#best balance bike to buy

[reviewskim]

Top 5 Best Budget Electric Bikes [Review-2023]

[reignpage]

Hi reign! Your Eden AU is everything to me 🙏 I was wondering if you’d be interested in writing mundane things about the boys and their readers? Something like the way they take their tea or what their night/morning routines are. I love the idea of knowing their characters more outside of their relationships 🩷

morning routine:

Gojo

Wake up early cause of his alarm, he has some morning classes and lecturs, doesn't go to them Goes back to sleep Wakes up in the afternoon Does some work if he feels like it, never really needs to revise, he's pretty smart Breakfast is pancakes and lots and lots of syrup, just whatever's in the pantry, or he'll go eat donuts, it's actually so bad Best believe, he'll start eating greens when he gets with reader

Reader

wakes up late too hates waking up hates the sun hates everything but forces herself to go to her lectures and classes, just don't talk to her (not that anyone does) won't eat breakfast, doesn't believe it in, think it's Big Cereal at work but is very healthy apart from that, eats a big lunch and likely goes back to sleep if her afternoon is free

Geto

often doesnt sleep at all cause he's kept up by nightmares and artistic ideas he just needs to put to paper doesn't eat breakfast, maybe drinks tea cause he's sophisticated like that somestimes goes off to ride on his motorcycle at 5am if he's feeling very restless or heads off to the garage to work on his bikes or get some business done

Reader

wakes up early, like 7am with the sun meditates eats acai bowls if she can be bothered does some reading, listens to true crime podcasts goes to every class and lecture goes to some societyes like book club and crocheting

Choso

asleep all day sometimes that's why he doesn't go to class, it's cause he's asleep he also likes to go home sometimes and just hang out with Yuji, sometimes steals him away from kindergarten paints a lot, just very angsty and emo does that thing where he hangs around a brick wall, leans against it all mysterious and smokes or goes to skateparks breakfast is a cig that's how he gets his abs frfr

Reader

wakes up pretty late likes to just paint whilst listening to music might visit some art galleries or go for brunch with her friends but most of the time she's in the art building in a studio's she's booked really getting lost in her art sometimes likes to bike around campus and say hi to people (she's actually pretty popular because of her general cheerful disposition) breakfast is something quick like toast or a bagel she buys from a local deli

Toji

hates waking up early but has to do it anyways goes for a morning run around 6am maybe shoots some hoops or whatever you call it idk sports and then goes back to sleep gets up late in the afternoon doesn't go to class very often has to maintain a certain grade and attendance but when you're a friend of Sukuna, well... breakfast is healthy bowl of fruit boiled eggs protein shake

Reader

wakes up at a normal time goes to every class and lecture so she wakes up when she needs to spends a lot of time just doing work and making applications but she puts on the recent voicemails from her Insider's Line as white noise and if she hears something really juicy then her attention gets taken away and she focuses on that breakfast is a candy bar or popcorn, she just can't be bothered to eat healthy cause that means going to the store and it's so far away (it's a five minute walk)

Nanami

wakes up early, 7am every day drinks coffee during weekdays tea on weekends/holidays peppermint or green tea to be specific reads newspapers, goes on every news platforms and reads up on current events likes to read any new scientific publication listens to podcasts (doesn't really listen to music) on his commute makes a healthy, balanced breakfast if he has time but most times he doesnt cause there's always just so much work to do

Reader

sleeps through every alarm has to be shaken away grumpy in the morning needs her coffee which is just full of sugar that's her breakfast doesn't go to her morning lectures unless it's the ones she shares with Nanami has one class with him and that's the only one she has 100% attendance, until now.... she only listens to upbeat songs in the morning so she can get pumped up

Sukuna

wakes up early goes to basketball practice goes to the gym does his homework catches up on family news and affairs, goes to family meetings and business trips etc etc attends classes when he's free or if the topic interests him but generally speaking you shouldn't expect him there eats a balanced breakfast, same as Toji cause he is an athelete and he believes his body is a temple and yada yada yada

Reader

Wakes up early too Has lots of work She has to meet the trustees or investors or potential students has to file this, fill out that, write this and so on and so forth not to mention being a law student and the buttload of readings to do very diligent though gets it all done somehow she goes to campus even if she has no classes very much from 9am to midnight and sometimes even past that if there's just a lot to do stays in the library all day breakfast is something quick like toast but she often doesn't have time to and just eats granola bars she gets from the canteen

night routine

Gojo

parties all night and if he's not partying then he's watching movies and shows gets takeaway for dinner sometimes he does have to go to the family and do some traditional bs like pray for their ancestors or something hatessss that but loves seeing his grandpa (the patriarch) tho sleeps around 2am, later if he's at a party sometimes he's not in a mood to party, he just likes the noise

Reader

watches true crime documentaries to unwind drinks some concoction she calls tea maybe smokes some dried rose petals or something goes to the hospital as often as she can goes to sleep at a good time but will be on her phone for a while also the type who needs to masturbate to sleep lol

Geto

doesn't really sleep again drives around or works out angstily stays up last in the studio, likes to shoulder the burden of closing and wrapping up so his employees can go ahead also likes to just go through his mail and dms for next pro bono case eats lots of meat, like steak tbh sometimes when he's extra bored, he'll actually attend a party with gojo and Nanami's reader regrets it very quickly though so they often just go out in the streets or sits on the roof and shares a cig

Reader

does face masks drinks tea salad and salmon type of girl watches true crime documentaries maybe does some drawing and painting or reads a book by the window very chill very classy clean girl energy fr

Choso

up all night paints vandalises private property listens to metal forgets to eat sometimes has to do family business stuff but he's usually allowed to sit out or just no directly participates they sometimes leave him to take care of the kids sometimes likes to hang around reader's place like Edward Cullen

Reader

Often with friends at night doing movie marathons or having dinner pretty social sometimes gets stuck in the art building she falls asleep as she's painting and she's been locked in a couple times has even gotten friendly with the groundskeeper comes home late sleeps pretty soon after that

Toji

sleeps at a decent time knows the importance of getting his sleep goes to parties like maybe 3-4 times a week sleeps with at least one girl a day tbh sometimes can't sleep, in which case he'll be at the gym or shooting hoops again likes to go see his brother when he can eats healthy again boiled chicken and salad or something equally depressing

Reader

sleeps late writes a lot reads a lot scrolls on her phone feeling a little envious of all the fun people are having when she was dating her bf, she'd always have to wait up for him cause he gets really drunk and doesn't know how to get home and she felt a lot of dread at him coming over and expecting sex but now she's just living her best life getting all the good sex she deserves with toji even goes to parties with him now

Nanami

Sleeps late cause of all the work he has to do eats pizza if Haibara's ordered in but prefers homemade meals reads until he feels sleepy pretty boring tbh unless he needs to jerk off cause his reader was especially bold that day

Reader

sleeps late parties all night sometimes she's all partied out and in which case she watches true crime docs with her sister or horror movies and sequels and complains about everything they go home pretty often too to go see their parents online shops until dawn sometimes very messy no routine

Sukuna

sleeps late sometimes doesn't sleep at all creeps around night like Batman goes to parties just to sneer at the drunk people also likes to cause trouble if he's bored so he'll make some guys fight or put something in the way so they'll trip and fall just likes to push people around him maybe tries to steal a girl's virginity or something eats pretty normal Uraume always makes sure he gets his 5 a day

Reader

sleeps late also sometimes doesn't get any sleep if she's very very busy or very very stressed stays up late dreaming of all the ways she can make her enemies suffer she's so me fr also stalks people online cause she likes to know what's happening around campus eats healthy tho lays out her outfit for the next day journals has a minute by minute schedule

[slowlyoats]

The Lost Boys:Where do they take their S/O on 1:1 dates?

Marko

- Niche art installations

- Like he will literally find the most out of pocket, unconventional art gallery and take you there

- You and the boys have no idea how he manages to hear about these things, but he somehow manages to always be in the know

- Like this one time he brought his s/o to this street art installation, that could only be seen from a specific spot

- Seems pretty ordinary

- Until you get there and he reveals that “specific spot” is three stories up and requires some serous parkour skills

- The view from the top though…..absolutely stunning!

- And because you two are up their late at night, it’s just the two of you, and you both can just sit there and chat about what you like about the piece, and what you think the artist is trying to say with it

- It’s also fun to people watch from all the way up there

- It’s exhilarating to see everyone from up above. It makes you feel invincible, and powerful

Paul

- definitely something involving music

- It could be a loud, head banging concert on the board walk.

- Where you both loose yourselves in the music and just feel each other and move with the beat

- Or

- a chill, indie, artist performance in some hole in the wall late night coffee shop

- Paul surprisingly likes this type of date a lot, because the coffee shop is usually filled with high, sleep deprived college students that make a nice snack

- He favorites dates though start at the record store

- You both separate in the store and find a record that you have never heard of, and are unfamiliar with and buy it (Paul has a rule about stealing from the record store since he is good friends with the owner)

- Then you guys grab a bunch of snacks and fun drinks and head back to the cave

- You head to Paul’s room, get comfy, and discover the new music together while snaking and hanging out

- You two have found some of the best music this way!

- and have also become super music snobs because of it

Dwayne

- Dwayne’s a simple man

- He likes walks on the beach, early morning slushy runs before the sun comes up, visiting the junk yard to scavengers for parts for the bikes

- He likes siting by you in the cave and just reading together, and listening to the ocean waves outside

- He doesn’t feel like he needs to show you these grand, as seen on T.V. gestures to prove his love to you

- But

- Wether he admits it or not he is a romantic at heart

- He loves seeing your eyes go wide with excitement, or your cheeks blush when he surprises you with a romantic date

- These dates usually last all night, so Dwayne picks out your outfit because you don’t know where your going or what you will be doing

- Sometimes it’s a scenic motorcycle ride to stargaze

- Or bookstore hoping date, where you two hit all the local second hand bookstores that are still open late at night

- I could also see him (like Paul) enjoying rock/heavy metal concerts, but he doesn’t like bringing his s/o to the ones in Santa Carla so he will search for venues at least an hour or two away.

- Dwayne definitely gets possessive jealous, and he hates the idea of one of his brothers or some Surfer Nazi ogling you as you dance and move your body to the music. Strangers looking at his s/o don’t bother him, he knows your hot and people are going to look, but something about his brothers or a Surfer looking at you….it just SENDS HIM

- He used to take you to the big concert venue at the board walk, but it ended in a very public incident where someone lost their arm…so moving forward David suggested Dwayne take you else were to avoid a similar situation like that again

- Don’t get me wrong the Boys love violence and Blood, but David knows how delicate the balance on the boardwalk is. One person seeing a man’s arm get ripped clean out of socket by Dwayne is one thing, it’s a whole other thing when 30+ people see

David

- David would take his s/o to one of those axe throwing places, where you can drink and compete with your date for the highest score

- He definitely chooses his dates with showing off in mind

- Like after axe throwing you two would head to a local bar and play pool

- Unfortunately you can never beat him….unless you play dirty

- You lean down against the pool table, directly across from David

- and your blouse *accidentally* pops open while he is shooting, and he looks up distracted, and misses the ball and rips the green

- You two get kicked out after that since the owner wasn’t to happy

- He always seems to get his s/o back though

- He would snake his arm around your waist and get real close to her ear

- “So you want to tease? Okay then, hope you can keep up”

- Your royally screwed after that

- He makes it his goal the rest of the night to get you as flustered and red as possible

- a touch here, a touch there

- Those little names he only calls you in private? Sorry sweetheart, but the whole boardwalk knows now what he calls you when you two are alone

- This man has no shame, or shred of embarrassment in him

- You will lose his little game every time

[chatsurie]

No good deed goes unpunished

Ran x reader

She could see her breath in the air, drawing her coat even closer around her body as she left the hospital.

The shift had been gruelling and the knowledge of having to check her bank account sounded ghastly. The idea to buy herself groceries without checking the balance however seemed like the worst idea of all. Followed by the idea of studying Med. Residency was literally dragging her through the mud. The soles of her feet ached as she made her way down the hill. Why there wasn't any public transports at this hour anymore would be a question forever remaining unanswered. She really should have taken the bike even if the idea of driving up the hill to the hospital in the morning had sounded like a nightmare.

Yawning, the young woman started searching for her earphones that were somewhere in her bag. Fuck she just wanted to eat, take a hot shower and fall face first into her bed. Maybe she'd even be able to scrounge up enough money at the end of the month to afford a massage? Treating herself sounded like a dream.

She had just put her first earphone in as she walked by the badly lit alley. It was the sole reason why she had even heard it in the first place, rudely shoving every thought out of her head.

Halting and putting the earphones back inside their case she listened once more.

That sounded like a groan. A pained one too.

Glancing inside the alleyway she tried to make out anything inside the dark. As her eyes slowly accustomed to it she started to be able to make out a figure. It seemed like it was leaning against the left wall just out of the way of the only dimly lit street light.

Biting her lip she considered her options. She could just keep walking. She could get home, make herself the instant noodles she had decided would be enough for today and head to bed.

She wouldn't be able to sleep though, would she? There would be this nagging voice inside her head asking if they had been injured, maybe needed help?

But in today's day and age everyone had a phone. So they could probably call an ambulance themselves if it was that bad, right?

Nodding to herself she took the first step away from the sound only to stop again.

There were many reasons someone wouldn't be able to use their phone.

She'd also swear an oath to either help or do no harm. If she were to leave now she wouldn't just not help, she'd very much be not helping them. Even as a citizen she had the duty to do first aid to the best of her ability and call an ambulance if need be.

Sighing to herself she turned on her heel and walked down the street with purpose.

The uncharacteristic sound of two distinct clicks made her stop shortly. What was that? Gulping she took another smaller step until she stood under the light of the lamp. And from there she could see the predicament she had just gotten herself into.

She should have gone home.

On the wall in front of her there was a man leaning against it. Even though he was slightly crumbled into himself she could tell that he was tall. His legs were strewn in front of him dressed in an expensive looking pair of violet trousers. One of his hands was pressed into his side, the white dress shirt turning dark around his fingers.

Before she could come closer something shiny in his other hand that laid on the floor drew her attention.

That was a gun.

Fuck. That was a gun.

She had never seen a real life gun in her life before.

Her eyes shot up to look at his face for the first time.

His hair was a weird mess of lilac and black and his eyes half closed and yet sharp could probably be described as bedroom eyes. All in all he did not look like a police officer even in the slightest. She was pretty sure they weren't even allowed to have dyed hair.

He was starting at her. Had he been staring this whole time?

“What can I help you with, Doll?” His voice was rough and there was a lazy lilt in it. His hair previously probably pushed back with gel was falling into his eyes.

She had never seen this cruel looking eyes.

Should she really help him?

Fucking hell he looked like a gangster, talked like a gangster, he probably was a gangster. Before she could think herself into a frenzy she bored the nail of her middle finger harshly into the flesh of her thumb. In the end it wasn't her decision any more. She had found him and now she had to help him. End of story.

“I think the better question is how I can help you.” She finally told him putting on her brave face while slowly coming closer

She could see him draw up one perfectly plucked eyebrow as she kneeled next to him.

The young woman told him her name, easily falling back into the routine she knew thanks to her time in residency. The Autopilot was on at last as she carefully pulled his hand away “I'll try and see what I can do here. You probably should go to a doctor though.”

“What,” he asked, an amused air to his tone “you a nurse or something?”

“I'm a doctor in training. So please, let me have a look.”

She could feel his eyes looking her up and down. “Try anything and I'll kill you.” He said with a short nod to the gun in his hand before letting her proceed.

Now wasn't that just nice. Why had she given him her name again?

As she forced her tired bones to get to work she could feel his gaze on her the whole time. It was unnerving. Would he kill her if she snapped at him to look literally anywhere else?

“Ya know if all Doctors looked like this I'd probably visit the hospital more.”

