#being in on the secret vs barely getting a peek

[lisbonsteresa]

i just think it's neat

[nobodyfamousposts]

Is it just me, or does it feel like there's a huge discrepancy in the writing of Miraculous? When it's good, it's really good, but when it's bad it's just awful.

That’s pretty much how Miraculous is and I think is tied to a lot of good ideas but poor execution or just an inability to follow through.

They have best friends for both heroes but don’t utilize them. They gave us alternative romance options for both heroes but didn’t have relationships with either of them truly exist for more than an episode. They give Adrien extra ties to the plot but don’t do much with them. They made Chloe an unrepentant bully but never truly gave her any long term consequences and would even “soften” the blows she would receive by the end. They then gave Chloe a bad mom to serve as a Freudian Excuse and presented a chance to call her out for being a bad mom but then reversed course on that by having them be pushed to get along through how rotten they both are. They have Marinette try to move on from Adrien but then force her to go right back to being lovesick over him. They have Adrien try to move on from Ladybug but also go back to trying to push for them to be a couple. They gave us numerous extra heroes but barely use them. And even some of their respective hero episodes don’t focus on the hero in question.

They have a Miracle Box full of extra Miraculous with their own powers, but we’re going on 4 seasons and still don’t know what a good half of them do. They have special potions that give them alternate outfits and abilities, but we’ve only seen three of them. They have a Miraculous Grimoire that details secrets of the Miraculous, but don’t show what’s in it. They brought back the Guardian Temple but had nothing come of that--no meeting with the heroes or Fu facing his former teachers and allies (at least not until after Fu gave up his memories).

They give us Felix, who could serve as an amazing rival or foil for Adrien, but seems intended more as a hate sink and Take That! for those who liked the original PV Chat Noir concept more than the current setup. They give Lila, who is supposed to be a skilled liar but seems less skilled in her own right and more like everyone else has just been dumbed down. They have Gabriel as the apparent Big Bad of the entire series, who can’t seem to settle on a motivation and vacillates between Large Ham and Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain with small bits of actual competency sometimes peeking through.

All in all, there are good ideas here. But given how they go about it and the way they just fall short of utilizing them to their utmost, it feels like there’s a lot of wasted potential.

This is what puts the “plot point you don’t like vs bad writing” debate fully into the “bad writing” category. It’s not that these are bad plot points. It’s that they aren’t being done well.

[seijohsfairy]

𝙸𝙼𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙰𝙻

In where your boyfriend likes watching you get fucked, and you are a bit too late to tell him that maybe it’s a bad idea. 

.word count. 2.8k .pairing. miya atsumu x fem!reader x sakusa kiyoomi .genre. smut (m), slightly angsty

tw cuckolding, tbh incel!omi, spit play, voyeurism, masturbation, praise vs. degradation, atsumu’s fingers (yes this deserves a warning, i’m obsessed), unprotected sex, possibly cheating-ish?

.author’s note. “I absolutely don’t thirst for Atsumu or Kiyoomi, don’t know what it is but I just don’t,” I say all bright eyed, you know, like a liar. Anyway, I don’t know how this happened either but I hope you enjoy it!

+

The first time was a once-off, you’d thought. You had been clingy all day, and your boyfriend had been so tired from practice. So he asked someone to help out for you, and that’d been that. No big deal. You’d been a bit surprised that of all people, he’d asked Miya Atsumu to do the job, but considering the setter’s long fingers had soon been stuffed deep into you it didn’t occupy your thoughts much. You’d all be going your separate ways anyways, you and your boyfriend back to your apartment, and Atsumu would stay in his own little world far enough away.

So when not three days later Atsumu was seated on your couch with a brilliant smile on his face, right opposite your significant other, it’d made you a bit cautious. From as soon as he’d gotten comfortable around you, Kiyoomi had liked prodding at your boundaries. Reaching at but never past ‘em. It made intimacy fun, made your heart beat and so you’d always been pretty open with his suggestions. But this had been difficult to grasp. “I want to try something new. I think you should let him fuck you,” he’d said, and you’d been able to close your gaping mouth just long enough to catch the intrigue in Atsumu’s eyes.

“W-What? But what about you, Omi?”

“I want to watch. If you’re comfortable with that. I think you’ll like it.”

Looking back, you had liked it. It made you feel desired, hot and flushed and it didn’t hurt that compared to your boyfriend, the blond loved showering you in endless praise. Telling you how pretty you were, how sexy your sounds and how great your touch. You had liked it once and twice, and with that, had learned to like his attention too. Slight touches brushing past your hand in public just made you feel like you had a secret of you three. But maybe you should’ve talked about it with Kiyoomi more than you did. Atsumu fucked you in front of your boyfriend more than he did himself after a while, and you started missing his touch. Any time you’d initiate something, he’d tell you to shower, and by the time you came out of the hot water Atsumu would be at the door to help you out.

“Yer a bit touch starved, aren’t cha? Pretty girl,” he’d whisper, pressing kisses to your crown when drawing you close. “I’ll make ya feel good, baby.” The more Atsumu came over, the less touchy Kiyoomi grew. But in daily life, he was the same man you’d fallen in love with, which made it so much harder to complain about the strange dynamic. He wasn’t touching you, but he seemed happy to stay on the sidelines and watch. And you were getting all the sex you could ever need, even if it wasn’t with your boyfriend. Maybe you should’ve talked about it more, but you’d been thrown into the dark so suddenly that it felt easy to cling to the strong arms wrapped around you every other day.

“Keep yer eyes right here, baby girl,” the lithe voice calls, fingers under your chin and aiming your face up. Atsumu hovers over you, pressing you back into the plush of the bed with his weight supported on his forearms. He presses a few kisses to your lips, giggling when you whine at his slow movements, before he trails his fingers down your naked chest and over your nipples. He’d been at this for quite a while, and you are definitely growing more impatient by the second. When you reach up to wrap your arms around his neck with another whimper, he tutts his lips. “Shh, pretty thing. Play nice.” He flicks his finger against your pointed bud as a punishment, before continuing his slow, meticulous movements a bit longer.

But you can tell even he’s getting testy. His fingers keep going back and forth between messing with your lips, your tits and your drenched panties, as if he can’t decide which of his toys to play with first. He smacks his lips before dropping his mouth to the swell of your breasts, starting to mark you up in the places the bruises of previous nights aren’t scattered. The warmth of his mouth leaving more obnoxious blots of color. Atsumu lifts his face from your skin for long enough to settle back between your legs, rutting his hardness against you with slow drags of his hips. “Stick yer tongue out for me,” he breathes, and as soon as you do he pinches it between his fingers to tug. “I’ll get ya nice and messy for me, don’tcha worry. Would’ya like that?” With your tongue still held out of your mouth, he peers down at you with those pretty browns for an answer.

Saliva builds up in your mouth as you breathe out, humming in reply. Always concerned about your pleasure first, he rolls his hips into yours harder. “Good.” He leans down to press a kiss on your tip of your tongue, and as messy and overly intimate as it is, you’ve long grown appreciative of all of it. Even if it makes you feel dirty, you savour the feeling. You’re more than happy to take it all if that means you’re being touched. You let your eyes drop closed when he lets go of your tongue, leaving it out still. Spit’s collecting in your mouth and going down your face, and the blond grunts like it’s the best sight he’s had in a while. “Keep it out, good girl.” He leans down to you again to lick up the length of your tongue, before he sucks on the wet muscle, moaning.

While he traces your tongue with his, his hands grab at your ass to drag you into him more, and you grind back on his slow motions to the best of your ability. His hard cock pushing exactly where you need it to, though you’d love it even more if he just gave up and fucked you already. Alas. When he pulls back to let you breathe, you frown at him and try to speak without disobeying his order. You compromise by pulling your tongue back but keeping your mouth mostly open. “You’re so nasty, ‘Tsumu,” you manage to mumble, swallowing some of your spit before you make more of a mess of yourself.

Atsumu just laughs, a soft, breathy one, burying his face into your neck. “Yer one to talk. Droolin’ all over yer own face.” He presses wet kisses to the expanse of your neck in between the words, leaning up to wipe some of the spit on your chin away with a thumb. “But ya look so pretty like that, ya know I can’t help myself.” He slowly pushes your tongue back into your mouth with one finger. Then he slides his hand back down your body to rub over your covered slit and to give a mind-numbing pressure on your clit. You groan at the feeling, both at his calloused fingers being used so well and at the way your wet panties feel on your skin. He’s quick to silence your noises with a proper kiss, lazy pulls of his tongue around yours and his lips melting to you in a perfect rhythm to drive you crazy. It still surprises you, how good his is with that loud mouth of his.

A soft click sounds through the room. You don’t have to look to know that your boyfriend is freshly showered, and will take his seat in the chair positioned right next to the window soon. Atsumu doesn’t allow you to tense up though, pulling back from your body to start shimmying your panties down your thighs. “Finally. Poor thing’s been wet for fifteen minutes.” You would’ve been able to start much sooner if he hadn’t insisted on a rule that you can only have sex from the moment the spiker is in the room, and not a second earlier. Hell, you would’ve been able to start much sooner if he didn’t want to watch you get fucked more than he wants to do it himself.

Kiyoomi gives only a soft sigh in response as he plops down in the chair, springs creaking. You open your eyes and are met with Atsumu’s adoring gaze, one which he keeps as he taps the sides of your hips. “Lift ‘em, please.” He takes off your panties and tosses them at the foot of your bed, before he finally uses those pretty hands on your dripping slit, working you perfectly. He swirls around your clit for a moment, dragging two digits up and down to slick them up and you’re already so worked up from all the teasing that this makes you shudder. He always is a dream when he gets to put his hands on you. His tongue peeks out between his lips when he glances between your bodies, focussing on every twitch and tug. He’s so pretty.

You take a moment to glance away though, meeting Kiyoomi’s calculated expression. His dark hair still damp, shirtless and slouched into the red chair, he regards you. His stare is blank. You can’t remember the last time he looked at you with genuine lust, but then again, you’re not sure he ever actually did. Even so it’s been months, you can barely remember what his touch feels like. The tenseness of dredging through the thick tar of your thoughts must follow through into your body, because Atsumu looks back up at you with a slight frown on his handsome face. “You okay?” You nod right when he slips in a finger and kisses you on the temple. “Yer so tense, baby girl.” The faint kisses down your neck and collarbones feel like heaven.

He rubs his thumb over your sensitive clit as he sucks and bites at both nipples. His long fingers curl inside you just right as soon as he adds a second and a third one, stretching you out. His fingers are so thick and strong, able to hit the right spot inside you every pump. And the added feeling of his breath on your wet chest, the weight of his body on you. You whine out his name, tangling your fingers in his hair as your back curls off the mattress. Atsumu grins, even with shut eyes you can hear it in his voice and you call for him again, the coil in your belly already winding tight. “Feels good?” he asks, giggling when you nod your head up and down without thinking. Yes, yes, he feels so good. He always does.

Your legs are spread wide apart, thighs trembling the longer his brutal pace continues on your body. “Ah— ‘Tsumu, I’m close.” Beads of sweat pool under your breasts, and you open your eyes long enough to catch the look on his face. There’s nothing there but devotion to bringing you pleasure. You couldn’t believe it when he fingered you the first time, and it’s still hard to believe now. Your body shudders at the sight. His thumb gives a particularly hard few circles on your clit, making your head spin. And his other hand is pinching at your tits, using his nail to flick over the peaked knob. It’s rough, but so good. “Uh, oh- p-please Atsumu,” you ramble, “‘Tsumu, wan’ cum. Wanna cum, please. Please.”

The squelching of your sloppy pussy fills the room, as Atsumu groans. “Yeah? Yer gonna cum all over my hand, huh?” The deep tremble of his voice feels deafening, you’re so close it’s almost painful. You pull him closer, wanting to feel him, his warmth, the smoothness of his skin, anything at all—

“Let her cum on your cock,” Kiyoomi orders, drawing your attention over. He has his hand wrapped around his cock, lubed up with lotion and jerking his wrist to slide over the pretty, pink head. The time you were allowed to do it for him seems distant. At the soft moan he lets out you fight the urge to call out his name, because that too isn’t allowed anymore. Something about breaking the immersion. You can’t help but think anyone would be hurt that the sound of your voice bothers him when he’s jacking off. Maybe you just sound gross— no, Atsumu loves hearing you. He could get off on your noises alone. And turning back to find reassurance in the man nestled tight between your legs becomes easier each time it happens.

You hold the immensely frustrated pleads that work up your throat to bite your bottom lip, instead just going along with it. There was a time where you’d have pleaded to let you cum, a time where he’d have his own fingers on and in you, where your begging actually meant something. But you know by now that the more you talk back, the less Kiyoomi allows you to receive. The blond seems almost as angry at the denial of your orgasm as you are, because the slight twitch of his brow stays. But as he stills his fingers, he curls them obscenely once more and presses his lips to yours. “Sorry princess, ya heard the man.” He then pulls the digits out of you to slip them into his own mouth, cleaning your juices from them with a lewd ‘pop’. He shoves his boxers down his thick thighs to expose himself, giving himself a quick few pumps.

“Bend back yer legs for me, pretty girl. I’ll make it up to ya.” He helps you lift your knees to your chest and runs the flushed, leaking head of his cock up your slit until he’s as wet as you are. Then he presses another kiss to your parted lips, and smiles into it. He pulls back with a low whisper, slowly starting to push in as he pushes out the words. “I love stuffing this pretty cunt. It’s mine.” The stretch feels so good, so so good and he’s so warm, you mewl as he sinks into you. And as you reach one hand back up to his shoulders to steady yourself on his big cock, the other searches out his touch. His long fingers tangle easily with yours, slotting perfectly together.

“Ahgh,” you moan at his first thrust, “so full. S’big, ‘Tsumu.” He leaves kisses all over your face as you get used to the overwhelming feeling of his cock, and you glance over for just a moment to the chair. Kiyoomi is dabbing at himself with tissues. You didn’t even notice he already came. You want to feel bad, you should have noticed, you should have— But then Atsumu switches out the slow draw of his hips for a faster rhythm and you’re gone from the world. You babble out his name and cling to him as the orgasm that was so cruelly denied earlier builds back to a peak, the heat in the pit of your stomach overflowing. “Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, ohfuckohfuckohfuck, Atsumu!” Your legs tremble, your walls squeezing around him so hard he can barely pull himself out enough to thrust. Black and white marks the edges of your vision.

You’re still far off from the world when you feel the setter’s lips on yours, but the vague words from your side filter in not too much later. Your boyfriend clicking his tongue. “You’re such a filthy slut, cumming all over someone who’s not even your boyfriend. You just need any dick to get off, tch.” You come down after that, feeling too hot but slightly cold as well. Atsumu pulls his hips back far enough to allow you a moment more to get back to yourself, before he touches your chin to draw your face back to his.

“Can ya do another, baby? I wanna give ya another.” It’s sweet. He’s sweet. You nod. So ever so slowly he starts back up, giving your sensitive body extra attention. You bury your face into his neck as he hovers himself back over you, his chest heaving up and down from the effort. “Yer so pretty. So good, so tight for me. Always so fucking tight for me.” You plant kisses there until Atsumu starts groaning out his words, your name over and over and you forget about the stinging gaze on the both of you. Maybe you should have talked about this with Kiyoomi more. No, you definitely should have. Then you wouldn’t be falling so hard for the guy your boyfriend brings in to fuck you when he can’t be bothered.

///

in this house we love and adore the miya twins equally and i don’t take criticism. he’s a fucking treasure, i will bop you on the head if you say anything different. anyway, this was my first time writing these boyos so i hope they’re not too ooc! thank you so much for reading, you’re all beautiful humans. (๑◕ㅂ▰)

[queen-scribbles]

The Long Burning Torch ch 2

Oh, look, there more! :D Second chapter for my Ryn/Red 20s AU brought you by @shepherds-of-haven ‘s summer event 

------

True to his word, Red called just a couple days later--with supremely perfect timing, too; Xaeryn had just returned from following a lead. She was in the process of unpinning her hat when the telephone rang and she ll but dove across the room, hatpin in hand, to answer it.

“Shrike Investigations,” she said with that borderline-cheerful professionalism people expected from anyone running a business.

“Xaeryn?” He sounded curious verging on concerned. “Everything alright?”

“Oh, hittin’ on all eight,” she assured him with a breathless laugh. “I just got back from chasing down a lead.” She left off how literal that was this time as she glared at the mud on her shoes. “He was... more help than he meant to be, I think. I’m just grateful it didn’t turn into another dead-end.”

Red laughed. “Glad to hear it.” The line crackled a bit in the moment’s silence before he continued, “I had a chance to do some research, turned up a few interesting things.”

Generally interesting, or Red-interesting? Xaeryn wondered with a fond smile, remembering his fascination with even the minutiae of everything he read. “Like what?” 

“At least some of what happened to the pendent after the Solimer lost it, and it’s a bit of a mess.” He laughed again, sheepishly this time, and Xaeryn pictured him running a hand through his hair. “It’s better explained in person. Should I come to you--”

“I’ll come there,” Xaeryn offered. “You’re doing me a favor, it’s the least I can do. And besides” --she grinned, even knowing he couldn’t see her-- “it’s a long drive and I wouldn’t want you to forget any of your notes.”

There was a long-suffering sigh, punctuated by a chuckle that made the line pop. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

“No more than you let me live down the apple tree,” she retorted sweetly. “Does it work for me to come today? The guild’s getting antsy with the exhibit date drawing closer, but if you’re busy...”

“I have a lecture in... just under an hour.” Red paused, likely doing the same travel time vs lecture time calculations she was. “If you left soon, you’d probably get here just as I’m finishing, we could talk after?”

“Sounds good to me,” Xaeryn said scraping mud off her shoe against the chair leg. “I’ll see you in a couple hours, then.”

“Mm, see you then.”

She took a moment examining her shoes after they hung up and decided it would be best to change them before she left. Wouldn’t want to be tracking mud through Solhadur’s halls.

---

She couldn’t entirely bite back a laugh when she arrived and found Red behind his desk, the pencil woven between his fingers tapping against one of the three books open across the desk’s surface. “Well, I just lost a five lyss wager.”

“Huh?” His hair fell in his eyes when he looked up. “Over what?”

Xaeryn smiled as she leaned against the edge of the desk. “I was certain you would get carried away with jawing about whatever your lecture was on and I would be here first. Fortunately it was a wager with myself” --she leaned over to peek at what he was reading--”so there’s no real loss.”

Red laughed and nudged one of the books toward her. “Normally you would have won. I thought of something I wanted to double-check before you got here, so I made sure to end on time. The students thank you for that, by the way.”

She snickered and skimmed through the presented history text. “They’re most welcome. What did you learn?”

Red pushed out of his chair and circled the desk to give them the same angle on the book she held. “There’s a decade or so immediately after its loss that’s unaccounted for, but there are records from travelers who mention encountering a warlord deep in Jalis territory with a pendent that sounds an awful lot like Solimer’s torch. Here.” He leaned over to flip a few pages back from where she was and pointed at a sketched illustration.

While rudimentary in nature, it did bear a striking resemblance to the photographs Mr. Syndran had given her. Xaeryn hummed a quiet agreement, noting the sketched pendent seemed to be on an armband rather than loose as it was now, as she started reading the relevant text around the illustration. 

“Lean on details,” she frowned, tracing a finger over the words as she read.

“That one is,” Red agreed. “They were more concerned with other things, barely mention the pendent in their description of the warlord. It’s just the only one with an illustration.” He tugged the book away from her, swapped it for one of the others. “Going off the description, I think this is the same piece. But you can draw your own conclusions.” He sat in one of the chairs and Xaeryn stayed perched on the edge of the desk, one foot swinging idly a few inches off the ground as she read.

From the sound of it--bronze coiled around a jet black stone, said to be its owner’s lucky talisman--she was inclined to agree with Red.  The territory of this warlord, however, was rather far from the usual routes ascribed to the Solimer’s desert travels. How did it get there? she mused. Likely during the decade it had vanished, but she couldn’t even begin to guess the method. She’ was just finishing with the account when she caught Red smiling out of the corner of her eye.

She let the book dip to look at him instead. “What?”

Red’s eyes twinkled as he nodded at the hem of her mid-calf skirt. “That lead you mentioned chasing earlier wouldn’t have involved mud puddles, would it?”

Xaeryn followed his gaze and groaned at the mud staining the dusky rose fabric. “I wasn’t expecting him to run,” she muttered, flicking at the mud with one hand as she moved to the other chair.

“Your suspects usually just wait around, obligingly, for you to interrogate them, then?” 

She rolled  her eyes at his teasing tone and briefly debated whacking him with the book. “He wasn’t a suspect, he was a witness,” she retorted primly, setting the book back on his desk. “Potentially. Though with how cagey he was being, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was guilty of something.”

“A mystery for another day,” Red said with a grin.

“Precisely. As for today’s mystery, have you found anything more recent than this?” She tapped the book. “It’s still several hundred years ago.”

“Not much, and some of it’s contradictory; that’s part of why I said in person was better.” He ran one hand through his hair. “That territory is so deep in the Jalis desert, not many go there and come out again. Those who don’t live there frequently die visiting.”

“Charming place,” Xaeryn said dryly.

“Mmhm. It makes getting records difficult, to say the least. There’s a mention of this warlord’s territory being conquered by another, but no mention of what was taken as potential spoils, and the next thing I’ve found resembling Solimer’s torch is is when it was discovered in the grave of a different chieftain, name unknown--though there are theories--a hundred years ago and almost two hundred miles from where the nearest previous records indicated it being.”

“How’s a chieftain’s name unknown?” she frowned. 

“He was buried with the honors afforded warlords and chieftains, but any record of his identity had worn off in the desert wind, if it was there in the first place,” Red explained.

“And these theories about who he was?” 

“Numerous and with various levels of support,” he said wryly. “But if you want the longer version...?”

Xaeryn chuckled. “Always.” 

They spent the next hour or so discussing the myriad guesses people had made as to this mystery chieftain’s name, as well as the other details Red had unearthed about the pendent, and various sources’ credibility. They only got caught up in one or two rabbit trails of good-natured debate over peer review and scholarly reputation or historical patterns of desert travel. (Which was pretty good for them.)

“There are a lot of gaps,” Red acknowledged, thumbing the pages of one book. “But I have a lot more I can read to help with filling them in.” He twirled one hand to gesture at the shelves that lined the room.

“You don’t have to-”

“Xaeryn, have you ever known me to be unhappy reading a book?” he asked with a warm smile.

“Well, no,” Xaeryn laughed. “But you’re so busy now, Headmaster.”

Red arched a brow but didn’t further protest her use of the title. “I always have time for you,” he said with a shrug, then cleared his throat and pushed to his feet even as her heart pounded and she sternly informed herself he hadn’t meant it like that. (She was grateful his circling the desk meant he missed the moment of broken composure that surely flashed across her face.) “And research is even more fun when it’s for a purpose. Bottom line for you so far...” He picked up his dropped pencil and started shuffling through everything on his desk in search of paper.

She grinned and held out her notepad. “Here.”

He flashed a sheepish smile as he took it. “Thank you.” He flipped to the first blank page and started writing as he talked. “Descendants of either that unknown chieftain or the one whose wife originally found the torch would have the strongest claims of ownership.”

“If I can find them,” Xaeryn said dryly. “And if one of them’s not already the owner on record who lent the pendent to the exhibit.” She bit her lower lip. “I think I need to talk to Mr. Syndran again.”

And depending on what he told her, her own research into genealogy might be called for.

“Probably your best next step.” Red finished writing and handed back her notepad, several pages scrawled with bullet-points summation of what he’d found.  “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Xaeryn smiled when she saw the notes were in their shorthand.  “Nice touch.”

He smiled and raised one shoulder in a shrug. “It takes less space, and you did say this is a secret...”

“Very true.” She flipped the pad closed and tucked it back in her handbag. “I really do appreciate your help, this wasn’t a a small request, and you got me some answers in very short order.”

“I’m not done reading, Xaeryn,” Red said, voice rife with amusement. He waved at the surrounding shelves again. “Like I said, there’s a lot more to check.”

I always have time for you.

“As long as you don’t mind, I would love to hear anything else you learn,” Xaeryn said with a smile. Far be it from her to stand between Liefred Antiqua and a research project he was excited about. She’d sooner snatch an ice cream away from a child. 

“I’ll call if I find anything else useful,” Red promised, already shifting toward one bookshelf.

