#ask all the questions you wanta

[spookypete-94]

Dark Horse-Pete's Place

Part 5

PriceXFem!reader

Reader is a single mother, working double shifts at a restaurant. Father of the child starts to become a problem while reader is at work and Price offers a solution. Slight age gap between reader around 25 and Price around 35. Will be around 3-5 Chapters once finished (Probably will be more about 6-8 chapters total now)

rested on your inner thigh as he drove back to Abel's school to pick him up. Silence echoed through the car, but it was welcomed after the physical activities that had just taken place. Your head leaned back into the head rest of the seat, rolling slightly from the laxed state you were currently in.

A rumble from John brought you back to attention. "Ya' alrigh' love?" he asked.

Turning your head to look at him you smiled and nodded. "I am." Hand reaching down to squeeze his. His eyes returned to the road, pulling into the school lot where Abel awaited outside the front with a group of kids. Noticing the car, he picked up his bookbag and what looked to be his bag of goodies he had acquired from his field trip. A grin placed upon his face stretched ear to ear.

"How was your day?" The normal question you asked as soon as you saw him at the end of the day.

"Great!" he said rustling around his bag. "I got something for you, John." Reaching forward you noticed he had an opal stone in his hand. It matched the one that was on your left finger.

"I thought it looked like Mom's and should give it to you. They had a bunch of fossils and rocks."

Leave it to your boy to remain so kind, thinking of others even when he is given money for himself. John's long calloused fingers passed the stone back and forth between his fingers.

"Was nice of you Abel," turning around in your seat fully to take in his beaming face entirely. "Did you get anything for yourself?"

"Couple of dinosaur models," he answered reaching back in the bag to show them to you.

John was only able to look at the stone, feeling shell shocked by the gift unable to explain why. The gift caused the gears to turn in his head.

"Thank you," John murmured quietly, turning his head over his shoulder to look at Abel. Still beaming his happiness on you both.

"What do you wanta' do today?" John asked. "Anywhere you want to go?" Still looking over at Abel.

"Pete's Pizza!" Abel exclaimed to him. Pete's Pizza was a restaurant with an arcade with kids games. Generally, you took him on his birthday, but figured it was fitting to celebrate today.

"Pete's Pizza it is." Placing the car into gear once more and starting in that direction.

Standing back on your wild night out, you watched Abel with John most of the time. Their interaction heartwarming. Your ex never gave you the chance to witness this opportunity…maybe if he had things would be different between the two of you.

They both played the games for a few hours before ordering pizza. Making sure it was Abel's favorite to end his perfect day. Walking outside, it was that perfect balance between spring and almost summer. The sun lazily going down behind the buildings of the city, casting long shadows on the sidewalks, the streetlights coming on.

This was always your favorite time of the day. Normally, this was the time you bonded with Abel the most, ending it on your way home from work. Instead, you got to spend more time with him today, making core memories. You wish it could be like this all the time.

It was the drive home you realized you didn't know how this would turn out. Would John want to stay with you at your place? You were just freshly married as of today. Or would he want to go back to his place of residence and live the life you knew little about.

Seeming as he could tell once again stressing, John reached over and took her hand placing it on the center console with his. Thumb stroking over the ring. Practice he seems to do often. John started asking questions about what Abel saw today, his favorite part, what he would do again if given the opportunity. For not having children he was slipping into this role quiet well. Listening to Abel speak, and John's swiping motion soothing your worried brain once more.

Once home, a later hour than you are ever unwinding, you started the bed time routine.

"Love, let's watch a movie on the couch. All of us, let the boy pick." John offered up instead, not wanting to end this good day entirely. Settling down on the couch, you placed yourself in between John's legs leaning into his chest while Abel laid down on the other side. Abel was already in his pajamas, snuggling a blanket and a pillow tuned into the tv.

John's large hand began betting down your hair, smoothing it against you.

"You don' have to work anymore if you don' wan to…" his voice lolled underneath of you, hot breath brushing against your ear. "Make enough you could stay home."

It had caught you off guard, glancing over at Abel you see he had fallen asleep more then likely why John was starting this conversation. Keeping a low octave matching John's, "You've done more than enough. Allowing me to use your lawyer is a debt I can never repay."

"Lawyer is free. And you're already doin' somethin' else for this old man," hand slipping from the top of your head and pressing against your stomach. "35, and want one of my own," his brown pits of honey looking up at Abel. "Love that kid like my own but want as many as you're willin' to give me. Don' have to work anymore." He repeated. Laying your head back against his chest, allowing him to rest against the top of yours.

"Can't leave Kate hanging… She's done so much for me."

"So go part time. Work lunch while Abel is at school. Be off when he's done."

Thinking it over, it would be a way to make your own income still. Abel being away at school even when you move into the new house, boredom would more than likely set in.

"Not a bad idea…"

"There will be times I won't be here," his tone direct. "But we can have nights like this when I am. Everythin' is going to be taken care of one way or another. Want to meet with the lawyer on Monday before things start to get rollin' though… And if you're ok with it, I'd like to take Abel out this weekend to go fishin' with me and the other boys."

"Boys," you said jokingly, knowing which "boys" he was referring to. "You're not much older than them."

"Old enough that they are my boys still. Act like children sometimes…most times but act right when the time comes." A warm smile on his face while he spoke of them. Returning to his original thought and conversation, he gave a light shake of his head. "Will only take him if you’re comfortable. Figure getting to spend time with him is important right now so he learns to trust me… and maybe hanging out with men who are good men might not be a bad idea." His last comment sly, trying to give a dig at your ex.

"You just called them boys a few seconds ago," a light laughing scoff leaving you.

"My boys are men compared to him." A dark undertone coating his comment. "Know for a fact none of them would ever treat you like something stuck to the bottom of their shoe."

Hesitant still, but giving the first answer that came to mind wanting to end the conversation about your ex. "If Abel wants to go, I'm more than willing to let him."

His hand resuming to pet your hair once more after your answer. Abel stirring at the end of the couch caught both of your attention. He was still sleeping but looking rather uncomfortable in his corner.

"Goin' t' take him to bed. Sit tight," John said leaning forward from behind you and slipping out. Watching his large figure bending down and picking Abel up as if he weighed nothing and carrying him off. Abel's head slouched against John's shoulder making you smile. You couldn't help but wonder if his actual father does the same thing for him at his house.

It wasn't too long before John was back in the living room, long shadow stretching out on the floor first before his he entered the room. He stood in the doorway of the living room off the hallway, a smile on his face while he looked at you. There was something dark about this smile, but his eyes glinted with mischief.

"He's tucked in," arms extending up as he leaned against the door frame, "Still out like a light."

"What are you askin'?" shifting slightly, a coy smile on your face, fully knowing what he was suggesting.

He didn't answer, instead he almost sauntered to you before he pounced on to the couch. Pressing you against the cushions, mouth and teeth attached to your neck and shoulder working their way up to your ear.

"You sang earlier, think you can be quiet this time? Can't be waking Abel now…" He was teasing you, a hand already in the top of your dress, the other reaching up your skirt not giving you the chance to answer. Fingers pinching a rosey peak of your breast and hooking your already come soiled panties from earlier and pulling them down. When you arrived home he didn't even give you the chance to change... he didn't care. Burying your face into his shoulder biting down to be able to stay quiet, saving yourself the embarrassment of waking your son.

The happiness from today left John blinded. He was unaware of the tail that had followed you both most of the day. In the shadows your ex had followed you to the courthouse, out to the new house property and bearing witness to the acts of a new marriage.

Rage building within him, but what really made him upset was John entertaining Abel… and you just standing by idle allowing it to happen. Playing games and sharing dinner with him. Here this man you barely knew, swooped in and saved you. Made sure you and Abel were safe and was willing to lay down and bleed for you. And bleed he shall, your ex thought. A plan was forming in his head… but he just needed John to step away for only a moment before he would swoop in. Sink his claws into you and surely Abel will follow.

Previous

Next

Captain John Price Masterlist

taglist:

@cutiecusp @angeldemon28 @simplyymee98 @beebeechaos @cadotoast @talooolaaloolla @lhhlver @hon3y-cloud @spktrgantenk @generalruinsexpert

[fatlevisimp]

In Time. (Levi Ackerman/Attack on Titan Fan Fiction)

Chapter 8: Commander Erwin.

Her blades glided through the titan's nape, taking it out. With haste, she landed on a nearby roof, her eyes quickly darting around, searching for her next target. However, she could not see any more titans. Diana let out a small sigh of relief as she realized that the attack was finally over.

"Good job, cadet! Retreat over the wall!" A female voice called out to Diana as a figure rushed past her, her ginger hair whipping around behind her. Once again, Diana readied her ODM  gear and made her way to the wall. Within minutes, she'd made it to the top, letting out a sigh of relief as her hands fell to her knees. She hunched over for a moment, letting the feeling wash over her before a voice pulled Diana from her moment. 

"Is this her?" A deep voice questioned. 

"Yes, sir, that's Cadet Lando." Levi's all-too-familiar voice followed. A pair of boots entered Diana's field of vision. She slowly stood up straight to see a tall, blonde man. "This is Commander Erwin Smith," Levi introduced, causing Diana to quickly salute. 

"Sir." 

"Relax, Cadet. You've earned it," Erwin said with a slight smile. Diana relaxed her salute, staring up at the tall man before her. His eyes were kind as he spoke to her. "You put on quite an impressive show today, Cadet."  Diana let a crooked smile fall on her face.  

"Oh, I don't think so, sir; I'm not half as good as the special operations squad." She denied it, scratching her head and looking down at her feet again.  

"Still, for a cadet, ten titan kills on your first mission is impressive," Erwin spoke; Diana smiled, looking back up at the Commander.

"Thank you, sir."

"Oh, is this her?" A new voice sounded. Diana's head turned to see a tall, well, taller-than-her person heading towards herself and the Commander. They had glasses and long brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. "Hello, cadet! Great to meet you. I'm Zoe Hange!" They introduced themselves with a smile. 

"H-Hello." Diana stuttered out, confusion on her face once more. How is this person so cheerful after such a horrible event?   Diana was pulled from her thoughts when Hange spoke again.

"So you're the cadet with the high titan kills, right?" She asked Diana, still smiling. 

"I guess?" Diana responded, the confusion evident in her voice. 

"What do you mean, you guess? Ten titan kills on your first mission? That's crazy, so you have to come out on our next capture mission. I'm sure you'll be great! How does that sound?" Diana stared at Hange, both puzzled and shocked. They spoke so fast that Diana was barely able to take anything in. 

"Cool it, Hange. The kid's barely out of her first mission." Levi's voice sounded from behind Diana. Diana's face fell with a frown as she turned back to Levi for a moment. She rolled her eyes at him. I am not a child. Diana turned back to Hange as they began to speak again. Levi passed the two, standing just behind Hange as they spoke. 

"Huh? Oh come on, she'll be fine I mean did you see her out there?" Hange retorted. 

"Also, not a kid," Diana added, frowning at Levi; he only let out a tut before walking away. 

"So you wanta?" Hange asked. Diana flinched a little when she realized how close Hange had gotten to her face.  

"Um, sure, capture mission?" Diana questioned, raising her eyebrow at Hange, who smiled an almost sickly grin.

"Oooo, so I capture titans for my research, I do experiments on them and document my findings, I'll have to tell you about it sometime." They explained before pointing down into Trost, Diana looked down to see two titans being hoisted onto carts. 

"Sure." Diana agreed with a nervous smile. 

"Really? Oh wow, well, first -"

"Hange, give it a rest; she probably wants to see her friends." Levi's voice interrupted again, and Hange's face dropped. 

"Yeah, sorry. Maybe another time?" Diana asked with a smile, causing Hange to grab her arms. They stared intensely into Diana's eyes. 

"I'm holding you to that." Diana nodded at Hange as she let go of her arms and almost skipped away. Diana's eyes followed Hange until they caught sight of Levi. Their eyes connected again. It was intense, and it set off a feeling in Diana she'd never felt before. 

Levi's mind clouded, her eyes, something about her eyes. His face softened as he stared back at her. He watched as her hand tucked a strand of loose hair behind her head before finally pulling her eyes away from his. 

"Speaking of my friends, where are they?" She asked, turning back to Erwin. Levi blinked a few times before pulling his eyes away from the girl. 

"Cadets Ackerman and Arlert are being rounded up and debriefed with the rest of the cadets. However, you are to head back to the barracks. You should take a break. I can see you're quite drained. I will have one of the special operations squad escort you over," Erwin explained. 

"O-okay, what about Eren?" Diana asked, following Erwin to the lifts. 

"He has been given to the custody of the Military Police; we are going to try and see him as soon as possible before his trial." Erwin further explained, my brows furrowed. Trial? They must be conducting it to see if Eren is a threat to humanity. 

"May I see him too? Sir." Diana asked, knowing it was probably impossible to see Eren right now. 

"We were barely able to scrape a meeting to see him. Do you really think they'd let a cadet see him?" Levi piped in with a slight eye roll. Diana threw a glare Levi's way.

"No, I suppose they wouldn't." Her head dropped to her feet as the words left Diana's lips. 

"Do not worry about Eren; we have a plan," Erwin said. "Now, head to the barracks. There's a lift waiting on the other side of the wall for you." 

"Yes, sir!" Diana saluted once again before getting the lift and making her way down. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Diana was finally dropped off back at the training barracks. After thanking the soldier who brought her over, she decided it was best to get some sleep, especially after this long day. She slipped off to her room. Once there, she changed out of her uniform and into some pyjamas before settling into bed. After some hours of staring at the ceiling, she finally drifted off. Her mind was uneasy at the thought of Eren and his trial. 

[mega-ringsandthings-world]

I've absolutely been slacking but hey at least something's getting done, Mihawk and Crocodile having a mob-talk in the LT au; Shanks is red-capped spot out in the middle of the yard, capering around to get the attention of someone Mihawk doesn't care to try to and make out. I wanna' go talk to that kid, Shanks had said, waving one small hand towards nowhere in particular; right there, the one with all the hair. Not much of a description to go on anyhow.

He'd left Mihawk alone near the wall, and that is where Mihawk is now, strolling along in the shade it provides, one eye on the sentries stationed above his head, the other on the yard. After a few minutes, he spots a figure weaving through the bodies milling about, and loses sight of Shanks at around the same time when he darts away in a seemingly random direction. The figure keeps to its zigzagging walk, Mihawk sees it is heading in his direction. 

A few minutes later and Crocodile walks up to him, long legs matching his stride. 

"Has he told you where it is yet?" Crocodile says without preamble.

Mihawk looks at him. He's wearing his hair pulled back, nearly every strand scraped to the nape of his neck and held there. Mihawk idly tries to remember if he's seen his hair like that before, and can't recall having done so.

It doesn't suit him, not as much as he might think it does. With his hair away from his face, only short strands left on his forehead, it's easier to see how thin it is, how long his nose is, the softness in the curves of his jaw and chin. Loose, the hair hangs and conceals, hardens the face, somehow. 

Mihawk realizes that he's staring, and that it's been silent for some time now. Well, it's hardly silent here in the yard, but. He thinks a few seconds back to Crocodile's question, answers before he fully recognizes the hint of humor that had been in his tone.

"He doesn't know," Mihawk says. It comes out snappish, just a touch too loud. "He doesn't know anything about it." 

For a moment, Crocodile looks taken aback, but the look dissipates within an instant.

"How can you be sure?" he says, dry and maybe a bit annoyed, any latent humor gone. 

Mihawk jerks his chin in towards the direction where he'd last seen Shanks. "That's what he says."

"He does?" 

Mihawk considers strangling Crocodile just then. 

"Everyone and their blessed mother is asking him about it," Mihawk says, matching contemptuous tone for contemptuous tone, although the contempt is not meant for Crocodile, not really. Not as much as it's meant for-

-They all wanta' know where it is, all of 'em! I say hi and- the boy had trailed off, his nose scrunching, his voice and abominable grammar trailing off themselves into something lower, tired. "I'd tell them if I knew, but I don't. Cap-he...he never said nothin' about it. Never. I don't know. But they don't believe that, y'know? I wish...wish they'd stop askin'. 

You never asked yourself? Mihawk had thought about asking, but then thought better of it. He supposed there were many reasons why the boy would not have asked  - or not have been told anything if he did.

You'd tell them if you knew? Mihawk asked instead, because on that point, he was curious. Is still. 

Shanks had blinked at him tiredly. Then his eyes had seemed to widen a little, and more than anything, he'd looked like a very young child. Nah, Shanks had said after a moment. I wouldn't tell them. But I might giv'em a hint if I did know. Justa' shut them up.

-them. They do pester him, Mihawk watches Shanks enough to know that. The younger ones are understandable, because what child - besides Mihawk as a child - isn't fascinated with the idea of treasure beyond measure? But grown men salivating over a fairytale? 

"Everyone is asking him," Mihawk repeats. "He would have let something slip by now."

"Or maybe he's at good at keeping secrets as his old man." 

"Maybe," says Mihawk. "I wouldn't know. And I don't care." 

"Don't care about all that gold?" The humor is back in Crocodile's voice, a thin line of it. 