She didn't react to his words. Similar things were often said and frankly she had stopped caring a long while ago. Instead she focused her attention on his side. She'd need to cut away from the shirt. And by the looks of it get the bullet out before she'd have to stop the bleeding. That would hurt.

“I can only do so much from here. I don't have anything to stitch you up, but I can get the bullet out. Do you have someone you can call to pick you up?”

“Lost my phone somewhere between getting shot and crashing here, I'm afraid.”

How could he sound this nonchalant? God what was wrong with him? That stupid lilt was starting to drive her insane and not in the good way either.

“Alright,” she sighed, “is there someone I can call then?”

At that he grinned. “Atta girl. Gimme your phone and do what you gotta, Doll.”

“Could you stop with the nicknames? I did tell you my name.” She finally grumbled as she got to work after handing him her phone. If there was one thing she couldn't stand it were nicknames given by strangers.

“Must have escaped my notice. You know, being shot and all.”

She did her best not to roll her eyes at him. Something told her that he was one of those people that didn't appreciate it.

“Rin, it's me.” She could hear him speak into her phone again after a short pause, “yeah, I ran into some trouble. Gonna need a pick up. Nah I'm good-”

No he would not. As she was fishing for the bullet she purposely bend her fingers just so, making him hiss in pain. This man needed an actual doctor, not just someone who wasn't even fully trained.

“Fucking hell,” he grit his teeth staring her down with an angry glare that nearly made her shudder as she went back to carefully getting the bullet, “I might need the doc on standby,” he grumbled through clenched teeth, making a smug grin appear on her lips.

“Nah don't think it's anything too serious, I was shot in the side. Just get over here.”

With that the girl could hear the beeping sound of the call disconnecting.

“You're a sadistic little bitch, aren't cha?”

Did this man not know manners? Thankfully for him she finally had a grip on the bullet and couldn't afford to retaliate. “If by sadistic you mean getting you the help you need, sure.” She instead told him this time with an eye roll.

His hand shot around her chin tipping her head up.

“Do you actually want the bullet out-,” she started exasperated only to stop her sentence.

The look in his eyes was shooting goosebumps up her arms. She had been right. He didn't appreciate disrespect even if it was as small as rolling your eyes at him.

“You're a pretty little thing.” He mused to himself before finally letting go of her chin. There was something about the way he had said it that made her heart rate pick up. It was the most threatening thing she had heard in her life. Fuck she should have just kept walking.

As he slowly loosened his grip around her chin she could have sworn to still feel his fingers seconds after they had left her face. His grasp had been strong. Frighteningly so.

“Back to work, Doll. I'd like this bullet out once the actual doc arrives.” The smile that was back on his lips didn't betray the cruelty that had shown through his eyes just seconds ago.

Gritting her teeth she forced her eyes away from his and back to the gaping wound. How could one man be this infuriating?

“There.” She said with finality in her voice as she showed him the bloody bullet. “I'll dress it up now, but your doc will have to do the actual work. I'll need you to sit up a bit so I can take off your jacket and shirt.”

“What,” he asked jokingly, while sitting up with her help, “not even gonna ask me out to dinner first?”

Closing her eyes for a second she breathed out through her nose. Yeah, she walked straight into that one.

As she started unbuttoning his shirt she did her best to let her eyes not wander on the tattoo on his neck. It seemed familiar and something in her gut told her she wouldn't want to know, that if she did remember it would probably be over for her. It apparently wasn't the only tattoo this man had, she realized the more she could see of his chest.

It was a pretty ches- NO. That was weird, she was not going there.

Finally finished with the buttons she ripped her eyes away from him busying herself to find something inside her back she could use as dressing. Maybe if she cut up her work clothes? That could work.

And during the whole process she could feel his eyes on her. Fuck, she'd kill him herself if they ended up haunting her in her sleep.

“How many years of training do you still have left?” He suddenly asked when she was back to leaning above him.

How was this man still talking? She should have duct taped his mouth.

“About six months, then I'm taking my finals,” she told him absent-mindedly finally tying the rest of what was once her uniform around his lower abdomen. And pulling his shirt up his shoulders once more.

“There you go. Will you be fine on your own until your friends are coming?”

The man leaned back. “What, not helping me get to the car?”

Finally out of his reach she rolled her eyes at him, feeling the slightest bit defiant. “Don't push it,” she told him clearly, gathering up the rest of her things.

“Aren't you forgetting something?” He asked mockingly after she had already turned away from him.

Frowning she turned back around and sighed at the sight of him waving her phone around.

Just as she leaned down to him to take her phone, the hand currently not holding it snaked around her wrist lightning fast pulling her even further down until she was back to kneeling next to him.

“You're a feisty little thing. You really should be careful. It might get you into trouble with people that are less forgiving than me.”

Something told her that forgiveness wasn't something he was good at.

With that he finally let go of her and her phone. She scrambled to get away from him.

“Well, I'll see you around, Doll.”

His words send a shiver down her spine. No he would not see her around. Frankly this man scared her. Shit why had she told him her name?

His chuckle at her hurried exit would probably follow her into her nightmares tonight.

The young woman had done her best to forget about the man's existence once she had closed the door to her room and had fallen into bed.

The epiphany about why the tattoo on his neck had seemed familiar came to her one morning before she would have to head to work. She was munching on a piece of bread with strawberry jam, reading the news when she stumbled across the article.

Organised crime.

A syndicate named Bonten.

And the executives all seemed to have the same damn tattoo.

The tattoo that that Man had worn proudly on his neck.

Fucking hell. She had helped a Gangster.

The jam turned to ash in her mouth, the bread suddenly too dry as she reached for her glass of water. The vitamin D tablet she usually took with it long forgotten as she gulped it down.

What would happen now? Would he come back? Surely not if she simply remained quiet. No police, no frantic actions, no nothing. She'd just have to go about her days in peace and forget, correct?

Sadly, the man seemingly didn't want to be forgotten.

It took a week for them to meet again. It had been after a grocery haul after her morning shift, since her fridge was once again close to empty and going out to dinner wasn't an option. She had planned to pour over her textbooks while eating after all.

As she walked down the hall to her apartment, she realised that her front door was open. It made her seize up before arguing with herself that she had been so tired in the morning she had probably just forgotten about closing it correctly – it wouldn't be the first time after all – and if a poor sod actually had broken in, then maybe he could help her find something valuable. So, chuckling at herself she simply thanked God for being able to kick her door open further without having to set down her grocery bags and get her keys out.

The woman only stopped in shock, after looking inside the kitchen and finding a suited man stuck with his head in her fridge rummaging around in it. Before she could decide what her next step would be, probably throwing the groceries into his face and making a run for it, the man turned around and she could see who it was.

The man from the alley. This time no injury, just a grating smile on his far too attractive face.

He had found her.

He had made an effort to search for her.

If that wasn't unsettling, she didn't know what was.

“You brought food,” He called out as if had been waiting for her, “I was getting kinda worried looking at your fridge, you really shouldn't make financial cuts when it comes to food. You already look like I could break your neck with one hand.”

Staring at him she wasn't quite sure how to react. Surely to throw the frozen fish at him would buy her some time, right?

“No need to get defensive,” the man spoke again, while leaning against her small kitchen isle, a cup next to him that she was sure she hadn't used the past days.

“I've come to give you my thanks, doll. You see apparently I was in a tight spot and you really helped me out.”

One brow drawn up she slowly nodded at him, her face slowly loosing all it's previous colour from the walk up to her apartment. “Yeah sure,” she started haltingly, “no problem. Get out now, please? I have a lot to do.”

The man sighed. “I was never received this coldly by someone I didn't hurt. Makes a guy feel a bit special ya know? The name's Ran. Pleasure to meet you properly, doll.”

He was one of those then. One of those overly friendly men you should steer clear off. How would she get him out of her apartment?

“As I've said before,” she started again this time through gritted teeth trying to the best of her abilities to remain civil and not like the deer in headlights she felt like, “it wasn't a problem. Now if you could,” her head moved, signalling to the front door, “please?”

Ran sighed, before she watched his hand go into the pockets of his pants. He looked out of place in his expensive wear and something about it made the young woman feel self-conscious.

She watched, as the man – Ran, pulled out his wallet and started counting out a few notes.

“This should be alright for compensation and keeping as quiet as you have the past weeks, yes?” There was something in his eyes as he put the money on the table. A glimmer. He seemed to find sadistic joy in her worried state.

Gulping down the lump in her throat she didn't take her eyes off him as she nodded.

“My god, you're absolutely adorable. Maybe I should keep you. Call me if you're interested in a date.” With that he left the house, leaving her breathless after he had walked by her far too close making her aware of every muscle moving and letting her catch a whiff of his perfume. Surely something disgustingly expensive too.

Her body was shaking by the time she heard the door close behind him and she finally allowed herself to move into the kitchen and put the groceries on the isle.

Next to the money.

Well, hush money.

Holy shit, that was hush money.

Fuck, what had she gotten into?

How could a man look so much like a panther waiting to pounce on its prey.

She nearly overlooked the piece of paper with a number written on it – his handwriting was apparently appalling, as she went to throw the money away not even bothering to look at how much it was.

If she would have had any inclination to meet him again she probably would have kept it to throw back into his face – though that might be seen as an offence so that probably wouldn't be the wisest thing to do - but since that wasn't the plan the bin it was.

Right along with his number.

If she had to see that disgusting smile again in her death it would still be too early.

That night she put her textbooks onto the coffee table in her living room instead of the kitchen table since she had caught herself throwing glances at the bin, as if that would make him appear out of thin air again. It had reached a point where she had actually brought the paper bin outside only to feel guilty right before throwing the money away.

Someone could probably use that, right? That was the money's chance to finally do something not bloody. Maybe she'd just give it to the next homeless person she saw? Maybe a shelter? Throwing it away out of spite though felt wrong. And so, the only thing actually landing in the trash was his number – good riddance to that – the money on the other hand was now sitting once more on the fucking counter making it impossible to concentrate which is why she then moved her study sesh one room over. The coffee table was too low. Her back would ache in the morning but everything was better than constantly throwing glances that way.

That night, as she laid in bed the clock nearing one am, then two, she realized that she'd need a new lock. She didn't feel safe anymore. There was something particularly intrusive about knowing he had stood inside her kitchen, searched through her fridge and drunken her coffee.

That night she had dreamed of running through the darkness, while a far too familiar grin stalked after her. She woke up just as long lithe fingers found their way around her neck burning her skin.

Abandoning every thought about him, had worked for about two more weeks – work and Uni doing everything they could to remind her of her very real responsibilities, until she had come home from dinner with a friend the Monday after it had been the clean the flat weekend.

It was an important detail because after having pulled of her heels from blistered feet she had walked into her living room intending to fold the laundry that was still left over while watching a show and letting the day finish with a glass of cheap wine – she had recently started to drink a bit more wine at night, it kept the nightmares at bay, but that was a problem for after exams – it was an important detail because on her freshly cleaned couch there was a dead guy who was ruining it with his blood.

There was a dead guy in her fucking apartment.

Bleeding onto her clean carpet.

Pinching herself she tried to make sense of the scene.

“And here I'd thought you'd come home too late. Put this man back together will you?” Her head shot up at the sadly recognisable voice.

That had to be a joke, right? It could not be that asshole sitting on her living room chair having the gall to look like he belonged there.

“What are you doing here?” She hissed between her teeth.

One of his infuriatingly perfect brows rose a bit as he looked at her. She swore his eyes were telling her that she was stupid.

“Guy on your couch. Fix him up for me, sweetheart.” He repeated himself once more.

Rubbing her temple with her index finger she looked at the man on her couch.

“As much blood as he is leaving on my leather couch, might I add, I doubt he is still alive. And don't you have a fucking doctor for that? How dare you just come to me with this shit. I want nothing to do with you!”

Ran chuckled. “See and that's why I like you. So much bite. As your luck has it, that is our doc. Or better yet it was. You see he did some stupid things and now one of my colleagues had to squeeze him just a little bit for answers. So, fix. Him. Up.” The last part of his sentence came out in a bite.

What the fuck was wrong with this man?!

Cautiously the doctor still in training made her way over to the body. How was she supposed to fix that? Why was she even fucking fixing it. That man was not her fucking problem!

“You do know I'm not a hospital or an actual doctor yet, right?” Maybe reminding him would help? Fuck, why was she not less competent? She should have let him out to bleed to death that night

Ran simply shrugged, “Call it hands on practice then.”

Sighing she got to looking at the man bleeding out in front of her. Sure. Hands on Practice. Because that was just absolutely fucking normal. It was absolutely normal to have a man bleeding out on her own couch. And it was absolutely normal to call that hands on practice.

As she got to work, she realized with shame that her hands were shaking the same way they did back that night in that alley.

Oh she should have just kept going. She should have ignored ever hearing his damn pained voice.

Instead of doing all the sensible things though she made stock of the damage and made a list inside her head what she had to do.

“You know,” Ran interrupted the silence, “ you really gotta learn how to feed yourself. I'm pretty sure you've gotten thinner in the time I last saw you which is an absolute shame might I add? What have you used the money on I gave you?”

What was his obsession with her eating habits?!

“I'm concentrating here!” She snapped at him, damn all the consequences, right? After all he did want something from her.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see the lazy grin stretching out his mouth further as his hands went up in mock surrender.

���Of course, Princess. I forgot you're very much still in training. Take your time. Maybe not too much though. Don't think you're able to explain a dead person in your living room to the police, right?”

With that she could see him leaving the room only to hear him rummaging around in another room.

What the fuck was wrong with him.

Fucking hell. First thing she'd do once he left was find another flat. Maybe change her name too.

Two hours later she collapsed next to the couch. She had done everything she could. The worst should be over. Looking down she realized that there was blood on her blouse.

Her favourite blouse.

It was a beige blouse.

There was blood on the leather of the couch. And some on the carpet. It was a green one.

And now there was blood on it.

And on her blouse.

It had been a present from a friend.

And now there were ugly red splotches on it.

For some reason that was what made her cry.

It was three in the morning just the weekend after she had cleaned and mopped her whole flat, washed down the windows had gotten the flowers rearranged and now there was blood on her and on the carpet and on her leather couch.

Everything was ruined.

And there was exactly one person to blame for this situation.

Before she could start to think, because she evidently wasn't, she had jumped up from her position on the floor and stormed into the kitchen where Ran was leaning against the counter.

“”How dare you!” She screamed, with a finger raised at him. “Who do you think you are? You can't just, just storm into my life, break into my flat, deposit a man on my fucking couch and then then,” she stopped for a short second only now realizing that he was again holding a cup in his hand, partially raised to his lips as he looked down on her with this, this, this disgusting self satisfied smirk on his lips. “ You are drinking my coffee?” She asked, voice low, “you are fucking drinking my coffee?! What the fuck is wrong with you?”

She had evidently lost all her brain cells as she reached out to grab it from him only for her hand to be intercepted by his, the satisfaction that was once on his face had vanished and in it's place there was Nothing.

His face was void of any and every kind of emotion. She didn't know what he was thinking. It was such a stark contrast that she didn't even try to get her wrist out of his hand.

He held eye contact when he took a sip from the coffee and he held eye contact when he put the cup down.

Only then, did he begin to speak once more.

“Now then. I know you're young. What 25, 26? Something like that. So I will disregard the blatant disrespect just now, if you apologize. Have I made myself clear?”

Gulping she tried taking a step backwards only to be roughly pulled back by her wrist still encircled in those awful fingers.

He clicked his tongue at her before whirling her around and slamming her against the counter. That would surely leave a bruise.

“Now,” he started again, the free hand finding the buttons to turn on the stove, “I had an extremely long day and I know you did too, so I'll be gracious and give you one last chance. Apologize for your behaviour or well.” She followed his eyes as they flickered to the slowly heating up stove.

What was he?

There was a second where his eyes flickered between the stove and her hand still pinned by his and back at the stove.