She nodded, biting back a laugh and hoping he had a very loose definition of the word ‘useful’. “I’ll look forward to that, then.” Her neck and ears warmed and she hastily added, “more information is always helpful.” She stood, flicking at the stubborn mud on her skirt again. Next time she went interview-hunting, she was wearing trousers. “Though you have me off to an excellent start.” She headed for the door, paused with her hand on the knob. “Thank you for that, Liefred.”

“Anytime.” He leaned against the corner of his desk. “You can still call me Red, y’know, Xaeryn. Everyone does, so it’s hardly going to seem too familiar.”

True as that might be here at Solhadur, Haven was a different story. And she wouldn’t want to slip up. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Xaeryn said softly. “Until next time?”

“Mm-hm.” Something flickered in his eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck, then flashed her an easy smile. “I’ll look forward to it, then. I’m glad we reconnected.”

She smiled back as she twisted the knob. “Me, too.”

She didn’t have many friends, it was good to get one of the best ones back.

---

It was edging toward evening when Xaeryn made it back to her office. Which made it a bit of a surprise --fortuitous as it was-- to find Mr. Syndran waiting for her.

“Did we have a meeting I forgot about?” she asked apologetically as she unlocked the door. (They hadn’t, she was positive, but it was a diplomatic way of probing for why he was here.)

“We did not,” Mr. Syndran replied, arching a brow in a knowing look. “I had some other business in the area and decided to stop by in person to see how you are coming along, Miss Shrike.”

Xaeryn laughed and gestured toward the same chair he’d sat in on his first visit. “Then you have very good timing, instincts, or both, Mr. Syndran. I had some things I wanted to ask you; background information.”

His brow creased ever so slightly. “Should you not be far beyond mere background information? Have you not made progress?”

She sighed and sat in her chair behind the desk, pulling her notepad from her handbag and turning to a blank page. “Not of the ‘I’ve narrowed it down to two blocks, I just don’t know which house’ variety, no.” She tapped her pen against the desk. “But I have leads on suspects.”

Syndran gave a grunt that may have been displeasure. “And your questions for me?”

“Like I said; clarifying background information. When the Couriers were contracted to handle transport, how much were you told about the pieces?”

“Only the relevant details.” He brushed invisible lint off his sleeve. “Each one’s value, recorded owner, any special care instructions.”

Xaeryn nodded, pen poised over her pad. “I don’t suppose you recall the owner listed for the pendent?”

He paused to think a moment. “I’d have to have my secretary check to be completely certain, but I believe it was a Ms. Aescar. The name didn’t ring any bells for me.”

“And would I need to speak with the Hall of History and Culture if I wanted to find out how to contact her, or do you know?”

Syndran shook his head. “Whitestone Couriers were merely transporting the relics, Miss Shrike. Any communication with the owners was the concern of the museum curators. Why would you need to talk to her?”

“I might not,” Xaeryn said, scribbling the information down. “I just like to have all my chickens in the coop ahead of time, so there’s no scrambling if something winds up time-sensitive down the road.”

“Smart.” Syndran gave a nod of approval. “So long as you don’t spend so much time preparing for unlikely eventualities that you lose more promising leads.”

She back back a tart ‘I know how to do my job’ and nodded. “Of course.”

He paused a moment, lips pursed in thought. “I did have a wonder, Miss Shrike.”

Xaeryn cocked her head. “Oh?”

“Given the... likelihood this theft occurred somewhere between city customs and the museum and the utter lack of details my drivers have been able to provide about that stretch of the journey” --his expression soured-- “would it be possible for you to... revisit the scene with your abilities?” His brows arched meaningfully.  “You are Argentis, are you not? The benefit of hindsight might allow you to pick up on something relevant that didn’t register in the moment for my people.”

She tapped her pen against her notepad. “I can give it a go, Mr. Syndran, but I’m more a Scryer than a Sage; my strongest talent is finding things in the present, not viewing the past. Though this is the recent past,” she mused. “Perhaps recent enough that with a focus from the caravan I’d have decent luck.”

“I’ll see what I can find for you.” Mr. Syndran pushed to his feet. “Anything in particular that will work best?”

“For viewing the past like this... something from the event is necessary, and the closer to central it is, the clearer a picture I’ll be able to get.” She leaned back in her chair. “Frankly, if you don’t mind my doing so, coming to the Couriers’ garage and using one of the trucks as my touchstone would work best.”

“Oh, that’s very doable,” he said with a nod. “As it’s getting late, what say we do it tomorrow?”

“Nine AM?” Xaeryn suggested.

“Acceptable.” He headed for the door. “I shall see you then, Miss Shrike.”

“See you then, Mr. Syndran.” Xaeryn waited until the door closed behind him to let out a slow breath. Scrying was easy enough, even if she didn’t always succeed, but peering into the past was usually a draining exercise for her. Mr. Syndran was correct, though; it was very likely the best way to glean new leads. Even if it meant she’d need a nap after.

She pushed to her feet and locked the door. One more glance over her notes before she called it a night. So it was fresh in her mind and she could mull it over.

She tried not to get too distracted by the difference between her small, crowded shorthand and Red’s larger, loose scrawl--he had a dreamer’s handwriting, which she’d teased him about when they were younger(he’d rolled his eyes but hadn’t denied it). The memory had her smiling all through dinner.

---

The weather was nice enough the next day Xaeryn opted to walk to the Whitestone Couriers’ garage, though she did take an umbrella in case the rain that hadn’t threatened the last few days decided to make an appearance. Mr. Syndran was waiting for her, looking all the more proper in these rough-shod surroundings. 

“Right on time, Miss Shrike,” he said with a tight smile. “This way.” He led her at a brisk pace to a gleaming black truck, the canvas cover a near-immaculate tan. “This is the one that was carrying the crate with the pendent, among other things.”

“Right.” Xaeryn circled to the passenger side, letting her fingers trail over the cool metal until they rested on the door. “I can’t make any promises, but let’s see if we can find anything useful.”

She pressed her hand flat against the side of the truck and murmured the correct ritual, felt her magic rise to do as she bade.

The scene around her--Mr. Syndran, the garage, everything but the truck--faded into shadow. Her view shifted, as if she were riding shotgun in the truck or hanging out the window as it crept through Haven’s streets. Tings were flickery and dim, the colors bled out and faded as she looked around. I don’t know how long I can hold this. Xaeryn peered intently at  what she could see of the surroundings, the other vehicles, the people, buildings, noting everything she could, no matter how mundane. A woman with a red hat, brim hiding most of her face. A young boy and his dog watching the caravan with interest. A man with vivid green eye and a small smile lounging against a wall, following the trucks’ progress from under his slouched cap. The cat that almost darted in front of the preceding truck before it spooked. The flapper with an armful of bracelets, glancing surreptitiously across the street-

The scene flickered sharply, her grasp on the ritual fading, the images slipping away--

And Xaeryn was back in the garage, leaning against the truck as her knees went to jelly. The few prior occasions she’d played the sage had left her feeling like she stood up too fast when they ended, and this was no exception.

“Are you alright, Miss Shrike?” Mr. Syndran gestured to a nearby worker who’d stopped to gawp and the man scuttled off.

“Just fine,” she said with a nod, turning to sit on the truck’s running board as she tugged out her notepad and rapidly scrawled out everything she’d seen. “Sage work can be taxing if it’s not your main talent, that’s all.”

He watched in silence as she scribbled down the vision’s contents, only speaking again when she finished. “Did you see anything of note?”

“Nothing too blatant, or it would have stood out even to the drivers,” Xaeryn said, leaning her head back against the truck. “But there were some passers-by that caught my attention...”

Mr. Syndran listened to her descriptions with utmost focus, but interrupted when she reached the green-eyes lounger. “Do you remember any other details about him?” he demanded, his hands twitching to a fractionally tighter grip on the head of his walking stick.

“Tall,” Xaeryn said slowly. The worker Syndran had sent away returned with a tumbler of water, which she accepted with a nod of thanks as she dug through the memory. “I think brown hair, but he was wearing a hat. Bright red vest, blue and green scarf ‘round his neck-”

“Thieves guild,” Syndran muttered. Despite the distaste on the words, a panther-like grin curved his lips. “I should have known.” The distaste shifted to satisfaction. “That would be your next lead, Miss Shrike.”

Xaeryn arched a brow. “Do tell.”

“Thieves guild has been a thorn in our side for years,” Syndran explained, “They aren’t even a true guild; more a loose association of ruffians and cutpurses who only call themselves such in another jape at legitimate businesses.” He sniffed. “They make their base in the warrened streets of Ashtown, but I believe I have worked out where their true headquarters are concealed. I can give you some direction, if you’re recovered enough to follow me to my office?”

She nodded, pushed to her feet. “Lead the way.”

It was good to have something tangible to pursue. Hopefully the weather would hold so she could follow it up now. Ashtown was no fun in the rain.

[fotiathymos]

VULCAN VS LIO DELETED SCENE.

More under cut along with analysis/script. Warning this is a long post!

REUPLOADED CAUSE TUMBLR HATES ME.

(I apologize that the quality of photos changes. It not me its tumblr, I swear!)

Script recap of scene: (takes place right after the Burnish are freed from prison, this is an extension to that scene. It takes place right before the lake scene with Aina and Galo.)

START OF SCRIPT TRANSCRIPT

EXT. INNER COURTYARD

All the gaurds can’t move either from the fire walls or being frozen.

The captured Burnish get on the fireproof helicopter.

Gueira sits in the cockpit. Lio is instructing.

LIO: Okay, go.

The helicopter takes off.

*SUBURB, SKY

The fireproof helicopter is flying with Lio’s group in it.

Three fighter jets are pursuing them.

It is Vulcan leading the Freeze Force in their tactical aircrafts.

Gueira notices them.

GUEIRA: Boss, we got someone on our tail.

LIO: Must be Freeze Force.

VULCAN: You never know when to give up, Burnish!

The tactical aircrafts are in range to shoot.

VULCAN: You can’t shake us off at that speed.

Vulcan locks on. He fires freezing missiles.

Then, the entire helicopter is enveloped in flames. It melts the ice on the freezing missiles. Lio’s flames had enveloped the helicopter.

VULCAN: What?!

Then, the back of the burning helicopter emits flames with great force. It increases the speed of the helicopter.

VULCAN: Tch!

Vulcan’s three jets also increase speed. Then, the helicopter shoots a fiery shell. It’s aiming for Subordinate 1′s jet.

SUBORDINATE 1: Damn it!

He barely dodges. But the firery shell changes direction and pierces the aircraft.

Subordinate 1 ejects. His parachute opens.

VULCAN: What?!

It turns out the fiery shell was Lio. Lio is enveloped by a fiery ball, emitting flames like a jet, flying.

While Lio is dealing with the jets, the helicopter escapes.

VULCAN: He can fly?

Flames come out of fiery Lio’s arms, becoming swords. They slice Subordinate 2′s fighter jet into two.

SUBORDINATE 2: Aaaghh!

Subordinate 2 ejects.

VULCAN: He’s evolved that much, eh?

Lio pulls the canopy off of Vulcan’s jet.

LIO: Tell the governor the Burnish are free. We won’t let you and the Foundation do as you please. I’m taking back my comrades who were hurt.

VULCAN: Did you get caught on purpose?

LIO: Thanks for the help.

Lio flies away.

VULCAN: Come back here!

Just when Vulcan tries to increase speed, the fiery ball at the injection port explodes. It destroys the injection port. Lio had placed it there.

VULCAN: Damn it!

Vulcan ejects as well. He descends in his parachute.

VULCAN: That kid better not get too cocky.

His expression is a bit sly.

END SCRIPT TRANSCRIPT

( Yes I did type and copy that all out from the book .-. )

If you did not notice. Both scenes are Vulcan vs Lio but one is in the air entirely and the other on the ground mostly.

I’ll semi-describe the storyboard scene.

-----

The Burnish are exiting the prison when spot lights shine directly on Lio. An armored vehicle comes crashing through the halls and out the exit, headed straight for the Burnish. Lio runs straight for it.

Vulcan is driving the vehicle. It has a claw attached to the front. The claw raises, prepared to grab Lio. Lio doesn’t stop running straight to the moving vehicle. Right before the claw clamps down, Lio jumps up. Lio flies up into the air. Vulcan seems startled and the vehicles wheels flatten and stop from moving. The flatten wheels bring the vehicle up into the air after Lio.

Fire balls seem to shoot at the vehicle’s front claw. Blinding the veiw of Vulcan. Vulcan looks up from a sky roof in the vehicle only to see Lio skyrocketing above him and then coming  straight back down with several firey attacks. Lio aims for the wheels and busts them.

The vehicle starts to smoke and come crashing down. Vulcan is shown peeking out as he falls with an very angry expression.

Another armored vehicle comes out of the prison door below, seemingly ready to fire at the Burnish still on the ground. Suddenly Vulcan’s vehicle comes crashing into it from the air.

Vulcan grumbling out of the rubble of the two crashed vehicles, suddenly notices Lio. Lio is above them, flying, with a stern look on his face. At this point it mimics the script in which Lio tells Vulcan, “ Tell the governor the Burnish are free. We won’t let you and the Foundation do as you please. I’m taking back my comrades who were hurt. “

It then shows a helicopter flying away from the prison, most likely the Burnish rescued. Vulcan grumbles more.

-----

SO. Now thoughts. You can stop reading if you just wanted to see the storyboards deleted scene and the scripts deleted scene.

I understand why they took out this scene but it seems they really wanted it to happen. The storyboards are fleshed out much more then some other deleted scenes and they even had it in the script! It would have shown more power and leadership to Lio’s character and really undermine Vulcan. I almost wish it was included cause then Vulcan beating up Lio restlessly after getting him the with freezing bullet later in the movie would’ve complimented his rage towards Lio.

But of’course, it wasn’t vital. It disrupted the flow in a way. And we do get Vulcan fighting Lio many more times. I think Trigger just was being Trigger and wanted cool fight air scene? I don’t have much of a preference between the script’s scene or the storyboarded scene. I almost enjoy the scripts more cause Gueira has more lines/importance. But Meis still doesn't or is even mentioned? (Though according the lore the leadership ranking is Lio > Gueira > Meis.)

The scene gives the rebellion of the Mad Burnish and the movement to free their people more flesh. Lio’s small speech of ‘tell the gov to suck it and also you suck it too’ was just perfect. Also showing more of Lio’s immense power is a plus!

It also seems like Lio being able to fly is a rarity. Another nudge to his power. I was honestly shocked in theatres when I first saw him flying with groceries in hand. They don’t show anyone else flying but they also don’t show any other Burnish attack much besides the Mad Burnish trio. (Not so much counting the Pizza Man since he just kind of blocked with flames more so then attacked)

There is a lot of things left unshown/unexplored with how Burnish flames work. But also if most Burnish are tortured/captured/told to feel shame for their flames.. they probably don’t try to use it much. This is also why I feel Kray had to have had some sort of practice room/area where he burned and used his flames to gain such power to rival Lio. Lio was forced to learn and adapt to his Promare and use its powers for survival of him and his people. Kray had no threats to his life and had to have had some secret evil lair in the earths core just burning pictures of Galo for practice.

I do enjoy they still take note and care in showing that Lio isn't trying to outright kill anyone. Guards are blocked off or frozen with their own guns. Lio has the pilots eject from their seats and land with parachutes.

All in all this scene played out in either way would’ve been highly enjoyed if it was included in the film! But it understandably was cut out. We can’t have everything! If we did well......................... lets not get into that.

I never know how to end these posts so thank you for reading again! My ask box is open for requests to see other storyboard/script scenes! And please share your thoughts! Everyone sees things differently!

SORRY FOR THE REUPLOAD

[5saucefanfic]

More - LH

HAPPY VICTORIA FASHION SHOW DAY! Kisses to all. Hope you enjoy the show and a bit of Luke too

She stretched her arms wide, loud yawn escaping her before dropping her arms heavily onto the comforter surrounding her body. The sun peeked through her shades that were half drawn, sunlight illuminating the floor in front of her large bed, pillows strewn every which way due to her overnight guest not wanting to drown in the soft cushions she seemed to enjoy collecting in her spare time, a new square piece of fabric collected from different places she had visited, the names scrawled out in the lovely fabric they were made out of.

She looked to her left seeing the bed empty, a frown falling onto her lips until the smell from the kitchen came wafting its way into her room, legs quickly swinging over the side of the bed, feet padding along the hardwood floor of her apartment until she saw the curly locks of her boyfriend’s hair, bare back facing her as she could easily count the numerous freckles scattered across his back. She was surprised he was up so early, flight not having got in until late the previous night, yet here he was.

“Morning,” she mumbled softly, arms wrapping around his waist from behind as she placed a small kiss to the center of his back, fingers rubbing his stomach lightly as she felt him relax even more so than he seemed to be. Her New York home had always been an escape for him, “a home away from home, away from home” as he liked to call it, and even though it was easy to become overwhelmed in the city that never sleeps, it was easy for him to get lost as well and be just Luke Hemmings. There were nearly 2 million people in Manhattan, and not nearly half of them knew of his existence.

“Morning, love,” he said turning to face her pressing his lips to her softly and quickly. “Made your favorite for the big day.” The big day, probably one of the most important and prominent days of her life at that moment. Not only was this going to be her first Victoria’s Secret fashion show, but she was getting wings as well, not something that every model that’s walked the runway can say.

Her career took off rather quickly within the last two years, starting as a catalogue model for small brands, to somehow booking gigs with the parent and daughter company of VS. She’d ditched her vans for heels, small town friends for big names like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, small town apartment to one right in the heart of NYC. There were many things she could compare and contrast her previous life to, but the best would have to be the blue eyed beauty right in front of her, making her blueberry pancakes and bacon to celebrate a day that was probably just as important for him. Not only was his girlfriend about to walk in one of the biggest fashion shows of the year, but he was performing with his three best friends. That was something to celebrate as well.

“What time do you have to meet with the boys for soundcheck?” she asked as she set the table, Luke finishing the plating of the food, carrying them to the table where she was sat waiting for him already.

“Three, then we have to get ready for the carpet,” he said nodding. “Probably won’t see you again until we’re on the runway, right?” he asked as she nodded shoveling two cakes onto her plate, piling them up with butter.

“Really shouldn’t be eating this,” she said laughing softly as he smiled wide, his smile only growing as a small moan left her throat. Yeah, maybe she shouldn’t be eating it, but it calms her nerves ever so slightly, just enough to be able to kiss her boyfriend goodbye and usher him out the door. It calms her nerves enough to slide on the YSL black jumpsuit Luke had brought for her, a gift from him for her big day, matching black booties accompanying her feet as she sat for hair and makeup in her dining room, Nala perched in her lap curled into a ball taking a nap. The comfort slowly fading as she became more and more anxious, knowing she was about to walk the carpet lonesome, her own doing wanting to keep her relationship with Luke a secret.

‘Just until i can prove I did this on my own,’ she had said to him over the phone during a late night argument over the phone...late night for her, midday for him considering he had been in Japan at the time, just starting his tour for album number 3. ‘I want to make a name for myself, and as much as I want everyone to know, I want them to know after I’m the next Gigi.’

‘You aren’t gonna be the next Gigi baby...you’re gonna be Y/n, which is a hell of a lot better than a Gigi.’

He had more faith in her at the time than she had in herself, and she couldn’t thank him enough for it all.

“I’m gonna do it,” Luke said as he tested his mic during their soundcheck, the venue for the show finishing the last minute preparations before the carpet started. Calum was standing next to him testing the sound of his bass in his ears.

“And you’re sure she wants you to?” He asked chuckling softly as Luke shrugged slightly. If he was being honest, he was worrying about it a bit and whether or not she’d be royally pissed off at him if he so publicly spilled their secret on national television during one of her biggest moments, but then they couldn’t say he had gotten her to that point.

“She technically said we can announce it after she makes it big like this, and if the fashion show isn’t big then I don’t know what we’re waiting for..” he said shrugging slightly.

“Fair enough, but just know she may be a little irritated,” he said shrugging as Michael and Ashton came out onto the stage. “Hey guys, what do you think about Luke kissing Y/n as she walks down the runway?”

“Go big or go home right?” Ashton asked chuckling. “Besides, why not? Didn’t Adam Levine do that before?”

“Technically it was her cheek,” Calum said pointing to both of them. “And I bet you right now that he had to ask special permission to do something like that.”

“Why? That gets more ratings! And if they hate it, they can edit it out. It’s not like they’re showing it right no-,” Ashton rebutted, Luke quickly stopping them as he sighed shaking his head quickly regretting his decision to bring it up with his friends. It wasn’t anything like what he was expecting, and it absolutely wasn’t their problem. Luke knew what he wanted to do, and what he was going to do.

“Just shut up and let’s get this going so I can shower,” he sighed shaking his head making his way back to his mic stand.

The pink carpet. Not JUST the pink carpet, but in the heart of New York City, with Jelena Hadid attached to her arm as they posed for pictures, the photographers and journalists shouting questions at the two like rapidfire, along with the overwhelming flashes of the camera.

“Gi, where’s Zayn? Are you two on another break?”

“Y/n, rumor has it Luke Hemmings of 5 Seconds of Summer spent the night. Comment?”

“Gigi”

“Y/n”

Over and over as she tried to ignore the questions being thrown at them. “It’s best to just ignore and smile pretty,” Gigi whispered to her as they made it down the line of the carpet, her nerves only intensifying as they got closer and closer to the dressing room, which meant she was only getting closer and closer to walking down the runway.

“You’re gonna do amazing, y/n,” Kendall said standing next to her friend who was getting done in her hair and makeup, dressed for her dark angel’s appearance, one of her favorite parts of the show and she was more than honored to be a part of it. And it only helped that the boys would be playing during that part, easing her nerves. “I was in your position only three years ago. Just take your time. Don’t walk too fast. And have fun.”

“And we’ll both be right off to the side waiting for you to get off, okay?” Gigi asked as she nodded sliding off her chair, adjusting the bra straps before letting the artist attach the wings to her back. “You look amazing.”

“I love you both,” she said happily hugging both Gigi and Kendall before making her way to the side of the stage jumping in her place in line, taking a deep breath as she heard the beat to More start playing, just another reason for her to relax.

She watched Luke singing from the side of the stage as girls slowly made their way out onto the runway, one by one, walking to the beat of her favorite song. She watched as girls she’s looked up to for years took the stage just before her; girls like Cindy Bruna, Adriana Lima, and Sara Sampaio, all models who were the reasons she trained so hard to aspire to be who she was now, walk just before her opening the segment. Lais Riberio was next, walking out just in front of her knowing she was up next, the camera coming up to her catching her moments before the stage as she waved at the camera as the set director queued her for her walk. She took another deep breath as she started her walk down the runway as the chorus started, eyes locking with Luke as a smirk came on his face not even trying to hide that fact he was blatantly checking her out on the runway. She blushed slightly smiling wide keeping her head up.

“All the things that we dream about, they don’t mean what they did before…,” he said holding his hand out to her as she made her way towards the center. “I just wanna get back to us cause we used to have more…” she rolled her eyes laughing softly as she made her way down smiling at the camera still holding Luke’s hand as he continued to sing. She let go of his hand when she got to the front, posing for the cameras as the fan blew on her, jumping slightly feeling an arm around her waist, turning to look to the side catching Luke’s lips against her own as she gasped slightly, Luke pulling back just as quick as it happened, winking at her before running back down the runway. She bit her lip softly hearing the cheers get louder as she turned, making her return trip as she bit her lip glaring at the blonde in front of her, another wink leaving him.

‘I hate you’ She mouthed to him.

‘No you don’t,’ he mouthed back before watching her walk backstage, Gigi and Kendall hugging her tightly as she laughed happily hugging them back tightly.

“So...Luke Hemmings?”

[frozenflash]

Better Latte Than Never

This was written for Day 3 of Coldflash week, Rogues vs Team Flash. It also conveniently works as a fill for the ‘Secret Relationship’ square of my Coldflash Bingo Card. Both are hosted by @coldflashweeks. This is just the first two scenes, the rest can be read on AO3.

Read on AO3

Summary: Something strange is going on with Barry and the Rogues. Cisco is determined to get to the bottom of it. Just as soon as he gets as handle on his caffeine addiction, that is.

Or, three times Cisco doesn’t understand why the Rogues keep pulling punches, and the one time it all makes sense.

1.

The comms had gone dark as soon as Hartley Rathaway showed up, so Cisco and the others had no way of knowing what was happening at the museum. It had looked good for Barry before they’d lost contact, but fights with the Rogues were always unpredictable and could turn on a dime. It was part of what made them so dangerous, and part of what made them so entertaining.

“Do you think he’s alright?” Caitlin asked, rubbing her thumb against her other palm. She was standing on the opposite side of the monitors, having just come in from the med bay when she heard Cisco cursing.

