#best marine engineering college | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

the-au-collector · 10 months ago

Text

Linked Universe College Radio AU

Since I recently got some motivation to work on this one, I figured I would brain dump a little about my LU College Radio AU. It's basically a college/university AU but each of the main LU Links are somehow associated with their college radio station at Kakariko University.

Why radio? I was listening to The Oh Hellos when the idea struck me so each of the works are hopefully going to have titles taken from Oh Hellos songs. This will, hopefully, just mostly focus on the Links + the radio station but who knows? I added way too many characters to this braindump but oh well

The Links

Time

Staff coordinator for the radio station

Broadcasting professor

Usually gets stuck teaching the freshman and sophomores

Married to the zoology professor, Malon

Taking care of Twilight's dog, Wolfie, until Twilight finds a dog-friendly place. Acts like he hates it, but he actually loves it

Infamous for being a hardass

"Call me Time. Don't call me Link, that's my nephew. Don't call me Professor Lon, that's my wife"

Legend

Has done just about anything and everything

Knows everyone, but just because he's been here so long and has done so much

Has officialy been an agriculture major, a meteorology major, a humanities major, a fine art major, a fashion design major, and an engineering major in the past

Has finally settled with being a broadcasting major after doing the Jaded Boys radio show with Wild

Part of the Jaded Boys with Wild, then is part of Triple Threat with Wild and Hyrule

Lives off-campus with his current partner, Ravio

Also lives with Warriors

Used to date a girl named Marin from Mabe City. No he doesn't talk about it

Does not like driving. Or storms.

Has a cane

Even in an AU he can't escape the Koholint Trauma

Wild

Campus cryptid

Everyone knows him. No one knows what he's studying

(It's engineering. He, Purah, and Fauna are a terror to the school together)

Addicted to energy drinks

Never studies, always passes exams

Always socially overbooked

Has amnesia and bad scarring from a house fire

Was adopted by Teba and Saki after said house fire

Has a twin brother named Age. Most people think Age is older but Wild's actually older

Was the one who coerced Legend and Hyrule into radio

Lives in a house off-campus with Twilight, Age, Sidon, Yunobo, Mipha, and Revali.

Has committed arson before

Has gotten arrested for committing arson before

Twilight

Zoology major

Is the reason Wild's still alive

Used to be roommates with Wild in the dorms when they were freshmen

Took a gap year between high school and college

Has a dog named Wolfie

Regular guest on Triple Threat

Runs the Helpful Paws club, which is a club all about service dogs. Ilia helps run said club

Works on Legend's uncle's orchard during the weekends

Four

Computer science major

Technology director at the radio station (yes this position only exists because of Wild)

Friendly rivalry with Wild because Wild breaks everything

Shadow is his step-brother

Warriors

Fashion design major

Joined Legend and Ravio's lease at the last minute because of stuff that happened between him and his other roommates

Has a restraining order against Cia and doesn't talk to Lana

Is currently dating Artemis, a fashion merchandising major

Met Legend when Legend was doing fashion design. No one knows how they're friends. They fight all the time.

Legend forced him to make his own radio show when Wild roped Legend into doing the Jaded Boys. So now Warriors has a show called Wednesday With Warriors

Sky

Senior aviation major

Runs The Loftwings with his fiancé, Sun, and his best friend, Groose.

Has a bad habit of sleeping through his alarm

Currently taking care of his older brother's mouthy parrot, Crimson.

Also lives with Groose and Sun

Wind

Freshman metrology major

Super friendly

Cares more about the college experience than learning

Hyrule's roommate

After Hyrule starts doing Triple Threat, Wind gets the idea to do the Wind Waker podcast with Tetra where they sing sea shanties and tell pirate stories

Spirit is his introverted cousin and he's made it his goal to get Spirit to get out more

He also does the same with Hyrule

Hyrule

Freshman undecided major

Joins Triple Threat under Wild's insistence

Very shy

Grew up in a really small town

Wind's roommate

Is regularly forced out of the dorm by Wind but prefers to just wander around town and campus

Childhood friends with Dawn

Age

Wid's twin brother who is very different from Wild

Business major, accounting minor

Dating Mipha, a senior nursing student

Rarely goes to parties, but plays damage control when Wild hosts them at their house

Does remember his and Wild's past. Wild's amnesia caused a rift to form between them for a while, but they're working on getting past that now

Was also adopted by Teba and Saki

Shadow

Four's step-brother

Vaati's his dad, but he's cut Vaati out of his life now

Theater major with a minor in set design

Got his nickname from no one being able to see him onstage when moving props around

Everyone is convinced he has some sort of magical powers

A bit shy, and a bad boy

Dating Dot

Spirit

Freshman engineering major

His roommate is Niko

Wind's introverted cousin who's often dragged out of his dorm by Wind

Would much rather spend time with construction documents than people

First

Sky's older brother who's not around a lot since he's in the military (he's a doctor)

Married to a woman named Hylia

Has a parrot named Crimson that he's trusting Sky to take care of

The Zeldas

Lullaby

Works at Kakriko Univeristy as a broadcasting professor

An old flame of Time's, but they've both moved on by now

Usually teaches upper division classes

Fable

Legend's older sister who lives in Castle City

Already graduated with a business degree

Comes around for the holidays and drops in occasionally to see how Legend's doing

Flora

Constantly overbooked with school

Double-majoring in anthropology and history

Part of hundreds of different clubs and student organizations

Hard to get a moment alone with her at all

Has recently gotten close to Rauru and Sonia, who are both anthropology students

Fauna's twin sister. Flora's younger, though

Dusk

Political science major

Knows Twilight through Midna but since Twi and Midna broke up, Dusk doesn't really talk to Twilight anymore

Roommates with Midna and Artemis

Dot

Political science major and Four's childhood friend

Hopes to get into law school one day

Dating Shadow (her dad isn't too happy about this)

Lives with Aurora and Dawn and used to be roommates with Aurora when they were in the dorms

Artemis

Fashion merchandising major

Warriors' girlfriend

Used to also be his housemate, but after things happened with Cia and Lana she moved in with Midna and Dusk

Still occasionally talks to Lana

Sun

Senior aviation major and Sky's fiancé

Runs The Loftwings with Sky and Groose

Also lives with Sky and Groose

Appears to be very level-headed on the outside, but is secretly kind of crazy

Tetra

Ecology major with a minor in biology

Eventually becomes close friends with Wind

Roommates with Phantom and they get along like fire and gasoline

(seriously do not let either of those girls near a lighter... or boxing gloves)

Part of the Wind Waker podcast with Wind

Aurora

Senior political science major

She, Dot, and Dawn live together

Dawn is her younger sister

Is going to move to Castle City after graduation

Refuses to go home after having a horrible falling out with her brother

Dawn

Freshman early childhood education major

Wants to teach kindergarten and preeschool one day

Lives with her older sister, Aurora, and Aurora's roommate, Dot

Doesn't plan on returning to her hometown either

Childhood friends with Hyrule

Fauna

Flora's twin sister who's majoring in engineering and minoring in biology

Best friends with Purah and Impa

Closer to Age than Wild, but she's in a lot of classes with Wild

It is a horrible idea to leave her, Purah, and Wild alone in a room together

Has a cat named Terrako, who hates everyone except for her

Her father puts a lot of pressure on both her and Flora, but Fauna feels it the most since she's the oldest

Phantom

Freshman communications major

Tetra's roommate

She looks like any old upperclass girl but she is always ready to throw hands

Somehow becomes friends with Spirit

Hylia

First's wife who's a doctor at a local hospital

Keeps an eye out for Sky even though she knows he doesn't really need it

Will bring Sky and his friends food and snacks

Absolutely willing to drive Sky and his friends home when none of them can drive

Very motherly and open

Some Others:

Malon

Time's wife who's a zoology professor

Twilight has started a protection squad for her (all the Links are part of it. Even Time)

Everyone loves her

Ravio:

Legend's partner

Business major

Has a bird named Sheerow who poops everywhere

Despite this he is the cleanest one in the apartment

Constantly roping Legend into new business ideas

Used to run a shop out of his and Legend's dorm room when they lived in the dorms together. Legend's pretty sure it was against the rules. Ravio doesn't care

Acts greedy, but is actually living off his loans

Never goes home. He goes over Legend's Uncle's house for holidays now.

His younger sister, Hilda, often sleeps over and Legend and Ravio's

Has a horrible relationship with his father, Yuga

Sidon, Mipha, Revali, Yunobo:

Wild's housemates alongside Twilight and Age

Revali claims he's the only reason the house hasn't burned down

Revali is also one of Teba and Saki's adopted children, and had a bit of a superiority complex over being adopted first (he was there first) when they were kids. He's gotten better, but he's still a bit of a jerk to Wild. He and Age have bonded over Wild constantly giving them heart attacks

Sidon is a sophomore political science major who is super friendly, but has a hard time stopping conversations. Head over heels for his girlfriend, Yona. Is also super tall and often mistaken for being the older sibling

Mipha is a senior nursing student. Sidon's older sister, Age's girlfriend. If there's a medical emergency, chances are the Links are calling Mipha first even though they really should go to the hospital instead

Revali is a senior aviation major and hopes to join the air force after college to "get away from the filth" (meaning Age and Wild. He would never call Tulin filth)

Yunobo is a sophomore geoscience major. Works at his grandpa's coffee shop, Goron City Coffee

Urbosa, Daruk, Riju:

Urbosa is Riju's aunt and and mother figure to Flora and Fauna. She lives in Castle City, but often comes to Kakariko to give guest lectures. She's a businesswoman

Daruk is Yunobo's grandpa who owns Goron City Coffee. He often lets the radio host events at his coffee shop, and acts like a father figure for Wild's friend group

Riju is a freshman business major who wants to be like her aunt, Urbosa. Flora and Fauna see her as their younger sister.