"I'm not interested in gold. And it could be something other than gold, you know. Berri, jewels, a very large pile of nothing." 

Crocodile laughs, loudly enough that Mihawk is startled into looking at him again. A strand of hair- longer than the others - has fallen down past Crocodile's forehead, and it improves his look immensely.  

While he laughs, Mihawk keeps looking. Why, he can't say. 

"You know," Crocodile says when he's stopped laughing, sounding sly and much more amused than he had been at the start of this conversation, "you share a cell with him, you talk to him as much as anyone. Maybe he's let something slip to you-"

"He hasn't."

"If I was with him, I'd be asking him about it." Crocodile prods without missing a beat. Mihawk almost sighs, looks away instead. Stubborn. Stubborn. 

"I told you, I don't care." But in the same breath, Mihawk is suddenly thinking about it. It's true, Shanks hasn't said anything of importance - although he's said a great deal otherwise and then some - but would he? If Mihawk asked him. Would he say something. Would he?

"- but others do care. Everyone does. You said it yourself right now." Crocodile is still talking. There's something in his voice now, it is lower than it had been seconds ago, sharper. Serious. 

Mihawk's eyes turn back of their own accord, meet Crocodile's. Dark violet, they gleam back at Mihawk from under sparse long lashes. Rather striking, Mihawk thinks from nowhere. Striking, composed, calculating - as Mihawk is becoming to understand Crocodile is - but there's something lurking behind them, something, something. Something well-hidden.

"So?" Mihawk says. He's glad he's next to the wall, the leverage it provides. He doesn't like that look much.

"So? Be careful. You're in a valuable position. Someone just might decide to try and take it from you."

The words take a second to sink in, Mihawk examines them one by one this time.

"Why are you warning me?" The other question is asked unspoken, in the flat of Mihawk's voice, the lift of his eyebrow, the way he shifts in his stride. Why warn me? As interested as you are, aren't you going to try and take it? Try to, what? Kill me for the off-chance Shanks might blurt something out to you, if they put you in the cell with him? Are you, are they, really that desperate?

Crocodile just shrugs, seemingly unaffected by the incredulity Mihawk has let onto his face, the threat he's exhibiting in the lines of his body. 

"Why? The boy seems to like you quite a lot. He might tell you something eventually."

[rosethornewrites]

T & G reading since 10/1

Finished

Teen:

Want a duck?, by weiyus

In his excitement to ask Lan Zhan ‘want a duck?’, he had typed so fast he ended up typing ‘wanta duck?’ which then autocorrected to ‘wanna fuck?’. He accidentally asked Lan Zhan for sex. Not only did he accidentally ask Lan Zhan for sex, Lan Zhan said yes. In which autocorrect changes an innocent question into something no-so innocent.

Spelling errors and Autocorrect, by weiyus (2nd in a series)

Because of course Wei Ying probably sent the text without checking the spelling, and autocorrect sent out a text with an entirely different meaning than what Wei Ying meant. Because now it was obvious that Wei Ying didn’t mean ‘wanna fuck?’, he probably meant something along the lines of ‘want a duck?’ but the meaning got lost in all the spelling errors and autocorrect. This is Lan Zhan's pov to "Want a Duck?"!

probably in our past life and in our next lives, by neozeka

Day 1 - Emotional Reunion

Will you remember me in our next life?

How could I not?

Wei Ying sees a familiar face at an art gallery

when the gentians bloom again, by Yuisaki

“You’ll get cold.”

That’s okay, Lan Zhan thinks.

“It’ll be dark. You hate the dark, A-Zhan.”

Not if A-Niang opens the doors and floods the path with the light inside. Not if A-Niang lets him in.

Outside the gentian house, a small rabbit waits for the doors to open.

General:

It Has Always Been You, by GusuBunnie

After a few minutes Wei Ying pulls apart. With red orbs he demands, “If I tell you to choose between him and me, who will you choose?” “There is no need for choosing,” Lan Zhan answers in a low tone, “There is no past lover, no one else who has my heart. Only you, it has always been you, Wei Ying.” Inching closer, he places Wei Ying’s open palm against his beating heart. “My heart has always been yours.” “Don’t lie to me! It belongs to him!” Or During the month of which the grand celestial wedding is to be held, High Immortal Wei Wuxian finds out that his betrothed, the Crown Prince Lan Wangji, already has someone else he loves.

Gift, by Quiet_crash

It wasn't often that he did so but on certain occasions Wei Wuxian found himself thinking of Mo Xuanyu.

spiderless, by @ronniexian

This is how Wei Ying meets his hot new neighbor.

Suddenly I Was Home, by Ashura

Meditation fails him. He tries to sit in stillness and calm the wild tempest of emotion battering at his mind, but none of his usual techniques help him. Perhaps this is a kind of meditation now — to sit in quiet wonder and watch Wei Ying asleep. If his breath eases and his heartbeat slows, it is because the longer he remains, the less likely it becomes that Wei Ying will disappear.

----

After bringing him back to Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying sleep and attempts to deal with the feelings brought on by seeing the love of his life alive again.

I Wanted to Ask You Out, But You Beet Me To It, by katje (🔒)

If anybody asked, the real reason Wei Ying left the corporate machine was that he was taking over his grandmother’s old farm because she was getting too old to care for it. Which was not untrue, but definitely less relevant to his quick departure than being unable to stand the thought of teaching Jerry from HR how to convert a Word doc to a PDF one more fucking time.

OR

It is Wei Ying's first weekend running a stand at the local farmer's market, and he meets the man (and bunnies) of his dreams.

Forehead Kisses, by gusucloudbunny (dykebytrade)

I had a vision of little A-Yuan up on Wei Wuxian's shoulders giving Lan Wangji a forehead kiss and then proceeded to write this on my phone while I was at work 🤷

what price is duty, what cost is love, by thunderwear (6 chapters)

The Patriarch had joked about putting him in a veil, but Lan Wangji refused outright, the only piece of autonomy he’d demanded for the whole thing. Being covered like that, trapped, would have made him panic. He might have let tears drip down his cheeks if he hadn’t had to worry about anyone seeing his face.

As Lan Wangji bowed, he thought of his mother, and he almost wept anyway.

In an effort to keep the Yiling Patriarch from destroying their own sects like he’d destroyed Wen Ruohan’s, the Great Sects band together an offer him an alliance in the form of a marriage.

Who better to offer than the Second Jade of Lan?

A pleasant surprise, by DamieMontclair

Day 23: Family (Children/Babies) – Lan Xichen and A-Yuan

Lan Xichen had not expected his brothers… excursion… to end with him bringing back a child and then promptly passing out.

Unfinished

Teen:

Pure Imagination, by Witch_Nova221

Close your eyes... Make a wish... Count to three. When his son's beloved toy is damaged in an accident, Lan Wangji finds himself engaging the services of an eccentric toy maker by the name of Wei Wuxian. Whilst his skill at his craft is undeniable, his outlandish tales are hard to believe. Jaded by time and the pressure of raising a son whilst caring for his ailing mother, Lan Wangji struggles to step into the magical world that Wei Wuxian weaves for all he meets. Why does the toy shop stand amidst a street forgotten by time? And why can Wei Wuxian never venture far from his home without someone there to turn a key in the music box bearing his own figurine?

so i cut the shackles and changed my name, by MichelleFeather

“A-Ying, should anything happen, should you be separated from us or find yourself in need of help, find Lan Qiren in Cloud Recesses. No matter what’s happened, he will keep you safe. He has sworn to me his home will always be open to you, no matter what.”

Following the advice of his late mother, Wei Ying runs away from Lotus Pier, knowing that if he were to stay, he would likely die at the hands of Madam Yu.

And, he finds, the Lan Clan is the place where he was always supposed to be.

General:

An Unforseen Shift, by Remma3760

Wei Wuxian found a resentful sword deep in the bowels of a famed beast. He took it. That turned out to be fortunate since, it would seem, the sword had more than one purpose. That sword was the key to their escape from certain death trapped in the cave of the Slaughter Xuanwu.

The Unintended, by Indelible_Faith (TheWaterGoddess), Thedivinewriter_20

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang have a perfect plan. Get Lan Wangji to confess how much Wei Wuxian annoys him out loud. And Jin Zixuan to confess his ill-treatment of Jiang Yanli in a similar manner.

Perhaps “confess” was the wrong word used here… because this is not turning out how they imagined it, at all!

[writinginslowmotion]

When the story starts, she isn't really part of the Lost Girls. Like you said, she is very protective of herself (and there are other reasons, which you'll learn about later). Having friends =getting attached. Getting attached means she isn't completely in control of her actions, and that scares her. She has a few close friends she hangs out with, sometimes, and then of course, she has Erica.

Later on, she does become friends with the other Lost Girls, but it takes a long time and she still remains a solo kinda girl.

hihi bats! how r u today? i wanted to ask, does sloane have any hobbies? fun stuff that she genuinely enjoys doing? she seems like she's always slightly edgy, so i just wanted to know how she relaxes!

Hi! I'm good, getting over a cold!

You're not wrong; Sloane *is* edgy. Poor girl. I'm really quite mean to her.

Sloane is a DJ three nights a week at a wlw club, called Ladies First. She loves deejaying and loves music. When she isn't doing that, she likes to take hot bubble baths (she would kill me for saying that) and play video games.

Thanks for asking, doll!

[zombiesama]

What I thought: I'm just getting in the car to bring my boyf home :) that's polite

What I got: my mom discussing my recent coming out, as well as future housing options, while we drive down the highway attempting to recharge the cars battery for an actual Hour

[duckletranslations]

Ariadne Ch 9 - Answers to Illusions 2

Season: Fall

Tens of minutes later

Niki: Mm~. This doesn’t look like it either.

This looks like a dead end too. Kohaku-chan, did you find anything?

Kohaku: Nope. My end’s also blocked off.

It’s fine and dandy that we decided to buckle down and recover HiMERU-han’s song. But findin’ an exit’s already tough enough. There goes the labyrinth’s spite, striking once again.

Niki: Isn’t this so much more brutal than what the Vice President challenged in Bogie Time? Back then there were a lot of strange traps, so there being few traps now is helpful.

It’s as if the whole point is to make us wander aimlessly….

Kohaku: Y’can’t say “as if,” when it’s actually true. To think this’ll sell well…. that’s questionable at best.

Anyway, I wonder how things are on Rinne-han and HiMERU-han’s side. They’re investigating the opposite end from us, so…

Niki: Yeah. Our side was just full of dead ends, so there’s gotta be something on Rinne-kun’s end.

I wanna get the Red Treasure Chest right this time and get the water or food.

Kohaku: Oh yeah, I got two or three Red Treasure Chest problems right on our way here, but it paid the bare minimum amount of food.

It was a pretty small amount in proportion to the effort we put in and our amount of people. On top of the series of mistakes that caused us to lose the other Red Treasure Chest missions many times over.

People say that poverty makes your wits dim and your character poor, which applies mighty well to our current situation. I’m afraid our minuses are stackin’ up and eventually we’re gonna get stuck.

Niki: Mm, for sure, my calories are in shortage!

I think I’m starting to lose it. So hungry~....

Kohaku: Ah yeah. I’m especially worried about your hunger Niki-han, stuffin’ anything in your mouth no rhyme or reason as ya did.

Niki: Oh, did that happen? Nyahaha, I don’t really remember ♪

Kohaku: It darn seemed like you were conscious, but y’can’t remember? I guess ya were groaning like a beast.

Well, if ya go feral I’ll be stoppin’ ya. Now I’m startin’ to wanta challenge the Red Treasure Chests.

Niki: Mm, mm. As the name suggests, the Red Treasure Chests are more common than the Golden Treasure Chests. Isn’t it just a matter of time until we run into one~?

Rinne: Bingo! C’mere, Niki! Some food’s waitin’!

Niki: Ooh, speak of the devil!

Where, where! I’ll hurry over so please wait for me!

Kohaku: Niki-han! Runnin’ ahead so suddenly like that’s dangerous—

…Hoo, he’s already off.

Seriously Niki-han, when it comes to food, don’t his instincts completely take over? As if he up and becomes a wild animal?

Kokoko. Even so, the way I can’t hate ‘em sure is Niki-han’s—no, Crazy:B’s merit ♪

Niki: Rinne-kun, where’s the food? I wanna eat soon!

Rinne: No, look straight. I didn’t find food, but a Red Treasure Chest.

You’re also hungry, right? Let’s finish the mission and get us some good food ♪

Niki: Alright, sounds good! Touch the key, grab—

Quiz Mission!

Question Number 8: What is the name of the author who wrote “Divine Comedy,” which features the Minotaur in the episode of Hell?

Niki:Aw yeah~! It’s a quiz mission!

This is HiMERU-kun’s specialty ♪ Huhuhu…..it’s been a while since food~♪

HiMERU:You are quite hasty, Shiina. The contents of the chest have not yet been determined to be food.

However, the answer is simple.

The answer is “Dante Alighieri,” He was the poet who wrote “Divine Comedy” that consists of three episodes, “Heaven,” “Hell,” and “Purgatory.” Isn’t that right, Vice President?

Ibara:Correct!

Your range of knowledge is quite extensive, HiMERU-shi~

Of course, it would be a given if it pertained to your hobby of military-related trivia. But I can’t believe you answered this liberal arts question so easily!

I would like to ask you where you could have learned it. However, putting that aside for the moment—yes, the correct answer was “Dante Alighieri”.

The Minotaur’s role in the episode of Hell in “Divine Comedy” is to torment all heretics. One could say it’s exactly like the situation Crazy:B is in now~♪

Kohaku:All heretics, y’say. —All heretics, y’say. —Other words, y’mean how we’re the Crazy:B who doesn’t go along with CosPro’s demands, and acts as we please... plus we’re stuck in this labyrinth to boot.

HiMERU:Since the program is linked to “Ariadne’s Thread,” it was named “Minotaur’s Labyrinth.” So that’s how it is.

Well, there’s a bit more of a playful feel than that. Is this even regular content for a variety show?

Ibara:Thank you for the feedback. We will use the complaints you mentioned for future improvement—Also a lot of time has passed in the second half, so please pick up the pace!

The prize for answering correctly is a map of this labyrinth. With this, you may easily find the way to the exit or a Golden Treasure Chest!

With that said—you must remain vigilant until the end. The fact that I prepared this map means

Enjoy hell to the fullest, gentlemen ♪

Niki:Heyyy. Wait a minute, Vice President! What about my food?

As I thought, I can’t go on anymore….. I’m so hungry I’m at my limit! If you’re my boss, I would like you to properly supply me!

Ibara:As a certain famous person once said! The key to solving poverty is not to give them fish, but to teach them how to fish!

Handing over the map of the treasure chest locations is like handing over food! Isn’t that so, Shiina-shi?

Niki:No, no, no, no! No matter how I see it, fishing methods don’t matter right now! If you really are a strategist, I think you should keep the saying, “You can’t fight on an empty stomach.” in mind…..!

Ibara:Yes, I will keep that in mind!

There is not much of the labyrinth left. Please keep up the good work until the end! Salute~☆

Niki:Ah, uh, sure

….Like hell! Was that not just some muddled up hodgepodge!?

[cgscomfycove]

Hewwo I wanta ask how you make da outfits :D

Hey kiddo! What a great question!

I make almost all my outfit boards using Picsart!

Picsart is a photo editing app available on whatever apps store you have. It has a premium subscription available but it's not needed.

I pick a background color then go to the sticker Library and search a bunch of different keywords.

Hope this helped!

- Bear🍂

[the-widow-sisters]

Just Wanna Stay

Summary: When Natasha and Yelena are invited to go to an Avengers party with all of the most richest and most powerful men in the country, Yelena is determined to stay home. Natasha does not really want to go either, but she feels like she should. Luckily, Yelena has a way of getting what she wants.

Word Count: 2035

  “I’m quitting life,” Yelena dramatically declared out of the blue, still dressed in her usual cargo pants, combat boots, and tank top combo with her hair pulled back in a ponytail despite the fact that Natasha had already told her to change at least five times already. It was a stark contrast to Natasha’s apparel which was currently a sleek black dress that stopped just above her knees and dipped down in a heart-shaped neck cut.

  Natasha rolled her eyes fondly, only slightly irritated with Yelena’s lack of cooperation. By now, she was mostly used to it, but it still could be terribly inconvenient sometimes.

  Yelena’s largest contributor to her belligerence was that she did not want to go to the party that the Avengers were hosting tonight. While Yelena wanted to talk to the team and keep making a good impression, she most certainly did not ever want to go to a hoity toity party with the richest, most influential people in the country.

  Personally, Natasha did not really want to go either, but she was much more accustomed to such things despite her discomfort. She always went despite her own dislike for them even though Clint, Steve, and the others assured her that it would be fine if she didn’t come a few times and took some time for herself.

  She especially did not want to go because of the way that creepy older men drooled over her every time she walked by them. It made her terribly uncomfortable and reminded her far too much of her younger years.

  It also reminded her of Dreykov and his disgusting ways.

