#but I am now feeling much calmer and less like I want to strangle someone

[givemaycoffee]

Sometimes you see a post, it makes you incandescently angry even though it doesn’t really matter, you type out a long angry reply about why OP is wrong, you take a deep breath, and you delete everything and move on with your life.

[kstewdeux]

For a span of a minute that felt like an eternity, the entire world focused in on one singular point. A small painting. It’s edges well worn. Finer details faded and lost due to the passage of time but otherwise, in shockingly good condition.

But for all it’s antiquity, there was no mistaking the young woman who had been depicted. Whoever wrote the small exhibition label had simply labeled it:

Unidentified Artist, Japanese

Late Tokugawa Shogunate, Edo Period, 1853-1867

Young Woman

Painting on Parchment

H. Nakamura Trust, 88.251

According to the small blurb beneath the exhibition label, this tiny piece of parchment, clearly kept over the past century with meticulous care, had - at some point - apparently been studied by scholars to prove it was genuine. A fact that had been in dispute because the style diverged so greatly from art styles of the period but Kagome knew what the artist had been trying to do.

A photograph. He’d tried to mimic a photograph. Not perfect by any means but as close as someone in that time period could get. Which was shocking given (a) she had no idea he could draw and (b) that he would’ve taken the time to draw her.

Jaw trembling, Kagome had to remind herself to breathe. A task made more difficult as her friends joined her and began commenting on how the girl in the drawing resembled her.

Of course it did. It was her.

Her blurry vision flicked to the date and what registered felt like something cold was crushing her heart. If this ‘unidentified artist’ was him, Inuyasha had survived their quest and lived hundreds of years clearly hoping to see her again. At some point, he must have realized he simply wasn’t going to make it and…

Exhaling shakily, Kagome swallowed and decided it would be easier to simply leave. She was getting worked up over nothing. It was entirely possible that all of this was a coincidence. That she was reading too much into it. After all, Inuyasha wasn’t an artist by any means and most certainly would not have spent hundreds of years thinking about her. They were friends. Just friends. Unless something changed, which seemed unlikely, he had no interest in being with her that way. Besides, surely there were other women who looked like her throughout history. Everyone had a doppelgänger, right? Hers just happened to be some random woman in 19th century Japan.

It was just a painting of her doppelgänger.

Hopefully. Hopefully that’s all that it was.

“I have to go,” Kagome mumbled hoarsely as she took a step back and tore her eyes away from the painting, “I need to go.”

“Are you feeling okay?” Yuka asked worriedly, “Do…”

Unable to hear anything over the ringing in her ears, Kagome’s eyes wavered as they flicked back to the blurb that, upon closer inspection, described the other sketches and accompanying notes that detailed the artist’s ‘love’ for the young woman depicted. Various photographs of said notes had been attached slightly below said blurb and one of them had her shaking her head in mild horror.

‘I will not know your name next time we meet…’

“I need to go,” Kagome repeated breathlessly before turning on her heel and damn near running for the entrance. After that, she wouldn’t’ve been able to tell you how long or far or even which direction she ran from the mental image of an elderly Inuyasha writing out those notes he had to believe she’d never read. It might not even be him. Couldn’t be him. He didn’t draw. Couldn’t say something poetic much less write it. It had to be a coincidence. Just a coincidence but the image continued playing in her mind until she was blinded by tears. He died alone. Even…even if she did end up with him, she would’ve been dead by the time he wrote that. Long before he even picked up that brush. It…it…

It was all becoming too painful to even imagine.

Coming to an abrupt halt, Kagome clutched at her chest and used the side of a cement building for support. Inuyasha died over a hundred years ago and while that made sense, the realization that all her friends had died sometime in the past five hundred years hit her with all the force of a Mack truck.

Whimpering softly, her legs gave out and she slid down to the cold sidewalk. It was a coincidence. Just a coincidence. The probability of it all…

Well it just wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be him. It just…

“There you are,” came a hoarse, relieved whisper from far too close before two strong arms scooped her up and pulled her off the ground, “What happened? I’ve been looking everywhere.”

“Inuyasha?” Kagome mumbled stupidly before she whined and pressed her face into the corner of his neck - a gesture which had him stopping and doing something strange. His face turned slightly and buried his nose into her hair.

“What happened? I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what happened,” he chided anxiously as he gave her a light squeeze, “You hurt?”

Opening her eyes, Kagome glanced around the dimly lit streets and realized how late it was. No wonder he’d come after her.

“M’fine. Got lost is all,” she lied lamely and she felt him inhale deeply then sigh.

“Bullshit. What happened?” he asked again before adding in a clear attempt to get her to smile, “I don’t mind killing people ya know. If someone hurt you, I’ll make them pay, ya know, if you want.”

“Nothing happened. Just got lost on my way home,” she mumbled and with a somewhat exasperated grunt, Inuyasha continued walking again.

“You’re a terrible liar and an idiot,” Inuyasha opined firmly - adjusting his hold on her and shaking his head, “You could’ve gotten hurt out here by yourself, stupid. Anything could’ve happened.”

“I was…”

“Sometimes I swear you’re trying to get yourself killed,” he continued chiding as some of his anger began bubbling to the surface, “What would’ve happened if I didn’t come looking, huh?”

“I said I’m sorry,” she protested weakly - her nose subtly nuzzling the flesh at the base of his neck, “I…”

“Sorry isn’t good enough. You need to do better,” Inuyasha snapped angrily before pausing mid-stride and sighing, “I swore to protect you but you make it so…so hard sometimes. And you don’t even care. You just…just go around getting kidnapped or disappearing and…and getting hurt when I’m not looking.”

It was strange but hearing his voice berate her and feeling his irritated breaths actually improved her mood considerably.

“I waited. Like an idiot I waited for you to come back from that school thing of yours instead of coming to get you like normal but…but then the sun went down and…” Inuyasha continued to huffed and grunt while his arms held her slightly tighter, “I can’t be there all the time dammit. I can’t. I’d like to be but…but I just can’t so…so you just have to fucking do better.”

Lifting her head slightly at this strange command, Kagome studied his face for a moment before leaning forward and absently placing a kiss on his tense neck. Inuyasha went stock still and then rigid but she couldn’t find it in her to care.

“I’m sorry I scared you. I’ll do better,” she promised tiredly as she pressed another lazy kiss on his shoulder. At least in this moment, he was alive and loved. Right now, he wasn’t alone drawing paintings and writing notes to someone who was either dead or hadn’t been born yet. And while true that the ‘unidentified artist’ was probably anyone else, that mental image of it being him continued to haunt her.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome stubbornly told herself that the ‘unidentified artist’ couldn’t be him. It simply wasn’t possible. For so many reasons.

“You kissed me,” Inuyasha finally blurted and mercifully distracted from her inner turmoil, Kagome hummed in the affirmative. A second passed then two and he forced out a strangled, “W-why?”

“I wanted to,” Kagome offered tiredly as she focused on the feel of him and the knowledge that, as of this moment, he was very much alive. And yes, now that she was a little calmer, it was fairly obvious that the ‘unidentified artist’ wasn’t Inuyasha. He didn’t think of her in that way. Never had. Never would. They were friends. Best friends. But he loved someone else and had made it very clear he wasn’t interested in her that way.

As Kagome continued talking herself down, Inuyasha remained motionless for a long time before he finally began walking back towards the shrine. Slowly. Every so often he’d pause and take a few short breaths like he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

“Why did you want to?” he finally asked hesitantly as he turned a corner, “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Because you’re you,” she mumbled as her consciousness began ebbing. With a soft sigh, she relaxed more fully against his warm chest and offered up an additional explanation, “It made me happy.”

This response clearly bothered him judging by the increased tension in his muscles.

“Why did kissing me make you happy?” he pressed after another long moment of silence.

“Dunno. Why do you think it…” Kagome trailed off into a yawn and Inuyasha let out a small groan.

“I don’t know. That’s why I was asking,” Inuyasha interrupted with a huff of frustration, “You always make things hard. For no reason.”

Instead of getting angry, Kagome simply cooed and snuggled into him which seemed to both bother and calm him.

“You’re so stupid,” he continued to grumble as he adjusted his hold, “Ask a simple question and you just…act like you.”

“How else am I supposed to act?” Kagome hummed with mild amusement and Inuyasha grunted.

“Whatever. You need to sleep,” he changed the subject miserably as he finally made it to the shrine and began climbing the steps, “But don’t think I’m gunna take it easy on you. I’m serious. You can’t do shit like that again. You could’ve gotten…”

“Will you stay here tonight?” Kagome interrupted tiredly and Inuyasha once again stopped mid-step. His hands flexed against the flesh they were gripping as he licked his lips and averted his eyes.

“Only if you tell me why you really kissed me,” he repeated his earlier question - before continuing with an unease tinged with hope which surprised her, “I think I deserve some answers after the stupid stunt you just pulled and if you’re trying…if you did that to just…just distract me, it won’t work. Won’t change nothing. You still gotta be less stupid.”

“I did it because I wanted to,” Kagome repeated before gasping when he suddenly set her down and glared.

“Well what if I didn’t want you to?” Inuyasha huffed - something strangely hurt behind his expressive amber eyes, “You’ve never tried to mess with me before. Never. And…and do you have any idea how scared I was when you didn’t come home? I searched for you, Kagome. From the…the 6 to the 9. Do you know how hard it is to track scents here? To listen for you? It’s a literal miracle that I…”

“I said I’m sorry,” Kagome insisted and Inuyasha looked even more hurt. Breathing heavily, he visibly tried to control whatever reaction was brewing under the surface but unfortunately, his confusion and hurt bubbled over.

“I DON’T WANT AN APOLOGY!” Inuyasha bellowed - his hurt escalating into full blown anger with such speed it nearly gave her whiplash, “YOU COULD’VE DIED. YOU COULD’VE BEEN HURT! AND I’M NOT SO DESPERATE THAT A STUPID KISS IS GUNNA MAKE ME FORGET THAT! WHY DID YOU KISS ME?!”

“I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you!” Kagome snapped and Inuyasha looked a hair away from strangling her.

“THAT’S NOT AN ANSWER! YOU’RE JUST TRYING TO COVER YOUR ASS AND…” Inuyasha began to rail against her once more and it was at that point Kagome’s mind officially hit It’s breaking point. He wanted answers, huh? He wanted to know why she ran and why she kissed him and why she was so upset?!

“FINE! KNOW WHY I DID THAT?! BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!” Kagome screamed bitterly and Inuyasha froze like a deer in the headlights, “I KISSED YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! THERE! HAPPY?!”

When Inuyasha continued gaping at her with a shell-shocked expression, the full ramifications of what she’d just admitted hit her like a ton of bricks.

“Forget it,” she breathed miserably as she turned and unsteadily began climbing the stairs with her arms curled tightly around her stomach, “I’m sorry, okay? I won’t do…any of that again. Just forget what I said.”

“Wait. Wait,” Inuyasha’s strangely panicked voice called out - a single clawed hand gripping her shoulder to force her to stop, “I don’t think I heard that right. W-why did you…”

“Let me go Inuyasha,” Kagome hissed but the hand didn’t release her.

“C-can I tell you w-what I heard?” he asked with a mixture of fear and desperation, “A-and I could be wrong but I just…”

“You hear everything Inuyasha,” Kagome huffed acidly as she pushed away his hand with all her might, “You heard what I said…”

Even as she climbed the stairs, she could hear his harsh rapid breaths which honestly had her moving a little faster. Everything was ruined now. All because of some stupid little painting that she’d just…

“You…you said you…you loved me,” he repeated barely above a whisper, “Right?”

Closing her eyes, Kagome let out a long sigh before squaring her shoulders and deciding to face her mistake head on.

“I do love you but I don’t…” she began as she turned to face him before being cut off when a pair of lips captured her own. Two strong arms snaked around her waist for but a moment before his calloused hands suddenly cupped her face in an effort to force her to respond.

When she finally did and when he finally pulled back, his slightly euphoric expression faded into mild horror and panic.

“Y-you said you l-loved me back, r-right?” he asked worriedly as he released and took an involuntary step back, “That’s…that’s what you said. Two, no, three times. You said that…”

“That I loved you…back,” Kagome repeated slowly and Inuyasha gave a jerky nod in response.

“That’s what you said,” he insisted miserably - his amber eyes flicking in the direction of the well, “So…and I mean, you did start the…the kissing so I…and you were an idiot. Scared me half to…”

“Know what? That is what I said,” Kagome hummed in a resigned fashion as she reached out and gestured for him to take her hand, “Come on. Let’s go inside. It’s late.”

Swallowing thickly, Inuyasha eyed the beckoning hand with weary apprehension before accepting the gesture and allowing her to lead him into the house. And up the stairs. And into her bedroom. And then onto her bed. A bed upon which he found himself awkwardly waiting while Kagome proceeded to change and get ready for the night.

“Where are you gunna sleep…” he began nervously when it finally dawned on him that she seemed to be intending for him to sleep on the bed. That’s where she led him and where she told him to stay after all. Which was strange but it had been a strange night. Maybe she was trying to make him feel better. Do him a favor?

“In the bed,” Kagome hummed as she ran a brush through her hair and gave him a warm smile. A smile that faded when he stood up and began nervously glancing around with a marked blush.

“Inuyasha, where are you going?”

“You’re gunna sleep on the bed,” he muttered as he prepared to sleep in his normal position on the floor, “And you…well I was gunna…”

“If you want, you can sleep in the bed with me…”

Amber eyes widened as a single impulsive ‘oh’ left his lips but instead of sitting back down on the bed, he remained standing and staring at her with that same shell-shocked expression.

“Is that…okay?” Kagome asked nervously.

Seeming to come back to himself, Inuyasha nodded fervently and quickly sat down atop the mattress.

“Y-yeah thats…that’s…yeah. Yeah. We can do that…”

That night was the first of many nights he spent cuddled up against the woman of his dreams. Letting the warmth of her body span the length of his own as he relished in the knowledge that somehow this woman loved him. How, when or even why didn’t matter. She loved him back and that first night, as he held her small frame against him, he very nearly cried in relief. Honestly, before that night, he had already decided he was going to let her go rather than say anything. There was no way she’d ever love him back, he’d reasoned. No one would ever want to be with a half-breed, right? He’d never been so happy to be wrong.

Weeks went by after that and the funny thing was, when Kagome absently mentioned the painting from the museum to her friends over lunch, none of them had the faintest clue what she was talking about. All they remembered was her leaving in a rush. While Kagome chalked this up to the art not being memorable to anyone else, the truth was that no one else would ever remember this art because it simply never existed.

The second she’d admitted her feelings - emotions he fully reciprocated but had suppressed - all those drawings and notes faded from the annuals of time because that painting- which had been loaned to the museum by a well meaning unrelated widow who thought the unique artwork would make for an interesting exhibit - turned out to be a butterfly which was inadvertently crushed. As the years rolled on, Inuyasha never needed to paint something to bring him comfort in the midst of crushing regret and loneliness.

Why would he?

Thanks to a merciful series of events, he woke up to his favorite smiling face every day for the rest of his life.

[milk-carton-whump]

While reading some old Niner stories I was struck with this concept that I've kinda done in the past but.... I think it's interesting. Especially for a conditioned pet whumpee.

Tagging: @sideblogformindtrash @unicornscotty @tears-and-lilies @cupcakes-and-pain @alliecat5594 @twistedcaretaker @heathenville @skunkandgrenade @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi

CW: dehumanization, conditioning, pet whump, reset, personality switch, mention of death (brief), memory issues, implied kidnapping, manhandling, trigger word (for niner), dehumanizing language, scared whumpee

Unfamiliar

The boy felt weird, something was off but he couldn't quite figure out what it was. He walked into the kitchen and stared at the cabinets, they weren't quite right, maybe he was just hungry and that's what was messing with his head. He opened the fridge and his stomach growled as he saw food. 

A small feeling in the back of his head told him not to eat the food, he wasn't supposed to eat it. He closed the door to the fridge and walked back into the dining room, in the corner was a wire dog kennel. When had they gotten a dog?

Whatever it was, it was a big dog judging by the cage and dog bowl that sat on top of it. As he looked around the room he realized there was something off about it as well. 

Maybe dad had done some redecorating?

The sound of someone in another room caught his attention, he figured either dad or Sera were working on something and it had to be one of them.  He approached the room and the door was slightly open, so he pushed it open and was startled to see a man who wasn't his dad or sister. 

The man looked up with curiosity and irritation, he had his glasses pushed up on his head and looked to be working on computer pieces. 

"K-9, you know you aren't allowed in my computer room. Go. Get out." He said with an annoyed tone. 

"I…. Wh-who are you? Whe-where's my dad??" Russell asked shakily. 

The man looked up again, this time there was visible confusion on his face. He stood up and walked around the table he had been sitting at. As he approached the boy, the kid backed away from him quickly clearly trying to stay away. 

"No-n-no stay away! Where's my dad?!?" The boy yelled as he was cornered in the kitchen. 

"K-9, what the fuck are you going on about?" The man asked him in a firm tone. 

"Wh-where-where am i?? Why do you keep calling me K-9?? I'm not a fucking dog!" Russell's voice cracked as he yelled at the strange man. 

The strange man suddenly lunged and snagged the boy's upper arm, pulling him into a tight embrace. The boy yelped and began to struggle desperately in any attempt to get away. The man's hand was suddenly around his throat, he cried out terrified of being choked or strangled to death. But the grip wasn't restrictive, just firm and controlling. 

Russell tried to reach up and claw at the man's hand, to get it away from his vulnerable neck. The hand that had grabbed his arm now moved to pin the boy's arms down to his sides. He continued to squirm as tears began to pour down his face, the man was scary and Russell was sure he had been kidnapped. 

"Let me go!!! I want to go home!!" 

"K-9, you need to calm down. You are home." The man said. 

No that wasn't right, he wasn't home. Where was Sera?? She would be here if he was home. 

The boy winced from the memory and kicked the man in the shin which was followed by a grunt of pain and a temporary loosening of the grip on him. He took the opportunity to break out of the man's grip and run. Russell scrambled down the hallway again and only stopped dead in his tracks when he heard an odd sequence of numbers and letters. 

"K-9-MUT281, come back here. Now."  The man said firmly. 

Russell's body felt like it was moving on its own, he watched as his legs walked him back to the man. He stared at the man with wide frightened eyes, what was going on???

He tried to shake his head but it wouldn't respond.

"K-9, what's going on with you? Why are you misbehaving? Speak." The man, he recognized him now. Master Hayes had asked him a question.

"I-I-I don't kn-know what's going on… where… where am I, sir?" Russell asked in a much softer and calmer tone than he expected. 

"I'll lay it out for you, you're at home, you're my pet, and right now you're rambling about nonsense. So, I want you to tell me, who am I? Who are you? And where are you right now?" Hayes said. 

Russell Niner hesitated before answering, things in his head were starting to make sense. He was confident about that.

"You're Master Hayes, my...my owner, and I'm K-9… but I'm also Niner…. And I'm at home, Master's home." Niner said he was sure that was right. 

The smile that Hayes gave him reassured him that his answer was correct. He felt better, things made sense. He was home, he was a good pet, he had a kind Master.

"All better K-9? What are you?" Hayes asked.

"I'm a pet, nothing more and only less." The pet responded in a clearly rehearsed way. 

Hayes was glad to have the pet back to normal, he hadn't had to do a reset on the boy in years. It was always sudden like that though, like a switch flipped but it was always an easy fix. He just wished he had caught it earlier. 

[anime-alyssa]

also on ao3. 

please consider donating to my ko-fi if you enjoy this story - it would really help me a lot this week (also i’m late on rent)

be’jetii masterlist

f o u r.

“Father no!” You screamed, being pulled onto the Falcon by Leia. You watched Vader strike him down, right in the chest as Obi Wan Kenobi became one with the Force. You felt it stab you through the heart, as if a piece of you had been ripped out. Screaming, thats all you did. Luke was too, but you - you were trembling.

Your father was gone - the only parent you ever knew.

Luke wrapped his arms around you and held you to him. You felt calmer instantly, as you always did when you were around Luke. But there was still pain. Anger. Hurt. Those emotions were taking over your body and your being as the Falcon sped away towards the Rebel base on Dantooine.

“I told him not to go - I told him not to do it. I told him - ” you stuttered out.

“None of it is your fault. It’s Vaders.” Leia said to you comfortingly, placing a hand on your arm to soothe you.

The Force had betrayed you - everything you knew had betrayed you. It took him from you. Your mind flashed to the future, to Luke leaving you on Tattooine. Tears streamed down your face and you screamed as he took off, another piece of you feeling like it was getting ripped out of you -

You woke with a gasp, sweat forming down your body. You panted - you hadn’t had those dreams in ages. And yet all of a sudden, you had relived it all. What was going on? A little coo from the foot of your bed snapped you out of your thoughts and you looked to see the kid sitting there, watching you.

“Hey little guy.” you breathed out, still shaken up.

“Morning.” the Mandalorian said in the doorway. You jumped, not even noticing him there. Did he see you get up - oh god did you scream in your sleep? If you did, he didn’t say anything and kept moving on with the point of his presence. “The storm has stopped. I’ve dug your speeder out from under the sand. There was some damage to my ship, but I got it fixed. Yours…” he trailed off.

That made you jump out of bed, shorts and tank top only and run past him, out of your door. What you saw was not what you wanted to see. Your ship was decimated in the storm, both engines flown off god knows where and parts scattered around. His was in better shape, but yours… you had nothing. How were you supposed to get to Chandrilla now?

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” you groaned as you walked up to it. The sand burned the bottoms of your feet but you didn’t care - you were so upset over your ship being torn apart. You’d have to rebuild the whole damn ship - probably sell your speeder to afford the parts. Even worse, you’d need Han and Chewbacca’s help. “This is gonna take months to fix. God dammit, how am I gonna get to Chandrilla to get the parts…”

You knew the Mandalorian could give less of a shit about you and your ship. The storm was over, which meant he could leave. You had no clue if he was still planning on taking you with him, but he could leave. You heard a modulated sigh behind you.

“Need to pick up a quarry on Chandrilla. Can give you a lift if you want… if you can watch the kid for me.” he proposed. You turned around to face the Mandalorian, in shock.

“What are you gonna do, throw me in carbonite afterwards?” you asked him slowly. Surely, he couldn’t be serious? He was threatening to throw you in the chamber for the past 48 hours and now all of a sudden he was going to be nice to you? In return for watching the kid.