Teba, Saki, Tulin:

Revali was adopted first, then Age and Wild

Teba is retired from being in the military

Saki teaches private singing lessons

Tulin is the Baby of the family and is in middle school. He is an absolute terror. Never let Wild babysit him, they will both get into trouble. Tulin is everyone's favorite and Tulin will use that to his advantage

Ilia:

Twilight's friend who helps run the Helpful Paws club

She has a huge crush on Twilight but doesn't want to overstep, especially after the bad break up with Midna

Rusl, Uli, Colin:

Twilight's family in Ordon who adopted him when he was about 8

Colin's just starting high school and is dealing with a lot of bullying, so he calls Twilight often for help

Rusl is a detective, but he's on paternity leave right now since Uli just had their daughter

Grandpa Smith:

Four and Shadow's grandpa

Took them both in after their mother died and Vaati went to prison

Four was usually a good kid, but Shadow was a little terror

Lives in Kakariko City so he gets to see his boys often

Cia and Lana:

Twins who both had huge crushes on Warriors

Cia got jealous when Wars started dating Lana

Cia is a psychology major, but now is largely known as the campus creep

Lana was a fashion design major, but changed schools after the drama with Warriors happened

Groose:

Sky and Sun's roommate and fellow host of The Loftwings

Proudly boasts that he's their best man

Also a senior aviation major

94 notes · View notes

wesleysniperking · 3 months ago

Text

Strawhats’ Band AU

- The Strawhats’ sound is akin to Beirut and Broken Social Scene.

Band Members and Instruments:

- Usopp: Bass guitar. (Engineer and Songwriter/Lyricist)

- Luffy: Lead singer.

- Nami: Keyboardist/pianist/synth player.

- Zoro: Drummer.

- Sanji: Trombonist. (Might play other hard-a** brass instruments). (Lyricist/SW)

- Chopper: Maracas, Tamborine, and instruments similar to those. (He can play the Kalimba and idiophone type).

- Robin: Harp. (Can play the Theremin too).

- Franky: Electric guitar. (Engineer)

- Jinbe: Percussion line.

- Brook: Violinist. (Composer)

Nami: Keyboard/piano prodigy exploited by corrupt talent scout Arlong. She tried to sue him for damages after her adopted mom passed away. She had a breakdown but returned to music with Luffy’s help.

Zoro: Dedicated and talented drummer with a slight drinking problem. His playing style is swift, intense, and controlled. Learned to play in the same style as a late friend.

Sanji: Talented trombonist who left a philharmonic orchestra due to politics and personal reasons.

Luffy: Former member of the marine band, sent there by his grandpa after attending military/marine school but managed to escape.

Usopp: Music college dropout who is haunted by his famous father, whom he never knew. His girlfriend passed away from cancer. He had posted YouTube covers and gained a following. His late mother was an indie artist who never achieved widespread success. It is uncertain whether she was a groupie.

(all EB5 were homeless or broke at one point before meeting).

Both Robin and Nami have had experiences similar to Kesha, involving exploitation in the music industry.

Usopp’s dad, Yasopp or “Chaser”, is a famous bassist, ranked as one of the best of all time by Rolling Stone.

Shanks or “Red Hair” is Luffy’s mentor. He is the famous lead singer of a Grammy award-winning band.

Red Hair Pirates - They are a famous Grammy award-winning band with a sound similar to War, King Harvest, Dire Straits, and Guns N’ Roses, depending on the era.

Usopp and the band have a falling out when they alter their sound and remove a fan-favorite song, "Merry," from the setlist.

Usopp leaves the band after a public feud with Franky and Luffy’s decision to remove "Merry" from the Water 7 music festival setlist, which is akin to Coachella or Lollapalooza.

Sabaody Groove Fest: This festival is similar to the controversial Warped Tour, with various allegations surrounding it.

Usopp modified Nami’s keyboard to have unique synth sounds, similar to the Climatact.

“Merry” was believed to be an ex of Usopp’s, but it’s revealed that the song personifies the band’s journey and dream towards success. The band is surprised by this revelation.

- Franky writes a successful song called “Sunny” that charts well, but fans believe "Merry" will become a classic.

Each bandmate will receive honorifics and titles in their 40s or 50s. Usopp will be ranked #1 or #2 on the best rock bassists of all time list, surpassing his dad.

Usopp also creates a musical collective with other Black artists, developing a following of 8,000+ fans.

The band’s (Strawhats) fandom name is Nakama or Sailors

- When not singing, Luffy plays the cymbals, fooling around when he’s not leading the vocals.

- Usopp returns at the Water 7 festival as Sogeking, playing a crucial bass solo riff, symbolizing his readiness to rejoin the band. Luffy pulls him on stage to finish the song with a cool bass riff.

The Strawhats might decide to make a political statement during a performance, similar to when Luffy told Usopp to shoot the flag in the show. This could involve revealing an anti-government poster or banner, which could then go viral. Alternatively, they might do something in support of Robin, who is in a dispute with her former record label.

I have a dirty little secret. I wrote a song about Merry to accompany the fic idea. It’s a little cringe but I recorded it and everything. I might share it one day. Lol!

This is what I mean by the band’s sound…

They’d pull something like this in public.

youtube

BSS lyrics are pretty raw and bombastic in a way I feel like the SHs would be.

youtube

Music video is basically about pirates (???) and it reminds me of one of Luffy’s moves.

youtube

47 notes · View notes

spiribia · 1 month ago

Text

i'm looking at old school documents i have saved through my email, and here was a letter i wrote to myself in middle school as part of an English class assignment. the intent was it would be redelivered to us when we were graduating high school

It is very awkward to begin a letter to yourself. You don’t know where you are in x number of years – graduation from high school is not even really something that you think about as of now. You don’t know what to say because it’s weird to think about changing, and you don’t want to say anything that will make you sound the same.

So here’s a compromise: if you respect me, then I will not embarrass you.

It is actually more of a psychological thing going on and I am just trying to sound really smart, which should be pointless enough to prove that I don’t have any ill intentions.

I honestly don’t know what could be said to you; apparently when we grow up we are suddenly wiser and therefore any piece of knowledge I can impart to you is rendered– quote unquote – useless. But remember that I am older than you think, and you are younger than you think, and we are not that far apart in terms of years, seeing as time is a concept that humans created, and without that we are just floating in the void, and then I become you.

Middle school is a deeply unhappy part of life. It is two out of five stars. Would not recommend. Seeing as you have already gone through, it I find little necessity in reiterating any points about it; you had teachers, they tried to teach you things; the American schooling system, as refined as it tries to be at times, is flawed; you learned things for the sake of doing well on tests instead of retaining information, and largely succeeded in doing so. Middle school, among other things, made you a deeply unhappy person. I don’t know how you feel, because I suffered from nostalgia and the general ache of living three years ago, and I thought it would be over with by now. But it is now quite evident that the human brain is prone to only holding onto things that the body wants to dispose of. If you are still very much a sad, lonely person that I am now (I bet that you are) and even if you are not – I hate to say this, but you are loved. And if that in itself does not suffice, some stores sell cheap candy, and there are books in the world that you have not read and movies in the world that you have not watched, and by now you may or may not have a cat or something (congratulations prematurely), and even if you do not you have managed to live through high school, and you are off to college now, and you are about to grow up and experience all the parentless freedoms of living in a dorm and having people not tell you what to do. Is that not absolutely terrifying?

But it will be fun.

So, yes – I hope that you are happy. I cannot guarantee that you will be, but maybe something changes in your life, and you are, and maybe you have a cat or a dog or a horse, but a bird or two will do. Maybe those little baby turtles that can both fit comfortably in the palm of my hand, have grown up by now. There’s a book I’m writing, and the protagonist is a girl named Valerie, and I don’t know if I ever finish the book or if I start a new one, and if it sounds terribly juvenile to you now then I apologize, but it is the best that I can do. If you’re still working on it then you are most profoundly a slowpoke. Go get something done.

And maybe you’re not a writer. Maybe you end up in engineering or marine biology or zoo keeping, of all things; maybe you find your roots in mathematics, if you want a plot twist. What I’m trying to say is that this is totally strange and I have absolutely no idea what happens in the future – it’s all up to you while you still have the choice. It’s strange that you grow up and it’s strange that one of these days I will be old, possibly older than you. And maybe this letter never gets to you; maybe something happens and it ends up lost or read by someone who never was meant to read it (if that is the case, hello) and maybe you burn it as soon as you get it because you can’t stand my little childish voice because perhaps you’ve developed so much that you are suddenly beyond these things. Bear with me for a moment.

I am fascinated with the little things that could have happened and might have changed a lot of things: if I said one sentence off in a conversation, which way it would have gone. Maybe these things are the little parts that make up life, because it’s choked with more choices than you or I even realize, and I hope you’ve chosen the right ones, or at least the ones that make you happier. Instead of sitting on the right side of the bus all of the time, try the left. Of course you don’t take the bus and have not taken it in years, but it was something that took up a massive part of your academic life, little did you know; I have not even stopped taking them by the time I am writing this, but tomorrow is Friday, and then I will never ride a school bus to school again.

People tell you to live life to its fullest. That does not mean you live it to the standards of other people. You do not have to live through action and travel to every town in the world. You can sit in your room, and eat an apple, and like its taste and really, that is all. I wrote this as a bet into the future. I feel like I am talking – it’s strange to describe – to someone that I desperately want to impress. I was so disappointed in past reincarnations of myself that I am afraid that I will disappoint a future Self, and I feel inclined to make these last ties while I still can.

That is actually partially a lie. The real reason I wrote this was because my English teacher made me. It was a homework grade and I have likely already written a letter addressed to a future self in other parts of the year, so you are most likely about to see a good bit of me around. I am not completely dead. I will be with you always, whether you like it or not, so you might as well.

But once you get these letters, I’ll establish first: I am not dead. I am gone. You have taken my place. I don’t know in which direction you’ve taken it, but you’ve taken it nevertheless. Perhaps there’s still a part of me left, but really, only time can tell; there are always haphazard, oddly collected parts of people, and who knows if I am one of them.

Personally, I’m really excited to see where this goes.