  “Hey, does my breath smell bad to you?” Yelena questioned before just moving directly into Natasha’s face and exhaling deeply out of her mouth. Natasha quickly moved away from the blonde, choking a bit as she narrowed her eyes at the blonde. Yelena grinned widely and wickedly, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and Natasha coughed hard.

  “Oh, my— what did you eat?!”

  “Tuna fish,” Yelena told her as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, and Natasha swallowed hard, trying to keep the contents of her stomach in its proper place.

  “Is it that bad?” Yelena questioned innocently before covering her mouth and nose with a hand and breathing out. She quickly withdrew her hand from her face and wrinkled her nose a bit.

  “Oh, wow… That is pretty bad,” Yelena admitted sincerely, but Natasha could see the easily evident smirk on the girl’s face that the blonde was trying diligently to hide. Natasha just raised an eyebrow, completely unimpressed.

  “Get in there and brush your teeth. We’re supposed to be leaving in fifteen minutes and you aren’t even dressed!” Natasha told her, trying to force some semblance of sternness in her voice to make Yelena listen to her. Yelena just sighed dramatically and deeply before heading off in the direction of her bathroom.

  “Do I use the mouthwash after or before?!” Yelena called loudly after a few moments, and Natasha raised her eyebrows a bit as she looked through her things and ensured they had everything they needed to leave.

  “Do it both times! You’re going to need a double dose if you’re not going to smell like that crap that you for some reason voluntarily eat,” Natasha immediately replied to her, raising her voice so that the blonde could hear her.

  “You know what they say to little kids about trying new foods?! It applies to adults, too!” Yelena yelled from her place in the bathroom, a playfully condescending tone to her voice. Natasha just huffed, a smile tugging at her lips as she chose not to grace Yelena’s smart comment with a response.

  “Ey, whaddya fink Ah should wear?” Yelena questioned, her words barely articulated. Natasha looked over her shoulder, taking in the sight of the blonde with a toothbrush in her mouth and foam threatening to dribble down her chin as she held up two different pantsuits. Natasha sighed deeply, looking down at her own dress before looking over at Yelena’s options. Natasha finally pointed at the white pantsuit.

  “That one matches mine,” Natasha pointed at the one of her choice, and Yelena’s eyes softened for a moment before she quickly masked it with her typical impishness.

  “Too ba’, Ah did’n wanta mat’ wif you,” Yelena told her defiantly, her words even more difficult to understand as she worked diligently to keep the spit and foam in her mouth, and then she spun on her heel, heading back to the bathroom. Natasha rolled her eyes, easily seeing through her sister’s bluster.

  Natasha checked the time, and she quickly noted that Yelena would need to hurry if the both of them were going to leave on time.

  “Hurry it up!” Natasha called. “We’ve got to leave in about five minutes!”

  “I’m hurrying!” Yelena responded, her words more discernable despite her distance from the redhead. Natasha with slight irritation noted the fact that the girl’s tone was very much unhurried.

  After a few more minutes and a dangerously close deadline to leave approaching, Yelena came ambling out of the room before plopping down on the couch, a pair of shoes in her hand that she dropped on the floor near the furniture.

  Natasha hurried over to her quickly, aggravation starting to rise within her.

  “Yelena, come on, we’re going to be late if we don’t leave now!”

  “You know, that would be a true tragedy… Almost as bad as not going at all,” Yelena informed her, completely unbothered as she sunk down further in the cushions with a big grin on her face. Natasha sighed deeply before grabbing her sister’s arm and attempting to drag her to her feet.

  “Get up,” Natasha insisted, and Yelena groaned, letting her full weight rest on the couch as she fought her sister.

  “I know you don’t want to go, but—"

  “You don’t either. So let’s just not go,” Yelena proclaimed, and Natasha just stared at her, her light green gaze piercing Yelena’s. Yelena held her stare, maintaining the challenge and firmly refusing to move.

  After a long moment of staring at each other, Natasha quickly yanked her sister’s arm, trying to take her off guard and force her up. However, as soon as she tried it, Yelena repositioned her arm and threw Natasha on the couch, the blonde now standing up over the redhead.

  Natasha quickly started to get up, and Yelena dove for her, landing on top of the other woman full-force and trying her best to hold her down as she grabbed her with her legs. The two grappled with each other, Yelena trying to get a good grasp on Natasha’s arms so she could hold her in place.

  “Come on, you can do better than that,” Yelena taunted, her voice strained and Natasha found that the girl was starting to get the upper-hand on her.

  “I can. I just don’t want to break the coffee table,” Natasha pointed out, moving her head slightly in the direction of the table next to the couch where they were wrestling. Yelena breathlessly laughed in response to the older woman, still fighting her with all the strength she had.

  “You might want to consider wearing a pantsuit, too. It allows for significantly increased mobility,” Yelena said, her honey-green eyes locked onto Natasha’s. Natasha grinned a bit in spite of herself, finding that this was quite fun. It was very enjoyable to just wrestle someone that she trusted so much and knew would not hurt her.

  “Dresses are hotter,” Natasha easily shot back, and Yelena shook her head, a wicked smile coming onto her face.

  “Have you seen me in a pantsuit? People are like, ‘Is there something burning in here? No, don’t worry, it is just Yelena and her pantsuit,’” the blonde cockily proclaimed, poorly mimicking an American accent and deepening her voice, and Natasha laughed at Yelena, her grip weakening on her little sister.

  Yelena took advantage of the opening and pinned Natasha’s arms to the couch cushions. Natasha could not even really be angry as she just looked up at Yelena who had a wild grin on her face.

  “Ha! Pinned you!” Yelena victoriously proclaimed and Natasha just smiled softly up at her, feeling her chest warm with fondness and pride as she just gazed at her little sister. The both of them sat there for a long moment, their chests heaving from the struggle.

  Yelena seemed to sense the mood shift, and her victorious smirk faded just a little into something much softer and more adoring. Yelena loosened up a bit and carefully allowed herself to just lay her torso down on top of Natasha’s, releasing her hold on Natasha’s arms in favor of just relaxing on the redhead. Natasha brought a hand up, stroking Yelena’s back gently before bringing her other arm up to bring her closer.

  Suddenly, to Natasha’s surprise, her phone suddenly buzzed. Natasha moved her hand from Yelena’s back down to the pocket of her dress and withdrew her phone, tapping the screen lightly with her thumb.

  It was then that she was reminded of the party that the both of them had to get to. The fun they just had was plenty enough to distract her from going. After all, she would much rather hang around the house with her best friend than go out and spend time with a bunch of high society snobs.

  There on her phone was a text from Clint asking her if she was coming tonight or not. However, to her surprise, despite her insistence that she was going to come and bring Yelena, he had even added below it that he was perfectly willing to cover for her if she did not feel like going that night.

  Natasha just gazed at the text for a long moment, and Yelena turned her head to see what her older sister was looking at. Natasha activated the keyboard function but did not type as she just quietly considered what she was going to write and what would be her choice. Yelena carefully watched the redhead’s finger and Natasha could feel the hope radiating off of the Yelena.

  Natasha finally sighed a bit in resignation, typing on the phone with her thumb and informing Clint that they would indeed not be coming, and it would be greatly appreciated if he could cover for her. She could feel the smile spreading across Yelena’s face, and Natasha groaned as she repositioned underneath her sister’s weight and moved up further. Yelena’s chin was now laying on Natasha’s chest and Natasha could look her in the eyes.

  It made Natasha’s heart squeeze as she took in the pure adoration, idolization, and devotion in Yelena’s eyes. Natasha was almost sure that Yelena was not aware that her eyes were giving away that much emotion, but it was really nice to just see exactly what Yelena was feeling.

  “Well, are you happy now?” Natasha asked even though she knew the answer to her own question. Yelena smirked a little, narrowing her eyes, but all of the emotion was still within them as she adoringly stared at the redhead.

  “Very,” Yelena replied simply, and Natasha huffed a bit with laughter, shaking her head and looking away for a moment before gazing back down at the lovable little urchin sprawled out on top of her.

  “C’mon, let’s get up and change into something more comfortable if we’re staying,” Natasha started trying to make a move to get up, but Yelena latched herself around her more tightly. Natasha raised an eyebrow, staring at Yelena quizzically.

  “It’s too comfy to move, and if we go change, the spot will get cold,” Yelena protested, and she had that sweet pout that she had always been able to pull off so well. As soon as Natasha saw it, she knew that the blonde now had her wrapped around her finger. Natasha sighed deeply but she just chose to lay her head back and wrap her arms around the girl, enjoying the comforting pressure of Yelena’s weight.

  “Okay… But when your pants start riding up, you’re going to be stuck here.”

  “Eh, a small price.”

[ncitygirls]

matryoshka - part 1, 4k

sibling!johnny, taeyong x f reader, mark x f reader, platonic/‘sibling’!haechan

nct crime au, angst, cw: character death, death, mental illness, police, injury, violence

300 days

There are few people who can disarm a man like Johnny Seo. Since the rather untimely, and inexplicable death of his mother and father at the tender age of fourteen, he quickly adopted this persona. He considers it a token from his late mother. She had always said, in a voice as soft as the breeze in spring, that to be polite is to be in control. He holds himself to that quite forcibly, reminding himself time and time again that there is power in making others fold to him. At time it is as simple as approaching an adversary with a smile, and awaiting the flare in their skin, the bugle in their veins and the ripple in their muscles. There are few who can disarm Johnny Seo. But few does not equate to none.

“When will you discharge her?” Johnny began, the words rolling off of his tongue with an air of nonchalance that bordered on flippancy, but an edge that was new to even him.

“Mr Seo,” without thinking, Johnny rolls his neck, bracing himself for a response he knows he will refuse. He thinks it odd to loathe an act he is yet to commit, especially when he can still prevent it. What he hates more however, is that you are here to witness it. When the doctor sighs, letting his glasses hang around his neck, he smiles sympathetically. Johnny sees nothing but pity. “I’m not sure how else to say this, but physically? Your sister is stable enough to go home. When we went in to remove what was left of the bullet fragments and saw to her ruptured spleen, we managed to mend her torn ligaments. Her blood work came back clear, and for the most part, her vitals are stable. With a few weeks of physio, I think we would be able to discharge her. Ideally, she could go home this week.”

“Wonderful,” Johnny’s hollow cheer guides his hasty movements as he, unthinking, strips you of your blanket to reveal a sight he thinks might change his mind. Rows of red line your skin, moons of dried blood covering the heels of your palms. He cringes at the dirty cotton cuffs that strap you to the metal frame of your hospital bed. Johnny can’t seem to make sense of the sight. “Did this happen during the shooting?”

“No, Mr Seo,” the doctor shakes his head, his frustration with his patient’s only living relative shedding every second he watches Johnny take in your limp frame. “It is like I was saying. Miss Seo is fit enough to leave. But mentally-”

Johnny simply raises his palm, ignoring the tears that pool in and out the corners of your eyes, a steady stream gathering in your hairline as you relive the events the two refer to so flippantly. “She will do better at home.” It is unclear for whom the assurance is intended. The doctor, you, himself. It is all just hope. So it doesn’t matter. “She will do better once she’s home.”

“Mr Seo, as your sister’s physician, I must implore you to reconsider.” Johnny understands where the doctor is coming from, he truly does. Johnny, taught well by his father, prides himself in being understanding. Like his father before him, Johnny prides himself in being calm in the face of not only danger, but regular folk - those who go about their lives, slaves to normalcy. Those who live life year to year, those who plan their lives, who wake up to sleep, expecting to see the sun once again. Those who consider life a right, rather than a privilege. Johnny has come to understand men like this. Not by choice of course, but because he had to. Especially once you met Taeyong.

2,109 days

“I met a guy today,” the words crackle through the phone, Johnny’s fingers stilling as he finally takes a break from his work, placing a mental bookmark on his train of thought. He wants to ask where, but he doesn’t enjoy seeming interested in affairs of the heart. They sicken him. “He was really weird,” you hum as you kick the curb, swinging your arms as you traipse through what Johnny thinks must be your university campus. He pretends he bother to know your schedule, but never has a reason for why he always gets himself up before you leave every morning. “A good weird,” you add, “his clothes hardly fit, they were all baggy. It’s hard to explain.”

“You kids and your trends,” he huffs, spinning in his chair to watch the city, eyes landing on the bell tower of your campus. “What happened to a nicely fitted suit?”

“It’s a college campus, John. Plus, it’s like half ten in the morning,” you can hear his next question before he even asks. “I mentioned his clothes because I wanted you to envision him, not judge him.”

“Well, I am envisioning a bum.”

“Okay, but envision a cute bum,” you try. “A beautiful, cute, funny bum.”

“That is still a bum, y/n.” You hear the faint sound of floor boards creaking, a telltale sign that he’s pacing. “Did he ask you out?” You hum in agreement, always too shy to admit anything so personal outright. It is times like this he wonders why you bother calling him and not just Haechan. He’ll never tell you this however. Lest he lose his spot as your first call. “I hope ope he’s taking you somewhere nice?”

“Yeah, of course,” he knows you’re lying. He knows it’s Hyuck’s you're both going to. Not that there as an issue with Hyuck’s. Even if you’ve already had the menu four different ways, front to back and then back again. It’s where you take all your first dates, you give Haechan a chance to size them up, figure out if they’re worthy. “I just wanted to tell you first because I think he’s a real contender this time.”

“And you’ll be late home, so you won’t be making dinner again?” Your affirming grunt forced a long sigh from Johnny. However, no matter many times he claimed his annoyance was due to your absence inconveniencing him; you both knew the loneliness bothered him now. “Well, have fun.”

“I’ll try,” you sing. “And I’ll bring that coffee cake you love so much, okay?” Johnny offers his own affirming grunt. Though it sits a couple octaves below your own, you hear the sliver of joy he lets through. “Love you.”

He doesn’t respond. He had already hung up.

300 days

“Mr Seo?”

Johnny had finally shrugged off his suit jacket and let his shoulders sag when he heard his name for the umpteenth time that day. He wanta to ignore it, but what would mother say?

“Yes?” SMPA. The badge is hard to read as it glistens under the glaring hospital lights. But he can’t miss the shape, the obnoxious insignia.

“Good evening,” the detective starts, his smiling eyes are in direct contrast to the gloom and doom of the last few days. Johnny wonders if smiling with teeth is proper practice when greeting someone who almost lost their little sister. “I am Detective Lee, I have a few questions for you about the shooting at Hyuck’s Diner. If you have a moment.”

“Of course,” he sighs, straightening his spine. “I am sure you are aware, but I wasn’t there.”

“I think it’s lucky you weren’t,” the detective adds, a sad smile settling on the bed to your right. “I am a friend of Donghyuck’s.”

“Oh,” there’s a short second where Johnny feels an odd sense of comfort, one he believed would only come when you finally opened your eyes. He also feels some guilt. “I didn’t know he had any other friends in Seoul, I tried to reach everyone I could.”

“And thank you for that,” the detective lets his eyes fall on his friend’s unmoving figure for a moment, his gaze returning to Johnny when he feels a familiar prick. “I have been hard at work on this case. I received word you did not wish for your sister to remain in hospital. May I ask why?”

“It is a public hospital,” Johnny responds, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I can afford better.”

“Then why did you let her stay?” The detective asks, scribbling away. Johnny wonders what dictates the parameters of an investigation versus a friendly conversation. “Her psych eval?”

“No,” he sighs, eyeing Haechan to your right. “They wouldn’t let me take him too,” when the detective tilts his head, surprise evident in his round eyes, Johnny lets himself laugh for the first time in over a week. “You wouldn’t want to be me when she wakes up to find I left him behind.”

2,361 days

It is past midnight when you fly into Johnny’s bedroom, a dew gathering on your forehead, chin and neck. In his sleepy haze, he hears only the end of your ramblings, your steps ordered in a manner Johnny can only describe as frantic. It is not in his nature to panic, he leaves such trivialities to you. But when your wide eyes find his, fear brimming as you scramble to get ready, you throw him your phone and he finally sees why.

“There are a bunch of guys who won’t pay up at Hyuck’s and he’s scared. Let’s go.”

That’s how Johnny found himself parked outside Hyuck’s Diner in downtown Seoul, just north of the river. You didn’t give him a chance to park up as you dashed out the still moving vehicle, door left wide open. Johnny is thankful it’s late, but quickly notes it being far too late for Hyuck’s to still be open. As he parks up, he watches you storm into the near empty diner, sees the relief on Haechan’s tired face as you round the bar. Johnny can’t really make out what you’re saying, but he can see the fire in your eyes. He sniggers as he stalks after you, seeing his mother in them too.

“I said, pay up, or give it back.”

“That’s funny,” one of the burly men says, food spitting out his mouth and onto the clean bar top as he laughs in your face. While Johnny only counted two from outside, he can now see a third standing off to the side. When his eyes meet Johnny’s, he falters slightly, thick hands running through his hair as he avoids Johnny’s haunting figure hovering by the only exit. “Who exactly is gonna make us?”