He wouldn't, right? Surely, he - “Don't try my patience.” He answered her unspoken question as if he had read her mind.

Gulping she slowly nodded.

“I'm, “she started swallowing the lump in her throat. She just had to apologize. She just had to get rid of her pride for one second and she'd be fine.

“I'm sorry.”

By the way he stared at her it was obviously not enough.

God that fucking asshole.

That fucking disgusting -

“I'm sorry for exploding like that. You're right. I'm tired it was a long day and fixing up the man must have made me emotional. I'm sorry.”

The pressure on her wrist was slowly letting up but he still hadn't let go and he was still looking at her expectantly. What did he want to hear? She had said she was sorry, she had sounded positively pathetic doing it as well.

“Sir,” he provided with that self satisfied look.

Sir? What was that supposed to-

He was kidding right?

He had to be kidding.

One look at his face made her grit her teeth. The man was actually serious. That bastard son of a bitch actually wanted her to -

The movement of her wrist slowly being turned towards the stove had her stop in her track.

She could curse him later.

“I'm sorry, Sir.” She said through gritted teeth.

Evidently it was enough, since he finally let go of her wrist. His hand instead ending up on her head in a patronizing head pat.

“See, isn't it easy to just do as your told? You know, I really don't like hurting pretty things. But I will if I have to. Remember that the next time you try disrespecting me. Alright?”

With that he turned around and left the kitchen, leaving her pressed against the kitchen counter her left hand coming too close to that fucking stove and nearly burning herself if she hadn't realised the heat coming too close.

With shivering hands she turned the stove off.

There was something seriously wrong with this man. She'd call the police and report him the minute he had left the flat. She should have done it after he had broken in the first time. Fuck the consequences. She'd have to leave the country anyways. Might as well leave a nice present for him to clean up after. It might even buy her some more time.

Trying to breath calmly she grabbed onto the counter harshly her fingers turning white with the effort of keeping herself upright. She'd collapse once there wasn't a fucking psychopath inside her flat anymore.

“You'll do well, stubborn little thing.” Ran commented as he strolled back into the kitchen the sound of additional footsteps only reaching her brain vaguely. .

No she would definitely not. She would in fact do so bad that it was the worse he had ever seen. And she didn't even know what he was talking about.

As he came closer and reached out to her she flinched back harshly only to then realise that he had once again grabbed the coffee cup.

It made him smile.

Her fear made the bastard smile.

God she wanted to kick him in his balls. She wanted to take a knife out of the stupid knife block and drive it through his stupid knee.

She watched numbly as another man dressed in a suit walked through the hallway this time with the doctor she had just patched up.

Would they torture him again? This time to kill him off for real?

“Alright,” the bastard started as he leant back against the table as the front door closed once more. She wouldn't call him anything else now, she had decided. The name fit him too well, “ you did a good job with the doc, pretty. So I'll tell you what is going to happen. Tomorrow you'll take your pretty little butt into the hospital and hand in your resignation. You'll come home after that and someone will be here to take you with them. You won't make any kinda noise about it. You'll be a good little doc and then you'll start working for us. Understood?”

God this man had lost it completely. Fuck no.

Looking at the wall behind him she nodded, not wanting to look into his eyes. He smiled at her and pat her cheek once more.

“That's what I like to hear. Well little dove, it was a pleasure doing business with you. I'll see you in the evening.”

She watched him leave. Through the front door. Like he was just a normal man.

Just as the front door closed one final time she collapsed onto the floor.

Her brain both racing and not comprehending anything at all she only knew one thing for sure.

She had to leave. She had to leave the country and never come back.

Fuck.

As the young woman was scrambling about in her flat, throwing clothes into a suitcase, she never realised that outside, Ran stood. A cigarette in his hand, head tilted up as he watched her flat light.

He was waiting. Fuck he hoped she would panic. Chasing her through a few streets would be so much fun. Maybe Sanzu actually had had a point there.

[aurorawest]

Summer Reading Update (part 1)

Teach the Torches to Burn by Caleb Roehrig - 4.75/5 stars

This was a really well done retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I read another book from the Remixed Classics series, Dear Henry, and while that one was also good, it felt like it adhered too slavishly to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, so sometimes things seemed to be happening only because they happened in the original. And I haven't actually read the original book, it was just...easy to tell. Teach the Torches to Burn never felt like that, and I loved how it fleshed out so many of the characters from the play.

You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian - 5/5 stars

I feel like tumblr sings this one's praises enough that I don't really have to, but—everyone should read this. Everyone should read all of Cat Sebastian's books. I think I liked this one better than We Could Be So Good, but that could just be because I've found myself becoming more and more of a sucker for sports romances.

Unhallowed by Jordan L Hawk - 4.75/5 stars

Sad to say goodbye to the Whyborne and Griffin series, but I already love this spinoff!

Soul of Ash by HL Moore - 3.75/5 stars

Crow's Fate by Kim Fielding - 3.75/5 stars

The Sleeping Soldier by Aster Glenn Gray - 5/5 stars

I sound like a broken record re: Aster Glenn Gray, but please read her books. If you like Cat Sebastian's mid-century romances (like You Should Be So Lucky!) you like Aster Glenn Gray. This one is ostensibly a Sleeping Beauty retelling, but one where the sleeper actually sleeps for 100 years. In this case, it's a Union soldier who is put in an enchanted sleep in 1865 and wakes up in 1965 and oh my god, it's so good. It examines racism, it examines toxic masculinity, it examines homophobia, and how same-sex platonic affection became taboo. I'm pretty sure this woman has never written a bad book, but this may be her best.

Alec by Kaje Harper - 3.75/5 stars

Artemis by Andy Weir - 3.75/5 stars

Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell - 4.75/5 stars

I loved this one! There are so many books about Faerie and they can be pretty hit or miss for me, but this one struck just the right balance of otherworldly, inhuman creatures and characters I could root for. Shrike and Wren were lovely.

Imperfect Illusions by Vanora Lawless - DNF at pg 56

Orchestrated Love by AJ Buchanan - DNF at pg 1

Razorblade Tears by SA Cosby - 4.25/5 stars

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - 5/5 stars (reread)

The Only Light Left Burning by Erik J Brown - 5/5 stars

Excellent sequel about what happens after you make it to the last bastion of civilization after the apocalypse.

Unwieldy Creatures by Addie Tsai - DNF at pg 12

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles - 5/5 stars

Oh man. This may have displaced the Will Darling Adventures as my favorite KJ Charles book. Wonderful MCs, A+ side character arcs, and villains you really loved to hate. I rambled on a lot about this book to my wife after I finished it.

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender - DNF at pg 156

His Lordship's Secret by Samantha SoRelle - 3.75/5 stars

Us, Et Cetera by Kit Vincent - 5/5 stars

Cinderella retelling with androids but Christ on a bike was this a painful read. Really, really well done. Highly recommended.

Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer - 5/5 stars

My 5 star rating diverges pretty sharply from the average Storygraph rating for this book, and I'm not sure why, other than maybe people thinks it's PrObLeMaTic. It was definitely not a super happy book, though it ends on a good note (that's a pun btw!). I thought it was a great book about a period that isn't often written about (1890s Paris) with a fascinating protagonist (who was a real person).

Dark Heir by CS Pacat - 5/5 stars

It's a CS Pacat book; it's the sequel to Dark Rise; obvs I loved it. I don't understand why this series is shelved under YA except that Pacat's publisher thinks more people will buy them. This series is the gay Lord of the Rings you always wanted and somehow is an even slower burn than Captive Prince.

Of Knights and Books and Falling in Love by Rita A Rubin - DNF at pg 50

Cover Story by Valerie Gomez - DNF at pg 176

Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace - 4/5 stars

[in-my-feels-probably]

sarah cameron x fem!reader where reader is a pogue but works as a waitress in a fancy restaurant that sarah dines at and she develops a crush on the reader before becoming a pogue

Midsummer Shenanigans

Request: sarah cameron x fem!reader where reader is a pogue but works as a waitress in a fancy restaurant that sarah dines at and she develops a crush on the reader before becoming a pogue

Hi! This is my first time writing for Sarah. Bear with me, I'm still getting used to writing her character, so I wouldn’t say this is my best work. But this request is cute, so I had to write it. I hope you enjoy it!

(Warnings: swearing, vague mention of jj’s abuse, suggestive content, let me know if i missed anything)

—

You were laying on a towel, one arm covering your eyes, the other laying in the sand. You could have laid there all day, if your alarm hadn’t gone off just as you had gotten comfortable. You reached for your phone, silencing it. 

You sat up on your elbows, looking around at your friends. “JJ, I will pay you to go kill my manager so I don’t have to go into work today.” 

JJ sat up as well, squinting at the sun in his eyes. “How much?”

“Hmm, like….twenty bucks?” 

He let out a laugh, laying back down in the sand. “No deal, dude. No deal.” 

You groaned, finally getting up and brushing the sand off your clothes. “John B, will you give me a ride to work? Please?”

He looked up at you and shook his head, before placing his hat over his face. You whined, bending down to knock it off. He looked up at you again, far more annoyed this time. 

“Please? You have to go to work, too. Come on, it’s literally on your way, and otherwise I’ll be biking there. I’ll give you twenty bucks.”

“Those were my twenty bucks!” JJ said, sitting up.

You placed a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down. “Not anymore. You won’t kill my boss for me. It’s John B’s now.”

“Fine,” John B groaned, reaching for your hand. “Help me up.”

“Thank you,” you sighed in relief, hoisting him up. “Bye, guys.”

You got a series of waves and goodbyes, before you turned to walk back up the beach. You loaded up into the Twinkie, and John B swung you by your house so you could quickly change into your uniform, before taking you to work. 

You groaned as he parked, and he sighed, looking out at the Marina. You worked at the nice restaurant at the country club by the Marina, and John B worked on the boats there. 

Neither of you wanted to work today, and it took everything in you to pull yourself out of his van. 

You trudged into work, clocking in. You had barely even put your things down and put on your apron when the hostess came into the back of the kitchen. 

“Hey Y/N, you’ve just been sat. Table 28, two top.”

You sighed and nodded. “Thanks, I’ll be right out.”

You grabbed a pad and paper, tucking it into your apron. You filled two glasses with ice water, placing them on a tray before leaving the kitchen and going to the table. You balanced the tray on one hand, setting the glasses down with the other. 

“Hello, my name is Y/N, I’ll be your server today. Can I get you started with anything else to drink?”

“Hey, Y/N,” you heard, and you looked up to see none other than Sarah Cameron, and her sister. 

You had known Sarah your whole life. Sarah Cameron, Kook Princess. You were friends when you were younger, always seeing each other at the beach or the Boneyard. But as you got older, you grew apart. You fell in with the Pogues, and she fell in with the Kooks. 

It didn’t bother you, not really. 

You had always known you weren’t the same type of person, and you knew she wasn’t going to be your friend forever. But you couldn’t help but feel jealousy when you looked at her. She had enough money to do whatever she wanted. She didn’t have to work for her money, or apply for shitty jobs if she wanted to be able to buy the things she wanted. She was going to get into any college she wanted, and be able to go wherever she wanted. It just wasn’t fair. 

What you didn’t know was that she felt the same jealousy as you. For different reasons, of course. 

She had money, yes. But you had family. You belonged somewhere, you had friends who would take a bullet for you if need be. You chose your family, you made your own way. All the money in the world couldn’t buy that kind of love. She’d do anything to have people in her life like that. 

“Hey, Sarah,” you finally said, giving her a small smile. “Hey, Wheezie. Girls day?”

“Sarah promised to go to our Dad’s Midsummer party this weekend, and she needed a new dress. We went shopping so I could help her pick one.”

“Sounds like fun,” you grinned. “I think Kiara is going, her parents are making her. Pope’s Dad is catering, and I’m on staff as a waitress. So, I guess I’ll see you there.”

Sarah tried her best to hide her smile at your words, changing the subject. “What time do you get off? May we could hang out?”

“Uh…,” you hummed, raising a brow at her question. “Yeah, yeah sure. I get off at eight. Is that alright?” 

Sarah nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be back to come get you if that’s cool?”

“Yeah, that’s good,” you nodded, pulling out your pen and pad. “Until then, what can I get started for you?”

—

You had texted John B right after Sarah and Wheezie left, letting him know that you didn’t need him to drop you off at home. He had lots of questions, and you promised to explain it all to him later. 

You thought about your interaction with Sarah for the rest of your shift. 

She had left you quite the tip, and gave you a shy smile when she left, which was very unlike her. You hadn’t known her to be shy around anyone, let alone you. You couldn’t quite tell what it was that was making her act different. 

At the end of your shift, you clocked out, taking a step outside. Sarah was sitting on the hood of her car, parked in the lot just outside the back door. 

She straightened up as she saw you, swinging her legs out in front of her. “Hey.”

“Hey. Have you been waiting long?”

She shook her head. “A few minutes, don’t worry about it.” 

You awkwardly approached, leaning against the hood of her car. “I’m sorry to ask, but you’re driving me home, right? Because I told John B he could go home, and he’s definitely not gonna come back and get me.”

“Yeah, I’ll take you home,” she chuckled, jumping down from the hood. “Do you still live in the same place?”

You nodded, and she unlocked her car, motioning for you to climb in. You tried to ignore how weird it was that you were climbing into Sarah Cameron’s car, settling yourself in the passenger seat. 

She pulled out of the parking lot and drove slowly to give herself more time. Not that she had to, your house was miles away on the other side of the island away from the Marina. 

You sat in awkward silence, before she finally broke it. 

“Have a good shift?”

“You tipped the best,” you laughed, smiling over at her. “You’d be surprised how cheap the Kooks can be.”

“Damn, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine,” you said, leaning back into your seat. “So, what’s up? How have you been? It’s been a while.”

“Yeah…sorry about that,” Sarah said, giving you a guilty look out of the corner of her eye. You didn’t acknowledge it. 

“I know you’re busy, don’t worry about it. Excited for your Dad’s thing this weekend?”

“Not even a little bit,” she sighed, taking a right down a side street. 

You furrowed your brows, looking around. “Uh, I think you went the wrong way. You should have gone left back there.”

“I know where you live, Y/N. We’re taking the long way.”

“Why?”

She shrugged her shoulders, turning the radio down so she could hear you clearer. “I don’t want to go home just yet.”

“Alright,” you nodded, changing the subject. “How was your day?”

“It was alright, I guess. Took Wheezie to the mainland, got a new dress. Haven’t done much, honestly. What about you, how was your day?”

You smiled at the thought of your day, at least before you had to go to work. It was peaceful, and you were with friends. 

“My day was good. I went to the beach with a few friends. Did lose twenty bucks, though. I made John B drive me and had to pay the price. I tried to get JJ to take out my boss for me so I wouldn’t have to go to work, but he wouldn’t go for it.”

Sarah let out a laugh, smiling wide. “The restaurant sucks, then?”

“Easily the worst job I’ve ever had. Beats working on the boats though, and sometimes it’s good money. Plus I eat dinner for free, so I can’t complain about that.”

Sarah nodded, turning down your street. “Any plans for college?”

“Not even a little bit,” you scoffed, grinning over at her. “I’m going day by day at this point. What about you?”

Her voice was quieter when she answered you, making you turn to face her. “My Dad wants me to go where he did, it’s like a tradition in the family. I’m not sure, though. It’s not really for me.”

“That’s alright. You’ve got plenty of time to figure it out. And you don’t have to follow what your Dad did. It’s your life, not his.”

“Yeah, well he’s the one paying for it. So it kinda is his,” she said, pulling up to the outside of your house. 

As she turned the car off, you turned to her, giving her a sympathetic smile. 

“It may be his money, but it is your life. Don’t do anything to make someone else happy. If you’re not comfortable with it, don’t do it. There’s nothing wrong with doing something different than your family does.”