Sincerely, You / Me / Us

#middle school me i did not finish our book #talks

16 notes · View notes

arlana-likes-to-write · 2 years ago

Text

Second Chance - Chapter 1

Master list

Warning: mention of a car accident/coma, mention of having cancer and treatment not working anymore.

Word Count: 3.3 k

You stepped out of the taxi after paying the man and giving him a generous tip. He was nice. You learned that being a taxi driver was his second form of income, he was helping his daughter pay through medical school. So you didn’t feel bad slipping him an extra $50. You stood on the sidewalk of New York City, fixing your beanie that rested on your head. It wasn’t cold but people always gave you weird looks when they saw your bald head. You stared at the Avengers Tower. Letting out a shaky breath, you ventured inside. You didn’t want to be here but it was your last resort. You much rather be on your sailboat, miles away from any land mass but life had other plans for you. Those plans included talking to a man who was your biological father. You pushed open the door and stepped into the excited lobby.

People walked around with a purpose. Arms filled with papers and briefcases and even small Stark Inventions. You were ignored by some and offered a small smile but others as you walked over to the receptionist. According to her nameplate, her name was Rebecca and she was talking to a man that wasn’t thrilled at what he was being told. Soon he stormed off mimicking a child throwing a tantrum. As you stepped forward, her phone rang. She gave you a kind smile and answered, “Stark Industries, how can I help you?”

“Take your time,” you whispered and zoned out to the conversation she was having on the phone. You looked at the stuff she had on her desk. It was filled with family photos, and a few figurines but what caught your eyes was a picture of Rebecca on a research boat, holding a measuring tape to get the length of a black tip reef shark. You loved ocean conversation. You double majored; in marine biology and mechanical engineering in college then got your doctorate in marine biology.

“Hi,” you looked back at Rebecca. She was exhausted. “How can I help you?”

“Hi, Rebecca,” you said, putting your arms on the counter. “I’m looking to speak with Tony Stark,” you suppressed a groan. “I’m guessing you get a lot.”

“Do you have an appointment?” You winced.

“So no but I tried. I called and I was told he wasn’t available till 6 months from now,” you didn’t have the heart to tell her that in 6 months you’d probably be dead. “And I can’t wait that long. It’s really important.” She gave you a look that screamed, ‘I hear that all the time.’

“Look, the best I can do is schedule an appointment in two months.” It was better but you needed to see him today. Your eyes went back to the picture of her on the research boat. You recognized someone else in the photo, Captain Henry Mills. You were close to him. He allowed you to shadow him when no one else would because of your age. It was a cheap card to play but you were desperate.

“Is that you with Captain Mills aboard the Auro?” You asked, pointing to the picture. She seemed surprised.

“How-how do you know him?” She questioned. You smiled.

“I got to join him for a trip when he was researching mating patterns of black tip sharks on how global warming is affecting them,” you explained. “What were you doing with him?”

“I was helping him track sharks off the coast of Florida,” she said. “I won a contest that paid for the entire trip.” She blushed.

“Are you interested in marine biology?” You asked. She nodded.

“I take night classes,” Impressive. Now that you looked at her she didn’t seem that much older than you.

“Look, I’m not normally this type of person but I know Henry well. He took a chance on me when no one else would. If you call Tony and tell him that someone that knew Jessica Stone is here to see him then I will get you back on that boat with him,” she looked conflicted. It was a little unethical to put her in this position but you were desperate. She sighed.

“I can call him but I can’t promise he’ll see you.” You smiled, it was better than nothing.

“Thank you! Thank you! You are beautiful.” She smiled, picking up her phone.

“Hello, Mr. Stark. I-” Pause. “I know you are busy but I have someone here that wishes to speak with you,” you rolled your eyes. “She said she knows Jessica Easton.” Another pause. “Jessica Easton,” Rebecca repeated. “Will do, sir. Yes sir.” She hung up. “He said to take the elevator to the main floor and he’ll meet you there once he finishes in his lap.” Your stomach dropped. You did it. You managed to see him.

“Thank you!” You said, snapping out of your shock. You must have looked like a fish out of water. “Thank you! I promise you I’ll get back on the Aurora.” She laughed, blushing slightly.

“I’m glad it worked out. Have a good one.”

“Bye!” You waved and headed towards the elevator. You pressed the button and waited for it, bouncing on the balls of your feet as you waited. Finally, the metal doors opened and you walked in.

“Hello, Miss,” a female’s voice said overhead. The doors closed behind you. “I am FRIDAY, an AI created by Mr. Stark, who will meet you on the common floor. May I have your first and last name for my voice recognition software?”

“Woah! That is so cool!” You weren’t surprised that Tony had an AI software that controlled the entire tower. Maybe once the heavy conversation was out of the way you could ask to see how he did it. “Oh, sorry. My name is Y/n Easton.” The elevator began to rise.

“Welcome to the tower Miss. Easton,” you thanked the AI and were grateful for the silence. Your leg began to shake as anxiety began to find a home in your bones. You suffered from anxiety from a young age, your mom used to say your head was filled with too many thoughts. You slowly exhaled for 5 seconds and inhaled for 5. You did it a few times before the elevator door opened and you stepped out. It was quite beside the TV that was playing. You were staring at the few Avengers on the floor.

“Hi,” you said, waving. You recognized the people in front of you immediately. Sam Wilson was sitting on the couch with Steve Rogers by his side. Behind them were Wanda Maximoff and Vision, standing in the kitchen. They stared back at you, a level of confession written all over their face.

“Hello?” Steve slowly said. “Can we help you?” You shook your head.

“No,” you didn’t elaborate further, choosing to look around the floor. They had a beautiful view of the city. Their eyes were still on you. “I’m just waiting for Tony.” They relaxed immediately.

“Pop a squat stranger,” Sam said, hitting the spot on the couch next to you. “Sam Wilson.” He introduced himself.

“Steve Rogers.”

“I know who all of you are,” It was hard not to know. The Avengers were everywhere. With their fight against Thanos and bringing half of the population back, it was impossible to not know who they were. “I’m Y/n Easton,”

“So Miss. Easton,” Vision said, you turned to face the android. “How are you acquainted with Mr. Stark?”

“Old friends,” you said. Wanda turned her head to the side, matching the way a dog did when they didn’t understand a sound. “It’s complicated,” Sam laughed as you turned back around.

“That is the only way to describe Stark,” you giggled, putting your attention on the movie they were watching. The Sound of Music. You were surprised by the movie choice since the man watching it fought in the very war it was depicting.

“Sound of Music?” You questioned. “Kind of a strange movie to watch when the man sitting next to you is old enough to have lived through it.” The others laughed as the tips of Steve’s ears turned pink. You smiled.

“We have to show this fossil some of the classics,” Sam said. “And between you and me I love Julie Andrews.”

“Who doesn't,” Wanda said from the kitchen. “She’s a national treasure.”

“The Nazis apparently,” Steve deadpanned. The living speech devolved into laughter at his joke and it died down as a pair of footsteps walked over. You turned around to see the one and only Tony Stark. He looked like he saw a ghost. His eyes were wide.

“Hi,” you said, standing up to face him. You knew all about the man standing in front of you. You just never saw him in person. He was created by what the papers wrote about, the interviews you watched, and your mother’s letters.

“You look so much like her,” you said. You smiled. You got that a lot. Everyone said you and your mother were twins.

“I got that a lot,” you told him. “Besides my eyes.” Jessica’s eyes were blue and yours were brown. “She said I got my eyes from my dad.” His brown eyes flickered to yours. “Hi dad,” The room was silent besides the pounding of your heart you could hear in your ears.

“Oh shit,” Sam whispered. You heard a slap followed by a yelp but your eyes didn’t leave Tony, trying to gauge his reaction. Sam’s comment snapped him out of his trance

“Why don’t we go talk somewhere private?” You nodded, picked up your bag, and followed him. You ignored the eyes on your bag. The silence between you and Tony wasn’t awkward but tense. He opened a door and held it open for you. It was a simple office room with a desk and TV. You sat down and Tony closed the door and then sat down next to you. You weren’t sure to start this conversation. Hell, you never thought you would need to have this talk. “I didn’t know Jessica was pregnant. She never told me. Are you sure-?”

“That I’m your daughter?” You cut him off. He nodded. It was a valid question. You wondered if other people have come forward and claimed to be the billionaire’s kid. You unclipped your bag and pulled out an envelope. “I found this,” you handed it to him. You watched him open it. It was a letter written by your mother the day you were born. She included a photo of you. “She was going to tell you. There are more letters all addressed to you.” Tony held the picture of you in his hand. You pride yourself on the ability to read people’s micro-expressions. Those expressions showed the person's true feelings when they tried to hide behind a mask. Tony went through a mix of sadness, anger, and happiness.

“Why didn’t she tell me?” He asked, putting the letter and picture back into the envelope. “I would have been there for you.”

“Would you have?” You asked. You didn’t want to hurt him with the question but you were curious. “Maybe she didn’t think you could have been. You both became successful so maybe it was for the best.” Tony sighed, rubbing his hand across his face.

“Does she know you are here?” He asked. You smiled, looking down, and shaking your head.

“No,” she whispered. Gods, you missed her so much. “She died 6 years ago. We were in a car accident. I woke up from a 2-week comma and she never did.” It was a hit-and-run. The police tried to figure out who caused the accident but the trail went cold. “During the Blip, I went through her stuff and found these letters. I put the pieces together.”

“I’m sorry,” he tried to keep his voice from shaking. You’ve thrown a lot at the man. “What your mother and I had was brief but she was an amazing woman.”

“I know,” you said. She was a remarkable woman, putting herself through law school and working her way up to become a state attorney all while being a single mother.

“Are you living in the city?” He asked. You were surprised by the sudden change in the conversation.

“I am,” you moved here at the beginning of the year. So you’ve only lived in the city for 4 months. It was easier than commuting to your doctor's.

“We could get you a room here,” he said. “So we can get to know each other.” He added quickly. Oh. You weren’t expecting that. To be honest, you weren’t sure what to expect from America’s Playboy.