“Me,” you grin, reaching for the back of his head and slamming it hard down onto the bar. You hear Haechan yelp in what you assume is fear for his newly polished, now dented bar top. As the guy to his left lunges at you, you’re quick to utilise your surroundings. Johnny almost applauds your ingenuity as you quickly reach for a used butter knife and practically mutilate the man’s fist. It is then Haechan disappears from your side, his head nearly halfway down the drain pipe as blood splurts onto his newly polished, now dented, now blood stained bar top. The first guy had rounded the bar, only to be met with a fist to the throat, and knee to the gut. Johnny sees you’re expecting something to happen as you repeat the motion before seeing sense. With your hand latched to his collar, you drag his doubled over body out onto the street before you knee him again.

In the middle of the intersection pours his unpaid bill, meeting one end of the deal. Johnny laughs at how visibly dissatisfies you are, considering how long their bill actually was. You fish his wallet out of his back pocket, taking a few hundreds to cover the balance. “Who even carries cash anymore?”

Johnny wonders too as you pass by him, walking back inside and turning on the third guy. “Your friend covered yours, so you’re free to go.” As he scrambles to leave, he keeps his eyes fixed on your brother, halting when Johnny moves to stop him, a lone finger pointing toward the man's weeping companion.

“Take them with you.”

It’s a few seconds before their presence is no more than a distant memory. Johnny is quick to clean the bloody bar top, and rearrange the furniture. He even loads the dishwasher as you tend to a still queasy Haechan. “When I text you, I didn’t think you would do all of that,” he huffs, backtracking as he notes the hurt look in your eyes. “I mean, I am so grateful. Really, I am,” he smirks, fatigue stealing the light that usually fills his eyes. “But I didn’t know you were The fucking Bride.” When you roll your eyes, he presses on, glimpses of his usual self slowly return as the adrenaline begins to kick in. “No, honestly! I wish I had cameras in here because- fuck! That was insane!”

“Alright, whatever. Get your things, you’re staying with us tonight.”

“Do you think they’ll come back?” Haechan asks, the worry in his tone hurting you beyond belief. “Do you think I should call Mark again?”

“Who, the cop? No, they won’t be coming back, trust me,” you hum. When Johnny emerges from the back, drying his hands on a clean rag, you jest, “no thanks to angel eyes over there may I add.”

“Oh my god, hyung! And you!” Haechan restarts, allowing you to pack up his things while he recounts the terror in the third man’s gaze as he locked eyes with your brother. “It’s like he saw a ghost or something.”

“Yeah,” you laugh, grabbing Haechan while Johnny locks up. “Or something.”

It’s nearly dawn when Haechan crashes. It was Monday and he needed to find cover for the open. But getting cover didn’t stop him fretting, and no amount of herbal tea nor booze could settle a frantic Haechan. It is laughable though, how it took no more than a film opening to send him off. You slip away at sunrise, snuggling up to Johnny who gave up on sending you away shortly after your parents passed. However, he still makes sure to express his disdain for the affection.

“At least stick to your side, y/n-”

“Thank you for coming tonight,” you breathe, clearly uninterested in satisfying his request. “I know you have to be up soon, and I’m sorry. But having you there was- yeah. Thank you.”

For the first time in years, Johnny lets you snuggle with him. An hour later, for the first time ever, Johnny lets Haechan do the same. He fears that this might become a pattern, the two of you craving so much affection it might suffocate him. Johnny knows it just might, but has found peace in that. Much like he has found peace in your insistence that Haechan be one of you. Because he is one of you, he too left orphaned at a young age, you took him under your wing. So much like that day, as Johnny falls asleep to the sound of your light snores, he also decides-

300 days

“He’s family.”

“He speaks so highly of you both,” Mark adds, smiling thankfully at your sleeping frame. “But I’m sure he would forgive you for doing what’s best for her.”

“She wouldn’t.” Johnny adds, though a part of him knows he might have trouble forgiving himself.

“What is it you do for a living?” Mark asks, eyes quickly scanning Johnny’s crisp suit. “I can’t say I recall Hyuck ever mentioning it.”

“A bit of this and that,” he jokes, glancing towards you. “That’s what she calls it.” He hates the melancholic tone he has adopted. It is pitiful. “After our parents passed, I took over their pharmaceuticals company just after I turned twenty-one. We dabble in everything; medicine, cosmeceuticals, nutrition, you name it.”

“That must keep you busy.”

“I work from home,” Johnny knows he is being foolish, trying to falsely place an accusation in Mark’s assumption. Johnny knows he fell into the classic trope of throwing himself into his studies, and then his work, just to avoid the harsh reality that his parents were gone and they were never coming back. He would readily admit he abandoned you in the beginning to grieve on your own, to figure it all out on your own. He just wouldn’t take that from a stranger. “I tried to be around for her as much as I could.”

“I don’t doubt that,” Mark’s smile is kind, full of unfiltered sympathy. Johnny wonders if you have to practice such a thing, and if so, whether someone should have the doctors do the same. “I just wonder if you are wearing yourself thin is all.”

“You needn’t worry about such things Detective.” Johnny reminds, drawing the line between the two so simply, his eyes flicking slowly to Mark’s badge. “Worry about the case.”

“Of course,” Mark rushes, scrambling to defend his statement. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“And I you,” when the doctor enters to take both yours and Haechan’s vitals, he greets Mark warmly. Johnny feels no resentment to this warm reception, none whatsoever. But he can’t help but wonder what about him denies him the same warm greeting. He is quickly reminded of the first time he was to meet Taeyong.

1,977 days

“Your knees are shaking the counter, hyung,” Haechan sniggers. He knows he shouldn’t, he does. But he can’t help but bask in his friend’s nerves. How can the coldest man he knows be so scared to meet his sister’s boyfriend. As calm and collected as he behaves, Haechan is no stranger to worry, and it worries him to no end how the evening will go. From what he has heard from you, Taeyong is as nervous as one can be. And yet, your main concern lies in how your brother will react, and Haechan is an empathetic soul. He just knows he will feel it all. “Your vibe is really killing the mood, lighten up.”

“Shut up, kid.” Johnny warns, eyeing his watch every so often. “They’re late.”

Strike one.

“You know what y/n is like, she’s probably trying to talk him out of it.” Haechan notes how innocent Johnny looks with his head tilted, confusion bleeding into his features. “You are pretty scary hyung, maybe she thinks you’m scare him off.”

“Maybe he isn’t worthy then.”

Strike two.

“Or,” Haechan sings, adjusting his embroidered apron, Hyuck’s opening anniversary gift from the very man he is about to berate. “Maybe you’re not ready to watch your sister grow up, so you sabotage everything with your scary eyes and bad vibes,” Haechan shrugs with his chin in his palm, blinking sweetly at Johnny who resists the urge to flick his forehead.

“Don’t you have coffee to go pour?”

Haechan sniggers once more as he does just that, refilling Johnny’s coffee and shrugging. “Or maybe they’re stuck in traffic.”

So he can’t fly?

Strike three.

300 days

After a few hours, Mark returns for a detailed description of the three men he suspects may be involved in the shooting. Johnny says as much as he can recall, even going as far as to emphasise the detective’s lack of involvement. He suspects it is in direct retaliation to his earlier comment and ignores it, though Johnny quickly sees his own guilt reflected back in the detective’s guilt ridden eyes. “Will that be all?”

“Almost-” Mark starts, before glancing over at you. “I just,” he can’t seem to push past the lump in his throat. Johnny has given him everything he knows, that much is true. But after speaking with the doctor, Mark can’t help but wonder. “Why haven’t you tried speaking to her? Doctor Kim said she may respond well to a familiar voice.”

“I’m not sure what to say.”

Mark knows it’s a loaded statement. One dripping in regret, in guilt, and in shame. But Mark can’t afford for Johnny to be ashamed. Not with Haechan lying unconscious as you lie there, reliving that day over and over and over again. Mark needs you to wake up. But Mark also swore to never relinquish his compassion. All Mark knows of you is the stories he’s heard through Haechan. Though some have a rosier hue due to his familiarity with you, Mark is sure there is no exaggeration in your case. You are a good person. One who cares deeply, who loves deeply. Mark thinks those parts of you are the ones Johnny can tap into. He just won’t.

“Haechan was my first friend in Korea. When I moved here as a kid, my parents worked at the orphanage he was at. He made fun of my Korean for a year straight before I could finally understand and speak fluently enough to defend myself. But, I guess it was okay, you know? He was helping all the same. I was a scrawny kid, I used to get picked on a lot. He was always there. Even though he got beat up too. He’s in all my earliest- my best memories. growing up. He’s like my brother. If he was awake, I think I’d-”

“But he isn’t,” Johnny reminds, eyes locked on your sunken face. Johnny knows what Mark is doing, he knows the tactic very well. He is quite acquainted with guilt as a form of persuasion. “He’s not awake, detective. The doctor said he doesn’t know if he will ever wake up. You know, I overheard the doctors say they haven’t seen spinal fractures that severe in their fifty years of combined experience. They said if Haechan ever opens his eyes again it will be a miracle. If he walks again? This hospital would be internationally renowned. Those surgeons would be infamous. But they can’t. They can’t so it. They can’t do it because they don’t have the facilities for such an operation, and even if they did, Hyuck couldn’t afford it. Even if he could afford it, y/n would have to wake up and give them the okay, because this idiot made herself his guardian so he could practically sell his soul for the loan for that fucking diner.

“So, I’m sorry, detective. I’m sorry that the only thing standing between you ever seeing your friend again is my selfish sister.”

“Mr Seo-”

“But you must agree, she is selfish. She thinks she’s the only one hurting, the only one who has lost something, lost someone.” Mark only sees what Johnny is doing a few seconds too late. As Johnny raises a lone finger to his lips, his eyes catching on the stream pouring down your temples. Mark’s heart nearly beats out of his chest as your vital signs begin to whir, the machinery at your bedside coming to life as Johnny reminds you that, “people die every day. Our parents, Hyuck’s parents, and now Taeyong-”

“Don’t!” You scream suddenly, your body nearly thrashing off of the bed. Johnny fears the force with which you rise could snap your arms in two, but nothing is more worrisome than the bloody red rimming your crisp white eyes; the visible and painfully rapid rise and fall of your chest; the tremor in your chapped lips. “Don’t! Please! Please don’t say it-”

Johnny had never moved so fast. His hands clinging to your trembling frame as he stroked the back of your head. He chanted quickly in your ear, pleading with you to stay with him as he promises to stay. “I won’t go anywhere, I won’t leave you. Never. I promise. Just please, stay with me, okay? I need you here, Hyuck- Hyuck needs you, okay? I need you to stay with me, we’re all we have. Please, y/n-”

Mark couldn’t help but feel intrusive. His earlier pushing began to feel filthy, unfair, unjust. But how could he know you were this far gone, this distraught. Nothing is more sickening than the soft, croaky ‘yes’ that spills from your lips. Your bloodshot eyes lingering on his frozen frame before you see Haechan. You tremble again, your body nearly convulsing as you recognise the boy beside you.

“Shh, he’ll be okay- I promise- we’ll get him help. I promise you- we’ll be okay.”

Johnny rarely spoke out of hope. He was a man who would cling so tightly to reality, you would sometimes joke that his knuckles would snap from the pressure. But as he holds you tightly in his arms, rocking your hollow frame back and forth, he realises he has nothing more than hope.

But since when has hope ever been enough?

[dana-chan-the-control-brain]

Thoughts on, Invader Zim Quarterly: Holiday Special

WEEEE WISH YOU A MERRY JINGLY WE WISH YOU A MERRY JINGLY!

Ahhhhh It’s out! I’m so excited!

But I always get excited when it has my man Membrane and my man Eric Trueheart involved with the comics. 

Also santa..   Tbh, I was excited and nervous about this quarterly. 

Excited because it has Membrane santa backstory...

But I was nervous because that it means they might bring back the santa-blob monster from the Holiday special on the TV... and The Christmas special is one of my least favorite IZ episodes...   I mean... I rewatch it occasionally, and it’s fun, but I’m just kinda used to IZ having more BITE in it’s satire if you know what I mean? The Christmas Special in the IZ universe doesn’t really say anything about the capitalism of Christmas... it’s not like IZ hasn’t made fun of capitalism before. (that’s the whole show)  The Christmas Special in the show just kinda fell flat of my expectations of what an Invader Zim episode should be....

The only thing I respect the Holiday Special for, is that it goes down the “Santa isn’t real” route in a kid’s show and sticks to it. (there’s no “real santa” that shows up and “solves everything”) All of the “Santa’s Helpers” confused the Santa mythos with the Christianity Jesus mythos. (”waiting one day for his return”) Which makes sense, since IZ is like dystopian future Suburbia Hell. I just kinda like that there’s no “real santa” that interfered to “fix everything” and that Zim himself ended up CREATING Santa when he didn’t exist previously. Like I find that kinda cool...

Other then that, I just kinda wanted something else from the Hoilday special then what I got. (It taking priority over scrapped episodes like “the trail” and “Ten minutes to doom” and “mopiness of doom” does not help it’s case in being one of my C-tier episodes...) 

So maybe this quarterly will fill the void of what I wanted out of a Holiday special? Well, let’s see. 

SPOILERS FOR THE QUARTERLY BELOW THE CUT

Ways to get Dana off-board immediately: Monster Santa is canon. 

I always never liked to view the special as canon for ways that it fell flat before.

And I had the excuse of saying that the snowman was an unreliable narrator and I could adapt it down the line in my fic as a different story. 

I just didn’t like the idea of Monster-horror-blob santa...  Like... Cool design... but he just kinda represents everything I disliked about the special...  (including the major inconsistency of when Tak’s ship got fixed...)

But then again.. I need to remember IZ’s lore isn’t as consistent as I think it is sometimes... 

Okay, fine. Monster blob santa real... what else you got for me, Holiday special?

FACE HUGGER SANTA! FACE HUGGER SANTA! I AM NOT INTO IT! 

WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?! NO. DANA HATES THIS!

Okay, kinda into it because this means that ZIM CREATED SANTA in this mythos... I am dying.... wait.. this takes place in the future then...soo...?

haoFhaGHAOhfgg 

It was all a dream?!  

GOOD.

my heart couldn’t take it if horror-santa was real... 

Also... that nightcap and bed... Does this mean we’re going to have an Invader Zim Christmas Carol?!?!?! I know that’s been adapted a schmillion times but I would be so into that.... 

Also... Flying... hamm...

Good ol’ Zim... Repressing those memories...  

Also this being the THIRD ETF reference in a quarterly, It can be very safe to say the Quarterly issues take place after the events of ETF.

Clembrane exists in the Quarterly, Membrane has robot arms, Zim remembers this (kinda)  Yeah this is definately ETF verse and it’s here to stay. 

Christmas Carol?! I’m down for this... and I can’t help but notice their claws look familiar

OH HOLY HELL I WAS RIGHT! THESE GUYS! I LOVE THESE GUYS?!

Why are you here tho?

I’m a bit lost on why these guys wanta take over the earth, but they’re hilarious so I’m just glad they’re here.

Also...   The Christmas Special is Schrodinger's Christmas... did it happen, or was it a dream, or the tales of a lunatic snowman... I guess I’ll never know. 

The issue goes on for an IZ Christmas Carol parody (heck yea) and the visions are all hilarious and I’m not gonna spoil them here... but...

Eric.... this is terrifying..........thanks I hate it. 

TINY DIB THOUGH! GHAOGHAHGAHAHA

THIS IS GREAT

THE MORE DIB SUFFERS THE MORE I LOVE IT!

“Though I am Dib and sickly father”

I’m dying XDDDDD

Also... What the fuck is Zim’s reaction here... 

I find it funny that Zim has put Dib into simulated realities before... (in the show and comics) and in the show, Dib is all powerful and in the comics, Dib is just himself and Zim is his brother..

But seeing a simulated Dib all weak and pathetic and chronically ill BOTHERS ZIM?!?!

That’s... well that’s interesting. 

Thought he’d laugh at this honestly, but he seems greatly annoyed... 

I CHANGED MY MIND! THIS IS THE BEST THING! 

(those who know me know why I’m dying over this)

YES!!!

ZIM DOESN’T LIKE WHEN PEOPLE FEEL BAD FOR HIM OR PITY HIM! 

(which confirms like a lot of my hcs and adds spicy kindling to my au much mad respect) 

This I find interesting...  Zim complepative over his lonely/abandoned grave. It’s like he really doesn’t know how to feel. It’s more of a numbness then a sadness. Or he noticed how empty his life is... 

He feels lonely and empty about it...  which tracks considering how Zim’s greatest fear in the Trial was to be deleted and never be remembered by anyone. 

I don’t know... This panel makes me feel things...

Johnen: Haha. Zim’s not that deep a character.

Eric: Hey for the Christmas special, let’s have Zim parody a Christmas carol and feel lonely staring at his own empty grave when he realizes no one cares about him or misses him.

Johnen: Cool. Do it. 

What are you two assholes doing to me, man?! I have feelings! 

AND ONCE AGAIN!

Zim hates pity and people feeling bad and sorry for him. 