Sarah sighed, leaning back in her seat. “My Dad expects so much out of me. He thinks Rafe has wasted his opportunities, and wants me to be smarter than that.”

“I’m glad I’m not a Kook,” you laughed, breaking the tension enough to get her to smile. “Seems like a lot of pressure, having all that money and not knowing what to do with it. I may be broke, but it’s simple. I like simple.” 

“Me too,” she agreed. She turned away from you, fiddling with her hands in her lap. 

You cleared your throat, reaching for the door handle. “Thanks for driving me. See you this weekend? I’ll be in my uniform, easy to spot.”

Sarah smiled, nodding. “I’ll see you then.”

—

That night, John B and JJ stopped by your house. You climbed into the Twinkie, sitting it in while parked in your driveway. 

JJ was sitting across from you while giving you a surprised look. “Sarah Cameron? Like, Kook Princess Sarah Cameron?” 

“I know, it was insane,” you said, looking between John B and JJ as they stared at you in disbelief. “She drove me home. I haven’t spoken to her in over a year, and she offered to drive me home.”

John B scoffed, a grin on his face. “And I thought hidden treasure was the craziest thing that was gonna happen to us this week.”

“Is she still a bitch?” JJ asked, making you shove his shoulder. 

“Stop it,” you glared. “She’s only a bitch to you because you give her a reason to be. She was really different from what I remember her being.”

“Does she know she’s sitting on a goldmine?” John B asked. 

You nearly rolled your eyes at his question. “Do you really think that if Ward Cameron knew there was gold on the island, he’d just let it sit there?”

“I still think that’s where the gold is. I don’t know where else it would be. It’s not on the wreck, so it’s on the island. Do you think you could get her to give you a map of Tannyhill?”

“Yeah, John B,” JJ scoffed, clapping his hand on John B’s shoulder. “Sarah is totally gonna give Y/N a map of her property without any explanation. Good thinking, man.”

“At least I’m coming up with ideas.”

“Because your ideas have worked so well so fa—“

“Stop it!” You scolded them, interrupting their bickering. “Neither of you are helping. I’m having a crisis, here! Are either of you gonna help me out, or should I just go back inside?”

John B clapped his hands together, turning to you. “If I’m right, we need that map. You need to ask Sarah about it next time you see her. Tell her it’s for a research project or something.”

“I’m helping Pope with Midsummers this weekend. I could ask her for it then?”

JJ nodded in agreement, but looked unsure. “Don’t you think she’ll ask questions? We’re not telling her about the gold, she’ll just tell Ward.”

You shook your head, disagreeing. 

“I don’t think so. She was talking about him earlier like they don’t see eye to eye on most things. I don’t think she cares about money like he does. If she asks questions, I think I should answer some of them.”

“No way,” JJ retorted, looking at you with wide eyes. “I don’t trust her. You see who she hangs out with, I’m not losing our chance at getting the gold to a bunch of fucking Kooks.”

“No offense JJ, but you’re not the one who looked through those archives with me. I trust Y/N. I think we should let her tell Sarah whatever she thinks is necessary.”

JJ groaned, looking between the two of you. Knowing it was a losing battle, he sighed, relenting. 

“Fine. But if she fucks this up for us, you two get to be the ones to tell Kie and Pope why they’ll be broke for the rest of their lives.”

You laughed, grinning. “Deal.”

—

The next morning, you clocked into work for the opening shift. 

It would be a quick shift, much shorter than your one the previous evening, and you were excited to get it over with. It was your last shift of the week, and you weren’t scheduled again until Midsummers.

You only had an hour left in your shift, when the hostess came back into the kitchen while you were talking to the chef. 

“Someone asked for you by name, Y/N. One top, table 17.”

You nodded, grabbing everything you needed and going to the table. You stopped in your tracks when you saw Sarah, sitting alone on her phone. You cleared your throat as you approached, setting down a glass. 

“You’re back. The food is not that good here, I think you’re getting ripped off.”

Sarah smiled, giving you a sheepish look. “I knew you were working today, figured I’d come say hello.”

“Were you in the neighborhood?” 

She shook her head, tapping her fingers on the table. You nodded, grinning when you could see a slight flush creep up onto her cheeks.

“I could just give you my number, you know. You don’t have to drive all the way over here to say hello.”

“Well, I wanted to see you, too,” she said, making you raise a brow. “Are you busy today? After work, I mean.”

“I’m going to Pope’s later to help him and his Dad make sure everything is ready for tomorrow. But that’s not till later. Why?”

She was the most shy you had ever seen her, nearly stuttering with her reply. “Uh…would you maybe wanna hang out again? Like actually, this time.”

You remembered the map of Tannyhill you needed, deciding it was best to say yes. And, you were fascinated as to why Sarah was suddenly interested in you again after all this time. It was better to kill two birds with one stone.

“Sure, I’m off in an hour. What do you wanna do?”

She smiled, shrugging. “I didn’t really think that far. Boat? Beach?”

“Anywhere your friends aren’t,” you grinned, only half joking. Sarah playfully smacked your arm, though she was laughing, too.

“I’m with you on that one.”

“Trouble in paradise?” You asked, leaning onto the table. “Haven’t seen you with Topper or anyone in a while.”

“Yeah, we aren’t really talking right now. I’m not talking to any of them, really.”

You raised a brow. “No? Why’s that?”

“I’ll tell you when your shift is over,” she grinned, shooing you away from the table. 

—

You settled on the beach, swinging by Sarah’s house first so she could grab things to bring. You awkwardly stepped into her house, having not been there since you were a kid when she had a birthday party.

It was just as lavish as you remembered it. 

“I forgot you live in a castle,” you said, climbing the stairs to her room. 

“You may address me as Your Highness.”

You dramatically bowed, motioning for her to walk in front of you. She curtsied, continuing to her room. As you passed by a few doors, Rafe stepped out of his room. 

“What do we have here? Y/N! Where are the rest of your bum friends?”

You groaned, turning around to face him. “Clearly not wanting to be caught within a mile of you, Rafe.”

He chuckled, standing close enough that he towered over you. “I’d check her pockets before you leave, Sarah. Who knows what she might try and steal?”

“Piss off, Rafe,” you said, not backing down. He grinned wider, happy to have gotten a reaction out of you. He held his hands up in surrender, backing into his room. 

“Nice to see you, Y/N. I’ll make sure to grab a drink off you at Midsummers, alright?”

Sarah grabbed your wrist, tugging you along with her. “Leave her alone, Rafe. Go bother someone else.”

“It’s fine,” you muttered, following her into her room. “He doesn’t bother me.”

“He still shouldn’t talk to you like that.”

You shrugged, watching as she packed a bag for the beach. “I’m used to it, I don’t care. I’m happy with who I am. Me and my bum friends.”

Sarah chuckled, shuffling around her room as she grabbed her things. “I like your bum friends.”

“Even JJ?”

“Even JJ…sometimes.”

—

You set up an area in the sand, collapsing with a dramatic sigh onto your towel. “It’s so fucking hot.”

“You’re the one who decided on the beach,” she grinned, settling herself next to you as she took off her shirt. 

You took in her appearance, smiling when she looked over at you with a shy smile. 

“What?”

“Nothing,” you said, shaking your head. She pressed you further, turning over onto her stomach as she spoke. 

“Oh, come on. You’re staring at me, so spill. What’s up?”

You smiled, relenting. “You just look really pretty. You are really pretty, but you don’t need me to tell you that.”

She flushed, tucking her face into her arm as she turned her head away from you. You laughed, leaning back to settle on your elbows as you looked over at her. 

“What’s that reaction? Are you telling me Topper doesn’t tell you you’re pretty?”

“He does,” she mumbled, laying her cheek on her forearm. “But not like you do. He normally says it when he wants something.”

“You’re beautiful, Sarah,” you frowned, fully laying back and rolling over so your face was parallel with hers. “Fuck him.”

Sarah let out a laugh, making you smile.

“So, are you gonna tell me what’s going on with you and your friends? I haven’t seen you with them when they come into the restaurant.”

She sighed, moving to sit up. It took her a while to speak. “They’re just…not nice.”

You burst out laughing, sitting up with her. “Well I could have told you that.”

“I’m serious,” she giggled. “I know they’re shit to you and your friends, but they’re not always like that. At least that’s what I used to think. I’m not so sure anymore.”

“Do you have anyone close to talk to?”

She shrugged. “Wheezie.”

“You need more than your little sister, Sarah. They can’t all be assholes, there’s gotta be someone, right?”

“That’s easy for you to say. All your friends are nice. I think JJ would literally take a bullet for you.”

“He probably would,” you smiled, nodding. “He’s an idiot. But I love them to death, I’d do the same for any one of them.” 

“I want that,” she murmured. 

You sighed, watching her frown. You didn’t know why, but you hated seeing her upset. You hadn’t talked to her in ages, and yet you cared enough to want to make her smile. 

“Your friends are assholes, you’re right about that. We’ll just have to get you some new ones.”

“Like who…you? Your friends? I'd be lucky to have you, there’s no way the rest of them would be game.”

“I don’t know about that,” you shrugged. “I talked to John B and JJ last night. They were surprised we talked, but didn’t seem too shocked by the idea.” 

“Oh, god. What did you tell them about me?”

“Just that you were different than I remembered,” you said, smiling when she gave you an insecure look. “A good different.”

“Are they alright with me hanging out with you?”

You grinned. “It’s not really their choice, is it? I’m a big girl, they can trust me to make semi-decent decisions for myself.”

She nodded, fiddling with her hands in her lap. “Do you think they’d ever let me hang out? Like with the group?”

“I think I could convince them, yeah. They’re stubborn, but I tend to get my way. At least with the boys, they know the girls are using their heads a little more. Kiara would be the hardest. But she loves me, I’m sure I could convince her, too.”

“They sound really nice. Kinda wish I went your way instead of my way in school.”

“I think you still could,” you offered, making her raise a brow. 

“Why?”

This was it.

This was your moment. The gold was on the line, and you needed the help. The Pogues couldn’t do it alone, and Sarah could be really helpful. If she could get a map of Tannyhill, that could solidify your chance at getting the gold. 

Maybe to go full Kook, you needed the Kook Princess. 

“Alright, I’m gonna tell you something. But you have to promise not to tell anyone, and I’m so serious about that. Not Topper, or your friends, or your family. Not your Dad. Especially not your Dad.”

She looked at you through furrowed brows and narrowed eyes. “What, did y’all kill someone or something? Rob a bank?”

“It’s better than robbing a bank.”

You took a breath, telling her the full story. From John B’s dad, to the wreck, to the Royal Merchant. Everything that had happened to you and the Pogue’s in the last few days, you told her. 

“And if you tell anyone, JJ is gonna kill me. Please don’t tell anyone.”

She shook her head, looking at you in disbelief. “I don’t think anyone would believe me if I told them anyway. You really think there’s gold on the island?”

“I don’t think it, I know it,” you said confidently. “And John B thinks it’s on Tannyhill. Do you think you could get a map of Tannyhill? Like a blueprint of its original construction?”

“My Dad has a ton of stuff in his office about Tannyhill. He probably has one.”

“Do you think you could find it by Midsummers? Your Dad will be distracted, you could sneak in. We just need a photo of it, you don’t even have to take it.”

Sarah nodded, and you felt like you could throw up from excitement. “Yeah, I think I could get it. I’ll text you when I find it.”

You stood up, offering your hands to her so you could pull her up, too. 

“Are you serious? Oh my god, is this actually going to work?”

“Hold on,” she said, stopping you from celebrating too much. “You’re not gonna ditch me after I find it, right? I know I don’t need the gold, but you’re not all gonna just leave me alone and go off with the map, right?”

You threw your arms around her neck as you laughed, and she let out a sound of surprise, letting her arms settle around your waist. 

“Sarah, if you’re the reason we find the gold, they’ll love you forever. Of course you’re coming with us. I’ll keep everyone in line.”

She nodded into your shoulder, letting out a sigh of relief. “Good.”

—

The next day came, and Midsummers had finally arrived. 

John B, called you that afternoon, letting you know that JJ had been bailed out of jail. Apparently during your last few shifts at work, your friends had failed to fill you in on the fact that your best friend had actually landed himself in jail. 

You made a mental note to find him later, wanting to make sure he was alright.

You arrived just as the party was starting, in your fanciest uniform. You helped Pope and his Dad unload their truck, before moving to the bar. You were waitressing for the night, taking drink orders and walking around with trays of champagne. 

When Kiara showed up, you rushed over to her. “Thank god. If I hear one more Kook bark an order at me, I’m gonna lose my mind. Quick, pretend like you’re asking me for a drink.”

“Actually, I could use one,” she grinned. 

“Shut up,” you said, shoving her shoulder as you walked back to the bar. “You look really nice, by the way!”

You mostly stuck around Pope most of the night, ferrying drinks back and forth. When the Cameron’s showed up, you nearly dropped your tray at the sight of Sarah. 

“There’s no way I just watched you stumble over Sarah Cameron,” Pope teased, steadying your tray for you. 

“Shut up, Pope. I saw you making eyes at Kie earlier. At least I’m not macking on another Pogue.”

“Alright, touché. You got me there,” Pope grinned, raising his hands in surrender, before his smile fell. “Uh, a bit of a situation going on over there.”

You turned to look at where he was pointing, finding Topper holding onto Sarah’s wrist. You narrowed your eyes, and Pope chuckled while he watched you grip your tray. Topper led her to the porch on the side of the house, and you couldn’t stop yourself from moving. 

As you approached, you could hear him interrogating her. You bit your tongue, clearing your throat. 

“Anyone want a drink?”

They both turned at the sound of your voice, and Sarah smiled as she recognized you. 

“No, we’re good—“

“Yes! I’ll take one,” Sarah said, gladly accepting a drink from your tray. “Do me a favor and hide me while I drink this, I don’t want my Dad to see.”

You nodded, and she moved to stand between you and the porch column. As she sucked her drink down, you smirked over at Topper, who didn’t look the slightest bit pleased. 

“Topper.”

“Y/N.”

“Having fun?” You asked, taking a step back closer to Sarah. 

He rolled his eyes, moving to head back over to his friends. “I was until now. I’ll catch you later, Sarah.”

She gave him a thumbs up, nodding while she finished off her glass. The second he was out of earshot, you burst out laughing, taking her empty glass. 

“Thank you,” she sighed in relief. 

“He really is a dick, huh?” 

She nodded, not denying it. You lowered your voice, leaning in. “You look stunning, if that wasn’t obvious.”

Sarah blushed, slightly fidgeting, which only made you smile wider. “Thank you, Y/N.”

“You’re welcome. Did you find the map?”

“My Dad caught me in his office before I could take a photo of it. But I know where it is.”

You nearly squealed with excitement, wishing you could hug her. If only you weren’t holding the tray. 

“You’re the best, holy shit! Alright, let’s just play it cool tonight. John B and JJ are on their way, they’re my ride out of here. I’ll let you know what’s going on later, alright? Go, have fun. Come get me if Topper is being an asshole, I’ll handle him…or I’ll get him really drunk, either option works for me. See you soon?”

She nodded, smiling, and you turned to head back to the bar. You dropped off your empty glasses, scanning the crowd for Kiara. Suddenly, JJ walked past you in a waiter's uniform, a tray in his hands. 

You scurried after him, snatching the tray from his grip. “JJ? What the fuck are you doing?”

“Being your backup,” he smiled, pointing between your two uniforms. “We’re matching.”

You scanned his face as you took in the new bruises and cuts, feeling a pit settle in your stomach. He must have realized what was going on in your mind, shrugging his shoulders. 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m alright.”

You threw your arms around his shoulders, squeezing him tight to you. He smiled into your shoulder as he wrapped his arms around your waist, gently rocking you back and forth. 

“I’m so glad you’re alright,” you said, pulling back to shove his shoulder. “Don’t you ever get arrested without me again. I’ll kick your ass, I swear to god.”