“No - I changed my mind. I can bring you to Chandrilla and back if you can watch the kid. I… I hate bringing him with me. He shouldn’t have to see it.” the Mandalorian said to you. You guessed that was fair enough. Plus the kid was quite cute and Ben would have someone to play with.

“Fine… thank you.” you said to him.

“We leave in thirty.” he said, walking off to his ship. His shoulder bumped yours ever so slightly as he walked by. You watched him enter the ship, the kid trailing behind him. Going back into your house, you changed quickly, put your lightsaber under your tunic and got together credits and things you would need, quickly booting up your holo to leave a message for Leia or Han. Or at least you hoped you’d leave a message - Leia picked up. You could feel her anger radiating through the picture and for a quick second, you saw fear.

“Where the hell have you been?! Han and I have been trying to contact you for two days now and nothing - ” she yelled. She yelled so loudly at you that the Mandalorian probably heard her from your ship.

“Sandstorm. Listen, I’m coming to Chandrilla. Have someone dropping me off, my ship needs parts and I need to drag Han into helping me fix it. I’ll be around for a few days, though. Probably.” you told her.

“Han isn’t around right now - wait someone is dropping you off? Kenobi what the hell have you done - ” Leia accused, making you gasp.

“Why do you always assume I’ve done something?” you asked, offended. God you sounded like Han for a minute.

“Because I know you too well. But fine, whoever it is can drop you off at your usual spot.” she retorted with a sigh.

“Thank you. Also, I have to babysit a kid and he’s coming with me and things are a bit more complicated than that and you might kill me.” you added. Leia’s expression changed to shock and back to anger slightly and you knew that you needed to hang up and cut it short. Plus, you saw the Mandalorian now staring at you from the doorway.

“You what - ” You knew that you were probably going to see death when you first landed, but you cut her off. You’d deal with Leia once you landed.

“GottagobyeLeia!” you said in a rush, hanging up and cutting the conversation short, shoving the pad into your bag. He was watching you curiously, you could tell as you turned to face him. “Eavesdropping isn’t nice, you know.” you said to him.

“Who was that?” he asked, protectively.

“A friend. Trustworthy.” you told him. He seemed unconvinced, but went with it anyways. Damn Mandalorian and his trust issues.  

“Time to go.” he said to you. You followed him out of the house, making sure to lock it up before following him up his ship. The kid watched you with light eyes as you put your bag down and the hangar door closed - thrilled that someone else was going on an adventure with him.

The Mandalorian actually brought the kid up to the cockpit with him and you followed, sitting in the co-pilots chair as the kid sat in his little… booster seat? That’s what it looked like to you, anyway. In silence, the Mandalorian prepared you for take off. He set the course, calculated the jump and you were off. It was silent for the first bit of the ride - you knew it wasn’t going to take much more than 30 minutes in hyperspace to get to Chandrilla. But you needed to tell him how it would go once you landed - that he needed to listen to you.

“When we get to Chandrilla, you need to go to these coordinates.” you said, flashing him the data on your holo quickly. His helmet tilted, a sign that you now have started to understand as curiosity and confusion. It was how he communicated things he was unsure of.

“This isn’t the docking bay.” he commented.

“No, it’s not. You can move to one when you drop us off, but I need to go here. They’re going to question you over the comms - let me do the talking. I’ll go off with the kid, and you can go get your quarry.” you said to him.

“I will bring the kid off and meet this person. I don’t know who they are and you won’t tell me.” he said back to you sharply.

“I told you that you can trust her. You’ll see when we get there.” That and if you were holding the kid there was less of a chance of Leia strangling you on sight, but you didn’t want to tell him that. He went silent and all that filled the cockpit was the sounds of hyperspace and the kid chewing on some silver ball of his.

Soon enough, the console made the sounds to come out of hyperspace. You leaned back in your chair as the ship fell out, Chandrilla appearing before you. He plugged in the coordinates you gave him and went down into the planets atmosphere. The guard ships were on the side of the ship in an instant as soon as you got closer to Leia’s house.

“What the hell - ” he started, letting the communication through. You stood up and went over to the console.

“This is private territory - state your name and your business.” one of the pilots said. The Mandalorian snapped his attention to you in annoyance, as you expected but you took over.

“What the fuck is this - ” the Mandalorian started to fight back but you cut him off, responding.

“Hey Adian, it’s Kenobi. I got a ride, she knows I’m coming.” you said to the voice.

“Oh, hey there Kenobi! You’re all set for landing, she’s waiting for you. She looks a little pissed, though.” Adian, the pilot, said to you. You let out a nervous laugh.

“Yeah, I’m in for it. Thanks, bud.” you said, turning off the communication and sitting down.

“Kenobi?” he asked, aggravation all over his tone.

“It’s my last name - just fly the damn ship and park on the pad.” you said to him. He sighed and listened to you, approaching the senator’s house on the hills. “God damn it, she is waiting for me.” you groaned.

“Who?” he asked.

“Just hold the kid, alright?” you said, climbing down from the cockpit as he landed. You heard him quickly following you, complaining to the kid about how you were acting as you grabbed your bag and he opened the hangar door.

Leia Organa-Solo was not a force to be reckoned with, and you knew that. But here you were, standing in front of a very pissed Senator. You felt it through the force and saw it on her face as you stepped down the hangar and approached her.

“Don’t kill me there’s a kid - ” a slap to your face echoed across the clearing as you held your hand up to your cheek. “Ow!” you complained afterwards. Okay, so you supposed you deserved that a least a little.

“You’re lucky I didn’t stun you into the next year, you fucking - ” she stopped short as you could feel a presence behind you. The Mandalorian had come off the ship with the child, you presumed. “Hello there.” her tone changed almost immediately seeing the beskar clad man come up next to you, the child cooing the entire time.

“Leia, this is the Mandalorian. Mandalorian, this is Senator Leia Organa-Solo. My friend.” you introduced them, putting emphasis on the friend part for both the Mandalorian and Leia.

“Good to meet you, Senator.” he said, very politely. You had never heard him be this nice in the entire time that you have known him so you had to try and hide the shock on your face.

“Likewise. Thank you for dropping her off, I know she can be a lot to handle.” Leia looked over at you narrowly with that last remark. “Is this the Child you mentioned?” she asked, looking over at the kid in the Mandalorian’s arms.

“Yes. Ben’s got a playmate for a few days while he tracks down a quarry somewhere on the planet.” you said to her. The Mandalorian whipped his helmet over to you, angry.

“A senator - ” The Mandalorian started to get defensive upon you telling his big secret to a Senator, but you cut him off.

“She’s friends with me and married to Han Solo, relax. She’s seen it all.” you said, turning around and holding your arms out for the kid, him jumping into your arms.

“I wish you could leave your ship here, but I think you understand why it can’t stay. I’ll let the guards know that when you come back to pick him up, you are welcome.” Leia said.

“Of course. I… thank you, Senator.” You almost passed out right then and there - he said thank you? After he made such a big fucking deal -

“Please, just Leia.” she replied. The Mandalorian took the kid’s hand in his and looked at him before he took his leave.

“Behave.” he told the kid. He cooed up and gargled at him as he left, walking back to his ship and promptly leaving.

“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Leia said to you sternly, still mad at you. You watched the ship take off before turning to go towards the house, Ben now calling for you.

“I know, I know.” you told her as she took your arm and ushered the both of you inside.

She was going to kill you, probably.

taglist: @waiting-for-motivation @domino-oh-damn @theocatkov @killtherandomness @mrsparknuts @wolf-lover74 @the-sparkism @jedi-dreea @buckysalefty

[zerotosiki]

A Little Too Much - Daminette SongFic

Pairing(s): Damian Wayne (DC) x Marinette Dupain-Cheng (MLB)

Description: Damian and his brothers decided to give a surprise to Marinette. Based on the song "A Little Too Much" by Shawn Mendes. If you didn’t know the song, you can listen to it here.

Word Count: 3,931

Warnings: This is my first time writing the full and completed story. I am still confused with tenses and grammar so I am really sorry if any words look so weird! I am warning you guys!

AN: Same with what I said above. Sometimes (or maybe always..?) I like to exaggerate my story soooo... I hope you guys like it!

Thank you so much @ozmav for creating this wonderful ship, you don’t know how much I need this kind of romance, a romance involving a bad boy but becoming softer because of his girl! And thank you @officiallyathiana for giving this perfectly idea!

Main Story (You’re here) || Bonus 1 || Bonus 2

Why? Why did he accept the bet? "This is not a bet!!" exclaim Jason from behind. Yeah, but in his eyes, this is a bet! How come? He and his annoying brothers decided to surprise Marinette. Yes, Marinette, his girlfriend. Damian didn't expect that he could be able to be in a relationship for 3 years and his girlfriend is an Angel too!

Umm ... To be more precise, a wingless angel ... Marinette is a very kind, friendly, smart, pretty, and sometimes, she emits a fiery aura in her eyes... And, don't forget her beautiful smile. Even the dark city of Gotham can suddenly become bright if she's here, smiling while chuckling occasionally.

"Okay enough about her beautiful smile because we already know how much you love her," Jason said suddenly, a mischievous smile on his face. Damian glared at Jason while growling, even though Jason didn't feel intimidated at all. Not with Damian's red face because of his own embarrassment.

"Stop it!" said Dick after clapping his hands hard enough to prevent a bloody war that might occur sometime later. "We should go back to our previous discussion okay? If you want this surprise to really happen before it's too late..."

And with that, Damian snorted in annoyance while Jason only chuckled at his brother's behavior. "I already said if we want to give a surprise to Marinette, it should be a fancy and fabulous one. Since Marinette deserves the best," said Damian while crossing his hand.

"But demon-spawn, you should know by now that Marinette isn't fond of excessive luxury. It'll just make her uncomfortable and you don't want that, right?" asked Tim from across the sofa, a cup of coffee in his hand as usual.

Of course, Damian would know about it. But there's no way he would admit it openly. Not in the front of his annoying brothers, okay?

"That's why we suggest you a more simple one but no less romantic than your original plan, Damian."

"You said a simple one... And that is by singing to her?" Damian cannot help to ask about that with a tone of disbelief. Because what is romantic with singing? Isn't that just a plain one? Moreover, he never singing in his entire life! He is in distress! He scared he will be the ONE ruining this surprise because of his voice. Not that his voice is bad, okay? He knows his voice is good, like really really good.

"Yup, and you already lost, demon-spawn. So you cannot back down now..." Oh, how he wishes he can turn back time right now. He wonders why he has such bad luck. Five minutes ago, he and his brothers were arguing which type of surprise gift they should prepare for Marinette's upcoming birthday.

He chooses a fancy one with him holding a bunch of roses in front of her school so when she out of school, she will be surprised and then happy and then... hopefully, give a kiss thank you? Not only roses, of course. He will take her to a fancy dinner where he would gift her another present and maybe she'll give a big smile while in tears and then... again, give a kiss thank you?

But no, his brothers strongly disagree with him and suddenly deciding that singing to her is a better option. Which is not. In his opinion. Since Damian is stubborn to let go of his plan, one of his brothers, the oldest one, Dick, suggesting for Damian to do rock-paper-scissors with one of them (Dick, Jason, or Tim).

So Damian chooses Jason, for a reason, he thinks Jason would have less chance to win with this type of game. Oh, how wrong he is. Maybe Lady Fortune is indeed upset with him. Because he loses 3 straight chances with Jason! And now he has to accept the consequences.

After one month of a lot of practice, he and his brothers have a trip to Paris (Bruce cannot come along because of an important business that he cannot miss. Of course not before he said, "Damian, please send my regards to my future daughter-in-law" in which Damian is just glaring at his father while his cheek is tinted with pink color).

"... And here I am ..." said Damian to no one. He is so nervous. His hand suddenly felt sweaty while his other hand held a guitar. After he sits down on one of the benches near Marinette's school while Dick and Jason take a seat behind him (They help him by playing the guitar too. It's just for the "best" result, not because he cannot play the guitar very well). He takes a breath down while he tries to calm his nerves. It worked, alright. He felt a lot calmer compared to before.

"Don't worry too much Baby Bat. I'm sure Marinette will be very happy with this! Trust me!" Of course she will happy. At least he hopes so. When Tim is signaling to him, he knows now that's the cue to start. So he closes his eyes and begins playing the guitar while ignoring all the stares from the passerby.

She would not show that she was afraid

He remembers the first time he met Marinette. At that time, some unimportant villains are attacking Wayne Enterprises when he becomes Jason's assistant for a translator between the French class and his brother (Dick was busy with his girlfriend so he cannot be the guide).

Jason tries to help people including The French class to evacuate as quickly as he can, while Damian goes to a safe place to change into his Robin uniform. By the time he comes back, there's already Red Robin at there and a second minute later Red Hood comes too. He suddenly raises a voice and at that time Damian, no, Robin knows what is wrong.

He sees one of the French class, a girl with midnight hair and prettiest blue eyes he ever has seen, standing protectively behind a little boy. In front of her is one of the villains, who apparently decides to become a coward and want to target weak civilians. He and Red Hood rush in to save her just to see that little petite girl kick the villains in the face. And can you hear the cracking sound?

Wow. Robin just stood there looking awestruck until he snaps out of it when Red Hood strangling the villain. Since his brothers already dealing with the villains, Robin decides to check the girl.

When he approaching the girl who right now is busy hugging the little boy while whispering something, probably to calm the little boy, she suddenly spins around and takes a defensive pose until she realizes the one who comes is Robin, one of Gotham's vigilante.

Good reflex, he noted. She goes back to calming the boy while sometimes she glances at Robin's direction.

"Are you okay?" Ask Robin softly while internally he curses himself for asking such stupid question. Of course, she's not okay. No one would be okay after being confronted by a villain. She visibly relaxes after she hears his soft tone, although he won't miss how her hand still shake albeit just a little. He knows she is trying to hide her fear.

"I'm okay, although I was hoping we can take the boy to somewhere safer..?" she said with a hint of French's accent, which made her sound more adorable, okay, focus Robin! He scolds himself.

Not only brave, but she also kind and still thinking someone else besides herself. "Yes, don't worry I'll take you guys outside so the medic will check up on you," He said then he escorts the girl and the little boy to outside and then went to help his brothers. Not before she softly said thank you, though.

Leaving behind Robin who begins to feel some weird feelings.

But being and feeling alone was too much to face

No matter how hard she tried to be strong, he worried that all the problems she'd been through ---Hawkmoth and Liela----, take a toll for her petite body. He knows that feeling. The feels being alone in this big cruel world. Kill or being killed. That was a lesson he was though from back then. When he still takes the mantle of 'al Ghul'.

But he grateful because his life is becoming better than before when he met Batman, his father, and his brothers albeit still annoying.

And he is really lucky to meet a wonderful girlfriend, Marinette, his habibti.

Though everyone said that she was so strong

What was her nickname get from the class, the one he heard from the blonde guy? Oh right, their everyday ladybug. Just because Marinette has been helping her friends whenever her friends need help. Just like Ladybug, one of Parisian's heroes. Which is ridiculous.

IF Marinette really their everyday ladybug, then why? Why they choose to believe some shit-not-true-based talks from a random transfer girl who is still new in the school over their claim to be their everyday ladybug who is already being their friend longer than that Liela girl.

What they didn't know is that she could barely carry on

Didn't they have common sense? Not even the strongest guy can take a burden as big as the world! Take a high road? Avoid Liela being akumatized? Damian scoff at this when he listening to one of Marinette's stories. That's stupid and a coward move, he thinks.

He worried because... What about Marinette? Who will take care of her? Marinette is just a human being after all. What if the one being akumatized is her? What would they do? He knows Marinette is really strong, physically and mentally. After repelling akuma for 3 times? Of course she is. And Damian is really proud of her.

But sometimes, the worries still nag him in the back of his mind. Even Batman, the dark and coldest knight can sometimes have a mental breakdown!

 But she knew that she would be okay

So she didn't let it get in her way

Of course, ever since she comes to his life, meeting his brothers, Alfred, and his father. He knows, he along with his family will make sure to give Marinette a deserve and best care in the 'world'. From the moment they know the problem, they began to make a "Marinette deserve to be happy" plan right away. He won't let these pesky so-called friends get in the way. Not in his watch, okay.

He knows the plan is the right choice. Because after that, Marinette gradually became more relaxed, happy, and... just being herself.

He, Damian Wayne, swore to himself, to let her know that she deserves to be happy. She's not alone in this world. Not after meeting him. Not after she became his habibti.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

There was one time. One time that makes his habibti almost expelled from her own school. And that source's problem is... again... ..from that pesky girl named Liela. Oh don't worry, he already has 101 lists on how to get rid of her, alright.

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

Although thankfully Marinette's not really expelled. Even if Marinette's really been expelled, and that problem hasn't solved, he will make sure to solve it, by the law. With his last name and his ability, he can easily found the evidence to sue the school, even Liela.

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

He always said to Marinette, to let him or someone else know if she has something troubling her. To let her know, that asking for help is the right thing to do.

"Oh, she's here demon-spawn," whisper Jason which makes him suddenly open his eyes and right there, among peoples, stood his beautiful habibti, Marinette. With her wide eyes, probably from the shock of seeing him here. He gives her a reassuring smile (Hopefully it really looks assuring? 'Cause he is trying so hard to hide his nervous) in which she returns it with her beautiful smile albeit her eyes were glazed.

Okay, time for plan 2 begins.

He quickly but swiftly set aside the guitar (Don't worry, Dick and Jason still playing their guitars. This is a part of their plan, okay? A plan of "We've got your back so you don't have to worry about messing up because of your guitar's skill"). Then he sauntered to her while still singing.

He can see her classmate, the blonde guy, the glasses girl, the cap guy, and the sausage hair girl. But he doesn't care. In his eyes, there's only her. His Habibti. Marinette.

 She would always tell herself she could do this

He chuckles whenever he remembers the time when she nervous, she'll chant "Marinette, you're going to be okay. Just trust yourself. Like Tikki and Damian always said." over and over again while she paced. He found it's adorable and had to refrain himself from hugging her and kissing her right then and there.

She would use no help it would be just fine

The first time he tried to convince her that sometimes it's okay for asking help is hard. Like Really hard, okay. He has to be patient or she'll get mad, and he doesn't want that. He knows she is an independent person so she'll try to find a solution by herself without bothering others and he admires her for that.

But sometimes he can't help but to worries about his habibti, okay? Not only that, he admits sometimes he wants to be a reliable boyfriend. A person she can depend on. If that's not too much problem...

But when it got hard she would lose her focus

He worried she'll fall sick because of the problem she'd been through. Because of one time. That is one time. And he doesn't want that to happen again. Not anymore. He remembers, oh, how could he forget? Even if he wants to. He can't.

At that night of patrol, the batfam and ladybird were patroling like usual. He notices Marinette, no, Ladybird weren't herself at that time. Because sometime she would space out. And when he or his brothers ask her if she's okay or needs to rest, she would always say the same thing.

"I am okay, don't worry!" with a smile but not the same smile she always used. It's a tired smile but silently screaming 'Please leave me alone' to which make him and his brothers were forced to leave it.

But later, he regrets it. And he blames himself for it. She, Ladybird got hurt badly because they were ambushed by a group of villains and while the villains are not the strongest one, but because Ladybird is distracted by her problems and the batfam was distracted too because of their worries for Ladybird, one of the villains sneaks behind Ladybird without all of them noticing. And successfully strike her in the back with a knife. A freaking knife.

She got free when she punched the villain hard, in the neck. Which makes the villain fall unconscious. Although not soon as after that, she collapses too. Robin instantly by her side, cradling her gently, ignoring the guilt feeling crawling inside his mind and the tears that started to gather in his eyes. His brothers are not that different too. They beat the villains harder and as quickly as they can, so they can bring Ladybird to the hospital or the Batcave and have Alfred treat her.

Thankfully, the wound is not as crucial as they thought it would be. Although Marinette has to stay rest in the bed for a week. Which is totally okay for him but not okay for Marinette. She's not okay with all batfam trying to babysit her but eh, like it or not, she has to face it. Since it's partly her fault for being distracted in the battle. This is a lesson for her to not pushing herself too hard. And for him to be a more firm boyfriend.

So take my hand and we'll be alright

He found himself already stood in front of her. Staring into her bluebell sparkling eyes, and smiling while softly singing, he held out his hand. She blinks then takes his hand and he gently grasped it. Both of them smiling, ignoring the confused glance from her classmate and the glare from certain people, because why would they care? When in this world, it's just him and her, Damian and Marinette.

 And she knew that she would be okay

He guides her back to his brother's place. And at that time, although Marinette felt confused as to why in the world, Damian and his brothers were in here. But she knew that she would be okay. Because she's not alone anymore.

So she didn't let it get in her way

She soon relaxes in his gentle grasp and his soothing voice. This is her best day! Although she has to channel her ladybug's persona when she went through class this morning but at least, now, she got to meet her long-distance-boyfriend!

She greets his brother in silent nod while Dick is giving his charming smile and Jason winked at her. Damian takes a seat and takes his guitar to resume his playing while she takes a seat beside him, although they never broke their gaze from each other. She found herself lost in his deep green forest eyes, while he, Damian, is mesmerizing her eyes too.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much, yeah

Both of them knew. He knew Marinette, right now, is okay. Visibly looks tired but her hopeful eyes are already assuring him that she's okay. Marinette knew, from a long time ago, after Damian has successfully convinced her, that she's not alone. She still has a lot of people who care for her being. Whether it's her parent, her true friends, her kwami, her family, and her boyfriend.

And she's thankful for having such wonderful friends. She's really glad because she doesn't have to bear this alone. She can ask for help, asking for advice. And that's an okay thing to do. And that's a wonderful thing to do. It's felt like something lifted up in her body. And she felt more... light. She felt more... ease.

 A little too much, I said a little too much, oh

She still has a lot of problems, alright. With Hawkmoth still here roaming while Lila still making a problem for her.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

But for the first time she thinks, 'It's going to be alright. Because I have a lot of wonderful people who were here to support me. And they'll have my back when I needed help.'

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

One time she was worried when she has a partner (A partner in romance, mind you. Not partner in battle), can she hide her secret identity from them? What if it's affecting their relationship? What if someday her partner wouldn't trust her again after how many times she lied to protect her secret identity?

But when she knows Robin's real identity after she's been dating Damian for a year, she partly glad and partly afraid. She glad because she and Damian are similar, they both were heroes who have a burden in their shoulders. And maybe... Just maybe... Damian would understand her. She worried because if Damian is a hero too (or a vigilante, according to what he said), then he must've been through a lot like her, or probably much worse than her. And she's afraid for him.