“His vitals haven’t changed,” Cisco reassured her. His eyes never left the screen through, fingers flying across the keyboard as he tried to reestablish a connection to the comms in Barry’s suit. Beside him, Harry waved an unbothered hand at Caitlin and went back to the book he was reading.

Caitlin let out a long breath and started to pace. She made it two lengths of the room before she was halted in place by a blur of red lightning that sent all the papers in the lab flying into the air.

Barry pulled off his cowl, out of breath. “They got away. But they didn’t get the diamond, so.”

Immediately moving closer to inspect him for any injuries, Caitlin frowned. She shared a look with Cisco, whose hands were now hovering above the keyboard. “What happened? The comms went out. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” she asked, looking Barry up and down.

Barry just shrugged, brushing off her concern. “I’m fine,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “No one got any shots in. Hartley showed up and took out my comms, and then we basically ended up in a stalemate until Cold distracted me. By the time I realized that’s what he was doing, the rest of them were already gone.”

Cisco watched as Caitlin let out a breath of relief, but didn’t find himself doing the same. He leaned back in his chair, peering at Barry over the monitors. A fight with five of the Rogues and no one got a shot in? Not that Cisco wanted Barry to get hurt, it’s just that it was unusual. Even with the unofficial deal they had going, The Flash vs. Cold’s gallery of rogues was always chaos. No one walked away without getting hit at least once, least of all Barry, who was always outnumbered even with his team backing him up from the labs.

Heading off to change back into his regular clothes, Barry clapped his shoulder as he passed and grinned at him. His cheeks were still flushed from the fight, and he looked more tired than usual, so it was clear that he hadn’t walked away from the museum without putting a decent effort into stopping the Rogues.

Cisco shook his head. What was he looking for? Proof that something else had gone down when the comms went dark? Barry had no reason to lie to them, and Cisco had no reason to think he would.

It was all the sleep he’d been losing since his vibes had gotten more frequent — it was getting to his head. Just that morning, he’d thought the barista at Jitters was a spy sent by one of their enemies to get intel on him and Caitlin, as members of Team Flash. Clearly, he wasn’t thinking straight.

He should probably cut down on the coffee, too.

2.

Cisco jumped through the breach, stepping off the ground in S.T.A.R. labs and landing in a loading dock in the warehouse district. It closed behind him with a swoosh, but he barely heard it over the sound of something blowing up only a few feet away. He rocked sideways from the force of the blast, but caught his footing.

The explosion had come from one of the transport trucks being launched backwards into the side of the building. Cisco couldn’t see from this angle who had done it, but Barry had to be nearby. He crouched low to the ground, rounding the now-destroyed truck as stealthily as he could—

And stopped. He blinked in confusion. The scene before him was chaos: half the warehouse was charred beyond recognition, the other half was coated in a thick layer of ice, and nearly every piece of equipment was… well, in pieces. It looked like the aftermath of a hurricane, if that hurricane had a maniacal laugh and enjoyed toying with teams of superheroes.

That wasn’t the confusing part. The confusing part was that there, in the middle of it all, stood Barry, unscathed and chatting with Captain Cold. Just standing there, three feet away from each other, Cold’s gun slung over his shoulder and Barry’s hands resting on his hips as he nodded his head along to whatever Cold was saying.

“Flash?” Cisco called out, not even bothering to hide his disbelief. He’d almost called him by his real name, before he remembered himself. The other Rogues could still be here, not all of which knew Barry’s identity. That had never sat right with Cisco — that Cold held something so massive over their heads and had yet to use it against them. Yet, he hadn’t. He’d stuck to their deal and never told a soul, as far as they knew.

Barry was caught off guard. He whirled around to face Cisco and opened his mouth, but Cold was faster. In the same instance, he’d drawn his gun, aimed it just beside Cisco’s head, and pulled the trigger. Racing forward to shove him out of the way, Barry only just made it time to save Cisco from an annoying case of frostbite.

It was like Cisco had pressed play on the paused scene — one of the other Rogues suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started destroying what was left of the place, Mick stepped out from wherever he’d disappeared to and resumed his mission to blow everything up, and the fight resumed.

Only, even as he dodged attack after attack, trying to keep Peek-A-Boo from making off with whatever it was they were here to steal, something felt off. He didn’t have time to dissect it while mid-fight, but it niggled at the back of his mind until they made it back to S.T.A.R labs, heist successfully prevented.

It wasn’t until he was in the med-bay with Caitlin fawning over the burn he’d sustained on his shoulder that he realized what it was. For as many punches as had been thrown on both sides, and as chaotic as the fight had been, Barry hadn’t suffered a single injury. He was always better at dodging than Cisco, given his speed, but in a fight of that scale, he should’ve at least been blown into a couple of walls. It was like…

It was like they hadn’t even been aiming for him. Like they’d been trying not to hit him.

Cisco frowned. He watched Barry fiddle with his phone at the computer station while Caitlin finished wrapping his shoulder.

Had he made some kind of deal with the Rogues they didn’t know about? But why wouldn’t he tell them?

He shook his head. It didn’t make any sense. He was probably just imagining things. Barry had been training harder than ever, so it was only logical that he would fair better in a fight. Besides, he’d fought the Rogues so many times that their movements should’ve been predictable to him by now.

While his sleep had gotten better lately, Cisco clearly still needed to finally bite the bullet and cut down on the caffeine. This was getting out of hand. Caitlin had even started making faces at him when she caught him with his fifth cup of the day, and this jittery paranoia was out of control.

Continue on AO3

[blancheludis]

A/N: @iron-man-bingo square: Tony vs. Air duct climbing!Clint

Fandom: Marvel, Avengers Tags: Fluff, Humors, 2012 Avengers, Team Bonding, Bets, Friendship Words: 4.102

Summary: Getting his eyebrows singed off once is not enough for Clint and he keeps trying to get into the workshop. Tony has fun thwarting his attempts. Naturally, they turn it into a war. 

---

Tony stumbles into the kitchen long after dinner is over, mind still mostly focused on the new repulsors but in dire need of new coffee. He is almost at the machine when he notices that he is not alone in the room. Sitting rather sullenly in his usual seat is Clint, arms crossed in front of him, glaring at Tony as if he has eaten the last piece of pizza out of the fridge.

A smile tugs on Tony’s lips. He fights against it for all of three seconds before he lets it spread, feels it turn into a smirk.

“What happened to your eyebrows, birdbrain?” he asks, decidedly nonchalant.

He knows. Of course, he does. As focused on his work as he usually is, JARVIS’ intruder alarm has ripped him out of his work easily. Finding the intruder had been just as simple. Taking just Clint’s eyebrows in revenge had at least been a fun challenge. No one wants the charred remains of a SHIELD archer in their vents, so precision was the key. It is a good thing he is practised at using his fine motor skills.

“Have you ever thought about not booby-trapping your vents like a paranoid misanthropist with more money than common sense?” Clint snaps. He raises a hand up to his face and it hovers over the place where his eyebrows used to be.

Tony would not have thought Clint to be vain. Maybe his forehead is still stinging.

“Wow, you just used much bigger words than I ever gave you credit for,” Tony replies and makes the last steps over to the coffee machine. He turns his back to Clint like there is nothing to worry about. “But have you ever thought about using the hallways instead of the vents like a complete maniac?”

For a moment, the gurgling of the coffee machine is the only sound in the room, and Tony watches it trickle into his mug with a hidden smile.

“It keeps me nimble,” Clint finally says. His tone is a mixture of a challenge and a sheepish admission.

“I’m not going to deign that with an answer,” Tony says, although he has a dozen ready on his tongue.

This whole vent-crawling thing has started as a joke about Clint going from the circus to being an assassin and combining the best of two worlds. Who would ever expect death to come from an air vent, after all. Clint naturally had to prove then that he could move exclusively through the vents if he wanted to. Since then, it has become a theme.

“What did you even want in the workshop?” Tony asks, picking up his filled mug.

Clint looks at him, unwilling to admit anything despite having been caught already. “I wanted to get a peek at the new bow.”

“What new bow?” Tony asks immediately, pretending not to know what Clint is talking about.

The problem with being the Avengers’ in-house mechanic is that they are constantly expecting new toys. Not always actively, but it is not a nice surprise anymore when Tony brings them new equipment. Tony was working on a new bow but moved on to at least seven other, more pressing projects since then.

“The one you’re building,” Clint answers slowly, rolling his eyes for good measure. “For me.”

Grumbling, Tony thinks he might have to pick that one up again. “And how would you know about that?”

“Natasha,” Clint answers promptly.

Of course. Even when there is nothing exciting to learn, Natasha still has to dig for secrets. It is as endearing as it is annoying.

“I should have known this would happen after inviting two spies to live with me,” Tony sighs, taking a sip of his coffee. “One can’t keep her nose out of my business, and the other crawls around in places not made for humans.”

Suddenly, a grin spreads on Clint’s face as he sits up straighter. “Then why are the vents so big?” he asks, a definite challenge in his voice. “It’s almost comfortable up there.”

Because, Tony thinks miserably, he is sometimes too dedicated to a joke, and since they need to make renovations more often than not, considering how happy the Avengers as a whole are to deal out property damage, it was not actually hard to modify the vent system enough to allow comfortable passage for nimble archers.

Tony would never admit that, though. He has a reputation to uphold, and it is already mostly in shambles.

“They’re only that big on your floor and in the common areas,” he replies, realizing too late this gives too much away. “Not anywhere else.” Definitely not over the workshop.

“That sounds deliberate.” Clint’s grin grows until it looks downright indecent, smug.

“Careful,” Tony cautions and keeps his face blank, “your brain has turned on. You should use your five minutes of near-intelligence and go bother someone else.”

That is probably unfair. None of the Avengers is stupid. That would defy the whole purpose of the team. They are not meant to follow orders but to create their own solutions.

“That’s –” Clint says, ready to fall into the bickering, but then he interrupts himself. “You do have a heart underneath all that armour.”

Tony blinks. He is not sure how Clint has deducted that from Tony’s offensive commentary. It is, in any case, a dangerous assumption. For all of them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tony says dismissively and turns toward the door with his mug in hand.

He is almost out of the kitchen when Clint calls after him. “Game’s on, Stark. Throw your worst at me, but I’ll get to see that bow.”

That offers a whole trove of opportunities for petty revenge and chaos-causing pranks. Tony likes the idea – even if that means he will have to put Clint’s bow on top of his work list again. He believes in his and JARVIS’ ability to keep Clint out, even with non-lethal measures, but if Clint gets in, Tony should have something to show.

“If I actually threw my worst at you,” Tony drawls, looking at Clint with exaggerated boredom, “they wouldn’t even have to pick your pieces out of the vents because you’d be vaporized. Perhaps I’ll keep a little stain in loving memory.”

Clint, the maniac, laughs, despite knowing full well that Tony is telling the truth. “Then throw your non-lethal, non-maiming worst at me.”

Sighing, Tony nods. “You really take the fun out of this sport. But all right, you’re on.”

It begins simple enough.

Tony has bars appearing in random parts of the ventilation system, keeping Clint either locked out or in. Alarms blare when Clint makes even a single step towards the vents. Things go missing. All kinds of traps have to be disarmed before Clint can go on his merry way.

In return, Clint makes a game of leaving things in Tony’s rooms or the workshop. Food or broken arrowheads or Tony’s favourite blanket that went missing several weeks ago.

Tony tries to keep Clint out, while Clint tries to leave increasingly outrageous proof that he did, indeed, get in.

The only one who notices is Natasha, although both Tony and Clint make her swear not to intervene. Winning this is a matter of pride, and they have no doubt she would end this in five seconds flat – although they cannot seem to agree on in whose favour. Probably her own.

One night, Tony steps out of the workshop for five minutes for a bathroom break and a coffee refill. When he comes back, a still hot pizza is waiting on his workbench, sitting there as innocently as if Tony has brought it himself. None of the alarms has been triggered, no archer-shaped stains are left behind.

Tony sits down and, not even bothering with having JARVIS scan the pizza, eats a slice. It is good and hot and definitely not supposed to be here.

Once he is done, Tony carefully puts the workshop on complete lockdown, and goes to find Clint. He does not even have to look for long. Clint is sitting in the living room, draped over the couch as if he has not moved in hours. There is a bit of soot stuck to his temple, though, and his breathing is a little bit too even to be natural.

Building himself up in the door, Tony glares. “You did not get into the workshop,” he declares because he knows that as fact, at least.

This is still Tony’s sanctuary, still the place where he works on delicate and classified projects. No matter the game they are playing, Tony would not let Clint run rampage in the workshop, not even under JARVIS supervision. So, he knows Clint did not get in, which still leaves him without explanation for the pizza.

“I might have,” Clint counters with a grin, stretching further on the couch.

“You have not,” Tony argues with all the conviction he has. “Not a single particle of your skin.”

He just barely manages not to get closer to check Clint for burns or other signs that he has breached the invisible barrier between the vent and the workshop.

“My fingertip still hasn’t grown back from the last time I tried,” Clint mutters, staring down at his left hand with dismay.

He makes it sound more dramatic than it was. Tony has anti-thievery measures in place. It could have, potentially, taken Clint’s hand, but Clint had been very careful in sticking his fingers through the gaps of the vent, and Tony would not leave them with a one-armed archer. That would just be a waste.

“So how did you get a whole pizza on my workbench, and mostly intact at that?” Tony asks, fighting the urge to cross his arms in front of him. There is no need to feel defensive. Clint has not won yet since he has neither gotten into the workshop nor can he have glimpsed at the specs for his new bow, which Tony is keeping in an even more secure location, just in case.

“Trader’s secret.” Clint’s grin grows ever more smug, at least right until it freezes, pushed off his face by a frown. “What do you mean with mostly intact?

Tony opens his mouth, ready to spin a tale so he will not lose any more points to Clint. Then he shrugs. “The pepperonis were missing on one half.”

It looked deliberate enough, that it cannot be mistaken for coincidence or a mistake.

Mirth is playing in Clint’s eyes as he fights to keep his laughter in. “I got hungry.”

That implies he has been lying in wait for Tony to leave the workshop. He cannot have been there for long, though, since the pizza was still hot. None of this makes sense, but it only pushes Tony to step up his game.

“That’s –” Tony trails off, then shrugs, “not surprising.”

They share a look, full of challenge and the sweet joy of victory.

“Anyway, that’s a point for me,” Clint brags, showing too many teeth. “Perhaps you should just give up now.”

If Tony would have needed an encouragement to keep going, this would have been it. “Never,” he smiles and gets back to work.

 ---

That night, Clint’s screams echo through the tower. Bruce, who is in the workshop with Tony, freezes immediately, always expecting the worst. He does not look reassured in the least when Tony only smiles at the sound.

“What happened?” Bruce asks, already suspicious. “Why are you laughing?”

The simple answer would be that Tony has set a new trap and Clint fell into it without any delay at all. Justice served truly is the sweetest thing in the world.

“Don’t worry,” Tony says, probably causing the exact opposite, “Clint’s fine, if probably a bit cold right now.”

Before Bruce can ask any more questions, JARVIS speaks up. “Agent Barton wants to talk to you,” he announces, sounding just as smug as his creator feels.

Clapping his hands, Tony abandons their work without a second thought. “Put him through,” he orders excitedly. “Better yet, turn on the camera. I need to see this.”

Seconds later, Clint appears on the screen in front of them, big enough to show his dripping misery in all its glory. He looks like a drowned dog, hair plastered to his forehead, clothes clinging to his back. He is standing in a rapidly growing puddle, body tense to keep from shivering. The intensity of his glare in almost enough to burn Tony through the camera.

This scene, he decides, is beautiful.

“How?” Clint presses out between clenched teeth.

“How what?” Tony counters immediately, barely keeping himself from laughing out loud. He is so going to save a picture of this for later. “My, you seem a little wet,” he adds as if he has only just noticed. “I didn’t think it was raining outside – or that you ever go outside like a normal human being.”

Tony has a hundred more quips ready but bites his tongue to keep himself from using them. There will be time for them later. He plans on besting Clint far more often, and while he does not think he will ever run out of witty one-liners, it does not hurt to be prepared.

“How did you manage to build in a secret door in the vents right over the exit to my room?” Clint specifies, actually trembling now, although Tony is hard-pressed to say whether it is from cold or fury. “In the two hours since I last used it?”

It definitely has not been easy, but he is a Stark. Making the impossible possible is basically his day job.

Next to him, Bruce eyes them, wide-eyed and incredulous, but with tell-tale signs of exhaustion creeping onto this face. He is definitely tired of dealing will all of their shenanigans.

“Trader’s secret,” Tony answers, tasting the perfect sweetness of this comeback. “Also, how did you know it hasn’t always been there?”

From a strategical point of view, it makes sense to have countermeasures in place against all of his fellow Avengers. Tony does not think they are going to turn against him any time soon, not without being pushed into it, but it does not make sense to give Clint nearly free roam of the tower without being able to stop him easily.

Clint’s glare grows condescending. “I heard the mechanism when I opened the door,” he explains unwillingly. “That hasn’t been there before.”

That is a flaw, Tony realizes. If the guy with hearing aids can hear his trap mechanism, Tony has not done a good enough job of it, no matter how limited his time has been and that the trap worked beautifully nonetheless.

“Aren’t you attentive,” Tony drawls, mentally redesigning the whole thing. If he does not, chances are Clint will not fall for it again if it is needed at a later time.

Taking a step forward, Clint’s image grows on the screen. Tony can see goosebumps on the archer’s arms.

“There were ice cubes in there,” Clint says, voice full of accusation.

Tony hums and bites his cheek to not lose it right here. “Well, you’ve been so excited earlier, that I thought you might need to cool down a bit.”

It is Clint’s own fault, really. He challenged Tony to do better. He should know better than to bait Tony Stark.

“My whole bed is wet,” Clint continues, looking down at himself as if he still cannot believe what has happened.

Tony clicks his tongue. “You usually sleep in your nest in the cupboard anyway.”

Just as he thought, Clint’s head whips up, looking first at him then at the cupboard with instant suspicion. Tony has not hidden another trap in Clint’s room, but it is entirely all right with him if Clint thinks he has.

“Did you do something to that too?”

Now, Tony does laugh. “Do I need to?”

Eyes narrowed, Clint shakes his head, making drops fly from his hair. “Just you wait, Stark.”

Tony has no doubt that Clint is already plotting his revenge and he should tread carefully. That is part of the fun, though.

“Perhaps you should change your clothes first,” Tony taunts, unable to help himself, “or you’ll drip all over the floor. The cleaning bots don’t like that. And you don’t want to get on their naughty list.”

Clint growls something inaudible but stalks off towards his bathroom without further threats. They have run out of those fairly quickly, preferring to rely on actions to prove their seriousness.

Satisfied, Tony turns around ready to keep working, when he is reminded that Bruce is present and has witnessed the whole thing.

“What is going on?” Bruce asks, looking at Tony with disapproval. Behind that, though, Tony thinks he can see definite signs of amusement.

“Nothing serious,” he promises. “Clint and I have a bet going, but we have mutually decided to not use lethal methods”

For a moment, it looks like Bruce is going to ask more, and Tony would love nothing more than to rope him in. Alone, he is already near-unbeatable. With Bruce, he would turn this into a spectacle the entirety of New York would never forget.

Sadly, though, Bruce usually follows his common sense. “Just don’t kill each other.”

“That’s what non-lethal means, genius.” Tony grins but does not push. “Now, let’s get back to work.”

 ---

A week later, an explosion has the floor trembling and shortly after that, alarms are shaking the walls. They are different from the Avengers alarm, and yet everybody in the living room sits perfectly straight immediately, ready to throw themselves into the action.

Tony looks up lazily from the tablet he has been working on, registering the faces around him and, more so, that Clint is missing from the group. A smile tugs on his lips.

“No worries,” he says, getting slowly to his feet. “That’s the workshop alarm. I guess one of my experiments went wrong.”

It probably says a lot that the Avengers actually relax at that. Steve looks at him with vague worry, but no one looks eager for a fight anymore. Explosions have become too common an occurrence for them to still be unsettled by it. That gives Tony, who knows exactly that he has not left anything prone to blow up unattended when he left for dinner, to deal with what he guesses is another intrusion attempt from Clint.

As soon as he is in the elevator, he asks for a status update from JARVIS.

“Agent Barton has just attempted to blow his way into the workshop.”

That is surprisingly unsubtle. After weeks of sneaking and little bits of progress here and there, it seems wrong for Clint to attempt something as pedestrian as bombs. Especially since that is one of the first things Tony guarded his workshop against, considering the kind of work he gets up to in there.

“From the vents?” Tony asks for clarification.

“Yes,” JARVIS answers promptly, echoing Tony’s incredulity. Attempting to blow himself a way in from such a limited space as the vents is – such a Clint thing to do, really. “He did not get in.”

“Of course he didn’t,” Tony snorts, never having doubted his security measures. “Is he all right?”

If Clint were seriously harmed, JARVIS would have led with that. Still, they are friends now, and Tony cares for them, although he does not often admit that openly.

“I shielded him from the worst of it,” JARVIS reports. “His newly regrown eyebrows have been singed off again, however.”

“Pity,” Tony comments immediately, openly showing his grin. In the privacy of the elevator, nobody can scold him for that. “This is excellent news nonetheless. Close the cage.”

“Cage is closed.” If JARVIS had eyes, he surely would have rolled them at Tony now. He does not need to be reminded of such clear tasks. “I will monitor Agent Barton’s progress.”

Instead of going to the workshop, Tony directs the elevator to Clint’s floor and makes his way to the bedroom. There, he gets comfortable on the bed and waits.

The cage means that all entrances to the ventilation system are closed off, SHIELD agent and circus brat proof. If Clint thinks he can escape that without Tony’s approval, he will have a rude awakening.

Tony waits for the better part of an hour. If he were not eager to see Clint’s face when he arrives here, he probably would have lost patience long ago. For that exact reason, he does not ask JARVIS where Clint is or when he is expected to arrive. Not knowing when it will happen makes it easier to wait. Also, Tony wants to see whether he can notice Clint coming.

It turns out that he cannot. There is no sound and no other sign that heralds Clint’s arrival. From one moment to the next, the flap gets torn open and Clint glares down at Tony through the bars making his escape impossible.

Before Tony can say anything, any of the gloating greetings he has prepared, Clint calls, “I give up.”

It comes so unexpected that the words do not register with Tony for a full minute. Then he blinks, full of disbelief. “You don’t.”

Clint’s face is grim. The usual mischief and cunning are absent. He does not look angry either, but that is perhaps still coming.

“Don’t make me say it again,” Clint warns but then does it anyway. “You’ve won, Stark. Do you know how loud an explosion is in a place like air vents?”

If Clint has any brain cells left, he will have at least turned off his hearing aids beforehand and covered his ears.

“The thought might have crossed my mind,” Tony says slowly, desperately trying to gauge what is happening.

Clint does not give up. Ever. Not even when there are worse possible repercussion than simply losing a bet against Tony.

“So, yes, I’m done,” Clint says nonetheless, holding onto his nonsense. “One day, you might forget that I’m not a supersoldier or a god.”

Snorting, Tony shakes his head but keeps a close eye on Clint. Perhaps the explosion has done more damage than he thought, despite JARVIS’ scan. “I’m not in the habit of forgetting things.”

Clint bares his teeth at him – the effect of which is made worse by the bars separating them. “Apart from basic human needs like eating or sleeping or letting someone check your wounds after a battle,” he says, full of sarcasm.

“That’s not –” Tony argues but cuts himself off with a shrug. “Well, it’s not completely true.”

“Right, you only forget that when it’s about you.” Clint rolls his eyes. His missing eyebrows make that look comical, but Tony is not in the mood for laughing. “Anyway, it was fun while it lasted.”

“It – was,” Tony says slowly, wondering what he is missing.

“Right,” Clint announces and vanishes back into the ventilation system. A second later, his echoing voice adds, “See ya later, Stark.”

Confused, Tony walks back to his workshop. Clint is not one to give up, not even under threat of bodily harm. Something is up, he knows it. The victory, if there ever was one, tastes bitter on his tongue.

“Lockdown, J,” Tony says, relishing the safety of the workshop turning into his personal panic room with just one word from him.

Something is different, though. He cannot pinpoint what, but something is not right. Walking over to his desk, he looks at the mess of sketches and papers, seemingly unchanged from how he left them.

Following his instincts, he looks through the stacks, looking for clues since he is lacking any specific evidence. There. A small piece of paper falls into his hand. On it is a sketch of a bow and several arrow designs in addition to several notes and descriptions that are definitely not made in Tony’s handwriting.