He let out a chuckle, bringing his hand up to salute you. “Yes ma’am. Now, what do you need me for?”

“Just stay out of trouble. Find everyone. Tell Pope and Kie we’re back in the G-game.”

His eyes widened as he looked at you, speaking in a hushed whisper. “You got the map?”

“No, but Sarah knows where it is….also, I may have told her more than I should have.”

“Y/N!”

“I’m sorry,” you apologized, shrugging your shoulders. “I couldn’t help it. She’s very pursuasive.”

JJ raised a brow, smirking as you felt the heat creep up to your cheeks. “Y/N? Are you going soft for Sarah Cameron?”

“JJ, shut up. I’m not doing this with you right now.”

“Well, you’ve got good taste, I’ll give you that. At least you have one thing going for you.”

You rolled your eyes, groaning. “I promise to give you all the details later, just trust me right now. Tell everyone what’s going on, and let’s get out of here as soon as we can.”

“What about Sarah?” 

You sighed in frustration, shaking your head. “I don’t know, I haven’t thought that far ahead. Leave her to me, just tell everyone else to be ready.”

“If she fucks this up for us—”

“She won’t! At least, I think she won’t. Tell you what. If she does, I’ll fork over that twenty bucks. But if you trust me on this, I think we’ll be getting a lot more than that. Alright?”

He nodded, relenting. “Alright. I’m trusting you on this. I’ve got them, you’ve got her. Go, meet me back out here in a few.”

—

In just a few minutes, JJ had managed to cause a scene. It couldn’t have even been five minutes since you had left to look for Sarah, before he was running out the door with security on his tail. 

Kiara tried to stand up for him, telling security that he was invited, but they wouldn’t let him go. 

JJ shoved the guard off of him, headed towards the boat. “Mandatory power hour at Rixton’s, Kie. Pope, you as well, all right? Rixton’s Cove. Let’s roll.”

He scanned the crowd for you, grinning when he landed on your less than amused face. “Y/N! Decision time, baby. Let’s go!”

“Shit,” you muttered, dropping your tray as you started running through the crowd. “Alright, fuck it!”

It was chaos. 

John B and JJ running one way, Kiara following after them. Pope followed shortly after, and you moved to follow them, shrugging your way through the sea of people. Just as you almost broke through the crowd, Sarah stepped into your path. 

It was a split second decision, and you had no time left to decide whether you were making a mistake or not. You grabbed her hand, intertwining your fingers with hers. 

“I want you to come with me.” 

“What?” 

You squeezed her hand, tugging her closer. “Come with me. We’re getting this gold, and I want you to do it with us. Fuck your friends, fuck your family, just come with us. We can figure the rest of it out later.”

You tried to tug her with you, but she held her ground. 

You looked between her and your friends who were waiting for you, all of whom were looking at you like a deer caught in headlights. 

Except for JJ…he was whooping like a maniac, cheering you on.

“We?” She asked, looking at you with wide eyes. “There’s a we?”

You smiled, feeling your heart warm at her hopeful tone. You nodded, running your thumb along the back of her hand. 

“There is if you want there to be…and I want there to be.”

She smiled, squeezing your hand tight. “Are we doing this?”

You turned to your friends, who were waiting for you with an expectant look. As security closed in on you, you yelled out to them. 

“What do you guys think? Do we need a Kook? I think we need a Kook.”

JJ grinned, motioning for you to follow. “Executive decision, I’m calling it! There’s too many Pogues here. We need a Kook!”

You grinned, tugging Sarah with you. You laughed as she tried to run in her heels, and you tried your best to hold her steady as you took off after your friends. 

“No time to explain, I’ll tell you later!” You said, running past them to the boat with Sarah in tow. “Come on!”

You couldn’t hold your laughter in as they all shrugged in agreement, following after you. You stepped into the HMS Pogue, turning around once inside. You offered your hand to Sarah, helping her into the boat. 

“Your Highness,” you bowed. “We’re gonna have to come up with a Pogue nickname for you.”

She grinned, wrapping her arms around your waist once she made it into the boat. Your friends piled in, quickly pushing off the bank and starting the engine as soon as everyone was ready. The second you made it far enough that you were sure no one was following you, all your friends turned to you. 

You flushed under their stare, keeping Sarah’s hand intertwined with yours. 

It was quiet a moment, before John B cleared his throat, motioning to you. “Alright! Since no one will ask, I will. Let’s hear the story of the Pogue and the Kook.”

You stood, speaking quickly. “I will preface this by saying that this story ends in the potential for finding the gold, which you can all thank me later for, by the way. Hold your questions till the end, children.”

Everyone rolled their eyes, and even Sarah groaned next to you as she hid her face behind you.

“Here we go!” You grinned, dramatically clearing your throat. 

“Once upon a time…”

—

A/N - Hi! Got a little carried away with this one. Don’t love the whole thing, but there are parts of this I really like so I wanted to get this out. I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you think :)

[phantoms-lair]

You wanted Red Hood vs Overhaul, you got it

Eri clutched Deku tightly and he sped away, Overhaul right on their trail leaving a swath of destroyed objects and people in his wake. And as soon as he caught up to them, that was going to be Deku. He was going to die because he wanted to protect her.

Deku was wrong. She was a curse. She clutched his shoulders tighter, tears welling in her eyes. Her horn began to glow as her quirk subconsciously activated. Because of her Daddy disappeared, and then Overhaul used her to make his bullets to steal other people's powers. She'd caused nothing but pain and misery, she was the one who should disappear!

Her horn grew as her quirk tried to activate. But much like you can't uninstall a computer program that's running, Rewind couldn't erase itself or it's user while it was activated. Eri's despair tried to force it over and over again. Just as Overhaul's outstretched hand was about to brush Deku's back Rewind divided by zero and they all vanished.

~

It was the smell that hit Midoriya first. The air around him had been full of dust and the scent of blood. Suddenly there was none of that, but an almost nauseating amount of fumes and unwashed humanity. Also they were in free fall.

He quickly assessed. He wasn't in Tokyo anymore. The cars were on the wrong side of the road and the signs in English. But all that quickly was overshadowed by the horror that they were in a residential area.

He had to get Eri to safety while luring Overhaul away from the area. He did his best to get they lay of the land before he'd fallen enough for buildings to block his view. Looked like there was a harbor. Maybe if he could get him there, there'd be less people for him to destroy. And hopefully some local heroes would come to help.

Path set, Midoriya used Full Cowling to kick off a building and launch himself away.

~

"Anyone have eyes on what the Hell is happening?!" Hood demanded over the coms.

"Two metas, Boss. One Robin-aged, one adult. Robin-aged one has what looks to be a small child. He's fleeing from the adult and heading towards the harbor. Small child looks to be injured."

Hood adjusted the route his motorcycle was going in order to better intercept. "How badly injured?"

"Bandages on her arms and legs, but it's hard to get close enough to see more, sorry." His lieutenant sounded apologetic, but from the sounds of Hood could hear from back where he was he couldn't blame her. "Powers?" Might as well know what he was getting into.

"Robin-aged seems to have some green lightning around him, but he's not projecting it. It seems to give him either a strength or speed boost, hard to tell when all he's doing is running. Adult looks like he can destroy or remake anything his touches and - Gah."

"Did you get hit?"

"Negative, sorry for scaring you, sir, Adult caught a piece of his own shrapnel in his eye. He then touched his face with his hand and half of it exploded, then reformed. I wasn't expecting it."

Good to know. Especially because she might have just told him exactly how to take this guy down. "I'm going to intercept the kids. Deploy Code Beta Omega on my mark." Hood's helmet switched modes from camera to radar as he pulled his bike even with the fleeing kid (who was definitely getting a speed boost out of his power if nothing else) as his people set off numerous bright flares right in front of the adult meta's face, followed by wide area smoke bombs. "Need some help?"

"Are you a local hero?" The older kid asked in very heavily Japanese accented English.

"I'm the protector of this area." Thankfully Japanese was one of the languages he was fluent in, so he could speak to the kid in his own language. "Get on."

The boy hopped on, the smaller kid strapped to his back and Hood had to respect his sense of balance. The green lightning vanished as the kid took a breath.

"Can you get Eri to safety?" the boy asked. "I can buy some time with Overhaul. Lure him out to the water where fewer people will get hurt."

The way he said it, it sounded like the cost of that time would be his life. And the littler one, Eri, seemed to pick up on it. "You don't have to do that Deku." she said in a shaky voice. "He won't hurt you if I go back to him. And I'll be fine. He won't kill me, even when he accidently takes too much of my blood, he can just take me apart and put me back together again."

The words were brave but the fear and remembered pain in them was palpable and Hood saw green in a way that had nothing to do with Deku's hair, outfit or lightning. He sharply turned the motor cycle into an alley, where he knew a group of his people would be evacuating civilians. "Get them to the clinic. The girl needs help and the boy probably does too."

The boy looked panicked. "But Overhaul-"

"-is Done." Hood finished. "Overhaul is done."

For a moment the boy looked like he'd bluescreened, then "Overhaul is mysophobia, destroying his mask should get a panic reaction. Especially if you spit on him or something. He's arrogant, sadistic, and enjoys psychological manipulations. He also have some bullets that destroy quirks, so be very wary if he uses a gun over his hands."

"Quirks?" Everything in Hood's soul wanted to get going and destroy the man who'd hurt a child like this.

There was a split second of panic on the boys face as he tried to reword "Powers? His lets him disassemble and reassemble anything he touches in any configuration he chooses."

"Power destroying bullets? Hood laughed. "Kid, I don't think you know where you are. This is Gotham." And with that he left the kids in the hands of his crew and stalked back to where Overhaul was about to meet his end.

The smoke was beginning to clear as Hood strode to Overhaul's location. Deku had given him what information he could, and he appreciated it, really he did. Any other Bat or Bat-Adjacent would have made good use it, especially the mysophobia.

Hood was not going to. He'd already gotten all intel he needed earlier. He took a good look at the man. Huh, when Deku said he had a mask Hood was expecting a standard supervillain mask, not a honest to goodness plague doctor one. He's sure the doctors at Arkham would have a fun time pulling apart this whackjob's psyche.

Not that he was going to give them a chance. Not after hearing a little girl talk about repeatedly being ripped apart and pulled back together.

"Where did they go?" asked Overhaul, in a tone that suggested he was in charge and giving up the intel was the only way Hood would live through the next few minutes.

Cute.

"Doesn't matter. You're never going to see either one ever again." Hood smirked under his helmet. "In fact, enjoy your view of the ass-end of Gotham. It's the last thing you're ever going to see."

Overhaul sneered. "Eri will be so upset. Another person dead because of her. She really is a curse."

The green was overwhelming. The only thing keeping Hood in control was the knowledge that he was going to give the Pit exactly what it wanted.

Overhaul touched the ground and it exploded, rearranging itself as large spikes erupted from the ground. Most people would have been impaled. Most people weren't trained by the Bat, the League of Assassins, and the All-Caste. "You heroes are so annoying. Like any one of you would be able to properly use an asset like her."

"SHE IS A CHILD." Hood roared. One of the spikes nicked him, but only caused surface damage, naturally. It would have been embarrassing to do more than was entirely when one gets hit on purpose. He needed two things. Overhaul provided the presence of absolute evil, and he provided his own blood. With two flashes the All Blades appeared and two hands fell to the ground.

Overhaul stared for a moment. He'd lost arms before and it was easy enough to replace one using the other, but he'd never lost both at once. His mind raced, trying to come up with a solution, and his knees began to buckle.

He never hit the ground however, as Hood caught him by the throat with one hand. With the other he ripped off the mask before pushing Overhauls face into some street sludge. This being Gotham and Crime Alley in particular, who knows what it might have been. Guess he was going to use the kid's info on mysophobia after all.

"It's tempting, you know, to keep you alive just long enough to watch infection set it. But people like you do tend to find a way of rebounding and I'm not going to risk it. I do want to catch up with those kids and make sure they're okay, so I'll give myself...ten minutes? Yeah, ten minutes sounds good. Ten minutes to show you exactly what happens to people who hurt kids in my territory. Ten minutes to make you beg for death, then - like the kind soul I am- answer your prayers."

Overhauls eyes were wide with terror. "But...but you're a hero?"

Hood grinned cruelly under his helmet. "I haven't called myself one of those for a long time. And Babs," he said, seeming to address no one. "I don't want Daddy Bats or any of his crew interfering."

For the next ten minutes, he was going to enjoy himself.

[calciumdeficientt]

could you do hcs for Peanut Romano?? he's my favorite ofc

Peaaaaaaaanutttttt ought I’m now realising there’s none of these characters i couldn’t talk about for literal hours

PEANUT ROMANO HEADCANONS

Peanut very clearly has little man syndrome, he openly muses about being accused of having a napoleon complex. I think this stems from his childhood, sad asfuck but i think he became man of the house pretty early in his life, his dad was a big sack of shit who was nasty his mum and left early. He takes care of his mother and general household stuff and balances school with it too. He’s a pretty valiant little dude to be honest

Ironically i think he’s allergic to peanuts, not like deathly, but they make him all puffy and sniffly and generally gross, so he keeps an epi-pen tucked into his jacket in case of emergencies

He takes good care of his hair, its a source of his confidence, what he lacks in height in the body department he makes up for for in hair height. He touches up with pomade in the bathrooms pretty regularly and does his best to keep it looking nice and clean and tidy

He really looks up to Johnny as a paternal figure but its so difficult because he is so clearly pining for johnny to be his lover. It’s absolutely not that’s her hates Lola, he loves Lola too but johnny was definitely his first and strongest love, so it absolutely wrecks him to see johnny so torn up about a girl who doesnt know what she wants when peanut is right there, waiting, with his mind fully made up

He likes vintage cars, and has a little pot of money in his dorm to hopefully buy a car with one day. There’s a dude in old bullworth vale with a pretty nice hot rod that he’s had his eye on since he was a sophomore and as luck would have it, its not yet been sold. He frequently rides his bike through the neighbourhood just to check its still there, and to check if its been marked down and he can get his hands on it

Had a huge, gross crush on Marlon Brando as a kid. It started when his grandma had a streetcar named desire playing on her TV when he was sleeping over in grade school (while his parents sorted out their belongings and prepared to split) and it played a considerable role in his decision making to join the greaser clique. Not that he can be blamed, Marlon Brando is so fucking dreamy it should be illegal

Very nervous tagger, his hands get all sweaty when he’s nervous and nine times out of ten he messes up the slogan for fear of getting caught. Needless to say he’s relieved when he sees the police or school faculty washing them away when he’s done

Peanut is super embarrassed about his voice, along with his small sature he’s absolutely terrified that people wont find him intimidating wand will pick on him. If you go on a school computer after he’s had his turn you’ll find article after article of advice on how to deepen your voice, silly kitty.

His voice anxiety is part of the reason he smokes, he hopes if he keeps it up it might make him sound a little more rough around the edges, and a little less… girlish.

Peanut loves to dance, he actually considered taking classes for a while and maybe trying out some competitions. He bailed out when the whole Johnny and Lola fiasco kicked off for the first time, he just didn’t have the heart to leave johnny so defenseless and bordering on a nervous breakdown. He had to don the metaphorical johnny jacket and take charge while their clique leader was in the fetal position in the corner. The least he could do was hang around and wipe the tears off johnny’s pretty pretty face.