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much yeah

Hawkmoth and Lila's problem + all crimes in Gotham's town who'd been raising lately? Yup, it's getting a little too much for both of them. And they knew it.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

But that's okay because they can handle it.

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

Because they're together. We're both together.

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

Even if the world's going to fall apart, they know they'll handle it. They can handle it. Because they're together, with all support from their friends and family. Yes, they can.

 The song ended with a soft thud and Damian put his guitar back then turns around to face his girlfriend while saying, "Umm.. so what do you think?". Marinette just raises a brow hearing his nervous tone, "Isn't like I'm angry or disappointed, but what is this?". Marinette tries to remember if today is an important day that maybe she forgets because she's been focusing on her problem? But no, there's no such date. Her birthday is still a month later and their anniversary is still a couple months later too.

"Well, we were actually planning to give you a surprise gift for your birthday BUT this baby demon-spawn here.." Jason ruffled his hair playfully, to which Damian response with a glare and "Shut it, Todd!" but Jason just chuckled, much to his dismay.

"What Jason means is Baby Bat is very worried about you. He always spaced out and then put on this scowl face with a wrinkled forehead, a look of worry, whenever he thinks we're not noticing." Dick continued to embarrass his little brother with a teasing smile.

"..So we decided we have enough of a moody Damian, book a ticket to Paris earlier than the plan and do the surprise right now and there, just to cheer up you, Marinette. So Damian will not go back to his moody mode and you'll cheer up again! It's a win-win for all of us." said Tim, who surprised Marinette because she doesn't know he's here too. Marinette is giving him an 'I am sorry' look while Tim just waving his hand, a sign of 'it's okay'.

Damian groaned. He thought this day will going perfectly but nooo... His brothers always try to found a way to embarrass him. And now they successfully did it. They perfectly ruining his image of 'a good and cool boyfriend' (he try hard).

Marinette giggled, her giggling sound send warm feelings in his body, and save him from his embarrassment by taking his hand and hugging him firmly. "Thank you so much, Dami," she whispers softly. To which Damian respond with hugging her back, and gently said, "Your welcome, Habibti".

"...So ready for the next part?" asked Jason to no one in particular. The couple broke their hug and Marinette giving a confused glance at his boyfriend. Damian just shrugs and smirk, "Do you want to go have fun, Habibti?" while his eyes were sending a different message, "Do you want to go from this awful place and away from this awful your so-called classmate?". Marinette blinks before catching on to his hidden message and giving him a gigawatt smile, "Yes, of course, Dami".

...End?

Main Story (You’re here) || Bonus 1 || Bonus 2  

-------------------------------->>

Maybe or maybe not I will make some bonus stories (which is about a salty classmate, a roasted Liela, oops, I mean Lila, and Damian's embarrassment. Lol). The bonus stories will be just for fun though.

[smallerthanzer0]

the blind lead in circles

(read on Ao3)

Rating: Gen

Word Count: 2237

Summary:  On their first night aboard The Mistake, Caleb and Nott try to give Caduceus some advice about making friends.

When Caduceus returns from his watch with Fjord, squinting resignedly in hallways that remain stubbornly dim even with mid-morning encroaching, he is surprised to find that his staff and meagre pack are not alone in the cabin where he placed them.

Caleb and Nott are curled up on the bed. Not entirely unexpected, as a quick investigation last night revealed that the majority of non-hammock sleeping space is confined to officers’ quarters, but Caduceus knows that the two of them tend to keep to their own sleeping space. Even stranger, Caleb seems to have eschewed normal bedding protocol in favor of falling asleep half-upright with his neck jammed at a painful-looking angle against the back wall.

Pondering over this fresh oddity, he’s caught mid-contemplation as a yellowed eye cracks open and fixes on him - Nott, curled snugly into Caleb’s side. She says nothing, but the next moment Caleb is somehow also awake and halfway through untangling the mess he’s no doubt made of his back.

“Hello,” Caduceus says.

“Hallo,” Caleb echoes back sleepily, shuffling upright against the wall and fussily tugging at his scarf until the ends lay evenly. His hair is shorter than Caduceus’, but not as neatly kept - fresh from sleep as he is, it mats across the back of his head and tucks messily into the upturned collar of his coat and doesn’t hide nearly as much as he imagines Caleb might want it to. This makes Caduceus think of his own hair, which is starting to develop a rather crunchy texture from the salt, and he makes a note to ask Fjord if there’s a good way to deal with that. “We were not sure if you would sit the whole watch - maybe you should have taken the night off, mein Freund.”

“Oh, it wasn’t any trouble. Nothing much out there just now, anyway.”

Nott, having ducked neatly out from under Caleb’s arm as he sat up, pads over to the bedpost nearest him. Her ears twitch in a way that firbolg ears don’t, but it reads clearly enough as concern. “Still, you were very tired last night.”

“I think everyone was,” Caduceus says diplomatically. His legs still ache a little from his frantic swim out to the ship, his neck still cold from the sea water and the hour spent curled up in the bow. He should do something about that.

“Ja, well, we are all awake now,” Caleb mutters. He rubs once, decisively, at his face, rolls his shoulders as if steeling himself, and then, with almost painful effort, attempts to don a friendly expression. “I wanted to check in on you, my drowning buddy.”

Caduceus is not entirely sure what his face does in response to that epithet, but both of his companions look alarmed. Nott makes a strangled noise, turning back to Caleb, who pointedly avoids her gaze. He tugs at a strand of silver thread pulled from his coat, eyes apologetically fixed on Caduceus even as his head ducks down to hide reddened cheeks. “Entschuldigung, I only meant - I mean that yesterday I also - well. This is besides the point. How are you doing?”

Yesterday, he couldn’t bring himself to be placated by concern. Today, at least, he can let it stir up a smile. “I’m just fine,” he says mostly easily, because it is mostly true. “I talked to Jester, and to Fjord. They said some very nice things.”

Caleb huffs, shoulders visibly relaxing. “Good. Good. Then maybe I should not-”

Nott, back across the bed after being ignored, nudges Caleb in the side. His shoulders spring right back up, and Caduceus briefly pities the already-worn seams of his coat and the equally worn muscles of the perpetually anxious man beneath them.

He looks at her askance, then back at Caduceus, who he only now seems to realize is still hunched in the doorway. “Ja, alright. I just wanted to tell you, ah-” He pauses yet again, winding the strand around his fingers, then brightens a little and raises one hand. He’s halfway through snapping when he hesitates.

“Scheiße,” he mutters, gaze darting to the side. “I was going to offer you Frumpkin for petting, but it has just occurred to me that perhaps you would not like to cuddle an octopus right now. I should have changed him back, but I was thinking that Beau might like an owl-”

Nott apparently gives up on the possibility of whatever this conversation is supposed to be happening without her interference. “It’s polite to ask still, isn’t it? Mr. Clay, would you like to hold Frumpkin?”

“Oh.” Caduceus tries to imagine what an octopus might feel like and cannot for the life of him think of anything but wet. “I like Frumpkin, he’s really great, but maybe later? An owl does sound nice.”

Caleb frowns a little. Nott shrugs. “That’s alright. Or-” Her eyes gleam. “In that case, we’ll sic Frumpkin on you unless you sit down and listen to us.”

“Nott!”

“He’s just standing there!”

Caduceus is still confused, but he takes the invitation for what it is and obligingly sits cross-legged in a corner where he can see both of them on the bed. “Well,” he says, and then just looks.

Nott is triumphant, tiny arms crossed as she, for the moment, stands taller than either of them. Caleb is still hunched against the wall, but his eyebrows are tilted up in a welcome amusement he only seems to find when Nott is nearby - and once, last night, at Caduceus and his morbidity. That might be interesting.

Neither of them look inclined to be helpful, so he takes the initiative. “Just curious, what did you want to tell me?”

“Right,” Caleb rallies. “This is not going well, but yes.” He scoots to the edge of the bed, planting socked feet on the wooden floor by dirt-encrusted boots. Caduceus thinks a little about how long it might be until that dirt has a chance to join back with itself and help something grow.

He is very, very far from home.

Caleb’s gaze catches his again, all sleepiness gone. “Caduceus.”

“I’m here.”

Caleb nods. “What I want to tell you, Mr. Clay, is that I know you are feeling alone and uncertain. I am very familiar with this feeling.” He looks… not sleepy. Distant. Remembering. He is thinking in the past tense, even if he doesn’t realize it. “As if there is somewhere you must go, but you cannot even be sure if it exists, or if you will still be needed there, or if - if it will serve any purpose to the ones you care about if you accomplish it at all. You are not alone in this.”

“Oh.” Caduceus takes a deep breath. It’s not the right time to tell him. “You know, it’s kind of rude for me to say, but that really does make me feel better.”

Caleb nods again, a little calmer. The silver thread has disappeared back into his coat. “I am very lucky to have Nott, you know.” He gestures vaguely to the doorway, where Jester’s quiet snoring drifts lazily on the air from the adjacent cabin. “We have the entire group, of course, but Nott is special. We met before the rest of the group, and so we are more familiar with each other.”

Nott has been watching them quietly, but now she scoots up behind Caleb, reaching for his hand. He gives it to her without looking. “We have each other’s backs, and we know each other well enough to know how to help, for the most part,” she says. “And we can talk to each other first, when something is wrong.”

“Always,” Caleb says. He smiles, just a little thing, but Caduceus is familiar enough with sad smiles to know when he sees a happy one. “I think that our group has not done the best job of offering such a thing to you. We came to you at a difficult time, of course - although I am not sure that is a fair excuse, as we are always more or less assholes - but what I am suggesting is that you might try to do a similar thing, and it might make things easier for you.”

“You want me to try and get closer to someone in the group,” Caduceus distills, like squeezing the last dregs of sweet tea from steeped flower petals. “Because it will help me feel better.”

“That is more or less it, ja.” Caleb scrubs a hand through his hair, looking contemplative. “It is easier when you do not have to sort through everything yourself. We are bad at people, so it is kind of the blind leading the blind here, but we can try to help. I know Fjord is a little preoccupied with this whole orb deal, but if you have already had a good conversation… or Jester, she is very nice to everyone and I know the two of you talked last night… Beau and Yasha are a little quieter, but then so are you, so-”

“Jester likes sweets a lot,” Nott interjects, head cocked. “Do you know how to make candy out of flowers and mushrooms, maybe? It’s definitely an in.”

Caduceus starts to laugh.

Nott grins uncertainly, baring her needle teeth, and Caleb makes a few awkward laugh-adjacent sounds in what he assumes is commiseration. “Sorry, sorry,” he chuckles, waving them off. “I couldn’t help but notice that the two of you aren’t on my list of potential friends.”

Caleb freezes. Nott looks him over for a moment, doesn’t find what she’s looking for, and then shifts to regard Caduceus with significantly thinner eyes. “Well, I can be friends with anyone who doesn’t yell at Caleb or try to get him killed. Although apparently that’s some very selective criteria nowadays. The life of a pirate, eh?”

Caduceus puts some thought into it. “I think I can do that,” he concedes, earning another sharp grin.

Caleb’s head swivels once to Nott and then back to him, owl-like with wide eyes. “I, ah… I am sure I will not be the best choice for this.”

He scrubs at his hair again, pushing it back, and it hides even less now. Caduceus tilts his head. “Are you saying that for my sake, or for yours?”

Caleb’s brow furrows as he tries to parse the question. He opens his mouth and shuts it again. Eventually he hmmphs with the resignation of a man who has found one more thing to obsess over at night. “Well, you are trapped in this conversation right along with us. How do you think I am at supporting people while they spill their troubles?”

“You’re very comforting, Caleb!” Nott protests.

“You’re not great at this,” Caduceus admits, not even trying to hide an amused smile, “but you are putting a lot of effort into helping me feel better. That’s pretty comforting.”

Caleb blushes. He looks a little flattered, but mostly as if he would like to jump overboard to prevent Caduceus from making this mistake. Caduceus elects to see the small piece of positive response as progress, and as he smiles wider, encouraging, Caleb only blushes more before shaking his head a little.

“I… I am sure the others will also… I am not a good person, Caduceus.”

Caleb pauses. The air itself stills a little. The blush fades, as does most of the emotion in his face, replaced with something dull and heavy. He gets the feeling that this is something Caleb says very often, if only to himself, to weigh himself down so much.

Nott has been eyeing Caduceus suspiciously since his last statement, but at this she turns immediately back to her friend and squeezes his hand. The room seems to narrow to the two of them, and Caduceus is happy to let it. It seems nice, the way moss growing on a battle-felled corpse is nice, the raising up of something that’s been put to the earth before its time.

Caleb blinks twice and ruffles the top of Nott’s head, which calms both of them immensely, before looking shyly back to Caduceus. “What was I - ja. Right. I’m not very good. Honestly, I often wonder why this one puts up with me.”

“I’m not sure good people exist,” Caduceus says. “And I should probably start working on breakfast.”

Diffidence forgotten, Caleb’s entire face scrunches up like he’s eaten something sour. “What?”

“The morality, or the breakfast?”

“What,” Caleb says again, louder. “The moral - the first one, about good people, what do you mean-”

“Breakfast first, maybe,” Caduceus soothes, waiting for him to settle. “And then the whole ship situation, and then maybe we can talk about it over tea. That’ll help us get closer, huh?”

Caleb’s hands flap in vague confusion, and Caduceus laughs again. “You two are right. I think this is a lot better.”

Nott’s eyes narrow in realization. “Wait, you’re not bad at people,” she accuses. ‘You’re good at people.” She sounds, paradoxically, fairly happy about this. There’s a thud from the adjacent cabin - the rising volume of their conversation has probably woken one of the other girls.

Caduceus rises primly to his feet, careful not to bang his head on the ceiling. “This was nice,” he says, sincerely as he knows how, and offers the two of them a pat on the shoulder and a sunny smile.

Time for breakfast, then.

[raendown]

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word count: 5011 Chapter: 31/42 Summary: Not all wars are fought on the battlefield. Some are fought at the conference table, with whispers in the shadows, or even in the bedroom.

In a world where the Senju and Uchiha traditional lands were too far apart to have ever made them enemies, Butsuma and Tajima are the ones who come together and sign a treaty of peace. Madara isn’t happy to have his life signed away for him in a political marriage to strengthen the bond between their clans. He is even less happy to have Tobirama make assumptions of him from their very first night together. What follows from there is a journey of healing, of learning, and finding the places to belong in the places least expected.

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Chapter 31

Tobirama had obviously just finished rinsing off the dishes from his lunch when Madara slammed in to the room, the walls of their house still echoing with how he had slammed the front door open as well. From the calm way his husband reached for a tea towel to dry his hands he must have felt Madara's chakra coming from halfway across the village. Surely anyone with even an iota of sensing capabilities had felt him as he made his way through the streets like an erupting volcano on the move, chakra boiling and spilling around him in a dark miasma of rage.

“I take it whatever meeting you were called to did not go well?” Tobirama asked. They were supposed to have eaten together for their lunch break, a lovely little date that Madara had been the one to set up for once, but plans were interrupted when a runner came to summon him back to the tower. It looked like the other had eaten without him.

“Fucking imbecile!”

“Mm. Not well at all.”

Tobirama’s eyes flickered away to the clock on the wall and Madara guessed he must be checking that there was enough time left of their lunch break to listen to the sort of rant they both knew was just waiting to burst forth. Just a little under twenty minutes was left until they should both be back at the office. Madara had checked. He had a temper, sure, but he wasn’t irresponsible with it. Mostly.

Before saying anything Madara first spent a couple of minutes stomping in circles around the table just to get some of his frustration out, snarling and blistering the air with language so strong it was a good thing Kagami had not chosen today for one of his spontaneous visits.  Over the years he’d learned this was a vital step so he didn’t turn such language on whoever he was venting to, not wanting to sound accusatory. When he finally stopped pacing he felt no calmer and desperately cast about for a way to feel so. He solved the problem by stomping over and shoving his face flat against Tobirama’s chest where he released a muffled scream against the warm, solid muscle of his husband’s pectorals.

“Feel better?” Tobirama asked dubiously when the scream was done.

“No.”

“Would you like to tell me what happened?”

“Your father is as terrible a man as mine is!”

Nodding slowly, Tobirama dared to point out, “That is not new information.”

“I knew he was an ass; I didn’t know he was this much of one! Can you honestly believe what he said to me!?” Madara huffed and ground his teeth with indignation until he was pulled up short by Tobirama’s answer.

“Until you tell me what he said I can’t believe anything really.”

Madara paused and took a deep breath. It didn’t help very much. He still felt as though he were on the verge of blasting steam out of both ears when he allowed himself to speak again. “Not only did he imply that pretty much anyone can do my job which means I’m not needed for them but he basically told me that I should be grateful to him for allowing me to focus on ‘less taxing responsibilities’. I’m going to kill him!”

Rather than defend his father – who they both knew did not warrant any defense – Tobirama mirrored his husband’s actions and took a deep breath in through his nose, letting it back out slowly through his mouth.

“Well, in answer to your question: no. I cannot believe he said that to you.”

“I’ve worked damn hard to improve the security teams! Their morale is up, their patrol patterns are tighter, I even worked out a schedule so no one ever has to stay on night duty for more than a couple of weeks at a time! Now he’s basically demoted me to a regular tower lackey and he says I should be grateful!?” Madara snorted and clenched his fists in a pantomime of strangling someone’s neck. “He even had the gall to tell me it would be better if I focused more on my duties as an heir! I know my own damn duties!”

He was gratified to see the clench of Tobirama’s jaw, a sign that he wasn’t overreacting to the situation. If Tobirama was angry enough for it to show visibly in any way at all then Madara knew the insult given him was serious enough to warrant his own rage.

“While I will freely admit that I was upset those projects were given to you in the first place I will also be the first to say that you have more than risen to whatever challenges such duties posed. You make an excellent lead for the security teams. I cannot fathom what he thinks to accomplish by removing you from them.” Tobirama’s brows knit together with a frustrated confusion Madara was not at all happy to clear up.

“Oh I can tell you why,” he spat. “He said, and I quote, that I should appreciate being relieved of such taxing work as I am clearly stretched too thin with all the projects I have taken on with you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Right? That’s what I said!”

Tobirama’s jaw clenched again. “Does he understand the irony that he is working towards the exact same goal as the man he’s trying to undermine with this asinine move?”

“Probably not! He doesn’t think! Neither of them think anymore! It’s like they signed their damn treaty and then threw any collective sense either of them had ever possessed out the window! Some days I can hardly believe my father is the same man pulling such idiotic stunts as he does – and now your father has decided to pitch in to the madness!?”

“No, you’re right. I don’t think either of them see a thing beyond the end of their own ambitions anymore. They built something that the world had never seen before and now they both want to rule over it uncontested.”

“They’re idiots!” Madara shouted.

He was startled to see a bit of humor flash across Tobirama’s face. “Utter fools.”

“Yes! And now their foolery has relegated me to little more than a lackey, a paper pusher. I barely pull any weight on the council now. Fuck, I’m no better than the Akimichi heir who falls asleep in almost every meeting!” The humor was gone immediately from Tobirama’s face and his husband reached out to pull him back in to a tight embrace.

“No. It won’t stand. Who else has little enough on their plate that they can take up all the work you do? Let him flex his authority if he must, this can’t last.”

Madara sighed tiredly as he felt all the energy and fight drain out of him. “But it can. All he has to do is split it up between a bunch of different people. He’ll probably promote that terrifying cousin of yours to my position if he thinks anything like Tajima does. My father accused him of trying to oust the Uchiha, if you’ll recall, and it seems Butsuma has finally decided to retaliate. By doing exactly what he was accused of, I might add!”

The chest he was buried in once more heaved with a sigh to match his own.

“I am so rarely optimistic, anata, will you not let me have just this once?”

“Fine. Oh yay. Gee I can’t wait to be reinstated when Butsuma magically stops being an asshole.”

“Much better. An excellent mood to go back to work with, I’m sure.” Tobirama didn’t exactly sound in high spirits himself but Madara appreciated having the tension broken even if he wasn’t actually ready to be positive.

“I’ll show you high spirits,” he grumbled.

There wasn’t much time left before they needed to leave, barely a few minutes, but no matter how much Madara wanted to spend it cuddling Tobirama insisted that he find something to eat while he had the chance. Seeing as they were meant to attend Hashirama's for dinner that evening Madara did have to agree that it was safest not to leave his stomach too empty. It was always a gamble eating with Hashirama and Mito, their tastes being so varied. One never knew if the meal would be a wonderfully prepared delicacy or some monstrosity they discovered at the market and just had to try. Madara lived in fear of the day they discovered that durian fruits existed.

He returned to the office when break time was over with a full belly and slightly lowered blood pressure, though not by much. Never had he been so thankful of his own habit to bring his paperwork up to Tajima’s office before noon. After the day he’d had he wasn’t sure he had the energy left to deal with his own father’s cold attitude and he definitely did not want to be the one who broke the news that Butsuma demoted the heir of the Uchiha clan without even discussing the matter between them. That was not going to be a pretty conversation, although he didn’t want to get his hopes up that anything good would come back to him after those two idiots went through their latest blow out.

Since most of the work waiting on his desk pertained to projects he was supposedly no longer involved with Madara found a petty sort of satisfaction in dropping the massive stack of folders and scrolls on the floor to be dealt with by someone else and turned his attention to more simple administrative matters, things he had been doing since the governing body was first set up and they had all accepted basic duties. Hashirama gave him a questioning look but he was easy enough to distract with questions about dinner tonight.

For the rest of the day whenever someone brought Madara some of the things he should have been working on he cheerfully directed them to the growing pile of work on the floor. In the farfetched event he was actually allowed to continue the duties that were rightfully his it was likely he would regret ignoring them all day but that was a problem for the future, not to be considered right now.

No matter how wide he pulled the smirk across his face, however, it did nothing to lessen the stinging anger of rejection, the hot ball of betrayal for having something he cared about taken away from him without any real reason. Pretending everything was fine wouldn’t fix anything but it was the only way he knew how to deal with such emotions so he forged onward with a grim smile baring his teeth. And he smothered the tiny voice in the back of his mind that told him maybe it would be better if he took the time to work through what he was feeling sooner rather than later. The voice sounded suspiciously like Hashirama anyway and when did that oaf ever have anything smart to say?