“I’d like that a lot,” you said. He smiled.

“Great, I’ll show you around.” Tony stood up and opened the door, almost running into Pepper Potts. You saw Tony panic not expecting to see his wife.

“Sam told me I could find you here.” That didn’t surprise you. Sam seemed like someone to cause trouble. She looked at Tony to you then back to Tony.

“Mrs. Potts,” you said, standing up and extending your hand. “My name is Y/n Easton. I’m a huge fan of how you’ve transformed Stark Industries.” She shook your hand.

“Your mother was Jessica Easton,” you nodded. “I was sad to hear of her passing. My condolences.” She glanced at Tony with a tilt of her head as if she was trying to put all the pieces together. “Tony, what’s going on?” That was your cue to leave.

“I’ll be in the kitchen,” you said, putting your bag on your shoulder. You didn’t miss the pleading look from Tony for you to stay. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. You left with a smile.

Tony watched as the door closed the door behind him and felt all the air leave his lungs. Your question stumped him. Would he have been there for you? His gut instinct was to say yes. He would have been there; to see your first steps or hear your first words. But he had to be realistic. Everything he created was here, not in DC. Now you were here and he wasn’t going to lose his second chance. First, he had to explain everything to Pepper. With a sigh, he sat down. “What’s going on, Tony?” She asked, sitting down in front of him. He pulled out the letter from Jessica and handed it to her.

“She’s my kid,” he answered. His wife blinked at him before opening the letter. “Jessica and I slept together, once maybe twice before you and I were together,” he rubbed his hand over his face. “I didn’t know she was pregnant.” Pepper was silent as she put the letter away and tapped it against her hand. “Please say something.”

“What does she want?” Tony wasn’t stupid maybe a little dense but not stupid. You were here for a reason and he had a feeling it was a medical reason. Maybe you needed help with bills. God knows he could fork over a few hundred to help.

“She hasn’t said.:

“And this,” she pushed the letter back to him. “Is the only proof that you have that she’s yours.” Tony nodded. Pepper sighed, resting her chin on her hands. “Tony..”

“I know, I know this whole thing is ridiculous,” he stood up and leaned on the back of the chair. “We’ll do a DNA test but if she is mine and she needs help I can’t turn her away,” he looked at the door you left through. “When I’ve already missed so much.”

“Okay,” his head snapped back to look at his wife so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. “Okay, we’ll help her.”

“We?” Tony questioned. Pepper rolled her eyes and stood up, walking over to him.

“Yes, we,” she said. “We do things together.” Tony kissed her, cupping her cheeks with his hands as he tried to pour every ounce of love he had for the woman standing in front of him.

“Have I ever told you that you're amazing?” He asked. Pepper laughed.

“It’s always good to be reminded,” she smiled.

You sat at the kitchen island staring at the glass of water. You’ve learned to manage the symptoms but some days were better than others. There was a deep ache in your bones today. You contributed to all the emotions you were feeling. You fished a bottle of ibuprofen out of your back and took two pills, washing it down with water. “Here,” you jumped at Wanda’s voice. “Sorry,” she placed a small bowl of gelatin and a sleeve of saltine crackers in front of you.

“I’m guessing you know then,” you said, taking a small bite of the gelatin. She nodded, smiling sadly at you.

“I didn’t mean to,” she said. “Sometimes I just travel into people’s minds.” You weren’t mad at her. They were all going to find out shortly. “Have you told Tony?”

“Not yet. He’s explaining to Pepper who I am. Can you imagine being a fly on that wall?” Wanda giggled but soon her laughter stopped and her smile fell.

“Is your treatment not going well?” She asked. You bit your bottom lip. There was no reason to lie so she could see through your mind.

“No,” you admitted. Before you could explain more you saw Tony walk over to you.

“Ready for a tour of the tower?” You nodded, downing the rest of the water from the glass and taking the role of saltines as you stood up. You ignored the look Tony gave you, questioning why you had those. That conversation would come, all in due time.

Touring the tower was a whirlwind and it didn't help that your body protested every step. But you put on a brave face and listened to Tony explain all the features of the tower and met some of the other Avengers. You were impressed and excited to explore after a much-needed nap. At the end of the tour, you were joined by Pepper and walked outside to one of the tower's many patios.

It was beautiful outside and the patio provided a great view of the city. “I’m going, to be honest with you both,” you looked at the couple sitting next to you. “I was never going to reach out. You were living your life and I was living mine and I had no reason to. But I need help,” you took off your beanie. “About a year ago I was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia or AML. I’ve gone through chemotherapy and treatment but now it’s not touching it. My doctors said I need a bone marrow transplant and you are all I have left.”

“There is no one on your mom’s side?” You shook your head, playing with the beanie. It was a gift from your old neighbor back in DC.

“Mom was an only child. I’ve met her parents once and it was at her funeral,” you looked back at them. “I know this is insane and I came here and turned your life upside down so I’m not expecting anything. I just-” you sighed, rubbing your hand over your bald head. “I’m a little out of options here.” You laughed.

“How long are they saying you have?” Tony asked. You looked back at the city skyline. You hated this. You hated telling people you were dying because of the pity in their eyes.

“6 months. Another year if I’m lucky.” You didn’t look back at them. “But you know life has been good for me.”

“We’ll help you,” you looked at the couple in front of you. Tony wasn’t looking at you with pity but determination. Pepper had love in her eyes and it was something you haven’t seen since your mother.

“Yeah?” You questioned. Pepper nodded.

“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Welcome to this AU! I’m excited to show you what I have in store!

#tony stark x pepper potts #tony stark x reader #tony stark x daughter!reader #tony stark #pepper potts #pepper potts x reader #steve rogers x sam wilson #Steve Rogers #sam wilson #wanda maximoff x vision #wanda maximoff #Vision #marvel #Marvel AU #second chance #yelena belova x reader #yelena belova x you

237 notes · View notes

crazylittlejester · 1 day ago

Note

Alright I'm aimed at the whiteboard of an unrelated lecture hall the way I'm about to be projecting

Warriors: bitches about how much he hates chemistry. Is a chem major. This surprises people and then he gets to senior level classes and is like "oh I learned how to make meth four different ways and also how to make a pipe bomb" and it makes sense bc forensic science. Alternative to him being a cop cause acab

Wild and Wild started political major then switched to rec management and worked there as a park ranger/trip guide. Then he got a phd in some very niche history specialization bc Flora informed enough for him to basically test out of an entire other undergrad degree.

Hyrule: also switched to rec management from nursing. Theydo their assignments together and those are things like: go camping, catch bugs. Wild works at the university climbing wall, and Hyrule works in the first aid tent at uni events

Legend: undecided for a while, fashion major, switched to political science but was way too far into fashion to NOT have that be his minor. When he switched, Wild gave Leg his notes. They were not helpful.

Sky: didn't go to uni bc he went to flight school. Paying the same as their tuition for lessons, but he's got a guaranteed job and fucking excellent pay lined up.

Time: got an associates in art at a community college, met Malon, and then decided to live his best stardew valley life and we love that for him.

Wind: hear me out: scuba diver/submarine operator investigating shipwrecks. This I feel is trade school more than university but college isn't needed for every field. He'd work at ocean gate for like 2 days before seeing their shady business practices and even sharper and moping the fuck out.

Twilight: went to a trade school to be a mechanic as his day job and the reason barrel racing isn't an Olympic sport is bc there's no point when Twi will win until the day he or Epona dies

Four: so many majors he cant keep track of his sophomore year his advisor got fed up and made him pick four. Literature and criminal justice became minors, music and engineering are majors.

OOOOOOOOH I REALLY LIKE ALL OF THESE

Wars: I LIKE THIS, THATS VERY COOL. i have a lot of thoughts about potential majors for him because there’s literally just so much to do with him, depending on the au i’ve made him a political science/history major with the intent to become a lawyer, i’ve made him an engineer (for a big hero six au), fashion, and a dance major. I like the chem to forensic science thing thats VERY cool :)

Wild: PERFECT NO NOTES.

Hyrule: PERFECT. NO NOTES. whatever he ends up doing it involves being outside and exploring or discovering things >:)

Legend: I HAVE HIM AS A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR IN MOST MODERN AUS TOO (except the big hero 6 one because, like wars, he’s an engineer)

Sky: PERFECT. I LOVE IT

Time: HIS BEST STARDEW VALLEY LIFE ALSKDKKS YES

Wind: I LOVE IT. ive had him interested in marine biology before :)

Twilight: OOOOOOOOOOOOOH YES

Four: he’s definitely any advisors worst nightmare alskdkdslkskd

#jes ask

10 notes · View notes

himtsite · 1 year ago

Text

How does climate change impact coral reefs and their ecosystems

Climate change has emerged as a grave and imminent threat to coral reefs and their fragile ecosystems. The devastating impacts of rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and altered ocean circulation have collectively taken a toll on these vital marine habitats. Coral bleaching, in particular, has become a distressing consequence, leading to the widespread loss of vibrant and bio diverse coral colonies.

Climate change has significant and detrimental effects on coral reefs and their ecosystems. The main impacts are as follows:

Coral Bleaching: Rising sea temperatures lead to coral bleaching, a stress response where corals expel their symbiotic algae, turning them white. Without these algae, corals lose their main source of nutrition and become more susceptible to disease and mortality.

Ocean Acidification: Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere result in higher CO2 concentrations in seawater. This leads to ocean acidification, which hampers coral growth and the ability of some marine organisms to form their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons.

Sea Level Rise: Global warming causes the melting of polar ice and glaciers, leading to rising sea levels. Higher sea levels can cause more frequent and severe coastal flooding, negatively impacting coral reef habitats and nearby coastal communities.

Extreme Weather Events: Climate change contributes to the intensification of tropical storms and cyclones. These events can physically damage coral reefs through wave action and sediment erosion.

Altered Ocean Circulation: Changes in ocean currents and temperature patterns can disrupt the natural distribution of nutrients, affecting the food availability for coral reef organisms.

Species Disruptions: Some species may shift their distribution or migrate to other areas due to changing environmental conditions, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems.