Underneath all of that is written,

Since you’re successfully keeping my bow hidden, here’s what I’d like. Thanks.

P.S. I count this as a victory.

Unable to help himself, Tony laughs. So much for Clint not having come into the workshop. If anything, the explosion must have been a distraction after the fact. Clint’s endurance has to be admired.

Staring at the piece of paper, Tony sees the crude sketch coming to life inside his mind.

“JARVIS,” he says, turning towards the screen, “I’d say the war is not over, but I think Legolas deserves a little present to keep his motivation up. Let’s get to work.”

[likethetailofacomet]

Tic-Tac-NO!

A/ N: So. this is a thing that happened. I…I don’t really even know. Well, that’s not true. I do know. It happened like this. Yesterday I posted a list of ten words that had to do with my most recent WIP and @ooo-barff-oooChaos Queen that she is, decided to take all ten words and come up with scenarios about each one. OBVIOUSLY I have to do at least 5 of them now. This was one.

Pairings: Jake x Kara, Mike x Eva, Kenji x April 

Word Count: 2,138 

Warning: We’re about to get personal with Kenji and April 

It was late August and a passing summer shower beat steadily against the covered porch of the McKenzie house, the breeze occasionally blowing a droplet sideways beneath the overhang and onto one of their faces. The air was warm despite the rain and the late hour, painting the sky a deep eggplant, lazy wisps of blue-gray clouds all but dissipating as they swirled, the stars and the moon begging to poke through. Laughter and the soft golden glow of the lantern lights poured from the porch as Kara handed Kenji a beer and, clutching her own beverage, slid onto Jake’s lap. His arm came around her and he kissed the tip of her nose, smiling and whispering a “Hey, Princess,” for her ears only. Across the way Mike and Kenji were engaged in a debate with Eva and April over which of them had packed more useless junk for their moves- that day had marked the official end of the Katsaros family’s southern migration, as well as Eva’s, Jake and Kara having helped them in their exodus of New York, and they were using the night to celebrate the whole family being together. Molly and the boys along with Hideki were all fast asleep upstairs, and though the adults were all exhausted from hauling boxes and moving furniture, sweating in the sun before it gave way to the rain, they had caught their second wind from the joy of being together and the buzz of the alcohol in the beers they were drinking.

Eva was smacking Mike’s knee playfully, expressing the importance of her collection of hair products and why she’d had to stock up on conditioner from her favorite salon in New York before they left. “Mike, don’t be ridiculous,” she rolled her eyes. “That was one box, okay? How could it have possibly made a difference in the grand scheme of things?”

“Darlin’,” Mike said, tucking Eva’s long, flowing, soft-despite-the-humidity, chocolate locks behind her ear. “It was one box of hair junk, another box of makeup junk…let’s not get into your shoes…” he laughed as she slapped his knee again, eyes twinkling as they widened. “Hey!” he chuckled.

“Hey yourself, babe, you knew what kind of woman I was when you put this ring on my finger.”  She wiggled her hand showing off the diamond that she’d been wearing for nearly three years as the two of them kept their relationship up with flights back and forth from New York to Louisiana. She took a sip of her beer, her eyes dancing as she did, and he squeezed her thigh.

“I sure did,” he said, biting the air before kissing her on the cheek. Kara caught Jake smiling over at them, that brotherly look in his eyes, and she knew that he was proud of Mike for the way he’d let Eva turn his life around. She felt the smile grow on her own lips. She knew that Mike’s past was just as lonely and broken as Jake’s was, but with Eva, his future was bright and whole.

“Okay, okay, guys but hear me out now,” Kenji stood, the neck of his beer between the thumb and pointer finger of his right hand, his wedding banded left hand pointing accusatorily at April. “This one,” he jabbed his wife in the shoulder with his pointer finger and she mocked being wounded- with her super strength she had barely felt it at all- “This one just had to bring the paper copies of every project she’d ever worked on, every report she’d ever run, all the articles, all the folders full of lab work and trials and-“

“And all of our top secret information, Kenj,” April tugged at Kenji’s wrist, easily pulling the massive man back down to the cushioned bench. “Or did you forget that, ya know, we have super powers that,” she made air quotations around her next words, lowering her voice conspiratorially, “don’t exist.”

“Fair…fair point,” Kenji said, ruffling April’s thick black hair. “Alright, Darwin, looks like you win for ‘most useless junk packed by our wives’.”

Jake noticed Kara looking over at the way that Kenji was brushing his nose against April’s, and the nearly permanent way that both of their cheeks were lifted into their eyes from happiness and laughter and smiling until it hurt. He knew she was thinking about when she’d met her sister, the two of them stranded in the crystal dimension together, April so drained and weak that she almost didn’t make it home, and he knew that she was reveling in how far April had come from then, and how much it had to do with the man by her side.

“Nuh-uh,  Metal Man,” Mike shook his head. “Nope, I have retracted my former statement. Eva did nothing wrong, never does.”

“That’s more like it,” Eva said as she and Kara laughed while April rolled her eyes.  

But Kenji wasn’t letting it go so easily. “No way, man, you can’t compare redacted top secret government information and heavily guarded trade secrets to hair care products and shoes.” He took the finger he’d been pointing at April and instead directed it at Mike.

Mike was getting ready to respond when Jake interrupted. “Easy way to settle this,” he said, moving to grab the wooden box that was stashed on the side table next to the wide Adirondack chair he and Kara were sharing. He shook it and the contents rattled over the sound of the pattering rain. It was a hand carved wooden game set complete with chess, checkers, puzzles and a tic tac toe board. “The McKenzie dispute resolution method,” he said, opening the box and rummaging through the different types of boards until he found the one cross hatched with two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. “Any time Molly is arguin’ or if Princess and I can’t agree, we settle it the civilized way.” He held up a wooden X and a wooden O. “Good ‘ole fashioned Tic Tac Toe. Scrap Heap vs. Darwin. Right now.” He slammed the board down a bit harder than he meant to in his tired, happy, inebriated state, and a snort of laughter burst from his lips to mix with Kara’s tingling giggles.

“NO! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!” Kenji stood, shaking his head feverishly, a look of pure horror on his face as April hid her scarlet cheeks behind her hands. Mike and Eva suddenly found the slats of the porch floor extremely interesting as they averted their eyes.

“Woah, woah, woah,” said Jake, a mischievous flash in his cobalt blue eyes. Kara could tell that he wasn’t going to let whatever this was go, and she smirked at her sister as April peeked out from between her fingers. “Someone gonna explain why I mentioned an innocent game made for children and the four a you are actin’ like I suggested strip poker?” He took a long pull from his beer as he waited for one of them to bite.

“Well,” Eva started, but Mike quickly stopped her with a hand on her knee and a light lipped shake of his head.

Jake saw his friend’s attempt to silence her, and it only made him push harder. “Nuh, uh, Darwin, don’t you go tellin’ miss Eva to keep quiet. I can tell that this is a good one from Kenji’s reaction, and I think Kara and I deserve a good, funny, embarrassing story as payment for helping you all move your hair stuff and your lab reports and all your other crap, right, Princess?” he looked to Kara for confirmation.

Kara was still eying her sister, barely able to keep her laughter from tumbling out at the way April was shaking her head and furrowing her eyebrows; at the way Kenji was still standing like he was hoping he might suddenly gain the ability to fly away. “Yeah, I think that’s only fair,” she nodded to her husband before turning back to Eva. “Go ahead and spill the beans, E.”

Kenji was shaking his head muttering “nothing is sacred, I swear,” and April’s eyes were pleading with Eva desperately, but Eva seemed to be siding with Jake and Kara on this one, deeming it too hilarious to keep under wraps any longer.

“Well,” she said again, a little louder this time. Kenji sunk back down to his seat realizing that it was happening. April groaned and hid in Kenji’s shoulder. “Well, it’s funny you should mention strip poker, Grandpa,” she had taken to using Mike’s nickname for him- the only other person he’d allow to call him that until the day he actually became a grandpa-“Have you ever heard of Strip Tac Toe? Because apparently, that’s how Kenji and April settle disputes.” She looked at the Katsaroses and raised an meticulously arched eyebrow. “Isn’t that right, April?”

April was trying to disappear into Kenji’s shoulder. “I don’t wanna talk about it!” her voice was muffled by the fabric of Kenji’s shirt. He had his arm around her, comfortingly rubbing her back, that look of horror on his face fading to one of complete resignation.

“Well, too bad, Miss A,” Jake was loving this a little too much. “Looks like the secret is out.” He turned back to Eva. “Now what I really wanna know is how you two know about this arrangement,” he indicated between Mike and Eva.

Eva sighed, looking over at Kenji who rolled his eyes and nodded, seeing no way out and knowing that his brother in law was like a dog with a bone when he latched onto something that might make for a good joke. “Well…remember last year when Mike and I went to Tahiti? And Kenji and April’s apartment was being renovated so they stayed at our place while we were gone?”

Jake nodded. “Yeah, I remember,” he was resting his elbows on his knees and leaning forward, his attention completely captured by the embarrassment unfolding in front of him, taking great joy in the fact that the embarrassment was not his own.

“Well…I don’t know if you remember the detail about us having to come home three days early because of a storm in the forecast? We tried to tell Kenji and April that we’d be back early…you know, to let them know to expect us…but,” she shrugged, “they didn’t get the memo and, well…” Mike covered his eyes as if he was still trying to wipe the images of his friends’ nearly naked bodies in Eva’s living room from his mind.

“You walked in on Strip Tac Toe?” Jake looked at Kenji with a shit eating grin. “Like that time I walked in on you posin’ for Miss A like an un-masked hero?” Kenji and April groaned in harmony and Jake almost fell out of his seat with laughter. “What was the argument, I gotta know!”

“I tell you and you never speak of it again, got it?” Kenji leveled Jake with a look and the pilot held his hands up, making a face as if to say ‘I accept these terms and conditions’.

Kenji sighed. In a barely audible voice he mumbled, “It was over whether we should have Korean BBQ or Sushi for dinner.”

Kara completely lost it, Jake guffawing right alongside of her. “Oh my god, A, you two just cannot keep your clothes on, can you?”

“No, they can’t and It’s a real problem,” Mike said, pointedly looking at Kenji.

“Alright, alright, you got your story, Wingnut, you happy now?” Kenji grumbled.

“Happier’n a dead pig in the sunshine, Tin man, really. Miss Eva, thank you for your cooperation in this highly important matter.”

Eva gave in to a fit of laughter that had been threatening to burst forth from the second Jake produced the tic tac toe board. Mike followed suit with Kenji finally cracking and before they knew it the 6 of them were belly laughing as the summer storm blew right on by and the sound of the falling rain quieted until they were just left with the sounds of the night and the crickets and the frogs.

Kara felt her heart swell as he husband’s chest rumbled with laughter, as her sister’s cheeks turned back to their original shade, as Mike blinked his eyes enough to rid the images from his mind. She remarked for what felt like the millionth time about how at one point, she was nothing, from nothing, and had no one. And now, well, now she had the world right here on the porch, and heaven inside in the form of her sleeping children and nephew. Their memories were heavy on the laughter, full of the good stuff, and that was only going to get better now that they had their whole family all in one place.

tagging: @ooo-barff-ooo @sleepwalkingelite @brightpinkpeppercorn @zaffrenotes  @mind-reader1 @agent-bossypants @endlessly-searching-for-you @endlesstaylormckenzie @endlesshero1122 @indiacater @nekkidmolerat @xo-endlessmayhem-xo @cordoniantrash @akrenich @gardeningourmet @choiceslife @choices-is-life @mkatschoicesblog

[insanely-creative-things]

Big Hero 7: The Series

Aunt Cass goes out

(Long post)

www.fanfiction.net

*Hiro and Cora are flying through the air faster than usual, determination in their faces.*

Baymax: Would you like to know the odds?

Hiro: Not right now!

Cora: Just keep going Baymax and don't stop til we get there!

*They zoom past the floating turbines just as a building appears in front of them.*

Hiro: Baymax! Building!

*Baymax uses his thrusters to make a sharp turn.*

Hiro: We're not gonna make it!

Cora: Oh yes we will!

Baymax: I will take a more efficient route.

*Baymax takes a head dive to the streets below. As of while the microwave beeps signaling that the popcorn is ready. Cass tentatively grabs the popcorn bag before opening it and across the living room, Mizuchi and Kaguya are setting their own chairs in front of the TV. Cass fills the bowl with popcorn and goes upstairs to check on Hiro and Cora.*

Cass: It's movie night kids! I rented us 'Kentucky Kaiju Vs. Zombie-sauras'!

Hiro: *Peeking his head out from behind the screen* Yeah uh...be right down! Just..putting on my..uh movie clothes!

Cass: Okay... where's Cora and Baymax?

Hiro: *As he pulls out Baymax's rocket fist so that the robot can greet Cass without exposing himself while Cora stay hidden and silent until the coast is clear.* Uhh.. C-cora is in the bathroom at the moment and should be out in just a few minutes. And as for Baymax, he's right here.

Baymax: *Waving from behind the screen* Hello.

Cass: Well okay, but you guys better hurry before Mizuchi and I eat all the popcorn.

*Hiro gives out a sigh of relief. They barely had time for them to get inside just in time. Cora gives a quick but comforting pat to Hiro's shoulder and than runs straight to the bathroom so she can change in private while Hiro and Baymax rushed to their room. This was a close call with Cass, especially since Cora's father and Grandmother are joining them for movie night too.*

Baymax: What are movie clothes?

*The next morning Hiro, Cora, Gogo, and Baymax are in line with Fred as they enter in line into Krei Tech.*

Fred: Thanks for coming guys! Dad's stuck at Chateau Fredrickson so I'm representing the family.

Hiro: Any idea what this thing's about?

Fred: No idea, the invitation just said 'Prepare to have your worries disappear!'

*While he was talking however his hand hit the head of the person in front of them.*

Baymax: That would be an impressive, therapeutic, break through.

Gogo: Looks like Krei invited every rich jerk in town... as I was saying...

*Just then Binky Mole, the woman Fred had feared at his Bro-Tillion, came walking past the line with her son... Richardson Mole, Fred's arch nemesis and the one who proclaims Gogo as his 'dream girl'.

Fred: Ugh, Richardson Mole.

*Mole spots Gogo and flips up his collar.*

Cora: *Whispers to Fred* So that's the 'creepy comic geek' you and Gogo mentioned before Fred...

Mole: Hey Gogo, were you just talking about me with your friend 'dream girl'? My ears were burning.

Cora: Uh...Not sure if you want Gogo to be your girl...*Quietly* Creep.

*Mole turns to Cora who looks at her briefly before speaking.*

Mole: Mmm. I have to admit, you're pretty cute too. But since I already have my dream girl in Gogo, might I recommend my cousin to you?

*Cora looks incredulous while Hiro frowns unamused as he puts his arm around his girlfriend as he addresses Mo.*

Hiro: *Annoyed* Uh, I believe she already has a boyfriend. And you're looking at him!

Mole: Hmmm...well your loss.

Baymax: Burning often indicates infection. There is no infection, however your ceruminous glands are overproducing earwax.

Mole: *Covers his ears in embarrassment at this revelation* Ah gross! Shut it about my glands.

*Mole runs away to catch up with his mother as Cora lets out a breath of relief while Hiro, who was now slightly amused at what Baymax did, was still slightly glaring in the direction Mole ran of in.*

Gogo: Nice save Baymax.

*Gogo lifts her hand to give Baymax a high five. Baymax lifts his hand and gives Gogo a high five, wondering what is the importance of it.*

Cora: Ugh! You and Gogo were right Fred, he is a total creep!

Fred: I know right?

Hiro: Hey, at least he's not interested in you babe.

*Cora smiles at Hiro as she wraps her own arm around him, while giving him a small kiss of thanks on his cheek.*

Cora: Yeah, thanks Hiro.

*Finally they got inside the building where a woman is handing out ID cards to the invited guests. Once the gang pin on their own IDs, it's Baymax's turn.*

Baymax: I am not wearing clothing.

*Baymax uses his scanner to scan the ID so that it will show up on his vinyl body instead. Baymax catches up with the gang as the door opens to let the guests inside, with two body guards on each side. But one guard happens to be someone they know.*

Cora: *Surprised* Papa?

Mizuchi: *Also surprised* Cora! I didn't know you were invited!

*Even though it's a surprise to see each other, Cora gives her father a big hug.*

Cora: I didn't know you work at Krei Tech! Is everything alright here?

Mizuchi: Long hours and the occasional files here and there, but the pay is decent.

*Then he turns to Hiro, who is giving a very nervous smile and small wave to the goliath-sized man. When he first met him, he almost wet himself seeing him. Mizuchi's gigantic stature with his well-developed muscles are defiantly intimidating, and his eyes could become dangerous if something were to upset him. But Cora only saw him as a gentle and caring father that reminded her of a teddy bear. His dark grey hair with his beard mustache combo added the intimidation factor to a whole new level though, even when he's smiling like any other father at his child.*

Mizuchi: I can see you brought Hiro along, *Sigh* Well at least you're not alone with him.

Cora: It's okay papa, we're fine.

Mizuchi: Well either way, I hope you enjoy the show.

*And so the gang enter the theater where they find seats while Hiro explains what happened last night. Mizuchi waves at Cora happily before focusing on his job when his face turns to surprise when he sees the next person enter, and that someone winks at him with a flirtatious smile.*

Hiro: Aunt Cass almost busted us again, it's becoming a problem!

Cora: Not to mention Papa and Grandmama we're there this time too. They asked me why I was in the bathroom for so long... But we're fine...for now anyways.

*Hiro recalls the other time where he and Cora was fixing up Baymax's armor and barely avoided getting caught when Cass passed by to work out.*

Gogo: Why don't you just tell them?

Fred: What?! No! You never reveal your secret identity! Other than to your manservant or your sidekick...obviously.

Hiro: And definitely not to your aunt! Who would never let you out of the house if she found out. And you most definitely do not tell your girlfriend's father! Who would very most like kill you, hide your body and any evidence of said killing if he ever found out of that his daughter's boyfriend, who he doesn't like anyway, recruited said daughter in a superhero team that fights highly dangerous criminals on a daily basis!

*Hiro was practically freaking out now and was trying to come himself down before he made a scene, but that wasn't an easy task as he dreaded the very concept of what Mizuchi would do to him should he ever find out what he got Cora involved with with BH7. Luckily for him though, Baymax could sense Hiro's slight anxiety attack and immediately pulled him into his arm and started comforting him and calming him down. The other three, who were watching as this scene unfolded, shared a quick but concerned glance at each other before look back to their young friend/boyfriend in some worry as they watched him still be comforted by Baymax. Fortunately, Cora decided to try adding in her two cents to their current conversation about revealing their superhero identities.

Cora:...Ahem... While I..do agree somewhat with your suggestion Gogo, since it would better to prepare them if they are ever targeted by a villain, you don't know my dad! And no, he woundn't kill Hiro if he found out...but he probably would forbid us from ever being together again... The point is, he's still just learning to let me go to school on my own, if he ever does finds out what I'm doing with you guys, he'll make me drop out of school, most likely forbid me and Hiro from being together or even seeing eachother again as I mentioned before and lock me in my room for the rest of my life with little to no chance of parole! *Sighs* But at least he and Grandmama are busy so often that they're barely home, but still...they'll find out if I'm not careful. And if I'm not careful... Then it's bye-bye BH7 and bye-bye Hiro and Cora...

*Now starting to calm down a little from his slight anxiety attack from before, lets Baymax know that he's all right now as he listens to Cora but slightly freezes at the idea of being forbidden from being with her or ever seeing her again. He looks at her as she says those last few words and meekly says to her.*

Hiro: *Now scared of losing her* I don't want us to be bye-bye...

Cora: *Turns to Hiro and smile a small comforting smile at him as she gently places a hand on his cheek.* Don't worry babe. Nothing like that is gonna happen to us alright? We've gone through tougher things than this and we will handle it together "if' it ever does happen. Okay?

Hiro: *Takes comfort from his girlfriend's words as he take a breath while he places his own hand on top of her that was still on his cheek and than smiles back at her.* Okay babe, whatever you say.

*Just then, they all look up to see Mole turning his head to make the phone hand gesture as to say 'call me' to Gogo.*

Cora: *Grossed out* Blegh.

Gogo: Give it up junior, I'm never gonna date you! Like ever.

*This springs an idea in Hiro's head.*

Hiro: Wait a minute! Maybe that's the answer for Aunt Cass!

Fred: Hmmm eh.. I don't think Richardson is right for Aunt Cass. He's clearly into Gogo, then there's that whole age issue thing, you know...even if the age of consent is 13... *Muttering* Still think that's a bit kinky and a little disturbing...

Cora: *Rubs her eyes in annoyance as she cuts Fred off* Fred, could you stop and just listen to Hiro before you make assumptions please.

Hiro: Thank you Cora. And as I was about to say, I'm not talking about Richardson! I'm talking about an actual man.

Gogo: You should stay out of her personal life.

Hiro: Come on Gogo, dating might be good for her.

Gogo: Or you.

Cora: *Deadpanned* Did you already forget about the time Aunt Cass and my Grandmama were in an underground cooking competition...And how that turned out for us?

*Hiro smiles at Gogo and Cora awkwardly before the lights turn off. The guest clap as the screen show pictures of Alistair Krei as his voice is heard through the speakers.*

Krei: What does it mean to..be rich? Having things? Lots of things? Expensive things?

*Just then Krei himself appears on stage.*

Krei: Things that other people want? It could all disappear in an instant, all of your precious things.

*Just then the gang see a group of ninjas climb down and surround Krei. The gang stand up as they prepare to suit up and off those sword wielding ninjas.*

Cora: Ugh! Not again...

Krei: If only I had someone looking out for me! If only I had...a buddy.

*Just then some unknown force knocks out one of the ninjas to the ground. Then nets came flying through the air and entangle the remaining ninjas, trapping them.*

Krei: Ladies and gentlemen it is my distinct honor to introduce Buddy Guard!

*Just then Krei pressed a button to reveal a pill shaped robot with electro mag arms and a green orb to act as an eye.*

Krei: It's more than protection it's the friend you can depend...on. The slogan's not final.

*The gang stand down as they realized that those ninjas were just actors for his demonstration, but they are defiantly confused.*

Hiro: *Whispers* Fred what are you doing?

Fred: *whispers *There's still one ninja!

Gogo: *Whispers* It's just an act.

Cora: *Whispers* They're paid for this!

Fred: Oh... Okay-okay... So we shouldn't save Krei?

Hiro, Cora, and Gogo: *Whispers* No!

Krei: Buddy Guard is a military-grade drone. Capable of countering any attack.

*The buddy drone spots the lone ninja and traps him in the net.*

Krei: But who wants that eyesore hovering over them while taking a stroll on your private island. So we gave ugly here the ability to turn invisible...But how?

*Krei pushes the button again to make the drone go invisible while Krei's assistance, Lois Carter, joins him onstage holding something resembling cloth.*

Krei: Great question! Flexible display technology!

*The drone returns to normal to display the coding.*

Krei: A high resolution miracle it can look like anything!

*Krei uses the cloth to wrap his head and activated it to change into Lois Carter. He looks at Lois before he unwraps the cloth and blocks out her face.*

Krei: Or nothing at all.

*The real Lois' face disappears as it only shows the background. The cloth then returns to normal as it displays the buddy guard and flashes like an advertisement.*

Krei: So be smart, buy your self a buddy! Pre-order's in the lobby! Get them before they disappear!

*The rest of the clapping crowd left as Hiro, Gogo, and Cora merely blinked over this marketing ploy while Fred is amazed.*

Krei: That seemed to go well.

*The gang arrive on stage once the whole stadium is empty.*

Hiro: Impressive tech.

Krei: Thank you Hiro, that means a lot coming from you.

Hiro: How are your uh...programming safeguards?

Krei: Safe guards?

Gogo: You know, so your 'Buddy' doesn't turn into your enemy?

Cora: Yeah, and is it strong enough to prevent someone from hacking it?

Krei: Oh that kind of programming safeguards well yeah! There are so many awesome, really safe...safe...guards.

*Krei rubs his hand on Hiro's head, messing up his already messy hair.*

Krei: Anyway thanks for coming.

*And with that Krei and Lois leave the stage to return to work. But Hiro is quick to grab Lois' attention.*

Hiro: Umm excuse me! Question uh.. Are there really any safeguards?

*Lois takes a moment before she turns to answer.*

Lois: Officially, there are many and they are awesome!