Rather than take out his repressed emotions on the most convenient victim, Madara somehow managed to keep all of the insults against Hashirama to himself until his friend returned from dropping off documents to Butsuma. They wandered downstairs together to drag Tobirama out of his office and found Mito waiting for them just outside the building. Madara had only just opened his mouth to let loose at last and make fun of how many times today Hashirama had knocked over his pencil cup when their attention was called back by an unwanted voice.

Butsuma rather noticeably did not look Madara in the eye as he approached, though there was something about the tightness around his mouth that said he was holding back some sort of expression trying to form. Whether that was a smirk or a frown Madara didn’t know. Surprisingly, the man headed directly for his second son.

“Word arrived from the Daimyo this afternoon,” he announced. “His eminence regrets that he was too distracted to thank you and your mission partner properly after the two of you managed to uncover a coup being planned right under his nose.”

“None of us do this for acknowledgement,” Tobirama responded dutifully. The way he spoke gave Madara the impression he was only saying what was expected of him.

“As any shinobi should say. However, his eminence wishes to give his thanks personally as well as an apology for so rudely sending you away while you were injured. He has extended an invitation for you and Izuna to stay with him and attend a proper celebration of your deeds.” If he puffed his chest out any farther Butsuma may have been in danger of sprouting actual feathers to preen, clearly pleased with himself as though he had anything to do with the matter.

Ignoring the way Hashirama tried to thump him on the back in congratulations, Tobirama simply nodded and asked, “When is he expecting us?”

“You are to leave in four days and arrive on the fifth.” Again Tobirama nodded and Madara mentally crossed his fingers that the man would go now so he could begin soaking up as much of Tobirama’s attention as he could to make up for the time they would be apart. Of course, because that was just his luck today, Butsuma had to open his mouth again. “Unfortunately it seems Izuna will be much too busy to attend at the capital. He does, after all, have some incredibly important duties on his hands nowadays. I had thought it would be good if you took your husband along with you to stand in Izuna’s stead.”

That, at least, explained what Madara now recognized as a repressed smirk. It was little more than a miracle that he recognized anything beyond the haze of anger that fell over his eyes and suddenly it became very difficult to smother the instinctual urge to activate his Sharingan.

His temper only worsened when finally Butsuma’s gaze slid over to lock with his own and he could see the light of satisfaction dancing in those beady little eyes. Never in his life had he wanted so badly to punch someone. And considering the swift and vicious nature of his temper Madara really thought that should say something, both for the amount of anger he was controlling and the strength he was demonstrating in not actually throwing any punches.

“Your generosity knows no bounds, father,” Tobirama’s dry tone broke through his reveries and Madara turned to give his husband an incredulous look until he continued. “We never did get a honeymoon. It’s very kind of you to allow for one now. Since Madara's duties have been lightened perhaps we’ll set off a day earlier and take our time on the journey.”

Butsuma’s left eyes twitched. It was the most beautiful thing Madara had seen all day. He’d thought watching his own father’s plans get turned back on him time and again was fun but those incidents had nothing on the petty satisfaction of seeing Butsuma experience the same thing and knowing he couldn’t contradict his son without Hashirama and Mito asking questions. Indeed, Hashirama was already cooing over the idea while Mito granted them both indulgent smiles. Neither of them seemed to notice the tension between the three men all staring each other down with poison in their eyes and their faces held in masks of civility.

“Please send word to the Daimyo that we will of course accept his invitation. If Izuna cannot pull himself away from his work for a day or so to attend to his eminence then we will be happy to do so together. Thank you for letting us know, father, I will use the rest of this week to prepare for my own absence.”

“Right,” Butsuma mumbled. “Be sure that nothing falls behind while you are gone.”

“That goes without saying. Now, if you will excuse us. Good evening.”

Not another word was spoken as Tobirama gently and skillfully guided all members of their group off down the street while somehow also distracting his brother from the fact that their father’s cheeks were turning purple.

Madara wasn’t sure how his husband managed it but within a couple of minutes he had Hashirama and Mito walking several feet ahead of them engaged in conversation about what they had both gotten up to that day, neither looking back to see why their intended guests were lagging behind. Honestly, however, he didn’t care very much about the how when it gave him a few moments to just breathe and cling to the hand that slipped down to capture his own in a bracing grip.

“I’ll kill him,” he whispered.

“Anata…”

“No I mean it, I’m really going to kill him. How dare he?”

“To be honest I don’t blame you. It’s bad enough to remove you from the things you’re good at but to send you away without warning just because–”

“No!” Madara almost felt bad for cutting his husband off but he was just so angry he couldn’t contain himself. “How dare he compare me to Izuna? How dare he imply that Izuna’s work is more important than my own? We perform wildly different functions! I don’t- UGH!”

He’d never so badly wanted to know how the hiraishin worked because right then he would have very much enjoyed the ability to just disappear without a trace. Sometimes the Body Flicker just couldn’t take him far enough. Thankfully he was blessed with the calm rock that was Tobirama, who said nothing about having his fingers squeezed so tight they could both feel their bones grinding together.

“I didn’t think of that but you’re right. It was unfair of him to do that. Crafty as well, though I can’t say for sure whether it was his intention to sow discourse between the two of you.”

“Well I don’t care what his intentions were! That was unfair! And terrible! I am not my brother and my brother is not me and we don’t do the same job so you really can’t compare how important either of us is – and maybe if he didn’t take my fucking job away from me then I wouldn’t be so ‘unimportant’! He can go straight to hell!” Madara snapped his jaw shut when he noticed his voice beginning to rise. They were still in public and no matter what people thought he did understand public decency.

After allowing him a moment to calm himself Tobirama looked around, the corners of his mouth tightening to see the street they were on was still quite busy. “If you would prefer not to be in company right now I can make our excuses to Anija.”

“It’s fine. We’ll make him listen to me bitching too. He deserves it.”

“Mm and what did he do to deserve such an honor?”

“He’s always so bloody happy!” Madara cried, indignant. “It’s not fair! Why can’t I be that happy all the time?”

It wasn’t until they had gone several more steps in silence that he realized there was anything amiss. When he turned to say something else he noticed Tobirama’s face was pulled in to a pensive expression, almost hesitant as he opened his own mouth, words slow and clearly very carefully worded.

“Are you unhappy most days?”

“What? Oh. No, no that’s not- I didn’t mean that. I meant- fuck’s sake every time I think ‘yeah this is good, I’m happy’ one of our fathers does something to kick us down again. I swear sometimes they can smell when we’re happy and they deliberately swoop in to ruin it. I hate them. I hate both of them. They’re old codgy bastards and they need to be retired. By force.” Madara scowled down at the ground in front of them, even angrier than before but now it was at himself for almost giving the impression that he was unhappy after both of them had been trying so hard to build what they had between them.

Tobirama seemed to understand at least, the pensive look slipping away and leaving sympathy in those pretty red eyes. Neither of them said much more for the rest of their walk to Hashirama's house. Madara distracted himself for a while thinking about how good he’d gotten at reading his husband’s expressions. The man wasn’t really much more expressive than he ever had been, still the same blank looking face on most occasions, but it had gotten easier to interpret the micro-changes and even the smallest quirk of his lips became a smile in Madara’ eyes, a certain shine became amusement. It was a testament to how close they’d become and thinking about their relationship did help keep his temper reigned in for now as he kept his concentration on happier things.

When they were only a couple of streets away from his house Hashirama finally turned and blinked behind himself as though only just remembering they were there too. As soon as he spotted them his face broke out in a sunshine smile that only served to reawaken Madara's annoyance.

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you two! Mito was just telling me all about her day and it sounded so lovely!”

“Bully for you,” Madara called back. “Not all of us had lovely days!”

Hashirama all but ground his heels in to the dirt, screeching to a halt so he could wait for them to catch up with him and Mito. “Did you have a bad day Madara? Why didn’t you tell me! I would have cheered you up!” At his side, Mito shook her head.

“You were right there when Butsuma-sama told him in so many words that his brother was more vital to this village than he is. Would that make you feel good if he said it to you?”

“Well…I would be proud of my brother?” Hashirama tried. He winced when all three of them gave his sharp looks.

“Obviously I’m proud of my brother,” Madara snapped. “But it’s shitty to compare us against each other as if that means anything. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Its- its- he’s not unimportant but I’m important too, damn it, and your stupid father can’t just take that away from me and laugh in my face about it!”

Eyes wide, Hashirama wilted. “Oh. Yeah. That wouldn’t feel good at all. Wait, what did he take away from you?”

Barely able to contain himself, Madara was almost grateful for the white hand that slapped itself over his mouth as Tobirama very carefully cleared his throat and suggested perhaps they should all go inside to discuss this. That was probably best. If any other words came out of him at that moment they would have been very loud and not at all tasteful. Biting his tongue until he was sure the indents would stay for weeks, Madara stomped off with the rest while they all quietly made the rest of the journey to Hashirama's home.

The moment the door was closed between them and the rest of the world it was like all restraints fell away and Madara stood in the genkan for fifteen minutes shouting to his heart’s content. Sometime during the flood of words Mito and Tobirama slipped away to prepare tea so by the time his words ran out and Hashirama led him in to the living room there was a steaming cup waiting for him next to where Tobirama sat on one half of a spectacularly ugly loveseat. Madara had enough kindness in him to wait until the man didn’t have a cup up near his face before flopping gracelessly down next to his husband and snatching up his own tea.

“I can’t believe he did that.” Hashirama shook his head.

“Can’t you?” Mito asked with sharp words. If he were feeling more himself Madara would have been surprised she had said anything that might even remotely be considered in support of him. They still hadn’t really warmed up to each other even after all this time.

“Well…okay yes, I suppose I can believe it of him.” Ignoring his tea, Hashirama rubbed tiredly at the bridge of his nose. “Some days it’s hard to reconcile the man he’s become with the man who raised us.”

Although Tobirama remained silent Madara was sure he felt the weight of both himself and Mito staring, waiting for his contradiction. It never came and yet they could still see it in his eyes. Butsuma had raised one son, buried two, and forgotten the one he deemed to not require his attention. As much as Hashirama wanted to love the man there had never truly been a father to love in him.

Madara scowled down in to his cup. He almost wished he could say the same of his own. Would it have been better to lose the affection he once so cherished or to never have it at all and feel no loss?

“I’m surprised you’re as calm as you are about all this,” Mito said but when he raised his head he saw that she was speaking to Tobirama, who only hummed and sipped his tea.

“Plotting a murder should never be done loudly.”

She granted him a gentle smile that should absolutely not look so deadly and then lifted one eyebrow. “I agree that silence is golden but I would have expected you to be a little more vocal now that we’re all alone. You did not go without insult yourself, my dear.”

“Your concern is appreciated but I’m fine,” Tobirama deflected while Madara blinked rapidly, trying to remember if Butsuma had said anything bad that he might have missed.

“Calling Izuna’s work too important to set down is an insult to both of you,” she pointed out. “You work more than the rest of us put together some days and he can send you away without a thought but not Izuna? One might begin to think he had changed his mind and decided to support the Uchiha above his own clan.”

“And I’m sure that when he realizes that he’ll be foaming at the mouth with disappointment for himself.” Tobirama shrugged it off as no big deal while Madara did his best to sink in to his own cushion and disappear.

In his anger he hadn’t even realized it but Mito was right. Of course Butsuma would think to send him off now that he apparently had nothing important to do but to pull Tobirama away from the hundred and one projects he always seemed to have a hand in? Any shinobi worth their salt was used to picking up and leaving on short notice if the mission was important enough but an invitation from the Daimyo wasn’t something that came on short notice. Invitations to the capitol were just as full of pomp and ridiculousness as its inhabitants. The Daimyo would have sent word more than a week in advance, which meant that Butsuma had deliberately been sitting on it all this time and just waiting to make his move. It was a miracle he hadn’t waited until the day before if that was his game.

What kind of man, he wondered, would throw his own son under the bus just to toss a petty insult in someone else’s face? Now Madara found himself faced with a new dilemma. He couldn’t decide if he was angrier on his own behalf or on Tobirama’s as the full scope of Butsuma’s idiocy sank in.

His husband must have noticed his stricken look, murmuring quietly from one side of his mouth.

“You were preoccupied and with good reason. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’ll make it up to you,” Madara told him just as quietly. “Would you like help planning his murder?”

Tobirama’s quicksilver smile was there and gone in an instant and that was all the answer he needed. He could be a tad blind in his anger but clearly Tobirama understood.

“Guys, please stop whispering. You’re making me really nervous.” When he looked up Madara saw that his best friend was wringing both hands anxiously, clearly not able to hear what they were saying but still under the impression that they were indeed plotting a murder. He knew them both so well.

“You can’t tell me what to do,” Madara replied petulantly.

“I didn’t! I asked!”

“Semantics.” Delicately lifting the teacup he had almost forgotten about, Madara sipped at the drink before it could go cold and listened to Hashirama whining at him without any outward reaction.

Finally having the chance to yell everything out of system when he came in the home, Madara found that he really didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Chewing over the issue wouldn’t change anything and listening to Hashirama's sympathetic murmurs would only keep him concentrated on feeling down. Distracting the man was as easy now as it had been in the office. With only one sentence wondering about some gossip he’s overheard yesterday he had Hashirama off on a tangent chasing this new topic and although he could tell he hadn’t fooled either Tobirama or Mito he was grateful that both of them let the subject drop as well.

It was a relief to let the mood around him lighten. Madara was happy enough to join the conversation at times but for the most part he tried not to be obvious about leaning in to his husband for a bit of comfort. More and more as the months went by it was starting to feel like their lives were ever-changing in way they shouldn’t be and he realized he was coming to rely on Tobirama as one of the only constants he had left.

When he felt a pale hand slip in to his own for a brief squeeze and then slipping away before anyone could notice their PDA Madara bit his lip. It wasn’t all bad. If all he had left in the world was Tobirama then he was doing alright, he thought.

[neverendingparable]

Warning: Mentions of self harm, suicide, suicide attempts and well, basic Office shit. It’s basically a summarized version of Bradley’s backstory up until the Office which Ezra tells and laments, before he goes in after him. If you dont want to read it, you can skip the whole italic part. 

“Recording from the Magnus Institute, London. It's the 25th of January, 2020, 11:05 AM. Alice Nero, head Archivist cataloging. 

Statement given by a supposed Ezra Jaxden, November 2017, regarding the disappearance and eventual return of his partner Stanley Spencer. Further notes are at the end of this recording. 

Statement begins. 

‘No one believes me. Not the cops, the hospital, or even my own mother. You won't, either. But I'm sure even if you do think it's bullshit, you’ve had worse stories submitted by lunatics talking about ghosts and giant spiders. I- I just want someone to listen. That's all. Even if you don't believe me. 

… I'm all alone again. Bradley stayed for little while, but he told me he was going back. That he couldn't stay away. The…Office had made him a prisoner in more ways than just his mind. 

Bradley and I knew each other since kindergarten. My mother and I had moved from Montana down to Colorado, and I was ecstatic to find a friend right away, even if he was a dorky weirdo. He was loud, bratty even at that age and full of life and ideas. I’ve known him for decades. I was his only support when he came out to me, when he transitioned against his parents’ will. I was the one he’d come to with scars on his arms and legs, hell, I’d even talked him out of ending his life several times.

But I've never seen Bradley Spencer look so dead as when he came back from that twisted Hellhole. I barely recognized him. How can four fucking years change someone so much?? 

He disappeared late 2013, on the way to work. I didn't notice until he stopped responding to my increasingly worried texts. I called the police and they searched high and low, even his mother’s house. Nothing. Eventually they got wind of how his mental state had been in and when his car turned up, abandoned a few weeks later, they came to a conclusion. 

Bradley Spencer had killed himself. His body was most likely rotting under layers of autumn leaves, or eaten by wildlife. 

I hated it so much. I didn't believe he would just go and end his life without even saying goodbye. Sure, I would have stopped him, but our last text was about plans to see whatever shitty horror movie was playing that night. 

I know Bradley. He would've ended it with at least a shitty pun or joke to make me hate him---

I lived with grief for years. I rented his apartment in desperation and kept all his stuff just the way it was. I visited therapists and lost myself in my music career. I was getting better slowly. Gave up his apartment after two years, kept only his most prized possessions. I even thought about dating again. 

And then, one night. He just appears at my door. Malnourished, dirty, freezing from walking in the cold weather with only a purple sweater. 

He begged me not to call the police, instead he just wanted to stay with me for a while. He wouldn't let me help him shower, even as his legs trembled with exhaustion. That hurt but I didn't argue. 

When he did come out and I hugged him, I couldn't help but notice how much he changed. He cried for a while. I did too. 

He told me awful stories of the Office. Stories of torture and monsters. How death was pretty much nonexistent, so the people there killed each other in fights or just because. Otherworldly beings who twisted your mind and turn your worst fears against you. Mind control. Experiments.. And alternate versions of yourself, some of them hating you just because you ended up spared from whatever fate they suffered.

I know, it sounds ridiculous. Monsters aren't real, same with gods and aliens. No one can simply not die. It’s impossible. But looking at him, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was telling the truth - or at least the truth he had experienced.

It hurt. But not as much as it did when, a few weeks later, he told me he was going back. He had become addicted to the taste of what he called ‘Restarts’, the feeling of being unstoppable to bodily harm and I couldn’t help but wonder if he meant he was craving the freedom, or the pain he could get without suffering permanent consequences. 

I did everything I could to make him stay. I even threatened to call the police on him, to have them drag him to the nearest hospital. But none of it helped much, in the end. He disappeared again shortly afterwards and this time, knowing where he went was worse. 

I don’t really know why I came here to your Institute of ‘ghost stories’ to tell you what happened. Or well - maybe I do. Maybe you already figured it out, but I’m going in after him. I already lost him once, and I don’t want it to happen again. Even if I have to go live in Hell incarnate, it’s better than being without my best friend. 

But before I follow him, and before I disappear off the face of the Earth, probably for good, I just wanted someone to know what happened. And maybe you know about the Office already. Maybe you can do something to keep more people from disappearing into It. 

Either way, thank you for listening. I feel much calmer now and I think I’m ready to go make that drive.’

Statement ends.

I can tell you right off the bat that this is either a really sick attempt at making a joke, or someone’s being downright sadistic. 

Bradley Spencer never grew up in Colorado, USA and his boyfriend Ezra Jaxden never lived in there, nor in Montana. Neither of them disappeared, as well. 

How do I know this? Well, because shortly before coming to record this, I talked to one Bradley Spencer in the break room while he was busy placing plastic insects into the tea pantries. Ezra Jaxden is often at the Institute, despite not working here, but he likes to drop off snacks for his partner or take him out for lunch. 

So you see, someone either thought it was perfectly alright to use their names for their fake statement, or they thought it was funny. I would suspect Bradley himself smuggled this in here to rile me up...but there are some sensitive topics in here I know he doesn't like to talk about, much less have strangers listen to. 

Anyway, I won’t be releasing this to the students. I’ll take it to Bradley first and then Maelle to see what--”

A steady rise of crackling stopped the Archivist in her tracks. She gave an annoyed huff and smacked the tape recorder a few times with her hand. 

“Oh come on, don’t do this again!”

It ignored her attempts to fix it and continued hissing loudly. She rolled her eyes in irritation and picked it up, muttering a few choice words under her breath. If the tape was affected too, she could look forward to recording it all over again if Maelle deemed it necessary.

“Bradley!” She leaned back and shouted at the door. “Bradley, come take a look at this! It’s making weird noises again!”

A few moments ticked by with no response, no door slamming or dutiful footsteps down the hall. 

“Oh give me a break.” Alice Nero got to her feet and made her way to the door, ignoring the increasingly violent hisses and crackles from the recorder. She swung the door open and stepped out of the Archive room, ready to raise her voice again and get Bradley to come down here-

The call came out as a strangled, bewildered whimper. The pale, bright hallways of the Institute were gone, replaced by tacky wallpaper and old carpets that smelled like a mixture of dust, generic cleaning brands and spilled coffee. The smell alone overwhelmed her and Alice let out a gag, fumbling back for the door handle without looking. 

She pulled it back open and stepped inside - only to find herself standing in a broom closet. 

“What-”

She looked around, but there weren’t any other doors in sight. Checking again, the door she had apparently just come out of (she must’ve, as she was standing in front of it this entire time) only led to a poorly stocked broom closet and nothing else. 

Panic started to overtake her. 

“Bradley?? Stellan? If this is some sort of really sick prank, I swear, I’m going to kill both of you in the most painful way possible!” She opened and closed the door several times, but the scenery never changed. 

There were two other doors in that hallway, one that led into a meeting room, the other to a staircase. Neither of them seemed more familiar to Alice and with a sinking dread, she realized that her exit dissolved into thin air.

“Okay.” She gripped the tape recorder tighter and started making her way through the meeting room, down the hallways. “Somewhere there’s got to be an exit. You just have to find it, Alice! You just...have to find it to get back.”

[katzuyas]

dazzle me with gold

from the start | ao3 | previous part

The consciousness does not return to Victor easily. He hears some noise, some sounds that do not make much sense to his mulish mind, but he does not feel inclined to decipher what they are. He is far too lethargic to try and it isn't until he hears a scream somewhere not far away that he snaps out of the fog that has overtaken him upon waking.

He blinks – and blinks again behind the sack that still firmly sits upon his head obscuring his vision – because the scream that he's heard had an eerily familiar timbre to it. Something in Victor's disposition shifts then and, all at once, everything that's happened returns to him: the library, Yuuri, the kidnappers, the pain, Yuuri.

And Victor realizes that the scream just now belonged to none other than Yuuri himself.

Relief fills him so strongly and so suddenly that he goes limp against the hold of his captor. If Yuuri is here, close enough to hear, then it must mean that he was not harmed too badly in the library. He is alive and well, and he's come all this way, perhaps... perhaps to save–

The high-pitched horse squeal stops the thought from forming. It sounds pained, desperate, almost as if the horse was dying and fear once more trails its cold hand down Victor's spine.

Yuuri is a brave heart, a sweet man, filled with courage, strength and determination. If Victor has learned something about him in all the time he's known and loved him, it's that Yuuri will never allow himself to take no action when someone he cares about is in danger. So when he hears Yuuri's voice again, not a delirium, but a true roar of rage and desperation, only one word makes it past Victor's trembling, cold lips.

"No..." he whispers as if a prayer.

Yuuri shouldn't have come. He shouldn't have...There are too many opponents for him to face alone, if he is alone, but Victor doesn't hear any sounds of scuffle, no more hooves following, no clink of armour that could indicate that his own guards have come as well.