Loss of Biodiversity: Coral reefs support a vast array of marine life. Climate change-induced impacts, such as coral bleaching and habitat degradation, lead to the loss of biodiversity within these ecosystems.

Loss of Coastal Protection: Healthy coral reefs act as natural barriers, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges. As reefs degrade, coastal communities become more vulnerable to the impacts of climate-related events.

The combined effects of these climate change impacts pose a serious threat to the health and survival of coral reefs and the countless marine species that depend on them for food, shelter, and protection. Urgent and concerted efforts to mitigate climate change and promote coral reef conservation are essential to safeguard these valuable ecosystems for future generations.

In conclusion, the perilous consequences of climate change on coral reefs and their ecosystems are undeniable. Urgent action is imperative to curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to prevent further deterioration of these invaluable marine habitats. Conservation efforts must be intensified to promote the recovery and restoration of coral reefs, alongside a broader commitment to sustainable practices and resilient coastal management.

Nations and communities must collaborate on a global scale to protect and preserve coral reefs and the biodiversity they harbor. By fostering environmental consciousness, implementing adaptive strategies, and supporting scientific research, we can strive towards safeguarding these natural wonders for generations to come. The collective responsibility to combat climate change and preserve coral reefs stands as a testament to our commitment to preserving the remarkable beauty and ecological integrity of our planet’s oceans.

HIMT Marine

Discover the ultimate marine adventure with HIMT Marine’s exclusive limited-time offer! Experience the thrill of seafaring through our state-of-the-art maritime training courses, designed to equip you with the skills needed to navigate the open waters. Don’t miss out on this special deal with incredible discounts on select programs. Whether you aspire to become a seasoned captain or a complete marine mastermind, our top-rated preceptors and slice-edge simulator training ensure an extraordinary literacy journey. Enroll now and seize the opportunity to upgrade your career with the best in the industry. Act fast, as this one-time promotion won’t last long. Join us at HIMT Marine and embark on a voyage of knowledge and success in the captivating world of maritime exploration.

#Top 10 Maritime Engineering College #DG Shipping approved institutes for STCW in Chennai #best marine college in chennai #AIGF dg shipping courses in chennai #marine education #marine #maritime

1 note · View note

sustainable-fabrics · 1 year ago

Text

How does climate change impact coral reefs and their ecosystems?

Climate change has significant and detrimental effects on coral reefs and their ecosystems. The main impacts are as follows:

Extreme Weather Events: Climate change contributes to the intensification of tropical storms and cyclones. These events can physically damage coral reefs through wave action and sediment erosion.

Altered Ocean Circulation: Changes in ocean currents and temperature patterns can disrupt the natural distribution of nutrients, affecting the food availability for coral reef organisms.

HIMT Marine

Discover the ultimate marine adventure with HIMT Marine's exclusive limited-time offer! Experience the thrill of seafaring through our state-of-the-art maritime training courses, designed to equip you with the skills needed to navigate the open waters. Don't miss out on this special deal with incredible discounts on select programs. Whether you aspire to become a seasoned captain or a complete marine mastermind, our top-rated preceptors and slice-edge simulator training ensure an extraordinary literacy journey. Enroll now and seize the opportunity to upgrade your career with the best in the industry. Act fast, as this one-time promotion won't last long. Join us at HIMT Marine and embark on a voyage of knowledge and success in the captivating world of maritime exploration.

#Top 10 Maritime Engineering College #DG Shipping approved institutes for STCW in Chennai #best marine college in chennai #AIGF dg shipping courses in chennai

0 notes

pfctipper · 5 months ago

Note

[ euphoric ] hilldane if you wanna? Your writings lovely

ahh anon that’s so sweet of you thank you <3 these two are the loveliest boys (and the other prompt ficlet i wrote kind of fits this too!)

[ euphoric ] for a celebratory kiss

The space between the bunks is too low for Eddie to sit up straight, so he settles himself down on to the floor of the cabin instead, legs stretched out as far as he can and head tipped back to rest against the metal frame of the lowest bunk. He’s half-asleep like that, lulled by the dull hum of the ship’s engine beneath him, when Andy opens the door.

There’s space beside him but Andy eases himself down opposite instead, ungainly on his sea legs as he slides his back down the metal wall. Nothing like he is on land, Eddie thinks, as he draws his own legs closer to his chest and watches the almost coltish way Andy’s knees knock against his.

He’d been caught off balance by the motion of the ship when they’d first boarded at Cape Gloucester, tipping over into Eddie on the upper deck. ‘Thought you was meant to be a marine, sir,’ Eddie had said, after he'd caught his breath. Winded from Andy's weight against him, if anyone asked, and not from the way he'd suddenly felt Andy's breath against his neck and from the warmth of Andy's fingertips against his stomach where he'd rucked up his dungarees trying to find purchase to right himself.

One of the other platoon leaders had laughed. ‘Oh, I like this one, skip,’ he'd said, only Eddie finds he can't remember quite who it was, hadn’t been able to focus on anything but how solid Andy's chest had felt under his hand as he'd pushed him upright again, the way Andy had laughed too but smiled in a way that Eddie felt was meant for him alone.

Andy smiles at him again, now, as he reaches into the pockets of his jacket to retrieve two bottles of beer. ‘I wasn’t sure,’ he says, gesturing at Eddie with one of them, and Eddie nods.

Andy leans forward, suddenly even closer than they are already with their legs tangled together, but he’s just tapping one of the bottles against the metal edge of the bunk to prise off the cap. He glances up at Eddie and then laughs, his breath coming out warm against Eddie’s shoulder. ‘College.’

‘Sure did teach you some useful stuff.’

‘Mm,’ says Andy, sitting back against the wall, looking vaguely wistful. ‘Got enough practice. Lots to celebrate.’

Eddie can picture it somewhere distant in his mind, Andy with his teammates on the field, condensation from a bottle of beer dripping down his hand in the Maine sunshine. Still in his uniform, maybe, the fabric damp with sweat against his chest and fading marks from the helmet on his sunburned cheeks; the cheerleaders Eddie can imagine hanging off both of his arms don’t seem to mind.

He blinks down at the bottle in his hand. It’s not cold, but the label peels at the corner when he picks at it anyway.

‘That what we’re doing?’ Eddie asks, quietly.

They’re headed the opposite direction to the one they have been for the last year, away from the fighting; the boys – their boys, now – are stowed safely if a little crowded on the steerage decks below; and Eddie has his commission paperwork jammed into the pocket of his dungarees, next to a crumpled packet of cigarettes and a damp, blank piece of paper he’d meant to be a letter to his mother.

Eddie doesn’t mention that they still have a few days to go, that neither of them can know what might be lurking around the Australian coast or in the sky above them. There’s no porthole in the cabin; he supposes it’s for the best, when for once there’s nothing Andy can do, nothing either of them can do.

Andy’s knee knocks against his again, only it feels more intentional, this time.

‘Yeah,’ he says, softly. ‘I’d say we’re celebrating, lieutenant,’ and the way he moves when he leans over to kiss Eddie, mouth catching Eddie’s lower lip and his hand closing over both of Eddie’s on the bottle between his legs, is the steadiest Eddie’s ever seen him off dry land.

#prompts #ack ack haldane #hillbilly jones

16 notes · View notes

reidinthedeep · 2 months ago

Text

Open to: m/f/nb and anyone. Concept: Matthew owed your muse a favor and that somehow ended in your muse taking advantage of his mechanical skills during his day off to fix something in their house/office/work.

"You know, just because I have a degree that says I am a mechanical engineer doesn't mean I know how to fix everything," he groaned, screwing the bolt in as best he could. It's not that he was any good at the job, he simply had a sharp mind and common sense. If it had gotten him through college, maybe it could help him now too.

"And I'm a bloody marine, for fuck's sake. I haven't practiced these skills in years! I will not be held responsible if this doesn't work out..."

#open starter #open rp #indie rp blog #gay indie rp #v:call from below

18 notes · View notes

darkdevasofdestruction · 4 months ago

Text

Chapter 1 - AP Calculus BC

Long red hair swaying elegantly in the air with the gentle autumn breeze, as a young lady exited her car and walked down the school's parking lot, towards her classroom. Her passive smile was graced by a lovely shade of red as powerful as her hair, and the soft glitter of her pink eyeshadow made perfect combination with the dark eyeliner that highlighted her vibrant aquamarine eyes so lovely. Her school bag was hanging low down her shoulder, pressed down by a few lousy books, a notebook and some random crayons, making her outfit look a little disheveled, yet in no way less pretty - A pair of comfortable blue jeans and a black Tshirt sporting a grotesque imagery from one of Iron Maiden - The egyptian picture from the Powerslave album which had just come out. She couldn't name it her favourite album by far, but she had a soft spot for the "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", which she was humming to herself.

She wondered what kind of curse was she put on to start her last highschool year, on a Monday morning no less, with Double Maths of all things - Not that she considered the subject to be difficult, but more like, particularly boring quite like the teacher himself. It was quite bothersome, but at least it meant having almost 2 whole hours to doodle around in her plant glossary. She loved going in the forest to collect plants, stick them in her glossary, then draw them later, making sure to add medicinal properties and fun trivia - A personal project of hers, encouraged by her wonderful biology teacher - What a lovely old lady that one!

As per usual, she sat down at her lonesome desk and took out both her notebook and her crayons, ready to doodle at her heart's content while the other idiots were struggling to figure out what 2+2 is without using a calculator. One by one, all students gathered in the classroom after the bell rang, and awaited the teacher amidst continuous chatter.

Once the old man arrived, he was followed by a fellow young man that Miss Kitty Kat hasn't seen before - He must be a new student, she thought to herself, admiring him - Billy Hargrove, he introduced himself, coming from California - He looked absolutely beautiful. Eyes light blue like crystals and his hair long and fluffy, a lovely mix between dirty blond and a tint of ginger; His muscular body was toned and tanned, he graced a few pretty freckles on his cheeks; But what intrigued her the most was his outfit - Blue jeans, boots, and a dark red plaid shirt over a black Tshirt printed with the logo of the German rock band Scorpions. A man of culture and wonderful taste in music. She couldn't help but smile, seeing someone like him around. A spark of hope in her heart that she would finally have a friend with whom to chat with all day and hangout, like she sees in movies and comic books... If it wasn't too much to ask, that is.