*She does the same thing to Hiro like Krei did before. Cora just pouts, disbelief in her eyes as Lois leaves. The gang think over this as Cora finally says it.*

Cora: *Deadpanned* Yeah...I'm thinking...they don't...

*Krei finally arrives at his office when his door opens to...nobody. Krei sits back at his desk when the thing reveals itself to be a person.*

Scientist pawn: Surprise!

Krei: *Startled* Ah!

*Krei covers himself before he realizes who the intruder is.*

Krei: Doctor Myer?

Myer: When I sold you my flexible display technology, you gave me your word my invention will be used for fun things! Like hiding people at surprise parties!

Krei: The Buddy Guard is fun! What's more fun than a buddy?

Myer: You're using it to hurt people!

Krei: Hurt people no, I'm using it to defend people. Thanks for stopping by Mel, may I call you Mel? We should go for muffins sometime.

Mel: Going for muffins isn't a thing, you're just trying to get rid of me! I demand you give me my plans back!

*Mel spots his blue prints and is about to grab it but Krei got to it first.*

Krei: Sorry Mel, the Buddy Guard's going to be huge.

*Krei uses his ID card to lock the plans into a private file cabinet.*

Krei: Oh look, here's a few.

*Krei presses a button to reveal three buddy guards just behind Mel.*

Krei: See Dr. Myer out.

Mel: You haven't seen the last of me!

*Krei then throws the cloth on Mel to cover his face and become invisible as the buddy guards drag him out of his office.*

Krei: Pretty sure I have.

Mel: This is unacceptable and unpleasant and-

*The buddy guards take Mel out the door, leaving Krei in peace.*

*Meanwhile at SFIT, the entire gang are doing their usual business, but currently Hiro along with Fred, Wasabi, and Cora are looking over a dating website to look for someone to date Cass.*

Hiro: No.

*Herman Wexler is too nutty for Cass.*

Hiro: No.

*DJ 6ix Sk1llz Br0 is the definition of 'nice guy'.*

Hiro: No.

*Theo ''Healingtree'' Schwartz is too natural for Cass.*

Hiro: A big big no! No!

*This is of Felony Carl. Cora sees this and smiles warmly*

Cora: Aw, he's looking for someone special. Good luck Carl!

Wasabi: Really?

Cora: He's good friends with my Grandmama! Believe me, that alone says a lot.

Hiro: None of these guys seem good enough for Aunt Cass!

*Cora clicks the next page to scroll for more bachelors.*

Fred: Wait wait wait wait! That guy has a mustache! It's a proven fact that the coolest guys have mustaches!

Cora: What about guys with the beard and mustache combo?

Wasabi: Fred, Cora, be serious the mustache or beard doesn't make the man. Its what's inside...the mouth. I cannot stress enough the importance of dental hygiene.

Cora: I agree with you Wasabi...sort of...I mean look at my Dad! He may look like a giant wrestler, but he's the sweetest guy you've ever known. My Mom certainly saw it.

*Cora pulls out her phone and pulls up a picture of her deceased mother. The woman's warm smile matches with the sparkling sea blue eyes. Cora gives a sad smile at the picture, wondering how her mom and dad had fallen in love. She looks up and sees the guys staring at the photo, eyes wide in surprise.*

Fred: *Awestruck* Wow...um...she's..very… good looking...

Wasabi: *Also awestruck* I've never seen teeth sparkle like that!

Cora: Hehe...yeah...Dad says he wonders what Mom ever saw in him to love and eventually marry him... he still loves her...even after all these years after she died...

*The guys snap back into reality as the guys, sans Hiro, are surprised that Cora's mother is dead.*

Wasabi: *Now solemn at this new information* Oh...you have my condolences..

Fred: *Also solemn now* Woah... Sorry about that little dudette..didn't know...

Cora: *Still looking at her mother's picture with a sad smile* It's okay...as I mentioned before, it's been...years since then...

*Across the room, Honey Lemon and Gogo are working together on a chemical project.*

Honey Lemon: Hiro maybe your aunt should pick for herself.

Hiro: She needs a little push, I need a little space. Everybody wins!

Krei: Hey great work space!

*Hiro turns his chair around to see Krei and Lois arriving at their lab workspace.*

Krei: Is that a vending machine? Fun.

Cora: Mr. Krei, what are you doing here?

Krei: I've came to talk to you-

*Krei then spots the photo of Cora's mother on her phone.*

Krei: Say~...Cora, who is that woman on your phone? A friend of yours?

*Krei flashes his smile to which Cora caught on immediately. She deadpans as she locks her phone back up.*

Cora: That's my mom, and she's dead.

*Krei's eyes widened before he clears his throat.*

Krei: Oh! I..I'm sorry for your loss... As I was saying, I had my team check out those safeguards you were talking about and it turns out there was a slight...glitch.

*Lois pulls out a small video showing the scientists running for their lives while one of them informs Krei via camera.*

Lois: *Sigh* Krei Tech has a pretty spotty record of bringing products to launch too soon...

*Krei frowns at Lois.*

Lois: You know it's true.

*Krei grabs the buddy guard from Lois' hands and hands it to Hiro.*

Krei: I just want you to make sure it's safe...more or less.

Hiro: What's in it for us?

Krei: I won't tell the world that you're Big Hero 7.

Honey Lemon: *Gasp*!

Wasabi: Huh?

Hiro: *Gasp*

Fred: *Gasp*

Gogo: What's wrong with you?!

Cora: You gave us your word that you wouldt tell anyone after we saved you from Callaghan! The same one who wanted you DEAD!

*Wasabi checks around the lab to make sure they are completely alone.*

Wasabi: Yeah, be cool man!

Krei: Oh I can be cool... if you do what I want. Or I can be ice cold.

Hiro: This sounds like you're blackmailing us!

Krei: My attorney advises against using the word 'blackmail'.

*As Krei is about to exit through the door, Cass happens to be heading towards the lab holding papers. This causes the two adults to bump into each other, resulting in Krei falling and Cass catching him. Papers are sprawled on the ground but they are currently in the moment.*

Krei: Nice catch...

Cass: Thanks...Nice fall...

*Cora blinks incredulously as Hiro immediately steps in to save his aunt after he gives the buddy guard to Gogo.*

Hiro: Aunt Cass, hey wha-what-what are you doing here?

*Hiro separates Krei from Cass. The two adults seem lost in a haze before Cass remembers why she was here.*

Cass: Oh uh, you forgot your chemistry... homework.

Krei: I think I'm feeling a little chemistry right now.

Cass: *Giggling a little* Are you flirting with me? Wow this feels like flirting.

*There is moments of silence until Hiro sees Cora making gestures to signal him to break the silence. Just then Cora's phone beeps so she opens it.*

Hiro: OK! Thanks hehe.

*Hiro grabs his Aunt's arm to guide her to the exit.*

Hiro: You can go now Aunt Cass!

Krei: Aunt Cass...You wouldn't happen to be the same Aunt Cass from the Bro-tillion would you? And also...what an enchanting name.

Cass: Yeah I am! That was...hehe..quite a wild party. And thanks but, people who aren't my nephew or his girlfriend just call me Cass.

Hiro: Or! Maybe don't call her anything! At all!

Krei: How about dinner tonight, Cass? Say around seven?

Hiro: Uh she's busy! Forever!

Cass: Well, I am busy. I own my own business, I mean! Of course, you own your own business too! A bigger business!

Hiro: That's a good point! I bet he's even busier!

Cass: Oh heck if you can make time so can I! I'd be delighted Mr. Krei.

Krei: People who aren't your nephew or his girlfriend call me Alistair.

*Hiro opens his mouth to speak but finds no words to object.*

Gogo: Looks like you got what you wanted. Congratulations.

*After the two adults leave the room, the gang hear the sound of a phone dropping to the floor. Hiro turns around to see Cora in a state of shock, her hands still in place as if she's still holding her phone. She also appears to be sweating.*

Hiro: *Suddenly worried* Cora? What's wrong?

*Wasabi picks up Cora's phone to see if it's damaged.*

Wasabi: Oh!...um...

*Hiro grabs Cora's phone and sees a text from her father which read the following.*

'So Cora...as a heads up...I'm going out with an internet date tonight! I'll be home late so don't worry about Dinner. Wish me luck! Love, Papa.'

*His eyes widen as he hears Cora fall to the ground, fainting from the text. Being the good boyfriend that he is, he is instantly at his fallen girlfriend's side trying to bring her around.*

Honey Lemon: *Confused and concerned* Hiro, what happened?

*Hiro turns to the gang with a look a dread on his face.*

Hiro: *Really worried* Well, let's just say it looks like I'm not the only one who's family member is going out tonight.

*Later on that evening, Hiro is pacing around the cafe while Baymax watches him. Cora is sitting on a chair absently stroking Mochi as he purrs contently, her eyes still wide with shock.*

Baymax: I am detecting an abnormal walk pattern.

Hiro: It's not abnormal, its pacing! Something people do when they're not happy about their aunt dating!

Baymax: You said you wanted Aunt Cass to date.

Hiro: Yeah but not-

*Knocking is heard in front of the cafe door, signaling them that Cass' date is here. Hiro opens the to find none other than Krei himself, holding a bouquet of tulips.*

Hiro: Krei...

*Mochi yowled from Cora's lap when he sees Krei. Cora doesn't even move and can only blink.*

Krei: Hiro! Third time I've seen you today!

Hiro: Yeah! Third time, but it's not the charm.

Krei: HA! Funny, I think. Jokes aren't really my thing.

*Krei enters the cafe.*

Krei: Is your aunt ready?

Cass: She is!

*Cass appears by the doorway, dressed in a purpler sheath dress with black high heels. In other words, Cass looks stunning tonight.*

Baymax: Mr. Krei. Your heart rate is elevated. Are you feeling well?

Krei: Better than well. You look incredible.

*Krei walks over to Cass to hand her the tulips he brought.*

Krei: These are for you.

Cass: Oh these are beautiful.

Krei: They're the rarest tulips in the world, they bloom only once every 20 years they're very expensive. Shall we?

*The couple are heading out the door as Cass hands Hiro the flowers.*

Cass: Could you put these in water Hiro?

*Hiro takes one look at the bouquet and as soon as they left, he marches upstairs and places the flowers in the toilet. He goes back downstairs where he sees that his girlfriend is still in her frozen state.*

Hiro: *Approaching his frozen girlfriend carefully* Uh Cora? You feeling okay?

*Finally Cora looks up and speaks.*

Cora: *Somewhat monotoned* Yeah...just give me a moment. I gotta let out these feelings.

Baymax: It is important to not hold back your emotions to maintain emotional health.

Cora: *Still somewhat monotoned* What he said... now excuse me please.

*They are currently in the living room where Hiro is quietly sitting down on the hanging chair and Baymax sits on the floor chair next to him as they hear Cora letting out, or more like raging out, her thoughts in the bathroom.*

Cora: *Raging out* WHAT THE HECK IS PAPA THINKING?! HE JUST GOES ON WITH A TEXT SAYING 'HEY CORA DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME I'M JUST HEADING TO A HOT DATE WITH A STRANGER!' WHY IS HE DOING THIS?! HE'S NEVER GONE A DATE SINCE...FOREVER! WHY IS HE DOING THIS TO ME?! HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO MAMA?! AAAAAHHHHHH!

*A few moments of silence stay as Hiro and Baymax silently and awkwardly glance at the bathroom door and than at each other until Cora opens the bathroom door, taking deep breathes as she steps out. She then goes over to Hiro and sits on the hanging chair with him and sighs.*

Hiro: *Still concerned as he gently puts his arm around her.* Hey... You doing okay now?...

Cora: *Leans into Hiro's comfort as he puts his arm around her and replies in a quiet and somewhat exhausted voice.* Not completely okay, but I feel a little better than I did before I guess...

*Baymax turns his head to scan Cora.*

Baymax: You are upset because your Papa is going on a date.

Cora: *Looks up to him* What?

Baymax: Your scan indicates that you are feeling angry, betrayed, distressed, worried, and guilty over this date.

*Cora shakes her head before she turns her attention back to Hiro, who had now gotten up and resumed to pacing again.*

Cora: *Quiet and confused* Hiro?

Baymax: *Petting Mochi* More pacing.

Hiro: *Starting to freak out now* W-w-what if this date goes great? What if they really like each other?! They couldn't get married!? Could they?!

Baymax: *Still petting Mochi* They are of legal age for marriage. Mr. Krei would then be your uncle.

Cora: *Absolute denial while also freaking out at the concept that the same thing could happen to her Dad.* No! Nada! Na-ah! Nope! Can't happen! A thousand times no! And I'm saying this for my Papa's date too!

Hiro: Uncle Krei?! Not happening!

Cora: *Got up to follow Hiro as he started to walk away* But what are we gonna do Hiro? We don't even know where they're going!

Hiro: Aunt Cass told me they're heading uptown. If we can hurry we can catch up!

Cora: *Now becoming more determined* Okay! But first I gotta run back to my house. I may have something for this...

*While that was happening, the rest of the gang is at the lab reviewing over the buddy guard Krei blackmailed them to fix.*

Honey Lemon: It's actually kind of cute!

Gogo: Sure...for a lethal weapon.

Wasabi: You, Hiro and Cora were right! It wouldn't take much of a glitch to scramble this things programming, let alone someone to hack it.

Gogo: Where are Hiro and Cora anyway?

Honey Lemon: Oh Hiro texted me! He and Cora are busy following Krei and Cass on their date.

Gogo: Yeah, that's normal.

*The moment Fred comes in with take out bags of Noodle burger*

Fred: Who needs a Noodle Burger break?

Honey Lemon: Yes!

Gogo: Starving.

Wasabi: Did you bring napkins?

*Fred places the sodas nearby the buddy guard.*

Wasabi: Not a good place to do that!

*But it's too late as Fred reaches for some fries and his elbow hits the sodas, spilling them over the buddy guard. Just as Wasabi is about to scold Fred, the buddy guard floats up with its eye turning red, identifying the group as enemies.*

Gogo: That's why.

*The buddy guard turns invisible to avoid being tracked by the enemies before it.*

Fred: well cool. It want to play Hide and Seek ah-!

*A laser blast proves him other wise.*

Gogo: Yeah, not playing Hide and Seek.

*The buddy guard scans the enemies until it strikes again. The laser hits Gogo and then Honey Lemon. Fred pulls out his straw to use as a sword.*

Fred: Show yourself coward!

*The next laser zaps Fred again, knocking him to the floor. And then it hits Wasabi.*

Wasabi: How can we fight what we can't see?!

Fred: With Ketchup!

*Fred pulls out ketchup packets and sprays them all over the lab until it coats the invisible drone.*

Honey Lemon: Fred it worked!

*With that, Honey Lemon hits the drone with a book, which flies to Gogo who slams it with a fire extinguisher and it finally hits the wall. The cloaking technology wears off as the drone powers down from the damage. The gang walk hesitantly with their weapons at hand.*

Wasabi: Yeah! How'd you like us now Buddy!

*The drone zaps Wasabi one more time before it shuts down.*

*A Limousine stops by a rather popular and high class restaurant uptown. Krei and Cass step out of the car to which she notices the long line.*

Cass: Wow look at this line! I hope you have a reservation.

Krei: Reservation? I don't need one.

Server: It looks like we have an opening for two in... Six hours.

*Krei and Cass merely cut in line which concerns Cass.*

Server: Right this way Mr. Krei.

Cass: Sorry! You all have amazing shoes!

*Krei holds Cass' hand before he bumps into someone.*

Krei: Excuse me I-

*But Krei's words fail to come out as he sees a very tall and muscular man turn his head, his eyes focused on him. The tall man turns around to face Krei, to which the entrepreneur felt like he is going to die any minute for bumping into a man that could snap his body in half. Cass looks up and smiles up at him.*

Cass: Oh hi Mizuchi! I didn't expect to see you here!

Mizuchi: Hello Miss Cass. It's very nice to see you too.

*Krei looks back and forth at his date and the muscular man, wondering how and why do they know each other. Cass notices and clears her throat.*

Cass: Oh Alistair, this is my friend Mizuchi Mizichio. he's the father of my nephew's girlfriend Cora. He's really nice once you get to know him. *To Mizuchi* By the way, why are you here Mizuchi?

*Mizuchi rubs his head as he gives a small blush and his eyes look away.*

Mizuchi: I...I also have date..

*A slender woman with orange hair in a Qi Pao dark blue dress appears beside him, wearing gold and pearls as she gives a slender smile.*

Moira: Greetings, I am Moira Lacroix. I think I saw you Mr. Krei at the Buddy Guard demonstration? Impressive by the way.

Krei: *Pleased* Oh! Yes, I'm glad to hear it from you Madame Lacroix.

Moira: And your security guard here is also very impressive.

*She holds Mizuchi's arm close, which causes the tall man to blush even deeper.*

Moira: *Seductive* His muscle fibers are exceptional for his age...and well proportioned.

Krei: *A tad nervous* Yeah... I've noticed.

Cass: Me too.

*Cass' face gives a small blush until two separate servers come to escort them to their tables. Though Mizuchi is straining his smile as sweat forms on his forehead. While that is going on, Hiro is behind the building with Baymax.*

Hiro: Where's Cora? She said she'd be here already!

Cora: I'm here!

*Hiro turns his head to see Cora wearing a strapless red dress with black flats and a black hooded jacket. The hood is covering her hair and the upper part of her face at the moment. Hiro blinks before he shakes out of it.*

Hiro: What took you so long?

Cora: I thought if we are going to sneak inside we have to blend in! It's already enough that we're 14, the least we can do is be dressed up for the part!

Hiro: Yet you're wearing a jacket with your hood on?

Cora: Well what about you?

Hiro:...Touche. Either way, we have to go in the back!

*The three head into the alley where they see a door connected to the kitchen and garbage bags nearby. Hiro and Cora immediately whisper their plan to Baymax and head for action. Baymax presses a button next to the door where a chef answers.*

Baymax: *Holding a garbage bag* Hello. I am Baymax.

Chef: So what? Is that bag for me?

*While the chef is distracted Hiro and Cora slowly walk to the door behind them.*

Baymax: You may have the bag.

Chef: What's in it?

*Baymax scans for a moment before he answers the chef.*

Baymax: Garbage.

Chef: Why would I want garbage?

Baymax: *Blinks* I do not know.

Chef: Is this some kind of joke?!

Baymax: I do not understand jokes.

Chef: Yeah I'm gonna close the door now!

*The chef slams the door in front of Baymax's face.*

Baymax: Goodbye.

*Thankfully Hiro and Cora have successfully sneak inside the restaurant and are now treading through. Meanwhile Cass and Krei are looking over their menu.*

Cass: Hel~lo! Look at these prices!

Krei: I was hoping you noticed.

Cass: I serve chicken fingers at the Lucky Cat, that is not how much chicken cost.

Krei: Chicken have fingers? Do you mean like- the toes?

Cass: ...I'm gonna get the fish.

*Across from them is Mizuchi and Moira who are also ordering food. Mizuchi squints his eye to figure out the names of the food listed inside. He looks up to see Moira leaning forward, punctuating her bust which causes Mizuchi to nervously chuckle and wave an awkward hi.*

*Just outside the restaurant, Mel comes in disguised in his invisibility cloak.*

Mel: Well is he gonna be surprised.

*Back at the lab, Wasabi is observing the now broken buddy guard.*

Wasabi: When Fred spilled his drink, it shorted out the drone's threat assessment program.

Gogo: So it thought we were all bad guys.

*Fred picks up the drone.*

Fred: We are super heroes! We are the definition of good guys! Come on!

Honey Lemon: These Buddies are dangerous, Krei cannot sell them to the public.

*Back at the restaurant, Hiro and Cora are hiding underneath an ice sculpture of a bear dressed in dapper clothing. Hiro and Cora then spot Cass and Krei at their table.*

Cass: I never would have guessed that you're a fan of Origami too.

*Krei is indeed a fan of Origami, as he uses a 20 dollar bill to fold.*

Krei: Ah yes, we always had plenty laying around. Papa never let me fold anything bigger than a 50, but I made do.

*Krei then presented her a dollar paper crane.*

Cass: A crane! Amazing!

*Krei hands her the crane.*

Cass: Check this out!

*Cass uses the same dollar bill to turn the crane into a miniature version of Krei himself.*

Krei: It's me! And I'm literally made of money! Just like in my dreams. I'll treasure it always.

*Hiro goes out to sabotage the date and Cora is about to follow suit until she sees across Krei and Cass her father and his date. Cora's eyes widen before she stands up, her eyes frowning as she steps forward to confront her father, forgetting about their mission at hand. Hiro turns his head to see Cora heading to her father's table and immediately he whisper shouts in hopes she would listen to him.*

Hiro: *Whisper shouts* Cora wait! Not now!

*But Cora isn't even listening to Hiro anymore as her eyes slowly turn red. She is about to reach the table when a server gets in front of her.*

Server 2: What are you doing here?! You're supposed to be on stage in 30 seconds!

Cora: *Startled and confused* Wha-? Umm I-

Server: No time just go!

*The server pushes Cora to the small stage where a band is waiting and in the process removes her black jacket. Cora is put on stage where the lights blacked out, causing Hiro to loose sight of Krei and Cass, and the spotlight on her. Soon Cora is facing a crowd of people now looking at her, waiting for her to sing.*

Cora: *Starts getting nervous* Uh oh...

*The crowd is silent as Cora is holding onto the microphone as if her life depended on it. She looks at the band who are gesturing her to start singing, but she is frozen. She never sang in public before and now her mind is completely blank. But she knew if she doesn't sing soon the workers will realize she snuck inside. So Cora takes a very deep breath before she lets out the first song that pops into her head.*

Cora: You're in my arms...and all the world is calm~

*The pianist recognizes the song she's singing and so begins to play. The rest of the band catches on and starts to join in with the pianist.*

Cora: The music playing on for only two... So close together, and when I'm with you... So close to feeling alive~

*The crowd at this point is becoming mesmerized by the young girl's singing, a love song being sung by a voice so pure and beautiful. Hiro searches frantically for Cora until he notices the crowd is currently silent and all looking in the same direction. Hiro turns his head in the direction the crowd is looking in and finally see why everyone is so quiet, up on the stage is a young girl with short golden hair as she beautifully sings a song with her eyes closed. And for a moment his world stops as he couldn't help but listen to the girl's enchanting voice.*

Cora: A life goes by, romantic dreams will die... so I bid mine goodbye and never knew... So close was waiting, waiting here with you... And now forever I know... All that I wanted to hold you so close... So close to reaching that famous happy end~

*The mood throughout the restaurant becomes more slow and warm. Krei and Cass are finding themselves lost in each other's eyes, a new feeling creeping inside them that they invited. Mizuchi's heart is beating like crazy as he recalls the memories of Akemi, he's beloved wife and Mother to Cora. He sighs with happiness as he recalls the soft words of love they spoke long ago. Moira finds herself staring deep into his eyes, admiring the deep rich brown color that showed strength and gentleness at the same time.*

Cora: Almost believing this was not pretend... Now you're beside me and look how far we've come...So far...we are...so close~

*Cora opens her ocean-blue eyes eyes to which Hiro finally recognizes the girl with the angelic voice. As she looks just like her mother in the photos she showed him.*

Hiro: *Shocked and whisper shouts* Cora?!

*He then notices the rest of the patrons are either sighing blissfully, getting lost in each others eyes, and some of the waiters even cuddling together. Some of the dates even started slow dancing to the song with sighs of content. Hiro looks at his girlfriend and then at the crowd, wondering why they are all acting so weird with Cora singing, before they were just being normal! They were just chatting and having dinner while the servers worked! Now they were all in some blissful, lovey-dovey trance or something! But Hiro didn't think on this for long as he finally spots Krei and Cass, who are leaning over the table as they are slowly inching their faces closer as if they are about to-*

Hiro: *Starts panicking* Oh no!

*Hiro runs fast while Cora continues to sing, hoping to prevent Krei and Cass from kissing and therefore fall in love! For real!*

Cora: Oh how could I face the faceless days? If I should lose you now?... We're so close to reaching that famous happy end, almost believing that this was not pretend. Let's go on dreaming for we know we are~

*As Hiro was heading over to the table Krei and Cass are sitting he sees something for him to hide in when he got there. The waiter was passing through between Krei and Cass' table while pushing a rolling tablecloth-covered tray when Cora began singing. He hides on the other side of the table crouching. meanwhile, Mel finally found his way into the center where he is absentmindedly heading straight for the wires connecting to Cora's microphone.*

Cora: So close... so close...and still so fa-!