Man this makes me so sad...  And it really feels like this issue looked into my brain again, cause I have some plans relating to Zim not wanting sympathy or pity from anyone later down the line (okay I’ll shut up about my au. We’re talking Zim here)

And of course, Zim breaks everything like he usually does. (this time on purpose)

Also nice callback that Zim remembered that Dib said he liked his boots one time in the Poop-wizard issue. 

Also, it ends? I guess this quarterly has a few shorter stories this time... which I’m fine with. 

Also, Zim should consider Green and Blue like D-list friends at this point and just invite them in for some fundip or something (come on, Zim, it’s Christmas.....) 

GASP!?!?!

LITTLE MEMBRANE!!!

AND GRANDPARENTS CONFIRMED!!! 

Wait... so his Parents are scientists too? Is that why he always wanted to be a scientist?

But then wait.... If Membrane inherited Membrane Labs from his parents... Why is HIS FACE the brand of the Company?..... There’s so much Membrane-face brand merch in the show. (it decorates his home..) 

Like even if they were dead, if his parents founded Membrane labs, I feel they’d still be the face. of the company... (that’s how a lot of corporate faces are these days... they show some old dead guy who made the company as opposed to the son who inherited the Company.... Like everyone knows who Walt Disney/Mickey Mouse is, but unless you pay close attention to that kinda thing, not everyone knows who the current chairman or CEO is in the modern age....)

I just find that a bit odd. 

Anyways... I feel people can still do what they want with Membrane’s parents and get away with it. I’m not changing my “his parents were farmers” headcanon. Sorry comic..

BUT I LOVE THEIR DESIGNS.

I love how Membrane looks a lot like his mother, and his father is just BUFF GAZ with a pipe.... Truely legends. 

GASP!!!

COLLEGEBRANE COLLEGEBRANE COLLEGEBRANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOOKOUT DIB, THIS IS YOUR FUTURE!

I FUCKING LOVE HOW OILY HE LOOKS.. AND IT ADDS UP CAUSE...

The Membrane Men when they don’t shower or bathe in months.....

Someone help these two.

(thank god Membrane got better at personal hygiene.) 

Also Teenbrane STILL has his human arms and not his robo-arms.

This means he loses his arms later in life...  YUSH HORRAY FOR HEADCANNONS BEING VALIDATED!

He didn’t lose his arms in a shark accident when he was a KID! It happened WAY LATER!

NICE!

OH MY GOD HE IS BABY!

HE IS SO SHY AND ACKWARD! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

I LOVE HIM!

He is just... all sweat and hiding his work but also very passionate and spiteful. 

Like you can see who he grew up to become, and you can also see how a kid like Dib came out of a man like him...

But I love social anxiety awkward early twenties/late teens Membrane... He is a baby! 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

MEMBRANE ;w;

Basically, Membrane knows that Santa isn’t real, but he doesn’t want to be mad at his parents so he harbors a grudge on Santa instead... THAT’S SO SWEET I’M CRYING  TTmTT

LIKE THAT IS SO SWEET AND I’M CRYING!

(also I love how me and Ceph understand Membrane’s character too well that the gesture he does in the 2nd panel here are reminisant of our fic so many times... Like we have his mannerisms down and I love when the mask slips from Membrane and we get to see a real person... augh soo good) 

WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO MAKE MY MAN THIS SAD?! ONLY I CAN MAKE HIM SAD!

MEMBRANE TTMTT

AUUUGHH

Also probably guessing the parents are dead...   I’m just laughing at their designs... 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Yes you are, Professor Membrane... Don’t let anyone tell you different. (actually, please do) Well, I mean,  At least you’re trying and get progressively better.

(also... this probably means everytime Dib has asked his Dad for a dangerous weapon to fight Zim with, Membrane just gives it to him no questions asked and I’m doing a MAJOR concern about this man’s parenting skills... get help please good sir!) 

Also, Dib really saved the day again here (like he did in Dib’s big day)

Dib called about destroying santa when Membrane was in one of his lowest points...  He hides it really well...   Especially from his children..

Ah..  I loved that one.

But I’m a huge Membrane Simp though.

I did find the stuff about Membrane’s parents a little weird... like I said regarding how Membrane’s face is the brand of Membrane labs...

Could be true that they were other scientists and that Membrane founded Membrane labs later... but that seems highly unlikely... 

Also... Why does the house look that hug when in the christmas special, it looked kinda like...well... just not that, and kinda more humble from the interior and not some big rocket lab...

So yeah... AMAZING character building for Membrane (which I eat up)

Hilarious Grandparent Designs. But I still prefer @esthyradler​ ‘s Grandparents. The superior Grandparents.

Anyways... The Quarterly was GREAT! 

I kinda find it funny the Zim story is the weaker one of the two again... But I honestly blame the Christmas Horror blob connection and the Christmas Carol parody. 

Or maybe my Membrane Bias is clouding my mind here.  I do have Zim bias but sometimes Zim can frustrate me. There’s just so many times Zim can do and say the same things you know? Zim is my baby, but sometimes his denial and annoyance with everyone can be very predictable at points. Zim was just way more fun in the last quarterly than this one. 

With Membrane it’s more of a blank slate what to do with him cause he ony started really mattering as a character since ETF. Yes, I do love show Membrane, but I admit he wasn’t exactly a character then. More of a presence and excuse for why Dib had access to lab equipment. With Dib’s Dilemma and this Hoilday special, the Quarterly folks seem determined to turn him into a fully realized character with the rest of the cast and I’m extremely excited to hear that!

(Computer issue/backstory WHEN?!) 

I don’t really have ratings or systems for these but hope you liked my thoughts.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[writingsfromhome]

Wish you were Sober

I couldn’t get this bop out of my head so I’ve turned it into a fic...enjoy!!!!

Warnings: alcohol, drugs, swearing?

———————————————————————-

You switch the cup in your hands, eyeing Harry from across the room. You came here together but ever since the two of you walked through the front door, he’d put on his hot-shot act and hadn’t spoken to you once. You watch the brunette on his left now, laughing at whatever he’d said. His hand tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. You feel sick but you can’t stop watching. You don’t even know why you came here, this wasn’t your scene, and you knew how Harry got at parties like these. But you just wanted to be near him.

It was toxic, some small part of your brain already knew that, your addiction to Harry and the way he only wanted you when you two were alone.

“Y/N?” Your mate Sofie from English spots you in your corner, you barely hear your name with how loud the music was. “I...wow, I didn’t expect you to be here!”

“Me neither,” you laugh. “Not really my scene!”

“I can tell! You look....” she pauses, deciding not to finish her sentence. “Come on,” she grabs your arm and pulls you away from the wall that you’d made a little watching post of. “Let’s get you a little relaxed...”

The rest of her sentence is drowned out as she turns away. You catch Harry’s eye on your way out of the room but his eyes slide off of you. You try to ignore the stabbing at your heart.

“Oh shite wait,” Sof takes a detour to the open door on your right. “This hasn’t been free all night. Wait out here?”

She enters the vacant toilet and you lean back against the wallpapered hallway. You didn’t even know whose house this was, but it was nicely decorated.

“Drink! Drink!” Loud chanting echoes from the kitchen. Wooping and shouts and then: “Styles! Styles!”

You cover your face with your hands, pushing back the urge to cry. You shouldn’t have come.

You wander away from the door to put more distance between you and the chanting. A room door is tilted open, a few people sit inside. The open window lets in a stiff breeze and a shiver travels up your spine. You imagine yourself walking towards it, opening it all the way, jumping onto the roof, and looking back to see Harry following behind with the grin you adored. You imagine the two of you going back to one of yours, somwhere where the music wasn’t too loud, and just spend the rest of the night in each other’s arms.

“Y/N,” an arm grabs yours again. Sof. “I don’t think you want to go in there.”

“Why?” You turn to face her.

“Do you know whose party this is?” She shouts. You shake your head and she glances back to the crack in the door. “Nevermind, best you don’t know. Oh hey your cup’s empty, let’s fill you up first.”

“I’m really okay,” you protest but Sofie doesn’t take no for an answer. You weren’t sure why she was being such a mother hen, you two were strictly school friends.

“Haven’t you got...other friends here?” You ask Sofie when you reach the kitchen, hoping it didn’t come off too bluntly.

“Yes?” She blinks.

“Won’t they wonder where you are?”

“They probably don’t even know where they are,” she laughs. “Plus you’re cool, we should hang out more Y/N.”

“Yeah...” you smile at her. She was nice.

You expect Harry to be in the kitchen once you reach the keg but he’s nowhere you could see. The churning in your stomach intensifies.

“Let’s go,” she says as your cup fills and you’re once again being dragged through the house. The room in the very back on the top floor is where you end up and as soon as the door opens you realise what Sofie meant about relaxing. A cloud of weed invades your nostrils and you feel you could get high with the sheer amount of smoke in the air alone.

“Close the door!” Someone shouts inside.

“Fuck off!” Sofie shouts, shooting you a wink. “Guess who I found?”

“Y/N!” A few people from class reocognise you and begin shfiting. The good thing about being the “nice one” at school was that everyone sort of liked you and nobody bothered you.

“Fancy seeing you here,” someone says to you. You couldn’t make out who it was so you just smile in the general direction.

“I always thought Y/N was too posh to come to one of these parties,” someone else says and your anxiety spikes. Maybe not everybody liked you.

“She’s right here you shites,” Sofie pats your leg. “Ignore them. They’re all out of their minds right now. We all love you, we just never see you outside of school.”

You let that sink in. It was true—you were always either at home or at Harry’s. Maybe this was good, to be out with your classmates.

You start to feel a little at ease until you spot him near the window. Harry. With the same brunette from downstairs.

You hear someone asking you a question but your gaze is trained on Harry, his hand grips the girl’s face and her hands are on his waist as he pulls her in, his face disappearing into her neck.

“Hullo!” Someone waves a hand in front of your face. “I think the smoke alone’s done her in.”

People around you laugh and you snap out of it, Sof stares at you with her round eyes, holding the glass object out to you. “Y/N? You alright?”

“Yeah,” you croak, taking a swig of your cup. This was so not your crowd.

“Over here,” Harry’s deep voice carries over and he motions for the bong being passed to you. Sofie hands it to him.

“Don’t mind him Y/N, he’s not worth it. He’s always hooking up with some random girl. Anyway, do you want one of these instead?” Sofie pushes cookies in front of your face, trying to distract you. She didn’t realise you’d minded him a lot, for at least the last year.

“I-“ she puts one in your hand before you can decline. Your eyes are still on Harry, don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it.

His eyes catch yours as he takes another hit and winks as he exhales. The churning in your stomach becomes violent.

“I think I’m gonna be sick,” you say before bolting from the room.

The toilets are occupied and your only other option is to make it outside in time to retch into the bushes on the side. Fuck.

You sit on the steps, eyeing the Rover that had driven you here. You didn’t even know why Harry had driven when he was going to get blackout drunk at the party. You didn’t even know why you had agreed to come with him here.

Your bum grows cold against the concrete steps as you regret the whole night.

“There you-you’re,” a voice slurs from behind you. Harry.

You ignore him, tears stinging from the humiliation of being here and the heartbreak he put you through every bloody time.

It wasn’t always like this though. Harry used to be sweet with you but always said he wanted to keep the relationship on the down low. Didn’t want his mates taking the piss out of you for dating him. So you’d agreed. And slowly he was less sweet and more sour, only coming by when he was drunk, leaving drunk voice messages about how much he wanted you, and only kissing you in the shadows. He’d strapped you onto the rollercoaster and there were too many ups and downs.

“Y/N,” Harry says gentler. “Why’d you go?”

“Surprised you even noticed,” you mumble.

“Huh?” He sits beside you, more like tumbles down beside you. “This party sucks, wanta come over mine?”

“I don’t know,” you say softly, getting up and walking towards the street. This was his routine, ignoring you at the party, then saving you for later.

“Okayokayokay,” Harry comes up after you. “I’ll drive ya home.”

You whip around, was he crazy? But he really was fumbling with his keys. You slide yourself in between him and the car and snatch the keys once he produces it from his pocket. This close, you could see what a mess the night had made of him.

“Give me-“ he tries to grab the keys but you lower them behind you.

“Are you out of your mind? You’re pissed and you’re high and you want to get into the bloody car like that?!”

“Woah,” he breathes, swaying slightly. “Tha was sexy.”

“What?” You sputter, he was impossible. “Harry!”

“Keys?” he leans in, his arms surrounding your waist and you feel your guard slip a little. Bad habits.

“We’ll walk home,” you say into his chest as he puts his weight into you, pressing your back into the car. He’s all muscle and musk.

“You are home,” he hums against you. “C’mere.”

He tilts your chin up and lays a sweet kiss against your lips, and you almost forget the whole night—it’s that perfect. You feel reborn against him this way, pressed into his warmth, his hands holding you like you meant something to him.

But you didn’t.

“Let’s go,” it takes everything in you to push him off. He’d kissed another girl tonight. In front of you. You had to remember that.

“Why?” He whines, pulling you to him again, his back against the car now. He traps you between his arms but you wriggle out.

“It’s gonna be a long walk, I’m tired. We should go.”

He sighs. “Yes missus,” He salutes you and then dissolves into a fit of giggles. You roll your eyes but your heart softens enough to loop your arm through his to drag him along.

“You’re the best y’know?” he slurs along your walk home. “M’lucky to ‘ave-“

He trips over a loose cobblestone and you’re nearly wiped too but you catch yourself in time. Harry, on the other hand, lays sprawled on the floor laughing. You really were tired, but a smile breaks out on your face.

“You’re such a klutz,” you say over him, bending to pick to pick up the phone that had fallen from his pocket.

“C’mere!” Harry shouts, opening his arms but you laugh and continue walking. “Y/N!” He stretches out your name from where he still lay. “Please! Help!”

“Harry I’m leaving you behind! And I have your phone and keys with me!”

That gets him up, following up behind you and grabbing you by the waist as he walks. You were almost to his house. Your own was another five minutes away.

“That’s my house!” Harry points to the third one down as it comes into view.

“I know,” you chuckle. “And everyone is asleep. Keep your voice down!”

“C’mon,” he walks backwards onto his driveway, still holding your hand. “With me.”

“I’m tired,” you say again.

“Baby,” He pouts, a tactic that usually worked. “M’lonely.”

“Harry,” you sigh.

He backs himself into the brick of his house and pulls you towards him by your belt loop. You go without much of a fight.

“Please?” He asks again, putting his forehead against yours. You close your eyes, a battle going on in your heart. Go with him, make love, feel wanted and needed. And then discarded. Or leave with your head held high, your heart a little hurt but better for you when you wake up tomorrow morning without regrets.

“Harry-“ you get out before he pulls you into a kiss, no longer sweet like before. This kiss was Drunk Harry, pulsing in want. Your teeths clash against each other, his kiss demanding all of you as he pivots so you’re up against the wall. Your hands automatically go up to his hair, you loved the silky strands between your fingers. His hands go everywhere: your face, down to your waist, back up to your hair, sliding up your shirt, his cold fingers fumbling with your shirt. It shocks you out of the fervour.

“No!” You push him away. “Harry, stop.”

“Wha?” He steps towards you again, his hands already on your hips, but you push your hands against his chest, his heart beating fast underneath. “What?”

You look at him, a good look. His eyes are frantic, his mouth rubbed raw-almost a violent streak on his face. This was not the sweet guy you fell for. You wanted off of his rollercoaster.

“Harry I just-I wish...” you drop your arms and step sideways. “I just can’t do this anymore.”

“What?” He repeats for the hundredth time. “What’s that mean?”

“I’m tired of this. I can’t play this game anymore.”

He reaches for you again, a wounded look on his face. But you push his hand away, the simple act crushing your heart in a vice so tight that it’s hard for you to even choke out the words.

“I wish you didn’t have to get so drunk. Harry I just...I wish you were sober.”

Harry sways towards you and then back and his brows furrow. He opens his mouth and then closes it as you take another step back.

“I wish you were sober,” you whisper again, more to yourself, before turning your back to the only guy who made you feel like life was worth living.

You turn away from him, and you walk back home. Head held high.

[nite-shay]

His Hero Part 2 -Kirishima Eijiro x Reader

A/N: Angst? Slight panic/anxiety? Sex is mentioned but nothing graphic

Still getting used to the tagging thing. Soooo I’m just going to roll with it. 

Also, I’m sorry that this took so long. I work full time 50+ hours a week, and I may have been hooked on FF7R for the last few weeks (working on platinum). I love you, developers, for this game, but I reaaaaallly hate you for the final summon. Trying to keep it spoiler-free but for everyone else… you know who I’m talking about… 

Links: Part 1 , Part 2 ,

*********

"(Y/F/N)?" "Eijiro?"

Kirishima couldn't believe it. 

It was you. 

How did he not recognize you before now? 

Ok, granted when he pulled you from the debris, your face was covered in blood, and at the time, he was more concerned about your's and your son's safety then who you were. But still! 

God... you were still just as beautiful as before... 

Your brilliant (E/C) eyes, the lilt of your voice, haunted his dreams in the best possible way.

Looking at you now, though, after all these years, put the you in his fantasies to shame. You really hadn't changed much over the years, but the parts of you that did made Kirishima mentally kick himself for not pursuing you back then. 