[late-to-the-party-81]

Apparently words can hurt me

AN: I’m back again, filling multiple challenge squares in one fic, and indulging my love of pre-serum Stucky. This fic is for the following fills;

Into the Juniverse - Squares C1,3 and 4 - Modern, Bookstore, Medical - @buckybarnesevents 

The Slumber party, May challenge - “Who did this to you?” @the-slumberparty

BBB Y1 - Sticks and stones @buckybarnesbingo 

Beta’d by @sparkagrace 

Mood board by me, dividers by @firefly-graphics 

Master list

Relationship: ER Doctor Steve Rogers x Bookstore Owner Bucky Barnes

Word count: 2.8k

CW: Fluff, minor angst, suggested Smut, implied bottom Bucky, pre-serum Stucky, alcohol consumption, fast burn, strangers to lovers to friends, meet cute/meet ugly, Special guest star Alpine, Nat and Sam are a good bros (even if they give their friends shit), alternating pov, Human disaster Bucky Barnes, implied age gap (Bucky late 20’s, Steve, mid 30’s)

“So, Steve - how’s your first day going?”

Steve turned, hanging his stethoscope around his neck, and smiled up at his friend and colleague, Sam. He clasped hands with the man he’d known since medical school and allowed himself to be pulled into a hug. Not that he really could have stopped it - Sam was over half a foot taller than him, and was obviously a big fan of both arms day and legs day. The man’s muscles had muscles, and Steve, well, didn’t really. He’d tried building muscle in the past but his metabolism was so ridiculously fast that he’d almost bankrupted himself trying to up his protein intake.

“It’s going great, man. It’s good to be back on the East Coast, even if it does seem to be a lot wetter.”

“I think trading sunshine for working with a friend is still a definite upside.” Sam’s sunny mood never failed to make Steve smile. “You were wasted in L.A.”

Steve nodded, thinking back to the circumstances that had led to him packing up and moving to the other side of the country after he’d qualified, and then the circumstances that had led to him returning and taking up residence at King's County. It had been a while since he’d worked in an ER, but it was like falling off a bike. Or rather patching up someone who’d fallen off a bike.

“Well, I’d best get back to it - I’ve got a suspected fracture of the tibia in bay three.”

“Drinks - tonight - seven - Gallis. Don’t be late, Rogers.” Steve chuckled as Sam shot him finger guns, before heading back down the corridor to Obstetrics.

He’d missed Sam. He’d missed New York. Most of all, he’d missed himself - missed what he’d hidden of himself while he’d been away. He was back now, though and ready to get on with the rest of his life. He strode towards Bay Three and picked up the chart attached to the bed. He sat down next to the forlorn looking teenager who was probably the same height as him.

“Now, Mr Parker. How did you manage this?

“Nat! Naaaaaat!” Bucky called out to his best friend-slash-co-owner, desperately trying to keep the large stack of books balanced in his arms. Something bumped his ankles and he peered down. “No. Not you, Alpine. You don’t have opposable thumbs.” The white ball of fluff just continued to purr and rub against her human’s legs. Bucky tried to nudge his baby away, but the change in balance caused the top book to slide, bumping against Bucky’s cheekbone.

“Nat! Help!”

“What’s up, Buckminsterfullerene?”

Nat appeared as if by magic, riding the roll-along ladder like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. If Bucky could have pinched the bridge of his nose he would have. Instead he just settled for a sigh.

“You know completely what’s up, and you’re just waiting for the right moment to say ‘I told you so’. I’ve overestimated how many books I can put away at once, again. Now will you please help me?”

She jumped down, her red hair swinging around her shoulders.

“What’s in it for me?”

“I’ll take you for drinks at Gallis once we’ve closed up? We can people-watch, maybe find a couple of guys to flirt with and buy us more drinks?”

Nat stepped forward and took a handful of books off the top of the stack, holding them in one arm and started to put them away. She pursed her lips as if she was trying to decide, but Bucky knew she wouldn’t be able to resist that offer - it was their favourite Friday evening activity, which said a lot about their respective love lives.

“You’re on, Barnes, but tell me you got something cute upstairs in your wardrobe that I can borrow.”

“Nat, you know full well that half your wardrobe is upstairs, pushing mine out. You’re here that often.”

“Hey! I resemble that remark. And anyway, it gives you more options.”

Bucky huffed, and blew a lock out of his brown hair out of his eyes, before realising that the stack of books left in his arms was now actually manageable and could be put away.

“I might be slim, but I’m not that slim.”

“Betcha $10 that I can make an outfit out of my stuff for you to wear this evening.”

Nat smiled at him, eyes twinkling and he grinned back.

“You’re on, Romanoff!”

“So you’re telling me that your patient really thought he could scale down from a second storey window?” Sam’s expression was a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Steve grabbed an olive from the bowl in front of them, threw it up and caught it in his mouth.

“Yup. Kid thought that if he covered his hands and feet in some kind of sticky resin he could go up and down the wall like a spider. No lie. Not even drunk. Just a clever kid with too much time on his hands and not enough common sense.”

Sam laughed, and wiped a tear of mirth from his eye.

“God, man. I’m glad I’ve left general medicine behind.”

“Yeah, now you just have to deal with a load of…”

“Don’t say it! Don’t you dare say it. That joke gets old, real fast. So, other than an idiotic teenager, you enjoying being back? Ready to put yourself out there?”

Steve took a swig from his beer, more to give him a second’s space than the need to actually slake his thirst. Sam looked at him expectantly, and Steve knew he wasn’t going to get out of answering.

“Yes to the first and maybe to the second.”

Sam raised his eyebrow.

“Maybe? Come-on, dude. It’s been like, what, four… five months since you broke up. I’m not saying go out and propose to the first person you meet, but there’s no harm in a little flirting, a little dancing. And I can tell you, there’s a young man over there who hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you.”

Steve knew who he meant - it had been difficult not to notice the certified twink propped up against the bar drinking cocktails with his red-headed friend. The young man looked like he’d been poured into those black skin-tight jeans, and the rather feminine, purple button-up, left open over an equally feminine black crop top, accentuated his pale skin and red, pouty lips. Steve would be a liar if he said he wasn’t interested - part of him definitely was, but the more cautious part of him, the part that was still nursing his battered and bruised heart, wasn’t sure.

“Go on, Steve. Buy him a drink. Or at least offer.”

Sam was nothing if not persistent. Steve downed the rest of his bottle, trying for a bit of dutch courage. Apparently, he wasn’t getting out of this either.

“This hasn’t got anything to do with the fact that you want to speak to his friend, does it?”

Sam smiled around his bottle neck before placing it, now empty, back on the table.

“I plead the fifth on that.” Steve smiled back, but rolled his eyes dramatically.

“Come on, before I chicken out. But one drink. That’s all.”

“Uh-huh? I bet you’ll want to stay for more.”

Damn-it!

Steve hated it when Sam was right. He’d almost forgotten how insufferably smug his friend could get, but he had no doubt he would be reminded in the morning. Or rather later in the morning, because it was 4.30am and Steve was quietly trying to find his pants.  

He’d never been a one-night stand kinda guy before, and truly, he hadn’t intended to go home with this man - Bucky - but with each swig of beer, each whispered flirtation, each dance, it had seemed like a better and better idea. They’d gone back to Bucky’s - a small apartment above a bookstore - and, well, things had escalated quickly.

Now, Steve wasn’t going to say he regretted it, because whoo-ee, was Bucky something - very hot, very talented - but now, as the alcohol and post-orgasmic haze was wearing off, he was feeling… awkward?

Bucky was lying on his front on his bed, head turned to the side and lightly snoring. A shaft of light from the street outside shone through the somewhat ratty curtains, highlighting Bucky’s glorious cheekbones and kissable lips. Steve felt a pull inside him, a pull to just get back into the warm bed, wrap his arms around Bucky and go back to sleep but he shouldn’t. He couldn’t. It was too soon got anything like that.

Locating his slacks, he tugged them on. Groping around further he found his shirt, one sock and both shoes. Gathering them to himself, Steve crept towards the bedroom door, opened it a slither, and snuck out.

As he took a step forward something soft and warm brushed against his foot. Somehow he managed to stifle his scream.

“Mmmerp?”

A pair of large eyes looked up at him in the darkness. Juggling his armful of clothes, Steve pulled out his phone, and turned on the torch.

“Oh, thank fuck. You’re just a cat.”

The animal tilted its white fuzzy face.

“Mmmerp?”

Steve shuffled over to the sofa, resting his phone on the coffee table as he stuffed his arms into his shirt.

“Sorry, little one. I have no idea where your owner keeps your kibble. You’ll have to manage.”

He pulled on his lone sock and slipped on his shoes, making a face at how his bare foot stuck to the leather inner. Laces tightened, he picked up his phone and quietly made his way over to the front door.

“Do me a favour, kitty? Give Bucky a kiss for me, yeah?”

“Mmmerp!”

Carefully shutting the door behind him, and trying not to think too hard about the heaviness in his heart, Steve pulled up his ride share app, and booked himself a cab home.

“So, he just bailed on you?”

Bucky stared down at the account book open in front of him, hoping that the numbers would just start to make sense on their own. And hoping that Nat would just drop it.

“Uh-huh. Gone when I woke up. Left a sock behind though.”

“A veritable Cinderella, then.”

“Ha-ha, Nat. Very funny. His name was Steve.”

Bucky shut the ledger with a snap, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I don’t even know why I’m so cross. It’s not like I haven’t done the moonlight flit before.”

Nat leant against the counter, checking her pristine make-up in her compact mirror.

“It hurts, cos you were on the receiving end this time. My advice? Let it go. You got a good lay out of it, yes?”

“Yes…” It might have been begrudgingly, but he had to agree - the sex had been spectacular. Maybe that’s why he was so sour? Upset that he didn’t get to get up close and friendly to Steve’s dick again? For a short guy, he’d definitely been packing… Oh, well.

“Well, ride the high of a good fuck and move on.”

“Okay, okay. What about you and his friend?”

Nat turned her head and gave a coy smile.

“Sam? A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Yeah, but you ain’t no lady. Ow! Don’t hit me!” 

Bucky laughed as he raised his arms to fend off Nat’s friendly blows.

“Uncle! Uncle! I give in, I’m sorry.”

“Hhmmff. I suggest you get on with some work. Maybe you should do the book sorting and I’ll do the accounts?”

“Sounds like a plan. And Nat?”

“What?”

“Love you!”

“Love you, too.”

Why had he drunk so much last night?

The lights in the ER were far too bright, and he was now 10 hours into an 8 hour shift. And why on earth did people insist on inserting things that shouldn’t be inserted into places that shouldn’t have things inserted?

“Dr Rogers? Are you able to check over the patient in Bay 5?”

“Hmmm?” Steve turned to see the face of Wanda, the triage nurse looking at him expectantly. He bit back a moan as he wiped his hand over his face. “I mean, sure. What’s the story?”

“He says he had an accident at work, but something heavy has impacted his face. His left orbit is bruised and there’s a large edema, which is interfering with his vision.”

Wanda was chewing her lip and Steve could tell she wasn’t sure if the guy’s story was true.

“Okay - I’ll take a look. You’ve got his chart?”

“Right here. And thank you, Steve.”

“No problem.”

Steve pushed up from the desk where he’d managed to find all of two minutes' peace and skimmed through the chart for his new patient as he made his way over to the bay.

“Okay… James, is it?” As he pulled open the curtain and looked up, he froze. “Bucky?”

“Steve?” 

Wanda hadn’t been kidding - Bucky was pretty banged up, but he was still as beautiful as Steve remembered.

The clipboard clattered to the floor and suddenly Steve found himself right in front of Bucky, gently cradling his bruised face in his hands.

“Who did this to you?”

For a heartbeat, Bucky just stared at him and then…

“What? What do you mean?”

“Was it a jealous boyfriend? If so, I’m so sorry. But also, give me his name. I’ll make sure he never sees the light of day again.”

Bucky’s eyes - well, one of them - went wide with understanding before he hissed and winced. Steve picked up the ice pack that had been discarded on the side table and pressed it to the purpling side of Bucky’s face.

“Steve, slow down. It wasn’t somebody else. There’s no boyfriend. No any-one. I had an accident, that’s all.”

“But what? How?”

Bucky chuckled, then winced again.

“Nat’s not going to let me live it down. I do it all the time, and finally, it backfired. I was putting the books away, you know, in my shop.” 

No, Steve didn’t know. Hadn’t realised that the shop below the apartment had been Bucky’s shop. To be fair, he was a little distracted at the time. However, he nodded anyway, aware that he was probably gaping like a fish.

“Well, I have a tendency to overestimate how many books I can carry at once, and then I overbalanced, and crrsshhh,” he gestured wildly. “A dozen hardbacks were bouncing off my face. And I thought I was safe with words. Isn’t it supposed to be sticks and stones that break my bones?”

Another heartbeat of silence and then…

“Oh my God, Bucky. You didn’t just say that?” Steve slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle the chuckle that threatened to burst out. “Come on. Let me have a look. We might have to send you to X-ray though.”

Bucky couldn’t believe it. Steve - Sexy Steve from last night - was a doctor. He was certain it was only the pain in his face that stopped his dick from standing straight to attention when Steve had walked in, all professional in his white coat with a stethoscope around his neck.

He also couldn’t believe he’d made that cheesy joke, and that Steve had been all worried about him. 

While Steve did his thing, gently probing and taking notes, and asking him about his pain levels, Bucky ruminated on Steve’s reaction.

“Steve…”

“Mmmhhmmm?” Steve was still looking down at the papers, pen in between his lips, and God, if he hadn’t looked sexier.

“Were you really worried that someone had assaulted me?”

“What? Umm… well…yes. I was worried it was my fault too. Look, Bucky, it was really shitty of me to leave like I did this morning. I’m not... I mean I don’t…” His cheeks turned pink with embarrassment and Bucky took pity on him, leaning over and pressing his finger to Steve’s lips.

“Hey. It’s okay. I don’t think either of us was communicating properly last night - well, communicating in a non sex-specific manner - I think we got that down, don’tcha think?”

Steve gulped.

“Umm, well…”

“Let’s start again, okay? I’m James Buchanan Barnes, Bucky to my friends. I own and run a bookstore with my best friend Natasha, and I’m rubbish at relationships.”

He stuck out his hand towards Steve, who looked at it, before reaching out with his own.

“I’m Steve Rogers, ER doctor, here at King’s County. I’ve just returned from several years in LA, and having my heart broken in the process. I’m looking to take things slow.”

“I can do slow. Say, when we both get out of here, if anywhere’s still open, would you like to go and get a coffee?”

“I think I’d like that a lot, Bucky.”

Tag list: @jobean12-blog @yarnforbrains @sidepartskinnyjeans @flordeamatista @krissy25 @bodeckersdiamonddoll @goldylions @luxeavenger @wheezy-stucky @doasyoudesireandlive @chemtrails-club @seitmai @peaches1958 @pono-pura-vida @writing-for-marvel

[monstersandmaw]

Male Demon x male human witch - Chapter Four - light nsfw

I'm so sorry this month has been unusually quiet. It's been a bit of a bonkers time, with Mr. Ghosti getting a new job, then my dad's memorial happening, me upping my coppicing work and chainsaw training, and also buying a freaking motorbike(!!), but I'm back on Patreon again, and here's Demon's chapter four!! I hope you still remember the story. If not, here are some catch-up links!!

Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Content: mutual pining, lusting after your new boyfriend, an old friend, some magic, some fancy sushi, and some light steamy content before it all kicks off next chapter... Wordcount: 2601

Thank you again for your patience and support, especially the folks on Discord who were so kind when I mentioned what the state of things was.

Preview:

Carefully, Demon slid his leg over the seat in front of Jasper’s and somehow made it back to his apartment without wobbling the bike and its precious cargo off the road.

His mind was spinning and his heart refused to beat in a regular pattern. It was a good job that neither Țepeș, with his supernatural hearing, nor Coco with her ability to detect desire, was nearby. Somehow, he managed to park the Panigale in the underground parking lot of his apartment building and secure it with both a lock and a curse without blowing anything up. 

Just a week, and I’m completely fucked.

Fuck.

He led Jasper up the stairwell and into the glinting main lobby, and past the doorman who looked up and nodded. “Afternoon, Mr. Mortlake,” he said politely, eyeing Jasper with artfully-bland curiosity.