"Class, this is Billy, as you just heard - He'll be joining on for the remainder of this terminal highschool year. I advise you all to take your classes seriously and get your grades up - The final exams are approaching, and your chances of being accepted into the colleges and universities of your choice depend solely on your performances. I wish you all the best." old teacher Daniel Johnson croaked in a rather weak voice - It was his last year as a teacher before he was retiring. "Billy, for now, you can sit next to Miss Black right there - She is my brightest student, I dearly encourage you to seek her aid if you need help with anything."

"Ergh - Thanks, I guess." Billy swaggered in the seat next to her and let the bag fall on the ground.

"Alright class, I'm not going to lie to you, this year, AP Calculus BC is going to be difficult - Though imperative for those of you who want to pursue careers involving mathematics, such as Engineering, Physics or even the ever-growing Computer Science." the old man coughed a little as the students all groaned in unison. "Let's start with a simple exercise - A remainder, for what we've studied the previous year."

"Wait, it's the first day and we're starting the workload already?!" Billy's expression looked completely crestfallen - He hadn't brought a single school thing. "Ergh - We didn't usually do anything on the first day, back in Cali."

"It's fine - Miss Black can give you a pen and paper." the girl did as instructed, ripping a page from her notebook and giving him a pen. "Alright - Let's see..." the old man opened a book and began writing with chalk on the blackboard.

Differentiate the following function: f(x) = x3sin(x)

Billy sighed to himself - He wasn't mentally prepared to go through this shit. He didn't think maths was necessarily very difficult (mostly bothersome), but he still had some few lapses here and there; He was no genius, but he worked hard to get where he wants - Go back to Cali and study Engineering. That fuckass who calls himself a 'father' would never be able to touch him there ever again. He would be free, and back home, where he belongs.

He looked to his right and realised, to his surprise, that the red head next to him wasn't even bothering with the math problem - Instead, she was drawing some very realistic flowers in her glossary - What was she doing in this hellhole of advanced math, if she liked plants? Wouldn't biology fit her better?

"Billy, are you done with the exercise?" the teacher asked all of a sudden, naming the newcomer.

The poor boy remained blank faced, incredulous - What the hell was wrong with this old bag anyway? Calling him out on his first day - What was that about accommodating someone in a new place? How annoying. "Eergh, not entirely. Halfway there I guess." he looked down at his ripped page, filled with scribbles, doodles and more letters than numbers. Yeah, not even halfway there.

"That's alright - Come to the board and let's do it together. I'll guide you where you're stuck." the teacher urged the boy - Urgh, Billy hated being seen as a nerd, but it was far worse being seen as a dumbass like the vast majority of his peers.

During his hesitation, he noticed a small piece of paper had appeared in front of him - It contained the solution to the exercise. He looked with wide eyes at the unbothered girl who kept doodling her flowers. "Sure, I guess." sticking that paper in his sleeve, Billy grabbed the chalk and started writing down - At the same time as figuring out what he was doing wrong himself. How could he be so inattentive? It really wasn't that hard of a problem - He shouldn't have fumbled so easily. "We, uh - X^3 becomes 3x^2... And sin(x) becomes cos(x)... That means... The derivate of the function is... The derivate of x^3 multiplied with sin(x)... So 3x^2 sin(x)... and we add it to the original x^3 multiplied to the derivate of sin(x)... So x^3 cos(x)..." and Billy wrote the end result, the derivate of the original function.

f′(x) = 3x2sin(x) + x3cos(x)

"Very good, Billy, nicely done! You've got a promising future ahead." the teacher's praise surprised the student, even making him feel rather bashful. He never did have a fatherly figure to praise him - This was a weirdly nice change, though one he wasn't sure he could easily accept it.

"... Thanks." he muttered, digging his hands in his pockets, yet holding tightly onto that slip of paper. The praise was undeserved - He cheated shamelessly.

"What do you want to pursue in the future, Billy?" the ever existing question... And his ever shameful answer.

"Engineering... I guess." he found himself answering truthfully.

"It's a well sought-after career these days - I'm sure you'll have a bright future ahead of you, young man!" Billy couldn't look at the teacher anymore; He had a weak smile on his face before swaggering back to his desk and slumping down, waiting for the break like crazy.

Time passed by so slowly watching those idiots fumble around, unable to do simple calculus; How did they end up in this class was a mystery for him; Still, the long awaited lunch break came by after 2 very long hours of torture and boredom; The red head packed up her things and swung the bag over her shoulder, exiting the class like an invisible phantasm, unnoticed by any.

Blinking, Billy crumpled up that paper and threw it in his bag, dragging it along him and throwing the pen in his pocket, trailing for the girl - There was no trace of beautiful carmine hair anywhere, and he was just standing there, lost and standing in the middle of the corridor. It wasn't long before a bunch of guys and girls started flocking around him begging for the attention of the next hotshot of the school, dragging him towards the lunch cafeteria.

He had a pretty okay meal, and he was glad he was noticed so quickly - He had to make a quick reputation as the cool guy; The alpha male around the campus - Just as his father would want. Still, the constant smothering from his colleagues wasn't too bad - He was shown around the place and introduced to people and told what he had to know about the place - Even the hazing ritual, come in the form of drinking beer from a keg at Tina's Halloween party. It was the perfect opportunity for him to affirm himself as the #1 guy in Hawkins.

Just as the break was almost over, he caught a glimpse of the peculiar red haired beauty sitting at the foot of a large oak tree and eating lunch from a wooden box... With chopsticks? They weren't even regular chopsticks, they were pink. Shaking off the people, he walked in front of the girl, his towering shadow obstructing the warm sunlight.

"Hello, Billy." her voice was soft and calm, so serene that it almost sounded like a siren speaking to him. "How do you like the place? Have those guys presented you a nice first impression?" she took a small piece of a dumpling with those chopsticks and delicately brought it up to her mouth. "Oh, how rude of me - I am Katrina - You can call me Kat for short." she introduced herself with a small nod of her head. "Have you eaten lunch? I can share with you if you want." she patted the spot next to her.

"Ergh..." he was a little overwhelmed with how overly nice and polite she was. "Kat - Okay. Yeah, it's an okay place, but it can't compare to Cali. I miss the waves and the sun." he admitted, plopping down next to her. "What's cookin', good lookin' ?" he offered a charming smile, getting closer to her; But his dazzling self was successfully dismissed by the girl.

"These are beef dumplings, these are spring rolls, and this is some fried chicken with rice." she turned towards him and took a bit of rice and chicken in her chopsticks, raising them up to his mouth. "Open up." although hesitant, Billy opened his mouth to eat the bite given to him.

His eyes widened a little, and he started chewing more vigorously. "That's good - Did your mum make this?"

"I did." she smiled, quickly taking half a spring roll and offering it to the boy to savour. "What about this - Is it to your liking?"

"You're a very good cook; Mum never made these things - Where'd you get the recipes?" he asked, silently begging for more; Kat's cooking was flawless, compared to what his biological mum, foster mum and the cafeteria food he's had before.

"My dad said these were grandma's recipes from back home. She would always pack up lunches for him and grandpa. They were both intellectuals, and she believed that a good nutritious meal would help them with their work and studies." Kat smiled, giving him a taste of the beef dumpling.

"I don't know about that, but I can tell you, this is very good." he received one more bite. "At least one good thing when you're stuck in this dumpster fire."

"You don't like it here much, I take?" the girl asked, not even once erasing that serene smile from her face.

"Hate it." he grumped, slumping his back against the tree. "I miss my Cali. I want to feel the hot sand beneath my feet, and have the cool waves break against me. I want the sun to scorch my skin, and play the guitar by the camp fire, with the wind messing up my hair." he sighed, defeated, before turning his head to look at her - She was smiling so beautifully, and her eyes were sparkling with interest.

"That sounds like a reverie, Billy! I would love to experience that some day also! No wonder you loved home so much." she hummed softly. "Although, I think I know what to say that would make you tolerate this place a little." he huffed, as if he wasn't believing her, yet still urged her to go on. "The air is fresh, the breeze is soothing on your skin, and the smell of the evergreen forest, especially when it rains, is so calming. Strolling around offers you peace of mind, and the landscape is magnifying. You can play rock ballads by the camp fire and harmonise with the choir of crickets, toads and nightingales. You can swim in the lake, or play in the ice-cold river. You can hear the rusty leaves scrunch under your boots in autumn, or the snow in winter. And the flowers - Oh, Billy, you should see how many gorgeous flowers and butterflies appear in Spring! The whole place is filled with so many vibrant colours! It's like paradise!"

The boy looked down at her; The girl was twinkling, emanating so much love and beauty, she was radiant like the morning sun. Not even once had he met anyone as positive and... Absent, in a way. It was like she's never met any bad thing in the world, and she was still living in a dreamy bubble. He... He felt absolutely stupefied to see someone that wasn't completely jaded, like he and everyone around him was. For some very odd reason he felt... A faint sense of protection over her innocence and kindness. "...Sure, doll, whatever you say." his silence and dismissive nature didn't seem to influence her smile at all. "I'll let you show me that."

"I would be honoured to!" and he thought she couldn't twinkle even brighter than she already was.

"Right." he cleared his throat. "What about popularity? What's a guy gotta do around to get the spotlight?"

"I don't think I'm the right person to ask, Billy, forgive me." she offered a sympathetic smile.

"Whadya mean, girly? You must be the most popular babe around!" he leaned in closer, bumping his shoulder into her own.

"Oh no, hardly! My only friend is Nancy Wheeler, but we don't really share classes. We hardly see each other these days. She's very sweet though! And incredibly beautiful - I think she's the prettiest girl I've ever met - And she's very smart too!" a girl hyping up another girl? That's a new one. "Oh, Barbie was also very sweet with me, but unfortunately, she disappeared last year. Very tragic incident. It's a shame, they never found her body."