"Huh? His name isn't Eijiro. Mommy, he's Red Riot!" The boy's head tilted slightly confused as he corrected you. Both of you jumped slightly at the boy's voice, bringing you back to your senses. Right now, he was Red Riot, not Kirishima Eijiro.  

"Oh.. uh... Of course, sweetie." You stroked your son's head before returning your gaze up to the hero. "M-my apologies, Eij- Red Riot. You… umm... look like someone I know…" Kirishima could only nod as he tried to regain his composure. He was in hero mode right now and needs to remain professional. But damn was it hard. He honestly wanted nothing more than to just talk to you, see how you were, get a rundown on your injuries, help you off the floor, and get you safely back to the hospital bed. Not in that order.

Your son, who seemed satisfied with your answer, then went into a spew about everything that happened, including how Red Riot had saved you. Your focus was now solely on your son. Kirishima could only watch as the more your son talked, the tighter you held him to your body. You kept him tightly pulled to you until he finally protested. "Mommy! You're squishing me!" 

"S-sorry sweetie" You lighten your hold before glancing up at the man in the doorway. The look you gave him confused him some. He expected anything then what he saw; relief, awkward, anxiety. But.... not fear. You looked over him with a fearful look in your eyes as you held your son close to you. Like you were trying to protect him. He's a hero, not a villain!  He would never ever hurt a woman or child for that matter! That fact that you even considered him a threat... hurt...

Why were you looking at him like that? What did he do wrong? What did he do to scare you? You shouldn't be scared. He was here to protect you, not hurt you. 

"You're safe now. I promise. We got the bad guys, and they'll be going away for a long time." He reassured you and gave you a soft smile while silently chanting to you, please don't be afraid of me. His instincts were telling him to walk over to you and show you he means no harm, but he kept his body firmly in place. If you were afraid of him from this distance, then there's no way he could approach you now. No, he needs to stay right here and let you process through your shock. You just in a villain attack! This wasn't just another Tuesday for you! The two of you just seemed to freeze in place while the rest of the occupants in the room moved freely about. 

"Please, ma'am, let's get you back in bed. We need to finish checking your vitals." The doctor intervened as he and his fellow staff readied you for the move. 

Thank God for the doctors and nurses in the room. It gave him something else to focus on. It also made him realize that you were injured still and he was hindering your treatment. He needs to leave. It was for the best. You didn't need a hero right now, you have your son and the doctors. 

"Sorry for the intrusion. I should get going. I'm glad to your ok (Y/-" He stopped himself. "Ma'am. Please take care of yourself, and I hope you have a speedy recovery." He watched as the doctor and nurse started to carefully help you up and back into the bed. 

"Awww… but… do you have to go?" (Y/S/N) broke away from you and made a beeline for the hero who stopped mid turn. 

"Yeah, sorry, little man."

"Ok…"  He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, but the hero could see small tears forming in the kid's eyes.

"Hey, no, tears now." He gave the kid a soft smile, patting him on the head. "It's a hero's job to help people, and there are a lot of people out there that need my help." The small sniffles pulled at the hero's heart. He couldn't leave the kid like this. He was his hero, after all, so he squatted down so that he was at least somewhat closer to the kid's height. "How about this. You want to be a hero one day, right?" He nodded, still looking down. "Well, what if I told you, you could start being a hero, right now?" 

"I can?" His head whipped up as their twin pairs of red eyes met. 

"Yeap! Wanta know how?" The boy nodded, his whole body shaking with excitement. "It's simple, all I need to do is to take really good care of your mom and be good for her. Do you think you could do that? Can you be her hero for me?"

"YES, SIR!" Those tears dried up instantly as he gave the hero the brightest smile he'd ever seen.

"Then it's settled for this day forward, you're going to be her hero!" He lightly ruffled up the kid's hair before giving him his trademark grin. "Well, I better get going. Take good care of her, ok?" The kid ran back over to your bed and watching over the doctors as they checked your vitals. 

"Thank you for saving us." Your voice was laced with pain and slightly strained as you locked eyes with the hero. This time you didn’t seem scared of him but, you seemed… sad…

Damn it. He needed to go...

He nodded, giving you a soft smile before taking his leave.

****

After a quick stop by the nurse's station to find out some information and drop off his visitor's pass, he made his way towards the hospital's exit. 

DAMN IT! 

He mentally kicked himself for bailing the way he did. He could have, no, he should have handled that better. He froze up, just like he did when he was younger. He figured out who you were... and instead of talking to you or helping you.. he ran away! It was so... unmanly! 

Should he go back? 

He thought about it for a few minutes but quickly shot that idea down.

One he's still in hero costume, and that might lead to some questions and two there were way too many people in the room, not to mention your child. 

What should he do? Maybe he should come back later after work? Would you even talk to him? What should he say? 

Hey, remember me? I'm the guy who just saved you! Oh, also, but do you remember that guy you slept with at your cousin's husband's party? Yeah, that was me too! Small world, huh?

Yeah... That wouldn't have been awkward.. at all...

Kirishima sulked as he made his way down the hall towards the exit, now completely lost in thought. Just as reached out to open the door, it was yanked open by a rather distressed blonde woman. Startled, he jumped to move but wasn't fast enough to avoid her plowing into him. Instinctively he reached out and grabbed her to keep her from falling backward. 

"Woah, you ok?" He asked, as his red eye's met a familiar set of blue ones. It was Melissa, Izku's wife. "Melissa?" She blinked a few times before she realized this person had used her given name.

"Eiji- Red Riot? What are you doing here?" She was shocked as she gently pushed herself off of him while he attempted to steady her. He reluctantly let her go but stayed close just in case. She was out of breath and trembling, no doubt, from a phone call about her injured relatives, cousins if he wasn't mistaken. He thought back to the kid, talking about his Aunt Missy. Ahh, Aunt Melissa. "I-I'm sorry. I have to go. There's been an emergency, and I have-"

"Easy. You're here about (Y/N) and (Y/S/N), right?" 

"I-I... umm... I'm sorry, how did you know that?" She was surprised by his question. 

"Don't worry, they're fine now." He reassured her before giving a quick rundown of what happened. After he was done, she let out a sigh of relief. 

"I... I can't thank you enough... If something happened to them... I don't know what I would have done... Thank you." She thanked him as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. "So… you got to meet (Y/S/N)?"

"Oh yeah! I stayed with him until (Y/N) woke up. He seems an awesome kid!"

"Yeah… he is..." Silence filled between the two of them. He could tell there was something else she wanted to say. Maybe ask? But for whatever reason, she was hesitating, and it made the hero uneasy. Did she know about him and (Y/N)? Had you told her? Of course, you told her you were family! Damn it. It's time to go. Now!

"So...umm... I'd better let you go. I'm sure little man will be happy to see you! They're on the second floor, right past the nurse's station. Room 248." He pointed behind himself before sides stepping out of her way.

"Oh. Yes. I should be going. Thank you again, Red Riot." She gave him a slight bow before hurrying past him, "Please be safe out there, and if you need anything, please feel free to call us."

"Thanks! Oh, and tell Izuku to call me later!" He bolted out the door. 

**********

"There ya are Red! I was starting to get worried about ya.” Fatgum grinned as he greeted him as he entered their large shared office. 

"Sorry, Fat! Got caught up and lost track of time, it won't happen again." Kirishima gave him a sheepish grin before taking a seat behind his computer. He needs to get the report for today's incidences done before he could leave for the day. He needed to work quickly, though, if he was going to make it out on time for his little meetup that was planned just a few minutes ago. On the way back from the hospital, Kirishima decided to take the long way back. The fresh air had done him good, but he still couldn't get you or your kid out of his head. He wanted... Kirishima didn't know what he wanted or why he felt the way he did... He just wanted. No needed to do something. Something to make up for the shitty day the two of you had and make up for the way he had acted. Now that he'd calmed down, he could tell it was just his anxiety getting to him. That all of your reactions were understandable, it was just him blowing it out of proportion. 

Now that his mind was clear and calm, he had an idea. An idea that would require the help of a mutual friend. 

"How they holdin up?" Fat gum asked while munching on some Takoyaki, breaking Kirishima from his thoughts. 

"They're going to be just fine. The kid's taking it like a champ, but his mom was pretty banged up. I overheard one of the doctors saying she'll be in there for a couple of days, but she should make a full recovery." Ok, maybe he was stretching the truth on that one. He didn't 'overheard' anything, more like he walked up the nurse at the kiosk and just asked them. While they couldn't give him any details by law, they did passively talk to another nurse saying how (Y/N) would be fine. 

"That's great to hear! You were awesome today! I had no idea you were so good with kids."

"Oh, Thanks!" He chuckled. "But I wouldn't say I'm good with kids. (Y/S/N) is a tough kid, and he was just scared. I know (Y/N) would have comforted him if she could, and I couldn't leave him like that.” 

"(Y/N)? (Y/S/N)? Ya know them?"

"Oh umm.. yeah... I met (Y/N) at a buddy's birthday a few years back."

"Really? Did she recognize you?" 

"Umm... yeah, she did." He continued typing, trying to drop the subject. Too bad for him, Fat Gum was feeling rather chatty today. 

"So, you going to go back later to visit?" 

"I-I uh…" Golden eyes watched him as he struggled to come up with an answer. "Well... she's had a long day, and you know I'm sure she doesn't want a whole lot of people up there all at once. I'll just text Izuku to see how she's doing." That sounded believable. Totally got this. "Plus, ya know, I don't want to make anything weird for her." He mumbled under his breath. 

How the hell do you approach someone you had a one night stand with years ago and just happen to see again? 

He debated on asking his partner but immediately shot that idea down. Fat would never let him live it down, plus, he just didn't seem like the kind of guy who had many one-night stands. (A/N: Do not take that the wrong way. It's not because of his size! He's just too damn nice, and my brain won't let me think otherwise. I love Fatgum. He is my favorite pro hero, and he could have anyone in the whole world!)

"Wait..why would it be weird for her?" He stopped mid-bite as he saw the redhead flinch at the question. 

Crap. He said too much. Fat Gum, the tender tank of Naniwa, typically came off as a hero who's more brawn than brains. But, after working with him for years, the sturdy hero knew to not be fooled by his appearance. Behind that big body and wide smile was a sharp mind.  A mind of a hero with years of experience working alongside some of the best detectives in the city. And with that experience came a particular set of skills that were invaluable observation skills. Though right now, Kirishima was cursing those skills along with his own big mouth. 

"I-I… ummm…. ya see... she..." He could feel his face start to flush as he racked his brain for an excuse that would hopefully throw his form mentor off.

"Wait…" A wide knowing grin spread across the larger hero's face, reminding Kirishima of the cat from Alice in Wonderland. "Do you know her, or do you know her?" 

"It was a one-time thing!" He stammered, trying to defend himself. Ok, so the implication was true, but still! He didn't have to say it like that!

"Ahhhh, so that's why you're hesitant to go back! Kirishima, you sly fox!" The man roared with laughter. Kirishima tried his best to quiet down his mentor, but that only made him louder as he started to mercilessly tease the younger hero. 

By the time Izuku texted him saying he was about to get off, Kirishima was sprinting out the door, his face as red as his hair. Fat Gum was relentless in questioning about the two of you. Fat Gum even made a point to follow him to the locker room to question him as he was changing! The redhead sighed. Now he knew how Amajiki felt when Fat found out about his and Mirio's first official date. It took 30 mins and a phone call to Mirio to coax poor Suneater out of the corner. (A/N: It wasn't anything bad! It was just praised on how proud he was and how cute of a couple they made! He’s a proud papa!)

After he was clear of the agency, he quickly fired off a text to Izuku while still walking, hoping the crisp night air would help cool his cheeks before he had to make his first stop. 

Kirishima to Izuku: Hey Bro, I'm on my way! 

Izuku to Kirishima: Ok. Just finishing up some paperwork. Sorry, I can't meet up with you for a long. Got to get over to the hospital.  

Kirishima to Izuku: All good, man. I'll make it fast. How are they anyway?

Izuku to Kirishima: They're doing good. The doctors are going to keep (Y/N) in the hospital for a few days to make sure she's ok. I'm taking (Y/S/N) home with me tonight. (Y/N) really needs some rest. Also he's bored and getting grumpy. Melissa is going to stay the night with her.  Izuku to Kirishima: Thank you again for saving them, BTW!!!!  T-T 

Kirishima to Izuku: No prob bro!! :D Kirishima to Izuku: I'm glad they're doing good. I'm almost there. Gotta make a quick stop. See ya in a few mins.

Just as he sent his reply, he made it to his first destination. With a quick adjustment to his black 'blasty' hat, he strolled into the store to make his purchase. 

********

A few blocks away.....

Izuku nervously fidgeted with his phone, checking his messages and the time for what had to be the fifth time in the last ten mins. The green-haired hero took a long deep breath as he tried to calm himself before he got here. Izuku hated this. Hated the feeling of lying, especially to a friend. 

Was it lying if he didn't know for sure? It was all speculation with no real evidence, after all. Anything he did have was just circumstantial at best, and that wasn't enough for him to do anything with. 

This needed to be handled very very carefully, but in the end, someone would get hurt. There's no way around it. How badly thought well that remains to be seen.

He wants to voice his theories to the parties involved, but... How? How should he approach this?

If he's wrong, then he risks hurting the relationship between his wife and his cousin. That was precisely the reason why he kept quiet for as long as he had. But it wasn't until Melissa started asking him questions about Kirishima that he finally voiced his own theories. After a lengthy discussion, you both agreed it wouldn't be worth the risk at that point. Neither one of them wanted to hurt you or your son. 

But… it looks like faith might have other plans. More things have come to light and can't be ignored.

*Ding* New message from Melissa.

Melissa to Izuku: Did he say what he wanted to meet about?

Izuku to Melissa: No. Only that he would be quick.  Izuku to Melissa: Did he say anything or act weird at the hospital?

Melissa to Izuku: No. He didn't seem to suspect anything.  Melissa to Izuku: Maybe we're wrong about this?

Izuku to Melissa: I don't know. Hopefully, but I don't think we are. Izuku to Melissa: Things just fit too well. Especially now, that (Y/S/N) manifested his quirk.

Izuku to Melissa: Has (Y/N) said anything?

Melissa to Izuku: Not about this. She seems pretty shaken up, though. She's had a pretty long day. Hopefully, I can get her to talk to me after you pick up (Y/S/N).  Melissa to Izuku: He said, 'Hi uncle Zuku!' and that he misses you and can't wait to hang out and show you his quirk. 

Izuku to Melissa: lol tell him I miss him too, and I'll see him soon. 

Izuku smiled as he thought about the small sharp tooth boy who reminded him eerily of the man walking his way. 

Izuku to Marissa: He's here. I'll let you know what happens. Love you.

Marissa to Izuku: Love you too.

******

"Hey, man! Long time to see!" Kirishima greeted his former high school classmate. Izuku returned his smile with one of his own as he put away his phone. He then turned to face his friend, now standing at his full height that almost rivaled Kirishima's 6'5" stature. Gone was the small built, stuttering teenager he was in high school. Before him now was the man who would no doubt be the next #1 hero. 

"Y-Yeah. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Ok, so maybe he did stutter some every now and then. Old habits are hard to break after all. "How have you been?"

"Been good, bro! I saw your last fight on the news this morning! It was amazing! How bout you?"

"Oh! Thanks! I've seen a good bit of articles on you as well. You and Fat Gum have really cleaned up your sections, and you moved up in the ranks!"

"Thanks!" He chuckled. "Still got a long way to go if I'm going to catch up, you guys those."

"You'll be up there in no time." They continued to catch up and started some small talk, but after a while, the air seemed to tense around the two heroes. Their chatting had dried up and now... Something just felt… off. Typically, he had no problem talking to Izuku, but tonight, he just seemed nervous. The green-haired man just looked like he had something he wanted to talk about, but... Just could seem to bring it up. 

Was it something he did? Maybe something he said? The redhead thought and he felt himself start to panic again.  

"So..umm... Listen. I'll make this fast, I know you got to go." He shifts slightly before handing over a medium-sized brown shopping bag to Izuku. "Could you umm… give this to (Y/S/N)? And could you give (Y/N) a message for me? It isn't anything bad, I promise!"

"S-sure, Kirishima." He took the bag from the redhead. "I trust you. So, umm... what's the message?"

"Can you...Can you... just let her know that I'm sorry if I made her feel uncomfortable earlier or if I scared her in any way." He let out a deep sigh. "I was just as shocked as she was; believe me, and I really hope she's doing ok and gets better soon." 

"Of course." Izuku looked stunned for a moment before giving the redhead a good look. His redheaded friend was clearly upset, and it made him want to spill his guts right then and there. "Kirishima. Listen..." He paused, "I'll give her the message, but... I have a question... if this isn't too personal... you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but I just want to know the truth. Did... Did something happen between you and (Y/N)?" He saw his friend's face go pale for a moment, so he quickly added, "It's fine if you did! Honestly!"