“He’s with me, Dennis,” Demon said. “You can let him in any time.”

“Of course, sir,” Dennis replied with an expression that gave absolutely nothing away.

In the elevator, Demon let the doors close, then pushed the fingerprint-locked button for the penthouse. Jasper might not have noticed but it was also protected against shapeshifters, and even those under mind control, with a nasty hex.

“Seriously?” Jasper asked when he saw which button Demon had pressed though. “The penthouse? I mean, I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess… given that monster bike you own and the fact that you are a demon. You could probably have anything in our world you wanted, but still…? Also, ‘Mortlake’? Isn’t that where John Dee had a house?”

Demon just smiled. His witch was knowledgeable too.

Fuck. He’s not my witch. 

Gods, I could be his though.

Fuck, fuckfuckfuck.

“Do I even want to know how you came by all this?” Jasper asked, glancing around at the shiny elevator walls for emphasis.

“Made a few deals in the beginning with people who were rich as Croesus before they lost their bargains. Probably best if we leave it at that though.”

“Fair enough,” Jasper said, though his eyes were a little wide and there was a twist of unease in his emotions that Demon didn’t enjoy.

 It’d be worse if you had to tell him the pain you caused to balance the bargains you made when they couldn’t keep them though, his mind helpfully supplied.

As the lift sailed upwards, Demon cleared his throat and changed the topic. “I’ll need to adjust my wards to let you in. I… I don’t invite people home often. So far they’re only attuned to about three and a half people other than me.”

“Oh. Are you sure? About me, I mean. I don’t want you to feel like —”

“I’m sure.” I’m so fucking sure it’s scaring the shit out of me.

“Ok.” After a little pause, Jasper asked, “Who are they? And who’s the half?”

“Hm?”

“The people you trust enough to let into your home…” Jasper asked. “I’m mostly just curious about the ‘half’ though.”

Demon’s lips lifted into a lopsided smile and he said, “Țepeș, Coco, and Oats, plus Oats’ kid. She’s the half.”

“Rude! Children are people too.”

Demon snorted. “This one’s half horse. Does that still count?”

“Half… horse?”

“Kelpie, technically. But so is Oats.”

“Oats?” Jasper looked baffled. He clearly knew about supernatural creatures other than witches and demons though. “Because he’s a kelpie? And horses like… oats?”

“Because he’s always got granola bars in his pockets for his kid. We’ve all got nicknames for each other. ‘Demon’ was mine for… obvious reasons,” he said. “It wasn’t meant with much grace to start with, but it stuck anyway. Same goes for Hot Stuff.” The doors pinged but they didn’t get out straight away. “You’ll probably have to meet Hank’s little family at Full Moon some time soon, but for now, I’m going to keep you to myself. Well, for tonight anyway.”

He stepped out of the lift and turned away from Jasper so that he didn't have to reveal just how much he wanted it to be longer than ‘tonight’, and how much the idea of what might come next terrified him just as much. The idea of Jasper walking away and Demon never seeing him again sparked an almost physical pain in his chest, just where his ribs flared. 

Read the whole thing over on Patreon now! Remember all my writing is now going up ONLY on Patreon, but anything that would have been free to read here on Tumblr will be free to read over on Patreon. Just become a free member, or join a tier and get early access, plus access to my huge archive of exclusive content.

[einsteinsugly]

October 23, 1998. Tiger Lilies.

"Dad, here's my Christmas list."

His declaration is ambitious, self-assured. Just like his mother.

"It's October." Maybe, just maybe, it's a bit arrogant, and Hyde frowns. "The day after your birthday."

James senses his disappointment, and he quickly backtracks. "It's not like I was disappointed or something like that."

"That's good to know." He purses his lips, teaching his little grasshopper a lesson. Words of wisdom. "Sometimes, you gotta be grateful for what you have."

It's a difficult balancing act, teetering on a tightrope. He wants to give his kids more than his child self could possibly dream of, but at the same time, he doesn't want to spoil them rotten. He doesn't want to raise a brat, or overcompensate. Give them everything money can buy, but not much else.

"Mom always says that money doesn't buy happiness, but it usually helps."

They seem to be on the same wavelength, but with contrasting points of view. Whether to reject the notion, or to embrace it. "Yeah, but she always says that when she wants something that she doesn't need."

"Oh." He gets the not so subtle message, but he isn't done yet. "It's okay to want stuff sometimes."

Refusing to budge, more than an inch, he groans. "You can't let it rule your life."

"Mom lets it rule her life, and she has lots of stuff."

He doesn't know if Jackie being very successful qualifies as money "ruling her life," but her massive walk-in closet might.

She's far less conceited than she once was, but she spoils the kids rotten. James is her baby boy, and Becca...well, she never wants that much, so it's only fair to get her anything her heart might desire, too. CDs, band tees, Goosebumps books. A small TV for her bedroom. And even a Discman.

But that was all she ever wanted for the past four or five years. James wants everything, now, like his mom. The best clothes, music, gear. Guitars, bikes, stereos, video games. And Jackie, most of the time, gives in. And it annoys the crap out of him.

"But the best stuff is the stuff money can't buy," He defensively assures, brow furrowed in tentative worry, "You, me, Becca. The Formans."

"Grandpa Jack, too?"

"Him, too."

Carefully stern, with a dash of concern, Hyde tells the truth. It's the fear that's been lingering at the bottom of his gut, for the past few years. He has that light in his eyes, that sheer ambition with a bit of his own rebellious stance, that could drag him into the dark underbelly of society. Wheeling and dealing, in smoke-filled rooms.

"You'll go down the same road as him, if you're not careful."

"Prison?" James fights power with power. Defensiveness, on both his own and his grandpa's behalf. "That could've been you, too."

Notably taken aback, he is nearly at a loss for words. "James."

"But it wasn't, so yeah." He sighs, momentarily defeated. "I guess I should throw away my Christmas list."

Hyde remains calm, cool, and collected, despite feeling like he's going to crack. "You just gotta pick the few things you really want."

James pouts, his ice blue eyes searing into his...well, he doesn't really believe in souls, but whatever. "But I want all of them."

He's just like his mom. "Think. Really hard, kid."

"Huh." After a mere moment of pondering, he goes full throttle. "A new bike, some CDs for my Discman. Some new Levi's, 'cause yesterday, Leah said it looked like I was wearin' capris."

"Okay, get in the car." Standing up, patting him on the back, he provides for his kid. Some wants, and always, what he needs. "You're growin' like a weed."

James inevitably smirks, with a satisfied chuckle. "Mom said I was growin' like a tiger lily."

[anamelessfool]

Papa Knows Best (AO3)

From my "Domestics" Ficlet Series

GEN Young Primo (1962)

Tags: Mother and Son, Vintage Suburban Childhood, TV Rots Your Brain, Single Mom, Latchkey Kid, Fluff and Humor, Maybe I should send this to my Therapist, Sorta Sad Fluff Because That's My Brand

First and foremost dedicated to @fishwithtitz the most badass mom I know (besides my own), @ghuleh-recs because they like my Young Papa HCs. Also special shout out to @thew0man and @can-of-pringles for their unbelievable support.

Ficlet below the cut!

1962

Primo [Irving Robert Olson] was born at the New York City Chapel of the Satanic Church of the Void in 1953 to Sister Nance and Brother Nihil. He and his mother left the Church in 1960. Looking back, the fact that his half-brother Secondo was born the following year was probably a strong factor in Nance's decision.

The world wasn’t designed at all for a single parent household. His mother Nance did what she could to be there, but it was hard making ends meet as a poet and freelance writer so she was often out late, teaching at the nearby college or researching for the occasional newspaper gig. Nance would date other men but none stuck around, especially when they had strong opinions about her son. She preferred being alone anyway.

Primo early on learned to take care of himself, and to understand that she couldn't really attend all the bake sales, meetings and neighborhood events like the rest of his classmates.

He would ride his bike home easily enough, over the train tracks, quickly past the kids shooting bottles off of the rails with bb guns. Primo was the heaviest kid of his age group, and the other boys delighted to remind him of that. (He also was the strongest kid so they kept a healthy distance from him when they started crowing about his weight as he rode past.) He would arrive at the house soon after the train track gauntlet, parking his bike by the front yard vegetable garden. The key would always be under the mat and a sandwich in the fridge just for him. If Nance would be home past five o’ clock there would be a note for him with a silly doodle by the phone.

Primo had a big imagination, but he was never interested in books. The two things he really enjoyed was his portable turntable and the television. He had the entire week’s programming memorized and luckily Nance wasn't around right after school to chide him about too much of it rotting his brain.

One of his favorite programs (besides the Lone Ranger) was a sitcom entitled Father Knows Best. On the afternoons it was on, Primo would scoot up too close to the television, twisting the volume knob until it would not crank any further. He even dared to eat his sandwich right in the living room, the plate balanced on his lap. No one but the bronze Baphomet sculpture on the side table ever witnessed his small acts of defiance. But it was a little ritual that he enjoyed as the music swelled and that familiar house with the white picket fence appeared on the screen.

He felt odd watching it, like he was spying through the window of a classmate’s house. Trying to understand the ins and outs of this perfect family and their small dramas. Often he imagined the television screen was a window to an aquarium, a zoo exhibit featuring a rare organism. Sometimes he felt it was the smiling figures on the screen that were the real people, and he himself was the creature in the enclosure. Those were not very good days.

At the end of each episode Father would strike a dapper figure, poised against the stiff gray couch, wearing an equally stiff but smart suit even in his own home. He'd thoughtfully put his pipe to his lips, nodding at his son standing sheepishly in the middle of the living room. “Now I suppose, Bud, that today you’ve learned the importance of telling the truth,” he would chide smoothly. His voice would keep a manly tenderness despite his scolding. “And because you didn't tell the truth today, you lost the money that you were planning on buying Barbara’s birthday present with.”

“That's the pits, isn't it,” Primo said out loud, half to himself and half to the bronze Baphomet nearby.

But like the namesake, Father always knew best, and the son would get a few new dollar bills, a playful rifling of his hair and an order to go out and play. THE END, announced the title card, and the music would wash across Primo sitting in the living room alone.

“Is Mister Walter coming back this weekend?” Primo expertly captured another one of Nance’s Sorry pawns. It was evening and the two of them were doing their usual after dinner bonding time. It was fun to chat and play board games with his mother, but Primo secretly enjoyed them better when there were three people playing.

“Mr. Walter…hated cats,” Nance muttered through her cigarette. Apparently a lot of them hated cats. Primo thought it odd this was a hard limit for Nance since they had never owned a pet bigger than a goldfish.

“He was alright,” said Primo. “He liked watching TV with me.”

“TV rots your brain,” Nance replied. “Have you been enjoying Robinson Crusoe?” She had gifted the book to him for his birthday and had subsequently planted it in strategic locations to encourage him to read it. He kept reading the first page, getting confused, and then putting it down.

“TV makes sense.”

“Yeah, of course it does. Take a plot, throw it in the mixer and then drink it up. I once got offered a job writing one of those family bilgefests and turned it right down.” Nance had forgotten they were playing the game. She tapped her nail on the table. “You're smarter than that, Irving.”

“Mom, it's your turn,” reminded Primo. He stared hard at the game in front of them. “There was a good Father Knows Best episode today. Bud lost the money for Barbara’s birthday gift.”

“Father Knows Best?” Nance’s neat ponytail twitched. “Irving, you know best.” She moved her piece and collected one of her son’s pawns off the board. “Sorry.”

Primo started to feel her seething agitation, although he knew it was never about him. “Are you…thirsty?”

“Are you offering?” Her small elfin smile started to emerge. “Shall we split a Coke?”

Primo nodded and obediently went to the icebox, grabbing one from the door. He pulled out two glasses and carefully emptied the bottle into them, stooping and staring with intensity as he ensured the Coke was perfectly divided between them. He returned from the kitchen, fully smiling now, and handed one to her. Nance did a silly toast and then they clinked glasses.

Nance sighed and ruffled her son’s hair. “I'm sorry this is hard. But it's necessary. You'll understand soon. This world is full of idiots who wait for things to happen, and it never comes. Who expect things to go a certain way. Who think someone else knows what's best.”

Primo suspected she must have had a rough day. She was usually cheerful, quippy and energetic but today she gloomily tapped the ashes from her cigarette into the crystal ashtray and stared at the Baphomet across the room. At last she sipped her glass and waved her hand around.

“But all of this? All mine. I made this happen. I did it. And I'm not holding my hands out at the sky either. I'm grabbing what I want with my fist.” Nance's face softened. “And I love sharing it with you, son. I choose to share it with you.”

My AO3 | Tumblr Fic List | My Terzo/Omega Fics

Please comment and reblog! Thank you.

[daveysjackie]

My Memory Is Your Canvas

A person is presumed dead seven years after their disappearance. It’s been eight years since Davey’s fiancé, Jack, vanished.

When Davey woke, he was alone.

Like he had been for the last 8 years.

He turned from his back to look at the empty space on the right hand side of the bed.

I have to sleep on the right, Dave! I’m a rightie and you’re a lefty, it only makes sense.

As always, the engagement ring on his finger was heavy with the weight of sadness and regret.

David Zachariah “Walking Mouth” Jacobs, will you marry me?

He looked at the painting, hung on the wall that was opposite the bed. Jack had painted it the entire month after proposing. Apple blossom trees (Davey’s favourite) under a bright sky. Two familiar silhouettes danced in the shade.

His second alarm went off, awakening him from the memories that clouded his mind.

He checked his phone, realising Katherine had texted him, enquiring as to whether their plan of going out for coffee was going ahead.

In all honesty, he wanted to cancel. It was coming up to Jack’s birthday and the depression tended to hit him hard.

But he’d already cancelled on his two best friends multiple times recently and they practically had to force him to agree to today.

So, once Davey confirmed they would see him there, he freshened up, throwing open the curtains and opening the window, a smile flickering on his lips as the warm air brushed across his face, reminding him of a happier time.

How’d you never learn to ride a bike? Les and Sarah both ride. C’mon, summer is a great time to learn. No. You’re not getting out of this, Jacobs. If you manage to keep your own balance for five seconds today, I will pay for all our ice-cream for the rest of the summer.

Davey only managed three seconds that day but Jack still insisted on buying all their ice cream. He proposed the last day of summer as they shared an ice cream cone in the park.

“I miss you, Jackie,” Davey whispered into the wind.

——————————

“No.”

“Davey, you can’t cling to false hope.”

Davey glared at Spot who just glared back. Katherine sighed loudly, pulling their attention towards her.

“David, you led the investigation. It’s been eight years.”

When Davey didn’t say anything, Spot gently rested her hand over his.

“We all miss him. He was my brother. But you have to move on with your life.”

Scoffing, Davey couldn’t help but sarcastically quip, “That’s easy for you two to say.”

“Davey-”

“You have Race and your siblings. You two are trying for kids. And Kath? Your father is retiring at the end of the year. Your brother is set to inherit the company and promote you to his right hand woman. And you’re going to ask Sarah to marry you at that big Christmas party. You both have lives to continue with other people. Jack was-” Davey sucked in a harsh breath. “He is my everything.”

Katherine and Spot stumbled over their words as Davey abruptly stood and left.

——————————

It was getting late when Davey arrived home.

Working in the Missing Persons department of the New York Police still stung a little. Especially since the only missing person he hadn’t found was his own fiancé.

Yes, it felt great to see family and loved ones reunited after terrifying experiences. But now, the scenes were tinged with bitterness.

No matter how he felt, it didn’t change the fact that David Jacobs was one of the best. So when he saw the front door of his apartment, he instantly noticed the new scratches around the lock.

He rested a hand on the gun he wore in his holster, slowly walking in, taking in the damage.

Thick mud had been tracked down the hall. Surprisingly, most of his possessions seemed untouched.