*Cora's microphone is suddenly pulled from her hand, causing the speaker to screech and therefore snap out the patrons out of their trance. With the waiter out of the trance, Hiro sticks out his foot and trips the waiter. The waiter drops the food onto Krei's suit just as Krei and Cass are about to kiss.*

Krei: Augh! I am so-!

Waiter: *Scared* Mister Krei!

*Krei is about to give the waiter a piece of his mind before he sees Cass just sitting in her chair awkwardly.*

Krei: Ah... Not going to have you fired. Cause just what kind of monster would get a guy fired for a simple mistake! Not me, not a monster!

*He hands the waiter a spare 20 dollar bill.*

Krei: Hey here's 20 bucks! Bye yourself some chicken toes...

Waiter: *Slightly shocked* O...kay?

*The waiter walks away confused over the whole situation*

Cass: That was sweet, but you got a little something from..yeah.. pretty much all over.

*Krei looks down at his suit to notice the food stains.*

Krei: Right!

*Krei walks away to the restroom as Hiro is still hiding underneath the rolling tablecloth-covered tray.*

Hiro: *Sly and smug* Sorry uncle Krei.

*Just then, Cora joins him under the rolling tablecloth-covered tray as well.*

Hiro: *Now back to being confused over what just a few moments ago* Hey! what happened out there?

Cora: I saw Papa here! And he's with that-that lady! I don't think she likes him for him!

Hiro: *Slightly annoyed* I already know that Cora! I was trying to call you out of it when I saw you starting to walk over to their table! But that's not what I meant! I mean, why were you singing up on stage? And second,*Now slightly in awe at finally seeing his girlfriend's natural hair and eye colors* you're an ocean-blue-eyed golden-blonde just like your Mom?

*Cora notices her hood is still down which causes her to blush under her boyfriend's awestruck gaze.*

Cora: *Kinda embarrassed* Some guy thought I was a performer, so I had to sing otherwise they would figure out I wasn't really suppose to be here and kick me out. Also, Aunt Cass would recognize me in an instant if she saw me! So I removed my blue hair-dye and purple eye-contacts just for this one time so she wouldn't! I have to admit though, I definitely did not expect to see my Papa here, so it might be a different story if he sees me...

Hiro: *Confused* But how did you remove the hair-dye so quickly?

Cora: It's a special hair-dye of my own invention. it washes out in hot water. So I always shower in cold water.

Hiro: *Impressed* Huh. That's pretty cool. *Now being in awe again and starting to feel as he did the night he first met Cora* I have to say though... seeing you blue-eyed and blonde-haired is...wow... I'm so used to seeing you with blue hair and purple eyes...but seeing you like this... And I know this is gonna sound really cheesy and stuff, but...I think...I'm falling for you all over again...

Cora: *Looking at her boyfriend in shock at his words as a heavy blush colors and warms her cheeks and she asks him in a small voice as looks deep into his eyes* R-really... Y-you're really serious?...

Hiro: *He looks back into her eyes just as deeply as he answers her* Yeah...I'm really serious...*But also feeling confused too* But there is one thing I don't understand, don't get me wrong, I still love the blue-hair, purple-eyes you that I've known and loved like crazy for long while now, But...if you don't mind me asking...why did you dye your hair and get color-contacts in the first place?

Cora: *Sighs before turning slightly away and breaking eye contact with Hiro.* Well...long story short, there were, and still are times when Papa and Grandmama would cry at Mama's shrine...and it didn't help that I looked a lot like her. One time when I was younger, Grandmama accidentally called me Akemi... So I made this hair dye and got color eye contacts and it's been my style ever since I started it. Papa and Grandmama were surprised at first but they accepted it.

Hiro: A little surprised* Oh wow... That...must not have been easy, for any of you... I mean, when I first saw you up on stage...I didn't recognize you at first, but...than you opened your eyes...and I was instantly reminded of those pictures of your Mom that you showed me before...and I just knew it had to be you... *Sighs dejectedly* I'm sorry Cora...

Cora: *Tries to cheer her boyfriend up* Hey, don't sweat it Hiro. If I were in your shoes I don't think I would've recognize me either. I'm so used to looking the way I usually am that even I don't quite recognize myself without the dye and contacts. But it's okay. I am flattered that you like the real me too. I've... been wanting to show you for awhile now... But I didn't know what you would think...

Hiro: *Smiles bright and sweetly to her as he cups her still warm cheeks in his hands* Hey, no matter what colors your hair and eyes are, whether you have blue hair and purple eyes, blond hair and blue eyes, or even blue hair with blue eye or blond hair with purple eyes*This causes both of them to laugh a little*. The point is, no matter what you look like, you're still Cora Mizichio, you're still, and always will be my girl.

*At this point, Cora's eyes started to get a little watery from the sweet, and somewhat funny, declaration of love Hiro just pronounced to her. And having no words to describe how it made her feel, she grabbed Hiro by his hoodie and crashed her lips to his in a deep, heartfelt kiss. Hiro was a but startled from the sudden moves his girlfriend made that it took him a few moments for it to all register before he finally started kissing her back. At the moment, they had temporarily forgotten that they were hiding under a tablecloth-covered rolling tray in an uptown restaurant with the intent of ruining Aunt Cass' date with Krei. But at the moment, they didn't seem to care or mind and just continue on with their special moment.

*Meanwhile in the restroom, Krei is cleaning up from the incident, but finds it a little difficult to remove.*

Mel: Surprise!

*Mel takes off his invisibility cloak behind Krei.*

Krei: *Badly startled* Augh! Stop doing that Mel!

Mel: I'll be needing your key card...Alistair.

*After that, Mel walks out the bathroom, dressed in a identical suit as Krei. He looks around before wrapping his head to make himself look like Krei.*

Cass: Alistair?

*Mel stops in his tracks when Cass sees him.*

Cass: Wow, you cleaned up nice.

Mel 'Krei': Oh uh... yeah uh... I'm sorry, something came up at the office and I have to go!

*Mizuchi, looking away from his date for a moment, spots Cass and 'Krei' together.*

Cass: Wait! Are you ditching me?!

'Krei': Well yeah I do have to leave now and alone!

*'Krei' walks away from Cass.*

Cass: *Annoyed and ticked off* You have to at least give me a ride home Buster! And what happened to your voice?

'Krei': What happened to your voice?

*Mizuchi watches as this scene goes on and his mind starts to race as he notices some things that seemed off with his boss. If he remembered correctly, Krei's shirt is made of silk. And stains on silk are impossible to remove, which means that either Krei had a spare shirt hidden carefully on his person for emergencies or... Mizuchi stands up and walks to follow them*

Moira: *Confused* Wait! Where are you going?

Mizuchi: *Quickly and awkwardly* ThankyouforthedatebutIdon'tthinkit'sgoingtoworkoutsorryfortroublingyougoodbye!

*The tall man slams his cash onto the nearest waiter as he quickly walks out of the restaurant while Hiro and Cora peek their heads out from under the tablecloth-covered rolling tray. Having stopped making out a few minutes ago so they could get back to work with ruining Aunt Cass' date. But now there seemed to be a change in plans as both teens had overheard the whole thing and thought there was something off about 'Krei' and how he suddenly blew Aunt Cass' off out of the blue like that.*

Hiro: *Contacting Baymax* Baymax! Krei and Aunt Cass are leaving but...Krei's acting weird.

*Outside, Baymax is scanning the two people.*

Baymax: Mr. Krei appears normal. But his DNA has changed.

Hiro: Hmmm...

*Hiro looks at the bathroom door where Krei had just exited out of a moment ago.

Hiro: Stay here.

Cora: Okay.

*Hiro walks into the bathroom, looking for anything suspicious until he hears a muffled voice. Hiro opens a bathroom stall to find Alistair Krei tied up and gagged. Hiro rips the duct tape from his mouth.*

Krei: He stole my ID! And my buy nine sandwiches get the tenth sandwich free card!

Hiro: But if you're here then who's- Aunt Cass!

*Hiro revs up his brother's moped with Cora and Krei sitting behind him, driving off to catch the stranger.*

Hiro: Gogo! A Krei impostor has Aunt Cass!

*That's when Cora notices someone behind the limo but in front of them. Mizuchi is following the car on his Black Harley Motorcycle wearing his black helmet.*

Cora: And not only that, My Papa is following right behind them! He must've notice something was off and decided to go after them to try and protect Aunt Cass!

Krei: *Trying to call out to Cass* Cass! He's not me! I'm me! And I'm paying for that Limo!

Hiro: Get the others and meet us at Krei Tech!

*Back in the Limo, Cass is currently chewing out 'Krei' for his sudden change in behavior.*

Cass: *Very annoyed* What is so important that you need to go to your office in the middle of our date!

'Krei': Uh it's uh... it's a surprise.

Cass: I'm not a fan of surprises.

'Krei': You know there's nothing like a surprise party. The bond shared by a group of people hiding and waiting together in the dark.

Cass: I guess...

'Krei': Wouldn't it be great if there was something that would make you invisible so you can have the ultimate surprise party?

Cass:*A bit unnerved now and slightly backs away from her 'date'*...Are you feeling okay?

'Krei': Yes sorry. I just get really excited about things sometimes.

Cass: Like surprise parties?

'Krei': Yeah uh it's uh...rich person thing you wouldn't understand.

Cass: *Muttering* Yeah you're right about that.

*The Limo finally reaches Krei Tech where 'Krei' goes inside.*

'Krei': Hi... I'm-

*The security guard stands up when he sees his 'boss'.*

Security Guard: Mr. Krei! Working late?

'Krei': Oh is..that something I would do? Then-then yes! Yes I am.

*the security guard lets out a sigh of relief until he sees another person come in, this time it's Mizuchi.*

Security Guard: Oh hey Mizuchi what's up? Working late too?

Mizuchi: You could say that.

*The tall man walks past the guard as he follows the 'boss' into his office. Mel uses Krei's ID to open the file and finally retrieve his blue prints.*

Mel: Check and mate-!

Big hero 7: Surprise!

*The rest of Big Hero 7, and Cora quickly dying her hair back to blue, had already arrived with the real Krei in hand. *

Baymax: Suprise.

Krei: Hand over the plans! Mel.

Mel: You win, but you should know that you're helping a man who's using my surprise party invention for something much less festive!

Krei: *Takes the plans back* It's called good business!

Gogo: Sure, call it what you want. You can't sell those drones.

Honey Lemon: If they get wet there programming scrambles and they attack everyone around them!

*Krei sees the dead serious looks everyone is giving him... And then Fred slightly burps out flames from his suit.

Krei: *Annoyed but relents* Fine! I'll delay shipping until they get fixed.

*Mel removes the cloth to show his real face.*

Mel: What a nice surprise.

Krei: Yeah? How's this for a surprise?

*Krei activates the buddy guards to escort Mel outside.*

Mel: *Runs and hides behind Fred while trying to also use him as shield* Oh keep those things away from me they give me nightmares!

*Just then the door opens behind them to reveal Mizuchi.*

Cora: *Surprised(And not in a good way)* What?!

Mizuchi: Alright, Just what is going on here?

Krei: It's already taken care of-

*But Mel's constantly trying to hide behind Fred inadvertently tickles him.*

Fred: *Laughs* Not cool man! Ticklish!

*And because of Fred being ticklish, he accidentally lets out his flames which causes the emergency sprinklers to activate.*

Wasabi: Oh...that's not good.

*With the water hitting the buddy guards, there programming goes on a fritz, identifying everyone as an enemy. And they immediately cloak themselves to plan their attack.*

Fred: What are we gonna do? Let me check... No I don't have ketchup guys!

Honey Lemon: I'm on it-

*But the laser blast hits Honey Lemon before she can pull out a chem ball and entangles her in a net.*

Gogo: Woman down.

*Gogo goes to help Honey Lemon but she also gets knocked out and tied up as well.*

Wasabi: Cora and I should be able to hack into the Buddy operating system and turn those things visible!

*Wasabi and Cora rush to Krei's computer and begin to hack into the program.*

Hiro: Guys!

*The rest of the team dodge out of the way leaving Mel exposed.*

Krei: Looks like you guys have it under control, so I'll jus-

*The laser blast hits Krei which causes the billionaire to also be entangled by the net.*

Fred: *Pleased at this outcome* Alright! Nice one drone-

*But Fred is blasted and trapped by the nets as well.*

Fred: *Not pleased anymore* Agh! Bad one drones, that was a bad one!

*The invisible drone ties Wasabi and Cora in its net, preventing them from hacking into the system. Wasabi leans forward to use his chin to type*

Wasabi: Typing with your chin isn't easy!

Cora: Hey guys! I think he did it!

*The drones turn into floating Krei heads.*

Wasabi: Ahh! I think I did something else!

Baymax: the Buddy Guards are now visible, but different.

*Baymax is soon joined by Mizuchi who starts to punch the drones straight into the walls as they explode. The Krei drones zaps Hiro down.*

Hiro: Ow!

Baymax: I was alerted to the need for medical attention when you said ow- Oh no.

*The remaining Krei drones surround Baymax as they entangle the rest of him.*

Baymax: Oh no! I am unable to tend to your healthcare needs.

*The drones continue to throw nets at Baymax before Mizuchi grabs one of the drones and crushes it with his bare hands. The pressure causes the drone to glitch before bits and pieces fall down with oil oozing from its 'eyes' and mouth. The drone head then turns back into its real form as Mizuchi drops it, the drone officially dead. three of the drones are surrounding Mizuchi as the remaining ones follow Mel as he runs out the door.*

Mel: I'm outta here!

Hiro: No! He's leading them right to-

Mizuchi: Miss Cass!

*Mizuchi grabs two of them and swings them to hit the other drones and smash them to pieces. He snaps the bonds from Krei before he runs out to follow Mel...leaving the rest of the team alone.*

Wasabi: *Starts out calm, that finishes annoyed as he struggles to break free from the net* Cora. You know very well I don't mean any disrespect towards your dad, But the least he could do before he left was untie the rest of us!

*Back at the limo, Cass is showing pictures of Mochi to the driver.*

Cass: And that's Mochi sleeping on my bed. And that's Mochi sleeping on the couch. Aw and that's Mochi sleeping in a sun beam.

*Just then Mizuchi rushes to the limo and opens the door.*

Cass: *Surprised* Mizuchi? What are you-

*She then sees Mel running towards them with an army of Krei Drones.*

Cass: *Shocked and confused* What the!?

Mizuchi: No time to explain just run now!

*Mizuchi pulls Cass out and puts her over his shoulder and starts running off into the darkness as the limo drives off.*

Mel: Wait for me!

*And so the people are running for their lives from an army of Krei Drones zapping lasers at them.*

Cass: Who is he?! And why are we being chased by Alistair heads?!

Mel: *Shouting* It's a long story you're not going to like it!

Cass: and this is why I don't date.

*Mel trips and is about to be zapped before Mizuchi grabs him and puts him under his arm and continues running like hell.*

*Meanwhile, Krei is untying some of the gang while Wasabi uses his laser blade to start cutting through their nets.*

Hiro: Nice Wasabi!

*Hiro leans a little to set himself free from the bondage. After they are all finally free, Hiro and Cora get on Baymax to follow Mel and rescue their family.*

Baymax: Scanning for Aunt Cass and Papa. Scan complete.

*They fly in the direction of the people they're looking for while Mizuchi still runs with Cass and Mel in his arms.*

Mizuchi: Hold on tight Miss Cass and random stranger!

*Mizuchi picks up his pace as he takes a sharp turn to the left.*

Mel: I know things started off weird with me impersonating your date but something about being with you while we're both carried off by a giant just feels right-look out giant man!

*Mizuchi sees a car drive in front of him and so he quickly jumps up and walks over the car and back into the street.*

Cass: That's very sweet but could you not talk?

Mizuchi: Yes. Please stop talking.

*Just behind the drones are Hiro, Cora, and Baymax flying right behind them. Two of the drones fly up and zap at them, but Baymax dodges them and smashes their heads together. *

Hiro: Thank you Baymax!

*The drones soon reveal their true selves as Baymax flies in front of the drones and just behind Mizuchi. That's when Cass looks up and sees them.*

Cass: Hey! That's the big guy from Big Hero 7! Hi! Thanks for your help!

*Hiro and Cora duck behind Baymax to avoid being recognized by Cass or Mizuchi, which the tall man turns his head to see them.*

Baymax: *Waves to them* Hello.

Mel: Watch out!

*Mizuchi turns his attention as they are facing a steep slope of the street which he quickly jumps through the air before running again. The drones appear behind the three.*

Hiro: Cora look out!

*Hiro jumps at the drone and restrains it.

Baymax and Cora: Hiro!

*Baymax stops at his tracks to rescue Hiro with Cora. Hiro tries desperately to hold onto the drone without falling to the street below. The drone flies up and knocks Hiro off and sends him flying through the air before he lands back on the drone again and they zoom through the city. Soon they are heading towards the billboard of Krei, which Hiro lets go as the drone crashes but he is soon falling down fast until Cora grabs him and pulls him back onto Baymax.*

Cora: I gotcha Hiro.

Baymax: Hiro, you are safe.

Hiro: Come one, we gotta get Aunt Cass and Mizuchi.

*The three adults arrive deep in the woods where Mizuchi slows down and gently drops the two before he falls to his knees, gasping for air.*

Mizuchi: *Panting heavily* I...I think we lost them...

Cass: Yeah...Thank you Mizuchi.

*Then Mel spots the one remaining drone in front of them.*

Cass: Or not!

*Mel and Cass run to hide until she sees Mizuchi still on the ground, still trying to get some air while the drone approaches him. Cass pulls off the largest branch she could find and runs in front of Mizuchi. The drone flies through the air before it resumes its position, it leaves the drone disoriented but now more aggressive then before. Cass holds Mizuchi up but soon the three are cornered.*

Mel: If this is it, I just want you to know... My names Mel. Hi.

Cass: Yeah I don't really care.

*The drone is about zap them when Baymax's rocket fist slams the robot into a tree, destroying it for good. Cass looks up to find the drone destroyed and a lone rocket fist on the ground. Soon after the tall man stands up and looks around, wondering who saved them. Behind the trees Baymax, Cora, and Hiro are watching the whole thing. Mizuchi then grabs Mel roughly by the arms.*

Mel: Ow! Hey what did I do?

*Cora and Hiro hold Baymax down to prevent him from carrying out his coding.*

Mizuchi: Last I checked, it was you who caused those drones to go haywire and start attacking everyone and it was you who impersonated my boss. And not to mention that it was also you who put Miss Cass in danger. So until Authorities arrive, you're in my charge.

Mel: *Dejected* oh...

*Mizuchi looks at Cass as she stares to the side, frowning over this disastrous night. Mizuchi sighs before he talks.*

Mizuchi: *Second to feel dejected* I guess we both had crappy dates tonight huh?

Cass: *Third to feel dejected* Yeah... I thought this would go so well and maybe be something more...but now with all this... I just don't think so anymore...

Mizuchi: True..to be honest I never really wanted to go out with Moira in the first place.

Cass: *Confused* Then why did you?

*Cora cranes her neck to see what her Papa is going to say.*

Mizuchi: I only agreed because I wanted Cora to have a mother...someone to be there when Kaguya or I aren't around. But I couldn't stomach it...Akemi will always be the one and only woman I could ever truly give my heart to, She was truly the love and light of my life, along with my daughter.

Cass: *Feeling touched to the love and devotion Mizuchi still had for his late wife after all these years* That's very sweet Mizuchi, your wife must have been very happy to be with someone like you. Just as Cora is very lucky to have you as her father.

Mizuchi: *Smiles and laughs a little* Yeah... they're my whole world.

*Cora's eyes start to tear up but her smile shows that she is happy, for her father for trying his best and loving her mother through and through all these years. Hiro hugs his girlfriend, happy with how this resulted in the end. Finally the police arrive with Krei, running over to check on Cass while Mizuchi hands Mel to the police.*

Officer: You wanna press charges Mr. Krei?

Krei: Absolutely, throw the book at him.

Cass: Really Alistair? I mean sure he's a creepy surprise party weirdo but he told me why he did all this. You kind of used him.

Krei: Cass, Cass Cass Cass Cass Cass, you are a sweet person.. but I am still pressing charges.

Mizuchi: Hate to say it but he's kind of right. He did cause those drones to attack us and is responsible for basically committing Identity Theft.

Mel: *Trying to get away* Let me go! I don't wanna go to jail! I've heard the food is terrible!

*Mel pulls out his invisibility cloak and covers himself with it to disappear but his feet are still exposed.*

Mel: So long forever! You'll never find me! Do you hear me! Never!

Cass: We can still see your feet Mel.

Mel: How do you know they're my feet?

*Mizuchi walks over and rips the cloth off him and pushes him into the police car, where the officer slams the door.*

Mel:...W-will you come visit me in prison?

Cass: Probably not.

Mel: Can I write you?

Cass: Sure, why not.

Mel: Yes!

*The police car drives off as Mizuchi turns to the two.*

Mizuchi: And by that you mean never don't you?

Cass: Yep.

*After that night, Hiro is fixing up Baymax's arm while he puts his phone on speaker to listen to Cora with Baymax nearby.*

Cora: Looks like things went well for the both of us huh?

Hiro: Definitely, as far as I'm concerned, chances of them getting hitched are zero.

Cora: Mhmm...You know, when I heard Dad was out dating..you know...

Baymax: You felt like Papa was betraying your Mother and that you will not be in his focus anymore.

Cora: *Sighs* Yeah, what you said Baymax. I don't really need a new Mom, I have Papa and Grandmama with me...And I got the gang... Aunt Cass...you Baymax...and you Hiro. I know I've said this like a million times before, But I'm happy you're here with me babe.

Hiro: Don't worry Cora, I never get tired of hearing you say that. And... I'm happy you're with me too.

Baymax: *To Hiro* Will you find another date for Aunt Cass?

Hiro: No Way! Her personal life is her business! I don't know why I got involved in the first place!

*Just then a ladder appears with Cass climbing up nearby Hiro's window. Hiro hides the rocket fist. Which causes it to malfunction and fly up into the ceiling. Luckily Aunt Cass doesn't see it.*

Hiro: *Now remembering* Oh yeah...

Baymax: Hello Aunt Cass

Cass: Hey guys! Get your movie clothes ready, it's movie night and Cora's family is gonna join us!

*Cass continues to climb up just as the rocket fist comes falling back down and crashes right next to Hiro as Baymax pulls out a shirt that has a picture of a film reel and the words movie time.

Cora: ...I think the movie we're watching tonight is Disney's Coco. I saw it before and it's so amazing! I think you'll like it too Hiro, even if it has musical numbers.

Hiro: *Not totally believing her* Really?

Cora: *A little nervous*...If I sing one of the songs' verses for you...will you consider it?

Hiro: *Intrigued and a little excited at the idea of hearing his girlfriend sing again after listening to her last time* Alright, Go ahead, try me.

*He can hear Cora sigh as she begins to sing.*

Cora: Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool... But last night it seemed I dreamed about you~

*Hiro's eyes widen before he slowly smiles, lying down on his bed as he closes his eyes blissfully and listens to nothing but his girlfriend's beautiful singing, feeling like the luckiest man in the world.*

A.N: Cora does have a pretty voice. But if you’re wondering how it could have affected those people...well..lets say I added a special spice to this story. Love you~

[janeykath318]

Kiss, Marry, Kill: Kirk x Reader

It all started as a joke: someone in the security department had done the Kiss, Marry, Kill, game with certain co workers and it had started to spread, even down to Medbay, where various nurses could be heard debating the merits of Scotty, Uhura, and even Chekov. The Captain ended up overhearing while he was getting patched up one day and you knew you were all doomed. 