"Yeah... a while ago... We.. umm... Yeah..." The redhead's cheeks flushed as he looked away from his friend. "When did you..."

"I figured something happened between the two of you a while ago, but I wasn't completely sure until today when Melissa called about (Y/N)." He swallowed hard, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. "The two of you kind of disappeared at the same time during the party, and I didn't see either of you until the next day."  

"It just... sort of.... happened... I'm sorry I know that was really unmanly of me, especially since it was your birthday party plus she's your family. We... I was a little drunk, and I... we kind of hit it off.." His blush deepened. "Please don't be mad at me! I don't want this to come between us!"

"Kirishima, calm down! It's ok, really! I'm not upset with this, and I know Melissa wouldn't be either. You're both adults, and you're allowed to ya know... see 'each other'. " 

"Sorry for not telling you soon. We're... still bros, right?"

"Kirishima. I'm your friend, and I'll always be no matter what." Kirishima could feel the weight of his words."I know I said this before, but really thank you for saving them. I don't know what we would have done if something would have happened to them." Even as Izuku spoke, he felt his stomach twist in knots. Guilt. His guilt was eating at him. How could he call himself Kirishima friend when in reality, he was acting like anything but a friend. He can't keep this from him. He just can't. 

"I'm just glad I got there when I did." There was that silence again, but this time it was a comfortable one. "Oh! Also, can you... please ask her not to say anything about my identity? I'd like to keep mine under wraps." 

"She won't say anything, I promise. (Y/N) knows I'm a hero but doesn't know details. As for (Y/S/N)... well, he's big on heroes, but we decided it'd be best if he doesn't know about me until he's older."

"Thanks, man." 

"So, what did you get him anyways?" Izuku was curious as he looked in the bag.

"Oh! Well, see (Y/N) and (Y/S/N) were at the toy store when they were attacked. But I'm sure Melissa already filled out in on that… anyways! (Y/S/N) said they went there cause he was getting a new toy, but they got attacked before he could get it. I just… I don't know. He seems like a great kid, and he had a pretty shitty day…. Maybe these would make it at least a little bit better?" Kirishima scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Was he overstepping? Maybe this wasn't a good idea. His doubts gnawed at his mind as Izuku looked shocked at the purchase he made. There were all kinds of hero action figures! 

"These are a lot of toys…" 

"Well, I found the one he wanted, but then I was thinking, hey, he might want one of you too! Then I saw the Uravity and Ground Zero ones, and thought he might like those too!" He quickly explains. "I ummm.. may have gone overboard..."

"He's going to love 'em! He really loves heroes. Did you… did he tell you who his favorite hero is?"

"Oh, uhh… yeah…. He said it was Red Riot... Not sure why, though." Kirishima chuckled some, "Typically, I tend to scare kids his age. I'm sure he just said the cause of the attack..."

"Kirishima, please don't do that to yourself. I can promise you this, you were his hero before he went into that store. Trust me, I've seen his room.” He chuckled slightly before getting serious again. “You're an amazing hero, and (Y/S/N) sees that just like many others. You're his hero, and you always will be."

"Thanks, bro.." He let out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding. "Well, I better let you get going. I've held you up long enough. Text me later, ok!" Kirishima turned to leave before his emotions got the better of him. It had been a helluva day, and he was ready to just chill out. 

"Ok. Take care!"

As soon as Kirishima was down the street and out of sight, Izuku took a deep breath and pulled out his phone. 

Izuku to Melissa: On my way.

Izuku to Melissa: You need to talk to (Y/N). There's no doubt in my mind that it's true. We can't keep this from him. 

Melissa to Izuku: I'll talk to her tonight.

Links: Part 1 , Part 2 ,

Thanks for the read! If you want see the other stuff I’ve done, click the link bellow!

MasterList

[k-s-morgan]

If i may ask, whose love for another, between Harry and Tom is stonger? Tom feels and wanta love allconsuming and really digs that the one and only narrative, when Harrys love is more of a love of choice (we know that this choice will always be Tom but still). Or do you think these two points of view are incomparable? Do you belive in love of choice and actively disregarding others or rather this idea of soulmate love in which noone else is even in the picture.

That’s a very interesting question! I’d say their love for each other is equally strong and powerful, but they choose different ways of expressing it. Tom’s love is dark and ruthless, he’s willing to destroy anyone standing on his and Harry’s way, be that a friend, a foe, or a random person. All he wants is for them to be together, regardless of the cost. Harry’s love is lighter - he also wants to stay with Tom always, but at the same time, he wants Tom to be good. He wants everyone to be happy and for no one to get hurt. If pushed, he would protect Tom with everything he has. He would also disregard the consequences in this case, but they would haunt him forever and cripple him with guilt afterward.

As for one true love vs. love as a choice... I have different answers in terms of fiction and reality. In fiction, I stick to ‘one true love’ narratives. I love the idea of two characters being the most important people for each other, for the whole world to fade when they are together. I see every my ship as soulmates, and with Harry and Tom, it’s even more literal. It’s not that they are in love romantically like the majority of other people are - they are entirely consumed with one another, they want everything a relationship can possibly offer.

In real world, I spent many years believing in soulmates and scoffing at the idea of love by choice. I’m aro-ace, but I realized that only recently. Long before that, I was very frustrated that I could never like anyone, so I convinced myself that my case is special and I’ll meet One True Love at some point. That I’ll feel differently about romance and dating only after meeting this person. I loved how this kind of connection was presented in Twilight, Queer as Folk, etc. - the main characters there felt an instant connection the moment they crossed paths.  As I matured, I realized that life works differently, and while connections happen, choice still plays a big role in relationships. Love can come and fade and re-appear, people can drift apart and start loving someone else, and it’s normal. Maybe sad, but normal.

So in short, it’s both :D

[teutonicfanfics]

Should I post my unpublished work on here??? Eh, here is the first draft of ‘Androids and Detectives’!

All rights reserve to me, ‘Detroit: become human’ isn’t.. I think there is a ‘AndroidTale’? This is different - AH

(Phone upload)

———————————————————————

The police department of Ebott was bustling with life. Paperwork messily scattered on desks, cubicles stacked with written reports, and the distant smell of cheap instant coffee.

A tall male walked through the doors, sporting black waist coat with a white button up and a long coat barely reaching his calves.

His pale face was slender, a semi-permanent scowl on his mouth, two jagged scars lined his right eye, slitting his brow tail. Deep brown eyes narrowed at the wandering looks that dared to stare, feeling satisfied that they turned almost immediately after eye contact. Standing near the entrance with his arms crossed over his chest, he squinted slightly.

Examining the desks that lined the floor underneath the chief’s office. The blinds where shut — not that Edge cared, of course. He only (slightly) cared that he couldn’t find nor see his coworker and insolent brother.

He ignored the androids standing at attention near the wall, underneath a charging pod, and walked towards the kitchen area. His badge clipped on his belt as he passed security.

Pushing the door open, he scoffed at his brother. “Where is she?”

The smaller male shrugged his shoulders, slipping off his police uniform with the words ‘Aster’ on both the sleeves. “she didn’t come home last night.”

“Where did she go, then.” He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest — chocolate brown eyes wandering towards the android janitor in the corner, mopping up the floor with a far away look in his glassy eyes.

The Android didn’t spare him a glance as he continued to work - as he was programmed to do.

He scoffed. Edge didn’t really like Androids. They were just trinkets used by people who were too damn lazy to do things themselves. Edge is a man of expertise, he liked doing things on his own (with the help of his partner, of course.) and not rely on a hunk of garbage.

“dunno. maybe at a bar? she’s been visiting those lately.”

Edge narrowed his eyes at his brother. Glowering silently as Red nervously fiddled with his fingers. A deep sigh coming from the eldest brother as he ran a hand through his messy white hair.

“look, bro.” Red hissed. Edge rolled his eyes. “she aint wanta talk. maybe lay low, let her hav’ her peace and - i dunno, leave her the fuck alone?”

Edge’s shoulders trembled, fighting back from lashing out at his brother in the middle of the kitchen. Face flushing red in anger as he continued to glare at Red. He, in turn, rolled his eyes, taking a large bite out of a hotdog with waayy too much mustard splattered over.

“Need I fucking remind you: if chief finds her missing today, he’ll have her fucking head. So let’s go and look for the stupid wench.”

“No need.” A female said, walking into the room with a stack of folders in her arms. Carelessly placing them on the table and sat down, a long sigh coming from her.

Red grinned widely at his brother, showing the genetic fangs - Edge mockingly mimicked him and followed to sit next to the female.

“ya look like shit, doll.” Red said, eyeing her oversized sweater, large pants and the lack of one shoe - striped socks and the heavy bags underneath her eyes. (Colour) hair basically a rats nest.

Breathlessly laughing, she punched Red in the arm - although it was terrible to say the least, he still pretended to act as if it hurt. “You were always the charmer.”

“what can I say? ladies love it.” He winked, placing a cup of coffee in front of her.

Y/n rolled her eyes, staring into the coffee cup and tipped it into her mouth without hesitation. Red and Edge flinched slightly - knowing how hot the coffee was.

“L/N!” A voice shouted behind the closed door. The female in question rose her head, her eye bags seemingly heavier upon hearing the chief’s shout. Edge glanced over towards the door, a low grumble coming from him as he slowly inside his crossed arms.

“I’ll go speak with the chief.” He pointed at her. “Chew on some fucking ice or something, that was unhealthy!” And then turned to leave.

(Colour) eye’s trailing after the tall man, Y/n shook her head. Stood up with the chair screeching loudly and grabbed the pile of files. Red quickly got to his feet, easily towering over her as he took the files.

Looking at him gratefully, the two walked out of the kitchen and into the vast room filled with desks - another room sectioned off from the rest by glass; over looking the workers below. Inside the room was the Chief: Asgore, and her Partner: Edge.

Y/nducked her head, pulling Red along towards her desk before plopping down with a loud, exaggerated sigh. Red chuckled throatily, placing the files on his desk and swiped half.

“ya look like yer in need some help. sorry fer bein’ a shit roommate.” He said, sitting a cross from him where his desk was pushed against hers. His (and her’s) computer blocking his head as he hunched over, reading over the file.

Y/n shook her head, taking the top file and flipped it open. “You’re fine. It’s my fault for not asking when I need it.”

“L/N!” The Chief sounded pissed off. The glass door was wide open, arms arms crossed over his chest. A scowling Edge walking down the small flight of stairs, face burning with rage - luckily, he kept himself in check.

Red winced. “o’fuck. if boss ain’t able to soothe ol’fluffy beard, then that means yer in it fer good.”

A shiver crawled up her spine at Red’s words. A sinking feeling weighted in her stomach - yet she looked unbothered as Edge stomped towards his desk, the one on her left side, and revived his computer tower.

Flipping the file closed, she stood up and pushed her hair in. Shoving her hands into her hoody pockets and sauntered towards the opened door. Asgore keeping it wide open for her to walk through.

Good ol’daddy bara.

She thought, the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement. Although she knew Asgore would not appreciate a smile, she kept her face as straight as possible. Lips pursing into a line before she sighed. Watching the large man walk around her like a vulture, eyeing her choice of clothing with a scrutinizing nose wrinkle.

“Where have you been?” His voice was deep and raspy. Rumbling like thunder on a rainy night. His hands neatly folding behind him as he stopped circling her, walking to his desk instead.

“Paperwork at a bar, at home, in my car.” She said sarcastically, a soft sigh coming from her. “No offence, sir. But what is the reason for—”

“Have you heard of TaleLife?” He cut her off, leaning over to grab a file in his desk. A large red ‘classified’ stamped in the front of a brown folder. Eyebrows softly knitting together, she nodded.

Asgore hummed. “It seems they have created a new android. A highly advanced robot — it’s a prototype and will be sent here.” He said rather shortly. Eyeing the folder for a second before slowly sliding it to you.

Furrowing your eyebrows, you looked up at Asgore for a second before grabbing it. The paper feeling aged, more ‘life’ like than the simple ‘tabloid’ people use nowadays.

“It is called a ‘Sans’. An RK800.” He said as you opened and flipped through it.

Sans was human-like, pages showing the insides of the androids. A ‘heart’ that pumped blue blood into their systems, keeping them functional for primary tasks.

“Supposedly, this thing is designed to assist human detectives on cases. You, however, will be in charge of this android until its mission is complete - I am moving you from Homicide department to Deviant cases per TaleLife’s requests.”

You instantly bristled, slamming the folder down and stood up so fast that the chair tipped over. (Colour) eye’s heatedly flaring into honey brown ones that always held malice within.

“What the shit!? I don’t want to work with some stupid tin can!” You shouted, face colouring with rage at Asgore’s annoyingly calm features, as if he knew you were going to act out. The façade you had on melted away almost instantly, eyes snapping downward to the desktop and at the photos of this ‘Sans’ android.

“You weren’t my first choice, Lieutenant. It was either you or Mr. Harrison.” He said, gathering up the papers and slipping them back into the classified folder. Tightening the small sting before putting it back into his desk, locking the drawer.

“Always Mr. Harrison!” You say, slamming your hand on the table each word.

“I do not trust Harrison like I trust you,” Asgore snapped silently. Honey brown eyes scanning over to the desks in front of his office. Narrowing them into glares when a unfortunate person caught his gaze.

“I need a fucking drink.” You muttered, running your hand through your hair - ignoring the pointed look Asgore shot you.

“Expect the ‘Sans’ Android to be arriving within fortnight. That is all, Lieutenant.”

Sarcastically saluting the Chief, you turned on your heel and stormed out of the office, grumbling underneath your breath just as you plopped down to your chair. A low hiss coming from the person in front of you.

“Burn-”

“Burn in hell, Red.”

*Timeskip*

It was blandly obviously that you were displeased to your two partners in crime when you returned to the partners, carelessly throwing your back onto the couch and immediately raided the refrigerator for a bottle of water

Edge shook his head, snatching it from your grasp.

You pouted softly - although instantly perked up when he twisted the cap and handed it right back.

Your ‘job’ persona melting away when you sunk into the couch, not caring that you still had your jacket on and sighed deeply.

“Stupid paperwork.” You say into the silence.

When Edge or Red hadn’t said anything, you frowned and sat up, looking over to their direction. Identical honey brown eyes searching your own (colour) ones as if you were a difficult puzzle they couldn’t solve. The unspoken question lingered in the air, the brothers watching and waiting for you to elaborate on your recent foul attitude, only to come around in a full circle and act as if you didn’t slam a donut into some poor maintenance person’s mouth.

You rose your eyebrow challengingly.

Red huffed, taking off his jacket and fell next to you - Edge did the same but more mannered than his brother -

“so, why’d chief need ya?” Red asked the unspoken question.

Knowing that you had no way around this, you capped the bottle and placed it in between your thighs, leaning back with a soft grumble at the mere thought of your boss.

Interwining your fingers with Edge’s longer ones, you lightly pinched his nails. “I’ve been reassigned to the ‘deviancy’ cases.”

“What?” Edge hissed, not bothering to take his hand from yours - a sense of amusement blooming in his chest that he quickly shoved away.

“Yep.” You muttered, dropping his hand and leaned your head back, staring at the ceiling. “Fan-Fucking-tastic.”

“but that isn’t near yer profession. th’fuck are ya going to do with rogue robots?”

Tightly shutting your eyes, you waved with your free hand at your bag. “The file has the information and implications about the cases i’ll be taking along with an Android.”

“no fucking way.” Red’s eye’s were wide, looking at you for a second then to your bag. “and yer ok with it?”

You scoffed loudly, rolling your eyes as you slipped from Edge’s hand and stood up, tossing the bottle into the air and caught it. “I have no choice but to listen to the Chief.”

Red got up from the couch and ransacked your bag for the file - he grabbed it and tossed your back carelessly back on the couch and pulled the papers. Honey brown eyes scanning the contents - features turning darker and angrier the more he redid.

“I’ll ask for a transfer.” Edge suddenly said, intertwining his fingers together (trying to act as if you still held his hands). “The fucking crud should’ve known better than to assign you to these cases.”

Red shook his head, returning to his seat and slammed the papers on the coffee table. A low, throaty growl coming from him as he crossed his arms. “no can do, bro. it says that talelife had asked for baby girl specifically.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Edge hissed, leaning forward and displayed the five papers out on the table. Honey brown eyes checking the content at mark speed before scowling deeply. A low, almost like Red’s, growl coming from his chest.

You wondered how they did that —

“yep. Might as well kill myself, yeah?” You laughed humourlessly. Glaring at the bottled water and placed it onto the table. Ignoring the concerned looks Red and Edge shot you for a split second.

”c’mon, you guys know I’m not serious.” You frowned before sighing.

[brisfanfictions]

Chapter Two: Seto’s Succeeded Attempt [Seto Kaiba]

-At the Kaiba Estate-

When Seto got home that day, he went to his home office to figure out how to "woo" Rose.

He opened his laptop, clicking on the internet and went to the Google website. He absolutely despised BING.

This is exactly what he typed: how to woo a girl. Then clicked a random link. It took him to wikihow.com.

"Twelve steps to woo her," he mumbled to himself. He was curious to see if it'll work.