It's just Yuuri, Victor feels it in his heart. And said heart weeps, because it's a fool's errand and for his sake, no less, his Yuuri will come to be harmed yet again.

Without much though, Victor buckles against the rope that he's been tied with, but it's no use.

"Don't struggle, my lord," the man with the proper accent says. "You don't want to fall off the horse."

"If you let me go, I won't have to," Victor replies. "Let me go now and I will allow you to leave with your head on your shoulders."

"I will take my chances, if you will, my lord," the man answers. The horse takes a sharp turn and Victor sways in his spot, slung over the neck of the animal. "It's not every day that I am offered what Her Ladyship has promised."

"Who?" Victor asks, but his question remains unanswered, so he demands again. "Who?! At least tell me that much! Was it my mother? Tell me!"

Before anything can become of his inquiry, Victor hears a sharp nicker from somewhere close. That, and the sound of hooves, but not just the ones of the horse they are riding on – someone is coming after them.

Hope bursts in Victor's heart and it spills over his limbs, warms him until he's hot under his golden robes with nerves and expectation. His captor gives a sharp curse and kicks his steed into a faster gallop. Even as he bounces on the horse in a somewhat painful way, Victor cannot help the joy that overtakes him when he recognizes the angry snort of the horse that is giving chase, because only one fiery steed can measure up to that temper.

Before Victor's happiness can make him shout Yuuri's name with as much triumph as he feels, the sound of hooves gets even with them and Victor's breath is pushed out of his lungs when something hard knocks him in the face and kicks him off the horse's back. The ground meets him hard and Victor groans at the impact, which deafens and blinds him for a few long seconds.

Later, as he struggles for a breath that has been stolen from his lungs, he hears the clutter of steal, the grunts and groans, a sharp yelp, and more than that – the sickly sound of a blade piercing flesh.

It all lasts no longer than a minute or two, but as Victor lies on his back with his hands uncomfortably bent underneath him, he feels the time stretch into unknown. He tries to unbind the rope around his wrists, but it's a feat he doesn't achieve no matter his efforts.

Fear for Yuuri, for his beloved sweet Yuuri, settles in him once more. He should be helping, Victor thinks, he should be the one protecting Yuuri, not having him lay his life for him.

To no avail, Victor tries throwing off the sack that stubbornly remains atop his head and it's during that struggle that he realizes that all around him has fallen into silence.

Until footsteps come near.

Breath stuck in his lungs, Victor waits. Hands grip the sack and in one full motion they pull it off of Victor's head. Momentarily, he's blinded by the light of the setting sun, but Victor blinks quickly through it so that he can see, because he must see what became of his–

"Yuuri–" he breathes, but the rest falls short on his tongue once he sees the Yuuri before him.

His clothes are in tatters, bloodied rags that drape on him like a hanged man does on his noose. Yuuri's face, hands, hair, all of him is covered in splatters of blood: some of it still fresh, some dried, some thick, almost black.

He looks as if he's been through hell, as if he's fought a dozen men, as if he–

And he has, Victor realizes with a strangled sob that rises in his throat despite the joy of seeing Yuuri again. He has – Yuuri has killed, he's been injured, he's been hurt, all because of Victor. For him.

"I'm sorry," Victor whispers as untameable tears roll down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, my love, I'm so–"

"Shh," Yuuri shushes him. "It's alright, Vitya. I have you now. You're safe."

Yuuri lifts a hand to Victor's face, but he hesitates. It must be the blood that's still fresh on his fingers, but Victor cares little for it when he leans forward to put his cheek in Yuuri's palm himself. That is all it takes for Yuuri to gather him in his arms and squeeze him, hard, so hard that Victor's breath leaves him again, but it is a wonderful feeling nevertheless.

The harsh heartbeat that Victor feels on the rise of his shoulder where it presses against Yuuri's chest settles into something calmer while they remain embraced. It does not last long, because Yuuri soon pulls away and undoes the rope that has been keeping Victor prisoner. And once he does, he takes Victor in his arms again, but this time he picks him up like one would a fainted damsel.

"Let's go home," Yuuri says.

And flushed, breathless with wonder at the strong set of Yuuri's jaw and the fire in his eyes, Victor says not a word of protest – he allows his love to put him on Lamorak's back and leans into him once Yuuri takes his seat behind him.

Safe, bewildered, and smitten despite the gore around them, Victor allows himself to be taken home in the arms of the man who has made it so.

[alia-turin]

I saw requests were open! Could you do a one shot fic of Libertus with a female reader/oc. The reader being a more submissive person. Like someone who is small and cute that you would never expect him to be with...but they are lol. Props if she’s good friends with the other glaives as well ;)

You have no idea for how long I have been wanting a Libertus fic, but somehow I never get to write one. That request pushed me into doing it (in a good way push) and thank you for that. In fact I might even write a part two of it once I am done with the other requests. 

Also if you guys are waiting for me to complete your request, I am working on them! I just tackle them on first come, first served basis so depending when you submitted, it might take some time. Thank you for being patient. 

If anyone wants to be tagged on future fics, please message me! If I had forgotten to tag you, please message me.

Fic Title: The ExamRating/Warnings: G (couple of mild swear words here and there) Pairing: Libertus x ReaderSummary: Reader has crush on Libertus for some time, but is too shy to admit it. Crowe comes to the rescue.  Notes: That was really cute to write and once again I am grateful for that request. There might be part 2 (I said as I looked at my to write list and sobbed)

If you feel like supporting this writer consider buying me a coffee: Ko-Fi 

Tagging: @birdsandivory @jojopitcher @lazarustrashpit @yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy @kairakara101 @ladychocoberry @theyearofdiamonddogs @akiza-hades-rose

You loved your job. Ever since you were a kid you wanted tobe a nurse and now your dream has come true. You were lucky enough to work inthe royal hospital where you felt you could make a real difference. All of the Crownsguardand Kingsglaive were coming here for check-ups, after missions debriefs and forserious injuries. It was a tough job but you felt like you could make adifference. You wanted to help your city and your kingdom, but you were neverthe soldierly type. You could work twelve jour shifts or more but youabsolutely didn’t see yourself being on the battlefield fighting demons. Itwasn’t that you were afraid, although you have never seen a demon up close somaybe it was that, but you just lacked the skills and determination. Medicalwork…that was something different.

Every day in the hospital was different. Some were a bitless busy and some were so busy that you were falling asleep on your homeafterwards. Today was probably one of your favourite days, it was the Glaive’s annualcheck up time, a formality that had to be done every year. You liked that timebecause it didn’t involve anyone being in pain and you could have enough timeto chat with your friends amongst the Glaives which was a rare commodity. Yourjob and theirs didn’t exactly match well for hang out time.

“Hey girl!” Crowe walked into the office you were using and saton the chair across of yours. “Haven’t seen you in like forever.”

“I can say the same.” You smiled and opened the folder infront of you. “Anything I should know about?”

“Down to business, are we?” she winked at you and continued.“No, nothing I can think of.”

“That’s good news.” You pointed to the eye examination boardbehind you. “Read the third line left to right.”

She did it. No mistakes, didn’t even hesitate. You proceededwith the rest of the exams, everything was perfect.

“So, guess who is next.” Crowe gave you a big grin as shewas putting her top on. At first you didn’t get what she was saying but thenyou looked at the next folder.

“Oh shit! I forgot to pass him to someone else.” You saidout loud even if you didn’t want to. Crowe gave you a curious look. “Every timehe happens to be in my pile or comes here I usually switch with a colleague.She passes me that redhead with the big mouth because he doesn’t leave her aloneand we are good. I forgot to give her the file this time…” you started to panicthat wasn’t good.

“Wait, I thought you liked Lib, why would you want to avoid him?Did something happen? Because if he did something I will kick his ass right nowand he will need medical attention.” Crowe was dead serious and you weregrateful for her words but it wasn’t that.

“No, it’s just…” you could feel yourself blushing, you werenever good at that. “I do like him. That is the problem.”

“How is that a problem? Some hospital policy?” Crowe walked closerto you.

“No…” You couldn’t see it but you could swear you wereturning very red. “I just…can’t talk to him. Like…I’m afraid I will saysomething stupid and he will think I am an idiot. Plus, he would never likesomeone like me.”

“What does ‘someone like me’ even mean?” Crowe soundedangry, but not as if she was starting a fight, the way friends get angry whenyou say something stupid. “Girl, you are cute and pretty and smart, if anythinghe should be intimidated by you. You want me to stay here when you check onhim?”

“Well, it’s not proper I mean…it’s medical examination it’spersonal.” You objected but at the back of your head you were more than willingto ask Crowe to do the examination so you were as far as possible from Libertusand don’t have to make an eye contact, not even to mention speaking.

“Okay fine, I will stay here, will ask Nyx to join us as well.”Crowe didn’t even wait for you to respond and went out to call the two guys in.You were grateful, you couldn’t really say yes to that, you could be in troubleperforming a medical exam not with one extra person inside but two. Then againyou knew you would mess up everything, so having Crowe and Nyx there was abonus.

“Hey, you how is life treating you?” Nyx walked towards youand give you a warm embrace. “Haven’t seen you in ages, you should hang outwith us a bit more.”

“Hey!” Libertus said, standing there unsure what was happeningand why suddenly there was three of them inside.

“You don’t mind, Lib don’t you? I just haven’t seen her inages and thought to use the time to chat a bit.” Crowe said quickly and winkedat you.

“Sure, you both have seen my ass more time than I feel comfortablewith.” He said and you smiled. You loved his sense of humor. It was probablyone of the first things you had noticed about him when you still had the timeto hang out with these guys.

You started checking his eyes, then blood pressure and therest. Crowe did you a solid that she didn’t stop talking which was distractingyou from the obvious fact that you were actually touching your crush.

“You should come out to drink with us after work.” Nyx saidbut you made a sign fr him to stay silent since you were checking Libertus’heart.

“Hey, Lib do you know that she has a crush on you.” Crowesuddenly said and you wanted to sink in the ground. You were going to strangle her.After you had strangled yourself because that was not how it should go. Heshould never learn about that. Never.

Libertus didn’t say anything, but you were hearing his heartrate. It was faster than a moment ago.

“You two dickheads should go out. Now.” He finally said andyou walked away from him, sat on your desk and started typing data on yourcomputer, pretending you didn’t hear anything or that in fact you weren’t inthat room at all. Crowe was grinning, Nyx winked at you and they both walkedout like children who were trying to escape punishment.

“Everything is fine, you are clear to go.” You said tryingto keep your voice as flat as possible, but it was still shaking, in fact you werethankful for your instinct to sit down, because otherwise your who body wouldbe trembling.

“Is it true what she said?” Libertus said on the chairacross of you, obviously no intention to leave.

“…yes.” You said that as quietly as possible hoping he wouldnever hear it. You could feel your face flushing, your eyes were pinned onLibertus’ shoes not on his face.

“Funny, because I think you are very cute and smart, butthought I don’t have a shot with you. I always figured that nurses go after theNyx type.” There he was his joking tone, the way he was taking everything easy.You looked up for a second and he had a massive grin on his face. Why you neversaid anything? Is that the reason why you stopped hanging out with us?”

“No, it was mostly work.” That was true. You were too busy,your schedules weren’t friendly for social life. But you knew if you tried youcould find some time. Truth was, you had a crush on him, bad crush, but youwere too shy to do anything about it and that was killing you. You knew thatsooner or later he would find another girl, just for the night or a seriousrelationship it didn’t matter and that was going to kill you. Not because youblamed him, it wasn’t really his fault if he didn’t know. You realized howsilly you were, but you couldn’t go over your shyness and insecurities. He wasso much better than you were. Great personality, sense of humor, handsome. Youwere…well you were you, nothing special, certainly not deserving to be a glaive’sgirlfriend.

“How abut you go out with me tonight?” as he said that youlooked at him in panic. He just asked you out! How…what… “Okay, that was a bitforward. How about…you come out with us tonight, we have more time to hangoutand see what happens from there.”

That sounded a bit more reassuring. You didn’t mind beingalone with Libertus, you wanted it, you were just afraid that a date with himwould turn into long spans of uncomfortable silence on your end. You liked himso much, but the more you liked him the more you worried that you will saysomething stupid.

“I finish work at six.” You said eventually realizing youneeded to give some sort of response.

“Perfect, I will come pick you up at the front entrance.” Hesaid as you finished typing the results from his exam way calmer.

“Thank you.” You finally said and managed to muster thecourage to look him in the eyes.

“I don’t really have a choice; these exams are mandatory.” Hesaid with a big smile on his face.

“Not that.” You shook your head, still trying to remain calm.“For not freaking out and running out of the room.”

“It’s not every time that I get a cute girl to confess tome. Or more like Crowe to confess to me for her.” He was still smiling and thatmade you feel better about the whole thing.

As Libertus walked out, Tredd walked in the office. You failedto pass the file, but your colleague didn’t.

“How is my favourite nurse?” Tredd asked as he passedLibertus, the usual cocky smile on his lips.

“Shit up Furia.” Lib turned around and slapped him behindthe neck.

“Hey, don’t be jealous that the nurses like me more thanyou.” The redhead said, obviously looking for a fight.

“Whatever you say, Tredd.” Libertus just turned towards youand winked at you.

[thiamfresh]

Heey, could you maybe write something about Theo being Liam's anchor?

Hey! Sorry this took so long, i started writing it like, the second you sent it to me and then got stuck so it’s like totally off canon for the rest of the season after the zoo ep which is where it starts)

“You’re joking. Right?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Theo said with a hearty sigh. Liam blinked at him, wondering what strange alternate dimension he’d wandered into.

“You..you want to be my anchor?”

“Yes. Nothing would please me more.” Theo said dryly. “Of course I don’t want to be your anchor but until this is over you need to figure out how to control your anger properly. An anchor will help with that-”

“And you’re going to be my-”

“Yes, Liam. For the millionth time. I’ve had easier conversations with brick walls.”

“That’s probably because brick walls can’t call you out on being an ass.” Liam grumbled.

“Well, this ass is now your anchor.” Theo snapped. Liam hoped Theo’s plan wasn’t just for Liam to picture his ass whenever he got angry. “We make a decent team. You wanted my help today and I’m betting you’ll want it again before this is over. If we’re going to be working together it makes sense that you use me.”

“I can’t just turn on you being my anchor.” Liam said. He didn’t want to admit that it made sense, that it seemed…easy. That Theo, despite his many annoying habits, like talking, had already somehow managed to worm his way in enough for Liam to feel calmer with him around.

He didn’t want to admit that he was worried that Theo was already tilting too close to being his anchor for his liking. He’d realised today when they’d been trying to draw the reinforcements to the zoo. Theo’s heartbeat calming him down even as his fist clapped hard against his face. He knew, were it anyone else, he would have turned properly. The fact Theo got off with little more than a few bruises and nose thrice broken was a miracle in itself.

“No but you can train yourself.” Theo said. Unaware of Liam’s mental crisis. He could admit it, that Theo already had a way of making him calmer, then he wouldn’t have to ‘train’ at least, not as much. Liam thought of how smug Theo would probably be knowing he had even the little bit of power of Liam that he currently had and quickly dismissed the idea of telling him. “Look, once this is over we can find you a proper anchor, a permanent one-” Liam tried to pretend he didn’t feel a glimmer of hope at the word 'we’. “-but until then we have to survive. To do that you need to be in control.”

“Things worked out fine today.” Liam said.

“They almost didn’t. You almost got us caught. You almost killed someone.”

“You think focusing on you will make me any less likely to kill someone? If anything it’ll drive me into more of a murderous rage.”

“What, like it did today?” Theo said slowly, lips lifting in the smug smirk Liam had been dreading. His heart plummeted. Of course Theo would notice. “Because I seem to remember you not killing me and being able to convince you to leave and then almost getting you to leave Nolan again. Seems to me like you’re already feeling pretty-”

“How do we do it?” Liam growled. Theo’s smirk somehow grew even smugger.

“We get you angry and then you focus on me to calm down.”

“That’s it? That’s your big plan. To piss me off?”

“Well, I am good at it.” Theo hummed. Liam sighed, shifting from foot to foot as he looked to the door of the warehouse. Why wouldn’t the others come back and stop this conversation?

“Can’t I just use your anchor? I mean, you never lose control.” Liam suggested.

“I don’t have an anchor. I just use the tried and tested British method of repressing emotions.”

“You’re not British.” Liam said.

“I am where it counts.”

“At least you admit you’re emotionally stunted.” Liam mumbled.

“Great…Should we start?” Liam didn’t get anymore warning before Theo was slamming a fist into his face.

It was going to be a long night.

*

“Liam! Liam stop.” Theo growled. His voice muffled to Liam’s ears. Liam went to swing his arm forwards only for it to be caught before it could hit its target. “Liam listen to my voice. We practiced this remember. You gotta calm down.” A rumble reverberated from Liam’s chest as looked down at Gabe. Theo’s heartbeat thundered in his ears, his voice a soothing wave that left Liam’s own heart slowing. “We need him to tell us what they’re planning next.”

“Melissa-”

“I know.” Theo said, voice painfully soft. “But if you want them to pay we need to know where they are, what they’re planning next and he knows.” Liam’s lip curled in a snarl but he gave a short nod, letting Theo pull him away properly. His fingers hot against Liam’s arm.

“What do we do?”

“You. Nothing.” Theo said. “Just stand there and stay calm.”

“And what will you do?”

“Getting information out of people is a skill of mine.” Theo said with a small grin. “I got this.” Liam could still feel his claws itching at his fingertips. He closed his eyes, looking away from Gabe and focusing on the thump of Theo’s heart. He tilted his head in a small nod, letting Theo pull him another step back, fingers squeezing tight around Liam’s biceps for a moment before he was dropping it. Theo’s footsteps clattered across the locker room as he took his position in front of Gabe.

“I’m not telling you anything.” Gabe growled.

“You know you’re right.. To be afraid of the monsters in beacon hills, it’s a good idea, there’s some real bad seeds in this town. But you also have to understand not every monster is really a 'monster’ monster. And the ones you’re hurting, They’re the good guys. Every time something goes wrong in this town they’re the ones fixing it. You don’t have to be scared of them.” Liam’s eyes snapped open as Gabe let out a strangled yelp. Theo had a hand around his throat, he yanked him off the floor until Gabe’s feet were singing, his toes barely touching the floor as the scrambled for purchase, dark claws prickling the skin at his throat. “But me.” Liam watched as Theo grinned, wide and manic before launching Gabe back. Liam flinched as glass shattered, Gabes head connecting hard with the closest mirror. Theo pinned his head against the fractured glass, the copper scent of blood hitting the room. “I’m one of those bad seeds. So maybe you don’t want to tell us. That’s fine because I’m in no way above torture. To be honest, I quite like it.”

“Theo.” Liam warned.

“Go to hell.” Gabe hissed. Theo span him, slamming him back into the glass so this time he was facing them. Theo leant in close, letting out a slow laugh as his fangs elongated and his eyes flashed yellow.

“I’ve already been.” Theo cooed. “You know I learnt a few things.” The hand not locked around Gabe’s throat came up, claws pressing against his chest, over his heart. “Like how to rip out a heart slow enough for you to really feel it.” His claws dug in leaving Gabe whimpering in pain as blood begun to pool around Theo’s fingers. “Or.” Theo pulled his claws back. “You could just tell us what we want to know.”

*

It worked. Theo being his anchor and Liam wasn’t even surprised, terrified yes, but not surprised.

He tried to bury his head in the sand, throwing twisted logic at it. He’d tell himself that it made sense that Theo was his anchor, because Theo knew anger, he knew hate and rage and that was why he could help control Liam in a way no one else could. because he understood in a way no one else did.

But he knew it wasn’t true because Scott had felt the urge to kill too, he’d almost done it before but he’d pulled himself back. No, it wasn’t because other people didn’t understand his rage because they did, in a way, maybe not the true extent of it, the sudden explosions he could feel but they got hatred, they got the petty need for revenge that wasn’t something special about Theo.

He told himself it was just because Theo suggested it but that was so easily thrown out that it was laughable, he remembered the triskelion Derek had tried to get him to use as an anchor. How it hadn’t worked for even a second. Being told something would be your anchor doesn’t work, for it to really keep you in control it needed to be something that truly affected you, something that resonated.

And that was more terrifying, he’d prefer to think that he could be influenced by Theo’s suggestion, that he had some similarities in the 'wanting to murder people’ department as Theo because it was less scary than the truth.

The truth was that he’d seen Theo change, he’d been stuck with him watching as Theo moved along picking up the shreds of his humanity, watching as Theo slowly but surely edged towards redemption. He’d watched Theo learning to care and found himself tripping head first into caring about Theo in turn.

Because Theo was Liam’s anchor in the same way Hayden had been. It wasn’t something forced, or something he chose, it was a natural pull that drew them closer together, that left Liam’s head spinning even as he realised he could control himself better than ever.

He didn’t need a touch, or reassuring words. He just needed Theo standing near him, needed the low tenor of his voice as he called him an idiot and basically egged him on and somehow, somehow it still made him step back, made his claws recede and his heartbeat slow.

Theo had changed and Liam hated that each time he witnessed it, it would make his heart leap.

*

It all ended in the school, Liam thought he should at least pretend to be surprised about it but he wasn’t. Everything bad seemed to happen in the school. It was fast and bloody, the kind of fight that left Liam wondering if they really were the good guys when he looked at the mess of bodies around. At least none of them had been because of him. Peter and Argent had been the ones doing the killing.

And Theo hadn’t. Theo hadn’t even tried and that left Liam feeling sick because no one would have blamed him at this point for killing a human or two. Not when there was wolfs bane itching in the air and their friends were being shot at. They would have accepted it. Maybe not really liked it but they wouldn’t say anything. They’d come too far, in a war there were going to be casualties.

The fighting was over.

Theo turned and walked out of the library as the silent buzz of adrenaline begun to wear off, as the McCall pack begun to celebrate, it was morose and quiet, with tight hugs and relieved sighs but a celebration none the less. One that Theo apparently knew full well no one would really want him around for.

Theo was the tide and Liam was a wave helpless but to follow. Theo stopped once they were out of earshot. There was a time when Liam would have hated it, to be out of hearing range in the dark school with Theo. He’d have been terrified, or worried he’d snap and kill him, worried he’d enjoy doing it, but now, now he felt the tension of weeks of fighting draining from his shoulders as Theo turned to look at him, brow draw as he opened his mouth, no doubt to ask why Liam was him rather than with his pack.