"You're one weird girl, doll." he couldn't help but chuckle leisurely, and worry-free. "A'ight, listen; Gimme some pointers, and I'm taking you out for a milkshake at the drive cinema."

"Really?! You'd do that?!" the boy offered a dazzling smirk, and nodded his hair, those pretty locks getting even messier. "Oh, I can't wait! This Friday is a horror-movie marathon, because it's Friday the 13th, y'know?! They're going to show Friday the 13th, and Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the new Nightmare on Elm Street! I heard they have discounts for combo deals - Coke, milkshakes, pizza, burgers with fries and popcorn! It's gonna be so fun!" she clapped her hands together full excitement, though her voice remained as soft and lovely as before. What a quirky girl. No wonder she wasn't popular - Few people wanted to stray away from the popular norm; Everything else was catalogued as freaks, nerds, geeks and outcasts. Shame; He really liked her vibe. She was far above the others.

"Okay, doll, okay, we can do that." he chuckled, waving his hand dismissively, before placing his arm over her shoulder. "Now, gimme some tips and I've gotchu."

"I think I've got an idea." with a vixen-like mischievous smile, Katrina quickly ate the last bit of her meal, neatly packed it back before throwing it in her bag; She hopped up to her feet and pulled the surfer up with shocking strength, and dragged him to the large gym where some guys were playing basketball. "You see that shirtless guy with fluffy hair? His name is Steve Harrington. At this moment, he's the king of the highschool. He is the most popular kid here, he has good grades, is the leader of our basketball team, and is said to be a candidate for one of our scholarships." she cleared her throat. "Also, he is a massive douchebag. He humiliated my friend, Nancy - They were dating last year, but got angry she wouldn't make love to him, so he got his groupie to bully her - They even wrote mean things on the cinema front, can you believe that? What ever happened to decent people." she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I would do anything to see this guy face the same humiliation he gave others."

"Oh, yeah? What a fuck ass." he scoffed, leaning forward. "Yeah, he looks like a cunt." he smirked in triumph. "King Steve is going down."

"Thank goodness!" she chimed in happily. "You know - I heard he even cheated on Nancy with many other girls. He's awful!" she approached him to gossip in a hushed tone. "But I'll tell you one thing - None of his groupies are loyal to him - He's a little bitch with fame, but if you take that away, he'll have nothing and no one." she delicately placed her hands on his face, tilting it to an angle before showing him another guy and a cheerleader. "See those two? They are Tommy and Tina, the current IT couple. Tina is the lead cheerleader, the most wanted girl around, and super rich - All the best parties are held at her house. And Tommy is super buff and works out publicly, so everyone surrounds him to gawk at his physique." he loved this kind of gossip - Girly earned that movie date, and more. "If you win Tommy over, you win the whole school; And it's really easy - You already work out, so he'll respect that. All you have to do is keep good grades, join the basketball team and play shirtless, win a few matches - And most of all, with the Keg King title at Tina's Halloween party." she looked at him with a wide grin. "If anyone can do it, it's you." she continued enthusiastically. "And you know who is the current Keg King?"

"That pussy Harrington, huh?" she nodded affirmatively.

"Well, babe, prepare for the fall of a monarchy, because I'm a usurper - And I look far better with a crown on my head, and a pretty girl by my side." he brought her in a side hug, smirking down at her; She didn't seem to react in any way, either positive or negative - She was as passive and serene as always. Was she... Deflecting his flirting? Or completely immune? Could it be that all the complimenting of Nancy meant she was into pretty girlies like her? "Say, dollface, you've got a boyfriend?" she shook her head. "How about a girlfriend?" she shook her head again. "Not interested? School above all? Or strict parents?"

Kat simply shrugged her shoulders. "Nobody asked me before." that perfectly simple and serene answer kinda derailed him. There was no way a girl like her didn't have guys flocking around her constantly, fighting for her attention.

"Nah, no way, I don't believe you." she nodded her head, as if to confirm again. "Really?!" she nodded again.

"I recommend you don't hang around me too often - Your reputation is going to plummet if people see you around freaky 'Kommie Kat'." she advised, without the least bit of sadness in her voice.

"... Freaky Kommie Kat? The hell is that?" he frowned, leaning back, completely lost.

"I am a foreigner. My dad was Chinese, my mum was Russian - Both are communist countries." she explained non-chalantly. "I moved in Hawkins six years ago, you see - And when highschool started, I tasted a bit of popularity for myself - How old was I... 13-14 or something. Anyway - Steve was my deskmate in History, and I let him cheat off of me at a test, so he could get A like me. We became friend, and he introduced me to Nancy afterwards - We were together in literature." she smiled sardonically. "Steve asked me on a date soon after, and I told him I would be more comfortable if we were just friends, because I thought I was too young to date, you know? It was a new experience in a new place - I wanted to meet new people and discover myself." she chuckled emptily. "And, you see, Steve took that like a rejection - He got very angry and pushed me into the locker - Said I would regret saying no to him. I told him - What's so bad about being friends? And he says friends are for losers." what a jerk, Billy thought to himself, imagining an even younger and smaller version of the girl before him, being slammed into the locker like that. It made his skin crawl, remembering the way his father would slam his mum into the walls. "It's been years, and he still hasn't gotten over that - What Steve says is law; And when Steve said I was 'Freaky Kommie Kat', I was just that, to just about everyone in the school, otherwise, they'd get bullied until they stopped interacting with me."

"All of them, except that Nancy girl?" her smile became happier at the mention of her friend.

"Yes, she's very lovely, don't you think? If I see her around, I'll introduce you two!" she was twinkling again. "I think she hangs around Jonathan Byers now; He's pretty introverted, but not a bad person."

"A'ight, all the more reason to teach that little punk a lesson not to mess with my doll." he slapped his thighs before getting up. "Well, thanks for the help, babe; You more than earned that movie date." he helped her get up. "I'll go enroll in the team - See you tomorrow in Physics." surprisingly for the both of them, he kissed her cheek before leaving the gym.

There were a myriad of things going through their minds - Why did he do that, Billy asked to himself; He didn't want to date, he just wanted to have fun and get the hell over this shit terminal highschool year; He wanted to be Keg King Billy, and win over everyone, and then run the hell back to Cali and study Engineering... So why was he so attracted to this pretty girl? Was it because she helped him in freaking Math? Or because she fed him such fantastic food? Or because she was so kind with him? He hasn't had anyone so nice to him, without him offering something back in some way; It was always about his good-looks and charm, granted, he worked hard to look the way he does, and he was more than happy with what he's done; He was pretty sure his weights weight more than Kat - He could exercise with her instead. Oh, no, those were such weird thoughts in his head - Though he couldn't help but wonder, if her cheek was so soft, and he was encaptured by her sweet perfume so much - How would her lips taste? What lip gloss is she using? Was it cherry? He dearly wanted to know - Many, many times over.

Kat, however, was rooted on the spot, blushing a little - She's never had a boy kiss her like that before, and Billy was so handsome, charming and fun! He was so intriguing, and she wanted to spend more time with him - Was he giving her a chance? Did he want to be her friend? Hopefully, he wouldn't cast her aside after he's gotten his popularity crown, that would be very sad. Almost as sad as Nancy taking Steve's side and still dating him, in spite of how much of a jerk he can be. Not that it was her problem at all, she didn't want to destroy their relationship, but she also didn't like seeing Nancy so upset.

✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦

The next day went like any other day for Kat, with the exception that Billy sat next to her in Physics. This time, he had a single notebook and a pen - He knew Kat would be carrying the textbook for the both of them anyway, and he didn't want to bother too much; He would end up forgetting what class he has in which day regardless, that's how much he cares. Unfortunately, just like the previous day, they started with the more difficult stuff right away, and once again, the students groaned in exasperation. No one wanted to deal with those difficult problems - And that one unlucky loser who would be forced to step in front of the class and humiliate themselves by being unable to solve that idiocy.

Physics class was an absolute drag, more so than math, if you could believe it. The old man's croaky voice droned on about Newton's laws of motion, and the chalk squeaked painfully on the blackboard. Billy sat at his desk, trying his best to stay awake. His mind wandered back to the beach in California, the waves, the sun, the freedom. He couldn't understand how anyone could stay awake during these classes. Still, he was well aware, Physics was one of the core classes he needed to ace, to be properly prepared for University. How annoying.

Next to him, Kat was doodling away in her notebook again, her red hair forming a curtain around her face as she sketched what looked like a complex diagram of some plant. Her aquamarine eyes flicked up to the teacher every now and then, but it was clear she wasn't really paying attention. Billy sighed, shifting in his seat, and his eyes caught on a small piece of paper that had been nudged his way. Kat's handwriting was neat and small, each letter perfectly formed into a small yet adorable message addressed his way.

< Bored c: ? >it read, a tiny smiley face next to the question.

Billy smirked, glancing at her. She didn’t look up, her attention seemingly focused on her drawing. He scribbled back a quick reply and slid the paper back to her. < You have no idea. How do you stay awake in this place? >

Kat's eyes flickered to the note, and a soft, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips. She quickly wrote something down and nudged the paper back. < Pretty flowers and daydreams. What about you? >

Billy leaned back in his chair, pretending to stretch as he took the note and wrote back. < Thinking about Cali. The beach. The waves. I'd be out surfing now. >

Kat's eyebrows rose in curiosity as she read his response. She shook her head subtly, and Billy noticed the slight sparkle of interest in her eyes as she wrote her reply. < Surfing looked amazing on TV! I want to hear all about it! >

He chuckled softly, enjoying this small rebellion against the boredom of the class. He scribbled back quickly. < Imagine this: hot sand under your feet, cool waves crashing over you, and the sun setting on the horizon. >

Kat’s eyes shone with excitement as she read his words. She leaned a bit closer to him, the edge of her notebook brushing against his arm as she wrote back. < That sounds like paradise. Take me there someday? >

Billy felt a weird twist in his chest at her words. He hadn’t expected her to be so open, so genuinely interested. It was... Nice. He scratched out a quick reply, his usual confident smirk softening into something a bit more genuine. Why did he actually feel something when interacting to this complete stranger? This wasn't like him, not at all. He was the playboy, the casanova, he could have anything and everything he wants... So why...? < Maybe I will, doll. Just gotta get through this hellhole first. >

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. Students hurried to pack their things and leave, but Billy and Kat lingered a moment longer, exchanging one last glance before standing up. "Hey, dollface, I've got basket practice after lunch. Wanna watch me destroy King Steve?" he hung back by her side, picking her bag and placing it over his shoulder.