"So, Nurse Y/L/N, how am I faring on the lists down here? Did I make it on a lot of people's Kiss list?" "I hate to break it to you, captain," you told him, mirth dancing in your eyes, "you're actually leading in the Kill category. Dr. McCoy in particular was very vocal in his choice." "Of course he would," Kirk sighed, rolling his far too pretty eyes. "I did think some of you liked me better than that." He made a sad puppy face that was next to impossible to resist, especially for you who secretly had it bad for him. "Maybe if you wouldn't be in here so much, we wouldn't be so sick of you, captain," you said mischievously. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know." "So, if I stayed perfectly healthy, you'd respect me more?" He asked, half teasingly. "Possibly," you hinted. "Maybe acting less like a child when you're getting hypos would help too. Just a tip." You winked at him and walked out to get the doctor, leaving Jim staring after you, torn between being insulted and in love. The next few days, the Kiss, Marry, Kill theme seemed to really spread over the ship. In fact, someone in the bridge crew announced there would be a contest for people to submit their Kiss, Marry, Kill choices, (among the single officers) along with written out reasons to be judged by Uhura and Sulu. Those with the best reasoning for their picks would get to have dinner with the officer of their dreams. You rolled your eyes and wondered just how desperate the Captain was to be liked. "No way am I doing this!" You declared. It's  utter childish nonsense!" "Oh, c'mon, Y/N, I thought you'd jump at the chance to go out with that corn-fed menace of a Captain you have a crush on," teased Dr. McCoy, hearing your rant. "Oh, puh-leeze," you snorted. "I don't have a crush on him. Just because I made one comment about his eyes once, does not mean I'm all lovey-dovey, lovestruck over him. Heck, even YOU admit he has gorgeous eyes, and you certainly have no romantic feelings for him." "Oh, there's a very big difference, Y/N. You haven't seen yourself when he comes in here. You're practically bowling over the other nurses to get to him." "I do not," you sulked. "Do I, Christine?" "Well......" she tried to hedge, and you put your hands on your hips, outraged at the lack of support. You pretended to utterly ignore the whole contest, but the endless chatter about Jim vs. Scotty vs. Leonard drove you up the wall, especially the guys in medical who talked about him like he was a piece of meat, ripe for the tasting. You hoped they were all horrible writers. Jim deserved better! At last, you got an idea. It would probably not win the contest, but it would make you feel better. You sat down after shift and started writing. Kiss, Marry, Kill, by Y/N Y/L/N Kiss: James T. Kirk Reason: 1. To shut him up when he drones on and on about the wonders of space 2. Those lips are too perfect 3. My gut tells me he's really good at it. Marry: James T. Kirk Reason: Because I worship the ground he walks on and he might be less of a reckless fool if he had a spouse to remind him how much he has to live for and how loved and needed he is.  I’d love to pick that genius brain. Also: captain's quarters come with real water showers, a big plus. Kill: (Hypothetically, of course) James T. Kirk Reason: He's a aggravation to the nth degree. Examples include: Frequent Injuries, extreme stubbornness, Those ridiculous stupid smiles he gives that could cause dangerous heart arrhythmia, his bluer than blue eyes that cause people to lose their concentration when he looks at them, and the terrible dad jokes he cracks that he thinks are so funny and laughs so hard at. Despite being pleased at managing to refrain from mentioning Jim's other positive attributes (that ass!), you wavered back and forth before you finally sent in your entry. You'd kind of bared your heart, after all. However, Sulu and Uhura were both very good at respecting people's privacy and they wouldn't spill your secrets. Besides, the chances of you winning were very low, if not impossible, given that you'd used the same name for every slot. At last, however, you hit send, and went to bed very relieved. You'd almost forgotten about the whole thing by the time the winners were announced three weeks later and when you got a message declaring "Congratulations, Lieutenant Y/L/N, you were selected as a winner in our shipwide contest. Your entry was chosen as the best among those who put Captain James T. Kirk in the Kiss or Marry options." You stopped reading right then and there and began mentally freaking out. You'd only entered as a joke and a fun way to relieve your feelings. Guess they'd taken you seriously. Could you back out without looking like an idiot? Surely, the runner up would be more than happy to take your place. During lunch the next day, the winners were announced over the intercom by Sulu. You didn't know where to look when your name was read and all your friends turned to stare at you. (Thankfully, McCoy had other things to worry about, since someone had won dinner with him.) "Congratulations, Y/N!" Christine said, a pleased grin on her face. "I'll gladly offer my services to help you get ready for your date with the Captain." Your face felt like it was burning up, more so when you saw Jim Kirk ambling over to your table. "Hi, Captain," you muttered, wishing you could sink through the floor. "Nurse Y/L/N! This is a happy coincidence!" Kirk exclaimed, walking up to you, with that disgustingly contagious smile on his face. "How so?" You managed, even more nervous in his presence. "I've been trying to get up the courage to ask you out anyway." "Me?!!" You squeaked. "Of course you. You do know you're my favorite nurse, right?" "No......" you said slowly, processing this information. Jim liked you? Really? Surely it was too good to be true! "Yes, you are," he said firmly. "So, Are you going to claim your prize?" There went that cheeky expression again. "Insufferable egoist," Len muttered, rolling his eyes. "Of course she is!" Christine said for you. "Name the date, place and time, and she'll be there." While you were spluttering, they determined the dinner would take place in the small observation deck the next Friday at 1900 hours. "Great!" Jim exclaimed, "We'll see you then! Have a nice day, Y/N." "Traitor!" You hissed weakly to Christine, but the butterflies of anticipation dancing in your gut said differently. "Trust me, you'll thank me later. I wouldn't have done this If I didn't think he really cares about you," she told you. She did come through on her promise to help you prepare for the big date, and before you knew it, you were all dolled up in a green dress and cute updo style Christine saw in a magazine and thought would look perfect on you. "There! You look stunning!" She said at last, stepping back and inspecting you carefully. You smiled and gulped. "Let's hope the Captain thinks so, too." "Oh, he will," she assured you. "Now, shoo, have a good time!" More nervous than you'd ever been, you made your way to the agreed upon room, where Jim was waiting for you. Having rarely seen him in anything besides his uniform or a hospital gown, you were taken aback by the sight of him in a blue dress shirt and tie. "Wow!" You breathed. He cleaned up GOOD. "Wow, yourself," Jim returned. "You look amazing." "Thanks," you said, face warm with the compliment. "This was really nice of you to play along, but What if Cupcake had won?" Jim laughed. "I'd still hang out with him, but He's only likely to put me on the Kill list. Trust me, I'm not his type AT ALL." As the two of you devoured the food, which was very tasty, he asked you about what you'd written. "I actually didn't think I'd be considered eligible," you told him, "given how I made cases for why I'd want to kiss, marry, AND kill you. Somehow, it was rather cathartic." "I seem to inspire that reaction a lot," Jim said ruefully, buttering a roll. "Glad you came, though. So, tell me, what's life like working in Bones's domain? I hear he can be a bear at times." "Oh, he can," you confirmed. "You just have to use common sense and know how to placate him. He's a good boss, but he doesn't suffer fools." "That's very true," Jim said. "He's said several times that next to Chapel, you're the best nurse on Alpha shift." "He said that?" You asked, flustered again. "Yes, he did," Jim said. "And I think you're pretty awesome too--both as a nurse and a person." "Wow, You really are a smooth talker," you said, raising an eyebrow. "Let's see if you're still saying that once you've got to know me and my quirks some more." "Does this mean you're willing to go on more dates?" He asked, looking hopeful. "As long as this one ends as well as it started, definitely." "What do you say to this?" He asked, pulling the cover off of a plate containing two lovely slices of chocolate cake with caramel filling peeking out. "Poke cake?" You gasped. The man had done his research--this was your absolute favorite indulgence. The white frosting on top covered the caramel glaze that oozed down through holes poked in the cake and made it deliciously gooey and decadent. "Indeed. Made special by real people: not replicators." Jim looked extremely pleased with himself, eyes darting back and forth between you and the cake. Picking up Jim's hand, you kissed it dramatically. "My hero!" You explained in a staged breathy sigh. "That'll do the trick all right. The shyness disappeared along with the cake and you and Jim ended up laughing and talking and flirting until a late hour. "So, see you again soon?" He asked, when he walked you to your door. "Of course. Hopefully NOT in sickbay, though." You poked him meaningfully in the chest, then leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Jim." "Goodnight, Y/N" he replied staring after you with what Christine would have called "heart eyes."

@whatif-animagineblog @yourtropegirl @kirkaholic123 @southernbellestatues

@kaitymccoy123

[hyungtop]

best friends to idol couple: hyuk

you meet hyuk backstage at a music show

you walk into their waiting room and you’re like wHAT IS THIS because where is vixx i only see six models here huh

your head is spinning as you shuffle into line with the rest of your group members to greet them

all of the vixx members are nice but a little awkward because there are cameras

n and leo are the same age, n is the leader and the oldest and has a lilt to his voice when he talks

leo is intimidating but has the voice of an angel and is so so adorable when he talks

ken is the one with the beautiful hair and a big smile

ravi and hongbin are the same age, ravi has legs for miles and a tattoo that curls over his collarbone

hongbin has strong arms paired with big eyes, two cute dimples and a toothy grin

hyuk is the maknae, a little taller than the rest of them, with an insanely chiseled jaw and thighs close to bursting out of his pants. he doesn’t say much but nods along with whatever his hyungs say

when it’s time to leave and all the cameras are turned off, you hear someone call your name and hyuk presses a little slip of paper into your hands

you go to open it but he suddenly goes “ahHHH NOT HERE” and everyone starts snickering

the last thing you see before leaving is n getting his smirk literally wiped off his face by hyuk’s hand

once you’re in the hallway everyone crowds around and you unfold the piece of paper to find hyuk’s kakaotalk id and your face turns red

and if you make a mistake onstage it’s not because you’re thinking about him

later on, in the car on the way home, you add hyuk on kkt and he almost immediately messages you

he’s friendly and easy to talk to from the beginning, he always has something to say

even though he’s pretty busy, he always finds the time to text you

and since he never sleeps, when you come back from practice he’s always there for you to talk to

has the best stories and the best jokes

facetiming with him and seeing all the other members in various states of undress as they relax at home

facetiming with him and bragging about the food you’re getting vs whatever junk he’s managed to procure for himself late at night

facetiming in bathrobes curled up in white sheets but 1000 miles away from each other

watching him bother the hyungs (you heard he was a shit but now you know it’s real)

listening to him talk about starlights with adoration

listening to him talk about his hyungs with a different kind of adoration but mushy feelings nonetheless

going out to eat and alternating between whose turn it is to pick the restaurant, he almost always wants to eat gopchang and you’re like bruh how much do you think i’m getting paid

always complains about how he doesn’t see you enough

“are you off tomorrow?”

“yeah, i’ll meet you for lunch”

“no, pack a bag and come over. we can stay up and play games”

playing video games with him and getting your ass kicked

watching him laugh his ass off as he stomps you into the ground

what a little shit

but it’s all worth it to see him smile

grudgingly watching anime with him

grudgingly watching him play overwatch and going “uh huh, uh huh” whenever he tries to explain the gameplay to you

likes to act cute to piss you off and you secretly like it but can’t show it bc he’s embarrassing and also bc he’s 183+cm like cut the cute act big boy, that image died years ago

holding three different conversations on text, snapchat, and kkt

conversations are 85% sass because someone’s gotta keep this kid in line

topics range from “what do you think about sexy policemen as our next concept” to “where do words go when you erase them”

eventually the sass turns into play-flirting and there’s suddenly this tension like am i going too far? am i being too suggestive?

and you’re in a weird place where you’re starting to fall for him and you don’t want to be cold but at the same time you don’t know if you should keep him so close anymore

one night he invites you over to his dorm after practice

hakyeon lets you in and tells you to keep the noise down, it’s 2am and everyone’s getting ready to go to sleep

hyog is standing at the stove putting ramen into two bowls, looking all soft in a worn t-shirt and sweatpants with a towel on his head and little bits of ruffled hair peeking out

you hop onto the counter as he passes you the bowl and chopsticks

“are you cooking for me? you’ll make a great housewife someday”

he snaps at your nose with his chopsticks before digging in

and you swear he finishes his bowl in about a minute even though it’s twice as big as yours

when eating with hyogi, sharing is a must so he starts picking at your bowl and it’s finished in another thirty seconds

after the two of you have stuck your bowls in the sink, he leans back against the counter and says, “since we’ve been friends for a while, i was thinking about changing your name in my phone, but i don’t know what to change it to”

you’re like really? you don’t have any ideas? at all?

and he says “not really…but i was thinking maybe…”

he looks nervous and you’re like hyuk? are you okay?

and he starts softly singing

“can i call you my own and can i call you my lover, call you my one and only…can i call you my everything…my baby”

he trails off and looks away

you grab his chin and turn his face back to yours

he puts his hand over yours and looks up hopefully at you through his lashes

“what do you say?”

“only if i can do the same”

“really?”

“yeah, stupid”

“can i kiss you?”

you can’t even reply before he’s leaning in and pressing his mouth to yours

the kiss is sweet and chaste and you certainly have NEVER imagined what his lips would feel like, but they’re soft and warm and a little oily from the ramen

he tastes like the soup too but hyuk is 75% junk food and snacks so it just makes the kiss more uniquely him

after a moment you pull away just enough to not be kissing him anymore

something moves in your peripherals and you look over to see hakyeon and taekwoon standing in the doorway

taekwoon huffs a soft “finally” before walking away

hakyeon comes over to hug the both of you, saying something like “my children have grown up” and hyuk grumbles under his breath

hakyeon says, “if the two of you ever need a shoulder to cry on or advice of an ADULT NATURE–”

“hyung!!”

hyuk ushers you to the door to get away from greasy hakyeon and gives you another kiss before you leave

he can’t stop smiling about it, even the next day, so the other three members wheedle it out of him and blow up your phone asking about it

not much changes after the two of you start dating

lots more spending time together on your days off (read: going out to eat before coming home to make out on the couch)

lots of fevered kisses and fumbling over clothes and jumping about ten feet into the air whenever someone walks by his room (hakyeon refuses to let hyuk close the door when you’re over)

taking lots of aesthetic couple photos on secret dates but not being able to post them

he’s surprisingly shy about suggesting new places to go on dates

handholding and other skinship, there’s rarely a moment when the two of you are together where he isn’t wrapped around you or touching you in some way

he gets jealous easily and usually holds it in well but if he really gets irritated, he’ll go out of his way to be mean to you bc he’s petty like that

and you’ll either smack him upside the head and tell him he’s being dumb or be mean back to him and then it turns ugly

most fights are like this, they’re small and revolve around the both of you being stupid and prideful but someone always backs down

he apologizes by buying you food or immediately coming over to spend time with you

he will send you lots of cute selfies if he’s too busy to facetime

(and the occasional dick pic)

seriously this kid is a tease…everything is a game of “how turned on can i get you and how scandalously can i touch you in public without getting caught”

and you’re like this is your first real relationship right??? right???????

sex happens about a year in, just because there isn’t really time for anything and then when there’s time, the both of you are exhausted and would rather nap together

but after walking in to see hyuk on top of you and your hands down each other’s pants too many times, the hyungs give him a box of condoms for christmas

hyuk thinks it’s a joke at first but they’re like no really

he tells you about it and you brush it off because there are more important things to worry about, like end-of-year stages

things start to die down after the new year begins, you stay in seoul and wander the streets at night while everyone goes back to visit their families

hyuk comes back early from daejeon and asks you to come sleep over since no one else is back yet

after watching six hour-long episodes of anime in a row, your eyes are burning so you ask hyuk to get you a sweatshirt while you take a break

as he’s sifting through his clothes, you wander into his room and find the condoms

he turns around to find you with the box in your hand and an uneasy look on your face

“you know i wasn’t kidding about those” he says, coming over and handing the sweatshirt to you

“yeah, now i know” you say

he takes the box from you and pretends to study it before asking, “so…do you maybe want to make good use of these?”

you stare up at him before saying, “god, do you even need to ask?”

and that’s all it takes before he’s kissing you and running his hands up and down your sides, tugging at your clothes and getting in your way as you try to take everything off

he pulls off his sweater and jeans and hops into bed with you, pulling the covers up over your bodies

and god if it isn’t the hottest thing when he slots his hips against yours and murmurs against your skin “i want to be inside of you”

it ends relatively quickly and hyuk goes a little pink, but he ducks under the covers and goes down on you until you’re barely able to breathe

about an hour later you’re in the kitchen getting water when hyuk comes up behind you and carries you back to the bedroom and you know what happens next

the next morning, the rest of vixx comes home and ravi screams when he opens the door to his (shared!!) room with hyuk and finds a combination of clothes and condom wrappers on the floor

along with hyuk’s naked ass, because you stole the covers in the middle of the night and he was too lazy to wrestle them back from you

jaehwan the shithead immediately comes over and starts taking pictures for blackmail and hyuk has to very grumpily roll out of bed and shove everyone out before locking the door

going public is relatively easy

he’s getting convenience store snacks late one night when a fan approaches him and makes conversation

unfortunately he says without thinking that he has to go because his baby is waiting for him

the fan says your name as a joke and he says “yeah. gotta go bye”

he gets into the car and is like “hey, guess what? i just told someone we were together” and you go WHaT DID YOU SAY HAN SANGHYUK

he goes home and writes a fancafe post about it so the fans don’t get toooo mad and you also do the same

there’s always backlash no matter what, there will always be critics, but that’s just because they’ll never know what it’s like to be with him and you don’t mind too much

for about a month afterwards every program he goes on asks about the relationship

he doesn’t mind really, it gets him more screen time than n and ken combined

which slightly irritates hakyeon bc I AM THE LEADER

the both of you guys are sneaky little shits and he’s smart as hell so the cameras still don’t get much dirt on the relationship

but now you can post the occasional picture that you take of hyuk/with hyuk on an outing and share it with the world :’)

one thing that really touches you is what hyuk says on a show when he’s randomly asked about the relationship

the host asks how the both of you met/got together and he talks about meeting you backstage, becoming friends since the both of you were close in age, and falling in love

“i realized i wanted to be more than friends when we were facetiming one night. i was in japan, and they were in busan. we both stayed up way too late to talk, even though we both had schedules the next morning. when they finally went to sleep, i laid there in the dark and thought about how good my life was. i’m doing what i love and i get to share my performances with people who support me, but all i could think about was how much i missed them and how i wanted to be there with them more than anything else at that moment. now we’re together, yes, but they’re also my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the one i can trust my entire self with. i’m grateful that they’re in my life and i hope we can grow together and be happy for a long time.”

[trilliath]

Hi Trill, Crit anon again and I'm so sorry I keep sending you these, but I'm addicted and I really don't have anyone to talk about it :( anyway, I was feeling sad bc Vax and Gilmore "break up" happened so I went to take a peek at the Vax tag to see if I could find anything with him and Gilmore and I kinda saw at a big BIG *SAM AND LIAM CRYING* spoiler and I just needed to know if Vax is going to be okay. He is not going to be... y'know, forever dead, right??? DDDD: [1/2]

again sorry for bothering you with this and since is so spoilerish you can just idk post something and not publish this ask or not even answer omg sorry I just saw the four dragons thing and I’M SORRY I’M A MESS RIGHT NOW I’ll shut up .-. Also I’m sorry about you being sad about the tree I hope these don’t make it worse. Sending you the best wishes and thanks for introducing me to this, really. Again, sorry if I’m being out of the line ok really shutting up now [2/2] 

Ok babe no worries, I don’t have many people I talk to about critical role anyway! Also I’m not ACTUALLY sad about my tree i’m just making noise like I do when my house gets too quiet.

I’m not sure exactly where you are - are you just getting into the chroma-conclave arc - the storyline with all the dragons? That intro episode to that arc is BRUTAL in how intense it is, so emotional - when Laura herself just shuts down over the white dragon vs. Trinket?? I cry every time. And there’s so much that happens after then - I could give you spoilers if you REALLY, REALLY want but there’s just SO much story before you get to what I’m guessing you saw with Sam and Liam in the tag and I would hate to lessen the beautiful emotional arcs there with any secrets about which characters permanently die or not and when.

Vax breaking things off with Gilmore made me quite sad too, but he has to follow his heart! And of course he cares deeply for Gilmore, as do we all. I mean, the best-selling tee shirt from the entire campaign was the Gilmore’s Glorious Goods tee, if I remember correctly. I mean, it’s the one I bought at least so… seems legit.

You are barely a third of the way through the story of Vox Machina - there’s just so much ahead of you and I envy you the chance to hear and see it all for the first time. I’m stuck sitting here now waiting a full week between episodes in the new campaign instead of getting to binge them all like I did catching up just in time for the end of the Vox Machina campaign, and it is torture.

[darlingpetao3]

An Accidental Seduction (H.R. Wells x Reader, Part 1/2)

Rating: T

Summary: While attending bestselling author H.R. Wells' reading of his book, a misunderstanding hurtles you, the Reader, to some one-on-one time with your favourite writer.

Cancel this.

Reschedule that.

Rain check them.

That was never going to happen, anyway.

Your entire schedule was renovated upon learning that Central City's own claim to fame (in almost a decade), H.R. Wells, bestselling author, was giving a special and surprise reading of his latest steamy novel at Jitters tonight. Naturally, everything would take a backseat to this event, because not only were you a massive fan of his writing (you own his entire works, but his Romance series being your unabashed favourite ever), you were pretty sure you were in love with him. You've seen H.R. in interviews and at other book readings, and boy is he a charmer. So full of energy, a bright puppy dog smile, and God-perfected blue eyes that pierce your very soul. Word on the street has been that he's extremely “friendly” with the ladies. And the ladies are always more than “friendly” back. To say that H.R. Wells had fangirls was an understatement. More like he had fanwomen. He had them, alright. Had them begging.

What you wouldn't give to have his attention for only a minute...

You dismiss the thought because, as if. If only you were that lucky.

You make sure to bring your hardcover copy of the novel he'll be reading from, The Streak vs. Mr. Reflecto. Though H.R. has never outright mentioned it, you are convinced he uses moments from real life experiences from his past from working with The Flash eight years ago. The Flash used to be called The Streak when he first started saving Central City citizens. In the series, each book features The Streak battling a foe, always with a name similar to one belonging to a real life villain that once terrorized your city. Mr. Reflecto in the latest book has basically the same powers as Mirror Master, a horrible man who still runs around town tricking innocent people with his reflective powers and his vertigo-inducing lady friend in tow. You almost feel like a detective when putting these pieces together (rather than the journalist you really were), and you're sure none of his groupies are even paying attention to that kind of information he incorporates into his work. They just want to get in his pants.

Not that you could blame them.

Jitters was, well, jittering with anticipation and overpowering hormones. The entire crowd was women (plus a perfectly groomed man) in low cut, short skirts and dresses to accentuate everything they have and wish to offer. You seem to have missed the memo, what with your skin being covered and blouse actually buttoned up.

Oh look, a spot in the second row is still open!

You shuffle your way past all the bare legs and manage to snag the last seat in the second row, behind a woman in a ruffly green dress. She's rather tall, and as you try to see past her fresh blowout, she turns around in her seat. She eyes you up and down, with your copy of H.R.'s book clutched at your chest.

“Can you see, sweetie?” she asks.

“Well, not-”

“Aw, too bad. Should've gotten here earlier, I guess.” The woman smiles an evil smirk and faces the front again. You couldn't help your jaw drop, but really lady? Where's karma when you need it? The lights dim and the room fills with gasps and squeaks. A voice from the speaker system comes alive.

“Ladies! You-”

A male cough interrupts.

“Ladies and gentleman! You know him from his runaway hit The Future Ain't What It Used To Be and, of course, his bestselling children's books McSnurtle the Turtle and ABC Labs. Tonight he's here to read from his latest installment of the popular H.R. Romance Series, The Streak vs. Mr. Reflecto. Let's give it up for Mr. H.R. Wells!”

The room erupts with applause and wolf whistles as the man of the hour walks out on the little stage. He's wearing a gorgeous maroon blazer, his hair is swooped to perfection, and his grin? Heart stopping.

“Good evening, you lovely, lovely people. I'm glad you could make it out tonight for little ol' me.”

“I love you!” a female voice shouts from the back of the room.

“And I love you, random woman!” he shouts back. “I love you all. For without you,” H.R. scans the room, giving everyone attention it seems, but you. “I would be no one.”

Cue the sighs and twirling of hair.

“Let us begin! Which scene do you propose I read first?”

“The one where Florence first bumps into Terry Fallon,” someone suggests.

“Where Florence kisses The Streak in the rain!” yells another.

“When The Streak and Mr. Reflecto have that sexually charged moment!” calls out the only male fan.

“I don't remember writing it that way...” second-guesses H.R. Then Green Dress in front of you chimes in.

“I think we would all enjoy the scene where The Streak saves Florence for the first time.”

“Excellent choice,” he praises her. Ugh. It's a good thing you like that scene, too.

“Just as the villain was about to go in for the fatal blow,” H.R. reads. The room is captivated like never before. “Florence felt strong hands around her waist, lifting her like she was a feather. She was whisked away, the wind blowing through her hair, as her mystery hero finally set Florence down on a mountain top. I love that part. I was in the zone...” H.R. chuckles at his own writing, which is beyond adorable. If it was literally anyone else, you would think this behaviour pretty lame. Green Dress clicks away on her phone in front of you. How rude! You feel like confronting her, but then you hear a buzz come from the table beside H.R. He becomes distracted and fiddles with his phone. Absent-mindedly, he continues reading with a coy smile.