“You’re my anchor.” Liam blurted. Theo’s eyebrow climbed up his forehead, a smirk twisting at his lips.

“I know. I suggested it.” Theo said slowly. Liam glowered as Theo looked at him like he was a moron. “Don’t worry. I told you I’d help you figure out something else once the fight was over and I still will but-

“No. I mean. You’re my anchor.” Liam said softly, imploring Theo to understand feet drawing him in slow steps closer.

“Again, I suggested it.” Theo said. Liam let out a groan. Why? why did this have to be who he liked?

“I don’t mean that.” Liam said hotly.

“Then what do you mean?”

“Look I get you’re into British repression but could you at least attempt to understand how emotions work.” Liam snapped. Theo flinched back and Liam winced, perhaps insulting him wasn’t the best way to go about this. “I..I like being near you, it calms me down. You keep me human.”

“Right. Like an anchor is supposed to.” Theo said.

“I LIKE YOU! YOU DUMBASS!” Liam roared. So much for not insulting him. Theo blinked at him, eyes wide. “You’re my anchor, not just my, I need someone to keep me in control, anchor but my anchor anchor, like Stiles was to Malia. The kind that if anything happened to you I’d lose my freaking mind.” Liam’s heart was racing in his chest.

“You..like me? As in-” Theo started.

“Yes as in that.” Liam said, crossing his arms trying to ignore the embarrassment flooding through him.

“Why?” Theo said defensively.

“What? What do you mean why?”

“I mean why the hell would you do that? Are you an idiot?” Theo snapped, stalking forwards and shoving Liam hard.

“Do you not like me back?” Liam asked. Heat flooding his cheeks the moment the words left his mouth. Theo rolled his eyes dramatically.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t!” Theo huffed. “But you’re not meant to like me back. I’ve been trying to help you not make dumbass decisions and then you pull this?”

“Are..Are you annoyed that I like you..because you like me?” Liam said, stunned.

“Yes! Dammit, Liam, I’ve manipulated you and tried to get you to kill your alpha and when that failed I did kill him! You sent me to hell because of everything I did to you and your friends and you have a crush on me? What kind of idiot does that?”

“You’ve changed!” Liam snapped. “I wouldn’t like you if I still thought you were the same person you were back then, give me a little bit of credit. And you’re calling me an idiot? You’re the idiot you should be happy that it’s mutual not scolding me!”

“It shouldn’t be mutual! You should make better choices.” Theo said, a disappointed scowl on his face. Liam

“Are you..is this you rejecting me?” Liam asked.

“No.” Theo snorted.

“You just said I should make better choices.” Liam parroted. Mind reeling, how was Theo his anchor, the person who kept him grounded and thinking straight when he was the most confusing and infuriating person he’d ever met.

“You should! because I’m not the kind of guy who’s actually going to put himself out so you can make them.” Theo hissed.

“Wha-” Liam flailed as Theo shoved him up against the lockers making them ring out through the hall. Theo’s lips pressed on his, fast and hungry leaving Liam’s heart stuttering in his chest, his hands clawing out for something to hold onto. Theo pulled back as Liam tried to return the kiss, a hand pressed against his chest to stop him from chasing it like he wanted to.

“You’re such an idiot.” Theo growled. Anger seeping off of him.

“I’m so confused.” Liam said honestly. Theo rolled his eyes before he was yanking Liam back in for another kiss, this time he let Liam return it.

[thismanateelovestowrite]

Blue: Pt.24

Previous part: [Pt.23] 

Warnings for this part: angst, mentions of violence, blood

Minhyuk’s POV

I kicked a rock. Or it kind of just got in the way of my shoe. I didn’t purposefully kick it.

My gaze was on my feet. I felt somewhat sad.

Why am I like this?

Needless to say after recent events, I had a hard time expressing how much I cared about _____. I wasn’t used to feeling something so strong yet positive towards someone. It confused me which led to me getting easily frustrated.

I’ll tell her when we walk back to the apartment.

I was on my way to the store - which I could already see further down the street - where I assumed ______ was. She had run away so suddenly that I hadn’t known what to do. In the end, I had decided to go after her. It was dangerous for her to be alone.

If she has gotten herself in trouble, I swear…

Thinking about how there was a relatively high possibility of her having gotten in some sort of trouble made me feel annoyed. I was really hoping that she hadn’t gotten in any kind of trouble while I was gone.

I reached the store and was about to walk in when I noticed something that made me freeze. At first I saw _____, then the woman who had pierced the skin of ______’s neck with her teeth. The disgusting woman was clinging on to her like a leech and my blood started to boil.

My mind was blank and my heart raced as I rushed inside to get her off ______. It took one rough push to get her away from the almost completely lifeless ______. I was so furious that I didn’t even notice that I had caused _____ to fall to the floor. I quickly made sure the vampire would never see daylight again before rushing over to the girl who I prayed wasn’t dead. I stopped next to her, unable to do anything. I just stared at her.

No.

I was frozen to place.

Don’t.

She was barely breathing and it looked like she was having a lot of trouble with it. She sounded like she was in a ton of pain. Yet, I couldn’t help her.

Please.

I found my eyes watering, slowly filling up with tears while I helplessly watched her suffer. My throat felt sore, like someone was strangling me.

You can’t.

I wanted to wake up from the nightmare already. I had seen enough. I didn’t want to watch her suffer anymore. Yet, I could only stand there, frozen from the shock of seeing her in the state she was in.

My options were limited. Seeing her weak state, I assumed she had been poisoned already. If that was the case, I would have to… let her have her peace. The thought of having to kill her with my own hands terrified me enough to make my breath wheeze when I breathed in. I started to pant, I felt like I couldn’t breathe in enough air no matter how hard I tried.

I can’t do it.

Tears kept rolling down my cheeks as I flopped down on the floor next to her limp figure. My body was finally obeying me but when I saw her pale face, I felt helpless again. I observed her expression with sadness I had never felt before. I felt completely broken inside.

After traveling her lifeless face for too long, my gaze eventually found the bloody marks on her neck. They were cleaner than most bites I had seen but the sight of them still nauseated me. There was only a drop of blood on her skin and if I hadn’t known better, I would have thought that the disgusting creature hadn’t even gotten started. But I knew the truth and it pained me. She had lost a lot of blood.

Very gently, I pulled her closer to me and looked down at her face. She looked rather peaceful despite what she had gone through.

A tear dropped on her cheek from mine. I wasn’t sobbing at all but tears kept pouring out of my eyes. I felt this incredibly strong, unexplainable pain and sadness inside myself. It was like someone was squeezing my heart tightly in their fist.

“Please, please, you can’t,” I pleaded, a little surprised at how different my voice sounded.

I hugged her figure and noticed that her body temperature had already started to drop. It only added to the sadness I felt and I kept crying while holding her who was only barely alive at this point.

If I had had the power to bring a person back to life, I would have brought back the nauseating vampire that was lying down a little further away from ______ and me. I would have brought her back and then killed her again. And again. And again.

After glancing at the already dead creature once with the most murderous glare I could pull off with my teary eyes, I returned to looking at ______. I gently swiped over the drop of blood on her neck with my finger. Then, reluctantly, I brought the finger up to my lips.

If there was poison in her blood, I would taste it. It had a very distinct taste which I would never miss in a hundred years. If we ever found someone that had been attacked by a vampire, it was a custom to taste the blood of the victim before giving them peace. If there wasn’t any poison in the blood, I would still have hope. Though, not very much.

I regretted putting the liquid in my mouth the second I tasted the iron. I was disgusted by the flavor and wanted to spit it out but I couldn’t have been more relieved.

“There’s no poison,” I said out loud.

My eyes filled with new tears, this time with those of relief.

I can still save you…

“Thank god,” I buried my face in my hands for a few seconds. “Thank you.”

The blue blood was not special only because of its color; it had some healing powers too. That was the reason why our kind healed quicker than humans. If I gave some of my blood to ______, there was a chance she would be able to recover from the horrible experience.

The only problem was that giving blood to humans was not accepted among our kind. It had to do with how some of us had died after the special traits of their blood had been found out by humans. It was also linked to how much our kind despised humans in general thanks to our scarred souls. Giving your blood to a human was usually something that eventually cost you your life if you were found out. It was almost like committing treason or something.

I didn’t care about anything like that at this point, though. If there was any chance I could save her, I would do anything. Even if it meant I would face problems later.

I got up from the floor and looked around the store. After finding a knife and a paper cup, I returned to her and sat down. Then I gently pulled her closer to me once again.

“Promise me you will survive,” I said, my eyes slowly becoming less teary. “No matter what happens, you must survive.”

Without any hesitation, I grabbed the knife I had found and cut my palm with it. Then I watched how the blue liquid slowly dripped in to the cup one drop at a time. I waited until the blood had filled a little less than half of the cup. Even a third of that would have been enough but I didn’t care. I hoped it would make the chances of her surviving a little better but I knew it wouldn’t make a difference. There was no way to guarantee that she would survive - our blood didn’t always work, it depended on the situation - no matter how much blood I gave to her.

“Promise me you won’t hate me after I do this,” I said quietly and grabbed the cup.

She was still having trouble breathing and it pained me to see her like that. Seeing her state, I started to wonder if she would even be able to drink the blood.

“I’d do anything to save you,” I said and brought the cup to her lips before tilting it slightly. “Don’t die on me.”

I watched her very carefully to make sure that she was swallowing the liquid. To my surprise, she could do it on her own. Despite that, I couldn’t feel relieved yet.

It took a bit but miraculously enough, she managed to down all the blood. I pretty much threw the cup away once she had finished and just watched her. My heart beat faster and faster as time passed. I couldn’t see anything happening.

Please.

I brought my fingers to her neck to test her pulse. It was weak and my heart ached when I discovered that.

I know you can do it.

Minutes passed by but nothing changed; her pulse wasn’t getting any stronger and I could feel her body temperature dropping.

Don’t leave me.

I could feel a painful lump form in my throat as I waited for a miracle to happen. Her breathing still sounded painful and it was irregular, which only added to the pain I felt in my heart. She was in a lot of pain but there was nothing I could do now. I just had to wait.

I don’t care what happens to me, just make sure she survives.

I had no idea who I was talking to in my head. Maybe it was to some god I didn’t even believe in. Or maybe it was to myself.

Tune passed. I was slowly starting to fall apart. She wasn’t getting any better no matter how long I waited. She was going to die in my arms.

“Please,” I started crying again and embraced her as if she would disappear if I let go. “Don’t leave me.”

The emotions I felt were indescribable. I felt like I could die from how much pain the sadness caused me. I felt like I was drowning under all the grief and anger. I was still angry at the vampire under all the sadness I felt for ______.

Minutes passed as I cried, not wanting to check her pulse. She felt cold in my arms and the thought made my breath wheeze. Reluctantly, after some time had passed, I placed my fingers on her neck to check her pulse.

If I had had the power to bring a person back to life, I would have brought ______ back.

***

Meanwhile…

You listened to the continuous thumping of a heart. Not yours; someone else’s. Your heart was beating too, but at a different pace. Yours was calmer.

Three. Four. Five.

You subconsciously started counting the beats of the other heartbeat. Even though it seemed more restless than yours, it still gave you a comforting feeling.

Six. Seven. Eight.

A scent reached your nose. You were sure you had smelled it before somewhere but couldn’t think where. It, just like the heartbeat which you were guessing belonged to the same person, had a calming effect on you.

Nine. Ten. Eleven.

You could have opened your eyes to see who it was but you didn’t. You were afraid that if you did, the calmness would disappear. You weren’t sure why you thought so, but you had a strong feeling about it. So, you kept your eyes closed, hoping you could hold onto the calmness for as long as possible.

Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen.

The faint sound of breathing reached your ears. It was rather calm and slow compared to the heartbeat, which you, once again, guessed belonged to the same person. You felt a faint breeze on your cheeks when they breathed out.

Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.

Even though everything else was perfect, there was one thing that bothered you. It made you worry. The smell was all too familiar to you. It was like a nasty shadow had dawned over the peaceful person. It created an uneasy atmosphere in a place where everything else seemed perfectly fine. It was blood and you couldn’t have been surer about it. Nothing could compare to the stench of blood; it was the absolute worst.

Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty.

Accompanying the smell of blood came also a very unpleasant taste. You could really taste the blood in your mouth like you had just drank it. Thanks to the obvious presence if blood, the peace of the moment you had experienced a few minutes earlier had now vanished.

It stopped.

For a bit, you only listened to the silence that followed the heartbeat that had stopped out of the blue. Now only yours remained, slowly picking up speed as seconds passed by in silence. Not knowing what was happening, you were starting to grow nervous.

What happened?

You felt lost but after hesitating for a few minutes, you decided to part your eyelids ever so slightly. You wanted to see who it was. Whose heartbeat it was. Whose scent it was. Whose breathing it was.

As your eyelids parted, the smell of blood along with the unpleasant taste in your mouth disappeared. It was as if you had woken up from a dream.

You didn’t see much at first thanks to bright light shining straight in your face. It made it hard for you to open your sleepy eyelids. After struggling for a few minutes, you finally managed to open your eyes enough to see clearly. Unlike you had expected, there was no one in front of you.

Confused, you attempted to sit up. Your - for some unknown reason - sore muscles made it harder than usual, so you struggled with the task.

After sitting up, you looked around. You were in a relatively small room. The white walls made it look bigger than it probably was. Your eyes quickly focused on the numerous plants. They added color to the room and made it feel somewhat cozier. It seemed like they kept the air very clean too as it felt like you were outside, breathing fresh spring air. The plants created a very faint scent in the room, which only added to the feeling of being outside. The scent was comforting and you immediately felt calmer.

“Why are you here?” a voice that almost made your heart stop, asked.

You immediately turned to see if you had heard right.

It can’t be.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Eunkyung spoke with a concerned look.

“Are you real?” the words slipped from your mouth as you got up from the bed. Her presence couldn’t have felt more surreal.

Your legs gave in after you stood up. She watched you fall and walked over to help you. When she crouched down in front of you, you could only stare at her. She looked the same as before her death; young and healthy.

“Why are you here?” she repeated her question with a soft voice while looking at you with a gaze that had turned from concerned to sad.

“I don’t even know where this is,” you said and reached your hand towards her.

You wanted to know if she was real. You wanted to see if you could touch her.

She watched your hand as it slowly landed on her hand. Her hand was warm under your cold one. You didn’t pay much attention to the big difference in your body temperatures, though. Now was not the time for that.

You looked up at her.

“You’re real?” you asked, starting to choke up.

Her eyes were tearing up too but instead of tears of joy, they were quite obviously tears of sadness. This went unnoticed by you who leaned forward and wrapped your arms around her figure. You weren’t sure if it was actually happening, that’s how surreal it felt, but you enjoyed every second of hugging your dearest friend. Oh, how you had longed for that moment for the past months.

“It’s too early,” she said with a sad voice and you pulled away from the hug.

You gave her a confused look. “I don’t understand.”

She looked straight into your eyes with sadness that you noticed only now. “You shouldn’t have come here yet,” a tear rolled down her cheek. “It’s too early for you to be here.”

You still didn’t understand but seeing her reaction, you knew something was wrong. “Eunkyung…”

“You shouldn’t have died yet,” she shed more tears as the words came out of her mouth. “It’s not fair.”

“What do you-“ you stopped mid-sentence.

Oh…

It had taken you a while but now you remembered. Your mind filled with memories of being attacked by a vampire at the store.

I guess it didn’t end well for me…

“Why did you leave without Minhyuk?” she sobbed, surprising you. “Nothing would have happened if he had been there…”

“You know about him?”

She looked at you silently for a few seconds. “There’s a lot I’ve learned during my stay here. I’ve had the possibility to see you living your life after I…” she hesitated, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Got killed?” you said it silently but it still sounded too loud.

“Yes,” she mumbled. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not like it was your fault,” you said and let your gaze fall. “It would have been a miracle had you been able to survive that attack… Besides, there’s one person who got even more hurt than me.”

You glanced at her and saw the grief in her eyes. “I wish I had gotten a chance to say goodbye…” she said, her pain-filled voice gripping your heart tightly.

Silence filled the room and you both just stayed like that for a while.

“Where are we? What is this place? Also… Am I really dead now?” you asked her a little hesitantly. Changing the subject felt a little rushed but you didn’t want to spend the time you had with her only on grieving. Who knew, you might have had only a limited amount of time with her.

“To explain it simply, this is a hotel for human souls,” she answered, trying to shake off some of the sadness in her mind. “This is where human souls end up after being detached from their body. Or so I’ve been told.”

You listened silently.

“You might not be dead yet,” she said, making you lift your head and look at her. “Your body is just at the very edge of dying. Your soul hasn’t completely left your body yet, which is why you might still sense some things from the real world.”

The heartbeat, maybe? And the blood?

“I still have hope?” you asked bluntly and she looked up.

“Yes. But only very little. It would take…” she stopped mid-sentence. “A lot to save your body,” her expression told you she didn’t say everything that was on her mind. “It went through a lot. It would be a miracle if you survived what happened.”

You had never seen her so sad.

“You can’t die like this,” she stated. “I won’t let you.”

While looking in to her eyes your mind filled with different thoughts. “I know… But what if I stayed here? Wouldn’t I be happier? I mean, isn’t this where we are supposed to find peace?”

“No,” she said and stood up. “I won’t let you stay.”

“Eunkyung-“

“You will only suffer more if you do,” she told you and you struggled to stand up. “Believe me, I know.”

After managing to stand up, you observed her face. Her expression was stern.

“If you were old,” she stared in to your eyes. “I would understand. But you’re still young, you have a life to live.”

“Wasn’t it the same with you?”

She went silent for a few seconds. “I had no choice. I was going to die anyway, there was no way I could have been saved. The poison, apart from being deadly, makes it impossible for the soul to leave the body. It traps the soul inside, making it even worse. I’m thankful that Minhyuk decided to kill me instead of letting the poison do it.”

Your heart ached.

“But you,” she put her hands on your shoulders. “The vampire didn’t finish the job. She couldn’t poison you. Had Minhyuk arrived only a few seconds later, you would be gone already.”

You started hearing the thumping of someone’s heart again but more faintly this time. It was still restless.

“You deserve a longer life,” Eunkyung said with a warm voice.

“And you didn’t?”

She looked apologetic but gave you a small smile. “Life can be unfair sometimes.”

You remained silent for a bit. “How do I go back?” you asked, your heart aching at the thought of possibly having to leave her.

“Just wait,” she said and pulled you in a warm hug. “Everything will be okay.”

Twenty-one. Twenty-two. Twenty-three.

The heartbeat caused you to start counting subconsciously once again.

“Will I ever see you again if I go back now?” you asked, hugging her tightly.

“Yeah,” she said. “When the time is right. We’ll definitely meet again.”

Twenty-four…

***

Minhyuk’s POV

I had no idea how much time had passed when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Out of reflex, I slapped it away and got up before turning around to see who it was.

Kihyun’s expression changed immediately when he saw my face. He looked shocked.

I didn’t look away. I knew I was probably a mess but I didn’t care. ______ was gone.

His eyes traveled around my body, trying to see if I was injured in any way. His gaze eventually stopped when it reached my right hand which I had cut to give some of my blood to ______. He stared at it, not looking very pleased.

“You did not give your blood to a human,” he growled and looked at me, hoping I would say I didn’t.  

“I did,” I wasn’t even ashamed of what I had done.

“You-“

“Just kill me,” I cut him off before he could start lecturing me. “It didn’t even work.”

He didn’t show sympathy and just crossed his arms.

“She’s gone,” my voice broke after a lump formed in my throat from just thinking about what had happened. “I gave her three times the amount needed and it still didn’t work.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks and I stared at Kihyun.

“She died in my arms, Kihyun,” I said. “I watched her die.”

His expression didn’t change but something about his gaze did. It seemed like my words hit him.

“I listened to her last heartbeat,” I sobbed. “I heard how it fought until the end. I heard how it eventually couldn’t fight through.”

My legs gave in and I dropped on my knees.

“I’ve been crying like a baby for the last I have no idea how many hours,” I told him. “I’ve never felt this devastated before. It’s like someone is torturing me.”

“I’m sorry,” Kihyun’s voice sounded cold but even the fact that he said those words meant a lot.

“What am I going to do now?” my heart ached at even the thought of having to keep going without ______.

“It’ll get easier,” he continued with the cold tone. “Believe me, I know from experience.”

I knew his story, how he had lost his best friend. It had always been a story I had thought would never become my reality but there I was, crying my eyes out after losing the one person I ever cared about. Now I could relate to the pain he had only told me about.

“You should get the hand clean,” he switched the topic. “You’re still alive and I’d like to keep it that way. If someone sees you with that, they will most likely attack you.”

I nodded slightly but didn’t look at him.

“Who is he?” his question made me look up.

He pointed at the body in the corner of the room. “Hajoon,” I mumbled. “He works here. Yuna knows him, I think...”

Kihyun looked at the boy for a bit before walking over to him. He crouched down next to the body and checked if there was a pulse. Without saying anything, he wrapped the boy’s arm around his shoulders and stood up.

“I’ll go get the others. I’m taking this guy to Yuna. Make sure you clean your hand before we get back,” he said and it didn’t take long before he was already gone, Hajoon with him.

***

I looked at my reflection on the window in front of me. It was dark outside but since the lights were lit inside the store, I could see my reflection clearly.

It was weird seeing myself so broken. My eyes were puffy and I looked shabbier than normal in every way possible. Nevertheless, I didn’t think about the weirdness of it for too long. I didn’t care.

I washed my hands with water. The blood washed off, revealing a wound that was already almost healed. I hadn’t made the cut very deep so the wound was healing fast.

If only it had worked on her too…

I wanted to kick something at the thought of my blood not being able to save her life. I wanted to ruin the whole store.

After barely managing to hold myself back from going nuts, I took a deep breath. There was no use in wasting energy on something so stupid.

I walked around the store for whatever reason. I felt this weird emptiness inside me and my mind was blank. I guess all the crying exhausted me.

I caught a glimpse of the vampire from between the different aisles and suddenly grew furious again. Just seeing that creature made my blood boil.

I’m going to make sure she goes to hell.

I started walking towards the corpse but before I reached it, I was frozen to place.

My ears heard a faint sound. Something like a groan but a very silent one.

For some reason, my heart started beating faster as I listened to the silence in the store.

Maybe I just imagined-

Again. A small, faint groan.

My legs started moving and the closer I got to the end of the aisle, the faster my heart beat.