Still suspicious, he followed the mud, careful not to disturb the prints or touch anything else.

He was led to his own room and immediately noticed what had been taken.

The painting was gone.

A laugh escaped him.

Only two people knew that the painting had actual value alongside sentimental. And Davey sure as hell hadn’t told anyone. Which only meant one thing.

“Jack is alive.”

(Feel free to send me asks about this AU)

[spadesolace]

two? four? what?

pairing: idol! yuna x fem! reader (platonic)

warnings: n/a

yuna doesn’t know how to ride a bike.

you knew this from the beginning, having the girl be so athletic but could never ride a bike blew your mind. she had a concert to prepare for, her solo stage was maniac, a song you introduced to her and somehow she just chose it. the problem was… she had to learn how to ride a bike.

this was not what you were expecting on your saturday morning, yuna with her manager asking for your help to teach her how to ride a bike. out of all the people yuna knew, she asked you, there was no issue to it on your end but your bike wasn’t the most suitable for beginners. if yuna was to floorball, you were to cycling. out of your two bikes, a road bike (which is commonly used in competitions) and a mountain bike.

this led to you and yuna buying her own bike, paid by the company because it was a skill she needed to learn. bike shopping wasn’t as easy as clothes, she had to pick what bike she wanted, she chose a japanese bike, but her manager had asked where was she going to place it? her answer? at your place.

you planned on buying yuna a proper bike, something that she could use and easily store like a folding bike but… the company had decided that the bike she chose is what will be used at the concert. you left the store with a pink japanese bike and a happy yuna. of course, you would still put yuna’s interest first over anything.

han river, it was probably the safest place you could teach yuna how to ride a bike despite a few taking pictures of the event.

“look straight and don’t look down.” you kept repeating that phrase as if it were a mantra. a tandem bike would have made the learning experience easier for yuna but the girl was scared. everytime you would try to let go, she would already be screaming and wobbling (have to admit, it was funny). the solution you came up with? keep helping her balance and very slowly let go.

it failed.

yuna kept swaying but she was pedalling non-stop, she got scared of stopping because she knew she would fall at the same time you were scared she might get a scar. sprinting towards her only left you clutching onto the seat and holding yuna before she could fall into the river. she as stupid and careless it may seem, actually rode a bike. she couldn’t steer it.

it went on, until sunset where yuna freely rode her bike and you watched her avoid almost every obstacle and turn right back to you. saturday was well spent and yuna learned a new skill, which meant you could finally buy her a custom bike, complete with jersey and shoes.

on the day of the concert, yuna got you a ticket as a sign of gratitude. watching her enter the stage while riding a bike, you felt proud… but was then shattered when you saw the training wheels. did i just spend an entire day teaching my best friend how to ride a bike only for her to perform her solo stage with training wheels? YES, YES I DID.

yuna profusely apologized after the concert.

[doulayogimama]

My family is the type of family that tells each other what to buy for birthdays lol

I told my dad if he still needed to get Sky something, please get this balance bike and he bought it like 30 seconds later 😭🙏🏽

I’m going to order the Blippi “costume” for her to wear on her birthday and I’ll take her to the best playground / beach in Miami where there’s lots of kids. Maybe a splash pad. Then maybe have a mini cake cutting party for her on the beach at sunset after a fun day 🤍

[a-casual-kpopfan]

Fairytale - JiU

A/N: Double surprise! Still not a Loona fic! - Ghost

“Joon-ah, I need to go deliver an order, can you stand at the counter for me?”

“Yes mom.”

Another day.

Another hectic morning at your little bakery. Given that your place is the only place in this small town that sells any type of pastries, you can’t really say anything about it. It’s unlike the city, where the people have the luxury to choose where they can get their stuff. Nonetheless, living in a small town like this isn’t so bad.

Living in a small town, inevitably you would get to know most people here, being a tight-knitted community and all. But you don't mind, to be honest. People are nice to each other, and you can get discounts whenever you want to buy something.

However, there’s a downside to living in a small town like this, one that most people wouldn’t know unless they live in one for a long time. And that is once you earn some kind of bad reputation, you can’t ever get rid of it.

Ever.

Such is the case for one particular household.

The Kims.

From what you hear amongst the chit chat between your mother and the other ladies in the town, the Kims has been the boon of the town for a long time ago. All misfortune in this town can be said to have originated from them. Of course, you immediately think of those stories as bullshit, but the town is quite obsolete in their ways of thinking, and you aren't present here most of the time anyways, having moved to the city to pursue your studies.

Your mom has also always reminded you against taking the road on the outer East of the town, as that is where the Kims resides. Again, you really don't care, but you do it out of love and respect for your mom.

However, things don’t always go the way you wanted to.

------

On that faithful day, you are on your way back to the town for the summer vacation.

Being a university student, you undoubtedly had a difficult time balancing between your study and your part-time job, so summer vacation becomes one of the few times you can visit your mom again.

Isolated and quite away from the city, your town was built on sturdy, yet low-lying land. As a result of this, whenever the rainy season comes, the roads become less of a road, and more of a shallow canal.

And unfortunately for you, it just rained the day before.

Knowing that you can’t use the main road to get into town today, you calculate in your head for an alternative way into the town.

Fortunately, such a road exists. The road curves up onto a nearby hill and therefore will not be flooded. However, it’s the road on the outer East of the town, the one that your mom advice you to avoid.

It’s not like you haven’t gone through that road before, otherwise how would you know that road wouldn’t get flooded? Nonetheless, as a filial son, you try to avoid it most of the time you’re in the town, in order not to make your mom worry.

Regardless of how your mom would think, you have no other choice but to take that road, if you don’t want to arrive home with wet trousers.

With your mind made up, you steer your motorbike onto the little road that leads to the outer East edge of the town, totally unaware that dark clouds are gathering in the vicinity.

Soon enough, you are met with dribbles that soon turn into heavy droplets then into a huge downpour that catches you completely by surprise.

“Fucking hell…” At this point, it doesn’t matter if you arrive home wet or dry anymore, so you increase your speed, hoping to get home quickly.

Though, it seems like God is playing a cruel trick on you, as you hear a weird noise coming from your bike’s engine, and you slowly, gradually come to a stop. In the middle of the pouring rain. With a broken-down bike.

“God fucking damn it, you can’t be shitting me….” You curse to yourself, getting off your bike and start to push it, trying to find a shelter that you can stay in temporarily, your body already trembling from the sheer cold of the rain pouring down onto your body.

Despite your best effort, you know you can’t really find any proper shelter on this road, since people have moved into the town, and there are no residences nearby that can offer you shelter.

The best you can do right now is to hide underneath one of the trees on the side of the road, using your bike as a cover to somewhat offset the rain. And hoping to their god this rain will stop sometimes soon. So, you set out to do just that, your hands already numb from the cold, and your mind starting to feel hazy.

“Why did I not pack a raincoat…” You curse yourself for your carelessness, which results in your current predicament.

“So cold….” In your hazy mindset, you fail to comprehend someone approaching you from behind, not until that person appear right next to you.

"Are you alright?" The voice's soft, airy, with a hint of worry underneath it. Even amidst the heavy rain, you catch the voice almost immediately, causing you to look up, flinching a bit from the sudden contact. Unfazed by your movement, a young woman enters your gaze. Long, somewhat wavy black hair cascaded down towards her black, white, pearly smooth skin, dark, deep eyes hidden partially underneath a pair of round glasses. A brown, orange blouse hugs her body nicely, accompanied by a form-fitting pair of pants. She looks like a fairy, descended to help you at this moment. (you’re starting to become delirious.)

"You're freezing." She says, squatting down to meet your eye level, one hand moves from your shoulder to your forehead to check your temperature, the other holding tightly on the umbrella, to prevent it from being blown away by the rain. Even in your current hazy mindset, all you can think about is how pretty she is.

You've seen your fair share of beautiful girls on your campus, but none compared to the girl before you. Such soft and delicate features, yet you can feel a profound strength hidden underneath the soft exterior.

“My house is not far from here. I can offer you shelter.” At first you don’t think much of her words, but then mom’s voice suddenly echoes in your mind like a warning, causing you to become vigilant.

“Are you Kim Minji?” You ask, in a trembling voice that is partially from the cold you’re enduring.

“It seems like I’m famous around here.” Despite your cautious behaviour, she giggles lightly, unperturbed of your actions. “It’s hard not to hear about your household in the town, you know.”

She only smiles lightly at that, not saying anything else as she stands up. “Come, let’s get you somewhere warm.” You stand up as well but are still hesitant about whether you should follow her or not. Your mind arguing between finding a safe place right now or following your mom’s advice to stay away from the Kims, and her.

Although you know that the words circulating in the town aren’t always true, it’s hard to go against the advice driven into you at a young age.

Minji seems to notice your conflicted thoughts, as she steps closer to you, her umbrella manages to shield you from the pouring rain. A small haven for you.

“I promise you; I mean you no harm. I just want to make sure that you don’t collapse out here in the rain.” Although she only offers you a small smile, you feel like you’re in the vicinity of a star. So bright, so warm, so gentle. (Your delirium is getting worse.)

Abruptly, she pulls away from you, her umbrella no longer protecting you from the vicious downpour causing you to flinch. She only manages to walk forward a few steps before turning back at you, her arm extends out into the rain, with a gentle smile on her face.

“Won’t you please come with me?”

------

"Joon?" you snap out of your trance as your mom's voice enters your ears. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing mom, I was just... Thinking about stuff." you smile apologetically.

But that isn't enough for your mom. If there's one thing that is absolute, that will be the love and adoration a mother has for her child, and thanks to it, no one understands you more than your mother. And she has your odd behaviours ever since your return for the summer.

She knows about you arriving late due to the heavy rain at the start of summer, and she knows about the "late night rides" you take, something that you have never done before. She notices you spacing out a lot more, messing up on some orders, mistaking people for others and even counting the bills wrong. She knows what's wrong with you. After all, she has gotten it once before. You are in love.

“Joon-ah, did you…meet someone?” Your mom tentatively asks, to which you feel your breath hitched.

“No mom, I’m not seeing anyone, it’s just been quite tired last term, and I just need to relax.” You try your best to act normally, not wanting to worry your mom.

“Joon-ah, I know you’ve been going through that road a lot more frequent.” Your mom decides to get straight to the point. “H-huh?” You freeze almost instantly.

“You can’t hide your track all the time, Joon. Someone has already noticed you already.” Your mom lets a small sigh. “You’re seeing that girl, aren’t you?”

Seeing that your mom has already figured you out, you don’t dare to look at her face, only giving her a small nod.

“Joon, I told you countless times already, that household is anything but good. That girl will bring you misfortune, you can’t keep seeing her like this.”

At the mention of Minji, you feel your patience draining quickly.

“There are countless girls that are better than her, I can even introduce you to them if you want. There’s no need to stay with that girl.”

“NO!” For the first time in forever, you raise your voice at your mother. “She’s not like that! She doesn’t bring me any misfortune! She-she saved my life! Why can’t you try to understand that!”

Immediately, you regret your action greatly once you see the crestfallen expression on your mom’s face.

“Joon-ah, it’s not that I want to prohibit you from loving someone.” Your mom looks down, her hands grasping tightly onto the helm of her dress. “I just don’t want you to be hurt.” You can hear her trying her hardest to stay strong, not wanting to show her weakness to you.

“Mom, I….”

------

That afternoon, you’re once again at Minji’s place, both of you enjoying the view of the sun slowly diving underneath the mountain from her veranda.

Although you usually enjoy such a scenery, you don’t really feel it today. And apparently, Minji notices it as well.

“What’s wrong?” She turns towards you, her face appearing calm, yet her eyes have a glint of worry.

“Nothing escape your eyes huh?” You let out a small chuckle, glancing back at her. Minji has never been someone who outwardly expresses anything she wants. Due to the wariness everyone in town has for her, she develops a sort of calm temperament, always cautious in every little action.

The first time she wanted to hold your hands, she spent minutes watching your expression before slowing sliding her hand to touch yours. When you eventually noticed it and reciprocated it by actively taking her hands in yours, she smiled brightly.

“Well, my mom found out about us, and we argued for a bit.” You let out a sigh, remembering the conversation you had with her earlier this morning. As much as you love your mom and have never disobeyed a single thing, you’re not giving up on Minji, not when she has thoroughly, and wholeheartedly earn your affection like this.

Minji, however, falls into deep thoughts after hearing that from you. Only after a few minutes of thinking does she state her opinion, your attention is wholly on her expression.

"It's normal that she is worried about you. As most know, no love is stronger than a mother's love for her son." Her eyes scan your face for a bit before continuing. "Conflicts would be inevitable when two people with different ideals live with each other, but what's more important is that you put your ego down and make up with each other.

Your mother loves you, although obviously that's what a mother should do, not everyone can enjoy that kind of love." Minji stays silent as if to contemplate something. "Maybe it's best that you don't come here anymore."

"No!" For the second time in the day, you raise your voice, not because of anger, but because of... Something else, a feeling that you can't even explain now. Unlike your mother, Minji is still looking at you calmly, cool, yet you've known her long enough to realize that she's been shaken up quite a bit.

"I don't want to stop coming here, I don't want to stop seeing you.” You turn your whole body to her, taking her hands in yours. “You....you fill up something that in my heart that I never realized was missing, until I meet you. Being with you, I feel the calmest, I-... I don't want to leave you..." Your voice turns tender, almost broken, the thought of you never meeting her again hurts, deeply.

At your sudden confession, Minji blushes slightly, being the first time, you see her unable to maintain her calm expression, as she smiles gently at you, her eyes fill with love and adoration for you, and only you. “I know, Joon-ah.” Her hand escapes from yours and reaches up to cup your cheek tenderly. “I don’t want to be separate from you either.”

You lean further into her touch, like a cat nuzzling at her palm, wanting more. “But what can I do?” Her voice turns soft. “I can’t change the opinions they have about me. Not mentioning that what they said hold some truth in it.” You can hear the tone of sadness in her voice.

“My ancestor vehemently refused the development plan back then and insisted on staying in this house.” She lets out a sad smile, looking at you. “Because of it, our town lost its chance at reforming and attracting more people. And now I’m bearing the consequences of his action.” Her hand slowly, reluctantly leaves your cheek, however you clasp your hand over hers, bringing it up to your cheek again.

“What your ancestor did back then, is unrelated to what you do, and who you are right now.” You say firmly, a sense of conviction flashing in your eyes, captivating her. “I don’t care what any of the others say about you, they are old, and obstinate, I don’t care about what they think.” Despite your strong tone, your hold on her hand is so incredibly gentle. “I only care about what you think.” Your voice turns incredibly softer when you address her.

“Oh, Joon…” Minji looks barely able to hold on her tears, as she strokes your cheek. “But what about your mother?”

“I’ll convince her.” You affirm her. “I don’t know how to do that right now, but I will, eventually. Do you believe me?”

Minji falls into silence at your question. It’s not as if she doesn’t believe you. Unbeknownst to you, she attends the same university as you, albeit a different course, therefore she has already noticed you a long time ago. She witnessed how hard you work, how you achieve almost everything you set out to do, how you keep your promise to everyone, no matter how small, even if it were detrimental to you.

You might not have noticed her back then, too busy helping others and focusing on yourself, but she has always noticed you. How couldn’t she? When you shine so bright, your energy and way of life becoming the beacon of light shining down on her amidst the terrible hand she’s been dealt with by fate.

Although she has always admired you from afar. She finally found her chance on that rainy, fateful day. And she took it, with no hesitation.

Because since long ago, she has always believed you. She has always loved you.

“I do.” she says, tenderly, choking on her own tears as she leans forwards into you for a kiss, one that you reciprocate.

“I always have, and I always will.”

------

“You leave, and the air retains your image.”

.

.

.

A/N: A tribute to a fic I dearly loved that has been deleted. If you are the owner of it and want me to take this down, please feel free to contact us.