"Oh, I would love to! Only - Forgive me, I have never watched a basketball match before, and I have no idea what the game even is about, except an orange ball that you have to throw through a hoop." she chuckled softly. "Thank you for holding my bag, Billy, but you really needn't!"

The boy simply flashed a smirk, guiding her out by the very same tree the previous day. "Got any more of that super delish food?"

Kat's smile widened into a grin as she buried her hands in the bag, revealing a small blanket and two lunch boxes. "I had hoped you wouldn't stop wanting to see me overnight, so I prepared lunch for you also - And brought a fork for you, of course. I can't expect King Billy to eat with pink chopsticks painted with tons of flowers." she chuckled, patting the spot next to her.

For some reason, Billy's heart sunk; Buried underneath that gorgeous, hopeful smile of hers, a deep loneliness was revealed mixed with such a sweet voice. Why did he care so much? Was it because she tried so hard to be kind to him? Although, for Billy, everything she was doing seemed natural; He felt as though everything she was doing came so naturally to her - Her kindness was natural. And he felt like a moth gravitating around the flame.

"Y'think I'm that much of a brain dead sheep, that I'd stop hanging around a pretty girl 'cause dumbass Harrington set the trend?" he slumped down next to her, digging in his fantastic lunch. "Harrington has no clue what he's been missing on these years - If not your pretty face, this damn food would keep a man from walking away." this comment seemed to make the red haired girl hide her mouth with her sleeve, stifling a very amused chuckle.

"You are being very kind to me, Billy, Thank you." she nodded her head bashfully. "I just hope you won't come to regret it." the young man threw her a shady look and scoffed.

"Are you comparing yourself to those stinky cows, KitKat?" the girl couldn't help but gasp and start laughing - For once, the nickname was so cute - She's never had anyone use a nickname with her! And, for second - Did Billy just call their classmates 'Stinky Cows'?

"Did you just call our classmates -- Stinky cows?!" even just repeating that made the girl laugh harder.

Billy muttered, digging into the food. “Most of the girls in Hawkins are so dull. All they care about is gossip and who’s dating who. No one has any real interests." he continued. "And yes, they stink of very bad cheap perfume." he leaned a little to the side, close to her neck. "Yours is very nice and feminine."

"Oh, thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I worked two years to buy it! I found it on sale, so I managed to get two bottles." two years of hard work to get a proper perfume, and all those trust fund bitches and silver spoon rich fucks can't even find a proper fashion sense. "And - Yeah, I guess our classmates can be annoying and... Pretty plain! But they aren't all that bad - I think! I mean, at least this is the last year we'll see them, right?"

Billy smirked, taking a bite of a dumpling. “Well, it’s true. And don’t even get me started on the guys. Dumb as bricks, most of them. The highlight of their day is probably belching the alphabet or winning a pissing contest."

Kat giggled, shaking her head. “You’re awful, Billy. But yeah, I get what you mean. Sometimes it feels like we’re stuck in this small-town bubble and no one wants to break out of it.” she looked up at the bright sky. "I hope to travel the world some day. It's my biggest dream."

Big dreams for the future, from a little person like them - But what can a man do but dream of a better future built if their own hands, with blood, sweat and tears? "That's a nice dream to have." he nodded to himself. "Keep on dreaming, KitKat."

"What about you, Billy? What's your big dream." what a wonderful question with no real answer.

"No clue." Billy found himself spewing. "Haven't thought that far yet. For now, my only dream is to get that damn scholarship, move back to Cali and get my fucking degree. If I get that far, I'll think of something for the future." he grumbled under his breath. "I just wanna get the fuck out of this god forsaken place."

"You really hate this place that much?" her voice became sympathetic and filled with compassion.

"Bullshit city, yeah." he huffed, stuffing himself with more food. "But not only."

"I understand what you're trying to say." the girl smiled softly. "If you need anything, I'm here for you. Until then - I'll try to help make this year more bearable for you. How's that sound?"

Billy looked right into her eyes; His crystal eyes peered in the depths of her soul, piercing aggressively - Yet he was met with resistance coming from a veil of genuine care and worry for him. What a fool this girl was. Girls like her always end up bad - Not because they do anything wrong, but because the world fails them. Billy picked her chin, leaning in closer to her face. "Don't change who you are, dollface." he said, before letting go and getting up to her feet. "Now come, I'll delight your eyes during practice. Be a nice girl and cheer for me, will ya?"

"If you wouldn't be embarrassed by me being there, then I would love to!" she looked cute - As cute as a little kitten would look, nestled in large blankets.

Billy nodded his head at her to pack everything and get up; They headed towards the gym, where they went separate ways. Kat took a seat in the bleachers, her eyes scanning the court as the players warmed up, with Billy there in the lead. The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished wooden floor and the thud of basketballs being dribbled filled the air. Billy and a few of his teammates were tossing the ball back and forth as they waited for practice to officially begin. He caught sight of Katrina in the stands, a confident smirk spreading across his face. He had planned to show off a bit, and he was determined to make a memorable impression.

When the whistle blew and practice started in earnest, Billy kicked into show-off mode, playing with swagger, his movements sharp and fluid. He dribbled, passed, and shot with impressive precision, each move showcasing his athletic prowess. Kat had no idea what she was watching, but seeing Billy playing so passionately made her smile brightly.

As the game progressed, Billy’s shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his well-defined muscles. He could feel Kat’s gaze on him, and he made sure to put on a show. With each dunk and fast break, he glanced over to see her reaction, enjoying the way her eyes followed his every move. He could almost feel her enthusiasm and see those sparkling gems, even though she was sitting still and had no clue what she was watching.

At one point, Billy executed a fantastic slam dunk, hanging from the rim for a moment before landing gracefully on his feet. He looked over at Katrina, catching her wide-eyed, slightly awestruck expression. He couldn’t help but grin, his eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and mischief seeing her clap with such child-like glee.

During a brief break, Billy trotted over to the sidelines, his shirt discarded and his chest glistening with sweat dripping down his Adonis muscles. He wiped his face with a towel, his confident demeanor never wavering; He casually leaned against the bleachers where she was seated, his body language radiating both charm and casual arrogance.

“Hey, gorgeous. How’s the show so far? Living up to standards?” his hands were balled in fists against his hips, making sure his body was perfectly flexed. If even his body that had the appeal of a Greek God statue by Michelangelo couldn't make her at least blush a little, than he was sure, this girl was a lost cause.

Much to his pride and joy, however, he saw the girl smiling at him - And her cheeks were just a hue pink, like two beautiful peonies. Success. "I think you were fantastic! You totally threw Steve in your shadow!" she admitted, trying to sound nonchalant but unable to hide her admiration.

Billy’s grin widened, clearly pleased with the compliment. “Figured I’d give you a little private show.” he gave her a playful wink, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Is that so?” Katrina replied, her tone light and teasing. “And here I thought you were just a show-off.”

Billy chuckled, his eyes lingering on her pretty face and that glowing smile of hers. “Maybe a little.” he straightened up, his confidence unwavering.

"Then are we leaving the private show for some other time?" the girl's mischievous comment was hiding a most teasing innuendo that wasn't lost on the boy - In fact, Billy was quite shocked to see her completely natural and serene flirting with him. Did she even know she was flirting, or did she think it was purely friendly teasing?

"For you? Any time, any day, sweet cheeks." with a wink, Billy jogged back to continue the second half of their match and completely piss on Harrington and his week game. He was feeling even more energetic thanks to the pretty girl's evident appreciation of his skills - And physique, of course. The way he played with effortless skill and charisma was meant to impress her, and he could tell that he was flawlessly succeeding.

By the end of practice, Billy’s teammates were buzzing with excitement, their high-fives and cheers a testament to the intensity of the session. He returned over to Katrina, his chest still bare and glistening with sweat, and plopped down beside her. "Want a hug, doll?" he couldn't help but grin in amusement hearing her soft squeak and seeing her jump away from him.

"Take a shower first, and then we'll talk about a hug!" she was giggling all giddy and cute.

Billy’s eyes softened with a touch of vulnerability, a rare moment of sincerity amidst his usual bravado. “Wanna join? All hot and steamy.”

"Sorry - Too much testosterone and magical wands fighting." she giggled jokingly. "I'm more of a hopelessly romantic kinda girl. Not quite the norm these days, huh?" yes, of course she would be that kinda girl. A sweet girl who daydreams of an endless happy love story, of a Prince Charming carrying her around like a Princess. That type of perfect girl, Daddy's sweet little angel, who should never hang around fucked up and broken bad boys like him.

But didn't all guys want the good girl to go bad just for them? "I'll keep that in mind while I humiliate Harrington with my magic wand." they were such dorks.

Classes pass by fast, basketball practice was going smoothly, and Billy was gaining traction; His popularity was up there, his grades were up, and finally, his date night with Princess KitKat was approach. He had to get all done up and looking as charming as ever, his Cali magic couldn't fail him. He could get bitches all he wanted, that was easy - But he promised her a nice date, and hopefully, he wasn't too broken and screwed up to provide at least this little. Lord knows she deserved something nice in that lonely life of hers.

Next Chapter >

#Heaven's on fire #stranger things #stranger things x oc #stranger things imagine #stranger things x reader #billy hargrove #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove imagine #billy hargrove x oc

7 notes · View notes