“Uh huh, hmm... She uh, Florence, was um, at the mountain top. Back to the mountain top.”

Green Dress's fingers begin typing again down by her side. H.R.'s phone vibrates again. Wait. No! You peek around her and see she's been texting him!

I want you, she had texted.

I know, he replied!

I have to have you *now*

“O...kay,” H.R. says closing his book. “We should do something else. Quick coffee break?”

A text shows up on GD's phone: How did you get this number? Not that I'm complaining...

Oh God. What is going on? While the ladies and man disperse to mingle, H.R. leaves to get himself a drink from the back (an espresso probably, it's his favourite). A burly man opens the entrance door and shouts, “Hey, anyone own a red Prius? It's being towed right now.”

A cry of anguish followed by a “you gotta be shitting me!”

Green Dress immediately makes a break for it out the door, and now you're mentally cackling like how you imagine Mr. Reflecto does in the book because that karma is a bitch. And right now, a blessing. Something buzzes on the floor near the stage.

No way.

This is too good.

Apparently, GD didn't realize her phone dropped out of her bag. You make a quick grab for it before anyone sees. Another reply shines brightly on her abandoned phone: Are you here tonight, stranger?

You notice that it's possible to reply without even unlocking the phone. Feeling brave, you type: Maybe.

Another reply: Oh, now you're playing hard to get. I like that.

You should probably put the phone down now. You don't want to be caught holding that chick's phone when she comes back. Before you can do anything though, you feel a presence behind you.

“It was you.”

Spinning to face the voice you know all too well, your heart practically stops. H.R. looks down at you with curiosity.

“I would never have guessed,” he says. You stare back in a stunned silence for a moment. Quick, say something back!

“I... suppose I couldn't help myself.”

“Understandable. My work has that effect on most,” he says with a wink that might as well have been a love arrow to your chest. You give an awkward little giggle.

“What say you to getting together after this?” His eyes are seriously hypnotic, pouring into you. Like you ever stood a chance against that question-and-eyes combo.

“I'd love to.”

The rest of the book reading made you feel like you were on fire. Since H.R. had believed it was you who sent those first texts, he couldn't take his eyes off you while he was trying to read. Sometimes he'd stumble over his words, look at you, and everyone's eyes turned to you and shot daggers. What a rush.

After the event, he snuck you out the Jitters' side exit and proceeded to, wait for it... his place. His midtown apartment is furnished elegantly, a major ladies magnet. Instantly your attention is captured by a bookshelf near the fireplace. Here lies each of his famous books and various plaques and awards for his writing.

“Wow. Very impressive,” you say almost in a hushed tone. “I hope to be as successful as you one day.”

“Ahh, you share the gift of the written word?”

“I'm a journalist at CCPN, but on the side, I'm trying to write my own novel.”

“Get out of town!” His face is so animated it's like he should have his own Saturday morning cartoon. He pats the cushion of his sofa. “Tell me all about it.”

The two of you end up spending hours talking about writing, each other's pasts (of which he is vague for most of it), and Big Belly Burger secret menu food items.

“You know, it's funny,” he says. “I've met a lot of women being an author, okay no, not a lot a lot, several maybe? Some?”

“H.R.” you bring him back to Earth.

“Right, anyway. None of them have intrigued me like you do.”

“I bet you've said that to all of these 'several' women.”

“I haven't.” His stare is fixed on you. Serious, which is very unlike him. It has you frozen in place. “No other woman has sat with me for hours to talk about writing, not to mention fast food!” H.R. scoots a little closer to you and drapes an arm across the back of the couch. “There's usually never much talking. Not much substance.”

He searches your face for a moment before leaning in to kiss you. His lips meet yours, soft and slow.

What. Is. Life?

For some reason your brain cannot comprehend, you break the kiss. You're a little flustered.

“I, um, it's really late. I have work in the morning. I should go.” And then it hits you. You need to leave because you don't want to be like those other women. One night with H.R. only to leave you the next day for someone new and interesting and better looking? That's something you could never bear. Not with the way you feel about him. It's better to break it off now than to have your heart broken later.

“Really? So soon?”

“It's 1 a.m.” You grab your jacket hastily.

“Can I call you sometime?”

In all your haste to save your heart from breaking, it would appear that H.R.'s is the one in danger of breakage. His normally bright face has fallen. You might as well have kicked a puppy. Maybe he's serious about getting to know you and only you. Could he leave his life of groupies to explore something with you? To quote a line from the second novel in his series, "The power of love, in all its mystery, is life changing."

“Sure. Give me your phone.” His eyes light up again at the hope your words brought.

“I believe I already have your number.”

Shit. No, he doesn't.

“Oh no, that was a friend's phone I was using. Mine's in the shop getting fixed. Here, this is the new number.” Saved it! H.R. pulls you in close to him and gives you a more than pleasant goodbye-for-now kiss. You could get so used to this kind of thing.

“You never told me how you got my number in the first place.”

“Let's call it fate and leave it at that.”

Part 2

[i-mushi]

Izzy

I’m on a roll! Izzy was only mentioned briefly as Jesse’s friend in the beginning of Fire Touched. (Whose first chapter I wish I could pin on my wall. Mercy vs. the Multi-Level Marketer.) She isn’t mentioned again as far as I know, but I wanted to peek into Jesse’s life, especially when the revelation about werewolves and her dad became public. I know it didn’t go like this and she probably didn’t have many friends sticking up for her, but in my head Izzy was there. Also, Adam would totally be that hot dad teenagers have passing thoughts about because come on, we’ve all been 16 and crazy. 

Izzy

Izzy swallowed for the third time as she drove down the dead-end street to Jesse's house. She and Jesse had been friends since third grade, and she was a wholehearted supporter of almost anything Jesse did. (Dyeing her hair with Kool-Aid was the only time Izzy had truly regretted that blind loyalty. It stained. Badly.) She loved Jesse and they were best friends, but Jesse's dad would always be intimidating to her.

He was, unfortunately for Izzy's hormones, attractive, all while somehow looking young despite being at least thirty-five. Christy, was starting to show her age, though woe be on anyone who mentioned it. They'd been divorced for a while now, and Jesse's dad worked a lot, so Izzy didn't see either of them much, but whenever she had he'd been hard to look in the eye. Her grandmother had always stressed being polite, shaking hands, and making eye contact, but Izzy had never managed the last one. She'd only seen him truly mad once and that had been enough to scare her badly.

She'd once even tried to tactfully bring up how… well, she couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something about him. But despite being best friends forever, Jesse didn't talk about her dad or his colleagues and friends much, though Izzy had seen them around the house before. She wondered if that impromptu party, work event, or something she'd seen had been why Jesse came to her place now and she didn't go over anymore.

This lab project had to be done though, and since Jesse was grounded for getting that temporary tattoo at a party she wasn't supposed to be at (and making her dad believe the tattoo was real for a couple of minutes), Izzy had to go to her. She just hoped her dad didn't open the door; Izzy had kind of been dating a guy named Dave in school, but she was old enough to know the difference between boys and men.

She pulled up and grabbed her backpack as she got out of the car, jogging up the front steps before she lost her cool. Just because Mr. Hauptman looked like he could read her mind and was uncomfortably good looking sometimes, didn't mean he actually could or could tell she noticed.

The door opened before Izzy could hit the bell, but it wasn't Mr. Hauptman at the door. "Oh, uh, hi Mercy," Izzy greeted with an awkward smile. She was never quite sure how to act around Mercy, who Jesse loved like a big sister and who Jesse's dad was obviously smitten with. She was a family friend who Izzy had only met tangentially.

"Hi Izzy. Jesse's in her room with the music turned up. Can she change that scream-o metal for something a little more… classic rock?"

"She'll know you wanted me to ask that," Izzy pointed out.

Mercy shrugged with a smile. "Had to try."

Izzy headed up the stairs, spotting Mr. Hauptman as she passed Mercy. He smiled at her and she waved before focusing slightly harder on the stairs than necessary.

Jesse was flopped back on her bed when Izzy opened the door, the music indeed very loud. "I'm not turning it off," she said before Izzy could get a word in.

"I like the third track better, but the whole album is good." Izzy dumped her bag and crawled on the bed to lay down beside her best friend. "Any chance your mom could come back and plant a different bush under your window so you could jail break?" Being grounded sucked. Outside of school she hadn't seen Jesse in almost a week.

Jesse snorted and blew her stylish purple bangs off her forehead. "Probably wouldn't work anyway."

"Why not? We got out of my house over the garage roof."

Jesse rolled over until her face was planted in the pillow and muttered something, but Izzy couldn't make it out.

"What?"

"Not important. Let's get this lab done so I can get Mr. Bailey off my back."

Izzy frowned, sensing one of those secrets Jesse kept from her. "Is something going on Jesse? Is your dad and Mercy—"

"No, though she's been around more often recently, and he's better when she is. It's nothing, really." The way that Jesse turned away quickly to dig out her homework felt like a betrayal.

"You can tell me anything Jess, you know that. I don't keep stuff from you."

Jesse seemed to consider that, then scooted closer on the floor until she was at Izzy's feet, beckoning her down. Izzy sat cross-legged on the floor too and watched confused as Jesse pulled the heavy comforter off her bed and over them.

When their knees were touching and their breath was starting to heat up the impromptu tent, Jesse leaned her forehead forward until it was on Izzy's shoulder. "I wish I could tell you," she whispered, barely audible above the stereo blaring and the muffling of Izzy's shirt. "But I can't. Just… let's always be friends, okay? No matter what?"

Izzy put her arms around Jesse without thinking twice. "Of course, you couldn't keep me away. Who'd dye your hair after all?" Izzy's mother was a hairdresser who'd lent her talents and time to showing Izzy how to properly dye Jesse's hair and how to undo the horror that was Kool-Aid coloring. Jesse had been most impressed at how calm Izzy's mom had been when she'd walked into what looked like a murder scene in the bathroom.

"Ha," Jesse said without humor.

"Is it your dad? Or your mom?" Izzy considered how awful Jesse's mom was sometimes, and then how intimidating Mr. Hauptman could be. He worked in security, had Jesse seen something? "Witness protection program?" she joked.

That made Jesse smile and finally pull back from her shoulder. Her face was red, though Izzy couldn't be sure that wasn't the stifling warmth under the blanket or how hard she'd been pressing on her shoulder. "My dad's not a serial killer and mom only ditched me for Reno once."

"And for Las Vegas," Izzy added. Jesse had spent a spring break at her house instead of going to her mom's. Mr. Hauptman had only found out after day three when Christy finally called to ask when Jesse was getting on the plane. Izzy had been terrified when she'd opened the door to that ferocious glower, but when Mr. Hauptman had seen Jesse the flash of relief had been real. That had been the only time Izzy had seen him mad, and if she didn't know how much he loved Jesse she'd have been worried for her.

"Why can't you tell me?" Izzy asked, but Jesse shushed her.

"Not so loud. I—" She looked pained, but was getting more composed. "It's better if you don't know. Please trust me on that."

Izzy gave her a long look before grudgingly acquiescing. She knew Jesse and trusted her absolutely, even if she disagreed with her decision. It didn't mean she wasn't going to keep a sharper eye out. "Okay, fine," she whispered back.

"Great! Lab time," Jesse chirped with unnecessary force and threw off the blanket. Izzy blinked sharply in the light of the window, their moment of solidarity and secrecy gone in a flash.

Werewolves. Izzy sat dumbfounded in front of the small TV in the kitchen watching the morning news with her mom. Werewolves were real. Just like the fae.

She thought of all the movies about werewolves she'd seen and how dumb the Hollywood ones probably were in comparison to the real thing, and then to how uproariously Jesse had laughed when they watched Teen Wolf together—

"Do you think they go to dog groomers?" her mom asked.

"Yeah, sure," Izzy mumbled, standing up and swaying for a second under the epiphany she'd just had.

Normally Izzy didn't bother with the newspaper, but when she spotted the front-page article in her dad's hands she sat back down. "What's it say?"

"There's a list of known werewolves. Mostly in the military apparently. Probably a violent lot." Izzy winced. Hauptman Security wasn't quite like her father's accounting work.

"Anyone we've heard of?" her mom asked.

Her dad scanned down the list and Izzy held her breath. Surely she was wrong. They couldn't have outed every werewolf in the country, so maybe she was wrong or he wouldn't be on the list.

"Izzy," he dad said slowly, and her stomach felt like it dropped to the floor, "your friend Jesse. Her last name is Hauptman, right?"

Her stomach started sinking into the black hole beneath the floor. "Yeah."

"Related to Adam Hauptman?"

Izzy nodded, and her head felt like it was buzzing. Her dad opened his mouth to say something more when her mother cut him off. "That poor girl, living with werewolves. She's got good manners, though no wonder her father looks so young. Goodness, I wonder if the press will be at school."

The press… God Jesse probably wouldn't even go to school if they were there. Would they pull her out? Was her dad the only werewolf in town or were there more? Was Jesse one too?

"You've been over to her house before, haven't you?" Her dad interrupted, sounding alarmed. "Izzy, did you notice anything? Has Mr. Hauptman ever done or said anything to you? I can't believe such a dangerous creature was here under our noses!"

His panic made her angry, as much as her mother's telling silence when she looked at her. "Yeah, dad," she snapped. "He has said something to me. 'Hi Izzy, how are you?' and 'Jesse's upstairs right now'. He's a dad, dad."

Her father jutted his chin out like he did when he argued with her grandmother. It wasn't a flattering look and warned of his stubbornness. "Don't take that tone with me. Wolves are vicious animals, and we don't know anything about these werewolves and what their capable of. I don't want you around Adam Hauptman until the we know more."

"I'm not going to stop talking to her or hanging out with her, dad!" Izzy stood up quickly, knocking back her chair. She'd never feared for her safety around Jesse or her dad, and her father sounded like those pundits on TV talking about the fae.

"Izzy, honey, we just want to know if she, you know… 'inherited' it, if you know what I mean." Izzy's mom had gone for the placating tone, forgetting that nothing made Izzy angrier. She wasn't a child who needed the world to be explained to her, and she knew in that moment that Jesse wasn't a werewolf.

"Jesse's not a werewolf, she's my best friend. That's what matters to me." She grabbed her backpack and left for school, fuming and righteously indignant in turn.

Izzy had arrived earlier than usual, but her ears were already ringing with comments from the parking lot. Jesse wasn't going to stick out just for her purple hair anymore from the sounds of it; other students had put two and two together. Izzy ignored Dave asking if she'd known or ever seen Mr. Hauptman turn into a beast and stomped through the crowd to the front of the school.

She waited outside for Jesse to pull up, brushing off questions from hanger-ons. She recognized the SUV when it parked in front of the school but not the man driving it. Jesse took an extra minute to open the door, and Izzy was there the second she did, trying to act like normal even as the whispers around them surged.

"Hey Jess, did you bring my scarf? I texted you last night that I forgot it."

Jesse looked so relieved to see her that her white knuckles loosened just a little around the strap of her bag. "Yeah, I've got it."

The guy in the driver's seat tipped an imaginary hat at Izzy, eyed the crowd behind her, and drove off.

There was a three-foot buffer around Jesse and Izzy as they headed inside the school. People talked behind their hands and a few brave ones approached to ask questions, but Jesse refused to say anything more than they knew. "He's my dad, that's it. I'm not a werewolf too," she repeated all day. By the end of the day curiosity had started to wane, perhaps because Jesse had yet to turn into a wolf or because she refused to say anything more.

Her shoulders were slumping though, and she looked tired when Izzy caught up to her. They didn't have the last three classes of the day together, otherwise Izzy would have tried to be a buffer for her.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, sure. Jack won't talk to me at all and Ms. White passed over me three times to answer questions. I feel like they're scared of me." Izzy leaned on the locker but turned in time to spot heads looking at Jesse then jerking away.

"Looks like your dad is outside waiting for you."

"Great, just what I need." She exhaled heavily. "I know it's not his fault, and it sucks that everyone knows what he is now, but he doesn't have to deal with school." She shot a nasty look at some of the girls down the hall who were obviously gossiping about her. Jesse had never gotten along with that group to begin with, but now they were outright ostracizing her.

Jesse saw their looks and his lips tightened as she packed her bag. "Guess I won't get invited to another school party."

"Well if I am we'll go together," Izzy promised. "And if I don't then we'll just party by ourselves. Maybe we should try rainbow-dyeing our hair for LGBT Awareness Month. You said the purple just made your dad roll his eyes."

Jesse looked up at her and finally smiled, though it was a bit more wobbly than her usual ones.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. No promises my parents will like it, but we've already proven it's easy to sneak out from my place." Izzy grinned down at her best friend.

"And now you know why I can't do the same. Dad can hear a pin drop from across the street." Jesse looked rueful for a moment. "I better go before he draws a bigger crowd."

There was already a large crowd loitering around watching him, but they didn't get much of an event. Mr. Hauptman smiled at Jesse, opened her door for her, and then hopped in his side before driving off. Not a snarl, growl, or tuft of fur in sight.

[thoughtsfromparis]

Allison (But Not Allison This Time) and D.J. Fix Your Stupid Problems About Your Best Friend

To be fair, Allison tried on this one.

She wrote me a few days ago asking to bow out of this specific edition. Allison had just taken on two new clients and was now travelling a good chunk of the time. She kept attempting to write this piece but wasn’t happy with it. (After reading her drafts, I concur) Then she did that thing that all weirdos like her and I do – we go all or nothing. In a frazzled state she said, “I can’t commit to this any longer!” She was having a moment. I told her to have her moment, and that I’d handle this one. She’ll come back in the next one. She’s just a spaz.

Here’s what I wrote announcing Allison’s temporary departure.

In visiting Allison last week in her native Ronkonkoma​, we (D.J. and Allison) ate fondue at a local juke joint. Allison’s nerves got the better of her and she drank an entire fifth of white zinfandel during the appetizer course. We were asked to leave as Allison became belligerent when she suspected the waitress of ‘giving me a look probably because she’s jealous of my legs.’ Allison, too intoxicated to drive, left her 2015 Honda Accord in the parking lot and we shared a Lyft back to her flat. Thankfully her roommates slept through Allison crashing into every piece of furniture on the way to her master bedroom. She passed out face first onto her duvet and I did the same next to her. In the morning, for a lark I told Allison that I had enjoyed our vigorous lovemaking, but that she should get tested in the coming weeks. She exploded with violent rage and accused me of sexual misconduct, but before I could explain the joke, I found myself outside her condo – door slammed in my face. She still has my iPhone charger, and I don’t dare ask her to mail it back. She’s pretty peeved about the whole thing, even though all I really did was peek through her underwear drawer for a few seconds whilst she snored. I’m going to give it a few weeks before I ask for her to write the column, and I suspect her self-esteem is low enough to consider partnering again.

None of this is true, of course. I’ve never met Allison Arnone in person. I’m not 100% certain she exists. But I’m excited to keep doing this stupid column about your stupid problems. Enjoy.

My best friend and I live four hours apart, so we don’t get to see each other in person very often. We’re also both very busy with kids and family, so phone calls are once a month and very long — on her end. I hardly get to speak. She drones on and on about people I don’t know, complains about her mother, and tries to sell me products from all four of her different independent consultant/representative businesses, from beauty to nutrition to candles to teas — all the while knowing I’m living paycheck to paycheck. Every time I get off the phone, my blood pressure has risen. I love this woman dearly. We’ve been through a lot together, but I can’t seem to even squeeze in an interesting or amusing comment or two. Help.

D.J. – Okay, time for some tough love. It’s you, not her. That’s the bad news. She’s a selfish narcissist with an agenda. Nothing unique there. Tons of people like that roaming around. But… you’re the one who chooses to be friends with a selfish narcissist with an agenda. Here’s the solution – learn how to set boundaries. Work on your own self-esteem and guess what? These people either get in line or disappear. Because a truly healthy person doesn’t attract friends like that. Since I’ve been a tad rough on you, I’m going to end with some good news. She’s unconscious of her own nuttiness. You have the chance to change. She never will. So – change, ding dong!

She watches NON STOP IDIOT (FOX) NEWS. Need I say more? Okay, I will. She quotes idiotic, untrue, totally delusional political factoids at me. I keep saying, WE CANNOT TALK POLITICS. But she continues. I want to stab her in the eye with a fork. Should I?

D.J. – I’ve been listening to Donald Trump a lot recently in speeches and stuff, and he says FOX news is the best news source. And he’s the president! And there’s no way I’m smarter than the president. I barely made it through correspondence school! Plus, he is a big shot developer and hosted a TV show. That’s kind of badass, right? WE SHOULD OBEY OUR LEADERS.

Some like to think that their lover is their best friend. I thought so, at least. We did nearly everything together. I got my best friend a job at a restaurant. I drove her to and from work everyday and night, when she didn’t drive my car herself. She introduced me to a guy “friend” from work…”you’ll really like him” she said. One day she called me and said “hey, come meet me and Vinny at the bar I want you to meet him.” Surely, I agreed. He shook my hand, bought me a beer, and then a few days later proceeded to fuck my girlfriend. I kicked her out of my house the evening that I found out. Since then she’s keyed my car, threatened me, had men threaten me, try to call me for a shoulder to cry on after other men have dumped her…needless to say I’ve blocked her on all social media (she got so bad I had to block her on PINTEREST!) as well as her phone number…she still calls me to this day. She cheated on me after a year of being “best friends” in September of 2016. The end. Thank god.

D.J. – From what I understand, you’re a lesbian who lost her best friend and lover to a greasy Italian dude. Look, this is what greasy Italians do – they turn lesbians straight. It’s in their DNA. Just ask Allison. While she was never a girl-lover, she ONLY dates guys from Long Island with IROC Camaros (aka Italians). They’re hard to resist, from what I’ve read. So while I can justify your friend’s affair, I cannot condone her keying your car. You should hit back by throwing a bucket of red paint all over Vinny’s leather sport coat

Nothing to add. The image is way funnier than anything I could ever write.

She wants to be in a relationship, but does nothing to put herself out there in the dating world

D.J. – We’ve been poisoned by romantic comedies that suggest that Mr. Right just falls into your life, like when he’s seated next to you at a baseball game and he reaches for a foul ball and trips and ends up in your lap and then you fall in love but his best friend is kind of a jerk and he grabs your ass at a happy hour and you have to decide whether to tell him and you do and it strains his relationship and his friend lies and said you grabbed HIS butt and then he dumps you and then he finds out his friend was lying and to win you back he convinces the guy who runs the scoreboard at the stadium to video him apologizing to you in front of 45k fans. I guess what I’m saying is – tell her to hang out at the ballpark!

My brother publishes stories about my dad’s penis.

D.J. – I did publish a pair of stories about my dad’s pair, and I’m assuming this question came from my sister. To which I say this to her – You are free to write anecdotes on your blog about mom’s vagina. It’s a solid formula to drive web traffic. And we’re both in marketing, so we’re used to selling our souls.

Allison – When I saw this question and realized it had to be from D.J.’s sister, I laughed and told him we’re including this submission in the post.  I then felt bad for her because I realized she had to be related to D.J., and that just sucks.

I love my BFF, but she has the BIGGEST mouth. I want to confide in her and tell her personal things about myself, my family, my love life (or lack thereof) and other friends and it ALWAYS comes out that she’s told other people what I said. We’ve known each other a long time and she’s great, but how can I get her to keep her trap shut??

D.J. – Short answer is that you can’t. She’s going to blabber forever. So, if you’re harboring a terrorist sleeper cell in your neighborhood, you may want to keep that information to yourself. No wait – I’ve got it! TELL HER YOU’RE HARBORING A TERRORIST CELL. She’s blab to Betty, who in turn will blab to Sally, and before you know it, the FBI will be knocking at your door. But, hey – you’re not a terrorist, so no big deal, right? Then, guess whose door they’re hitting next? Your best friend. She’ll likely be put away on a felony charge of something or other. Then when she gets out of jail a few years later, odds are she’ll shut up about your secrets going forward.

She uses my jokes on social media, then doesn’t credit me. Then when I use my own joke, I’m accused of stealing from her.

D.J. – Here’s what you have to realize – 99% of people aren’t funny. But everyone thinks they’re funny. If you’re running around quoting one liners from Will Ferrell movies, you’re not funny. Don’t confuse memorization with humor writing. I was dating a woman last year who was wonderful in every way – and perhaps her most endearing quality is she would say, “I’m not funny.” And she never tried to make a joke. I loved that self-awareness and acceptance. That being said, I had to dump her. I can’t be with an unfunny person. Wait, I feel like I’ve made this all about me. Oh well. You’re on your own!

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