"Step One: Get to know her," he continued to read aloud. "Talk to her and listen to her. Ask her about her family and where she grew up, her religion and politics, and what she likes to do for fun. Don't be critical or rude about her answers: they are hers, not yours! Respect her ideas, her opinions, and her beliefs. Girls like it when you treat them like people. If you want girls to find you attractive, respecting them as people is a great place to start. Sounds a bit complicated..."

"Seto!" Mokuba said as he opened the door. Then tilted his head in confusion. "What're you doing?"

The older male looked up from his laptop. "I'm learning," he answered. "What do you need?"

Mokuba looked a bit cautious. "What are you learning about?"

"How to Attract Girls."

"Why?"

"Because there's this girl in class—"

Mokuba smiled, putting a hand over his heart. "Seto has a crush!" Which he chanted that for awhile.

"But I called her a ‘bitch,’ without actually meaning it. So now she's beyond pissed at me..."

Mokuba came over to slap him upside his head. "She has every right to be!"

Seto winced at his little brother's harsh tone and muttered a tiny "ow" from being slapped. "She's giving me a chance to redeem myself by wooing her."

Mokuba looked at the screen, raising an eyebrow. "Uh... There's warnings on here..."

"Screw the warnings, I'm Seto Fucking Kaiba," was his response while he bookmarked the page. Then he left his office to plan. What his mistake was that he left his laptop open to the page.

Mokuba clicked the Tips and Warnings tab, watching it scroll down to the bottom. He began to read all the tips and sighed.

"He really should've read this," he mumbled to himself as he sat down. Thinking it will take awhile.

Once he was done reading the tips, he went ahead to read the warnings. Then grumbled to himself.

"He's never going to win her heart..."

With that said, he shut the laptop and went downstairs to eat dinner with his brother. And then ask if he could spend the night at Yugi's place.

-At the Watson's Residence-

Rose was busy cooking dinner while she looked over her math homework. She would start off small, like math, then work her way up to the hardest subject, which would be science and history.

Her brother was spending the night at a friend's house.

She gave a lonely sigh, frowning at her food. "I wish to love someone," she quietly said. "And then be loved back..." She put her food on a plate and went to sit on a windowsill, just as a shooting star come across the sky, to stare out the window. Missing the shooting star.

Then smirked. "He'll totally fail." She began to eat her dinner, which was just rice. She doesn't eat all that much. Mainly because she wasn't all that fond of eating all that much.

Once done, she tossed them in the trash and got ready for bed. Setting up her alarm, and curled up under the blankets. Yawning, she whispered, "I just hope he's not like the rest..."

She fell asleep. Not really knowing what she mumbled to herself.

-Next Morning-

Rose was talking to Joey when a sleak black limo, same as yesterday, pulled up beside them. She groaned as she saw the window being rolled down.

"What do you want, Kaiba?" She hissed at him.

He just gave her a small smile. "Want a lift?" He asked. "I'll listen to whatever you want to talk about."

Her and Joey were both stunned. He recovered faster.

"Why'd she wanta ride from a bast'rd like ya?!" Joey asked, snarling in reply.

Seto looked at the younger male with a cold glare. "What's it to you? And was I asking you, Mutt?"

Joey growled at him before Rose interrupted.

"On one condition," she responded.

Both boys looked shocked. However, Joey recovered faster, again. Seto soon following after.

"What'da ya doin', Rose?!" He hysterically asked her, worried.

She held up a hand, silencing the other blond. Her face was serious as she gazed into Seto's blue eyes. His eyes being a darker blue than her own.

"What's the condition?" Seto carefully asked her.

"Take my younger brother, my brother's friends, my three small kid neighbors across the hall from me and all my friends to Kaiba Land on Saturday," was her answer. Keeping her tone serious. As well as her stance, which is calm and relaxed.

Seto thought about it cautiously. Then nodded. "Alright," he said as he slid over in the seat. "Deal."

She turned to Joey, giving him an innocent smile as she hugged him. Opening the limo door, she climbed in and closed it.

"What made you want to be nice?" She icily asked him. Her backpack at her feet.

He raised an eyebrow. "I can't be nice to you?" He questioned her back. "Why do you think I have an ulterior motive?"

"Because you're an asshole to everyone. So, what makes me different?"

He shrugged his shoulders. He really had no answer to that. An answer that he could admit, anyways.

Then she smirked. "Didn't think you'd actually take me up on my offer."

He turned toward her, smirking back. "You did perk my interest."

She gave him a slightly harsh laugh. "No guarantees that you'll win my heart."

After all, she thought to herself. I have a bunch of locks around my heart. The only one who's able to show my true self is my brother and my cute little neighbors across the hall.

He was about to reply when she hopped out of the limo, her head held high as his fan-club began to glare at her.

However, she immediately begun to smile as she went to greet her new friends.

Atem threw Seto a jealous look.

"What were you doing in Kaiba's limo?!" Téa hollered.

Rose covered her ears after that, feeling like she was going deaf. "He offered and I accepted. End of story." She shrugged it off like it wasn't a big deal.

But, Téa proved her wrong.

"Why?!" She screeched.

Rose glared at the brunette. "Will you stop sounding like a damn jealous girlfriend?!" Then she stomped into the school. Her good mood had switched to a bad one.

"What's wrong, Rosalie?" Atem quietly asked, standing next to her. Easily keeping up with the blonde.

"I think Téa has a crush on Seto," she answered. "To be honest, he's handsome but his mind and soul are completely corrupted... As well as his heart being so cold."

"And why do you say this?"

"Because Téa was yelling at me. All the while, glaring."

He chuckled, smiling at her. "Not that."

She blushed a light red color. "Because I believe that he'll turn nicer and begin to learn that having feelings isn't a weakness. I can see the guarded look in his eyes. Like, he's unsure of himself." Then she sighed.

"Why would you help him?"

She shied away from that question, quickly walking to homeroom.

Seto was already in his seat, reading until she entered the room. Seeing the unhappy expression, he put his book down.

She sat in her seat, her head in her hands.

"What's wrong?" He questioned her, turning slightly to face her. He showed that he was worried about her. Even if he wouldn't admit it.

She jumped a bit, glaring at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because I—" He was at a loss for words.

She relaxed a bit, giving him a tiny smile. "I'm sorry... I'm just a bit worried, is all..."

"Your younger sibling?"

"Yeah... He means a lot to me and I can only worry if he got to school on time or if he ate dinner last night." She sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

"Where did he go?"

Her head snapped forward, surprising the brunet that she didn't break her neck. Then turned a sharp glare on him. "What's it to you?!" She harshly whisper-yelled.

"Miss—" Miss Chono, the evil teacher, said. While looking at her seating chart. Then looked at her again, an evil smirk on her face. "—Watson, would you like to add something to my lesson?"

Rose froze, turning to the teacher with her eyes wide. She couldn't speak because she heard the rumors about her homeroom teacher. 

I can't get expelled. She thought. Without a diploma, then I can't get a job... And without that, then I'll be forced back into Dad's care... I wouldn't be able to follow my dreams… I’d be forced to go through even worse pain than before for running away...

That's where her thoughts went.

"Cat got your tongue?" Miss Chono sneered. Then, with her yard stick, points to the door. "To the principal."

Rose, with a sad sigh, got up. She began to head for the door but stopped in front of her, an angry scowl on her face. 

Might as well go out with a bang. She thought, smirking.

"Miss Chono," she said with false sweetness in her voice. "Nice mask..." Giving her a fake examination. "Wait... My bad. That's just your face. Which is covered in Crayola crayons... Never mind. That's your makeup."

Miss Chono's face was priceless. While the whole class laughed.

Rose gave a satisfied smile, leaving the room with an air of defiance.

Seto got up to follow her, looking curious. "Why'd you say that?"

She turned around and glared. "Will you stop following me?!" She hissed at him. "You're worse than my fanboys!"

Then she stormed into the principal's office.

Seto stood, shell-shocked before he exited the school, planning on going to Kaiba Corp. to work away his annoyance. Even though he had no reason to feel it, which was located deep within his icy heart.

It was about lunch time when Rose was finished at the principal's office, slightly surprised that she got off with a warning (thanks to Seto). She looked around and saw that she was the only one in the hallway.

She shrugged her shoulders, happily walking to her locker. Opening up her locker and humming as she got her afternoon books.

Then her locker door slammed shut, with her back against it. The air was knocked out of her.

"How's about we ditch school and go out tonight?" A gruffy voice whispered in her ear. He smelled of cigarettes and alcohol, which made her want to gag. The smell reminded her of her annoying father.

"Why would I go out with a loser like you?" She asked while trying to struggle out of his grasp. But she couldn't, not really showing that she couldn't free herself.

"Because, if you don't," he said, his voice taking on a dark tone. "I'll hurt you... A slow and painful torture will be in session." He lightly pressed a knife into her side, drawing a tiny bit of blood.

She was terrified. This was Dad all over again, she thought. She didn't know what to do, since she froze up.

When she thought that no one will come to her rescue, Duke came out of a nearby bathroom. She knew it was him by his theme song, playing in the background. He noticed her and her assailant.

"What're you doing to her?!" He questioned, angry. Then he stormed over, punching the guy in his face.

Her harasser swung the knife at him.

She watched. Horrified yet joyful.

When someone lightly tapped her shoulder, making her jump. After she turned around, Atem smiled at her.

"Let's go," he whispered. His smile was kind and sweet.

She blushed a bright pink when Atem picked her books up from the floor and took her hand. Walking away from the fighting boys.

When they were far enough away, she spoke up. "Wh-why'd Duke save me?" She asked. Her voice shaking a bit. "I-I—" She didn't know what to say. She does, but she doesn't know how to word it.

"I think he could feel how uncomfortable you were," he answered. "Or because he likes you more than a friend."

Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

"I hate to disappoint him," she replied. "But, I have no interest in dating him."

"Why is that?" Atem looked curious.

"Anyways, wanna come to Kaiba Land on Saturday? Kaiba promised in exchange that I let him take me to school."

Atem chuckled, smiling in return. He noticed how uncomfortable that topic was for her so she changed it. "Who else will be there?"

Rose smiled at him going along with the topic change. "Neo, Daedalus, Akiko, my brother, his friends and the others."

"Who are 'Neo,' 'Daedalus' and 'Akiko?' Aren't the first two names of your favorite card?"

"Yeah... they're my neighbors' foster children. I call them that. However, they only let me call them that and no one else. Their real names are Nicholas, or Nick, and Daniel, or Dan, Maurer, twin boys, and their little sister, Samantha, or Sammy, Smith." A small and loving look came into her eyes as she thought of the three little children.

"What happened to make them go into foster care?"

"I asked them that." Her loving look disappeared, turning into a hard one. "But, Nick refuses to talk, Dan just changes the topic and Sammy gives me a confusing look. Nick and Dan never talks about what happened so I stopped trying. I suggest that you don't, or the others." With that said, she took her books and got her lunch. Then went outside to the tree, where she first met everyone.

Sighing, she glanced up at the sky.

"Ra, help me..." She begun to pick at her lunch now. Not really noticing that someone was talking about her just around the corner.

"I don't see how she could hate me," a voice quietly said. Not really knowing that said girl was on the other side of the tree. "But, I wish I could really talk to her about it... She'd probably just brush me off if I did..."

Rose remained quiet, looking past the tree a bit to see a brunet-haired male. She was curious to hear who he was talking about.

Then smirked when she saw the "KC" logo on his gravity-defying coat.

Hmm... She thought. Wonder who the unlucky girl that haunts his mind...

Seto groaned in annoyance. "Why can't she see that she would be treated like a queen?!" He angrily shouted. Absolutely not getting any work done, like he had hoped. After awhile at Kaiba Corp. yesterday, he couldn't focus at all either.

Her eyes glanced over to the laptop, frowning. Because she can see a picture of her.

With an inner sigh, she moved to sit next to him.

"You could've gave me your number instead of asking me questions," she suggested him, giving him a teasing smile. "And, if I had a house or a cell phone, I probably would've spoken to you. Also, you could've asked me for my horrible past instead of doing a background check." Her smile faltered a bit, pushing away the past and tears that threatened to flow.

"You're not exactly the only one who was abused," Seto softly spoke to her. Showing the rare bit of kindness at her. "I was, too. Gozoburo, my stepfather and the horrible man that adopted me and my brother because I beat him in a chess match, abused me to push me to my limit."

She looked into his eyes, seeing how much his stepfather abused him. Then gave a gentle smile, letting the tears flow as her hand gently caressed his cheek. Listening to his horrible past, much like her own.

And, in that moment, she could see that he was a broken man inside.

"Alright," she softly said, letting him wipe away her tears. "When Saturday comes around, I'll be in your company instead of my friends."

He looked confused, wondering why she would say that.

She giggled at his reaction, watching him smile afterwards. "But, you would have to prove to me that you wouldn't treat me the same."

"How?"

"You'll find out on Friday. And it's nothing too bad. I promise."

She got up, dusting herself off her hideous school skirt. Then leaned over to kiss his cheek, smiling as she went to toss out her untouched lunch. There was a small skip in her step, and she was humming to herself as she passed through the doors of the school.

He, on the other hand, was a bright red, staring at her disappearing form. A hand slowly went up to cup the cheek that she kissed and touched.

"I can't wait until Friday," he mumbled, smiling once more that day. "And I think I'll carry her books tomorrow, chatting with her."

True to his word, he carried her books to class and spoke to her about, what he thought was, trivial things. He drove to her house to pick her and her brother up, dropping Mokuba and Ash off at Domino Middle. Everyone, but Rose, was shocked at what he was doing. Only proving further that he didn't care what other people thought of him. Her opinion is all that mattered to him.

On Thursday, he did what he did yesterday. He picked her and Ash up and dropped off him and Mokuba at Domino Middle. He took her books again and walked her to class. He glanced at her as she spoke. When she looked at him, she was curious.

"Something wrong?" She questioned him. "Am I boring you?" She tried to hide the hurt on her face, but failed to hide it in her eyes.

"No, of course not," he quickly replied, looking a bit nervous. "I was just thinking how beautiful you are." He gave her a nervous smile. Something that nobody else could see, though.

She blushed a bright pink at his compliment, giggling. "Thank you, Kaiba."

"Please call me 'Seto.'" He gave her one of his special, small smiles that are reserved for Mokuba and her.

She gave him a warm smile. "Thank you, Seto," she whispered. "You can call me 'Rose.'"

He fought back a shiver at hearing his given name roll off her tongue. Almost as if she was meant to say it.

"What kind of test do you have for me?" He was even more curious about tomorrow.

"Today is Thursday, no?" She gave him a mischievous smile. "You will find out tomorrow morning in the car. I don't back down on my word."

"Alright," was his response, but he was still eager to know.

As soon as they got to their homeroom, she took her books from him. And, something to do differently that day, she stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek again. Then she skipped into the classroom, humming a random song that popped into her head.

Seto hurried to class, shooting Atem a smug smile. Then sat at his seat, next to Rose.

Just as the bell rung to start class.

Atem was jealous that Seto was able to catch her attention. However, he was sure to win her over on Saturday. Since he would treat Rose better than Seto Kaiba.

When the lunch bell rang, Atem hurried over to the blonde girl. "Do you want to have lunch with the gang today? You haven't all week." He fought back a blush after asking.

"Maybe tomorrow," she promised him, smiling. "Seto has brought lunch for me. Since he saw my cooking abilities, which isn't that great..." She looked sheepish now. "Anyways, I will have lunch with you and the gang tomorrow." She got up from her chair, leaving her books on the desk for Seto to pick up and take with him.

Seto did what she expected, picking up her books while glaring at Atem. Atem returned the look.

"She will be mine," Seto quietly stated, smirking with total confidence. "I'll prove to her, and everyone else, that she's different and that I'm a perfect match for her."

"You'll just fail," Atem replied, giving him his own confident smirk. "Since Rose is a delicate little flower and needs to be treated as such."

"You don't know about her past," the brunet young man declared. "She told me hers and I told her mine. She is the only other person who knows of my true past, and who I really am underneath. You only want to get with her because you don't know her on the inside. And she's stronger than you think."

"Seto?" Rose questioned, poking her head into the room. "Aren't you coming? I don't want to skip lunch again." She was implying that he shouldn't skip lunch.

"Coming, Rose," said boy replied, giving her a small smile. Which only she could see.

Rose smiled brightly, waiting for him at the door.

"See you at lunch tomorrow, cousin," Seto responded. His voice dripping with sarcasm at the last word. He purposely bumped Atem's shoulder as he walked by him.

Rose's eyes lit up in excitement and joy. All week they hung out during lunch, she was making sure that he was getting the necessary nutrients and that he's properly eating his meals.

He met up with her at the door.

They left the classroom together, as usual. Rose happily skipping next to Seto as they walked out the front doors to the fall atmosphere.

Atem just got an evil smirk from inside the classroom. Since he found a way to win Rose. It required hurting her through Seto to get her.

Besides, he's tired of being "Mr. Nice-Guy." And Rose is one girl who hasn't fallen for him... Yet.

=========

Previously

Next