I stopped at the end of the aisle, my eyes immediately landing on ______. She was still lying on the floor, in the same spot as before.

My heart stopped for a second.

Her chest…

Up…

Down…

Up…

Down…

She’s breathing...

My heart beat loudly enough for me to count its beats.

She’s breathing.

Next part: [Pt.25]

Other parts: [Masterlist]

[norihisahyuga-archived]

kyofushi trio & komari + "“Be you. No one else can.”"

He’s doing it again. It’s impossible to miss even though Komari is facing directly ahead, nodding along with the conversation and pretending to be listening very hard to what Ishigaki’s mother is attempting to tell them. Not that he absorbs any of it, but Komari had hardly ever listened to his own parents when it came right down to it, so what luck does a total stranger have?

Out of the corner of his eye, he watches Midousuji’s face. He watches Midousuji battle with his own facial muscles, trying to keep them from contorting into a grin, trying to keep himself under control. It makes Komari’s chest ache in a way nothing else ever has before.

Very few things affect Komari on a physical level but this has been since it started a few weeks ago, Midousuji trying to iron out the things about him that make him unique— make him a monster, a demon, some kind fo nightmare to hear other people talk about him.

He catches Ishigak’s eyes out of the corner of his own: Ishigaki nods, he sees it too.

The thought that Midousuji sees something wrong with the way he naturally is is maddening to say the least, especially given everything he went through as a child (Komari still wants those names, and those addresses, to rend meat from bone to repay them for what they did to the man he loves wholly and completely, to lay down physical scars to mirror the mental and emotional ones they dealt a child who just wanted to make his mother proud). If Ishigaki is seeing it, though, then Komari is most definitely not imagining it like he desperately hoped.

Komari drops his knife, not caring about the way it clatters against the plate, and slips his hand under the table to find one of Midousuji’s. Long, familiar callused fingers twine with his and Midousuji meets his eyes clearly confused; Komari mouths are you okay and Ishigaki’s mother continues on speaking, apparently not even noticing what’s going on at her kitchen table.

Midousuji manages the smallest of smiles and a quick nod, but that isn’t him at all. There’s no grin, no teeth, not flicker in his eyes and Komari doesn’t like the looks of this.

This time, he finds Mizuta’s eyes across the table and Mizuta’s confused and pained expression tells Komari all he needs to know. Then all three of them have noticed something is wrong.

“I’m sorry, Ishigaki-san, but we have to excuse ourselves from dinner,” Komari says, pushing himself up from the table abruptly, rattling the dishes and cutlery in the process and again not giving a damn about it. “Midousuji-san is tired from the long drive already and he’s our ace, and as his assistant it’s my duty to make sure he goes to bed. We’ll see you in the morning.”

If all four of them leave at once, Ishigaki’s mother is bound to notice something is wrong, but she doesn’t seem much surprised that Komari pulls Midousuji up from his seat to lead him upstairs to Ishigaki’s bedroom where all four of them are staying. There is a guest bedroom, of course, but none of them are going to use it and Komari thinks the woman might know why even if he’s sure that Ishigaki has never broached the topic with his parents. Oh well, none of that matters right now and he needs to stop spending useless time thinking about it when he has a very real issue on his hands, one that makes his stomach turn and his skin itch all over.

As soon as he has the door closed, he turns around to find where Midousuji has gone. “I thought something was up before now but what I just saw at the table—”

“I know.” Midousuji is suddenly in his personal space, wrapping his arms around Komari’s neck so hard it almost chokes him, squeezing desperately. “I know, I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

The panic in his voice ratchets Komari’s concern up from a solid 25 to a 150 and he hugs Midousuji back automatically, smoothing his hands up and down that long lean back as he presses his face against Midousuji’s neck. “Take deep breaths for me. In and out. I know you can do it for me, Akira. Slow breaths because I need you to relax and talk to me.”

He never uses Midousuji’s first name unless the situation calls for it, but within minutes Midousuji is calmer and it feels less like Komari is about to be strangled to death. He counts it as a win and pushes Midousuji back so he sits on the edge of the futon, looking small and lost.

“You weren’t acting like yourself at dinner. You were reining yourself in. I thought you’d been doing it before now, but I wasn’t sure. I am now.” Komari kneels in front of him, taking Midousuji’s face in his hands, smoothing his bangs back off of his forehead so he can feel the skin there. “Are you not feeling well? Or did someone say something to you? Tell me.”

Midousuji is quiet for a moment, which is also unlike him, and it takes him a great effort to meet Komari’s eyes. “Am I really that strange and gross?” he asks, and Komari’s heart somersaults violently at the words. “People talk about me like I’m some kind of monster.”

“Oh…” Komari needs a minute to stabilize himself from the sudden onrush of anger. “You aren’t strange or gross. Not to me, obviously not to Ishigaki or Mizuta. You know that, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. I used to ignore it, back in high school, because I didn’t care. I just wanted to win. But then we did win, and…” Midousuji trails off, but Komari remembers that fondly, the Inter-High during Midousuji’s third and final year where Kyoto Fushimi had finally dominated just as much as they had been desperate to do. Komari had been the one who propelled Midousuji to the finish line on all three days, determined to make sure he won. That he became national champion. “But now I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t want everyone to call me a freak.”

Komari had not known Midousuji when they were in elementary school together, but he had heard stories from Midousuji and he almost feels like he must be looking at that small, scared, bullied boy who could never tell his mother what he went through. “You don’t deserve to have to put up with that. No one should call you names. Those motherfuckers. Who’s said what?”

He’s getting angry and can’t help it, his hands— normally so careful, so delicate, perfect for masseuse work— balling up into fists because he’s so tired of this, so tired of people picking at Midousuji’s weakest defenses and wanting to hurt him more than he’s already been hurt.

“Komari.” He didn’t hear the door open, nor Ishigaki enter. “Calm down. Midousuji, what’s up?”

Mizuta sits on the ground behind Komari, something he only finds out when a pair of arms snake around his waist and pull him back against Mizuta’s chest while Ishigaki sits on the futon next to Midousuji and wraps his arms around him without hesitation. There’s still anger at the forefront of Komari’s mind but it softens and quiets in the arms of one of his boys and he’s able to breathe easy when he sees how Ishigaki holds Midousuji, how gently he touches him.

“People are calling him awful names and it’s making him not want to be himself,” Komari manages, because he knows it was already a titan effort for Midousuji to open up to him.

Ishigaki sighs softly, presses his face into Midousuji’s hair. “Is that true? You can just nod.”

Midousuji nods and curls himself into Ishigaki’s chest— he’s tall even now, and none of them had ever gotten closer to matching his height— but he only makes himself small when he feels vulnerable and scared. It makes Komari feel sick and Mizuta hums softly in his ear, rubbing soothing circles into his stomach, willing him to relax. Komari feels everything too much, too hard.

“You know, if we didn’t love you just the way you are, we wouldn’t be here with you. You should hear that, first and foremost I think.” Ishigaki brushes Midousuji’s hair off of his forehead, presses a kiss to the skin there, warm and soft. “We love you more than I could ever explain.”

“I always thought you were kind of cool, the way you just… The way you were always yourself no matter what. I thought it was amazing.” Mizuta sounds less certain of himself, or like he doesn’t have the words he feels like he needs right now. Komari grabs his wrist and squeezes. “I never thought anything was wrong with you. Everyone else is just a fucking loser.”

Midousuji sighs softly and combs shaking fingers through his hair, and Komari’s heart flips in his chest again, banging against his ribs in the process. “Is it hard when I’m this way in public? When other people see me being… Being weird? Being a freak? Isn’t that hard on you three?”

“No.” Ishigaki grips Midousuji’s chin, tilts his head so that those dark gray-violet eyes are level with his own rich velvety brown ones. “I personally love to see you be yourself. All the time.”

“Agreed,” Mizuta says. “It’s the only way I want to see you. I don’t like seeing you beaten down.”

Komari rolls his lower lip between his teeth until it hurts before he can speak. “I like seeing you being yourself because it makes you happy,” he says. “I can’t stand the thought of you hiding yourself and being so upset.”

Ishigaki beams, then turns Midousuji’s head back to him and pecks him on the lips, then goes in for a slower, deeper kiss that makes Midousuji’s face pink just slightly. “We love you just the way you are. You aren’t gross, or nasty, or a monster. You’re our boy, and we want you to be you, and to be happy. Be you, Akira. No one else can.”

Midousuji bites down on his lower lip and Komari might be imagining the slight sheen of tears in his eyes, but he blinks quickly a couple of times and it vanishes. Slowly, so slowly it feels like the seconds dragging by are hours instead, Midousuji manages a small smile, then a larger one, then one of his blindingly perfect and slightly frightening smiles, the one Komari had fallen head over heels for back when he was uncertain if he could even fall in love. A grateful sob leaves his throat and all three of his boyfriends jump, Mizuta’s arms vice-like around his middle.

“I just hate seeing you upset,” he says, scrubbing furiously at his eyes, not allowing the tears to fall, not now, not when their Midousuji has his own smile on his face once more. “I don’t ever want you to be sad again. I just want nothing more than for you to be happy.”

Ishigaki smiles softly and extends a hand. “Come here, Komari. Come hold him now, it’s okay.”

Mizuta puts a hand on his back and helps launch him forward, and he half-tackles Midousuji onto the futon, pressing his face against Midousuji’s neck before trailing fervent kisses over Midousuji’s face. When he snickers, the familiar sound soothes something in Komari’s chest.

“Not that we don’t care about Midousuji’s happiness,” Ishigaki says, “but we care about yours, too.”

Mizuta finally crawls onto the futon with the rest of them, and he gives Komari’s hair a playful tug, flashing him a half-smile. “I get worried about you, too, y’know. When you get upset like that.”

Komari ducks his head, not sure what to say to that, but Midousuji butts their foreheads together gently and he kisses Midousuji instead, deciding he doesn’t have to say anything at all.

It’s good to know all of them have each other’s backs.

[pyrewriter]

Explanations (Part 1)

"I Can't believe that stupid, no-good cat, first I hear that he doesn't help look for Adrien then he just blows me off for patrol" Plagg heard a voice exclaim. He looked up at Adrien to see if he too had been woken up by the noise but he was out cold.

"Heh, guess those incense things work pretty good" Plagg thought to himself.

He heard another voice, this one even more familiar than the last "I'm sure Chat has his reasons, but didn't you notice all the things that were off about him?".

The first voice became muffled as it moved "Oh you mean his dumb wardrobe change? Yeah I noticed, what about it?". The voices became harder and harder to hear as they seemed to move into the building, Plagg decided to go through the wall to hear better. Adrien was wearing a hoodie and before he left Plagg put the hood up to cover his head in case he was spotted while he was gone. As he entered the room that familiar aura became stronger the closer he got to the voices, he hid under a bright pink sofa with white polka dots listening in.

"-the point here"

"Then what am I supposed to notice Tikki, what is the point I'm supposed to get when he ran off before I could get a good look at him".

Plaggs eyes went wide "Wait 'Tikki' but that's Ladybugs Kwami?" he thought to himself, he listened closer.  

"Marinette, I think you should gather the facts before you go jumping to conclusions" Tikki said 

"Oh don't worry I'm going to ask him some questions alright" Marinette replied sounding angry.

"Maybe you shou-" Tikki started to say then stopped abruptly "Wait I feel something..." Plagg winced ,he knew his cover was blown.

 "Your Kwami's right you know, you really shouldn't jump to conclusions before you know the story" he said floating through the sofa spotting them on Marinette's bed.

"PLAGG!" Tikki yelled.

He flew across the room to Tikki putting covering her mouth "Shh" he gestured to the wall that Adrien was just on the other side of. 

Tikki pushed him away, whisper yelling now "Plagg what are you doing here?" she asked. 

"Tikki, who is this, another Kwami?" Marinette asked as well.

Plagg placed a hand over his chest "I am Plagg and I am Chat Noir's Kwami, the one you appear to be so unrightfully mad at to be specific" he explained.

Marinette furrowed her brow at his remark, Tikki sighed "Yes Marinette, this is Plagg, an old friend of mine and Fellow Kwami" she said reiterating his words. She turned to him "Now what are you doing here and where's your wielder?" she asked.

"He's...within earshot but he's asleep and I think it's best if he stays that way" he really didn't want to tell them Adrien was just on the other side of the wall. Plagg looked to Marinette "Huh so it was you the whole time huh I guess that's not too surprising all things considered" he said shrugging. 

Marinette crossed her arms "hmpfh did you come here to scrutinize me or was there something else you wanted?".

Plagg shook his head "I was going to explain what happened but you seem to be in an understanding mood so maybe another time" he turned starting to fly away.

"Wait" Marinette's voice was calmer than it was a moment ago "I would like to know what happened, and I need your word that you won't tell him you know who I am" she said pointing at Plagg.

Plagg smiled and turned back to her "I wouldn't dream of it and if you insist-" Plagg explained what he felt she needed to hear from someone other than Chat. He told her about the Akumas appearance and that he fought despite being severely injured and why he was acting so friendly with Willy when she saw them. He glossed over the finer details like Adrien being shot repeatedly, the alley surgery, coughing up blood and his life before Paris telling her "It's best if Chat answers any questions you have". Plagg wasn't sure how much of Adriens life Marinette knew or how much of it he wanted to be known, he was certain that Adrien would want to tell it himself.

Marinette sighed heavily "Thank you Plagg, I still have a lot of questions and I'm still mad but I know little more now" she said with begrudging understanding in her tone. 

Plagg nodded saying one thing before he flew through the roof "Never judge a Mask Maker by what he shows you". 

"Thank you for hearing him out, Marinette" Tikki said yawning.

Marinette flopped onto her back and muffled an annoyed scream with a pillow when she removed it she lazily waved her hand "Goodnight, Tikki". She laid there staring at the ceiling, her mind still flashing back to what Plagg had said "Never judge a Mask Maker by what he shows you" she mumbled trying to decipher the phase. After half an hour of futilely trying to figure out what Plagg meant she flipped over grabbing a framed photo "Oh Adrien, please be ok" she muttered closing her eyes and shedding a tear. 

Outside Plagg had returned to Adriens pocket "You owe me three pieces of Camembert now buddy" he said quietly not wanting to wake him. 

Morning was coming and Adrien had slept like the dead "Ugh hello again ass-crack of dawn, how are you today" he groaned stretching "Plagg you awake?". No response came "Guess not, well I'll let him sleep. I need to visit Fe' anyway" he thought to himself, "What about you, Belial?" he asked aloud.

"Meow"

"Morning to you too, come on we gotta see if Fe' is up yet" he said before starting the climb down. When he got to street level he dusted himself, adjusted his mask and walked across the street to Fe's apartment and knocked on the door. He was surprised when she opened the door only a few seconds later dressed in pajamas with a cup of fresh tea in hand "Mornin" he said giving a wave.

Fe' stuck her head into the hall looking both ways "Mornin Adrien, come in, come in" she said with a smile before turning around.

"Fe', did you sleep at all?" Adrien asked closing the door behind him taking a few steps inside before stopping to remove his mask stuffing it in his pocket.

"I got a few hours in at the tavern but I'm still lagged so I've only slept two or three since you dropped me off" she explained sipping her tea. "I have been productive though and I already found a job to apply for, all I gotta do now is wait a few hours". 

"Already? Where and when would you start?" Adrien asked surprised that she had already found employment. 

Fe' smiled deviously behind her mug "Well if they accept me ,and they probably will thanks to my name, I would start later today as a counselor and assistant..." she took a long sip.

Adrien's head snapped to her eyes narrowing "Where..." he asked dangerously.

"Your school" Fe' said slowly with an ear to ear smile on her face. 

"Goddammit" Adrien face palmed for a moment then ,looking at Fe', "You planned this didn't you?" he said pointedly.

Fe's smile only widened "A little" she said giving an innocent shrug "Don't worry my lips are sealed tight". Her smile faded and her tone became serious "After all above all else you and me are family ,blood or otherwise, remember?". Adrien chuckled, put his feet together and placed fist over his heart before raising to the sky as if to give a toast holding the pose. 

Fe' stood to return the gesture and they both sat down "When was the last time you used that salute" she said chuckling.

"Well I've practically started completely over but I like bringing the good parts of my old life" Adrien thought back to the last time the salute was used, it was the day their eldest brother left. They talked about how their lives have been since the move to Paris, even though Adrien was a hero Fe's life had been by far the more eventful one. Adrien listened very intently whenever she would talk about her transition and clenched his teeth whenever she would mention how people sometimes treated her. No matter how many times Fe' tried to console him he still kicked himself for not being there like he had been when they were young.

Adrien looked at his phone standing suddenly "I need to get to work" he realized he was late for morning patrol, they had been talking for almost two hours. Ladybug was already miffed at him over the whole not helping look for himself and if she caught him skipping patrol no excuse was going to stop her from ripping his ears off. "Swing by the tavern ,alone, and let me know if you got that job, drinks'll be on me if you do" he said smiling before walking to the door. He exited the building through the roof access waking Plagg and transforming on his way up the stairs, once outside he did a less than thorough sweep along his normal route. 

"Morning, Chat" Ladybug said dryly as she heard him approaching, Chat only replied with a grunt and tip of his imaginary hat. She took a deep breath "Do you mind if we patrol together for a bit?" she asked.

"Thought you were mad at me" Chat reminded her.

"I am" Ladybug stated crossing her arms "-but you haven't had a chance to explain yourself" she turned to look at him to see raised eyebrows and question marks on his mask. "Don't give me that look and explain your new look while you're at it" she said gesturing to his clothes.

"If it means I get to keep my head then whatever you ask Ladybug, I will answer but I get to refuse if it's too personal, deal?" 

"Deal" she replied, Chat didn't explain much more than Plagg did and any time she asked him to go into detail about the night he refused telling her it was best if only he knew the whole story. He was willing ,however, to explain why he carried a lighter, showing her the rolls he had made which she later learned were "I.C's" and a vague reason of why he uses them. After all her questioning she was only able to learn that he had been injured but tracked the Akuma anyway and when he tried to subdue them while they slept he was severely injured. All of which partly explained his new look but nothing specific and she still didn't know why he refused to aid in the search for Adrien other than he was with the Akuma. All she had now was a reason to not strangle Chat and more questions than answers.

*KABOOM* "AGRESTE!!" a voice screamed followed by the sound of panicked screaming.

Chats mask changed to an annoyed frown "Son of a- It hasn't even been 24 hours" he face palmed "No rest for the Wicked I suppose" he said running toward the sound jumping from roof to roof.

"Chat, wait" Ladybug shouted reaching for him but he was too focused to pay attention to whether or not she was with him. She retracted her hand thinking back to what Tikki and Plagg had said "Didn't you notice all the things that were off, Never judge a Mask Maker by what he shows you". Ladybug stood with her hand to her chest for a moment "He hasn't called me his lady and not a single cat pun...which mask is he wearing now?" she thought. Shaking her head she shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind for later, right now there was an Akuma and that took priority over troubling thoughts.

Chat arrived on the scene first, the Akuma looked like a kaleidoscope puked out a rorschach test on a human canvas. "HEY RAINBOW INKBLOT" he yelled getting the it's attention "-what do you want with the Agreste boy?".

"I don't care about him I want the other Agreste child, the one that robbed me of my livelihood" he yelled throwing an ink blob that changed and morphed at random as it flew. 

Chat dodged "Guess that answers that question" he thought to himself as the blob flew past and hit a pigeon ,engulfing it, a small box took its place. Chat leaped over to see what had happened, inside was a maze with several pigeons ,each of a different color, inside. 

"The hell did you do to this bird?" he asked genuinely confused. 

The Akuma laughed "I ,The Kaleidotherapist, gave it the chance to search within, to see what really goes on inside of itself, to find, to see how whole it really was, and to show the world it's inner machinations. Just like I've done with all my other patients, but you can call me 'Kaleido' for short". 

"Patients?" Chat said looking down the street, as far as he could see were the mazes of the Kaleidotherapist's other "Patients" some big, some small. He looked for where Ladybug had moved to but saw no one on the nearby rooftops, pulling out his staff Chat readied himself for a long fight. 

Kaliedo hugged himself writhing in twisted pleasure "I must admit Chat Noir, I have always been absolutely enthralled by what goes on in you and your partners heads". 

"How do they get out?!" Chat demanded.

"You're no fun, only when they face all of themselves and find all of themselves will they be released from their examinations" he replied readying himself "Now let's see if you're an enigma or if you're simply a jigsaw puzzle". Chat was able to hold his own but he couldn't hold out forever and he couldn't tell what the Akuma had attached itself to. His best guess was a pair of glasses hanging from a coat pocket but even if he was he would need Ladybug's help to get close.  

"Sorry I-" Ladybug started.

"Fantastic, first I put you both through examinations then I take your MIRACULOUS!" Kaliedo said throwing an ink blob at Ladybug. 

Chat lunged pushing her down "Move-!" he yelled swinging at the blob with his staff like a bat but the blob stuck to it. Before he could throw his staff it was already devouring his arm, he raised his free hand "CATACL-mmmh" the ink had shot tendrils covering his mouth engulfing him faster. He struggled and writhed as the ink covered and converted him, Chat felt himself being ripped into pieces. 

"CHAT!" Ladybug yelled as she watched frozen in place unable to look away.

The Kaleidotherapist leaped onto the roof a few feet from Chats box "Oh~yes it's just as I imagined" he said shivering with excitement "He's an Enigmatic labyrinth".

Ladybug got to her feet "Don't you touch him" she screamed.

Kaliedo threw another blob at her, this one only pinning her to the ground "Wait for your appointment Ladybug, for now just sit tight" he told her. He sat down and peered into Chats labyrinth watching intently like a child watching their favorite movie .

Ladybug ground her teeth "LUCKY CHARM!" in a flash a dozen water balloons fell on her, Kaliedo turned to her with an annoyed look. Some of the balloons popped when they hit her, the water caused the ink to run and lose its hold on her. She picked up one that hadn't popped and threw it at Kaleido hitting him in the face making him stumble. She used the chance to push him over and grab Chat's labyrinth and a balloon before zipping off in a random direction, she just wanted to get away from Kaliedo. Ladybug ran until she was almost out of time, taking the water balloon she popped it on the labyrinth hoping it would free her partner. When it didn't and Marinette de-transformed Tikki was drained ,she began to panic, she didn't know what to do but she couldn't leave his labyrinth lying around somewhere.

"Take him to the Guardian, he may have something to help free Chat Noir" Tikki suggested biting into her cookie Marinette had given her. 

