising. He's been staring at me, his eyes wide and mouth slightly open. My heart beat faster as I realized he hadn't blinked.

I turned away from him, my insides going cold as I fought down my paranoia. I shut my eyes.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm myself down.

As I opened my mouth to take another, I felt someone breathing on the back of my neck.

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