Marinette nodded "You're right, maybe he can use magic or something" once Tikki was ready to go she transformed and headed for Master Fu's place.

Meanwhile the Kaliedotherapist was arguing "I did not let them get away" he said seeming to talk to himself.

"Do not forget who gave you these powers Kaleidotherapist, because I can just as easily take them away" Hawkmoth threatened.

Kaleido shook his head "You're impatient and that makes you rash ,give it time, when I find the other Agreste child Ladybug will have no choice but to come out".

"And what if Chat Noir finds his way out of his maze, what then?" Hawkmoth asked. 

Kaleido laughed "With a labyrinth as complex as his I doubt he'll be out anytime soon, even if he does get out he won't be the same person he was".

Hawkmoth was silent, then "Carry on, I will watch" he said before cutting his connection before turning to walk away. Taking the Elevator down he grabbed his tablet and checked the pages he had book marked about the search for his son, "Have you found anything yet?" he asked scrolling as he looked for updates.

"None yet Sir, but the Police and many volunteer groups are still scouring Paris" Nathalie said standing near by looking at her own tablet "-and what of your other child, Sir?" she asked hesitantly. 

Hawkmoth walked back to the elevator "Inform me of any changes" he said, as it took him up, Nathalie nodded solemnly.

Ladybug had made it to Master Fu's without drawing the attention of anyone, once inside she de-transformed and knocked on his door "Master Fu, are you there? I need you help". When Fu answered the door Marinette pushed past him and inside placing Chat's Labyrinth in the center of the room. 

Master Fu poked his head out of the door looking up and down the hall "Marinette, what happened, what is this box?" he asked concerned. 

Marinette was pacing back and forth "It's Chat, he got hit and now he's stuck in there" she stopped looking to Master Fu "-is there anything you can do to help him?".

Fu looked into the box seeing seven different colored figures navigating respective areas of the labyrinth inside, some were farther along than others but each was roughly halfway through their section. He stroked his beard "Perhaps" he said grabbing various containers and viles mixing their content together, Marinette continued to pace as he worked. Wayzz and Tikki talked about the disappearance of Adrien and subsequent appearance of the other Agreste finding it too much of a coincidence. 

Tikki floated along Marinette's path telling her "Marinette, I think that when you get the chance you should talk with the other Agreste to see if they know anything about Adrien".  

Before she could respond Master Fu had finished his concoction "AHA! this should do it, this is the strongest seal breaking brew I know how to make" he said confidently. As he approached the labyrinth Marinette stopped and stared, Fu poured liquid over the box and they both held their breath. The box began to shake violently and spew beams of light from its transparent top, after a few seconds the commotion stopped suddenly. Master Fu and Marinette had thought the ordeal over and had begun to approach it but then cracks formed across its top and beams of light poured from them, each beam matching the color of a figure inside. Small projections of each color surrounded the box displaying their respective color and the immediate area around them.

Blue carried a bandolier of masks and was surrounded by a cage that seemed to weigh on him, he carried it around everywhere he went. Red walked alongside a faceless figure with the words "Bro/Sis" on its face with a larger faceless ghost labeled "Big Bro" following them, Chat fought with all he had, taking every hit to protect Bro/Sis. Green sat rocking back and forth in place with a bottle labeled "Ale" in hand and an I.C. in his mouth the ashes and broken bottles strewn about, he ran anytime a black mist would come near. Yellow walked aimlessly looking lost and wanting help but destroyed everything in his vicinity, a crowd of faceless followed him labeled "friends" but he ran, not wanting them to touch him. Purple had cracks across their body like fractured glass with a heart shaped hole in his chest growing little by little as more pieces fell from him.

Master Fu and Marinette watched them wonder and navigate their way through their sections of labyrinth, each changing as they progressed further through. Red had joined Yellow causing both their faceless to disappear but Red also chose to bare the scars that Yellows presence gave him with pride, together they traveled to the center. Upon entering the center their colors became muted and they sat staring into the labyrinth ,presumably waiting for the others. Blue had made it to the center but his color did not dull, he was on the verge of collapse from the weight of his cage trying to hold his mask on. Yellow approached him and grabbed the bars of his cage, destroying it, Blue fell to his knees clawing at his mask trying to tear it from his face. 

Red walked to him kneeling down to Blue's eye level grabbing his hands and putting them down before grabbing his mask and gently removing it to reveal a crying face, only when his mask was gone did his color become muted. Their heads snapped in the same direction having been alerted by something ,it was Purple ,what was left of him anyway, he was within arms reach of the center but what little held him together began to crumble. The others rushed back into the labyrinth to help him, Red ran deeper collecting all the pieces he could hold to try and put him together but large parts were still missing. Blue offered his masks but they could not fill the holes as they were, then Yellow shattered them using the shards to fill in the gaps.

When they were sure that Purple was stable enough to move they held him as he walked to the center, once inside the cracks mended leaving faded marks. The shards of Blue's masks changed to match his muted purple color and he no longer had a hole in his chest. Green had run himself into a corner and the mist was closing in threatening to overtake him but as it grew closer a Black cat appeared. He followed it to an alley with a building labeled "Haven" looking over his shoulder, he saw that the mist would not follow past the alley's entrance. Green took a breath entering the building to see it was a tavern with a single faceless working the bar, he sat and was handed a bottle and ashtray. 

The others were sitting in the center as they waited for their final color to arrive but after a few minutes of waiting they stood looking determined and entered the Labyrinth once more. Blue, Red, Yellow, and Purple navigated the labyrinth until they encountered the mist, they looked at each other and nodded before traversing through the cloud. They three entered the tavern taking seats around their fourth companion to talk to him, Green picked up his I.C. and passed it around. Each of them took a puff or two ordering drinks for themselves, as they shared a drink Green's color dulled until he too reached a muted shade. When they were on their last sips Green proposed a toast, clanging their bottles together they knocked back the last of their drinks. Each raised the empty bottle freezing in their poses and began to align, when the last drop was gone they had blended into Black. 

He stared at the bottle with a smile, standing from his seat Black thanked the faceless behind working the bar raising the bottle above his head before bringing it down smashing it at his feet. The image cut and the box began to shake violently again before melting into a pile of goo then stretching into a shape resembling a human.

Marinette panicked "Tikki, Spots On", after a few moments the human shaped blob became a more defined shape eventually disappearing and leaving behind a completely untouched Chat Noir.

He groaned rubbing his eyes "Ugh, well that was inconvenient and annoying" then he realized he didn't feel roof tiles on his back "Who picked up my box?" he said sitting up. Looking around he saw Ladybug to one side and a familiar face on the other "Aren't you the old man who snuck Plagg into my bag?" he asked. 

Master Fu nodded "I am, call me The Guardian".

Chats eyes widened with understanding "Ooooh, you and me have a lot to talk about but-" he said standing and checking himself over "that can wait until later, how long was I out".

"An hour and a half" Ladybug answered "But are you sure you're ok, the things we saw in there-".

Chat raised a hand "Wait you could see what was happening?".

Ladybug stammered "W-w-well when we tried to free you it damaged the box and, and it 'projected' images of you in different colors and-".

Previous Chapter   Next Chapter(Part 2)   Chapter Guide

[rhina988]

The Heart Wants What It Wants - Chapter 14

Read from the beginning

Read Chapter 13

Nicole's POV

Tears ran over my face as I was sprinting through a hallway to catch the elevator before the door closed, hoping Jared wouldn't catch me. All I wanted was to disappear from that place and stay by myself. Luckily, the elevator door shut before Jared managed to enter inside. I sobbed and cried, feeling so betrayed and hurt I thought my heart was gonna crack at that very second. I couldn't catch my breath and at one moment I felt like I was about to pass out. The elevator door opened and I ran outside rushing back to our room to pack and leave immediately.

The second I walked inside, I reached for my suitcase piling up my clothes messily, not caring about anything but getting out of there. Not long after, Jared was knocking on the door loudly.

"Nicole, open up!"

I just sniffled and packed the rest of my stuff not having any intention of answering him. He was more persistent than I hoped he would be.

"Nicole, I'm not moving until you let me explain everything!"

I knew Jared would do everything in his power to make me listen to him, but I was determined to get away from him that instant. Nothing that he could have possibly said at that moment would convince me he was innocent.

"Go away, Jared! I don't want to talk to you or see you, ever again!" I yelled hysterically.

"No! You have to let me explain. I deserve that much!"

"Forget it. Just leave!"

"You know I won't move until you open this door!"

I packed all my clothes, picked up the cosmetic bag from bathroom, zipped up the suitcase, took my coat, and headed outside the room. My eyes were all red and puffy, but I managed to stop the tears since now I was more infuriated than I was sad.

I opened the door only to see Jared leaning with both hands on the door, looking down at the floor and breathing rapidly. He lifted his head and his eyes sparkled immediately as he probably thought I wanted to hear him out.

"Baby..." he paused once he saw me with my luggage, "Wha... you can't leave," he said desperately.

"I can and I am. So please, let me pass without any further discussion," I couldn't even look him in the eye, so I kept staring over his shoulder at the door behind him.

"No. We need to talk."

"There's nothing for us to talk about. I'm leaving and you're letting me go, or I swear to God I'll scream like someone's strangling me to death." I said with eyes full of hatred and disappointment.

"No! You will listen to me!" He said and grabbed me. We both started to breathe heavily, not breaking the eye contact.

"Let. Go. This instant," I said with low voice determined to start screaming if he doesn't loose his grip.

"That's not my child. I'm not..." I didn't let him finish, I started to scream which terrified him, and he let go of me immediately, stepping back and away from me.

"What the fuck!" He was in shock, so he released me and I was still infuriated.

"I warned you," I grabbed my luggage and passed by him rapidly, walking towards the elevator.

"You're crazy. Why won't you give me a chance to clear things out? I'm not the father and ... "

"Just stop. I don't need to hear your lies and I'm definitely not gonna let you act around. Goodbye, Jared," I said and entered the elevator not even looking at him. As the door shut I burst into tears sobbing, wishing all of this was just a nightmare. Putting my shades on, I managed to calm myself down a bit before I hit the lobby, not wanting anyone to suspect anything. All the staff was very well informed about who Jared had in his apartment, and the news about him molesting his girlfriend could spread out insanely fast, so I just walked out of the elevator, straight to the lobby and out of the hotel.

I was in a car heading to the airport within minutes. At least I was in luck with the flight schedule, and was boarded to the first plane leaving Milan, which was taking off within an hour. All I wanted was to just fall asleep and not even be aware of the flight. What I really wished for was to close my eyes, and once I was up again, I would be in Jared's arms, listening to his soft voice telling me we're about to land to Milan. Just that. I needed this afternoon to be a nightmare that just looked incredibly real.

Unfortunately, I was on the flight for 15 hours, and once the flight attendant woke me up, I felt like I was being awaken from a 2-year coma. I had no idea about my whereabouts in the first 10 minutes. The sleeping pills added to the whole muddle, so I was even less capable of dealing with the mess that awaited me on the gate. The crowd of paparazzi invaded me the minute my foot stepped on the premises. Flashes striking everywhere, my head spinning, eyes tearing from time to time, both out of fatigue and sadness made me want to crawl in the first hole and never get out again. I just kept silent and ran passed them catching the first cab I spotted.

How they knew I was back without Jared, I had no idea, but they kept popping out questions like Why did you and Jared split? Is this the shortest fling he's ever had? Did he maltreated you? And all sorts of nonsensical questions echoed in my head on my way home. Well, not home really, because the moment I thought about laying in my bed I realized that's at my and Lucas's home. I was homeless. I cannot believe I've let myself be so reckless that I just ran away from my wedding, jumping into Jared's arms, without thinking about any repercussions. That was so unlike me. Every moment spent with Jared changed me and brought out this new and improved version of me. Too bad it was short lived.

Nevertheless, I needed a place to stay before I find the new apartment. I couldn't possibly bear the look on my parents' face right now, so the only place I was always welcome without any critic was Rachel's. She has been living with her boyfriend Shawn for almost a year now, and we got along as brother and sister. Their home was a true sanctuary I needed at this situation, so I decided to call her and see if I was as welcome as I thought I would be.

"Thank God you called, I was so worried, where are you," those were the first words Rachel spoke once she answered her phone.

"Hey, I know I was MIA and I should be seriously reprimanded for that, but not now please, " I said with defeating voice, "I really need your help. Can I come over?"

"You sound terrible, is everything OK?" Rachel was worried.

"No, not really, we can talk about everything later. I'm on my way."

“OK, see you soon,“ Rachel hung up and suddenly I felt a bit calmer. How could I have let myself get in such a deep trouble. Last week I had a fiance, a home, a great job and look at me now. Homeless, betrayed, and broken-hearted. I should’ve never listened to this foolish heart of mine. It only brought misery to my life.

Jared’s POV

As the elevator door closed Nicole couldn’t even look at me, and I noticed she was about to lose her grip and cry her eyes out. This hurt like the thousand knives piercing through my soul. I was not the one to blame and yet she saw a complete traitor in me. I knew I needed to give her some space and time to figure things out, but I just wasn’t ready to do it yet. I started running down the stairs after a couple of seconds pacing across the hallway, hoping she wouldn’t be out of the hotel yet. Once I was finally in the lobby Mikaela showed up again, obviously never leaving the hotel in the first place.

“Jared, hi, I hope you’re a bit calmer now,” she asked a bit frightened how I’ll react.

“What are you still doing here,” I looked through the lobby not spotting Nicole anywhere, barely even paying attention to Mikaela.

“We need to talk about our baby...”

“How many times do I have to tell you, that is not my child!” I was furious,” Who are you anyway? And stop saying you’re Mikaela, because you and I both know that’s not true,” I yelled at her and glanced through the window only to see Nicole getting inside the car and leaving. “No!” I ran as fast as I could to catch her, but I failed. The moment I stepped outside the hotel, the car was already too far away. I felt so defeated. Knowing the pregnant imposter was waiting inside the hotel, had me thinking it’s better I didn’t get a hold of Nicole. The farther she was from this whole chaos the better.

“Follow me, we need to sort this out,” I said angrily as the girl stood next to the seating arrangement in the lobby. She walked right behind me as we were going to my room.

Tossing the key card to the table, and running my fingers through my hair, I said, “OK, the moment of truth. I’ll ask you this one more time, and unless I get a real and honest answer, you’re going straight to jail. Who, the fuck, are you? ” I looked her straight in the eye, hardly even blinking, while her jaw started to shake and she could barely hold the tears.

“I’m Mikaela’s twin sister!” she yelled bursting into tears.

“You’re Francesca?” I asked in surprise. She just nodded, covering the face with her hands. “I had no idea you two were twins. Mikaela mentioned she had a sister, but she never said you were identical twins,” I started huffing and pacing across the room, while Francesca kept sobbing, not moving an inch.

“I’m sorry...” she sobbed, trying to catch her breath, “I knew you liked my sister a lot, and I just...” she kept crying and it only made me more upset. I hated liars and this pathetic drama act only pushed my limits.

“Stop crying, and get a grip. You’re not sorry, you did this on purpose, I just need to know why. Why me, why like this?” I crossed my arms over my chest and gave Francesca a stern look, letting her know I’m not buying her pitiful attempt to win my affection.

Chapter 15 

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[leafyxthiefy]

mas + 9

Okay, I realize this took me an eternity to write T^T I am sorry for that, and I dunno how you feel about angst?? But I mean you can’t give me that prompt and expect nothing less of angst??

Prompt from this post – 9. things you said when i was crying

Ao3 ~ FF.net

For Tumblr, read under the cut, enjoy!~ 

“Hey, why are you crying, are you okay?” a small voice asked off to Ace’s side.

Startled Ace shot up from the floor and glared at the boy that was standing in front of him. “I’m not crying you are!” Ace said, much too prideful to admit to such a baby habit.

“No I’m not, yoi.” the boy said with a crease in his brow. “You have a cut on your cheek. Did you fall? I have band aides and disinfectant.”

“I said I ain’t crying!” Ace yelled and wiped angrily at his eyes and bleeding cheek, wincing when the action brought upon a new burst of pain to his face. “Why do you care anyway, s'not like I know you.”

The boy’s blue eyes looked at Ace quietly, and Ace had to look away. He hated when people looked at him, he knew what they saw after all; Ace was dressed in nothing more than rags, his mother was unemployed and with her questionable health, they were barely getting by as it was. He was grimy and dirty, his hair was matted and he was pretty sure he stunk to hell and back.

“My name’s Marco Newgate, yoi.” the boy said with an offered smile along with his extended hand.

Ace looked at the hand with mistrust, people weren’t generally kind to him after all. Adults were always trying to send him back to school when he needed to stay home and take care of his mother, and most recently they were beginning to insist in something they called “alternative housing.” Other kids were different, but not for the better, they looked at Ace with disapproving eyes and disgust, they mocked him and threw pebbles as much as insults. To Ace, the whole world was against him and his mom, and he cared not to know anyone else.

And the older kids…they were just as cruel.

“I ain’t got any more, okay!” Ace snapped and bit his bottom lip, trying to force the new set of tears to remain inside and not spill over.

“Any more wha–”

“Hey Marco! What are you doing?” A new voice called down the alley and Ace flinched back from the sound, cornering himself once again while the wretched sense of helplessness and fear threatened to claw themselves back up his throat.

Marco’s hand retreated as the boy peered behind him and he stepped aside, “Sabo, sorry I left you to handle the guys all by yourself, you didn’t hurt them too bad did you, yoi?”

The new boy, Sabo, laughed as he joined Marco. “I gave them Hell alright, but if you’re asking if they can still chew solids? Then yeah, some of them.”

Marco sighed, and Ace gulped when he saw the splatters of blood on the pipe the new boy brandished behind him. Were they new bullies? Ace really didn’t have anything else to spare, all of his earnings had been taken by the older kids when they had jumped him.

“Hey aren’t you in my class?” Sabo snapped Ace out of his thoughts and brought the other set of eyes on Ace again, now both Marco and Sabo were regarding him strangely.

“You are aren’t you, though you’ve been absent for a week now…” Sabo’s voice trailed off and alarm filled his eyes. “You were the kid those others were wailing on? You okay?”

Ace was quiet, unsure of where the meeting was going, they kept staring and he kept fighting back the tears, wishing he could go home and check on his mother, hoping she was better that day.

“Hey if you keep biting your lip like that, it’ll start bleeding too, yoi.” Marco chimed in. “You don’t have to worry about those guys anymore, they’re gone and learned their lesson.”

“Yeah!” Sabo added, “Those punks will think twice before beating on anyone again…so wait, does this mean this is yours?” Sabo asked pulling a small orange colored pouch from his pocket.

Ace heard himself gasp and before he knew it, he had snatched the pouch out of Sabo’s hands, the hefty weight in his hands and clinking of change bringing a small sense of comfort to the boy as he brought the pouch closer to his chest and his glaring eyes turned over to Sabo.

“So it is yours.” Sabo hummed, unaffected by the rude action Ace had displayed. “Are you saving up for the new Skypea game?”

“Oh yeah, that’s coming out soon isn’t it, yoi.” Marco mused and smiled to Ace again. “And now that you’re calmer, how about that wound?”

Ace sized them both up, the boy who claimed that was in his class, and Marco, someone he had never met before. Ace was naturally untrusting of others and for good reasons, but they were making no moves to hurt him and they had–sort of–gotten his money back.

With a curt nod, Ace relaxed his stance and slipped the orange pouch into his fallen backpack.

“So, want to tell us your name?” Marco asked as he took off his bag and began to pull out a few supplies, the first was a clean white rag that he sprayed with a small bottle and began to pat Ace’s face.

Ace hissed as his cut burned, and made to pull away, but Sabo was there to place a hand in his hair gently. “He’s just cleaning it, don’t panic you’re in good hands. Marco might not look it but he has had two years training in first aid.”

“And I get in extra practice whenever this knucklehead decides he’s going to challenge kids three times his size, not to mention my siblings get in just about the same amount of trouble, yoi.” Marco confessed with a very proud grin.

Ace looked away and mumbled, “Name’s Ace, I would’ve beat them up you know.”

“Then why didn'tcha.” Sabo asked, voice both challenging and curious.

“Mom says I can’t get in any more trouble… cuz if I get in trouble then they’ll take me away.”

“Take you away, yoi?” Marco asked pausing in his cleaning Ace’s wound.

“Yeah…” Ace chewed on his lip until it stung and for a strange reason, he decided to trust the two kids, Marco and Sabo. “Old man Garp has been able to keep the ladies in suits away, but he says if the cops get me one more time, then he won’t be able to stop them from taking me away to another house.”

“Take you away to another house?” Sabo frowned, “You mean like fostering? It isn’t so bad you know.”

“My mom needs me!” Ace yelled and immediately felt bad, his shoulders slumping. “She’s sick and she needs me more than ever, so that’s why I sold all of my toys and things I don’t need at the pawn shop.”

“How sick is she Ace, yoi?” Marco’s words were soft and gentle, bringing more tears to Ace’s eyes.

He shook his head, he honestly didn’t know how bad it was now, but she had run out of medication the day before, and for the past couple of days she rarely woke. “She hasn’t left her bed in the past few days…she calls me Roger sometimes…Roger was my dad.” Ace confessed, his voice wavering as the dam he had kept up began to spill, letting loose his tears with it.

“She doesn’t remember me half of the time and she doesn’t know what day it is anymore. Sometimes she doesn’t even wake up, and others…she was supposed to get better, Gramps said she was gonna get better but he lied!”

Sabo and Marco looked at one another and silently they pulled Ace into a reassuring hug, saying nothing as the boy began to bawl, his sobs echoing off of the walls of the alley. His soul was barely held together and though Sabo and Marco didn’t completely understand it, they wanted to help.

“I can ask my dad for help, if that’s okay, yoi” Marco said, breaking the silence. “He’s friends with a couple of doctors, and until your mom gets better you can stay with us, we have tons of rooms in our house.”

“Yeah,” Sabo nodded, “Marco’s family is real nice, he was able to get me away from my home. You don’t have to be alone anymore, Ace. Let us help you.”

Let us help you.

Ace’s cries became louder as he finally returned the hug to the two boys, clinging to them as if his life and sanity depended on it. They were mere strangers, and for all he knew they were only offering him empty promises, but empty or not he would take them.

“Thank you.” Ace managed between wheezes and strangled sobs.

Never in his life, however, would he have imagined the following words to be said to him. “Of course, what are friends for, yoi.”

“Dork, you don’t thank your friends.”